A Pink House Pillow : :

My goodness, the pictures and the news of the devastation from Hurricane Sandy is just horrifying, it's so heartbreaking! We are a little wet here in Northwestern Pa, our Halloween Trick or Treating was postponed until Saturday, so I'll be sharing the costume I'm making (yes, still!) next week, but more than anything we are so grateful and feel blessed to be safe, and will continue to send our prayers and well wishes to everyone that needs them!

And now, I have this new Pink House Pillow to share. Which feels a bit silly, but I hope it might bring a little cheer today!



This pillow was made recently as a custom etsy order that came through my shop. I was really excited for the chance to make one again! The request was for something very pink, with pops of green. This is what I started with, along with some coordinating scraps.



I love the little details and how a project like this allows you to play. This sweet button garden was really fun!



I finished the pillow back in one of my VERY favorite Art Gallery prints, from Pat Bravo's collection Modernology. This chic pink is the Impressions print in Sachet, still available here at Hawthorne, here at Moona, here at Project Anthologies, and here at the Fat Quarter Shop!



I'm hoping to have several more of these little house pillows, in a variety of colors, in my shop come time for holiday shopping, which is SO soon! Yikes!!



Happy November 1st all! ♥ Maureen
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A Quilt-as-you-go Tote : :

First, I  need to start out by saying that I wish I had better photos of my finished tote bag to share today, but these last few days have been pretty dark and dreary...and busy. With that said, I do love this bag! The combination of the dark eggplant purple, cool aqua blue, and the bright citron green is such a winner! So much so, that while I was sewing I just couldn't decided what they should become, I just really wanted it to be something good and perfect for how great I felt these colors were together. I asked you all for help here and there, I changed my mind several times, and after all that I am happy with the end result. Hooray!



This bag was made by the Quilting-As-I-Go method, which I am a HUGE fan of!! I have thought about sharing a little how-to, if any of you are interested?? Just say the word! Here are a few shots I took during the making...

When I couldn't decide...



Making my quilt-as-you-go sides...



Up on my make-shift design wall, when I really thought it should be a quilt...



When it started becoming a bag... No going back now!





Once it became a bag, I added lots of little details that were fun for me to do and try -- a variety of quilting stitches, sturdy quilted handles, one of my favorite ceramic buttons, a little twine stitch detail, quilted pockets, pleated sides. 

I still think it would have been a really great quilt, but honestly, I needed to finish something quicker than that to get me going again! It worked!! And, now that I am taking my sewing and giving it my all to make it my full-time job, I needed something I could add to my etsy and hopefully sell! Positive thoughts that this works, too!!

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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 

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Modernology Giveaway Winner!!

Thank you to all who entered and to Canton Village Quilt Works

for hosting such a wonderful Giveaway!!! 

From 1,163 entries Mr. Random says the lucky winner of a 10 fat quarter bundle of gorgeous prints from Art Gallery Fabrics Modernology Collection is # 165....

Jolene, who said...

LOVE these fabrics! Thank you for your generosity!

Congratulations!!! I will be in touch shortly! 

 

Thank you so much Canton Village Quilt Works!!   

A Fabric GIVEAWAY : :

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It's Friday Giveaway Day!! 

My sponsor, Canton Village Quilt Works, has a wonderful offer today!

 

 

Canton Village Quilt Works was born out of a passion for quilting. Owner, Jacqueline has been a quilter for 18 years, a long-arm quilter for 12 years, in business for 12 years, a fabric shop owner for 2 years! She's designed for Quilt Magazine, is a quilting podcaster, is an avid quilt blogger, and she even has a Youtube Channel with design tutorials. Her shop carries an extensive Kaffe Fassett Collective selection, as well as TONS of Batiks, Australian Aboriginal fabrics, Art Gallery fabrics, Black and White fabrics, and TONS of Kona Cotton Solids… all at extremely reasonable prices and speedy shipping!

Website * Shop * Blog * Facebook * Podcast

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We hope you enjoy visiting Canton Village Quilt Works!!  

For this weekend's Giveaway, Canton Village Quilt Works is offering a  
10 fat quarter bundle of these gorgeous print from Art Gallery's Modernology Collection!

And, you're all invited to... 

Enjoy an additional 15% off any purchase this weekend by entering coupon code : : handmade15

 

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Enter to Win!

Here's how,

1. Simply add a comment to this post. You can include what you'd make if you won. I love reading all of your ideas! (one entry)
2. Follow Canton Village Quilt Work blog, facebook page, or sign up to receive the Newsletter. Just let me know that you follow Jacqueline, by making a separate comment here to record that entry. (one optional entry)
3. Followers of Maureen Cracknell Handmade get a second entry! Whether you follow me here or on Facebook, just let me know that you do by making a separate comment here to record that entry. (one optional entry)

Please, enter now through Monday morning, April 2nd. Mr. Random will pick the winner and I will announce their name in a new post here on the blog.

* Note * This giveaway is open to EVERYONE! If you're a "no reply" or an anonymous commenter, remember to include your email address in your comment so that I can contact you, should you win! Please check to make sure you can be contacted!

  
Wishing a wonderful weekend to all!!!