Little Winter Birdy

My quilt guild has a show every other year in the spring. This year when it's on I'll be out of the country so I'll miss it. One of the things they do is have guild members make mini quilts that they raffle off. Since I won't be able to help with the actual event I decided to make a mini quilt for them.

This little guy comes from a book called A Critter Christmas which I picked up at my LQS. The animals are pretty cute and my nieces are still at the age where they like cute.

My progress:

These are my freezer paper templates

This is the branch and leaves. I don't know why it's sideways - you'll have to tip your head cuz I can't rotate it.

This is round one. I didn't flip the direction of the bird from the templates and so he faces right - I like him facing left. And if you look closely you can see that my curves aren't very smooth because I clipped them.

So, I tried again. Instead of clipping the curves I did a running stitch and gathered them before starching and pressing. I'm much happier with this method and the results.

Almost finished

All Done. I quilted around the shapes, added an eyeball and pompom and a hanging sleeve.

I'm pretty pleased with my results and hope someone is happy to win this little winter birdy.

On Paws

Yep - you read that right - paws, as in dog paws.

One of my best customers for alterations is the computer secretary at work. She is Persian and tells me she loves me all the time - and I don't get that from just anyone.

Last week she stopped me to ask if I could make doggie boots for her dog so that the dog (Mocha) would be able to go out in the ice, salt, and snow. I suggested she buy some but for some reason, that wouldn't work.

So, I looked up dog boots online and found these two tutorials on how to sew them and how to fit them .  Who knew?

Here are the finished products:

I used some scrap fleece (good quality stuff) and some scrap suede I had from somewhere. I used double sided velcro that I found that is normally used like zip ties.

They look great and the dog loves them.  Mission accomplished.

Gemütlichkeit

Happy New Year Everyone!

I've been away from blogging almost the entire fall. I think I'm back now.

A few times recently I had a facebook posting cross my feed that is about cultural traditions in other countries that we don't have in North America. The second or third time it crossed my feed I decided it was time I did something with the idea (I believe that the universe sends us hints and to me, this was one). I've decided to adopt the German idea of Gemütlichkeit, which basically translates into a feeling of warmth and coziness - there's a bit more to it because it doesn't translate exactly, but you get the drift. It's something they do that is physical and emotional - like hanging out with friends and feeling warm and cozy at the same time. I struggle every winter with the darkness and I think this might help me. You can read more here.

My word for the year is "self". Sounds very selfish and it is! I do a lot of things for other people and it's time I did some things for myself. I have a sabbatical coming up the beginning of February. Teachers have this option to have reduced pay over a long period of time, then take a leave and be paid. I've funded this leave myself with pay reductions for five years. I have many things planned for this time off - and I want to focus on myself.

This fall I did a lot of knitting, mostly for Xmas presents. Maybe I was getting into the Gemütlichkeit idea before I even new it.

2015 finish - new cover for a bench

2015 finish - superwash wool flipper mittens for me

Matching cowl and flipper mitts for my sis

flipper mitts for my sil (I was on a roll with the flipper mitts)

trimmed tea towels for mom

an interesting book I read this fall

These are the mitts Ana wore in the movie Frozen. I made two pairs for a friend at school with two little girls.

Sweater for L's baby

flannel pillow cases for my nieces 

matching hat and mitt sets

2 of 3 knitting needle cases

Michigan State football pillowcases

This is what I've been up to for the end of 2014 and the beginning of 2105.
I have many sewing projects on the horizon, just none under the needle right now, and I'm good with that.