Whimsicals Threads

:: look what I got! ::

My very friendly Fed Ex guy arrived yesterday morning, and look what he dropped off!

Well, this is what it looked like after I unpacked the boxes and carried all these from the garage into the shipping, um.... I mean dining room.

I love that they come all nicely rolled like this instead of flat folded, but it still is hard to cut the fabric off these big rolls.  So, now comes the task of folding and rolling them onto the carboard bolts that my local shop gives me.  Hey, it's purposeful recycling, right?! 

I did unroll just enough yesterday to cut pieces off to take into my sewing room though.

I guess tomorrow, I get to start sewing!  Now, if I can just figure out what I want to make.....

and the winner is.....

Thank you so much for the comments about the projects!  From the sounds of it, there are many of you who haven't used the paintsticks, so I'm going to get working an a tutorial that will show you how easy they are.  Just need to figure out the best project to use for it....

And now for the winner of the fabric bundle and book.....

The random picker chose:

Jacquie B

If this is you (and your comment said that you live in Canada), email me your information and I'll send your fabric bundle and book out as soon as the books arrive!

And while all of you are excited about the Winterberry Lane fabric arriving in the stores, I am anxiously awaiting for the FedEx truck to deliver my next line to me, which should be in the next few days.  Want to have a little peek?

Yes, I did another panel for this line.  It's called Buttons and Blooms.  When the I get actual yardage, I'll scan pieces of the entire line and share them with you.  The little snippet above is from my origianal artwork, and the final colors on the fabric are not always the same as the artwork that I send, so I hate to show too much until I get the real thing, but this gives you an idea of what it will be.

I have a few projects that I want to try with this fabric line, but things don't always work out the way that I plan.  See, I usually have all these ideas and designs ready on my computer, but when the actual fabric arrives and I start playing with it, all those designs just go out the window!  I don't know why.  I think that it's because I have to see the fabric and let it talk to me to really use it well.  Does anyone else feel like the fabric speaks to them?! 

Hmmmm.... maybe I'm just a little bit different.

But I can't wait to see what this one says to me!!!!

I'll keep you posted!

:: the final projects ::

It is always so interesting to see which projects are the favorites and which ones intrigue people.  Believe it or not it is seldom the ones that I would have guessed, so thanks for all the comments!

And from the comments, it sounds like there are a lot of you who have not yet tried the paintstiks, so I guess I need to work on some sort of tutorial.  In the books that have projects where the paintstiks were used, I do have detailed instructions on the technique that I use.  I don't leave you wondering what to do with them!  But my best advice is to just experiment with them.  I should put a big note where I use them saying  NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY because believe me, anyone can do it.  I've seen people with no painting experience get really great results!

If you want to purchase some of the paintstiks, I found a website, www.artsupply.com, that has them for a good price.  Although I've never ordered from them before, you might give it a try!

With that being said, I have one more project in the Make It Merry book that I used the paintstiks on.  It's a little ornament called A Little Joy.

Again, I felt the need to add some additional texture with the lace trim, but that's what makes it so fun!

And I had some of you ask about the little box that was in the picture with the pincushion, so I'm pleased to let you know that it is in the book as well.  I show two different versions.... One of them I did with the fabric from Winterberry Lane, so it is very Christmasy (is that a word?!) and the other is one that can be used for just about anything.

I leave one on my counter to store my tea bags in because it is the perfect size for that.  Wouldn't it be fun to fill it up with hot chocolate packets and peppermint sticks to give to a friend?  Or tea bags, like I did, and have some friends over for tea and scones?! Ah, too many ideas and not enough time!

Here's another project.  How could I do a Christmas book and not include a tree skirt?

I called this Simple Gifts.  See the big border stripe from Winterberry Lane?  Because there are two distinct portions of the stripe, I tried to make the best use of the fabric and cut them so that both could be used, resulting in very little waste.  I can't wait to put this under my tree next year!

My mom helped me out a little with this book by designing this Christmas Star...

This little quilt is the perfect size to place in the center of your table to give it a nice festive look.  And you can complete your table with the Jolly Holly Placemats....

Anyone who did the Cross Country Quilter's Blog Hop a few years ago will recognize these.  This was my projects that I shared when I was a part of that.  I love the big holly leave and the big rick rack.  What a statement!

So, there you have it.  I think I covered them all and I hope that you like them!  Don't forget to leave me a comment to have a chance at winning a fat quarter bundle of Winterberry Lane and a copy of Make It Merry!  You can check out my website and see all of the fabrics included in this line by clicking here. 

I'm going to wait until Monday morning to draw a winner, so keep the comments coming!  Hope you have a great weekend!

Terri

 

:: a few more ::

I was a little remiss yesterday in not answering a few questions in the comments.  I have yet to really figure out how to answer them within the comments section.  Yea, I'm that slow when it comes to the blog world!  Actually, I think I'm doing pretty good just getting something typed up and posted here!

Anyway, about those questions.....

The little purple flowers are crocus.  I love these little flowers because they are so hardy.  Every year, they insist on showing their beautiful colors right after the snow melts and the tempatures warm up past freezing.  The problem is that in Indiana, the warm weather is always a tease.  It doesn't stick around.  There have been many years where the crocus are in bloom and all I can see of them are the tips of the petals peeking out from yet another snow. 

The other thing that amazes me about these flowers is that they come back every year, despite the fact that every year I take off the remaining foliage after the blooms are gone.  I've been told that I'm not supposed to do that with bulb type flowers like these, but I do it anyway because I don't like to look at the wilted remains.  And I guess they don't mind, because they come back to greet me every spring!

And about the book....

I hope to have it available by the end of next week.  Some of that depends on how fast my printer can get it finished and sent to me, but that is the plan!

Now, on to some more of the projects in the book.

This is one I called Peppermint Truffle.

 Now, don't ask me what a peppermint truffle is, because I've never had one.  But these blocks just look like a peppermint that has been wrapped in chocolate, and when I think of a truffle I think of chocolate.  However, when I did a google search I found out that a truffle can also be made from mushrooms!  Not being a fan of mushrroms, that does not sound very tasty to me.  I think I'll stick with the picture in my head, thank you very much!

And here is a little pincushion....

This is a really quick pincushion that can be made as a gift for someone special, or just make it for yourself.  I filled this one with walnut shells, which I got at the pet store, of all places, but I love the way it feels.  It's squishy and fun to pick up, and it stays put wherever you decide to set it down.

And the final one for today is A Simple Wish.....

Once again, my fascination with fonts, words and textures becomes apparent.   I made the letters for peace using the paintsticks then stitched the words on earth with embroidery floss.  And for those of you who have not tried the paintsticks, shame on you!  They are fun, addicting, and EASY!  In the book, I give directions for the technique I use and maybe, just maybe, if I can get my act together, I will prepare a tutorial that I can post here on my blog.  Hmmmmm..... I'll add that to my list!

So, that's all I'm going to show you today!

Remember to leave me a comment so your name will be in the running for a fat quarter bundle (which will include the panel print) and a copy of the Make It Merry book.  

Let me know what you think!!!

:: make it merry projects ::

So, yesterday, I showed you the cover for my new book. Make It Merry.

Today, I'm going to show you a few of the projects!

The first one is All Wrapped Up....

One of my favorite prints in this line is the one that I call a "wrapping paper" print because, well, it looks like wrapping paper!  It makes a great border print on this quilt because it looks like you've taken lots of time to piece together all those squares, but really, it's just a print!

I also did these really sweet little stitcheries I called Tiny Tidings....

I think the simple little words on the big background really draws the attention to the message, making a big impact for something so small. 

And the final project for today is a full picture of Tree Trimmings, which became the cover for the book....

This one was fun to make because of all the different techniques and textures.  The "believe" on the ornament was stitched on, where the "peace on earth" was cut from the large border print in Winterberry Lane.  Then, I painted the branch onto the fabric using Shiva paintstiks, added more embroidery for the needles, and finally added the rick rack trim that each of the ornaments is hanging by.  So much fun!!

And as a bonus, another version of Tree Trimmings.....

No, this is not the exact same layout as the other one.  This one is smaller than the first, but it is another option if you don't want to paint the branch on.  And can I say that I just LOVE the fabric in the center ornament and no, it is not mine.  When I saw that fabric, I knew that it would be a great print for an ornament and just had to use it. 

So, that's it for today.  I would love to hear your feedback....

Oh, and just in case you're wondering, I used a lot of the fabrics from Winterberry Lane on these projects, but also mixed in some from previous lines, and even snuck in some from my stash of other fabrics to balance things out.  You can't imagine how hard it is to create so many projects from just one line of fabric, so I like to mix things up by throwing in something unexpected, like someone else's fabric!

Hope you like them!

 

:: spring is here! ::

Happy Spring!!!!

I was so in need of a good weather day, and today did not disappoint.

This morning as I was sitting in my room working, I glanced out the window and saw this.....

And I realized that it was the first day of spring!  And the sun was shining.  And it was warm.

I don't know about you, but it's been a long winter and I am so excited to think about putting my winter coats and boots away.  My flip flops were calling to me from my closet this morning and although I ignored them, I know that it won't be long before they become an intrical part of my wardrobe again.  Woo hoo!

And another thing to celebrate....

Last week I sent my new book off to the printer!

Can I tell you what a relief it is to have this book completed?!  AND how happy I am to not work on anything Christmas related?!  I know, that's probably not what you want to hear, when the Winterberry Lane fabric is starting to show up in shops about now, but I feel like I have been stuck in Christmas mode since October.

And because I'm so over the Christmas thing, I'm going to give away a fat quarter bundle of the Winterberry Lane fabric to one lucky person along with a copy of Make It Merry when it shows up sometime next week!

So, over the next several days, I'm going to share with you the projects in the book.  All you need to do is leave me a comment on one of those days, and you'll be in the running.  It's that easy!

Good Luck and Happy Spring!

 

:: silent no more ::

Hello?!

Is anyone there?!

I know, it's been a very long time since I've posted anything, but believe me, I've been really busy.  Wanna see what I've been up to?

The first week and a half of February, I was snowed in.  Well, ok, not really for a week and a half.  It was probably more like 3 days.  But it sure felt like a week and a half.  And it wasn't really snow, either.  It was ice, which would explain why I couldn't go anywhere, since my car doesn't do well on the ice.  Or snow for that matter.  But that's all beside the point.  This is what it looked like....

It looks a little bit mad, don't you think?  My feelings, exactly.... 

There was ice everywhere and I felt like I was never going to escape.  But I finally did.  And my car did too!  And there was much rejoicing!

We had a lot of snow this winter; more than we usually do, which usually puts me in a grumpy mood, because I don't like snow.  But one day as I was grumbling, pulling into the snowy driveway again, I saw something that made me smile.  

My son had been outside and randomly made this little snowman on the little patio table that sits in the front yard.  I don't know why, but I had to laugh.  And then I had to grab my camera to get a picture.  This was before the ice storm.  AFTER the ice storm, this same table made me laugh again.....

How funny is that?! 

I have no clue how this formed, but this sheet of ice hung on like this for several days.  It was the wierdest thing.  No one in our house could figure this one out.  Finally, it just melted away.

So, while everyone else was happliy stitching away when they were "iced" in (get it? Instead of snowed in, we were iced in?!  Ok, that was lame, I know.  I won't do that again...) I spent most of my time at my computer, trying to get patterns written, a book completed, and a new fabric line designed. 

And I have two out of the three done. 

Not bad, but I was hoping to have my book done by now.  Just a few more weeks, though.  I'm finishing the final projects this weekend, and then it's back to the computer for writing, layout, photo touch-ups, etc.

But, I did get the new patterns completed and printed.  I even got them up on my website this week.  And just in time too, becuase I've heard that the Winterberry Lane fabric is starting to show up in the shops already!  So, just in case you haven't seen them, here are the new patterns to go with the fabric....

I also have a new hat pattern and my very first apron pattern!! 

I have to say that this hat is by far my favorite one that I've made.  I take it just about everywhere I go, just in case I'm having a bad hair day, which is more often than I like.  And every time I wear it, I get compliments.

I can't say the same for the apron though, because I think it usually works best to wear an apron in the kitchen.  And since I spend very little time in the kitchen, well....  Let's just say that the apron has not seen a lot of use.  But, it is a fun one!  I made it so that it can be reversed, which also gives it a bit more thickness.

So now, all I have left to do is finish this book.  I'm working on it, believe me.  And I'm hoping that everyone finds that it was worth the wait.  It's been fun, making all these Christmas things, but I'm ready to move on now.  Ready for some spring, not only outside, but in my sewing room too.  Just a few more weeks, I know.  I can feel it....