I’ve recently become brave enough to take on the responsibility of house plant mama. This is a pretty big deal for me since I tend to be one of those who someho…
Bullet Shell Earings: Update: New photos I still have a small bag of bullet shells from when my brother asked me to make cufflinks for his wedding. I recently used one to make a flower. Here’s another try at making use of old shells. I hammered the shell onto a socket …
Homemade pickles are the way to go! They are easy to make and so flavorful.
I can't believe I am the mother of a seven year old! Happy birthday, Big G! Seems like just yesterday... And now.... Yep, still a hockey fan! His current favorite team is the Flyers (in case that is not obvious). For Christmas he received a Flyers hoodie (always worn with hood on), worn topped with a new jersey, and then a baseball cap. He can recite all the stats and standings for all the teams, knows how to look them up on the internet on his own, and when he is not watching hockey, he is playing it. So, when it came time to design the birthday quilt, the inspiration was clear- must include hockey. Originally, I had planned to use a couple hockey themed fabrics among those in the quilt top. Then I thought I would do a small rink on the back. But wouldn't it be fun to make patchwork red and blue lines? Let's make it bigger. And THAT is how it evolved into a hockey extravaganza! But let's back it up here. While I now consider this a "reversible" quilt, the original top is an "I Spy" style patchwork inspired by this quilt. I used about 90 different fabrics (only 2 are repeated, can you find them?), basically everything but the kitchen sink, but of course no pinks, purples or flowers for my guy. I included a bunch of my Munki Munkis, some Japanese prints, lots of dots and stripes, some robots, my Riley Blake Wheels scraps, some Modern Meadow, Katie Jump Rope, and so on! This is my first real "scrappy" quilt, and I guess I did that to the extreme! I alternated the prints with a tan solid cotton, which kind of comes off as a linen. I love how it warms up the quilt! The sashing is a dark navy/indigo, and both solids are from a local quilt shop. The back is a big old hockey rink. Man, this thing kicked my butt. Worth it. My worry was that it would come off too cheesy- I mean, it IS a hockey rink on a quilt!- but I think it turned out just right. I tried many new techniques here, and learned a ton. How to add all those circles? I didn't want raw edges, so at first I thought I would piece them, but as there are circles within circles, it was just too complicated and I kept getting puckers, so I scrapped that. So I decided to applique them with the technique found here. I layered the appliques- red circle, then white, then mini red, to be accurate, then hand stitched in the mini line details with Perle 8 red thread. Time consuming!! But it's all in the details :-) I also appliqued aqua half circles for the goal creases. Another technique to learn was piecing quarter circles to curve the edges of the rink. Love how it authenticates the "rink"! Next detail was the red and blue lines. I decided to piece them, and I loved the effect so much I continued that theme on to the quilt's binding, adding one little strip of blue amongst the red. Basting...well, you already heard me bellyache about that. But I learned some great new things, in addition to my husband's dumbbell idea. More on that later! The result was perfect! Front and back perfectly centered and in line. Due to the busy pattens front and back, I decided to do free motion meandering quilting, using white thread. I like how it pops against the dark sashing. And, not a pucker to be found. Happiness is! It's done! I love it. And I love the crinkly goodness (cue angels singing). This quilt included many "firsts" for me....first twin sized quilt (finished size is 70" by 84"), all the new circle piecing and applique techniques, first true scrappy quilt as opposed to sticking within designer lines, first pieced binding. And, most importantly, first quilt I have made that is actually staying in my own house!! I couldn't be happier with it...or more proud of its recipient. You and your sisters will always be my most precious creations. Love you, G! p.s. I think he likes it :-) Sharing this quilt with {Sew} Modern Monday. Also entering it in:
Print Friendly Version After going through my studio last week, and seeing exactly how ginormous the yarn stash has become, I decided it was time to start using up some of those skeins if I ever want to even think about entering a yarn store again. I’ve always thought a cozy for a French press…Read more →
It takes me a long time to find a pair of jeans I like. It takes years to wear them in. They get worn and stretched in all the right places like a comfortable pair of slippers. AND I LOVE THEM. Eventually, they become loved so much that they start to tear. Before you kn
Discover 100 gorgeous, jaw-dropping and easy to make acrylic nail art designs and ideas you can do at home.
Oh hey! You can pick up my face and a free pattern at your local Michaels store! Lily Sugar ‘n Cream is coming out with some new, yummy, candy colors and asked me to whip up some fun c…
Our Twelve (Free) Script Fonts post was published back in October and has become insanely popular ever since. You guys really love dem fonts! Well, your prayers have been answered: here are twelve more awesome script fonts. Best of all? Like the first twelve, these are free too (for personal use, anyway). Intrique Script | […]
I recently came across a crocheted towel holder on Pinterest. Since I only knit, this is my attempt at creating a similar towel topper with the most basic knit of all: garter stitch.
Easiest Homemade Pizza Crust Recipe
My creative, crafty inner self has yet to totally return - partly due to my friend still being ill, and partly due to my husband being away on a tasking. But I do still have
“For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed — a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: ‘The righteous will live by faith.’” Romans 1:17 (NIV)
Welcome to the first ever Star Wars Inspired Design Challenge hosted by fandominstitches.com! We invited our quilting community to create Star Wars inspired patterns to share right here on Fandom in Stitches. The response has been amazing and we want to say a HUGE THANK YOU to all of the awesome designers that contributed. Skill Level Out of Five beginner adv. beginner intermediate adv. intermediate advanced Patterns are listed in the order they were received. Enjoy! Light Sabers (All Star Wars) by Gretchen Kohlhaas tested by Laura Shaffstall 12" paper pieced Death Star by Kristi Lehane tested by Simon Bushby and Laura Shaffstall 12" paper pieced Darth Maul by Kristi Lehane Note from Kristi: once you get past the face the rest is very easy. 45 x 33 3/4 Queen Amidala by Kristi Lehane tested by Jo Minvielle 12" paper pieced Rebel Alliance Logo by Melissa Bejot 10" paper pieced Tie Fighter by Melissa Bejot 10" paper pieced & embroidered Maz Kanata by Angela Bennett tested by Jo Minvielle 10" paper pieced Finn by Angela Bennett tested by Jo Minvielle 10" paper pieced Rey by Angela Bennett tested by Jean Marie 10" paper pieced Kylo Ren by Daphne Seymour 10" paper pieced Rey Poster by Angela Bennett tested by Teri Seal 10" x 5.57" paper pieced Star Wars Scene by Kristi Lehane tested by Sally Hosp 20" x 11 1/4" paper pieced Jar Jar Binks by Beth G (Foxfire) tested by Simon Bushby 10" paper pieced AT-AT by Karen McGuigan 20" x 16 7/8" paper pieced R2-D2 by Melissa Bejot 10" Paper Pieced First Order by Melissa Bejot 10" Paper Pieced Galactic Empire by Melissa Bejot 10" Paper Pieced Star Wars by Melissa Bejot 10" x 24" Paper Pieced Storm Trooper by Kristi Lehane 12" paper pieced Dark Vader by Kristi Lehane 10" paper pieced Yoda by Kristi Lehane 12" x 14 7/8" paper pieced These Are The Quilts You're Looking For Shirts by FandomInStitches The t-shirt WINNER is Melissa Bejot! Congratulations! Great big HUGE thanks to all Designers for sharing! ♥ Don't quilt alone! Join us for quilty discussions and fandomy goodness on the Fandom In Stitches Facebook Group! Share photos of your blocks and other projects you have made using Fandom In Stitches patterns with our flickr group for a chance to win one of our fabulous monthly prizes! You receive one entry for each project. Only photos posted to flickr are eligible to win. Facebook | FB Group | Twitter | Tumblr | Flickr | Bloglovin' | Pinterest | Google+ | Instagram Fandom In Stitches and it's designers do not hold copyright on any of the fandom titles represented on this site. Respective Designers reserve copyright on patterns only and request that out of respect for the fandoms we love, that you use them for personal and non-profit reasons only. The Designers at Fandom In Stitches receive no payment for any of the patterns posted and expressly forbid resale.
A new life for my favourite jeans :) Blogged here: snipsnaphappy.blogspot.com/2011/06/rip-my-favourite-jeans...
I have wanted to attempt the quilt for quite some time now, but had absolutely no idea where to begin with one. Really, no idea. I was scared. So I put it off. Over and over again. But with a new little one coming I was feeling inspired to give it a go...somehow. I've come to learn that the Internet can 'teach' you to do pretty much anything. So I logged on and I searched and searched until I finally came across this, a beginning quilting series from Diary of a Quilter...she made me believe. She's got ALL the steps spelled out for you in black and white, from what supplies to start with all the way to binding your quilt...and she's so easy to follow! I was actually excited to get going! So I went through my scraps...I didn't want to go out and purchase a bunch of fabric, just in case things went amiss. I knew I wanted to use different textures and patterns since I would be using this as a little tummy time mat for baby. So I got creative and pulled out some knit, minky, and even a ruffled pillow sham that I had left over from the nursery pillows. I cut the back off the sham... Then cut my squares with my rotary cutter...I used 5 inch squares. Then it was time to lay out my squares in the pattern I thought worked. Then following the instructions from Diary of a Quilter I started piecing my quilt and made rows with my squares... And ironed my seams...the iron will become your very best friend during this project! Next I sewed my rows together. And it started to look like something that resembled an actual quilt. I added my borders and batting and backing and really started to get excited because there were now layers to my quilt. But the excitement came to a screeching halt when I learned that I had to baste my quilt. Huh!? I had never heard of such a thing! Who knew this step existed? And that there was spray and special basting pins involved. Well, I was on a roll and wasn't about to throw in the towel at this point, so even with being ill prepared and without proper equipment...I rolled on, with regular old safety pins. And I'll tell you, they worked just fine. Okay, so this is where I started to get a little nervous. It was time to actually quilt...that is to say, SeW. Preferably in straight lines. And because I was a little lazy (and really anxious to finish) I totally skipped a step and didn't draw lines to mark where to sew...such a rebel. I just eyeballed my way through, and do you know, some of the lines actually lined up! So at this point I am jumping up and down that I might actually see this thing through. All there was left to do was finish with a little binding. So I cut my strips and pinned... And I FINISHED that quilt! So there it is...PrOof. Because if I can do it, YOU certainly can too!
I discovered a video about the needle lace technique from Alençon. I was extremely impressed with this technique and was eager to try it out for myself.
In my family, we refer to age 5 as my “year of the sweat suit.”…
I’ve recently become brave enough to take on the responsibility of house plant mama. This is a pretty big deal for me since I tend to be one of those who someho…
Learn How to Join in New Yarn When Knitting...without Becoming Unraveled!: Have you ever worked on a project, thinking your skein was enough…only to run out before you finished? Did you tie a knot? Because knots can become loose and unravel all of your stitches, this isn’t the best way to add in more yarn. I’ll show y…
Scrolling around on Pinterest one afternoon, I stumbled on a tutorial for Ice Dying. Have you heard of it?? I tried it for the first time last week and now it’s become my new favourite thing EVER. What I loved the most about ice dying is that unlike the traditional tie-dye method (tie & bind), it lets you achieve a stunning watercolour look. The process is so fun and easy and best of all, the ice does all the work for you so you don’t have to have any prior experience with fabric dying to create something gorgeous. I only used 4 powder dyes in my trial but as the ice melted and mixed the dyes, a whole spectrum of new colours emerged. The resulting pattern was a wonderful surprise and looks like a bright and colourful one-of-a-kind piece of art.
Hi All, Do you ever come across a crochet stitch that you just become totally obsessed with? I know I certainly have - The Berry Stitch! As someone who is totally bobble obsessed, when I can across this 'cheats version' of the stitch I couldn't get enough of it! I first used this stitch in my Berry Beautiful Pumpkin
Sew all your colors, matched! The genius, as in most my favorite things, is in the simplicity of it all. This sewing machine right here is made for everyone, bu
I’ve recently become brave enough to take on the responsibility of house plant mama. This is a pretty big deal for me since I tend to be one of those who someho…
Show your love for MCR and your love for your besties with three Bullets themed friendship bracelets. Let fate choose your bracelets with a randomly picked, album-themed trio! Each bracelet is handmade and guaranteed to be one of a kind. Wear them yourself, give them to friends, or trade them out on tour (if MCR5 ever becomes a thing. I’ll stay hopeful) I started making these just for fun and fell in love with the fact that it was something that actually quieted my mind (my anxious girlies can probably relate). This isn’t something super serious, and I’m just hoping to share my love of this band with others :) *Disclaimer- length and size of the bracelets will vary a little bit. I measure out the string, but depending on how it’s tied off it might not be exact
Thank you so much to everyone who read my last post on children's books and to those that sent emails too. It was lovely to hear from you all and to read about your favourite titles too. I'd say that...
It's not too late to wrap your favorite people in hand knit love! True, starting a knitted blanket now would normally be a recipe for big time holiday stress; but since we should all banish yuletide overdrive from our lives, I decided to design a blanket that, even if you worked at a leisurely pace, you could start now (or next week!) and be done in plenty of time for Christmas! Of course, for this plan to work the blanket would have to be the kind of beautiful gift you love to give. And so for inspiration, I turned to a perennial Purl Bee favorite, the Eleventh Hour Scarf, and borrowing the concept, the yarn and the stitch pattern, the Eleventh Hour Blanket was born! Doubling Cascade's very soft and very bulky Magnum means not only a quick knit, but a deep and toasty blanket, perfect for cuddling and snoozing. It may not be the eleventh hour to the holiday season, but as far as knitting blankets goes, it is!
I quit my job a few years ago to become a full-time blogger. Here are my tips on how to make money from blogging and how to become a blogger.
I’ve recently become brave enough to take on the responsibility of house plant mama. This is a pretty big deal for me since I tend to be one of those who someho…
