Word for the Year MAGIC

 

 

 New Year's Eve for favors I had bought the ....... where one stamps metal rings to remind of a word or phrase or whatever for the year. Every one got the chance to make one or more or one for a friend to have as a reminder of the thought on a new year.  I embossed the word Magic. I like that word and all it encompasses... From pulling rabbits out of a hat to colorful scarfs being drawn from nowhere to coins behind the ear to smoke and mirrors to mind reading to really?how did they do that? to I can make magic with material to colors that delight to friends that stick with me no matter my craziness to slight of hands to believing in Santa Clause to seeing the magic of life as it ebbs and flows to making magic when there seems to be nothing else to well just being magical in everyday being.   

Magic is my word this year as I once again attempt  to make something out of nothing or nothing out of somethings that need no attention from me.

Mary's 

Abracadabra to

Grand

Ignited

Curiosity

 

NEW YEAR 2022  WHAT MAGIC WILL BE IN YOUR LIFE THIS YEAR?

HoHoHo or is it OhOhOh

 Needed a banner to hang outside garage door...the one everyone seems to use as our "front" door. I can understand that as our front door has a long row of steps leading up to it and why do that? But the Fall one had to be replaced and I had a few blocks from a quilt that never was...HOHOHOs  It was also an excellent piece to practice free motion quilting on because like who would really look at it or care that it is not perfect...lots of fun.

Cactus Time

 This is the third year this lovely Christmas Cactus has shown the beauty of the blooms. It is a wonderful reminder of how glorious this time of year is for all of the world. Peace to all and may you bloom fully this Holiday Season. 

 

Something Out of Things I Have-- Christmas decor

 I wanted to update the dining room Christmas decor items and decided I would not buy anything but dig deep into the boxes and find treasures. And I did! The ribbon I know I have had for at least 25 years as I bought it a few years after we moved into the house. This ribbon has been a lot of things...bows for the bannister, bows for a tree, garland for a chandelier, and probably a few other things. I love a good wire ribbon as you can undo, straighten out and use again and again. This time it will be trees and a wreath. Hiding in the bottom of a box of decorations were 10 strings of beads never opened with the receipt of 8 years ago for a penny each and came from Joann's (must have been a great sale table item). This is what I came up with:

things I found to recycle and a few more things as I went along not shown here

 

My box of "sharps" that are being discorded, perfect for this project. No glue gun was used.

I like the new decor with elegant yet simple look. Now for my next project, need another stocking for our newest Great Grand. Holidays are such fun.

Bonnie Hunter Mystery...

 I swore I was not going to look at the Bonnie Hunter Mystery as I has a plate fill already. But as good intentions go I could not resist. My stash has a lot in it and at least I did pledge to not buy and do with what I could pull from stash. My first pull 

The blue is not the aqua but the fabric is one I have questioned as to why I ever bought this "bird" fabric. I think it will be a good way to get it gone. The rest is within the bounds of the colors Bonnie suggested. Not bad for the first pull. We will see how it ends up as I dig further into the stash.  

Pleasant Bay BnB, Maine remembering the stay in August

 The quilts in the BnB we stayed in while in Maine were all made by the owners mom, grand or another family member. Not sure how old they all were but there were so many and all so beautiful. 

Beautiful applique. The hours of work here, the number of stitches, the love in each design. Wonderful 

Had such a lovely stay.  There were so many more quilts I did not take pics of.

Quick Halloween "Treats" ...cut with Accuquilt

 One of the reasons I love my Accuquilt cutting system is the ease to do small fast projects using my stash scraps and save my hand from the cutting. These mug rugs made in a quick time (a few hours that included gathering all the fabric choices) are my treat gifts to people in my neighborhood. I made 6 and already have gifted some. More to make today but it is fun.

cut scraps of white 1.5", yellow 2.5" and orange 3.5" to make strip sets. To make the candy corn I used Accuquilt 8" cube angel set #13 and 14.Placed strip set onto the #13 and positioned so white was smallest and orange the widest.  Cut with #14 the triangles in square sides with orange black print, cut bottom of candy corn strip 1/5" from same orange black print as sides and bordered that with a black silver dot fabric.  Used a 1.5 strip set to cut the border but decided it was too wide so did cut strips down to 1 inch (did not really have to do this just decided I liked the finish size better. 

Cut the backing and batting to fit .

I used Insul Bright Insulated Batting so hot mugs would not go through to surface. 

Layered:  first the  batting, then backing right side up on top of batting, then candy corn top right side down on top backing. sewed around  1/4" seam leaving opening at bottom to turn. Clipped corners, turned, sewed bottom together (yes this is a bit fiddly, pressing carefully and stitched on machine to close) and then stitch in the ditch around the candy corn.

Made labels to pin on. 

It was a quick and fun project and a perfect treat for some neighbors and friends. 

 

Zipper Bag Exchange

Mid Cities Modern guild had a zipper bag exchange. I had been wanting to make the Becca Bag for a while and this was a good time to break out the pattern I purchased and see what it was all about. This bag has you use one side of the zipper only to put in the top. I was so delighted with the finish. I did have a bit of a round about on getting the pull back on but when I figured out not to cut it the way the pattern said on the zipper and just let it be long, put the pull on then cut all was so much easier for me. When the pattern had me cut the zipper tape the exact size of the top I found it did not allow me enough room to fiddle with getting the pull back on. Then my light bulb moment...leave it long, put the pull on then cut made it work for me. I LOVE this bag and how it sits up, holds a lot and looks stylish and cute. It is "lined" but the seams are not under the lining. My rotary cutter and other small sewing items do not seem to mind that. I know my partner liked her bag in her colors of blue and green. Yes I will make more as these will be fun gifts and use fabric my stash has in it. I bought extra zipper pulls so I can use both sides of the zipper. Thank you Lazy Girl for a fun pattern.

Ghost Bags Come to Life

 So last time the post showed the ghosts on the table ready to come to life. Now they are up and flying on bags that are now in the mail to the great grands. I really love the cute quick ghost pattern by Sassafras Lane    Mini ghost pattern    as it sews up fast, uses whatever scraps I had, is cute and perfect size. 

Ready to be a ghost bag

Now appearing 3 ghosts and below one has been captured on the "pressing Ham"

 

Reversible bags are always a favorite of mine so double the fun can be had. 

 

Check off another fun project. Simple and satisfying.
 

Ghost Bags on the Table

 Getting a few bags for Halloween set to sew...Ghost Bag front from a pattern by Sassafras Lane  The bags are just a simple reversible tote that sews up very easy. Wonder how many of these totes I have made in my sewing life...a lot of them.

Ghost Mini Pattern

 

 They are so cute, but will post them later to keep the surprise for the ones getting them. Uses a lot of scraps in my stash and that always makes me happy. They are very additive and such a quick finish.