Switching Things Up

 Having made about all the churn dash blocks I care to make - for a while, anyway - I took some time Sunday and Monday to make a few zipper pouches. I really had no prior plan to do such work, but I happened to see a video tutorial by the popular Jenny Doan of Missouri Star Quilt Company. I have watched dozens of her videos, and this one was so appealing for several different reasons that I just knew I had to make a few.

 

The reason for the video was to show quilters and sewists how easy it is to use cute, fancy zippers - which they happen to carry in their story. Well, I already had a stash of 8 or 10 of fancy zippers, so I watched the video to see how I could use them.

 

These first two are made with the same two fabrics; the linings are the other fabric. So that took care of my 2 light pink zippers. Next up was to pull fabrics for 2 darker pink zippers, and 2 royal blue zippers. Honestly, I took forever deciding on fabric combinations. That part took far longer than the actual cutting, sewing, and pressing of the pouches.

In addition to the combinations in the top picture, I have all the remaining fabric decisions made, as well, so I am ready for a marathon session of zipping through these zipper pouches. 

Happy Quilting, Friends!

 

Let's Make A Banner

At the end of the month I will be participating in a craft fair - a first for me as a vendor. Having no experience beyond being a shopper, I have been trying to think of ways to create a booth (table) that will be appealing and inviting. Since banners are kind of "in" right now, I thought I would see how I would do with making one for my little space.

What do you think? I am satisfied with it. It's made with layer cake-sized squares, and is the easiest thing out there. Since I didn't use a layer cake, opting instead to cut squares out of solid yardage that I had, it took me a bit longer than it otherwise would have. Even still, the banner came together quite fast. I can envision attaching letters to the banner - Happy Birthday, or Merry Christmas, or since it's graduation season, Congratulations Graduate would be nice, and I could make it in the grad's school colors. I see much potential with them.

I found a tutorial on Pinterest which came from a YouTube video from Missouri Star Quilt Company - with the ever perky hostess Jenny Doan. You can click on this link to find the one I used to make this banner. If you click here, you will find the introduction to her YouTube channel - there are links to a gazillion other video tutorials that she's done. I will warn you: they are addictive! I found myself watching videos of tips and techniques that I know!! It just goes to show you that learning can happen, regardless of skill level.

If you are in the area on Saturday, May 31, you should come out to the craft fair at Greenfield Elementary School. The event is being sponsored by my friend Dorothy who is helping raise money for her son to go on a dental mission trip to Nicaragua. Scott, her son, is studying to be a dentist, and will assist with dentistry treatments to needy Nicaraguans. There will be lots to see - and buy!

Happy Quilting, Friends!