Showing posts with label home decor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label home decor. Show all posts

Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Just For Fun...

Can you believe it is already the last day of May?! - how are the months disappearing so quickly? I hope you enjoyed a nice holiday weekend and (if you are in the US) spent a moment reflecting and remembering those who have died in service to our country.

After being on a business trip for two weeks, my husband (thankfully) returned last Friday and we were able to get the boat out on the water on Saturday. It was a lovely afternoon to be outside...and while my husband managed to catch some fish, I didn't catch any (boo hoo). I am quickly learning that fishing may not be "my thing"...I am not good at relaxing or sitting still (I know, shocker!), so casting a line and just waiting for a fish to bite is almost pure torture for me - I honestly don't know how my husband and his buddies can go on week long fishing trips - a couple hours without seeing a fish and am ready to head home. Now, don't get me wrong, I love being out on the water and taking in nature...I just think I need to bring a good book or some stitching along with me (especially when the fist aren't biting). In any case, it was good to be out of my studio/office and just breathe....


Before I forget, I just have to share this photo I captured of Schatzi curled up on the corner of the sofa - she usually doesn't sit still for long...and if she sees a camera, forget about it...but I came home from the gym while she was sound asleep and I managed to get a photo of the moment...



Let's see - what else has been happening...oh...we purchased a new dining room table and chairs - the first set we have ever picked out (and we have been together almost 20 years) - the others have all been secondhand. This set is counter height (which I love) and the table has two leafs that I removed for our every day living...and one side has a bench instead of two chairs. I was second guessing my choice (mainly the color) when we returned home...but when it was delivered I was thrilled - it worked out perfectly. Here is a photo of the new set-up...followed by a lunch photo (yep, I have been enjoying the table daily!)...




I have been sewing, sewing, sewing, and stitching daily...not much I can show you right now, but some fun things are on the way! Here is an image of what is currently on my table...



I also have to share, that one of my quilt block designs in AccuQuilt's Quilt Block Contest received an honorable mention as one on the top ten blocks this year - WOO HOO! I just found out it was my "Ninja Star" design...which totally surprised me (I had a different block that received quite a few votes and just assumed it was that one). I will be receiving a very fun (and useful!) prize package which includes $50 to spend at AccuQuilt, a free Craftsy class, a plethora of fabric bundles (YAY!!), and a package of batting. My prize hasn't arrived yet, but I'll be sure to post a photo when it gets here. I don't think this particular block got many (if any) consumer votes, but if you did vote for it - THANK YOU! 



Another thing to share - a couple weeks ago, I finally jumped on board with Snapchat...which I really enjoy (almost as much as Instagram) - I think it is because I LOVE taking photos. Anyway, now that I understand how it works, I really need some friends to share with...so, if you are on Snapchat, you will find me as brd_girl (Belinda K N). I share things of more of a personal nature on there (like a fishing video or a picture at the gym or my new haircut or Schatzi running through the hose in the backyard), as well as images in my studio and things I am working on...


Finally, here is an image I took early this morning in my flower garden...it is an evening primrose...which many may consider to be a weed, but the brilliant yellow flowers are quite spectacular...life is truly beauty full!


Wednesday, September 2, 2015

Let's Talk Turkey

Lately I have been crushing on Dresden Plate quilt blocks and projects...both pointed and rounded versions...there is something so vintage about them, yet they can be made to look completely modern, simply by changing the fabric and the layout. I love seeing plate designs worked in bright, cheerful, modern prints...however, today I am sharing a unique twist with you using lovely autumn batiks! This is one of my newest design creations for AccuQuilt - a set of GO! Let's Talk Turkey Placemats...don't they just make you smile?? These placemats are designed around using half of a Dresden Plate block for the fan of the turkey...and I had so much fun creating them!

All of the pieces/shapes were cut with my AccuQuilt GO! Big Fabric Cutter using the following six dies:
...and I used gorgeous fabrics from Island Batik - don't they work perfectly for these Thanksgiving placemats?!

The fan, body, and neck/head of the turkey are all cut from the GO! Dresden Plates (55071) die...and I used the GO! Holiday Accessories (55321) die to cut the feet and beak. I cut teeny tiny fabric circles for the eyes, but you could hand stitch French Knots...or use tiny buttons...or use a specialty machine stitch - I think tiny buttons would be extra cute (but may not work well if you use them for placemats - your plate may tilt a bit). I used a blanket stitch with transparent thread to machine appliqué all the shapes in place.








I thought using these turkeys on a table runner would be fabulous, as well...maybe one turkey on each end with simple patchwork in between...hmmm - another idea for my "spare time"...

If you would like to try making a set of GO! Let's Talk Turkey Placemats, you can find the pattern FREE for a limited time on the AccuQuilt website...simply visit:
http://www.accuquilt.com/shop/go-let-s-talk-turkey-placemats-pattern.html

If you are new to Dresden Plate designs, this is a great way to get started! I hope you will try this pattern out...and if you do, please be sure to share your turkey project photos with me...

Check back soon for more seasonal ideas...I have more fun things to share...

Thursday, September 5, 2013

Halloween Hang-ups

I promised I would be back with photos of my freestanding lace Halloween ornaments...and here they are...aren't they fabulous?!! I have been having so much fun working on these machine embroidered ornaments - and this is just a small selection...there are 20 different ornaments in this digitized Halloween Lace collection by Anita Goodesign (this is an older and harder to find collection from 2007) and I have been working on them in an assortment of colors. If you read my blog yesterday, then you know these are done on an embroidery machine...using digitized designs, the machine embroiders the ornaments on water-soluble stabilizer - once the design is completely stitched, you put it in water and the stabilizer dissolves, leaving you with a beautiful piece of lace made completely of embroidery thread. These spooktacular ornaments are larger in size most measuring over 4" x 4" and would be perfect for decorating a Halloween tree, wreath, or garland...and they look fabulous hanging in a window with light shining through them! If you happen to have an embroidery machine, I hope you will try making some of these detailed decorations yourself...but for those of you who would like purchase some that are ready to hang, I have a good assortment listed in my Etsy shop...



These ornaments stay looking great for years and can be pressed with a hot iron and/or starched at any time to keep them sturdy and flat.

I can't wait to start decorating our home for Halloween/autumn - I need to get my seasonal cross stitch designs exchanged...and some of these spooky ornaments will definitely make my ornament tree stand out! Do you decorate you home for the seasons?? - I would love to hear some of your fall/autumn decorating ideas...

Oh...one more thing...for my dear friends and students who know the "bat story", yes, there is a bat ornament! :-)


Thursday, February 7, 2013

Hearts Aflutter

I just love working on projects for Valentine's Day - for some reason, it makes me happy to work with red and pink fabrics and heart motifs. I have been enjoying "playing" with some of the fabulous Valentine fabrics in my stash. I have quite a bit of yardage of the retired line "Hearts Aflutter" by Sandy Gervais for Moda, so I decided to make a couple sets of L.O.V.E. pillows - these fun little pillows measure 5" H x 5" W...the letters and hearts are machine applique with a blanket stitch...and the backs are wool felt in barnyard red. I made a set for myself a couple years ago and I enjoy putting it on display each year (sometimes they are out year round) - they look great on a shelf or in a bowl or basket - they just seem to cheer up a room!



I also finished up a couple wool applique pincushions filled with crushed walnut shells. These heartfelt pincushion tops are machine appliqué (wool felt/fabric on quality quilting fabric)...and the backs are wool felt in barnyard red. I tacked a small lace flower in the center of the white wool flower for a special touch. Each one measures approximately 5" H x 5" W x 1.75" D....and the walnut shells give the pincushion a nice heavy consistency. I was just tickled with how these turned out....and of course, they can be used as small decorative pillows...




I have added these special "heart" items to my Etsy Shop - I  hope they all find a good home for the upcoming Valentine's Day holiday!

I have now started on items for St. Patrick's Day - I have an assortment of Shamrock Lace Ornaments that I will be adding very soon....

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

From the Heart: An Exhibit of Hand Embroidery

The class project and several Blue Ribbon Designs
on Display in the classroom...
Happy Wednesday friends! I have returned from my teaching trip to the Buffalo, NY area - and it was a wonderful experience - and (as always) I have a lot to share with you. I was blessed to spend several days in Lockport, NY teaching a workshop class to members of the Buffalo Chapter of the EGA. I had a small but very creative/talented group and definitely enjoyed my two days working with the attendees! The class took place on Saturday and Sunday at the Holiday Inn...and we spent two days stitching and sharing our mutual passions for needlework. I was able to cover all sorts of fun finishing ideas and techniques in class...and even had time to share some of my favorite tips and tricks! It was a FABULOUS group and it was wonderful to get to know each and every one of the talented needleworkers in attendance.

Buffalo Chapter EGA Workshop attendees Marilyn and Stephanie hard at work in class...
I arrived in New York on Friday afternoon, as class was scheduled for Saturday morning....and I am so glad I arrived with time to see the From the Heart: An Exhibit of Hand Embroidery at the Kenan Center in Lockport, NY - hosted by the Buffalo Chapter of the Embroiderers' Guild of America. It was a FANTASTIC display of needlearts and I was excited to see the extensive collection of pieces on exhibit - this is one extremely talented group of needleworkers! There were hundreds of pieces on display - including (but not limited to) Cross Stitch, Bead Embroidery, Stumpwork, Needlepoint, Surface Embroidery, Petite Point, Brazilian Embroidery, Hardanger, Crazy Quilting, Bargello, Blackwork, Schwalm Embroidery, and White Work (to name a few)...seriously, this exhibit contained just about any/every form of needlework I could think of!

To make this show even more impressive, it was held at the Kenan Center House Gallery - the perfect venue for such an impressive collection of works! The Kenan House is an exquisite example of late 19th century Italianate architecture and was a beautiful gallery for a needlework exhibit - the foundation of the house was laid in 1850...and when the house was nearly completed, a fire destroyed all but two walls...the house was entirely rebuilt by 1859. The Kenan's purchased the house in 1912 for $18,500 and did extensive remodeling during their first year of ownership. Before his death in 1965, Mr. Kenan deeded his home and property to the First Presbyterian Church for development as a community center. The Kenan Center is situated on 25 beautiful acres...and although it was raining during my visit, I could tell the gardens and grounds are extremely well maintained - along with the Kenan House & Gallery, the property includes multiple gardens and an orchard, an Education Building, the Taylor Theatre, a large greenhouse, and the Kenan Arena. The needlework display was incorporated throughout the Kenan Center House Gallery...making wonderful use of each room - it was a treat to see needlart intermixed with beautiful woodwork, white marble flooring, fan-shaped and floor to ceiling shuttered windows, chandeliers, and elaborate fireplaces. Here are some photos of the house and interior, along with needlework on display (click on any of the photos for a larger look)...

The Kenan Center House Gallery

Living Room




Left: Pennsylvania Sampler Sleuth - Marie Socha



Top to bottom:
How Much is that Doggie in the Window? - canvas - Peggy Lynn Kresovich
Cleopatra's Cat - canvas - Margaret M. Stoll
Cleopatra's Cat - counted canvas - Gerry Stark
Quaker Mother Bear - cross stitch - Gerry Stark
Quaker Baby Bear - cross stitch - Gerry Stark


Master Bath


The Nativity - Cross-Stitched by Anne G. Koberstein - Fireplace Screen

Wooden Peperkor Tree with 14 Folk Art Ornaments (Crewel Embroidery) -  Wilma Nantka

One of my favorite items on display: Winter Village Houses
(Mill Hill  Bead and Button Kits on Perforated Paper) - matted and placed in
a room screen - Paula Rychtarik - GORGEOUS!

Three Pumpkins - Beverly Molak
Stitching Witch Halloween - Susan A. Koch

Oriental Needlework Display - South Bedroom, 2nd Floor - Victorian Marble Mantlepiece

Shuttered arched windows...


Breathtaking Beaded Needlework by Stephanie Drehs

Framed - Schwalm Sampler - Patricia Karpenko
Crazy Patch Quilt Block - Surface and Bead Embroidery - Marjorie Tritto
So Dear To Thy Heart, Lamb Needlebook, LeNouveau Palais Royal - Counted Thread and Crewel Embroidery - Stephanie Drehs
Quaker Ball, Leaf Ball, Noel - Cross Stitch - Beverly Molak


Jacobean Blanket Chest - Original Furnishings of William and Alice Kenan
Ladies' Parlor - Mrs. Kenan's Sitting Room

Ladies' Parlor - Mrs. Kenan's Sitting Room

Hepplewhite-style Chair - Original Furnishings of William and Alice Kenan
Ladies' Parlor - Mrs. Kenan's Sitting Room

Theme Basket Auction Items

To read more about the Kenan Center, visit http://kenancenter.org/...and if you visit the page for the Kenan Center House Gallery, you can see a small slideshow of the exhibit. If you are in the area, the From The Heart: An Exhibit of Hand Embroidery will be on display through September 30, 2012 - make the trip, you will not be disappointed! Oh, and did I mention - they have a lovely shopping mall with many items for purchase (including handmade and hand stitched items)...and a wonderful theme basket auction?!

While in Western New York, the event coordinator (and my personal tour guide) Stephanie made my stay extremely memorable - she took me to Niagara Falls for my first visit! I will share that experience with you tomorrow...