SAHRR 2025 Center Block

In December I bought several new cat fabrics in anticipation of TMAS block swap.

There were so many that I liked but decided not to use.

I wanted to join the SAHRR again but didn't have any blocks to use for the center.

I looked at my cat fabrics and really wanted to use the Cats of Paris.

But it needed a block with a large middle piece to show off the fabric.

I looked on quilterscache.com for ideas.

This site is a great place to find quilt block instructions - all free.

I looked for easy 12 inch blocks and found Johnny Around the Corner.

Here it is.

Now I have a color palette to use for all the other rounds.

Looking forward to the next round.

Linking up with Gail at Quilting Gail.

Happy Sewing!

 

Tell Me a Story & Color Theory

When we were visiting family in NYC one of our outings was to the fashion district.

I bought fat quarters for Tell Me a Story - Raining Cats & Dogs block swap.

Above and below are my swap blocks. 

Above the fancy cats are wondering if they are fancy enough to wear a crown.

Below, the black cat family is visiting the beach. They have to watch out for the waves!

We started The Quilter's Field Guide to Color this past Saturday.

For the first experiment we have to choose warm and cool purple swatches.

My cool is on the left and warm on the right.

The book suggests a bear paw block for the test block.

Some of our group wanted other choices so I drew these easy blocks.

Here are my warm and cool green swatches.

Warm                  Cool

And we had snow in west Tennessee this week end.

Our son and his kids made this crazy snowman.

The snow in our neighborhood.

Great sewing weather.

Happy Sewing!

 

Denim Apron for Emily

Our daughter is an artist living in NYC.

This year she has a scholarship to attend classes at the Art Student League.

During our recent visit Emily asked if I could make a Japanese style apron

for her to wear while painting at the league.

Here is the completed apron.

I used denim that was in my stash.

I think it was from my mother's stash.

I didn't have a pattern but looked at photos of similar aprons online.

Most were made from linen,  listed for gardening or waiting tables.

There are 3 pockets on the front and one towel strap on the back.

Fedex should deliver it to her tomorrow.

Hope it works.

I finished one folded Christmas tree by Epiphany.

The other one is just lacking the red crocheted trim.

Should be finished before next Christmas.

This is the snow we had earlier this week.

Streets are clear.

Very good sewing weather.

Happy Sewing!

 

First Finishes in 2025

This little miss is interested in needle arts.

She was so pleased with her plastic canvas creation.

Bonus-she learned how to hold the needle so her thread didn't slip out of the eye.

Her embroidery has greatly improved.

She stitched all of the penguin except the beak and feet.

An original Ava design in felt.

She drew the swan and background, used the special felt scissors to cut the greenery,

and then let gran do the stitching.

Today I finished my February challenge blocks.

I chose cherries and a heart for my piano top runner.

Cherries are from Lori Holt and the heart is my own pattern.

Labeled is done.

Note: the piece does not have binding.

I carefully trimmed the top and turned the backing into faux binding on the front.

Above are eight napkins to coordinate with our new tablecloth.

They were my very first finish of 2025.

So many projects on the to-do list.

Happy Sewing!

 

A Parliament of Owls & other projects

Did you know that a group of owls is called a parliament?

I love finding out new uses for words.

I have had the kit for these owls for a long time.

The kit made 3 owls but there was enough fabric to make another small owl.

I had leftover flannel from quilt backs, so I made the little brown owl, too.

The feet were the hardest part to sew.

If I make another owl, I will try a different way to make the feet.

The owl below was the first to be finished.

The grands will each get an owl and I'm keeping one.

In other sewing, Mr. M asked me to make two half circle folded trees

for Christmas decorations.

First I had to enlarge the pattern because the pattern I used to make the trees

was only 5-6 inches tall.

We needed 15-16 inch trees.

I made a paper pattern (several really) and cut two circles.

Here are the trees. The fabric is from my stash.

I'm sewing on the decorations -

buttons and a red crocheted garland for each tree.

I will share the finish in another post.

Happy Sewing!

 

November Sewing & Crafting

We had our first Thanksgiving at our house since moving here two years ago.

I needed a new tablecloth for the festivities.

Just straight seams and matching the plaid.

Very pleased with the results.

Ava spent a Saturday afternoon with us.

Along with snacks and TV, the crafting options are always ready to be enjoyed.

She is working on learning to crochet.

Chain stitch and single crochet were the lessons.

I made a little travel pocketbook.

It was a challenge because the pattern was not very detailed.

I made a few changes and most of them worked out.

A quilty friend messaged me about an origami shopping bag. 

She wanted to make it but couldn't figure out the directions.

Another quilter said I was the person who could help with vague directions.

I used some leftover canvas and didn't exactly follow the pattern (again).

This bag can be made from any square piece of fabric.

I might make it again with quilting cotton.

Uncommon Threads Quilt Guild is challenging us to make two blocks 

each month that we can choose to use as a small wall hanging, a table runner, 

or collect all of them to make a bed size quilt at the end of the year.

A year or so ago Joey gifted me with a kit that made two winter gnome mini quilts.

I made the first one and haven't had time to make the second.

The block in the middle is the block design from the kit.

There was enough fabric in the kit to make two winter star blocks.

I'm using my monthly challenge blocks as piano runners.

Finally, I sewed a backing on the Sue Spargo embroidery piece

I made during her sew along a while ago.

Ta-Da! Another finish.

I had to add this photo of the pecan pies Martin made for our Thanksgiving meal.

The pie was delicious but we had so much food that one pie was not touched.

Tomorrow is December first.

Looking forward to a month full of music and gatherings.

And a trip to NYC to see Emily & family.

Happy Sewing!

 

I have been sewing, just not posting

In no particular order-

This is the test tunic for a new pattern.

I shortened it about 5 inches.

Mr. M offered to take a photo when I tried on the tunic.

This baby quilt started as a panel.

I used stash for the sashing, binding, and backing.

The batting was pieced together.

Two extra sections found space on the back.

It is going to a traveling nurse who will pass it on to a new mom.

The basting phase.

I'm offering to lead a zoom study on this book to members of Uncommon Threads Quilt Guild.

We will start in January and use our stashes as we learn about color in quilts.

Tomorrow I am helping Memphis Area Modern Quilt Guild decorate a holiday tree 

at the Pink Palace Museum.

I made some chain links and other decorations for the tree.

Documenting the Liberty fabric I bought in London.

Last Saturday I attended the Fall Gathering of MQA in Batesville.

This quilt was made by a newly inducted Legacy Quilter.

I saw these crocheted mice in a small church in the Dales.

Just wanted to share them here.

The skirt made out of neckties was in a window in London.

Inspiration?

Happy Sewing!