Gansey Crochet

Gansey Crochet caught my eye, and it was time to step back
and dig out my crochet hook!

These "retro" looking dish towels reminded me of my grandmother
and the dress type towels, she used to love to make.
It's been years since I crocheted, but with a little brushing up on things,
I was able to complete these 2 sets of towel/hot pads.

If you look close, you'll see that there are different stitches in each set.

It reminds me of "Fisherman" knit stitches a bit.

They hang nicely from the oven handle.

This is Annie's Signature Designs Gansey Towel Topper and Hot pad pattern

you can find

HERE

Don't crochet you say...

Have you heard about Jonah?
He's a young man with a passion for crochet.
His 6 part series is ideal for children but also great for teens and adults, too.
Take advantage of the trial membership in Annie's Creative Studio.
You can check it out  by clicking on the photo below

He's also written a book
Hello Crochet Friends
that chronicles the extraordinary life of this 11 year old.
What an inspiration!

I'm so hooked on this, that I've just bought a pattern for a crochet cowl.,
that I hope to share soon.

This site contains affiliate links, from which I may receive a small commission
 at no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!

til next time...
Keep on Stitchin'

Top it Off with "Island Batik"

This month the "Island Batik" ambassadors are topping their tables.

The temperatures are dropping and fall is in the air.

It's my favorite time of the year.

This little guy brings the season indoors, in a big way!

 "Blooming Scarecrow"

This 17" x 50" topper is perfect for my dining room table.

Many of the fabrics I used were from the "Island Batik" basics and blenders line.

I love that they are always available when I need them.

"Aurifil" has threads to match any project!

I'm a Hobbs "Thermore" junkie.

I absolutely love this thin poly batting in my table toppers.

It quilts up nice and flat every time.

Thank you "Island Batik", "Hobbs", and "Aurifil".

Your the best industry partners ever!

If you need a little harvest in your home...

...here's the exclusive pattern from

that you can find

HERE

(Note: this is an affiliate link)

I do have a special surprise for one of you...

Annie's, has graciously offered to give away a digital copy of "Blooming Scarecrows".
a Rafflecopter giveaway
One winner will be chosen on Monday Oct 7.

Happy Fall Y'all!

til next time...

Keep on Stitchin'

Try It with "Island Batik"

This month the Island Batik Ambassadors trying something new, 

or showing you techniques, you may not have tried before.

This is always one of my favorite challenges.

I inspires me to get out of that "box" I put myself into

 and give something new, a whirl.

Well, not exactly like this though!

No, for this one I'm going to talk about binding irregular shaped quilts.

This is "Hen Party".

And these "Island Batik" fabrics make these "chicks" come to life, don't you think?

I was able to use part of a "stack" of "Paisley Dot" for the background.

This is one of my favorite fabric lines.

These are just a sampling of the beautiful fabrics in this "Stack".

I've used much of it, in other projects.

I've not personally ever added little wings to my quilts before, but

wow, does that give it some pizzazzzzzz!

It's really as easy as stitching your "wings", 

by matching the centers and pressing them out.

Where the trick comes in, is with binding it.

While I took this photo before it was quilted...

You will want to reinforce stitch the inner corner once that has been done. 

Stitch, just a few threads inside of the 1/4"seam allowance.

Then clip to your stitching line.

When attaching your binding, stitch to the center of the clip and stop.

Raise your feed dogs.

Give things a tug, until it's your piece is straight.

Lower your feed dogs and keep on stitching. 

You will want to check that corner once your past it to make sure

you kept that quarter in seam. It's easy to jump in a bit there. 

If so, just go over it again. The second time is usually the charm!

LOL!!

When pressing your binding out, 

press in a little pleat at each inner corner.

Before you start stitching down your binding,

 flip your project over and stitch a tuck

 about half way up from your stitching line

 at each inner corner, on just the underside layer of your binding.

As you can see, you will get beautiful results on both the top and bottom,

at those inner corners.

A big thanks it "Island Batik" for supplying these fabulous fabrics.

As well as to "Hobbs" for their batting. I am a huge fan of

"Thermore" batting. It's great for those project you want to lay perfectly flat.

Of course it goes without saying...

"Aurifil" thread is a must for stitching any project.

:-)

So you love those crazy hens as much as I do?

Well, you can find them and lots of other fun animal projects in this book

from Annie's Craft Store

Animal Attraction

Price: $7.99

Pattern in a downloadable format

• Animal Attraction
• 
• Price: $14.99
• Or in a book format.
• *Please note these are affiliate links*

til next time...

Keep on Stitchin'

Sweet Dreams

Note: This post contains affiliate links.

I love working with

Today I'm excited to share my version of "Sweet Dreams"

This pattern is perfect for busting a little stash.
It really amazes me, just how much we can do, with our leftovers.

Are these little faces just the sweetest?

You can find the pattern
HERE
Nice thing is, you can choose paper or down-loadable.
**This is an affiliate link**
While I do receive a small portion of the sale,
it does not have any affect on the price you pay.
Check it out and start you own, for that someone special.
Be sure you share it with me.
You know I love seeing your creations!

All this needs is a little one, sitting on it now!

;-)

til next time...

Keep on Stitchin'

Vintage Reimagined with "Island Batik" and Giveaway

*Post contains affiliate link*

There is nothing more fun that finding that vintage pattern that speaks to you,

and making it new again with fabulous batik fabrics.

That was just the challenge that "Island Batik" gave their ambassadors this month.

I picked this "Dresden" design.

I love "Hobbs" Thermore batting.

It  was perfect for this project. 

This ultra thin batting is perfect for wall hangings,

when you want it to hang straight.

No more waving like a flag on a wall.

LOL!!

This is another of the fabulous projects in "Springtime Quilts" from

Quilters World.

Their version done in 30's prints, looks much different than my batik version.

Farrell, loves this batik version best, though!

Does he look familiar to anyone out there?

He is one of  "Xavier Roberts " original "Cabbage Patch" kids.

That's kind of a blast to the past isn't it?

Now that's really making it new again.

LOL!!

As an affiliate of Annie's Craft Store, they have made a fabulous offer to give away a copy of this magazine to "one" of my lucky followers.

I can't think of a better way to celebrate National Quilting day!

Leave me a comment telling me what your favorite Springtime Quilt is.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This giveaway will stay open until 12am on March 21st.

But if you just can't wait that long...

You can purchase it

 HERE

;-)

A big thanks to 

and

til next time...

Keep on Stitchin'