Flowers on Linen

I recently received a request from Marianna for a special pincushion. Its for a daughter's birthday. I love birthdays.

I am one of those people who think handmade presents are the best. So I had to give this pincushion some extra attention.
She ordered my Design Your Own Pincushion in Linen with a different flower in each section. I loved this idea!!!
Here it is. I hope she loves it.


I normally stitch lavender flowers around an embroidered button. (See my tutorial on how to create a button without a kit.)
Just in case you don't recognize the flowers I stitched here they are. (clockwise from the top).
Daisy, hydrangea, delphinium, roses, gerbara daisy, lavender, geranium and the lovely hollyhock.

I have been thinking about creating a pattern. Let me know if you would be interested in that.
When I create patterns I tend to leave a lot to the stitcher. I would hate to see someone try to imitate me. We all stitch differently. That is the beauty of the human hand.
Even when we try to recreate someone else's pattern we find it just never quite looks like the original. That is your creative spirit fighting to break free. Something deep inside of us longs to express a song only we can sing.

So, you may need to wait for a pattern. I'm hoping you'll wing it and come up with your own masterpiece. In fact, I encourage it!

Here are a few more images for Marianna.


Marianna- Thank you for allowing me to create something special for you. It was truly my absolute pleasure! I hope your daughter loves it.

Note: As of September 2016 this pincushion has appeared on over 9 thousand Pinterest boards. Wow! I am grateful for all who share my work. Without your generous spirit and support, my shop on Etsy would just not be as successful and my blog as popular. I love to share my work with the world. What a gift for me!

My February CQJP Challenge Block

I must have spring fever because lately I am drawn to bold, bright, brilliant color. Fun fuchsia, citrus lime, sunny yellow, oh my! I can't get enough!
I created this block late last month. This was a hard one to let go, but it went to Robin's pincushion collection. Its in a great home!

I had so much fun with this block. I was actually working on two blocks simultaneously. I often have a few things going at once. I think helps me to keep an open mind to change and possibility.
Because these blocks are so small, its no problem to cut a variety of fabrics out just to see how they work. I bring out my box of trims and vintage textiles. I drag out my button bags, my bead stash and my embroidery flosses and even a bit of jewelery.

The hardest thing about crazy quilting is that the design potential is endless. Add color, print, textiles, embroidery stitches and it gets to feel overwhelming.
A good place to start is with a simple beginning and an open mind.

Here is a crazy quilt pear I created for Susan. Another collector of mine who, like Robin and others, make this business of creating a joyful one.
As you can see, more is best and usually the only thing that stops me from adding more things is that I run out of room!


I hope you give crazy quilting a try. If you love to embroidery, this is a great project. All the little spaces and seams give you a chance to try out some new stitches. You don't need a lot of goodies. I've seen some beautiful blocks with only a few buttons or trims. The idea is to let your imagination play.
I think the prettiest blocks stay in one color family whether the fabrics are solid or printed. If you can set one limit, the task is a bit less daunting.

Above all else, remember that its supposed to be fun. Your only real job is to nurture your creative spirit and let it soar.

Sweet Strawberries

Here is my newest strawberry. I love it!

I received an order from Connie and she wondered if I ever did dogs. Well, as a painter, I created many pet portraits. These days I think of thread as paint strokes, so why not? I really loved how it turned out. Its plump and sweet and I hope it does her 4 little terriers justice. I love my customers. Without them, I would never find out what I can do.

Here are some of my other favorites strawberries-


Its no secret that I love making these little beauties.


Each berry seems to be a blank canvas. The fabric and customer lead me to new ideas. When ordering, the customer chooses from an assortment of red and pink fabrics. They let me know if they would like them embroidered or beaded and the rest is history. All are filled with emery. A layer of batting gives them a soft look.

Here is a lovely comment I received from Tracey. She's ordered 6 from me this year! "These are just so lovely I have no words. Each one is unique and obviously made with love. Having trouble deciding which to keep and which to give!"
If you want to know why I love making my pincushions- the answer is definitely my customers! They are amazingly wonderful and they give me so many ideas and so much encouragement.

I find these strawberries to be so useful. I have a bunch of them around my working areas. They are so handy. The emery makes sharpening my needles easy. Often, when I buy pin backs they have little burrs on the end. When using the pins on delicate fabrics, a burr would be a disaster. I simply slide the end into a strawberry and move it back and forth. The burr is slowly and gently worn off so the pin glides safely into clothing no matter how delicate the fabric.

I love to play with the whole idea of the strawberry. My grandma had a tomato pincushion stuffed with sawdust. There was this little red strawberry on a cord attached the stem of the tomato. I found this image on Wikipedia. They have a little story about how a tomato on your mantle will bring good luck and how this particular pincushion dates back to the Victorian ages. Wow. I love how all this stuff is as wonderful now as it was a hundred years ago!


I've seen so many versions since then. Martha Stewart even revisited the strawberry and offers an easy pattern and tutorial here. My pattern is a bit different. However, these beauties had been created with Martha's pattern.

I added pretty crystals along the body of the strawberry to make a very elegant strawberry. I then added a rhinestone top with a loop for hanging. I added some pretty matching beads to the jump ring of the loop attachment as well. I can't seem to get the rhinestone top anymore and that makes me sad. This was really a pretty design.

Another of my prettier designs is my deluxe strawberry. It comes beaded or embroidered. Its created from a beautiful rose printed fabric. I have to fussy cut each berry so there is a lot of fabric used for each strawberry. That is why they cost a tad more.



I also created some stawberries with wool roving on top of felted wool. I then stitched and beaded them. I love how rich and bright the colors are. Wool is one of my very favorite materials to play with. I'm always inspired by its versatility.


Here are some wool strawberries with a bit of stumpwork.


Speaking of stumpwork. This needle case with stumpwork strawberries was a fun departure from the others.


Why stop at one size? Here is my super sized strawberry! This was too much fun to create! This image shows 3 sizes. The tiny strawberry was a mere 1/2 inches high. The big guy is over 4 1/2 inches tall.


These strawberries can all be purchased in my Etsy Shop. If you don't see one of these versions available, just drop me a convo. Let me know which one you liked and I'll relist it if the materials are available. If you want the standard cotton version you can buy them one at a time here, or save and purchase 3 strawberries. I show a number of fabric choices.

Give one of these sweeties a try. You can find some emery here, at The Cheswick Company. A few other Etsy shops have it as well. Just be sure not to buy very fine emery. It migrates right through the fabric and you'll have a mess on your hands. Cathy's emery is just right.



I'll be back soon, I just picked up some wonderful new fabrics and I can't wait to play with them. New fabric always inspires me!
See you soon and happy sewing!

Sunflower Needle Case

Here is my newest needle case fresh off the sewing machine..




I feel in love with the fabric months ago and have been pondering just the right project. In my stash of buttons, I found the perfect carved wooden sunflower button. I did some patchwork, some sketches and nothing seemed to have that certain feeling I feel when I find the perfect place for a special fabric. It just seems to be at home, like it was meant to be.

I bring my embroidery work with me whenever I think I might find some time to work. I am not a good waiter. Having something fun to do makes the wait go so fast. Having a needle case helps me keep track of all my little sharps. There is nothing worse than leaving behind a prickly pin where it end up in someone's toe. Best keep all little pins safely tucked away and accounted for.

Although ribbons are pretty, I find a simple snap makes access easy.


I also like a lot of little spots to hold my pins and needles when I work. A pocket for a few floss bobbins and I'm off. I have a clear make-up case to carry my scissors, my glasses and a big collection of colors in both perle cotton and embroidery floss. You just never know!


If you would like to purchase this needle case, you can find it in my Etsy Shop, Fiberluscious.



If you would like a custom case, let me know. I'd be happy to work with you. I have lots of fabric and wool choices. Head on over to my Etsy shop and leave me a "convo".

This isn't a hard project. I don't have a pattern available, but its very straight forward and very customizable. Add a bigger pocket, cotton pages in the needle book,or a bigger pincushion. I think even a new sewer can whip up something simple to call their own. For a quilter, the possibilities are endless.

Hope you give this one a try.

And the Winner Is....Creatology!

The winner of the
Grow Your Blog Giveaway is...

Creatology!

Stick with Me Pin Assortment will be sent as soon as I receive her contact information.


Visit her blog by clicking here
She has an Etsy shop to visit. Just follow the link on her blog.

Here are some creations from Creatology..
From her Etsy Shop, a pretty fabric cuff.




Here is a pretty needlebook from her blog-




To all you entered and did not win, well, I'm so happy to have met you!
I look forward to visiting your blogs often.

My next giveaway will be mid February. I am thinking of hitting my stash and sharing some of my goodies with you all. I seem to have an over abundance of vintage buttons and miles of yarn and fibers in so many fun colors and crazy textures. How about a pile of great fibers, trims and trinkets to create a crazy quilt block?! I know my hubby would love to see some of my stuff go. Men, they just never understand that too much is never enough!

See you soon!
Jill

My CQJP2113 January Block

I am so thrilled to finally have my block for the 2013 Crazy Quilt Journal Page.


I would like to thank Susan who ordered a crazy quilted pincushion from me. Actually, this is her second from my Etsy Shop. She gives me complete freedom to play. In fact, I had too many ideas for this block so I ended up giving her 5 ideas and then 2 nearly completed blocks to choose from. We finally ended up with these pretty jewel tone rose fabrics. I included some rich hand-dyed silk velvets. I used mainly DMC cotton floss for the embroidery. I added some pretty vintage crochet pieces, a variety of woven trims and then added vintage buttons and some pretty beads to give it a little sparkle.

Here is how the actual pincushion came out. I can't wait for her to see it!

If you would like to order your own Crazy Quilt Pincushion. I have a gift certificate for a "Design Your Own Crazy Quilt" pincushion in my Etsy Shop Fiberluscious.



You can buy one for a friend. I'll send you a pretty card with instructions on the collaborative process, or if its for you, we can just dive into making something uniquely your own. I'll send you images of fabric choices in the style and colors you like most. I also have a Design Your Own Tomato Pincushion and a Design Your Own Flowers on Linen pincushion. I really enjoy working with others. It always inspires something I would never think of and I am driven to reach a bit beyond my comfort zone so you end up with a bit of two creative hearts.

I've been working so hard on my Crazy Quilting skills. My desire to create Crazy Quilts inspired me to learn embroidery. It's so much more than learning stitches. Its knowing which thread to use to achieve the effect you want. Its knowing what stitch works where. It's knowing what colors to use on which fabrics. Its being brave enough to take chances so that your work is unique. I still have so very much to learn.

But I think that learning involves discipline. Its practice, practice and more practice. And once you think you have a stitch in your head, its making your hands work on it long after your fingers are calloused and your wrists ache. The best thing about learning a craft like embroidery, or quilting or any other technique, its the joy you feel in creating and the pride you feel when you finally reach each goal you set out to achieve. Nothing can replace feeling that you and only you are responsible for bringing something beautiful to completion.

When we share our works with others, it becomes something bigger. It is the continuation of hundreds of years of tradition. Even though we create alone, we are always a part of a family of beauty. We learn from each other. Our work awakens the desire to create in someone else. They in turn take that craft into their heart and mind and bring forth their unique vision. They then inspire someone else and as we pass on beauty, our world becomes more beautiful.


I really am really happy to see a site such as the Crazy Quilt Journal Page. I have studied and admired the work created by the artists who feature their crazy quilts with all of us. You all are my inspiration. I thank them for their generous and creative spirits. I hope that some day, my work will rise to that level of expertise. In the meantime, I will simply enjoy striving towards my own creative possibilities.

If are participating in the CQJP project, please feel free to leave a link to your blog or website. I would love to connect!

See you in February!

What I'm working on now...

I just finished a few of the many orders I have pending in my Etsy Shop. I've been so busy. Since the first of November, when the holiday rush hit, I've created over 80 pincushions! Just looking at that number makes me want to go take a nap.

I am blessed to have so many loyal customers. I adore each and every one of them. Mostly because the challenge me. They give me a bit of financial independence, which allows me to cater to my lovely fabric addiction. Because they ask me to create special little somethings or even when they request one of my favorite styles, I try to give each order my undivided attention.

Here is one of my latest for Michelle-

Here is a detail shot showing all the tiny beads and lovely stitches involved in making this, "Garden of Delight" Needlecase.

I adore wool, wool roving, hand-dyed wool and sparkly beads. This needlecase allows me to play with all my favorite materials and colors. The many hours of stitching involved is truly a labor of love. I was sad to see this one go.

She also ordered a pincushion from a while back called the "Mary Had A Little Lamb" pincushion. Again I got to play with wool. What is nice about this one is the raw wool with all its curly goodness. The body of the wool is made from recycled sweaters. I love to add a bit of green to my shop. I think the fabric brings some happy karma with it.

I had another pear to make...

Lots of Wool Leaves..

A few Crazy Patch..more to come...

And recently a "Color Me Happy" Patchwork.

So if you are wondering why I haven't had as many new additions to my shop, or if you are waiting for one of your creations, have faith. I pour all my time and love into each item as it comes up on my list. I try to rush out the easy and ready made orders asap. But I never rush through something I love to make. I enjoy the process and I hope you feel that it was worth the wait.

Don't forget to sign up for my Grow Your Blog Party giveaway below. I'm giving away one of my popular "Stick With Me" pin assortments. 10 fun beaded pins to adorn your favorite pincushion.

Back to work!

Lets Party!!!

I am so thrilled to see so many visitors from the Grow Your Blog Party!!!
Welcome!

I first met Vicki from 2 Bags Full through Etsy. She purchased one of my Crazy Quilted Pear Pincushions.

It was a custom order and I really enjoyed working with her. Artists give other artists the freedom to play and that makes creating fun. You only have to see Vicki's work to see that she fully understands what it is to be creative and how fun it can be when given permission simply enjoy the journey. Her work amazes me and inspires me to be spontaneous and joyful.


This is her Shorebird Nest. So beautiful!!

I have been sewing since I was little. My mom and grandma sat patiently and taught me the basics. My home-ec teacher in high school kind of took the joy out of the whole thing. However, I did learn a rule or two that I still use today. I came from a family of 6 sisters and 1 brother. Sewing was the best way to get something new that was designed just for me. When I was married, I sewed all the curtains in my home, stuffed more than my share of throw pillows, mended the knees on my boys jeans and made some pretty crazy Halloween costumes with my sewing machine.

These days I have an Etsy Shop called Fiberluscious where I sell a lot of little fabric goodies. I mainly create pincushions. In fact, my list of orders seems to grow faster than the time I have to fill them. Thank goodness I love what I do! I also love my customers.

I love collaborative projects. Often I will get an order for something "like" what I have in my shop. I often get orders where I get to make anything I want within reason. Its a wonderful way to feed my fabric obsession.

My goals this year are to fine tune my sewing skills. I do a lot of hand embroidery which I take great pride in. I hope to get much better at patchwork. I'd love to do a series of mini quilted pincushions. I want to explore the many facets of wool from felting to crewel work. Its such a luscious material to play with.
I'll also be participating in the 2013 Crazy Quilt Journal Page Project. Click on the badge to the right to find out more. I'll be showing my quilt blocks here on my blog.

Well enough about me.

Here is my Party inspired Giveaway!

Win one of my "Stick With Me" Decorative Pin Assortments!

They come boxes in an assortment of 10 bead topped pins in a cute felted, embroidered ball. You will receive a variety of beads from my assortment. They make a cute addition of a sewing gift and add a sweet pop of color to your everyday pincushion.

If you've ever ordered a pincushion from my Etsy Shop you have gotten a few of these little beauties. I include 2 with each pincushion or needle case in my shop!.

Just leave a comment below. Be sure to leave an email address or some contact information. My giveaway ends on February 1st.

In the meantime, sign up for my newsletter or just join my blog if you would like. I have enjoyed visiting your blogs. Where else can you find so many kindred souls in one place?