Embroidery Classes

Did you know that I teach an Embroidery Classes the 3rd Wednesday of every month?  I do and I love it!  Embroidery was something I learned as a pre-teen.  My sisters and I were taught by our next door neighbor, Mrs. Langworthy.  I remember a group of the neighbor girls getting together at her house and her teaching us.  We were taught the basics and to this day I can't believe how lucky we were to have someone will to spend an evening every week with a group of pre-teen girls and teach us all how to stitch.

I have 2 classes, the first one is from 1:00-4:00 PM and in this class we are working on the Home Sweet Home An Embroidered Workbox by Carolyn Pearce.

Isn't it just darling?  Wait until you get a look at the next picture!

Each piece is tiny and because they re all so small they are really 'doable' in a short amount of time.  Some of the stitches are ones we've already learned but some of them are completely new and we are having a lot of fun learning them.

This is a picture of the back of the box!  The box is 6 5/16" x 6 1/8" x 3 7/8" finished!

Our evening class goes from 6:00-9:00 PM and in this class we are doing something completely different!  We are doing the same stitches (for the most part) as we are in the afternoon class but instead of putting them on the notions for the box we have taken Crabapple Hill Studio's pattern 

Susan's Dresden Garden

and we are doing each of the embroidered 'blades' with the stitches we are learning!  Talk about fun!  The threads we are using for this are Silks, Embroidery Floss, Pearl Cotton & Wool!  

Here we are learning how to color on fabric with Crayola Crayons and to Embroider!

Aren't they just so cute!!  Follow my Blog and sign up for my newsletter at Miss Marker's Quilts and receive this FREE pattern from Crabapple Hill Designs!!

Join me on the 3rd Wednesday of the month for Embroidery Class!

Happy Quilting!

A Small Project Complete!

I know I've been quiet this week but honestly I've been busy!  I've completed quilts but can't show you pictures because they are all presents!  I've been working away at my Downton Abbey Blocks that I will show you on Friday!  There is one project that I've completed that I can show you!!!

This is a FREE pattern from Lecien designed by Meg Hawkey of Crabapple Hill Studios.  If you click on Lecien you will go to their Free patterns site and if you click on Crabapple Hill Studios you will go to Meg's web site!

I made a few changes to the pattern!  I think it's adorable!  I'm handing out the Free pattern today at my Knoty Girls Stitching group at O'Susannah's Quits & Gifts!

Don't forget to send me your email address so I can put you on the list for the Downton Abby Mystery Quilt!  Email me at missmarker@rochester.rr.com!  On Friday you'll receive the pattern in your email and I'll have a tutorial here on my blog!

Happy Quilting!
Margaret

Gardner's Alphabet - A is for Autumn

Well now that the Snowman A - Zzzzz is done I just had to pick up another hand work project!  I probably should have picked up a smaller one but I couldn't resist Crabapple Hill's Gardener's Alphabet!  I've got A for Autumn completely done!

I've traced and colored B is for Bees and will be taking that one on the plane with me to Houston!  What are you working on?

Happy Quilting!

Margaret

A - Zzzzz Snowman

I finished the A - Zzzz Snowman designed by Crabapple Hill Studio!  I've had some questions on how I did it so here's a picture of the entire quilt and some close ups to explain!

The Stars - I filled in the stars with French Knots!  I did a 3 wrap French Knot and made as many as I could possibly fit into the stars.  I really liked the way they turned out!

Carrot noses, I did do some of them with the Stem Stitch but most of them were done with the Backstitch.

The Christmas Lights were done with the Padded Satin Stitch.  I like the way the Padded Satin Stitch looks, it (in my opinion) gives the Christmas Lights some dimension.

With the exception of where special stitches were called for the piece was worked in the Stem Stitch.  I like working with the Stem Stitch more than I do the Backstitch.  I feel like it goes faster and looks nicer.

Let me know if you have any other questions!

Enjoy!

Happy Quilting!

Welcome March!

March always seems like the longest month ever for me!  This year it came in like a Lamb so I'm wondering if it really will go out like a Lion or not!  We'll have to wait and see!

Quilting has been busy!!  There is a lot happening in my sewing world right now.  For starters, the Snowman Alphabet, I've been busy working on it!  Here's the latest piece to be finished up:

This pattern is from Crabapple Hill Studios and I'm in LOVE with it!  I am finishing it up for a Shop Hop that is going to be happening in April this year, I'm busy stitching away!  Wish me luck!

I've been busy quilting for Quilts of Valor and there are a couple of Quilt shows coming up in our area and I've been busy getting quilts done for those shows.  Here's a couple of snapshots of what I've been up to!

Remember how I was having such a hard time getting pictures of the entire quilt?  Well my dear Husband fixed my problem for me AND it was VERY inexpensive!  Under $20.00!  I'm still amazed at how functional curtain rods can be!

Another Quilt of Valor.

Patty, who made and donated this quilt made a total of 4 quilts for this cause and all of them were of really bright and cheerful colors!

This is a 1600 Quilt and every one of them are so different!

Isn't it fantastic that you can finally see the entire quilt!

This is a shop sample for a local quilt shop and it was quilted in Limestone thread color (a bright Lime Green and Bright Yellow) and was quilted in all circles!  Talk about WILD!!

A close up so you can see the quilted circles!

Sorry this picture is a little dark!  A perfect Throw size quilt!  Something to snuggle up with on this cool winter nights.  The quilting pattern is Ivy Trellis.

1600 Here we go again!

Perfect for all those new Grand Babies out there!  Did I tell you we are having our own little baby BOOM in our family?  We've got babies due in May, June and August this year!  Not certain how we happened to miss July!  I've heard that one of them MAY have Margaret in their name!!!  YEAH!

I would LOVE this quilt on my dining room table!  Too bad it's not mine! :(  Yes, I still insist on putting quilts on practically everything in my house!

Please excuse my lack of cropping!  

This was the 2012 Quilt Club Quilt at O'Susannah's Quilts and Gifts in Watkins Glen NY.  

Close up of the center block.  Some people did needle turn, others did the button hole stitch and others top stitched this block.  All ways completed it is beautiful!

Close up first, it's it sweet?

I've always been a pastel kind of girl!  

Okay, now I'm being really BAD because I can't remember who's quilt this one is or when I quilted it!  I'm so very sorry!  If it's yours please email me so I can put your name with it!

Another HUGE quilt!

My husband (is an avid hunter and all around sportsman) thought this was the greatest quilt ever!  It really is a wonderful quilt!  It is all flannel and the quilting pattern matched the quilt to perfection!  The quilting is an all over design of Pine Trees, Log Cabins and Deer!

Here's the center panel and Beth designed the borders herself!  She did a great job!

It's that time of year again ~ Yup time to get all those quilts done that are for wedding presents!

I hope this bride & groom realizes how lucky they are!  

I think I was a little punch happy or quilting happy when I did this one!  This is a shop sample and I was told I could do anything I wanted to and I did!  For the quilting patterns I combined two blocks together an one block is Zig Zags and the other is all Squigglies!  (Squigglies is not a word! SORRY)  I thought it was cute!

Check back later this week to see what's on the Long Arm now!  I put it on last night and I can't wait to see it all done!

Happy Quilting!



Embroidery Envelope Completed!!

I am so excited to be able to share this completed project with everyone!  It feels so wonderful whenever I complete a project!  Crabapple Hill Studio's is one of my favorite designers, I absolutely LOVE her designs, Meg has so much talent and the instructions on her quilt patterns are wonderful!  Here's a few pictures of my completed project::

This is the first time I've made up this pattern so this was my sorta 'test run'.  I made it out of wool felt, used Cosmo floss and Piecemakers needles.  I've been using Cosmo floss now for a couple of years and have to tell you how wonderful it is!  It may cost a little more but it is TOTALLY worth it!  It feels like I'm sewing with silk, very rarely knots and the colors are wonderful!  If you can't find it at your local quilt shop let me know.

Here's the inside completed!  It has a fantastic envelope for my floss, a place to secure my absolute favorite scissors in the entire world, my marking pen, straight pins, sewing needles and my thimble, stick this is my project bag and I'm ready to go!!  I've got a tutorial on how to make a Quick and Easy Project Bag on YouTube as well as a tutorial on how I made this Embroidery Envelope Part 1 & Part 2 & Part 3, check them out if you get a chance!

Happy Quilting!

Crayola Crayons Aren't For JUST Our Children/Grand Children!

I am so excited to have finished this project!  Isn't it the absolute sweetest thing?  With Valentines Day quickly approaching I think this may be the PERFECT little something for Valentines Day or as a Easter Bag/Basket!  This pattern is by Meg Hawkey of Crabapple Hill Studio and is called Crazy Love.  I really enjoy hand work for many reasons but most of all because it is so very easy to travel with.  This project was completed in no time at all, I really was amazed at how quickly it went together.

I'm teaching this project on Sunday February 3rd at O'Susannah's Quilts and Gifts in Watkins Glen NY.  I'll be teaching Meg's Crayola Coloring Technique and the following stitches:

English Daisy

Forget Me Nots

French Knots

Lazy Daisy

Satin Stitch

Circle Flower Rose

Feather Stitch

Fly Stitch

I hope you can attend!  If you can't attend the class but would like to have a on line tutorial please let me know!

Happy Quilting!