Thursday, August 9, 2018

Just Like That

…… July is in the past.  Where has the summer gone?  It's hard to imagine that the grandchildren all head back to colleges next week.  It has been so nice having them home all summer.

There really has not been a lot of sewing going on here the past month.  I just sort of "piddled around", as my mom used to say.  I have tried to stay up on my Temperature Quilt 2018.  The past week has been quite toasty.  Yesterday was 103* so the reds are definitely adding some color to the quilt.  The colors are not really true in these photos, but you can see the reds appearing more frequently.




Lorna from Sew Fresh Quilts posted a cute little free pelican pattern last week.  When I saw it, I immediately thought of Connie from Freemotion By the River blog.  I played around a bit with it and sent it off to Connie.  Many of you will remember her little pelican, Pelly.  Photo is taken from Connie's blog since I forgot to get a picture before mailing it off.  ;-(





I had a couple of little ones wanting to stitch when they were here one day.  I always enjoy their creativity and look forward to the years ahead of stitching with them.




They enjoy covering Toby while he spends his time in the sewing area with us.  I'll link this photo up with Pets on Quilts.





My BIL saves his old shirts for me for quilting scraps.  Before cutting them up, I like to cut the sleeves off and make wine bottle covers to use as gift wraps.  They are easy to make so thought I would do a quick tutorial to share.

I cut the sleeves at 8.5" below the cuff, but that can be adjusted depending on bottle height.



Turn inside out and stitch a 1/4" seam across the cut edge.



Turn back to right side out.  Cut a 28" piece of ribbon and attach it to the center of the back side of the sleeve - right below the cuff.



Insert wine bottle, fold cuff down and tie ribbon into attractive bow.  This sleeve also has a decorative beaded strand added to dress it up a bit.  The options are endless.


I'll leave you with a picture of my favorite plumeria in bloom.



Linking up with Sew Fresh Quilts, Freemotion by the River,  and Pets on Quilts.

30 comments:

  1. My plumeria blooms are so pretty but the leaves are looking spotty and pale. I need to take a picture and head to the botanical gardens for advice on how get it back healthy again.

    I love the wine bottle covers...would have never thought to use sleeves. And your granddaughters look quite at home sitting at the sewing machine.

    I'm current with my temperature quilt blocks but need to attach three rows to the main quilt. Should have that done soon. Where does the time go?

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  2. I really like your wine bottle bag made from the sleeve! Great idea. The pelican is adorable and I'm sure Connie was thrilled. I hope I have a granddaughter to teach to sew some day. My daughters have no interest, but that's ok. Enjoy the last days of summer 2018 with your grands.

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  3. So much going on for just "piddlin' around!" Love the pictures of your granddaughters sewing with you, and how thoughtful they are to give Toby some cover. Fun little quilt and clever re-use of old shirts. As usual, I feel like a slacker compared to you!

    Glad to see you getting your favorite reds in your temperature quilt. I keep telling you that if you lived out here you could have whole years of reds!

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  4. Where do I start....lol, lovely work, Mary. Temperature quilt is fantastic, love, love the pelican! Sweet babies, and flowers....life is good!

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  5. Hi Mary wow such beautiful work you have done,love the temperature quilt and your pelican is so very cute and what a great idea for wine bottles,thankyou for sharing your beautiful work my friend xx

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  6. Great idea with the shirts. How great to see the little ones sewing too. I am behind on my temp quilt. Life will settle and I will get back into my groove.

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  7. Your pelican is absolutely adorable, I love the background fabric, it really completes the piece. And your shirt-sleeve wine bottle holder is genius! I hope my granddaughter will soon express more interest in quilting, hopefully next summer we can have her come and spend a couple days without the brothers so we can free up some space in the sewing room for her to work (all three of them sleep in there when the entire family comes).

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  8. Love the wine bottle holders! Now I know what I'm going to make for Xmas this year. The pelican is adorable! What great memories you are creating with your granddaughters!

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  9. What a busy stitcher you are! Love, love, love your pelican and am so glad you shared the story of where he's flown off to now. I've been blogging friends with Connie for years now! What a small cyber world. Hahaha!

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  10. So much creativity even in the heat! Best of all, your littles are adorable! How fun to have them sewing with you!

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  11. Sure are lots red for July in the temperature Quilt... I'd have to do lots of Blues if I was making one as it's been cold and raining here..
    Love seeing the little ones sewing , they look very happy behind the machine.
    Toby looks very snug under the wee quilt.
    Pretty flower...
    Have a great weekend. 😁

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  12. PS... really like the Pelican mini and what a good idea for the old shirts...always great to recycle ♻️

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  13. Down in South Africa we're headed for Spring and Summer, and our warm days are ahead. So far as the months go - I have to share this :
    "August already?? September is practically next week. Time to pick out a Halloween costume and start your Christmas shopping. Happy New Year, everybody!"
    I thoroughly enjoy reading your blog. Your amazing output of crafts. Your gorgeous garden. Your travels. And not least - your delightful bumper-sized family.

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  14. Those wine bottle covers are fabulous; such a great idea. Your pelican is cute and how lovely to spend time stitching with your granddaughters. Your quilt looks amazing. All that piecing must have taken forever.

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  15. Your temperature quilt is AWESOME!! I love how you've done yours! And that bottle bag is so clever -- I'm going to have to give that a try. :)

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  16. What a great idea for making the wine bottle holders. I’ve got to try that. Thanks for the tutorial.

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  17. Oh, so you’re the Quilter who was so thoughtful to send Connie the pelican! I was so impressed when I saw that on her blog. I’d forgotten about Pelly! You’re so sweet, Mary. AND clever! I’d never think to make wine bottle wraps from shirt sleeves. So crafty and cute. Your temperature quilt is amazing. Wasn’t that yet another clever idea someone had? Sewing with kids is so much fun. I’ve only had the opportunity a couple of times and have so enjoyed it. Enjoy your day! XO

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  18. Your temperature quilt has really grown! I still might have to do one with you next year.

    Your "Little Ones" are cute. I bet you are making great memories with them in the sewing room with more to come after you get them hooked.

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  19. I don't drink wine, but I may have to start just so I can make those sweet sleeve covers for a bottle. So cute! It's always fun to see the progress on your temperature quilt.

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  20. Love that sleeve wine bottle bag idea! What a great way to reuse shirts.

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  21. I think I would be in heaven if I had such sweet ones in my sewing room...luck you. What a clever idea about the wine cover.

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  22. Toby looks like he is quite happy snoozing....how fun to have young ones to sew with you!
    Thanks for joining the party!
    Snoodles at the Lilypad

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  23. Wow 103! I am so glad we haven't had those temperatures anymore. The Temperature quilt is coming along nicely. That is so nice of you to make the pelican quilt for Connie! Every time I see a Pelican quilt I think of her :) The kiddos look so sweet. The photos reminded me of spending time with my grandmother while she made clothes for my doll. The photo of Tobby made me laugh out loud, what a sweet pup! I had no idea that you use shirts for quilting too. I love that. The bottle cover idea is so clever! Thank you for the tutorial. I love plumerias, so beautiful. I love visiting you, Mary :)

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  24. Mary that was so sweet of you to make Pelly into a quilt and gift Connie with it. I follow Connie and remember she and Builder Bob rescuing Pelly. Your Grands are sew cute and how fortunate they are to have you teach them sewing. Lovely Plumeria. Summer is Waning and it has been an extra hot one. Blessings Dear...<3

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  25. Toby's so cute with the blanket on him, mine would grab it and run straight away!

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  26. Toby looks so sweet under his quilt! That was so sweet of you to make Connie a pelican quilt. I remember looking forward each day to Pelly's adventure!

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  27. enjoyed reading a few of your posts! I've been absent from my blog, and others, sorry to say.
    I love your temperature quilt! Your granddaughters are adorable, and I love their interest in sewing! Also, your grand kittens are so cute!

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  28. Its nice to have met you. I love your projects. You have so many beautiful things you have made. I especially love the patriotic things

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