Turkey Centerpiece

At the November meeting of our quilting group, one of the members showed a stuffed turkey that she made from a panel. When I remarked that I loved it and wanted to know where to buy a panel like this one, she took out her scissors and cut a panel for me and gave it to me. The turkey was easy to sew until I got to the circular tail feather. After I few tries, I got the tail feather on and was able to complete the job. It took me about three hours to make Mr. Turkey. My daughter loved him and made him the centerpiece on her buffet. Thank you again, Loretta.

Quilt Camp Weekend

Last weekend was spent at quilt camp in Johnsonburg, NJ until our time was interupted by a freak snow storm that caused the electricity to go out in the entire area. Most of us left camp because there was no light, heat, or water. The drive home took hours longer than it should have because of downed trees that cause detours. After five hours of roaming around looking for ways to get home safely, Ceil, my friend and courageous driver, drove up my driveway. Pictured is what I did manage to accomplish sewing on Thursday evening, part of Friday and part of Saturday. On Friday a group of us went to Stroudsburg, PA for some fabric and trim shopping. Even though we had to cut our weekend short, I'm looking forward to next year's camp weekend, hopefully without snow.

The Ladybug Dress

A while back, I posted about making a ladybug dress for a gift. My daughter's friend just loves ladybugs and I promised her that if she had a little girl, I'd make her a smocked dress with ladybugs on it. Well, Cici was born and I kept my promise. Yesterday, I received this picture of Cici wearing the ladybug dress. I'm thrilled with the results and had to share the picture with you. Cici looks so cute in her dress and it fits her well.

Another Block for my Calendar Quilt

I worked on this block while dog sitting during the summer and then again when I took care of the dogs for the weekend. It felt like it took me a very long time to complete this block. Getting the pieces cut out and then appliqueing them in the correct places was a challenge. The end of the ribbon on the left side will be sewn down to the connecting two and a half inch squares. I have six more blocks to applique and one more pieced block to make before I start the process of cutting out over five hundred two and a half inch squares to connect all of the quilt blocks.

A New Project, Bear's paws

When I finished the smocked dresses and the crazy quilt bear, I felt as though I could start a new project. After much consideration, I decided to make another crazy quilted bear. This one will be larger than the last one and it will be made of cotton and silk fabric. So far, the fabric has come from my stash except for the purchase of the felt for the bear's paws. I haven't finished piecing all of the parts as yet but I did complete two of his paws. I put frogs on them because I love making bullion frogs. The other two paws will have bees on them, I think. I used DMC threads for this project.

The Gift is Finished

I'm happy to report to you that I finished the smocked dresses this afternoon and will deliver them to my daughter tomorrow afternoon. The baby shower is next Saturday. I always make smocked dresses in size two or three so that they can hopefully be worn more than once. Too much work goes into making them to make them in a size that a child will outgrow very quickly.
The pattern I used is McCall's #3531 in size 3. I used view D and added pieces to the smocking insert and then cut out the yoke. Also, I added the ties in the back because I like that look.

A Gift in the Making

Several weeks ago my daughter asked me to make smocked dresses for a friend of hers who is having twins. This friend loves fashion and I happened to have a smocking plate with pocketbooks on it that I thought would be perfect. After calling several quilt shops in my area I found the fabric to co-ordinate with the smocking. Today I completed the picture smocking and will immediately begin the back smocking which holds the pleats in place. Hopefully by the weekend, I'll be able to start the construction of the dresses. I have to have this project completed by September 18, 2011 which doesn't give me too much time.