"Buttons and patches and the cold wind blowing,
The days pass quickly when I am sewing"
~Author Unknown

Monday, August 17, 2009

Patchwork and stitching are friends

Since the 1st and 15th of each month are HarmAn Days (start a new project), I took a miniature sampler up to Cranberry Cottage to work on. It happened again... I started the sampler but also finished it. *grins* I just cannot get the hang of this startitis thing right now.


The sampler measures 2 inches by 4-1/4 inches which I decided to turn into a little pillow for an autumn decoration.

I keep a drawer with scraps I cut while working on a quilt in various shapes. These rectangles have come in handy for other stitching projects in the past. I love Chinese coins as they are called by quilters and want to make a mini quilt with them one day. But I used some of them to sew two rows of 'coins' for each side of the pillow. They measure 1-1/4 inch by 3/4 inch each here on the pillow.

I added a pretty ribbon which brought out the color of thread. I used Weeks Dye Works Indian Summer for this sampler. It gave a subtle effect for this autumn sampler which includes a little squirrel, leaves and toadstool. I had so much fun making this for my favorite season that I finished it in two days.

But in the hope that I still get the hang of startitis...I am starting another project today. I am going to start one of two new Halloween projects. I came home last night and got my fabric ready along with my threads. I do have a confession to make...my stash diet was severely broken last week. I will tell you all about it in my next post. But in the meantime, is anyone thinking about Halloween projects out there in blogging land? You still have time to make something so won't you join me? I would love to hear all about what you are working on and promise to show my starts too.

Before I leave you on this Monday morning, there were many questions about the patchwork charm wreath I made with my quilt group. I am starting to pull fabrics to make one for autumn so I will be preparing a tutorial for you all to make your own next week.

16 comments:

angelasweby said...

Heidi,
This is really pretty and, with it's theme and sumptious thread colour it brings together the last of the lazy summer days and the first of Autumn's rich qualities perfectly. I love the way you've finished it with the coin patches and pretty trim. Congratulations on completing this so quickly :>)

Nancy said...

I think this is really cute. You might as well give up on the start and not finish idea. It won't work for you. LOL.
No halloween projects for me right now, unless I make a witch bear. Haha.
Love you, Mom

Sweet Cottage Dreams said...

How pretty, Heidi! I just love the jewel toned fabrics and the sampler is perfect with them.

Hope this finds you fabulous!

xx
becky

Tammy said...

OH Heidi this is a beautiful little pillow!
Just love it!
Very much looking forward to your wreath tutorial...I'm thinking the "Chix" might like this project also.
No new stitching for me I need to finish the Grand ABC sampler and get it up on the wall...although stitching Halloween "stuff" is awfully tempting...sigh
Hugs2u

Kaaren said...

Oh, Heidi...I think I'm in love with the little sampler design! And what a wonderful idea to transform it into an Autumn pillow. Perfect!

Halloween, huh? I guess I'd better start to look for a pattern.

Saskia said...

Do you have time to go to the lady's room when your in appelscha??
And do you feed Jos only "bokkepootjes? ,so you can keep on stitching??..
But I love the result!
I know how made you go off of your diet... And I think it can happen again, if we make another trip.
I had so much fun, i'm still laughing about that silly parking spot in 'chicken'town. Do chickens now not to park there?
Saskia

Elizabethd said...

Heidi that is so pretty...and all done in one session? I think the ribbon finish makes it perfect.

Sheila said...

What a gorgeous way to finish that little piece and such pretty trim too - fantastic!

Marjorie said...

Very pretty stitching and finish! Don't worry I have enough startitis for a few people...went to the LNS the past weekend and kitted up four additional projects (two Halloween ones) which I can add to the half-dozen I already have on the go.

Anonymous said...

Heidi, ALL are scrumptious, I love the colors and most esp. the ribbon. Cute little acorn decorations there, too, hee hee! Hey, I have my computer back, let's hope it isn't temporary!
I "heard" of a BBD Halloween stocking book. I think it has 12 stockings in it!!! I would love that AND to stitch some, too!
Diane in MI

Sonja said...

It seems to me that you yourself don't really understand the meaning of HarmAn day. Maybe you'd better call it Heikufinish day? LOL. I really love this little pillow and it is amazing how soon you created this cuty.

Pondside said...

Ah, Heidi, you are funny! I heard that Hallowe'en music and wondered why - then read to the end of the post. I've already made a hallowe'en piece to be framed!

Brigitte said...

Oh Heidi, this is a wonderful little pillow. So nicely stitched and finished. You already seem to be in an autumnal mood. But I must say that I'm also already looking for pieces that have autumn colours and motifs although it's still very hot here - or maybe because it's very hot, lol.

Margaret said...

Love it!!!! What a sweet pattern and what a pretty finish.

You are so right about making the immediate finish-finish of a project into a habit.

Looking forward to seeing your newest start.

hugs, Margaret

Susan said...

I have had a good chuckle over your "problem" with HarmAn Day!! Getting projects finished when you're not mean't too!!! That is so funny. Maybe we all should have our HarmAn Day and we'll get projects completed instead of having UFO's around!!!

heritage patchwork said...

This is very nice what you have done.Colorful and vibrant with a little cross stitch to catch the attention at the center.