11 Years

11 years.  I just realized that I have been in this 'business' (I put that in quotes because I feel as though I have not worked a day since I started - I love it that much) for 11 years.  2003 is when it all started, right after my son was born.  I started very small, with only a couple of bolts, a sales permit, and a hope that it will provide a little bit of money.  Fast forward 11 years, and here we are.

It has been truly a blessing and joy to be here, and I look forward to many more years here.  

Ravelry - A Must For Knitters And Crocheters!

What in the world did we do before Ravelry.  What is Ravelry, you ask?  If you are a knitter or crocheter like I am, you should take a peek at probably the biggest cache of patterns, yarn, inspiration, projects ever.  The best thing?  To join and look around it is free-and there are free patterns to download, too!  I periodically look there for new patterns, and today I found this one:  Charleston Tea by one of my very favorite designers for knitted cardigans, Thea Coleman.  I'm casting on for this one very soon.  I am currently working on Thea's design called Vodka Gimlet.  I'm just after the separation for the sleeves, and working on the body of the sweater.  Here's my progress:

I must warn you about Ravelry, it is addicting.  For me, I love to see other people's projects. 

What are you currently working on?  Leave a comment and let me know!

Snuggle Baby Blanket Tutorial

This blanket was so easy to make, I may just make a few more!  I used the Snuggle fabric in aqua by Moda for the front, and quilting cotton from the line "Prayer Flag" by April Cornell for Moda Fabrics.  The aquas matched perfectly to the Snuggle fabric.  Here's how you can make your own:

You will need the following materials:

• 1 yard of Snuggle fabric (you will only need one half of the yard cut lengthwise, so you can make a stuffed animal, pillow, or another blanket with the other half to match!)
• 1 1/2 yards of quilting cotton for the backing, binding, and heart (or whatever shape you like)
• Matching embroidery thread for the stitch detail in the heart (to cover up the stitches used to secure the heart to the fabric - completely optional)

To start, cut your 1 yard piece of Snuggle fabric in half lengthwise.  Set that aside for now.

Cut your binding strips from your quilting cotton (I cut mine 2 1/2 inches wide and I used about 4 strips for my blanket.) 

Take a piece of cardboard or template material and draw and cut out your heart template (It can be any size you like.)  Trace and cut your heart from the quilting cotton you chose for your backing.

For your Snuggle fabric, to round out your corners, a neat trick I learned is to take a coffee mug and trace your rounded edge with a crayon.

Position your heart in a corner - give it a good bit of room from the edge of your fabric.  Sew in place on the inside of the edge with a little bit more than a 1/4 inch seam.

Take your embroidery thread - I used DMC floss, all six strands - and hand straight stitch on top of the machine stitches to finish.

Sandwich your backing with the Snuggle front, bind and whipstitch the binding to the back, and you're done!

This project took me approximately 4 hours to make, and you can make your blanket as big or as small as you like.  Mine came out to be 31" wide by 36" long.  Have fun!

Summer On My Mind

I don't know what is going on with the weather here lately, but I have a feeling that summer is never going to arrive. It has been raining, and raining.....and raining for what seems like months here in Rhode Island. The good news is that I have started on a project (see side bar to the right.) With all of this rain, it is impossible to get outside with the kids, and as a result, sewing indoors has commenced once again! In the meantime, these daisies (my favorite) will cheer me up until the sun decides it wants to come out and play.

Share A Tip With Marcus Fabrics...win free fabric!!!

As I was surfing one of my favorite places to go (see left), I read about a special section of their website that I had to share with my readers (anytime there is free fabric involved, you will know about it!) If you share a tip with Marcus fabrics, you have a chance to win a free fabric bundle if they publish your tip. Now I know you all have tips out there to share~let's submit some and win some goodies!

Have a great weekend!
Christine

Moda's new playground...Fabricmatcher

Have you all tried Moda's newest creation? It's the Fabricmatcher website, and it is the neatest thing since sliced bread. This website allows you to create a one-of-a-kind quilt with Moda's newest fabrics and patterns from your favorite Moda designers. And the best part, it's FREE! And you can win prizes...from Moda! Here's what you do:

*Log onto http://www.unitednotions.com/, and go to the tab that says "Fun Stuff." Fabricmatcher is the first option on the list, click that.

*Register (remember it's all free). They will ask you a few simple questions, create a user ID and password, and you're in!

*Click on the picture with the cute lady sewing~she'll bring you where you need to start.

*Choose your favorite pattern designer, difficulty level, and size of your project you want to create. (I chose all patterns, simple construction, and throw size)

*After you've chosen your pattern (I chose Blossom by Fig Tree Quilts), click add to project~it will tell you how many fabrics you will need for the quilt.

*Here's the fun part~scroll down to the bottom of your project area and click "Find Fabrics." This is where you get to choose the fabrics for your project! You can pick a theme, designer, or collection. (I chose the collection "Louisa", a beautiful group coming to The Calico Cottage Quilt Shop in October!) Just pick a fabric and click "add to fabric box."

*When you are finished choosing your fabrics, click "Create Project" This will bring you to a screen where you can insert your fabric choices into the pattern.

*Voila! You have a quilt! Save it, print it with the fabric pattern numbers to go shopping with, and stitch it up! Submit it to Moda for the monthly contest, too (see Show and Tell for details)!

I had the best time creating my very own quilt~and you will, too! Make a comment and let us know how you liked it! To see my project, go to Show and Tell, Public Stashes, and click on calicogirl. Have fun creating!

Warm Regards,

Christine

New Free Patterns Page

Once again, we have added brand new content to our site! Check out the 'Free Pattern Links' page and click on your favorite manufacturers' sites for some great FREE patterns and projects!

Every kind of project imaginable is featured on these wonderful sites~take a look! Here are a few of the projects featured that might tickle your fancy.

**Don't forget, be patient with the downloads.

Some of them may take longer than usual, but they are well worth the wait!

Have fun! (I am so inspired now, and you will be, too!)
~Christine