NEEDLING THINGS

New Antique Grandmothers Flower Garden Project

2012-01-06T14:00:00.000-07:00

A few months back I purchased 80 hand pieced antique Grandmothers Flower Garden units on eBay. I had hoped to use them as is. The first thing I did after looking through all of them was to hand wash them. They were soaked in groups of 10 at a time in the bathroom sink using baby shampoo. I still can't believe how brown the water became after each group was washed. After rinsing, they were laid out to dry. When laying them out, I noticed that many of them were poorly sewn and many had pleats and puckers sewn in. Not all were the same size either.

I decided that the best route to go would be to take the blocks apart and re-do them using English Paper Piecing. I took the first 10 apart keeping the pieces for each motif together. They were ironed flat and the pieces for each flower held together with a clip.

When I measured the hexies, I thought I'd be able to use 3/4" hexagons. I ordered the paper pieces I'd need and then waited. They arrived about 10 days later so I set about basting the first pieces. That's when I discovered that some of the pieces were cut just a bit too small. I need to go with a smaller paper piece.

Once again, I went online to see if I can find 5/8" paper pieces. I found that Paper Pieces website will custom laser cut 5/8" pieces as well as other odd sizes! I ordered them and set about waiting again. Another two weeks passed by until they arrived in my mailbox. I basted a few pieces and this size is perfect! Now I can really get this project going!

Happy New Year & Goals

2012-01-04T18:12:00.000-07:00

Yikes... I just looked at my blog's archive for last year. There are only 11 posts for the WHOLE YEAR! Seems hard to believe that 2011 went by as quickly as it did. Perhaps it's just a consequence of growing older that time seems to fly by at an ever increasing speed.

I'm going to go ahead and post my list of goals for 2012 (even though I said I would never do that).

Clean and organize the sewing room once a month
Find ALL of my UFO's, list and photograph them.
Add the UFO photos to my blog
Pick 3 UFO's to finish in the next 3 months
Post to my blog more often
Spend less time on the computer and more time in the sewing room

Happy New Year my friends!

Happy New Year

2011-12-31T19:09:00.000-07:00

2011 is almost over. My hope is that 2012 will be a much better year!

My Grandaughter is a new quilter!!

2011-10-06T16:16:00.000-06:00

This is a very long post with lots of pictures. It is the story of my grandaughter Leah's first quilt made in the summer of 2010. I should have posted this long ago, but here it is...

Wednesday Aug 4th - My grandaughter Leah wandered into my sewing room to see what I was doing. Looking at my sewing machine, she asked "what's this button for"? I told her I'd show her and had her sit down at the machine. I brought down a box full of scraps like the ones they used to play with when she and her brother were little and she started to pick through them. She wanted to know how old I was when I made my first quilt. I said I was 16, the same age as she is now. She asked if she could sew some of the scraps together and, from that innocent beginning, her first quilt was born!

She sewed together 12 crazy pieced blocks. I helped with pinning, pressing and trimming. It was wonderful to work along with her and teach her about this "thing" I do and love! She made up a few different layouts with my help and decided to do her blocks 'on point' with sashing strips between.

Thursday Aug 5th - We figured out the sizes of the corner triangles that were needed to surround the center piece of each block, I cut them and she sewed them on. We went hunting through my stash and found a red fabric for sashing and borders but I didn't have enough black for her plan. She also decided that the setting blocks were going to be purple so, that meant a trip to the fabric store. After supper, we cut the borders from this funky black and white print she picked and sewed them on. She worked until 11 PM and got the white borders added on two sides of her blocks.

Friday Aug 6th- Leah went to the sewing room by herself and started pinning and sewing the last border strips to her blocks today. I'd barely finished checking my email and she was done all of them. I got busy and cut her red sashing strips. Then, she was back in the fabric closet looking for something for the cornerstones. She picked a yellow/lime green. Wow... it makes the sashing pop! I cut the purple for the setting squares, side triangles and corner triangles and she put it all up on the design wall. Here is what it looks like now.

Saturday Aug 7th - Today Leah started off by joining cornerstones to sashing strips, then sewing the sashing pieces to the quilt blocks. She moved on to start joining rows of blocks to make the quilt top. I've been helping by pinning and pressing then running back and forth to the design wall (in the next room) with blocks. We got about half of it done before this G'ma was played out! I'm sure she would have LOVED to sew all night...

Sunday Aug 8th - She finished sewing the main portion of the quilt top together!! Now, to decide on the borders and cut them. Using some of the leftover scraps, she decided on a narrow black and white border, then a white a bit wider followed by the widest border in the red with the black and white binding. I still had enough of the red and white but, we needed more of the black and white print.

Monday Aug 9th - Back to the fabric store for another .25 of the black and white print. I cut the strips for the borders and Leah joined them all into one long length. She measured and cut the first borders adding a little cornerstone of green.

Tuesday Aug 10th - Today, she measured and cut the second borders from the white fabric and added another green cornerstone to each corner. (That was the last little bit of green that was left!)

Wednesday Aug 11th - Today we tossed around ideas for the corners on the final red border as she doesn't want to have the red as a frame type border. She decided on nine-patch blocks. I cut the squares for her and she assembled her four nine-patch blocks for the corners of the final border.

Thursday Aug 12th - Finished sewing on the final border today! Went hunting today for something to use as a backing. We checked the thrift stores for a sheet but didn't find anything she liked at either thrift shop. We went into the "Bargain" store and found a brand new 200 thread count poly-cotton sheet for $7.00 that she liked so we went with that. I also bought a set of pillowcases that she can customize with some borders to match the quilt. Also, went back to the fabric store for some batting as I didn't have a piece large enough on hand.

Friday Aug 13th - Discovered today that the sheet is not quite long enough. She picked out the top hem only to discover that it was a separate piece. I cut a couple of strips of purple and some red which she pieced onto either side of the 'hem' piece she had removed. Then, we sliced the sheet about a third of the way down and sewed in the pieced section. Now, it has some added interest and is long enough! (Sorry - I didn't get a picture of the back!)

Saturday Aug 14th - Today she did the final pressing and trimming threads on the quilt top then, after taking all the furniture out of the dining room, we laid out the quilt on the floor so she could pin baste the layers together. She finished the job around 11PM with the help of her girl-friend who was staying over. Moved the table and chairs back into the dining room so I hopefully won't be bumping into them anymore... (I kinda forgot the table was there in the living room a couple of times and have a bruise that matches the purple on her quilt!)

Sunday Aug 15th - She started her machine quilting! Worked on sewing a line a quarter-inch or so in from each side of all the sashings.

Monday Aug 16th - Continued with the machine quilting. Got all the sashings stitched along both sides and the border stitching completed.

Tuesday Aug 17th - Leah is working very hard getting her quilting finished as she has to leave for home tomorrow! She used different widths of tape to mark her stitching lines and worked for 8 hours on it today! She also discovered what happens when you get your finger too close to the needle...

Wednesday Aug 18th - Finished the last of the quilting! Trimmed the edges and sewed on the binding. Leah will finish the hand stitching on the binding at home. Here is the final picture taken just before she had to leave.

What a super job on your first quilt Leah!! I am SO VERY PROUD of you!

Circular Knit Dishcloth

2011-10-06T15:06:00.000-06:00

This pattern is taken from a much photocopied, old typewritten pattern that has been in my possession for over 25 years. There is no authors name on it. Following is what is written on that original pattern. Any changes or additions for clarification done by me will be shown in purple.

A VERY UNIQUE and serviceable dishcloth, the directions may be confusing at first. Just remember to TURN when it says TURN. The stitches remaining on the left needle are supposed to be there. They make it form a circle. I use mine under my teapot. Not only does it look pretty but it protects the table from the heat and any dribbles from the teapot.

CIRCULAR KNIT DISHCLOTH - HOT PAD

Materials: 1 skein (ball) Lily Sugar 'n Cream cotton yarn
Knitting needles #9 or #10 (equivalent to 3.75mm or 3.25mm - US size 5 or 3) I use a 3.25mm

Cast on 15 sts.
Row 1 - Knit
Row 2 - K 3, YO, K 11 (1 st left on needle) TURN
Row 3 - Knit
Row 4 - K 3, YO, K 11 (2 sts left) TURN
Row 5 - Knit
Row 6 - K 3, YO, K 11 (3 sts left) TURN
Row 7 - Knit
Row 8 - Bind off 3 sts, K 2, YO, K8 (4 sts left on needle) TURN
Row 9 - Knit
Row 10 - K 3, YO, K 8 (5 sts left) TURN
Row 11 - Knit
Row 12 - K 3, YO, K8 (6 sts left) TURN
Row 13 - Knit
Row 14 - Bind off 3 sts, K 2, YO, K 5 (7 sts left) TURN
Row 15 - Knit
Row 16 - K 3, YO, K5 (8 sts left) TURN
Row 17 - Knit
Row 18 - K3, YO, K5 (9 sts keft) TURN
Row 19 - Knit
Row 20 - Bind off 3 sts, Knit all sts to end (you should have 15 stitches)

REPEAT ROW 1 THRU' 20 7 TIMES (in total)

Row 1 - 20 forms 1 section of the dishcloth. Completed dishcloth has SEVEN sections. When last row is completed, Bind off and sew seam.

If you have any problems following this, please let me know!

Triangular Thread Catcher Tutorial

2011-08-27T22:28:00.001-06:00

My little fabric Triangle Thread Catcher sits beside my chair in the living room and also travels in my on-the-go project box. Because of the shape, it sits nicely on any flat surface or even on the dash of the car! It folds up nice and flat even when there is a fair amount of thread in it. It has solved the problem of having threads or even 'dog ears' all over the car and my clothes when I stitch on the road or at home.

They are simple and easy to make. There have been a few people asking for instructions to make one of my little Triangle Thread Catchers so, here goes!

Materials:

2 pieces of fabric at least 10" square (left over layer cakes would be great!)
3 buttons or pins
8 1/2" x 11" piece of paper to make pattern
quilting ruler at least 12" long

Making the pattern:

We are basically creating an equilateral triangle that is 9 1/2 inches on each side. (If you feel comforable, you can use your cutting ruler with the 60 degree angle and cut directly on your fabric.)

1. Lay paper with the long side towards you and measure 9 1/2" starting from the corner on the left. Make a mark at 9 1/2 inches at the edge of the paper.

2. Fold paper in half aligning the mark you made with the left edge. Crease a line along the fold. (I have marked the crease with pen so you can see it more easily.)

3. Use the straight edge of your ruler to measure 9 1/2 " from the corner mark to the center line. Put the 9 1/2" mark on the ruler at the mark on the right. Swivel the ruler until the end of it meets the center crease that you made. Mark along this line.

4. Now, mark a line from the left corner to the top center in the same way.

5. Cut out on the outer line and you have your pattern.

Cutting:

1. Lay your fabrics on your cutting mat with right sides together.

2. Place pattern paper on top and align your ruler along one edge of the pattern. Cut.

3. Repeat aligning ruler with pattern edge and cutting for the other two sides.

Sewing:

1. With right sides of the fabrics together, place a few pins along all three sides. I like to use 2 pins close together to indicate where I will be leaving an opening - sort of a stopping/starting mark.

2. Using a 1/4" seam allowance, sew around the three sides pivoting at the corners and leaving a 3 inch opening in the center of one side to use for turning.

3. Trim the fabric close at each of the three points.

4. Turn right side out through the opening.

5. Use a needle or a point turner to work the corners to a sharp point. Work gently so you don't push a hole through the points. I like using a needle best but take care not to work too much and fray out the point. If either should happen to you, just turn inside-out again and resew at the corner and then try again.

6. Carefully work the edges flat and press. Press the edges of the opening under 1/4" on each side.

7. Top-stitch around the triangle - this will also close up the opening you used to turn it. (I missed doing this step on one of mine and it turned out OK too. Just be sure that your opening will be totally closed by the next step.)

8. Hold one side of the triangle and fold in half meeting the points. Fold the top point back to meet the bottom fold to again find the center and put a pin in to mark the end of the joining seam.

9. With the lining fabric sides together, top stitch the sides together from the pin half way up the side to the bottom fold. Back stitch at both ends of the seam.

10. Repeat this with the other two sides.

Finishing:

Fold each point down and secure with a button or pin in the center of the flap. I have used 3 different buttons on mine but have also used orphan earings and old tie pins.

I hope you enjoy this little project!

If you make one or more of these, I'd love to see it! Add your name and the URL of the actual post (or picture in Flickr) showing your Triangle Thread Catcher. Or, you can always email me a picture!

Triangular Thread Catchers

2011-08-24T12:51:00.004-06:00

I am currently working on the tutorial - watch for it here very soon!!

Edited Sept 2/11 - You will find the tutorial HERE.

Update!!

2011-08-10T12:37:00.000-06:00

Not much for quilting, sewing or knitting news to share but a bit of a "life" update...

I have been working in a small town about 1.5 hours drive to the west of my home for the past three months or so. Because of the distance, I have been staying with my sister (who lives nearby) through the week and then going home just on weekends. During the week in the evenings, I have been also working on books for my daughter's pizza business. The books had gotten months behind so catching that up takes up most of my evenings. The weekends have become the time to catch up on laundry, mail, bills, yardwork and any shopping to be done. As you can imagine, that has not left me much "fun" time for crafts of any kind. Hopefully, I'll get those books done soon!!

I had every intention of selling my home and moving there so I'd be closer to work. The fact is, I need to move into a less expensive home or condo. It could be located anywhere as I am not tied to living in any particular place. Since I was working in a small town, homes are much lower priced so it would work out well.

Last week, I was told I had finished my probation and was hired permanently. I had already been pricing out homes here both in newspapers and online. I've been driving around town too just taking a look at what has "for sale" signs out front.

On Monday, the woman who told me last week I was hired permanently called me into the office and said that they were letting me go at the end of August... The reason? I haven't put my house up for sale or bought anything here yet and she is "afraid" that I may not sell and that I'll decide to quit once winter comes... HUH??? I tried to assure her that I had plans in place and that I could stay with my sister for as long as needed until I was able to move. She would hear none of it... so, I am once again out of work as of the end of the month.

Crappy, huh?? Now, I have to start looking all over again and hope to find something I like as much as this.

Here an Ort, There an Ort

2011-03-03T08:47:00.013-07:00

Everywhere an Ort Ort! I've been seeing this word being used around the net and thought I'd find out more. It turns out that I have a lot of these and didn't even know it! You probably do too. Do I hear you saying, What on earth IS an ORT??

First, I found an explanation by Sweet Pea Stitches saying that 'ort' was an acronym formed from the words 'Old Ragged Thread'. Then, I Googled its definition and found several listings for the word 'ort' all of which were some form of the following (taken from TheFreeDictionary):

ort (ôrt) n.

1. A small scrap or leaving of food after a meal is completed. Often used in the plural.

2. A scrap; a bit.

Most definitions alluded to the term having to do with food. I believe that, as quilters, sewers and embroiderers, thread IS like food to us. Without thread giving life to our craft, it would not exist. That makes it exactly right to use 'ort' in our 'scrap of thread' context.

Back when I used to demonstrate machine embroidery at sewing fairs, trade shows or in my shop, my Ort Collector was a brandy snifter into which I dropped all my Rayon embroidery thread tails. Besides looking pretty, it kept all the orts off the carpet making for easier clean-up at the end of the day. The brandy snifter was emptied and retired when I closed my shop as I'm not doing very much machine embroidery these days. I am, however, doing lots of hand stitching making Klosjes, doing English paper piecing for my Diamond Stars and appliquéing on my Joseph's Coat blocks.

This little fabric Ort Catcher sits beside my chair in the livingroom and also travels in my on-the-go project box. Because of the shape, it sits nicely on any flat surface or even on the dash of the car!

It folds up nice and flat even when there is a fair amount of thread in it. It has solved the problem of having threads or even 'dog ears' all over the car and my clothes when I stitch on the road.

Ort Catchers for Quilt Canada 2008

I learned how to make these several years ago when I spent the winter in the lower mainland of BC. I joined the Chilliwack Piecemakers Guild and they took on the task of making these little Ort Catchers (although nobody called them that at the time) to be given to people attending the 2008 Quilt Canada event. Maybe you received one?

The link to make this is on my Project Tutorials Page

An old UFO finally done!

2011-02-28T11:00:00.001-07:00

It's hard to believe that this little project has been a UFO since December of 2008...

It only took me about 3 hours to finish it while watching TV. The yarn I used is called Tweedle Dee by Moda-Dea and has a slightly shaded effect. While I like the hat, it is a bit on the small side. The Cabled Hat pattern (Patons) says it is one-size women's. I'd say it is more like a child's medium.

Glad I can move one more thing to the 'finished' list!

OPAM Finishes

2011-02-27T15:41:00.001-07:00

I finally have something to show you that I have finished!! Woot woot!!

I saw this cute little wristlet pattern on the Pink Penguin blog way back in August and decided then that I wanted to make one. I went through my scraps looking for squares that were already cut and found enough to make the project. The only thing is, they were only 2" squares rather than the 2 1/4" squares called for in the pattern. I played with the colors and found an arrangement I like the look of.

Then, it all sat there on the cutting table for a few weeks until the pieces were put carefully into the front and back of a quilting book to keep them in order for sewing. The book was put next to the sewing machine and somehow, the sewing never happened.

Inside of Wristlet

I moved the book the other day and a square fell out. When I opened the book, I remembered the project but not where I'd found it. A few google searches later and I had the directions. Just 3 hours later, I had myself a cute little wristlet to use! Mine is just a bit smaller since I used smaller squares but the size is fine with me. I made only two pockets inside and my cards fit well in one and my cell phone in the other. Isn't that all anyone needs?

I have FOF

2011-02-05T21:49:00.000-07:00

It's a horrible desease that seems to afflict quilters and some knitters as well as all other types of crafts-people. Yup, I have FEAR OF FINISHING.

My fear comes at the part AFTER the pretty top is all put together. I don't want to mess up those tops I've spent a lot of time creating by doing "bad" quilting when I finish them. The fears run on the lines of... Will it look ok? Will I get done and wish I'd have done something else? Will I hate it after? Will people that I show it to say "I thought you have been quilting for a long time"?? If I machine quilt it, will I wish I had hand quilted it? Will I ever be able to finish hand quilting a big quilt or would I get bored with it and put it aside somewhere for another generation to do?

There are so many quilters out there who just GO FOR IT and do squiggles or parallel lines and those quilts look wonderful to me. Why can't I do that? Small projects don't scare me for some reason. Perhaps its because there is not so much time and effort invested. But, to start on a big quilt... YIKES! I look at the quilt and can't even start to decide where I would stitch.

Paying someone to machine quilt for me would be wonderful BUT, there are no funds for me to do that, so that is out until I win the lottery. Not too many years ago, I would have just jumped in and done it. That was before I knew all about matching seams and precision cutting and quilt shows and yada yada yada. I suppose that maybe I've come to expect a certain standard for my work that, back then, I didn't even know existed.

So, in an effort to garner support, encouragement and accountability, I decided to find an online group to join,. I found one and mananged to squeek in just under the wire which, unfortunately, is not something unusual for me. However, I am now a member of the OPAM 2011 group!! I'm looking forward to seeing what all the members are doing and also, to fulfilling my committment!

Hellooo...... I even spent an hour in the sewing room today!! Woo hoo!! It may not seem like much but its the first time I've been in there since October. I'm hoping now that I will be able stay home and start spending more time in there every day. Now, if I can just get one of those tops sandwiched....

Where does it go?

2011-02-02T00:24:00.001-07:00

TIME. It is one of those things that, once it's gone, you can't ever get it back. It seems that the past year has slipped away from me. The project list on here has not changed very much at all in a whole year. All those hours are gone forever and I have little to show for it.

I have good intentions... I set goals for doing things and write them down or record them here on this blog. I've joined in with groups online to hopefully inspire me to do things. Somehow, I'm not finding the drive that I need in order to follow through with anything. I start out well and then fizzle out. It is like that in all areas of my life right now, not just my quilting.

My kitchen doors have been off of the cupboards now for over two years waiting to be painted. The trim in the living room and hallway still needs painting from the same time. The baseboards need to be painted and then cut and installed. Every winter for the past 10 years I have been saying I need to clean out the garage of all the yarn left over from the store I closed out in 1997 as soon as the weather warms up... and its still not done.

And, time just keeps on ticking, one second, one minute, one hour, one day, one month, one year, one decade...

It's Another Sunday Update!!

2010-10-31T11:09:00.000-06:00

I know, I know... Its been a LONG time! No excuses, just life! At present, I am playing nurse, chauffeur, cook and house keeper to family members who needed help after surgery. All of that doesn't leave too much extra time. I did manage to take a walk the other night and capture the photo above.

I have been mostly working on my hand projects. For the Joseph's Coat applique quilt, I cut out the remainder of the background squares then made up groups of 'melons' for each so that I don't end up with duplicates in one block. I have completed 26 blocks to date and continue to work on them whenever I get a chance in the evenings.

I have also done a few more pieces for my 'Many Stars' EPP project using 60 degree diamonds. That one continues to be a slow work in progress.

STASH REPORT for Week 43
Used fabric for a few more melons needed for the Joseph's Coat and I cut 20 more background pieces.

Used this week: 1.9 M
Used Year to Date: 37.06 M
Added this week: 0 M
Added Year to Date: 26.72 M
Net used for 2010: 10.34 M

Be sure to check Judy's blog to see all the other stash reports this week!

Catching up

2010-09-19T22:09:00.002-06:00

I have not been in the sewing room now for almost a month and has been well over a month since my last post! I had such great plans for quilts that I was starting... I started sewing the "Between Charming Friends" quilt. I know - everyone else who was doing them are long finished but I like the quilt and had a charm pack to use. It's still in the same state on the wall as it was a month ago.

Start of Between Charming Friends quilt

Instead, I have been working on bookkeeping for my daughter's business. They had a major fire in their building and need everything caught up for insurance. The end is getting close now so hopefully, I'll be able to get back to doing some "FUN" stuff soon!

Update on my Stash Report....

Used this week: .65 M
Used Year to Date: 35.16 M
Added this week: .25 M
Added Year to Date: 23.47 M
Net used for 2010: 8.44 M

New Quilter

2010-08-08T14:54:00.000-06:00

It's Sunday again! I've been busy this week helping my Grand-daughter Leah (16) make a quilt. She is doing great and I'm so proud of her! Because of her quilt, I haven't had much opportunity to work on any of my projects but that's ok. I'll have lots of time after she goes home next weekend to do any sewing I want. I'm sure going to miss having her around. I'm planning to do a post with pictures and daily progress of her first quilt.

This week, the purchases I made were for her quilt. Most everything came from my stash until she decided she wanted purple setting blocks and I just didn't have enough of any one on hand. She also found a neat black & white print to use in her quilt. I'm hoping that we can find something in my stash to use to piece the back yet too.

STASH REPORT for Week #32

Used this week: 5.6 M
Used Year to Date: 34.51 M
Added this week: 3.0 M
Added Year to Date: 26.47 M
Net used for 2010: 8.04 M

Check Judy's blog for all the stash reports this week.

Quilt Two-step

2010-08-01T18:26:00.001-06:00

This past week I decided to use up a charm pack that I have had around here for a long time. I had been admiring all the "Between Charming Friends" quilts that were done and decided that one of those would be great for using up the charm pack of 'Midas Touch' by Ro Gregg for Northcott that I had. When I looked at the instructions, I realized I needed two charm packs... I figured I would never be able to find another charm pack the same as it is a few years old already. Scrap plan #1 for now and move on to plan #2.

Plan #2 was to join in on the "Charm Quilt-along" on Freckled Whimsey. I have 3 charm packs of L'Amour by Sandy Gervais for Moda that I'd "won" on ebay and had no idea what I was going to make with them. This quilt-along is perfect! All I needed was some background fabric so, off I went to the quilt store.
When I walked in and started looking around, I spyed some charm packs and... GUESS WHAT? There was a single charm pack sitting there of Midas Touch! Of course I bought it and decided to go back to plan #1, the Between Charming Friends quilt. I couldn't remember how much background I needed exactly but picked up 2.5 meters. I rushed home and began cutting.

I cut a whole bunch of 5" squares for the first step, or so I thought. When I checked the instructions on Charming Chatter to find out how many I needed, I discovered that I was cutting for the plan #2 quilt on Freckled Whimsey and NOT for the plan #1 Between Charming Friends quilt. OK then... rather than waste all of that cut background, it looks like I'm going to be doing both. Thankfully, the antique white background I bought works well with both sets of charm squares. I ran back to the store and picked up some more of the same fabric so I'd have enough to do both quilts.

I cut up all the Midas Touch squares and realized I was 2 squares short. I found some black with a gold metallic swirl pattern and cut 2 charms from that. Phew! Thank goodness for stash! I've sewed the 12 four-patch blocks required and got the strips joined for the 16 patch blocks.

Thats when I decided I needed the design wall to lay these blocks out so I can get good balance. Problem is... my double four-patch is still not all put together and is still on the wall.

OK, so I stop everything in order to sew the double four-patch quilt top together to free up the design wall. I had sewn all the vertical rows together when I had to stop for the night.

Does anyone else work like this?? or is it just me? Always seems to be three steps forward and two back.

STASH REPORT for Week #31
Somehow I've confused things and missed week #30 altogether but, there were no changes to report anyways.

Used this week: 9.05 M
Used Year to Date: 28.91 M
Added this week: 6.4 M
Added Year to Date: 23.47 M
Net used for 2010: 5.44 M

Check Judy's blog for all the stash reports this week.

Lost & Still Not Found

2010-07-25T19:19:00.000-06:00

Since I have never showed this project, I'm presenting it today. This was a kit I purchased a few years back and finished all the hand appliqué and stitching on it in about July of 2008. It seems now though, I have misplaced it somewhere plus I couldn't find the finished picture either. This next one shows the appliqué partially done...

I'm going to have to go digging in some boxes downstairs to see if its down there somewhere! Hmmm, maybe I'll find the other missing pillow too. Does anyone else loose stuff like I do??

Hope everyone is having a great Sunday and a wonderful summer. I don't have much to update on the stash today. The past week has been a total wash as far as getting any quilting done. It's just been too hot!

STASH REPORT for Week #29
Used this week: 0 M
Used Year to Date: 19.86M
Added this week: 0 M
Added Year to Date: 17.07M
Net used for 2010: 2.79M

Check all the stash reports on Judy's blog.

Who Matters?

2010-07-23T15:43:00.001-06:00

There comes a point in your life when you realize
who matters,
who never did,
who won't anymore, and
who always will.
So, don't worry about people from your past,
there's a reason they didn't make it to your future.
Author Unknown

Sunday.... Again!

2010-07-18T21:29:00.004-06:00

Do weeks pass more quickly in summer? I've managed to catch up a little with Hazel's Diary Quilt-along finishing block 6 and 7 plus the last 6 alternate blocks. I'm not sure I like my fabric choices for Block 7 (on the right). I may end up re-making that one at the end when I see what fabric I have left over.

Then, Block 1 has been bugging me since I made it so, I decided to try fixing it. I took it apart and re-oriented the yellow and teal. Now I like it more!! See original here.

STASH REPORT for Week #29
Used this week: 1.2 M
Used Year to Date: 19.86M
Added this week: 0 M
Added Year to Date: 17.07M
Net used for 2010: 2.79M

Read everyones reports on Judy's blog.

Even Small Steps Forward Is Progress!

2010-07-04T18:43:00.002-06:00

A little bit of sewing has been happening here and I do mean a little! I needed a clothespin bag and, instead of being patient and waiting to find the one I really wanted to do (see my previous post), I just went ahead and created a utility version. This is my new clothespin bag! Nothing too fancy, just used a fat quarter and some bias tape I'd had sitting around for a long time.

Two more blocks for Joseph's Coat were appliquéd this week bringing my total to 19 now. My hopes of doing 3 or 4 blocks a week have not materialized. Since I had to use 2 different background fabrics, I need to figure out what backgrounds I still need to cut and out of which fabric before I start assembling my first two rows. The last thing I want is to have to take them apart again...

Block 5 for the Hazels Diary was completed. Now I am only 3 behind...

My oldest grandson (13) is staying with me for a few weeks and I'm doing my best to try to keep him busy. That means doing things like cleaning out the garage and doing some repair work around the house instead of sewing. He's already washed both the car and truck twice by hand just for something to do! Wonder if he'd like to learn to quilt??

STASH REPORT for Week #27

Used this week: .36 M
Used Year to Date: 18.66M
Added this week: 0 M
Added Year to Date: 17.07M
Net used for 2010: 1.59M

I've LOST it!!

2010-06-30T12:11:00.004-06:00

I've heard that it happens to everyone but, it seems to happen to me LOTS. I have been wanting to make a new clothespin bag for a while already as the old one ~~is totally wrecked~~ has seen better days. It was a replacement I made for the original one purchased many moons ago. The old replacement has lasted at least 10 years so, I figure it's time for a new one.

The one I want to make is nicely lined and is really cute. OK, all I need to do is go to that website where I have seen that really cute clothespin bag with the tiny appliqued clothes on a line on the front of it. I have seen it many, many times, always right there in the side bar of ??her?? blog. I went to all the usual sites I visit... not there. Where the heck is it?? Not even google could help me find it. RATZ! Guess I have to figure something out for myself. Do you know where it is? **Edited - the tutorial I was looking for is by Joanne at Thread Head HERE**

About those PhD's... How is it possible that six months are over?? Another thing that I seem to loose is TIME. I started the PhD Challenge sponsored by Myra at Tactile Pleasures in Fabrics in January and set a goal of 6 projects to be finished in 6 months. Sounded doable to me. I managed to get two done early on but, since then, I have not had any more finishes. (Insert red face here.) Here are the pictures of my two project finishes for the challenge.

Not very much to show for six months.... One tote bag and one tablerunner.

Maybe I will do better in the next six months?

Flooding, Scraps & Stash

2010-06-20T16:25:00.000-06:00

I live in the area of Southern Alberta where there is a lot of flooding happening right now. Its not a good situation for many people. I am fortunate enough to live on higher ground and shouldn't experience any problems. There is a news story about it HERE on CTV News Calgary for today and yesterday. Just click the play button on the video player that comes up. I'm not sure how long they keep their top stories but would think several days.

I decided to do some organizing this week of all my scraps... not that I really have all that many, but I thought they should be sorted out a la Bonnie Hunter. I have one of those four drawer plastic organizer thingies so figured that would work. When I pulled out my pathetic pile of scraps, I discovered that I wouldn't even come close to filling those drawers, even the shallower ones. Guess I need to make more quilts to create more scraps?? I will probably just use the video organizer boxes that I have been storing the unorganized scraps in. I'll divide them up into size categories and mark the boxes. Maybe one day I'll have enough to do something with...

I did find LOTS of those 'bonus' triangles that I'd saved so, during my TV time, I'm sorting those into sizes so I can hopefully create something - perhaps a pinwheel quilt. One may be a mini as the triangles will make 1" blocks. Why on earth do I feel compelled to save these bits of fabric? Most people throw away a lot bigger pieces than these! Perhaps it was from the early lessons I learned from my parents:

Waste Not, Want Not

Use it Up,

Wear it Out,

Make it Do or

Do Without

Stash Report for Week 25

Yikes, almost to the half-way point of the year! Nothing used or purchased again this week. Haven't done well on the PhD (UFO) finishing front either as I've only done 2 of the 6 I had wanted to finish by the end of June. I did manage to finish one more block for my Joseph's Coat project but all of those fabrics have been counted already.

Used this week: 0 M
Used Year to Date: 18.3M
Added this week: 0 M
Added Year to Date: 17.07M
Net used for 2010: 1.23 M

Have a look at how everyone else is doing with their stash reports on Judy's blog.

Sunday Confessions

2010-06-13T17:23:00.000-06:00

Somehow, two weeks has gone by since my last post! Not sure where all the time runs off to... sure would be nice to find a whole lake full of it and dip some back out. I love this picture. I took it in BC near Chilliwack during an off-road adventure several years ago. Doesn't that log just look like a sculpture of an animal?

I've been sewing Klosje blocks by hand in the evenings these past two weeks. There are another 13 done which makes my total now 27. At a finished size of 3 1/4" each, I'm going to need quite a few of them to make anything. Guess I should decide how big a quilt I really want! Something is saying.... wall hanging.

There are two other hand projects that I have been neglecting - Joseph's Coat and Diamond Stars as nothing has been done lately on either of these. I'm going to aim toward getting another 3 or 4 JC blocks appliquéd this coming week. So far, 16 of the 48 needed are done.

My Stash Report for Week 24
The net amounts have not unchanged from my last report on May 30th. I suppose nothing new purchased can be seen as a good thing!

Used this week: 0 M
Used Year to Date: 18.3M
Added this week: 0 M
Added Year to Date: 17.07M
Net used for 2010: 1.23 M

Check out everyone's reports on Judy's blog.

Not sure anyone is really interested in all of this but, the accountability is good for me! It is, hopefully, how I will stop creating more half-done projects. Your comments are a big help to me as well! *hugs*

Last Sunday of May 2010

2010-05-30T17:08:00.001-06:00

Wow... Can't believe that it's almost the end of May already.

I have been knitting a bit again this week. I made this dishcloth from a pattern I found by Dave at Criminy Jickets. I was a bit disappointed after it was done, but not because of the pattern. There were some knots in the ball of cotton I used and it seems that, each time I came to a knot, it was a different dye lot. I didn't notice the differences until it was done. Why do yarn companies do that?? Also, I found the cast on edge to be not so nice. I later found an alternate way to begin this pattern at Tinker Tots. I'm going to try it again with this alternate start.

My evenings watching television have produced 4 more blocks for my Joseph's Coat quilt.

Most of my hand stitching time has been spent making Klosjes, 14 of them so far. Each block finishes at 3 inches. I have another 30 or so cut out and ready to sew once I get the match points marked on them all.

It seems that this week, I am sitting perilously close to the brink of going into the 'gain' side of stash usage, or should I say stash gainage? Not only that, but I am way behind on my PhD's for the challenge. Fabric in those is already counted as used unless I need to add something like borders to one of the UFO's so, finishes don't count towards the stash report totals.

I've been in a bit of a slump here again. Some days, it is difficult for me do accomplish anything as I seem to have no drive to do much at all. The past week has mostly been dreary and dark accompanied by lots of rain. All I know is, I could REALLY use a good dose of HAPPY!

My fabric purchase this was 4 M of plain white for backgrounds plus 4 FQ's of mottled brights. Perhaps I need a cheery quilt to work on? Or, maybe the purchase was just to get that bit of a 'fabric happy' when you are in a quilt store looking at all the wonderful things they have there. I know my purchase will not be a waste as it will be used at some time.

I've been looking at a lot of simple quilts using just plain white muslin as a background and then cheerful bright colors in squares or zig-zags etc. Here are links to a few I really like:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/redpepperquilts/3648528058/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/theblueberrymoon/4214469628/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/67604797@N00/4362916659/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/67604797@N00/4231949740/

I know I shouldn't be thinking about starting something else when I have so much not finished. Not sure how others manage to keep themselves on one project until it is completely done...

WEEK 22 STASH REPORT
Used this week: .5 M (for Klosjes)
Used Year to Date: 18.3M
Added this week: 5 M
Added Year to Date: 17.07M
Net used for 2010: 1.23 M

The Latest Virus

2010-05-23T17:27:00.002-06:00

Klosje Fever started in Holland where many have been afflicted over the years. It seems that now, due to the internet, it is spreading swiftly throughout the world. I have seen reports of the fever affecting those in all parts of Europe, Austrailia, United States and Canada.

Many seem to be affected more on one particular day known as Zaterdag in Dutch. On this day, people, the majority of whom seem to be women, are compelled to devote their day to making Klosjes. The effect of Klosje Fever causes you to forget all your promises and resolutions about starting new things. Your fingers begin to itch. You find yourself digging through your supplies and, before you know it, you have one in your hands. One Klosje leads to another and another.

It seems that I have also been afflicted by Klosje Fever. Those cute little Klosjes find their way into your brain, your heart and very quickly, your hands. Before I knew it, I too was spending my Saturday working on them.

For more information regarding Klosjes, go to Valentina's Corner.

My stash report for Week 21:

Used this week: .25 M (for Klosjes)
Used Year to Date: 17.8 M
Added this week: 0 M
Added Year to Date: 12.07M
Net used for 2010: 5.73 M

Check Judy's blog to see what everyone else has reported this week.

Checkerboard Dish Cloth Pattern

2010-05-20T15:42:00.005-06:00

This is a pattern I made up for my granddaughter so she could practice this prior to making a bigger blanket. If you try this pattern, please let me know if you find the instructions easy to understand.

Checkerboard Dish Cloth

with Seed Stitch Border

by Edna @ Needling Things

1 50g ball Worsted Weight 100% Cotton (such as Lily Sugar 'n Cream)

1 pair size 4.0 mm knitting needles (US #6)

Two stitch markers

Large eye darning needle

Cast on 42 sts loosely

Row 1 – *K1, P1 repeat from * across row.

Row 2 – *P1, K1 repeat from * across row.

Repeat rows 1 & 2 three more times for a total of 8 rows of seed stitch.

(For ease of knitting, place a marker after the first six seed stitches and before the last six seed stitches on the next row. On all following rows, slip the markers from one needle to the other to keep them in place.)

Row 9 – Work 6 stitches seed stitch (as in row 1) marker, K6, P6, K6, P6, K6 across to last 6 stitches, marker then 6 stitches seed stitch (as in row 1) to end.

Row 10 – Work 6 stitches seed stitch (as in row 2) up to marker, P6, K6, P6, K6, P6 across to marker then work 6 stitches seed stitch (as in row 2) to end.

Row 11 to 16, repeat rows 9 and 10.

Row 17 – Work 6 stitches seed stitch (as in row 1) up to marker, P6, K6, P6, K6, P6 repeat across up to marker then work 6 stitches seed stitch (as in row 1) to end.

Row 18 – Work 6 stitches seed stitch (as in row 2) up to marker, K6, P6, K6, P6, K6 repeat across up to marker then work 6 stitches seed stitch (as in row 2) to end.

Row 19 to 24, repeat rows 17 and 18.

Row 25 to 32, repeat rows 9 to 16

Row 33 to 40, repeat rows 17 to 24

Row 41 to 48, repeat rows 9 to 16

Row 49 to 56, repeat rows 17 to 24

Row 57 to 64, work seed stitch as in rows 1 to 8. (Stitch markers can be removed on row 57 as they will no longer be needed.)

Cast off and weave thread tails in using large eyed needle.

I hope you enjoy using or gifting this washcloth!

Copyright 2010 by Edna McFall. Permission is granted to make and sell items from this pattern provided that credit is given to me as the designer. Permission is not granted to reproduce the actual pattern, or post it, or distribute it, without my express permission.

My New Look

2010-05-18T17:48:00.003-06:00

I have spent some time today playing with my blog. Hope you like the changes and don't be surprised if more show up in the near future. There are now tabs at the top of the page and I'll be adding more as I gather information that I want to put in them.

To my surprise, I discovered today that I have DOUBLE DIGIT followers!! Thank you all so much for choosing to follow my blog. You have made my day!

Just for fun, I created a new Wordle Cloud from my blog. I just wished I knew how to make it appear bigger here but you can click on it to see it larger.

Stash Report for this week

2010-05-16T16:22:00.002-06:00

All of my quilting time this week has been spent on finishing more blocks for my Joseph's Coat quilt. All of the fabric I used has already been reported. The picture above is a few of my finished blocks laid out to show how they will (eventually) look when they're all joined together.

Due to the sudden arrival of warm weather here, I have been spending much of my time getting lawns done and flowerbeds ready for planting. It's hard to believe that two weeks ago, we had some major snow and now today it is 25C, flowers and trees are blooming! Both of my neighbors are already running their air conditioning units. I've enjoyed sitting outside in the evening this week working on my applique for my Joseph's Coat.

My projects to finish for the PhD Challenge are falling behind. In order to meet the number I committed to, I will need to do at least 2 this month and 2 in June. I'm not sure if that is possible but will hopefully I can find a bit more time now to work on those.

My Pink Lemonade quilt is still hanging on the design wall. How long does it take for a project to switch from being a WIP (Work In Progress) to a PhD (Project half Done) to a UFO (Un-Finished Object)?? Is there a guideline somewhere? I've also fallen behind by two whole blocks on the Hazels Diary Quilt-along. I guess I'd better get off of here and go work on something!

WEEK 20 Stash Report
Used this week: 0 M
Used Year to Date: 17.55 M
Added this week: 0 M
Added Year to Date: 12.07 M
Net used for 2010: 5.48 M

Check out how everyone else is doing with their stash busting efforts on Judy's blog.

Mother's Day Stash Report

2010-05-09T19:27:00.005-06:00

Another week has slipped away somehow. Thanks to the generosity of my sister, my special little companion dog was able to have some much needed surgery this week so I have been playing nurse to her. She's feeling a lot better by today and almost back to her 'normal' self - doing her best at bossing me around.

While she was at the Vet's, I was able to spend about 4 hours in one of my favorite places - Deanna's Quilted Garden in Brooks, AB. Although Deanna was not in, Shirley kept me company between the many customers as I worked on my Joseph's Coat blocks in the classroom. Most of those customers wandered back to chat with me and find out what I was doing. It was great to visit in person with other quilters again!
Of course, when you are in a quilt store for numerous hours, it's pretty hard to leave without buying anything! I did my best to resist but still ended up with a couple of FQ's and a few other smaller remnants that I thought would go well into either my Joseph's Coat or my Diamond Stars paper pieced project. Somehow, just bringing those little bits of fabric home prolongs the feeling of the wonderful day I had on Monday.

WEEK 19 STASH REPORT

Used this week: 0 M
Used Year to Date: 17.55 M
Added this week: 1.17 M
Added Year to Date: 12.07 M
Net used for 2010: 5.48 M

See how everyone else is doing with their stash busting efforts on Judy's blog.

Sunday Stash Update and Fun on the Farm

2010-05-02T09:00:00.003-06:00

Just in case all you really want to know is how I'm doing in my efforts at stash reduction, here is my report that covers three weeks this time. (I'll explain how that happened again farther down for those who might be interested...)

Unfortunately, not a lot of stitching has been happening. I've done a few more blocks for the Joseph's Coat quilt but still have lots to do. I have 14 of the 48 done now and have another 8 blocks prepared so I can continue on. My progress is really slow but at least it's progress!

Week 16, 17 & 18 STASH Report

Used this week: .8 M
Used Year to Date: 17.55 M
Added this week: 3 M
Added Year to Date: 10.90 M
Net used for 2010: 6.55 M

Not a lot compared to some others but I am happy with what I am using up and enjoying my (slow) progress on my projects!

Check out what everyone else has done this week at Judy's site.

NOW... about the last few weeks....
My sister had asked me several weeks ago if I would be able to come to her home to care for her husband while she attended a conference. I was more than happy to do that. I was to be there on Thursday... BUT, on Monday, this area of Southern Alberta was hit with a huge snow storm.

There was more than a foot of really heavy, wet snow and then the wind picked up. The result was many downed power lines and even power poles that were snapped right off at the ground. Most of this devastation happened within 10 miles of where my sister and her husband live in a rural area. As a result, they were without power starting late Monday. When I arrived on Thursday, there was still no power. Since my brother-in-law is on oxygen all the time, they had a generator set up to run the oxygen machine and the furnace fan. Even though the furnace is gas (propane actually), it needs electricity for the fan to work or you still don't get heat.

She also has 3 deep freezes and, of course the fridge in the kitchen. Too many items to have plugged into the generator simultaneously. As a result, I was continually changing what was plugged in to try to keep everything cold or frozen.... and, at the same time... hauling gas to keep the generator going. It was very hard work until the power finally came back on late Saturday.

My sister also had another commitment this weekend so I've been here again since Wednesday. Fortunately, there is power although there was yet ANOTHER snow storm in Southern Alberta! Luckily, the worst missed us here and we mostly just experienced very strong winds (up to 90 km) and rain with a bit of intermittent sleet. I think we are getting March weather in April and May this year. Last week, everyone was out cutting lawns and doing yard work.... gotta love it!

Sunday Stash 'n Stuff

2010-04-11T15:01:00.000-06:00

It's been almost two weeks since my last post and Easter has come and gone. The blocks for my pink and yellow quilt are still on the design wall in the guest room and I am still moving a few around. My only excuse for not posting is that I have not been doing anything in the way of quilting. It seems that my body has decided to ache non-stop for the past week, joints swollen etc. so it was difficult to get enthused about much of anything.

I did manage to pick up some knitting (as it doesn't require using tiny needles and thread) and, even though it was a little uncomfortable, managed to finish the second slipper to a pair that has been sitting around here for well over a year. Just as I was completing it, I discovered I had missed a portion of the instructions but, it looks like I did the same thing on the first one too so I am going to just leave it. I'm hoping they will fit someone. They are called Sasquatch Booties and I'm sure that kids will really like them.

Then, I finished knitting a cotton dishcloth that was half-done and started another with a pattern I created. My granddaughter Leah (14) has started knitting and now wants to make a blanket. I thought it might be a good idea for her to practice the stitches used in the pattern she picked, so I made up a dishcloth pattern using those same stitches. I decided I'd best make one from my instructions to be sure I had things right before I gave it to her! If anyone else would like to test-knit one, let me know!! Just remember that I am NOT a professional pattern writer and any input would be appreciated.

Week 14 & 15 STASH Report

Used this week: 0 M
Used Year to Date: 16.75 M
Added this week: 0 M
Added Year to Date: 7.90 M
Net used for 2010: 8.85 M

Be sure to check out how everyone else has done this week with their stash use on Judy's blog.

Finishes this week - 1 pair knit slippers, 1 knit cotton dishcloth.
Starts this week - 1 pink knit dishcloth

Does Your Stash Need a Manicure?

2010-04-02T12:32:00.000-06:00

There is a brand new blog just starting for those who are looking to 'manicure' their stash.

The idea behind the Stash Manicure Challenge is to help give you a reason or challenge to eliminate some of your stash plus a place to share and find ideas with others doing the same. Best of all, there will be prizes! Pop on over to Stash Manicure and check it all out!

Sunday Stash Report

2010-03-28T12:25:00.001-06:00

I did a fair bit of catching up this week. Just this morning I finished Block 4 of the Hazel's Diary Quiltalong mystery. I had more trouble with this block than the first 3. The center part just seemed too small so the block doesn't look as square as it should. But, I really like how its turning out overall with the bright colors against the black background I'm using. I think I might be the only one working with a black background. Check out the Hazel's Diary Flickr Group for more photos from others doing this project.

Here are my first 4 blocks.

To see what else I did this week, check my previous post.

WEEK 13 STASH REPORT

All fabric used this week went into the melons (petals) for my Joseph's Coat quilt.

Used this week: .50 M

Used Year to Date: 16.75 M

Added this week: 0 M

Added Year to Date: 7.90 M

Net used for 2010: 8.85 M

Be sure to check out how everyone else has done this week with their stash use on Judy's blog.

Catching Up

2010-03-27T14:55:00.001-06:00

I've been working on a few things all week in an effort to catch up with some of the projects I am doing.

1. Joseph's Coat - worked every evening for 6 days to get ALL the rest of the melon shapes prepared. I'm done that part of it!! YAY!! Now I can work on the applique...

2. Caught up on "Hazel's Diary Quiltalong". I have finished Block 2 and 3 plus caught up-to-date with Block 4!! These are 6 inch finished blocks so the pieces are rather tiny and can be a bit hard to get the points all lined up and meeting. But, as my Dad used to say... "They'll never see it from the highway!"

3. Finished assembling the feathered star block that was a tutorial on Erin's blog One Piece At a Time. I had a bit of trouble with this as it seemed like some parts were either too large or too small to fit together correctly. My block will probably never lay flat...

I've played a bit with the pink & yellow quilt blocks on the wall. I'm still moving them around a little but I hope that I will soon be happy enough with the arrangement to go ahead and sew it all together.

Pink & Yellow quilt AGAIN

2010-03-24T12:10:00.001-06:00

I am still fretting over the placement of blocks in my Pink and Yellow (Disaster) quilt because of the difference in value of the fabrics.

There are many ways to think about laying it out. As it is now, I have the lightest fabrics at the top and getting darker as you get to the bottom. Now, I am wondering if I should try putting the lightest fabrics in the center with the darker around the outer edges... OR I could use a diagonal idea with the colors and start with the lightest at the top left gradating to the darkest on the bottom right. OR, on the same diagonal idea, have the lights and darks of each color going the opposite direction.... **sigh**

Any suggestions are MORE than welcomed!!

The hurrier I go, the behinder I get....

2010-03-21T12:32:00.001-06:00

Can't believe its Sunday already! Where did the week go??

For the Friday Night Sew-In, I didn't work on what I had originally planned. (More on the ongoing saga of the my Pink & Yellow "Disaster" quilt later..)

I decided to spend my evening working on the pieces for my Joseph's Coat. I spent a couple hours creating more freezer paper shapes and pressing them on to fabrics. The rest of the evening was spent cutting them out.

I did manage to get about a dozen melons ready to applique. (Pardon the picture... its hard to take pictures when both hands are doing something else. At least my bust shelf is useful as a tripod...) I also spent Saturday evening in front of the tv with the pressing board on my lap getting more melons ready.

I will still have a few more evenings of work to finish preparing the rest of the melons that I need. I thought that, since this is the most tedious part of the project for me, I would get it ALL done so I can just get on with doing what I enjoy, the applique.

WEEK 12 STASH REPORT
All of the fabric I used this week was for the Joseph's Coat project (melons and background).

Used this week: 2.25 M
Used Year to Date: 16.25 M
Added this week: 0 M
Added Year to Date: 7.9 M
Net used for 2010: 8.35 M

Be sure to check out how everyone else has done this week with their stash use on Judy's blog.

Are You Ready?

2010-03-16T12:15:00.000-06:00

Because, this Friday Night is the March Sew-In!!

I know what I will be working on... I have been stuck on the layout of my Pink & Yellow quilt. All the blocks are sewn together but, my design wall in the sewing room is not large enough to lay out the entire quilt.

I finally got a flash of inspiration yesterday when I remembered I'd bought a queen size flannel sheet on sale a couple of years ago. I had thought, at the time, I 'd put it away until I could find a matching fitted sheet the next flannel sheet season. I've never seen another one in this particular olive drab color. What was I thinking??

Anyways, I dug out the sheet and put it through the laundry. Thankfully, it lost a bit of the dye so it is now a dark tan. I am going to hang it on the wall in my guest room to use as a temporary whole quilt design wall!! I will transfer my P & Y blocks to it so I can see the entire quilt and play with the layout. On Friday night, I will be assembling my quilt top!!

What do you have planned?? If you aren't signed up yet, go to Heidi's Blog and register!

Sunday Stash Report & Joseph's Coat Update

2010-03-14T18:15:00.002-06:00

Wonder if anyone missed me last week??? I was out of town helping my daughter so I missed out doing my stash report last Sunday. It's OK though, because nothing has really changed in regards to the stash in the past 2 weeks anyway! I didn't even have time to work on any hand sewing while I was away. I was so exhausted when I got home that it has taken almost all week to recover. I guess my body is telling me that I can't do the things I once could.

WEEK 10 & 11 STASH REPORT

Used this week: 0 M
Used Year to Date: 14 M
Added this week: 0 M
Added Year to Date: 7.9 M
Net used for 2010: 6.1 M

JOSEPH'S COAT UPDATE

It seems that I was avoiding preparing more blocks for appliqué. I decided that I needed to find a simpler and more accurate way to accomplish the prep work of laying the pieces out and attaching them to the background fabric. I am just using freezer paper for the appliqués on this project so I need to remove the paper. Here is the method I have come up with that works for me.

1. Prepare the melon shapes by ironing the freezer paper shape to the wrong side of the fabric and cutting around the shape adding a quarter-inch seam allowance all around. I don't cut it skinnier towards the points.

With the freezer paper side up, use a small brush to apply liquid starch to the seam allowance all around the piece. Using an iron (I use my small Clover iron), work around the shape turning the seam allowance under.

I do my points a bit differently as well. This is what works for me. I turn both edges of seam allowance under and that leaves a bit of a 'flag' sticking out by the point.

I fold this bit back, hold it with my fingernail and wet it again with a bit of starch then carefully apply heat with the little iron.

This folds the fabric under the point and gives a nice sharp point on the applique piece that doesn't fray out so easily. If the 'flag' is a bit large, I sometimes need to make a second fold... think of a little 'Z' in the fabric right under the point.

2. Applying the shapes to the background.

First, fold the background square in half and finger press a mark on both edges. I use these marks to center the fabric over my template so that everything will be centered on the background. Use a water soluble marker and make a dot where each set of melons meets. This is for placement.

Lay out the melons arranging until they look good. Slide each piece back a bit so that they are still in the correct orientation but away from the center of the block.

I use Roxanne's Glue Baste to attach the pieces to the background. I apply little dots to one whole side and just one at either end of the other side of the center pieces. Line the melons up with the dots made earlier and press in place.

Voilà - no pins required. Doing it this way allows me to stitch down the one side that is held in place, turn the corner and then remove the freezer paper. I then add a few drops of glue to the turned under edge to hold it in place after removing the paper. Let it dry a few minutes and finish stitching the final side. Because I am using all different colors, I change thread to match each melon color.

For the shapes on the outer edge of the circle, only put glue on the inner edge of the melon. I am leaving the freezer paper in the edge pieces until the blocks are joined to keep them stable.

I can lay out the blocks much faster and get more accurate placement using the glue over pins. Also, there are no pins to poke me or to loose in my chair... The added bonus is that the pieces can't shift while you are stitching so my point intersections are much better!

I have completed 8 blocks so far and have another 3 ready to stitch. I'm hoping that I will now be able to prepare and finish enough blocks for at least the first two rows of the quilt within the next week. Sounds like it should be doable...

Sunday Stash Report

2010-02-28T22:31:00.002-07:00

It has been a hard week for the stash. There has been a small amount going out but more coming in this week.

I have been working on getting petals prepared so I can continue to work on my Joseph's Coat project. I think I have finally mastered getting the points sharp with the freezer paper and starch. Now I just need to lay them all out and pin them to the background so I can continue to applique by hand.

I got a good deal on 3 charm packs. I figure that is about 2 meters of fabric. Please correct me if I'm way off.

I needed a border fabric to go on the Pink & Yellow quilt and wandered into the quilt store. I saw a fabric on the sale rack I felt would work well AND, it was 40% off!! I didn't have the quilt top with me because its still not all sewn together. I do have all of the blocks done though.. So, I took a chance that it would work and bought it.

After getting it home and looking at it with the blocks on the design wall, I am not so sure anymore. I probably should have waited until I had the top sewn together so I could take it along to audition borders with it. Oh well... I do really love the fabric. If its not used for this particular quilt, it will get used at some point in time. I may even have to plan a quilt especially to use this print. Do you ever buy fabric because you think it will work for a project you are doing??

WEEK 9 STASH REPORT

Used this week: 2.4 M
Used Year to Date: 14 M
Added this week: 4.5 M
Added Year to Date: 7.9 M
Net used for 2010: 6.1 M

I'm loosing ground on my "net used" for the year so I need to get busy doing something! Don't forget to check out all the other reports on Judy's Blog

Sunday Stash & Week in Review

2010-02-21T23:01:00.003-07:00

Not too much sewing happened through the week other than during the Friday Night Sew-In. Check this post to see what I did.

WEEK 8 STASH REPORT

Used this week: 0 M
Used Year to Date: 11.6 M
Added this week: 1.5 M
Added Year to Date: 3.4 M
Net used for 2010: 8.2 M

It sure is easy to pick up those innocent looking Fat Quarters but they can add a fair bit of yardage to the stash especially when there is no real plan for their use.

I have found a project that will use up about 26 to 28 of those FQ's. It is a Postage Stamp Quilt and there is a group of people signed up for this online project. Check it out at Handmade by Heidi. Now, I hope I can find enough 'background' in my stash to make this. It would be a bit counter productive if I had to go out now to buy 6.5 meters of plain to use for it. I will be hunting through the boxes and totes to see what I can come up with.

Results of Friday Night Sew-In

2010-02-20T11:15:00.005-07:00

Last night was the February Friday Night Sew-In hosted by Handmade by Heidi.

I worked for a little while on my P&Y Disaster quilt although, I am starting to like the way it is coming out now as compared to how it looked the first time around. Check this post to see how it looked before I took all 72 of the blocks I had completed apart again to re-sew. I know I will be much happier with it now. I may even need to change the name of it...

When it started getting a little later in the evening, I switched to working on a hand paper piecing project that has been going on since at least the beginning of my blog. I talked about it way back here but haven't mentioned it since. That was two years ago and this little project has helped me through some difficult times. It seems to be becoming my therapy quilt.

Hope everyone else enjoyed their time on Friday night!!

It's Tracy's Fault!

2010-02-18T13:48:00.001-07:00

She joined in and now I am too!! Hope everyone has a great time during the February Friday Night Sew-In!!

I will be working on the final re-sewing of the blocks for my P&Y quilt and maybe finish the feathered star up as well (depending how late I stay up).

Feathers, Brown Bags & Stash

2010-02-14T12:42:00.000-07:00

This week, I started sewing along with Erin at One Piece at a Time. She is posting instructions for making a wonderful feathered star block and I simply could not resist! I dug in my stash (gotta love having a stash), came up with some fabrics and started sewing. The dark fabric in the picture is actually an eggplant purple color but it seems to look black when I photograph it.

A number of years back, my quilt guild were doing a "Brown Bag Exchange". the concept was for each participant to pick a block or fabric or just a guide for each of the other participants to follow as they created a block to add to your brown bag. Some added a bit of focus fabric for everyone to use, some chose a background to include in their bag. We all included a little notebook with our guidelines so everyone could write about the block they made for the bag owner. The bags were passed to the next participant every month and the "owner" of the bag did not get to see their own until the final month of the year. We had a big "unveiling" party and everyone got to see their blocks for the first time. Since I love feathered stars, that was what I picked not realizing how challenging they can be to make. Here is a photo of the blocks I received back in my "Brown Bag". I am ashamed to say that I have yet to put these together into a quilt. I shall have to add it to my long list of PhD's (Projects half Done).

WEEK 7 STASH REPORT			8 Feb to 14 Feb
Date	Added	Used	Project
Tue, Feb 9, 10		1.00	Fabrics for feathered star @ One Piece at a Time
Thu, Feb 11, 10	1.00		4 FQ's plain Amish colors



Total	1.00	1.00

YTD	1.9	11.6	-9.7

Used this week: 1 M
Used Year to Date: 11.6 M
Added this week: 1 M
Added Year to Date: 1.9 M
Net used for 2010: 9.7 M

Be sure to check all the stash reports for this week at Patchwork Times!

Catching up with Hazel

2010-02-09T12:52:00.001-07:00

Yesterday seemed like as good a day as any to catch up with the steps for Hazel's Diary Quiltalong. I am now right up to Feb 8th! Considering that I had not even started cutting until yesterday and I also had to spend time ironing all my fabrics, it didn't take long to get up to speed. Here's my first block and setting block.

I am working on the smaller option and some of these pieces are a bit tiny so you need to be careful with seam allowances. If you haven't joined in yet, there is still time to grab some fabric and start. It should only take you about 3 hours to get caught up.

Sunday Stash Report

2010-02-07T13:21:00.000-07:00

Yet another week of not much sewing happening. I have been prepping more pieces for my Joseph's Coat project so I have a little to report as used anyways!

Week 6 Stash Report

Used this week: .5 M
Used Year to Date: 10.6 M
Added this week: 0 M
Added Year to Date: .9 M
Net used for 2010: 9.7 M

Update

2010-02-05T15:30:00.002-07:00

Thought a post on the continuing saga of the Yellow & Pink Double Four Patch might be in order. There is not a lot to show but I have managed to sew a few of the blocks together again! Here is a shot of them on my design wall. I think I am going to like this "less scrappy" look better as the chains in the blocks will be more defined.

I have totally neglected my Joseph's Coat blocks. I have just 4 done so I have a loooong way to go yet. I need to take some time to prepare the applique pieces so I can easily pick up a block to work on in the evening while watching TV. I find the task of turning all those little seam allowances on the little melons quite arduous especially the points on the ends! Those points give me no end of trouble.

I'm still bogged down most of the time with year-end books. Its turning out to be a larger task than I had thought it would be. I will be REALLY glad when this task is behind me so I can get back to doing some FUN things!

Forgot to show this!

2010-01-31T20:10:00.001-07:00

Here is a photo of my completely finished Star Table Topper. It was an online project offered by CD Designs. This project was completed ENTIRELY by hand. I blogged here about the troubles I had when I was trying to hand quilt. I guess my stitching did improve through the project as I can see a real difference in the first quilting stitches to the last. I also stopped breaking needles quite as often!

Not much sewing or quilting happening here this week. I have been too busy doing year-end books to have the time or energy for much else. Hopefully, I will be all caught up and finished by next week!

Week 5 Stash Report

Used this week: 0 M
Used Year to Date: 10.1 M
Added this week: 0 M
Added Year to Date: .9 M
Net used for 2010: 9.2 M

Just Another Sunday

2010-01-24T10:51:00.007-07:00

I seem to remember that line from a song but I don't remember the actual song. I think it was a female singer.. Anyone remember??

Here is my finish for this week, all quilted and bound!! It's the Framed Four Patch Table Runner and is my second finish for the PhD challenge. I just did stitch in the ditch by machine to quilt it so it went quickly. I pieced the backing to give it a bit more interest.

Week 4 STASH REPORT

Used this week: .75 M
Used Year to Date: 10.1 M
Added this week: 0 M
Added Year to Date: .9 M
Net used for 2010: 9.2 M

Be sure to go to Judy's site and check out how everyone else is doing this week with their stash busting efforts. Also, if anyone would like a copy of the spreadsheet I use (it keeps track of totals automatically), please let me know. I'd be happy to share it with you.

Winter Storm

2010-01-23T11:44:00.002-07:00

Today will be a good day to stay inside where it is warm as we are experiencing a winter snow storm. It is quite the change after 3 weeks of above freezing temperatures which had melted any snow we had previously.

I have finally finished taking apart all of the pink and yellow quilt. I will spend the day putting blocks back together with closer attention to contrast in fabrics and also making each block from only 3 fabrics to get a more cohesive look.

Stash Report

2010-01-17T10:28:00.006-07:00

This is the latest project I have been working on. It is a table runner made from charm squares. Its rather difficult to say how much fabric was actually used in this so I am estimating about 1/2 M so far. The fabrics on the left are my choices for the binding. Not sure which one I like the best yet. First though, I need to find something in the stash to use for a backing...

Oh, almost forgot to count the fabric used in the rag tote I made this week... .6 M

WEEK 3 Stash Report

Used this week: 1.1 M

Used Year to Date: 9.35 M
Added this week: 0 M

Added Year to Date: .9 M
Net used for 2010: 8.45 M

My Friday Night Sew-In

2010-01-16T12:27:00.003-07:00

I started doing laundry late last night... Now, what does that have to do with the Friday Night Sew-In?? Well, this is why.

I had started sewing this purse together a while back and made a total mess of joining the back section which has 3 pockets on the inside. I got the pockets in upside-down. So, I began the night by doing some un-sewing. (It seems I am doing that a lot lately.) Then, I managed to get it put back together again, added the handles and closing tab. I figured it wouldn't take long to snip the seams as its just a small purse.... OK so, 2 hours later it was all sniped. I threw it in the washer with some jeans and started my second project.

This table runner (on left) had been laid out a while back onto the back of a flannel-backed vinyl tablecloth. It had been rolled up and put away. I got it out and transferred it to my design wall. Of course, I couldn't just leave it the way it had been. I started messing around with the layout and settled on this which I like a bit more. Becasue of different lighting condition, the colors look slightly different. The color on the left are closer to the true colors. This was a charm set but I must have tossed the band telling me the line of fabric. (I still might play with this new lay-out a little since seeing here. Might need to balance out the dark browns more from one end to the other.)

Ran downstairs and put purse (and jeans) in the dryer. By then it was midnight. Where did the time go?

Hope you had as much fun as I did with your Friday Night Sew-In!!

Count Me In

2010-01-15T10:07:00.003-07:00

Ok, I am jumping in for the friday night sew-in. What will I work on?? My choices are:

Charm square table runner
Paper piecing more for Briar Patch

These will probably more than use up the evening!

Working on my PhD's

2010-01-11T12:47:00.006-07:00

Myra at Tactile Pleasures is hosting a PhD Challenge! What is a PhD?? It is a Project Half Done that needs to be completed. I have LOTS of those!! In an effort to play along and get something accomplished for myself at the same time, I have decided to join in with all the others who are joining this challenge. I am going to set a certain time either daily or weekly that I will spend on PhD's.

Now, I'm not sure if this pink and yellow disaster I was working on is a PhD yet or if it is still my current project but, I have decided that the blocks are all to be unsewn and then remade paying closer attention to the contrast within each block. What a lot of work but... I am stubborn and determined. It would be easier to scrap it all and start again but... thats where my frugal nature kicks in. Worked all afternoon yesterday and managed to get 15 of the 72 blocks unsewn. It better be worth it....

Pink & Yellow Disappointment OR The Importance of Contrast

2010-01-10T11:10:00.012-07:00

Finally, I decided that enough is enough. I NEED a design wall. Off I went to our local fabric store and there I found some 274cm wide flannel in a natural color. Knowing I wanted to mount the flannel directly to the wall above my sewing machine, I needed only 1.6 M to do the job. I straightened both ends of the cuts and hemmed all sides. With help from a friend, we pulled all the stuff away from the wall and stapled the flannel to the wall under my magazine shelf. FINALLY, I have a design wall!!!! It cost me all of $15.00.

First things up on the wall are the blocks for my pink and yellow quilt. Well, a bit more than half of them. I knew my wall would not have enough room to accommodate a full size quilt all at once. BUT, seeing those blocks up there... I am feeling quite disappointed with this quilt. The inspiration for doing this design and color choice came from Hanne's Quilt Corner and a quilt she made . I loved her quilt the moment I saw it!

When I made my first 4 blocks, I had used just two fabrics for each block. I decided I wanted it to be more scrappy (like Hanne's) so I took those apart then went right ahead and made ALL the blocks mixing up all the fabrics. When I look at it on the wall now, it looks like a scrambled mess to me. The chains through the blocks are not showing up because of the lack of contrast in the blocks. MAJOR disappointment. I am thinking now I should have gone with the original blocks using 2 fabrics per block and making sure there was a good contrast between the colors in each block. I am unsure now if I even want to finish this quilt. Picking out 72 blocks would be a HUGE task but, it would be one way to salvage this mess.

Stash Report for Week 2

Used this week: 0 M (Not counting the fabric to make my design wall)
Used Year to Date: 8.25 M
Added this week: 0 M (Again, not counting the fabric for my design wall)
Added Year to Date: .9 M
Net used for 2010: 7.35 M

Stash Report - Week 1

2010-01-03T14:05:00.005-07:00

Thought that this might be a good way for me to audit the fabric ins and outs here at my house. Here is my first ever Stash Report:

Used this week: 8.25 M

Used Year to Date: 8.25 M

Added this week: .9 M

Added Year to Date: .9 M

Net used for 2010: 7.35 M

One of the quilts that are using up this fabric is a pink and yellow Double Four Patch quilt for my guest bed. I saw this color combination a while back and have wanted to do a quilt ever since! It just happens to be perfect for the guest bed as it has a yellow bed skirt. Since this bed is rather tall, I had to add an extra bit across the bottom to lengthen it. I had just a little of the fabric left to use in the quilt so hopefully it will all co-ordinate. Sure can't look any worse than that old comforter that is on there right now!

The rest of the fabric is for the mystery quilt-along called Hazels Diary. I've had this butterfly print sitting around for a few years already. Originally, it was supposed to be used in a challenge quilt for our local guild. Think it may be a bit late to enter?

Catching Up

2010-01-02T14:20:00.000-07:00

So, for the Final Countdown at Prairie Moon Quilts, Dec 30th, Shelly assigned Task Four "Clean up the area around your sewing machine". I had already pretty much done that on day one because I didn't have a quilt ready for binding. I put the extra Ott Lite away and all the extra thread that had collected, gave everything a good wipe down and I was done. Woo Hoo... a free day to work on my new project!

Went to the quilt store and picked up 3 strips of pink that I was short for the blocks. I've decided too that I want this quilt to look scrappier so I am going to take apart the first four blocks I made. The blocks made from here on will have all different yellows and pinks in them. Hopefully, that will spread out the one yellow print that I wanted to use as it matches the bed skirt in the guest room. Wouldn't you know it, but now, I don't really like that print with the other fabrics. It seems to demand too much attention.

Day five of the Final Countdown was New Years Eve. Shelly's Task Five was "Pampering and Dreaming". As a reward I bought myself a new quilting magazine to read and dream over. Thanks Shelly for coming up with this idea. Everyone who participated has won because we all have clean and organized sewing spaces to start the new year!!

Too many books!

2010-01-01T12:21:00.001-07:00

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Hoping this year is a whole lot better than the last!

For the Final Countdown at Prairie Moon Quilts, the task for day three was "Straighten up your stacks of magazines and/or your quilting book shelf". How did she know that this was something that I REALLY needed to do? It took me about 4 hours to do this and, I discovered, I have a LOT of books and magazines.

Here is the bookshelf. These are reference books and pattern books. I wish I could say I have made something out of each but, sadly, I have not.

Here is the shelf that is high on the wall above my sewing machine. This is used to store magazines. Most of the magazines up there have little tags sticking out the top of them marking projects I thought I wanted to make. I probably need to revisit a lot of those magazines and get rid of some of them, if I can. I seem to have this thing for acquiring them and it is difficult for me to let them go. I realize that this behavior could ultimately become a problem so it is something I need to work on. It won't be done in a day, however.

I am not adding to my magazine collection like I used to. A few years back, I would buy every quilting magazine that came on the news stand. I decided that I would only buy a magazine if there was a quilt pattern in it that I really, really loved and thought I might actually make. So many of the patterns that are in magazines are just a rehash of older patterns with new fabrics. So during 2009, I bought only 7 magazines. Quite the difference from previous years.

Preparing for the New Year

2009-12-29T15:52:00.003-07:00

Thought that it may be a good idea to join in with Shelly at Prairie Moon Quilts in her "Final Countdown" to the end of the year. She will be setting out a task for us each day until the last day of the year. Of course, there is a prize for doing all five tasks which is a bonus!

I have already completed the first two tasks. Day one was to finish sewing a binding on a quilt. I didn't have anything in the works to the point of doing a binding so, instead I decided to make sure that any tops I have done have the bindings cut and stored with the top so that I don't use the fabric for something else. Since I usually do cut the binding right away, this didn't take very long and I spent some time tidying up the sewing room.

I also started to pull out some fabric for a new quilt I want to make for on my guest bed. I saw a quilt I loved on Hanne's Quilt Corner and decided it was just what I wanted to do. I pulled out all the pink and yellow fabrics I could find to audition for the new quilt. I think its going to be a good quilt to work on because of the happy colors.

Day two task was to put away any stray fabric. Since I had already done a tidy-up yesterday, I didn't have a lot to put away other than what I rejected for the new quilt. I spent a few hours ironing fabrics and cutting for the quilt. Then, I sewed up four blocks just to see how they looked!

I went back and looked at the pattern on Mary's blog and saw that she did her red and cream Double Four Patch all scrappy. Now I am wondering if I should just mix up all my fabrics for a scrappier look or if I should just continue going on the way I have started? What do you think?

Two blocks for Joseph's Coat

2009-11-19T20:00:00.001-07:00

An update on my slow progress on my Joseph's Coat blocks. I have only completed two blocks so far. The first I did using the instructions as written by Kellie at Don't Look Now using glue stick to prepare the appliqué shapes. I think that perhaps my glue stick was old as it did not stick well. I found a newer one but I have found that the glue is still a bit sticky even after more than a week.

Since I was not able to find a local supplier of the Floriani Stitch and Wash Fusible nor a reasonably priced mail order source to Canada, I have had to resort to using freezer paper which I have in abundance. I decided to experiment with spray starch for prepping the shapes and found I liked it a bit better. I am able to get nice sharp points without any trouble.

Using freezer paper means that it must be removed at some point. I am stitching down one side of the 'petals' in the center of the block then removing the paper just prior to stitching the second side down. I took them out of the outer edge petals on the first block after stitching down the one side but soon discovered that they should be left in until after the blocks are joined as the outer edges have not stayed turned under. I was trying to make the block look nice to photograph and when I hit it with the iron, all those edges kinda got messed up. As a result of this lesson, the block on the left may not make the final cut unless I am able to do needle-turn on those edges. That will be determined when we get the block joining instructions.

Happy stitching!!

Here I go.. making adjustments to Joseph's Coat

2009-11-09T11:28:00.014-07:00

I spent most of Sunday doing the prep work for Joseph's Coat but not without a few problems.

My first problem was my compass. It would only open to a maximum size of just over 4.5 inches and the instructions call for a compass set to 5.5 inches. I decided to just go with the 4.5 inches which should make my blocks for this quilt finish about 9 inches which I think (hope) will be ok.

When I began drawing the circles, I discovered that it made a difference in how I held my cheapo compass. The difference in the circles could be as much as 1/8 inch off. I used some tape to secure the shaft of my pencil to the arm of the compass to keep it from wiggling and managed to draw my basic pattern.

I created the template and drew some petal shapes onto freezer paper as I have plenty of it on hand. I did do a trick to make lots of petals at once. I layered more sheets of freezer paper underneath the top one with the drawn petals. Then, I put a staple into each petal to secure all the layers.

I also used my Clover mini iron to heat bond the layers together BETWEEN the petals. You have to be sure not to get the petals bonded or they won't come apart. (Lesson learned) I then rough cut rows of petal shapes and continued to staple the next rows until all were cut. I took these to my comfy chair and spent an hour watching quilt shows on video while I cut all the petals out.
Once all the petals were cut precisely, I removed the staples and separated them. (This is when I discovered that some of my stacks were accidentally welded together when I did the iron tacking trick.. so I lost a few.)I've decided to just use scraps for this project so I got out all my strips and ironed the freezer paper petal shapes onto the wrong sides. I cut out enough to make one block and proceeded to glue the edges. This is when I discovered that glue sticks can get old and become useless. The edges would not stick down. I went digging and found another glue stick and it worked better although those pointy ends are VERY fiddly and difficult to get precise. I found that it was a bit easier if I also used the Clover mini iron to heat set the glue especially on the points. (I may experiment using spray starch to prep my petals to see if it works better for me.) I had 12 petals prepared and the whole day was gone. Next, I need to decide just how big I am going to make this so I can find some background fabric to use. Right now, I am thinking perhaps crib or lap size....

Don't Look Now...

2009-11-08T10:21:00.005-07:00

Photo is from Don't Look Now.

Kellie has a wonderful, happy color filled blog called Don't Look Now. She is currently hosting a quilt-along doing a design she calls Joseph's Quilt. Everything about this quilt (and Kellies site and other patterns for that matter) says HAPPY to me...

I was debating on whether or not I would commit myself to another long-term hand project right now but this is Oh-So-Tempting! When I was checking out some of the links to others' sites, I found many that didn't seem to connect so... in a moment of abandon, I posted a comment letting Kellie know. Seems now, I am the quilt-along police... LOL No worries but, I figure I had better jump in and start one of my own now! I posted my link to her Mr. Linky and... wouldn't you know it... it is going to an old post, not to this one... I feel so silly...

I best be off to find some fabrics. I am thinking that I may just do this like the original Joseph's Coat and make it of many colors - scraps! Guess I better get a wiggle on....

Out of order and maybe a new embroidery machine...

2009-10-26T21:27:00.007-06:00

Today, I finally broke down and took my trusty sewing machine to be serviced and repaired.

I was sewing the binding on to a small table center-piece and it was making a terrible clacking noise whenever I went faster than just barely moving... so, I guess it was time.

While I was at the sewing machine store, I looked at an embroidery machine. My machine is an older top of the line model with embroidery but the maximum design size is only 4" x 4". I have been seeing lots of designs now that are larger than that and have collected some freebies on various embroidery sites. Now I really want a machine with a larger design field.

I still want to keep my current machine as I love it and I think I have every foot that is available for it so, I think the way to go might be to get a stand alone embroidery machine. I'm just starting to look and would be thrilled if anyone had suggestions for me. Do you own an embroidery machine? What do you like about it and what do you wish it had? I would really love to hear your recommendations.

Why is it that, when you know its not sitting in there patiently waiting, you come up with all kinds of ideas for things you could sew right now? I probably could put my time to very good use by cleaning up the sewing room so everything is tidy when it gets home.

The Beginnings of My Journey in Quilts

2009-09-12T12:52:00.019-06:00

*** Looking for my Joseph's Coat posts?? I goofed setting my link up (insert red face here)! Please click HERE ***

Robyn at Daisy Quilts has issued an invitation for everyone to tell about their first quilts and how we began. Click on the "Where did we Begin?" button above to go to her page. But, before you leave, here is my story.
The very first quilt I can remember working on was in 1969 or 1970. It was a tradition at that time, especially in rural areas, that young ladies had a "hope chest" to take with them when they married. For my family, this was basically a collection of linens such as tea towels, pillowcases, doilies and at least one quilt. There may have been more, but those are the only items I can really remember.
I have been sewing since I was a child. I also learned the fine art of embroidery on tea towels and pillowcases. I have always loved any kind of needlework and it seemed to come very easily to me. At about 11 years of age, I joined a 4-H Sewing Club where I learned dressmaking skills along with other stitching arts.
When my mother decided it was time to get a quilt into my hope chest (I was 17 after all), I was already a fairly competent seamstress. I found a pattern for a quilt in a magazine and we set out to make the quilt. The pattern I picked was the bow-tie. These were the days BEFORE rotary cutters and fast techniques... so every piece for every block was traced and cut with scissors. I can still remember mom getting frustrated with the "Y" seams so she passed it over to me to sew the blocks. Once I had the top put together, the ladies from our church came to the house and helped hand quilt using pearl cottons - everyone around one frame.
So here it is... my first quilt (or what is left of it). It has been a part of my family for all these years.

I've only recently rescued it from my youngest daughter when she told me that it needed a "few" repairs. I almost fainted when I heard that it was being put through the laundry almost weekly...
Since all the fabrics used for the bows were scraps, this quilt holds many memories in those fabrics.
My mothers dresses and aprons from the 40's and 50's. Scraps from my sister's clothing

Remnants from a blouse I made in either 4-H or home-EC and a skirt which I sewed.

And my favorite piece is a bit of paisley fabric left from a coat and dress I made to wear on my first airplane trip when I went to Expo 1967 in Montreal. (That was when I decided I wanted to be an airline stewardess.. unfortunately at 5' 10", I was too tall.)Remnants from baby clothing made for my nephew Neil who was born when I was only 10.My second quilt didn't happen until the late 1980s. This time a chose an appliqué pattern, again from a magazine. The fabric I used was given to me by my mom again... FORTREL from used clothing and leftover yard goods. This stuff wears like iron (and feels much the same - not at all cuddly) and she felt it was a great fabric for quilts as they would not easily wear out. At the time it never occurred to me that I could go buy fabric just to cut up to make quilts so I used what I had been given.
This quilt is so heavy and warm you can hardly sleep under it! No fear of it ever wearing out! It is a long, double size, machine appliqued (before I knew about fusibles) and then finished by tying as there was no way you could actually do a quilting stitch through this heavy stuff!
I took a beginners quilting course shortly after doing this quilt in order to learn how to use "the newest thing in quilting" at the time... a rotary cutter with an acrylic ruler and self healing mat. I made a simple log cabin quilt all in pastel pinks and blues during that class. I think my daughter has passed it on to my granddaughter who is still using it!

OK, now you can go to Robyn's blog and check out everyone else's first quilts and their stories! Add yours too!

Wild Flower Pincushion

2009-09-11T13:29:00.005-06:00

Wild Flower Pincushion

I saw this pincushion on Linda's blog and fell in love... I had to go find the directions for it so I could make one too and thought it would be nice to share the link for anyone else who is interested. I'm going to find my funkiest fabric and put one of these together this weekend!!

Shared via AddThis

Learning to Hand Quilt Woes

2009-08-29T11:40:00.008-06:00

Ok - I really, really want to be able to hand quilt some of my projects. I've done a little hand quilting before, a pillow top and on a runner (see post here) but, I never did use a hoop. I just held everything in my hands and stitched. I guess it turned out ok.. but, to me, its still not the "right" way??

I went out and bought myself a quilting hoop on a stand. It sat in its box by the door in my sewing room for almost a year before I finally got it out and put it together. Then, it sat there in the corner for a while longer until I got brave enough to actually put something in the hoop.

I decided that my recent EPP project would be a good size to start with so prepared everything. I thread basted my sandwich so I wouldn't need to worry about pins. Fabrics are all cotton and of good quality. Batting is warm & natural. Needles size 9 quilting.

I've read all the instructions for doing the quilting stitch, watched tv how-to shows, seen demonstrations... I can wear a thimble and forget I have it on. I just can't seem to get even stitches and it feels SO awkward. How am I ever going to graduate to bigger quilts?? My work certainly won't take any prizes anytime soon.

Who says this is supposed to be relaxing? Are needles supposed to bend like that and break??? At this rate, this project is going to eat up 20 or more needles. I'm sure that, back when sewing needles were prized possessions, they didn't go through them like this on a small quilting project! What am I doing wrong?

Mystery 51 Block Revealed

2009-07-18T15:15:00.006-06:00

Since the mystery has finished and the solution posted on Paper Panache, here is my finished version of Paper Panache Mystery #51 Block...

Now I just need to figure out what to do with this... It measures 10.5" square. Any ideas???

Its a Mystery

2009-07-17T16:24:00.008-06:00

I came across the latest paper piecing mystery (#51) at Paper Panache last week and decided that I would give it a try. She warns that this one is a "bigger investment in time" than the last one...

This block calls for four shades of blue, a white and a contrasting background. Since I'm not much of a 'blue person', I went digging in my scraps and came up with four purples, a sliver of white and a chunk of coral for the background... and I began.

Most of my 'stolen quilting moments' over the past week have been working on this piece. It has eleven sections with over 150 individual segments in total. Still not sure what made me think that I could just whip this one up... there are probably quilters out there who managed to make a whole quilt in the length of time I've spent on this one block! Oh well - its done and now, I have no idea of what I will do with it....

I will post a photo of the completed block as soon as Linda at Paper Panache reveals the solution for this mystery - just so I don't spoil the surprise for anyone else!

Its been a while....

2009-06-28T20:19:00.007-06:00

I'm still here! I have been busy helping set up our new business but I am making a point to take time to do a little bit of sewing again. I found all the bits for my embroidery machine, had Curt resurect an old Windows '95 computer so that I could download the font onto the card that my sewing machine uses and managed to embroider one tank top with the business name although, I am picking out part of the bottom of the design because I didn't like the way the smaller font looked when it stitched out. Its amazing how much one can forget in a relatively short span of time!! Its also infuriating that the software one pays good money for does not get updated...

Most of what I am doing at the moment is English Paper Pieceing which is by hand and is so easy to do while relaxing. I'm working on a project now from CD Designs called "Flower" although I have not been able to keep up to the weekly steps. I'm sure I am about 4 weeks or so behind by now but I keep plugging away at it.

Here is a picture of Angel doing her best "Pointer" impersonation! And, just because I love them, some apple blossoms!

Take care until next time....

Edna

PS - not sure why I can't get these pictures to go where I want them! GRRRR

Something New

2009-04-30T21:44:00.003-06:00

It seems to hold true that, when one door closes, another one opens!

We are opening a new business!! CJ and I have been working on our business plan and cash flow forecasts for the past month for our new venture called "Color Blenz". We will be doing automotive paint repairs such as chip and scratch retouching, bumper blends and then, in a few months, expanding into detailing.

We have finished the plans and applied for funding through Community Futures. We were told a week ago that we had been approved and now we are just waiting for the paperwork to be finalized so we can go sign the papers.

We have found shop space and have been doing what needs done there in order to obtain our "occupancy permit". Thankfully, there was not much - just a small bit of plumbing, replacing several electrical outlets and installing fire extinguishers. As soon as the plumber is done tomorrow, we can ask for our final inspection, get the permit and then our business licence.

I am really looking forward to this!

A Rant on Unfair Employment Practices

2009-04-09T11:36:00.005-06:00

You may (or may not) have wondered what happened to me, where I have been for the past weeks since my last post. I had accepted a job that was supposed to be part-time but turned out to be full-time and more in the scope of work that was expected of me.

The only problem was, I was on salary and was only paid for the time stated in the original agreement at part-time wages even though these people told me verbally that I would be paid extra for the first few months to get things caught up and back on track. I was putting in 8 hours or more monday thru friday, worked thru numerous weekends as well and never saw any extra for my trouble. I was earning substantially less than minimum wage. In the month of March, I worked 187 hours that I reported to the company. I had to submit a daily work log stating what I had done and the number of hours I worked. They knew exactly the time I put in.

There still seem to be those unscrupulous people around who will take advantage of others without loosing any sleep at night over it and rubbing their hands together all the way to the bank with the money they ripped off of you.

Above all, I dispise being used. I am thankful that I am no longer working there although there are tenants there who befriended me that I will miss. Many have called to express their disbelief at what has transpired.

I do believe in Karma - and their turn will come. Am I bitter? Yes, but I will get over it and remember well the lesson learned.

That four letter word.... WORK

2009-02-18T21:22:00.004-07:00

It has finally happened - I have returned to W.O.R.K. after being off for 2 years.

We have taken on a position managing two apartment buildings for Woodsmere Holdings, 94 units in total. Its going to take time to get to know the routine as well as getting other things in order there. We have put in long days for the past week already and still have so much to do prior to the end of the month.

Its going to take some time for me to learn all the ins and outs of property management. CJ has done this kind of work before so the transition has been a bit easier for him. It also means that, for a while, I may not be able to do much in the way of quilting. I still seem to be quite tired by the time I'm done work for the day and we worked through last weekend.

Once we have our suite in the building ready, I'll be able to set up a small sewing room again and hopefully be able to get back to doing some quilting!

January Finish

2009-02-08T13:11:00.013-07:00

I was told that I was too late to sign up for the "finish one a month challenge" at Abyquilt but, I am going to challenge myself to do it anyways!! Accordingly, I am setting my own rules. I'm going to have different types of finishes:
- Phase One Finish - All the piecing for the project is complete according to the instructions or pattern used.. in other words, a flimsy (finished quilt top only).
- Phase Two Finish - The completed flimsey is backed and quilted.
- Phase Three Finish - Quilt has binding sewn on and is labeled, ready to use (or hang).
If anyone else would like to join me, let me know and we will start our own "finishing school"!

My finish (Phase One) for January is the EPP Star Table Topper that was a mystery from CD Designs. The top is done, but I now need to figure out how to complete it. I think an additional border would look good although the design instructions don't include one. Since it is made by English Paper Piecing, I have to remove all the papers from the back, even along the outer edges. Then, I'll need to open out the edge seam allowances so that I have something to attach to. Cross your fingers for me! If you have any ideas on an easier way to do this, I'd love to hear it!!

I finally figured out that my problem with posting pictures is related entirely to the newest update for the brower I use, Opera. I far prefer Opera over IE but, until they can fix this glitch, I'm stuck using IE to upload any pictures.

A Belated Happy New Year!

2009-01-31T23:22:00.002-07:00

For some reason, Blogger is not letting me upload pictures.. please bear with me until I find a cure....

Is it just me or do the weeks, months and years seem to be going by faster and faster the older that you get?? I swear that New Years Day just happened and now, the whole month of January is over!! I'm beginning to understand now why it was that when my mother was in her 70's, her whole day was taken up by going to see the doctor and making supper.

Time stands still for no-one and I know that I need to learn to make better use of the time that is here now for me to use. There are no "hold over minutes" in real life! I find that, sometimes, I get rather bogged down with things especially if I have no clear plan in place, or a deadline of some kind to work towards. I know I have talked before about goals.. I know what I NEED to do. It seems though that the one thing I do have down pat is procrastination.

I wasn't always this way. In my younger years, I got many things done in a day or week. There was time to go camping on many weekends even though I had a full time job outside of the home and children to care for. I can recall starting to cut out a dress at 10:00 o'clock at night and surviving on just a few hours sleep so that I could wear that same dress to work the next day. Now, it seems to take weeks and months sometimes to finish even small projects. I have almost totally stopped doing any garment sewing. The closest I get now is some mending.

I no longer wear skirts and dresses much. The uniform of the day for me has become jeans and a t-shirt or sweatshirt unless I dress up - then its nicer jeans and a nicer top. *LOL* My closet though is still stuffed to the max with all kinds of clothes. Its another of those tasks that I keep saying I am going to do "some day". I have A LOT of those "some day" tasks around my home. I did download a "Declutter Calendar" from My Simpler Life so that I could follow the suggestions there for gaining control of the clutter and actually fight my way through my messes.

Decluttering my home is my BIG goal for this year. That includes working to finish some of the many WISP's (Work In Some Progress) and UFO's (UnFinished Objects) in my sewing room. I am also going to join along with all the others at Abyquilt to finish at least one project per month in 2009. It is good to know that there are others who are in the same situation and hopefully, we can encourage one another along the way to meeting our goals this year!

A Hand Made Christmas

2008-12-30T15:34:00.019-07:00

4sets of Potholders from scraps

Another 4 sets of Potholders from scraps

Christmas has come and gone for another year. Hope everyone's was wonderful. I spent the last few weeks prior to the big day doing lots of baking, sewing and knitting. My projects were mainly for family so I didn't dare show pictures here of what I was doing. Now that all the gifts have been delivered and opened, I can share them with you.

Old embroidery test pieces used as back of potholders

Potholders for my sisters and daughters, made from squares leftover from my mystery star quilt and some machine quilted/embroidered blocks for the backs. Three of the smaller ones were made from 9-patch blocks that were in mom's collection which I inherited.

A couple of the sets were made with leftovers from this table runner. I call it Crazy Holly and it is my third finish in the New Year's Eve challenge.

Knitted slippers for two of my grandsons. I have another two pair I am still working on as well.

A wooden trinket box that my granddaughter saw and told me she wanted on the morning of the 24th. I brought it home and was able to stain it that afternoon and spray varnish it late that night so it would be ready to wrap in the morning. She was surprised and really loved it! That made it all worthwhile.

Finally, I made a set of Junior cook sized oven mitts that I, unfortunately, forgot to take a picture of.

Scrap Happy!

2008-12-17T14:50:00.005-07:00

I love the look of scrappy quilts.. I've been admiring many that I have seen online while blog-jogging. On Quiltville, Bonnie has shared her Scrap Users System and I'm sure most quilters have heard of it. If by some chance you haven't, click on the links and check it out. She also shares many wonderful patterns to use up your scraps!

Feeling the need to do some organizing, I worked for a few afternoons to organize my scraps. I dug out the plastic bins (sure wish I had stock in THAT company) and began to cut strips and squares. I just cut strips of various widths if the piece was at least 12" long. If it was shorter, I cut it into squares. After spending many hours of cutting, my 'organized' scrap stash all fit neatly into just 4 video storage boxes. They aren't even anywhere near full. :S Is it possible for a person to not have enough scraps?? YUP, it sure is.

A woman on a quilting forum site that I frequent was chatting about clearing out her sewing room of quilting fabric if it was anything less than 1/8 yd. She was going to TOSS IT INTO THE TRASH. Having heart palpitations, I sent a message to her saying I would LOVE to have any scraps that she was getting rid of. I'd could pay the postage OR send fabric in return for her trouble. Sadly, I never did hear from her so, I imagine, all that fabric was sent to her local landfill. :-(

HOWEVER, another lady by the name of Karen sent me a message saying that she had a box of scraps that she'd be happy to send me!! We made arrangements and the box arrived at my door today!

Now, I'm sure some people will think I'm loosing it to be so HAPPY over a box of scraps but I am over the moon! I'd estimate that about 1/3 of the box are pieces that are already cut into strips and squares.

There are some larger pieces, even some fat 8's and fat 4's! There is a whole pile of 2.5" strips in black on white and white on black prints... there are also pieces of beautiful hand dyeds. Here's a picture of it all on my livingroom floor. I tried to seperate things mostly by color as I unpacked the box.

Karen, I can't thank you enough! My brain is spinning with ideas to use these!! I know that one of the first things I will work on is a scrappy quilt for charity.

English Paper Piecing

2008-11-24T22:40:00.009-07:00

I have been working on the English paper piecing mystery quilt at CD Designs. I was able to finish the first 5 steps easily within one week with time to spare. The first photo is steps 1 through 5 joined together.

A new step is posted every saturday. When step 6 was posted, I thought I would have plenty of time to complete it and didn't start working on it right away. Needless to say, it took longer to do this step than I expected and I didn't get it finished. Well, these things tend to "snowball" and now I am one step behind.

Here are the most recent pieces that I've done. The colors in this photo are more true to life. The six pieces are just laid out this way for the picture. Since this is a mystery, we won't know exactly how it all goes together until the end. Maybe I will be able to get caught up yet this week.

I haven't done anything more yet on the Rainbow Hearts baby quilt. I'm still trying to figure out what exactly to do for the actual quilting. I've had advice suggesting circular designs. I have no idea what would be good or if I would be able to accomplish something like that myself. I would be able to do a large all over stipple but I just doubt that would be the best design. I also could easily stitch in the ditch or do a 1/4" outline around the hearts. I just need to make a decision and then do it!

As for the binding, if I want to use the same fabric as the border, I'd need to cut the border down by 2" or I will not have enough of that fabric to do the binding. Since this was a pre-cut kit, I don't have any of the fabrics that were used within the quilt to use for the binding. **sigh** This was supposed to be an easy project!

OCD Finishing (or something like that)

2008-11-15T00:01:00.003-07:00

Here's an update on my Rainbow Hearts baby quilt. I selected a fabric for the outside border and have sewn it on. Now I am waffling on whether I have made that border too wide, too overpowering or not. It is the same width as the blocks within the quilt but I'm wondering now if it should have been narrower. (Notice my slipper matches the border?? lol)

Here is photo of the same border folded back to look narrower. I know there are some kind of rules for borders, that they should reflect the size of components within the quilt or some such thing. I just want this to look balanced and not weird.

The binding is supposed to be the same batik as the inner border. Hopefully I won't stress out over that too IF I get that far. I also have a difficult time coming up with a plan for the actual quilting on things. I've heard so often that the quilting can make or break a quilt and I stress over doing it "wrong" and screwing it up. After all the time that goes into the piecing, I sure don't want to ruin it.

I do this to myself all too often. Perhaps that is why I stall at putting the borders onto otherwise completed quilt tops (unless there is a pattern that tells me exactly what to do) and also why I have a closet full of tops that have never been quilted. I know one option would be to send them to a longarmer to have it done. Then I stress that I may not like what they choose to do. If I knew what pattern or design would enhance the quilt, I'd rather do it myself. Maybe its a control thing... I would even like to do some by hand. I do have a few books of quilting designs. Again though, I stall at what designs to use and where. Many patterns don't help when they say "quilt as desired". Finishing a quilt should not be this hard or this stressful!

Winter Weather in Southern Alberta, Canada

2008-11-14T16:13:00.005-07:00

Doot doot dooooo - lookin' out my back door! This is what I saw today. Wish I had something there more interesting to look at, but there is a reason for this picture. Many people think that, since I live in Alberta, Canada, we should be knee deep in snow by now. That is not the case as here in the South East corner of the province, our weather tends to be much milder than it is farther north or east. We have still to see any flakes fall here. We have been basking in glorious sunshine for the most part all fall. I'm going to keep posting a snapshot of the scene from my back door as the winter progresses so check in often!

Catching Up

2008-11-13T13:52:00.012-07:00

I have been working on the Rainbow Hearts baby quilt. This was an ebay purchase and I would have sent a complaint to the seller except that, her instructions clearly show that the block has the corner of the white square chopped off even though the picture of the finished quilt does not. I knew that I would not be happy with making it according to those directions and everyone who left comments on my previous post was in agreement with that.

First, I cut down all the white squares so that the corners would not be cut off in the finished block. The smaller triangles then fit perfectly but the large triangle was quite a bit oversized.

I sewed all the blocks and then cut them all down to the same size.

The instructions said to set the blocks 6 across and 9 down. That layout would have given a really long, skinny quilt especially now that my blocks were slightly smaller than the pattern intended. Since the kit actually had supplies enough for 60 blocks, I decided to lay it out with 7 blocks across and 8 down. After the supplied border was sewn on, the quilt is about 28 x 32 which I think is still a bit small. I think it could use another border. I'm going to go digging in my stash to see what I can come up with.

This does not seem like a lot to tell for almost 2 weeks... There was halloween of course and I had about 40 kids come to my door for treats. My two youngest grand-sons popped in for a quick visit as did my oldest grand-daughter and her friends. This grammie was not on the ball when the little ones were here and I didn't get a picture of them but I did get one of DGD with her friends. GD is dressed as Goth Raggedy Anne. My daughter always does such a great job of makeup for the kids! She also created the costume from an old prom dress and part of a bed sheet!! Talk about creativity! It was a beautiful day this year as it was warm enough that none of the kids needed extra coats or mittens etc. They all had a fun time of it.

Another Dilemma

2008-10-31T14:55:00.007-06:00

In my quest to finish things, I thought I would work on one of the many small kits that I have collected. This is a kit for a baby quilt that I 'won' on eBay a while back. All the fabric is precut and there was a sample block included with the instructions. The finished size according to the instructions is 30" x 43".

Here's my problem. Take a look at the PINK sample block. Besides being badly out of square, you notice that the white square has had the center corner chopped off. Also the top right of the block looks like it was trimmed and the diagonal line is nowhere near the corner in order to get a nice match with the next block. Some of this is due to trimming but the center point of the white square is due to that square being too large or the triangles on either side being cut too small.

I made the green and purple block using some scraps. Since I can't make the small triangles larger, I cut the center white square down by 1/4" from the size that is in the kit so that the triangles that are sewn to either side will meet in the center to give a good point on the white square. The large triangle is then quite oversized and had to be trimmed down, which I did after the block was sewn.

I believe the original block size was meant to be 4 1/2" unfinished (possibly). After trimming, the maximum size I can get is about 4 3/8" which really is not so far off.

My dilemma is this - Is it more important to get that nice join on the white, recut the 50 some white squares in the kit and loose some of the finished size of the quilt, OR should I sew the block with the white square the size it is which will chop off the center corner of the white square as in the 'kit sample" but will result in a larger finished quilt.? What would you do?

Finish #2 in Finn's Challenge

2008-10-30T19:54:00.009-06:00

I've been challenging myself to stay OFF of the computer and spend more time in the sewing room. Now, its starting to pay off! Here it is... the Late Summer's Evening mystery quilt top totally pieced complete with borders! I'm counting this as a finish for Finn's challenge. It measures 84" square so I had to take the picture outside on the clothes line since I don't have a big enough empty floor space to lay it on!

I keep looking at the center block and wishing I had used a bit stronger yellow, or maybe even a red, as the pale yellow seems to almost disappear. The thought goes through my head that I should pick out that center square and re-do it...

I had mentioned in a previous post the English Paper Piecing mystery that I signed up for at CD Designs. Here are my steps 2, 3 and 4. It is interesting guessing how this might go together, but then, we don't know if all of these parts are joined or if there are other pieces to go between them yet. All in all, its a fun project with an easy time line. Each step is easily finished in about 3 hours.

Keep on stitchin' until next time!

Finish #1 for the challenge!

2008-10-21T15:08:00.007-06:00

This was a hand applique class taught by Doreen, a member of our local guild, Prairie Rose Quilters. Once the center was finished, I added borders with Cathedral Window miters. I wanted to hand quilt this piece in order to learn the process a bit better. This is the second item that I have hand quilted. I finished it with a zippered back so it can be used either as a pillow or as a wall hanging. This is my first finish for Finn's New Years Eve Challenge!

My first hand quilted project was this table runner which I made last summer (pre-blog). It is actually a "Quilt as you sew" project but, after it was sewn, I felt it needed something more. I adapted a stencil I had for the border and the triangles, then did some straight lines. It proved to be a great portable learning project during my recovery from hip surgery. My hope is to be able to do more hand quilting as I find it very soothing.

What am I doing!

2008-10-16T14:01:00.008-06:00

I haven't got back to working on my mystery quilt borders... actually, it's called "Late Summer Evening". This mystery came from a site called The Quilt and Needle. Here are all my borders waiting patiently for me on the ~~design wall~~ door of my sewing room. If you like mysteries, they are planning another mystery quilt weekend probably on December 6th and 7th.

Ok, I can hear you saying "What the heck have you been doing??"

Well.. its not like I am sitting on my hands - I always seem to manage to find things to distract me! Like - this English Paper Pieceing mystery from CD Designs. This is done completely by hand and new steps are posted every Saturday. This photo is of step one. See all those pieces of paper? ALL of those will be used in making this project which will finish at about 26" around for a table topper. Those triangles look kinda little...

But wait.... that's not all! I also found the quilting forum at Garden Web. They are doing a monthly "Lotto" block which I thought would be fun to join. I finished two blocks that are now on their way to the host. There are many other interesting groups to find in the home forums.

And then, of course, there are all those other wonderful blogs out there for me to discover like these I found this week:

My Quilting Porch

Thoughts from a disorganized quilter

My Yellow Farmhouse

So, thats my excuse(s) and I'm sticking to it!

Ugly Mug Award

2008-10-10T20:44:00.008-06:00

Marlene at Sipiweske Quilt Designs passed this award on to me. Thanks Marlene!! Be sure to check out her blog! This award is meant to "honor any blogger who crafts, sews, quilts - you know, makes stuff - no matter how crappy (or how good). An interesting way to say - I like your blog, like your stuff, and I'm pretty sure you have a good sense of humor."

This is the first award I've received!! I'm thrilled and can't wait to nominate three others for this award. First though, I'll show you my ugly mug - the one I use every morning for my coffee. Yes, its an insulated type mug that came from a gas starion probably 10 or more years ago. I love it because its my kinda color! Besides, I usually end up getting sidetracked and if I didn't use the insulated mug, I'd constantly be drinking cold coffee, which I don't mind either but thats another story.

Now, I would like to pass this Ugly Mug Award on to the people whose blogs I enjoy and who will, in turn, need to pass this on to 3 other people. The nominees are:

Tracy at Fiber Babble - Tracy has a wonderful sense of humor and I really enjoy her blog! She quilts, sews, knits, crochets and I'm sure there's more. When my blog grows up, I want it to be just like hers!

Sue at Featherstone Quiltworks - Sue must have a great sense of humor - check out the picture of her favorite her halloween costume!! She is also a wonderful and talented quilter as well as an amazing photographer.

Mary at Making Scrap Quilts From Stash- Mary is a very prolific quiltmaker and designs quilts as well. I wish I could finish one tenth of the quilts that she does!

If you are interested in the origins of this award, check out "The Bitchy Stitcher" blog.

Those blasted UFO's

2008-10-07T15:27:00.008-06:00

I have whole totes full of them. I know this because I just found another container full of tops, all of which are completed except for borders. Most have the binding cut and stored with them. I guess I was organized better at some point! lol

I did a google search and found a site called The UFO-RPHANAGE for Quilters that has ideas for finishing UFO's as well as other topics. A couple that made me giggle were:

"A stalled project gets a "time out". The project gets put away in a drawer or closet for a prescribed amount of time (days, weeks, months) and then is allowed to come out for another attempt at progressing smoothly. "

Personally, I am really good at this one except that I didn't set a time limit other than "some other time"! That's how I accumulated so many UFO's! I'm thinking I need to go back and put some dates on things.

"Start a new, small project (wall hanging, table runner or simple baby quilt), that can be finished in a couple of days. Just starting and finishing one project gets me inspired to finish some of the UFO's that have been sitting."

This one was how I justified working on new projects... and added to my UFO's! Everyone finds different things that work for them.

Seriously, there are some very good ideas there such as:

Set a timer for 15 min and work on a UFO before going on to your current project
Choose not to finish the project as it was originally defined. Use the blocks to create something else (like a table runner or a tote) and put the extra fabric back into your stash.
Get together with a group of others for a day of finishing UFO's
Make a list of all UFO's to see if there is a pattern of when you stop working on a project.

The last one made me realize that I have a problem with borders.... I'm not sure why as most borders are not difficult. Perhaps its just having a small space to work in?

OK - I am going back in there right now to sew the first borders onto my mystery quilt!

Question about flying geese

2008-10-02T19:59:00.009-06:00

I have a QUESTION about pressing flying goose/geese units that I am making for the border of my mystery quilt. When you join two units together (or many units as in my border) do you press: a) --> the way they want to go (which is away from the point of the goose)? If you press this way you don't have a guide when you sew the next border on and could loose the side points..

b) <-- towards the point of the goose?? It seems that when pressing them this way, you don't get as sharp a point at the top.

What do YOU do??

So, while I wait for your input I'm mending the big "T" rip in my grandson's sheets! That's just one little way for gramma to say I love you.

PS: Because "t" asked, YES I have finally got my new glasses!! I can see!!

Start of a new month

2008-10-01T13:45:00.006-06:00

Thought I'd try another word cloud just to see how it came out this time. Yay!! This one definitely looks more like it belongs to a quilter's blog. Wish I knew how to make the image larger.

By the way, I am STILL joining flying goose units for the borders of my Mystery Star Quilt!

Taking Up The Challenge!

2008-09-25T00:22:00.006-06:00

I was surfing around quilter's blogs and discovered that Finn at Pieces From My Scrapbag has organized a New Year's Eve Challenge. Since I seem to be very good at starting projects and not so good at completing them, I decided that I needed to join to get some of those many UFO's off the list and finished. My goal is to finish at least 3 items listed on my side bar by New Year's Eve.

Tomorrow (today actually but I have to sleep a little first), I will work on my first UFO and since the Mystery Quilt is on top of the pile, that will be my first challenge.

I have just discovered that the "Just Us Quilter's" list is back up!! Thanks Niki! Click on the link and list your blog today. Unfortunately, all the previous blogs listed were lost but, hopefully, everyone who had originally listed their blog will re-list!

Mystery Quilt and Glasses

2008-09-24T19:52:00.008-06:00

It's been a while... did anyone miss me?? I have decided to take some time to do things that make me happy. One of those things is sewing - specifically quilting.

I joined an online mystery quilt weekend at The Quilt and Needle. This is something that they offer a few times a year and there is a forum on their website for members to keep in touch and to track progress during the mystery quilt weekends. Here is my almost completed quilt top. There are several borders to be added yet, one of which is made up of 148 flying goose units.

Here are some of the flying goose units waiting patiently to be joined into borders.

I have an excuse for my tardiness in completing this task. Gotta hate it when this happens and you can't see well anymore without your bi-focals.

I had to go to an optometrist to have my eyes checked and to see if I needed a new prescription. I had already thought that I needed stronger lenses as I've been having trouble seeing fine work up close. So now, my new specs are ordered and will be here next week. Until then, I have to struggle along by using drugstore magnifiers.

CBS News on Quilting

2008-08-17T21:43:00.007-06:00

I found this CBS News report on quilting.. featuring Ricky Timms. Be sure to check it out HERE. His work is just amazing! He is just like many of us, trying to get someone new interested in the allure of the quilt.

Oh, and I want to go to one of these huge quilt shows one day. Perhaps I can plan my vacation time around one. My family's usual winter vacation spot is Fairmont Hot Springs in BC. Since I can no longer ski, I drag along my sewing machine and more projects than I will ever be able to finish. I spend my days happily working toward finishing a UFO during that week and, of course, soak in the hot springs every night. It is truly wonderful.

Something Fun!

2008-08-11T10:01:00.004-06:00

I went to Pat Sloans blog and found this test - What Flavor Popsicle are You? I tried it and I'm LIME... Best part is, Pat is GIVING AWAY FABRIC if you leave a comment telling her what YOUR flavor is. Did I mention that I really love lime colored fabric?

You Are a Lime Flavored Popsicle

You are an outrageous person. For you, summer is all about going crazy - even if it means getting in trouble. You are daring and adventurous. You have a real taste for the edgier things in life. A true wild child, there's no hope of you ever slowing down. You've got too much sass and spunk to ever behave.

What Flavor Popsicle Are You?

Re-grouping

2008-07-29T10:40:00.013-06:00

I have seen this word "toy" on a few blogs that I visited and thought it might be interesting to see what I got. It rather surprised me.

My blog was supposed to be more about quilting and less about all the other stuff in my life. It seems that it has gotten off of that track. I know that those who are finding me are expecting more quilting content. Perhaps it is time to re-group and get back to some quilting.

Dinner for One

2008-07-25T21:05:00.004-06:00

Well... sometimes things have a way of working out... and sometimes they don't. CJ has gone back to BC leaving me here to try to pick up the pieces and finish the painting etc. on the house. I have not felt much like doing anything for the last 10 days or so. I stayed a few days with my sister and came home again wednesday. My other sister was here a while yesterday but, today I have been on my own.
I managed to drag myself out to the paint store to get some white paint to tone down the color that had been chosen for the walls. That's it. Maybe tomorrow.
A day at a time... an hour at a time... sometimes minutes...

Somethin's Stitchy

2008-07-11T15:02:00.006-06:00

Here is an applique project I have started so that I can have some "TV" handwork to do. It will be either a pillow top or I may frame it for on the wall. I had to go out and buy a whole lot of embroidery floss as I can't seem to locate my stash of those. They are probably packed in a box "somewhere". I used to do counted cross-stitch so I know I have a bunch. Oh well, gotta support the local enconomy.

After getting the main flowers arranged, I decided that it needed "something" so I added the little gold 5-petal flowers. (I am still not used to documenting everything with pictures as I do it but, I will try to remember for future.) They are tiny. I experimented with a few different stitches to attach them and finally decided on a teensy-weensy running stitch. Thought it would take forever but, with the help of a set of magnifying lenses over my bi-focals, I got them done!

I have not even started on Lynette's Noah's Ark blocks yet but I did buy all the colors of floss I need in order to do them. Then, I had to go back to the store to get the pigma pen to trace them. I found a strip of fabric that I hope will be large enough for the project and I have printed all the blocks out. I should be able to start soon....

And now, THE RENOVATION UPDATE

Although renovations/painting are still continuing, and I fear it may be pretty boring to post pictures of another painted wall/door/baseboard, I am having second thoughts about the main color that we have chosen for the walls. It seems quite dark to me compared to the "half-strength" primer that was on the wall first. The room pictured here is in the basement. Seeing the color here in the picture, it does not seem quite as dark as when you are standing in the room. I wish the camera could show how I "feel" in the room with the color...

Here is a bit of experimenting with color. The main color is the spot on the left and looks a bit more true to color than the photo above. The wall is done in primer which is half-strength of the main color. Then, we mixed equal parts of main color and primer to get a toned down color.

What do you think??

I am leaning more toward the "toned down" version at the moment but would love to hear your comments.

Thursday again

2008-07-03T13:26:00.006-06:00

Something I need to remember at this moment in my life:
"When you look up at the sky and see nothing but dark, dreary gray clouds, remember that there is much more beyond what you can see. Above those ominous layers of gloom, there are rays of sunshine streaming down gloriously. The problem is that we don’t see the sunshine at all times. Remember that this does not mean that it is not there. Hang on and remember that the sun is always shining for you somewhere."

Thursday Supper & other stuff

2008-06-26T18:55:00.012-06:00

What's for supper tonight??

Chilli Parlour Chilli with cheese and Multi-grain toast! mmmmmmm :)

Under the dishes is my first try at a tessellating design from the book called Square Dance - Fancy Quilts from Plain Squares - by Martha Thompson. This method takes the hard work out of making one of these designs. This tester is a place mat that is fun and easy to do too!

I have to show you what CJ brought home for me the other day....

It was so sweet of him to bring me flowers "just because".

Things are progressing slowly on our Home Reno project. We both seem to be getting tired and easily distracted. We did go to Jysk yesterday and purchased the curtain rods and drapes for in the livingroom and diningroom. We also picked up blinds for behind the livingroom drapes as the sun can really heat up that side of the house. Now I am anxious to get the trim around the windows painted and the final coat of paint on the walls so I can hang drapes again. I would REALLY like everything to get back to normal around here...