Monday, July 30, 2012

Good Times, Great Friends!

I can't believe a year has gone by since Regena and Denise
came down to So Cal to spend the weekend and go to the 
International Quilt Festival in Long Beach with Amy and I.
We had a few more ladies join the fun this year,
Sam, Marcia and my Mom :)

Here are a few of my favorite quilts.
(There were many more, but most didn't allow photos)





This one was my absolute fav!
The tulips look like they are coming right out of the quilt.
My Mom was a big fan too!
The photos don't do it justice.
Amazing!





This next photo is one of the one of the fun booths that caught my eye.
It's a company called Reets Rags To Stitches.
They have cute apron patterns and bag patterns and 
fun primitive stuff :)


This next photo is American Jane........*sigh*
It's my happy place.
I wanted everything in there!!!
You can check out their website here:


Gena gave the "Sweet 16" machine a run for it's money.
Pretty "Sweet" indeed!


Last year at the Quilt Festival the 4 of us all purchased the 
same charm pack with the intention of making a 
"Friendship" tablerunner,
with one star block made by each of us.
So on Saturday we got together and worked on our blocks.
After we finished making 4 blocks each
we chose one from each set to make up our 4 blocks.
I can't wait to make my runner with
one block from each of my friends.
It's something I will cherish :)

We had a great weekend and it went by 
way to quickly again.
Now we have 12 months to get ready for the next one!



Wednesday, July 25, 2012

A productive morning :)


First of all, 
I have to say that I got quite a laugh at the comments
from my last blog post about making 512 bags!
It was an exaggeration for sure :)
My buddy Marcia uses random numbers
when she's talking about something that happened
multiple times and it always makes me laugh.
So when I said I made 512 more bags,
I really only made 7 more :)
So thanks for the laughs yesterday!
(I wish I was that fast!!!)

This morning I made 2 sets of potholders 
and a pacifier leash set.
Now it's time to get my house cleaned
and get to the grocery store
because I have dear friends coming over for dinner tomorrow!
And last but not least....

Friday is the International Quilt Festival!!!!
Wooo Hooo!!!

Monday, July 23, 2012

Keep it secret.....keep it safe :)


Staying true to form,
I've gone and made another 512 project bags.
(I tend to get on a roll and find it hard to stop "rollin")
Anyhoo.........
I think I can safely say that I'm done with making 
project bags for a while.
They are great to "keep it secret,
(not like anyone would hide purchases from their hubby,
cuz that would just be wrong)
and keep it safe" :)
These beauties are all listed in my etsy shop now
and I can move on to a few custom orders 
that are waiting for me.
I also have a super fun weekend ahead
with Amy and my dear friends from up North
that are driving down again this year
to our neck of the woods for 
the International Quilt Festival in Long Beach.
This time around, 
we'll be joined by my buddy Marcia and my mom
as well as one of Amy's friends too!
I can't wait!!!!
We went last year and I've been looking forward
to July so we could go again!
Is anyone else planning on attending?








Saturday, July 21, 2012

A bit of Stitchin and Patriotism :)

Well it's time again for the Internation Hermit & Stitch Weekend!
And it couldn't come at a better time.
We've had lots of birthday festivities the last few weeks
and this weekend will be relatively quiet.
Sometimes it's just nice to slow down for a minute.
I just started the Jumping Cat and hopefully
I'll have some progress before the weekend is over :)

I also wanted to show you the fabulous goodies
I received in the Stitched with Love exchange.
You can see the entire gallery here.
It was a Patriotic theme this time around
and look what I received from Jen
(you NEED to check out her fun blog!)
She's an amazing stitcher!
Look at what she sent me!
I was spoiled for sure!!!


Here's a closer look at her beautiful stitching skills!


This is what I stitched and sent to Marjorie.
She loves primitive decor so I tried my best
to keep it in that vein.
I made her some reversible coasters 
using Osnaburg and Homespun fabrics in red & blue
and finished the stitchery in a small pillow with some vintage buttons.


Have a lovely weekend everyone!!!
I know I'll be stitchin' and sewin'
(and cleanin' and cookin'......*sigh*)


Thursday, July 19, 2012

July TUSAL and my work in progress :)


It's time again to show my ORT's (old ratty threads)
I've got quite a bit as I've been stitching almost every night!


Today I'm working on some more project bags.
I just love the dark red fabric. 
I would totally LOVE 
to have all those beautiful reds in my collection!
These 2 bags are pretty much done
except for the wool felt hearts for the zipper pulls.
These are 4 more that I am still working on.
If you are interested in any of them,
they are for sale.
Just shoot me an email.
al4jrh@hotmail.com


I'm loving my own project bag
that I made last week.
Keeps all my cross stitch supplies safe 
and clean and out of my dog's mouth :)
My friend Marcia uses hers for 
a "Sewing Work in Progress" bag.
At 13" by 11" they are handy for all sorts of crafts.
I have the Brown & Pink and the Dark Chocolate Brown linen
 still available from my last batch 
and you can see them  here

And last, but not least,
I received my threads today from 123stitch.com.
(That place is dangerous! Great prices and fast shipping......uh oh!)
I'll be starting the "leaping cat" by La D Da tonight.
It reminds me of my own kitty, Arthur :)

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

A Sweet Snowman & A Sassy Apron

I finished ornament #2 of my 3 ornament challenge :)
This is a free chart from Plum Pudding Needleart
called Fa La La
and you can download it HERE.
I stitched it on 32ct Lugana over 1 thread.
Isn't he just adorable?
I have such a love for snowmen......
I just can't help myself :)

And here's a super Sassy apron
for my best buddy Marcia!
We met at M & L last week to pick out fabrics
and this just "screamed" her name!
She has a bit of a shoe obsession :)
How perfect is this?
She's going to look "Hawt".
If you knew Marcia....you'd understand :)

She plans to wear it with heels.....'nuf said.


Saturday, July 14, 2012

FNSI Results :)

Last night was another Friday NightSew In and I took full
advantage of my hubby being outside
smoking his cigar with the guys :)
They were out there until almost midnight
so I got ALOT done!
I was just stitching up the last heart 
when he came inside.
I find soooo much inspiration
by reading other blogs and Pinterest :)
Faye from Carolina Stitcher makes
beautiful Primitive project bags
that she makes and sells on her blog.
So  last week I used my "Don't fear the Zipper" pattern
and just enlarged it to make my own version.
These bags are wonderful for 
keeping your stitching projects safe 
and out of reach of crazy dogs.....just sayin :)
Last night I made 5 more.
They measure 11" by 13"
and are fully lined and padded.
Each one has a hand stitched 
wool felt heart as a zipper pull.
4 of them are made from high quality cotton
and one is made from Linen.
I am offering these bags for $25.00 
(includes shipping in the USA,
 International orders pay actual shipping costs)
and if you are interested,
please email me.
al4jrh@hotmail.com

Red & White Polka Dots - SOLD


Black & Pink - SOLD


Brown & Pink


Dark Chocolate Brown Linen


Bright Pink Polka Dots - SOLD


Thursday, July 12, 2012

Rudolph and potholders :)


I finished my first Christmas Ornament for this year.
Isn't he a cutie?
I fell in love with the pattern
the moment I saw it at The Floss Box on etsy.
Can you believe it's only 2 dollars
for the pdf download?
You can find this pattern 
and many others by this talented artist  HERE.

I also finished up the potholders
to go with the sassy motorcycle apron :)


And I finished the BBQ mitt that goes with


It's been a productive day :)
Hope yours is a great one too!!!!

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Summer Pixie & Route 66 Apron done!

I finished my "Summer Pixie" by Bent Creek today!
She just makes me smile :)
She's holding a Sunflower (my fav)
and she's wearing red & white polka dots (my fav)
and she's wearing denim overalls (my fav)
and last, but not least,
she's wearing red shoes!!!!
How could I not love her?????

She is stitched on 32ct Summer Sky lugana
over 1 thread.
I added some gold stars so that
she will co-ordinate with the Spring Pixie :)

I also finished up the Route 66 men's apron.
It's tough to make a fun apron for a man
without making it "too fancy".
I think bikers are even harder 
to sew for.
(maybe I should have used black leather?)


I love this fabric I found on etsy from the Route 66 collection.
The ride we did last month was on Route 66
so I thought it would be appropriate :)
Now I have to make the matching potholders
and this project is done!