Sewing: Mermaid Dolly with embellishment

I added pink cheeks and a flapper sequin scarf to my mermaid but her shyer and younger sister needs perhaps a clamshell bra and a gauzy white scarf.

Sewing: Mermaid Dolly

Beyond Basics Sampler Quilt Work in Progress: Appliqué Blocks

We were assigned in my beyond basics quilting class to sew blocks with a flower and butterfly--I asked to sew instead blocks to fit my  Valentine theme and because hand appliqué does not sound fun to me.  Luckily, I experienced fusible web before with my Amy Butler big dots pillows.  I don't have a blanket stitch on my Babylock Maria, and so I used the zig zag to anchor my text and heart (which I sewed improvisationally:)  And since I'm didn't hand appliqué my heart and in the spirit of hand sewing, I will embellish and embroider it crazy quilt style with "x"s and "o"s and chain and herringbone stitches.  I love 'em.  One block (and the most difficult one to piece)--Drunkard's Path--to go!

Crib Quilt in Progress: Family Tree & Pinwheels

A couple years ago I bought this pink Sarah Jane family tree panel, hoping to sew a quilt for my pregnant niece--but it's pink and the baby born was Rhys.  But now she just had a daughter and so I mailed her the family tree and had her indicate what names she wanted me to embroider.  Yesterday I stitched silver and pink/silver and dark pink pinwheel patches (wished I had used a charcoal gray with the dark pink to match hues but perfect translates into NOT DONE)for an outer border.  I luckily discovered maroon fabric in my stash and cut 2.5" wide strips for an inner border.  This is a fun project:)

Embroidery Kit for Rachel: Zakka Project

I checked out from the public library, Zakka Style: 24 Projects Stitched with Ease to Give, Use & Enjoy by Rashida Coleman-Hale. I just introduced my assistant to crafting by hooking her up with an embroidery project, and so today after work I decided to get a head-start on holiday gift-giving by making her an embroidery kit.  I used a utility fabric instead of linen and lined and bound it with 2 different fat quarter fabrics, and attached lavender suede cords.  I also stamped it (too much, me thinks) and embroidered her name on it.  I bought embroidery thread in her favorite colors, embroidery scissors and stuck some pins.  I was going to put in a very small embroidery hoop and a panel for another embroidery project but I'm too eager to give it to her.

Beyond Basics Sampler Quilt Work in Progress: Using Thangles to Make Whirlpool

Beyond Basics Sampler Quilt Work in Progress: Star of Hope

Beyond Basics Sampler Quilt Work in Progress: Country Farm

Beyond Basics Sampler Quilt Work in Progress: Arkansas Crossroads

Beyond Basics Sampler Quilt Work in Progress: Nelson's Victory

Beyond Basics Sampler Quilt Work in Progress: Twin Sisters

Beyond Basics Sampler Quilt Work in Progress: Twin Sisters

My instructor assures me that the squaring up and sashing this block will hide the wonkiness.

Beyond Basics Sampler Quilt Work in Progress: Star of Hope

I was so enthralled by my fat quarters that I forgot to use background fabric (Candyland).  It's okay I'll just rip out those plum corners and triangles and replace them with pink.  But golly do I like that purple.