Last week on the Splendid Sampler, I did an English Paper Piecing block, number 36. It was the block from Hell. I decided no more English Paper Piecing for me! But guess what Block 51, Bee Happy is ??? Yeah, English Paper Piecing. Which means, every little piece is wrapped around a template and hand-stitched together. Here’s what the templates look like. … ….oh there’s more
This post was updated on February 19, 2020. While the original tutorial was published on SewMamaSew.com, the website no longer is “live”. Since this was a very popular tutorial, I have re-posted it on this blog. You can click this link and go to the post that has both the tutorial and the pattern: Softie Shark Tutorial. I’m on SewMamaSew … ….oh there’s more
It’s time for another weekly installment of THE SPLENDID SAMPLER! Week 17. The first 50 blocks plus 1 bonus block. FINISHED! Woo-hoo! First up is Block 44, Stitch in the Garden by Gail Pan. A little applique and a lot of embroidery. Up until this block, I’ve been tracing the embroidery by taping the printout on a sunny window, taping the … ….oh there’s more
This is Jack. This is the bulletin board I had in the grandkid’s bedroom. Covered with photos of friends and family having fun here in Homosassa. A little history of our life. Jack was here one day and asked “Grandma, where’s my pictures?” I pointed out his newborn snaps. And he wasn’t happy about it. But the board is full, Jack. … ….oh there’s more
Back to the Splendid Sampler! I again attempted the paper-pieced Block 28, Stitching Fashion. I very very VERY carefully measured, cut, and stitched all the little pieces. And I still ended up with the thread spool being wonky on one end. Then I really messed up the embroidery–the thread is supposed to be big and loopy not small and crooked. … ….oh there’s more
I tend to overthink minor things. I can make the big decisions. (Like buying a car or spending money on a plane ticket or should I have a facelift (no)) But I have caught myself standing in Bed, Bath, and Beyond staring at dust ruffles for an hour trying to pick between white and off white. Minor minor minor things. And … ….oh there’s more
If you are new to my Splendid Sampler’s weekly post, Welcome! I started a few months after Pat Sloan and Jane Davidson initially began sending out the twice a week blocks. I’ve been trying to catch up by making three blocks a week. I was skipping around and picking the easy ones–piecing and applique–then decided I’d get the first 50 blocks … ….oh there’s more
Piper started kindergarten last week and I was lucky enough to visit her in North Dakota and be part of her big step. I wanted to bring her a special gift, of course. When she was visiting me in Florida back in June, she spent most of her indoor time drawing. I found many of her sketches hidden throughout the house … ….oh there’s more
I started out this week’s three blocks with Family Affair by Janice Ryan. This was the first paper-pieced block that was offered on the Splendid Sampler, Block 15. And I skipped right over it! Oh so many tiny bits and pieces for this one. When I finally learned paper-piecing I started out with the two easiest that I posted about … ….oh there’s more
I’m in North Dakota visiting family and had totally planned on putting up one of my projects here today but left the tutorial on my desktop computer–at home in Florida. I’ve got the photo files and planned on pulling them together during my visit. (These grandkids are late sleepers so I usually have a couple hours of computer time every morning) Whoops! … ….oh there’s more
