New Years Day - Organizing "Play Day"

In reflecting on the year, it’s been so much fun posting projects I have been making. It’s great having a community to share with. I love that followers are from all across the world!!!! Quilting is definitely an international love of all things fabric and quilted. I would love to hear comments of any kind and in any language (I know several folks that can interpret)!

What am I planning to do New Years Day? Well I like to treat it as an organizing play day. I recently organized my fabrics. Now tomorrow will be the perfect day to organize arts, crafts, and sewing supplies. 

Crank up some great music and relax. It is great to see your fabrics, ribbons, ephemera, etc.

Just have fun!

Once organized it will be that much easier to clean up after each project and/or at the end of each night. 

I try to always pick up as much as possible at the end of the day. Especially since I have numerous projects I work on at the same time.

Happy New Years!!!

Day of Play

Everybody needs a Day of Play! You don't have to make anything big. It can be an art quilt or even one block! I frequently get inspiration from seeing a color combination anywhere from a newspaper flyer, an image, an outfit someone was wearing, or colors in nature.

Hand dyed ribbon and lace, embroidery, silk ribbon

Then I start by looking for those colors in my fabric stash. Once you pull them out and set them together I like to grab other fabrics in the same color but a little different shade. Variety is the spice of life. And it is the spice in quilting. I would much rather look at 4 shades of green than just all of the same green fabric.

Then just try cutting out shapes from your fabrics and lay them next to each other. (If you have fabrics you don't want to cut into this is a great way to cut a little square or circle) You might as well use the fabrics you cherish! Tip: I noticed that once I cut into a fabric its easier to start using it in other projects - which is the goal after-all. 

Many different types of fabrics from my cupboard, vintage silk scary and vintage ribbon.

Fusibles are a great way to play. They allow you to cut out any shape without fraying.

Ideas to add or try:

• Stamping
• Fabric paint
• Paint splatters
• Beads
• Ribbon
• Lace
• Embroidery - running stitch, french knots, etc.
• Layers
• Machine quilting  

Hand dyed ribbon

It's all about your Day of Play! Enjoy! 

Mini Quilted Christmas Tree Decoration

This teeny tiny paper pieced block is 1.5" square in the center. The pattern was so tiny that I wanted to give it a try. It makes for a cute decoration or ornament.

It went together fairly easily and I love the perfect points on the tree. A tip I had read for paper piecing paid off by back stitching at the beginning and end of each stitch. That was especially important for something so tiny. I had a picture of the back with the paper pattern but now I can't find it. I added a traditional binding and some hand stitching.

This is another variation I did without paper piecing by making 2 flying geese and a 3 strips. It is tiny also. Nice for gifts and quilt guild exchanges!