Holiday Jewel Pincushions and Cyber Sale!

Happy Holidays to you all!

Check out my Etsy Shop Fiberluscious and save 20% off this week only and get Free Shipping! (US only) Just spend a total of $20 to get this once a year discount! Sale ends Sunday December 2nd 2018.

I love the holidays so much I wanted to make something special for someone to give during this fun season.
I have 2 different versions of my new gemstone pincushions in my shop Fiberluscious.

Above and below are my paper pieced gemstones. I am growing to love paper piecing. I so hope to find the time to show you my method. Well, I know its not really mine, but it works for me. If you haven't tried it yet, I recommend you watch a few different videos to see what makes the most sense to you. Everyone processes the back and forth of it differently. I begin by folding all the lines on the paper. I trim each seam allowance prior to sewing so I can line up the next piece. Whatever you do, don't skimp on your bits and scraps. Its worth it not to have to rip a bad piece out when it doesn't cover the space it has to cover. Hope that doesn't sound too confusing. Just try it! The precision is wonderful. It makes you feel like a pro.

Here are my gems from left to right, top to bottom.
The "amethyst" is 1st, the pink is a "sapphire", the bottom is my "diamond."


To add a little bling, you will receive two of my jewel inspired decorative pins with each pincushion. My new pincushions all have emery cores, just like all the rest. I think that sets my pincushions apart from the rest. They work hard and look pretty.

My other gemstone pincushions are made from a beautiful digitally printed fabric from Hoffman called Shine On. Oh my, it is lovely fabric. It has a soft drapy hand, yet works like a quilter's cotton. It is smooth and the colors are really nice. As soon as I saw it, I just had to start working with it.

These are my Sparkling Gems. The first is a double-sided pincushion with crystal rhinestone studded buttons on both sides. One looks like a diamond and the darker side is called tanzanite. I love them both. My grand daughter, (7 going on 17) wants a dress. I think it will be beautiful. Sometimes a 6 inch canvas is just too small for some fabrics.




The other pincushion is my Sparkling Gems patchwork pincushion also in Shine On.
The top is a combination of both fabrics. The bottom has the tanzanite color on the bottom. I think both sides are lovely on this pincushion too!



I have some beautiful Holiday Inspired Decorative Pins
They are normally $18 for a 10 Pin Assortment. They are on sale for $14.40. To reach the $20 minimum you can pick up additional single pins from this or any assortment in my shop! Don't forget about free shipping as well!



You will also find my standard assortment in Flowers, Millefiori or a Full Assortment of Pins. For the holidays, I have Christmas, Valentines and Halloween Assortment. They make any pincushion just that much prettier. Each assortment comes in a pretty white gloss box with a pretty sheer bow. Holidays boxes are shipped with holiday ribbon until December 26th.

I hope you jump over to my shop and pick up something nice for someone you love.
I have a few new designs and some old favorites in my shop. Anything listed is On Sale! Even a few Made-to-Order items qualify if you see them listed.

Check out my reviews to see just how nice they are. All returning customers get a great, permanent discount for shopping with me. I so love my customers and I love my blogging friends. You all are so very kind.

Watch my blog for a Stick-With-Me Decorative Pin giveaway coming soon!

Until next time, happy creating! Handmade gifts are the best!
Jill

New "Love Notes" When an email just won't do ....

I have a few series of pincushions called "Love Notes".

I enjoy designing so I took some time off from custom work this summer to enjoy my family, my new dog and to indulge in a little creative play. It has been wonderful! I have so many fabrics to play with. Check out my Fabric Choices page to see how much fabric I have here.....oh my, its heaven!

My new favorites are my "love note" pincushions. They are sweet and fun and would make such a lovely gift to a special sewer in your life.
The front side has a cute envelope shape. The colors and prints lend a special nod to each message. Want to say hi? Here is my "Cheery Hello" version in yellow and white. Touches of teal, and pearl white add a little sparkle.



They are double sides as well! I added a fun little 9 patch to the other side.


Of course, like all my pincushions, they have an emery core, surrounded by lots of polyester fiberill. They also come with my signature "Stick With Me" pins.
Both sides include a layer of cotton blend batting and are machine quilted. This gives them great pin grabbing ability. The extra layers also keep pins and needles from migrating into no man's land. Because my fabrics are pre-washed, they are soft as butter so you don't have to wrestle sharps into the surface.
I love my pincushions, I use them, and I think they are extra special, super functional and pretty sweet.

Here are some more versions of this series of "Love Notes".
This one is called All My Love"


I really love the colors in "Thinking of You".


I have another new design to show you. It was inspired by a red and white checkered picnic table cloth. So summer don't you think? I made this one in teal. I have been adding to my solid stash. I found some pretty textured solid fabrics too that really make me want to play.


Again, I added quilting to the other side. I think a double sided pincushion is versatile. When you get tired of one side, just flip it over for a bit. Both sides are quilted and include a layer of cotton blend batting.


When ever I buy a new fabric, I find it difficult to start cutting into it. So I throw them into an older design. I like to see how they play with my other fabrics. Its a fun little "no-brainer" way of diving into new fabrics.
Here are a few new versions of my Round Patchwork pincushion. It can be purchased in over 10 color and design options.


Well, check out my Etsy shop to see what else I've been working on. I also have lots of ideas waiting for some time to play.
I have a tutorial in the works for a cute clothes pin holder that looks much like the one my grandma used. Its simple and fun to make. I think they would make great gifts for a house warming, new bride or for yourself!

I hope to have some photos of two adorable dolls I made for my grand kids. I hope they will love them.

See you soon!

Do Fabrics make you drool?

I have been adding a lot of fabrics to my stash. I sure don't need anymore, but who can resist??? Not me. I find them so inspiring and a great incentive to do something new.
When I get a custom order for a fabric style I don't have, I am so happy because it gives me a valid excuse to be fabric happy! Thanks Dianne! I was so happy to add some Asian prints to my stash. Aren't these pretty!


I added these quilt block inspired fabrics this winter. Ooooh how I love them. They inspired a new house!



I am aching for my spring flowers. I think you can see that with these beautiful flower print fabrics I found...


Well then I needed some pretty fabrics to go with all those beautiful focal fabrics... right?


These are just the fabrics I picked up since the holidays. I have more to add. Check out my Fabric Choices page as I update all my new fabrics. Sorry they are added in a mish mash style. I just want to get them up so you can see them.

If you would like to order a custom pincushion with any fabric you see here, stop by my Etsy shop. Lets chat. I wish I could invite you all over to have a fabric party. Oh what fun we would have!!
Happy Sewing!
Jill

Creative Collaborations!

I often find that my favorite new designs are born from custom orders. I have met so many creative people though my Etsy shop. I count many of them as my muses and my friends. They bring me their ideas and requests and together we create something new and amazing.

It may be something as simple as new twist on an old favorite. We tweeked the flowers and colors of my Summer Garden to create an all purple version as shown above. We also substituted silk ribbon with embroidery floss in the pincushion below. Wow, what a difference!


I just love it when I hear..."What if... or Can you?" That is an open invitation for me to play. Have a request? Just ask!

"Can you please add a scissors fob to my Garden of Delight Needlecase?" Yup!


"Can I crazy quilt my Big Strawberry?" Lets try!



"Would you please add some beads to the Pink Mountain Pincushion? How about turning the mountains into trees?" Great idea!


These are just a few from the end of last year. I am so very grateful to all my customers for supporting my shop, favoriting and sharing my creations and for those who are up for a little adventure in sewing and embroidery. They invest in my love of color, creating and of course play. I just couldn't do what I do without you!


(Photo courtesy of Wisconsin Public Television, wpt.org)

Before I go, I just feel like I want to send my love and gratitude to Nancy Zieman, who passed away last November. I've watched for as long as she has been on public television. She taught me how to sew every drapery that has ever hung in all of my homes. She gave me the confidence to sew the dress I wore to my son's wedding. She shared her knowledge, her passion and her love of teaching with me so that I can now pass it on to my grand children and to the people I meet. I'm sew for charity because of her end of show segments. I love to sew and I thank Nancy for infusing such a humble craft into an honored tradition. She was only 5 years older than myself and she never aged and always grew with time.
Thank you dear Nancy. You will be missed and your heart will beat on in those you taught.


I promise to be back much more frequently.
I have a new puppy who loves and destroys anything left in his very tall reach. He has been tossed from home to home in his short life so he's a bit of a clingy baby. We are working on it and he is well worth the effort. When I can get him to stop whining at my studio door, I'll be back better than ever. Does anyone know a dog whisperer?


Bye for now!