Sewing some comfort..........

This past weekend, I took some time to sew something totally not related to quilting. It all started when I made curtains for the window in our basement family room. I found the fabric for those curtains in a box of decorator fabrics that I've bought the last few years. The curtain is a nice deep russet color and looks great in the window. It was not photo-worthy. :-) However, also in the box was a pretty floral remnant that I remembered buying a few years ago. I just had to use it for something but it didn't go with anything in any room of our house. And then I thought...........why not use it for a cushion for my front porch chair? And so I did and here it is..........complete with a little tabletopper made from the leftover scraps.

My husband tested the chair on Sunday afternoon and gave it the "seat of approval". :-)  Then yesterday, I tested it when I took my lunch out to the front porch and enjoyed the view. It was a bit windy but the view was lovely. Take a look...........

We have had a lot of rain lately but on Monday the sun was out all day and the clouds were beautiful.  Perfect summer day!
Just in case you have a plastic or a wooden lawn chair that you'd like to make a cushion for, here's how I started..........I took newspaper to the chair and placed it there, marked with a large marker the approximate shape of the back and the seat of the chair. Then I center those pieces over the larger floral design and cut them out.

I backed the cushion with a solid deep red fabric. Front and back pieces and the seat sections each got a piece of batting secured to them (I used quilt basting spray). Then I added the piping around the edge of each piece. I cut a two inch strip of fabric that became the sides and top. When the top was sewn together and the seat, too, I inserted a piece of one inch thick foam that I had cut to the shape of the initial paper pattern. It was interesting getting that foam placed just right. I had to trim the foam a bit but when I had it just right, I sewed the two sections together with one machine seam along the floral side and then I handstitched the back side closure. Amazingly, it all worked out, just as I could see it in my mind. I started the cushion on Saturday afternoon and finished it later Sunday afternoon.  I didn't spend all that time sewing because, I'll be honest.......I took numerous breaks. :-)  Granted, this was a bit of work for just a front porch chair but I wanted something lovely where I could sit and enjoy my lunch or read a book. Life has been just a wee bit crazy lately and I needed a place to sit and relax, a place where I can "think straight".   I made the little table topper on Sunday evening. There's a tie on it that secures it to the table. In the wind we had yesterday, it would have been gone had I not done that. I really enjoyed sitting in that comfy chair and enjoying my lunch. Oh, and the chair has a story. It was a birthday gift from my husband in 2004. Sometimes he misses birthdays but that year, he remembered that I wanted a chair for our small deck on our old house. He bought the chair and put it out on the deck before I got up on my birthday. I remember I went out to walk the dog that morning and almost didn't realize the chair was there. LOL! 

I really enjoyed making the chair cushion and wanted to do it for another reason than just comfort. I have a couple of chairs that I want to upholster and I needed to refresh my skills. It's been many years since I did any upholstery. I'm ready now but before I do the chairs, my next non-quilty project is making drapes for our upstairs bedroom. That project begins on Wednesday because today being Tuesday..........it's time for Tuesday Crazies. That's right, my crazy quilting friends will be here at 11:00 a.m. and we will enjoy some lunch and then stitch and chat away the afternoon. It's been a long time, since last fall I think, that we were all together to stitch. I'll have pictures to share, I'm sure........

Sandi

What's on the line?

I've got another green quilt to share..........

This one is rather interesting. The maker used four lengths of green cotton for the back and front of this quilt. She pieced two lengths that make up the front of the quilt and two for the back. The fan blocks were then appliqued in place. Usually, the fan blocks are made as individual blocks but not in this quilt.  Here's a close-up of one of the blocks.......

Hand-quilting has been done around each of the fans and remains mostly intact. The quilt also had other hand-quilting that criss-crossed the quilt but only remnants of the stitches remain. Some of the blocks are very worn, like this one below...........

This is not one that I will likely repair. Instead, I think it's one to make from new fabrics. Yep, it can go on my "never-ending to-do list". :-)  I have no date for this quilt but would guess that it is from the 1940's based on fabrics and wear.
I have a little swap item to share............

This is the bag I received from swap partner, Heather, in Michele's latest swap over at Quilting Gallery. I love 30's prints so this will make a great bag for toting a 30's project when I'm out and about this summer.

Speaking of "out and about", there's been a bit of that going on here and then some staying home, too. Getting some things done........like a curtain for the basement family room, cleaned a closet, and more. I'll show you one of those "more" projects tomorrow. I had to set aside the project that I was working on with my GO! Baby. Just too many family and summer things that needed my attention. So, when summer rolls around in your neighborhood, what keeps you the busiest? and do you find time to sew in the summer or read blogs, or do you do that more in the fall and winter? Just curious. I have some projects to share but if folks are busy with summer things, I might wait til August before I post some of them.

Have a good Monday!

Sandi

Wooly patchwork projects............

Yesterday was the first official day of summer according to the calendar. I should be working with summery fabrics but I got caught up in my wooly stuff and just had to play with it! Remember the shapes I cut while waiting for my mom at the doctor? Well, here they are on my vintage wool crazy quilt piece............

I used a fabric glue stick to adhere them to the wool and then basted them with white thread to hold in place. I wanted them in place so that I could just pick up this piece and stitch whenever I have time. I realized as I positioned the pieces that I need a few things.....a snowman, a pair of mittens, a log cabin, a teddy bear, a dog, etc. etc. My piece will not be very primitive. I just don't do primitive very well. Instead, I am sort of "grade school". LOL! I love my shapes, though, and so as long as I'm happy with what I end up with then that's all that counts!
Now, I also showed you, a wool piece that looked like this..........

Well, while I was at my mom's and we sat and chatted and watched TV........I was also stitching cross stitches on this wooly piece.........

I could see a small zippered case from this and so I thought I'd share a few steps in how I made it, once the piecing and cross stitch was finished. This is not a detailed tutorial like some that I've shared. Instead, it requires a free spirit, good sewing skills and is more of an "inspiration" tutorial. That's because sometimes, I like to take fabrics and just start cutting and stitching and see what develops. If you like to do this, then you may enjoy trying something similar with your wool (or cotton) scraps.
Once I had my basic piece stitched, I cut a piece from brown wool that was the same size. My particular case measures approximately 9" unfinished. I cut a strip of teal that was 1-1/2" x 9" and a strip of black that was about 4" x 9". I sewed the teal strip along the top of the pieced case section. I also cut two lining pieces and made them extra long at the top.

After I sewed the teal strip in place, I added the black strip of wool. Then I sewed the zipper in place. Again, I mention that this is not a detailed tutorial but merely the steps I took to make this case. There are many sites that share zipper tutorials.

Once the zipper was stitched in place, I folded the entire piece in half and stitched it together. Tip here.......leave your zipper open halfway so that you can turn the piece inside out.

When you turn the piece inside out, you can add the lining. I just slipped it in the case and in the photo above, the pins are holding the lining in place along the zipper. I hand-stitched this side and then when I was finished with that, I pinned the other side of the lining in place along the inside of the zipper. This is why this is not a detailed tutorial. Taking pictures of this step was almost impossible. One of those, "easier shown in person" type moments. :-)
Once that lining is hand-stitched in place, you can zip up your case and it will look like this ...........

And on the side with your wool patchwork, it will look like what you see in the photo above. This would be a good "hands-on" class project. I really felt after I got into it that it was easily completed but difficult to capture in photos. However, if the project offered you some inspiration then that is well and good!!
I've added this case to my sewing box and will keep scissors, needles and other sewing related items in it so I have it all handy when I'm stitching. I'm hoping to finish that wooly crazy quilt piece by the end of the summer. When Labor Day rolls around, I'll let you know if I succeeded or not. Summer is short here in Minnesota, so I am thinking those summery fabrics are at the top of my list for today. Next post.......I'll finally get to the "summery, tutti-fruiti made with my GO! Baby" project!!!
Back soon............
Sandi

What's on the line?

We have had a lot of rain lately and so the landscape is green and flowers are blooming everywhere! With green on my mind, I decided to pull this colorful quilt from the stack of quilts my dad bought at auction.  This one is so colorful that it almost looks like a garden of flowers...........

It's hand-quilted and at first glance one might think 1940's to 1950's. However, on close inspection, there is a fabric in the quilt blocks that makes me think the quilt may have been made in the 1960's to 1970's. It's the red and white heart print that you can see in the photo below..............

Most of the other fabrics look like they are from the 40's and 50's, some possibly from the 30's. But that red and white fabric just seems out-of-place. I checked the examples in the book Dating Fabrics, A Color Guide 1800-1960 and I did not find that red and white print so I am almost sure it is 1970's, maybe even 1980's. The real authority, though.........there's a bit of this fabric in my personal stash and I started "collecting" fabrics in the late 1960's. Regardless of the quilt's date, I think it's lovely because it is so scrappy and so colorful!

And since the subject is "green" today, I thought I'd share this picture.  While I was taking my quilt pics, my husband was mowing the lawn. When he circled around behind the quilt, I thought I'd snap the pic so it looked like he was pulling the quilt along behind his mower. I snapped too quickly. Oh, well.......

I was planning to share more on the wooly project I started when I was at my mom's and also the project made with my GO! Baby but I got busy with family and house stuff. It is, after all, summer. Lots to do outside and many things going on (like Sauerkraut Days next weekend).  I think my blogging may be a little sporadic this next couple of months due to family things and summer activities. However, I will always post on Monday with my What's on the line feature because I love to hang a quilt on the line. And that GO! Baby project ..........it's coming up in my next post.

That's all for today. Have a good one!

Sandi

I'm back........

Late Tuesday afternoon, I returned from a few days in Iowa with my mom. She's having some health issues so I went down to see her to the doctor. My brother had been covering things so it was time I took my turn. I always pack a bag with all the clothes and stuff I'll need, but I also pack several projects to take along. Stitching keeps me relaxed. So, the first thing I put in the car to take along was my box of wool scraps that I am using to add embellishments to a vintage wool piece that my mother gave me.

 

When I got to the hospital to wait for my mom who was having a same-day surgery, I got out my box and was ready to stitch. Duh.......I opened the box and quickly realized that I'd left the vintage wool piece at home. New plan......I cut shapes to stitch to the wool piece later on. There were some other folks in the waiting room who looked like they wondered....."what is that woman doing?" However, no one asked. LOL!  I didn't use any patterns. I just cut shapes as if I was cutting pieces from construction paper. I'm looking forward to stitching them in place and seeing the wool piece come to life.

Later on that evening, while my mom dozed in her chair, I decided to take some of my scraps and make a little wooly item. I wasn't sure what it was going to be when I started. It began with a scrap of muslin that was in the box......one end was rounded, one straight. I folded the scrap in half and cut the straight end to be rounded. Then I began cutting bits of wool and basting them in place. I think it will become a case for scissors or maybe a wallet. More on this in my next post.

Yesterday, I caught up on laundry and sleep. :-)  Trying to catch up on my blog, then will get to my Yahoo groups. Just taking things one day at a time/one task at a time. :-)
Thanks for your concerns for my mom. She's doing pretty well.
Oh, and almost forgot.........I have notified the winners of the final giveaways for my blogaversary celebration. They are............
Deb at http://aspenhill.wordpress.com who won the 101 Fabulous Rotary Cut Quilts book.
Winner of my wool tulip penny rug kit is Sandy and the winner of the Joy of Quilting book is Nadine, known to me as Owl Lady. :-) Congrats, Ladies! I've sent you all a winning e-mail and when I get your addresses your prizes will go in the mail.
See you all tomorrow with some Go! Baby fun............
Sandi

What's on the line?

I hung this quilt on the line a week ago Sunday when I took the picture of the hexagon quilt that I shared last Monday.  It was such a lovely afternoon, perfect for taking pictures. This is such a sweet little doll quilt...........

I don't have any information on the maker of the quilt. And I don't even remember where I got it. I have this vague recollection that I got it at a thrift shop. This is why one should label quilts because memory does not last!!

Then again..........memories of my high school music teacher, Mrs. Parr will last forever with me. She was THE teacher that was the most influential in my life. I've mentioned her before. She began teaching in the Lehigh Public Schools sometime in the early 1950's. She was my music teacher from kindergarten through the 12th grade. In high school, I took private voice lessons from her. She loved pink and had a pink house with lots of pink furnishings. I'm sure my love of pink has something to do with that. She passed away several years ago, and there was an auction of her things. My mother and dad went to the auction and bought the doll that's in the carriage below. The doll belonged to Mrs. Parr as a child. She's wearing the original pink flannel pajamas made for the doll many years ago. The bib was not with the doll but she looks cute wearing it.

I keep the doll in the carriage, nestled with the little quilt and the pink crocheted afghan. It sits in my pretty pink bedroom that my daughter loves to sleep in when she comes to visit. Ah, memories are a wonderful thing. Now if I could just remember to label my quilts..........the memory of who made them or where they came from will be a lot easier in years to come!

Turn out the lights, the parties over.......

Yes, the end of my birthday/blogaversary celebration has come to an end. It has certainly been fun and I have enjoyed reading the comments, especially those on the "Joy of Quilting post". The book giveaway on that post and two giveaways are still open so check out my posts for the last three days. When a giveaway closes, I edit that entry and add the winners names at the end of each post. Thank you all for stopping by during my celebration. Thank you, too, for new followers who found my blog via QuiltingGallery. If you haven't read my guest blogger post there, then check it out and if you leave a comment, your name will be entered in a drawing for a surprise package. I've been told that I do really nice surprise packages. Just sayin' but those who have received them, give them "high fives". LOL! I did have a little tutorial I was planning to share today on that little blue basket project but it will have to wait a few days because............
As I write this, I am gathering together some projects to take with me for a trip to visit my mom. Behind the celebration here at my blog this week, she has been having some health issues. I'll be going home for a few days so will not be blogging regularly. I'll check in whenever time allows. While I'm away, my dear husband will be at home, "holding down the fort". And keeping him company will be Kaiser the Wonder Beagle, our resident guard dog. Well, maybe. Does this look like a guard dog to you? .............

Not really!  This is a dog who likes a pillow and loves to be covered up. I took this yesterday afternoon as he was taking his nap. He may not look like he would guard anything, but if the doorbell rings or he hears something, he is up and at 'em with blanket trailing right behind him. :-) 
Hope you all have a good weekend!
Sandi

Edit: My mom is doing well. I will return home on Tuesday and back to blogging. Thanks for your thoughts and prayers. :-)

Ah, the Joy of Quilting!!! and one last giveaway........

Ah, the Joy of Quilting........just the thought of quilting or stitching, embroidery and fabric is reason for Joy!! Wouldn't you agree?  And because of that, I thought maybe one of you would like to win this copy of "The Joy of Quilting". It's full of patterns and info that will bring lots of Joy!

In this Third Anniversary celebration of my blog, I have reflected back on a some bloggers who inspired and encouraged. I have a couple more I want to tell you about. The first one is Mary Grace over at HookedOnNeedles. We started blogging at about the same time. She does some fantastic things with yarn. You all know I can't knit or crochet but I love seeing what others make with yarn! She's also a quilter and makes totebags and tablerunners and she just finished her postage stamp quilt. Do go and check it out!

She's also a very lucky lady.  Mary Grace was a winner of my 100th post giveaway. She won this. It's a little blue basket that's filled with goodies (I'll have a fun project coming up that will feature that basket and similar ones). Interestingly, Mary Grace has won five giveaways on my blog and the last one was just yesterday! In addition to the blue basket, she won Christmas charm squares, Pinky the bunny and Easter treats, a Christmas stocking kit and the charm squares from Jacquelynne's "Sewing Room Social" fabric line. Yes, she is one lucky, and also a very talented gal!!

That stocking kit she won was featured in this post. I've always wanted to do a tutorial on that project so watch for it sometime later in the summer. And while Mary Grace won a kit, interestingly Joy was the winner of the finished stocking. That's right. Go here and you can see my husband drawing her name from the lucky basket. I got goosebumps when he read her name. Tell me, what are the odds that Joy would win the Joy stocking?!! That giveaway was one of my favorites because I loved reading the memories everyone shared of their Christmas stockings.

I have some more blogging friends that I want to share about but I'll bet you just want to get to the chance to win this "Joy of Quilting" book. Here's all you have to do to earn a chance to win........ just leave your name and tell me the quilting project that brought you the most Joy! Don't forget to leave your e-mail address if you don't have a blog. You have until Sunday, June 12th at 12:00 A.M. Midnight CST to leave a comment.

Be sure to check the posts for the last three days as there are still giveaways that you can enter! Have a great day everyone!
Sandi

Wooly Stitching Fun and another little giveaway!

I think I like to do too many things. LOL! I enjoy most crafts, miniatures, sewing, quilting, embroidery, cross-stitch, crazy quilting, scrapbooking, and I love working with wool and/or woolfelt. This tulip project is made with woolfelt that has been over-dyed.  It's one of my favorite designs.......

This is also my grandson's favorite as he loves the little pocket in the tulips that holds the flower stamens. I thought today I would give away a kit and pattern for this project. Just leave me a comment with your name and a link back to your blog or e-mail. You have until Saturday, June 11th at 11:00 p.m. to enter the drawing.

Now there is a chance to win another prize and all you have to do is go over to  QuiltingGallery and you'll see that I'm Michele's Guest Blogger. Just go  here and you can read my post and you'll see big photos of a couple of my favorite quilting and stitchery projects!! Thanks to Michele for letting me share my quilty, creative fun!!  Oh, and when I said I enjoy most crafts, stitching, etc. Well, I can't knit or crochet. They both confound me. My mother crocheted and my mother-in-law was a knitter. I never needed to learn, thank goodness!

Remember......leave your name and a link for a chance to win a kit and pattern for the Tulip Penny Rug!

Good Luck!

Sandi

If it's Tuesday, it must be time for Crazy Quilting!

That would usually be the case. It's the first Tuesday of the month so my Tuesday Crazy friends and I should be gathering together. However, plans change. We are all flexible. Instead of the first Tuesday we're meeting the last Tuesday of the month for June. Even though my friends aren't here today, I still plan to do some crazy quilting. I am working on 12" blocks for a large crazy quilt. I started in 2000. :-)  I am up to block #23 and need 24. Some blocks are pieced but still need embellishments. My goal is to finish all the blocks by December 31st of this year so I can assemble them in January of 2012.  I will be sharing the blocks later this month. In the meantime, I have to share what arrived in the mail yesterday, just in time for use in those blocks.  I won a giveaway over at RibbonSmyth's blog a couple weeks ago and all this goodness was in the package that came in the mail!!!............

Look at all that lace and silk ribbon and beads and embellishments. I could hardly believe my eyes when I opened the package. Thank you, thank you to Victoria at RibbonSmyth!! I can hardly wait to use some of these lovely pieces in my blocks!
So, since I'm still in a celebrating mood because of my recent birthday and my blog anniversary, I thought you might like a chance to win some crazy quilting fabrics, perhaps a bundle like this.........

There are 100 pieces of fancy fabrics in that bundle and when it's untied and you spread the fabrics out, they look like this..............

If you are a crazy quilter or have always wanted to give it a try, this bundle will be a great way to add to your stash or start your crazy quilting stash!  Just leave me a comment and tell me if you enjoy crazy quilting or have never tried it, but would like to. You have until Friday, June 10th at 10:00 p.m. to leave your comment.
Note: If you do not have a blog or a link in your profile page, please leave your e-mail in your comment. You can do it like this sample and avoid some spam issues...... samplesew (at) yahoo (dot) com. I have several entries in my other giveaways for the last few days, that do not have a way for me to contact you. If you are not sure if you have an e-mail link, check a previous comment that you have left and click and see if your e-mail is added to your profile.

Yesterday we set a heat record of about 95. I sat outside just long enough to eat an ice cream bar in the afternoon. It was like an oven out there!!  Today it's going to be another record-breaker. I'm glad I can be inside and sewing in cool air. Tomorrow the weather is going to be cooler. That's good. I'm thinking wooly fun for tomorrow and that is not something that goes well with hot weather. Come by tomorrow and see what I'll have for you all....
Sandi

A little edit..........
And the winner of the Crazy Quilting Bundle is ........  Sophie  from "deep in the heart of Texas"!  I love that song! We used to roller skate to it on Saturday nights when I was in junior high. Those were some really fun times! Hope Sophie has some fun times with these crazy quilting fabrics! I've sent her an e-mail and as soon as I receive her address the package will be on it's way!!

What's on the line? and another little giveaway.......

If it's Monday, there must be a quilt "on the line" and there certainly is and what a pretty one, don't you think?..............

This is one of the many quilts that my mother and dad bought at auctions in Iowa. I have no date or any other info on the quilt. I suspect that it was made in the 40's just by the fabrics in the hexagons and the backing fabric that is a pink over all print. This quilt has been very well-loved and used. It's badly frayed on the edges and the fabrics are a bit worn but the quilt still retains an incredible fibrancy in the color choices of the quilter who stitched this Hexagon beauty. Just look at the thought that went into the color planning in this quilt. Here's a close-up of the center of the quilt............

and closer...........

and even closer..............

There are a few stains on the quilt but you actually have to look hard to find them. The quilt has one problem. While there are not many actual stains, the quilt is soiled and has an "I need to be washed" smell. It has been in a plastic bag because when I unpacked the quilts from my folks, this one and one other one had a certain smell to it. I put them both in a plastic bag and knew when I finally had time, the quilt would get a bath. That day has come and it's going to get a slow bath today. It is after-all Monday and that was supposedly "wash day" back in the "good old days". Speaking of those days........the maker of this hexagon quilt didn't have any fancy tools, templates or cutters to assist in cutting and then stitching all the hexagons in this quilt. I wonder what those quilters from yesteryear would think of the tools we use today and the quilts we make? There is no answer but the great thing is that quilting continues to be popular and a wonderful expression for our creative energies. I love sharing my creativity through my blog and as you know, I'm celebrating my third year blogging anniversary. I have another prize for someone. It's a book that features a tool that the quilter's of yesteryear might ask "what is that?"  Well, it's a rotary cutter and it makes cutting strips and squares a whole lot faster than you can with scissors and cardboard templates. LOL! Here's the book..............

It's not a new book (published late 90's) but it's timeless, as it's filled with great quilting projects, tips and color photos (I remember when many quilt books were lucky to have black and white photos!). To enter for a chance to win this book, I was going to have you tell me who also inspired me and that I mentioned in that first Blog of the Week post that I did. Well, silly me, once someone posts the answer, you all know it, so I'm going to tell you and then all you'll have to do is leave your name and e-mail link. That person is Nanette over at Freda'sHive!!  I "knew" Nanette before I began blogging. We "met" when we both visited another blog. We have been "blogging friends" ever since then. She often commented on my blog when no one else knew or cared about my blog and kept me going. I love her blog and her wonderful quilts. I could see this quilt I'm sharing today at her house. It's got polka dots and awesome fabrics that she would love. So let's add something to your comment to show you've read all this (the price you must pay to enter...LOL!).  Tell me, and others who will visit this post, ............  what blogger most inspired you when you first began blogging? Don't forget to leave your e-mail so I can contact you if your name is drawn for the book. You have until Thursday, June 9th at 9:00 p.m. to enter.
More fun coming up tomorrow. It will be crazy fun for sure!!!!
Have a good Monday!
Sandi

Celebrating Three Years of Blogging FUN!

Just three years ago at about this time, I had been blogging only about two weeks. As many of you know, once you begin blogging, it is hard to stop. I "learned by doing" for many of the aspects of blogging and when that didn't work I had blogging friends, and my son, who could and did answer questions. In the past few days, I have posted my Strawberry Pincushion and Needlecase Tutorials as a gift to all of you that read and follow my blog. I appreciate every one of you and every comment. I did a giveaway for a kit to make the Strawberry PC and Needlecase and that was won by Deserae. Then yesterday I posted another giveaway and if you go here you can leave a comment for a chance to win the actual pincushion and needlecase that I made for the tutorial!!
Ah, but that's not all. I have more fun for you and more things to giveaway. I recently mentioned in one of my posts that I used to do a feature called "Blog of the Week". I started it in September of 2008. If you go here and read this post, you'll find out who inspired me to do that feature. I don't do that feature anymore, in part because I found that the more I worked on my own blog, the less time I had to read other blogs. There are a few that I rarely miss and the person who inspired that feature is one of them. To enter this giveaway, you have to tell me who that person is. I have some of her fabric to share with you. She sent me a box full of her fabric line and here's what you might win.......

One lucky winner will get this sweet sewing themed panel and that bundle of coordinated fabrics tied in pink ribbon.  And then there are two runner-up prizes of some charm squares and a fat quarter from this delightful fabric line.

I've enjoyed stitching up mug rugs and I made my basket swap bag from this fabric line. I started this project with the fabric back in March and did a demo for it at our Kindred Kwilter's meeting. I had to set it aside while I did some other projects but the path is clear now to finish this one. I'll be sharing more on it in a week or so.

Right now, you'll just need to tell me the name of the person (or her blog name) who inspired me to start my "Blog of the Week" feature. She designed this fabric line and was so sweet to share her fun and allow me to share with all of you. Please include your name and make sure you have a link back to your blog or your e-mail. If your name is drawn and I cannot contact you, another name will be drawn. Winning names will be drawn Wednesday, June 8th at 8:00 p.m.
Now, also featured in that same blog post is a sneak peek of another blogger who inspired me. Write her name down and when you stop by on Monday for my "What's on the line?" post, you might just need it to enter my little giveaway that day. :-)  Remember.........I do like to "make happy".
I don't usually do a post on Sunday, but this one is special. Hope you are all having an especially lovely day!
Sandi

Edit.........and the winners are............. Donna is the winner of the fabric bundle and panel! And the winners of the charm squares and fat quarter are Carla and MaryGrace. Congrats to you all! E-mails have been sent and packages will go out as soon as I receive addresses.

Strawberry Needlecase Tutorial

This little needlecase is simple to stitch. You could make it up in any number of fabrics and with a variety of appliques on the front of the needlecase. Here's what you'll need to make one like you see in the photo above........

Cut two pieces of fabric 4-1/2" x 6-1/2"
Cut one yellow woolfelt piece 2-1/4" x 3"
Cut one green woolfelt piece 2-3/4" x 3-1/2"
Iron-on strawberry applique
Green Perle cotton thread and needle
Red thread and needle
Batting scrap that measures at least 4-1/2" x 6-1/2"
Quilt Basting Spray and Lapel Stick or Glue stick
Sharp scissors
Scrap of note paper and a marking pen
Small rule

Now you're ready to begin.........

Spray some quilt batting spray on your piece of batting and then position one of the 4-1/2" x 6-1/2" fabric pieces.
Next step is to make the oval for the front half of your needlecase. Cut a piece of paper 2-1/4" x 3". Fold it in half, then in half again. Draw an arc shape on the folded paper piece as shown in the photo below. Trim along arc, unfold pattern and pin to the piece of yellow woolfelt. Then cut oval from the yellow woolfelt.

Use your Lapel stick or glue stick to position the oval to the right half of the 4-1/2" x 6-1/2" fabric piece.

Thread your needle with a length of green Perle cotton and sew a running stitch all around the edge of the oval as shown in the photo above.

Take the second 4-1/2" x 6-1/2" fabric piece and place it face down on the piece with the oval. Pin these two pieces together. I wanted rounded corners so I used the corner of the applique card as a template. A credit card will work, too. :-) Mark the corners with a pen.

Trim the corners along the pen line and then head to your sewing machine. Stitch all the way around the needlecase with a 1/4" seam. Don't worry about leaving an opening for turning this inside-out. You will create your opening the next steps.
Once you have sewn all the way around the needlecase pieces, you will mark an opening. With batting side down, you will mark 3/4" from the top as shown in the photo below..........

Then mark 3/4" in from the left side as shown above and then make a straight line from this point that is 1-3/4" long.

I used a bag clip to bunch up and separate the fabric so that I could cut along that marked line. This is your opening for turning the needlecase "inside-out".

To make the corners less bulky, I snipped them with sharp scissors. You could also use pinking sheers.
To turn needlecase "inside-out", insert your thumb into one corner and then push it out through the opening. This is hard to describe. Please refer to the photos below. :-)

To make the corners smooth, I use my "Purple Thang" tool. I would not be without this little tool. If you would like one, too, just go here.

Next, press the needlecase.
Then turn it over and rub a bit of glue on each side of the opening you cut.

With needle and red thread, stitch the opening closed. This will be covered up with the green woolfelt that will hold your needles.
Time to apply the strawberry applique. I bought mine at Hancock Fabrics in Mankato. I checked on-line and they don't seem to have this one but I found a couple similar ones
here and here. Place a scrap of fabric over the applique as you iron it. Note: You could also cut strawberry shapes from wool or woolfelt or fussy-cut strawberries you might find in a cotton print fabric.

Now the outside of your needlecase is finished.
To press a crease in the needlecase, I folded it in half, then placed my small ruler inside and pressed with my iron.

The final step is to stitch the green woolfelt piece in place. Note that I rounded the bottom corners on the woolfelt piece but not the top. I pinned the piece along the top and then used a blanket stitch to sew it to the needlecase. And that's all there is to it! Your needlecase is finished!

Now you will have a matching set.....a pincushion and a needlecase just right for strawberry season!
Would you like to know who won the kit from the Strawberry pincushion tutorial? It's Deserae !!! I've sent her an e-mail and will get the kit in the mail to her on Monday. Now, Deserae wasn't the first winner. The first name I drew had no way to contact her. She had a profile, but no blog and no e-mail link. I'm going to tell you about another giveaway in just a minute but first, here's the info you need to add an e-mail link to your profile so that when you enter a giveaway you can be contacted when you win!

First, go to your blog and sign in.
Then click on "View my profile" on your blog.
On your profile page, click "Edit profile".
The "Edit Profile" page will come up and you want to scroll down to "Identity"
Enter your e-mail address where indicated, then scroll down and click "Save Profile".
Now go check your profile and your e-mail link should appear. This will allow readers to send you a private message and if you comment on other blogs and/or giveaways, those bloggers will be able to contact you.

So, I mentioned another giveaway and here it is..........

That's right. The pincushion and needlecase set that is shown in the photo above is going off to one of you that adds a comment to this post. How to enter.........

Leave a comment and tell me something about strawberries or a memory of summer food fun. You must mention strawberries or any other summer food. Include your e-mail if you are not a blogger or blog in another format. If there is no way to contact you, your name and comment will not be entered in the drawing. You have from now until Tuesday June 7th at 7:00 p.m. to get your name in the drawing. And if you stop by tomorrow, Sunday, June 5th there is going to be a really fun giveaway and then another one on Tuesday. I just want to make sure I celebrate my blog anniversary and show my appreciation to all of you that keep me blogging. :-)

Have a great day!

Sandi

Edit:  The winner is..........Marcia/Mommarock who shared this strawberry memory..........
This is REALLY cute!  you are so talented.  I planted strawberries this year in my garden.. Bummer.. nothing grew.. I won't stop trying though.. maybe next year.  I love strawberries :)  Congratulations!!!!