Matchbox Advent Tutorial

I was recently in a swap that involved matchboxes being altered. I had never done any of these and I had a great time completing my 25. Since I work with fabric/lace etc. that is what I covered my boxes with. Not as complicated as you might think. Below is a tutorial on my process of altering the boxes.
1. Pick out the fabric of your choice or you can use decorative paper. As I am not a paper scraper I chose to use fabric.
2. Tacky glue
3. Hot glue gun
4. Laces
5. Craft wire for the hanger
6. Beads if you like
7. Rosettes
8. Small tags to write the number of the box on
10. Sharpie, scissors and your usual crafty items

Measure your matchbox so around so you can cut out the correct length of fabric. In this case I cut a length of fabric 2 1/2"  and cut it down to fit the box. Apply tacky glue to the whole outside of the box and starting at the short side of the box lay your fabric on top of the glue. Be sure and smooth as you go so you have no wrinkles in the fabric. The outside of your box should look like this when finished with this step. Next you cut out an inside swatch of fabric and glue to the inside of the matchbox.

 All 25 matchboxes completed for stage one.

 Next using your hot glue gun and the lace and bobbles and bits that you have chosen you glue them on. As you can see I started at one end and just applied the hot glue going around the box. Then placed the lace on the hot glue section and pressed all the way around until it held. Be careful to keep the lace straight as it can and will shift as you rotate the box around.

 Here is the finished block all ready for the little ornament to be places inside.

 

You can go here to see more and check out the tutorials for those who use scrapping paper and such.     

When my swapped out boxes arrive here in Nov. I will post pics to let you see the variety that I received in the swap. 

Happy Stitching,

Wendy

New Crazy Quilt RR

These are my nekkid blocks for the Winter DYB RR over on CQI. I chose a winter theme instead of a holiday one.

 Happy Stitching,
Wendy

Started Jazmines 2nd Quilt

Well I have started Jazmine's second quilt that I am making for her. This one will be pin wheels. I have always loved this pattern and decided that I wanted to make her one. This one will be done in Care Bears as well. Also I decided to do a quick tutorial on the way I do my half square triangles and pin wheel blocks. I have always done them this way as it is easier for me and less confusing for beginners. When I first started quilting I tried all the techniques available at the time. (which was not many in the early 70's) I finally settled on this way and the rest is history. Maybe this will help any newbies out there that is looking for an easier way to make them.
Tutorial:
1. Cut out your squares in the size that you want to use. Mine are 6"

 2. Next put the two squares together with the right sides facing:

 3. Now comes the easy peasy part. You just sew around the square a quarter of an inch away from the edge all the way around the square. This is how it will look.

 4. Next you are ready to cut them apart. You put your ruler corner to corner diagonally and cut.

5. Now cut from the other edge in the same way.

6. Here is what your half square triangles will look like when you have cut them apart.

7. Just sew them together how you want them to spin and you now have a finished block. Easy peasy I am telling you. Below is my sample. I do need to re-press as I did not press the block correctly as I was in a hurry to finish this tutorial. I hope this helps you out.

Happy Stitching,

Wendy
 

This And That

First off in the world of sewing and quilting I am quilting the first of baby Jazmine's quilts. This one is really super simple and is working up fast and I should be finished with the quilting over the weekend. No pics yet, will do those when it is finished. Also I have cut out a pin wheel quilt for her and should have the flimsy finished by the weekend hopefully.........we will see. My sister is having her annual October family get-together so I may not get it finished. Will post pics of both of these on Monday. The fabrics is care bears as I have about 30 yds of the stuff and my dd loves it.

I received my "  Friends"   swap from my partner Melissa you should go check out her blog. She has some wonderful things there and she is a very talented quilter/artist. Below is what she sent out to me.

 This is a closer view of my mini quilt that she made. Melissa I love it very much. Notice the little crazy quilt she is holding. I so appreciate that she added the style of quilting that I so love. I love to sane quilt as well, but crazy quilting is my passion. This little quilt is destined to hang in my sewing room.

 Melissa also made me a nail care set which I needed. Some lovely rose lotion and bath petals as well. And of course fabric and beads with ribbon. My package for Melissa will go out this coming week and when she receives the parcel I will show pics here.


Next is a pic I made of the moon on last night. It was about midnight and it was just beautiful. Nice and full and it was so light out that you could see perfectly.

Notice in the second pic that in the upper right hand corner it looks like a second moon! I don't know how that happened. But it is neat looking. Next up is what I sent out to my Colour Swap partner. She is a scrapper and that is what she wanted. So I tried to load her up with lots of goodies for that. My package has not arrived as of yet so just photos of what I sent out to her.We were supposed to send out a little gift for each of the letters and one handmade item for our swap partner.

C- chip boards x2,chipboard alphabets x 2, cookie cutters
O- orchids
L- lace
O- organdy lace and fabric
U- udder cream for her hands
R- handmade rosette pin in her favorite colors, silk roses


As extras I sent six sets of stamps, more ribbon and some more chip boards. I know the package has arrived and hope that she likes what I sent out to her. I have not heard anything from her yet. Her dd was in a car accident and she had to go out of town. I hope all is well with her.


I also made this and something went wrong. I followed the directions I was given and it just will not work out. I am so frustrated with this. It was going to be a candle mat but now it is in the wasted time bin until I can salvage it which I hope is soon. I am looking for a solution but so far nothing I have tried has worked. Here is the pic of my project.

I had thought that maybe I had too many of the pie shapes so I removed one and it still did not lay like it should. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated as I hate to just have to scrap this project for good. I love this fabric and hate to waste it. I guess if I have to I could make pie shaped pin cushions from it. But only if all else fails. Ok this post has been long so I will say goodbye for now and post more tomorrow.

Added: Thanks for the advice on the blogger situation. I did as you said and closed everything out and all of my blogs that I follow came back  after several times of doing this.

Happy Stitching,

Wendy

A Rant

Usually I don't place rants of any kind on my blog. For me it is mostly wasted energy that is best spent sewing or quilting. But today I do have a rant and its against blogger. I signed in and all my blogs that I follow are gone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!........Yes I said gone, where did they go? Can blogger tell me? Hello blogger where are my blogs that I faithfully follow? This really aggravates me to no end. I was ready to sit down with my cuppa make my quilty post and read all my blogs. But can I do that on today? The answer is no and I am really upset about it. I have tried several times to restore my follow list to no avail. Hopefully when I come back later it will have worked itself out. Hopefully..........so much for reading early in the day. Maybe tonight. Has this happened to anyone else and what can I do about it if anything. I would really hate to lose all those wonderful blogs that I follow.

Wendy

Quick Post

I have been out of town and now am back. So sorry for not posting but I did not have my computer with me and therefore could not post. I do have some crafty things to post but will do so tomorrow. I am tired and just want to rest tonight. So get ready for tomorrow as it will be a long post with pics. Have a great night.

Baby Jazmine update, my dd doctor said if we can keep baby Jazmine in the womb for ten more days he will not stop the labor process again. We are praying that she stays in the womb until November 21st which is the original schedule for her to be born. Her actual due date is Dec. 2. The dr. said that my lovely d would not make the Dec. date. So we are hoping for the Nov. date for the safety of baby Jazmine. That being said he is having a hard time regulating dd sugar. She is taking insulin shots twice daily and it is still extremely high. God is still in control and we are believing that her sugar will regulate with the medication. Please keep them in your prayers. Thank each of you who have been praying for mom and baby. We so appreciate it.

Happy Stitching,
Wendy

Swap Package Arrived at Destination

Ok my swap package to Gina has arrived today so I can now post a pic of what I sent her. Gina collects vintage tape measures so I was able to find two for her. One is a little dog and the other is gnome they are so cute and both are in working condition. I don't usually buy from etsy but that is where I found both of these. Gina loves to crochet so when I seen this book I knew I had to add that for her. I took a look see inside and it has some really great items to make. A pin cushion I made plus a vintage green bowl. The final item is the knitted shawl that I made.

Happy Stitching,
Wendy

Fall Intrigues Basket Swap

The basket I made up for Elaine arrived at her house on today so I can post a pic of what I sent her. The basket she sent me is below in another post, 2nd one down I believe. Here is what I sent out to Elaine. The pumpkin can be carved so I thought that might be fun if she likes halloween. I picked up a couple of them for myself.

I did not do a traditional basket but used a horn of plenty basket that can be hung on the wall or placed on a table with all the bounty of fall. I thought the set of chooks had such lovely fall colors in them. Hope Elaine likes what I chose for her. This was a quick and fun swap.

Happy Fall
Wendy

Yes Two Posts In One Day!

I tried to post this below but Blogger is wanting to be unaccommodating today. Anyhow I finally bit the bullet and ordered this book Color Shuffle that I have been wanting for ages. It came on Saturday and now I see this quilt in my future.

Sorry for the dark pic on bottom it could not be helped for whatever reason.lol. Camera would not cooperate with me today. I love this quilt and hope to get started on it soon.

Happy Stitching,
Wendy

Yesterday A Good Mail Day!

I had a really good mail day on yesterday when I finally made it to the post office. I usually check on Friday's but alas I was soooooooo busy that I had to go on Sat. This is what came in the mail. My "Fall Intrigues" basket swap from Elaine. Lots of wonderful goodies in the basket. Although on unpacking the basket I found that the cup she sent was broken. Everything else was fine and I love it. Thanks so much Elaine for all the goodies you sent.

Lot's of great stuff in there. Some lovely Moda fabric with a harvest theme with great colors. Candy corn which is a favorite fall candy for me. I always buy extra so I will have some after the season is over! Below is a sneak peek of what I sent to Elaine. Her package should arrive Monday or Tuesday and I will post a full pic of what I sent out to her then.

Candy bars came! Are they not yummy! I am already thinking about how I will use these.

Yummy colors take a look inside......

These are 2 1/2" x 5" and there are 40 cuts in each stack. There is also an instruction booklet with quilting ideas inside the box. The price is very reasonable also. 

Happy Stitching,
Wendy

Night Blooming Orchid has Bloomed!

 My night blooming orchid finally has bloomed after having it for over ten yrs.! It started to open at midnight last night. This is the first pic at 12:00

This was at 1:45 am

This was at 3:45 am

This was at 5:00 am this morning

And this was at 7:45 am this morning the bloom was already closing! It was large enough to fit inside a punch bowl and fill it up! And the smell was heavenly!

I have been so tired all day, but it was well worth the watching of this bloom take place. My mom's plant has two blooms on it and we hope they bloom together! If not we will be so tired when it does bloom.
Happy Stitching,
Wendy

New Project

Whew, this has been one long weekend-first few days of the week. My lovely daughters shower was on Sat. and we all had a great time. I managed to finish the burp cloths for the shower and am working on one of three quilts for baby Jazmine. I have until Thanksgiving weekend to finish them up. I have been working on them in stages. Actually one will be a floor quilt for when she starts to sit up and roll over etc. so no hurry on that one. My niece was there and it was actually her due date with no change. Frostie received lots of great clothes mostly pink for Jaz. Below is a pic of two of the burp cloths that I made for her. I need to take pics of the others and will post them soon. I have enough  to make 12 more but I may do them a little bit different from these. I may add machine embroidery to them. Will wait and see.

Next up is a sneak peak at something that is going into a swap. It is a rosette pin. I had fun making this and it was super easy to make. I will definitely be making more of these for my artfire shop.

Last but not least is my new project that I started for me. It is an afghan made in my favorite colors. I have made all my children and hubby one and now is my turn. Mine is done in a granny strip as I did not want to do the squares for this one. I just started this so not much work done yet. This will be my relaxing project in the evenings.

The colors are just wonderful and the pic really does not do them justice. It is going to be a bright and fun afghan when finished.

On a side note for my regular readers..........please keep Mike lifted up in prayer as he will be having more surgery on the 27th of this month. And will need more in the coming months. Also we found out on Sat. that my lovely mil has colon cancer. She will be having surgery on tomorrow morning. Please keep them both lifted up in prayer for those of you who pray. I thank you in advance for all of your prayers.

Update: Everything went well and "All Is Well" with my mil! Praise God for His healing power in our lives. Thank you for all of your prayers.

Also, my sister called and Mike will not have to have surgery on the 27th. The Dr. wants to wait and see a bit more. Please continue to pray for him. God is still in control and is healing him on a progressive basis. The blood clots are still there but not moving and the rupture is healing on its on. Thank you Lord!

Happy Stitching,
Wendy

A Finish

I have finally finished the shawl I have been working on and it is packaged and ready to go off to my swap partner. I can't tell you who as of yet since she may peep in on my blog. I think it turned out pretty good and hope she likes it.This is my first knitted shawl as I usually crochet them. I used Lion Brand Homespun thread in Tudor colorway. I really like how it turned out........Now to finish the baby quilt I am working on for baby Jasmine. The shower is this coming weekend and I need to have it finished for then along with the burp cloths that I have made her. Be back soon.

Happy Stitching,
Wendy

A Great Giveaway

Debi is having a great giveaway over on her blog here: http://debiquilts.blogspot.com/ go on over and take a look see at what she is giving away. You will be glad you did.

Giveaway at Jaybirdquilts!

Juli over at jaybirdquilts.blogspot.com is co-sponsoring a giveaway for a new line of fabric from Piece O' Cake Designs called Daisies and Dots. Go on over and take a look the fabric is yummy!

Jewels on Black RR Blocks

Here are my blank blocks for the Jewels on Black RR that I am in over on CQI. Each block will finish at 6 inches by 6 inches when finished. These will be for a wall hanging in my bedroom which is done in black and jewel tones. This is going to be a great RR for me as I love to use beautiful jewel tones to stitch with. So this is definitely in my comfort zone. Can't wait to see these beauties finished and back home, which will be sometime in Feb. 2011. The dots on these are showing up white, but they are actually charcoal in color. I had fun making these blocks and may make a couple of pillows for the bed while I am at it.

Well Christmas is going to be here before we know it and I am so excited as it is my most favorite holiday. We don't celebrate halloween, but I do love fall and the season of thanksgiving that it brings with it. More on that at a later date. Back to Christmas.....I am already getting my gifties in order for family this year. I am also working on some swaps that I am currently in and this week will actually finish two of them. Will post pics later of those once they reach their intended recipient. I love the cooler weather that we have been having. We went for a little day trip over the weekend and I found ten pieces of Alabama turquoise and one emerald. But the best part was spending time with the family. DH also bought me two new antique sewing machines over the weekend at a ridiculously low fee. Will be posting more on those later this week. Have a great day.

Happy Stitching,
Wendy

Good Mail Day

I had a really good mail day yesterday. I received the blog win from A Swap For All Seasons and received my swap box from Gina from the Aqua/Avocado swap that I was in. First is my swap box from Gina who was my swap partner. But wait.......Gina was my Secret Angel Stitcher in 2009 during a really hard time of my life. I was amazed that we had been put as mutual swap partners this time. She made me the most amazing Peacock quilt ever last yr. Anyhow....... this is what she sent in my box to me. She made me two really nice pillows, some fabric, soap, buttons, crochet books these are vintage and I forgot to take a pic of them. A green candy dish.

Now everyone knows I collect peacocks of any shape form or fashion. Gina is so thoughtful, just look at the vintage pin and cuff links she found for me. Thank you so much Gina, I love everything you sent and I truly love the peacock treasures that you sent. I will post what I sent out to Gina when it arrives to her.

A week ago I won a blog drawing from A Swap For All Seasons. Just look at what was inside the vintage wood cigar box. I love it!

The red baby shoe is a pin cushion...how cute is that! Of course all the goodies are wonderful and will be treasured. Thank you Linda!

Hope everyone is doing great and stitching up some wonderful gifts for the upcoming holidays. I know I am. Time to get back to sewing/quilting for the new baby coming into our lives.

Happy Stitching,
Wendy

My Heart III RR Block is Home

My block for the Heart III RR is finally home after a long trip. It has a few places that needs my additions and then it will be framed and called finished. Thank you to each of the ladies who worked on this block. You all did beautiful work. A big thank you to Darlene, Diane, Arlene and Vicki. I don't have much to do on the block but there are some things I will be adding and some seam work as well. I love how this block turned out. I think it was Diane who asked if I was an LSU fan because of the colors, the answer to that is no. My favorite sports is Baseball, Hockey and Soccer. I have been a Yankee's fan since I was about nine, I used to watch the game with my dad. I fell in love with soccer when I was in high school as well as hockey. Anyhow, I just love the color combo of gold, purple and white and wanted to do a block in those colors. It has turned out just wonderful. Next is the fabric page I received for the month of August. I will show the one I made and sent when it arrives at its destination, which I hope is soon. Mine was made for me by: Margreet from the Netherlands. Thank you Margreet It is beautiful.

No diamonds today, but I will have one for you on tomorrow as it is almost finished.

Happy Stitching,
Wendy