Needles and Pens

Happy Halloween! I managed to squeeze in one last finish for October today. I did the last few binding stitches on my July "Get 'er Done" challenge, the "Northwoods Noel" wall hanging, made from this panel: And here's the finished product (measuring 36" x 41"), already hanging on the quilt hanger at the top of our stairway. (Wrong holiday, I realize, but I couldn't wait to see it hanging.) It'll go perfectly with the garlands I hang on the stair railing at Christmas time: While finishing this up, I was also supervising pumpkin carving and helping with last-minute touches on Halloween costumes, so I haven't completely mixed up my holidays. It just looks that way. LoL ********************** Just realized, this is my 300th post! There's still time to enter the drawing for my Fall Giveaway , to be held this Friday, November 4th....

Happy Friday, everyone! I'm nearing my 300th post here at Needles and Pens, so I'm thinking it's a great time for a fall giveaway! I've put together a little prize package that's all about getting cozy on a chilly afternoon and crafting the day away... The prize package includes: * One back-issue (July/August 2007) of Fons & Porter's Love of Quilting magazine * One fabric panel project to make a decorative stuffed "horn of plenty" * Two fall fat quarters * One package of Cameron's Hand Crafted Coffee (makes 10-12 cups) * One package of Favorite Findings "Falling Leaves" buttons It's also "Sew & Tell Friday" at Amylouwho's and "Finish it Up Friday" at Crazy Mom Quilts, and I have had a rather productive week! So.... To enter the drawing for the giveaway , just visit any or all of the following three posts about this week's finishes and leave a comment. Each comment on these three pos...

Just one more UFO finish before the month runs out. I'm getting there! This was my August challenge project, and I don't know why I didn't get this little bugger done on schedule. It hardly took any time at all! I guess I really did have a busy summer (and/or zero motivation to sew!)... Quite awhile ago, a quilting friend gave me these adorable little 3-1/2"" paper-pieced blocks all done in 1930's repro fabrics. I loved them! But I wasn't sure exactly how I wanted to use them, so they were set aside like so many other little projects. When I took the UFO challenge, I knew these had to be on the list! I had a few different ideas, but finally decided on a very simple mini-quilt that would just highlight those cute blocks. I added 1/2" sashing and a 1" border of white Kona cotton, and used a 30's repro from my stash for the back and binding. I could have used almost any color, but the red just jumped out at me. I really like the contrast....

Sorry, it's not a show. Just bathroom curtains -- and one less pile of stuff in my sewing room. :o) This was supposed to be my June UFO Challenge project, and since I finished October's, I was able to squeeze in one more and get caught up a bit. I might even try for three! So here's how this project started. I fell for this floral fabric when I was working at Hancock Fabrics, and when it was marked down for clearance, I got very excited about making a curtain for my bathroom window. I did all the measurements, bought the fabric and white broadcloth for lining... then proceeded to procrastinate. Ultimately, it landed on my UFO Challenge list. Here is the window "before" picture: Kinda needs a curtain, huh? And a good cleaning. And a new screen (note the black electrical tape covering one of the holes)... The curtains are simple, lined panels, shirred on the rod, but I did try something new this time around. I had never before done a blind hem stitch, di...

One of the reasons I really enjoy sewing and quilting is that when I finish something, it's finished for good, unlike so many other things I do every day (i.e., laundry, cleaning, paperwork, etc., etc.) But some finishes are even more rewarding than others, and this is one of them. I never expected to actually get it done. I didn't have a place for it, or any particular use for it in mind. I enjoy a little paper-piecing now and then, but I tend to lose momentum rather quickly once I start. For the past five years, this has never been made a priority to finish... but thanks to the UFO Challenge at Patchwork Times , it's done. I'm so pumped! So, this is what I started out with, three finished blocks, a stack of patterns, and the overwhelming feeling that I would, once again, not be finishing my challenge project for the month... But I gave it a go anyway, and found that these little blocks really aren't all that time-consuming... Being rather challenge motiv...

... and I only have one actual finish this week, the Quilters Sew Love wall hanging for my sewing room, which I posted about earlier this week. I also dug out my next "Get 'er Done" challenge panel, and have it bordered and ready to pin and quilt. I'm so glad these have been sewing up so fast. Maybe there's still a chance I'll make it through the list this year! (More on this wall hanging in my last post , if you'd like to see the details...) With all the sewing I've been doing this week, it's hard to believe I only have one actual finish to show for it. But I am on the verge of a few more... I'm working on two sets of Bug Jar blocks for a swap. So far, the 20 ladybug blocks are done: And I'm almost finished with the butterfly blocks (ten down, ten to go). These will probably be finished today, so I guess this swap could be considered finished -- for now. lol And what I've spent the most time on this week is the Fresh Frui...

Just finished my June Get 'er Done Challenge project, the Quilters Wallhanging. I'm catching up, little by little... Here's the "before" picture again: This panel was a gift from a quilting friend, and I've always wanted to make it into a wall hanging for my sewing room, but it was one of those "I'll get to it someday" kind of things. It's so nice to finally "get 'er done!" It's a little hard to see all the cute details in the picture, so here are a few closeups of the quilter blocks. My free-motion stippling is definitely smoothing out. These panels are a great way to practice! Isn't it just perfect above my sewing cabinet? I love it!

It's Sew & Tell Friday again... another busy week, sewing up a storm, and a little more progress made in the "catching up on my challenges" challenge. The further I get on these projects, the more motivated I am to get caught up before the year ends, despite being several months behind. I'm so glad to have this burst of sewing energy hit me now. I just hope it lasts awhile... First accomplishment this week, my April "Get 'er Done" challenge project, the Pledge of Allegiance wall hanging. Here's the panel before (after being folded up in a box for far too long): And after, borders added, quilted and bound: I actually had this one ready to quilt back in June, but got stuck on the "how to quilt" question, as usual. Since my attempt at free-motion last month went relatively well, I thought I should give it another shot on this one. With the help of my quilting buddies, I figured out my tension dilemma was due to a loose top t...

A little follow up on my last post... We went to our grandson, Aaron's, birthday party this past weekend and he showed me the new sheets and pillowcase I made for him, on his bed. They fit! "Good job, Grandma!" (I love it when he says that.) Looks like he won't fit in his little bed for much longer, though! I can't believe how fast he's growing up... (Here's the tutorial I used for the crib/toddler sheet. Super easy-to-follow instructions, and purely coincidental that she also used a John Deere print. lol) Not only do the sheets match his John Deere quilt , they also match one of his birthday gifts... "Take you for a ride on my big, green tractor..." (Jason Aldean, one of Aaron's favorite songs.) Cousin Sophia hangs on for dear life. :o) Borrowed this picture from my daughter, just cause it's so cute. Happy birthday, big guy! We love you!

I've been sewing like a maniac this week, attempting to catch up on my stacks and stacks of projects. I'm happy to report, I've made a ton of progress... My first finish was this, the October "Get 'er Done" Challenge project. (I joined this challenge back in January, hoping to use up some of the panels I've collected over the years.) The Snowman Draft Stopper is one of the few panels I actually bought for myself. Most of my collection came from other peoples' stashes. He's cute, if not actually useful. (His legs aren't long enough to span the doorway, so not likely to stop many drafts.) I think he'll end up on the mantle or hearth this winter. I was impressed with all the details, especially his little jacket, complete with buttonholes. I also got a few more fruit blocks finished for my October UFO Challenge project; the pineapple, strawberries, lemon and lime. (The lime is actually a filler block, because I somehow forg...