SRK's Quilting

Where to Put the Trash

2010-08-11T10:52:00.000-06:00

Not too long ago, I purchased a 30-gallon plastic flip lid trash can for my sewing room. You know the kind that you can't see inside of, but is tall enough to store a lot of fabric scraps? I put all those end pieces and project fabric strips into it for the day when I have nothing else to do and decide to crochet a rug or piece a strip quilt together. I mean, seriously, I probably need one even bigger waiting for that day, but then who knows when that day will come, so I must be ready, right?

My wonderful, husband, who is so good about emptying all the trash cans the day before trash day, did his duty one night and yes, you guessed it, emptied my 30-gallon fabric scrap trash can along with all the other trash. You can only imagine and yes you would be right, how shocked I was, but it was then that I realized maybe that wasn't such a great idea after all and now I leave my fabric trash outside the door to my sewing room on trash day; it's healthier for our marriage and saves the poor guy from thinking, to take or not to take. I mean, really was that a blooper on my part or what?

Speaking of trash and scraps. I have several quilting friends who have been drooling over my bag that hangs on the edge of my table when sewing and have decided today is the day I will finish two I started some time ago. So, it's off to the scrap pile (yes, I have built it back up) and the sewing machine to finish those cute little trash bags. I'll post the finished pictures to remind us all that one person's trash is always another person's treasure. Lesson learned - creative storage needs a label and maybe a trash can isn't such a good idea?

Great Giveaway

2010-08-05T10:22:00.001-06:00

I just love giveaways, don't you? How about this one at Fave Crafts. An entire package of pens and supplies from Sakura worth $75.00. Better hurry and get signe dup for this one. All sorts of pens, stickers, glue and supplies and all in a very nice box too. Whether you can use these supplies for crafting, scrapbooking or quilting, there's something for everyone in this fabulous giveaway. Sign up for your chance to win at: http://www.favecrafts.com/sweeps/August-Sakura-Gift-Basket-Giveaway

Go ahead there just has to be something in this package you can't live without and besides who can resist a free giveaway? Not me.

Straight Out of Line

2010-07-29T09:43:00.001-06:00

Here is another topper made with the Creative Grids Karla Alexander ruler. This one is called the Straight Out of Line and it makes this modified 4-patch design that appears to have curves in it even though you only have straight lines. The ruler is simple to use and the result is this easy 4-patch design that appears to be curvy. I'm working on another one using just two colors and will post when finished. This first one is from a fat quarter combination that just calling out to me yesterday, so I made it first. Want more information on the Creative Grid rulers? You can find them all at: http://www.creativegridsusa.com/ Take a look and see what's new and available.

Happy Quilting!

Curved Slotted Ruler Quilt

2010-07-23T10:23:00.001-06:00

I recently purchased two new rulers from Creative Grids that I'm excited about. The first is Karla Alexander's Curved Slotted Ruler. The concept once you do the cuts is the same as her stack the deck process, but instead you are working with curves. Not a fan usually of curved quilting, but this one is very easy to put together. Here is a pic of the blocks in progress. Can't wait to see how it finishes up.

Leave a comment and tell me what you think.

Lone Star Quilt

2010-07-23T10:04:00.004-06:00

Finally finished this Lone Star quilt for a friend. Once I actually got into the process it wasn't so bad. It was made using Quilt Smart fusible interfacing and it went together pretty smoothly. It's nice not to have to worry about those pesky points. Only thing is...I forgot to take a picture of the finished quilt. I quilted a feathered heart design in the triangle backgrounds and in the big corner squares. She loved it and that's what matter, right? One comment I have if you're using the Quilt Smart. Some of the registration lines for lining up the fabric weren't there, so you have to be real careful. Otherwise, it was a great way to make a Lone Start and surprisingly (well, I guess it's suppose to work this way), all the points match when finished and well, I just might do another one for me now.

What do YOU think? Leave a comment.

New Year New Projects

2010-01-23T09:25:00.000-07:00

Well, it's time to add some new items to the post. I'm working on the cutest cell phone carrier and make up or quilt/sewing case. The zipped case could also be used as a make up case and the small size will fit nicely in a purse (my reason for making the first one for me) They are fat quarter friendly and so quick and easy. I'll post pics when they are finished. Hopefully today.

Snow in New Mexico

2009-12-31T08:34:00.001-07:00

Well, we went up to Denver, Colorado for the holidays and no snow. We come home and uh huh, snow. 1-2 inches of snow doesn't seem like much to those who may live in higher elevations, but to us here in the south end of New Mexico, it is a novelty. Our dogs loved it and it was perfect for that winter snowman we used to make when we were kids.

It was also a perfect day to stay inside, knit by the fire and just enjoy it. I'm looking forward to the new year and what it may hold. The New quilts I hope to be making, and more new patterns to find and make. I'm trying to finish a Lone Star quilt now and will post when it is finished.
Happy New Year everyone and enjoy it wherever you are.

Christmas Bag

2009-12-09T10:52:00.001-07:00

I finished this bag this morning for a friend for Christmas. She loves oriental fabrics and this just suited her perfectly. I used three different fabrics (pockets on the inside are third fabric) and put the brown handles on using tabs. I quilted over the geisha girls with gold metallic thread and also used gold metallic thread along the top edge where the fabics change from brown to gold and to topstitch the top edge. The directions were a bit challenging to follow, but I think it came out nice and know that she will like it. Now, on to another Christmas gift. Whew! It's really busy around here - must be Christmas.

Bible Totes

2009-12-04T09:27:00.004-07:00

I made this first little tote recently for a friend's daughter. Another friend saw it and asked me to make one for her granddaughter. They both loved them. They are simple, easy to make and can be personalized with embroidery. I found them so much fun to make that I made one for myself in Christmas fabrics. Of course, I couldn't just make a simple bag. Instead I elected to embroider each of them, but I think it adds a special touch to them and those pre-teens just love these.

These little totes are just the right size for your bible and the outside pockets allow you to carry small items, like cell phones, etc. I found the pattern in my latest Better Homes and Gardens Creative Collection, American Patchwork & Quilting magazine, "More Fast & Fabulous Quilting Ideas." I challenge you to make one - bet you can't do just one!

If you click on the pictures, you will be able to see the details.

Quilt Retreat

2009-10-25T15:18:00.000-06:00

What a great time we had at our recent Guild Retreat. We spent four days in the beautiful mountains above Cloudcroft and sewed and sewed. It was a wonderful get-away. We laughed, ate, shared stories, laughed some more, ate and occasionally we even got some sleep. I think the best part was the sharing of ideas, seeing other quilts come together and no phones, no t.v. The registration blocks were fun to see all together and a mulligan stew that was also a give-away. The secret gift was such a surprise and let's not forget that Friday night mugging. How fun was that! The tops that got fnished were out of this world. I will post pictures Two major events this month have both energized and exhausted me. My mind races to the next project, while my body screams - rest! I can't wait to get started on the next quilt.

Sew Many Visions

2009-10-25T08:16:00.005-06:00

I know, I know, it has been months since I last posted, but now that I'm back on my feet again, it's time to get back to keeping up to date on things and moving forward.

This weekend has been one of fun, sharing and learning, as our Guild sponsored a Trunk Show and Class with Vicki Arnold of Sew Many Visions. It was such a delight to have her as our guest and the project was so much fun. If you're looking for easy and fun patterns, visit her web page at http://sewmanyvisons.com She had so many great patterns to offer, I have to be honest, it was hard to decide which one to buy first and which one to make first. I'm currently working on the "Four Seasons" Fall version (the class we took this weekend) and when complete will post a picture.

Meeting Vicki Arnold is like catching up with an old girlfriend. She's down to earth, funny and such a great teacher. She also sponsors quilt retreats for those looking for a great place to just get away in the mountains of New Mexico. You can get more information on the retreats she offers at http://piecefulpines.com/

Pay It Forward

2009-05-12T08:28:00.005-06:00

I received this wonderful, beautiful table runner yesterday from Emma of Sampguita Quilts. I was the lucky winner of her Pay It Forward in August. I feel so blessed to have this beautiful table runner in my home. Emma I owe you something special.

Sadly, no one signed up to get a gift from me from that Pay It Forward post in August. But, if someone wants to go back and read the post and then leave a comment, I will check back in a couple of days and you too can win a beauty from my quilting world.

VIPs or UFOs

2009-03-12T21:39:00.002-06:00

For my birthday this year, my husband announced that he was going to start working on building the cabinets and storage for my sewing room that we had been discussing for ...oh, I don't know...some time. You can imagine how excited I was to hear that I would finally have nice storage for all the fabric, rulers, books, quilts, and quilting things I've collected over the years. I mean what girl doesn't want more places to store more fabric and quilting goodies? As with any other building project we have undertaken over the years, I knew this meant I needed to start clearing the room and do some serious Spring cleaning.

It was during this initial phase of sorting, identifying and clearing things from the room, that I realized I had more UFO's than I cared to think about. You know, those pesky little reminders of projects started, yet not quite finished. This got me to thinking (that can't be good). Why do we call them UFO's anyway? Why not call them VIPs or PhDs and give them more importance in our stack of things to do.. I mean, really now, you wouldn't ignore a VIP or forget being introduced to a person who held a PhD, would you? Imagine how few UnFinished Objects we'd have if we started thinking of them as Very Important Projects or Projects Half Done? So, I vowed that while hubby was working on his birthday promise to me that I would start finishing my VIPs and PhDs and get them finished.

How many VIPs do you have in your life? What plans do you have for them?

Cozy

2009-02-03T07:03:00.004-07:00

Does your sewing machine collect dust? Do you find yourself having to clean it more often? Do you feel like all the dust bunnies in the neighborhood congregate at your house on your sewing machine? Why not create a sewing machine cozy?

I know, it seems my machine doesn't get turned off long enough these days to bother to cover it, but believe me when I say it is worth it to take time out and make a machine cozy. For example, did you know that you should clean your machine after every 8 hours of use? Now for me that's every day. With a cozy cover, it reduces at least some of those dust bunnies who love to gather around the top and sides. I still have to use the tiny hose and vacumn and clean my machine, probably more than most, but at least I'm not chasing dust every day. I made this one for my daughter and quilted it myself, but you can make them with pre-quilted fabric as well. The pockets are designed to hold whatever you want close at hand; scissors, etc., and the pattern is a simple one and soooooo easy to make. If you're interested in receiving this pattern, just place a comment and send me your email address and I'd be glad to send it on to you. I will try to put it into a PDF file so I can email the instructions. Think about how cozy your machine will feel if you wrap it in a quilt of its own. Wouldn't it be fun to coordinate your cozy with your sewing room? Ok, maybe everyone isn't as crazy as I am about coordinating everything, but you get the idea.

Simple Challenge

2009-01-21T03:17:00.004-07:00

It was a challenge for me to finish this little quilt, but it is finally done. For some reason, my brain just can't "keep it simple" when it comes to my quilting. I have done simple, easy to do quilts before, so why did this one challenge me so? Maybe because it was a special order for someone? Maybe I was trying to be too orderly? I mean, after all, what is random placement? It should have been simple to just place whatever came next. Not me, I had to arrange and re-arrange the pieces until I saw order in their placement, and yet, I wanted it to look random.

Ok, it's time to go back to therapy and do another quilt from a brown bag again. I remember the time I placed the pieces to a quilt I was making in a brown paper bag and told myself, to take whatever piece came next and just use it. I had such a hard time with that concept. It's suppose to be a freeing experience, not having to think about placement. Not for me it wasn't. I struggled to make myself use whatever came out of that paper bag, each and every time. I felt compelled to evaluate its placement. But, alas, I did make it through the bag and finished that quilt and it really did come out beautifully. So, there really is something to be said for random placement and letting go of the need to put it all in some kind of order.

I mean, I'm a fun gal, I like spontaneity so why not in my quilting. Ok, I shall challenge myself to do that once again on my next project. Let go, let it freely come together and..now, where did I put that brown bag?

Finished at Last

2009-01-05T09:08:00.007-07:00

Today, I finally get to start my quilting for Valentine's Day.. yes, Valentine's Day. It's not that far away and I need to get some things made fast. Over the holidays, I finished up three quilts for our prayer quilt ministry which will be given to the recipients tomorrow. I am always touched when I hear how appreciative the recipients are of these quilts of love and their gratefulness for receiving one. I am thankful that I have the ability, means and support to make a quilt of love for someone else. When I think about my own trivial problems sometimes , and then get a request for a quilt for someone who is really in need, I am humbled and reminded that my world is blessed, and thankful that I have the ability to get up each day and make another quilt or something quilty. Here's a picture of the two latest ones. I did the one on the left and the 0ther one was done by another member in our ministry. Her pattern was a simple 9-patch believe it or not. It's one of those cut and reassemble blocks that I just love doing. She'll be teaching the group how to do it at our meeting in February.

Change is Good - Right?

2009-01-02T10:34:00.002-07:00

Today, I've decided it's a New Year and change is a good thing. I'm a Patriotic girl at heart and since most of my quilts and quilty things are also Patriotic in nature, I've decided on some changes for my Blog. Hang in there, I'm still a work in progress, but eventually I will decide on what to change and what to leave alone. Besides, it's more interesting when you see different things each time...right? I mean blogs are like fabric, the more I see the more I want....LOL The more I have the more I can create.

Music Please

2008-12-30T17:13:00.002-07:00

I view and visit all these wonderful blogs and wonder...how do you all do it? Where do you find things like the beautiful music, the christian sites, etc., etc. I would love to "dress up" my blog a bit, but don't know where and how to get these great things. Anyone?

New Year's Resolution

2008-12-28T04:36:00.002-07:00

Well, it has been so long since I last blogged, but my New Year's resolution is to get blogging again and be consistent. It has been such a busy, but wonderful December this year. My husband sang in the Living Christmas Tree production at church this year. It was the 13th year for the Living Christmas Tree and I do believe it was the best ever. All the performances were FABULOUS. Last I heard there were more than 4,000 who attended this year. I helped decorate the tree this year and when I had to get inside to put in the decorations, I had a much better appreciation for the tight space and how hard it must have been for each of the singers to stand for so long. WHEW!! I know I could not have done that.

Two winners from my blog have been sent gifts for participating and I do hope they have both received them by now.

Our Prayer Quilts ministry has grown so much, it's amazing. We have completed 14 quilts, 100 military prayer squares and more than 500 pocket prayer squares since October. These women have become such a part of my life and their quilting and frienships are truly treasured.

Last, but not least, I was elected the President of our Quilting Guild for 2009. I will do my best to bring new ideas and interests to the guild and feel so honored to have been nominated. This is a great group of quilters that I have enjoyed being a part of now for more than 3 years.

So, as we begin a new year, fresh with new possibilities, new ideas, new friends and old, may 2009 be a blessed and wonderful year for all of you.

Quilt Ministry

2008-10-14T06:52:00.003-06:00

It has been way too long since I last posted and hopefully this week I will try to catch up. We have been getting our Prayer Quilt Ministry off the ground and going and it has been a quilting, praying marathon this past two weeks. We are so excited to be members of Prayers and Squares International. We can't wait til we get our registration back and can start applying the labels to the quilts in progress.

Prayers and Squares is a quilt ministry that provides a quilt to someone in crisis. The motto is "It's not about the quilts; It's about the prayers." Our church womens outreach ministry decided that this was a good program to join as we have so many in need within our own church and community. Quilters and non quilters alike have joined together to make pocket prayer squares, military prayer squares and lap quilts for those in need. We are very excited about this ministry and where God will lead us. We have already completed and delivered two lap quilts and have two others currently in progress for prayers and then delivery to recipients.

So, this week, I shall begin designing and preparing yet another lap quilt for someone some day who needs our prayers and to be wrapped in love.

Little Slugger Quilt

2008-08-30T12:21:00.005-06:00

I finished the binding and placed the label on the Little Slugger quilt this morning I made for a friend. WHEW!! That makes 7 labels I've finished this month and one more baby quilt.

The baby's room is baseball themed and I didn't want just an ordinary quilt to give them. This quilt is an example of how I wait until I find just the right fabrics to inspire me. I had an idea in my head, but it wasn't until I saw the baseball fabric that I knew immediately what I was going to do and this is the result. Since it's my own pattern and design, I've decided to post it on our web page http://quiltsandracks.com/ and sell this one by taking orders. I just love the way the blues and reds all came together. The picture just doesn't give it justice. I know they are going to love it as much as I do. Sometimes these are just so hard to give away, but worth it when I see the faces of the recipients and know that it will go to a good loving home.

Design Possibilities or Quilter's Dilema?

2008-08-30T06:47:00.005-06:00

I was doing my usual reading of other's blogs this morning and found two wonderful blogs I hadn't read before. One, Marilyn at Piece by Piece is giving away a beautiful quilt that she made and if you haven't been to her site, you really should take a look at her work. There are so many wonderful quilters out there that I believe I could spend days just admiring their artistry. Some, like me, could quilt all day every day and still not have the time to finish all those quilts in our heads that we want to do.

Knowing this, I finally devised a system where I write down the ideas that come into my head, include the pattern or design I think I would use, what fabrics I want to use, and then, later when I get time to start on that quilt, I haven't forgotten what I was thinking at the time I wrote it down. Sometimes, as time passes, I find that I've discovered a different pattern or fabric that will work even better for the quilt idea.

When it's time to start a new quilt, for me, it isn't the piecing or design that slows me down, but more which fabrics will best show off the design and then how to arrange those fabrics within the design. I mull over fabrics for several days before cutting into them, as I want the most WOW I can get from my fabrics. Once I have finally made up my mind, the energy and excitement of piecing start all over as I want to finish it and see the final outcome.

My husband (my biggest fan) and very observant I might add, has commented, that it takes me more time to pick out the fabrics than it does to make the quilt. Always challenging myself to go outside my comfort zone, I try to design something new and exciting for me to work on each time I start a new project. It's the excitment, creativity, and challenge of something new and the possibilities, that continually inspire me to keep quilting and I hope that I will never lose that excitement and energy.

How about you what takes you the longest? Designing, finding a pattern, choosing fabric, or putting it all together?

Thread Painting Class

2008-08-26T07:34:00.008-06:00

I taught my Thread Painting class this past Saturday and everyone seemed eager and excited to be there and learn this technique. I was a bit nervous at first, since I was among some very talented quilters, but it went smoothly, as they all focused on their individual thread painting samples. It will be fun to see what they decide to create from these. Other techniques taught were how to fill in blank designs. In this case, the students used a drawing of a lizard or hot air balloon; and thread sketching or thread painting over a line drawing. Their lizards and balloons were so bright and colorful. What wonderful thread color choices they all made and I do believe it was everyone's favorite part of the class.

I enjoyed the opportunity to share my knowledge of thread painting with such a wonderful group of women who were so willing to learn. This a tote I made to use as a sample for the class and yes, all the leaves have been thread painted.

What do you think? Would you have wanted to learn this technique and taken this class? Leave a comment and I will send one of my thread painted clutches to the first three respondents.

Labeling My Quilts

2008-08-19T07:11:00.005-06:00

Well, today I have finished putting labels on six quilts. Taking the Pay it Forward challenge to complete as many labels as I can during August, I put binding and labels on two Wounded Warrior quilts for the guild, then one for a gift, one to be sold, and two that were subsequently sold. Let's see, that's six, right? Now, to continue doing what was suggested by Juliann and make the label part of my quiltmaking process by attaching one immediately after finishing the binding. It really is much easier this way. Now, why didn't I think of that? At least this way, I am closer to remembering all the information and won't have to figure it out at some later date or write it down and lose the paper. Thanks for the challenge!!

Operation Wounded Warrior

2008-08-13T07:55:00.011-06:00

Well, today I must finish my quilt top for Operation Wounded Warrior. What is Operation Wounded Warrior? It's a VFW sponsored support group for soldiers who have been injured on the battle field. These wounded soldiers sometimes spend months in the hospital away from their familes and homes recovering. Our local VFW Riders take these quilts and other supplies and deliver them to soldiers in hospitals in Texas and California.

Our Quilt Guild Enchanted Quilters Guild supports this cause by making lap quilts. This year we are challenged to exceed the number of quilts we donated last year (I believe it was over 100). Since we are a relatively small guild everyone must do their part to make this happen and as the wife of an Army soldier, it gives me great comfort to know that I can do this one small thing for those who paid the higher price of sacrifice for our country. So, off to my sewing room to finish that top and if all goes well, I may get two finished before the next guild meeting.

Pay it Forward

2008-08-12T13:01:00.029-06:00

I signed up for Ema's Pay it Forward and am I glad I did, because I won! Now I am so excited about not only receiving a mystery gift from Ema, sometime when I least expect it, but also giving one to someone.

So, it's your turn now to Pay it Forward. I'm just asking for three people to leave a comment on my blog and in return, I'll send you a special gift sometime in the next 365 days. Those three people agree to post the PIF on their blog, promising to send a little gift to the first three people to comment. Since I make all sorts of quilted items and special gifts, you never know what I might be inspired to send out. You too will be glad you played the game, so come on now, this is a lot of fun and even if you have already done a PIF before, wouldn't it be nice to receive another surprise in the mail? So, leave a comment and pass it on and may the PIF's keep going.

Thanks Ema!

Machine Quandry

2008-08-09T06:30:00.005-06:00

I recently had a demonstration on the new Viking Designer Diamond sewing and embroidery machine and have to admit I'm hooked. I have a Babyloc and a Bernina sewing machine and love both of them for different reasons, but this new Viking really has me hooked. I've compared it to the new Bernina 830 and between the two, find the Viking more attractive for a couple of reasons. First, pricing is better on the Viking and it just seemed so much more user friendly and second, it was so quiet, I could sew at any time of the day or night and no one would ever hear the machine.

What are your thoughts? The first three people to leave a comment on the comparison of the two machines or perhaps even another brand/type, will receive a special gift.

Nature's Beauty

2008-07-29T06:30:00.012-06:00

My husband's favorite bush in our yard. We first moved to the desert SW 3 years ago from Colorado. My husband had told me stories of his days spent here long ago (I do mean long ago) as a young Army soldier. He was so enamored at coming back to this part of the country that, well, quite frankly, what could a dutiful wife do, but follow her man. I mean, after 31 years of following, it was just natural.

Then, upon my arrival, I was so stunned at what my hubby considered beauty that I just knew he must have lost his mind while he had been deployed that previous year. I remember thinking, God was surely punishing me for something or had an odd sense of humor. It all seemed so colorless, desolate and bleak to me at the time, and of course, I came during the "windy" season and precious does not like her hair messed up in the wind. There were times I just new the wind was going to cause the house to implode. Ok, a slight exageration, but you get my point.

After six months of whining I finally settled into our new home with a renewed sense of purpose. If God wanted us here, then there had to be a plan and I needed to stop my whining and get on with it. Once I started letting go of my preconceived notion of nature's beauty, I was able to open my eyes and see that the desert can be a wonderful place. Why DID people love it here so much anyway?

First of all, we certainly didn't need those heavy winter coats any more and throw away those snow shovels. Where else can you have near perfect weather? Ok, the summers do get hot, but after getting through that first summer, I realized, it wasn't so bad afterall. You learn to get up early, get your shopping done and get home before the temperature rises.

Now here just over 3 years, we have found our blessings have increased over and over. We've found the most wonderful church and christian friends and discovered all the people to be open and welcoming. We've also found the beauty in the desert itself. It wasn't until recently that I personally realized just how much I do love it here. When I sent some photos to a friend in Wisconsin and she commented on how brown it was here and I found a need to defend our turf, I knew that God had truly changed my thinking. My response was that it wasn't always brown here. We have our monsoon season for sure (in the middle of it now), but when the desert blooms in the Spring it is the most wonderful thing to see. Color is everywhere!! White, yellow, lavendars, greens; it's all there if you just let yourself see it.

I'm thankful that I opened my eyes to the beauty of the desert. The beauty that my husband saw all those years ago and still does today. The beauty of knowing that not everything beautiful is green and the beauty of a more casual lifestyle. Today, I feel as if we have been here forever and belong here just as long.

Thanks, honey for convincing me to follow you once again!!

Burp Cloths

2008-07-28T08:14:00.012-06:00

I just finished these embroidered burp cloths for a friend's daughter. I just love these animals and their cute little faces. It's from the Whimsical Kingdom set of embroidery. They go with her fabric selection of jungle animals for the baby quilt I finished for her. I'll post a picture of the finished quilt that later. Her mom was going to make the quilt, but decided it wasn't her cup of tea, so passed everything on to me and I have had so much fun with this one.

Pin Cushions

2008-07-26T16:38:00.004-06:00

My sewing and quilting buddies here in town, frequent one of our favorite stores and it just happens to be a Bernina Center. We attend classes, learn new techniques, both sewing and quilting and just have a lot of fun getting together. One of our monthly clubs is a Sew Creative Club. Each month the owner gives us a free fat quarter for bringing in a show-n-tell. I challenged myself to make something each month from that free fat quarter and use the finished project as my show-n-tell for the next month. The gals who work in the store all have wonderfully different personalities, and laughingly refer to themselves as the Bernina Babes. So one month I decided to make these pin cushions for each of them, designed specifically around their personalities. The labels all have different names specific to each gal in the shop, i.e., Button Babe (she loves buttons), Queen Babe (she owns the store), etc. These were so much fun to make. For our next Sew Creative meeting I think I shall make them the latest project I found in my newest quilting magazine, which is a drawstring bag with pin cushion sewn inside and a needle case. I'll post it when they are finished.

Blogs

2008-07-26T11:18:00.006-06:00

I have been looking at other Blogs lately and have been so impressed with the creativity and beauty of some of these. I've decided to add them to my blog so that others may also enjoy them. I hope you bloggers don't mind my marketing your work. I think I shall come up with a drawing on my blog in the near future as well. Ummm??? Wonder what I could give away? Any thoughts?

Binding Lesson 101

2008-07-19T10:12:00.013-06:00

I have been asked recently, "how do you attach your bindings so you don't have extra thickness at the end or joining?" People get to the final few inches of attaching their bindings and then get into a "bind" (no pun intended) on how to finish so the binding doesn't have that bunched up appearance or extra fabric at the end.

First, let me say that this is by no means the only way to do it, but for me, it is the simplest method and requires no math. It is just what works best for me personally. I can assure you no matter which method you use, the Quilting Police will not come and get you. As for width when cutting, my favorite measurement is 2 1/4" wide. Then when folded in half and stitched, it rolls over the edge real nice and leaves a binding that isn't too wide or too narrow.

The next question is whether to cut the binding on the bias or not. Again a personal choice. I choose to just cut the strips, then crisscross them (as in the first picture above) to attach them. By crisscrossing the fabric strips and sewing on the diagonal, I have created my bias strips the fast and easy way. My daughter, who just recently learned to quilt, said when I explained to her my method of attaching and finishing bindings and sent her the pictures, that she was able to immediately understand how to do it. Ahhhh, life is so much better with pictures, don't you think? So, whenever I am asked how to do bindings, I just send the pictures and it seems to help others as well. I hope this was as clear to you as it was for my daughter.

Just remember that when you get within about 6-8 inches away from where you started, to stop, take out the piece and scrunch it up (technical term), criss cross the strips, pin and see how it works. If you need to adjust, it's better now before cutting off that extra fabric, then after you have sewn and cut.

REMEMBER, don't cut away that extra fabric until you are certain it's going to work.

A Doggie Tale

2008-07-11T06:19:00.007-06:00

Four years ago we adopted a golden retriever/cocker spaniel mix from the Colorado Golden Retriever Rescue. She really is a good dog, well behaved and pretty mellow most of the time. She does, however, have her moments. She does not like being left home alone. After going thru obedience training and all the things you do to change bad habits, it's the one thing that just will not be changed. I believe it's that cocker spaniel stubbornness in her. Anyway, we have to laugh at some of the episodes we have had with her and in our efforts to try to find ways to be to leave her at home, we tried putting her in her kennel one day. Unfortunately, we didn't think about the positioning of the kennel and never dreamed that what happened would happen.

When we arrived back home, she was out of the kennel and the kennel was beyond repair. She had torn thru the little openings on the sides and totally distroyed the kennel - BUT, how? She managed to drag my husband's favorite quilt off the back of his chair (which was next to where we had placed the kennel) little by little pulling and tugging the quilt thru the openings on the side of the kennel until the entire flannel quilt was inside. YEP...the entire quilt and it was not a small one either. The quilt actually survived most of the ordeal with just a few areas that needed applique to fix the holes she had put in it.

We have since learned to never position the kennel anywhere near a chair or anything that might possibly be able to be pulled thru the openings and never, never put a quilt anywhere near it either. I have since made her her own quilt, which, by the way, she absolutely loves, but she still goes in her kennel anytime we leave the house.

Entrusted Treasure

2008-07-09T06:43:00.007-06:00

I have been entrusted with a family heirloom, hand pieced quilt top, to finish for a friend. I feel so blessed to just be able to touch this wonderful work of art. This top dates back at least to the early 1800's. The friend's mother knows it was made by a great great grandmother who died in 1856. Grandma came over from Ireland and we believe brought some of these fabrics with her. The fabrics are all cottons that feel and look like old handkerchiefs or perhaps petticoat materials.

I was wondering if anyone could tell me what the block design is on this quilt? It appears to be a nine patch of some sort done on the bias. There are several blocks within the quilt, but at closer look, I believe she sewed it in bias rows. It full bed size and needs a border to finish the top and then of course I will hand quilt it for them.

I'm still thinking of how to quilt it, whether in the ditch on alternate rows, or perhaps thru the center of the blocks. Any ideas?

Go Green

2008-07-08T04:37:00.000-06:00

Did you know that quilt batting has now gone green. As we all think more about conservation these days, this is a giant step for the batting industry. This soft, green batting has the same qualities as other battings, yet it's green friendly and every one pound of batting keeps 10 plastic bottles out of the landfill. For more information on going green with batting, take a look at the Quilter's Dream Batting website listed below.

Round Table Topper

2008-07-07T21:47:00.002-06:00

I have the privilege of knowing the two gals who invented the Roundabout ruler that I used in the making of this table topper. It is so user friendly and basically no measuring when making these wonderful toppers. Just piece and trace around the ruler to get the perfect circle. If you like to make something quick and easy, you'll love these. Once you do, you'll be hooked on them and you will get great satisfaction out of making them. These gals have also published two books with patterns and I know Leslie is currently working on a new pattern. Take a look at their website sometime.