alittlesweetness

little bitties....

So, it's Spring Break and I've got lots of to do's with kids home, a baby shower to help with and Easter quickly approaching!  One thing I'm working on is some little bitty hexie flowers....

EEEK!  I'm in love!

I had fun pulling pretty springy fabrics for these!

These are tiny 1/2" hexagons, which I got at Sew Deerly Loved.  I don't see them in her shop, so maybe ask if she still has some not listed. 

And what are they for? I'll leave that part a surprise....heehehee.

But I can't wait to get these little bitties all done!

I'll be taking the week off of any extra blogging and shop to do's....just going to focus on kids and projects, but just for kicks, (and although I won't be shipping anything off this week) if you'd like a little spring discount at the shop, please enter COUPON CODE: SPRING20 at checkout for 20% off your total purchase.  This is for paper products and embroidery patterns only. 

Happy Spring!!

Tasha

pretty and cute

I've kept rather busy this week with several things, one of which is a gift so I'll share that next week.  So I thought I'd just quickly show a couple little things that have made me smile!

This for one.....

is most definitly the prettiest little stack of fabrics from Kerri that I seriously am in LOVE with!

I actually couldn't stop photographing the little bundle of adorableness!

love, love, love!

I'll be in heaven incorporating these into my projects....

Speaking of projects....

I'm still p-o-k-i-n-g away at my Farmer's Wife blocks, which always are so fun to make, just hard to find the time for everything. 

So, I think this is like my 19th block?  (something like that?) and the group is on about week 28-ish (something like that)  So, ya, i'm poking along, but oh well.  I just do it when I have the moment and I'm so glad, cuz look how cute...

BOX {9}

I finally took the suggestion from Kristyne and did pink and red for Valentines Day and I totally love it!!

It's helpful to decide on just a couple colors first.  It's not so overwhelming and it does help balance out all of the really scrappy multi-colored blocks....I still love those kind too.  Maybe my next one.

So, anyway...

That was my pretty and my cute!

Happy Weekend!

Tasha

Granny addiction!

So, I know I said I was going to explain my new fabric line, and I really am going to (soon!), but I got a little sidetracked with all this Granny business going around. 

To my knowledge, it all started with this amazing quilt made by Jolene over at Blue Elephant Stitches.  She always has the cutest quilts!  I decided I would make one for Ava, since I haven't made her a quilt yet.  I know....it's a shame since she just turned 3!  I love the traditional, timeless look of the Granny Squares, so I thought it would be a perfect choice for her.  And in red, pink, aqua and gray of course. ;)

So far I've made 6 and boy are they addicting!  

The combinations are endless, which makes it easy to want to do another...and another.... Plus, they are pretty simplistic in they layout because you only need two colors (i have 3 in some of mine) and you arrange the colors in a specific way.  One color for the outer squares and then a second color for the inner squares.  So, although there are alot of options on fabric and color combinations throughout the quilt, when it comes to each individual block, it's limited.  Not a lot of room for over analyzing everything....which is what I tend to do.

So, if you DON'T want to be addicted to something (else!)....

DON'T make a Granny!

And DON'T say I didn't warn you!

Tasha

be mine

When I started this pillow, again, I had a vision!  (I have lots of those!)  Sometimes my visions work out, and sometimes...not so much.  This time though, I think it worked out the way I wanted it to.  It was a little time consuming with the stitching and the patchwork ruffle (oh boy!), but I kept telling myself it would be worth it. 

I don't very often make totally over-the-top girly items, but I thought with this being for Valentine's Day, I was justified. 

The hearts are quilted to give them a little dimension, then I stitched the 'string' in between.

I hand wrote the "be mine" on paper, then traced it onto the fabric with a water soluable pen.

I dangerously eye-balled the stitching onto the pink striped fabric....

Then made my patchwork ruffle with 32 5" squares...

See! 

A ruffle takes time, especially a patchwork one, but I couldn't get that idea out of my head!  I very hesitantly got started because I knew I wouldn't be happy if I had settled for using just one fabric.  And I do like the effect.... 

Plus, who doesn't like a reason to use as many cute fabrics as possible in one project?!?!?!

I know I do!!

Happy Valentine's Day!!!

Tasha

P.S. I'm hoping to let out a little secret next week....I'd love it if you stop by!  ;)

little patchwork heart

So, I had the vision of a perfect little valentine patchwork heart pillow dancing in my head....

I loved making the patchwork....a classic that just always looks right.

What's better than pretty valentine colors....bursting with delicate, sweet florals?

Then I quilted the heart to make it sort of puffy-like.

And the stitching.....I always love me a good stitch.  It just made the heart pop...don't you think?

And then something terrible happened....

After I attached the heart to the white fabric, I cut it too small.  There went the pillow idea.  But I thought it still might work for a little mini.

So...I carried on binding my perfect little patchwork heart.

And then I hung it....

And then I took pictures....

And then I noticed it....

My little perfect patchwork heart had turned into my little wonky patchwork heart!

EEEEK!

How could this have happend?

The thought occured to me that I could take off the binding, try squaring it up, and then re-binding it, but I'm not sure it's in me.  I know someone who would!....if only she lived closer and I could bribe her into fixing my mini.  Wouldn't that be lovely?  :)

My daughter loves it, so I think I'll leave it at that and cross my fingers on my next WIP.

Meanwhile, I'll leave you with a better impression of my 'perfect little valentine patchwork heart'.

Wonky, what? 

Tasha

farming

This morning I woke up to a small episode of vertigo, (blah.) so I've been poking around the house today and thankfully I've been able to sew a little.  I had to be careful not to stand and lean over the table or tilt my head as I was cutting or I'd start to fall over!  I've had it much worse before, so I'm just happy it's not like that this time.  

I'm pretty badly behind on my Farmer's Wife blocks, but my stack is looking a little better now!  I have a whopping 18 now!  (woot!)

This round I decided to focus on just red and aqua.  I like how Krystine does that with her blocks....(decides on a couple of colors) ...it really helped me not get overwhelmed with fabrics and color choices.

I got some new fabrics from Kerri, which I love and made me want to sew!

Pretty huh?

For some reason I sew my blocks 3 at a time....?????????? It's like 2 isn't quite enough, but after 3 I need a break and I need to clean up the kitchen table....(that's where I sew).

This time I did Spiderweb, Friendship and Farmer's Daughter

 

SPIDERWEB {83}

 

FRIENDSHIP {39}

 

FARMER'S DAUGHTER {32}

Little story...

When I was sewing my Friendship block, I was confused as to why things weren't matching up!  I knew I had made a little error that I wasn't catching.  I called Kerri because I knew she had made this block before.  We talked for a few minutes about my block when I started listing off the template #'s ....and whatdoyaknow...one of them was the wrong template!!!  By accident I had cut out the wrong one, but wasn't noticing it on my own.  I knew I just needed somebody else to catch my mistake for me.  My point in telling you this is so that if you run into troubles with a block, double check if you've cut the correct pieces.  Some of them are very similar!  If possible, call or email a fellow wifer....it helps to talk through what you've done.  Remember, I made a silly mistake before and talking with another wifer really helped.   

Moral of the story....

it's not easy being a Farmer's Wife...

...But OHHH, SO WORTH IT! 

Tasha

stitching, stitching...

Now that I've got my sweet Christmas Angel all stitched, I just need to figure out what to do with her!  I loved going all red....so simple, yet makes a statement, don't you think?

I love the crisp, classic look of red and white, so I've collected up a few items that will help make her into a timeless treasure. 

I'm pretty sure what I'm doing, hopefully I'll get it done before Christmas!!

The other thing I've been working on in time for Christmas is a hexie pillow for Ava.

I know you've seen these before, but this time they are all stitched together!  It's been one of those very slow moving projects for me, so I'm happy to see it (literally) coming together.  Yay!  My inspiration to do this was from this darling pillow, so I've just kept that image in my mind to be able to get this done for Ava.  Don't you just love finding inspiration to keep you going?!  I do! 

Today I'm off for another busy day, so I better get moving!  :)

Tasha

getting fancy

Finishing up my Flea Market Fancy quilt is just about as....well....*fancy*...as things have been around here lately.  Just the usual for the most part.....work, getting kids to school, clean up, dinner, bedtime, laundry...those sorts of things. 

And grateful I am for the normal-ness life has in store right now.  But isn't so great when you can sneak in some time here and there to make something pretty? 

In addition to the Flea Market Fancy fabrics, I have added a few Katie Jump Rope and some other of my random favorites that I thought coordinated well....like the red and aqua stripes and polka dots.  (Of course.)  ;)

I do think I'm getting better at my stippling.....although I still mess up alot!  I won't point all those parts out to you.  ;)  I still really need to get those gloves!!!

For the backing I did a simple patchwork strip with my Posies.  Easy Peasy.

I like my gray binding!  It's Moda Bella Solid in Gray.  mmmm!

My kids (here's just one of them!) are surely enjoying it.

 

See, now isn't that just *fancy*!?!?!!

Tasha

pretty new dress

When I saw this beautiful fabric from Denyse Schmidt's newest line at Joann's, Sugar Creek, I knew it would make the prettiest dress for Ava and I had a coupon, so it was a done deal.  I started it right away, but then got stuck on what to use for my coordinating print and how to embellish the top.  I overwhelmed myself so much that I ended up putting it aside.  Last weekend we had a big family gathering, so the dress got finished up so she could have something cute to wear.  

I think it turned out adorable!  I bought the pattern off Etsy from Growing Up With Charissa. 

This morning Ava was amazingly willing to get dressed up again and let me take some pictures....so I moved quickly! 

This is about the best shot I got of the top of the dress, embellished with polka dot fabric, white ric-rac and pretty little buttons, which are Riley Blake and sold at Sew Deerly Loved on Etsy. 

Here's a few more I took:

     

I know....generally she looks pretty sweet and she acts all shy around other people.  And she does have her sweet moments.... 

But trust me, this girl is FULL. OF. IT!

C-ya!

Tasha

FMF progress

Earlier this week I had pulled out my Wild Thing quilt top to work on and I decided I wanted a different border fabric than what I had originally thought.  Which meant I needed to order and wait for the fabric.  I did however, have everything I needed to work on my Flea Market Fancy quilt!  On that particular day, I admit, I didn't feel like working on the backing for this one because of it's size, so I was lame-o and put it away.  (Do you ever do that?) 

Yesterday, I had a change of heart/mood/motivation/something and I got a lot done on it!  I ended up peicing a very simple patchwork strip for the backing and even had to peice some batting together for it, but I was in the mood, so I didn't mind.  (Funny how that works sometimes...)

Last night I started on the quilting, but had to stop...well was rather stopped, because I ran out of thread!  I was doing so well too!  I'm really not the best stippler, but I do enjoy it and I want to get better, so I keep at it.  I think I need those glove things. 

I'm using a couple of my bar chairs to be able to spread out the quilt while I stipple. 

It's a little larger lap quilt, so it'll take me some time, but I'm having fun seeing it come along.

I'm also having fun staring at my little charm pack of RUBY!  I don't know what I'll do with it yet, but it certainly won't be forgotten.

I've flipped through it so much, the paper is ripping and for some reason I can't just tear it off!!!!  ??? 

Mmmmmmm!

I really can't wait for some yardage!!  I NEEEED some scallops in every color!!!

Okay, well that's about all for today except for that I'm dreaming of Strawberry Whoppers.  I NEEEED those too!  Tonight.  For sure.  

C-ya!

Tasha