New Tip!

I have been struggling with transfering my embroidery designs on some of my recent projects. It is next to impossible to draw the design onto my project freehand from my pattern.
I just can't seem to get things exactly placed.

The other day my friend, Vanasa suggested that I use parchment paper. I didn't have any of this handy, so I found a piece of tissue paper from a gift that I had saved for packing. I traced my design with a pencil onto the tissue, pinned it to my project, and embroidered right through the paper. When I was finished, I just tore away the paper to leave the design,

right where I wanted it.

THANK YOU VANASA!

You have saved me hours of transferring.

Everyone out there probably already knows this...
however it was news to me and I think it is

the best idea for embroidering on applique, thus far.

By the way, this is a picture of Jack Be Nimble. He goes with Miss Muffet in the pattern to be released in September. They will be the first in a series of five patterns, with a total of nine nursery rhyme blocks. The finished quilt will be near queen/king size.

Permit Please.

What happens when you leave a teenager in charge of their siblings?

You should have a permit... and if you don't,

Punishment: a form of water boarding if caught without a permit as shown....

(Drawn by the 8-year old)

Do you ever wonder what this world is teaching our kids?

Catch 22.....

I had to have my picture taken this weekend. Oh how much a picture can mess with your life! The never ending self questions, (my poor husband!)

These were just some of the topics covered this weekend, wonder why I never got any answers?

How much weight do you think I can lose in three days?....

Do I really have that many wrinkles?.....

Am I really that color?....

Is that my real smile?.....

Lucky for me there is photoshop, along with an amazing photographer!

I have known this photographer for all of my adult life, and how lucky I am indeed. She was my photography mentor at one of my first jobs. There is nothing this woman cannot handle! If any of you in my area are looking for a great lady to take some amazing pictures....

Check out her video on you tube here.

Cupcake Pincushion Tutorial

To make this pincushion you will need the following items;
*4" mini bowl
*6"circle of Cake Fabric
*Small fabric swatch of Pink for frosting
*Small fabric swatch of Red for Cherry
*3/4" x 3" Brown fabric for Cherry Stem
*Stuffing of your choice
*Freezer Paper
*Loop Turner
*Glue Gun - or another method to glue the cushion to the bowl.
*Basic Sewing Supplies

1.Print off a pattern template here.
2.Trace the frosting template onto the dull side of the freezer paper and cut it out. Iron the template shiny side down onto the right side of the pink frosting fabric. Cut out the fabric 1/4" larger than the template. Clip the inside curves, cut in about three threads away from the paper template.
3. Pin the frosting into place, in the middle of the 6" cake circle.
4. Using a needle turn method with a matching pink thread, turn under the 1/4" seam allowance to match the freezer paper pattern.

Turning inside corners: Position your needle as shown in the far left picture. With a counterclockwise motion, pivot your needle to the position shown in the larger picture. *This helps to turn your fabric under all at once, and makes it easier to match the freezer paper template.

5. When all your applique is complete run a basting stitch around the outside of your cake circle. Pull your thread and tie a knot leaving an opening big enough to fit a finger in.
6. Stuff your cake with stuffing until desired stiffness is achieved.
7. Glue your cake into the 4" bowl with a glue gun, or your desired method.

8. Fold your brown cherry stem strip right sides together lengthwise, then sew a seam with a 1/4" seam allowance. When sewing is complete, trim seam allowance to 1/8."
9. Use a loop turner to turn the strip inside out. Tie a knot in one end and trim your strip to about 2" for the stem.

10. Match two cherry pieces right sides together and hand sew a seam using a backstitch with a 1/8" seam allowance.
11. Match another cherry piece to the unsewn side of the one you have just sewn and repeat the seam (top left picture)
12. Piece the rest of the six pieces together in the same way until your cherry looks like the middle left picture.
13. Match up (right sides together) the two end pieces and sew half way, then turn right side out.

14. Stuff the cherry with stuffing.
15. Blind stitch the opening, leaving a small opening at the top of the cherry.
16. Use the point of your scissors and push the cherry stem into the cherry.
17. Sew the stem to the top of the cherry.

18. Sew the cherry to the top of the cupcake as shown. Add some cute pins, and your done! Leave a comment and let me know what you think of my first tutorial, or how I may improve. Thanks so much!

A new challenge!

In light of the upcoming angel swap, I have decided to try my hand at writing an online tutorial. I made this pincushion to display my girls' cute pin line for a recent show. Everyone asked for the pattern, so here it comes...look forward to a full tutorial tomorrow!

On the agenda today.....

Last year I made this tabletopper, and gave it away to my mother. I just have to make another one for myself. I love this fabric from last year! This years fabric is just as cute, but before I can justify buying it, I have to make last years project! Off to the machine......

It all started with this....

I am Cori Blunt, mother of 5 amazing kids, and wife to one great guy.

I am masquerading as a mother, but secretly I am a hopelessly addicted stitcher. My fabric obsession is equally hopeless. I am owner of Chitter Chatter Designs. Most of my time is spent stitching up new projects to keep all the fabric at bay, as well as a way to find some sanity in this chaotic household, yes, that is where the chaos title comes from.....three girls constantly being girls....all talking at once about at least three different things at a time, with two little boys running circles around us chasing each other with joyous screams.........just like a tornado!

There is no place like HOME!