Pandemic Crazy - Accuquilt Go Stash Buster Quilt

The bad news is time flies.  The good news is you're the pilot. 

Michael Altshuler

Hey there,

One of the best things about being a crafter is having tons of projects calling to me from my craft room for some long overdue attention. I've been feeling a lot of emotions during the quarantine, but none of them is boredom.  Time is what I have right now, so I'm determined to use it while it lasts to happily finish accumulated projects.  Quilting is at the top of my list.  And what better quilt to express my creative emotions during this wonky time than a "crazy" one.  I used the very large Accuquilt Go Crazy Quilt die to cut my blocks and, in the process, my Accuquilt Go Big electronic machine took its last breath.  I knew it had been feeling poorly lately, so I was excited to get a shiny new one. This time I proceeded with caution, as the large dies can be tricky. It took a little concentration to piece the blocks, but I was very pleased at how they turned out in the end.  I used white shashing and colorful corner stones to calm down the colorful craziness.

I have a fabulous long arm quilter who doesn't have a fancy computerized machine so she is very adept at hand guiding the machine to make fabulous designs. Since we needed to social distance while discussing my design choice, I told her I trusted her to choose the pattern she thought would look good.  She chose a beautiful template with flowers that match the whimsical ones in my fabric and quilted them using a warm orange/gold thread.  The results are beautiful!  (Marilla, my beloved sugar skull friend, says "hey.")

Each block measures 10 inches, so with the  2 inch sashing and binding the finished quilt measures    50 x 62, a good lap quilt size. I'm amazed at how a bunch of random fabrics can come together so scrappalisciously. 

I used my left over fabric to piece the back.  I've just started doing this and I think I'll stay with it.  It's a good use of my scraps and I like the back of my quilts to be as happy as the front.  Now if I could just get the labeling thing down.

So what have I been doing with my smaller scraps?  What most of my crafty friends have been doing, of course, making masks.  The ones on the left are made "in the hoop"  with my embroidery machine and the ones on the right are made with a fancy pattern I found on YouTube.  The fancy ones fit way better and are more comfortable, but both types work just fine.  I've made several for friends and family.  It's so nice to be able to use some crafty skills to join in the effort to combat Covid-19.

Hopefully, when we all get out of Pandemic prison, I will have a much smaller to-do list, and can support my neighborhood quilt shops in the way they have become accustomed.  Until then, I'm so blessed to have unlimited time and a boat load of supplies in my craft room to keep me busy for the duration.  

Thanks for visiting.

Go forth and use this temporary gift of time skillfully.

Nancy

Appliqued Bib and Burp Cloth Sets

“If I am thinking correctly,” said Pooh, “a new baby is probably, 

undoubtedly the grandest gift that could ever be.”

Hey Friends,

I've been extremely delighted about my hubby's pastrami passion for the past few months, because it means we get to go to my favorite sandwich hangout, La Bou, at least once a week.  A darling sweet young server there has taken a liking to us...well, mostly my pastrami-obsessed husband... and makes sure we always get the best service, complete with bucket loads of meat on our sandwiches.  She has even been known to push other servers out of the way so she can make our sandwiches the "right" way.

During our last visit, we noticed she might be a little pregnant.  Apparently she has been hiding it well for the past few months because she had the audacity to announce she would be going on maternity leave the very next day. How dare she!!! We said our sad goodbyes and managed to keep our despair in check until we got to our car.

When we regained our composure, we decided we wanted to give her a little gift to tell her how much we have appreciated her kind indulgence, and I knew I had some fun handmade baby items left over from my Etsy shop days.  It's nice to have my own little store to shop in when I need a small baby gift. I tucked  the bee set into a fancy bag along with a matching card and we presented it to her the next day.

 A few years ago, I bought several adorable applique images from Etsy to make these sets. I had such a good time embroidering them on my pieced bibs and burp cloths. You can see some other bibs here, here, and here  with a little more detail on earlier blogs.  I don't think I''ll be making these exact same sets again because I have some fabulous  new Accuquilt dies  that will make cutting the patterns so much simpler.  I wanted to immortalize these on my blog before they find homes with some adorable little droolers in the near future.

Our server friend is having a little girl so I hope she thinks of us when she puts the  bib on her sweet little one.  And, selfishly, I hope she comes back soon because we're sure going to miss her smile and her awesome sandwich making skills. But for now, I'm content thinking of a sweet little cheek on my lovingly handmade burp cloth.

Thanks for visiting,
Go forth and kiss a baby cheek.
Nancy

Machine Appliqued Lion Bib and Giraffe Self Binding Receiving Blanket

My friend was blessed to receive a very special late Christmas gift this year.  Just two days after Christmas, her daughter gave birth to an adorable baby boy, who joins three very jubilant siblings. I always keep a few of my machine appliqued baby bibs and blankets on hand for these joyful events because they happen so often!  If riding in a one-horse open sleigh is fun, then making these bibs and blankets must be a close second.  There is a huge variety of darling digital embroidery patterns on the internet so personalizing is a snap. Immediate downloading is also a perk.  Etsy is my favorite place to shop for baby embroidery files because the many and varied sellers offer the cutest original digital files and so far they have all stitched up beautifully. The cute little lion on this handmade patchwork bib was very simple and fun to stitch. You can check out some others I have created and the directions for them  here and here.

I always add an absorbent terry cloth backing and easy to use snaps on my handmade bibs.

Also waiting in my stash for this sweet little guy to cuddle in was this colorful giraffe receiving blanket  

Here are some good instructions on how to create this flannel self binding blanket.

And, of course, a matching card.  

Can't wait to bundle my handmade love in a bright package and go visit this little cutey and his  happy, relieved mom.  

Happy New Year, Everyone.

Thanks for visiting.

Go forth and create something fabulous.

Nancy

For Rosie - Machine Embroidered Ballerina Quilt

   👉   I love these little people; and it is not a slight thing when they, who are so fresh from God, love us.   Charles Dickens  

Embroidery Library Ballerinas,  Accuquilt Go Big fabric cutter and dies, Riley Blake Fabric, Isacord  Thread, Embrilliance Embroidery Software

When one of my dear friends excitedly announced she was finally going to get her first girl grandchild, I joined in  her elation.  All of her grandchildren so far are boys, and this little sweetie has been greatly anticipated.  Then, when she announced the baby's name was going to be "Rosie," my head swam with delightful ideas on a gift I could make for her.   

I knew I had these adorable Ballerina embroidery files from Embroidery Library just waiting to dance on a darling little girl's quilt.  Their flower tutu's are perfect for a beautiful garden in which Rosie takes center stage in the middle block.  My Embrilliance Embroidery Software allowed me to resize my ballerinas to fit my six-inch blocks and curve Rosie's name around the rose tutu in the center block .My Accuquilt Go Big fabic cutter is always my favorite way  to cut perfectly accurate blocks and sashing.  Beautiful floral Riley Blake fabrics created a lovely palette for my quilty flower bed. I didn't photograph the backing before I sent the quilt, but the fabric matches one of the floral prints on the front.  I stitched in the ditch to quilt and handmade some of my favorite striped binding.  Now all this quilt needs is a little sweet  baby slobber to make it perfect!

I love making baby quilts so much because the recipients are definitely my favorite people!  

Thanks for visiting.

Go forth and create something fabulous.

Nancy

Patchwork Christmas Bibs - Machine Embroidered Applique

👉 Do something creative every day.

Hey there,

It's holiday gift-giving time and I just happen to have some of these fun festive bibs in my stash for the littles on my list. 

Check out these Easter bibs from my earlier post to see how I made them.   The holiday embroidery patterns all come from Etsy shops.

Having a fun and simple sewing project during the holidays is a delightful respite from all the hurried commotion going on this time of year.  Add a little Hallmark movie binge watching and a cup of hot chocolate and your holiday joy might just make it all the way through  New Years Eve.

Thanks for visiting.

Go forth and create something fabulous

Nancy.

Welcome Fall Log Cabin Wall Hanging - Accuquilt Go

While I'm still a relative newbie at piecing quilts, this lovely traditional art is fast becoming one of my favorite creative pass times.  Actually, it's a lot like my other obsession, paper crafting, because it involves a lot of the same techniques and skills.  Design, layout, color coordination...they're all there. And don't even get my started on the joys of die cutting.

The log cabin block for this wall hanging was a cinch to create using the Accuquilt  Go log cabin die and my Go Big electronic die cut machine. I can make several different size blocks with this one die just by adding additional strips,  but I chose to use a six-inch block for this quilt.

  

Accuquilt also makes an assortment of  fun applique dies like the pumpkins and leaves I used  for the 6-inch white blocks in this quilt. I purchased some really cute Etsy embroidery files  made specifically to spiff up the Go die cuts from VStitch Designs.

I promise I'm not an Accuquilt Go sales  rep, but I really love using die  cuts to make precise cuts for my quilts.  I'm not lazy...just rotary cutter impaired!

Thanks for visiting.
Go forth and be fabulous.
Nancy

Riley Blake Rag Lap Quilt - Embroidered Heart Detail

A beautiful pieced embroidered heart in the corner of this lap quilt is one way I can subtly tell my recipient I love her.  This machine embroidered heart is an Anita Goodesign design and I have "signed" several of my quilts this way.  One half of the heart is applique and the other half is a beautiful filigree pattern. I like the fact that the applique blends right into my quilt..

 

If I had to choose a fabric line that I'm drawn to the most, it would have to be Riley Blake Designs.  Her bright, whimsical designs always catch my eye.

"Quilt-as-you-go" rag quilts are simple and sew up so easily, they are my first choice for quick gifts.  But lately I'm getting in the mood to do some more detailed piecing with my ever growing stash. I'm excited to embark on an anniversary trip Scandinavia soon and I'm sure I will come home inspired to do some cozy, winter quilting. 

Thanks for visiting.

Go forth and be fabulous.

Nancy

Anita Goodesign Tropical Quilt - Another Embroidered Block Update

Oh, what fun I'm having machine embroidering appliqued blocks for my tropical quilt. Check out some of the blocks I've already finished in my earlier tropical quilt and tropical quilt 2 blog posts. I've completed nine blocks so far...only four more to go!  I can't wait to start piecing and get this ship sailing.

Then comes the hardest part for me, choosing the shashing and border fabrics.  Help!!! I'm thinking of a light blue fabric with some texture that looks like waves or water. Or maybe a very subdued tropical tone on tone. Or plain, so it won't compete with my bright colored blocks?  I have too many choices in my stash.  I love striped borders, but I'm not sure how stripes will look with a tropical quilt.  Maybe like a striped beach umbrella! That would be cool.

I won't know exactly what my design will be until I get all the blocks done and organize them to see what shape and size my quilt will be.  It's like arranging puzzle pieces.. I'm praying that they'll all fit together perfectly.

I guess part of the excitement is seeing where the process takes me. Speak to me, quilt! 

Thanks for visiting.

Go forth and be fabulous.

Nancy

Anita Goodesign Tropical Quilt - Embroidered Block Update

I'm still having the best time machine embroidering the quilt blocks for my tropical quilt wall hanging. Here are three more of the twelve designs I will make for this quilt.

I love the fact that these are applique designs.  I can pick out any coordinating fabric I want to give them color and texture. 

It actually feels a little like creating a stamped card.  I get to choose my fabric and thread to make the design look exactly how I want it.  Maybe that's why I love it so much!

I used ombre fabric for these flowers. I reach for this type of fabric when I want a soft, shaded look.  I love how these turned out.

Stayed tune for more of my blocks as I finish them.

Thanks for visiting,

Go forth and be fabulous. 

Nancy

Anita Goodesign "Life's a Beach" Wall Hanging - More Blocks

I've been absolutely mesmerized machine embroidering these tropical applique designs for my beach wall hanging. They're so bright and sunny...they make me want to step into those flip flops and build that sand castle!  

I'm using two types of embroidery thread - the Brother thread I received as a Christmas gift when I bought my machine and Isacord, a more expensive but highly recommended thread.  The Brother is shiny and beautiful and I have it in every color, but I have to watch it very closely for breakage and "nests" (which are bunched up clumps of thread which appear on the bottom of my fabric when the top thread isn't feeding properly). The Isacord is heaven to work with! The finish is more mat, but it's strong and sews very evenly with no problems

I use Floriani No Show Mesh cutaway stabilizer because it's soft and sheer and doesn't show through my fabric.  I also fuse Heat and Bond Lite to my appliques and iron them to my fabric during the embroidery process with a small mini iron. This keeps the appliques smooth when the quilt is washed. This time I did it out of habit because this wall hanging probably won't get washed but I like to know that my appliques will stay smooth and secure.

There are a lot of steps to these applique embroidery designs and I know if I mess up, I pretty much have to start over. There's no unpicking those tight stitches!  It takes time, patience and perseverance but I think the results are worth it. I absolutely love this project.  I can't wait to pick out fabric and get started on my next blocks.  Eight more to go. I'm headed to the "beach" but I'll be back.

.

Thanks for visiting.

Go forth and be fabulous.

Nancy

Anita Goodesign "Life's a Beach" Wall Hanging - Machine Embroidery

Now that the craziness of tax season has subsided,  I finally found some time to start sewing my highly anticipated beach quilt wall hanging. I put some thought into choosing my fabric because I need soft, pastel beachy tones to offset the bright embroidered images.  There are twelve motifs on the Anita Goodesign CD  I will be working from and I divided them into three categories: surf, sand, and foliage.   

I'm not sure what size my quilt will end up but I would like to hang it in my family room in a long rectangular area over my TV.  Each block will be 6 inches square because the largest hoop my Brother PE770 will accommodate is 5 x 7 and I can add an inch when I remove the block from the hoop. I'll decide how big to make my sashings and border after I lay out the squares and see what looks good. It's always a work in progress for me.  

These motifs are applique designs so I get to add pretty fabric to the embroidery to cover large areas. 

After the applique fabrics have been placed and stitched, I stitch the rest of the design like a regular embroidery pattern.

Here's my first block all stitched, trimmed and ready to sew into my quilt.  Only eleven more to go! I'll post them as I finish them.  

Thanks for visiting.

Go forth and be fabulous.

Nancy

Spring/Easter Bibs - Better Than Chocolate

What do you give your sweet little snuggle bunny friends when a big chocolate Easter bunny is out of the question?  How about a stylish  Easter bib for their gooey chocolate drool? Guilt free and adorable, yes?

I have sewn these fun and easy bibs in every theme I can fathom. There are loads of  darling machine embroidery applique patterns out there. ( I downloaded these from Etsy.) I'm a quilter so I love picking out coordinating fabrics for the appliques.  Easter colors are so bright and cheery!

The internet has several free baby bib patterns (check out my Quilting for Baby board on Pinterest) or you could just trace one of your favorite bibs.  Here is a really good basic pattern and tutorial.

 I like to piece the front with two different fabrics for a little extra flair. I line them with white flannel and use terry cloth on the back.  I prefer snaps over Velcro because I think they look better and are  just as easy to attach.

You don't need to use machine applique to make these bibs adorable.  There are so many cute fabrics and/or simple appliques out there.  I hope you give it a try!

Thanks for visiting.
Go forth and be fabulous.
Nancy