hop in

Hop in and want to say HI!! I'll be back soon.. with lots photos and some thoughts!

xxC

Patchwork Sampler

I finished the patchwork sampler a few weeks ago, but forgot to show it to you. I selected 26 of my favorite prints and transferred each print into an alphabet. I love embroidery, but have very limited knowledge about cross stitches. When I tried the cross stitches for J's quilt. The process was very simple and wondered why I never give it a try! I have always been feeling a bit green when I see someone have a cross stitch sampler up on their walls { maybe not very green}. I have loves about alphabet samplers. I have been looking for one in thrift stores and garage sales, but no such luck for me.  Somehow I knew I have to have one! I though patchwork sampler is such appropriate method for me. I did a little research and look up some cross stitches on Google. I kept each little square in 1"x1" and math out what I need for each alphabet!

The backing is undecided! At this moment it is hung next to S' bed. She seems loving it and I think soon she will claim it, hers!  She wants one that's written in her name I think she might be able to achieve it herself, since she began to sew again {perhaps a little help from mama}.  Maybe she can pick out fabric first then I can help her cutting. Wouldn't that be another fun sewing project for her?

I will be dismiss myself this full week! As a MFA student, I continually working on my thesis pieces during the summer time. Since I have had so much fun in the first part of the summer. It is time for me to get back and pay extra hours to the work before I meet with professor in a week. My goal for my last year is not stress myself out too much, but have a great last year in school, forever!   I should be around, but just not able to post daily until I finish the work. The last minute production doesn't fit my working habit, but I let it happened.. oops!   see you in a week then...

xxC 

Random: Weekending

Weekend randoms!

We came up with the berry biscuit idea this morning and went ahead try out: 2 cups of biscuit mix, 1 cup of milk then mixed well together. Roll the dough out to 1/4" thick. Cut into 3" squares then add your favorite berries. Wrap the berries inside the dough then sprinkle some sugar on top. Bake 450 degrees for 10 minutes. It is delicious and healthy! 

The fresh dill is great for Ina's shrimp salad  and it is fabulous. We did the half recipe and added pasta.

My FWAQ blocks are added up to 47 blocks, almost half way through!

The little girl accomplished her embroidery stitches today and she does have full mouth of metal when she smiles now. She began our collaborate project today and I am sure she will be taking a little long time before she gets done.

I like to think I am taking an easy action here. It's weekend and I like to sit and read a little... until then I  am sure I will pick up my sewing machine and think about my next few projects...

xxC

Random: Make it work together

We tried a new drink receipt and it was delicious. Fresh lemon and lime juice and added some fresh mint from out little garden. It is fresh and sweet! Replaced the regular sugar and substituted with local farmer's honey. mmm.... We need some more of this drink for the incoming hot weather!

My revisited of the Farmer Wife Quilt Along was great. It is always fun and challenge for me. Sometimes, I try to go outside the box and do some odd color matching, but not always success!  I look at this project as a project that allows me to play with colors and go outside with my comfort zone. Are you done with yours? 

30's reproduction prints are getting pieced together!! I plan on making this into a picnic quilt instead. Our two picnic quilts were made few years back and both were pretty beat up! It will be great that we can take this quilt with us when we go on trip next time.

S shows more interest in sewing and even embroidery again. I drew some simple lines for her to follow, so she can practice the stitches before she hop on the mini quilt that we are working together.
 

Took a few hours and finished one side of the mini quilt embroidery. I tried not to alter S' drawing much and stay with the images she drew. They are small. She asked to fill in with the flowers. I am loving my needlebook and mini pincushion. Now I can find my needles and they are in the same place and I know where I can find them!! 

 This is the barn and farm house that we will be living in someday.....  I love the doors and windows...

These colors are the new matches for me.  The little rose buds print brings two other prints together well nicely!

Fresh veggies from friend's garden. Nothing better than these fresh veggies!  Strawberries are so sweet.We have been picking these veggies everyday when we go check on Shoney. It has been fun and the weather has been cool off! 

I shall take off from here and running my morning errands! 

xxC

Random: my little affection

My little affection is  affections are not just fabrics, quilts and talk.  Lately, my little affection is making these mini zakka style needlebooks! They are small and about the hand size! As you know my another little affection is hand-quilting on small projects to give another handmade touch. These needlebooks are all hand-quilted and use high quality of fabric. Each needlebook is arranged with different print. The needlebook is lined with canvas weight cotton and attached with 100% wool and 100% linen for the needle placement. I have just listed these needlebooks in the shop. Thank you for supporting~  xxC

Random: A little greedy!??

Hope your weekend and Monday were great!! I am not sure if my title is corrected in English version for what I am trying to say... Sometimes, my head  doesn't working the same way that I would like. Especially when I stay home most of the time during the summer and try my best speak our language to S.  My goal is to teach her speak and understand the language and the high hope is to read, someday!   I made a little needlebook for myself last week. The size of it is tiny! I am embarrassed to show you what I stored my needles in the past. It was a piece of white cloth and the needles are everywhere, could be found on floor, table, shelves. If you come here to visit, be careful! { smile}  I love how small the needlebook turns out! The wooden apple button is perfect for it! I hand quilted as always. I love the little hand touch to small projects.

Made these three tops for S over the weekend. The pattern is Ice Cream Dress from Olive +S. I used view A, but didn't added the button piece, so she can wear them as top. We pick out the fabric together, so she can be part of the making process. What I love about this pattern is very simple and quick! The yoke is a trick, but once I made a few I got the idea of turning and shaping!it  My sister has request one from me! I think I could used size 12 to make one for her, since she is very petite!

Aren't you in love with these wooden buttons? I have been saving these buttons for S' clothes. These buttons added zakka style of the clothes. I got these buttons when I was home last summer. There is a supply shop that I visit frequently and always have great found there. 

As you might know or notice. I am into paper piecing lately! The Y seam is not easy to get it right!  I drew all the lines and use pins to get the corner together. I hand-pieced this time instead of sewing sewing. It is actually faster than machine.

 I would like to make a little stash of spool blocks and save them for future projects. What I have in my mind is zippered pouches and mini quilts. It would be a great project to take with during trips.

I am convinced by S! Every since I made her a robe. She would tell me how comfy it is. I got myself a robe pattern and ready make a robe for myself this week. The fleece fabric have been sitting around and they would be perfect for the robe making.

I made this Scottie dog a few years ago. One of {to do} list is making a small Scottie dog for a birthday that's coming very soon. I would love to make another one with the wool fabric that I have been collected as well.  Do you like Scottie dog?? This is the pattern I used.

 Another top for S in on my list.

New fabric for more clothes! Lately, I have my love to spend time and making some garments. I love seeing S wear them and I love how we made the clothes together. This is another advance pattern I have in mind for her and myself. 

{Big book of Scrap Quilts} is a new book that I got! It has great information and ideas about using scraps and make quilts. If you like to see a few inside pages. I will be upload some images in flickr later today. 

My working table! I am working the 30's reproduction project again! It is a little messy around here, but I am working!! I think I am more than greedy sewing all the time! The weather is cool and lots rain and I am just sitting around all the time.


If you happen to view my past posts you might see blank images.. I did a very dumb action last week. I delete many photos from Google photo pool and I am not able to remember which images I put in each posts. Good lesson I learned!

xxC

Randome: w.i.p

After cutting for patchwork sampler I have save all the pieces and make them into a little patchwork piece. These retro prints are what I am all about lately! Thanks to friends who swapped their fabric with me, so I can have a small retro stash now, but I wish MORE! :)

The patchwork sampler is coming together. Spent majority of the time working on these little squares { 1.5X1.5"} for last two days. Thank you, Paula! I used most of the prints you sent to me! I love how these turns out!! I am a bit greedy to wish I have more mini tea cup prints, but I am happy the piece I received. :)  I plan on hand quilting the sampler, but not sure the quilting pattern. I might stay straight lines again. Do you have any suggestions for me?

When I first start making clothes I never pre-wash the fabric. After I pull the clothes that I made  from the washer/ dryer they would shrunk down one or two sizes. Later on,  I started pre-wash  fabric for clothes making. One thing that I learned is to use my overlock machine and go over the fabric edges. It prevents any threads caught in the washer and give clean look when pull out from the washer/dyer. The process might required extra 30 minutes, but it is worth the time and effort!  If you don't have a overlock machine, you can use zig-zag from your sewing machine as well.  After I pull fabric out from the dyer I would press the fabric again, just make it nice for cutting.

Three new tops pieces are cut and ready to assemble! They are all from the same pattern, as S told me that's her favorite top since I made her since  last year and I also made the same pattern in dress.  I stay busy during the day and finding times to play with S. We plan on biking to local farmer's market and also do some more sewing here.I will be quiet for next few days and wish you have a great weekend and have fun sewing as well!!

xxC