Friday, November 29, 2019

Therm O Web Christmas Sew Along Block Four

Today is the last block release in the Therm O Web “Christmas Joy” Sew Along.
Over the last few days we've released blocks that will go into a quilt measuring 50" x 58".
The final sewing information to finish the quilt will be on December 11th.


I had so much fun designing these blocks for you to sew!


Applique Block Four – Christmas Stocking: Pattern can be found HERE
Make four - two facing left, two facing right.



Fabrics needed for Stockings (four): 
Three fat quarters (or scraps) - stocking, heel, and toe.

Cut 4 – 8 1/2” x 8 1/2” squares from applique background fabric

Visit the Therm O Web blog HERE to get more details.


Wednesday, November 27, 2019

Therm O Web Christmas Joy Sew Along Block Three

Therm O Web is on day three of the “Christmas Joy” Sew Along. We will release one or 
two block patterns a day for you to sew that were designed by me. Final instructions for
making a quilt measuring 50" x 58" will be released on December 11th.
Today's release is Block Three is a Christmas Tree. 


Applique Block Three – Christmas Tree (make five): Pattern can be found HERE


Fabrics needed for Christmas Tree (five): 
Two fat quarters (or scraps) for trees, one fat quarter (or scraps) for stars and balls.

Cut 5 – 8 1/2” x 8 1/2” squares from applique background fabric

Visit the Therm O Web blog HERE to get more details.


Tuesday, November 26, 2019

Therm O Web Christmas Joy Sew Along Block Two

Therm O Web is having a sew along, “Christmas Joy”, and over the next four days, 
we will release one or two block patterns a day for you to sew that were designed by me. 
Today's release is Block Two...Santa! The finished project will be a quilt measuring 50" x 58". 


Applique Block Two – Santa (make two): Pattern can be HERE


Fabrics needed for Santa (two): - Four fat quarters (or scraps) for Santa: 
beard, face, body, mittens, hat

Cut 2 – 8 1/2” x 8 1/2” squares from applique background fabric

Visit the Therm O Web blog HERE to get more details.

Monday, November 25, 2019

Therm O Web Christmas Joy Sew Along Block One

It’s always fun to sew along with others and Therm O Web is helping that happen with the 
newest sew along, “Christmas Joy”. Over the next four days, we will release one or two block 
patterns a day for you to sew that were designed by me. The finished project will be a quilt
measuring 50" x 58". Today's release is Block One...a snowman!



Applique Block One – Snowman (make two): Pattern can be found HERE


Fabrics needed for Snowman (two): - Six fat quarters (or scraps) for snowman: 
body, nose, buttons, sticks, hat, holly

Cut 2 – 8 1/2” x 8 1/2” squares from applique background fabric.

Visit the Therm O Web blog HERE to get more details.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

I Like Thursday Post #3

It's another "I Like Thursdays" with Not Afraid of Color...#3!
You really should check out all the "likes" and maybe join in yourself.

With my new phone (another like), it's been much more fun using it for photos
because the pictures turn out way better than my old phone. It's also a fun and
easier way to take pictures for "I Like Thursday.

My likes...

Hanging out with two Monkey Boys during the oldest ones Eagle Project.


His younger brother was a big help.


I really appreciated bleach in a bottle, especially when the four year old
Monkey Boy was throwing up at our condo...three times!


I like Oreos...obviously!


I fell in love with this dog from Benartex's "Dog On It' fabric.


I'm happy my husband likes unusual art like I do.
Picked this up at an Oktoberfest event. It's about 24" high...love it!


 Creepy Bunny stays out all year and I like that he watches over what I'm sewing.
Too bad he can't stop me from making mistakes.


My retreat sewing machine is well liked this week, especially with my other
one breaking on me. It's a good little machine, but I miss the big lady!


This isn't really a like, but it is. He was a friend that had a heart of gold
and made us all laugh with his amazing sense of humor. He left this week
to make the angels laugh. I like that his photo shows him cracking up
because he was doing that a lot or making us do it. Bye, sweet friend!


Bella uses that paw to scratch at the couch to let me know she needs attention.
I'm surprised it doesn't have a hole because she needs a lot of loving!
I like her sweet face.


Thanks, LeeAnna, for helping me to look for the daily good things in life.

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Riley Blake Designs Matilda Blog Tour

Riley Blake Design's new fabric, Matilda, is full of beautiful designs based on the
book written by Roald Dahl. Of course, the movie "Matilda" totally won my heart with the
story line and the wonderful cast of characters. Miss Trunchbull was very scary, though!

"Matilda is a sweet, exceptional young girl, but her parents think she's just a nuisance. 
She expects school to be different but there she has to face Miss Trunchbull, a kid-hating
 terror of a headmistress. When Matilda is attacked by the Trunchbull she suddenly discovers 
she has a remarkable power with which to fight back. It'll take a superhuman genius to give 
Miss Trunchbull what she deserves and Matilda may be just the one to do it!"
"Matilda will surely go straight to children's hearts." —The New York Times Book Review

"Egghead" seems to be enjoying his book with Matilda by his side.





This fabric is just as magical as Matilda!


This quilt measures 58" x 64" and would be a perfect to snuggle up with a good book.
The panel is large and ready to be surrounded by applique and blocks.


Confetti Cottons has a lot of colors to choose
 from, so it was easy to find fabrics to match Matilda.




Some cuddly fabric on the back made this quilt totally ready for snuggle and reading time!


I'm wondering what to read next, too, Matilda.


There are lots of colorful books on this panel!


The fabric line also includes a book to sew...how fun!


Be sure to visit Center Street Quilts to see what other Matilda project you can make.

November 13 - Center Street Quilts


You can find this quilt pattern HERE.

Thursday, November 14, 2019

I Like Thursdays Post #2

This is sort of post #2 for I Like Thursdays, because my first post was really on Friday.
 Not Afraid of Color started "I Like Thursdays" and I've been enjoying reading all the likes
on other bloggers posts. Lots of fun things out there to learn about them!

I like my little old dog, Bruster, and how he jumps on my lap and pushes my iPad away.
He loves to snuggle!


I like finding good deals at Target like this already assembled gingerbread house.
No more broken houses...hopefully!


I like when I can use some of my stash for applique, which I love.
This is for a sew along happening pretty soon at Therm O Web.


I like when my husband jumps in to create a useful sewing thing for me.
He saw all my thread and made a pegboard for me.


I like blog hops. Actually, I love blog hops and how much fun I have with them.
These little bags were in my post this week for a blog hop. 
They are really small, which was my plan. Smaller gifts this year for famly!


I like looking at old photos of me and remembering the moments.
This one was taken in Hawaii in 1971...a long, long, time ago.


I like that my poor husband was good about taking a photo of me that I needed for something.
I DON'T like having my pictures taken, so it wasn't easy for him. Ugh!


Finally, I like that others share their likes so I can get to know them.
Visit Not Afraid of Color to see more likes!

Sunday, November 10, 2019

Stitch It And Gift It Blog Hop Day

I love blog hops because it gives me the pleasure of visiting my favorite bloggers and soak in 
their inspiring creations. It's like being a part of a quilt guild without leaving home! This blog hop, Stitch It and Give It, is a wonderful hop created by my friend, Carla at Creatin' in the Sticks. 
She always rocks my world with her creativity!


Coming up with something to stitch and give wasn't hard at all. Most of my quilts end
up in the hands of other people anyway. I've given quilts to almost all my nieces and their
children, so I decided it was Beth's turn to get a quilt. She wanted shabby chic. Hmm...

What stumped me about the shabby chic thing was that though Beth has been called a
"Princess" from time to time, she's a police officer that I definitely wouldn't want to mess with.
I love this feminine side of her!

Riley Blake Designs "Granny Chic" seemed like a perfect fit for this quilt.


It has been years since I've shown an unfinished project, so I apologize on this one.
It was bigger than I could quilt and the quilt shop has a nine week back-up on quilting.
Whoops...I waited too long! Luckily, we stopped at the park for a quick photo
of it before I dropped it off for quilting. I'll show it when it gets finished.



I used my new Crafter's Edge Crossover II to cut my favorite border pieces.
The squares and rectangles were perfect and then sewed together without any misshapes.
I love how small the dies are and how easy they are to use and store.


There's been a few Christmas celebrations where I went big on the gifts, but we've also had
our share of small gift giving. Sometimes it's because of money, or lack there of, or because
 we just wanted to keep things small and not have it be overwhelming.
That's what I want this year.


I've made these small bags and whatever will fit in them is what they will get.
Of course, I might throw an extra gift or two towards the youngest of the Monkey Boys.
They might not understand small gifts from grandma.

They are big enough for a gift card, ornament, money, or a note telling them to
"go to the garage for your new car." LOL That's not happening at my house!


The bags can be made any size but because I wanted small, I cut my squares at 6 1/2" x 6 1/2".

What you’ll need: 
1 fat quarter or scrap of fabric at least 6½” x 6½”

Fabric cutting instructions: 
Cut 2 – 6½” x 6½” square

Sewing: 
All seams are sewn 1/4” unless otherwise noted.

Draw Strings: 
Ribbon or string, 1/4" to 3/4’ wide, cut one 20”


Be sure to visit the other blogs for some amazing gift ideas to sew!

Monday, November 11th


Tuesday, November 12th

Wednesday, November 13th


Thursday, November 14th


Friday, November 15th

I'm so glad you stopped by!

Give It A Whirl Blog Hop Starts Today

It is time to whirl, twirl, and spin with the "Give It A Whirl" blog hop! What was the challenge? Somewhere in or on your project ...