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Friday, April 8, 2016

A Little 'To Go' Project


I won't get caught in the airport
or on the plane,
with nothing to do!

Armed with an audio story
and this wall hanging to embroider,




I should be all set!
Finished size will be 20"x20",
not too big to pull out onto my lap.

The bright and cheery fabrics in my
This 'n That Charm Pack
by Nancy Halvorsen for Benatex
will help to keep my spirits up when the traveling starts
to become a drag.




I still have to trace the letters onto the linen.
I won't applique the dresden plate until 
the embroidery work is finished.

I had about about a dozen 2.5" squares left over,
so I jumped at the chance to try out Karen Ackva's tutorial
for making this little "sew pixel play" pincushion.
I just used up the colors that were available
right there at my fingertips.




I prepared a grid on some lightweight iron-on interfacing
before bedtime last night,
and went right to work 
once I finished piecing the little top. 

In no time at all I had this little 3" pincushion
and it was easy peasy and lots of fun.
And I know me!
I know I won't be able to make just one,
that's how fun and easy they are!
Each little square is finished at a half inch.
Between you, me, and the lamp post,
I wouldn't sew that small the regular way!

I may, instead, make some new coasters 
to leave behind for Crafty Daughter 
using this technique.
I really don't need any more pin cushions right now.
(YES! I said that!)

~

Giant Swallowtail, (Papilio cresphontes Cramer)
Click on pic to enlarge.

This unique looking butterfly landed on the deck
the other week and just sat there,
needing a good rest.

I carefully moved it into the fenced in garden area
to keep it safe from the dogs
and later that day, it was gone.

~

So, I was thinking.  Wouldn't it be funny if, when you called someone on their cell phone, you heard what they hear?  My SIL's phone quacks.  Crafty Daughter doesn't turn her ringer on at all, so all you would hear would be dead space (how disconcerting that would be!)  If someone called you on your cell phone, what would they hear?

Have a great week end!
Keep it simple,
and make it fun!

XO,
karen

31 comments:

Karen Ackva said...

Oh, Karen! Your pin cushion is gorgeous and sewn exactly! I know we shouldn't tell everyone our secrets, but this technique is so quick, easy and accurate! I love the embroidery and Dresden plate too! Those are gorgeous fabrics! Have fun on your next adventure! Hugs, Karen

Sheila said...

I just love your travel project, adorable ! Cute little pincushion too , are your sure you don't need anymore , they are rather cute 😊

Lesley said...

Love your travelling project. The fabrics are so bright like a breath of fresh air!

Karen - Quilts...etc. said...

Cute travel project - I always need something for when I need to sit and wait and on the plane too - safe travels and looking forward to hearing ore from you when you get back home

Maria said...

Just love the bright colours in your travel project and sweet pin cushion... You can never have enough pincushion , lol.

Anja @ Anja Quilts said...

Love your travel project. Safe journey home. Love the pincushion. Never thought about using that technique....something to think about.

Lynn said...

Haven't commented for a while, but I see you've been busy. Your check churn dash is really unique and just so fantastic! I love the color me happy. Glad to see you are embracing pinterest. It's fun isn't it? I think your latest travel project is wonderful, love those colors!

Anonymous said...

Hi Karen oh i love both your projects,,i am the same i cant sit around i need to do some stitching,hope you have a lovely day my friend xx

Allie said...

You have some sweet stitching to travel with, Karen! I love it, and I love your little pincushion - coasters sound good too!
What a lovely butterfly - I hope winter ends here someday and we can see them again, lol.
If someone called me, they'd hear an old-fashioned ringing like a rotary dial phone - I downloaded old-fashioned ring tones, lol! I still miss the clarity and wonderful sound of my old rotary dial. And of course the comfort of holding it on your shoulder with your chin!

Karen said...

Sweet little Dresden. The cheery colours are sure to keep a smile on your face :)

Peg - Happy In Quilting said...

Fantastic projects ... 💗💗💗

eileeninmd said...

Hello, the wall hanging is a pretty project. The fabrics are so colorful! I love the gorgeous butterfly. Wishing you safe travels. Have a happy weekend!

sunny said...

Love your little Dresden project. Now I think I might need to make something similar. Gee thanks. I needed a new project. LOL! Fantastic little pincushion. I recently saw a small quilt with half inch squares. I wonder if they used that technique??

Needled Mom said...

That should be the perfect project for traveling. Great colors! I love the pincushion too.

QUILTING IS BLISSFUL, DI said...

Ohhh--I just love all those bright cheery colors in your to-go project--
love and laughter, di

Just Ramblin' said...

Cute pincushion! And, I love your traveling piece to work on. You always seem to have the best things to make and work on!

Anonymous said...

I have those exact same scissors....Fiskers. I use them to clip yarn as I crochet. Love that pincushion and wondered if you made it?

Karen said...

Very pretty wallhanging and pincushion. I will check out the tutorial. I am thinking these pincushions would be nice gifts. Safe travels north.

Anonymous said...

Looks like you are all set for that trip. Cute pincushion! Thanks for the link. My cell phone just rings, like an old fashioned phone. I used to have Pachelbel's Canon in D, but as phones got better, the music got worse until it didn't sound at all like the real piece, so I just went to a regular ring. Pretty butterfly! I wonder if they travel as far as Monarchs.

Simone de Klerk said...

Two beautiful and colourful projects you are working on (previous post quilt also!) And you get such special visitors. Happy you share that with us!

Montanagirl said...

Love the colors you chose - and that Butterfly is really pretty too.

Carrie P. said...

Great project to work on while traveling.
My phone plays a non-annoying bell tingling sound.

Fiona said...

always need things to do on planes - how long is your flight... that little pincushion is adorable.. such tiny wee blocks...
Hugz

Dan Kelly said...

I love all those bright happy colors.

Sondra said...

You are def not going to be bored an Audio Book for your Mind and needlework for your hands, and leave the flying to them. How long is the trip from door to door? I adore the pin cushion, it must be hard to feed those little pieces thru the machine, of course your seams are perfect!! ;o)

DeniseinVA said...

Love that little pin cushion and its pretty colors. A lovely bitterly too.

Bob Bushell said...

Excellent images Karen. I do love your embroidery, fabulous.

Binsa said...

Love your work Karen a great travelling project. Regards Lyn

JanineMarie said...

I love this happy little quilt. The vivid colors are guaranteed to bring a smile. And the pincushion is precious. I have never tried piecing squares with the fusible, but this definitely makes me want to try. Have a wonderful trip with that perfectly sized travel project!

Dan Kelly said...

This is great! So colorful! Is that the perhaps-deceased Kenmore on the right side of the first picture?

FlourishingPalms said...

Cute, cute stuff here! The embroidery and Dresden are lovely. The colors! Happy for you to sew those teeny pincushion blocks. Even with the grid, I don't know that I'd enjoy it. Hope you are lovin' being back at home.