As I mentioned in my earlier post

I also worked on a top for a class I took online at Quilt University. This was a pressing class. There were two choices for the top- this smaller one, or one slightly larger with an hst border and one or two plain ones. I chose to do the smaller one, having just completed a Jo Morton with the hst border. Now I am debating adding a little more interest to the small one......LOL never satisfied!

Hour a day for February

I spent the weekend working on the hour a day quilt. I must say, if I were buying fabric to make this quilt, I don't think that I would ever have chosen the fabrics that I did. However, working from stash means I had to use things I had enough of. Its much darker than I would probably have chosen, but I am pleased with how it turned out.

The star points are made from different red FQs that I had, although within each star the fabric is the same. The black was originally purchased for a backing, so I had lots and now have only scraps left. The gray is actually a gray with black/metallic gold and brown marbling which was also intended to be a backing. I still have some of that left-it may wind up as part of a pieced backing for this quilt. The 'worst' part of this quilt was that the black and the red I used for sashing were some of the fraying-est fabrics that I can remember ever using! But it is done and ready to take its place in the pile of those tops waiting to be quilted.

I don't have anyplace high enough to hang larger quilts, so the bottom is trailing on the wet deck. I'm happy to have gotten a picture between the rain! I also worked on a top for my Quilt University class, it is almost finished.

Jo's Little Women Club....

The instructor for our Jo's Little Women Club at our LQS just posted our February projects on the store blog. Mine is the first one pictured. http://littlequilts.blogspot.com/index.html

Something a little different

I haven't posted on my hour a day progress because, while I have been ahead of the game, I don't think things will look like much until the whole thing is together. Does that make sense? Since we are working from stash, some will appear very dark and drab until everything comes together. Then I hope things will pop.

Meanwhile, while cruising the blog I teased Cathy in Ireland about her knitting. I am so intrigued by what you knitters are doing. I haven't made but one thing, many years ago (probably before Cathy was even born!) and would like to take a class to brush up and learn more. I told her it would be but one more thread art that I fall for. As many of us, I have sewn garments, I have done some cross stitch, needlepoint, and crewel. I have attempted knitting and crochet- but mother is an expert at crochet, so why not let her do it for me?? LOL

There is another thread art that is perhaps a little out of the norm, I thought I would share some of my projects with you as a taste of something different. This is Temari, which is Japanese (some say it was Chinese even further back in time) which means embroidered balls. In Asia, they used scrap materials (hmm, sounds like sisters across the seas)and sometimes husks to form an inner ball. They would push and wrap until they built to the size they desired and until it was round. Today, we use preformed balls and wrap in layers of yarns and then threads so there is something to stitch into. It is amazing how hard it is to wrap so that things stay round! These are my humble beginnings-

Catching up on obligations and preparations

This weekend I have spent time doing my latest buck-a-block and doing my February block for the PClassic BOM swap. The swap is ready to go out tomorrow and the buck-a-block is done for another month.

Thanks to a recommendation from Quilt Pixie, Saturday I began a class at Quilt University on pressing, so that project will need to be worked on this month,too. The practice pressing on different size pieces of fabrics came at an ideal time- I used the fabrics for JudyL's hr. a day quilt and was able to begin cutting in preparation for that, too. I'm looking forward to doing that one, Judy always does such a great job on planning and instructing.

Judy's Feb. challenge struck a cord, but I have to adjust it a bit to make it work for me a little better. However, going through the blogring has also given me a few lightbulb moments. Nancy posted about her 'On Flamingo Pond' quilt, which would be an ideal for a set of fabrics that I bought years ago and that have been sitting waiting for the right pattern. Also, Cynthia posted her disappearing 9 patch, which would be perfect for a fabric I fell in love with and bought 'just because'- and if I can work that out, it would be at least one top that would satisfy Judy's challenge to 'just cut into it and use it'.

Of course, that would make three tops, and since I hope to make quilts for family this year's Christmas, I still have to cut out and work on those, too. I hope I can find the time to do it all.

Wish me luck - I'm off!

Finished another flimsy

Today I finished the last of the borders on the homespun and flannel star quilt. I loved it in the beginning, then disliked it, now I'm not so sure. Some of the instructions were ambiguous and I "went left when I should have gone right", so the results aren't quite what I had hoped. I will say that now that it is all together, I like it better than I did in the middle of the process. DH loved it until one fabric went in as to him, it doesn't 'go' (it was a kit)so I have decided to make it again in fabrics that I think he will like, and with the advantage of the mistakes I made this time, I think I will like the next one better.

Meanwhile I have spent the rest of today working on blocks for a swap and my buck a block- pictures of those when I get them finished. I've also been auditioning fabrics for JudyL's hour a day quilt so I can cut that quilt tomorrow and Sunday. Boy, if any projects actually come in at work, I'm going to have to completely readjust. The last 2-3 weeks I've been living the life of a retiree-and I'm getting to like it!

...and more about the weekend

I couldn't get blogger to take all the pictures I wanted to include in the last post, so I'm continuing here.....

While I was straightening up so my son could actually get to the frame that needs fixing, I discovered a box that a friend had brought me full of......you got it......scrap fabric. Actually, there is even yardage. The bad news is that it is not quilting cotton but drapery and light upholstery type fabrics. Some is awful, some are in little squares, but some is quite pretty. I discovered some lengths of chintz- I have been looking for some chintz at super cheap prices to make leaders for the quilt frame. Yesterday, after discovering this box, I made two sizes of leaders for smaller and lap size quilts, and there is a piece that will make leaders for the full size of the frame, too. Can you see me doing a happy dance??

Some of the pieces in the box were samples about 8 inches square. Some were polished cotton pieces about 11 x 14 with coordinating pieces about 5x14, cut into placemat shapes. These are mostly cutesy bear prints. Anyone have any ideas of what I can do with this non-quilt fabric?

I'm loving these weekends

I just had the third good sewing weekend in a row! Yippee! While I didn't get as much machine time as I might have, things were good in other respects. I've had trouble with my quilting frame getting out of square and vibrating too much. DS#1 came over to take measurements, we bought some lumber and he began working on a solution to my frame problems.

I finished another quilt (was a flimsy) that I was just going to hang in the sewing room for fun - it could be the Stash quilters banner, so many cartoon depictions of hiding and storing stash. I discovered that it is just the right size to use as a shawl and ward off the drafts during this colder time of the year. After Judy L's reminders of the blog ring focus, I must tell that I pieced scraps of batting to use for this quilt, and the binding and backing are both from stash.

I am in the process of finishing another quilt, also a flimsy, which now only needs a label; it should be done tonight. This top was made from stash, except for the background fabric. The backing is pieced from what remained of the fat quarters I used for the blocks on the front. This is my first pieced backing, and I learned something important for the future. I will need to iron seams open if I piece backs, I can see where the quilting boggles a little where it crosses the back seams and seams in the block.

Two more finished...

This weekend I was able to finish my Jo Morton log cabin, which is about 15 inches square. As I mentioned previously, I am not happy with my work on this one, the more I tried, the worse things became. I have a two part mantra for this quilt, repeat it with me "it is a primitive-its supposed to be a little off" and " it is a learning project". I quilted it with a baptist fan, which is a little wobbly on its own- something I digitized but apparently need to find a way to smooth out a bit. I'll also post a picture of the JoMorton Paririe basket again, with some of the quilting (on the back, you can't see it from the front in a photo).

Secondly, for all you cat lovers out there.........My mother has an ancient and venerable Siamese cat that spends its waking hours curled up on her lap. Because it will knead her lap, sometimes with claws out, mother sits with a towel folded up between her legs and the cat. With Amy and Nancy (among others) showing off their cat fabrics, I was inspired to check out what my LQS had. I found a very bright and fun print which I then stitched a batting, sewed and 'birthed' and then quilted some kitty faces randomly spaced. Mom is tickled with it.

I'm tickled to have had time to quilt this weekend. Rainy weekends can be wonderful, if you can lock yourself up with your fabric and machines!

A quilty weekend

I had a quilty weekend this week. Actually, it started before the weekend. Last Tuesday night was my Jo's Little Women Club meeting at my LQS. We shared what we had accomplished on last month's project and began this month's. I had gotten the two previous little tops quilted, so was able to show them at the meeting and then, during the rest of the week I was able to cut and machine sew the bindings, which I finished up while watching TV in the evenings. The teacher for the group had given us each a recent copy of the AQS magazine that has an article on quarter inch bindings. These quilts are small, so they really call for a small binding-but working with that little amount of fabric to turn and stitch is quite a challenge. I may have to redo the first one, I'm not thrilled with sections of it, especially one corner. The second is not perfect, but considerably better.

On Saturday I was able to make my January swap block for an online group. The photo doesn't show that the light design on the black triangles are actually silver/holographic and have wonderful sparkle and movement. In the photo, it just looks white.

Once those were done, I began this months Jo Morton project, which is little log cabins. I think these little blocks take a whole lot more time than bigger ones! I'm beginning to think I could build a real log cabin.....and they would all be wonky!

Forest Jane showed her latest round on her Ostrich. I had mine done early and posted a while back. Mine was done early because it was sooooooo much simpler than Jane's. If you haven't seen her incredible work, go see it! And speaking of Ostrich-Kim must have changed her site, anyone know what's up and if we have to repost our blocks?

Yippee--progress!

I have had a great day. It has been rainy and dismal all day and exceedingly quiet. DH slept very late, I cut mother's hair and put two small quilts on the frame. The smallest one is quilted and awaiting binding, if I can decide on which fabric I want to use. The second is still small at about 32" square, I have two rows left to do on it and then it will be ready for binding. Since I had to take it off the frame to turn it sideways, I figured that was a good place to finish for the day. I haven't taken any photos of them at this stage. I don't think that the quilting will show up enough in a photo, they will still look the same as they did in the flimsy stage. If you look back a few posts (Dec. 3 and Dec. 26), these are both Jo Morton quilts I made in a class at a LQS. I still have so much to learn about using the quilting machine that these aren't perfect, but they will soon be finished and not UFOs!

Blogger inspiration

So many of you have posted how you are finishing out the year to enter 2007 by cleaning your sewing space, finishing up projects and so on. (sew on??) Some are even putting away their holiday decorations. You have been an inspiration! Today I have done a little straightening in my sewing room, prewashed some fabrics for upcoming projects, ironed some of those. Packaged fabrics and notions/instructions for a given project together so I can find everything when I get to that project (some of these are once a month type things that I will be going back to on a regular basis, good to have it all in one place). The reoccuring projects are all in one place for easy grab and go.
I have done the latest Buck a Block, which I picked up on Wednesday along with fabric for the quilt my DIL wants for next Christmas.







I also did the latest round on the Ostrich project from Peach Quilting. That one isn't turning out as well as I would like, oh well, its just a fun exercise, and I will learn something from doing it.



















I wish you all the Happiest and Healthiest (and Quiltiest) New Year Ever!

Tis the day after Christmas and all through the house..

I'm checking out quilt patterns, ufo's and stash......
We had a very nice Christmas here, two of our three sons were home to celebrate with us. My DIL is a gem, she made sure that I had quilty things under the tree and then perused my quilt books indicating which patterns and colors she likes. She knows that I hope to make quilts for each of them within the next year or so and was putting in her order early! Two photos to share today- a family photo sans DS2 who wasn't with us and DH who was the photographer. The other of my Jo Morton club Little Strippy quilt, this months class quilt. I was able to get all my Christmas preparations done a little early and my gift to myself was to spend Christmas Eve day working on some of the projects I had put off for a while.

To all my cyber friends.....

The very warmest wishes for a Merry Christmas, filled with all the people and things your love the most - from my heart to yours.

The Next 'Buck a Block"

Here is the next 'buck a block' block from my LQS. (previous blocks)Can you believe that this is all that I have gotten done for the last 2 weeks or so?? Lots of 'stuff' happening around here, none of it what I want to have happening.....haven't gotten decorated for Christmas yet. Yesterday I finally manage to get most of the shopping finished, will have to get in groceries soon - Christmas is at my house for the family. I hope to alternate between doing some sewing (therapy) and Christmas preparation. If I don't make it back before then, I wish you all the happiest and brightest of holiday seasons, whichever holiday you celebrate.

ps- McIrish Annie asked if this was a Thangles buck a block-yes it is.

Home again - and smiling

Well, my Marine was back at Camp LeJeune last Monday, we drove all day Wednesday so that we could see him. He had some liberty(or leave-I can't keep them straight) and was able to spend some time with us and with his brothers. I have a picture of him that I took just as we were parting again, Cpl. Cool ;wish he didn't have the glasses on so you can see his eyes!LOL He will have a much longer time off over the holiday, so he will get to spend that at home. I'm smiling!!!

While I had his attention, I showed him my blog and had him read the comments that so many of you left thanking him for his service. He had just been telling us of some negative experiences with folks and I wanted to be sure he knew how many appreciate our serviceman and women. Ya'll put a smile on his face. Thank you.

Now I hope that things will be somewhat normal for the next few days as I get into Christmas shopping and decorating and back to sewing. Lots needs to be done, I don't feel much like doing any of it-except the sewing part.

Also, I finally switched to Beta blogger. Now I go to log in, it says there is no such one, so I try to log in under the old and it tells me I must use the new ID-and what it posts is just what I put in and it wouldn't take!! Sheesh.

Another flimsy

Just finished doing the final border on my Prairie Basket top for my Jo Morton Club class. Luckily, this has a primitive flavor, because although I traced my vase directly from the pattern supplied, and it did look a little lopsided to me, it REALLY looks lopsided on the top. Its a primitive, I MEANT it to be that way. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it. The top is about 32.5" square.

One of the reasons I took the class was the promise that working with all these little pieces would help improve my accuracy. I will say, things are working better, partially because of what I've been taught in the class, but also because of some of the things I have learned through this blogring-things from Patti C. and Judy L. , among others.

I'm still working on that diamond shaped batik. Still debating exactly what to do with the borders. I have decided that everyone here was right, I will use the batiks for the border, just not exactly sure how. I have to make up my mind soon as I am running out of time.

On a personal note: The writing of this post was interupted by a phone call from my Marine. He called from ship saying he can see the coastline, can even distinguish buildings. He will soon be back on US soil and we will get to see him in a few days. Thank you, God.

Gratitude flimsy finished-

We made it throught the holiday just fine. My hand has improved and what I couldn't do, my Daughter-in-law did for me. The grandkids were extra well behaved, the food was yummy. My Marine didn't get to call, but did email that he is headed back for the states, should be here sometime next month. YES! After everyone left yesterday, managed to get up to the sewing room to attach the last border to my gratitude flimsy. Also spent the evening finishing up the applique on my Jo Morton project, today will attach the first row of blocks bordering that.

Speaking of borders, thanks to all of you who shared your thoughts on the borders for my batik challenge quilt. I agree with the group that the batik border is the better choice. One of the things that I have noticed, and that I admire so much with JudyL's quilts, are her borders. She doesn't just slap on a plain strip of fabric, she makes them interesting. I've always just been happy to have gotten that close to completion! LOL Quiltpixie made me aware of Quilt University. While investigating that site, I found a free sample course which was on borders. Kismet! I like Judy's interesting borders, ya'll recommended the more interesting border, a free course in borders.......hmmmmm. I'm going to mull this over for a while and think of what I can do to make the batik borders just a little more interesting. Can't think it over too long as I have a deadline to meet, but I plan to stretch my imagination and my limits just a little bit on this one. Ya'll are growing me!

A quick post

to say that I am still among the blogging. Life has gotten busy, I've had several doctors appointments in the last two weeks, plus babysitting the grandkids since dgd's school is closed this week. Then I jammed my hand and can't hold a pen or scissor-that sure slowed down the quilting! I only have the top and bottom final borders to go on my gratitude quilt. It would have been finished much sooner if not for the hand. I hope to have pictures by the weekend. Today will be a long day at work (how come they don't need me for weeks on end, but the day before a big holiday, they need me extra!?!) Tomorrow family will be filling the house for the holiday. I'm also hoping that my Marine will have the chance to phone home from overseas. I wish everyone a marvelous holiday.

While waiting for the next installment

Of the gratitude quilt instructions, I finally got started on my guild challenge quilt. Last spring we had a guest speaker who did a trunk show of quilts made by her group using this procedure, and we decided to give it a try. Each member brought in uncut yardage of a batik fabric. For example, I brought in a yard, some brought 2 yards, etc. At our meeting how much everyone contributed was recorded, then the fabric was cut into 10" squares. Each yard produces about 12 of these squares, plus some Chinese Coins. The squares were then given to each participant according to how much they had given, so I received 12 squares back.

In trunk show everyone had used the method from Stack a New Deck. Our guild recognizes that a number of our members wouldn't participate if mae that specific. Our challenge was simply to make a top using those squares. We are allowed to use any amount of those fabrics and we may add to them. Some are doing more traditional blocks, some are doing the Sack a New Deck types.

This is what I did. It is from the pattern (and ruler) Boondoggle. I didn't follow the instructions exactly on all the blocks. I wanted to use as much of each as I had, so after doing it using their measurements, I put together some new measurements (on the striped blocks) to make the fabric go further. I also added background and more batiks for the solid diamonds. I'm not totally thrilled, I might have done better to use a Stack a New Deck pattern, but I do like it.

I also got hubby to help me put the center into Photoshop to play with finishing possiblities. The second two are the photoshop mock ups to give an idea of two choices I'm considering. I'm debating between just putting a border of the background and calling it done, or bordering with batiks.

What do you think?