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!

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Block of the Month (BOM) for 2014

I just found some Block of the Month sites to check out. Have a look!

• At Grandpa's Farm (free & ready on Friday) from Two Sisters and a Quilt
• January Snowflake from The Hexie Blog
• The Basket Case from Animas Quilts
• All Around Town Mystery Quilt from Garden Path Quilts
• Penguin Cheer (free) from Fat Cat Patterns
• Walk With Me from Angie's Bits and Pieces
• From Head to Toe - A Knitter's Gift - BOM from Just Quiltin with Denise Russart
• Quiet Book Series - Mittens from Riley Blake Designs
• BOM from Morning Glory Designs (seeking a name for the BOM)
• Forever Blooming from P3 Designs
• Garden Gate from Project House 360
• Chatting Over Coffee from Sulky
• Shabby Roses Home from Jenny of Elefantz
• Dream Garden from Sentimental Stitches
• Lighthouses from Claudias Quilts

Here's a few older BOM's
Enjoy!

• Adventure (older BOM with 12 blocks) Embroidery from Pretty P & Mama B Designs
• Blocks of the Month 2013 from Helen  Pinkster Quilt Design
• 2013 BOMs from Miss Loreen's Schoolhouse

Valentine Mug Rugs

In case you haven't the time become involved in a big quilting project, why not consider making a mug rug for someone special for Valentine's Day. A mug rug or mug mat can be as small as a coaster or as large as a place mat. Some people differ on the sizes for these 'mini quilts'. You can read The Patchsmith's comments mug rugs.

Here's a few mug rugs to consider:

• Heart Glow Mug Rug at Craftsy
• Heart Mug Pattern from Jolly Jabber
• Foundation Heart Mug Rug from Sew Happy Geek
• Heart Mug Rug from Mauby's
• Hugs and Kisses Mug Rug from Sew Sweetness
• Valentine Mug Rug from Bear, Dolly and Moi
• Valentine's Day Mug Rug from Boy, Oh Boy, Oh Boy Crafts
• Valentine Mug Rugs from Elizabeth's Quilt Projects
• Valentine's Mug Rug from The Peony Tea Cup
• 25 Free Mug Rug Patterns from All Free Sewing

50+ free patterns: Hearts and Valentines
40 Free Mug Rug Tutorials from The Quilting Library

 

Valentine's Day Projects!

We are certainly having terrible weather here in Newfoundland. The whole island lost the electricity for a major portion of the day. We were in the cold for about 6 hours. Apparently there was a fire at one of the substations and that triggered a loss of power to several other stations. Of course, it's nothing compared to what was experienced in Ontario during Christmas, so we really can't complain too much. Enough about the weather and on to the real subject for today!

Next month is Valentine's Day so I've selected a few projects for you to consider.
Enjoy!!

• Celebrate the Year in hearts from Shabby Fabrics! This was 2013 BOM that's still available for free. So, if you want a monthly project, now is the time to start one.
• Valentine Quilts from Sewing Sisters
• Be Still My Heart Tutorial from Tall Grass Prairie Studio
• Valentine Quilt Patterns from Craftsy
• Simply Hearts from Snappy Quilts
• Scrappy Calico Hearts from Fussy Cutter
• Broken Hearts from Oops-Lah
• Free Heart Themed Patterns from With heart and Hands
• Log Cabin Heart Quilt from BOM Quilts
• Ruffled Mug Rug Valentine, Checkered Heart Wall Quilt & Heart Pincushion from Fave Quilts
• Past Valentine's Day posts on my blog HERE, HERE, and HERE

 

Winter Quilting

Yesterday we lost the electricity from 5:30 pm until 10:30 pm. Luckily the flashlights were handy. Since it's so cold outside, the NL Power company decided to cut the power to different parts of the city for a few hours. Apparently there was a usage on the generators and they plan to do this until the weather warms up a bit. So far today, this part of town has been left alone (keeping fingers crossed). It's times like this that our quilts really do come in handy (not just as a decorative addition to a room).

In case you feel the need to make another quilt, I found some with a Winter theme. You will see lots of blue and white! Some of the patterns are for sale and some are free. I've included both for viewing as you never know what might spark an idea. There are also a couple of smaller pieces too.

• Snowflakes from Quilt and Sew Shop
• Winter Critters from Quiltmaker  (designed by Sonja Callahan - her blog is worth a look)
• Winter Moon by Kit Lang
• Winter Quilt from Lemon Tree Tales
• Winter Solstice by Diane McGregor at Craftsy
• Winter (freezer paper snowflake stencil) from Wee Folk Art
• Penguins on Ice from Lavender Rabbit
• Winter Home Mug Rug from Craftsy  (This won't keep you warm but will give you a chuckle)
• Fractured Season Bargellos from Arbee Designs
• Winter Galaxy: Sparkling Star Scrap Bed Quilt from McCall's Quick Quilts

The only large bed quilt I ever made was back in1999 for a quilt show in 2000. It was a Magic Tiles pattern by Kathleen Bissett. I called it Quiltenium Dreams. All the fabrics were from various trips taken across the country. The quilt found its way to Chicago with my daughter and her husband. It has a good home.

Brrrrrrrr! It's Cold Outside . . .

On my way home this morning, I heard on the radio, that December was the coldest one since 1989. We had lots of snow too! Now the forecast calls for another 20 to 30 cm of the white stuff again tomorrow. Well, in keeping with the snow theme, I have found a few sites to visit. The many projects shown can be a springboard to doing something original. Think about it.

• Craftsy's has 6 snowmen related projects to see. Some great ideas there!
• Quilting Snow Ladies from Chickadee Hollow Designs
• Free Snowmen patterns  (these are cute) and Winter Quilts from Quilt Inspiration
• Snow Man quilt pattern from Free Quilt Patterns
• More Free Patterns HERE at With Hearts and Hands
• Snow Birds Rug Mug  from the Crafty Quilter
• Let It Snow free embroidery from Shiny Happy World
• Snowy Christmas Mantle Quilt from Happy Dancing Quilt (idea)

I just found the photo of this little quilted wall hanging that I made years ago for the Cabot Quilt Guild Auction. I called it "Charlie Brown's Christmas Tree".  I added it here to show that small projects don't need to be complicated. To change this from Christmas to winter, position the tree to the side (omit the seed bead lights) and add a little snowman and / or some birds.
Enjoy!

Happy New Year!

I just finished watching the video of Dubai's World Record Breaking Fireworks. Wow!! With a bit of imagination, one could make some creative thread paintings with fireworks, as the theme.

Here are some interesting fireworks interpreted onto fabric. It might be interesting to try some.
Enjoy!

• Fireworks from Color on Cloth
• Fireworks Free Motion Quilt Design from Fiber Artist Journey
• Postcard from To Dream to Stitch
• Let's Go Party & Flowers in the Night Sky from Quilt Inspiration
• Fireworks is part of the Art & Science Challenge
• Temari Balls from Bridge City Tatting
• Fireworks from And Sew We Craft  

Happy New Year's Eve!

What a difference a year makes! Last December was a mild one with very little snow. In fact, we had a green Christmas. This year, winter started very early with piles of snow and very cold temperatures. The thermometer below shows one of the very few days that was above freezing.

I am looking forward to 2014 and all that it will bring.  Last March, I decided to go wholesale with some of my small production art work (Shimmer Ornaments, Wearable Art Pins, Art Cards, Felted Ornaments and Greeting Cards). It was a big step for me to take as I had been resisting it for many years. However, it has opened up other opportunities. I was invited to the Atlantic Trade Show (ACTS) in Halifax so I will be going there the end of January. Then, the local wholesale show is in March.

Production work is taking up much of my time at the moment but I'm hoping to set aside some time to experiment with more surface embellishments. I have some copper wire that I want to play with as well as a small gel printing plate for fabric printing. My yarn stash is overflowing and my wool roving needs attention. I have a few new toys to play with in my studio! Who knows where all that will lead.

Thank you for following my blog posts and to those who leave comments. I may not respond to all of them but they are read and appreciated. Happy New Year! I wish you health, happiness, time with family, and lots of fun in 2014!!!

Enjoy!

December 2012

December 2013

Dollar Shop Finds

I just got a chuckle from the latest newsletter from the Eastern Edge Quilt Guild. The editor usually highlights a web site or two that she found interesting. This time, the focus was on organizing ideas for quilting. Why did I get a chuckle? Well, for a couple of years, I looked after the organizing of the monthly programs, which included Ideas and Tips to Share. I would usually have one or two fantastic finds that I purchased at the local Dollar Shop. It got to be a regular part of the evening - Judy & her $ Shop finds!

Here's some of the things I found:

• small plastic containers with lids to organize beads, buttons, bobbins,seam binding . . .
• embellishments (beads, ribbon, yarns, glitter glue, glitter, buttons , , ,)
• cheap scissors for cutting wire
• folders with zippers for organizing patterns, applique pieces, small sewing projects . . .
• jumbo plastic bags
• nylon laundry bags for transporting quilts
• hooks
• office supply containers
• heavy clear glass vases

The site recommended (with me in mind) is Organize Your Whole House.

Have a look at some of my great finds!

Portable doggie water cup holds threads

Glass vases

Magnetic Memo Board

Command Hooks

Pencil case and sharpener

Office Supply Baskets

Handmade Gifts for Quilters / Sewers

I decided to compile a list of handmade gifts for quilters and sewers. Sometimes you just want to be able to put your hands on something quick to make for a special friend, relative or as a donation to a sale / auction. Here's a few projects to get you started:

Enjoy!

• Divided Baskets from Noodlehead
• Magnetic Pin Dish from Diary of a Quilter
• Needle Book by Nana Company
• Idea Pouch  and  Sewing Machine Apron at Craftsy  
• Fabric Baskets from Pink Penguin
• Quilted Pendant from Crafty Pod
• Fabric Beads by Linda Matthews
• Fabric Beads by Alma Stoller
• Fabric Beads by Delia's Place
• Microwave Bowl Cozies from Aunt Judy's Attic
• 30 + Makeup Bags & Rolls to Make from Tipnut

 

Ornament Exchange

Our embroidery guild has a bunch of very talented ladies as you will see by the ornaments below. By the time I thought to get my camera, many of the ornaments were put away. Here are the ones that were still on the tables:
Enjoy!

Merry Christmas!

A very Merry Christmas to everyone! Thanks for stopping by. We are having a white Christmas this year. It was snowing gently until an hour ago. However, the snow blower will still have to be called into action. St. John's is suppose to get another dump of snow over night and into Christmas day. I do hope it doesn't stop families from getting together tomorrow.
Enjoy the season!

Goldwork Poinsetta Kit

On November 8, I posted about winning a prize from Australia on Arlene's Blog. Well, I received it earlier in December. You can find this Goldwork Poinsetta  pattern / kit in her etsy store. I have a year to complete this project if I want it for next Christmas. Thanks again, Arlene!

The Stockings Were Hung . . .

Ever wonder where the tradition of hanging stockings at Christmas originated? A little story about a nobleman and his three daughters is one such theory. Wikipedia also writes about this same story as well as other tid bits of information. Another theory comes from Holland.

Regardless of its origin, children around the world hang stockings on Christmas Eve. Here are a few stockings (some with patterns) that you might like to make over the winter for next Christmas! There is always someone in need of a new stocking.
Enjoy!

• Sew an Easy Stocking project from McCall's - free!
• Sleigh Bells Stockings  (cute)
• Merry & Bright Christmas Stockings
• Four Christmas Stocking Projects
• Christmas in July - Free Stocking PDF 
• Christmas Stockings

Here's a crazy quilted stocking I made ages ago. It's all small pieces stitched with machine satin stitch.

Frustration

For some reason Blogger is causing a few frustrations. I like to have a continuous scrolling of my posts but for some reason (I have gone to the correct page for configurations but to no avail) this isn't happening.. To continue reading my older posts, you have to click 'older posts' at the bottom of the latest one. What a bummer! Let's see what happens when this one is uploaded to the blog.

 

It seems it is only happening to my previous post - strange!!!

Christmas Count Down

I was listening to the radio today and the announcer said there were just 15 shopping days left until Christmas! Where did the time go? My tree and decorations are still in boxes downstairs. My Charlie Brown Christmas Tree (I call it that as it is a skinny one just right for a corner in my kitchen) stands undecorated in my kitchen. I still have a few gifts to purchase and some to stitch. A light Christmas Fruitcake was just put into the oven. Our family loves fruitcake.

My advent wall hanging will not get finished for this Christmas. I still have lots of work to do on it. Hopefully it will go to Chicago this summer - finished!

I did find a few interesting Advent Calendars to quilt or stitch. Maybe there is one you would like to try and make for next year. Have a look.

Enjoy!

• AdventCalendar Quilt 
• Advent Tree 
• Advent Calendar (some embroidery) 
• Stocking Advent Calendar
• Advent Calendar
• Tutorial Advent Calendar
• Advent Angels Wall Quilt
• Advent Calendar Wall Hanging
• Santa Claus