“Friendship, love, health, energy, enthusiasm, and joy
are the things that make life worth living and exploring.” ~ Denise Austin

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Japan star is finished


I started this in May of this year...
and then went on to other projects...

this is No. 15 Japan from the Carol Doak Mariner's Compass Stars book....

The book has a CD and it is easy to print the patterns onto paper...
I used Carol Doak's foundation paper this time...
I listened to Carol on TQS to review her tips....

trim---sew---press---and repeat...
paper piecing is fun once you get in the rhythm of it!!!...
I used clear thread to quilt and did stitch in the ditch...
I used Holly Holderman antique dots for the binding...
any questions? I would be glad to answer...
Smiles and hugs....Caryl

Friday, December 24, 2010

polka dot table topper


this is a table topper I made for a gift for a party at work....
I used ME Isn't Christmas Jolly jelly roll for top...

I used a length of white with red dots and sewed 1/2 of a red print...
and 1/2 of another red print to it...
then I did the same for the white with green dots...
length of white with green and 1/2 of two greens...

I cut the pairs 2 1/2" and placed as shown on the photos....
I used 2 strips of red with white dots for the borders...
the back is the same as one of the red prints....
I quilted with loops and added our work initials and year...
I brought the back fabric to the front for a self binding...
and used a decorative stitch (332 on Bernina)...

I found a red with white casserole dish at Home Goods...
and red placemats and Christmas spreaders...

it was a fun present to give and was popular at the party!!!
Merry Christmas to everyone....
Smiles and hugs....Caryl

Thursday, December 23, 2010

tiny tree with tiny stamps


this tree is barely 11" tall and packed with ornaments and ribbons....
AND 15 tiny stamps!!!
an early present to me...

here is another photo of it sitting on the crumb catcher....
I made that cute little table mat from last year's blog hop...
it was a free pattern with lots of pieces...
I think I will keep this tree out year round...
it is too precious to put away and not enjoy...
I have a spot in front of a mirror in my craft area...
and that is where it will be....
Smiles and hugs....Caryl

Saturday, December 11, 2010

stencil flower mug rug


my first mug rug....
Hero Arts stencil flower CG194...
fabric ink stamped on white dotted fabric...
Smooch grape soda....
Superior Rainbow #838 thread..purple, fuscia, teal, blue...
I used the thread outlining the flower, petals and center...
and stitching the self binding with #332 stitch on my Bernina...
I love these jewel colors....
Smiles and hugs....Caryl

Sunday, December 5, 2010

peachy pink quilt for baby Georgia


I have blogged about this quilt before...

I started with deciding the size to fussy cut Beatrix Potter images...
I varied the type of blocks...

since the baby was born as I was making this...
I asked the mother to write down words that described her daughter...
I quilted these words into this quilt for Georgia...

some blocks have 3 1/2" fussy cut with borders...

some were 6 1/2" fussy cut...

I made blocks with strips...
and 4 patch blocks...
and log cabin blocks...

I added her name and birth date into the quilting...
a really fun quilt to make...
I sure hope she likes it..
Smiles and hugs....Caryl

Thursday, December 2, 2010

December


Since it is December...
it was time to change the header...
these photos are from last year...
the village was in my kitchen last year...

this photo is inside the front door...
you can see the tree lights outside...
the quilted Sweet Trimmings tree on the wall...
this was from the blog hop last year...
free pattern by Gudrun of GE Designs...
and the kitchen is in the background...
on the other side of the kitchen...
is the buffet with village and lights...
Smiles and hugs....Caryl