Lots of Sewing but not much blogging

I haven’t blogged in a while because I’ve been sewing. I bought a new embroidery machine and a new sewing machine so I’ve been playing.  I’m thoroughly enjoying everything about these new machines except reading the instructions. But, I’ve found that I learn so much more by doing that so....

Another reason I haven’t blogged in so long (since December) is that Blogsy, which I used to write my blogs with iPad, is no longer available in the US. Nevermind that I paid for this app, it’s just gone for US users. I’ve tried several other apps and have not found one that I’m happy with. I’m trying yet another one on this post and will see how that goes.

One of the things I’ve sewed is a charity quilt of the Hands2Help group which Sarah at “Confessions of a Fabric Addict” hosts each year.  There are several charities available on Hands2Help.  Below is the icon and clicking on it may or may not take you to the web page where it’s all explained.  I’m not sure if the link works so if not since I’m still trying to learn how to use this new blogging app. You may need to click on this as well:

https://confessionsofafabricaddict.blogspot.com/p/hands2help-2018.html

The quilt I made is composed of several hand-sewn blocks I found at an estate sale.  The colors weren’t too appealing so I tried to pretty them up with some embroidery after the quilting was done.  There were 8 blocks so I used 6 for the front and 2 for the backing.

  

These photos came out to the side and I can’t figure out how to center them...

That is all.

Elm Street Quilts Bag It 2017

Wow!  It's been a while since I've blogged. I have, however, been sewing. In preparation for Christmas, I went crazy sewing pouches.  Here's what I've done.

I'm linking up with 

Elm Street Quilts Bag It 2017

http://www.elmstreetquilts.com/p/bag-it-entry-page.html

Check out the link above to see bags others have sewn.

That is all.

Perfectly Pleasng Pincushion Parade Starts Today

Perfectly Pleasing Pincushion Parade 2017

First of all, today I ask you to keep Texas in your prayers as so many are dealing with putting their homes and lives back together after the devastation left by Hurricane Harvey.

Today is the first day of the Perfectly Pleasing Pincusion Parade.  My sister Ida and I always disqualify ourselves from winning any of the fabulous prices available but we are such "show-offs" that we always link-up to show our pincushions.  You can go here to see all the prizes available, see who has linked-up, and to add your own pincushions to the parade.

Here are my pincushions:

My husband and I like going to estate sales on the weekend.  I found the pincushion above, on the left, at one of these sales.  It's rather old and torn up.  See where the stuffing is peeking out on the left?  It was really dusty as well. I was fascinated with how intricately it was sewn so I cleaned it up and studied it.  Each of the 8 pieces are sewn separately and then sewn together.  The one I made is on the right.  

I also found these at different estate sales and/or thrift shops:

The triangle-shaped on the left was dirty and stained so I washed it. Now it's faded and torn so I'll probably make a new cover for it later.  Then there are two Christmas pincushions and the one on the far right is, interestingly, made from a canning jar lid.

So, you ask, did I make ANY pincushions.  Yes, yes, here is an adorable little house pincushion made from an embroidery pattern I found at one of our prize sponsors, Embroidery Library.  

I also made this chicken from a free pattern I found online. 

And this idea I saw somewhere online as well and adapted it to this:

I was trying to make a beautiful round Dresden plate pincushion and , Voila!, I came up with an entry for the Ugly Pincushion Contest.

It did NOT come out round but rather bumpy, crooked and UGLY!

I also received these two beautiful pincushions from my sister Ida.

I like the pretty star pincushion with what Ida calls imperfections because she thinks the points should line up.  I like it just the way it us.  And then there's the pretty flower with it's beautiful cross-hatching across the top.  Thanks, Ida.

Finally, here is My Pincushion Parade:

Come link-up with us.

That is all.

Perfectly Pleasing Pincushion Parade

Encouraging Words of the Day:  

Prayers going out to our fellow Texans needing prayers now as they deal with the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey.  We live in far West Texas so have not been affected by the hurricans but many of our friends do live in the area hit by Hurricane Harvey as up to 26 inches of rain have fallen in the area. On another topic, a reminder for all: The "Perfectly Pleasing Pincushion Parade" witll soon be starting.  This year it will be running from Sept 4-15 so haul out your pincushions of "get to sewing" so you can show off your pincushions.  Click on the photo below or this link to learn the details.  P.S. There are lots of fabulous prizes given out.

I used to use Blogsy to write my blogs on my iPad but that is no longer an option as Blogsy is no longer available. As I try to use a new app for posting, I still have a lot to learn so if the link I tried to insert above does not work, please go to this site to learn more about the Pincushion Parade:  

https://mysismademe.blogspot.com/2017/08/perfectly-pleasing-prizes.html

 

That being said,lets get to sewing pincushions.  OR digging out some of your favorite pincushions as it's a Parade of Pincushions. It can be your favorite pincushion or even a pincushion you hate, not necessarily a pincushion you made yourself.  This is my favorite pincushion, not just because my sister gave it to me, but because I love the size.  It's not easy to lose and I always have it on my sewing table or next to my sewing machine.  It still looks pretty good even thought I've had it for years.  It has that "well used" and loved look.

That is all.

Hands2Help Quilts

Encouraging Words of the Day:

It is now time to mail our quilts for the Hands2Help Charity sponsored by Sarah at "Confessions of a Fabric Addict." Here are my two donations to "Happy Chemo" patients.

Yes, I know they look like the same quilt but look closely and you'll notice that they are indeed different. Before she died, my MIL made a pile of fan blocks since she was fascinated by them. I've kept them through the years and finally decided to do something with them. Other things going on. A swap group I'm sewing with is working on mug rugs.  I had specified a summer mug rug from my swap partner and she surprised me with this delightful mug rug.  Thanks so much, Mary.  It's perfect.  I love those cute flip-flops.

I've had my eye on a quilt-along that's been going on since March. I finally decided that I really like it so bought the "Long Time Gone" booklet. I had been putting it off because the booklet is $32 and I thought that was pretty pricey but finally went for it since I like the quilt so much.  Now I'm playing "catch-up" and have completed 2 blocks.

 That is all.    

Hands 2 Help Linky

Encouraging Words of the Day:

Once again it's "Hands 2 Help" time. Time to work on charity quilts.  Sara at "Confessions of a Fabric Addict" is once again hosting this event. Please click on the photo before for more information.

Below are 2 of the quilts I've made as my contribution. Yes, these are 2 quilts, not 2 photos of the same quilt.  I had lots of fan blocks made by my mother-in-law that were just waiting for me to sew them together into these 2 quilts. If you look carefully, you will see that they are, indeed, 2 different quilts. 

I turned them in different directions so you can see that they are different :)

These will be going to "Happy Chemo" to be donated to people undergoing chemotherapy.

Click here to go to the link-up page and see what others are doing for "Hands 2 Help."

That is all.

New Quiltalong Blocks

Remember the Quiltalong I told you about? It's the one Alida is hosting called "Growing Up Quiltalong 2017."  Each month we learn a different technique. This month we're learning traditional piecing with a focus on half-square triangles.  Here are mine:

Alida provides a linky where we can show-off our blocks. Click here to see what others have made with their half-square triangles. That is all.