Bowl Covers for Leftovers

 

I’m used to cooking for four. So after my son left home for Clayton to continue his studies, I continued cooking for four! That means only one thing…leftovers!

 

 

In my continuing effort to save Mother Earth from shrink wraps, I made this. I got the inspiration from here. Thanks Lindsay. But I tweaked the pattern a little. I did not  bind the edge the usual way.

 

Instead, I fold the bias tape into half and stitch it along the circumference of the fabric circle. Half way thru the circle, I leave a one inch gap for threading the elastic.

 

Using a bodkin , I inserted the elastic through the casing.

 

Join the two ends of the elastic by machine. Stitch close the opening and using a zig-zag stitch, I stitched around the edges to prevent fraying.

 

It looks exactly like a shower cap!

The best part is, it is washable and reusable!

I Love Jack !

 

I’ve started chaining the Jack’s Chain blocks …..and I’m loving it! I’m making a table topper/runner. Then it dawned on me….it’s going to be a nightmare to finish it with bias binding the curves! But I want to keep the curves…so I came up with this method. If you have done needleturn applique and love hand stitching, this will work for you too .

 

First I lay the finished top on the batting, baste with long running stitches along the edges to hold them together. Then trim the batting 1/8 of an inch inside the curves.(That means the batting piece is smaller the the top piece.)  Next, I lay the finished Jack’s Chain top on the backing fabric, right sides together. Pin in place. Trim the backing fabric with a 1/2 inch allowance.

 

Then, using whip stitch, stitch the two layers together as you would applique.

 

 

This how it looks like on the back. Leave an opening to turn it right side out. Remember to trim and cut notches where necessary. Turn the whole piece right sides out and slip stitch the opening close.

 

Top stitch all around the curves and quilt . I wanted to finish fast, so I just stitch around each hexagon….not that I am any good at any other quilting designs except straight line quilting!

 

After a good press at the ironing board, it’s now sitting pretty on my coffee table .

 

And I am starting on the next one. This time it’s blue!

 

……did I mention to remove the paper pieces …

Jack’s Chain

 

 

I’m working on a new block…and it has to do with a HEXIE!

 

 

Jack’s Chain. Stumbled upon this block here. You can also find it here. 

 

 

Of course I have to do it the EPP( English Paper Piecing) way. This method of tacking the corners only is much faster….and the paper pieces lasts longer too.  I don’t remove the basting stitches…it cannot be seen anyway.

 

Now, I’m off to make more blocks and start chaining them!

May I Pinterest You?

I’ve been quite unproductive of late….not blogging much, not sewing much, not doing much of anything except for lots of blog hopping and ….board hopping . pinboard, that is.

Recently, while blog hopping, I came across a blog with this button.

It took me to Pinterest!

Pinterest is a pinboard…a big virtual pinboard where you create collections of things…anything you can find in the world wide web. It’s like a big community where we collect and share all sorts of things.

I like to share tutorials and patterns that I have and those that I find while blog hopping. But sometimes it can take time to write up a post. With Pinterest, all I need is to click a special button called the Pinterest bookmarklet ,choose an image from the site and add it to my pinboard. That’s it! Pinterest will automatically grab the source link to give credit to the original creator. You can also browse through other pinboards, search by keywords and repin what you like! And while doing that, I found more blogs to follow!!! No wonder I didn’t have time for blogging and sewing!

I have created a few pinboards….mostly sewing stuffs….mostly tutorials with free patterns ….my to~do~list. It’s quick, it’s easy and it won’t get lost in my many folders of to-do-lists in my computer!!!

To see my pinboard, just click     . You can find this button on my sidebar, just below my followers.

If you like to have your own pinboards, Pinterest is by invitation only, so hurry to get an invite!

Homespun Stitch-a-Long

 

I love hand stitching. It’s very calming….ahhhhh.

A Faithful Friend….ahhhhhhhh.

 

 

 

Block one (the verse in the centre) can be found  in the No 95 Vol 12.4 issue of Homespun Magazine. And Lenna Green is offering

19 more stitcheries to make up an  inspirational quilt . .. all for FREE !

 

Block 3 and 4 are ready to be downloaded!

 

Thanks Leena !

Pennies for Rylee by Cyndi

 

(photo courtesy of Cyndi of Stitch Stitch Stitch )

I fell in love with this baby quilt when I saw it at Stitch Stitch Stitch . And stitch, stitch stitch I did! It’s an old fashion baby quilt with so many penny squares stitcheries to choose from! And I’m choosing all!

 

 

I’m stitching them in two colours!

Pink and Blue!

 

 

Yes, I’m planning to make two quilts!

Wish me luck !

KoolBeenz …..StitchinStash

Last month, I took part in a giveaway by April @ KoolBeenz…..and I won!

 

 

Stitchin Stash was April’s giveaway sponsor.

Isn’t that a cute name card?

“Your obsession is our specialty….” 

 

My prize bundle came today ~Michael Miller Fabric - Lazy Daisy Fat Quarter Bundle. Totally in love with it! Thanks Julie of Stitchin Stash.

 

And thank you April !

By the way, April has a cool shoppe !

And she’s hosting another giveaway!!!

Cotton Blossom Farm is sponsoring a 10 pc Half Yd Bundle!

Three Birdies

 

Enough with knitting. I’ve been pretty quiet….but I’m still around…lurking, hopping, commenting and nosing around blogland. I’ve also been quietly stitching away…especially during the long wedding I had to attend;  a real fairytale wedding like no other that I have read before!

 

This is what I have been stitching. Aren’t those birdies cute? It’s supposed to be wool applique…but I had to do it my way .

 

 

It’s a spectacles case from Wee Folk Art. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Washed…Blocked…Done!

 

 

One day short of a week, hours watching movies, I’ve finished knitting, washing and blocking the Feather n Fan scarf !

 

 

Really love the effect of the increase and decrease of stitches creating the lacy waves. It is a very easy pattern to memorize….no looking at the chart or pattern ,no stitch markers nor row counters!

 

 

Ready to be wrapped. It’s a gift for a friend.

Feather n Fan and Ravelry

This is a four row pattern. Very easy. Loving the lacy look of it!  Got the pattern via Ravelry.

 

Back to my knitting !

 

I Got Bitten by the Knitting Bug !

 

When I knit,  I like  to pull the end of the ball from the center as it keeps the ball neater.

 

 

Have you ever had problem getting the end out? I tried both sides but it just won’t budge!  This ball of yarn is very compact… I had a hard time even to put in my fingers!

 

In the end , I just rip out the paper and start knitting .

 

 

I combined some stitches from different projects and came up with this. Not done with it yet. I think I will add some lacy edging. What do you think?

 

I love this yarn. Lives up to its name…Smoothie.

 

For beginner knitters, I recommend  textured yarn. It’s all garter stitch here. Good practice for your knit stitch!

 

 

I love this. The yarn is so smooth and silky. It’s Razzle Textures.

Looks like seaweed, eh? It’s actually a darker shade than in this photo.

 

 

 

Psst , if you like my pink scarf, I’ll e-mail you the pattern.