Zipping Along ~ Finishes and A New Start

As I did last year, I will be participating in the 2016 Smalls SAL. Here is what I completed for the January check in: 

Design: Storklette Scissor Holder

Designer: The Sunflower Seed

Fabric: 32 count linen

Threads: Victorian Motto Sampler Threads

Folded Front

Folded Back

I stitched this design multiple times but never for myself. Like so many other stitchers I often complete a project for someone else and tell myself that I will stitch it again and keep it! Well, I finally did just that and stitched this scissor holder for myself. 

Last week I took a class at my local quilt shop and I now no longer suffer zipper phobia. I have overcome my fear of zippers.  Here is the lined zippered pouch that I made…

Using this pattern…

Design: Trio Zip Pouches

Designer: Sew Many Creations

I like that the pouch has a boxed bottom so that it stands up nicely.  Today I took a ride to JoAnn Fabric to purchase a bunch of zippers because I intend to make a bunch of pouches in all different sizes. 

This size is perfect for my English paper piecing supplies: threads, needles, scissors, and templates…

On the second Saturday of each month, I attend an English Paper Piecing sewing group at Waterwheel Quilt Shop.  We all work on different projects. For my new start, I decided to stitch up some of the designs in The New Hexagon book.  

The shop owner introduced us to this fabulous thread…

Each spool has 400 meters of Invisafil thread. It is a poly thread that behaves like cotton and is the perfect choice if you are looking for invisible thread.  The 100wt thread is thin, making it barely noticeable when seaming the pieces together but it is extremely durable. 
She also introduced us to Sue Daly's Patchwork With Busy Fingers #11 Milliners Needles. These help me to take the tiny stitches necessary in paper piecing.  

Thanks for Stopping by…
Until next time…

Traveling the Pacific Coast Highway

First up: Gifted Gorgeousness SAL ~ Jan. check in.

I decided to continue my participation in the Gifted Gorgeousness SAL for 2016.  I found it extremely helpful in motivating me to finish what I start! 

Here is my progress on Black Horse Inn, which I began in August 2015.

Much of my time was spent on this section…

Next: Our California Travels

My DH and I spent Christmas in California.  We flew to San Francisco and spent a few days in that area before heading south down the Pacific Coast Highway, which is an amazingly beautiful ride with many impressive sights.

Bixby Bridge, found along the stretch of Big Sur…

Crashing waves…

Frightening cliffs…

A rest along the way…

A short stop in Cayucose, CA to check out Brown Butter Cookie Company…

Where we watched busy workers making cookies…

Not sure that woman in  the back appreciates having her picture taken. She appears to be giving me the stink eye. I did ask first and was given the "A Okay" to take pictures.

It all looked so delicious…

We couldn't resist this…

The cookies are soooooo GOOD!

Another PCH breath taking view…

And finally a stop in Pismo Beach, CA for the evening, which is where I will pick up in my next post.

Thanks for stopping by…
Until next time…

Truly Gorgeous Christmas Ornament

My Christmas was spent vacationing for 12 days in sunny, but not so warm, California. It was nice to get home. Opening this beautiful ornament made it even nicer…

2015 Christmas Ornament from Margaret

Designer: Blackbird Designs

Design: Noel Stocking

Gorgeous, truly gorgeous!  My friend Margaret stitched this beauty; it is perfect in every way: beautiful design, beautiful colors, beautifully stitched, beautifully finished! Makes me so happy that I have a tall, thin tree that I keep up all year. I certainly don't want to pack this away until next year, I want to enjoy it all year. Thank you, Margaret, for your gift and your friendship. 

Here is one last ornament that I sent out to my dear friend, Vonna.  I wanted to stitch a PS design for her Prairie Schooler tree.  The first design that I stitched, but did not send, was the Mini Nutcracker Santa (1996 mini card).  While reading Vonna's blog I noticed that she had two Nutcracker Santa ornaments hanging on her PS tree! No worries, I kept the Nutcracker Santa but got busy stitching this design…

2015 Christmas Ornament for Vonna

Designer: Prairie Schooler

Design: HoHoHo Santa

From: 2014 JCS Ornament Issue

I rang in the new year with my DH aboard a United Airline flight from CA.  We arrived home in the early morning where we were greeted by my oldest son and DIL. Yahoo! They stayed with us from Friday-Sunday where we had delayed Christmas. Everyday that they are able to travel here feels like Christmas! They have since headed back to NYC and shall return when the snow falls…if it ever does!

Ugh, bad start to the ski season in Vermont.

Wishing you a Happy New Year!

May all of your dreams turn into reality

and all your efforts into great achievements.

Until next time…