Starting A "Happy Birthday Table Runner"...

Brynwood Needleworks - Jelly Rolls

I'm making a new table runner. This one is going to be a gift this month for someone near and dear to me. These are the jelly roll fabrics I've chosen to use. The floral one is Moda's "Clementine" from Me and My Sisters Designs. The geometrics are precut strips from Blank Quilting Company. They worked perfectly together.

Brynwood Needleworks - Strips of Color

I've already sewn strips together and arranged them in two rows of fifteen strips. They match and will be mirror image once I sew them together.

Brynwood Needleworks - Birthday Runner Fabric Strips

After all these strips are sewn together, I'll add more sections per the pattern directions. Then there are sections of applique' that I'll apply before quilting it.

I'll work on it in random moments so that it's finished in time to be my mid-month Birthday gift. I want it to be fun and colorful and perfect. (I did tell you it was for a loved one, right?)

Brynwood Needleworks - Shabby Fabrics "Happy Birthday Table Runner" Pattern

In case you're interested, this is the pattern I'm using. It's Shabby Fabrics' "Happy Birthday Table Runner".  (Click HERE to view and/or purchase. It's also available as a PDF file HERE.)

I love the table runner patterns from Jennifer Bosworth (She's the designer behind Shabby Fabrics)! Remember the "Patchwork Pumpkins Table Runner" I made HERE? It's still one of my favorites! (Link HERE for the pattern.)

I know I'll be making more of this Birthday table runner this year, too. I'd better finish this one first, though. I hope you have something creative planned for this week. I'd love to know what you're working on!

Disclaimer: I just want you to know that I receive no compensation, monetary or otherwise, for raving about Jennifer's fabulous patterns. I'm content to be an unpaid fan.
 

Embracing The Season...

I made this Patchwork Pumpkins Table Runner (from Shabby Fabrics) last year,

and I couldn't wait to put it back on our table this season. I love it that much!

Last week, my friend Beula (from the Paneras group) gifted me with some of her

wonderful treasures. She loved the little "Memories of Wisconsin" wool book I made

and decided that I should have some of her trinkets to use in future wool books.

 Beula is in her 90's and a vital, creative woman in her own right, so you can

imagine my surprise and delight that she should choose me to receive some of her

treasures. I was speechless to find that she also had given me two Russian amber 

and silver bracelets, a matching amber necklace, six little worry dolls from  

Guatemala, an agatized coral pendant, and even a genuine Indian arrowhead!

(You'll definitely see some of these items again when I make my next wool book.)

I wanted to give her something to show my appreciation, so I made another fall

pumpkin mug mat just for her. Then, I added a trio of acorn candles and a few

other little items selected with her in mind. I gave them to her at Paneras last night.

When I got home, I found that I'd received an envelope in the mail from my

friend, Jacque of The Doodles of My Mind blog. Remember, Jacque's pup

is a sweet, old chocolate Labrador named Tag E. Butt. We love him a lot!

I opened the envelope to find special selvages for my Selvage Quilt project. I

was so excited to see them! First, Deb Strain is one of my fave fabric designers.

And, look at the color registers on the edge...ACORNS!!!   Thank you, Jacque! You knew I would love them and you were so right. I think I'll have to do one set of blocks that will be devoted solely to acorns, with your selvages as the focal point. I know I'll have to leave more than the skinny 1/4" extra pattern, too. I may leave them as wide as you've cut them!   Goodness, Fall is my favorite time of year (north or south), and these are a few of the things that helped me get in the spirit yesterday. I'm blessed, indeed.
What are you doing to enjoy Autumn?  How are you decorating? What are you making? I'd love to know!

Finished Patchwork Pumpkins Runner...

I'm ready to share my finished Patchwork Pumpkins Table Runner (pattern by Shabby Fabrics) with you.

The pumpkins were pieced patchwork and then appliqued' onto the block fabric, along with a stem and leaf. After I finished that, I embroidered the tendrils onto each block stitching a stem stitch with three strands of embroidery floss.

I machine embroidered the assembled blocks and finished with the binding. It's almost 60" long and 12 1/2" wide, which is just the right size for our dining room table.

I tried it on the buffet, and I think it looked great there, too. For now, I'll leave it on the table, but if I decide to do something different for the table, it's nice to know I have this great place to showcase the runner.

I guess it is possible to have a touch of autumn in south Florida. In fact, I'm inspired to add a few other pieces. Now, for a little cooler weather and we'll be all set!

Ivy League Fabrics...

Shabby Fabrics just debuted a new fabric line from Northcott Fabrics. It's called "Princeton" and I have the perfect project in mind for it.

In the event that a certain person (essential to my every breath) would see this, I can't mention any names. It's going to be used to create their Christmas gift this year, but I'm sharing the secret with you, so "mum's the word". Promise?

Just look at these gorgeous prints and colors! I have what I need to make a queen size quilt, and I'll be working on it so I meet my deadline so it's quilted in time for Christmas Eve. 

I finished hand sewing all my pumpkins yesterday and will assemble them into my table runner today. I'll have it finished in plenty of  time for our Saturday morning coffee group, and I'll share a photo of it with you on Saturday, too. I always know when I've made a "hit" because Handsome tells me he likes it, too. He told me today that he thinks it's going to look great on our dining room table. It just doesn't get better than that!

Patchwork Pumpkins...

Before we headed to Wisconsin, I showed the girls the Shabby Fabrics website image of this pattern for a Patchwork Pumpkin Table Runner. We all wanted this pattern, so Kathy and Nora ordered one for each of us, plus extras for future sales. When we got to the shop last Saturday morning, all of our patterns were waiting for us.

I almost never do holiday themes, but I will do seasonal themes from time to time. This pattern was irresistible to me. When I got home from the shop, I sorted through my stash and assembled the fabrics that would be used in my runner. I began working on it on Sunday afternoon.

I started stitching on my block at Paneras over coffee and conversation with the knitting/crocheting/sewing girls. I still have the leaf and stem to stitch down on the first block, but I have all four blocks appliqued' and awaiting my hand sewing.

The pattern calls for two different colored leaves (two of each), so I'm showing you my choices. I just know that Brenda and Fay will have theirs completed by Saturday. They usually machine applique' their blocks and I like hand stitching mine. We'll see how far I get. I'm looking forward to seeing mine finished and adorning our teak dining room table through Thanksgiving.

If your heart skipped a beat when you saw this pattern, you can click on the pattern title above. It's a link to order your own copy.

I wish you a joyful and creative day today!