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.

Friday Finishes!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We had a nice dinner and a quiet day, just what I needed. I finished one punch needle piece and started another one, so I am enjoying working on that. It is a piece done with the nativity scene, so hopefully I can finish it this weekend.

This piece is a free pattern from The Old Tattered Flag, for use on the Facebook group, The Out of Hand Rughookers Group. She said we could use it for punch, as well as hooking, so I made a punch with mine. I want to take it further, so I have something else I will be doing with it and I have to go in and fill those little gaps that I missed when I was punching. That is what  happens when you are tired and finishing the last rows;)

I was being lazy and used my little camera, so not the best quality compared to how it looks in person. I used scraps from my floss box on this piece.

Another piece I started was the spencerian birds, and decided it would make a nice pillow. I added a border that will work for Christmas but also prim enough to use all year. This and the sheep will be aged when they are finished. I am just wondering about adding an edging and what type. I had some old cream cotton lace and it didn't look right, so thinking on it, but needs to get done by next week.

My fur babies enjoyed the holidays too. Moki and Bean, in the spirit of the holiday, shared a meal together:) I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.

Liberty Lady!

I am still working on the baby quilt but almost done with the main quilting, then I will do the border. When I am working on a larger project, I like to do small things to take a break and have something I can finish quickly and there are a lot of fun, free patterns on the internet.

One place that has wonderful patterns is Bird in the Hand Primitives. Robin has wonderful free patterns that you can use in stitchery, punch needle or rug hooking. I have also done some in fabric as mini quilts, so something for everyone.

I made mine as a mini doll pillow, so I could add it to my americana setting. I kept it simple and sprayed  it with walnut spray to prim it up.

Today I found another free pattern that would be fun to do for next month and easy enough to do in a day. You can find it at Simply Put Plus. I think it would be fun in wool too, great item to make for your July fourth party.

This week I also checked out Bloglovin' and Feedly. I found Bloglovin to be the better of the two, it has a nicer layout and automatically sends a daily feed to my mailbox. Both are easy to set up, just a simple click to transfer your blogs.

Joyful Heart Mini quilt!

I decided to make the other pattern that I won from Valerie of The Wooden Acorn. I made it into a mini quilt and on mine, I added a little kitty. It is a fun pattern to do and worked up quickly and I think it would be nice to make a few to give to friends. If you are looking for something new to do, Valerie has some wonderful patterns at her Etsy Store.

 On the home front, the guys are almost finished with the porch and that will be it, for them. Bill is doing the front siding, since that is cedar. The store was able to match the siding, exactly, so now all I have to do if figure out what color to make the door.

Moki and a Mini Quilt!

I took this shot of moki, doing what Moki loves best, hanging out in his cat tree.
I put it next to the window and he sleeps there now and a perfect place to look out the back door and watch the world.

Our primitive quilt group is doing a BOM for 9 months and along with the moderator, we are redesigning some of Tiffany's free patterns. I started the first one as an appliqué piece, but changed my mind. I have wanted to do a mini stitchery piece and thought this would be perfect for it. I made my blocks 3 1/2" and the sashing will be an inch wide. It will be a fun piece to hang for next year. I also got some sad news about one of my sisters, there are 6 girls and 2 boys in my family. She found out that she has late stage breast cancer and because she has had bypass surgery, they have to be careful with her treatment. So, I have started a lap quilt to comfort her while she goes through treatment. I am using Jan pateks Emily quilt as a base, and will add a few of my own touches. I am hoping I can get it down by next week and mail it off to her as a surprise when she starts treatment. Hopefully I can work on it without messing up, since I will be rushing;) 

Guardian angels!

I treated myself to a new pattern called Guardian Angels. I thought it was nice as a gift idea and they can be used for ornaments for next Christmas. The pattern is by Bird Brain Designs. She also has some nice free designs.

I made the first two, like the pattern, with batting wings. The thing I didn't like was, the stitching shows through the batting on the other side, so I don't feel it is a very neat finish. I antiqued them and put in the dryer, and I like how they held up and how they look, so maybe a double batting to hide the sloppy stitches on the heart.

I have a new computer, and the photoshop upgrade, so I can use my new camera now. I still need to practice with settings and getting the photos to look the way I want, so I hope they look nice on your computer.

The second pair, I went with extra colors and like how they look. I also used fabric and a piece of batting to make the wings. I also stitched the body using thread and running it along the outer stitch to hid it. I think it has more substance to them and a lot neat on the back side.

Halloween Mini Quilts!

I am still working on my ark, but I wanted to do something different and quick, for a break.
I decided to make some Fall pieces and made one for me and one I can give as a gift.
It is a good thing they are prim and Halloween, since my brain is really crooked this week;)

The pieces were made from a free pattern by Tiffany of Primitive Blessings.
She has lots of wonderful free patterns that you can use and lots of wonderful patterns that are priced just right, so worth a look.

Don't forget the giveaway in the previous post. I enjoy hearing your ideas and like the idea of using white on the peacock lane fabrics, I really think that will set them off. I also like the idea of cutting the summer house blocks in half and using that as a design, so keep them coming. I am still having bad days, so i rest more and try to keep busy when I can, but hopefully things will get better and I can start doing more quilting again. Next week, Bill has off, so he can do the work and take me kayaking all week, that has to make me feel better;)

Mini Stitchery Quilt!

I finished one thing today, a mini stitchery quilt.
I wanted to link to the site where i found it, but now I cannot find it, so not sure if it was on a site or I scanned it in from a book.
This is to be a gift for a swap I am doing, I hope she likes it. The photo is horrid, but when I was attempting to fix the photo in photoshop, it crashed, and I am too lazy to start over;)



Tomorrow I will have my new punched piece finished and hopefully the pattern as well. And for you kitty fans, here is your cute for the evening. This is Dora's spot of the week, from here she can watch who comes in the door and when Moki comes up the stairs;) The quilt above her is one of my first quilts, nothing fancy, I just made things then with no idea what I was doing. Well, I still don't know what I am doing;)

Rabbit in a Day contest!

It was snowing today, so decided not to go out.
Then I got bored and wanted to make something for fun.
So, I made a rabbit to go with my eggs.

I started out with a pattern that I found on the web.
If anyone knows who made this pattern, please let me now so I can add a link.
I found it while wondering around and just found the pattern pieces and there is no name on the print outs.
I don't have the originals, so would love to know who the pattern belongs to.

Post note: I found the designer!
The designer of this pattern is Denise Bailey of KKL Primitives and she has the pattern is on her site. Her bunny is called Hippity Hop.


I used the original face but I lightly stuffed the arms and legs. The orginal had tied fabrics.
The original had a skirt and straps, I made a longer skirt and added a shirt.
I was thinking of adding an apron with a pocket for carrots, but maybe I will leave her as is?
I just wanted something simple and fast. I gave her the egg to hold, but I think I might make some fabric flowers or a mini easter quilt for her to hold.

I hope you like her, she was fun and fast.
How about a contest? Give her a name and I will draw from the comments.
One winner will receive my new easter pattern, that i need to make this week.
I guess that will guarantee I make it;)
I will draw a winner, next Sunday from all of the entries.

New Stitchery

I finished another stitchery, from Red Brolly's free Catalicious Designs.
This is anther one, I want to paint, so need to get going on that part next.
I added the saying from the other one, to this one, it just fits so nicely.
She posted another one this week, they just keep getting better, I love them.
I am not making them to go together, I am using each design in a mini quilt and will gift them to friends.
I am a bit nervous about painting these. There is a lot more work in them and if I mess up, it is ruined, so need to do it on a day when I have a steady hand.



The weather has been nice and as you can see, Izzy has found the perfect spot for kitty comfort and sunshine.
Never mind that I have to vacuum the rug, even though it is not done and on the floor yet;)

Annie Stitchery

I needed a hand break, so I decided to try stitchery.
I got this Sewing Annie for Kaaren Johnston's site and thought it would make a great gift for a friend who collects annies.

This is my first attempt at stitchery, something i have never tried before.
I did a back stitch, a bit sloppy, but my hands are not what they used to be, so my friends have to live with my sloppy stitching;)
I just looked at Kaaren's and noticed I didn't sew in the eyes and I forgot about the tie. I left that last, since I want to do a real tie for her. I am debating on whether to make a little pillow or quilt from it. I found some blue and white floral print that matches the original annie dress, so I thought it would be perfect to border this piece. I will age it more when I am finished.

I used tea stained fabric for the back, a dark red for the stitching to keep it prim and a blue chalk pencil to do the design with a light box.