PATTERN TESTING

I enjoy sewing new patterns

in 2016 I was asked to test a few patterns

for some pattern designers over on Instagram.

Rena Blain, @thesouthernbobbin asked me to give 
her Bobbin Wallet a test drive.
You can purchase this pattern on Craftsy.

I had never made a wallet so I gave some good feedback.  
The thing I like most is the interior zippy pouch.
Its great for change! 

I made another one while testing and it turned out great.  

A very easy pattern.

Not many pictures...so that tells you how well it is written!

 I made these for Christmas Gifts...

Up next is a baby quilt designed by Andrea Arledge  @pommesdeterres) over on IG.  

"Woven Fence" is a quick and easy project.

If you want your own copy its available over on Craftsy.
Just click here!
Pattern is written for several sizes of quilts.
You should have this in your sewing room!

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If you need a pattern tester...give me a shout out.

I have written patterns....many years ago and 

have also taught classes.

So my feedback comes in easy terms, for all to understand.

2016 FAVORITES

It was tough to pick out favorite things I made in 2016...

cause I pretty much like everything I make...

But here goes...

Halloween quilt using Riley Blake fabrics...need to quilt this one

 I gotta get my Ghastlie on all year long.  This top needs quilted.

A Ghastlies Supertote...one of my all time favorite bags.

and a Ghastlie "Ring of Coffins" pillow

Keeping in the Halloween Spirit...I finally finished this one 

after about five years of procrastinating!

I always enjoy making zippy pouches.

I pulled out all the Ghastlie stops using up

some of my cherished, 1st year of Ghastlies fabric stash

to make this for a holiday gift.

Kathy Guenther, my BFF and knitting menor 

is an excellent knitter and this bag...

had to be hers!

Llama love here...

I made several of these pouches using my Mom's 

embroidered dresser scarves and my scraps.

They were gifted to Mom's granddaughters for Christmas.

I did finish a couple quilts in 2016 that I adore.

This is called "Catching a Cold" because I pieced it in 2015 

when I had a horrible cold.

I used 5 packs of Christmas/Winter Charms for the front 

and 2 1/2 Layer cakes of the same fabrics for the back.

Michelle Mayton, longarmer did an all over 

snowflake design!

I finished the Metro Rings quilt. Michelle Mayton 

did a fabulous job keeping this very modern. 

Charley Harper fabric "flew into my sewing room" sew

I made a fabric covered journal for my 2017 year of projects

I started the Splendid Sampler but got bored very quickly.  

I made about 11 blocks using this fabric...

which is where the favorite comes in.

I may do a few more this year and make a small wall hanging.

I started working on some Charley Harper wall hangings 

for a one-girl quilt show (me) in November.

More on that later!

A bedside pocket organizer and pillow case for my niece.  

Luv the faerie fabric that was in my stash since 2006!

I am excited to get going on some new projects.

 What's on your horizon!?

FABRIC SHACK MINI QUILT SWAP

I had to join the Fabric Shack mini quilt swap!

My partner was @njcrabtree (Natalie Crabtree)

I selected this Layer Cake "Jingle" by Kate Spain

I also luv the book "Modern Holiday" by Amanda Murphy

It didn't take long to find the perfect pattern...

"Holiday Forest"

Of course I like to change the pattern up a little bit.

so instead of solid trees

I made scrappy trees!

The white background is looking great...kind of a swirly look

I also decided not to put trunks on the trees.

Just a small border and the top is done!

I had some left over charm squares for the backing.

Here's the back...


 And the front with a few little extras...
cause you know folks like extras!



I really wanted to keep this one...
but Santa said....NO....so off it went!

And what did I receive?

Amanda Everest @itsthethereelmandy lives in Las Vegas 

was my partner and she made me this cute mini using 

Tasha Noel's

"Pixie Noel" Fabrics.

Merry Christmas my friends and thanks
for hanging around and reading my blog this year!
It's sew appreciated. 

I will see you on the other side of the New Year!

LISTEN - YOUR FABRIC IS TALKING TO YOU!

10 years ago today, I lost my Mom, Cora Clayton.

She was 92 years young and loved by so many.

Mom was a hand piecer and loved her scrappy utilitarian quilts.

 I found a bunch of dresser scarves in her belongings.

which sat in my sewing room waiting for me

to create something amazing!

I kept looking a them, waiting for an

answer of what I should make. 

Then I heard it..maybe it was Mom, whispering in my ear.

The girls in the family need something to remind them of 

"Mom of Me"

I am making bags using pieces of 

MOM's embroidered scarves and MY fabric scraps.

After cutting batting pieces, I placed the embroidery piece 

in the middle and sewed down my scraps 

using the quilt-as you-go technique.

 You can see my tutorial on the QAYG technique here.

BUT there is no backing on these pieces because

I am lining the bag. 

Raided my zipper bin...

and this is what happened!

Larger tote bag turned out wonderful!

I will make smaller projects with the embroidered scraps
like pincushions and needle minders.

10 years may seem like a long time to hang on to something
but I truly believe that...

"Your fabric will tell you what it wants to be"
Sometimes you must wait  and "listen" for the answer.

I miss and love you Mom!

CATCHING A COLD...for CHRISTMAS

Last year I had the most horrible cold and cough.

They said...bronchitis....felt like...pneumonia.

Not much energy but I wanted to sew

I grabbed a bunch of charm packs by

my favorite Christmas fabric designers..

I was coughing..it was snowing..

chain piecing happened.

Decided the back would be layer cakes...

also Christmas fabrics.

I sent it off this last fall to my longarmer

cause sometimes it just needs to be DONE!

and she quilted an all over snowflake design.

Made some binding...

"Catching a Cold"

was DONE!

I love that it's reversible and I can enjoy all my favorite fabrics.

Let's hope I don't  

Catch another Cold

but if I do....THIS will comfort me!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!