Boots, Vines and Broderie Perse & a Finish!

Boot block #9. This is the final block in this Block of the Week series although I stretched things out in two week intervals for a couple of weeks to make things easier for all.

This pair of boots are what I think of as more girly. Not because of the flowers added but because of the swirls and the tilt of one boot into the other. 

Hand embroidered vines to add blossoms next.

After this block is all sewn down, I'll be putting all nine block together. Each block in my quilt measure 6 1/2 inches unfinished.

I had some borders in mind but changed my mind several times before all was said and done. 

Here's the finished quilt which measures 21" square. I meandered around the boots and vines in a tight stipple so that each boot stands out.

I look forward to hearing from those who sewed along with me.

Boots, Vines & Broderie Perse

Boot block #4. I love making the boots first then choosing the background later. I chose the dark brown fabric tinged with a medium blue because it reminded me of someone who'd been painting a house, spilled the paint bucket on them, then tried to wrap it off. That would be something I'd do......sigh!!

Hand embroidery but no Broderie Perse again. Remember, these are free designs that you can enlarge, reduce add to and make it your own.

This embroidery looks very much like lightening until you position the boots.

Boots, Vines & Broderie Perse

Boot block #3. A worn pair of boots are what I remember about my dad's work boots. My brother and I would help dad pull his boots off and then clean the mud from the soles.

More hand embroidery. No Broderie Perse in this block.

Nuts About....Blog Hop!!

Greetings everyone!
 It's my day to post about what I'm "Nuts About!" First things first. I really appreciate Marian for inviting me to participate. She is a great hostess!! Make sure you pop in on her blog, as there are great give-aways each day that she talks about!!

Here is the schedule of bloggers who are involved in this wonderful February hop.

February 4, 2016
Words & Stitches
Moose Stash
Vroomans Quilts
Quilt In Pieces

February 5, 2016
Just Let Me Quilt
DesertSky
Lulu & Celeste
Marjorie's Busy Corner
Tea Time Creations

February 8, 2016
Batts In The Attic
Life In The Scrapatch
Quilting Affection
Ravelly's  -You are here!!
In The Boon Docks

February 9, 2016
Quilting Queen Online
Elizabeth Coughlin
Bumbleberry Cottage
All Things Sewn

February 10, 2016
MeadowBrook
Sew Many Yarns
From This To That
Seams To Be Sew

Make sure you stop by each blogger to see what they have come up with.

Here's what I came up with because I'm a bit off kilter and have been known to go a little nuts.....

My attempt at sketching a design.

Fabrics chosen and I sewed peanut type lines. Notice the wildly nutty eyes....yeah, that's my expression most of the time.....heheheheheheh

I went with a cross-word type puzzle to name a lot of the things I'm nuts about. 

1. I love studying the bible. Jesus is my Counselor, my refuge.
2. My mom is my best friend, of course, followed by my wonderful Cowboy who is always there to support me, even going so far as to advise me on quilting designs. Surprisingly, he's right 95% of the time.....hummmmmm
3. I love baking and cooking meals for family and neighbors. My favorite foods are shrimp and candy....not eaten together, BTW!!! I can eat a bag of Skittles on the way home from the market but let's keep that bit of knowledge between you and me.
4. I had to add fabric and sewing. That's in my blood. Our local quilt shop just announced that it's going out of business so I'm chomping at the bit to shop there one more time to aid them reducing so much inventory.
5. I love movies such as My Big Fat Greek Wedding, 2001: A Space Odyssey, Guarding Tess, The Sound of Music, The Thomas Crown Affair, just to name a few. I've seen these movies so many times while in my sewing studio that I don't even have to look up to know what's going on.
6. I am nuts about jigsaw puzzles to the point that when I start one, I am fixated on it until it's completed to the exclusion of anything else. That includes no sewing. I barely stop to eat. I know that sounds a bit "nuts" but that's just the way I roll.
7. And finally, I'm nuts about my Wacky girlfriends who are like sisters to me. We are always coming up with 'wacky' things to get into and are supportive when one of us going off the deep end on a fabric spree. We are so close that we once went on a sewing cruise but wound up not doing much sewing but enjoyed the sites and locals a lot. That's all I'll say because we all know, "What happens on a cruise, stays on the cruise!"  

Here's a close up of the tiny meandering I did around the peanut area.

This quilt measures 31 /12" by 21 1/2".

Now to the give aways....... 

from the wonderful folks at the Fat Quarter Shop   

&

Free pattern from Any Pattern.com

To enter click on the link below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Halloween Haunts 2015 Blog Hop

Greetings & welcome to Ravelly1 otherwise known as Rhonda's blog.
 Many thanks to Marian from Seams To Be Sew for inviting me to join this fabulous hop!!

Make sure you also check out the other bloggers who are presenting today. They are listed below, just click on each name.

A Stitch In Time

Marjorie's Busy Corner

Words And Stitches

Quilted Delights

Ravelly (You are Here)

I'm sharing my own design, House Haunters with everyone. I started the blocks a couple of years ago but Marian lit a fire under me when she invited me to be a part of the Hop. Thanks again, Marian!!

This photo is looks a bit fuzzy but that's the beauty of it, I think.
Each block measures 8 1/2" by 11 1/2" but you could easily enlarge the designs to your desire.

Below are the free designs that you are welcome to try out! The trees are not included. I added those the  other week before machine quilting everything.

This quilt measures 24" X 33".
This post is a little long but if you stick with me, there's a neat little surprise or two at the end!!!

Tutorial

After printing off one of the designs, I use a light-box, pencil and Steam-a-Seam fabric adhesive. Placing the design "face down" I trace off each piece.

All traced off and design is now face up.

I now start the fun process of auditioning fabrics. McKenna Ryan's gradated  fabric is going to be my background......love this fabric.

Here are the other fabrics I chose. I may not use all of them but this is a good start.

In the above and below photos, I wanted to talk about small designs that need to have the "inside" cut out before you cut around the outside. This makes for easier cutting.

Everything has been cut and laid out on a pressing sheet that allows you to iron on it without the adhesive sticking to it.

It's starting to take shape on the pressing sheet.

Here's how it looks before quilting begins.

Free Designs

To receive each house, just right click on each design, copy each one, then save to a folder for later use. As I said earlier, I used a light-box to trace each design onto my favorite fabric adhesive....Steam-a-Seam! With some of the designs, I decided "NOT" to use all the parts, which is up to you, as well. 

I love Jack O Lanterns

so I whipped out this guy!

I used orange, black, brown and green scraps from varied fabrics then machine quilted everything.

He measures 13" square.

If you've made it thus far.........hang on because.............

It's Give-a-Way Time

If you've made it this far, it's time for the give-a-ways!!!!
I love to make little goodies to give away.
All you'll need to do is leave a comment making sure that I'll be able to contact you should you win this cute little guy or the House Haunter. 

This applies to the Non-responders especially. Should I not be able to contact you, the next place person(s) would have a chance at these cute mug rugs. I'll announce the winners on my blog on the 18th around eleven PMish.
Good luck everyone!!!

Jack O' Lantern mug rug

7 1/2" by 8 1/2"

House Haunter mug rug 

10 1/2" by 11"

Remember to leave a comment in order to get in on the mug rugs give-away.

Also the Fat Quarter Shop is doing a $25 Gift Certificate each day. Yeeeppie!!!! Just click on the link below to get your name in the "hat" for the gift certificate.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

If my link for the gift certificate doesn't work.....pop over to
 Seams To Be Sew for a better opportunity.