Showing posts with label willow. Show all posts
Showing posts with label willow. Show all posts

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Pillowcases for Newtown : :

I shared the details of a pillowcase drive happening on Monday, and today I want to share our stack! In recap, Quilter's Corner in CT is hoping to collect at least 600, to be delivered to the Sandy Hook Elem school, after the return from holiday break.

Pillowcases for Sandy Hook

Yesterday we mailed out five pillowcases, one from each of us Cracknell's. It felt good to put my hands to good use. I am extremely grateful for both the opportunity to make something that may bring a little comfort to at least a few of those poor students and for the gentle conversation it pioneered for me with my two youngest while we did our making.

Fabric Helper

Pin Helper

For two of the three we made together, we used FITF's wonderful Pretty Quick Pillowcase Tutorial. We combined some beautiful organic cotton fabrics -- a Cloud9 Monsterz print, along with one of my very favorite's -- this Mod Squad Organic print by Birch, with some of Lizzy House's perfect, soft stripes, from her Hello Pilgrim collection, a little of Joel Dewberry's new Notting Hill, with just a teeny bit of Willow Dot by RBD.

Cloud9, Birch, & Lizzy House Pillowcases

My daughter took this photo while I was sewing one up and Jacob was controlling the foot petal. I don't have too many pictures of me sewing, so I think this is special and looks really cool!

Photo by Haila

During the day on Monday and again yesterday, I finished up this stack of flannel & voile pillowcases. Two more to add to the ones we sent out, and three to be gifted to our children's wonderful teachers! Most of the flannel & voile I used is by Anna Maria Horner. Combine those two and it is certain to make for some gorgeous, comfy pillowcase stitching!

Voile and Flannel

Almost immediately after sharing news of the drive and throughout the last few days, more than a few people have asked, "Why pillowcases?" Since my involvement in this pillowcase drive is to help spread the word and to join in myself, I don't want to speak for anyone, and I also don't want to ignore anyone. My own answer right away was, "Well, my obvious first thought is simply -- to bring a little comfort. I know it is a very small gesture, but there is a lot of love that goes into making anything with your hands. It would bring me a little joy to know that there are so many who are thinking, praying, and trying their best to lift up those impacted by this unthinkable tragedy. When I saw the post, I just wanted to share it." 

Since then, I have learned that Pillowcase Projects, sometimes called "Sweet Dreams Pillowcase Projects" are being organized all the time, all over -- to make to send to shelters, hospitals, children's homes, and to service members. It really is a beautiful idea and one that I would love to keep going! Please let me know if you are interested?! I also watched on the news a story of a Portland family sending 26 wreaths to a Fire House in Newtown, here's a video clip of one First Responder's reaction, which moved me to tears.The man in the video explains much better than I ever could, why these small gestures make a big difference!

Mail your pillowcases to : : 
Quilters Corner
312 Danbury Rd
New Milford, CT
06776.


Take care, friends,
♥,  Maureen

Wednesday, September 12, 2012

A Dresden Pocket Half Apron { and GIVEAWAY} : :

A Riley Blake Design Team Project!

I'm SO excited to be sharing my newest project as part of the Riley Blake Design Team today!!

Dresden Pocket Half Apron

A tutorial for a new Half Apron Pattern, using the gorgeous Willow fabric collection by My Mind's Eye for Riley Blake Designs!

Willow by My Mind's Eye for Riley Blake

I used these sweet fabric prints as inspiration to create a Flower Dresden Pocket on each side with a little pleated detail down the center. If you haven't noticed by now...I love both making and wearing aprons! This one is headed to my etsy shop.

Willow Dresden Pocket Half Apron

little pocket

I really hope you like this tutorial! My project is up on the Riley Blake blog now, pretty please be sure to stop by and check it out! And, if you do to give this tutorial a try -- be sure to let me know and feel free to join and share a photo in my new Flickr Group or on my Facebook page anytime!!

Willow Dresden Apron

GREAT NEWS, besides having the honor of guest posting on the Riley Blake Blog as part of the Design Team today, I also get to host a new RBD Fabric Giveaway right here!!!

How does a chance at winning a Fat Quarter Bundle of this entire Willow Collection sound??!!

Willow Banner

Well...the sweet folks at Riley Blake are so generously offering a Fat Quarter bundle of the entire Willow Collection to one lucky reader!!! WOW!


Willow Collection FQ Bundle for Design Team Wednesday's Giveaway!!

You can find Willow available in the shop of my sponsors --

*   Hawthorne Threads   *   Fat Quarter Shop   *

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 
Enter to Win!

Here's how,

1. Simply add a comment to this post. (one entry) If you want, you can let me know what you think my next tutorial should be??
2.
Follow the Riley Blake Blog or facebook page for a second entry. Just let me know that you do by making a separate comment here to record that entry. (optional extra entry)
3. My followers get a third entry! Whether you follow me here, in your reader, or on Facebook, just let me know that you do by making a separate comment here to record that entry. (optional extra entry)
4. Help spread the word!! I know that many of you already do, so I thought it would be nice to add that as another way to enter! Whether by tweet, facebook, pin, blog, etc... (optional extra entry)
 
That’s 4 possible entries! Enter now through Friday morning, September 14th. Mr. Random will pick the winner and I will announce their name at the bottom of this 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! 

* * * * *  UPDATE  * * * * *

Thank you to all who entered this past weekend's Giveaway!! 

22754 
*  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *  *   
  From 1,545 entries, Mr. Random says the lucky winner is...

Comment #1,441 -- Learn How To Make Quilts, who said...

simply adorable apron!!
Congratulations!!! I will be in touch shortly!
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Tuesday, September 11, 2012

On My Table & Mind : :

Today will be a very busy sewing day for me! So, I thought I'd share quickly what I've been working on and will be working with today!

First up -- Willow! Have you seen this gorgeous new collection by My Mind's Eye for Riley Blake? It's what I chose, months ago, to use for this week's Design Team project and I absolutely adore it!! It's so soft and sweet!

Willow by My Mind's Eye for Riley Blake
photo via Hawthorne Threads

The fabric designs inspired me to work with Dresdens, once again!

Playing with Willow Dresdens...

Here's a little peek today! Tomorrow the tutorial will be up on the Riley Blake Blog and I'll have a HUGE Willow Giveaway happening right here!!

Willow Dresden Pocket Half Apron

Next on my list -- Rock & Romance by Pat Bravo for Art Gallery Fabrics! LOVE, Love, love!!

Rock & Romace Gorgeousness!!

I'm sure we'll all agree that this is just pure gorgeousness! I have major plans for these, including a new Fat Quarter Gang Tutorial that I can't wait to write up and a new quilt top all planned out, as well!

Rock & Romance

Then there's my finished Indie quilt top, patiently waiting!! My hope is to draft up my very first quilt pattern and finish this lovely quilt by the end of September, but that might be wishful thinking? We'll see!

My Indie Quilt Top

And, now there's this. THIS is my Big News that I hinted about last week. My biggest project ever and ALL I can think about these days -- our HOME!

HOME

Just writing that word make me tear-up. It's been a long, long road. Filled with seven moves, some pretty big disappointments, struggles, heartache and worry that the day might never happen when we would be able to give our children a real, permanent HOME. But it's been fun too and we have SO many beautiful memories, that I really can't look back and regret or feel bad about any of it. There is still so much to do and that I want to share, and it will be weeks before we can hold the key, but I can't keep it in any longer. It is much too Big! And, the perfect thing to dream about today while I sew!

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