Monday, October 25, 2010

Beautiful Fall Bouquets.



I just found this beauty of a bouquet at the Treasured Petal blog. I just love the vivid combination of colours an especially the anenomes....beautiful!






















Here is a bouquet I did last weekend for a beautiful bride, Amanda, last weekend. I love the fall colours she chose, and the great mix of different flowers she chose.
She was lucky to have a beautifully sunny Saturday to have her outdoor wedding just outside Awenda Provincial Park in Penetanguishene. I can't wait to see the rest of the pictures!


























Monday, October 4, 2010

Verna Quilt

PDRM0678

The inside was quilted in random circles, various sizes, all linking one to another. The outside 6" was quilted in straight lines.

PDRM0673

The border and backing are both the same. I used a flat bed sheet! It was affordable and coordinated again with all the fabrics I was already using.

PDRM0677

PDRM0676

I'm really happy with how Verna turned out!  I love the mix of colours...I love the white lattice....and I'm really loving the quilting too.

I used a Verna charm pack for all the 5"squares. These charm packs are great for getting a nice variety in colour and pattern, yet they all coordinate without too much thought.

PDRM0670

Monday, September 27, 2010

Finished just in time...

It's finished!
I've been working fast on this one...it's due for a wedding this Saturday. I just made it with enough time to wrap it up pretty.
It's kind of hard to let it go. I've spent so much time looking at it, I think I'm kind of liking it. Hopefully it will be enjoyed by a very special bride!
















Saturday, September 4, 2010

Trying something new...

PDRM0618

I have been wanting to try the "quilt as you go" technique. I have seen beautiful large quilts done this way. It saves you trying to fit a large quilt into your machine...you just quilt as you go and attach them at the end.

PDRM0615

It is essentially the long cabin technique, sewn right onto your square of batting. After you add each piece, you take the time to go over each strip. Then you add the next piece and do the same thing again, working your way around the block. It is another great way to use up all your scraps.

 

PDRM0617

When you're finished, cut a square for your backing, trim up the edges and bind as you would a quilt.  Mine became hot pads...with matching tea towels for an upcoming shower gift!

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Frolic Quilt

PDRM0601

This quilt was simply pieced using Moda's FROLIC charm pack! I loved all the colours. In some of the squares I appliqued smaller squares just for fun.

I quilted it just with my walking foot in one way wavy stripes.

PDRM0602

The back side.

PDRM0603

A couple of close ups.

PDRM0604

Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Scrappy Lap Quilt.....done!

PDRM0597

My first quilt....done!  I think it took about 2 hours to stipple quilt the entire thing. I can see why everyone says to practice, practice,practice! It takes some time to get the feel of the machine and the fabric. Even with a lap size quilt it is easy to get hung up on just about anything, and with the feed dogs dropped, your needle can move anywhere, anytime. I think another time I may try doing a smaller stippling. But over all I'm happy with my first run.

PDRM0600

The back side. Using a pattern allowed some forgiveness if my stitches weren't quite right. It also gave me a chance to use up the few scrap blocks I had leftover.

PDRM0606 

It is all bound with a my favourite blue and white striped fabric. I love the effect of striped fabric on binding!

Finished size: 42"x48"

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

Scrappy Lap Patchwork Quilt


I finished sewing together my scrappy lap quilt top! It was made from all scraps....bits and pieces I've had forever. Many were scraps from recycled mens shirts.
The patchwork squares were made using strip paper piecing. It's the first time I've tried it, and I'm sure I'll do more. It was easy and fun, and a great way to use up scrap.
I've been reading a book "Quilt As Desired" which is all about machine quilting. She had some great advice about sandwiching the layers. She recommended using masking tape to tape down the back side, stretching it taut. Then layer the batting, and then the top. It worked wonderfully, keeping everything nice and tight. Well, I guess I shouldn't confirm this until I've actually quilted it, but it appears to work nicely!
So...next step...quilting! Stay tuned...




Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Isn't She A Beauty?











I'm sooooooo excited about my new machine. I've been wanting a new machine for a while, but never imagined I'd have one with all these great features.
I think I'm most excited about the "stitch regulator" feature and trying my hand at some free motion quilting. I've got some "quilt sandwiches" all ready to go when she arrives, and I've had some time to practice!
I purchased her on Ebay and had it shipped to my parents in Pennsylvania. I'm just waiting for my first opportunity to pick it up!










Friday, July 23, 2010

Inspiring Quilting Blogs




There are so many great and inspiring blogs out there. I could go on for hours just jumping from one blog to the next. What a great thing to do when you need a little push to move on to a new project. It's like flipping through creative magazines...only free!
The Lattice Quilt is from Film In The Fridge. I love it! Really, I don't think there is a quilt on her blog I don't really like. Go have a look at them...you will be inspired too.

This beautiful quilt is from Sugar and Stiches. I love her colour choices, with just the right amount of white to set of the bright colours!












Saturday, July 17, 2010

It's mine...


How did I live without it?
It's itty bitty, it's hot pink...and it's mine!

Friday, June 4, 2010

The Buzzing of the Sewing Machine...

PDRM0306 PDRM0307

There's been a little bitta sewing going on around here...just a little. No big projects or anything too difficult. These were just readymade tea towels that I embellished to go with my kitchen using scraps I had.

PDRM0305

This really cool girl I know inspired me with this idea. Do you have any of those off white canvas bags laying around that you may have been given ....sometimes a marketing promotion? If you don't, you can pick them up at the thrift shops. They make excellent bases for a brand new, more beautiful bag. Because of their sturdy construction, they make perfect book bags or beach bags, depending on the size. You can simply create a "slipcover" to fit just over it and stitch around the top...how easy is that?

PDRM0308

I LOVE blue and white....and I LOVE stripes so this one is my fav so far. Its made from a man's dress shirt!

Thursday, June 3, 2010

How Does Your Garden Grow?

PDRM0309

PDRM0311

My old washtub filled with flowery goodness.

 PDRM0312

My $10 find at the flea market last weekend...it's all chippy and in great shape.

PDRM0298

Poppy's, which my Sam picked out and planted himself several years ago...it has taken them awhile to get going.

PDRM0310

Have a great day everyone!

Monday, May 31, 2010

Asrai Garden

Through blogland,I have recently heard about this cool little flower/gift shop in Chicago. It looks so very unique and trendy. I love it when flower shops are mixed with unique giftware that compliments it. Check out some pics...and their website:   http://www.asraigarden.com/home.html

LOVE the mix of flowers in the bouquet above.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beautiful!

Friday, May 28, 2010

Red Thread.

I've been following the site of Rebecca Sower for a while now. You know how there are just some people that you can relate to...that seem to pump out the same crafty things that you really enjoy and appreciate. Well, that happened this week on her site and I thought I would pass along all the creative goodness she shared this week. I wish I had thought of these all by myself!

Here is what she say at the beginning of her RED THREAD series:

the 'red thread sessions' { part 01 }

I woke up yesterday morning thinking about red thread.  Odd, but true.  Maybe it's because the yummy red strawberries are in season here in Tennessee.  Or maybe it's because yesterday was my late seamstress grandmother's birthday.  Who knows, but we creatives don't have to have reasons for our constantly spinning minds do we?

PART ONE

A cute and simple gift tag...adorable.

You-tag-slide-03

PART TWO

I like this idea of taking an article of clothing that you already own and making it into something a little more special and unique. And, the dress form is pretty cool too!

Skirt-slide-01

Love the button detail.

Skirt-slide-05

PART THREE

Writing with thread. I think this one might be a little more tricky than it looks...depending on what type of machine you use. This would be so sweet framed.

Quietness-slide-01

PART FOUR

Crocheted red thread necklace with beads....I like. You could do a bracelet as well.

Necklace-slide-02

PART FIVE

Vintage doily applique...enhanced with red thread. I think this would be cute attached to a bag or a t shirt, or ....anything.

Doily-final

 

Doily-zoom

So...there you have it...five days of read thread fun. If you want some more details on any of Rebecca's projects, head on over to her blog....it's fun!  http://rebeccasower.typepad.com/rs_out_of_hand/