'Think Christmas' Blog Hop

Welcome to my presentation of the Think Christmas blog hop.  Thank you, Lesley, for organizing the recruits for this blog hop and especially for all your  techie help behind the scenes!  Thank you, Madame Samm, for being the cheerleading squadress (is that a new word?).  Now that I've gotten my acceptance speech complete.....  on with the show.  (grin)

My first quilting love is paper piecing, so I am unable to toss out ANY  bits of fabric.  As if  wanting to inspire you wasn't enough of a challenge, I had to toss in a  'new-to-me'  technique for a personal challenge.  So,  I started creating crumb blocks. I approached this process 'willy-nilly', no specific instruction and I quite enjoyed it!  Oh no!! another reason not to toss out those bits and pieces.

Here is my first block. Crumb piecing is in the green rectangles and a paper pieced ball ornament was transformed into an applique motif.  This block measures 12-1/2" sq.

Here is another block with a new motif.  This little stocking was paper pieced from a pattern at http://www.circleofcrafters.com/irisfolding/christmas.html.  Coloring book pages is another good resourse for motifs.  I left the top edge of the stocking unstitched, to insert some christmas trinkets.  Here is how I made the stocking into an applique motif.

Here is my third block.  The bells are made from red crumbs and stitched down with gold trims.  What red, green and white christmas doesn't warrant a touch of gold?  How did that scrap of red get stitched in with the greens?

Hmmm, does my parade of blocks look like a pre-planned set?  LOL  Okay, I confess, I had a hard time making a block without a purpose. I sewed them together, added a narrow border stripe and a triangle finish, and quilted it into a door banner.  If you put a triangle finish on both ends, you would have a great table runner. I hope you were inspired with my christmas blocks using fabric scraps.

Here is one more 12-1/2" christmas block. It was  made with the little twister template and 5 inch squares.

THANK YOU !   for visiting me today.  Yes, Virginia,  there    IS    a   Santa Claus.   Just write  a comment  and you'll be entered in the drawing  to win this set of 5 fabric christmas cards with envelopes.  They are blank inside,  leaving a place for you to write a personal message.  The drawing will take place at the end of the hop, on Monday, Aug 6th.

Here are more Think Christmas bloggers ready to welcome you today:

Tuesday, July 31 

 Jane's Fabrics and Quilts

Quilting Fiesta

Scrapbox Quilts

From This to That 

Buzzing and Bumbling

No Loose Threads

Deborah B 

Judith Handmade Treasures

Gran-Knot-Y Embroidery Lady

Mrs. Pickles

Susie's World

and just so you don't miss a beat, here is the schedule of participating bloggers for the entire 7-day hop.  Have fun and Think Christmas!

http://lesleythecuddlequilter.blogspot.ca/2012/07/think-christmas-blog-hop-schedule.html

Making an applique motif

We are fortunate to have so many options in our quilting methods.  Here is one method for transforming a shape into an applique motif  with a finished edge.


stitched pattern + interfacing

With right side of fabric next to interfacing (paper side up),

 stitch around outermost edge, with a tiny stitch length

remove paper

trim within seam allowance; 
 Bonus: using pinking sheers will clip the curves for you


Cut a slit in back interfacing; turn shape right-side out; press with an iron

Your applique is ready to stitch down to a background piece.

Gettin it off my chest

Yesterday, an episode of Dr. Oz aired, the substance of which really troubles me.  He is a surgeon, a professional MD.  One lady and her wrinkles was the brunt of the show. The good doc told her that a census decided she looked 10 years older than she really was and  "How did she feel about that?"  She was in her 40's.  The doctor said he wants to help her look her best and to feel good about herself again.  He offered some miracle answers/products because " it's his job to help her feel good about herself!  "            WHAT?     !!!  

How sad it is that  professionals are using the media to influence society and tell them they are not okay because they showcase a few wrinkles!!!  I'll not be watching that show again.  Their strategy is just   WRONG !

Now, back to  my regularly scheduled quilting.

L.R. Wallhanging - finished

I have finished my wallhanging for the living room. Yay!  I am visually drawn to a mix of piecing and applique, especially since I am surrounded by an unyielding supply of bunnies (scraps).  I included both techniques in the wallhanging and I enjoy it's aire of whimsy. 

The log cabin blocks are each 3 inches and made totally from scrap pieces left from the LR sofa quilt. I wish I had the scraps under control now, but another project will have to be planned.

I tried out some satin stitching on a few of the applique pieces. That didnt fare so well and I went back to my blanket stitching. I SITD between the log cabin blocks. I used some lettering on my machine to sign my quilt in the bottom right corner.  Finished.  TA DA .   lol

L.R. Wallhanging - con't

Ooh, the excitement mounts for my latest wallhanging. I have finished stitching the scrappy, little log cabin blocks; sewn them into a border and stitched 2 additional frame borders . It's looking very rustic. I think I'm gonna like it!  Sorry,  no pictures yet.

I hope to get it quilted Thursday and displayed on my wall.  Wish me luck to get it done as I have other projects waiting in the wings, for their turn at five minutes of fame.  LOL

L.R. Wallhanging - WIP

I have been working on a wallhanging for a small empty wall in the living room.  Have I said that applique is not my immediate forte?  I still enjoy the mix of applique shapes and piecing. so I just run with it anyway.  I have been working from a scrap pile created from my L.R. Sofa project. 

This is the center piece. I went "without a plan".  Some pieces are fused and a few are pinned. I will stitch it all down when I get to the quilting process.

Now on to the borders.  I used EQ to audition several border treatments.  I have a huge pile of small, odd-shaped scraps, so I went with  little log cabin blocks.  I am pretty sure that there will still be a pile of scrap pieces left over, when this project is finished.  What about the leftover yardage???  LOL

I wish you all a blessed day and thank you for visiting!

A Quilting Interlude

A friend shared this video with us.  It reminds me to put my priorities in perspective and to remember what is truly important.  I hope you enjoy the video.
                  http://www.lshs64.com/enjoytheride.html

Autumn Strings Quilt

My Autumn Strings quilt is finally finished. This project began way back on August 01, 2011.  It's purpose was to clear out some of the pieces in my scrap bins.  I decided on warm colors of autumn and started trimming strings and tossing them into the project string box.  When the box was full, I started the 36 string blocks. The posts for this project began here:
http://scrapboxquilts.blogspot.com/2011/08/string-quilt-2.html  When those blocks were finished, they were neatly trimmed to size and put back in the string box.  This seemed like a good stopping point.

Well, it seems my scrap bins are overstuffed again.  What to do?  I guess I'll have to sew more string blocks to get those bins under control.  So before I could do that, I had to quilt up the batch that was started last summer.  This should have been a quick undertaking.  Ha!  I  have been working on it for the past 2 weeks.  However, I now have a photo to share.  YAY!

and here is the back

Now I can plan my next string orchestra with a clear conscience!  Are you encouraged to make some string blocks?  Thanks for visiting!

Back-to-School Bags

Our UMW  Lydia's Circle group has taken on a missions project to provide school bags to students - some bags are going to the tornado-torn communities in America and some are going to other countries.  I have been cutting and sewing on these bags.  Our group has completed  more than 100 bags!  These ladies are not all sewers.  I used my quilting tools to cut up all the kits for the bags and passed off 30 kits to the ladies to sew.  I finished the rest of the bags. 

This is the most basic of a pattern and was a pleasure to sew up.  The bags were all made from donated fabrics of cordoroy, home dec and denim.  Jane Hewson found the most charming denim and made up the bags on top. 

This is the "one handle school bag".  The free projects are available for download here:

http://www.midwestmissiondc.net/?page_id=88

I love the opportunity to serve humanity in these small ways.  Now back to my irregularly scheduled projects. LOL

Spring Mini

I finished this mini quilt to add some spring to my environment.  I am not very good at applique, so I just make it how I want to - no stress in that.  Thank you, countryjunktion.com, for sharing this whimsical design.

Twister - Finished!

Yay!  The twister quilt is finished and it was such fun to sew and to quilt.  I dont think any stress evolved while making this project.

This is the front. How could a child not love all the bright colors twisting together?

This is the back. I stitched in the ditch around all the pinwheels. I pre-planned the horizontal and vertical paths which made the quilting proceed quite smoothly.

I wanted to use up the squares that were leftover after cutting my pinwheel blocks, so I worked them into this border.  But!  The twister is so complete without additional borders and next time, those leftover squares are going back into my scrapbox. There are plenty of patterns which call for 3-1/2" squares.

There definitely must be another twister quilt in my future!  It was just a fun time.

Twister - Phase 2

The squares have been cut with the Twist n Stitch template.  When you sew them back together, this is what you get!  Sew how fun is that!  This piece now measures 36" x 45".

I had wanted Phase 2 to be the top all finished.  Well, life got in the way, again.  Plus I decided to use up the leftover pieces by stitching them into a border.  I hope the pieced border will not be overkill.

Scroll down to my two previous posts so see the original layout and template tools.  Phase 3 will be the final border and quilted!   Stay tuned.

Twister - Phase 1

The Twister Party is happening all this weekend.  I sewed and pressed and sewed and pressed until I got the top put together.  That was enough for me for one day.  Presently, it measures  54" x  67". 

It will be interesting to see what size it becomes after the re-cutting and sewing into pinwheels.  Stay tuned!

You're Invited !

We are having a Twister Party this weekend and you're invited!  It starts on Friday and runs all weekend.  Everyone is selecting their own project size. Here are two examples of twister templates in the marketplace.

This tool is the June Tailor Twist 'n Stitch.  It makes twister pinwheels ranging in size from 3" and up to 10" finished.

This was the first twister tool I purchased at a quilt show.  I got the template that uses charm squares- 5".  I like that the template has those gripper dots to help keep it in place while you cut around it.





Our Twister Party takes place over at the Cbees yahoo group.  You can join the group here              http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CyberQuilters4-C-Bees/
 The C-bees is a sister group of the main list we call Cyberquilters.  I bet this sounds like an infomercial, but Cyberquilters  IS  one of the best quilting groups on the web.  I could say that it  IS  the best group, but you never know who is lurking and ready to pounce on you for bragging rights. lol

So,  you   DO  have to join Cyberquilters first, before you can be a member of Cbees But ............ hey ...................   it's  still FREE.  lol         http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CyberQuilters/

You will find a collection of links to twister projects, tutorials  and  one link guides you in making your own template.

So come on over and join in the Twister Party fun, share photos and conversation.  Everyone is Welcome!

RHF Award

In February, DH Ray and I traveled to Long Beach, CA as honored guests of RHF (Retirement Housing Foundation). http://www.rhf.org/RHFCMS/

Ray was presented with  the " Board Member of the Year "award at their annual banquet. Ray has served RHF for 20 years. This picture insert is the article as published in the RHF newsletter magazine.

Ray is the strength and direction in my life.  He is the better half of a whole. I am proud to be able to share this small piece of Ray's contributions of service for humanity.  Ray Scribner, a job well done, good and faithful servant.

Broken Sugar Bowls

I was inspired by this post from Susie at Starwood Quilter where she illustrates her version of a Broken Sugar Bowl block and shares an excerpt  from her grandmothers' diary - 1916!  http://www.starwoodquilter.blogspot.com/2011/10/broken-sugar-bowl-quilt-block.html

Susie's block sparked my imagination of various settings and visions of possible color options - an affliction often common to quilters. I would like to share some of those visions today, along with an EQ7 file.   If you have EQ7 installed on your computer, you can open this file and continue designing with this block and layouts.


I wondered how Susie's version of the Broken Sugar Bowl block would evolve if I swapped the light and dark colors and incorporated them as alternating blocks. I used these two color combinations for the block.

This is a 16-block layout, alternating  with a specific  block coloring and rotation

This is the same 16-block layout, with  different block rotations. I like the illusion of rounded paths in this version.

What a surprise effect you get when you set this block into an on-pointe layout!  Wow! It makes me think of bamboo.

A final thought ....... I can visualize these designs very scrappy - using light and dark fabrics pulled from the same color family.  Very cool! 

Susie, Thank You for re-igniting  my creativity with this very traditional block.  I had been uninspired lately! 

What is your vision of the Broken Sugar Bowl block?
Here is the EQ7 project file.
http://www.box.com/s/45cff8a6ba43a206383f

Hugs

It's wonders what a HUG can do

A HUG can cheer you when you're blue

A HUG can say "I Love You So"

or "Gee, I hate to see you go"

A HUG is "Welcome back again"

and bring a rainbow after a rain

The HUG! There's just no doubt about it

We scarcely could survive without it!

A HUG delights and warms and charms

It must be why God gave us arms

HUGS are great for Fathers and Mothers

Sweet for sisters, swell for brothers

And chances are your favorite aunts

Love them more than potted plants

Kittens crave them, puppies love them

Heads of State are not above them

A HUG can break the language barrier

And make your travels so much merrier

No need to fret about your storing 'em

The more you give, the more there's more of 'em

So stretch those arms without delay

AND GIVE SOMEONE A HUG TODAY!!!

Classy Caddy

It's unheard of ............... started   AND  finished .................   all in the same week!  This is such a handy item for sew-in gatherings.  Use  an interesting fabric for the purse.

It totes the Rowenta large size travel iron. It opens to reveal a pressing pad.  What fun is that?!

That's my thrill of the day.  I'm going back to working on my marathon of school bags for the UMW misson now.  :D

Lattice Garden blocks 3 & 4

I have assembled the March and April blocks for the Lattice Garden quilt.  I do not excell with applique techniques, so I've had my little trials to get thru these blocks.

I should have pre-tested the iron. It spit out a spot onto the white background.  How did I know that would happen ? How do I get the stain out?  Have I learned to use a press cloth when using white?  Probably!

Sofa Row Quilt - Finished

It has been forever since I've made a post!  I have been here every day.  Really!  I have not had anything worthwhile to share.

So I pressed on and pressed on until I could stand this project no more!  I am so happy to say this quilt is finished.  I have struggled with this quilt in every effort I took for it.  From a distance, I guess it is attractive enough!  No close inspections, please.

Maybe I could enlist someone to add butterflies, birds or flowerbuds to the ends of those 6 branches?  Right now, I need a break.  lol  It measures 67" x 72".  Was I supposed to have so much fabric leftover?