Thứ Năm, 14 tháng 2, 2013

Hugs & Kisses Hop, Day 5 - My Day To Share!

My day to share!

 
When I first saw the post about this hop,
an idea came into my head and I just had to
create it for this hop. ...  however, my lovely
little quiltie was a bit shy as I could not
seem to get a very good picture, so
I share with you the same quilt, in two
different poses ....
As those of you who leave comments for me
know, my saying is that "my heart is hugged" with
every kind word you share.
 
So, truly, My Heart is Hugged makes her debut today.
And as I said, since she was so camera shy, I tried to
take a better close-up of the center because that is
the true "heart" of my design:

Top is inside:
Bottom is outside:
 Again, two photos by which you wouldn't know
that in person, she's a beauty.  But My Heart Is Hugged
just clamored to be made for this hop and my daughters are
pleased they have a Valentines Day "season" wall hanging.
 
It pleases my daughters even more that we
created the heart's message together ...
we use it daily.
 
What more could I ask for??
 
Well ... I have another share ...
which came along jus this past weekend.
 
My first-grader, Abbie, made this placemat
in class last week, and I was immediately struck with
the thought that I needed to make it into a more
permanent piece of art:
 
Therefore, I started like this:
On my applique sheet, I laid 1 inch sq pieces upside-down
over a heart pattern paper underneath the sheet.

I then pressed the fusible wonder-under over the
piecesof scraps I had just laid out ...remember ...
on the backside of the fabric.
 
When I turned over the fused pieces,
this is what I ended up with. 
 

I then cut out the heart shape, cutting off
all of the unwanted raw edges
(though the uneven edges would've been cute too)
 
And this is what I ended up with ... right side up :)
After peeling off the paper backing, I did freemotion
quilting on this heart before appliquing it to
the background ... just to tack down the loose edges.
 
And this is the end masterpiece ... 
 I do believe my daughter forgives me my
license to change up her pattern just a smidge :)
Her one critique was why didn't I use a heart to
dot the "i" in pieces ... I just didn't have a heart
button big enough to do the piece justice.
She understood.
 
Thank you so very much for visiting with me today!!
Please do the same kindness to my fellow posters
today as I know each and every one of them will
appreciate your visit just as much as I!

Friday, February 15th

Why Knot Kwilt (you are here)
 
Madame Samm and Cheerleader Jane,
I give to you both my heart-felt thanks
and gratitude for this hop and for all
your behind-the-scenes organization!

warm hearted wishes!









Thứ Tư, 13 tháng 2, 2013

Hugs & Kisses Hop, Day 4 and more

On this day when just about everyone turns to thinking
of hearts, roses, love, and valentines,
 
 
I wish everyone, everywhere, all good and
wonderful things that will make your heart happy!
 
As my daughters attend their classroom Valentine's Day
parties, I've made these cookies for each of
them to take to class with them:
I actually found the idea by crusing Pinterest!
Very quick, easy and .... EASY!
Strawberry wafer cookies dipped in melted
vanilla chips and then pressed with sprinkles.

And you know, on Pinterest you will also find
a board wherein Madame Samm has posted all
of the beauties to be found on this hop, in case
you haven't yet had the time to visit everyone who
has posted thus far.  Today's line up is as follows:

 

Remember the full schedule can be found at
Jane's Fabrics and Quilts
just in case you get sidetracked along the way.

Please be sure to visit on Friday, as
I'm very happy to be able to share with
you my creations for this Hugs & Kisses Hop!!
 
Happy hopping, and please share the love
so it may be returned to warm your heart ...

warm hearted, loving wishes,

Thứ Ba, 12 tháng 2, 2013

Hugs & Kisses Hop, Day 3




Thank you Cheerleader Jane!

Remember the full schedule can be found at
Jane's Fabrics and Quilts
just in case you get sidetracked along the way.

Happy hopping, and please share the love
so it may be returned to warm your heart ...

warm hearted wishes,


Thứ Hai, 11 tháng 2, 2013

Hugs & Kisses Hop Day 2




Thank you Cheerleader Jane!

Remember the full schedule can be found at
Jane's Fabrics and Quilts
just in case you get sidetracked along the way.

Happy hopping, and please share the love
so it may be returned to warm your heart ...

warm hearted wishes,


Chủ Nhật, 10 tháng 2, 2013

Hugs & Kisses Hop, Day 1


Monday February 11th


Thank you Cheerleader Jane!

Remember the full schedule can be found at
Jane's Fabrics and Quilts
just in case you get sidetracked along the way.

Happy hopping, and please share the love
so it may be returned to warm your heart ...

warm hearted wishes,


Thứ Sáu, 8 tháng 2, 2013

Blog Hopping Virtues


I can easily say that looking over my blog this past year, my life is a hugely different than a year ago, much less when I originally started this adventure in the blogihood.  For those of you few that visit me often, you too know my life has been through some changes.  For me, they are for the better.  For my blog .... well not so much. {chuckle} I have often contemplated discontinuing my senseless ramblings, and sporadic crafty shares, but I am so very grateful for the friendships that those of you that visit and comment have gifted me with that I just don't want to leave the neighborhood.

Therein lies my gratitude for these marvelous blog hop opportunities. The new blogs and talented artists that are introduced to me, along with the inspiring works shared with each blog hop, are bright spots for me to look forward to.

To me, it's kind of like a quilt guild, online.  I don't belong to a local one yet, while trying to find that rhythm in this new life of mine, I like these hops even more by being challenged to create something new and meet a deadline in order to participate with a wonderful line up of quilters/crafters/sewers .... neighbors.  Being cheered by others whom you admire and learn from ... what's better than that?  How about knowing that my cheers for my fellow participants my lend just a bit of encouragement when they might need it? 
Monday brings us the start of another fun and creative blog hop under the guidance of Madame Samm of SewWeQuilt.  This hop's head cheerleader is Jane of Jane's Fabrics and Quilts.  Really cool tidbit here ... when I first started quilting about eight years ago, I began exploring the world of online quilting by participating in the FabShop Hops ... Jane's was one of my favorite stops way back then and one I always remember with her bright and cheery smiling blond icon.  


Well, Jane is still bright and cheery and as sweet as can be, leading the cheers on the Hugs and Kisses Blog Hop, which begins Monday.  You can catch up on the full schedule by clicking on the icon on the left side of my blog.  I'm scheduled to share on Friday and hope those of you who visit will visit with me then.

Thank you for reading my ramblings and visiting when you can.  
I'd sure appreciate knowing you stopped by and 
I'm striving to do better in returning the visits.

Happy hugs and warm-hearted wishes!


Thứ Tư, 30 tháng 1, 2013

Hello!

Would you guess it is already the end of January?!!?? 

Wow!

Well, I've not had much to write, but I can finally report
I have my sewing machine back!!


Yes, Pfaff came through and replaced my less than one-year old machine with a new one.  The one I had kept seizing up due to a bad bearing or so said the local repair man.
Thank you to Pfaff!

 Needless to say, my sewing time was pretty much non-existent ... 

I did accomplish a little apron for a darling little artist ...


This budding little artist is Ruby.  She turned two a couple of weeks ago and her mom,
a new co-worker I adore, got her the easel and the works but couldn't find her baby girl
an apron ... so, me being me, I offered to make her one.
Would you know, it turned out just right!  
Here's a close-up of the reversible apron,

The back side is just the same, but the pocket is white instead of green ...
you'll have to use your imagination as I don't have a photo readily available.
The apron is 12 inches top to bottom ... just right for Little Miss Ruby.
My own design because Miss Ruby may be two but is a sweet petite and wears
18 MO size clothes for which I couldn't find a ready-made pattern on-line
in one night, so I improvised and used just the fabric I had available
in my stash ... I'd say it was a winner :)
Miss Ruby thought so too (so'd her mom which counts even more!!)

As for other sewing room business, I celebrated the return
of my sewing machine by spending my daughter-free weekend in my
sewing room with my full collection of Harry Potter movies and watched
every one of them while I created by Hug-n-Kisses piece for
the up coming hop.  You know ... Cheerleader Jane of
Jane's Fabrics and Quilts is leading us through this hop:
No sneak peeks!  Have to wait until the 15th :)

After that we get to be led by the cheers of Marlene of
Stitchin by the Lake for the Its All About Me Hop ...

I'm so excited for these hops!!

Of course, to tide me over until I join in on those hops, I get to
enjoy the Dare to Dresden Hop that Cheerleader Christine from

Click on the link above and you'll be taken directly
to the schedule of this daring blog hop.


Join me, won't you, in being inspired by all of our
creative neighbors?

I send out a big shout out to Madame Samm of
Sew We Quilt for all of her master cheerleading skills
and her middle of the night ideas to keep us all
encouraged and challenged.  Thank you!

On an un-quilty note, I have to share that
I'm really, really enjoying my new legal assistant
position at the law firm I joined in November and
am grateful every day for the steps along the way
that have led me to where I am now.  

What a wonderful group of people I get to work with,
I'm challenged with learning new things and comfortable
in the knowledge that I'm using skills I long forgot I had.

But what's even better, is knowing I belong to this
marvelous group of neighbors in the blogihood for whom
I am extremely grateful for inspiring me and supporting me
every time I log on to visit with you.

Bless you and I look forward to visiting with you soon,

Happy hugs and warm hearted wishes,