Meet in the Middle

Let's be honest...I've really been struggling to find a balance lately - most days seem completely out of my control....and my lists seem never-ending. A few weeks ago, I hit the reset button over the weekend and worked on a really fun table runner (which was made for a gift)...sometimes switching up projects for a day helps keep me fresh and motivated. This scrappy table runner (titled Meet in the Middle) was the project in the February Sew Sampler Box from Fat Quarter Shop.

This monthly subscription quilting box was a birthday surprise and was filled with goodies. The February box included two Mackinac Island Charm Packs by Minick & Simpson for Moda Fabrics, the Meet in the Middle Quilt Pattern and Half Hexagon Template by Lissa Alexander, 80wt Aurifil Thread (red), and Diagonal Seam Tape by Cluck Cluck Sew. I knew right away I wanted to make the table runner...and I had some yardage of an older collection from Minick & Simpson (Bar Harbor) in my stash that was perfect for binding and backing. I also have to admit, I had a cutting die for the half hexagon that I used to cut the pieces, instead of using the template. Although, this project may look complicated...it is actually rows of half hexagons, so there are no inset or Y-seams! I was SUPER happy with how this turned out...and working on this project definitely helped me recharge and gain some focus.

I was excited when the March Sew Sampler Box arrived with Tula Pink products! I am not a huge fan of the pattern that was included for March, but I know I will come up with something for these vibrant colors...and who can resist bright pink unicorn head straight pins?! I have a few ideas in mind for the fabrics, but they will have to wait until I feel like my workload is a little more under control...

While I am daydreaming about what to make with the Tula Pink fabrics, I'll be in my studio working on client orders - project bags are on the table for tonight. I will also be making more masks for those in need. I received some Face Mask Templates (they come in small, medium and large) today that I am going to try out later tonight - these are a different style than the ones I have been making - shout out to Claire at Shop Stitch Buzz...these look pretty easy to use and have a pocket for a filter...

Well, I have procrastinated long enough...time to get back to work! I hope you are staying well and positive...find time to do something that makes you happy...

A Quick Update

Hello friends. It's been too long since my last post...and I finally just forced myself to sit down for a quick visit. There has been a lot going on behind the scenes here and life just seems a bit out of balance. I'm going to do a quick catch-up and then share a few recent finishes...

First of all, I wish to thank everyone who reached out to me (and my family) during the recent loss of my father-in-law. Many of you know that my husband and I just celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary...and that we have been together almost 23 years (I'll post a wedding throwback photo below)...so Richard (my father-in-law) has been a huge part of my life. In March, I spent some unexpected quality time in Iowa with my husband, mother-in-law and extended family for the military service - all made even more difficult by the current pandemic...and while it was a very small service, we plan to have a celebration of life when things are back to the (new) normal. I have many comforting memories of Richard and was blessed to talk with him several times before his hospitalization. Here is a photo I took of him that makes me happy - he has a genuine smile and his canine companions (Charlie and Pepper).

Not only was it our 20th wedding anniversary last week, but it was exactly one year since we moved to Kansas...which doesn't even seem possible. While I still really miss my Iowa friends family, Kansas is finally starting to feel like home. We have some wonderful neighbors and I can actually say I have made some good friends on our new street. The construction in our neighborhood is almost complete...last year at this time, we were the only people living on our street...and now, most of the homes are occupied...and we even got a new street light installed in front of our house a couple weeks ago. Our neighbor Eric has a fancy drone and took some lovely aerial photos of our neighborhood...these give you a good view of our surroundings. The cows aren't back in the pasture just yet...but I am hopeful we will see them soon!

Yes, I have been making masks...not for sale, but for those working/traveling during this challenging time and those with compromised immunity...just a small thing that I can do to help. Since my husband works in management for UPS and they were notified that it is "strongly encouraged" for them to wear masks, I got right to work...I made some out of some fun "brown truck" fabric I had in my stash for his management team that made me smile. I have a list of requests that I am working through in my "spare time"...and then, if they are still needed, I may make some for sale...I haven't decided...many of you are asking...I really don't want to profit off of the pandemic...supplies and time are a factor...so we'll see...

I am working like mad to catch up on customer orders and finished a large one today (pictures will be in a future post). My workload queue is overflowing - and I am very blessed to have some extremely patient clients. Here is a sampling of projects I finished up in March...

I have quite a few more photos to share with you - I have been doing lots of sewing and quilting (I made a lovely table runner) and lots of needlework finishing - I will be back to share those soon....plus I am working on some projects with a future fabric collection from Poppie Cotton that I will share in August (I'll give you a peek at the fabric real soon). For now, here are a couple photos I snapped of "the kids" on Saturday after one of their play sessions...

I hope you are happy and healthy and finding a positive way to manage during these challenging times...be well...

Fourteen Finishes

It's another creative day, as I have been in my studio working on a large pile of beautiful needlework finishes for a longtime friend and client. These pieces were all stitched by the same busy stitcher - and most were fun to finish (except a couple with less than desirable finishing instructions...for most of these, I was asked by the stitcher to finish as pictured/directed, like the model...and I aim to please, so I did my best to follow the instructions to the letter). I was very pleased with how each of these items turned out...and I have everything wrapped and packaged for shipment tomorrow. I will list the designer details with each photo, just in case you have any questions or want to stitch one of these special designs. I will also note any special supplies I used with each image...

JBW Designs - Candy Cane Pocket
This was a kit and included with the red/white stripe fabric and rick rack...
I made the twisted cord with DMC floss and finished as pictured on the chart package.

JBW Designs - Folk Art Christmas Tree
Finished as shown on the back of the chart.
Hand-dyed Velveteen Backing and Pom Pom Trim from Lady Dot Creates.

Heart In Hand - It's a Cinch! Kit - Noel
Finished my way - flat ornament with fabric in the photo as backing.
DMC Cord, Hand-dyed Rick Rack Trim from Lady Dot Creates and jute bows.

Bent Creek - Holiday Hang-Ups Kit - Joy
Finished exactly as packaging.

Just Nan - Christmas Dragonfly Ornament
Finished as directed - linen back.

Prairie Schooler - Nordic Holiday #191
Finished my way. Backing is fabric shown in photo...DMC cord.

Hands On Designs - Make & Merry Kit
Finished exactly as directed...except, I backed the cross stitch piece
 with the mint snowflake fabric in the photo.

Elegant Stitch - Shoot For The Moon Kit
Finished the pin exactly as kitted
(except hand stitching of the forms and cord instead of glue).

Lucy Beam - Black Sheep Scissor Fob Kit
Finished exactly as kitted.
Side Bar - aren't those sheep scissors CUTE?!

SamSarah Design Studio -  Hope Blooms
Finished as directed for included hanger.
Striped fabric was used as backing.

Summer House Stitche Workes - Home Hive Nest
Finished exactly as kitted/directed.

Summer House Stitche Workes - Home Hive Nest
Finished exactly as kitted/directed.
Additional view.

Nikyscreations Primitives - Tiny Pocket
Finished as directed, except I lined the pocket with the cotton fabric
in the photo and top stitched the pocket flap/point.

La D Da - Sweet Pea
Finished as instructed. Used the beige button fabric
(see upper right image) for backing and bottom.
Gloriana Silk  Ribbon around neck.

Next up, I have a few time sensitive pieces to work on...and then several more large finishing orders before I am back to sewing project bags. Supplies have been rolling in all week - 360 zippers (yes, I said 360), two bolts of fusible fleece, 15-yards of clear laminate (thanks to a dear friend!), yards and yards of 3/4" rick rack in multiple bright colors, and lovely solid lining fabrics from the local quilt shop...plus client packages have been arriving daily - I have been keeping our mail carrier super busy! I guess I better get back to work...

Oh - and to finish up this post - here is a photo that Travis snapped of the kids this morning - they were having an early morning NylaBone tug-of-war session...

Under My Needle

In twelve years of blogging, I'm pretty sure I haven't blogged on Leap Day - I'd have to go back and do a little research, but I'm pretty sure this is my first Leap Day blog post...and, side bar: did I just say twelve?...twelve years of blogging...WOW!, where does the time go?!

Before I jump back into needlework finishing mode, I thought I would stop by and share some recent finishes from my sewing machine. I tend to work in batches...a batch of project bags, then a batch of needlework finishing, then a batch of quilting - this seems to make me more productive. I also tend to cut and prepare a pile of projects, work on them until complete, then prepare the next batch...kind of like an assembly line process for my studio work. Right before we left for vacation, I was in sewing and quilting mode, so here are just a few pretty client projects that were under my needle...

Pieced Large and Small Project Bags...

Stitching Retreat Mats

Large and Small Project Bags

Large and Small Project Bags

Hands On Design "Love My Stitching" Project Bag, finished "my way"....

With Thy Needle and Thread "Stitcher's Lingo" and "Heart & Hand"
project bags that are created from a printed panel by Brenda Gervais
and finished "my way" with a boxed bottom...

With Thy Needle and Thread "Heart & Hand"
project bags that are created from a printed panel by Brenda Gervais
and finished "my way" with a flat bottom...

With Thy Needle and Thread "Stitcher's Lingo" and "Heart & Hand"
project bags that are created from a printed panel by Brenda Gervais
and finished "my way" with a boxed bottom...

This past week, I have been working on a HUGE batch of needlework finishing...I've finished fourteen pieces over the last couple days, with a few more in this grouping...so, I will share those with you soon. I have also done a couple special projects...and by "special projects", I mean garment sewing - not in my usual wheelhouse, but since I know my way around a sewing machine, I get asked to do things like that quite frequently...and let me be clear, I have to really like you to take on a garment project!...I much rather be quilting or working on home decor sewing. Right now, my client project bins and counters are full - in fact, it is a little overwhelming...but I am steadily working through each order and doing my best to meet all my deadlines - a BIG thank you to my customers for keeping me extremely busy and for being so patient (some of you have been kindly waiting quite a while for your orders - you know who you are, and I truly thank you)....and that is my cue to wrap this up and get back to work! Thanks for stopping by...