Holy Smokes

August is just about done & I've only posted once.
I have just been so very busy. Had a major clear-out sale in the store which brought in lots of new customers.
I finally got to take a one week holiday in the middle of August. Also took a long weekend to spend at Lake of The Woods (Kenora) with my Dad & Step-Mom. Had a FANTASTIC time with them.
I did manage to finish sewing together my flower quilt top so it's ready to be sandwiched & quilted.
I have started making flowers, smaller this time, for another quilt. I have also been working on BOM's as they have been released.
Now that September is just around the corner and camping season once again comes to an end I should find more time to keep this blog updated.
Take Care,
Robyn

Table Runner & Stuff

I finished this table runner last weekend while up at the lake. I only had the binding to sew on and I find siting in the camper in the evening is a great time to get some hand sewing done.

This project was a sort of challenge to myself. At the time I only had about 30 bolts of fabric in my store. I was determined to make something using only fabric my available in my store. ( I have had to run to walmart in the past for tiny bits to finish things) Well I did it!!! All fabric, binding, thread etc. can be purchased in my store. I have since added another 32 bolts of fabric so my next challenge, whatever it is, should be slightly less daunting.
Take Care
Robyn

One Flower Wednesday.....July 28

Only 4 flowers for this week. But I did add another row of 6 flowers to my ever growing quilt so I'm happy.
Take Care
Robyn

Early Bird Christmas Challenge

I managed to complete the challenge......phew....
It's a wallhanging for the kitchen (or wherever one chooses to hang it)
It is from the Spring Blossom Kitchen Set from Free-Quilting.com
Take Care,
Robyn

Christmas in July Challenge....Done (for July)

Here is my July entry for the Christmas in July Challenge. I had put this on my blog before but got so busy I forget to email in the entry, so I'm going to show you again.
It is called String of Lights Candlemat & I hope you like it.
Take Care,
Robyn

One Flower Wednesday, July 21

No flowers were made this week. Instead I spent the week ripping out the four rows I had stitched together and resewing them into this....

I am much happier with the results than I was before.
I have one more set of flowers for another row & then I'll have to make some more flowers, at least 2 more rows worth (12 flowers).
I was thinking of using either fleece or soft flannel for the back. My great grandmother always used a soft flannel & her quilts were so cozy.
What has everyone else used? I'd be interested to know.
Take Care,
Robyn

One Flower Wednesday, July 14

Goodmorning, afternoon or evening depending on where in this wonderful world you are.
I managed to finish 12 flowers this past week. Despite being rushed off my feet in the store during the day. But I spent the weekend sewing like a mad woman. I am hoping to have this done in time for Christmas for my brother. Sadly we did not grow up together, well he's almost 18 years younger than me. But over the last 2 or 3 years we've become better acquainted and get along quite well. So I wanted to make him something special. Last year I made him a beaded lighter cover with his name & guitars on it. He loved it!!

So this year I wanted to something else sisterly for my little brother and I'm hoping this flower hex throw will be it.
Until next time.....
Take Care,
Robyn

Fabulous Giveaway

Micki Butler of Irish Muses is having a wonderfully generous giveaway to celebrate her Blogs 2nd Birthday. Pop over and check out her blog. Lots of cool things to see there.
Take Care,
Robyn

Finally Friday

I have spent all week cleaning out my storage area. Being as the storage area is in the same general area as my office space the cleaning & organizing spilled over he he.
But I now have an organized area with space to set up my sewing machine. I'd say that is a huge bonus.

Previously I had my machine out in the store on my cutting table, very inconvenient. Also very busy with the 50% off sale in the store. Barely have time for lunch. Lunch goes something like this.....bite....wait on customer.....bite.....wait on next customer......hey maybe I'll lose some weight 8^)
Of course with all this work I've had little time for the fun stuff....sewing. Hopefully over the weekend I can get some done.
Take Care,
Robyn

One Flower Wednesday

It was a slow week at the store last week plus a nice weekend at the lake gave way to a large increase in my flower garden.
16 flowers bloomed in my garden. I am soooo happy.

As you can see I have started putting them together.
I also sat last night and cut out around 300 more petals.
This week I have a huge sale, 50% off almost everything, in the store so it's quite busy. I have a feeling my blooms will not be as plentiful.
Until next week all my gardening friends be happy.
Take Care,
Robyn

Happy Canada Day

I know, I know I'm late but we've been suffering with dial up internet problems all day. The boy finally got it fixed a short time ago. Sure pays to have a computer wiz living in the same house.
So without further ado Happy 143rd Birthday Canada!! You're still looking good to me.

One Flower Wednesday

I recently joined a little Garden Party called One Flower Wednesday hosted by Karen over at http://journeyofaquilter.blogspot.com/ I have never made hexagons before so it has been an interesting learning curve over the past week. I quickly got the knack, I think, and have been on a roll ever since. In one week I have completed 13 flowers. I'll admit it, I think I'm addicted to these things. Here are a few pics of the ones I've made.





I am choosing to make the centers the same colours as the petals because the person I'm making this for will like it better that way. My next batch will have different colour centers and be more feminine looking. Oh dear I guess I am hooked since I'm already planning another series LOL
I hope you enjoy looking at them as much as I enjoyed making them.
Want to join the Garden Party? Just click the link in this post or the picture in the sidebar.
Take Care,
Robyn

Block 4: Gifts of Grace

I finished block 4 of the Gifts of Grace series this weekend.
I'm really enjoying doing these blocks. I'm also learning new stitches as I go. This time the new stitch was the Portugese stem stitch, you can directions here: http://www.rocksea.org/hand-embroidery/stem-stitch/portugese-stem-stitch
I used this stitch for outlining the bird.


Hope you enjoy.
Take Care,
Robyn

Another Gift Done....

for the Early Bird Christmas Crafting.
This time it's a sachet bag or it could be used to hold small trinkets I suppose. I made it with a drawstring type closure instead of how it was orginaly designed, with 3 ribbons sewn across the top on either side to tie shut.
I found I had to enlarge the picture to fit the size of fabric called for in the pattern. One could always just cut the fabric smaller.....just thought of that LOL. I also gave the patterns a 1/4 turn so the ribbon bow was along the fold not the cut edge. The fabric I choose was cream with gold metallic flecks in it, adding to the Christmasy look.

This was a free pattern from Ellen Johnson go here to have a look http://www.heirloomembroidery.com
Take care,
Robyn

Christmas Challenges......new

It has been a busy week for me but I managed to complete a project for my Christmas challenges. This is my first attempt at completing any type of quilting in years, I've been working on tops but haven't got to the final assembly yet, and I’m just glad I finished it. Although with my machine having a hissy fit yesterday I very nearly didn’t.
I have made a tablemat/runner that will be a gift for someone special.

I also made this eyeglass case, well actually it started out from a pattern for a cell phone case but I measured wrong LOL. It does fit a pair of glasses quite nicely. It also has a loop where a carabineer can be attached.

Well that’s about all I’ve managed to complete this week so far. I just started another project for the Early Bird challenge, should have it done for next week.
Take Care,
Robyn

Tuesday Ramblings

Well it's Tuesday and that means back to work. It also means I can share a picture of what I finished on the weekend.
This is a pic of the finished block:

and this is a close up of the hearts. I learned chain stitch over the weekend so I could give the hearts a bit of zip



It's also the last day of school for the boy, he's writing his last exam as we speak. The official end of school date is not until June 29th but once they are done exams they don't have to go back.....hhhmmm I wonder if it's the teachers don't want them back. Anyhow, fingers crossed he passes all his courses
I'm still trying to sort out for the sale I want to have but it's slow going. Better get my rear in gear if I plan to have it before I take holidays in 2 weeks.
Okay, off I go.....
Take Care,
Robyn

Christmas in July Challenge....Done

I got my first challenge completed for the Christmas in July Challenge. It is a little snowman. I covered foam balls with fantasy snow & sprinkled a bit of silver glitter for some extra bling. His buttons & eyes are black 4mm druk beads. Nose & scarf are chenille stems and the hat is construction paper. I am very pleased with it considering when I came to work this morning I had no idea what I was going to make for this challenge.
Hope you enjoy him.
Take Care,
Robyn
**the first idea I had when I joined this challenge turned out to be a dud, but out of that came this**

Another Block Done & Sale

I have just finished block 2 in the Gifts of Grace series. Took me a little longer than I thought to choose colours & beads.


Now, I think I have to put the stitching aside for a bit. I am trying to get ready for a big blowout sale in the store soooooo I really should start unpacking boxes and slashing prices. On the other hand if I wait until the boy finishes exams I can get him to do the heavy lifting for me 8^) decisions, decisions. I think I'll just go do some stitching while I ponder that......
Take Care

Two Projects Done

I finished my Robin cross-stitch over the weekend as I had planned. I even remembered to bring it to work for pictures


It still needs to be framed but that will take me some time to find the perfect frame.
I also finished Block 1 of the Gifts of Grace series.


Instead of appliqueing the butterfly I did some satin stitch in yellow. I was given a jam jar of wee tiny pearls and used those for the flower centres. My french knots, well let's just say we don't see eye to eye, so I used black seed beads on the ends of the antennae. I also started block 2 of this series last night.
Can you tell it was a slow day at work yesterday....hehehe
Now I'm off to pick my supplies for the Christmas challenge. Sure is handy having a craft store, don't have to leave work to get my supplies
Have a lovely day.
Take Care,
Robyn


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Another Challenge....

Yes I have joined another challenge. This one is called "Christmas In July" and is hosted by Amanda at http://amanda-lotshappening.blogspot.com or just click on the picture to the left.
I have already picked out my first project for this challenge. I'll post pics when it's done but until then my lips are sealed.
Take Care,
Robyn

It's Tuesday....

and that means back to work for me. I don't mind since I own a craft store, it's not really like work most days.
I started a new quilt block last night. It's the first block in the Gifts of Grace series. I have changed a couple colours and instead of the applique it calls for I'm doing some embroidery in places.
Here is a pic of what I got done last night:


If you're interested in these blocks you can go to:http://val-laird.blogspot.com or just click on the Gifts of Grace button under my name.
Can't wait to start the next one 8^)

Lazy Sunday

Ah, finally Sunday, the day I look forward to all week. The day I get to nothing or whatever I want, well mostly. There's still laundry & supper to cook, but no work.
So between napping I have been working on a cross-stitch picture that is just for me. It's not often I make something just for me but when I saw this one I knew it was just for me. It is a picture of a little Robin with it's nest. No pics until it's finished. I started it 2 1/2 weeks ago and am just doing the back stitching so it won't be long before pics will be up.
Happy Sunday
CraftyRobyn

On A Roll....

I seem to be in a posting mood today. Making up for lost time or perhaps just setting myself down long enough to play catchup.
I wanted to share this pic of a top I embroidered awhile back. Anybody who works with fabric will appreciate the sentiment I think.

Flower Pincushions

I must say owning a craft store has it's advantages. When it's slow or in between customers I have plenty of time to work on my projects.
I have managed to finish these cute little flower pincushions in the last couple days



Aren't they just so cheerful.
Pattern is available at www.squirrelmomma.typepad.com

Buttercup Bags

Here are some pics of the Buttercup Bags I have just finished.




The butterfly bag is made from the free version of the pattern which is smaller. The deco rose one is larger and made from the purchased version of the pattern. Both patterns are available from http://www.made-by-rae.com/2009/02/free-buttercup-bag-sewing-pattern.html

Love Is Quilt

This is my first attempt at quilting in 15 years. Back then I made a simple square patch quilt in various shades of blue. I used the machine to sew pieces together but hand quilted around every block, did I mention the blocks were 4" square and the quilt was almost single bed size 8^)
I made it for my youngest son and quilted his name across the top. It was a crude attempt at quilting but believe it or not my son still has and uses that same quilt. Although he is 15 and his 5'10" frame sticks out both ends he has no inclination to trade it for anything else.
Now back to this quilt top. I got the free block pattern from Paula at http://pacificpatchwork.typepad.com/ Also check out on the right side of her page under "Check Out These Pages" her Free Seasons Sew-A-Long and Block Party Club.
I have chosen for this piece to put some of my chosen background fabric between the squares.
I have this piece laying out on display in my store. So many people are amazed when they find out the embroidery is done by end. Gives me a warm fuzzy feeling receiving their compliments.
I have been asked what I'm going to do with it when I'm done. I say the same as with all my creations I won't know until it's done
Take Care,
Robyn

First Paying Job

Here is a picture of my first paying bead job. This is done on the sides of a pair of pants near the cuff.
The double petal sequin flowers have a pearl in the center. Placement of the flowers was measured so it would be matching on both sides. The vine was done freeform just following where the beads led me.
The owner was very happy with the results and showed her appreciation by paying me extra. Gotta love customers like that!

New Passion

Recently I discovered a new passion, bead embroidery. My first project was to embroider a peacock on the front leg of a pair of my own capri pants. I'm quite pleased with the results.
This whole new passion came about quite by chance. I'd never thought about beading on clothes until about 3 weeks ago. The seamstress in the same building I have my store in had a customer who wanted pants hemmed and then beaded on the sides like all her others. My seamstress friend doesn't really have the time for all that beading so we began a search for alternatives. That got my creative wheels cranking over time and the rest is history.

Oh My!!

My goodness I can't believe it's been over a year since I posted anything. Actually forgot about even starting this blog. I'm going to try and post more regularly this year, fingers crossed.