I haven't blogged in forever. This and other posts have been waiting for three months for me to get back at it. I love to look at other peoples creations and wonder how in the world they have time to post and create. I just create. Above is a dresser I bought at a yard sale and repainted. Then added some decals that I picked up on super clearance at Target. They have since be removed and added to the wall of EJ's room but that is another post. The mermaiden is from wee wonderfuls. I found it via purplepetunia and then Martha Stewart. The one with blue hair and a great little quilt I made for a 5th birthday party gift. They were a big hit. EJ wanted her mermaiden to have hair flowing sideways. Right. So we fiddled and re-drew the pattern and finally made flowing hair and seashell dress. The large flower in the right is a pillow case I made for another birthday. The mom asked if I could make a second one. The fabric is out of print and I can't find it anywhere. So I had to say no but if anyone out there has some let me know:)
This next three are of a block I made for an aquaintance that had cancer. She passed away this past fall just after the finished quilt was delivered to her and her family. She was amazing in so may ways. I really wanted to keep it for myself which was good and it made it a real gift to her.
I knew I wanted to make a tree. The block size was supposed to me 5"x5" I think. I made mine 10x15. I found this fantastic book and used part of the poem. All in a Day by Cynthia Rylant. The poem is wonderful and the artwork is amazing!
Back of the block shows the details of the quilting a little easier.
Front of the block. I also used fabric pastels to add some detail and extra color.
This last photo shows the texture of the trunk. I love the way it turned out. I made it out of fabrics that I used in a quilt for my mom and that I picked up in Canada about 5 years ago. It added even more meaning to the quilt as my mom passed away from cancer 13 months ago.
So this super cute pillow case was not on the list but birthday parties come up and I like to make something to go along with the store bought gift. EJ said her friends favorite color was yellow and that she really liked dogs. I let her pick out the fabrics from my stash and then I tracked down some dog appliques.
This was a fast project (faster without the applique). I think about 1 hour. All the seams are finished. I like french seams a lot and found several good tutorials/refreshers on pillow cases and french seams here, here, here, here and here. (I know a lot of links but each one offers something a little different.)
I could go into lengthy detail about how to make the pillow case but I don't want to bore you. Suffice it to say today I had time to iron/press between each step and I love how crisp the seams are. Lesson learned...Take time to press as you go!
