Friday, August 30, 2019

A Beautiful Surprise

Thanks MaryAnne Richardson! This gorgeous little fabric postcard arrived in the mail yesterday afternoon...inside an envelope for protection thankfully. It is one using my STITCH Templates and I adore the results! Thanks so very much MaryAnne for thinking about me!


Appreciate that it is "pink" too! Ha! You know me so well...it's almost scary!
ROFL!

Sunday, August 18, 2019

Rose Bud Blocks Continued...

...finally all of the parts have been cut out. "Finally" because it seemed to take forever...but really, it took one afternoon to press the fusible/freezer-paper patterns to the fabric. Then, a weekend basically to cut them all out.



Now, I'm busy aligning and pressing them to the white background blocks. The stem lines are drawn on in pencil.



I'll be embroidering around each piece in perle green/red. Not sure if I'm going to like the stems in size 8 (which is what I'm using for the "around" stitching). Might need to find some size 5 in the same green color if possible. So, will go searching online...or drive to Hobby Lobby (about 30 miles) one day. We shall see....for now, it more pressing to get all 80 blocks ironed down.
This will be a great evening 'tv time' embroidery to work on...all Stem Stitch.

Friday, August 16, 2019

De-Stash Sale

Shawkl.net has new De-Stash photos...each baggie is $10...plus less than $4 shipping. Detailed photos show what is in bag...vintage linens, silkie prints, Czech glass button cabochons, cabochons, charms, lace motifs, lace trims, lace doilies, etc. Have fun!

Thursday, August 15, 2019

Heads Up - Super Sale!

Heads Up...tune in to shawkl.net (Etsy Shop) at midnight...I'm de-stashing lace, silk fabric, doilies, cabochons, and printed silk images!

Serious Super Sale....limited number and first come.

Directions on items and payment post at midnight, CST!
Don't miss it!
Seriously, you'll be sorry that you did!

Hugs,

Edited to change: Sale begins NOON tomorrow, 8/16 CST

Saturday, August 10, 2019

Rose Bud Quilt Continues...

A few days back, the Rosebud Quilt was discussed. Yesterday, I finally got down to business about piecing it. For days I've waivered between "traditional applique" or "fusible applique". The quilt was not going to get started, much less finished if I didn't make up my mind!

Plus, one rosebud or two per block?


Two is the more traditional setting for this Vintage Inspired design...so, finally after much consideration it will be two. I created an overlay on vellum to help me align the various applique parts.


Next, I needed to trace all of the different leaf, sepal, and bud shapes. Going with traditional applique...these would be traced to freezer paper. Going with fusible applique...these would be traced to double-sided fusible like Heat'n'Bond.

Considering that I already have a large traditional applique project underway...I decided to go with the fusible applique method. I'll be adding embroidery around each piece and extra for the stem and but accents.

The quilt will not have sashing between the blocks but will include outside border(s). I'm cutting the blocks 9-inches finished size. These will be set in eight columns of ten rows...for a total of 80 blocks in the quilt. So, doing the math...that's 960 small leaves, 160 sepals and 160 buds to applique. That's a LOT of tracing of shapes to fusible!

So, I'm taking a shortcut. My plan is to fuse the Heat'n'Bond to the fabric...then press these printable freezer paper sheets on top of that...and cut out. The paper will peel away along with the fusible backing paper when each piece is ready to go down. If you want to give this a try yourself, just trace one page of design...and copy this on to freezer paper sheets (purchase these from C&T Publications) made for a printer in standard 8.5 x 11.0 inch size. Works wonderfully!

If you are wondering, my tracings meant printing 12 pages of small leaves, and 8 pages each of sepal and buds. There will be a lot of pressing and cutting out this weekend...and into next week too perhaps! :)


Monday, August 5, 2019

Autumn is around the corner...

...and we'll all be hunting for pumpkins soon! Can't believe how fast this year is going by...summer vacation is basically in the rear-view mirror now...and we'll be looking for those gorgeous fall leaf colors soon.

I spent some time today checking out Pinterest...and quickly got lost in the varieties of pumpkins stitched. Of course, about 75% of them were machine done...embroidery mostly. But, a few were hand work and reminded me that there are various ways to approach a single embroidery design.


Simple is not necessarily boring...and a quick little idea is sometimes all that is needed.


If you have a bit more time to spend on a motif, perhaps adding some type of "doodling" to the larger spaces would be just the treatment needed. Pretty sure this specific motif is a machine variety, but still liked the idea just the same.


Or, a more spider-web kind of abstract art filling is more to your liking? This pumpkin above has a filling in each section that reminds me of a string art project. Can you see that? It would be cute and quick too.


Smaller motifs could be closer to realism if you totally filled the spaces. Satin Stitch would work for really tiny pumpkins; but most likely Stem Stitch, Stab Stitch or Long/Short Stitch is the best idea for motifs that are small...but not tiny in size. Again, think this is a machine embroidery version, but could see this done in long/short stitches by hand.


If the pumpkin design is really large, it could be done in fabric. I like the idea of different orange fabrics or just different all together as in this multi-colored idea. This art object could be painted? (maybe stenciled?)...but the idea translates well to the idea of using fabrics. I also like the floral arrangement at the top, but not too sure they are really of  "Autumn" timing...seems a bit Spring to me. Perhaps peppers and corn instead?

Whatever you choose...think about adding a pumpkin to your Autumn décor by creating a little pumpkin motif on a hand-towel, crazy quilt block, mug rug, or such. 

All of my Patreon Followers will get a little quick motif design to get you started.


Friday, July 26, 2019

Week of Inspiration

Everywhere I looked this week, something was inspiring.

I've had "traditional quilts" on my mind lately as recently I became Chairperson, for my Quilt Guild's upcoming show next year. So, I'm knee deep in figuring out what quilt(s) I need to complete myself...and working on Patreon and Class projects too.

School begins in less than 2 weeks..so that is on my mind (Your's too if you have children or grand-children)...so it just seems like a really busy time.


But, while at the chiropractor's office this week...I noticed the new floor rug. I"m thinking that this could be inspiration for a new medallion quilt pattern. Plus, I'm really liking the light blue and browns together as a color grouping!


Pulled some solids thinking of combining these with the silk tie fabrics for a crazy quilt for the show...but it is about 5th on my list of things to get done...so had to pack these back away until at least one of the current on-going applique quilts is closer to finishing.


Lastly, the Vintage Re-production CQ Class is well underway...most have completed their first project and this weekend we begin to think about out "next" project. It got me to thinking about vintage embroidery designs...and worked up a French Rose for the Patreon group.

Now, I have to totally change gears and get ready to depart for South Alabama...on Tuesday. My friend Mary Young and I have a plan to use some of her dear Mom's garments in a quilt...so I need to go pick these things up. Then, my bestee Sharron Grafton is hosting me for a Silk Ribbon Embroidery Class at her long-arm shop in Newton, AL on the 3rd of August...Saturday. I'm so looking forward to the trip...even if I am hauling my laptop, printer, sewing machine...and STUFF with me. A full car load a usual...but still it will be fun!

Hope this post finds each of you enjoying the end of your summer days as school begins soon!

Wednesday, July 17, 2019

And the winner is...

Wendy Bain....congrats on winning a free E-book copy of my latest book Stunning Stitches!

Thanks to all who left a comment, sorry that everyone could not have won.

Wow, what a great week...I'm grateful to all of the sites that participated in the Blog Tour. Each winner will be getting an email from C&T Publications with a link to their new E-book to download.

Congrats to all of the winners this week!

Tuesday, July 16, 2019

Blog Tour Last Day

Wow, what a week!

I'm so very appreciative today...and inspired too!

Several wonderful creative folks have been sharing their thoughts about my newest book, Stunning Stitches on their sites...and offering a little chance at a free E-book as well.


I'm the last in the group for this Blog Tour (site tour might be more appropriate)...and will also give a reader a chance at getting the E-book free. Just leave a comment...make sure I can reach you via email (so add that if it's not available as a direct link). I'll select a winner tomorrow...and post here on the blog. 

Then, I'll be gathering the emails of all of the winners this week and sending that along to C&T. Winners will get their E-books directly from C&T Publications shortly there after...so watch for an email from them this week!

If you missed the other sites this week...here is the listing. While it is too late for their daily drawings...it is not too late to visit their site. And, ALL of these creative artists really make beautiful stitched and/or quilted things. So, please take the time to check out the links...just for new inspiration!


Sunday, July 7, 2019

Heads UP....free E-book possible

Check out C&T Publications Blog tomorrow! Might just be a free E-book in it for you!

We're having a week long event...just letting all of my followers know!

HUGS!

Friday, June 28, 2019

UFO's


Un-Finished Objects can be a very discouraging thing...like a failure at times. But, they can also bring on feelings of success once we do get back around to completing them!

This quilt has been stored away in my sewing room for many a year. I loved working on it, then for some un-known reason...I grabbed the white fabric and used it for a different project ..."duh, without thinking obviously!"... Then when I came back to work on this quilt, there wasn't enough white to continue very far. So, it got put into a plastic container until I could find the same white-on-white fabric gain

Thankfully, I did manage to find another couple of years at a quilt shop months later...and stored it immediately with the parts of the quilt. But, it still went back into storage..and has not been touched since. I really need to work on this as it is not a difficult quilt to piece pretty quickly. The big question will be, what to do for a border then? The fabrics are older, so that will be the next challenge for it...what will match?

Do you have a UFO story? (Or, perhaps a dozen of them?...ha!)

Hugs,

Wednesday, June 19, 2019

Rosebud Quilt Designed


Recently, I joined a local quilt guild...seems like a wonderful and busy group, so you know I'll enjoy it a lot. I've already been to a couple of "sew days" and worked to finish my chatelaine (blogged about that recently). But, I skipped the sew day today...because there wasn't anything small for me to carry with me to stitch on. Do you every have that problem?

I could of course taken crazy quilt supplies and worked on seams; but that is a lot of beads and ribbon to haul to and from the car. The sewing machine is another option, but with the same concerns. As I was mulling over this last night...trying to decide to go or not; I decided that a small applique project would be just the solution to this problem. Small and easy enough to work on these types of blocks, then assemble the quilt whenever these were finished. So, I went hunting for an applique project that looked like a project I'd really like to do. I found this vintage inspired idea:

However, the bud has way too many deep "V" and points to make it enjoyable and fast. So, spent time today re-designing and came up with a new little rosebud that I'm thinking will work much better.
Plus, while the original design has two buds (and I'll most likely do this design) there could be a single rose in a block...which would save time appliqueing if that was an issue. The little lines on top of the rose are embroidery as is the stem in the design. Both can be done in Stem Stitch, matching the color of the rose and green/brown for the stem area.





Sunday, June 9, 2019

ICQC-103 is Officially Retired

All of the handouts for the Intermediate Crazy Quilt Course-103 are not part of the Yahoo files. It will not be offered again via this blog.

You can download all of the files and work through the tasks at your leisure just by joining the Yahoo Group Shawkl Files (private group to keep down spammers). We are not a "chat" group, but just a place for me to upload the past class files when I'm no longer planning on teaching them.

If you look at the right side bar here on the blog...look for the little rosebud...that is where you click to join the Group. Complete the requested information (email is all I think, maybe your name). Then, Yahoo Groups will send me an email to go approve you request to join.

I'll do that...and you'll get an email with link to get to the site.

Go to "Files" and download all of the things that interest you.

Have fun!

Saturday, June 8, 2019

On-Site SRE Class... 6 August 2019

What: Silk Ribbon Embroidery Class
Where: Newton, Alabama @ Willowtree Quilts Studio
Cost: $60 (includes all supplies and lunch)
When: 6 August 2019 (Saturday) 9 a.m. -- 4 p.m.

We'll be doing silk ribbon leaves, various roses, iris, tulip, hyacinth, and butterflies. These will be practiced and we'll be creating two little organizational items...my FELT Thimble Holder and a little TIN with felt lining for pins or what-not.

So, if you are in the Newton area...send me an email so I can add you to the reservations for the class. Then, I'll get some directions to you via Willowtree. Email for me is shaw.kathy@yahoo.com (don't forget the "dot" between my last/first name.

Hugs!

Tuesday, June 4, 2019

Felt Thimble Holders

Sweet little embroidery holders made from felt to hold special thimbles, or just keep your well used one from getting lost! Attach a little ring or clip and you can secure these to a Chatalaine, sewing bag, etc.

 I shared  photo of these last week on Instagram, but have been creating a variety of these for a couple of years now as gifts and items for the Etsy shop (when I have time).

These little plastic containers are great for creating several Thimble Holders because they are of uniform size, so no "math" every time...just repeat the original dimensions over and over again. 

But, special containers are not needed...just walk around the house looking for tall lids. Here are a couple of bottles of mouth wash, a slender can of hair spray, and a spray adhesive. Each lid would work to create the container for the thimble. All that is needed is to cover each in felt and attach a lid!


How you adorn the outside is really a personal choice. 

Hint: If you have the new Stunning Stitches for Crazy Quilts book....there are loads of seams in there that will work beautifully around the outside of a thimble holder! If you don't it yet, check it out at C&T Publications or on Amazon.com

Happy Stitching!





Thursday, May 30, 2019

Chatelaine

Joining a quilt guild last month means...I need a name tag. I have the little plastic case and can insert a card with my name written on it...but...BORING! So, thought it was time to create another chatelaine. I do have one, done decades ago....before crazy quilting entered my life.
Very "vanilla" as I only used it for my name and Guild Letters. I attached my quilt pins (AQS, etc) to it...but honestly usually forgot it when I went to meetings. So, I'll have to do better this time around at remembering!

Here's where I am in this adventure so far. Have the fronts to both sides of the chatelaine piece. 

Found some prior embroidery pieces I had done, some cross-stitches little bits, even a shadow embroidery little bow in my pile of "stitched samples". I printed the "I Love Crazy, Bee Happy, and Name on to cotton fabrics...they may or may not get any more embellishing...we'll see.
Both have a base of linen with a cotton (orange piece) inside foundation layer. Each half looks like a really short tie at this point. Both of these two halfs will have another fabric piece (probably felt) that will connect them and go behind my neck, and become the backing that hides all of my knots, etc.

Why not consider working on a chatelain of your own? You could even add organization to it....little pockets, loops for hanging things (I'm thinking of adding one for my glasses!)...really it is quite a neat thing to have handy when stitching.