Miss Loreen's Schoolhouse

Vintage Christmas Update

I have been working away here and there on different projects on my April 2021 Project/Insanity List.  Are are you coming along?

I have completed another block on my Vintage Christmas project.  It is the Gingerbread House and is a 12" finished block.  I get to checkmark another block as done!!

These blocks sure do have a lot of little pieces as there is no applique shapes.  A bit more work and more  precise...or trying to be...with stitching.  The more seams you have to stitch, the more you need to be more accurate with your stitching.  The nice part of this book is that there are measurements as you start piecing sections of a block together.  Having these measurements, helps to keep better accuracy as the block pieces get added together.  Nothing worse than getting a 12" block completed and it is 10 3/4"!!

Have a great day and keep stitching/crafting!!
loreen 

Day Thirty - April Insanity List

Today marks the last day of posting for my April Project (Insanity) list.  

Project 30 – Scan N Cut Add Ons

This isn’t quite a project but is something I need to work on/work with.  I have purchased several “add ons” for the Scan N Cut that I just haven’t taken the time to try out and use.  I’m sure some of you can relate to that!

This will be a fun project to play around with what these add ons can do.  I have the rhinestone kit, the calligraphy kit and a stamp starter kit.  Of course, a video tutorial for each one would be great…..just so I can refer back to them myself!!

Making this list has given me a road map to follow over the coming year.  Will there be changes? Probably, this isn't a list that is set in stone.  It is just a way to keep an eye on what I would like to do over the coming months.  I can make changes or delete a project if I feel I need to.  

I hope you have made a list for yourself even if it is just a few items so you can work on some of those projects you really liked but didn't take the time for.  This isn't a list to make you feel bad because you haven't finished everything.  Set that thought aside and just look at your list now and again to remind you of projects you'd like to finish or work on.

Now for a few days off so I can get my projects all in order.....not alphabetically but just so that I can grab a project to work on and everything I need is right there.  Isn't that half the battle!!

Have a great day!
loreen

 

Day Twenty-Nine - April Insanity List

Project 29 – Christmas Gifts -Gifts on Hand

Since I am listing different Christmas gift projects, I am listing Project 29 as miscellaneous Christmas gifts.  In this group, I would like to make some towel topper and potholder sets for gifts.  Now that I am thinking about it, this should be the “Gifts On Hand” project.  It would be nice to have a box of already made gifts that I can go to during the year for a special occasion or just to give to someone.

One day left!

See you tomorrow,
loreen

Day Twenty-Eight - April Project List

Project 28 – Project Bags

I bet you thought this next project was what is in the bag in the picture.  Well, that is a project I must finish or work on, the project for today is to make some project bags.  They really don’t take a long time to make.  It is just making and taking the time to make them. 

Sometimes we feel like we need to be making a quilt or bag or some other project so we set aside some of the things that either tidy up our work area or put projects into something besides a box that we have to keep looking in to see what it is.

I would like to make six bigger bags like the one in the picture with made a couple of them having a side gusset or fabric on the sides to make the bag deeper.

See you tomorrow,
loreen

Day Twenty-Seven - April Insanity List

For those who may be reading my blog for the first time, I am creating a list of projects that I would like to do throughout the coming year.  There are old projects that need to be finished, big projects, small projects and new projects.  Some may just be using equipment I haven't used in awhile.

Project 27 – Thru the Woods Quilt

This is a big project on my list and has been sitting here waiting for me for quite some time.  I have promised to do a machine embroidery class for this one as some embroidery areas need to be hooped more than one time as the design spreads out over a large piece of fabric.

Sounds daunting but if you are lucky enough to have an embroidery machine with a camera or projector, it is so much easier than you’d think.

I look forward to working on this project but will have to allow more time when I work on it than any of my other projects. This is a good project to work on while do some of my crochet projects for a little break here and there.

See you tomorrow,
loreen

Day Twenty-Six - April Insanity List

Can you believe we are nearing the end of the list of projects?  Wow!

Project 26 – Photo Album

I purchased a die set from Crafter’s Companion to make a small photo album with different dies used on the pages to make it more interesting.  I would really like to make one for a few of my family members for Christmas gifts.

I have some choices of cardstock to use with it but, I’m sure, I will still have to decided which papers to use where.

See you tomorrow,
loreen

Day Twenty-Five of My April Project List

Project 25 – Serger

I love working with my serger but seem not to use it anywhere near as much as I would like so I have a quilt project in mind that I will do a class on some time in the nearer (is that a word?) future.  It is an heirloom quilt made with blocks showing different types of heirloom stitches and techniques.  I’ve included a picture of a serger project I taught a few years ago.  This table topper (or in my case, serger blanket) was made entirely on the serger except for the quilting done after the project was complete.

The serger can do a lot more than just finish a seam or seam a stretch fabric.  I know that some of you may have a serger that requires a lot of threading and changing of the tensions which can really be overwhelming and frustrating.  I know exactly how you feel but if you use your serger and learn how to thread it, you can make lots of projects . If you have a Baby Lock serger that threads the loopers for you and doesn’t need any tension adjustment, you are lucky and, I have to say, have no reason not to be using it more!!  I will do a couple of video tutorials on making some quilt blocks with the serger.

See you tomorrow,
loreen

Day Twenty-Four - 2021 April Project List

We're coming to the end of April!  That went pretty fast.

Project 24 – Cricut Joy

I have used the Cricut Joy a little bit but then set it aside to work on other projects for my classes, etc.  This kind of goes with Project 22 as I will use the Joy to cut out a design to use in the Mug Press.  I also want to make some labels for the spine end of some of my ring binders so I don’t have to pull them out.  Now I have to pull each one out to read the front cover. 

I know I mentioned with the PTouch that I would make ribbons to hang on my three ring binders but I haven’t decided for sure which is the best way.  I’m leaning towards using the Joy to make labels that stick on the spine of the notebooks.

I also need to put labels on the outside of my project plastic bins for the same reason.  I will be able to see what project is inside without taking the bin out and opening it.  I’m trying hard to get myself in better order!

See you tomorrow,
loreen