Charity Quilts "Many Hands Make Work Light"

 

Vintage Quilt Donation

Charity sewing truly feeds my soul. I encourage you to give it a try. There are so many worthy groups that are looking for donations of fabric, finished quilts or someone to volunteer a few hours to help them help others. If you are busy, I would say, you can always find time to give yourself the gift of giving. You will get so much more out of the experience than you give. Its a great way to clear out your fabric stash! 

Look below to see a few blogs that are currently holding some fun blog challenges. Stacey Lee is even attaching a giveaway with lots of awesome fabrics and other goodies. Just post your donation quilt and enter to win. Amy Smart from Diary of a Quilter has a challenge to create quilts for kids in foster care. She also has a lovely post with lots of quilt donation opportunities. Take a look and join the fun!

Working with a wonderful ministry to make quilts for the homeless has given me great satisfaction and I have meet and worked with some amazing people. I was having a rummage sale and one of the members of the group asked about some fabric I had. I not only gave her everything I had, I asked her about the group and 4 years later I'm still there. 

The above quilt was made by an unknown quilter. The quilt was found and added to the donation bin. Normally we cut up fabric that comes in, but there are times I put them in my shop and sell them. 100% off the proceeds go to the ministry to keep sewing machines sewing, purchasing of supplies and other expenses of this non-profit group. We've sold a few beautiful vintage quilt tops. Some are completely hand sewn! I don't have any currently in my Etsy shop but these treasure come in occasionally.

We meet a month through the cooler months. About 30 amazing people, some not even sewers join together to create big, fat, warm sleeping bags. Those bags are donated to shelters and homeless support groups. They normally to a single recipient. They have a hard but short life. I can't imagine being so cold and without even  4 walls to call my own. I'd like to think the quilts we make are giant hugs.

A number of us sewers create 84 inch square quilt tops. Some of the tops are amazingly beautiful. You would be surprised how pretty a quilt with 200 scraps can be. Its hard to find time for these at home, but I am always happy to get as many done as I can. It can be liberating to just sew, with love, without perfection. I highly recommend it!

Join in the feel-good fun!

 

Visit Stacey Lee's Blog for some great patterns to try and to find places you can donate quilts!

I also encourage you to visit and bookmark Diary of a Quilter. Amy has an amazing website. She shares so many wonderful patterns and has some lovely tutorials on all kinds of quilting and sewing projects.

 There are some standard groups you may have heard about. But don't be shy. Call local non-profits who are doing work you admire. Ask them if you can sew for them. The need is great, from hospitals, churches, veteran's groups and even animal shelters. If you are too shy to ask, check out Amy and Stacey's websites. They have lots of lists. 

I am still healing from my shoulder injury. While I can't sew, I sure hope I have inspired you to!

Happy sewing!

Jill

 

Life is kinda funny....

 

I love this saying. However, sometimes, falling isn't quite so romantic. I slid on some ice last month and in an instant everything changed. I broke a bone in my shoulder and I am in for a long recovery. I know it could be worse, so I'm counting my blessings. After 5 weeks, I still am struggling to manage the simplest things. The worst thing is boredom. I love to work. I miss sewing. Resting is hard for me.

I am left with my left arm and we don't always work so well together. I'm in a sling for a few more weeks and perhaps, if all is going well inside, I will be on the mend. Well, mending is estimated to take 4 to 6 months. Arrrrgh! But, I'm taking one day at a time and thinking good thoughts. Now that my right fingers are working and I can reach the keyboard, I'm going to try to share some fun blogs, shops and patterns with you.

I won't be adding new things to my shop for a while. I tried. I'm just not ready. I"m trying not to buy more fabric....also hard. Its too hard to look at goodies and not play with them. I did manage to get some mug rugs in my shop before the fall. Here they are!

 

This is paper pieced. The pattern is from JoeJuneAndMae on Etsy. I used a variety of bright reds with lovely textures. The background is a gray Essex linen. What a beautiful fabric to work with.

This Mug Rug can be found in my shop here.

 

 

 

I also made a fun Mug Rug featuring a sweet kitty print from Moda fabric designed by Stacy Iest Hsu. I also used Thatched by Robin Pickens. I think that sprawled out cat looks like me laying on the ice, but I think he is having lots more fun that I had. This item is sold. I can't wait to make more.

 

I am going to follow doctor's order and rest. I'm going to do my physical therapy. I'm going to try to enjoy my down time. I think that is my biggest challenge!

 

In the meantime, I would love to share my Pinterest feed with you. 

Here is my "Quilts I Love" board. 

 

 

 

This quilt is called Stellar Mosaic by Fram Gulick.  You can find this and many other amazing quilt patterns on Etsy in the RealStitchersOfTexas shop.

I love modern, vintage inspired and well, just about all quilts. I love color and I adore flowers, so most of my pins are full of all things wonderful.

Here is my main Pinterest page. Have a look! Hope you enjoy!

Happy sewing!

Sewing for the Holiday

 

Holiday Table Topper

 

Hello and Happy Holidays! As we get ready for Christmas, it fun to add some sparkle and fun to our everyday decor. I have always wanted to make a table topper. Its fun for me to make things larger than 6 inches. My shop has a lot of small things. 

I found some beautiful fabric on Etsy from Skeleton Key Design. Her shop is in Canada. Sometimes you just have to go searching for something special. This fabric collection by Clara Jean from Dear Stella. Its called "Sweater Weather" and "Best In Snow" They are so super sweet. You'll find snow globes, fir trees, poinsettias, holly berries and even some pretty cottages, bunnies and snowmen. I wish photographs could capture how sweet this fabric is.

I like to lean on talented designers when I'm a bit overwhelmed. This design is from  A Spoon Full Of Sugar. I've seen this pattern done on Pinterest, but there is nothing like knowing just what you need and  how to go from point a to b. This was a fun pattern. I've always struggled with triangles. But I used a template from my stash. If the corners are notched, its easy as pie. 

I also recommend a shop called Center Street Quilts. Kristina has some fun, Christmas paper pieced patterns. I've used her patterns for my heart and birdhouse pincushions.

If you are in the mood for something a bit more challenging, but equally easy to piece, I recommend Liz Taylor Handmade. Liz has designed some adorable sewing blocks, birds, bugs, flowers and so much more. I've used her paper pieced patterns to make this pincushion. Her patterns have some tiny pieces but it is a fun challenge with great instructions.

A shop I also love, which like many of the others, has some wonderful patterns for bags, purses, bowls, baskets, pillows and even some finished, handmade items. The shop is Charise Creates. I used her paper pieced pattern to make this butterfly. 

Now, if you need a bunch of other ideas, to find that just right gift or craft, I have just the place. The website, SewCanShe is loaded with easy ideas and great tutorials. Here are some from her 45 Free Sewing Patterns That Sell. They also make quick little gifts. Here are some photos from that post. I rarely subscribe to websites, but this one sends delightful ideas for every sewer, new or expert.

Easy Coasters

Fabric Scrape Bowl

Well, speaking of sewing, I have lots to do. I am adding new items to my Etsy Shop, Fiberluscious,as fast as I can. I hope you decide to make something for someone. Its lovely to give a bit of you to your friends and family. There is always something useful or pretty you would enjoy sewing and proud to give.

Thanks for stopping by!

Happy Holidays and Happy Sewing!

Jill

Lets get ready for giving!

 

Winter Barn

 

I love love love the holidays. I love making gifts. I hope you do too. In fact, I would love to encourage everyone to get creative this holiday season. Don't fret about perfection or think someone won't like what you make. When it comes to handmade gifts, it truly is the thought that counts. 

If you don't sew or don't have the time, let me help. I have been making mug rugs and mini quilts lately and I'm really loving the whole process. If you do sew, well I think you should try to make some too. Its pretty much a quilt block with batting binding. I use Unsul-Fleece. It contains a reflective layer inside the batting, which helps reflect heat back into your coffee cup. It also provides a bit of water proofing so if you spill, your table stays nice and dry. My mug rugs are machine washable and dryable too!

I think these would also make cute little quilted wall hangings. A little sticky velcro on the back would make hanging easy as pie. 

The above mug rug, Winter Farm is available in my Fiberluscious shop on Etsy. I love these colors. They are perfect for the holiday or when you just want some country charm in your day.

Churn Dash

This little Churn Dash cutie is my newest mug rug. I just love the colors. The churn dash block is an old favorite of mine and many others. In fact, I saw Jenny Doan from Missouri Quilt Company make a larger version of the churn dash on Triple Play.

Don't you just just love watching the Missouri Star Quilt Company You Tube channel. I keep it on while I sew. Those talented ladies have amazing ideas, they know all the tricks of the trade and they are incredibly inventive. Check them out. They are looking for a million subscribers. Isn't that amazing? 

I have a few other mug rugs and hope to add some holiday versions soon. Here is a cute little neighborhood with Little Houses. This is one of my own paper pieced patterns. 

Little Houses

Here is an easy, Postage Stamp block, a classic pattern I love to make. 

Postage Stamp

I quilt each block by machine and hand finish my bindings because I just love them so. A little hand work makes everything a bit more special. I make all my items to be both functional, beautiful and durable. When you support my shop, I want you to be thrilled with your purchase.

I hope you stop by my Fiberluscious shop and see all I have to offer. I am working on some holiday items. Of course, you can find the best pincushions on Etsy because each one has an emery core. I also add some love into everything I make. That goes without saying.

Did you know that every order is gift wrapped? I use the prettiest tissue and a big tulle bow on every order. If you need holiday wrap, I have that too! I have 5 by 5 inch gift boxes that fit most of my pincushions and boxy clip pouches. I'll send one free with your order. Just ask!

Every day orders

Holiday orders

Gift boxes are free. Just ask!

Well, happy sewing! Make some presents and bring a little fun into the world!

Jill

Fall in Love with Autumn!

 

The last of the sunflowers are beginning to fade, but they always make me think of fall. I love this fabric designed by Kate Spain for Moda. Its called "Sunflowers in my Heart". Its bright and warm and the print works for so many projects. You can find this Scrap Basket here.

I also used it in a paper pieced pattern, of my own design. Who doesn't love a pretty barn. I created a Mug Rug that embodies all the beautiful colors of fall. You can find it here. I surrounded it with lots of pretty bold prints from Ruby Star Society. 

Speaking for Ruby Star, don't cha just love their bold designers! This print is from the "Little Darlings 2" collection by Kimberly Kight. It has such a folksy charm to it. The brilliant orange has the best autumn vibes.You can find this pincushion here.

I can't talk about fall without showing your my Halloween Pins! They are super fun. They can be purchased with fun little jack o lantern or bat mini pincushions. 

 

They come in either mini pincushion, (your choice). You can choose a white box or a little clear round box. They are perfect for gift giving for that friend who just loves spooky things!

 I have added a few new items you might like that are perfect for any time, any season.

How about this adorable Scrap Basket featuring some adorable 1930's Chicks called "Tweeting" by Cheri McCulley. I love this one! You can find it here while it lasts.

I can't forget these sweet, star "Farm Friend" Pincushions. The print is by Mia Charro. You know I adore her. I added 3 pretty prints to complete the patchwork. Two of the prints are some a new fabric maker for me, Poppie Cottons. I think you would love them all!

I fussy cut her Farm Badge print and made a sweet Piglet pincushion and a sassy Chicken pincushion. 

Look close at the sweet decorative pins that come with these cuties. I added a pink pig for the Piglet and a fun chicken pin to the Chicken. Each pincushion also comes with a cheery white flower pin. 

 

I've added a few new bird prints to my pincushion collection. The pincushion below uses Tilda prints from her "Jubilee" collection.  You may have see this in red and a different blue colorway. When it comes to Tilda I just can't get enough. Find this pincushion here.

Because I can't get enough of a pretty bird print, I added this beautiful pincushion from the print, "Anew" by Tamara Kate. The colors are warm, modern and so pretty. Find this pincushion here. 

Well, there are more new items in my Fiberluscious Etsy shop. Come and take a look. I hope your visits to my blog and my shop give you inspiration, make you smile and maybe even help you find something to give as a gift for someone you love, (even yourself).

Let me know if your purchase is for a present. I love gifts, so I always add a bit of love and prettiness to your package. Most everything in my shop ships the same or next day. Even made to order items! If you like a fabric but need something a bit different, I'm always up for a challenge. 

Bye for now! Thanks for visiting. Happy sewing my friends!

Jill

 

Summers End

School is about to begin and its time to start letting go of summer. Today, its over 90 degrees in Wisconsin. Summer's last grasp on us is alive and well. The bees are busy trying to sip up the last of the gardens nectar. My grand daughters can't believe that I am not scared of them, as I explain once again that without our bees, we would be lost. So, to celebrate our pollinators, I created a nice big Beehive Pincushion, complete with a big, fuzzy bee on top! Hope you stop by my shop to see more pictures.

 

This pincushion is a labor of love. It is created with lots of different 1930's fabrics is sunny, summer yellow and gold.  I add some big, bright flowers to add some warm weather wonder. The big bee on top is felted, hand dyed wool atop a pin. Two pretty flower pins add a bit of sugar on top. 

I don't make many of these as they are time consuming and my old fingers are not fond of the hand sewing. I keep glue to a few dots here and there. Hand sewing adds stability, keeping all the layers in place. I like to create things that are little, lasting pieces of art. That makes me happy!

 

 

I'd love to reintroduce my Birds and Bees Pin Assortment. 

These are so cute and they are a celebration of summer. 

They come in a collection of 10 pins in all shapes and sizes. You will find owls, bees, butterflies, lady bugs and even a dragon fly. 

Each assortment comes in a white or clear box, on a little felted pincushion of your choosing. The box comes with a matching bow. They are ready to give for a gift for yourself or someone who loves nature and loves to sew. People like to add them to mood and bulletin boards. I love to get pictures of these pins on their own pincushions.  

I also love my Flower Assortment Pins. They are my favorite of all my sets. The colors are bright and fun. I add them to all my pincushions because they add something special to my creations. 

You can also get them in a Spring, Summer Assortment which includes 8 flowers, a pretty leaf and a butterfly. You can customize your assortment! Order a full color assortment, or pick 2 colors. They come on a felted or a petaled flower. 

 

Of course, there is always the Millefiori Pin Assortment. Millefiori means a thousand flowers! These pins are my most popular assortment. They are just so cheery and fun. Each glass bead in a little work of art. They come in all kinds of shapes; oval, round, square, star, heart and a few shapes that are hard to describe, which makes them all the more artsy.

 

 Here are a few more summer, bee inspired creations you can find in my Etsy shop Fiberluscious.

 

My Counting Pins for Cross Stitch are a big hit.  

I love the little millefiori flowers. I have a few different styles.  You can also find them in hearts, little flowers and even millefiori. I use fine pins that won't leave big holes in your Aida cloth. The petite size and shape of the beads are adorable and lay nice and flat on your canvas. You can mark your canvas or your pattern. I think what works for you is the best way!

My last new late summer bee pincushion is from the Bee Grateful, Bee Beautiful collection of fabrics designed by Deb Strain. Gosh they are beautiful! This one is in black, but your can also find it in cream, gold and cream, or white and black. I'll be sad when Ive used the last of these fabrics. They are loved by a lot of people and I love them too.

Well, enjoy your last bits of summer. For some, I suppose that lasts longer than for others. It will be chilly here soon. The leaves will turn golden and start to fall. I'm so happy that the fall season is so glorious. It makes the end of summer easier to take. 

Hope you don't mind these last thoughts. I work with people from all over the country and all over the world. We are bound by a love of sewing, quilting and creating. I am fortunate to hear little tidbits from the people who come to may shop. We chat about the weather, our kids and grand kids, health challenges and triumphs and our love for our craft. It reminds me that we are not as different as some would make us out to be. We are just trying to make the best of what we have and the beauty we hope to add to the world. Try not to forget that. Elections come and go, but life, love and community goes on.

Jill

 

Summer Sale Time!

 

 

 

I'm having a Summer Sale! Take 15% off from now till August 10th.

I have lots of new items in my shop, so stop on by!

What says summer more than a sweet flower print. This little boxy clip bag is made from a Mia Charro called Forest Friends. I just love this print. It makes me smile!

Here are some of my new Fabric Scrap Baskets. I have lots to share!

The Rose, Chicken and Swan baskets are just a few. 

Stop by my Etsy shop and see lots more!

I just added some more Tilda Pincushions. I just adore her Bird Tree Print. I have one in Cream and Blue, Red and a Blue print is coming soon! I added some fabrics from her Jubilee collection. Hope you love them!I have a few coordinates but they don't seem to last long in the shop. If you see something you like, just ask! I'd be happy to make one up for you.

 

I love a great bee print!

Here is a Bee Grateful Bee in Black

And I also have a pink French Bee Basket and Zippered Pouch!

 

 

 

Well, there is so much more to see and share but I am hoping you will stop on by my Etsy shop, Fiberluscious and see more!

Once you are a Fiberluscious customer, you always get 10% off on every order!

Its my way of saying Thank You for shopping with me!

 Hope you are having a great Summer!

Happy sewing!