Cross stitch: getting started with a mug rug

Thank you all for your kind, funny and enthusiastic comments about our fish house. We continue to enjoy our time on the frozen lake, particularly when the neighbors wander over to visit and share their snacks. It’s like a block party on the ice.

Since my blog post, Stitching while Ice Fishing, I’ve taken baby steps back into cross stitching.  I have to tell you, I felt like a newbie, all awkward and unsure of what I was doing. After some minor struggles, I stitched a small practice piece which I made into a mug rug.

The Jack Frost’s Tree Farm kit (see earlier post) from Fat Quarter Shop included a large piece of Portobello Studio Line 30 Count Linen, more than I needed for the project sampler. So, I used a small section of that linen for my practice piece, and stitched up three trees from the kit patterns. This mug rug will serve as my inspiration to march forward with my revived hobby!

Here’s what I’ve learned so far. 

My eyes aren’t as young as they used to be. The last time I cross stitched was more than 20 years ago on Aida cloth, which has a defined woven pattern, making it easy to see where to place your stitches. While I love the flat, even weave look of linen, I had a difficult time finding the correct holes for my stitches, even with my progressive lens glasses. 

So, I ended up purchasing an OttLite lamp with magnifying glass. (Luckily, I found it 50% off at Joann Fabrics, so keep watching for sales.) The one I purchased can be set up as a floor lamp or a table lamp. I use the table lamp format, but I place it on the sofa next to my hip, positioning the magnifying glass/light between my face and my stitching. I may look like a dork, but it works so slick. I will probably use this for quilt binding as well.

Right off the bat, I goofed up.
On my practice piece, I accidentally switched direction in my stitching. (I clearly do not have the left to right, right to left habit down yet. I’m hoping that with more practice, this will become automatic.) I didn’t even notice my mistakes until I was sewing the piece into a mug rug. Oddly enough, the mistakes make me love it even more. I look at it fondly as inspiration to always do better. And heck, the little trees are still as cute as can be!

I have to pay attention.
I forgot how much counting and re-counting is involved with cross stich. I won’t be able to let my mind wander or go on autopilot nearly as much as I do at my sewing machine. On the plus side, I realized it’s very inconvenient to snack when stitching. So, this could possibly count as part of my weight control/exercise program. Ha!

I didn’t know which size and brand of needle to use.
This was another aspect of cross stitching that I couldn’t remember. After a bit of online research, I found that some people like a #24 needle, while others prefer a #26. I had Clover brand gold eye #24 needles on hand, so that is what I used for my practice piece. I also ordered Bohin #26 needles to test them out on the sampler.

I needed other new notions.
While researching the needles, I learned that linen cross stitch fabric can distort if using a hoop that is too tight or rigid. Many stitchers, including Kimberly Jolly, were recommending the Q Snap tube frames, so I ordered two of those as well. I didn’t need any type of frame for my small practice piece, but I’m sure this Q Snap system will come in handy for my big sampler project.

If you are thinking about joining (or rejoining) the world of cross stitching, I hope this post will help you take your first steps. I would highly recommend starting with a small practice piece where you can work out the kinks.

Now I’m feeling confident enough to begin the Jack Frost’s Tree Farm sampler. I’ll keep you posted on my progress and any struggles I encounter along the way. Wish me luck as I get carried away stitching. I will wish the same for you!

~Taunja

Bloom-Topia quilt along: fabric requirements available

Today is the kick-off for the 2020 charity quilt along, Bloom-Topia, with Fat Quarter Shop. I'm thrilled to be one of the guest bloggers for this program which benefits Make-A-Wish of Central & South Texas. The official block sharing begins on February 1, but the fabric requirements are available today!  I have the full scoop below, so read on . . . 

This year's quilt is an absolute stunner! The front features a glorious mix of blocks of different sizes, and the back features a fun pieced area which documents the year made. 

Pattern instructions are released as FREE PDF downloads twice per month, via the the Jolly Jabber (the Fat Quarter Shop blog).  We quilters are simply asked to make a donation toward the patterns we download.  (A suggested amount is $5 for each pattern downloaded, or a one-time lump sum donation.  All donations will go to the Make-A-Wish Central & South Texas campaign, with matching donations from FQS and Moda!)

As a blogger, I will be sewing along with you, and I’ll share my progress every couple weeks on my own blog.  There will also be updates on the Jolly Jabber, as well as on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest. I hope you’ll consider joining us in the fun!

Now you might be wondering, “Do I have to choose my own fabrics, or is there a kit?” The answer is yes OR yes!  You can sew along with your own stash of fabrics, or you can purchase a beautiful Bloom-Topia kit from Fat Quarter Shop! 

If you’d like to make one that looks just like the gorgeous photos I’ve shared above, then you’ll want to order the exclusive kit, which includes 11.75 yards of Summer Sweet fabric designed by Sherri and Chelsi for Moda Fabrics and Bella Solids fabric. This kit includes all fabric to complete the quilt blocks along with background, borders and binding for the 64.5″ x 82.5″ Bloom-Topia quilt. The kit also includes the patterns (you won't need to download the PDFs each month), a specialty template notion and a roll of Triangles on a Roll 3″ Half Square Triangle Paper. As a bonus, it comes packaged in an exclusive keepsake box with magnetic closure.

FQS also has an exclusive backing set kit, which includes 7.5 yards of Summer Sweet fabric, backing pattern, as well as an exclusive mousepad that will only be available with the backing set.

If you’d like to sew from your stash, then you’ll be joining me in an adventure!  I will be sewing my own version of Bloom-Topia featuring the lovely Harvest Road collection by Lella Boutique for Moda. For my neutral, I’ve selected Vanilla Grunge (30150 91).  I can't wait to show you my first few blocks!

Here’s a link to the fabric requirements: Bloom-Topia Fabric Requirements

Here's the Jolly Jabber page with all the details: Bloom-Topia Quilt Along

Here’s where to make your donation: Make-A-Wish

Have a wonderful week! 

~Taunja

Stitching while ice fishing

Those of you who have followed my blog for a while know that I live in Minnesota, the land of 10,000 lakes where the summers are short and the winters are long . . . and cold . . . and snowy. 

We aim to make the best of it during the winter months. As soon as our little lake makes enough ice, it becomes populated with a village of fish houses. My husband and several of the neighbors become evening and weekend fishermen. Occasionally I bundle up and venture out onto the ice as well, so I can keep him company.

Now don’t feel too sorry for me.  We are hardly “roughing it.”  This is my husband’s fish house, a 16-foot Ice Castle complete with an oven, television and cozy places to curl up and read a good book. It’s also a great place to snack or take a nap.  

Oh, and fishing, of course the fishing is really important too. 

It dawned on me recently that the fish house would be an awesome place to do some handwork, so I’ve decided to get back into counted cross stitch. I haven’t stitched for over 20 years, but the patterns today are so beautiful! My first project will be a wintertime sampler kit from Fat Quarter Shop called Jack Frost’s Tree Farm by Little House Needleworks. 

The kit includes all seven patterns in the Jack Frost series, the 30ct linen fabric, and all threads.  I will be stitching the series together to make the overall sampler, but a person could also stitch them individually as shown in the photo above. I took my kit out to the fish house to look it over, and now I can’t wait to get started. 

This past Saturday we spent several hours in the fish house, fishing and watching NFL football. The Minnesota Vikings lost in the playoffs, which was a bummer. But somehow the loss was easier to take due to our surroundings.

My sister and I used to go ice fishing with my Grandpa Ed when we were little, and I loved it. Grandpa had a curve-top vintage camper that he renovated into a fishing shack. He would rig up all the lines and send them down the holes. While we hoped to catch a bluegill or crappie, what we really enjoyed was playing cards and making jiffy-popcorn on the stove top. When we got restless, Grandpa would send us outside to skate on the ice. (For all you non-fishing folks, a crappie is a small panfish that makes a delicious fish fry meal. And just so you know, crappie rhymes with poppy.)

Someday, I hope we have grandchildren so we can carry on this tradition with them. In the meantime, I will enjoy reading, stitching or watching a football game with my hubby as he works to reel in his catch. I suppose I could become a fisherwoman myself, but I really just enjoy being out there.

Are you thinking about getting back into stitching? The Jack Frost patterns can also be purchased individually, in case you'd like to do a smaller test run. All of the Little House Needleworks patterns are so pretty!  

Thanks for stopping by, quilting friends! I'll keep you posted on my stitching progress.

~Taunja

9-Patch Pivot: A new version in bright, cheery prints

Hello quilting friends! I’m popping in today to show you some blocks I’ve made for a cheerful new version of my 9-Patch Pivot pattern. I’m using the Lollipop Garden collection by Lella Boutique for Moda. Aren’t the colors glorious?

My 9-Patch Pivot pattern calls for just 21 fat quarters plus 1 1/4 yards of neutral, so fabric selection is fun and easy. The quilt finishes at 66" x 77". My pattern includes detailed photographs for both block construction and trimming. 

Here’s a photo of my original 9-Patch Pivot quilt, stitched up in soothing blues, greens and soft browns. I am quite pleased with how versatile this pattern is.

If you are looking for a fun fat quarter quilt, I hope you’ll consider 9-Patch Pivot.  It’s available on my Etsy shop in PDF format.  And don’t forget, all of my patterns are 25% off now through January 15, 2020. No coupon code necessary.

Now go and get carried away quilting!

~Taunja

Summer Moon QAL: December Blocks

Nothing like waiting until the last stitching minute!  It’s the end of December, and I’ve just finished this month’s blocks for the Summer Moon Quilt Along with Fat Quarter Shop. Our December assignment includes three pretty blocks: Friendship Star, Rocky Mountain Puzzle and Weathervane.

If you’ve been following along, you know that I’m sewing from my stash. The pink, blue and green prints are from Lella Boutique’s Nest collection, while the background fabric is from Corey Yoder’s Strawberry Jam collection. Here are my December blocks.

Friendship Star

Rocky Mountain Puzzle

Weathervane

Summer Moon is a sampler quilt designed by Carrie Nelson and It’s Sew Emma (the pattern company of Fat Quarter Shop).  Although the official FQS quilt along wraps up in February, I still highly recommend this book. There are 24 fun-to-make blocks in three different sizes. The possibilities are endless. You could even host your own monthly sew along with some quilting friends!

Thanks for stopping by to see my progress.  Here are links to my previous posts:

Summer Moon QAL: November Blocks

Summer Moon QAL: October Blocks

Summer Moon QAL: September Blocks

Summer Moon QAL: August Blocks

Sumer Moon QAL: July Blocks

Sumer Moon QAL: June Blocks

Summer Moon QAL: May Blocks

Summer Moon Quilt Along: Will you join me?

~Taunja

Flying Geese blocks featuring the Harvest Road collection

Hello quilting friends! I hope you all had a joyous holiday and are excited about the coming New Year. I’ve been thankful for a quiet December. Besides enjoying time with family, I worked on my 2020 calendar, read, wrote project lists and goals, and watched some favorite old movies. I also did a bit of sewing, which I’m sharing with you today.

I’m making a looooong runner of Flying Geese blocks that I intend to hang in my living room. I only have two of the eight 12” blocks completed, but the construction is easy peasy. I hope to have the whole thing done, including machine quilting and binding, by the end of January. (Ummm . . . maybe don’t hold me to that deadline, but I'm sure going to try.)

Most of you know how partial I am to the Harvest Road collection by Lella Boutique for Moda. It was the fabric of choice for my two newest patterns: Star Watch and 9-Patch Pivot.  I am also using it for the Bloom-Topia sew along with Fat Quarter Shop. No doubt I will use every last morsel of Harvest Road that I have tucked away in my fabric closet. (Note, two of the fabrics in my Flying Geese blocks ~ the taupe gingham and the taupe scallop ~ are from previous Lella Boutique collections.)

The inspiration for this project comes from the Furrows block and Harvest tablerunner in Lori Holt’s Farm Girl Vintage book. My runner will be much longer than the sample in the book, as my finished project will be comprised of a whopping 256 flying geese! 

That’s all I have to share today . . . well that and a happy note that all of my patterns are 25% off now through January 15, 2020. No coupon code is necessary. 

Thank you all for your support and quilting friendship this past year. I wish you the best in 2020. Now go and get carried away quilting!

~Taunja

My Timeless Day opens new quilt shop in Canton, SD

Hello quilting friends! I’m delighted to share some exciting news with you. My sponsor and quilting friend Allison Cotton of My Timeless Day has opened a brand new shop location in Canton, South Dakota! 

All photos courtesy of My Timeless Day.

My Timeless Day has been a Carried Away Quilting blog sponsor since July of 2016 when they opened their original online store.  Allison’s passion for quilting and her heart-felt commitment to her customers has been shining through ever since. In November of 2017 she expanded her online shop to a storefront area of her home in Alcester, SD. And now two years later she has expanded again, to a main street location in Canton. I am so proud of her and honored to know her in this quilting journey!

On September 17, Allison opened the doors of her Canton store. “My new shop is located in an historic building in the downtown district called Canton Square,” Allison explained. “It has great architectural details such as an original tin ceiling, wood floors throughout, beautiful beveled glass windows and a large arched wooden doorway. Over the years the building has been a restaurant, paint store, antique shop, book store, coffee shop and now my beloved quilt shop.”  Allison added that Canton’s downtown is home to a number of other unique specialty and antique shops, including the Canton Quilt Retreat just across the street. Doesn’t this sound like just the shopping experience we all need?

Getting the new shop ready for customers became a family affair, with everyone pitching in for about two months prior to opening. “We painted the walls and ceiling white to showcase all fabric collections well. We updated the lighting to natural LED. Being able to view fabric in true color makes all the difference! My husband Ryan and our son Seth did all the painting, and Ryan and his dad installed the new lighting. Ryan and I overhauled the wood floors with a good cleaning and buffing. Daughters Sarah and Anna and Seth’s girlfriend Sydney helped with the cleaning,” Allison recalled. It appears to me that all their sweat equity was worth it.  The new shop looks amazing and so inspiring!

During the shop’s ribbon cutting ceremony, Allison had a surprise visit from her grandmother Betty, who is 91 years old. Betty sews and is no doubt quite proud of the shop experience Allison is creating for all the sewists in the area! Allison notes that she is blessed to have been given two wonderful grandmothers.  Her Grandma Lu was a quilter also, and it was a huge part of her life, just as it is with Allison. “It makes me happy to know that I have continued on with something that meant so much to her,” Allison said.

In the future, My Timeless Day plans to offer classes and special projects for area quilters. Allison will be teaming up with Catherine Erickson of the Canton Quilt Retreat and Karla Randall, a quilting friend, for those events. I’ll be sure to keep you posted on that!

Christmas Open House  

My Timeless Day is hosting a Christmas Open House on December 5-7.  This fun event will include goodies, giveaways and fabric sales! If you can’t attend in person, be sure to follow them on social media and check out their website!

New Location:
119 E. 5th Street

Canton, SD 57013

Store Hours:

Tuesday to Friday, 10:00 – 5:00

Saturday: 10:00 – 2:00

Sunday & Monday – Closed

Contact:

Phone: 605-214-3054

Email: mytimelessday@gmail.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mytimelessdayquilting/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mytimelessday/

Congratulations to Allison on this fabulous new venture! The quilting community of Canton and the surrounding area is so lucky to have you!

Thank you all for stopping by the blog today. Both My Timeless Day and Carried Away Quilting are continually thankful for your support.

~Taunja