Stitching, Christmas, and everyday life

I'm Christmas 2016 has come and gone!  Blogging everyday in December has come and gone, and didn't happen here on my blog.  Everyday life was happening in December, and I was enjoying the season.   I made these.

A Sports Fan "Aprons"

I embroidered 6 of these for my friend Terri over at http://quiltsfromtheheart.blogspot.com she made pillows for a friend out of her mothers wedding dress.  I embroidered the words with 60 weight thread in champagne color (tone on tone), they turned out nice, I think.

Six 8X8 squares embroidered on a Wedding Dress

I embroidered on these two store bought stockings.  I had to embroider the names on organza ribbon and then stitched the organza onto the stockings.  I wasn't unstitching store bought stockings that wouldn't fit in the embroidery hoop.  Maybe next year I can make them stockings, though I kinda like these just the way they are.  

Embroidered names on store bought stockings

We bought our Christmas Tree the weekend before Christmas.  It was raining, so we set the tree up in the tree stand, and left it out in the garage to dry.  And then I got a cold/flu bug the Tuesday/Wednesday before Christmas.  Decorating the tree took all day, but finally I finished.  Happy it was finished, couldn't wait...

Christmas Tree 2016

Today, New Years Eve, eve, our two favorite boy's have been here for a few days.  Sewing is on hold until the first of 2017.  Happy New Year, happy piecing, happy sewing.

Sheila

So much for blogging

Where has the time gone?  I thought I was going to blog along with Cheryl Sleboda over at http://muppin.com/wordpress/index.php/why-december-31dayblogwritingchallenge/  one day, and only one day was I able to make the challenge.  My boss at my embroidery job asked if I could bring home 20 apron's to embroider on.  "Sure".  Each apron took 35 minutes to stitch out, and had over 20,000 stitches.  I stayed up until 1:00am and couldn't keep my eyes open for the last two aprons to get finished. So up and at them at 5:45am to finish them and deliver them back to the boss man at 9:00am.

Brother PR1000E stitching

That turned out to be a big stretch for me, but I was glad I was able to get them finished.  I've also done small jobs for customer's who need names embroidered on a pillow, (which I didn't take a picture of) on a sweatshirt, and the next job is for names and wedding dates on wedding dress fabric.  I haven't started that job.  

Christmas Pillow

This cute Christmas pillow was completed while the embroidery machine stitched the aprons.  Yesterday before I stitched the names on this sweatshirt I took my Remy dog for a two mile walk.  It was pretty cold, but my pound puppy needs her exercise as much as I do.

This is the Sweatshirt finished

I forgot to take a picture of this before I added the names.  The snowman and bling were on the shirt when it was purchased, I added "Nana's Angels", and the four names.  I hope the customer likes it, I do.  So with that, and work another week has flown by.  

Happy sewing, happy piecing,

Sheila

Challenge

Hello blog friend's, I'm joining the #31dayblogchallenge and will try to blog a post for the next 31 days here on my blog and link with Cheryl Sleboda over at http://muppin.com/wordpress/index.php/why-december-31dayblogwritingchallenge/  It's a very busy time of the year, and what am I thinking?  I have a few embroidery jobs, in addition to working at TT, and the part time Embroidery job .  But I have neglected this blog, and really want to get it going again.  I'll really try to post everyday, and in the mean time here are a few of the things I've been up to.  

Embroidered Name

Embroidered Shirts

Christmas Decorations

More Christmas Decorations

Need I say more? 

My DH surprised me with these awesome decorations.  I came home to find him and DS setting up these cute decorations.  I need to get off this computer and get to work sewing, and embroidering.

Happy piecing, happy sewing,
Sheila

http://muppin.com/wordpress/index.php/the-2016-31-day-blog-writing-challenge/Sheila

Summers not over

I love summer. and everything about it.

Hand sewing binding on and Thursday Night Football

I also love football.  At the end of summer I always say "I don't want summer to end"!  Finally 2016 and Mother Nature agrees with me.  This first week of September summer is having a final say so!  Here on the East Coast we're having another heat wave. This has been one hot summer, and I like it. Yesterday with the start of Football the outside temps reached the mid 90's.  So off I went to DSMIL's for a dip in the pool.  

Beautiful Blue Water, and sew refreshing

Now today I'm finishing the binding on this little Autumn wall hanging out on the deck.

So once summer is over, I will gladly hang a new wall hanging fitting for pumpkin spice, and falling leaves.  Until September 21,  summers not over.

Happy sewing, happy piecing,
Sheila

Dog days of summer

The day's are getting shorter, and another heatwave is starting here in the DC/Metro area.  My adorable grandson's head back to school on Monday, but before they return I had to have some "dog days of summer time with them".  (Good for theirs, and my soul).

Spending a little tablet time since it's so hot outside

Most of the time was spent at Nan Nan's pool.  Swimming and playing games in the pool is the best.

Two fish in the pool.

Playing at the Playground

Playing at the neighbor playground was fun too.

School starts on Monday

And along with all the fun, there was a little sewing/embroidery time for me too.  In between all that good old fashioned fun we've been watching the Harry Potter movies.  My man and I have never seen the Harry Potter movies, but knew some day we would since (Grandson #1 is quite the reader, and has started reading the books).  This week we started out with the movie #1, and are up to #6.  Hoping to finish #7 tomorrow morning before we make our way back up to PA.  

Love our summertime fun, looking forward to Autumn season since Summer "does end".  

Happy Piecing, happy sewing,

Sheila

Like a Glove

Well it's done.

Second Station Cover "like a glove"

Second Station Uncovered

Back on July 20th, I started cutting out the pieces for a test pattern for this cover.  http://quiltingnan.blogspot.com/2016/07/a-different-kind-of-sewing-for-me-today.html  I finished sewing it yesterday and dear son in law says it fits like a glove.  That makes me happy.  Sewing was a little difficult on this waterproof fabric, but the most difficult part of it was the waterproof thread.  My machine wasn't a fan, but she got it done with some tension adjustments, and slow stitching.  I now have to finish the seat cover. (also with the waterproof fabric, and thread.)  It's just a baby sheet pattern I used to make it, and just needs the elastic corners adjusted.

Seat Cover

Hopefully this too will fit like a glove.

Happy piecing, happy sewing,

Sheila

Meet Rubble

This is Rubble, the Bulldog.  Grandson #2 "talked" me into buying him for him one day earlier this year.  The local quilt shop that I work at is where we bought Rubble,  so there was an employee discount too. We have had several get togethers, and planned to stitch his favorite stuffed animal's name on his belly, and each time other things have come up, and the opportunity was lost.  Fast forward to week 30, and family vacation.  Of course Rubble came along, and when we got home to Nan's house, and one last weekend to spend with my boy's was the perfect time to get down to the sewing room.  Rubble has a heart, and his name, and a very happy little boy.  It don't get better than that.  

Happy piecing, happy sewing in the Summertime,

Sheila

Second Station Cover

A different kind of sewing for me today.  I'm creating a cover for the "Second Station" of my Son In Laws fishing boat.  I'm using waterproof fabric, (and waterproof thread, and a larger needle than a quilting needle) but my test pattern is just open weave cotton fabric that my other Son in Law gave me years ago.  Finally finding a use for it.  I will also make a bench cover out of the waterproof fabric. I'm enjoying the creative process.

The steering wheel measures 17 inches with half an inch seam allowances.  But after sewing all the prices together I'll need to make the wheel pattern 18 inches.  

This part goes over the wheel and down over the throttlle, and will have to be shortened.  

Here it is, after a few minor changes I think it will be a perfect fit.  But I'm really happy with my first prototype, and dear Son in Law is really happy about it too, and is telling all his boating buddies about his talent mother in law! And since he sent them all this picture they all want to place orders too!  This could be the start of something big.  I will be sure to post a picture of the finished cover in the  waterproof fabric.  Until then, happy piecing, happy sewing,

Sheila

Peaceful summertime sewing

Peaceful summertime sewing...

Tomato Pin Cushion

A little hand sewing in the summertime #thesplendidsampler block #43

#thesplendidsampler block 43, purple, one of my favorite colors, and yellow with a tomato pin cushion.  How many of those did I have before I started making my own pin cushions? 

February 2011 Checkered bird in the middle is mine

Blue bird of happiness retreat 2011.  I have more pin cushions that I've made at retreats, I'll see if I can find pictures.  

In the mean time, happy piecing, happy sewing,

Sheila

Safe and sound

A boo boo on this baby hurt me way more than it should have, but what can I say?  This little Gem has been in my garage for 10 years, and when we drove her off the lot in Gaithersburg she had 3 miles on her odometer.  Now 10 years later she has a little less than 45 thousand miles on her.  

Ouch!

What a surprise!  To come home after work yesterday evening, to find my pride safely in the garage all fixed up and like new. My man sent me out to get garlic bread out of the fridge in the garage.  Happy squeal,  and forgotten garlic bread when I saw my baby home safe and sound.

Home again, Naturally 

As good as new

So happy to drive her to work today.

Happy piecing, happy sewing,

Sheila

Sewing in the summertime

Wow, how did we get here?  July 12th already?   I spent the first part of the summer (after my birthday, and before Memorial Day, and well into June) sick with of all things shingles!  Out of work at both part time jobs for a month, plus some.  Wouldn't wish that mess on anyone, bad, bad stuff is shingles!  So I'm finally back at work at the LQS and on my way home from my first day back, I get rear ended, and the SOB drove off before we exchanged information!  No I didn't get his license, no I didn't take a picture, I was SHOCKED, and couldn't believe that the SOB was really driving off!  All of the should of's, would of's, could of's,  have run through my head.  Insurance will cover damages less our deductible.  Thank goodness for small favors. I'm not hurt, only my pride.  This car now 10 years old, whom I've named "Penny" will be fixed as good as new.

I have several projects I'm working on, but here are just a couple.  1. The Splendid Sampler http://www.thesplendidsampler.com and 2. Missouri Star Quilt Company's 4 Patch Lattice Quilt with Bee Creative fabric line. https://youtu.be/0XeHEFoDHes 

Splendid Sampler on top/4 Patch Lattice bottom

Only 7 different blocks of the Splendid Sampler, and an eighth not pictured.  Every Thursday, and Sunday a new block is released, and there will be a total of 100 blocks.  I just love the little 6 inch unfinished blocks, and can't wait to get the new pattern to download on Sunday's and Thursday's.  

4 Patch Lattice

From the four 5inch charm packs I should have been able to make 42 blocks.  I say should have because one of the blocks I cut wonky!  And I shorted myself, I now have 41 blocks! So yesterday I worked at the quilt shop, and I bought 3 fat quarters (I have 3 light 5 inch squares left here at home) so I can make one more block. "Note to self", measure twice, cut once.  So, I hope to have a finished quilt top in my very near future.

Until then,

Happy Piecing, Happy Sewing,

Sheila

Rookie Mistake!

Personalizing lounge chair towels for dear daughter #2, and her husband.  And no, "I did not" just sew the towel together and have to cut it out of the hoop?  BIG rookie mistake!

Top: Right way embroidery Bottom: Rookie Mistake! 

I am real mad at myself right now.  So I'll get another towel from Target and be really, really careful...

Happy piecing, happy sewing

Sheila

Seeing Green

Well, I didn't finish the Green is always Green over the weekend that I last posted on April 9th.  Tuesday, April 26th is when I finished piecing the top.  I'm happy with the way it turned out.

70 X 96 a good size

Now the next dilemma, how to quilt it.  I thought I wanted to have my good friend Rosa quilt it, but now I'm wondering if I shouldn't try to do it myself?  Not that I have any question that Rosa can't quilt it for me, I'm wondering if there shouldn't be some good old "Celtic Knots" and some "Irish Chains" quilted into the netural squares.

Sew today Saturday, I did some embroidery for Advanced Imaging (my second job) to embroider on some hats that I wasn't able to finish yesterday.  After 2 1/2 hours of embroidery I headed up the street to Tomorrow's Treasures to put some 6 foot tables together to pin this baby.  I forgot to take a picture, but Rosa was working, and helped me pin.  Here it is at home all ready for quilting.

70in X 96in

Notice there is a fire starter in the fireplace?  It's 54 degrees, and raining outside!  There is something terribly wrong with that.

Happy piecing, happy sewing,

Sheila

Spring Sewing

A cold Spring weekend, husband is away, so what's a Nan to do?  Sew!  We've had rain, and snow, and whipping wind out there.  No sense complaining, but I do not like it, and I have no plans to go anywhere, but down to the sewing room.  I've been working on the River Rock blocks for month two, they are a lot of pieces, and a lot of sewing.  They are honing my piecing skills, which can only be a good thing.

Month two block A 

But I'm happy to report that I have block A finished and up on the design wall.  Also on the design wall are block B and the spacer block for month 2, but they haven't been sewn together yet, but are all cut out.  The Green is always Green has another side sewn on, that's my leader and ender project.  I'm hoping to get the top and bottom on this weekend, and maybe get my friend Rosa to quilt it for me very soon in the month of April.

The Green is alway Green

I was also able to do a test stitch out for my Son in Laws embroidery.  I will have to get some additional colors of thread for a better stitch out, so I won't post a picture of that until another test with better colors.  It's getting late, and tomorrow is another sewing day.

Happy piecing, happy sewing,
Sheila

Irons in the fire

Small bits of sewing, that's all I seem to do lately.  I've got lots of of irons in the fire, and I like it, but... I've been thinking I really should try to finish a quilt or embroidery project before I start any new one's.  Here is a small list of some of my bits.
1. The Splendid Sampler, Jane Davidson and Pat Slone's year long quilt along. http://www.thesplendidsampler.com I really enjoy making these small blocks. This is 3 of block #1, and one each of blocks 2, 3, and 5, and two of block 4.  I'm only using scraps since these finish at 6 inches.

Blocks 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

2. River Rock BOM I wasn't going to make this quilt, but... Working at a Quilt Shop makes it very hard to resist.  What's not to love about batiks, right?  

Month 1, B Block

Month 1, A Block & Spacer

3. The Green is always Greener, borders(aka Jacobs Ladder) for Erika and Kurt.  I had a different border in mind, but it wasn't coming out the way I planned it.  So I just decided to do piano keys, here is one side finished.  I like this much better,  I think this will be a quilt sometime soon.  

And then of course there is the embroidery machine.  I like it when I can have something stitching out while I'm down there sewing on the sewing machine.  I feel productive even though I haven't a finished project to show here on the blog.  (sigh)

Design Wall 

The Christmas Birds are from Embroidery Library that I bought back before Christmas because they were only $1.00 each.  How could I pass that up?  Someday I hope to make them into a wall hanging.  

But for now it's getting late and this working girl has to get up in the morning.  

Until next time.  Happy piecing, happy sewing,

Sheila

Poison Bottle #5

The Poison Bottle Block of the Month is the brain child of Misty Cole, over at Pick your Brain Designs.  http://www.mistycole.com/block-of-the-month/ She's a very talented quilter, and she is a friend, and fellow member of the quilt guild that I belong to The Southern Comforter's of Bowie.  Misty designed this Poison Bottle Quilt.

Poison Bottles and Valentine's

These blocks of the month are being offered for free for two months after they are released each month, and after the free two months they can be purchased directly from her site.  So this month I am making my version of Block #5 here on my blog.   It was fun, and a little challanging for me, since I mostly make peiced quilts.  But I did recently purchase a Scan N Cut to make cutting appliqué pieces for in the hoop embroidery on my embroidery machine (go figure?).  During the Blizzard of 2016 I took myself down to my sewing dungeon, and scanned the images into my Scan N Cut. Then cut them out with that handy dandy machine.

Wasp Waist Bottle

According to the history provided with the pattern the wasp waist was a rare find for collectors, and came in several sizes. And the original Neuraline bottle was tiny 1/2" deep x 1 3/8" tall.

Neuraline Bottle

After I cut them out I put them in the embroidery hoop, and embroidered Poison on both bottles, Neuraline on the green bottle, and some triangles on the blue Wasp Waist.  A little embroidery never hurts.

LED screen of my embroidery machine.

Added some beading

So here is my finished block #5, if you are intrested in learning more about Poison Bottles head over to http://www.mistycole.com Misty also has a flicker site where you can see all the other blocks. https://www.flickr.com/photos/136262832@N05/ 

Block #5 finished

Block #1

While looking through my fabrics for bottles I car across this shiny fabric, and knew I had to make more blocks.

 I enjoyed the process, and Misty's General directions are very clear and helpful.  I intend on trying some painting on my block #1.  Thank you Misty, I'm having fun during our snow days working on some poison.

Happy piecing, happy sewing,
Sheila