Crazy Memento Quilt Block #4

Today I have block #4 of my Crazy Memento Quilt:

The little snowman was found in a box of things that belonged to Scott's grandmother.  She was so sweet!  And unfortunately, other than a few things that she made for me, I didn't have anything else from her that I could use on this quilt. 

After embellishing this block, I had to glue the snowman on using E6000 jewelry glue.

The little deer is a pin that I found at a flea market a few years back.  He's on a little spring so he moves around a little bit!  Too cute!  I think I only paid $1.00 for it.

The two trees at the top are from a beaded Christmas sweater that I found at a flea market for $5.00.  I bought it mostly for the beads but decided to keep a few of the trees to use.  I spent hours and hours taking the beads and sequins off of that sweater!

Here's a photo of Grandma and Grandpa Kellogg:

This photo was taken in 1934.  Grandma Kellogg was a tiny little lady.  And Scott's grandfather looks like a gangster in this photo, doesn't he?  Sign of the times!  LOL!!!

Hearts And Flowers Biscornus Counted Cross Stitch Patterns

Back by popular demand are my Hearts And Flowers Biscornu Counted Cross Stitch patterns:

This pattern booklet is available at Magcloud.

I will release more of my counted cross stitch patterns as I have time.

Strip Quilted American Flag Pillow

Last week, I saw the cutest American Flag pillow on Facebook.  It was really screaming at me so I decided to make one.  It took me all day yesterday but it's all finished:

When I started on it, I decided to take photos of each step and post it on Facebook.  Everyone seemed to enjoy that so for today, I'm going to put the tutorial together here.

To start, the finished pillow is 14 inches wide X 10 inches high.  Using a ruler, I marked out the pattern on muslin.  I always work on a foundation when I do strip quilting.

My stripes are 1 inch.  I didn't measure the blue patch.  I just eye-balled it.

Using my 1930's reproduction prints, I cut strips 1 1/2 inches high by however long I needed them to fit the flag pattern.

When I mark my foundation fabric, I use a black permanent market.  The point of this is so I can see it through the back of the foundation.

I started at the bottom, sewed down the first strip and then worked my way up.  I should have taken more photos.  I actually line my strips up and then sew on the line on the back.  Then I flip the strip, pressed it and sewed down the next strip until I got to the top.

The next step was to top stitch narrow lace over the seams.  This gave the "flag" a softer, more vintage look.

Here, I cut a piece of blue fabric.  Added fusible web to the back and ironed it in place.  Then I top stitched that on the edges.

Over the edges of the blue fabric, I top stitched some lace and then a row of blue ric rack.

For the "stars", I hand sewed on some vintage Mother Of Pearl Buttons.

Now for finishing.  I trimmed my edges making sure the flag was squared up.

I always cut my backing fabric larger than my actual stitched or quilted piece. 

With right sides together and starting at the bottom, sew the front to the back leaving about 6 inches open at the bottom for turning right side out.  Trim the excess fabric.

Turn right side out and press the seams so that the pillow is flat.  Stuff firmly with polyester fiberfill and blind stitch the opening closed by hand.

And that's all there is too it!

Memento Crazy Quilt Block #3

I don't have a great memory for this block.  Nothing extraordinary to share except that the little owl brooch was a found a flea market years ago for a few dollars.  I've been saving it for something for myself and thought it would be a nice addition to my Memory Crazy Quilt:

The flowers behind the owl pin was a piece of floral lace.  I wanted it to pop so I added sequins to the edges.  A surprise right?  Pam likes sequins?  LOL!!!!

Another thing I wanted to do with this crazy quilt was to use some of my button collection.  Over the years, I've picked up so many buttons at flea markets that I really need to use them!  So this block has a pretty button cluster on it which balances nicely with the owls.

Memento Crazy Quilt Block 2

Today, I have Block #2 of my Crazy Memento Quilt:

A few years before my friend Lula passed away, she painted this little Victorian lady for me.  It's on fabric and if you click on the photo to enlarge it, you might be able to see her signature on the bottom right-hand corner of the dress.

Lula had a very unique style, so whimsical and colorful!  If you would like to see more of Lulu's work, her husband has kept her website up.  Click here to go to Wooly Dreams Designs.

In the bottom left-hand corner, there is a blue rose brooch.  I purchased a set of 2 of them from an Etsy shop a few years ago.  I used one of them on a gift for Lula for her birthday one year:

You can find the other one on the bottom right-hand corner of this piece.

I thought it was fitting to use the second brooch along with the painting that Lula made for me.