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Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Sun, Sand and Sea BOM


Yippee! Another month and another fun block.
This time it's from Carol at "Just Let Me Quilt"


I just love the "bus" and fun surfin' theme.
"Island Batik" is sponsoring my blocks.
Ohhhh, how I love those fabulous batiks!


Here are my first 2 blocks now. 
Yep, I am ready to grab my bikini and head to the beach!
LOL!!  
Only in my mind. I really don't want to scare the bejeebers,
 out of the rest of society!
Hahahahahaha

You can get your pattern free this month only
So hang ten and head on over!

Oh and if you missed Amy's sunshine block...
You can find it for a small fee
                                                          HERE
Til next time...
Keep on Stitchin'

Monday, February 27, 2017

Twas the Night


I'm working hard this year to stay on top of BOM's and QAL's.
I didn't do too good of a job at it, last year.
So far, it's all Christmas related things that have caught my eye.
Maybe it's because I did precious few Christmas projects last year.
Now, I'm making up for lost time!
LOL!!

Marian, at "Seams to be Sew" has started this "Twas the Night", BOM that is just too fun for words.


Here is my first block all completed.
This little log cabin looks so warm and cozy.
If that isn't a picture perfect look into the cold winter days!
There are 26 blocks in this series. 13 are paid blocks and 13 are free when you upload your completed block.
You can find all the information of this BOM
Join in with us and have something very special for this holiday season!
:-)
Til next time...
Keep on Stitchin'

Friday, February 24, 2017

Kennel Quilts with Island Batik


Our mission this month is to help out all our little furry friends...
"Island Batik" has teamed up with TQPM/Quilt Pattern Magazine,
and the ambassadors are having a great time,
 making these little kennel quilts.


Here are a few of mine. 
These batiks just make you want to drool, don't they?


I'm guessing that baby moose won't be using these anytime soon...
but this is the MooseStash after all,
 and he does look happy on these quilts!
LOL!!

If you would like to help out, here are some tips.

                                   Guidelines for Small Kennel Quilts:
  • Materials used should be 100% cotton (biodegradable).
  • Pre-wash fabrics (pets can have allergies just like humans).
  • Finished size should be 12" x 18". This fits the most commonly used small kennel used at shelters.
  • When piecing, use a small stitch length (e.g. 14 stitches/inch).
  • Do not use binding as it can be hazardous to pets if it becomes loose. Layer, sew around the edge using a small stitch length, and turn quilts pillow-cover style. Whipstitch the opening with small, tight stitches.
  • Use only simple appliques that are secured with tight stitches along the edges. Avoid using fusibles.
  • Keep the quilting simple and use small tight quilting stitches that won’t catch on pet claws. Do not tie quilts as the ends can get caught in claws or chewed off.
  • Do not use any metallic threads or other embellishments (e.g. beads, charms, buttons, ribbons, lace, trims, etc.) of any kind. Do not add handles or loops to the quilt.
Any additional information you need is 
You can find the latest needs on their Facebook page

These are getting packed up and sent to the "Alaqua Animal Refuge" 
in Florida. They have just rescued many animals from a puppy mill.

The "Flying Quilters" have been busy working on kennel quilts,
 for a couple of weeks now...


We have an additional 30 that are ready to go,
 and 20 more close to being done!

A big thanks to "Island Batik", my fellow ambassadors, 
and the Flying Quilters!

Til next time...
Keep on Stitchin'



Sunday, February 19, 2017

Sun, Sand and Sea BOM


Have you seen the Sun, Sand and Sea BOM
at Sew Incredibly Crazy???

Amy, the force behind the "In our Garden" BOM
last year, has done it again!
She's gathered some fabulous bloggers together
for some fun in the sun!
I'm just thrilled to be a part of it all!

As the first block was released, I learned that "Island Batik"
would be sponsoring me this year.
Needless to say, I jumped for joy!


This fun little "Dresden" sun is fast and easy,
and looks fabulous in batiks!

So grab your bikini, and join us for this free "BOM"
LOL!!
Check it out
;-)
Til next time...
Keep on Stitchin'

Saturday, February 18, 2017

Have a Jolly Little Christmas...


If you have been following Lorna over at 
" Sew Fresh Quilts"

You know this is block 3...
Christmas Bow


What a fun little bow it is!


It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...
...yes it is!
:-)

This is a free QAL.  Blocks are released every couple of weeks, 
so it's easy enough to keep up with.
You can find the pattern

Til next time...
Keep on Stitchin'

Thursday, February 16, 2017

Won't you be my Valentine?


I do hope that you all had a wonderful Valentines day.
My sweet hubby brought home these beauties.
And some  dipped strawberries...
...that somehow, disappeared right before my eyes!
LOL!!
Oh, they  were delicious.


I put together a few of these cute little mug rugs for my Valentine/Galentines!

 The "Quilt Inspiration" blog, shared so many fun  freebies, 
to stitch our hearts away with.
HERE 
I've got my eye some others as well.
It's never to soon to get a head start for next year!
;-)

I did make one little addition on these mug rugs...


I added a snap to the back of the tag, 
so it could be removed for laundering. 
That way they actually can be used without fear!
LOL!!
Some days it's the little things in life...

Till next time
Keep of Stitchin'

Sunday, February 12, 2017

Happy Galentines Day with Island Batik

It's true...it's a real fictional holiday, just for us girls!


I must admit when Island Batik email with this challenge, I was sure it was a typo!   But after searching the Internet, I find they were much more on top of "current events" than I am!   LOL!!

"Sew" in the true spirit of this fictional holiday...

Friends Care!

There is just something about this, that speaks to me.
Be it the day, the political state we are in,
or just that we really do need to focus on
supporting and encouraging each other...

...but especially, the fact that it made for one adorable quiltie!
Don't you just LOVE these new fabrics from Island Batik
They sure make my heart sing!

While looking into this "Galentines" day phenomena...

I found some fun cards...


This is one of many comical cards that came from the 
"with Caitlin" blog
And she's shares a free download

Heck, it's not too late to let that special gal pal know,
just how much she means to you...
You can find out how


This is my original quilt, from a few years back.
The pattern is from "Fat Cat Patterns".
You can find it at on "Craftsy"

Til next time...

Keep those gal pals, close at heart!


Friday, February 10, 2017

Wild and Wonderful Week

I just love weeks like this, when everything is coming up roses!

It started with being a guest blogger at Tamarini's...
You can find that post HERE if you missed it. I got a little silly for this post. I just don't know what got into me!
:-)
Then I got to show off my latest pattern testing project from Amy at

Which lead up to this...


A ring of the doorbell, and a suspicious package on my porch!
Suspicious, because I had heard thru the grapevine that my fellow Island Batik Ambassadors were starting to receive boxes as well!


I popped open this box and what did I see?


This spool of thread looking up at me.
It was like a message from above!!!!!

Between "Fantastico" and "Awesome",
I don't think there are any words I can better use to describe my week.


When the last flap was opened, I shouted with GLEE!
Holy smokes, just look at whats in here for me!


That "Island Batik" sure knows how to spoil a girl.
With all these goodies, it looks like they have big plans for us this year too. We have lots of new ambassadors...I consider myself very lucky to be among them. 
A big thanks to not only "Island Batik", but "Aurifil" and "Superior" threads.
This is going to be one "Fantastico Awesome" year!


But the week got even better at quilt club...

I always feel the love at quilt club, but this week...
Rocky, the 65 pound lap dog decided to make things just a little more special.
He is just so darn cute, and I'm a little jealous of his hair, doggone it!
LOL!!
Now, I'm off to work on my first Island Batik project...
"Galentines" Day.
It's a real thing!
;-)

Till next time...
Keep on Stitchin'

Thursday, February 9, 2017

Making Me Awesome

When I got the call from my friend Amy over at "Sew Incredibly Crazy", 
I was all in!

How did she know that I'm a huge "coffee-holic"?  
LOL!! 
She send over the pattern and I just had to sit down with...


a cuppa of "joe" and look over my mission!

This was going to be way too much fun.
I knew I had strips in my stash...
 just right for this easy log cabin project.


This 48" square beauty, really is the size of cup I would love to have coffee out of every morning. Oh, I suppose a cup that size,
 would make the actual lifting and drinking thing a nightmare.
But one can dream...
LOL!


No matter the angle, it's just one happy quilt.

This pattern is just being released, 
you can check it out, over at Amy's
Be sure to tell her Joan and her "moose" boys sent ya!


You know...
 "Making Me Awesome" is a message we should all have for ourselves.
Cause in our own unique ways we just...
ARE!

Till next time...
Keep on Stitchin'





Tuesday, February 7, 2017

Love to Stitch

Today I am a guest blogger over at "Tamarinis". 
You can find my post 

This post finishes up our 
"Love of Stitches"
here in the MooseStash.

The boys and I have been busy,
and found a really fun thing, we would like to share with you.

Circles!
Do you love circles, but hate stitching them?
Do they meet where they should?
Are the circle attachments for your machine big $$$$$'s?
Well, we've got a simple solution.


You can create something like this,
 with just a thumb tack and some painters tape.


Just 1 piece of painters tape and 1 thumbtack is all you need.
Besides your thread, fabric, batting, stabilizer....
You know all the basics!
LOL!


You start, by pushing a tack up through the tape,
 with the sticky side down.


Now stick it to your machine. The tape holds it nicely in place.
When stitching circles, the closer to the foot you are, 
the smaller the circles.

Note: I do have a Sew Steady table on my machine, which gives me more room to play, but even with that I try to keep my projects in the 12"x12" range at the most.


I found this piece of "Snow Dyed" fabric in my stash.
Cut a piece of batting and a piece of stabilizer, 
(any kind you like to work with)
 just slightly bigger.


Find a place you would like to start and push your sandwich onto the thumb tack.


Here's a tip you will want to take to the bank...
Get one of those little mechanical pencil erasers and push it
down on top the the thumb tack.
It keeps you from saying unkind things,
 when you rake your fingers on top of that sharp little tack!
:-)


Pull out your fun threads, and find some decorative stitches you like.
Start with a new bobbin. There is nothing worse than running out in the middle of a circle. Now stitch away.
I usually keep one finger on top of the eraser and use the other hand to make sure my fabric lays flat as it spins around on the pin.


Pretty cool, don't you think?


Experiment with moving the thumb tack around,
 making different size circles. 
 Cross over your circles.
Change up your decorative stitch.
Change out the threads...
The sky is the limit.

Here's a good tip when you know your going off the fabric. Spin it around on the tack. You can then plan where to start and stop the needle.

 It's best to give the piece a good press a few times
between circles, just to keep things nice and flat.


Once your happy, trim up your block!


It's this point that I add backing and do a quick little free-motion stitch.


Makes a cute little zipper pouch, doesn't it?
And you have love my zipper pull.
LOL!!


Play with some fun prints...
            the boys picked out this!



Even the busy ones are fun to stitch.


A big thanks to Tammy for hosting me today.
I do hope you enjoyed this fun little reason, we...
"Love To Stitch"

We are "sew" glad you stopped in for a visit.
Hope to see you again real soon!

Til then...
Keep on Stitchin'