Thursday, February 25, 2016

Stitching and Quilting

It's that time again…2016 Smalls SAL monthly post.  Here is what I managed to stitch and finish.  
Designer: Little House Needlework
Design: Cardinal Winter (partial)
Fabric: 32ct Evenweave over 1
Floss: DMC & VMST

Very tiny stitching! At one time I could stitch 40ct over one without readers but not today. I hate that my eyes are not as good as they once were, drives my crazy.  This was a quick stitch (using my readers) and a relatively simple finish.  To add some dimension to this little design I decided to use some seed beads to look like snow.  I am working on another teeny design to slip into a pocket watch; I just love them!

My DS/DIL spent last weekend with us.  Saturday we headed out for a day of skiing…in less than ideal conditions.  With the lack of snow and many rainy days this winter has been dreadful.  Unfortunately, at the end of November I bought 3 ski tickets.  Who would have thought that the winter would be so terrible? Well, I was eager to use these tickets so as not to waste all that money!  The skiing was terrible but I enjoyed having G/M here for the weekend.  My DIL made some impressive raspberry french macaroons…


And being the sweet person that she is, she handles the cleanup...


with a little help from DH. :-)

My DS avoided the clean up by spending his time playing with messy cute Emma…



Speaking of DIL, here is the quilt that I made her for Christmas…

Design: Swoon
Designer: Thimble Blossoms
By: Camille Roskelley
Block Size: 24"
Quilt Size: 80" x 80"
Stitched for: Meg

Machine Quilted ~ Detail


I purchased the quilt kit from Waterwheel Quilt Shop. The fabrics were perfect. My DIL likes dots, and this kit had a dot fabric in each block. I purchased pink dotted backing fabric from one of my favorite online shops, Thousands of Bolts.  



The blocks are huge, each one measuring 24 inches.  There is a modified version of swoon called, Swoon Sixteen where each block measures 16 inches. This is a very popular quilt pattern, just google "Swoon Quilts" and you will see lots of beautiful finished quilts!

For a while now I have had the itch to stitch~ as in using my neglected Bernina!  My sewing "to do" list is growing:


  • English paper piecing project
  • Zip Pouches 
  • Table Runner
  • Graduation Quilt #1
  • Graduation Quilt #2
  • 2016 Christmas Gift Quilt
There are a few bloggers that I know who have ventured off into the world of quilting never to return to cross stitch.  Well, that will never happen to me.  I have quilted since the early 80's and cross stitched since the late 80's. I truly enjoy them both but I do believe that my favorite is cross stitch. My cross stitch "to do" list is ENDLESS.


Thanks for Stopping by…
Until next time…

20 comments:

Unknown said...

This was a wonderful post. Thank you for sharing - Your small is awesome, love the bead. 40 ct is very small. I would need my magnifying glass along with my readers..

Vickie said...

Sweet pocket watch finish. What a fantastic gift you gave your DIL.

Jo who can't think of a clever nickname said...

That watch fob finish is adorable! I love the beads in the case.
I have such bad eyesight I find the high counts better, I just hold them close to my face. My focal length is about 3 inches so that's how I stitch, looking over the top of my glasses!

Glad to hear that you will never desert the cross stitch world either!

Carol said...

Your teeny tiny finish is so adorable, Marie--I just love anything tiny. I've never tried stitching over one on 40ct--can't imagine! I use 40 ct. fabric a lot, but it is always over two. The quilt is so lovely, too--what a special gift for your new DIL!

Sorry about the skiing conditions, but how nice to have your son and DIL there visiting. I am so impressed with her macarons as I was seriously thinking of making them for my boss's retirement party in March. But, since I am hosting the party, I decided to go with something easier :)

I've always been interested in quilting, but know I'll be a forever cross-stitcher, too. Maybe I'll venture out into quilting when I retire, who knows?

Maggee said...

Great post! I love the watch fob! Absolutely perfect! And that quilt is certainly beautiful... love those polka dots too! I want to try my hand at quilting a little, not all the time! Cross stitch is my focus right now! My 'to-do' list is Also Endless! Oh my! Sometimes the finishing involves sewing or quilting/piecing but... that is just momentary, for effect! Thanks for sharing! Hugs!

Rachel said...

Your pocket watch finish is cute. I love your use of the seed beads as snow :) Do you have a tutorial for this type of finish?!

Yummy looking macarons. My sister got me a macaron kit for Christmas, but it's an intimidating dessert to make!!!

Love the quilt!!! So beautiful!

Mini said...

You Small finish is adorable. What a lovely quilt you made for your DIL.
Cross stitch is my first love too..I try other crafts ,however I always come back to cross stitch.

Irmeli said...

So nice small finish, love the pocket watch idea. And your quilt is awesome

Kaelyn Angelfoot said...

Lovely quilt! I also do both. I cross stitched when I was young (my grandmother taught me), then I got into quilting in high school, and now I cross stitch, quilt, and crochet. Variety is the spice of life.

valerie said...

Love your pocket watch finish and the little addition of beads to act like snow. The quilt for your DIL is so pretty!

Jayne said...

I love the quilt, I am never very brave when it comes to quilting the top I always end up quilting in the ditch to scared to do free motion.
Love the little watch fob they are now available in the Uk will have to have a go stitching for one.

Cathy B said...

Those macaroons look delicious!

Margo's Musings said...

Love the pocket watch small and the gorgeous quilt! I would love to get involved in quilting - although I don't think it would replace stitching as my go-to craft. If only there were more hours in the day!

The macarons look great!

Julie said...

Delightful tiny finish. Fabulous quilt , wonderful gift.

Angela said...

Nothing could replace stitching for me too :) I love your pocket watch and quilt finishes!

ANGIE said...

Hi Marie, it's very sweet finish! And your macaroons look so delicious! Happy stitching!

Heather said...

Great stitching finish! And the quilt is amazing! Great work!

Brigitte said...

Oh my, this little pocket watch stitching is just stunning. So tiny and wow, you only need your readers to see what you stitch. So your eyes are not as bad as you think they are. They only start getting worse when you need bright light for everything and these big magnifiers, lol.
Absolutely beautiful, the quilt you made for your DIL. I looked up Swoon Quilts and my wishlist has received a new item, lol. Wonderful versions! My sewing list is also rather long, but my stitching list even longer. And like you I will never give up stitching for quilting.
These French macaroons look so delicious ... my sweet tooth just tells me that I need something sweet ... and soon it's coffee time and I will look what I can find to have with my tea :)))

Amy said...

The pocket watch stitch is gorgeous! What a great way to finish a design!

And your quilt is just beautiful too! You make such lovely and thoughtful things.

Weronika said...

Wonderful post! Lovely way for finishing - never though that pocket watch could be so lovely! Your macarons looks so tasty - I love macarons!