Be Brave - Embroidery

The other night while watching TV with my Hubby, I started to miss all my embroidery floss and decided to just create something on a piece of cream linen. Between all the Valentine's day items in the store and our nonstop Brave marathon while the girls were sick, I had arrows on the mind.

This is what I came up with. A quick little embroidery that my eldest daughter instantly fell in love with. Honestly I was hesitant to hand it over to her. I had wanted to do a patchwork bag or something similar to list on Etsy. But her birthday is just around the corner *and* it is a Brave theme. It was too perfect to ignore. I've decided to patchwork this bit into a birthday dress for her.

I am more than a happy to create this into a printable PDF embroidery pattern if there is any interest. Just drop me a comment if you would like it and I'll work it up.

Garden Party - Summer Sweetness Block

I am very excited to be a part of Sewhooked's first blog hop party. I can't wait to see all the paper piece pattern goodness! I love that the quilting community can be so supportive and encouraging of each other.

For the garden party, I designed a teacup full of roses. When I think of a garden party, I think of a fanciful day full of flowers, tea, and the ladies dearest in my life. You could make the roses all the same shade or vary them as I did. My husband think it looks a yummy cup of fruit sorbet, so you are welcome to interpret it that way as well. I think I will be using this block to create a Mother's Day gift - wouldn't it be sweet as a pillow or table mat for someone that deserves a cup of kindness?

I think it would be fun as large quilt too, with many different patterns for the teacups.

The PDF pattern is here. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to drop me a line. If you are new to foundation quilting, I have a tutorial here.

Thank you so much for stopping by! I hope you love the block and can use it in your quilting. I can't wait to see the other blocks this month.

Are you a good witch or a bad witch?

Here is Lil' Witchy.

She is perfect to make into a pincushion, sachet,

or to place on your Halloween mantle.

She is easy crochet with a wee bit of hand sewing if you choose.

She can be made in about an hour with scrap yarn.

She can be good..

or bad..

Her pattern is for sale here....

I will be adding more patterns & items for sale on the blog now.

I don't know why it never occurred to me before that I do that...

A Little This and That

I apologize for the lack of posts these past 2 weeks, there has been so much going on here at home. It literally took me a week to recover from our overnight camping trip with the girls. Anyone have tips to camping with a baby and toddler, AND not coming home completely wiped out? I'd love some ideas!

Summer is here and our days have been filled with early mornings, running through sprinklers, learning the art of a water balloon fight, and evenings on the deck. Unfortunately it hasn't left too much time for blogging or working in the studio. But with beautiful, sweet babies like these who can complain?

I did finish two items last week for my Etsy shop. First up is a Diva Minnie Mouse inspired quilted baby blanket. I am a stickler about copyright - there are no licensed Disney fabrics in this quilt. They are just fabrics that remind me of the iconic fashionable Mouse! Lots of pink, black, polka dots, and zebra stripes. So much fun!

And I had been working on a paper pieced Union Jack for awhile now. I always test on my patterns to make sure they will come out as well I as imagined. I reworked the pattern 3 times and considered scrapping it all together, but I just love the iconic image. I realized my mistake - I was trying to replicate rather than trying to create my own version. As soon as I went wonky and embraced my vision, it was perfect! The pattern is for 4"x6" and it makes a fabulous applique! I'm using my test pattern on a mini art quilt, but I think this would be so cute on a bib or burp cloth!

I'm also working on a couple larger art pieces. It is hard for me to stay focused on the lengthier projects since I'm all about immediate gratification. These new pieces have been floating in my head for awhile though, so I'm excited to work on them and don't want to rush it.

Due to our crazy,crazy summer schedule I'm going to put off doing more sewing pattern reviews & knock off tutorials till at least the end of July. I have lots of fun projects lined up for you, but time is moving so fast. In the meantime, if you do have any requests - please let me know!

First Pattern For Sale & Free Tutorial

I'm going to be listing the Patriotic Pennants - paper pieced pattern is for sale . I'm very excited to be starting this new adventure. I have so many ideas and lots of designs to share. If you ever have any questions or design suggestions, please let me know!

Prim Patriotic Banner

You will need

- an odd number of completed paper pieced pennants from the pattern

- a couple yards of 2" wide coordinating ribbon or fabric

- burlap scraps larger than your completed pennants

1.) If you have not already done so, carefully remove the paper

foundation from the back of the pennants.

2.) Trim pennants down to exact size -

you will not need the 1/4" seam allowance for this project.

3.) Pin a pennant on to a piece of scrap burlap -

make sure you have at least 1/2" border of burlap on all sides.

4.) Sew pennant to burlap, stitching with 1/4" seam allowance.

5.) Trim burlap giving the pennant about 1/2" border.

6.) You can either run your ribbon/fabric string

through your ruffler foot at level 12

or run a long basting stitch down the center and hand gather.

7.) Arrange pennants on ruffled ribbon/fabric and pin in place.

Stitch in place.

That's it! Super easy and such a great prim touch for the holidays.

Have questions?

Let me know!

Linking up to:

Craft-O-Maniac

Tatertots and Jello

Wood You Turn Me On?

This year I'm opening my new and 2nd Etsy store

A Quiet Stitch.

I will be featuring my personally designed quilt patterns

and embroidery patterns that I have collaberated with another artist.

In addition, I will sell ready made gifts and DIY kits.

As I was working on my set of Valentine embroideries,

I came across The Iron Craft blog.

I love craft challenges - of course!

And this week I was able to incorporate their challenge of

"Lighting the Winter Gloom"

with a sample of one my embroideries.

This night light and collection of Valentine embroideries should be in the store next week.

Breaking News - A Maternity Sewing Pattern That Is Not Hideous!

My baby shower is just around the corner and I really wanted to make my dress.

I didn't want to spend hundreds of dollars

(which is what it takes for a super cute maternity dress)

and I didn't want to wear a black Target dress

(which is ALL they seem to ever have.. )

I know, I know.. you don't believe me.

You've gone to the sewing store and looked at the pattern catalogs for maternity clothes,

and what did you find?

A forgotten and cobwebbed section.

I know.

I've been there.

And the few patterns that still exist are convinced you want to spend your days feeling more like a blobless entity. Really, how many boxy tops and leggings do we'll all need?!?

Thank the Heavens we live in the era of blogs.

I found that Kwik Sew has a few patterns that are not totally without style.

(P.S. I can NOT find the blog that inspired me..if it sounds like yours - let me know!)

So I decided to sew my own!

My ultra generous mom bought me the super cute cotton fabric - which was no bargain deal..

but alas you get what you pay for in the fabric world.

And this weekend I got it done.

About 4 hours of work, about 4 yards of fabric (oy vay!), and a zipper.

I love it!

Kwik Sew writes fabulous patterns!

They go the extra step and write out the details of what makes the difference between looking homemade and handcrafted - and yes there is a difference :D

Can't wait to show it off at my baby shower!!

(and yes there will be pics of me in it..lol)

If you been putting off sewing clothes, I recommend trying a Kwik Sew patterns.

I've worked with almost every name brand, and I'm most impressed with them.