Category: Crafts

Interesting Surprise Quilt…

What is a Surprise Quilt?  Well, I would say it was a mystery quilt, but that is already taken.  I found these blocks in a box I was going through.   I was going to lay them all out and see what it looked like, however, they were all numbered, so I decided what the heck.  I had already laid them out at one point in time.  So, just sew them and see what happens.  The colors in the photo are not nearly as pretty as they are in person.

I have a vague recollection that these were left over jelly row strips from another baby quilt I made.  I just don’t remember laying them out and numbering them.  It was also extremely neatly written, which is very odd for me.  I am starting to think I have multiple personalities and one of them is the neat Quilter that lays thing out and meticulously numbers them.  Not sure if I like this person or I am scared of her.

Anyway, I will put a back on this and I will have a baby quilt to donate or give away, which ever opportunity presents itself first.

Happy Sewing

Happy Quilting

Treasure Your Family

Better Quilting but tired of Dog Bones and One Monthly Goal

So I finished the piece that goes on my nightstand.  This is my third dog bones piece (only one more to go).  I am about tired of dog bones, but I think I will tough it out.  Last one is20170702_212547_resized for Kevin’s dresser.  Besides once I am done with this sit on the couch project I will have to come up with a new one (not involving dog bones this time).

So, my free motion quilting is getting better.  I know for sure that practice makes you better, but far from perfect.20170625_180455_resized

I don’t hate the quilting here and my dog bones have improved by the third one.

So, my One Monthly goal for July is to trim and border the black and tan quilt I just finished quilting.  I know, boring…..but it has to get done and The One monthly Goal is a good motivator.

Happy Sewing

Happy Quilting

Treasure Your Family

Holy Cow, I can’t believe I made it -One Monthly Goal

I did not think I could get it done.  My QADD (quilting Attention deficit disorder) took over, as expected.

Funny thing, I found this task less daunting if I just did 20 minutes here and there, which is what I did.  It worked, got it done.

Weird colors (leftovers) and super simple design.  These were leftovers from the second quilt I ever made.  I obliviously had no idea how much fabric it took to make a quilt because I actually bought enough to make 2.  Pretty sure it qualifies as a UFO.

I will show some up close evidence of my quilting once I get it trimmed and bound.

My daughter is holding it sideways though, it was to long for her.  So next quilting job I will have to use some of my new skills , from last weekends workshop.  Now it is just trimming and binding.  Not sure I will make that my next goal. I will have to see.

Happy Sewing

Happy Quilting

Treasure your Family

 

 

A Sentimental Blast from the Past

In July, the quilt guild is having a garage sale for quilting fabric/items.  I was going through some boxes looking for things I could part with (more like make room for more) and came across this embroidered item.

Right away it brought tears to my eyes.  I made this from a kit that Oma sent me from Germany.  She knew I was crafty and often sent me something she knew I would like to do.  She also sent me a piece of silverware for my collection.  I so remember looking at that silver fork and looking at my mother wondering why I always got silverware from her on my birthday and at the holidays (along with the crafty items).  My mother would always tell me that I will appreciate it later.  While I hated getting utensils as a present when I was a kid, Mom was right.  I certainly do appreciate it now.  I have an entire set of silver for 12.  It is something I truly cherish.  Every holiday I think of her and my mother when I get it out.

Since Oma died when I was in my late teens, I imagine this piece is pretty old.  Maybe 40 years or close to it.  Once I ironed it, it was perfect.  Originally I think it was made to hang on your front door.  I may still do that, but not until I add something quilty.    I am thinking it needs to be colorful, hot pinks, oranges, lime greens.  Not sure of design yet, but I may keep it simple so not to take away from the embroidery and Oma’s memory.

Tomorrow I am going to a quilt in.  Yeah.  Can’t wait to spend the day with my friend Lynn doing what we love.

Happy Sewing

Happy Quilting

Treasure Your Family

Just have to say…..More quilting money

So, a while back I had a blog post about more money for quilting.  It was using a couple of grocery store apps called Ibotta and Checkout51.  They let you earn money back on everyday things you buy at the grocery store. It really is stuff you already buy.  Bread, bacon, potatoes etc…

I am not usually a big proponent of apps or shopping apps.  However, when I saw this on the nightly news I had to look.  I decided I would give it a try.  Just my nature to try something at least once.

This brings me to my point.  I needed some fusible web, and a couple of pieces of Kona, and a couple of other miscellaneous items.  I spent about 90$, then with my coupons got it down to $61.00.  I used 3-$20.00 gift cards I got instantly form the Ibotta  shopping app (because I had been using it at the grocery store) when I cashed in and paid $1.01 for my bag of goodies.  Then scanned my Joann’s receipt into the same Ibotta app and earned an additional $6.00 back for next time.  I love a great deal, especially when it involves my favorite stuff.

I try not to take money out of the regular budget to feed my quilting addiction, so it makes me really happy when I can get a bag of goodies and pay nothing for it (or at least very little) and no one is the wiser.  Just thought I would mention it for those who have to eat and quilt and sometimes hide their quilting purchases.  Sort of free money.  I would love to send you a link as I can earn points, but that is not why I am telling you.  It is just so us quilters/crafters can feed our habit without feeling too guilty.  If you are interested, please email me at labrewer@gmail.com and I will send you a link.

Even if you don’t like to buy fabrics @ Joanns, they sell plenty of other supplies we all need.  In the words of my daughter, “just sayin”.  Have a great Day.

Happy Sewing

Happy Quilting

Treasure your family

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

Quilt Guild Blocks—not my style

So the local quilt that I participate is making string blocks for quilts that they will sell at a fund raiser for the group.  They pass out block kits to members.  I made mine, but have a hard time imagining that I will like this quilt.  It is a great way to use scraps for sure, but I am not sure I will like the end product.  But, I guess I don’t have to like it, it is not for me.  They used foundation paper from Missouri Star Quilt, which did make it simple and fast.  They are wonky looking because they have not been trimmed.

Epic Fail on my one monthly goal this past weekend.  I sat down and started to sew.  I got about 12 inches and realized that something did not sound right.  Yep. 5 trillion loops on the back side.  Somehow my machine was suddenly threaded incorrectly.  Of course i started pulling it out, but it is just not possible because I can’t really get to the underside of the quilt when it is on the frame.  I think I will just have to go on and pull all of it out  after I am finished and have taken the quilt out of the frame. Now I am mad at it (more myself) and don’t want to work on it. Ugh….

I went o my second quilt Guild meeting and I still like it.  They are having a quilt supply only garage sale next month.  Looking forward to getting rid of a few items i will never use.  They are also have a Saturday all day machine quilting thingy.  They have someone teaching free motion quilting or you can just sew whatever you like.  Looking forward to a day not doing the usual Saturday activities.  Fortunately, Kev is very supportive of these things.  Always encourages me to get out of the house.

Happy Sewing

Happy Quilting

Treasure Your Family

May One Monthly Goal Success

So, I managed to finish my one monthly goal for May.  Still don’t have plans for the border, but I’m rolling a couple of ideas around in my head.  I will get to it.

This piece was made from 4 mini charm packs by Monday called “Prints Charming”.  I did not really like it as it was up on the design board, but I like it a lot more now that it is all sewn together.  I will have to say they sewing these small pieces together, is a test of your piecing skills.

I had big plans to work on quilting this holiday weekend.  Did not turn out that way.  Had lot’s of plans that did not seem to work out.  Sleeping in would have been nice…LOL.  No chance of that happening.  Managed to burn each finger on my right hand this morning, making bacon.  Did not realize that the dish towel I grabbed to get the bacon out of the over was damp.  My choice was to drop hot bacon grease and bacon on the dogs at my feet wanting bacon, or to burn my fingers.  Easier for me to suffer than them.

Need to come up with my June Monthly Goal.  Have to be easy on myself because this RA medication is still kicking my butt.

On this Memorial Day, I honor all those that have lost their lives protecting us.

Happy Sewing

Happy Quilting

Treasure Your Family

One of the Many Uses of Our Pool Table

You think it would be so we could play pool.  Nope.  It is really there so I can lay out quilts.  I went to Lowe’s and bought a board that fit perfectly on top. While it is not quite tall enough for me, it certainly beats trying to do it on the floor.  Then I would have dogs walking across it or laying on it.  Using the pool table just means the dogs are laying underneath it or at my feet.

This is totally a UFO, circa 1990’s.  But it has a bit of special meaning.  The second quilt I ever made was exactly the same.  This was from leftover fabric (obviously bought way too much).  It has special meaning, because I gave that quilt to my mother.  It was the first time she was ever impressed with something that I did.  Mom is not with us anymore, and I think one of my older sisters has the quilt.

I can tell that I did this quilt top a long time ago.  Still had not figured everything about quilting.  Totally ironed the seams like a rookie (open).  The sashing…”Good God” … horrible.  My use of a ruler was truly an issue back then.

I managed to fix it enough to get is square so I could quilt it.  I wanted to find the same thread I used on Mom’s, but could not find it anywhere.  It was a multi-color Sulky that was Black, Red and gold.  It really looked awesome of the quilt.  I wound up with a variegated black/gray.  It will have to do.

This is a simple quilt (basic 9 patch), so I will do simple quilting.  I will likely do a loopy meandering.

That is about the only thing I got done this weekend.  New Rheumatoid Arthritis drug, sort of kicked my butt on Saturday.  Crossing my fingers that this one works.  I am on Drug #4 in the last six months.  I do feel much better today though.  Just need to keep my immune system up since all these drugs kill your immune system.

Happy Sewing

Happy Quilting

Treasure your Family

Ever heard of this one????

So, I wrote about this UFO before.  The black fabric was sort of falling apart.  It was very fragile.  I got lots of good advice on what to do.

So, I got the blocks and pieces out and decided that I would make a couple more blocks and I would try to gently quilt it.

Well, I could not sew the blocks together.  The black fabric was too fragile.  SO, I started to throw away all the black.  Right about the time I was getting ready to throw the blocks in the trash, I decided to see how fragile a whole block was.

Crazy thing….they are fine.  Strong as can be.

So, what is the difference?  I stored the pieces in Ziploc bags (actual Ziploc Brand).  It seems that the Ziploc bag affected the black fabric.  Anyone else ever heard of that?  The Batik fabric I had in the Ziplocs was fine.  Only seemed to affect the black fabric.

Please let me know your thoughts or if anything crazy like that has ever happened to you.

I have a lot of stuff stored in Ziploc bags.  Now I am scared.

Happy Sewing

Happy Quilting

Treasure Your Family