Wednesday, November 11, 2015

Other classes and work in progress

I have found a great place locally to take a couple of fun classes.  Harvest House Quilting, in Plainfield,  has offered  two classes recently that I thought would be fun to take.
Sometimes you see something that just looks like a fun idea.  This prairie point Christmas tree was one of them.
I have made or decorated a couple of trees for my Christmas display.  Small works very nicely in my house.
This tree has now been added.
Colleen classes are only a couple of hours long and because there is room for only a small number, you get great one on one help.
Colleen can provide the "kit" or you can bring your own supplies.  She even had the kit made up in two color ways, Christmas green and red, or blue and white to make a winter tree.
There is a Styrofoam base.  She walks you through the whole process, then makes suggestions for adding embellishments.
Our two hours were a lot of fun and productive.
I love going home with a finished project.

Here we are with our trees.  Each is the same, but different.
Here is Charlie, helping me hold my pattern down while I pin and cut for a new nightgown.
He loves to help out. 
Fall was very pretty in our own backyard.
Don't you just love all that red.  
While the weather was good, I thought it would be a neat time to showcase a couple of the things I have or am working on,. Told you about making those fabric baskets while at quilt retreats, so felt it was time to make another, bigger one.
This one was in time for Halloween.
It was a perfect container to hold our treats. I tried using an even bigger square.
Oh the ideas I have for these cuties.

This is what I started out with for the making of my clock which I showcased in my last post.
You know me.  I do enjoy handwork!

I did finish up one more Halloween cross stitch envelope.
Now starting to work on a couple of Christmas gifts and maybe an envelope or two.

Here is another class from Harvest House Quilting.
I have had the pattern, and this fabric to make The "Diva Frame Wallet" by Sew Many Creations.
I have had the pattern and fame for a couple years, and obviously had not made it.
When Colleen offered a class in using this pattern, I was all in.

It looked complicated, but again when you are in a small class, with one on one teaching, it does not sound so bad.
I do have a hard time reading patterns and trying to figure out what they mean.
I had this all done within the two hour class. This was the first time I have put a set in zipper.
I think I did not do too bad.  Had to purchase another frame to make another one!

I keep telling you that I have cross stitched a lot, but just have not make them all up yet.
Yep! I have.   I enjoy the process.  So many patterns, not enough time!
This has become so addicting.

I, also, have told you about the quilt I am making using a color range by Kona Cottons.
This is what I have so far.  The blocks are finishing at 8 inches.  One I got the hang of using the special ruler that
Gyleen X. Fitzgerald designed, for her "Trash to Treasure Pineapple Quilts".
I decided to make it a bit bigger.  Another row longer and wider. before I work on the borers.
My son is loving how this quilt is turning out.
I am too!

Just a touch of Fall.
American Gold Finch.

The squirrels are hard at working, burying nuts for the winter.
If you  ever get the chance to watch them, do so. They are so interesting.
How do they remember where they buried them!

That it for today.
Thursday Sew Days, I am busy working on more Row by Row patterns.
The other day I did sort them out to see what seasons I had kits and patterns for.
Looks like there is going to be a quilt for Fall. It has been so much fun working on this past years rows.  Again, I enjoy the process. More on this later.

Have a great week.
Enjoy your sewing.
Mary

9 comments:

margaret said...

so many lovely things you have shared today both stitchwise and in the garden etc. The tree looks great both prairie point and autumn glory one. The basket is both pretty and practical, another thing I would like to try, cross stitch is not for me but yours is coming along well, it made me cross when I tried it and the wallet again pretty and practical

Johanna Zweden said...

I love all the things you have made, and what an energie!
Love from Sweden

Lillie said...

Fantastic tree, a fabulous display for Christmas and lots of lovely projects you've made. Charlie is so adorable.
Love the colours of the fall tree

isa13 said...

Love the colors you have chosen for your tree ! You are right to begin your Christmas decoration, because time goes very fast. I have never seen this sort of wallet , with a frame ! Your basket seems to be very practical and easy to sew, I have to try one.
I love the picture with Charlie, he is such a beautiful cat.
Hugs from France

Sparky said...

oh look at sweet Charlie...what a wonderful pal...and your tree, and quilts and pouches and bags, welllllll totallly in AWE

StitchinByTheLake said...

Mary I love your tree - I'm stitching some ornaments but truly have done nothing to get ready for Christmas! I was sick last week and it put everything behind....thank goodness I don't have to do a ton of shopping! blessings, marlene

Leslie Schmidt said...

Wow, what a lot of pretty goodies you have made! I love the wallet and the quilt especially. You're doing a great job with that pineapple design. No wonder your son loves it. I admire your industriousness in getting started on Christmas decorating. Doesn't it seem to come awfully fast once October gets here?

Ruth said...

The trees are really cute! People are always thinking up new ideas!! My brother's first teaching job was in Plainfield way back in about 1960. They lived in an apartment above a square dance hall. It would be fun to visit that quilt shop some day when I'm back there visiting.

HunPolka said...

The Pineapple quilt is so lovely! Especially I like the colors.