WHEW...THE END IS NEAR!

Now, I mean that in the nicest way!  I work for a company that sell toys...need I say more?  That is why I've been away so long!!  From the Friday after Thanksgiving until 2 days before Christmas we are straight out shipping goodies across the globe.  We do a brisk business all year, but during this time sales are tripled times three!!  All of us feel like little Santa elves, making sure everyone gets their toys on time.

I have managed to do a little sewing on the weekends, but nothing worth posting!  The good news is...with all the extra overtime money I've been able to take advantage of all the great fabric on-line sales.  I've been getting great fabric packages in the mail for the last few weeks!  So...to wrap it up (no pun intended!)...I've got some great projects in mind for the New Year and I hope to share them all with you.

A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL.

IT LOOKS BETTER IN PERSON!!

Quiltinggallery.com is having a Candle Mat swap and this is what I created for my swap partner.  It really does look better in person!

This is a closeup of the corners which I embroidered on my machine:

The pattern was pre-determined but the color choice was the desire of my partner.  It measures 14" x 14" and it kind of cute.  Now it's ready to be mailed out!

TICKER TAPE FUN

I read and follow alot of blogs and I've noticed these "Ticker Tape" quilts and thought I would give it a try!  I must say it was alot of fun.  I just layered up my quilt sandwich and started sewing on pieces of fabric.  It's a kind of  "quilt as you go" process.  No rules...just keep on adding fabic till you've filled up the area you have decided on.  Once it was done and the binding was on I threw in the washer and dryer and the little frayed edges around each piece is so cute!!  I made it 24" x 24" and it's hanging in the bathroom.

Here"s a close-up...I threw in a circle, a heart and a few triangles!

If you click on the pictures they will enlarge.  I've been working on a couple of large projects (which is why I haven't posted in awhile!) so this was a fun alternative to your basic 1/4" seam sewing!

AWESOME-NESS....

This is my new wallhanging which I am calling Awesome-ness because it is all from the Moda collection Awesome by Sandy Gervais.  Sandy designs the most beautiful fabric and the colors truly are awesome.  I used 1 charm pack and 1 jelly roll then bought a little yardage for the borders and binding.  It measures 45" x 45" and right now my husband is very dissapointed because it is hanging in my office at work! Don't you just love the colors of fall...I know I do!

1,501 HEXIES AND COUNTING....

I can't believe I've come this far!  I've been keeping track of my progress since deciding to join in on the Hexagon Charm Quilt Piece-Along at Texas Freckles..  You can follow my progress in my sidebar.  These are 1" hexies and my goal is 2,704 so I'm more than half way there.  They are somewhat sorted by color so I can see where I need more of a certain color for better balance in the overall design.  Of course, I still have to sew all of these together!  It will be 52 rows of 52 for a size of 90" x 90".  I'd say this was an "ongoing" project!!  Click on the picture for a larger view.

THE "WALL" REVEAL...THE FINAL QUILT

Finally, the last project for the wall is "Tree 'O Life" by Piece of Cake Designs.  One of my previous quilts used orange and purple and I got alot of comments on how people liked that unlikely combo of colors.  This combination of orange and turquoise has been another revelation: "Who knew!"  You'll have to excuse my crooked picture but if you click on any of the pics you can see them enlarged.
Now the big reveal: THE WALL....

This wall is in the den/office and it needed some punch.  That's how this whole idea came about.
Lots of different designs yet the one thing that always seems to stay consistent with my quilts is that they are scrappy.  I just get bored using only a couple of fabric choices.  I think I may be the Queen of fat quarter purchasers!  Thanks for joining me on this journey...hope you enjoyed it.

A NEW MINI...

Here's a new miniature for my quilt "wall".  It's a dusty mauve/purple.  I couldn't say what the name of the block is, but I really like it because it's perfect for 2 1/2" squares.  I'm working on a long narrow applique wall hanging which will be done as soon as I finish quilting it.  At that point I'll be ready to reveal the WALL!

FABRIC AND WOOD

So...lets take a little bit of wood in the shop and make a base...4" X 4"

Then...let's make a pretty little pincushion using "Freebird by MoMo" for Moda and stuff it with clumping kitty litter:

Finally, put the two together and you have a fine pincushion and base with no pins or needles poking through to stab you!

It's kind of fun doing something whimsical once in while! Now I've got a "Finished For Friday".
For all of you cat lovers you just have to check out this post about "25 Ways to Sleep in a Box"  It is just hilarious!

WHAT FUSIBLE DO YOU LIKE?

Just what kind of fusible web do you like to use?
In the past I always used Wonder Under but recently
I've found that the paper and the web will seperate
before I'm done tracing.

I never liked the Steam A Seam.  I don't think it was
the right product for my applique purposes.

Yesterday I gave the Heat 'N Bond Lite a try and I really
liked it alot.  I had no problems while tracing my design.
It held up while I cut the pieces and fused nicely.  After
cutting the fused shapes the paper released easily.
I've only had time to sew a little portion of my project,
but there doesn't appear to be any problems with glue
build-up on my needle.

So...which fusibles do you prefer...and why do you
like them?

THE COLOR OF HEAT....

I hate to complain...BUT...I REALLY HAVE HAD ENOUGH OF THIS HEAT!  This is what I think heat would look like if it were a color...

A CHANGE OF PACE...

I decided to make myself a new purse using the Snap Happy II pattern by Stitchin' Sisters.  I used Moda Frolic by Sandy Gervais and just love the fun look!  I did add handles which are not in the pattern.but I don't trust myself to put a purse down anywhere!  I don't remember where  I saw this pattern first, but I figure I had to try a pattern that used carpenter's retractable metal ruler tape as it's closure.  Well, it REALLY works and it was pretty easy to make. 
Then, on another day I was surfing the web looking for purse handle ideas I came across a blog that had this:

This is a pair of infant overalls...cut off the legs...sew up the bottom...and 5 minutes later: Instant purse!
It even has a tab for keys!!

Now how cool is that!

HEY...IT'S MY TURN TO SEW!!

OH NO...I CAN'T REACH THE PEDAL!