Christmas is coming and at this time of the year people are looking in shops and online for that "unique" or "special" gift. I know not everyone quilts or could even fathom sewing and this is why I want to feature my friend and talented quilt maker's quilts. Carol's quilts from www.cornflowerquilts.com are carefully home crafted using modern technology and no two are alike. This is precisely what makes them a great one-of-a-kind gift for purchase to give to someone special or for home decor. Carol takes a modern view at design of her quilts as you will see when you look at the quilts on her website here They are worth every penny as high quality fabrics are used and a multitude of hours spent on workmanship and care taken about placement of colours and fabric. Carol is a member of both the Waterloo County Quilters Guild and Cambridge Quilters Guild. She recently exhibited 5 quilts at the 2015 Waterloo County Quilters' Guild Exhibit and as such you would be purchasing a quilt from a very skilled quilter. I encourage you to look at Carol's website and quilts page , be inspired and shop. You never know, you could be done your shopping early! Support a local artisan at www.cornflower quilts.com and Happy Monday!
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This week was a week for working on my long arm, custom quilting, having a friend over to test one of my new patterns, working on pattern designs and for a little bit of personal sewing. I was able to finish just a mini project this week. My "mini" project was to make name tags for a local guild I attend and I made three of them one for a friend, my sister and myself. See the pics below. If any one would like the pattern, I would be happy to share (it is my own original quick pattern), just contact me via the contact page or click on Facebook above right and message me. As you can see I hand embroidered the names and appliquéd some 1/4" hexies for whimsy and fun. There is a pocket on the back for guild library cards etc. ...and I used a grommet as the hole for the matching lanyard with a swivel snap hook. Very "quilty" aren't they?
Happy Friday! Katie's Miniature Log Cabin Last Wednesday, I discussed the diamond log cabin and then I thought maybe I should back up a bit and discuss the log cabin as this is the origin of the Diamond. I made a little mini for my daughter a few Christmas's back out of colourful fabric and paper piecing, a pic is below. I was also playing around a bit in EQ7 and "designed" the quilt below: Then I decided to play with it and juggle the blocks around: What is a log Cabin Block without a log cabin? Download a free PDF pattern for a log cabin here
..and lest we forget...Today is Remembrance Day here in Canada and I think fondly of my Grandfather and his dedication to service for our Country while overseas. Please take time today to remember and pay respect to our Veterans who have and are serving our country.
Today, I want to share with you an experience I had in taking an online course to make better bags. I have experience making bags but sometimes feel a little stressed about adding fixtures and in particular zippers.
This class has removed all of this fear and stress for me. Lisa Lam teaches 20 Essential Techniques for Better Bags on Craftsy.com and I have to say it is excellent! It is not a class where you make one specific bag, rather it's a class where she shows you how to properly insert straps, handles, d rings, closures, interfacing, structure, zippers, pockets, grommets and more. Lisa explains her methods very clearly and in plain language so that students understand what it is she is doing. What's really great about Craftsy.com is that after you have paid for the class, you have a teacher available to you 24/7 and you can watch you video whenever you need to. So the second time, I made a bag recently, I went back to the video again. I will attest that it is the best money I have every spent on a bag class and it is paying for itself over and over again, every time I watch it. My second bag looks even more professional. I'm loving it! Also, if the regular price for this class is not affordable for you Craftsy is having a **HUGE SALE** Black Friday - Cyber Monday ---> ALL online classes & craft supplies! This sale will run from November 26-30th. So enrol then to learn and make a more professional bag!
This past Saturday, I was at a craft show as a vendor for the purpose of getting my feet wet at selling hand made items and to assist my niece who is a very busy mom to fill a table and have someone to share in the joy of displaying her skills and talent. It was lots of fun! Check out my niece Ashley's handiwork on Facebook. Simultaneously, (almost albeit the time difference) my daughter and her partner where also attending a craft show in BC selling their hand crafted furniture and wood art. The picture of the www.twillandtimber.com booth is below: There are many craft shows at this time of year in every community and several reasons why people should attend at least one of these events. I encourage you to get out to a local craft show/sale and I promise you, you may reap at least one or more of the following rewards:
Below are my items on display at home prior to the show. I had cup cozies, mitten clips, bandana bibs for babies, baby bib and pacifier clip sets, bunny ear teething rings, purse tissue packs and "Sniffle Monsters" ... and the last minute item that I made and the funniest of them all, my "sniffle monsters" were my best seller. These are tissue packs for kids (or adults who love fun stuff). Murphy's Law is always at work in my life! Too funny!!! Happy Monday everyone!Yes there is still something in these! They are yummy. I have been a long term baker and I would not steer you in the wrong direction. I have lots of dietary issues due to food allergies but I still crave sweets and these fill that ticket. When I stop and take a break from sewing, these are my go to cookies to have with a lovely cuppa tea! The recipe: Wet Ingredients: 1/2 cup applesauce 1 cup of canola oil or coconut oil (melted) 1 tsp vanilla 1 tbsp hot water Dry Ingredients: 1 tsp Baking Powder 1 cup brown sugar 1/2 cup white sugar 1 tsp baking soda 2 cups Gluten Free Flour 2 cups Gluten Free Oats 1 tsp salt 1/4 tsp Xanthum Gum How to make them: Beat applesauce, baking powder, sugars, oil and vanilla together. Mix baking soda with hot water and stir into mixture Mix the rest of the dry ingredients together and add to the wet ingredients Make sure ingredients are well combined and drop by teaspoon onto parchment lined baking sheets or greased baking sheets. Bake at 350 degree for 11 minutes (or more if you like them crispier) They should be golden brown like the photo above NOTE: I purchase most of my GF ingredients at Bulk Barn or Healthy Foods and More in Waterloo Optional add ins: Add 1 tsp cinnamon and 1 cup raisins, add craisins, chopped nuts or chocolate chips - your choice of add ins. Store in an airtight container and they freeze well. I was recently going through some UFO's in my stash and came across some diamond log cabin blocks that I was making from a 60 degree diamond starting point and 2 1/2" strips added (it was a project to use up 2 1/2" strips). A single block looks like this: But because I have so many scraps, I want my quilt to look like this: So I will share with you how to do this block and you can do whatever you like. Step 1: Cut 60 degree diamonds using the 60 degree mark on your Omnigrid Ruler (line it up on the edge of your strip of fabric) . The strip of fabric should be 4 1/2" wide - or whatever width you like. If you want a smaller centre, have at it! Step 2: Using 2 1/2" strips, sew the strips in the order shown in the diagram below (see the numbers on the block below the strip). Trim off your strips even on the edge of 60 degree centre diamond and using your ruler, prior to adding another strip. Press in the same direction away from the diamond for all blocks. Some other variations using the same diamond shape: I hope I have you wondering.. What if ?
Happy Wednesday!! Free and Easy Stocking Stuffer!I know it's only November, but I would love for all to get their Christmas organized early so that they can truly enjoy time with family. So today I'm going to share with you a little project I made for a craft sale recently. See pic below: This is made easily with 2 strips of fabric, a piece of batting and velcro, to get the www.quiltingintheloft.com free pattern please go here. I have made many of these in Christmas fabric perfect for a Christmas craft sale but you could make it in any fabric. This is a gift that would be great for all ages and slips nicely into a stocking or treat yourself. Why not , you deserve it too!
Do you ever have those Sunday nights when there is absolutely nothing good on TV and you decide to do a random project to get yourself organized? I've been into organizational mode lately as my sewing studio is being built and I know when I move in everything needs to be organized. So last nights TV drought served a purpose! I decided, like the men in my life (not to sort screws) but to sort buttons. Of course my husband had to say "and you tease me about sorting screws!" So, my button jar which gets annoyingly emptied onto a table every time I need a single coloured button, was finally organized last night. It went from this: To this: ... and I "plan" to do this once my studio is ready: I know, it's a small project, but instantly satisfying.
Have a great week! |
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