Design Wall

My design wall is sporting Blocks 1 & 2 of Morning Glory Designs' BOM. 

And once again I am so excited at how great the black button hole stitch looks on these blocks.  The flower and leaves are all done with batiks from stash.  I did buy the black background fabric.  I will need to take a better picture so the flame-like pattern can show up.

Just off the design wall are the three mug rugs I made for a swap on the Fat Cat Pattern Yahoo list.  She started the swap in Nov/Dec so I had plenty of time but the deadline was today .... I got them sent last Friday.  I have got to stop putting things off till the last minute.

 

 

And now the most exciting news.  Look at the next picture.  It is an antique, handmade cart and it is now mine.  The local yarn store is going out of business and she is selling all of the supplies and fittings including the antiques she bought to brighten up her store.  My plan is to use it to store my quilts.  And it will be in my bedroom where I will be able to see them every morning. 

BOMs Design Walls

Last week I showed this block but it was only stuck down, no stitching.  Well he is stitched down now.
























I am using several of the fancy stitches on these blocks because this is a “fun” BOM.  This stitch is a loop-d-loop which I thought made the “frosting” look more “real.”

The scarf got a wavy stitch: attempting some movement.  I used the back side of the fabric for the lower part of the scarf and the right side for the upper part. I also used different shades of the teal thread.  I probably won’t be that “picky” by the time I have made more blocks.

 

 

 

 

 

I did nothing fancy on the face or the body as I will be doing them over and over and I do like consistency


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So today I printed out the February blocks for the two BOMs I am doing. And tomorrow I will be drawing the outlines for the fusible and picking my fabrics.  However, before I do that I am going to watch The Quilt Show which is featuring Sharon Schamber.  She is supposed to be showing how she does applique without using fusible.  I figure that I can’t loose by learning something from a great like Sharon.  We’ll see how it goes.










I have also be working on some mug rugs for a swap. Here you can see the top and the backing.

















I was stay stitching around prior to quilting when the thread broke, three times.  I have decided it was the thread and I’m throwing it away.  Tomorrow will be another day to get these babies done.













I did want to share my new pincushion.  She was made by a lady in Pensacola, FL (don’t know her name) and I just couldn’t leave the store without her.  I don’t know where she is going to reside yet but I love seeing her as I come into the studio.

And back in the house, this is Abby who wants to know if we really have to get up.  I get this look as I start moving around: it is a great way to start the day.  And it usually prolongs the getting up process.

 

Tomorrow I will be linking with Patchwork Times and What a Hoot Quilts.  Please visit each of them to see all of the creativeness going on out there.  Gari

Wow, it’s Design Wall Monday, again.

And yet, there is nothing on my design wall this morning.

During the last week I sewed the blocks together and decided on the inner border.  I blogged about this fabric here and am really happy with how well it goes with my swap blocks.













And then I decided on the outer border and this past weekend I cut it out and

















And sewed them on.  I am so excited at how this quilt has turned out.  During the making I, again, remembered how difficult swap blocks can be: not the right size, no quarter inch seam allowance, poor stitching, pleats inside the block, etc.  However, once I decided that I was going to use each block pretty much as it came, the top came together to be beautiful.  I also got the binding prepared so now it is ready for quilting (once I put a backing together).

And that brings me to the mental block I have been suffering since June.  That’s when Judy at Patchwork Times offered lessons on stitching feathers.  I made my quilt, a Carpenter’s Star, put it on the frame and stitched the top border.








And that’s as far as I got.  Between the stitch regulator now working and my unhappiness with my feathers, I just couldn’t make myself go back into the quilting room…..until Sunday.







You see, I am making two quilts that I want to have done by Thanksgiving.  Both tops are done but in order to get them quilted I have to finish this quilt.  So Sunday I made the stitch regulator work and then quilted one more line. 








I am not unhappy with how these feathers look, but I still need to quilt a curved feather as well as a circular feather.  I have given myself this week to get this done: I really need to move on.




And, in between quilting bouts I will be making my funky chicken #9, my color challenge project, and working on my EQ7 lessons.  And, how do I relax?  I read murder mysteries, especially ones that include quilters.  Nothing better than sitting on the swing out on the deck, reading a book and petting a puppy.
Oh, I also spend a little time on the computer trying to get through all the blogs that are posted on Patchwork Times every Monday.  Lots of great stitching going on over there. 

On The Wall

There is finally something on my design wall that I am really working on.  I ordered this panel from The Fat Quarter Shop.  It is the perfect compliment to my swap blocks, don’t you think?  It comes with an unusual measurement (31.5 x 42) so I will get to play with the math to figure out the setting blocks.  I think I will have to “shop” for a good fabric for them.  I think white with just a little, very little, print.  Of course I will have to find just what I am thinking of: I love shopping for something I’ve never seen.






I fused my 8th Funky Chicken this weekend. 













A couple of people have asked how I do my applique so I am showing a little of what I do.  For the larger pieces I “window” the fusible.  I cut the center out, leaving only about 1/4” of the fusible and then fuse it onto the fabric.  This leaves the applique more supple. 












I don’t bother to window the smaller pieces and it doesn’t seem to matter.















On Saturday DH and I went to Auburn, AL for the first home game of the season.  It ‘s a good thing that orange is my favorite color, it was everywhere.


















And of course I love my eagle shirt: I love it.
















We even came home with a new toy.












Now, just for fun, does anyone know what this is? 




There is no prize for this.  I started playing with this late Sunday afternoon and it is truly going to be a work in process.

So while I play, hop on over to Patchwork Times so see what others are playing with. 

Completions and New Projects

It’s a flimsy.  I am really happy with how it is looking; I just wish I could remember when I came up with this layout and decided on the fabrics for it.  As I have said before, the embroidered blocks were online swap blocks that have sat around here for a few years, the others I made as alternate blocks.  I must say that while I was putting this together I began to think that it was a might too busy but once they were all together, I really liked it. 




I also got the binding ready and this is what it will look like once I get it quilted.  That won’t be happening this month but plan to get it on the frame in October.








And here is one other thing I finished.  This is an applique I got from Sharon at Varooman’s Quilts.  I am an Auburn graduate and an Auburn Fan and when I saw this eagle on her blog I was so excited.  I wrote her and asked if it was for sale and she let me use it.  It is something she drew herself (I sure wish I could draw) and didn’t it come out beautifully.  I will be wearing this shirt when we go to Auburn’s first  home game on the 15th.








So, you might ask, what’s on my Design Wall now.  Well, nothing.  BUT here’s what is on my Design ironing board:




First we have Teapot #2 from Rhonda.  I have the fusible ready and just have to pick out the fabrics.















Second, I also prepared the fusible for another project (new) I need to get started.  This one is pretty simple and should be fun and quick.

















And third, I have pulled fabric for the Color Palette Challenge for September.  I have no idea what I will be doing with them but at least I am ready when inspiration hits, I hope. 







And lastly I am sharing the first signs of Fall in South AL.  We get few of the bright colors that are seen in the north but every once in a while we do get a bright spot.  It is still warm down here (that’s why the pool is so comfortable each afternoon) but even here it will be much cooler soon.








Now, I am going to Patchwork Times and then to What a Hoot to see what others are sharing .  And then I am off to the studio to work on all those things you just read about, and maybe a little cleaning, too.
 

Chic-Chick

These chickens have come home to roost.  These are the first six blocks of the Funky Chicken BOM from fatcatpatterns.com.  I only have two more to make and I will be all caught up.  And I cannot tell you how much fun I have been having picking the fabrics for all the pieces.  I am hoping to be able to start some of the stitching this afternoon but first I will need to decide on thread and what stitch I will be using. 




And this is what is on my main wall.  Actually, these are two sets of Christmas swap blocks that I need to get made up (2009 & 2011).  I did have some heart stopping time when I went to get both sets and could only find one.  It took me a couple of days to spot the second set.  And then, when I found it (set on the left), I found that I had already made a second set of blocks to go with them.   




I have 13 of these as well as the sashing, already cut (light fabric) and borders (darker fabric).  Looks like this one is going to be pretty easy.



Now all I have to do is figure out how I am going to make the blocks on the right become a quilt. 

One thing that has been keeping me out of the studio is that I have been working on EQ7 lessons.  I joined an online group that is working on the lessons that are found in the program.  I have to complete 2 lessons a week and post a picture of whatever was covered.  So far I have been able to do everything and am even a coupe weeks ahead.  It really is fun to be able to make that program work.  There are still several more lessons to work on so I have a lot more to learn.


I have even less time for sewing now-a-days as I , once again, have agreed to lead a new Weight Watcher’s meeting.  The really good thing about this meeting is that it is only 5 minuets from my house so I will be able to run right back to my sewing machine. 

But before I get back to my sewing, I'm going to spend a little time with Judy at Patchwork Times.  I know she will welcome you, too. 

Checking In

After finishing my 24 swap blocks on Monday it seemed as though I was never going to be able to be  back in the studio.  However, this afternoon I got to begin a new project, one that I have been looking forward to for a couple of months.  This is my first Funky Chicken block from Fat Cat Patterns.  I have been saving the patterns and even made this one before (see earlier post) as a birthday pillow for my mother.  I do fusible applique and have the pattern pieces drawn for two more chickens which I hope to be able to work on in the next week.  This one is only pressed but I really like the look, very different from the first one I also liked.




This somewhat fuzzy picture is of the background fabric I chose.  First, there is no green in the real fabric.  Secondly, I picked it because the “leaves” kind of looked like chicken tracks.  I think the fun of doing this BOM will be that the blocks make me smile all the while I am working on them. 




The other thing I worked on today was Henrietta Whiskers.  I got the center all sewed together and was just about to add the borders when I realized that it might be getting too big for the place I want to hang it.  So off to measure the space and the center and sure enough, I needed to make a change.  The original plan was seen here.  It is just the same as the original pattern.  I have decided to replace the original partial border, top and bottom, with smaller versions of the original outer border and will do a single binding using the original stop border.  It will then just barely fit in the space but will be the perfect Fall wall hanging for our dining room.

I started one other project but did not take any pictures, yet.  I bought a panto-cam and it came last week.  I opened the package, took out the instructions, read them and then decided I was too tired to deal with it.  Today I reread the instructions (no pictures) and took all the parts out and laid them on the quilt frame.  I then decided that I needed to see the video again to see where all those parts went and how they were to be put on the machine.  I may have to watch that video several more times before I get mine up and running but when it is done I will/should be able to view my pantograph from the front of the machine as well as see how the bobbin is doing as well.  Cool, huh?

 

Completion and New Shoes

I have been doing some sewing.  This is one of the swap blocks I have been putting off making.  I agreed to participate and then found what the colors were (not my choice) and that we were to prewash all the fabrics.  Have I ever said that I don’t like to prewash?  I have not seen the need but the real problem is that I don’t like to have to press all that fabric.  So I started with great intentions and then pooped out when it came time to press and cut the fabric.  And then the deadline loomed….and loomed…..and loomed.  So this week I pressed, and pressed, and cut, and sewed.







During all of this I also remembered that I am not a fan of chain piecing.  I did, however, figure out that if I marked my machine (see the pencil mark in the photo) I don’t have to draw a line on the fabric.  It made it a lot easier but I find chain piecing kind of boring.








11 blocks are almost finished.  This is the one I made so I could see how they will look.  Today I will finish putting them together and then get them in the mail and then I can get back to making a couple of fun quilts I have in mind.











On Saturday we shopped.  I “needed” to get some white sandals along with birdseed, pool stuff, and big magnets for my HQ.  I found my sandals right away but while I was looking DH started looking too which left me some time to browse.  This was not a good idea as I found these:



 Aren’t they beautiful? 





They are covered with owls with a background of orange (my favorite color, if you didn’t already know it).  Even a metal owl on the strap.  I wore them all Sunday and they are really comfortable.  My feet are not used to being enclosed but they are willing to allow it once in a while, as long as they are comfortable. 








I did take sewing brakes with a little reading and this:


I do have to say that this is a great way to relax.  30 minutes in the water and I was ready to go back to chain piecing.


Now that you and I are fully relaxed, lets check in with Judy at Patchwork Times to see what other quilters are working on.