You Are a Practical Gift Giver |
 Your gifts are useful, appropriate, and custom tailored to each person. In your opinion, the best gifts are gifts that someone will actually use. Your gifts may not be the most glamourous, but they are always appreciated. |
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
blogthings
http://www.blogthings.com/whatkindofgiftgiverareyouquiz/
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Baby Quilts and Gifts
Hmmm - I thought I had a photo of this finished quilt. I had made this quilt for a coworker who everyone was sure was having a girl...
Needless to say, they went into early labor shortly after I finished the pink version and had a BOY! I rushed to finish this one and gave it to my friend's sister (also a coworker) to hand over to the new mom.
This last one also came from the same three charm packs as the first two quilts. This is also for a girl. But the mom decorated in the most sophisticated palette of lime, turquoise and chocolate! The quilt matched perfectly and she loved it!
These were made for a work friend's "surprise baby." They had thought they were done, but life had other plans. A cutie-pie little boy. Whew! A lot of work in a matter of a month or so!
Needless to say, they went into early labor shortly after I finished the pink version and had a BOY! I rushed to finish this one and gave it to my friend's sister (also a coworker) to hand over to the new mom.
This last one also came from the same three charm packs as the first two quilts. This is also for a girl. But the mom decorated in the most sophisticated palette of lime, turquoise and chocolate! The quilt matched perfectly and she loved it!
These were made for a work friend's "surprise baby." They had thought they were done, but life had other plans. A cutie-pie little boy. Whew! A lot of work in a matter of a month or so!
pincushions
The heart shape cushion is from a charm square folded in half diagonally. I've experimented with putting the seams inside the fold and on the corner or simply folding and stitching. I'm leaning toward cutting the bias edge and then stitching 3 sides with part of the top (of the "heart" shape) open to stuff.
Copied this one from something my hubby bought me at a craft show. It was easier than I thought it would be! And went quickly too. Still have to make a few more. Mom has requested one of these.
Copied this one from something my hubby bought me at a craft show. It was easier than I thought it would be! And went quickly too. Still have to make a few more. Mom has requested one of these.
Puppies!
Well, not real ones. I'll show my real fur kids another time. My aunt gave me a pattern for puppies and I reduced it to save on fiberfill! (Yes, I am a little cheap...) The dogs turned out cute and were very helpful when my daughter was invited to 5 b-day parties within 4 weeks! She is truly a socail butterfly! I've made these several times for gifts and then reduced the pattern dramatically to make mini pincushions. I even gave one to a sour instructor at my first official (i.e. paid for) quilt lesson. She did cheer up, but I never got the idea that she really wanted to be there.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Here are a few little bags I made for my kids and my daughter's friend. Owl fabric for the girls and pirate fabric for my DS! Note the manly "sword holder" on the pirate bag. They all use them all the time. I think I would change the pattern slightly (or the instructions!) if I make them again. Something didn't line up quite right.
Still catching up
Here is my 2nd quilt. It was made for special friends of ours who had to move away due to job relocation. Shortly after they moved, they found out they were expecting a baby! Soft colors for a little girl - again using a http://www.quiltville.com/ pattern: Smokey Mountain Stars.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Photos of nearly recent Treasures
It pains me to be adding photos so late after the items were created. I hope to catch up over the next several days/posts. This quilt is made from a pattern on http://quiltville.com/weedwhacker.shtml - Bonnie's Quiltville.com blog - Weed Whacker! (still trying to figure out the links...) She does such amazing work!!! I fell in love with the pattern and knew I had to make it for a special friend. A friend of mine got me re-started in fabric collection and quilting. Same friend was trying to have a baby and I made this for the future baby. From the beginning I named it "Bright Hopes" and with each seam, I thought good wishes for my friend.
At the time I finished the top, my mom and I met my friend for lunch. The running joke was to immediately ask if she was pregnant yet, but for some reason I didn't that day. Halfway through lunch hour, I mentioned working on my first people-sized quilt. (I've done a pile of dolly quilts... more on that in the future.) She asked, "Who's it for?" I said, "You, of course." She got a tear in her eye and said, "How did you know?" LOL - Mom and I didn't "get it" at first! Yep, my friend was finally pregnant! Talk about timing!
I used various fat quarters, scraps I had on hand and tied them together with colorful sock-monkey themed fabric for the background. (Five Funky Monkeys, I think) It is quilted with a monkey in the middle and echoed around it. It was finished a little overe a year ago. My quilt holder is artiste extraordinaire DD. She's very creative all on her own and was excited to be tall enough to hold it up! I almost forgot the creme de la cream! It has vintage RED satin binding! It washes up beautifully - I tested it prior to putting it on the quilt, of course. I think it came from Grandma's coat lining stash - Gram is an incredible seamstress and, between her and my mom, taught me from childhood about precision (Gram) and fun/anything goes (Mom)!
At the time I finished the top, my mom and I met my friend for lunch. The running joke was to immediately ask if she was pregnant yet, but for some reason I didn't that day. Halfway through lunch hour, I mentioned working on my first people-sized quilt. (I've done a pile of dolly quilts... more on that in the future.) She asked, "Who's it for?" I said, "You, of course." She got a tear in her eye and said, "How did you know?" LOL - Mom and I didn't "get it" at first! Yep, my friend was finally pregnant! Talk about timing!
I used various fat quarters, scraps I had on hand and tied them together with colorful sock-monkey themed fabric for the background. (Five Funky Monkeys, I think) It is quilted with a monkey in the middle and echoed around it. It was finished a little overe a year ago. My quilt holder is artiste extraordinaire DD. She's very creative all on her own and was excited to be tall enough to hold it up! I almost forgot the creme de la cream! It has vintage RED satin binding! It washes up beautifully - I tested it prior to putting it on the quilt, of course. I think it came from Grandma's coat lining stash - Gram is an incredible seamstress and, between her and my mom, taught me from childhood about precision (Gram) and fun/anything goes (Mom)!
Friday, April 4, 2008
Hello!
I've been a sewer, crafter, quilter for years, but bags have always intrigued me! How do you get the corners to look smooth? How do the folds made the bags do "that"? Wow those colors are awesome and I want it too!
I love the whole creation process and bags are fun becasue they go quickly and small changes in a pattern can mean a big deal in the end result (good or bad!) Little bits of leftover fabrics and scraps of trim go a long way on a bag. Nothing gets waster because you can always do a tiny pouch or wallets from the bits.
Throwing away usable fabric makes me cringe. I didn't know what to do with my canvas-type slipcover that was in sad shape. I put it in the trash can, pulled it out, put it back i nthe garage can, pulled it out... LOL There had to be 10 yards of fabric there! Some was worn and tired looking, but I made more than a dozen grocery sacks out of it! See, I couldn't bear to add it to the landfill AND I no longer need to answer, "Paper or Plastic?" when I shop (nor do my Mom and Sister!)
Recently my Mom has gotten involved in an animal rescue organization and asked me to make a few things for auctioning/sale. MIL sent me a bolt of great neutral slipcover fabric (woo hoo no expense! Gotta love that!) Several people at work have asked me to make lunch bags and I just finished a great spring-y work bag with makeup case to match. (My DS said, "Wow - that is a wonderful bag!" - he's only 4, but has great taste!) I'm having fun, but no photos yet. The camera is on the blink and we're looking for another. Hoping to post pictures here soon!
I love the whole creation process and bags are fun becasue they go quickly and small changes in a pattern can mean a big deal in the end result (good or bad!) Little bits of leftover fabrics and scraps of trim go a long way on a bag. Nothing gets waster because you can always do a tiny pouch or wallets from the bits.
Throwing away usable fabric makes me cringe. I didn't know what to do with my canvas-type slipcover that was in sad shape. I put it in the trash can, pulled it out, put it back i nthe garage can, pulled it out... LOL There had to be 10 yards of fabric there! Some was worn and tired looking, but I made more than a dozen grocery sacks out of it! See, I couldn't bear to add it to the landfill AND I no longer need to answer, "Paper or Plastic?" when I shop (nor do my Mom and Sister!)
Recently my Mom has gotten involved in an animal rescue organization and asked me to make a few things for auctioning/sale. MIL sent me a bolt of great neutral slipcover fabric (woo hoo no expense! Gotta love that!) Several people at work have asked me to make lunch bags and I just finished a great spring-y work bag with makeup case to match. (My DS said, "Wow - that is a wonderful bag!" - he's only 4, but has great taste!) I'm having fun, but no photos yet. The camera is on the blink and we're looking for another. Hoping to post pictures here soon!
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