What a Challenge!

Because I just love to sew, I attend meetings of a quilt guild.  Occasionally we take on a service project.  This time it will be a charity quilt, so one of the members came up with a way to get the quilt squares made.  Members were offered a challenge fabric fat quarter for designing a quilt square.  I decided to jump in and give it a try.  Here is the challenge fabric:

So yes it was a challenge.  With all the words and shapes in the design, it didn't seem to work with some of the traditional quilt patterns that would have cut it in to very small pieces.  To bring in fun and humor, I designed an owl similar to the one found in the challenge fabric.  I didn't want the square to become too dark and somber so I found a light blue print to lighten up the color scheme. I used the fusible applique method to add the owl and used a blanket stitch around all the pieces. 

I still had some of the challenge fabric left so I pieced two more squares to be donated for the charity quilt. I kept a little diagonal in each piece.

So what do you think?  Did I meet the challenge?

What are you creating?

Carol

Facebook Page Visitor

Have you had time to visit my facebook page yet?

I hope you will stop by Dillman's Diversions and see what's going on.

All "likes" for my page will be greatly appreciated.

I just posted this bracelet.

It is also on Etsy now, https://www.etsy.com/listing/79573822/lampwork-bead-bracelet-in-turquoise-and?ref=shop_home_feat.

Keep creating,
Carol

Bead Soup Party - 2nd Reveal

It is time for the second group in the Bead Soup Party to reveal their lovely creations. 

Jeepers - that's me! 

And I am so excited to show what I stirred up with the lovely beads and handmade clasp sent to me by my partner, Barbara Mason of Adorningly Yours.

Just a reminder of what Barbara sent me.

The first piece is a bracelet made with the beautiful handmade clasp and the white pearls.  I don't usually work with the gold metals so this was definitely a challenge but I had some jade,citrine and green pearls that just jumped out and begged to join this lovely clasp.

The second piece is made with the focal piece which is a stone I can't identify but it has gorgeous golden tones.  When I was auditioning metals and beads for this piece, the copper seemed a natural choice.  I also added some of my lampwork beads, some amber glass beads and copper chain and clasp.

Thanks again to Lori for organizing this Bead Soup Blog Party.  We do appreciate you!!!

Before you go I have a little request.  I have a new Facebook page and I would love for you to check it out.  Just click the link or see the button at the top of this page (that my daughter so cleverly added).  And of course, all likes are greatly appreciated.

Grab your favorite beverage and plop in your favorite chair while you make your way through the Bead Soup delights right here.

Get some inspiration for creating,

Carol

New Earrings

Just a quick message to show you the newest additions coming to Etsy. 

These will be on my Etsy shop, Dillman's Diversions this weekend.

I hope you will stop in to check out my store.

Keep creating,
Carol

Baby Blanket Tutorial and Postponed Bead Reveal

The Bead Soup Party reveal has been postponed until April 13 so I will share a sewing project instead.

There seem to be a lot of babies this spring among my family and close friends.  When my children were born, I received a handmade flannel blanket that proved to be one of the most useful gifts.  It was so much bigger and better than the thin and small store-bought blankets and it got a lot of use.  So now I have the chance to pass along a similar gift.

My niece just had a lovely little boy and my daughter's best friend from high school has a little boy due in June.  So both have received my version of the flannel receiving blanket.  This is a picture of one of the blankets.  I apologize for the picture quality as I snapped these quickly before leaving for the shower.  Yes it did get wrapped. 

As you can see, I used two layers of flannel fabric.  I chose to use different prints and cut them square.  The dimensions were determined by the width of the fabric, typically 42 inches.  Getting the squares exactly the same size is a little tricky but don't worry because they will be trimmed later. 

I placed the two pieces wrong sides together lining them up as close as possible.  Then I quilted the two layers together with  parallel lines stitched diagonally across the entire width.  It is important to start with the longest lines near the middle and work out to the corners.  

A little trick that I use to camouflage those not so straight lines is to use a wavy stitch on my machine.  I also use the little guide bar that attaches to the foot to keep the lines an even distance apart.

After all the lines of stitching are completed,  I trim the edges to square up the blanket as the sides may slip a little in the process.  Next I applied purchased seam binding in a coordinating color.  I could have made my own binding but, of course, I waited till the last week to work on these blankets.  I machine stitch the binding to one side and then hand stitch to the reverse side mitering the corners.  The picture above shows the mitered corner and if you look closely you can see the wavy quilt lines.

So why not make one of these for a new baby and mom? 

Keep creating,
Carol