To Turn (or not to turn) That is the Question

I really love the fact that some of the modern sewing books that have been published recently are embracing the art of sewing from the core of it's very humble beginnings... stitching by hand.

I've always had the utmost and highest respect for the hand quilter. For me, WOW, goes without saying. When I look at almost everything that Anna Maria Horner puts her hand to, digging back to her generational roots, it really makes me realize that this woman really has it in her to the very core of her being! Carolyn Friedlander's new book Savor Each Stitch, really encourages just that, and in her recent book, Applique, the Essential Gudie to Modern Applique, Alison Glass even subtitled her "Fountain" quilt, "this could take a while". Isn't it refreshing that such modern designers, who have been told by today's society that being domestic is not "in", make such efforts to not only preserve the art of handiwork, but take it to the next level?

While my appreciation for the "art of doing it by hand" goes deep, I unfortunately belong the microwave generation. If you want something hot it's very simple... one short minute... ding... eat! With that being said, the very thought of needle turn applique has been haunting me since I started my "Facing East" blocks.

I know that there are two sides when it comes to quilting: machine quilting vs. hand quilting... and EVERYONE who quilts usually has a strong opinion about one or the other. Perhaps my previous statement might be a pretty good indication of my opinion of the topic. This also comes from a girl, who has never even hand basted a quilt binding (I know, I know, big cringe for some of you)

So I looked for a compromise to my dilemma... how to make the center circle for the Facing East blocks using another method other than needle turn applique? At my husband's encouragement, I decided to make the center circles slightly smaller. It was kind of fun pulling out school tools for the task.

I then I remembered a tutorial by the "queen of do-it-by-hand" herself... using this great little tutorial that Ms. Horner came out with back in the Chocolate Lollipop days. Make a circle template, place the template on top of fabric, wrap it up in foil, and iron it in place.

I attached the centers using a blind stitch on my sewing machine, and DING... ready for the next one.

What about you, do you like to savor the WHOLE process of quilting, including quilting by hand, or is the microwave version more your thing? Linking up with WIP Wednesday this week found here.

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What's Your Color Song?

I've been thinking about color a lot lately. 

We all have a tendency to gravitate towards certain colors, while perhaps we avoid other colors... and we all probably have our reasons why, whether we realize that reason or not.

A while back someone pointed out to me that the majority of my fabrics stem from two main colors: green and shades of pink. After having considered it, I came to the conclusion that there might be some truth in it. I really noticed recently when I sorted my fabric stash by colors... and there it was staring me back in the face!

My favorite color has always been green, even as a little girl. I never went through the "pink is my favorite color, therefore EVERYTHING must be pink" phase. When I think about green I think about life, spring, new, growth, nature, and think it's the one color that somehow makes everything complete. Looking at the color wheel, perhaps I might make the natural gravitation unknowingly to the complimentary color of green. Even though I embrace lots of colors, especially bold colors, the two colors that I somehow seem to avoid are red and blue, especially in combination with each other... and I'm not even really sure why. It's true that I see the repetitions over and over again with my fabrics choices, but when I consider my clothing choices or how I decorate my home, that is a completely different equation.

I once had someone tell me about people that can see color while listening to music. (you can read about it here) It was an exciting thought to think about multiple senses being connected in such a way. There are even some that claim that they can taste, hear, and smell color. Wow, can you imagine experiencing color with a sense other than sight?!?  

Taking that into consideration, it's been fun for me to think of color in a completely abstract way that perhaps the way we combine colors might even be like a song. Each song is different, each song unique, and each song is our own. Sometimes a favorite color combination might be like singing your favorite, old familiar song.

So what's your color song?

...slow but sure progress on my paper piecing project, but linking up to WIP Wednesday nonetheless.

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Mochi Hexagon Necklace

I've been a long time Sew Mama Sew reader and have always liked Kristin's blog concept, as well as the great quality tutorials, sewing tips, and relevant trade news that satisfy our ever growing creative hunger. It has been her goal since the very beginning, that the Sew Mama Sew website is the first place that people start when looking for sewing inspiration. So, of course, I couldn't be any more excited to let you know that I am now a contributor, and a part of that concept.

For all the details, materials list, and the how-to for my Hexagon Necklace, be sure to stop by the Sew Mama Sew website!

Fabrics: "Mochi" fabric collection from Rashida Coleman-Hale for Cotton & Steel Fabrics.

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New Beginnings

Sometimes the hang-up in being creative is that it is easy to be all over the place and the next new project idea is an all too frequent distraction. I suffer from this in a big way. Even though I am not a let's be disciplined about making a long list of New Year's Resolutions kind of girl, (hmmm, very fitting to this time of year) I do have some creative goals/challenges to reign myself in a bit.

"Santa" (aka Hubster) was very nice to me this Christmas in giving me two books from my wish list... now how did he know it was exactly what I wanted?!? Even though I don't buy sewing and craft books very often, I'm totally excited about adding the new books from Carolyn Friedlander, Savor Each Stitch, and Alison Glass Applique to my small collection. Perhaps it might be interesting to know that I´ve been stalking the quilting scene as a quiet and non-participating observer for a very, very long time. My skills and knowledge are there, but I haven't trusted myself enough with my focus to jump in. You, know... just a toe in the water kind of thing.

Well, I've jumped in now and have hit hard. I'm finding that I really enjoy the process, but putting my projects to the side (because who finishes a quilt in a day, right?) feels a little undisciplined and like I have too many UFO's in the works. But with that being said, I had a Eureka moment while flipping through one of my books. One book gives a variety of project size options from mini to small, medium and big, and then it hit me... I think that I would get the most satisfaction out of exploring a variety of quilting techniques if I don't try to eat the whole whale all at once, but instead get full on a variety of little mini appetizers. If you happened to miss my figurative language here... essentially it is my goal to take on lots of little bite size projects before I tackle my "whale".

So, here it is, in black and white:

to finish at least three sewing projects inspired from each of my new books. That's six in total, not including other projects along the way. So, here I am (surprisingly) already done with a couple blocks from the Facing East quilt from Carolyn Friedlander. I've read a lot that paper piecing can be the scary monster that keeps people from buying certain patterns or books, but now that I've gotten a few blocks under my belt, paper piecing has become somehow a little more mouse-like.

So, start at the beginning, and then go!

... and another new beginning is a first time link-up for me for WIP Wednesday on Freshly Pieced's blog. What are you  working on?

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Reflections

Have you ever had one of those years, where you inwardly say to yourself… oh, it just feels like Christmas? What is it that gives us that it’s” the most wonderful time of the year” feeling?... the decorations, the hustling and bustling, the favorite music carols heard everywhere, the delicious high-calorie comfort foods, a dimly lit room lightened by the soft flicker of candles, spicy smells floating through the house, maybe even snow in your part of the world?

I would have to admit that for the past several years, I’ve spent a good deal of time inwardly pondering once the grey winter months arrive, what makes me feel or not feel like it is Christmas. Having lived in a foreign country for the past eight years, my challenge has been to create that Christmas feeling while the one element that makes me “feel” like it is Christmas is missing… my family.

This year will be the very first year that my husband and I have had a Christmas tree together… funny that the 8^th year means “new beginnings”. Each year I’ve wanted a tree, but because of travel plans, whether to my parents or his, or sticky finger children that leaves only one option to set up a tree inside the playpen instead of outside of it, we’ve somehow never managed it. But this year we did manage … a little later than I had hoped, but accomplished nonetheless. It was essentially the first tree that we stumbled on, and a fine tree it is. Despite the kids excitement, I felt a certain melancholy mood as I was decorating the tree. This year has been full… full of good, full of busy, full of loss, full of change,  just plain full. 

Somehow unpacking my ornaments was a pure delight because it seemed as if each one was a surprise… “oh, I remember you” having been packed away all these years. With those memories, I thought about my family a lot. I thought about those that are mourning a much beloved friend that I lost just a few short months ago to cancer, and how this year will be about survival and just getting through for them, and not about “Merry and Bright”. While other friends that are mourning the loss of “what if” … and it makes me very grateful. 

This year during the Advent season we have been sharing each day what we are grateful for, and even my oldest has joined in. Of course, in keeping with kids say the darndest things, he has not disappointed, but I love the fact that he is learning to search out even the little things that he appreciates. Perhaps it is an attitude that should not be limited to just a day, or even just a season. So, despite the fact that the most important people in my life are missing this year, the truth of it is that my life is full of abundance. 

Wishing you the brightest this year for Christmas!

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Anna Magazin

At beginning of January of this year, I submitted a couple of Easter projects to the OZ-Verlag magzine, Anna Magazine. To my surprise, I was told that Easter was a long gone theme and that they were currently working on Christmas. I think I was shocked into silence for the first few minutes having just packed my own Christmas decorations away. I obviously knew that magazines have to work ahead, but I never imagined that far ahead. So needless to say, I've been waiting quite a while to share what I've been working on since January. "Weihnachtsfreude", which are five of my projects are featured in the November issue of Anna Magazin:

Anfang Januar dieses Jahres, habe ich ein paar Oster-Projekte an das Anna Magazin vom OZ Verlag eingereicht. Zu meiner Überraschung, wurde mit mitgeteilt, dass das Thema Ostern schon längst vorbei wäre und derzeit an den Winter- / Weihnachtsmodellen gearbeitet würde. Zuerst war ich etwas schockiert,  weil ich meine Weihnachts-Deko ja gerade erst weg gepackt hatte... Mir war zwar bewusst, dass Magazine einen gewissen Vorlauf bei Ihrer Planung benötigen, aber so etwas langfristiges hatte ich mir nicht vorgestellt. Also habe ich mich dann an die Arbeit gemacht und Weihnachtsmodelle mit Stoffen aus einer brandneuen Kollektion entworfen. Verständlicherweise musste ich dann einige Zeit warten, bis ich endlich mit Euch teilen durfte, woran ich im vergangenen Januar gearbeitet habe, aber endlich ist es soweit: "Weihnachtsfreude" ist in der November-Ausgabe des "Anna Magazins" erschienen und beinhaltet fünf meiner eigenen Projekte samt Schnittmustern:

I used Cori Dantini's "Merry Stitches" line from Blend Fabrics, which I just adore (as you might have noticed from my last few posts) What a pretty little stack of fabrics? In addition to sweet little birds and angels, you will find...

Ich habe Cori Dantini's "Merry Stitches" Kollektion von Blend Fabrics verwendet (habt Ihr vielleicht schon hier gesehen). Was für ein wunderschöner Stapel Stoffe? Außer kleiner süßer Vögel und Engel findet Ihr...

... a Christmas wall hanging decor (Freude in German means "joy")

... einen Weihnachtsfreude-Wandschmuck,

...decorative accents for the perfect wintery table setting.

... die perfekten Akzente für eine winterliche Tischdekoration,

... mittens to line the chimney with care.

... Winterfäustlinge als frische Alternative zu den "alten Socken" für den Kamin,

... winter lovebirds snuggled in for the long cold season.

... süße Vögelchen, zusammen gekuschelt für die kalte Saison,

... and all wrapped up to give your special gives that extra touch.
 
... und einzigartige Geschenkanhänger, die Deinen Geschenken das gewisse Extra verleihen.

These and more great holiday crafting ideas can be found in the November issue of Anna Magazine.

Diese und andere tolle Ideen kannst Du in der November Ausgabe des "Anna Magazin" finden.

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The Star of the Show

I love embroidery hoops as an alternative to traditional straight line framing. A round element added to a favorite photo wall is such an unexpected and welcome design feature. Embroidery hoops are fun, but even sometimes a new twist on the trendy craft alternative is a welcome change.

I was so excited when I found these wooden stars... perfect with a little patchwork background, freezer paper applique angel, interfacing, and stapled on the back side with a staple gun (an absolute must in any girl's toolbox!)

Just a simple red version for the smaller star is a great pop of color and perfect for Christmas decorating.

 

Fabrics: Cori Dantini "Merry Stitches", Basic Grey ("Figgy Pudding" and grunge basics), stash fabrics.

Stars: Depot (Germany) 

Freezer Paper

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"One Pin a Week" Reversible Wrap Top

When I make things like this sweet little wrap top, it really makes me wish that I had girls of my own. What sewing mom does not want to whip up cute little dresses and tops to adorn her little princess? I'm sure that many could argue, why not sew for your boys then? But I guess I have never really had the same desire to make things for little people who have the talent to rip open a pair of pants faster than I can blink an eye.

Wenn ich Sachen nähe, wie dieses süße Wickelblüschen, wünsche ich mir immer ein bisschen, dass ich eigene Mädchen hätte. Welche nähende Mutter würde nicht schöne Kleidchen und Tops für das kleine Prinzesschen machen wollen? Ich bin sicher, dass man fragen könnte: Warum nicht auch für deine Jungs nähen? Aber ganz ehrlich, ich habe keine Lust, so viel Zeit in ein Projekt zu stecken, welches im Nullkommanix auseinander gerissen wird... ;-)

The thing I really like about this pattern (here's my inspiration pin) is that it is reversible... and free at that! It is a really well done pattern, and I am always pleased with the end result. I used Cori Dantini's "Tiny Seeds" in red and decided to use the same fabric for the second side in grey.  Great with jeans, mixed with white, or other holiday combinations.

Was ich am Schönsten an dem Schnittmuster (hier ist mein Inspiration pin) finde, ist dass es zweiseitig ist... und auch kostenlos! Das Schnittmuster ist toll gemacht und ich bin mit dem Endergebnis immer sehr zufrieden gewesen. Ich habe Cori Dantini's "Tiny Seeds" in rot ausgewählt, und habe bei der zweiten Seite für den Stoff in grau entschieden. Super mit Jeans oder mit Weiß kombiniert, oder chic für Weihnachten.

For the bird applique I used the Freezer Paper technique. This is a little more complicated than a straight line template or a circle. Stay tuned for the how-to!

Den Vogel habe ich mit der Freezeer Paper Technik gemacht. Etwas aufwendiger als bei einer geraden Linie oder einem einfachem Kreis. Wie ich es gemacht habe, zeige Euch später!

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