Stitchin away

Hello color! I recently got my hands on all of this gorgeous floss and pearl thread (a lil perk for working for a thread company) and I have so many projects I want to create with it! But here is a large project that I finally finished. I took elements out of the fabric I made for my shower curtain and created some wall art that were hand stitchings of some designs.

I took sketch paper and drew the design on the paper, and then I put it on top of the fabric and stuck the embroidery hoop on. You have to get the hoop really tight for it to be easy to work with. Then you just stitch over the paper and follow your design.

Then, I slowly peeled off the paper; to get the paper out of small areas tweezers really came in handy.

Then for my two larger pictures I put them in shadow boxes from Ikea. The two smaller prints were just in regular frames from Ikea as well.

And vuala! Here they are all put together! It really added something to the bathroom.

Here is the shower curtain that it all started from. A large fabric print and adding a solid border is the easiest way to make a shower curtain. Putting grommets in the top of the curtain really adds a good look to it and they are so easy to install. Much easier then putting in button holes. Enjoy!

So my big news finally came in the mail! I got an advanced copy of Sew News magazine and I am officially published! It's my first sewing piece in a magazine. I was asked to sew a raincoat out of Amy Butler's pattern last year and I only had a short time frame to do it in. It was the first time working with the laminated fabric so it was quite the challenge. I struggled but got through it and was able to write an article on how to use the laminate fabric....and then I got a 4 page article! So excited. Check it out!

I finished another block in the Block-A-Palooza! This was definitely the hardest one so far but I got it done! This block took me two nights...it's a good thing I don't have an exciting social life; I mean, it would really put a damper on my sewing. :)

I really like the solid teal with the purple dots on the flying geese border. I think it really pops. I wish I picked a second bolder print for the center 9 patch, but I think all together it looks pretty good. So excited to how this quilt is coming along. I am a little behind on the Palooza but I'm determined to catch up!

Bonding Moments

So this weekend I had the grand idea to replace my current dresser with a new one from Ikea. I have had my eyes on it for awhile so Saturday I went! Mom and dad met me at the store with their truck and off to my condo we went. It was about 11 and we figured we would be done by 12 and off to the bro's for lunch. Yeah not so much...a million parts and three hours later, we have a dresser! My dad was awesome in doing most of the work. Notice the purple hammer...

To start the week off I spent some quality time with my friend Jeff P. and he taught me how to make these awesome fabric baskets. I've never made these or seen them so it was awesome to learn. After wrapping the cord for FOREVER we finally got to sewing and this is how it turned out! These baskets are so fun to make and I plan to make many more! Thanks Jeff!




And here it is, my two projects all put together! Many thanks to Dad and Jeff. (And Mom of course for the company).

Block #4 (Yes I skipped 3)

So yes, it is 11:30 and WAY past my bedtime. I will regret this in the morning. But with too much on my mind, sewing always has been a good distraction for me so I attacked Block 4 with an aggression. I'm currently having some issues with Block 3 so I can't let that hold me up! Feeling a little crazy stepping out of order anyways.

Below reveals my favorite block yet! I just love how the colors came together. My roommate has been helping me with the fabrics through this project. Her little contribution. I just can't start with a block without having that confirmation from someone that it all flows well together.

Well I'm off to bed-extra coffee in the morning for sure.

First week finished!

So I have completed the first week of Block-A-Polooza! Below is the second block on the blog tour. This block definitely took up some time. All those little squares took so much time to sew! And of course me being the meticulous person I am, had to match up the square points as best as I could. I probably re-pinned some pieces five different times to try and get them right. Now I'm on to the third block. One of the steps says 'sew with a scant'. Not sure how to do that so I will be googling how to do that!

Below is another project I have started (there are just so many) that is long overdue. I'm going to try and get it done this weekend and then I will show you more!

My First Block!

So I have finished my first block in the Block-A-Palooza! It was fun and stressful at the same time! I so wanted everything to line up perfectly and did my best. Of course when I posted the picture on my blog I noticed a mistake that is staring me in the face but it's just not worth it to tear it apart! Hopefully it's just one of those things that I notice and not anybody else. Now I need to start on the next block that has only a million pieces to cut out. Oh how I have an appreciation for quilters!