turkey feathers

Cozy Up Patchwork Pillow Revisited

While I'm busy here, stitching away on the Cottontail quilt, and watching the seasonal changes from the window, particularly the first falling leaves, I am reminded of this past project (from my book Embroidery Craft:  Stitching Through the Seasons), which combines embroidery and patchwork using pre-cut 5" charm squares and jelly roll strips.  It's a fun and fairly quick project due to the fact that there is very little cutting involved. 

And this basic pillow-top also works as a quilt block, and any design can be embroidered or appliqued in the central block to carry out a theme.  Nine blocks, sewn three by three, will make a nice sized throw.  Yes, even Cottontail bunny (aka Rabbit of the Month), for example could be stitched in the plain squares.  I've already constructed my quilt using lattice strips however, but in case you are looking for an easy project to get started on--think holiday stitching . . . well, there you go.  Here is another pillow made with a Redwork theme.

Follow this link for the complete how-to:  Cozy Up Patchwork Pillow Tutorial

Cottontail Goes to School

It's official...fall is here and the frost is almost on the pumpkin!  So exciting, isn't it?  Actually, it's been feeling very fall-like for a few weeks now, putting me in a mind to get back to some of my sewing projects.  Of which, I can tell you, there are many.  Like the above work in progress; started too long ago to remember when that was exactly.  I just need to add the backing, bind the edges, do a little stitch-in-the-ditch, and that's it.  I'll be back with a little show-and-tell soon.  

Transfer pattern From PatternBee:  Rabbit of the Month

Little Girl's Fall Cardigan

 

Freebie Friday . . . flash to the past!

From WorkBasket January 1952:

"Five ounces of baby yarn is sufficient to crochet this cute sweater for a little girl size 3; use a number 3 bone crochet hook.  Contrasting yarn could be used on waistband, wristband, up the front and around the neck--navy and a lighter blue would be very pretty." 

Download CHILDS_CARDIGAN

Stepping into September

I love transitional months.  There is always a feeling of expectation.  Of what is to come.  The weather, though usually fickle here in Oregon, can't seem to settle on warm or wet.  Today we have both.  And it is heavenly.  

So, after a flurry of serious housekeeping this morning, I went outside for some fresh air and found this . . . 

It was practically waving and shouting, "yoo hoo", I have arrived, and am ready for my close-up." 

So gorgeous.  A complete wonder.  It just appeared one day.  We thought at first it was some sort of exotic weed, but couldn't put our finger on exactly what kind of weed it might be, so we just left it alone and forgot about it.  Then buds formed.  Aha!  A Dahlia.  And such a lovely one she is too!  Ten inches across.  A classic "dinner plate" Dahlia.  Who knew.  I love surprises like this.

Over the weekend, I finally got around to lining an old drawer with some pretty scrapbook papers.  This was an easy project that took about twenty minutes.  Not really blog-worthy, but while I was working on it, I was reminded of a massive decoupage project I did inside my closet when I was 13.  One that sent my dear old Dad into a tizzy fit, because you just did not glue things to furniture or walls or closet doors (as far as he was concerned).  I was always doing crazy stuff like that in an effort to "decorate", because that tiny dark bedroom, along with my life then, was so dismal.  Sad but true. 

Anyway, I worked on my secret closet project for months and months, cutting out and gluing to the walls, my favorite outfits from the latest fashion magazines (which I spent all of my babysitting money on).  The closet remained that way for many years long after I grew up and moved away.  Eventually, Dad took a power sander to it.  Oh, and how he did fuss about it too.  For years!

As you can see, I did use a little more restraint this time and kept it simple.