Just Sew Quilter: 2022

Saturday, December 24, 2022

December Crafter's Edge Project

This is my December project for Crafter's Edge as a part of their Design Team.

It is a baby quilt, about 40 x 40", and will go to a youngster in our congregation.

Using the Crossover II as my cutting machine, I used the Funny Monkey, Cute Fox, Sheldon the Turtle, Bumblebee, and Whimsical Sheep. At the time I started the appliques, I wasn't sure what other fabrics I would use, but when Carla announced her Shade of Blue Challenge for January, I decided to use 3 different blues. So, even though this is too early for the hop, I will probably show it again on my day. Hee, hee! I still plan to make something else since I have more time.

Here is the Crossover II, available on the Crafter's Edge website.

These are the dies:

Here's another view on our living room chaise lounge--you can see some of the quilting better.

I couldn't resist showing you the little flying squirrel lovey I made for our youngest granddaughter's 1st birthday. It is a free pattern from Abby Glassenberg for Wild Olive.

And here is that little scoot, stepping on that box to look out her window. She's a sweetie!

Thanks, Crafter's Edge for allowing me to spend 2 years on your design team!

This is my last official project for them, but when I use their dies in future projects, I will be sure to give them credit!

Tuesday, December 6, 2022

Chocolate Dipped Cookies

So, after joining this hop, I had to look for a cookie recipe that was different from what I have done before. I had saved this one--it looked simple but good--how can you go wrong with chocolate, right?

Cream butter, sugar

Mix dry ingredients and add a little at a time.

It forms a VERY stiff dough. I took a picture but decided it didn't look very appetizing, so chose not to include it. LOL. (Use your imagination, if you want.)

Divide the dough into 2 parts and roll into tubes.

Refrigerate the dough for a few hours. Then unwrap and slice.

Put on cookie sheet and bake.

Simple.

Next, dip into melted chocolate. I love my Wilton chocolate pot and

Ghirardelli double chocolate candy wafers.

Sprinkle on the sprinkles. Don't they look yummy?

You know, they really were simple to make and they taste good too.

I'll be making these again.

We made this little tree project at Quilt Club last time. It involves squares of different sizes, from 3" to 10". The pattern is called Folded Christmas Tree and comes from Quilt Corner, in Morton, IL.

Enjoy the rest of the hop!

Thanks, Carol, for hosting!

Here's the list!

December 5

Monday, December 5, 2022

Cookie Hop Begins Today

The time has arrived--the annual Virtual Cookie Hop, hosted by Carol of Just Let Me Quilt!

I trust we are in for another great week of goodies!

Here is the list for the week:

December 5

Creatin' in the Sticks
DesertSky Quilting
Karrin’s Crazy World
Days Filled With Joy
Just Because Quilts
That Fabric Feeling
For The Love Of Geese
Words & Stitches

December 6

MooseStashQuilting
Just Sew Quilter
Ms P Designs USA
Beaquilter
Pieceful Thoughts of My Quilting Life
Stitchin At Home

December 7

Inflorescence
Crazy'boutquilts
Patchouli Moon Studio
Texas Quilt Gal
Pinker n' Punkin Quilting & Stitching
Needled Mom
Quilted Delights

December 8

Just Let Me Quilt
Quiltscapes
Songbird Designs
Patchwork Breeze
Quilt Schmilt
Homespun Hannah's Blog
Happy Cottage Quilter

Wednesday, November 30, 2022

November project for Crafter's Edge

I'm sliding in under the wire for my November project, and there is no good reason--except that I haven't put the photos on my blog.

I made a banner using the Christmas stocking die set and the Whimsical Christmas tree die set.

Here is the banner in its entirety.

Using the Crafter's Edge Crossover II and the die sets I mentioned, I cut out the stockings and tree.

I cut everything out of felt and handstitched all the pieces together.

Then using a piece of red rattail, I stitched the stockings and tree in place so they can be hung from a railing or fireplace.

This was a fun project. I enjoy having handstitching to do in the evenings when the TV is on.

Thanks, Crafter's Edge for having me on your Design Team this year!

Friday, November 18, 2022

The Piano Quilt is done

It's done. My own grand piano. :)

I quilted a piano key border and then made the rose, leaves, and stem according to the directions in the pattern. I'm not really pleased with the rose or the leaves, but there they are, and they look pretty good from a distance.

Here's a closer look. Maybe I needed more length for the rose, but I really think the trouble was my fingers and hands, not the rose itself. It was hard to stitch it together underneath. And I seriously don't like the leaves. If I do them over again, I will cut out the leaf shapes, stitch front and back together, turn them right side out, and then slip them under the stem. I made a black binding, as the pattern directed, although I pondered a red one. Then I decided red might distract too much from the piano itself, so black it is.

Overall, I'm happy with it, and with all the projects I have lined up to do, the leaves will probably never get redone. LOL.

Tuesday, November 15, 2022

Music, music, music

Today is my turn to show the musical projects I have created. Thank you, Carla, of Creatin' in the Sticks, for hosting this hop. Yesterday I saw some fabulous projects, and I'm eager to see everyone else's!

I am upset with myself for not being able to finish my project, but with life getting in the way, it just didn't quite happen.

This is The Piano Quilt, designed by Pam Booras. It's about 30 x 30".

I have the inside all quilted but couldn't get to the border or the binding. Being gone all weekend long didn't help. At least you can see what I've done so far.

The quilting is a flower design, maybe kind of like roses?? I will be making a 3-D red rose to sit on the piano after I finish quilting and binding it.

I play the piano but I don't have a grand. When I saw this pattern several years ago, I had to have it, and when Carla announced this hop, I knew what I would make. It will be done in another day or 2. :)

I have done a few other musically themed things in the past:

This musical 3-panel number sits on my piano sometimes, especially around Valentine's Day.

The above is from DIY (Frond Designs) in Webster Grove, MO--a row by row the year the theme was music. Sadly, that shop isn't open anymore, but Frond Designs is alive and well in Iowa.

I made up this Amazing Grace panel several years ago for our church district auction, and then made another to hang in my own church.

Don't forget to visit everyone else and see what they've been up to!

Monday, November 14th

Just Let Me Quilt

Quiltscapes
Words & Stitches

Selina Quilts

Ms P Designs USA

Homespun Hannah's Blog

Tuesday, November 15th

MooseStashQuilting
Kathleen McMusing

Wednesday, November 16th

Thursday, November 17th

Creatin' in the Sticks

Elizabeth Coughlin Designs
Quilting Gail

Just Because Quilts

Purring Cottage

Scrapdash

Monday, November 7, 2022

Music Blog Hop

A week from today!

That's when the Music Blog Hop, hosted by Carla of Creatin' in the Sticks, begins!

Don't miss it! Check out everyone's blogs to see what kind of music they have been making!

My turn is on Tuesday, the 15th!

Monday, November 14th

Just Let Me Quilt

Quiltscapes
Words & Stitches

Selina Quilts

Ms P Designs USA

Homespun Hannah's Blog

Tuesday, November 15th

MooseStashQuilting
Kathleen McMusing

Wednesday, November 16th

Thursday, November 17th

Creatin' in the Sticks

Elizabeth Coughlin Designs
Quilting Gail

Just Because Quilts

Purring Cottage

Scrapdash

Wednesday, October 19, 2022

My Turn for Gremlins, Goblins, and Ghouls

Today is my turn for Joan's Gremlins, Goblins, and Ghouls hop. Maybe I have a few creepy things to share, but some are just fun.

First off, with a little help from Crafter's Edge, I cut out and appliqued these shapes on 2 towels.

The circle die is from Crafter's Edge circle die set.

And then I used an Accuquilt die for the bat and cat. Did you know you can use Accuquilt dies on the Crossover II machine? There are directions for doing so.

I used my trusty machine blanket stitch to applique around each figure. Worked like a charm.

Next up is a wool hand project. This is a small piece, about 8 x 16, I think. I hand-appliqued all the wool shapes onto the background and hand stitched the embroidery on the borders, which was also the quilting. I don't remember the name of the pattern...

I also made Scrabble Jack. I gave the pattern away, so I don't know the designer.

This guy uses the interfacing that has the squares marked on it, but if I were doing it over again, I would forget about using that and just cut 2" squares instead of the 1 7/8" ones that were in the directions.

The raffia, buttons, and scrabble pieces are hot-glued onto Jack.

I see that I should have cropped this photo a little, but it works.

Not spooky but fun is the Riley Blake pumpkin pillow cover kit. I love these Riley Blake kits. Behind this pillow is my Hagatha's House quilt from last year. I love this quilt!

Lastly is my little ghost. I read the book The Little Ghost Who Was a Quilt by Riel Nason to my quilt group (Cerro Gordo Quilters) and had them make a ghost wall hanging (thanks to Sharon, head of an Arkansas quilt group for the idea). Ahead of time, I asked them to make a patchwork about 8 x 10". I brought backgrounds (12 x 15") and borders for them to choose from. They didn't know what they were making until I read them the book. Below is my quilt ghost. This is a wonderful story about being different.

Ok, I can't resist one more. Here is our youngest little pumpkin (i.e., grandchild). Sydney is 9 1/2 months old and a real joy, full of smiles, and happy most of the time. She has 3 big sisters to keep up with.