Which Did I Choose?

Starting a new website has been a challenge! Thank goodness for a techie husband who did all the designing and building the site. However, blogging on the new site is still a learning experience. I do one thing and a dozen (well not exactly a dozen) things go on behind the scenes. I'm slowly getting up to speed.   

Well, enough of that. I have been busy (besides getting the business books ready for taxes) working on a quilted wall hanging. Here's the pattern. This was a zoom class sponsored by the Mahone Bay Quilt Guild.

My version is ready for quilting! YAH!! I don't often finish projects designed by someone else this quickly. This is an exception to the rule. One of the things that I had to decide before finishing, was the round circle in the middle of the grouping of houses. I tried several colours and finally decided which to use.

Which did I choose? To find out, hop on over to my new blog post to find out  or click on the My Web Site button at the top of this page. I did show how I made some of the windows.

• Dresden Neighbourhood with Kim Lapacek    
• Pinterest  HERE, HERE and HERE 
  
• Halloween Theme for the Neighbourhood
• Christmas Theme on Pinterest 

Stay safe 

Enjoy!

Mask Pattern for you to try

Yikes! How did it get to be July 21st!!! Time sure does fly and I only go out when we need groceries or to visit family. Needless to say, this 'lock down' has made me realize how much time I've wasted out shopping and looking around at stuff that I don't really need. I have refined my priorities. Have you? Now that stores are opened, we do need to shop locally wherever possible and wear a mask.

When this 'lock down' started, my husband researched various masks to make. He found one that was designed by an American surgeon. This surgeon was not satisfied with the ones he was using and wanted the fabric away from his mouth and nose.

My husband sketched out a pattern from the doctor's site, for me to experiment with. Unfortunately, he forgot to save the link. As recommended on various mask making sites, Batik is the best fabric to use because of the tighter weave. There is a nose piece tab stitched on the top of the mask to hold a pipe cleaner (refer to diagram). The pipe cleaner is folded three times, cut to size and slipped into the tab. It moulds quite well to the shape of the nose.

I've had people comment on the mask because the fabric is away from the nose and mouth. You don't feel as claustrophobic as with some other masks.

As the mask is double, cut two pieces of the paper pattern. This mask is stitched on the top and sides so that there are no pin or stitch holes to allow anything to enter. I stitched the sides first and then joined them along the top (the same as if you were making an insert for a bag). Leave an opening for turning along where the nose piece tab goes. This opening gets stitched when sewing on the tab.

The pattern can be made in different sizes by making it larger or smaller.  You could also cut off the sharp corners and make them straight and then attach the elastic.

Cut two

Showing nose tab

Elastic goes over the head

Elastic goes over the ears

Thanks for visiting!

I've linked this post to the Needle and Thread Network.

Enjoy!!

Hand Embroidery

Thanks everyone for the fabulous comments on yesterday's post. If you haven't entered my giveaway yet, please leave a comment on 1000 Posts before May 24th.

When I was at the International Quilt Festival, Chicago, I purchased an embroidery pattern. It was one of those that required little attention. No counted threads, just follow the lines using the backstitch. It's relaxing to do and can be done when stitching with friends. One of these days, I plan to design my own.

This one was stitched on a bit of muslin and will probably become a small quilted wall hanging.

I just noticed that I forgot to stitch the titles on the three books by the basket. I'm putting the words, quilting, sewing and crafts on them instead of what's on the pattern: reading, history, and arithmetic.

Enjoy!!

Hand Embroidery: Trellis Work Fan

Happy May!! Now if the weather would just cooperate, things would be great. I think this is the first May 1st that I still had to wear my winter cost outside. Anyway, that's enough complaining. Warmer days will come. I'm hoping that if I say it enough, it will actually happen.

I belong to the St. John's Embroidery Guild. At each meeting, the program committee presents a project. The January project (a three month piece) was a Trellis Work Fan. Each kit ($5) contained 11" x 11" silk noile, 11" x 11" unbleached muslin, DMC perle cotton, pattern and directions. The pattern was designed by one of our members and is based on a fan drawing from the SJGE NeedleNews.

The two fans below were hand embroidered by my friend, Debbie. She gave me permission to photograph and show her work. Of course, she did her own thing by changing the stitches used, adding beads and using different colours from the ones included in the kit.

All her work is just beautifully executed. Thanks for letting me show your work, Debbie!!

Shaun the Sheep

Shaun the Sheep is one of my little granddaughter's favorite shows. This is a British animation that appeals to children of all ages. It is hilarious!  Last summer while in Chicago, I searched for a pattern for Shaun to knit or crochet (something I could do in the motor home while we were driving home). I found one at Purple Linda Crafts. Looking back, I should have given up when I couldn't get the recommended yarns and had to use a substitute.

The pattern did not give the size for this character, so I figured it would be about 12 inches high or there about - until I got the body done!! The finished height of this creature is 27 inches tall. I worked on Shaun all fall during our weekly stitching group. Each part took longer than I wanted but I wasn't about to give in. Once I start something, I usually try to finish it. Shaun was finished last night. My friends have been watching my progress and since they won't see Shaun before he goes to Chicago next week, I'm presenting him here! Every time I look at him, I chuckle. Hope you get a chuckle too!

In my photos, I positioned him so his tail was behind him. When Shaun is standing, the tail between his legs, looks a little bit strange (grin)!
Enjoy!

.

Robert's Sewing Center: A Quilter's Paradise

 

Robert's Sewing Center was next on my 'shop hop' following Prairie Shop Quilts in Batavia and it happens to be close to the RV Park. What a place! At first glance, you find yourself surrounded by sewing and embroidery machines and accessories. Walking a little further to the right and past the sales desk, is a whole other world of fabrics, books, patterns, accessories / tools and quilts. Two large classrooms are adjacent to the over 7000 bolts of cotton fabrics which line the walls and center aisle! I didn't know which way to turn. Thankfully, my husband met Robert and they had a lengthy conversation about sewing and embroidery machines. In fact, I was finished my exploring and purchasing before they were.

I was permitted to take photos as long as I didn't photograph the quilts on display. The sales staff were very friendly and helpful. I did find a rather large selection of batiks at the back of the store.

There is also an upstairs which looks down on the first floor. Robert has a collection of commercial as well as antique machines for sale. All along the upper wall are beautiful quilts. The patterns are available for purchase.

There are quite a few photos so I think I will show them in a couple of posts. Tomorrow there will be some views from the balcony. Please check out the shop's web site for more photos and lots more!

Enjoy!

Elemental Yarns

For the last several days, I've driven by a small strip mall close to Leisure Lake Resort, IL, where we are staying. Given a quick glance, I thought one of the shop signs said Elemental Yards and didn't give it a second thought. Yesterday, I zeroed in on the sign again - it was 'Elemental Yarns'!!! Of course, I got excited and just I had to pay a visit.  

What a delightful shop, filled with lots of scrumptious yarns, books, patterns and accessories.

A knitting class was in session but we chatted anyway. Such a friendly bunch of ladies. I also got the directions to a couple of other shops to visit but that is for another post or two!! Check back again soon.

Here are some photos of the shop. In the last photo, the dolls are wearing knitted clothes. The food is knitted as well.

Cats

Cat lovers! Looked what I found in a small flower and gift shop, Windsor, NS! The little gray one scampered to me as soon as I entered the shop. Her fur was very fluffy and looked as if it were blown dry with a hair dryer. The kitten is ready to be adopted. She could have been mine if I had wanted a cat.
Here are a couple of sites with cat activities:
Tiny Kitten in a Box
Free Cat Patterns
Cats Who Quilt
Enjoy!

Patterns

I'm always looking for patterns / unusual designs when taking photos. You never know what might trigger an idea - old vines on a brick wall in Kingston, ON; a rock wall and a brick road leading down to old Quebec City; waves created by bricks beside a water exhibit in Quebec City; a bridge across the river (check out the clouds). . .
Enjoy!

Books

I had a couple of coupons for 50% off at Joanne's Fabrics. I cashed them in today on a few books.

• Christmas with Possibilities from C & T Publishing - this one caught my eye as the 16 quilted holiday projects were so brightly coloured and not complicated. I can see possibilities for alternating some of the patterns. I may do the Christmas Tree Advent Calendar.
• Redwork: Winter Twitterings from House of White Birches - the patterns are nice ones to do  
• Cloth Doll Workshop from Crafts at Quarry Books - I have several books on cloth doll making. You never know, it just might be a future project especially now that I have a granddaughter of my own!!
• Tilda's Summer Ideas from D & C Publishing - I like the simplicity of the Tilda patterns. I have one of these already.

These four books cost less than one at regular price. We don't have a Joanne's at home and Michael's Crafts will not give discounts on books, which is a bummer. Sometimes they do have a few good books.

Quick Embroidery Project - Easter



One of the embroidery guild ladies just sent a sewing / embroidery / quilting link to all the guild members so I'm passing it along to you. What caught her eye was an embroidered Easter egg from Shiny Happy World. This is a free pattern and can be found HERE. This is a very simple project you can do while waiting for an appointment or when watching TV. But the thing I thought about was by changing the colour of the felt, the threads and design, this egg pattern could become a Christmas ornament or any seasonal ornament. The shape could also be turned into a circle. Think about it.

Sashiko

Finally! My Sashiko cloth is finished. The designs were already printed on the fabric which I purchased in St. John's, Quilt Canada, 2008. I certainly enjoyed stitching it as I didn't have to concentrate on following a paper pattern or count threads. In this pattern, the cross hatching, which I did in a green thread, went through the squares. However, I felt this was a bit too busy and opted to have them end at the blocks so that the blocks appear to float above the grid pattern.

Now I'm looking for a piece of black sashiko fabric at least 25 x 45 as I would like to do a top for my coffee table. Finding a source for the black fabric other than some of the Asian countries or Australia & New Zealand, is a challenge.
If you aren't familiar with this kind of embroidery, check out the following sites:
The Origin of Sashiko
Studio Aika
Sashiko Flickr Group    
Tutorial from Sashiko Stitchers

I own a number of excellent books on this topic:

The Ultimate Sashiko Sourcebook by Susan Briscoe
Sensational Sashiko by Sharon Pederson
Sashiko by Mary Parker
Sashiko, Japanese Traditional Hand Stitching by Ai Takeda
Sashiko and Beyond by Saikoh Takano
Sashiko - Traditional Japanese Quilt Designs by Nihon Vogue
Paradise Stitched by Sylvia Pippen
For some reason, when this post is viewed in Internet Explorer, two photos of the same thing is showing. I had this problem before and it took quite awhile to correct. 

Steamed Christmas Pudding

This year I made a steamed Christmas Pudding for the first time! It turned out to be a good one!

However, this is the Christmas Pudding Decoration I made yesterday for a friend. I can't take credit for the pattern. The original pattern is from The Contented Quilter and is a pincushion.

Check out the following patterns:

Here is another pudding ornament
Christmas Pud Pincushion
A cute crocheted pudding - scroll down
Knitted Christmas Pudding  
Knitted Christmas Tea Cosy -  suppose to resemble a pudding but there is no photo. Thought I'd include it anyway.
Christmas Pudding Tree Ornament
Line drawing of a pudding - template

Have Fun! Merry Christmas

Christmas Row by Row - July Block

Row 8 and 9 - Trees, are available for the next part of the Christmas Row by Row quilt. Have fun!

Siteseeing!

The first of May and I woke up to a sprinkle of the white fluffy stuff on the ground - not my idea of a fun day. However, the temperature is rising and it is melting quickly. Such is life in the north Atlantic.

From my upstairs window (on a clear day), I can see Cape Spear, the most easterly point of land in North America. Cabot Tower, located on Signal Hill, National Historic Site of Canada, is also visible from my house and from almost anywhere in the city. It was here in 1901, that the first transatlantic wireless signal by Guglielmo Marconi was sent. Thought I'd add a bit of history for those of you who enjoy exploring new places.

Kimono Ornaments

At the November meeting of the Eastern Edge Quilters, three of the members demonstrated how to make Japanese Kimono Ornaments. It was a very enjoyable evening. Permission to do this was granted by Ursula Riegel, the designer. Have a look at her patterns.

I made seven of these ornaments. This particular one was given to my friend, Judith, in British Columbia. Each of my 'mini guild' friends received one for Christmas.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Living on the eastern coast of North America, Christmas Day arrives here first. In fact, we have out own time zone which is ahead of the rest of the country by 30 minutes. The tradition here at my house is to open one gift just after midnight. I was delighted to receive the book, Fibreart Montage, by Judith Baker Montana. You can read a bit about the book on her site. I have several of her books which tend to be good references for hand stitching. Crazy stitching/quilting is one of her specialities. Go here for some free crazy quilting patterns.

My quilting friend sent this to me however she did not know who wrote it. If someone out there knows the source, I'd appreciate an email so I can give credit to the author.

A Quilter's Dream come true!

'Twas the night before Christmas,

And the quilts were not made.

The threads were all tangled, the cookies delayed.

The stocking weren't hung, the pantry was bare.

The poor weary Quilter, was tearing her hair.

Stacks of fat quarters, tipped over in streams.

Visions of Log Cabins, had turned into dreams.

When what to her wondering eyes should appear,

But a bus full of quilters with all of their gear.

They went straight to work with just a few mutters,

Sorting and stitching and brandishing cutters.

The patterns emerged from all of the clutter,

Like magic the fabrics arranged in a flutter.

Log Cabins, Lone Stars, Flying Geese & Bear Tracks

Each quilt was a beauty-even the backs.

Her house how it twinkled, her quilts how they glowed.

The cookies were baking, the stockings were sewed.

Their work was all done, so they folded their frames,

And packed up their needles, without giving their names.

They boarded the bus, and checked the next address.

More quilts to be made, another quilter in distress.

She heard one voice echo, as they drove out of sight,

Happy quilting to all and to all a good night!

Owls

Last evening at quilt guild, a friend mentioned that she was interested in owls. She was quite pleased to see a link for an owl pattern in one of my posts. Well, here's a tutorial on making a cute stuffed fabric owl. This one would make a neat pin cushion or even a toy for a child. Enjoy!

Pumpkin Tutorial - crazy quilting

Happy Thanksgiving to our American friends! I just found this neat site, The Painted Quilt by Kaaren Johnson. One of the first things that caught my eye was the crazy quilted 3-D pumpkin. Other tutorials include a  sewing box and tomato pincushion. On the first Friday of each month there is a free pattern for you to use. Lots of stuff to check out.

Connecting Threads

I just came across this free pattern for making gift bags from Connecting Threads. It's fat quarter friendly! I can see doing these in a variery of different fabrics to suit the season or special occassion.  For those who enjoy crazy quilting, this pattern could certainly be used for that purpose. In fact, this very simple pattern has lots of potential.