Latest Projects in the Studio - Needlepoint!

 Hi!

Hope you are having a great Autumn. In between picking figs from our fig tree, I have been working on a little needlework. I will get back to quilting the finished Dresden Plate quilt top, but it was fun to take a break and work with another medium and project. 

Many years ago (decades!) I purchased some needlepoint supplies - canvas and a bit of yarn. After working on the Aurifil Dresden Summer Quilt-along project I was inspired to try some more needle work. It is something I enjoy. I haven't done much needle point, but I decided to try it again. I am enjoying it very much!

I had thought about buying one of the beautiful Ehrman Tapestry kits, but I really wanted to use my own design, created from my artwork.

Here is the finished Needlepoint Canvas. It is from a drawing of one of my Breadseed Poppy photos.

Needlepoint Poppy Design, size 5 and 3 Perle cotton on size 13 canvas

Needlepoint Poppy close up

I had to replenish my #5 Perle Cotton supply, so I ordered some from Michaels. Happily they had a sale at the time. I used a bit of #3 Thread I had in my stash also. 

New threads - DMC from Michaels

Thread aftermath on table (after stitching
some!)

Here is my original Sketchbook drawing:

Original Sketchbook Poppy Drawing

I'm planning to design another piece, using a bit smaller canvas, since my canvas base was showing a bit. (I used #13 canvas, I have some #14 canvas which is a bit smaller). I am still very happy with the outcome. 

I plan on creating several projects inspired by the photos I took 2 seasons ago of our poppies. 

Recently planted some more Breadseed Poppies this month and they are coming up!

Wishing you a Blessed Thanksgiving and Fall! And many Stitching Adventures!

Denise A. Buchwalter-Losczyk

Completing older projects - this one is from the 1990's!

Hi,

I recently decided to spend this year completing some of my older projects. I realized I have many that are in progress! 

I decided to add a binding to this little quilt which I began in the 1990s. I liked the 1930s reproduction prints at the time (I still do!), they reminded me of quilts my mom had made when she was younger, and one yellow quilt of hers that I grew up looking at a lot. I found the little prints fascinating. 

 I also finished stitching down some hexagons which I had basted to it a few years ago, when I was trying out hexagons with English Paper Piecing. I plan to continue working on it and add a bit more hand quilting. It will be a great way to practice stitching. The little quilt originally was stalled when I wasn't pleased with all my quilting designs. Though, I think my stitches look very nice!

Little wall size quilt. Feeling more complete!

Detail, center of quilt. I may name it
 "Trip Around the Kitty".

Quilt Detail.

Since then I've been doing mostly machine quilting with a bit of hand work occasionally. 

I am looking back on this project less judgmentally and it feels good to have somewhat finished this little one, and made a plan for it!

It brings back memories of another "Trip Around the World" quilt I hand quilted and sold to a friend as a baby quilt. I followed the process to make the quilt after watching Eleanor Burns on the Quilt in a Day TV show.

How many UFOs (unfinished objects) do you have in your Studio? It is fun to finish them, but sometimes they are just a record of what we were doing, or the quilting journey we were taking at the time! 

Let me know in the comments if you like! I would love to hear from you.  

Hope you are enjoying the seasons and creating something fun in your Studio or Sewing room!

Blessings,

Denise A. Buchwalter-Losczyk

Dresden Summer Stitch Along Update - Final Weeks - Week 6 and 7!

 Hi,

I have had a fun Summer, stitching along on this project! Thanks to Aurifil, Moda and Susan Ache. Here are my final two embroidered blocks:

Last 2 stitched Susan Ache embroidery designs

I completed 9 Dresden Plates to create a smaller version of the quilt. I also changed the layout a bit from the quilt along, mine is a bit simpler.

I added some light gold fabric for the sashing and plan to add light blue and lavender fabrics for the borders. I had a mini charm pack in my fabric stash that had gold and black prints, and bees on it, which I'm using for cornerstones. I plan to add an additional bit of green ivy print fabric for the outside border. 

Here is a photo of the completed Dresden plates laid out on my guest bed, just before sewing the sashing and corner stones. (The guest bed makes a great place to lay out a design!) I plan to gift this little quilt, I made extra embroidered center so I can make a quilt for our home later, perhaps.

Quilt laid out on bed, before sewing.

Pressing tips:

I had some difficulty getting some of my pieced Dresden plates to lay flat. Here is how I solved the problem, which was caused by over ironing and steaming too much!

I sewed the wedges together in sections. I very gently finger pressed the seams to one side after stitching each section (no obsessive finger pressing or ironing!). (I sewed 2 wedges together, then sewed those to 2 other sewn wedges, then 4 wedges to 4 wedges, then finally connected all the sections, to complete the plate.)

Then I pressed (not ironed) with NO steam the seam side of the block, then turned it over and pressed (not ironed) the front side (emphasis on NO steam!). The plates came out perfect and laid nicely on my background fabric. 

Here are the links to the final postings for the Stitch Along:

https://auribuzz.com/2025/08/29/dresden-summer-stitch-along-week-6/

https://auribuzz.com/2025/09/12/dresden-summer-stitch-along-the-final-installment/


I hope you have had fun stitching along or will perhaps save the project to create later! I'll share a completed photo once the quilt is done!

Many Blessings to you,

Denise A. Buchwalter-Losczyk

Dresden Stitch-along update - Week 5 and some canning too!

Hi!

I've really been enjoying stitching along on this project. Here are some photos of my progress for Week 5. I have been busy working on the project and doing some canning a bit too.

Stitched Susan Ache embroidery designs for Dresden centers.

Appliqued, one completed Dresden block with embroidered center
 (Susan Ache embroidery design).

My studio time has been interrupted a tiny bit by food preserving. We didn't have as much fruit this year (last year we had tons to share), but we still have enough to put away some. I'm doing mostly canning, as our freezer is currently full of other things!

Here is the latest I've canned - some Fig Jam/Sauce. I used a little bit of honey and molasses in it, the figs already have some sweetness to them. I've also canned Blackberry Jam, Asian Pear Jam, and some Kumquat Jam/Sauce from Kumquats gifted to us by friends (I had them in the freezer). Also managed to freeze a few apples for pie!. It is nice to have some fruit to put away for the months ahead.

Fig Jam in jars.

Here is the link to this week's Dresden Stitch-a-long. You can still download and save the previous weeks, and stitch whenever you like!

https://auribuzz.com/2025/08/15/dresden-summer-stitch-along-week-5/


I like Susan Ache's embroidery designs very much! Thanks to Moda, Aurifil and Susan Ache for this fun project.

Wishing you a great rest of your Summer!

Blessings,

Denise A. Buchwalter-Losczyk

Dresden Summer Stitch Along Week 4 progress!

 Hi!

I've been enjoying working on the embroidery for Week 4 of the Aurifil, Moda and Susan Ache Dresden Stitch-Along Quilt project. I am contemplating creating some of my own hand embroidery line drawings for future projects! It is very relaxing stitching the designs. I do like Susan Ache's designs!

Here are my stitched designs for this week:

This week's stitched designs - I enjoyed playing with the placement of the thread colors to change the look of the designs.

I've prepared some of the stitched centers this week. I was starting to stitch the Dresden wedges together. The first 2 circles (Dresden plates) came out beautifully and laid flat. Then, I think I got carried away a bit and ironed them a bit much, and maybe too much steam on my fabric wedges cut from pre-cuts. I am going to experiment with some ideas, then I will share what I find out! (To avoid the not laying flat part.)

Prepared embroidery centers for Dresden Plates

How the embroidered center will look with the Dresden plate wedges

Here is the link to this week's designs:


https://auribuzz.com/2025/08/01/dresden-summer-stitch-along-week-4/

I hope you are stitching something beautiful and having a great Summer season!

Many Blessings to you,

Denise A. Buchwalter-Losczyk

Dresden Summer Stitch Along - Progress update! Week 3 sewing and embroidery

Hi!

A little update on my progress on the Dresden Summer Stitch Along - here are my embroidered blocks from Week 3:

Week 3 Susan Ache Embroidery Designs stitched

Here is the back side of the embroidery, I carry my stitches along by catching the thread in the previous stitches. This way it doesn't show through the fabric on the right side.

Backside of the embroideries (fun to see)!

I have been busy preparing wedges for the Dresden blocks too, here are some I've created so far, there are 240 wedges in the quilt:

Some of my prepared wedges - using Riley Blake Liberty London
fabric (a 10 inch layer cake) and Kaufman fabrics (a jelly roll).

And, I even managed to sew some of the wedges together to make 2 Dresden plates. I still need to add the centers. I was thrilled with the result! I think I may be adding some more Dresden Plate projects to my list of quilts to make!

Dresden plate blades sewn together.

I'm enjoying this process, just doing a little at a time. I cut and sew a few hours in the afternoon in my studio, not all day! I have been stitching some of the embroidery in the evening too.

I hope you are creating something wonderful this Summer! It is great for lifting your spirits, and you have beautiful projects as a result, too.

Blessings to you,

Denise A. Buchwalter-Losczyk

Dresden Summer Stitch Along Week 3 - sharing the link

Hi,

A very short post today - I am sharing the link for the Dresden Summer Stitch Along, Week 3, with Aurifil, Moda, and Susan Ache!

Here is the link: https://auribuzz.com/2025/07/18/dresden-summer-stitch-along-week-3/

I am excited to see this weeks' embroidery designs. I have been enjoying working on this project. I'll share my progress with it in a later post.

Happy Stitching and Summer to you!

Blessings,

Denise A. Buchwalter-Losczyk

Progress on Aurifil Dresden Summer Stitch Along - Week 2 embroidery designs by Susan Ache

Hi,

Hope you are doing well and having a good Summer. 

Today I'm posting my progress on the Aurifil Dresden Summer Stitch Along. The stitch along is for a Dresden quilt with hand embroidery designs. I forgot how much I enjoy doing stamped line embroidery! I finished stitching my Week 1 designs, so I was looking forward to Week 2 so I could stitch some more! It is very relaxing, and also working on them has inspired me to get out my embroidery books to possibly try out some more stitches.

Here is this weeks progress:

Embroidered designs (I chose to use 2 colors in one design, and I may add some French knots to the center!)

Stitched week 2 Susan Ache designs - I chose to use 8 weight
Pearl cotton (I have a little stash of it!) You can also use 
Aurifil thread.

Detail of embroidered design - I like playing with combining the
thread colors to match my fabrics

I have been busy cutting out fabric and sewing the Dresden wedges for the quilt. There are a lot of them to prepare. I was tracing the template and cutting them out with my rotary cutter. Since I have a cutting machine (Brother Scan n Cut DX125) I decided to try that. I made a tracing of the wedges to scan into my machine. I was able to cut out 8 wedges at a time from my 10 inch squares (layer cake) of fabric. I am still using the rotary cutter for cutting out pieces from jelly rolls. I could get a little more from the 10 inch square cutting by hand, but it takes a bit more time! I have more projects to work on, so I decided to give the cutting machine a try.

Here is a photo of my chain piecing so far - I pieced these on my Brother PQ1500S straight stitch machine - it did a great job!

Chain piecing makes a fun banner!


You can get the 2 designs for this week at this address:

auribuzz.com/2025/07/04/Dresden-Summer-Stitch-Along-week/2

Hope you enjoy this shared project!

Happy Quilting,

Blessings,

Denise A Buchwalter-Losczyk                              .

Tumbler Quilt Project closer to being completed! And a Summer Quilt Along you can join in on!

Hi!

Hope you are doing well and having a good beginning to your Summer. 

This year I am hoping to finish some uncompleted projects. I recently added binding to my Tumbler quilt, and it is now closer to completion. I plan to add some embellishments on the border - I will share once that is completed! (I have some ideas in mind!)

Here is a photo of my Tumbler quilt without the planned embellishments:

Bound Tumbler Quilt

Binding Detail on Tumbler Quilt - hand quilting on the border

I'm hoping to enter this into a show, I recently realized a Tumbler quilt is one of the easier quilt blocks to sew! I used my Accu-Quilt Tumbler die to cut out my fabrics. I'm hoping adding some extra touches will help elevate my quilt a bit more.

Of course, I couldn't help but start a new project. I recently saw the Aurifil 2025 Summer Quilt Along designed by Susan Ache with Moda fabrics. It has embroidery stitching in the centers, and is a Dresden plate design. I usually create my own designs, but once in a while something just looks fun to make. I like her Cross-stitch designs very much, and I enjoy doing stamped embroidery, so it looked like a relaxing project to create. Also, it will be my first Dresden quilt created without paper-piecing!

Here is my earlier quilt with Dresden plates paper-pieced. It also has machine applique on it. I designed and made this for the 2009 Hoffman Challenge. It was accepted and shown in the juried show.

2009 "Water Lily Medallion" designed, pieced and
quilted by Denise A Buchwalter-Losczyk
Created for the 2009 Hoffman Challenge

                                

I'm hoping to make 2 quilts, one for myself and one to gift.

The first 2 embroidered blocks, and some of the fabrics I am using for the Dresden wedges (I decided to use threads that match my fabrics for the embroidery):

Embroidered Susan Ache designs for the 2025 Summer Quilt Along

Some of the fabrics and threads I will be using,
Kaufmann and Liberty for Riley Blake fabrics

You can join the Quilt Along here, at Aurifil: auribuzz.com/2025/06/20/dresden-summer-stitch-along-week/1

Wishing you a relaxing and enjoyable Summer, full of creativity!

Blessings,

Denise A. Buchwalter-Losczyk

Resharing this event: Embroidery's BIGGEST Event! 🎉 Live Demos, Machine Deals & Prizes | Hoop ...

A visit to Liberty London and my entry in the Modern Mini Quilt Challenge

Hi,

Hope everyone is having a good May! We came back from a visit to London (about 2 weeks ago). I am hoping to put together some notes and make a little scrap book of my visit, we did catch a cold, so that has delayed that a bit!

I am finally feeling better and have managed to finish the edges of my little quilt that I have entered in the Modern Mini Quilt Challenge. 

Here is my little quilt, it is approximately 12.2 inches x 14 inches:

"Under the Sea" Mini Quilt

This little quilt evolved during this year's Online Project Quilting Challenge. You can read more about how I created this in my earlier blog entries. I added the ombre purple batik border - first I was going to hand stitch a border, then that didn't seem quite right, then I thought maybe a faced border, when I found this fabric in my stash, the binding seemed like the right solution! It makes me very happy to look at it!

During our London trip we arrived a day early before our tour (we took a Rick Steve's 7 Days of London Tour), and we stopped by Liberty London. All the Quilt Craft tours make a stop there, so I had hoped to go there. Somehow I imagined more rooms of fabric! It was nice, one big room of Tana Lawn Cotton prints and another smaller room with Quilting cottons and gifts to purchase. 

I chose some Tana Lawn remnants from a small basket, and a Liberty London embroidered patch from the Quilting section. The Tana Lawn fabric is very smooth and soft, a fine weave.

Liberty remnants in packages

Lovely Liberty Embroidered Patch

Liberty fabric prints

The building was fun to see! We did look through the housewares section and the stationary department a bit. It is a bit pricey for us, so we only made the fabric purchases. (It was excellent quality, and a little pricey too, but I'm happy I bought them, they will make their way into my projects.)

Liberty London store outside

Liberty London looking up at the inside roof

Inside Liberty London store

Inside Liberty London - taken with a fish eye camera

It is a very unique and old wooden building! (I looked up some information on their website, Liberty London was established in 1875, the current building was built in 1924 as Tudor Revival architecture.) It took us a while to find it, we were walking and our directions were a little confusing - but we finally found our destination! I am glad we got to visit there.

Hope you have enjoyed my little post.

Many blessings to you,

Denise A. Buchwalter-Losczyk

Completed Project for Project Quilting Season 16-6 - Buttoned up!

Hi,

I'm finally getting around to posting this little quilt completed for Project Quilting Season 16-6.

The theme for this challenge was "Buttoned up".  I often add buttons to my smaller projects, so I decided to add some pearl buttons to this quilt, from Challenge weeks, 16-5 (follow your arrow) and 16-2 (ombre).

It has been fun letting this little quilt evolve.

I have retitled it: "Under the Sea". 

Auditioning Buttons for "Under the Sea"

Completed with Buttons added

"Under the Sea" Detail

It reminds me of some simplified Modern Art (Chagall's mobiles a bit, for example). 

Some of the small pearl buttons are from a Muscatine button factory, and were given to me by one of my Aunts. I have been using them occasionally in many projects. I used Tula Pink Aurifil thread for the quilting and stitching along the appliqued triangles. The fabric is some I hand painted recently. I'm planning to paint some more fabric this year to create a nice stash. I have lots of fabric paints to play with! It always finds its way into my creations. 

I'll post more about fabric painting later!

Hope you enjoyed this little post - get your buttons out and play and embellish with them!

Many Blessings to you,

Denise A. Buchwalter-Losczyk

VIRTUAL QUILT FEST DAY 1! (resharing, fun event!)

Completed Project for Project Quilting Season 16-5!

 Hi,

Hope you're having a good weekend! Here is my completed project for Project Quilt Season 16-5. The theme was "Follow your Arrow". 

I decided to add applique to my earlier challenge piece for the "Ombre" challenge (I hand painted and quilted fabric).  I used fabric from a batik charm pack purchased ages ago. They are nice and bright. I cut the fabric into little "arrow head" triangles. 

I used an arrow stitch from my Bernette B79 sewing machine to stitch around each patch. The stitch on the machine originally had a blanket stitch on one side. I learned how to edit the stitch and make it an arrow only stitch. I like challenging myself to try something new for each of these challenges. The challenges remind me of art school assignments! You have to create them somewhat quickly. They are kind of fun, and no grading!

Here is the completed mini quilt and detail photos:

Mini quilt with applique

Detail showing stitching

Detail showing stitching

Happy Creating!

Many Blessings to you,

Denise A. Buchwalter-Losczyk

Completed project for Project Quilting 16-4 - Birthstones theme

Hi!

Hope you are finding some time to be creative in your daily life! It does help lift the spirits and keep us all hopeful. 

Here is my completed project for Project Quilting 16-4, Birthstone:

Crossed Canoes Block in Alexandrite colors

Detail Crossed Canoes Block in Alexandrite colors

I decided to use the Crossed Canoes die from AccuQuilt to create a block. I had purchased it a while back and I wanted to try it out. My June Birthstones are Pearl and Alexandrite - I chose Alexandrite and used fabrics from my fabric stash to create a mini quilt. Alexandrite is a color changing stone. I have a synthetic Alexandrite ring that I used for inspiration. The stone is a bit dark, so my fabrics ended up being dark too, I used the lighter fabric to provide a bit of contrast. I would probably do it a bit differently if I made it again, but I did like how the block sewed together. I enjoy using these challenges to encourage myself to try different techniques.

After sewing it, the angles of the block reminded me of gemstones a bit.

Many Blessings to you today,

Denise A. Buchwalter-Losczyk

Completed Project for Project Quilting 16-3, Common Blocks

 Hi!

Here is my finished project for Project Quilting 16-3. The theme for this week was Common Blocks.  You were required to use 3 blocks in your quilt.

I used leftover half square triangles that I had saved from a project from many years ago! (2007, I believe!)

Mini Quilt - Common Blocks

Mini Quilt - Common Blocks Detail

I created this little mini-quilt. The blocks included are Flying Geese blocks, a center square block created from half-square triangles, and a center Yo-Yo applique (the yo-yo was from a more recent project that I am currently working on). I added half circle appliques that changed the look of the blocks a bit on the borders.

It was fun using the left over bits from other projects to create this little project. Save those little bits!

Many Blessings to you today,

Denise A. Buchwalter-Losczyk

Just a quick post - #StandWithUkraine, and Instagram Quilt Fest has started.

Hi,

Just a quick post today. I have more I need to get caught up on, so will be doing that in the coming days! Life gets busy.

Sharing this detail from a quilt I made in the past for Quiltmaker magazine, I was thinking of the Ukraine at the time, and I am still keeping them in my thoughts and prayers.

The quilt was featured on the cover of the August 2023 issue. #StandWithUkraine

Also, #IGQuiltFest2025 has started! (Instagram Quilt Fest!) I am participating as much as I can this month. It is a fun way to connect with other quilters, and they have some giveaways you can enter to win. You can find out more about it at @amyscreativeside on Instagram. Here is a link to her post on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/DGk9OWruf4V/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Thanks to Amy for sponsoring IGQuiltFest every year. Very thankful for that!

Love and Blessings to everyone today,
Hoping for a better world out there, I do like it in my Quilting/Sewing studio! 

Denise A. Buchwalter-Losczyk

Project Quilting Season 16-2 completed! Ombre and hand painted fabric!

Hi!

I recently finished the second project for Project Quilting Season 16. The theme is "ombre".  I thought what do I really want to do right now?

Fabric painting!

I have painted fabrics before, and used up the little stash of them I had created. I still have lots of fabric painting supplies, so I decided to use this challenge to create additional fabrics to work with.

Here is my painted and quilted mini whole cloth quilt:

Hand painted fabric whole cloth mini quilt - ombre style

I like how the fabric matches my unicorn scissors. I used Aerofil Tula Pink variegated threads for the top quilting. I may go back and add an applique design on top of this, or some stitching. It is a canvas for possibilities. I also think it might be fun to make some hand painted placemats for our table. 

Close up of hand painted fabric and quilting

Painting fabric is very relaxing, and you can make it as complicated as you like. The process itself is very easy, and not too messy. The above fabric has only one coat of paint on it, comprised of fuchsia and red violet paint, but you can add more to a piece of fabric, or add printing and texture to it. I'm hoping to explore this a bit more this year! I have some hand work to do, that I can work on while the fabrics dry.

Will plan to show more of my results here later, and some of the supplies I used!

You can find out more about Project Quilting Season 16 at: https://kimlapacek.com/2025/01/16-2-ombre.html

Keep on creating and taking care of yourself!

Blessings,

Denise A. Buchwalter-Losczyk

Project Quilting 16-1 project completed! First project of the year completed!

Hi!

I made a quick little project for Project Quilting 16-1 (Mythical Creatures theme)! You can find a link to their website in my previous post, if you would like to join in. This is officially my first project completed this year!

I kept it simple with few embellishments - I could see this with added embroidery/applique added! I may have to make a few more.

The Easter Bunny is a symbol of new beginnings, and fertility too, of course! 

I used a remnant of quilted fabric left over from my last project. Keep those little bits, you never know when you may be able to use them.

A more complicated quilt design popped in my head, but I didn't have time to create it for the challenge, so this is the 2nd idea that came along. It was fun to make!

Here are my photos:

Easter Bunny Ornament

    

Easter Bunny Ornament

Wishing you many good things and experiences this year!

Many Blessings to you,

Denise A. Buchwalter-Losczyk

#pqSeason16, #Projectquilting, @PersimonDreams, @QuiltChicken