Flannel Quilt Project #3

Greetings Blog Friends,

Well, it is still cold outside and still warm in my sewing room, so I have another finished project to share with you.  This one has a story attached to it...I bought these fabrics as a kit from Jeri's Quilt Shop in Norway, Michigan.  (A great little shop, one of my favorites!  I get there several time each year when we are in Iron Mountain visiting my husband's brother and his wife.)  It was packaged as a quilt using Churn Dash blocks.  I love the border print, printed panel images and other coordinating fabrics.  I am not so much a fan of the Churn Dash block, however.  That must be why I haven't made it.  And, in my opinion, I don't think that block lends itself well to flannels.  Too many small pieces and seams, which creates a bulky mess!  

I found a pattern that suited the fabrics well from Mary Quilts.com called Happy Blocks from Charms.  I altered the block size to fit the panel images and also added an outer border, so I could use that gorgeous border print on the front.  I just didn't want to hide it on the back.  It is what I love most about this quilt.  

A word about the border...the quilting gods must have been smiling on me, because the yardage I had for the border was just long enough on the sides to match up to the blocks, but not long enough to match up to the top and bottom borders.  So, I made four corner blocks to make up the difference, and here is the finished top:

Meanwhile, it's back to the sewing machine for me.  Till next week...

Flannel Quilt Project #2

Greeting Blog Friends,

So sorry about the late post this week.  Blogger has been having some technical issues, mostly with pictures, so I haven't been able to complete this post.  And, what good is a post without the pictures?  They tell most of the story.  

I've been working in the sewing room and with weather like this (this morning, Nov. 6!!) who can blame me?  

 Last week, I completed Flannel #2:

This is another Thimbleberries pattern named "Tree Farm Throw" and I've had the flannels and the pattern for a long time.  The pattern and the flannels were printed in 2007.  These flannels by RJR are so soft!  Now that winter looks like it is here to stay, this cozy quilt will help on cold nights in front of the fireplace.  I can't wait to snuggle up in it!  Again, this is just the quilt top, waiting for quilting and finishing the week of Thanksgiving.

I'm currently working on Flannel #3 (which is really cute, by the way). I'll show you next post.  Till then...

Pie Anyone?

Greetings Blog Friends,

Here is a quick project I did for my good friend Ann.  She is on a bowling team, which is sponsored by a local gluten-free bakery called Happy Bellies.  (Their baked goods are to die for, especially the cupcakes!)  Each member of the bowling team is dressing up in a bakery theme...one is a cupcake, one is a long john donut, one is the baker and one is a slice of pumpkin pie.  Ann asked me to make the pumpkin pie costume.  Here is my version of the pumpkin pie slice (thanks to Denis, who kindly agreed to model it for me). 

About $20.00 worth of felt and velcro and about 3 hours of crafting time, and Voilá...Done!  

I love the big dollop of whipped cream...that is what makes this dessert the best!!

Flannel Quilt #1

Greetings Blog Friends,

I have been able to get some sewing done in the last week.  Here is my progress so far, Flannel Quilt #1 top is done:

It is a Thimbleberries pattern named "Street Scene".  I've had the flannels and the pattern for a long time.  The pattern and the flannels were printed in 2007.  Talk about a long time to be sitting and waiting in a stash!!  I don't know why I waited so long...these flannels by RJR are so soft!  I love them!

I'm currently at work on Flannel Quilt #2.  I'm planning to work on the quilt tops first, then quilt them all at the same time, probably over the Thanksgiving weekend.  

I'll show you Flannel #2 next week.  Till then....

It's Flannel Season!

Greetings Blog Friends,

Autumn is now upon us, bringing with it cool days and falling leaves.  It's time to light up the fireplace and get out the cardigans.  Autumn weather is also a great time to get some sewing on flannels done (my favorite fabric!).  Here is my stash of flannel projects waiting to see the light of day.  

This fall, I'm concentrating on several Christmas flannel quilts that I've had for a number of years.  I'm hoping to clear most of this shelf by autumn's end.  My goal is to have them finished in time for the Christmas decorating season.  

I'll keep you posted on my progress.  Till next time....

Autumn Decor, Take 3 and Done!

Greetings Blog Friends!

Yay!  I'm finished with autumn decorations.  Yes, that means that I finished the wool candle mat for this fall.  As with the summer mat, this came as a kit from Shabby Fabrics and is all hand stitched.  A nice addition to the decor, don't you think?

I've also got a couple of new pieces to show you, to add to my existing decor.  Each year in October, local artisans and small businesses come together to showcase their handiwork in what is known as Rural Arts Roadtrip through Calumet County.  Antiques, ceramics, yard art, fabric goods, candles, farm produce goods, and more.  One of our favorite stops is Abler Art Glass, just south of Kiel.  They have hand-blown glass pieces and glass blowing demonstrations.  I picked up the larger orange pumpkin last year and added two smaller pieces this year.  Aren't they lovely?

For more information about the Roadtrip, go to www.ruralartsroadtrip.com

Up next...cold weather sewing for....you guessed it....cold weather!  Till then...

Autumn Decor, Take 2

Greetings Friends!

Since last week, I've completed the three throw pillows and the table runner I had planned.  I even got an "extra" done, a smaller table runner.  Here is what I accomplished last week:

The fabrics are all from the Sun Kissed Harvest Collection by Connecting Threads.  You'll notice that the fabric on the pillows coordinates well (and even matches!) "Aspen Autumn", the quilt on the back of the sofa.  The quilt was a kit, also from Connecting Threads.  Besides the quilt kit, I also purchased a fat quarter bundle to make coordinating items.  I really liked the colors and the prints in this bundle.  These items were offered in CT's fall catalogs in 2013!  So, these fabrics have now finally seen the light of day after 6 years in the stash!  Out of sight, but never out of mind...I thought of them often.  

Sadly, I did not have a chance to finish the wool candle mat last week...it is in process for this week.  More on that next week...

Till then....