Sunday, December 25, 2011

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!



I love Christmas baking, but this year I didn't get too much done in the kitchen.  At a friend's house we made a double batch of pecan and shortbread cookies that were rolled in powdered sugar.  They were quite delicous and disappeared mysteriously.  There are other favorites I'd like to bake, but I'll probably get around to it the week before New Year's. 


Here is how the tree turned out this time.  I like it a lot, but haven't used this one for 3 years in a row. It was a little more work setting this one up, but the full shape is so beautiful. 


This is the tree skirt that I made many years ago, but it still serves its purpose well.  It can open out a little wider to show all 6 points .  I have one section overlapping another in this photo.



Hope you enjoyed the holiday look around.  Enjoy your Holiday Season!

Time to go and wrap a few gifts that we will take to my sister's tomorrow.

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Rotary Lights Exhibit 2011

The beauty of the lights display has been a tradition in town for many year now.  Each year the display has grown.  This year we took in the opening parade and the party that was held on the Century Tel deck.  It was overlooking the park, so we had a wonderful view.





Rotary Lights Party

Friday, December 23, 2011

Next Rainbow Scrap Challenge

SoScrappy




The Rainbow Scrap Challenge will continue for the new year.   Angela of So Scrappy has designed a new button for our blogs.    I want to participate as  much as possible, and I look forward to following along to see what other sewers are doing each month.  I loved the color suggestions that Angela chose for last year.   I think this challenge will keep me motivated once again.

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Inside Out Raggy Jacket Finish


With the Friday night sew in and some extra work all weekend, I have finished up the flannel jacket!

Love It so much and it is very cozy!

Jacket - after clipping, but before washing
 The day was just beautiful and I couldn't help but hang it on a tree by our back door for a photo.

By the time the jacket was washed and dried and I collected the lint 3 times, it was dark.  I had to take the next photos by the laundry cabinets.

Completed jacket with raggy seams washed


Back view of jacket

Reverse side of jacket (inside out)

Love the floral back (inside out)


My own jacket  (Laurel Burch design fabric)
I'm sure I'll want to wear this tomorrow.  It is one of the most comfortable things in my wardrobe.

Next up, one of those jelly roll race quilts.  I may try to get that one done for a gift too, but we'll see.

Saturday, December 17, 2011

Results of Friday Night Sew In

The quilting on the sleeve takes the most involvement.  Here was one of the sleeves under the machine and I was doing a simple meander with some copper metalic thread made by Sulky.  It went along very well.  This metalic thread is a dream to work with as it doesn't shred in my machine.
Meander quilting on the sleeve
Seams go on the outside

Seams are clipped so that they fray softly


One  of the yoke seams was giving me lots of grief.  I always took the seam to the incorrect side.  I know I had to sew it more than once to make it turn out on the right side of the garment.  I just couldn't seem to get it in the right place.

I think it's fun to get to the part where you clip the seams with the Fiskars spring loaded clipper.  I'm pretty close to the washing and drying part and then the jacket will be done.

Friday, December 16, 2011

Preparations for the Friday Night Sew In

Handmade by Heidi


I am nearly ready to begin my Friday Night Sew In for this evening!  I have been cutting out some jacket parts and plan to get more accomplished on one or both flannel jackets.  They are to be Christmas gifts, so I need to stay focused!


Monday, December 12, 2011

Quilt Display

In preparation for putting up the Christmas tree this year, some furniture had to be moved around.  I had an idea to push the 2 end tables together as one and place them in front of the couch where a coffee table might go.  It seemed OK, so I added a runner on top. 


Normally, I have a pair of large baskets with handles and I used one for old newspapers and the other for magazines. 

The new look will be for folded quilt display!


                                                                            The left side has an embroidered crazy quilt, a sunbonnet sew quilt top, and a spiderweb string quilt is on the bottom.  The top crazy quilt could use a little repair on some of the yellow fabric.  It seems to be the only fabric that is denigrating.  The sunbonnet Sew could be bordered around the final edge and then finished someday.  That string quilt on the bottom has a modern quilt design that was done on the long arm.  That one is in very excellent shape and I would not be afraid to use that on a bed once in a while. 

On the right hand side there is a Grandmothers Fan done in dark colors and it includes red velvet for each of the fan centers.  That quilt is only a topper, but it is very cool to see how the blocks are put together by hand.  The middle quilt is a new one to me and it is in very pale colors.  I believe the pattern is called Broken Dishes.  I may redo the binding on that one.  The bottom is a quilt topper given to me from my mother-in-law.  It is a quilt I take in the car and I quilt it by hand.  It is almost done!  It represents nearly 20 years of car trips!

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Flannel Jacket Production

fabric stash from an After Thanksgiving sale
kit cut to made a jacket


piece layout

Tracing a new size

Hancock's had flannel 50% off, so naturally I have to plan another jacket.

Layout for next jacket in a different size
I am preping for a big sewing day to make several jackets.  The pattern I am using is from Four Corners and it is called the "Inside Out Jacket".  I have made two before, and once the pieces are cut, the sewing goes rather quickly. 



It appeals to me, because it is so easy to wear and makes a plain shirt and pants look great.  It is also cozy on cool winter days.  Mine is made from Laurel Burch fabrics and I like wearing it at school because it's very colorful!