Quilted Cupcake Podcast Episode 51: The 2012 AQS Lancaster Quilt Show

Click below (or visit the links on sidebar to access the show on iTunes) to listen to the latest episode of the Quilted Cupcake podcast:


Show notes will be posted early in the week.

AQS Lancaster Quilt Show Goodies

Here's a sneak preview of some of the goodies I brought home from the AQS Lancaster quilt show.  Just got back last night - so tired!  I've already recorded part one of the podcast to share all the fun stuff I saw and learned.  Look for the full podcast by tomorrow with all the details and links!

(You can click on the picture to  make it bigger!)

The Quilt Show Free Weekend

Did you hear that you can watch The Quilt Show with Alex Anderson and Ricky Tims for free all weekend March 16-18? It's in honor of International Quilting Weekend.  A great chance to check out the show if you haven't seen it.  There are tons of episodes.  I don't yet subscribe to the show, so  I'll be watching to check it out.

Here's a quick video with some highlights:



Does anyone already subscribe?  Any tips on favorite shows, list of episodes that shouldn't be missed?

Quilted Cupcake Vintage Spool Heart Tutorial

Vintage thread spools are one of my favorite collectibles.  I was lucky enough to have some from my mom, and I've also picked up several bags of them at thrift shops. Mom probably got hers at a thrift shop, too.  

After some trial and error, I created this Vintage Spools Heart studio decoration over the weekend:  See tutorial below!

My quest to create a vintage spool heart for my studio began after seeing this photo on Pinterest via Flickr and Paper Sparrow.  I searched about, and found that wasn't really a permanent decoration.  It was just a temporary arrangement of spools that she photographed. (You can buy a print of her spool design via her Etsy shop here). But, I wanted a 3-D version for my studio.   So, I decided I'd try to figure it out and make it into a tutorial for the blog.

The hardest part was finding the heart base.  Hubby was going to cut one out of some thin plywood until I happened up the perfect heart for .99 at Michael's this weekend.

Quilted Cupcake Spool Heart Tutorial

Supplies:

Vintage spools of thread

Wood heart cut out (found mine at Michael's for 0.99 - you could also cut one from a thin wood)

Tacky glue

Craft stick / tongue depressor to apply glue (optional, but nice) 

Paint and paintbrush

Vintage ribbons, lace, buttons to decorate spools.

Step one:  Sand and paint the heart base - I chose red!

Step two:  Gather up the vintage spools you wish to use.  I had some from my mom, but most were found at thrift shops.  Some may have thread, others may be plain wood.  For those that were plain, I added bits of lace and ribbon, along with buttons.  For the spools with thread, I glued the end of the thread to the spool with tacky glue.

Step 3:  Begin gluing spools in the middle.  Check the graphics on the spools, and decide which side you want to show.  

Step 4:  Be sure to leave room for the perimeter spools.  I saved the embellished spools for the outer edges.

Step 5:  Hang in your studio and enjoy!  The heart base I bought had a plastic hanger on it, so I'm going to use it for hanging.  If your base doesn't, you can use those nifty Command strip picture hangers.  Love those things!

Feel free to link to this tutorial, and even share the photo on your blog.  Just please also include a link to this post.

I'd be honored if you wanted to add this to your Pinterest board!

If you make one, please send me a picture - I'd love to see it!

Kanzashi Clover Flower Maker

On a recent trip to Joann's, I found a new toy.  It's called the Kanzashi Flower Maker, by Clover.   I wasn't sure how it would work, but figured for $6 plus my 40% off coupon making it $3.60, it was worth a shot.  

There are several sizes and types, but I chose the 3" pointed flower. I figured it out pretty quickly, as it comes with really good instructions.    I found it a lot easier to use than Clover's Yo Yo maker.  Just follow the pictures, especially when forming petals.  I messed it up the first time, but then I caught on.

How cute are these?  Made from bits in my scrap box.  Took about 10 min. per flower.  I think they'll look great as an accent on a pillow, or  even as a coat pin. A good craft for while watching TV, too.

What do you think? Has anyone else tried this?