A Little Peek : :

Last week when a delivery of assorted AGF Denims showed up at my door, I knew right away that they'd be perfect to stitch on using my new Aurifil for AGF thread collection, Bohemian Garden. The box of denim included a variety of weights, some 100% cotton, some a cotton/poly mix, along with a beautiful cotton/linen blend!



For my new "sketch stitch" project I pulled from the bundle the lighter tone denims in Infused Hydrangea, Frosted Sage, Adobe Clay, Nectarine Sunrise, plus the Soft Sand Linen. I finally ordered myself the new Olfa Rotary Cutter I've been admiring at Lady Belle Fabrics, I LOVE the aqua blue, and it came just in time! I'm embarrassed to admit how long it's been since I invested in a rotary cutter upgrade. What a difference, it sliced through all five layers of fabric at once!



Using the Herringbone QAYG method I teach in my Quick Quilt As You Go Craftsy class, I made myself a pillow top "canvas" to stitch on! My hope was that by having a defined center it would help to keep symmetry as I stitched away, all while adding to my design.



Using the colorful spools of Aurifil included in my Bohemian Garden thread collection, I started thread sketching! The combination of the 50 weight threads and the quality of denim & linen fabrics was even better than I imagined it would be. Sometimes I run into puckering issues when I stitch on regular quilting cotton, but this denim is just sturdy enough, while still being super soft, that it worked so perfectly!



Here's a peek of the little owl I stitched!



It's my own way of giving you a tiny hint about my new Spring collection! This afternoon Art Gallery Fabrics and I (instagram.com/maureencracknell) will be sharing a little bit more on our Instagram's, so be sure to stop by to tell us what you think of my collection name & theme! I'm so excited about this one!!

While you're there, be sure to enter my Giveaway right HERE, for the small spool Bohemian Garden thread collection that I'm giving away in celebration of my recent Fleet & Flourish fabrics Blog Tour & the reveal of my new Spring collection!



♡ Maureen  

Scattered : :

I feel like I have sooo much catching up to do and I'm not at all sure where to start?! I didn't sew much since I announced my break back in late July. Just my Indie quilt and a few other little things and that's about it. I did however, SHOP! I took advantage of some very generous fabric sales and was waiting, like many of you, for a few 'must-have collections' to be released. I had planned to start today by sharing my late Summer stashings, and then this morning I thought -- "Do you all want to see?" I personally LOVE taking pictures of new fabric, and with that excitement think that all of you might love to see. Maybe I'll even introduce some of you to something new that you'll love, too. Is that true?? I really hope so!!

While I wait for your answer, I'll admit today that in light of this new routine, I am completely scatter-brained! I'm jumping all over the place with my projects and I'm not sure what I'm doing, because I'm not sure what I want to do?

Here's what's scattered on my sewing table now. I know I love the colors together, but have no idea what I'm making!



I made this block a while ago. It's already quilted and was going to become a tote bag. It's been taped on this wall for months!



I finally took it down yesterday, pulled a few of my favorite coordinating Oval and Pure Elements and started cutting and piecing. Still with no plan!

So, what do you think it should become -- the tote bag, a new floor pillow, the beginnings of a quilt-as-you-go quilt? I'd love some help!!



How about from this angle -- any ideas?? I know it's not much yet, but it's definitely something?



There is one thing I am certain of today -- I love my new vintage, sewing chair! Aqua blue with nail head trim.



Yes, I like it! The blue carpet...hmmm, not so much! ;)



I did finish up the owl pillow wip I shared on my facebook page, too! It's a little something for my Goddaughter Sylvia. I sent out a care package full of goodies to her and my sister Catherine in Hawaii, which they should be receiving today or tomorrow! I can't wait!! It's always fun to make something cute!!

Thanks for all the comments, support, and understanding yesterday! It meant SO much!!

Happy Wednesday, friends!! ♥,  Maureen 

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

This Weekend : :

I finally photographed my newest finished owl pillow. This ones being entered into the Celebrate Color Home Decor pool and listed in my shop.



This weekend : : I found myself wanting to do some knitting. Although I'm not sure just yet what I'm making?



This weekend : : I worked up a new tutorial to share here tomorrow -- an updated version of my Felt Leaf Garland. And, realized that photographing garland is really, really difficult. For me anyways?



This weekend : : I Found a little inspiration for those of you still hoping to get your hands on some of this gorgeous Loulouthi.

1. dress by rachel s k, 2. "a" by Stitched In Color, 

3. owl by Maureen Cracknell Handmade, 4. purse by Toni Weinstein

Thank you Rachel, Rachel Hauser, and Toni for letting me share your lovely Hugs & Kisses creations! It's obvious Anna's Wine colorway is the favorite of the bunch!

And now... we have a WINNER! 

First, I want to say a big THANK YOU to Moona Fabrics for offering such a sweet giveaway!!! If you've fallen in love with these fabrics, you can find all the colorways of this Hugs & Kisses Loulouthi print and this 1/2 yd bundle at the Moona Fabrics etsy shop and their website, right now! Remember -- Until September 30th all Loulouthi Fabrics are just $7.99/yd at Moona Fabrics.com!!

Thank You to all of you who entered, I'm so glad you all liked our Giveaway! I know that not winning is not much fun at all -- my apologies for that! So, good news -- I'll be hosting a new giveaway here again this Friday and as often as I can, hopefully each Friday! Be sure stop back. I think it's such a wonderful way to end each week, I hope you think so too!

So without further ado, from 791 entries  Mr. Random says our lucky winner is comment #361, Annette!!! I hope you enjoy your winnings, I can't wait to see what you make! Both Moona Fabrics and I will be in touch!

Thanks again and Happy Monday!!!

Tuesday Inspiration : :

Red + Aqua

Photos via Pinterest

Red and Aqua is such a beautiful, classic color combination. I really do love it! Yesterday I spent my sewing time making a new red and aqua owl pillow. This time I left off the ear-thingies at the top. I am still deciding if they should be there or not? Here's one with. What do you think?



I am definitely keeping the little curly-q hand stitching. I think it's my favorite part of making these new owl pillows!



I'm working my way through my new Hugs and Kisses Bundle from Moona Fabrics, until I have an Owl Pillow in each color. This print is one of my new favorites from Loulouthi. I'm even planning to make a little bunting from the scraps.



If you love red and aqua, you have to stop by Allsorts. A lovely blog that's all about red and aqua all the time! She even has a  "Pinboard" dedicated just to these two colors. Adding touches of yellow with red and aqua is nice too, don't you think?



How about you? What color combinations are you loving these days?

Tuesday Inspiration : :

Green + Brown + Red + Navy

Photos via Pinterest

Using these lovely colors, I put together a new owl pillow design!



I love projects that combine beautiful fabric, soft felt, and just a little hand stitching!



I'm still playing around with the design and am already planning to make more for my shop. I just ordered a gorgeous bundle of this Hugs and Kisses print from my sponsor Moona Fabrics. I can't wait for them to arrive so I can get busy!



This pink owl cushion is my daughters...trust me the last thing this little one needs is another pillow! But we made this one together while our guys were gone for a boys movie night. She was sooo excited! She picked all the fabrics, helped cut, and of course controlled the sewing machine pedal until it was finished. I did the hand-stitching while she sang me Patty Griffin songs and "folded" my fabrics.



Last weeks Tuesday Inspiration was all about Aqua, Coral, Grey, and Yellow. I was hoping to have my project using the fabrics I shared complete by now, but I'm a bit stuck? I'd love your thoughts on this... Do you think I should continue with a table runner (which is my original plan, the yellow is the center for my favorite vase)? Or, I could make this into a throw/lap quilt for our very old, very loved, very bare Windsor rocking chair?



Thanks in advance for your thoughts! And now, I'm off to re-fold some fabrics!

More Pillows {and a Giveaway Winner} : :

Over this past weekend and the last couple of days a few more pillows were made that I have been waiting to show you all! As well as my very first garment, Eeeek!! And, a new tutorial!!! I'm going to save those for a later time and make it all about pillows today!

Say hello to my Owl Stitch Pillow #3!

For those of you who are new here, I'd love for you to see Owl Stitch #1 and #2. I am using a Lizzy House's Castle Peeps fabrics for the belly, lots of free motion quilting in black thread to make up my Owl design, and a polka-dot patchwork border. I had to show off yet another blossom tree in these photos too! So, so pretty!!!

If you're noticing that these polka-dots are the same as my Giveaway Pillow, you're so right! I used the scraps (from a little over-measuring on my part) to create the Giveaway Pillow. A happy mistake, for sure! For those of you who helped me choose the buttons I ended up using option 2. I decided to save those purple wooden buttons for my next owl pillow -- a blue one!

I finished the reverse side of the pillow with an envelope style closure, in a fun fabric print with more polka-dot patchwork!

You can find this pillow available in my shop -- listed with a free pillow insert!

And now, The Giveaway Winner!

Well, May Giveaway Day certainly was a lot of fun! This was the first year I both knew of it and participated in it, and I can say now -- it will surely become a yearly tradition for me! First, I want to say a big Thank You to all of you who entered and send a Happy Welcome to all of you who joined me here for the very first time! I was a bit nervous when the Giveaway started about offering something handmade, but all of your lovely comments quickly turned that nervousness into excitement -- I Thank You for that, as well!!! I still just cannot believe I received 505 comments!!!

So, without further ado Mr. Random says our lucky winner is comment # 389, Jessy!!! I hope you enjoy your pillow! I will be in touch right away!

What's new -- In the Studio : :

A new King Fox Pillow -- it has certainly been a while since I've made one of these!

Some new Polka-dot fabrics -- they're beginning to take over!

A new sewing basket, in a fabric that I just LOVE -- usually I am only drawn to vintage or wooden ones.

Some more sweet birdie prints -- just for fun!

A matching, super cute, super handy pin cushion -- I already started filling it with those special owly eye buttons.

Some special fabrics for tea towel making -- I have big plans for these!

Lots of new pins -- that my oldest kindly color-coated for me.

More fabrics -- all with a pretty coral color that I just cannot seem to get enough of!

I've already added a little of these in a polka-dot patchwork boarder to my owl applique -- I have some plans for those scraps, as well!

Thanks so much for all the help with the buttons! I'm use to getting most my feedback from those 8 and under!

Be sure to stop back tomorrow for a very special Giveaway!  ~ Maureen

Owl #2 and some news : :

Yesterday afternoon I finished up my newest Sketch Stitch Owl Pillow (details here)-- #2. I decided to number them like an artist print, since each one is different from the next and I may only make a small number of them.

This one came together much easier than #1. Thanks to a full bobbin, the entire owl was created by using almost one continuous stitch, just like a line drawing. Sorting through all the button for it's eyes -- took forever!

We decided that two hole buttons look best and these pretty green one's were just the right size. A bit weathered from their age, but I think they suit this little owl just fine.

The reverse side is finished in polka- dots, just like the others.

I think it looks pretty nice with the other Spring colors I am trying to bring into our home, hopefully it will add a little Spring to whom ever receives it. I actually have a never-ending bunting project in the works for this mantle, more on that hopefully soon.

And now for some News : : My Owl Pillow #1 was picked for this months Blogger's Pillow Party, which both surprised and thrilled me! I wasn't expecting it, at all, since my little owly is so different and such a last minute entry. I am especially honored to be picked this month (since the pillows are all so amazing) and to have been picked now in the top 9 finalists for all three months of the party, wow! Now that makes me feel like I must be doing something right with all this crazy pillow making.

Maybe next month I'll be able to change finalist to winner! Well, we'll just have to wait and see!