appreciation cards

After my last post 3/29, the weather turned nice enough I could be outside working in the yard and garden which means little to no time in the craft/quilt room. I worked especially hard the first three weeks of May to get as much done outside as possible because I knew I'd be slowed down a lot after hip replacement surgery 5/22. I'm healing surprising quickly but still restricted on many activities, including yard and garden work for at least another four weeks. This means I could easily get in the craft room to make a few cards when it came time to thank those who've been especially thoughtful the last couple of weeks. The photo doesn't do the colors justice, but hopefully the recipients will smile when they open their mail.  

Believe,

Di

therapy in session

Ordered this fun panel online from Block Party Studios, added some color with fabric markers, framed in fabric and hung on my sewing/craft room door. Didn't realize until just now that the business is located in the small town I grew up in. How cool is that?! 

Believe,

Di

sewing machine dust cover

After finishing my last quilt, I took my 50+ year old Pfaff in for regular cleaning and service. It was a work horse for my mom for many years, then sat idle for several years before I started using it. It's so old though that parts are hard, if not impossible to find, and the throttle had gotten sticky. It was time for a new machine. After countless hours of research, I landed on the Janome Horizon Memory Craft 8200QCP Special Edition. I absolutely love it - happy birthday to me! 

The first project I did was a cover to keep dust off the machine. Rather than use a pattern, I designed the cover myself (nod to Full Bobbin Designs for inspiring how I shaped the machine applique). I wanted a dust cover that would hold its shape, and since my new sewing table was packaged with several foam sheets, I cut and used the foam rather than cardboard. 

I'm quite happy with the results. 

Believe,

Di

stained glass quilt

After finishing my second quilt (link) in January of 2024, I immediately chose my next quilt and went out to buy the fabric. I love color and my husband does stained glass, so I wanted to try a stained glass quilt. After lots of googling, I chose this quilt for inspiration. Without a pattern, I spent quite a bit of time calculating the proper measurements for each piece. I got all the colored fabric cut in February before my Dad passed away and the project was put aside. 

I picked the project back up the beginning of this year. It was my first time working with sashing, and boy was that a mind bender at first. Here's the project part way through...

And here's the finished quilt, measuring 52" x 68", just slightly smaller than my previous quilt. The image doesn't quite do the colors justice. They truly pop in person. I love it and am eager to figure out what my next project will be. 

Fabric, batting + thread = $124.23

Hours = 65 excluding shopping

Believe,

Di

fabric art tree

 

Today I finished my fabric art tree - YAY! The center panel, which was the bulk of the work, was done in 2023. The borders were added last year and today I attached the finished piece to sturdy foam board for hanging. It feels good to have a project finished, and I'm pleased with the results. It measures 17.5" x 20".   

Believe,

Di