The Dallas Cowboys won which was the best way to end the evening! (Wish they could do that more often). Hope you had a great Thanksgiving!
Friday, November 29
Thanksgiving Day & Dallas Cowboys
My parents came in for the Thanksgiving holiday but we didn't do the usual. Instead we had TG dinner on Wednesday and attended the Dallas Cowboy game on Thanksgiving Day.
This is something my Dad had wanted to do for a long time, so the five of us went. My Dad got tickets on the 40 yard line, 2nd row so we had spectacular seats.
The half time show was Selena Gomez, which our daughter thoroughly enjoyed.
The Dallas Cowboys won which was the best way to end the evening! (Wish they could do that more often). Hope you had a great Thanksgiving!
The Dallas Cowboys won which was the best way to end the evening! (Wish they could do that more often). Hope you had a great Thanksgiving!
Monday, November 25
Paris Mug Rug Set
Here is the second mug rug set I made for my partner, Nancy. I did free motion quilting on the mug rug, made a scrappy pin cushion, a crisscross scrappy tissue holder, and a little hoop art. I wish I had taken better pictures because you can't really see the detail of ribbon on pin cushion, the cute back and the different fabrics on the crisscross tissue holder. I was in a rush to get everything mailed. My partner loves Paris, the Eiffel tower etc.
Thanks for stopping by!
Sunday, November 24
Wine Mug Rug Set
Here is one of the two Mug Rugs I made for my partner in the Mug Rug Swap hosted by Quilting Gallery. My partner Nancy makes wine so I thought this wine fabric was appropriate, I guess she can use the mug for wine too...lol.
I made a zipper bag and a mug rug to match. Here is a close up of the coasters
Here they are all tied together.
Thanks for stopping by.
Here they are all tied together.
Friday, November 22
My First Mini Quilt
One of the reasons I like to do swaps is that it forces me to try new techniques.
The questionnaire from my partner said she liked mixing vintage and modern and liked a "rainbow" color scheme. It also said she collected vintage Pyrex bowls. From that moment, I remembered the bowl fabric from Lori Holt which she happened to list as one of her favorite fabric designers.
So, the first thing I did was order this fabric. I love how bright and cheery it is
I decided I wanted to do a Dresden design. I carried the fabric all over town for weeks to find matching/coordinating fabrics for the petals or blades. Here is the first Dresden I made. I used the Stampin' Up! Dresden die to cut everything out...
Long story short, this Dresden didn't make it on the quilt. I started to hand sew and turn all of the petals and give up quickly-- it just wasn't turning out like I wanted. Then, I decided to make it round. Well-- then it got wonky and I decided to just start over about 2 o'clock in the morning
I made a whole new Dresden and sewed the blades with points instead so I wouldn't have to deal with the curves. The second one turned out much better... but somehow I could not get it to lay flat, so I had to add another blade to make it work (17 blades total).
I appliqued the Dresden on white on white dot fabric, did a blanket stich around the points and sewed in the ditch of the blades. I then added the bowl fabric for a border.... Here it is without the center and binding.
I debated about the color for binding and center circle. Part of me wanted to go with black and white dots but I finally opted for a grey and white dot instead. I had a difficult time sewing the binding... remember what I said about forcing myself to try new techniques-- well I got a good taste of binding! I did the whole thing twice and finally got it to look right. Here it is the finished.
Here is the back.
Here is the whole package with a few little Texas treats from a few stores in our Historical Square in Downtown McKinney... Texas Bumpy Road Popcorn from Mom & Pop Popcorn, Goodies Chocolate in the shape of Texas from Goodies, Obleas from Mexico, Texas Chewie Pecan Pralines from our state capital and finally everyone needs a Texas license plate with their name on it!
I hope she likes everything. It really was hard to let this go but I hope my partner enjoys it and loves it. The package is being delivered today and I look forward to hearing from her. Thanks for stopping by.
Saturday, November 9
Princess Zipper Pouch
Here is a Princess Zipper Pouch I made for a dear friends daughter. She is totally into princesses and everything pink & purple. This fabric actually shimmers so I thought it was perfect for her.
I especially love the princess charm. I loaded up on some fabulous charms last month when I went to my hometown. I found two stores with every charm under the sun and went bananas, you'll be seeing them for months because I literally got about 100 different kinds.
Thanks for stopping by.
I did the lining in white and lavender dots and I think it compliments the bag nicely.
Thanks for stopping by.
Spoons
We provided snacks for Micaela's class a couple of days ago. I HAD to provide individually portioned store bought snacks (per school district policy) but reduced the carbon footprint by using real spoons instead of disposable ones. I think a couple of Moms thought I was crazy but it's the green thing to do.
All in all, I spent 5-10 minutes and less than a gallon of water to hand washing these and now there is 30 less spoons in the landfill.
Monday, October 28
Wedding Pillows
Here are a couple of wedding pillows I made this last week for local customers.
Both weddings were Saturday.
I love making these because I know they will be cherished by the couples.
Hope you had a great weekend.
Both weddings were Saturday.
I love making these because I know they will be cherished by the couples.
Hope you had a great weekend.
Looks like Autumn
Our region of Texas is in a severe drought. All the recent rain has our grass green again. We haven't watered since mid August. Looking forward to more color in the coming weeks.
Busy Weekend
I've been sewing but my time to post has been non existent. This week I was responsible for our city's Drug Take Back Event. It was a HUGE success but requires so much preparation.
Here is a collage with a few pictures.
We had 38 bags/boxes of solid drugs. Incredible! We are recycled TEN 95 gallon bins of plastic/paper packaging and a small truckload of boxes. Plus... we managed to have only one half empty container of trash. Eight people really "Making a Difference" in McKinney today--- I couldn't do this without the help of volunteers, the support of the Public Works Department and the Collin County Sheriff's Office.
Here is a collage with a few pictures.
We had 38 bags/boxes of solid drugs. Incredible! We are recycled TEN 95 gallon bins of plastic/paper packaging and a small truckload of boxes. Plus... we managed to have only one half empty container of trash. Eight people really "Making a Difference" in McKinney today--- I couldn't do this without the help of volunteers, the support of the Public Works Department and the Collin County Sheriff's Office.
Thursday, October 17
Buying Handmade for Staff Appreciation
Last week I got an order for eleven zipper pouches. Woohoo, it's my biggest order to date.
Eleven ladies in Ormond Beach Florida have a really fabulous boss --This sweet lady purchased personalized zipper pouches for her entire staff for Staff Appreciation Week.
The sweet thing was she wrote me describing each person and then I sent-posted pictures of previous pouches I had made for her to choose from. I thought it was thoughtful and the best thing was she didn't try to haggle on price and paid to ship over night!
Eleven ladies in Ormond Beach Florida have a really fabulous boss --This sweet lady purchased personalized zipper pouches for her entire staff for Staff Appreciation Week.
Halloween Swap Items
Here are a few more items I have made for my partner for the Halloween Swap I am hosting.
First... This is tiny but I think they are so cute. These are Hershey's Nugget candy covers I made out of felt. This is a design from Embroidery Garden. I think they can double as finger puppets.
Second... This is a Halloween Zipper Pouch. I've made this design before but this time I embroidered the name on the back.
Third... This is a bowl and fabric cover. The bowl is a large melamine mixing bowl (like 12 inches in diameter). I made a cover for it using some fun Halloween fabric.
Here is a photo from the top. Micaela our daughter thought it would work well as an old fashioned Halloween shower cap too....lol.
So, these three items, plus the Halloween Pillow, the Owl Pin Cushion, and the 3 monster treat bags along with some spools of ribbon and candy went out to my partner who lives Northwest of Dallas yesterday. I hope she likes everything!
First... This is tiny but I think they are so cute. These are Hershey's Nugget candy covers I made out of felt. This is a design from Embroidery Garden. I think they can double as finger puppets.
Second... This is a Halloween Zipper Pouch. I've made this design before but this time I embroidered the name on the back.
Here is a photo from the top. Micaela our daughter thought it would work well as an old fashioned Halloween shower cap too....lol.
So, these three items, plus the Halloween Pillow, the Owl Pin Cushion, and the 3 monster treat bags along with some spools of ribbon and candy went out to my partner who lives Northwest of Dallas yesterday. I hope she likes everything!
Tuesday, October 8
Autumn Be Thankful Sewing Swap
We've had so much fun with the Halloween Swap, the ladies want to do it again. Opening up a new swap. This is for one single Autumn item due by November 15. You can send extras but not necessary.
Use this link to register online. Closing soon, don't delay.
Monday, October 7
Autumn at the Dallas Arboretum
Are you ready for some eye candy? Friday I had a fun work meeting. The location was the Dallas Arboretum (poor me). While there I got a behind the scenes tour and a look at the incredible Autumn display and the new Children's Adventure Garden! I have been to the Arboretum many times but never during the fall so this was a special treat for me.
The Autumn display has more than 50,000 pumpkins, gourds and squash! It runs through November 27. You can visit the Dallas Arboretum website for more information.
Here are a few pictures I took with my phone (they don't do the place justice, but you'll get the idea).
Isn't that incredible! I'll share pictures of the Children's Adventure Garden in the next few days. Hope you are having a great Monday!
The Autumn display has more than 50,000 pumpkins, gourds and squash! It runs through November 27. You can visit the Dallas Arboretum website for more information.
Here are a few pictures I took with my phone (they don't do the place justice, but you'll get the idea).
Isn't that incredible! I'll share pictures of the Children's Adventure Garden in the next few days. Hope you are having a great Monday!
Halloween Monster Treat Bags
Hope you had a great weekend. On Sunday I stayed home most of the day and did some sewing. I am still plugging away making things for my Halloween Sewing Swap partner. She has children so I thought I would make a little something for the kids. Here are some little monster treat bags I started last night. They still need googly eyes, treats and bows but you get the idea.
After sewing these little guys, I kept feeling like they were looking at me...lol. This is a design from Five Star Fonts and they are made in the hoop.
After sewing these little guys, I kept feeling like they were looking at me...lol. This is a design from Five Star Fonts and they are made in the hoop.
Sunday, October 6
Flan
My Mom is the Queen of Flan. If you are not familiar with flan it's a Mexican dessert very similar to Crème Brule or custard. Mom makes several flans a week for family, friends and pot luck gatherings. She makes different flavors and is very much a pro!
I've been trying to duplicate her recipe and success for the last several months. To make a long story short, let's just say I've cracked a few dozen eggs in the process of getting it right. After several tries with my own cookware, she gave me hers when we went to visit in August. Then, two attempts ago, we did Facetime on the Ipad so she could coach me on caramelizing the sugar. My last three attempts have been close and this week I finally got it.
Tada, here is my perfect FLAN!
I made it to take to a potluck meeting I had with the Texas Daffodil Society and it turned out just like my Mom's. I am so proud.
I felt like it needed a little garnish and didn't have anything besides grapes and carrots in the refrigerator. I improvised by thinly slicing grapes and using a "Red Hot" for the center of the flower. I am so happy with this that I had to share!
Now that I finally got this right, this will be one of my "go to" recipes for potlucks and gatherings. Hope you're having a great weekend.
I've been trying to duplicate her recipe and success for the last several months. To make a long story short, let's just say I've cracked a few dozen eggs in the process of getting it right. After several tries with my own cookware, she gave me hers when we went to visit in August. Then, two attempts ago, we did Facetime on the Ipad so she could coach me on caramelizing the sugar. My last three attempts have been close and this week I finally got it.
Tada, here is my perfect FLAN!
I made it to take to a potluck meeting I had with the Texas Daffodil Society and it turned out just like my Mom's. I am so proud.
I felt like it needed a little garnish and didn't have anything besides grapes and carrots in the refrigerator. I improvised by thinly slicing grapes and using a "Red Hot" for the center of the flower. I am so happy with this that I had to share!
Now that I finally got this right, this will be one of my "go to" recipes for potlucks and gatherings. Hope you're having a great weekend.
Wedding Pillow in Red Damask
My good friend's twin brother married a couple of weeks ago. I made a pillow in the Bride's signature color for the gift.
The "&" is appliquéd in a suede like fabric and the embroidery is in two different shades of beige and taupe. I am happy with the way this turned out.
Hope you are having a great weekend.
Monday, September 30
Guadalupe Zipper Pouches
With all the rain on Saturday, I got some sewing done.
I made these two zipper pouches to donate to the Guadalupanas ladies group fundraiser at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Mission (my hometown). My Mom is in the group. I was actually baptized there as an infant and married there in 2004. I've been wanting to make them something for a while.
I have two versions... This is first zip is made with a folklorico style print fabric, very modern.
Inside I used a goldenrod tone on tone print fabric, it was the exact color in the flower print on the outside. (I love it when I have the right colors in my stash).
The second one was is a realistic painting print. I've had this for a long time and have been wanting to make "something" for a while. I was so afraid the stipple quilting would look bad across the faces of the virgens but I think it's hard to see.
Banana Bread
We had three over ripe bananas and it was raining outside on Saturday afternoon (when we were supposed to go to our church picnic) so I made a quick banana bread to pass the time. I used this recipe at Food Network. It turned out great.
Although we were sad to miss the picnic, our region of Texas is experiencing an Extreme Drought so we were grateful. Our current lake level is at 49% so rain even on picnic day is a good thing.
Hope you had a great weekend.
Friday, September 27
Wine Cork Zipper Pouch
Here's a wine cork zipper pouch I made for a friend that loves wine AND does crafts with wine corks. This fabric was just too perfect.
My favorite thing is the wine corkscrew charm I found, it couldn't be more perfect!
Wedding Pillow in B & W
Here is another wedding pillow for a wedding this weekend. This couple loves black and white.
The pillow is 15x15, the fabric is a checkerboard suede like fabric. I am loving making these pillows. I am so glad it's Friday, what a long week it has been.
The pillow is 15x15, the fabric is a checkerboard suede like fabric. I am loving making these pillows. I am so glad it's Friday, what a long week it has been.
Wednesday, September 25
Halloween Pillow
I have to brag. My Halloween Sewing Swap group has been so much FUN. We have a Facebook Group and 60 of the more than 70 ladies are constantly posting pictures and having great conversations. No one really knew each other before the group and it has been so fun to read everyone's post, droll over Halloween Projects, exchange ideas, support each other and just plain bond. We have already decided to do another swap for Autumn and I can't wait. There are probably more than 100 pictures of Halloween projects so far. I plan on making a slideshow or video of all of the projects and sharing them here after we are done.
In the meantime, here is another item I have made for my Halloween Sewing Partner. The pillow is 10x10. I sewed 4 strips of 2x2 patchwork and then attached it around the center panel. I am pleased with how it turned out and to be honest I am going to hate to part with it. Micaela has already made my promise I will make one with an M for her.
Hope you are having a great day! Stay tuned for more Halloween projects in the coming days.
Monday, September 16
Halloween Owl Pin Cushion
I made this little owl pin cushion using several Halloween fabrics. This is going to be one of the items I send my partner in the Halloween Sewing Swap I am hosting. There are more than 70 ladies from all over the US and six other countries participating in the swap and I am so excited.
This is an in the hoop design from Reen at Embroidery Garden. I used fusible fleece on the body to create a smooth look and stuffed it with polyfill and walnut litter. Walnut litter can be purchased at the pet store and it's great for adding weight and sharpening needles and pins as you stick them in and pull them out of the cushion.
The fun thing about this owl design is that the wings open up and there is a pocket in the belly. I fussy cut the witch to fit front and center as the pocket. You can stick needles and special decorative pins in the wings and put things like a seam ripper and small scissors in the belly pocket. In fact, if you put the small scissors in the center pocket, the rings on the handles should fit nicely over the eyes. You also put two spools of thread in the two elastic loops that are sewn in the bottom seam to make the owl sit upright.
I hope my Halloween Sewing Partner likes this as much as I enjoyed making it for her.
Thanks for stopping by! Be sure to visit the rest of the ladies in the blog hop today, tomorrow and last week.
September 10
September 11
September 12
September 13
September 16
Bloom Where I Am Planted -- that's me!
September 17
Sunday, September 15
Zipper Bags
Here are a few zipper bags that I have made in the last couple of weeks.
Weenie dogs wearing rain boots zipper pouch for our daughter Micaela (we love weenie dogs).
Bees & apples theme zipper pouch for a friend who just started teaching preschool and the theme in her classroom is bees...
Black & White spotty dog zipper pouch for our own piebald double dapple weenie dog Oreo, we decided he needed one too.
Dallas Cowboy zipper pouch for a big fan visiting my friend from Germany
Lion zipper pouch for a childhood friend who teaches Kindergarten and the theme in her classroom is Lions.
Weenie dogs wearing rain boots zipper pouch for our daughter Micaela (we love weenie dogs).
Also available in green.
Bees & apples theme zipper pouch for a friend who just started teaching preschool and the theme in her classroom is bees...
Black & White spotty dog zipper pouch for our own piebald double dapple weenie dog Oreo, we decided he needed one too.
Dallas Cowboy zipper pouch for a big fan visiting my friend from Germany
These are all available in my Etsy store, the button is on the right side bar. Thanks for stopping by!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)