live, love, QUILT free stitching project

I have a free stitching pattern to share with you today in honor of the giveaway for an embroidery kit underway from Snuggly Monkey.

(Enter the giveaway here!)

Having something to stitch always ready to go makes me happy.

Stitching projects are portable and are a great way to unwind and relax.   Some of my stitching projects turn into mini quilts right away while others are piled next to my machine waiting to be turned into a bag.

I always back my stitching, usually with an iron on fusible to give it stability during stitching and hide the threads.  (Here is an example of how I prep for stitching as part of one of my tutorials.)

I can't wait to share my finished project - keep reading for the link to download your own copy!

I used a window and my frixon pen to trace the stitching pattern onto fabric.  I keep large scraps of neutral fabric just for this purpose!

The letters of the word quilt were designed so you can then fill them in with the stitching pattern of your choice.  You could fill with any number of embroidery stitches.  I've drawn mine out to represent FMQ designs - feathers, stipple, pebbles etc.  Some of these I will do on the machine, some by hand.

Have fun with this and make it your own!  You can download the stitching pattern here. (Any problems, just drop me an email.)

Have a wonderful day! Patty

Words are progress update

Back in March, I assembled all the words for my daughter's quilt for her freshman year at school.  At the time when I started, she hadn't yet chosen the university she was going to attend and her going off to college seemed so very far away.

Once the words were assembled, I put the quilt aside.  I needed more fabric (you can read about that journey here. )

 Also, I couldn't figure out how to finish it - how to make it the right size and how best to bring in some more fun and interest.

(I also think a part of me deep inside thought that by putting it aside, maybe I could delay her leaving.  But now she has made a college choice.  And her high school graduation is less than three weeks away! )

Over the last week or so, I've made some decisions and am so excited by my border.  This is not your typical quilt border but will be filled with geese, somewhat randomly placed.

The geese serve as a great frame for the quote.  They also symbolize the opportunities in front of her - so many to choose from as she plots her own path forward.

(I sure am proud of that girl!)

Finishing all the geese and assembling the quilt top will be my goal for May.  (You'll be seeing a lot of this quilt because I will set a goal for June to get it all quilted!)

The fabric for the quilt itself is the low volume prints from the Dear Stella Palladium line from several years ago.   The letters and my geese are  Happy Hour Square Dot Blender in Charcoal - fun square polka 'dots' which offers great contrast.  

Having fun!

I've got a great giveaway under way right now - head to this Elm Street Quilts post for a chance to win a Embroidery Kit from Snuggly Monkey!

I'll be linking up with OMG here at Red Letter Quilts. 

Also linking with Blossom Heart Quilts, Freemotion by the River.  Quiltfabrication, Quilt Story, and Sew Fresh Quilts .

Have a wonderful day! Patty

Embroidery Kit Giveaway sponsored by Snuggly Monkey

I am very excited to introduce Snuggly Monkey, the terrific sponsor of today's giveaway.

I first discovered Snuggly Monkey through a search on Etsy for more pearl cotton for a stitching project.

With a lot of great Etsy's stores to choose from, I purchased from Snuggly Monkey for the prices, the selection and happy the business is based in a town near me in North Carolina.

Now, several years later, I've gone back many times to support my stitching habit.

When my last purchase arrived, all the lovelies tucked into a muslin bag, I felt like someone had sent me a present.  And who doesn't love getting presents!

Snuggly Monkey sells much more than my sought after pearl cotton.  They have a great collection of premium craft supplies and I love this bit of the mission statement on their site - 

At Snuggly Monkey we value the Art of Crafting. Whether you are creating an heirloom cake topper for your wedding or stitching a special gift for a friend, we have the premium craft supplies you need to create your work of art. As makers, the process of creating should be as enjoyable as our finished projects are beautiful. Snuggly Monkey is here to help you along in your process by curating a collection of high quality craft supplies that will inspire you to create. 

So what else tempts me in the shop?

These mini embroidery hoops are so, so cute!

Mini Embroidery Hoops 

I could easily start a collection of scissors just because they are so fun to look at.

Collection of scissors

And then, of course, is this rainbow display of my favorite type of thread for stitching!

Pearl cotton.

Claudia, the owner of Snuggly Monkey, is sponsoring this giveaway with an Embroidery Kit.  Everything you need to make the first of many stitching project including a nice bag to keep everything tidy and together when you aren't stitching.

Embroidery Kit 

Aren't these dolls so much fun?  And look at the floss in a colorway called Fruit Salad!

Embroidery Kit

Several ways to enter the giveaway - do one or do them all!  (If you've any trouble with Rafflecopter, drop me an email at elmstreetquilts AT gmail DOT com and I'll help you out!)

Winner will be notified by email.  Giveaway ends Monday, May 9 at 11:59 pm est.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck and thank you to Snuggly Monkey!

Have a wonderful day! Patty