In Stitches

What creative ideas can lead to....

2012-01-04T15:15:00.000-08:00

Look what I made......Leg warmers! I got the idea from http://pinterest.com. If you haven't been to this web site, then check it out. It's great for all types of things. A great place to store & swap ideas!!!!! Hopefully, I'll see you there.

From My Needles & Yarn

2011-02-18T21:33:00.000-08:00

Acorn Hat

Grape Hat

Raspberry Hat

Michigan State Mohawk Hat

Michigan University Mohawk Hat

Snowman Hat

Hello Kitty Hat

Sock Monkey Hat

Princess Crown

Princess Coronet Crown

This is Millie

2011-02-18T15:33:00.001-08:00

Sadly, Millie passed away last year. She was the beloved companion of Mr & Mrs.See. I'm sure, like most dogs she was "Family"! Her passing left a void in their hearts.

The See's daughter, Dawn had seen my English Bull Dogs quilt and asked me to make a quilt of Millie as a Christmas gift for her parents.

As you can see, there's a difference between English Bull dogs & Millie....longer hair!!!!! This was a challenge, but I love a challenge. I try to make the quilts as realistic as possible. With a short haired dog, this really isn't that hard.
As you can see, I found what I was looking for.

A couple of weeks ago, I recieved a big hug and a "Thank You, Thank You, Thank You!!!!" from Mrs. See. Funny thing is, she turned to walk away and then turned back and hugged me again amd repeated her "Thank You's" She told me that the quilt now hangs on the wall and that she enjoys having it.

Strolling in Greenfield Village - 2010

2010-10-10T18:54:00.001-07:00

Antique Battenburg lace on blouse yoke.

Amy in a 1910, 3 piece Suit, trimmed is embroidered taffeta & I'm in a 1900 Blouse and skirt with antique lace. I have birds on my hat and a Battenburg parasol.

After skipping a year, Amy and I returned to Greenfield Village, for the Antique Car show. This all started back in 1983, after I had made the costumes, for Mount Clemens High Schools musical "Music Man". I was in love with the time period and wanted someplace to play. So, the Antique Car Show and Greenfield Village became my new play ground.
Since starting in 1983, there's been as few a 4 of us and as many as 15. I've always warned people that is they don't like to be followed, photographed or video taped, not to go with us. (we're even in a couple of oil paintings)I've also established some rules #1 Ride the carousel #2 Eat Frozen Custard #3 Choir Prastic(as long as the group is big enough)
I gave my friend a Personal Victorian Bridal Shower here, where we "dressed" to attend and brought gifts that weren't toooo personal, as no proper Victorian women, would not be caught showing her bloomers in public! We had a Victorian picnic with tea sandwiches and finger deserts and we were photographed by a professional photographer. It was the year I started Choir practice. We sing hymns that would have been song in the 1900's.
One year, Amy's grade school class went to Greenfield Village and spent the day in the one room school house, that Henry Ford attended as a boy. I dressed the teacher and 4 of the mom's that went. I even took the proper Victorian picnic lunch, including the china.
We've had great fun over the years. It's been a time for me to play, and my daughters to play dress up. It's given us a time to bound. It's become a great tradition and I glad that it's now 3 generations, since Amy's son Alex went 2 years ago and Eliana will join us next year.

I'll post pictures another time of all the different years we've attended

Not a Winner, but an Accomplishment

2010-10-05T21:06:00.000-07:00

The picture on the right is my entry in the American Sewing Expo "Classic American Automobile" Quilt Contest. The picture on the left is a drawing by John Hayes, and my inspiration. John is an artist from England. You can see more of his work at http://www.motornstuffart.co.uk
I have never entered a quilt contest before. Grant you, I had no expectations of winning, but I was still willing to try. I mailed my entry off and then went on a vacation, with my hubby and our daughter Amy's family. Therefore, I was unable to attend the American Sewing Expo. I was not a winner, but it was worth the try and the experience.

So, if anyone is interested, I have a 30" x 30" quilt of a 57 Chevy Bel Air for sale.

More from "Peanut's Garden"

2010-09-11T18:24:00.001-07:00

Eliana, an adorable Rose.

Pumpkin

Carrot

Strawberry

Pineapple

Cherry

Banana

I'm working on a Raspberry, Grape and an Acorn.

Yes, they are "For Sale."

Quilt Challenage

2010-09-06T21:28:00.000-07:00

This is one of the quilts I did. It's a 1952 Styleline Deluxe Sheriff Patrol Car, which just happens to be my brothers car.

This year, the American Sewing Expo is having a quilt contest. This years theme: Classic American Automobile. I can not however enter this quilt, as it's to big.(45" x 35"). The entry can only be between 20" x 20" to 30" x 30".

I searched Google images and found a car that meant my challenge. I contacted the artist, John Hayes, for permission to use the image of his painting. To view Johns work, go to www.motornstuffart.co.uk

Mind you, my quilts are not the traditional quilts. I use fabrics that best create what I'm trying to make. Take for instance my brothers quilt. The backseat of his car is corduroy. The steering wheel, his shoes, and hat visor are vinyl. The car is satin and the chrome is both silver lam'e and silver spandex. I used clear plastic for the windows and corduroy for the tires.

Well, my entry is almost ready. I just have to put the binding on and mail it out. The thing is, I wont even be able to see the quilt display, as I will be in Florida when the Sewing Expo is going on. There's a $2,000 grand prize. I can only hope, right?

I promise to post pictures after the contest is over, as it's a local contest and I don't know who the judges are and don't want to take any chances.

Violet

Sweet Corn

Tomato Watermelon

Daisy

Well, as promised, here are some of the baby/toddler hats that I've been working on. I'm calling my collection "Peanut's Garden" as that's the nickname of my granddaughter Eliana (pictured wearing the Rose)
I also have a Banana, Cherry, Grape, Pineapple, Strawberry, Carrot & Pumpkin.

Let me know what you think!

Along with the hats, I'm now working on Cocoons, hammocks, snugs plus infant hats for photography props. I have masses of colorful yarn and many knitting needles. I'll be quite busy for awhile.

I hope to post my hats on http://www.thesewingroomutica.com/ website soon. My quilts & costumes are already posted there under "Services"

Aren't they cute! Part 2

2010-04-23T20:09:00.000-07:00

I've been working on some new hats for Eliana and for whoever else would like to buy one. So far, I've make the Rose and Watermelon, which you've already seen. I've also made a Tomato, Daisy (2 versions), Violet and I'm now work on Sweet Corn. I will post pictures soon.

My quilting has gone to the dogs!!!!

2010-03-28T19:22:00.000-07:00

I went to a baby shower today for "Mein Freund" (German for "My Friend") Monika's daughter, Nicole. Monika was my boss for several years and we've become good friends. Any way, this is Nicole's first baby and I wanted to do something special for her as Monika has always been generous with gifts for my kids.
I contacted Nicole and asked if she had a baby theme and/or colors and told her to check out my quilts posted on www.thesewingroomutica.com, so she had an idea of what I do.
She was excited and said they decided on a "Bull Dog" theme as the have 2 of their own. She sent me pictures of the dogs, and suggested doing cartoon dogs or character dogs, but gave me free licence to do what I wanted.

This is the photo I chose to work with. The brown dog is Cobo and the black one is Jozie.

I used flannel, mole cloth and polyfleece so it felt like fur. The quilt measures 45 x 35

"Cobo"

"Jozie"

Nicole showing off the quilt.

The funny thing was, as Nicole was taking the quilt out of the bag, all you could see was the "Dog Paw" print. Everyone was wooing and aweing!!!! She hadn't opened it yet. Needless to say, the reaction was "Oh my gosh!" "You made that ?" "That looks just like the picture." "I didn't expect this, it's beautiful." It made Monika cry.

I'm pleased with the out come and have a few people interested in one for themselves.

So what do you think, has my quilting gone to the dogs?????

"Aren't they cute Mom?"

2010-03-25T21:23:00.000-07:00

Back before my granddaughter Eliana was born, my daughter Amy found some baby hats that she liked and showed them to me. "Aren't they cute Mom?"
I quite agreed and knew I could make them. So, the Google search was on, for knitting patterns. I was able to use yarn that I had on hand.

THE WATERMELON HAT

THE ROSE HAT

THE CUTE WATERMELON BABY

THE ADORABLE LITTLE ROSE

I'm very happy with the results and Eliana really shows them off well.

I have a few more I plan to make and will post pictures later.

So, Aren't they & isn't she CUTE?????

Where it all started

2010-03-08T14:29:00.000-08:00

High school 1964 is where it all began. Good old sewing class in high school with Sister Edwardes.

It was what it was and not too bad at that. By the time I was a Senior, I had made a suit (jacket & skirt), a dress coat & dress.

After High School, I went to a Stretch & Sew class at Adult Edu. Remember, polyester was the latest rage and making your own T-shirt and lingerie and walking suits was the thing to do. I also took sewing class at Adult Edu. that was called Bishop Sewing Methods I, II & III. I quit because it was somewhat boring.

I made quite outfits for mysel and continued to sew for both myself & my hubby. When the girls came along, I was in heaven as I had 2 living dolls to sew for. As they grew, it got to the point where they could show me something in the store and say.."Mom, can you make that?"

I made both of their wedding dresses and now I'm sew for my 3 granddaughters and 1 doll.

Yes, I did sew for my son when he was little, but not so much now.

I'll post pictures soon as to what I've done. Just thought you might be interested in how I got started.

The first of many stitches

2010-03-05T20:38:00.000-08:00

Thanks to my daughter Amy and her blog design, this is where you will find my creative side.

In the future, anything pertaining to sewing, quilting, costumes, quilting & knitting, you will find here. I want to leave "Just a thought & another perspective" for just that......thoughts!

So, let me know what you think. I'll be back on Monday and I'll start posting past projects.

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2010-03-05T18:16:00.001-08:00

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