Small Quilt and Gingerbread Houses!

Hello!

Happy Holidays!!  So much has been going on here, craft shows, obedience school for Patches, some sewing for the craft shows, and work!

I did get the small quilt project done this month so I wanted to be in the parade -- so glad i have these things they force me to get my blog updated.  Only 4 more days of work and then I will be off for 2 weeks -- really need a break and need to catch up on my sewing projects.

Today Poochie and Patches went to camp and Poochie had a spa day -- she looks so great all washed and brushed.    

 

My small quilt project is going to hang on this shelf, so you guessed it it is  Gingerbread boy themed.   Love all my gingerbread stuff in my kitchen and dining room.  

We have our computer desk in the dining room and I put my gingerbread village out on the top shelf.  the 2 on the ends were made from unfinished wood bird houses that I got at Micheal's many years ago and we got all the "candy" we glued on them at Micheal's also  - my mom painted them and we worked on decorating them together -- they are very special to me.  She just loved Christmas so much -- i am sure she is smiling down to see I have really expanded my gingerbread village with lots of other houses.
 

I got the little house from the local bakery for $2  -- it is so cute  I also have a kit to make a real gingerbread house might get that done this weekend.

And here is my small project -- I hope you like it,  I think it turned out cute -- need to quilt and bind it this weekend.  One of the best parts of this is -- it is all stuff I had on hand -- I just love when projects use up some stash!
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Here is my gingerbread tree in the dining room -- it is one of those alpine trees, I cover it at the end of the season and store it in the basement -- so easy to put up each year. 

Of course I have to put a picture of Patches in this post too....looks like she is settled in doesn't it.  She just loves life with us.  She has been in obedience school and we have advanced to the Advance class in about 6weeks,  we start in Advanced tomorrow, we are so excited to see what we will be learning, she is a quick learner and loves to please.   I am so happy she is part of our lives.
  

Thanks for stopping by!
Happy Stitches
Dorothy

Patches and Parade!

Good Morning!

Where does the time go??

It was just the end of August .....a month ago!  Oh My!

Part of where did the time go...is right here....our new addition to the family...Introducing.

PATCHES

She is just turned 1 last week, she is a rescue from Houston Texas, yes we live in Northern Illinois -- an amazing group of people help transport her over Labor day weekend.  If you have  never been part of a transport, Oh my it is so over whelming the out pour of goodness in people -- it was a wonderful experience and I will definetly help an animal in need of a transport in the future.

She is fitting in nicely and is just a sweetie. This is here on her first day or so here, she was glued to that bed, it came from her original mom. 

 

These 2 pictures were taken just the other day.. it was a little adjustment period for Poochie - Patches thought she was the boss and we all know that Princess Poochie is the boss!   But all is well and they get along well.  In the photo about I think Patches was barking at me.  In the photo below - look at Poochie -- her face just looks like she is so happy with her new sister.
  

Now on to Schibbles business -- I was very lucky  in September I won the gift from Carrie, oh my talk about being over whelmed -- I recieved 2 sets of patterns and 3 layer cakes.   It is an awesome gift!  Thank you so much Carrie!

OK on to my part of the parade....since it was a very busy month I only made a Halloween table topper - that still needs to be quilted and bound -- but I just love the way it turned out I hope you like it too! 

Well off to feed my girls and get ready for work -- Happy Ocotober!!
Happy Stitches
Dorothy

Scnibbles from the Past

Good Morning

It is time to start the Schnibbles parade -- can't wait!   But for now I will show you some of the past Schnibbles I have made. -- The names have escaped me

This one is for Christmas we did this a year or so ago

This one was done last year -- love the bright colors

The Spool one was done the year before last.
It is one of my favorites

This House Schnibble we did a couple years ago it hangs in our guest room

This one can't remember when we did it, but I love the color combos

 

This isa neat pink and green 30's one
 

 Have a great labor day -- we had an exciting  weekend we adopted an 11 month old Dalmatian from Houston this weekend!  I will tell you about this tomorrow\
Happy Stitches
Dorothy
 

Kleenex Box Cover tutorial

Hello!

This Tutorial is for the Quick Quilt Saturday Group on Facebook -- I will update my blog about my other projects tomorrow!

Here is the tutorial:

You need

1 piece of fabric cut 14 x 18 inches
1/4 " Ribbon 30" inches


Here is my fabric 14 x 18 inches

Fold fabric in 1/2 it should measure  9 x 14 inches  -- You will sew on the short seam -- in this picture it is the bottom  where the fabric meets

Then press seam open and lay it with the seam in the back -- now measure down 2 1/2 inches - make sure it is even and sew a 1/4 inch from the bottom and them a little larger than a 1/2 inch above the first sewing line -- this makes your casing for your ribbon
 

Here it is sewn up and a picture from where your back seam is  -- You now need to sew across the bottom of the tissue cover.
 

After the bottom is sewn you will make a box bottom  - spread the bottom open and I press only 1/2 of the seam  allowance now and the other half when I am measuring the other side.  One you have it spread out like this measure  2 inches from the tip of the triangle.  Mark it with a pencil then lay your ruler down and draw a line -- this will be your stitching line --do the same to the other side -- this will make your bottom square
 

 Here is a picture of it open with the pins -- ready to sew at this point

Here it is sewn -- sew the blue thread -- BEFORE you cut off the points make sure it is a nice bottom, try putting your tissue box inside -- after of course you turn it right side out!  - It will be a bit snug and that is ok. 

Now once it  fits -- cut off your corners - your box will sit nice and steady on your table or desk

 

Now it is time to make a little snip in the casing -- you will do this in the front (opposite side from the seam)  Try to center it and when making your snip be careful to only go thru the top layer -- if you go thru both layers it is not the end of the world -- The next step is to thread the ribbon thru -- I use a large eye needle but you could use a safety pin it you prefer 

Then put in your box of tissues and tie a bow! I am ready for the 4th of July!

This one matches my sewing room   I hope you enjoy making these, they make great inexpensive gifts.

Composition Cover

Hello! 

Here is my very first tutorial -- I hope you enjoy  making a composition cover.  This tutorial was put together for the Quilt It Quick Saturday group -- I can't wait to see your  pictures!

What you need:  1 composition book (from the dollar store measures 7 1/2" x 9 3/4")
                           Center square -- great for panels -- this one measures 7 1/2 inches **
                           If you don't want to use a block or panel cut the center strip 5 x 15 1/2 inches 
                           Fabric for rectangles -- you need 12 rectangles 3" x 3 1/4"
                           Fabric for the back of the journal - (center strip) 7 1/2 x 8 1/2 (you can make it a little longer and trim it - when you size it up with the lining -- I would cut it 7 1/2 x 9 inches
                           Lining fabric cut 10 1/4" x 15 1/2 inches
                           Inner flaps cut 2  10 1/4 x 10 1/2inches  - fold in have and press so they measure 10 1/4 x 5 1/4 inches

      
**If your center block measures 6 1/2 then make the the back of your journal measure 6 1/2 x 9 1/2 or 9 3/4.   6 1/2 inch is a very common size block and you might want to use an orphan block for this.   
                
Here is the fabrics I  chose for this one:

I trimmed my panel to 7 1/4 inch square
 

I then sewed my rectangles together -- here are the 12 I had cut.

You sew them together on the 3 1/4 inch side  - once this is sewn press to one direction

Then sew the back of the composition book (mine is the green) to the panel  -- if you don't want to use a panel or extra block -- just cut a 5 x 15 1/2 inch strip    

Now sew the center strip to the rectangles for the top and bottom -- Press.
. 

This will be larger than you need -- that is ok always better to have a larger piece to trim down then a too small piece --  Now trim you top (this is now the top of the composition book) to 10 1/4 from top to bottom --  you might want to make this 10 1/2 inches to make not so tight - the 10 1/4 inch cover is tight.
so cut it 10 1/2 or 10 1/4 inches x 15 1/2 or 15 3/4 for a less tight fit.
so it should measure either 10 1/4 x 15 1/2 or 10 1/2 x 15 3/4 for a little roomy fit.
BE SURE TO CENTER THE CENTER STRIP WHEN YOU TRIM THE TOP AND BOTTOM   
    

These are the two flaps that hold it all together --- they should already be folded in  and again you can cut these a little large if you like. They should be either 10 1/2 x 5 1/4 or 10 1/4 x 5 1/4 - depending on how tight you want them to fit.  
  

Now we are almost done -- lay your top down facing up -- then place your flaps raw edges together on the ends and then cover with the lining right sides together.

I used the same green for the flaps and the lining but there are 3 layers here -- I pin in the corners.
Now sew around the edge -- remember to leave an opeinng in the bottom for turning.

All sewed up -- just turn right sides out and press 

 Here it is before it is pressed  -- press and then hand stitch the opening closed

Now your almost done -- just slip your composition book into the flaps

And there you now have a fantastic journal!

Enjoy and thanks for stopping by.

Happy Stitches
Dorothy

Small Project

Good Morning!

Another week gone,  but several things in the works and a few things done!   Weather still is not that nice out, I am just so anxious to get out to the garage and start painting frames and furniture for the flea market in May  -- Looks like the end of the week I can start that.

But in the mean time, I have been busy sewing -- Sherri over at A Quilting Life Blog sponsors the small project of the month - this  month was a churn dash table runner -- Since they are small projects, I am using up some of my smaller pieces of fabric  -- it is a win win   I get a nice project done and I get rid of something in my sewing room :)
Here is this months -- really like the way it turned out  It is very springy -- yellow with red hearts and then a small dot print with green and red dots.        

Just to show how much was left of the yellow print -- here are the few little pieces I had left -- I put them right in the dog bed I am stuffing with scraps.   I even had to piece the binding.

Saturday I was part of a group on Facebook -- where they were making mug rugs and little baskets -- I did  not get a good picture of the basket but here is the mug rug -- yup it matches my sewing room perfectly!
I actually made 2 -- One for me and one for my craft show box.

Sunday we went to brunch where they have lots of animals and the peacocks were eating right near the door, the colors are so vibrant on these birds.
 

I thought he was going to flash his feathers but no such luck.
   

Poochie stayed home and we made a stop at Goodwill and they are selling new pet items at the one we stopped at so -- we had to get her a treat  -- it is a rubber chicken and she loves it ALOT!
 

She takes it to bed and brings it down each morning -- and is very protective of h er chicken.  I just love this picture of her.
 

I hope your having a good week!  Thanks for stopping!
Happy Stitches
Dorothy