Howdy!

Spring, make that SUMMER weather is here!

It's so much easier getting out of bed with the sun shining

and the birds chirping.

Don't you agree?

Want to share a little project I made

for my quilting friends at Guild.

A Matchbook Needle Keeper.

Isn't it just the cutest?

Easy-Peasy to make.

Here are the directions.

Since I had only boring white cardstock on hand

I needed to pump it up a bit.

Sew......I ironed Steam A Seam 2 on the back of cute fabric,

 then pressed the fabric onto the cardstock.

It worked!

Who knew? 

On Saturday I had the pleasure of attending the

WI Quilt Study Group meeting in Madison.

Janette Dwyer spoke about her favorite subject

"My girl Ruby" 

 Have you heard of Ruby Short McKim?

She is nationally known as a quilt designer of the 1920s and 1930s.

A woman ahead of her time!

For both her creative and business talents.

Janette bought lots of quilts and patterns to share.

Her enthusiasm for Ruby is contagious!

I purchased the Roly Poly Circus pattern.

You know I love redwork!

Here is a picture of the quilt I found on Google.

With all the projects I have going maybe I will get this made for 

 my great-grandchildren?

Check out this beautiful customer quilt.

Jean did a fabulous job working with flannel.

Pictures are from this winter but hey......
I forgot to show it.

The backing flannel is so cozy.

Well, I'm off to work.....my machine is calling.

Quilt On.

Connecting Threads

I just received my order from Connecting Threads

and couldn't be happier!

The fabric quality is excellent, has a nice soft silky feel.

And the price can't be beat! 

Just let me say, no affiliation, no paid commercial.

These fabrics are from their Firecracker line. 

A real country red and bright royal blue.

I purchased enough of the red prints for backings.

At $3.00 a yard, how could I not!

Love the blue "friendship star" print.

Going to be borders on my BOM guild quilt.

I also ordered their thread for the first time.

White in the middle, with natural on the left and antique on the right.

The antique is a perfect match for muslin fabric. 

A real bargain at $2.49 a spool.

100% Egyptian cotton #50.

I will give it a test run this weekend at retreat.
Have you tried it yet?

These 2 fabrics, are labeled as "seconds".

Seconds meaning the print is wavy.

I looked closely and was unable to see any major waves or distortion.

An affordable backing, priced at $2.28 a yard.

Don't get me wrong.

I love the major manufacturers "designer fabric" lines.

But at $9.95 a yard and up .........

I need to find a few alternatives to make my hobby affordable.

I ordered 2 spools of their Essential PRO thread.
Thought I'd give it a try.

I love to have a variety of threads available for customer quilts.

Remember my thread wall?

 

 Freehand roses and rosettes.

With a paisley background.

 This is the customer quilt I was working on for last 2 weeks.

King size plus.

Love the pieced back.

 Well, I'm off to gather my treasures for the weekend.

Leaving bright & early tomorrow morning.

 Shop Hopping all the way there!

 

The Next Best Thing Since Sliced Bread

OOOOO, I didn't forget about you......

I've been sew-o busy,
just like the you, I'm sure.
But now with day light savings time
I have an extra hour of sunshine in my day!
Cuz let me tell ya
when it's dark by 4 in the afternoon
I'm in my jammies.

There's HOPE for Spring!
Check out my BOM from Little Miss Shabby.

Lovin the orange and teal!

January Snowman

February Love Birds

Lucky Shamrock March

Of course I'm not doing the suggested setting.
In fact, I used that setting for my Snowbound quilt.
Cute. Cute. Cute.

And here is the next best thing since sliced bread!
Erasable gel markers.
The ink disappears when ironed!
* Can be purchased at the office supply store or Walgreens.

And this sweet tea towel pattern is available
FREE

Click Here

Here is a customer wall hanging.
Love the eagle!

Keep those sewing machines humming!

Scrappy Sue

Oh WOW, have I been busy.
Machine quilting!
I'm so happy!

I haven't been on my machine for months with this broken arm.
I needed to put a practice top on and just go for it.

These Sunbonnet Sue blocks were rescued from a garage sale years ago.
Waiting patiently to be made into a quilt.
I pieced random strips of reproduction fabrics around the block.
Wouldn't the gal who hand stitched Sue
be delighted to see her quilt finished?
I

Four pieces from my stash were used for the backing.
I can't wait to wash & dry it
to get that cuddly, soft, wrinkled vintage look.
Surely, one of my 3 granddaughters, will take a liking to it.
Can you tell I love feathers?

On my table, the finished Valentine topper.

This yo-yo block, another rescued treasure,
is my usual table topper.

Well, that's my life up to the minute.
To dang cold to go out and about.
And snow......let's not even go there.

Stay safe and warm.

Cherries In Winter

What was up with Blogger?

Glad they were finally able to fix the problem.
Got me to thinking.......
what would we do without blogs???
Panic!

There is sew much inspiration out there!
Have you seen the "Apron in A Jar"
Jodi from Pleasant Home posted today?

And Karen from Sew Many Ways idea for a fabric swap?
And while your there check out her sewing room.
To. Die. For.

This is what I have been working on.
I started 2 table toppers last year, luckily it was all cut out.

Candy Kisses
by Sandy Gervais.

The book on my night stand was recommended by
Lori at Bee In My Bonnet earlier this month.
Check out her review.
Recipes with a story.
Loved it.

She talks about this in the book.
Oven Therapy.

I made the phrase into a 5 x 7 for my kitchen.
Just click on image to enlarge and save.
Then print.

Thanks for stopping by!

P.S. Check out the comment left by the author, Suzan Colon!

Pin Cushion Madness

I wanted to make my QUILTY friends a
"little something" for Christmas.

Decided a quilter can never have enough
Pin Cushions.

I searched the web for a free pattern
and couldn't believe all the possibilities.

Here are the 2 sites that I used for inspiration.
Both have excellent tutorials
with lots of photos.
Of course, I made a few minor changes.

Creative Kismet

Craftapalooza

I made 2 sizes.

Instead of cutting 8 separate wedges I pieced a 4 patch.
4-4" squares for small 6" circle.
4-5" squares for large 8" circle.

Then,using my circle template, cut out my circles.
A few of the pin cushions have a solid piece for the back.
Others the 4 patch.

What is this?
My filler.
Ground English Walnut Shells.
I read about it on several sites.
And
Alex Anderson uses this in her pin cushions.
Makes them "weighty" and helps keep needles sharp.
I found this large bag for $9.99 at my local pet store.
Enough to fill more pin cushions than I can make!

I also used this long needle.
Left over from the 80's (used for doll sculpture).
Don't even ask.

I used 7/8"covered buttons for the top.
And a regular button for the bottom.
Chained stitched around the seam
with 6 strands of matching floss.
A little extra detail.

This one is made from an old linen dish towel
that was stained beyond use.
And wool.
I used iron on interfacing for backing the wool & linen
to keep the filling from seeping out.
And found the perfect button in my button jar.
I knew I saved all those strays for a reason!

In this season of "giving"
I'd like to send one of my dear blog readers
a few "seasoned" cookbooks and a pin cushion.
Just leave a comment.
I'll draw a name on Saturday.
Or two.
I have enough crushed walnut filling
that's for sure!

Warm holiday wishes.