Tea in the Rose Garden + Kate Spain Giveaway Winners

The first thing I need to do here is perhaps apologize to my friend France, whose very lovely mug rug pattern Tea in the Rose Garden I have used in a way she may never have foreseen.  Those of you who know France must admire her elegance and poetic way of expressing herself as much as I do.  (And if you don't know her yet, she has a wonderful blog here.)  France, I hope you don't mind that I've embroidered a colorful word on this little quilt.  

So I want to make it clear that this is NOT what France embroidered on her mug rug pattern.  She has the words "Tea in the Rose Garden" or, in French: "Petit napperon Le thé dans la roseraie".  The reason I thought that France's pretty pattern worked so well for this is because it contrasts so much with the phrase I used, thus making it more humorous.

This is still a work in progress.  It's for my friend who has been battling dire health problems for far too long and sometimes just doesn't feel up to explaining everything that has been going on.  She will immediately recognize that it is for her, because we've been joking around about this phrase lately.

I'm spilling the beans a bit early because I need advice on how to quilt this.  How in the world do you quilt something with embroidered details?  Any thoughts?  The whole piece measures only 8 x 10 inches.  The embroidery is a whipped back stitch, so it's raised up a little.  Bear in mind that I'm not good at embroidery and this is the best I've ever managed to do.  I used the Crafted Applique method for the teacups and rose and it worked like a charm.

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Happy Mail!

Recently, a surprise arrived in our mailbox for me.  It was from my friend Preeti Harris, who blogs at Sew Preeti Quilts.  She's just such a complete sweetheart and I've been so glad that we've become friends.  Thank you Preeti!

Three FQs, beautiful variegated thread and Mysore Sandal Soap, which smells so divine!

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Giveaway Winners!

Here on BuzzinBumble, I had a giveaway during the 12 Days of Christmas in July Blog Hop.  It was a really popular giveaway and I can see why.  Thank you everyone for your participation and for all the wonderful comments!  I managed to reply to everyone, unless they were a no-reply commenter.  So if you didn't hear back from me, that is why.

Three lucky commenters won this terrific Kate Spain panel from her North Woods fabric line. 

The winners were drawn by the Random Integer Generator.  I had to redraw for one of the winners, because number 83 turned out to be my daughter Alina... which wouldn't be very fair, although I loved her comment.  

So the winners are:  # 50 - Selina, # 41 - Nancy, and # 100 - Susie.

I'll be in touch with all of you!

Thank's for stopping by, because...

You can click on the pup and she'll 

take you to the comment section.

Free Puppy Patterns # 2 - Vintage 1940's Embroidery Designs

#2 of 6 Playful Puppy Motifs - Superior Iron-on Transfers

These adorable pups are from an embroidery transfer pattern which was produced by Superior in the late 1930's / early 1940's and sold through Sears & Roebuck. This is the second installment, out of six.  

Don't you think this design would look sweet on a bib, just like in this vintage ad?

Click here for Free Puppy Patterns # 1 - Vintage 1940's Embroidery Designs

Linking up to Heather & Megan's Fabric Tuesday at Quilt Story

Thanks for visiting!
Lara

Free Puppy Patterns # 1 - Vintage 1940's Embroidery Designs

When our kids were small and we attended open houses at school, I used to draw a puppy a lot like this and leave it in their desks with an "I Love You" note.  I had forgotten about doing that, until this old pattern brought that memory back.  
These pups are from an embroidery transfer pattern which was produced by Superior in the late 1930's / early 1940's and sold through Sears & Roebuck.  They were most likely intended to be used on tea towels, but would be wonderful on any number of items. They are just too darn cute not to share! 

So here is the first installment, out of six.  I still have to take the time to clean up and reproduce the rest:

#1 of 6 Playful Puppy Motifs - Superior Iron-on Transfers

Now, I did a little research to learn how you could use this image to embroider.  Obviously the pattern could be traced onto your fabric.  I never get that exactly right though.  Since you don't have the actual iron-on transfer, wouldn't it be great if there was a way to print the pattern and transfer it to fabric? 
Well there is!  I bet some of you already know this, but there is a product called Transfer-Eze that does the trick. It is a water soluble film that you can print or photocopy patterns onto.  You apply it to your fabric and voila! you're ready to stitch.
So naturally, I wanted to learn more and found the most thorough discussion on Mary Corbet's Needle 'n Thread blog.  Her website is a treasure trove!

Part 1 - Using Transfer-Eze

Part 2 - Washing out the Transfer-Eze

What are some ways you would use these puppy patterns? I bet you have great ideas!

I found the sweetest vintage sewing pattern for a jumper from the late 1970's.  (It's always a bit of a shock to be reminded that I am "vintage"...hah!) For those of you from the UK, when Americans use the word "jumper" we don't mean a knit sweater.  A jumper is what we call a pullover dress with no sleeves.
This jumper below, in the left corner, is what I plan to embroider with one of the pups. i haven't figured out what color or kind of background fabric to use.  The yellow gingham is sure sweet, but then i don't know if the pup would show up very well against a patterned fabric.  If anybody has suggestions about what would work well, I would love to hear them!   

Puppy Jumper - Simplicity 9211

  

Thanks for visiting!
Lara