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I’m Moving!

And thank goodness I’m just talking about my blog!!

For those of you who don’t know my WONDERFUL husband Peter, he’s a computer geek. Which I completely love about him because all I have to say is “this isn’t working” and magically it gets fixed. Last month we decided (OK, really he decided I just went along with him!) to get our own domain name and we are going to host our blogs there.

So please either click on the link in the right side column or click here and here is the actual address: http://christinescreations.4rivals.com

I had a very busy weekend and I’ll be posting about that soon!

iPhone

Now this is technology for you, I’m posting this from my new iPhone! Now I can blog while driving down the road – just kidding!

I can’t figure out how to upload a photo, but I am getting this keyboard down!

I’ll post some tatting tomorrow, between two sick children and my new toy, I didn’t get much done today!

Here is a picture of the other man in my life, Tanyon. Isn’t he a cutie?

Teeny Tiny Square Quilt and “Pay it Forward” Giveaway WINNER!!

It has been a CRAZY week and I’ve been doing a lot of tatting, but not much of anything else (unless you count helping Owen with his Mexico projects!).  I did finish two more motifs for my tea towel swap and now I’m working on the trim – I’m very pleased with how the pieces are coming together and I can’t wait to mail it off!

I am participating in a teeny tiny square quilt swap and I received my amazing mini a few weeks ago.  My quilt came from Donna in Calhoun, Ga.  The idea behind the swap was that all your pieces of the quilt could not measure more than 1″ x 1″ finished – Peter thought it sounded more like torture than fun!  Here is Donna’s quilt to me:

Isn’t this just great?!?  This little guy measures 9″ x 12″ and I’m going to hang it right over my sewing table.  My mini for the swap is almost done, but mine measures 15″ x 20″, the pieces are all still under 1″ finished, but I think I might have to remove the outer border – I’ll have to look at the rules again before I quilt it this weekend!!

OK, for the moment you have all been waiting for….  The drawing for the winner of my “Pay It Forward” Giveaway!  I used an online random number generator to get the number – lucky number 13!!!

Congratulations Bonnie!!!  I’ll email you to get your mailing address.  I had fun doing the giveaway and thank you very much for all your nice comments on my blog!!

Motif #2 – 25 Motif Challenge

Here is my second motif for the 25 motif challenge.  It is Jon’s Hearts Entwined/Crowning Hearts pattern.  I just love every one of Jon’s patterns!  The written directions are very straight forward and the charts are wonderful (I prefer to use just charts).  Thank you for another great pattern Jon!  It’s Heather’s Hand Dyed Thread, size 30, Cotton Candy – I just love this thread too (who got me addicted to HDT’s???)

This is one of the motifs that I’m going to be using for my valentine’s tea towel swap I’m doing.  I have another one nearly done so I’ll post that one soon.

Paying It Forward

Today I was completely shocked when Sherry let me know that I won one of her hand crafted ceramic shuttles.  I could not believe my luck and I absolutely can’t wait to receive it!!

That got me thinking that I should pay her generosity forward – sorry I don’t hand craft one of a kind shuttles but I have been told that I make a mean purse!

I made this purse tonight it’s my smaller version of the Lazy Girl Designs Miranda Bag.  I measures approximately 8 1/2″ high, 12″ wide and 3″ deep.  It has wooden handles, magnetic snap closure, 6 interior pockets and firm bottom to prevent sagging.  I’m even going to include a matching key fob.  I made this bag for me, but I have enough fabric and materials to make another one just like it.

Here is what the inside looks like:

If you’d like this bag (or even pick your own fabrics if you don’t like these – I have a fairly large selection of fabrics at home – what quilter doesn’t) just post a comment on this post and I’ll draw the lucky winner next Friday (1/23).

And thank you again Sherry – I can’t wait to get my new shuttle!

Silk Ribbon Embroidery

So I figured I’d try my hand at something new yesterday (I’m still looking for that craft addiction 12-step program!) – silk ribbon embroidery.  I’ve had the silk ribbon for about six months now!  I’m working on Pam’s block for the crazy quilt round robbin so I figured I jump in with both feet!  Here’s my little topiary for her block.

I didn’t have a pattern for this, it just grew into what I think looks like a topiary.  You can see the tatting that I attached to the right and I did the rick rack with beads on the top too.  I’m having so much fun with this round robbin – I’ve never touched crazy quilting before this and I’m having a blast learning new things!

Tatting Motif #1

Here is my first tatting motif for the 25 Motif Challenge.  My work is no where near the work represented in this blog, but I won’t get better if I don’t challenge myself – RIGHT??

I did this pattern called “Black Magic” from my very favorite tatting book by Mary Konior “Tatting with Visual Patterns”.   It’s DMC Pearl Cotton size 12 – Ecru.  It is going to be attached to a crazy quilt block that I’m doing as part of a round robbin.  The size is perfect for the block and I’m excited to attach it tonight.

Now if I can only figure out how to take better pictures of my tatting, I’d be all set!!

Valentine’s Day Swap

I love participating in swaps with people all around the world.  I found this Valentine’s mini swap morning over at Bunch of Scrap.  It’s very easy – only three items to mail by January 31st – doesn’t get any easier than that.  But I’m beginning to think I should have started tatting hearts a few months ago!!

Last night I found the motif that I’m going to use for my lastest crazy quilt swap block.  Her blocks that are left are all very rectangular, but I think I found the perfect one to make.  I’ve got to get that one rolling too – YIKES!!

Christmas String Lap Quilt

Here is a quilt project that I finished up last week.  I wanted to do a quilt for my in-laws for Christmas (they are so hard to buy for!).  I had participated in a string block swap on the Quilting message board on HGTV and receieved all these great 6″ blocks. 

All I had to do was add four 12″ blocks for the center and the sashing and the boarder and I was done.  This is my second string block quilt I’ve done and I’ve liked how they both turned out.  If you are thinking of trying one – I strongly recommend you do!

This B&W one I did for a raffle at my children’s  school.  It raised over $150 so that was good.  It was also a lap size but this time all the blocks were made by me.  It was the first B&W quilt I ever did and the first piano key border I’ve ever done.