Some of This; Some of That

Giveaway still open - see last Friday's post.  I haven't shown you my 2nd Design Wall in a long time.  Here are some bits and pieces that reside there. LOL - I'm hoping they won't always reside there.

New-ish are the three new hexagon flowers I machine appliqued to the backgrounds and some more teeny pinwheels for My Small World. The rest is a holding ground for things I"m working on.

The main design wall (as you can see) is empty for a change. I actually haven't started anything recently. I'm still working on quilting my Mod-Mod. I've been held back trying to figure out how to mark a white square and then Barbara at Baltimore Garden Quilts posted the very thing I needed - How to Use a Hera Marker. Perfect!  Learn a new technique and get on with that block.

I went to a quilt show with my Mom [I'll show photos soon], and found some fabric for my primitive quilt from a vendor there - Simply Put Plus. I wasn't having much luck on the Net.

As I'm going to use up these fat quarters, I'm not counting them as adds to my stash.  She has a lot of good stuff and fabric for my primitive Sweet Land of Liberty. If you can't find plaids and such, send her an email. Since she makes kits, she'd be happy to sell fabric, too.  Her business is patterns, etc. I'll be linking to Design Wall Monday and Esther's WOW, and other linky parties under my more tab.  See you there.

We were promised rain, but it never appeared. Now they say by the beginning of next week, the eternal summer will be back.  Stay warm those of you who are really experiencing winter. We're resigned to the return of drought conditions.

Blessings to you all,

Applique Tuesday

I'm almost done with my Anna's Garden block and time to start prepping the next one.
First I make a copy of the pattern and cut out pieces (cutting in the middle of the lines) very carefully to leave me the outline of the block for placement purposes.

 I also label each part so I'll know exactly where they will go back in the placement page.  I start with the ones that will be tucked under other pieces.

All in a bag now and ready for the next step - fabric and freezer paper. Some may think this is a lot of steps, but one at a time, it's not hard at all.  More later.

What are you up to?  Leave me a comment and I'll come by and look at your progress.

I'm linking to Connie's Linky Tuesday.  Go see the links at her party.

Applique Tuesday

Remember that eagle I was going to work on?  Here's as far as I got:

Still have legs and talons, laurel wreath and arrows to add.  Now to decide on a background for him.

It's been a while since I actually had something to post on Applique Tuesday. There were the bits on three Sampler blocks, but this is all applique.

Have you appliqued lately?  Let me know and I'll come visit.

I'm linking to Connie's Linky Tuesday and Esther's WOW.  Go on by and see all the quilty goodies there.

Applique Tuesday

I was able to get a copy of the guild photo of my itty bitty quilt #1.  Yeah!

It's appropriate that I'm posting today as it is Applique Tuesday at my house.  It's 8" x 10" and was the one given for our guild exchange.  Bit cooler today. Only 104.

Blessings!











-----------------------------Monday---------------------------------
Yesterday it was --------------------------------&gt
Today not much better  - 107, ugh.  I may have to scout out a second home to help me get through this.  Anyone want to shout out about their area that has 70-80 degree weather for the summer?

Not feeling too well today, must be the cumulative effect of so many hot days.  This is bad as its only the start of summer. Feel close to heat exhaustion, so not much sewing getting done even with the air on.

Did manage to make a yellow RSC block:

Off to replenish my cold drink and find my cooling neck scarf and wait out the heat of the day.
  --------------------------------------------------Sunday----------------------------------------------
First off, the stash report. I used .18 yd to make two RSC blocks, .04 yd for two leader and ender blocks, .25 yds for binding of St. Anne quilt,  .19 for two itty bitty quilts and gave away 1 yd of scraps. My new stash YTD total out is 55.04 yds 

I finally got some time to sandwich my isolette quilt top.  I use my dining table to sandwich, and it always seemed as if we were eating, soon be eating, or DH coming in soon for a snack and I wouldn't have time.  So in the meantime I assembled the batting

and found the backing.  I assemble the batting by finding scraps of the same kind of batting, cut two straight edges where they will abut, and join them with fusible interfacing.  While ironing the back discovered (1) it was not long enough and (2) there was a visible crease line down the center of this piece.  So I cut it right on the line, sewed a 1/4" along the line. Voilá, the line is gone.  Still too short . Cut a piece off the side and added it to the top.  Then I discovered there are crease lines on the border in the front!  Well I"m not taking it apart.  I'll just use a fabric pencil to color over the lines - they're not that long as the line was in back.  Do you get the feeling I really want to use this fabric?  Lol.  These quilts have to block light.
Here it is sandwiched. 

Have half the straight lines done so far. Off to finish the rest of those lines.

Hope you get to quilt today.  I'll be watching Father Brown and slow stitching hexagons this evening.  Blessings.
------------------------------------------------Saturday------------------------------------------
All quilted now:

Bound

Baby quilt ready to donate at next church quilt meeting:

----------------------------------------Friday-------------------------------------
Two small finishes.  One is a block for the RSC 2017 challenge and the other is an Itty Bitty Picture Perfect quilt (mine's not even close to perfect -lol). The back acts as a sleeve so it will be displayed on an acrylic stand as it is in the photo.

This is one of two I made. Not happy with the background for these flip-flops.  I couldn't find my lighter cloud fabric. Our theme was Summer. The other one is a vase - both required applique.The other I forgot to take a photo!  I'm hoping Mary who got it on the steal game will send me a pic. I got a nice 4th of July one.  I'll put it on display soon.

My other finish is the last blue block for the RSC challenge: 

I have 16 of 25 done now - again from Pat Sloan's Summer Solstice. Changed it up a bit by making those star blades from stitch and flip squares on a rectangle instead of using HSTs. Now have 16 of 25 done - again from Pat Sloan's Summer Solstice.   I'm linking to the usual parties.  See my tab under the header.

Blessings!

Off the Wall for Applique Tuesday

Off my design wall is my mistletoe square now a rectangle. It's become a block.  I'm so tickled pink with this Crafty Applique method. Used two fabrics that aren't batiks and no fraying in sight.

More later. Off to bed.  I'm linking up - see linky party tab above.

Applique Tuesday on Wednesday

Had a guild meeting so couldn't post this yesterday.  I'm using Lara Bucella's method of raw edge applique and loving it.

Off to start another.  What are you up to?  Leave me a comment and I'll come by to see your WIP.
Giveaway still one, top sidebar.

Applique Tuesday

An applique block for Splendid Sampler. This one is a cute one.  I can see using it as a birthday postcard by adding a candle:

What are you up to?  Leave me a comment and I'll come by and see.  Giveaway still open - see sidebar.  Blessings.

Some of This, Some of That

Working on the commission quilt, I had to pull some white solid from my stash - another 1/2 yd gone. Made two more stars and 4 more hour glasses - another 1/2 yd.  Made an SS block 

- another .03 yd for a total of 1.03 yards used last week.  That brings me back to  a YTD total of 41.86 yds.

Over the weekend I was able to get back to my ancient WIP and hand stitched two motifs and prepped another - way behind there as I wanted to do one a day. I've also started on the actual star round for the Gwennie QAL - meaning I'm prepping the applique that goes with those hexi stars I made.  

In making the commission quilt I discovered a trick if you need to cut two diagonals and you don't have a rotating cutting mat (I do, but I can't find it!).

 Place your block on-point on your (stationary -lol)cutting mat. Line up the ruler from point to point. Make your first cut.

Now move your ruler horizontally to line up to the other two corners. Make your second cut.  LOL - it took me forever to stumble on this trick of not having to contort myself to cut that second diagonal.  It may be an old trick to you, or you've seen it done elsewhere (if so, congrats). I'm just so glad I found this as now my cutting is more precise.  That's always a good thing.



So what are you up to?  Leave me a comment and I'll come by.  Off to link up to some parties (tab above). And  heads up:  I'll be having a welcome back WIPs Be Gone this Friday with giveaways!

Slow Sunday Stitching and more

First off, I'm giving away a quilt book - ends Thursday, the 21st, midnight.  You can see the details on my July 16 post.

For my Sunday stitching, I'm slowly hand appliqueing my Dresden plate right now. Circle is done. Now working on blades.

Notice the repurposed fruit container - now my traveling sewing case - lol.  Visit Kathy's to see what others are stitching today. Button under Linky party tab above.

I did use some fabric this past week: a 1/4 yard for my medallion QAL; 7 yards donated to a local church (not St. Anne's we make baby quilts - they make quilts for Africa); and a 1/2 yard for this Happy Bag.  Our guild makes 400-600 bags to fill with goodies for the Loma Linda University Children's Hospital. patients. We distribute them at Christmas to their pediatric patients.  My YTD total for stash busting jumped to  34.06  yards.

Thought this might work for a 8-12 year old.  It's a very easy pattern.  You can find it here .

What are you up to?  Leave me a comment and I'll try to come by.
Blessings

Applique Tuesday

Another one for the "to be appliqued" pile.  This one by machine:

Looks Chritmasy (sp?) doesn't it?

Applique Tuesday & Etc

First off, I'm giving away a quilt book - ends Thursday, the 7th, midnight.  You can see the details at my July 1 post.

On my design wall, I've added a few bits - some more machine appliqued hexie blocks, another sorta/kinda flag block.

 Today I was working on a SS block that needs some hand applique.  Had 2 1/2 hours at the doc's (DH's appt) to work on it. Got the machine and heart done.  Now just the grey bits to do.  I did read half of a book, ate lunch, and talked to others waiting, or would have gotten more done.

Applique Tuesday

This will be short. Laser eye surgery tomorrow.  Here's my Splendid Sampler block #36.  I paper pieced it with invisible thread, and machine appliqued with invisible thread.

Giveaway still on - see the 6/25 post for a chance for hexagon papers.

Applique Tuesday

Here's Splendid Sampler block #27  all prepped and ready for some slow stitching some evening or Sunday.  

I've embroidered the needle but I'm not happy with it.  Think I'll look around for some metallic grey thread and see if it stands out more.  What do you think?  Am I obsessing?

Also, the WIPs Be Gone linky and giveaway is still open.  This is the book you can win:

Go here to read all about it and comment/link your eye candy.

What are you up to?  Leave me a comment and I'll come by and see your eye candy.

Stay cool - it was 117 degrees here today on our patio!  Yesterday it was 115 and tomorrow they say will be slightly cooler - hah. We'll see.  There are two fires west of us and they're sending smoke north of us.  No danger to us, but may have to get a nose mask if the wind changes and sends it our way.  Right now all it is doing is coloring the sky on one side.

Take care.

Medallion QAL

Here's my center for the Gwennie Inspired Medallion QAL started by Lori of Humble Quilts.  You can read about it here .

The theme for the first month was baskets.  I've been super busy with company, family and special events. Throw in a few bout of sickness and my sewing time has been very limited, but I so want to do this QAL.  Soo... for this month I very loosely interpreted Gwen's liberating quilting and chose to do broderie perse  for my basket.  It just doesn't have a handle.  I hope Gwen would approve that I used what I had (an old tablecloth) and a pair of scissors, some steam-a-seam, and a 12 1/2" square to make my center. Do go over to Lori's to see all the centers that have been revealed today. Next month's theme is childhood.  I already have an idea - hope I can execute it more "Marston" this time. 

Applique Tuesday

Another block of WIP #17 done. No more prepped ones.  Will need to try to do the next one. Wish me luck.

Yet Again

no Applique on Tuesday except for the machine applique I finished on the border of the elephant quilt, but I did finish the last hexie flower for my WIP #3!  Yeah - all 36 done.

 Now I have to decide how I want to put them together. Hmmm. I've also been quilting my elephant quilt. Waiting for a thread from Superior. Had nothing the right color to finish the foliage.

Trying a few different motifs.

Let me know in a comment what you've been up to, and I'll come by for a visit. Blessings!

Applique Tuesday

Our guest appliquer this week is Lily!  She wanted to put together something else.  I gave her a piece of background, around 10 x 12" I marked with a Frixion pen a 1/2" line in from the sides. I gave her a box of scraps and a glue stick.  Then I told her to paint a picture with the scraps - any color, size, shape she wanted.  Once she had them where she wanted them, I had her turn them over and rub some glue on the backs and replace to where she wanted them and pat them down.  This took her about an hour to do - I was able to get some quilting in while she created.  When done, we cut a like size piece of batting and I let her pick a back.  She picked colorful flowers. You can see the print in the border.  I cut the back an 1 1/4 larger than the front, sandwiched and did raw edge applique on the machine.  Here's Lily's piece:

I suggested she use it as a placemat. She looked at me affronted and said, "It'll get dirty, Grandma!" She's going to put it on the end table near her bed.

And on my design wall - another baby quilt top. This measures 30".

 I love those owls!

What have you been up to --applique or other wise?  Leave me a comment and I'll come by and take a look at your eye candy.  Blessings!

An Applique Tuesday QRG Report

On the quilting front: Made a mug rug but can't show it until after tomorrow's guild meeting. It's part of a game.  Used a fat quarter on that mug rug and something else I can't mention. That's it for my stash report.  I did do some slow stitching Sunday:

All the vertical sashings are done. Now working on the horizontal joining sashing. Little by little.
And today I slow stitched on a hexie as I waited for my mom at the doctors.

Then working on my commission quilt.  Machine quilting the symbols.  I didn't like the zig-zag for these, so doing them with straight stitch, but a straight stitch done with FMQ.  Straight stitch on left.

If I had my druthers, I'd have machine appliqued these before starting the assembly of the quilt. Limited to how these can be stitched down otherwise.

Once those are done, got started on stitching in the ditch to anchor the blocks.

This will be a slow process - not due until Dec 18th and I have two sets of out of town visitors starting Nov 25th.  I'll be happy to get to do 15 a day.

Still reading the Guernsey book.  And from the garden, the last of the flowers for now:

I love these sulpher cosmos!

What are you up to?  Leave me a comment and I'll come see your eye candy!

Applique Tuesday

Again, no applique progress on my projects, but finding applique everywhere.  Here is some I found on a panel gifted to St. Anne's:

Cutest little panel in flannel.  I made it using the envelope method of putting the three layers together.

I just outlined the larger elements in this as the quilting for this batting can be 10" apart.  I used Superior Bottom Line in Silver for the bobbin work and you can hardly see it on the back:

The color is off because it was the only way some of the quilting would show up in the photo.
I'll be turning it in at Thursday's St. Anne's meeting.

What are you up to?  Leave me a comment and I'll come over to see your eye candy.  Are you staying up for the solar eclipse?  I'm off to bed after I link this post to Esther's WOW, Connie's Linky Tuesday, and publish.

Applique Tuesday

For each three flowers I make for Hexie Friday, I need a basket and leaves on the background.  These I applique. Here's one in progress.  I make the templates from freezer paper.  Iron the seam allowance to the shiny side of the template and iron in place.  Fast way to be about appliqueing the parts.

Would love to see your applique or whatever you're working on.  It's so inspiring to see other's work. Linky below.