3-D Starburst Tutorial

I am SO excited about another 3-D technique that came to my attention last week. While these types of patterns do use a little more fabric, it is amazing how much depth and dimension they add to a quilt. This one comes from Linda over at her blog, Buzzing and Bumbling. She calls it a 3-D Starburst and I think it looks so attractive.

The tutorial can be found here . Linda plans to use it as a tablecloth with her turquoise Fiesta dishes. You can just imagine how pretty it will look, can't you?  It is such a clever way to use colored hankies too!

Speaking of fun 3-D patterns, here is a sneak peek at what I am working on now.

It's a pattern from Cotton Way called "Pinwheel Posies Again". I had never made fabric covered buttons before and was surprised how easy it is to do! The quilt itself will take me awhile since I keep getting distracted by all the cute little crochet hat patterns that keep showing up in my email inbox. :) And by the adorable purse pattern I saw and just HAD to make. I'll post about it as soon as I get the straps on.

Until next time... blessings to you~

 

       

Celery Heart Stamp

 This idea from Maureen at Maureen Cracknell Handmade really caught my eye. I love the idea of using what you have on hand and this certainly fits the bill! If you remember the potato stamp craze you will not find this strange at all. :D I LOVE the rose shape it duplicates on paper and it has me wondering about all sorts of veggies and what I could stamp with them. You can find Maureen's directions here. While you are visiting, check out her more recent posts showing things she has made using felt flowers. So bright and cheerful!

   
















If only I could figure out to do with that jar of Hearts of Palm in my pantry!                                  Blessing to you~                           

Easy One Seam Potholders

 I had some left over fabric after making the Patriotic Pinwheel Table Runner and decided to make some matching potholders out of it for the same friend. While at Sit and Sew one week someone showed me this easy way to make them so I was eager to try it out.
  All of the squares are cut the same size. I had enough to make 8" squares but make them whatever size you like. First, layer one square, wrong side up. Next, put a square of heat resistant batting.(I used two for extra protection) Then, layer another square, right side up.(This will end up being the bottom of you pot holder.)

 Take the four squares you want showing on the "woven" side of your potholder and press them diagonally, forming triangles. Match one of the short sides of each triangle to the edge of the pile of squares. Work your way all around in this manner.

                                                        This is how it should look.

           Alternatively, you can fold them from side to side forming a rectangle and then layer them.

 When positioning the fourth side you will need to lift the first one to layer it properly. (Like you would if closing a box.)

        Sew around all four sides, without lifting the presser foot, using a 1/4" seam. Clip corners.

                                                           Turn right side out.   

                                                           That's it! Sew easy.

      
Blessings to you~

Pink John Deere

 When you think "John Deere" fabric your mind probably doesn't automatically jump to "Cathedral Window" does it? Didn't think so. I couldn't help myself though when this fabric showed up in a bag of donations. I needed a way to showcase the little deer logo and I think it works. I also think a little baby won't know the difference. Haha!            

                  This is really a faux cathedral window but it's as close as I've ever come or ever will come to making a real one. It's so fun and easy I see no reason to slave away for hours for the same result! Those of you who are purists out there probably beg to differ. lol
             For each block you will need 4-3 1/2" background squares and 1-6 1/2" square.

 Fold the 6 1/2" square in half, wrong sides together. Lay this folded piece with the raw sides away from you and the folded edge toward you.Take 2-3-1/2" squares and with the right sides together, sandwich the larger, folded square between the two at the left edge.Match the edges that are away from you.

                          Pin and do the same thing on the right hand side. Sew those two seams.
It will look something like an "H" or bridge shape.

 By matching the edges that are away from you, it leaves a 1/4" seam allowance at the edge closest to you.

 Pull apart the "bridge" that was formed and match the two long edges together. Nest the seams in the middle to distribute the bulk. Pin and sew. Now the fun step! Fold it open flat and press.

 You can either leave it like this, stitch it down now or later when you quilt it, or do it MY favorite way. Roll back the four sides to make a nice curve and stitch it down. Since the sides are on the bias, it folds beautifully! Some folks insert a third fabric in the center before rolling it in and sewing but, so far I am loving it this way.

                       This charity quilt will be taken to the Senior Center for the ladies to tie.

   Hope it goes to a tomboy baby! Not sure if you can tell yet when they're still using a crib quilt. lol You moms with girls will have to let me know!  

Blessings to you~

Sweet Pea Pendant

  Since I've started making the Fabric Rosette Necklaces and the Wire Bird's Nest Necklaces people keep saying to me, "I didn't know you make jewelery!". To which I say, "I don't ...err I mean I didn't ...but now I do ...but it's not REAL jewelry."  It just doesn't seem like the jewelery I make should qualify because, until a month ago, I didn't even know what a bail or a jump ring was! I don't know a thing about beading either. But I somehow manage to stumble upon tutorials that are so well done they make it look easy. That is the case with Amy at Positively Splendid. She has a fantastic tutorial that shows how to make these little beauties.

I always love things that can be personalized according to the number of children you have or the number of people in your family. I got enough inspiration on Amy's blog to keep me busy for months! In the mean time I'll be looking for just the right beads and craft wire to make my first Sweet Pea Pendant.
Blessing to you~

Three-D Pinwheel Table Runner

   I have been having FUN with this little project. And lots of it! There were two little fat quarters tucked in a gift from my sister. She did a cherry gift theme (she always has a theme that she carries through). The fabric had cherries on it, naturally, and when I was asked for a donation for a fund raising auction, I jumped at the chance to try out this 3-D block pattern I had been eying. It looks so cheerful and fun!

 The tutorial I used had a mistake in it so I will tell how I did it instead. First, I cut my squares. You need four-4 1/2" squares out of your background fabric and four 3 3/4" squares out your pinwheel fabric for each block.

 

              Then, take a pinwheel square and fold it in half diagonally, wrong sides together.

              Take one of the points from the long side and bring it across to the other corner.
  

Pin to a background square. Make sure to pin each one the same way and to the same side of the square.

Baste them in place. Just trust me on this okay? It's the only way to make them behave and stay where they are supposed to.

After pinning really well, sew two squares together. Then the other two, pressing seams OPEN. The center of the pinwheel becomes too bulky if you don't press them OPEN. Really.

                      Now stitch both halves of the block together and this is what you have!

You can really get some good lift in the pinwheel blades if you get your iron in there and take out the creases that formed when you were assembling the block.

                 This is what the back side looked like after quilting. Looks so summery, doesn't it?

Blessing to you!

Hanging Flower Balls

 I just found the prettiest hanging decoration for those of us who love, Love, LOVE roses.

 Shelley at House of Smith's has a great tutorial showing how to make them. Shelley says that even if some of them don't look that great, it will look beautiful once it's all done. I love projects like that because I seldom have consistent outcomes when I'm repeating the same thing over and over. They are so very sweet and would look darling in a nursery or little girls bedroom. I'm thinking I'd like them in my sewing/guest room. Look how else she used them.

On another blog they had simply perched them on top of dollar store glass candle stick holders and they were gorgeous too. Can't wait to try them!
Blessings to you~

Rose Napkins

 I want to share this fun idea in case you want to use it for Easter or Mother's Day. Renee, over at Sewn With Grace, not only has great music playing :o) but has a link to a tutorial from Southern Lady Magazine that shows you how to make these.

 Aren't they pretty? Perfect for a ladies brunch too!
Blessing to you~
                       

  

Upcycled Tights into Flowers

I think my recent obsession with flowers might indicate that I am VERY ready for spring to get here. But alas,  we received another five inches of snow yesterday so the only flowers in my future are ones I create. Thanks to Tatum at k.i.s.s. {Keep it Simple, Sister} and this tutorial, it is possible make super cute flowers out of, get this, old tights or panty hose. Isn't that awesome? Since I was blessed with three boys, I plan on having my friends with girls save their old ones for me. Can't wait to see their faces when I put in this request! Aren't they beautiful?

Hope you get a chance to visit Tatum's new blog and try out this project!
Blessings to you~



Image and project from {K.I.S.S.} Keep It Simple, Sister

Rose Cake

Yesterday I promised you more gorgeous roses today. Just LOOK at this masterpiece! The tutorial can be found at i am baker along with beautiful pictures of each step. Isn't it the most lovely cake you've seen in a very long time? What strikes me most is its simplicity.While you are there, stay a while and enjoy yourself. The hydrangea cake is awesome too and also has a tutorial available. I promise... you will be inspired!
 































Blessing to you~ Luci

Rosette Obsession

I LOVE flowers! All kinds. I can't think of any that I don't like and some are SO amazing to me that I just marvel at creation whenever I look at their details. I liked them when it wasn't cool to like them and so, the recent trend to use flowers on anything and everything as fashion accessories  is a big smile maker for me. This week I've been making the pretty, little rosettes that have been showing up all over. They are easy enough to make yourself so give it a try! I noticed there are several tutorials available already that are very good. They vary only slightly from the way I make mine.

For my necklace I cut a 1" width of fabric (WOF) strip so that, when finished, it wouldn't stand out away from my body too far. The two smaller roses on the necklace were made from 1" strips that were cut from a fat quarter so only 21" wide. For the orange pin shown below I made the strip 1 1/2" wide These can be made from scraps, sheets or an old shirt too so very economical!

 I then fold the strip in half length wise, right sides together. I press mine to make it behave but you don't have to.

                                Tie a knot in the end and fold the tail back on itself. Glue in place.

Circle around a couple times until you have a nice bud, gluing as you go. Then, twist the fabric strip, dot with glue and continue around, twisting every so often as you see fit. I like to stagger the twists so they aren't all in the same place. Add a dot of glue after each twist and any place where it needs stability.

                            When it reaches the desired size, glue the tail to the bottom of the rose.

Attach to a piece of felt and add a pin backing if you plan to wear it as a pin or if making a necklace, layer the chain in between the felt and roses.

                                                               SO feminine and pretty!

Tomorrow.... more beautiful roses but something completely different! Blessings to you~ Luci