Gift Stitching/Baby Quilts

Well, I am back from my trip to California to attend two baby showers and can now show you the gift stitching.

My nieces are each having a baby girl a week apart in November, and had their baby showers a week apart. So, I spent 9 days in California to attend each. Did I tell you they are fraternal twins?

Twins or not, they are still very different people and one has a dinosaur theme, while the other has a woodland creatures theme.

I found two cute stamped cross-stitch "kits" (tops only) from Jack Dempsey Needlework:

Dinosaur is a quilt top I stitched, and I wasound some cute fabric for the backing. There was approximately 113 hours of stitching. It was a bit slow because it is one big piece of fabric to work with. Finished size is 32" w x 48" t, after trimming. 

Next is Woodland Creatures. It came as one sheet with 12 squares. I cut the squares out to make it easier to stitch and it took me a little less time to stitch (approx. 89 hours) but a tad longer to make into the quilt. I had to turn the 12 stitched squares into blocks then add sashing, etc. It is 34" x 35". I did not follow the finishing instructions and added the corner squares to make it easier to line up - as suggested by my more experienced quilting friends.

 

Not counting a few placemats and table toppers these are my 3rd and 4th quilts I have ever made.

I had a great time making the quilts and celebrating the good news!

Happy Stitching!

Shimmering Shore

I signed up for a Shining Needle Society class, Shimmering Shore by Patricia Hartman. We have had two lessons so far, and I have finished them. Wow, I am up to date!

We had three color choices. I chose olive and maroon on ecru 18-count mono canvas.

The border was the first thing we put in (the dark green) and makes the size approx. 8.5" x 4.5"

There is a nice variety of stitches and fibers used so far. I am enjoying it and can't wait for lesson 3!

Happy Stitching!

Halloween Stitching from Mill Hill

I finished my gift stitching, but I can't post about it yet. I did pick up some fun Halloween projects from my stash to work on this week and continue my stash reduction quest. Try not to laugh. 

All are from the Tiny Treasure Diamond Series (set of 6) with finishing instructions and (c)2009.

Each is approximately 3"x 3", not including the hanger and tassels and is lightly stuffed with poly fill..

Above, from left to right: 

Pumpkin Duo MH22-9201. Trick or Treat MH22-9201 & Starlight Ghost MH22-9205 (includes glow-in-the-dark thread).

Above, from left to right:

Goblins Welcome MH22-9202. Kitty Witch MH22-9204 & Spooky Spider MH22-9206.

The instructions for finishing and making the hanger and tassels were easy to follow. I did make the hanger quite a bit shorter than the instructions listed.

Happy Stitching!