Gone.....

I have been gone visiting my two daughters who live in Kansas.  The day before I flew out to come home, one of my daughter's asked if I would take a picture of her and my son-in-law using my iPad.  I have found that my iPad takes great pictures and I was more than happy to comply to their request.

My daughter Elizabeth with her husband Randy.

While in Kansas, we were able to get away and go to their cabin which is located in Wisconsin.  Below is a picture of  the road that leads to the cabin.......ahhhh to be on it again.

The cabin sits on the bank of this beautiful lake.  Each morning I was blessed to wake up to this gorgeous view.  

My son-in-law went fishing nearly everyday at various lakes that were located nearby.  One day my daughter and I followed him, along with the kids, to one of those lakes.  Below is a picture of a frontage road near the lake that he was fishing on for that day.  Breathtaking isn't it?

Have a great weekend.  Until next time......

Patriotic Pillow #2

Here's the second pillow that I did for the shop using the new patriotic deign pack.  I can never seem to get the colors looking as nice as they do in person, but trust me when I say that this line of fabric is really beautiful.  And don't forget to click on the pictures if you want to get a closer look.

Until next time...

Operation Homefront

I am a huge fan of anyone or anything that financially supports our men and women who are serving in the military.  I feel incredibly blessed that we are daily surrounded by those who willingly put themselves on the line not only for me but for my entire family...and you.   I pray for them daily....as we all should.

SO...... I just had to share the following:

A new design pack arrived at the shop where a portion of the proceeds goes to the organization, Operation Homefront.  Because of that, I decided to take the time to stitch out a couple of the designs so people can see how great they are.  (In other words, I'm hoping that more people will purchase the design pack so that they can support those who support us.)  

I decided to do my stitch outs on our new line of batik, patriotic, fabric.  This fabric is stunning!  Looking at the new line of batiks and the design pack, I thought that it would be fun to make some patriotic pillows!  Here's my first....

(make sure that you click on image for a closer look!)

The design pack front...

The design back... I wanted you to see the actual designs..

Until next time!  Debbie

Christmas Wallhanging

We're still getting ready for our Christmas, open house that we are hosting here at the shop this weekend.  I thought that I would quickly make another gift bag out of some beautiful green, paisley, Christmas fabric that had come in but alas... I did not bring home enough.   I began thumbing through one of Nancy Halverson's  Christmas books and decided to make something totally opposite...and way more complicated... than the gift bag that I had originally planned on making.  Below is a picture of what I made instead.

The pattern had called for some handwork to be done in the open background space...I decided to save some time, so skipped that part of the design.  I went around each section of the pattern using my black, 12 wt. thread along with a buttonhole stitch.

In the background I glued on a ton of pearls...can you see them?  Clay buttons are fun to have and to add onto this fun and whimsical project.

Here's the back of the small wallhanging.  I had my sweet friend Sharon Mominee quilt my project...isn't gorgeous?  Make sure you take a closer look!

Now for the book....  Nancy always comes up with the sweetest ideas!

I wanted you to see the quilt that is on the back cover as well....cute isn't it??

Until next time.....




Psst.....I'll let you know how the Open House goes.  ;-)

Placemats Anyone???

Another new set of patterns came into the shop by the name of Eazy Peazy.  To say that they are a huge hit with our customers is an understatement!  The patterns truly are easy peazy and we have had a hard time keeping any of the patterns we carry  in stock.  Since I recently returned from visiting my brother and sister-in-law up in Washington I wanted to make them an easy and quick gift for showering me with such wonderful hospitality.  We carry an array of fun novelty prints and this fish theme caught my eye.  Below is the pattern that I used...cute isn't it?  I made a set of six.

Here is four of them.  All of the top stitching is done using my favorite.....12 wt. thread!

A close up of the black one.

The back.....

The light one...

Don't try this... I did black on one side and white on the other... your stitch lines will NOT match up..simply use a complimentary fabric for  the back of each placemat.

Then I decided to make some coasters using the scraps....

Have a great weekend!  Until next time.......

Another Purse Replaced.....

So I brought home another purse from the shop that definitely needed a new look.  The fabric is rather outdated on this purse and customers are not often prone to purchase a pattern where the sample looks out of style or unappealing.... do you blame them?

So here is the front of the old purse..

Here's the back......

And here is the inside.. notice the dark lining?  Not a good idea when you're trying to find small items in your purse.

Here's the actual purse pattern by Whistlepig Creek Productions.  #1188 Pockets All Around.  You will find quite a few similarities between this purse pattern and the last purse that I posted.  There is lots of pockets on the inside, same sturdy handles, as well as similar dimensions of the purse itself. The main difference between the patterns is the number of pockets on the outside of the purse.   There's also no ties on the sides of the purse.. which you could certainly add if you wanted to.. I know I would.

Now for a picture of the new purse in more stylish fabric.  Again, I used batiks as I felt that it gave the purse a more elegant look.  Here's the front..

 Here's the back...

And here's the inside.  I was rather forced to go with a somewhat darker lining due to the fabric choices I had made, but it's truly not as bad as I thought it would be.

                         
                          

You'll have to share with me as to which purse is your favorite.  Until next time.......

From Pink to Black

In my last post I shared a pink, batik purse that I had made as a  sample for the shop.   It definitely needed to be replaced and when this new line came in, I felt that it would make the perfect replacement.   I wanted to stay with batiks and  felt that this black and white would make a gorgeous purse.  So tell me what you think......

I wanted to point out again the many pockets that this particular pattern has... don't you just love it?  Also, remember to always go with a lighter  fabric for your lining, otherwise it makes it too difficult to find anything in the bottom of your purse.

 What do you think of a flower on the pocket... or is it better plain?

Until next time....

Purse

Several months back, a cute purse pattern arrived at the shop, designed by Penny Sturges, called Bow Tucks Tote.  It's an older pattern, (2005) but one that is quite fun and easy to make.  I took the pattern home and made the purse out of the pink and brown batik that you see below.  I added a bow to the front pocket, but other than that I made the purse pretty much according to the nice directions that are included with the pattern.  Those of us who have been sewing a long time, appreciate the effort a designer takes in making sure their directions are consistent, concise, and clear......  followed by great illustrations of course.  I can always figure out a pattern on my own and often times can get it done faster by doing things my own way....  BUT, I am always conscientious in regards to the new sewer out there.  Does he/she understand the directions in the pattern that they just purchased?  Do the directions make sense?  Will their project come out as cute or even cuter than the picture on the front cover?  More often than not, I am frustrated for the newbie myself and ache for them while they're probably struggling over a pattern that they thought would be easy.  I think that writing directions has to be just as hard, if not harder than designing the pattern itself.  Anyways.... I brought the purse home the other night as it is time to make it again but using  the newer fabric choices that have come out since I first brought this pattern home.  If you want a fairly easy purse pattern with good directions, here it is.

Until next time......

Table Runner

So much Christmas fabric has come into the shop that I can't keep up with it!  But when this panel came in by Robert Kaufman I decided to bring it home with me... two in fact!  I sewed my panels together with the tops of the trees facing each..  One of the panels is half way embellished, the other is not.  Since it will be a sample at the shop, I wanted the customers to see the difference embellishing can make on either a quilt or a runner such as the one below.  It is difficult to see the crystals, but they are truly there.  I have glued over one hundred on so far and still have a lot to go.  Once I bring the runner home, I will need to embellish the other side.  Once again, click on the pictures if you want a closer look.

Until next time...

Not Hawaii Five-O...Magnum P. I.

Wow...did I have it wrong!  Our shop is representing Magnum P.I., NOT Hawaii Five-O.  What a difference... who doesn't like Tom Selleck?  (I should  ask Daniela if her husband is coming as Tom Selleck... ;)) 

I made Daniela's blouse  in red as the color fits her perfectly,  mine below is a blue/green color.  I used the same pattern for both and am happy with the outcome.  It's always nice to find a pattern that you are happy with.  Again I will share the website that carries this pattern as I feel you will enjoy their designs and fit.  Silhouette Patterns.  Check out the website and then pick out a  pattern... you'll be glad  you did!

Have a great week!

Our New Little Man

Sorry.. no time to write.... we welcomed a new little guy into our lives and hearts.  Below is a picture of my daughter as she nears the end of her pregnancy journey.

And here is Mr. Cash who has been waiting for the arrival of his new little brother.

And here he is, Declan James.  So precious.

The proud new dad (on the right) with my son Michael.

Until next time......

Yet Another Pillow....

A new pattern line arrived at the shop by the name of KimberBell.  By the time that I saw the Christmas pattern in this line, there was only one left.  Since I thought the pattern  was so adorable I decided to bring it home with me and make myself a pillow.  As far as I'm concerned, it's never too early to start making Christmas presents, Christmas decorations, Christmas anything... I love Christmas! 

Below is my finished pillow... isn't it cute?  Don't you think it would also make a darling towel, a festive apron front, or whatever or wherever you want to place those stylish shoes??  I do! ;-)  Check out these patterns on our web, you'll love making them.....AND the designer's Thanksgiving pattern, Count Your Blessings,  is on sale for 30% off!  Grab your fall fabrics and have some fun!

Until next time.....

(Don't forget to click on each picture if you want a closer look.)

More 12 wt. thread

The shop is offering a basic hand embroidery class once a month for the entire year.  Each month our students have been taught various methods of stitch types, different looks using wool and a plethora of wonderful threads that are used for handwork or that can also be ran through the machine.  I am always talking about my love for 12 wt. thread, so I have been asked to teach for the month of June.  I wanted the students to experience for themselves the many uses of 12 wt. thread so I came up with this hand towel project so that they could do just that!  I used a double strand on the word autumn, (a single strand on the veins of the leaves) and then ran it through my machine using a buttonhole stitch on the pumpkins.  I liked how the towel came out and toyed with the idea of finishing off the towel with matching fabric... I decided to leave it plain.

The towels that I have pictured below this latest project, are towels that I have posted before, but that have been finished differently at the bottom....OR you can simply leave it plain like I have on this one.

I had fun machine embroidering this towel... just make sure that you wash the towel first to get rid of any shrinkage.  I also decided that this towel needed more than the embroidery... it needed a ruffle and some trim.

 I added a coordinating fabric to this one as well, along with piping.  Piping adds so much...

I decided not to add a ruffle to this last one, but to simply cover the bottom of the towel with coordinating fabric... and again.. piping.  Click for closer looks of each towel.