Tis the Season

The only thing I did in the studio today was to cut fat quarters for a big Serious Stash Swap over at 15 Minutes Play.  I am swapping 20 fat quarters with Mimi in California.  I have them all in a box ready to take to the post office tomorrow.  I can't show them here just in case Mimi is looking.  I hope she likes them.

Instead of working in the studio, I cleaned the house and put up Christmas decorations.  I have a collection of Santa Claus figures that I have been gathering for many years.  I thought I would share a few of them with you.  Bella was over for a while this afternoon, and she enjoyed looking at all of them.

The next three days are Bella days, so I will be back Friday.

Joyful quilting, everyone.

More bags and an AAQI mini

I am having so much fun making these little bags.  They are 10" x 7".  Each one is getting easier.  Today, I did a little production line work.  The most fun, of course, is creating the strata for the inset.  For this series, I have created strata.  I think I will do several other kinds of insets as I continue with this bag making adventure.  I need to find a good source for zippers before much longer.  What am I going to do with all these bags?  Think Etsy.

Each of these bags is fully lined.  Don't you love the fun lining in this one?

The other thing I did today was work on my December AAQI mini.  This one is about 7" x 9".  I have a small scrap of fabric that has red and turquoise flowers on a white background.  Every time I look at it, I like the color combination more.  I have quite a bit of red and turquoise in my stash.  Most of it is in pieces smaller than a fat quarter but that is okay if I am going to build fabric like this.  I really like the way the Kaffe in the middle pulls it all together.  I think I am going to hand quilt this one with turquoise floss and big stitches.  That should be fun.  This will be my 14th AAQI mini. 

Tomorrow, I have another full studio day.  Who knows what I will get done then.

Joyful quilting, everyone.

Hokule'a's top may be finished and a winner

And the winner is

#12

Snoodles at Lily Pad Quilting.  Congratulations and thank you to everyone who played along.

 

Hokule'a is now a 46" square.  I think it wants to stay this size and be a wall hanging.  It is fun to see all our old shirts and my favorite muumuu in this piece.  The red centers in the log cabin blocks do not stand out this much in real life.  Interesting how they pop in the photo.  I wasn't sure how I would feel about the asymmetry of the center, but I am very happy with it.  I have really enjoyed the process of making this.  This quilt has done most of the design work along the way.  I will leave it up for a couple of days and see if it really is done.    I think I already know how I will quilt it, and I have backing and binding fabric. 

Tomorrow, I will work on more bags.  I just need to get some dark zippers.  I also want to start on the doll I am going to make for Bella.  That should be an interesting challenge.

Joyful quilting, everyone.

My incredible sister

Before I tell you about my sister and the wonderful gift she gave me, I wanted to share this beautiful mini quilt made for me by Beth at Love, Laugh, Quilt.  The triangles are tiny left overs from other quilts.  The hand quilting is done with varigated thread.  I just love it.  Look at the way the hand quilting on the tree makes a garland.  This piece is a little over 12" x 12".  I haven't measured it yet.  It is already up on the wall.

Now, my sister.  She is my baby sister and has had to put up with me all her life.  She had to deal with me when I was a spoiled child, a rather troubled and difficult teen, and a self-centered 20-something.  She has always been kind to me and shown me her love, whether I deserved it or not.  As I have aged, I think I have become easier to put up with.  She even invites me to play bridge with her friends.  She started making quilts a little while ago, and discovered the magic and power of the walking foot, something I only dreamed about having.  Today, she and her husband fulfilled that dream.

Just look at my new Bernina walking foot!  Look at the 28 log cabin blocks I have been building with it.  What a huge difference this foot makes.  I used one once in a class, and have wanted one ever since, but these babies are out of my budget.  I can't thank you enough, Kim.  You are a great sister, a wonderful friend, and a terrific quilting angel.

Tomorrow, I will draw the winner for the giveaway.  Good luck to everyone who has entered.

Joyful quilting, everyone.

Giveaway Reminder

The chances of winning this charm pack and pattern are very good.  Only 15 people have entered so far.  If you are interested, and haven't entered, go to this post and leave a comment telling me about the best gift you ever received.  I will be drawing a winner on Saturday, December 10.

I have my last guild meeting of the year with the Cedar River Quilters this evening.  We are having an appetizer and dessert pot luck and putting on our own trunk show with our favorite quilts (even the unfinished ones).  I am looking forward to a fun evening with loads of quilted goodies as well as treats to eat.

Joyful quilting, everyone.

More bags

Today, I made two more of these cute bags.  I used fusible interfacing this time.  I like the body, but I don't like the creases that show.  Maybe it is too heavy.  I will keep making these, trying new things until I get them just right.  I do like these, though.

If you haven't already, be sure and sign up for the giveaway here.

Studio time and a giveaway reminder

Today, I played in the studio.  First up was this house block for Beth over at Love, Laugh, Quilt.  She is collecting 12" x 12" house blocks.  If you send one in before January 1, you will be put into a drawing to receive some of them back.  I love house blocks.  This started out to be a wonky house, but as you can see the symmetrical me took over at some point.  Sometimes that happens, and I just have to let it go.  I will get this in the mail to Beth tomorrow.

This is my next fun project.  This one is for an exchange.  I showed a little peak the other day.  I had great fun figuring out how to get the three trees done.  The one in the middle is hard to see in the photo.  I made it light so it would look like it is in the distance.  I tried several fabrics for the border and the stars, but this red plaid just called my name.  This is for Shelly over at Prairie Moon Quilts.  She seems to like things with a western theme, which I think the plaid brings.  The stars and rays will be needle turn appliqued since Shelly has said that she really likes applique on a several posts.  I am going to hand quilt this using big stitches.  I hope she likes it.

Last, I made this little beauty.  This is my first zippered pouch and it will definitely not be my last.  A friend was here when I finished it and she has already ordered six.  There are some little tricky spots, but not so much to make me crazy.  These are fun to make, and will make great little gifts. 

Tonight, I will be working on some hand applique.  Tomorrow, I will make some more bags and work on Hokule'a.  I had misplaced it but found it today.  One of these days really soon, I am going to have to quilt the pieces I have been making.

Don't forget to enter the giveaway by commenting on yesterdays post here.

Joyful quilting, everyone.

Bell ringing, a gift and a giveaway

This morning, I spent a couple of hours bell ringing for the Salvation Army.  I am the one in the blue coat.  Chris B., on the left, is our new guild president.  I had a really good time.  It was great fun greeting people and sharing Christmas greetings.  I was pleasantly surprised at the generosity of the people who came by us.  In these hard times, and in this depressed area, it was really heartwarming to see just how much people are willing to share.  It was a good morning, and I plan on doing this again next year.

When I got home, after a side trip to Puyallup to the quilt store, I found a box on my porch addressed to me.  It was from Friends4Kenya.  I didn't know what it was, or who they were.  I brought the box in and immediately opened it.  Look at this beautiful basket that was inside!  I was stunned and couldn't figure out where it came from or why I would deserve such a thing of beauty.  So, I went online.  Friends4Kenya is a small group of women, mostly quilters, who work with women in an area outside Nairobi.  They have taught these women to make these beautiful cloth baskets.  Be sure and visit the site and read about these wonderful women. Once I found out who these women are, and that I am related to two of them my marriage, I began to figure out how this beautiful basket came to me.  Willa, I assume this is from you.  I love it.  Thank you.

And just why would someone send me this beautiful basket?  It is almost my birthday.  That's right.  I will be turning 65 next Saturday, the 10th.  I have thought of many ways to celebrate this event here.  I decided on a giveaway.  Then, I had to decide on something I could afford for the prize.  When I went to Puyallup, I found this Ruby charm pack and this very cute Schnibbles pattern that is charm pack friendly.  I love the Ruby line for Moda and hope you do, too.

If you want to enter to win these two things, please leave me a comment telling me about the best present you remember ever getting.  Why was it so special?

I will leave this open until next Saturday, December 10.

Good luck, everyone.  I look forward to reading all your stories.

Another sneak peak

I am working on another mini quilt for an exchange.  For this one, we are supposed to make triangle trees.  The max size is 50" total perimeter.  This little quilt will be about 12" x 12".  I didn't think I would be making mini quilts when I started this adventure, but now I love them.  It is a wonderful way to practice different designs, piecing techniques, applique techniques, and quilting.  I also love exchanging them.  If any of you want to do a mini quilt exchange with me, just let me know.  I am always up for the fun and challenge. 

I didn't get much more done in the studio today.  I had errands to run and swap ornament blocks to sort and get into the mail.  I had my usual dismal experience at the local chain fabric store.  It is getting so bad, I have decided not to go there any more.  I am sure that many of you have JoAnn Fabric stores where the store is clean, warm, and the people are friendly and knowledgeable  That has not been my experience at my local JAF.  Today, they had at least 15 people waiting to be helped somehow, and two people working.  When I asked if there would be a better time to come back when more people would be working, I was told that the shifts were all filled and that she was sorry I was having a negative experience.  I will find another place to get notions and batting from now on.  One of my biggest pet peeves is poor service, and I have given these people enough chances.

Okay, enough soap box whining.  Tomorrow, I am going to be a Salvation Army bell ringer for the first time.  Our guild has been doing this for a few years now.  I have the first shift, so I have the buckets in the back seat of my car right now.  I am looking forward to ringing my bell and sharing Christmas greetings. 

Until tomorrow evening, joyful quilting, everyone.

A tease and new thrift shop finds

This is all I can show of the red and white mini quilt.  I finished piecing the top this afternoon.  I am very pleased with how it turned out.  Almost all the points survived and the corners match.  I will figure out how to quilt it next weekend.

I went to the doc to have him look at my ear, and he pronounced the infection gone.  On the way home, I stopped to pick up some King Tut thread to quilt the Jacob's Ladder and some small things to get ready for the gift exchange at my guild meeting.  Then I went to the local Goodwill.  I was really excited to find these wonderful things.

Look at all these wonderful shirts!

Intriguing plaids.

Hawaiian prints and a chartreuse plaid.

Look at the reds.

I even found a good sized piece of Grannies Flowers from 1997.  It is going to help create the back for the JL.  I also found a king sized floral on black sheet, a table cloth for our dining table, and cloth napkins.  All in all, a very successful trip.  I was excited to discover that the store had enlarged its linens section.  I will have to keep my eye out there.

Tomorrow, I start my week with Bella.  Until Friday, joyful quilting, everyone.

WIPs or UFOs?

When I started the year, I had four completed quilts under my belt, and plans to make as many quilts as I could with the time and fabric I had.  I didn't even know what a UFO was, and when they talked about them at my guild, I had to ask someone what it was all about.  Now, things are a bit different.  I haven't counted the number of quilts I have finished, but I soon will.  I have been looking at the stack of projects I have in various stages of completion.  In other words, UFOs.

There are a few things I just don't have any interest in finishing right now, but the others will be put back on my to-do list for the new year.  A few of them need backs, quilting, and binding.  A few of them need more borders before I can even think about finishing.  Some need more blocks.  I have listed six of them for the UFO challenge at my guild.  As I finish each of them, I have plenty more to add. 

As I think about next year and quilting, I wonder if I will finally settle into one style.  Do I really need to?  When I look at the list I have started of quilts I want to make, it looks like I will still be trying a bit of everything.  Over the next few weeks, I think I will be posting a bit about what I have accomplished this year, and what I hope to do next.  This is mostly because I am making Christmas presents and won't be able to show much of what I am doing.  I am also doing it so I will have it out there and will have a list to compare to at the end of next year.

In the meantime, I am still quilting and having great fun.  I will show you all the things I am making after they have been given.

Joyful quilting, everyone.

A new look for a vintage skirt

When I was young, my mother found a pattern in a magazine for a Seminole patchwork skirt.  I think it was the seventies, and I think it was McCall's, but I can't find the pattern or the issue.  Maybe one of you remember it.  It was made with bias tape cut into many tiny pieces and sewn into traditional patterns in rows.  The skirt had 3.5 yards gathered into a small waistband.  It was thirty inches long.  I have been saving this for a long time, only bringing it out to show occasionally.  Last night, I had a brilliant idea of how to have this incredible work on display all the time.  I decided to make it into a quilt.

Look at all that piecing!  I am going to have to figure out a way to quilt this that does not detract from the piecing at all.  Here is a look at the back.

When I think about all the patience it took to put this skirt together, I am amazed.  I am such a slow piecer, I think this would have taken me many years.  I don't remember how long it took Mom.  She was a very talented woman who often made complex and beautiful things.  One time, she made a mosaic coffee table where she cut hundreds of small square tiles into small pieces to create a seascape.  It was wonderful to grow up in a family where creating beautiful artistic things was celebrated. 

The other thing I did today, that I can show, was the mug rugs for the hunters.

The backs are plaid.

Today, I had an unexpected visit with Bella.  She has a nasty cold and both her parents had meetings, so I didn't get a full day in the studio.  I hope she gets well soon.

Tomorrow, I am working on a mini red and white quilt, and other things on my list.  The ear infection is almost conquered, and I am not in constant pain, so that is a good thing.  I hope you all have a joy filled day.

Wonky ornaments

I am in an ornament exchange on Mary Lou Weidman's Yahoo group and I made these 24 5" x 5" ornament blocks for the exchange.  You can't see it, but I did fancy machine decorative stitching on 12 of the blocks.  It was fun, but it uses so much thread.  It also tends to pucker if you don't use an interfacing.  I didn't want to add the extra weight, so I just ironed the puckers out as much as I could.  I am the collector and distributor for this exchange, and some of the ornaments that have come in so far are real beauties.  It will be interesting to see what I put together when the exchange is all done.  Any ideas?

I also finished this mug rug top.  The two with the deer heads are still in progress.  I am excited to have the next three full days in the studio.  It seems like it has been a long time.  I have a long list of things to get made for Christmas, so it is good to have these days.

I have been thinking about New Year's resolutions.  It is about that time, after all.  One of the things I want to do is organize my stash better.  My stash is made up mostly of bigger scraps.  I see that some people pre-cut their scraps into 2.5" strips or squares so they are ready to pull for quilting projects.  Others do this plus making strings for other projects.  I am torn about just what to do at this point.  I would appreciate hearing about how you organize your stash of smaller than fat quarter pieces.

Until tomorrow, joyful quilting, everyone.

Victoria and me

Victoria sent me this photo of both of us holding our exchange quilts.  I am on the left.  Victoria is holding the quilt I made for her.  The round "Christmas ball" is made from velvet scraps.  This is the first, and probably last, quilt I have made using embellishments.  I had total fun picking fabric and creating the feeling of an old fashioned Christmas tree.  I hand quilted it using green pearl cotton.  It was fun to make a real Christmas quilt.