HO, HO, HO...

Yesterday I was sewing up a storm working on another "Christmas in July" project. 

See the cute "Ho!" printed fabric I used for the ornament!

This one was part of our sewing store's "Party for Patrick" project entitled "HO, HO, HO", another adorable mini wall hanging from Patrick Lose.  

This time I decided to sew all the fabric background pieces together first and then machine appliqué the white squares.

I love the fabrics I chose in non-traditional red, white and GRAY!  

As usual I printed out the patterns in their actual size using my TruEmbroidery software applications to help me position the appliqués on their squares.   

Once the designs were downloaded into my sewing machine, I reduced the size of the HO squares by 10% just to be on the safe side that the designs would fit inside the white squares with no problems. 

All the squares are appliquéd.  

I used white thread for "stitching in the ditch" around the white squares.  

And I used a decorative stitch (#64) on my Jamone for quilting the red fabric around the white squares.  

Wait until you see the back!  

I used that stitch there too. 

   

Sorry the photos are so dark!  There's no natural light in my sewing room.

Today I hope to square up the wall hanging front with the back, stitch it together and cut and sew on the binding.  

I decided to use the gray fabric for the binding.

That will add the wow factor to this wall hanging.  

Stay tuned for the final project.  

Sew true!

Christmas Tree Hugger Pillow Cover

My sewing store has offered "Christmas in July" sewing sessions.

I couldn't pass them up!  

You know how I love Christmas! 

  

This session we appliquéd three simple trees to white cloth background.  

Then I added ribbon embellishment and red piping. 

I goofed sewing my "Merry Christmas" the first time.  

I didn't have the fabric tight in the hoop and it shifted and messed up the stitching.  

I saved the project by appliquéing another tree in the center of the red tree with decorative stitching  - thus covering up my "mistake" very nicely. 

I moved the "Merry Christmas" lettering down on the trees on my second try and made sure the fabric was tight in the hoop.  

I actually like the results!

Now I have a cute Christmas pillow cover!

And it's removable.

On the crocheting front I'm still fussing around with patterns and colors for the throw for my sister-in-law. 

I started a throw but I'm just not happy with the colors (trying to use yarns from my stash).

I may have found my inspiration as far as yarn colors but it means I have to buy more yarn because I don't have the colors on hand.   

But I've learned it just too much work to not be happy with one's pattern, stitching and colors when working on a large project like an afghan.

I'll share more on that project later.  

Have a lovely day dear readers!  

Hello Summer!

These chalkboards are fun to change for the different seasons and holidays!

Our porch has been pressure washed.

All clean and the furniture taken out of the shed.

Yesterday and today are so beautiful here.

Sunny, warm and no humidity!

Perfect for sitting out on the porch.

I hope to get out and buy our flowers for the shed flower boxes and for under the Serviceberry tree here by the deck sometime today.

I'm planning an afghan for one of my sister-in-law's whose favorite color is purple.

Above are two sample squares I crocheted up.

I'm still deciding if I will use these or try another pattern.

Hope you all have a wonderful Sunday!

Ah, the joys of sewing!