Sunday Sewing

Remember the other day...I mentioned a girl can never have too many pincushions? Well, today I made another to add to my collection....only this one has a little twist...a center opening to put your tools...or your orts (thread snippets)! What a fun little project this was, as it utilizes three sewing skills: each side panel (inside and outside) and the bottom were machine quilted in the hoop, then the panels were sewn together by machine, finally, the last opening (after stuffing) and the bottom were sewn by hand. The technical name is a "Pincushion Caddy" and the digitizing and instructions are by The Purple Hat. I can definitely see taking one of these to a stitching retreat or gathering to keep all my tools in one place...and/or using the center for loose threads. A fun, easy, weekend project for a lazy Sunday afternoon. Now that I've had a little time to play, it is back to work on my new winter design...

An Apron Girl

I'm an apron girl...yes, it's true...and I seem to have built quite a collection. Some are seasonal...some are floral...some are retro...some were made by my Auntie Ann...some were made by me - I truly love them all. I know in the last couple years, aprons have been making a "comeback"...I never knew they went out of style....they have always been a staple in my kitchen. Today, my Saturday sewing project was a vintage look apron trimmed with red rick rack! I had so much fun working on this...I think I was actually giggling as I attached the trim. This apron is going to be a nice addition to my ever-growing collection. As you can see, I also purchased a couple extra yards of matching fabrics..aren't they yummy?! They are from a line called "Momma's Apron Strings" by RJR Fabrics...I just loved the look of these fruity prints and had to add them to my stash. I am still working on ideas on how to use them - I just know I will find the perfect project....

Food, fabric, and flour sack towels...

Still catching up on life...but took another break today to have lunch with a couple girlfriends and make an impromptu trip to the quilt shop. We had lunch at a place I had never been to before called Cafe Fuzion (an Asian fusion restaurant) to celebrate my friend Merry's birthday. Great food, great company, and a great break in my busy week. Then a trip to the fabulous Creekside Quilting...which was made even better by their customer appreciation sale. I found some gorgeous new Christmas fabrics (not sure what I am going to make with them yet, but of course they had to come home with me). Pictured are the quilted journal and flour sack towels I made for birthday gifts. The embroidered flour sack towels were done on my machine - the digitized designs are from Embroidery Library and are called "Days Of The Week Redwork Barnyard"...I think my favorite day of the week is Saturday! It was great to have a few hours off after the push to get the new designs shipped this week. Tonight I continue working on a new winter design for (hopefully) October....

Catching Up...

Hello readers...I've missed you! This last week has been quite hectic, with little time to even think about writing a blog post. I have finally bagged and shipped the new designs to auto shops and distributors and they will be arriving at your favorite needlework shops as early as next week...with the job of getting them packaged/shipped out of the way, I am finally catching up with multiple other tasks...including a post about my trip to Galena, IL last Friday...

Last week, I actually took a day off and went to Galena, IL to meet up with my dear friend (and fellow stitcher) Terri...she lives in Illinois, so we planned Galena as a meeting place. We had the best time...minus the rain. We got to do some great shopping...eat some wonderful food (and ice cream)...and got to chat the day away...it was exactly what I needed. To make the day even more perfect, we went to The Timeless Needle - a beautiful needlework and lace shop - I LOVED IT! They had tons of models (including some of my designs)...a wonderful fabric selection....tons of threads...and even some special needlework accessories...oh, and did I mention lace - TONS of amazing lace....what a treat! I enjoyed visiting with Kathleen and she was quite helpful as we shopped the multiple rooms of merchandise. It was so refreshing to visit this fabulous shop! While we were there, I picked up a unique hand felted wool pincushion, made by a local artist (Catherine Fontana - The Warped Ewe) - I admired the quality of her pincushions...and there were a number of them to choose from...I chose a beautiful green one with hand embroidered sunflowers and a gold button on top...after all, a girl can never have too many pincushions. After the needlework shop, we visited the quilt shop, the fiber/yarn shop, the bead shop...and of course the chocolate shop! I enjoyed it so much, I am already looking forward to a return trip (hopefully this fall)....
Thank you Terri for a most enjoyable day!

A Quilted Bag with a Twist...

I am an analytical learner...I always have been...great when reading instructions and looking at diagrams...not so good when someone tries to "show me how". I was put to the true test with my most recent sewing project! A prototype of a design a friend is working on - I only had paper instructions...no model, no photo of the finished item...just written directions. A little bit of mystery not knowing what the quilted bag was supposed to look like...but I was up for the challenge. The pattern called for five coordinating fat quarters, fusible fleece, and a button...so I went through my stash, grabbed five fat quarters and a matching button...and the bag in the photo was the end result. There is an outside pocket on both sides of the bag and the entire inside is lined with various sized pockets. It measures approximately 14 1/2" L x 7" H x 4" D - a nice purse size. I was very happy with the results...and hopefully it turned out the way my friend envisioned...it will be interesting to see if my analytical skills passed the test....

A note about Blue Ribbon Designs:
I have updated my website with information on the three new designs for September - visit http:www.blueribbondesigns.com and click on "Future" in the left-hand menu to check out new photos, design specifics, and material lists!

Embroidered Wedding Gift

Yesterday morning, I took a break from my hectic schedule for a little sewing with friends. I really needed to work on a wedding gift...and was thrilled to complete it (minus the stuffing) during our few hours of "girl time". What a great morning - I got to spend time with good friends, sew/machine embroider, and finish an item on my to-do list! I loved working on this pillow - which was custom made to match the decor in the newlyweds home...

I just have to tell you a bit about the embroidery design - it is called "Lovebirds Linework" and was designed/digitized by Needle in a Haystack. I happened upon Shelli from Needle in a Haystack Stitchery when doing a search for other needleworkers on Twitter - she had a link from her profile page to her blog - I took a look, and I was hooked! She has embroidery designs for hand and/or machine....along with sewing/stitching/quilting tutorials...a bunch of great designs and instructions! I have been enjoying keeping up with her blog postings...and for those of you wanting a lesson on hand embroidery, she currently has a great tutorial on her blog for making a hand-embroidered dish towel (along with a free design). Click on the button below to be taken to Shelli's blog...there you can find information about her stitchery designs...or look her up on Twitter (HaystackDesigns)!

"A Sampling In The Square" Needlework Smalls

After a couple weeks of late night (early morning) stitching, the final set of needlework smalls is complete! Since many of you are curious (thank you so much for all the enthusiastic e-mails)...here is a little peek at the needlework smalls for "A Sampling in the Square". Again, this is not a "cover shot"...it isn't perfect lighting...but you get the idea! The smalls include a needlebook, floss ring tag, pinkeep, and scissor fob. The charting and finishing instructions for all four pieces will be included with the sampler chart...and will be released in September. Of course, I will be updating my website in the next several days with cover photos, supply lists, stitch counts, etc. (please be patient). I know you are anxious for the new designs - as soon as I finish the file layouts for the printing process, I will start posting updates...

Another You See It First...

A couple days ago, I posted a little preview of the "Afraid of the Dark" needlework smalls before finishing. I put the pieces together later that day and had planned to keep the finishing work a secret until I updated my website with the cover art photography (sometime next week)...but the response was so overwhelming, I decided to post a photo here to give my blog readers a little "peek". Thank you to all for following my blog...and for your comments and encouraging emails....because of you, I have the best job in the world! So, here is your sneak peek...the photo was not shot in perfect conditions...and there is stitching on both sides of each piece, but you get the idea....again, thank you all for your enthusiastic notes! I am working extra hard to get the new designs to needlework shops as soon as possible...

Crunch Time

It is that time again...crunch time...the time when I am pushing hard to get the new designs completed and to the printer....last minute finishing touches, print layouts, proofing, finishing instructions, and color conversions. This is the time when I eat, sleep, and breathe Blue Ribbon Designs. When I get in this mode, I always have to remind myself to take a break. Last night, after finishing the "Afraid of The Dark" needlework smalls (which turned out even better than I could have imagined)...instead of going to bed (which would have been the smart decision), I rewarded myself with a little sewing machine time! Right now hand stitching "for myself" is out of the question...but who says I can't let my embroidery machine do some for me! I found these wonderful vintage kitchen designs on the SwakEmbroidery.com website - it is the Vintage Kitchen Set, digitized by Splinters and Threads. I machine embroidered the 5" x 7" designs on 100% cotton white flour sack towels. This project was just what I needed to maintain my sanity and spruce up my kitchen...I now feel rejuvenated and ready to continue preparing the new designs for release...a little sewing time was just what the doctor ordered. Remember to find time to do the things you enjoy...it is the best medicine!

Finishing Touches

On the agenda today...finishing the needlework smalls for "Afraid of the Dark" (one of my new designs coming out in September). The cross stitching is all complete...now to put each of the pieces together; there is a needlebook, a pinkeep, a floss ring tag, and a scissor fob to match the framed design. You can see some of the supplies I have chosen to put the smalls together - fabric lining (black) and wool felt (dark orange) for the needlebook, black pins for the pinkeep, along with black grosgrain ribbon and black floss for twisted cord. I enjoy the finishing process...I like to figure out how to put things together...must be my analytical side coming out! There will be complete charting and finishing instructions for these needlework smalls included with the pattern for the sampler. I will be posting a photo of the finished smalls on my website in the coming weeks, leading up to the release of this design in September...

Quilting and Personalizing

This weekend I was lucky enough to do some quilting...and I just had to share this finish with you! It is a quilted journal cover and was made for my friend Mary for her birthday. The pattern is actually a freebie from the Quilts and More Magazine Quarterly Challenge...with my own little twist. I knew I wanted to add some personalization...so I used my new 4D monogram software to create a small patch that was added to the front. The journal is actually a composition notebook that can easily be found at any office supply store (especially with all the back-to-school sales starting) - it measures 9 3/4" x 7 1/2"...the perfect size for making a list, taking notes, or writing down your personal thoughts. In fact, I was so pleased with how this turned out, I am already picking fabrics to make more (maybe even one for myself)!

You See It Here First!

As many of you know from following my updates on Twitter, I have been diligently working on the the needlework smalls that coordinate with some upcoming designs (tentative release - 1st of September). Today, I finished the smalls for "Black Cats and Flying Bats" and you are seeing them here first...along with a photo of framed design....just a little something special for those of you who follow my blog. I have had so much fun working on the new Halloween designs! I am currently working on needlework smalls for "Afraid of the Dark"...they should be done in the next week. I am also putting the final touches on the matching pieces for "A Sampling in the Square". Keep an eye out here and on my website for the latest information!