Pincushions in my Studio - Day 27 - 31 Day Blog Writing Challenge

Pincushions are one of those items that just multiply at times. Here are some of mine to share with you today (there are a couple more!).

Group photo: 2 top pincushions are from my early sewing days, 

the velvet tomato is very faded! Star pincushion on left I made 

from a pattern and gave several as gifts. Poodle on right is my first 

pincushion I hand sewed it in Brownies, when I was seven.

Faded Velvet Tomato Pincushion

Close up of Hand-stitched Poodle

Pincushion in back is my "Pin Inn" Pincushion, 

which I made for a Pincushion contest. 

Ones in front I made to display my tatting from my 

hand painted threads.

 Fabrics are all hand painted by myself.

Another view of my original pincushions.

I love these pincushions made in China. They are beautiful

 designs. They were purchased either in Chicago,

 San Francisco or New York. The large red one was 

a find at a thrift sale. 

These wrist pincushions aren't quite as 

visually exciting, but very useful.

They do seem to multiply! Sometimes they follow you home, they are fun to design and make, and useful too.

How many do you have? I know I can always find ways to use them, and they are fun to display.

Pincushion Blessings,

Denise A. Buchwalter-Losczyk

#31DayBlogWritingChallenge

Update on my current Work in Progress - Day 26 - 31 Day Blog Writing Challenge

Hi!

Here is a photo update of my current WIP (work in progress). 

Little 7 inch by 7 inch project final design layout, 

before glue basting to batting and quilting.

Quilting in progress - still a little more to go, then I will sew and 

hot fuse embellishments, and perhaps add some 

hand stitching and embroidery, we will see!

Detail of some of the quilting - I have more confidence 

quilting on the machine now, than in my earlier days.

The more you do, the better you get! 

(I am always improving.)

Keep warm and enjoy the rest of the year!

Denise A. Buchwalter-Losczyk

#31DayBlogWritingChallenge

Season's Greetings! - Day 25 - 31 Day Blog Writing Challenge

Season's Greetings!

I hope you are having a good day, and if you are celebrating the season a good celebration!

Our celebration is a quiet one, enjoying each other's company and some good food.

Here are some photos of holiday ornaments/decorations I have made in the past, hope you enjoy seeing them! 

Embroidery on paper with sequins

Tatting with my hand painted threads and buttons on mulberry paper

Close up of tatting on mulberry paper

God's Eye Gift Tag Ornaments

Machine and Hand Needle-felted Ornaments

Holiday Gift Tag Ornaments

My Yo-Yos's Cubed Ornament

Star Needle-felted ornament and a little elf by 

my mom (a good remembrance of her.)

Have a fun day!

Denise A. Buchwalter-Losczyk

#31DayBlogWritingChallenge

One of my favorite fabric sources and a sale - Day 24 - 31 Day Blog Writing Challenge

(Please note - this is not a sponsored post, just shopping information I am sharing!)

Today I am sharing one of my favorite online places to purchase fabrics. I know many sewers and quilters prefer to purchase their fabric in person at a store, but for me that hasn't always been that easy a task.

Currently I live in a small town, miles away from fabric stores. I personally don't drive, so I like the feeling of independence in ordering my fabric online. Even when I lived in a large city there were a surprisingly small number of fabric stores in the city, let alone near where I lived. I would visit the ones I could and see what was available, but I often had to order fabric through catalog and online.

My favorite online fabric store, especially for quilting fabric, is www.equilter.com. They have a large assortment of fabrics available, so if you can't find a fabric locally you can often find it on their site. 

My favorite feature on their site is their online design board. You choose the fabrics you like, then place them on the design board. You can view and compare the swatches together and get an idea how the they will work together in a sewing project or quilt. It is a very useful tool and also great fun. (I also use it to make purchasing decisions, so I don't go over my fabric budget!)

I often feel overwhelmed by the multitude of fabric choices in a store or even online, and the design tool makes it much easier to choose fabrics.

I haven't been able to purchase as much fabric lately, and I do have a large stash to work with, but even when I can't buy I like browsing their site.

EQuilter also gives a percentage of your purchase to charity. You have the option to choose among various charities when you check out your shopping cart.

My favorite time to shop is during their clearance sales, which are usually around a holiday. (Though they always have a clearance category you can check out.) Right now there is a year end clearance sale, so if you would like to purchase quality fabric (most cotton quilting fabric, but there are other fibers as well) at a great price, check out their sale at https://www.equilter.com/category/40/clearance-bargains.

Happy shopping, browsing and quilting,

Denise Buchwalter-Losczyk

#31DayBlogWritingChallenge

Craft Supply Sale - Day 23 - 31 Day Blog Writing Challenge

Today I'm sharing news about a sale on Craftsy, check it out if you like!

This is a sponsored post, I receive compensation if a purchase is made through this link:

Thanks for looking!

Sponsored Ad:





















Up to 70% Off Kits & Supplies
(12/27-12/31)

Clearance Sale - Up to 70% Off Kits & Supplies
We repeat: Up to 70% Off kits & supplies. It’s our last sale of the year - and the savings are huge!
Coupon Code: No coupon needed.
Expiration Date: 12/31/2018 11:59pm MST
Restrictions: Exclusions apply. Please see offer details at checkout. 

Have a good evening! Happy Crafting and Creating,

Denise A. Buchwalter-Losczyk

#31DayBlogWritingChallenge

Day 22 - 31 Day Blog Writing Challenge

Happy Belated Solstice!

I missed blogging yesterday, it was just a busy day, no time to even think about writing.

  Today I am sharing a progress photo of my 7 inch x 7 inch "Heat it Up" Quilting Arts Reader Challenge quilt.

The words were applied on fabric with a hot foil pen. Hopefully I will make good progress on this project, since the photo entry is due by Jan. 2!

Work in progress!

Take care,
Happy Quilting!

Denise A. Buchwalter-Losczyk

#31dayblogwritingchallenge

Work in Progress - Day 20 - 31 Day Blog Writing Challenge

I can't believe it is Day 20 of the #31DayBlogWritingChallenge ! Only 11 days to go, then a new year begins. I'm hoping the new year will bring new accomplishments and pleasant surprises for everyone.

Today I'm sharing some photos of my current work in progress. It is for the Quilting Arts magazine "Heat it Up" challenge. I still need to experiment with some new materials, and my design may change. Feel like it is a bit of a slow beginning, but fun, also. It will be a little 7 inch by 7 inch art quilt.

Design in process. Using some enameled samples left over
from my enameling classes.

Detail, mulberry paper behind sunflower on cloth, transferred using TAP paper.

Have a good evening!

Denise Buchwalter-Losczyk

#31dayblogwritingchallenge