May 26, 2009

Thank you(s) all around.....

A big thank you to everybody for the comments both here and via email about the Beach House pincushion. Who knew my sleepless night would turn out so well?

Thanks also for all the suggestions on sleeping but really, it's normally not a problem at all as long as I stay away from the chocolate. :)

Regarding the chenille trim: I should have said that you need to call the ladies at The Quilter's Station to order it.

I received this lovely gift package in the mail over the weekend. Everything is wonderful and gorgeous but.....





don't you just love the vintage ribbon? Thank you again Ms. H!

Last but not least, in the garden this week ~



Thanks so much for stopping by!

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posted by Deb at 5:50 PM | 6 comments
May 20, 2009

Beach House Pincushion.....

What does a restless night and a link for a tutorial result in?



I don't sleep much so when my head hits the pillow I'm asleep. Dead asleep. Just ask anybody who's ever tried to wake me. And when I wake up, I'm wide awake.

Occasionally though, something goes haywire (we won't talk about the late night piece of chocolate in an otherwise caffeine free diet that could be the cause) and I just toss and turn until I finally fall asleep. This time I decided to do something productive, who cares if it was 3am? I mean, what's the use of all that tossing and turning anyway? It never helps. Nor does punching the pillow or flipping it over or tossing the covers off only to pull them back on again.

Most times, my brain takes off on a tangent during the tossing and turning phase which doesn't help matters any. Usually silly stuff that seems very important at the time. Very much on my mind this night was the need to replace a 5 year old pincushion that has definitely seen better days. Add that to an email sitting in my inbox from Debs with a tutorial for a biscornu made from fabric. I knew what fabric I wanted to use - Blackbird's Beach House line. So I flew out of bed, turned on my laptop and sewing machine, lugged my rotary cutter, ruler and cutting mat out, I was on a mission.

All of this sounds like a brilliant use of time doesn't it? I thought so, until I actually sat down at the sewing machine and couldn't see what I was doing because I was yawning non-stop. I was determined to finish though, how hard could it be? I discovered that I have no patience when I'm tired. None. Which is why, after ripping seams twice just sewing the 4 patches together and attempting to sew them into a biscornu shape twice, I gave up and went to bed.

I woke with the intention to finish it and another idea already rattling around in my brain. I had all that lovely chenille trim that I hadn't played with yet. And wait, I also have that huge bag of crushed walnut shells. Why not make a square pincushion and trim it with the chenille? I'm really pleased with the outcome but learned a lesson, next time I'll just stay in bed and toss and turn. Or better yet, maybe I'll think twice about that piece of chocolate. :)

Not much else going on, I took advantage of a birthday discount and stocked up on some lovely colors of Weeks Dye Works wool and a pattern from Fig Tree Quilts.



And in the garden.....



Cathy L - Organizing can be over-rated, especially those times I can't find things I know I have but can't remember where I 'organized' them to!

Angela - The bone folder - I use it to crease paper and poster board but it's also handy to poke out fabrics corners.

Helen - I wish I had room for another shoe organizer on top of the first. It's set up in a closet and the shelf above has a bracket that's in the way. :(

To clear some confusion I caused in my last post - the Joann's order was the picture with the scissors etc. The ribbons were from 2 different online shops.

Thanks for visiting!

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posted by Deb at 5:00 PM | 14 comments
May 10, 2009

Hodgepodge.....

I know I've mentioned organizing my work space far too many times in my posts. With a steady stream of stash and finishing supplies coming through the door it's a necessity, especially when dealing with limited space. Sometimes thinking waaaay outside the box is a good thing. Sometimes not. I thought the shoe organizer shown below was the perfect answer for my out of control fabric stash. Slowly but surely I've worked on ironing, refolding and stacking. With it already 75% full and 50% of my fabric still to do, I've come to the sad conclusion that there's not the slimmest chance it will all fit. Back to the drawing board.

In this economy I find myself trying to be a smarter stash shopper. I don't know about everybody else but shipping charges are a huge consideration. I automatically pass by those shops that charge a flat rate based on the dollar amount spent. Instead of ordering 1 thing, I make lists and try to order as much as possible from 1 source. When possible, I try to stock up during sales. I lucked out with an order from Joanns, all I really needed/wanted was the pinking Olfa cutter and the bone folder. With a coupon for free shipping with a $25 purchase, I added the rest of the items, all on sale, for a grand total of $26.43.


Shots from the garden.....


Comments.....
As always, thanks for taking the time, I really appreciate it. :)

The chenille trim used in the Blackbird Designs comes from The Quilter's Station, lovely ladies to order from.

Games again.....
Up for grabs is Mystery Case Files: Ravenhearst - unopened CD and a gift certificate for Azada.

Stitching.....
Sadly, none for now but have 1 for sure and 1 I'm still thinking about exchange coming up along with a looming PIF deadline which surely means I have to find some time somehow or another. Woohoo!

Thanks for visiting!



Oops, before I go, please note that I've changed my email address if you hit the contact me link - I'm still having problems with Yahoo mail.

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posted by Deb at 3:49 PM | 7 comments