Lightly Toasted

I took a break from bright colors for this soft neutral baby quilt. A trio of rectangles in tan and cream small prints are turned on point and alternated with beige gingham squares.

Lightly Toasted is 40” square, and quilted diagonally with tan thread using a utility zig-zag stitch. It's easy on the eyes and perfect for a little cowboy's room.

I finished this one last spring, right before packing up my sewing gear. I can't believe I went more than six months without quilting, but I somehow survived. Wouldn't want to do that again, ever! Now I'm blissfully back in my happy place, quilting nearly every day.

Dies used:
Blue Wren 6047 Rectangles 2” x 6” 

Accuquilt
55000 Square 6”
55001 Half Square Triangle 6”
55002 Quarter Square Triangle 6”
55017 Strips 2”

Honey Sweet

Here's an adorable quilt for a cute little sweetheart.

Baby quilts are always fun to make, but this one was particularly special since I included fabric given to me by the little one's grandmama.

Soft peachy pink, muted aqua and shiny gold arrows blend well with a light gold batik dot fabric. Hexagons and triangles are arranged in a honeycomb style design.

For quilting, I created a new allover pattern using a curved ruler with light tan thread. I really like the results and will use it again.

Honey Sweet finished at 40” square. It's been done for a while but finally found its way home this past weekend.

Dies used:
Blue Wren 6808 Hexagon Set 3” sides

Accuquilt 55032 Strips 3" finished

Petting Zoo & Christmas Donation

This darling quilt is constructed with animal themed fabrics, most given to me by a friend, some picked up at estate sales. Cats, dogs, lions, owls, rabbits, llamas and other critters frolic with coordinating prints.

I used the snowball block, with black weave on the corners. Piecing was done on Elizabeth, my vintage Singer 404. Petting Zoo is 48” square. I quilted with white thread, adding straight and serpentine stitches across the center of the blocks.

Petting Zoo

Accuquilt dies used:
55330 Snowball 6” finished
55017 Strip 2½”

🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄 🎄

Christmas donation 

This was one of a group of quilts that I donated to a local senior living facility. The ladies were so surprised when this Santa's helper dropped by. It was lovely to see those smiles as they unwrapped their gifts.

Spread some

J O Y

this Christmas

 

Thrifty Threads

It's another bonus quilt!

I had a major remnant cutting session not long ago, filling a small storage box with two sizes of rectangles. Last week I wanted a quick simple project, so all I had to do was cut the solid khaki broadcloth pieces and stitch everything together.

I pieced the backing from two larger fabrics. Free motion quilting in loops using tan thread really stands out, plus flowing between short to long rows creates a nice pattern. Thrifty Threads finished at 48” x 50” for a nice scrappy lap quilt to add to my gift/donation shelf.

This handy die is one of my favorites to rescue and recycle leftover material. There are so many ways to use these rectangles: sashing, borders, rail fence blocks, and more.

I didn't want to start anything complicated because my latest purchase from Blue Wren is due to arrive any day now! The shipment landed in California last Sunday and cleared customs on Thursday. USPS shows them in Nashville now, and I already have fabric pulled and waiting.  No housework on the horizon...thankfully my man is willing to cook. 

Dies used:
Blue Wren 6047 2” x 3” and 2” x 6” finished
Accuquilt 55017 Strip 2½”

 

Spring Ahead

Although I sewed this project during a January snow, I was thinking of springtime. Soft yellow, coral, and aqua paired with black and white create a sweet baby quilt.

I used medium gray thread to showcase a loopy ruler quilting design. Spring Ahead finished out at 40” square. This one only took a couple of days to finish. 

All the fabrics were left over from other projects, part of my stash of quarter and half yard pieces. I'm on a continuing mission to pare down my scrap collection. While I haven't bought fabric in several months, I did buy several new dies. My mind is overflowing with ideas!

Accuquilt dies used:
55339 Churn Dash 9” finished
55017 Strip 2½”

Let no remnant go unused

Festive Pillows

Blazing Star pillow

I have a confession to make. These pillows are made with dies that are Christmas gifts. During Accuquilt's Black Friday/Cyber Monday sales, my sweetheart of a husband suggested that I order dies for my presents. So I did. He's the best Santa.  

When they arrived, I had to check to make sure they cut properly, right? Of course, they worked perfectly so I wrapped them with our other gifts. But then I had test pieces lying around. What to do? Make pillows!

I've wanted Blazing Star (55051) for a while and it sews up beautifully. Red, cream, black and gray for high contrast shows off the design with a holiday flair. I added a border, and what a pretty pillow cover it makes.

The second die is Snowball (55330). I sewed two 6" blocks in red and aqua, then added matching nine-patch blocks made from 2 ½” squares. I'm calling this pillow Vintage Charm.

You'll see more of both these dies in larger projects once I get to open them on Christmas Day.  

Oh, and in case you're wondering, yes...as a child I was sneaky and sometimes peeked at my presents before Santa came.  

Hope everyone has a peaceful, happy holiday.

No Idle Hands Here

My fingers are flying! 

I'm making a small dent into my yarn stash with several crochet projects. I finished up the cardigan/shrug, made from Bernat Violet Twilight. It will be nice to snuggle up in it this winter while I'm reading.  

The scarves are made with new yarn and bits from long ago projects. My favorite is the large stitch teal tweed cowl using Caron Simply Soft Hawaiian Sky and I Love This Yarn Arctic Ice. It took no time at all to whip up these Christmas gifts.

I heard Santa is bringing me a pair of grey jeans, so I just finished my present to myself, a grey and off-white large stitch cowl pullover vest.  This one made up quickly and Caron Simply Soft Light yarn is fabulous. 

Now I'll rest my fingers and begin Christmas baking.   

Five Special Mother's Day Ideas

The traditional Mother's Day gifts are most likely flowers, candy and a pretty card. 

That's what I usually give my mama. She expects me to bring her a couple of hanging pots of petunias or geraniums. Since she loves flowers, it's a perfect gift.

This year, however, I'm going to do something extra. Even though I'm not a mom myself, these five ideas seem pretty special to me.

TIME – Everyone wants to spend time with the people they love. Set aside a day or a few hours to do something with your mom and let her choose the activity. Even if it's just drinking iced tea on the porch, make the experience fun and relaxing.  

CHORES – Look around and notice what needs to be done around her house. Painting, mowing, weeding, a leaky faucet, moving furniture, or just regular housework. Don't make a big production out of it, just do it.

SHOES – No mother would turn down a day of shoe shopping or a cute pair of shoes, no matter if they're 4 inch heels or comfy house slippers.

PHOTOS – Scan a few photos of the family, vacation pictures, or outdoor shots around her home. Mount them in pretty frames and help her decide where to display them.

A LIST – Write a list of the special qualities she has, things she's taught you, why you appreciate her, fun times you've shared, and what you love about her. Put it in a frame or write it into a small notebook that she can keep with her.

With all these ideas, throw in a little laughter and a few hugs. You'll touch her heart and bring her joy!  

For those of you who are moms, have a fabulous Mother's Day!

Mother's Day Projects: Earring Organizers and Pretty Beads on a Chain

Here are a couple of quick, easy projects to create for Mom or for yourself. 

 

Display earrings where they can be seen, instead of cluttered in a drawer. All you need for this project is an embroidery or quilting hoop, some tulle fabric, and a short piece of lace. You can use several smaller hoops or a large one. Lay the tulle over the inside hoop, slide the outside hoop over, then tighten the clasp. Pull the tulle snug, then trim close to the edge on the back side. Mom can hang her earrings by color or style. 

For post type earrings, use a medium piece of lace, push them through the holes and clasp on the back. I used a decorative pin as a hanger. 

These hang beside my mirrored closet door, making it easier to coordinate with what I'm wearing. I found the embroidery hoop at a yard sale last year, and had the tulle in my stash.

 

Now that she has additional storage, make Mom something pretty to add to her collection. Costume jewelry is easy and fun to create with quick change beads. You can find the basics at any craft store or in most variety stores with a craft department. Choose a simple silver 16” chain with small clasps and string it with colorful, inexpensive beads. Make sure the holes are large enough to slide easily onto the chain. Add a focal piece or keep it simple. Give her a few extra beads in silver or colors to mix and match. Hoop earrings can be made in a snap, too; there are several styles available.

Useful Notion: Creativity doesn't have to be difficult or complicated. Walk through a craft store for ideas...you may discover a simple project that leads to a new hobby.

“My mama taught me that I had the power to achieve my dreams, to find my own way, and to be responsible for myself.” ~ Katie Scarlett 

 

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