Two Down, Twenty-Eight or More To Go

A long time ago I tried sewing curves.  I used templates (that is how long ago it was) to cut my pieces out and I pinned, and pinned, and pinned those curves to the point that there wasn't much room to sew in between pins.  They did not look so good when they were finished either.  As a matter of fact the block was never finished, it was thrown.

I'm actually very impressed with the way these are turning out.  I never dreamed I could sew these together and have them look like this with an obvious 1/4" seam allowance.

AND, they measure 9-1/2" square!!!  I do have to say that I have to take my time sewing them, but it honestly does not take as long as I thought it would.

If they were that bad to sew together I would not have purchased this book.  The QCR ruler is amazing!  Seriously, where have I been that I didn't know about this?  :)  I am truly enjoying this project and can't wait to see how the rows look put together...which means I had better get to the sewing machine.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

I Can't Wait to Get Started!!!

Thelma over at Cupcakes and Daisies is having a sew along, and when I saw what they were working on, I just had to jump in.  I ordered the Metro Lattice pattern which I could download, the Quick Curve Ruler, and some Hubba Hubba fabric from Stitchin' It Up Quilt Shop.  The fabric arrived today, and I cannot wait to get started cutting it up.

There is still time to join us, or feel free to cheer us on.  The easy part is the cutting and sewing in the beginning...I'm curious to see how easy all those curved pieces go together.  :)  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

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