Monday, September 21, 2015

sweet tweets

Today I'm happy to be a part of the Sweet Tweets blog hop. Sweet Tweets is written by Erin Cox, who blogs at Why Not Sew? I've been a fan of Erin's work for a long time--she has a knack for putting beautiful fabrics together and making the sweetest things! Her book is full of cute little projects that are fairly quick to construct. I want to make several of them! I was deliberating quite a bit on which project to make first--and I kept changing my mind--so I had my 12 year old son pick one for me. (That's a great way to solve indecision!) He chose the rainy day bird coaster, which was perfect, because I wanted to stretch my skills and try my hand at the crochet trim.
I knew I was going to be out of town and quite busy during the weekend, so I planned ahead. (I was trying something new! ha!) On Thursday, I worked on piecing the coaster...I did a little hand quilting....broke a hand sewing needle during the process!...
...and got the coaster constructed. It was fun to make!
I worked on adding the blanket stitch (to prep for the crochet trim) on my way to quilt guild on Thursday night.
I showed it to my kids on Friday morning and we squealed with delight! (Ok, so the 15 year old didn't squeal, but he liked it, I could tell by his huge grin.) My 12 year old asked if he could keep it, to which I selfishly replied "no". (Isn't that terrible of me?) I took the project with me to Fargo over the weekend so I could work on finishing the crochet trim. It's nice that it's portable! When I was on the road traveling home, I realized that my unfinished coaster was still sitting on my friend's ottoman in her living room back in Fargo. Doh! So much for planning ahead! I was too far away to turn back to get it. I decided that I would just have to make another one.
When I got home, I made this version especially for my son. I skipped the crochet trim and top stitched around the perimeter instead. He is quite pleased with it! (This is scrap project #107!)

I'll have to show you mine (crochet trim and all) when I get it back and finish it. :)

Congratulations, Erin, on your beautiful book! You did a great job on it!

If you would like to win a digital copy of the book Sweet Tweets, please leave me a comment in this post. In your comment I'd like to hear your thoughts on applique. Have you tried it? Do you love it? Needle turn? Fusible? Both? Neither? I love to dabble in both needle turn and fusible applique....there are so many possibilities! I will pick a winner in a few days. International entries welcome! :)

Also, be sure to check in on the other stops on the tour. Erin will be having a big giveaway at the end, so be sure to check that out when the time comes!

Tuesday, Sept.8 - Erin (Introduction post) Why Not Sew?

Wednesday, Sept.9 - Heidi Fabric Mutt

Thursday, Sept.10 - Debbie A Quilter's Table

Saturday, Sept.12 - Jacque Brown Dog Prims

Monday, Sept.14 - Amy nanaCompany

Tuesday, Sept.15 - Svetlana s.o.t.a.k handmade

Wednesday, Sept.16 - Renee Sewn With Grace

Thursday, Sept.17 - Martingale Stitch This! The Martingale Blog

Friday, Sept.18 - Heather Vintage Grey Handmade

Saturday, Sept.19 - Clara and Jennie Clover & Violet

Monday, Sept.21 - Amanda Jean Crazy Mom Quilts (You are here!)

Tuesday, Sept.22 - Cindy Live a Colorful Life

Wednesday, Sept.23 - Carla Grace and Favour

Thursday, Sept.24 - Mary Molly Flanders

Saturday, Sept.26 - Erin, Big Giveaway Post!!! Why Not Sew?


Happy Monday to you!

272 comments:

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Unknown said...

Really sweet. I might try some applique

Unknown said...

Really sweet. I might try some applique

Chantal said...

I love you little bird : it' s so sweet ... I 'm not very keen on appliqué, except your technique, thak you very much, chantal from France !

Alis said...

I've tried to do needle turn applique once but made a mess of it, getting sharp points & neat
inner curves was beyond me! I do, however, love the charm of Erin's work & the projects look both inspiring and achievable. Might be time to give it another go!!

Unknown said...

Really sweet. I might try some applique

Carla S said...

I'm about to try applique for the first time. I'm going to start off with fusible applique first. This book looks so adorable!

Unknown said...

I have only worked with fusible appliqué. It is a skill I would like to develop. Thanks for the chance.

nalaha3 said...

I can definitely see sweet tweet projects in my future. A copy of the book would be really helpful! Thanks for the opportunity to win!

Julieacs said...

love the raw edge applique- must try it! your coaster is adorable.

Debbie H said...

I've dabbled in all the different ways of applique!

Debbie H said...

I've dabbled in all the different ways of applique!

TWETY said...

I love birds and the book seems really sweet!!! Yours are wonderful!!! I've done fusible and raw applique but needle turned is a different thing.... An absolute frustration to me!!!! Even though I didn't quit... just put it off indefinitely! Thanks!!!!

Debbie -- Sheltered Stitches said...

I did a set of placemats a while back with love birds.. I'd really like to try it again though!

Unknown said...

I want to be BRAVER! I want to threw caution to the wind! I want to leave my cacoon of anal perfection!!!!!!!! I want to try RAW-EDGE applique - there, I said. I do and I shall, not today or tomorrow, but soon, 'cuse me now while I flick in that pesky little thread!!!

Sally said...

I haven't done much applique but getting into it now. I'm working on the orange peel quilt about to machine applique pieces. Thanks for the giveaway!

Nancy in IN said...

Love the coaster. I love to applique--needleturn. I have done raw-edge and fusible but like needleturn the best.

Susan said...

I have only done fusible applique but have been exploring other options. Cute mug rugs!

Susan said...

I have only done fusible applique but have been exploring other options. Cute mug rugs!

Susan said...

I have only done fusible applique but have been exploring other options. Cute mug rugs!

paige13d said...

This book looks adorable. I love the little birds. I've never tried applique but it is on my (long) list of things I'd like to learn.

P11otter said...

That is a very nice book! I love it!

Dawn said...

I have done raw edge appliqué. Usually not my style. The crochet edge is also cute on a pillowcase!

Barbara said...

Raw edge appliqué is a new favorite!

Jennifer said...

I love appliqué! But, always from afar, I've been afraid to try

SHALEEN said...

Small applique is so adorable and easy to take with when one has to sit in waiting rooms.

MoeWest said...

I've done both needle turn and fusible applique and I prefer fusible. Your coasters are very cute! I like the idea of adding crochet trim.

Nancy said...

What a fun book! I would love to win it and be inspired with new projects! I have done some hand appliqué, but recently have been doing fusible with machine stitching. I love the process and the results.

quiltmania said...

I love all forms of appliqué. Needle turn is my favourite, but fusible is so much quicker.

Helen said...

I love Erin's new book. I have it on my wish list as it's not yet available in the UK. I have done fusible appliqué and needle turn, I enjoy both.

Mara said...

I tried needle turn and it was horrible I feel more comfortable with the fusible method:)

Sandra Walker said...

Yes I have done appliqué: needle turn by hand, turned down and stitched by machine with invisible thread, and also with the machine blanket stitch, with wool, raw edge appliqué, and even reverse appliqué. And...I'm not sold on it still, not really a fan as it's so time consuming!! But I love what you can do with it!

Molly said...

I would love this tutorial book! I've been intimitaded by applique, but these are adorable!

Judy @ Sew Some Sunshine said...

I haven't tried it yet. Thanks for the giveaway.

Ioleen said...

I have done raw edge appliqué and eye it. I want to take a class in needle turned appliqué.

Unknown said...

Haven't done much appliqué. Mostly fusible and wool. I want to try the needle turn. Plan on doing more since we are traveling in our RV more and setting the machine up can be a big process. Thanks for the give away!

Unknown said...

Haven't done much appliqué. Mostly fusible and wool. I want to try the needle turn. Plan on doing more since we are traveling in our RV more and setting the machine up can be a big process. Thanks for the give away!

Unknown said...

Your coasters are SO CUTE!! I would love to try this kind of applique--I think it would be useful and very versatile, to give big or small projects a big impact.

Brenda said...

Ive never tried applique but it looks like fun!

Ellyn said...

I usually do fusible. have not tried the thread sketching but I want to!

Carol Andrews said...

I'm just planning to start my first quilt with appliqué work on it: a Christmas wall hanging for my daughter's household. Wish me luck!

Carol Andrews said...

I'm just planning to start my first quilt with appliqué work on it: a Christmas wall hanging for my daughter's household. Wish me luck!

Deb B. said...

I love, love, love the little coaster. What a cleaver idea for a small and memorable gift. I have am still a novice at applique and it is cumbersome for me. Since my hands tend to cramp up I am not comfortable with doing a lot of hand stitching...a small project sounds wonderful.

Gill said...

I like applique but I've never done any needleturn!
I love your coaster

Kathleen said...

Fusible for me, with machine stitching.
Your coaster turned out great so far; can't wait to see the crochet finish.
Thanks for the opportunity to win.

margaret said...

i've done needle turn and i never finished the project

Sherry said...

I've done needle turn applique on some small items, but never a quilt. I have plans to try to fusible applique and this looks like a quick way to finish it. Plus I like the primitive look to it, with the bright colors instead of the usually dark tones. I'd love this book to get me started.

Swedish Scrapper said...

I remember these birdies! How cool that she has a book! I learned to applique with no fusible, and with a satin stitch, but I really want to develop doing it with straight stitch. My attempts at doing it with fusible were rather frustrating, as perhaps tbe fusible wasn't light enough? But I really liked how the appliques stay.

Katy M said...

I love applique, I've probably tried most kinds but usually just use fusible x

Margo said...

I would love to learn needle turn applique!

Unknown said...

I've never tried applique, but I'd like to, and these projects are adorable!

Sharon said...

My mother in law did absolutely beautiful needle turn appliqué. I don't do much, but love the look thanks for the giveaway. Love your blog! My email is colemansharon@me.com

Kim Stewart said...

I have done some fused, a little machine and took a class in needle turned.

CyndyK said...

I tried needle turn applique years ago. I'd like to try fusible applique sometime soon. cknapp3626(at)sbcglobal(dot)net

Dorothy V. said...

I appliquéd a rocking horse on my daughters baby blanket, 30 yrs. ago! And did appliqués on my girls clothes when they were young! I started quilting this year, and have not appliquéd any projects yet!!! Happy Crafting!

Crafty Tokyo Mama said...

I'm still learning applique and tend to do fusible and machine stitch around the design but would like to try needleturn at least once.

claire ross said...

Too cute! I have never tried appliqué but really fancy giving it a go.
Iain.ross30 at gmail dot com

Pam L said...

What adorable projects! Would love to try my hand at some of these. Love that cute little birdie!

Cyndi said...

I am not a big applique but when I do I fuse mine.

Amy B. said...

I have never tried appliqué, but I really want to. This small bird coaster would be a perfect project to experiment with!

Amy B. said...

I have never tried appliqué, but I really want to. This small bird coaster would be a perfect project to experiment with!

Darla said...

I love all kinds of appliqué and include it in a lot of my sewing.

fran18 said...

I like to appliqué and have several wall hangings and quilts done that way. My favorite is fusible, but also like to have some needle turn for when traveling. Always good to keep hands busy. quigleyfran@sbcglobal.net

SkookumMoose said...

Those little birds are SO cute! I have recently started dabbling in applique...fusible only so far. But I am addicted to the look!

tusen said...

I've had a few projects with fusible applique and I like the effect. I used to be afraid of needle turn and after an early and not very successful attempt at circles I avoided it for quite a long time. I finally conquered my fears a few months ago and I have to say I was very happy with my second needle turn applique project and I'm eager to use this technique again soon.

Stacy said...

I still have not learned to applique, but it is on the top of my list!

Ortons said...

I usually do fusible applique' when it's a wall hanging or table runner. It's a bit stiff for a quilt in my opinion, so in that case, I iron in on freezer paper and iron the edge under before stitching it on. I'd love to be as good at needle turn as my mom! I've also seen it done where you sew the shape right sides together with a lightweight organza. Clip a slit in the middle of the organza so you can turn it right side out and press. Then applique' on to the background. These little birdies are so cute! Thanks for the giveaway.

Unknown said...

I like doing fusible applique--and especially with matching thread
and using the blanket stitch.

Rozz01 said...

I usually do fusible with blanket stitch but have done needle turn.

Vicki said...

I have never appliqued before but would love to learn.

Unknown said...

Absolutely, without a doubt, ADORABLE!!!! Love those cute little birds. Sadly applique is not my favorite. I can take it in small doses using fusible web.

LONA said...

What a sweet book! I would love the chance to win. I have tried traditional appliqué, but I really need to practice! :)

Melanie said...

I've tried fusible appliqué, but I love this look of outlining in the black thread!

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