Trying Out Pin Cushions

Don’t you just love cute pin cushions? During my recent browse around Pinterest several caught my eye, and of course these 10 minute crafts turned into a several day project, but they are so cute! The fruit pie cushion is a free tutorial from one of my favorite quilter/designers, Lori Holt at Bee In My Bonnet. The fabric I used was a charm pack called Farmer’s Market from RJR Fabrics. The little cobalt blue flower pots are ones that I’ve had for many years and decided to make them earn their keep and hold my pins. 🙂

I used the crushed walnut shells, called lizard litter at the pet stores, to stuff the cushions and to give them a little weight. A little advise: fill the cushions over a container up high in case your dog (Sami) decides to ‘help’. This stuff goes everywhere if you spill it and your dog tries to play in it while you are trying to clean it up.

These little cushions were made from orphan blocks left over from other projects. They are very handy to have at different locations around my sweat shop. Now I have one at each machine, cutting table, and the ironing board, but I will never be organized.

I am guessing you all have several pin cushions you have made, in addition to our old standby ‘the tomato pin cushion’, and probably some that have been handed down from relatives and loved ones. I remember my aunt kept a hanky pinned to the front of her blouse had pins pinned to the hanky when she was sewing.

 

 

 

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Bordered Star Table Topper

This project has been in my mind for a long time and I finally got the last border sewed last night. It was a simple project using half square triangles for the star and 2″ strips for each of the borders. Before quilting it is 41″ square that will be a perfect size for my little round dinette table. I will use the same blue as the last border for the binding. The quilting will be completed when Miss Daisy comes home from the Long Arm Hospital.

The best thing about this project: All the fabrics came from my stash! This does not happen often and when it does I like to let everyone know. 🙂

The inspiration for this project came from a screen shot I saved from 2012 in my ‘wish file’. All the information I have about it is Lemoyne Star Medallion Quilt by PetitQuilts. I want to give credit to PetitQuilts for designing this lovely piece.

 

 

Moda Blockheads BOW #41 of 48

Blockheads #41 is from Lisa Bongean and it is named Pinwheel Star. As anyone that has read my blog on a regular basis knows, I love star blocks in quilts. This was an easy block and I am so glad I am doing 12 1/2″ blocks. I think the 6 1/2″ blocks would have driven me over the edge. 🙂  With only seven blocks left I am looking forward to putting this quilt together.

Thanks for visiting with us, and as my aunt would say, “Come back when you can stay longer.”

 

 

Holiday Sewing Projects

 

Merry Christmas table runner

Christmas Table Runner – pattern improvised from a picture in Keepsake Quilting catalog

I made this table runner for my sweet daughter-in-law for her dining room table. The backing is pine cones in shades of browns and golds so she can use it both for Fall and Christmas.

 

Front of Fall placemats

Close up of placemats

Back of placemats

Set of Six Fall Placemats

While I was on a roll I decided to make  placemats to go along with the Christmas table runner. The backing is the same pine cone fabric that is on the runner. I found the fabric at Hobby Lobby and it is perfect for autumn sewing projects.

Are you all getting ready for the upcoming holidays?

Happy Fall Y’all

linked up to: Cooking Up Quilts

Moda Blockheads BOW #33 and 34 – Catch Up Time

Moda Blockheads blocks #33 and 34.

I have been under the weather lately and just haven’t felt like sewing…believe it or not. Usually I go to my sewing room no matter what because I feel that if I am sick I will be sick anywhere so I may as well be where I enjoy the atmosphere. This was not the case this time and it has been really hard getting my sewing groove back in place.

Block #33 is the Starz block by Jo Morton. I think everyone knows by now that I love the star design in quilts and this is another one to add to my list.

Block #34 is an applique block called (appropriately) House by Jan Patek. I am not good at applique but with Jan’s easy to follow directions and the big pieces, I managed to end up with something that I am not ashamed of.

I really enjoy being a part of this fun block of the week group. The designers have supplied us with beautiful blocks and I’m sure I am not the only one that has learned something along the way.

#modablockheads

 

Elm Street Quilts OMG – August – Success

THE STARS AND STRIPES QUILT IS DONE!

Luckily you did not have to witness this old lady climbing on an eight foot ladder to take this photograph. It was not a pretty sight and I learned that Sami, The Wonder Dog, is as bad at climbing ladders as I am.

I have been participating in Elm Street Quilts One Monthly Goal (OMG) for a few months. Not only has OMG spurred me to finish projects that would normally wind up in the ’round to-it’ pile but I have had the pleasure of visiting other quilt blogs that I would not have found otherwise.

Above is my completed August goal: To finish the Stars and Stripes quilting and binding. I quilted it on my long arm, Miss Daisy, using free motion quilting with wavy lines on the red/white stripes and outline stitching within the star blocks. This project was a quilt kit purchased through Craftsy and I was very happy with the fabric quality and amount that was included. I added an additional white inter border and still had enough supplied fabric to complete the wide blue border on the outer edge. This was a BIG quilt and as much as I love it, I am glad it is finished.

Here is the lovely backing fabric I ordered from Connecting Threads a couple of years ago. It was just waiting for the right quilt and I think the Stars and Stripes fit the bill. Isn’t it lovely?

You can see other participants of OMG at Elm Street Quilts OMG.

 

 

Ho Ho Ho Wall Hanging

This wall hanging is based on a pattern called Jolly Greeting Wall Hanging designed by Sandy at  Up Stairs Hobby Room. It ended up being 17″ x 52″ after quilting.  The pattern called for half square triangles (HST) borders all around but I replaced those with 2 1/2″ white snowflake fabric strips and I replaced the center of the star with a fussy cut Santa face. The binding is red and white stripe fabric.

It was a very easy project and could be pieced in an afternoon. I think I will add the HST borders on the next one. They will add more color and frame the piece better.

 

 

Elm Street Quilts OMG – July – Success!

My July OMG with Elm Street Quilts OMG (One Monthly Goal) was to complete the piecing of the Stars and Stripes quilt kit I purchased on sale from Craftsy. I am happy to say that I completed this goal. I changed the pattern a little by adding the white inner border as I thought it separated the blue border from the stars. I am very happy with the result.

This is the first quilt kit I have purchased and I was pleased with the fabrics and the pattern. The quilt measured 88″ x 106″ so it is plenty big enough for my queen size bed.

 

I won the June Drawing at Elm Street Quilts!!!!!

Most of you know that I belong to the Elm Street Quilts  One Monthly Goal (OMG) program where we post a picture of a WIP or UFO with the intention of completing the project during the month. At the end of the month pictures are posted of our success. Each month they draw from the list of participants that have posted both at the beginning and end of the month for a chance to win prizes.

I was one of the winners for the June drawing.

I always tell everyone, “I NEVER win anything” but now I can say that I did win:  I WON TWO (2) FREE PATTERNS FROM MEADOW MIST DESIGNS AND THEY ARE BEAUTIFUL! ( I know I am shouting…I am also doing the happy dance.) I had my choice of two patterns from several and it was a hard decision to make but I chose the Vintage Star and the Canvas Lines patterns. Cheryl Brickey of  Meadow Mist Designs  forwarded them to me by email. The patterns are detailed and instructions are easy to follow. I am looking forward to showing you my new quilts when completed.

A BIG thank you to Patty Dudek at Elm Street Quilts and Cheryl Brickey at Meadow Mist Designs.

 

 

 

 

Grandma’s Kitchen Challenge-Block 1

This is my version of The Kitchen Table block for Pat Sloan’s new BOW called Grandma’s Kitchen Challenge. The challenge started June 28 and will the block instructions will be posted weekly for 25 weeks.

Pat’s BOW can be found at I Love to Make Quilts website if you are interested in following along.