Thursday, May 15, 2008

Pincushion Party!



Yarn by Yarnpig




Fabric by Moda

IMPORTANT NEWS UPDATE! IMPORTANT NEWS UPDATE! IMPORTANT
A recent study has indicated that fabric and yarn gives off certain Pheromones, that actually hypnotize women and cause them to purchase ungodly amounts. When stored in large quantities in enclosed spaces, the Pheromones (in the fabric or yarn) cause memory loss and induce the nesting syndrome therefore perpetuating the species (aka fabricus or yarnicus maximus). Sound tests have also revealed that these fabrics or yarns emit a very high-pitched sound, heard only by a select few breed of women known as quilters and knitters. When played backwords on an LP, the sounds are heard as chants "Buy Me" "Cut Me" "Sew Me" "Knit Me" "Wind ME"! Studies have also indicated that aliens have inhabited the earth helping to spread the effect that these fabrics and yarns have on the human population They are called fabric and yarn store clerks. It's also been my experience that these same Pheromones cause a pathological need to hide the fabrics and yarn away when taken home (or at least blended into the existing stash) and when asked by a significant other if the fabric and yarn is new, the reply is "I've had it for awhile".
I found that on Jan Patek's site and thought it spoke the truth! I thought that you might be able to identify with me! O.K. now on to some fabric kind of stuff....Susan is having a hand dyed fabric giveaway here. Go check it out and tell her I sent you!



I really love pincushions. I have several that I keep in my sewing room on a shelf. Some are very old. Others are handmade. The rest are store bought. I find them to be kind of whimsical. I have only made one pincushion myself. On Ravelry I joined a group for swapping pincushions. I thought that I could really get my creative juices going!



I dragged out some of my scraps. Hmmm, I don't think I have enough. Big Lie! Anyway I searched the Internet and found a few patterns for pincushions.




I found this very basic pincushion from Tammys Times. I used some old fabric sample squares I bought several years ago. I'll tell you more about that a little further down. I also added a touch of embroidery to the edge and an antique button.



It turned out pretty sweet! I do like it.




Then I tried another print print and colorway. I also experimented with how much stuffing I put in. I also found that clipping the entire circle gave it a nice crisp edge. I'm still not sure how to stitch the opening closed the best way. That's one of the reasons I added some embroidery. I really want to make my swap partner the very best pincushion I can! BTW this is not the pattern I am using for the swap. I'm just getting warmed up here!




I used to work at a quilt shop many moons ago. One of our fabric rep's was retiring and wanted to sell all of her sample books. My boss bought the entire lot. Of course, I needed to get in on the fun too. I always wanted to make a simple block quilt with scraps. This is all from one fabric collection. It is my spring quilt. Now, don't yell at me but the binding is only sewn onto one edge. I still need to hand stitch the rest of the binding on. I am not telling on how long ago I started this!




Look what just started to bloom today! The lilac's are so beautiful!




How about this one? O.K. close your eyes and take a deep breath. Mmmmmmm, is smells like the most expensive perfume. Right?



I drove by this market yesterday. Look at what the sign reads. Yup, 10 weeks until sweet corn!!! Hooray!!!! I'm stocking up on the butter right now!

12 comments:

susan said...

pin cushions are fun and sometimes fast and sometimes not. i just got a new one that i need to try out. we are refencing our yard...mark pulled out the front when we moved here last year, and then the deer came so we are putting in a modified one, any way...i am planning on planting lilacs in frot of it to camoflage it. i love the different plants that grow here. went to a nursery today and they had apricots and plums that are winter hardy to -40. we are getting to apricots this year :-)

Renna said...

I'm practically on sensory overload at all the pretty pictures in your post today. I love the fabrics you chose for your ADORABLE pin cushions!

The quilt on the line is dreamy, and the lilacs are so pretty, too. You have a real pink theme going there. ;-)

NH Knitting Mama said...

Hmmmm perhaps an etsy shop is in order for your pincushions? There are a lot of sewing knitters - and many swaps that go on...

Jennifer said...

Ooh la la - love those pin cushions. The quilt is a work of art. It looks so homey there on the line soaking up the fresh air and sunshine. Wow! Only 10 weeks until sweet corn? Who knew?

Sally said...

Wow! I love your blog! The pincushions are adorable. The lilacs are so beautiful, I'd swear I could smell them here in Missouri! Your definition of quilters and knitters stashes is spot on! We retired from 30 years of military service and when the movers came in to pack up our stuff, they were amazed (and a bit leary) of my fabric stash..they even asked for permission to pack it entirely separately and then weigh it separately. I gave permission but only if they didn't tell my DH what the total weight was. One came to me the next day and wispered into my ear "6000 pounds, ma'am". Yep, that's right, 6000 pounds - 3 tons! Thank goodness the military paid for that move!

Jennifer said...

I embiggened the quilt picture and I love the quilting you did! I'd attach the binding outside on your lovely picnic blanket in the sun. The lilacs here have been in bloom for about 2 weeks. They are ending their season but the peonies are coming!

Jenny Girl said...

LOL! Your pincushion turned out very nicely.

I also love sweet corn. My hubby and I find a reson to eat it almost every night with dinner. mmmm

Debbie said...

WOW so much fun stuff in your post today I just didn't know what to comment on first. Beautiful quilt! Neato pincushions....And I can't wait for sweet corn! :-)

KSee said...

Love the color of your new yarn. Great pictures in your post. I can smell the lilac's from here. Beautiful quilt

Tracy Batchelder said...

The embroidered edge on the pincushion is a great addition, even if you didn't plan it that way!

Lilacs don't grow down here. I really miss how pretty they are and how nice they smell. The lilacs were in bloom in our yard in New Jersey the day we came home from the hospital with our new baby boy.

Grace said...

those pin cushions you made are totally adorable. I used to quilt all the time and I am starting to itch to doit again!!! But if I ignore it my yarn will cry

I think Etsy is in your future too!!

Jenn said...

Love the news update! It's so true! Thank you for the pincushions, the quilt, the flowers, and the promise of sweet corn on the horizon! Talk about things to make you smile!