Wednesday, December 24, 2014

Merry Christmas!!

With no school this week, we've taken the kids skating a few days in a row.  How fun to see the improvement each day.   And even more fun to come home and have hot chocolate and cupcakes after.


Sugar Cookie Christmas Trees will be in the kids treat bags when they go home this evening.   I made these all by myself.     

I'll see you in the New Year from our home away from home!!

Merry Christmas Everyone!!

Wednesday, December 17, 2014

Oh, Scrap!!

Seems like I've been sewing like mad for weeks now.

Well, it's all coming to an end as Christmas approaches and we prepare to head south.   I had Caitlin and Grace here on Sunday.  We were doing some Christmas gift making.   We took a break and the girls helped me search in my sewing room for two missing button hole cutters.  In looking for the cutters, we pulled out some bags of scraps that I had under the sewing table.    I was all excited after our last FQG meeting, where we talked about organizing and preparing scraps, but today, in pulling out my bags of scraps, that it's too overwhelming.  I thought, it's time.  Caitlin and Grace poured through the scraps and took a whole bunch home, and here are the rest.   Out they go.   Today is Garbage Day!!!

It's going to a fresh start tomorrow.    And I'm glad to have my the space under my sewing desk back.  

We didn't find my button hole cutters.    The search continues.

Monday, December 15, 2014

Oh, Fudge!!

Don't you just love getting an unexpected gift.   I dropped into a sewing day at a nearby church where some girls were finishing up their wallets from a class that I taught a week ago.    We had just too many in the class and these few girls were so close to being done.   I dropped in to help guide them through the last few steps.    Voila, they  had their wallets done in no time.   

Just before I left, they gave me this gift for dropping by to help them out.   It's a box of Heidi's hand-crafted home made fudge that was hand dipped in milk chocolate.  Oh my, it was the smoothest and most delicate fudge ever.   Have you had it?  It's available at this time of year at craft shows and the market.  Heidi's fudge is on the "New Brunswick's Fine hand-crafted Gifts list".   Well, thank you girls.    The fudge is gone now, as I write this.   My husband and I enjoyed every last morsel.  

Tuesday, December 9, 2014

Gingerbread Anyone?


Grampie started off the gingerbread making this past Sunday by suggesting that the one who guessed the right number of cookie cutters in the box would get $5.00.  He dumped the box out and the kids had 1 minute to look, but no touching.  Mitchell and Caitlin are on top of the island trying to count!!!    In the end there was over 75 cutters.   And of course, all the kids won $5.00 each.

Have you ever used a garlic press to make gingerbread...

Gingerbread hair that is!

I like how Mitchell is so efficiently using all the dough!

It's Aurora's her third or fourth year.
She is getting better and better every year.

Dress Cookie Before

Dress Cookie - After

Quack Quack




Presenting: St. Dunstan's 2015 Raffle Quilt - Churn Dash

As you know, I've been working on this queen size churn dash quilt since the beginning of November.

I started out by pouring through my fabrics to get some nice colors.... Some of the fabrics have music notes, some have stars, like Christmas stars and while none are solids, they look like solids from a few feet away.    Since many of the fabrics could be church related,  I've been calling this the Church Dash quilt.    I had half a mind to stitch Church Dash on the label, but I have a feeling that the girls wouldn't get my humor..., so it'll just be called Churn Dash.   I chose to put it in an on-point setting for added interest.   There are three borders.  The first is white, then a strip of colors, then white again.   It will have a nice red binding, to match one of the reds in the quilt.

I've had this quilt done for a week now and I'll be handing it over to the St. Dunstan's Quilters this Thursday.  I  know they will love it since it's quite traditional, yet the on-point setting will make it interesting.  They will do their marvelous hand quilting on it over the winter.  

Do you like?





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Monday, December 8, 2014

A Gift for Mme. Lucille

Miss Aurora was here for a visit over the weekend.   On Saturday, she was telling me all about school.  Grade 1 is so much fun and her teacher Mme Lucille is so nice and pays lots of attention to her.   She told me that Mme Lucille loves her pencil case and Aurora really wanted to make one for her.    So we set out on our mission for the afternoon.    It helped that I had some pre-stitched fabric that looked like paper.   I hand stitched Lucille's name using a cursive font.  They used to teach that font in school.   I then I quickly sewed up the the little zippered pouch.

Aurora helped by picking out the beads for the zipper pull.  She knows Mme Lucille's favorite colors. 

So today, Mme Lucille will get her special gift from Aurora.   Do you think she will just love it?      So cute... 


 


Sunday, December 7, 2014

Gifty items for the Cotton Mill Guild's Fund Raising Auction - Day 8

Well, our guild's silent auction and pot-luck luncheon is tomorrow.  I'm bringing a guest to our meeting.   I'm excited about that because Willa is a quilter and will love to socialize with the other quilters.

So my last gifty item that I made, is this sock monkey that fits perfectly over a Tim Horton's medium size coffee cup.    This little guy, while small, seemed to take me forever to finish this week.   I was compelled to make him despite losing my size 4 knitting needles and having to borrow some.  Then I fussed over buttons for the eyes, and ended up making a special trip to Fabricville to get some...  But he is done now, just in time.    I love his little tail.     Eek, I just realized I forgot to make his ears.    I will do that now.... He will have ears for tomorrow....teeheee
Anyway, don't you think this would be a perfect gift for a hockey mom or dad.   When I walk at the rink on the weekends, there are so many parents there watching the kids.  And most are drinking a nice cup of Tim's coffee to keep them warm. 

That's it folks.   Maybe I'll see you at the guild meeting tomorrow.

Saturday, December 6, 2014

Gifty items for the Cotton Mill Guild's Fund Raising Auction - Day 7

Can you ever be too organized?  I just love this portfolio envelope style quilted case.  It fits a letter sized file folder perfectly.  I have one that I carry all my guild notes and papers in.    Besides a zipper opening, it has a front pocket with a velcro close and sports a nice wristlet handle with a lobster clip.  I really like the brown black floral design.   

I'm madly working to finish something small for tomorrow's post which will be the last post.   I'd better get to work....

Come back tomorrow evening to see the last post of the gifty things for our guild..












Friday, December 5, 2014

Gifty items for the Cotton Mill Guild's Fund Raising Auction - Day 6

I made this smart wallet a couple of weeks ago.  I had promised to put a wallet into the silent auction because not everyone was able to take my wallet class this week.  I know that there will be somebody who would just love to get this for a daughter grand-daughter.  I normally make them out of batiks, but I couldn't resist this sweet seahorse fabric.     Whew, it's been a busy week, but come back tomorrow for Day 7.   

  

Thursday, December 4, 2014

Gifty items for the Cotton Mill Guild's Fund Raising Auction - Day 5

I've been collecting bits and pieces all week for this gift.  It's a redwork stitching kit. Besides, the hoop, the floss, and the little carrying bag, it includes a nice winter stitchery already traced onto white fabric, and the fabric to finish the top.   Inncluded a cute crystal zipper pull that has a cute charm of a pair of embroidery scissors.   All that is left to make is a small needle case.    I hope this gets a good price.   Come back tomorrow to see Day 6


Wednesday, December 3, 2014

Gifty items for the Cotton Mill Guild's Fund Raising Auction - Day 4

With the inclement weather yesterday, we decided to stay put.  No walking, shopping or errands.     That means lots of time for finishing up this little seaside bag with a lighthouse appliqued on.   It's made from sturdy ticking.    I added machine quilting, but the sturdy fabric doesn't show.   Oh well.   I still like it.  

Stay tuned, for day 5 tomorrow.

Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Gifty items for the Cotton Mill Guild's Fund Raising Auction - Day 3

I love wearing a nice scarf in the wintertime.   I had these three scarf fabrics in my stash.     These loop scarves are so popular, I hope they  bring in a good price.

Stay tuned for Day 4 tomorrow.

Monday, December 1, 2014

Gifty items for the Cotton Mill Guild's Fund Raising Auction - Day 2

I've made countless Posy Wallets.    They are usually a hit at the silent auction.   I did get a request for this from a couple of members.   They'll have to outbid each other since there is only one.   This was a pretty easy finish.   I have a few of these started and it didn't take long to finish this one.  I really should have made two of these, but it's been such a busy day.    Stay tuned for tomorrow.




Sunday, November 30, 2014

Gifty items for the Cotton Mill Guild's Fund Raising Auction - Day 1

On Monday December 8th, we will have our final guild meeting of the year.  Part of the morning's entertainment is an in-house guild silent auction of home made or crafted items made by members followed by a pot-luck luncheon.

I love to make small items so it's a natural for me to make some items.     It's not like I'm sitting down doing nothing this time of year, but I feel compelled to help our guild raise money.  It's my personal challenge to make something every day until Monday December 8th.

With the money raised, the guild buys supplies like batting and backings to make cancer quilts for the sick in our area...

So today, day 1, here's what I made for the auction.

Two small pencil case size zippered pouches with cute beaded zipper pulls.  

Come back tomorrow evening to see what I've made.



Saturday, November 29, 2014

St. Dunstan's Quilt 2015 - Week 5

Not too much progress to report this week.   We had two nights and two days without power and it's just today that I'm getting up and running again.

But the little progress I made before the power outage this week was that I did get the blocks sewn into rows.  And those rows have been pinned together to sew.   This coming week will see the rows sewn together and I will definitely be on the homestretch if I get one or two of the borders on.

I will be presenting this quilt top to the quilters on December 11th.  They have invited me to their Christmas luncheon on that day and will give me lots of time to make the binding and the label as well.

Have a great week and stay warm.

Thursday, November 27, 2014

Gifty items for the Cotton Mill Guild's Fund Raising Auction - Day 5

Another busy day for me.  So it's a very small project today.   It was easy to finish up these half made criss cross coasters.  Two sets of four.  Everyone can use these.  


Tuesday, November 25, 2014

I'm making a List!

The Cotton Mill Quilt Guild's annual Christmas pot luck and silent auction of gifty handmade items made by members, is not far away.  It's just a little over two  away.    I love to make items for this auction because the money raised goes to purchase supplies to make quilts given to cancer patients.  

So my fun goal over the next couple of weeks is to make 10 items.   Most of them you've seen me make before, but it's always fun to make them again, from new fabrics.

I'm making a list and I'll start to dig out the fabrics.  I am going to make one item each day.   Most will be sewn, and there may be a knitted item or two.   

I'm open to ideas.    When you go to a crafty sale, what items would you splurge on for a good cause?   

Watch Sunday for my first item.   



Saturday, November 22, 2014

Putting the zipper in your wallet section.

This blogpost is to help you with the zipper installation of this section of the wallet. 

 It is very similar to the pictures in the pattern, except there are no zipper ends sticking out.  We have shortened them.   This method reduces bulk in the side seams, which would have given your sewing machine problems.

Lay your prepared 7 inch zipper, with the zipper pull facing up,
along the edge of your 8 x 4 piece leaving
about half an inch on each side.
Stitch  a little less than a quarter inch using your zipper foot.  
Matching the 8" sides, place the 8 x 7.5" piece, right sides together,
over the line of stitching you just did.
Pin.  Flip over so you can see the first line of stitching.

From this side, and still using your zipper foot,
stitch a second line of stitching just inside the first line of stitching.
See where the lead of my pencil is pointed, or where my finger nail is pointed,

Now fold back the large piece and the small piece, and notice the side
of the zipper is now enclosed.  Press into this folded back position..
 (You will top stitch after both sides are done.)

Repeat the same on the other side of the zipper ensuring that you start with
the 8 x 4 piece, and the zipper tab is facing up!

After both sides are done, top stitch on both sides of the zipper.
Open the zipper before going on to the next step!!!


Fold both sides together so that the top edge bits are even.  Place a pin to hold the sides even.
About one inch down, Take a one quarter inch clip through all four layers.
Repeat on other side.  

Starting on one side, lift away the longer sides to reveal the two shorter pieces inside.
Match the clips exactly on the two inner pieces and and pin.  

Fold back the larger pieces and match the clips exactly, and pin.
Repeat on the other side.   You should now four pins in your piece.. two on each side.

It's time to sew.  I've drawn the sewing line in blue
Start at the top of the shorter piece.  Take a diagonal seam starting in about 1.5".
Stitch to the first clip.  Actually stop short of the clip by one stitch...(see my blue line.)
Then, lift your presser foot and move over the bumpy seams to the next pin
(pin is not shown in this picture)  Resume stitching starting about one stitch past the clip.  Stitch
a regular quarter inch seam around the three sides stopping one stitch before the pin
on the other side.   Again, lift the presser foot over the bumpy seam and start stitching one stitch past
the clip.  Stitch the diagonal line which mirrors the starting seam.


Clip away the excess on the two diagonal seams to 1/4".  Clip the bulk
away from the two square corners.
Turn through the bottom of the shorter pieces and zipper.
Poke out the T-shirt arms... and stitch to flatten out.
If the extended part is much bigger than a quarter inch, trim to a quarter inch.
These raw edges will be hidden in the final seams on the side.
Top stitch the other end of this zipper piece.  It will be the divider end.

Now continue on with the pattern directions to mark the center of this piece
and lay into final position.

St. Dunstan's Quilt 2015 - Week 4

The borders got a little attention this week.   But I soon realized that without the center of the quilt all put together, I can't do much more than cut them out.  So it's back to the center of the quilt this week.  I have all the side triangles cut out, and the blocks have all been laid out.  I fussed over them a bit with the placement of various block colors.  But now it's all picked up and ready to sew together.

Two piles of on point blocks ready to sew
using Eleanor Burns quick method.
Thanks Eleanor!!
Eleanor Burns has the best method of laying out a quilt, then picking it up in order to be sewn together.  I'm not sure if she's documented it online anywhere, but it's very slick.  It's a good thing because I have guests sleeping in our spare bedroom tonight.  

Monday, November 17, 2014

Presenting - Winter Wonderland Quilt

If you are visiting as part of the Blogathon Canada sponsored by Sew Sisters, a sincere welcome to my blog.   I'm an avid sewer and quilter and I am delighted that you dropped by for a visit.

I've been really busy lately, and today I have a finish to show you.  It was started as a guild row-of-the-month project, some two years ago.    My dancer granddaughter, Grace, is fundraising for her dance troop. I decided to dig out this nearly done top, and I machine quilted it over the past couple of weeks.  The binding just went on this week.  Don't you think it's just sweet!

This is a free pattern designed by Natalia Bonner, and can be found on the Riley Blake website.  Click here.  







Saturday, November 15, 2014

St. Dunstan's Quilt 2015 - Week 3

This is what a pile of 50 blocks looks like. Whew, squeeked in my goal this week.   It's been a busy week.

The next logical step in this quilt will be to sew all the blocks together to make the center of the quilt.   But I've had enough block work and I think I'll work on  the borders this week instead.   Or as much of the borders as I can do.

It's a pretty light goal this week because I'd like to try to make a couple of things for our Guild's silent auction next month.

Stop by next Saturday to see how I'm doing.