Saturday, December 13, 2014

A Finish, A Mystery & Winners

The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing. One cannot help but be in awe when he contemplates the mysteries of eternity, of life, of the marvelous structure of reality. It is enough if one tries merely to comprehend a little of this mystery every day. Never lose a holy curiosity.
 Albert Einstein


I wanted to get my finished project blogged about yesterday but I spent most of the past two days in the road running errands.  I didn't get everything done Thursday so I had more to do yesterday.  I had an appointments to keep both days so I was afraid to try to start anything in the studio for fear of being late.  Christmas shopping is almost done but I have a stack of projects for gifts that need my attention.  Hopefully next week and this weekend will allow studio time.

A Finish

My finish is one you have seen before.  It is a charity quilt.  I decided to finish it although there are some ladies who like to stitch the binding down in the group.  That is a good project for some older ladies who don't or can't sew much any more.


Here is a good shot of the quilting.  I used a variegated YLI thread that went from blue to orange so it was perfect for this quilt.  I tried for some glamour shots.  Misty wasn't impressed by the quilt at all.



I did a scrappy binding with the leftover fabrics.  It turned out fine.



I think this shot was after washing.  The fabrics weren't prewashed before piecing.  It shrank some and the color catcher turned blue but there was no bleeding of color.



I tried something new and attempted to center the X on the back.  This is hard to do on the longarm as the layers shift as they are rolled up.  The tension put on the fabric is never exactly the same each time it is rolled either.  I think I did pretty good however it was only about an inch off when finished.  Not enough to be noticed visually.



Misty was one of the reasons for so many errands.  The groomer and the vet.  I'll have to get a picture of her new haircut.  You can see she was a little scruffy here.  She is 10 years old and has been suffering from skin problems this fall.  This is common with her breed but she has shown a little improvement this week.

A Mystery

Last Saturday I had a spike in page views here on my blog, over 2200 in one day.  I'm thinking that someone must have mentioned my blog on Instagram or Twitter because many used Google to find me.  Any of you wonderful readers out there know where this sudden interest come from?  Maybe some of my new readers found me that way.  I'm just curious.  It's nice to get some unexpected hits.

A Christmas Hang Out?

Welcome to ALL my NEW READERS!!!  Even while I've been delinquent in posting my numbers have been crawling upwards.  Thanks for having faith in my imparting something you want to read about.  I am about to hit 400 on Bloglovin.  I haven't check my other numbers lately but that is by far the largest one.  I know others use Feedly, GFC or email to get my posts too.  I'm thinking another drawing will be due soon to celebrate.  How about one to start off the New Year.

Most of my traffic lately, especially while I wasn't posting, was to check out my posts about Christmas projects and the Christmas Hang Out Linkys that I did the past two years.  I have not done any promotion for one this year.  I have been running them the week before Christmas.  If you are interested in having one this year I will be glad to do it.  I was thinking that a theme of Table Toppers would be nice.  This could be anything from Table Runners to Mug Rugs or Placemats.

IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN LINKING UP PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW.  The dates would be December 18 - January 1
If I have at least 10 people who want to participate I will do it.  I think I would leave it open until New Years.  That way the Christmas Rush will be OVER and you will have time to think blog again.  If you have a tutorial for anything that will fit the theme let me know and I can feature it one day.

As I have done in the past I would have a Giveaway for those who participate.  I will make a decision Monday according to those who comment this weekend.  If I don't have at least 10 who are interested in linking up I will just skip this year and do one next year.

The Winners!

Thanks to all who commented on the Sew Mama Sew Giveaway.  I used Random. org to select the winners this morning.  Here are the Lucky Numbers that came up.  I will get the gifts on their way to you when I have your snail mail addresses.

#51 Cindy Dahlgren
#55 Debbie
#47 Lisa
#45 Crickets Corner

Congratulations!


Wednesday, December 10, 2014

Zip It Up

My theory on housework is, if the item doesn't multiply, smell, catch on fire or block the refrigerator door, let it be. No one cares. Why should you? 
Erma Bombeck


As I said I have been exploring what I can do with my embroidery machine.  These zipper bags are from one of the design discs that caught my eye.  The zipper was stitched on in the hoop and the backing can be too.  I decided that I would prefer to have them lined so I didn't do that step and added the lining.  




I used a quilting design from another design disc to quilt thimbles all over the backing.  They would show up better on a more solid fabric.



Here is the second one I made.  I just quilted the back of it with straight lines, I forgot to get a picture.  I got the corners to turn out a little sharper on this one.  I love the saying it fits me to a T.  LOL



I love the swirling thread and needles.  It takes most of an hour to stitch this out.




I thought you might like a close up of the iron and spray bottle.  

The other saying on the disc are all ones I want to stitch out.  I might want to make something other than the bags with them though.  This is another Anita Goodesign creation.

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Thanksgiving Projects

Gratitude is the inward feeling of kindness received. Thankfulness is the natural impulse to express that feeling. Thanksgiving is the following of that impulse. 

Henry Van Dyke

We had a great Thanksgiving gathering!  All my kids and grandkids were there.  The turkey was beautiful (sometimes they look a little sad) and the food was all good.

When I was shopping at JoAnn a few weeks before Thanksgiving I saw this fun fabric and it just jumped into my hands.  I had to use it for something.  I also have been exploring my embroidery machine and trying to get comfortable with using it.  Here is what I made.



The fabric says Gobble, Gobble, Gobble and Gobble till you Wobble.  I had some brown rick rack in my stash of assorted trims that I used in the edge.  The turkey is from Anita Goodesign.  I used batting in the middle and quilted around the turkey and around the inserted square.


This one was ready for a nap and not too happy when I remembered to get the camera.  
The bib was a little big for her but she will be able to use it next year too.  She is 6 months old now and they both have blue eyes.  Cute little cousins don't you think?

I also made a nice tablecloth for my odd sized dining table but I forgot to get a picture of it.  I even drafted the pattern so it would fit well.  With the leaf in the table measures 56" x 76" and you can't find a one to fit in the store.  Round ones to use without the leaf are either a little short or a little long.  I use some of them anyway but need to make one that fits better.  I have the fabric that I bought about 5 years ago but haven't made it yet.  Now that I have the circle drafted I should be able to get it done.

Don't miss the Giveaway on yesterday's post if you haven't read it yet.  I'll be back to share some more of my finishes soon.



Monday, December 8, 2014

Sew Mama Sew Giveaway Day

The human contribution is the essential ingredient. It is only in the giving of oneself to others that we truly live. 
Ethel Percy Andrus


It's Giveaway Day!  
Let's Celebrate the Season of Giving!

Since I have been away from my blog for a while I thought I should treat my readers to a Giveaway.  I am giving away patterns and there will be 4 Winners!  




I'm offering a variety so maybe you will like at least one of them.  If you haven't been to my blog before I hope you will take the time to look around.  I post when I have things to share and since I didn't even post once during November I am a bit behind.  I have made a few things and even finished them!  Maybe the shock of actually finishing the things I started was too much for my system.  LOL  Either that of hitting the big 60 back in October has thrown me for a loop.  Whatever it was I think I'm over it now and have a bunch of pictures of what I have been up to ready to share in the next few days.

So if you like Santas, Angels, Trees or Snowmen you should like a chance to WIN.



These Santas have been dieting.  The single one would look great on a door.



Some days are tougher than others so you might want a few angels 
watching over you.  This sweet applique project would be fun even if you decided 
not to add the scalloped border.  I added a close up of this one.





Not into applique?  How about piecing or embroidery.  These trees and houses
could fit in with your Holiday decor or most any Season.


If snowmen are more your style you could win these 2 patterns.  
The one above is for some little ornaments or a lapel pin. 
The wreath below could warm your home all winter.
They are made with cotton batting and can be dressed
in recycled  shirts or sweaters.


Giveaway has ended.

Leave a comment below as to whether you prefer Santas, Angels, Trees or Snowmen.

Make sure you leave your contact info if you are a no reply blogger.

My followers, new or old, my leave an additional comment for a second chance to win.  Just state how you follow my blog in a second comment.  If you would like to say what you have read on it that you liked best that would be great too! 

Giveaway closes at 5pm PST Friday, December 12.  Winners will be announced this weekend.  

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