Friday, February 28, 2014

"New" Vintage Magazines in the Shop!

This week I've added two fabulous crafting magazines to the Curlicue Creations Shop.



Cross Stitch and Country Crafts Magazine, the Nov./Dec. 1991 issue. This vintage magazine features 31 great projects, including Santas of Fable and Fantasy, the 1991 Collector's Plate Pattern, and many quick and easy Trims and Gifts.



Paper Crafts Magazine, the March/April 2011 issue. This magazine features 169 inspiring fresh ideas for Spring, 30 clever Birthday decor ideas, Babies, Brides, Hot Air Balloons, and more.

Please come by and browse for a while.

Until next time...please visit the Curlicue Creations Shop...and have a super day!

Get Creative!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Quilty Stitches Rolling Stone Block


I finished stitching the Rolling Stone Block from the Quilty Stitches Stitch-A-Long.  Isn't it cute?  I like the bright, sunny yellow in this one.  


Here's my first three blocks, all together.  I think they are going to need a little backstitched outlining to really set them off.  What do you think?  Something subtle, maybe a soft grey?

Until next time...please visit the Curlicue Creations Shop...and have a super day!

Get Creative!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

Monday, February 24, 2014

Fabric Sneaky-Peeky!

I just acquired this gorgeous box of fabric from Timeless Treasures for one of my upcoming quilt projects!  It's so exciting when the UPS man pulls into the driveway with a goody box like this!


Looking into the box, I can already see my quilt, but for you, dear readers, this is a "before" picture.


Here's a few of the fabrics, up close.  Gorgeous, glowing jewel colors.  Aaaaaaah!

Stay tuned for the "after" photos!

Until next time...please visit the Curlicue Creations Shop...and have a super day!

Get Creative!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

Sunday, February 23, 2014

Stack and Whack Star Block and a Half

I hope you're not getting too tired of looking at these Stack and Whack stars.  I love the unique look of each block. 
 I was late for quilting group this week, because I had to pick up my oldest son from Driver's Education (eeeeeeek!)  But I had time to stitch a little bit.


I finished this block.  There is a lot going on in this one.  The center kind of looks like a flower, or some wavy fans.  Then there is the curly wave - cool!  And a big flower towards each tip.  Lots to look at.  What do you see?


I also came close to finishing this one.  You can sort of see what it's going to look like in this pic.


A lot of people have asked to see the fabric I'm using for these blocks.  It's called Madeline, by Blank Quilting.  A lively fabric!

Until next time...please visit the Curlicue Creations Shop...and have a super day!

Get Creative!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

Saturday, February 22, 2014

Aurifil Thread

I have heard so many good things about Aurifil Thread.  It seems to be the preferred thread of many quilters.  I think it is time to give it a try.


Here's what I got for one of my upcoming projects.  I selected 40 wt., 100 percent cotton.  I like my thread to have a little heft to it.  One white, one glowing turquoise blue, and a nice variegated thread that actually coordinates with the other two.  I usually prefer to do my quilting with variegated thread.


They also sent this lovely color card.  Ooooooh!  Aaaaaaaah!  I love stuff like this.  I could stare at it for hours!  I must have all the colors!  I've been saying that all my life, about crayons, markers, paint, fabric, DMC floss.  One can never have too many colors.

Alright, enough mooning over the colors.  Let's get stitching!

Until next time...please visit the Curlicue Creations Shop...and have a super day!

Get Creative!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

Friday, February 21, 2014

HUGE Craftsy Sale on Kits and Supplies!

Save Big at Craftsy!
Heads up Craftsy fans...Craftsy wants to help you escape the ordinary and create the extraordinary! Enjoy up to 80% off all inspiring project kits and supplies. Shop now to find your next amazing project during the Stash Of Possibilities Sale. Hurry, offer ends at 11pm PST on February 24, 2014.

Pretty Purple Fabrics!


Look at these pretty fabrics I picked up at quilting group the other night!  I know I don't need them, but they make me happy.  I deserve to be happy.  Yes.  I do.  You do, too!  So consider this your guilt free permission to go out and visit your local quilt shop today.  

Until next time...please visit the Curlicue Creations Shop...and have a super day!

Get Creative!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

Thursday, February 20, 2014

Stitching Along...


Here's my third block from the Quilty Stitches stitch-a-long by Little Miss Shabby.  It's a Rolling Stone block.  I love the colors she chose for the blocks - so bright and sunny.  I should be able to finish this one up tonight while watching the Olympics - go U.S.A.!

Until next time...please visit the Curlicue Creations Shop...and have a super day!

Get Creative!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas


Saturday, February 15, 2014

The Last Two Star Auditions

As I sit here watching the rain/snow mix that has been falling for the last five hours, I am contemplating the last two star blocks.  Lovely weather.  The forecast said zero percent chance of precipitation.  Yep.  There may be no stars in the sky tonight, but they are shining up on the design wall.


Star #1, Version A, or...


Version B?


Star #2, Version A, or...


Version B?

Some of these are so hard to choose!

Until next time...please visit the Curlicue Creations Shop...and have a super day!

Get Creative!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

Friday, February 14, 2014

An Atlas Deluxe Vintage Pink Sewing Machine for Valentine's Day!


Here it is!  I've been wanting a vintage pink sewing machine for a while.  I thought it would be fun to have one, and I want to pretty up my quilting studio this year.  It's an Atlas Deluxe, and it sews beautifully.


My poor husband probably got tired of hearing about "vintage pink sewing machines", so he just went ahead and bought this machine on Ebay!  I couldn't believe it.  I still can't believe it, but I like it!


I haven't figured out what year it is yet, and she needs to be cleaned up a bit.


But she's sew romantic!

Until next time...please visit the Curlicue Creations Shop...and have a super day!

Get Creative!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

Thursday, February 13, 2014

Stitch-A-Long Block #2


I finished block #2 of Little Miss Shabby's Quilty Stitches Stitch-A-Long.  Isn't is adorable?  I'm really enjoying stitching these in the evening, while watching television with the boys.  We usually watch the news, and then either Jeopardy or Curious George.  It's a toss up.


While I'm waiting for the third block to be posted, I'm working on the "setting".  It's very simple, all straight line cross stitching, all white.  Super easy and relaxing to stitch.

Until next time...please visit the Curlicue Creations Shop...and have a super day!

Get Creative!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Which one? Star A or Star B?

I just can't resist showing all these star possibilities.  They are so much fun to look at!


Which one do you like?  Star A...


Or Star B?

Until next time...please visit the Curlicue Creations Shop...and have a super day!

Get Creative!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Star Block Auditions...A Few More Choices

A few more choices to make for my Stack 'N Whack Star Quilt...


Block 1, View A


Block 1, View B


Block 2, View A


Block 2, View B


Block 3, View A


Block 3, View B

These are so much fun!

Until next time...please visit the Curlicue Creations Shop...and have a super day!

Get Creative!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

Monday, February 10, 2014

Sneaky Peeky - Island Batik-y!


Here's a little sneak peek at some beautiful fabrics from Island Batik.  I'm using these in an upcoming quilt project.  Stay tuned for more!

Until next time...please visit the Curlicue Creations Shop...and have a super day!

Get Creative!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

Sunday, February 9, 2014

Still Stitching Along!


Here's my progress on the Stitch-A-Long.  I'm working on block #2, Old Maid's Ramble.  This block is known by a few different names, and you can read all about it, and join in, too at Little Miss Shabby's Blog.  This has been a lot of fun to stitch so far.  My 9 y.o. even tried a few stitches.  Someday he's going to be sewing a quilt, I just know it!

Until next time...please visit the Curlicue Creations Shop...and have a super day!

Get Creative!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

Saturday, February 8, 2014

More Stack 'N Whack Star Blocks

Three more star blocks sewn together for the Stack 'N Whack Star Quilt!


This one came together the best.


I like the curlicues in this block.


My favorite block so far.  Cool, swirly center!

Until next time...please visit the Curlicue Creations Shop...and have a super day!

Get Creative!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

Friday, February 7, 2014

It's an Oldie!


My husband just can't resist a bargain.  Tuesday afternoon he came home with this old White Rotary machine.  It weighs a ton!  I would hate to have to lug this machine around.  He said he only paid $2.00 for it, which is good, considering it has no pedal and the electrical cord has been cut.

I looked it up and this model was made from the 1940's to the 1960's for Sears and Roebuck.  The White company was then purchased by Husquarvana Viking, so I contacted them with the serial number.  My machine was made in 1942.  Pretty neat, but I'm sure it will make it's way out to the storage building, and likely never sew again.

Until next time...please visit the Curlicue Creations Shop...and have a super day!

Get Creative!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

Thursday, February 6, 2014

I've Joined a Stitch-A-Long!


I know I don't need any more projects, but.....my husband brought home a great big box of cross stitching fabric....I was surfing the blog-o-sphere....and I came across this fantastic stitch-a-long.  It was just starting, and I couldn't resist.  So here's my first block.  Isn't it cute?

The Stitch-A-Long is by Little Miss Shabby.  Click on the link, below, if you want to join in, too.  The second block was just posted on Monday.  I'll show mine when I've finished stitching.  

Little Miss Shabby

Until next time...please visit the Curlicue Creations Shop...and have a super day!

Get Creative!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

Wednesday, February 5, 2014

First Stack 'N Whack Star Block

Here it is!  I pieced my first block for the Stack 'N Whack quilt.  Woo-hoo!  Only 11 more to go.


A lot of people have been asking to see the fabric I'm using for this quilt.  Here's a little pic.  The fabric is "Madeline" by Blank Quilting.


Until next time...please visit the Curlicue Creations Shop...and have a super day!

Get Creative!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas

Saturday, February 1, 2014

Star Quilt Block of the Month Tutorial #7 - Evening Star

Hello!  Welcome to the Curlicue Creations Star Quilt Block of the Month Tutorial Series.  This month brings us to block #7, Evening Star.  If you need to catch up, the first six tutorials are located in the Star Block of the Month Tutorials tab section at the upper right hand corner of the blog.  All blocks in this series finish at 12" square.  All seam allowances are 1/4".


Evening Star - Block #7


I used four fabrics for this block.  Left to right they are Lilac, Dark Purple, Pink, and Light Pink.  These fabrics are from Robert Kaufman's Artisan Batiks line and the Jennifer Sampou Studio Stash line.


Cutting Instructions:

                                                     Lilac:  Cut 4 ea. 3-1/2" squares A
                                                               Cut 8 ea. half-square triangles B from 4 ea. 3-7/8" squares                                     
                                          Dark Purple:  Cut 8 ea. 2-3/8" squares C
                                                               Cut 8 ea. half-square triangles D from 4 ea. 2-3/8" squares

                                                     Pink:  Cut 8 ea. 2-3/8" squares C
                                                               Cut 8 ea. half-square triangles D from 4 ea. 2-3/8" squares

                                             Light Pink:  Cut 8 ea. 2-3/8" squares C

Sewing the Evening Star Block
(All seam allowances are 1/4")

Step 1:  Draw a diagonal line from corner to corner on the reverse side of all the Light Pink 2-3/8" squares C.  Pair them right sides together with four of the Dark Purple 2-3/8" squares C and four of the Pink 2-3/8" squares C.


Sew 1/4" away from the line on both sides.


Cut on the drawn lines.


Open out, and press.


You should have eight each Light Pink/Dark Purple half-square triangle units and eight each Light Pink/Pink half-square triangle units.  Each unit should measure 2" square.


Step 2:  Use the same method as step 1, and the remaining four Dark Purple 2-3/8" squares C and four Pink 2-3/8" squares C to sew eight each Dark Purple/Pink half-square triangle units.


Step 3:  Sew one of the Dark Purple/Pink half-square triangle units to one of the Light Pink/Dark Purple half-square triangle units as shown.


Sew one of the Light Pink/Pink half-square triangle units to one of the Dark Purple/Pink half-square triangle units as shown.


Sew these two pairs together to make a square unit as shown.  The square unit should measure 3-1/2"


Sew three more of these units for a total of four square units.


Step 4:  Gather together two Dark Purple triangle D's and one Light Pink/Dark Purple half-square triangle unit.


Sew one Dark Purple Triangle D to each side of the Light Pink part of the Light Pink/Dark Purple half-square triangle unit to make a large triangle unit.


Sew the large triangle unit to a Lilac half-square triangle B.  This square unit should also measure 3-1/2".


Sew three more of these for a total of four units.


Step 5:  Use the same method as Step 4 and the remaining four Light Pink/Pink triangle squares, the remaining eight triangle D's, and the remaining four Lilac half-square triangle B's to sew four more 3-1/2" square units.


The four each Step 5 Units.



Step 6:  Gather together one of each of the three different 3-1/2" square units, plus one of the Lilac 3-1/2" square A's.


Sew into pairs, as shown.


Sew the pairs together to make one quadrant of the block.


Repeat three more times for a total of four block quadrants.

Step 7:  Lay out the block with the Lilac 3-1/2" square A's in the corners.


Sew into two rows.

...

Sew the rows together to complete the block.  Smile!

Until next time...please visit the Curlicue Creations Shop...and have a super day!

Get Creative!

Jennifer Schifano Thomas