The Design Process

Sometimes you need a fun project to pull you away from the time consuming projects I am normally working on . These were just the ticket for me. These little pincushions were a blast to make, easy, and fast. A perfect project for an afternoon of stitching.There are several tutorials on line for these pincushions, but I just winged it. I have hand stitched a few cathedral window blocks, so using that knowledge, I made my own pattern and went for it. They are quite addicting, and so cute don't you think?

 

 

This is one of my new projects that I have been toying with this summer. I finished up this fun wall hanging and have it displayed in my living room. After I finished it, I wanted to make a few changes to the position of my diving girl. Sometimes in the design process you just have to stare at your work a while before you can pick out what is bothering you about it. This one was obvious, after it was done... but it is this process of mistakes that usually lead me to a much more successful outcome. It took some consulting with Mom to find the right direction to take this project. My mother is so blessed with clarity, and now it is right....(after three tries!)
I will soon be releasing the pattern, a close version to  this one. The wall hanging pictured above is kind of strange at the top, the diving board is out of place, with no relation to the girl. SO... I tweeked it a bit, and have come up with a cute, and easier version....in RED! I am so excited to show it to you in the next week or so.
For now, this one hangs in my living room reminding me of one of my fundamental ideals;
It is only though failure that you can experience success.
Never rob yourself or others of that experience.
That is the key to success, the right to fail! 

 

 

Remember in the last post I told you about a crazy random quilt I was working on with my daughter? This is a little peek at it in progress. What do you think? It is a little crazy and random don't you think? I still think it looks a bit like a t-shirt quilt with all of those logo's. It will become a real treasure of this summer with the kids, that is IF I finish it! My daughter came up with most of the names, and it is quite endearing already.
 

Currently I am working on a new quilt featuring my kissing couple called "Sleigh Ride" I am really excited to show you a sneak peek at that too, but I have to do a little more work on it before I do. Hopefully by next week I can introduce my diving girl pattern, and give you a sneak peek at my holiday couple!

I have been really good at starting projects this summer, wish me luck in finishing them!
 

Hope to see you back next week ....I will be having a giveaway, and a new pattern!

Until then, Happy Stitching!

Checking In

I have been so excited to see my logo design popping up here and there around our area. This is such a fun design, I loved creating it. Thank you so much for letting me help out Mrs. North! Unfortunately I will not be able to make it to Quilt Fest this year, but I am sure it is going to be an amazing event!

 In other news....

After two months of mac&cheese for lunch we saved up enough to visit one of my favorite places in the world....the northern coast of Oregon. This is a picture of Multnomah Falls near Portland. I just can't get over how green and lush this part of the state is. It is so beautiful!

 

 
 No matter how hard you try, you just can't capture the amazing beauty of this area. This is a picture of the Japanese Botanical Gardens in Portland.

We also had the opportunity to visit the Rose Garden, a MUST SEE when visiting Portland! It had just rained when we visited, so all the roses looked as if they had been sprinkled with glitter. That is my mom in the background, it was a treasured trip to spend time with my mom and dad, they are such a joy to be around.

I had a great time passing through Portland. Although I am not a big fan of Portland( it's a little scary) I really enjoyed my time there, so beautiful!


This is the view from Silver Falls near Salem. Another gorgeous water fall.

We also got to visit the really cool Evergreen Air and Space Museum. It houses the infamous Spruce Goose. What an unbelievable feat to put that monster in the air. That plane is HUGE! The girls are playing with the interactive exhibits here.

Finally we made it to the ocean, where we got to stay for a while. How I love to play in the sand and collect rocks with the crashing waves roaring beside me. I ask myself...why don't I live here?

 I have been busy sewing all sorts of crazy stuff this summer. Here is something I had been working on for our trip.

I have been addicted to my local classified ads lately. I saw this deck chair for $20 and just had to have it for our trip.  I sent my husband to the "hood" to get it, and he not only brought me this one, he got me two more kid sized chairs!

BEFORE..........

And AFTER!


I couldn't help myself. I just had to make a new cover, and it was such fun to sit in it and stare at the waves.

It has been hard to get back into the swing of things. I have been working on a strange new project. It is so random and crazy, I have debated with myself about finishing it. My youngest daughter has taken a liking to it. She said "Mom, this is my favorite quilt you have made!" So I guess I will have to finish it. However, it probably will not sell a single pattern, but she loves it so it will be worth it. She helped me create it, which is probably why she loves it so much. It looks just like a T-shirt quilt, with no T-shirts if you can imagine that.

I am currently working on some new quilts for next year.

If you have any ideas, or would like to see a special theme from me, leave me a comment. I never turn down a chance to get out of my box!

Hope your summer is wonderful!