Sunday, March 25, 2012

Second March Craftsy Block

I've been working on a baby quilt so I'm just now getting around to the second Craftsy block for the month.  Here it is:

Craftsy March Block 2

Now I HAVE to finish the baby quilt.  The machine quilting is giving me fits.

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Craftsy Surprise

Imagine my surprise when I was reading the new Craftsy newsletter and I saw that the block I made for the March quilt along was chosen as part of the Project Spotlight.

Here's the link to the newsletter.  Craftsy Newsletter

Needless to say I was floored and flattered that my block was chosen.  I only hope I can continue to live up to the challenge.

Thanks Craftsy!!

Saturday, March 10, 2012

Cross Stitch Expansion

Last year I saw the "Christmas Village" designs by JBW Designs and had to have them.  I contacted my LYS, Stitch in Time and asked if they had them.  They didn't but the did order them for me and they are finally here.

I had never been into this shop before, (my husband would speed up when we got within range of it) and finally got a chance to do just that.  I now know why he sped up every time...I only spent a short amount of time there, but I could still be there if I hadn't made myself leave after one additional purchase.

I also bought the Little House Needleworks "Warm Winter Woolens" chart and the 32 count linen and floss to go with it.  I have only ever used DMC, because that's what came in the kits I purchased and that's what was usually listed in charts I'd seen.  I know there's a vast and wonderful world of alternative flosses out there and decided today to venture into that world with the purchase of floss from Weeks Dye Works.  Pricey?  Yes,but hand dyed and beautiful colors.  I ended up swapping out one of the colors for a hand over dyed version (Kudzu - even the names are great) and just love it.



They also have all kinds of yarns that had me swooning.  I could see myself spending a lot of time and money in that shop.  If you're in the Howell area and have never been there, go if only for the experience of seeing the wonderful colors and patterns that are available.  Not to mention the super personnel.

There's a hooking class next week end that I may go to, just to learn a new craft (not to mention I've already got design ideas floating in my head after seeing an example).

But I can't touch what I picked up today until I complete a couple of items in progress.  The baby leggings (1 done, 1 to go) and machine quilting the baby quilt.  No to mention I've decided to thin out some craft books and let them go to new homes.  So I'd better get to it.

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

New stuff

Okay, here's the first Craftsy March block.  It is called the String Block:

Craftsy String Block 03-06-2012


And up next are the first two blocks from a block of the month quilt from Grandma's Attic Sewing Emporium called English Flower Garden.  What drew me to this block of the month was the combination of embroidery and batiks.

English Flower Garden Block #2

English Flower Garden Block #1
I'm having a lot of fun with these blocks.  It's keeping me moving forward in my crafting.  I spray basted the baby quilt yesterday and I've already ripped out the first two attempts at quilting it.

I then went to my Craftsy course and reviewed some of the walking foot portions of the course and will give it another shot this weekend.  I will figure this out, I'm only doing straight lines, it can't e that difficult...at least I hope it doesn't continue to be.  The perfectionist in me is rearing her loony head.

I should have the second Craftsy block up by the weekend.  Back to L&O SVU now.