Wednesday, October 31, 2012

Happy Halloween!

Thursday, October 25, 2012

Paper Piecing

It all started with this little block.


I hadn't anticipated the corners being chopped off as I was piecing it together. I ended up making a quick zippy out of it but was still unsatisfied with the result. I posted the picture on Instagram in search of some advice and was pointed towards paper piecing. Deep down, I knew this was the solution but was hoping there was another way. I have been terrified of trying paper piecing! The more I thought about it though, the more I realized how silly I was being. I started sewing as a way to challenge myself but somewhere along the way, I stopped doing just that. I stopped teaching myself new things and stuck to playing it safe. So I looked up a few YouTube videos and this foundation paper pattern by Patchwork Notes and I practiced until I got it right!




After awhile, it wasn't so scary anymore! In fact, it was quite addicting. I went over and bought the Sew Ichigo "Latte To Go" pattern and sewed it right up!






Could this pattern be any more perfect for a mug rug?? I didn't think so. I hope you've been inspired to face your sewing fears and challenge yourself to try new things! Have a fabulous weekend!

Sunday, October 14, 2012

A New Fall Bag

I'm taking a break from all the Halloween posts to show you my new fall bag. I had been hoarding this gorgeous Anna Maria Horner print for something special and decided it was time to cut into it.


I couldn't be more pleased with the results. I paired it with a new print from her Field Study collection. I love how easy it is to mix and match all of the AMH lines.


I got the pattern from this book. It's called the Floral Bag and it's really easy. I think I like it because it's very similar to my Hellen Bag. This is the "small version" and it's quite big so I can't even imagine how huge the "large version" is.


I also finished my fall quilt top this week! Wooo! It took me a few months to finish the blocks but since I didn't get to go to Sewing Summit, I decided I might as well be productive and get them done!


I sewed up a quick patchwork backing yesterday so it's all ready to be basted and quilted. The pattern is called Skipping Squares by Cluck Cluck Sew. I'm so excited to pull it out of the dryer and snuggle up with it! Hope you're having a great Sunday!

Friday, October 12, 2012

Halloween Swap Features & Winners

I had soooo much fun hosting the Halloween Swap this month. Everyone did such an amazing job, it was so hard to pick just a few to feature out of over 100 photos! Here are some highlights from our Flickr Group:



1. "Ghastlie" apron ready for swap partner!, 2. Halloween Coaster, 3. Finally ready to ship, 4. Notepad & Pen, 5. Halloween Swap 003, 6. To hold goodies!, 7. Skull Apron, 8. Ready to ship in the morning!, 9. I made polymer clay "sewing pins" to go with theme!, 10. Untitled, 11. Halloween Swap, 12. halloween swap, 13. Halloween Banner (3), 14. for my Halloween swap!, 15. Swap mini bag, 16. Teacup Pin Cushion with Handmade Clay Pins from Ruth(Thread of Hearts)

These were such a fun group of ladies. I was blown away by all the creativity I saw in the Flickr Group and looked forward to checking it every week! You can check out what I received from my partner, Katie, on her blog Craptastic. She is the best!! I wanted to thank all the participants by having a little giveaway. The winner of this fun little goodie bag is...


Amy Kendrick... Congrats! I'll be mailing it out to you this week :)

And the winner of the Halloween Giveaway is...

ThreadofHearts... Congratulations! I'll be emailing you later today for your snail mail addy :)

Thanks to everyone who participated in both the swap and the giveaway! Hope you have a wonderful weekend!!

Friday, October 5, 2012

Halloween Giveaway

I think it's time for a Halloween giveaway!



One lucky winner will win:
- A large star block zippy made by me
- A canister of Haunt sugar polish (Witch-Wife)
- A variety of Halloween straight pins made by me






Haunt has quickly become one of my latest obsessions. These sugar polishes are so luxurious and they smell insane. A friend and I made the cute Halloween pins this week with polymer clay. They were so easy and fun to make- tutorial coming soon!

To enter:
- What will you be dressing up as for Halloween? (1 entry)
- Follow Pink Stitches blog (1 entry)
- Like Pink Stitches on Facebook (1 entry)

Leave one comment for each entry and include your email address if it isn't available on your profile. I'll choose a winner next Friday, Oct. 12 and announce it along with the Halloween Swap features! Good luck!

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Halloween Swap Sent

As you now, I'm hosting a Halloween Swap this month to start off my favorite season (I'm a hardcore fall freak). I'm sure you've heard me speak of Katie many times before on this blog. She's one of the first bloggy friends I ever met. She won my very first giveaway! We've been friends for almost two years and have been swapping almost as long. Katie and I arranged a private swap for Halloween/Fall and she received her package today! So now I can share what I sent.




The handmade goodies were so fun to make. I mostly used Lizzy House fabrics with the exception of the Chicopee dots on the strap of the boxy pouch. I had originally made a patchwork version for Katie but I loved the pumpkin one so much, I had to send it to her! I made her a patchwork coffee cozy using Jeni's fab tutorial. And I used this pattern for the star crocheted trivet.




I went a little crazy adding extra treats- I couldn't stop myself! Target is evil. I almost died when I saw those mini spatulas. I know Katie loves to bake so those were a must. I also sent her a ton of candy (I filled the boxy pouch with a lot more!) including some of my favorite Mexican candy called Pulparindos. Sooo good!

I hope this package helped put Katie in the Halloween spirit. It was so much fun putting it together! I've got a little surprise giveaway for you tomorrow so don't forget to stop by! In the meantime, you can check out some of the other cute projects from the Halloween Swap in our Flickr Group.