Inspirational art

A finish and a post after a short interval…….

2011-03-10T07:38:00.000+04:00

Hi everyone!! Finally I am here after a small gap,with another wall hanging, which is again a gift for my dear friend who celebrated their wedding anniversary on the 7th of March. I took a long time in deciding what to make and later with less time in hand, it was quite a hectic few days wherein I completed this project. Moreover, with children’s exams going on, I had very limited time in hand to concentrate on my finish. But I am happy , I managed to finish this one on time and also happy that she liked this so much.

So, without anymore blah, blah let me show you my finish………..

This pattern is by Jane Spolar of Quilt poetry and is given here. I have made some small changes as per my convenience in this pattern, and I did free motion quilting on the back ground fabric. Here’s the close up.

I used a loop and a flower pattern for free motion, which was quite easy and covered the area faster.

I am itching to do some more new projects, but I am taking it slow now, I have to concentrate on my son’s studies,but will try to do get things done whenever possible.

Thank you for all your lovely comments and advices, and please continue supporting me with them always.

Regards to all my blogging friends, and I am sorry I was unable to visit your blogs recently, to see your beautiful work. But I will do so, as soon as I can, meanwhile happy stitching !! and Bye from Preeta.

Trying out cathedral window………

2011-02-22T12:32:00.005+04:00

After my hands on free motion quilting, next in my process of learning and adding one more feather on my cap, was to try the cathedral windows.   To start with I just made four windows, I used machine to sew down the curves, which was quite quick, but the process of ironing and making the squares would become a bit boring when it comes to making a decent size wall hanging.
But I was quite happy that I could manage this small piece without much hassles. Of course , there is so…. much room for improvement, but for the first attempt I was not looking for perfection, rather concentrating more on how to make it. The next step would be to perfect it.
I finished this small piece into a mug rug…..


I learnt that the background squares and the folds later should have perfect points, so as to get perfect curves, which is an area of opportunity for me. I will try making it perfect in my next cathedral window project. Before I take leave few more pictures of my mug rug…..


The coming weeks are going to be hectic, with my kids exams starting , I will have to spend some time with them looking into their studies. So my crafty pace will be a bit slow…..
Thank you for all your support, advice and comments on my crafty finishes. I hope you all will continue encouraging me like this with all your lovely comments. Till my next post , Bye and take care.

A baby quilt- a gift

2011-02-09T18:04:00.000+04:00

As I told you all in my previous post, I have become a confident quilter now, and so, this time I decided to make a baby quilt to gift one of my friend who was recently blessed with a baby boy. If it was before, I would have bought something for the baby, but now with my new learnt skill of free motion quilting, I thought nothing better than a warm personalized gift.

So here’s my finish which will be my blessing and warm wishes to the new born………….

The center fabric is a polka dot pastel green and the borders are printed teddy bears. I am sorry the picture is not clear. I have machine quilted the center …….

For the back I have used the same printed fabric…..

I am very happy that I managed a pretty decent gift, I hope my friend likes it too.

Thank you for all your lovely and motivating comments. It helps me push myself beyond my limitations and do more crafty finishes and learn better.

Please continue giving me encouragement and inspirations like this. Till my next post…. Its Adieu from me……

Another Milestone achieved…….

2011-02-03T09:46:00.000+04:00

Last one week I have been devotedly practicing and learning to make my hands perfect on free motion quilting. I also wanted to try out raw edge applique’ and last week I was full of energy and eagerness to do both.

My plan was to make a small wall hanging using raw edge applique’ and to try out free motion quilting on that. Well, while browsing online I came across a wonderful tutorial from Kellie of Don’t look now for a beautiful cushion cover. I made a wall hanging instead, using the same technique. I also went through some of the tutorials online on using a fusible web for applique’ .

I started my project with high spirits , and after deciding on my fabrics set out to do the applique shapes. I found using a fusible web to be very easy and was happy at the way things were progressing. Once I arranged all my shapes on to the background fabric the result was so nice that I became anxious to use my beginners skill of free motion on it, worried I might spoil the whole thing.

But they say …… take a leap with faith and I did just that and here’s the result of my faith and patience…….

Isn’t it beautiful…………. Well I know its not perfect, but for my first proper project its pretty decent and I am very happy.

Click on the picture to see the detailing…..

Initially I thought to sew the raw edge using the normal foot, but when I tried sewing the raw edge using my free motion foot it was better, though the stitches were not perfect, it was ok. I used the same color thread as the flowers to cover any irregularities.

Finally I machine quilted the back ground which was the most challenging part of the whole thing. ( You all must have seen my previous post about free motion quilting.) With that experience, I was really dreading to do it around my beautiful flower applique. But again faith, kept me going and it turned out to be beautiful……. but I must say it was not a smooth sailing, my hands used to really get tired moving the fabric around with all that strain. ( Because of the inexperience)

But this has helped me evolve as a more confident free motion quilter!! LOL ( Of course a Beginner quilter)

I have finished the wall hanging with a simple binding and loops with some buttons.

One final picture of my wall hanging…………(Am I showing off too much……??? Can’t resist !! Sorry…)

I MUST THANK KELLIE FOR HER WONDERFUL TUTORIALS…. I WILL BE TRYING OUT MORE OF HER TUTOIRALS FOR SURE.

Hope you all will surely send in your lovely comments and advices. I eagerly wait for them. Till my next post , Take care….

My free motion quilting journey……

2011-01-25T10:30:00.000+04:00

Warning : Long post…

After doing my hand quilting classes, which really requires time and patience… I had decided that I would definitely prefer machine quilting, since it would be faster and get me quicker results. But we human beings, don’t learn from our life experiences, that anything fast may end in furious results too.

Well this was an episode wherein I forgot that lesson of life, and along with my free motion foot plunged into my free motion quilting journey, not expecting what was going to come in the process.

I had that much sense as to start with a small project like some coasters. All motivated and charged, I downloaded some simple templates, transferred them onto my fabric, sandwiched my batting and backing and started off…….

To my disappointment , all my stitches were going haywire and moreover, the quilting stitches were not even seen. It looked more like an applique stitch…. very minute. I understood that there was some problem with the speed of my foot presser and my hand movement in moving my sandwich. I tried and tried but to no avail.

Frustrated, I called up my dear friend Nima, ( We call each other, during our ups and downs in our crafty process). I told her about the challenges I was facing with my free motion.

In fact there was a time when I felt like running away from my machine, I also felt hand quilting is much better since everything is in our control. Here everything is controlled by the machine. Though at the back of my mind I knew its only a matter of practice, I was so…. obsessed with getting quicker results.

Then later during the day, Nima called me up with some great information about quilting and forwarded me this site and this blog which was of great help. Next day I started with all new found knowledge and motivation. This time I din’t give up since I also realized that everything fast also needs patience and perseverance.

I hope I din’t bore you all with my quilting journey and long post. Before I end I would like to show you all the result of my trial and tribulations…..

And after seeing this I am sure you would also agree that these can’t be made into coasters. So please suggest what can I finish out of these.

The above are my first few trials…. and below is the one wherein I felt that I am improving so I can manage to show you the back of the sandwich too.

This is the front.

This is the back. Haven’t I progressed a bit??

There is still a long….. way to go till I even become half as good as many great quilters out there. But I would certainly not give up. I would also like to thank all those expert quilters who comes up with great tutorials and discussions.

With all hopes that I come up with better free motion finishes, let me take your leave.

Do send in your comments and advices, please………

A nice little tote…….

2011-01-22T11:40:00.000+04:00

Bags and totes are my all time favorites, and it can be made as quick gifts too. So this time for a quick finish, I decided to make a girly tote. As I have mentioned before, nowadays I am in love with embroidery and want to add a touch of embroidery in whatever I make. I am always inspired by the flickr embroidery group and now and then browse through them for some inspirations. This particular embroidery on my tote is from there. I loved the bunny in one of the finish and tried to draw it for transfer. Well I loved the result. Here it is……

The tote is not from any particular pattern, I have just used a basic pattern but I wanted to have a zipered pocket inside and also a magnetic clasp for closing. And I have used D- ring for the sling strap. I have to thank Nima for getting me some magnetic clasps and D rings from India. Thank you Nima, it was kind of you.

And here is the little embroidered bunny…. I have used simple back stitch and satin stitch for the eye.

One last look at my tote…..

I am happy with the finish and am planning to gift it to my close friend’s daughter.

Please do send in your lovely comments. I eagerly wait after every post to see them. Hoping to come back with more crafty posts. Take Care …. and Bye.

My small garden……

2011-01-22T10:48:00.000+04:00

The weather here in Muscat is pleasant and beautiful….. I eagerly wait for this season of the year, since it is during this time , that I can grow some lovely flowering plants in my little garden. Back in India we are so… used to the greenery, that I long to have some green space around me. But sadly due to the extreme summer here its quite difficult to maintain.

But I don’t l leave any chance I get, to do so in my little space during winter, which is quite pleasant here. And when I saw the result, I just couldn’t stop myself from showing it to you all. So have a look at my little garden…….

I love color and so I get colorful plants. These are some Zineas… and Marigold.

Aren’t they beautiful !! Well I don’t know the name of this one, but I love it and am awed by the perfectness of the petals and the color combination.

We can really use these colors from nature for our craft too. Believe me, you get great ideas with regards to combinations. And of course! make our life colorful too…

Will come soon with a crafty post. Till then enjoy the colors of nature…. Bye!!

Embroidered Needle case and pin cushion……

2011-01-17T11:15:00.000+04:00

This will be the first post of 2011, I know the start has been very slow and I am also not happy about it. So many things are there in my to –do list and I am confused. So I thought to take it slow and steady.

Anyway ….., if you all remember I had mentioned about making an embroidered needle case …. Though I had finished this quite some time back, I wanted to add a pincushion before I blogged about it. So, here it is…..

The needle case is made of scraps that was lying in my scrap box, I had seen this idea in one of the crafty blog, sorry I don’t have the link now. I have added a hand embroidery to it, and most importantly I tried attaching a magnetic clasp to close it.

The pincushion is also hand embroidered, and one of the patterns online. I really love surface embroidery, but too much time constrains.

I would really love to get your comments and advices on my finishes. Hoping to come up with some good finishes regularly….. Till then its Bye from Preeta!!

Wishing everyone a Happy and Blessed New Year.....

2010-12-31T08:56:00.000+04:00

By the Grace of God ......2010 was a blessed and wonderful year.....
There are only Good memories which I will always cherish in my life.
My crafty side was not very productive, though it has now come on track, this month. I hope my motivation continues throughout the next year.
2011-2012 is going to be very crucial for my elder son, He is in his last year of school...... ie Grade 12. So for me priority will be his things. I hope and pray that he comes out with flying colours and manages to get admission in a good college.
I also pray that all of you out there, have a healthy and blessed New Year. Please do keep me inspired and motivated with your lovely comments and creativity.

WISH YOU ALL A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Hands on free motion quilting……..

2010-12-29T15:57:00.000+04:00

My quilting classes was a turning point in developing my crafty hobbies further, and it always kept me inspired to do more of it. Its been more than a week since I got my free motion foot from Dubai, (courtesy Nima, since she frequently visits Dubai) I desperately wanted to try it.

That morning, I called up Nima to tell her that I am going to try out my free motion foot, and it so happened that the previous day Nima had tried hers. She told me about her experience with it and also warned me about breaking the sewing machine needle, since she broke two of hers during her trial. After hearing that I was a bit hesitant, since I had already broken mine long back, and I had only one left which I dint want to risk , lest I would be without any sewing at all till I get some new ones.

But I think my eagerness won over my apprehensions and I decided to try it anyway. Since I was already cautioned, I think I was extra careful , and could manage decently well. And this is what I managed…….

I have quilted the leaves templates, at the sides. Actually, this was a piece of fabric on which I was trying out some embroidery stitches called basket stitch. I have tried doing basket stitch on the stem and I just added two leaf applique’ to the stem. Here’s the close up…..

You will really require lot of practice for free motion to work smooth and neat around curves and other detailed quilting. If you see my work carefully you can see many mistakes but for the first attempt, I am happy. Before I leave , one more close up for you to see the mistakes I have done.

A Simple Needle case

2010-12-22T10:46:00.001+04:00

Lately, I am enjoying some hand embroidery and realized that I have been loosing needles here and there. It’s a bit scary with kids walking around the house and I am always worried it might poke someone. That’s when I felt that I needed a needle case desperately. I wanted to make an embroidered one but I dint have the patience till I finish the embroidery and also I dint have a felt piece with me.
Anyway, I decided to make a simple one for the emergency and later make one more. So here’s my needle case….

I have used a ready made satin ribbon binding, and its quite slippery, but I somehow managed. But its always better to used a cotton one which was learning for me. I also mentioned that I dint have felt, so would you like to see what I used instead….
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I had some flannel which my friend Nima got for me from India. I have cut a piece of that to pin my needles. I have also added pockets for the threads I need for a project.
My camera is still not repaired and the pictures are awful. Sorry for that. Bye for now, Hope to come back with another post soon.

Quilted Tote Bag…..

2010-12-12T16:36:00.000+04:00

As I was browsing online for some pattern for a tote bag, I was really impressed with this tutorial from allpeoplesquilt.com and wanted to try it immediately.

And I made this bag with a little variation, This is my finished work….

I am sorry the pictures are a bit dark, since this has been taken from my old camera, so till my new one is repaired I have to manage with this.

This is the quilted portion of the bag, and I have also attached a rickrack to it. There is one more addition which I really liked and that is the ribbon passing through an eyelet. I tried to fix an eyelet for the first time and its come out quite ok . As usual there is always room for improvement.

Below is the inside portion, I have used small printed fabric for lining, and there is big pocket too. Again the pictures aren’t great. The bag is quite roomy and I really felt happy sewing it.

Please do send in yotur comments and advices, for which I eagerly wait. Till my next post, Its Bye from me.

Applique tray cloth…..

2010-12-08T10:26:00.000+04:00

At the moment I have been bitten by the applique' bug and unintentionally also, I end up doing applique.

It so happened that I was trying to practice raw edge appliqueing with my sewing machine. I cut out a circle to begin with, brought down the stitch size to the smallest in my machine, and started sewing the circle leaving a quarter inch on the outer side of my circle. I just wanted to check out how it looks….. After cutting away the extra quarter inch. The circle looked pretty decent. Then an idea struck and I attached a handle and a spout to the circle, and it looked great but tilted on my background fabric, which was again a scrap.

But I din’t want to waste that teapot, so I cut out the teapot along with my background and thought of appliqueing it to some decent fabric and make it into a tray cloth. I added to the look by hand quilting some stitches as you will see here……..

I have used blanket stitches to applique the teapot onto this linen fabric, and have also used batting to give it some thickness. The binding fabric is a semi cotton polka dots. I also added a button for the lid. My dear friend Nima got me some lovely buttons from India. As and when I use you will see them. I was very happy with the finish and more happy that I could practice binding on this small tray cloth, since its been long I did binding on anything and I need to become perfect in it before I take up a big project.

Here’s one more close up of my finish…..

Thank you for all your lovely comments and advices , please continue giving them. Till the next post, its Bye from me.

A quilted zipper pouch…..

2010-12-04T18:50:00.000+04:00

The picture has not come out so well. This patterns is from make it perfect easy peasy zippered pouch.

It was an excellent tutorial and easy to understand.

I have used four strips of scraps that I had, for the front and hand quilted it. I have used batting for this and also lining inside….

Below is the back of the pouch, again since I had bits and pieces of this fabric, I had to join for the back too.

Sewing the zipper was not so difficult, but I know there is room for improvement. For the first attempt, I am quite satisfied.

Please do put in your comments as it encourages me to try out more……. Until the next post Bye!!

After a long break…….

2010-12-03T09:38:00.000+04:00

Well, it was a very long break for me, but lots of things have been happening these past months. It was quite hectic, but I don’t want to get you all bored with my stories. In the meantime, I have also been collecting fabrics and lots of fabrics to the extent that I started feeling so….. guilty that I am not doing anything other than accumulating them.

Finally I decided to start acting and stop going on a guilt ride. To start with and to motivate myself I needed a quick finish. So this is what I made……..

I started with this cushion cover for this natural fiber chair from IKEA. The fabric is cotton which I had got from my trip to India this time. This is the first time I tried sewing a cushion cover using four triangular pieces of fabric. Its quite simple and there are a number of tutorials available online.

I was quite happy with the result. Here’s a closer look…..

SoSo what say folks!! Do send in your lovely comments on this.

Now that I have got my mojo back, I hope to come up with more frequent post and finishes. Till then its Bye from me.

Embroidery block ……

2010-09-20T17:41:00.001+04:00

Since last few days I have been embroidering a bit, and slowly and steadily I managed to finish one block. My plan is to make three block and make it into a wall hanging. So here’s my first one…..

I have used simple backstitch on the pattern, and it is done on an even weave fabric, which my very dear friend Nima gave me, to cross stitch. Though I love cross stitch, I don’t know I find it difficult to concentrate on the count and after some time I feel my head is spinning. So I thought that I would stick to simple embroidery.

Please do send in your comments for which I wait eagerly. Till my next post its Bye!! from Preeta.

Pintuck pillows……….

2010-09-20T17:21:00.001+04:00

Another post after a long time, but I am taking it easy and doing whenever I find time from my busy schedule. And this time it is the most quick and easy home decor I always love making.

During our vacation this time in India , I happened to see a tunic and loved the simple pintuck stitches done on it. Of course I picked up the tunic for myself, and decided to look out for a tutorial on how to do it, once I return back.

Today when I was browsing the net I found a great tutorial, and immediately started working on it. And this is what I made…..

I used a pure silk fabric to make this cushion since it looks rich with this simple pattern also.

A close look at my pintuck stitches….

This tutorial is from sew neat pintuck stitches. It was a simple and step by step tutorial and I loved making it. I am planning to make two more like this one. But I couldn’t wait to blog as soon as I managed to finish one.

Happy to be back with a post……

2010-08-31T10:53:00.001+04:00

APPLIQUED LEAF CANDLESCAPE…....

After a long time I got the mojo to do some sewing, and I wanted to do a quick finish . Sometime back while browsing through some crafty blogs I found a nice cozy table topper, which really inspired me to make one. The pattern was by Joan Grenke , featured in quilt mag and it was made of wool felt.

Since, I love doing appliqué, I thought I will do the same in appliqué using fabric. And here’s the one I finished.

I have used cotton fabric for the leaf which is appliquéd on the circular green fabric and the whole green circle is again hand appliquéd onto the yellow printed fabric.

My dear friend Nima gave me this idea to make a nice neat circle using square blocks, and I used the same method to make the star shape around the circle.

Though a small project, I feel happy that I started something after a long break, and hope this mojo continues.

Please do send in your lovely, encouraging comments , It will really encourage me to do more.

Back after a long and rejuvenating holiday……

2010-08-09T15:50:00.001+04:00

Its been really very long since I have blogged or visited my blogging friends, but I was travelling from one place to the other and couldn’t access the internet. However, I enjoyed every bit of my holiday, spending time with my family back home in
India and the best part of our holiday was our trip to Malaysia and Singapore.

We thoroughly enjoyed this trip and kids freaked out too. Other than sightseeing, shopping and fun I was thrilled…. to be able to meet my blogging friend Zura in Malaysia who came all the way to our hotel to meet me. Thank you Zura…… ( I am sending you our snap soon.) It was so…. nice of you. I hope you too will soon make a trip to Oman whenever it is possible.

Malaysia was beautiful, and Singapore was fun we enjoyed every moment of our stay . I am pasting some snaps here.

Above is the view from the Kuala Lumpur Tower, which is called KL Tower.

This place was of great interest for me and I am sure all craft lovers would find it very interesting. Batik craft of Malaysia.

I was extremely impressed by their free hand designs…….

Zura was also kind to gift me a beautiful batik fabric which I am unable to show you all since after coming back my camera is not working.

And last but not the least , With the three men in my life…

Now I will take some time to come back to my crafty journey, since I am settling down and managing without a maid too.

Till my next post , its Bye from Preeta.

Cushion covers for my sister……

2010-06-01T18:56:00.001+04:00

As I told you in my previous post, I am in a blogging spree and trying to blog about all my crafty finishes. Once I am in India, it would be difficult for me to blog since we will be moving around to different places.

I managed to make these cushion covers for my dear sister, since I had a sample cover of her cushions which came with me by mistake alongwith my stuff, when I visited India last year. (Though all the cushions have a standard size , in India people get there cushions custom made. So these covers are a little loose for my cushions)

The black and white printed ones are made from upholstery fabric, and I loved the print. The other two are made from plain black linen fabric, and I have embellished them with the crochet doilies I made sometime back. ( If you remember my previous post about the doilie)

I am sure my sis will love them….

I look forward to reading all your lovely comments, I might not be able to reply to your comments and emails immediately since I am travelling. But whenever I am able to access the net I will try and reply and visit all the blogs I follow. Until then its bye from Preeta.

Gift baskets for my loved ones…..

2010-06-01T18:13:00.001+04:00

I haven’t blogged since long about my crafty finishes, since I was focusing more on completing my work. Today I am leaving for India, I have used the early check-in system and have already checked in my luggage. So finally I am at ease and I have all the time to peacefully blog my finishes before my flight which is in the night. This time I decided to make these baskets to gift chocolates to my loved one back in India. Since it can be flattened it is easy for me to take it along. This is a tutorial from bread basket and I felt it is perfect to give a personal touch to your gifts.

I made six of them with golden ribbon to tie……..

Please do send in your lovely comments, I eagerly look forward for your suggestions and encouragement.

Crochet finishes……

2010-06-01T17:43:00.001+04:00

I have been doing this crochet edging since quite sometime, juggling between sewing some gifts, and a hectic routine of shopping, kids exams and daily household work.

Though it took me quite sometime to finish this one, I am happy I managed to complete it before I left for my summer holidays to India.

So here’s what I managed to do….

I had also made a lavender sachet. Since I am still in the process of learning to crochet, there is so much room for improvement and perfection. So, while I am holidaying I will try to improve my crochet too, since that is the only thing I can do when I am away from my sewing machine and stashes over here.

Sew it:

2010-05-17T16:46:00.001+04:00

Its been long since I took part in sew it on Mayya’s blog. There were so many other things that needed finishing, so I was a little hesitant to join.

This time there was a tie on Sew it, between a mobile / ipod case and a straight line skirt. I had voted for the case, since it would have been a cute thing to give to my friends back in India. ( If you have read my previous posts, you would have realized that I am getting ready for my holidays)

I have already made two of them, and would try make some more so lets have a look at my finishes……..

One of them is smaller than the given measurement in the tutorial, since I wanted to use it as a mobile case and the other one can be used either as a PSP case or a camera case.

This tutorial from a pretty cool life, is very simple and quick finish and I am sure everyone will enjoy doing this. Thank you Mayya for this wonderful tutorial.

Double sided table runner……….

2010-05-17T11:07:00.001+04:00

I am in a spree of making gifts, and in the process this is my second table runner, a simple one but double sided. At the moment my mind is full of ideas, but with so less time I can action out only those that are easy and quick. And so, this table runner……

Well, its a bit long for my buffet hutch, but since its going to be for a long dining table I have made it longer. The center fabric used here is moda fabric , and the border is done with mitered corners. I have really started loving mitering the corners.

And now for the other side of this runner…….. Voila!!

For this side I have used plain off white linen for the center and for the border it is a printed floral pattern. I loved the combo, but this time I chose to sew the border straight and simple.

Now let me show you both sides together…..

So…. How that???

Thank you everyone, for all those lovely comments, please do continue to sending in your comment for which I eagerly wait.

Until my next post, Bye from Preeta…..

Zig Zig Table runner…….

2010-05-11T16:19:00.001+04:00

With the summer vacations nearing I am eagerly looking forward for our trip to India. Getting ready for vacation means shopping, purchasing gifts, chocolates …………. And now that I am actively sewing, I thought why not make some gifts with a personal touch.

And what better than a table runner. After my hand quilting lessons, I wanted to try something on my own, but had decided I would use my sewing machine to make the patches. And finally I made a table runner with zig-zag patches. This design is by Sue Harvey. ( I am sorry I din’t save the website)

It was much quicker than hand quilting, though I dint do any quilting stitches on the runner, I have used batting to give it a little thickness. My binding still need more practice and perfection but I was happy with the result. I also gained more confidence.

A close look at my patches….

It took a lot of time deciding with fabric to use, and still I feel the combo could have been better, but then I am still learning.

One more closer look at my runner……

Friends, please do give your sincere and lovely comments, for which I eagerly wait. Thank you, to all those who have send in their comments for my previous posts, It has always motivated me to do more.

Embroidered orange work cushions……..

2010-05-10T11:54:00.001+04:00

You all must have heard a lot about red work, and we all will agree that it is the most simple yet beautiful type of embroidery. Like most embroidery lovers, even I love red work.

But this time I felt like changing the color a bit to match my decor, and finally I did orange work embroidery. This circular designs are done using back stitch on an off white piece of linen.

I wanted to make them into cushions and so….. here is my finished work …….

A close look at my embroidery……

I am not very happy with the pictures, but I guess the designs are quite clear.

Thank you all for your wonderful and encouraging comments for my wall hanging. Please continue motivating me with your lovely comments and advices. Until my next crafty post…. Bye and take care.

My Wall Hanging finally……..

2010-05-04T10:59:00.001+04:00

You all know from my previous posts about my hand quilting lessons….. In between I had posted my quilting work in progress. Last Tuesday was our last quilting class, wherein Selvie taught us to do the binding part of the wall hanging. I couldn’t manage to finish it that week but yesterday finally I decided, that I have to get this done. Binding is not a difficult task, but to get perfect mitered corners one should really have good practice.

I managed to finish my wall hanging and I am really thrilled and proud to exhibit it in my hall. So ….. here comes my creation……

Can you see my quilting on that rail fence block….. I just used diagonal lines to do this part and it gave my block a beautiful effect.

For this block I made a template of the pattern and l loved it…….

I feel so good after having done this course, and I would love to learn machine quilting too whenever I get a chance. Selvie has been a great teacher and I really enjoyed the whole experience, though I should admit that the quilting part did seem never ending at times. But with end result proudly hanging on my wall and all the praises I got from my husband , my kids and friends I feel great!!!!

Friends….. Please do send in your lovely comments, I eagerly wait to hear from all of you out there, and it encourages me to do more and more.

My first crochet doilie…

2010-05-04T10:25:00.001+04:00

Crochet and knitting always fascinated me since my childhood, especially because the place where I grew up, which is the western part of India – Gujarat … ladies would not go out from their houses without a knitting or crochet needle and yarn. ( The place has extreme weather conditions so winters would be extremely cold)

I would always wonder, how these ladies managed to concentrate on their knitting while busy talking with each other. Whatever, but their end results would be beautiful sweaters and mufflers….

After all these years, recently I got to see my dear friend Nima who is a crochet expert coming up with lovely creations and that tiny little flame inside me became a burning desire to learn this craft. Initially I started with a small coaster which I had blogged long back . Then there was a break on my crochet, since I had so many other things going on and now finally I have started trying my hands on it again.

The result was this small doily……

Once I got a hang of it, I realized that this the best craft that could be done watching one of your favourite TV programs. And this was exactly what those ladies were doing those times, Instead of watching TV they would chat with each other doing crochet or knitting. What a productive way to leisure……

One last look at my doily….

Announcing my come back after a very long break…… and my new found passion…..

2010-04-08T10:57:00.001+04:00

Its been almost two months now since I last blogged or posted any crafty finishes. Today is my come back day, and I feel very happy about it. My world was revolving around my elder son and his central board examinations, which also for him was a path that would lead him to a new phase and direction of his life. Not that I had to teach him or anything but just being there for him every moment was important at this juncture and that is what I did.

I am happy now that he has completed his exams and is now relaxing before he starts his new academic year next week. Last two months I have not done any sewing at all, but I was going for my hand quilting classes and working on a wall hanging.

It was lovely to see my wall hanging shaping up and now I think, I have got a hang on making blocks, applique, sashing, batting …. in short all the quilting fundas…. I am really enjoying doing this and I feel great to show off my work in progress.

These are the four blocks that I made to finally make into a wall hanging, and …… here’s my joined blocks……….

I have sandwiched and basted it and now begins my quilting stitches, which I am practicing on a piece of sandwiched fabric, The challenge is to get equal length and equidistant stitches. I am slowly getting a hang of it but not yet perfect. Here are my trials… First one is the front of my fabric, and the second one is the back.

I am sorry since the fabric is plain the stitches are not very visible.

I would also like to thank Selvie , who is an active committee member of the The Muscat quilt guild, and my teacher on hand quilting.

I would really love to get your lovely comments, from everyone of you out there…. .

To my few blogging friends…. I am sorry I had disconnected myself , for a while but now on I will try to be regular to visit and comment on your blogs. Please continue keeping in touch.

Sew it : Patchwork pillow

2010-02-13T16:30:00.001+04:00

After a short break Sew it is back with a bang and a new look at Mayya’s blog Sew Chic and Unique. It was fun voting for Sew it and this Wonky Pink Patchwork Pillow by Vanessa @ live laugh sew got maximum votes. I was very excited and happy to know the results, since past few days I had been bitten by the patchwork bug, and have been trying my hands on patchwork stuff. And as if I was attracting more of patchwork from the universe, Mayya also featured this one on Sew it. Great…..lol.

Finally I dug through my scrap and assembled all my little fabrics together to make my colorful - scrapful pillow……

I enjoyed making it since I love color, and also because I used up most of my scrap. The back side of my pillow looks like this…

Here’s one more picture of my pillow, Oh !! Oh!! Am I showing off too much??

Thank you Mayya, for this wonderful tutorial. I am really getting good practice doing patchwork , before I join my Quilting classes this week.

A Bag at last……

2010-02-09T16:45:00.002+04:00

After getting some lovely and motivating comments for my patchwork pouch, I got the courage to play more with patches.   And this time I managed to make a bag.    This was also my first step towards quilting, because this is the first time I have used batting to make a quilted bag, though I have just used straight and horizontal stitching to quilt it.
I also wanted to include a little bit of my painting skills into it. I am fascinated with tribal paintings and here also, I have used Warli painting on the plain blocks. Let me give you a glimpse of my bag first and then I will go into its details.

This bag is inspired by Rachel Griffith’s friendship bag tutorial from P.S I quilt .   The tutorial is perfect and easy to understand. Thank you so… much Rachel for this tutorial. I have tried to make my version of this quilted bag. And I am very happy with the result.

Now getting into the details of the bag, I have used white linen fabric and printed cotton fabric for the blocks. I used fabric paints to paint on the white linen blocks. The lining is again mustard yellow checks, since it goes well with the color of the paint I have used for the outer part of the bag.

I did not add any pockets to the bag since I wanted to use it to take my fabrics and stuff for my quilting course, and a roomy bag was the best option. You can see the close up of my Warli painting here…..
So….. What do you all think about it?    Awaiting your friendly comments and suggestions. Until my next post, Its Bye from Preeta.

Patchwork pouch…..

2010-02-06T13:58:00.002+04:00

Its been ages since I have posted any finishes, but past few days have been hectic, with my time revolving around my son whose preliminary exams are going on.
Meanwhile, I am also getting an opportunity to join quilting course under Sylvie’s guidance ( Sylvie is a committee member of the Muscat quilters guild) and I don’t want to miss this chance. I still have to get confirmation from their side about it. But I thought I will start getting ready from my side . Since they had already sent a list of things needed for the course, I wanted to make a pouch to carry all my little stuff . I was working on making the patches that I made, into a tray cloth with mitered corners. I had almost finished it and then an idea struck !! why not make it into a pouch.
So finally my tray cloth turned into a pouch, and here it is…..

I also wanted to try making fabric buttons, and decided to use my pouch to try it on. So I have used fabric button with loops to close the pouch from the corners. My mitered corners need some more practice to be perfect, but I am happy with the result for now.

Its a simple spacious pouch, in which I can carry all my small stuff needed for my quilting course.

Please do send in your lovely comments, as it inspires me to do more and try out new things.

A dream turning to reality…..

2010-01-24T15:04:00.001+04:00

In the beginning of this year, I had mentioned that I wished to learn new things with regards to my hobby, and yesterday I got a chance to accomplish this wish of mine.

Myself and Nima went for the Muscat Quilt Guild Meet for the first time. It was an excellent experience. We were introduce to the members of the guild and after doing our introductions, they started with the meet. The Show and tell session left me awed…. and inspired, and I was all set to learn this lovely craft of quilting. Here are some pictures from Show and tell session….

Aren’t all those Quilts fabulous…..

The main attraction for us was the paper piecing technique, and Sylvie , one of the committee member was very kind to demonstrate this technique to us and we gathered all the knowledge we could, eager to try it on our own.

Previously I had tried to do some patchwork myself, but this technique made the work more simple and perfect.

Below are all the pictures of my trial and errors…..

These are the patches I did myself with the help of an online tutorial. Please help me decide what I should make with these patches , I am short of ideas.

The next comes my paper piecing technique which was a disaster the first time. The side patches at the top has disappeared when I added banding to it due to less seam.

But I was adamant that I would make it perfect, so I made another one…… and this was better than the first, but can be made more perfect at the border.

So… What do you think of it? Please do send your lovely comments and suggestions to keep me motivated and inspired.

Last but not the least, there was a Flea market too at the MQG meet, and with valentines day nearing , my attraction to RED cannot be blamed. I picked up these two adorable fabrics, at the flea market.

I have not decided what I will make out of them, but at the moment I am thrilled to have these.

I am doing some embroidery stuff next, so will come with the post as soon as I finish. Till then its Bye from Preeta.

Patch work puffy pouch……

2010-01-16T19:06:00.002+04:00

The other day Nima sent me a link which had the tutorial for a patchwork pouch. When I saw the pouch I was so… impressed that I wanted to sew it immediately. The tutorial was from Pink penguin. And here’s what I managed to finish…..

I have used beige linen and printed cotton fabric for the patches. I was under a dilemma weather to sew the ribbon or not, so I have just pinned the ribbon at the side temporarily.
With my little experience in sewing I thought this pouch would be a little tricky, but the tutorial was simple and easy to understand. I still think it could be made with better finish next time I try.

One more final picture of my patchwork puffy pouch…… Since there is no natural light the picture is not very bright. Sorry about that.

Nima also made one, with little variation, and it looks lovely. You can head on to her blog view her post.
Looking forward to your lovely comments. Until my next post, Adieu!!

Valentine : Hand Embroidery

2010-01-16T11:26:00.001+04:00

Since long I have been bitten by the hand embroidery bug, but was not able to finish a project, Finally I decided to do a quick finish to the get the satisfaction of completing something.

With valentines day approaching, I decided to make this small piece of embroidery work, and here’s my finish……

Embroidered on black linen, I have used only outline stitches for these two love birds. Here’s one more close picture of my work……

I am planning to frame it and gift it to my hubby on valentines day.

Thank you for all your comments on my previous posts, Do continue post your comments, and encourage me to do more.

Till my next finish, its Bye from Preeta.

Sew it: Origami drawstring pouch

2010-01-04T09:26:00.001+04:00

Hi everyone!! This will be my first project of 2010, and also the first feature in my new blog. Last year I started my sewing project with Sew it, and I really enjoy doing it. I couldnt participate in the last two Sew it features, but I am happy to have managed to participate this time. And coincidently my first project this year is also Sew it.

This time Mayya has given us two options and I chose to do the second one that is the Origami drawstring pouch from my little mochi.

Here’s my finished work….

And guess what!! I did two of them. Here’s my second one….

Well, why did I sew two of them? That is because, my sister who is back in India, has requested me to stitch, two of everything I can if possible so that when I go to India, she can have one. And I promised her I will try my best to do that.

Here’s one final picture……

Anyone who is interested to participate in Sew it, please head on to Mayya’s blog. I really enjoyed this quick and easy feature. Thank you Mayya.

Note: I thank everyone of you who have encouraged me and hope you will continue doing so this year as well. I am still trying to get used to all the new features of blogger, so please co-operate with me till I settle down with my new blog and excuse me if there is any inconvenience .

Another year and a new beginning……

2010-01-02T15:21:00.002+04:00

Let me wish all of you a very Happy new year!! I hope and wish that the year ahead brings everyone good health and prosperity and more drive and passion to unleash all your creativity.
From my side, I will not leave any opportunity to learn more of everything I love doing… be it Sewing, Crochet, Embroidery or Painting. And with all these desires, I start my year with a new blog address too….
I am shifting my blog to blogger, since I find it more user friendly.
Everyone who wishes to view my old posts can visit
http://preet25.wordpress.com/
All my new posts will be added in the following address:
http://preethobby.blogspot.com/
I hope all of you who have supported me and encouraged me the previous year will continue doing so this year too.
I hope, I will find more blogging friends with similar interests like mine this year, and they will help me learn more and encourage me with their friendly whispers…………
I will be posting all my new finishes on this blog from today……
Till then, Good luck!! from Preeta.