Having a little play time

I took some time off from my landscape (doing some pondering on it at the moment) and had a little play with my new embroidery templates that arrived in the mail the other day and came up with a couple of postcards....

You should be able to embiggen the photos

if you'd like to see more details.

The templates are most definitely a huge success and I highly recommend them to anyone wanting to ensure your stitches are evenly placed.  And they don't have to be used strictly for crazy quilting either!  If you want further information about these great tools, you can have a look at my post HERE.   Thank you again Janet for sending these for me to test out!

- If you like chickens, you're sure to like THIS (there's a link to the free pattern too).  And while we're on the subject of extremely cute animal quilts, have a look at the eye candy HERE. (this one is still a work in progress, but I love it!).

- Karen Ruane (embroiderer extraordinaire!) has announced her new online class which will be starting in September and you may read all about it HERE. 

- Those of you who like playing with paper (and you know who you are) might like THIS.  (scroll down for the instructions).

- HERE's something fun to make for *that* date in December!

Today's quote..."Eat the cake.  It's someone's birthday somewhere"

Tramping about

Today there as absolutely nothing creative done in my studio.  Instead we spent the afternoon (along with Resident Chef's brother) tramping around in cemeteries searching out long lost relatives.  It was fun, but hot! 

This is one of the more interesting ones we happened across and it was enough to send me off trying to find out more about the Fish Creek battle.

Information courtesy of Wikipedia....

The Battle of Fish Creek (also known as the Battle of Tourond's Coulée ),^[4] fought April 24, 1885 at Fish Creek, Saskatchewan, was a major Métis victory over the Canadian forces attempting to quell Louis Riel's North-West Rebellion. Although the reversal was not decisive enough to alter the ultimate outcome of the conflict, it was convincing enough to persuade Major General Frederick Middleton to temporarily halt his advance on Batoche, where the Métis would later make their final stand. 

First we knew that there was  a relative in this battle.

- Good article HERE re prepping for a booth in a craft show.

- THIS is a really cute project that some of you might enjoy playing with.

- There's a tutorial HERE for making a girl's nightie in sizes 3 - 16.

- I know many of you enjoy online quilt shows, so have fun visiting THIS one!

- THIS is for those of you who love your dogs.

- Have a peek at the work of THIS artist!

Today's quote..."I'd give up chocolate, but I"m not a quitter"

Sometimes I *heart* my mailman!

The mailman brought me something really fun and I must say I'm anxious to start playing with them!  Janet from 'Creative Impressions'  very kindly sent me a set of the brand new 'Embroidery Stitch Templates' that were created to accompany Kathy Shaw's new book 'Stunning Stitches For Crazy Quilts'.    

I am so excited to have a chance to play with them and see how much easier getting my embroidery stitches even will be.  There are 5 sheets of very sturdy plastic templates (example below....)

These are great for any crazy quilter or embroider and do not have to be used along with Kathy's book (altho' it's fun if they are!).  

Thank you Janet!!!!💖💖

There has been some progress on the latest landscape, but this is going to change because I'm not happy with the trees in the skyline.  They look awkward so (I'm sure with much angst during the unpicking process) they're going.

- Came across THIS and thought how cute it would be if you used selvages for the book spines...especially if the names suited a book title.  (Hey Cathy....watcha think????)

- Wouldn't THIS be great to make for a little one who is into ballet?

- Some of you might enjoy THIS pinterest board - some really fun clothing to see!!!  Be sure to scroll down.

Today's quote...."Be careful with your words.  They can only be forgiven, not forgotten"

Over the weekend the main thing accomplished was to make these....

Zucchini relish - a couple jars are

headed for the Christmas box.

And some progress on the latest landscape...

- Have a look at the amazing work done by THIS artist!

- And THIS artist too!!!!  Be sure to see her other gallery HERE. 

- Good article HERE on the care and cleaning of your quilts.

- For those of you who knit and crochet and are planning a project with stripes and are wondering how it might look, check out THIS handy color generator.

- I have always loved handmade pottery and found THIS short video really interesting.  Would love to see this being made in person!

Today's quote..."10% of conflict is due to difference in opinion and 90% is due to delivery and tone of voice"

A new beginning, and a tip (of sorts)

I'll start with the tip...now, don't go getting all excited because it's really nothing all THAT special,  However, most of you know by now that PMS Albatross and I have 'issues' - many issues.  One of them is her infuriating habit of throwing the spool off the holder whenever the spirit moves her.  Maddening to say the least!  So I cast about for something that I could add to the spool spindle to help hold the thread in place.  I didn't want anything too heavy so I hit upon this...

I deconstructed a Gutermann thread spool and got that 'thingie' on the right in the picture.  No idea what it's called!  All you have to do is pry, twist it off the spool and you're left with that funky little piece.

Now you can see it in use.  First is the spool of thread, then the regular disc that's supposed to hold the spool in place, then my little 'thingie' solution.

So far, it seems to be working.  I'm sure PMS is having some sleepless nights trying to figure a way to circumnavigate my solution.  In the meantime I'll bask in finally getting one up on her!



And....you can also use that handy little 'thingie' if you're wanting to use a large cone of thread on your machine - sometimes that little 'thingie' fits perfectly in the end of the cone, making it much more secure on your machine.  

And, here is the beginning of another landscape...

Can't put my hands on the original photo (will

show you later) but it's one of my own and was

taken locally.

- I stumbled across THIS and the patchwork style of the bowl caught my eye.  Upon reading the article it intrigued me even more, especially when I saw the artist wielding what appeared to be a needle and thread.  Once I embiggened the photos in the article I realized that she did, indeed, use thread to hold it together. 

- THIS link leads to a YouTube video about making small design boards - very handy for quilters!

- I'm not sure I would ever make one of THESE, but they sure do look rather nice!

Today's quote..."We get so worried about being 'pretty'.  Let's be pretty kind, pretty funny, pretty smart, pretty strong"

More additions

Because I made a teddy pillow cover for our youngest grandson, I can't leave the oldest without one, so here is his (which will be going in the Christmas box)....

Made from scraps found in my stash and using a monster picture I found online to create a pattern.  What little boy doesn't like monsters - especially if they're friendly ones!

And, because I had some leftover Thomas the Tank Engine fabric (from making the little apron to go with the felt food) I thought I'd whip up a pillowcase - also going in the Christmas box....

These are SO (SEW?) easy to make!  All the seams are enclosed which makes it nice and sturdy as well.  I found a great tutorial HERE.  (Note - the link goes to the pdf file of the pattern).

- Have a look at the incredible crochet work done by THIS artist!

- The August issue of 'Online Quilt Magazine' has just gone live and you can find out more HERE.  You can sign up to receive the free versions of the magazine or for a small sum you can receive the premium version - both a full of all sorts of information that quilters would find of interest. 

- There's a nice tutorial HERE for a useful wallet.

- HERE is something for the guys - or an enterprising handy-with-tools woman too!

Today's quote..."I was being so good at the craft store, I really was....but then I got out of the car and went in"

Outside, but not looking in

As promised, here are the photos of the outside of the snippet roll needle case.  You can click  to embiggen them if you'd like.

and this photo gives a better idea of the length....

Now it remains to be seen if anyone likes it enough to 

want to learn how to make one for themselves!

- Sometimes I stumble across something that I wonder why I didn't come up with it (mind you, our kids are obviously WAY past this now, but it's good for grandkids too)....have a look HERE.

- I came across THIS while reading another blog and thought it was pretty amazing.  No chance I'll ever see it for real, but if you happen to live in the area or are traveling there, you might like to check it out.

- HERE's another cute little thing you could create for Christmas - they'd look really cute on a tree!

- Lots of great ideas HERE for using one skein of sock yarn.  

- If you have a Spiderman fan in your family, perhaps you might find something HERE of interest.  Some are free, some aren't.

Today, instead of a quote.....