Christmas in July...start early!

A couple of years ago...perhaps even three...I designed a couple of shadow applique quilts for teaching; and I still use them in my college classes. One was a Christmas quilt filled with lot's of holiday memories...and when I brought it to the HGTV Message Board Group...I called it Christmas in July. I think that's the month we started the quilt process. It is still in the same state as this photo shows...still needs an outside border!

 

Oh, I have the borders...all cut out and in the basket with the quilt center...attaching them is just way down on my priority list. The second quilt I mentioned...Bunny in the Pink...is a complete top...and has been basted together...and I will be hand quilting it. So, Christmas will wait.

But, no need for anyone else to have to wait...so, if you'd like to create the quilt...it will be in the files section of the Yahoo Group site. Shawkl_Blog_Files

The Boys!

I'm always talking about Aidan...and ya'll have seen loads of photos of her various adventures! But, here are the two men in my life...

Chase is the eldest of my three grandchildren...my first grandbaby! He's getting more grown up every day...and he is so sweet! He'll break some hearts for sure!!!...

And Luke is the youngest of the three...and he is the most adorable little angel!  And, yes...behind both the boys is my sewing/beading/crafting...."living" room. Odd that the table is cleaned off...but that is because we all needed a place to do gingerbread houses later in the day. And, all the "stuff" that is usually there...is piled up on the cutting board table behind it! I call it organized confusion!

English Garden

Here's my work so far for Meg in Uruguay...it still needs some more beads...

and a few little crawling critters perhaps...

and a dragonfly or several...then it will be ready to mail next week!

"A" Motif

I'm still playing around in Illustrator...so, here'a a couple of monogram motifs for you. Just copy and save; resize with whatever photo software you have, as they are jpg files.

This one has a nice wide area for stitching...so if you didn't want to include the snowflakes, how about some spiderweb roses...or lazy daisy flowers...or a string of Christmas ornaments...or whatever you can dream up to fit the individual who's initial you are stitching. Hmmm...A is for Aidan...perhaps I should just put hearts!

Penguin

Here's a little penguin...for your use...

I think he could be candidate for embroidery satin-stitch, chain,  or red-work outline only...or applique. Just size as you desire. The little ornament could be replaced with something else..like a little bell, or a bead...or....???

Merry Christmas!

Today, I'm at my daughters...Buddy (my cocker spaniel) and I spent the night...so we are watching Aidan open her Christmas presents today. No stitching...but here's a Merry Christmas wish from me to you! Hope everyone has a really good day today...whether you celebrate the holiday or not.

Little Birdie

Here's a little birdie I drew in Illustrator. I've got to find the time to read the instruction manuals...instead of just scanning the book...so I can get better...and faster!

But, I don't have time to read! I could be stitching!

Dragonfly motifs

I've been playing around with Illustrator again...and it is so frustrating!

But, I managed to get a couple of very simple little dragonflies drawn.

Perhaps you can use these as embroidery motif patterns.

I am going to enlarge them and use the outline as a base for some beading I'm going to be working on next year. Of course, I'll let you know how that goes too!

Motif - Long Stitch

Here is a little motif...done in long stitch for you. Use waste canvas for crazy quilt blocks...or stitch a few up for the next patch you create.

Alternate versions are loaded in the file sections of the Shawkl_Blog_Files.

Make your own graph paper...and templates!

Here's a really great site for making your own graph paper. Then you can doodle and create your own stitch templates!

Remember to draw dots every location your needle enters the cloth!

Go to the site...scroll down and select the type of grid you desire...square, circular, dot, etc. Then download the pdf file to your computer for future use. Print...and start doodling!

So, check out all the different types!  

You can control the size of the grid also...by changing the number of lines to the inch.