Aqua Needle Wallet

This is the usual embroidery mess I work with. The needle wallet will be a better fit for me.






Are you tired of the Aqua fabric yet?? I am getting there. I made this needle wallet so that it would be able to hold embroidery on a hoop plus your thread, needles, scissors, markers, thimble, seam ripper, etc. It is not too big for the car or sofa in the evening and everything stays neat and tidy . . .

Happy Quilting,
Nancy

Aqua Finishing

This beautiful Tote Bag was made from the scraps left from the Bluework and Rain on the Windows quilt. I love the flower and the charm it adds. There are two roomy pockets inside for all of a girl's nice things. Again, Take no Prisioners.

Happy Quilting,
Nancy

Rain on the Windows Quilt

Since I am taking no prisoners, this is some of the fat quarter pieces I had left when I finished my Bluework Quilt. I tried some different quilting with this one and it worked pretty well. This was a fun quilt to make with lots of variation in color with batiks and cottons mixed together.

I have enough left over to make a nice tote bag and of course a pincushion.

Happy Quilting,
Nancy

New Girl in Town

Well, it seems that I have a new girl in town. I tried a dog, my daughter has cats but I just felt like a bird might be the answer. We always had parakeets at home growing up. Usually green or blue and they would fly about the house and peck the window sill, eat my Mom's plants and most of all, sit by my Father's dinner plate and eat his mashed potato's. It was such fun until the little thing got sucked up in the vacuum when my siblings were messing around. He just never recovered after that.
Now for a name for this little one . . . any suggestions? My families birds were always Pete or Petie. This one is a girl and needs a girl name . . . help me out so I can award a prize of 3 fat quarters from Amy Butler fabrics.

I can't wait to see what is suggested.

Happy Quilting,
Nancy

A Double Finish

I pieced the scraps from the Cheery Table Runner and Potholders together and then cut a circle, gathered that up, put crushed walnut shells in it and topped it off with Poly-fil. I then cut 2 pieces of green wool about 3" x 5", cut leaves on opposite ends, made a slit in the center, pulled it over the clothes pin end, hot glued leaves slightly. Next I cut a circle about 2" across and scalloped the edges like a flower, made a slit in the center and pulled that over the clothes pin. I stitched the last three strips, it made a strip about 7" long and 7" wide. I stitched the ends together to form a circle, then pressed it in half, turning the ends under 1/8". Now gather the bottom ends on the machine with a long stitch. Pull threads up tight. Using a strip of batting, hot glue batting over the clothes pin post, measure the clothes pin post and cut a strip 1/2" wider than the post and 1/2" taller. Press one long end of the strip under 1/8". Wrap it around the post and hand stitch down. Tuck the top ends under and stitch that closed as well. Hot glue a piece of rick rack to cover from the bottom on one side, across the top and back down the other side. Place the gathered piece over the post and pull threads snug. Tie threads off and hot glue bottom to top of pincushion. That will help it stay open for you thread, bobbins or thimble.

Scrappy Bottom of Pincushion

Top View of Pincushion

Needle Wallet and Pincushion with basket for thread.

Inside on Needle Wallet.

Needle Wallet and Pincushion. I just took left over strips and stitched them together with a red strip on the sides. The outside case is about 12" x 8". Stitch a piece of rick rack across the strips. Cut two pieces of ribbon about10" long and place them at the side center as they will tie the Needle Wallet closed. Cut one thin cotton batting and one lining to match the outside piece. Place right sides of lining and outside together with the batting against the outside. Now stitch all the way around, leave opening for turning, clip corners and turn right side out. Stitch opening closed. Cut two pockets 9" x 8". Fold in half and stitch around leaving an opening for turning. Hand stitch to each inside cover. With Pinking Shears cut 6-pieces, 7" x 5". Place two 1/2" down from the top and up from the bottom, place the last two in the center. Machine stitch through the center, lining it up with the center of the outside. Cut 2 10" ribbons and stitch them above each pocket to hold scissors or thread. ALL Done.
Hope this helps if you want to make one.

Happy Quilting,
Nancy

Fourteen Years to a Finish

Proof that it really is from 1996! I saved the selvage for my crazy sister.





It is hard to imagine that I have left this beautiful quilt top hanging in my closet for fourteen years. It is a long story but the short version is that in 1995, when air fare was $20.00 to San Diego, I would go once a month or so to see my sister that lives there and teach classes a local quilt shops. We would of course shop while there and do projects. It was a wonderful time that I have just the best memories of. Well, the weekend of this project, we were shopping and she purchased all the fabrics for a top for her and I. I sewed them up and then went home. Hers is still awaiting quilting, I just checked. I got mine out a couple of days ago and found a back and now it is quilted around each figure, star and flag. I could have sent it to the sister that does longarm quilting but I wanted it to be like I would have done it then. I think it turned out well. It will be shown at my quilt club this Friday and then it will go to be hung for a while at our new Carwash. I should have finished this so long ago and then I would not have felt guilty each time I saw it in the closet. How many tops are haunting you???

Happy Quilting,
Nancy

Bluework Wallhanging Done

This bluework has been such fun! I really enjoyed finishing each block, even though I am ahead of schedule. I chose the aqua/turquoise fabrics to blend with the floss I choose. I wanted a touch of this in my bedroom to brighten it up.

I quilted squares around each block and then in the borders. It did not take very long but used up a lot of thread . . . I only had to unpick a little bit. It measures 33" x 48". I had just the right wall to put it on. I still need to put the hanging sleeve on the back but that will only take a few minutes in the evening.

This project has been a joy and I just smile each time I gaze in it's direction. Thank you for being patient and following me as I completed the wall hanging . . you are the best!

Now to use up the extra fabric in the Take No Prisioners Plan . . . watch and see what I create now . . .
Happy Quilting,
Nancy

Valentine's Day

Barry and JoAnn

Barry and Nancy
I am so blessed to be married to my Sweetheart! He is so very kind and loving ALL of the time . . . how did I become so blessed? We just enjoy each other so very much.

He has two sweethearts you know . . . beautiful JoAnn, to whom he was married for Forty-Eight years and now me. We are both so very fortunate to have found this wonderful man.

So this is a tribute to all true loves everywhere. May you be as blessed as I have been.

Happy Quilting,
Nancy

Finished Purse

I am so blessed to have had my sister make this purse for me at the Sister Party. She actually made one for all of the sisters. I just had to stitch on the handles and buttons. My choice of buttons makes it look like a face, perhaps I should change them out . . . :-) It has two roomy pockets which I velcroed shut and also a velcro closer. I stitched the top ends in a bit to help square the purse. Now I just need to cut a bottom for it and I am off to the fabric store for some fun!!

Happy Quilting,
Nancy

A Little Finish

With the current, Take No Prisioners, thing I have going on, this is the last of the fabric from the Irish Chain fabric. I can't believe I have actually used it all up. Yeah!!! I stuffed this little pincushion with crushed walnut shells and a bit of fiberfil . . . I love it . . .

Happy Quilting,
Nancy

Take No Prisioners

This is getting to be fun . . . a stretch of my imagination and creativity. I like not having just a tiny bit of fabric left to add to the mess in the sewing room. Just a few bitsy pieces to go . . . what will they become?

Happy Quilting,
Nancy

Bluework Block Done #12

I am so excited! I finished the last block and now can cut them to size and put the top together . . . YEAH!!! and ahead of even my schedule . . . they are so pretty, I just love them . . .

Happy Quilting,
Nancy

What a mess

It's true I am a messy office person as you can see. I am working on projects and just come in here, check the computer and then do only what needs to be done and then back to the sewing room . . . I resolved to clean up this mess today and I have made some progress. I have another hour before I can sew but at least I won't cringe each time I pass by the office door. Does anyone else do this or am I the only one with the sickness? It feels so much better already . . .

Happy Quilting,
Nancy