A Finish

Just a little finish,

but a finish none the less.

This was an order that I had.

Don't you just love those little woolies?

My hand quilting is improving all the time,

and I am finding I enjoy the results.

I somehow jammed my thimble finger

shortly after finishing this.

I don't even know how???

Guess the quilt that has been on the frame

for the last few years 

with the stick and pick method of quilting

will have to wait a few more days:)

as well as getting the binding on the

Christmas Quilt, and...

the list goes on.

This weekend, my mom and I are headed to Rearden, WA
for the Buggy Barn Quilt and Folk Art Show.
I should have some fun pix next week.

Until next time,

Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches

Free Thanksgiving Pattern

Giving thanks and giving back.

I have some exciting news.  My friends and family have been telling me I should do this for a long time.  I have made patterns for people in the past, but haven't charged for them.  I am taking a leap and have begun posting my patterns.  If you look in my blog shoppe, they will be added as I have opportunity to do so.  It takes a little time just to get them posted to the shoppe let alone to create them. 

As a little perk to you, I am giving you a sweet Thanksgiving design that could actually be used the entire autumn season.  I put mine on a table runner, but you can make a pillow, tea towel, pot-holder, wall hanging, or a number of other items with this design.  The best news is... it's free! 

I would like to ask a couple things: first, I would ask that you become a follower - it's not a requirement.  You can still get the pattern if you choose not to follow.  I am a believer in the honor system:), and second, would you like more free patterns or designs perhaps each season?  Please leave me a comment and let me know what you think.  That's where being a follower really kicks in.  You would get to see those free patterns, and of course, this is just a fun place to hang out.  (I hope you like the idea as I have a another one in mind and am hoping to get started on it.)

I have a couple other patterns in the works that are more along the quilting line.  It just takes a little longer to get those samples made.

This free pattern is in my blog shoppe as well.  Let me know if for any reason it isn't working.  You should be able to just click and print.
I am still a newby to blogging so I am learning by doing:)

Until next time,
Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches

PS: Blessings to you folks over on the east coast - be safe.

Simpler Times

The other evening as my husband and I were sitting in the living room, I commented, "I so like our picture."  This was in reference to a large picture we purchased at a yard sale this summer that now hangs on our main wall in the living room.  It is from the 1700's and has sheep, a wagon, thatched roofs, etc.  His response was, "Me too.  It reminds me of a simpler time."  Those words have stayed with me.  Autumn is usually my favorite time of year and for some reason, this year my heart feels a little heavy.  There are always a multitude of factors of course, but I have been thinking about a simpler time.  I finished my Civil War table runner this morning.  I showed you the beginnings here a very long time ago.  Well, I sat this morning and finished it.  I hand quilted it with two strands of quilting thread.  This was the project I would tote around and more than once, my mom asked, "Do you always use two strands?"  "Nope."  I also made the stitches bigger, which was a bit of a task for me.  My natural gauge is much smaller.

Here is a little better shot of it.  I enjoyed making it even though I did several other projects while this one was in the works.  I have been in the 'finish it all up mode' for the past few days.  - Better take advantage of it as I'm sure it won't stick around long, and I will want to start something new.-  I will probably be putting it in my etsy shop.  Just finished it, so it may or may not get in there today.  The real question is, "Do you know what that is it's draped over?"

It's a pie caddy.  I like to play with lumber and power tools as well as fabric and scissors:)  I made one for my mom, and she keeps part of her rolling pin collection in it until she needs it.  I made one for myself and love it.  Our neighbors have a pie party every December for the neighborhood.  It works great.  The handle makes it easy to hang onto - so no spills.  I put this one in my etsy shop, and it has had no views.  It may be that nobody is interested, or it may be that they just don't know what it is.  The only other one I have ever seen was an antique - for way back when they used to have pie socials - you know, a simpler time.  I also made a batch of apple butter.  The apples from one tree in particular are smaller, but are sooo delicious.  I watch that tree year around.  Does anybody think about things like that any more?  We were without power this morning, and I just relished in the peace.  Peace, a sound we don't hear much about.  I am finding myself reaching back in time and connecting with the past and with nature.  The leaves falling, the smell of apple butter simmering in the crock pot, and the quiet of needle and thread;  it touches my heart and lifts it up just a little.  The chipmunks are scampering to and fro and chattering up a storm, and it makes me smile.  I am surrounded by blessings and am thankful for each and every one from the caterpillar crawling up the tree to the roof over our heads, and especially for those who came before me and made apple butter, carried a pie caddy, and worked a needle.  They inspire me.

Until next time,

Nimble Fingers and Even Stitches

Civil War Table Runner

Good Morning All. I just wanted to show you what I have been working on. Our local library had a fund raiser at which they had fabric, yarn, patterns, etc. all donated then had a sale. The fabric was sold by the pound. I found these reproduction Civil War fabric scraps. Someone had used the fabric, and these were the leftovers so I snagged them and challenged myself. This is what I came up with. I didn't use a pattern, I just went with whatever the fabric told me to do. I will bind it with the red that is behind it at right - and yes, that is part of another quilt in the corner. That's the wonderful thing about a design wall. I have room for multiple projects. But back to the table runner. I am going to hand quilt it. I know, I am a glutton for punishment, but I just can't seem to machine quilt a Civil War style piece. I think I will do slightly bigger stitches - more primitive-ish. Let me know what you think.

If I were to choose the fabrics, I would have aimed for a little more distinction between the small prints, but then it wouldn't be as much of a challenge now would it? I think the red binding will help. One other little thing is if you have not used the 'wonder ruler' for half triangle squares, I strongly recommend it. It makes them so easy to cut and sew with very little brain power required. I love it! Playing with stitches is such a fun way to spend time, I think I should do it more often:)

Until next time, wishing you even stitches and matching corners.