Looking around my sewing room, I've got a few things progressing along. Here comes a quick tour and recap. . .
Week 8 of the Puffy-Fours Pin Cushion self-imposed challenge brings a cream-and-purple (purple is my favorite color!) finish, shown in the front of the stack.
The stitches used include tete de boeuf (a lazy daisy/fly stitch combo), back stitch, and running stitch using three different size 8 perle cotton threads.
'To follow from the beginning or to make your own, go to the Winging It blog, and scroll down a little bit to the March 5 post, and the Puffy Fours 1, 2, 3, and 4 details.
With the mask frenzy quieting down a bit, I am turning to some of my on-going, but shelved, projects between working on new projects and FLOCK designs. I started this 'insane' project years ago using a collection of scraps and Liberty fat quarters. The Nearly Insane book by Liz Lois has no instructions, only the block outline for almost 100 different 6" blocks, each with crazy shapes and some with 150 or more tiny pieces.
I'm not a paper-piecing fan (a potential technique to use here), so I'm measuring and 'mathing' to piece each block traditionally. From time to time, I pull out the box of goodies and make a few blocks until something else grabs my time and attention. Yesterday morning, I pulled out the box. It's calling me to make a few blocks. I have about 15 done. And a million pieces to go.
Why not?
This little wall-hanging (below) just needs a label and a ribbon (I need to go digging in my stash to find the right ribbon because I can't simply wander into the craft stores to have a lookie) for hanging to call it done. I used the Stitchery Crossover technique I developed to add stitched and quilted borders to the stitchery center.
The technique is soon going to be an online class offering here at the Hummingbird Highway. Just gotta get through some sticky website platform snags before this absolutely cool technique class can be launched so you can play, too. Moving forward each day, so please be patient and watch for announcements soon, if you're interested. To put your name on the interest list for the class, click here (no obligation) or watch this newsletter for updates!
This particular cross stitch pattern, "Tasty Winter Treats," is from the February 2020 issue of Just Cross Stitch Magazine.
Speaking of the Stitchery Crossover technique, this project is where the whole idea started. I've been working on it since the beginning of 2019 from an alphabet block pattern by Erica Michaels. I don't see the pattern on the website any longer, so it may have been taken down.
Just the same, all the blocks are done, and I've added sashing strips and an inner border.
The outer border has finally hit prime time on my sewing table, and then it needs to be sandwiched and quilted. The end is in sight.
Exciting! But still quite a bit to do.
Speaking of quilting, this is the Hawaii Quilt Cruise quilt that is sandwiched, pin-basted and ready to quilt. It's still a secret until we finally get on the boat in November (I think the class and cruise still has room if you wan to come!).
It'll be a fun quilt to make and to quilt. So, I'd better get at it.
And if you're into year-long stitch alongs, my version of the Peppermint Purple year long Blackwork SAL is moving right along. I'll be adding some of that Stitchery Crossover technique I mentioned above to my version.
Still plenty of time to join the fun.
As an aside, here's a fun fact, for our first Stitchery Crossover project (the online class mentioned above), the stitchery part is designed by the amazing Clare Ardali of Peppermint Purple!
I recently learned that Clare doesn't like BIRDS! Inconceivable! *wink!*
And when all else in the sewing room fails to distract and entertain, a colorful puzzle paired with an audio book helps me escape into a world of color, creativity, mild brain exercise, and story telling.
A winning combination of calm, IMHO.
What projects are you rounding up this holiday weekend?
Happy Memorial Day!
Happy Stitching and Be Well!
Joan Ford
Head Hummingbird
Joan, your pin cushions are so beautiful and inspiring. Thanks for posting the tutorial. I have yet to give it a try, but would love to. Today’s post of the needle minders was wonderful. How many pins we all have that can be converted to needle minders? I think I even have some of the glue you bought. Now to search for some magnets. Thanks so much. Stay safe and keep up the great blog posts!
Love the pin cushions, Do you have a patern? New to quilting and think I can make these for gifts. Thank you Darlene
Hi Darlene. There isn’t a ‘pattern’ per se, but if you scroll back to the main blog page (https://hummingbird-highway.com/blog/, then scroll down) you’ll find a step by step tutorial starting on March 12, 2020, you’ll see four parts of the Puffy Fours tutorial.
Hi Joan- I simply LOVE your little pin cushions, they are Just elegant treasures. I made one 2 days ago and now I’m hooked. I made 3 so far and am working on a fourth. I have never really done much embroidery so this is a challenge and a great way to practice. It’s such a forgiving art in this instance-even though mine are a bit “rough” compared to yours, they are still beautiful. Thanks so much for sharing.
I made one pin cushion and love the look. I plan to make more as gifts for relatives and fellow quilters.
Thank you for the pattern and the tutorial!
Cheryl