"Scrappin' it...Denim Style"

Hey quilter's...hope everyone is enjoying their summer so far. I've been busy working on the Stain Glass Window project for our town's Museum. Each and every window is appliqued and quilted. Yes, I know...what was I thinking. But have to say I was blessed to have all the bright Batiks donated by Hoffman fabrics and all the thread was donated by Aurifil. If you haven't checked out their amazing color hues please do so. Excellent quality and many design hues & weights to choose from.
 Anyway, I think we all have a "stress relief" project... and this is mine. Working on a sweet gift and have to say it's been fun cleaning out my stash. I had "yards" of lace that I had stashed and plenty of denim to choose from. I wanted to incorporate a "cross design" and give it a little trendy feel as well. The only fabric that I have purchased is the Chevron pattern which I absolutely love. The chevron ties in the two shades of denim that I'm using plus saves me time piecing the chevrons. A plus when you are working within a time frame for a gift. Plus this quilt will have a very rustic appearance due to the seams will all be frayed. Another time saving tip! I am using very sharp applique scissors to trim around the lace and each cross is appliqued and pieced to form a cross. I will post more pics along the way. Like I mentioned...this is my fun...stress relief project from doing the Stain Glass Window Project for our sweet old Museum. Hope you enjoy and have a great quilt week!

"Blessed Quilting from Our Home to Yours",
Cat
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"SENDING WARM WISHES & YOU REAP WHAT YOU SEW"

Hey quilter's....when I saw this funny cartoon, I immediately filed it for a crazy winter day. I know some of us are truly thankful for the sun these past couple of days, but also know how some are cold right now. I definitely feel your pain, been a survivor of a -10* once myself, and didn't care for it at all. I would always try to think warm thoughts, summer project ideas and mostly just keep from going nuts while being snowed in. Don't get me wrong, it's fun for a couple of days and if you could only plan it when you needed it, I would then love the snow. I recently read an article that during the winter months you should plan your summer vacations. Hmmm...hasn't worked yet but maybe I'm not thinking "tropical" due to I'm a more "mountain" kinda gal. I posted this cartoon for everyone to have a laugh during these crazy winter months. I love the fact that it's featured some of my favorite items for sewing/quilting except it's missing a couple of rows. I personally would be planting/sewing rows of my favorite weights and color hues of Aurifil thread. Oh how wonderful that would be to just go out and pick the "perfect color hue" & weights of thread. This is the one time I would love to hear the old saying..."you reap what you sew". All kidding aside, want to send warm wishes and hugs to all who are a bit chilly these days & special thanks for following my blog. We will be posting many designs & patterns soon as a free download. I elevate my ankle quite a bit so I am constantly designing in my EQ7 to keep from going insane these days.We"ll also feature fast & easy gifts for free downloads as well. Warm Hugs!

Blessed Quilting from our Home to Yours"
www.perfectgift-fromabove.com
www.cookinganddecorwithcat.blogspot.com

"CAT'S LINT ROLLER & AURIFIL THREAD 4 THE BIRDS"

Hey quilters...I hope everyone is having a "little bit of sunshine" during this cold season. I recently discovered a neat trick due to watching my cat Lottie sunning in front of the window. I can't help but laugh when she get's excited seeing the sun peeking in on a quilt. She will gravitate immediately to the bed, stretch out and start "sunning",One smart cat! Well, due to our lovely cat, we also have a "Lint Roller" in just about every room. It might be a little ocd, but being clean freeks it does come in handy. Here's the funny...due to my long hair, it tends to shed. Yes, I'm admitting the fact that I shed. Funny as it sounds, the lint brush works wonders on my hair as well. If you have "accent rugs" in your bathroom & "shed hair", like I do and hate to drag out the vacuum everyday, then this tip is for you. I now swipe the lint brush over the rugs to pick up my loose hair after styling. I have to say it works wonders and only takes a few seconds of your time verses dragging out the vacuum. Also, they are so cheap at the dollar store so you can keep one under the cabinet for easy access. I know some people use the "swiffer" in between vacuuming but that hardly pics up hair off rugs. Works great on floors though. O.K...by now you are wondering the funny...my nickname as some of you know is Cat...so it's funny now we leave them in all rooms for the Cat's shedding :-)
Anyway, we all know that Lint rollers are wonderful to keep in your sewing/quilting room. But I have to say recently I had the hardest time throwing away my cut threads of Aurifil thread. I now roll up the extra threads that are cut and stick them in the trees for the birds. It might seem a bit extreme but they love threads to incorporate into their nests. I love watching the birds outside my quilting room feed and when they grab that loop of thread and fly away with it, I feel I've done something special. What's funny is when they fly back to that same spot and look into "your window" wondering where the next thread loop is. I have to say..."the birds know Great Quality Thread". I do take the time to loop the thread together so the birds don't choke on it while flying. Maybe one day I can video them 'cause it's pretty stinkin' cute!

"Blessed Quilting from our Home to Yours",
 Cat

www.perfectgift-fromabove.com
www.cookinganddecorwithcat.blogspot.com

Need more "Fiber" in your diet?...2015 is the Year!

Hey quilter's...recently I went to the doctor and he actually told me I needed more fiber in my diet. I know you are laughing, it's an old joke among quilter's, but he really did state those exact words. I have to share, I laughed so hard and I do believe he thought I was nuts. I proceeded to tell him that I quilt and my room is full of "colorful fibers" from Aurifl threads. He rolled his eyes and said, "stay away from my wife, she's a quilter. I laughed, no problem...I have her email address! Well, this joke inspired this post due to wanting to showcase some of the bright Batiks by Hoffman California fabrics that will be appliqued and quilted with Aurifil thread. This was the inspiration for my 2015 Museum project for our sweet town of Frankston. I will be designing/quilting "Stain Glass Windows' out of these wonderful color ways. The museum is getting a "face lift" and I was asked to do the window treatments. Well, I had to put a spin on it of course! The wonderful bright colors of the fabrics and Aurifil threads is such an inspiration for any designs! Wish me luck and I will post pics along the way. I hope everyone does a little "quilt it forward in 2015" with some sort of project for your community. Have a wonderful 2015!


"Blessed Quilting from our Home to Yours"
www.perfectgift-fromabove.com
www.cookinganddecorwithcat.blogspot.com

"20 no 15" Tips 2 organize your sewing room, Plus a "Color Inspiration tip using Aurifil thread"

Hey quilters...it's hard to believe 2014 is coming to an end. I've had some memorable moments this year along with some hardships but as they say "That's Life". The quote inspiration says it all. I've been organizing my sewing/quilting room mostly for myself (can't handle clutter) and Miss Lottie (precious Cat). I would love to have things out for easy access but with her it makes things difficult. I have to keep things in drawers out of reach for her which makes organizing a bit harder. I am guilty of "Pinterest Searching" for tips, techniques, etc. I have to elevate my ankle quite a bit so this gives me something to do while "being stranded". I have to say one thing about searching for organizing tips, those craft rooms are A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! I always thought "I was organized", oh my gosh....some of those sewing/craft/quilting rooms are bigger then my kitchen and have granite countertops. As a designer, I've had the pleasure of designing many model homes and usually did a combo Utility/Craft room. I tried to keep things practical for most purposes of how families needs are plus budget friendly designs as well. I will be the first to admit...I've seen some designs on pinterest that I would love to have...maybe someday! I have some organizing tips to share that have helped me organizing on a "budget". I do have a temporary "security block" that is not allowing me to download my pics so will post pics soon.
First....for any type of hobby you need inspiration..."Color inspires Creativity"...you don't need to spend a lot of money to have an inspirational spot in your sewing room. I used what I have...I made a "color wheel" using "Aurifil Thread"....great color inspiration!
Second...a "Design Wall" is a must for me....when I am putting a design 2gether, I always pin fabric on my design wall to see what fabrics inspire designs.... I stand back and say..."O.K., show me what you got"...kinda silly, but it works. A design wall allows you to "see" your creativity on a visual eye level (not on floor). You don't have to spend a lot of money to have one & you can search the internet for some clever do-it-yourself tips". I personally recommend having a few if you do several different size projects/designs. I have 3 permanent ones on wall but love my 2 tiny ones that I move around with me depending on my project.
Third...my most important one is..."You cannot be creative without another stimulation..."chocolate"..."Color and Chocolate" go hand in hand...literally....I laughed so hard while searching craft rooms on pinterest...I did not see one room that had a jar of candy....seriously, I know we all do it!
Fourth...Organize your fabric by color hues and try to cut/size your scraps by projects....fat quarters, charm squares, etc. I like to have my half hard fabrics in baskets for that "splash of inspirational color"...fold in thirds and roll for a space saver.
Fifth...Wrap your fabrics with large yard quantities on cardboard (you can get them for free at your local fabric/quilt shops...just ask)...this is a great time saver technique if you "pre-iron" your fabric for your projects.
Sixth...."Tag" your fabrics if you washed them...nothing can be worse to go back on your stash and wonder if you washed them or not...if you're like me and iron them it does make it difficult to tell sometimes.
Seventh...Have your cutting and or sewing table at a great height....preferably your sewing machine should be at desk level (insert) for easier access (less strain on wrists) and your cutting table needs to be at a height that is comfortable for your back. If you are not comfortable...you can't create!
Eighth...Lighting, as a designer I cannot stress this enough to have adequate lighting. If you don't have recessed can lights in your room simply do this...if you have a ceiling fan with directional lighting attached, simply add bulbs per watts of areas you need most. Mine has 5 lights and needless to say two have low watts in them due to where they shine.
Ninth...If possible invest in a craft lamp that you can move around with you from space to space, allowing you to have that extra direct lighting when needed.
Tenth...This actually goes for color inspiration....invest in "Aurifil thread chart"....great way to audition your fabric and thread together...plus if you are an internet shopper, it's a wonderful way to actually see your thread hues at hand....if you're like me "display it" for that inspirational color!
Eleventh...Invest in a "over the door" shoe holder to house your craft/sewing items...great space saver for small rooms...I have a bi-fold closet door and it will still work, just maneuver it until it hangs correctly.
Twelve...Invest @ dollar store...2 pk sweater/storage bags (18 x 12 x3 in.) are wonderful for storing your projects at hand and are great for taking projects to quilt functions as well.
Thirteen...if possible find a "Armoire" that you can use to store your scrap booking and or fabric etc. in. I love mine due to "closing" all of the items that I don't want "Lottie" to get into!
Thirteen...Check out "yard sales" for that ugly chest that is priced to get rid of...take it home pull out the drawers, paint it...put baskets in place of the drawers and you have a great/inexpensive organizer!
Here's an additional tip...if your drawers are somewhat reusable, use them as shelves on your wall & use some splash of fabric for color inspiration on the inside wall of drawer...showcase your collectibles!
Fourteen...Organize your ideas/projects in binders (label on outside for each project) if possible store away in your armoire for a space saver. Inspirational tips... view magazines....save that card that you received with an inspirational photo...I have many patterns that have been inspired by a card that I received.. Take a walk "with mother nature"...you will be surprised of how something so simple trigger that creative wave you need!
Fifteen...and probably the most important one....be comfortable while doing your crafts/sewing...you can find an office chair at a yard sale and paint the color if it doesn't suit you...just cover the fabric/cushion before doing so and then use a fabric hue to match your décor and reupholster the seat cushion..."Comfy & Cheap"


"As I always say...Be You...Be Creative...and Design like Nobody is Watching!"
Have a Safe & Wonderful 2015!
"Blessings from our Home to Yours"
www.perfectgift-fromabove.com
www.cookinganddecorwithcat.blogspot.com

"AURIFIL THREAD, A MUG, COFFEE & CHOCOLATE 4 CHRISTMAS"

Hey quilter's...does the tune of "all I want for Christmas" come to mind...well, here's a wonderful last-minute gift idea that any quilter/crafter will love! Can you imagine receiving 4 of your favorite things all wrapped up in one sweet Christmas gift. If you are attending a "Quilt Christmas gift exchange" you will definitely be the hit of the party. So easy to do...select spools of Aurifil thread (I recommend a neutral w/at least a couple of fun/bright color hues), a coffee mug, a single flavor or coffee (you can also use hot chocolate or teas) and some Christmas candy (chocolate of course). Use clear gift wrap so you can see all that "yummy goodness" inside and tie off with a decorative ribbon. A sweet, fast, inexpensive last minute gift idea for Christmas or any special occasion. Definitely a "Quilter's D.I.Y" gift and if you are in the need of "cleaning your stash", throw in a couple of "charm squares" of your Christmas Stash. If using this wonderful idea for a "Birthday gift" or a "Just Because Gift" embellish your items with his/hers likes & coordinate your charm squares to their style/décor. Select your Aurifil thread to coordinate with your charm squares for that perfect gift!
Enjoy!

"Blessed Quilting from our Home to Yours"
www.perfectgift-fromabove.com
www.cookinganddecorwithcat.blogspot.com
email tips...cmhdesigns2@yahoo.com

"CRAZY HOT PADS"... LAST MINUTE GIFT IDEA

Hey quilters....I'm sure we can all use an easy last minute gift idea with Christmas fast approaching. Well, I've been working on these fun and easy "Crazy block design hot pads". They really are a lot of fun cause you can just make up the design as you go, plus what a wonderful way to use some of your "Christmas Stash". I embellished the design with 5 different decorative stitches using "Aurifil 50 weight, #2250" (excellent thread if you are not already using)...and to make it easy, I did the decorative stitches first due to the thickness of the "heat resistant pad that I will insert before adding backing and binding"...as you can see it's a work in progress (note: last minute gift idea)...you can't go wrong no matter what size you end up with...just square up with your ruler to your desired size and add your heat resistant filler, backing, binding. The decorative stitches add that sweet touch to enhance your fabric and design. I love "crazy blocks" cause you don't have to be perfect (yes, coming from a pattern designer) you just let your "artistic mind take control". Also, a wonderful project for a beginner quilter and great project for kids to do as well. You get that wonderful satisfaction of finishing something "in a day", and a wonderful gift to give to a loved one. As always, you can email me if you have any q's. Merry Christmas & enjoy the countdown 'til Santa comes!

Blessed Quilting from Our Home to Yours"
www.perfectgift-fromabove.com
www.cookinganddecorwithcat.blogspot.com

 

'AURIFIL 50 wt. #2250 USED FOR DECORATIVE STITCHING"