Author: Libby Jacobs Christensen

…in the form of destructive and evil tornadoes here in Alabama.  Dedicated to the victims of the recent tornadoes, I designed this wall hanging called “Wicked Twister.”  I started with a central black and gray, but ended up mixing in other colors because tornadoes are fascinating as well as destructive.  It occurred to me that a twisted log cabin-derivative block is actually extremely versatile.  It can be any size and pieced with any colors.   For the rest of March, it’ll be on sale for just $1.50, complete with graphs and instructions, including how to do a little paper-piecing.   A quick project–  Click for more info:

I don’t have a photo of a real tornado because I hide when they come through, but I do have a picture of some of the destruction. This is called “Snapped Like a Toothpick,” depicting one of the church buildings that was recently lost in Wetumpka.

How about  “Running for Color,” a Christensen Creations table runner?  SEW simple, this is a great project for a beginner or for an expert who wants to use up scraps, and it’s on sale for just $1.50 through March 15.    If you love color, this is one for you, but you don’t have to love jewel tones like this–when you CLICK ON THE WEBSITE, you’ll see it imagined in spring, fall, blue (batiks would be lovely) and even black/white for the stark modernist.  What a great gift idea, especially as it comes in FOUR different lengths and can be simply backed if you don’t want to quilt it.

OK, NOT nagging, but seriously, it’s time to start working on Christmas projects (or Mother’s Day or birthday), and this one you can really personalize to fit the specific decor.  It sews up so easily but packs a punch of color.

Speaking of gray days, I have to share my photo.  It includes the Wetumpka Presbyterian church that we lost in the recent tornado.  It’s called “Crossing for Hope in a New World” and was published in a Best of Photography Annual 2009–such a shame to lose a historic building and what an ironic name.  (© 2009 by Libby J. Christensen)  By the way, I DO sell my photos, too.  Email me with questions (libbychr@sewgocreate.com) .

 

 

 

 

 

Mine disappeared from the email.  I promise I didn’t eat it all myself, though!

Link to pie pattern

To get the cherries for a cherry pie, of course!!  You don’t have to cut down a tree, though.  You don’t even have to bake.  You can SEW the most delicious cherry pie EVER!!  “Easy as Pie” #CC2014 downloadable pie pattern for a 12″ Platter (hot) Pad  is on sale for $1.50 through February.   HAPPY PRESIDENTS’ DAY!

Click here to take a peek on line!  What makes this so easy is that the pie is just two pieces, plus tea-dyed bias tapes and rickrack.  Doesn’t it look yummy? No cherries required, and it’s sugar-free!

Here’s the Tip:  just make up a big pot of strong, hot tea and let the white bias tape and rickrack soak.   Tip 2:  Use iron-on fusible tape to hold the pieces in place until they are  sewn.

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If not, here’s a quick and easy Platter Pad for mom, grandma, brother, husband, daughter, son–anyone who cooks or eats!  “Simply Sweet Heart” is a 12″ square huge hot pad in quilt form almost anyone would like.  Pattern on sale for just $1.50 (cheaper than a card!!!!) until Valentine’s Day.  There’s plenty of time to make one up, or a couple, or three.   Just don’t wait too long!   Click here for a peek:

Hint–cotton eyelet lace not only doesn’t melt, but gathered lace is bound with bias tape.  All you have to do is topstitch it on.  Good choice for a beginner or someone in a hurry.

Embroider your own message:  “Be Mine,” “We love you, Grandma,” or even “Red Hot Lover!”

Someone (unidentified) left out the photo and link……………oops!  Click here!

February is the perfect month to make a sweet little heart quilt.  So quick to sew with only 25 pieces, this little quilt gets its charm from a border ruffle.  It also has plenty of space for embroidering name, birth date, etc.  If your sweetheart is a little BOY, it’s still a great choice because instructions include plain binding–just change to reds and blues or a “boy” print.  (If you don’t know the gender, make it yellow and mint.  Sometimes these details aren’t revealed!)

Have a wonderful February and remember that Valentine’s Day is not just about chocolate and romance.  It’s a reminder for everyone of every age to express love in some way.  Here’s a cactus photo I sold last year, called “Your Prickly Heart”:

Doesn’t it make you wonder who bought that?  and for whom?  and the story behind it?

…because it’s ever-present, yet ever-changing.  Mankind has dreamed of the goddesses of the moon. and fables are taught to children about the man in the moon.  My newly published baby quilt is called “Goodnight Moon…and Stars” with 3D folded, appliquéed Christensen Creations’ 60º “Modified Prairie Points.”  It’s fun to make.  Here’s a peek:

Click here for more info:

Speaking of the moon, I recently enjoyed seeing and photographing the eclipse of the “Wolf Moon” or “Blood Moon,” named for the reddish glow cast by the Earth’s atmosphere.  First I took the photo in the black night.  Then I photoshopped it for fun.

“Bad Wolf Moon” by LJC2019         “Under the Blood Moon” by LJ Christensent 2019

If so, you may be a quilter. Today I’m uploading a masculine version of black and deep reds made originally with my son in mind.  “Chains of Love” could easily could be switched to pinks for a mother or grandmother, though, and the hearts make it a perfect valentine.  It’ll be on sale for $1.50 through Feb. 14, the big day! Hurry to get started (even if it doesn’t get finished until next year–ha!)    Click here for a quick peek.

“Chains of Love” bind us all:  family, friends and even communities. I dedicate this pattern to Wetumpka, Alabama, where I’ve lived for over 20 years.  As if having a heart attack, we were hit in the heart of our downtown this past weekend with a sudden, destructive tornado.  We lost two churches, dozens of homes and cars, and 100s of trees.  We survived, though, with few injuries and no fatalities, for which we’re very grateful.  Furthermore, I heard there were 700 local volunteers helping with the clean-up. Thank you, thank you, thank you, and thank you all for the prayers and good wishes.  Here are photos I took today of Wetumpka, before and after.

 

When my husband and I lived in England, we soon learned that if we ordered “tea,” it would automatically be HOT (the opposite of here in the South).  The next question is whether you want a cuppa or a pot (a pot coming with a plethora of tea bags that can be revived with steaming hot water whenever you ask).  Of course, ideally, it comes with scones, clotted cream and jam.  Now THAT’s a treat!

Short of visiting an English tea room, in cold weather, there’s nothing so soothing as a pot of tea.  Check out Christensen Creations’ sweet and simple 12″ Steeping Teapot “Platter Pad” pattern for making a nice trivet to go under that pot.  You could even use the appliqué on a matching towel–great gift idea!

Click here for more info.

This pattern will be on sale  for just $1.50 until the end of January, and 2018go coupon code still gives $3.00 off.