From one season to another

The three Valentine runners are done, and all spoken for.  I had made an extra for Etsy and it left the shop in a day!  Maybe I'll make more and maybe I won't we'll see.  It was kinda fun to dig out the reds and pinks after so many items made in fall colors and greys for the snowmen;)  If you want to make your own heart project you can find the tutorial for the block at The Crafty Quilter blog. 

One like this.

And two of the darker ones like this.  How about that, I jumped back to Christmas and finished up another candle table runner for a customer. 

Keeping this post short and simple, I'll have more snowman runners finished up soon.  November has been a busy quilting month but so much of the same over and over that I just don't take the time to post it all.  But for those of you that still stop by to read my blog, even if I don't have a new item to show you, I want to let you know how much I appreciate your visit and comments! 

Linking with Midweek Makers, NTT, Put Your Foot Down

Almost A Lone Star and Island Batik

It's 'Tool Time' for this months Island Batik Ambassador Challenge.  We could choose any tool we wanted to use and make a lap size quilt.  Yes that white background is snow, we got about 8" this past week.

I chose to use the strip tube ruler by Cozy Quilt Designs.  They were kind enough to donate this Almost A Lone Star pattern.  Thank you Daniela!   And thank you to Island Batik for supplying fabric for this challenge.  I chose to use the strip pack Lavendula.  Oh my what gorgeous colors, I love them!

I love to use Batiks when you know you are going to have bias edges, and especially Island Batiks as they don't have a lot of stretch.  

It's always fun to see a quilt in it's different stages.  Here is a piece of one quadrant.

And all four quadrants.

And all done.

I was going to use the aqua batik for the border, but after piecing the center I decided I wanted the darker purple which is an Island Batik Basic.  The background fabric is Raindrops Rain Dot Oatmeal.

I enjoyed using a version of hook swirl freehand quilting on the center of this 62" x 62" quilt.   Instead of one hook I did three and sometimes there were only two, whatever fit the space.  Thank you to Hobbs batting for supplying the cotton batting used in this quilt.  Also thank you to Aurifil thread for supplying a large cone of white that I have used in the piecing. 

Thank you for visiting my blog and for letting me share my November Tool Time quilt with you. 

Linking with Sarah, Alycia, Julie, Freemotion Mavericks, Favorite Finish, and TGIFF

Valentine runner

I had a request for two Valentine runners so I thought yesterday was a good day to start cutting and piecing.  And since I had the fabric out I decided to make another just to have in the shop.  I soon had three pieced.  Today was the start of the quilting on them. 

Also this week I have been working on my Island Batik November Tool Time challenge.  I am using the Lavendula collection.  Oh my are these ever gorgeous drool worthy fabrics!  The backing just needs to be pieced and I can put it on the frame and quilt away.  So stay tuned for the finish soon.

A reminder to you to see my previous post if you want a chance to win a GO! Me from AccuQuilt. You also might want to check out all the sales that AccuQuilt has going on right now as they are very good ones.  

Wishing each and every one of you a very happy Thanksgiving.  I am very thankful to all who read my blog and leave me some comment love. 

Linking with Wednesday Wait Loss, Midweek Makers

Go! Quilt Contest

This contest is for anyone, you don't have to own a Go! Die Cutter.  In fact you could win your very own Go! Me!  AccuQuilt is holding a contest involving GO! Quilt. It’s a FREE pattern customizer that will allow you to audition fabric and colors before you make any cuts. It also allows you to build a stash where you can include fabrics you already own or select designer fabrics from a preloaded fabric list.  GO! Quilt makes it easy to plan color and fabric placement, find inspiration, browse new fabrics or simply find a new pattern to try.

Anyone who signs in or up to GO! Quilt and designs a pattern between 11/6/19 and 12/6/19 will be entered to win a GO! Me. Once the contest closes, they  will choose 10 winners who will receive a GO! Me and accessories. You can find more details HERE. 

You can find some tutorials to help you get started using GO! Quilt HERE.  Why not try it for a chance to win! You can use any 6" Go! die in the Go! ME. 

And if you can't wait to see if you win, there is a great sale going on at AccuQuilt!  

AccuQuilt GO! Gingerbread tutorial

As a Go!Getter! for AccuQuilt I am sharing a tutorial on using their new gingerbread die along with the new 2 inch alphabet die and the rick rack die.  Oh what fun!

In the tutorial I will show you how quick and easy it is to decorate an apron and sew up matching hot pads.  These would make wonderful gifts as well as giving yourself a new set to wear while you whip up some yummy cookies this season.  Think what a wonderful hostess gift these would make!

I am loving the new 2 inch alphabet die, I am sure I will use it often.  The possibilities are endless. 

Doesn't he look sweet(pun intended!).  I used fabrics given to me by Island Batik as part of the Island Batik Ambassador program.

If you have been wanting to get an AccuQuilt now is a very good time as they are on sale! Maybe you need an early Christmas present:)  You can check them out HERE.

I hope you will swing over to their blog and check it out. I had so much fun designing it perhaps you will make it for a Christmas gift this year.

As a Go! Getter! for Accuquilt I was given the dies used in this project.  The die cutter was also given to me by AccuQuilt through the Island Batik Ambassador program.


Linking with Julie for Nov. UFO and WIP challenge.

Report on the second craft show

Today I went to pickup my leftover crafts from the second and last local craft show of the season.  It was a little better than last year and I am happy:)  I did have a few Christmas things leftover so I will get busy and list them in my Etsy shop soon.  The most surprising thing was that a poinsettia runner and a crazy tree runner were left!  All of the snowman runners were gone except for one.  All of my big candy canes were gone.

This snowman runner was in the works yesterday so after getting home this afternoon I finished him up and got him relisted.

My sock is progressing along nicely too.  We had a 6 hour trip last weekend so I knitted while the hubster drove:)  

Hmmm, what's next?  This weekend I will begin my Island Batik 'Tool Time' challenge quilt.  Then I have three runners to make for orders sometime in the next three weeks.  

Don't forget this is the last week for the Island Batik 'Piece Of' blog hop.  The giveaway rafflecopter is here.

Quilting and knitting

Tis the season to get your decorating ideas in mind.  My customers have turned their thoughts to getting ready for Christmas so I needed to remake a few items.  Which of course is not a problem for me, I love it!  Crazy Trees by Saginaw Street is so fun to make. 

And so happy to make another of my S swirl runners.  This one has poinsettia fabric that I used for my main fabric and then pulled the red and green from that for the additional fabrics.  I love to set it all off with a black with gold metallic flecks. 

Since the weather has taken a turn for the cold already this year, I dug into my winter sock bin.  I've have been enjoying wearing some of my hand knit socks.  So I got a bug to make more while watching TV or riding in the car/truck for some longer upcoming rides.  Thank goodness I had written a blog post about the first couple pair so I have reference as to what pattern and needle size.  The pattern is a free one from Ravelry called Echo Beach Sock and I am using size 2 double pointed needles.  I can only do a little at a time or my wrists and thumb acts up. 

So that is what I have been up to in the last couple days. How about you, what has captured your attention this week. 

Linking with Put Your Foot Down

Virtual Fall Craft Show

Today is my stop on the Virtual Fall Craft show hosted by Darlene on her blog Quilt Shop Gal.  She is showcasing several of us who love to make things to sell.  If you are a regular on my blog you know that is what I do!! 

Here is just a sampling of what I have for sale in my Etsy shop which you can find HERE.  A lot of what I make are my own original designs like these.  There is something for every season.

The Craft show will be going on all week and you can enter for prizes on Quilt Shop Gal's blog too.  There are several vendors listed so be sure to check them all out. 

Buffalo Plaid round two

Or perhaps that is round four and five!  Yep the long one has been popular:) This is the fourth one. They all look alike so you wouldn't know, but I just wanted to let you know that I am still quilting away.  I even ordered more of the buffalo plaid.  Gotta stock up while it is in season.

 And then a certain friend suggested I do a hexie one.  Of course I listened to her, LOL

I have been keeping the quilting simple on these as it doesn't show much.  Stippling on the center polka dots,  and stitching on the vertical lines in the border.  With stitch in the ditch around the black and white check. 

Don't forget today starts a new week of the Piece Of blog hop from Island Batik Ambassadors.  Go to the Island Batik blog for all the information and links to the Ambassador blogs and get signed up for the give away of a precut of Sand Bar! 

Linking with Monday Making, Look What I Made, Design Wall Monday 

An Island Batik Blog Hop is happening!

This was week one of  'A Piece Of' Island Batik blog hop.  If you hop over to the Island Batik Blog you can get all the links for the participants this week.  This month only half of the ambassadors are presenting.  The other half presented their projects in August.

Island Batik is giving away a precut of Little Sir Little Miss designed by Bella Nonna Design Studio. If you hurry you can still sign up there is six hours left.

But wait Island Batik is opening up another give away today that will go throughout next week. This if for a precut of Sand Bar.  During the next week another set of Ambassadors will be showing you their projects.  There is so much to see each week and all the fantastic inspiration!  Keep checking the Island Batik blog each week this month for more giveaways too.

Linking with Sarah and Alycia

Buffalo plaid snowman and light box

When I visited the craft show last Thursday I noticed a lot of buffalo plaid decor.  So of course on the way home I kept thinking about how I need to get some and make a runner.  I stopped at Jo Ann's and sure enough they had one with snowflakes in their Christmas fabric.  Well you know I had to get some (I might have gotten a few other prints too). I mean with a sale and then 25% off coupon too how could I pass that up!

I opened up EQ to see what designs I might be able to pull together in there.  Next thing you know I had these cutie pies drawn up and texted a friend to run it by her. She liked it;)

Over the weekend I cut, pieced and quilted it.  After cutting my applique pieces I just wasn't sure I liked the red and green.  Something about it bothered me.  Again I texted my friend, Wendy, she still liked the red and green because it was a pop of color.  I decided I needed to set it aside for the night. I really appreciated Wendy's input but...

The next morning I knew why it was bugging me, I didn't want it to look like he was wearing a santa hat.  I just wanted him to wear a regular stocking hat.  I auditioned many different fabrics and even had my hubby involved.  He encouraged me to look at what I liked about my other snowmen runners.  They are all gray/red/white/.   Hmmm that got me to thinking and it came together quickly then.  Here is the finished one.  I even redid the shape of his hat cuff.

After snapping several photos I managed to get ones I liked and he is now listed in my Etsy shop, well he was in there last night and he sold in a couple of hours!!  Guess what I'll be making again this week:) 

Did you notice the striped binding, it makes me a bit giddy!  The snowflakes are stenciled on.  I used a fabric paint from Pro Chem and stencils from TSC Designs.  

I have something new to show you.  My new light box for tracing designs onto fusible web!  I know there are many light boxes out there to purchase. But I asked my hubby if he could build one and a week later I am using it!  I love it.

He ordered LED light strips from Ebay and used double stick tape to hold them down to the box he made.  On top he placed a sheet of plexi glass. 

Here you can see the Precision Fusing Mat I lay over the top of the pattern pieces. The mat holds the pattern in place and I place the fusible web on top and trace away.  Plus those lights are super bright and hurt my eyes if I don't have the mat over the top before I turn it on.  For someone that never really liked doing applique I sure seem to be doing a lot of it!  Of course it is all done on my sewing machine.  And I know that I will be using this light box a lot!  

Linking with Monday Making, Design Wall Monday, and Look What I Made

Friday finishes

At the last craft show, in early October, I sold out of my snowman table runners. So that is what I concentrated on first to take to the show that started yesterday on Halloween.  You saw two of them in my last Wednesday post. And here are a couple more. 

These are from my tutorial, you can find them under the Tutorial tab in the heading. I delivered them yesterday and I saw one sell while I was there wandering around!   

Once those were done I moved on to making two identical of these. I only snapped a pic of one of them as I had to relist it in my Etsy shop. The other went to the craft show. 

 Even though some styles of runners seem to still be popular at the craft shows I always like to have something new each year.  This year the candles and poinsettia debuted at this show.  I will be anxious to see how they did. This show goes until November 17th.

You might remember I made the first candle one from Island Batiks for my Ambassador Challenge for October.  These two are all regular quilting cotton and I think they turned out great too.  I was in a hurry packing up yesterday and didn't get a close up of these sorry:(  It's been a busy but satisfying week.  

Linking up with TGIFF on Laura's blog, Finished Friday at Alycia's, and Friday Foto Fun at Sherry's.