A New Applique Project...

Inspired from the book: Applique with Attitude from Piece O'Cake Designs, I put together this fun little applique wall hanging today. I've been missing applique sewing and even though my wool project is allllmmmmoooossst finished and I really should focus on that,  I just don't feel like sewing with wool when it's summer. This one is light and cool to sew and provides the perfect hand sewing I've been craving during my morning coffee on the patio.

 Once bordered it will finish into a fun 30"x 36" wall hanging. I'm also going to make this a project that allows me to play with some of my free motion quilting ideas and hopefully begin to build my confidence in that area of quilting too. So, that's what I've been up to as I begin to enjoy my summer break. Stay tuned for more soon....

Also...LOTS going on here at the ol' blog.

Click HERE to participate in my Tuesday Archives Give-Away.

Thanks to everyone who participated in our Eye Spy Swap.

Piggy Bank Savers...mark your calendars for July 6th...as that's when we empty and count our quilty savings for the year. I think I'm going to beat hubby this year!

Jan. OMG: Winter Wallhanging Finish

My January OMG was to get these finished into a wallhanging that would be completed and

hanging in our home by the end of the month. 

Ta Da! With two days to spare, I got 'er done. 

Knowing this was my "One Monthly Goal" motivated me to get this one done. I used a variety of random quilting on this one as I didn't want the quilting to be too dense and well, quite honestly, I wasn't in the mood to quilt this weekend. So I  kept things simple as I echoed around the mittens and the hearts and quilted small snowflakes on the two snowman blocks.

I didn't want to use a pantograph, yet wanted the effect that it was snowing.

So, I randomly quilted nine larger snowflakes throughout the quilt. 

I know there's a ton of different ways I could have really enhanced this quilt if I had taken the time to quilt it, but honestly, sometimes it's just nice to get it done. So, if you ever find yourself in "the neighborhood" know you'll find yourself cozy right here were it now hangs in our guest room:

Grateful for the motivation our monthly linky gave me this month.

Click HERE to see what everyone else finished this month. 

Note: This week's Tuesday Archives theme is, ironically: SNOWMEN.

Jan. OMG: Winter Seasonal Wallhanging

Aughhhh....one last day of my Winter break. (I always love going back to school/work on a Tuesday as it makes the week go by so much faster!) So my last day of vacation will find me prepping flying geese and star blocks as I exclaim this Winter Seasonal Celebrations wall hanging as my January OMG! I'm going to actually change out of my jammies and take a few breaks from the sewing room to shovel snow, get my nails done, and enjoy a yoga class. But for the most part, I'll be sewing.

You had a peek at this quilt a bit ago...and as you can see, I have a good jump on this quilt with almost the applique stitched and ready to go. Another wonderful thing about this quilt is it's a stash buster!!! I'm using a lot of Kim Deihl and Buggy Barn fabrics I have on hand. This Wintery piece will finish at about 42" x 54" and looking forward to having it hang in our home by the end of the month.

2017 is off to a wonderful start and I'm happy to join everyone else at OMG:

Share your New Year Goals with us tomorrow at TA!

Jan. OMG: My "FABULOUS" Finish

Whew...I got  my FABULOUS mini finished with a few hours left in the month!

What ya think? The word Fabulous itself, well, just didn't look very fabulous to me.

I let myself play and had fun just letting my creative energy guide this little project.

(Think: "mathmatical" less than "< " sign.)

It  measures 22"x23" inches and has found it's place among our stairway of word quilts:

2016 is definitely off to a FABULOUS start that has happily included lots of sewing.

Sharing with everyone at these two linky parties:

 and 

And of course, I close unable to resist wishing you a FABULOUS day.

Jan. OMG: My FABULOUS Word Quilt

I find affirmation in using a word to "define" my year of growth and self exploration ahead. Last year I found myself  content to just BE....to let things evolve around me and just kinda watch to see what my role would become as our family found ourselves maneuvering though a huge change in our dynamics. It's been that kind of change that seems to come along every now and then, shakes things up, tests your resilience, your Faith. I can tell ya, it's not always easy watching our young adult children work to find their way in the world. My husband and I certainly hold tight to one another as we learn to balance love with boundaries. Support vs. enable.  I'm especially grateful for his patience as I processed  the many emotions these changing dynamics brought forth over the past 18 months. I'm so rejuvinated to have finally reached a level of acceptance that has truly lead me to my 2016 word/motto:  

With all that life and learning shared, quilting/blogging certainly help keep me sane. I have been contemplating a few different words to define my year...searching for a word that would empower me through situations I can not control. A word that will remind me not to loose myself in emotions and circumstances that are not mine.  I received this mug for Christmas as a gift and just smiled. I started to let the word FABULOUS set in... 

 Then, only a few days later as I turned the page on the calendar,  

I knew immediately I had found my motto for the year:

Not the kind of Fabulous that exclaims, yet the kind of fabulous that finds you just working to be the best you can be. To be happy, creative and content in your own shoes. To notice all the things in  your daily life that make it good. But, first, let's not put the cart before the horse. My One Monthly Goal for January will be to create my FABULOUS word quilt: 

I'm going to miss ALYofF and will be joining

 everyone at OMG to set/share goals this year.

 and 

Well, my days of lounging in my pajamas while the weather sits between -3 and 18 degrees have ended and I have to do that thing called: Go To Work today. 

I end this post kinda curious if you use a word to create a focus in the New Year too?

WIP: A New Applique Project!

This is my new "BOM" I'm creating for myself.

I really wanted another applique wallhanging for our other guest bedroom and this one is perfect for the "cabin/fishing" theme of this bedroom. I ordered this pattern online and it's called: 

We Made It Through Winter by Country Thread/Copyright 1995.

Now, with that said, the book did NOT include any pattern templates. After, reading the book three times, I  finally headed down to our local print shop where I think the owner is always a little humored when I come in with my quilty projects. I knew what size I wanted the quilt to be and using all his little mathmatical tools, finally determined the pattern needed to be enlarged 400% to be the 57"x64"size I wanted. Whew! Got that done and I smiled as I left with him exclaiming in the background: 

"Be sure to show us the quilt when it's finished."

Once I got home, I took the three mammoth pieces and taped them together. I then divided the pattern into BOM sections as you can see above. Ohhhh...and I couldn't wait to dust off  my basket of plaids, checks, and homespuns to start sorting!!

(Jackson looks a little bored huh!?). 

I made notes to self....as once the school year starts again I may no always remember if I'm to trace the pattern on the shiny or dull of the freezer paper? Or, do I iron the pattern to the right or wrong side of  the fabric? I'm covered! Notes taken.

I have my "July" section cut out...

...and will work on preparing the applique pieces for this cabin block above.

So the fact I've missed applique, brings me to question, why do we like our hand stitching so much?

For me, I enjoy using the freezer paper method. It brings out my eight year old self who loved playing with her paper dolls:

Seriously, remember cutting out their clothes? Folding the little flaps over so they'd stay on the doll? Even making your own clothes for them!? Okay, my younger readers, I get you may have absolutely no idea what I'm talking about...hahaha) But, I do think Betsy and Tina would be proud...as when I applique it reminds of these days my younger self use to play with scissors and paper.

And, I do have to admit, Dodie from My Three Sons was my favorite...

probably because I too, was a freckled-face tomboy with crooked pigtails!

Anyhooo, I'm sure looking forward to having something to share at Slow Sunday Stitching  as I continue to share my progress with this applique project and get inspiration and tips from you as well.

Crazy for Wool Summer Sampler!

This is my summer project for hand stitching. 

I got the seasonal sets of these when I went the HMQS in May.

I've always wanted to try my hand at crazy quilting and these kits included preprinted, water soluable stitch guides. They will each finish 18"x18"...perfect for a seasonal wallhanging.

The kits are available at: SewCherished.com.

And now that I got my foundation all ready, I'll be using my perle cotton to stitch.

Please do feel free to comment and share your lessons learned as I am a newbie at this.

In the meantime, I'm off to find a Lifetime/Hallmark movie, sit down and give this a try.

Looking forward to sharing my progress with ya over the summer at Kathy's linky.

Thanks for stopping by and Happy Sunday Stitiching!

Just BE! My Mini Word Quilt...

 As I shared last week right here, I find affirmation in using a word to "define" my year of growth and self exploration ahead. I've been so inspired by your New Year's Quilty goals and commitments, but for the first time in my life, this list making, goal orientated, do three things at once kind of gal is finding herself content to:

Yep! Just content to BE....ME right now and quite honestly, I'm rejuvinated and excited about this new found peacefulness. I'm motivated to simply enjoy the process of quilting as my craft, my creative outlet, with no deadlines or commitments. This little 11"x14" wallhanging now hangs right at my desk as a daily affirmation to be peaceful and to look forward to the year of self expression I have ahead of me!

 Funny thing is, I actually think that by doing this, I'll  find myself PLAYING with my quilting more and well, who knows what might come out of this creative little brain of mine! So how about you? Just for fun, comment and complete the phrase: Just BE...

With smiles,

V:)

Mini Twister Wallhanging

Sorting through college daughter's things, I came across this little wallhanging I made her one Christmas. These batiks are so "her" and I love that it gets to hang in our house for the summer. (As she was pretty adamant that it was only on "loan"). (love that!)

I'm behind on all my sewing. I haven't even looked at my yellows for the June RSC and my ALYoF June Goal still sits exactly where it's been. But that's okay! I have five days of summer school left then watch me sew. And so far, it looks like I have a sewing weekend coming up, which means I just may meet those June goals yet! Yah!

Just curious, what are your weekend plans?

With Smiles!

Val:)

Happy Valentines Day

I just had to share the cutest teacher Valentine I received this week:

I also received many boxes of  chocolate, secretly

wishing they were filled with threads instead. LOL!

Our quilts are truly a "work of heart" aren't they.

Made New Year's 2011.

Happy Valentines Day everyone!
(PS: Check out my Linky Party Page above to see parties I join.)

Val:)

Play! My word for 2014!

My "word" for 2014 is:

This little sampler measures 12" x 20". I need to make more sampler quilts as this was fun!!  

Play (verb) is defined as: 

 to engage in an activity for enjoyment and recreation rather than a serious or practical purpose.  Synonyms: amuse oneself, entertain oneself, enjoy oneself, have fun.

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   Double Thumbs Up!

Looks like I'm off to a good start as I made this little sampler over the weekend and realized that I truly got caught up in "playing" when my husband came home from work Sunday and said: "You still playing with that thing?"

This little sampler represents everything I want to incorporate into my quilts this year: perle cotton, wool, ribbon, "made fabric", scraps, creative stitching, charms, long-arm quilting, fun binding, dimensional pieces, 3-D flowers. I'm sure there will be more, but ya get the picture.

So what do you find yourself wanting to play with as you quilt this year? For more "word" inspiration, click this "share" picture. Curious if you have a "word" this year? Is so, do share!

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