Fashion Design Studio

Amy from During Quiet Time announced a fabulous little contest a few weeks ago called "Texting While Sewing".  I'm a bit embarrassed to say that when I read the description for the first time I thought oh dang, I don't TEXT so there is no way I can enter.
 

 I know, I know - it is a bit silly I don't text.  One of my friends has been gently pressuring me to text so I will probably start soon : )
 

Anyhow,  Amy meant using text fabrics in a 12" x 12" quilting block!  Well, Hello, that is right up my alley.  I love using text fabrics in my projects.

 I've been so incredibly busy with some new projects, but I did find a small window this week to work on a block for the contest. 

As luck would have it,  I also had a block to make for Amy in the Cocorico Quilting Bee.  Her theme is Artist Studio.  It was due at the end on June but I have been stuck. Ugh!!!  I had so many ideas but kept coming back to "Fashion design studio". I was resistant because I've already made two blocks that are almost identical.  I decided to go with it so here is - version # 3 and I'm calling it the Fashion Design Studio...........

I used two of my favorite text fabrics:  Kumiko Fujita Red text print and Suzuko Koseki Yellow Text Print.  Click on the fabric descriptions for a link to the fabric : ) 

 

You should check out the Flickr group here.  There are some amazing blocks in the group. 

Have a wonderful day!

 

xo

Charise 

Another Thrifty Thursday

So I wish I had some new projects to share today!  I have been working on a few but I can't reveal them for some months. 

 I have made time to do a bit more thrifting : )

I found the McCoy vase and fun little fabric scraps at a local vintage and estate warehouse.

My favorite is the one on the left.  I got a few pieces of this one and it has a feedsack texture to it.

Speaking of feedsacks,  I found both of these on Ebay.  I go through stages of searching for feedsacks on Ebay then I go cold turkey for weeks which is a good thing since it becomes a bit of an addiction : ) 

I love the one with the gal watering and picking flowers.

This will be a fun one to fussy cut!!

I do have a little something to share.  I made the log cabin square weeks ago as a little break from the "have to do" projects.  They will probably become a purse.

Hope you are having a lovely summer!
Ours has gone by so fast.  My little guy starts Kindergarten in 2 1/2 weeks!  I'm excited to have more time to work on my projects but also very sad that he is growing up so fast.

xo

Charise

Thrifty Thursday

Hi!   Hope you are having a lovely summer so far.

We went on a camping trip a few weeks ago and on the way (we camped near Mt St Helens) I stopped at my favorite antique mall in Olympia, Wa - Finders Keepers.

I picked up this vintage quilt top for $16!  I'm not sure what I will do with it but I just loved all the 1930's feedsack prints.

I also picked up this vintage kitchen fabric - probably circa 1960's.  Love it!

My roses are blooming for the second time!  Love this time of year since there is not much to do in the garden except water and enjoy!

Have a lovely day!

xo

Charise

Practically Paper Pieced Blog Hop

Do you have orphaned paper pieced blocks lying around?  Well I do ~ and then some!  So when Kristy asked me to be a part of her Practically Paper Pieced Blog Hop I jumped at the chance. The Hop is all about making something out of your orphaned blocks. 

The Hop runs through August and the projects are just wonderful!  I promise you will be inspired!

I made a bunch of paper pieced apples months ago and thought they would be perfect for a frame pouch.  I have been wanting to try to make a frame pouch for ages!

I used my free apple pattern which you can find HERE.

The frame pouch tutorial is from U-Handbag Here.  It is a fabulous tutorial!!  Great, easy to follow instructions!

My frame measures 5" wide and I found it at Joann Fabrics.  

*I chose to stitch my frame to the pouch instead of glue it.  It is a bit tricky but I love the detail added from the contrast stitching.

  Here is a little tip:  position your purse in the frame, baste, and start stitching from the middle to the edge. I used Perle Cotton Embroidery floss.  

*I used the apple exactly the same size as my pattern-  2 3/4" wide.   Border were added so that the finished block would be the size of my pouch with seam allowance -
 The finished pouch is 6" high x 8 1/2"wide, so with a 1/4" seam allowance my block measured about 6 1/2" x 9".

*I then added a layer of batting and lining and quilted my pattern. 

 * I stitched box corners that are 1" from the point at the bottom and 1 1/2" deep.

Instead of using interfacing as in Lisa's tutorial, I used cotton batting since I wanted to quilt my purse and give it a bit of softness. 

 

This pouch also uses my apple pattern but the apple was enlarged to 3 1/2" wide.

 

I used the same 5" frame.  This purse measures 6" high x 6 3/4" at the widest point.  I also used batting in this pouch and did some echo quilting around the apple.

Here are a few more things I've made from paper pieced blocks ~

The apple makes a great coaster.......

Or a pot holder : )

This bag was made from my free Tulip pattern which you can find here.

Thanks for stopping by and don't forget to check out the other bloggers during the month of August.

Oh... and take a peek at the Flickr group.  There are some fab projects popping up there!

xo

Charise

A Winner

Thank you so much everyone for taking the time to tell me your dream Christmas destinations.  I wasn't able to comment but I did read all your comments and enjoyed it so much!!

Fiesta said:

"Your work is beautiful. Thank you for sharing today. I would spend my Christmas wherever my kids are."

Fiesta, I will contact you via email!

xo

Charise

Practically Paper Pieced Blog Hop

Kristy at Quiet Play is hosting a wonderful Blog hop!!  The idea is to take your orphaned paper pieced blocks and make something from them.

Kristy made this adorable pouch from one of her paper pieced patterns which you can find in her Craftsy shop Here.

Please be sure to check out the wonderful projects.  The hop runs through the month of August.

The list of bloggers is here:

1 Kristy from Quiet Play

2 Kate from Kate Quilts

3 Diane from From Blank Pages

4 Lara from LuellaBella

5 Sunday – Day off

6 Charise from Charise Creates

7 Alyce from Blossom Heart Quilts

8 Kiera from Kizzie’s Korner

9 Marieka from Bespoke Bites

10 Sally from Sally Bally Creations

11 Jane from QuiltJane

12 Sunday – Day off

13 Taryn from Pixels To Patchwork

14 Jane from Where Jane Creates

15 Laura from Quokka Quilts

16 Emily from Emily the Enabler

17 McKenna from Textile Diva

18 Sat Lauren from Renrad Craft Studio

19 Sunday – Day off

20 Fiona from Finding Fifth

21 Beth from Plum and June

22 Megan from Jaffa quilts

23 Juliet from Tartan Kiwi

24 Katy from The Littlest Thistle

25 Sat Tracey from the Peony Teacup

26 Sunday – Day off

27 Fiona from Celtic Thistle Stitches

28 Anorina from Samelia’s Mum

29-31 Linky party to share projects - blog hoppers and readers all welcome!

 

I will see you on the 6th of August with my project! 

xo

Charise

Christmas in Paris & A Little give-away!

Today is my day in the Thinking Christmas Blog Hop hosted by the lovely Lesley.

I designed a paper piecing block that is a stack of presents I'd like to receive.  While picking the fabric - A Christmas in Paris theme emerged!  I would love to spend Christmas Holiday in Paris - wouldn't you?

Sipping Chocolat Chaud on a chilly winter day.   Then a walk along the Seine : )  And the shopping would be divine!!

Some of the fabrics I used are:

Left - top to bottom:
Benartex Sweet Shoppe by Michele D'Amore
Vintage Modern by Bonnie and Camille
Benartex Sweet Shoppe by Michele D'Amore
Right:
Penelope- Salon de The' Paris by Holly Holderman for LakehouseDryGoods.com.
I LOVE the Holly Holderman print!  There are so many wonderful motifs and it translates to Christmas so well even  though it is a tea theme fabric!

I'm also hosting a little give - away!!

One winner will receive my gifts pattern, one other pattern of their choice from my shop, and a F8 bundle of the fabrics shown above.

**Please leave a comment telling me where you would spend Christmas if you could choose absolutely any place in the world!**

I will pick winners on Sunday Morning - Aug 5th. .  Please leave a comment by 12:00 p.m. Pacific Daylight time Saturday August 4th.

If you would like to purchase the Gifts pattern, I will have it listed at half-price in my Craftsy shop until Sunday evening 12:00 p.m. Pacific Time!

Also, please be sure to check out the other bloggers and their wonderful work on the hop here:

Grandmama's Stories
Sandra Kaye Designs
North Hills Quilter
Lv2sew
Quilty Doodads
Quilting in South Carolina
The Raspberry Rabbits
Charise Creates
Traveling Quilter
Nancy B at That Other Blog
Selina Quilts
I have a button on my side bar you can click on to see the entire list of bloggers on this hop!

Thanks to Lesley and Mdm Samm for a lovely hop : )

xo Charise