Farmhouse Vintage Ornaments and Tree Skirt with AccuQuilt....

...AccuQuilt released 2 Christmas dies this year--the GO! TreeSkirt Wedge and the GO! Ornaments Medley. Read on to find out how I used them to add some Farmhouse charm to my holiday decor.

I used pages from a vintage book to die cut 6 shapes from each ornament design. Fold each die cut in half vertically. 

Apply a bit of double stick tape to one side of folded ornament. Stack another folded matching ornament on top and repeat until all 6 ornaments are stacked. 

Open stacked ornament and place a length of double stick tape along center crack. Place a folded length of baker's twine on centered tape. Place another small length of double stick tape to one side of ornament body. Fold ornament together along center crack encasing the baker's twine in the center fold to create the hanging loop.

Use a small paint brush to apply a thin layer of glue to edges of one ornament. Swish ornament into a pile of glitter. Make a huge mess--but oh so rewarding to play with glitter!! Repeat until all edges are coated with glitter--and your workspace.

Display your new handmade vintage book paper ornaments and ENJOY!!!!

Next up, the tree skirt. For 8 years, I have used just a length of linen fabric to wrap around the base of our tree. It did the job fine--but when AccuQuilt released the tree skirt die--I thought--hey let's see if it works to make it out of burlap!! 

The shapes die cut beautifully!! Once again though--a giant mess was made in my studio!! Seems to be a theme with these designs. Oh well, sometimes a bit of mess is needed for something beautiful to be made!

I used a narrow zig zag to sew an approximate 1/2" seam. This larger seam allowance than the pattern calls for is because the burlap weave is quite loose and ravels easily. Press seams open. Then secure seam down with the same narrow zig zag. Follow die pacackaging pattern to make the tree skirt top. I chose not to use a backing, so just folded over the inner and outer edge once and secured hems with the same narrow zig zag stitch. Quite an easy sew--just once again--super messy with the burlap. Trim all the excess threads off and tree skirt is finished.

I just love the finished project. The skirt really does lay flat--but I have it gathered quite small at the top because I don't have a large area around the base of the tree as it is next to the basement steps. 

I hope you have enjoyed learning to think outside the die--and use new mediums to make something special!!

Have a Blessed Christmas Season!!!

A love like GNOME other....

 

....February is Machine Embroidery month--along with cold and snow here in Iowa--great time to try something new!!!

As an AccuQuilt GoGetter, I have the opportunity to try new things and encourage you to try them too!! Just ask my sewing friends--encouraging others to go outside their boundries and try new things is what I do--LOL!!! Even though I have worked with numerous AccuQuilt applique dies, I had never used machine embroidery with them. There are free downloadable files on the website for most dies, PLUS there are for purchase ones using the dies with a little extra pizzaz added to them. I chose one of the for purchase designs to work with for this project. Embroidery designs are 15% off for the month of February. Check them out HERE.

Here are some tips I learned from doing this project:

Terri's Tip #1--ALWAYS do a test sew. I thought I had my fabric and thread choices down pretty good--but wow did they not show up good on the fabric I was going to use!! The fabric is a cotton jersey. I used a jersey needle.

Terri's Tip #2--back the light colored fabrics with a fusible interfacing of some sort to prevent the show through of other colors.

Terri's Tip #3--try cutting different mediums with the applique dies. This is a Kimberbell glitter. Heat Transfer Vinyl or HTV is another term for it. It cuts super easy. Has a fusible back and a shiny protective film over the glitter. Just pay attention when cutting if shape is directional. And remember to take the shiny film off before embroidering.

Terri's Tip #4--I did not put fusible web on the back of my applique shapes--GASP--I know right?!? The embroidery design suggested using a glue stick to apply a bit of glue to shape backs--so I tried it--and it worked!!! I wanted the finished design to stay soft.

Isn't he just such a happy little gnome?!?!? The embroidery design was made by V-Stitch using the GO! Gnome and GO! Cookie Decoration dies.

After doing the embroidery, I finished cutting out the front pattern piece. 

Added some lettering cut with the Silhoutte Cameo. SVG file for just the lettering can be found HERE.  The tshirt pattern is a free raglan found HERE. Don't those fabrics from Island Batik just make the design sing--love the swirling dots in the beard--it's called Almond. Ask for them in your local quilt shop!!

Ta-Dah!!! The finished project!!!! Love all the details about it!! I might just be wearing it every day this month!! Don't forget to check out the machine embroidery designs HERE --where you can find the adorable gnome!!

" If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when completeness comes, what is in part disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me. For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." 1 Corinthians 13

Love is kind....treat bags with AccuQuilt

As an AccuQuilt GO! Getter, I have the privilege of proposing ideas using any of the AccuQuilt products. Their team sorts through all of the potential products to choose which ones to feature on the AccuQuilt blog.

I was sooooo blessed to be able to do this Kindness Treat Bag with my grandkids for a Valentine blog post!!

Kindness can never be taught too early!!!

Also, sharing is important!! Isaac was along too, but was not cooperating for the photo!! Loren's father recently moved into a full time skilled nursing facility. The move has been good for him.

Oh the joy of a child's heart--and their grandma's heart--watching them share ALL the treat bags with the residents and staff!!

You can read a full tutorial showing how to make your own Kindness treat bags on the AccuQuilt blog HERE.

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. " 1 Corinthians 13 : 4-7

3D Blowing in the wind..with Island Batik...

Here we are....the 30th of December-2019..what a whirlwind of activites this past year has been!!! And I have enjoyed every minute of being an Island Batik Ambassador during that time...but have decided to let the experience go so that I can make time for other new and exciting things to come!!

But let's leave that for another time...and move on to my last monthly challenge--make something 3D with Island Batik fabrics!!

The weather is cold and frightful with a strong north wind today--so the thought of taking photos outside--just went out the window--as I took this photo out my studio window!!

My concept for this  3D design challenge started long ago when I was at Spring Market in Kansas City.  I was browsing in The Fat Quarter Gypsy's booth and fell in love with their Windsock Pop-Ups. She offered me a pattern in return for mention in the blog post. You have to go check out her designs--they are amazing.

The pattern comes in booklet form with step by step photographs that were easy to follow. Some of the steps may seem a little tricky--but just follow the pattern--and it will work perfectly!! Finally cutting the spring loose was my favorite step!!

I started with strips leftover from Electric Desert by Jackie Kunkel for Island Batik. See what else I made with these gorgeous fabrics HERE.

As  you can see by comparing above photo with pattern cover, I don't always follow directions well!! I chose to put a traditonal sawtooth star in the pop-up portion of my windsock. I used the 6" Qube from AccuQuilt to cut out the star pieces.

Sooooo pretty--I can't wait to hang it out on my patio next summer!!

I chose the enclosed seams option for the tails--and by using a different fabric on the back--such a wonderful riot of color I should get when it blows in the wind. And yes, I did actually lay on the floor to get this shot!!!

I just had to figure out a way to get a blowing in the wind photo....so here the windsock is...hanging in my open studio door!!! It took a few shots to get this lovely swirl of tails, but oh so worth the cold!! Good thing nobody drove by on the road and saw this crazy quilting lady taking photos in an open doorway with her pj's on!! But now you know the behind the scenes!!

So it is....I close the door on this time as an Island Batik Ambassador. But have no fear, I still have plenty of batik fabrics and ideas left!! Plus, I still plan on designing patterns with their amazing fabrics!! Thank you to Island Batik for this AMAZING opportunity--I am forever grateful!! To the other sponsors--Aurifil, AccuQuilt and Hobbs Batting--thank you!! And to The Fat Quarter Gypsy for this super cute project!!!

Life is full of beauty. Notice it. Notice the bumble bee, the small child, and the smiling faces. Smell the rain, and feel the wind. Live your life to the fullest potential, and fight for your dreams.
Ashley Smith

"The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit."  John 3 : 8

Window Box Blooms....new pattern

This quilt was so much fun to design and make!!! And what a perfect day to introduce it!! There is snow on the ground here in Iowa today!! But the flowers where blooming so beautifully this spring when I made the quilt!!

The fabrics are from the Foundations line of Island Batik. This means quilt shops can order them anytime and they are readily available. 

Can't get enough of these blooms!!! The pattern includes full size templates for the curved pieces. Or use AccuQuilt GO! Flowering Snowball die #55252.  Use my affliliate AccuQuilt link in sidebar to order your die!! Don't let the curves scare you! These are very gentle curves and great first time curve sewing project!!

The pattern is available in my shop as a printed or instant PDF download. Use the code BLOOMS for 40% off the instant PDF download pattern. Code good until 11-18-2019.

"A flower cannot blossom without sunshine, and man cannot live without love." --Max Muller

"Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another!!"  1John 4:11

Just Wanna Quilt podcast guest...

Well now, this is something to be checked off the quilting bucket list!!

Earlier this summer I was contacted about being interviewed by Dr. Elizabeth Townsed Gard for her podcast, Just Wanna Quilt. Before I could talk myself out of it--I said yes and scheduled it!!

Just Wanna Quilt is ranked number 3 in the top craft podcasts on Itunes.

Read these words from their website--"Just Wanna Quilt started as a podcast and a research project at Tulane Law School.  Learn about the quilting world, and talk a little bit about copyright and other intellectual property issues too.  We've interviewed about 300 people - from the regular quilter to the famous, industry people, scholars, quilt historians, inventors, and lawyers.  Give it a listen."

So if you want to hear me say um too many times, talk about AccuQuilt, Electric Quilt, Island Batik and other random things--FIND IT HERE!!!

Keep doing the hard things until the hard things become the easy things!!!

"The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and He helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise Him."  Psalm 28 : 7

Let's Gather Table Runner.....

Welcome to the first day on the 2018 Christmas Collection blog hop. Nancy Scott, of Masterpiece Quilting has compiled an amazing selection of her Christmas projects and published them into this easy to read book!! The projects vary in size from small wall hanging to bed size quilts and everything in between. You can get your copy on Amazon here.

While most of the projects in Nancy's book are colored in the more traditional red, gold and green--I took the Let's Gather table runner in a different direction. I have a small collection of vintage Shiny Brite Christmas ornaments that I use to decorate my basement family room at Christmas time. This table runner is the perfect size for my table down there!! So these glorious shades of colors from Island Batik are just right!!

Don't you just love a fabric closeup!!  While Nancy's cutting directions are very well thought out and easy to follow I like to use the AccuQuilt cutting system.

Here is a hint when working with a multi color batik....after piecing all the small components of the blocks, I like to match up the multi colored parts to the colored parts for a pleasing arrangement of color.

Since I chose to make each block a different color--I find it helpful to play around with the color arrangement until it is pleasing to your eye.

Lately these long, gently wavy and overlapping lines have been my quilting design of choice on small projects. 40 wt Aurifil thread gives such great definition to the stitches. I find the design to be softly modern--meaning not as harsh as dense matchstick quilting--yet still gives a nod to the modern end of the spectrum. So a just right happy medium!!

What appealled to me besides the generous 16" x 72" size of this table runner was this super cool end treatment--it looks way more complicated than it is--and you will have to get the book to find out!! Well worth the price in my opinion!!! Love how it looks!!

Love me some vintage Shiny Brite ornaments!!!

Make sure to check out all the other amazing projects over the course of the next couple weeks--Nancy will have the daily linkups!!

Thank you to Nancy for this fun opportunity, Island Batik for the fabric, Aurifil for the thread and The Warm Company for the Warm and White cotton batting.
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