Happy 4th of July!

I will be driving to Michigan tomorrow for a nice, long weekend with my gal pal, Sally. I'm hauling my sewing machine and 2 projects along.

On my little silhouette lady I have to finish blanket stitching about 4 more inches (bottom of her skirt and stool legs) and then I am ready to add the little curtain and border (see previous post). I will finish her at Sally's house.

I'm taking the above kit along. Jen from The Patched Works helped me pick out the material when I was in the store over a month ago. I think we did a great job. The little jars will contain blackberries, lemons, blueberries, strawberries and pears. Makes me hungry just looking at the material! I thought if the weather isn't so great Sally and I could work on it together. Sally started quilting last fall when she was still recuperating and I thought it might be fun to work on it together. Sally made a lovely hand stitched pillow.

AND, I GOT ALL OF MY HSTs COMPLETED for my Friendship Star quilt! Yipee! I'm starting to make the 72 blocks. Of course, I get over excited and had to sew one row together.

My doggie sitter, Mary Sue, will arrive tomorrow to watch over my "girls," Gracie and Lucy Lou. I am so fortunate to have her both as a friend and doggie sitter. Lucy Lou went to the vet for an ear infection yesterday. She is already much improved.

Sally doesn't have internet access at her house in the country so this is my last post until next week. Happy 4th of July everyone and God (or the deity of your choice) Bless America!

What's Up?

Not much, unfortunately.


The two mystery lap quilts each have their double borders added and are on their way to Meandering Mary to be quilted. She will now have 4 of my quilts in her stacks of quilts.

I have 192 of the 288 half square triangles completed for the Friendship Star quilt. I'm getting a little tired of the HSTs, so I might start making a few blocks to keep me motivated!




While I'm not really attracted to folk art projects, I saw this little lady at Ye Olde Schoolhouse and just had to have her. I fused on the silhouette and now am blanket stitching her into place. (no, the finished project does not include a needle coming out of her head! LOL. You need to click on the image and really look to see my needle.) I'm including the package picture of what she will look like when done. I love the little curtain; however, I'm thinking of making it in a different fabric. To see more you can go to http://www.folkartchildren.com/ She has some great primative artwork and other quilting patterns.



I am also still hand stitching binding on quilts. Luckily, I have some good books on CD to listen to as there is NOTHING on TV anymore.

I've been having problems with dizziness and nausea, especially when laying down. I'm on acid reflux medication, but it is getting worse. My doctor, whom I saw today, feels I might have an inner ear viral infection going on. Let's hope that is all it is!

Mystery Revealed!!!!!!

Ye Olde Schoolhouse Quilt Shop offered a mystery quilt for the Thursday Ladies Friendship Group and I was lucky enough to participate in it.




The ladies are so nice and friendly and it was fun to make the quit. At first I thought I would turn the lap top quilt into a queen size so I doubled the amount of fabric I purchased. I then decided to make 2 lap top quilts to give as gifts.


Every month we got clues. We had to double the clues as it was moving a bit too slow. This month we were able to "solve" the puzzle. I still need to sew the rows together on this one and sew the second one completely together, but it is done very quickly. And I need to add a double border to what you see in the picture so it will look different when completed. While each quilt will look exactly the same from the front, the backing will be different on each one.


We used the book, Mystery Quilts by Rita Fishel and receive our copies on Thursday. It is full of fun stories, recipes and mystery quilts! If you want to make fast, easy lap quilts or twins, I highly recommend this book.

Camera Shy

I swear that every time I take a picture of Lucy Lou she will look right into the camera until a split second before I snap the picture. She will then demurely look away.

Ahhh, all it takes is a treat! She is such a sweet, shy girl!

Head in the Stars

Well, I've completed the sampler quilt and the baby quilt. At the last minute I decided to put a border on the baby quilt. I had just enough material. I really didn't like how it was turning out, but once I added the border it looks great. I'm so happy with it now! Both quilts will be sent to Meandering Mary later this week for quilting.



Now I'm back to the Friendship Star quilt. It will be a large queen size quilt. I have had it all cut for months, it just kept getting pushed onto the back burner. I have 2 blocks done out of 72! Tonight I decided to get all of the "star" squares done and then it will be easy to put the blocks together. I cut 288 squares - 144 of each color (it's a 2 color/fabric quilt). It takes time to draw the sewing / cutting lines and then squaring each off after sewing, cutting and pressing is a pain in the butt. Oh, well . . .

I think it will be great when done - maybe when I'm 90!

Last Class

Ye Olde Schoolhouse offers 3 beginning quilting class, spread out over the course of 3-4 months. The very beginning class is a table runner, then a Buckeye Beauty wall hanging and finally a sampler quilt.


I think this is great, because not everything is dumped on the student at one time. Each class offers new techniques and challenges. Plus, Diane is the BEST teacher. And, owner Jeanie will stop in during the class with cookies fresh from the oven!


This week I finished my last class - the sampler class. I took it with my gal pal, Terri, who hadn't taken one quilting class in her life! Boy, after the first class she was frustrated and she probably wanted to kill me. She hung in there and as the 6 weeks moved along, she got the hang of it and enjoyed the class as much as I did (I hope)


Here are some pictures of our quilts, still not quite finished. As of this writing I have to add one more border and get the backing ready, so it should be ready to go to the quilter tomorrow night. Terri is maybe a day behind me!


As a thank you for all of her help and teaching I have Diane a Jim Shore figurine. It is of a quilting angel.





Terri's quilt

My quilt

Princess Gracie

Remember the fairy tale, "The Princess and the Pea?"

Need I say more?

Window Wells

My house is 120 years old. I have always gotten water in a certain area of my basement. Usually it is not too bad unless we have days of heavy down pour. When I bought the place almost 11 years ago the inspector to me to have window wells dug out by 2 (or 4) of the basement windows.

Hopefully, I will retire next year and will be selling my house next spring and I decided to have this done.

My youngest nephew, Patrick, generously offered to do the job with the help of his 17 year old son, Aaron. Saturday they started. They finished on Sunday.
(nothing like rotted wood!)

Four window wells, 3 yards of dirt, 20 bags of rock, 25 rolls of sod, one trip to Menards, one trip to True Value Hardware, one trip to the place to get the sod, one gas tank filled, one dinner, one lunch, a breakfast and many hours of very hard labor, it is done.

Oh, and while they worked they butts off, I got to spend time with Patrick's daughter, Shannon, age 2 1/2.

I think I came out with the better end of the deal.

(See how beautiful it looks!)

When Patrick sets his mind on doing something, he gets it done and he does it right and it looks great.

Since this side of my house faces my neighbor, Lesa, I told her what was going to happen so she could dig up her plants temporarily. So, Lesa not only dug up her plants, but some of mine that will be replaced with a small patio later this month (also needed to prevent water in the basement). Lesa worked her butt off. She loves to garden even more than I do and she really worked hard this weekend.

I got to play with Shannon.

I think this cost me around $400 everything included (gas, food, etc.). It is so well worth it. Patrick and Aaron did a great job.

Oh - a couple of weeks ago I came home and went to get the mail. When I opened the mailbox the whole post fell over. Patrick and Aaron also installed a new mailbox and post for me. It is as solid as a rock!

Thank you, thank you, thank you Patrick and Aaron. I appreciate it more than you will ever know.

A Little Overwhelmed

Yeah - I'm a little overwhelmed in the quilting world these days. Maybe life, in general.

I have 2 queen sized quilts that need the binding put on. Hopefully today I will get the binding machine sewed on both of them. That will make me feel better. I can take my time with the hand sewing, which I love to do at night. I figure it will take most of the summer to get these babies completed with the binding. That I can handle.

My sampler quilt is almost done. Tuesday is the last class and we put the sashing on. Then I can add the boarder, measure out the backing and get it to the quilters. I just have to finish one piece of hand applique, which I should get done tonight and/or tomorrow night. Of the three appliques blocks, only one got hand finished. The other two I did on the machine. I was going to hand turn one small piece, but felt too much pressure to get it done. My machine applique definitely needs a lot of work, but I enjoyed it and I am enjoying hand stitching using the blanket stitch.

The baby quilt keeps getting pushed to the side. Hopefully, tomorrow I can get the blocks completed. I only have 8 more to go, so it won't take long to piece them. Sewing the blocks together won't be bad, either, but where's the time? I want to take both the sampler quilt and the baby quilt to the quilters at the same time. It will be a relief to get them out of the house!

It's nice weather this weekend. I have gardening to do, too!

I need to retire so I can get things done! Only 14 months and 24 days, but who's counting?

I Think He Likes It ! !

I think Paul is laughing because he knows Lucky ain't getting anywhere near this quilt!

Poor Lucky.

Lucky Paul. He loved the quilt and it made me feel good!

Sad Day

I am not a political person. Those who know me well know that I hate politics and I do not intend to use this blog as a "soap box" to voice my views.

However, today I find it necessary to speak out.

I find it extremely sad that the California Supreme Court upheld the ban on gay marriage. I find it even sadder than the people of California voted against gay marriage. Wishy washy.

To the state of California I have this to say:

"Shame on you."

Quilt Fit for a Cat

When I was in Atlanta last March I was talking about quilts when my nephew Paul said, "Hey, you should make Lucky a quilt." If you read about Lucky in a previous post you will remember that Lucky is Paul's cat.

Well, the last thing in the world I wanted to do was make a quilt for a cat. I am extremely allergic to cats and therefore, not overly fond of them. A cat could literally kill me by its dander shutting down my respiratory system. But, the very next day after my return home I was in The Patched Works quilt store and saw this great cat material on sale. And, there was matching material on sale. And, there was great red material for the sashing. It would work into a great lap quilt. How could I resist? It would be masculine, not cute. I thought Paul would like it.

When it was pieced I went back thinking I would use a cheetah colored fabric for the background. Instead, I saw this great piano keys fabric. Paul has playing the piano since he was a kid and besides working a full time job, he is currently in 2 rock bands in the Atlanta area. So, how could I resist? Plus, The Patched Works had a great quilting design with musical notes.

A purrrrfect quilt.

I had one square extra (how did that happen?) so I made a pillow for Paul and used the cheetah fabric for the backing.

This Memorial weekend I am in Atlanta. It was Paul's 39th birthday on the 19th so the quilt will be the given to him when I see him. I'll post a picture when I get back.

I hope he likes it!

Applique

OK, a seamstress I am not! But I can sew a relatively straight line, which is why I love quilting. I can be creative without having to sing, draw or play an instrument.



A big part of quilt is (or can be) applique work. This is a design layered on top of the fabric of the quilt. It can be machine sewed or hand stitched, with different methods of both.



Last night as part of my sample quilt class, our very patient and talented instructor, Diane, taught Terri and me three different versions.



First, using all scrap material, was a blanket stitch using the sewing machine. Luckily, my machine has that stitch on it. It worked out good and practice will make perfect. I liked it. Terri's machine only offers her a zigzag stitch and she had trouble getting it the size she liked.



Next Di taught us how to hand sew the blanket stitch. Turns out we both knew this stitch, but Di gave us very helpful hints and techniques. I enjoyed this very much.



Last - oh, God - is the hand turned (also called needle turned) applique technique. Now - I had taken part 1 of a 2 part hand turned applique technique class so I knew what I was in for. Let me first say that when the day came for part 2 of the applique class I awoke with a terrible headache and the thought of sitting there for 4 hours doing tedious sewing did not appeal to me in the least so I skipped out of the class. You use a needle so small and thin that Thumblina would think it tiny. The hand stitches are so carefully set in that the best hand turn applique work the stitches cannot be seen. A tooth pick is used to turn under the fabric before the stitches are made. Boy - did I mention it is tedious? Peg, the instructor of the 2 part class, is a master appliquer. One of her quilts in progress is hanging at Ye Olde Schoolhouse it is a work of art. She is an excellent instructor. However, I learned quickly that this was NOT for me.



So, when it came time for poor Di to show us hand turned applique I was bitching. And, guess what? I kind of liked it! Maybe I felt more relaxed. Maybe I learned two other techniques that I could do and I enjoyed so I felt the pressure was off me to learn this - I don't know.



The sampler quilt we are making has three different appliques in it. One is a small heart set in a square of a block, one is a block of a trailing tulip design and the other is 12 small leaves that go around a square within a block. I have decided to use all three techniques. After all, it is a sampler quilt and I should show a sampling of all three techniques. The little heart will be hand turned (least amount of work). The trailing tulip block will be hand sewed using the basket stitch and the 12 leaves will be machine sewed basket stitch.



I learned more than applique techniques last night. I learned I need to be more open to new ideas and techniques, even if I think I don't like them. I will never be as good as Peg or Di when it comes to hand turn applique, but I do really enjoy hand stitching and I will not be afraid to try it when the opportunity arises. Or, just do the basket stitch!

Bluebirds on a quilt

Click on pic for a much better view.

I said I would not purchase any more fabric. However, I couldn't resist this.

I saw this bluebird fabric on a sample lap quilt kit at the Quilt Show last month. It is from Fern Hill Quilt and Antiques. I fell in love with it and while at the show, asked the designer if I could get the material and pattern, but for a queen size quilt.

The ladies at Fern Hill are very helpful and adjusted the pattern for me and sent me the material. I'm thrilled. The material is called Bluebird Dishes by Lily Mae for Fine Line fabrics. It is based on old bluebird dishes.

My grandma had several Homer Laughlin bluebird plates and I have them, along with others I have found over the years. So, this fabric called to me. I picture the quilt on a bed with the plates hanging over the bed and maybe a few other items of my grandma's in the room.

So, now a few projects might fall to the wayside while I make this quilt. But, it will have to wait until after the Friendship Star quilt is completed, as well as the Broken Dishes wall hanging and the lap quilt for my nephew.

So, many quilts and fabrics, so little time.

NO MORE FABRIC. I PROMISE. I promise. I promise. I promise! I promise!!!!

Plant ID Needed

I planted this pretty little plant a few years ago and forgot what it is? Does anyone know? It sits low on the ground and is almost a complete circle. It blooms now and turns darker green later in the year.

Here's a pic of the flowering Louisiana crab apple tree Phil bought me 4 years ago. It is loaded with blossoms and I should have taken the picture yesterday when the sun was shining. It is really lovely and smells sooooo good!

More projects

Here's what I'm up to these days in "quilting land."

My Elizabeth's Sampler class in now full gear. Tuesday will be week 4. Here's a pic of what we have done so far.

And, I am still plugging away at the baby quilt for Gianna, Phil's granddaughter. Maybe she'll get it by her first birthday. hehehe

It is a Peter Rabbit themed quilt.

A Kid and a Firetruck

Saturday night we made steaks on the grill and had my nephew Patrick, his son Aaron and daughter Shannon over. Pam, Patrick's wife, was at the Brewer's game. There was a small accident on the corner and Engine 11 responded. So, of course, we had to check it out. Aaron is 17 so the firetruck didn't impress him, but little Shannon thought it was great. Since I knew a couple of the guys, they let us put Shannon on the truck.

Personally, I think she's adorable. Dirty face and all.

More 2009 Quilt Show Pictures

Thanks again to Grace for sending me this fabulous pictures from the 2009 Quilt Show in Chicago.

My mom, who died 6 years ago, and I both love chickadees. This little one is all quilted. However, the little red light was real. Unbelievable!

This was one of the challenge quilts. It is unusual as it is a type of landscape where you look up at the top of the crane and building under construction. I love the birds and the colors are beautiful.

Each quilt had a description of the quilt, the quilter and the quilter's inspiration. From what I remember this quilter used her memories of a city in Europe - the buildings, the swans, the music.

If you click on the pictures you should be able to see more detail.


Amazing stuff.


From these pictures, I think Grace must love birds as much as I do!

Luck be a Lady (Feline, that is)

A while ago I was talking with some friends and we were discussing rescue animals. Specifically, some very odd and wonderful ways animals came into our lives. It reminded me of my nephew Paul's story.

One evening about 4 years ago he left some friend's house late in the evening (maybe early morning). He got on the highway (this is the greater Atlanta area) and proceed to drive around 80 mph, which in Atlanta is quite normal. After a bit he began to hear a weird noise so he turned down the radio and listened.

Meow. Meeeeeow. Meoooooow.


Paul pulled over to the shoulder, got out and looked all around both inside and outside of his car. Nothing. Thinking he was hearing things, he got back into the car and drove off, again at "normal" Atlanta speeds.

Meow. Meeeeeow. Meoooooow.

By this time Paul knew he wasn't just hearing things. When he came to the next exit, he pulled off the highway and drove into a well lit gas station. He got out of the car and again looked all around.

Nothing.

So, he opened the hood and there was this little black kitten with a stub of a tail (which wasn't injured during this wild ride) hanging on to the engine.

Paul, being the kind and wonderful man that he is, took the kitten and put it in his car. Well, the kitten was friendly enough, but very scared and probably never knew the inside of any structure, let alone a car, proceeded to "mess" it up quite a bit. Oh, well . . . Paul was more concerned about the cat and the car cleaned up just fine the next day.


Not missing a beat, Paul arrive home. His landlord, Jamie, also has cats, so there was a litter box available and Paul showed the kitten where it was. Cats are smart and it figured it out, but it was obvious that this cat had worms, was a little sick and needed a vet. Paul took the kitten to the vet right away, had it treated and given all of its shots. Turns out the kitty is a Manx, a breed of cat known for its short, stubby tails.

For a few days Paul hemmed and hawed about keeping the kitten, but it didn't take long for the kitten to creep into Paul's heart, something we all knew happened the minute Paul opened that hood!

Paul named her Lucky.

A very lucky kitty indeed.

Tote Bag Blues

Through Ye Olde Schoolhouse Quilt Store, I joined Team QFL, which is like a football team for quilters. We are a large group and get points for different projects, as well as discounts at other quilt stores. We have a little booklet that we can take to various quilt stores throughout Wisconsin and get stamped and receive additional points. It kind of reminds me of the Harley poker runs that my sister and nephew use to go on with their Harley groups.


Our team name is the Bobbin' Robins. We have team colors (brown and red), team logo (obviously the robin) and the Jeanie at the store has 4 "huddles" over the course of the next few months for our "team." I went to the huddle the other night and it was fun. We also get together and do road trips to various quilt shops around the state.





So, our first project was this tote bag. Now, I had NEVER done anything like this before and believe me when I say I cursed this bag out more than once. It was too much like sewing a garment. I really hated it at times. But, tonight I finished it.

I still want to add a strap from the back to the front in the center of the tote with a snap underneath to help keep it closed. And, I will probably add some decorative buttons, just to dress it up a bit.



I actually like it, despite the fact that I ripped out more than I sewed, had the bottom of the bag on the outside, almost put the straps on wrong, had to buy more material for the lining and was totally frustrated throughout the project.

Oh, well - live and learn.




Tomorrow afternoon I will try my luck at making a felt robin pin that I will wear into various quilt shops as my team logo. Should be interesting.


And, I am thinking of making additional totes.

Yeah, I'm crazy.