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Tuesday, July 28, 2020

Christmas in July (then and now) Blog Hop


My favorite time of the year...Christmas in July. Carol really knows how to gets us 
in the mindset of starting our holiday stitching...
Before you know it, we will be stitching up, all our favorite fall projects, as well.
(that means Halloween is right around the corner)
WHOOP WHOOP!
Ok...getting back on track here.

Then 
Yes, he was over it. He is either running away screaming or doing the happy dance.
I will let you  be the judge.
:-)

NOW
He's had time to recoup and recover a bit.
(possibly after imbibing in his favorite toddy)
He has managed to regain his stately composure, once again!
This is "Jolly Old Santa"
 from "Seams Like Home" designed by Joan Jones.
Hey, with a name like that who wouldn't love her, right?
OK...I might just be a little biased here.
I have had this pattern in my mile high stack of must do's, for a very long time.
For some silly reason, I didn't buy the pre-made face when I bought the pattern. 
Let's just say that stopped me in my tracks..
It was time to put on my big girl panties and figure it out.
Now I'm here to tell you, having  absolutely no artistic ability, with the
instructions provided, even I could manage to make a face that looks like Santa.
I started off with a piece of scrap fabric. 
Using a light board, I traced the face pattern onto my fabric with a pencil.
Then I went over it with a brown "Pigma Micron" pen.
Next came the eyes.
These were done using  Derwent "Intense Ink" pencils.
It wasn't until I sat down to write this post,
 that I realized I had bought the wrong thing.
She recommended Prismacolor Colored pencils.
(I am guessing they might be close, to the same thing)
If you have never used these, you color lightly with them, then go back with a damp pencil tip and blend it. I will say, I practiced that on another piece of fabric first. It doesn't take much water. 
My first try looked a little more "Goth" than I was going for. 
LOL!!!

 I penciled in the black pupil first, then went in with the blue for the eye. Once it's dry, you go over it with an iron. It heat sets and makes it permanent. Final eye details were drawn in with a black Micron pen, and the white dot was added with acrylic paint.

I painted my blush on with acrylic paints. If you have never done that, you want almost no paint on your brush. Work it into a paper towel, until it seems like there's no point to it, what so ever.
;-)
The pattern shows you exactly where to "blush" your Santa face.

The real fun begins when you start layering his beard!
There are lots of layers. Laying all my pieces out numerically, was a
big help.
Getting it ready for quilting was easy.
I love Thermoweb's "Spray and Bond" basting adhesive.
No sticky needles or skipped stitches when quilting, but best yet...
There is no obnoxious oder, like so many other basting sprays have.
I have to give this product a "10" thumbs up!

Check it out for yourself

I hope I've inspired you to go out on the limb, and give "Jolly Old Santa" a try!
There's still plenty of time...
Thank you Carol for giving me that "push" I needed to get this guy done.
Now, I can hardly wait to start on one of your fabulous Halloween quilts!
(winky winky)
One last little thing...
I asked to post today!
You see, today is my birthday and being able to spend it with
my online friends and blogging buddies, is my biggest gift!
You have inspired and supported me more than you know, over the past 10+ years...
"SEW"
I've got a little gift to give one of you!
It wouldn't be a surprise if I told you what it was, so your going to have to trust me
Tee hee hee. 
I promise it will be good!

I will pick a winner Sunday Aug 2.
Unfortunately due to the crazy costs of international postage, 
this will be USA only.

Thanks for visiting...
now check out what my fellow bloggers are tempting us with for the holidays, today!

Saturday, July 25, 2020

Christmas in July Blog Hop (now and then)


Need some inspiration to get your machines fired up and start on your
 Christmas projects?
Well, Carol from "Just Let Me Quilt" is your girl.
Starting Monday, she is bringing some fabulous bloggers together, to share their
holiday projects with you.
 
While there may not be jingle bells just yet, 
our machines have been jingling along.
There just might be a bough of holly or two...
but you will have to wait til Wednesday to know for sure!
Here's the schedule, and I will see you on Wednesday...

July 27
  
July 28
  
July 29
  
July 30
  
July 31

til next time...
Keep on Stitchin'


Wednesday, July 22, 2020

Words to Grow By BOM...November



The early release of the November block is all about "caring"

This little "Care" bear is floating high, with his balloon bouquet!

Just a note...any remaining patterns will be released and available, free of charge
until the end of September.
After that, they will be available for a small fee.

If you are looking for this block. It is available in my Etsy Shop


Not a fan of tracing?
Check out EZ Print from Thermoweb. 
These printer friendly sheets take the hassle out of applique!

I just have to share...
You know that feeling, when things in your head, just don't translate
 into fabric the way you want them too?????
I was thinking of "Care Bears" and their bright colors.
Sickly green just didn't make the cut though!
Just a little heads up when you look at the pattern and think...
WHAT?????
LOL!!

Unforeseen circumstances have forced us to take a break.
We, of course won't leave you high and dry. All blocks are being released early.
Happy Dance!!!! 
You can read the official announcement on our Facebook page.
This page will be left open so you can continue to share your blocks with us
 and ask questions.


Below is a list of all the blocks for this BOM with links.
I will update this list with new blocks and links as I finish them.
You will be able to find them on our Facebook page as well.
Enjoy!

February
March
April
May
August
Sew Incredibly Crazy

September
October
December
Sew Incredibly Crazy

til next time...
Keep on Stitchin'

Monday, July 20, 2020

Words to Grow By BOM...December


It may not be December yet...
but there is never a better time to start
"Leading" the way.

As you have likely heard by now, we are releasing all the blocks for this years


Unforeseen events have required us to take a break.
That doesn't mean we are leaving you high and dry...
just the opposite in fact, the blocks are going to be released early to everyone.
Happy Dance!


Carol at "Just Let Me Quilt" designed this cutie, with a message that 
speaks volumes in our crazy world right now.

You can find the pattern

Not a fan of tracing?
Check out EZ Print from Thermoweb. 
These printer friendly sheets take the hassle out of applique!


Any remaining patterns will be released and available, free of charge
until the end of September.
They will be available for a small fee after that.

You can read the official announcement on our Facebook page.
This page will be left open so you can continue to share your blocks with us
 and ask questions.


Below is a list of all the blocks for this BOM with links.
I will update this list with new blocks and links as I finish them.
You will be able to find them on our Facebook page as well.
Enjoy!

February
March
April
May
August
Sew Incredibly Crazy
September
October
Moose Stash Quilting
December
Sew Incredibly Crazy

 Keep an eye out...Novembers block will be coming soon!



til next time...
Keep on Stitchin'

Sunday, July 19, 2020

Who is That Masked Bandit?

It seems like we are never going to get away from wearing masks!
Remember the days...if we saw someone in a mask, you were sure they were going to rob a bank!
Well those days are long gone. Now we are walking around giving people
 the "stink" eye, if they don't have a mask on!

Up to this point, I have been making the rectangle pleated masks.
They work well, except when they come out of the wash, 
mine are all wadded up and need ironing.
I don't even like to iron clothes no less masks!
LOL!!

Then I found these!
These are "Crafters Edge" mask dies, and yes there are 4 different sizes included.


With these dies and Heat n Bond Sew-In Interfacing, making masks has never been so easy.

Best yet...


These dies run not only in the "Crossover II Fabric and Paper Cutting System",
but also in the Accuquilt GO cutter, when used with the "Conversion Platform Set".
I love that they are so much easier to store. 
No more needing big shelves for heavy dies.
Fussy cutting with them is a snap, and there is much less 
fabric waste with them, too!

As for the masks...
This is my favorite style so far.

I like having just 1 tie, life is to short to spend it tying ties all the time!


I was able to find these cord locks on Amazon.


Making it easy to hang the mask on your neck when not in use, and flipping it up and sliding the cord lock tight, when needed.

Never mind the scary hair. While some people have bed head...
This is my mask head these days!


You can find more on Crafters Edge dies  HERE


Thermoweb and Heat n Bond products  HERE

til next time...
Keep on Stitchin'