Happy New Year!!

Happy New Year! I can't believe it's 2014! Where have the years gone? I wish you all a happy and healthy new year. Unfortunately, I have to work tomorrow but I intend on eating some Chinese food with my family tonight. The kids will be here before they go out to their parties. I'll probably fall asleep on the couch as my husband watches the Three Stooges Marathon! Stay safe!!

Christmas goodies

 

I'm so lucky to have many quilting friends. I'm not going to bore you with the clothes, lotions, etc. I'm going to show you my awesome quilt gifts! The beautiful tote bag above was made by Star. I thought she bought it because it's so perfectly sewn together! The accent fabric has all sorts of sewing articles. I think it will be a great bag to carry any of my projects in especially my knitting!

 



Look what else Star made! It's an ornament made from fabric. Too cute! Thank you so much, Star! I'll always think of you when I see the ornament or use the tote bag. Am I really supposed to use the fabric?? It's too cute to take apart!

My pen pal of almost 20 years sent me this knit doily. Her name is Sarah and she lives in England. She's a wonderful knitter and quilter as well as a pharmacist like me! I placed the doily on the television stand with a floral arrangement on it. Love the color!

 

 

Look at what else Sarah made me! A gorgeous zippered pouch! Another perfect item! Where do these ladies learn to sew so well?? I don't think my work compares to these lovely items. 

 



Sarah also sent me this kit to make origami flowers. I'll post them when I make them!

 

I had a Secret Santa at work who must know me pretty well! She got me this cute kitty fabric! I think Lily likes it too! (Lily is my kitty!)

 

 



She also got me this pretty sock yarn. Thank you, Susan! I appreciate your thoughtfulness!

 

And last, but not least, my work/quilt buddy, Maryrose, got me this incredible Hex N More ruler! I had seen it but put off buying it. She must have read my mind!

Maryrose also bought me this spray. I've wanted to try it since pin basting is so tedious! I can't wait to see how it works. Thank you so much, Maryrose!

I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday. I know I did! I can't wait to try out all my new stuff!!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to all! We've opened our gifts and are busily getting dinner ready. Just wanted to wish everyone a wonderful holiday! I'm working tomorrow but plan on sewing Friday. I've missed sewing and hope to spend time with my sewing machine Friday! Enjoy the holiday!

Almost Christmas!

 

It's so close to Christmas! I've been sewing gifts but I can't show them! This is killing me! I thought I would share the backing to the latest quilt top I've finished. Isn't this the nicest batik?? I found it at my local quilt shop and just had to buy it. It's the backing to a quilt of my own design. I'm having a hard time deciding just how to quilt it. Once I get closer to completion, I will post it. I would love to get the pattern published or available for sale but I'm very new at this and have to figure out how. If anyone has any advice, feel free to help!

 

 

This is one gift I can post. My son bought this guitar and we're giving him money towards it for the holiday. He said it has a great sound. I can't tell but that's okay! He's the one who has to like it. He has multiple guitars but had to add this one to his collection. I guess he's like me when it comes to fabric, sewing machines, patterns, etc.

 

Hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season. Make time to relax! I can't wait to start sewing for me again!!

Microwave Bowl Cozy Tutorial

 

Our quilt guild gave little demonstrations at our last meeting. I liked the microwave bowl cozy. I came home and googled it. The directions were similar but I added an extra step.

 

 

You start out by cutting fabric into two 9 inch squares. I used the same fabric but you can use two different ones if you like. You should also cut batting about 8 inches square. Do not use heat resistant batting. I used 80/20 cotton/polyester. I have a ton of scraps left from larger projects.



 Mark lines diagonally to each corner. Also mark lines horizontally and vertically between the diagonals halfway through each side. Then, you just sew each line!

The horizontal and vertical lines are pleated and sewn as darts. You can make them wider which will give you a deeper bowl. I made mine about 5/8 inch wide at the top and about 2 1/2 inches long. You do the same to both sides.

 

You sew the two sides together, right sides together. Leave a 4 inch opening for turning inside out. I clipped the corners and used my Purple Thang to get nice sharp corners.I also top stitched about 1/4 inch all around which also closed up the opening for turning around.  I also sewed over the horizontal and vertical lines in the center of the bowl. I felt it helped the bowl sit up better by making it just a little sturdier.

 

I've made 2 so far! I think they're great for Christmas. Fast, fun and easy!

Secret Santa Gift

 

My Secret Santa gift has arrived! This was so fun! This swap was set up by The Colorado Lady and you can see the original post here. I'm still not sure who my Secret Santa is but I would like to say Thank you! My gifts were definitely perfect for a quilter like me!

First of all, all the items were found in this adorable box. I'm planning on keeping this box and putting it to good use. I'm thinking of storing buttons or ribbons in it. It would help me get more organized which I desperately need!

 

A nice scented candle to make my house smell like Christmas!

I got some lovely kitty fabric! It's so happy and fun! Just love it!

I got a lovely assortment of charm squares. I have so many patterns for charm squares so I'm sure these will come in handy.

And last, but not least, my Secret Santa made me a mug rug! This is already being used! I love it and will always think of her when I place my coffee on it.

Thank you so much for your generosity and thoughtfulness, Secret Santa! I can't wait to see who you are! I have a guess but I'm not sure. Time will tell!!

Hope You Vote!

I entered the Bargello Christmas Runner in the Quilter's Gallery Show and Tell. Hope you go over there and vote. You can vote for 4 runners and hope mine will be one of them! There are some beautiful table runners to see. You can vote here!

Here's my table runner.

I'll let you know if I win!

Christmas table runner

I finally have a Christmas project ready in time for Christmas! There have been many years where I have tried to finish a project and was too busy to get it done in time. I started this back in September so time was on my side, for a change!

I bought gold ribbon from Joann's to simulate hanging ornaments. However, that took a few trips to the store. I bought gold ribbon and found I was short two ornaments. So, I went back to the store and bought another. Well, it was the wrong width! I didn't even realize there were different widths in those bins! There were 2 bins but no signs except for price. I went again and found there were 3 widths available. I quickly found the 1/4 inch width I needed. It took about 10 minutes to finish up.

I'm happy with how it came out. I've decided I really love bargello and hope to use this method again.

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving! I think we'll be eating leftover turkey for awhile.

Linking to Sew Darn Crafty Linky Party for December. See you there!