Full Bloom Mini Quilt - Pattern & Tutorial

Such a pretty quilt! Perfect for your Spring decor. Bridgette of The Family Hearth has the tutorial on her blog as well as the free pattern download. With Spring right around the corner, this is a fast and easy project to bring Spring indoors. Visit Bridgette on her blog by clicking on the photo above.

Thanks for stopping by today!

Needles-n-Pins Stitcheries: Springtime Patterns

Well I would think most everyone is so tired of winter especially with the harsh winter some of you had so I thought maybe we should turn our thoughts to Spring. Let's shake the winter blues off and start to create. Here are some patterns available for all of you crafters and sewers from the wonderful Etsy shops. 

You always need coaster for your drinks to sit on your tables and natalya1905 has a pattern for just that and these are made with pretty spring colors. 

Bonnie at BonnieBraeCrafts has this cute spring embroidery pattern for all of you stitchers. You can make this and hang it on your wall to add a little spring to your home. 

And who doesn't know someone that has a baby that would love a new pair of baby booties. Ruth over at RuthMaddock has this great pattern for you. 

                                             

And then there is my favorite pastime.........quilting. I love all the spring colors and flowers in this quilt pattern from QuiltLilyDesigns. 

So if you are a knitter, crocheter, quilter or crafter Spring is a great time to get those creative juices flowing again. 

Happy sewing!! :)


Colleen


Needles-n-Pins Stitcheries


Needles-n-Pins Stitcheries Blog

Today's Featured Shop --- Dee Duncan Folkart

Deena and I both noticed the outstanding patterns designed by Dee Duncan and I wanted to share her unique 1776 pattern designs with you today.   

Civil War Soldier

Americana Colonial Drum

 Soldier's Journal

Civil War Mail Bag

All of Dee's patterns can be found on Patternmart or her website,  Ginger and Co.

Be sure and check out all Dee's patterns.
Thanks for visiting today.
Bette

Handmade Spotlight - There's a Pattern Here

You'll find a nice array of primitive patterns here. 

Most are in pdf format, so you could be well on your way to creating something primtastic today.

ChickadeePrimi... $9.00	thetalkingcrow $8.00
SnugglebugBles... $0.20	rockriverstitc... $7.50
TomorrowsTreas... $5.00	TeresasPrimTre... $5.50
countryrustic $7.00	homespunannie $4.75
PrimPatternEmp... $5.00	ohsewdollin $7.50
threadworkprim... $9.00	MotherlodeToad $8.50
InMyGardenGrap... $6.50	PrimFolkArtSho... $6.25
PrintandSew $5.50	DeenasCountryH... $6.00

Treasury tool is sponsored by Lazzia.com.

Handmade Sampler Giveaway - HUGE PATTERN GIVEAWAY---DONE

Welcome to another Handmade Sampler giveaway.

This time around we have a HUGE pattern prize pack brought to you by many talented designers. (click the images for a better view) and be sure to visit their websites listed below.

1 - www.twodancingcrows.com

2 - www.mamawscreations.com

3 - www.homespunfromtheheart.com

4 - www.mamawscreations.com

5 - www.catandthefiddledesigns.com

6 - www.saveourhooters.com

7 - www.catandthefiddledesigns.com

8 - www.myprimraggedies.net

  9 - www.tennesseeridgeprimitives.com

10 - www.bettestomorrowstreasures.com

11 - www.whimsicalendeavors.blogspot.com

12 - www.snugglebugprimblessins.com

You can earn two entries by doing the following...

1... Earn one entry by becoming a follower of this blog.  Already a follower?  Just let us know so we can give you credit.

2... Earn an extra entry by posting our button on your blog and linking to us. We've made it easy... just copy and paste the html code below and add it to the side bar of your blog.

<a href="http://byyourhands.blogspot.com" target=blank> <img src="http://i92.photobucket.com/albums/l35/EweNme/BYH-TextPatternGiveaway150.jpg"></a>

The giveaway will start today, Saturday, May 22, and the winner will be announced on Friday, June 4. We will announce it here and contact you by the email address you have left. Final day to enter is Thursday, June 3, 2010. 

(USA and Canada entries only, please)

Have fun and good luck!

Deena and Bette

www.byyourhands.com

Today's Featured Artist - Motherload Toad Factory

Today's featured artist is Robyn Martin of Motherload Toad Factory

How long have you been in business?

Most of my life, which has been long and full. I have three grown children and eight beautiful grandchildren. Next year, I will have been married (YES! To the same patient man!) 50 Years!! I come from a long line of very eccentric, creative women, who are born blessed with the ability to create almost anything. Having no formal training I am not restricted to as to how to make things I just follow my own "inner-artist."


I have owned two Gift Stores, taught an children's extended learning class "Letting your Inner-Artist Out," and professionally painted several murals.


This is part of a 25'X8' wall:



This is me working on a mural in a local Country Club Restaurant, and faux painting their walls. I rarely paint murals now...ladders and I do not get along!

I have been known to paint on almost anything.......Yes, it's a potty!

How did you get started?

I really got inspired in first grade when my teacher entered a finger painting of mine in the County Fair and it not only won first prize but was sold.

What is involved in making your craft?

 Not much thought just a "glimmer" of an idea. Generally, I have several things in the process of being created. Because most of my creations require extensive drying time...I just move on to the next item...Unfortunately, I sometimes forget to get back to some of these things and they have to wait a while for completion. I draft the pattern, sew, sculpt and paint my soft-sculpture items. Some have an inner armature to allow them to stand.  I now am fascinated with soft sculpture mainly crows and other birds, who knows what next week will bring? Several dolls have been waiting to get completed. 

This is the latest: Malachite and Magenta Magpie

AND the Crow Family Pineapple Luau

What is your favorite thing to make?

My real love is paper mache. I have always loved this medium. I make my own paper mach pulp from scratch using my "secret formula." The largest project was a float for a local parade. I paper mached my husbands entire pick-up truck into a blue-eyed, giant green  dinosaur...and then rode on top holding reins made of ribbon. The next year the truck became a covered wagon pulled by a giant Monarch Butterfly...the following year my husband sold his truck!! Now, I mainly create smaller, decorative items like pumpkins and pineapples but I am tempted whenever I see a pick-up truck!

Do you have set hours to work?

No! I am inclined to be a night-owl.....I do work? (what's that?) in my studio several hours every day.

What are your future plans for your business?

I rarely plan anything....wonderful things just happen!

What does handcrafting mean to you?

I am an Artist, always have been and always will be---handcrafting IS me!

Where do you sell your crafts at?

www.motherlodetoad.etsy.com
www.toadsonghollow.etsy.com
www.patternmart.com
And also a boutique I help organize and run every year locally.
The Gold Dust Boutique at the Mace Meadow Golf and Country Club in Pioneer,CA-- Nov. 5th-6th


Some of Robyn's adorable animal patterns.