Spring Cleaning!

Today in Utah was sunny and warm,  I had the doors open and decided to do a little "Spring Cleaning"  Ugh!!   I truly am a HOARDER!  We have been in our house for 20 years, and I swear for the last 10, I haven't thrown anything away.   Well, over the next 6 weeks I am de-junking!!  Everything!!  I did find this super great check list for Spring Cleaning at this cute blog!!  Lovely Little Snippets!!  I will keep you posted on my progress, I was too ashamed to take pictures of my downstairs craft room, but I will show you some later.  Who else is Spring Cleaning?  Are you organized or kind of clutter?
Cleaning:)
Nadine

A quick tour through the shop!

I get asked all the time for pictures of our shop.  I have to admit that usually the only camera I have handy is my iPhone camera. Lameo, I know.  Shelby received a really nice camera for Christmas, and I was hoping that she would be the picture taker, but I guess not!  So, here are a few of the displays we have up, they will be coming down in the next few days and new ones will be going up.

this is my newest door display~LOVE!!

Enjoy,
Nadine

Shamrock Collage

Just thought I would share a little Subway Art that I created.  I am so into this!  I bought the cutest frame from Hobby Lobby and have been swapping them out.  It is so cute in my entryway, and an easy way to make a change.  (Note~the  cute frame was busted this evening when DH was throwing the ball for Gracie the wiener dog.  I guess I will be making another trip to Hobby Lobby)  Anyhoo, I hope you enjoy it and your kids or husband don't break your frame.  Feel free to print it off, I use photo glossy paper to make it look a little more professional.
Nadine

Bling it with Brassy Apple

Just thought I would share Shelby's tutorial that she had over at the Brassy Apple  We feel honored to have been apart of this, Thank you Megan!  So here it is.....,

Hi everyone!  I am Shelby from the Material Girls Quilts in South Jordan, Utah.  I first want to tell Megan, "Thank-you" for having us.  I have loved reading all of the jewelry posts.  I will definitely be trying a few of the tutorials out myself.  I must say that this is my first tutorial, so forgive me if I don't explain it well,  feel free to call me at the shop, I would be happy to answer any questions.  Okay, here goes!!

Make sure if you are buying leather that it is soft, it is available in many colors.

     My tutorial will be on a leather cuff bracelet,  I have spotted several of these at a few of my favorite stores and boutiques at really high price points.  I purchased my leather blank bracelets at a craft store.  You could make your own by cutting the leather to fit your wrists and using a snap setter apply 2 snaps.  If you are making your own, make sure and make it a little snug as your leather will stretch. Mine measures 2" x 7 1/2, it makes it easier to embellish at this width.
The next step is to decide how you want to embellish it,  I am way into pennants right now and decided my first would be a more casual style with a pennant on it.   I cut little scraps of fabrics,  one inch by one inch in a pennant shape

After cutting them all out.  I sewed them together.  I used 5 pennants to reach across my bracelet.  You could use more if needed.

auditioning embellishments

Finished bracelet,  embellish as much as you like.

After I had sewn my pennants together I then laid them on the leather,  (before sewing make sure that is exactly where you want them,) if you have to pick out of the leather it is not very forgiving and will leave needle holes.  Now comes the fun part!!  Get creative!  add all kinds of buttons, pearls, rick rack you name it, it will go with leather.  I couldn't just stop at one so I made a second one that is a little bit vintage-y.
I added a piece of crochet cotton lace across the bracelet,

Adding lace

Before adding the lace make sure and finish the edges so it doesn't fray.

After finishing the edges of my lace I sewed it right on to my leather cuff.  I used regular cotton thread and a just a regular needle.  I will have to change my needle for my next quilting project.  I decided this one would be a leather, lace combo.  I then cut 1 1/2 x 10" strip of satin.  I sewed it to form a circle and bunched it together in the center and wrapped it with a pink jute.  I added a few brass buttons and walah!, a leather and lace look.

Leather and Lace

Thanks so much everyone for letting me be a part of your very crafty world, and again Megan thank you for putting this all together.  Any questions just give me a call at the shop, or post it on our blog the Material Girls Quilts
Shelby

Mac, the scissor guy

Remember that Mac, the scissor guy will be in the shop this saturday from 10 to 3.  Don't limit yourself to just fabric scissors.  He can sharpen any of your craft scissors.  My paper ones cut better than when they were new now that he got ahold of them.  Also if you are taking the Wonky House class he has special pricing for you! If you can't make it this Saturday he will be back on the 17th.

 Price is $10 for one or $15 for 2.  Same day turn around so the sooner you come in the sooner they will be done.

St. Paddy's day

Our newest designs, on a canvas board,  we will have one every month.

Lucky Pillow

We have two new kits at the shop to help you get ready for St. Paddy's day.  One is a cute pillow and the other is a covered canvas. We are starting a canvas of the month, each month we will release a new design created by one of our very talented MGQ staff.  So stayed tuned to see April's, it should be finished by the end of the week.  We have limited supplies so call the shop and order yours today.

Nadine

Half Square Triangles

Half Square Triangles

I tell everyone that comes into the shop that I am "Triangle Impaired"  I just can never get them perfect and it bugs me to pieces.  Right now I am working on a quilt that has 192 half square triangle blocks.  SheEsH!!! What was I thinking?  So, while cuisine around on Pinterest I found this helpful little gem and thought I would share it with you!!  Hopefully, it will help you!

Nadine