Design Wall 12/16/13

Prep time is almost finished with only four blocks left to complete.  I'm using the pattern from  "Love Always: A Floral Celebrtion" by Lori Smith.  After all 16 block pieces have been glued to the backing I'll have my project ready  to 'grab n' go' in my sewing box.  It's always nice to have hand work with me when I can't be in the sewing room, or the "Girl Cave".

Head over to Judy's and see what others are working on.
As always.... I'm sew happy to share.
Hugs,

Practice Makes Perfect and Tote Bags Too!

Back in September I took a class from Cindy Needham. Wow, to actually be in the same room with her was amazing. Cindy has a name for people like me.  We are her “Stalker Ladies”, and she labels us with great appreciation, for she is a sweet and humble lady.

 

I posted the appliqué quilt, which took two years to finish, and mentioned I was determined to quilt it myself.  The big reality check is this isn’t going to happen overnight or anytime soon.  After taking Cindy’s class I realize I need ALOT of practice!

In order to practice free motion quilting this requires an abundance of quilt sandwiches.  Which has created a dilemma for this ‘frugal closet quilter’. What to do with those quilt sandwiches? 

Here is what I’ve come up with.  I'm making tote bags and practicing my quilting at the same time.

This is so much fun! But you can tell I need a BUNCH of practice. 

I think my next quilt sandwiches will become placemats as suggested to me by Patricia at Happy Days Quilting. 

Leave me your comments with any suggestions that will help me recycle those practice pieces.

Check out what others are up to at Patchwork Times it's always great.
Always Sew Happy 2 Share.
Hugs...

2 Years of Applique FINISHED!

Two years ago I became intrigued with appliqué, wanting to learn techniques anyway I could.  That is when I stumbled onto Erin Russek’s blog site, One Piece at a Time. I needed all the help I could find especially being a new quilter.  Erin’s tutorials were amazing and were free!! And so were her BOM patterns. Oh-me-oh my... I was hooked to say the least. I had no idea how addictive appliqué would become.

 

I started my applique journey with Erin's pattern Miss Hannah.  Now, two years latter I can see how far I've traveled on the learning curve.... and how much further I will be going.

 

 

 

Since applique is something you can prepare a head of time and have in your"grab n' go" bag, I always had something to work on while away from my sewing machine. And, over the past two years, I was away from my sewing room most of the time while caring for my parents.  So, with bitter sweet memories I can say that each block holds a special place in my heart representing a part of time spent with each one of them before their passing.

  

To finish this journey of memories, I am determined to do the quilting though this will be a first for me.  The applique was a learning experience  so why not make quilting an experience as well.

 

Thank you for stopping by.  Please leave a comment and  drop over to Patchwork Times to see what others are showing on their design wall.

 

As always.... I'm Sew Happy 2 Share,

Call for Help!

I just received a notice from the Arizona Quilters Guild and felt it could be passed along in any way possible.  This is something we all can do.

_________________________________________________

The excerpt below was sent to AQG via the Idaho guild. From what we understand Utah and Arizona have been contacted for help.

 

Quilters, our hundreds of firefighters need bandannas, quick! Here in Idaho we have the nation's #1 priority fire and it has already burned 160 square MILES of wilderness. The firefighters soak bandannas in water, use them until they're too smokey, then toss them to be rinsed and wet again. Please cut 16" squares- pinking if possible but not essential - and mail them ASAP to Blaine County Sheriff Gene Ramsey 219 S 1st Ave #109 Hailey, ID 83333  If you could put two in an envelope and get it in the mail tomorrow, they will be grateful.

Larger sizes are also needed - 20 to 28 inches. Precision not necessary. These firefighters are brave and exhausted, and none of the fires are stopping. It's really tough out there.

 This is the extent of the information we have been given. Feel free to donate but do not call the Sheriff's office.

Thanks,

Patricia Benner

President AQG

Summer Time Blahs

 

With all of the heat and humidity I don't know about you but this past week I developed the Summer Time Blahs!  With no intrest in working on that pineapple quilt, staring at me from the design wall, I decided to dive into another book and figure out how to do something new, at least new to me. 

 

Last year the local quilt store was offering a class on making fabric baskets, which intrigued me. So I signed up for the glass and bought Susan Breier’s book “It’s a Wrap”.  Sadly, I was unable to attend the class and put the book on the shelf to be forgotton until the blahs overcame me. 

 

Following the instructions I found making a basket was a total kick! 

As the basket was forming it came to me that this would make a great purse bottom and so my new summer project came to life. 

And here you have it.....

My lovely new purse with a basket bottom (The Basket Bottom Bag)  It is lined with compartments and a heavy zipper to keep everything safe. 

Guess I better concentrate on the Pineapple UFO and get it finished up.  Hey, maybe on my next blog post, I can show you a finished 2 year pineapple quilt.

Until next time.... check out what's happening at Judy's  on Design Wall Monday and remember I love to hear from you so please leave me a comment!

As always I'm Sew Happy To Share what's going on in my sewing room,

Design Wall Mondy 7/1/13

I took a break from working on the Pineapple UFO and put this together last week.  It is a 'mini-mosaic' quilt.

Alex Anderson, of The Quilt Show, interviewed Paula Doyle  about her new book, and I found the process Paula Doyle has created, so amazing, I had to order her book.

I think the reason this caught my attention is becauseI haven't learned how to do paper piecing and this does not use that technique.  To end up with 1 inch squares on a completed mini quilt was so much fun.

 What do you think of my first attempt at Mini Mosaic Quilts? Oh, and my very first attempt at free motion quilting! (Notice there are no close ups of the quilting, there is a reason for that).

 

Don't forget to check out Patchwork Times and see what others are doing.
Sew Happy to Share.
Hugs,

Design Wall Monday 6/3/13

My Tale of a UFO lesson.

 

I have discovered it is not a good thing to tuck unfinished things away with high hopes of returning to finish it someday 'soon'.  I don't think 2 1/2 years falls into the 'soon' category do you?

 

Well 2 1/2 years ago, as a newbie, I took a class from a local instructor at our quilt guild, on sewing a pineapple quilt block.  I remember showing up with the correct values of fabric and adequate yardage to cover “oopsies” (which happen far too often). I was excited and made blocks until I ran out of fabric.  Sadly I didn't have enough blocks to make much of anything.  And the fabric I was using were remnant bundles and EOBs so my pineapple block experience went into a zip bag and put in the drawer.

 

 

 

Hooray for the Internet! When I discovered I could search online for 'older' fabric based on the information stamped on the selvage I was thrilled.  Eventually (1 year later) I ordered and received what I needed to get started again.  With that in mind I put the fabric in the cupboard and was "going to get started tomorrow"....ya, sure, right!

 

 

Here I am today, 2 1/2 years later.  I've got my fabric. I've got my desire.... and by golly I'm going to finish this pineapple quilt!  Except for one little thing, REALITY CHECK... I’m 2 1/2 years older. I"ve totally forgotten what I learned and how to do it.

 

 

Thank goodness for books! This Old Dog can still be taught this wonderful process. (That is when I clean the cobwebs out of the brain and get focused).  Now I'm going to keep on keep'in on until I can show you my finished pineapple quilt.

 

Thank you for  stopping in and taking a look....I'm always Sew Happy to Share with you. 

Please feel free to drop me a line or comment.  I love hearing from you.  Also, stop over at Patchwork Times and see what everyone else is working on.

 

Hugs,

 

She Loves It... and I love her.

I'm so proud of my granddaughter. Graduating, with honors from high school and offered a scholarship to the University of Arizona. 
Great job Allyson!

And she loves the quilt!

 

I'm working on a new challenge and I hope to have more to show you soon.
Thanks for looking in because.....

I'm Sew Happy to Share,

Design Wall Monday 4/22/13

I’m feeling a bit relieved and proud at the same time to show you my first completed quilt. This will go to my first grandchild, Allyson, as her high school graduation gift. No, I did not quilt it as I had originally hoped for. However, while trying to learn free motion quilting, I developed a true respect and admiration for those of you who do machine quilting. Brenda Cornell quilted it for me and eased the crunch for having this ready by mid May.

Pop over to Judy's at Patchwork Times and see what's going on.

Thank you for taking a peek at my quilt… because I'm "Sew Happy to Share"!

#1...Finally :)

Hurray! Finally, the Scrappy Dresden plate quilt top is pieced and now it's time to turn the journal page and begin a new chapter. The goal, to machine quilt it....myself!

I've taken a picture of the 'un-scared, un-blemished' top, before it becomes the practice field. Hopefully it won't end up looking like the war zone.

At the rate I move, you may see the quilted results by Christmas.  Perhaps after following Sue Nickels  DVD "Successful Machine Quilting on the Home Sewing Machine" a long with her book "Machine Quilting- A Primer of Techniques I will jump in and "Get 'er Done"!

Head over to Patchwork Times and see what others are posting.
I'll be posting journal entries updating my quilting experience so please check back when you can.

Thank you for visiting. I would love to hear from you, comments/quilting suggestions or you can always..... Wish me luck!

Ugh! The learning curve can be tough sometimes. Was trying to re-formatt my blog and I have made a real mess of it...

 

Please excuse the mess while my blog is currently

Under Construction