Seams Sew Simple

Hand Muff for a little person

2012-01-17T16:33:00.000-08:00

When I was a little girl I had a muff that I carried to keep my hands warm. With all of the repurposing ideas floating around, I decided to have some fun with a pair of my wool socks having a hole in the heal. First I cut the top (luckily these have stripes and it made that easy) right above the heal and I gently zigzaged a hem in each top. These will make little leggings for my granddaughter. Be careful not to stretch too much but you will get a little bit of a flair. I have done this with socks before. Now come the new creative part.
Then I cut the foot just below the heal part. Obviously the heal is scrap and I threw that bit away. Now about the hand muffs- Turn the socks inside out so that the right side of the sock will be where the little hands will go. I then overlapped the toes of the socks so that inside the muff the little fingers will ouch easily.

I tucked the outside tube into one end of the sock tube and stitched by machine. Then pull the outside out and turn it over the inside tube. I hand stitched the other end to finish.

I made a tube with scrap of quilting batting. This is wool batting so I wanted the extra warmth. I stitched around each end of the tube which was wide enough to match the cut end of each sock. The tube is about 10 inches long. I then took a scrap of some soft fuzzy material and made another tube by stitching the right sides together.

Getting Organized

2012-01-15T13:16:00.000-08:00

Don't know why it is side ways but I am using an over the door shoe holder to store my knitting needles. I have been knitting for almost 60 years and I have a variety of sizes, types, and the like and this way I can go to this closet and find the needles I need quickly for the next project. I also store all of my grandmother's and mother's crochet hooks in one of the pockets.

One arm activities

2011-03-24T19:54:00.000-07:00

It has been a productive week even though I just have one real arm that works. Rotator cuff tear and repair is no fun especially since it is my right shoulder. I had the same surgery three years ago on my left and as my hubby says, "honey, aren't you glad you only have two shoulders?" This one seems to have more issues with pain in the bicep. Starting PT earlier is also giving me something to ice about.

Last Friday some friends and I met for coffee and then went over to the Pin Cushion for Fat Quarter Frenzy. I really practiced self control and only picked out two alikes to make some cute dresses for little M. After we shopped my friends came over to trim up some squares so I could make more spinwheels for the Spoof quilt. I just love the batik squares. Pam also cut some sashing strips for the Woodland Holidays quilt top. I did some stitching of 9 blocks today.

I don't think I have pictured the lastest hat I designed for M. Can hardly wait to see it on her.

Time out for organization

2011-03-14T16:08:00.000-07:00

It is quite frustrating to have time to quilt but not having the physical ability to quilt for very long at a time. I am able to stitch things as long as it doesn't weigh too much and I can keep my right hand in front of me by my chest. I am unable to cut and I am learning to press with my left hand and arm. I never realized how much our shoulder is involved in everyday arm and hand movements. Oh well, I will survive.
In the meantime, I asked my man to place all of my Christmas/holiday/winter fabric into the master bedroom so I could sit on the floor and sort pieces into plastic tubs for more organized storage in the hall closet. I bought the plastic tubs that stand about 8 inches deep and are about 16 by 24 inches rectagularly from WalMart. I am using old conference plastic name badge holders to label the tubs. I used to use permanent marker and write on the tub but this way I can designate the storage without permanence. I sit with the ice on my shoulder and am inspired with projects that will lend to my organizational realm. Consequently, two drawers, one box and a small three drawer chest were consolidated into four tubs. One tub has all of my Christmas fat quarters, one has primarily red and green large pieces, one tub has coordinated fabrics for projects, and the final tub has smaller cuts in all colors. I still have one small drawer in the chest that has bits and pieces (scraps).
Also today I took better stock of my UFOs. I realized I have projects that I have not even started and was listing them as unfinished. That is really disgusting! I have enough UFOs that I don't need to add the purchased but not started projects also.
The show and tell at Saturday Sampler was amazing. I admire the colors and work of talented people. The "ooo and ahhhh" meter is fun. I decided I would finish one queen size quilt before next Saturday Sampler (April 9) and one table runner for my dining room. I spent some time today laying out the grid for the Wildflowers blocks that we made for the scholarship quilt and what I wanted to add to make the top big enough for our bed. I am making thirteen pinwheel blocks to add. I don't know what I will make for the runner but I have significant stash to use. I also have to finish one diaper bag, 10 squares for benefit quilt, and one star block for a project I read about on one of my favorite blogs http://modafabrics.blogspot.com/2011/03/just-one-star.html. There I have set my goal and will probably be able to spend about an hour each day (since I am on leave from work) quilting.

No names to protect the . . .

2011-03-07T08:29:00.000-08:00

So, I suggest to a friend, we get together and try to complete the first block of our new Saturday Sampler since we both quit last year's cause it "was way too difficult" for us beginners. This new pattern is very straight forward and could not look simpler on paper. Now remember, I am on "drugs" for the pain after shoulder surgery so all I am good for is reading and pinning. My visiting nurse, dear little sister-in-law, is not a quilter but we arm her with the iron (what can she mess us with that) and eventually to assist with project, the rotary cutter (I know that is not safe practice for beginner). Quilting friend is at the machine. Well I can't remember how the bobbin goes without sitting down in front of maching and I am hooked up to the Polar Ice Machine so we maneuver until we get the machine threaded with white thread instead of red. Then I begin to read and sort out the batiks squares and discern what is considered light and what is considered dark and then get our two sets of batik squares fully integrated (that could be disaster but didn't seem so at the time). We commence work and get a real system going. Do step number 1 for both blocks and begin step two. Seems like step 2 is a repeat of step one, just using different color blocks. Well, that is when the "drug stupor" kicked in because if I had been in a better mental state, I would have notices I had underlined "DO NOT TRIM" in the directions and thus things went down hill from there. We laughed and played frogy "rippit-rippit" but as we all know, once we have trimmed, we have trimmed. Cindy's voice came back to me, "if you mess up don't come into the shop and ask for more fabric cause . . ." Let us just say "Block #1 is finished.

Makin' for Magdalyn

2011-03-05T11:00:00.000-08:00

I finished this little beret for her out of some very fine soft wool yarn last week. I think the red really sets off those dark blue eyes. I am planning to stitch up a little dress out of some fabric Allison found on clearance in the quilt shop that is moving. I think we used to call them pillowcase dresses, actually my mom made some summer tops for me from bandana handkerchiefs. I can just see an Amy Butler print with grossgrain ribbon on this little chic!

Sunshine and Snow Plops

2011-02-28T11:50:00.000-08:00

I am working in the great room a few feet from the skylight. Every now and again, the snow drops from the upper roof to the lower roof of our great room and a loud plop alarms the dog and cat. It is enough to awaken the dead. I am sitting in the sun doing the work I can do while waiting for tomorrow. Doctor asked that I not visit any schools today as we have a tremendous amount of influenza cases and she doesn't want me to be exposed before surgery. I am really able to catch up on some necessary details and reading which is good.

I knitted a bonnet for Magdalyn while I was watching the Oscars last night. I am just so in love with PINK. I found the sparkly rose in DC and just knew I could make a darling hat for our little angel to wear. I wish I knew where I bought the ribbon like yarn. The ruffly brim will frame her face. I will ask Allison to take a picture so you can see it too.

I tried to make some blocks for a Benevolent Project on Saturday but the iron is too heavy to lift. I will have to take advantage of the help offered by friends to finish the blocks. The quilt will be all batiks and the pattern is called Roll On. From the looks of just one block, I think it will be delightful. The cream batik will be used by all 8 of us making blocks and the other batiks come from stash. A high school group of students who work on creating skits regarding issues will sell tickets to raise money so they can get additional training for their work. The group is called "Spoof".
I seem to be able to knit with my lame shoulder. We'll see if I can after surgery. If not, I will just read and try to relax. Vince is working on our new table for the great room. We designed an intimate size for us to enjoy time together while we share a bowl of oatmeal or soup. He loves using hand tools for his wood working. We are a "crafty" pair.

D@&$ Rotator Cuff

2011-02-26T19:56:00.000-08:00

I went upstairs to my clean quilting room to try to do some work and I can't even lift the iron due to the tear in the rotatro cuff. I will persist tomorrow as if I can atleast sew the binding on some boutique burpees, I could do the hand work after the surgery on Tuesday. I though of yet another UFO, I have started a "present" pattern lap quilt I need to add to the list.

Far Too Long

2011-02-24T19:35:00.000-08:00

I have been knitting and doing a little quilting but it seems the shoulder will not allow me to lift the iron to press so I don't get too much done without pain. I have set a goal to complete many unfinished objects folded neatly in the quilting room. Last month Vince and I moved shelving around and added some shelves to the closet off my quilting room and I did a major cleaning job. I decided I would not buy any fabric unless I needed it to finish a UFO. I must stick with this. Sew. . . this is a start to the list: a diaper bag for Cathy's daughter-in-law (the baby was born last week, oops), a beautiful Woodland greetings quilt for our bed (the charm packs were a gift from a friend who knows I love cardinals), the Christmas star blocks from a share-a-block project need to be put together into a quilt, the Wildflowers blocks from a share-a-block project need to be put together into a quilt, and now I have started the Saturday Sampler at the Pin Cushion and must complete my block each month (I selected the batik colorway). That is a start. I am going to add a picture of Magdalyn in the dress I knit for her first Valentine's Day. She is eight months old.

Merry Christmas

2010-12-26T19:23:00.000-08:00

We just arrived home from Minnesota and a wonderful Christmas together. I will post some pictures tomorrow but I wanted to wish everyone a happy holiday.

That Polly

2010-11-12T18:04:00.000-08:00

I just love going to Polly's blog and tonight she astounded me again with a tip on a Holiday Blog Hop and showing her darling mug rug. Some people are a HOOT!
http://thisandthatpatterns.typepad.com/thisandthatpatterns/2010/10/coming-soon.html

Colorful Scenery and Quilt Shops

2010-10-26T15:20:00.000-07:00

In Morgantown this morning I found what I overheard a fellow quilter call "heaven". It was Martin's Country Market and the Hayloft Fabrics . Actually, there was a balcony loft all around the perimeter of the market and it had a most bountiful display of fabrics. They do ship fabrics via their website.http://hayloftfabrics.com/ They had a special of 15% off the end of a bolt and I found a number of pieces that will help keep my stash healthy. Then we traveled north west beyond Reinholds on Route 897 to Burkholder's Fabrics. This was another amazing find. I bought something special for my sister-in-law who is watching our dog while we meander the countryside. They had panels like I have never seen before and fabrics of all sorts that were arranged by designer, color, etc. We had a delicious lunch at the Brickerville House, Shoppes, and Family Restaurant and lo and behold, Vince found a yarn shop. "Ball and Skein" I bought a pattern and some yummy yarn to make Magdalyn a sweater and hat. I knitted while Vince drove us north through the long ridges of Southeastern Pennsylvania. I am making some Christmas presents which I will show later. It was a very colorful day what with scenery and fabrics.

We've Got It Covered

2010-10-25T15:45:00.000-07:00

Today we drove around the southern parts of Lancaster County and found a couple of the many covered bridges. There is so much history in the woods, streams, rocks, and small villages. I would have loved to have lived during the time of the Underground Railroad. I certainly would have had a station in my home. Vince got out and took some tremendous pictures. We also visited the Choo Choo Station in Strasburg where I have ordered many a piece of Thomas trains. It was quite relaxing riding in the fall scenery. Shot the Depot in Lititz for my brother, John.

A Sweet Sunday

2010-10-24T16:36:00.000-07:00

Vince and I were up very early again as he wanted to go to the antique malls over by Adamsville where he hoped to find some more saws and files for his workshop. I am so glad he has a wood working hobby as it ofsets my fabric sins. We went to three major sites. The first had some very great deals on loads of items however, it has begun to get scarey when one calls "antique" something I had in my childhood. There were over three hundred dealers inside and outside. The second site was all outside and everything was "on sale". We think it might have been the last of the major weekends for these dealers and the less "stuff" they had to box, the better. I found a wicker head shape to display my knitted hats upon. The third Antique Mall was very upscale and had some very beautiful furniture pieces. Vince did find a "spoke shave" at this site and was quite happy. All in all, it was a beautfiul day to walk and browse the treasures.

We came back to Hershey and went to Chocolate World which is very near where we are staying. A family friendly spot with loads of little ones on this sweet Sunday. I loved the figures adorning the building where we spent a brief amount of time learning about how chocolate is made. Milton Hershey was a very benevolent soul.

Ballooning for the Quilter

2010-10-23T18:12:00.000-07:00

Vince took me on an early balloon ride this morning while we are taking a brief rest in Pennsylvania. It has always been a dream of mine to soar quietly above the earth and realize the beauty of God's creation. What a morning it was and words cannot explain the wonder of the trip. It was so awesome. We had a clear, cool morning with hardly any wind. We went over a mile high and could see the buildings of Philadelphia over sixty miles away. At one point we could see the Delaware River and the edge of Chesapeake Bay. Cool air means clear views. What an experience!

Drum Roll Please

2010-10-15T12:27:00.000-07:00

And the winner is Lisa at Unexpected Paths. Scrabble Jack will have a wonderful new home.

Secret Santa Christmas Swap

2010-10-13T13:05:00.000-07:00

I just received the name of my partner! I am so excited and she is a very lucky lady. I am certain our cat, Gracie will have to inspect the surprise as I make it. Isn't she a sport!

Odds and Ends

2010-10-10T07:38:00.000-07:00

I love fall and the color but I knew before I could buy anymore fabrics I needed to finish some UFOs. The first picture is of the quilt that my daughter designed for her son and we finally finished. She selected the fabrics last March and I finished the stitching now. It was heavy to put on my regular sewing machine rather than my quilt frame but she wanted it to be stiched in the ditch with a zigzag like the other Pottery Barn quilt that is on the bigger bed in the same room. I like the finished product and I wish Zachary many long warm nights of sweet dreams under this quilt. The second piece is a runner for my friend's freezer. I gave her a table topper last year and she asked for a piece to go on the freezer and another that is not finished. I just love the color of the sunflowers and she is going to try to match paint to the red-orange to accent the walls in the room. Finally, I have been knitting a small throw for my new baby granddaughter and it is finished. I will take it to her next weekend when she is dedicated at church. The color is bright and the yarn is a soft cotton. An heirloom I hope.

My Giveaway

2010-10-01T08:00:00.000-07:00

If you would like to win the pattern and kit with all the fixins' and fabric, just make a comment on this post. I will draw a number for the post that wins by using random drawing. Then I will e-mail you as the winner and ask for your mailing information. Can you believe there are over 140 of us participating in this blog giveaway. Would love to have you follow my blog if you are interested. Good luck wining "Scrabble Jack"

Tomorrow

2010-09-30T19:52:00.000-07:00

I will be posting my giveaway tomorrow. I will draw from the people who comment on my blog. If you love scrabble, you will love my giveaway!

Fall Into Fall Quilter Bloggers Giveaway

2010-09-26T21:16:00.000-07:00

http://www.fall-into-fall.blogspot.com/

On October 1st I will post a picture of my giveaway for fall. Please visit the website above if you wish to get involved. You have until September 29th to participate. Be sure to come on back on October 1st to participate in my giveaway.

Pillowcases

2010-09-26T20:56:00.000-07:00

I have three made now and have cut enough for six more from my stash. This will be a great project and I hope we give a lift to many people. Magdalyn is laying on the quilt I made for her this summer. Her mommy picked out the fabrics. It is really beautiful and so is SHE!

I am alive and busy!

2010-09-24T19:48:00.000-07:00

If you want to hear about some of our activities, Sara keeps her blog up to date. I am excited about our latest project however. I finished the flyer today for advertising. Our project is called "Making a Case". We plan to make 400 pillowcases and give new pillows and cases to the people who come to the December Love Feast at the Methodist Church and to the people at the Safehouse and to the Abbott House. I made three pillowcases tonight and I ordered 5 buy one-get one free pillows at Kohls yesterday. We are asking for people to make cases, donate pillows or just donate money so all the worker bees can sew up the goods. We are calling it Pillows for People and using Matthew 11:28 as a verse - Come ye to me all ye who labor and are heavy laden and I shall give you rest. I will try to take some pictures of the cases. I made one tonight with beautiful cowboy boots on the main fabric and put a batik topper that looked like leather. I made another with jungle animals and a zebra topper. We have a little over sixty days to accomplish this.

Blocks to Share

2010-05-23T11:20:00.000-07:00

A group of us who are friends of education are making a quilt to raise money for the Community Foundation that supports scholarships for students from both public and private high schools in Mitchell. We selected the fabric called "Wildflowers" by Heather Mulder Peterson and I just love the colors. My block is a Jacob's Ladder and I believe my squares are all the right size this time and I even got one or two to be very close to "great". I am allergic to the work "perfect". I have all 13 done. The 12 of us will each take one and then put together the quilt for the foundation together. I think it will be quite special. I can tell because when I lay all 13 blocks out together, I like what I see.

Latest projects

2010-05-23T11:12:00.001-07:00

First I wanted to show you the Kaffe Fassett finished on the bed. I love it.

Then I wanted to show you the darling purse I made out of little grandson worn out jeans. I was cutting some denim squares out of the legs but couldn't bear to waste the perfectly great pockets for cell phones, change, credit card holders and the like. I stitched across the bottom. Added a ruffle and some straps for handles. I think they would work for little or big girls. Plan to sell them at the Garage Sale in a couple of weeks.

I may not post but I read your blogs

2010-05-18T21:20:00.000-07:00

So Busy! But I read everyday and love to see what others are doing. I know I am sucking it in and not giving any back. I will! In the meantime, wander over to http://the-quilt-shoppe.blogspot.com/ In Stitches and join in on their bingo fun. Hope you do!

A Stash Request

2010-04-12T18:03:00.000-07:00

Many of you know that I am an educator. Actually my role at this point in my career is as an educational consultant working with administrators and teachers across South Dakota who are trying to improve the education and achievement of students. This week I am staying in Valentine Nebraska and traveling about 30 miles west and north to the Rosebud Indian Reservation to the St Francis Indian School. For a year now, my staff and I have been coaching teachers and I have gotten to know a beautiful Lakota woman who teaches in the school. Marion teaches beading, quilting, cooking, and it is evident she cares deeply for the students. She needs an iron and I plan to bring her one of mine from when we had two households. There are many warehouses that send their ends to schools like this but we all know what that fabric might be like. I don't have to reiterate the poverty found in this part of our country either. Sew in order for Marion to encourage her students and provide materials appealing to their eyes, I would like to request your help. She will use the fabric when school starts in the fall and having some projects and fabric to show students will help up recruit students to take the classes. What I would like to ask is for each of you to select a couple of fat quarters cluttering your stash (you don't have a real need for them now) and mail them to Marion. Let's call it "Fabrics For Fall". Please send this stash request on to others in blog land and who knows what they can do.
Mail your Fabrics For Fall to:
Marion Running Horse
PO Box 379
St Francis, South Dakota 57572-0379

If you pass this clip art on, then we can make big things happen!

Added color

2010-04-11T21:05:00.000-07:00

Yesterday after the Saturday Sampler at the Pin Cushion, we celebrated Pam's birthday at the wonderful coffee shop down the block. Quilting friends are the very best. Of course some of us couldn't resist going back to the Pin Cusion to add to our fabric collection. I selected a dark brown to add as a border on the Kaffe Fassett quilt in the last post. I plan to quilt it with varigated thread and lay it upon a white coverlet on our bed. I think it will be quite stunning.
I also finished a wallhanging for the Minnesota boys with fish on it. I will take a picture when I return home with the binding hand stitched while I am away.
I also have almost finished a shrug made of alpaca yarn. I am planning to make some as Christmas gifts. They are absolutely gorgeous!
Meanwhile, I am having fun reading blogs.

This is UFO Monday for me

2010-04-05T09:46:00.000-07:00

I purchased this fabric when I was in Chanhassen a few weeks ago. I just fell in love with the colors. Used a quick quilt pattern for a start and then added my own borders and white to strike up the band. This plays "WOW".

The ABCs of Me

2010-03-24T19:53:00.000-07:00

Polly over at Aunt Polly's Porch had this entry on her blog and I thought it was a nifty way to get to know my cyber friend better. Enjoy this from me.
A- Age: 63 and loving life

B- Bed size: Queen, and I really love to get home and sleep in it

C- Chore you hate: washing windows but I love sparkling glass

D- Dog's name: Abbey (she is an English Cocker Spaniel, get it?)

E- Essential food/item: chocolate, prefer Snickers

F- Favorite color: periwinkle blue

G- Gold or silver: with bling bling it doesn't matter

H- Height: 5'1"

I- I am: not a morning person

J- Job: education change agent

K- Kids: son and daughter

L- Living arrangements: home was built in 1923 near the world's only Corn Palace

M-Mom's name: Carol

N- Nickname: DocSly (the baseball players from DWU gave me that)

O- Overnight hospital stay: too many to list

P- Pet peeve: people who can't make decisions

Q- Quote from a movie: "You had me at "hello"

R- Right or left handed: write right, pitch left

S- Siblings: 1 brother who is 9 years younger and very special to me

T- Time you wake up: up by the clock, wake about 10 am

U- Unique thing about your car: a Toyota with no runaway problem

V- Vegetable you hate: turnips, rutabaga, carrots, celery

W- Ways you run late: can't find my phones

X- X-rays you've had: again too many to list

Y- Yummy food you make: bean soup, pecan pie

Z- Zoo favorite: I don't like zoos!!!

That's ME- A to Z!! Your turn!!

Remember the Strings Challenge?

2010-03-13T12:22:00.000-08:00

I have started another project with my scraps. I just loved the way these turned out. I just stitch them onto some muslin. I will be making wall hanging for the quilt room I think or maybe I will put them on the ceiling (LOL). I have two blocks done so far.

Winter Mini Swap

2010-03-13T12:18:00.000-08:00

I found this wonderful batik fabric and decided it was just what I wanted for a focal piece in the mini swap quilt I was making for Megan. I used batiks for this and then added a beautiful varigated blue thread for the "Tracks in the Snow". I love the way it turned out and I hope she likes it.

These Boots Were Made for Warmth

2010-03-13T11:58:00.001-08:00

I am so proud of my sister-in-law. She is just a quilting queen! She has completed her third king size quilt in one year. This one is various beautiful fabrics in squares that are boots. 11 piece boot square, by the way. We created a boot border complete with a bull dogger heel for the borders. The lasso design was created for the strips between the blocks. She quilted on my machine the last weekend of February when they came to visit. I just love it. Be certain to click and take a close look at the variety of prints she used.

Watch These Updates

2010-03-13T11:46:00.000-08:00

I will start with my latest creation. First I will show you the view of our house from the street and the view outside my quilting room. Finally have some light coming through the skylight in my kitchen. It has been covered with a drift since two days before Christmas. These pictures inspired me to create a breath of spring from stash fabrics of florals. I love flowers and always have to pick up a fat quarter of something if it catches my eye. I needed this color to survive the last two weeks.

Fall Swap Mini Quilt

2010-01-22T22:39:00.001-08:00

I just think this mini quilt is beautiful. Denise told me about how they have acorns on her hill and then her husband spreads corn for the wildlife to continue their presence in the fall. It is beautifully done and makes me excited to know if the person who received my mini quilt likes it as well. Swaps are fun.

Aunt Polly is having a blogversary

2010-01-21T20:38:00.000-08:00

Bebop over to Aunt Polly's Porch! http://auntpollysporch.blogspot.com/2010/01/my-1st-blogaversary-givaway.html and read about her giveaway. Since I told you about it, I have two more chances to win. What a love prize package and if you follow her blog as I have, you will find she has some amazing ideas and wonderful things to share. It is worth you time.

This Land is My Land

2010-01-19T18:55:00.000-08:00

I have been thinking about what a wonderful place this "blog" land is and I really look forward to the chance to read the blogs of people who are becoming my cyber friends. I watch for your posts, I marvel at your talents, and I begin to feel like I know you in some bit of a way. So here is my idea! I propose we make a quilted block of our choice and put a border around it so that the total size of the block is six inches. In other words, if your inside block is 4 inches then your border would be 2 1/2 inches so the total block would be 6 inches. If your inside block is 5 inches, then your border would be 1 and 1/2 inches to make an 6 inch square. On the border we will write our name and our location. I promise to mail a block to anyone who mails a block to me. I would just like to see how many friends I can collect in 30 days and from how many different places. The way you can get on board is to make a comment on my blog and send me an e-mail at docslyst@gmail.com. If you would like to send and recieve blocks from others just put your e-mail in your comment so that others can e-mail you with their intention. I will not mail one to you until you mail one to me with a return address. I will post a picture of my blocks tomorrow. I will e-mail my address to you after your comment. I hope to collect enough blocks to make a lap quilt to cover my lap when I am reading your blogs. Hope you join the fun and we will be done by February 18!

No Strings Attached

2010-01-13T20:31:00.000-08:00

I have been "piecefully" following this blog and Stephanie has posted a challenge I must take. http://loftcreations.blogspot.com/
Yes, Sara, you know I am random abstract and sometimes I can't follow my nose. Off I go again.
To quote Loft Creations
*This is a personal challenge, not a swap*We make our blocks any size we want. *We can make any projects we want--tablerunner, quilt, clothes, pillows--whatever tickles our fancy--but they must be string projects*Make as many projects as your heart desires*You must use scraps or fabrics you already have. The only fabric you are "allowed" to buy is for border, backing, binding, lining if necessary and only if necessary. Remember this is a challenge to use what you have. Also you may need to purchase the muslin for the foundation.*Blog preferred but if you want to participate and are blogless be prepared to send me photos of your finished projects*Once we finish a project we share it on our blog and let me know...I'll keep a number total by your name.*Projects must be completed by June 30.
Now I don't think I am a "fabricolic" but I do have some stash! So I think this one is right up my alley.

I Have Been Working

2010-01-12T18:43:00.000-08:00

I have too many projects going again. I need some serious self-discipline. I finished my Fall Swap and will be mailing it to a lucky lady tomorrow. It is just too pretty and I am tucking in some surprises too.

I also finished a baby quilt for a very special little lady in Baltimore, a friend of my daughter's daughter. I quilted her name on the bottom of the very pretty quilt.

I am frantically making Baba's Burpees for my new Etsy shop. I love to make them and my daughter loves to give them to her friends. She helps pick the fabrics and then I get to add the cotton fleece.

And I have been knitting and I am helping with a quilt that we are taking to one of the Native American Schools so that they can auction it to help send some students to Europe this summer and I have been reading the newest Jennifer Chiaverinni's books in the Elm Creek series and I have been driving around on the very cold plains. The frost on the trees this morning was so beautiful.

Wish my friend Sara, WELL!

2010-01-01T18:54:00.000-08:00

Many of you may know that Sara and I are friends. Her blog is "My Sewing Room". She had emergency surgery on Tuesday and will be in the hospital for a time and then home recuperating. Please wish her well by visiting her site where she has a beautiful blue snowflake quilt showing.

Sew Lucky Am I

2009-11-30T17:18:00.000-08:00

It has been a frantic month but I have had some time to quilt and see my grandboys. I had to get online immediately because Vince gave me my birthday present early. Tonight when I came home he had carried my gift up to the quilting room and I had to show all of you. He designed it himself to hold my grandmother's sewing machine head that I have always cherished. He cleaned it up as it was covered with a sticky grime from being anywhere except in a house for years. We converted the treadle feet and drawers to a sewing table for me many years ago but the head has always been saved for something special. Here it is, all polished up except for the worn off painting where it has been used. The three little drawers are for quilting threads, scissors and tools, and buttons. The middle shelf holds my books and magazines and the bottom shelf accommodates my seasonal stash (can be changed to meet the seasonal needs I am working on). I just love it!

Sew Where Have I Been?

2009-10-22T17:37:00.000-07:00

There is just no excuse for not blogging! I have been busy with work and now we are traveling, but there is just no excuse for not blogging! Actually, I have been working on some projects. I mailed my friendship bag to Australia. I have started on my Fall Mini Quilt Swap. I have been working on getting some fall wall hangings done. But most of all, I have been using my trusty book, Quilters Travel Companion that my brother and sister-in-law gave me for Christmas last year.
Vince and I have been on a well-needed vacation. We left Mitchell last Friday night and this is our seventh night on the road. The foliage we have seen is certainly the most beautiful of God's quilts. The roads through Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky were gorgeous, but when we drove into the mountains of Virginia, West Virginia, and Maryland the expanse was breathtaking. The weather in Williamsburg was warm and sunny and I needed that. We also took in the drive to the Delmarva Peninsula and the sight of water gave me a thrill.
Today, however, I visited a most delightful quilt shop in Ohio. I have visited many on our trip but this shop was special. Kathryn, the owner, helped tally up my purchases and I told her that I was going to spread the word on this wonderful place. Lucky are the people who live near Springfield, Ohio (not Illinois) as Creative Fires was a real find. I have never seen and touched so many beautiful flannels. As we were driving, I had decided that I was going to put a tree or a wreath in the center of the twelve friendship blocks we made and shared for a Christmas quilt. I found the pattern for the wreath at Creative Fires. One of the very pleasant staff told me that the owners started out selling stoves, then Bernina sewing machines and one of the customers asked Kathryn why she didn't sell fabric as well, thus the name Creative Fires.
The pattern book I bought for the wreath is one of Eleanor Burns books but in the shop they have the wreath done in four different fabric types for the four seasons. I took a picture which I will download when we get home on Saturday.
The great part about finding this shop is that they are building a new web site and you can order from them online. http://www.creativefires.net/ Check it out!

Progress

2009-08-30T17:59:00.000-07:00

I have been having some great fun finishing projects. First, I finished my summer mini quilt swap and it is packaged ready to go to Europe. Can't tell you any more than that. I named it Dew on the Daisy. I really think it is quite pretty.

I also finished the pillow and lap throw for my nephew and his bride to be on September 12th. I love Holly Taylor's Moda fabric and this year's is no exception. The lap throw is the "Cabin Fever" created for Frosted Memories. I added a border so that it is a bit bigger and I used the Qbot to quilt snowflakes on the cornerstones and inner border. I think it turned out quite well. If you click on the cornerstone I think you can see the snowflake. Loads of love anyway.

What a difference a center makes

2009-08-19T21:06:00.000-07:00

I have not had much time to sew lately with schools starting and work hectic. I did spend a bit of time tonight working on my mini summer quilt swap. I have never done a Dresden plate block and I had picked up some gorgeous daisy prints earlier this summer. Daisies and summer go together in my book. Well, my creative juices are going and I added some old crystal beads I had in my sewing room and now I believe I am going to call it "Dew on the Daisy" as the bit of sparkle reminds me of that. Be sure you click on the picture because then you can see the sparkley thread also. I just had to take these two pictures because the center made so much difference in the block. I'll be certain to show you the finished block before I mail it away.

Another Swap

2009-08-11T20:10:00.000-07:00

I am just loving it. I love to give gifts and it is fun to get packages in the mail. Hurry over to Quilting Gallery and join in the fun. This is the cutest little bag and just think of what you could put in it.
Wanted to include a picture of all of us from Mitchell who went to Quilts and Vines last Saturday. I know some of you read Sara's blog (she is in the picture). I am in the hat on the right in the back.

Baba in South Dakota is Praying for Stellan

2009-07-27T20:27:00.001-07:00

God is working in our "small world". Leslie wants us to wear orange tomorrow! This dear little one and his family are friends of my daughter and her family in Minnesota. I know God is watching over him and his family. Stellan is a precious child who is in the hearts and prayers of many. I pray that all of my blogging friends begin to pray for him and spread story far and wide. God will do the rest!

By the way, go to Leslie's post and add your post! http://www.lambertslately.com/2009/07/orange-for-stellan.html#links

Just to let you know I am reading the blogs

2009-07-26T19:21:00.000-07:00

ABC's of ME
I've seen this on Sara's and Tonya's , so I thought I'd give it a shot as well.
A - Age - 62
B - Bed size - Queen and I love to sleep
C - Chore you hate - cleaning the cat box
D - Dog's name - our English Cocker is called "Abbey"
E - Essential "start your day" item - coffee with cream
F - Favorite color - lime green and red
G - Gold or silver? well, I really like both and together
H - Height - about 5' 1"
I - Instruments you play - I played the clarinet and piano
J - Job title - Agency Director
K - Kids - son 37 (next month), daughter 34
L - Living arrangements - the most kind man in the world who happens to be my second husband
M - Mom's name - Carol
N - Nicknames - Mickey and DocSly
O - Overnight hospital stays (except when giving birth) - too many to mention
P - Pet peeve - someone who listens with their mouth going
Q - Quote from a movie - anthing said by Dermot Mulroney
R - Right or left handed? Right
S - Siblings? a brother who almost nine years younger than me
T - Time you wake up - through the week early enough, weekends - 8:00 or so
U - Underwear? always
V - Vegetable you dislike - chard
W - Workout style - I try to do something everyday and that means walking or biking at the rec
X - X-rays you've had - I light up
Y - Yesterday's best moments - baseball game in Denver with my grandson
Z - Zoo favorites - I really don't like the zoo at all!

I've Been Sew Busy

2009-07-14T07:37:00.000-07:00

I have completed 14 Boutique Burpees (Allison's friends are having babies and the shop down town has a supply to sell now). The fabric for one of them is sew cool I wanted to show you a closeup picture.

Last night Marilyn and I went over to Sara's for dinner and sewing. We each made a grommet purse and it went together very quickly and nicely. I plan to make another this evening for me to take on our vacation this Friday. Four fat quarters and away you go.

I also finished a Christmas wall hanging. Lots of hand sewing going on while I recuperate from the surgery. I am planning to take plenty in the car this weekend as well. Need to get a wedding gift completed this week to take along to bind as well.

Must go back to work but didn't want you to think I have been deprived of creative sewing time.

Congrats to Sherri

2009-07-07T21:59:00.000-07:00

I really enjoy Sherri's blog and have been a follower for a time. She is celebrating one year of blogging. Check her out at http://aquiltinglife.blogspot.com/ A Quilting Life. She is a great blogger with so many ideas and wonderful projects to share.

Sorta quilting

2009-06-27T21:26:00.000-07:00

While we were on the Guild Shop Hop early this month, I saw this nifty wall decoration. It was so beautiful outside today that I just had to have a reason to sit on the deck for a little time between quilting and exercising. If I go exercise, the I can "quilt without guilt". I have to remember that one of my reasons for adopting another hobby (other than knitting) was to help keep me away from food. Anyway, back to my deck time. In one of the shops they had an old Scrabble board hanging on the wall. I loved it and now I have one for the quilting room. I am missing some tiles (thimble, pin, rip, triangle) but I am going to watch for a garage sale and snap up another game so that I can add more words and fill in my blanks. I made 13 boutique burpees for Allison today. She has numerous friends having babies and I love the fabrics she selects for me to stitch. More handstitching than anything.

What a beautiful surprise

2009-06-18T08:42:00.000-07:00

Tonya from North Carolina just brightened my day with my mini-quilt arrival in the mail. And four fat quarters as well. What a fun way to share some happiness in this world. I love the colors.

Had to include a picture of "the girls". We have been keeping Allison's two dogs for two weeks while they visit family in Michigan. I just love the attention they give. Bailey is the big Golden Retriever. She is by far the best behaved and loving animal I have known. Elly is the small beautiful "muttress" Allison adopted when she was at Clemson. Elly is on Grandpa's "sh__ list" for her trips to the basement and her misbehaviors. Then there is our own Abby that is hyperactive, ADD, and as Vince names it, TDD (too d---- dumb). She does love unconditionally however.

Giveaway at Quilt Qua

2009-06-16T19:51:00.000-07:00

I sew love Holly Taylor and her Moda fabrics. Was glad to read about this on Sara's blog. I would love to win this and really enjoyed looking around this web site.

A wonderful giveaway

2009-06-14T20:24:00.000-07:00

Kaaren has posted a giveaway on her blog. The Painted Quilt is one of the blogs I follow. You better go check it out!

Mini Quilt Spring Swap

2009-06-14T20:10:00.000-07:00

Today was a productive day in quilting and I did a good deal of hand work while watching the College World Series in Omaha. I wish I was there!

I finished my mini quilt to send to Polly. I think it is quite pretty.

The detail in the center white square are tiny yellow crystals. I quilted the edges with tulips as that it is the flower on the border.

I also quilted a table runner for Christmas. Yes, I know, it is a last year's Moda panel but I think it turned out quite well. I used a snowflake block pattern on the Q-bot. It was fun to do. Different sizes and it looks sharp. One project done and many to go.

Follow Tonya

2009-06-11T19:53:00.001-07:00

I have been following Tonya and now she has a giveaway. http://tonyassewingroom.blogspot.com/2009/06/100th-post-giveaway.html Sew nifty! I will post a picture of my finished mini swap quilt tomorrow.

Quilt Guild Trip

2009-06-08T19:21:00.001-07:00

The trip was fantastic and we had a great time. The first shop we went to was Heart and Hand Dry Goods in Sioux City, Iowa. http://www.heartandhand.com/ It was not a large store but just full of wonderful projects. I especially loved the pillowcase kits they had arranged and the napkin kits were splendid. I bought a pattern book for Big Blocks and the layer cake to do a quilt of that sort. Low and behold, when we got on the bus, I realized I had selected the Moda Christmas Wishes layer cake that made one of the patterns in the book.

We then went to the Omaha Quilt Show at UNO sport center. It wasn't as large as I had expected but the quilts displayed were exquisite. Many art quilts that I appreciate but don't want to make. My favorite quilt was an applique masterpiece. At the quilt show I bought a pattern for a triangle bag I hope to make soon.

After the show, we went to a very nice shop in Omaha. They were demonstrating a crazy cut block that I just had to have. Sunshine Stitches http://www.sunshinestitches.com/ was a beautiful store with many choices. It was very different from the shop in the morning. I found a darling Christmas panel that will be on my list of projects soon.

We ate at the Cheesecake Factory on the patio. It was a lovely evening and the company was divine.

On Saturday we went to Plattsmouth, Nebraska to Seams To Be Quilts shop http://www.seamstobequilts.com/index.htm. Plattsmouth has a neat main street with many antique shops. I bought a Bohn marking pen the owner had shown to me at the Quilt Show. Again the shop was unique. More panels than you could imagine. I found a birthday present for Marilyn in the coffee shop across the street. We left Plattsmouth for Papillion, Nebraska and the Country Sampler Too http://www.countrysampleronline.com/index.php. Needless to say we found some beautiful fabric but I loved the placemat template and will have a tutorial next week on this blog. The Quilted Moose http://www.quiltedmooseonline.com/ in Gretna was probably my favorite. Beautiful quilts on the wall, kits everywhere, wonderful children's fabric, and I will definitely return. The last shop was certainly not the least, three floors, County Traditions http://www.countrytraditionsonline.com/ in Fremont was a real find. I bought a significant amount of sale fabric.

It was a great trip. Met wonderful new friends, relaxed with some of closest friends, and picked up loads of ideas and material for gifts.

Mini Quilt Spring Swap

2009-06-04T20:39:00.000-07:00

A sneak preview of the piece I am working on for someone special. She likes spring flowers. I have never done a scalloped edge so I am in the middle of binding the edge. I love the pattern. Hope she does also.

Leaving for Omaha on a quilt trip tomorrow morning. Such fun!

A beautiful wallhanging

2009-05-24T17:20:00.001-07:00

Marcia and Sandy came over today to quilt the beautiful wallhanging Marcia has been working on for her sister. The pictures do not do it justice. Sew many pieces!!!!! Marcia decided to meander quilt and she did an absolutely great job. She used a batik for the backing and it is stunning.

Something for Polly!

2009-05-21T21:18:00.000-07:00

She says, "I love spring flowers... tulips, hyacinths...and big beautiful peonies...wild cottage gardens with wrought iron gates and shadowed glades for fairies to hide in..."
She lives in Clifton, Virginia.
I have started the project and I think it is pretty. I used a Pinwheel Bow block from book called Lessons From Mama by Atkinson Designs.

Rolling On

2009-05-21T20:24:00.001-07:00

My friend, Sara, took this picture on Tuesday night when we gathered at Marilyn's house to put the 80 blocks (16 made by 5 of us) together. Marilyn suggested the design and bought the book for the pattern. The pattern is called "Rolling On" which is most appropriate as we are making it for a raffle to support a foundation being started by my grandson, Dillon's, teacher who is Mrs. M. She was diagnosed with breast cancer this year and her students have rallied for her fight against this horrible disease.

You can see more pictures on Sara's blog (see my favorites). I couldn't believe how rapidly it went together with each of us pinning, stitching, pressing, and trimming. I love being with my friends and creating something while we are together. Dillon picked out the backing which is the softest cotton and we will quilt it on Saturday at my house. The veteran quilters tell me that since it is somewhat busy in fabric and design, we should quilt it in a rather simplistic manner, probably large meandering. Some lucky person will have this gorgeous quilt in their home by the end of June. The blocks were quick and easy to make. Tina suggested it would be a nifty pattern for scraps. Our blocks are shades of pink, white, and black. I am hoping Sara will make a computerized label for the back so that 100 years from now someone will know that in 2009 people cared about people and making a difference meant using your talents to create something useful and beautiful for others!

Want to buy a chance?

Pay It Forward to Reddirt Woman

2009-05-08T17:20:00.000-07:00

I am finally finishing my Pay It Forward projects. First one goes to Helen! These were the steps: 1) I found two fat quarters that I especially liked and machine quilted the two together. 2) I folded the fat quarters in half and stitched and bound the sides. 3) I bound the top edge and added a ring to the inside to hook your keys to (Sara taught me this trick). You can see the black circle and bead near the top of the inside of the bag. 4) I used drapery locking rings for the circles to put the handle through. These are really slick! 5) I took a conference lanyard (educators get them all the time for name badges) and used the ring for inside and took the lanyard to give the handles some strength. I love the fabric and I hope Helen loves it too. I will mail it tomorrow after show and tell at the Pin Cushion!

That Christmas Project

2009-05-08T17:19:00.001-07:00

Thought you might like to see Mary's (she lives in North Carolina) block that will be part of the Christmas exchange quilt we are making. Each of us will have our own quilt from the blocks and the 13th blocks will be put together to raffle for Cancer. I think this block is beautiful!

Been Sew Busy

2009-05-04T16:12:00.000-07:00

My brother and sister-in-law came over this weekend from Minnesota and Linda brought her first quilt to quilt. It is beautiful and she really did an excellent job. We put a star in each little four block center and then she meandered the rest. I have a couple of pictures to show her work.

On the weekend I also finished my 16 squares for the Eighty Wheeler quilt we are making for my grandson's teacher who is starting a foundation for cancer in our community. I love them and when we combine our 80 squares it should be awesome. It is black, white, and shades of pink.

Call Me Compulsive

2009-05-01T17:06:00.000-07:00

I signed up for this today - a quilt swap on a wonderful blog. http://quiltinggallery.com/swaps/spring-blooms-2009/

Actually treevillemary had it on her blog. I think this will be fun. Just one more project for me to get started.

Did I tell you that a few of us are making a quilt for my grandson's teacher who is starting a foundation? She had fought breast cancer this year. The quilt is going to be black white with pink. I will take a picture of the four blocks that I made for it. We are each making 4 of each block and then will mix. It is soooooooo neat!

Can I Quilt With You?

2009-04-28T18:11:00.000-07:00

A secret we have been keeping is that a mother squirrel has taken up housekeeping very near our home and one of the little ones has decided to take up quilting. When Vince and I went into my quilting room this evening, this is what we saw through the window. He or she, not sure, posed for numerous pictures. While I was unable to turn off the flash, we still got some great photos of our little friend.

Pay It Forward

2009-04-23T10:53:00.001-07:00

I got this wonderful idea from another one of my favorite blogs. We have heard about paying if forward. I loved the movie and I have done it in the line at McDonalds once or twice. Now a chance to do it on my quiliting blog. If you are willing to start the chain of random acts of kindness in our world and promise to pay it foward, this blog post is for you. I will "pay it forward" to the first three people who comment on this post. I will send you something I have made with special kindness. You must then post this idea on your blog and continue the chain reaction. What a wonderful way to get through this economic slump. Our own quilters stimulus plan.

Easter sewing

2009-04-13T19:13:00.001-07:00

We got together on Good Friday and quilted up a storm. It was so much fun and much productive work was completed. We had Saturday Sampler and got our new block for the month. A tree in our "Favorite Things". I was inspired to make a couple of gifts for Easter after that. I won the fat quarter in the small bag on the left that I designed. I also designed the "egg mat". It really quilted on the machine nicely.

Seams So Great!!!

Also, if you love blogs like I do, hurry over to http://aquiltinglife.blogspot.com/ and read about Sherri's 100th post on her blog and her giveaway. This world of learning from other bloggers is a wonderful thing. It is really a beautiful bag.

I Sew Love the Snow

2009-04-06T20:52:00.000-07:00

Really do believe it is April and the song talks about showers but I thought it was suppose to be rain, not snow. Oh well, that just means more time inside and so I sew. I have some pictures to post of projects that I have been working on.
Allison has some friends who are having babies so we decided to make some "boutique burp-ups". That is what I am calling them. Rectangles about 18 inches by 11 inches made of beautiful fabric on one side and some organic cotton fleece on the other. I order the fleece from Very Baby http://verybaby.com/ and I can get 10 burp-ups from a yard of it. I washed it before I quilted because it warned of shrinkage. I am using some Amy Butler prints that are quite charming. I will mail six of them to Allison in the Easter package. I also made the boys their Easter placemats from some cute bunny fabric.
I made a bag today out of some fat quarters I picked up at Heavenly Patchwork while in Minnesota http://www.heavenlypatchworkquiltshop.com/. The pattern was in one of my recent magazines. I just made it smaller. I love the big buttons that are in bright colors.
I am designing another quilt. It will be predominately blue but will have a rainbow color arrangement from corner to opposite corner. I have the pattern arranged, now just need to gather the fabrics and begin to make the simple half triangle blocks.

March goes out

2009-03-31T19:57:00.000-07:00

My goal was to make at least one Christmas item each month so that when fall came, I wasn't overwhelmed. Well, I finished the wall hanging, two of Allison's Christmas placemats, and three of my Christmas blocks for the exchange. All is well even though we had a real South Dakota blizzard today and it was great impetus to complete something Christmas like. I need to finish the spring placemats for the Minnesota boys tomorrow so that I can mail them later this week.
McCalls magazine has a mystery quilt showcased in this month's magazine. I think I will make the blocks in blue and perhaps use the quilt in our bedroom. I have loads of blue fat quarters but may have to invest in some bigger pieces of something I really love.

Christmas in March

2009-03-24T19:45:00.001-07:00

I decided to do something for Christmas each month so that the fall doesn't become inadated with projects. This month I completed a pattern done by Karen Taylor for Moda. I bought the fabric last summer in Minnesota and decided to do the wall hanging. I also completed two of the six placemats in the same fabric line for Allison. I delivered those this past weekend. I really love this Birchwood Lane line of fabric for last Christmas. I am pleased with how it turned out.

Something for one of my sweethearts

2009-03-16T19:08:00.000-07:00

I made this cozy small quilt for my little Garrett. I know he will love the monkeys. I think grown-ups should get quilts made of this fuzzy stuff. If you look closely at the picture on the left, you can see Garrett's name. Love my Q-bot!

Wonderful Sunday Afternoon

2009-03-15T21:25:00.000-07:00

What a wonderful way to spend a Sunday afternoon! My friend, Pam, came over and we quilted her first quilt. She attended the same class this fall and made the "Seven, Eight, Lay Them Straight" pattern as I finished last month. I took a picture of the silver blue thread pattern on the background and then a picture of the top. It is amazing how different the quilts look with the different colors. It took us three hours to quilt the top. It looked so nice. The first of many I hope. Great job, Pam.

Remember the Block Exchange

2009-03-14T14:50:00.000-07:00

Sara sent a picture of her block. It is called "Arm Flags" from the Ode to Aging Saturday Sampler. This is what the second of twelve blocks will look like in the exchange. Of course she has the focus fabric which is green holly. Don't you just love the jacquard gold she used (looks like polka dots). Really spectacular in the block. Thanks, Sara.

Cathy's Quilt

2009-03-13T19:17:00.000-07:00

Almost a year ago I offered to make my "sister" a quilt. She lives in Michigan and really has a sense for color and decorating. She wanted a quilt for her upstairs bedroom. Well she wanted a tone on tone and the tone was cream. It has been a real pistol to make as what I thought was a simple pattern had many cuts and seams and the more of those I have, the greater chance for small errors. The pattern was in a magazine and was called "Lemon Bars". The magazine is Better Homes and Garden Quilts and More, Spring 2008. I think she will love it as everyone who sees it done believes it is quite elegant. She knew it would be, I couldn't see the forest for the trees. I used a simple heart on heart design to quilt it. Here are the pictures. The backing is a warm brown she selected. Putting the label on a bedsize quilt is a great feeling.

Sara's Sew Beautiful

2009-03-09T20:53:00.000-07:00

My friend, Sara, came over on Saturday and we finally were able to machine quilt her beautiful turquoise and black quilt. The circles pattern looks really nifty on the black and white dot backing. Notice the beautiful print in the border. It came out so well. Only took her two hours to complete. She plans to bind it in black like the narrow inner border. I learn a great deal about color from Sara.

This Year's Saturday Sampler

2009-03-09T16:01:00.001-07:00

I have my first block done in this year's Saturday Sampler which is called Favorite Things. I selected the dippin dots fabric. The bonus block this month is one done in batiks. I wonder who the lucky winner will be of all of those beautiful blocks. This block is all done in 2 1/2 stips. Really simple.

Block Exchange

2009-03-07T06:29:00.001-08:00

I have been reading about block exchanges, so I approached some friends and we decided to put together a Christmas exchange. Twelve of us are making a block to exchange plus one. We will take the thirteenth blocks and make a quilt to auction for charity. The focus fabric we each need to incorporate is the green holly that is the triangle in my block. This block is called Jack in the Box and this is my first block completed. The white fabric has snowflakes and the light green has the words in script of "Twas the Night Before Christmas". Only took me three tries to get it exactly like I wanted. I am so excited!

When One Rides, One Sees More Billboards

2009-03-05T19:52:00.000-08:00

On Saturday, my brother and sister-in-law were visiting us from Minnesota. John had seen some books at Al's Oasis in Oacoma so we were off on a short road trip. I drive I-90 everyday to my office in Platte, but the stretch from exit 292 to Chamberlain was "not so often viewed" territory so I took advantage of being a rider and not driving. I noticed a billboard advertising the Quilt Shop on Chamberlain's main street. So after we visited Al's and of course, had some pie, we drove across the Missouri and up Main Street.
I didn't have my camera with me but we drove up in front of a nice house with a big front porch. Upon entering, we found ourselves in a neatly organized, but really full of fabrics, with rooms of fabric to view. They even had a room with items finished items for sale. The two owners were very nice to talk to and we found out you can bring a group for a retreat. They have a finished basement with ironing boards and cutting places. You just bring your machines, UFOs, and some refreshments for the weekend.
I plan to tell my friends about this place. I also got to see the new accucut machine and die for cutting fast and accurately. A great item for a group to purchase and share. I really recommend stopping at this shop if you are near Chamberlain. I plan to go back!

Seven Eight Lay Them Straight

2009-02-24T16:57:00.000-08:00

In order to learn all the basics after I had been quilting for six months, I took a beginners class at the Pin Cushion. It was great! I had the top finished but had not sewn the borders. I really didn't like the fabric selection as well as when I started. The gals suggested I add a bright yellow border, so I did. Loaded it on my frame and quilted for an hour and a half tonight. My Q-bot is doing the circles pattern on the quilt from top to bottom. I think it looks cool.

My First Saturday Sampler

2009-02-22T09:56:00.000-08:00

I began quilting January 2008 and this is the first finished product that is a composition of many blocks made over the year. Our local quilt shop has a Saturday Sampler and this year it was baskets and I selected the batik fabric designs. Here are my pictures. It is bright and cozy. I picked nine of the twelve baskets as a couple just didn't turn out well. My major learning on this project was the importance of 1/4 inch seam allowances. My machine is a bit off so I bought a special foot and the last three baskets came out exact. The flowers were an extra block you could make each month. I added butterflies to some baskets to change it up a bit.

To Quilt or Knit?

2009-02-21T21:16:00.000-08:00

That is a question! I have been a knitter since I was eight years old. That story another time. I became a quilter about one year ago at the coaxing of my friend and colleague, Sara. I learned to stitch when I was very young. I still have my first sewing machine. My mother was a Home Economics teacher and she loved to sew. She made most of my clothes when I was growing up. My grandmother had the patience however to teach me to make quilt blocks and of course, I started with a nine block. I don't think I ever put a block together with another block but I remember making beautiful combinations on my little machine.
I have decided to start another blog because I really love reflecting in this way. I hope to interact with other quilters in this fashion. Perhaps, I can learn something from you. It all seams sew simple!