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Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Ruby Star Wrap-Along....It's My Turn!

There must be a forecast for snow....I have blogged two days in a row!
But for a very good reason...
Today it is my day to share with you the fantastically fabulous new book from Melody Miller and Allison Tannery!
Ruby Star Wrapping
Creative Packaging To Reuse, Regive and Relove


First, I must admit I have been known to judge a book by it's pretty pictures...I am a sucker for all those close-up shots of trims and stitching...
But Melody and Allison have combined a beautiful book with excellent content!

The concept is brilliant! Create creative wrappings {for any package} that incorporates reusing fabrics and items we have at home. Items that would ordinarily end up in the waste can.  
Brilliant, right?

Make your gift even more special with the wrappings you choose and help the environment...perhaps even pass on some of that fabric you have been hoarding in your closet....but I wouldn't know about that :)

As I said, it is easy for me to get the proverbial, 'thrill up my leg' by the pretty pictures in a book....but I want you to know this one is so much more than pretty pictures.

Between the covers you will find instructions for creating clever gift card envelopes, how to turn that empty food box into a great gift wrap, stitching up some drawstring bags, and fabulous trims.  And if that wasn't enough, Melody and Allison, have included yummy recipes and instructions for totes and a work apron! Heaven's to Betsy!!!

I was very fortunate to receive a copy of the book and, of course, I had to give a few projects a whirl around the block!

As many of you know, my daughter is getting married in April.  We will use an old suitcase which belonged to my mom as a drop off point for any cards or small gifts brought to the reception.  I thought perhaps filling the bottom of the suitcase with fabric flowers in the wedding colors would be a nice way to fancy up my suitcase.


I followed the easy instructions for a newspaper flower and made a few fabric flowers.


Spray starch helps make the petals a bit stiff....so simple and so lovely! These would be sweet toppers on a package too!


Who doesn't love a clever envelope?  This book includes instructions for any size envelope you might need.

  

I made a couple....one out of felt....I didn't even have to get out my sewing machine!  I love it!
My felt envelope is adorned with a cute little embroidered bird in a hoop {transfer from Aneela Hoey}.




I could go on and on....but I want you to know that this Blog Hop includes a couple of ways for you to win your own copy of Ruby Star Wrapping...PLUS a bundle of fun extras. You can read more about the prizes in yesterdays post on the Sew To Speak blog


All you need to do is head over to SEW TO SPEAK and leave a comment... www.sewtospeak.blogspot.com http://www.sewtospeak.blogspot.com/2012/11/molly-flanders-wraps-along.html
Be sure to leave your comment there :)
You may leave one comment per post per day!
and please be sure you are not a no-reply blogger so we can find you...or leave contact information in your comment.   


Continue following all the fun on this Hop!
Here is the schedule....what a line up of talent!!!

Monday, Nov. 26 - we will kick it off with the first post on the Sew To Speak blog.
Tues, Nov. 27 - Mary Dugan of Molly Flanders
Wed. Nov. 28 - Meg McElwee of Sew Liberated
Thurs. Nov. 29 - Kara of Me and Elna
Fri. Nov. 30 - We will announce the first winner on the Sew To Speak blog
Sat. Dec. 1st - Amanda of Sasikirana Handmade
Sunday Dec. 2nd - April Rhodes
Monday Dec. 3rd - Sew To Speak again ;)
Tues. Dec. 4th - Made by Rae
Wed. Dec 5 - Ericka of Low Beam Studios
Thurs. Dec. 6 - Emily of The Boy Trifecta
Friday Dec. 7 - and finally the second winner announced on Sew To Speak blog!

Be sure to visit Meg McElwee of Sew Liberated tomorrow!

happy tuesday! 
mary
                    


  

Monday, November 26, 2012

Slim to None....

Sorry for the lack of blogging lately :(
It has been a busy time at home and at work....
But tomorrow I am taking a turn at a blog hop!
    So please forgive me and stop by tomorrow for lots of Christmas inspiration and info about a fab giveaway!
You don't want to miss it!
  cheers
mary


this has nothing to do with the giveaway...but it is Christmas-y! heh. 

Friday, November 16, 2012

Sharing....

I want to share with you a little bit of fun...
I am so lucky to spend part of my week stitching with some awesome women...
This week I had the first of my annual stocking classes...
  And Michelle of Little Blue Feathers participated.
We had 5 fantastic stockings by the end of the class...but I forgot to bring my camera!
Today Michelle posted a great synopsis of the class!
You will love looking around her blog and her etsy shop....talk about talented!  And a sweetie to boot!

Enjoy!


happy friday!
mary 

      

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Coffin Star....

I began working with this block a while ago...
you have to look past the name and just take in how sweet and simple....

   
when I brought home Chicopee, I knew Coffin Star and Chicopee would look terrific together.

Chicopee is a Denyse Schmidt fabric.  I love her fabrics...she is one of my very favorite fabric designers...her designs are always my go-to fabrics.  Even though I am not sure her Greenfield Hill line was a big hit. I LOVE IT!

Today I have been trying to put together a few projects started but not finished....
Coffin Star is one...
It began like this....


I thought it needed something in the negative space...
so I filled the four corners with hourglass triangles...

 
I like it.  I like the traditional look of it.


It should be fun to quilt!

 
As I was cleaning out drawers this week, I came across this picture of my mom.  Hard to believe she has been gone only 6 months. She would have been 81 today.  What a beautiful person.


 Cheers!
mary  
 

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Mini Zig....

Every girl needs a blanket for her special buddies...


petite chevrons....


in pink....


for Lily....

 
happy wednesday!
mary

Sunday, November 11, 2012

The Season of Giving.....

 It is unmistakable that Christmas is approaching.  The stores are fully decked and I have caught a few commercials on television...oh my!

To usher in the season of Joy....I stitched a new Christmas Tree Skirt....


I designed a woolen, bow-tied bow wow to circle the skirt....

   
I added some pebble stitching and a bit of rik-rak around the bottom...Woof!

And what would Christmas be without a new stocking to hang on the mantle?

       
Some Art Gallery fabrics, Essex Linen and a wee Dresden....
top it off with a lovely crochet trim...


   And you have a Molly Flanders Stocking!

Thank you to all our Veterans on this Veteran's Day!
Just like many American families, I am proud to have had many members of my family serve in the military.
Thank you!

   


happy Sunday!
mary