Some of This, Some of That

In the process of finishing WIP #2 - the signature quilt - I was forced to try out a technique for adding text to the quilt.  I should have transfered the text before I sandwiched it, but I didn't, so I have to come up with a way to transfer it to the partially quilted top.  Here's where I became a brave quilter and took on this challenge because this quilt had to be done by April 29th.

 First using Word on my computer, I found a font and the size I needed for the text and printed it.

 Next I traced the text onto freezer paper and cut the paper to the size of the space where the text would go.

 Then with paper scissors, I cut out the stencil from the freezer paper.

 Next I ironed the freezer paper to the quilt top.

 Then taking my Frixion pen (it was blue, don't know why it looks black) and traced it through the stencil onto the quilt. I'm terrible in writing so neatly - that's why the stencils. Also, I've sewn over the words on paper before, but then it's so time consuming to remove all that stitched over paper.

Then I took the quilt to my machine and stitched the text with my FMQ foot.  And can you believe it! I forgot to take a photo of the finished quilt!  Geesh.  And she loved it.  Here's the birthday girl on her special celebration last Saturday:

I'm working on a baby quilt from the disappearing broken dish pattern by Jenny Doan, so about a yard is going into that.  I've made one Splendid Sampler block so another .06 of a yard used.  So the new YTD total de-stashing is 17.06 yds. Very slow progress there.

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

WIPs Be Gone -Not Really

Not much done on the WIP front this week as I prepared for company and got some things ready for the big weekend. All I did was add side borders to WIP #6 [which I started 4/25/15] to go from this:

to this:

Want to add another border.  Blue or pink?

That's my WIP progress this week.  How about you?  Link below to share your WIP.   Remember if you don't have a blog, you can always post a photo from a photostream.  Please be sure there is some way for me to contact you.  I'll be linking to several parties - Tab above.

An InLinkz Link-up

Splendid Sampler blocks

I'm learning a lot doing these Splendid Sampler blocks . And several things I've discovered go to making these 6 1/2" blocks with success when they have so many pieces as in SS#2, 12 and 17 so far.
Here is what I've learned:

 1. Sew a scant 1/4" by sewing just to the right of the diagonal you have drawn not on the diagonal.

2.  Always sew that scant 1/4" on the side of the diagonal closest to the outside corner you are going to flip your fabric toward.

3. To reduce bulk trim seams to 1/8" on these tiny pieces.

 4. Always true up the units you've made before you sew them together. Even a tiny bit can throw the size off. And press, press, press.

 5. Abut your seams where they intersect and pin them so that the under piece will be sewn correctly to avoid bulk.

That's what works for me. Any other tips you'd like to share? Would love to hear what you do.

PS:  If you'd like to see my SS blocks, you'll find them on the right sidebar.

Some WIPs Be Gone progress and 2nd Giveaway

Our winner of last week's giveaway is Susan of Desertsky Quilting.  Hope to hear from you, Susan, so I can send you the list of books to choose from.  Yes, list - I've been weeding again.  It's interesting how likes  and style change as time passes while I quilt.  I seem to be moving away from the more traditional quilts to new challenges.  Have you seen your project preferences change?

Here's another outer row for that Jubilee quilt which is WIP #3:

It's going slow because I have been spending almost all of my quilting time trying to finish this:

The quilting for WIP #2 is about 90% done.  After the SID on most of the seams I've been concentrating on quilting the motif for the squares and the sides of the squares:

I got the quilt motif from a pattern from Allpeoplequilt found here .  I just modified it by making it simpler.  You have to download the pattern to see the motif on page 6.

That's my WIP progress this week.  How about you?  Link below and you'll have a chance at another book. I'll be sending the winner a list of three titles from which one can be picked. Remember if you don't have a blog, you can always post a photo from a photostream.  Please be sure there is some way for me to contact you.  I'll be linking to several parties - Tab above.

An InLinkz Link-up

Some of This; Some of That.

Put a back to one of my WIPs - so pulled 2.5 yards for that.  Made two Splendid Sampler blocks means I used another fat 8th, plus the one from last week. So my new YTD total de-stashing is 15.96 yds.

My arthritic hands are a lot better, but I still can't hand sew more than 15 - 20 minutes before they start stinging. So not much progress on my hand quilting my oldest WIP.  I'm sure glad I finished this hexie center while I convalesced and before the hand issue.  I got it done and then didn't like it - the flowers didn't show up with those light teal hexies below them.  Here's the before:

So I ripped them out, added some darker ones and moved some gray ones and got this:

I think this works better.  What do you think?  Don't worry - you won't hurt my feelings.

Leave a comment and I'll go by and see what you're up to.  There are so many of you and one of me - I can't always find you all and thus I miss your eye candy, so you have to remind me - and the giveaway is still on - see previous post.  Blessings during this ongoing Easter season.

WIPs Be Gone & Giveaway

I had hoped to have two finished WIP tops to show you, but at least I have one:

This WIP #2 is from 10 years ago.  Had all the sub units made; just needed to put them into blocks and then into a top.  It will be the next top I quilt.

WIP #3 got another row to its border, two more to go.

I was kept busy quilting that baby top that I started last year -WIP #5.  It goes to St Anne's tomorrow for another member to bind.  Here's the back to show the quilting.

And here's the front:

These blocks were part of the month RSC2015 had orange and pink.  You can see why I showed you the back. The quilting hardly shows on the front.

Now it's your turn. Would love to see what you're working on, whether finished or WIP progress or an old post, or even about what is going on in your life - not necessarily quilty. Share your goodness. Linky below closes Monday, midnight.

And I have a mystery giveaway - another book for someone who links up. I'll be sending the winner a list of three titles from which one can be picked. Remember if you don't have a blog, you can always post a photo from a photostream.  Please be sure there is some way for me to contact you.  I'll be linking to several parties - Tab above.

Blessings,

An InLinkz Link-up

Some of This, Some of that

Because of my arthritis, can do very little hand quilting. Can only afford to do about 15 minutes a day before my hands start feeling it.  Now working on next to the last border - a sort of water lily.

One thing I can still do is machine quilt - this can be 15 - 20 minute sessions, so a bit more progress per day. That center motif had to be marked on the back - too dark to be able to see the marked lines otherwise.

I've added another border to my WIP #3 and finished all the rows for WIP #1.  I hope to show you both completed tops at the next WIPs Be Gone which you can still link to here.

Till Friday, blessings,

WIPs Be Gone

Almost no de-stashing as I have been working on projects that need to be finished - or quilted.  I did use about a fat eighth for two SS blocks, but I'll add that to next week's total.  For this year I have another finish - WIP #4 is done. I made the top in September, 2015. Then got sidetracked -trip, broken hip, arthritic hands - life. It's a neonatal quilt 30"square.

I chose my border for WIP#3 and have one outside border done (as seen on my design wall):

Thanks for your input - online and otherwise.  Also got another two rows finished on WIP #2. I'm linking to some parties - see tab above.

Now it's your turn. Would love to see what you're working on, whether finished or WIP progress or an old post, or even about what is going on in your life - not necessarily quilty. Share your goodness. Linky below closes Monday, midnight.

An InLinkz Link-up

Blessings,

Applique Tuesday

I've been having an interesting time making the Splendid Sampler blocks. Some have been quite challenging.  For instance, last Sunday's paper piecing one, the crochet one and the 1" checkerboard.  Last Thursday, it was an applique one.  Here's how I made it:

First I cut out a square of fabric an inch bigger than the finished block. I ironed a very thin fusible interfacing on the back to stabilize the block when I applique.

 I next cut out the shapes of the birds carefully (cut through the middle of the black lines) in a puzzle shape from the template page given. Above I show the three pieces put back together again with my templates cut out [right side up].

 I have a big tightly sealing bin of fabric with steam a seam already fused on it (from previous projects) Found a piece of black I could use.  Traced the reversed shapes onto the paper of the fusible. Then with my micro-serrated scissors {which help lessen fraying} cut out the birds. Again along the middle of the pencil line.

 I removed the paper from the shapes and laid the birds in the cutouts.

 Then placing my hand on the pattern I carefully removed the papers.  Here's where I can adjust the shapes to whichever way I want.  I pretty much left it as our designer drew it. Some of you have made fabulous adaptations.

I ironed the birds according to the instructions for the fusible, and my block was prepped.  Appliqued using a very tiny zig-zag stitch on my Bernina using a 70/10 needle and black 50wt thread.

How do you prep your applique?  Leave a comment and I'll come see your block (as time permits). Thanks for sharing your eye candy.  Blessings!

Some of This, Some of That

Used another 1/8th yard to make the Splendid Sampler blocks (2).  Not much else pulled from the stash.  YTD de-stashing is now 13.21 yards. 

Working on WIP #2  - star blocks made - trying to decide on border fabric. 

Here's two ways I'm leaning. Plain or more stripes. This quilt is on my design wall.

Come by and leave a comment of what you're up to.  I'll try to come by and say hello as my limited online time allows.  Blessings!

WIPs Be Gone Madness

While I haven't been able to quilt as much as I'd like with this arthritis flair up, I have been able to move forward on three WIPs - a little at a time usually only 15-20 minute sessions.

Here's one I actually finished:

I started and finished the top in September.  It's not as dark as it seems in the photo.  It's more like the following photo.  It is a raffle quilt for our local library's friends group.

Here's a photo where the quilting shows up better.  It's to be a family reunion quilt or memory quilt. Once someone wins it, I'll quilt the surname and finish the cross hatch quilting in the center. They'll be able to sign in the squares made by the quilting. If you click on the photo you can see a larger, clearer image.

Here's the back.

This WIP is one of my leaders and enders - all the parts are assembled - just need to construct the blocks from all the pieces. Started this years ago.

My other leader and ender are the stars for this Jubilee wall hanging - another old WIP.  It was suppose to have an outside border, but I like it this size with the stars as part of the last border.  I have three options I'm considering:  a. more red and white sections, b. blue strips that match the blue in the stars, or something similar to the flannel that makes up my design wall.  Please advise.

What are you up to? Would love to see it, whether finished or WIP progress or an old post, or even about what is going on in your life - not necessarily quilty. Share your goodness. Linky below closes Monday, midnight.

An InLinkz Link-up

I'm participating in the Pink Doxies new link up, #BraveQuilter. As part of the link party for April, my goal is to get this WIP top finished, so I have to decide on the border fabric. Something different than a plain border.

Applique Tuesday

While I was off meditating during lent, I did get some applique done during quiet times.  Here are some blocks from the Splendid Sampler with applique:

and here is the mug rug I got in return for mine (see previous post).  I love this appliqued Sue.

What are you up to?  I'd love to know.  Leave me a comment and I'll be by to see.  I might not be able to reply in kind - depends on how my hands are doing.  Blessings,

It has begun!

Easter is not one day or one solemnity—it is a fifty day celebration, and the fifty days from Easter Sunday to Pentecost Sunday together comprise what is known as "the great Sunday". Every day is special because our Risen Lord walked on earth for those days before His Ascension.

Some of this; Some of That

Hello, back to some quilting, but it won't be much.  March 12th, I woke up with a very sore right thumb.  I could hardly move it.  And it was swollen.  Took some ibuprofen and carried on.  It was better the rest of the day.  Next morning, the whole hand was swollen and could hardly move it. Same thing - rested it and meds.  Long story short, last Thursday (13 days later) went to Doc and she says it osteoarthritis in both hands and wrists.  Not something a quilter wants to hear.  In the morning, it's a heat treatment for softening up the hands, so they won't be so stiff.  I can then work for a while. Well, not much when I can't even open the milk jug, pick up plate or other things with one hand. Have to watch everything I do with them.  Once I've taken the meds, and they kick in I get to work carefully.  After 1/2 hour of whatever, I stop and ice the hands and wrists. Rest a bit and then can do another session.  Not much that can be done for the normal wear and tear of this kind of disease.  If you know of a regime that might help, I'd sure like to hear about it.

So here is my report of the bits I did during Lent when I wasn't blogging, using that time to meditate. Wow, was I addicted to being on the computer.  I've weaned myself from I don't know how many hours to just one - half an hour in morning; half an hour at night.

What with making and binding baby quilts, cutting an isolette cover, creating a mug rug (photo top right) for an online swap, making blocks for two wips, and binding a raffle quilt (most done before March 12th), I've used up 8.21 yards in the last 50 days. My new YTD de-stashing is 13.08 yards. 
I've tripled my total, but doesn't seem like much for the 1st quarter of the year to be over. If I'm lucky, I'll get half my goal done at this rate.  How about you?  I'll show more later.  My hands are already hurting.

Come by and leave a comment of what you're up to.  I'll try to come by and say hello as my limited online time continues, but this time for a different reason.  Blessings!

WIPs Be Gone while I Adventure

An InLinkz Link-up

Ash Wednesday began the Lenten Journey, and I'm on an adventure with Pope Francis's Walking with Jesus. I read a chapter or two, write down a sentence or phrase to contemplate and fill my thoughts as I daily move thru Lent.  I'm finding I'm much more addicted to being on the computer than I realized.  It is good that I decided to take this journey.  This reduction in time from the blog during Lent is a reality check.

I'm continuing to be for the most part absent from the internet.  And while I won't be posting or commenting much at all, I've left open a WIPs Be Gone link so you can share with each other and keep encouraged to finish your projects.  It's hard to remain silent during this time to focus on walking a little closer to the Lord and finding the way, but it is paying off. I feel more at peace.

Contemplation or meditation can still be done these weeks  Therefore, I will work also on making some progress myself on a wip or two.  You'll find a link from me occasionally in the link party - a silent link.

Here are two resources you may find helpful if you would like an adventure, too.

Lenten Resources

KindSpring

Peace. I invite you to spend some time finding it while you quilt in this Year of Mercy.

Some of This, Some of That

No photos - wouldn't look any different than last time - but am progressing on the hand quilting my UFO and fixing my hexie medallion.  I'm doing quite a bit of that today.  Reason being I took a walk yesterday and I'm ordered to take a day off my feet to ease the hip.  For a while it's walk 1/2 mile one day and rest all day the next.  Little by little...

Couldn't resist working on that accidental landscape  - added the borders. The outer border is really an eggplant color although it looks darker.  I'm thinking of adding something in the lower right corner.  Not sure what yet.  Once I decide yes or no, I'll sandwich and do some quilting.

So that 1/8th yard of scraps has grown to 1/4th.
And my new YTD de-stashing is 4.87 yards.  

The weather this past week has been incredibly mild for winter here in California. Guess it's our turn to get weird weather.  So in my short walks have wandered outside and seen we have some color appearing here and there in the yard. From the front yard:

 The jade is starting to bloom. And even the geraniums have begun to color up.  Ahhhh.

What are you up to?  Leave me a comment and I'll come by to see where you're at. Blessings.

WIPs Be Gone

Used about 1/8th of scraps to start this:

Couldn't resist trying it after watching Karen Eckmeier's tutorial. Click here to watch it:

photo by Karen Eckmeier

This piece does have a scrap of brown, and I've pulled others, but that's all I've done toward this month's RSC2016.

On my hexie project (WIP #18), I've almost finished one side.  It's harder than I thought inserting those hexies, but I think it's worth it.  Here's the side I 've done:

I know some of you wanted me to leave it as it was, however, I like the separation that the darker line gives and how the rosettes on the outside are now more pronounced.

What are you up to? Would love to see it, whether finished or WIP progress or an old post, or even about what is going on in your life - not necessarily quilty. Share your goodness. Linky below closes Monday, midnight.

An InLinkz Link-up