Cute Twin Bed Runners - 2012 Finishes

I had the opportunity to whip up these cute little bed runners for our twin grandsons for Christmas.

Caleb and Benjamin are 4 years old - they have these sweet little toddler beds that are low to the floor.

These sized down bed runners were a perfect addition to their "twin" bedroom.

The runners were simple to make -- I used fusible machine applique -- with machine blanket stitch and Stitch in the Ditch around the letters and a little straight line quilting here and there...

I started with a design called out in the book "Bed Runners Using Pre-cut Fabrics".


In typical fashion, I made a few modifications.

1.  Scaled pattern down to fit a toddler bed
2.  Added a fabric lining on the inside of the pocket using fusible fleece between the layers
3.  Added their names in applique
4. Did NOT use pre-cuts...

The side pockets are sweet -- large enough to fit a book or a stuffed animal... a little night light or whatever...

You can see the pocket here -- at the end of the runner.

Because I had to scale things back in size, I did not put the divider in the pocket.  It makes it a little more flimsy but will fit a larger book!!

Here is a peak at the back of the runners.  On the back of Ben's runner I added some green fabric and opposite on Caleb's.

They are twins - so they share more than each others color schemes.


Caleb loves Firemen !!

Benjamin

Two little sweeties after a day of sledding at our home last weekemd....  Love these little men who look just like their daddy and their grampa...

Caleb

 Thanks for stopping by all.

Hugs,

Karen

Folk Art Melody on Quilters Show and Tell

Hi everyone !!

Michele over at Quilting Gallery is hosting a "Quilters Show and Tell".   Thanks Michele!

This week the theme is "Favorite Quilt from 2012".

I entered "Folk Art Melody" into the show.  I started it in 2011 and finished it in 2012.
I believe it's the first time I've entered any work into a Contest or a Show and Tell.

Folk Art Melody - Design by Lori Smith - Taught by Debbie Wick - Hand Appliqued and Quilted by Karen Miller 2012

You can view and vote on your favorite quilts by clicking on this link!  Just scroll to the bottom of the post and check mark your favorite quilt.  There are many, many beauties there -- including several from folks that I admire!

More about Folk Art Melody:

This quilt is special to me... it began my love of  wool applique and grew my love of Free Motion Quilting.

A friend and fellow student encouraged me to quilt it myself, rather than sending it to a Long Arm Quilter (thanks Bonnie!)....

You can see the layers of wool used on this block.  The center was 4 layers thick!

This block was designed by me and my friend/instructor Debbie Wick. I love it!  Thanks Debbie...!

Each piece is cut by hand, and blanket stitched by hand.  Choosing Pearle Cotton or other floss to accent!

Again, if you have a minute, go look at the beautiful quilts and vote. There is much to admire.

Just review the pictures, scroll to the bottom of the page, and check mark up to 4 of your favorite quilts!

PS - Special thanks to my sisters -- Janet and Michele -- If it weren't for Janet I wouldn't be sewing, quilting or doing any FMQ at all.   I'm very blessed to have her.  As for my sister Michele, she is always encouraging and supporting me in everything I do.  I'm very lucky to have them in my life.

Thanks for stopping by today and special thanks to Michele at Quilting Gallery for hosting the Show & Tell.

Hugs,
Karen

Sparkly Little Purse with Flowers

Woohoo!   Just lovin' this "Sparkly Little Purse with Flowers" -- a special request birthday gift for our beautiful little grand daughter Angelina who turns 8 years old this week!

Approximate fussing time:  3 hours
Cost:  Cheap!  1/4 yard main satin, 1/4 yard lining satin, 1/8 yard lace, misc materials for flowers, 9" zipper

Silk Chiffon Flower Hand Bag

I started with a great tutorial by: SecretLifeofABioNerd 

BluGirl Hand Bag

She was inspired by this BluGirl Hand Bag
See that price?  Ouch!


The tutorial was very good -- but I did struggle with how to position the zipper when I stitched over it around the perimeter of the piece.

I revised things a bit by including a sewn-in wrist handle and leaving the opening to turn it right side out on the lining instead of the main piece (to do this you MUST leave the zipper open at least 1/2 way).

Now the question is -- add more flowers ?  or leave it alone ?

Thanks for the feedback!  Sew much fun!

To see my practice runs -- look here!

Hugs,
Karen

PS - Linking up to Esther's WIP Wednesday!   Check out the great posts there -- especially Jenny's Link!  WOW!

Linking up to Connie's Linky Party Tuesday (A bit lat)....

Posting here too! 

Woohoo Wool Baskets & More Lessons Learned

Don't you LOVE to celebrate when you finish one of your favorite pieces?

The pattern is "Flower Basket"  By Wooden Spool Designs.  

I hate to say how long ago I started this little gem {wink}.

My sister Janet and I took this class together -- our instructor is a friend and mentor, Debbie Wick.   
See a sampling of Debbie's beautiful work here.

Needless to say, Janet finished her piece MONTHS ago.  But I seem to be a bit slower than the average bear.

Working with wool is SO MUCH FUN !! It works up fast and easy.  There is no turning of edges.

Just trace your pattern on freezer paper, iron onto the wool piece, cut it on the line, and blanket (or overcast) stitch it to the backing.

It's really that easy !!  {and so much fun to choose from all the beautiful hand dyed wools that are available}.

On this piece, I did all the handwork, and the quilting (on my DSM).

A few Lessons Learned:

1.  Using a flannel sashing was probably NOT the best thing to do.  It gives more than cotton fabric and made it a bit of a challenge to piece with the wool blocks.

2.  When quilting, be sure to outline stitch the blocks first... to secure the blocks before doing any other stitching.  (Especially important if your sashing is flannel and it  s-t-r-e-c-h-e-s)

3.  Once that outline stitch is done -- get the sashing stitched.  In this piece, I did the outline and echo quilting around the baskets first.  I saved the sashing for last...ouch -- I have alot of folds in the quilting of my sashing. 

4.  Plan, Plan, Plan before you Quilt -- I sketched several ideas for my the quilting on the sashing -- and didn't really like any of them -- I went ahead and just started quilting.   Boooo !!   Next time I will sketch a design on paper before I quilt.  The design wasn't consistent from sash to sash -- and sides and top even more different. 

I still love it and I had a blast making it...

If you haven't tried wool applique -- you really should.

Thanks for stopping by.

Linking up to Ester's Blog, Applique Thursday with Angie and Freshly Pieced.

Hugs,

Karen

Skirts for Squirts !

Nothing better than stitching up some sweet & simple skirts for the grand daughters.    I purchased this fabric months ago for $3.00 per yard at a local QS -- the girls just loved it.   Emily (14) choose the ruffled skirt and Jenna (almost 10) and Angie (almost 8) choose the flat accent pieces.   They whipped up really fast.    Aren't they darling ?

Special thanks to Jamie at Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom for her great Simple Skirt Tutorial

Cheers!

Karen

Charity Table Runner

I just LOVE this table runner pattern "Pickety Sticks" -- by Heather Mulder Peterson (Anka's Treasures - On a Roll Again) -- when I need something quick, fun and simple I turn to this pattern  (and cut out the scalloped edges -- I still struggle with them ; )

(do you love baby quilts -- modern ones ??  see Heather's Blog today  -- oh my)

 

  I quilted it on my Janome Horizon - I like to believe that I get better with each new project {wink}.

 

The runner was made for our son and daughter in law to donate to the church charity "Rama" this weekend.  I made a special little dated label for the back (darn -- no picture).    I hope it will bring in a few dollars in their live or silent auction.   

  I "cheated" a bit on the double fold binding -- sewing it by machine to the back of the runner and then using a machine decorative stitch w/ varigated thread to secure it to the front -- takes the hand sewing out of the picture but still looks pretty.

If you haven't tried this pattern (Pickety Sticks Table Runner) you really should -- fun fun.    

It even looked pretty with my deck flowers -- love those colors !

A May Finish -- fast and fun too !

Thanks for stopping by...
Hugs --

Karen

PS. Linking up to Connie's Linky Party Tuesday (see sidebar) -- some beautiful things there -- stop by and see.

When you cut it into a Lemon.....

Gramma was "helping"
A surprise -- taking the pieced and layered materials that Emily picked out for this handbag...

Completing the quilting, cutting, sewing and handles -- so she could receive her handbag for her Birthday -- well sew much for that !!

You are suppose to cut the 3 inch angled pieces from top to bottom, narrowing the bottom to make the nice handbag...  

Dang...  I'm not allowed to measure and cut anymore after 10pm on a Saturday night. (sad).
 
 So the "handbag" turned into a Drawstring Bag -- and still made a birthday appearance !!

When you cut it into a Lemon -- make a Pie !!

Hugs, 

Karen 

PS - Linking up to Connie's Linky Party Tuesday -- check out all the beautiful things there !! 

Sew worth it !!

Batman bags -- fabric flowers --  ruffle totes - -
Oh My !!

Easter was so much fun !!

Emily loved her fabric flower pillow (it matches the quilt she made) and Lucas could not stop smiling about his Batman bag.  You can fit a lot of Easter Eggs in that bag gramma !!  

Jenna and Angelina loved their ruffle totes too !!

It was a special day.   Always nice to see those smiles !

Hope you had a special day too !!

Thanks for stopping by,

Karen

Sewin on Sunday ! No Foolin !

Can you believe Easter is 1 week away !  Oh I have soo many cute things that I would like to make for our grandchildren.   One is this adorable little "No Sew Ruffle Tote" from Jamie over at Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom !  She does wonderful tutorials and shares adorable patterns for your little ones.  If you're not already a follower -- you should check out the wonderful things there !

Above is my "mini" version of the No Sew Ruffle Tote.  I actually made two this evening - One for Angelina and one for Jenna (and I'm still considering making one for Emily too)...    Jamie's tutorial is just perfect -- check it out !  

My finished bag was considerably smaller than the bag that Jamie made.  I bought the canvas bags for 1/2 price at our Local Christmas Tree Shoppe -- the small bags were only $1 -- what a bargain !!   I chose the girls favorite colors and choose fabric from my stash for the ruffles. I used the OLFA Pinking Rotary Blade (pricey but worth it).   I followed the Ruffle Tutorial from "Ruffles And Stuff" blog - except I only stitched one line of straight stitch with my machine (instead of two).   

Believe it or not, I used the Hot Glue Gun to create the bag (rather than sewing).  Some of the seams on the canvas bag I bought were much to thick to stitch through -- I had fun playing with my Glue Gun -- that hadn't seen the light of day in years !!

Also, instead of using ribbon to trim the top of the bag, I made a finish piece from the fabric stash.  I cut a 3 inch wide strip of fabric, ironed in half wrong sides together, then opened up the fabric and ironed each 1/2 side toward the center.  I used my machine to top stitch the trim (and don't forget to put your tension back to normal before you attempt this -- I forgot once... oh well, the tension on that top stitching is a little crazy. 

Here is a picture of both of the bags I made this evening!  I just love them.  



Oh, before I go, I was out yesterday with my daughter-in-law/friend and our youngest DGS Ethan -- we tried on some funny bunny ears at the store -- isn't he just the cutiest little boy ?  He is 15 months now and such a joy to be around! 

Have a great week everyone -- and thanks for stopping by !

Hugs,

Karen

National Quilt Day Finish

A Tiny Little finish {wink} -- not much time to sew this weekend -- but I wanted to finish something -- it was National Quilt Day for goodness sake (and somehow I found time to go to a LQS that had 25% OFF !!)

So I raided my stash, choose this beautiful little ditty by April Cornell for Moda, "Natures Chorus", added a border, a binding (cheated a little and used a decorative stitch to complete the binding) -- a little free motion quilting -- and I tucked this little gem into our daughter Julie's car after our St. Patty's Day Celebration !!

Not bad for some quick Sewing on Saturday !!...  Anything to practice my FMQ - still learning the best threads and tension on my new machine !!

Hope ya'll had a lovely weekend !!
Thanks for stopping by.

{hugs},

Karen