A Marine's Best Friend

We interrupt our regularly scheduled program to show you this:

If you haven't tossed your Sunday newspapers yet, check out this story in Parade. If you have already discarded them, here is a link to the story: http://parade.condenast.com/342211/parade/a-marines-best-friend/

This is a remarkable story but how does it involve me? Well, my chapter of Quilts of Valor made her a quilt. It is a wonderful story of this military dog, her task and her survival. I am so proud our group was part of making her retirement more comfortable.
 

I'm a Winner

Look what the mailman brought me all the way from Switzerland. If you are like me, I don't comment to win a giveaway. I comment because the blogger is sharing and inspiring me. This, however, is a great win. Judy from How ART You? had a giveaway in one of the hops. It's fun to be a winner. I adore the way Europeans write and will be keeping the envelope with my treasures. Thank you Judy. (Be sure to check out her blog. She does beautiful quilting.)

Aren't they adorable--Moda mini charms. That's 2 1/2" of matching colors in every square. An immediate thought came to me of a quilt I already have and will use for one bundle. I'm not one who enjoys the civil war fabric colors. These mini's are more my choice.

I made this quilt using a Moda Bake Shop pattern/tutorial designed by Temecula Quilt Co. sometime ago. It is made with civil war reproduction fabrics. It's really a small table topper (20 inches), but looks twice it size on the small table.  Those are itsy bitsy squares in those nine patch blocks.

 

Have a great week quilting. Now it's time to dig through my stash for the best background color. It'll probably be a darker beige than used in this one.s

Marcy

 

 

 



A Cross Stitched Great Find

There's a table in our office that is a catch all for lots of stuff that has no home. Yesterday he said the table is going to Goodwill. That's fine but I need to get my stuff out first.

Back in the 80's cross stitch was popular and a easy project to take along. What I am going to show you probably hasn't been touched since then. Some are complete and some need more work.

This is a bread basket liner. Heaven knows where the pattern is. However it looks to me like a few stitches and I've got a new Christmas linen. I'm thinking there was some pretty edge stitch, but I'll take it as is.

This sweet pattern is a pair to a little girl I did and it's been framed and hanging for some time now. It looks like a few stitches and he is done too.

The little Campbell Soup girl is finished. Perhaps she'll make her way to an apron front or pocket. If you look close it is even dated--'89.

Remember when ducks and swans were all the thing in decorating and embellishing?  It was in the 80s and they were everywhere. Maybe another apron or tote pocket will put this to good use. At least it is finished.

This will require some investment of time. However this is the only one there was a pattern for. The thread has probably faded but since it is a sampler, no one will notice.  That's if I get it finished.

Now to get my stitching fingers busy.

Marcy

 

Microwaveable Soup Bowl Potholders

Last week my hands were not cooperating so I found some machine work to stay out of trouble. It just might be an early start on Christmas. So what would be machine work with little thinking? Microwaveable soup bowl potholders for sure. When you are doing many it goes quick by chaining.  But in my mind I've come up with a quicker and easier way and will give it a try. If it is successful, I will share it with you.

 

The black chili pepper fabric I used last year and there's not much left. The green I found for this year's batch. And, they are not just for soup. Think anything in a bowl: oatmeal and leftovers.  However, they are just as good keeping your ice cream cold as well.

  

Here they are before the final turning.

There are free patterns and tutorials all over the internet from blogs and websites. Just keep in mind: use all cotton--thread, fabric and batting. Also remind your recipients they are NOT for cooking, just warming.

Marcy

 



 

Sunflower Tote Bag

Sunflowers just say fall. It's fall when they start to bow their heads and drop their seeds. The blackbirds gathering around looking for one little treat.

 

 

 

While making this fall tote, it gave me the opportunity to visit fabric I hadn't seen in a while. This is not a pattern; I just went by the seat of my pants. I thought the black background in the center would make my sunflower pop out a bit.

 

Since I prefer to carry a tote rather than a purse, I have to have pockets for all my goodies. There are two larger pockets on the inside.

 

 

 

 

 

The petals on the flower are half circles stitched and gathered. When I found the fabric for the center, I decided to add a touch more batting to give it some roundness. 

 

 

 

Here you might be able to see the quilting. It's just cross hatched in black so it can hide in the background.

 

 

Have a great week sewing.

 

Marcy

 

 

Some Old Embroidered Linens

 

Housekeeping time can be fun. What? Well I was taken down some of the linens I display in the laundry room on this old three pole towel rack. They needed a good shaking or perhaps a run in the dryer on air. Then I thought about sharing them with you. I did not stitch any of these but love them anyway.

 

The next one is a knife keeper. I am sure it has a more distinct name than that but I found it a fun piece to have.

 

Besides the lovely stitching, you can see the slots for the knives. Fill'er up, roll it up and put it in the drawer.

 

Here are two more. Sometimes I put silverware in them and lay them on the buffet. Wish I had the holder for spoons. I had thought of recreating it, but it just wouldn't be the same. The cloth is very soft, probably after so many washings. They have the same slots on the backside.

 

And two embroidered pieces--one a tea towel and the other appears to be one of those scarfs that was usually draped on top of the man's chair to protect the upholstery from hair oils.  Does anyone remember Vitalis? Or even VO5.

 

Isn't she a beauty?

 

Maybe some day I'll do a bit of research to see about what era they were from. It's amazing when our stuff becomes history.

Marcy

Reminder

Just as a reminder.... These are the quilters I tagged in the Around the World blog hop. Be sure to visit their sites and gaze at their talents.

1.     Pat at Life in the Scrapatches. You can tell from her blog that she is a very giving person shown by her numerous tutorials and patterns (not to mention her wonderful kind words). She plays with color and has wealth of talent to share. From her emails I can “hear” a gentle yet humorous tone. Her quilts are stunning and playful. 

2.     A Canadian blogger, France at  FranceNadeau (and I have no idea how that translates), you will see an abundance of creative machine projects with lovely art handwork. Her stitching is simplistic and eye-catching. Besides her love of needles, she is a card maker extraordinaire where she incorporates her precision embroidery.

3.     Bev at 44th Street Fabric blog also manages a shop on Etsy.  Bev writes on her blog with a fun sense of humor common to folks from Oklahoma. She likes bright colors (yes!) and has many tutorials on her site. Her quilting style is more traditional but she’s got some delightful appliqué touches. If you like embroidery, check hers out. Lovely, lovely pieces—oh my.