meinca

My First Quilt Guild Meeting

2012-01-27T21:47:00.000-08:00

This morning I attended my first guild meeting. I have run out of excuses for not going. I have heard about this quild for more than twenty years. I have only been quilting about three years so I was a bit intimidated. A woman I know gave me a pass for a free meeting. Today was a beautiful day to go somewhere. So I drove the mile east to the meeting place. There were lots of cars in the parking lot. I found the entrance by the lines at the door. Once I was at the table for "guests" I was greeted warmly and given a name tag and a coupon for Sew What? After walking around a bit, I asked the greeter to tell me about Sew What? She directed me to a room at the end of a hallway. In there were tables with fabric, patterns, notions and miscellany that quilters use - all for sale. I quickly found some bright fabric and a package of 5 inch squares and some lace. I took these to the cashier who added everything up, deducted my $1 coupon and asked for 75 cents. 75 CENTS! I am a happy shopper.

Next I found a seat in the very large meeting room. There were lots of women there, and one man. I was thinking there had to be about 100 people there. When the report was given, the count was 120 members and 16 guests present. This was a big crowd for me!

All the reports given were done well and in an interesting way. Then there was Sew and Share time with several members showing a variety of quilts in various stages of completion. It was a live presentation that I usually read on blogs. One project gave me a good idea. Another project inspired me to do the same. Just like blogs! The best was yet to come, however.

After the break where yummy food was served, therre was a speaker who blew my socks off. Her name is Lisa Coulombe. If you have never heard of her, check out her website here.She does the most amazing quilted jackets and coats. We had a fashion show of dozens of her pieces. She told us the story behind each jacket. They were so inspirational! I got several ideas about quilting methods and embellishments from this presentation. I was so happy that I understood all the words she used! I am sorry I missed the workshop she had done the day before, but I wasn't a member then.

Now I am! Check out the Citrus Belt Quilters website. If you are ever in our area on the last Friday of the month, ask me to take you to a meeting.

WIP #2 Piecing Progress

2012-01-25T03:00:00.000-08:00

This past week, in spite of the big football games and DH's 70th(!) birthday, I have been a piecing fool. So let's recap:

In Progress: String Blocks quilt top is finished and sandwiched with fleece for a cuddle quilt donation. the piano key border is from my collection of strip scraps.

The Yellow Busy Bee quilt is about halfway through the triangle blocks, actually Step 6 of 12 on the directions. I need to buy more Thangles to continue. That should be done this week. I should probably try the online HST papers but I tend to stick with what I start with on a project.

The PURE charm squares quilt has been assembled. I have tried different layouts for the Disappearing Nine Patch blocks (D9P). First I tried this:

This is the same layout as the strings quilt. Way too many seams to match here, so I tried this:

Finally, I did this layout and added the inner border. I can't say how much I LOVE this fabric!

This is the fun of D9P. You can play around with the design according to what your fabric calls for. So now I need to add the outer border and decide how to finish it off. It is a small lap size now.

Finished: In the knitting department, I finished this double loop scarf. It is an easy knit, purl pattern by Rachel O'Donnell. I am hooked on knitting these while watching TV. They will make nice gifts.

New Starts: None

That's it for my week. How has yours been? Today is link up day with Esther's Blog and Freshly Pieced. Go over there to see what others have been working on.

Free Motion Practice

2012-01-21T09:10:00.000-08:00

Block 2 Flowers

Block 2 Back

The button in the sidebar indicates the Quokka Quilts Free Motion Quilt A Long. I have done Blocks 1 through 4 and thought I did pretty well. Then I looked at the other blocks others have done and I have a serious case of envy. Back to the darning foot... here are my blocks for this linky party. They are out of order because my cursor would not cooperate today. I copied and pasted several times to get them in order but, alas, I am spending too much time on that. You understand, right? Have a good week.


Block 4 Flower and Spirals


Block 1 - Loops

Block 1 Loops

Block 3 Spiral

New Works in Progress

2012-01-18T03:00:00.000-08:00

After working with so many projects using scraps I had a strong desire to work with some new fabric I had waiting for me in my stash .These charm packs, along with yardage, have been ready to go to work . I had decided to do a Disappearing Nine Patch. Then I saw on another blog the idea of making shadow blocks by using the neutral in all the center squares.

Sewing with these precuts is so wonderful. The fabric quality is the best. Added to that is the pinked edges which help in matching the squares. The precision makes piecing so pleasurable Next, I cut the 9 patch down the center and across.

.
Maybe the blocks will go this way.

Or maybe they will go this way. For now, I am sewing the 9 patches and cutting them into the blocks. I am halfway done with enough blocks for a lap quilt. Stay tuned.

Staying with the D9P idea I also made some more string blocks. I wanted to clean out the full drawer. So I made some 5 inch string blocks and paired them with some neutral squares I had been saving.

Again, I cut the 9 patches into blocks. I put them on my design board and pinned them there. Then I auditioned some fabric for borders.

No, that wouldn't work, as much as I would like to use up those fabrics. I settled on a red scrap for the inner border and am planning a piano key outer border using scraps of course.


Scrappy strings D9P

The third new start this year is the Busy Bee Yellow Quilt that uses the BOMs from last year. I have the fabrics cut and the first of many HSTs made using Thangles. I am stuck at that point right now.

The fourth project is for the Quokka Quilts FMOQAL. I have some blocks made. I am caught up with the FMQ designs for Blocks 1-4. I will be posting pictures when I link up with Laura.

Have you seen this tool? I think it is the best of the year! I had seen it in a catalog and then when we walked into the Sewing Center, my dear husband spotted it on the notions wall. I used it to take out the hem on my son's pants to shorten them. It was fabulous! I wear glasses but the magnifier on this makes working at night so much easier. New seam rippers are always nice anyway. This one is made by Dritz. I have also seen one in a Nancy's Notions catalog that even has a tiny LED light with it. Woo Hoo!

These 4 WIPs will be keeping me busy for a while. Tomorrow I am going to the Road to California Quilt Show. More about that later.

Today is link up day with Freshly Pieced and Esther's Blog. Go over there to see what other quilters are up to.
Happy Quilting!

Saturday Foto Finish

2012-01-14T07:48:00.000-08:00

Our weather has been so perfectly mild that I got the camera outside and shot some good things. This is an egret we saw when we visited Doheny State Beach along our coast. I took several shots of him/her(?) in various poses. I like this one the best for the reflection in the water. Of course, the blue reflects the sky.

This is link up day with Foto Finish at Cat Patches. Take a look there to see what other good shots are out there.

A Banner Finish

2012-01-13T08:01:00.000-08:00

You know how quilt shops can be great places for inspiration. So much so that I have been told that they are dangerous. In 2009, I purchased the book Quilter's Dozen Plus by Janet Selek. I was inspired by the samples made from it that hung in the quilt shop I was visiting. I was a novice quilter back then. I loved applique'. Why, I don't know. It just intrigued me. So I set out to make the monthly banners that were in this book.

I tried starting with the January banner pattern and just couldn't get my head around the instructions. I had been doing fusible applique' with Patrick Lose designs so I was kind of stuck on that technique. This book called for freezer paper applique' that I could not understand. Then I met up with one of the shop people at Road to California ( a huge quilt show and conference that I will be going to again on the 22nd). She told me to go ahead and use the method I was comfortable with. She also advised me to take their class. Their shop was 35 miles away. So then I started working on the November banner, a paper pieced pattern. I had never done paper piecing. I consulted with one of the teachers at our local LQS. She confirmed what I thought was how to do paper piecing. O K Then I met Wendi through an online forum. She was working on the same book. She was taking a class so I asked her to help. One thing she told me was that each pattern gets more difficult, starting with January. So I had started with one of the most difficult. DUH! I did November, then jumped to February and on through the year. I was doing one banner a month in 2010 and getting proficient at new techniques. I even did the background wall quilt that the banners are hung on. I finished December last month - 2011. Then I was in another local shop and they had classes for all the banners. Too late! Now it is January again and I finally got up the courage to wrestle with that pattern again. Ta Dah!

They are all 16 X 20 inches, a perfect size for quilting. They use scraps. You know how I love using scraps.

I pieced the back with more scraps and used the same scraps in the binding. I quilted a loopy pattern and some highlights in some areas. I also did an echo around the applique'.

All months are now done. The book can be retired. But wait. There is a full sized quilt pattern in the book as well. Hmmmmmmm....am I done yet?

We are still experiencing a mild winter so no real snowmen will be in our future. Here is a picture of where we visited yesterday to get a whiff of the Pacific Ocean and to feel sand under our feet. Maybe I should work on a sandman?

Hope you are enjoying your New Year. Happy Quilting! Happy Friday the 13th! I am linking up with Quokka Quilt's TGIFF and with Crazy Mom Quilts for Finish It Up Friday. Head over there to see what other quilters are doing.

TGIFF for 2012

2012-01-06T03:00:00.000-08:00

I have a small project finished at last. It is a 12 inch quilty made for my Swap Bot partner. In her profile, she said she liked snowmen year 'round. I just happened to have the perfect fabric in my stash from a two year old purchase.


Back

This is the Christmas Memory block from the Quilting Gallery's Quilt Along. They are having a contest for those of us who made something with the blocks. You can vote for mine here.here.
I quilted it mostly in a meander but the snowmen are with wavy lines. This was a fun project that took a couple of weeks due to the holidays, a short trip and general busyness.

Are you experiencing odd weather? We had temperatures in the 80s(F) yesterday! The snowpack is really low this year which is dangerous. Alaska, where are you? We need some rain and snow down here.

Today is link up day for Thank Goodness Its Finished Friday with Quokka Quilts and crazy mom quilts. Hop over there to see what other quilters are up to.

Foto Finish - The End of the World?

2012-01-05T20:09:00.001-08:00

Is this what the end of the world looks like? It is 2012 after all and, according to some naysayers, the world is supposed to end. Just because the Mayans or whoever it was ran out of room for more calendar dates, doesn't mean that the world will really end, does it? Here I am, standing in a thick Tule fog in Fresno, California looking at dead corn stalks one chilly January morning. This is the fourth day after I snapped this with my trusty Nikon Coolpix. I have no fear. There will be a tomorrow.

My Last Quilt of 2011

2011-12-30T06:53:00.000-08:00

The last quilt is, no surprise, a scrappy one. This is the one made from Crumb Chaos, aka mile-a-minute (MAM) blocks. I think these blocks were the best thing I learned this year. They are on the My Current Obsession blog. It can sort of be called a Rainbow quilt because the blocks were made for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge. It is another cuddle quilt for the hospital.

I quilted it in a meander. These blocks are so freeing in their random piecing. Plus they use up a LOT of scraps! This year I have emptied one large tote of scraps and nearly filled it up again. Time to start over.

Quilt back

Whatever it is named, it is D-O-N-E which is how I like my quilts. Now I can move on to new projects in the New Year. I will be participating in the New FO challenge at Cat Patches. Her button is in the side bar. Laura has talked me into her QAYGQAL. That button is also on my sidebar. It should be a fun year. Join us!

Today I am linking up with TGIFF and tomorrow I will link with the Rainbow Scrap Challenge. Thanks to Laura and Andrea for hosting these linky parties this year. It has been a wonderful experience.

See you next year. In the meantime, Happy New Year and Happy Quilting!

Scrappin' Up the Year with String Blocks - Tutorial

2011-12-28T03:00:00.000-08:00

"When life gives you scraps, make a quilt."

For those of us who were raised by women who lived through the Depression and World War II years, saving small pieces of fabric from projects comes naturally. There is always excess binding to be cut off. There is always an odd strip left after cutting for a project. Do you toss them? Not me! I keep a bag in a drawer where I put these "strings."

After a while, the drawer is pretty full and it is time to get to making them into a quilt. Of course, the first step is the blocks.

I start with deciding what size block I want. I like 7 or 9 inch, but any size you are comfortable with is fine. I use muslin as my foundation base. You can use any cotton, or even more scraps. Do NOT use paper! Cut the number of blocks you want from the foundation material, allowing about 1/4 inch more to allow for shrinkage and cutting. So for this project, I cut 7 1/4 inch blocks. For the project I am showing you, I wanted 30- 7 inch blocks in a 5 X 6 configuration. This will make a 35 X 42 inch center.

Take each square of foundation muslin or cotton, place the first "string" diagonally in the center of the square, right side up. Do NOT stitch. In my project, I am using white for all my center strings for a reason I will show you later. Any string will do. Remember that this is a scrappy project. Just grab any string of any color of any size and go to work. In the photo above, I have pieced the string to make it long enough. This is allowed.

The second string is placed right side down along the long raw edge of the center string. Stitch along this side using a 1/4 inch seam. You can either hand press the seam or use an iron, which is what I do. You will repeat this step until you have half the foundation covered. Repeat with the other side. I like to use small scraps for the corners. It is also fun to use the same fabric on half the corners and then match them later.

You will enjoy the repetitive straight stitching of these blocks. After you have at least 4 blocks done, turn them foundation side up, trim the edges and square them to the size you want.

Now the real fun begins.
Arrange the 4 blocks in various configurations. You will see an optical illusion that is created. Fun, right?

Design Wall

My use of white in the center of each block created the look of white sashing. This eliminates the need for sashing around each block. Any color would work for this effect. Have fun playing with your blocks to create a zig zag effect, diamonds or any others you might like.

Once you have all your blocks finished, it is your choice whether or not to add a border or two. You will need to finish the quilt the same way you do any other. This is my top before quilting. It has a small border.

String Block quilt top

This is a project that I do throughout the year. When I pull out my strings, I remember the projects I did with those fabrics. One string block quilt that I made for my mother-in-law is still on her bed. I feel most honored by that accomplishment!
Now I am offering a business sized envelope full of my "strings" to anyone who comments on this post. Tell me if you want to do a small project or a quilt. Make sure your email address is connected to your blog name and I will message you to get your address. Do not put your address in the comment.I will send enough strings for your first block. Any questions?

Happy Quilting!

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T07:08:00.000-08:00

HO HO HO......Santa has come to town......MERRY CHRISTMAS!

WIP # 26 - Winner!

2011-12-21T04:00:00.000-08:00

It has been a while since I posted about Works in Progress but this is a good time. First, I want to shout HOORAY! because I won a giveaway! Laura at Quokka Quilts had a giveaway with Pink Castle Fabrics. I won the 8 fat quarters in solid cottons.

I am so excited! Now Laura messaged me on Saturday that I had won and the same day I got a message from Pink Castle saying the package was in the mail. Can you believe I got it on Monday?!!! Now I don't have an excuse not to do Laura's Quilt a Long using solids. I do love working with solids. I had another project in mind but I think I can do both. You should check out the Pink Castle shop. There are lots of fabulous fabrics there.

Here is my progress report:
In progress:
- Scrappy quilt needs backing and quilting. this is one from the Crumb Chaos blocks.

- String Blocks need to be assembled into a quilt center. I will be doing a tutorial next week.
- Easy Super Squares quilts need to be finished. These are from a Quiltmaker pattern.
- Busy Bee blocks (Yellow quilt) need to be assembled into bigger blocks.

New Projects:
- Quilt A Long with Quokka Quilts ?????? May.. be

- Knitting! I have been knitting simple projects like scarves and dishcloths for a while. Now I am trying circular needles to make kids' hats for LLUMCH. Switching to the double pointed needles was hard at first.

I watched a video online to learn about the circular needle. You can learn about anything on the Internet! I love it!

Finished: Some tissue cozies for gifts. I think I have enough here to get me to Valentine's Day. I use Skip to my Lou's instructions.

Like Esther, I have been baking. Today I made a pan of Oatmeal Raisin Peanut Butter bars. Our mailman gets a bag full, our son took some and we have a few left for snacking. The recipe is inside the lid of Quaker Oatmeal.. I added peanut butter and reduced the amount of oats by 1/4 cup.

Here is what is awaiting Santa, although it seems he has already been here...

This is link up with Esther's Blog day so go on over there and see what other creative people are up to these days.

This is my wish for you this holiday season:

May you always have LOVE to          share, HEALTH to spare          and FRIENDS that care...

Happy Quilting! 

Bee Blocks End and Begin

2011-12-19T03:00:00.000-08:00

The December Busy Bee block is done.
It would be really exciting and a reason to celebrate except that now the real work begins. I have the finishing kit that I bought last year.

When I went to the shop to get the last block, Penny gave me the instructions for the various fabrics. They are exquisite and I will love working with them. She also said I could make two throw sized quilts, each with 6 blocks, OR one queen sized quilt. When I told my husband this, he immediately said it would be nice to have a yellow quilt on our queen sized bed for the Spring. So in that one statement I got a project for the New Year and a deadline. Hmmmmm.. What is on YOUR New Year's project list?

This is the big week for holidays here in the US ( and many other places). The news reports say that half of all Americans have not finished their shopping yet. Well, not me! We are ready to holiday down! Bring it on! Good luck to those of you tangling with traffic and crowded stores while I read books, sew and knit. Such is what retirement is all about, isn't it?

My family and I wish you the best holiday ever. I will probably post next week to finish out the year. It has been a good one for us as I hope it has been for you. Don't get caught in any blizzards, ya hear?

If Lyn is having her linky party today, I will be over at What a Hoot for BOMs Away Monday. Head over there for some quilty inspiration. Happy quilting!

Friday Quilt Finishes

2011-12-16T03:00:00.000-08:00

"Those who sleep under a quilt sleep under a blanket of love." - Author unknown

This is link up day with Thank Goodness Its Finished Friday and crazymom quilts so here is some eye candy of my latest finishes:


Black & White Delight

This is the quilted finish for the Black and White Delight BOMs that I have been doing this whole year. Phew! I have definitely decided NOT to do a 12 month program again. Most BOMs have previous years' blocks that you can access all at once. If I do a sampler quilt again, I will do it that way. These blocks are easy to assemble and the instructions are really clear. You can find them here along with previous years. You need to click on the For Members button.

I quilted this with a grid of wavy lines that has become my new favorite motif.

Back

This picture doesn't show the lines well, but the back does. I will be gifting this to a dear friend who is having serious health issues. Hopefully it will cheer her.

Quilting lines

The backing is a fleece panel. I did not use batting so that it would be an extra light quilt, use able year 'round. I also did not put on a border as I was fitting the top to the fleece panel.
This quilting motif came from Quiltmaker magazine's pattern for Super Nine Patch quilts. I am doing several of these for LLUMC as usual.


Donation quilts

The first day of Winter is coming up this week here in the Northern climes. Today it was snowing in our nearby mountains and I could watch it from our lower elevation. Very exciting! The 'boarders and skiers are happy as are the towns that have ski areas. I am happy to have cool weather. Here is hoping all is well with you wherever you are.

Happy Quilting!

Occupy! Report

2011-12-11T15:40:00.000-08:00

This week I have been occupying my sewing room every day. The first project I finished was this Christmas tablerunner with fabrics I have had in my stash for a couple of years now.

Christmas runner

This one is for us! My Christmas present to US!


Black & White Delight

Other projects have been to assemble and sash the Black and White Delight BOM blocks. They are 12 inch blocks so I used a one inch sashing to highlight the blocks. The backing is a fleece throw that is a very bright print. It still needs to be quilted. This one will be a gift for an ailing friend.

It has been a busy week with baking and shopping and wrapping presents going on that are not part of the usual routine. "Tis the season!

I hope you all had a productive week in your sewing rooms.
Head on over to Cat Patches to see the dozens of others who have been part of this terrific movement.

Getting Into the Spirit

2011-12-05T03:00:00.000-08:00

Now that Thanksgiving is past and I have survived Black Friday, it is time to think about the December holidays and - yikes! - the New Year. We have all our decorations up along with our ever reliable tree. Back in this post I showed you the Christmas tree fabric postcards I sent off to the swap at About.com's Quilting Forum. Now I can show you the wonderful fabric postcards I received from the other four people in the swap.
They are all so talented. I know you will love these cards as I do.


from Joy, the swap hostess

from Brenda


from labfiend


from Wanda

These are this year's additions to our holiday decor. Are you getting into the spirit of the holidays yet?

Friday Lap Quilt Finish

2011-12-01T18:30:00.000-08:00

Fabrics for lap quilt

A couple of months ago my hairdresser asked me to make a lap quilt for her college student daughter. I was happy to do it. I had made a quilt for my hairdresser's mother and also for her aunt. She wanted the same pattern. YAY! I love making this lap quilt. You can read about the process starting here.
My hairdresser wanted an animal skin print theme and wanted to buy the fabrics herself. I gave her the ingredients (13 fqs, yardage) and she had fun shopping after I explained about fat quarters. She found some great fabrics. It also saved me a lot of time and trouble.

Finished Lap Quilt

The cutting and assembly were easy peasey. I had to buy more batting but that was OK. Quilting was a meander that I did in sections. It was a bit hard using dark thread with the dark fabrics.

Back View

I did my usual one-pin binding using a batik that also forms part of the backing.I delivered the quilt and the mom/my hairdresser was thrilled with it.

Now I can begin working on holiday projects that are still in the planning stages. I did finish this small quilt for my kitchen wall hanging. This is the Quilter's Choice book that I worked on two years ago. This one for December didn't get finished until now. The holidays spurred me into action. I do enjoy applique' projects.


Quilter's Choice - December

Today I am linking up with TGIFF, Sew and Tell Friday and crazymomquilts. There is a new button on my sidebar for the Occupy Your Sewing Room event that I have joined. Doesn't that sound fun? Check it out.

Nine Easy Pieces & BOMs Away Monday

2011-11-27T00:01:00.000-08:00

If you are a regular reader of this blog, you know that I make and donate many quilts to Loma Linda Medical Center. I am always on the lookout for quick and easy patterns to use. This week my goal was to make a serious dent in my stash of kid prints. I had about 12 yards of different prints to use. The Super Sized Nine Patch pattern from the May/June '06 issue of Quiltmaker magazine seemed suitable to try.

Super Sized Nine Patch tops

It turned out to be perfect! Each yard of 3 fabrics is folded and cut the same way. Then you mix up the prints and get three baby quilts in under two hours time. I am hooked on this pattern for my donations. Even better was that I found out that Project Linus accepts quilt tops and blocks as long as they are bright kid prints. Their drop off location is just downtown so I am ecstatic! I am signed up for Quiltmaker's online newsletter which is how I found this pattern


Super Sized Nine Patch and Warm Wishes

I added a Warm Wishes quilt too but working on all those blocks was tedious. This makes sewing and donating so much easier. The real bonus is that I have room in a drawer now for new fabrics. Hooray!


More Super sized Nine Patches

I almost met my goal. I still have some yardage of one baby print so when I get some coordinating yardage I can work those up too.
What goals do you have for this week?

For BOMs Away Monday I have the very LAST of the Black and White Delight BOM.

You can probably tell it is a simple 16 patch block with nice placement of the three fabrics. Now to work out a time to get all these together into a quilt......

Today is link up day with What a Hoot! so head on over there to check out more quilting projects.

Happy Quilting!

Rainbow Scrap Challenge Quilt

2011-11-26T03:00:00.000-08:00

"Our lives are like quilts' bits and pieces: joy and sorrow, stitched with love." - Author Unknown

Did you go to any Black Friday sales? My husband got up early and went to the sporting goods chain store that opened at 5. My fabric store chain didn't open until 8 but I was there when they opened the door. There were few people at that time. I have never spent as much time in that store as I did yesterday. I was a happy shopper. My receipt said I SAVED $117.19. How's that? I am stocked up now on fleece, batting, yarn, fabric and treated myself to a couple of OTT-Lites that were 50% off.

I got all my Rainbow Scrap Challenge crumb blocks assembled and quilted into three charity cuddle quilts. Since this is brown month, I used the brown scraps for the binding on one of the quilts. This is what it looks like after washing.

Then I did a few tissue cozies:

Took 6 cuddle quilts to LLUMC for distribution. They had received quite a few donations this visit. They gave me a packet with patterns for all kinds of craft items they can use with the patients. I am going to be busy! Forget quilts, they gave me cat and frog toy patterns, knitted cap patterns and chemo hat patterns. This is a good way to use up my fleece scraps and a good excuse to buy some yarn.

It will soon be time for the next color for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge. It has been a good year of cleaning out that scrap bin. I am linking up with other quilters at Finish it Up Friday. Go on over there to see what they are up to.

Wonky Block Time

2011-11-21T03:00:00.000-08:00

This past year I have been participating in the Wonky House Block swaps on Swap Bot. I have sent and have received several blocks from all over the United States and also from the Netherlands. This week I started another round of these swaps because making these blocks is so much fun.

I used batiks as much as I could since my partner likes them. She also likes blue, thus the sky is a blue batik.

The instructions on how to do these free pieced wonders can be found here. Everyone is free to adjust the instructions as they wish and just play with this kind of construction. After I had received 9 blocks, I put them together into this quilt.

Some of my partners used my favorite colors of blue and green (from my profile). This is the block from the Netherlands:


Straight line quilting

I know, I know. I said I was getting impatient with Blocks of the Month (BOMs). But this is different. I can do them or not, depending on my whims each month. It doesn't involve a year long commitement. Doesn't it look easy? We are using different sizes this year so that we will have a more interesting layout for a quilt. Join us!

Now I want to share some photos of the fall colors around our Southern California town. This will dispute those ugly rumors you may have heard about how we don't have seasons, that it is always sunny and warm and green here. Surprise! It is raining today but before it did I got these shots:

This week we celebrate Thanksgiving here in the USA. I LOVE this holiday! It is all about family and food. I will be baking and cooking for my three guys. We will enjoy the traditional foods of the day. There are also marching bands and football games to watch on TV. I love being together with our little family and giving thanks for our blessings. I hope you enjoy the day wherever you may be located and

Today is link up day with What a Hoot so go on over there to see some other wonderful quilting projects.
Happy Quilting!

Starry Night Saga

2011-11-18T03:00:00.000-08:00

"The triumph can't be had without the struggle."
-Wilma Rudolph
(1940 - 1994)
This is one of those projects that, while trying to get it together, you start thinking, "What am I doing this for?" "Why am I going through this agony?" What else could I be doing that wouldn't be giving me this stress? Since all I could think of to answer was to go watch soap operas or a movie, or read a book, I stuck with it. I am not a quitter. Sewing machine hassles and confusing piecing do not deter me from the ultimate goal.
I am talking about the December project from Quilts in my Cubicle by Barbara Holzman. I have made several of the projects in this book. The header here is the November project. Once they are all done, I will be done with this book! THAT is my reward. Of course, I will also have mini quilts for the year to decorate my sewing room.
The cutting instructions included cutting a piece of template plastic which I happened to have on hand from my machine quilting class last year. I used fabrics from a fat quarter bundle that was in my stash. Love those FQs! Then I traced the pattern from the book onto freezer paper.

Freezer paper piecing involves sewing next to the pattern lines rather than on the lines like regular paper piecing. One tip: always cut the 1/4 inch seam after stitching. The pattern can be removed after stitching to use again. This is where I got into trouble because I hadn't cut the 1/4" seams completely, especially at the ends. Jack the ripper and I became friends once again.
Then, after using strips of the fabric to make the blocks, I saw the triangles I had cut in the beginning. What is up with that?

And then it started to come together.....

And then the borders went on decently. Then I sandwiched it and hung the 12 inch mini to be scrutinized. Parts of it look OK. Other parts were horrible. Could I live with this project on the wall of my sewing room? Do I deserve a better product?

And so, I began again........
Now that is better......

You can probably tell that these are small kaleidoscope blocks. I have been thinking about doing a whole quilt with kaleidoscope blocks. This was a good introduction. I kept forgetting the corner pieces. I added a fun backing.....

Then I did echo quilting on the center and free motion squiggle lines on the border with matching thread.

Now I am happy to hang this project in my sewing room. But I am rethinking the kaleidoscope quilt idea.

On another note, I have entered my Turkey Trot mini quilt (shown in this header) in the Weekly Themed Quilt Contest held by the Quilting Bloggers Gallery. You can vote for my project by going here.
I would really appreciate your vote.

Friday brings link ups with Sew and Tell Friday and TGIFF. Go over there to see some awesome work.

November BOMs

2011-11-14T03:00:00.000-08:00

It is BOMs Away Monday so here are my November blocks. Only one more to go. WooHoo!
The Florida Cabin Fever Quilt Guild block is always fun. The brights with the B &W just make me smile.

I don't have a finishing kit for this so I am thinking I will use Kona black for sashings.The quilt will probably be donated so I need narrow sashings to stay within the size preferences of the hospital.

The Busy Bee block needs a little unsewing. That bottom row is wonky. I do have the finishing kit for these blocks so will be making the quilt next month. YAY!

I am losing patience with a 12 month program. I think next year I will go back and do previous years so I can work on them all at my own pace. My first quilt was a BOM from 2002 that I did in a month. Have you ever done that?
Today is the link up with What a Hoot! so head over there to see more awesome blocks.

Thank You Veterans + Trapunto Success

2011-11-11T03:00:00.000-08:00

Today is Veteran's Day here in the States. In other countries it is called Remembrance Day. This is one of the times we give a shout out to all those great people who have served in our military, or are currently serving. Thank you!

There is a new mini quilt challenge going on HERE. There are prizes involved. Check it out after you finish reading this post.The button for Sew and Tell Friday is on the sidebar.

The survey I did on binding resulted in everyone doing their own binding. OK, now I feel like I am in good company.

I have been admiring the trapunto effect on some blogs I have visited. I tried to achieve the same effect a few times, without success. Finally, I did it! It was a happy accident.

I was doing a small quiltie for a swap partner on Swap Bot. I decided to do a Fall Leaf applique'. After I had cut out the leaf design with the fusible web on the back, I stitched the lines on the pattern from the wrong side. I used an edgy stitch (#6, Mode 2 on my Janome 6600).

back

Then I stitched the leaf to the background, using a blanket stitch. After that, I sandwiched the backing, batting, background fabric with the leaf. I put a little poly fill under the leaf area and then stitched down the layers. I did a stippling around the leaf and stitched another time around the edges to insure that it was stitched down. It came out great! I am so pleased! Hope you and my swap partner like it. I think the trick is the poly fill. One more shot...I am so proud!

Have a good weekend everyone and Happy Quilting!

This is also link up day with TGIFF. Take a visit over there to see what other quilters are doing.

Jelly Roll Quilts and a Binding Poll

2011-11-07T07:12:00.000-08:00

Two new cuddle quilts have been finished. I quilted them with wavy lines, inspired by another blogger. It was easy and effective to do it that way.

As you can see, they are jelly roll quilts from the jelly rolls I made from scraps as I described in this post.
I learned something when I was sewing up the top. Unroll the jelly roll before you begin to sew.

Otherwise, your strips will tangle and twist and slow you down and drive you nuts. I started with the end and the beginning of the long strip sewing right sides together. As I came to the ends that were connected, I just cut off the ends.
OK, so the tops are done and I have basted them to the fleece backing. Now for the binding and a question for you. On one quilt (left side above) I did a roll over binding with the fleece. On the other one, I used packaged binding for the first time ever! I usually make my own bindings from the quilt fabrics but lately the charity quilts seem easier with the rollover style. The packaged binding worked fine and I am somewhat fascinated by it. I guess it is a novelty for me.

So my question is, do you make your own binding or do you use packaged (purchased) binding? If you do both, choose the one you use the most. I really am curious as to what most people do. I will post the results of this poll in my next post.

Fabric Postcard Finishes

2011-11-04T03:00:00.000-07:00

Fabric postcards are one of my favorite projects. They are little quilts that take little time. I have practiced many different techniques on the postcard sizes. I usually swap them on Swap Bot or send them as gifts to friends and family. This past month I have been involved in several swaps. The first was a Christmas theme on the Quilting Forum at About.com. The deadline for that has passed so I can now show you what I sent the swap hostess who will be sending us an assortment of cards in return.

There are 6 in my group, thus 6 cards, all alike. The tree is paper pieced and embellished. I used invisible thread to stitch on the silver. The gold star in adhered with the iron. I was lucky to find just the right sized star. These cards are 4" X 6" so there isn't much play room.

It seems like I have my holidays jumbled up with all these different cards. Working backward, Thanksgiving called for a swap on

Swap Bot. Since I had a paper pieced pattern for that, I made this turkey. There is hand stitching with floss on the beak and the legs and feet. My hand stitching skills are not what they used to be.
Continuing with the Fall theme, here is a paper pieced pumpkin.

The really big challenge was the Thread Sketch fabric postcards swap on Swap Bot. I had never tried this technique. We were referred to this tutorial. It helped a lot. Once I jumped into the project, I found it quite easy after all. One thing I didn't do at first that I should have was shorten the stitch length. I used 50 weight thread too and the usual presser foot. I had a terrible time making the letter C because I was too stubborn to change to my darning foot. After, DH said I should have just used a marker. Why didn't I think of that?

I made three "sketches" by first marking the picture using a photo I took of a lifeguard stand at Coronado Beach here in California. The marker is disappearing ink but I had to spritz some water on it to make it disappear. I did that after all the stitching was done. Then I fused the sketches to the Pellon, then to the card stock backing and stitched around the cards. These I am putting in envelopes for mailing. My mailman enjoys seeing my cards but these are too delicate to send, I think.

Today is link up day with TGIFF so go over there and see what others have finished.
Tomorrow is link up day with the Rainbow Scrap Challenge. This month's color is Brown. The seasnal cards here are made with some of the scraps. I do have a few more so I will be posting later on those projects.

Thanks for all the lovely comments on my last post. You give me energy! Happy Quilting!

TGIFF and Halloween

2011-10-28T03:00:00.000-07:00

Monday is Halloween here in the States. Do you have it where you are? In our town, the downtown merchants offer treat - or- treating for the kids after school hours. It is a fun time for them all. Often adults wear costumes so it is a fun day to shop. Here's mine:

We haven't had any kids come to our house for a while so it is quiet here. We stocked up just in case some come by. Of course we chose candy that WE like:)

This is my second time posting with the young and hip quilters hosting TGIFF. Every week there is a different blogger hosting. The link gives you the schedule, so after you read all this, go over and see what the young ones have cooked up this week:) Not that I am old, just a bit more seasoned.

This week I treated myself to an autumn bag. I used a bundle of 6 fat quarters from the Grand Finale collection by Sandy Gervais. The bag pattern calls for yardage so I had to make some adjustments for the fat quarters, but I am happy with the result.

This was the first time I have done the panel style for the outside. I love these fabrics so much, I just had to show them all. Then I usually add pockets to the outside sides but I forgot so had to patch one on. It barely fits my key fob. The inside pocket accommodates my phone.

This lining is done with two prints rather than one due to using the fat quarters. I don't mind, do you? A magnetic snap completed the project.

Now I am all set for the season. This may become a quarterly endeavor. I should start looking for winter prints. Here in Southern California autumn lasts until January and then it is nearly Spring.

Happy Quilting!and Happy Halloween!

WIP Wednesday Autumn Projects

2011-10-26T03:00:00.000-07:00

It's official. Less than one month to our Thanksgiving here in the States. Our little family is talking about the menu so it must be happening. Time to watch for the specials on turkeys at the stores. This is my favorite holiday and my favorite time of year. I have been focusing on seasonal projects this week.

Finished - Four little projects completed this week:
We needed a new table runner for this season so I did an applique' pattern from Quilting Celebrations magazine. I used a tear-away stabilizer when doing the satin stitching. The quilting is stippling in the brown areas and cross hatching straight lines through the pieced center.


tear away stabilizer

For a Swap Bot swap, I finished the Log Cabin mini quilt using a paper-pieced pattern from Quilter's Cache.

I used scraps and even found the perfect scrap for the backing as it was going to Texas.

backing and quilting

For two other swaps, I made fabric postcards.

In Progress- 3 quilts for quilting.
And string blocks to be assembled into a quilt
"" rainbow crumb blocks to be assembled into 3 charity quilts
I keep getting distracted. See above....and below...

New Projects- Time for a new bag. I am using these wonderful Harvest Prints from the Grand Finale collection by Sandy Gervais for Moda. Aren't they pretty? This bag pattern will go quickly so I will have it to post next week.

This is link up day with freshly pieced and Esther's Blog so go on over there to see what they are up to.

Happy Quilting!

Orange Saturday

2011-10-22T03:00:00.000-07:00

As I was poking around Facebook, I came across this post. What a great project! As I am lining up my next projects, this one goes to the top of the list. As you may already know, I am a two time breast cancer survivor. Only due to early detection am I here to tell you this. My dear aunt died because she waited too long to get treatment and then suffered through surgery and chemo in her last precious days. Don't let that happen to you. I have an appointment for my annual mammogram, do you? If you are 40 or older,do it!

On to the Rainbow Scrap Challenge. I finished up the last of my orange scraps with six Crumb Chaos blocks. Now I have a total of 60 nine inch rainbow blocks so I will be starting a layout for 3 charity quilts.
Just before those, I did a few tissue pack cozies for gifts.

Of course this month's Busy Bee BOM is orange with the yellow. Only two more months to go!

A Fall table-runner is planned for this week in a design by Patrick Lose. That has orange too but I had to go into my stash for that. I have recently learned that in Europe and maybe elsewhere, this is Autumn, not Fall. We Americans are always keeping it short. What Autumn/Fall projects are you working on? Go over to soscrappy to see what others are doing with their orange scraps.

More Eye Candy and WIP# 24

2011-10-19T03:00:00.000-07:00

My apologies if you tried to comment on my last post and couldn't. I had not checked the "allow" button until Ellen of Little Jewel Quilts was kind enough to email me about the problem. Thanks, Ellen! I will be more careful to allow comments.

I know that eye candy from the local quilt show is your primary reason for stopping by, so here goes:

I liked the simplicity but creativity of these two.

Here is another of Laura West Kong's and the label says " No batiks were harmed in the making of this quilt." I love it!

This is part of the wearable art display. Too much to absorb in one viewing. I went back and was just awestruck.

This is one of the 3D quilts that struck me speechless. This photo does not do it justice.

And others........

This is a creative version of the Lone Star pattern.

That's it for the quilt show. I hope you enjoyed these pieces. I am now looking forward to next year's show. I have yet to join this guild but I may be visiting a meeting soon.

My Work in Progress report is short.
Projects started -
3 small quilts for swaps. I have finished two. I am a big fan of Patrick Lose's designs. This mini mat is from last year's issue of Quilting Celebrations.

This is applique' with satin stitching around the shapes.

Back


Close Up

There was an issue with the tension on the meander FMQ but I left it as a design element:)


Back

This Cat-o-Lantern is from this year's issue of the same magazine. I plan to make more of these projects. They are all easy applique' and quilting. Cat has wavy lines in matching purple thread.

Some paper pieced Log Cabin blocks are in the works for another small quilt.

In Progress - 3 quilt tops still have to be quilted

Hope autumn (or spring) is going well for you. Thanks for stopping by. This is link up day to Esther's Blog and freshly pieced. Take a look at what is happening there.

Happy Quilting.

Quilt Show Eye Candy

2011-10-16T15:59:00.000-07:00

The local quilt guild, Citrus Belt Quilters, held a show this weekend. It was beautifully done. All the quilts were hung on white backgrounds which showed them well. I was really impressed with the quality of the work. I took a many photos. I found most of the ones I liked used batiks. No surprise there. I was specifically looking for modern designs and was not disappointed. Some of the art pieces blew me away. Also, as I write this I am listening to a CD of Celtic music that I won in the doorprize drawing. Wha Hoo! Enjoy the eye candy. I will try to describe as many of the quilts as I can.

This one is with batiks.

Laura West Kong is the artist for this one. I saw another one of hers that I also liked Isn't this a happy quilt?

Forgive the poor focus on this one. I think it has applique', another favorite of mine.

Although this is more of a traditional quilt, it is made with batiks so it rated my shot.:) Isn't the work exquisite?

This was the only one with a stained glass effect. What a beautiful seasonal wall hanging!

I have a personal note to add to this BW &R. The quilter is Nelda Stuck. She is retired from writing for the local newspaper. Of course this quilt is titled Black, White and Red all over. Good work, Nelda!

This was the most unusual quilt in my opinion. I guess it is a memory quilt, maybe of travels? The fabric was really appropriate.
Here is a close up.

There was no information about the quilt, unfortunately.

This awesome red quilt was beautifully quilted in concentric circles of course. There are twizzler stars throughout it. I think the rick rack really adds a nice touch.

One more and then I'll put more up on my WIP Wednesday post. I hope you enjoyed these quilts. Wait 'till you see the 3D ones on Wednesday!


The End of the Trail

Really, that's the title of this humorous one. Sorry again about the focus, I was laughing too much.

WIP Wednesday #23 Getting Organized

2011-10-12T03:00:00.000-07:00

It is nice to get back to accounting for my projects. It helps me stay organized and motivated.

Projects Started -
-Mini Mat designed by Patrick Lose - fabrics have been pulled, washed and pressed
-2 Jelly Roll quilt tops were completed while we were on vacation. This is one of them. I used scraps I had made into jelly rolls. They now need to be sandwiched and quilted.

October Pumpkin Patch mini quilt is finished. The piecing for this project was rather difficult. There were 3/4 inch squares to work with and freezer paper piecing of the tree branches. I have some ideas for easier piecing if I ever make another one.

3/4 inch squares!

I did some dense quilting on the tree branches. I marked the falling leaves using a water erasable marker. Then I FMQ'd them. The outer border just has wavy lines to attach all the layers. The stems on the pumplons are hand embroidered, surprise, surprise! This is a 12 inch project. Love these little darlins'.

In Progress
-The Wonky House wall quilt has been sandwiched and is awaiting quilting.

- Six fabric postcards for the About.com Quilting Forum swap are almost done. I will show them in a future post. I don't want the other participants to see them just yet.

By the way, the quilt in the header is the Aspen Leaf Quilt I made two years ago. It is from a kit I bought in June Lake when Sierra Cottons and Wools was located there. They are now in Bishop. They have built up their yarn stock with some fabulous yarns. The quilt is all batiks with applique'.

Today is link up day with Esther's Blog and freshly pieced. Go on over there to see what other quilters are doing.

Visiting Winter

2011-10-08T03:00:00.000-07:00

If life gives you snow, make a snowperson.

This week we have been in the Sierra Nevada Mountains here in California. We had three days of lovely weather for fishing and touring. Then Winter arrived! While it spoiled our plans for outdoor activities, we enjoyed the beauty of a season we only watch from afar from our home in Southern California.I made two Jelly Roll quilts, read two books and looked out the window a lot.. Those of you who live in areas that have winters like this are no doubt chuckling over this. I grew up in the Northeast so I took to this well. DH, however, was rather intimidated by the accumulation not to mention being a bit peeved at missing his fishing time.The Inn we are staying at provides good entertainment to pass the time but looking out the window is the most amazing pastime. I want to share some of the beauty that we saw.

We had brought two quilts with us so we were snug and warm during the storms.

My next project for the orange Rainbow Scrap Challenge is this 12 inch quilt from the book Quilts in My Cubicle. The fabrics are cut and ready to work on when I get home.

Happy Sewing and Happy Thanksgiving to my Canadian friends.

BOMs Away Monday & Mountain Time

2011-10-03T03:00:00.000-07:00

Today I have the October block from the Florida Cabin Fever Quilt Guild. They posted the instructions early. This one is so easy! All it is is four flying geese and four rectangles. I am seriously thinking of doing more in this pattern for a three-color quilt. Maybe you will too.

As I write this, we are at our mountain timeshare for a week. We plan to fish. I am the substitute for DH's buddy this week due to medical issues. The wind is really strong and we expect rain for three days. The fishing idea may just be that. I do have my sewing machine and those two jelly rolls. The scenery here is always spectacular. Here are a few pics I have taken in just two days.

Do you think there is fabric in this awesome blue?

This is link up day with What a Hoot! Go on over there to see more blocks.

Also, I have been told that there is a problem leaving comments. I have made some adjustments that will, hopefully, correct that. If you click on the comments below you should now get a pop up window and you should not have to establish a Google account. Thanks to Ellen for pointing this out to me. I may be changing the layout soon.

Pumpkin Time

2011-10-01T03:00:00.000-07:00

First, how do you like the new look of my blog? I want to know. I can change it back to the other if the feedback is for doing that. If you look at the top of this page, you will see Classic, etc labels. If you click on those, there will be a different view of my blog. None of them have the buttons I had decorating (or was it cluttering?) the page. All the extraneous info is gone too. You can access older posts easily through the above labels. This is an experiment and your comment is appreciated.

Pieced Pumpkin finished

Now to quilty stuff! This has been a week of pumpkins and more pumpkins.One of the first quilting books I ever bought a few years ago was Pieced Vegetables by Ruth B. McDowell. I really wanted to make these projects. They looked so artsy. I tried making the pumpkin with my very basic skills and ended up tossing it. This year, after some experience, I made another attempt.

the back after piecing

This project is not for the feint of heart or for a newbie. It involves enlarging the pattern, tracing the pattern onto freezer paper, marking everything the pattern has onto the freezer paper pattern, cutting where the directions say to cut, applying the patterns to fabrics, cutting with an added seam allowance, following the piecing directions for straight as well as curved seams. I tend to try to take short cuts. There are NO shortcuts here. Clipping of seams is detailed in the instructions and very necessary. This is all very intricate piecing. At least to me. However, I did get a good result and another skill under my belt. Hooray! I also used the very last of my black scraps for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge. As of this writing, I don't know what the color is for October. I am hoping it will be orange so these projects can count.

before quilting

Another pumpkin I made took me three tries. It is paper pieced from a Quiltmaker pattern. It is a fabric postcard that is now on its way to New Zealand. Do they have pumpkins down there? This was for a Swap Bot swap.

Happy October everyone! Leave me a comment. I love them.

A Fishing Tale

2011-09-26T03:00:00.000-07:00

For the past 40+ years, dear hubby and his fishing partner have been going to this one spot high (8500') in the Sierra Nevada Mountains to fish for trout. They went once every summer when they were working. Now that they are retired, they go about three times during the summer. The place is snowed in in the winter, and spring too for that matter. This year there was still 10 feet of snow in the parking lot in early June! They tent camp and it gets pretty cold at night. They are true mountain men. That's why I stay home. I am not very outdoorsy. Also, the facilities there are rather primitive. Also no electricity, so how am I to sew? Anyway, they spend four nights up there on every trip. On the most recent trip, hubby took this picture while he was in the boat.

He wanted to record the clouds coming over the mountain tops. That was not a good sign for them. Usually they have clear blue skies. Sure enough, it was soon raining with thunder and lightning. Everything they had got soaked. This was on the second day. They stayed the full time though, being the good mountain men that they are. They didn't have access to the Weather Channel either.

So, to honor this occasion, I made this small quilt ( 8" X 11") using my wonderful landscape fabrics.

The backing and binding is a fishy print from my stash. I quilted it with both invisible and same color thread and the water is in a variegated blue thread. The closeup shows the bobbin thread coming through so I will go over that with a marker.

backing and label

Close Up of quilting

Hubby likes it. Hope you do too.

WIP # 22 Free to Create

2011-09-21T03:00:00.000-07:00

Projects finished - 3 Cuddle quilts finished up the last of the charity quilts. They are ready for delivery to LLUMC. I hope they bring some comfort to some deserving people.

Projects started - 2 small projects in the quilting department:
One is completed. It is a fabric postcard made for a swap that required some use of rick rack. I already had some selvages sewn up so I just had to add the rick rack and the cardstock backing.

The other one is called the Stained Glass technique. I cut the pieces wrong so it is a bit wonky. Time for a redo.
In the knitting department, I finished two beanie hats. Watching movies helped.

In Progress - One more quilt top needs to be sandwiched and quilted - the Wonky House quilt. That may be put on hold for a while. I am wanting to try some new things and new techniques, especially applique'. Swap Bot has provided some good impetus and partners to motivate me to try some small projects.

There is a fabric postcard swap on the About.com Quilting forum. I did this back last winter when we made 15 postcards. This time it is only 6 postcards so I am signed up. I have my thinking hat on to create something for the theme "Its Beginning to Look a Lot Like..." which certainly allows for a lot of creative ideas. I might do landscapes, or may be holiday or both. Take a look at the swap here. You might want to participate.

Today is link up day with Freshly Pieced and Esther's Blog. Check the sidebar for the links.

A BOM and a Beginning

2011-09-19T03:00:00.000-07:00

The September Busy Bee BOM is now my favorite. Not only are the fabrics fabulous but the design is so simple. It is 16 HSTs. Plus, it came out nearly perfect. Hope you like it too.

In addition to this, I have started preparations for our next road trip. We are going to the mountains again where DH will fish (again). While he is out on the lakes, I plan to sew away my time. When looking for easy projects, I thought of the Jelly Roll Quilt. So I took out my scraps of strips leftover from backings and excess bindings. I cut most of them into 2 1/2" strips if they were not that size already.

Then I proceeded to sew the strips together to make one long strip of about 1200 inches. Since these scraps were of varying lengths, I kept count with my trusty calculator. That sure saved brainpower and allowed me to take breaks without constantly repeating the last measurement in my head. (i.e.235,235,235)

After attaching two strips together, I cut at 1/4 inch and pressed the seam open.

After getting about 1200 inches, I started rolling up the strip. I am making the lap size quilt.

I now have a jelly roll all prettily wrapped to take on our trip.

There are enough strips left in my box to make another roll before we leave. This took me a couple of hours but when I do the speedy quilt, it will be worth this time.

This is link up day with BOMs Away at What a Hoot! so go on over there to see what other quilters are doing. Happy Monday.

WIP #21 More Done

2011-09-14T03:00:00.000-07:00

This has been a productive week. DH has gone on another fishing trip to the Sierras so I am on my own. There are good and bad things about his being gone. A week goes by quickly, especially when I am quilting. That is what I have been doing.

Finished Projects -6 !!!

The landscape (or is it a seascape?) quilt is done. I quilted it with a wavy pattern (of course!) and used the rocky fabric for the binding.

Four charity quilts have been quilted. Three have rollover binding and one has the standard binding. I have not done any FMQ this time, just straight lines with the walking foot. It is interesting how I can multitask when I do that. I was reading my email on my smartphone when I was quilting.

Yellow Brick Road

Lake Cabin and The Wave

Sorry the quilting doesn't show very well. I did these outside in the shade. Maybe full sunshine would be better?

NEW Project and also finished is an applique' I did for my swap partner on Swap Bot. We were to make a small quilt using something new to us. I took that to mean technique or type of quilting. I have been wanting to do some applique' again. I saw a Sewing With Nancy program on PBS a few months ago. It was all about applique' and I donated a considerable amount of money to get the workbook, Applique' Know How. This project spoke to me so I did an embellishment of the applique' using knitting yarn. A cool way to combine my crafts, don't you think? Here is the little 8 inch quilt I did in a day.

In Progress - 2 more charity quilts need quilting and binding
Wonky House quilt needs to be sandwiched still

This is link up day with Lee at Freshly Pieced and Esther at her blog. Take a look at what others are doing over there.

BOMs Away Monday

2011-09-12T03:00:00.000-07:00

Here is my September BOM from Florida Cabin Fever Quilt Guild. Each block is black and white with a bright. As you can see, this month's bright is pink. I found this neat pink at my favorite LQS.

Only three more blocks to go before I can assemble these 12 inch blocks. Today is link up day with BOMs Away so go on over there to see what others are doing.

Have a good week.

Black Oops

2011-09-10T07:42:00.000-07:00

“I cannot count my day complete ‘til needle, thread and fabric meet.” – Author Unknown

With the few black scraps I have, I made this nine Patch mini-quilt for my Swap- Bot partner. I had it all done, including the stitch down of the binding on the back when oooops….I saw this:

Can you see it? It was glaring at me. Big mistake! I didn’t change thread color to do the binding end seam. It sticks out like crazy. If this were a project for myself I would let it go, but this is for someone in North Carolina that I don’t know. So it is time for my friend Jack, the ripper.

We worked on the seams until I could open up the ends and resew the seam with a proper color of thread.

Then I put everything back, resewing all the steps until everything is hunky dory. Phew!

Today is link up day with the Rainbow Scrap Challenge members. Go over there to see what they are up to.

Meanwhile, the landscape quilt now has borders and is ready for quilting.

In addition -

This week I received this article about sewing machine needles that I thought was very good. It doesn’t mention topstitch needles that are also very good when using heavier thread. On the nine patch project, I used a 12 wt, quilting cotton thread and my topstitch size 12 needle handled it beautifully.

Final note: I changed my header photo in remembrance of September 11, 2001. Long may they wave.

WIP # 20 Some Done

2011-09-07T08:34:00.000-07:00

New Projects – The landscape prints I bought when we were at the coast are working beautifully for my first landscape quilt. As mentioned before, I was inspired by a quilt I saw at The Cotton Ball in Morro Bay. Quilt shops really are a great source of inspiration. I cut five of my new fabrics and sewed them together.

Then I cut the whole piece into columns of odd widths. Then I staggered the columns bargello style. Now I am auditioning some other fabric for the borders. This is a simple but effective project that will evoke memories of our vacations on the coast.

Finished Project – the Shadowbox quilt is done! YAY! I put the final stitch on the back of the binding yesterday and then went outside to photograph it all.

Ongoing projects- Six (count ‘em, 6) cuddle quilts are sandwiched and waiting for quilting.

One Wonky House wall quilt also waits for batting, backing and quilting.

As on each Wednesday, I am linking up with freshly pieced and Esther's blog so go on over there to see what others are doing. Have a good week!

Rainbow Scrap Challenge and Sea Life

2011-09-03T07:49:00.000-07:00

The title of this post may be confusing as the two things don't really have anything to do with each other. Maybe they do. You decide after you have finished this post.

Angela has selected BLACK as the scrap color for September. Yo Ho! Another challenge. It just so happens that I am using my black scraps from the Shadowbox quilt top for the backing. I hope that counts.

After that, this is all I have for black scraps.

I am in a swap to make a Nine Patch mini quilt less than 15 inches so these may work for that project. Will keep you posted. Three more Saturdays to go.

I want to share with you pictures I got of the wonderful coastal wildlife we saw on our trip. This was so much better than going to an aquarium.

We saw seals and boy can they bark!

The Elephant seals hang out at this beach year ‘round. The small ones are the pups born in January.

We hadn’t seen the sea otters in a while so it was fun to see them again at Morro Bay.

The birds were awesome! Pelicans and gulls and sparrows were all having a feeding frenzy every evening within view of our resort.

As a result of this experience, I am auditioning the landscape prints I bought on the trip for a possible quilt. This is the basic layout. What do you think?

This is link up day with soscrappy so go over there to see what others are doing.

WIP #19 Back Home

2011-08-31T09:41:00.000-07:00

Last week we were on vacation at the little town of Avila Beach on the Central Coast of California. The mornings were foggy and cool, the afternoons sunny and cool. We were so relaxed there. I did no sewing but did visit 5 quilt shops during the week. Here is my contribution to the economy:

As you can see, there will be a landscape quilt in my future. I was inspired by a quilt hanging at the Cotton Ball quilt shop in Morro Bay. It was made from a pattern in the book Instant Bargello. It looks like my style. More to come later on that.

No new projects for this week. After we returned, I got busy with the Shadowbox top I had finished just before we left. It is a small twin size as I did not put on the 5 inch border called for in the pattern.

Today was quilting the sashings day. I did straight lines with the walking foot. The markings on the foot enable pretty straight lines although I did get a little wiggly in places as I was moving all that fabric. This is a larger size than I usually do. I am using the longest stitch length and 30 weight cotton quilting thread. The topstitch needle works beautifully for this.

Today we managed sandwiching two more quilt tops. There are still 4 more tops awaiting their turn patiently. One is this small top made from Wonky House blocks I received from three swaps with other quilters all over the country and from The Netherlands. Now to find some wall space.

As for knitting, I have started a new pattern for a beanie hat. It seems rather large even for my big head. It has been easy to knit. I am beginning the decreasing rows now.

Projects started – 0

In Progress -7

Finished – 0

This is link up day with Freshly Pieced and Esther's Blog. Take a look over there to see what other quilters and crafters are doing.

Next week should have several finishes. It is much too hot here to go very far. I miss the coast!

Bee BOM for August

2011-08-29T08:43:00.000-07:00

The Block of the Month program at the Busy Bee Quilt Shop is coming closer to an end, thank goodness! Only 4 more months to go. Here is the August block:

I think my points are getter a little better at last. This BOM program is a promotion for the Thangles product for making half square triangles (HSTs). If not for this program, I probably would never have tried this product. I do enjoy chain piecing my HSTs and that is not an easy thing to do with Thangles. This is a paper product that you pin to strips of fabric and stitch over the stiching line, then cut on the cutting lines.

Accuracy is enhanced with these papers as long as you do it all correctly. For each block I am only using a couple of pieces of the Thangles. I cannot imagine doing these for a larger project all at once. It would be boring to me, but so is chain piecing so who am I to judge? These papers come in various sizes. I am using the 1.75" papers with 2.25" strips.

Busy Bee is already promoting their 2012 BOM program! I looked at the sample and am tempted because it is all batiks, my favorite fabric. It is a sampler quilt with 12 inch blocks. I am really tired of sampler quilts. Am I ready for something new? Yes!

Will see you Wednesday for my WIPs. Happy quilting!

Liberating Art in the Blogoshpere

2011-08-26T20:48:00.000-07:00

This week we have been vacationing on our Central Coast. It was so nice, in the 60s and 70s there. Today we came home to 106 degree weather! I want to go back! But here we are. I will have more on the trip and some photos in my next post.

Tonight I have to join other bloggers in a new and different activity. You might have noticed the button for the Liberate your Art postcard swap at the bottom of this blog. We have now sent off our postcards of our art and received others in return. My five postcards were made from a photo of my Covering America quilt. That was my big artistic accomplishment last year. In return I received these postcards from other artists:

This is from jmoon-moonsmusings.blogspot.com. Yes, it is a bloom on a squash plant. Like me, she enjoys photographing flowers.

This is called the Chicken or the Egg, by Pansies Too.

Then we have artists in other media:

and

amberleighjacobs.wordpress.com

Dreamer - Wax and Oil Pastel by

Amanda Mills

Then there is a pen and ink drawing by EVA at http://ejl-tbd.blogspot.com

Last but not least is the photography of the awesome woman who created this swap and put in all the time it took to send out the work of over 170 participants, Kat Sloma. You can read about the project at this link.

I hope you have enjoyed some other artists' work and will go to this link to see more:

WIP #18 Shadowbox in Progress

2011-08-17T09:13:00.000-07:00

This is the story of the quilt I started working on this week. Last year I bought a fat quarter bundle of Stonehenge fabric from Fabric Depot online. I had no idea what I would do with it but it was too beautiful to resist. You know how it is, right? It went into my stash to be petted occasionally. Later, I was in a quilt shop while we were on a trip to Coronado. They had a store sample of the Shadowbox pattern made up with Stonehenge fabric. It was gorgeous. I was awestruck and bought the pattern. Here we are, eight months later. I am finally working on this project. For this one I am taking it slow and savoring the beauty of this fabric. It is soft and reminds me of a rocky coastline. This one is a keeper. I already have a spot picked out where it will hang to be enjoyed every day.

My design wall is not large enough to accommodate all the blocks but this shows most of them. The blocks have all been pieced and I am attaching the sashings. It is always nice not to have seams to match up. As for a backing, I am considering a simple muslin since it won’t be seen. What do you think? I might use the last few fat quarters along with the muslin. What about quilting? I have been admiring the straight line quilting I have been seeing in various blogs. Do you think that would be good? Do you have any other ideas? I would appreciate your input.

In the knitting department, I have finished several cotton washcloths and dishcloths. They are fun to knit while watching TV.

Weekly Quilting summary: Projects started – 1

In Progress – 6 quilt tops to be sandwiched and quilted, several scrappy blocks needing layouts, Wonky House blocks to be laid out and assembled

Finished – 0

There is a great giveaway going on over at Fairy Face Designs to celebrate her one year anniversary. Take a look here.

This is link up day with Freshly Pieced and Esther’s Blog. Take a look at what other quilters are doing.

Black & White Delight - BOMs Away

2011-08-15T09:05:00.000-07:00

This week I am altering my posting schedule a bit to link up with the BOMs Away Monday blog at What a Hoot! This is a good place to see what others are doing with the plethora of Block of the Month programs out there.

This is my August BOM for the Florida Cabin Fever Quilt Guild's online BOM. Their website is fantastic. Their BOM programs go back to 2002. This is the third year I have done their program. This year the blocks are very easy. I am anxious to finish all the blocks and put them together. They are 12 inch blocks so the quilt will be a good size. The only thing lacking in this program is that they don't include the finishing instructions. Take a look at their wonderful website and gallery. There are some amazing quilters in Central Florida.

Rainbow Scrap Challenge Saturday

2011-08-13T08:11:00.000-07:00

This is only the second Saturday of the month and I am D-O-N-E with my white scraps! WaaHOO! So what did I do with them, you ask? OK, first I tried a new modern quilt pattern that required only one shape cut and sashing. It is called the New Wave Quilt. The white was the sashing, of course. That used 2 inch strips. For the waves I used a fat quarter bundle of Andover fabrics from my stash.

I was a bit intimidated by this pattern, but then I made the template with freezer paper and started cutting. It was easey peasey. The tricky part was orienting my focus to the width rather than the length. It is made in columns. Another one day wonderful project under my belt. It is now awaiting sandwiching and quilting along with all the others in the closet. I feel kind of hip too to be doing a modern style quilt. What do all you GenX quilters out there think? I made this one smaller than the pattern due to the hospital preferences. I may have enough left over for a second quilt. More fun, yay!

The strips for this still didn’t use up all the scraps, so I made three Mile A Minute (MAM) blocks that will pop into the quilt I will be making with all the other MAM blocks I have made each month.

Still had a very few scraps left, and a fabric postcard swap in progress, so I made a crazy quilted fabric postcard. As you can see I embellished it with rick rack and a bit of appliqué for a center focus. It went into the mail today.

NOW, that’s what I did with my white scraps. What are others doing? This is link up day with Angela at the Rainbow Scrap Challenge. Take a look at what they are doing.

Coming up: Shadow box quilt fabrics have been cut!No, that is not white, it is CREAM. I have learned the difference the hard way.:)

Have a good week and Happy Quilting.

WIP # 17 Fast Fabric Fun

2011-08-10T07:28:00.000-07:00

New Projects

Sunday I made this little gem from the last Scrap Sack kit in my stock. I watched the movie Dear John while I was working on it. I was putting on the binding when the movie ended. I kept my tears under control. What a good love story. If you haven’t seen it and like romance, I highly recommend it. This project was fast and fun with beautiful patriotic fabrics.

Jelly Roll Quilt

In the “a little bit goes a long way” category, here is a quilt top I made using 2 ½” strips cut from my scraps and the Jelly Roll 1600 method. I actually had about 1000 inches as the hospital quilts need to be smaller. It is by far SO EASY! Try it and use up lots of scraps too! It is going in the closet to await the fleece backing and quilting.

For this top I used the ever reliable and easy Yellow Brick Road pattern with the 6 fat quarters from my monthly fabric medley shipments. This is the Perennials collection by Moda.

And another one with rows to be sewn.

These fabrics are from a Moda collection described here:

http://barbarabrackman.blogspot.com/2011/07/next-morris-collection-sneak-peek.html

These three tops now go into the closet to wait for sandwiching and quilting. I have two more medleys and might make more of these since this pattern can be completed in less than a day. I really enjoyed working with new fabric again.

Serger update: Thanks you to those who commented on my last post. You were very helpful. I got help from our local sewing machine dealer too. It worked after I brought it home this time. I found that I don’t like it for seaming on quilts but making pillow covers was easy with some home dec fabric I had.

RECAP: Projects started – 5 + 1 large pillow

In Progress – 5 - 2 Lake Cabin tops, the Jelly Roll quilt top and 2 Yellow Brick Road tops

Finished – 2 + pillow for the animal shelter

PBS is showing a documentary mini series this fall that looks really good. Watch for it. Here is the info.

I am linking up with Esther's blog and Freshly Pieced today. Hit those buttons on the sidebar and see what others are doing.

Rainbow Scrap Challenge Saturday

2011-08-06T07:02:00.000-07:00

This month’s “color” for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge is WHITE. I happen to have a few white scraps left from last month.

This is a real challenge. I have a couple of ideas so we shall see what develops.

In the meantime, progress is being made on the Scrap Sack kits. Two down, one to go.This one is all batiks, so it is my favorite. the quilting is all done with a decorative stitch.

This table runner was a fast and fun project. I FMQ'd the quilting with a circular pattern.

My big challenge this weekend is this Baby Lock serger.

My mother-in-law gave it to me after she gave up trying to make it work for her. I took it to a repair guy in the neighboring town who threaded it properly for me and got it working. He showed me how to thread it too. After I brought it home, I tried using it and it stopped stitching with thread after only about 5 inches. I took it back to the guy. He said a thread had broken off so he re threaded it and told me not to pull on the fabric and just ease the fabric through from the front. He tried it and it worked beautifully. I brought it home and tried it and the same thing happened! AAAARRRRGGGHH!

Today I am taking it to the dealer shop where I bought my Janome. Linda told me she would help me with it. They also sell Baby Locks.

She also said that most quilters do not use a serger. MIL was a garment sewist which uses a serger well. I am thinking of just doing seaming with this baby. I have seen Eleanor Burns seaming fast with a serger. I like that idea. What thoughts do you have about sergers? Leave a comment to let me know if you use one or not, would like to or not, and how you use one if you do use a serger. Oh heck, leave a comment about anything. I love comments!

Go on over to the Rainbow Scrap Challenge to see what other quilters are working on.

WIP#16 August Agenda

2011-08-03T09:05:00.000-07:00

A new month calls for some new projects at my place. Small projects are underway with one done in only two days. It was weird when I first saw it in the book Quilts in My Cubicle by Barbara Holzman. I studied it quite a bit before delving into it. As I was working on it, it made sense. There is paper piecing and some appliqué. I love this project now.

I think I should explain what it is. The title is Ant Farm. The yellow line at the top is the sunny outdoors. The green line is paper pieced with tiny scraps of various greens.

That is the grass line. Below the grass are the tunnels made by the ants. I drew the ants with a Sharpie marker. What do you think? It is hanging in my sewing room as this month’s project.

Detail of Ant Farm

The next small project is a table runner with tropical prints. It is time for the tropical fabrics, don’t you think? These came in a kit called Scrap Sack that I bought way back last fall in Virginia. There was an abundance of fabric so I might get another runner out of it.

My plan is to continue the smaller projects for a while until I am ready for something bigger. I have been admiring the Kaleidoscope quilts being shared so I may just jump on that bandwagon. But, I have a pattern and a bundle of wonderful Stonehenge fabric all set for a large quilt.

My stash will definitely keep me busy this month. How about you? I am linking up with Freshly Pieced and Esther's Blog today so go on over and see what the other quilters are doing.

ps. The header photo is a dahlia grown by my husband's aunt in the Central Valley. I took this photo last year at this time.

Hooray for the R,W and B

2011-07-30T18:35:00.000-07:00

This is Scrappy Saturday for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge so I am showing off the final projects for this month's patriotic colors. I finished up the Ohio Star Blocks and backed them with fleece. I did minimal quilting on it to keep the simplicity of the blocks.

There were still some scraps left, so I made 16 MAM blocks. Now I certainly have enough of these for a quilt or two. Now I am out of fleece.

I still had a few scraps left so I did this block for a swap on Swap-Bot. It will be made into a potholder. The theme of the swap is "Back to School" so this is the Schoolhouse block from Quilters Cache.

Now, I am done with July's colors. Bring on August! As you can see,I am prepared for some new projects.

That is a big smile for you! Happy Quilting and click on the Rainbow Scrap Challenge button to see what other quilters are doing.

Tout Fini! WIP Wednesday #15

2011-07-27T07:52:00.000-07:00

Charity Cuddle Quilts

Roll Over Binding

This has been a productive week. Finished are 5 charity quilts all quilted with fleece backings. I did a roll over binding on them as it was easiest and didn’t require more fabric. I will probably do this for future quilts.


P2 Quilt

P2 Quilting

String Block Cuddle Quilt

String Block Quilting

In Progress is the Lake Cabin quilt that has become two charity quilts. One top is assembled with the second needing the rows sewn together. I need to get more fleece for the backings.

The Ohio Star quilt top is assembled and sandwiched. I am thinking about the best way to quilt it.

Lake Cabin top

The two BOMs for July were also done. I don’t think I will do BOMs again. I don’t have the patience to wait the 12 months to finish a project.

Started: nothing. I am getting very antsy to start a new project so next week I will no doubt have something to report.

Busy Bee BOM

PS(Postscript) to the Road Trip posts: I picked up two quilting books in a really good used bookstore in Bishop on our way home. The prices were half what they were originally and they are in brand new condition. Lots of project ideas here. I especially like the one for paper piecing.

Our weather is good and not an oppressive heat like so many people are suffering. Our evenings and mornings are cool so our walks are very pleasant. This is the benefit of living in a Mediterranean climate. Hope you have cool air for your hot days. If not, go to a movie. I saw Larry Crowne last week and it was really good.

Wrapping up the Road Trip and Scrap Progress

2011-07-23T08:22:00.000-07:00

For the Rainbow Scrap Challenge, I have cut 6 more Ohio Star blocks.

I am using the 12 inch block pattern from this book.

Of course, there are many patterns for this traditional block all over the Internet, including at About.com. These blocks go together quickly and easily. I continue to be amazed at how far a few scraps will go. I will probably need to get into my stash for the sashings and the backing.

Road Trip, continued:

The Sierra Nevada Mountain range is spectacular. We drove up to a point outside Mammoth Lakes that overlooks what is called The Minarets. There was still a lot of snow there. the last time we were at this place, the peaks were bare of snow. This shot my husband took with my old point and shoot.

I think it is better than the one I got with my new Nikon Coolpix. We chatted with a nice woman who was kind enough to take our picture, to prove that we were really there.

Dear hubby will be home today from fishing. He caught lots of fish this trip so we will be well supplied for the winter.

Hope your summer is not too hot where you are. We are OK here in 90 degree (F) temps and a good A/C system. It keeps me cool while I quilt.

WIP Wed., Road Trip Part 2

2011-07-20T07:59:00.000-07:00

New projects for the week: 2 fabric postcards for a handmade post Card Swap on Swap Bot. The theme this time is "Stripes." I caught the mailman and gave them to him and he complimented me on the “cool” postcards I send. I am happy to give him and all the other postal workers a smile as they make their way to my partners. They must enjoy the ones sent to me as well.

I have quite the collection now. Someday I will share.

I am also doing the Wonky House Block swap so I made up the needed 3 blocks for that. These are free-pieced which is always fun.

Ongoing projects: Five charity quilts are sandwiched and ready for quilting.

The Lake Cabin blocks have been squared up and the design wall is beginning to shape up with them. I am not sure whether I will do 2 small quilts for the hospital or one large one for hubby since he asked for it. He is off fishing this week so I hope to have it all laid out when he gets home.

Completed projects: See the above.

The Road Trip last week was a photographer’s dream. This post will focus on the flora and fauna. I took a walk the first morning and was treated to wonderful flowers with dew drops. I love flowers.

Later in the trip, we took an evening drive in hopes of seeing some deer as we have in the past. They did not disappoint. Such wonderous moments!

More photos will be in the Saturday post. Today I am linking up with freshly pieced. Go over there to see what other quilters are working on.

“A quilt will warm your body and comfort your soul.” –author unknown

Scrap Challenge and a Road Trip

2011-07-16T08:41:00.000-07:00

The Ohio Star blocks have multiplied! Now there are 6 12 inch blocks from the R W&B scraps for the Rainbow Challenge. There may be more and then there may be a whole charity quilt. Stay tuned as they say.

Our road trip this past week was awesome. We traveled US395 north on the Eastern Sierra Scenic Byway. This year there is still a lot of snow on the mountain peaks. I took a lot of pictures and will share them with you over the next few posts. Here are the roads we traveled.


Mammoth Mountain

Sierra Nevada Mountains

The Scenic Byway system is all over this country. Do you have any highways near you that are part of the system? Have you traveled on any parts?

Today is the link up with the Rainbow Scrap Challenge. Go on over there to see what other quilters are up to today.

Giveaway Winner and WIP Wednesday #13

2011-07-13T06:49:00.000-07:00

Without further ado, the winner of the 4 fat quarters is Martha Raiford! Now Martha needs to send me an email (see my profile). Just as a coincidence, today is Martha's birthday too. How lucky is that?

I promised a couple of readers that I

would post pictures of the finished trout panel so here it is:

This is my big finished project of the week. We have been traveling so that dear hubby can do some fishing. He hasn't had much luck but we are going home with some fish. Real ones.

He took his new quilt with him.

The quilt tops needing sandwiching and quilting are still on hold.

The Lake Cabin blocks are finished. Now I need to do the sashings.

Week's Stats: I finished panel quilt, 15 Lake Cabin blocks done, scrap blocks done, no new projects

Congratulations to Martha and many thanks to all of you who commented on the last post. I always enjoy reading them.

Today is link up day with Freshly Pieced. Go on over there to see what progress other quilters have made this week.

Mini Giveaway and Rainbow Scrap Saturday

2011-07-09T06:57:00.000-07:00

This is my 150^th post! Hooray!!! To celebrate, I am hosting a small giveaway. I have a small bundle of 4 fat quarters by Natalie Barnes of Beyond the Reef patterns.

These are tropical prints that will coordinate nicely for a table runner or bag or whatever you are inspired to make. To enter the drawing for the giveaway, you must comment on this post. Everyone who comments will be entered into the drawing. You can say whatever you like but please be nice. The end date is Tuesday, July 12 at 5 pm Pacific Standard Time (PST). I will post the name of the winner on Wednesday. Be sure you have an email contact connected to your comment so you can be contacted. Good luck to all. I am looking forward to reading all of your comments.

Now to the Rainbow Scrap Challenge. I have taken this bag of RW&B scraps and made some MAM blocks, a hexie block and a Ohio Star.

I really like the 12 inch Ohio Star the best. I may make a few more to make into a table runner or whatever? I am amazed at how far a small amount of fabric will go.

It has been in the triple digits lately but is cooling down a bit. We are headed for the Eastern Sierras this weekend so DH can fish those marvelous alpine lakes.

I am linking up with the other quilters of the Rainbow Scrap Challenge. Happy Quilting everyone!

“Any day spent sewing is a good day.” -author unknown

WIP Wednesday #12

2011-07-06T07:24:00.000-07:00

This week has seen a few new projects.

-Trout panel quilt is sandwiched and in the quilting process

I have been using invisible thread on top. The batting is new to me and has a bit more loft than the Warm and Natural that I usually use. This is making for some nice effects with this design. DH would like this for our trip to the lakes this weekend so I am under pressure to get it done. Gotta love those deadlines.

-Lake Cabin quilt – blocks are coming along with 17 done of the 32 needed. This project uses a good amount of scraps. It is easy to piece as well. I like this one.

- Mini photos on canvas with thread sketching – I am trying a new technique for my Swap Bot partners to enjoy. It seems to be easier than I thought it would be. I am free motion quilting the flowers and highlights with colored thread. If I weren’t so nervous, the lines might be better. One will be a fabric postcard and the other a mini quilt for my swap partners.

WIPs –

5 quilt tops need to be sandwiched and quilted. These will wait until we return from a short trip next week.

Finished: One fabric postcard for another swap on Swap Bot.

Have a good week and enjoy your projects. Today I am linking up with Freshly Pieced so go over there to see what other quilters are doing.

Happy July

2011-07-02T07:38:00.000-07:00

On Monday, our nation celebrates its 235th birthday. This month's mini quilt project in the book Quilts in my Cubicle by Barbara Holzman is " Celebrate".

It is 12 inches square and paper pieced. It was a fast and easy project and somewhat different for our holiday. I embellished it with metallic thread on the quilting lines and some crystals that I put on with a hot iron.

Our city celebrates with a parade, music and games at a park and a big fireworks show in the evening. We can see the fireworks from our front steps so that is where we celebrate. Happy 4th to all my American readers! Our Canadian neighbors celebrated Canada Day yesterday and the news reported that it was quite a celebration, especially with Prince William and Kate in attendance. We will be seeing them here soon.

I have started on the Lake Cabin quilt from Scrap Happy Sensations. I like how the cutting instructions are for both yardage and scraps. I cut from light and dark scraps.

This month's Rainbow Scrap Challenge colors are the colors of your country to reflect the American holiday. So I will be looking for Red, White and Blue in my scrap bin. Another project to think about. Dear husband will be off fishing later this month so I will have lots of time for projects.

Hope you have a Happy 4th of July! Also, I am linking up with the Rainbow Scrap Challenge and the Craft Book Challenge today. Hit their buttons to see what other quilters are doing.

A Day for Yosemite

2011-06-29T07:08:00.000-07:00

For the past few days we have been traveling. We drove up to the Central Valley to visit family and friends. David's 92 year old mother and her 88 year old sister-in-law live up there as well as some longtime friends. It was a good visit and we saved a day to make a special trip to Yosemite National Park. This year, because of the unusually heavy snowfalls, the waterfalls in Yosemite are even more spectacular than ever before. We knew there would be crowds of people. We decided to take in the Wawona area and Glacier Point rather than go into the ever popular Valley. After waiting for about 30 minutes to go through the entrance, we arrived at the Wawona Hotel just at lunch time. Some of their dining options are famous so we tried them. The White Turkey Chili was delicious with just the right taste of hominy. For dessert, we shared their Apple-Blueberry Crisp a la mode. YUM! We highly recommend it.

The hotel is in the Victorian style and is quite historic. I am not a

big fan of the Victoriana but the decor was lovely. Here is the lobby with comfy rattan chairs. A little touch of whimsy was added with this telephone

We walked around a bit after than scrumptious lunch and found some cottages behind the main hotel.

Lots of ginger breading here. Can't you just imagine staying in one of these amidst the forest trees? You can hike to your heart's content and make trips into the other parts of the park. Even the restroom had a touch of my world with hexie tiles to inspire me.
On we went to Glacier Point. It was really crowded here because the views are stunning.

In case you don't know, that is Half Dome, carved by glaciers eons ago. It is the ubiquitous symbol of Yosemite. And the word out on the waterfalls was right on.

This is Nevada Falls, only one of the four major waterfalls. Notice the small one to the right. That is new for this year. Awesome scenery!
Lest you think that I might have forgotten my passion for quilting, look what we found on the way home.


YAY!

Dear husband, the fisherman, walked right over to the packaged panels while I was looking at the wildlife fabrics they specialize in here. He found a great panel with trout on it that I should have fun quilting this summer.

It was a wonderful trip and a memorable time with all the people and places we love. It was a great start to summer here in the West. Hope you are having a good season also.

A Quilting Fool

2011-06-24T18:24:00.000-07:00

The many charity quilts plus one have been quilted and bound and delivered to the hospital. I sandwiched one after the other with my dear hubby's help, then quilted them one after another. Then it was making the binding one after another and then attaching the bindings...you know what comes next. After their swim in the washer, I photographed them.

Penguins!


Quilting fun			I am keeping the 1800s quilt. The pattern is called Ellen's Favorite Lap Quilt. It is from the book 11 Laps from Fats by Ellen Repogle as I have mentioned before.

1800s

Back of 1800s


Cuddle quilts Now I can sink my thread and needle into some new projects. Here's a peek: Happy Quilting!

A Winner and a Star

2011-06-22T06:34:00.000-07:00

Before I announce the winner of the giveaway, I want to toot my horn and tell you that I have been featured as a June star on the Irish Muses blog. Thanks to Micki for asking for my interview. You can read it on her lovely blog.

Now, we have a WINNER! The winner has been notified by email. It is Catskill Quilter.
Selection was done by first copying the list of all the names of the followers of this blog. I cut up the list into individual slips of paper. All the followers' names were put into a hat. My scientist (retired) husband drew a slip of paper. That is our scientific method.

This week I am joining the Craft Book Challenge. I finished a baby afghan from a pattern in the Knit Knack Kit by Kris Percival. It is a box full of patterns for easy to make knit projects. This is the third afghan I have made using this pattern. The first one was with a different kind of yarn that turned out poorly because of my inexperience and the type of yarn. This one turned out much better using a worsted yarn.

Another project done from a craft book this month is the Batik lap quilt in last week's post. That pattern is in 11 Laps from Fats by Ellen Repogle. I used that as the basis for my posts on Making An Easy Lap Quilt.

I'll be showing off my quilting work on Saturday's post. I have been quilting and binding the charity quilts for days on end. Fun!

Hope you are happy that summer is here in the Northern climes. It is time for me to head to the Southern climes as I do not take heat well. But my birthday is Friday so guess I'll stick around for that.

Congratulations to the winner and thanks to all of you who signed up to be followers. Check back on Saturday.

Mellow with Yellow

2011-06-18T08:15:00.000-07:00

Have you ever felt like you have more than you could want or need and you just want to get it used up? That's how I felt about the 3.5 inch squares I had that seemed like they were never going to be of any use. They ended up making a full quilt with the solid yellow scraps. I added a border with a navy solid from my stash. Now to sandwich it and quilt. Then they will be outta here!

This evening our older son graduates from the university at long last. It has been a difficult road for all of us but now we can be proud and happy parents.

Don't forget the giveaway ends on Tuesday night. You must be a follower. Get the details here. I have a scientific method worked out to select the winner.

Today is the link up with the Rainbow Scrap Challenge so hit the button and see what other quilters are doing.
"So much fabric, so little time! Or, sew much fabric, sew little time!" -- author unknown

WIP #11 A Busy Week

2011-06-15T08:08:00.000-07:00

Batik Lap quilt top

Lap back

Finished :

After taking a day off last week, I got back into the morning quilting routine. The commissioned batik quilt was finished and delivered last Friday. It was to be given as a birthday gift on Sunday. No one has called to complain yet, so I am hopeful she will have many years of pleasure with it.

Moda cuddle quilt

Then I made up a cuddle quilt very quickly with the Moda fabrics and a fleece backing and scrappy binding. This will go to the hospital.

Then I got a brainstorm to make a bag for my Swap Bot partner. If you are that partner, SPOILER ALERT!

This fabric panel has been in a drawer for a couple of years now. My partner is also a quilter on the East coast. I thought this fabric would be appropriate. I went through all my bag patterns to refresh my memory. It has been a while since I have made a bag. Finally, I got it together and just at the crucial moment when I was turning it right side out, DH came in and wanted something. So I made him wait until the unveiling and VOILA! I did it!

Isn't it cute? It is in the mail today.

In Progress: The quilt tops have been sandwiched and are ready to be quilted. Can you guess what I am doing this week?

To Be Quilted

They are all designated to go to the hospital. Most will be cuddle quilts.
Project started:

In addition to the bag, I have been assembling yet another top with my yellow scraps and some 3.5 inch squares I had sitting around. I have learned from this to pin in between the seams rather than at the seams. The corners match up so much better that way.

In the evenings, I knit. This baby blanket has been coming along nicely.

knitting

Today I am linking up with other WIP Wednesday quilters at Freshly Pieced .Don't forget the giveaway. On Tuesday evening, June 21st, the winner will be announced. The reason I chose that date is so that I can get the prize to the winner in time for my birthday. I will reveal a clue about my age when I announce the winner. Make sure you are a follower.

Rainbow Scrap Challenge and a Road Trip

2011-06-11T07:01:00.000-07:00

Don't forget the giveaway I am hosting for all my followers. It ends June 21, 2011. Find out the details here.


Crazy Patch


MAM blocks

I have been playing with the yellow scraps. I have one Crazy Patch block done to add to the other months. Also have some MAM blocks.

I still have 3.5 inch squares that I want to use up somehow. I am pairing them with the other yellow solid scraps and they are going a long way towards a charity quilt.

The other day we drove up into the local mountains to Big Bear Lake. In the winter, this is a big ski area. This year they had heavy snows so the lake is really full. There is a small zoo there that rescues animals from the wild that have been injured or orphaned. It is sad to see all the fencing around them but when you think that it is for their protection, that makes sense. Some of them were rather rude to me. The bison (buffalo) turned its huge butt to me when I tried to take a picture. I walked around to the side and got one anyway.

Bison(buffalo)

Ha! There is a three-legged bear that was rescued as a cub and has lived its whole life here. They all have buddies. I liked the mountain lion the best. It looked so peaceful.

Mountain Lion aka Puma

There are bald eagles in the area at various times of the year. This one is being taken care of now.

Bald Eagle

It was a fun day in perfect weather. I found a quilt shop in the town. I was sorely tempted but restrained myself. Not my day to contribute to the economy.

My giveaway does not require that you make a comment but comments are always appreciated. Here is a neat video that might encourage you. Scroll down the post until you get to the video.

Today is the link up with the other Challenge quilters. Go over to soscrappy and see what others are doing.

WIP Wednesday # 10 and More

2011-06-08T07:22:00.000-07:00

We have lots to celebrate as I approach 60 followers. Who will be that special person? Of course I love to read your comments so please add them too. The giveaway rolls along as the list of possible winners grows. This is so fun, I may do another one for a milestone posting. If you haven't seen the fabric being given away, see at the previous post. You have until June 21 to become a follower and be entered in the drawing.

Now for my weekly status on WIPs:

Started : Batik Sweet William Round lap quilt has been pieced and quilted. Phew!

The binding is made so I will finish this this week.

In Progress: Blocks of the Month - got caught up on the Busy Bee blocks and finished the June block from Florida Cabin fever. I think my points are getting better.

Charity quilts - 8 - still need to be sandwiched and quilted

Finished: BOM table runner from last years blocks. They have all been made into table runners. The last post had a photo.

It has been a good week. I think I will take tomorrow off and enjoy the wonderful weather we are having. It is in the 70s when it is usually 10 to 15 degrees warmer at this time of year. We also had some rain the other night which is unheard of for June here on the edge of the desert. I hope all is well with you and that you have a good week also.

Rainbow Challenge Saturday and a Giveaway

2011-06-04T06:21:00.000-07:00

Today is the link up with the Rainbow Scrap Challenge. This month will be an easy one for me as I am not a big fan of yellow except on my kitchen walls. This is all I have for yellow scraps:

This is going to be a real challenge this month.

Now for the GIVEAWAY! If you are a follower, you will automatically be entered into the drawing for this fabric:

There is 1 yard of blue and 1/2 yard of red fabric designed by Susan Branch. Notice the celebratory theme? This is a celebration for all my followers. One lucky person will win these fabrics. If you aren't a follower by midnight EST on June 21, 2011, you will definitely miss out. So go over to the Follow button and join the party. If you are wondering what you could do with this fabric, look at this table runner I made with it:


2010 BOM blocks

Of course, you probably have many other ideas for this fabric. It is also perfect for a 4th of July table topper (if you are American). I will announce the winner on July 22,2011.

This week my commitment to using only my stash was broken when I went to Busy Bee Quilt Shop in nearby Calimesa. I have been asked to make another Sweet William Round quilt shown in this post. I needed more batiks! Hooray! Mary helped me pick out just the right colors and designs.

Batiks,batiks,batiks!

You don't get service like that at the big box stores. I also met another quilter who has become follower #51. Welcome to the party, Linda! What a great week!

Another blog has posted info on what and where to send quilts to help the people in Joplin, MO. There have been so many people who lost their homes and all their belongings. Click here to get the information and help if you can.

Today I am linking up with soscrappy. Head on over there to see what other quilters are doing about the color yellow.

Big News and WIP #9

2011-06-01T07:06:00.000-07:00

It is June! Hooray! Time to celebrate! I now have 50 followers. HOORAY! Thanks to Diane at So Many Years for being Number 50. To celebrate this milestone, I am having a giveaway. The details will be announced on Saturday's post. What I can tell you now is that all my followers will be entered in a very scientific drawing. If you aren't a follower, sign up before the deadline of June 21, 2011. Make sure you have an email address connected with your name so that I can get in touch with you when you win.

Now to my WIP Wednesday report:

Finished: Two panel quilts, completely quilted, bound and washed. I love doing panels. The only piecing is adding the borders. The rest is quilting, hooray! I enjoyed trying some new motifs around the border and "coloring" with thread on the panel designs.

Quilting detail

I recommend doing panels to practice your free motion quilting.

In Progress: The 1800s blocks are done and the rows assembled. It is ready for sandwiching and quilting which makes the total number of tops needing to be quilted at 7, maybe 8. Too many! Must get busy on these!

Wonderful new fabric

Projects started: I couldn't resist cutting into some beautiful Moda fabric any longer.
Also cut some other fabric to make 2 new projects that will be charity quilts. They should go quickly.

Thanks for stopping by and come back on Saturday. I am linking up with Freshly Pieced today so go over there to see what other quilters are working on. The Rainbow Scrap Challenge color for June is YELLOW so I will be including that along with the giveaway information on Saturday. Have a good rest of the week.