Whispering Away November

How the last few months of the year do fly by.  November was a whisper that spoke of summer days, snowy days, rainy days, peaceful and thankful days, and some worrisome days.  In those worrisome days, November whispered - you will find sunshine, you will find peace, you will find thankfulness - you will carry on.

 

I got to play with some fun, bright fabrics from the shelf to test a pattern for Bea.  She hasn't released the pattern yet so I still can't show the finished quilt.  AND now that I think of it, I never sent her a photo of the finish - only the flimsy - yikes!!

My hexie projects (all my hand projects) have been a great whisper to find peace this month.  There is something very relaxing to needle and thread in hand.

I found some peace on a worrisome day by making some baby bibs for one of our quilt guild's charity projects to fill the community gift baskets.

And some solace in the later days of November with the 'hot dog' pillow case pattern.  This is another community charity project for our guild.  I take great pleasure (as do all our members) in giving back to our communities.

Some scrap play with some very soothing browns and boy do I have a LOT of browns.

Had the pleasure of sharing some class time with my fellow guild members take a class on using the TLC ruler.  I turned my block into a pillow which I forgot to photo, too.

Was so happy to have finally gotten the promised tutorial up for the mini key chain purse.

 

The only LARGE project was the Bear quilt shared as it was in progress.  Well my long armer dropped it off so it will officially be a December finish - I LOVE THIS QUILT!!  BUT, it will be going to my daughter as promised.

This month of November has taught me to listen to the whispers - the softness, the light - not the thunderous roars, but the whispers.

Sewingly Yours,

Sharon

Let's Book It - November 2016

I so want to thank all you wonderful quilters who participated over the years with Let's Book It, but all things come into a cycle and it is time to retire this project.  It has certainly helped me in taking a look at those books I just had to have, add some new ones to expand my techniques/skills, read thru all those saved files (cleaned some them out - never will do), and condensed printed files from three note books down to just one.

Not every month over the years was successful, I had a few projects that defeated me.  We do run into those and just cannot beat ourselves up over that - move on.  And Let's Book It was not about finishes, but starts (and those resources) - most of mine were finishes yet a few need finishing.

    

Perfect example was this month's project.  Life made some changes in my plans.  We don't beat ourselves up - we move on.  This certainly will  be a project that I can grab some bits of time with during December (snow is on it's way again).

So I have two pins and two charms left for the year - two winners will be pulled as a final farewell:

I just love these 'bug' road trip charm holders.  The last charms are a bit different - one is a FMQ feather and the other is one of those fun tomato/strawberry pin cushions (still have my grandmother's).  It will be a surprise which one goes where as they are already boxed and waiting for name/address.

Now it is your turn to share: 

An InLinkz Link-up

Slow Sunday Stitching

I will be joining KATHY today with some slow stitching.  The Leap Year (365) is getting closer to a finish.  The last few rows are clipped together and I have 2 rows worth of scrap squares ready to be made into circles.  Yeah, some high tech templates - old Christmas card backs and a Tumms lid to make the circle templates (they get worn after a few uses, so I cut a new one and toss the old).  I'm down to my last card back, too.

I will mix in some scrap processing with Oh, Scrap.  I am not a fan of Seasonal Fabric, but over time I have been gifted here and there and I want to just process this all down.  I actually made a double 4-patch quilt, but it is packaged with backing and I found a 1 yard candy cane print for binding - off to be finished up for a charity quilt.

Anything a FQ size or large will get pressed, re-folded, and gifted on to a local group to use - the rest CHOPPED and packed by size 2.5", 3.5", and 4.5" to pass on to a quilt guild member.

The under-bed tote this was stored in.  My SIL had a LOT of seasonal fabric - and bought MORE.  So she can use this now for her collection rather than having bags and bags of fabric on my table.

My Helper - Bella has a bit of a tummy problem.  She always sleeps on her head like this when her tum-tum is upset (bad mouse?), so hopefully meds and rest and she will be herself again.

A few knew that my real reason for a blog break was due to a family emergency.  My Mom has been rather ill and failing - and I didn't wait any longer and got her to the hospital.  She is now home, but it will take my time away from my quilting and possibly the blog while I and a few of her quilt class folks help to get her commission work finished.

I hope you all (US folks) had a lovely Thanksgiving - our local church (who hosted the community dinner) set up take out meals for us so Mom and I had a wonderful dinner. Very little Christmas decor will be done this year - we all need to relax, slow down, and breath.

Sewingly Yours,
Sharon

Blogaversary Winner

Thank you all for you lovely comments and well wishes.  You are my inspiration.  The random winner of the 'Around Town' collection is:

 

SherryBNovember 16, 2016 at 4:19 PM

Congratulations---wow, 6 yrs? I'm sure it went by like a breeze! I've enjoyed seeing all your projects--eye candy for a fellow quilter for inspiration & big dreams!

I will send Sherry an e-mail to get her mailing information.

I will be taking a blogging break until after the Thanksgiving Holiday - enjoy your family, friends, good food and all be safe in their travels.

Sewingly Yours,

Sharon 

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Slow Sunday Stitching

I will be joining KATHY today for some slow stitching.  A need for a rest from a trying week.  This is the Gail Pan block for the Splendid Sampler.  I plan to make this a mini quilt on it's own.  I have little stitch work to do as I plan to work some of the areas in buttons, beads, fabric and fun stuff.

I have a commission piece that needs a lot of hand prep work and as long as kitties nap the day away - I will tackle that as well. (working velvet and I want NO kitty furs)

It's a GOOD day to stay inside and enjoy handwork.  The 'big' storm predicted over the next few days has rolled in this morning.

Today I am Thankful for times to relax, reflect, find peace within,

Sewingly Yours,
Sharon  
  

Key Chain Mini Purse Tutorial

I was asked by a customer to redesign a small key chain mini purse she had that was very worn and to make it a little larger.  Today I want to share the pattern and how to make this very quick and useful project.

You can click on this photo to save and print out on your own browser for reference and template.  **all seams are 1/4 inch** 

Two main pieces, one pocket piece, one fuseable batt cut to size of main piece, one light weight fuseable interfacing cut for pocket, D-ring, and ribbon.

   
PREP WORK:
Fuse batt to one of the main body pieces, fuse the interfacing to one half of you pocket piece, and loop your ribbon thru the d-ring -  baste the end and where the pencil is, I did 4/5 stitched back and forth to help hold the ring.

Press your pocket in half and stitch the top - gives it strength.  You can use a straight stitch, decorative, hand - this is your project so play.

You can leave your main body straight edge or use the template to cut the curve.  Again, your project, your choice.  Centering, pin the ribbon/d-ring at the bottom of the main piece that has the fuseable.

Now to layer them for stitching.  Place main piece with fuseable batt and ribbon face up, then the pocket, the place second main piece face down on top.  Pin all layers.

I stitch up each side first and then stitch the curve.  This helps to get the curve in place and lock those corners where the will be stress.  DO NOT SEW THE BOTTOM

Now turn your mini purse thru the bottom.  Yes, your ribbon is inside the pocket, but that is what we want.  Press

Do a double row of stitch across the botom.  I go across one way, lift presser foot and swivel that baby around and go back down - then both ends are lock stitched.

Your are done sewing!!  Reach into the pocket and grab the d-ring, pull all thru the pocket and turn the whole piece.  Your seam is inside and no need to hand sew a turning whole.

Use a damp cloth or heavy steam and press your mini.  Options of closures:  buttons with button hole, hand sewn snaps, or clamp snap fasteners.  Again your project , your choice.

A quick project for gifts using up your scraps.  Hope you enjoy.

Sewingly Yours,
Sharon

Help for Hexies

Actually it is Help for Hexie-alics with SARAH, but I need help with this one for sure before I get too much further.  Not sure how to set these or where I am going with them.  I am using a layer cake and pull one blue, beige, and white from the cake - so I could logically make 42 large rosettes.  BUT, I want to set them so they just 'run' amongst themselves.  Does that make sense?  

Think I need to get the graph paper out for this one and play a little.

I have two more baskets prepped - the red and green flowers - to work on for Slow Sunday Stitching.  There will be 18 basket blocks, so I am working this one slow.  Then the patchwork part gets to be played with which will go fast.  Then it will be a slow project again as I want to hand quilt this one.  A quilt that will take me back to my 'roots'.

Today I am Thankful for stitching projects that help me reflect back into my heritage - handwork that my great gran and aunties did so beautifully.

Sewingly Yours,
Sharon

Trunk Full of Quilts

I want to thank Soma of Whims and Fancies for hosting this trunk show.  I was seeing some of my blogging friends' trunk show presentations and thought I should join in again.

 

I was lucky to be chosen by  Henry Glass Fabrics as their October 2016 'Desire to Inspire' quilter and this is one of the quilts I made with the wonderful fabrics they sent me from the line Moose Lodge Cabin.  This so brought back memories of my Dad.

This is the Sulky BOM 2004 Christmas Quilt I made many years ago.  It is a tradition to trim a block/section with more embroidery, trinkets, buttons, applique with the grands.  

 

I designed a quilter's project bag for a local quilt guild for a class earlier this year.  Tuxedo cats on my outer pockets for my tuxie baby and poppies in memory of my great gran.

I was honored to win not only in the size class, but the Judges Award at the spring 2016 Empire Quilt Fest Show.  The 'Cats in My Garden' embroideries were done as a sew along with Red Brolly designs back in 2010 and got 'lost'.  Then once found in 2013, they were patch work pieced into a design and again that sat.  In 2015 I got the borders on and then finally quilted it to be ready for the show.

I like to do miniatures using up the barest of scraps.  This African theme came about from one of our quilt guild's 2015  programs demonstrating several applique techniques and all were used on this small piece.

I had the honor of designing and making four wallhangings for a special presentation by SALT - Schoharie Area Long Term (recovery from Storm Irene 5 years ago) to some  people/businesses who did a lot over the current year in various community services.

I love my plaid pups made during the quilt along with  Sew Fresh Quilts and her Dog Gone Cute pattern.

 

I was in a doll quilt swap for several years and it gave me lots of opportunity to play with blocks on a tiny scale - this was one of my favorites  and so happy it went to a dear friend.

This is just a bit of my work from the Trunk, but a nice mix of big, medium and small.  Be sure to visit all the others who have linked up for the Trunk Show - maybe even join in as well.

Sewingly Yours,

Sharon

Blogaversary Give Away

On Oct 16th, 2010, I started the grand venture of being a quilt blogger.  What a wonderful event it has been over the years.  Blog Hops, Quilt & Stitch Alongs, sharing information and tips, friends around the world.  Yeah, I am a month late, but October got real busy.  AND today is my baby girl's Birthday (not telling how old), so a great day to celebrate.

We are family, a global neighborhood.  So I have a one yard cut of 'Around Town' by Terri Degenkolb of Whimsicla for Red Rooster.  This is folded to show you the number of buildings and shops and fun - so you get about 4 reapeats.

Full of hidden treasures amongst these cute settings.

And candy is one of the pleasures for gifting on a 6th anniversary.

So is iron, but I don't want to send off a bar of that - how about some bikes instead.

And the option to iron is Woof - er, I mean Wood.  But I love the woofies instead.  Who doesn't like a script print.

HA - there is a tree and blossom print, too.  Four half yard cuts of coordinates to go with the neighborhood.

A simple comment is all that is necessary and be sure I have a way to contact you.  Comments will close Sunday 10pm (est) and I'll post the winner following. (will ship overseas)

Today I am thankful for all you wonderful quilt bloggers,
Sewingly Yours,
Sharon