Jeanne found a bunch of charm packs trying to hide under her bed. Those funny charm packs! They are now spread all over my work table waiting for the weekend. My 11 year old grand-daughter (Bree) is coming over this weekend for a 2 day sleepover. She did such a great job of helping me over Christmas put together some coasters that we will try it again. It was so interesting to hear her talk about colors and what she thought coordinated together. Plus-her beginning sewing machine skills are coming along. I want to reinforce what we did and that may give her a completed project for her Life Sciences class in middle school.
what are some other good sewing projects for a middle schooler??? We did a beginning jewelry project New Year's Eve waiting for the ball to drop. That was fun but Grandma did most of the actual final touches with the crimping pliers. We'll try that again though. It was fun.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Coaster designs
Some of the fabrics that are currently available are so wonderful. Jeanne and I are having a kind of identity crisis as we fall in love with more and more of the brights. Used to be, barn red, dark country colors and more primitive styles were our favorites. We were both drawn to them.
But now there is an increasing crowd of glorious fabric designs in bright somewhat geometric styles that we keep looking at. You'll probably see more use of this kind of fabric in our designs. We are exploring colors in our choices-what a bright world it is suddenly!
But now there is an increasing crowd of glorious fabric designs in bright somewhat geometric styles that we keep looking at. You'll probably see more use of this kind of fabric in our designs. We are exploring colors in our choices-what a bright world it is suddenly!
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Pincushion Log Cabin
Just finished this adorable log cabin pillow with a pin cushion stitchery in the center. Easy as pie to put together and the stitching was fast. I used some of my leftover 1930 reproduction prints and stuffed it as full as I could. Perfect quick gift for a sewing friend.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Christmas Cactus
4-6 inches of snow by the end of today. Sigh!!! Yes-we are used to winter but this is getting a tad bit old. So this collage of photos of my Christmas Cactus in my office is offered to brighten my day and yours. Time to pull out my embroidery and stitch for an hour.
What are you working on today?
What are you working on today?
Sunday, January 16, 2011
Quick as a Wink Knit Pin Cushion
While all the fabric we have is being re-organized and straightened, I have been keeping my knitting fingers busy. This little multi-colored pin cushion is my new favorite thing to knit while watching football. (Did I mention that the Green Bay Packers won yesterday? Oh, guess I didn't!)
We are calling our Quick as a Wink Knit Pin Cushion. The pattern will be posted on our web site soon. Plus we are going to feature this on our Etsy Shop. Keep your eyes out!!! We'll let you know when everything's ready.
We are calling our Quick as a Wink Knit Pin Cushion. The pattern will be posted on our web site soon. Plus we are going to feature this on our Etsy Shop. Keep your eyes out!!! We'll let you know when everything's ready.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Jeanne is here!
I am now set up to use our blog. You will here from Janell and Me. I will try to keep you updated as I create new projects!
Better than snow!
This bright pack of fabric is sitting on my ironing board waiting for me. I got up early this morning and went to the sewing room looking for something to shoo away the snow day blahs. It snowed about 2 inches overnight and the forecast is for 3 more days of the same thing.
This great pack of fat quarters by Moda are going to be perfect to keep me thinking bright thoughts. I'm toying with the idea of two placemats or 4 sets of coasters for the living room. Either idea will really brighten up things. What would be your choice????
Do you have a favorite 'go-to' pattern that is quick and easy to put together-just perfect for a small project to give you a boost on a slow day??? Share please!
This great pack of fat quarters by Moda are going to be perfect to keep me thinking bright thoughts. I'm toying with the idea of two placemats or 4 sets of coasters for the living room. Either idea will really brighten up things. What would be your choice????
Do you have a favorite 'go-to' pattern that is quick and easy to put together-just perfect for a small project to give you a boost on a slow day??? Share please!
Monday, January 10, 2011
Tired Packer Fan
It was an exciting game for Packer fans. At the end of the game we just sat back and thought about the excitement that meant the Packer's have another game to play in the march towards the Super Bowl. I tried to knit but kept dropping stitches. Had to finally admit I couldn't do both!
Friday, January 7, 2011
Christmas Cactus
Isn't this amazing? I truly believe that plants and flowers are a true gift. This Christmas cactus was given to me two years ago by a dear friend for my office. It was beautiful the first year so I tried to keep it going. It has been knocked around a bit, moved from one building to another, and the window light changed drastically. BUT here it is-still going strong. Absolutely amazing.
I think I need to try to use these flowers in a new embroidery design. Must ask Jeanne to sketch them-I think they could become adorable little umbrellas or hats. What do you think??
I think I need to try to use these flowers in a new embroidery design. Must ask Jeanne to sketch them-I think they could become adorable little umbrellas or hats. What do you think??
Thursday, January 6, 2011
New Year coasters
New Year's Eve was wonderful with lots of craft time spent with my 11 year old grand-daughter. We rummaged through my collection of Charm Packs and made some great choices for coasters. Bree made a set for her mother and I made some for co-workers. What fun working together. She did a great job of fabric selection, pressing, and machine sewing. I was so proud of her work. Can't wait until the next project!
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
The Quilt Lady
Today I visit 'the quilt lady'-some one talented in machine quilting who will help me finally turn my quilt tops into quilts. I must admit that I have a stack of 6 quilt tops and plans to make more. Unfortunately, they are not the type that I would invest more time in by hand-quilting. Either the patterns don't lend themselves to that style or I don't have the time. It can take over a year to hand-quilt a quilt-at least for me!
So, through sheer diligence, I have an appointment at 1:30 to meet with a 'quilt lady' to talk about what I need done. I plan to leave 3 quilt tops and their backs there. Her work is gorgeous and she is award winning. On the phone she sounds delightful. Jeanne may come along-that would be extra fun.
I'll let you know how it goes. Oh, did I mention I experienced the rise in cotton prices when I went shopping for fabric for the quilt backs? Let's see 8 yards of batik fabric at $10.25 a yard. Hmmm....where's that check book?
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