Machine Embroidery Patchwork Tote

Below are close-ups of the two sides of a machine embroidery tote that I recently made.  The tote was a birthday present for my sister.  The designs are from Anita Goodesign.  It is from their Projects series -Patchwork Tote.  Each of the quilt blocks is embellished with machine embroidery.  I think my favorite is the bird but I also like the tapestry blocks.  Even the patchwork blocks were created on my Janome 11000.

The fabric for the tote was left over from the Chestnut and Vine Block of the Month Quilt.  It was the perfect fabric for this tote. 

The tote is lined with a pocket.  I'm hoping to make one for myself at a later date.  Each of the detailed embroidery blocks takes approximately an hour to complete.   Maybe I can work on it a block at a time. 

Blue Ridge Pottery and Springtime

I have been collecting vintage Blue Ridge Pottery for a number of years.  Before our kitchen redo,  I had a large display of Blue Ridge platters and plates on the wall in the breakfast nook.  After our redo, that wall is covered with my Chestnut and Vine quilt.  I still wanted to display some of the dishes in my kitchen.  I found this plate rack at the thrift store.  The holder in the center had a candle holder.  I removed the candle holder and spray painted the rack blue.  It now hangs on the wall near the kitchen sink.  I selected floral plates for this display and a lovely creamer on what remains of the candle holder.  I haveBlue Ridge platters displayed on other racks in the kitchen (pics at a later date).  

 I placed a Welcome Spring display on the raised ledge below this plate rack.

These flowers and little signs were purchased at the 99 Cent Store.   My sister gave me the vintage pitcher.  I am anxiously awaiting Spring (however, it has been Spring Like here in Arizona for the past month).   Hoping for orange blossoms soon.

Hanging Up the Quilt with Hang-Ups

I decided to display my completed Chestnut and Vine quilt in the newly decorated breakfast nook.   I hung the quilt using a quilting product called Hang-Ups.

I found these wonderful little Hang-ups at the Washoe Quilt Shoppe in Montana a few years ago.  I purchased a package of 6.  I had intended to put them to use immediately but alas they sat in my studio until this week.  At the quilt shop they used them on a rail that went around the top of the wall.  I wanted to make a quilt rail for a wall in my home.  Our "historic West Clark Addition" home has plaster walls and it is difficult to mount things to the wall without destroying the lovely plaster.  I thought this would be the perfect solution for displaying quilts.

First we went to Home Depot and selected a piece of decorative trim for the quilt rail.  We installed screws evenly spaced across the rail.  I painted it white to match the Pottery Barn Shelving in the room.  My DH them mounted it to the wall.  You can see the entire rail below and a closeup of the screws.

Here is the top of my Chestnut and Vine quilt hanging from my new quilt rail.