To Do Tuesday #45

 It's been a different kind of week for me. Not lots of sewing was done, but I am okay with that. It's time for a break for me. 

But what I did was really fun.  I have seen this pattern from Primrose Cottages for a while now and I thought it would be fun to try my hand at making something look like gingham.  I searched and searched through my stash of red fabrics to find what I thought would work, I really didn't want to go to the store and buy more:0  This is what I came up with.  Do you see that I changed the flying geese border into trees and omitted the star corners that are on the pattern.  I think it is about 28 x 28 as I didn't put on the final background border.  

The sock I was knitting last week has joined it's twin so I have a pair now.  The stripes don't match but I hear it is the 'in' thing now not to match, so I am right in fashion, LOL.  I'll be starting another pair soon I think.  

A little Christmas decorating has been happening for the last couple weeks.  As you know I am all about the snowmen! 

OMG I couldn't believe I had forgotten about this new redwork snowman wall hanging I finished up this summer.  Out of sight, out of mind you know.  When I opened the closet to find my table runner and a couple other winter quilts there it was just waiting to be showcased in our foyer.  

Next a little cookie baking might have happened too. Nothing fancy just chocolate chip cookies.  I might do a batch of something else, we'll see. 

My friends I have so appreciated all your comments and encouragement all year long.  I am going to sign off for this year and enjoy some break time:)  So I am wishing you all a wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year.  I know this year looks different for a lot of us, but we will get through this.  Staying safe and healthy is the name of the game.  See ya next year!!!!

Linking with To Do Tuesday with our friends at Home Sewn By Us.

To Do Tuesday #44

 Hmmm what did I do all week!  I didn't set any goals so I could just do whatever pleased me.  Oh wait I know what I did, LOL  

After seeing the cute Clearly Organized bags made by Daryl, I thought they would make a great bag to hold table runners that I kit up for my winter sewing.  I discovered I had some vinyl, although it wasn't the right gauge but I decided to try it any way.  As it usually is with a new pattern it takes time to figure out each step. But after a long afternoon I had it made.  This weekend I cut out several of my turkey table runners and soon discovered I had cut just the right amount to fit neatly in this bag!  

Did you notice that was a two-fer...I made the bag and I cut the turkey table runners;)

I might have done a little online shopping too.  I found these clips on Amazon for a good price. They are not the original clips but they work just as good I think.  These are the small ones and they came in this little plastic box. 

My evenings are spent with a little sock knitting.  I am making the matching sock for one I did last spring. 

Once again I am not setting any goals, I am liking this fly by the seat of my pants time right now!! Have a great week!

Linking with our host (and cheerleader) of To Do Tuesday.  

Mariner's Compass

 I made this pillow using the Mariner's Compass die from Accuquilt.  Sewing curves has always made me nervous, using this die made that easier. I certainly love the end result of my first ever Christmas pillow!

For this pillow I used two shades of red and two of green and a neutral of Island Batik. The die is a block on board, meaning that you cut the whole block in one pass.  After cutting and piecing the block itself I added the small neutral border and red and green rectangles for the outside border to bring my pillow up to 18".   Next I layered the pillow top, batting and backing and quilted it up on my longarm.  The backing can be pretty much any fabric from your stash as it doesn't show once you insert your pillow.  Here is how it looked after quilting.  

The next step, of course, is to trim up the pillow top and make your pillow back.  I used the envelope style of back for a quick finish.  

If you haven't signed up for the relaunch Accuquilt Mariner's Compass party you can do so by going HERE.  Who doesn't love a party with giveaways and sales!!  The party is on December 8th but you have to sign up for it.  Accuquilt will be showcasing the Go! Getters projects made using this die.  It's going to be lots of fun seeing all the different projects!

This project was made using the Mariner's Compass Die which was given to me by Accuquilt. 

Linking with Monday Making, Design Wall Monday

To Do Tuesday #43

 Well hello Tuesday and hello December!! Can you believe we are on the last month of this crazy wild year!  I think I shall start slowing down just a bit and start thinking of things I want to do for fun and not just for the shop.  It's been a fantastic year and I have loved every minute but there comes a time when it is slow down or burn out.  And I don't want to do the latter.  

For this week the goal was to:

1. work on for 4 placemats and a mug rug ✅
2. continue knitting and hopefully finish the sock ✅
3. whip up 2 more table runners ✅
4. more card making is needed  Not Done

My customer had previously purchased a buffalo plaid snowman table runner and then asked if I could make her a set of 4 placemats and a mug rug to match.  Isn't this mug rug the cutest!!  I had to shrink the snowman quite a bit but so worth the effort.  

And here are her four matching placemats, I told her I am jealous as her table is going to be looking so festive!  I am getting low on the outer border fabric, I tried to order some at JoAnns but they are out of stock.  I sure hope to get it in again next year as the table runners were selling well this year. 

Lots more knitting happened and I have a completed pair that might just have been worn after taking this photo.  And just look at those stripes that match!!!  I gotta be honest, that one just plain old happened.  I guess the stars were aligned just right, I was pretty darn surprised and happy!  These socks were the fastest I have ever hand knit myself a pair and I enjoyed it a lot.  Sure I could whip up a pair in an hour or less on my knitting machine, but then I would have to sew up the long side seam.  I have done it before and I don't mind the seam.  But it is just nice to have some hand work to do while sitting and watching tv. 

Whipping up two more table runners... yes these are new ones for this week even though they look the same as ones you have already seen. But it was what was needed for the shop so I went with it.  These two runners are already out the door. This weekend was really busy with lots of online shoppers.   So much fun but now I am down to 7 table runners left that are Christmas ones!  

And the last goal was to make more Christmas cards and that just didn't happen.  I still have time so I am not to worried. 

You will just have to be surprised next week with what I get done as I am not setting a single goal!  I am just going to wing it and see what I feel like doing when I get up each morning.  I haven't done that in ages, it might feel foreign to me, LOL

Linking up with our friends at HomeSewnByUs who so generously host To Do Tuesday each week.  Wishing you all a wonderful week.  I just want to say how thankful I am for all of my blog friends who keep coming back week after week to read my posts and leave some comment love.  I appreciate each and every one of you!  

To Do Tuesday # 42

 Hello Tuesday!  Another fast week has gone by.  Yes I met some goals, in fact since my goal list was loosely set, you might say I met them all.

This was my list to do:

 Leave space open for any more runners I might need to make. ✅

A Through the Window snowman table runner was needed. Luckily I had one all pieced in the cupboard so quick quilting, binding and adding their faces happened one day.  If you are interested I have a pattern for this one in my Etsy pattern shop.

I have always wanted to add a blue Christmas/Winter table runner in my shop. So I took time to whip up a blue version of my Star Struck. There is a tutorial for this one HERE. The fabrics in this one have metallic designs which make this runner shimmer.

More Gnome runners✅

Yep, I dug deep and got two more of these done, they are identical so only showing one. These little guys are very popular, it is crazy how many patterns I have sold for them in the last 2+ weeks! I am just stunned.  I have background fabric for two more and then I will have to dig in the stash to see what else will work.  There was an order put in for more, but the shipping has been delayed because of the pandemic. 

Make myself and my DIL some Christmas/winter masks. ✅

I did make one for me and one for my DIL.  I don't want to post pix yet because she sometimes reads my blog.  And I want to make a few more.

Although I forgot to put more sock knitting on my list last week, there was some good progress made! I kitchnered the toe on the first one and knit this far on the second one. 

Over the weekend I took some time away from the sewing and quilting, I know, gasp, right!!! There hasn't been enough time to play with my card making.  Inspired by a card I saw on Pinterest, I made a few Christmas cards.  The holly leaves and the Merry were cut with my Silhouette Cameo die cutter.  I just don't get to play with it often, but it sure is fun when I do.  

For the coming week I hope to whip up 2 more table runners, continue knitting and hopefully finish the sock. And more card making is needed. But first I have an order to work on for 4 placemats and a mug rug. 

As I sit here typing this post the day is just beginning and it is getting light enough out that I can see the snow starting to fall. We are supposed to only get a couple inches so no big deal.  I don't know if I will get another post out this week so I am going to Wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving!  Because of the pandemic, it will just be the hubby and I cooking up a turkey breast and pumpkin pie.  What are your plans for turkey day? Whatever your plans be safe!!

Each week we all cheer each other on with meeting our goals. Sometimes we have strict goals and others very loose ones.  If we meet them good, if not there are no quilt police to put us in jail:)   To Do Tuesdays are hosted by Roseanne and Sue at HomeSewnByUs

Also linking with Midweek Makers, Wednesday Wait Loss

Relaunch party for Mariners Compass!

 Yes indeed happy mail arrived at my house yesterday!  Accuquilt sent me this Mariners Compass die to play with.  You can cut a 12" block all in one pass.  I can hardly wait to try it out because I have never used one of their dies with curves before. And I have never made a Mariners Compass block before.  

On December 8th Accuquilt is having a relaunch party for this die.  You won't want to miss it as they will be showing the die of course, but also projects from us Go Getters!  And I hear there will be give aways.  So if you have ever thought about this die, and even if you haven't, you should jump over and get registered for this party. Click HERE.  You do need to register in order to get in on the giveaways.  The party starts at 12pm Central time.  Don't wait, do it today!  

I better go start picking out fabrics.  Happy sewing!

Linking with :

Can I get a Whoop Whoop

Peacock Party

To Do Tuesday #41

 How is it possible that the week flew by but the year seem so long.  We all seem to be in a strange place this year, where would we be without our sewing therapy. Each week several of us have been setting goals for ourselves, sometimes we achieve them and sometimes we get thrown off the path. Let's see how I did with that.

Last week I had these goals.

1. Knit more on the sock.✅

My evenings this week consisted of knitting time.  I knit over half of the sock this week!  The pink stripes yarn was given to me by a friend, there was only one skein so I mixed in a heather dark gray.  I thought it wouldn't be a pretty sock, but I love it.  I only have to kitchner the toe.  Now to get one that looks like it's mate might be tricky.  If it doesn't match exactly I am okay with that, it's only a sock afterall.

2. Work on a UFO or two ✅

This quilt was started sometime in 2019, I just can't remember when exactly.  I used this HRT tutorial from Bonjour Quilts which I have used a few times before for table runners.  The prints were from a Sundrops jolly bar. I added the green with white polka dots as the contrast along with yellow, gray and coral solids for the center of each diamond.  All of the HRT's were made and paired up when I put it away in 2019. So it came a long way last week!  Now it is back in the closet until I decide on the borders. I have a pretty coral polka dot that ties in, but I think I need a gray for a small border first.  One would think I would have a gray in my stash, but none seem to be the right color. 

This flimsy just needed off my design wall and all it needed was to have the rows joined. So that was pretty quick.  It is more of a WIP since it never got put away, LOL.  Although these were also HRT's, I made them using the Creative Grids HRT ruler that I purchased this summer after seeing Jayne's quilts she made using them.  I love using the ruler, everything matched up nicely.  This flimsy will make a great donation quilt someday. 

3. Most likely a few more table runners will need to be whipped up ✅

Yes indeed these needed to be replaced in the shop. Why only make one at a time when you can do two!  When cutting it sometimes is just about as quick to cut for two of the same because you have the fabric out. So that is what I did.  It also makes sense for when I do the applique since I have the machine threaded for that color thread.

That's it for my week.  What to accomplish this week... I need more Gnome runners, and I want to make myself and my DIL some Christmas/winter masks.  Also leaving space open for any more runners I might need to make. 

Let's join in the cheerleading parade for our goals at To Do Tuesday.  I am wishing you all a very productive week. 

To Do Tuesday #40

 My to do list included:

1. Finish three snowman table runners that have been pieced already. So quilting, applique and binding on them. ✅
2. Quilt and bind two reversed S swirl runners.✅
3. Cut more scraps. NOPE

1. The first two table runners was all pieced and waiting to be quilted and bound so it didn't take too much time. 

This one I quickly pieced, quilted and bound. 

2. Quilt and bind the two reversed S swirl runners...

3. I didn't have the energy or desire to cut any more scraps so I put them all away.  There will be another day eventually to work on those. 

I had the most amazing Sunday this weekend.  First thing in the morning I got a text from a friend that said she just saw my Gnome table runner pattern featured on The Quilting Digest site.  WHAT???  I had heard of that site but never knew anything about it.  So I had to go look it up, sure enough there it was and a link to my Etsy pattern shop!!  The next thing I knew my email was getting flooded with orders!  OMG it continued all day and into Monday. I am stunned, shocked, amazed and honored!!  I have no idea how The Quilting Digest even found me, but I am so thankful.  Someone pinch me I need to know this is real, LOL 

I also started knitting another sock, a friend gave me a few skeins of variegated sock yarn that she didn't want.  But the thing is that there is only one skein of each color, I need two for a pair of socks.  So I found this dark heather gray, the only solid color I could find here in town, that I will mix in.  These might not be so pretty but they will be functional.  

Next week:

1. Knit more on the sock.
2. Work on a UFO or two
3. Most likely a few more table runners will need to be whipped up.

How about we all take a trip over to Home Sewn By Us blog and check out the progress of all of us To Do Tuesday peeps. 

To Do Tuesday #39

 My goal for this week was pretty loose, maybe more table runners, maybe a donation quilt, kind of a whatever I felt like week.

First off let me say a huge thank you to those who ran over to my Etsy pattern shop and picked up a copy of my newest pattern for the Gnome table runner!!  That was definitely the highlight of the week!!!!  It tickled me pink to see how well received it was.  And my finished one sold so I made another.  While I was at Hobby Lobby this week I found this cute plaid plate and a Merry Christmas coffee mug to use for props! 

Another fun highlight of the week was making a new table runner with a GE Designs pattern from her Stripology Mixology book called Strippy Forest.  You can do a quilt or a table runner.  It is fast and fun!  I don't have her special ruler so I just used my regular ruler, it worked fine. 

I used four different greens for the tree.  Her pattern doesn't call for the skinny red border, but I like to add those before the final border.  I cut my skinnies at 1.5". 

It was so fun that I made another, this one has a red and green tree with a black and gold skinny border. 

And yes I did squeeze in time to make a donation flimsy.  This pattern is called Preppy from A Bright Corner.  I have made one before and thought it was fun and pretty quick to do.  I'll save the finish for next year.  I just needed to do something other than a table runner for once:)

I did play in the scrap bin a bit...sorting by color.  Made a huge mess in the family room.  A little cutting with Accuquilt dies happened, a very little.  It takes a lot of time to get anywhere when you have as many scraps as I do.  These scraps are lots of strings with a few chunks thrown in.  Pressing had to happen first.  So I didn't get far.  I am cutting 2.5" squares, 2.5 x 4.5" rectangles, tumblers and charms.

This weeks goals are to:

1. Finish three snowman table runners that have been pieced already. So quilting, applique and binding on them.
2. Quilt and bind two reversed S swirl runners.
3. Cut more scraps. 

How about you what are your goals this week?  I'll be linking up at To Do Tuesday.  See ya there;)

Pattern release- Here a Gnome, There a Gnome!

On Monday I promised you a little announcement for today's post.  I have received so many compliments on my Gnome table runner here on my blog, from my Etsy customers and a long arm quilting forum I am on that I decided to write up the pattern for it.  And today I am releasing it in my Etsy pattern shop.  I present to you Here a Gnome, There a Gnome.  

I think it was back in early September that I decided I needed to jump on the Gnome band wagon. They are so popular and all over the internet.  My friend, Wendy from Piecefulthoughts blog and I exchanged a few texts about how he should look and she suggested the tree, gee am I ever glad she did!  Thanks Wendy!!  That tree just gave it the spark of color it needed.  Wendy tested the pattern for me and created a cutie, I just love what she did!!  She is going to debut hers on Friday, so be sure to hop over to her blog and check it out. 

From now until Friday night at 9 pm I have a special introductory price of only $5.00, no coupon needed. You can find the pattern HERE. And remember if you make one be sure to let me know as I would love to see your version!

Linking with: 

Midweek Makers

Free Motion Mavericks

Wednesday Wait Loss

Needle and Thread Thursday

Put Your Foot Down

Finished or Not Friday

TGIFF

Can I Get a Whoop Whoop

Peacock Party

To Do Tuesday #38

 Seriously I didn't accomplish much this week.  I sewed but didn't finish a whole lot.  Like you haven't seen these before, LOL  But they sell, and I make more of the same;)

The feathers for this turkey runner were already made which speeds up the process a lot.  This was the last set of feathers. I may need to make a few more. 

I haven't made one of these for a while but it's predecessor sold this week and I had another pieced. So all I did was quilt and bind it.

And if you stopped by yesterday for my day with From The Heart blog hop you saw this little wall hanging finish. There is more inspiration today and tomorrow. You can check out the line up at Just Let Me Quilt.

So folks that is pretty much it for my week. Oh wait I did take time to play just a smidge.  I recently bought the log cabin die from Accuquilt.  I just had to try it out, these are 8" blocks.  I have no idea, yet, what they will become.  What is your favorite layout for log cabins?

For this next week I am hoping to work on a donation quilt,  and then if more runners need to be replenished in the shop I'll do those to. And maybe more of the log cabin blocks. For now I need to get a post ready for Wednesday.

Thanks to Roseanne and Sue at HomeSewnByYou for hosting To Do Tuesday each week.

Making a small gift- From The Heart Blog Hop

Today is the start of the From The Heart Blog Hop.  I love joining in on blog hops when the opportunity arises and I have time.  Carol from Just Let Me Quilt always hosts fun hops and so much inspiration happens on lots of blogs during it.  This one was to make a small gift to give someone.  Given that the weather is getting colder each day and we've even seen some of that white stuff already, today in fact!

If you are visiting my blog for the first time, Welcome! I hope you will grab a cup of coffee and take a look around and maybe you will decide to become a follower!   And to those who already follow me thank you, I appreciate your comments and visits always.

So you might not be surprised that I would whip up something to do with a⛄⛄⛄.  First I had a mug rug in mind, then maybe it should be two of them.  Well I experimented with it and it just wasn't what I wanted.  So scrap that idea and start over.  Ok now I have something. 

Gee I should have taken photos along the way but I was on a roll and didn't thing to stop!

If you would like to make this cutie, I can give you dimesions and I am sure you can figure out the construction easily enough.  The gray squares are cut 6.5" square, you can draw up a snowman head by using a plate:).  Applique him on, I used black thread and machine blanket stitched him on.  The red and white squares are strip pieced using 1.5" strips.  The darker gray outer border is 1.5" cut.

I quilted and bound it before appliquing the nose and sewing the mouth with a triple stitch on my Janome 7700. The last thing was to sew on buttons for the eyes. Aren't these little guys the cutest!! It measures approximately 17" x 10.5" after binding.

I added two triangles in the corner for my friend to be able to quickly add a small dowel rod and hang it when she is in the snowy mood;)  Yes this will soon be winging it's way to her.  

I would love to respond to each and every commenter, so please leave your email if you are a no reply blogger!  

So do you want/need some more inspiration, oh come on you know you do!!  You really do need to continue following the hop, here are my fellow bloggers for today.  There will more each day for the next three days.  

October 26

Creatin' in the Sticks

Ms P Designs USA

Becky’s Adventures in Quilting and Travel

Websterquilt

Selina Quilts

Cynthia's Creating Ark

Quilting Gail

Scrapdash

Ridge Top Quilt

Elizabeth Coughlin Designs

That Fabric Feeling

Vicki’s Crafts and Quilting (that's me)

Unrelated to the hop, I have an announcement on Wednesdays post! I hope you will come back to visit.

Linking with:

Design Wall Monday

Monday Making

To Do Tuesday #37

 What a week it has been, so much done and so tired!  Okay here were the goals I had set for the week:

1. Another strawberry table runner-✅

My customer requested a strawberry runner with a plain green border instead of my usual checkerboard. She was thrilled when I sent the finished photo.

2. Two patriotic reversed S swirl runners-✅

These were part of the order of 14 table runners, from one lady, through my Etsy shop.

3. Finish another panel that I started yesterday-✅

I posted about this HERE

4. Two Easter table runners for an order-✅

These were also part of the order of 14 table runners, from one lady, through my Etsy shop.

                                          

5.And if I have time for anything else that would be awesome!✅

This was also a customer request.  She knew exactly what she wanted, Green background with the checkerboard in red and white.  The snowman was to look like Frosty the snowman with his black top hat and flower in his hat. I had never seen a Frosty with a flower before, but she sent a pic and I did my best to make it look like that.  I left the flower to be dimensional and added a yellow button to hold it all in place. 

I have officially completed all my Etsy orders and now I have nothing planned for the week!  I will just roll with the punches and see what happens.  When is the last time you have heard me say that:0   So officially I don't have any goals.  But you know I will be working on table runners here and there.  I mean that is what I do! 

Linking with our To Do leaders Roseanne and Sue at Home Sewn By Us.  I am anxious to go see what others have accomplished this past week.