Odds and Ends… Quilt Blocks, Small Quilts, Novelty Fabric
A quick project which can lead to wonderful results is lurking in your stack of UFO’s!
Go ahead, pull them out again. You may be pleasantly surprised to find completed blocks, wall quilts you no longer display, and an array of experiments you started which are begging to “Become Something”.
Let’s make some pretty and colorful pillows!
For a simple pillow, cut a piece of fabric the size of the block or small quilt you want to use as the pillow top. Place the two fabric pieces right sides together, and sew three connecting sides. Now turn the pillow cover right sides out and lightly press the side seams smooth or flat. Insert a pillow form into the pillow cover and then whip stitch or machine stitch the open end closed. Let your creative inspiration begin…time to embellish the pillow top with ribbons, beads, braid or bows.
Enjoy!
So, I am wanting a vintage camping trailer…
My hubby thinks I have lost my mind!
There are some adorable fabric at equilter.com (My Fav-Fabulous online fabric shopping) which would be perfect for my coverlets, pillows, curtains, quilts, wall art…. you get the idea!
I tell him I NEED the little trailer…it is just for a short escape during the day so I can go write in my journal, have a cup of tea or coffee, just be ME.
I say: “it will be a project for me…”
He says: “No, a project for me, a lot of work and expense”.
I say: “Please, just a small one, not fancy. I want to arrange it for Me. Everything does not have to work right away.”
He says: “There you go… No, I see problems”.
I say: “What is the big deal? It will cost less than the price of a vacation- I can pull it with my truck- my sisters will go with me and spend a night at the Moro Bay park (15 miles from our farm).”
He says: “No, now you are wanting to pull it somewhere…new tires, insurance, propane, bathroom…”
I say: “Okay, I will only use it here at the farm for glamping with my sisters.”
He says: “You have 40 acres, Glamp outside!”
I say: “I want this for ME”.
He says: “But there will be no room for Me.”
To be continued…..
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Examples:
Get Campie-Online Vintage Campers
Shhhhhh….. whisper….
(There are several bargains I have been looking at and know of within 100 miles of where I live. I just have to save enough money to pay for it and to have it delivered. The let the sewing and decorating begin!)
Weddings, Photographs and Fabrics…
I had the perfect opportunity to test the services of fabric printing by Spoonflower, a custom fabric printing service. www.spoonflower.com
My nephew announced his engagement to his beautiful girlfriend a few months ago and I wanted to make a special gift for them. They are an awesome couple who are the definition of a modern day cowboy & cowgirl. They love their horses and enjoy the cold snowy days of living in the west.
I decided to use the pictures which were taken for their wedding announcement and make a king size bed runner. I used my imaging software program to make a few changes to the pictures and uploaded them to the Spoonflower site. Voila! The fabric which I ordered and received was printed beautifully!
It was hard to take pictures of the finished bed runner, but a few images are below. I made the runner larger than a standard size so the happy couple could use it to cuddle on the couch with their dogs on cold winter evenings.
Congratulations Gavin and Vanessa!
And the sweet bride danced in the rain….
Inspired by “Beautiful Bargello”…
Since it seems my own creative inspirations have been blocked recently..(as in the past few months)…I decided I could make another Bargello quilt and then embellish it as the muse directs my thoughts. I love the look of well designed Bargello Quilts!
I downloaded a book of patterns from the Clotilde.com website , Beautiful Bargello.
I enjoy digital books, especially since I am living with my mom, (as her caregiver), and I have limited room for books. The format for Beautiful 
Bargello is in PDF which makes it easy to view on most all ereaders and printing the instructions from my laptop is super easy. Having the document on my phone is a plus when shopping for fabrics.
So, if you are considering downloading an instruction book for a digital device or computer, go for it! You may be surprised at how helpful this book format can be.
Enjoy!
Art Quilt Portfolio The Natural World, author Martha Sielman
A Feast for the Artistic Eye-A Joy For The Soul
A recent new release by Martha Sielman is more than beautiful photography of fabulous art quilts. The themes are timeless examples of our world in which we share space with plants, animals, insects, and the elements of nature.
Art Quilt Portfolio – The Natural World, proves the talent Martha has for bringing forth the best of art quilting and creativity in her books. Not only are the quilts impressive, but the narratives of the artists add a depth of understanding which enhances the artwork. Each quilt holds a hidden emotion which was captured or dreamed by an artist and then transferred into a tangible work of art with fiber and various textiles.
The art styles have a wide range. Many times it is possible to recognize a particular artist when you see several of the pieces due to a certain style of artistic expression. Maybe it is the ‘branding’ of an artist which sets their work apart. Some of the textile artists enjoy working in a realistic style while others are more abstract. As you peruse this edition of Martha’s art quilt series, you will find underneath all the beautiful works from the hands of the artist, a subtle influence of traditional quilting. Factors such as size, scale, proportion, and color values are prominent in these quilts. This should make even the most traditional of quilters feel some pride.
No matter where you reside on this planet, you can relate to the beauty and soul of this book. For me, springtime in the south, (USA) is a perfect time to be immersed in this very inspiring new book by Martha Sielman.
It’s Fabulous!
Enjoy!
Butterfly Dance…
The warmer weather and fragrant spring flowers lift the spirits and bring new feelings of inspiration.
A Bit of Joy…
It seems as if spring days are here!
I have seen beautiful butterflies fluttering around the meadow and aro
und the newly blooming bulb plants.
Sunshine days, warm breezes, and fragrant fruit trees in bloom bring a feeling of joy and promise!
I will add “Butterfly Migration” today and will have a new butterfly quilt in a day or two.
Enjoy!
“Butterfly Migration” reflects the movement and energy of butterflies as a lone dragonfly watches the flight … 
New Dreams, New Plans, & New Projects!
It’s time for new dreams, new plans, and new projects!
Ok, so after all the activity of holidays, recovering from colds, sleeping through New Years eve parties, and the after-holiday Blahs…I am ready to begin again.
- I need to grab a fresh notebook
- Draft/Sketch/Outline my most exciting ideas
- set a priority
- check dates for any competitions I want to enter
- check my fabric stash…** see below
This year is all about using what I have in and on my shelves as much as possible. My goal last year for “Separating and Sharing” worked great for reducing fabrics I would not use in current projects. It was about sharing quality fabrics with new quilters so they could enjoy and envision their own quilts and garments. Some of the fabrics I had in large quantities and they were very popular during specific years. I remembered where I was and who I was with when I bought the fabric. Great memories, but time to move along! I am happy with better organized shelves, a neater work environment, and more room for display rather than stacked storage boxes. Hallelujah!
So…I need to get busy…be back soon!
dcl/doodles
Sewing Gifts for Holiday Giving…
In a frenzy…making Scarves, Small totes…Book Covers…Tote Bags, and Book Markers…oh What Fun!!
I must add pictures of my Granddaughter, Anasy’s First Sewing Project with her Granny!!!
Granny is very Happy!!
Merry Christmas!!
Diane / Magnolia Threads
