Art Folder for my Grandson

I came up with this idea for a Christmas present for my drawing/writing grandson.
I had some Moleskin small blank books I got on a great sale so I thought I could just measure and sew up a useful way to carry the book and a few pens or pencils.

I also like to draw in small books so I tried to be careful not to add bulk or unnecessary seams on the covering of the book itself. 

Mad Hatter Hat

We have a cute little car 'with no roof' as the grandkids say and for someone like me with shoulder length hair that is a problem.  Any speed over 60km/hr requires a hat.  The sun can also be a problem as I don't have prescription sunnies.  Here is my latest solution...

Red fabric + stiffish interfacing

                                     Equals =

I didn't take a picture of it on but believe me, it looks a bit like the Mad Hatter...

And more Bulky Socks

I needed lots of socks for Christmas presents so I just kept at it.



The red for my DIL and the cream/grey for my son



These were pretty straight forward but done on the 5 needle system.  They even seem to fit.  Yeah!

More Pillow Covers

It seems my DD has a couple of pillows that are in need of covers, and the ones I made for myself seem to appeal to her.  Hmmm, 18" pillow forms you say.



But this time around I thought I would make the angle of the wedges a bit bigger so I could get the centre smaller and have a smaller pillow too.  This time I did 15 degree wedges instead of the 11 degree ones I did on my version.



Lots of tape on my ruler and more figuring but it was a good challenge.  I sewed together two strips 3 1/2" wide and then cut them at 15 degree angles.



I was a bit worried about my ad hoc template but it worked great.



Some diagonal quilting and then I found some suede fabric for the backing as she has a leather couch and I hate cushions that slide... oh, yes and invisible zippers...

Christmas Wreath Pillows

I have a wonderful friend who loves to decorate her home.  She tells me that pillows are very in and I should have more on my couch... As it is coming up to Christmas, I thought that this might be a good idea and I would make some Christmas themed ones.  I hunted out some red fabric ( a couple of Christmas ones too :)

I cut 3 inch strips and sewed them together in pairs so I could cut wedges from them.  The ruler I happen to have is for 11 degree wedges, sigh so lots of strippy bits later....

Sewing for my Mom - Rainbow table runners

Back in June 2014 my mom gave me a couple of table runner patterns and some strip sets she had made to make the bargello pattern.

Time passes and here we are summer 2015.  But I remembered them and here they are done.  They went together quite well and look grand I think.  When I gave them to her recently she was delighted and we had to clear off the kitchen table and put one on under her pepper and salt and spoon mug...

The backs were nice too and I even found some pre-printed labels to co-ordinate.

New Laptop Cover for my Honey

My husband got a new laptop.  It's big.  So big that there is no commercial bag or carrying case that is big enough to accommodate it.  So I made him a case the same way that I covered my ipad.

I use super heavy 1/8" thick iron-on interfacing with out-y seams on two sides.

Can you tell he picked the fabric out of my stash?  I laughed when he pointed out what he wanted.  I am pretty sure these are two he picked out as cool at a quilt fabric store somewhere.  He's consistent though.

 On the open end I added the flap and velcro so it wouldn't slide out.

My new sit-up-straight Chair

My darling husband built me a new chair - yes, chair.  It is specially designed for me.  He measured me seated and made the back the correct angle I need.

I love it. Isn't he brilliant?

Wheelchair Bag

This was a secret project so I didn't post about it sooner.  But the recipient is now in possession so here goes.

 First I chose some rainbow coloured fabric.  She loves rainbows...

Then I stitched up the bag in a simple messenger style.

As you can see the straps are loops only.  They fit over the chair pushers and keep her stuff handy.  Oh, yes and a small peek inside...

Oops apparently I made the straps a bit short.  Hopefully we will be in the same city soon and I can fix the issure...

Alphabet Progress

I have been delving into old projects and trying to finish some that appeal to me.  This one I began with the letter blocks in June 2014.
Now look...

And now...

And more...

The Lord's Prayer continues

I am a bit behind as the new section came out from Elefantz Craftsy shop but I am working on.

Hallowed is such an important word.  I think it is the essence of our interaction with the Lord.  'regarded as holy; venerated; sacred'

That's all there is to say.

New iPad Covers

I had company last week and it was my darling sister.  She has one of those ipad minis. I had made a cover for it back when she got it a year or so ago.  It was in sad shape as she uses it all the time.  Course her ipad is in lovely shape because she uses it all the time....

Here's her new cover.  Just like the old one down to the pocket which I enlarged a bit by request.  I hope she likes this one.

Then my son came along with a request for a cover for his larger ipad.

I made it in a similar style - no pocket tho - and then I got creative with the stitches on my Bernina and finished the very edge with a square decorative stitch.  As it went over the edge and the interfacing is white and thick there is a neat pattern of black stitched holding it all together.

Sparrow Wall Hanging

As you might know, I am a fan of Jenny over at Elefantz.  She makes lovely embroidery patterns.  They are simple yet profound and I admire them a lot.

Now look what I made:

Jenny offered this Sparrow quote embroidery for free on her Craftsy page.  (These are the lyrics of a hymn from my childhood.)

So I followed her tutorial on how to add fabric to your embroideries. ( You can find it under tutorials on her home page at Elefantz.)

Every time I look at it I have to hum the song....I can hardly wait to see how it will look on my mother's wall.... She may even sing out loud...I hope so.

Another project from my Mom - Rainbows

This was the other project my Mom gifted me with.  I don't know why she stopped. She said she made a mistake and it needed to be ripped out.  I don't know it looks good to me.

The pattern came from a newspaper so it is years old (maybe 20).  But it is kind of kit - like in that it was all cut out and ready to go.

With a few minutes of sewing I had the three strip sets ready to go.

Lovely Pleats

Here are the finished pictures of my Pleated Apples quilt.  How darling is this?  As mine was made with a little boy in mind, I used this great farm scene fabric for the back and as there was a strip of minky left over I put it down one side of the back for extra softness... Lena's quilt pattern is available here.  She also has a sweet blog at Pretty Pleat Quilts

Pleated Apples

I would like to introduce you to you my daughter.  She is a very busy mom but I think I passed on the love and fabric to her and specifically the love of quilting. Insert proud smiley face.  How much fun did we have the weekend before her wedding, finishing up her quilt...yes, a long story

Anyways, I degress... she is publishing her first patterns.  Please take a look.

I am excited.  I have her new pattern, the one called Pleated Apples to try out.  Who doesn't love a new project.  But this pattern is a bit different.  It involves pleats - on a quilt - sounds interesting you say.... well here is where I got it.

I just got the PDF so I printed it in black and white to save on ink.  But I used the pictures of the finished quilt and her advice to pick the fabrics.

I'm thinking apples, granny smith or pink lady, ahhh, this is starting well..

Little Stepping Stones Quilting

I haven't done a lot of machine quilting but this is turning out to be fun.

Update on the Alphabet Blocks

Just chugging along making these...

Flimsy Done of Little Stepping Stones

Looks at this, with the input of my DH I finally got some borders on this one and I'm reallly happy with the result.  I even patched on the backing...

As my sister always says, 'Red is best...'

Knitting Mitts

One of my favourite pastimes in the car (or in this case truck) is knitting.  The light is good, and unless it is complicated the vibration of the ride doesn't matter.

These were for my Grandkids so they are smallish...even the red ones wouldn't fit me.