Happy Village

 I attended Quilting in the Desert a quilt camp held annually in the Phoenix area.  My class was Happy Villages.  Karen Eckmeier was the instructor and is the author of the book Happy Villages.
Below is our starting point.  A blue sky and pieces of fabric cut according to instructions and arranged on a batting background.

Next we started to build our village by adding a roof here and there.  Windows and doors were added to some of the houses.  I also added a palm tree at this point.

Below is how my village looked at the end of two days of classes.  I still need to do more free motion quilting and add embellishments before applying a binding.

The colors are a little muted because we added a layer of tulle over the entire village before beginning to quilt.  My inspiration came from a photo on Tammy's blog http://tsdailytreasures.blogspot.com/.  She had the photo on her blog late last year.  It was a shopping mall in Dubai that resembled a souk.  I asked her permission to use the photo as an inspiration.  The color palette came from a photo I found of a bead vendor in a souk.  Last I also used a photo of a palace in Dubai.  I tried to use the shaped of arches, doors, and windows that resembled those found in my inspiration photos.  This was a great class.  I will be teaching the Grand Daughters to make a village on their spring break in March. 

Final Banner for A Swap for All Seasons

This is my final banner for A Swap for All Seasons 2015 swap.  We exchanged a 4" x 6" banner each month.  This little banner is on it's way across the Atlantic to May in the United Kingdom.   It is constructed of all vintage pieces.  The base is a vintage dresser scarp, the floral center is from a vintage crochet piece and the lace at the top  is also hand made.  I liked the white trim on the dresser scarf  and wanted it to remain on the banner.  I hope May enjoys this little vintage banner.

Moon Flower Scrap Squad November 2015

This is the quilt I made for November 2015 Quiltmaker Magazines Scrap Squad.  In the original pattern the center medallion was a Christmas ornament.  With a few changes it became a flower.  The fabrics are 30s reproduction fabrics and hand dyes.  The hand dyes were purchased from my friend Karen in Kentucky.  I have a collection of 30s reproduction.  I chose the name Moon Flower because I thought the quilt had a "hippie" vibe.  Below is a close up of the center panel.

I've enjoyed my  year as a member of Scrap Squad and I'm currently working on my 6th and last quilt,

A New Machine and a New Year.

I surprised the granddaughter's this week with a new sewing machine.  Brother Project Runway Special Edition.  It is highly rated by Consumer Reports as a beginning machine and I read some great reviews on the web.  I got a great deal at my local Mulqueen's Sewing Center.  They were excited when I delivered it to their home.

R-2 (youngest granddaughter) started sewing lessons from Mema (that's me) in December.  She made a pillowcase using the burrito method.  If you haven't seen this method of constructing a pillowcase, just Google burrito pillowcase.

Her next project was a cat.  I found the pattern on Craftsy.   R-2 decided she wanted a gray cat which was the first project on the new machine.  She decided the pattern needed "arms" and a tail.  She drew a pattern and sew "arms" and a tail.  It turned out very cute. 

R-1 (oldest granddaughter)  decided she wanted to join in the fun and made this travel pillow following directions from Crafty Gemini.  If you haven't seen the Crafty Gemini videos, you should check them out.  She makes sewing fun and the granddaughter's love to watch her videos.

The girls made four of the neck pillows on their last sewing day of Christmas Vacation.  They even made Mema one.  We had fun picking out fleece at JoAnn's and fleece was 50% off that day!

Happy New Year

I made this banner in 2015 for a Swap for All Seasons.  I thought the words were appropriate for the beginning of a new year.  Hope for a Wonderful 2016 and Faith that I can make each day count.  I started a calendar of my creative activities.  2015 was spent as a member of Quiltmaker Magazine's Scrap Squad.  My last quilt will be shown of Quilty Pleasure blog in February.  My plans are to spend a part of each day working in my studio.  Today I worked on the center panel for my last Scrap Squad quilt.

It's been a long three months!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It has been over three months since I last posted.  I've experienced some health issues with my right knee.  There have been times when I was unable to walk due to the extreme pain.  Needless to say this put a damper on much of my quilting and sewing.   I should say that I am much better due to a month of therapy.  I'm scheduled to do another month and then evaluation to see if surgery is needed.

I was able to complete a Scrap Squad quilt that was featured on the Quilty Pleasures blog.  The quilt was made from my stash of Christmas fabrics.  It will be on display during the holiday season.

 

I named this quilt Snowy Diamonds.  It was a great way to use up some of those Christmas scraps that I've been collecting for years.

 

 

I plan to add more post of projects as time allows. 

Mini Sampler Swap

It has taken me awhile to post about the Mini Sampler Swap.  You can read about it by clicking the image on the left side of my blog or here.

This is the January sampler I made.  It includes 30s reproduction fabric, a vintage hankie, lace, rick rack, and a flower and button.

 

I received a sampler from Linda.  You can see the sampler on her blog.  I will post a photo of my entire clothes line of samplers later.

 

Here is the sampler I made for Linda in February. The base if from a vintage barkcloth drapery,  I added vintage crochet lace, sequins, and a butterfly.  I also added some mini clothes pins.

 

 

I received a sampler from Heidi that was also on vintage fabric.  I'll post a photo of it later.

 

 

 

 

 

Miss Mattie's Flower Garden

 

My second Scrap Squad quilt was featured on the Quilty Pleasures Blog last week.  I named this quilt after my MaMa Skaggs.  Her name was Mattie.  You can see the original quilt on the blog post.  I used the original block pattern but rearranged the blocks to get a diagonal line that resulted in large diagonal squares. 

 

I auditioned using the scrappy fabric in the center of squares but ultimately decided to go with a solid gray block in the center.  The embroidery design is by Anita Goodesigns. 

 

I decided to use the left overs to make a scrappy border and quilted on my new Avante quilting machine.  I guess you would called it semi-custom quilting.  I did most of the quilt without using the computer but the triangle blocks are Prostitcher designs.

 

I love this quilt!

 

Keeping it on the "Q.T." Quilting Tip # 4

It's time for another Keeping It on the "QT" Tip.  Tip # 4. 

 Painter's Tape is a quilter's Best Friend.

Stitch-and-Flip is a popular quilting technique for attaching corner patches to units.  Instructions usually include something like this "Mark a diagonal line on the patch from corner to corner and sew on the marked line."

For my second Scrap Squad quilt, the pattern called for 192 Stitch-and-Flip units.  That's a lot of diagonal lines!  So I decided to use Painter's Tape to mark my machine instead of marking all those lines.

Why Painter's Tape?  It doesn't leave any sticky mess when you remove it from your machine.  Below you can see the tape on machine.  The tape is placed from just in front of the needle (not over the feed dogs).  Tape should be aligned with the needle.  Most machines will have marking you can use as a guide.

 

Place your patch on the corner of the unit with right sides together.  Place top corner under presser foot aligned with needle and bottom corner lined up on Painter's Tape.

 

 

Stitch across the diagonal.

 

 

This method works perfectly and you don't have to mark anything.  A real time saver when you are making 192 of these little corners.

 

You would then trim seam allowance to 1/4".  Flip the patch open and press.

 

Thanks for stopping by.  My next Scrap Squad quilt will be featured on Quilty Pleasures Blog on Friday.

 

Happy Scrappy Quilting!!!

 

@ the Circus quilt

My first Scrap Quilt was published in March.  Here is a photo of the quilt.

I named the quilt "@ the circus".  I used my Handi Quilter Avante and did an edge to edge quilt design.   Below is a photo of the design.  The design is by Anne Bright.

 

Here is a link to the Scrappy Pleasures Blog post

 

I am now working on my next quilt for Scrap Squad.  It used reproduction 1930s fabric.

 

Here is a peek at the fabric.

 

Thanks for stopping by.

 

 

Keeping It on the "Q.T." Quilting Tip # 3

It's past time for another "Q.T." tip so here is next "Keeping it on the Q.T."  tip.

Tip # 3 - Audition your fabric before you start sewing. 

If you audition your fabric before you take that first stitch, you will save your time and hopefully eliminate using your seam ripper.  Below is an example of how auditioning your fabric will help when making a quilt.

As you know I'm working on a quilt for Quiltmaker's Scrap Squad.  My quilt will be featured in mid March.  I blogged earlier about Tip # 1 selecting the fabrics I would use for the quilt. 

Once my fabrics were selected, I pressed each piece with Best Press.  Mary Ellen's Best Press is a clear starch alternative.  I purchase mine at the local quilt store.  I love it for removing wrinkles and adding crispness to my fabric.

My first cutting involved my scraps. I described the cutting process in  Tip # 2 "selecting the right tools".

 

Now to AUDITIONING before you sew.

 I had originally thought that my scrappy pyramids would have 4 of the small novelty print pyramids.  See below.

 

Once I saw how the 4 prints looked in the pyramid (auditioning), I decided to change it up a little.  Back in Tip # 1, one of the last things I did in fabric selection was to add a POP of color to the stack of fabric.  It was a bright yellow fabric.  So I decided to audition the yellow in the center of the pyramid. 

 

Now that's better!  I did end up using the back of the yellow fabric.  I felt the front of the fabric was a little too yellow.  I will do a post on looking at both sides of your fabric at a later date.

I still can't show you the finished quilt but here are the scrappy pyramids to be used in the quilt.

 

Thanks for stopping by.  For more info on Scrap Squad click on the link at the top of the blog.  Happy Quilting.  Keep checking for more Keeping it on the  "Q.T." tips.

Wishing You a Happy Valentine's Day

A few years ago I found a bag of vintage Valentine cards at the Peddler's Mall in Campbellsville, Kentucky.  When I got them home, I realized that they were all for Mrs. Howell.  Evidently all the students gave Mrs. Howell a Valentine.  Many were teacher Valentines but these two were generic.

I hope each of you has a wonderful day filled with chocolate, flowers, and LOVE!  Enjoy the day.

Keeping it on the "Q. T." Quilting Tip # 2

I've been out of the country for a week but now I'm back home and ready to continue my Q. T. Quilting Tips.  ( You can find Tip # 1 here).

 

Q. T. # 2 "Use the correct tools." 

Use the tools you have in your “toolbox” or your studio.   There are many tools designed just for quilters. 

 

As you know I’m working on a quilt for Quiltmaker’s Scrap Squad (click on link to see my bio).   I can’t share the completed quilt but I am able to tell you that it consists of 60 degree triangles.  Below are the tools I selected to cut my quilt pieces.

 

Paper templates for the triangles were supplied by the magazine.  However, I decided to check my supply of rulers.  I personally don't think there is such a thing as having "too many rulers".  The perfect ruler can make a quilter's life much easier.  I found three 60 degree triangle rulers in my studio.  I ended up using only two of the triangle rulers.  These rulers are sometimes called Pyramid Rulers.  I also used my rotary cutter, cutting mat, and 24" ruler.

 

These are the two specialty rulers I used for my project. 

 

These rulers are designed to be used with strips of fabric.  This quilt pattern called for 4 1/2" and 8 3/8" strips. 

 

The ruler above is the larger ruler used to cut the 8 3/8" triangles.

 

I used the ruler above to cut the 4 1/2" triangles.  These rulers also have makings for half triangles.  Above you can see how I cut the half triangles.

 

 

Above is a half triangle from the larger ruler.

 

 

I love the fact that of both these rulers remove that little "ear" at the top of triangle points. 

 

 

 The larger ruler had all three points removed but the smaller ruler just had the top point removed.  I had to reposition the ruler two additional times to remove those points.  It is worth the time it takes to do this.  Sewing the seams is much easier with the points removed plus I don't have to snip those corners later. 

 

Here are both sizes of triangles ready for stitching.

 

Now I'm ready to start sewing. 

 

Thanks for joining me on my Scrap Squad Journey.

 

 

 

 

January Mini Sampler Swap

When I began blogging in 2007, I was involved in a number of on-line swap groups.  Much of my blogging centered around these swaps.  I have gradually cut back on swaps but when Linda at A Swap for Seasons announced that she was hosting a Mini Sampler Swap for 2015, I knew I just had to be involved.  We swap a mini sampler each month.  No themes - only rule is that is must be 4" x 6" and made of fabric.  Just my kind of swap.

I made the sampler above for Wendy in Missouri.  I used a vintage hankie as my inspiration piece.  The sampler's base is a reproduction 30's print.  I used the corner of the hankie that had both hand embroidery and a hand crochet insert.  Someone spent lots of time making this.  And then it ended up at Goodwill.  Lucky me!

I inserted a small piece of darker fabric behind the embroidery so it would be more visible.  Then I machine quilted around the square.

For embellishments I used a Recollections flower, vintage yellow button, lace, and vintage rick rack. I didn't take a photo of the back but I added a "mini hanging sleeve".  I'm a quilter and every quilt needs a hanging sleeve!

Linda sent me a sampler in January.  I will post about it later.

Keeping it on the "Q.T." Quilting Tip # 1

Recently I was selected as a member of Quiltmaker's Scrap Squad.  Monday, we received our first quilt assignment.   I decided to Google the word SCRAPPY -

 Scrappy -  consisting of disorganized, untidy, or incomplete parts:

No one wants a quilt that is disorganized, untidy or incomplete.  So how do you use scraps in a quilt and keep it organized, tidy, and complete.  Well here is Q. T. # 1.

"Choose an inspiration fabric and let it be  your guide."

I began by looking through my stash of fabric.  The fabric below had been in my stash for a few years waiting for the perfect quilt.  I decided to use it as my inspiration fabric.

It is a hand dyed fabric.  Not sure how I will use it in the quilt but it will serve as my guide for selecting scraps of fabric.  After looking at the inspiration fabric, I remembered that I had recently purchased a small amount of various colors of hand dyed ombre fabrics.  I placed then on the inspiration. 

I eliminated the gray and red fabrics. The gray was completely wrong and the red was a little too red.  (not pinkish enough)

I decide to go with these six colors.  Again I'm not sure how I will use them but I added them to my stack.

 

Now comes the fun part, gathering together my scraps.  Since this is the Scrap Squad the scraps will be the focal part of the quilt.

I began by going through my scraps and selecting fabrics that were similar in color to the six colors above.

 

 

I auditioned each fabric and some were eliminated as was the yellow fabric shown below.  It has similar colors but was too yellow.

 

I have a maybe "pile" of scraps. You can see them at the top of the photo below.  I can always go back and add then to the mix if I choose.

 

If you are having trouble deciding whether or not to use a certain fabric, sometimes it helps to take a photo and look at the photo.  It can give you another point of view.  Here I used my IPad and took a photo. I eliminated a few fabrics after viewing the photo.

 

Below is my final selection of scraps.  You will notice that I eliminated the orange ombre and one of the blues.  I also eliminated the orange scraps and combined all the blues into one stack.  Now I have my inspiration fabric, 4 ombre hand dyes, and my scraps in four piles.

 

All of these selections were based on my one inspiration fabric.   I have found this to be a simple and effective means of selecting a variety of scraps for my quilts. 

 

 

My final stack of scraps

And I didn't add in any of my "maybe" fabric this time but often I do go back and revisit those fabrics.  This time I had enough variety without them. 

 

Hope you enjoyed my Keeping it on the "Q.T." Quilting Tip # 1.

 

"Let an inspiration fabric be your guide."

Oh yes! Leave your fabric out on your table for a few hours or days.  Walk by and see if you are concerned about any of the fabrics or if something is missing.  After doing this, I decided I needed a POP of COLOR.  Referring back to my inspiration fabric, I decided to add yellow as my POP.

 

 

Remember, I still don't know how I will use these fabrics but my quilt design is beginning to come into focus.  I'm pleased with the fabrics I selected and know that they "fit together".  Now the quilt  design will begin to take shape.   I won't be able to share the quilt pattern until my quilt is revealed in March but I will share more later as I make design decisions.

 

 

 

 

 

Quiltmaker Scrap Squad 2015

I've been selected as a member of Quiltmaker Magazine's 2015 Scrap Squad.  I'm so excited.  I received my first assignment today and I'm already planning the quilt.  I plan to do a "Keeping It on the Q.T." (Quilting Tips) here on my blog.  I'll probably do a couple of "Q.T." tips each month.  I'm busy planning my first post for late this week. 

We were to submit a few pictures for use on the Quiltmaker blog.  I'm not sure which photo they will select but I've chosen this one for my post here.

 

Check back often as I blog about my experiences as a member of the Scrap Squad.