crafting for a better 2021 - lesmel - part 2

Woot! I actually made it to a "part 2" in a single year! Now the pressure is on to make at least another 150 posts to continue into next year.

The good thing is that congratulations are in order for all that work!

>265 I love those. Will you "fix" the pocket? I would be tempted to leave it alone for the sake of individuality. But my mother did very little garment sewing, and was famous for little girl dresses with crooked pockets. We decided to make it a thing to celebrate!

>3 sallypursell: I left them as is. What's the point of handmade if it looks commercially produced (that's my story and I'm sticking to it 🤣)?

>1 lesmel: Congrats on the new thread! :-)

I have lost my sewjo. I'd blame it on the heat, but I haven't worked on anything quilty in probably two months. I had hoped the aprons would be just the thing to jump start me; but I still have the final double slice quilt sitting on my table not finishing itself.

I think I will be a mean taskmaster for myself this week and insist on at least SOME work on the double slice. If I can get in the groove again, I can probably stay consistent if slower. Which is fine. It will also encourage me to listen to more books rather than trying to cram read in 24 hours.

Also, I have a box of mystery fabric coming sometime soon. I can't just let that sit there doing nothing. HA!

>6 lesmel: Sorry to hear you have lost your 'sewjo'. This happens. There is no shame in setting aside a project for a while (or even years, as I have done).

Your box of mystery fabric might indeed inspire you to put together an interim project and you can return to the other at another time?

I am a TERRIBLE taskmaster. I have done one thing on the remaining double slice quilt -- made the second cuts. HOWEVER, I feel the juices starting to move...sluggishly, but moving.

Mystery fabric arrived! It's an interesting mix of prints and lengths. I've got one piece that is like...8" wide and the largest looks to be maybe a full yard.

My haul:








Some of the pics are blurry because they are screenshots from a video I made for a friend.

>8 lesmel: Nice! I really like the honey one and the ones with heartbeats and hearts.

So - mystery? You didn't pick them out? Or you forgot what you ordered? (Been there.)

>10 dudes22: I did not pick them! It's an "end of bolt box" from MSQC. You get what you get.

That mystery fabric collection is very inspiring! I would be super tempted by it but I already have several tubs of mystery fabric in the shed...

>11 lesmel: - AAH! I'll have to check that out.

>8 lesmel: That surely is a mix of fabric! It will be interesting to see what you do with it all!

>8 lesmel: Nice assortment.

I love your mystery fabrics. I can see where you could get lots of use out of those, and that would be fun, too.

What's MSQC?

>16 sallypursell: MSQC = Missouri Star Quilt Company

Oh, thanks. I went there, but couldn't figure out how to order a mystery box. What do I need to know?

>18 sallypursell: The end of bolt box is out of stock right now: https://www.missouriquiltco.com/shop/detail/118826/missouri-star-quilt-co/missou.... I'd guess since they have reopened to the public, the box goes out of stock more often!

>19 lesmel: Thanks! I'll keep an eye out for that.

I've been meaning to post this...



I saw it at a Half Price Books while I was hunting down Sift Magazine. I went to every HPB in the metro area (there are seven). Only two had really great magazine collections.

P.S. If you run across ANY Sift Magazine from King Arthur Flour/Baking, I will gladly pay you for them and shipping. KAF/B stopped publishing the mag in 2019 -- just as I discovered it! I bought all the back issues I could from their website. I've tried back issue sellers, etsy, ebay, amazon, and used book stores. Personally, I'm looking for issues 1, 2, 8 & 9; but Mom is looking for any of them, as well. Heh.

>21 lesmel: - I hadn't realized that they weren't publishing it any more. I never bought any as I thought the price was rather high for a magazine. We don't have any Half Price Book Stores here, but I'll keep a look out at any yard sales or book sales I see.

>22 dudes22: I think of Sift as a mini cookbook. They published only 4 issues a year. $48 a cookbook isn't that expensive considering the quality of the printing and the expertise behind it. Would I want to subscribe forever at $12/issue? No. So it's probably good they stopped publishing. lol

I fell off the crafting wagon; but I'm pulling myself from under the wheels...

Third and final (for now) Double Slice quilt is on the wall for percolation...





Other than Row 1 Column 4 or 6, I think I'm happy with this layout. I'll probably swap R1,C6 and R7,C1.

Oh, I love those prints!!

That's great looking and a great distribution of fabric. I'm really not that great at putting prints together. I think it's my type "A". If I want to mix prints, I usually buy ones in the same collection.

>25 scaifea: Pots and Posies, I think.

>26 dudes22: This is why I love 10" stackers/layer cakes. They are all the same collection

>27 lesmel: - I wouldn't have expected that! What a great collection. I use 10" layers too.

>24 lesmel: Glad you crawled back on to the wagon!

Top is 2/3 done! I am away this week. I'll get a pic and post once I get the borders on. Then it will be time to find the long arm quilters.

>30 lesmel: Looking forward to it!

I've just discovered an artist on Instagram that I love. Two miniatures I love love love:

https://www.instagram.com/p/CQW6WEjBDu5

https://www.instagram.com/p/CQHdi3PB6Dn

>32 lesmel: Oh, those are super sweet. Very clever way to integrate the sewing machine!

>32 lesmel: - Very cool.

>32 lesmel: Ha! Those are so cool!

Finally! 3rd double slice is done.



There was a crisis moment (who am I kidding, this entire backing has been one giant crisis) when I realized I was going to be really short and would have to stick with straight seams instead of diagonal seams to make the outer border. You can see there's a tiny gap -- about 1.5" in the lower right and the upper left (now with free photo bombing cat):



Overall, I think the backing turned out fine:

It's so busy that I bet you can hardly notice it. I always wonder how you make sure that the front is centered with the back so it doesn't look wonky once it's sewn together. Do you try to line up a seam from the front to one on the back?

>37 dudes22: I know how I would do it if I were quilting -- I'd lay the backing down, tape it down on the edges, mark the inner corners of the outer border with long strips of tape, lay the batting, spray baste except the corners with the tape, lay the top, mark the inner corners of the border with strip strips of tape, align the strips of tape as best as possible, spray baste, remove the tape from the corners, spray baste the corners. No guarantee any of that would work, though. lol

Since this is one of the test quilts for long arm service, I hope they know what they are doing! Heh

The way I pieced the back, I think I'm going to lose most of the yellow border once it is quilted.

Already started in on another top. I have it about half cut/pieced because I'd had most of it from Dad's quilt.

I'm a little stuck at the moment b/c I don't have enough grey/black fabric to make 8 more HSTs. I have a plan, I just need to pick my third (and maybe a 4th) color.

Now I'm irritated because I found 2 HSTs on my work table and barely enough black/grey to make 4 more HST. That leaves me 2 short for the design I initially wanted. *grunts* I will stick to my alternate design and use the two spare HSTs on the backing. I'm not sure it's worth cutting 4 more HSTs for the backing.

New design time!

Hearts? Nope. Still a problem with the number of HSTs AND not enough for background black/grey squares. If I had enough of everything, I'd probably put the hearts tip to tip instead of stacked like below.



The winner: modernish star! It needed 2 more HSTs which I could easily make with my scraps.



Now to decide on the center and corners.

Options:
A modern color pop in the center and the same color as a thin border while the corner rectangles would be the white with silver foil.

Still modern, but white with silver foil in the center, color pop in the corner rectangles, thin black border.

Color pop in the center, color pop squares closest to the black/grey lines with white with silver foil squares in the corners, undecided thin border.

I think at this moment, my brain is too tired to decide. I might need to play with the design app on my ipad tomorrow before I commit.

Suggestions?

I vote for option one. I was looking at the picture thinking about a pop of color in the center before I scrolled down to see all your options under the picture.

Ok, the color doesn't pop as much as I thought it would; but I like it.



I'm thinking a tiny (1 inch) stop border in the blue and then (if I have enough) a 3-inch border in the white/silver or possibly black with glitter. I'm not sure one inch would have enough impact, though. Or, I could just do the binding in the blue and that would function as my stop border in a way. If I were feeling fancy, I could maybe do a flange in blue with the binding. That is tempting; but do I feel fancy? lol

>42 lesmel: I like that, it looks to me like someone’s taking a photo of the night sky. With the black bits as a stylised shutter kind of thing.

So many decisions. I like a tiny border and then the binding too. I don't think it will be too much.

ETA: Although, if you don't put in a tiny border, it might look like it was floating.

I love that design with the blue in the middle, and I agree there is a certain galaxy vibe there!

>36 lesmel: *Love* this!!

>42 lesmel: I kind of love that blue in the middle, too. I do think it pops, in fact.

>36 lesmel: Catching up here. That turned out great and I love the backing. It plays games with one's eyes!

>42 lesmel: I like the blue in the middle like that. It may not pop but it does draw attention to itself.

The HST Star quilt is done! Actually, I had it done on Saturday; but I've been fight with another quilt top since and have been too tired to post anything.



The cat is already trying to claim it...


I do need to add a little more quilting; but that will be (oddly) easy enough to do. I did add a flange and let me tell you that thing was Fussy. It was a neat skill to try. It gave me some ideas for improving how to add a flange.



It took me half of Saturday and most of today to figure out a design for the next quilt. It's also HST, in green and green, blue and white. The trouble was the amount of fabric I had (or specifically DID NOT have). I've had to frankenstein several HSTs for this quilt. I started off with 8 HST. I needed 25. I was pretty sure I could get another 8 without a problem. It's been incredibly frustrating because I'm forcing myself to stick with my stash. My stash is project based. I have a lot of weird non-matching fabrics from previous projects or projects-to-be. Only recently have I been adding non-project fabrics to my stash.

Thinking projects, my mother asked me for a complete list of my quilt projects. If I count the quilted purses, I've made 69 quilted projects. I've been sewing on and off since 1996; but consistently since 2006. I have photos of nearly everything I've made, know who the projects went to (for the most part), and when I finished them. I wouldn't know most of this without Flickr.

>48 lesmel: Well done, it looks great! And since kitty has claimed it the quality must be superb.

I love the quilting pattern you did with the blank spaces between narrow rows. It's a technique I want to try on a quilt (I forget which one).

ETA: About how big is this?

Oh, that turned out great! And I love the quilting stitches, too!

That turned out fabulous!

Re: lists of projects: I had to switch over to a spreadsheet a couple of years ago.

>50 dudes22: It's 40ish x 40ish. The quilting pattern appealed. Mostly, I'm a lazy quilter. I'll do the absolute minimum to make sure a quilt isn't going to come apart. I'm trying to make that more intentional with better creativity. Why fight my instinct if I can integrate it into my overall design?

>53 lesmel: - The actual quilting is the part I like the least so I'm always looking for great patterns with straight lines that I feel more comfortable doing.

The green HST quilt is sandwiched and awaiting quilting. It'd be great if someone would hop right on that for me. 🤣



My butt is sore. From quilt yoga earlier in the week and quilt yoga again today, I'm probably going to be hissing every time I sit for a day or two.

I'm not sure how but I have nicks from my rotary blade on my left hand in two places. I'm a rightie; leftie nicks are pretty common, I just usually know when I've sliced myself with the Blade of Dying.

I've posted my written projects list before. Well, I had to re-write it after spilling water all over my book. The list was a Mogwai, clearly, because I went from nine projects to 23. Thankfully, I didn't feed it after midnight!! Heh.

I have to decide what is next. Probably the quilt for my friend that had her quilt stolen. I have all the fabric for it, I think. Also, the pattern is fairly easy if I remember correctly.

I haven't put it on my list yet; but I'm thinking about a coin quilt made from my scraps. Working from my scraps and stash has been interesting because so much just doesn't go with anything else.

We talked about Morse Code, right? Well, someone on IG must have been listening. They created a quilt pattern called "Dot + Dash." Granted the pattern isn't Morse Code; but, honestly that's just eerie. And now I REALLY want to make a Morse Code quilt. Did you know there's a book specific to these quilts?!

Ok. I have to go shower and maybe soak before I buy fabric or quilt books.

The Green HST is complete!



The backing in no way matches the front and I'm okay with that!

>56 lesmel: I like that one! I’m always fond of the very simple patterns, so this is just up my alley. And the colour combined with the design makes me think of a springtime forest. (With the sky on the back!)

Wow! That was quick. I never worry about the back matching the front. I'm more worried that the binding looks ok from both sides.

>56 lesmel: That's nice!

When you look at this, what do you see?

I see one of those fighter jet things. Or like Star Wars fighter planes.

I see the state of Ohio. Maybe that is just because of where I live. :P

Ok, when you see this one....

okay, now I am thinking cat head. I feel I am taking (and maybe failing! :) ) a Rorschach test here.

>64 al.vick: quilt blots test!

I am, in fact, working on a cat face/head quilt. the TTU and polka dot fabrics were my test blocks. I noticed while I was doing the test blocks that the really busy TTU fabric was making it really hard to "rest". Adding sashing (and a little distance) definitely helps:



I'm pretty sure my test blocks will end up a wall hanging or a pillow.

looks nice!

>65 lesmel: I was just about to say it looks like a cat or (even more because of the colour) a fox. It’s more obvious when you have a row of them than when it’s one and one.

And I was going to say it looks like kid's superhero underwear (the TTU fabric)- what does the Rorschach test say about that? But when they're in a row, I can see the head shape.

>68 dudes22: Well, TTU's mascot is Raider Red and the Masked Rider...soooooooo, kind of a super hero.

More quilty book treasure hunting! All library loans:

Cats On Quilts
One-Block Wonders: One Fabric, One Shape, One-Of-A-Kind Quilts
Magic Stack-N-Whack Quilts
Kaffe Fassett's Quilts in Italy: 20 Designs from Rowan for Patchwork and Quilting
Texas Quilts and Quilters: A Lone Star Legacy
Victoria Findlay Wolfe's Playing with Purpose: A Quilt Retrospective
Beautiful Foundation-Pieced Quilt Blocks
Create Your Family Quilt: Using State Blocks and Symbols
Simple Contemporary Quilts: Bold New Designs for the First-Time Quilter
Bold Blooms: Quilts and Other Works Celebrating Flowers
Sew Retro: 25 Vintage-Inspired Projects for the Modern Girl & A Stylish History of the Sewing Revolution
Free-Motion Meandering: A Beginners Guide to Machine Quilting
Guide to Machine Quilting, Gaudynski
40 Bright & Bold Paper-Pieced Blocks: 12-Inch Designs
Quick & Easy Machine Quilts: 25 Modern Heirlooms for the Home
Two-Color Quilts (Better Homes and Gardens)

>70 lesmel: Now that’s a library haul! Wow

I really like the look of Sew Retro - I’d like to get my hands on something like that.

>71 PawsforThought: It's an interesting book -- there are some cute projects; but I'm annoyed that the author didn't include a bibliography or endnotes or footnotes. Anything to include citations.

I have Sew Retro on my shelves, but haven't done much with it. One of these days...

I was writing a post last night, forgot about it, closed all my windows, and then halfway through my day today remembered I was in the middle of a post. My brain sometimes. I'm not sure which is funnier, that I didn't remember the post earlier or that I remembered it much, much later.

So, my post. I'm *gasps* working on two projects at the moment. The are physically on my table AT THE SAME TIME. Hell has frozen over or something.

Project #1 is the cat face quilt. I have all the block bits cut. I need to mark the squares and then piece them all. I am still dithering about the width of the sashing. I don't want this quilt to be huge, huge; but I do need the blocks to be distinct.

Project #2 is a cat carrier cover. I've never done something like this. It's an interesting lesson for me. The carrier is 11" at the widest part, 19" long, and has 6" sides that I want to cover or fold back. I don't plan on covering the front of the carrier at all...only the top. I also don't plan on making a hole for the handle. This is just a cover for when my cat wants to sleep in the carrier or perch on it.

Since I want the sides to be foldable, I need to make distinct flaps instead of one large piece that just flops around. This is making me have to remember how I made grocery totes with boxed bottoms.

I had plans to work on project #2 tonight; but my brain is a little fried from work. Instead, I think I'm going to read quilting magazines and watch some trash TV (who am I kidding, the only trash TV I watch is Dirty Jobs or Breaking Bobby Bones. 🤣)

>74 lesmel: Brains are weird.

Not quite sure I’m understanding the cat carrier cover exactly, but I’m reminded of a sewing machine cover I saw at the end of last year and haven’t stopped thinking about since. (It’s quilted!) It’s made of a large piece that covers the long sides and the top and two smaller pieces covering each short end.

>75 PawsforThought: The carrier is like this:



The cover is in this style:



Only, I don't want to cover the complete carrier or the door, just the light upper part.

>76 lesmel: I have that carrier in a different colour (and with a very convenient extra "pocket" on top where we store treats).
That style is more light-weight than what I imagined but probably makes more sense.

>74 lesmel:, >76 lesmel: I am looking forward seeing how this comes together. I admire your ability to design something like this (vs. making something from a pattern).

Interesting project. I think if you have panels on the sides like it shows, you could roll them back and use velcro to hold them open.

>56 lesmel: Very lovely!

>65 lesmel: Interesting cat project! (I'm wondering what I would have said if I saw in the block before you said it was a cat head...and I don't have a clue what would have popped into my mind!

ARGH! I messed up. I had the project turned 90 degrees from what I should have, cut two strips off and then realized my mistake. I can fix this; it's just annoying. The only reason I didn't notice is because the piece was almost exactly square. Also, good news! The cat is not going to care! 🤣🤣🤣

HA! Making a mistake means I was able to figure out a better way to make the back flap.





Now I have to figure out the other side of the cover.

Lookin' good! And so colorful!

Very nice!

That looks great so far! Also, I love it when mistakes lead to better solutions!

>85 scaifea: I'm with Amber. And it does look great!

The carrier cover is nearly done. I've ignored it for a week because I'm at the binding stage. I hate binding to start with and this thing has TWO inside corners. Still, I've found that if I promise myself a cup of coffee after each couple stages in binding, I'm motivated to get the thing done.

Right now, I'm savoring my reward for piecing the binding (yesterday), pressing the binding (yesterday), sewing it to the back & clipping (wonder clips are awesome) it in prep for the final sewing.

I'm also in the process of making purple hull peas & ham AND ginger syrup. Let's not doing anything by halves, Lesli. I also need to read the rest of my bookclub book (Redhead by the Side of the Road). I'm dreading that. I'm already not a big fan of the story so far. The silver lining here is the book is short. It's not that the book is terrible; it's just not terribly interesting.

In other news, I'm trying really hard not to buy anything crafty until the new year. Family always wants to know what to buy me at Xmas. Crafty things are a guaranteed winner. Plus, I never want much...well, that's not true. There's a ton I want; but I don't want others to buy it for me.

Also, I have a huge pile of fabric ear marked for projects. I need to knock down some of my project list before I start purchasing things I don't have space for.

I'm hoping these next three months will also be plenty of time to figure out crafty gifts for the fam. I'm aiming for pillows or maybe some sort of framed block for everyone.

If you have any kids of the right age that you're making gifts for, I made a bunch of reading pillows last year. Basically a 16" envelope pillow with an extra pocket in the front and a handle so they can drag it to grandma's or just around the house and lay on it and read/look at pictures. Or maybe, sets of pillowcases?

Cover is done! I may add a little extra quilting to make the sides fold better; but I'm waiting until it's been in use a few weeks to see how the cover will or won't drape. I'll probably wish I'd constructed this just a little bit differently; but I don't think Her Royal Highness cares.





Bonus, it fits in the carrier in such a way that I can use it for a trips to the dreaded Palace of Stinky Evil People with Grabby Hands and Pokey Things.

Her royal highness will be traveling in style!

Very nice, I like the fabrics!

I'm ignoring my projects again. I might get maybe one more quilt top done for the month. After that, if I'm doing Craftmas, I need to get cracking. I have an idea to try the heat-n-bond vinyl with the candy bags turned zippered pouches -- these if my description is vague: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=npFmoHTsqa8&ab_channel=MissouriStarQuiltComp...

>92 lesmel: Oh, those look very cool! I may have to try them, too...

Those do look cool.

>92 lesmel: That does look very fun. Very similar in style to the coffee package handbags that used to be sold in one of the chain shops here. I think they were made by women in poorer parts of Africa as part of a scheme to get women to make an income of their own.
And that iron on vinyl is the same thing as cheap book cover vinyl! I recognise it from my library days.

I also meant to say that there was a lady at the farmers market that made tote bags from animal food bags (so they were fairly large). I bought a couple for grocery shopping. I need to go check and see if it looks like that vinyl on them.

You'll have to go here to see all the craft books I've browsed in the last few months: https://www.librarything.com/topic/328179

I went a little crazy. Borrowed every title on Overdrive from two of my four library systems -- the other two systems didn't have anything or it's from the system I'm currently inactive (I need to fix that sometime soon).

A few titles that stand out:

The Quilt Block Cookbook: 50 Block Recipes, 7 Sampler Quilts, Endless Possibilities
I want this book. It's loooooovely.

Shizuko Kuroha's Japanese Patchwork Quilting Patterns
The detail and artistry are just amazing.

Amish Circle Quilt
This is really weird. I get this squidgy fiction/not-fiction vibe off this craft book. I cannot imagine any Amish woman handing over letters to an outsider let alone handing over letters to an outside to publish. I'm left feeling really uncomfortable about this craft book. The patterns are interesting; but the premise is...off-putting.

Morse Code Quilts: Material Messages for Loved Ones
I borrowed this specifically because I plan on putting a coded message on at least one quilt. I wanted the technique the author used more than I wanted her projects.

Modern Memory Quilts: A Handbook for Capturing Meaningful Moments, 12 Projects + the Stories That Inspired Them
I'm tempted by this. The process and the questions are of more interest to me than the actual projects highlighted.

Beyond the Block: Modern Patchwork Projects Inspired by Log Cabin Blocks
Ooooh, I am really tempted by this book. In fact, I'm almost positive I will put in on my Xmas wishlist this year.

The Kansas City Star Quilts Sampler: 60+ Blocks from 1928-1961, Historical Profiles by Barbara Brackman
This is also very tempting. I want to know more about this segment of the history of quilt making. I looked up some of the patterns in the digitized edition of the Kansas City Star. I'm always fascinated by the social register/social columns of smaller newspapers. I want to know more about the people that wrote in looking to connect with someone.

Use Scraps, Sew Blocks, Make 100 Quilts: 100 stash-busting scrap quilts
I am not a scrappy piecer. I'm never going to be a scrappy piecer. That's partly why I have ridiculous collections of scraps that aren't ever going to amount to much unless I force myself to do something with what I've got.

3-Fabric Quilts: Quick Techniques for Simple Projects
Oooooooh, I like the -- simplicity isn't really the right word; but I can't put my finger on the exact one that works. The technique of 3-color quilts is appealing.

Enjoyed reading your list above and your comments.I bought my last quilting book in 2011...

I have had a fair number of quilt books over the years, but none have been more important than two block pattern "books/encyclopedias". The first was Maggie Malone's 1982 1001 Patchwork Designs, bought new at a time when I didn't really have the money to do so. And it was more or less replaced with Jinny Beyer's 2009 The Quilter's Album of Patchwork Patterns: 4050 Pieced Blocks for Quilters. Both were worth every penny. Although I haven't done it recently, I have loved to browse the Beyer book and dream of possibilities....

Still no crafting. I didn't finish my friends quilt top. I could if I made a little effort. I don't feel like making effort. lol

I can't remember if I talked about it -- back in Summer I bought Jenny's Countdown to Christmas box. I figured one time would be fun to see what all came in the box. The box showed up in OCTOBER. Nothing like a little holiday torture.





So, I present to you the Christmas Countdown according to Jenny Doan!

Day 1 - Chuck the Duck snow globe!



Chuck can join my small collection of snow globes and weird combination of knick-knacks.

Day 2 - Charm Pack: Songbook



This collection is really pretty and who doesn't want more fabric?!?

Day 3 - Buttoned Up Charm Pillow Kit



I'm not sure about this. I'll probably use some of the charm pack to make the pillow. If I had any motivation, I could make a couple of these for my cousin's Xmas present.

Day 4 - Universal needles and needle threader



I am very excited about this needle threader. My Bernina has a threader; but Mom's doesn't.

Day 5 - MSQC tumbler



Already using this for my coffee. Heh

Day 6 - table runner, cookie cutter, and recipe



This cracks me up because I've been trying to learn how to decorate cookies with royal icing.

Day 7 - quilt labels and fabric markers



I'm not much for labeling my quilts; but I should probably make some effort to do it.

Day 8 - goat milk soap (unscented)



One of the few things I like that comes from goat milk. lol

Day 9 - embroidery scissors



Can one ever have too many scissors?

Day 10 - Pom Pom Tag kit



This had me really confused until I realized the Jenny cut out was the thing you use to make the pom poms. That's hilarious and clever.

Day 11 - Strap key fob kit



I may break my crafting ennui with this. Very tempted to try making these. I don't have fusible fleece; but I could make do with some fleece or thin batting and stitch witchery.

>99 lesmel: Nothing like a little holiday torture

Ha! That reminds me of the time one of my best friends gave me a birthday present in early July and told me not to open until the day of. My birthday is in October.

Looks like you got a nice spread of things, both purely fun stuff and utility things. I love the colours on the tumbler and the goat’s milk soap sounds interesting (I also am not a big fan of goat’s milk otherwise but soap could be good).

That's an interesting group of items. I'm going to try some cookies with royal icing this year.

Seems like a fun gift to yourself! I know someone I could have picked that up for ... maybe next year.

Wow what a great way to treat yourself. And I'm guessing you still have 14 days to go right? I love it.

>111 PawsforThought: That's just cruel and unusual!

>112 dudes22: Royal icing is harder to work with than I thought, mostly because of consistency and speed of decorating! If you haven't used it before, I recommend having toothpicks or similar on hand to smooth any flooding you do.

>113 avaland: There are a lot of countdown boxes out there! The MSQC one is purchased in two installments. If you are on instagram (or are willing to hunt a little) there are a few other boxes that look neat. https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/stitchsupplyadventcalendar/ is one I have been watching this year.

>114 lauralkeet: Yep. 14 more days. How is that even possible?!?

Day 12 - Semi-permanent fusible powder and shaker



I've never even HEARD of fusible powder let alone used it or seen it used! Anyone?

Day 13 - mystery novel and bookmarks



This cracks me up to no end because I'm 100% the wrong demographic for both of these things. I don't like cozy mysteries and I never use "real" bookmarks. Title: A Body in Redwork

Day 14 - Lemon Star Mini Quilt (LeMoyne Star)



I was ridiculously excited about this one. I want to make it for my mom for Xmas. Small problem, the instructions expect you to use a special ruler...that isn't included, of course. So, now, I'm madly trying to figure out the appropriate way to make HST from strip piecing to match the size and leave me with enough for the project. Greaaaaat.

If anyone has instructions an making 2.5" HST using strip piecing, I would be grateful.

Day 15 - Kitchen towel

Day 16 - Thread cutter pendant



Not sure how much I would use this. My machine has a thread cutter and scissors just seem easier.

>118 lesmel: - This web site has a bunch of ways to make HSTs in various sizes:

https://thesewingloftblog.com/half-square-triangles-quilting-basics/

>121 dudes22: Thanks for that!

I finally grew a brain and searched for HST using jelly rolls and hit pay dirt. All I have left to do is bind the mini quilt and I'm good to go!

I am pretty pumped about how good the points look!! Personally, I'm not thrilled with the ombre jelly roll strips for this quilt; but it's not mine. I will say it makes it super easy to make the quilt look like there are four fabrics in there when it's just two.

Nice - those are great points. I try to avoid patterns that have all those points in the center.

>122 lesmel: That looks very nice and sharp. It actually looks (to me, anyway) like there are six colours (three shade of purple and three turquoise). Lighter ones in the middle and the darker ones on the outside.

>122 lesmel: ooh, that looks really nice. Those HSTs look really challenging, at least from my non-quilter POV.

Craftmas #1 done!



I'm really pleased by this little pattern. I'd be willing to make this again and again with various colors.

My next craftmas project, if I have time, is 5 key fobs. That's from Day 11 @ >110 lesmel:. The project looks dead simple. It calls for three 5" squares and fusible fleece; but I'm going to use either one or two fabrics and thin batting, instead.

Day 17 - thread and pincushion pattern

>126 lesmel: Fabulous points.

>120 lesmel: Could you put it on a chain and wear it?
I had never heard of this box, and love watching your 'reveal'. Some great treats in there!

>128 SassyLassy: Yep. That's exactly how that cutter is supposed to work. You can wear it on a chain, mount it on the thread reel, or just keep it handy. Maybe I could keep it in my purse for those odd threads that come loose at the most inconvenient times?

126 - I really like the ombre in the binding.

>116 lesmel: OH!! I just watched a video on Free Fuse! Now I want to try it. It's an alternate to spray basting. Yes. Yes, I need to try this product! Maybe for a mini quilt or pet quilt.

Fobs are done! Woot!! That's craftmas #2 - #5 and the end of craftmas (I think).

>131 lesmel: - Going off to find that video. I've always wanted to try spray basting a quilt, but I've always worried about getting the spray everywhere.

>132 lesmel: - Those are nice. My husband would like the one with the fish.

Day 18 - cupcake socks

I love these socks! They are super comfy and ridiculously cute.

Day 19 - magnetic needle minders

I can't imagine using these as intended -- they are for hand sewn projects mostly -- but they are cute.

Day 20 - fat quarter pop up container

This will be an interesting project to make. Has anyone made these before?

>133 dudes22: An amazing quilter, Laurie Swim, does the spraying inside a large open box, and then pats the piece in place.

https://laurieswim.com/collections/laurie-swim

>134 lesmel: to >136 lesmel: Aw, you can't tease us like this and not show us what was in the calendar!

>138 PawsforThought: I know right?? I'm getting there. I'm staying with my Mom & Stepdad & my time is not my own. lol

>139 lesmel: Oh, I know how it is. I have two days until my brother's family arrives and nephew will be taking up A LOT of my time.

Up to date! Yay!

>134 lesmel: Oh, those are adorable! If they’d been wool I would’ve a bought a pair for myself in a heartbeat (acrylic/polyester/etc socks make my feel cold but sweaty).

>136 lesmel: I feel like I made something similar once upon a time in textile craft class at school but I might be misremembering. I definitely made something similar at a quilting class I took ages ago (but more recently than school) - that one was hanging, though.

I can't believe that fusible powder has been around a few years and I'd never heard of it. I'm definitely going to get some and give it a try.

I love all the little things that come with with your "Countdown to Christmas" -- I'll try to remember that for next year as I know someone I could give one to.

>143 dudes22: I tried it on a project I was trying to finish as the last thing for the year; but either I'm not using it right, it doesn't work with my batting, or something is wrong with my batch...because it never stuck down at all. In fact, it only managed to stick itself to my teflon pressing sheet. I'll try again when I'm not rushing.

>145 lesmel: - Oops!

Day 21 - Jigsaw puzzle

Day 22 - Periwinkle template and coasters pattern



I tried to make a set of these as the last craftmas project for 2021; but didn't finish it. Mostly because I have to rip out the stitches from the first coaster and modify how the coasters are made. More on this in my new thread (eventually).

Day 23 - replacement rotary cutter blades



These always come in handy. Always.

Day 24 - wool felted needle case kit



Cute; but unlikely something I will use.

Day 25 - MSQC clock



That's it! The final gift for 2021!

I'll come back to add them. I have to help Mom clean some junk from what is supposed to be the guest room but is more like the catch-all room. lol

There won't be any more crafting for the rest of the year since I'm at Mom's...not unless I find some time to sew on her Bernina (not likely). Onward to 2022!

What a wonderful treat that box was