I finished my contest wall hanging....the one from a few posts down.  We were given a packet of precut, fusible applique pieces, plus a background fabric.  We were allowed to do anything we wanted, as long as we used all of the provided shapes and the background fabric.  From that point, we could add more fabric, buttons, any kind of embellishments, etc.  Well.....here's my finished wall hanging!

My hanging is approximately 21" x 24". The cat was my addition and the flowers and bugs were redesigned from the original picture that was provided.  I used a small zig-zag stitch to sew all of the pieces down.  After seeing how many pieces were going to be attached, I thought a satin stitch would eat up too much thread....I'm a cheapo....so the zig-zag stitch was chosen.  The background was stippled and the border was just evenly stitched around.  I have never stippled before and was quite nervous about wrecking all of my hard work.  It ended up being pretty easy, once I relaxed and just let the needle do it's job.  My tension was all wrong but I decided to just leave it instead of taking all of the stitches out.  The next attempt will be better.  Live and learn.

My butterfly and dragonfly are three dimensional.  I folded the shapes in half and fused them together, making them a double layer, but half the intended size.  I added floral wire around the shapes on the wings and covered the wire with a zig-zag stitch, which makes them flexible and stable enough to stand away from the hanging.

I delivered my hanging yesterday.  It was due July 1st and I managed to get it finished between a summer cold and a pulled back.  It's amazing that the housework can be put off but not a sewing deadline!  All of the hangings will be hung on July 1st and will be voted on during the month of July.  If you happen to be in Roanoke, IN at the Fabrics and Friends Quilt Shoppe, I'd appreciate your vote!

I haven't had a lot of time for sewing lately, due to summer yard work.  Not that my yard is anything special, it just takes me a few days a week for general maintenance.  So anyway, sewing is only done in spurts, when time and energy allows.

I finished this purse a few weeks ago and mailed it off to Patti for a retirement gift.  This is the pattern that I used.  Lazy Girl patterns are very user friendly, and I highly recommend them.  They are fairly simple, if you take your time and read each step before proceeding.

Here's the front of the finished purse.  Patti had talked about getting an RV and doing a little traveling after retirement, so when I spotted this fabric, I thought it would be perfect.  I think it turned out pretty cute.  The front is divided into two large pocket sections.

This is the backside, which really shows off the cute RV's!

Inside shot, showing the pockets.  The same pocket arrangement is on the other side too.

And finally, a close up of the recessed zipper.  I had no idea how to do this, but again, if you follow the pattern and take your time, it's pretty simple to get a good finished result. 



Patti has received this now, so I can finally show some pictures.  I have some fabric cut out to make one for myself using different summer fabrics.  As usual....it will be added to my "to do" list for the time being.

For all you knitters out there! A knitted short.....Enjoy!

Mail call!  Look what I won!  Calamity Jane's had a random give-a-way and I was one of the lucky winners!  I won this great fat quarter selection, plus the two patterns in the picture below. 

Thank you so much, Bonnie!  I love them all!



Road trip yesterday! 

I got an email on Friday night that the "Fabric and Friends Quilt Shop" was giving out free...yes, free...wall hanging kits to the first 50 people.  Needless to say, I changed my Saturday plans so that I could hit the road first thing in the morning.  And....I was able to get one of the kits! 

Now here's the deal.....you bring back the completed kit by the first of next month to be entered in a customer judged contest where you can win a $300 gift certificate at the quilt shop.  Pretty great prize!  Here's the front of the kit package.

The rules are simple.  You must use all of the pieces supplied in the kit, but may add anything else that you choose....more fabric...more pieces....buttons....lace......whatever.  It doesn't have to look like the picture on the front of the kit.  The included pieces are pre-cut with fusible backing, ready to iron on.  I'm not sure what I'm going to make yet and I don't have much time to ponder on it.  I've got a few ideas floating around in my mind............ time's a tickin'!  I sure hope that I'll have a post within the next three weeks with a finished wall hanging!

And while I was at the quilt shop, I had to buy something....I think that's the unspoken rule.  This fabric was in the discount section and will be used to make a keyboard cover.  Of course, that project will have to wait a bit.

To the drawing board.........