Hope you are having a good day my friends. You know what I'm doing.-nanette
Hope you are having a good day my friends. You know what I'm doing.-nanette
Hope you are having a good day my friends. You know what I'm doing.-nanette
This is how I figure it. I'll keep sewing right up until Christmas Eve. And what I do get done - I get done. And what I don't - I don't. Isn't that how you do it too? Or am I the only "last minute" holiday sewer?
Sherri had this fabric for show-n-tell on her blog a couple months ago. And I really loved it. So I did a search for it online and found it on sale. I bought 2 yards and I've maybe got a scant 1/3 yard left. I've used it for several projects. And I really like it. The scale is perfect for so many uses.
I had this thick cotton kitchen toweling yardage from a couple years ago that has stripes down the side and a finished edge on the sides. I cut it up into 4 pieces for 4 kitchen towels and then sewed cheater applique from my teapot/teacup fabric shown above. I just cut it out carefully leaving 1/8" around the teacups/teapots.
I just used a blanket stitch on my machine. No fusible for me thank you - especially for towels. I won't vouch for how much washing they will stand but I'm giving them away so as long as they look pretty, I'm okay. I used my used dryer sheets to stabilize the back while I appliqued and then tore it away when stitching was complete. I really love that technique - thank you again Bonnie Myles.
I finished the raw ends with the same fabric. I sewed, pressed, turned and stitched in the ditch. They worked up pretty easy and somewhat quickly but I've run out of toweling now so I'll be back to the linen/cotton blend prints that I was working on before. I like them, too.
I'm also making pot holders. I did use the special batting with reflective heat properties called Insul-Brite. I blogged about it here before. Not that I'm encouraging anyone to actually touch food or a hot dishes to my hot pads (that take so much time to make.) This one didn't turn out so great I think. There is too much going on. The background fabric blends into the house and it is hard to notice where the house ends and the leaves begin. Oh well. If I had it to do again I'd blanket stitch around the house and roof parts too, to give add definition.
Back to cranking out gifts. It was fun to sew and listen/watch the Eagles win last night. Go Eagles. Sorry I'm not around visiting much these days but Santa is coming!
-nanette
Sherri had this fabric for show-n-tell on her blog a couple months ago. And I really loved it. So I did a search for it online and found it on sale. I bought 2 yards and I've maybe got a scant 1/3 yard left. I've used it for several projects. And I really like it. The scale is perfect for so many uses.
I had this thick cotton kitchen toweling yardage from a couple years ago that has stripes down the side and a finished edge on the sides. I cut it up into 4 pieces for 4 kitchen towels and then sewed cheater applique from my teapot/teacup fabric shown above. I just cut it out carefully leaving 1/8" around the teacups/teapots.
I just used a blanket stitch on my machine. No fusible for me thank you - especially for towels. I won't vouch for how much washing they will stand but I'm giving them away so as long as they look pretty, I'm okay. I used my used dryer sheets to stabilize the back while I appliqued and then tore it away when stitching was complete. I really love that technique - thank you again Bonnie Myles.I finished the raw ends with the same fabric. I sewed, pressed, turned and stitched in the ditch. They worked up pretty easy and somewhat quickly but I've run out of toweling now so I'll be back to the linen/cotton blend prints that I was working on before. I like them, too.
I'm also making pot holders. I did use the special batting with reflective heat properties called Insul-Brite. I blogged about it here before. Not that I'm encouraging anyone to actually touch food or a hot dishes to my hot pads (that take so much time to make.) This one didn't turn out so great I think. There is too much going on. The background fabric blends into the house and it is hard to notice where the house ends and the leaves begin. Oh well. If I had it to do again I'd blanket stitch around the house and roof parts too, to give add definition.Back to cranking out gifts. It was fun to sew and listen/watch the Eagles win last night. Go Eagles. Sorry I'm not around visiting much these days but Santa is coming!
-nanette
Thank you everyone for playing along with our 1 year blog anniversary and coming everyday to celebrate with us. Everyone left thoughtful and sweet comments. It was fabulous to read them and enjoy the participation of both old and new readers. I know you hear people say "I wish everyone could win" but really - I do! I guess that is why we did a week of prizes so more people could would win. We had over 300 people participate. There is so much bad news this Christmas that I thought this would be a fun way to do something positive.
First I have to tell you that my daughter Shelbie and I worked on this giveaway in a completely mathematical process. We made a spread sheet and put each commenter's name on the spread sheet and kept track of each day's comments. Extra points were given to those that came to the blog everyday and those that posted about the giveaway on their blog. We assigned each person a number(s) from 1-1615. So for instance, if you posted 5 days you got 5 numbers assigned to your name. It worked out perfectly - better than cutting up over a thousand comments and then making extra bits of papers with names for the extra points and pull out 7 winners out of a jar.
We downloaded the random number generator and with the spreadsheet up on my computer and we let the number generator pick 7 winners. I know this may sound corny but I had butterflies when we ran the number generator. I was so excited to see who would win. But also sad knowing there would be 295 people that wouldn't be picked!
Remember the first person gets their first pick of prizes and so on down to #6 and poor #7 gets what is left over - sorry. Below are the winners with one of their comments and timestamps next to them.
1. Belinda - Brown Dirt Cottage
2. Linda - All Stitched Up
3. Hetty - Hetty's Creations
4. Cheryl - Polka Dots and Rick Rack
5. Amanda - Busy Little Quilter
6. Kristin - We had 2 Kristins but it was No blog Kristin/no email that won (Kristin send me your email!)
7. Doris - Threads of Conversation
-nanette
First I have to tell you that my daughter Shelbie and I worked on this giveaway in a completely mathematical process. We made a spread sheet and put each commenter's name on the spread sheet and kept track of each day's comments. Extra points were given to those that came to the blog everyday and those that posted about the giveaway on their blog. We assigned each person a number(s) from 1-1615. So for instance, if you posted 5 days you got 5 numbers assigned to your name. It worked out perfectly - better than cutting up over a thousand comments and then making extra bits of papers with names for the extra points and pull out 7 winners out of a jar.We downloaded the random number generator and with the spreadsheet up on my computer and we let the number generator pick 7 winners. I know this may sound corny but I had butterflies when we ran the number generator. I was so excited to see who would win. But also sad knowing there would be 295 people that wouldn't be picked!
Remember the first person gets their first pick of prizes and so on down to #6 and poor #7 gets what is left over - sorry. Below are the winners with one of their comments and timestamps next to them.
1. Belinda - Brown Dirt Cottage
2. Linda - All Stitched Up
- Linda said...
-
It sure has been a fun week Nanette, thank you for all the fun you've provided. I know it must have used so much of your sewing time.....
3. Hetty - Hetty's Creations
- hetty said...
-
Congratulations on your first blog anniversary! Just found your blog a couple of days ago, but I love it! Now to get myself a copy of that Fons and Porter magazine. I'll be posting your give-away on my blog. See you tomorrow.
4. Cheryl - Polka Dots and Rick Rack
- Cheryl said...
-
Happy bloggiversary to one of my favorite blogs!!!! Great ideas for gift giving in your giveaways!
5. Amanda - Busy Little Quilter
- Amanda said...
-
How adorable are those! Thanks for sharing the link!
I blogged about your party today on my blog. I'll e-mail you just so you'll know.
Thanks, Nanette!
6. Kristin - We had 2 Kristins but it was No blog Kristin/no email that won (Kristin send me your email!)
- Kristin said...
-
Wow a 40 pack of japanese fabric charms and a book to boot. Holy cow! Every day this week has been a amazing prize. Thank you for all of the fun!!
7. Doris - Threads of Conversation
- Doris said...
-
Very cute dishtowels! Happy Day #3!!!
-nanette
I hope everyone is having a good weekend. It's supposed to snow all day Saturday here in Utah. So it is a good day to hunker down and sew.
Today's little prize is a tote bag. It is made with novelty and vintage fabric. I made several of these bags and then decided the oval bottom was too darn hard to keep making so that is when I came up with my "Mixed Bag to Quilt" pattern.
Lining is in green polka dot with a Freda's Hive label. I learned how to make linings fit a little better after making this bag so I will say as a disclaimer that the lining is somewhat large for the bag. But it is a prize so no complaining!
Don't even ask! Nope, this picture above is not up for winning. Forget it. Last night my friend Flora brought me cookies and delicious smelling vanilla as a little care package. There is only one Flora and sorry, she's not a Freda's Hive giveaway prize either! These cookies rank right up there with best cookies ever. She told me she got the recipe at Pioneer Woman (who lives like the pioneer woman?- not me, isn't she is something else?). I can't think of a better cookie to take to friends at Christmas. Unless maybe it is peanut butter with a Hershey kiss. Love those, too.
Today's little prize is a tote bag. It is made with novelty and vintage fabric. I made several of these bags and then decided the oval bottom was too darn hard to keep making so that is when I came up with my "Mixed Bag to Quilt" pattern.
Lining is in green polka dot with a Freda's Hive label. I learned how to make linings fit a little better after making this bag so I will say as a disclaimer that the lining is somewhat large for the bag. But it is a prize so no complaining! Don't even ask! Nope, this picture above is not up for winning. Forget it. Last night my friend Flora brought me cookies and delicious smelling vanilla as a little care package. There is only one Flora and sorry, she's not a Freda's Hive giveaway prize either! These cookies rank right up there with best cookies ever. She told me she got the recipe at Pioneer Woman (who lives like the pioneer woman?- not me, isn't she is something else?). I can't think of a better cookie to take to friends at Christmas. Unless maybe it is peanut butter with a Hershey kiss. Love those, too. Happy Weekend. We are done here today. If you don't see me Monday you'll know I'm still counting comments ;-).
-nanette
Hello everyone. Your comments continue to delight, enlighten, and bury me! I am reading them all but I haven't quite found the time to comment back to everyone, but I know you will understand. This has been an insane week but incredibly fun. I am enjoying the party.
So today is FFF, my regular Friday feature. For today's featured giveaway I thought I would put together a charm square pack of some of my favorite fabrics from Japan. If you are a regular here you know I have a passion for vintage, novelty(especially kitchen) and just plain old "different" fabric.
Here are 40 different 5" squares of Japanese import fabrics that represent some I've been collecting for years now. There is no common color or theme. They are all just fabric that I like. I've been asked where do I get my fabric. If I am looking for something very specific I usually go to Etsy.com first. I like buying from independent sources. They have a search feature and you can find just about anything there. If I am just window shopping I search "Japanese fabric" in the supplies. I also have some other sources on my side bar. I'm sure most of you are familiar with those retailers. Of course the best deals are when they have sales. I rarely buy a large piece of fabric. I'd rather have smaller bits and more variety.
Along with the charm pack is a Japanese Patchwork book. And yes, the instructions are all in Japanese - but I learn from pictures anyway so I've been able to get over that obstacle. However, keep in mind they make things very tiny in these books so often I enlarge projects to suit me. Below are just a few of the highlights from the book. Click to enlarge (I hope).
So people, you know what to do, leave a comment to enter for a chance to win today's little prize. Tomorrow is the last day. Next week I'll list the winners in order and they can choose their prizes in the order picked. Fun fun. I can hardly wait.
-nanette
So today is FFF, my regular Friday feature. For today's featured giveaway I thought I would put together a charm square pack of some of my favorite fabrics from Japan. If you are a regular here you know I have a passion for vintage, novelty(especially kitchen) and just plain old "different" fabric.
Here are 40 different 5" squares of Japanese import fabrics that represent some I've been collecting for years now. There is no common color or theme. They are all just fabric that I like. I've been asked where do I get my fabric. If I am looking for something very specific I usually go to Etsy.com first. I like buying from independent sources. They have a search feature and you can find just about anything there. If I am just window shopping I search "Japanese fabric" in the supplies. I also have some other sources on my side bar. I'm sure most of you are familiar with those retailers. Of course the best deals are when they have sales. I rarely buy a large piece of fabric. I'd rather have smaller bits and more variety.Along with the charm pack is a Japanese Patchwork book. And yes, the instructions are all in Japanese - but I learn from pictures anyway so I've been able to get over that obstacle. However, keep in mind they make things very tiny in these books so often I enlarge projects to suit me. Below are just a few of the highlights from the book. Click to enlarge (I hope).
So people, you know what to do, leave a comment to enter for a chance to win today's little prize. Tomorrow is the last day. Next week I'll list the winners in order and they can choose their prizes in the order picked. Fun fun. I can hardly wait.-nanette
I love to design and make baby quilts. I also make prototypes of full sized quilt designs in baby quilt size. When I entered the Fons and Porter Baby Quilt contest I originally sent 5 baby quilts. They are all cute but the Cascading Baby Blocks and Stripes quilt that they kept to use in the magazine was by far my favorite. Today's item up for grabs is a baby quilt I made using the mosaic idea. 
Each of the 4 sets of squares is unique in color and pattern. I made the original mosaic quilt 4-5 years ago. You can read about it and see pictures here. It is huge and I love it still. There are also pictures of this baby quilt in that post too. 
This is a one-of-a kind quilt. There are no others. It was designed, pieced and quilted by me. And it has the "One of a Kind from Freda's Hive" label on it. Wowie - aren't you impressed! (not)
You never know when a baby quilt might come in handy. I usually have several in reserve and since I enjoy making them so much it isn't a problem - I have at least a dozen.
Go ahead and "Freda's Hive" today and if you get your name picked this baby girl quilt just might be something you will have delivered to your door - like it or not - if it is the last item standing.
I'm still working my way through the comments but I am telling you - deciding the winners will all be done fair and square. Thanks everyone. Have a great Thursday. Holy Cow it is already the 11th of December today! EEK
-nanette
Each of the 4 sets of squares is unique in color and pattern. I made the original mosaic quilt 4-5 years ago. You can read about it and see pictures here. It is huge and I love it still. There are also pictures of this baby quilt in that post too. This is a one-of-a kind quilt. There are no others. It was designed, pieced and quilted by me. And it has the "One of a Kind from Freda's Hive" label on it. Wowie - aren't you impressed! (not)You never know when a baby quilt might come in handy. I usually have several in reserve and since I enjoy making them so much it isn't a problem - I have at least a dozen.
Go ahead and "Freda's Hive" today and if you get your name picked this baby girl quilt just might be something you will have delivered to your door - like it or not - if it is the last item standing.I'm still working my way through the comments but I am telling you - deciding the winners will all be done fair and square. Thanks everyone. Have a great Thursday. Holy Cow it is already the 11th of December today! EEK
-nanette
Welcome back to the Hive. Some of you have asked questions or made comments I would normally like to reply to - but several of you do not have email addresses attached to your profile/name listed with your comments. So next time you comment, if you haven't left me your email address, please do. If you win, that way I can get a hold of you. I'm still working my way through comments in no particular order. I can almost hear your voices as you remark and your many personalities come through to me. Thank you.
Okay on to the "business" part of the post and then some fun show-n-tell.
Today's prize up for grabs includes 4 Freda's Hive patterns and a kit to make a bag. The patterns are original designs. Three are for quilts. I figure if you don't make quilts or make bags, these might be a good gift for someone on your list, if you win this prize.
Here is the pattern to make the bag included with the kit.
In honor of the black and white challenge sponsored by Jackie, I had my black and white fabrics pulled so I made a black and white bag kit with a little bit of color thrown in. It is a fun mix of fabrics with some vintage, Japanese novelty and some just plain fun prints from my stash.
The bag will look like this when it is done - except of course it will be black and white. The covered button and rick rack are included. You will have to furnish lining fabric and interfacing. This bag has been my most successful pattern and I have made dozens of them myself.
Now for the show-n-tell:
The fabulous Eileen at Eileen's Attic sent me a package last week. Part of it I left wrapped and put under my Christmas tree. I have a feeling it is vintage fabric but I don't want to spoil my own surprise! There was this sweet little basket/pouch/bag included made with the most wonderful vintage fabric and vintage button. I'm a vintage girl at heart and Eileen knows what I like!
And inside were these darling ornaments. Two turtle doves, three cute owls, and I hung them immediately on my tree! (you could almost sing to that) Eileen's work is impeccable. She is meticulous and everything is done so well. The fabric she used is vintage and absolutely wonderful. Look at the little tiny cups and saucers on the breast of the turtle doves. I love the textured fabric she used on the V of the owls and the tiny tiny yo yos for the whites of the eyes. Go ahead, click the picture. It is worth it. Can you see the little tiny bells she used for feet??? So clever. You can see in my blog header they are on my tree. But these ornaments will not go into the closet when Christmas comes down. They will go in my sewing room along with Terri's angel. I'll find a cute spot to display them. Thank you Eileen. You are a dear friend.
Stephanie of Loft Creations is also a dear friend. She knows me well judging from the package of fun that arrived yesterday. It was packaged so sweetly I hated (almost) to open it up.
Inside the tissue paper was the softest, cute pillow case. Stephanie is famous for her pillow cases, among other creations. I am a kitchen fabric/teapot/dishes lover. And the pillow case suits me perfectly. The first thing I did was have my daughter run up to my room to grab my pillow to put inside. So so soft.
And then the rest of the goodies - yummy candy from Ohio (might cause trouble in my house because of it saying Ohio State Buckeyes so I'll have to eat it myself!), Mary Englebreit soap, and hot chocolate mix. Truly a custom picked package for me.
I don't know how Stephanie knew that I love Verbena/lemon. It is my absolute favorite scent. I look for lemon scented everything. And the top has this cute gingerbread teapot. Don't you just love ME items. I will save the box most definitely. The last item made me smile and appreciate Stephanie all the more. It is a little thing, but it means a lot to me. A while ago I mentioned to Stephanie my love of teapots but I told her I don't drink tea. I also told her I love hot chocolate. And of course she remembered. Now that is a friend. Thank you Stephanie.
Both of these great girls are very special women. The best part of blogging is getting to know people all over the world that share my interests. I would never get to make these friendships without Freda's Hive.
Thanks to everyone for playing along with my little blog anniversary this week. See ya tomorrow!
-nanette
Okay on to the "business" part of the post and then some fun show-n-tell.
Today's prize up for grabs includes 4 Freda's Hive patterns and a kit to make a bag. The patterns are original designs. Three are for quilts. I figure if you don't make quilts or make bags, these might be a good gift for someone on your list, if you win this prize.
Here is the pattern to make the bag included with the kit.
In honor of the black and white challenge sponsored by Jackie, I had my black and white fabrics pulled so I made a black and white bag kit with a little bit of color thrown in. It is a fun mix of fabrics with some vintage, Japanese novelty and some just plain fun prints from my stash.
The bag will look like this when it is done - except of course it will be black and white. The covered button and rick rack are included. You will have to furnish lining fabric and interfacing. This bag has been my most successful pattern and I have made dozens of them myself.Now for the show-n-tell:
The fabulous Eileen at Eileen's Attic sent me a package last week. Part of it I left wrapped and put under my Christmas tree. I have a feeling it is vintage fabric but I don't want to spoil my own surprise! There was this sweet little basket/pouch/bag included made with the most wonderful vintage fabric and vintage button. I'm a vintage girl at heart and Eileen knows what I like!
And inside were these darling ornaments. Two turtle doves, three cute owls, and I hung them immediately on my tree! (you could almost sing to that) Eileen's work is impeccable. She is meticulous and everything is done so well. The fabric she used is vintage and absolutely wonderful. Look at the little tiny cups and saucers on the breast of the turtle doves. I love the textured fabric she used on the V of the owls and the tiny tiny yo yos for the whites of the eyes. Go ahead, click the picture. It is worth it. Can you see the little tiny bells she used for feet??? So clever. You can see in my blog header they are on my tree. But these ornaments will not go into the closet when Christmas comes down. They will go in my sewing room along with Terri's angel. I'll find a cute spot to display them. Thank you Eileen. You are a dear friend.
Stephanie of Loft Creations is also a dear friend. She knows me well judging from the package of fun that arrived yesterday. It was packaged so sweetly I hated (almost) to open it up.
Inside the tissue paper was the softest, cute pillow case. Stephanie is famous for her pillow cases, among other creations. I am a kitchen fabric/teapot/dishes lover. And the pillow case suits me perfectly. The first thing I did was have my daughter run up to my room to grab my pillow to put inside. So so soft.
And then the rest of the goodies - yummy candy from Ohio (might cause trouble in my house because of it saying Ohio State Buckeyes so I'll have to eat it myself!), Mary Englebreit soap, and hot chocolate mix. Truly a custom picked package for me.
I don't know how Stephanie knew that I love Verbena/lemon. It is my absolute favorite scent. I look for lemon scented everything. And the top has this cute gingerbread teapot. Don't you just love ME items. I will save the box most definitely. The last item made me smile and appreciate Stephanie all the more. It is a little thing, but it means a lot to me. A while ago I mentioned to Stephanie my love of teapots but I told her I don't drink tea. I also told her I love hot chocolate. And of course she remembered. Now that is a friend. Thank you Stephanie.Both of these great girls are very special women. The best part of blogging is getting to know people all over the world that share my interests. I would never get to make these friendships without Freda's Hive.
Thanks to everyone for playing along with my little blog anniversary this week. See ya tomorrow!
-nanette
well nanette....it's been a 'wild' ride this week, but as the saying goes 'all good things must come to an end'.....i've gotten kind of used to this morning ritual of doing 'the fredas hive thang'......but, i felt right at home....i meander through your sewing room every morning anyway...so, this week just had a little more 'sparkle' than usual......love all the 'goodies' and have enjoyed everything you have shared with us......i'm just glad you're THE ONE who gets to sweep up after all this partying!!
December 13, 2008 9:21 AM