Firstly... I have to share some bird legs and then we can get to everything else I have in store!
But first... the legs
I rushed home after work yesterday so I could get the bird legs done for my Virtual Quilting Bee January block! I am only two days late getting this done so I do not feel too two terribly bad. I am rather proud of how she turned out. She was my first ever applique project and boy was she a doozie!
Now the challenge will be to get it in the mail. I am absolutely positively horrible when it comes to mailing stuff. I hang my head in shame... really. RonChops offers to send things out (he's off on Monday's)... but even then I cannot do it. I need professional help in this department. If anyone wants to move in and help me with this let me know. You can live in the craft room (and craft all day and mail out packages while I am at work... it'll be fun... I swears!!!).
Things I cannot live without... besides RonChops...
When I decided to start up this blog - some of my first projects were sewing based (I taught myself to do the blanket stitch and french knots from YouTube - I was WAY proud)... Before I got started I went out and got some size 24 Chenille needles and size 5 DMC cotton Perle thread (you can see the thread HERE and the needles HERE).
Once I saw that super thick thread and skinny little needle hole.. I knew I was going to need some help getting it worked in there. I have read all the books that show you this little magic trick that gets the thread through the needle. Well evidently I am not a magician cause I just cannot make it happen. So I got myself a little cheater device that threads even the thickest thread through a needle. I had to share it with you cause it's just so fabulous it's one of those "how did I ever live without this" items! So you can get a needle threader like this one at your local craft/fabric store or you can find one like it on line HERE!
Applique Tutorial!!
Nextly... A couple of weeks ago when I was hemming and hawing (is that how you spell that??)... anyway... when I was whining (there - that's MUCH better) about doing applique on that quilt block - TONS of you gave me advice, links, more advice, sent me pics of your projects, etc... it was AWESOME!!! AND.. one special person created a tutorial of exactly what I needed to do... so I am going to share that PDF with you below... it's simply fantastic. I had it by my side the entire time I was working through my bird... and honestly... I could not have done it without it!
So here tis courtesy of Amy of JellyBeanSoup Co.. I bring thee a fantabulous applique tutorial (and a picture of her special puppy and kitty hanging out together)! I swear.. I think I remember folks by their animals... it's true.
(thanks Amy)
AND finally....I have some embroidery patterns to share too (it's a triple whammy of freebies today folks!!). They are nothing fancy and I am not even 100% sure I am doing this right - but we have to start somewhere right?
AND
That's it for today! Tomorrow we'll start working on embroidery stitches! RonChops does not know it yet but he's going to have to help me with the pics!
OH OH OH!!! O.M.T.
Jamieson is giving away the COOLEST robot pencil cup EVER! Here is a little pic... please go enter her giveaway HERE! I was the first entrant - so I do not have a snow balls chance in Florida to win it - but hopefully one of you guys will!
Tell her I sent ya (let's pepper that giveaway with Lolly Chopsters)!
HUGS & x's everyone!
