Fabric Scripture Memory Flip Books

Good Morning!

I've been playing with books lately and have produced four Scripture Memory Flip Books. I was having a difficult time punching holes in the fabric when (finally) I remembered you have to put a stabilizer on the back of fabrics when you do embroidery. So, after ironing the paper on the back of the fabric, I was able to punch holes easily.

I'm working on a quilt block wall hanging, so come back in a day or two to see it.

Take care,
Melanie

Two Tips!

Good morning! Hope all is well with you.

I've been sewing up a storm, but nothing is finished to show you. However, I did learn something new...How to make nice, sharp corners. I wasn't completely satisfied with my corners. Despite poking with a knitting needle, they were, well, blah. I found the answer at about.com. Basically you trim excess fabric very closely and then sew ACROSS the corner a few stitches. I know it sounds like a mistake, but it works. In the photos above the pictures in the left column show the way we regularly do corners, the right column shows the stitching across method.

Tip number 2: You know those little sandpaper dots we purchase to put on the underside of our rulers to keep them from slipping? Well, you can use them for other things. Like sticking one to a button on your machine. This allows you to push that button by touch alone. Your eyes can stay on your sewing. This is very nice for long-arm machines too. I also put one on my house door key so I can tell by touch which one to use. I also put a few on the top of my self-healing mat. It helps hold the fabric still as you cut. And the list goes on. I'm sure you can think of a few good spots to stick one. (by the way, that's my Baby Lock sewing machine. I just love it!)

Have a nice Memorial Day holiday.
Melanie

Forgive a grandma... This is Alex at one month! Can you believe he can hold himself up like that?!

Florida Sunshine

Dull and boring where you are? How about a little Florida Sunshine!

Here's my latest small quilt. It's made from the "Water Garden" fabric line by Moda. I just love the cheerful colors. I only used two fabrics, the floral is in the squares and binding and the yellow fabric in the sashing and back. It was easy to whip up and brings a smile to my face.
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I'm starting a special applique for the wall above my fireplace. It's called Meg's Garden and you can see it directly below. Isn't that just amazing!? I purchased the pattern from Australian Homespun.

You need to check out "Don't Look Now's " blog. She has more talent oozing out of her pinkie than most of us combined.

I've chosen greens, soft blues, burgandies and soft yellows for my colors. I've wanted to tackle a hand applique project for a while now. I'll keep you updated on it's progress.

Also, I found a very interesting site that has a video showing how to use simple Elmer's glue to temporarily attach your binding as you sew it. It remains in place and is a breeze to do. I used it with the last quilt (above) and it worked quite well.

Have a nice Sunday!
Melanie

Kaleidoscope Finished!

Introducing....(drum roll please), Kaleidoscope!

I just finished her binding tonight. She's up and loaded into etsy and looking good. I really enjoyed making her (quilts are hers aren't they?). The Mary Engelbert "Basket of Flowers" line is cheery and colorful. And I love big, fat sashes. I had fun making this quilt two sided. I think I'll have to do that whenever possible.

Already have a new lap top sized quilt planned. I'll be using large 5"x5" squares surrounded by single 2.5"x2.5" squares and sashing.


I've helped start a shawl ministry at our church. I went out and spent a fortune on some lovely alpaca yarn. I quickly remembered why knitting bores me. It takes so long to see results. Not so with quilting. So, now I'm looking for quilt shawl patterns. Wouldn't a lap quilt be a nice gift for someone in a nursing home?

Hope each of you is doing well.

Melanie

Care Package

Good Morning!

I'm off to mail a care package to my new grandson. Here are some of the items I've made. The first one (above) is a stand for a collection of finger puppets. I just got a plaque, sanded and stained it and glued pieces called "girl dolls" on the top. Such a simple project and such fun. The puppets are from a collection called "Rain Forest"

2) we have a diaper changing pad with a pocket to place diapers and wipes 3) cloth wipes 4) waterproof lined wipes holder 5) is a wet item bag (waterproofed),bag for soiled diapers, bibs or clothes 7)are six kitchen towels with fabric accents, and finally we have 12 cloth napkins and two placemats.

The napkins were my least favorite to do. To make them all the same size, you have to use a template and sew a quarter inch hem twice. Tedious.

I'm weary of making baby items, so next post will be back to quilts.

Have a nice day!
Melanie

Joining the Hand-Piecing Bandwagon!

After encouragement from fellow bloggers, I'm trying my hand at hand-piecing. And I love it. It's very soothing and something you can take with you. Although my local quilt shop owner insists you can take your sewing machine with you when you travel, (lol), I prefer something I can stuff inside my purse. The sewing machine doesn't quite fit! And I can't imagine what my dh would say if I added a sewing machine to the already excessive amount of luggage we travel with. Well, "we" isn't quite accurate...


I'm following a book of patterns that begins with simply made blocks and advances slowly. Last night I finished my first block, a railfence. I'm using some left over fabric from my stash.

So keep an eye on me as I add to my hand-pieced blocks to make a sampler that I will hand quilt! Of course I'm also finishing a binding on a baby quilt, machine piecing a twin quilt, designing and machine sewing a new baby quilt and all of the projects listed in the last post. When will I sleep?



Here is the back of my block. I'm just feeling a bit feisty and have the urge to live dangerously, so I'm confessing I press my seams open.

Is your heart pounding? Blood pressure going up?

Pressing open works for me. Easier to piece and match. (I also press open seams for machine quilting).

Take a deep breath...For a good discussion about pressing, you may want to check out Oh Fransson.

Have a great evening despite my confession.

Gift Ideas for New Moms

Welcome!

I've been working on a list of projects to make for my stepdaughter and my new grandbaby. I've scoured the Internet for the best patterns.

Just click on the brown typeface below for the link.

Diaper Changing Pads:

Much friendlier than cold in the winter, hot in the summer and always sticky plastic.

Travel Changing Pad
Home Changing Pad

Cloth Baby Wipes:

If we're trying to save the environment from being overrun by diapers, lets do it for wipes too! Easy to pop in the washer with the cloth diapers. And much softer to delicate baby bottoms.

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Baby Wipes Case and Diaper Cases:

Snazy containers for diapers and wipes for the stylish baby and mom!

Nursing Cover:

For polite camouflage in public

Lined Zipper Bag For Wet Items: (2 sites)

That could include soiled bibs, diapers, cloths or clothes. Add another zipper bag for a change of clothes.

Dishtowels:

Everyone needs nice dishtowels. This is a nice way to cheer up a kitchen and add a little color for very little effort and cost.

I fly back to Florida tomorrow. It's been a wonderful visit with my family. But I'm glad to be getting home and back to my husband, dogs and routine.

Good evening to all!
Melanie