Color : :

Well...I couldn't wait after all! Once I got my "work" done this afternoon, I went right on to adding the COLOR!!

Prepare yourself for picture overload!











I think ??? It's finished! Well...for now anyways!

I hope everyone had a great day!

Goodnight, friends!! ♥ Maureen

Sketch Stitching -- Part Two : :

Last night once the kids went to bed I decided to try another machine sketch stitching idea. The last one was for my son, who has it taped up on his bedroom wall with his other special posters and drawings. Mothers, you can imagine just how special that made me feel!! For this one, I have a very specific plan that is going to involve a few different stages. Last night I stitched away and finished stage one -- Black & White. I tried to remember to take photos as I went, so I could better share how this part came together. Want to see?







First, please forgive my dark photos! Hopefully, you can see that the first thing I do is stitch in a basic outline, next her face, and then add the details. The first photo shows me stitching on the felt side, which is what I use as my stabilizer. I've never done any machine embroidery, although my machine is capable. From playing around with this type of free motion sewing, I know it's important to have a stabilizer to support the fabric your stitching on during all that multi-directional machine stitching, to hold the fabric as flat and inflexibly as possible. Since I am just palying around right now, and these pieces won't be something I need to wash, the felt works just fine for me. I certainly have enough of it! If this is something I decide to keep doing, I definitely plan to pick up real stabilizers to have on hand that will either tear, cut, wash, or heat away. Do any of you have a recomendation?

I'm really excited for stage two -- Color! But I have many crown orders to get back to this morning! Happy Wednesday, freinds!!

Machine Sketch Stitching : :

Well, I had a talk with my oldest son the other day about my sewing, I was working on my scraps quilt when I asked him, "what would you like to see me make?" He answered by telling me how much he misses me drawing. I used to draw with him all the time, it's true. I would sit with the kids several times a week and draw up things at their request. I'll be the first to admit, now a days anytime we're crafting I always choose to sit behind my machine. I do miss drawing sometimes, but not very often, since we've never stopped doing crafts together. The times when I do miss drawing, is when I've experimented with "sketch stitching" in the form of appliques like the one I added to my artist roll-up or with my owl pillows. I mentioned those owl pillows to him, and he responded by telling me that those are his most favorite things I've sewn and that they actually looked like "me" -- as in his idea of who I am as his artsy Mama. Later that afternoon when I sat down at my machine to start stitching, I was inspired by his feelings and had an idea to make a new applique for a fabric sketchbook cover. After a short while and one bobbin winding, I finished what is now his new favorite drawing-sewn-thing I've ever stitched up. Ah, compromise! Wanna see?



Other than the eyes, nose, and mouth, these were the only threads I had to trim away. For whatever reason I always try to use just one continuous stitch just like a line drawing, although I have yet to succeed at that!



This is the reverse side. A friend on my facebook page was curious what the back of this looks like. For this one I may like the back even better than the front?



You know how I like to hang my blocks in the window light!



I'm still not sure what to do with her? I mentioned that I had planned on a sketchbook cover and for that I liked the idea of black and white. But now that I look at all these photos I feel like she needs some color and that maybe she should be the beginnings of something more? I guess I'll leave her hanging around a while until I figure it out. Ideas?



Yes, another wip... just what I need!!

p.s. My Stubby Pencil Studio Easter Giveaway ends tomorrow morning, enter here and I have a Fat Quarter Shop fabric giveaway beginning in the morning, so be sure to stop back for a chance to win!!

A Big Winner and A Little Something : :

First, here's a little peek at something new I started this week. Fun, fun!

I ♥ applique and free motion quilting!!! Have any of you tried it?

And now...We have our winner! 

I want to say a big THANK YOU to Accuquilt for offering such an amazing prize!!! From 514 entries Mr. Random says our lucky winner is comment # 39, Hilachas!!! I hope you enjoy your GO! Baby Fabric Cutter and 3 Free Dies! Both Accuquilt and I will be in touch!

Thanks again everyone!!!