book quilt for sister

Last fall I came across this fun panel at one of my favorite quilt stores and knew I had to buy it and make a quilt for my sister. She's become an avid reader since our dad passed away, following in our mom's footsteps of always reading. 

Books Are Magic (36 x 44) designed by Katherine Herrell for Michael Miller Fabrics

I started playing around with quilt layouts early this year. Having never used a panel before it was a bit challenging. I knew I wanted to cut it into sections, but what else to do left me baffled. Finally I landed on flowers, which we both love. Her living room where she reads is all whites and grays, so in case she doesn't want to always have the bright colors showing, I used a white, cream and gray backing fabric. Here's the final product, which I can now post since her birthday was last week. 

 

62" x 74"

Fabric = $122.62 (had enough leftover thread & batting from prior quilts)

Hours = 47 excluding shopping

Believe,

Di

bathroom flowers

 

I set a goal this year to create and blog every month. Most of my creating this month has been making a quilt, but I did spend a little time putting together a couple of flower arrangements to coordinate with the new shower curtain I bought for Spring. Simple yet cheerful. 

Believe,

Di 

whisk dragonfly stakes

 

I love dragonflies so when I saw a photo last year of how someone had made a dragonfly out of a kitchen whisk, I knew I wanted to try my hand at it. The photo doesn't do the beads justice. Especially in sunlight the colors shimmer. These will make great additions to my potted plants come Spring. 

Believe,

Di

design wall upgrade

After finishing my second quilt in January, 2023, I decided I wanted a design wall. Having no wall space it needed to be easily stored away when not in use. I ended up buying a movable room divider (link) to which I attached a large flannel sheet. I was never truly been pleased with the results. It was a bit flimsy and a pain in the bum to dismantle for storage. This past weekend I decided it was time for an upgrade so hubby and I went to Home Depot and bought two 4' x 8' panels of pink foam insulation, 1.5" thick. When we got home we cut it into four 2' x 7' panels. I covered three with white flannel and the fourth with an elephant tapestry I had on hand. The panels store nicely in the corner when not in use and are easy to pull out and lean against the mirrored closet doors when I need them. I think I'm going to be happy with this upgrade! 

Believe,

Di

sewing machine dust cover - tweaked

 

Last year I made a dust cover for my new sewing machine (link). I'd originally attached the 2 thread spool stand to the machine, which meant the dust cover needed to be really big. It was so big our cats liked to sleep on top of it, which crushed it in a bit so needed to be reinforced which made it heavy. I didn't use those spool stands all year and am not sure I will, so recently detached them which meant I needed to adjust the size of the dust cover. It's much lighter now and I doubt the cats will use it for a bed since the top is half the size it had been. This means less cat hair - LOL. 

Believe,

Di

quilt blues

Yesterday I finished my fourth quilt! I purchased the fabric last March after finishing my third quilt. The jelly roll was from Amazon and the frame/backing from Hobby Lobby. I was inspired by this beautiful quilt (link) but again, didn't have a pattern so just played around with various measurements and calculations to figure it out. Here's the status when I shelved it late April for outside work.

I picked the project back up the beginning of this year. It was my first time self-binding, bringing the back fabric to the front. Let's just say a few cuss words were said but I got it to work and am very happy with the results. 

56" x 74"

Fabric + thread = $59.31 (had enough leftover batting from prior quilts)

Hours = 75 excluding shopping

Believe,

Di

Christmas 2025 PS

 

When I went to address the 12 Christmas cards I made earlier I realized I'd forgotten a few people. Rather than skip them this year I decided to dust off my watercolor supplies and try a few I'd seen on Facebook reels that looked fairly simple. I played around with other card making supplies too in order to create nine more cards to send. It was fun to spend a couple afternoons just playing. 

Believe,

Di

Christmas 2025

 

It's been a few months since I've posted anything. Got in the craft/sewing room a couple months ago to alter some pajamas and modify the fabric collage I made six years ago, but until this past week, that's been it. This past week I made some simple Christmas cards to send to a few friends and family members this year. Went to address the envelopes today and realized I'm out of envelopes so ordered more, which I'll deal with this week. Hopefully getting them sent earlier this year will mean people will actually receive them before the holiday. The verbiage on the cards are wooden ornaments from Hobby Lobby, so I'll need to add extra postage for the added thickness. Guess that's as good a reason as any to only make and send 12 this year, lol. 

Believe,

Di

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

2024 holiday cards

 

This month I played in the craft room for the first time since April. We lost Dad this year and nearly every weekend has included a day taking care of estate business and preparing his house for sale. It's been a sad journey but we had an endless supply of good memories to pull us through. Changing my work hours from 40 to 20 last month certainly helped lighten my load. I LOVE part time status and am so very grateful for the gift. Anyways...  this month I made 24 of these cards to send to friends and family. It was therapeutic to play again. The paper is gift wrap that caught my eye. 

Wishing you happy holidays, whatever your faith, and a healthy, prosperous 2025!  

Believe,

Di

2023 holiday cards

Finally made it back into the craft room this past week! It's the first time since February (sad face). It felt awesome playing again, and I made some simple cards to send this year. Will drop them in the mail tomorrow. 

Believe,

Di

 

This month's projects were a 12" x 16" throw pillow and a summer nightgown. The pillow was the first time I've ever done piping. The nightgown was my own design after realizing the pattern I'd purchased was going to be far more complicated and time consuming than expected. I've got to say I'm pleasantly surprised and pleased with the results of both projects.

Believe,

Di

disappearing 9 patch quilt

After finishing my first quilt (link) last February, I decided to try something more challenging yet still fairly easy. I landed on a disappearing 9 patch design with fabrics to match the decor in our TV room where I planned to use the quilt to keep warm on winter movie nights. Rather than use a single fabric for the back, I chose to make the top large enough it could fold over and be the back as well. Here are a few photos of my journey: 

 

At this point it was early April and I wanted to be doing things outside so I put the project on hold, finally picking it up again last weekend. Saturday I added batting and quilted using the stitch in the ditch method. This worked great on the side I could see while sewing but the pattern didn't line up the same way on the back and thus the stitching there is a little more obvious. Sunday I made and attached the binding for a finished quilt measuring 4.5' x 6'. 

It has mistakes but that's ok - I learned a lot that I can apply to future projects. I enjoyed every step of the process and am pleased with the results. Two of our four boys gave it their approval as well - LOL. 

   

Fabric, batting + thread = $127.39 

Hours = 45 excluding shopping

 

Believe,

Di

lightweight friendly plastic earrings

 

 

I made these in November but didn't want to post them until after gifting the red pair. No idea if she'll ever wear them, but I had fun making them. The other pair are for me and I've already worn them a few times.

Nothing else has been made since -- just too brain dead after work to be creative so instead, have escaped watching Christmas movies and snuggling with our new dog. I'm hoping to do a better job of dealing with work stress in 2023 so I can get my life back. 

Believe,

Di

fall alcohol ink card

 

After my last post I started a large disappearing 9-patch quilt, then spring arrived and all my time shifted to being outside. It's now turned cold here so today I FINALLY got back in the craft room. A dear friend has a birthday this coming week and since we both love nature, I decided on a fall theme. First I embossed photo paper and then applied alcohol ink. I like the that it's simple and unique. Inside is a simple "happy birthday" stamped in dark orange. 

Believe,

Di

 

my first quilt

 

 

The end of January I started my first quilt, intentionally starting small and simple.  My research lead me to try a jelly roll style quilt-as-you-go approach. This is a 3' x 4' lap quilt of my own design, using scraps, clearance pieces and some fat quarters I couldn't resist. The entire process (well, except the iron burn on my finger the last 15 minutes before I finished - lol!) was so much fun! I can't wait to make another one!  

Believe,

Di

shaving cream card

 

Today's creation was a simple shaving cream card. I embossed the words and then went over them with marker. The diamonds along the sides were made using a Sparkle Pop pen. It's a simple design that took far longer to make than it looks, but it was fun none-the-less. 

Believe,

Di

2022 theme

I was able to use a few hours of PTO last week to begin dreaming about and planning for 2022. After reviewing 2021 and searching inside myself for what I want in 2022, I landed on my theme, areas of focus, rough game plan, affirmations and vision board. It feels good to have this all done already so I'm starting the year with direction. Without direction or a plan, I flounder. 

In follow-up to my 01/31/21 post, I'm listing my new and old themes together in one place: 

2012 – physical
2013 – do
2014 – you always regret what you didn’t do
2015 – action
2016 – give
2017 – energy
2018 – perspective
2019 – practice
2020 – balance
2021 – accept
2022 – what are you waiting for?

Believe,

Di

desktop calendars

 

Tried something new and made some desktop calendars. I started by embossing metal foil which I then painted with alcohol inks. Once dry I cut and scored card stock and assembled the pieces. Shout out to Debbie Simko at graciousbeegreetings.etsy.com for the printed calendars - quality product, good service and reasonable pricing. 

Believe,
Di

2021 holiday cards

 

This year's holiday cards are done and in the mail. I made 28 using 6 different designs. Yes, they could have been decorated much more elaborately, but that's time consuming and I'm rather pleased with the clean, simple look they have without all the extras. Next up, finish making the mini calendars I started before shifting gears to these cards. 

Believe,
Di