Needles-n-Pins Stitcheries: The Beauty of Quilts

I have been sewing for years, but I am a quilter at heart. Quilting is by far the best sewing there is for me even if I don't get to do a lot of it these days. I love all the colors of the fabrics and the stories they tell. So being that said....I thought today I would show you some of the beautiful quilts I found......

Karen over at Koloa Quilts on Etsy makes these beautiful tropical quilts that makes me want to be on the beach and not buried in the snow. 

I follow the wonderful blog Freemotion By River and Connie makes some of the most beautiful quilts I have ever seen. She just has such a good eye for colors and designs. 

                  

Quilts also can have such beautiful colors and can show the colors of certain seasons. Like this one from Quilted Pleasures on Etsy. Lorri is member of the QuiltsQuiltsQuilts  team with me and I just love all the colors of this quilt. 







   Then there are quilts that are just beautiful with two simple colors like this black and white quilt by Shirley Gale. 

My goal this year is to at least get a few quilts made.....time to make some quilts for the Grandkids. :) Thanks for joining me in looking at all these beautiful quilts. 

Enjoy your week! :)

Colleen 

Needles-n-Pins Stitcheries

Needles-n-Pins Stitcheries Blog

Jacquie's Up-Cycle Nation: Wired

January is upon us: a time for resolutions, organization, and fresh ideas! Time to get wired with these Etsy up-cycle artists making the most with metal minimal!

Shed new light with re-purposed lamps from GlassRedux.  Bright décor for every personality is currently on sale so swing in now for the best selection!

Simple whimsy of vintage glass and wire makes MildredandPerry an up-cycle standout!  Be sure to check out this artist's line of vintage embellished jewelry as well.

Play a new tune in 2014, with a signature piece from BluceDesigns! Using recycled guitar strings, this Etsy artist creates one-of-a-kind jewelry with stunning simple lines.  Shop her store early to pick up the perfect Valentine gift.

 Imagination runs wild at HeathenWireWorks where whimsical steampunk bugs mingle with hand worked wire gems. Up-cycled imagination indeed!

Don't fix it if it's not broken.  For industrial chic storage solutions to meet those New Year organization resolutions head over to ionesAttic.  The past is well preserved in this Etsy vintage shop.  With well stocked shelves in a great variety of goods, this shop is a perfect splurge on a chilly January day!

To find more inspired wired goods, search up-cycled wire on Etsy.

LOVE  &  UP-CYCLE NATION!!

Jacquie Wheeler

Hand of Bela Peck

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Handofbelapeck?ref=si_shop
https://www.etsy.com/shop/BelaPeckHome

http://handofbelapeck1759.blogspot.com/

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hand-of-Bela-Peck/294397987277061?ref=hl

Blog Party Sunday -- Show Off Your Handmades

Welcome to our Blog Party Sunday. We would love to have you show us what you are crafting.

You are allowed to add 3 links to your shops or your blog.

The rules are simple:
1. Follow our blog
2. Handmade items only.
3. You may list up to 3 items each week.
4. Family friendly items only.

The success of this link party depends on the participants so spread the word to your friends, visit the shops,  post about it on your  blog, in a forum or on your favorite social networking site, grab the button and put it on your blog or website.
Just click on the Add Your Link button below and add your items.
And if you would like to add a link to the party you can grab this button below.

<a href="http://www.byyourhands.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i782.photobucket.com/albums/yy110/ByYourHands/blogparty.jpg">, </a>

Today's Featured Shop -- Annie Beez Folk Art

Today's featured shop is Annie Beez Folk Art.   Annie offers finished items such as original folk dolls, small handmade pincushions and embroidered pillows, and original mixed media paintings and patterns.

Primitive lady bug cloth doll

Hand Quilted Prairie Table Mat

The Hunny Bunnies Doll Pattern

Lil' Honey Raggedy Annie  Pattern

Be sure and visit Annie's shop to see all she has to offer.  https://www.etsy.com/shop/anniebeez

Witches Stitches No Calorie Chocolate Bunnies

I know it is only January, but I am thinking about spring already.  So this week I thought I would make calorie free chocolate bunnies.  If only…sorry but these bunnies are made out of fabric. Kind of a letdown, I know, but their cuteness will make up for it.

They are so easy to make and place a few of them in an antique basket with some Easter grass and they look too cute. They will stay in the basket and never on your hips. They are made from cotton muslin that has been dyed, painted and sanded. You don’t even have to buy a pattern.  You can if you want but no need you can find one for free online.

Step 1 – Find a pattern. I found one by going to Google Images and typing in Easter bunny outline. I found one that has no copyright and it looks like a chocolate bunny. You can make these bunnies as big or small as you please. So print out the style of your choice. Now trace it out on freezer paper. You now have your pattern.

Step 2 – Iron your freezer paper onto your cotton fabric. SHINNY side down. Sew around the paper leaving enough room open along the bottom so you can turn and stuff it. Tune and stuff. When you are done stuffing, whip stitch the bottom closed.

Step 3 – Take a running stitch in your bunnies ears right down the middle so you have definition and it looks like he has two ears.  Pull each stitch a little tight, so you see an indentation. Now do the same for an eye. Just go back and forth on the sides of the bunny head.

Step 4 – Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Place parchment paper on a cookie sheet. Take 3 tablespoons of instant coffee and dissolve in ½ cup of hot water.  It will be dark, you want it that way.  Paint one side of your bunny with your coffee, (a stiff brush works best for this). Place him unpainted side down on prepared cookie sheet and place in oven. Just do one side at a time. This way you will not have any burnt spots. It should take about 10 minutes to dry. DO NOT LEAVE THE KITCHEN WHILE YOUR BUNNIES ARE IN THE OVEN.  Now do the other side. When both sides are dry, paint one side with slightly watered down craft paint. Use a dark chocolate brown color. Place it in the oven painted side up for about 10 minutes, Remember, no leaving the kitchen. Do the other side. When your entre bunny is dry, it is time to sand, Use a medium sand paper and do not rub too hard or you will put holes in your fabric. You will want to do this outside, it will make paint dust. How much you distress him depends on your style.  When he looks like you want, you are done.

You can do a bunch of these at once. Three makes a nice display. As always if you have any questions give me a shout.