Thursday, December 31, 2015

Top Posts of 2015

Happy New Year's Eve 2016 friends! Pictured above are the posts of 2015 that got the most Comments. Top Posts include: 5 Giveaways, 2 Blog Hops, 2 Swaps, and 1 QAL (Quilt-Along). See the Categories list in the left sidebar column for giveaway, blog hops, swap parties, and QALs to read all of the posts. What another wonderful blogging year it has been. All of you are truly appreciated. Have a safe & happy holiday. 'Looking forward to another awesome year.

~Linking-up with: Meadow Mist Designs' Best of 2015 Linky Party~


Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Retro: Simplicity 7058 jumper

'Talk about a retro feeling. Pictured above is a darling jumper that was my granddaughter's Christmas dress this past season. Yes, the pattern is a vintage Simplicity 7058 from 1985. I had sewn one for my daughter way back in 1988, when she was 4 years old. So, now her own daughter gets one when she is also 4 years old. This one is made from a wool fabric with a navy ground and red, yellow, and dark green window pane plaid weaving. Remember that using plaid fabric requires extra yardage to match the design. It is fully lined, including the arm caps. The fastener is a back zipper, common to patterns of that era. There are 2 pleat tucks on the front and 2 on the back. A classic pattern, but definitely not for the novice stitcher. The red turtleneck is store-purchased. This jumper's pattern difficulty rating will be:

Advanced

Sunday, December 27, 2015

Night Crossing jewel tone bed runner

Good morning friends. 'Hope you all are having a wonderful holidays time. Pictured above is what I made for my twin sister and her husband this year. It is a bed runner. Have you ever heard of these? Actually, they have been around for many years. They are placed across the foot of the bed, and are also quite decorative as well as warm. Back in the day before central heating, they must have been super helpful. This one is for a full-size bed, and measures 77"X25 3/4". The fabric charms are from the Galaxy collection by Jinny Beyer for RJR Fabrics. My sister loves the blue and purple jewel tones, so this palette is perfect for her. The pattern is called Night Crossing, and is from: e-PatternsCentral.com: Bed Runners Using Precut Fabrics. (Not an affiliate link, just letting you know where to find the pattern). The quilting is machine meandering style, and the backing and binding are a solid slate blue 100% cotton fabric. Yes, sister and her husband do love this bed runner. Prim quilting blessings.

Friday, December 25, 2015

Joy Christmas wall hanging

Merry Christmas morning, friends. Christmas is finally here, and everyone is so excited. Due to people's work schedules, we celebrated yesterday and all had a wonderful time. Very atypical weather here in Alabama, with thunderstorms and even tornadoes. There were injuries and property damage. We pray for all of the people involved and their families. A couple of years ago, I came across this wonderful free tutorial called Christmas Joy Quilt. Finally, pictured above is the completed project. Mine measures 10"X18", and is quilted in an allover meandering style. The cute green wreath ribbon was purchased from an Etsy store. Actually, this work is supposed to be in a white frame. Instead, mine has back hanging pockets for a wooden rod. The free tutorial is from: Julie at The Crafty Quilter. Please continue reading to see this little quilt's backing.

Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Simplicity 2484 grey jumper

Hey there friends. Here is another jumper from that awesome pattern, Simplicity 2484. This one is made from a dark grey pinwale corduroy, and features an orange zipper with a darling butterfly zipper pull. This pattern is so retro-looking, harking back to when I was a child in the 1960's. Gotta dig those front circular patch pockets. This is the 2nd jumper made with this pattern. The coordinating orange and grey striped turtleneck was purchased from a local store. My SIL (granddaughter's dad) likes the other 2484 jumper so much, that another was sure to come. Now granddaughter has a purple one and a grey one. Which color do you like the best? This pattern is not too complicated to construct, with the front zipper fastener. This adorable jumper's neckline and armscye (arm holes) are faced with seam binding. Why not go ahead and make one yourself? As before, this pattern gets a pattern difficulty rating of:

Fairly Easy

Sunday, December 20, 2015

Christmas Swap 2015

Good evening all. Recently, I participated in the Christmas Swap at Bumblebee Lane Cottage again this year. My swap partner was Cindi of Cindi's Country Corner. Look at all of the goodies that Cindi sent to me! A big stuffed Santa star, a painted metal bucket with a snowman and "Happy Holidays" on it, 2 "Let It Snow" candy canes, a snowman pillow tick with a wire hanger, a little burlap Christmas tree, a wood "Let It Snow" plaque on a wire hanger, and a 10"X10" square framed "Welcome" artwork with an appliqued snowman and painted decorations. All of these gifts are totally adorable. Thank you so much Cindi. To see what I sent to Cindi, continue reading.

Saturday, December 19, 2015

Win from Anne's Phamily Blog

Look what arrived in the mail. Yes, I have won yet another awesome giveaway. Anne from: Anne's Phamily Blog sent the lovely gifts pictured above. What a gorgeous fine China teacup & saucer with a real silver spoon, featuring artwork of lilac flowers. Anne also sent 5 pks. of caffeine free teas: Blueberry Superfruit, Very Berry, and Raspberry Cream Caramel. There is also a pk. of milk chocolate hot cocoa mix. The Tuscany candle outlet warmer is turquoise color owl shaped. There is a pk. of Cranberry Mandarin Splash wax cubes to go with it. Everything is so cute! Thank you so much to Anne. She really has a great sense of style. Be sure to check-out her blog. Prim holiday blessings.

Friday, December 18, 2015

RAK from Linda Parker's Paradise Blog

Look what arrived in the mail. Yes, I have received yet another Random Act of Kindness (RAK). Linda from Parker's Paradise sent the darling prim table runner above. It features an embroidered Christmas tree. 'So cute! Thank you so much to Linda. She really does excellent work. I do miss her blog so much. Prim holiday blessings.

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

RAK from Laura

In the mail arrives a Random Act of Kindness (RAK) from: Laura's Little House Blog. How sweet these herbs are. Laura sent a bag of Herbal Bath Tea- Relax, Very Berry Herbal Tea (Tisane), and Citrus Herb Lip balm. Thank you so much Laura. be sure to check-out Laura's blogs and her Etsy shoppe for more all-natural herbs and other goodies. Prim holiday blessings.

Saturday, December 12, 2015

Cute little reindeer pattern

Good morning all. Are you all in the holiday spirit? Pictured above is a cute little reindeer pattern, Rachel the Reindeer. This is a free pattern from Sisboom, and here is the link to the post about it: Rachel the Reindeer pattern. This one is made of 100% cotton ticking in a navy stripe. She does look contemporary yet a bit old-timey, doesn't she? I really love this pattern. Sisboom has many adorable clothing and accessories patterns. Do you all enjoy creating little gems like this? Prim holiday blessings.

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

Winners: Blog Hop and Homespun Holidays Giveaway 2015

Good December morning to you all. Thank you to all who entered The Rusty Thimble's Blog Hop, and my annual Homespun Holidays Giveaway. On to the winners:

For the Blog Hop, Random Number Generator© selected #24, making Vicky of: Paintspots & Splinters the winner. If you shared on Google+, you got 2 chances. For example, if you were commentor #2 and you also shared on Google+, then you were also commentor #3. For the Homespun Holidays winner's name, please continue reading.

Sunday, December 6, 2015

12 Days of Christmas: white chocolate gingerbread men

Good morning friends. 'Hope you are following along with the fun. This post is my recipe for the 12 Days of Christmas Blog Hop over at: Ravenwood Whimzies. So, here we go: we will be baking White Chocolate Gingerbread Men. Let's get started...

Tuesday, December 1, 2015

*The Rusty Thimble: Blog Hop Giveaway 2015*

*Welcome to The Rusty Thimble Blog Hop Ornie Giveaway*

THIS GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED

Meet Bernard the Reindeer. Made of 100% cotton flannel and homespun, he wears a warm olive-colored coat and homespun plaid scarf with a rusty jingle bell. Bernard is holding some pine branch sprigs, red berries, and a peppermint candy cane. Complete with brown antlers and a red and white twine hanger, how wintery is that? Remember that Bernard is a decoration, and is not a child's nor a pet's toy. Please continue reading for giveaway information.