Valentine's Day # 27

My husband says I'm the most unromantic person...could be true...but he certainly is the most romantic person I know. Here's hoping there are 27 more Valentine's Days together.

Friday Finish...Not!

I'm making a dent on my Dresdan plates. Nothing like having several projects going...what about the two UFO's I'm supposed to be working on?????

I found these treasures on Ebay. They were $5 a piece and the Santa's just need beards. These charts are out of print and highly coveted...complete, unused kits for these two Santas often sell for over $20 a piece. I feel like I got a major deal!

A Hare's Pace

I've spent the last three evenings working on the last two blocks of Pieceful Kwilters 2011 BOM. Lots of points! Definitely not for a beginner. Block 11 was an instant hit with me when I finished it.

Block 12 didn't thrill me after I finished it.

All that work to get my points and it's a mushy mess...batiks do present challenges. I couldn't live with it. Out came the seam ripper and two new fabrics.

A few hours later...it's all better!

This my February UFO...next...setting triangles for all of these blocks.

Shannon of Pieceful Kwilter fame, has started a new project on her blog called SAL 2012 (Sew Along). She just released the first edition. It's calling to me. I already committed to the Scrappy Plate Club and I'm falling behind on that one so I may just be an observer on the SAL 2012...sigh.

Interdiction

Hello, my name is Debbie...and I'm addicted to making Christmas stockings. I probably have 70 stocking kits waiting to be made. (Just in case Bucilla never makes another kit..I've got enough to last my lifetime.) But darn if those designers at Bucilla haven't made more cute ones. 

Due in April

Gifts from Santa...I just love wrapped presents!

Snowman Games...chubby little snowmen...who can resist them?

Twas the Night...Santa with a Grandfather Clock?  Haven't seen anything like that before.

Under the Tree...check out the adorable ornaments...and the toys! 

These all look so easy.  No dolls with braids! I'll try and finish some more stockings before April arrives.

Stocking Sunday

I spent several hours working on this tiny doll that fits in Santa's bag of toys.

Here's the front of the stocking all put together.

Next is the final construction. I line the inside of just the front piece of the the stocking with another piece felt.

I rarely use the backing provided in the kit. Often they aren't the color I would choose.  It was the case with this kit so I pulled some burgundy felt from my stash and pressed out the wrinkles. I drew the outline in chalk of the completed top.

Here's what the backside of the front piece looks like. I like to line it so that nothing that goes into the stocking will snag any of the threads. I also think it adds a lot of body to the stocking.

 I used the burgundy felt for the lining but I didn't include bumped out areas...just the basic stocking shape. I also trim it to a little less than 1/4" all around. Then I whip stitch it to the back side of the front piece. The felt is very forgiving and I stitch so that I just pick up enough of the felt with each stitch to secure it but not let my stitches show through to the front. It definitely takes a light touch.

Now it's ready for the back of the stocking to be added.

The back piece is whip stitched to the front...

In the areas where different colors come along I just stitch the base of the front with the back piece.

Here's a peek at the back where I am knotting off my thread and getting ready to start a new thread.

Here's the final stocking...all ready for next Christmas.

Mardi Gras Bunco

It's Bunco night! It is snowing like crazy...we've gotten at least a foot and it's still coming down strong! It's mostly neighborhood ladies who attend so hopefully most of the gang will make it. One thing is for sure...those of us who do make it will have lots to eat. We have a Mardi Gras theme tonight and I was asked to bring a King Cake...never heard of it...but the internet will tell you everything!

Can't wait to slice into it. Instead of a true cake consistency, it is a jelly roll with cream cheese filling. I just hate not being able to taste it ahead of time when it's a new recipe to me. Of course the frosting was perfect! 

Not much sewing this week...paperwork and cleaning...double yuck.

We did a walk through with our real estate agent to go over what needs to be done to our current home before we put it on the market. Looks like next week I will be doing some painting...then cleaning...cleaning...and more cleaning. I will miss my sewing time! But this too shall pass and I will turn to day dreaming about the perfect sewing studio whenever I'm missing my fabric. 

Wednesday Works

Remember these blocks?

I didn't meet my goal on January's UFO...but (here comes the excuse) I turned it into two quilts instead of one. I need to get the top stitching on the fusible web applique done and that's always been the biggest stumbling block. I'm going to do it! 

February's UFO is much easier and I know I will get it done. I just need to finish piecing two blocks and then put the top together. I already have the pieces cut for the blocks...almost there!

And just for fun...I'm getting so close to finishing another stocking...maybe another week. I have two more toys to make for Santa's bag and they are detailed items...lots of embroidery.