DIY dry erase boards

Glass is just as effective with dry erase markers as those "white boards"! Look for cool frames at the dollar store or recycle some old ones- check at yard sales maybe. Then get creative with spray paint, acrylic paint, deco page, hot glue gun, ribbons, buttons, bejewler- you name it! Get any size frame you want and cut a piece of white (or any color) poster board/paper to size.  The only limit is you imagination!

My sewing room is black and white with polka dots so my boards are kind of plain but I plan on making some funkier and more colorful ones as gifts :)

Craft on my friends!

Do. Good stitches - Hope Circle - mini geese

This is my first month as 'quilter' for the do. Good stitches Hope circle.  I have been a bit nervous about selecting a block pattern and then assembling and quilting the quilt. 

I found a terrific tutorial for a mini flying geese block at lieslmade.com.  The first set of blocks has arrived frkm my bee mate bulabean and they look awesome!  I am excitedly awaiting the rest of the blocks.  I have also finally gotten a start on my two blocks.  I am using a ton of scraps and each 'goose' will be different.  The cutting is done and now on to the stitching!

I am counting down the days until the Innova arrives on Monday (insert happy dance here) - Yay!

There has not been much blogging lately...

We have been so busy working on the new sewing studio that there has not been time for sewing,  I have worked on a few bee blocks here and there and finished some throw pillows for my Mom's birthday and not much else. 

I also have some other very exciting news :)  I am buying a longarm quilter.  I located a good deal on a demo ABM Innova 22" on a 12 foot frame.  It is being delivered next weekend and I am over-the-top excited!!!   The new studio is far from finished so we will be working around the new machine but it will be on wheels so it can be moved.

I will officially launch my quilting business as soon as we are up and running!

A friend is designing a web site for me and I  have even joined Facebook! (Something I thought I would NEVER do!)

Wish me luck (and clients)!

My latest obsession

So I was recently in a small car accident during which I was rear-ended by another vehicle. I have been experiencing a lot of soreness and discomfort in my back and my doctor suggested I try using heat to relax the muscles.  I decided to whip up one of those microwavable heating pads that you fill with rice (corn, lentils, cherry pits, flax, etc) and now I'm completely hooked on making them and figuring out new things to scent them with (essential oil, herbs/spices, different tea leaves, etc). You can truly make them any size or shape to contour any body part. And they are a quick project that doesn't require a ton of fabric and can really show case a favorite fat quarter or scrap. Just be careful that any thing you put in the microwave is 100% cotton with no metallic accents! If you want a fleece or polyester version, make a removable 'pillowcase' and use cotton or muslin for the inner (microwavable) part. Sew fun!

Facebook Launch of 'Do or Dye'

If you dig Facebook please check out my new page for 'Do or Dye' - my tie dye label(click on new page to go there now). You can see my entire portfolio (also available on flickr ) as well as upcoming events.

Thanks!

Francesca

Playing with 1/2 squares

I didn't realize how addicting this would be. Sew a few 5" squares on the diagonal and the combinations for arrangements and orientation seem innumerable!

Recent projects

Window Wonder quilt, pieced by Francesca, quilted and bound by Kimberly. Matching Window Wonder pillow. Quilted insulbrite potholders. :)