Quilting Vacation Day 1

I am on a quilting vacation that is disguised as housesitting! The goal is to try to post every single day while I am on a mission to complete my tasks. I've managed to get all my stations more or less in order: Sewing, cutting, project bags. I'll be sewing at this spot in the kitchen. While the round table is sometimes a challenge, it works well. What is especially good is that there is a bright, hanging light directly over the table making a well lit work area. Yes, I know - part of my machine is missing. Not a problem - just mislaid it at home and wasn't going to scrounge for it too long.



Today, I went for simple and am making endless half square triangles (HSTs). My 2 7/8 in square box from scraps is FULL. So, I have 2 HST projects. The first is an HST project I saw in an issue of Fons and Porter (Sept/Oct 2011 edition) that I just received the other day. I will give more info on that as I progress. I actually stopped at a quilt store on the way here to get the black fabric I needed. In addition, I'm making a Lady of the Lake quilt. I could not decide on the fabrics to use for the large blocks, but it needs a LOT of HSTs.



No quilting holiday is complete without quilting helpers. I have 3. They are Spitty, Huff and Ptolemy. Spitty (beautiful , but very shy girl cat) has stayed out of the way, but the boys have been helping. Ptolemy lays in the middle of the floor forcing one to walk around him (cat hampering technique), and Huff sleeps on my foot pedal (supervision, apparently).

Jammies are Done!

Finally finished my first pair of jammies for my Mom. I know she thinks the pattern of the fabric is a tad wild, but she's so desperate for jammies, she doesn't care. The fabric is Moda one that I think was called Italian Renaissance. Simple pattern taken from taking apart her old, well loved jammies. I had to follow a shirt pattern instructions to get the top done in the correct order. It's also my first more complicated project using my new-to-me serger. I have to make her 3 more pairs, 2 with full sleeves and then I will make some for myself as well as making flannel bottoms for the top I have already completed.


Shortsleeve jammies with pocket in both pants and shirt.

Knitting, yes KNITTING!! Ok.. well, this is the cat bed now that the knitting is completed. Alice is my model (she is the blanket cat - loves being under blankets and fighting under blankets). This is pictured before the felting. I plan to felt tomorrow and hopefully, it will be all dried by Saturday or Sunday. I've done a little bit of knitting and still having a bit of trouble with the tennis elbow (yes, 10 MONTHS later!), but I'm going to try some sock knitting soon to see how that goes.


I'm looking at buying a Bernina 440. This model is being discontinued and replaced with a model that is over $4000. I have to clarify the financing issue. If it really is zero percent interest for 12 months, I will be a Bernina owner this month. If not, well, we'll see what's in store. I hate, hate, hate quilting on my current machine. It sews fine, but the quilting, well, I think you have an idea that I am not that happy with the results. If I do buy the Bernina, I will have to very seriously stop buying fabric for a year because my budget will go for the payments.

Lost My Dad

My Dad passed away on June 30th, so things have been a little awry. He was 79 and he told me himself several months ago that he didn't think he had a lot of time left primarily due to his heart problem. He was buried in Fort Snelling Cemetery as he was a Navy veteran during the Korean Conflict. I was surprised that he got a rifle regiment and bugle - I thought that was reserved for active or career military.

I just don't FEEL like doing stuff, but I am still accomplishing slowly. It's been particularly hard to pick up the Pine Grove quilt to finish it. It would have been done on June 30, including the additional quilting my Mom and Dad asked for (it is for them). I'll likely get it done sometime in August, but for now, I'll let it go. I have continued to work on the Apple Core quilt at appointments. My relative will done with the twice weekly physical therapy and going to once a week, so my opportunities are going down for awhile. On the other hand, I am confident that I will probably finish all the sets needed to make a full sized quilt. I've decided that the apple cores will go right to the edge with a nice wavy binding at the end. It's a challenge I will try to meet.

I am making these cooling neckerchiefs for family members. I bought an example one at a craft show a couple of years ago and finally got the little crystals that are super-absorbing. Here's a photo of the ones I made for my sister and BIL. The Vikings one illustrates that you can use two different fabrics, although I'd go for the same color. If you decide to make these, be sure to go over your stitching twice if you don't have a specialty stitch that does it for you. You do NOT want these crystals leaking out where pets or children could eat them. In addition, this is not an item for children. I have 4 or 5 more to make. I'm also going to make some wider ones that attach with velcro for muscle injuries.



Finally, I will be getting back to knitting when it cools down. Right now, my hands always seem to be sticky due to either sweat or high humidity. I still have the tennis elbow, but if I don't overdo it, I can knit again. I need to get those 2nd socks done! Crocheting is still out, darn it.

Here's Polly earlier today keeping me company while I sewed. The Wall, basic structure anyway, is done, so once it cools down, I'm going to do something about those weeds.

Progress with Photos!

Making lots of progress despite feeling like I go at a snail's pace.

The Pine Grove quilt is part of a QATW June contest, but I'm not quite sure if I will be done by then. Working hard at it though!

Highlights the quilting.

Freeform leaves in border

I've been working hard on my take-a-long project of Apple Cores. After a trip to the ER (he's fine now), I really accomplished a lot! I've made over 200 light-dark sets and need maybe another 50, so I have to start cutting more apple cores tonight to be ready for the next appointment! I'll be able to start rows soon. I'm thinking of hand quilting this using embroidery thread and primitive stitch. I think that will give the North Woods feeling I was hoping for with the plaid. That pincushion thing was too small for use in my chair, but perfect for across my thigh while working at doctor's office waiting areas. Using a larger eye needle also helps to make threading easier. I've recently read that a straw needle is even better for piecing, but haven't seen it sold locally. Will try it. Sometimes gadgets work. Sometimes they don't. Oh, the Mickey Mouse bag is my current project bag. My sister bought it a long time ago and was going to sell it on Ebay. I convinced her to wait, hoping she might find a use for it. In the meantime, it works great for quilt piecing. Lots of pockets and plenty of places for stuff without being bulky. I store my competed units in a salad container (Sam's Club). Yes, they break down over time, but great for storing lots of small pieces and they are free.

Progress on Quilting

Not much going on in the knitting front. I hope to do the cat bed tomorrow, so maybe some before and after photos on Sunday.

I joined a June contest where I have to get an old project done before the end of the month to be included in the drawing. So, I've been working hard on the Pine Grove quilt which was started 6 years ago. I have roughly half the quilting done. It sortof halted a bit while I removed some quilting. Originally, I meander quilted in some of the sashing and then just gave up finishing the quilt because I was just exhausted from trying to quilt a queen sized quilt. Now, I take it in smaller chunks and have advanced to feathers.

So, all the sashing is getting freeform feathers. I still have to remove the meander quilting from 2 more sashed blocks, but I'm glad I decided to make the extra effort. The back, where you can see the actual stitching much better, looks great. Still to do are the trees and the large side triangles. I would like to do a fabulous feather for the border, but we shall see how that goes. I NEED to finish off the sashing, inner border and trees this weekend so that I can concentrate on the outer edges. My binding is already done and ready to be attached, but I still have to allow 4 days to get the binding sewn to the back. Yes, some of you are really fast at this, but I tend to be slow. One of my favorite parts of quilting is attaching that binding.

I'm also spending some time in doing reduction of stuff. I found my box of quilting books in the storage unit a few weeks back. As a result, I am parting with 15 books to make room for those books I really want to keep. It's tough, but I really don't have more space to expand to. Same thing with the fabric, although in the coming couple of weeks, some will become jammies and some curtains as well as a few other smaller sewing projects.

Asian Sidelights

Yes, all that Asian fabric I bought because I had to have it, is now getting some use. I completed the first wallhanging last night!! This design is based on the Karrie Nichols' pattern Sidelights. I did it up based on the photo. If I did this again, I would miter the outer borders. I think mitered borders look much better on a wall quilt and is worth the extra effort there. I used fabric from the Han e mei fabric line from RJR Fabrics to make this. One down, a bunch to go.

Hearts Quilt Sashed

Hearts quilt sashed
Originally uploaded by Tarana5

Finally sewed the sashing on this quilt. Yay!! as I was constructing it, I decided that I'm going to quilt it in 2 sections, attach them, then add the borders and quilt those. I used clothespins to connect them for the photo. I have a light pink marble fabric that is perfect for the back. After quilting and attachment, the separate pieces won't be obvious.

Progress on Hearts Quilt

Progress Hearts Quilt
Originally uploaded by Tarana5

Be patient knitters and crocheters. I'll get to those projects.

Today, however, I'm continuing to work on the Hearts Quilt. I've sewn together 4 of the 10 rows so far. I found this fabric by accident and apparently had intended it for this quilt since the borders were already cut. If it was intended for something else, I can't figure it out. It's a nice reddish purple with coffee berries. I plan to continue to complete the rows and sashing today.

The rest of the day is going to cleanup and decluttering. Seriously, I feel like I'm walking in a rabbit warren and it's all my stuff. I hate to have yet another miscellaneous fabric box, but I see no option right now. Just need to separate those things that are part of projects from the rest, especially since I have yet more Asian fabric!! I will be good now though. No more until I get the planned projects done.

Mystery Top Done

Mystery top done
Originally uploaded by Tarana5

Here's the completed mystery quilt that I did for the Home Retreat at QuiltingAroundTheWorld.com this week. I'm actually glad I got 'stuck' with the brown for the dark color. It makes the quilt pop much better than navy blue would have done. Just shy of 57 inches square. That is the helper cat that you see at the bottom of this photo.

The rest of the evening is dedicated to working on sashing for the Hearts quilt. If I can get that done in a reasonable time, then I'll do the finishing work on the not-yet-felted cat bed that needs to be done before it is felted. I was just bummed - beautiful and perfect week for a felted item to dry and I just could not get to it to sew in some few yarns!

Hearts Applique Quilt Is Progressing

The day before yesterday, I finished the 70th applique heart for my quilt. So, this quilt is ready to be assembled once I have the fabric for it. I also need to figure out a new take-a-long project. I can't really afford to buy fabric to finish this until next month, but I might just buy what I need for the sashing and leave it at that until next payday.

Valentine's Quilt Done!

Hey, another quilt is done! This one was a challenge quilt in the 90s. The goal was to do a quilt over the weekend using just scraps left over from other projects. I had recently done a block swap using this variation of a Friendship Star and it went fast. Forgot about it and it ended up on the bottom of a fabric box. Lori (MissSadie) at QATW quilted it for me.

The quilt is about 67x79 inches. Lori used Warm and Natural for batting and I have Snuggle Flannel from Joann's for the backing (solid red). No high end stuff here. The quilting is a lovely scroll and heart combination.

Edited to add: If you want to make this block, click here. I made the block originally using instructions from Quilters Almanac, Quilt Block Part, Series #3 by Eleanor Burns (c.1991).

This closeup shows Lori's quilting.

Asian Fabrics

I've been on a roll collecting some Asian fabrics in order to complete some projects. Here's some really great choices from Blue Bamboo. I actually bought from them before not realizing at the time that they had a store locally. Great shop to visit! My selections mostly reflect my need for small and medium prints for a Japanese Doll Wallhanging that I will be making. A couple of the fabrics I bought because my brother couldn't decide which colorway he wanted for his Kindle bag. He came into the shop with me and then asked how much the fabric was. I told him not to worry about it, I was only getting a yard of each. Yes, well, I spent $156 today. Didn't take long either. Combine that with my order at the Quilted Crow and you can see that I blew the budget this month.


After seeing this quilt, I couldn't help it. I bought the kit. Went way over budget, but hey, I just could not refuse this one. It is going to go above my TV. This thing is fabulous! You can do this pattern too. It is a free pattern at RobertKaufman.com called 12 Moons.

Photo from RobertKaufman.com

Lots of Stuff

Sorry about not posting recently. I was determined to do it from the Netbook, and then couldn't get the photos on or PixResizer to make them a more maneageable size. All fixed now.

Spent a long weekend working on sewing projects at my sister's while she helped me figure out my new-to-me serger. I made 2 pillowcovers, a pillow case, pajama bottoms and a pj top (another pair).

The first project was 2 pillowcovers. I bought one for my king sized feather/down pillows a while back and all they sold was this satiny thing for $9. It feels really nice, but the pillowcase was forever coming off. I had some plain Christmas fabric with some mistletoe that I've been using for backings and they made perfect pillow covers. This gave me zipper practice as well.

Next is Dad's Train Pillowcase. He is a train fan, so needed this. Didn't have to adjust anything. The trains go the right way for the easy-make pillow case. I used the basic pattern from 1 million pillowcases. I'll be making a couple more to donate to the cause since I used their pattern. I have it laying across my king sized pillow to show you that you do not need to adjust this pattern. Very generous length!

Here's a closeup. I added some stitching on the top. Looks very professional and I did it!


On the quilting front, as always, I have too many projects going. I am doing a quilt-along project with my group at QATW (www.quiltingaroundtheworld.com/) using the book Hop To It by Edyta Sitar. It is an applique project. Originally, I was going to follow her instructions using invisible thread, but after endless adjustments on my tension, I just can't get it right with the nylon and will instead just match thread with the pieces and satin stitch. This photo shows the design for Block 1 fused down. I am using Kona solid in bone for my background. The red flowers with yellow centers is actually a brick color with dark zig zags, not a solid. I dithered as to whether to use something brighter, but kept returning to this. As a stand alone block, I'm not thrilled with my leaf fabric choices. My Mom likes it. I'm thinking of doing a second one with alternate color choices and will then go with whichever one I like best for the rest of the quilt.

As always, what's a blog without including pets? Here's Polly in her box on the cutting table. My sewing machine is there too because the serger is where my sewing machine usually is. Gotta find a new setup that will work with the serger. My biggest challenge right now is finding a food that is lower calorie that makes all of the cats happy. We thought we had one, but it appears to cause Bart to have a skin problem (He licks all the fur off his legs). Cleo-Claudine and Polly are both overweight, Bart and Alice are at the top of the weight chart for their size. Sylvester is the only one who is at a perfect weight. Go figure.

Garden Party Completed!!

My first finish of the year!! Got the quilt back from the quilter (Julie Ann of Fat Quarter Quilting), bound it, washed it and walla, a photo! Quilt is about 79x96 inches. Now, the details. This was from a QATW 2009 swap that included both blocks and strips of pastel fabrics. It was a 3 part swap - one month had to be applique, another was pieced (or paperpieced) and the last month was whatever method you wanted. I supplemented with my fabric supply (and bought a few 1/4 yards) to make the patchwork border. I did the bee, iris, and dragonflies for the swap, but also added a bunny and ladybug to finish it off. Gift to my Mom and Dad. Mom was totally sick of winter before December was even over. Still needs a label and I'll get to it.

Binding A Quilt

I've attached the binding to the Garden Party quilt and am now sewing to the back. I'm about half done. I highly recommend these binding holders. Flimsy metal pieces, but they hold your binding very well and you never get stuck with a pin. I use about 10 of them. It is more of a bother to 'pin' a whole side. Doing about 10 out forces me to stop, stretch my arms and hands a bit, clip, then go back. I use a relatively large needle to do binding because I tend to take too small of stitches with smaller needles. Kindof a waste really, and annoying when you have to remove the stitching to replace the binding. The good news is that soon, very soon, I can start a new section for 2011 finishes!!

Netbooking!

I'm happy to report that I now have a netbook and a WiFi hotspot. This means that I can finally be connected in my quilting area. I will no longer have to print out directions for one block - I can just view on the computer as I go along. More importantly, I can do step-by-step videos close to where I am working and in lighting that allows me to see my stitches.

I have a 160 meg Acer Aspire One. The only complaints I have is that the keyboard is a tad awkward (just a teeny bit smaller keyboard) and it just sucks, and I means sucks, fingerprints, lint and cat fur to every single place with black. In other words, the whole thing except the screen. So, this poor thing already looks likes it's been heavily used for several months and I've only had it a day and a half.

I also have a used serger, given to me by an employee of Hancock's who no longer used it. I had to buy a new foot pedal and bring it in for a once over since it was in a garage for 15 years, but now I'm ready to serge. It is a SergeMate Companion 5040. You've probably never heard of it. I hadn't. Not so easy to thread, but hey, the goal was to discover if I was really going to USE a serger. If so, I can upgrade.

I haven't done much sewing for a couple of days while I prepare to do a couple of projects. In addition to a few clothing projects, I also bought Bambi fabric for a quilt for my Mom (Bambi is her favorite Disney movie) and another yard of another green to let Mom decide which to use for her Spring quilt so I can get that binding attached! For the Bambi quilt, I already know what pattern to use, but need to do the fussy cutting to determine if I need anymore to complete the quilt. The fabric won't be there long.

That's it for now. Typed to you using the new Netbook.

Quilt Came Home!!

I am happy to report that the Garden Party quilt came home today. Julie Ann did a great job of quilting it. It's a custom job and has lots of little details. Looks very whimsical. Now, on to making binding. It usually takes me a week to make binding, attach binding, sew to back, so possible photo soon. I also have a Friendship Star quilt that is getting quilted by another quilter. I expect that to arrive before the end of the month.

I am continuing my NO BUY for quilt fabric for yet another month or two. The next two or three quilts that I may send in to be quilted already have backing fabric, so other than binding, I really don't NEED any fabric. The real tough part is to not join any swaps. I just can't buy any fabric. There is one swap that is going on with flying geese that doesn't require me to buy any fabric at all, but I've fallen behind in my goals for stuff I already have, so am trying to resist.

I have 9 hearts left for the Hearts quilt. That project is in a bit on a slowdown, but I'm still hoping to finish the applique process this month. Have another 2 hour plus appointment to bring relative to on Friday, so no matter what, there will be progress. I still have the tennis elbow, so after I complete the hearts appliques I will move on to continue to piece an apple core quilt for my take-a-long project. Hopefully, I will be again able to knit or crochet in April sometime.

Completed Quilt Tops remaining to be quilted:

Barbie Quilt - to be sent out
Star Wall quilt
Pyramid quilt - dithering whether to send out or not
Courthouse steps
Small Halloween wallhanging - it's in a safe place. I just don't know where.
Pine Tree Quilt - in progress
Witch quilt

Expected tops to be finished this year:
Road To Ahs
2 Halloween Wedding Ring quilts
Japanese quilt (to be tied)

Electronic Cozies

I had a need and made something using STASH!! I got a Kindle and am concerned about scratching the screen when I toss it into my purse. I also have needed a custom armband for my Ipod for ages. I've had this cow fabric since the early 90s. Too thin for a quilt but didn't know what to use it for (it's darn cute). I decided to make a cover for my Kindle and an arm band for my Ipod Nano. Not perfect, but very cute. Less than 1/2 yard of fabric for both with enough left over to make perhaps one more small cozy.



You can see the insides below. Let me tell you my mistake so that you don't repeat it. I made the Kindle Cozy with 2 layers of cow fabric using leftover batting (Warm & Natural). Sewed into a nice rectangle. Folded it up and sewed down. Did not take into consideration that no matter how slim the case is, you still need to allow for that depth. At least I figured this out before I sewed it down, so sewed about 1/8 inch further in on either side. It still looks good, but if you want it perfect, that last fold should be a little wider, say about 1/4 inch.

As for the Ipod Nano holder, I did not line the holder and I think I think I will do that next time. Just gives it a more finished feel. I made a loop on the back to thread the armband through and to make adjustment easier. First time I took it off, the case fell right through and on to the floor. So, I need to tack the band to the case. Lesson learned. Now I can wash dishes and work on projects without the Ipod falling or getting all tangled up in the earphone cords. I want to make one more case, large enough to fold the headphones into a pocket for taking along in my purse.

Slow Getting It Done

Still suffering from that evil tennis elbow issue (and I haven't played in years). So, no knitting or crocheting yet, and a lot of quilting is on hold. However, most every day I have been appliqueing away on Hearts. I have 15 hearts left to applique before I can start assembling this quilt. This will end up being roughly a full sized quilt. Obviously going well. My points...well, that's another story. However, I decided I can live with rounded points rather than redo. They look pretty good from 10 feet away.

I have decided on the patterns for the next two Hawaiian blocks and hope to get them cut out and basted down this week. Since the tennis elbow continues, I also need to cut out the background panels for the Dresden Plate quilt - some piecing, mostly applique. I can manage a few cuts before the elbow screams 'Not Happening!" That will be my next appointment project when the hearts are done. The Hawaiian blocks are just a little too complex for wonky lighting at a medical office and besides, I have several audio books to get listening to.

OK.. that's about it. There will be some updated photos next posting!

New Year's Resolutions

Last year, my resolutions worked pretty good until around September. No complaints there - I accomplished a lot until then. So, here's the 2011 resolutions.

1. Do something quilty every day for at least a few minutes.
2. Complete 6 Halloween tops.
3. Sell or trade 60 craft books and patterns (part of library reduction)
4. Yarn NO BUY for crocheting (need to finish projects!)
5. Complete all sock UFOs
6. NO BUY on fabric except BOM, backgrounds and backing or to finish a project.

Quite honestly, number 6 is clearly my biggest problem, but I plan to pay someone else to quilt 2 or 3 of my quilts and the money has to come from somewhere. By not buying fabic, I can afford it. I would like to do something knitty every day, but due to the tennis elbow (both elbows!), I can't even knit now.

This year, I am also making a goal of getting rid of 2011 items. I have way too much stuff and need to cut back. I'm making a blog of it just to keep me going.