Design Wall Monday

The last time I shared this mini medallion I was more than a little upset with it.  Now that I let it sit for a bit it all worked out well and I am happy with it.  I have found that when I'm struggling I do better to put the project aside for awhile, and when I come back things usually work out a lot better.

This quilt is actually on my design wall and all the borders are added.  I'm trying to figure out how to quilt it.  The evening is still early (kind of) and there are other projects that need attention (that list is never ending).

Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

June Handmade Christmas Challenge

The Handmade Christmas Challenge is still going on at Sew Cal Gal, and although I wasn't sure I could actually pledge to make something each month for Christmas in May, June is looking a lot more promising.  There is still time to sign up and take the pledge, and you can also see what others are making so they are ready for Christmas this year here.

The Holly & Berries Table Mat pattern by Primitive Gatherings was shown done with black wool for the background.  I used a cream colored wool instead and love the way it lightens it up.

Instead of cutting a lot of little red berries out of wool and them maybe or maybe not being circles,  I decided to use buttons.  I wish I could tell you where I got the buttons, but after a fiasco with ordering some on line I ended up shopping a lot of different stores collecting packages of these little buttons to use.  I'm so glad I didn't give up because they really were much easier to sew on then those tiny wool circles.  I know when December rolls around I will be so happy I took the pledge to finish a Christmas project a month.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

    

First Day Of Summer

I think I can safely say that every person who lives near me is rejoicing that the first day of summer is finally here.  It was a beautiful day, and I am still enjoying the sunshine and the warmth.  I spent this past week traveling with my son for a basketball camp which gave me some much needed rest as well as some welcomed time to work on a few hand projects.

My first finished project is this pincushion "September Apples" by Purple Thread Designs.  It is the first day of summer and I'm finishing an autumn pincushion.  Finally, I'm somewhat ahead of the game and not working at the last minute!  There are more finishes to share, and I will be back tomorrow.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen 

Summer Fun

I guess I have been missing in action for a few weeks.  School ended, the warm summer sun has arrived, and after being cooped up all winter I've been spending time outdoors.  We have flowers in the window boxes and pumpkins that are growing like weeks.  It may be hard to keep me inside to sew after the horribly long and cold winter we had.

I started this beast after finding it on the SewMamaSew website about a month ago.  I guess when I saw "miniature medallion" I didn't really get that it was a minature with a million tiny pieces.  :)  I still have another border to attach (it has been removed twice already), and after fighting with it I decided it just needed some time to itself to think about how it was acting. :)  I'm almost ready to finish it, but I've been so busy planting, running, and just enjoying the great outdoors it may spend a little more time alone.  I do have to say the last pieced border just needs to be attached...so maybe.  A couple "to go" bags have been packed as I will have many hours to spend waiting next week.  I am hoping to do some of that hand work that I do not seem able to sit still for lately.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Handmade Christmas Challenge

SewCalGal is having a Handmade Christmas Challenge and for once I am bound and determined to get some of these projects done early so I can enjoy the holiday and not stress trying to finish them.  I know I will still be working on some of them, but to even have one ready is exciting.

This quilt pattern was in the Fons and Porter November 2009 issue and was called "Holiday Cheer."  Now that I have my sewing cabinet finished I've been taking advantage of the extended top on it and trying some new quilting stitches.  I have also been spending some time watching Craftsy quilting classes and learning a lot.  Funny how studying can be so much fun when it is something that you love doing.

I am expanding my horizons with my walking foot...What a difference the 1/2" straight lines make around the center block.  In my experimenting I did realize something...if the quilt isn't moving freely, it may mean there is a problem on the underside of the quilt.  I ended up unsewing all the stippling I did in the outer border and redoing it because of the big loops on the bottom.  It was worth it though, and I am looking forward to the day in November when I hang this quilt for the holiday season.  Not to say I wouldn't enjoy a lot of warm, sunny days before then.  ;)

For some reason I made an extra corner star block so I decided to quilt that too and make it into a mug rug.  For more Christmas inspiration the other projects can be seen here.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Blogger's Quilt Festival

It takes me a while, but I'm not too late to enter a quilt into the Blogger's Quilt Festival.  There is nothing like a quilt show to inspire creativity.  I've been looking at the quilts that are already entered, and I have a long list of possible new quilts to make.  

I just finished this quilt and my son is in love with it.  In fact, he asked me when the next one will be done.  I think completed quilts inspire new quilts to be finished.  This one is from the Touchdown pattern by Cluck Cluck Sew.  I quilted it on my home sewing machine and love the fact that it is ready for the upcoming football season a few months in advance (anyone who knows me knows that I am usually working up until the last minute on everything).  If you are visiting from the Blogger's Quilt Festival welcome, you can read more about this quilt here...and if you are a regular visitor of mine, check out the festival here...there are so many wonderful quilts on display!  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Sew Mama Sew Giveaway Day and a New Quilt!!! ---The Winner Is....

When Merrilee at Stitchin' It Up Quilt Shop asked me if would be interested in making her new quilt kit using the Touchdown pattern by Cluck Cluck Sew I was in.  I figured it would be the perfect new quilt for my son who is an avid football fan, and the bright, fun colors were too good to pass up.

What I did not expect was the number of people asking if I would make them one too when they saw it. The pattern was a great one to work with.  The instructions were very clear and making the football strings was easy and fun.

Since it is Giveaway Day (week) at Sew Mama Sew I thought I would give you a chance to win a gift certificate of $25 to Stitchin' It Up Quilt Shop which you can use toward the purchase of this kit or anything else you would like.  All you need to do to enter is leave a comment letting me know who your favorite sport's team is...it doesn't have to be a football team or a professional team for that matter (I love watching my son's basketball and soccer teams).  If you are not a sports fan of any kind you can let me know that too.  For another chance to win, leave a second comment letting me know you follow my blog and how.  The winner will be announced here on May 18, at 5 p.m. CST and is open worldwide.
Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen


The winner of the gift certificate is barb said...

i am a happy follower via bloglovin. 

May 12, 2014 at 3:36 PM 

An email has been sent Barb, please contact me soon.  Thank you to everyone who entered, I really enjoyed reading your comments.