Thursday, July 30, 2020

Quiet Life stitchery, news and a tutorial...



Remember I showed you a progress photo of this little stitchery last week when I shared my "A Quiet Life" mini quilt pattern?

You can make this yourself as it's on the pattern sheets for "A Quiet Life" (download here) - all I did differently was applique the door, add a button for a door knob, change the flowers to daisies by switching the colonial knots of the mini quilt version for lazy daisy stitches, and sewed scattered cross stitches and running stitches here and there to fill out the effect for a single block instead of a set of nine.




Small changes to a single design can give it quite a different appearance, and this sweet and tiny block makes me happy hanging beside my desk where I love to have a bit of colour against the cream walls, whereas the pale blue and cream of the larger mini quilt works beautifully in my sewing room.

See what I mean about how different one block can look by changing a few things?






I finished this little one as you would a quilt with wadding and backing, but I chose not to bind it but leave the edges raw, just a single line of stitching half inch inside the edge. A tiny hanger was stitched to the back. Final measurement is 6" wide x 6.5" high.

After it was completed this morning I was packing things up and tidying the cutting table when I spied a pack of small notebooks I bought recently. My intention was to sew some covers for them as they make very simple and useful gifts, easily posted too, so I thought before I stored away the fabrics used on the little house block I'd use some to make a cover and share a tutorial with you at the same time.




You will need:

One 3" x 9" (opened) notebook
One 4" x 10" rectangle of fabric for the cover
Two 4" x 6.5" rectangles of the same fabric for the sleeves
One 4" x 10" rectangle of lining fabric
buttons optional




Fold the smaller sleeve pieces in half across the centre and press the fold.




Lay the folded sleeves on top of the lining with the raw edges to the outside.




Lay the cover fabric right side down over the sleeves and lining. Pin all around.




Sew the layers together with a 1/4" seam around all sides, leaving a 2" opening at the middle of one long side.




Fold right side out and whip stitch the opening closed.




Iron the cover flat...




...and insert your notebook. Ta dah! (as Cully May says very often)






I decided to sew a few buttons on the front after I'd finished because they look cute (and match the little house block) so if you want to add some be sure not to stitch through the sleeve.




Have you started the mini quilt yet? Or do you think just a single block mini-mini-quilt would be just right for your home (or as a gift)?

When Blossom and Ross went off to the ultrasound on Monday I had the delight of babysitting the girls and what fun we had! I'd made them a tablecloth for their little table and chairs beside the cubby house and they feasted on strawberries, jam roll, cheese cubes with milky tea in their tin teapot and cups while I read to them.






We were all very excited waiting for mummy and daddy to return because they would tell us whether Cully May and Rafaella would be welcoming a baby sister or baby brother in early December.

It's a BOY!

Cully May was not at all surprised and declared, "I know, I told you!" (which she has been telling us for weeks) with the biggest grin. Aaah, what fun we have ahead.

Well, that's enough for today. Dinner is in the oven and the bell will go off soon so I'd best be off to slice the bread and warm the plates.

God bless you dear ones,
Loving hugs


22 comments:

Beth said...

Fun news!
The mini quilt is so cute and cheery!

Unknown said...

Que trabalhos lindos,os seus.Tbm amo ler suas postagens.Sou sua fã!!!!

Angela said...

I love the little notebook. I think I shall add a length of elastic to keep it closed in my bag.

Gill said...

Isn’t it amazing how children know these things! My four year old not only told us the sex, but also the name of his still only 16 week into pregnancy baby sibling to be!

Allie said...

That's going to be the most spoiled baby boy ever - with two big sisters to watch over him!!! What a blessing indeed! Love the little quilt and the tutorial, dear Jenny!!!!

Tammy said...

Congratulations on the upcoming Grand baby boy..I know you are all so excited to welcome him . Thank you for the lovely notebook cover tutorial . Love how you mini wall hanging turned out

Judy M said...

I love the little hanger for the quiet life mini quilt where did you get it?

kupton52 said...

Congratulations! As a mother of 3 girls I thought if I had a dozen they'd all be girls. My husband was a bit disappointed in that we didn't try for #4. He loves his daughters and is a wonderful dad but I suppose nearly every man on the planet wishes for a son. I'm happy for Blossom and the girls....having a little baby brother to spoil! Your notebook cover is so sweet and so simple. What a lovely favor this would make for my ladies church group. Thank you so much for sharing.

Joanne said...

Hi Jenny,
Thanks for another lovely tutorial !
Wishing you and your family happy and healthy months and years ahead !
hugs,
Joanne

Chris said...

I was thinking it was a boy! I have four grandsons and no granddaughters, but I wouldn't trade any of my precious boys. We always love what we get, don't we? Hugs to all of you and prayers for a serene pregnancy and easy delivery.

Dots said...

Hi Jenny, I am catching up a bit.I was in the hospital for about 4 days. On the mend, now. No Covid-19, thank the Lord.
So happy about the Grandson on his way. So much fun ahead.
The tablecloth for the girl's table looks so pretty, too.
Be well, Jenny.

Diane Downes said...

Congratulations on the new grandson! How exciting! I love your blog and tutorials and everything you share! Cullymae and Rafaella are adorable! Such fun! Thank you for all you do and your shared faith and wisdom! You are so talented! We are so blessed to be able to learn so much and share when we are half way around the world away! God is good! May he continue to bless you and your family.
Diane

wendy said...

Blessings to you and your family! A grandson will be a beloved addition to those sweet little girls. Thank you for the cute notebook holder and mini quilt!

Angie in SoCal said...

Just curious - how do you warm your plates? I don't have a warming oven. Cully May is so darling - always smiling. thank you for the tuturial.

Julie said...

Thanks for the wonderful patterns & tutorial Jenny. You know - when you are feeling a bit low ... all you would have to do is to look at that delightful Cully May's little face - especially her smile - & things would brighten up immediately! She is a treasure. Wonderful that they get to welcome a wee brother. xx

Susie said...

Such a pretty notebook cover. Congratulations on the lovely news. Similar to myself, two girls first then a boy. Such a joy.

BJ said...

Just had to wish congratulations to you and your family for the news about the baby. I'm a fan of the notebook cover. I came across the directions Blossom posted back in 2010 whilst reading old posts recently. I've made 2 so far and now you've given me the 'bug' to make more :) Thank you for all that you share.

Robin in New Jersey said...

Congratulations to Blossom and Ross! How exciting.

Ondrea said...

You must be over the moon with the news. The girls are so gorgeous and I can just see them mothering a little brother. I love how you make simple changes to one design and achieve such different looks. The note pad cover is a great idea as I also have a few in a drawer and use them in my handbag.

FlourishingPalms said...

You have a couple of wonderful "ta-dahs" there! Congratulations that you'll have a boy baby to cuddle. They're just as wonderful as the girls, but way more difficult to make things for! :-) Your embroidery designs are always sweet, and your notebook covers are just plain practical. Great stuff here, Jenny. Enjoy your grandies, as I know you are.

Susan said...

A boy will be a nice addition to two beautiful girls. I'm sure Mr. Blossom is thrilled! The girls look so happy! Congratulations to all who are waiting for this beautiful bundle. I had the thought, as I read through your post, that small changes make a difference in people as well as patterns. Small changes can make us very different, and bring about great miracles.

“Behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise. And the Lord God doth work by means to bring about his great and eternal purposes; and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls.” (Alma 37:6–7.)

Jenny of Elefantz said...

When i see them anywhere I buy them. They are great for small projects and gifts. :-)