Happy New Year - 2018

Hello, Friends!

It's time to send out a post to wish everyone

a very Happy New Year, from my family to yours!

I'm not a big fan of resolutions, but I do plan

to pay more attention to my blog in 2018.

I've got some completed projects to share,

and lots of new ideas as well.

Here's a sneak peek at one of my recent custom makes.

And here is a preview of some pillows

I'll be adding to my Etsy shop soon.

We've had some changes going on at our little house...

we're doing a lot of renovations

and watching a lot of HGTV for inspiration.

The best part is that

my husband has discovered his inner woodworker!

Check out this new Coffee Station that he created for me.

There will be seasonal updates,

so watch for those throughout the year.

I've already winterized the tabletop with a snazzy

new red buffalo check table runner.

I used Hometown Christmas fabric from Sweetwater for Moda.

The kind folks at CSI Wall Panels sent me a pair of sparkling

pinecone topiaries. 

I used them this fall, and on into Christmastime.

They will look great all winter long, as a pretty accent in our home.

I love the glittery sparkle on the pinecones,

enhanced by the silvery base.

I have been having so much fun using the little dishes and mugs

I've collected over the years.

I'll be showing more glimpses of our home, 

in little closeups, along with my usual sewn projects.

I'm truly looking forward to staying in touch in the new year.

Wishing everyone health, prosperity and happiness!

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Coney Island Pillow

Hello, Friends!

If you're like me, you don't have a lot of free time

for sewing, especially in the summertime.

Pillows are a great project,

because they're both practical and pretty...

a smart way to use precious time!

I made this particular pillow with a mini charm pack

of Coney Island, by Fig Tree Quilts for Moda.

The colors and prints capture summer's

carefree moments perfectly.

When it came time to choose the backing,

this apple green solid caught my eye.

I followed my own free tutorial

for making a covered zipper pillow backing.

This little pillow measures about 14" x 14".

It's not too big...just nice for cushioning a wicker chair.

I love the way this pudgy pillow fills out the form.

It's pleasingly plump!!!

Don't you love mini charms?

I love searching for matching prints

in various colorways, when I use a charm pack

or a mini charm pack.

If you have a favorite way to spend your

summer sewing hours,

feel free to comment!

Linking to:

Freemotion By The River

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Open Wide Zippered Pouch - Turquoise and Lime

Sometimes you need a really sweet gift

for a really great friend.

Lately my go-to gift is a nice fresh zippered pouch.

I love using the awesome free tutorial for the

Open Wide Zippered Pouch, from Noodlehead.

You can find the tutorial here.

Just recently I made a red, white and blue version,

shown in this blog post.

For this latest version, I chose a favorite color palette

that I really love...turquoise and lime.

The fabrics are Good Neighbors by Crazy Mom Quilts

for Connecting Threads.

 

I love these tiny turquoise dots for the interior.

That lime green zipper is such a show-off.

The little tab is a great finishing feature.

This pouch design is really perfect from A to Z.

I think this bag will be fun for summer getaways.

It's a great size for makeup or other essentials.

I used the "Medium" size from the tutorial.

If you're not yet convinced to try this fun tutorial,

you should check out some of my other versions...

here...

and here...

Or come back someday soon...I'm sure I'll be making more of these! 

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Happy 4th of July!

Here in the USA, we're having a celebration...

happy 4th of July!

I made a sweet new Stars and Stripes table runnner.

You can find the free tutorial with instructions here,

at A Bright Corner.

Photo and reference to free pattern used with permission from A Bright Corner blog

Here's how mine turned out.

I used a couple of different fabric collections

from my stash...the stars and the stripes came

from a fabric line called Simply Sweet from Henry Glass.

For the star background, the border and binding,

I used Smooth Sailing from Connecting Threads.

They gave my runner a nautical flair.

The border wasn't included in the tutorial,

but I liked the way it added a few more inches

of width and length to the runner.

I used wavy quilting lines, randomly spaced.

Don't you think wavy lines are perfect for flag designs?

I think the striped binding is my favorite detail.

This runner is even reversible!

The beachy print is fun for the back deck at our house,

near the swimming pool.

If you're looking for a fun and easy project,

with just the right mix of applique and patchwork,

you'll love making this project!

Enjoy your summer, friends!

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Silk Plants Direct - Discount Code For YOU!

Hello, Friends!

Today I'm spreading the word about an awesome

source for silk flowers and greens.

Have you visited Silk Plants Direct online?

Look what I found for my own home!

These Boxwood Topiary Balls are beautifully presented

in flower pots, as a set of three.

The wire container stole my heart.

The dainty chicken wire design has a farmhouse feel...

just what I'm looking for.

Check out the detail of the handle!

The artificial boxwood promises long-lasting easy care...

something I appreciate in my busy world.

I ordered this set of four boxwood planters.

The little pots can also be removed to stand alone.

I really love grouping them in the wire baskets, though.

We're planning a graduation party next year.

I think the individual pots would look so nice

as a centerpiece for each table.

If you're interested in ordering some beautiful

silk flower accents for your own home,

visit Silk Flowers Direct and

use this discount code at checkout:

BLOGGER10

Good for a 10% discount on any products except Custom orders.

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