Sunday, January 17, 2010

A winner and a weekend of sewing.

First of all I have to announce the winner of my happy mishap cushion. Thanks to all who left me such lovely comments. I read them all and I didn't realise at the time of the giveaway that it was also my 150th post, what a good way to celebrate.

I numbered all the comments in order and used the random number generator tool that makes an easy job of  it all.  
Congratulations to Christine 
 from Once Upon A Quilt who had this to say.

Oh my our little Sophie would just adore this beautiful pillow, she is only two and half but is so in love with pink and pretty things, she wears two butterfly rings everyday and won't go anywhere without them.


Love your giveaway and your generousity.
quilting hugs, Christine

I've had some lovely quality sewing time this wekend but not on anything quilty. I decided to use some stash and make pillowcases. They go with quilts, right?
That called for getting out "the beast" so known for it's ability to provide me with endless amounts of wasted time  fiddling with tension or having to rethread it. Mostly, it lives in a dark cupboard. I think the threading path is colour coded just for me and even then I can get it wrong. I don't really understand this piece of equipment despite doing a class years ago. How to get the most out of your overlocker. As if I'd rememnber it all. It did decide to behave for me so I made the most of it.

I made two pairs of each one, six in all. I didn't want the pillowcases that have the contrast trim on them so worked out the dimensions for plain ones with the inner flap. These are so simple and super fast to make.

Some for the kids I'll be seeing next week.


Have you seen the gorgeous pillowcases that Rosehip makes and sells on Etsy? Fab-u-lous. I love them with the crochet trim so I did the same. I could go on making these, I may never buy another pillowcase again.

You know I love my gadgets and here's another way I use my Hera marker apart from marking quilting lines.  It's great when you need to turn over a seam allowance and press. Or a double seam like I had to do. And I found out that the curved tip is great for putting in the corners after turning them through. I suppose I'm the last to find that out.

Simply turn and press on the lines.

Talking about gadgets, has anyone got one of these icecream makers? I had one years ago but the new ones make the icecream much easier. It comes out like soft serve but then you put it in the freezer to firm up. So far, I've done French vanilla bean and frozen yoghurt with raspberries. Today, I had the urge to try cookies and cream. The only thing is it only makes a litre, we couldn't find a bigger machine on the market but it makes just the right amount for the two of us to last awhile. It's good, it's really good! Next batch could be mango sorbet. The best thing is, we know what's going in the icecream.

44 comments:

antique quilter said...

congrats to Christine, she will love your pillow!
the pillowcases are so pretty, the girls will love them too!
no I haven't tried an ice cream maker, oh that might be deadly for me, sounds very yummy!!!!
Kathie

Dawn said...

lucky Christine... I am quilting DLK pattern tonight and love the look... she is amazing at what she does hey and we can learn too... well done your cushions look fabulous.... happy stitching ..
Dawn x x x x

Anonymous said...

Wow, thank you so very much Janet, I know Sophie will just love it, she is our little sunshine and is now waiting for her baby sister to arrive very soon. This special pillow will be a wonderful surpise for her.
Again you are very generous.
quilting hugs
Christine

ps. I hope you have a wonderful time with your little ones next week.

Anne-Mettes Oaser said...

Congratulations to Christine, I am sure she will love the pillow.
Ooh yes, I too have an icecream maker. I have been making vanilla icecream and stravberry-banana sorbet. Yes, knowing what is in the ice is very nice and I think, you can make any kind of ice on those ice cream makers. Have fun.

Lindi said...

Can't think of anyone more deserving than Christine! She is such a generous person herself, she deserves to win! :)

Carol said...

Your pillowcases are beautiful! Love the crochet edges.

Abby and Stephanie said...

I have seen those gorgeous pillowcases. Yours are so very pretty too.

Stina Blomgren said...

Congratulations to Christine...:o)
And I love those pillowcases to... but I cant figure out to make the start.... think I am stupid...lol...
Are you working from both sides with the buttonhole stitch... ???

Laura said...

Cute pillowcases and thanks for the great tip on another use for the Hera marker!

Nedra said...

Congratulations to Christine, that LUCKY lady!
I love the crochet edges you are putting on the pillowcases.

Bunny said...

Your pillow cases are too cute. Congrats to Christine on winning the very nice giveaway. An ice cream maker would be too dangerous for me LOL.

Lori said...

The pillowcases are so cute and I love the crocheted opening.
I love my hera marker but forget to use it sometimes!! Thanks for the reminder.
Congrats to Christine! Lucky girl!!

Victoria Findlay Wolfe said...

Well you sure had a productive day! great pillowcases, great giveaway, Congrats christine! and I have an ice cream maker but find we really only like it for Sorbets... But it is so easy! and yummy! have fun playing!

Darlene said...

Congrats to Christine - lovely treasure from you.

I love the pillowcases - the crocheted trim is wonderful.

I'm coming for ice cream later, ok? LOL

*karendianne. said...

Oh my, my, my what a great post. Congratulations to Christine! Happy moment, yeah!

Gosh I'm so happy to see the pillowcase and the crochet. I'm a girl that crochets and this makes my heart sing out. Yes, that's the truth. My heart sings as I look at the lovely stitches. I'm having a happy moment at Quiltsalott.

*karendianne. said...

...which is not to infer that a happy moment is rare. just to clarify.

Anonymous said...

I took a short break and apparently missed this one...OMG I could just kick myself. Congrats to Christine the pillow is absolutely gorgeous! Those crochet pillow cases are beautiful!

Danielle said...

Congrats to Christine! Love the little crochet trim on the pillows, they look darling!

Mary said...

Congratulations Christine!
I have one of those ice cream makers and did mango sorbet last summer - one word - YUMMY!!! It was SO good on a hot day.
I had no idea my Hera marker did so much, either. Good to know.
Gwendie

Robin said...

Those pillowcases are lovely! The crochet trimmed edge is beautiful. Sigh... I wish I could crochet! :)

All your talk of ice cream is making me want to whip out my own ice cream maker. I only wish it were faster!

Barb said...

Yes, Congrats to Christine....

Sorry you have touble with the beast!!!

Julia said...

Your pillow cases are so cute. Congrats to Christine..
Ice cream maker..now that would really do me in, I LOVE ice cream!
Enjoy!
Julia ♥

Liz said...

Well done Christine. I love the pillowcases and the crochet edging is so lovely, I might have to try that on some white linen ones!!
Lizzie
XXX

Mama Spark said...

Love how your pillow cases turned out. My DD is just beginning to learn how to crochet. Is it difficult to do the edging?? It would be a fun thing for her to do if it is not too difficult for a beginner.

Crispy said...

Congrats to the winner :0)

Your pillowcases are so lovely, I have a machine in the closet too...a sewing machine and it's gonna stay there LOL.

We had to crank our ice cream maker, it didn't come out of the closet very often either.

Crispy

Thimbleanna said...

Your pillowcases are adorable! I too, love the pillowcases that Rosehip makes. And yours too!

Anonymous said...

Cute pillowcases! You always pay such close attention to all the little details.... :)

Quilts And Pieces said...

I made some fun pillowcases this weekend too for a friends daughters. I love how you edged them!

Nat Palaskas said...

Congrats Christine, your DG will love it. It's perfect pillow for a little girl. Janet you are so generous with your giveaway. Everything you make is beautiful. I love the pillow slips too - Hugs Nat

Deb said...

Glad you found a good home for your "slip". Looks great. As do all your things - love the pillow case edging.
And the icecream maker - good idea.

Copper Patch said...

Congrats to Chirstine.
It was a generous giveaway and I'm sure her 2.5yr old will love it.
Happy 150th post!
Abbe
Ps. Love the pillow cases and I am scared of my overlocker too!

Kaaren said...

Congratulations to Christine!

Your pillow cases are darling, Janet. I don't know how to crochet so I have a friend crochet a border on my pillowcases which I then stitch and give as gifts.

Dolly said...

Ooh, a winner with a little princess to enjoy the cushion !

Just perfect !

Thank you for including all of us in this adventure.

I really like those pillowcases......and your description of your frustration is exactly why I've never given in to the temptation of buying a serger !

Sharon said...

Glad you found a home for your pillow. Ice cream maker? My pants are tight enough as it is! *s*

FlourishingPalms said...

Thanks to this post, I had an AH-HA moment! Janet, a Hera marker is just the ticket for our Joseph's Coat petals. Why not crease the fabric petal shape along the edge of the pressed-on Floriani? That will make it easier to turn and glue-stick the edge! Wow! What a concept! Thank goodness I have a Hera marker. And thank YOU for the inspiration. Can't wait to give it a go.

wishes, true and kind said...

I LOVE the pillowcases with the crocheted edging! I saw some recently on the Sis Boom Daydreams blog and really want to learn crochet now. They are so pretty and homey!

joan

wishes, true and kind said...

Congratulations! You and your blog have just been awarded a Lemonade Stand Award. Please see my blog for details :)

joan

Unknown said...

Gorgeous pillowcases but now you have me thinking of icecream !

Jantine said...

Hooray for Christines little one who will be in love with this cushion, that is for sure!
And thank you for sharing the Heramarker idea, that is so smart! I will definitely use it!

Shari said...

Wow,you've had an exciting time lately!Susan McCord is looking good! Very brave girl! It must be so encouraging to see it coming together...

Kellie's designs are so great and your cushion is fantastic! Many designs 'drop off the edge' deliberately so no one would have known anyway... but I know Christine's Sophie will just love love love it! Little girls can't have too much pink love!

Hugs - Shari

Carrie P. said...

Congrats to Christine!
Your pillow cases are so sweet and all the crochet is great. You have been very busy.

Cath Ü said...

fantastic idea there with the crocheted edging on the pillow cases... Looks so neat....
Cath Ü

-girl from the bush said...

where can i get a hera marker?? im live in nz. Any help where to try. sue

M and M plus 3 said...

I have one of these Hera Makers a friend gave me but have never used the thing, frankly I never knew what to do with it. Thank you for giving me a use for the tool now.