Thursday, October 29, 2009

CoRnY Friends Candy Holder

Here's the project from my morning inspiration from eating CANDY CORNS last night!!



I put candy in a snack size Ziploc then inserted into the front pocket.




Design available on my website for purchase


Today's Inspiration


This is one of my favorite treats for the FALL! I found these Creme Brulee Gourmet Candy Corns at Wal-Mart the other day. I think the originals are still my favorite though.

I have a useful, silly project coming up so stay tuned...................


Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Falling Leaves Hangie

I really had fun making this hangie. The blocks are all Pieced in the Hoop TM and appliqued via my embroidery machine. I added ribbon then chose a sham style backing. I did add a piece of fusible Timtex to the top. It gave just the amount of stiffness needed to help this hang properly.


Available for sale on my website.



Pumpkin Snot


Pumpkin


Snot

Kids love SLIME, so why not make some!

1. Blend 2 cups of Elmer’s Glue with 1 ½ cups warm water in a bowl.
2. Add red and yellow food coloring until orange
3. In another bowl, dissolve 4 tsp. of borax in 1 1/3 cups warm water. When dissolved add it to the glue/water bowl.
4. Squish with hands until desired consistency.
5. Store in plastic bags.
6. Keep off furniture, carpet & clothes!
7. Attach poem if giving as a gift.

Pumpkin Snot

This poor pumpkin

Gave into rot,

And all that’s left

Is this pumpkin snot!


Happy Halloween from
Piece in the Hoop



Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Feeling Lucky...I got a Clover

When I was at Market, Clover picked me up as a sponsor and today I got my NEW Clover in the mail. When Sandy Kent and I went to Wisconsin to do the taping with Nancy Zieman, she had one of these and we just fell in love with it. I have an older version but this one is soooo much better. It has a protective guard to keep me from burning myself and it has several attachments. The one of choice to me is the larger ironing tip. I can't tell you how great this iron work with Piecing in the Hoop TM!! Thanks CLOVER!!!


Sunday, October 25, 2009

Two New Additions....

I've been waiting on these two little babies for 6 weeks now to be weened and today we got to bring them home. Meet CoCo and Perry, her brother. Linsey was beside herself and Talon was jealous a little of the attention they were getting.


What a cute little addition to our lil family. Thanks Aunt NaeNae!



Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Travel Pouch

I had fun making this "in the hoop" Travel Pouch. I made it out of necessity and wanted to share with you.


You can find it on my website at PIECE IN THE HOOP



Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Stocking "Pieced In The Hoop"

I had a request by a dear friend, Barbara B. asking for a stocking. I drew one up in CAD last night and devised a way to make this ~7" x 12" stocking in 2 5x7 hoopings!

It's all crazy pieced which means you can use of those reds or Christmas fabrics from your stash. You can also have fun with your sewing machine and add decorative stitches to the seams as done in Victorian Crazy projects.


A use of a sewing machine is also required for minimal sewing. I'll have it uploaded as soon as I type up the instructions. Until then.. Happy Piecing!

UPDATED: We now have it ready for downloading.



Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Quilt Market was a SUCCESS!!

With over 2000 booths setup, it took me 2 days to go through them all. I wished I had time to visit more but man... what a spread!

Driving into Houston was a little dreary but after entering the George R. Brown Convention Center all the gloom disappeared.



I had a fun time in the Krause Publications booth with my fellow authors and F+W Staff. Getting to see Nancy Zieman again was quite the treat too. I wore my sporty lil apron all over an folks stopped to ask me what it was about and I was happy to explain.

I was excited to meet so many interesting people. I met Hoodie, the designer of the chicken fabric used on the cover of my book and my PITH handbag. I finally got to put faces with names too. I went to all the booths, shook hands with my suppliers, and thanked everyone who helped me with my book. I'm so humbled to have so much support from a community that doesn't accept strangers. I met with Electric Quilt and we will have a CD out sometime next year with them so that's a HUGE announcement. I will be doing exclusive digitizing for Tricia Cribbs, author of Turning 20. What a dear, sweet woman she is! I picked up more sponsors too, one of the perks for writing a book. I'm so blessed and thankful.

Jamie Gehring & Myself in the Krause Booth

Jamie also wore the apron I stitched for her too. I really hope my book does good! It's set to be shipped out 12-31-09. I'm taking pre-orders on my website and I'll ship to you ASAP!

Here's to making more great memories and to a successful journey!

Friday, October 9, 2009

International Quilt Market

I will be attending market this year. Come see me in booth 1603! I'll be there all day Saturday.



Thursday, October 8, 2009

Turning into a "Bag" Lady

I had so much fun with the last bag that I had to make another one. I did this one a little different. I quilted this one to give it much needed stiffness. I also enlarged it to 12" x 14".

Do you recognize the fabrics?
These are the fabrics used in the log cab blocks on the
cover of my book. Blank Textiles is the creator of the chickens.

I also added some pockets inside to hold my keys etc.

This baby's going to Quilt Market with me!!



A Mystery is Revealed.....


I started out by sewing in a section of white so that I could have a clean place to embroider.


Place another piece of fabric, right sides together. Sew like you would a pillow case, around 3 sides leaving the top open.


Grab the corners, press flat. I drew a line across the fabric and stitched directly to it, then trimmed away excess.


Do the same for the lining EXCEPT, leave a 4" to 5" slit in the bottom and still leave the top open. Turn inside out.


Place the lining into the from fabric, rights sides facing.


Stitch top, sewing both fabrics together.


Locate the slit in the lining and turn completely inside out. Press crease flat.


Stitch along the top to give a nice finished edge.


I stitched a smaller ribbon to hand bag straps, then folded edges making sure both straps were equal.


I used the "ole" 3 finger measurement and pinned a strap into place. Stitch a square then an "X" to secure strap to bag. do this for all 4 sides.


You're Done!!. Measures 10" x 10"

From the cute fabrics in my previous post, I made this darling hand bag. It was SEW SIMPLE. I can honestly say that this is the first time I have ever attempted a sewing project of this nature. I saw some bags that Caroll made over at the Attic Window Quilt Shop that inspired me to try sewing a bag. I drafted a pattern and I've very proud of the outcome. I know there are things I can do different and I will try my new ideas this morning for another design to follow soon.

I have LOTS more picS and tips for this project.

UPDATE: Design & Instructions are AVAILABLE NOW.

Enjoy,

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Piece in the Hoop Mouse Pad

Yeah! The mail came and my business cards showed up just in time for Quilt Market. I also ordered a matching mouse pad to see how the quality was and I'm impressed. If you want one, let me know and next time I place an order, I'll add you one to the list. Cost is $9.95.



Hmmm...what-cha got planned with those?

I went to "town" today and I spotted a few items and my mind went off in 10 different directions. I settled on 2 ideas and here are the beginnings of them.


Mystery Project #1


Mystery Project #2

Join my blog and follow to see just what I'm going to do with these 2 mystery projects!!


Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Mini Quilt - Home is Where...

I just wanted to share with you what's coming soon to Piece in the Hoop TM. I created several mini-quilts and this is the first to stitch out. It comes in 2 sizes 5x7 & 6x8 and two ways to finish so that's a total of 4 files. That's right you can even sew the binding out in the hoop or you can use my "pillow-sham" technique that too is included in a file.


This pic shows the binding sewn on in the hoop!


This pic shows the back and how the quilting is too done in the hoop.

This is for all skill levels because my directions are pictorial and very detailed.

UPDATE: Designs are uploaded



Monday, October 5, 2009

Crockpot Carne Guisada



What You Need

• 3 pounds beef stew meat
• 2 cans diced Rotel tomatoes with green chilies
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 3 cloves garlic minced
• 1 cup chopped onion
• 3 tablespoons flour
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon oregano
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 diced bell pepper

What To Do

1. Place stew meat, 1/4 cup water, salt and pepper in crock-pot. Turn heat to
high and let simmer for 1 1/2 hours.

2. Drain juice from tomatoes into measuring cup. Add tomatoes, garlic and onions to crock-pot. Stir and simmer on high for 30 minutes.

3. Add cumin, oregano, and chili powder to crock-pot and stir. Blend reserved tomato juice and enough water to equal 1 1/2 cups liquid. Add to crock-pot along with flour and stir.

4. Cook on low 3-4 hours until sauce thickens.

I found this online