Pin cushions again!

  This is the last batch for now, anyway.

   The first 3 are fairly plain ones. The two on the left used part of a damaged linen doily I first showed.  Some machine quilting on them.  On the others I made I did not add machine quilting.  Vintage crochet trim on the one on the right.

 
  A small one with a bluebird print with lace and a bird motif added.  It's about 3'' square.  A favorite!

  The one is front turned out really nice.  The print featured butterflies on tan and I just framed one of them with fabrics and lace.  It's about 6'' long.
  The larger one on the right is about 5'' square.














  I had several emails with questions about the technique.  First I was inspired by Kelly Cline and her vintage linen pincushions. 

 I figured out what way worked for me.

• I used batting as my foundation to attach fabric and lace in crazy patch technique.
• I added lace as I went and motif or special bits when foundation was covered.  
•  My filling is crushed walnuts shells purchased from Amazon. 
•  I fill thru the back rather than in the side seam....see photo.  It is easier to whip stitch the opening on the back for me.  

   I am not selling them.  I will sell lace and trims...contact me via email if interested. 
I plan on donating these to the quilt guild's boutique for next year's show.  So I have plenty of time to make a few more....such fun.

  I also uncovered a small dresser scarf that I embroidered way back when......I guess I was in my teens when my neighbor, Betty, taught me to embroider.  She was also instrumental in teaching me to sew.  I plan on seeing if I can get that machine quilted soon.  I cleaned the sewing room yesterday.....all fabric back in its place, and the lace container organized and put away for now.  I can see table tops and Hot Legs can breathe again. LOL.

  I count this all as a win as I am now motivated to work on a project.  Pain or no pain, I hate being so down that I don't want to stitch a bit.  It may be partly the heat but a greater part of the blame lands on the monster called Covid 19.  It has sucked the interest and mojo from my creative spirit.  I am so over this, and really want and need to find some normal in my life.   I know most of us feel much the same way, so you know where I am at.
Stay cool, and happy stitching.

Three pincushions

  Three pincushions done!  They are quite addictive, as there are so many variations to explore.  The long style on the right is strip pieced with batik scraps and added a couple of pieces of lace.
  The daisy trim one on the left turned out so pretty.  The rose motif was from a bridal lace I was given.  And the one on the bottom features a section of a lace collar for a young girl's dress. 

  I have more to fill and finish up but this morning was devoted to clearing off table tops in the sewing room.  Stacks of bits and pieces to put away, but all is now cleared and sorted. 








 
 The heat is relentless and the humidity is thick and heavy.  Much too hot to even sit outside. 
  Sir Old Man came home with a surprise after a trip to Ace Hardware.  We added  it--- small flag with a special symbol---to the back walk by the Japanese Maple.  It's like the one shady spot near the house and can be seen from the  back patio.

  Stay cool.  Stay safe.
happy stitching. 

Mid month progress....

  July is here....and we are all so hot!  Our common remark is, you can wear the air here.  At least the sun is shining.  Right?
 


    Little by little I worked on the batik project.  One or two rows joined every few days and finally it is a top.  Now I see a few spots I should have moved.  Isn't that the way it goes?  But for now it is what it is.  It is just intended for a sofa throw.  I need to order some backing fabric and then it can get quilted.

 








   In between the joining the rows I started on the annual leader and ender block from Bonnie Hunter.

  Once I got into the rhythm of the block, one row joined made one block!  It worked perfectly for this project. 
  So I set up a tray of  pieces clipped together for a block.  As I work thru scraps and such I will put more together thru the year.  I have about 8 completed here!

  The last few days have been dog days of heat that just sap your strength and energy.  After a quick doctor's appointment this morning, I determined I was going to sew, be creative, push myself to do something.  Anything! 


  So I had seen a small doily in the sewing room.  I don't remember when I pulled it out originally, but it had a small tear in the corner and thus did not get used for what ever I was working on.    I cut off part of it and sewed.......   Inspiration came from Kelly Cline quilting on FB.   Her pincushions are beautiful!

  I stitched it down to a soft tiny print piece of fabric.  Then added some small quilting in the plain areas, and put on a backing.   This will turn into a pincushion for the guild boutique  (probably) next year.   I just need some crushed walnut shells.




  Just completing this little one, inspired me to find my own style for special pincushions.  And within and hour or so, I was moving right along. 
  Note:  My first love of quilting began when I discovered crazy quilting.  All that beautiful embroidery and lace!  I have since sold most of my threads and embroidery yarns, but I still have a large tub of laces and trims.  Many are antique, some were gifted to me, and others culled from sale bins at Mary Jo's. 

  So the natural part for me is to mix accent fabrics with lace and trim, mixing the new ones and the old ones.  I am going to have a very difficult time sharing this purple one!  But I think I will make a few more in a similar vein :)   I wonder how the laces will look on some of the batiks scraps?  Just thinking of combinations.  This could be a few days of fun.  Now to send Sir Old Man to the store for more crushed walnut shells!
Happy stitching.

October finishes

   I can't believe the month has flown by.

 Small finishes for the month.  I have enjoyed using this hanging hoop pin cushion on the design wall.  It was from a Friday Finds post....here.
  I need to remember to look for more hoops!

 Plume practice piece was turned into a small candle mat.  The background is strips of leftover neutrals that are always useful.  I was testing the layout and arrangement of the different size plumes before using them for a border on the quilt.








   Plume Crazy was the quilt finish for the month.  Originally begun as a scrap project for the Let's Book It challenge.  Small bricks of scraps were sewn in vertical rows.....a different setting for me.  It was looking a little plain as I got the center to the size I wanted.  And no exciting border fabric jumped out of the stash closet.
  Then I heard about an impending surgery a friend was facing.....and heavenly inspiration came in the shape of lots of plumes.

  Thanks to some loyal readers and their excellent advice, the plumes added the perfect finish to the border.  Not too much, just a colorful delight.
  My friend is healing wrapped in the plumes awaiting the results as to further  treatment.   I told her each plume was a prayer for her healing.



   I ended the day/month flat  on my back side on the sidewalk yesterday.  Yep, I fell.    We stopped for lunch and were walking into the deli.  One second I am facing forward and the next I have the sensation of flying and falling.....and ended up on the sidewalk facing the opposite direction with my head cushioned on my purse!    I am fine....nothing broken, no bruises, no pain....only a very minor scrap on my palm.

  There was a water meter cover in the sidewalk that had sunk down about an inch.  I thought I stepped over it.....but apparently my heel was not on solid ground.   I have replayed it in my head and have no idea how I twisted around and flipped over, and ended up with my purse under my head.   I think the purse actually saved me from a major disaster.   And I thank my guardian angels for gently guiding my fall.

  Or was it a reminder to "fall back"......Sir Old Man says I will have an extra hour to sew tomorrow.....lol.  I think I am just getting back the hour stolen from me last spring.  Now I will spend the next week just getting my body time clock reset.  I need more chocolate!  
Happy stitching.
   

Rain...and a pincushion

 It is still coming......so much rain that everything has that damp feel to it.

Thankfully we are fine with no water problems.  As of 10 am today, we have had over 7 '' of rain since Friday.  The middle of the state and low country were the ones getting twice that amount.  Power outages, trees down, roads closed, flooding.....so there will be much clean up this next week.

  The quilt show continues today.....we were surprised at the attendance we got.  Thanks to the brave souls who got out in the mess yesterday to visit.

  I took about a half an hour last night and put together a pincushion from the tutorial from Friday's post.   I heard from Ella and Nesta....they loved being featured, so go visit them.

  I rummaged around and found this oval hoop.  I picked up a few of these years ago when a garment manufacturer closed up.  I loved the shape of this oval one.  It is about 6 inches long and just over 3'' wide.   I used the back of a greeting card to make the base, and then stacked scraps of batting in layers for the filling.

   I used lots and lots of tacky glue to bring the fabric around the inner hoop and hold it in place on the back.  The bright gold felt was the only piece I had that was large enough.....lots of glue to secure it too.    I don't do well with a glue gun.....I usually burn/glue myself to a project.....so tacky glue is my choice.











A matching blue ribbon and it now hangs on the design wall.  I  love this one!  And I am sure I will enjoy using it.

So if I can do this one.....I know you can too!

Happy stitching.