Monday Guest

Hi Readers, today I am guest blogging over at Shruti’s blog, 13 Woodhouse Road, as part of her ABCs of Quilting series…

If you are here for the first time, by way of Shruti’s introduction, please have a look around.  I create one-of-a-kind applique such as these adorable onesies, available in my shop (all with FREE U.S. SHIPPING!)

Unique Modern baby quilts…like Blast Off and Noah’s Guitar… (my two faves!)

I started sewing at age ten or eleven, so I’ve tried a little bit of everything… and in addition to my Candied Hexagon Quilt project, I have other ONGOING, long-term projects, including my Nearly Insane Quilt, and some Bee quilt blocks that need completing into quilts…. Where to find the extra time, huh?!  This is one of my MANY TINY PIECES 6″ Nearly Insane blocks:

Here is a round-up of other tutorials I’ve shared:

My Portrait Placemats

Foundation Pieced Cyclone Block

Mitered Corners (for a quilt or tablecloth, etc)

Reversible Tablecloth (or Quilting Without Binding)

Ten Minute Table Runner

Felt Favor Bags

I hope you’ll visit again…  I am working on a scrap-busting tutorial that I think you will really like!  Stay tuned…

happy sewing,
Doris

Resolve to Relax

I know, it’s nearly February 1, and I’m writing a post on resolutions–bear with me.  2011 was the year we got married: the WEDDING and all the wonderful connections and re-connections that came with that were uplifting and inspiring.  However, over the course of the past year, I wrestled with demons;  being overcome often by frustration, exhaustion, and paralyzing anxiety.  Those dark days clouded much of my year.  For the most part, the cloud has passed, and I am positive and hopeful that more bright days are ahead.

Most importantly, I am creating again!  This makes me happier than words can say…

 

Which brings me to some creative resolutions I made for this year.  Just in time to count in the big Resolve to Sew Giveaway!

• I resolve to spend more time sewing on my ancient WIPs and UFQs.  A few of these haven’t seen the light of day since 2010, when I lifted the lid of the box to make sure they were still there and still okay. 
• Spend more time sewing clothing (for me and maybe for that little baby niece) I have a small collection of vintage patterns that I’d like to alter to make myself a few dresses and (maybe) even a coat from one I bought recently online–grand ambitions, I know.  I also have a few of the Lisette sewing patterns by Simplicity, and I’d love to make (at least one of) everything in this pattern for a summer wardrobe:

 

• Sadly I didn’t sew any clothing last year (other than a few alterations for the wedding). We can’t have that.
• In 2012, I’m going to sew my own quilts, my own inspirations, and not worry so much about what trends are popping up on blogs, Pinterest, and flickr. Or if it will fill a void here on the blog….  If I like it, and I feel it, I’ll create it!
• And lastly, I want to try some new things.  I haven’t defined exactly what those new things are yet, but I know I want to experiment more this year and work/sew outside of my comfort zone.  

So stay tuned–big things could be happening here in 2012! 

 

Do you make sewing/quilting resolutions? 

Or general resolutions when the New Year comes?

What do you want to create in 2012?

Creative Clips

It’s been a month.  A month of quiet; A month of busy.  A month of reading books; A month of prayer.  A month of work… of appointments… of meetings… of housework… of meal-planning and cooking… of illness and exhaustion… of tears and of laughter… and a break from feeling obligated to journal here.  Resolutions were made; and kept (still going strong!).  Change (improvement?) was made in so many ways, and excitement and anticipation of the next few months is high. 

When I started my blog, I posted (nearly) weekly “creative clips” showing small things I worked on or did, that didn’t necessarily warrant an entire blog post.  Sort of like my friend Cindy’s “Really Random” posts–only not as amusing as her posts.    I’ve decided I’m bringing Creative Clips back in 2012.  So here goes:

Creative Clips, Weeks 1, 2 & 3!

My SIL is making a 100 Wishes Quilt for the son they recently brought home from China.  I surprised them at Christmas by giving them two special blocks, hand embroidered and sashed to match her quilt blocks, with dates to represent their trip to China, his birthday and adoption date (“gotcha day”), and the date he became a citizen of the United States–all within an outline of his two countries:

On December18th, my Sweetie and I went to meet our new nephew, and then, a few days after Christmas, he and his big brother spent a few hours at our place while Mom went on a lunch date and ran a few errands.  It’s amazing, they are truly brothers, as if they have been since birth.  His first trip to Dairy Queen with uncle and auntie:

I didn’t sew any gifts to give this year, however I did have a customer request for a set of Mother/Daughter aprons… using this sweet cupcake fabric from my stash, I made an apron for a 3-year old girl and her mommy–who enjoy baking together:

Like Katy, I sometimes resist cutting into “precious” fabrics in my stash because I’m saving it for something “special”.  Silly, huh?  Well, I opened a Good Fortune layer cake and started sewing last weekend… on a sewing day at my place with two awesome friends:

Seriously, I have to get over that–the stash is there to be used, Amy Butler and Heather Ross and all…

 

It just felt  good to sew again…. and have I ever mentioned how much I love to chain-piece?

I did a little hand-piecing on a short road trip over the holiday week; a little progress on the hexagon quilt:

I enjoyed twelve days off from the job at holiday time, and spent much of that time sleeping (even though I had grand intentions of spending it creating!)… I guess your body knows when it has reached a certain point of sleep deprivation, and my body decided to revolt and take the sleep it needed no matter what the right side of the brain was demanding. 

Life is indeed good, and I am blessed,

Doris