Pretty Handmades

I shared a while back that I had done some pattern testing for Lauren Wright's (Molly and Mama) new book Pretty Handmades.  At that time I did not have a copy of the book, and Lauren had a blog parade for her book launch which I did not want to take away from.  The book has been released, and I do have a copy now, so I would love to share a few of the things I was fortunate to make.

Mini Charm Chocolates Sew Along with Fat Quarter Shop

I am so excited to finally be able to share this quilt with you.  It has been a long time coming, but well worth the wait!   (And yes, we did put one Christmas tree up already)!

I Goofed...

All week last week I was sure that the Mini Charm Chocolates Quilt Along was this Friday...well, it was not.  It is November 3.  SO, that being said I wanted to share a few things I've finished so at least there was something to show.  To be honest I have a lot of huge decisions to make in the near future, and I think I am trying so hard not to dwell on them I'm throwing myself into other things that make me happy.  On a good note, I won't be frantically sewing the days before the deadline, because my quilt is finished. ;)

Mini Charm Chocolate Quilt Sew Along

Twice in a week...and I will be back again on Friday.  Just wanted to share with you that I've been sewing for the Fat Quarter Shop Mini Charm Chocolate sew along, and have actually finished another quilt.

There are lots of 2-1/2" squares in this one.  And it is quick to piece!  It would make a great gift if you are thinking Christmas at all.  (I'm always thinking Christmas).  ;)

 It is quilted, bound, and ready to share (on Friday).  

I'm starting another quilt along with Thelma of Cupcakes N' Daisies, although I am well behind.  It is a fall quilt, so I haven't completely forgotten about falling leaves and pumpkins.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

FQS Cobblestone Sew Along

Today marks the beginning of the Fat Quarter Shop's Cobblestone Sew Along.  This is such a fun quilt to make and really does not take a lot of time to piece.

I used Sweetwater's Hometown Christmas Edition fabrics, which has a Christmas/holiday theme, but really doesn't read that.

A New Pattern

For my newest project I've been working on an upcoming Fat Quarter Shop pattern.

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I chose Hometown Christmas Edition fabric by Sweetwater (which I absolutely love).

Pincushions Galore!

The beginning of August I found a neat "sew along" on Instagram that was 31 pincushions in 31 days.  I quickly jumped in because of course I love pincushions, and how hard could that be?  Well, it proved to be quite an adventure.  It forced to me to do things I had put off before like paper piecing, learning how to use EQ7, and finishing something everyday.

These were made from left over scraps and using my GO!  It seems saving scraps came in very handy, as the two in the back were made from strip sets from the Cracked Pots quilt I finished a couple of months ago.

I learned how to make a cathedral window (the one in the middle).  I think a pincushion is the best way to make your first cathedral window.  It is one and done.  Tiny hexagons also worked well, as did the left over corner half square triangles from the Rush Hour quilt.

Paper piecing small items can prove to be difficult.  I had a couple that just didn't make the cut, but I'm not giving up yet.  It was also fun to make some really small blocks and to fussy cut.  I think I see some mini quilts in my future.

I found a lot of patterns (or made my own) for fruit pincushions.  I just realized I never made a tomato.  Next time.  :)

These five were all made with Thimbleblossoms patterns and Bonnie and Camille fabrics.  Easy to make and just the right size.

I had tested the hexagon block for Geta Gamma a long time back, but had never used it for anything.  I figured out how to put sides on it, and it makes a great sized pincushion!  The long one fits perfectly on my Adirondack chair which is nice to use when I'm on the patio.

These two were made from the Sew Perfectly book, and they were so much fun to make.  I made the red and white one first and then realized I had put the pocket on the wrong way so I made a second.  The red and white pocket is just the right size for a longer scissors, so I guess I needed one with the pocket on the wrong way.  I've seen a lot of these made and now I know why, they are wonderful to use!

Last but not least was this 5" pincushion made using wool for the flower petals.  (I'm trying to remember the name of the pattern).  

Whew, that is a lot of pincushions.  They were all enjoyable to make, but maybe I won't do as many in such a short time period next time, or maybe I will, as this forced me to expand my horizons and see just what I can accomplish.  Now to figure out what to do with them all.  :)  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Pretty Handmades

I can't believe another month has flown by.  I guess the beautiful weather, changing jobs, and trying new things have kept me more than busy.  My son had schedule pickup today for school which made me realize summer is fading fast and soon we will be missing the longer hours of daylight and hot and humid weather.  It also shows me just how much I love the change in seasons.

I had promised to show you some of the secret sewing I had done for Lauren Wright's new book "Pretty Handmades: Felt and Fabric Sewing Projects to Warm Your Heart."  Lauren has such a talent for making beautiful things with felt and fabric, and each completed pattern is a project I know will be loved.  

This is the Bloom Cushion Cover.  Lauren loves to combine embroidery and English Paper Piecing, which of course is right up my alley.  :)

The Flower Friends Pincushions have to be my favorites of all the wonderful patterns in the book.  They are so adorable, and seriously, I think I could make a hundred of them just to have around my house.  As you can see, they look so cute sitting with the flowers too!  I have more to show, but will save that for another day.  Thank you Lauren for allowing me to participate in this project, I enjoyed it immensely!

On a personal note, I've been making a pincushion a day for the month of August and have been sharing them on Instagram.  If you would like to see them daily you can follow me at @kkmeadowbrook.  If you aren't on Instagram, not a problem, I will be sharing them here also.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Rush Hour

Hi everyone!  It has been a while again since I've posted.  I've been sewing 20 minutes a day for the last two months, and I wanted to show you what I finished...

The pattern is Rush Hour from V and Co.  I used two V and Co. Ombre jelly rolls and a lot of white fabric, cut them with my Accuquilt Go! and sewed away.  It was no thought sewing, and I realized how much I needed to work on my fine motor skills after these surgeries.  As you can see it is big (72 x 96), and will be wonderful to use once it is quilted.  Now I am trying to decide what project to work on next.  One option is the Long Time Gone Quilt by Jen Kingwell which has been on my to do list for quilt some time, another is Tula Pink's Butterfly quilt.

I will be back soon as I have some secret sewing to share that I did awhile back for a book that will be published soon (it is so exciting!).  I hope you are enjoying your summer (or winter depending on where you are).  It is hot here, and the perfect time to be in the sewing room.  Happy Stitching!!!  --Kristen

Finally, At Last, It Is Done!

You know how when you can see the finish line it is all you can do to contain yourself?  You can see how wonderful it will be when you get there, it's just the getting there that is the problem.

Cracked Pots has been a great physical therapy tool for me.  I had smaller, easier blocks to put together.  The excitement of the bright and colorful fabrics kept me going and interested.  Then seeing it all come together was almost overwhelming, because for the first time in a long time I was seeing some progress.  Because for a long time it was all I could do to just sew a few pieces together before my hands were so worn out I'd have to quit.  I'd keep trying, but sometimes it was just easier to quit than to push through.

The lighting was not the best today, but I couldn't wait any longer to share.  As soon as I got that final border on all I wanted to do was get some photos, which doesn't always work after dark and in a rain storm like we had last night.  Today was better, but I was a little late.  I'll have another chance once it is quilted.  To finish something this big, with this many pieces, and so many pieced borders that had better be sewn together well or they wouldn't fit is almost unbelievable that my hands could actually finish.  There is hope for me, I can see it.  This will be one that will be treasured for years to come simply because these hands worked through it.  Thanks so much for letting me share, and thanks Thelma for sewing along with me!!  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

A Person Would Think...

That for as long as it took me to sew these four stars they were super difficult, but they aren't.  It was just a week of physical therapy appointments, doctor appointments, my son's spring sports, and some travel.

And if you can believe this...I actually got in trouble for NOT sewing enough!  After all, it is my "therapy" for my hands, working on my fine motor skills, grasp, pinch, and grip strength.

The Houses are Finished!

This is the last house I finished, but I think it has to be my favorite!  :)

Building Houses

Its Monday, which means Friday I did not spend sewing, I spent it finishing our taxes.  But I did find time on Sunday to do some piecing.  These houses are time consuming, but so fun to make.  The best idea was to cut everything, label all the pieces, and start chain sewing.

And in no time it seems I had some finished houses.

SO Ready To Be Back!

It has almost been a year since my last posting.  As I sit here and think about all that has happened, I'm sad thinking about all that has been, but so excited to think about what is to come.  I've experienced two surgeries, tests too numerous to even mention, and now I'm dealing with things that are going to take too much time to heal to try to guess when that is going to happen, and others that are just going to be the way they are forever.  I decided along with my physical therapist it is time to start quilting again.  Usually quilting is my way to deal with troubles, this time there was none of that since my hands were the trouble.   It takes me a little longer and I've had to find new ways to do things, but I'm excited to see the progress I'm making.  It is a little like riding a bike, once you get back on and start pedaling, you are just fine!