Sew Karen-ly Created...

If you have arrived here via a link (such as to a tutorial) click on "Sew Karen-ly Created" to return to the latest blog post. I invite you to my website to see a gallery of quilts and patterns available for purchase.
Comments are always appreciated, simply click the word "comments" at the end of each post to leave your message. Thanks for stopping by!

Friday 25 March 2016

Easter Bags

I was looking for something quick and cute to stitch for Easter treats, and found these sweet little bunny-ear bags on this site, Sew Can She. 
Making just one took a fair bit of time, since a buttonhole is involved, but if these were done Henry Ford style, you could make a herd fairly quickly.  I used three shades of Mirror Ball Dot; the next ones will be made in a variety of prints.  These will be so cute popping up out of Easter baskets, or even on their own  with little treats inside (a spool of thread fits). Fun! 

This second bag was delivered to my home yesterday, with a special something inside.  I had seen these bags online before, and now I understand why the bottom side seams are left unstitched.  It's an easy way to form a bag bottom. With grommet handles, it looks professionally made.  I will look around for something special to store in this bag...
 ...cos it's doubtful the original (homemade) contents will survive long *-)
Thank you for your thoughtfulness, Marilyn.  Happy Easter!

Monday 21 March 2016

Felicity

Welcome Spring with this simple table runner and placemat set.

 Shown here in Lewis & Irene's "Spring Hare" (available at Mrs. Pugsley's Emporium).
This one is stitched in Nancy Halvorsen's "Forever Spring" collection from Benartex.
Download the pattern here.

Friday 18 March 2016

Dazzled by the Beauty

I love, love, love this!
You are seeing Mildred Agena's version of my Star of Beauty...and it's just fabulous!  Mildred is a member of the Des Moines Area Quilters Guild and made this as part of the 2015 President`s Challenge.  There are approximately 500 members in her guild, and Mildred`s quilt was one of 8 chosen to be submitted to the AQS show in Grand Rapids.Mildred added bling to her quilt with Swarovski crystals, which makes me think of  fireworks. As you can see, she has cleverly omitted the top block from the quilt so that it forms a heart shape.  Because of this, she is calling her entry, "Heart Star." (the extra block was made into a placemat for her local Meals on Wheels group :) .
Isn't this gorgeous?  
Thank you, Mildred, for bringing your creative touch to the design.  I hope viewers get to see this at the Grand Rapids show in August.

Tuesday 15 March 2016

More Threads in Stock

A new shipment Aurifil thread arrived yesterday, including more of the very fine 60 weight cotton, I've been using this in both my bobbin and through the needle and have decided I like it very much. The thread is so fine that these spools hold 1500 m,

There were also some 5,900 m cones special ordered, by a very special quilter who is rocking her new long-arm...and burning through a lot of thread.  This should keep her going for awhile!
If you are interested in purchasing some thread, drop me an email and I'll let you know what's on hand. My prices are very competitive, and I am happy to special order in anything you need.

Monday 14 March 2016

It Was A B Weekend

We were out to visit the hives and are very pleased to say that at this point in our winter, all of the hives are alive and happy.  (Fingers crossed everyone can hold on until spring...)

Following a lead, we then visited Struts Gallery in Sackville, N.B.for the opening of Ruth Marsh's "Ideal Bounds" show.
It was imaginative to say the least.


You can read more about it here.  Thanks for the heads-up, Lesley! :)

Sunday 6 March 2016

Aurifil Thread Added

I've been pokey, but finally have the new Aurifil threads added to the checkout on my website.  Today I am blanket stitching with regular 50 weight black, and it looks fabulous!