Kathy's Stitching Adventure - update

 Good morning!

Notice: My Etsy shop is now closed.

If you want my patterns, tutorials, mystery quilt instructions, crazy quilt seam designs, etc...they are now part of my Patreon site: "Kathy's Stitching Adventure".

It is organized into Tiers:

FREE - general what's happening posts

Tier #1- $3 month - Weekly graphic designs of crazy quilt seams (not already in one of my many books)

Tier #2- $5 month - Monthly embroidery motifs, fun extras, and all tier #1 posts.

Tier #3- $7 month - Patterns, tutorials, plus all of tier 1/2 goodies.

Thanks to all of my Patreon pals for supporting me as I continue to design and create new content.

PATREON LINK

Good Progress on Faux Crazy Quilt Blocks

 

All of these hexagons (17 in total...didn't photo all) have no seams. The solid white background is covered in handkerchief corners, lace motifs, trims, bits of embroidery projects, and some Reverse Chain embroidery "squiggles". A fun project that is quick!

Organizers!

 Having great fun creating some organizers. Fast and so easy to create. Just posted a short post and tutorial on my Patreon page, "Kathy's Stitching Adventure". Here are some photos to share with y'all too!

This organizer (open) shows pockets for paper, pens, name badge, binder, etc. It will be what I keep handy for Quilt Guild meetings.

This next organizer adds some lace to the pockets. It will be for my English Paper Pieces (EPP) on-going project. A "dash and go" item so I always have thread, needles, scissors, needle threader, paper shapes, glue sticks, clips and reading glasses to work wherever I might be.

Lastly this is my Tool Cady. It includes a small cutting mat, rotary cutter, paper and fabric scissors, marking pen, water-soluble pen, purple thang, tweezers, needle threader, stiletto, point turner, seam ripper, hemostat, add-a-seam ruler, clips, pins, and machine needles (in pockets). Perfect for making sure that I have all of the critical tools when I pack for retreats. Plus, no more digging around in a zipper pouch trying to find a tool (and usually finding a stray needle or pin first. Ouch!).

Lastly, when closed...nothing will run away! All nicely secured and ready to pack into my suitcase or project tote!

Thinking about creating a few more of these. Would like to have a smaller version for each sewing machine...with pre-wound bobbins, machine needles, brush, machine oil, thread scissors...and whatever else might be critical for that specific machine's operation. Could just grab the machine and this pouch and load the car for Sew Day or a class. My head is spinning with ideas!

Crazy Blocks without piecing

 

Begin playing around with an idea months ago...and came across these just this past week again. So, am motivated to finish off the initial idea...with a few changes of course! In total there will be sixteen hexagon blocks.

Originally the ideas was to do faux-seams for embroidery. But I have so many lace motifs, pretty trims, and handkerchief corners that there is no need for much seam work. I also think that this will be a "washable" project so will not be beading or adding much silk ribbon either.

This block includes some Reverse Chain Stitch "squiggles" as space fillers. This is my new idea and I'm liking it. So, next will be to do this on all of the remaining blocks. NOTE: The acrylic hexagon shows the outside shape which still has to be marked on the fabric.

My question now is how to finish. Do I border each block? Thinking a nice 1-2" floral border for each would work. How about batting, like in a quilt-as-you-go type of project? Do I seam all together and layer as a standard quilt? Do I finish each hexagon independently and then join in EPP type style? Or maybe join the finished units with Blanket Stitch on the edge and crochet together. More questions just floating around in my head. How knows...that's the fun (and challenge) of changing your mind. Ha!

Busy, busy, always!

 Whew, have been at the computer for a couple of hours...and still have not really touched my "to do" list for today. Well, at least the dishes got washed before I began...ha!

So, to catch you up...I'm doing a local hands on free basics quilt class during my quilt guilds sew day. LOVE having new folks learning how to begin quilting...and hope that it inspires them to quilt for years to come.

Working on my Patreon posts...new seam designs each Sunday. These don't appear in any of my books...so, it's a great "new resource".

Some involve silk ribbon stitches (as the trio of leaves above).

Some mostly are embroidery stitches. Almost all will have beads/baubles included...you know I love my bling! Hopefully all will be fun!

Will be also posting new (and some existing) patterns, motif designs, class ideas, mystery quilt instructions, etc. as I come up with them. 

If you want to check more out...hop on over to www.patreon.com/kathyseamanshaw to read all about it. Hugs!

Quiet Book Progress

 Just had a wonderful week with my friend Sharron, we sewed and ate...then repeated all week. My main project to finish (which I did not get done) was a group of quiet books for my friend Terri. However, the design needs a bit of tweeking...but I am pretty close now. Did get a long way into the project; just not quiet done.

For example, this little chair had too large of a pillow when I found some great fabrics to "fussy cut" the back of the chair out of. So, will be making it smaller in the pattern.

Also, decided to add a fence and tree to the back of the book; rather than just an empty area.

The books are almost complete, each need to have all of the fusible pieces sewn down to keep them intact in the washing machine. That will take me a couple of days at least.

Then, have to make some little dolls. The initial one is done (except for face embroidery)...and the pattern did need some adjusting. Trying to make it as easy as possible.

Hope to get the entire pattern completed in the next couple of weeks. June will be very busy as I'm starting a new hands-on local quilt/embroidery class...so, better get back at it! Hugs!

Uploading more Seam Designs!

 

Working on uploading more seam designs to my Patreon followers today....scheduling them for release each Sunday as promised.

Am getting ready (cutting fabric & packing) to head to a quilt retreat next Wednesday. So, don't want to get caught up in daily life and forget an upload for y'all.

If you have not checked out Kathy's Stitching Adventure on Patreon yet...there is a button on the right side bar of this blog. Hope to see you joining as I have a long list of designs that I'm diligently working on in Adobe Illustrator (you will get a pdf version),

Hugs!

Working on Nametags for Guild Retreat

 

This is what happens when I can't find my binder clips (found them 10 minutes after finishing this task...isn't that the way it always is).

Adding some bits and bobs to the name tags...and on my left leg is Sunshine (snoozing as usual while I work!).

When my light gets to be too much for her, she just curls in the opposite direction and keeps on snoring. 

Red & White EPP Progress

 Another project that needs some attention...but is still in the "hold line" is this red/white quilt. I fell out of love with the original design; but do like these EPP elements of the quilt. So, am now thinking I can just use the fabrics for an entire EPP quilt in red white instead.

Will keep you posted!