Doll Quilt Swap 6 (DQS 6)

I'm so excited to be participating in the Doll Quilt Swap 6. Basically it is an online quilt swap. You sign up, you are assigned a partner, you make a doll size quilt for them and in return they make one for you. Simple right? I have seen some really amazing doll quilts on their flickr page. So if you like quilting and like the "quickness" of making a small quilt then go and sign up!

Sign ups are now open and will be limited to 175 members. You can join by heading over to flickr to check out the requirements. You can also check out the beautiful quilts from past doll quilt swaps. Lastly don't forget to visit the DQS blog: http://dollquiltswap.wordpress.com/

A few things

First I'd like to point you over to the my new Profile Silhouette gallery over on Flickr. So now you can check out my work and see examples of past orders. I haven't uploaded all of my profiles just yet, but I realized I have now done close to 50 of these custom orders! I love making the profiles and seeing how unique each one turns out. You will also notice that I've changed the color on some, I can make a profile for you in any color you like if plain old black and white doesn't float your boat!

Another thing I hope you notice is that while most of my orders are for children, I do adults as well! Heck I can even do your pets, and more intricate silhouettes such as children playing.The other thing I wanted to mention is that I have a new iron-on tie design. It is a cute pastel stripe tie that is perfect for spring! It would also be really cute for Easter pictures or a spring wedding!

You can purchase these items at my Etsy store but don't forget to check out my "charity shop" first, you just might find the item you are looking for at a special price plus 100% of the proceeds go to Special Kids.

Special Kids

I have set up a new Etsy store!

All of the items listed there will benefit Special Kids of TN (www.specialkidstn.com) 100% of the proceeds will go directly to Special Kids and help me towards my goal of raising $500 by June. Honestly I'm hoping that I will exceed my goal!

On June 6th I will be competing in the Mach Tenn Triathlon (.6mi swim, 16mi bike, and a 4mi run) on behalf of a child at Special Kids. Last year I was able to compete in the Mach Tenn as well as the Murfreesboro Middle Half (half marathon) and was able to raise over $900 for Special Kids.

Special Kids is a wonderful organization that provides physical, occupational, speech and recreational therapy, as well as skilled nursing for children with special needs throughout middle Tennessee.

I have 2 toddlers of my own, and I thank my Heavenly Father every day that they do not require the services at Special Kids, unfortunately there are other children that do. If it were my children, I would hope that there would be someone out there helping my children.

People ask me why I would do such a thing as running 13 miles or doing a triathlon. My answer is simple: I run for those who can't.

Norma

Love Birds Embroidery

I spent yesterday afternoon with a horrible migraine. So after I took some excedrin (which always makes me feel jittery and weird, but gets rid of my migraines!) I spent the rest of the afternoon and into the evening embroidering. Thanks to my wonderful husband who came home and started on dinner when he realized I had a migraine ( I LOVE you baby!) I was able to finish this last night and I think it turned out lovely!



I think it's destined to become an accent pillow. I can't decide if I should tint it or not. I think I will wait and see how it looks like a pillow. Oh, it measures 8"x6"

My debut pattern!

Here it is! My debut pattern!
Originally this was going to be a quilt pattern (and it will become a quilt pattern!) The more I looked at it while working on the quilt pattern the more I thought this would make a really cute embroidery pattern. So as of today it has been listed in my Etsy Shop!

his is my debut embroidery pattern and I'm so excited to share it with you all!

This one is a 4 page PDF file that includes:
- Cover page with general instructions
- Full Color pattern guide
- Black and white pattern guide
- Reversed pattern

You can use this pattern for a variety of needlework applications such as: hand embroidery, quilting motif, free motion embroidery, punch needle, and applique.

This is not a step by step tutorial. It is a pattern only. I don't know if people will be turned off by that but there are so many free embroidery lessons on the internet that I felt it wasn't necessary to include step by step instructions. Plus I don't want to stifle anyone's creativity by dictating what stitches need to go where!

If you happen to purchase a pattern I would love to see your finished product so I set up a Flickr group just for sharing your completed projects at www.flickr.com/groups/petitdebutantpatterns

-Happy Stitching
Petit

WIP: Recipe for Friendship quilt and $5 design wall

This is #4 on my "projects list" I started this quilt a couple of days ago after I realized that my daughter does not have a quilt yet (she'll be 3 in may.) My son on the other hand has 2 quilts. I guess it's a trade off because I have made lots of little dresses for my daughter but only 1 shirt for my son!

The picture is taken on my new $5 design wall! I was tired of having my blocks "rearranged" by my husband every time he came into the office. So I bought a cheap vinyl tablecloth that measure 70"x70" and thumb-tacked it to my wall with the backing facing out. The backing is perfect for grabbing fabrics since it is meant to keep the tablecloth from sliding off your table. The only suggestion I have is to find one that is a neutral color on the front (white off white). Mine was a bright red valentines one and the color peeks through to the reverse side. I'll be getting a white one when I can find one! But for 5 bucks I can't complain because it works so well and keeps my blocks in the right order off the floor and wrinkle free! Hooray!

In this picture only rows 3-8 (all the way across) are sewn together.

New count

Ok so I cleaned up a bit in my sewing room and now have a new count of WIP's (work in progress) The new count is 13! Yes 13 projects that are in various stages of being done or should I say being started!

So here is my list which I am sharing in hopes of being motivated by shame to finish them up!

1) Cloth Napkins finished 2/1/09
2) Adding elastic to a pile of jammie pants for my kids.
3) Finish my daughter's rag doll
4) Finish my daughter's "friendship quilt" top, then quilt it
5) Work on the fabric roof for my kids play "fort"
6) Work on my very first quilt pattern - designed by me
7) A wedding gift for a friend
8) Mother's Day Gifts - I know It's a little early but I know it'll still sneak up on me.
9) A quilt for a friend
10) Finish a capelet for my daughter
11) Make hair clips for my daughter
12) Stitch down my Son's fish shirt.
13) Finish the binding on my wedding ring quilt.