sew what's new?

When I traveled back home this past April, my friend , gave me a bag of crushed walnut shells . Not a small bag an economy size which was only part of what she bought at a local garden/ nursery center. Believe me it sure came in handy today. I have been trying to finish up my pincushions. I first finished a" Summer Gathering" by Lisa Bongean ,   pincushion Then I finished two from Bonnie Sullivan "All Thru The Night". Yes my bird is backwards but  for a reason. To show someone if that had been a word or a letter it would have mattered. Then I rather sorrowly attempted one from Indigo Junction.  It did not turn out as well as the others. And this last one that I will attempt tonight is of my own design. I am going to put a beak on it too!  Chit Chat later, Martha

Feeling like a little slow poke. Doing quite a bit of handwork lately and not a whole lot to show for it right now. But I did finish sewing the binding for the mourning quilt and the candle mat for fall. Put a special button on it and some seed beads on the sunflower. I also finished one more of my Halloween block that are blackwork.  I am starting on ptncushions! Wool ones to be exact. Five different ones by four different people.  Working hard tonight  to at least getting the applique finished. It's cool here ,  so sit and warm up with a cup of tea and we will yak later,Martha

Well I finished my borders with what I call C's or hooks and did some little cursive e's in the red,green .blue and orange blocks. I have now put on the binding and will sew down tonight while watching the telly. I did take time this morning to get my directions off of Heartspun Quilts from Pam Buda's blog . I finished making those blocks. I received a kit and pattern for a wool applique candle mat and I finished the handwork last night. So then i did the piecing and quilting today. While in telly land I will sew down this binding also and put on a button and some seed beads in the sunflower. This was a Buttermilk Basin pattern. I will be starting a few pincushion now, getting ready to make a few pressie's. Chit chat latter,Martha

Today I took the time to play. To play at quilting, most of  you know I usually take my quilts to the quilter.  I have been setting my small quilts aside for a little play time.  If you don't try ,  you won't do! My  little mourning quilt which is no bigger than 20 x 20 ; is a part of that trying to learn to free motion quilt. Thought I would try out my new notion the Steady Betty. You put them on your hands and they are supposed to help you grip onto your quilt and  to move it around as you quilt. Save your money and buy some thread instead. Pebbles and Stones Small circles or pebbles and stones on the backround fabric. Going to do something different in borders and blocks themselves. I also had time to make something for organizing the sewing room too! It sits under my sewing machine and has pockets in front so that I can keep essential tools handy. Chit chat with you later,have a good day! Martha

I find a need to make my sewing more portable lately. So I am exploring the world of bags. I, generally do not make bags,  only totes. So this is a new experience for me! This is Terry Atkinson's " CLASSMATE" bag. This is the inside with plenty of pockets and room to put all sorts of things! This pattern is by Sherry Falls and is called " Tag A Long "  and is half the price and about half of the pockets too. As you can see there are just two pockets one for each side. One good for magazines or patterns and one clear vinyl for your stitchery or threads. This is our own Erin and Karla Overland from "Cherrywood Fabrics" who went to the big apple and to Bumble Bean's   QUILT ALLIANCE AFTER DARK party(A.K.A.- Victoria Findley Wolfe) Karla is a member of the Pinetree Patchworkers Quilt Guild (that I also belong to). We will chit chat later, Martha

Well I received my package from Bumble Beans (A.K.A .-Victoria Findley Wolfe)  .  It has been finished and back in the mail for a quick round trip! Don't like obligations hanging around. This is the block I sent her back and the next one is the block I kept and finished it into a candle mat! I just stitched in the ditch and bound with a stripe. I used single ,1 1/2" binding. I then preceded to add a bit of bling by adding crystals to the ornaments. Into the gift bag it will go,for now!  I also finished my Pam Buda blocks ,that she gave us Friday on her blog! I am assuming that directions for putting together will be next Friday! I also bound and quilted my Lisa Bonegan free block (candle mat size also) . Sherry Falls from THIS AND THAT  fame is doing another mystery on Mondays.  Last Monday was a needs list and from that it looks to be a small project also! Love the small things , you get so much done! To my good friend, the packa...

Have you been following the Moda Blog hop? Well I have and they are sharing some really cute blocks with us!Make sure you check out Edyta Sitar's blog today for the runner pattern and on the 10th of September Lisa Bonegan shared this pattern with us! I used flannels for the block base and wool for the applique's. Lisa did say you could use cotton for her appliques. All I need to do tonight is the needlework to tack it down,she suggested a whip stitch. So I will be stitching away while watching Snow White and the Huntsman . You have a good night, too. Martha