"Skinnie" Wall Hangings & More

I know it seems early to start making winter decor, but if I don't start now it won't get done. So today I decided to make a snowman wall hanging that has been an idea in my head for awhile now.   

  I used Heat Bond Iron on Adhesive on all the material parts that I drew out. That way I didn't have to sew each and every piece on separately. I added yarn fringe to his little scarf and used pipe cleaners for his little twig arms. This was a quick easy project, which makes me wonder why I waited to so long to make it. Now I have "skinnies" for almost every season of the year. I made the snowman one up on my own rather than using the Quiltmaker Magazine pattern for the winter one because all of my winter stuff is snowman and their pattern was a candlestick. 

This is my Spring Skinnie. I made it last year sometime using a pattern from Quiltmaker Magazine. 

The is my Fall Skinnie. I also made this last year from a Quiltmaker Magazine pattern. 

All 3 together! 

 I also quilted a few quilts the past few weeks for my Mom and Grandma. I had them both working on the same pattern using fat quarters and these quilts went together really quick! 

Mom's Quilt

Close up of the quilting I did. She liked it because it looks like a sunburst she said. 

Grandma Nancy's Quilt

Back of Grandma's quilt to show the quilting I did on it. 

 I also finished up my Swoon top last week, but it will be awhile until I get it quilted. I still have to decide on backing for it. My unfinished pile is still pretty small. I only have my Swoon and one other quilt that need finished. I still need backing for both of them. All in good time though! 

Learning to Spin

Recently I was given two trash bags full of unprocessed alpaca wool. For years I have joked about wanting to make my own yarn. Well....now I needed to learn! 

One of the two bags I received. 

So on to searching for the tools I was going to need and a little internet knowledge. It can't be that hard right?! WRONG! After watching multiple videos, handmaking a spindle, and getting some cheap wool roving from the craft store, I was purely frustrated. I just couldn't get it down. So now what was I to do? Well it turns out there was a fiber festival in town coming up, so I signed up for a drop spindle class. I thought if I could maybe have some hands on learning I would do better. Turns out, that is all I needed. With a few expert tips (I had a blast at the class) I have been a spinning fool. 

My first single from llama roving the instructor provided us with and the pretty spindle. 

After making 2 singles and plying them I didn't have much yarn. But there was enough for these two bracelet cuffs.

So now I think I am pretty much hooked. At the fiber festival I bought some really pretty alpaca that is already processed and a mixture of fibers that is dyed and just looked fun. I am now thinking a spinning wheel might be in my future. 

I've been working on my aplaca roving I bought. 

I need to buy a few tools to process the alpaca I was given, but all in due time. Turns out this might not be a cheap hobby (like any of them are really). I am also pretty sure my family and friends think I have lost it. I personally think I was born in the wrong time. I could see myself now on the prairie, sitting at my spinning wheel making yarn for socks or something very useful...........

Quilting for Others

Lately I have found myself free motion quilting for a few other people. Seeing as I enjoy that part the most, I have been loving it. I thought I would share a few photos. 

This is a table runner my Grandma Nancy made. I quilted loops and leaves on it. 

This is a table runner my Mom, Tami, made. I quilted loops and hearts on this one. 

My Mom and Grandma Nancy showing off their table runners I helped them put together. 

Close up of the back of one I did swirls quilting on. I did the same quilting on both of them. 

A pinwheel quilt my Mom made. I quilted swirl designs in each of the pinwheels. 

The more I quilt for them, the more I would like to do it for others. I am gaining confidence in my abilities, but I don't know if I am quite there yet. Plus I really would like a longarm machine before I really take the plunge. For now I am really enjoying working on what I have been! 

A Scrappy Finish

I finished up my Scrappy Crossroads quilt. This was from a pattern Lori Holt from Bee in my Bonnet posted as an Instagram tutorial. It was a great way to use up some of my many scraps that I have cut up into different sizes. Everything about this quilt is scrappy. I didn't buy any fabric to do this, just used up my scrap stash. 

Back of quilt

I used 10" squares on the back to keep up with the scrappy look. The binding was even scrappy! 

Here is a close up of the quilting. I really enjoyed doing the swirls and daisy type flowers. I've definitely decided quilting a project is my favorite part! I love the freedom of free motion quilting. 

After this finish I now only have 1 quilt top that needs backing and I'm working on a Swoon Quilt. So the pile is getting smaller! YEAH!