Saturday, November 27, 2010

Various, Assorted, & Sundry

My post today is about a little of this - and a little of that - hence my title.

In a couple weeks my little quilt group will have our annual Christmas gathering. Normally we each make a small ornament and swap them around - each person going home with one treasure that someone else has made. Our numbers have dwindled to only six this year, so we decided to make ornies for each person in the group and we'll go home with one from everyone. I got my ornies made a couple days ago, but couldn't decide how to wrap them up - after all - presentation is half the fun sometimes!  I ended up making my own little gift bags by cutting up paper grocery sacks and stitching, stamping & stapling them till they were just the right size to fit snugly.



I made the ornies using old wooden thread spools, scrapbooking paper, and a few glass beads from the craft store. I'm pleased with the way they turned out and sure hope the other gals like them too!


A few days ago I received the newest issue of BH&G American Patchwork & Quilting in the mail and I devoured it - I think it's the best issue they've ever done! There was tons of stuff inside that really caught my attention. First, the incredibly beautiful & unique work of a gal named Odile Gova from Toronto Canada. She creates wonderful stuff using recycled wool sweaters & metal teeth zippers, and sells them in her Etsy shop. You can visit her shop here, and check out her Flickr album here - lots of eye candy to look at!

I especially like the paisley brooches that she makes


You can buy her instructions on how to make little wool felt beads



There are instructions in the magazine on how to make this delightful bracelet, so you'll have to check it out for yourself!


On the cover of the magazine is a cute quilt that I decided to tackle using all my favorite colors. Here is a bit of it that I have hanging on my design wall so far - can't wait to get more pieces cut and start stitching it up.



The magazine has 30 suggestions from quilt designers for getting organized - the picture of Polly Minick's wool stacked neatly in an antique cupboard is yummy.


I have promised to teach a couple neighbor girls how to sew recently, and I had planned to help them make little quilts. Then, I read about the 1 Million Pillowcase Challenge that the magazine is sponsoring, and I decided that a pillowcase would be the perfect project for a sewing novice to tackle, so I'm going to sort through my stash and find some fun fabrics that they can use to stitch up a few - THEN we'll tackle a quilt after they get some practice at sewing straight seams. I know their mom will like having them do a service project while learning a new skill, and I think they'll have fun doing it.



Today hubby & I bought supplies to start updating our 30 year old kitchen cabinets and I'm so excited to get it done!  I'm taking pictures as we go and I will share them eventually.

14 comments:

Cathy G. said...

Oh Gayle!
You are so darned talented! I love those spool ornaments and everything else you are doing! Thanks so much for the link to the felted and zipper jewelry! I must find the time to start being creative again!
Yes, please share the progress on those kitchen cabinets! Mine could sure use some help of some kind! I think I just need to rip them out!
Great post!
Cathy G

Raymond Homestead said...

Love the little spools and your inventive wrapping! I know they will love it! Can't wait to see your kitchen cabinets!

Lori said...

Oh my, you have been busy. I love the bags and I'm sure the ornies will be loved. They are terrific and fun!
I got my APQ magazine the past few days while I had company and have not had a chance to read it. So much goodness!! I adore the cover quilt!

Deb said...

I think those spool ornaments are great. And thanks for the link on the jewelry and the heads up on the APQ magazine. I'm going to pick one up today.

Rugs and Pugs said...

Gayle ~
My have you been busy!
How sweet that you will teach the girls to sew and do a good deed at the same time. That is just so thoughtful.
I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Looking forward to seeing what you are doing to the kitchen cabinets. I desperately need to do something to mine!
Hugs :)
Lauren

Unknown said...

Thanks for stopping by my blog Gayle. I LOVE your ornies! So cute! And especially love the bags you made to put them in. You've been really busy. I can't wait to see your new cabinets. I've redone mine several times and right now they are just OK but I'd sure like a whole kitchen redo LOL Maybe millionaire Santa will visit me this year bwahahahahahaha! That paisley pin is to die for - so gorgeous. Thanks for sharing her site. Merry Christmas!

Mabel and Edgars Early Goods said...

Hello Gayle
I did not make the table...I think I bought it from Primitives in Pine.I use to have a primitive store and I bought it at one of the cash & carry shows.I would be happy to send more pictures.thanks michelle

Wendie Scott Davis said...

Gayle - the beads - and the bags - are gorgeous. Aren't we lucky to have friends who value what we do!!
the Toronto artist you featured is amazing and I will try to follow the 1 Million Pillowcases link later. Thanks for sharing all of this.

Tausha said...

So wish that I had your skills! I am loving the spools!! I can't wait to see your kitchen cabinets either! Please, show them off when you are finished!!
As for your question-I went to 7-eleven and grabbed a handful. I asked, they didn't care. So, go to 7-11! Please, send me pics of your finished snowflakes!! Happy Week!!

Mimi Sue said...

Gayle!!
Thank you so much for the darling house embroidery. It's my favorite one so far. Wherever did you find it? Love the little red roofed house. You are so nice to think of me on your shopping expeditions. Your ornaments are adorable and the packaging is wonderful. Thank you so much. Mimi

The Wooden Acorn said...

I love the ornament...so much fun for all!

Also, thank you for sharing info on APQ magazine. I will have to go to the bookstore in search of this one.

Happy Holidays

Valerie

Angie Berry ~ Berry Homespun Primitives said...

What a nifty and cute idea on the gift bags! I agree, the presentation is half the fun... I'm glad I'm not the only one that thinks this, hehe! Your ornament is darling! I love how you used scrapbook paper on it, I have so much of that fun stuff! =] I'm sure the girls will love it!

The pillowcase challenge seems interesting. I'll definitely have to check that out. I bet that's something my 11 yr. old daughter and I could do together.

Congrats on getting to update your kitchen cabinets! I really enjoy looking at before and after pictures, looking forward to following your progress!

Karen~The Barely There Primitive Bear said...

Thanks, Gayle! I love reading your posts, especially the ones with the rugs! I want to try rug hooking,
one of these days. I found an old
rug tool (at least I think that is
what it is) the other day. I will
have to show it on my blog. Thanks
for entering the give away and
good luck!

Bear Hugs~Karen

Karen~The Barely There Primitive Bear said...

Thanks, Gayle! I love reading your posts, especially the ones with the rugs! I want to try rug hooking,
one of these days. I found an old
rug tool (at least I think that is
what it is) the other day. I will
have to show it on my blog. Thanks
for entering the give away and
good luck!

Bear Hugs~Karen