What A Week...

This last week has been exhausting to say the least.  We had the long three-day weekend, which was wonderful, but I could have used five days, and it was the last week of school.  I always seem to forget that the last week of school is full of added activities besides the normal ones.  Thank goodness it is all over with and I say "Bring on Summer."  Of course that would mean we would be able to turn our furnace off.  Never in my life do I remember having the furnace running in June...but last night it did.  It was just too cold for me, and I have to say I was wonderfully warm all night!

I did get some late night stitching done over the holiday.  I am working my way across the 12-month "A Dozen Buzzin's" patterns by SamSarah, and I have just started the second border of May.  I'm still enjoying it which is a good thing as I have to keep flipping through the 12 patterns.  It is a cute project when finished, and I have just the place to display it.

This is a project in color placement using a couple Kona solids charm packs.  I am using a Schnibble's pattern and in all my excitement of trying to keep the fabrics in color order, I forgot to cut enough pieces.  I realized this at about 1:30 this morning.  It gives me a little more to think about while I'm working on it.  I realize I've been absent for a while, but I have a couple of blog hops coming up and a few vacation days which will be spent waiting for my son while he is in out of town day camps.  That means there should be ample time to explore quilt shops AND spend a lot of time sewing.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Big Plans For The Weekend

Every time there is a long holiday weekend I tend to do one of two things, I either plan to do so many things I am overwhelmed and never accomplish much, or I plan nothing and get a few things done, knowing if I had planned ahead a little I could have stitched more.  I am also one of those people who does not really like to sit still and do nothing during these weekends, so this year I thought I would try something different.  Like plan to work on two projects and see if I can't make some major headway on both of them.

This is one of those 12-month cross stitch pattern projects and the fabric is 4 feet long.  The border along the bottom goes the whole length of the fabric and it is completed.  Now I need to start working on the main patterns.  I'm hoping to get at least a few months' worth of patterns stitched this weekend.

This should be completed or near finished by Monday.  It is a small Schnibble.  The apple blossoms were flying like snow in our backyard this morning and the lilacs are beautiful and smell so sweet that I can't help but bring in a bunch everyday.  Spring has finally sprung, although late, but I will take it.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

It's English Paper Piecing and They Are Not Hexagons

I found this kit a while back on one of our excursions and I could not leave it behind.  Now that it is finished I'm so glad I didn't.

I fussy cut the fabrics so that each flower was centered.  My only wish was that the fabric had three colors of flowers rather than just two.

I think these would be so fun for little girls to put barrettes in , but obviously I can get a few more spools of thread in there yet.  The paper pentagons are left inside to give it structure, and I did actually thread baste these rather than using the glue pen.  I'm so excited about my finished project...of course I bought two, each in a different color.  This did not take long to make so I may just have to start the other one tonight.  Happy Stitching!!  Kristen

Some Of My Favorite Things

Geta asked bloggers to join her in sharing some of our favorite things we love for quilting.  I instantly thought of two things I learned about in the last machine quilting class I took.  I use my home sewing machine to quilt my quilts, and although I still have a long way to go in having something look "picture perfect," I have noticed a great improvement using these two items.

The first are these Machingers quilting gloves.  I have tried a lot of different gloves for quilting, but these are by far the best I've found.  I can change bobbins and rethread the machine without taking them off.  They also have the grips on the fingertips which make moving the fabric while quilting a lot easier.  The best part, they are not that expensive.

My second favorite product for machine quilting is the Quilt Halo from Sharon Schamber.  I do not understand why it works, but it does.  I think maybe when a quilter is beginning to free motion quilt we sometimes become overwhelmed with the whole project rather than just focusing on working in a smaller area.

You can see in these photos how I move the quilt with the hoop while quilting (it has grips on the bottom of it).  This is just a small practice piece, but honestly, it works on bigger projects too.

I will usually start out with the hoop on a project and then as I become more accustomed to the project I'm working on I will eventually put it aside and work without it.  I have found when I start with it I do tend to work in smaller areas even after I stop using it.  I'm actually much happier with my quilting than ever before.  Like I said though, I still have a long way to go.

Don't forget to visit Geta's blog for all the helpful tips, tricks, and products that others have shown.  And thanks to my 12-year-old son who so happily took these photos for me.  :)  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Happy Mother's Day And We Have A Winner

I lost track of the date.  YIKES!  Anyway, the Random Number Generator chose #22 as the winner of the book... 

 

Nancy said...

I don't think we have any special plans for Mother's Day. My daughters both live out of town and I don't think either will be able to come home. But they will call. Thanks for participating in the giveaway.

Thank you to all who entered.  I hope you all have a wonderful Sunday.  Nancy, I've sent you an email.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

For The Birds

It's time for another blog hop and I had to try just one more of Elizabeth's patterns from Creative Breathing.  I really enjoyed making this owl, and you know how it goes, the more you make, the easier they get. 

Even the hat was fun to make.  I'm always amazed at the fact that when I start these projects I think they aren't going to take that long, and once again, many hours later I am finishing this one up.  

I hadn't really jumped on the owl bandwagon yet, but I have to say after making this guy, I'm hooked.

So thank you Madame Samm and Mary for getting me to spread my wings and try something new.  This blog hop has been inspirational so far to say the least, so if you can, take some time to check the others out.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen

Friday, May 10

http://ssparrowinflight.blogspot.com

http://Hillvalleyquilter.blogspot.se

http://mcsqrd.blogspot.com

http://loveitsewit.blogspot.com

http://piecepeacenc.blogspot.com

http://grammieq.blogspot.com

http://meadowbrook-Kristen.blogspot.com

http://scrapbook-ChickADoodle.blogspot.com

www.craftyshenanigans.blogspot.co.uk

http://Stitchingbythebeach.blogspot.com

www.thebusybeequiltshop.blogspot.com

http://morestarsincomanche.blogspot.com

http://lesquilts.blogspot.ca

http://suebeesworld.blogspot.com

http://mtnmommy2.blogspot.com

www.thatlookslikeitneedsstitches.blogspot.com

http://www.freshcutquilts.com

Giveaway Day (Actually Week)!

Once again it is time for the Sew, Mama, Sew! Giveaway Day (week).  I'm so excited because I have found something so fun to giveaway that I actually had to purchase two...one for me and one to give away.

I love hexagons and this book has a whole chapter on bags and little quilts made with hexagons.

There are pin cushions and other sweet little projects that would be so fun to give as gifts or keep for yourself.

Yes there are quilt patterns and there are some rather unique projects (not all using hexagons) that I have to ask myself, why didn't I think of that?

I am wanting to get started on that hexagon bag right now, because of course I have a couple of extra hexagons sitting around that would just love to be made into that bag.  So, what are you waiting for?  Leave me a comment about how you will be spending Mother's Day.  My husband and son have something fun planned this year for me, and of course we will be going to see our moms  during the weekend also.  If you are a follower or new follower you can leave a second comment letting me know you follow for an extra chance to win this great book!  I will use the Random Number Generator on May 10 to determine the winner.  I will ship internationally, and if you aren't celebrating Mother's Day next weekend, just share a special memory of your mom.  Happy Stitching!!  --Kristen