Thursday, January 09, 2025

A Different Kind of Agenda and Fabric Cover

Hi and welcome 😊! Winter is officially here. I've had to go out most days and my sandals and jacket have been put away until Spring! We don't have much snow but it's definitely mittens weather - I bought myself a perfect pair of mittens before Christmas and then got a very warm hat and scarf...so I can brave the cold, if I have to! I hope that you're keeping warm if winter has arrived in your area. It's the perfect excuse to stay inside and play!

A Different Kind of Agenda

Since I barely used my agenda last year, I wasn't certain if I should bother getting a new one and making a cover for it. I've been making a new agenda cover since 2020, so it's become a lovely tradition, but is it worth it if I don't use it?

I did have the perfect fabric that I bought last year from my artist friend Connie. So, if not an agenda, then what? After thinking about it, I came up with the perfect solution (I hope - we'll see at the end of the year!) I made an Upcycled Traveler's Journal that I can store booklets to take notes or sketch and a small agenda.

2025's Traveler's Journal and Agenda

Inside the 2025 Traveler's Journal and Agenda

I think that this was the most fun that I've had making the agenda cover because I also go to make the Upcycled Traveler's journal. We've been cleaning up our books, so for the cover, I used a book that I wasn't going to re-read. The Traveler's journal consists of a cover with elastics to hold booklets inside. This allows the traveler to remove a booklet and not have to lug the whole journal around.

This was a very upcycled project since I also used the fabric from a favourite pair of PJ bottoms to make the lining.

The lining of my journal cover is from upcycled PJ bottoms😍

I used the first booklet to make notes on how to make the journal cover. The course I use is from Craftsy and I make it at least once a year, but the fabric needs to be cut based on the size of the journal. Since it's very easy to get it wrong, I write all of the measurements down. My first project of 2025 was a huge success!

The first booklet contains my notes on making the journal cover

I bought a package of 6 lovely, handmade booklets from Italy to use in my journal. I often find them at Home Sense. They are small and perfect for this project.

Journal cover and the handmade booklets used inside

This is what the Traveller's Journal looks like without the fabric cover. I removed all of the pages and then glued on a piece of upholstery canvas to keep the spine strong. I then pierced four holes at the top and bottom of the spine to place the elastics. I also added an old envelope to use for odds and ends.

Original book pages removed and spine reinforced with canvas

You can see the elastics at the top and bottom of the spine

Here is an image of the entire covering fabric that I FMQ. I was feeling very Zen so I followed the lines of the stamps, filling each set with a different pattern. I then quilted some gentle loops in the borders.

FMQ the beautiful stamped fabric

One Monthly Goal

I managed to miss the January One Monthly Goal link up by a day, but I'm still going to include it in my post. I'm trying to be more organised about my quilting and art making, and I figured that this would be one way to help me along. Of course, I'll have to write it down in my agenda and then read the agenda to link up on time 😁!

I've just finished embroidering the Snow Happens panel. I now have to turn it into a wall hanging for my DIL. Here is the embroidery before it was ironed.

Snow Happens embroidery, ready to be made into a wall hanging

What I learned

As I mentioned, I've been making a quilting agenda cover since 2020 but last year I used my agenda until July and then it lay hidden under a pile of papers on my desk. I am working on sorting my studio, including that pile of papers but since I use my phone agenda all the time, the paper agenda is a bit redundant. So having a tiny agenda to mark down deadlines (like the OMG!) and other quilting challenges, etc. might be enough.
I have been working diligently to finish the first Project Quilting challenge. I'll be ready to post on Sunday at the latest, but if all goes well, probably on Friday or Saturday. I'm really excited about it, so I hope that you'll check out the post when it comes out!
I still have my 2025 planning post to write...before the January 15th deadline. I've been really thinking about it. I need 2025 to be more mindful and less about frantically chasing squirrels!
To sum up, I've been thinking about how to work more mindfully in 2025. Hopefully the steps I'm taking now will lead to success. 😊

Free Motion Mavericks

Welcome to week 514 of Free Motion Mavericks! Thanks so much for linking up. Here are the projects from last week that included FMQ, ruler work or walking foot quilting.

Preeti of Sew Preeti Designs is having a rough time. She did so well in 2024 on the quilting front - let's wish her success in the other parts of her life! Here was one of my favourite quilts.

Preeti's Pesto Mushrooms

I've seen most of Gail's quilts since she links up at Free Motion Mavericks on a regular basis. I don't remember seeing these (I think?) Those are such cute giraffes. These quilts were a part of the Twilight Blog Hop in October.

Three great quilts by Gail. Why make one when you can make three?

It's now your turn.

Thursday, January 02, 2025

Best of 2024 and Free Motion Mavericks

It's that time of year again - reflecting on 2024 and then planning for 2025. Usually in my best of post, I sum up the whole year, but this year, since I have quarter posts of what I've done (and a fourth quarter post to come), I've decided to just highlight my favourites in each of my categories (quilts, challenges, journal making, art quilts, mindful stitching/embroidery and miscellaneous projects). I'm linking up to Meadow Mist Designs' Best of 2024 linking party. Thanks Cheryl!

Small Quilts this year

This year I didn't make any large quilts. I think that I was too overwhelmed by last year's many quilts. I did make a couple of larger quilt hangings and some cuddle quilts, mostly as part of the 2024 Table Scraps Challenge. They allowed me to play and then practice my FMQ. I also FMQ my friend's quilt.

Yellow Cuddle Quilt

This fall I made a table topper for a friend's retirement, based on his painted fence of Newfoundland Houses.

I just love this photo of our friend in front of his fence and
the table topper

Challenges

In 2024 I participated in challenges, particularly the first three of Project Quilting in the winter and then most of the Table Scraps Challenge year round. I really enjoy these challenges - they let me be as creative as I want to be, and range from very simple to complex.

My favourite was definitely my first Project Quilting piece, Home to feed. It was more complex and creative, and allowed me to experiment with Sulky Solvy water stabilizer to get ready for my later project, Spring Tulips 🌷.

Home to Feed, a Project Quilting piece

I also made a number of placemats for my family during the Table Scraps Challenge. I had started in 2023 and by the end of November, everyone had one!

Five placemats made during the 2023-24 Table Scraps Challenge

Art Quilts

I did make quite a few quilts just because I wanted to! It's hard to say which ones were my favourite, although Spring Tulips 🌷was very challenging and a favourite 😍. When you put that much work into a piece, it's either love or frustration! This one, thank goodness, was love!

Spring Tulips 🌷

The Outdoor Fibre Art Exhibit “Impermanence / Éphémère” kept me very busy in the Spring. I'm really happy with the pieces that I made. Some of them are still outside in my back yard 😀!

My pieces in the Outdoor Fibre Art Exhibition
Impermanence / Éphémère

There are a few others but one that I'm very happy with is my FM stitched portrait of hubby. It was made based on a class with TextileArtist.org's Stitch Club.

A FM stitched portrait

Mindful Stitching and Embroidery

Many embroidery projects were started this year, but few are finished! At the beginning of the year, I started a Daily Stitching project. It didn't take me long to realise that daily anything is not for me. So now it's an Almost Daily Stitching Project 2024-25 😉

Almost Daily Stitching 2024 (and now 2025)

I started a new course this fall - Joyful Embroidery with Fleur Woods. The course is offered through Fibre Arts Take 2. I have watched the full course and now have 2 pieces in progress.

Embroidery in progress

Needle punch piece - coming along

I also discovered the joy of Kawandi Style embroidery and love it. I made 2 small pieces and then made another with Christmas fabric. This last one I started by machine stitching all of the pieces down and then covering it with running stitches. This makes the process so much easier and faster, and still looks great!

Christmas Kawandi Style mat

I also experimented with stitching on both paper and metal. If you're curious, check out the links.

Journal Making

I made less journals than last year but still love making them when I do. It helped that I went over to my friend Connie's home in the fall and we made a few together (although I forgot to post about these)😞.

Scrappy Journal Challenge

I also made two fabric covers - one for my 2024 agenda and the other for my niece's school agenda. She loves neutral colours - it must be her Danish side 😁

My niece's school agenda cover

Miscellaneous Items

I made a few small projects just because 😊 These included a woven band for my holey jeans, many lovely Cathedral Window hot pads as gifts, fun fabric corner bookmarks and my favourite and most practical, mosquito proofing my swing. The latter brought me hours of enjoyment in the summer.

Mosquito proof swing

As I'm creating this post, I find it hard not to include everything so I will stop now 😍. If you're curious, you can check out my new 2024 Finishes page as well as my quarterly posts (1st quarter and then 2nd & 3rd quarters). My 4th quarter will be posted in a few days.

My intention for 2024 was to learn by playing, with mindfulness and gratitude. It looks like I achieved that with much learning and experimenting - and always with gratitude! Thanks again for taking the time to follow me on my journey!

Linking parties

I'll be linking up to many linking parties, including Meadow Mist Design's Best of 2024 party. Thanks so much Cheryl for another great yearly party!

Monday Musings, Sew & Tell, Put your foot down, Off The Wall Friday, Patchwork & Quilts, 15 Minutes to Stitch 2025,

Free Motion Mavericks

Welcome to week 513 of Free Motion Mavericks! It was a week of getting things finished before the new year, and of reflection on 2024. Thanks to everyone who linking up. Here are the projects from last week that included FMQ, ruler work or walking foot quilting.

Gail from Quilting Gail was not going to make any last minute projects, until she took out her lovely nativity scene. It's hard to remember to make these small projects once the decorations are put away. So here is the simple but lovely tablemat made specifically for the nativity set!

A tablemat perfect for Gail's Nativity scene

Frédérique of Quilting, Patchwork, Appliqué posted her Best of 2024. There are many lovely domestic machine quilted projects. Here is one of my favourites!

Frédérique had a great time quilting her Patio quilt for François!

It's now your turn to show us what you're making or finishing on this first week of 2025!

Wednesday, January 01, 2025

Updates and Happy New Year!

Hi and welcome! I hope that you had a good New Year's Eve and a great New Year's Day. It's been raining here so most of the snow has melted, but we did have a white Christmas and it's now snowing again! I didn't get much sewing or slow stitching during the holidays except for yesterday and today. It's great getting back to it 😊.

Snow Happens

I spent a few hours New Year's eve working on my Snow Happens Embroidery. It's slowly coming along. I'm hoping to finish it in a few days so that I can make a wall hanging. I haven't thought that out yet but there's still time left to get inspired.

Snow Happens - in progress

The first two snow people are almost finished. I'm waiting until I've finished all of the bodies before making the faces. Hopefully that will make it consistent.

The first two snow people - almost done!

I spent most of my time yesterday on the next three snow people. I thought that I would be bored with following a pattern but I'm really enjoying it. Only using shades of blue makes the colour decisions easier. I'm trying to be consistent but I'm sure that it won't really matter when it's all done.

The last three snow people

I had a great time stitching this snow lady's hair. It turns out that they were supposed to be ear muffs, but I couldn't really tell since part of the marking was erased. I started at the top making larger lazy daisies but then made them smaller and on top of each other. The effect is like curls. I love it! I would never have thought to do this before taking Fleur Woods' course. You can see the snow lady's finished hair and hat in the image above.

Stitching curly hair on the snow lady.

Updates on Joyful Embroidery Projects

I haven't worked on these embroideries in a while. Fibre Arts Take 2 is having a virtual show of the students' work but it needs to be submitted by January 9th. I'm not sure if I'll make that deadline and if I want to even try.

Embroidering over the fabric flowers

Work done so far

The next step is to make an arrangement with the flowers and other textiles. I have a few handkerchiefs and doilies that I'd like to include in the piece.

This next piece includes embroidery and punch needle work. I've included lines of white and off white at the top and bottom. I'll be filling these out more.

Punch needle and embroidery piece

Corner Book Marks

Last week I saw that Melva made corner book marks as gifts. I love them! I found a tutorial and they are easy though a little fiddly because are turned inside out after sewing, just like the pillow case finished quilts that I've experimented with recently. These are perfect for the December Table Scraps Challenge.

Two each of three sizes of corner book marks

Here they are looking wonderful in some of the books that I got for Christmas! The small ones will be perfect for paperback books.

Corner book marks in action

Poppy Sitting

Since Boxing Day we've been Poppy sitting. She's always a pleasure to have around (except when she needs to go outside at 7am). These are pictures that I sent to my son. 😍

Poppy looking for wildlife action in the back yard

Chilling out in the evening

Thanks so much for joining me on my journey this year. I think that I have a day or two to prepare my Best of 2024 post, so you'll see it soon.

What I learned

It turns out that embroidering on a pattern is not as painful as I expected. I think that part of it is that the end is in sight but the other thing is that I've played with stitches, using the fishbone stitch to make the small leaves.
Since taking my Joyful Embroidery course with Fleur Woods, I've experimented more with stitches. Doesn't the snow lady's hair look great with all of those curls?
I'd really like to join the class exhibition for Fleur Woods' course but I'm not sure that I can get one or both of the pieces done by then. The punch needle piece might be done in time but I would have to spend all of my time in the next week working on it....we'll see.
My favourite piece is the embroidered flowers but I don't want to rush it or make it smaller just to get it into the exhibition.
To get ready for my Best of 2024 post, I've started creating my 2024 Finishes page. It was interesting to see all the smaller projects that I've made. It looks like it was a year of learning and playing with smaller projects.

Thursday, December 26, 2024

Christmas Updates and Finishes on Free Motion Mavericks

Allô and welcome🎄 I hope that you had a lovely Christmas. We had a terrific time with all of the kids and Poppy, great food, and gifts! It's now Boxing Day and very quiet. Time to get this post done and then do some more embroidery. 😊

Snow Happens wall hanging

The last time I shared this embroidery was last January in my 2024 planning post and then again in a slow stitching post a few days later. I'm afraid not much happened after that. I picked it up in December again and it's slowly coming along. Instead of giving myself another year to finish it (we know how that worked out!😁), I'm aiming for the end of January. At least it's a winter piece, so it won't have to be put away with the Christmas stuff.

The first two snow people, almost finished!

Here are the other snow people.

Some progress on the snow people

The last one hasn't been started
except for the bird house

Metal Christmas Ornament

Do you remember the trees embroidered on metal? They have great potential but we'll call this version a sample. I did learn a lot making and putting it together. I'm not sure if I'll make more but if I do, I'll have good notes below!

Christmas tree ornament - lots of potential

Not great but learned lots!

Kawandi style Christmas mat

For November's Table Scraps Challenge, I put together a little Kawandi style mat made of old fashion Christmas fabric. I finished it in December. I just love it and I think that my DL likes it too! As I mentioned in a previous post, I sewed the fabrics down by machine. This was so much easier than wrestling with pins and bits of fabric as I stitched it by hand. I will probably keep making them this way. My favourite part about making them is the slow running stitch.

Finished Kawandi style Christmas mat

Doesn't it go great with the Grinch card? The fabrics
are probably from the same era.

It's quiet here today. Poppy is spending a few days. I'm so happy.😍

Poppy checking out the yard!

Poppy coming in from the snow

What I learned

The Snow Happens embroidery is coming along. It's weird to be following a commercial pattern.
The piece is supposed to be in blue but I just can't do that - so the embroidery thread is all kinds of values of blue. It makes things more interesting to stitch!
The metal Christmas tree ornament was a disappointment. I now know not to use fuzzy thread.
The most frustrating part was stitching them together. I just don't like how I finished the edges. It only occurred to me a few days later that I could have backed them with felt. I think that this would be better and much easier. At least if I make these again, I'll have notes to follow!

Free Motion Mavericks

Welcome to week 512 of Free Motion Mavericks! I think many quilters were busy getting ready for the holidays. Thanks for linking up. Here are the projects from last week that included FMQ, ruler work or walking foot quilting.

Deb from a Scrappy Quilter quilted six Irish Chain quilts. Two have been donated while the others will hang around for the special occasion.

Kat quilted this one with a diamond grid

Six lovely quilts finished by Kat

Quilting Gail finished her Floral Fusion, based on Denise's sew along. What a beauty.

Gail's finished Floral Fusion

Gail outlined the flowers and FMQ swirls in the background

Brenda from Songbird Designs made this beauty for the Island Batik's It's All Up to You Challenge. You'll want to check out her post to read how she made it. She quilted it using some lovely sparkling thread.