Monday, February 27, 2012

scrap therapy

On Saturday I took some time out to just play with scraps. I ended up making this mini mat for my dining room table. I L-O-V-E it!!! Playing with scraps is my very favorite! I really enjoyed the process of hand quilting it as well. Not to mention starting and finishing a project in a single afternoon. It felt so good...so theraputic!
Also, on Saturday, I cracked open my very first pair of gingher scissors. Oh-my-goodness!!!!!!!!!!! What on earth took me so long? They are delightful. Just when I thought playing with scraps couldn't be any more fun......

56 comments:

Suburban Stitcher said...

Your first pair?! Oh my goodness...my Ginghers are VITAL to sewing for me!

Eileen said...

Congrats you have joined the club of "big girl" scissors.
It took me some time to become a member of the Gingher scissor club. Now try their rotary cutters.

Eileen said...

Sorry about posting twice but this crazy proofing that I am not a robot is ridiculous. i can hardly make out the letters. What is blogger doing making it so difficult.
I dropped it from my blog.

Katie said...

Aren't Ginghers divine? I'd be embarassed to admit to how many different ones I have :-)

Clair said...

I like the quilting A LOT!!!

Johanna said...

I have their rotary cutter - love it! I haven't crossed the line with their scissors yet. They need to make more of their "pretty" scissors in a left handed version. Oh wait, I forgot I do have their snip scissors (not sure how to explain, the ones that don't have handles & they have the little cover for them).

Linda said...

My good scissors aren't Ginghers, but they are Mundials. I wouldn't be without them, and J knows better than to take them and cut paper with them, too. LOL. My mom got them for me when I was getting ready to make my bridesmaids dresses a little over 14 years ago. A good sharp pair of scissors is essential!

Heidi Staples said...

Beautiful! I just had the same scrap therapy experience last Friday (see http://fabricmutt.blogspot.com/2012/02/scrap-happy.html), and it was incredibly freeing. I love your table mat!!

tubilinha tiacarminha said...

Eu tenho um par dessas em dois tamanhos diferentes e algumas muitas Mundial e Tramontina.cortadores rotativos já perdi a conta ,ganho hum de vez em quando.Amei seu trabalho,esta é a minha praia.Beijos e Bençãos.

Myra @ Busy Hands Quilts said...

Yes, Ginghers are the cream of sewing scissors. The metal handled ones like you have are better than the plastic handled ones, IMO. I have used both. My mom always kept her Ginghers in her bedroom dresser drawer because they were so special to her!

Mrs.Hearts
www.busyhandsquilts.blogspot.com

Karen said...

I love how you used your scraps! This is a wonderful little quilted piece.

My scraps are giving me fits...Maybe I need to reorganize them again?

Happy quilting!

Karen

Emily said...

Best. Scissors. Ever! And when mine get dull I can get them sharpened at my local hardware store for $3!!!

Sarah said...

beautiful mat! and you know i love scraps ; )

Mary said...

you need to do a scrap wreath to match your welcome mat. my 8 year old made one...it's adorable. I haven't blogged it yet but I do have an in progress pic if you need a visual:
http://tulip-patch.blogspot.com/2011/01/how-do-you-teach-boy-how-to-sew.html

only trouble is he wants it and so do I. I told him I'll give it to him when I blog it (because he wants the blog kudos) so I am being slow to do it because I dread giving up the wreath.

Jennie P. said...

I purchased my Ginghers a few years ago. They are the spring action shears. I love them and they make cutting fabric like cutting air. It takes the stress off my hands.

I love the block :)

Lisa Lisa said...

I love it! That is so cute! Now I'm thinking about trying some scrap therapy :) And the Ginghers....well, I don't have any, but now I have something to add to my list for Birthday/Mother's day/Christmas :)

Lisa Lisa said...

I love it! That is so cute! Now I'm thinking about trying some scrap therapy :) And the Ginghers....well, I don't have any, but now I have something to add to my list for Birthday/Mother's day/Christmas :)

Cathy Tomm said...

I too have been working on scraps. Love your little log cabin quilt. Yes good scissors are the best.

Rene' said...

Love my gingher scissors too! Great scrap project!!! The hand stitching looks fabulous.

Ann Ferguson said...

Very, very cute! I like the scissors too, but I love my Clover scissors <3

Jenny M said...

Love your mini mat...such happy colours.

Terriaw said...

Cute! I love making these little projects. In fact, I made one similar over the weekend, using an AMH panel and solids to frame it.

Don't you just love Gingher scissors?! I think I have 3 pair.

sewtakeahike said...

It turned out so cute, AJ!

Di~ said...

You must sew a break neck speed!
and man that is awesome hand stitchin' too.

Chris {frecklemama} said...

Using my Gingher shears is like driving a luxury car. Heavy, elegant and smooth. I know it sounds cheesy but those are worth every penny!

Cascade Quilts said...

I have TWO pairs of Ginghers - one hubby got me for Christmas when I first started quilting, and one pair I got a few years ago that has pink/blue/yellow tie-dyed looking handles. LOOOVE them! Your comments have those hard-to-read word verification to post :(

Christine L said...

Ginghers are a dream...I grew up with "no one is allowed to touch these Scissor" Rule with Mom. :) I have the same rule at my house!! You'll love them for years!

DianeY said...

My Gingher scissors are the only thing that gets put away in my mess of a sewing room. Recently, after about 10 years of owning them, they seemed to develop a little dull spot near the tip. I had them sharpened professionally (anout $5) and they are just like new!

Suzanne said...

Look at you! Busy bee. Your Saturday was just scrappy happy. :-)

mascanlon said...

Gingher scissors is why Joanne's has coupons!

Char said...

Aren't they the best. I've had mine for awhile now. I love them!

Mama Pea said...

Glad you are getting some time to just play. It looks great. I don't have Ginghers, but I do have some nice sewing scissors that I love. They are so nice. :-)

Susan said...

Best scissor ever!

Susan said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Mar said...

lovely colours and nice work!!

The Calico Cat said...

If anything happend to them (like they get dull) Gingher will fix/sharpen or replace them!

I had some thread snips that quit working well (They are supposed to spring open after snipping) I send them for repair - Gingher sent me a new pair!

Wilma Lee said...

I am reorganizing my sewing room, and while doing so, my husband noticed 2 pairs of scissors hanging on a rack. He asked me about them, and I said "Those are my GOOD scissors", I keep them separate. Love Ginghers!!!

SarahZ said...

my ginghers were a gift from my hubby, many, many years ago....he knows he "done good" :)

Lucy | Charm About You said...

Lovely scrappy goodness!

Thimbleanna said...

Hide those scissors from the family! Now you'll spend even more time quilting -- aren't they lovely? Love that cute little mat!

Rachel said...

Ginghers are totally the best. I actually inherited my mom's shears, along with her pinking shears. They are fantastic.

Jacqui said...

Really pretty. Love the colours.

Speattle said...

I got my first Ginghers probably about 25 years ago. I was taking a class at a local tech college and our teacher was able to get us a good deal on a group buy. Also got my Rowenta iron that way.

Later I added Gingher pinking shears.

My daughter started sewing about 2 years ago, and for her birthday in November, I got her some Ginghers too. I told her, now that she was a bonafide sewist, she has earned her Ginghers.

I always keep the little hard sleeve on the blades when they are not in use or when I am carrying them. If one should trip and fall on the, well, it could be lethal.

I have a friend who has to hide hers, because family members were using them to cut PAPER!

LeeH said...

Aren't they wonderful? I bought a pair for my daughter telling her no really, you need these.

I just bought a Gingher seam ripper Can't wait for it to come in the mail.

Claire Jain said...

Congrats on your scissors. They make all the difference!

Josie McRazie said...

My Mother SWORE by her Gingher! When I decided almost a year ago to do this I told my Honeyman that I HAD to have Big scissors and a pair of storks... just like Moms! I would not be without either one!!!

Karen Pior said...

I love this. i am also doing a scrap project - trying to re-use rather than throw. It is great fun to see what combinations you can make. Cheers, Karen

Donna said...

I LOVE my Gingher scissors!! I have pinking shears, embroidery and a pair like yours. They are wonderful.

Hand quilting, eh. You are brave and adventurous. One day I plan to try it.

Donna

Live a Colorful Life said...

SO cute! And I LOVE my Gingher scissors too. I was quite astounded when I first used them--they are amazing.

Rocky Delafontaine said...

Oh! When you sew and quilt, nothing should be wasted because that's how crafters should be. I adore your work here. The colors are striking, yet they give off a sense of coolness. BTW, you can also do a picture frame.

Nicole said...

I use to always be afraid of my scraps until I started playing with them too. Now I make all kinds of great gifts for friends and things for myself too out of them! I love scraps. I'm currently working on a scrappy double wedding ring...I'm sure it will be a while before I have that done!

Denice said...

Just now? You obviously didn't know what you were missing! Be careful, my nephew cut his finger with a pair of Ginghers. I own several pairs - they come in fabulous patterns. Love.

Leslie said...

this mini is awesome but not as awesome as a pair of ginghers...aren't they amazing.

Mary said...

Wouldn't want to be without my Ginghers! My husband and my sons all know how special my Ginghers are. I have had one pair for over 25 years.

You think you love yours. I bought my left handed DIL a left handed pair when she decided to start sewing. She had never used a LH pair of scissors, let alone Ginghers. I earned MAJOR MIL points with that gift!

I just got the pinking shears for Christmas. Try them, you will be hooked

Anonymous said...

i have gingher scissors that my aunt willed to me...and i smile whenever i use them (they are perfect) and i think so fondly of my sweet aunt and how much i loved her!

quirky granola girl said...

i am forever working on my to do list and i never take the time to make something "just because". this post makes me want to change that :)