Snowman Mini

I seem to be in a little bit of a funk lately. Whether it is a lack of sun for the past month or that machine being gone still. I finally felt the need to sew!! Wanting to sew nothing big but just to sew. What? No idea just something.
I thought maybe pulling out some scraps might spark some inspiration. I just looked at them, nothing jumped out and said use me. While I had my scraps out I needed to put together  2 1/2'' WOF strips for my guilds Christmas fun. Hope whoever gets mine will be able to use them and likes them.

20 2 1/2'' strips

Those strips did help me find a quick fun easy project though. As a few of those strips are from fabrics I picked up when my guild went on our mystery tour in October. One of the shops we went to Heart'n Home included a free pattern in a gift bag they gave out. 

free table runner pattern

I wanted something small if I only made one snowman I would have an adorable snowman mini. YES! Perfect it checked all the boxes small, quick, easy. And while those scraps were all out anyway it was an easy matter to pull what I needed for this little guy. In a little over an hour I had him cut out, and stitched together. Next up quilting him, I used one of my older machines my Singer 15-91. Those swirls may not be perfect but they look good, texture wise at least.

swirls in the white, loop-de-loops in the green

I think he turned out rather cute if I don't say so myself. He finished up at a 10'' x 19'' mini. And what's a snowman without the snow. I am looking for some buttons for the front of him.

snowman in the snow

Potluck lunch today at my guilds meeting. I love potluck lunches they are hands down the best.

Well I'm off to have fun I hope you get to have a little fun yourself!

'Joy' it's Christmas in July

I now have a pillow for my Christmas decorating, I know shocking right. It took this blog hop to accomplish something I've been meaning to do for the past few years...ugh yes I said years. But it is done and best of  all you can add some 'Joy' to your holidays too as the pattern is free. Thanks to Sarah of Confessions of a Fabric Addict for hosting the '12 Days of Christmas in July' blog hop and giving me the push to finally make a Christmas pillow or maybe it's a wall hanging.

'Joy' wall hanging

pillow cover nice and crinkly after a wash 

The hop runs from July 14th to the 25th. Make sure to visit all the blogs participating the schedule is at the end of this post. Make sure to leave a comment as Sarah is counting them for an extra special giveaway, you can read more about it on her blog Confessions of a Fabric Addict.

The pattern is for the pillow front or a wall hanging if you prefer. Either way have fun and add a little 'Joy' to your Christmas decorating. As you can see in the above photo I used three different greys for the background.

pillow front

Makes an 18'' x 18'' finished pillow front or wall hanging.

Fabric Requirements

Chevrons:

1/4 yard of each a light, light medium and medium grey.

Snowman:

A variety of larger scrap pieces work well.

The snowman can be made from a 10'' square, the letters from (2) 8'' squares.

Cutting for the chevrons/ flying geese:

Traditional Method:

A(light) cut (3) - 5 1/8'' x 5 1/8'' cut diagonally once

B( lt medium) cut (3) - 5 1/8'' x 5 1/8'' cut diagonally once

C(medium) cut (3) - 5 1/8'' x 5 1/8'' cut diagonally once

A(light)  cut (6) - 3 7/8'' x 3 7/8'' cut diagonally once

B( lt. medium)  cut (6) - 3 7/8'' x 3 7/8'' cut diagonally once

C(medium)  cut (6) - 3 7/8'' x 3 7/8'' cut diagonally once

The Snowman Applique pieces are cut using the templates supplied. If you are doing turned edge applique remember to add a 1/4'' to the template pieces before cutting them out. The pieces are reversed and can be downloaded in the PDF on Craftsy. 

Background:

Use a 1/4'' seam allowance.

Traditional Method

Step 1:

Sew one small triangle (B) to one diagonal edge of the large triangle (A); press toward the small triangle. See diagram 1.

diagram 1

 Sew the second small triangle (B) to the other diagonal edge of the large triangle (A) to make a flying-goose unit; press toward the small triangle. See diagram 1.

This makes one 3 1/2'' x 6 1/2'' goose. Make (6) BA units.

Step 2:

Repeat using small triangle (C) and large triangle (B). Make (6) CB units.

Repeat using small triangle (A) and large triangle (C). Make (6) AC units.

Step 3:

Join 3 BA units, see diagram 2. Make 2.

diagram 2

 Repeat using 3 CB units. Make 2.

Repeat using 3 AC units. Make 2.

Step 4:

Join as per diagram 3.

diagram 3

This completes the background.

Applique Snowman:

Use your favourite method for applique. Instructions follow for fused machine stitched applique.

Fusible Applique Method:

Step 1:

I like Lite Steam-A-Seam 2 because it leaves less weight in the finished product and it's a double sided fusible. Trace your pattern on the side of the paper where the fusible adheres to the paper more strongly (usually one side of the paper releases more easily than the other - trace on the side that does not release easily).

On the larger pieces, less fusible is needed making the finished center more pliable.

To do this, take your original tracing, and cut from the inside, approx 1/4" inside the traced line. Rough cut beyond the traced line on the outside of the fusible. See diagram 4 as an example of the letter 'J'.

diagram 4

Step 2:

Adhere to fabric as per package directions.

Cut on the traced lines.

Step 3:

Align the pieces using the placement guide. A light box or window help for proper placement.

Press to fuse as per your package instructions.

Step 4:

Machine stitch using your preferred stitch and settings. I like the buttonhole stitch myself.

I quilted a 1/4'' on each side of the chevrons and around all the elements in the snowman. 

Here are the blogs participating in the 12 Days of Christmas in July blog hop!

Friday, July 14th

From My Carolina Home

Vrooman's Quilts

Pampered Pettit

Saturday, July 15th

Citymousequilter

Vicki's Crafts and Quilting

Quilting Fun

Sunday, July 16th

Swimming in a Sea of Estrogen

Everyone Deserves a Quilt

Cheryl's Teapots2Quilting

Monday, July 17th

Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats

Pieceful Thoughts of My Quilting Life

Crayon Box Quilt Studio

Tuesday, July 18th

Seams To Be Sew

Stitchin at Home

Domestic Felicity

Wednesday, July 19th

The Colorful Fabriholic

Smiles From Kate

Thursday, July 20th

Cheryl's Teapots2Quilting

The Inquiring Quilter

Selina Quilts

Friday, July 21st

Katie Mae Quilts

Quilted Blooms

QuiltFabrication

Saturday, July 22nd

Devoted Quilter

Kathy's Kwilts and More

All Points of the Compass

Sunday, July 23rd

Mel's Quilting Blog
Resourceful Momma
Cheryl's Teapots2Quilting

Monday, July 24th

Anja Quilts
PickingandStitching
A Dream and a Stitch

Tuesday, July 25th

Christina's Handicrafts
Abyquilts

A MIni for a Friend

Sometimes I just feel like creating, and that is exactly what I did with this piece. As soon as I took this picture I knew I wanted to do something with it.

inspiration photo from my flower beds the flowers are hyacinths

The background I used is a piece of Northcott fabric, perfect for the earth. I used my favourite applique method 'Crafted Applique'. I rough cut the pieces I needed then touched them up with Inktense pencils, NeoColor Crayons and Sharpies. 

the bottom piece is the stone on the right of the finished piece, the top piece is the stone on the left before any  work on them

the leaves on the stone on the left before colouring

I gathered the equipment I was going to use to colour the stones, leaves and flower petals.

these are some of the items I used to re-touch the stones and leaves

after colouring the applique pieces

You can see where I added the yellow to the leaves. I wish I would have taken more pictures as I went along but I was so absorbed in creating I never even thought about my camera. The stones now look more like what I think they should look like. Remember art is in the eye of the beholder and at this point I was the beholder or wanna be artist.

the finished piece

To make the sandwich I laid the top face up then the backing face down on top of the front( right sides together) then the batting. I stitched around all four sides leaving a section open so I could turn the piece right side out. I pressed from the top rolling the edges to the back, then slip stitched the opening closed. The FMQing was then done.

This piece was mailed to Sandra for her new home. 

This lovely came home with me, more on her latter.

Linking up

Sew Fresh Quilts

Quilt Fabrication

Creations...Quilts, Arts...Whatever

Confessions of a Fabric Addict

Initially Yours-Initial Block Challenge

One of my guilds programs was to make blocks that start with our initials. The challenge was named 'Initially Yours', over a three month period we showed the blocks we made using the initials in our names. I choose to make mine 6'' blocks. My initials are CEP. Let the show begin with the 'C' block I picked.

C is for compass block in my favourite colour 'green'

My favourite colour is green I'm drawn to it and will always be my first choice. The dark green and the lighter green are both batiks. I wish I knew the name of the print, I only had a FQ of it and I love it. My first name is Cindy, you know that song 'Get Along Home Cindy Cindy' sung by Ricky Nelson, my father heard it playing when I was born liked it and I ended up with it. 

A few lyrics from the song:

 

I wish I was a apple            

Hanging in a tree

And every time my sweetheart passed 

She'd take a bite of me

Chorus

Get along home Cindy Cindy     

Get along home Cindy Cindy 

Get along home Cindy Cindy 

I'll marry you sometime  

I choose the Compass block as you never know what direction life takes and a compass may help keep you on the good path.

Next up is 'E', one of my middle initials after my 'Finish' grandmother. I have more than one middle name. This block dates back to 1815 according to Vintage Quilts.

E is for eight pointed star

My last initial is 'P' for this one I choose the 'Priscilla' block. After doing a bit of googling about the block for this post I found it listed as a 'Bible Block'. I liked the look of the block and was unaware of the bible connection.

P for my variation of the Priscilla block

I added sashing and borders in that same print fabric. I did ruler work in all three blocks in an attempt  to accent various parts of the block. The left, right bottom borders and sashing I free motioned curls and swirls. The top border areas I did feathers.

in order of my initials compass, eight pointed star and priscilla

The wall hanging is 22'' long and 8 1/2'' wide.  I used aurifil threads and sulky in the green print.

back complete with label

A photo of the back.

Linking to 

Main Crush Monday

Confessions of a Fabric Addict

Sew Fresh Quilts

Design 2 Mini

I have been having fun designing blocks for the 30 Quilt Block Design Challenge. You can read more about it here. This is block #2.

block 2 

I feel in love with this block and had to see where it would go. I powered up EQ and took block 2 for a spin. I liked the results.

block 2 became X-Squared

So I ask you what's a quilter to do but make it. Right? But you knew there had to be one... I had a moment of insanity well it was longer than a moment as I cut all the pieces to make this one. The insanity part I thought a mini would be nice...yeah insanity pure and simple. All those HST's are 1 1/2''!!

one and a half inch pieces 

There were a lot of little pieces 48 hst's to be exact plus 16 center parts. What was I thinking? Keeping all those points sharp and having everything line up was going to be fun.

64 1 1/2'' little bitty parts

I sewed like a madwomen, or at least it seemed like I was, needing to get those pieces together. Oh yes I was squirreled or as Sandra of mmmquilts likes to call it a DrEAMi moment. She is going to be having a linky party starting January 28th visit her blog mmm!quilts to read more about it.

ahh success it was all coming together

Those four blocks are 4'' finished. Ahh my little points were all matchy matchy and that makes me happy. I did press the seams open which is something I don't normally do. But when working with all those little pieces it reduced bulk at the seams.

one X-Squared mini

I was in a hurry to get a couple pictures so I glue basted the binding on and will hand stitch it down later. Sometimes the best quilting is just some simple straight line quilting.

glue basted binding

I am loving my new mini. Now maybe I can get back to working on my Meadow Mystery blocks.

Meadow Mystery quilt blocks

That's how I spent my Sunday I hope yours was as enjoyable as mine.

Linking up

Main Crush Monday
Sew Fresh Quilts

Mini Round Robin July

This months block was Tish's. You can read about Tish's initial block on her blog Tish's Adventures in Wonderland and Julie's addition to it on Julie's blog Pink Doxies.

After receiving it from Julie I kept thinking, what in the world was I going to add to it? I let it sit on my design wall, I felt at times like it was saying come on I'm tired of waiting. I pulled a few fabrics that I thought would work. That white with black squares is a Northcott. As happens, more often than I care to think about right now, I had a light bulb moment in the wee hours of the night. I'm pretty sure I'm not the only one who gets sleep( well it's supposed to be) time ideas.

I set to work trying to get my idea to work. The first try was not good. I needed the block to be 3 1/2'' square hmmm. No not square.

definitely not square 

Back to the drawing board. I knew a paper pieced pattern would give me an accurate size. Now if I knew how to work with EQ7 better I could have drawn the pattern up there but after spending half an hour and not getting the correct size I needed, I really need to play around and learn the program better. Eventually I will! But for now I went to my graphics program and a few minutes later I was in business.

paper piecing supplies

I gathered all my paper piecing supplies and I was ready to go. I printed my pattern piece on freezer paper as I do not enjoy peeling paper off the back after doing the sewing. Even with a shorter stitch it's still a pain. I tweaked one of the lines as you can see in the photo above it was a bit too narrow originally.

How about a little tutorial as to how I do paper piecing using freezer paper?

marked for placement

First print pattern on freezer paper, on the paper side in other words not the shiny side. Fold the paper along all the sewing lines.

folded along all lines

Place the fabric A1 piece wrong side up and iron the shiny side of the freezer paper to it.

press shiny side of paper to wrong side of fabric

I use the 'Add-A-Quarter' inch ruler to trim the first piece before adding piece A2.

trim A1 to a 1/4''

Place piece A2 right sides together matching the trimmed edge. With the freezer paper folded on the sewing line between piece one and two, sew the two pieces together right next to the folded edge of the paper but not through the paper. You will have a 1/4'' seam allowance.

sew next to the folded edge of the freezer paper.

Press the seam toward the second piece, but be careful not to touch the iron to the shiny side of the freezer paper or you will create a mess. Press from the back adhering the freezer paper to piece A2.

adding the pieces

Repeat the above steps with each of the remaining fabric pieces until your unit is finished.

Trim after you have the unit done make sure to leave the 1/4'' seam allowance all the way around. Pull the freezer paper off and you are ready to use it again. Do the same for the B side.

A and B completed

Sew A to B using a 1/4'' seam allowance.

one complete block

I made 12 blocks for the border around Tish's block.

layout of blocks around the center

The empty space between the blocks was 5 1/2''.  Four blocks would have fit with a 2'' spacer unit. Using the rule of  three always gives a more pleasing look, so three per side it was with a 5 1/2'' spacer.

a little silver sparkle in the spacer units

Now how about a picture of the block with my border added to it.

border addition

I like the border I added, I think I even impressed myself with this one. Okay Sandra your turn to add to this one.

If you would like to have a copy of the paper piece pattern that I used for Tish's block you can get it free at my Craftsy store. This is no longer available since Craftsy deleted all but two of my patterns.

I will be adding the direct links to the posts with the rest of the July round robin reveals, as they become live.

Julie of Pink Doxies
Tish of Tish's Adventures in Wonderland
Sandra of mmm!Quilts

Linking up to Main Crush Monday

I am an affiliate for Craftsy, and as such may receive a small commission if you click on one of the links in the post above and make a purchase.  It does not cost you any more.

Mini Round Robin June Reveal

It is reveal day for the Mini Round Robin!!!! All four of us have finished adding the first round to the centre blocks that were mailed to us. We had till the end of June to add our touch to them and we all had them done early. You can read about the centre blocks and rules here.  Julie sent me her block. My block went to Sandra. Sandra's to Tish and Tish's went to Julie. Go take a look at their blocks, I'll wait for you to get back.

Julie's block

This is Julie's block and my starting point. I wasn't sure what I was going to add. Time to audition some potential ideas. I have a container that I keep bits and pieces of things in. The container has things like HST's in various sizes, four patch, HRT's, strip set pieces, flying geese and etc. You get the idea. Right?

audition take #1

First up strip sets and HST's. Nope! Not doing a thing for me. Back to the container and pull out some more stuff potential good ideas.

audition take #2

I saw a winner in take #2. Did you see one you liked? Now how to take that idea that was floating around in my mind and add it to Julie's block.

more auditioning

You saw that half rectangle triangle in the lower part of take #2, that was going to be my starting point.  I knew I wanted to frame Julie's block but didn't want to do a traditional square in a square look .I made three more HRT's , they were 3 1/2'' by 6 1/2'', trying to pull the colours from the centre block and keep things cohesive. Next up was adding the 3 1/2 '' squares that were needed to make this work. Out came my container of scrap squares. Another winner is found. I sewed a 3 1/2'' square to each HRT.

y seam starting point

To make this work I was going to have to make a dreaded y-seam. I placed a dot a 1/4'' from the corner. The red arrow is pointing to the starting dot. The stitching starts exactly at the dot leaving the 1/4'' from the corner unsewn. The other three sides can then be sewn on in the typical manor of edge to edge until you reach the starting point.

coming to the final seam

When you reach the final side keep the first seam folded back so you don't catch it in your seam, sew off the end. Flip the first piece over and sew from the dot to the edge. A successful y-seam.

finish sewing the first side from the dot to corner

Hopefully the pictures helped explain how to do a y-seam better than my muddled wording.

Now for the reveal. I bet you want to see how my idea looks? 

the big reveal

I like it and I hope Julie does too. This was fun and a little scary at the same time. But I'm glad we are doing the round robin. I can't wait to see what addition Sandra made to 'Oops'.

I will be adding the direct links to the posts with the rest of the round robin reveals, as they become live. 

Julie of Pink Doxies

Tish of Tish's Adventures in Wonderland

Sandra of mmm!Quilts

Linking up to Main Crush Monday