Quiet Time

I have decided to take a little time to myself and enjoy the coming holiday....I'll see you on the 5th or 6th of July.  Have a happy and safe 4th.

What Have I Been Doing Lately?????

I am linking to Sarah's Confession of a Fabric Addict Site....

I have been quiet for a few days....trying to catch up with housework and other personal chores...

In my sewing room, the machines have been quiet...I am working on a couple of things that do not involve them.

First, my quilting group which meets twice a month has been asked to put a backing on a yo-yo quilt which is estimated to be around 90 years old....in very good shape, but the owner wants to use it on her bed and wants a little more stabilization added, and is willing to pay for it.  Our group needs batting for different types of quilts we make to give away, so we have decided to work with this.

We will be putting a simple backing on the quilt and tacking the middle of each yo-yo down to the backing.  We will tuck the edges of the backing under the quilt edges so that the yo-yos will still be prominent there.

After using 2 meetings to work on it, we decided to work on it at our homes  between meeting, each taking a turn until it is done.  I chose to start.  I am just about finished with the first row and hope to have a good start on the second row when I return it...There are 6 blocks in a row and maybe 7 or 8 rows.  I hope to get a picture of the entire quilt eventually...there are approx. 48 yo-yos in each block (including the sashings), so it will take a little while...

I have also finished pinning the backing on my CCC quilt.  Now I can relax and start HQing it. 

These are the two main things I have been doing this week.  I have several things planned out but know you like to see results sometimes and it is hard to take a picture of a thought....

Check out Sarah's link above and see who else deserves a Whoop!

See you later..........

One Miscalculation = Change of Plan

Oops...I published this early.....luckily it was only the title.....sorry for the suspense......

Wouldn't you know it.....

The first time I decided I needed to buy fabric (for a back - see side of blog) and I didn't get enough.

Don't know what I was thinking, I was talking too much and not keeping my mind on what I came there for.

All is not in vain, however....I think I have found a solution that may look like I planned it all along.....

 As you might surmise, I plan to use the ladybug fabric as the focus of the back bordered by the new one I bought Monday.  I like the way it looks and I will still have enough left for the Wash Day Star top that I am planning. 

Mistakes sometimes make way for opportunities......

Sandwich, Anyone?????

 

Here are my ingredients....the backing came from the Freebie box I received from my neighbor in the last post...It is thinner than I usually use, there will be enough of it once I cut/splice, the weave is good and the overall pattern (little hearts) seem to match.  

I toyed with the idea of buying (yes, buying) some backing for this, but for now this will do...I'll see how it looks after I sandwich it (temporarily upside down) so I can see how the pieced batting will look under it.  Minds can always change....

Now to start sewing batting together....

Tiny whoop.....and a Big Freebie....

I had an emergency trip out of town this week that took several days, so I really haven't done too much to Whoop about on Sarah's blog (Confession of a Fabric Addict....check it out...)

I did finish cutting 50 5" white squares to use in my Disappearing 4 Patch design I will be working on eventually along with a charm pack from Keepsake Quilting (another long ago purchase)....

I plan to work on this at the same time I work on my leaders and enders project mentioned in an earlier post...

Aaaaannnnddddd....

I visited my neighbor earlier today and she gave me a box of fabric that she did not want any more....I double checked with her, and she said, Take It......so I did.

I can already see several that I will be using almost right away for aprons, placemats, even my L & E project....and those plaids will be added to mine for a future quilt...I now have enough variety to make another man quilt.....

It will have to be washed as all of it seems to be straight off the bolt....so I will be washing, folding, and stroking everything today and tomorrow to make them feel at home....Again, thank goodness for washers, dryers, and Color Catchers......

Taking a Deep Breath.....Starting Again

I have been wanting to make this quilt for a long time.  I finally decided the only way to do it is to DO IT...

I haven't tried anything this ambitious in a long time.....Wonder why???
 
 This will be my background quilt. Or maybe my Leader and Ender quilt....Officially, the magazine calls it Wash Day Stars (this was in 2006....that's how long it has waited). I plan to take my time, stop and smell the roses, and make other projects along the way...

I have started to pick out fabric though.....bought for another quilt design that has since been put on the back burner...

I am planning to use the light tan or beige that is underneath as substitute for the white...Of course I don't have enough beige now...that will need to be bought (yes, this is one of those necessary fabrics that fits my fabric freeze loophole).  I do plan to wait, however, until I get most of those 4 patches done...who knows, it may be 2013 by the time I finished cutting, much less sewing....

Here's hoping I don't lose the pattern in the meantime.....

Edited:  Did I mention it is King Size and it's for me... to put on my double bed....Am I crazy????

A Visit to A Quilt Store

Last Friday morning I was browsing around  Linda's  Buzzing and Bumbling , and I noticed names of quilt stores where her patterns can be bought.  One of them was within 20 or so miles of me. It would be the closest LQS around.  And it is definitely out in the country...hence the name, Country Living Quilts.

I decided to do a little exploring...this was located in the country down a dirt road and had been opened only since last October.  I had to go check it out, regardless of my fabric freeze....

 I was so excited that I didn't take a camera, so didn't get a good picture of the place...but it was a small building with a parking lot and a shaded sit down area outside.

Anyway, I found a  small neat store, with lots of notions and enough fabric to satisfy a curious shopper.    Once a week, she opens her store to anyone who wants to come, visit, and sew/quilt from 10:00 - 4:00 (bring sack lunch, she says).  She has a sewing and classroom area with tables, irons/ironing boards and all the necessary equipment. 

Oh, I have to go back and take pictures for ya'll!

Now to the picture I do have. ..See what I bought....

A magnetized pin holder and a purse pattern....and NO fabric!  I have seen the pin bowls before and liked them....and the pattern will be a learning transition for me from a bag to a simple, non zippered purse.  I may not get to it right away, but I am eyeballing it for a Christmas present, either this year or next....

I have had my fix and came through with flying colors....no fabric bought....I can last a few weeks longer now...

See you later....

Fish Fabric Winner - MiniGiveaway #28

Jan! from I Quilt For Fun is the winner of the bright, bright fish fabric.  Congratulations to her and Thanks to all of you for commenting...

I am still having fun giving away my stash and other odds and ends in my sewing room.  It has really helped me cull down and make room for .... other stash. It also keeps me aware of what I have that I may have forgotten because I tend to look through different areas for giveaways more often.  And it gets the fabric out there to be used instead of sitting here looking forlorn and neglected.....Thank you for participating...

Watch for the next giveaway on July 15 at 10:00am as usual.....

See Ya....

Catch as Catch Can Quilt Top finished! Whoop!

I need to try things like this more often.  I finished this last night (Friday) and didn't get a chance to take a picture until now...

I randomly chose fabric from my stash, some of which I had when I first started (bought from Ebay), and others I have collected, most of which started out as 1/2 yard and under.  I watched the color, but mainly just grabbed from my shelves. 

The size is 54" x 60" with finished 2" & 3" borders.  The blocks are 6" square, 7x8 rows, with the piano keys the same size as the ones in the squares.

I sewed the piano keys as leaders and enders, while I was putting the rows together.  

The original pattern was a wall hanging in the magazine Small Quilts, Summer 2010, called Bloomin' 30s.  I tweeked it a little and used EQ6 to determine the necessary measurements and layout.

This will be handquilted and given to my niece, who is 3 now...She may be 5 before I get it to her....

I am linking to Sarah's blog to Whoop it up with the other achievers..Come on over and check them out, too.

Mini-Giveaway #28 - Fish Fabric

Hello again...welcome.

this month's giveaway is about 3 years old and some I bought while on a trip to see family. I went through Paducah and stopped...and bought...

too much of this...I am giving away a little over a 1/2 yard of each and still have about 2 or so yards left.

It is a Robert Kaufman fabric and yes, it is very neon in color...  I was struck with the vividness of the color and, being relatively new to quilting at the time, did not take into consideration the fabric companions it would need.

So, comment if you are interested and be sure you can be contacted...Being as the 17th is on a Sunday, it may be after church when DH picks a name.  Remember we are on CDT in the US...At any rate this is nice set of fabric and I wish all good luck....

Uncoordinated Assembly Line

I am nearly finished sewing the middle design of my CCC quilt.  I have gotten used to chain stitching while putting blocks together and have played with leaders and enders a little.  Since one of the borders of this quilt has a lot of small strips in it, I decided to try to make it, using leaders and enders, at the same time I put together the blocks and rows of the middle. 

This resulted in a kind of strange, disjointed assembly line....one I was very careful to keep short and manageable..  I can get very confused as to where I am so it was a big step for me to try and do two things at once. 

When I started, I had my blocks laid out in order next to my iron/ironing board. I am on my last row so that is gone now.  On the chair you can see the rectangles laid out in the order I wanted...the plastic bin on the table has the rest of the rectangles, in order.  I have to be in control or the quilt will mutiny and take over the sewing room.  I continually refer to the chair to be sure I don't get lost.

This results in a kind of a mess, but it is my mess, not the quilts'.   I will finish the middle of the quilt before I finish putting together the border, but that's okay. 

See, I have 4 rows together and will be finishing this section either tomorrow or tonight, depending on how things go. 

Who knows, maybe by Friday I'll have a top to show you...maybe.....

Celebrating Two Anniversaries

Two anniversaries I must celebrate!

We have been married 46 years today!  Ohh, the stories I could tell!  Many experiences and discussions....Much love and compromise....and oh so many memories.....

And currently, another anniversary of a different sort....

It has been one month since I started my No More Fabric Until 2013 status! Remember I did give myself an out...it is really No More Fabric Unless I Really, Really Need It...

Staying sane one day at a time re: both commitments......

Beta Apron

Here it is, my first try at following my own pattern made from an older apron.

  It still needs a button/button hole on the neck pieces, but I have Never made a button hole on my Janome and want to practice a bit before I tackle The Real Thing.  Of course I could make one by hand, which is not such a bad idea.

There are a couple of tweeks I need to make to the pattern...I am repeating myself from an earlier post, but that's okay.  The two right angles on either side of the bib (one of which still has a pin in it) I will turn into slow curves, and I might make the sweetheart neckline a little more pronounced.

I may write out some reminders, or directions before I attempt another one.. things that occurred to me as I was under the needle, so to speak, and didn't stop to do it then.

But, for a first attempt, it will do. I figure one more try, with a fabric where you can See the Pocket on the apron and I will be ready for the Big Time.

Check out Sarah's Whoopin' blog to see what else is goin' on....

A Nice Win - For Everyone!

See what I was lucky enough to win from Sharon, who was one of the sponsors of Sarah's H2H Quilt Challenge this year. 

It's so neat!  Everyone who participated in the Challenge won something, thanks to all the sponsors...So everyone is a winner! 

I plan to use this soon, but not sure what yet...it has to be something special.....Thanks Sharon!

Apron Progress {tongue in cheek}

....Some say mistakes are still progress....

Well,  I have made a few...

Observe:

This post is just to let you know I have not been lax in sewing...simply lax,,, resulting in the ever possible "something slipped under the fabric as I was sewing" goof.

If one looks on the other side, one will find a pocket, nicely sewn.  Whenever I do something like this, I automatically shut down the machine and do something else so I won't compound the problem.  The solution usually comes to me after a few hours or so of observations, calculations, meditations and conclusions.

This is just one of the more recent "...tions" I have had to take.

Problems and solutions:

1)  How to combine two 90* angles without puckering... solution: turn them into curves.. This is my pattern, after all.

2)  Upper neck piece needs two right sides showing on both sides (needed for button/button hole arrangement)...solution: sew right sides together and flip. Seems simple, why didn't I do it the first time?

3)  See above picture:  solution: rip time.

4)  Tweeking the pattern - solution: everything from decorative stitching to 2 different fabrics to who knows what as my brain wanders....

This will become my Beta Apron and you know how long they take to get right...

I now remember why I like quilting more than sewing clothes.....

My Mother's Apron ---Pattern

I can tell ya'll 'cause no one in my family follows my blog....


I am making aprons for Christmas....
 
First Tier:   My daughter, and my sister...

Second Tier:  My 2 nieces and my sister-in-law

Third Tier:  My 3 granddaughters (2, 4 & 7) and my niece's daughter


They will be from a pattern I drew up using this as a go-by, which you have seen before.....

This was my mother's apron...she either inherited it from my grandmother, who was taller than Mother, or she made it herself...I don't know.

And this is the pattern, minus the tie strings.....

Nothing like going back to basics, using newspaper....

Other than the 2 smaller grandchildren and my SIL, this size should fit all the possible recipients...we are all on the short side.

Oh, the Tiers 1, 2, and 3?  In case I don't get to make one for all of them, I have prioritized the gifts....
But I figure as I make them I will become more proficient...The first one may be for me, actually, depending on how it turns out...

Now to pick out fabric to make my first one and see how I am as a pattern maker.....I hope to modernize the look a little, being braver with each apron I make....

Off Subject:  Cool! I used the spell check while composing and it really works! How neat is that!

 See ya!

CCC- Next Step

I finished all the blocks for my CCC quilt + one extra.  This morning I tried to put them on my wall but didn't succeed (another story)....

I finally drug one of my backings/old sheets out, put it on the floor and laid them out here. 

This will probably not be the final layout...I just wanted you to see how they interacted.  I'm so glad I have a series of pictures like this because less than 10 seconds after I took the above picture.......

the cross wind from my two open corner windows took over.