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Sunday, November 27, 2016

Scrappy Ornaments!!!

Here is a fun, easy project as you prepare for the Holidays!  And if you don't mind a few sticky fingers, even fun for the kids! 


You will need clear, plastic ornaments.  They come is a variety of sizes, but mine are 3" ornaments.  You will be able to find these at your local craft supply store and are usually sold in a carton of 6.


You will also need a jar of Mod Podge and a small paint brush.


Finally, gather your scraps of fabrics and cut them into very small pieces.  The pieces do not need to be the same size, in fact, it is better to have a variety of sizes.  But the scraps do need to be small....generally an inch or less.

   
I usually start at the top of the ornament and lay a piece of fabric on the ornament, hold it with one hand and simply paint the piece of fabric with Mod Podge.  You don't need much, just enough to stick the fabric to the ornament.  Then continue with another scrap and slightly over lap the last piece of fabric and paint with Mod Podge.  I like to go all around the top first so that I can hold onto the hanger as I work my way around the bulb. 


You will notice it looks cloudy as you are painting, but it will dry clear.  Once you have finished a bulb, you can place it upside down in the carton or string a ribbon through and hang to dry.  Once dry you may add more layers of Mod Podge if you would prefer.  I only did one coat.
So there you have it!  A fun ornament for your Christmas tree, as a gift {for teacher, maybe}, or gather several in a ribbon and use to decorate a package.


Have fun!
Mary

Sunday, August 14, 2016

The Long and Winding Road....

Hello, its been a long time since I have been here. Whew! 
Our house and life has been turned upside down! My MIL became very ill in April and is now living with us. This has changed our lives and routines!

But I try to squeeze in sewing where I can. I think its the only thing keeping me sane!

I have had the pleasure to make a couple of baby quilts...one for a great niece....


A triangle quilt made with mostly Sarah Jane's line Sommer.


And I had a very good friend who had a baby girl!!!


I will try to keep up better here. I had a dickens of a time trying to log in...a bit of a panicky minute!! Yikes!!!

Sometimes it is difficult to do all things and to do them at 100% or even 50%.... this upheaval started slowly about a year and a half ago. Then in April, it was a flood of worry, change and, to be quite honest, aggravation.  I am fortunate to have friends here at home and on the 'interwebs' who understand and have been truly very supportive. Even if it is only to listen to me complain. 
thank you, friends :) 

See you soon...
mary xx       

Friday, March 11, 2016

Tiny Swan Hexagon!

Last year I had a tiny swap with Susi from Tiny
Toffee Designs. This was literally a tiny swap!!!

We swapped hexagons and other fun, little, things. Well, I put together the usual old hexies for Susi, but Susi pieced the most intricate hexies for me!!!


So when I had a request from Susi to take part in the blog hop for her new Dream Big hexie patterns....I didn't hesitate to say, YES!!!

The pattern includes a star, swan, elephant, pencil, heart, mountains, and flying geese!!!
I was given the swan, which was perfect! I know a swan loving little girl who would be thrilled with a pouch! This little girl is a ballet student, so the pouch is ideal for her hair bands, chapstick, etc.


Susi's pattern is so good!!! I increased the size of the hexie on my printer to 150% so it would fit nicely on a little pouch. 
I added vintage sequins, beads and crescent shape to give it a little sparkle. Of course, every swan needs a crown!

  
This fancy hexie pouch closes with a lace zipper and has a silky tassle pull. Perfect for a little ballerina! 
You can find these fabulous patterns here
and Susi's blog here . Thanks for letting me play along Susi!

Hope you have a Happy Hexie Weekend!!!!
mary

Saturday, March 5, 2016

Pincushion Remake!

Years ago, I posted a tutorial here for my Big Dresden Pincushion!


I have recently revamped this pincushion to make a new and improved Sunny Day Dresden Pincushion!!!


You can find the tutorial here!

If you use the tutorial to make your own pinnie...use the hashtag #sunnydaydresdenpinnie

have a great weekend!
mary

Friday, February 12, 2016

Happy Valentine's Day!

I do love Valentine's Day! My sweet middle daughter was born on Valentine's Day!
A special fond memory of Valentine's Day is my children passing out cute cards to all of their classmates. My kiddos are all grown, but I have an adorable preschool neighbor! So when I found out she needed a Valentine's card holder, I got out my needle and thread!

       I used Lecien Minny Muu and Radiant Girl charm packs
And a little yardage from the Minny Muu line, to make this Valentine Mail Pouch! 

She loved it!

  
Hope someone treats you extra special on the 14th!
Happy Valentine's Day!
xx mary  

Sunday, January 24, 2016

Foundation Paper Piecing a Scottie Dog

I stumbled upon this Scottie Dog pattern on a website called Womenfolk.com a few years ago. I love this version of a Scottie because the proportions are nice and the fact that I can turn it on point is a fun extra!
When I posted a picture of this Scottie on Instagram the other day, I had several folks asking for a tutorial. So here you go!

The first thing to do is to print the Paper Pieced Scottie from the website. There is another set of templates for piecing with templates. For our purposes we will use the foundation paper pieced version. Foundation paper piecing is stitching right through the paper...so you will want to discard your sewing machine needle after you are finished or at least set it aside and reserve it only for stitching through paper.  
This is a 9 inch block...be sure to copy at 100%.



Now, let's gather the other supplies you will need.

   
You will need the pattern fabric scissors, paper scissors, rotary, ruler and a postcard or rewards card to use in folding.


It's also very useful to have some type of fabric glue. I will use Roxanne's Glue Baste-It.

Reduce the stitch length on your machine to about 1.5. This is necessary to perforate the paper so it is easy to tear away after the block is complete. Also the reduced stitch allows you to tear off the paper without pulling the stitches out.  


Of course, you also need fabric! Foundation paper piecing is a tad wasteful with fabric because you are over-sizing the fabric pieces and cutting back to size. As you become more proficient there is less waste. But for those of you that are using this method for the first time, I would give yourself a little more wiggle room and cut your pieces a bit larger as you go.
I cut my pieces for each section as I need them...not before sewing. 
The key point to remember when cutting your fabric for each section, is to cut it AT LEAST 1/4 INCH LARGER ON EACH SIDE THAN THE SECTION. You will be trimming back as you sew and you need that 1/4 inch for the seam allowance.  
This is an easy pattern to foundation paper piece, but in the future if you have a pattern with a sharp angle, you will need to cut your piece quite a bit larger to accommodate the angle. 

So let's begin...
Take the A section of your pattern and place a small dot of glue on the wrong side of the sub-section marked A 1.

  

A1 takes a background piece. Cut your piece at least a 1/4 inch larger on each side than the pattern. You don't need to cut it carefully, I would just try to remember to keep the straight of grain parallel with the straight edges.


The wrong side of your background fabric will be placed to the wrong side of the pattern. Notice my fabric is larger than sub-section A1. 
Flip the pattern, with the fabric glued to section A1, over and using your card, fold on the line between A1 and A2.

   
The card helps make sure you are folding on the line because you will not be able to see this line.


I am folding back on the line between A1 and A2. My fabric is completely covering section A1 and I still have at least 1/4 inch extra seam allowance on each side of section A1.


Place your ruler so that the edge of the folded paper is hitting the 1/4" mark on your ruler. You will cut along this line, leaving a 1/4 inch seam allowance.

   
Now take the fabric that will cover sub-section A2 (remember it needs to be larger than A2). Place that fabric with right sides facing on top of fabric A1. Be sure the right sides are facing!!! Also, be sure that the fabric is situated so it will completely cover A2 and leave 1/4 inch more on each side. If you can't see A2...hold the pieces up to a light or window and you will be able to see where this fabric needs to hit.




  Go to the sewing machine and stitch on the line between A1 and A2. 


Flip the pattern over and press these two pieces open. Then place your card on the line between A1, A2 and A3, again, fold. You will notice the extra fabric from A1 and A2 extending beyond that line. Place your ruler on the fold be A1, A2 and A3 and trim, leaving 1/4 inch seam allowance.

     




Once you have trimmed, cut a piece of fabric for A3 (larger than you need and to completely cover area A3). Unfold the paper pattern and stitch directly on the line between A1,A2 
and A3.

Press back the fabric, fold, again between A3 and A4, trim seam allowance. Cut fabric for A4, sew on the line between A3 and A4, press A4 back. And repeat for A5!!!


When you have finished an entire section, flip the pattern over and trim on the dotted line. This pattern has included the outer most seam allowance. If you come across a pattern that does not include the outer seam allowance you must leave a quarter inch on the outside of the pattern.

Continue in this manner for the B and C sections of the pattern.

  

When you get to the D section there is no sewing involved. But I place several dabs of glue to hold the fabric to this larger section.


Then trim around the template.


Now you are ready to sew all of the sections together. A to B, AB to C, and ABC to D.
You may want to place a little bit of glue along the seam allowance before you stitch the sections together to keep the fabric from shifting with the paper.


**As you work with this technique, it's important to remember to always leave a quarter inch seam allowance and that the fabrics should be placed right sides facing. With the reduced stitch length, it is difficult to take out stitches.**

After all sections are sewn together....give it a good press and carefully remove the paper.
It is a good idea to place your finger over the stitches in your seams as you remove the paper....just to be sure you don't rip out the stitches.



There you have it! A paper pieced Scottie!
xx mary

  

Thursday, January 21, 2016

A Few Other Fun Makes!

Over the holidays I had the opportunity to stitch up a few other fun things....
There was a baby shower, so I used an older Oliver and S pattern to make an adorable and super cozy kimono outfit!

   
This fabric is Fruity Pocho brushed cotton...and I must tell you it feels amazing! And gets more amazing with each wash! I want a nightgown out of this fabric.  


I gifted a whole cloth Nani Iro baby quilt...


I used En Garden for the front and Jewel Song on the reverse side. The binding is Liberty Glenjade in teal. And between the layers I used a wool batting. Talk about scrumptious!


Again, I want one my size! The En Garden Nani Iro sold out of the shop, but the good news is, we expect a brand new bolt this week!

Lots of baby gifts at the end of the year in 2015 and I think there will be a few more in 2016!!!
xx mary 

    

Friday, January 8, 2016

Hello....is it me you're looking for???

The holiday season has come and gone with nary a word from me....
 but I did manage a quilt finish just before the clock struck midnight and we all said goodbye to 2015...


A scrappy Red and White quilt with stars and a pieced border...

I used a set of templates purchased from Amazon. The Simpli EZ Five Point Star set. Instead of squaring off the star, I chose to applique the the star 'circle' onto my background square.


Then I added sashing and corner blocks. And finished the piecing off with a pieced border.

This one is machine quilted, as well as, hand quilted with some Christmas Red Valdani Perle cotton!


It's not huge, but a good lap size for our chilly Ohio winters (if Mother Nature decides to grant us some chilly Ohio weather)


It's good to have a 2015 finish...and a new blog post for 2016!
Wishing you all a wonderfully productive New Year!
xo mary