Is it just me????

Is it just me,

or do you hang on to certain fabrics because

you love them so much you can't bear to cut into them?

I bought this stinkin' adorable coffee cup fabric

with the matching red polka dots

 (red & polka dots....shocker I know)

because I love me some coffee.

I planned to make myself a fun apron.

But lets' be honest here,

I probably wouldn't wear it because

I'd be afraid to get it dirty....

So I did the unthinkable....

I cut into my precious fabric.

My hope is that someone will love it

as much as I do :)

My nutritionist says that coffee causes a gluten response

in my body, so no more coffee.

I was "coffee free" for 18 months

and then decided that maybe the good Dr. was mistaken.

I mean how can something so fantastic 

be bad for me?

So I tried it.

After 3 days of morning coffee

my fibro pains came back.

A very good reminder of what

my daily life used to be.

So now I just have to settle for the smell of coffee

while my hubby gets ready for work in the morning.

I drink tea now.

Many kinds and flavors.

It's just not coffee......*sigh*

It never will be.......

A Little Love :)

My lovely friend Annie

(Crazy Annies Stitchin' & Stuff)

sent me such a fun package for my birthday.

This chart "Wonderous Love" by Homespun Elegance

was one of the charts she included.

How blessed am I?????

I stitched it on 32ct white Belfast linen

and made it into a small pillow for my bed.

I must have been "feelin' the love" this week

because I also grabbed the stitchable needlebook

from my shop and decided to keep it for myself.

After all.....I needed one specifically for my 

embroidery and cross stitch needles :)

I used a freebie chart

and added the word "Love".

You gotta love the bluebirds of happiness!

Hope you are all having

a LOVELY week :)

To Boldly Sew........

(A special "Thank You" to my hubby for letting me borrow his Kirk figurine )

Do you think the good Captain Kirk

did a bit of needlework in his down time

between saving the Universe 

and making out with alien goddesses?

No?

Well I have a friend who is a MAJOR Star Trek fan

(you know, the kind of fan who wears the costumes?)

and she's been spending a lot of time stitching these days.

So what better gift to give her

for her birthday 

than a Trek themed project bag?????

Now where ever she goes

she can BOLDLY SEW :)

I used gold toned fabric with tiny stars 

and black linen for the accents.

I stitched across the top

and added ginormous gold rick rack.

(You know Kirk loves him some flashy gold rick rack)

I made the trek insignia out of wool felt for the zipper pull.

Thanks to Joann's for releasing the Trek fabric this year

I found the perfect lining fabric.

Happy Birthday Gena!!!!

(sorry it's a bit late)

Covered in threads......

Ok.....I'm still here.....

just covered in thread :)

Makes me think of my home growing up.

My mom was always covered in thread

and come to think of it,

so was everything else in our home.....:)

I feel like I haven't had much to share

on my blog lately,

but I've been so busy.

Which (Praise God) is a very good thing.

I made these ruffled dish towels

to match an apron and pot holder set

that one lovely customer ordered.

I also finished up these Business card/ID wallets

for the shop.

Also a couple of stitchable needlebooks.

And more project bags and mug oranizers.

I've also been doing A LOT of cross stitch

in the evenings.

I really need to make some cute

pillows and things out of them.

What are you all up to these days?

Hugs & Kisses Winner!

First I'd like to Thank everyone

who took the time to share about

who they were inspired by!

I loved reading about all the special

woman in your lives.

I only hope that one day my granddaughters

will say that their "Nana" taught them to sew :)

I'd also like to Thank Madam Sam

and our Cheeleader Jane 

for another super fun hop!

Now for the winner:

The fat quarters and quilt pattern goes to:

Pauline from Quilt-n-Queen!

Congratulations Pauline!!!!

Hugs & Kisses Blog Hop and Giveaway!

Hello Everyone!

Welcome to Day 2 of the Hugs & Kisses Blog Hop :)
My project for today's hop
is a pair of dividers for my pots and pans.
My wonderful hubby gave me stainless steel
pots and pans for Christmas 
and there is NO WAY I'm letting my 
beauties get scratched!

And just in case any of you 
want to make a few for yourself,
I've written a tutorial for you
and you can find it HERE.

This one has a heart appliqued in the center.

And this one has a heart appliqued

in each of the 4 "petals" of the divider.

Here's a better look at them laying flat.

And here's a look at what I've been using up until now.

Not too pretty....I know.

And now on to the Giveaway for today!!!

Up for grabs is 3 fat quarters

of fun pink fabrics that made me think of Valentine's Day.

As well as a quilt pattern called Citrus Salad by Jillily Studio.

So who wants it?

All you have to do is leave me a comment

and tell me your first name and where you are from

and if there was someone in your life

who taught you or inspired you to sew or stitch.

( For me it was my Mom and Oma :)

It's been a while since I asked that

and it's always so fun to meet new people :)

You don't have to be a follower to enter

but you can leave me a SEPARATE comment

telling me you follow for a second chance to win.

You have until Sunday Feb 17th to enter

and the winner will be announce on Monday Feb 18th.

Good luck and I can't wait to start reading

about you all :)

And don't forget to check in with all the other

Hoppers today for inspiration and giveaways!

Just Let Me Quilt

Quilt Monster in my Closet

Nati's Little Things

Kwilty Pleasures

Cherry's Prairie Primitives

Pig Tales and Quilts

the tilted quilt

Sew Incredibly Crazy

Freemotion by the River

Marjorie's Busy Corner

"I Heart Cooking" Pan Dividers Tutorial

In our on-going effort to eat healthier

I wanted to get rid of my non-stick cookware

in favor of stainless steel.

My fabulous hubby bought me a set for Christmas.

I Heart Them!

I do not want them to get scratched

so I've been using the cardboard dividers

that came in the box with them.

I was being green by using the cardboard.....right?

Not cute.......nuf said :)

I decided to make some dividers that would match my kitchen

and be so much cuter than the cardboard.

You'll need:

2 - 16" squares of fabric (or fat quarters)

1 - 16" square of batting.

Small co-ordinating scrap for applique

Large dinner plate or platter

Small plate for center circle

Marking pen

Wonder under

Perle cotton floss for applique 

It's best that you read through the entire tutorial

before you begin.

First I used a 13" platter.

My largest pan is 12" and this worked perfectly for me.

I traced the platter onto the wrong side of the fabric.

Next I divided the circle into 4 by drawing a line down the center

and then turning the fabric 

and drawing another intersecting line.

Now the circle had 4 equal parts.

(this drawing is just so you can see it easier)

I placed the smaller plate in the center of the larger circle

and marked where the straight lines intersected with the smaller circle.

These will be your "stop" and pivot marks.

Next I used a vitamin bottle top to draw rounded corners

at the top of the 4 dividing lines of the larger circle.

Next I stacked my fabrics.

The two fabrics should be right sides together

with the batting underneath.

Beginning at the top edge of the circle,

and sewing through all 3 layers,

I stitched 1/8" inside my marked lines

 stopping at the smaller circle and pivoting,

 then making 3 - 4 stitches then pivot again

and stitching back up again and continuing on.

Leave a 4" opening for turning.

This is what it will look like when you are done.

Using sharp scissors,

cut along your 4 dividing lines,

being careful not to cut your stitching.

Cut into the corners in a "V" shape.

Trim off excess fabric to 1/4" all the way around.

Turn inside out through your opening.

I use a wooden dowel for this.

I've accidentally cut my fabric when I've used scissors

to push out projects.

Once you have it all nicely pushed out,

press it being sure to press the open edges

to the inside.

Slip stitch the opening.

I did a 1/4" top stitch all the way around.

Those of you who have mad quilting skillz

can go crazy at this point

and quilt this little guy any way you like.

Take what ever shape you choose for your center.

I used a heart because I love them so :)

Fuse Wonder Under to the wrong side of scrap fabric.

Draw your shape onto Wonder Under

and cut it out.

I use a large pin to scrape a line gently

across the center of my applique.

This makes it easier to remove the Wonder Under

without distorting your cut fabric

by trying to peel it from the edge.

Just bend the fabric where the scratch is

and peel it off.

Easy Peasy :)

Position your applique in the center of your project

and press with your iron.

I used a blanket stitch with #8  Perle cotton floss

but you can use your machine stitching

or any other decorative stitching you like.

You could even go completely wild

and add some rick rack!!!

Now you're done :)

Admire your handiwork!