Monday, December 28, 2009

That's Our Nancy!

I just pulled the newest issue of Rug Hooking Magazine out of my mailbox and was tickled to see the article about Nancy Raybould in it. Our local hookers have been waiting in anticipation for this issue to arrive because we knew that she would be featured. She's such a kind and generous person - it's great to see her recognized like this. Right now she's living in Toronto, so we won't be able to celebrate with her, but as soon as she gets home we'll have to throw her a party to commemorate the occasion! Be sure to check it out if you can get your hands on a copy!

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Christmas Rugs

This Christmas rug makes me think of cookie cutters. I can't believe it's been five years since I made it - sure doesn't seem that long!


And this Nativity rug was designed by Nancy - several in our group worked on the same design one year and it was amazing to see how differently they all turn out! I don't like the donkey on my rug, and the other animals (a cow and a sheep) have had me stumped for a couple years now. I do like the way the border looks like a gilded frame. Sure would be nice to get this one done!

Thursday, December 17, 2009

American Patchwork & Quilting

This has been my favorite magazine for as long as I can remember - I'm pretty sure I started subscribing with their very first issue. I recently sent in a Quilt Tip, and today I was notified that it has been selected for publication in a future issue. This means I will be paid $25 for my idea. You can bet I'll be watching my mailbox!

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Charmed, I'm Sure!

My friend Jayna works a full time job, and has created a business on the side making two-sided soldered jewelry charms. She sells her work in a local gift shop called Just a Bed of Roses, and has a loyal following of customers always anxious to see her newest treasures. I have several of them myself and thought I'd share them today.


She also does special orders and I asked her to do one for a Christmas gift a few weeks ago. When my mom was a teenager, she made a heavy winter coat and couldn't find any buttons she liked for it. Her dad ended up making some wooden ones for her and she's cherished them for years even though the coat itself is long gone. She recently sent them to me to use on a coat I was making, but I decided to use them for something else instead. I'm going to attach one of the buttons to a charm necklace and include this wonderful piece Jayna made for me incorporating a photo of my Grandpa and a nice saying. I think my mom will really be touched by the sentiment. I can't wait till she opens it - just wish I could be there with her to see her reaction, but we live 700 miles apart and we won't be together for Christmas this year.

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Fabric Postcards

Awhile ago I shared pictures of the "Inchies" that I had made for a quilting friend - and I mentioned that they were similar to fabric postcards, so I thought I'd share some of the postcards that were made for me by the gals in my quilt group. Each month in 2007 we all made fabric postcards for the same person in the group, and then the next month we'd move on to another person, until everyone had a small collection. It was so much fun because they were personalized to reflect both the giver and the receiver and perhaps any experiences that they had shared together.



In this photo, Diane made some my postcard around Easter and she incorporated eggs made from silk ties because I had shared instructions on how to dye Easter eggs using the ties - she had a great time with her grandchildren doing that project. And Jackie made a stocking for me after I taught her how to do needlepunch - she went on to teach classes about it at the quilt store where she worked. Brandi knew I collected sheep, so she needle-felted this darling guy for me - she even remembered that I like them with black faces the best!


I also taught Patsy how to do needlepunch, and the log cabin 'quilt' includes a punched center. The one below in the upper right was made by Janet to commemorate our grand venture of being published in a quilt book and she titled it "Our 15 Minutes of FAME". What a fun experience that was for us!



A close-up so you can admire our lovely hairstyles and see the quilts we made.


They measure 4"x6" and can actually be sent through the mail with the proper amount of postage. They need to be hand cancelled too. It's especially fun to include photos that have been printed onto the fabric. In October I sent one to my Dad for his birthday and printed out a picture of me holding a sign that said "Happy Birthday Dad". He was so tickled to receive it! I sent one to my son for Thanksgiving and he liked his too.

Here is a picture of the rest of the Inchies that Janet received from the other gals at our meeting on Thursday night - quite a variety - she was very pleased with them all.