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!!

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.

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.

February Baby Quilt

My sister emailed me requesting a baby quilt for a friend who is due in March. My sister's one request/demand was "don't make it all pink." Nothing like a little notice. 

Well it gave me a reason to make a pattern I saw and loved in the April issue of American Patchwork & Quilting called "Sticks and Bricks".  I planned to downsize it for a baby and used the yardage for the color option they gave which is a perfect size.

The toughest thing was finding enough large scale prints that worked color-wise. Found tons of nice prints that tended to read as solids from a distance.  So I cut up everything that had potential and started playing with the layout.  This is the finished top:

Baby Quilt Top 02-24-12

Now to quilt it.  I've decided to machine quilt it as it needs to be done fairly quickly.  I'm thinking straight lines as I'm still a novice at machine quilting.  Now off to shovel some more snow that was dumped on mid-Michigan today.

Kincavel Krosses Stitch Along

One of my favorite cross stitch designers is Kell Smurthwaite of Kincavel Krosses and she started a monthly Christmas cross stitch along.  I thought it was a great idea and a way to get some Christmas cross stitching done early this year.  This is my January entry:

Noel

I added seed beads instead of doing french knots as was offered for the holly berries.  One down, eleven more to go.

Craftsy Block of the Month - February

The Balkan Puzzle Block.  Ended up just shy of 12 1/2"

Balkan Puzzle Block

I'll work on the Chunky Chevron Block tomorrow.

And now for the Chunky Chevron Block:

Chunky Chevron

I have learned I prefer the drawn line method of half square triangles.  This course is showing me some great ways to put together blocks.  I could put together a chevron quilt very quickly and may just add it to my to do list.

Wow, wow and WOW!!!

I subscribe to a lot of quilting and craft newsletters always looking for new ideas and tips.  And I think the one I got today is going to really change my quilting life.  It's all about spray basting quilts.  Take a look:



I've got 3 tops just begging to be quilted and one thing that always slows me down is the prepping for quilting.  Ugh! 

I'm already thinking about what to move so I can set up a wall to use and track down some 505 Basting Spray.

Thank you Quilt Show for sharing this wonderful tip!