Get ready...... the It's All About Me blog hop begins tomorrow (not the 21st, the 19th).  There were so many participants that they added a couple of days to fit everyone in the hop.

 

Here's the full schedule.  Notice that I will show my blog creation tomorrow.  I hope you'll stop by and check it out as well as visit all of the other blogs!

 

Tuesday, February 19

 

Just Let Me Quilt

Sunshine Quilting

Karen at That Other Blog

Grammie Q

Gracie Oliver Arts

Marjorie's Busy Corner

SnippetsNScraps

Sowing Stitches

Pigtales and Quilts

Stitchin'ByThe Lake

Wednesday, February 20

Buzzing and Bumbling

Cherries Prairie Primitives

Kwilty Pleasures

Sew On And So Forth

Sew. Darn. Quilt.

A Stitch In Time

Doodling In My Mind

Moosestash Quilting

A Patchwork Life

Vickie at That Other Blog

Susie's World

Thursday, February 21

Kris Loves Fabric

The Quilting Alleycat

Cat Patches

Bumbleberry Stitches

Chickadees Country Cottage Crafts

In Stitches and Seams

Why-Knot-Kwilt

Quilting Unleashed

Rosemary at That Other Blog

Thimblemouse & Spouse

Sew Many Yarns

Friday, February 22

A Little Bit of Lorene

Life In The Scrapatch

Boston Bits

I Love Wool

Patchouli Moon Studio

As Sweet As Peaches

Just Quilt It

Grandmama's Stories

The Slow Quilter

Robin at That Other Blog

Scrapbook-ChickADoodle

Monday, February 25

Quilting Lines

Mountain Delights

Jane's Fabrics and Quilts

The Fuzzy Hat Quilter

Ramblings of an Empty Nester

NautiStitcher

Quilt Doodle Designs

Living Life

Freemotion By The River

The German Mom

Spoilt Dog Quilts

Tuesday, February 26

Pat Sloan's Blog

To Love Handmade

Feathered Nest Studio

Selina Quilts

Gypsy Dreamer Quilts

Sheila's Quilt World

Meadowbrook

13 Woodhouse Road

Zellerwear

Stitches of Love

Janice at That Other Blog

In The Sewing Basket

Wednesday, February 27

The Passions of Cliodana

QuiltMamas

Marathon Quilter

Marla's Crafts

Fiber Babble

Simple Sew

Sewn Seabees

Charlotte at That Other Blog

Nini's Patchwork

Charlotte's Creations

Ipiece2-Mary

My Spoolish Art

Thursday, February 28

Cherry Blossoms

Hill Valley Quilter

Dachsies With Moxie

I Like To QuiltBlog

Quilt Smiles

More Stars In Comanche

Tea Time Creations

Shedding the Wolf

Life, Quilts, and a Cat Too

Judy at That Other Blog

Madame Samm

See you tomorrow on the blog hop!

 

 

Happy Valentine's Day!

Music Video w/Sewing Materials

Finally...... my last Christmas gift has been completed and delivered so that I can now show it to you.  (Kathy had been warned that it would be late.....really late.)

 

I wanted to make something for her sewing room, a little caricature that would make her smile.  The finished measurement is 20" x 22".

 

 

 

Here's a close up of the embroidery.  I did it as a blue work project, using a navy cotton perle for the whole picture.

 

 

 

 

Closer yet......

 

 

 

 

And the quilting.  I only used straight lines, nothing fancy.

 

 

 

This is the backside.  Depending on the project, if I can, I back the fabric with the darkest color of thread that I'm using on the front.  This coloring looks light.....but this backing fabric is the same navy fabric that is on the front of the hanging.  I fuse it to the lighter front fabric after I have drawn my pattern and before I begin to stitch.  When you do this, you don't see through the front fabric and see the places where you have made knots or carried the thread.  It just keeps the project very neat and tidy looking on the front side.  It's the same principle as backing a double sided document with a dark piece of paper so that the writing on the backside does not show through on a scan. 

 

 

 

 

Hope you like my sewing lady..... she was fun to create and Kathy likes it.....that's the most important part!

 

 

Maybe Phil knows more than we think!

****February 1**** Just an update on my manicure's life span for anyone interested.  It lasted 2 weeks and 6 days before my pinky chipped.  I only had the one chip, but I'm sure many more were destined to follow suit.  I could not believe that a manicure could last this long.  The downside of the gel polish is that it was difficult to remove....time consuming and it was hard on my nails.  Next time, I'll soak my nails for the time that they recommended... 15 minutes...and actually save myself some labor.  None the less, I love this product and I'm glad that I gave it a go.

 

 

I'm a bit "off topic" today with a product recommendation.  I recently bought an at-home gel kit manicure.  This particular kit was made by Sensationail. Sally Hansen makes another gel kit, although it didn't rate as high as the Sensationail kit (at the time I purchased my kit- could have changed by now).  They are expensive and I had my doubts about the product living up to the reviews.  It says the manicure can last "up to two weeks."  I've never had good luck with a manicure, salon or otherwise, because they just don't last with the abuse that I give my hands.  I'm lucky to get 24 hours out of a manicure without serious chips.  Well, this kit has exceeded my hopes for an at -home manicure.

 

 

The picture above was taken today, exactly two weeks and two days after I gave myself a manicure.  (Please ignore the old, dry, arthritic, chapped thumb!)  You can see the two weeks+ nail growth at the base of my nail, showing just how long this manicure has lasted.  Not one nail has chipped (yet)!  I did not change any of my normal habits and did not baby these nails in any way.  The manicure is cured with an LED light that is included in the kit, so there is no dry time at all.  You can give yourself a manicure and immediately go on with your life.  You MUST follow the instructions to get these results, but it wasn't rocket science.  I don't have a dishwasher..... just my hands.... and I've even opened up pop top cans, using my nail as a lever.  No chips!

 

So there you have it..... a "thumbs up" review for the Sensationail gel nail kit.  (No affiliation here....just a happy camper.)  If you are interested in giving this a try, be patient and wait for sales or coupons.  I managed to buy mine at about half price online at CVS, making it worth the risk to give it a try.  I hope you have the same results!

 

 

Another blog hop!  I've signed up and I can't wait to get the patterns.  This one will be include an embroidery section in your project with 8 provided patterns of your choice.  Click on the link for details and sign up info.  Join me for the fun!

 

It was 1 degree this morning when I put my trash cans out for pickup..... the wind chill was between -10 and -15 degrees.... bitter....... and what do I see?...... my crocuses are coming up!  I guess they didn't get the memo!  We've had a very warm winter with the exception of the past 24-48 hours and the crocuses were ready to make an entrance.  This has become a somewhat normal scene with our crazy weather patterns and even though my crocuses sprout months too early, they seem to survive the winter freezes and bloom in the spring in the appropriate weather.  In any case, spring is on the way!

 

 

 

 

 

In between posts of actual sewing projects, I thought I would show you one of the collections that I have.  "They" say that any more than two is a collection which means that I have more collections than you can count!

 

This is my collection of darning eggs.  Even though many are not egg shaped, that seems to be the standard description for these darning tools.  Many of the things that I collect are small and inexpensive, as I'm short on both space and money. (Aren't we all?!)  Most darning eggs can be found for $5 to $15.  Naturally, there are exceptions and some darning eggs may cost much more.   

 

 

 

 

 

Here's a good variety of eggs.  The ones that look like maracas are the most common and usually the cheapest.  Most households would have both a dark and a light colored egg to contrast the fabric that they were working on.  It just makes it easier to see the threads or yarns that you are repairing if you are using a contrasting egg color.  The green glass one and the maple one next to it are foot shaped.  The maple foot egg has the most beautiful wood pattern on it..... it might even be birds eye maple.  The green glass one was hand blown.  The hand painted, mushroom shaped egg has a spring around it that is used to hold the sock or fabric taut, just like an embroidery hoop. 

 

Hope you enjoyed seeing these eggs.  You can readily find them  and they are easy on the budget.  Happy collecting!

 

 

 

 

 

 

In Your Words Blog Hop

 

I loved the idea of a blog hop focusing on a word or words that had a special meaning to us.  I already had too many projects to tend to, but felt that this was a blog hop not to be missed.  The project that I made was one that has been floating around in my mind for years and this gave me the added push to actually put my thoughts to fabric.

 

My word- Balance

My world- Unbalanced

 

My life is out of balance.  It's out of balance in a literal sense and in a figurative sense.  Physically and literally, my balance is out of whack due to a damaged inner ear.  I have been this way for many years, 15+, and have been on a rocky, wobbly road to adjust to vertigo and imbalance on a 24/7 basis.  I'm not always spinning off of my chair but there is a light headed wooziness at the very least.  It's not a great way to live life but I have managed to make the best of a bad situation.  Enough said about that.... I don't want this to be a pity post.

 

The figurative sense of my lack of balance is one that we all deal with.  How do we fit 40 hours of work, play, friends, chores, rest, and creativeness into a 24 hour day?  Even with my math skills, I know this just isn't possible so we have to make choices and prioritize.  Something has to give, something gets left behind, something doesn't get done.  What I've learned is that this is OK.  Stop adding guilt to the issues and making things even worse.  We can't do it all, although I will continue to try and balance my life while, at the same time, not being too hard on myself for what I don't accomplish. 

 

This is a little engraved stone that I have had for many years. Along with this stone, I have collected several items with the inspirational word "balance" on them.   

 

 

 

OK, here's my project.  It's 20" x 30".  All of the blocks are 4" paper foundation blocks.  I used a wonky alphabet and twisted side blocks from EQ.  This picture was taken in the backyard on top of the pretty snow.  I chose the black and white fabrics because it represents the stark contrast between being balanced and not being balanced.  The bright, peachy-orange corner blocks represent hope to me......God's promises of better things to come...... those bright spots in life that give us the courage to keep going.  It isn't quilted yet, but will be soon......no, really! 

 

 

 

Here's a close up of the fabric used in the twisted blocks.  I searched for fabric that looked "dizzy" and thought this one must look like the inside of my brain! (Warning.... don't stare at this too long!)

 

 

 

 

 

 Lastly, here's the scrap pile left after paper piecing.  That's the worst part of paper piecing, the fabric waste.  These are all pretty small scraps, too small to bother with really, but I always hate to toss them aside.  I should keep them as stuffing for projects like pin cushions instead of pitching them.   

 

 

 

 

I hope you have enjoyed your visit and will come back soon.  Here's the line up of the other bloggers for today.  Please visit each of them to see what words they have chosen and what inspiring projects they have created.

 

Monday, January 14 Schedule

 

Gracie Oliver Arts (Jeanie) You are Here!

Clothes and Crafts (Maria K.)

Cherrys Prairie Primitives (Cherry E.)

Simple Sew (Shirley T.)

Woolie Mammoth (Anna B.)

RocknQuilts (Mary Ann)

Celynn's Sunflower Patch (Celynn)

A Quilting Sheep (Amy)

Sane and Crazy Quilting (Cathy L.)

Quiltsmiles (Jane E.)

Feathered Nest Studio(Jennet)

Many thanks to Linda for hosting all of the bloggers in this hop and to Madame Samm who feeds us great ideas to jump start our creativity!  Thank you both... thank you!

 

 

Another blog hop is on the horizon!!  This one is extra special..... if you sign up to participate, you will receive a FREE pattern from the very creative Amy Bradley!  Click on the cute picture above and check out the complete rules for the blog hop...... then join us!

 

Don't forget to come back tomorrow and see what I have made for the In Your Words Blog Hop!

 

 

Just went to Tagxedo for the first time to play around with word clouds.  This cloud came from this blog.  I made several, but here's the one I liked best.... so far...it's a bit addictive.  Check out the link and have fun with this!

 

Just a reminder that the In Your Words blog hop begins on Monday, January 7th, and runs through January 16th.  We (almost 90 will be participating!) will be making a project using a word or words of our choice.  I think this is going to be a very personal blog hop, full of lots of ideas to inspire you as well as many wonderful stories to accompany the reasons behind the chosen word or words. 

 

My day to reveal my project and my word(s) is January 14th.  I hope you'll stop back and check out my little project.  Here's a tease.......

This was MY New Year's Eve!  Tucked in bed by 10 PM and eventually joined by my sweet Oliver.  No kiss from Oliver, just a gentle touch on my face with his paw before he snuggled in.  A perfect New Year's Eve!

Happy New Year to you all!  May your year be full of God's blessings and the hope of better things to come!

Happy 2013!

Here's one of the gifts that I made for Christmas.  The final product is a sleep shirt with writing on it made with a dye resist.  If you go to my sidebar and click on my Pinterest button, you can see the full tutorial that I used to make this sleep shirt.  My Pinterest pins are not in any kind of order, so you'll have to search through the pictures until you see a pinkish shirt with writing on it.

 

I started with writing my words on a piece of paper and enclosed the paper in a page protector.  I didn't want to write  freehand and I was afraid that the ink might leach off onto the shirt.

 

 

 

Here's the shirt, all ready for writing with the dye resist.  As you can see, I've found yet another use for the Clover Wonder Clips.  I put a cutting mat between the layers of the shirt (between the front and back) and slid the page protector between them too.  I taped the page protector to the mat to keep things from potentially sliding around.  The shirt was dampened before writing.

 

 

 

This is the shirt after I've applied the dye resist for the lettering.  In this case, the dye resist was Elmer's blue gel glue.  The directions specifically called for this glue, not white glue. 

 

After it sat overnight to dry, it looked like this.  My neat letters spread out, although I don't feel like I used too thick of a glue line.  It could have been my t-shirt fabric, how much water I used to dampen the shirt, etc.  Most of it was dry by morning and the areas that weren't completely dry were dried with a hair dryer.

The t-shirts are in the dye bath.  I used good ol' Rit dye, the powdered version, for the dye.  Again, following the Pinterest instructions, not the instructions on the dye box, they were died in a cold bath.  I guess a hot bath would have melted the dye resist.  Just not sure about this but my color was not very dark, in spite of a long bath (over 30 minutes).

 

 

Here's the finished product, after being washed and dried.  The color is much lighter than I wanted and I expect it will fade fairly quickly after further washings.  The overall effect is what I wanted, but I think I can improve on the process if I do this again.

 

 

 

 

I made two shirts.  One that says "Patti's Husband" and the other which says "David's Wife."  They were fun to make and I can see using this glue resist for other projects  too.  I've always used hot wax as my dye resist.  Although it may be tough to get out of the fabric, I think it would do a much better job than the glue gel.  Now back to my favorite crafting.....sewing!

Happy Day after Christmas! 

I just wanted to show you the sewing/quilting goodies that I received for Christmas.  Mostly fabric, a few notions, and an Hawaiian applique pattern.  Kathy suggested that the trivet at the top could be used as an iron rest.  The oak quilt pattern is really pretty.

As I write this, we are getting our first significant snow of the season.  Within the past hour, we have gone from no snow on the ground to a winter wonderland!  I'm hoping that we won't get too much so that my back can hold up under the shoveling.  It's a perfect day to stay inside and let the sewing machine hum.  Hope your after Christmas day is also cozy, comfortable, and peaceful!    

 

Here's the revised button for the Nancy Drew blog hop with the new dates.  My day is March 13th and I don't "have a clue" yet about what project I will be making!  Better get sleuthing.....

I just wanted to show you some of the labels that I use on the inside of my sewing projects.  There have been some wonderful tutorials on making labels and I think this is certainly one of the easiest.  I use a standard label template found in any writing program.  Avery labels even has a software  program out there and tons of free templates on their web site.  In any case, just choose the size you want.  There are much smaller ones and much larger ones, depending on your usage.  Check out your writing program to see what sizes are available in your particular program.  This template has 30 labels to a sheet of 8 1/2" x 11".

 

I like to use one of these templates because it's really easy to design your labels, change fonts, add pictures, etc. It's easier than using a blank page (no template) and cutting and pasting your design several times.  If you've tried this method, you know what I mean.  Setting the borders can be a real challenge.  These templates take care of all that for you.

 

 

 

 

Not a great picture, but here's a sheet of labels.  If you click on it, you can see it a bit better.  I print mine on fusible fabric sheets.  I like to use the fusible sheets because they are nice and firm and I can iron them exactly where I want them before I finish the edges with a satin stitch, zigzag stitch, buttonhole, or whatever.  No slipping around while working on them.  I don't turn the edges under, I just leave them raw and then stitch them down.  By using the fusible fabric sheets, I have very little fraying of the labels.  If you wanted to turn your edges down, you'd have to use a template that gives you enough space (extra fabric) to turn under or make your writing and pictures smaller. 

 

Play around and print your labels on a regular sheet of paper until you get the desired label, then use the fusible fabric or any fabric sheet for your finished product. 

Have fun!

(Photo courtesy of Madame Samm )

 

Although I don't have the goodies pictured above yet, they are on their way to my grubby little hands.  Thanks to Madame Samm's giveaway and Pellon's sponsorship, I will have all of these Pellon products shipped to my home very soon.  Thanks so much!

 

NO! ....NO! ..... I can't join any more blog hops!  But how can I resist?  This one is all about words.  Words.  I love words.  Words that mean something special to us.  Who can resist words?  I think it will be great to read the stories behind the chosen words and see all of the creative projects inspired by words. 

 

Note:  The Nancy Drew blog hop has been put on hold due to a delay in fabric distribution.  It's just now getting to the retail stores and for those who have orders to be mailed, it will take even longer to reach them.  The blog hop is not canceled.... just delayed until March.  When I have more specifics, I'll let you know.

It's officially the Christmas season!  My Elf on a Shelf has arrived right on time, December 1st!  He must be a pretty smart elf because he immediately found a stack of quilts on top of my TV armoire to rest his weary self.  He's brought along his peppermint pal too.  I'll try and give you periodic updates as he travels back and forth from the North Pole to my humble home.  Safe travels to all!