I just realized that I don’t have a place for you to post any comment. A comment not related to a post. Just a chat. Just something you thought of. Ask a question.
Now I do.
Here.
So… post away!!
Monthly Archives: August 2011
More Etsy Treasuries
People are finding me on Etsy!!
Seeing my items included in someone’s Treasury makes me really proud to be a crafter.
This one has not one but TWO of my items.
http://www.etsy.com/treasury/Nzk4MTA2Nnw2MzgwNDExMTk/the-art-of-macrame
Red Lil’ Miss Purse
Appeared 8-26-11.
http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTQ0MDMyNzd8NjMxMDgyMTY5/old-school
This one appeared on 8-19-11.
Kid’s Purple Novelty Basket
http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTQ3NTYwNzh8NjAwMTY5Mjcy/purple-haze
This one I am sad to say I totally missed when it was posted. And I didn’t even thank the curator. But I guess better late than never.
Appeared 12-10-10
http://www.etsy.com/treasury/MTA2NzU3MjZ8MjQxNjc3/glamorous-greens-gorgeous-reds-merry?index=0
If you are keeping count, that is now seven (7) treasuries. 
All, except the Lil’ Miss, are my original designs.
Only $10, OMG!!
Can you say Oh My Gosh with me?
OMG!!
This was only $10 at one of the craft stores I frequent. I guess the person who made them wanted to get rid of them. This was the last one. It is well made.
I was thinking about painting it. Was. But with all the colorful fabrics I use, I don’t want to box myself in or limit what I can do with it. Maybe paint it white. But probably I will leave it as is.
I love it!! And now I have to make larger doll pillows. The little Ball and Chain ones are way too small for it.
And as usual I made my weekly Wednesday stop at the Salvation Army Thrift Shop yesterday. Senior Day. 25% off. I circled the place. I am getting faster with my browsing. I know what is new, what was there the last time. I headed to the mug section. Found two I liked. Headed to the doll section. Found lots I liked. But only bought three and a stuffed monkey. How cute are these!! All between 1.99 and 3.99.
No way could I just walk away from them. They needed a home. But don’t tell them they won’t be played with and will just be props for my photo taking sessions.
Back-To-School Quilt Is Finished
This is where we left off. I was showing you the completed quilt top.
It still needed to be quilted.
And bound.
Ok, let’s go. Lots to tell you. Show you.
I love it when I try something new (to me) or different and it works out ok. There are a couple of “firsts” in this quilt.
No 1: First time quilting with other than a neutral color thread. Tried black. I held my breath each time I arrived at a red section. And wouldn’t you know it, my hands got all wobbly and I messed up a few times. Intimidated by red!! But I left it as is, didn’t stop, rip and start over. I am learning that perfection is overrated.
No 2: First time sewing the binding by machine. I sewed very slowly and stopped about every four inches to flip up the bottom to make sure I was sewing inside the binding area and not over the edge. I like the result and will likely do it again. For quilts this size or smaller.
I had just enough of the alphabet fabric to make Dresden Plate wedges for a pillow. Had to piece two of them. So except for a few small scraps, that fabric is used up. Yay!!
The pillow is different from any others I have made. I added a pocket. A secret hidden pocket. It is deep and the width of the pillow. I bet a child will be delighted to discover it. The intrigue of it all. It is deep enough to completely hide this notepad I covered with the ABC123 fabric.
This set is perfect for day care. Use it at home or take it to Grandma’s. Nap time and playing school. A playmat. Quilt measures 42″ by 52″ and pillow is 12″ by 16″.
I am finding I like black, red and white together. It is fast becoming one of my favorite color combinations.
What are your favorite fabric color combinations? Do tell.
The Doll Days of August
Making quilts for dolls is a lot of fun. I get to experiment with colors and also use up some of those “cut but didn’t work” pieces from other projects.
These were made from the pink/purple scrap bin. Even used some of my Dresden Plate leftovers. Toss in some lace and you get what I am calling the Ball and Chain Series.
The Pillow.
So far I have five finished. Here are front and back photos. Twice the fun.
And now some close-up’s.
You are probably wondering why I named them Ball and Chain. This little ball and chain keeps the pillow matched up with the quilt.
Next, I moved on to Zebras. Zebra fabric. I really love this fabric.
I added the lace and different color fabric trim. Matching pillow, of course.
I used the black and white zebra fabric for the back. Cuteness overload.
Then I made this quilt I call the Red Flower quilt. I fussy cut the flower for the center.
Used Michael Miller Clown Stripes as my starting Log Cabin border.
Not only did I fussy cut the red flower but I also “fussy sewed” to line up the stripes.
Then added my favorite polka dots.
Quilting was done with a fast simple meandering stipple design.
I knew I wanted to add lace and ribbon. Selected this double sided lace from my lace stash. Been there for YEARS. Happy to use some of it.
Binding was done with the red and black floral fabric. I had hoped to fussy cut more of the red but this was the best I could get.
This photo shows the fabric I used for the back. Didn’t want to go all wild with a lot of different fabrics. The front is busy enough.
Red Flower quilt measures 24″ by 24″. Perfect for 18″ dolls and could also be used for a new baby.
Hope you have enjoyed my Doll Days of August.
My Back-To-School quilt is finished. Working on the pillow. Photos soon, maybe tomorrow.
New Theme, New Look
Yep, you are at the Right Place!!
I changed the theme today. A new version of the old theme I was using. From Quentin to Quintus. It appears brighter, has a larger footprint. I am not 100% sure of the font color. Still experimenting with it and the header image.
Let me know if you are unable to locate something you previously could find.
Like it?
Back-To-School Quilt
I am still working through my “old” novelty fabric stash. The fabric on the right with the black background and colorful alphabet letters has been around for years.
I used some of it to make a couple of quick simple purses and had about a yard left. I only recently discovered some of the letters of the alphabet were missing. I couldn’t spell out my name. How weird is that!!
With schools opening soon, the idea of making a Back-to-School quilt seemed like a good idea. A mini quilt or lap quilt for a child. I gathered up several other fabrics and got started cutting out the pieces. Dresden Plate wedges. One of my favorites to work with.
I changed my mind after making this block and decided to go longer.
Added two more wedges to balance it out. 10 wedges per strip.
Here are four strips sewn together with black fabric with tiny white dots for sashing. And also black polka dots. (You knew polka dots would be here somewhere, right? )
Let’s see… we have Math, Spelling… how about some Music!!
Making progress. Two complete sections done.
When deciding on the final borders Log Cabin style, I really wanted to somehow bring this yellow numerical fabric into the mix. I tried it on the sides. But it stuck out too much. Even consulted my “color expert” (hubby). He has a great eye for color. I looked at him and he was shaking his head. OK. No bright yellow.
As you can see here, I used my Go-To-Fabric, my beautiful black polka dots. Always handy. I am thinking of buying an entire bolt the next time a JoAnn’s 50% off coupon lands on my doorstep.
So… the quilt top is finished. And now I have to decide on the fabric for the back, quilt it and add the binding.
Unless I change my mind, this will be the binding.
Right now it measures 42″ by 54″.
Target Ad: DENIM!!
What do you do when a commercial on TV comes on?
Run to the bathroom. Raid the frig. Take a nap. I mean.. come on… there are so many of them shown during the same break you probably COULD take a quick 5 minute nap.
And then once in a while, though it is rare, you see one you like. Actually like.
Well, here’s one I LOVE. Love so much that I went to YouTube to watch it again.
To me, it is the funniest commercial out there. It gets the message across and you don’t forget the company’s name.
Check this out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNDfreK0Yno&feature=related
Denim. Denim. Now you’ll be singing it in your head for days. Like me!!
Do you have a favorite commercial?
Monkeys and Mouse Pads
Are you a laptop person or a desktop person?
Me? Count me in with the non-laptop people. I still have a bulky old desk top. And love it. I don’t have to figure out how to navigate the cursor. I use my mouse. And since I have a mouse, I also have a mouse pad.
One of those square thingys. A necessary thing. You know it’s there but you never pay any attention to it.
But with a little bit of cotton fabric and a sheet of fusible web, you can transform an ordinary mouse pad to THIS.
And of course… A girl has to accessorize!!
So I gathered up other fabrics to go with the monkey fabric and decided to make another Roll-Up Tote.
Isn’t this monkey fabric the cutest?
I LOVE making these!! I guess I am just happy to be back sewing. I sewed non-stop as a teen-ager. Back in the late 50′s, early 60′s.
And these shoes!! I couldn’t help myself. I bought them several years ago on eBay. I was looking for some little Barbie dolls as props and found an auction of Barbie stuff really cheap. The shoes don’t really go with monkeys. It’s the COLOR. I couldn’t resist adding them.
Ditto the notepad. Couldn’t resist. Steam-A-Seam2. I LOVE YOU!!
And now it’s a set. My Monkey Desk Set.
I bet you have a collection of old mouse pads around the house. Go gather them up. And cover them with fabric. Will make unique Christmas presents for your family and friends with desktops.
And More Barbie Stuff… Roll-up Totes
My Barbie fabric has just about come to an end. I am down to one piece about 18″ by 20″ and a small bag of scraps.
Here are the latest.
Roll-up totes and a notepad cover.
The smaller ones can hold little Barbie dolls.
(This photo was taken before I added the shoes.)
Making the notepad cover was super easy using Steam-A-Seam2. I love that stuff. I definitely will be buying more!!
