Embroidery Hoop Wall Clock

Check this out!
My very first tutorial!

It was easy to make, so hopefully easy to explain, but let me know if I'm missing something!

Embroidery Hoop Wall Clock

Supplies:
Embroidery Hoop....I believe mine is 9 inches

Clock Mechanism....I bought a 1/4 inch and it worked fine for this thickness

2 pieces of decor weight, iron on interfacing, 12x12 each

Fabric, cut to 12x12

Buttons

Paint

Embroidery Floss

First of all, I painted my embroidery hoop.

I did 2 coats on the edges and outside and one coat on the inside

(If you lay it on wax paper, it won't stick too much, even if you put it down on a wet edge)

While that dries, iron the first piece of interfacing to the back of your fabric.

Iron the second piece onto the first piece, to create a double thickness.

Take the inner circle of the embroidery hoop and trace it onto the back of your fabric.

I used my microwave plate cover (it has a hole in the middle) and laid it on top of the circle, then marked the center of the fabric.

Take a ruler and mark the half way points on all 4 sides of the circle.

 (Paint is still drying!)

Using tiny scissors, cut a hole in the middle large enough to tightly fit the clock mechanism.

I used embroidery floss to sew on my buttons, because I thought the thickness of it would look better then regular thread. So, go ahead and sew on those buttons!

Alright, time to put it all together!

Lay your fabric on top of the inner circle, making sure to keep to the traced line.

Open your embroidery hoop ALL the way (in case you haven't already) and fit it onto the circle.

Insert the screw and tighten it down as much as you can, so that your fabric is pulled taut.

Make sure that everything is where you want it to be, lining up the top of your hoop with your "12".

Now, go ahead and cut away the excess fabric, taking care to cut as close to the back of the hoop as possible.

Put the clock mechanism on, following the directions on the package. Use your tiny scissors to make sure any stray threads (from cutting open the hole) are tucked under the bolt.

Insert the battery and voila, a new clock!

I saw this idea somewhere on the internet and couldn't wait to make it for my sewing room.

It took me awhile to get the clock mechanism, but after that, smooth sailing!
Hope you enjoy!



A Year in Review

Review?
Its only mid April!

But I feel like this year has already been so busy and hectic!

And my poor blog has just been ignored!

I can't promise that I'll blog more often, but I am going to try.

I really hope that life is going to slow down a bit, at least for awhile!

I look at the past few months and I know they have flown by.

Drama took up all of my January and February.

It took up the first 12 days of March.

Less then a week later, my grandpa died.

A week gone, a week and a half at home,

and then a week in Disney.

I've now been home just over a week.

But my son's 10th birthday is this weekend.

Next Thursday we have 10 of hubby's friend's coming to stay at our house for a golf tournament on Friday.

And my middle daughter's Sweet Sixteen party is Saturday night, with her birthday the next day.

God grant me the patience....

I have sewn here and there this year.

I have a feeling its not going to be a year of quilts,

but rather, smaller projects.

My one  finished quilt top was for Valentine's day and I never got it layered and quilted.

And I only have 2 Swoon blocks done.

I guess I just can't wrap my mind around any big projects.

And I'm ok with that. Mostly.

I have a Blueberry Crumb Cake jelly roll that I want to make plans for and order the additional yardage before it leaves the store. I really want to get on that.

I want to work on Swoon. My plan had been to have it to the quilters by the end of March. And then life happened. Now, I'll settle for getting it there by the end of June.

I also have serveral wall hanging's, table runners and pillow covers I want to do.

A new apron, or two or three.

Lots of new hanging dish towels for my kitchen.

One thing I have contemplated for several years is being able to get a table at a craft fair.

I'd really like to do that. So, maybe some small projects for that.

I have done some sewing this week. 2 small projects that almost got forgotten!

But, they are for the birthday children and I can't share until after they have made their debut. Its 2 new tradition's that will bless the birthday child every year.

And I know I promised you some Disney sewing projects.

Yeah. They are still in the wash.

Hopefully next week :)



6 parks in 7 days

6 parks

7 days

Up by 6:30am

Down at 10pm

It was a whirlwind

Expedition Everest

Animal Kingdom

Magic Kingdom

Rockin' Rollercoaster

Jedi Training Camp

Hollywood Studio's

Epcot

Sea World

Typhoon Lagoon

Most of my sewing projects are now in the wash. I'll take pics and update when I have them ready!

Jen....I'll email you my Disney tips :)

March Update

I think the last time I posted was before the play went live.

Its been a *really* long month.

The play went well.

And my girl's were outstanding.

Of course.

I had high hopes of getting alot done in March.

But that didn't happen.

Right before the play went on stage, my mom let me know that my grandfather was stopping all his medical treatments.

And that was the beginning of the end.

He died on March 18th.

Hubby and I flew home for the funeral, while his mom stayed here to take care of the kids.

I just got home yesterday, after being gone for 6 days.

And we leave for Disney a week from tomorrow.

I think I have everything I need to make my Disney projects.

Except, maybe, time.

All my projects are small, but one of them I need to design myself, possibly with some help from patterns.

I'll try to keep you updated, if not, I'll be back mid April!
I'll say hi to Mickey for you!

One Thing, One Week

This week is Amy's One Thing, One Week Challenge.

This week is also PRODUCTION week!

Anything Goes will be on stage at our local high school Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 7 pm.

As usual, I'm glad its almost over.

But I'm also a bit sad....its a pretty good time to hang out with all those teen's!

Gives me a good insight into what my kids are dealing with in school.

We handmade 33 costumes this year.

Plus many many alterations, hems, fringe, etc

I won't be sad to be done with that!

For my OTOW challenge,

I'd like to get at least 1 of my March projects done.

I have a 12" block that needs done and I want to make some more dishtowels.

As long as I get one of those done this week, I'll be happy.

Really, that means today, tomorrow or Weds, as Thurs and Fri my in laws will be here and I won't be "free" to go work in the cave.

My drama sewing should be done, at least take home stuff. We are in full dress rehersal's tonight and tomorrow, and then have Weds off. Yeah!

I hate blogging without a picture...let me see if I can find something new.

Doubtful, as I haven't been sewing, but maybe there is a valentine something hanging around, waiting to be posted!

Ok, not valentine, but something I did finish recently.

My son really wanted an apron so he could help cook.

Skulls and flames, what more could a boy ask for?

(it's reversible, but he seem's to like this side best!)

And.....some embroidery I finished.

This will be part of a 12" block I am making to hang in the kitchen for March.

Have a great week!

I'll be back to show my finished project(s) and hopefully back to blogging more often!



Feb 16!?!

I don't have any idea HOW it is already Feb 16!

Sigh.

They say time flies when you're having fun.

I think time flies whether you are having fun or not!

Which isn't to say that I'm not having fun.

I am. I think.

Mostly, I am so busy that I don't know if I am having fun or not.

And I am really stressing on the quilting front.

How do you decide what to work on and when?
How do you set your priorities?

I have quite (I just typed quilt, instead of quite, I can't imagine why) a few WIPs.

My Swoon quilt (only 2 blocks done)

My Always and Forever Quilt (finished top, but needs layered and quilted)

Valentine placemats (they are 12" squares that were supposed to be for my A&F quilt, but I didn't like them, so they are turning into placemats)

A 12" block Valentine wall hanging (finished, just needs a hanging sleeve)

Then there are fabrics I have that don't have a plan:

Blueberry Crumbcake

Twirl

Giddy

City Weekend

Moda Warm Marbles

Then there are the things I want to make but can't decide when:

Apron for Nick

Mulitple aprons for myself

Ruby throw pillows for my bed, to match the unmade Swoon quilt

Seasonal pillow covers for the couch

March table square for my kitchen table

Valentine Ribbon Wreath

March kitchen towels

But the reason for my busy-ness is Drama.

Drama Club, not drama of the teenage variety.

We go into production in about 20 days, give or take a few.

We are costuming about 50 kids.

With approx 3 costumes each.

Some have as many as 6!

In addition, we have a group of 14 girls that have to match in most scenes.

And we were only able to find 1 dress that works for all 14.

So, we are making 30 more. 2 scenes, 14 girls each, plus the lead, so 15 costumes per scene.

Its a bit crazy. And that may be an understatement!

I'd like to be a better blogger.

I do have several things I have completed and want to show you.

But I don't think I even have pics of everything yet.

Here are the Pennie Pockets I made the kids for Valentines Day

They contained m&m's, a reese's peanut butter cup heart, Sweetarts Lollipop, Krabby Patties on a stick, and either an itunes gift card (for the teens) or a club penguin gift car (for the littles).

They were pretty happy with 'em!

Don't you just love the faces that boys make when you get out the camera?
Anyway, here is the stuffed animal sleeping bag I was working on last week.

Nick and Sammy G are pretty happy with it. I don't think he has spent any time out of it since I gave it to him, actually.

Ahhh, there's a sort of smile :)



WIP Wednesday

Last night I *almost* finished my Always and Forever quilt top.

The only thing left is to cut and sew the outside border.

I could have finished it, but alas, another project drew me in.

I may have mentioned to my son that I came across a link for stuffed animal sleeping bags while I was on Pinterest the other day.

http://flossieteacakes.blogspot.com/2011/07/three-bears-sleeping-bag-pdf-pattern.html

And he may have gotten a pillow pet for christmas this year.

And that pillow pet may or may not be named Sammy G (he wanted to name him something "awesome" so went with Sam, after his sister Samantha, who wasn't too impressed with the idea of another Sam in the house, so we then added the "G" for giraffe.). Right now, Sammy G has a fever and really needs a sleeping bag to keep him warm. Or so I was told.

Lucky for Sammy G, I have quite a bit of leftover fabric from Nick's Streak of Lightening quilt.

Now, I don't mind spending money on a pattern if I need to, but I draw the line at doing it just so I don't have to do the math. So, last night, (while watching Glee! <I can't believe Rachel said yes!>) I designed Sammy G's sleeping bag. Tomorrow, I will measure him and adjust my block size accordingly.

I really hope Sammy G is feeling better soon, but just in case he isn't, I better get that sleeping bag done. I wouldn't want him to be cold!

You know, of course, this is the start of a vicious trend. All 4 kids got pillow pet's for christmas.

And 2 of them have already suggested that they also need sleeping bags.

I'll keep you updated.



A little love

Let's face it,

Valentine's Day was made for girls.

We love it!

(Most of us, I think!)

The flowers. The candy. The jewelry.

Its a way for our guy to really SHOW that he loves us.

Except it's so commercialized!
Yikes! The candy, the flowers, its all designed to make us SPEND SPEND SPEND!

Hubby and I love each other. ALOT.

And we don't need Valentine's Day to celebrate that love.

Some years I do get flowers. Some years we go for dinner or a movie.

Not every year, certainly.

One of our most memorable Valentine's Day was a few years ago when we went to see The Valentine's Day Massacre. In 3D.

We still laugh at that memory!

And ever since the kids were little, and I mean LITTLE, we have always done a little something for them, too.

(Insert adorable photo of above mentioned children here. I searched MANY cd's but can't find the photo I was looking for. SORRY!)

Candy, balloons, single flowers, little things.

And this year will be no exception.

But, I can't share yet, cause you never know who might stop by to browse my blog.

Yep, even my teen's aren't too cool to see what mom might be up to!

If you follow Moda Bake Shop, you might have seen my idea!

I'll show off my project when the day get's here!

Hehe, supposing I get it done on time!

As for my house...I've always had a few things. A "welcome" door hanging.

A Longaberger Valentine's Basket.

Float bowl with red and pink crystals and heart floating candles.

Last year I added a quilted table runner and table square.

This year, I've got a few things going on.

I am working on my Always and Forever quilt.

6 out of 20 squares are done, and I am hoping to double that amount tomorrow.

I finished (well, mostly! but more on that later) a new Valentine's wall hanging.

And look what I found on the web tonight:

I pinned it and within an hour I had 3 likes and 27 repins! Cool!

I plan on turning it into another wall hanging.

I think I will quilt the letters, and then hand stich on the little bows.

And instead of quilting a piece of fabric to be the string holding on the heart,

I think I will use real ribbon.

Haven't decided yet if I'll quilt it on, or let it hang.

I am really into Valentine's Day this year, and I don't know why.

Maybe just because I like the idea of my house looking festive.

Maybe because it makes my kids happy.

Maybe, its because Valentine's Day gives us a reason to show and not just tell how much we love each other.



Skipping Winter

Haha, now Jen has me looking to see how many blog post's I have!
And this is #100 :) Yeah!

So, yesterday I decided to skip winter and head straight to Valentine's Day!

Ever since I finished my 12 Days quilt, I've been itching to start something new.

Thinking about quilting.

Dreaming about quilting.

Planning my next "thing".

Except, I couldn't decide what my next thing was.

My options were:

a snowman wall hanging

valentine pillow

valentine wall hanging

valentine quilt

winter pillow (cover)

swoon quilt

Then I signed up for the Swoon Quilt Along.

Then I signed up for the One Thing, One Week Challenge.

And then I sat in my cave and stared. And thought.

And planned. But I could not make a decision!

Sooooo......I made the winter pillow cover that I wanted to make for my OTOW challenge.

Got that done. Quick and easy, maybe a 2 hour project :)

Then came the hard part.....everything else is fairly involved.

And I usually only have 1 quilt going at a time.

I may have other small projects, but never 2 quilts.

Except, I can't say that anymore!
I started the Valentine quilt yesterday, block 1 of 20 is done.

And I still plan to work on Swoon at the same time.

Today, I ordered the rest of what I need for the Valentine's Day quilt:

border, binding, and another jelly roll, as its going to take 2.

I am using Always and Forever by Deb Strain for Moda.

Its so sweet!

I also picked up some Kona Medium Pink for the sashing and some pink flannel for the backing.

I'm all set for block 2, I just need to go cut it out and do it :)
How about you?
Are you staying with winter? Or looking ahead to Valentine's?

One Thing, One Week Challenge

You know Amy, right?
Amy, from Amy's Creative Side?

I started following her blog sometime last year.

She's a nice gal, has lots of kids, like me.

She does, and post's about, some really fun things.

And one thing she does is the One Week, One Thing Challenge.

I always have more then one thing going on, but sometimes this help's me get motivated.

And, she always has prizes :)

My one thing this week is to make another pillow cover for my couch.

Or two.

Plus, cut out at least one Swoon block.

But my One Thing, One Week is to get that pillow cover done.

I did one over christmas, but I think I forgot to show you, sorry!

I'll definitely have pics for you this week!



Swoon Quilt A Long

Darn, my blogging friends!
They always get me sucked into things.

NOT that that is a bad thing, it just is a thing! LOL

So, thanks to Camille, over at Simplify,

I am now signed up for a Swoon Quilt A Long.

But its SWOON!
I already have the pattern.

I already have the fabric.

Heck, I already the first block done!

And, I already have border fabric, a charm pack for throw pillows, and some additional yardage to make valances!

This Quilt A Long is just what I need to get going on this quilt!

If you are interested, you can find the details here, at Katy's blog.

I can't wait to get started!



Let's Exchange

Many thanks to Beverly for the Let's Exchange package I recieved right before Christmas

11 in '11

Presenting......

my 11 in 2011

It's an Animal World

Hearts Around the World

A Very Hungry Caterpillar

Cherry on Top

Midnight Dreams

Streak of Lightening

Waiting for Spring

Trick or Treat

ISpy

Easter Roses

12 Days of Christmas

Photographic Monday

Quilted Make up bag

Various Folded Star Pot Holders

Table Square for my in law's

Runner for my grandparents

Towels with toppers

This was for friends of our's that got married this year, I cut and spiraled their wedding invitation and then put it into the ornamenet

Candy sleighs.....I made about 60 of these, plus did them for the 5th grade holiday party craft

Teacher gifts

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

Its hard to believe that another year has flown by!

Did you make any resolutions? Goals?

How about for this year?

2011 was a good one for me.

I really can't believe that its over!

My goals were simple:
Personally, I wanted to lose 15-20 pounds and keep it off.

Well, I mostly did that. It took me until July, but before we left for Hawaii, I was down 20 pounds.

I've put 5 back on since then, but I am comfortable and happy with where I'm at, so that's good.

I really don't want to see the scale next week when the kids go back to school, but the holiday's only come once a year and I was not going to deprive myself! LOL

My quilting goal was also simple, although it took me much longer to acheive.

Make and finish 11 quilts.

I had 7 done by July,

but then it took me 5 months to do 4 more.

12 days of Christmas got finished on Dec 29th!
2 were sent out to be quilted, one was twin size and the other was king size.

All the rest were done by me, all in various sizes.

12 days is also twin size so that is my biggest quilt, to date,

that I have quilted myself.

I don't have a full pic of 12 days yet, so you'll have to settle for this one, taken this morning,

when the boy first got up. He told me last night that 12 days is now tied with Cherry on Top for his favorite quilt. The fleece backing makes it a dream to cuddle with!

My 2012 goal is also simple, but less goal oriented.

Finish what you start.

Finish some tops that need layered and quilted, even if they are small projects.

Put my family first.

I do that every day, but several personal sewing projects (aprons, pajama's, pillow cases) got put off as I worked to reach my quilt goal.

And last, make my sewing room into the room I need it to be!

I finally convinced hubby to move Allie's bed out of there and into her's and Nick's room.

She had been using Nick's spare bunk bed, but now he has those back and she is in her bed.

AND the sewing room is ready to be 100% converted. Before, I had tables and shelves, now I have the whole room!

Mom and I (Did I mention my mom is here visiting? She is and I love spending time with her) moved an unused desk in there yesterday, so now it just needs reorganzed. I'll tackle it later this week when the kids are back in school and Mom goes back home.

11 in '11

My goal was 11 quilts in 2011.

Tomorrow is Dec 29, 2011.

And #11 is under my sewing machine!

That gives me 3 days to finish this last one.

I think I can, I think I can!

The binding is on and done, yes out of order, I know.

The borders have been quilted.

And I have the inside quilting done about a third of the way.

It'll get done,

I just never imagined it would take me to the last days of 2011 to get it done!

I need to add all my christmas sewing to my tally list,

but early next year I hope to have an approximation for how many projects I completed in 2011.

I hope Santa was good to all of you, my blog friends!

He was definitely good to my house.

The kids got the usual number of electronics and toys.

But the mama? WOW, I impressed someone this year I guess.

• My new Kindle Fire? I LOVE IT!
• 2 jelly rolls....Blueberry Crumb Cake and Always & Forever are begging for an idea
• Matching charm packs will make excellent small things to go with
• Another charm pack...this one of Ruby, will make throw pillows to match my king size Swoon quilt that is at the top of my list for 2012
• 3 new quilt books

In case I don't make it back,

which I definitely will, to share my #11,

but just in case,

Have a happy, safe New Years Eve!



Twas the Night Before Christmas

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house

Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,

In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,

While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;

And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,

Had just settled down for a long winter's nap,

When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,

I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash,

Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow

Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,

When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,

But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,

With a little old driver, so lively and quick,

I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.

More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,

And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;

"Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!

On, Comet! on Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen!

To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!

Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,

When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,

So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,

With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.

And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof

The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.

As I drew in my head, and was turning around,

Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.

He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,

And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;

A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,

And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.

His eyes -- how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!

His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,

And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;

The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,

And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;

He had a broad face and a little round belly,

That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.

He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,

And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;

A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,

Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,

And laying his finger aside of his nose,

And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;

He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,

And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.

But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,
"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night."


Merry Christmas, my friends, may God bless you this night.

FNSI Results

I think the FNSI is a bad sign in my house.

It seems like something always comes up,

or something happens to make me not in the mood to sew.

Tonight was about that.

So, I did sew tonight, just not as much as I had hoped.

I got a quilty gift cut out.

I got 3 parts of it sewn together.

I got the center cut and the double borders sewn on.

Then, I got it layered and pinned.

I got 2 lines of quilting done around the whole square.

Tomorrow, I will start adding the 3 parts and quilting those.

Back to what I said last week:
Progress is progress.

Its more then I had done when I started.

FNSI

Tonight is the Friday Night Sew In.
I believe its the last one of the year!?!?!
Are you signed up?

I am! For me, the LAST possible mailing date to get things delivered by Christmas is Tuesday.
I have several projects that need done before then, so tonight and this weekend I will be spending a large amount of time in the cave.
Luckily, my mom isn't arriving here until the 28th. Why is that lucky? Hehe, cause it gives me extra time to get her things done!

Apparently there was some confusion when Jen made me what I called a lap quilt. She thought it was a table square, but its huge. I thought it was a lap quilt, but its small. Funny how that works, huh? Anyway, I found the perfect place for it. I folded it so it looks more like a diamond with flat sides and put it over the back of my rocking chair.

Its the perfect size, don't you think?
Although, it would also be perfect to cover my legs while I am sewing. Hmmmmmm, I may have to think about that.
Hope to "see" you tonight at the Sew In :)