Tuesday, May 12, 2015

Mothers Day Week End 2015

Other than Birthdays/Holidays rarely do both my Girls and Granddaughters all get to spend time together.  Danielle, my oldest, flies all over the world with her job.  Lauren, on the other hand is always busy with my 3 sweet Granddaughters.  It was a wonderful change of pace on Mothers Day Saturday as Lauren put together a outing for all of us a Paint a Plate in Olympia.  I have never been there and really didn't know the business existed.  Paint a Plate offers hundreds of Ceramic Items to be painted by you, then they fire and glaze the pieces.  Pick up time of your Treasures is about 5 days after the painting is completed.  Needless to say I got to paint with my Granddaughters~
Johanna, 5, chose a Trinket Box for my Nightstand to put my Jewelry in.  You are given a Palate of Paint colors that are numbered and the corresponding numbered Paint Bottles sit in the wire basket on the Table.  You put a few drops of your chosen color(s) on a tile coaster and paint your piece from there
Audra, 3, chose a Coffee Mug for me with Polka Dots(her fav)
Johanna painting her Chevron Design in different colors.  Each Color takes 4 coats of this quick drying paint, in order for the color to show up after firing.
Audra is making progress with her Blue Polka Dots and Pink Background.
Lauren with sweet Baby Rose (3 months).  Danielle was able to come along and is working on a Mug and Tray Set.  Audra's finished Mug in my hand is ready for Kiln.

On Sunday, Danielle took us out to our Annual Mothers Day Brunch at Stanfords in Seattle.

Thank~You so much Girls, Mom had a Wonderful Week~end!!

Thanks friends for stopping by, I hope you enjoyed a bit of my week end.  I also hope you had a Fabulous Week End too!!

Huggs, Nancy
rfnancy.etsy.com
sweettwinklestars.etsy.com

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

"Twas the night........" Day 2 & A Holiday Give Away!

Twas' about 2 Months ago when our Leader Samm of Sew We Quilt, and Team Leader Marlene of Stitchin by the Lake were about to settle down with there brew, when an idea struck, and off to their Keyboards they flew~ Now G, Now I, Now F and T!  On I, On D, On E, A and S!
The next Morning, to what before my eyes did Appear but a New Blog Hop!  Still in my Kerchief, I sprung to the Keurig and back to the Computer!



Welcome Friends, I am so glad you are here to visit today!! 
Making Gifts to Share and Give is always a Delight for me, especially during the Holidays!!

Heather from A Reformed Heath'n sent me a Beautiful Quilted Journal with Pockets Inside!  I was going to make one for myself to Journal my 2015 Sewing and Quilting Adventures.  So I was so delighted when this arrived along with a Handmade Card~

Also was another beautifully made Gift.  Handwarmers, and Lavender Scented, Rice Filled Eye Bag.  Both of which have other uses as well.  A Handmade Bag full of Chocolates was a Sweet ending to my lovely set of Gifts!!  Thank~You Again so much Heather!!

Some of my ideas to Share with you today are these easy Ornament/Package Toppers,

So easy to make, just keep embellishing a Fabric Pinwheel.


Another Favorite that keep me busy throughout the year but a Great Stocking Stuffer, are my Lavender filled Dryer Sachets.  I make them Plain and sometimes I will add a little trimming to the front.


I am always into Pretty Towels as you have seen here before, so I tried this Pattern, from Little House Living  I have decided and ready to sew on now, a 3" Ruffle to the bottom

These I made with Never been used Vintage Canon Towels.  Very Easy, and fun.

More things I would Love to share with you but the 'Sleigh' must move on!

I did send the following Items to Amy of Sew Incredibly Crazy, but I forgot to take a shot of the Apron.  That you will see on her Blog.

A Wonky Stacked Pincushion

Scarf, that is my favorite Pattern to Crochet~

Thank~You sew much for stopping by today, I hope you will stop by the other Bloggers in today's event.  I am sure they will have ideas that will put a Twinkle in your eye!

Wednesday, Nov. 12 



Our GIVE AWAY is a Wonderful $25 Gift Certificate from the FAT QUARTER SHOP!
All you do is leave a Happy Holiday Comment, and the Winner will be drawn at the end of the Blog Hop!  Good Luck Everyone!!

Wishing you All a Safe and Blessed Holiday Season!!


Huggs, Nancy
www.coeurdalenegifts.com
rfnancy.etsy.com
sweettwinklestars.etsy.com

Monday, November 3, 2014

"Black Cat's Crossing" Blog Hop Winner

Thanks to all of you so very much for stopping and leaving such Lovely Comments on my Projects in the "Black Cat's Crossing" Blog Hop.  It was a Wickedly Fun Hop for me and I hope for all of your too!!

Thanks especially to Madame Samm, Wicked Wendy and Maywood Studios for this Fabulous Collection!!

The Winner of my Blog Hop:
Generate a random number between  and   = 114
Which happens to be Carla from "Creatin in the Sticks" Blog

Congratulations Carla!!

Have a Great Fall Day my Sweet Friends!

Huggs, Nancy

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Day Two ~ Wicked Black Cat Crossing Hop & a Give~Away!

Welcome Friends to Day 2 of our "Wicked Black Cat Crossing" Blog Hop!
  
Our Annual "Wicked" Blog Hop this year is Sponsored by Maywood Studios and their "Black Cat Crossing" Collection.   Thank~You Maywood Studios

 A Grand Thanks to Madame Samm of Sew We Quilt, the impeccable Genius behind our Hop.  For her 4th year in a row, the one and only Wicked Wendy of Why Knot Kwilt, our Wonderfully Wicked Leader!!  

I was elated when I saw the "Black Cat Crossing" Collection on Madame Samm's Blog, I saw some colors that were perfect for a very Special Gift that could be used all year long in my Family Room or Living Room.  This Special Gift is for my Hubby who celebrates a Birthday every year on Halloween!!

A little background before we start.  My Husband is the Perfect Gentleman, full of Humor that makes me laugh and very quick witted.  After 5 months of trying to make a date(many years ago) as our after work lives were full of commitments, finally the day came and I have to say by this time we knew each other quite well.  After opening the car door for me, and strapping in my seat belt, Nick said "All set Miss Kitty?"  I replied "Well yes Chester, Thank~you".  Hence, as you will see below "Chester's" Black Cat Crossing Quilt.
Out of the Collection I chose all of the Black and Tan Fabric Designs and the Panel too.  I did design this Quilt with one I saw on the Fat Quarter Shop Blog, I believe it was called Fat Quarter Fizz.  One day I will make one just like theirs but since i wanted to include the Panel here and Borders, I did keep theirs in mind when designing mine.

With the help from Madame Samm and Gmama Jane of Grandmama's Stories, I was able to add an embroidered Border at the top and Bottom of the Quilt.
In Black Presencia Thread I embroidered "Chester, How do I Love thee, Let us
Count my Wicked ways.  Miss Kitty"
I typed this saying out in Word, made it Bold and printed it out.  Then I just taped it to my cutting mat and laid my Fabric strips over the top, taped them down too, and traced the words with my Frixon Pen.  Very easy!  I used the basic Stem Stitch on all the Lettering.
I also embroidered the Center Panel,
outlining the Tree, Fences, Stars, and Gravestones with the Stem stitch and Precencia Threads as well.  The Black Cat I outlined with Hand dyed Black Mohair. 


I am an avid crocheter with specialty fibers only purchased at yarn Boutiques.  For the past 4 years I have been buying my Wools, Mohairs, and Merino's from a Shop here in Shelton, WA.  Fancy Image Yarn owner Myra Garcia just does a Gorgeous job with color.

The Quilt is lined with Pellon 80/20 Natural Touch and backed with a very Plush Jet Black Throw I picked up at Tuesday Morning.  I was worried about it being to slippery to quilt with, but it sewed up beautifully.  Hint:  when using fabric very plush like this, cut off all the hemming just before binding, or you will have bits everywhere.  Thank heavens I knew before hand to do this.
Here on Nick's Chair for when he returns from his trip, folded up though, but this is his first time seeing it too!
The Quilt measures 52" x 70", and will keep him nice and warm this Winter in his favorite chair as he watches evening Television.

One thing about Nick, once he sits down here, it's a little snooze, then he likes to snack!  So with some extra pieces I whipped him up a reversible Rag Style Snack Mat and Coaster Set,


In the evenings though, it will look like this,
One of his favorites an Apple Lattice Pie, and a Caramel Latte.

I thoroughly enjoyed working and designing with this Collection, I hope you enjoyed your time here as well!!

Now for our Give Away, from my New Blog Sponsor of our Blog Hops,


A Very Generous $25 Gift Certificate

When I get busy on a project I get sew involved I can forget about eating, and I have to make sure I have a healthy snack close by to graze on.  Lately, because our Washington Apples have been so plentiful,
I have been slicing them, drizzeling a little Sugar Free Caramel Sauce over the Apples, and adding some chopped Honey Roasted Cashews on top.  With a fork there is no mess or sticky fingers.

So for our Give Away, let me know your favorite fall snack if you have one in your comment.  That's it, the Give Away will go until the end of the Hop on October 31, 2014
I'll announce the Winner the following day.

Please Visit my "Wicked" Sisters today, they have incredible Projects to share:

Tuesday, October 21

Wishing you a Very Fun & "Wicked" Halloween my Sweet Friends!!

Huggs, Nancy

Sunday, October 19, 2014

eerie, spooky and down right WICKED!!

Are you ready for this?

Prepare to HOLD ON TO YOUR SEAT~

It's Coming, Oh YES IT IS!!

WICKED


Your Daily Wicked Host~

Monday, October 20

Tuesday, October 21

Wednesday, October 22

Thursday, October 23
TeaTimeCreations      

Friday, October 24

Monday, October 27  

Tuesday, October 28

Wednesday, October 29
A Stitch in Time     

Thursday, October 30

Friday, October 31
Follow along with us for a WICKED Good Time!!

Huggs, Nancy

Monday, September 29, 2014

RUSH HOUR ......Day 5

Welcome to Day 5 of RUSH HOUR 

a wonderful Fabric Collection from Studio E, a Great Blog Hop theme and vision from Madame Samm of SewWeQuilt.com, and our fearless Organizer and Cheerleader extraordinaire Carol of JustLetMeQuilt.com, a warm Heart Thank~You to all of you!!

These days in our home just about the only thing we Rush for are for our Children and our Precious Granddaughters, and Granddaughter Number 3 will be arriving in February!! *Big Smile*
There is nothing I enjoy more than helping out my daughter with her Girls and spending time with them is true Bliss!
With Number 3 on the way we realized we would be needed more this Winter helping out with Johanna 4, and Audra 2.  With School delivery and pick up, picking them up to give Mommy and Daddy some much anticipated Quiet time, what ever the case may be transportation would no less be involved.  

Thus Rush Hour Bliss evolved.......
A great piece of Red & White numbered Fabric from Studio E's Rush Hour Collection as a Focal Point, surrounded by Fabric from the Bliss Collection in the remaining required fabrics Black, White, and Greys.  Would become a Cozy Car Quilt for each with a Fun Matching Pillow.

I drew up my pattern
Both Quilts would be the same with one simple Block Change to make them a little different.  I used Aurifil's Clear Thread(and it is so soft) so the fabric pattern would not be interrupted, a Pellon Batting and a Plush Grey Backing.

Audra's quilt I quilted each 4" square and each 12" strip

On Johanna's I quilted each 9 patch and Strip sections with a Shooting Star effect.

Please let me know if these 2 techniques have proper Quilting Names.....my first time doing a multi fabric quilted piece(I don't know all the Names)

Audra's 

Johanna's

The 12" x 12" Center needed a little something in the center, something a little girly.  So I created Layered Posies for each.  A bottom layer of there Mothers favorite, White Eyelet.  Then a coordinating fabric layer, topped with Red & White Polka Dot Ribbon(like Minnie Mouse, a favorite) Star with a Vintage Black Button in the Center.

Audra's
Johanna's

Now, Cozy Car Quilts needed fun little Pillows, I made these with the remaining Fabric and purchased Royal Majesty Non Allergenic Pillows to stuff inside as I made envelope style Pillow Cases for easy removal and washing.

Audra's Pillow
Down the center where the Fabric overlaps for the envelope I added 3 more of the same style Posey.  The second layer here is a White and Black Damask Satin Ribbon.  I made Bows instead of Stars out of the Red & White Polka Dot Ribbon and added White Heart Buttons on the top and bottom Posey and a Vintage Grey and Black Button in the Center.
The back of the Pillow for a sleepy head....

Johanna's Pillow
Johanna's Posies are the same with the exception of the Grey and Black Vintage Star Button in the Center Posey.

Now, let's see a little Magic.......
Audra's Pillow
Johanna's Pillow

I stood the Pillows up, Notice anything different????


The Posies all Changed too!
Any Guess's?????

All the Posies on the Pillows and on the Quilts I attached with Velcro so they can be removed during Washing(they will need a little hand washing if required).

I hope you enjoyed this RUSH HOUR Bliss Collection as much as I had making it!!

I have 4 Fat Quarters to Give Away here in Red, all you need to do is leave a comment, and if you like follow me and leave a second comment that you did and where you are following me.


The Give Away will end on October 3rd, 2014 and I will announce the Winner here the Following Day!!

Again my Sincere Gratitude to Studio E, Madame Samm, and Carol!!  It has been a pleasure participating in the RUSH HOUR Blog Hop!!

Please Visit the other Wonderful Ladies Today with their Version of 
RUSH HOUR

Monday, September 29