Tote-ally Tote-able Tote

This was my project last weekend.  It is Anita Goodesign's "Tote-ally Tote-able" Tote.  I just love the way this project turned out.  Don't you love those leather handles with the leather flowers and buttons.  I purchased the handles at the Arizona Quilt Guild Show in March.  I knew I'd find a place to use them and they were perfect for this project.

 

Here is a close up of the fabrics and the embroidery design on each block.  The entire tote is made in the hoop of the embroidery machine.  The fabric is from Granny's Attic.  I purchased it when Karen had her shop in Campbellsville, Kentucky but now she has an online shop.  The ribbon was also purchased from Granny's.  The instructions don't call for a lining in the tote but I wanted a lining and pockets.  So I designed and constructed a lining with pockets.  Now it's perfect.  Now I working on an embroidered pillow top in bright colors.

Hobo Bag

This is a Hobo Bag I made recently for a friend.  This is an Anita Goodesigns Project Pack.  The quilted blocks are made in the embroidery machine and then assembled into the bag.  I used my wonderful Janome 15000 machine.  I continue to be amazed at the lovely embroidery produced by this machine.  Complete instructions for the bag are included in the Anita Goodesign Design Pack.

 

The fabrics for the bag were included in a grab bag of fat quarters that I ordered this summer from Craftsy.  At first I was disappointed that the bag didn't include 50 different fabrics but now I'm glad it included a good variety but duplicates of some fabrics.  Perfect for this project.

 

I found this button in my stash and it was the perfect addition to the bag.  The loop is made from a hair loop.  Luckily I had a pack that included the perfect blue.

It's time to show some new projects

I recently completed this thread catcher for a dear friend.  She too does machine embroidery.  The thread catcher is perfect for all those little threads that you clip during machine embroidery.  The top is a pin cushion.  I have one and keep it by my machine at all times.  It's like my personal "trash bin"!

 

 

The embroidery design is from Anita Goodesigns (my fav machine embroidery company).  The pack is called "Sew Fun" and contains many wonderful sewing related embroidery designs. 

 

Pocket Purses

I recently had craft day with granddaughters.  They wanted to make Pocket Purses using my embroidery machine.  I took my Janome 11000 to their house and they each made a Pocket Purse using Anita Goodesign's Projects Pocket Purse designs.  They had fun making these purses.  The design is a in-the-hoop design.  Even the zipper is added in the embroidery hoop. 

Here GD#1 shows her Pocket Purse while GD#2 used the embroidery machine.  She uses her purse to hold her IPOD.  We had a great time using the embroidery machine.  The project was so simple that they were able to complete the purse with little supervision.  They are so familiar with computers that a computerized machine doesn't intimidate them.  Fun time!

Happy Hour Apron

 I finished the Happy Hour apron this morning.  I bought the apron at WalMart and added the embroidery design from Anita Goodesign's Happy Hour collection.  I added the lettering with my Janome 12000.  It is so nice to have a large hoop that allows all this in one hooping.  The smaller hoops require multiple hoopings and often things didn't align correctly.  I'm lov'n my new machine.

Below you can see the apron with the bar towel tucked in the pocket.

 

Another Christmas present completed.  You may wonder why I'm working so hard on Christmas in September.  It is because I have a two week trip with old (no still young!) college friends later in September.  And if DH's health allows, we will spend October and November in KY.  We have a family cruise to Mexico scheduled for a week in  December.  You can see that my calendar is full and I really need to get Christmas organized as soon as possible.  

 

Have a wonderful Holiday Weekend. 

Christmas Hand Towels

 

Here are the three Christmas hand towels I made from the upcycled linen table cloth I mentioned yesterday.  This design is also from the Anita Goodesign CHRISTMAS CURLS.  I decided to use the same design and embroider it in red, green, and gold.  I love the stitching along the hem line.  So glad I found that little tablecloth at Goodwill.  I was able to make these linen hand towels from less than a $1.00 each.  These will be a Christmas gift for a family member (can't say who).

 

I purchased an apron at WalMart today to make an apron to go with the bar towel I made this week.  I think I'll make three of the towels and the apron.  Gift for our family's party animals.  Maybe I'll finish this weekend since we aren't going anywhere for the holiday. 

 

Completed my second class with my new machine today.  Can't wait to use some of the features we learned today.  What a wonderful machine it is. 

Halloween Quilt and a new Janome 12000

After much thought and research, I am now the owner of a new Janome 12000.  It is a wonderful machine with many upgrades from my Janome 11000.  I still love my Janome 11000 but the hoop size limited me in the designs I was able to embroider.  My new machine has huge hoops that will allow me to embroider any design on the market today.  I really debated this purchase.  It is lots of money to invest in a sewing machine but I finally convenienced myself that it was an investment in my "mental well being".  My sewing studio and my fabric art have been a blessing throughout my life and its challenges.  So I went to Mulqueen's Sewing Center and made the big purchase.  I LOVE IT. 

Here are my first two Halloween quilt squares using my new machine.  These blocks are 8" blocks (something my Janome 11000 can't do).  I did keep my Janome 11000 and it will go to our vacation home in Kentucky.  So I'll be able to do machine embroidery both places.  So exciting!!!!

Homestead Mini-Quilt

I finished the Homestead mini-quilt.  Just in time for breakfast on Wednesday.  I'm very pleased with this little mini.  Each block is time consuming with all the cutting of applique pieces but the result is stunning.  The blocks are 7" finished.

Now to put the binding on a tablerunner that I completed while in Kentucky.  Pics later this week.  Great to be back in the studio. 

Homestead Machine Embroidery Blocks

I am home from my trip to Kentucky, Ohio, and the Antique Roadshow.  Unfortunately, my cousin and I aren't rich but we are rich with good memories of the day spent in Cincy at the Roadshow.

I began working on some Homestead machine embroidery blocks today.  This is one of Anita Goodesign's new Special Editions.  It includes tree, animal, quilt, and building blocks.  I plan to do one of each and make a small sampler for a friend.  Later this evening I hope to begin the block with a hanging quilt.   My fabrics are brighter than the sample from Anita Goodesigns.  As many of you know, I am using up my stash and these were the colors I selected.  I'm liking it.  Blocks are 7" when finished.  It's good to be back in the studio after dealing with health issues and vacation.  I do have a few medical procedures scheduled this month but I'm hoping the end is near.

Redwork Quilt Block

This week I am working on a redword mini-quilt.  My first block is completed.  I am using designs from Anita Goodesign's Baltimore quilt collection.  I am using cotton Size 30 red thread as recommended by Martha Pullen.  I attended one of her workshops years ago and she made this suggestion.  I think it gives it more dimension with the larger thread.  I also purchased red bobbin thread for this project.  I haven't decided on the red fabric for the fabric squares.  I have a few reds in my stash and will audition them when redwork squares are completed. 

Hope everyone had a great Mother's Day.  We did breakfast with my son's family.  Of course, one of the great things about is being a mom is that then you get to be a grandma.  I truly enjoy spending time with the two granddaughters. 

Sunbonnet Sue

I completed my project for the week this morning.  It is a Sunbonnet Sue mini quilt.  It can be used as a tabletopper, wallhanging, or ?????  All the squares are machine embroidery.  Designs are  from Anita Goodesigns.  The fabric is 30s reproductions from my stash. 

I'm making these little quilts as gifts for friends.  They are small and a great way to experiment with my embroidery designs.  Next up, I'm planning to try redwork blocks.  I have a Redwork Quilt pack from Martha Pullen that I would like to use.  That will be my next week project. 

I'm so glad I am able to use my stash for these projects.  It's like they cost me nothing!!! (I do realize that I spent lots of $$$$$ on the design packs and fabric but I'm not spending anything now.) 

Thread Catcher

I'm back from a blog vacation.  No I didn't go anywhere just took some time off.  This is one of the projects I completed during my time away.  It is a thread catcher.  I made two of these wonderful creations.  The other was a birthday gift for a quilter friend.  It is so convenient to have a little bag right there at the sewing machine where I can drop those thread clippings and other scraps.  The pincushion also is very handy.

The project is an Anita Goodesign Project "SEW FUN".  It includes a number of great sewing related designs and instructions for the thread catcher and a wall organizer.  I simply love Anita Goodesigns machine embroidery.  Later I'll be posting another of their projects (a tote for my sis).

Below is a close-up of the embroidery design.  I used my Janome 11000 embroidery machine for this project.

Jelly Roll Bag

I've been working to complete some Christmas presents.  This is one of the items I am making.  It is made on my Janome 11000 embroidery machine.  The design is Anita Goodesign's "Jelly Roll Bags".   This is an "in the hoop" project made with Jelly roll strips (2 1/2" wide strips of fabric).  The entire project is made in the embroidery hoop.  I love this little bag.  After making the first one, I decided it would be nice to personalize each of the bags since they were already in the embroidery hoop.  I just edited to include the names of people on my gift list.  The little bag measures approx. 4" x 6".

  I finished three this afternoon and plan to make more.  It is the perfect project for those left over fabric strips from other projects.

Vintage Bookmarks

I picked up my Anita Goodesigns Diamond Club embroidery packs today at Mulqueens.  I joined the club at the Valentine Anita Goodesigns event in Phoenix in February.  The Vintage Bookmarks was my mini collection this month.  We have the option of exchanging for any other design at the shop but I love this one.  I'm making two of these little beauties today.  They are for my friend and her mother.  They both love to read.  I'm making theirs following the instructions provided.  Later I will attempt to add a monogram to some of the designs.  The back is plain and I might add some writing there.  Lots of possibilities.  My Janome 11000 does such a wonderful job.  My next one will be with lavender and yellow flowers. 

Valentine Fabric Postcard

This month on Fabric in Altered Arts 2 we had a fabric postcard swap with a Valentine theme.  This is the postcard I made for Amy.  The photo doesn't show the shimmer and glitter on the organdy that is used as a topper for the postcard.  The hearts and letters were made on my Janome 11000 embroidery machine.  I received a lovely fabric postcard from Amy this week.  I'l  post the photo later.  This little group is one of my favorite Yahoo groups.

Today I will be machine quilting the 1930s reproduction fabric quilt.  Spent last night and this am basting the top to the batting and backing.  I'm all set up at the machine and it's time to quilt.

Snowflakes in Arizona

No not the real ones!  Just four snowflakes from my Janome 11000 embroidery machine.  I'm having lunch with a few ladies from the office where I worked before retirement.  I decided to make a small gift for each of them.  It takes about 35 minutes to embroider each snowflake but I can do other work in the studio as the machine does its thing. 

I added the hangers and now they are ready to place inside a Christmas card.  I purchased the hangers at a boutique a few years ago and these are my last ones.  I think I could make them if I had the right tools.  I've never tried jewelry making but this hanger looks simple enough.  Maybe for next Christmas.

Salsa Themed Kitchen Towels

These kitchen towels were made for my college roommate's birthday this month.  I made these "Salsa" themed kitchen towels using my Janome 11000.  The wonderful machine applique design is from Hatched in Africa.  The towels were purchased on a shopping trip to CA and were prefect for the Salsa towels. 

I also made fall leaves with my embroidery machine this past week.  I'll post pictures later.

Machine Embroidery Projects

This is a pair of pillowcases I monogrammed for my niece's wedding gift.  I have been making these monogrammed items recently as gifts.  Momograms are the thing right now and people seem to love them.  Pottery Barn has a variety of monogrammed items available.  I first checked her registery for colors: khiki and white for bedding.  I hope these will be a close match.  I completed them yesterday afternoon after the Cardinal's exciting game using my Janome 11000.  I love that machine and the monogramming is built in.  No need to download or transfer from a disk.  I have a monogramming program that allows me to do a variety of monograms but for the pillowcases this seems to work just fine.

Another Machine Embroidery Gift

Last evening I decided to continue working with Janome 11000.   It was out and ready to go.  I found these placemat and napkin sets at an after Christmas sale.  There are four placemats and napkins in each set.  I decided to make a Valentine Placemat set for my friends Nancy, Corri, and June.  We have a great little group that has been meeting for dinner or lunch for many years.  We are all retired department chairs with Mesa Schools and started our little group many years ago during a horrible in-service class.  We try to meet once a month.  Each year we select a holiday or season of the year and bring goodies to the group.  This year I selected Valentine's day and these placemats will be part of my Valentine's gift.

My first idea was to embroider on the placemat.  This involves removing the backing and replacing after the embroidery is in place.  I later decided to just put embroidery on the napkin.  This allows them to use the placemats at other times of the year (Fourth of July, Christmas, or anyother time they want something red).  I decided to keep the design simple and in one color (white).  The original design called for three colors.

I now have one set completed and two to go.

Monogram Pillowcases

I continue to work on Christmas gifts. This is a set of monogram pillowcase for my niece and her hubby. This year one of my goals was to make better use of my embroidery machine. Many on my Christmas list will receive items that are embellished with machine embroidery. I have both an older Bernina embroidery machine and a Janome 11000. I love the Janome because it allows me to download directly from the computer. My Bernina does excellent embroidery but I'm limited to a design card.