Patriotic Flag!

I finally finished my flag today and not real thrilled with it.
I had an idea and changed it and now I think I will make another with the original idea.

I hung it on the wall with rug tape, for now, but I plan on making a hanger for it.
It does look nice and prim on the wall, of course I cannot get a photo that shows the prim look it really has.
I like how it looks on the wall, but not how it looks in the photo.
I can't wait to get my new camera, hopefully I can get better shots then.

Tonight i played with watercolor pencils. I colored in a pattern with the pencils, then used light amounts of water to spread the paint. I am not sure now, whether I should practice some machine stitching with it, or hand stitch around it, we shall see what I decide;)

This is my own design, I am practicing making patterns for sewing, that can also be used to punch or rug hook.



Here is another view, the kitchen has better light, but tends to make the colors pop.
It might be easier to see some of the details on this one. It is all hand stitched and I did some stars on the upper half.

My at Home Vacation Day

Today was a cloudy day, and since we were not sure if it would rain, we decided to do some shopping and see how the weather went. I hit the Pfaff shop and got a new foot for my machine. I have a closed foot, I use for free motion and I cannot see where I am going, so I got myself a real free motion foot. And we also hit the folk art quilt store and I treated myself to some sale fabrics and a yard of tea stained. I love using the tea stained for applique and stitched sayings.



Then we hit the thrift and an antique consignment. Nothing in the antique store, but at the thrift I found this set of vintage linens. I think they would be great with some prim stitcheries and a walnut bath.



The great thing about shopping in the southern area, is we are close to the ocean. So, of course our next stop was the breakers at Point Judith. It was a cloudy day, but not raining and the air was so fresh and clean feeling. This is one of the interesting stories about how it got it's name. A Nantucket sea captain, lost in the fog off the point. The captain's daughter shouted that she spotted land. The captain, unable to discern anything in the fog, exhorted his daughter to "P'int, Judy, p'int!"
You can see the light going on, in this shot.



The breakers were a perfect place to walk today. The tide was low and no waves threatening to splash you off;)



We walked almost to the end, but at that end point, it is covered in Seagull poo. It is gross and all over the rocks, at the far end. Today they were on the beach, fighting over tidbits in the shallow waters.



For some reason, they weren't interested in this guy. This is a skate, they taste a lot like scallops. Seagulls are scavengers, but I guess they weren't in the mood for skate.



Coming back from the beach, we enjoyed the sweet smell of the wildflowers.



All this rain has turned everything into a lush garden. The dune was covered in wild roses.



As we were leaving, the ferry and a trawler were coming into port. It was a wonderful day out and fun having a vacation at home. Tomorrow more rain, so we will work on the house and my husband can finish the wainscoting in the bedroom. Don't forget, comments left in each blog this week, count as an extra entry into the contest.

Cats in the Garden Quilt

I finally finished my Cats in the Garden. The original quilt is called "Six cats in the garden," by Linda Brannock. As you can see, I have four. Each one is done to represent my furry babies that have passed on and the top one is Dora. I use the brown paisley to represent my Tortie, then my big white guy and black for my beloved Black. I used a darker thread on Dora so that her face shows more than the others. I think this quilt pattern makes a great piece to memorialize your kitties.

I added a few of my own items, that kitties love to chase. I also added grass, because I placed my kitties in the wrong place, so that was an idea for a good fix it;) The quilt is hand appliqued and then I used free motion to quilt the top. The background pieces are done with meandering stitches and free form designs, and the border was done in a vine with leaves pattern.

I found a great way to draw designs onto your quilt before quilting. This is great for those of you who like to do their own designs and have a guide as you stitch. It is called a chaco liner pen by Clover. It is a chalk pen that comes out as you move the tiny wheel across the fabric. It is refillable and affordable, my new best friend for quilting.



I love how Dora's face came out. I use free motion quilting and draw the faces on with the thread. I even made a few little designs while I was doing the meandering. You can't see it, but there is a duck and a mouse hidden in the quilt;) When I get a chance, I will add tabs and hang it from a stick that I found and hang it over my entryway.

Quilting with Dora

Today I worked on my cat wall hanging. I finally got the top stitching done and the binding.
Now it is in the dryer, so tomorrow I will show you how it came out.
I usually shut the door to my sewing room, but I forgot this time and guess who came to help out, while I wasn't looking.
While I was working on adding a border design, Dora was busy trying to figure out how scissors work.
I cannot leave anything around with her, she plays, and chews on anything she can get her paws on.

I also finished two punches, but they are going out as presents, so no showing for now;)

Some new decorations in my sewing room

My husband redid a room, so I could have a room just for sewing. I am enjoying sewing again and making quilts and it is nice to have to room to sew and places to work on projects. This is a section of my sewing room. I used my big old desk for the sewing machine, love using it and the drawers are perfect for putting the accessories in. The little cabinet is where I hide my paints and other items. Eventually I will change it out for a larger unit with shelves for my fabric stash.
To the left of that, along the wall, I have my old dining table, perfect for piecing and cutting. I also have my serger there, which I use for the edges of my rug backings. It is a mess right now, so pictures of that side will have to wait;) I still need to make curtains and add more wall decor, but it is getting there.