Brave Knight Birth Record, Quilt, and Stamped Cross Stitch Baby Bibs

As a mom of four little boys, I’m thrilled to bits whenever I find something that is specifically for BOYS instead of girls. The choices for little girls are a million times more than for little boys from a day old well clear into their adult years. Finding cute and fun things for boys is just plain hard sometimes! If you have more than one little boy in your life you probably already know that just finding them different shirts can be a pain in the rear end sometimes. So, this week’s chart of the week is actually three different pieces that are available. First there’s the Brave Knight birth record, which is in counted cross... [Read more]

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Making Your Own Valentine Cards

Valentine’s Day is just one week away. A time to show our partners how much we love them. It’s a time of flowers, chocolates, and special dates. And last but not least, it’s a time for Valentine cards. Greeting card companies make lots of money in the weeks before Valentine’s Day. After all, no one wants to be the one who neglected to give the love of their life a special greeting! But you don’t have to buy the same cards everyone else is giving. Creating your own valentine is so much more special. Sizzix Sizzlits Die Set-Valentine Embellishments Each die measures: 3-3/4”x2-1/2”x1/8” Compatible... [Read more]

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How to Choose Matching Colors for Your Quilt

A well-made quilt is a thing of beauty. When the colors are right and the sewing is done properly, the result is comparable to a work of fine art. This is one reason why handmade quilts make such wonderful gifts. Those who have never quilted often assume that all it takes is sewing skill. And sewing skill is a very important factor. But equally important is the ability to choose the right colors. Amazon.com Widgets Quilters often choose two or more colors of fabric that look good together, only to find out that they do not match very well halfway through the project. Doing all of that work for nothing is enough to make one feel like giving... [Read more]

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The Encyclopedia of Quilting and Patchwork Techniques

The Encyclopedia of Quilting and Patchwork Techniques is a great resource for beginners as well as more advanced needleworkers. It benefits from various projects for different ability levels, whether you want to learn about simple pieced block designs or experiment with different colors and patterns and texture. The book offers very detailed “how to” sections on topics such as how to do an intricate Seminole patchwork, how to achieve special effects including piping, prairie points, folded patchwork, explains different types of appliqué, from hand, machine, Hawaiian or revers. The encyclopedia also describes common and less common quilting... [Read more]

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Necessary Quilting Tools to Get Started as a Beginner Quilter

Quilting is a very enjoyable hobby, but it is not known for being inexpensive. The high-end sewing machines that many avid quilters use cost thousands of dollars. And there are many different tools that you can use to make your quilt exactly how you envisioned it. But when you’re starting out, you don’t have to make a particularly large investment. There are certain things you’ll need, but most can be had without breaking the bank. Fortunately, if you’re already a crafter you might have a lot of these tools on hand already. Here is a list of the tools you’ll need to get started quilting. Sewing machine – It is possible... [Read more]

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Happy Dancing! Finished Fairy Tale Sampler (Dragon Dreams)

Gosh! It’s been so long since I finished something like this that I almost forgot how exciting it was! I’m happy dancing my feet off over here. This is Fairy Tale Sampler by Dragon Dreams, stitched on Silkweaver Reflections ~ Precious Metals 28 count fabric. I put the last beads on last night while we were watching the finale episode of Worst Cooks in America on Food Network. Yup, we’re Food Network junkies. I think I get the majority of my stitching done watching food shows in the evening with the hubby these days. Progression to finish…. After I finished this up, I pulled out my blue fabric and started up Blackwork... [Read more]

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February is National Quilt Month! Let’s Get Quilting!

Did you know that February is National Quilt Month? We’re going to be spotlighting quilting here all month long. Everything we can find about quilting we’ll be sharing with you, fabric, tools, books, project ideas and more. I encourage you to leave a comment here if you’ve got a great quilting tip for us to share with the world. I’ll also be accepting guest blog posts all month long from quilters. I love quilting, but I’m certainly not a star at it yet and it takes a back seat to cross stitching for me. So, I’m calling on the expertise of others to really talk up cross stitching the way it deserves here this... [Read more]

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Friday Freebie Roundup – Free Cross Stitch Patterns

I thought we’d try something new here on the blog today. Freebies are a great asset to any stitcher’s pattern collection, so let’s share our favorite freebies with each other here and talk about them a little bit. Here’s three great freebies that I really like…. Teresa Wentzler’s Beginner Whitework Ornament – this is my favorite freebie ever. I’ve stitched it multiple times and it’s always beautiful. Makes a great project for leftover thread and a beautiful holiday gift. Jolly Roger Cat from Cross Eyed Cat – Who doesn’t love pirates and cats? Blackwork Victorian House –... [Read more]

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CraftCrate Rolling Organizer from Fiskars

Fiskars makes more than just scissors and sharps! The Fiskars CraftCrate Rolling Organizer is the perfect organization solution for busy craftspeople. It measures 13 ½” long x 11” wide and holds all your craft supplies in one place. The craft crate comes with wheels and an extension handle, which makes it easy to wheel along. It also features side handles for easy carrying and lifting and a cover flap. It is made from sturdy and durable material. It comes with 50 different sized pockets for many craft supplies, from pens, paper clips, stamps, rules, scissors and more, which keeps everything neat and secure. The crate can also hold larger... [Read more]

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FREE Brimmed Earwarmer Crochet Pattern

What You Will Need: Worsted Weight Yarn J Hook or Size to Obtain Gauge Gauge: 3 to 3 ½ inches width. To gauge the circumference of the head use a scrap piece of yarn to measure around the largest part of the head. Decrease final measure by a half inch for the snug fit. NOTE: You will chain the amount that equals the length of yarn, sl st together (make sure not to twist the chain) 1st Row: Ch 2, hd in same st, *hd in ea ch* sl st to top of begin hd (not top of chain 2) 2nd – 6th Row: Repeat 1st Row Fasten off. Edging Top: Fasten onto chain row, chain 1 single crochet in same st, *single in next st* sl st to beginning sc. (repeat one more time.) Edging... [Read more]

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