SewCalGal's Fall 2013 Machine Embroidery Blog Hop

DISCLAIMER:  This post has been written by my dear friend, Karin.  Due to my injury I was not able to fulfill my commitment so Karin offered to pitch hit for me.  THANK YOU KARIN!!!  (You'll find a link to Karin's Etsy shop on the left sidebar of my blog : Sew-Write Creations. 

I was so honored and excited to be invited to SewCalGal's Fall Machine Embroidery Blog Hop this year....of course, none of this would have been possible without Kelly's own personal "Fall", which occurred shortly after her Machine Embroidery Guild meeting last month.  I'm just tickled that she's let me crash hijack her blog once again!  So, let's get started, shall we?

Zandra Shaw, the owner/designer behind the Embroider Shoppe, is our featured designer.  Kelly had gone shopping before her accident and had selected a set of scissor keeps as the design she wanted to sew out. 

 I wanted to honor Kelly's original plan, so I elected to sew one of the scissor pockets for her, but which one was she planning on doing?  I really didn't want to pester her with embroidery questions while she was undergoing her therapy sessions, nor did I want to disturb her meals or sleep...what to do, what to do?  I looked at the 4 options, an owl, a lady bug, an ice cream cone and a bouquet of roses.  They were all so sweet, I knew she'd love any one of 'em.

Then it hit me; Kelly just looooves this picture of Farnsworth and his keeper that I took at the zoo one day.  Farnsworth is a Great Horned Owl that came to the zoo as a week-old baby and has been hand fed for the past year.  He's really quite special to us all and since he can't hunt for himself, he won't be released into the wild.  So, of course, I decided to sew out the owl pocket for Kelly!

A couple of years ago, I got hold of some samples of a new textile, from The Kunin Group, made completely from recycled bottles and other plastics, right here in the USA.  Its properties and feel are very similar to felt, but it isn't felt.  And it came in several colors and styles, but I thought this textured brown fabric would be just perfect for our little owl.

I read the Readme text file that came with the design, and it said if you want your finished product to look like theirs, you had to be sure to use the same colors they used.  Well........I don't usually do that....and this time was no different.  I picked out a lining fabric (they had suggested a small floral print - I chose a variegated batik with some speckles and swirls) and some Fall-inspired thread colors.  Here we are, all ready to sew.

I decided I'd better take a look at the instructions and Zandra's color recommendations, just to see if I understood the directions and had enough supplies all set out. 

Blue was the very first color to stitch.  Let me just say this about that....if you insert your bobbin and then  thread your machine and it makes funny noises, well, chances are, you didn't load that bobbin correctly.  And you might as well stop sewing and fix it before you get too far along.  Here's my trusty SeamFix seam ripper, hard at work.  It did away with those uneven stitches in no time flat.

 See how pretty they look after I fixed the bobbin thread?  That's one thing I noticed about Zandra's digitizing...she put lots of underlay stitches in there so the design fills up nicely without puckering the fabric.

 Here's a close-up of the detail that sews on each wing.  See how much coverage there is?  All those stitches lay nice and flat.  Oh, you may have noticed that little gap in the upper right corner...yeah, that might be a problem later..we'll see.  That's where the fabric shifted a little when I laid it into the applique outline.

 So here's my wing piece, all sewn out.  Looks pretty good, right?  Well, thank you, but I can't take any of the credit for that - I just load the thread up and push start.  (What could be easier??)

 So, here we go, sewing the back (body) piece.  Check out more of that solid underlay stitching.

 And the coverage of her fills...pretty cool, if you ask me.

Here is our finished owl, just hanging around, keeping my embroidery scissors safe and sound.  Do ya think maybe if I keep them put up in this little guy, no one will come steal them when the dog's fur is matted?  Well, probably not...as they really are WONDERful for cutting matted furballs out.  Ask me how I know that!

Here he is again, hanging out with Hugo's Amazing Tape, a little closer to my sewing machine (hint, hint...after all, these ARE embroidery scissors).

 Now he's down on my cutting mat, hanging out with some Wonderfil DecoBob prewound bobbins.  They make embroidery sooooo much easier and efficient!  Oh, and that little gap that was in the upper right section of the wing?  Gone.  I was able to trim the pieces to match each other and you can't even tell where I goofed up.

 I bet you were wondering where that batik fabric went, weren't you!?  It's used as a lining, inside the wing piece, and on the back, to cover up the "wrong" side and the jump stitches.  So, really, if you didn't have matching or coordinating fabric in your stash, it'd be ok...no one's going to see it anyway.

Zandra's home is South Africa, but she's currently on a USA Tour giving free trunk shows, how sweet is that?!  You may want to check her schedule to see if she's giving a show near you.  If not, you can contact your local quilt shops or sewing centers to have them contact Zandra and see if they can schedule a special presentation for you and your friends.

Be sure to join me in visiting all the other talented ladies to see what they've sewn up for SewCalGal's Fall Embroidery Blog Hop:

Monday, Nov 4th

SewCalGal 

Tuesday, November 5th

I Have A Notion®

Wednesday, November 6th

Patsy Thompson Designs 

Thursday, November 7th

Beaquilter

Friday, November 8th

Stormy Days

SewCalGal 

A big THANK YOU to Kelly,  SewCalGal and Zandra...I had a lot of fun sharing my little owls with you all!

GIVEAWAY TIME

Want to make your own scissor pocket or one of the other beautiful designs at Embroider Shoppe?

If you answered YES, then hop on over to the Embroider Shoppe and leave a comment on this post telling me which design is your favorite.  The winner will be announced on Monday, Nov. 11th.

A little birdie told me that the Embroider Shoppe has 25% off all of their Christmas designs so you won't want to miss out on the sale.

Karin

It's Kelly here, I just want to say...we get by with help from our friends!

With much gratitude,
Kelly

Ya'All Ready For This?

A bit of music for the announcements :)

For those of you who are annoyed by music on blog posts, DON'T click on the you tube video. The rest of you....PAR-TAY ON!

 SewCalGal does an excellent job of lining up different designers for each of the Machine Embroidery Blog Hop and this time the Embroider Shoppe is being featured.  

If you are not into Machine Embroidery, WAIT....don't go anywhere....because I think you will still learn interesting things about stabilizing fabrics, threads, and alignment.  Many of the things I do in Machine Embroidery transfers to textile arts, quilting and other needle arts.   Did I mention there is a giveaway?  Yep, on the IHAN® blog you will have an opportunity to win a very fun item that all sewists will enjoy.

 

Here is the line up:

Monday, Nov 4th 

SewCalGal 

Tuesday, November 5th

I Have A Notion®

Wednesday, November 6th

Cheeky Cognoscenti   

Patsy Thompson Designs 

Thursday, November 7th

Beaquilter

Friday, November 8th

Stormy Days

SewCalGal 

For those of you who are philanthropists and I've never met a quilter who wasn't,  you might want to check this out:
 

SewCalGal is also hosting the "Quilters Bee Giving A Charity Fundraiser."   You have the opportunity to purchase virtual raffle tickets as well as bid on auction items.   Where else can you donate to well deserving charities and have the opportunity to win some amazing quilting notions and fabric?  Check out some of the auction items:

AND this is only some of the items available to bid on....then there are the raffle prizes!  Head on over and see it all for yourself...just CLICK HERE.  I've already visited and bid on some fun things and you know you don't want me having all the goodies now do ya?

Smiles,

Kelly

Quilters and Halloween

Happy Halloween

You know you are an obsessed quilter when you see a Mummy and instead of being frightened, you are wondering if those fabric strips are 2 1/2 inches wide....and just how long could they be?  Long enough for a quilt binding?

If you love Machine Embroidery, you will LOVE the Fall Theme Machine Embroidery Blog Hop, sponsored by SewCalGal.  It starts next week :)

Here is the line up:

Monday, November 4th

• SewCalGal – www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com

Tuesday, November 5th:

• I Have A Notion  – http://www.ihaveanotion.blogspot.com/

Wednesday, November 6th:

• Cheeky Cognoscenti   – http://www.cheekycognoscenti.blogspot.com/
• Patsy Thompson Designs – http://www.patsythompsondesigns.com/blog/

Thursday, November 7th:

• Beaquilter – http://www.beaquilter.com/

Friday, November 8th:

• Stormy Days – http://stormy-daysblog.blogspot.com/
• SewCalGal – www.sewcalgal.blogspot.com

Don't miss out!

Owie Smiles,

Kelly

Unique Sewing Tools from Ernie Bode & A Call for Blocks

 Last week I was on Patsy Thompson's website looking for some Kaffe Fassett polka dot fabric and I just tripped across some amazing new sewing tools made by Ernie Bode (aka Patsy's husband).  They looked so amazing I ordered one of each for myself so I could check them out as possible Christmas gifts. 

I bought a  peacock seam ripper on a silver necklace, a purple stiletto and a  peacock writing pen with a stylus tip.  When they arrived I was so excited.  They are all very nice quality; definitely items I would be proud to give as a gift. 

This is my seam rip.  It is on a lovely silver chain and the tip comes out and it can be turned around so the point is inside the handle when not in use. No worries about getting stabbed when I'm sewing....very nice indeed...giggles.

I also purchased a stiletto and I'll show you here how the tool comes out and can be turned around to keep the point safe.

 There is a nice snug fit so there is no risk of slipping out and becoming an annoyance. 

Here they are with the tips turned inside.  Talk about impressive ay?  Wait until you see my fancy smancy pen with a stylus tip.

Look how beautiful my pen is....it is wonderful to hold too.  The pen twists open and the stylus on the tip is great for touch screens on your phone, computer, sewing and embroidery machine screens and ipads too.  Earnie also has pens on the silver chains for those who loose their pens (and I would not want to loose mine that is for sure).  

You can see all of the beautiful things Ernie makes on the Patsy Thompson Designs website.  Be sure not to miss the Ruler Holders as they are absolutely beautiful as well.

A Public Service Announcement :)

"Please Do NOT Forget The Surviving Hot Shot"

Copied from Quilting Ranny's Blog at her request: 

As we all know there were 19 lost and 1 survivor and while most of the attention right now is focusing on the families of the lost, I want to remind all my quilting friends that I am working on putting a quilt together for Brendan the long survivor.

I asked a few weeks ago for 6.5" squares to be mailed to me and when I had gathered enough I would put them together to finish a quilt, have my local fire department members sign it and then send it out.

Sadly, at this writing, I have only received 3 squares.

I had asked you completed the square and then write on the front your name, a good thought and where you are from.  I want this to be a quilt filled with love and prayers and good wishes.

I know not everyone could take the time to make a quilt, but I know most of you can make a 6.5" square and place it in an envelope and mail to me.

So, lets show Brendan some quilting love!  Send me an Email and I will send you my address!

Thank you! 

I plan on making some blocks to ship along...won't you join me? 

Smiles,
Kelly

Patsy Thompson "meets" Kaffe Fassett- Fabric Combinations (A Story)

 (Story Post...kick back for a fun read)

If you have read "Jean Creates" past few blog posts ( here and here) you know what I've been up to.

A week ago Wed. I had the great fortune of heading up to Detroit Metro to pick up Jeannie W. for a week of FUN!!!  Jean and I met 3 or 4 years ago through our blogs and we have become dear friends.  I couldn't wait to see her again because she moved from Ohio to Washington State a year ago and I've really missed her.

We both have an affinity for Kaffe Fassett, Brandon Mably and Phillip Jacobs fabrics.  Jean decides we are going to stop petting our fabrics and actually use them.  What a mind blowing idea ay?

Jean pre-ships her fabrics and this is what arrived at my house:

A blown out box of some of the most fabulous fabrics I have ever seen.  YES, I did remind her that Possession IS 9/10ths of the LAW!

I had pulled all my Kaffe/Brandon/Jacob fabrics from my stash and had them waiting for Jean's arrival.  Mine were all neatly folded in piles...well...until Jean arrived and suggested it would be more fun to toss them all into one big pile and just start.  Another mind blowing idea :)

I've never, ever....ever started a project like this one.  Talk about excitement/anticipation/and drama (mainly the colors of the fabrics)....way too much fun.  How the plan began...it was a book (un-named for sure!) Jean found and thought it would be an awesome way to begin and each of us could add to the others quilt.  After a few hours actually using the book the book (definitely not a recommended book) idea was abandoned and we were on our own creating. 

I grabbed some of my most favorite pieces (the blades to the star) and built around that fabric with others that made the fan blades pop.  Shall I mention that Jean had made her center block and was well into her first set of borders before I finished my center block?  No...OK...I won't mention it.

I wanted my block on point like Jean's block....so I measured and added some fabric to each side of my block.  OOPS...came up pretty short so what to do???  Add some more fabric and hack off the rest naturally.

 You know what you get?  You get a block that finishes at 17 7/8.  Not 18"...nope...oh well...we had tossed the book by this time and I figured I'd just add more fabric and hack off the parts that didn't fit...FREEDOM!

I wanted a fabric that would allow a place to rest before seeing more exciting prints....so I went into my stash in search of just the perfect fabric.  Initially I hunted through my batiks...nope....then....WOWZERS....I came across a piece of Patsy Thompson hand dyed fabric that was perfect....absolutely perfect in my mind.

Ooooohhhhhhh AAAAAhhhhhhhhhh!

Talk about feeling good....I was on top of the world at that point.  (I won't mention that Jean had already finished the inside of her quilt by this time and was working on a pieced border....or will I?)

Working from intiution is a odd feeling/experience....I've not done that before.  I set this block up on the design wall and waited until something came to me for the next border.  I knew I didn't want a square quilt so I would have to elongate the block...top and bottom borders to move from a square to a rectangle.  Hmmmm.....Incubation Time.....

I saw my Magic Stack N Wack book on my bookshelf...hey...I've never done that...I'm going to make some of those fun kaleidoscopes for my quilt.  Might I suggest you actually read the book before "Wacking" into your fabric?  I did not cut enough repeats so I ended up with 1/2 kaleidoscopes that I combined for my design. 

 I liked this one the best.

Ok....well.....hmmmm....I think I'll add these to the outside borders and not next to my main center block...back to the drawing board.

My block now measures 24 1/2 x 24 1/2.   Then it occurred to me....3.5 x 7 = 24.5 PERFECT...I just need seven 3/12 inch somethings to add to each end of the square.  I cut up several pieces of white paper that were 3/12 inches wide by various lengths and began drawing different shapes to see what I thought would look good.  The one I loved the most I couldn't use because I couldn't figure out how to paper piece it.  Jean pointed out that I had only spent a day and a half trying to figure it out and if it were her...she'd move on and choose another block.  What an  epiphany!

By this time it was Tuesday...Jean was leaving Wednesday so I had better get my butt in gear ay?  Hmmmm...I like the blocks I made but I've decided I want some piping around the center square before I move on.  I've purchased many of my  Westminster fabrics from Patsy Thompson Designs but I needed one she didn't have so I ordered from  Glorious Color website.  I was very pleased and will order from Glorious Color again. (No, I don't get kickbacks from either site)

Jean's progress?  Well...here is her quilt:

 Yes...she is faster to move on (her perception is that I have more patience...perhaps I do...but she sure has the speed down.).  She is going to add one last border and be finished with the top and I'm sure I'll finish mine sometime in the next month or so....I hope :)

Then again...Jean shows up with these very FUN shoes..maybe if I had cool shoes like her's I'd be able to go faster?

Very Happy Big Smiles,

Kelly

Winner!

The owner of this beautiful pin cushion is Patsy Thompson, from Patsy Thompson Designs.  She was at the Kaleidoscope of Quilts and I took the opportunity to snap a photo of her beautiful pincushion.  What I would have really liked to do was kidnap her pincushion and hold it for ransom....but I just didn't have the courage to do the napping. 

The winner is Debbie (debbiesther@xxxx.com)!  Congratulations Debbie.  Bet you are wondering what you win?  How about a $15.00 gift certificate to I Have A Notion®?  How would you like that?

I apologize for the delay in writing this post.  I was invited to a friends lake house for a few days and I just could not pass up the opportunity :)

 Smiles,
Kelly

Some Hightlights from the Kaleidoscope of Quilts 2013, Sylvania OH

Well, well....I've been busy putting my inventory away and didn't even follow up photos of the beautiful show....I'm sooooo bad!  Sorry for the delay and here ya go:

 "Kaleidoscope Memories" by Kathy Kanitz 

Quilted by Irene Rose

Binding by Londa Burkett

I really got a big kick out of this quilt.  From a distance it looks like a Kaliedoscope quilt....until you see the blocks up close and then you see they are faces.  Kathy used photos of the members of the Toledo Gathering of Quilters over a 30 year period and made a quilt.  What a wonderful inspiration....how fun would it be to do one of all your family members?

"Christmas Bouquet" made by

 Jean Overmeyer - Design, Thread Painting & Quilting

You probably recognize this piece.  I have posted about it before and have drooled every time I see it.  Jean taught a class at Kaleidoscope...more on that later :)

Oh....time for "Where's Waldo."

LOL....Here's Waldo!  People ask me all the time, "how is Rosemary."  I'm so glad to tell you that she is well and out and about.  Waldo's grand daughter, Claire, is affectionately referred to as our 4th daughter and she came and helped too :)

 

"Wildflowers" by Annie Tate

Quilted by Jodi Appel

Wildflowers is an machine embroidery and applique pattern from Smith Street Designs.  Annie said she was surprised to see that she had gotten a ribbon for her beautiful quilt.  My reply was something like, "Annie, we've been drooling over your quilt for awhile now...you think us girls don't know what we are talking about?....LOL"   Way to go Annie!  :)

 "Applique Playground" made and quilted by Jo A Coon

Pattern is "Applique Affair" by Edyta Sitar

 I really was enamored with this quilt and the way the applique was set, the borders, colors -everything was just beautiful.

 

Sandra's Sister's Choice made and quilted by Dale Burnett

Dale quilted "Momma's Quilt" too.  She has a heart bigger than Texas!  "Sandra's Sister's Choice-This quilt is for a very special lady whose life was torn upside down oChristmas Day 2012.  We had the opportunity to help her re-build her home and I'm hoping that the quilt will bring her comfort."

 "Year of the Never Ending Spring"

 made and quilted by Patsy Thompson.

 "Tropical Harlequin" made and quilted by Amy Reitzel

(Sorry for the fuzzy pix...the quilt is beautiful)

 "Honeycomb" made by Linda Blaesing

Quilted by Sheryl Guess

Talk about a knock your socks off quilt!  When I walked around the corner and saw this quilt it just grabbed me.   The colors and fabrics are perfect together....in my mind :)

"Iris Medallion" made and quilted by Sue Gruber

 The original photo I took really doesn't do justice to Sue's quilt but this close up does a better job of highlighting her beautiful work.

 "Seascape" made by Shari Wiesman

Quilted by Dick Wiseman - Quilt Wise

 You really have to see this quilt in order to grasp its grandeur.  Shari has added some netting and embellishments that skyrocket this quilt (again, in my opinion...giggles) to the top of any show.

I really liked that Shari added this piece to the side of her quilt....she is giving me ideas for my future projects :)

 "Sample This" made and quilted by Barb McLean

 You just can go wrong with these Westminster Fabrics!

 "Curve Carnival" made and quilted by Amy Reitzel

 Love this quilt using fabrics by Marcia Derse.  She was at the show vending her beautiful fabrics and I'm telling you....I just wanted to lay in the middle of her fabrics and roll up in them.  I don't think she would have appreciated that very much.

 If you like hand embroidery, and know about brazillian embroidery....prepare yourself for this next quilt....it is a special visual treat!  I was so taken with this quilt that I only took close up photos and forgot completely to take one of the whole quilt.  Luckily for me, she took a First Place Ribbon at Sauders Village for Best Hand Quilted.

Photo Credit Click Here

 I've done some Brazilian Embroidery in my time....nothing as breathtaking as this piece for sure.

  "Aunt Millie's Garden for Lydia" made and quilted by Diana Trost

 "Spring Bouquet" made by Kathryn Bartley

Quilted by Rosanna Williams

"Painterly Flower" made and quilted by Jean Overmeyer

 "Pretty Petite Squares" made and quilted by Rita Trumbull

This is a miniature quilt....mind blowing to me!

"Mandala & Noel", both made and quilted by Diane Giveins

 "Winter Beauty" made and quilted by Mary Clark

"Sherbert Glacier" made by Lisa Spaulding

Quilted by Crystal Smythe

 "Glacier Star" made by Lynn Michel

Quilted by Anita Shackelford

 Youth Quilts

"Purple Country Music" by Sarah Higbie (age 11)

Quilted by Lisa Spaulding

"To Infinity and Beyond" made and quilted by Caytlin Schultz (age 13)

Impresssive young ladies, wouldn't you agree?

More quilts from the show:

 These are quilts that are being donated to the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative

I don't know who made this quilt, but it blew my mind.  Having lost my mother so recently I could easily see a photo of my mother there...it depicts grief and joy so very well.  Absolutely amazing!  If you know who made this quilt and would like to leave a comment or e-mail me...I'd love that.

There were so many more quilts that I didn't get time to photograph.  I hope you enjoyed the ones I did grab during one of my breaks.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Smiles,

Kelly