February 5, 2011

Cool Quilt Kit Builder Tool

I saw a new-ish feature on the Connecting Threads website where you can pick from all of their fabrics and make your own kit for 16 different quilt patterns.  7 of the quilt patterns are free to download!  It's really fun to play around with and see the different effects you can get by just changing around colors.  Here is the link to go play.  :)

Here is a kit I put together based on their City View Quilt pattern.  I made this pattern from all fabrics on clearance, so I could buy this 40"x56" kit for only $12.98 - not including backing or shipping!

Totally different topic, I saw this video the other day, and just loved it, so I thought I'd share.

January 26, 2011

For the Font Lovers

I was working this evening on downloading a few new fonts to my computer - the old bunch is getting a bit stale.  :) 
I primarily use the fonts to run through my embroidery machine, but I've started playing with Adobe Photoshop CS5 - very cool stuff.  I have no disillusions of becoming a graphics artist - I'm not that creative - but it's fun to tinker with.
I think I'll be adding these fonts.  If you're interested in them too, just click the image of the font to get the free download.
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January 19, 2011

Sewing Room Redo - In the Works

I've pretty much gotten my sewing room back into a functining order.  I still have more I want to do in the way of different/more wall hangings.  The guest room has been cleared back out - organization always gets worse before it gets better.


My new cabinet is in and already full - except one drawer.  I'm still lacking drawer knobs.  They're primed, but not yet painted.  They are going to be the same maroon as my sewing machine panel.



In the right drawer tower, 7 of the drawers are full of thread all organized by color - sewing/quilting thread, embroidery thread, and serger thread (in the taller bottom drawer).  The bottom right 3 drawers are actually 1 drawer that holds my serger.


The fabric is also sorted by color - this pic was about 1/3 of the way through all of it.


As always, Dublin is quite the helper.  He would check the height of my stacks by walking over them all then would check out the durability of each empty basket.  If you look closely, he's licking his lips. :)


Here is my quilting fabric stacked on the shelves in my sewing room closet.  Above on the wooden shelf, are my quilt tops that are ready for quilting and binding.  In the far upper right is my wool stash.  


On this side of the closet, from top to bottom, are my knitting supplies, kits and precut fabric, fleece, oil cloth and apperal fabric, books and magazines, not pictured below are more apperal fabrics


It's a little hard to see, but the flannel and batik stashes are under the cutting table in baskets.  I have also stored my old quilts for repurposing and my sashiko supplies under the cutting table.  I like the more decorative layout there, we'll see how long it lasts.  :)


There is the grand tour for now.  I'll post more updates as they come about.  Now I need to get to work on all the project that have pilled up as I've been reorganizing!

January 17, 2011

Woolly Friends

I took a fun little wool class at Lonestar last week given by Kim from Buttons and Bees.  She did a great job and has some of the cutest wool patterns!  Check out her website.  For the class, we did a little owl and his mouse friend.  I've finished up my funny little duo and am happy with how they turned out.  :)
  

Mouse is a little suspicious of his owl friend, and rightly so!


Mouse's little ears are circles that I sewed a small tuck in the bottom then stitched them on the back of his head.  For his eyes, I was able to use my Fiskars hole punch to get a nice round circle.  I used glass beads for his pupils.

 

Here is a different woolly friend.  Dublin was cracking me up when I came in the living room the other day.  I think he was just mocking me that I had to go to work and he was gonna sit at home all day watching TV.  :)

January 1, 2011

Christmas Break Projects

My brother's handmade Christmas gift


Back of Christmas quilt

 
Homemade Dipping Olive Oil


Embroidered receiving blankets and a cashmere bear
  
In the hoop embroidery bear

Neck Tie Dresden Plate


Sewing Room Redo Project