Category: Applique

A Finish of my very own Topper

So, I finshed this, mostly so I could see if I liked my own design. I sort of like it.  I had the most difficult time with the binding.  I wanted to use the same as the background fabric but the biggestest square I had left to make bias binding was onl 13″.  That made for an interesting binding session.  Add that to the fact that it is homespun fabric and ravels like crazy.  Binding was a challenge but I did it.

I decided to do very small meandering.  I think that came out pretty good.  The hardest 20170820_202956_resizedpart was keeping it small.  I had to constantly remind myself to pay attention to my sizing.  I think that I will make a another one of these to get my design totally down.  Want to make a couple of tweaks.  Next time I am going to put some veins in the leaves.  Was going to do it this time, but I really liked it and decieded to leave it as it was.

Happy Sewing

Happy Quilting

Block #2 – I wish you a Merry Quilt Along and a bit more

So, when I saw this pattern, I was intitially not very excited.  Could not figure out how to keep with my snowflake fabric theme.  However, I found that I really enjoyed watching it come together.  I did manage to use my green snowflake fabric.  I found some pretty decent Christmas scraps for the trees.  I thought it would be difficult, but it wasn’t.  A bit tedious maybe, but not too hard.  I am excited to see what Block #3 will look like for the I wish you a Merry Quilt Along.

I also did a bit of work on my Table topper design.  Sewed down all the leaves.  I am starting to like it.   I got it pin basted and selected my thread.  THe thread is perfect, it has all the colors of the homespun in it.  I love the varigated threadds.  I also bought them on clearance for 50 cents each, which I also love.  I think I know how I am going to quilt it, bit need to stare at it a bit longer.  Also considering putting some vein in the leaves.

Happy Sewing

Happy Quilting

Venturing outside of my box again……

I am always very envious of people that come up with their own designs.  While I sometimes create beautiful things (not so recently though) they are not usually something I came up with. This sort of bugs me.  I want it all to be me.  Likely why I can’t send a quilt off to be quilted by someone else.

I am usually getting my inspiration for things (mostly quilty stuff) by looking at other people’s work, magazines and books.  I am sure we all do.  Sometimes in my mind I am skill building, which is not always bad.  But I always have in the back of my mind that I want it to be all mine from design to finish.

So, last week I finished my “One Monthly Goal” (have not posted yet, this picture is just20170622_182605 the embroidery).  As I hung it up in my dining room, I took a step back and realized this is a one of a kind piece of work.  No one else will have anything like it.  The only part I did not design was the embroidery.  It was a kit my Oma gave me when I was a teen.  But the rest, all me (with all my blog friends advice).  So, why did I think that I could not do my own designs?  Honestly, when I did that piece, I was not thinking about designing a one of a kind piece.  But, that is what happened.

Well, maybe I can.  I will start with something small.  Maybe I do it more than I realize.  Not really sure.  So, I am always practicing on Table Toppers and small pieces.  So, Figured I would try my hand at my own small piece.

I took a piece of homespun fabric that I didn’t like.  Funny because, it was in the local guild quilting garage sale and no one bought or traded for it.  I wanted to not waste something that I liked, fabric wise.  So, I went to my “What were you thinking when you bought that fabric box?”  Then I went to my scraps for the leaves.  I have to admit, they are some of my favorite fabric scraps.  Hand Dyed, which I actually dyed.

I no longer hate the homespun.  Funny how that works.  Still need to finish it, which I will.  Not exactly sure on my curvy base, but I may still work on that.  Is it too busy? Would love your thoughts, all of you give great advice.  Thanks!

Happy Sewing

Happy Quilting

I wish you a Merry Quilt Along and One Monthly Goal for August

I Have decided to participate in the I wish you a Merry Quilt Along.  One block every two weeks.  I think I can manage that.  So far so good.  I have quite a collection of snowflake fabric, and I finally have a purpose for it.  It will be interesting to see what the next block will look like.  It wasn’t hard.  Took me about an hour total and this included hunting for the snowflake fabrics in my boxes of fabric.

I also have my one Monthly Goal project.  I am going to completely finish Oma’s 20170731_194705_resizedtreasure.  As you can see from the photo, I have already partially taken some of this apart.  When I posted my original picture I got a lot of good advice on what to do.  Now I just need to do it.  So, yes, I will sew on the beads, quilt and bind this for My One Monthly Goal for August.  This is of course after I fix what I started tearing out.

Happy Sewing

Happy Quilting

Test Block and more dog bones….

So, I decided to make a test block.  Wanted to see if I would like it and how big a pain in the butt it would be.  Not difficult at all, so we are OK there.  I think I may need to make a few additional blocks to see if I will like it and how it will work out.  I don’t want to use the same colors throughout.  Sort of want it scrappy, while retaining the light/dark effect.  Not sure how that will be, so I will make a couple more blocks.

20170607_205511_resizedThen, I finished English Paper Piecing my Dog Bone dresser scarf.  Only one more piece left to do, Kev’s dresser.  He really needs one because he has a habit of throwing change and screwdrivers, whatever is in his pocket, on our expensive bedroom furniture.  I had never bought bedroom furniture.  Always had second hand stuff.  Finally, in my fifties, I get my own, brand new bedroom furniture and I really like it.  So, I need to protect it with my dog bone dresser scarves.

 

It is also my crazy dog, Moka’s, second birthday and I am the 20170428_200049_resizedcrazy dog lady, so I will stop and get her something delicious on my way home or take her for ice cream.

Happy Sewing

Happy Quilting

Treasure Your Family

WooHoo I actually made it…The One Monthly Goal

I wasn’t sure if I was gonna make it, but I did.  I actually got this quilt quilted.  This is the UFO 20170329_192321_resizedolder than my daughter (who just turned 13).  This Sunday I was going to post an update.  I even had a video, but can not post videos unless I upgrade.  Might have to consider that.  I thought I was going to finish on Sunday, but had sewing machine issues for about three hours. Was just about ready to give up, when I just re threaded the machine and Wala, it worked.  Felt like a total idiot.

So, the quilt is off the frame and ready for trimming and binding.  Not sure of I will make that my next monthly goal or not.  The jury is still out on that one.

 

Initially, I don’t hate the quilting.  But, as I trim it and see all my mistakes, that will likely come.20170329_192333_resized  I am happy that I decided to do something other than meandering.  I just have to remember not to nitpick.  I did do meandering around the lanterns, but everywhere else I did Bamboo.  Good thing Leah Day has all those tutorials.  While oddly, my lines look a bit straight than hers, this pattern is pretty forgiving.

Elm Street Quilts One Monthly Goal Finish March Linkup .

Happy Sewing

Happy Quilting

Treasure Your Family

Mystery quilt and packing….

So, I am trying to get back to my normal life.  My daughter is home from the hospital, which is great.  But, you do sort of trade one set of circumstances for another.  Glad not to be running to the hospital, but there is a lot to do having her home also.  This weekend is the Quilt Retreat.  It has been a while since I have been to one.  Part of me feels like I should be staying home and part of me can’t wait to go.  Kevin tells me I am going…… I have been gathering my things together in my new wheeled “I am going to a retreat” case.

Since this is a mystery quilt retreat, I have been spending 10 minutes here and there cutting out the pieces that I need.  I am done, need to label them and get them into bags all sorted.  I have never done a mystery quilt, so this is a new experience for me.  I used some fabrics that I had purchased previously and then purchased a couple other coordinating fabrics.  I will post photos as we go.

Now for the what to pack?….  Wine (check), Diet Pepsi (Check).  I am guessing I should consider a sewing machine and other supplies.  We will be leaving at 6am Friday morning, so I really need to be ready by Thursday night.  That should be a challenge.

We are staying at the Berlin Hotel and resort.  Since it has been so warm here, the trees are just starting to change, so it will be very beautiful.  Fall in Ohio tends to be very picturesque.  Can’t wait to go to one of my favorite shops , Millers Dry Goods and there is a shop hop going on.  WooHoo!

A Day Off

So, today I did not go to the hospital (Check Miranda’s Journey page for the latest updates). Last night I fell asleep after dinner (before 6pm) and did not wake up until 8:30 today.  Guess I needed it.  So, I did some laundry and made dinner.  I also got  little sewing time in.  Decided that I needed to see something finished.

20160925_175920I actually made these bibs for my future grandchildren (just in case I don’t get to meet them).  They are made from recycled jeans.  Jeans that belonged to me and my late husband Derrick.  I am hoping that will someday mean something to Haley and/or Miranda.  No to bad on the applique portion.  Over time I will make more to give away.  But, sometimes you just need to see 20160925_175930something finished.

I am still working on my Hospital Hexies.  I should have an update on that soon.

Thanks to all my quilting and blogging friends for caring about Miranda and my family.  It truly does mean a lot.

Happy Quilting

Happy Sewing

Treasure your Family