Happy New Year

I have sadly neglected my blog for many many months, but one of my resolutions for 2011 is to post at least once a week. Times just seems to get away from me and I forgot or can't think of something interesting to blog about.

I making many changes in my shop and what I will be creating so hopefully I will have lots of topics that my interest all my followers.

So just to start of I am wish all of you a belated Happy New Year.

NATIONAL QUILTING DAY

This Saturday quilters will be celebrating National Quilting Day. To commemorate this day several of my Quiltsy Team had a challenge called the Nature of Quilting. Here are the beautiful and talented creations that my team members have created.

Flying Carpet Wallhangin from the shope of AnotherGhostQuilts.etsy.comThis is called Doree the Dragon Fly and comes from the shop of Planetpollyanna.etsy.comBotanical Gardens from the shop MoranArtandQuilts.etsy.comTrapunto Tulip from the shop of Quiltfinger.etsy.comPastoral Nature Scene by Bungalowquilts.etsy.comDresden Plate table runner by Clubaloha.etsy.comHand quilted whole cloth pillow cover by Serenstitches.etsy.comMountain Landscape Quilted Fabric Postcard by Sew Upscale.etsy.com Mini wallhanging by DebiDesigns.etsy.com

HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY

Today we celebrate St. Patrick's and on Saturday March 20 we celebrate National Quilt Day. so I came across this gorgeous Celtic Wallhanging which not only represents Irish Celebrations, but shows just how quilting is another form of art.
This gorgeous piece comes from the shop of PennyFabricArt.etsy.com. Penny created this by using foundation piecing methodology. The peacock's head and body is a vibrant blue dupioni silk apkique with blue and silver beads, silvery embroidery thread and blue/white stone beads.

This is truely a work of art.

Saving Selvages

We have all heard the expression "You'r never to old to learn" well this phrase fits me

Now I love to create so this was right up my alley and I have decided to share this with some of you.

Selvages are the finished end of you material. They usual have the designers name, collections name and maybe a color key code to help with coordinating you fabric. All sewers will cut them off before they begin using their fabric and for me I always thru them away. Not anymore.

The first one I want to show is from the shop of Whimbrella.etsy.com.
She has created a chic eyeglass case. She made this from selvages of some of the most popular fabrics and lined it with tiny orange bird print form Moda. She also states that this would make a great case for carryingperfectly.

Recently a few of my Quiltsy Team members have taught me something new, to save the selvages after I cut my material and to create some wonderful and very useful items.
your rotary cutter to class.

My next feature is from the the shop of Bonbonsandmore.etsy.com.
She has created a hotpad or trivet from selvage ends and bound them together with a dark red binding. Every kitchen needs hotpads and this one will go with any motif you might have.


This adorable little skirt was created by Kimbuktu.etsy.com. She made this
for her granddaughter and I must say I think this is one of the most
creative items I have seen made with the selvage ends.

I searching for my ideas I also came across a great blog by Karen Griska, selvageblog.blogspot.com. She has also written a book with all kinds of ideas for using selvage ends. The book is called Quilt from the Selvage ends. I recommend checking out her blog.


So from now on I am saving all my selvages and hope to soon add my own creations to this selection.

BLOG WINNER

The winner of the February Blog Giveaway is Ann Woods of Quilting Frenzy.

Congratulations Ann, I have you bookmark in the mail for you

My Puzzle Quilt

A few weeks ago I post about the quilt I was making for my grandson and I referred to it as a puzzle. Well I finished the puzzle and here are my results. I must say I think that it turned out quite well. Since I called it a puzzle I also decided to quilt in a random motion with a pattern similar to a puzzle. I used a variegated black and gray thread.

When I started the idea of making a quilt for him skulls was not my first thought I thought of sports, he was the one that asked for the skulls. I started with the fabric and then found the blocks and from there I laid them out until I found the design I wanted.

I gave this to Riley yesterday and he was thrilled with it. When we left he was getting ready to curl up with it and watch his movies.

February Give Away

I find it difficult at times to keep up with interesting things for my blog. So to shake things up a little bit I have decided to do a February Giveaway. My goal is to get 100 followers on my blog or Facebook Fans.

This give away is designed with my quilting friends in mind, but anyone can enter. I have made two bookmarks with sewing charms attached to the end. One bookmark, the larger, has a thimble charm attached to the end, and the smaller one has a sewing machine charm on the end. Both bookmarks are silver plated and have swarovski crystal. Either one will make a great bookmark for you quilting or sewing books or magazines.

Now to win one of the bookmarks all you need to do is one or more of the following. The more you do the more you are entered.

1. Leave a comment about which of the two you like or would prefer.

2. Leave a comment and become one of my followers. ( promise to start having some
interesting post)

3. Leave a comment, become a follower and a fan of my Facebook Page artist.to/creationsbynoramarie

4. Leave a comment, become a follower, become a fan on Facebook and leave a comment on
my facebook fan page.

You have 4 chances to win and I will randomly choose a winner and the winner will receive the bookmark of their choice.

Etsy Front Page Keyword/Themes January 11th – January 19th

Etsy Front Page Keyword/Themes January 11th – January 19th

Quilts and Puzzles

I'm currently making a quilt for my Grandson. As I was starting to assemble the quilt I realized that putting together a quilt is much like working a puzzle. At least it is for me.

The block I chose for the quilt is called Woodland Patch. After I determined how many blocks in the quilt (24 for this one) I then had to calculate the amount of smaller blocks or triangles were needed to complete the quilt. Well here comes the fun part and the part I consider to be t putting the puzzle together. From the two piles you see here of black and white triangles I sew one black to one white until I completed a total 96 .

From these 96 blocks I had to attach the remaining black and white triangles in various directions

From here I had to lay them out and then sew those together until I formed the center strips.
This is why I call it a puzzle, because each piece had to fit a certain way to form the center strip

Now for the final step I then attached to larger triangle on each side of the center strip until I formed a block and continued on until I made 24 blocks.

Now from here you may wonder where I will go next. Well I do have pattern formed on how I will finish this quilt, but have decided to stop here and make it a little mystery for you. This I hope will have you coming back for more.

I will post the finishing of this quilt within the next couple of weeks. Like every other quilter I have more than one project going and alternate between them.

Stay tuned for part 2

Exchange Quilt

A couple of weeks ago I wrote about the mini quilt exchange I am in with the Quilting Gallery.

Well I received a very nice package in the mail the other day. It was my quilt and I wanted to share it with all of you.

My quilt came from Jeane who lives in Piedmont. Mo. I just love all the colors that she used to design the quilt. She did not leave me her email so I will have to send her a little note, but she give me a note stating that she is a beginning quilt and wasn't very sure how well she did. In my opinion she is more than just a beginner and her skills get an A in my book.

She also include an adorable and very well crafted ornament which I will cherish and hang on next years tree.

Unofficial UFO

Many of my fellow quilters are compiling there UFO's and making a resolution to try and finish them in 2010. You notice I did say try, basically we all have good intentions but life just seems to get in the way, Work, Family, errands and of course custom orders.

Well I really don't have UFO's but what I do have are projects that I have completed but have never listed in my Etsy shop. So I have decided to make a resolution to take new pictures and to list all the items that I can in my shop.

For today I have listed to purses that for some reason or another I forgot about.

The first is a small accessory purse. Great for cosmetics or keeping those coupons organized in you purse.

The second is an embroidered pouch I made and at first I was going to keep for my self, but have decided to post to the shop. A large pocket on the outside is great for keys or you cell phone, one small inside pocket again can be used for you cell phone or keys.

You can both of these items listed in my Etsy shop creationsbynoramarie.etsy.com

Quilt for Exchange

I have joined a few social networking sites over the past year to interact with other quilters.

One the Quilting Gallery site we are having an exchange of a mini quilt. The Theme was fall and the moderator sent us a fellow quilter to design and sew our quilt.

I have created this mini quilt with a center block from my embroidery machine and the borders are from the Pumpkin and Spice collection by Moda.

Each recipient does not know who her quilt maker is until she receives it. I will also receive on from someone other than the person I made mine for. I can't wait and will it when I receive it.

Of you are a quilter and are interested in The Quilting Gallery I have posted the link below.

Tote Bags for Granddaughters

I wanted to show off the tote bags I made for the girls. I couldn't believe my ears and eyes when they described a bag that was similar to what I would have carried in the 70's, with the tie dye fabrics and fancy stitching. So grandma went to work and this is what I greated. I was so happy that I came through again with something they liked. Now I have to make them quilts with Ed Harding designs in mine.

Gift Guide Week 4

This week although I can easily find wonderful items for the gift guide, I found that I didn't have the time to do the searching, but I believe I once again found some unique items for gifts.

My first this week is a Pink Poppy Bottle from the shop of MommaGoddess.etsy.com.
This hand painted bottle has a variety of uses from the
kitchen and bathroom to the laundry room.

Now I have seen many mug coasters in my search, but these are the
first that I found that were knitted. Find them in rokstudy.etsy.com
shop.

Now bringing you own lunch can be a little boring at times, but here
is a reusable veggie fabric lunch bag to make a little more exciting This also has a variety of uses.
You can find this in the shop QuiltSALAD.etsy.com


My final choice for this week is a Cotton Candy Felt Ring.
With this gift they will be wearing a piece of art on your finger or
toes. Find this ring and others at Waterrose.etsy.com

Blog winner

Well I am happy to announce that the winner of my Thanksgiving Blog giveaway is Debbie Brown of Pinkfink. Debbie said she is "thankful for the season because it makes us pause and look at just how many blessings we have in our lives". Debbie is a member of the UWIBTEAM and her shop is Pinkfink.etsy.com.

Gift Guide Week 3

I must admit that I am really enjoying myself looking through all the shops to find unique gifts for the Holiday Season.

Here are this weeks picks and I hope everyone enjoys them.

Miriam featured one of my items recently in her blog so I search
her shop to find a unique item and came across this cute little pouch.
It is very versatile, can be used for coins, cards or phone.
You can find it at goldcrestbags.etsy.com

Many designers make business card holders, but I came across one
that makes card holder stands and if you know someone who is a great
cook this can also hold up a recipe card will cooking. This can be
found at the LMcreation.etsy.com shop

When I came to this shop, there were so many unique ideas that I
had a hard time choosing until a came across this Lemon Drop Pencil
Holder Set. With a variety of colors and flowers this can go anywhere,
desk, kitchen counter and much mores. Find this at Annebella.etsy.com

Are you or do you know of someone who is a birdwatcher, well then then here is a great gift A Golden Birdhouse Christmas Ornament. This is hand painted and of heirloom quality. Find this at BirdhouseBlessing.etsy.com

To help keep keys from getting lost here is a great keychain or fob.
Although I chose this one she offer these in a variety of fabric
colors and patterns. Visit her shop at TracyDesigns.etsy.com

As a quilter and sewer myself, I know that I love all things sewn or
quilted and these magnets are no exception. She describes them as
"looking like they just came out of the backwoods of Appalachia".
Very rustic. For all you artist and quilters out there you must visit
her shop, her art quilts are breath taking.
You can then them at quiltingcafe.etsy.com

The description for this next one says made to show off you
Texas pride, but I don't think you need to be from Texas to appreciate
and own this gorgeous wristlet with a detachable wrist strap.
This comes from the site of QuiltingFrenzy.etsy.com

When I spotted these I immediately thought of my oldest
granddaughter. Lauren calls them Tattoo Potholders, but I don't
think you need to have a tattoo to appreciate the beautiful fabric used to
make theses. These would look great in anyone's kitchen.
Find Lauren at OriginalsbyLauren.etsy.com

Gift Guide week 2 - 11/19

This week features for you gift buying. Remember all items are under $15.00

Many of us are trying to go green and this recycled tote can help
us do just that. It is from pondersaquilter.etsy.com and made from
recycled cotton flannel sheet. It is perfect for the you shopping needs.

This one is for all you Disney lovers, which includes me.
Denim Coin purse with a Sleepy Dwarf embroidered patch is from pamspatchwork.etsy.com

And who wouldn't want to brighten up o seat belts.
Maybe if we all had this beautiful polka dot and oxford stripe seat strap cover we would all wear are seat belts.
This is from the shop of MomNMiaQuilts.etsy.com

Have a book lover you know, well then this Crazy Daisy Bookmark is just
for them. Makes me want to curl up with a book and a cup of hot
chocolate. This comes from one of our newest member of the Quiltsy
Team ArfullySew.etsy.com

These reversible coasters have a retro 70 appeal. This would make a
great stocking stuffer or grab bag gift. They come from the shop of
postcardlady.etsy.com

Now if this were a little larger I think I would get it for my
hubby. Mororcycle and Flames Baby Bib for the feature Harley
rider from sewinggranny.etsy.com

I found this one not only creative but unique.
Crochet Flower Broach with Freshwater Pearls.
This was made my julianascreations.etsy.com

And let's not forget the men in our lives. He needs to be
pampered also and what better way then
Juniper Sage Foaming Shower Scrub.
This can be found in the opheliasapothecary.etsy.com

THANKSGIVING GIVEAWAY

Even with all the stress that we are all under, be it illness, loss of job, lack of sales I believe we all need to take time and think of what we do have that we can be thankful for. So I decided to have a Thanksgiving Giveaway,.

To participate all you need to do is leave a comment under this post about what you have to be thankful for this Holiday Season. You do not need to be a follower of this blog, although if you are and also leave a comment you are entered twice. I am also posting this on my facebook fan page, so if you leave a comment there then you are entered again, and if you are a fan and leave a comment you are entered 2 more times. So you actually have 4 chances to be entered and win. I will draw a name next Monday, Nov. 23 and send out the pot holders that day, so hopefully you will have them by Thanksgiving. Please also tell me where I can find you such as you a member of uwib, or quiltsy or creatibility or live the name of you shop so I can contact you if you are the winner

To get started I want to state what I am thankful for. I actually have many reasons, my husband has a good steady job, we are reasonably healthy, but I think what I am most thankful for is a wonderful family, husband, daughter, grandkids, son-in-law and more.

BIG SALE 11/13 TO 11/20

The Quiltsy Team is have a big sale for the next week 11/13 to 11/20 you will find items starting at 10 percent or more off. Here is a listing of the some of the shops including mine

DebiDesigns SewingGranny QuiltingCorner SpringwaterDesigns ClubAloha Warmnfuzzies Postcardlady QuiltedHearts5 QuiltSewPieceful UniquelyNancy Whimbrella MiniMade BungalowQuilts QuiltingFrenzy RiverEdgeDesign 3StitchCreations KimsCraftyApple MoranArtandQuilts KarolsVintageArt QuiltedBabe WithHugsnStitches CreationsByNoraMarie SarahsQuiltsnCrafts ForQuiltsSake SieberDesigns GuthDesigns BonbonsandMore PamelaQuilts PawandPurrs lmkQuilts Fabricalacarte FrillsandFluff DragonflyStitches MagpieKnits BerryBlueCreations QuiltsByBarb QuiltPetaler SFOQuilter RedandCompany QuiltingCafe FrostCottage QuiltArtFabric CyndesPlace SewUpScale SuzyQQuiltsPampatchwork

QuiltingCorner

Gift Guide 11/12/09

Well it is that time of the year again. The holidays are approaching us. Whether it be Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, or Christmas we are all looking for gift ideas and with the struggling economy we are looking for the best quality for our money. So I have decided, starting this week, I will be offering a Gift Guide on my blog.

Each week I will be featuring my fellow Etsians and a link to their shop. All items will be $15.00 and under. Here are the items I have select for this week.

Icepurplepenguin.etsy.com
She makes this adorable Memory Games. This set is
Noah's Arch

clubaloha.esty.com
This lover zipper bag is made from Michael Fabric.
There is a variety you can choose from.

From webescrapbooking.etsy.com are these lovely
embossed butterfly note card. I have to admit, I like these so much
I may have to purchase these myself.

MadeByMari.etsy.com is offering a pair of
Chanukah Glycerin Soap Pair

When I found these I couldn't resist showing these unique pair
of Heart and Key Earrings from CobwebCorner.etsy.com

Of course lets not forget our little four legged friends.
from crazyforcollars.etsy.com are a blue bandana dog
collars.

Who doesn't need something is basic black
Designsbynoramarie.etsy.com has just that with black and silver
earrings