Jan21

Hmmn? So far, so good!

Posted on January 21, 2011 by karlakrafts

Well now, it’s pretty obvious that my big felt idea involves pockets so I’ll call these, “protopockets:” Protopocket 1: My seam allowance (1/4″) is too small for what I have in mind, and too hard to maintain. The felt wants to slide a little. I used a Bernina #20 open-toed embroidery foot on these. The decorative stitch is #16 and is too narrow.

Protopocket 2: Much better! Both the seam allowance and the decorative stitch are wider. The seam is 1/2″. The decorative stitch is 4×4. I learned that it’s not necessary to backstitch to secure the decorative stitch, it just makes a waddy mess.

Protopocket 3: I used decorative stitch #17 set at 5×4. I like it!

Jan21

An Idea!

Posted on January 21, 2011 by karlakrafts

An Idea!

I’ve been playing with an idea lately and found exactly what I need to execute it with these Craft Felts. I found them at Walmart and they are made entirely of recycled plastic bottles! As far as I can tell, they’re also manufactured in America. Hopefully, I will have something very useful made from them soon to share!

Jan21

A Good Sale at Michael’s!

Posted on January 21, 2011 by karlakrafts

A Good Sale at Michael’s!

Scrapbook paper, 25 cents; Scrapbook page keepers, $1.00; Sugar and Cream yarn, $1.00; Bead Gallery beads, 40% off plus a coupon for an additional 15% off, other trinkets on clearance! I used my 40% off coupon on the J for PJ’s room. What a good time I had!

Jan18

I’d forgotten about this one!

Posted on January 18, 2011 by karlakrafts

I’d forgotten about this one!

Every type of embroidery you can think of is covered in this book, along with every stitch imaginable! This library catalog idea of mine is a good thing!

Jan15

A fantastic source of inspiration and instruction!

Posted on January 15, 2011 by karlakrafts

A fantastic source of inspiration and instruction!

I am having a wonderful Saturday, stitching, watching the Travel Channel, doing some laundry. I am stitching on my red and gold project. I am surrounded by favorite crazy quilting books, but a source I like to check for inspiration and instruction is Sharon Boggon’s blog, Pin Tangle. Her “I Dropped the Button Box” quilt has every type of seam embellishment you can possibly imagine, and that’s just one of her resources!

One of the (many) things I like about Sharon is that she uses braids and trim to decorate seams (like I have in this piece.) She also uses embroidery and beads to embellish those braids. Check out her beautiful attachment of gimp: http://inaminuteago.com/buttonquilt/buttonbox49.html

Jan15

PJ’s Curtains

Posted on January 15, 2011 by karlakrafts

PJ’s Curtains

I got one more thing done before my daughter and I dug out of the ice and snow at her house. I got a “prototype” curtain done for one of the windows in PJ’s room. The curtains are basic ivory grommet style. My daughter’s friend bought the blue zebra print fabric for tableclothes for her baby shower. I asked my daughter to save it, and it’s basically appliqued on the bottom of the shortened ivory curtain. We like the results, so it’s one down and two to sew!

Jan14

Still Snowed In

Posted on January 14, 2011 by karlakrafts

Still Snowed In

I have been snowed in at my daughter’s house for four days now. Fortunately, Mama is here with me to help watch PJ. The only craft supplies I have with me are in my knitting case.. I had made PJ a cap earlier from Bernat Bamboo yarn, but it was too short. Luckily, I had some more of the yarn and a crochet hook in my case, so I increased the depth of the cap by adding several rows of single crochet.