Tuesday, July 23, 2019

Joy, Joy and more Joy

Welcome back to my second post for the 12 Days of Christmas in July blog hop.  Because I am an over achiever, Sarah offered to let me split up my Christmas goodies over 2 days.  It took no time at all for me to say yes and for me to divide my projects between 2 days.





This hop stop is full of Christmas Joy.  Specifically, Joy of Days Filled With Joy.  You may be familiar with her work as she is part of this hop and posted on  July 16.  She does beautiful hand embroidery. Some sweet and simple some a bit more complex. All beautiful.

This month she is offering 3 of her sweet simple Christmas designs for free. You can find them at the link above in her Christmas in July Stitchalong.

I will admit that I have done some hand embroidery, mostly redwork, but since I got the embroidery machine I am having as much fun converting patterns to machine stitching as I ever remember having doing it by hand. With Joy's permission I have taken her 3 designs from her stitchalong and played with several  ideas I had using the machine.

I am not a creative person when it comes to drawing but I have a vivid imagination when it comes to applying others drawings to things.


First idea was taking one of the designs and doing a card.  I embroidered her first design of the month directly onto card stock then set it with some background card stock.  I must disclose from the get go that each design is supposed to have dots in the ric rack element.  I could't get that to come over into my machine.  The dots did add a lot to the block.  You will notice that in a couple of my ideas I tossed in words to make up for them.


Second pattern was released so I went with another card.  This one I embroidered onto a piece of canvas and proceeded to fray the edges.  Attached that to the base card with double sided tape.







When this hop was first mentioned I responded to Sarah's request of what we might be doing with "Christmas Ornaments".  I found that Joys designs lent themselves beautifully to stuffed ornaments.  I substituted actual cord for the design element cord and they were ready for hanging.



When I was thinking of making my first card using  canvas I used a rather large chunk.   When I took it out of the hoop I realized it was big enough to make a small draw string  Christmas gift bag. By the way, the canvas I have used for several of these items is a drop cloth from Harbor Freight. I originally purchased it to use as a table cloth.  After washing it I realized it was a great (cheap) item for quilty things.


Last summer I did a throw quilt of blocks that I constructed using raw edge applique. I really like the outcome of blocks done that way and thought I would give that a try here without using the embroidery machine function.  I did find that I'm a bit rusty. Like everything else it's a skill that needs regular practice which I haven't been doing.

I'm not sure what I want to do with this piece.  I used a large enough piece of fabric to make another bag but I'm not exactly sure yet.

Last but certainly not least I wanted to do something using all three designs.  Last winter I attended a quilt show and found this wonderful mini display piece.  After much searching I found it buried in a drawer and as I hoped it was perfect  for displaying all 3 of Joy's designs.



So my thanks to Joy for her patterns and inspiration. I've had a great couple of weeks playing with them and exercising my brain.

Thanks also to Sarah for this outlet for my play.

Below is a list of all of  the other players in this hop.  Please stop and see what each and every one of them are up to. You will be so glad you did.

Also below is the form for a chance to win the lovely  FIGO fabric fat quarter bundle.

Sunday, July 14th

Monday, July 15th


Tuesday, July 16th


Wednesday, July 17th


Thursday, July 18th


Friday, July 19th


Saturday, July 20th


Sunday, July 21st

Monday, July 22nd


Tuesday, July 23rd


Wednesday, July 24th


Thursday, July 25th



And remember, too, there's a giveaway!  FIGO Fabrics has donated a fat quarter bundle of their new Christmas line, Wintertide...


...and one lucky reader will get to take it home!  All you have to do is fill in the form below with your full name and email address (don't worry, I won't use it for anything beyond notifying you if you win!).  Entries will close on Tuesday, July 30th, and I'll announce the winner here on Wednesday, July 31st - New Year's Eve in July!



Be sure to click "Submit"!!
  







28 comments:

  1. Your three stitcheries are truly beautiful, and together, so special.

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  2. Thanks so much for the great ideas for using these blocks. You inspire me to be more creative!

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  3. Very sweet, I love the simple designs too!

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  4. Those are fun ideas for any types of embroidery. Thank you for sharing.

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  5. Your projects are just adorable. I haven't had my embroidery machine out in quite a while. There are a pile of projects waiting to be completed with that machine, mostly labels and adding designs to Christmas stockings. You've inspired me to get going.

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  6. Thank you for sharing your project ideas. I have quite a collection of embroidery patterns and you have inspired me to grab that needle and floss and get to work!

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  7. I just completed my embroideries from Joy-wasn't it fun! I love what you have done with the designs; it has given me several ideas like actually hanging the ornaments! Nice post!

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  8. You did so much with those designs, I really like the little stand you have for the three of them.

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  9. You have been a very busy sewist! I'm glad you're getting so much good use and enjoyment from your embroidery machine. Your ornaments will make lovely gifts.

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  10. Love your creative ideas!! Thanks for sharing

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  11. Wow, Selina, these are awesome! But I have to say my favorite is the raw edge appliqué block - and I could see a border of these on a medallion quilt quite easily! All your projects are great, though, and the stuffed ornaments are inspired. Thanks for all your hard work!!!

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  12. Great job on the embroidery designs....You are a overachiever.....So much work you have done my dear...And it is all gorgeous.

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  13. These are so pretty and so simple to make! Love the endless ideas you provide.

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  14. Thanks so much for the great ideas

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  15. Love your ornaments! Cute & simple & great lil' gift idea for adding to packages! Thx for great idea! :)

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  16. Hi Selina! I enjoyed the first time you shared your project during the hop - such cute embroidery patterns. Today's are just as cute, and while they are very impressive it sounds like it takes very little time to make. Thanks for being the overachiever you are and signing up for two days. ~smile~ Roseanne

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  17. Your stitched ornaments are SEW sweet!! Thanks for sharing with the 12 Days of Christmas in July Blog Hop.

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  18. You've done some great things with Joy's sweet Christmas designs!

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  19. Thanks for the ideas for Joys designs!

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  20. beautiful ornaments.
    Merry Christmas🎄⛄🎄

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  21. Thanks for sharing your ideas. I like the ornaments & hope to try making some

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  22. Oh wow!! I just love how you used the designs!!! I think the last one is my favorite, I have a hanger set like that somewhere... but really, I love all your ideas! Thanks so much for playing around with my designs! xx

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  23. What cute ideas! I love the mini display!

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  24. I love what you did with Joy's fabulous designs! Thanks for the inspiration. So much fun!

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  25. You created some really beautiful and joyful projects, Selina. You are always so inspiring to me!

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