Faith Collection

 I've been wanting to make some items that have Scriptures on them that are encouraging and can be given as small gifts.  I have a "bucket" of stamps with Bible verses and took a couple out to add to some wooden blocks.

First I painted the blocks - where did I get the blocks?  I look for them on clearance racks at Michaels and Hobby Lobby and I find some at thrift shops.  When I bring them home, I paint them and cover them with pretty Stampin Up papers for the backgrounds.  

These two have cut outs from Forever Forest and Encircled in Nature dies.  They kind of remind me of my trip last year to the National Parks.  The one on the right looks a little like the Grand Tetons!

Here is another one that I made a while back for a co-worker.  Once I glue down the papers, I sand them with a fine sanding block and then add the embellishments.  When they're done, I spray them with Krylon using a satin finish.  This keeps the ink for smearing if they get wet.  

I've got blocks in all sizes and I can't wait to make some more.  :)

Patchwork Topper for the Kitchen

 Yesterday I finished a small patchwork table/counter topper for my kitchen.  I cut out and sewed 2 1/2" squares that I had left over from the table runner that I made last month.  I fussy cut a couple of birds squares from the fabric to give it some interest.  It looks great in the kitchen and coordinates with the table runner.

Remember this?  I had finished it last month at my sewing retreat.  When I go on my retreats, I like to bring at least one small project so that I had something finished when I get home.  They both look nice in the kitchen.  My old table runner was getting stained and it was time for something new!

It looks bright and fresh for spring.  

Hexagon Table Topper & Tree Skirt

In my sewing class, I showed the ladies how to make an easy table topper using four 2.5" strips. I will try to come up with a tutorial, because they are fun and quick to make.  

I made this one a few weeks ago to put in my bedroom.  These are the colors in my room, so I'll find a place for it.  

How long does it take for me to make one?  One hour and 6 minutes.  LOL

Here is one that I made for Christmas. He's tucked in the corner of the kitchen on the counter with one of my nutcrackers.  They make nice toppers and I'd like to make a lot more for this year.  They make a nice gift to give during the holidays.  

I put this one out during fall for a table centerpiece.  I have a couple of tables in the dining room that I like to decorate.

I wanted to try making one a bit bigger to be used as a tree skirt.  I wanted soft colors in it for the little tree in my granddaughter's room.  This one has eight rows. I found that you want to increase the size using an even number of rows.

Instead of sewing up the final side, I left it open for an edge to put the ties so that you can wrap it around the tree.  Once it was finished, I added some lace to the bottom edges to give it more of a dressy look.  

I will definitely make more of these for next year.  No matter what theme you're using for Christmas or another holiday, you can make one of these to match.

Quick and easy- where would you put one?

 

Tan Colored Hotpads and Bowl Cozies

This week I made a couple of hot pads and bowl cozies for a friend.  I didn't know her kitchen colors so I made them using tans, which I thought was a neutral color. I cut my tans into strips, about 1.75 to 2" wide and then sewed them down onto a piece of heat-resistant batting.  I really like how they came out. I need to make some of these for myself!  

I like to free-motion quilt my bowl cozies - it mades them look more finished.  It takes a little bit longer, but I like the quilted style.  You can use them for hot dishes or cold dishes, like ice cream.  :)

Of course, no gift from me would be complete without the addition of a couple of little birds.  I added some crocheted flowers and buttons to them for their wings.  You can put them on a shelf or in a bowl as decor.  As always, I had fun making them.  
 

Chunky Crocheted Baby Blanket

For my granddaughter's baby shower three years ago, I had made her two crocheted baby blankets.  One of them is just like this one and she has carried it around for several years.  Needless to say, I think she is ready for a new one, so I made this for her.

It's made of the chunky Bernat yarn that is very soft and easy to work with.  This particular one is made using the variegated pink colors.  

I've made this baby/kid's blanket several times.  It comes together pretty quickly and I often give it as a baby shower gift.  

I've also made it in smaller sizes for doll blankets.  Last year my daughter gave me 10 skeins of it and I've completed several blankets from them so far.  

There are two skeins left and what will I do?  Make another one, for sure!

Here's the instructions if you'd like to make it:

Chain 50 very loosely.  In the first row, skip the first chain stitch and single crochet all across the row, chain 2 and turn.  For the second row, double crochet all the way across and chain 1. Turn.  Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until your blanket is the desired size.  Sew in ends with a large yarn needle.  

Here's a close-up of the rows.  Keep the stitches loose, but not too loose.  The single crochet rows tighten up the stitches a bit to keep the blanket from getting all stretched out.

I made this blanket a bit bigger for my granddaughter for her bed.  Now to just switch out the "old" one with this new one!  :)

Mixed Florals with Coneflowers

This week I used the new sets, Mixed Florals stamp set along with Mixed Labels for the sayings and Elements of Text for background.  For this first card, I stamped the beautiful coneflower image (one of my favorite flowers) and colored it in with a Q-tip using Copper Clay ink pad.  I wanted a soft, natural look to the my flowers and that's why I used the Q-tip for coloring.

The papers are from Nature's Sweetness, one of last year's specialties.  I love the neutral look of this card and how it turned out.  The die cut is from Nested Essentials die set.  I added Wink of Stella to the flowers and although you can't see it in the photo, it makes them shine.  This card idea is from Teri Allen.  

My next card is made using the coneflower stamp, only this time I colored the flowers and leaves in with Blends markers.  I used the striped paper from the Mixed Media Florals designer pack.  I embossed it using the Timeworn Type folder.  The circle is cut from Spotlight on Nature die and I added a stamped image from Elements of Text, a new online set.  

This card has a delicate spring look to it and I added to my Sympathy card pile.  I saw the idea for this from StampwithRachel.  I added some twine along the side a textured cut out for more interest.  

The third time that I made the card, I used Crumb Cake cardstock for the textured cut out.  It gave the card a more neutral look with less pink.  This card also has Wink of Stella on the flowers.

For my third card, I went with a gray and red color palate.  The designer paper is from Country Lace paper set and image of the tulips is from the same set as the other two cards, Mixed Florals.  The white middle piece is stamped with the saying and then embossed with the Subtle folder.  These flowers have Wink of Stella on them, too.  It's my interpretation of a card from Jolanna Johnstone.  

I enjoyed making each of these cards this week and I just love the Mixed Florals set.  I can see myself making coneflowers in all sorts of colors.  But here a few ideas for you.  

 

Take to the Sky

This week I was playing around with a new stamp set, Take to the Sky.  I bought it to make some masculine cards.  Here is my first attempt at using it.  

For this card, I started with Copper Clay cardstock.  I seriously love this color.  I added a navy blue banner that I embossed with a folder, a piece of the sky designer paper and then a stitched square.  On the square I stamped some clouds and some splatter.  I colored in the plane with Blends and cut it out.  I added a small paper strip to the bottom of the clouds with some twine and then 2 cute little banners from Nested Essentials dies.  I got the idea from Carole Parsons on Pinterest.  

The next card is made with Navy blue cardstock.  I like how Susie Wood cut the paper and added a strip to the top and to the bottom of the card.  I tied a a twine around the middle to give the card a more masculine look.  I stamped the plane directly onto the white rectangle and colored in the plane using some watercolor pencils.  It's hard to see in this photo.

I stamped a couple of clouds and added them with dimensionals to give the card more interest.  I had an extra banner cut out on my desk and I thought that it looked great on the bottom of the focal point.  I trimmed it a bit and like how it looks.  It gives the card an additional contrasting color.

My third card has a side fold.  I like this fold - it's easy to do and it highlights the designer papers.  Add a focal image and a saying and you're all set!  For my card, I stamped the plane and cut it out and added it to some cut outs from Stitched So Sweetly.  They're a few years old, but one of my favs.  I added Happy Birthday, some twine and a few sequin embellishments.  Even though it is simple, I kind of like this card!

I would like to try making some more plane cards, but didn't get a chance this week.  

 

Winter Sewing Retreat

Winter is a great time to catch up on your sewing projects.  Every January I go on a Quilt Retreat with some ladies from my quilt group.  This year we had 17 women who attended.  Here is a photo of me finishing up a table runner that I made for the kitchen island.

After I put away all of the Christmas decorations this year, I thought that the house looked bare.  I wanted to make a new table runner for the kitchen in some blues, greens and grays.  

I cut up some of my "Next" fabrics into 2 1/2" squares and put this together while I was on my retreat.  I think it looks pretty good in the kitchen.

I would have used a dark teal or blue for the borders but I didn't bring a lot of fabrics with me on the retreat.  I had some dark gray and I ended up using this.  

I like the look of it; it's a little darker than what I would normally make, but it works.  

Here is a closer look at the fabrics.  I fussy cut some birds and their nests to give it some interest.  I still have a bit of the Nest fabric left, but I'm sad to say that it is almost all used up.  

I roomed with  my friend, Linda, and we usually spend some time outdoors over the weekend.  The retreat center is near the Vermont hills and it's very nice there.

But this year it was too cold and windy to go out.  It snowed on Sunday, but we left a little early to beat the snow.

Here is Linda making some cute fabric baskets as gifts.  She was using some Christmas fabrics and catching up on things she didn't finish before Christmas.

I'm so grateful for our friendship and how she puts up with my silly shenanigans.  We had so much fun.  

Another project that I finished was this maple leaf wall hanging.  I had started it a couple of years ago but wondered why I didn't add any fall colors to it beside orange.  At the retreat I added the brown border, a green border and another neutral border.  I think this added some color and interest to the wall hanging.  I quilted straight lines in the leaf and small free-motion stippling in the neutral area.

I am happy that I didn't throw it away, because I actually like how it turned out.  I added a brown border to finish it.

I think I will add some fall colored buttons to it to give it more color and add some interest.  Although I didn't get a lot accomplished at the retreat, I had a wonderful weekend with my quilting guild friends.  :)

 

Winter Owls

The other day I was working on some Thank You cards for Christmas gifts that people had given to me.  It was a wintery, snowy day and I took out Winter Owls.  I paired it with the soft colors of One Horse Open Sleigh papers and love how my cards came out.

For this first card, I die cut a circle and put some of the designer papers behind it for the focal point.  I stamped and cut out the owl and used some branch die cuts from Classic Cloche dies.  I heat embossed the saying on Just Jade paper and think that the colors go so well together for this wintery card.  I got the idea from Sandra Kogel.

Another beautiful wintery card is this one - the designer papers do all of the work.  I started with Misty Moonlight cardstock and added the winter scene.  I stamped the owl in navy blue and cut him out.  I love how he is flying by the winter tree.  A quick and easy card.  I saw a card by Nancy Wood and copied her idea.

This next card is pretty much the same layout, only it uses a different paper.  It comes with this saying and I thought it was so appropriate for this time of year.  I stamped the bird in Early Espresso and colored him in a bit.  I added Wink of Stella to make his wings sparkle as he flies through the snow.  

I loved making these cards and now I wish that I had more of the One Horse Open Sleigh papers.  :)

 

Terrific Toadstools

I love to start out the New Year by offering some sort of desk calendar to my stamping friends.  This year I made a little Post-It holder calendar.  You can put a pen or pencil in the space next to the Post-It notes.  I used the Terrific Toadstool papers that are in the Sale-a-Bration catalog and just love their bright colors.

For this cute card using the Terrific Toadstool stamp set, I used some of the designer papers to add bright colors.  Then I stamped and cut out the mushrooms and added them to my card.

The saying, squirrel and bird are from an older set called Friendly Gnomes.  I thought that they would pair nicely with the toadstools.  I got the idea for this card from Jaimie Barbarczy.

Look how colorful this card is!  What a great way to kick off stamp classes in the New Year.  :)

The designer papers from this set are so bright and happy and they make pretty cards.  I added a bright pink circle from Spotlight on Nature dies for a focal point.  I stamped the mushrooms, grass and the little gnome and then cut them out.  

The saying is from an older set called Magical Day.  I could make these cards all day.  

The third card is made using papers from the Terrific Toadstools dsp.  I wanted to show that not all of the cards using this set had to be whimsical or have mushrooms on them.  I stamped the background using a new online work set called Elements of Text.

Then I added a sprig die cut to bring out the purple color a bit more.  A bow, saying and some embellishments finish up the card.  It has a side fold opening for some interest.  

What a great class to start out the New Year - lots of bright, happy colors and fun images to stamp with.  Which card do you like the best?

 

Making Hotpads and Bowl Cozy Sets

My friends are always asking if I have made any microwave bowls.  So I decided to make a few sets to give as gifts.  This blue set is made using Tilda fabrics, for my fried that love all things Tilda.  

I made a hot pad to match with heat resistant batting in it.  They can be used for a hot dish at the table or as a potholder.

My next set is for my friend that loves elephants.  So I found a fabric with elephants on it and matched up the colors.  I love how these turned out.  

This set is for a friend that love food.  I found this fabric years ago while on a shop hop.  These are the last scraps of it.  

This set I made in a pretty green.  When I made my bowl cozies, or microwave bowls, I free motion quilt them before assembling them together.  Some people sew an "X," but I like how the quilting looks.  It give the fabric a bit more stiffness.  The bowls can be turned either way so it makes them reversible.  

I use all cotton batting for the microwave bowls so they don't catch on fire.  My recommendation is to use them once your hot bowl comes out of the microwave, just to be on the safe side.

Bowl cozies are great for a dish of ice cream, too.  They keep your hands warm while you're eating.  

This is what I use in the hotpads to make them heat resistant.  Just be sure you don't put this in the bowl cozies.  

These are easy and a lot of fun to make.   

 

Quilts from 2024 and What's in Store for 2025

I actually enjoy the quietness of January.  Because I live in the Northeast, we tend to get a lot of snow every winter.  This makes me want to stay in and find peace in the down times.  It's a much slower pace of life, maybe because it gets dark out so early.  My evenings are filled with handwork such as crocheting, watching tv or reading.  

Winter is a good time to spend the whole day in the sewing room or stamping rooms without any fear of missing out on anything going on outside - Ha ha.  

Last year I worked on finishing up some UFO's - my unfinished quilts and projects.  Sadly, I only got 4 more quilts finished!  And there's still a LOT more in the (naughty) pile!

Here are my 4 finished quilts from 2024:

1.  The Bowtie quilt for my granddaughter

2.  The Irish Chain quilt for my daughter's new home

3.  The Red Quilt for myself so that I can have a quilt in every color

4.  The Flowered Chandelier quilt for one of my friends

My goal this year is to finish up at least 6 more so that I can start on some new quilting projects. I have lots of fabric fat quarters and jelly rolls that are ready to get used!  I have been making each of my friends a quilt, and the list is only half complete.  So there's work to do - LOL.

This weekend I'm going on a sewing retreat and I hope to get some more things finished.  But we'll see.  
 

Bird Ornament

Each month I get together with ladies from my Stampin Up demonstrators group.  We take turns meeting at different houses.  It was my turn and I made them each a little ornament using papers from One Horse Open Sleigh and bird cut outs from Nests of Winter. 

Each one is a little bit different.  I cut the circle shapes out of chip board and 2 pieces of designer papers to cover the front and the back of each one.  I fussy cut out the birds and added a stamped saying, a small ornament topper some twine.  

The designer papers make it look like the birds are "in the woods."  I think if I was going to make these again, I would put them onto the wooden ornament shapes.  That would make them a little bigger and more interesting.

One-third of my downstairs is set up for making crafts and having people over.  Here is the set-up for my demonstrator friends to come over and make a couple of crafts. 

 I enjoy my crafting time with friends.  :)