Friendship pincushion

I made this little pincushion using my leftovers from my "It's Raining Hexies" quilt for the Friendship Quilts Blog Hop which you can link up here. 

It's kind of hard to see but I used a chevron pixilated type of design. And as you can see from this angle, the roof isn't quite even, because I closed it at the top. Hmmmmm, I will definitely close on the bottom from now on. I could go in to why I closed on the top...blah blah blah, yadda yadda yadda......but it didn't work anyway, so who cares:) I might re-do this later.

I did a little embroidery on it, and truthfully, I think it's the best part of the pincushion! I have minimal experience with this so it's pretty organic, but I love it!

So now, who am I gonna give it to? Ahem, after I fix it? It's a toss up. It is between my Mother-In-Law and my neighbor's Mom.

My Mother-In-Law is one of the greatest ladies I know. She has always been there for us. Always been supportive. She treats me like her own daughter. My husband CLAIMS she treats me better than himself. UM, he's a little jealous;) sometimes, HA! I really feel like I lucked out in the Mother-In-Law department. I love her:)

or

My neighbors Mom. She just moved here from Louisiana. Neat lady. I haven't got to know her alot yet, but just a thought to welcome to the neighborhood. 

Both these lovely ladies are sewers so I know that they will appreciate it. I guess I will have to flip a coin, and then make another one.:D

I'm going to link this up with
Diane from blank pages

Parade Day  with Katie from There and Back
 

and Kristie @ Quiet Play for TGIFF

I'm Finished!

 Many of you know about the panic I had the other day when my mini sample wrinkled like crazy in the feathers.  After blocking and re-blocking many times, and following Leah Day's suggestions, it still looked like this.

So, what did I do? I made an investment in this little Dritz iron. Man, they are expensive! But I had a JoAnn's Coupon for 50% off, so I got it.

After carefully ironing, it looked like this.

It was very humid today, so it didn't stay completely flat, but MUCH better!

I'm not totally happy with it. There are many things I would do differently.  But I am elated that IT IS DONE! It's outta my hair. Finito. Finished!! I can't say I enjoyed this project.

One good thing came out of it. I learned ALOT! Thank you everyone  for all of your input on fixing my sample!

Here's my snake paisley. Not sure what's up with the wrinkles. It doesn't look near as bad in person. Oh well. I think stitched out on green it looks like tropical leaves:)

Oh, I almost forgot. I tried Aurifil  thread for the first time. It was the orange spool I think, 100% cotton. I had 4 breaks in this snake paisley sample. It stitches beautifully, but not worth all those breaks! I'll stick with Isacord for FMQ;)

I'm linking up with Leah Day for Quilt Along Wednesday's:)

HELP!!

I got to the blocking stage of my mini quilt this evening. IT SHRUNK LIKE CRAZY!! I washed it on delicate, cold/cold water. Maybe this is where I went wrong instead of just soaking it, but I did this because I wanted to get the basting spray out. OIY! I'm smacking myself on the head!

I did NOT put it in the dryer at first. I decided that is what I need to do( at least until barely damp) to hopefully fluff that batting back up???So I unpinned it from my bulletin board to fluff it a bit. Then I will re-pin. Hopefully it helps! I will update you on this. I also think since I used 100% cotton thread made my feathers shrink like crazy! This is something I didn't even consider! I Bet Isacord wouldn't have shrunk like that;) Leah:)))) what would you do in this situation?? It's not pretty! I got the wrinkles out everywhere but the feathers. There are just to many small feathers going in to many directions. If I have to start from scratch, I will have to get more supplies and I may pull my hair out!:(((((((((((((((((((

I

I have made good progress on my mini quilt sample for my local quilt shop. I will get the quilting finished today and hopefully get it blocked tonight!(I must remember to measure before I submerge into water!!) 

I need to get this one done so I will feel good about finishing my UFO Greek Cross quilt!

I settled on Mettler silk-finish 100% cotton 50 wt. thread. It's not my favorite. The shop's thread selection was very limiting. It lents up like crazy. It will be the last time I use it. It will be the last sample I do for the shop. I have learned that if its is not in my heart, it's not enjoyable. I will not waste my time on a project that I don't have TOTAL creative control over!!

Hopefully by Wednesday, I can show you the finished product!! 

I'm linking up with Leah Day  for UFO Sunday on the Free Motion Quilting Project!

Now, I'm off to finish!

 

Lava Paisley- Quilt Along Wednesday's

I tried the FMQ design Lava Paisley that we were to do for  Quilt Along Wednesday's with Leah Day. I  used Kona cotton (some yellow variety??) with YLI Variations sunrise. The thread and fabric, along with this design illuminated in perfect harmony!

Every one else seems to having an easier time with this design as opposed to paisley. It wasn't super hard, but I did find paisley much easier. Maybe because I have done paisley before, but not the lava paisley.

Over all, I really like the design and would definitely use this in a quilt. I just need a little more practice!!

Here is my quilting question for Leah. My Greek Cross quilt will be composed of 30 blocks. I hadn't planned on a border, nor did I really want one. Plus, I don't have any more of my background fabric. I did not plan ahead for extra fabric on the edge blocks. What should I do in order to quilt to the edge. Is there any option other than adding a border. I was actually thinking of using some sort of tape(like surgical tape.....I guess because its fabric) to tape the edges down(as close to the edge as I can) once I got close enough to them. I have no idea if this would work. I could do a multiple print border, but it's not the look I was going for.

Until next time........;)   EDIT: WAIT! I just had a light bulb moment! maybe i could baste the edges down as I get close to them. It would be a little extra fuss, but it beats buying fabric. Does anyone else have any suggestions for this dilemma??

UFO Sunday's

I'm linking up with Leah Day for UFO's Sunday's.I got my fabric for my Greek Cross Quilt cut and ready to piece. I have 19 completed blocks, so I need at least 6 more, although I may go with an extra row, bringing it up to needing 11 more. I bought 1 more yard of Peacock Kona. I am cutting it really close, but I think I have just enough this time:)

I did manage to complete a little Beaded Lace Medallion UFO I had laying around!

I had it on my coffee table for about a month half finished.  Leah's bracelet post last week was just what I needed to get it done! Probably a good thing before it got reduced to a pile of beads!I found it while cruising Pinterest. You can find the instructions HERE.

I will admit I haven't beaded much. I used the bead string suggested except the weight was different. It's what I could find at Hobby Lobby. She suggests OO Nymo thread, I used D Nymo thread. It kind of looks like dental floss. Mine turned out a little flimsy.

I ran my extra thread tail back through the main outer beads which helped stiffen it some. I am thinking of using a thin sheer ribbon, or some braided DMC floss to use for the necklace part. Any suggestions???

Quilt Along Wednesday's

I got my homework DONE! YAY! I really like doing paisley!! I did make that one big one in the middle, but oh well. I can't wait to do lava paisley!! 

 Be sure to check out my post on my Friendship Quilt! It's my day today and the reason I have been late on my homework lately!! 

Sorry this post is so short...er,um, I'm at work and my break's over.......bye!