Oops!

Spent last night making more blocks for the Red and White Snowball Challenge. Well, at least the first part of the night.  The second part I spent picking out the stitching.  I had forgotten to switch the needle position to 1/4 inch seam allowance.  Guess how I will be spending New Year's Eve?

Happy New Year to you!

A trisket, a tusket, I made Miss Rosie's Tuffet!

I finally found a reason to make one of Miss Rosie's Tuffet to fulfill the December Schnibble challenge!  I had totally given up on it when, on Christmas day, I decided to work on my Black, White, and Red All Over quilt.  It is my scrap quilt that I play with when I am tired of the math and exactness of regular quilt patterns.  It occurred to me that I could make a tuffet out of black, white, and red and incorporate it in the quilt.  The tuffet would feel right at home since fabric and mis-sized blocks from other Schnibbles are also included.

So, here is my Scnibble made in red and white so it will fit into the quilt.  It is the Double Nine Patch.

Here is the tuffet embedded into a larger section of the quilt.

And here are a few more blocks for the quilt.  Other than the Tuffet, everything is leftover fabric and blocks and scraps.  It is so fun putting them all together.  I have almost enough pieces now to make a double bed sized quilt.

Red and White Snowball Challenge

I have all my Christmas sewing done and the presents are in the mail.  I have only finished one UFO for the Joy in the New Year Challenge.  Perhaps I should be working desparately on the rest trying to make the deadline but I am not.  I would rather finish them to my satisfaction later than rush them now.  I am at peace with that. 

I have skipped the Year of Schnibbles December pattern too.  I don't use pin cushions. I had thought about turning the pattern into tree ornaments. It would not be hard.  But we don't put up a tree and all the Christmas packages are in the mail. Why bother to make it except to say I did it?

So, on to the next project. I have been slow starting on the Red and White Snowball Challenge but I think I will get it finished by the January 31 deadline.  I have all 480 half-square triangles made.  I made most of them using the "Easy Piecing Techniques" on page 10 of the book.  I took pictures so I can create a tutorial if you are interested.

I got bored ironing all those half-squares and trimming them so I do a little at a time and make a few blocks.  Then I iron, trim, and sew some more.  So far I have almost all of my red blocks done!  Yeah me!

Merry Christmas to you!  In with all your unwrapping and feasting and partying and family fun, I hope you have time for some quilting!

A little balance

I am starting to think that to be a true quilter/fabric artist, it is essential to have a cat.  Many of the blogs I follow post pictures of their cats.  I don't have a cat.  I have a dog.  But in this case, it is not a lot different. Chang is a Pekingese who thinks he is a human, which is what most cats believe about themselves. 

I was trying to take pictures of my spring flowers and Chang would simply not get out of the way. When I finally gave up and tried to take his pictures, he flat stopped looking directly into the camera. Therefore, I have this 3/4 face regal view of him (with Bleeding Hearts behind).

My erosion bundle

http:/erosionbundles.blogspot.com/

I have been putting together fabric, rusting things, and old lino prints for my erosion bundle and getting really excited about the idea of making something from the abused fabric.  THEN I get my first copy of Cloth Paper Scissors.  It has an article on wabi-sabi inspiration.  Here is a quote from the article: "Wabi-sabi refers to the qualities of imperfection, aging, cycles of nature, and cycles of life.  It values rust, patina, burnishing, tearing, staining, and decay."  Wooo Hooo!  Not only am I letting fabric rot outside for a few months and thereby adding rust, tearing, staining, and decay but I am creating using an Asian concept.  Cool, eh?

If you want to see what can be done with the wabi-sabi technique of erosion bundles,check out Spirit Cloth.

Shibori Experiment

Here is my latest Shibori experiment.  I learned the umbrella folding technique from Entwinement.

Letter to Santa Baby

http://fatquartershop.blogspot.com/2009/12/deeeaaar-santa.html

Santa Baby


Santa baby, slip some fabric under the tree, for me

I've been an awful good girl

Santa baby, and hurry down the chimney tonight

Santa baby, a cone of cotton thread, light blue

I'll wait up for you dear

Santa baby, and hurry down the chimney tonight

Think of all the fun I've missed

Think of all the fellas that I haven't kissed

Next year I could be oh so good

If you'd check off my Christmas list

Boo doo bee doo

Santa honey, I wanna light and really that's

Oh so right!

I've been an angel all year

Santa baby, and hurry down the chimney tonight

Santa cutie, there's one thing I really do need, the deed

To a longarm machine.

Santa cutie, and hurry down the chimney tonight

Santa baby, I'm filling my stocking with a pattern, and gift checks

Sign your 'X' on the line

Santa baby, and hurry down the chimney tonight

Come and trim my Christmas tree

With some notions bought at FQS

I really do believe in you

Let's see if you believe in me

Boo doo bee doo

Santa baby, forgot to mention one little thing, a jelly roll
I don't mean a pastry.

Santa baby, and hurry down the chimney tonight

Hurry down the chimney tonight

Hurry down the chimney tonight

Miss Rosie's Tuffets

I had been debating whether to make the Tuffets this month.  I am working on a number of things and don't care for pin cushions.  The biggest plus in the positive column for making the Tuffets was that I thought I could sew a hanger and a tassel on them and call them Christmas Tree Ornaments.  They would make wonderful presents for my tutors.

Well, my quandray was solved with a "snow day" and my work closing for the day.  So with an extra 10 hours today (work time, lunch, and travel time) I figure I can make a few tuffet Christmas Tree Ornaments as presents. LOL  Hmmm...where is that pattern?

Playing with rust

Deborah's piece at While I was Waiting reminds me of a piece I made last year.  All the fabric started out the same.  I wrapped some of the fabric around a rusty tin can and let it soak in vinegar for a while.  I fell in the love with the results and could barely stand to cut it.  Here is the very simple de-constructed quilt wall hanging I made with it.  I stiffened the fabric in the back so that it would lay relatively flat on the wall without support. You can see the three blocks of fabric in the piece that were not exposed to the rusting process.  Embroidery floss make the simple cross-stitches that serve as quilting.

Guest Pass

Over the weekend I got my membership card from the New England Quilt Museum in Lowell MA.  It came with a guest pass.  Anyone in the New England area want to visit the Museum?  I will mail you the guest pass.  Just let me know by Friday, December 11, why you would like it.

(Warning: the rest of this email is publicity for the New England Quilt Museum)

I live a couple of hours away from the Musuem but their classes and exhibits have been good enough to justify the drive to the museum.  Currently they have an exhibit of 40 contemporary quilt masters from around the world. The quilts are spectacular!  I even like the neighborhood the museum is in--full of cobblestone streets, art galleries, art supply stores, and restaurants!  (I can tell you which ones we have tried.) 

I keep trying to talk my husband into making a weekend out of our day trips--you know, an hour or so at the museum, a meal at a small local restaurant, a night at a local theatre (lots to choose from), and a stay in a luxury hotel.  So far he is not showing sufficient interest (well, at least not POSITIVE interest).  Perhaps it will be my Christmas Present to him.  LOL

Christmas presents for family almost done!

Here is the front and back of the Cars quilt.  Not an artistic masterpiece but the litte boy will appreciate the Disney's Car fabric better than the G-Bend influenced style that I adore.  Later today the front and back will become more intimate with only a thin batting between.  After their indiscretion, they will be get bound together.

I have aslo finished the Pocket Doll.  Here is the 1) outside of the pocket,

2) the inside of the pocket showing the dresser (three pockets stacked to look like dresser drawers with buttons as drawer pulls), the closet (a ribbon with three buttons and 3 little hangers made from copper wire) and the bed with its own quilt,

3) and lastly Dolly in her nightgown in her bed. Nighty, nighty Dolly!

Now to find a mailing box.

Working on Christmas

I know that there is plenty of time for my Christmas Spirit to go south but right now I am feeling pretty good!  I think the most exciting part of the holiday is Giving.  This year the extended family is gathering around a member of the family who is having a difficult Christmas.  Family, isn't that what it is all about?

My sister became aware of the family's situation, asked permission of the anonymous family member to swing into action for the sake of the children involved, and was given permission.  So, the whole family from Oklahoma, Florida, Maine, Ohio, and Indiana are all chipping in to help Santa.  We might guess who the family member is but no one is mentioning names.

I volunteered to make another pocket doll for the little girl in the family. This will be my 4th.  I have all the little clothes made, the pocket with her closet and bed almost finished, and the doll herself yet to be started.  I'll post pictures when it is finished.  

For the little boy I am making a small quilt.  It won't be fancy--no time--besides I am sure he would rather have a fancy print than an intricately pieced design.  I went through my stash and found some panels from the Disney Movie, Cars.  Perfect for a little boy!  Even better, when I was shopping over the weekend I found a coordinating print for the back on sale.  Was this quilt meant to be or what?!  With a lot of luck, I will finish it this weekend.  I'll post pictures.

Ho Ho Ho!  I hope you are feeling as good about your Christmas!

Interpret This!

I have been invited to participate in a 2010 Challenge making art quilts!  I am sooooo excited!  The other invited artists are art quilters and they, plus any followers on the site, will make comments (good, bad, and ugly) about my work.  What an opportunity for growth! 

I know in the art classes I have taken that my favorite part has been when we all had the same assignment and then to see how we each handled it so differently.  That would always open my mind to so many other possibilities that I had never considered.  I am hoping this opportunity will do the same for me. 

Please come and see me at Interpret This!

What is red, white, and black all over?

After working hard to make the Winter Picnic quilt exact (sewing seams, checking points, ripping out seams, *re-sewing seams, checking points, ripping out seams: repeat from * until points match perfectly)  I need a day of the type of sewing I really enjoy.  So, this morning I am rewarding myself with working on an ongoing scrap project, Red, White, and Black All Over. 

I am using red, black, and white scraps along with some leftover red, white, or black blocks or half-triangles left over from other quilts.  I am also using some of the scraps to make blocks from Origami Quilts by Lousie Mabbs and Wendy Lowes.  I especially like the nip & tuck  and the posies for rosie2 techniques.  I may experiment with other techniques from the book but for the most part I want the quilt to just be free.  I want to just sit at my sewing machine and say, "Oh, these two scraps are about the same length and might look good sewn together."  and then to go for it.  Here are a few of my unique-shaped blocks.

This afternoon I will need to get serious again and work on Christmas presents and the Red and White Snowball Challege (and maybe wash dishes and fold some laundry).

November Schnibble--topped is finished!

Here is Winter Picnic on my design wall waiting to be quilted and bound.  That will have to wait until after Thanksgiving but since Sinta accepts quilt tops in the Year of Schnibble Challenge, here is my entry. 

Overall I am pleased by it.  It is very different than the Picnic picture on the pattern package.  Partly that is because of the difference in color palette but there are other changes.  The pattern gave us the option of making different types of baskets.  I dislike sampler quilts so I chose to make all the baskets identical.  I also was not particularly fond of the layout suggested by the pattern so I played with it.  I really liked this layout because of the strong pattern achieved by the positive and negative shapes.  I also decided to only highlight the sashing around the center baskets so the rest of the sashing is made from the background fabric.

Perhaps you can also see the element I added.  I reversed appliqued some flowered fabric  in the Kansas Winter collection that I fancy cut to highlight the flower.  I placed the flower in the center and then in the half-triangles in the middle of each side.  Here is a close up of the center flower.

The last change I made was in the border.  I thought the piano keys might fight a bit with strong layout so I decided to lay them sideways.  I am not totally thrilled with the border but it works sufficiently that I won't rip it out.  Once quilted I will bind the quilt with a black fabric that I used in the first outer border.

November Schnibble

I have my winter picnic started.  The baskets are all assembled and I am ready to start on the border.  Here is a picture of a basket but you will have to wait to see the top till it is finished. I am not sure I am going to go with the piano keys.  I need to live with the basket arrangement for a day or two to decide the best compliment.

Progress on many fronts

Just because I have not posted my progress on my many challenge and Christmas projects lately doesn't mean that I am not working!  I have been making progress and believe I will be making even more progress this weekend and next week when I take several days of of work.

1.  I have completely finished two of the three pocket dolls for Christmas presents to granddaughters.  I have all the clothes made for the third and just need to make the dolly and the pocket.

2.  Now that the handwork is finished for the doll clothes, I am back to working on my Shibori.  My guild has a brown bag challenge coming up in December.  I need to put three pieces of fabric in a brown bag along with some information about me.  I want to include an indigo shibori piece with two coordinated dyed pieces.  This picture is the beginning of my stitching for the shibori piece.

3.  For the UFO challenge, Joy in the New Year, I have tackled my fractured quilt top.  It was too fractured for my liking so I have cut it more (does that make any sense??) and inserted strips ala Ricky Timms.  Here is a picture of my progress.  So far, I like the results.

4.  I have not yet started cutting and piecing the November Schnibble, Picnic, but I do have the pattern and have chosen the color palette (not my typical cheerful, even childlike palette).  Here is a sneak peek at the materials.  It is Kansas Winter.  I am making the Schnibble to hang in the office of a co-worker and he wanted a more subdued color.  I will be starting the piecing this weekend. 

5.  Kate's quilt is still folded waiting for attention. Keep the suggestions coming for it.  I am getting a much stronger feel for how I want to proceed.

6.  Last, I have started adding details to the fabric self-portrait I am making for my Mom. The large pieces of fabric are all fused together and now I am making the faces with various media--currently using water-color pencils but will continue with some stronger colors.  I need to take a picture and get your suggestions.  Later.  This is definitely one of those tenative pieces where I work very slowly.  You know, *do a little, live with it a while, do a little more, live with it, and repeat from *

MQX 2010 Charity Challenge to Benefit the Museum

Okay, so I am insane but I am accepting ANOTHER challenge.  I figure I don't have to start this challenge until after January so I will have completed the UFO Challenge (due January 1) and the Red and White Quilt Challenge (due the end of January) and will only have the Year of Schnibbles project as an obligation to work on.  Who knows, maybe I will be able to connect the Year of Schnibbles and the Charity Challenge together!  Sinta, any chance the January, February, or March Schnibble could have a bear claw in the design?

Here is the information about the challenge:
The New England Quilt Museum is the beneficiary of this year's MQX Charity Challenge. Sponsored by Sew Batik, the charity challenge is an invitation to all quilters to create and enter a quilt using the luscious batik fabrics donated by Sew Batik.

This challenge quilt may be traditional, art or contemporary in style and it may be pieced or appliquéd. The only stipulation is that the MQX logo block, The Bear Paw, must be incorporated into the quilt. It may be the entire quilt or a single element and it may be pieced or appliquéd as a recognizable part of the quilt. Quilts must be no bigger than 45" per side. The deadline for entry is March 1, 2010. The Challenge fee is $30 and covers the cost of the fabrics, fabric shipping fees and quilt entry into the competition (quilt shipping fees and return fees are not included). To download complete instructions on how to enter the MQX 2010 Charity Challenge, click here.

Kate's Wedding Quilt

Okay, here is my plea for some suggestions. 

I started Kate's quilt years ago.  I think she has now been married for 3 years, maybe 4.  She has one little boy and is now expecting a second baby.  I would really like to finish it before the year is out.  Image her surprise if she got it for Christmas?  And I could count it in my UFO list for Joy in the New Year Challenge.

Here is the problem.  I think it is too long for the width and I would like for it to be at least a twin size when finished.  I am not sure what to add that will work with what is started.  Here is a not very good picture and some close ups of details.

Okay, here is the story the quilt is telling

Do you know the story of Johnny Lingo?  He prized his wife so much that he paid her father 8 cows as her bride price so that she would never have any doubt of her value in his eyes.  Well, when Andrew asked Kate's father for permission to marry her, Andrew brought 8 stuffed cows to give to her father.  So, the quilt has 8 paper-pieced cows that lead up to the paper-pieced temple, and a paper-pieced bride and groom.  In the sky the paper-pieced Angel Moroni is blowing his horn and dispersing the darkness. Both Kate and Andrew are return missionaries so the symbolism seemed appropriate.

The question is how to add borders that will bring the finished size up to what I need and will compliment the story of the center?

A vacation day for working on UFOs

I have been working on my UFOs.  First, here is a picture of my finished October Schnibble.  It is now waiting for my step-daughter, Bekka, to deliver our new grandson in December.

Here is the finished floating squares for my bed.  The gold in it doesn't really show up well in the photograph.  The quilt is brilliant in person.  When I show my husband a quilt design and ask him if he likes it, he always asks if it will keep him warm.  This one will keep him warm.

I didn't list finishing the self-portraits the kids made a few weeks ago but they all need to be bound.  Here is the first of the seven I need to finish.    After cutting his hair, this boy decided he would rather have a mustache so his self-portrait is a bit old looking for his 10 years of age.  Other than that, it looks just like him.

Big Day

Yesterday was certainly a big day!  First, it snowed.  First snow of the winter.  It was pretty coming down as it stuck to the trees and wires.  Today as the wind is blowing it down from the trees and wires in thick clumps, it is pretty again.  Unfortunately it is the beginnning of winter for me.

I had hoped for a long fall.  Spring lasted to the first week in August.  Rain, and the resultant mosquitoes, made being outside unpleasant. Then we had two weeks of Summer.  Fall began the last week in August.  I had hoped it would last until at least the end of November as recompense for the Spring.  Instead we have snow and  lower than normal temperatures.

But yesterday did have some wonderful things happening.  I received my package from the Fat Quarter Shop.  Now I have the pattern for the November Schnibble and a jelly roll cake of Kansas Winter for the pattern--it will be a Thanksgiving Picnic.

AND I received the book "40 Fabulous Quick-Cut Quilts" by Evelyn Sloppy from Amazon.  It has the pattern for the red and white snowball quilt challenge.  Yeah, now I can start that too!

AND I got some off-white and cream fabric prints I had ordered from Christa's Quilts for the fabric swap.  I spent the afternoon washing, ironing, cutting and packaging the fabric to send off to my 7 swap buddies.  They (packages not the swap buddies) are all sent off today to their new homes.  I know that Sinta has already sent out hers so I should start receiving mine anytime.  Whoooo Hoooo!

WIP--Ode to Fall

These are before and after pictures.  The one on the left is the before--a wonderful batik that looks like it has leaf prints on it.  The one on the right is after I did a rubbing of leaves with my new paint sticks.  I am not sure what the next step will be for this little quilt I am making.  Any suggestions?

I am a sucker for a give-away!

Laurie ( and have you seen her beautiful family picture at her blog?) told me about the free give away at Sweet Home Quilts.  I never win but I live in eternal hope.  Tee Hee

Special Exhibit at the New England Quilt Museum

Check out this fantastic exhibit at the New England Quilt Museum.  I am torn whether to attend it or not.  That is the only Saturday I have home in November to devote to quilting. So, I can go and look at other artist's fabulous quilts or stay home and work on my November Schnibble, tackle a UFO for the UFO challenge, finish my granddaugthers' pocket dolls, and/or work on the self-portrait wall hanging I am making for my mother for Christmas (well, let's be real, I would probably start a new project too).

Here is a picture of the quilt I made for my new grandson last year.  It is my first attempt at discharging.  This is a whole cloth quilt made from the dark blue fabric that I had painted with bleach then used paint markers to give some additional color.  I think it iwas the last project that I quilted by hand.  I used that new batting with 50% cotton and 50% bamboo.  I really like that batting--very soft and drapes wonderfully.

That is the Love of my life holding it.

Wrapped up in Sports

I just learned about this organization today when I read my e-newsletter from the New England Quilt Museum.  Wrapped up in Sports is a non-profit organization that is "dedicated to making, collecting and donating professional sports teams-inspired quilts for children in medical, social and mental-health need. "  That sounds like a good cause, doesn't it?  The organization is located in Boston and requests that the teams represented on the quilts be the Red Sox, Patriots, Celtics, or Bruins.  Maybe one of my next Schnibble will have a color palette of one of the Boston teams and sport-theme fabric.

UFO challenge

I have done it.  Joined the UFO challenge at http://tallgrassprairiestudio.blogspot.com/.   I am taking a few days off of work at Thanksgiving when I was going to work on a Thanksgiving feast. So much for cooking!!  Here are the projects I am counting.  I, of course, have several other project in process but none of them are far enough along to count in this challenge.


I counted 4 finished tops--
1.  October schnibble that I have pinned and ready to go

2.  crazy quilt yellow
3.  fractured crazy quilt (see the picture)
4.  9x9 quilt (actually put this together several years ago but it needs a border added)
5.  I am not counting the fall quilt because I want to do some surface technique on it first.  I'll show you a picture later.

And 3 unfinished tops
1.  Kates's wedding quilt (got married 3 years ago).
2.  The stars quilt I stopped working on 4 years ago to work on Kate's quilt.
3.  November Schnibble (not started yet but I have ordered the pattern).

Here is my pillowcase for the1136th Transportation Unit from Maine that is going to Afghanistan.  A mother and grandmother of someone in the unit thought it would be great for the soldiers to take something from home with them.  They requested people make pillowcases with Maine wildlife.  So, how much more Maine can you get but lobsters?  I am not sure about the flames on the border piece.  The colors are perfect and you do need flames to cook the lobsters but do you really want to sleep with your head on flames? 

Here is what I am hoping to win!

Here is what I am hoping to win from http://cvquiltworks.blogspot.com/.  Isn't she nice to bring us back presents?

October Schnibble is DONE!

Well, maybe not totally done.  I still need to quilt and bind it but the top is done and it is only the 27th.  It varies from the pattern a little.  First I reversed the colors of the blue and green in the 9-patch blocks.  I liked having the blue in the same position in all the 9-patch blocks.  Second change was the piano key border.  I really wanted more of the blue and green on the outside.  I am really pleased with the results.  Tomorrow I will post how I made the snowball blocks.  I changed that a bit also.

Cindy Lou Who

Cindy Lou Who: Everybody seems to kerbabbled. Isn't this just a little superfluous?


I am loving my Cindy Lou Who quilt althought perhaps I should name it the Stu Lou Who quilt since I am making it as a baby quilt for a little boy.  Tomorrow (I hope) will be the big unveiling.  I just need to finish the border and I'll have the top done (and here it is only the 27th of October!)
 
Cindy Lou Who: [kisses the Grinch on the cheek] Your cheek's so...



The Grinch: I know. Hairy.


Cindy Lou Who: No.


The Grinch: Greasy? Stinky? Do I have a zit?


Cindy Lou Who: No. Warm.  (and so is my Stu Lou Who quilt!)

Terry's Scrappy Heart

Here is my block for Terry's Quilt sponsored by A Yankee Quilter.  I gave it to Laurie last night.  It was really fun to make --I am pretty sure I learned how to do it from a tutorial on one of the blogs that I follow but when I tried to find the tutorial to give credit, I couldn't find it.  Sorry.

Here are the steps I took to make it.

1. Sew together red scraps to make a fabric block.

2.Cut the fabric in half and shape it into heart halves. Feel free to turn the fabric so the fabric doesn't match on the two sides.

3. Sew the background fabric on to the heart halves.

4.  Sew the two halve together.

5. Trim to size and voila!

This was so fun I think I will make a whole quilt like this.

Looking Forward

I am looking forward to this weekend!  My stress levels  are now good enough that I can tackle the last of my reading to complete my grad class.  I have guiltily been debating whether I can play with quilts or do the reading this weekend when it occured to me that it was not an either/or proposition.  I could commit to read one chapter a day and then I can spend the rest of the time on quilts!  Yeah ME for figuring out something so simple.  LOL

So this weekend I get to:
1.  Finish preparing a talk for church and my Sunday School lesson,
2.  Read two chapters on cost-benefit analysis and annotate
3.  Create my 9 1/2" block for Terry's Quilt
4.  Finish my fabric self-portrait (I'll show it to you when it is finished)
5.  Work on the granddaughters' Doll Pocket Christmas presents
6.  Start my October Schnibble (I have my color palette chosen and have started making 5" charm squares for it)
7.  Use my paint sticks to create some autumn leaf fabric (this is what I am really drooling to do!)

That should keep me busy and happy!

Stepping Stones and Jelly Roll

I had a wonderful long weekend visiting my daughter and her family in NH.  While I was there I made my first pilgrimage to Keepsake Quilting in NH.  I don't know if it is America's favorite but it was the largest quilt shop I have been in.  The fabrics were wonderful.  Unfortunately I had already spent my quilting money for the month so I could basically only drool.  I did buy one jelly roll and a paper-piecing pattern named Stepping Stones.  I will need two more jelly rolls but I have enough fabric in my stash to make them.  Oh, I want to start this weekend on it!  I love paper-piecing!