Friday, March 11, 2016

big and little

Welcome to finish it up Friday!

My first finish for today is quite exciting to me, mainly because I've had the supplies for so long. It is one of those projects that should have been quick and easy, but finding that hour or so to get it done took a few years. (Yes, years!)

I was in Duluth at Hannah Johnson Fabrics about two years ago. The owner, Janet, sold the chalkboard fabric to me, and she threw in the frames for free. The frames had been sitting, unused, in HER basement for a few years prior to my visit. I think she had intended to use them for something similar to this, but never got around to it. The frames were already painted these lovely colors, which was a bonus! A few weeks ago, I had my husband help me cut down thin backer boards (to stabilize the chalkboard fabric) and last night, my two younger kiddos and I finally assembled them. The kids helped pound in the nails (to secure the backer boards into the frames) and they thought that was the best thing ever. Well, second to actually using the chalkboards.
They had such a blast trying it out! I had to chuckle that they immediately started doing math problems....gotta love that! This one will be for the kids, and the other one will be for me. I'm so excited to have this project complete! Each of the frames are about 32" x 41".....nice and large for long to-do lists. Ha!
I recently purchased a brand new bag of this...which means I have enough filling to make about 100 more pincushions. My husband is not amused. I, on the other hand, am thrilled! :)
I was playing with scraps this week and got sidetracked from my original project. I end up with this tiny block of patchwork, which is about 5'' square! Each of those strips finish at about 1/2''. Teeny, tiny and oh-so-cute! Quilted pincushions are a great way to use up those long skinny strips of leftover batting. It's fabulous!
 This one might be my new favorite! It reminds me of my kids' tiny Lego pieces.
I'm smitten by these seriously tiny (and bright) pieces!!! This is scrap project # 128!
It's been awhile since I showed my "candy dish" of pincushions. It's steadily growing...and it could be classified as a situation at this point. But, I'm good with that! Here's to 100 more! :)

Now it's your turn! Please link up your finishes for the week. Thanks for joining me for finish it up Friday!

44 comments:

Svetlana said...

I so love this little pincushion. All those tiny little pieces all together, it looks fantastic.

Preeti said...

A lovely "situation" that is also very inspiring!!!
http://sewpreetiquilts.blogspot.com

Paige said...

What a great idea for old frames. They are beautiful, what colors! The pincushion is so cute!

Lyndsey said...

I think you should make a pincushion shop on etsy or something. I'd buy several! Husbands everywhere would not be "amused".

Bernie Kringel said...

If I had to choose, this might be my favorite of the pin cushions! Adorable.

Anonymous said...

I do love all your little pincushions. I've resisted the temptation to make any so far, but your pictures are always very beguiling. :)

Anja @ Anja Quilts said...

Oh my...those are tiny squares. Looks great!

Lorna McMahon said...

The new chalk boards are fantastic! What fun for little and big people alike. And yay for more pincushion filler! Those wee scraps sure make for a bright new sample to add to the collection. Enjoy your weekend! Are your kids out of school for March Break this coming week?

Colleen said...

fun pincushions - your candy bowl looks scrumptious !

Unknown said...

Hannah Johnson's always has the best and most fun new stuff! We drive 4 hours just to go there and to Target and drive home again!

Cheryl said...

Cuter (and less painful should you step on it) than legos!

Tine said...

Ooooh!! That's what you put into your pincushions! I'll have to look what my local pet stores have!!

Judy in Michigan said...

I'm intrigued with the math problem and the way it is being solved. I'm an "old math" teacher so this is very interesting to me. Can't figure out why the graph...would love to know. Maybe your son could email me (LOL)

Love all the rest of your projects as always...what a treat to see what you've been doing.

margaret said...

glad to know where i can find crushed walnut shells! cute pin cushion.

SarahZ said...

"A situation"...love it!!! Congrats on the great chalkboard finishes too :0

Julie Bagamary said...

What a cheerful pincushion. Nice chalk boards too. I have some unused chalkboard fabric...hmmmm.

Jen said...

My daughter is always looking for a quick project to do together. She'd love these pincushions. Time to use up some scraps. Thanks for the inspiration!

Lucy | Charm About You said...

The chalk boards look fab! I agree the pincushion made me think of lego too - very cute and how pretty the bowls look :)

Turid said...

I love small scraps and I love pincushions. Yours is super sweet.

travelinsewl said...

Cheers! I have a few more pincushions at my house too,!

travelinsewl said...

Cheers! I have a few more pincushions at my house too,!

Unknown said...

Great post as usual Amanda Jean! I love how your "work" is a family affair!thanks for the inspiration!

Unknown said...

Great post as usual Amanda Jean! I love how your "work" is a family affair!thanks for the inspiration!

Robby said...

Seems like Hubby would be far happier with 100 pin cushions than 100 reptiles like those seem like they might have been destined for. That would ceratinly be true at our house.

eva said...

the colours are amazing, and another amazing & fantastic idea for using up those minuscule gorgeous bits of fabric!!

I would love to see what the back of that teeny tiny pieced pincushion looks like.

xo
eva

Sew Happily Ever After said...

Beautiful! As usual!

Di~ said...

'houston we have a situation'...well lets get situated with this situation! Love ALL your pin cushies!
(our 3 yr. old grand daughter always says, "wait, let me get situated!" :) those chalk boards are amazing!

daisymeadow said...

I love your candy dishes of pin cushions. I'm going to have to make me some of those!

Diane Beavers said...

Amanda Jean, the pinnie's are so precious and I can just see you smiling everytime you look at those Bowls full of brightness. I love the "Lego" look, bet it doesn't hurt if you step on it tho:). One of my 2016 goals is making a pinnie w/my scraps from each project and so far I'm on task. Thank you for inspiring me!!

bluestarof2(at)yahoo(dot)com

Barb Neiwert said...

I have a large bag of walnut shells just like yours! I got it when I decided one year I should make pin cushions to sell at craft shows. Since I have the majority of the bag left over, you can tell how that idea panned out, lol. Have fun making 100 more - they are all great!

Marla said...

Love your tiny patchwork pincushion. It's a great addition to your collection!

Unknown said...

You make my week !!! Great inspiration 😍

Createology said...

LOVE your chalkboards and your children working on math! Fabulous scrap pincushions you have created. I love that you use what you have. Embracing Creative Bliss...

Lara B. said...

Well it's a delightful "situation" to have gotten to Amanda Jean. Your pincushions looks so great gathered up like that. It makes me want to start sewing them too! Love the latest scrappy one too!

It is so funny that your kiddos immediately used their chalkboard for math!

Laura B said...

I love this pincushion! And that bowl of them is amazing! So inspiring! Now I want to make all the pin cushions too! :)

Suzanne said...

Woohoo! I have no idea what made you pull those scraps into that pincushion (except you seem to be hard wired to do it). The thing about husbands is that eventually they learn not to question some of our motives because a happy wife is a happy life. :)

Sandra Walker said...

Yay for math geeks!! Love the newest addition to your "situation"...I hope to have one myself in the near future, lol. This latest pin cushion is too adorable; I feel vindicated that I've kept a ton of the tiny HSTs from my Swoon Mini, which are going to finish at 3/4"...maybe. :-) Scraps cray-cray peeps are my kind of peeps. Where do you buy your crushed walnuts? The only stuff I ever found was soooo expensive and a huge bag. Thanks!

Anonymous said...

Chalkboard fabric? This would have been the best thing to know about when I was teaching in Mongolia.

Anne / Springleaf Studios said...

I hate to admit how many projects I've had sitting around for years. Congrats on buckling down and getting this one done. Looks like it will keep your kiddos busy.

FlourishingPalms said...

How did you know that I too have a roll of chalk board fabric in my stash?! Unfortunately, I don't have frames for them, but thought to sew the fabric into placemats. Now you've got me thinking about that again. As for the ground walnut shells, I am happy to say that I have a nephew who owns a pet store, specializing in lizards and other creepy crawly things. I know what I'll be buying next time I visit his place in Olathe, Kansas!

Crystal_235 said...

Love the pincushions. I'm going to have to make some. Any tips?

Live a Colorful Life said...

I just love all your pincushions! I have a roll of chalkboard fabric. And have never done a single thing with it. *sigh*

Jeneta said...

Your pincushion collection looks beautiful in the wooden bowls. I think my husband wishes that our cushion collection was actually the same size as your pincushions!!

Anonymous said...

I adore your pincushions!!!