A little finish

Wednesday was a cold but beautiful day. While traveling to Vermont via the ferry, this is what the sights were like.




The sounds the ferry was making going across the lake sounded like we were travelling through Slush Soup. The field of ice was immense, but not so bad that the farry deviated it's normal path across, as I witnessed 2 years ago. Everytime I cross the ferry in winter time now, I remember the severity of that crossing. It's one that I'll never forget.



Just in time for Valentine's Day my little finish.

Alphabet Heart on 14 ct Aida stitching with 2 threads over 1 thread.
I used a rayon, linen and a metallic thread to stitch this. Using it as a learning piece with stitching the different threads that each had there own unique feel. The linen was rather stiff and a little coarse, the metallic had a tendancy to twist and I didn't want to load the fibers up with thread heaven or anything to dull the reflectivity of it so I proceeded without any. As for the rayon, that was a soft and breakable thread so you had to use shorter lengths of it to maintain it's depth. I was fun to stitch and I'm happy that it's back after a snaffu at the framers. This is the freebie pattern that I mentioned last summer and the project I travelled to Rhode Island at Thanksgiving with. It was stitched relatively quickly, however, I don't report projects as finished unless they are done, done, if you know what I mean. It was picked up at the framers Wednesday Night while coming home from Vt.

Stay Warm,

Jane

WOW! Where has the time gone?

We celebrated our 36th anniversary today. It doesn't seem possible that it has been so long and then again it does. It seems like we have been a team since forever. It was a soothing day with not a lot going on. To celebrate we took a little drive and had a nice lunch out.



While we ate our lunch there were other diners around that we enjoyed watching too. So mesmerizing and peaceful. A memorable day spent at Deer Valley Trails.



Just a quick note, I'll catch up more later.

Jane

links of interest

Russian Ekaterina via Chatelaine with four patch posie quilt plus.

web pictures of Jane in Austin sewing room ideas, platform for quilting on a DSM
is here.

typing test

scallop tutorial


quiltmaker with many free patterns Lyn Brown.

Hospital gown and other ideas for a sick child are here. around the March 2010 time frame.

Stash Report week #5

It's hard to believe its already the end of January. Despite it being so cold, there is not alot of snow around. I think my sister in Maryland is getting more than us this year, which is definitely not normal. Oh well it's rather nice to be able to run out to the garage with my flip flops on and not get my toes all snow. DH may be on to something about relocating to a warmer climate. But it's too soon to do that especially with the ages of the youngest grandchildren (4 and 1). I need to be near them at this time in their lives.

As for my stash report,

Used this week: 0 yards
Used Year To date: 2.5 yards

Added This week: 0 yards
Added Year To Date: 10 yards

Net Fabric Gained (Loss or used): 7.5 yards

Alas, despite a finish, I can not add in the amount used since it was sent with the pattern as a BOM. I am sewing, but no finishes to report yet. Here's a peak of what I am currently working on:



No hints, just trying to complete another PIG (project in a grocery sack) while at the same time learn and try another techinque that I've always wanted to do. Hopefully I'll be unveiling what it is shortly.

While trying to find that picture, I stumbled across a photo of something I mentioned I'd post and add at a later time from this post. Well it is the reversible APRON I made for a friend over a year ago but never gave until this past Christmas. I never took a photo of the finished item, but here are the fabrics I used, as well as my drawn illustration of what I embroidered in redwork. The stand for the cake plate I made was the shortest footed markings. With this I also used a soft brown colored pencil for the cake and a red fine tip marker for the scallops on the plate stand. I colored first and then embroidered with DMC 496 if I remember correctly.



Enjoyed a wind ensemble concert yesterday at PSUNY and today family commitments are on my agenda, so I won't be able to sew until later tonight.

Enjoy Life,
Jane

One World One Heart blogging event

I have noticed this event on different blogs and because the internet and blogging have added so much to my life, I wanted to pass it along and share some excitement with others. How could I pass it along now? Perhaps with a magic carpet ride via the ONE WORLD ONE HEART worldwide event.



This is a global event, not like the One World One Heart Event that Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream offered back in 2000. This event started in 2007 and is a way bloggers can connect thru the web. What will I be giving? Stay tuned for a photo tomorrow, after I have some time to think, then stage an appropriate setting and figure out something worthy to give.

Jane

Finish #2 for 2010!

Recently PGD#1 and I made some pom pom art. A magnet for her art work to display proudly on the refridgerator. It's cute and in her favorite color.



SO what does this have to do with my finish #2......Here's the pattern:



And here is a photo of my finsh #2:



Notice the difference? It's the coat tree and the hat with a pom pom. This photo shows more of the detail:



When I first saw this pattern, I thought the coat tree could have been a knitting needle with a knitted scarf coming off it. So I changed the pattern to have some coat hooks near it's top as well as looping the scarf around one of the pegs. Then I had a eureka moment. A hat with a pompom to compliment the colors of the scarf. Viola! It worked. The package of pompoms I had in for preschool art was too bright, so I tea dyed the red pom pom to shade it. I added the ribbing on the hat by playing with stitches on my Bernina 170 QE.
Something I also discovered while playing with my stitches was that my stitch #21 is a gathering stitch and only catches every third stitch. Wish I could have had that machine when I made the colonial muslin curtains for the master bedroom. I used a whole bolt of premium muslin and I think over 100 yards of cluny lace within the double ruffle which also had the corded insert of a tea rose cotton. It took me quite awhile and alot of hand stitching to gather all that fabric and lace especially since at the time, I only owned a Montgomery Ward- White sewing machine that cost $129.00 and I used, I mean really used hard for 25 years. What a work horse that machine was until it was used too much and then my grumbling started. Thank goodness my DH is so understanding, because at the time he said, if you need a new machine, get one. Thus my "baby Bernina" aka "Janina" came to live with me. VBG here.
He knows not to say that anymore. If I grumble now about trying to quilt on the 170 QE he stays quiet just knowing that if he said Go get a machine, my butt would be in the car lickety split! I would love a long arm but with the space limitations of our home, it's just not realistic to purchase one yet.

Happy Stitching,
Jane

St Patricks Day freebie and stash report week #4

While doing some follow through on the internet, I ran across this cute XCS pattern offered by Brooks Books. Cute a small. Could be just right for St. Patty's
As for Stash Report for Week #4 It remains the same as last week. I am realizing if I want to succeed with this 100 yards used, I need to use up at least 8 and 1/3 yards per month. Yikes! I best get a groove and move on. Now that puts it in perspective. Of course I count it when the project is completed not just cut.

Here's my report of stash for week #4


Used this week: 0
Used Year To date: 2.5

Added This week: 0 yards
Added Year To Date: 10

Net Fabric Gained (Loss or used): 7.5 yards

If this was a race, I think I'd be in last place. No I'm not rhyming here, just realizing that if I want the stash to move I better concentrate more on the steps needed to get projects finished.
As for the one a month challenge that I did last year, I still want to keep that challenge going. So far so good, but I also would love to do as last year and complete 2 projects each month. If life, pain, commitments and such get in the way, then 1 a month is better than none.

Happy Stitching,
Jane

Some interesting tutorials...

With journaling about my creativity and life on my blog, I find it's a great way to note where to find links and tools for possible/probable future projects that I may want to do. So, to be able to find them when I need them, esp. without having to read through the blog pages, I am labeling them with tools or tutorials. That way I could do a search for those words and google will kindly pull it up for me, so much easier. Anyways, thats my plan.

Here's a tutorial for pillow case dress over at freshly picked.

Another informative page about making continuous bis tape plus the yardages needed can be found through this link.

And this last link shows a page full of tutorial for making bags of all sorts.

Another plan I have is to do a quilting retreat today. Notice the time and I yet have to sit behind my sewing machine to do any stitching! Well, it can't be helped, sometimes it's just too important to reconnect with family and friends. So I'm off, enjoy your day, I'm planning on enjoyng mine.

Dessert is premade for dinner and that meal is almost ready as well. BAsil seafood served over pasta or spaghetti squash. Of course, I realize the oximoran statement that I just made, Dessert and low carb in the same area, really Jane! Oh well .....such is life and especially for today I'll allow it.

Enjoy,
Jane

Snowman for all types

People who know me know I love to decorate for the different seasons and Holidays that occur. I've been doing that for the past 19 years. It happened after I realized that my home seemed empty after removing all of our Christmas decorations one year. Since then, I do the typical vignettes for the Holidays. January and February are for Snowmen.
Here's a sampling of the quilted and homemade snowmen around my home right now.


This one is "Snow friends" and was a pattern I had and finished about 4-5 years ago. On this wall hanging I used the buttons from 4 different woman's button boxes. These women , not including myself had a strong impact on my life. So with each button I sewed on I gave mental thanks and blessigns for their influence on my life. Wonder who they were? It's my Mom, my Maternal Grandmother all my siblings call GiGi and my Mother In Law. All loved by me and appreciated for all their qualities and traits.


This little table mat sits on the dining room table. I borrowed this pattern from a good friend Nancy. She was making these table mats left and right and got me addicted to them. I think I have 3 more cut and ready to assemble, now just to find them.



This last penny wool table mat I finished from a kit, I think it may have been from Keepsake Quilting. When I saw it, I just loved it and knowing that I could use it for the January Snowmen theme besides flowing into February with the hearts and love theme it would be perfect for these 2 months.

And now, for the piece de resistance....

a stuffed snowman that my now 13 year old grandson made about 6-7 years ago.



It stands about 24 inches high and is quite formidable when you see it. When PGD#1 saw it she prompty mentioned, "I want to make one." I'll have to come up with something appropriate for her. This sits on top of the kitchen closet soffett.

Enjoy,
Jane

Look what arrived!!!

I won a giveaway from Susan Brubaker Knapp just before Christmas. It's this pattern for a Pinata Purse.



Susan Brubaker Knapp and Sarah Smith were hosting a duo giveaway and I was fortunate enough to be the winner of Susan's pattern. Now how did she know that I love bags? I am so grateful.
Since that time, I've noticed her name in other places. Such as in a video with Pokey from Quilt Arts showing free motion machine quilting and other places like advertisements in magazines. She has an amazing book out as well as check out her blog, Blue Moon River. The painting she currently doing on the orchid quilt is absolutely stunning!

Around the same time as the drawing, I had to wrap a gift for PGD#1's Christmas Party at preschool. So after pancakes for breakfast and getting her presentable, I grabbed a roll of wrapping paper, wrapped it, decorated it and labelled it. So while picking up the wrap, I boinked her gently on the head. Of course, she quickly grabbed the roll of paper and boinked me back. BUT THEN with a wicked gleam in her eye, she said, "Pretend this is a bat and you are a pinata!" all the while she was homing in towards me. So funny, I laughed and smiled over this little escapade for awhile now. Love that girl!

Stay warm and laugh often,
Jane