this and that on a Sunday

 For all of you who think I get "so much done"  I slowed down a lot in the last two weeks time.  Actually stopped would probably be a more apt description.

The sum total of my output for that time frame has been as follows----

• Binding cut, seamed, pressed and applied to a 60 x 90 ish QOV for the veterans home.  See THIS  post

• Binding pressed for February----see the same post

• 2-55 x 72 ish batts pieced from batting scraps.  See THIS post

• a minute amount of embroidery on my basket block.

• Those 4- 3 inch finished courthouse steps blocks you see on the design wall.  That was yesterday's project.   Wish I had made the center a darker color but it is too late now!  Not much of stashbuster with those itty bitty strips, LOL.

The flying geese and pine tree block you see on the design wall are some sections that I managed to get done a long time back.  Unfortunately the geese will no longer work in the spot I made them for and will be re-done---possibly today.  Possibly not as I want to try a suggestion I had received about quilting my redwork Santa quilt.  OR I may use the machine to anchor down the February hearts in some manner so I can pin it Tuesday, seeing as I have the right machine out for that. 

If you wanted to count all the time I spent designing on the Christmas quilt plus printing and re-organizing the notebook for the patterns and printouts, then yeah, maybe I did get a little bit more done.  My view is that I spent a whole lot of time thinking about sewing and planning to sew but  not much actual sewing,  hands on time.

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My pal Norma were talking this weekend and as we often do, start sharing websites we have seen.   We can and do lead each other astray----and do it often!  But I love bouncing ideas off of her.  When you are slumpy and not really motivated, it helps get that creativity going again.

Turns out The Quilt Patch shop that she had visited in Moose Jaw, SK will be coming to her area to do a trunk show soon.  She loved the shop in person and they had some patterns she had not seen in other places.  She linked me to their kit page.  I asked her which one appealed to her most.   She replied Happy Trails with the strip pieced sections but added applique interest---the flower stems are made from rick rack for a whimsical touch. She is right---it is CUTE!

Norma felt that they were probably going to focus on promoting their new book Urban Country Quilts which had been released by Martingale Press this past fall.  I commented on the cover quilt called Market Fresh wondering whether it was made in the manner similar to a circle quilt I had started as a donation quilt way back in 2001 or so.  Possibly but maybe not as she said they were doing a workshop on it and the melons were appliqued in some manner.  What I was describing sounded like something she had done called "bread and butter plate"  as you actually used a plate for the template--about 7 inches in diameter.  

HMMMMM  Sounds similar to me what I have tucked in the project box.  I told her I would pull out so she could see it.  I don't know if mine really has a name for this technique.  Mine is the Orange Peel set versus a Rob Peter to Pay Paul, two color deal.  I did use a Quilter's Rule International Sew and Fold Circled Patchwork template set to cut the 8 inch circles.  There are three sizes nested for 4, 6, and 8 inch circles which I cut from a bunch of birthday fabric exchange squares.  This was all destined to one day be a WTIL donation quilt that would not need any batting.  Easy to get it this far, LOL.  The circles are all faced by fabric, a small slit made and the pieces turned.    I counted up what was in the box----You see 2 rows of 4 that are not joined, 14 circles are turned and 38 need to be turned plus a few more cut white squares and a few odd fats that I must have planned to include.  Will I ever finish it?   I don't know but turning those circles would be an easy, front of the TV project.    Having said that, there are 8 other project boxes stacked up in there that I would more likely to do first, including a masculine looking Hopscotch quilt designed by one of my fav designers Terry Atkinson.

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RE:   hand quilting on my redwork Santa.  Caron from Celebrate Hand Quilting and MIquilts had commented on one of my recent blog posts.  Since she hand quilts, beautifully I might add, I posed a question about how one might address quilting on a redwork quilt.   I am cross hatching it but do I go straight on thru, like I marked it initially?  Or is it best to go around the design elements?  I may not be the only one wondering about this!  Caron posted it to her group HERE and you may be interested in the replies.  Still no clear cut answer----always two sides to any question, right?  I feel I am on the right track and decide as I work on the blocks.  Is the Santa poufing up too much with the absence of anchoring stitches?   I can certainly go back and quilt around some of the larger design elements.  The beauty of hand quilting means you can go back and add more!  Thanks, Caron!

And one last picture-------look at what is up in our yard!  Ironically, I had just commented on Facebook to a pal in Maine about crocuses and spring coming soon.  DJ came in soon after and told me to get my camera--the yellow ones are up.  Nearby I think I saw the starts of the daffodil stems coming up as well.   It seems too early for this.  Mid February maybe but not late January.   I know winter is not done yet.   PSSST tell that to that weird budding out camellia bush----frost is going to get you!

 Now that I have this post completed do I sew or hunt for my missing set of car keys?????   Have a good day in whatever you have chosen to do and thanks for stopping by.

quilt meeting

In my last post I promised some pics of some of the turned in quilts or some in progress. These are all tops that Lois made.

This one is called "Four-in-Nine-Patch Zigzag" designed by Barbara Douglas and shown in the October 09 issue of Quilter's World. It uses 2 1/2 inch strips or cut squares.

Lois is probably our "Queen of Scraps" though she does some lovely planned quilts as well. Linda C came in with a bag full of scraps and handed it to Lois so bits and pieces of those will be turning up before long. Really it is kind of fun to be pinning and spot something that you know was a backing trim away at one point, LOL. "I remember that one--and this one!" moments.

Next up is Lois' version of Disappearing Nine Patch. It was a block of the month choice at the JOY guild last year and the suggestion was to use a center on the block.

Lois made a semi-planned quilt with the pattern using the same red throughout the top. The twist to the usual version was placing the blocks so they looked like large split framed 4 patches. She carried the same red out to the cornerstones and used the same background fabric for the sashing. It definitely does not make it look like a big blob of color that some D9P's can come out like. Love the scrappy!


This is Lois' version of Eleanor Burn's "Lover's Knot" I love that border print that she used.

I think this one she had made a meandering loopy motif that she free motioned on but a couple of the quilts she described how she did a more planned quilting design. I hope I have the story straight. If not, she reads my blog so can straighten me out, LOL.

She copied off a motif or quilting stencil on the printer and then ran however many copies she had onto erasable bond paper that she had on hand. Then she pins that to the quilt top and stitches through the paper removing it when done. One quilt I noticed she had a flower motif and on the next one, something that reminded me of a molecule or some such scientific symbol. Click to make it bigger and see if you spot it.


Lois also has an embroidery machine so this one has embroidered butterfly motifs scattered on the small triangle areas of the quilt. It looked really cool on the light colored backing she used as the butterflies showed through all layers like they were flying on the background!

I am not sure about the pattern name but I do know that it was designed by Karen Casey at Sew What! quilt shop in Oxford. Linda C made one first and has given away a lot of her old patterns and this was among them. It is oriented on point though---maybe not what you think at first glance. I know this because we helped Linda figure out the pattern at one of our summer meetings pinning the sections to a sheet for her so she didn't lose the pieces as they were laid out. Her version can be seen HERE for a different colorway. LOL, I didn't know the name of it then either! Made with a tricolor strip set is all I know and a good way to use a focus print.

I love looking at quilts like these because it starts me thinking about how I might use my own stash or scrap bins. Who doesn't need a little kick start now and again? I have a couple challenge projects coming up, after all. Tripping through my inspiration photo file, through my purchased patterns and clippings notebooks helps too. Even spotting some one's blog pictures can trigger an idea so it is my hope that you find some inspiration, now and again, from me or someone in my quilt group.

As to what I am working on today----the last three "Be Attitudes" quiltlet bases are stitched up and waiting. Yesterday I rough cut the applique sections and kitted those up. I also checked to see if I had enough binding leftover from the preceeding quilts and added a strip if needed and paired it up. I am ready to "play with paper dolls" as DJ calls it this afternoon--tracing, cutting.

DJ, bless him, was out washing and waxing my car for winter even though it looks like it may rain any minute. Probably on his "to do" list and his is next before he puts the hose up ahead of the colder weather. Leaves are starting to change in earnest this week, I have noticed. More rain is due in but it sure beats the snow that hit my sister's home in the Denver area (she sent pictures--wow, Jan! No wonder you had to shovel twice, maybe more. )

Hope you have a wonderful weekend in whatever you plan to do----

can I still call myself a quilter?

Well, there is not a speck of quilting or sewing going on around here--can I still call myself a quilter? No stashbusting, no cutting, no quilting that quilt that has been waiting for a month. Early this week I twisted my ankle while on my daily walk. Not the first or last time I will do that to my notoriously weak ankle but fortunately, no bruising or swelling so I have been able to continue with my routine after laying off just one day. BUT it has bothered me to get up and down on my foot initially; once up and moving, I don't notice it. Also it hurts to depress the gas pedal so I figured the sewing machine pedal would be the same.

I have been tracking down and printing off heart block patterns for the row quilt that will need to be tended to, sore ankle or not. I found a file I had of heart links needed updating and augmenting as I worked. Also backed up my saved quilt files and pdf's. That's just planning for the future, not sewing. In my search I tracked down a few patterns for purchase (my husband just lets me do the "spend down" thing for Christmas though there is one package I can open that will be a surprise---easier for him and I get what I want) I also found a couple of patterns that will work well for donation quilt work--still, planning for the future with that, not putting it into practice. The large piece of fabric that you see at left is one that my mom sent as a challenge piece for her and I---maybe the Polar Opposites pattern I found on the South Sea Import Fabrics page would work along with some of the fabrics I used in my version of Merkitty challenge. Now that WOULD be stashbusting when I get around to working on it.

So what's up around here? A lot of knitting actually. My long ago knitting UFO, the collar to be specific. I did the binding off stitches on 6 inches of ribbing for a roll collar first thing yesterday morning. If I were hoping to avoid this "antiquing" any further, I would finish sewing all these pieces together. But will I anytime soon? I love doing Aran patterns and love to knit. Finishing? Not so much. (Note Pippi in her perch all scrunched up by the drafty window--also note the cleaned off dresser so I could put up the ceramic Christmas tree Mom made years ago. All the pinned quilts are stuffed up in my closet for now)

I've been itching to start the new cardigan pattern for a week or two and postponing that desire while I worked on the collar. The pattern I ordered just arrived, the larger double point needles I will need for the sleeves are here and the yarn has been purchased weeks ago so let's have fun for one day anyway!! Can't sew or don't want to sew enough to try it?? Row quilt deadline is the end of the month.

You work this raglan sleeved sweater from the neck on down so I got about 8 rows down from the neck front by bedtime last night. I'm a redhead so I think that the fall colors will look pretty good with my hair plus go with some of my clothing. I tried a "new to me "cast on method by chaining on from a crochet hook rather than the method I learned umpteen years ago. (Mom taught me how to knit when I was almost 13--some 40 years ago) The Denise Interchangeable Knitting needle set was a gift from my parents in my teens or 20's --one the best things I have ever received from anyone. (The computer in 98 from my husband wasn't bad either, LOL. ) Needed, used and will never wear out. (NAYY of course)

As I looked for the link myself sometime back to order replacement needle tips , I found out that they make these in pink now and a portion of the funds go to breast cancer research. Mine is the original blue and replacement cords are not the same color, but that's no biggie. Still fits and works the same as mine. The story of how this present company owners came to the business is fun to read--a search for replacement parts from the original owners found that the business was for sale. They loved the product enough to buy it and become the family business for the last 5 years.

Christmas will be here before we know it. Are you ready? The house is all decorated, the little bit of shopping I did is done, cards are all sent. No holiday baking going on with my watching my food intake but I may mak DJ a pie for Christmas Day and we will indulge in an egg nog latte---only one though. I came home with a bag of Hershey's Almond Kisses when I went for a hair cut at Wally World this morning and DJ asked "should you be eating those?" I told him that I can eat what ever I want but I am chosing to watch it, the doctor did not put me on a diet. I also said that they are small--the ultimate in portion control. A serving size is considered 9 of them but I am sure not doing that!

We will probably go out to see the Christmas lights this evening if the rain holds off but other than that---it is quiet and just us three chickens rambling around the house as usual. Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, whatever fits at your house------

quilts on the brain

I am having a hard time wanting to get going today--just piddle dinking around more or less. I DID do some drawing in EQ6 though. This new version seems to have a snap to grid type thing so placing the blocks using the custom set quilt settings is so much easier than in 5 and the copy/paste feature that was added after version 4 helps too.

SOOO what are you looking at? I believe I have figured out what I want to do with my Merkitties from Michael Miller challenge fabric shown HERE. I've been mulling this over for a week or so now--something that has a big enough square to feature the fabric but not something I have not necessarily made before. Only have a half yard to play around and I don't want a bunch of decapitated kitties.

When I came home from my quilt meeting yesterday afternoon, one of my birthday present books Trudie Hughes On Point had arrived. I was flipping through that and the other Trudie books in my collection last night as I was considering a couple of her patterns for the challenge. Last year I used her "Interlocking Squares" for the butterfly challenge and was pleased with the results but want to try something different this time around.

This "Jacob's Elevator" should fill the bill. I drew the quilt up since I was having a hard time visualizing my colors when compared to the color plates in the book. Merkitties has a soft pink, creamy ivory, two shades of a lime green for the mermaid tales and the royal blue background but I'll use a tone on tone for the geese parts since I don't have a lot of it to play with. I used the design from Crib Quilts but she has a slightly different version in a prior book Even More. The difference between the two designs is the one in Even More is done as blocks, sized 8 inches. The version in Crib Quilts are based on a 6 inch grid and done in rows. I rather like the finished edge look of the chains on this one though I think I would do the corners as a large half square triangle instead. I'm not ready to cut it out yet but it is good to have come to a decision. To me it is just the like looking at a menu: the longer I look, the more likely I am to change my mind about 4 times before the waiter comes back to take the order. LOL, and then most likely order the first thing I chose.

The quilt group did meet yesterday. I know that 4 of the girls were not going to be there but some I was not expecting came so it evened out. Judy was the only one machine piecing. Pat and Rosa were both helping out with binding. Sarah started sewing some batting together from that scrap bin as soon as she arrived while Jane and I (intermittently on my part) were pinning with Theramae. Linda C. is new to quilting and needed a little help with combining fabrics that had once belonged to her mom. She had just grabbed a pile of fabrics and was a little overwhelmed like "now what do I do?" I told her my theories/practices on the subject and just encouraged her to start mixing and matching a bit. She also wanted me to show her how to use the rotary mat, cutter and ruler combo. She had a old quilt booklet on hand that advised cutting templates for something that could be easily strip pieced. I could show her how to make a template if she really wanted but quilting has advanced beyond that point, and in most cases, no longer necessary. Pick out which blocks she would like to try and I'll work with her on making them, step by step.

Truthfully, when I left the house I did not know how long I was going to be able to last there. Because we had house guests Monday, they got my bed and I had the single air mattress. Not much sleep and my back, shoulders and knees were not happy with me. The analgesic I took was making me even woozier. The wife left for the golf course with the DJ and his golfing friend while I was at the meeting and they left for IL after their round. BUT, I stayed on till 3 as Theramae and I pinned another three quilts right before we left for home. No new ones were turned in so no pics to share till the binding is done. The ones I just quilted were divided up for binding detail though I kept one out that I had started and will get busy on it after I post. I laid down and napped for about 2 hours after I got home and amazingly, still slept last night and until 7. I knew when I went to bed that walking was not on the morning's schedule so that "internal alarm clock" got to hit the snooze alarm.

The purple and yellow quilt is one that my friend Woodlyn made for her daughter (Joy's granddaughter). Pretty, isn't it? This is one that I would love to make for myself one day--and in those colors. "Morning Star" from the Nickel Quilts book. I asked her at the recent retreat if she could share a picture of it. (She gave me permission to post it here) Somehow I did not get one taken when she brought the quilt to show us at the quilt group a few years back. You see, the Belles had gone through our stashes to share purple nickels for the quilt. It is fun to look at the closeup view and see bits and pieces that I remember. Woodlyn used the same soft yellow throughout the quilt. One day, I will to do this..............

And whenever, Norma decides she is ready to take a break from customer quilts and me from my quilt stack (4 more for now), we probably are going to try the 4-patch stacked posie pattern from HD Designs. I got some fabric calling me that I purchased at the retreat for this purpose. Then there is a "Kris 3 patch" that will use some more of that retreat purchased yardage and a "Road to St Louis" from another of Trudie's books that has some of the 16 patches done......and the ones from Sloppy's 40 Fabulous Quick Cut Quilts. Ohhhh, I have a pretty ones to share with you that my mom pieced and I am going to quilt for Pam's Mexico project that came from there. Quilts, quilts and more quilts--hey, that's a book I haven't looked at for awhile. Inspiration overload! Come back down to earth and go bind, girl.