Snowmen

Back in 2016, I finished a wall hanging, Snow Happens, and gave it to my sister for Christmas. Since then, I hand embroidered another one and put it away (we were in the process of moving to another province). The other day, I found it in a bin with an assortment of sewing related stuff!

My blogging friend, Mary Ann, at Magpie's Mumblings, is decluttering her sewing space and has got me thinking about doing the same. That's how I discovered where I had poked the embroidery.

Yesterday, I stitched on the first two borders and got the other pieces ready for the pieced border.

No borders were stitched on when this was taken

Here's my fabric choices for the pieced border. I am using fabrics from my stash as I am not buying any new fabrics to finish this one. I opted not to use the top two fabrics. 

Check my previous posts HERE, HERE & HERE for snow related links that I posted.
Magpie's Mumblings has lots of awesome links!!

These embroideries were also with the one above.

Keep up to date with me on INSTAGRAM @jctextileart

Enjoy!!

Nifty Idea

I was roaming the reduced Christmas section of the Superstore a few days ago, and came across a useful item for my studio. Part of my room has a step wall so this mantel stocking hanger is perfect for using on the ledge beside my machines. It's heavy, won't fall off and can hold a fold up travel case that I found at Dollarama a few years ago. I keep scissors, sewers aid, clips and whatever else accumulates next to the machine. The table top is not as cluttered (for now). I hope they aren't all gone as I need to purchase a couple more!

More Finds:

• I'm going to borrow a nifty link from my friend's last post at Magpie's Mumblings, Sew Free Patterns.  
• A retired St. John's surgeon transforms NL scenes and famous paintings into rugs. His wife (also a doctor) is a quilter friend of mine. Check HERE.
• This Half Round Hanging Basket would be perfect for hanging beside my machine too. 

Enjoy!

Catching Up!!

Where does the time go!!! I can't seem to keep up with posting these days. Last week was a flying visit back to St. John's, NL to visit my Mom who just turned 97 and touch base with friends. I managed to spend a couple of hours at the Eastern Edge Quilt Guild. It was great seeing all the quilters and catching up on news. I did see some of my stitch buddies for our regular Wednesday stitch day afternoon and meet others for tea at Chapters. Smack dab in the middle of my visit, there was a snowstorm which cut into my plans! But, I did do some shopping.

One of my purchases at The Fabric Merchant, was this cute Magnetic Needle Nanny, from Puffin & Company. They had quite a selection to choose from. Sadly, all the cats were gone! However, I do like my elephant. An old friend, who is no longer with us, loved elephants, so this is for you, Nina! You can also see a small part of a stitch project I took with me. It might get finished by next Christmas!

I did do quite a bit of running around while in St. John's. Stay tuned for more from my visit back home.

I can't keep up with links so please visit my blogger friend's site, Magpie's Mumblings, to see what she is doing. She has a way with words and often leaves me in stitches.

Enjoy!

Blogging - 1589 posts!

I was reading Margaret Blank's blog and she mentioned that she has been blogging for 15 years and posted over 1500 posts. That got me thinking, so I checked my blog profile and so far, my total is 1589 posts. I didn't think I had written that much in ten years (it will be ten next August). Some would say 'long winded'!

I've tried to keep my comments related to my art and the art of others. Most of the time, I've linked to lots of interesting sites where you will find things related to textile / fibre art such as free patterns, tutorials, YouTube videos, other blogs, teachers, classes, quilt shows . . .

Thanks for stopping by and for your comments.
Now it's time to view a few links:

• Magpie Mumblings has lots of interesting links. Her writing usually gives me a chuckle or two.
• Needle and Thread Network  
• Brown Paper Bag (from Magpie Mumblings) 
• Asian Sewing Patterns 
• Fabulous Fat Quarter Sewing Projects 
• Sashiko and Other Stitching (Susan Briscoe's photos from Tokyo 2018 Quilt Festival)
• Free Coaster Tutorials & Patterns for all Occasions   

 Enjoy!


  Here's yesterday's visitor:

Crazy Quilted Post Card

As I posted on November 27, I won a gorgeous crazy quilted postcard from Magpie's Mumblings. It arrived a few days ago and is lovely. The button embellishments are quite tiny and the beaded stocking is very dainty. Thanks again, Mary Anne.

• Crazy Quilted Christmas on Pinterest HERE.   
• Christmas Crazy Quilt  
• Christmas Stocking  
• U Tube how to sew a Crazy Quilted Stocking 
• Crazy Quilt Embroidery Stitches  
• Crazy Quilting at Needle 'N Thread       
• Tutorial from Pin Tangle  

I also added Sharon Boggon's Visual Guild to Crazy Quilting, to my library.  In this book, Learn crazy-quilting techniques with colorful photos that show every detail. Sharon combines fabric, embellishments, and 35 stitches as well as endless variations of these stitches to create stunning crazy quilts. This is a 'must have' if you like making crazy quilted projects.

Enjoy!1

I Won . . .!

Imagine my surprise a few days ago, to find out that I won the lovely crazy quilted postcard embroidered by Mary Anne at Magpie's Mumblings. The winner was asked to send in their favorite Christmas recipe. My Mom's Dark Fruitcake, posted HERE, is my favorite.

This cake was baked a couple of years ago. Mom always said to smooth out the uncooked batter with a knife dipped in hot water! It didn't help my cake as you can see. However, the cracks didn't affect the taste!

Stitching Links

My blogger friend over at Magpie's Mumblings, just posted a link to Needlework Tips and Techniques. Thanks Mary Anne! I just had to share it with my readers too. Quite a number of my friends are stitchers so, in case they haven't come across this site,click on the link above. This site is hosted by Carol Leather. This is one to add to your collection of ones to check - a good one for beginner's.

• Ten Top Embroidery Blogs according to Cheryl Fall at The Spruce (I'm glad to see that Mary Corbet's Needle 'N Thread is # 1)
• Sharon B's Pin Tangle is another favorite Sharon B on Pinterest HERE 
• Heart Embroidery Sampler for Beginners
• Embroidery on Pinterest HERE 
• Hand Embroidery Network 
• Hand Embroidery on Pinterest HERE 

Enjoy!!

Hand Embroidery

        

Links!!

Not much new is happening in the studio these days. I'm getting ready for Saturday's workshop and hoping that the weather cooperates - it doesn't look too good at the moment. I'm keeping all fingers crossed.

I had the embroidery machine stitching out lighthouse shimmers this morning. For some reason (probably me not paying close attention) the machine did not stop after each colour change and used whatever threads were on the needles. Needless to say, the lighthouses were coloured wrong. I'll try again tomorrow.

Here are a few links to check:

• Spring Batik Appliqued Flowers
• The Enchanting Rose - tea cozy tutorial    (found out about this blog from my friend, at Magpie's Mumblings
• Vickie's Improve Quilt  
• The Embroiderers' Guild of America
• Embroidered Owl and Flowers
• Hand Embroidery Projects and Ideas

Enjoy!

      These beauties are hidden under the snow! Can't wait for their arrival this spring!

 

Brrrrrr - It's Cold Outside!

Winter has come early to St. John's, NL. Needless to say, I'm not a fan of snow, wind and cold weather and we are having lots of that this week.

Cold Weather Projects:

• Honey Cowl 
• Cute Christmas Yarn Basket Ornament 
• Knitted Snowman 
• Knit Jacket    
• Knitted Mug Cosy 
• Winding Yar

 Several of the links above came from my friend at Magpie's Mumblings.


Enjoy!!

Ornament Exchange - Part 2

More ornaments from the St. John's Embroidery Guild:

This is Verna's Christmas Temari Ornament.

I haven't posted any new links lately. That will happen soon. However, in the meantime, check out my blogging buddy, Mary Ann, at Magpie's Mumblings. For my Crazy Quilt enthusiasts, check out her Santa. And to all the grandmas whose little ones are quite young, scroll down to view her 'quiet' book. Job well done!!! 

Thank You and Other Stuff!

I'm overwhelmed by the number of views my posts are generating lately. Thanks so much! It's much appreciated.

I'm having a stay at home day (in the motor home that is). My granddaughter, Gale, is a bit under the weather and just wants to lie around but I'll bet she'll be at my side when I take out some stitching. A couple days ago she asked to work on her rainbow stitching. This project was her own idea. The rainbow is straight not curved as she told me it was her own 'design'. Yes, she used that word! She also has a specific order for the colours. Her other comment, 'Grandma, isn't this so relaxing!' Her mom said that she likes the process of creating. In any case, she likes all things related to fibre and textiles.

I will show you her work when it's finished. Bet you can't guess I'm a proud grandma (GRIN)!

Here's a few sites to visit:

• Snow flake / flower patterns for stitching at Magpie's Mumblings (check back a few posts for others). Also lots of crazy stitching as well
• The Basics of Thread Weights from The Sewing Loft
• Pinterest: Craft: Hand Stitching
• 10 Picnic Items to Sew at A Sewing Journal
• Crazy Mom Quilts: Finish It Up Friday (lots to check out) 

I'm having great internet today! 

Sewing Projects

I have been busy in the studio trying to get ahead of the game by doing production work now instead of in the fall. The embroidery machine has been stitching up a storm making shimmers and wearable art pins. However, I haven't been finishing anything as that will be something to do during the summer while sitting outside.

I've also been searching for sewing projects to have on hand in case I want to do something different. Here's a few to check out:

• Embroidery Thread Book (I saw this neat little project on a fellow blogger friend's post at Magpie's Mumblings. If you are into Crazy Quilting, be sure to visit this blog!)
• 25 Gifts to Make for Mom
• Round Cosmetic Bag   
• Cloverleaf Bag Tutorial & Pattern 
• See Through Zippered Pouch 
• Wallet-to-Tote On the Go Tote    

Have fun checking these out!
Enjoy

Machine and hand embroidery with machine applique basket