Oh! Quilt time!

Finally, quilt time! It seemed ages that I work on a new quilt! I really miss the process of planning, piecing, and ironing, more so is a fresh new quilt!  Oh, the new quilt on the tabletop is for me!  I'll be entering last year of the 30's next month (yack)! I have been thinking hard what to make or buy for my last year of 30's. Since I really can't come up with a must to buy item ( too many), I gave up surfing on things that are so pretty, but not really for me at the end.  While going through boxes in  the workroom, I found a box of fabrics that I have never unfolded before. Suddenly the idea of make a bold, saturated, and versatile quilt jump right in.

It is so NOT my colors! I know, but I am loving it! Something different and something will be treasure around here! So far, I have cut 353 triangles and needed more! I probably will get tired of cutting triangles and making all the 1/4" seam allowances in the back by the end of the quilt top making!  So far, it is so nice to sew, sew, sew and see rows come together! Next time, I'll probably have a quilt top to show you!

*** I have been working on some other patchwork pieces and can't wait to show you soon!  But now, I am putting this on the side until they are ready! 

Knitting is growing on me, literary! I have never seen myself felt so hard on a new craft.  I've cast off my very first shawl last week (happy dance)! It took me hours of trying and few weeks practicing and  understanding the whole process. It really made me feel so accomplished as I had set a goal to learn to knit and make a shawl this year! Nothing like good motivation drive and positive energy when there is desire of accomplishing and learning! Something that I haven't felt for a long time. This year, I've been embracing the positive learning and taking time to solid the process on everything. That really have lifted me up again and bring lights in me!

This week, I have received most soft and beautiful yarn in the mail ( the mail carrier kindly buzz the intercom and let me know, you've got a package)! You might not know, but I really really dislike the process of winding yarn into a ball! I've attempted to purchase all the fancy tools for winding yarn into cakes, but after all I knew I am a "part-time" knitter, so probably won't need all that fancy tool.

Google was so helpful, there are a couple ways of winding yarns while researching, but using paper roll winding yarn is so cool.  It didn't took me too long this time to wind all the yarn into cakes! The fancy look of yarn cakes make these yarn so much easy to work with and they actually sit on the table while I knit rather than rolling around, a plus!  

I've been knitting a lot more lately because I've spent time in pinch pain from a procedure finally happened last week! I had three stitches on me for a full week and finally have them removed This week! Knitting gives me an outlet to get distract from that pinch pain, since I need to pay more attention on the knitting stitches rather than stitches on me. Oh, I am doing better, the scar is pretty minor, but still bright red and skin is tender. There will be months of letting the pinkness to go away and good news is the pinch pain has gone by now!

I'll need to find a weekend at some point to go through all sewing supplies and fabrics, as I found 3 same fat quarters in three different pile awhile back ( I must really love that print).  Some sewing needles are missing, but found a box of needle that I was looking.  Zippers need to be sort into same sizes soon I probably need to build or find some boxes for them.  The working table is full with new yarn cakes,  fully packed {travel outbound bag} and the {Boathouse pouch} is fill with sewing tools.
The space needs a little makeover, I say ( so many things so little space)!

Thaaaank you for ordering and loving of the new patterns!!!! Fifi sent me a new Lucky's photo the other day! Gosh, he is pretty darn cute with that little hat on him! He loves his {Lucky Bone}, according to mama that he hides his bones in different hideout spots. He was spotted sleeping on the new toy! We are sooo thankful for Fifi taking care of Lucky for us as we are so far away to take care of him! Lucky definitely has some personality that we always get big kick with daily as we FaceTime him! He always runs to the sound and smiles big because that would be the time he gets a small bacon treat, gotta love that goofy ball!

Fall is slowly coming! On my walk back from the grocery store, the trees are turning colors and the sunset light is turning so soft that the colors are just so lovely! I really miss the Fall season and apple season in Midwest, as I am big fan of Jonathan and Braeburn, sadly I can't find any of these here. I though I still remember the taste of them, but I don't anymore! It seems ages ago I have had them! I should make an apple pie soon!


P.S. The blog posts will be running over the weekends for now. I hope to run weekday posts from time to time.

More later

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Lucky Bone Patchwork Toy Sewing Pattern

Hello! Today I have two posts over the two really sweet and adorable Patchwork Toy Sewing Patterns, so make sure you check {Bently Fish Patchwork Toy Sewing Pattern post}.

Are you ready to make some fun patchwork toys for your furry families and friends? Over the last four years, we have been making toys for our dear Lucky, the boy who gives us all the fun ideas to make little toys for him to play and chew on! Before summer arrived, I've came up with a new and fun toy idea to make. 

I had sketched lots fun objects, but the little bone sketch quickly spoke to me. I had sew and test out drafts of the bone templates before finalized the Lucky Bones outline! These Lucky Bones are really cute and fun to make! It is truly one of a kind handmade toy for our furry families and friends and perfect holiday and birthday gift making for furry families and friends!  Also for you to share your love of patchwork with them! 

These Lucky bones are fun to make and great to boost up the scraps bin and turn them into something fun and playful toys for our beloved furry friends and families!  These are really cute and fun to throw around for the furry friends to chase and catch! 

Of course, I couldn't resist making one for myself!  As the fun factor it is so cute to turn one of these Lucky Bone into a pin cushion! I just had to keep one for myself and didn't send this to Lucky!

Over the summer, I have also made and gifted many Lucky Bones away! My furry friends are so in love with their new toys! According to their mama, they pretty much guarding their Lucky bone whenever and sleep on it! Pretty cute! 

Fifi snapped all the Lucky photos for me while Lucky plays and sleeps on his Lucky Bones.  He gets pretty excited about new toys, always! He knew it is from his "second" sister, who spoiled him overly!

The Lucky Bones seem the best rest pillow for his short snout and just "big" enough for him to hold in his mouth!  He surely knows how to hide his toys as mama consistently finding Lucky's toys in the house and drop them in Lucky's lost and found bucket.

After made dozens of Lucky Bones this early summer! I have made another dozen and ready to gift to my furry friends and saved a couple for Lucky!

Lucky Bone Patchwork Toy Sewing Pattern comes with 7 pages of step by step instructions and included one template page! 

You'll need: 

-Fabric Scraps

-Batting

-Backing fabric

-Polyester Fill

-Coordinate colored sewing thread

-Permanent Marker

-Scissors

For the first time, I am running a dual pattern listing in both {Etsy} and {Craftsy} Shop.  Within the dual pattern listing you'll received both {Lucky Bone Patchwork Toy Sewing Pattern} and {Bently Fish Patchwork Toy Sewing Pattern}. 

You can also check out as single pattern listing:

Dual Pattern Listing via {Etsy} and {Craftsy} shop

Lucky Bone Patchwork Toy Sewing Pattern can be find via {Etsy} and {Craftsy} shop. 

Bently Fish Patehwork Toy Sewing Pattern can be find via  {Etsy} and {Craftsy} Shop. 

Yet, I couldn't help myself not to design a patchwork toy pattern for our kitty friends. So I've designed another patchwork toy sewing pattern, Bently Fish for our kitty friends and families! 

Visit the {Bently Fish Preview page here}!

Thank you again for all of your enthusiasm coming here to read about the creations I share with you. I really can't tell you how much I appreciate it! It is truly pleasure create these two patchwork toy sewing patterns and wish you'll love it as well! Something fun and cute! 

Enjoy 

xxc

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Bently Fish Patchwork Sewing Pattern

Hello, Did you get a chance to visit {Lucky Bone Patchwork Toy Sewing Pattern post}? Today I am running two sweet and fun patchwork toy sewing pattens. 

While designed and created the Lucky Bone Patchwork Toy Sewing Pattern. I also had made a whale alike patchwork toy and sent to my kitty friends.  It wasn't quite perfect as I knew the pattern could be improved and gave it more fun, playful look and highlight patchwork aspect more. Following weeks, I have done a lot fish drawings and drafted quite a bit before finalized the Bently Fish's shape. 

The Bently Fish is slightly different from Lucky Bone in making.  It has extra cotton twill attached to the Bently Fish. It is for tying a string to wrap around a wood stick.  It also uses two templates instead of one. Around the turning points, they need to take time and slow down to sewing and make it smooth for later.  Other than that it is a pretty sweet Bently Fish Patchwork Toy to gift. 

I've made a dozen of Bently Fish and also couldn't help to save one for myself as a Bently Fish Pin cushion. These are also perfect as little patchwork gift to quilty friends, fun and sweet! 

We have turned these Bently Fish into garland and hanging around the window for the fun! These Bently Fish are not quite in rainbow color scheme, but I had pleasant time sewing and playing in colors.   The finished size is easy for pick up and play around. Another great way boost up scrap bins and turn these into fun and cute little patchwork toys!  These would be perfect for holiday and birthday gift making for the furry friends and families!

Now, a dozen of Bently Fish and a dozen of Lucky Bones are ready to gift for the up coming holiday! I am very excited about all prepared this year for the extra special gifts this year!

Bently Fish Patchwork Toy Sewing Pattern comes with 7 pages of step by step instructions and included one template page! 

You'll need: 

-Fabric Scraps

-Batting

-Backing fabric

-Polyester Fill

-Coordinate colored sewing thread

-Permanent Marker

-Scissors

For the first time, I am running a dual pattern listing in both {Etsy} and {Craftsy} Shop.  So you will receive both {Lucky Bone Patchwork Toy Sewing Pattern} and {Bently Fish Patchwork Toy Sewing Pattern}. 

You can also check out as single pattern listing:

Dual Pattern Listing via {Etsy} and {Craftsy} shop

Lucky Bone Patchwork Toy Sewing Pattern can be find via {Etsy} and {Craftsy} shop. 

Bently Fish Patehwork Toy Sewing Pattern can be find via {Etsy} and {Craftsy} Shop. 

Visit the {Lucky Bone Sewing Pattern Preview here}

Thank you again for all of your enthusiasm coming here to read about the creations I share with you. I really can't tell you how much I appreciate it! It is truly pleasure create these two patchwork toy sewing patterns and wish you'll love it as well! Something fun and cute! 

Enjoy 

xxc

Patchwork the Travel Outbound Bag

There is a small pile of hand quilted patchwork panels that I have done and saved over the years and continue adding to the pile. I've always jump right in new ideas and start sewing. Then take up tremendous time to hand-quilting the pieces. Over the time, I probably walk away most of initial ideas then drop everything and moved on! These are not quite abandon pieces, probably just needed some good motivation push to complete them.  Lately I've getting some new ideas and working through them as I go. 

These two tiny patchwork panels finished in an odd measurement 8.25"x4.5". It won't fit well into an 8" nor a 6" zipper. Between these two sizes would be the size 7" zipper and it would really be just right size! However, size 7" is not an usual zipper size that I used around here, so had acquired new zippers for them. 

When I first designed the {Travel Outbound Bag Sewing Pattern}, I had an in-between idea/ decision on making the pattern into a patchwork style or keep the sewing panels simple. It was a challenging call at the time {as I heart patchworking so much},  but I knew for traveling that things will get wear up quickly, so final call was using linen and linen cotton blended fabrics. 

But you know what? I've been curious about how the {Travel Outbound Bag} would look like in the patchwork style! It was just something that I've always wanted to make one, but not finding the time to actually sit down for the process of making. 

After going through the box, I found these two patchwork panels were actually perfectly for making a patchwork style {Travel Outbound Bag}! The only change that made was sewing with a patchwork exterior pockets instead of one piece cloth.  I've also changed the rivet set into a snap set which allows to open up the front exterior pockets (both side) then added a little leather for extra embellishment/ design look. 

I am excited that finally filled up my curiosity after publishing the pattern. It is the kind of patchwork style that I had pictured in my mind {all this time} and it gives more versatile look, probably the patchwork love in me!  I can't wait to make a second patchwork style Travel Outbound Bag, I can't go wrong with all the tiny stitches {smile}.

Travel Outbound Bag Sewing Pattern is available via my {Etsy} and {Craftsy} pattern store. 

Hand quilting tutorial is {here}. 

Meanwhile, I have some patchworking fun coming next week! I can't wait to show you more!  

more later, 

xxc

Between Stitches

After 1700 plus miles and nine states of road tripping, I was ready to sit down and simmer through  adventures that made with papa. He has returned home almost a month now! It seemed just yesterday that he was sitting in the kitchen and having coffee with me.

I have been working between stitches; knitting and hand quilting throughout the summer time.  Knitting is really addictive once the stitch concept start making all the sense and comfortable with different knitting stitches.  I've finished two cowls, one for me and the other one for S, and a mini cowl for a little friend. There are few more cowl patterns I would like to try later this Fall.

My goal of knitting a shawl might not be too far to reach! While watching the tutorial online last week, I've also followed and cast stitches on. Pause the tutorial as I move on the stitches. There were some simple mistakes that I still make, such as yarn in the front rather in the back. After a few tries, I have GOT it! You know, that felt so encouraging! I've studied different yarn weight when I found something that don't understand, asking lots questions about what is better type of yarn to use, and really have my hands on!

After so many years of learning to knit, I really have feel this year is the year that the timing was right! Perhaps I've made friends who sew and knit this year?!  The shawl that I started yesterday is growing and it is not perfect! I made mistakes on even and odd stitch row (bummer), but I've decided to keep on going this time rather than taking it apart ( I always do when so many mistakes in between rows).  Shawl making is coming pretty quickly I have to say!

I am a newbie to this whole knitting hand craft side and loving learn and discover new skills and knowledge! I probably need to start watching for all good yarn sales for now and if you have a place you like to look, please share with me!

Alright, maybe enough of knitting talk! Hand quilting has taken most of summer time as well! Picking up some work in progress projects and really have them finish rather than sitting around! I like cross off projects and have a new project start on the side!

During the late August, I sat down and finish quilting the French Country Inspired Quilt for my friend. It made to her 60th birthday! The quilt top was sitting nearly 4 years in the box! It was finished 77"x90"! I really love how it turned out! The colors are really mean for E;  blue, white, and rose buds. When I first started it, I knew I wouldn't make a scrappy and colorful look quilt for her, since it is not her! Something match her personality and her home! But then I wanted to add some radomes of "scrappy" style into the quilt, so the nine-patch blocks were randomly place before piecing together.

Summer went by quicker this year particularly! Most of the time we were on the road and home for a day or two doing laundry then pack again for next adventure! Our favorite visit this summer is Niagara Falls and Thousand Island! You might not know, we stopped for every soft ice cream service! Papa's favorite treat all time here!

Thank you for loving the {new tutorial}! I was eager to work on it when things were slowing down a bit here!

More later,

xxc