Slow sewing. No not hand piecing, or anything of the sort. I hate squaring up, especially where there are a bunch of small piddly pieces. My slow sewing is that I finished another set of quilt blocks!
I decided I needed a break from my blog hop project, and from cutting the 100's of diamond type trapezoids for the Grand Illusion so I decided to do the December 2014 Aurifil block of the month.
I will say for all of the cutting, and trimming and squaring up I did, this block did not turn out wonderful. Sigh* But I did finish all of the blocks. This one block ended up taking me at least 3 hours with all of the cutting, trimming, sewing, squaring, trimming down, and trying to get it all to match. I am not a fan of set in seams either.
Aurifil posted a finishing technique which was making the blocks into spools, setting them on point with a lovely center motif, but I am not too sure if I am loving it. You can see their interpretation here. I think I may leave it and stew on it a while. DH says maybe use white to make the spool and red for the rest. That way I can stick with my red and white theme. I could add blue but that defeats the purpose of me working so hard to keep with the 2 color quilt.
As to the Grand Illusion I have one block from step 2 done.
It actually came out to the correct size even. Only 99 more to go. I worked on cutting out the parts today for a while. Maybe tomorrow I will get more accomplished.
Thursday, January 15, 2015
Sunday, January 11, 2015
We Support You Blog Hop is Coming
The lovely Madame Samm from Sew We Quilt has came up with a new challenge. Take a gorgeous pattern, make it our own to support those we know who have had, or have breast cancer. Make a comfort quilt, wall hanging, something. I better get crackin since I am up on the first day. Below is the schedule for all the beautiful, and inspiring creations.
We Support You Blog Hop Full Schedule
Jan 29th
Jan 30th
Feb 2nd
Feb 3rd
Feb 4th
Feb 5th
Feb 6th
Feb 9th
Feb 10th
Feb 11th
Saturday, January 10, 2015
Perfect Circles
I needed to make some circles.
The pattern called for 7 1/2 inches. That seemed a bit big to me. So I started trying to find something to make a circle with. For some reason I do not own a compass anymore.
I started with a Solo cup. But as you can see it is only about 5 inches and it doesn't look very round.
Then I though how about a paper dessert plate.
It is 7 inches but the problem is that the edge is rolled so it may not always end up so circular.
The inside of a painter's tape roll is only 3 inches. Way too small.
I had some circles which I had made to help mark a quilt.
This one is 4 inches. Too small.
I thought this one was too small too. Also since it was a paper circle I wasn't too sure if I wanted to use it because it is tough to trace around a paper circle without it getting a bit lopsided.
I finally settled on this saucer from my dishes. A little smaller than 6 1/2 inches. Nice hard edge. So I started to trace some circles. And made this.
The pattern called for 7 1/2 inches. That seemed a bit big to me. So I started trying to find something to make a circle with. For some reason I do not own a compass anymore.
I started with a Solo cup. But as you can see it is only about 5 inches and it doesn't look very round.
Then I though how about a paper dessert plate.
It is 7 inches but the problem is that the edge is rolled so it may not always end up so circular.
The inside of a painter's tape roll is only 3 inches. Way too small.
I had some circles which I had made to help mark a quilt.
This one is 4 inches. Too small.
I thought this one was too small too. Also since it was a paper circle I wasn't too sure if I wanted to use it because it is tough to trace around a paper circle without it getting a bit lopsided.
I finally settled on this saucer from my dishes. A little smaller than 6 1/2 inches. Nice hard edge. So I started to trace some circles. And made this.
I finished it off with one of the sweet buttons that I got from Dawn in my care package that I received yesterday. I am pretty pleased with how it turned out.
I am thinking this is the best size and I will be making plenty more.
Friday, January 9, 2015
Use It Up
I purchased this fabric earlier this year to use as a backing for the Lazy Sunday Mystery Quilt that I had completed. I actually purchased a wide backing so I did not have to piece it.
It is the yellow dotty fabric.
Lazy Sunday Mystery backing.
I used portions of it to piece the backing for the Quilty Barns at Midway Farm backing.
The band on a Magic Pillowcase.
I started to use it on a step in the Bonnie Hunter Grand Illusion mystery but then decided that I wanted to have a fabric as a constant so decided to choose a yellow and took the scrappy yellows out.
I will admit that it will be showing up in some squares for the daughter's yellow brick road that I am working on.
There are still scraps left which are too small for the yellow brick road, but they will be cut into my scrap system, and making appearance in other items.
It is the yellow dotty fabric.
Lazy Sunday Mystery backing.
I used portions of it to piece the backing for the Quilty Barns at Midway Farm backing.
The band on a Magic Pillowcase.
I started to use it on a step in the Bonnie Hunter Grand Illusion mystery but then decided that I wanted to have a fabric as a constant so decided to choose a yellow and took the scrappy yellows out.
I will admit that it will be showing up in some squares for the daughter's yellow brick road that I am working on.
There are still scraps left which are too small for the yellow brick road, but they will be cut into my scrap system, and making appearance in other items.
Thursday, January 8, 2015
Cold/Snow Day
Late yesterday evening I received a call that they were closing school on Thursday because of the forecast for extremely cold weather.
I learned how to make pleated fabric using a fabric ruffler for a project. I think it turned out pretty good. Not perfect, but it was a first time.
I cut some parts for the Grand Illusion step 2. I have a lot more to cut.
Then I decided I would work on something for Christmas presents for this year.
I probably should be more focused and I would accomplish more, but I tend to flit from thing to thing. I will say I enjoyed the snow day though!
I cut some parts for the Grand Illusion step 2. I have a lot more to cut.
Then I decided I would work on something for Christmas presents for this year.
I probably should be more focused and I would accomplish more, but I tend to flit from thing to thing. I will say I enjoyed the snow day though!
Wednesday, January 7, 2015
Oh Bebé Es FrÃo
No I am not fluent in Spanish. I know enough to be dangerous, but also I taught my daughters some rudimentary Spanish when they were growing up. They should be able to ask for a bathroom, the disco tech, the beach, bread, and a napkin. :D The youngest daughter always uses the word frio for cold. Oh baby it is cold outside- Oh Bebe' es frio.
I am going to blame the weather for my lack of getting a whole lot accomplished. Being out in the cold, ice, and snow is very tiring, it almost feels as if it is sucking out your energy, even when you are walking around looking like Nanook of the North or in my case the Stay Puff Marshmallow guy. I am trying desperately to not get all the ick that has been circulating around the area. Many of the bloggers which are in the vicinity have had the flu and it just does not sound like it would be any fun. I decided I would do a wee bit of shopping.
I needed more of the lattice looking fabric for the We Support You blog hop. I did not want to use all of what I had because I was using it on the Grand Illusion and I got lucky and found some on Fabric.com I also wanted some more aqua for the Grand Illusion quilt, and decided to pick up some Michael Miller Fairy Frost in pink, and aqua and the sweet pink text print fabric by Riley Blake.
Have you seen the cute little toppers that Dawn at Sew You Quilt 2 makes using a kite template? She shared that she made it using a template. I wanted to make some too and found out where she ordered her template.
Yep I bought myself one. I can't wait to try it out....really soon.
Recently I had seen some gorgeous quilt blocks and they referenced that they were based upon blocks from Stellar Quilts by Judy Martin. I thought it would be a nice book to have in my library.
I had a rough day today, to the point where when I got home I was upset and in tears. It wasn't that the kids were bad, it was just mounting frustrations with how inconsiderate people can be especially when things get bad. I vented to DH, then took a bit of time and said a wee prayer that tomorrow will be better. A few minutes later it got a whole lot better. I received a call. School is cancelled tomorrow, I have a free sewing day!
I am going to blame the weather for my lack of getting a whole lot accomplished. Being out in the cold, ice, and snow is very tiring, it almost feels as if it is sucking out your energy, even when you are walking around looking like Nanook of the North or in my case the Stay Puff Marshmallow guy. I am trying desperately to not get all the ick that has been circulating around the area. Many of the bloggers which are in the vicinity have had the flu and it just does not sound like it would be any fun. I decided I would do a wee bit of shopping.
I needed more of the lattice looking fabric for the We Support You blog hop. I did not want to use all of what I had because I was using it on the Grand Illusion and I got lucky and found some on Fabric.com I also wanted some more aqua for the Grand Illusion quilt, and decided to pick up some Michael Miller Fairy Frost in pink, and aqua and the sweet pink text print fabric by Riley Blake.
Have you seen the cute little toppers that Dawn at Sew You Quilt 2 makes using a kite template? She shared that she made it using a template. I wanted to make some too and found out where she ordered her template.
Yep I bought myself one. I can't wait to try it out....really soon.
Recently I had seen some gorgeous quilt blocks and they referenced that they were based upon blocks from Stellar Quilts by Judy Martin. I thought it would be a nice book to have in my library.
I received this sweet package in the mail today. Gorgeous card, beautiful ribbon, a cute snowman ornie, a wonderful soft snuggly scarf and buttons from my bloggy friend Dawn at Sew You Quilt 2. I can't wait to use all of it.
I did do a wee bit of stitching. I am making progress on my tractor.
Friday, January 2, 2015
Books and More
Welcome to the 2nd day of 2015. How is your year shaping up? I was doing some blog reading this morning and there is so much going on. Comments on what you are doing the 1st day of the year is a portent of what your year holds, what you eat brings good luck, choosing a word to live by, and yearly wrap ups. Whew that is a lot to wrap your head around.
Obviously my year is going to be clean, since the youngest daughter who cleans houses part time for a company as a late Christmas present, came in, cleaned the upstairs bedrooms, bathrooms, and kitchen so they are absolutely sparkling! But I also rough housed with the grandsons much of the day too, and finished it up with some counted cross stitch. I had posted here about Christmas stockings, and DH had lamented the fact he did not have one. I decided this is the year I get them done! Some for my house, and some for my mother's house.
What you eat on New Year's Day has an affect on your whole year? Oh no! We had a turkey taking up space in the freezer, the the youngest daughter had turkey taking up space in her freezer so we defrosted them and deep fried them so we could get rid of the frying oil and free up space. According to superstition that is a bad thing to do because turkeys scratch in the dirt. But we had pizza earlier in the day with pepperoni and black olives which are round which is supposed to be good luck.
Hopefully they cancel each other out.
My word for the year? Last year was grateful which I learned to be grateful no matter what was going on. I would take a step back, say a prayer of thanks and move on. In some ways I think it really did help center me more and be a wee bit kinder-- sometimes.
My word for this year? I have decided it is to reduce. I need to reduce my stash, scraps, quilt tops, closet and body. When it comes to my stash and scraps I am not going to go on a fabric free buying diet, but I am going to try to use scraps and stash whenever I decide to make something new. My quilt tops I need to be more aggressive at getting them quilted. My closet needs to reduce, since I no longer work in a business environment I don't need the slacks, dresses, blouses, and high heels. I think they need to go to a charity to help others. My body most definitely! I have had a couple of health challenges the past couple of years which made it difficult to diet and exercise, but I think it is time to put those behind me and lose some weight, and exercise.
Finally yearly wrap up? Oh my where did the time go? I don't feel like I accomplished a lot.
I will say that I only finished four quilting projects this year to the point where they are quilted, labelled and bound.
I did finish these flimsies though.
That does not even count the blocks I have finished for other projects for the year.
I have also decided that I am going to take a page out Dawn at Sew You Quilt 2 and Barbara from Wont-To-Be-Quilter and work on Christmas presents all year long instead of waiting to the month of December. I even have plans already worked out in my wee bitty brain.
Finally I finished December 2014 with reading/listening to 6 books bringing my yearly total up to 67 for the year of 2014. I think that I am going to continue to listen to books while I sew/quilt, but I am also going to try to read a bit at night before I go to bed to kind of help quiet my mind so I may sleep better.
I think that is a healthy start. Nothing too strenuous. Do you have a "word" or plans for what you want to accomplish for 2015?
Obviously my year is going to be clean, since the youngest daughter who cleans houses part time for a company as a late Christmas present, came in, cleaned the upstairs bedrooms, bathrooms, and kitchen so they are absolutely sparkling! But I also rough housed with the grandsons much of the day too, and finished it up with some counted cross stitch. I had posted here about Christmas stockings, and DH had lamented the fact he did not have one. I decided this is the year I get them done! Some for my house, and some for my mother's house.
What you eat on New Year's Day has an affect on your whole year? Oh no! We had a turkey taking up space in the freezer, the the youngest daughter had turkey taking up space in her freezer so we defrosted them and deep fried them so we could get rid of the frying oil and free up space. According to superstition that is a bad thing to do because turkeys scratch in the dirt. But we had pizza earlier in the day with pepperoni and black olives which are round which is supposed to be good luck.
Hopefully they cancel each other out.
My word for the year? Last year was grateful which I learned to be grateful no matter what was going on. I would take a step back, say a prayer of thanks and move on. In some ways I think it really did help center me more and be a wee bit kinder-- sometimes.
My word for this year? I have decided it is to reduce. I need to reduce my stash, scraps, quilt tops, closet and body. When it comes to my stash and scraps I am not going to go on a fabric free buying diet, but I am going to try to use scraps and stash whenever I decide to make something new. My quilt tops I need to be more aggressive at getting them quilted. My closet needs to reduce, since I no longer work in a business environment I don't need the slacks, dresses, blouses, and high heels. I think they need to go to a charity to help others. My body most definitely! I have had a couple of health challenges the past couple of years which made it difficult to diet and exercise, but I think it is time to put those behind me and lose some weight, and exercise.
Finally yearly wrap up? Oh my where did the time go? I don't feel like I accomplished a lot.
| Quilty Barns at Midway Farms |
| American Lotus Squared |
| Tropical Shores Tubix |
| Lazy Sunday Habitat |
I did finish these flimsies though.
| Basket Case |
| Jewel Box |
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| Scrappy Chevrons |
That does not even count the blocks I have finished for other projects for the year.
I have also decided that I am going to take a page out Dawn at Sew You Quilt 2 and Barbara from Wont-To-Be-Quilter and work on Christmas presents all year long instead of waiting to the month of December. I even have plans already worked out in my wee bitty brain.
Finally I finished December 2014 with reading/listening to 6 books bringing my yearly total up to 67 for the year of 2014. I think that I am going to continue to listen to books while I sew/quilt, but I am also going to try to read a bit at night before I go to bed to kind of help quiet my mind so I may sleep better.
I think that is a healthy start. Nothing too strenuous. Do you have a "word" or plans for what you want to accomplish for 2015?
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