Doggy Swim Time

Sherry brought the dogs, Bentley, Reno & Annie, to the lake for some puppy swim time. Reno and Bentley are competitors for the ball in the water.  If Reno gets to the ball first he will growl at Bentley as if to say, "I got it, it's my ball, back off."  If Bentley gets to the ball first Reno will follow him waiting for Bentley to drop it so he can pick it up and take it to the beach.  Bentley seems to know to be gentle with the little dogs, though he sometimes gets carried away when playing chase and knocks them over. Oops!!  

Annie is getting better about going into the lake, but still prefers to sit in a lap and watch the fun.  

Charlotte's Book

This is a fabric book I made using the Smith Street Designs pattern "A Duck Says Quack".  I used a lot of textured and soft Minky fabrics throughout the book.  I'm actually saving it for a birthday when Charlotte gets a little older. We had a class at the Bernina Sewing Centre on this pattern so I just got a head start on it since I knew I wanted to make it for Charlotte sometime.  I think it turned out great.  The word tags (attached with Velcro) can be removed and stored in the pocket on the front of the book for use later in reading and word recognition. 

Snap-portunity purse

This purse was a fun and easy project.  I used the Stitchin' Sister's "Snap-portunity" to make this one.  I also used metal measuring tape inserted in the top binding to make the purse snap closed after opening.  It has four pockets on the inside and one large pocket on the outside.  I didn't have large buttons so I made some YoYos for my accents.  Think I might make some more of these as gifts.   Not quite large enough for me.  ;)

Enchanted Pumpkin

This is my Enchanted Pumpkin embroidered wall hanging.  I believe that this one took about fourteen embroidery hoopings and I can't tell you how many hours of sewing.  I used my Bias Binder attachment on the sewing machine to put the binding on and I even mitered the corners with it.   Been wanting to give that a try for a while.  I put it on the long arm to do the quilting.  Kinda wish I'd done the quilting on the sewing machine, but hadn't used the long arm machine in a while so I though I'd better use it this time.  I do love the colors in this one.

Patchabilities

I've been working on these little Patchabilites quilted hangings.  They are quick and easy. You can even get creative with them.  On the July one I added the embroidered wording.  On the August one I used my fabric paint pens to accent the lemons and I quilted ice cubes in the pitcher.  These are fun and easy projects.

 April Showers:

On this one I added rain drops.

 June Summer Fun

I added "Bling" on the flip flops.

July - Added wording

August Picnic Time

Painted the lemons and quilted ice cubes in the pitcher

I purchase these kits from the local Bernina Sewing Centre.  The kits usually include the metal topper and of course the pattern and fabric pieces.  I just trace the pieces on Trans Web, apply to the fabric, cut them out and applique them on the background fabric which I had already added the boarders to first.  Once the applique is stitched down, I add the batting, backing fabric, do the quilting, add the binding and it's done.  The first kit came with the stand, a template and four colors of fabric paint crayons.  I use the template on some of them.

Baby Blanket

I decided to make a Minky baby blanket for my grand-niece, Charlotte.  This was an easy project.  Just took a pink piece of Minky fabric and added Minky binding.  It's a soft little baby blanket, but needed something to personalize it so I decided to do some embroidery on it.  I didn't want all the threads on the back side so I did the embroidery on a lighter pink piece of Minky fabric.

I just love watching my Bernina 830 machine at work.

This was a beautiful Floriani heart design.

Almost finished.

I added a water soluble topping over the fabric so the stitches would stand up on the fuzzy Minky fabric.

The finished project.  Took more time to do the embroidery than the sewing of the blanket.

I think Heather will like this and it's a keepsake for little Charlotte.  I just love the Minky fabric, it's so soft.

Bernina 830 Machine Cover

Love to watch my Bernina 830 sewing/embroidery machine at work.  I down-loaded this pattern from Bernina's website.  I pieced together twelve 2 1/2" strips with Soft n'Stable backing, then added the Bernina embroidered pattern.  Once that was done then I layered the lining fabric to the back with 505 spray, then used decorative stitches along the seems.  I quilted the top and side piece before trimming (10"x52") and stitched to the front and back to which I had already added red piping which I had made.  Once put together I added binding using my bias binder.  I plan to make a little trash bag from the left over fabrics.  Pic to follow.  ;)   I'm trying to do my sewing room in reds and blacks.

JoDee's bag

Just finished this set today.  The purse has six inside pockets and three outside pockets. I did it in coordinating Alabama fabric which she likes, since she graduated from the University of Alabama. The matching wallet has sixteen credit card slots, two zippered pockets on the outside and one on the inside with a full zipper to close it. Don't think I'll be making another one any time too soon as it was a challenge using this directional fabric.  Had to re-cut several pieces due to my not thinking ahead.  Of course this taught me to CAREFULLY read the directions before cutting the fabric.  I also made a small matching make-up bag.  The purse was made using the Newport Bag pattern from Pink Sand Beach Designs and the wallet was made using the Easy Zip Wallet pattern from Scrap-bags.  Now, off the the PO to ship these to JoDee in Alabama.

Valentine Pillow Sleeve

Today I made this Valentine Pillow Sleeve.  The front and back were done in the embroidery hoop.   The thread colors I used were Red, Pinks and Purple.  I quilted the back using a meandering pattern and threw in a few little hearts here and there.  This was a fun and easy project though the embroidery did take some time to complete.  I spent the morning putting out my February/Valentine decorations then John and I went out for lunch.  He also took me shopping at Walk On Water so I could spend the last of my birthday money on some Brighton jewelry, etc.  I worked on this pillow this evening.  All in all, it was a nice day.

Slipcover Bag

Just finished this Slipcover Purse today.  It was made using the Straight Stitch Society pattern called "Change-Your-Mind Slipcover Bag.  Our instructor, Cheryl Walker, made some changes in the pattern, adding a zippered top closure and we used "Soft and Stable" as the stabilizer which gave the purse part more body.  

 The slip cover is secured with buttons.  You can see the reverse fabric side here

This was a fun class at the Bernina Sewing Centre.  We will be having more classes including some embroidered slip covers.  I think I'll suggest outside pockets on the next one.