Works in progress …

1.T-shirt quilt for my Katie, 2.Quilt labels from Spoonflower :-D, 3.Union Jack and Tula Pink’s Parisville

It’s been a while since my last post.  I would love to find an easier way to post!  When inserting photos everything goes all over the place and the published version is rarely what I expect based on what I’ve entered.  I actually started a post on the Union Jack you see above right a week or so ago.  I wasted an hour or more creating the post and getting photos placed where I wanted and in previewing to post and editing, I lost it all.  Very frustrating.

I’ve played with a couple blog writing software such as MarsEdit and MacJournal, but not completely sold yet.  C’est la vie.

I have finally finished the top of the t-shirt quilt I’ve been promising my middle daughter…since LAST Christmas!  I feel it still needs something on the top and bottom.  Thinking about creating some thin stripes for three to five inches.  Just enough to even the ends and create a little interest…or tie it all together…not sure which.

How do you like my quilt labels?  (top right photo)  Jaybirdquilts did a post a little while back on creating quilt labels from Spoonflower.com.  I’ve finally gotten around to trying it and it was so easy!!  Don’t you love the antique snips?  Those are from GraphicsFairy.com who constantly provide some awesome and unique graphics.  There must be thousands of graphics available on her site.  As a matter of fact, some of the graphics in the header of this blog is also from Graphics Fairy.

The turnaround time between ordering and actually receiving my labels may have been around two weeks.  Considering this is a custom print (which is what they do after all), I was surprised how quick they were.  Since I haven’t ordered from them before and wasn’t sure how these would turn out, I only ordered a fat quarter (Yes!  The allow you to do that!  How great is that?).  My labels were 4 x 6 and I got 15 labels.

And the third photo is of my first Union Jack!  😀  I’ve been wanted to make one.  I’ve done this as part of a Tula Pink sew along hosted by Sew Sweetness, and a Union Jack sew along hosted by Lily’s Quilts.

  

Still have two flags to go and trying to choose between my Tula Pink fabric.  So many pretties!  I don’t feel like my points are lining up properly in the corners, but I’ve ripped and re-sewn enough on this baby!  It’s staying as is.

Other than that, I’m working with two other quilters to start a modern quilt guild in the north Louisiana area.  It’s going to be interesting.  I get blank looks when I mention modern quilting.  Even the store owners are only just becoming aware.  Wish us luck.

Thanks for visiting.  I would love to hear from you, so feel free to comment.

Enjoying a giveaway courtesy of SewSweetness and Lark Crafts

I recently won a copy of New Crewel: The Motif Collection by Katherine Shaughnessy, courtesy of SewSweetness and Lark Crafts.  It uses relatively simple designs to show different stitches and techniques.  I really want to create a collage of the designs and give crewel a try.  My mother had done many different forms of needlework when I was growing up and I can remember some of the crewel pieces she completed.  I’ve only done cross stitch and embroidery and haven’t touched it in years!

This book inspired me to pick up embroidery again since I had many of the supplies on hand.  I started with an iron on design that allowed me to try a few different stitches.  When I started I told my daughter she could give it a try and she completed the red flower when I wasn’t looking.  Don’t believe Cumin has red flowers.  LOL.  I am using DMC Pearl Cotton #8 and #5 thread and playing with stitches and textures on this one.

I actually completed most of Cumin during a trip to Florida and luckily had created a template for the bird piece below.  I found this design on NeedleCrafter.com.  They have a huge selection of embroidery designs.  Once I had finished Cumin, I started this in red.  I felt much more comfortable by the time I started this piece and think I will like it once finished.  I am using DMC Pearl Cotton #8 thread.

I had really wanted to do this alphabet sampler, but could not get it transferred on this fabric.  It is Robert Kaufman’s Essex Linen in Camel.  I tried tracing carbon, which didn’t show, and then tried the transfer pen on a reversed design that should iron on.  That didn’t work.  I’m still trying to find a way to get this to transfer.  It just occurred to me to mark permanent design on organza and then use a blue quilting pen through the organza onto the fabric.  I will have to give it a try.

I found the alphabet sampler on SublimeStitching.com and thought it would allow me to try a great assortment of stitches.  I’m looking forward to working on it.

There are so many wonderful giveaways online.  I want to thank SewSweetness and Lark Crafts for offering New Crewel.  I have thoroughly enjoyed this book and look forward to trying a collage of the patterns offered.

So, what about you, are there any embroidery or crewel books or resources you really enjoy?  And if you have a reliable transfer method that address my problem here, feel free to share!  I would love the tip.