Stash Enhancements: Printed Fabric and Embroidery/Sewing Pattern

 

  In the last couple of weeks these, in the picture above, made it to my stash!  

  The Spoonflower printed fabrics are by Kathy Schmitz. I have both of her booklets; Simply Sweets and Tiny Treasures. Now I will not have to spend time tracing all the cute little designs in the booklets. When I first got Tiny Treasures (blogged here), I was tracing by hand. However, life gets busy and I prefer to stitch rather than trace. Maybe will prewash the fabrics to reduce shrinking. In that way if I need to  wash the final product then the embroidery will not pucker. 

  The "Wildflower Eyeglass Case" pattern is designed by Alice Makabe sold by Zakka Workshop. It comes with one clasp, and the embroidery design already printed onto water soluble stabilizer ready to be applied on your choice of fabric. The embroidery design drawing is also provided in the pattern. I also ordered an extra clasp.

  Not sure when I'll get to these, but is nice to have them within reach!

Notes: Non-affiliated links. Kathy Schmitz's booklets on her Etsy shop, and her printed fabrics on her Spoonflower site.  Alice Makabe pattern on Zakka Workshop Store on Etsy.   

Winter Theme Lap Quilt: English Paper Piecing Update

All ready to be hand sewn! Related posts here and here. The embroidery was modified from a freebie on Mollie Johanson's blog. I'm using precut 1.5" hexagon pieces for English paper piecing. Most of the fabrics are from a bundle that I got from Joann Fabrics and Crafts store a few years ago.

Tiny Treasures: Embroidery Completed On Hexies no.4 and no.5

 

Sneaking in an update on these two completed embroidery designs from Kathy Schmitz's most recent book. I've completely forgotten that I had finished them. When opening the bag/organizer that holds the project this past Sunday... surprise! It is amazing when you get really busy with more weighty responsibilities some things get filed away in your brain. I have even started the design for hexie no.6. Of course, once seeing the project, my recollection of working on these immediately came back. 

Was able to complete this one on Sunday, but by the time I was done the natural lighting was not the best so no picture taken. Will post it on my next Tiny Treasures project update.

English Paper Piecing: Last Embroidery Design

This will be the last embroidery design for one of the English paper pieced lap quilts I've been working for quite awhile. This is the last hexagon flower that will be done with fabric prints, the rest hexie flowers will be white ones with a solid color center. Almost done with the embroidery but forgot to take pictures. We've been really busy with volunteer work this month, which honestly brings me greater joy! Stitching still occupies a special corner in my heart though ;-).

Tiny Treasures: Sheep

The stitching was completed on hexagon no.3, the sheep, few days ago. Lots of French Knots!

Notes:

Design from Tiny Treasures: Miniature Hand Embroidery Designs book by Kathy Schmitz.

Tiny Treasures: English Paper Piecing and Hand Embroidered Hexies

 

Started stitching the designs for the center of the 1" hexagons. Was able to complete 1 and 2, and working on 3.

A progress shot of the 1st while in the midst of it ;-), and below the 2nd hexie design completed. 

Above picture... currently half way of the 3rd hexagon design. Lots of French Knots! This weekend is a busy one, not sure yet if I'll have time to stitch a bit. Until next time!

Notes:

Project is Tiny Treasures design by Kathy Schmitz.

All Set To Begin Working On Tiny Treasures Project

The Valdani threads arrived! There are 12 called for colors. Ordered 9, had 2 in my stash, and substituted 1 for another Valdani color I had on hand. Still waiting for my triangular paper pieces.

Also that travel make up bag is super convenient, it is very sturdy and has adjustable compartment. It is suppose to be water repellent, but haven't test that yet. Already removed two of the dividers and adjusted the others to my needs. It accommodates everything perfectly for me! Found it on Amazon, just in case you want to check it out.

It was hard to choose, so many options plus prices vary between brand/sellers/listings. 

I'm excited to begin stitching these cute tiny embroidery designs that fit 1 inch hexagons. Must admit that I printed mine at 85% scale. My personal preference is having a bit more margin between the centered stitcheries and the edges of the 1" hexies. 

Would love to start today, but not sure if that will be possible. We are having pizza night so I do not have to worry about cooking or too much cleaning in the kitchen. However, I have a couple of grocery deliveries on the way that need to be cared for (you know what that entails during a pandemic). Also an upcoming Zoom meeting with an old family friend that we have not seen in a very long time, we are so looking forward to catching up!

Perhaps in the evening I could squeeze embroidering at least one of the designs, and basting my first hexie. We shall see!

Winter Theme Lap Quilt: Update

 

I'm not sure if this winter theme lap quilt project will get done this time around.  At least I got it out, transferred the embroidery design, and got the hexies ready for the last flower in prints. The rest of the hexagons will be mainly in white with a few maybe in gray. Need to get those ready.

Also got out the spring theme lap quilt project... but more on that one next time.

I'm still waiting for my Valdani and triangle paper pieces for the new EPP project (on previous blog post). The mail has been running behind in many areas for some time, however just now we are starting to feel it here too. Oh well! Patience is a great quality to cultivate, plus the two old projects will keep me busy until the supplies arrive.

Notes:

Embroidery designs from Wildolive on Etsy (Mollie Johanson)

"Tiny Treasures: miniature hand embroidery designs" by Kathy Schmitz

Have you seen Kathy's Schmitz latest book release? So much cuteness! She self-published this one, and right now (in my understanding) you are only able to find it on her website or Etsy shop (depending on which version you prefer). 

Already getting ready! I had in my stash the fabric, sewing and basting threads, the hexagon paper pieces, and some other basic notions. Decided to order Jeana Kimball's Foxglove Cottage straw needles in sizes 9 and 10 from Amazon because was having a bit of difficulty with the size 11 that I had on hand. Also placed an order on Etsy for triangular paper pieces, didn't feel like doing them myself.

My husband treated me with the called for Valdani threads. Can't wait for them to arrive in a couple of days, and on my triangular paper pieces that are supposed to be here tomorrow! Kathy also gives DMC alternatives for the threads, and you could also draw and cut your own paper templates for the hexies and triangles. 

Sometimes February can be a difficult month for me, this year even more so. Hoping this new project, along with other work in progress projects will help keep me distracted on those rough days.

Non-affiliated link:

Kathy Schmitz' Tiny Treasures. Info on both formats given on her web-shop here.

Throwback Tuesday: English Paper Piecing

Throwback to an English Paper Piecing session few years ago. Taken on January 21, 2016 at 1:06 PM. January is flying. Volunteer work time, almost complete. Homeschooling going well. Not much time for needlework with the exception of a printed cross stitch kit, so easy to do. Once I fulfilled the hours I committed to on my volunteer work it'll be time to give some TLC to the few embroidery projects that are on pause at the moment. Until next time!

English Paper Piecing Dilemma: Solved

Finally was able to make it to our local quilt shop to find the fabric I needed to continue working on this English paper piecing project. This was my first time visiting the shop since our moved to this area. Couldn't browse long because my family was patiently waiting for me in the car, we had just come out of our meeting for worship and the kids and hubby were ready for physical nourishment. Decided to go with those three solid colors. My plan is to alternate between these solids, with what is left from this project's fabric prints. 

Need to get these cuts of fabric ready, before continuing with the fun part of basting and joining hexagons. Maybe I can get it done before the weekend. Also need to finish hand embroidering the rest of the centers. No more being bummed by the initial setback... now I'm very excited to continue working on this lap quilt!Today my older daughter and I have plans to meet with some friends and spend the day doing volunteer work. Once home will prepared a quick dinner and afterwards we have family night, so I don't think there will be time to get these cuts of fabric ready today. 

Perhaps tomorrow ;-). 

Take care, until next time! 

PS: Blogger is acting funny, my blog entry is not posting as drafted :-( . Sigh. 

Notes and Non-affiliated Link:

Hand Embroidery Patterns design by Mollie Johanson.

Bummed Out

I was so excited to continue working on this project (same one posted previously), and I DON'T HAVE ENOUGH FABRIC :-(. This fabric was from Joann, purchased about 6 years ago. Checked on Ebay and Etsy just to see if someone have listed it trying to destash, but no success. Not sure what I will do. Was thinking that perhaps making a few EPP hexie flowers in coordinating solids... what do you think? Feeling so bummed. 

Another TBT: Spring English Paper Piecing and Hand Embroidery Project

I think this might be the year of dusting unfinished projects and doing my best to complete them.

Here is another project that I've blogged about awhile back. I really like the process of English Paper Piecing, and love how it looks mixed with hand embroidery! This particular one is to become a lap quilt for one of my daughters. Designed by Mollie Johanson, but I modified it a bit by adding some other embroidery designs from other patterns by Mollie. The original pattern has 12 or 13 mini embroidery designs (can't recall exactly at the moment) and I needed more to complete 24 EPP hexagon flowers. May still add a few more mini embroideries from other sources to make the lap quilt larger.

It has been worked while traveling with my family through the East Coast. It has been worked while in various rooms/areas of our previous home. Since we moved it has been put away, waiting for me to pay attention to it once more.

Things are finally calming down in my household, my other half had his surgery couple of weeks ago and he's recuperating slowly but steadily... thankfully! While things are a bit less hectic, perhaps I should let this project see the light again ;-).

Slow Stitching is a thing. It provides calmness, meditation, peace, joy, patience. Maybe it should come out along with the Daisychain sampler from the previous blog post. 

Plus the colors are gentle and happy, very springy indeed! Yes, I've convinced myself! Once I post this will go find them and leave them out on my stitchy area in plain sight so I remember to pick them up every now and then through out the rest of the week. Whenever I can sneak a bit of stitching.

Until next time! Be well!

PS: EPP design is by Mollie Johanson, in her Wildolive Etsy 
store here.

An English Paper Pieced Pincushion: Diamonds

This was a fun small project I made awhile back for a sweet friend.

Not sure if I ever blogged about this project, perhaps I did. Lately my memory is a bit fuzzy.... will blame the fatigue and lack of sleep. (The background in the picture above is from a Japanese embroidery book.)

A small EPP hexagon pincushion formed by basting fabric on tiny diamonds, and then hand sewing them together. Wanted to use crushed walnut shells to fill it, but do to my concern in bringing the walnut shells home and my kids having an adverse reaction being around it (they have a life threatening allergy to nuts), I decided to go with Polyfil.
Let you go now. I wanted to go do some volunteer work this morning to support a special visit... but not feeling well, a fibromyalgia flare is looming. Perhaps I could go for just a short time, that will probably cheer me up a bit! Until next time!

Fall Is In The Air

 Going thru old photos and wanted to repost a few.
Fall is in the air around here!

 I think my hand embroidery bug is bitting again.

Will I or will I not? Haven't touch my hand embroidery needle in 
some time. Was working on some cross stitch, but as of late.
A lot going on around here. Hopefully things settle a bit soon.

Throwback Tuesday: Stitching Clubs (Picture Heavy)

In no particular order, this post contains a few pictures of the progress I made (awhile back) on three of the four Seasonal Stitching Clubs designed by Mollie Johanson. The only one I haven't stitch yet is the Autumn one. Hopefully I printed it, because my old desktop PC died and my old email is gone too.  These past few days I've been thinking of the Winter Stitching Club, I'm getting a bit antsy to stitch again a few of the motives on that club... so I may have to get it again because I can't find it in my printed stash of patterns :-(. 
Anyhow, perhaps you may like to know that Mollie is hosting a new Stitching Club on her blog. It is a marmalade/jam one called Jam of the Month Club... the first design is out and the project lay out for the EPP mini quilt and pattern pieces. You may want to go check it out! Mollie's blog: Wildolive.

Above Winter. Below Summer, lots of cute ones on summer!

Above and below, Summer

Above and below, Spring.

Above and below, Winter. Pictures aren't that great but hopefully you can still see how cute these designs are. I was actually working on these, in bed, while recovering from surgery few years ago. (That cardinal wearing a scarf.... how cute is that!).

Above and below, Winter. Too much cuteness! (Also below, the Laundry Hen from an Aunt Martha's pattern.)

Above Winter, below Spring. So many cute ones on the Spring club as well!

Above and below, Spring. (Also above, a design from an Aunt Martha's transfer.)

Finally, the daffodil and bird from the Spring Stitching Club. The butterfly is not from the Spring Stitching Club but from a different design by Mollie as well. 

Need to continue working on these projects! All hand sewn, portable and not complicated. 
If you decide to stitch-along with Mollie, let me know so I can go and take a peek at your progress ;-)! Till next time!

Non-affiliated links:
Mollie's shop Wildolive on Etsy... and her blog. 
Aunt Martha's transfers webstore: Colonial Patterns. 
Notes:
Fabrics are from Jo-ann fabric and craft store.

Throwback Tuesday: Autumn 2016

Autumn is my favorite season. Today is beautiful here, my family went out to do a bit of volunteer work. I stayed behind in order to have some time alone and go over my younger one's homework, get it ready to go over any errors once she's back, and have a few minutes of me time with a cup of massala chai (aka: chai tea latte). 
Browsing thru old pictures while sipping chai, found these two of autumn of 2016. Above, a bit of english paper piecing on the the deck of our previous home, interestingly with a cup of chai ;-).

This other one, also on our previous home, of my craft desk full of projects... getting ready a towel for my older child to stitch. It took her quite awhile to complete (she started it here and completed it here). 
Sudden weather changes don't do me well. On a recent Dr. visit, she suggested I approached things a bit different, too soon to tell but so far it seems to be working. Still love Fall and all it's wonderful colors, flavors, scents! The sunlight and crisp air are wonderful, it puts a smile on my face just by looking out the window. Hoping you are enjoying the weather wherever you are, and that it is not causing you trouble!

Notes: 
The english paper piecing pattern on first picture is the Spring Stitching Club is by Mollie Johanson from her shop Wild Olive on Etsy.
The Flower design on the towel is from the book pictured on both photos: Beautiful Stitches by Susan Bates .... this is her website.