Thursday, December 31, 2015

The Rainbow Connection - Update #2


Morphing into some blues this week.  What do you think?

Have a colorful day!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

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Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Tucking in Some Odds and Ends


The year 2015 is drawing to a close and I'm evaluating my UFO list.  This quilt, the Super Scrappy Double Irish Chain is nearly complete.  I just need to tuck in some thread ends and sew on a binding.  Perhaps it will be my first finish in 2016.


Here's a little close up of my work.  How do you organize your WIP's? (work in progress)  I keep each project in a box, marked with the project's name on the outside.  I also write lists.  I have a list of quilts that need binding, a list of quilts that need to be quilted, quilts that need piecing, quilts that need cutting, and patterns that I'm working on writing.  

Do you have any good WIP organization tips?  Please leave a comment below.

Have a wonderful quilty day!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

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Online Quilting Class

Monday, December 28, 2015

HUGE Year End Craftsy Clearance Sale! - Up to 75% Off!

This is an affiliate advertisement.
 #ad Take advantage of Craftsy's end-of-year clearance sale to get amazing deals on fabric, yarn, baking supplies, paper arts supplies and more for a limited time. The popular stuff goes fast, so grab the deals now before they run out!  Click here to visit the sale:  Craftsy Supplies Sale

Last year, I ordered a big fat quarter surprise box during Craftsy's End of the Year Sale..  It was so exciting, just waiting and anticipating the arrival of my box!  And I was not disappointed!  The fabrics I received were top quality and coordinated well with each other.  I've made them last and am still sewing with them today.


And remember to check out the classes while you are shopping the supply sale.  I just ordered Machine Quilting Borders & Backgrounds, by my favorite Craftsy teacher, Angela Walters.  I adore  her teaching style.  I've taken nearly all of her classes and can't wait to get started watching this one.  As soon as the kids go back to school, it's on!

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas!  

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

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Sunday, December 27, 2015

Timeless Treasures Tonga Batiks Teaser


I started a new project this week.  I'm using the Salsa Tonga Batiks fabric collection, by Timeless Treasures.  The fabric on the bottom is my backing fabric.


Look at how this fabric glows in Guava!


I started cutting into the Guava fabric first.  Squares.  So telling, eh?...what could it be?
Wait and see!

Have a wonderful day,

Jennifer Schifano Thomas



Craftsy

Monday, December 21, 2015

The Rainbow Connection - Update #1


The Rainbow Connection hexagon quilt.  This week I've added more pink and a little purple.  These hexies finish at a small 3/4" per side.  Again, I'm only using fabrics from my scrap basket.  It should be fun to see how this one turns out.

Have a lovely day!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

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Saturday, December 19, 2015

I'm Gonna Pop Some Hexies


Now that I've finished my Aura hexagon top, it's time to prepare for quilting.  First, I used a crochet hook to remove the remaining hexagon papers.  That was fun and easy.  Much easier than removing paper foundation piecing bits.  If you're curious, I used a size G crochet hook.


Then, I ironed the top and took this stellar photo on my design wall.  I like the way the yellow dots of color jump out at you and move your eye around the quilt.  

I'm using a terrific dotty print for the backing.  I'd be quilting it right now, but I need to get some batting.  


Did you guess the quilt block from my last post was a Log Cabin?  Great job!  Here's the finished block.  It will be the first in my new series of tutorials I've got planned for next year, "Quilt Block Classics".  Stay tuned.

One way to keep in touch is to sign up for the "Get Creative" newsletter below. Be the first to see upcoming patterns, tutorials, and get free downloadable quilt coloring pages.  Plus each newsletter will include a "readers only" discount coupon for the Curlicue Creations Shop - Awesome!



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Have a lovely day,

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

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Thursday, December 17, 2015

Guess the Quilt Block


Yesterday, I cut out these pieces to sew a quilt block today.  Can you guess what it is?  Leave a comment below.  

It's time to sew!

Have a lovely day,

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

The Rainbow Connection - A Beginning


I am so in love with the process of making hexie quilts.  Here's my start to the next one, The Rainbow Connection.  As with Aura, I'll try to do a weekly update.  I hope you enjoy watching it all come together.

Have a lovely day,

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

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Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Aura Quilt Top Completed!


Here it is!  The Aura hexagon quilt top, finally complete.  I took a clothesline pic because it's so wonderful outside today.  Sunny and 75 in December - gotta take advantage of that!  I've already started on my next hexie project, "The Rainbow Connection".  I'll be showing the beginnings of that one on my next post.

Have a lovely day,

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

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Saturday, December 12, 2015

Sew-O-Matic Senior - A Straco Machine


Isn't this adorable?!?  I found this treasure in a local thrift shop this week,  Only $20.00, so I brought her right home with me.  This tiny machine's base measures approximately 5" x 8".  The machine itself is 6" tall if you include the spool pin.  

As you can see, it's a hand crank, and it works.  The needle plate is stamped "Itty Bitty Made in England".  I still need to clean her up a bit, and from the looks of my photo, I need to clean the window sills on my front porch, too.

What a little gem for my collection.  Do you have a sewing themed collection?  Leave a comment below.

Have a lovely day,

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

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Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Aura Quilt Weekly Update, December 9, 2015


Looky-looky!  I finished the lower right hand corner last night!  Only a few more hexies to sew in the upper right hand corner and this top will be finished.  What fun, I can hardly wait to start on the next one.

Have a lovely day!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

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Tuesday, December 8, 2015

Thank You, Quiltmaker!


Thank you, Quiltmaker magazine!  This handy tote bag arrived in my mailbox yesterday.  How nice.  Quiltmaker sent them out to everyone who worked on 100 Blocks, Volume 12.


It's fun to see all the blocks together on the front of the bag.  I found my block, Pinwheel Flowers in the lower right hand corner, right over the Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks label.


Here's a close up of the Pinwheel Flowers block.  The pattern to sew my block, plus 99 other amazing quilt blocks, is available in Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks, Volume 12 - on sale now.


If you still haven't picked up a copy, I have two copies left for sale in the Curlicue Creations shop, here:  Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks, Volume 12.  Get 'em before they disappear!

Have a lovely day,

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

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Sunday, December 6, 2015

Twelve Days of Craftsy Christmas Sale!

This is an affiliate advertistment.
The following sale is already in progress! It's Day 6 of the 12 days of Craftsy Christmas Sale - Don't miss out!


   Save up to 50% off all classes, supplies & kits for 12 days. 


 Join us as we deck the halls with BIG savings on all online classes, project kits & supplies at Craftsy. For 12 days, you can shop up to 50% off at Craftsy for your favorite hobby. Don't forget, you can also give Craftsy classes & supplies as gifts. Check them out! 


Look at these marvelous quilting supplies available at Craftsy!  Fabrics, threads, patterns, kits,  Classes are on sale, too.  I'm going to gift myself a new quilting class as soon as I can decide on which one to get.  If you have any suggestions, please leave a comment below.

 I've really enjoyed the Angela Walters classes I've taken, Free Motion Quilting Negative Space, Dot to Dot Quilting, and Free Motion Quilting with Feathers.  I've just learned so much and really seen improvements in my quilting.  If you've never taken a Craftsy class, this is the perfect sale for you.  

Again, here is the link to visit the sale:  Twelve Days of Craftsy Sale.

Have a lovely day,

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

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Saturday, December 5, 2015

Nearly Finished UFO Top


Time for a little update on my UFO project.  I'm sewing a quilt using my tester blocks from Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks, Volume 4.  This is the top half of the quilt, enjoying a little bit of backyard sunshine.


This setting was difficult to piece together.  So many triangle squares facing different directions!  I was so relieved to sew on the final strip.


This is the bottom half of the top.  I like the way the setting plays with the block in the lower right hand corner.  They really link together nicely.  

So...I just need to sew one more seam and then add a solid border or two.  What would you sew for the borders?  Any brilliant suggestions?  Please leave a comment below.

Have a lovely day,

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

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Thursday, December 3, 2015

New in the Curlicue Creations Shop - December 3, 2015

What's Cooking Decorative Painting Booklet, by Pat Saunders. Very good condition. 44 pages. Soft cover. Copyright 1992. "Kat's Krafts" is handwritten on the upper right hand corner of the front cover (see photos). 

This beautiful decorative painting booklet includes 15 painting projects, an acrylic paint color conversion chart, and information on surface preparation, painting, finishing, and working on watercolor paper. Designs are all shown in full color and include detailed painting instructions. Designs include Punkin' the Pig Magnet, Mother's Work is Never Done, Suzie- A Kitchen Angel, and more.

Little Whittles Garden Birdhouses Plant Picks and Tins Decorative Painting Booklet.Excellent condition. 6 pages. Soft cover. Copyright 1995. 

This beautiful decorative painting booklet includes 7 painting projects, and a General Instructions section. Designs are all shown in full color and include detailed painting instructions. Designs include Birdhouse Tin, Americana Birdhouse, Starry Water Can, Plant Picks, Milk Can, Bird Feeder, and Cabin Birdhouse.

Paint Your Own "Wanna-Be" Fantasy T-Shirts Booklet. Excellent condition. Four designs. Soft cover. 

This beautiful decorative painting booklet includes 4 t-shirt painting projects, and a General Instructions section. Designs are all shown in full color and include iron-on transfer patterns. Designs include Ballerina, Lion, Cat, and Dog.

Just a Little Something Decorative Painting Booklet. Very good condition. 7 pages. Soft cover. Copyright 1991. 

This beautiful decorative painting booklet includes 12 painting projects, and a General Instructions section. Designs are all shown in full color and include detailed painting instructions. Designs include I Love USA, Teddy Bear and Honey, Sheep and Tulips, Pigs and Checks, Pig and Watermelon, Hearts and Flowers, Cow and Milk Bottles, Mouse and Cheese, Bunny and Heart, and more.

Crafts 'n Things Magazine, Vintage September 1988 Issue. Used, but good condition. 82 pages. 

This beautiful issue includes New Crafts to Crochet, Cross Stitch, Paint, Quilt, Sew, Knit, Plus Much, Much More! 

Are you collecting these stellar crafting magazines? If you enjoy a variety of crafting techniques, this magazine will keep you busy.

Easter Parade Decorative Painting Booklet. Very good condition. 38 pages. Soft cover. Copyright 1993. 

This beautiful decorative painting booklet includes 17 painting projects. Designs are all shown in full color and include detailed painting instructions. Designs include Easter Chicks, Bunnies, A Welcome Sign, Eggs, Tulips, and more.

For these, and many other inspiring crafting books, please visit the Curlicue Creations Shop.

Also, I would like to share my brand new Get Creative newsletter with you.  The newsletter will keep you updated on the latest Curlicue Creations original quilt patterns and publications.  Special reader only Curlicue Creations shop coupon codes and freebies will be included, too.  

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Tuesday, December 1, 2015

Aura Quilt Update



After a three month break, I am back to work on my Aura hexagon quilt.  The top is nearly finished.  I'm just filling in the last two corners - so excited!

I'm not sure how to quilt it.  Any suggestions would be welcome.  Please leave me a comment below with your ideas.  Thanks!

Have a lovely day,

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

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