Butterfly Babies

Every year we anxiously await the arrival of the monarch butterflies to our butterfly garden in the back of the yard.  Over the last week we have seen a few fluttering around the flowers and we know what that means.  Tucked underneath those leaves are scattered micro dots of butterfly babies.  I know technically they are caterpillars but to me they'll be the butterfly babies. 

Most we leave on the leaves to try and mature naturally but others find themselves brought in and pampered in a safe environment to mature until it's time for release!  Look closely at the leaves photo.   The tiny specs of white are eggs that will hatch into tinee tiny caterpillars.

Thanks for stopping by!  
~*~Trish~*~

First Quilt Top Completed

I finished the first charity quilt for the breast cancer campaign in October.  Everything went well for the quilt until it was completely done.  One of the corners is a smidgen off. By smidgen, it's more like almost a 1/4 inch.  Driving me crazy.  But, most of the other blocks in the row match up so I'm not too sure how I would go about fixing this unless I add more to one column of blocks to push the white strip to the left a little to line up.  Or, I can reduce the size of the white strip a smidgen maybe. 

I forgot how difficult it was to add a strip and then continue to line up the blocks on either side of that strip.  If you have any suggestions, please let me know.  Here's the problem corner and then the full quilt top.  I'm also a little disappointed with the white fabric.  It's a little see through.  I'm concerned that when I put the yellowish natural batting behind it, the quilt top will lose it's crisp white strips.

2012 Quilt Top - Needs a little ironing.

This week, time to figure out the layout for the second quilt top and get moving on that.  Then, we are in the waiting game again for some tests completed on Friday for DH.   After 2.5 years of remission, it's still a roller coaster ride.  Keep your fingers crossed the bone marrow test comes back just "naturally" low.

Thanks for stopping by!  
~*~Trish~*~

Making Progess on First Charity Quilt

I'm on my way with assembling the first Charity Quilt for the Ford Cares Breast Cancer Quilt.  It's just what I needed to keep my mind occupied instead of stressing over other things that you can not control.  Each year I make these, it humbles me and makes me realize although we have had our share of issue these past 3 years, we are still so blessed.

I was only going to do a couple of rows, I was curious to see how the white would turn out with the blocks.  Here's my answer.  I like it however I'm not to happy with the white fabric purchased.  It's a little see through.  So, when I put the cream warm and natural underneath it, I think it will dull the crisp white...  I'll have to think on this one..

Then I thought I'd like to work on the center logo part.  I went to put the white around the white embroidered logo provided and decided it needed a dark border before the white is added.  So, I added a 1" pink inner border to match the other appliqued ribbons on the quilt.  Here's the center by itself.

So I kept going from there and now I have the top part, the left and right panels and the center grid all completed.  Maybe today I'll still add the white strips to the left and right panels and join them with the center grid of blocks to complete the whole middle section.  Of course, I'd then have to add the top to the middle section and heck, I'll be 75% complete with the top.

Here's the left, right, and middle panels handing on my banister (aka quilt rack) as soon as you walk in my home.

Making progress and that makes me happy!!
Thanks for stopping by!  
~*~Trish~*~

Uniform Randomness

I try so much to do random layouts but once I take a photo of them, I see the multiple colors not looking random enough for me :-).  There's too many darks together and too many lights together etc...   When I layout the breast cancer quilts, I do them on my floor, take a photo, rearrange and take another photo, and repeat so many times until I'm happy.

Here's what I started out with on my first breast cancer quilt layout.  I digitally added the white strips on the layout.  Of course, my photo of the layout on the floor also creates a distortion on the photo.  The dark wines jump out at me being not random enough for me. 

First Layout

After several episodes of rearranging, I added the dark wines around the center Ford Logo block.  The center block will also have a colored sash around it.  Then, the extra dark wines I added to the outer corner blocks.  Then I tried to alternate the remaining pink shades to create light and darks along with uniformly adding the embroidered blocks I created.  Now it's time to start sewing this one!

Final Layout

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

Embroidery Weekend

It was an embroidery weekend at my house.  I am just about completed with all the extras I like to add to the Breast Cancer quilts.  I love adding embroidered blocks of different sizes and styles.  This year, my favorites are the applique angels.  I used frosted fabrics for the wings.  It added just the right amount of sparkle!  I need about 16 extra (8 for each quilt) plus the ribbon corner blocks which are the basic ribbon applique blocks below such as the top left one.

Thanks for stopping by!  
~*~Trish~*~

It's That Time, The Quilt for the Cure

This will be my 4th year to participate in the Quilt for the Cure cause in sewing together blocks gathered from the race for a cure race in Pittsburgh PA.  Here's where you can learn more about the process!  

Also, if you can help assemble a quilt from the blocks submitted, here are instructions on how you can join in and volunteer to assemble the quilts.  If you do volunteer, let me know.  I'd love to see how yours turn out as well.

This is my favorite project each year because it has a deadline that I never let pass.  I don't set the projects aside and "do them later".  No procrastination here and I consider myself blessed to be able to read the special messages on each square.

Thanks for stopping by!  
~*~Trish~*~

String Quilt - 33 Blocks to Go

Yesterday I spent a little bit of time trimming all the newly completed string quilt blocks I had completed.  I then threw them together rather quickly with the others to see how many more I have left to do.  If I want to make the 8 blocks by 10 blocks size I want, I have 33 blocks to go.  I think if I ever complete another string quilt, it definitely will not be as small of strips as those I have been using.  I will also not use as small of blocks (6.5" blocks) as I have been using.  But, little by little, I'm getting there.  However, let's not forget, I have all that paper to remove from the blocks as well.  Bummer.

But, one thing at a time.  I am determined to finish this quilt this year!  Here's what I have so far now.  I wish the colors would photograph better.  It's not as dark as it seems.   When it's time to assemble the blocks, I'll spend a lot more time evening out the colors in the blocks. But, not too bad for a pack of fat quarters I never thought I would use.

Thanks for stopping by!  
~*~Trish~*~

It's Completed - Lotta Love

I finished my Lotta Love wall hanging on Wednesday!  I actually free motion quilted the wall hanging instead of stitching in the ditch, which was a first for me.  I credit SewCal Gal's Free Motion Quilting challenge for pushing me to use my practiced skills.

I was thinking about adding rhinestones to the hearts in each flower but I have decided against it for now.  Here is the finished product.

Quilting

Finished Quilt

It is hanging in our living room for the next couple of weeks.  I added a matching binding to the outside of the quilt.

Thanks for stopping by!  
~*~Trish~*~

Favorite Last Minute Gifts - Monogram Hand Towels

At the last minute, I decided I needed more gifts.  I had recently bought a few sets of hand towels and thought I would monogram them for a few people for Christmas.  My all time favorite font for monogramming towels was previously purchased from ABC Embroidery Designs.  My favorite is called Monogram #2.  It is a rope stye script font that comes in 3 sizes.  I usually use the 3.15" height size.  It has depth and style and looks beautiful on towels in my opinion.  Please note, this site delivers their download links by email and it can take up to 12 hours to receive it.  I usually receive mine in under 2 hours.

First the setup.  To find the perfect placement, I usually fold the towel vertically and place a pin at the center point.  This then lines up with the center mark on the hoop.  I use sticky Tearaway stabilizer.  The sticky obviously holds the towel where I want it to stay.  I usually pull the towel up 1/4 inch from the bottom too.  This give me as close to center as I can get and usually places the design in the towel band.  

 I also use less of the sticky tearaway stabilizer by only replacing the part that I rip off when completed with the design.  I cut a smaller patch to replace what was removed.  It saves so much stabilizer and works like a charm.  I use a larger patch though to make sure I have enough stabilizer to hold the towel.

I completed 10 towels in about 4.5 hours.  I'm pretty happy with the end results.  They look so expensive and you just want to touch the embroidery.  

One final, to remove the excess stabilizer from the back.  I use a tooth brush (new one of course lol) and wet the excess stabilizer.  I soak it and then wait a minute or two.  Then I scratch it with a straight pin to get it started and it seems to come off so much easier for me!  It's not as sticky.   I end up with a clean towel back as well.

Thanks for stopping by!  
~*~Trish~*~

Wreaths Completed - Decorating Options

Yeah, I finished all three pineapple wreaths!  I made the binding on Thursday, added it to the quilts Friday and finished hand sewing them this morning.   Here are the 3 completed wreaths.

Now, I'm not sure if I am going to decorate them.  I have 4 options to decorate with.  Ornaments, Rhinestone Berries, Flat Berries and then finally crystal beads like my original one.  Here are the options...  I'm leaning towards the 4 ornaments I think.  I have a full bag of them that I could use.

Crystals.  I would add them in a random order instead of above.

Flat Berries

Rhinestone Berries

4 Random Ornaments sewn down.

Which one do you think looks best!  I have 3 to do, maybe I'll do each one different.  Now, I need to determine who's going to receive these wall hangings. 

Thanks for stopping by!  
~*~Trish~*~

One of my Favorites - Crochet Snowflakes

This is something that I like to do each Christmas Season as well.  Crochet a few Christmas Stars.  I learned how to do this from a website called Crochet Mania.  I have the information linked below.   I used a white yarn with sparkly specs in it.  Joanns has it each Christmas season.  My tree is usually the same thing each year since I love it.  Snowflakes and Angels.  I love buying these resin snowflakes from Michaels each year.  Now I almost have too many.  I wait until their 50% off sale and get the spikey ones for about $1 and the rounder ones for about $2.50.

I hope you look up the instructions on how to make these.  They are super simple once you get the hang of them. I am not a person who crochets all the time so I relearn every year.  They are great to add on packages as well!  Enjoy!

 Great Crochet Website

The website where I found these great patterns is called Crochet Mania by Teresa. She has great YouTube videos in the project descriptions that go along with the instructions. Here is the link for Snowflakes I like to do each year.  I add them to the tree as well as add them on packages.

• Snowflakes

Stiffening the Crochet Snowflakes

It is so simple but a little sticky since I use sugar. Here is what I do.  I usually wait until I have about 8 snowflakes to stiffen.  This amount works well for that amount.

1. 1/4 cup of sugar
2. 1/4 cup of hot water or boiling water. I used the water out of our water cooler. Be careful not to burn your fingers!
3. Mixed until sugar is dissolved. If water turns cooler before sugar dissolves, try 5 seconds at a time in the microwave.
4. When temperature is tolerable (not to burn your fingers). Dip crochet items (snowflakes in this case) to completely soak them
5. Squeeze off excess sugar water (try not to wring or extremely distort your item)
6. I used a cookie sheet with wax paper on it. Not sure if this is good idea or not. Maybe someone can advise. Seemed to work for me without getting wax on the items. Placed the snowflakes on it and arranged out all the crocheted details.
7. Let sit for at least 24 hours to dry. I went back overnight and they still weren't done, I thought I did it wrong. I flipped them so the other side could get air and then I left them to sit longer and the next time I came back, they were stiff as a board.
8. Add a yarn or ribbon hanger through one of the openings and then hang on the tree or add to a gift box.

 



Thanks for stopping by!  
~*~Trish~*~

Paper Piecing Wreath Marathon

I decided to continue sewing the paper pieced wreaths since I sewed two extra of the same piece.  Why not finish them?  I decided I'm giving the wall hangings as gifts to a few people.  The paper piecing goes pretty fast the more you do it.  I was able to complete three wreaths.

I had this idea to try something I have not done in the past yet.  I thought, what if I put an extra layer of batting under the wreath to make it a little "puffy" in the wall hanging.  Ok so I think the official terminology is trapunto.  So, here's how I went about doing it.  It worked for me and I plan on doing this more in the future.  I reprinted the patterns and then traced the area where I wanted the extra batting.  I pinned a piece of scrap batting on the back of the pattern and then sewed on the traced lines.  I then cut out each piece and then removed the paper pattern from the cutout.

I added each piece to the back of the wreath wall hanging and used a little 505 temporary spray to hold them in place.

I then created the quilt sandwich like you normally do.  I stitched in the ditch all around the edges.  It's hard to see in the photos but it did place a puffier area in the wreath.  On the second one, I may put two layers of batting pieces prior to the sandwich.  I don't  think it stands out a lot because there is not a lot of quilting around the double layer of batting. But, I like how it turned out.  Now, I may or may not decorate the wreaths prior to gift giving.  Not everyone likes bling bling like me :-)

Off to finish two more wreath hangings.  Don't forget, you can download the pattern for free on my previous entry.
Thanks for stopping by!  
~*~Trish~*~

Paper Pieced Wreath Pattern

I finally finished testing out my paper pieced pattern for the wreath.  I have two version, one previously published with a smaller bow and then I made one with a fuller bow.  The differences are only one piece in the bow.  I'm sure there are other paper pieced wreaths out there so this is just my contribution.

Also, I'll leave the paper piecing tutorials up to the experts.  Here's a link to a bunch of YouTube instructional videos I found on Paper Piecing.  Here is my recent finished wreath below.  It finishes at 14.5" squared. Each of the 4 blocks finish up 7.5" squared. I can't decide if I'm making another wall hanging and adding bling or I'm going to finish it as a pillow.  If I'm making a pillow, I need to go shopping for a 14" pillow form.

Keep in mind, wreath and bow colors can change and be customized for any holiday.  I am thinking about updating the wreath again to add some extra pieces in the top left and right sections to make it fuller.  I'll let you know if I do.  For now, this will do.

File Downloads

Here are the links to download the pdf patterns to my paper pieced wreaths.  Enjoy!!  The files are stored on a site called Media Fire.  Please be kind and reference my sight if you use the templates.

• Smaller Bow Version
• Larger Bow Version shown above

 My Tips

• To trim the outside of the individual blocks, use your ruler to ensure a 1/4" seam.  The printouts were just a smidgen bigger.

• Don't skimp on your fabric pieces.  It makes it so much easier when you have enough fabric to cover the requirements of each piece.  
• I use basic printer paper.  It's cheap and readily available and super easy to print the pattern out on.
• I leave the paper on until the 4 pieces have been joined together for the full wreath.
• I remove the paper from the 1/4 seams inward on each piece.  Fold each piece of the paper back on each seam and finger press.  This weakens the paper and it removes more easily
• Don't pull, if the paper doesn't want to come off easily, refold the seam line again,
• Be creative in your decorating.
• If you get stuck, drop me a line and I'll help you where I can

Thanks for stopping by!  
~*~Trish~*~

Christmas - AllThingsCrafty

I've decided to enter the SewCalGal's Christmas Quilt Show.  Stop by and see all the entries or submit a quilt as well.

Below is my Christmas Tree Quilt with bling bling ornaments and bows.  It's a simple tree that sparkles with cheer.

I also have my Pineapple Wreath wall hanging.  It's made up of 4 pineapple blocks.  The crystal beads don't really show well in the photo but it sparkles with cheer when the lights hit it right.  I'm in the process of writing up instructions and paper piecing templates for this.

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

Early Start on Christmas Candy

I'm getting a head start on making my favorite Christmas Candy....  I'm starting early this year because at the beginning of December, we have a trip for DH to have his checkup.  I wanted to give all his nurses/doctors a little something from us for the Holidays.  Keep your fingers crossed that this will be his last PET scan.  Amazing that it has been 2 years since we heard the word cancer.  We are hoping after these appointments and scan that they'll say... see you in a year!

So I love making these easy chocolate covered pretzels.  They are addicting.  I found them last year on a blog and I can't remember where.  I ate so many of these last year that I was just waiting for the candy cane kisses to come out.  CVS has been having a sale on them so I stocked up.

Ingredients:

• Hershey's Candy Cane Kisses
• M & M's (Preferably red/green)
• Pretzel squares

Directions:

Preheat oven to 170 degrees

Layout pretzels on a wax paper sheet on a cookie sheet.  I make one pan at a time.  Next I spend all the time unwrapping the kisses.  This is my least favorite step.

Next, lay one candy cane kiss on each pretzel

Heat in a 170 degree oven for about 7-8 minutes.  Just until the kisses start to get glossy and start to spread out a little bit.

When they are soft like this, quickly press one M & M into the center of each melted kiss.

Next, I pop mine in the freezer for about 10 minutes and then let them sit back out on the counter to come back to room temperature.  I tend to put about 3 rows in a baggy and then into a decorative bag.  Last year I made these and they were a big hit.  The peppermint from the candy cane kisses are addicting.  At that to salty pretzels and chocolate yummy!!!   Only problem is, one row disappears rather quickly!
Thanks for stopping by!  
~*~Trish~*~