Friday Finishes and Foibles!

This week I finished my quilted piece. It is a pattern called Live Simply by Cheri Saffiote.
I changed mine to three panels, leaving out the house block. I used walnut ink to antique it and it seems to have settled more in some places, but I like how it came out. It gives it a true stained look, totally unplanned.

I hand quilted it with floss and for the middle sashings, I added my own quilt design. I drew it on with washable marker so it is not perfect, but it was fun doing my own design to match the piece.

Since my daughter bought home new germs for me, I have been out of commission this week. I wanted something fun to do today, so I could sit and rest and decided to make a set of hearts to hang on my homespun garland. What I forgot about is, when you draw the design onto the backing, you need to reverse the letters, duh to me. Luckily the heart and V are fine, so I will redo the other two. I made them  like a crazy quilt and then filling them in with scraps from my floss box. It is something fun and easy to do and can be done quickly. You are welcome to copy the idea to make your own. You can also keep them simple and use up your scrap floss in a hit or miss version.

Old is New Punch Needle!

This week I decided to work on a pattern, I have made before. The original one was done with colors that washed each other out, so I wanted to try it in bolder colors with a dark background. The design is based on an antique red ware plate.

I was going to do it in 3 strands, then decided it was large enough to do in 6 strands and a faster way to finish it. I am debating on wether I want to do more rows around the piece, or I may do a braided cording. Not sure if I want to keep it as is, or maybe mount it on a box or basket. My niece got a giant dollhouse and I was thinking this might make a nice rug for it.

I haven't worked it into a pattern yet, hopefully I can get that done this weekend. I still have to clean some areas up and a few fills where I missed, then I can finish it off. My hands have been bothering me and my brain is off a bit, so my punching does not match the actual design, it is supposed to be oval.

I also found a fun free tutorial for a Valentines quilt. I wanted to make one with some pastels that I have and try out my new rag die to see how it cuts. I had an idea of doing a rag quilt and adding a heart, here and there and today I stumbled on a quilt, exactly like that, so now I can follow her guidelines. You can find the pattern and tutorial at, Sew4home.

Free Valentines and Projects!

This week I wanted to make something to add to my tree, but I am limited on time and wanted something quick and easy. I searched the web and found a wonderful place with free printables that you can use on a tree or just to decorate. I was also looking at her vintage cards that you can stand on a shelf, might print those out, this weekend.

I printed my designs out on card stock so they would be stiff enough to hang and the aged card stock gives the prints, more of an aged look, instead of using white.

I also printed out some by accident with regular paper, since I forgot to put a piece of card stock in. I used the paper hearts for the back of my hearts and just used a stick glue to put them together. I used a piece of black floss and made a hanger by threading it through the middle. Simple project to do while you watch tv.

I changed my kitty doll with the one dressed in red, to match the setting, better.

My camera was acting up again so I took a photo without the flash. It yellowed the photo, but the valentines are that color in person. I reduced the sizes of the hearts and the envelope to fit my tree. I used the hearts with flowers and the one with writing on it. You can find the designs for these and a lot more at Wings of Whimsy.

Another thing I wanted to try was, dying velvet. I read about dying velvet online and it all depends on what type  you have. I have no idea what type I had, but I assumed it was not natural fibers and I was right, it took the Rit Dye. The bad thing was, I used brown and without thinking, put the red piece in with the others, so the dye bath turned reddish brown.

The original colors I used were, bright red, tan and white. The red got darker and has a nicer mottled look, the tan turned browner and the white is a pinkish brown. Next time I will have to try it without the red. I like how it comes out, after washing and drying, gives it a nice aged look.

And I am also working on a new project. I wanted something simple that I could use for Valentines and spring and decided to use a pattern by Quilts by Cheri, called Live Simply. This is one of  her older patterns and there is a fourth block, but I decided to do three and make a longer piece for my wall. Once I finish the stitchery, I can put them together.

My camera flash decided to go wonky and for some reason when I take a shot, facing down, my lens starts moving on its own, so I guess it needs to go to a shop and see what is wrong and maybe get a good cleaning.

I am also using washable, one sided, fusible to see how I like it. I will talk more about what I do and don't like, after I finish the piece and my brain is working again;) I hope everyone has a good weekend.

A Gentle Life Finished!

I finished another piece, A Gentle Life by Threads That Bind. I love this pattern and it was fun to do. I used tea stained muslin and wool with a simple stitch so it worked up fast. The original is in a frame and I didn't have one that size, so I added a border, so I can hang it on the wall. I also did some quilting around the applique and edges.

The problem is, I had to wash off the marker and added a little more walnut stain so it warped a bit in the dryer. I will have to do a steam press to straighten it, before I can put it on the wall. I used a stiff black fabric for the border, which I think as too thick for this piece.

Here is a close up of some of the sheep, I used different whites and textures for the sheep. Some is off the bolt and some is from old men's jackets.