First of all, I would like to thank everyone for their comments, shares and e-mails regarding my last post (The End of an Era: Finding my Worth). The feedback was varied and quite overwhelming - so much so, that I couldn't answer every single message. Most of the feedback was positive and uplifting...and of course I got some nastygrams, as well. I just want to make one final statement on the subject, as quite a few stitchers feel the JCS Ornament Issue is an act of volunteerism and giving back to the needlework industry:
My post was not about volunteering, giving back or charity work. Volunteering for a good cause, generally does not profit a large corporation. I have volunteered in the needlework community many, MANY times over the last twenty years and I have given back and said thank you to stitchers and my fans countless times – happily, with joy in my heart! I have shared my time, knowledge, talent, and complimentary designs…I have made countless donations…and I will continue to do so…those acts make my heart happy and are done on my terms.
My message: I don’t want a large company (that doesn’t publish this magazine for charity) to profit off of the hard work and creativity of the artists that make it possible. Period.
I, personally, would love to see the Just CrossStitch Ornament Issue thrive and be full of favorite designers (like you, I am a fan). My post was about asking them to step up and support the artists that provide the material that make it their "best selling issue of the year."
Whew! Enough of that - now back to happiness and creativity!
The last few weeks have been full of needlework finishing and project bag sewing - with my husband's crazy holiday work schedule (he is in management for UPS), I have had plenty of sewing and finishing marathons...most nights, working until midnight. I have been going though tons of supplies and I am waiting on several large orders of materials (delays in fulfilling and shipping orders is slowing my progress). The highlight of my week was receiving an INCREDIBLE package from (my dear friend) Lady Dot Creates - lots of luscious hand-dyed trims, twill tapes, ribbons and fabric...if you finish your own needlework and have not ordered from her, you are missing out - gorgeous, consistent colors and high quality products. You can find her website by visiting: http://ladydotcreates.com or shop in her Etsy Store by visiting: https://www.etsy.com/shop/ladydotcreates...
Here are some images of recent project bag and needlework finishing orders...and I have at least a dozen more needlework finishes that I can show you in my next post...
For now, I am headed back to my sewing room - I finally received a large order of 3/4" cotton rick rack, so I can complete a pile of orders...it is going to be another late night. I'll be back soon to share some more needlework finishes...and I have some gifts I made that I can share with you, as well...
Wishing you some creative time during the holiday rush...I hope you can find a little time to work on a project that brings you joy!
If you missed my post last Friday, it was all about this blog tour - please visit it to read about these special fabrics and see a list of the other designers involved. Now, let me share my precious pillows with you...
Floral Canoe
This pillow design was created using the traditional Crossed Canoes quilt block and just a touch of appliqué in the center.This fabric collection has lovely floral fabrics with beautiful details - so I thought a floral appliqué would be the perfect touch in the center. This pillow is 18' x 18"...
Floral Cottage
For this pillow design, I used a pieced block with a house on a hill for the base. I appliquéd flowers and stems on the hillside and added strips of Kindly Said Black to the sides. The Kindly Said fabrics in this collection are covered in happy words and sentiments (see a snippet below)! I used teeny tiny buttons for the flower centers and door knob...and quilted a pair of window panes, as a couple finishing touches. This pillow is 16" x 12"...
Floral Kaleidoscope
This shining star pillow was created using the paper piecing technique. I used the Kaleidoscope Collection in EQ8 for the layout of the design...should you want to create one of your own, here are the details: Strawflower 2, Kaleidoscope Collection (Copyright © Andrea Bishop, 2008) - I made it 12" x 12" square. I also added a 2" finished border using Kindly Said White. EQ8 Software makes it extremely easy to size quilt blocks to your needs and print foundation papers...plus, paper piecing this particular block will give you perfect points! This pillow measures 16" x 16"...
Floral Love
Lots of love went into this final pillow! For this appliqué design - I cut a base from Seeing Dots White and added 2" finished strips of Kindly Said Pink to the top and bottom. I then used various cuts from this collection for the word LOVE and an assortment of flowers, stems and leaves. I thought using a heart for the center of the letter O would make a cute touch! This pillow measures 20" x 12"...
Floral Pin Pillows
Finally, as a little bonus, I whipped up a couple adorable pincushions with a few leftover scraps. The square pin pillow is the Log Cabin Rose quilt block found in the foundation piecing blocks in EQ8. I paper-pieced this block in a 6" size, then hand stitched hand-dyed Ballerina Jumbo Chenille by (my dear friend) Lady Dot Creates around the perimeter. For the second pincushion, I did the "quilt as you go" method using strips and selvages (yes, Poppie Cotton fabrics have the cutest selvages...see below!). I added several flowers cut from wool and used pins as the centers and to hold them in place...and I flag cut a cute piece of selvage that says "joy and sunshine" and pinned it in place, as well. I thought these turned out super cute!
There you have it - my pillow designs using the Cherished Moments Collection by Poppie Cotton. This fabric line is in shops now, so be sure to check your favorite local shop or online shop to find these gorgeous prints. I used a fat quarter stack to create all my pillow tops.
I hope you have enjoyed this stop on the fabric tour - thank you for visiting. Could you feel the happiness and joy I put into each piece?! I am already working on a quilt for the next Poppie Cotton fabric tour in November...it is for the upcoming Woodland Songbirds collection...and it is a BEAUTY. If you make a project from the Cherished Moments collection featured in this post, I would love to hear from you...happy sewing and quilting!
