One Lizard, Then Two, Three, Oh My!

Linda bought a new piece of jewelry, a charming lizard pin. 

Her friend saw it and bought her a second lizard 

and the ball started rolling. 

Now there are lizards on Linda's walls and framing her door. 

She even has a new lizard nightgown.

It seems everyone has a collection. 

Mine seems to be rickrack. 

I started like so many others with a package or two in my sewing studio. 

Then my mother cleaned out her sewing area and gave me a good supply. 

Hoping to use it and not store it, I incorporated it into some projects.

There it is, 

the suggestion that I love rickrack. 

I'm not saying that I don't. 

It has a certain appeal to me.

 But, the ball is now rolling. 

My sister, knowing that I found uses for rickrack gave me a box full.  

Maybe I shouldn't have used any of it, but I did

 and now received a bag full from a friend. 

 It is growing on me. 

Perhaps soon they will be calling me the Queen of Rickrack.

Linked to Off the Wall Friday

Sharing Ideas at Quilt Expo

I would like to invite you to join me 

at Quilt Expo in Madison, WI

September 5, 2014

 I will be sharing ideas for highlighting your quilts 

with fabric bits and pieces. 

If your studio is filled with smaller scraps of fabric, 

rejoice in your good fortune.   

Learn creative paths for using these small treasures in your next quilting masterpiece.  

Ideas for both traditional and art quilts will be discussed.

Linked to Off the Wall Friday

Designing New Purses

This week I had the fun of working with an upcoming designer, 

young Miss E.... 

We have been working together for several years now 

(actually since before her foot reached the pedal). 

Now she is on her own behind a sewing machine

 and developing quite a talent for putting fabrics together.

She is quite proud of the purse she just finished.

The bag is machine quilted to give it body 

and a serger was used to stitch and finish the seams.

It features a button closure and

an inside pocket.

(Is it a hint that the pocket is just the right size for a cell phone?)

And, here is our designer and busy stitcher modeling her creation.

Linked to Off the Wall Friday

Why are You Cutting Strips?

Have you been busy cutting strips? 

Are you getting ready to sew an amazing new quilt top?  

I, too, have been cutting fabric strips. 

Strips and more strips. 

But these strips were not for another quilting project

 but for braiding a fun and colorful purse. 

The pink and blue vivid, graphic fabric is a diva in itself

 but comes in second to the chunky pink yarn I have incorporated in this bag.

A little bling on the center and strap provides a finishing touch.

And on I went........

For this second bag, I've used a eye-catching purple print 

with a never-shy chartreuse print.

I've also added a chunky yarn in this bag.

In the detail, you can see the braided strap attached with a bold button.

This bags are showy and are certain to take center stage.

Linked to Off the Wall Friday