Tag: fabric

Starry Starry Night….a secret project

So, I have been working on a “secret” project, meaning that I could not blog about it until it was ready.  I have tested a pattern for Denise at For the love of geese.  I volunteered to test this pattern for her, mostly because I really don’t paper piece but wanted to do it/get better/be less chicken.  That way when I see some of the beautiful paper pieced patterns, I won’t just dismiss them because they are paper pieced.

I previously attempted to paper piece a quilt and gave up.  So, I am always up for a challenge and really wanted to be able to paper piece confidently.  By the time I was done with this quilt, I was pretty confident with it.  It looks so hard, but it really wasn’t.

I actually like this one so much, I am going to finish it and put it up for my future grandchildren.  Funny thing was that I did not find the paper piecing difficult at all.  What I found harder was putting the blocks together.  I wanted to make sure all the points were perfect.  They are not, but not too bad.

Now the dilemma, How to quilt it?  I will have to think about that one for a bit.  If you are interested in this pattern, please visit Denise at “For the Love of Quilting“.

Happy Sewing

Happy Quilting

My One Monthly Goal

So, for my one monthly goal, I am going to finish my hugs and kisses wall hanging, in entirety.  Thank you, Red Rooster Quilts, for giving this to me, block by block every two weeks.  I also need to thank them for allowing me to deposit my paycheck at their store every two weeks when I went to get my “free” quilt block.  I would love to see the statistics on their sales and see the benefits of this way to get more money from us quilters.  I don’t blame them, I love the shop.  I would imagine that people may have went more often and bought things they really did not need (not talking about myself, no I am not). I think of the 26 weeks, I only went three times and walked out with nothing, and that was likely due to being short on time.  And yes, should they do this again, I will fall prey to their clever marketing schemes.  Fortunately, or unfortunately, it is about a mile from where I work.  So, when the nerds start getting on my nerves, I must go to a happy place. $$$

So, last week-end, Lynn and I had our own Sew in. She brought this beautiful quilt she had done.  She had such awesome quilting.  I asked how she did.  She told me she traced her design on freezer paper, ironed it on and then follow along.  Sounded like something I needed to try, which is why you see the freezer paper all over my Hugs and Kisses quilt. Hoping it makes my quilting less scary. I had a picture on my phone, but some how bunches of my photo’s keep disappearing.

Happy Sewing

Happy Quilting

My Hand Quilt along Progress and The Mystery Quilt Along

Mystery Quilt Along….AKA the Fluffer Nutter Butter Quilt.

OK, so while I like the Mystery Fabric, I found it weird.  Not a bad weird, but a good weird. WaterMark_2018-01-14-20-41-26When I purchased the fabric, I though it was grey.  However, when I received, it was sort of a light green/grey.  I had one thing in mind and then had to change gears when I actually got the fabric.  So, I went into my stash and decided to use my weird batik.  Not sure why I call these my weird batiks, They just struck me as odd, not in a bad way.  So, Here is what I started with to get to my block.  This block is about 6 1/2 inches square, so I will need quite a few.

Hand Quilt Along

WaterMark_2018-01-28-19-05-05So, not tons of progress here…..but some.  The Dog Bone dresser runner is at about 38″.  i think it will never end and since I need it to be 54″, it may not.

THe hexie flowers are coming along.  There are WaterMark_2018-01-28-19-04-46about 24 1/2 half of them completed.  I have no idea how many of the I actually need.  I thought I was going to get a lot done today at the swim meet, but ended up not even finishing one.  Too many distractions.  I really need to get more of both my hand projects done.

Happy Sewing

Happy Quilting

 

 

Need a little Color Advice and I fell off the wagon

So , I am trying to decide what color thread I should use to quilt my “Hugs and Kisses” wall hanging.  If you look closely, you can see my blue chalk lines.  I plan to quilt circles (hugs).  So, I was thinking gray, but I am just not sure.  I really like this piece, so I don’t want to make the wrong decision.  I am also concerned about quilting circles.  I think it will require a lot of accuracy.  Wondering if I should use a walking foot?  Might have to try a test circle on some scraps to see what happens.  If you have thoughts on the color, please let me know.  I always get great advice from all my quilting friends.

20180121_112137_resizedYes, that is my Moka wearing an activity monitor.  Seemed like  a good idea.

It is not really hers.  My daughter got a new one that will monitor her swimming and I thought I should check how lazy Moka was.  Totally lazy was the answer.  I did way more steps than her today.  I was all excited about that and then Kev told me that since she has four legs I had to double her step count.  Not sure I agree with his logic.

So, I don’t really make New Year’s resolutions, but I am on a mission to lose some weight.  Decided that I totally need to give up steroids (not the build muscles kind, the reduce inflammation kind).  They were causing weight gain.  They took away the pain, but I am pretty sure extra pounds cause more stress on joints, so it is a catch 22.  I did good for about a week and half and then fell off the wagon.  Stress did it to me.  It has always been my trigger.  Back on the straight and narrow path again.  Ugh.

Happy Sewing

Happy Quilting

Only Little Old Ladies Quilt……REALLY?

So, this was my conversation the other night with my significant other.  The conversation started because I was telling him that Lynn and I were going to do our own “Sew In” in our dining room. One thing led to another and he informed me that only little old ladies quilt.

“So, I am a little old lady?”(me).  His response was, “well if the shoe fits”.  Then he went on to tell me that his Mom did this stuff.  What stuff?(me)  “You know did things with yarn” (him).  “You mean like crochet?”(me)  “Yah, that kind of stuff”(him).

Well, just for your information, not all the people in my quilt guild are old”. (me)  The majority, the average age?(him)  !!%%%&&& (words I should not type).  “Just so you know I have done this my whole life, not just since I have known you” (me).  “Why are you getting so offended?” (Him).  “Well, I think you just called me old, and all my friends.”  I am tempted to give you all his phone number and email address to set him straight, however this little old lady may find alternative methods of showing him the error of his ways. Lynn can punch him when she sees him.

I now have all my blocks for my free quilt top from Red Rooster quilts.  I was pleasantly surprised to see that week 26 was binding.  Gosh I love free stuff, especially quilt stuff.  I hope they do it again.  So now, I need to put it all together.  I already have the backing, so I should be good to go.  I really do like Orange.

I Think my Quilting is actually improving.

So, this is my One Monthly Goal project and I decided to not do my normal boring meandering.  This is an all over pattern, but I was surprised once it was all done that it did not look to bad.

I always get nervous when I try something that is outside my norm on a quilt.  I mean there is the potential of totally screwing up a top that you spent time putting together.  I am certainly becoming less intimidated.  So, I actually had the angled meandering done a quilt before, but I paid for it.  I did not like it all.  They kind of did a crappy job.  Mine is actually better and I did not have a long arm.  Just me and my Bernina free motion quilting. As I was quilting this, I did not think that I would like it.  I thought I may have done to much quilting, but once it was complete, it did not look to bad.

I really think that I am Super Klutz.  I almost titled this post “Fat Girl Falls Down Part 3”. Saturday morning, I decide to go out to the hot tub.  Step up get one foot in and the steps slide out and I fall straight down, one foot still in the hot tub.  This time I am straddling the edge.  It hurt so bad, that I could not move.  I actually chose to fall in.  Seemed way better than falling outside the tub, considering it was ten degrees.  I survived.  I have the blackest bruise I have ever seen, somewhere you really don’t want a bruise.  I am starting to think the hot tub is trying to kill me.  It is supposed to be helping me.

Happy Sewing

Happy Quilting

 

Almost There….

Yes, the last row looks a bit silly with one block in it.  Later today, I will pick up my final free blocks from Red Rooster Quilts.  Oddly, there are 26 weeks but only 25 blocks.  Not sure what that is about.  Not sure what will happen with week 26.  I guess I will find out later.

I really love orange in quilts, so I think that I am going to keep this one and hang it in my family room.  I am going to call it Hugs and Kisses.  Already have my quilting in mind.  Need to get it finished first, way ahead of myself, as always.

Thinking about all my potential projects, I m going to try very hard not to start anything new until I make significant headway on those already started.  There are so many of those.  It will help, since I am trying not to buy new fabric.  Right now, only want to buy if I need to finish something.   That is so hard.

Lynn and I went out to dinner and fabric shopping last week.  Jelly rolls were 40% off.  I wanted to buy 1  or 2 or 3.  Had one in my hand several times but managed to control myself.  Only fabric I bought was a ½ yard for an in progress quilt (allowed).  Wondering how long it will take me to fall off the wagon.

I also want to use up as much of my scraps as possible.  I have so much scrap. Have been cutting some for a couple of scrap quilts in the works.  I need to get stuff sorted by color.  I guess that will happen when I get my room better organized.  I will get there.

Happy Sewing

Happy Quilting

My new bag for Guild Meetings and My one Monthly Goal

M friend Lynn was harassing me because every time we go to a Guild meeting I am bringing my stuff in a Kroger shopping bag.  So, I made myself a guild bag.  What could be more perfect for the crazy dog lady?  A dog bag made with pet screen.  I always wanted to try something with pet screen and had bought a piece a while back.  No pattern, I just sort of winged it.  I like it.  It is sturdy and functional.

So, my one monthly goal for December, is to put together my top for the I wish you a WaterMark_2017-12-02-18-51-12Merry Quilt along.  It will be a lot considering that Christmas is right around the corner.  I do have some vacation, but who knows what we will be doing.  So, I will have to make block #12 and figure out how to put it all together before the year ends.  Fingers crossed.

Happy Sewing

Happy Quilting

Hand Quilt Along – More progress and my “other” project

Well, on my last Hand Quilt along post, I did not have a photo of y “other” project.  I sort of call this the swim team project.  Mostly because I work on it during swim practice and al the long weekend meets.  For tis project, I am making hexie flowers.  My long-term plan is to pick a background fabric and make a quilt from all of them.  So, at one time belonged to the Fat Quarter Shops mini charm club Fat Quarter Shops mini charm club.  I got 4 different mini charms each month, so I have quite a collection of them.    They are perfect for making these hexies.  I use a solid center and then each charm pack will make seven flowers.  I have no idea how many I will truly need, I will just keep making them.

My second hand quilt along project is my dog bones dresser scarf.  This is my sit on the WaterMark_2017-11-25-14-26-08could project, because I am not capable of just sitting down and doing nothing.  I need this to get to 54 inches.  I am at about 36 inches.  Still more work to do.

Thank Kathy for organizing this Hand Work Quilt Along.  It will e great to see everyone’s hand work without all the searching.  It is now at the tip of my fingers (and yours) .

Here is the list of others who said they would be joining in the Hand Quilt Along.  I hope you all check out their blogs and maybe even join in the fun.

Happy Sewing

Happy Quilting

QADD – A look into the mind of someone suffering from this disorder

Quilting Attention Deficit Disorder (QADD).  I swear it is a real thing.  Just look at that table.  Oh wait, while it a table, it used to be our pool table.  So, needless to say, I have so many projects going on that I got absolutely nothing accomplished the entire week.

Currently, my daughter is on the swim team, which involves practice 4 out 5 nights a week.  Then there are the swim meets that are on the weekend.  This past weekend on Saturday at 5am we had to leave to spend the entire day at the pool.  Totally exhausting.  I have concluded, when I have a lot going on in my personal life, I can’t seem to concentrate on getting anything done in my sewing room.

I worked on this and that, but could not concentrate on anything.  I need to finish my block #10 for I wish you a Merry quilt along, but only managed to get part of it cut out.  I did some quilting in the ditch (which I did not like) on a table topper that has been sitting around a while.  While I was at the swim meet I did some hand work (EPP), but forgot my thimble and quit when my fingers started hurting.  I cut out pieces for a poinsettia table topper that I really did not need to start. Oh yes, and I started making a quilted bag (it is the blue blob in the photo).  Something else I did not need to start.  I have a pile of Christmas Fabric that I wanted to make a table topper out of (leftover from my Jingle bell tree).  Have not figured that out yet.  And I am working on a secret project that I can’t talk about, in case any of the recipients read my blog (wishful thinking).

And, Thanksgiving is less than 2 weeks away.  The only plus side to that is a couple of days off, which I totally need.  But it also beings about anxiety.  I will need to clean off that pool table in case we have guests that might actually want to play pool?  seriously who wants to play pool when we could be playing with fabric?  Apparently I am alone with those thoughts in my home.  So, I have to prepare to have a smaller work area for a few weeks.  I will need to cut a bunch of stuff so I can  just sew.

Happy Sewing

Happy Quilting