Happy New Year 2014

I can't believe that the New Year is rapidly approaching again.   Why is it that we think a new year deserves many changes?  I'm guilty of it as well.  I think that everything will change and I'll get my act together the minute the clock strikes midnight :-).

This year, I have many repeat goals I'd like to see take place.  These are nice to haves.  Like publish at least one posting a week on the blog.  Finish up some of these UFO's I have sitting around.  Streamline some of these craft supplies that I have and of course, lose some weight. But, these are the standar yearly standard goals.  However, I do have one resolution this year.  Help others more. Step in where unexpected.  Lift Up those who may be down.  Whether it may be family, friends or strangers, many people can benefit from the kindness of others. 

Wishing you and your family a safe and prosperous New 2014 Year!

Thanks for stopping by!
~*~Trish~*~

Moda Flurry Presents wrapped

Well, looks like I'm going to have to finish up my Moda Flurry quilt for next Christmas.  That's OK, I'll have more time to enjoy it next year.  Things have been hectic traveling to visit with family and trying to finish the shopping rush.  Still not completed yet :-)

So, I'll probably iron out the present blocks I finished and pack away the precut fabric that's ready to finish the quilt.  I thought I would share the presents completed. 

Here's hoping you and your family have a great Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

Thanks for stopping by! ~*~Trish~*~

Moda Flurry Christmas Present Quilt by Kate Spain

Nothing like waiting until the last minute to want to complete a Christmas Quilt.  As I was surfing the Internet, I came across different versions of the Flurry Christmas present quilt and just fell in love with it.  I also found the free pattern online here.  Below is what the quilt looks on their site.

One difference is that I will be completing it using some older fabric I had in my stash.  So, I'll be making my quilt top in basic grey fruitcake fabric layer cake I previously purchased from Moda.  I'm busy cutting out all the pieces.  It's the border I think that will take the most time!

Thanks for stopping by!
~*~Trish~*~

Encore post - Halloween Quilting times two

Below is my favorite quilt completed last year.  It was a simple Halloween quilt with spiderweb quilting.  Since I had some extra trimmings from the border and some extra squares, a table runner was created.  Enjoy the encore posting

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I was able to finish up the quilting on the Spooktacular Halloween quilt.  I can't say enough how much I love these fabrics.  They are so bright and cheery!!  I just can't get a good photo of them.  I was able to finish both the quilt and the table runner / bed runner.

Here are some photos of the finished quilting on both.  All that is left is to bind the two quilts.  I am going to try and save some time by using the sewing machine to add the binding.  I'm determined to finish it that way.  I can use all the extra time I can get!

 

Here's the back of the quilt.  I wish you could see the spider webs better...

While I was trying to photograph the quilt, I had a guest come in and photobomb my photo.  I didn't know it until I was reviewing the photos.  Of course I had to catch her in the act!

I was also able to finish quilting the Halloween runner.  I did need to remove the backing and piece it a little longer to fit the width and then repin it to the rollers.

Now, It's time to create the binding and add it to the quilts.  I am so exciting I'll be able to enjoy them for maybe 2+ weeks.  My goal is to have this done this weekend!


Part II


Yeah!!  A finish!!  I added the binding to both the Halloween quilt and runner completely by machine.  It did not turn out bad at all.  I used 2.5" double folded fabric and used a little bigger that 1/4" seam.  By doing this, it seemed to line up better when sewing down the binding machine on the back.  That and the fact that the stitches are black thread on black fabric :-)

Thanks for stopping by!  ~*~Trish~*~

Favorite Season

Hello,

I'm still around.  Here's a recent craft we completed for our favorite season!  We'll decorate it for Halloween and keep it up for the Thanksgiving season as well.

Thanks for stopping by!  
~*~Trish~*~

Happy 4TH of July!!

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!

Make your own Flat Sunbonnet Sue and Sam at this previous All Things Crafty post.  

Thanks for stopping by!  
~*~Trish~*~

IHAN Machine Embroidery Blog Hop - Embroidered Labels

I'm so excited to be part of the IHAN Machine Embroidery Blog Hop.  I'm a hobbyist and not a professional and I love creating items to give away or sell for charity. The quicker and easier things are, the better.  That's why I love working with complete embroidery designs in the hoop when available.

When I saw Anita Goodesign Machine Embroidery files, it was difficult to choose which design to stitch out.   There are so many great options to choose from.  When I was asked to participate in this blog hop and choose a design to participate with, I was drawn to the beautiful labels available to embroider.  I am so guilty of not always placing a label on my quilts.  We all know this is such a no no.  So, I figured if I could churn out a few pre-made labels, I might be more inclined to place a label on a finished quilt.

For today's blog hop, I've chosen the Folded-Fabric-Quilt-Labels to complete.  When you purchase the set, you receive 15 different quick designs to stitch out.  Below is my favorite one.

MY FAVORITE TIPS

• Don't be afraid to stop your embroidery machine and change colors mid stream.  Even though a piece may be designed as one color, you can stop and switch colors and then let it continue on.
• Unless you are doing contest pieces, just enjoy the process and go with the flow.  If the thread breaks, OK, back up a few stitches and restart. If it keeps breaking... cuss a little and keep going. 
• If the stabilizer is not sticky back, I'll use the 505 Temporary adhesive spray to help keep the fabric pieces in place.  
• If you have questions on anything, please feel free to email me!

GETTING STARTED

A.  Place your scrap piece of fabric (duh, I had paper incorrectly typed earlier) for your label background
B.  Trim your fabric close to the outline of the label stitched
C.  Stitch the label outline chosen.  You can even stop here and not stitch the inside sentiments
D.  Finished stitching the label as designed.

ADDING THE SIDES

For each side placed, the embroidery stitching will stitch the outline of the side, then you place your fabric piece right sides together towards the center.  The embroidery file will stitch down your fabric side with a single line stitch.  Then you fold back for right side up.  Give it a little press and move on to the next side.

A.  Left side size stiched out.
B.  Left side stitched down with single stitch line.
C.  Left side ironed back for right side to face up.
D.  All four sides completed.
E.  All stitched out and cut from the backing.

FINISHING TOUCHES

For my labels, I like to use both fusible webbing and stitch down the sides.  In order to do both, it's easier for me to put a backing on the label so the sides have something to stitch down.

A.  I add a backing to the label.  To start, I place the backing right sides together to the front side of the label and add a 1/4" seam all around the sides.  When completed, I snip off the corners for easier turning.
B.  Next, carefully lift the backing from the front of the label and snip a slit in it to turn the label right side out.
C.  turn your label right side out and then press flat.  Now you can add your fusible webbing to the back of the label plus stitch down the sides.  If you would like, you can just stitch down the sides.

From here, grab your favorite permanent fabric pen and customize your label!

OTHER OPTIONS

From the label set, there's 14 different additional options to stitch out.  Take a look at some of the others included!

THE BLOG HOP CONTINUES - PLEASE VISIT THE OTHER PARTICIPANTS

Mon., March 18th 

Kelly - I Have A Notion
SewCalGal

Tues, March 19th

Cindy - Sew Cindy
Trish - AllThingsCrafty

Wed., March 20th

Marjorie's Quilting Bee
Margaret - The Average Quilter

Thurs., March 21st

Rebecca Grace - Cheeky Cognoscenti

Fri., March 22nd

Gene Black - Alabama Artist
SewCalGal

Thanks for stopping by!  
~*~Trish~*~

Machine Embroidery Blog Hop this Next Week

 "I Have A Notion" will be hosting a Machine Embroidery Blog Hop which is being sponsored by Anita Goodesign who has some wonderful giveaways during the Blog Hop. Below you will find a list of the bloggers and the dates they will be hosting on the hop.

Come back here on Tuesday  March 19th for my project. 

Mon., March 18th 

Kelly - I Have A Notion
SewCalGal

Tues, March 19th

Cindy - Sew Cindy
Trish - AllThingsCrafty

Wed., March 20th

Marjorie's Quilting Bee
Margaret - The Average Quilter

Thurs., March 21st

Rebecca Grace - Cheeky Cognoscenti

Fri., March 22nd

Gene Black - Alabama Artist
SewCalGal

Thanks for stopping by!
~*~Trish~*~

Hunter's Progress

I continue to work on the foundation pieced Hunter's Star quilt.  As I mentioned in a previous post, my goal is to get two triangle foundations completed per day.  I'm happy with the progress I've made so far.  I've missed a couple of days but not many.  I'm not sure how I'm going to like using the fabric foundations.  They definitely add weight to the block but then again, they seem to help a lot with fabric stretching!  I'm also not sure if I will add all three kits to one quilt.  It is pretty large so far but once I sew all the blocks together, I'm going to lose inches as well.  Time will tell!

Thanks for stopping by!  
~*~Trish~*~

Shopping In My Own Stash

Sometimes when you go on an organization kick, you tend to come across items that you forgot you had.  I found these foundations by the yard foundation packages and was going to place them up for sale on eBay.  I just could not part with them.  They were so neat and they were in my most favorite pattern, the Hunter's Star!

So, I decided I was going to use the items!  Now, what color to make the Hunter's Star quilt.  I wanted to make it Black and Tan and I was lucky enough to find black and tan fabric in my stash! I hope there will be enough. So, here is my next project.  Now, I am taking it slow since I know my work hours have been very long each day.  If I get two blocks completed per day, I will be able to make some progress. 

PICK OUT THE COLORS

CUT THEM APART

THE START OF A HUNTER'S STAR QUILT!

 Thanks for stopping by!  
~*~Trish~*~

Simple Valentines Mug Rug

When I practice my embroidery applique, I use scrap pieces of fabric with iron on interfacing on them.  In this project, I used a practice piece I did last year when practicing my satin stitch applique on some accuquilt go hearts.  I had one left over that was a basic red medium heart satin stitched in black on a white T-Shirt scrap.  I decided I wanted to use this on my mug rug.  It's number 1 in the image below. 

On #2 I cut the heart out of the T-shirt backing and left a little edge of the white T-Shirt. #3.  I cut fusible web with my accuquilt go hearts as well and ironed the applique to the scrap piece of red fabric.  Make your mug rug whatever size you want.  There are no rules.  I just happened to have a nice size red scrap.  Mine ended up being 7" x 4.5"  #4.  I decided it was pretty plain so I finally used some of my fancy stitches on my sewing machine.  I chose anything heart related and added the words Sweet and Love to the lines as well.  I stitched these to the fabric sandwich with batting and backing.  As you can see, I really messed up with the stitching of the solid center hearts.  On #5, I ripped out 3 hearts and tried again in #6.  Looks OK to me. 

In the last center photo, I added some scrap binding I had.  I always make too much and think, save it, some day I'll use it.  Yeah, I did!  So, if you are looking for a quick project, think maybe a Valentines mug rug and use all those fancy stitches we have on our machines!!


Thanks for stopping by!
~*~Trish~*~

Embroidery Funny - Dirty Little Shamrock

I had to share a funny I recently received.  On one of my previous posts, I created a mug rug for St. Patrick's day with an applique I created.  I stored the multiple versions of embroidery file types on MediaFire so that others could download it when they wanted to.  Recently, I received a notice in my email account that one of the files were removed. 

I guess I am distributing a Shameful Dirty little Shamrock Applique file with an .XXX extension.  LOL...   Sorry Compucon/Singer PSW file users.  I won't be able to supply that version anymore...  

Enjoy your weekend and hopefully this weekend, I'll share my Valentines Basic Mug rug with you.

Thanks for stopping by!  
~*~Trish~*~

Lotta Love for Valentines Day - Encore Post

 As soon as the Christmas decorations came down, I was happy to rehang my LottaLove wall hanging I made with the modified Storm at Sea blocks.  I hope you enjoy this repost!  This wall hanging is AccuQuilt Go template friendly as well.  I cut out all the pieces with my AccuQuilt Go!

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Pin It The options are endless on this wall hanging.  The wall hanging center finishes at 24 x 24" and the borders add another 2" for a total wall hanging sized around 26" x 26"  The color changes can make it versatile enough for Christmas, Valentines, Weddings, Nurseries, etc.. All that is needed is your creativity.  I've provided links to various sites that publish "Storm at Sea" pattern instructions since this is what this quilt is.  The only difference is the color placement I did.  I'm sure there is someone out there that has done the same but I have not come across any.  This quilt is AccuQuilt Go and Go Baby friendly or can be cut out of fabric using the EQ7 Rotary Cutting Instructions.  Finally, there is an EQ7 Link provided since I created this layout using EQ7.  You can download it from MediaFire below.

COLOR LAYOUT FOR QUILT

It may look complicated but it really is only made up of 3 types of blocks below.  Each of the blocks have the size of AccuQuilt Go die used. 1/2" ST = 1/2" Half Square Finished Triangle Die (Item 55319), 3" ST = 3" Half Square Finished Triangle Die (55009), 3.5" Square = Square 3.5" die (55006), and 3"TIS = 3" Triangles in Square Finished Die (55027)

LINK TO BLOCK ASSEMBLY INSTRUCTIONS
 
**  Please note, the instructions are for a full Storm at Sea Quilt.  But, it shows you how to assemble the 3 blocks above.  You only need to complete the blocks in the full wall hanging image above.  If this is too confusing, please feel free to contact me.

• The pattern is available for free download from the AccuQuilt Site here -->  http://www.accuquilt.com/go-storm-at-sea-pattern-free.html

MY EQ7 PATTERN DOWNLOAD

I use mediafire.com for my downloads.  Below is a link to the EQ7 file.  The file will assist to create the quilt if you need to rotary cut the pieces instead of using your AccuQuilt Go.  Or, you will have your own quilt to try different color choices. 

•  MediaFire EQ7 File Download

MY TIPS

• My 3 borders used were cut at 1" wide white fabric, 1.5" wide pink fabric, and 1" wide red fabric.  The length of the strips is usually around 26" to cover the 24" square center.  However, I like to have mine longer and then I cut off the excess.
• Some of the joined pieces produce a lot of bulk on these quilts.  Next time, I'll iron as I go to try and minimize sewing through bigger bulk
• In some of the areas, 4 Finished 1/2 square triangles come together in the same color.  I would think I should be able to replace these with 2.5" squares instead.
• Next time, I may embroider a design on the 3.5" squares first, then cut them out and add to the quilt.  It would be easier than thinking about adding after the top is assembled.
• Make sure you have enough Triangles in Square pieces cut going in both directions.  I found that I needed to go back to cutting to get more of a certain direction.
• Don't be a perfectionist.  If you have a pucker or bump, leave it in. It only adds character.  I can see about 3 or 4 areas where mine don't match up.
• Most of all, have fun.  Be sure to contact me with any questions and I'll help where I can!

MY FINISHED WALL HANGING TOP

Thanks for stopping by!  
~*~Trish~*~