I love to give gifts to others and there are some simple clever things to create that really help others to know that you love and appreciate them. Enjoy!
How do you use Americana Quilts in your home decor? I love to use my Patriotic Quilts to hang on the wall and to display United States Flag outside to wave. This year I decided to decorate our patio for lots of family and friends for BBQ celebrations. I laid my Toile American Flag quilt on the table to set a tone with red and blue accent pillows. You will notice the rod iron shelf that I arranged lots of patriotic items I have created through the years.
You can see a close up of this fabric and how it is not printed striped fabric but rather the navy blue, red and cream fabrics are stitched together in 10 yard long lengths. Isn’t it amazing what you can do with quality fabrics to adorn your home.
Here is another table that I place the Bargello Waving American Flag Quilt to set the tone for what we are celebrating. I used a large basket with a Patriotic Wreath in it. I love the touches of metal and wood with the fabric. Family and friends have enjoyed time on our covered patio talking about the state of affairs and how we need to be responsible citizens in whatever country we live. You can see embroidered on this quilt, “O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.” To get the very last Bargello Glory Waving American Flag Quilt Kit click here.
You can see a close up of this wreath with a metal frame purchased from a craft store. Just use mesh wide ribbon that is so easy to find nowadays and weave it through the metal wreath. I love the touch of wooden vintage patriotic signs to add to the wreath along with rod iron stars.
I don’t know about you but I find Needle Punch Embroidery relaxing to do. I love these two patriotic needle punch framed embroideries of a flag flying above a home and Good Ole Sam. Isn’t the wooden star with the flag coming out of it great. I love this simple small American Flag quilt on this outdoor coffe table that has the Star Spangled Banner hand embroidered into the cream strips of the flag. What have you made with fabric and thread to celebrate your nation?
Even our Cavalier King Charles Spaniel loves the patio and the comforts it brings. Who do you use your quilting and sewing items to celebrate your nation? Today is September 11th and a day that brings reverence for our country and the people that have sacrificed so much.
I love this picnic blanket that has fabric to celebrate 9/11 in it. I roll this blanket up and keep it in my car when we need a quilt on the go.
The Americana Quilt Kit comes with all these fabrics and the pattern. Isn’t is beautiful! Are you making Quilts of Valor or just need a quilt in your home to celebrate the holidays?
Unique Personal Holiday Gift Guide for Creative Mothers
Unique Personal Holiday Gift Guide for Creative Mothers. Buying a gift for a creative mother, wife, daughter or special someone that has her family at the center of her heart is sometimes difficult. With these women always thinking of others or their families first are often hard to find a gift for.
We have put together a collection of 10 very unique gifts that you won’t find in a box store but that your special someone will appreciate! And a special giveaway for there to be 10 lucky winners. Enter the giveaway at the end of the post through Rafflecopter.
I Love You Forever Infinity Necklace Sterling Silver
Like your never-ending love, the words ‘I love you forever’ repeat themselves endlessly on this elegant infinity pendant. This elegant ‘I love you’ necklace makes a beautiful gift for your wife, mother, girlfriend or special someone. Comes with an 18 inch chain with spring ring closure for $38.99. Made of pure sterling silver. Woot & Hammy – silver infinity necklace is an excellent gift but if this isn’t just the right item be sure to visit their website in search of just the right personal item.
DIY Soap Making Kit
Make gorgeous sweet smelling soap flats with this kit. Comes with enough soap to make 4 soap flat bars. The holiday fragrances make for a lovely handmade gift, or a great activity for your creative loved one that wants to made a simple luxurious soap to indulge in! Kit includes: Melt and pour soap, Soap flat mold, 3 fragrant botanical additions (cranberry, cinnamon, pine), Ribbon, Gift tags. If this kit doesn’t seem to fit the need of your loved one please visit DIY Happy Kits website to view Citrus Bath Salts Kit, Stamped Scarf Kit, DIY Valet Kit, and MORE. You will not be disappointed.
Set of 4 Chickadee Espresso Cups
Look at the birds of the air, that they do not sow, nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? Matthew 6:26 Let this set of chickadee espresso cups remind your loved one that the Lord is faithful to tenderly care for His people and fear not. This set of four espresso cups has an image has been fired on and will never fade or scratch off. Made of fully vitrified porcelain which means that your espresso cups are chip and crack resistant. 3 oz. capacity; 2-1/4″ High; 2″ diameter $19.95 and if this item isn’t just what you need be sure to browse Heavenly Home Cooking to find the perfect personal gift from their selection of cookbook stickers, bowls, plates, mug and more. Includes an inspirational gift insert.
A handy travel tea wallet bistro
How about a handy travel tea wallet bistro for your special lady to always have her favorite tea handy to sip when there is a break in the day no matter where she might be. Steeping Secrets – has a lovely handy travel tea wallet made from 100% cotton fabric in 5 different styles to choose from. The wallet stays securely tucked away until tea is needed. If a handy travel tea wallet doesn’t seem to fit the needs be sure to visit their website for other tea related personal items that include tea cup rugs, tea pot cozies and more.
Utterly Hot Mamma Nursing Top
You loved one with a newborn will feel like the sophisticated, hot mama when she slips on a Whimsical Wrap. This is an excellent gift for the holiday or baby showers! This strategically designed nursing top highlights your décolletage while keeping everything else covered up in a classy way. The sash and gathered fabric beautifully define your waist and make you forget you’re postpartum.When it’s time to breastfeed or pump, simply loosen the sash. The inside flap, in every Udderly Hot Mama® nursing top, provides extra privacy during a feeding or pumping session. When baby’s weaned, you can snap it right out and add your top to your everyday wardrobe. The pumping bra is not included. Check out the colors this top comes in of black, brown, seafoam, purple and coral at Udderly Hot Mama website and if this Nursing Wrap Top isn’t what you need, I think you will find some other unique gifts for your loved one.
Curiosity Pack – Letter Games and Activities for Early Readers
A mother, grandmother or teacher that puts her kids first are always thinking about ways to teach those children in more effective ways. How about a Curiosity Pack which includes letter games and activities for early readers. This unique approach will get kids excited about learning their letters. There is an inquisitive activity book, alphabet card game, poster and hidden alphabet letters in a laminated creative illustration for kids to search and circle those alphabet letters! Be sure to visit Curiosity Pack – with letter games and activities for early readers! They are a creative bunch of people with lots of resources that might interest your special someone.
Book Living Simple Free and Happy
These inspiring books may be just the perfect gift for women that appreciate Living, Simple, Free and Happy. This book features 10 upcycling tutorials and 5 DIY projects for your home. Keep in mind, this is not a book full of “neat” projects. This is a lifestyle course, where you will learn to create with the purpose of clearing out the debt, clutter and maintenance that is weighing you down. Simple techniques that eliminate clutter and keep it from returning. A personalized plan to help you reclaim your time. Practical (and profitable) ways to sell unused items in your home. Tips to eliminate debt and curb consumption. Step-by-step upcycling projects that transform old, unwanted furniture into beautiful, customized organizing systems. Dozens of exercises that help you identify and honor your talents, values, and goals. Not only is this book available at Eve of Reduction but there are several more brilliant books Rooms Repurposed and Creative Cashflow.
Pampered Teacher Box full of Designer Product Teacher Gifts
Want a special teacher gift that’s sure to brighten your favorite teacher’s day? Well, you’ve come to the right place! The Pampered Teacher gift box is full of fashion and classroom accessories for female teachers! We handpick quality items to enhance a teacher’s style and give her useful supplies for her classroom.
A one month care package of teacher gifts will arrive right to your doorstep or can be sent directly to her with a special note from you. You customize the package by answering a set of optional questions when you purchase the gift. Sometimes it’s hard to think of a way to show your appreciation for hard working teachers. Be sure to visit the Pampered Teacher great product carefully researched to be enjoyed by all teachers.
Olfa Rotary Cutter 45 MM
Is your gal a creative that needs precision? The Olfa Rotary Cutter Ergonomic 45mm Blade with Locking mechanism is an indispensable tool to get precise cutting of fabric, paper, foam core and more! The blade is reversible, making the cutter a true left or right hand product. The cutter will accept the pinking/wave/standard blades. A safety button can be used to lock cutter in closed position and it ergonomic handle makes it easier to use for repetitive cutting. She might already have one but needs new blades, fresh self-healing new cutting mat or 6×24 inch see through non-slip ruler. Stitches Quilting offers quality items with affordable prices. You loved one may be wanting to start a new hobby in a season of life that she would need a set of these or just a fresh new cutter.
Be sure to enter the Rafflecopter Holiday Giveaway Roundup to win one of these excellent items! a Rafflecopter giveaway
This Holiday Giveaway Roundup is being brought to you by the following list of participants and each of their products! This is one talented group of women that can help you purchase unique personal items for those you care about! Support small businesses and get some meaningful gifts this year for your loved one. Participants and Products 1. Curiosity Pack – letter games and activities for early readers 2. Steeping Secrets – tea wallet 3. Woot & Hammy – silver infinity necklace 4. Stitches Quilting – Olfa Rotary Cutter 5. DIY Happy Kits – soap making kit 6. Udderly Hot Mama Nursing Wrap Top 7. Heavenly Home Cooking – set of 4 espresso cups 8. Pampered Teacher – box of teacher gifts 9. Eve of Reduction – signed copy of “Living Simple, Free & Happy”
The Beginnings of a Glammy Grinch Christmas – My husband absolutely loves the story of How the Grinch Stole Christmas. I was one that didn’t really relate to that story and focused on other ones. When we play the DVD of the Jim Carrey movie of How The Grinch Stole Christmas, will bring my husband to gravitate to the couch and then invariably start laughing so much that we see his sparkly white teeth. The children just get a kick out of watching my husband do this and they start the movie to just watch the phenomena and start quoting Grinch quotes from memory. I’m adding a link to the book and movie because I actually had someone message me from another country not familiar with the story of How the Grinch Stole Christmas.
Our two dogs get involved in the movie watching too by barking at poor Max while we watch the movie. Since my husband’s birthday is November 22, the kids and I would always buy my husband Grinch things and we dedicated a corner, then a room and now most of the house to decorating Christmas Grinchy. I now have the dining room for my angel tree and all the nativity displays. Funny isn’t? We do a lot of spiritual things during Christmas but I have to say by embracing the Grinch everyone is certainly having a lot more fun helping me decorate the house (which is good). Each year the family comes up with some more great ideas that we need to execute – including my husband.
I don’t have the BEST Grinchy Christmas decorations PHOTOS but we will be getting our Grinch bins out soon to start getting up to enjoy a long time and share with all of you. I will post regularly on how to make all this stuff yourself with many easy ideas coming soon. I recommend signing up for the Stitches Quilting newsletter so you don’t miss a single post. There will be free downloads, printables, instruction by photograph and video that you just won’t want to miss!
I never understood the message of the Grinch book but now I have a better idea. The message brings in family discussions of character, compassion, sharing, acceptance, respect, positive thinking, increasing love in our life and more. I will not only provide tons of big or small ways to bring a bit a the Grinch into your Christmas traditions.
If you are ever facing a hard Christmas from either a loss or financial distress – then the things I will teach you are easy practical fun things to implement as a family and really embrace the spirit of Christmas in a playful way. We still decorate in a traditional way but use some of our things in a Glammy Grinchy way too.
My husband used to dread the Christmas season with extra financial stress of buying things that we might not need but buy for the sake of holiday gift giving. My husband is a family law attorney and not many people are hiring divorce attorneys in the month of December, so being the conscientious man that he is – he just doesn’t feel passionate about spending when he is feeling the flow pull back. People usually put off the paperwork of filing a divorce until after the holiday season. So with my extra resourceful nature along with my deep belief in repurposing; pulling together a bit of a Grinchy decorated Christmas is practically brilliant.
Here are a few photographs for you to get a hint of what we did last year, I took these photographs just right before we packed everything back up. May they inspire you to do something just a little different this year!
Our 2014 Grinch Christmas Tree. Notice the quilted Grinch Tree Skirt.Our Quilted Grinch Tree Skirt that I long armed quilted Grinch stuffed creatures to it! Tutorial coming later this week.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the ornaments that we are using on our Grinch Christmas tree.
Look at these simple Grinch Christmas Tree OrnamentsLook at these simple Grinch Christmas Tree OrnamentsLook at these simple Grinch Christmas Tree Ornaments
I got a large FREE used artificial Christmas Tree and we will have a post on how to take a traditional looking tree to looking like a Glammy Grinch Tree. Tutorial coming soon!
Now let’s take a peak at what we did to Grinch Glam up our Christmas Fireplace Mantle. Do you notice the green directional lighting? My husband does the green lighting. I never really noticed it until years later when someone was visiting us and asked if that was a green light bulb and I answered, “Well yes it is.”
Let’s Glam Grinch out our Christmas Fireplace Mantle! We even use green directional lighting!
Start looking at your online classified ads in your area to see if people are selling their Grinch décor items really inexpensive. The stuffed Grinch hanging out on the left of the mantle we actually picked up for $10. You never know what you can find.
Here are more details of how we decorated the Glammed out Grinch Fireplace Mantle.
Tulle Grinch Ball at end of mantel. Here are more details of how we decorated the Glammed out Grinch Fireplace Mantle.
Corner of Grinch Mantel. Here are more details of how we decorated the Glammed out Grinch Fireplace Mantle.Grinch Decor Mantle Glittery Sprigs and Peppermint Candy. Here are more details of how we decorated the Glammed out Grinch Fireplace Mantle.Grinch Decor Mantle Glittery Fanned Out Sprigs. Here are more details of how we decorated the Glammed out Grinch Fireplace Mantle.
What ideas do you have? What traditions do you celebrate? Well more Glammy Grinchy Christmas ideas and instructions coming to you, so sign up for the Stitches Quilting Newsletter! We will see you tomorrow – this is only the beginning!
I have officially as of today become an affiliate blogger to point readers to items that they might want to purchase. I do this as a service to you and may be paid for the link but I do not recommend items that I do not have confidence in.
I always drooled over I SPY quilts and waited forever to make one for our family! I waited and waited because I just didn’t think that I had enough pieces of fabric to make the quilt! I didn’t want the quilt to familiar like it had pieces of every single other quilt I had made in it. Which I actually think now is a charming idea because my children can look at pieces of the I SPY fabric and actually remember other quilts made with the same fabric. Well it took me a long time to collect enough novelty pieces for the I SPY quilt that I was day dreaming to make. I did eventually get this quilt off my quilting day dreaming bucket list!
I stuffed all the obscure novelty prints in a squished plastic shoe box and often I would pull the pieces out to count them and see if I was close to collecting enough pieces that could work for the quilt. Disappointed after counting, I would shove those pieces back into their plastic bin determined to keep collecting! But one day I went through the count and holy cow I finally thought I had enough of a diverse variety to start the process of making the quilt.
I SPY Basket of Swap Fabric
I was so excited and my biggest admirer of my quilts was my darling son, Nick, so I immediately showed him that I had enough pieces. I so vividly remember Nick and I, sitting cramped against my sewing room wall examining and counting each piece. The pieces stuffed in that plastic box for years were now crumpled up odd pieces of fabric! They were really crumpled! I quickly grabbed a cutting board with rotary cutter and placed it on the floor next to us along with an iron and tiny ironing pad to start it right away. My son, in fourth grade at the time, and I sat so awkwardly against the wall with him just as excited about the project as me. We had bought so many I SPY books through the years and loved reading those. Maybe these I SPY quilts remind of my days as a child sitting in the doctor’s office going through Highlights magazines searching the hidden pictures! I guess I figured this quilt could be something like a permanent huge Highlight magazine hidden picture. No one in those days other than family practice offices had those Highlight magazines back then.
Well my sweet Nick would iron each of the crumpled ODD shaped fabrics and I was sitting on Nick’s left side fussy cutting away these pieces to work with the pattern I had in mind! It was a big task ahead of us and I have no idea why we didn’t do this process on a table. I know my back starting hurting crunched over to make these perfect cuts. Sweet Nick would iron each one and hand it to me and I would cut away. With excitement we examined each piece of fabric together to decide which image would be fussy cut and then BAM I felt this HOT searing feeling on my arm. Nick and I were sitting so close together watching what each other was doing that when handing me another pressed piece of fabric the iron hit my arm and I had one heck of a burn! Nick felt so bad but we just kept working away. I had a scar from that iron burn for the longest time but it represented a sweet memories of the two of us finally accomplishing something we daydreamed about.
I have no idea why I made the quilt in the pattern I did with all those hexagons! Being thrilled to finally have the resources to make this quilt, I got it put together quickly! Through the years, our family has cherished the quilt with the memories of playing I SPY and interacting with each other. I can only imagine the years and years of fun we will continue to have with this quilt with grandchildren and more! What an heirloom! I embroidered all around the border of the quilt different things to search for to start the challenge and interaction.
I SPY Embroidery of Items to Search For Completely Around Perimeter of Black Border
I have found some fabulous ideas for different I SPY quilt patterns! You may already have a pattern in mind. I have a Pinterest I SPY Quilt Board and would love if you pinned ideas or post them with #ISPYQUILT and I will find them! I will summarize my favorites in a blog.
At Stitches Quilting when I had a store front, we always had a basket that people could trade novelty square pieces of fabric for the pieces in the basket. It was fun and I still have that same basket today! You can mail me some of your extra novelty fabrics and I will mail you back the same number of pieces from the basket. Let’s keep that I SPY basket of fun swapping away. Click the following link to see 20 piece – 5 inch I SPY charm packs and 10 inch layer cakes for sale in the Stitches Quilting Shoppe! Let us know if you would like some! Many of the prints in the basket are out of print and no longer available so you will be getting a very unique collection and of course if you have a particular interest in girl, boy, fish, holiday etc. prints just let me KNOW!
Share the quilts that you waited and waited to get just those perfect fabrics that took forever and then you finally had it perfectly right to then assemble! What fabrics did you stash away for that perfect quilt? Post photos on Instagram or Twitter with the hashtag #quiltybucketlist #quiltfabricstashaway or #stichesquilting to share with each other what you are daydreaming about or have accomplished! I can’t wait to see your things and read your comments! Where you ever quilting with a family member or friend that developed into a first aid experience and memories? Tell us your stories!
Well….. Here are two more fabric collection ideas for Mother’s Day! We have Michael Millers Vintage Mom! Isn’t this fabric just the very best? One of a kind and now out of print. Purchase now while stock is still available.
Another playful collection for the cooks in all of us, is the Domestic Diva collection by Emily Taylor for Riley Blake Designs.
These fabrics would make great aprons, fabric boxes to store kitchen items in, quilts, hot pads, curtains and more! Exciting things to daydream about for yourself and loved ones….. Fabrics available on www.stitchesquilting.com
Below is a reversible apron that I made with some girlfriends. I made one for myself and my girlfriend made four to give as gifts. This apron would look great with any combination of the coordinates. I also trimmed the apron with Riley Blake’s 1/4 inch Velvet Brown Ric Rac! Doesn’t the apron look just delicious! The velvet RicRac is in stock and available online!
I am just itching to spend some time sewing and quilting in the quilt studio. I am resisting though as the kids are home for the weekend and it is time for an outdoor adventure downtown Salt Lake City.
Don’t forget my last weeks blog about more Mother’s Day Quilting Fabric Ideas and Gifts. Below are just a few of the photos….
Happy Stitching!
Deanna
Please let me know of ideas you have for these fabrics and for honoring mom or women important to you for Mother’s Day! Can’t wait to hear from all of YOU! Hash tag #stitchesquilting to show me some delightful photos of things you are making! Free Give Away coming soon!
There are just so many things to do in life with working, raising families, being a member of a family and our community that we need to focus on the right things in life. We live in a world where we are so distracted by the constant stimuli that we no longer focus on the truly important things in life. I have been blessed with many many obstacles in my life that I have learned to really concentrate on the right things in life and why. These obstacles have been challenges that I have embraced to my fullest to allow myself to be chiseled to be the soul that God intends me to be. Through this blog I will share with you things that have been set in my path that have made me to pause in life and truly focus on what is important. It is a time in the world to simplify and focus on what is truly important. I have found that through my challenges that I have developed gifts, skills and desires that I never imagined that I would learn in life. I never imagined that some of my most intense growth in life would come with the age that I am. But the refining has come and I have chosen to stay the good soul that I am and not allow difficulties to change my spirit but just allow my spirit to lift and grow in ways to help others. As I have faced the challenges that I have had through the years, there are many interests that I have acquired and would like to share with all of you. In the quiet moments, I have turned to quilting, sewing, crafting, re-purposing, cooking, photography, jewelry making and more to fill my soul with the emptiness that it might have felt with the beautiful people that I have enjoyed things with. I have always strived to have my home be a warm loving place of refuge and peace for my family to come home to. I have found by simplifying my life that I can live a more authentic life and have more cognitive space/awareness for improving myself as a person. Nothing makes me more pleased than to make or share something for my family members, loved ones, people in need or just simply for myself. I hope that I can share that love for the things I do with all of you in your homes to improve where you are in life. This blog is dedicated to sharing those ideas and lessons learned by stitching along through life. I say stitching because I am not always sewing but I am piecing the layers of life together to learn what I am intended to become and continue to evolve to be. We have so much to learn in life and hopefully here we can share some of the things learned to share with others. I have many posts ready to share that will be coming to you soon. There are Stitches Through Life Blog Categories in the upper left column and right side bottom footer of posts to wander through and be inspired and resourceful in life! The resourcefulness that we learn in life gives us confidence, builds self-sufficiency to have courage to do just about anything that we may have to face. May the work of your hands inspire the soul!
Threads of Topics that are Coming SOON!!!!!
Making Life’s Hard Things Feel EASIER!
How the Way We Think Changes the Things we DO!
Being Grateful, Thinking Positively and using to the Fullest the Things we Already Have
Finding a Center of Happiness and Core Just Right Exactly Where We Are Right NOW
Developing a Devotion to our Spouses to keep our Families Intact
Developing a Foundation of Faith that will Never Collapse Under the Weight that We Carry Throughout Life
Having Adult Issues be Adult Issues and allowing our children to grow up without having to Navigate Adult Issues
Raising Children Practically
Raising Children with Structure and an Abundance of Love
Raising Special Needs Children taking in the Complexities Involved
Raising Children in Blended/Single Homes while Living with Dignity after a Divorce
Being Practical! Creatively Making the Best of Our Homes
Being Practical! Re-purposing the World Around Us into Needed Items
Stitches “DeWall” homemade beauty and household products to make in your own home
Stitches Jewelry Creating to give me strength and share as a gift to others
Stitches Photography tips and my own images that document life and its adventures
AND I will always continue to post things about fabric, quilting, sewing, home products and more. That has always been a consistent thread of life and always around us to improve upon and enjoy.
I know I we can’t be completely self-sufficient in this life as we are interconnected and weaved into the society of our families, communities, and the world. Where ever we might be we can certainly carve out a piece of serenity no matter where we are.
French Accent Tote made with Laminate FabricsI made this tote bag and absolutely LOVE it. The first one I made I gave as a gift to one of my son’s teachers for the holidays. Finally I got one made for me and I carry it absolutely everywhere. I use it to carry all my daydreaming items. Books and magazines I want to read, projects I want to work on, my iPad that goes with me anywhere and anything else that simply is too bulky to throw into my purse. This way I always have something to do when I’m out and about whether at doctor appointments or carpooling the kids around. The Laminate Fabric is not difficult to sew with at all and give the best look EVER!
I was able to quickly construct the bag within about an hour and a half. It was a fun project that didn’t take long and that made me feel GREAT! And the best of all, I get to carry it around with me all day long and enjoy it day after day. I love the velvet rick rack accents and the pockets inside to organize small items. The laminate fabrics that I used are from the Lost & Found collection designed by My Mind’s Eye for Riley Blake Designs. These laminate fabrics are for sale by the yard in the Stitches Quilting Shoppe along with four different French Accent Tote kits with different combinations of four unique laminate fabrics from the Lost and Found Collection. If there is a kit fabric combination that you would like for me to put together for you just email or call and let me know. The kit includes everything you need from the coordinating laminate fabrics, cotton fabrics for lining and handles, pattern, velvet black rick rack, fusible interfacing and stabilizer perfectly cut just for you! No need to run to the fabric store to pick up necessary items. All you will need is thread and a bit of time. Perfect gift to give to others!
