Quilt Sampler Journal

Scraps Turn Into Quilts

2012-01-23T15:21:00.000-08:00

Time to Quilt?

Have you decided which quilting projects you will work on this year? Whether it is finishing those "works in progress", taking a quilting class, or starting something brand new; let's just enjoy the journey, shall we?

I will be reviewing several books in 2012 and the posts will begin on the 23rd of the select month. At this point, I do not know how many quilts I will be making, but I'll try and review one book each month.

Scrap Quilting

If one has no idea were to begin with this quilting process... why not start with scrap quilts. They are simply beautiful, and in most cases, the fabric selection is whatever you have on hand!!

Near the end of 2011, I decided to try scrap quilting and learnt quite a lot so far. If you want to start without the need to borrow or purchasing any books, you can try some free quilt designs at quiltville. To see the ones I completed as quilt tops, please visit my 2011 Review to view them and the links that accompany them for more details.

Book of the Month
January 2012
Cut the Scraps! by Joan Ford

When I looked into the scrap quilting technique, this is the book that I found that got my attention. I really wanted to do something with all those pieces and cut-up fat quarters I had in my fabric cabinet.

Book: Cut the Scraps!

So I started my process... of cutting up these fabrics into a variety of sizes. I love cutting up fabrics with my rotary tools. I had cut up several sizes, but once I was able to read the book, I tried to stick with the three sizes she uses for the projects in this book.

I began by going through my stacks of fabric, (these are sorted into colour families); and selected the smaller pieces of fabric, such as: very small pieces that were mixed into these stacks, fat quarters, and strips of fabric yardage smaller than 1/4 of yard (meter). I was happy to get rid of those FQs, that I really don't like, mostly because they need so much trimming to square them up.

Since they were mostly in colour families, I'd take one colour and start with cutting those up. The next day, I'd choose another colour. This I continued... until I had the selected fabrics completed.

One Session of Cutting

If you want to get your fabric stash in order, her ScrapTherapy^TMprogram is a great way to accomplish this. She explains her "7 Steps Method" to get your fabric stash in shape. The book has two sections: Part One: The Seven Steps and Part Two: The Projects to Make.

The three sizes of squares to cut for these projects are: 2", 3.5", and 5". The book has 20 great projects to start you on a great journey to use up your scraps. If you would like to find out more about her system, visit her website for more information.

Fabric Squares: 5", 3.5", 2"

The Projects

EASY LEVEL:

Thrown Together Pillow and Pincushion -- 14" x 14"; 4" x 4"

Once Upon a Scrap -- 37" x 51"

Runaway Thread -- 66" x 78"

Table Stripes Runner -- 15" x 42"

Lucky Chain -- 51" x 60"

Cheap Frills Pouch -- 9" x 10"

INTERMEDIATE LEVEL:

Scrappy Trails -- 64" x 64"

Feedsack Peaks -- 64" x 80"

Everything Nice -- 60" x 77"

Something Fishy -- 39" x 51"

Lightning Strikes Twice -- 77" x 76"

Scrap Sack -- 15" x 18" x 9"

Fly Away -- 76" x 76"

Bloomin' Steps -- 75" x 87"

Tulip Patches -- 65" x 77"

Star Gazing -- 67" x 82"

Town Tote -- 10" x 9" x 4"

Duck, Duck, Goose Place Mats and Table Runner -- 14" x 18"; 16" x 52"

With Salmon Run -- 70" x 70"

EXPERIENCED LEVEL:

In the North Woods -- 69" x 69"

Next week, I will begin by showing you the project I have chosen, and will continue each week to bring you its progress to the finished quilt top.

Happy Quilting,

Year In Review

2011-12-31T15:05:00.000-08:00

A look back...

Since I had taken a quilting break through part of 2010-2011, I wasn't quite sure how to begin again. I still felt the need to stick with the materials I had on hand; and therefore, it was clear that I would need to figure out how to proceed.

Many people have already discovered how enjoyable SCRAPPY quilting was, and since that wasn't an area I had worked in, thought, why not try it!! Here is what transpired...

Click on the images or links below for more details on these projects:

Images--for my original blog entry / Links--for the designer's website/blogs

Storm at Sea

John Flynn's, "Storm at Sea" was such fun to create. I love it when any fabric choices made can still turn out a great look!!

Visit his website to see more color choices and the quilting lines used to create a perfect flow for that stormy sea. Or check out the opportunity to attend a quilting seminar next summer, in Montana.

Fabric scraps taking over your life... then this scrappy method is just one medicine the quilt doctor would prescribe for you!!

String Quilting Primer

I really enjoyed this process... actually it is quite addicting, so be advised that this may affect you the same way!!!

Bonnie Hunter's, "String Quilting Primer" instructions are great to get you started. For more quilting fun, check out her books, free patterns, and her 10-day Bali adventure in 2012 on her website.

Here are two more inspiring sites to visit for this technique, a guild challenge and a video: SelvageBlog, Quilty.

String-X Quilt!

Bonnie Hunter's, "String-X Quilt!" instructions are great to get you motivated to try more string quilting.

This design was fun, with the added challenge of setting my blue pieces into a uniform effect. I still like a balanced look. Not yet ready to try going totally random.

Four Patch & Furrows

So many great free patterns on Quiltville, I had to chose a few more to try. This one used up more of those scraps.

This one challenged my color selection process, and in time, I dug up enough yardage to create the furrow section. It was a joy to make. Check out the instructions for "Four Patch & Furrows!

Scrappy Mountain Majestics!

This quilt was really fun!! This was my second favorite design from the scrappy quilts.

Bonnie Hunter's, "Scrappy Mountain Majestics!" instructions are super easy. These start out with 8.5" blocks. There are several options to reveal different looks--like creating magic, it is!!

Crumb Chaos

I found Patti Chartrand's "Crumb Chaos" featured on the Quilting Gallery and it looked so delightful. However, this technique has my lowest votes, as it simply isn't for me.

If you have lots of tiny pieces and love this technique, the results can be truly awesome.

Check out the tutorials for Bonnie's "Crumbs, Crumbs, Crumbs" and Patti's "Crumb Chaos" on their blogs: Quiltville, Patti's blog.

Thanks for stopping by to read my blog!! More to come, next year!!

I wish you all a very bright future as the year "2012" dawns. May it bring peace and prosperity to all. Cheers!!

Happy Holidays!

2011-12-24T16:57:00.000-08:00

Wishing you all a wonderful holiday season!! I will be back next week to do a Quilting Review of 2011 and what may be ahead for my quilting journey in the New Year.

May you enjoy the festive energy of the season and carry it forward with you into 2012. Wishing 2012 will be a very fabulous and magical year for you....

No More Crumbs!

2011-12-18T17:57:00.000-08:00

I have one more quilt top to show you this year. It started with crumbs... There are many great sites where this technique is explained; however, the place that inspired me started here. The project is called Crumb Chaos. For the photo that got me interested, please click here.

Basket of Scrap Pieces

After having used up a lot of my scraps, I figured I should give this crumb technique a try!! So, with any remaining strings, I started adding bits and pieces.

Adding Pieces to My Strings

It wasn't long before I had used up the strings and got frustrated with the messy pile, so I organized my pieces. This helped me sew up the remaining tidbits. Some pieces I cut up for my pillow stuffing, as this process was very tiring for me.

Sorting Scraps into Categories--By Size

When I first began, I thought I'd make 6.5" blocks, but it seemed a size I couldn't get too, so easily; so I opted to try 5" blocks. I had made several of these and then wanted to go smaller. That was when I decided I'd make them 3.5" in size. The really nice 5" blocks I saved, so I had 14 of these. The rest were the small size-3.5".

Blocks in Progress!

Crumb Blocks--finished size: 3.5"

The reason I decided to make the blocks 3.5" was to put them into a nine-patch block style. For placement of these blocks, I found a nine-patch design that I liked. With this nine-patch variation, I came up with my own layout for my crumb blocks.

This meant I would need 196 crumb blocks. But, I was pretty much done with my scraps and tired of this process, so I replaced several blocks with 3.5" fabric pieces to complete the 49-block square, I desired. (In this example: Crumb blocks being replaced with: green, yellow, and red polka dot squares.)

Replacing Crumb Blocks with Plain Blocks

To sew them together into rows, I numbered each block. This makes it easier to get the order correct.

Numbering Block Placement

I always mark the side I need to stitch with a straight pin, so I can chain-piece them together without worry of getting block direction mixed up.

Pins Mark the Edge to be Sewn

Here is how the finished 49-block piece turned out as shown hanging on the fridge door. (This one has 4 blue, 4 purple, 5 red polka dot pieces; and 36 crumb blocks.)

Completed Block--49 small blocks in all!

Now, all I needed to do was sew these four large blocks together. Oh, boy! I couldn't decide on fabrics and border styles, and finally got tired of using the seam ripper, so this was what I eventually ended up with...

Crumb Chaos Quilt Top

I added a 5" border and was able to use four of my 5" crumb blocks for each corner. I had added a mock piping in white inside the border, and one in red polka dot around each corner block.

Mock Piping and Border Corners

Am I happy with the results... well, not really, but I am quite certain that this scrappy style isn't for me. But, I did give it a try, and that was the whole point of this adventure.

My Finished Quilt Top

Crumb Quilt-- (approx. size: 52" x 52")

Thanks to Patti Chartrand for inspiring me to try this scrappy technique as showcased on quilt gallery website and to Janet Wickell for the "More than a nine-patch" quilt block design.

If you wish to share your quilts, or the places that you love for this technique, I'd love to hear from you. Hope you enjoyed this project. Until next time... cheers to you all!!

A Majestic View

2011-12-11T11:18:00.000-08:00

Time usually seems to fly when one is interacting with a fun activity!! Doesn't it? So it is already time to post my final scrappy quilt made from quiltville website/blog. The pattern instructions for this quilt is available for a free download.

Some of the steps from this design are shown here, and if you are interested, please visit the links above to see more on this pattern.

I used fabrics in neutrals, greens, blues, and purples. It was a great design to use fabrics I already had on stock.

Cut 8.5" squares of fabric, in both darks and lights. I made the lap size quilt which needed 64 squares in total.
Lay a light and a dark fabric with right sides together and cut into two triangles. Then sew together. After sewn, press and trim to an 8-inch block.
From these blocks, a variety of designs can be achieved by how the two fabrics are placed together before cutting into the strips.
After deciding, place two blocks with right sides together again, light facing dark/dark facing light; and cut each set of blocks into 2-inch strips. Then these strips are rearranged before they are sewn together to make the new blocks.

Cutting the Blocks--Triangles

Cutting Blocks into Strips

Arranging the Strips

Rows--Block Assembly

This project: 8 blocks wide by 8 blocks long; 64 blocks in total.

Borders (unfinished size): inner border: dark purple-2"; outer border: purple/green-4.5".

Borders to Complete the Quilt

My Finished Quilt

Scrappy Mountain Majestics (approx. 57" x 71")

Thanks to Bonnie Hunter for inspiring me to try these scrappy quilt techniques!! It is always a joy to work with those fabrics already in my stash. There is a huge variety of free patterns on her site. Also, she has several great books available for purchase.

Please visit her website or blog, for more details on this or any other pattern for using up your scrappy fabrics.

Hope you enjoyed this project. Until next time... cheers to you all!!

Four Patch Magic!

2011-12-05T17:03:00.000-08:00

Here is my third scrappy quilt from quiltville.com. It is called, "Four Patch and Furrows". I started with two inch strips in a variety of colors. From these strips the four patch blocks are made.

Strips--Four Patch

The second part is making the half-triangle blocks, and then arranging them to complete the quilt top.

Blocks--Half Triangles & Four Patch

I usually sew my blocks together in rows and continue until all the rows are attached. Here are three rows ready and waiting to be sewn together.

Four Patch and Furrows

This quilt top is really too large to display on the loveseat below, so I have it folded in half to show how colorful it turned out. Since I had cut lots of strips, I was able to bring them into the quilt in the border.

Quilt Top--closeup

It is always a fun project when one can use up old fabrics from the stash cabinet. I have been enjoying this SCRAPPY quilt journey.

My Quilt Top

Four Patch & Furrows -- (approx. 63" x 75")

Please visit Bonnie's website or blog, for more details on this pattern. I have one more to share next time.

Hope you enjoyed this project. Until next time... cheers to you all!!

Strings with an X-Factor!

2011-11-29T14:35:00.000-08:00

It's time to share my next SCRAPPY quilt design!! This one is also from quiltville.com. Originally, when I first looked at Bonnie's site, I picked out two of her free patterns to try. I had just enough of the thin, blue fabric to use for the foundation material.

Scrappy Strings

Once again, I began covering my foundation pieces with fabric strings (1.5" wide and less), until completely covered. After all the pieces were done, the ends were cut down to form a point.

Foundation Fabric Covered with Strings/Ends Cut to A Point

To see the overall effect and help me decide what fabric to choose for finishing the blocks, I laid them all on the floor (my design wall).

Pieces Laid Out As Per Design

I had several shades of blue in fat quarters, and cut out the required pieces. Only after they were cut out, did I work out the placement for the blue fabrics. I ended up with an overall balanced theme that I was happy with. The next step was to sew the blue triangles to the main pieces.

Sorry for the poor photo. I don't usually stop sewing just to wait until the next day, for daylight, for better photo ops.

X-design Construction

Here is a closeup, to show you a better view of the X-block.

Quilt Top--Closeup

One thing I had difficulty with was choosing the fabrics for the borders. When doing scrappy quilts, I think staying with the fabrics I have, should suffice. But, not always does that plan work out as one thinks.

Therefore, it took some time to work out what I would do. That was when I decided to add a strip of orange mock piping. And, much later, I added the white and orange borders.

Mock Piping and Borders

This project: 48 single blocks in total. Four blocks sewn together were trimmed to 14" square. Borders were cut at: white-2.5"; orange-3.5".

My Finished Quilt Top

String-X Quilt! (approx. 50" x 63.5")

Thanks to Bonnie Hunter for inspiring me to try this scrappy technique for quilting!! I will be posting two more of her quilt designs, coming soon...

Please visit her website or blog, for more details on this pattern.

Hope you enjoyed this project. Until next time... cheers to you all!!

Going Scrappy!

2011-11-20T13:00:00.000-08:00

What does one do--when their fused applique supply has run out and the fabrics in the stash are not the latest designs? One would be... go buy more! Another would be... just use what one has at home.

Well, my dilemna was eliminated when I figured it was time to go SCRAPPY!! So, I can experience for myself what those quilters that love scrappy quilts are talking about.

So, after going through my fabric pieces that I had sorted into separate colors to use for applique and those smaller fat quarters and other remnants of fabric. I started cutting them into strips and squares. I will deal with those squares in another posting.

Cutting the Fabrics into Strips

I did an online search, and came up with some great ideas! This is what I did with that mess of strips...

The website that got me started had me inspired to try out several variations, that will begin with this posting. And, who don't love a FREE pattern to try out a technique, not yet tried.

The pattern is called: String Quilting Primer

The Block

I used a foundation piece (blue) to sew the strips onto, which was a very thin fabric that I had no other purpose for using. And, I also used the same fabric for the center strip in each block. My foundation piece was 8" square. After trimming it was 7 1/2" square. In total, I made 48 blocks.

Starting With Center Strip

Foundation Fabric Covered Completely

Trimming the Block - 7.5"

Looking Beautiful--Not Bad From A Pile of Strips

After I had sewn the strips onto the 48 foundation fabric pieces, it was time to decide where to go from here. Originally, I had thought I'd make two smaller quilts, but decided to use them all in one quilt top, instead.

Assembling the Blocks

Then, I added the same fabric as was used in the center of each block and added another border to finish at 50" x 64". That is where I'll leave it, for now, ready to quilt later.

Adding the Borders (width: light pink 2"; bright pink 3")

My String Quilting Primer Quilt Top

Finished Quilt Top (approx. 50" x 64")

Thanks to Bonnie Hunter for inspiring me to try this scrappy technique for quilting!! I will be posting three more of her quilt designs, coming soon...

For more on Bonnie's quilts, visit: http://quiltville.com/

Hope you enjoyed this project. Until next time... cheers to you all!

Motivation Please Kick In!

2011-11-12T13:36:00.000-08:00

After my "2010 Quilt Technique Challenge" was over, and many months later, it was a challenge just to find where to start again.

One of my favorite things about quilting that I still enjoy is--cutting fabric!! And, I still want to use up (at least attempt) my fabric stash. I do have lots of fabrics that have been in the fabric cabinet, long enough. Therefore, finding projects that are not brand-name, trendy, or design specific, I will try to use up those old fabrics, before buying new ones.

So... why not sort through those old magazines and quilt books to see what would spark that new direction. It didn't seem to be working, and that was when I decided to cut up those old magazines and make a collection of ones that brought some inspiration.

Binder 2--Patterns

Storm at Sea was the project that would begin my 2011 quilt journey. It is from an old magazine: Love of Quilting--September/October 2006. Designed by: John Flynn.

Storm at Sea

Here is how it went together:

Light/medium fabrics:

-- cut strips, squares, half-square triangles; cut strips, squares, diamonds; cut strips, squares, squares, half-square triangles.

Dark fabrics:

-- cut strips, squares, quarter square triangles; cut strips, triangles; cut strips, squares, quarter-square triangles.

Needless to say; further, a lot of cutting from approximately 16 different fabric colors. Did I say I love cutting? And, so it was.

Storm at Sea-Instructions

At the time, I didn't take many pictures, or if I did, can't seem to find them. Or, perhaps I did not take any of the quilting process. Sorry, about that!

My projects, for the most part, will only go to the finished quilt top stage, unless they are small quilts and I feel like finishing them, as I go. Finishing them may mean buying new fabrics, so that stage will be done later on.

Here is the quilt top shown on the floor:

Storm at Sea - approx. 40”w X 52”L

For more on John's quilts, visit: http://flynnquilt.com/.

Hope you enjoyed this project. Until next time... cheers to you all!

What's In A Name?

2011-11-07T17:16:00.000-08:00

There are a lot of terms used in quilting.... and many of them I haven't explored yet. So, if I may, I will revisit the process of writing up blog entries to show you what I have been doing with my time this year and see if I can't get you excited at trying some new techniques for yourself.

In this process, since my last post in December 2010, it looks like I need to figure out how blogger has changed and get up to speed on giving my blog a new look. Thanks, for your interest in what I discover along the way.

Terms such as: strips, strings, crumbs, and scrappy have got my attention. As I dialogue my projects over the next few weeks, I'll show you what my sewing machine has been busy at stitching up!!

Let's begin the adventure.......

Oct-Nov-Dec Review

2010-12-19T11:16:00.000-08:00

My 2010 Quilt Challenge is now complete... and here is my fourth and final instalment. It has been an enjoyable and rewarding year. Many things changed as I followed through with the plan to discover what new quilting techniques would inspire me to complete each project.

Take another look at these projects from the last three months:

--Quilting Books on Review--

Several main goals maintained for this challenge were...

· EXPLORING the books in my own library and public library for this last session.
· USING fabrics I already own, with only a few exceptions, as I bought some new fabrics at a yard sale.
· CREATING small projects to test out these new techniques is still my favorite way to test out new ways.

OCTOBER 2010

Circles of the East

Kumiko Sudo
Peony

Book Project (on left) / My Quilt (on right)

Remembering back... I really had a difficult time choosing one project from this book. What I finally did was put all the project names in a bowl and had my son pick one out for me. This one was one of my favorites and it ends up being the first project in the book.

I do like applique and this project was fun to create. Since I didn't have any oriental fabrics, I choice ones that would give it that feel... especially choosing fabrics that one may not have considered working in this design. It is always good to try different fabrics and see how pleasing they can actually be when the project is complete.

The project was 14" x 14" in the book. Mine turned out being 14 1/2" by 14 1/2". If one desired to make a larger quilt from these designs; they could be put together with sashing. It would, in my opinion, be a very interesting quilt all done up with flowers.

Bonnet Girls

Helen R. Scott

Maureen

Book Project (on left) / My Quilt (on right)

When I first began to work on my website for these book titles, this was one that I really admired. It was not in my personal library; however, I did find it in the public library, this fall. So, I was happy to give this one a try. I chose Maureen, with her delightful little dog and beautiful dress.

At the time, I had just bought the dress fabric and found it perfect for this application. I've always loved these long, flowing dresses. So, this project was fun to create. The added embellishments were from my scraps I already had in my supplies. The little dog was made with a white, sateen fabric and the black patches created with embroidery stitches.

The project from the book was shown just as it is on the book's cover with no dimensions or quilt layout. I copied the pattern from the book, and now I don't remember if I had enlarged it or left it the same. But I decided to add the borders and make it look like a framed picture.

My finished dimensions were 16 1/2" x 20 1/4". I certainly would try some more designs from this book, when I find the time to borrow it again. The patterns in the book were very versatile and one could create some very unique pictures.

NOVEMBER 2010

The Complete Guide to Quilting Techniques

Pauline Brown

Folk-Art Applique Table Center

Book Project (on left) / My Quilt (on right)

I found this book in the library. It has a large variety of techniques and applications. When I turned to this page, I was intrigued with the prairie points and decided it would be the perfect project to complete my challenge.

I had done individual double-fold prairie points, but had not heard of continuous prairie points. Along, with this technique, I also was able to use three different applique methods, as well.

These included:

1. Fusible-Web Method (p168) using Lite Steam-A-Seam 2
2. Reverse Appliqué – (p178) where a seam allowance is cut inside an appliqué shape that is marked on a top layer of fabric.
3. Iron-on interfacing used as a foundation fabric ( great for crazy quilt, appliqués, and selvage blocks)

This was a fun project, and the first one that I have ever made that was completely round. My finished project has a 20" diameter.

MY GOAL REACHED

Originally, my goal was to make a new block each week and then create a variety of projects from those blocks. However after I made my first one, it changed to a goal of creating 20 complete projects over the course of the year.

After several changes to our schedule and a major move; I had a new opportunity to go back to college in September, and my quilting time was altered drastically. And, finding out how little time or desire I had to quilt, I finally decided that 18 projects would be my final total. With this, I felt I had done enough and am happy to end my quilting technique challenge for 2010!!

Thanks for stopping in to visit, leave comments, and truly keep me inspired to take this quilt journey. Wishing you the best for this holiday season and into the New Year ahead!!

Happy Quilting!!

Folk Art 2

2010-11-21T19:48:00.000-08:00

To continue with the Folk Art Quilt... thanks for waiting for part two.

Three different ways to create the prairie point are shown in this book.

Prairie Points – 3 ways: single-fold (218); double-fold (p219); continuous prairie points (p163)

Construction of the Continuous Prairie Point:

The next step was to work on the prairie points that are going around the edge of the quilt. I had not seen continuous prairie points before, nor had I made them.

If I remember correctly, the strip was 4" wide, and then pressed in half to mark a center line from which to create each fold of the prairie points. Then cuts were made every two inches on both sides of the center line, alternating along the whole length of the fabric strip.

Pressing a Fold-line

Cut to the Pressed Line

Then each cut square was folded once towards the centerline and pressed, as shown on the left below. The second step was to go back and fold each triangle shape to create another triangle, shown on the right side of the photo below. Once all the triangles were folded, all the points facing downwards were folded up to create the finished prairie point. These I pinnned and then basted along the cut edge. They were set aside.

Folding the Prairie Points in Two Steps

Basted Prairie Points Strip

Before stitching the prairie points onto the edge, several things needed to be done first. Stacking the layers of the quilt top, batting, and backing together, to do the quilting. Shown below are the center of the quilt, and the applique elements. I stitched around the star design to quilt through all the layers. Then added a shadow stitch around the complete design.

Quilting the Layers

Quilting All Around the Outside of the Design

Still having a square-shaped quilt, it was ready to mark the cutting line. I placed the pattern piece back onto the quilt and marked the edge with a pen. When completely marked, I stitched inside these marks about a quarter of an inch, and then cut on the dotted line, marked in pen.

Marking the Cutting Line

Stitching 1/4" Inside the Marked Line

Attaching the Prairie Points

Closeup of Binding

I enjoyed making this quilt. It has lots of variety; especially, with the applique techniques, involved. And this quilt makes a delightful centerpiece, if one has a place to display it. I have done lots of square-shaped quilts on this challenge; however, it is my first round one.

My Finished Project

Size: 20" diameter

This concludes my 2010 quilt technique challenge. I will try to complete the final quarter review within the next month.

Enjoy the holiday season....

Folk Art 1

2010-11-14T14:26:00.000-08:00

Time to reveal my last project... I chose “Folk-Art Applique Table Center” on page 160.

The project is listed under hand appliqué in the book. However, I didn’t use any hand appliqué. Instead, I used three different methods for machine appliqué.

Machine Appliqué methods used:
1. Fusible-Web Method -- using Lite Steam-A-Seam 2.
2. Reverse Appliqué -- where a seam allowance is cut inside an appliqué shape that was marked on a top layer of fabric.
3. Iron-on interfacing used as a foundation fabric -- great for crazy quilt, appliqués, and selvage blocks.

Book, Fabrics

For this last project, I am going to divide it into two parts. That way, I can dialog the process the way I wish to and still have time today to continue with my preparations for this week's exams.

CONSTRUCTION

First, I hand-stitched my layers together and marked where the leaves were to go using a yellow tracing paper. Below it shows that I machine stitched on this yellow line before the shapes can be cut out. I had three layers of fabric - top, white, yellow-green. The backing fabric was stitched on after all the applique was complete.

Stitching on the Yellow Line

The pattern was copied from the book with my printer and the pages assembled before I could transfer some of the details to my top fabric.

The Paper Pattern

Next, with a small pair of scissors I cut just inside the machine stitched lines. This was done in two separate steps as I didn't want to cut too deep and mess up the process. Below you can see one shape is cut one layer deep revealing a white fabric. The shape beside that one is cut two layers deep to reveal the yellow-green fabric.

Because the yellow-green fabric is much darker then my top layer fabric, I used a white layer in-between them so that the darker colour would not show through the lighter fabric.

Yellow-Green Leaves

After all the shapes for the leaves were cut out, I used a light coloured thread and zig-zagged around the cut edges. Also shown below are the cut-out pieces for the flowers and the red hearts.

Applique Pieces- Leaves, Flowers, Hearts

The green flowers (tulips) and red hearts are ready to attach to the quilt top. Along with the leaves, this quilt uses three applique techniques. And now that I think about it, it appears to be a very fitting finish to my year's technique challenge, in that I end with my favorite technique.

Applique Pieces Ready to Attach

The tulips are stitched to the quilt tip using the machine buttonhole stitch in a variegated thread to match the fabric. Also, you can see the zig-zag stitch around the leaves. As this is a folk-art quilt the leaves to me don't really look like leaves, but they do create an interesting pattern around the edges of this quilt.

Leaves and Flowers

Lastly, the hearts are stitched to the quilt top. I was originally debating whether to use the buttonhole stitch or the zig-zag stitch. But after trying both, I wasn't happy with either. I also considered trying handstitching them on, but of course, you can probably guess how that went. Or didn't go!!

So, digging out my sewing machine manual, I decided to use a stitch I hadn't used yet, and that one worked perfectly. A new machine stitch and no messy results, well, that was perfect! The book calls is an applique stitch.

Stitching on the Hearts

Before stitching on the flowers and hearts, I machine stitched the star in the center of the quilt top, as shown above. First, I marked it with the yellow tracing paper and then marked the points with pins and then carefully stitched on the yellow lines.

This may look confusing, but it worked really well. I didn't want the tracing lines to be dark, so this helped me see the points where I needed to turn the fabric. After stitching it in yellow, it needed more punch, so I stitched more lines with a red thread.

The Pins Mark the Star's Lines

Next week's entry will show the completion of the construction process and final photos... Enjoy your creative time!!

More Book Titles...
If you wish to see more quilting books you can check out my website for more details. Those books reviewed are listed on the "featured" page.

An End To The Journey

2010-11-07T10:48:00.000-08:00

At the end of 2009, when I was mapping out my quilting technique challenge, I decided I'd try for a total of 20 projects.

Originally, I was only going to make a block of each new technique, and then make those blocks into a variety of projects. But that changed after my first project! It was then that I decided I'd make small ones and complete each as a separate quilt.

Then, there were two periods of time, that were going to be challenging to get any quilting done, so I worked extra time in the spring and then again in the summer. So, because of this I was able to keep up with my goals to make five new quilts in each three-month timeframe.

However, over the past few weeks, I've pondered on whether I should forge ahead and get to 20 completed projects or stop at 18. So for my last three-month session, the total will end up at 3.

As the weeks go by so quickly... and the challenge of going to college and keeping up with the assignments and such, I've decided that the projects that I completed in late summer will be all that I wish to do. I haven't done any quilting since late August and am not finding any desire to squeeze it into my schedule.

Therefore, next week I will share my last project from this year's challenge, before wrapping it all up in December.

Next week…
EIGHTEENTH PROJECT - NOVEMBER 2010:

My eighteenth project will be shared next week...

The Complete Guide to Quilting Techniques/

Pauline Brown

More Book Titles...
If you wish to see more quilting books you can check out my website for more details. Those books reviewed are listed on the "featured" page.

Bonnet Girls

2010-10-24T11:03:00.000-07:00

Book:
Bonnet Girls/ Helen R. Scott

Time to reveal my next project... I chose “Maureen” on page 68.

Book, Fabrics

I found this book during my online search for appropriate quilting techniques to fill the A-Z topics on my website. And, was happy to borrow it from the library system this fall. I am pleased to share with you the one I created from the book.

I find this style of dress so appealing. I know they probably weren't very easy to launder and keep clean back in those days when women wore them. But, it was certainly fun to create one for this quilt.

CONSTRUCTION PROCESS

After choosing my fabrics, cutting out the applique pieces, and deciding on the embellishment features; it was time to assemble the pattern.

I attached the applique pieces using the fusible web method and using the buttonhole stitch to sew around all the edges. Any places where straight lines were needed, I used the straight stitch on the machine to create the folds in the dress skirt and underskirt. I found a scrap piece of narrow lace that was just the right length for the bottom of the dress.

Assembly of Pieces

Embellishments added to the design were hemming lace for the scarf and belt; a flower for the hat, and lace for the bottom of the dress. The stitching adds the rest of the details.

Top of Design

Close-up of the Hat

Close-up of the Scarf

I didn't have any fabric that would work for the dog, so I used a white sateen. Then.. I added a machine zigzag stitch around the edges and added hand embroidery stitches to make the spots, face, and gold chain.

Bottom of Design

Close-up of the Underskirt

Binding and Mock Piping

Close-up of the Dog and the Quilting

I really enjoyed making this quilt and would be interested in checking out more of the designs in the book. I only used one pattern, but the designs lend themselves well to incorporate several into a larger center block. Or, one could make several small blocks and add them into one quilt with sashing and extra borders.

My Quilt

Finished size: 16 1/2" x 20 1/4"

Enjoy your stitching time... and try to relax as you plan your activities for the upcoming festive season!! I see it better to think in terms of "less is more" then overtasking your resources and energy to do it all.

Organizing Fabric

2010-10-17T08:59:00.000-07:00

How do you organize your quilting fabrics?

Every task is easier when the items we require for a project are readily available as we need them.

Sometimes that isn’t always possible, but when it is we should really plan out our work space to make the best use of our time where we can sit down and stitch for a few minutes to all day.

I was able to purchase a buffet and hutch, last year, that I loved using for my fabrics and supplies. It being the first time I had ever owned such a fine piece of furniture, it really looked good filled with fabrics.

That was then…

Of course, most people have it in their dining room filled with fine china and an assortment of dishes that may not get used very often, but it is a great place to display them.

Sadly, mine is now used in the kitchen for dishes, cups, and other stuff that doesn’t fit into the cabinets. Because there are so few upper cabinets it really was necessary.

However... when I think about it, it is much better then storing kitchen stuff in boxes. That is probably much worse then storing fabrics in boxes. Or is it?

This is now…

Sometimes… we get a whole room for our quilting and then at other times that space needs to be shared within another room.

So, here I have replaced the hutch and buffet with a cabinet that still can hold my fabrics. I do miss the drawers but it is right next to my cutting table and that works good, too!

I don’t have as much time to sew at the present time, but when the workspace is tidy… a few minutes here and there still adds up to some fine quilting time!!

So what am I waiting for!! Enjoy those moments of creative bliss…

Next week…

SEVENTEENTH PROJECT - OCTOBER 2010:

My seventeenth project will be shared next week...
Bonnet Girls/ Helen R. Scott

More Book Titles...
If you wish to see more quilting books you can check out my website for more details. Those books reviewed are listed on the "featured" page.

Japanese Family Crests

2010-10-10T20:49:00.000-07:00

Book:
Circles of the East/ Kumiko Sudo

Time to reveal my next project... I finally decided on “Peony” on page 26.

[Book, Fabrics]

There are so many beautiful designs… that to make my decision, I had someone draw a slip of paper out of a bowl, so I could finally get started.

Making the Pick Easy

All the pieces were cut from the different fabrics and fused onto the background block.

Ready for Stitching the Edges

Each piece was stitched with a matching thread using a zigzag stitch. It isn’t too difficult to change these threads when you use the same colour in the bobbin.

Matching Thread

All the pieces have been stitched and the layers sewn together. I stitched through all the layers using an echo stitch around the design.

Ready to Bind

All the patterns in this book are small like this one and very quick to stitch up. Another option would be to make a variety of these crests and then add sashing and borders to make a larger quilt.

Since I borrowed this book from a public library, I was happy to get one done before the book was ready to be returned. There are many more great projects that deserve another look.

My Finished Project

Finished size: 14” x 14”

As this is a long weekend, [Thanksgiving] we enjoyed a turkey dinner with family and I got some homework finished before getting down to writing up this entry.

Enjoy your week… and remember to take time for yourself to enjoy a hobby.

Autumn Colours

2010-10-03T11:52:00.000-07:00

I find it so inspiring to watch as Mother Earth paints nature with those wonderful reds, purples, yellows, oranges, and browns! How about you?

Where I live it has warmed up this week to give us a few more days of summerlike weather before all those pretty leaves are blown off onto the ground. And the season turns it way to those colder months.

But here’s a few reminders that make this time of year my all time favourite.

I had the opportunity to share my quilt challenge projects with my local quilt guild, last week. It was really very interesting to see all my quilts spread out on the two tables. And, also to see everyone so interested in what I had accomplished. A quilt journey like this can really stretch one’s skill level and experiences. As I know seeing someone else’s work can inspire me to try new techniques and venture further along the path of discovery.

As I go into the fourth quarter of sharing with you the quilt books I’ve explored, hope you have the courage to try new things this year and add more depth to your skill levels. Or, perhaps, set some quilting objectives to reach for in the coming months and new year.

SIXTEENTH PROJECT - OCTOBER 2010:

My sixteenth project will be shared next week...

Circles of the East/ Kumiko Sudo

More Book Titles...
If you wish to see more quilting books you can check out my website for more details. Those books reviewed are listed on the "featured" page.

Jul-Aug-Sept Review

2010-09-26T08:57:00.000-07:00

My 2010 Quilt Challenge is still on track... and here comes the third instalment. It has been enjoyable and when I seem to tire of it, I receive such wonderful responses, that it surely bounces me back into gear to continue the journey.

Take another look at the projects that I’ve blogged about over these last three months:

--Quilting Books on Review--

Several main goals still being maintained for this challenge are...
· EXPLORING the books in my own library with the Fuse-and-Tell book recently added to my collection.
· USING fabrics I already own, with only a few exceptions, as I bought some new fabrics at a yard sale.
· CREATING small projects to test out these new techniques is still my favorite way to test out new ways.

JULY 2010

Quilting for the first time
Donna Kooler

Redwork – Project 4

Book Project (on left) / My Quilt (on right)

My eleventh project allowed me to try Redwork embroidery. I had considered it before, but had not yet achieved that goal. I do enjoy embroidery and while this project was fun; I really do like working with lots of colours, not just one.

The question on project 4 was “How do I frame needlework with a lattice-strip border?” This I almost got right, but did make one mistake on the bottom strip. Oh, well, it looks okay.

This project is: 8 3/4" x 10 1/4" including the hanging tabs. Mine was very close at: 9 1/4" x 9 1/4" not including the tabs.

Advancing On II – with the Square-In-A-Square technique
Jodi Barrows

In The Garden with Tumbling Blocks

Book Project (on left) / My Quilt (on right)

My twelfth project was definitely fun to make and this was a good start in seeing how much fun the Square-In-A-Square ruler was to use. So, I’d love to come back and try out more of the options. And, her website has even more options available then are in this book.

This project is: 48" x 55" and rated as an intermediate level. Mine was very small as I only tried out a small sample and is: 33" x 18". I followed the block chart diagram and then modified the size with the additional fancy strips on the sides.

AUGUST 2010

Nature’s Elegance
Jan Kornfeind

Butterfly Fancy Wall Hanging

Book Project (on left) / My Quilt (on right)

My thirteenth project was perfect for using those colourful scrap fabrics and an opportunity to dig into my button jar. Sewing on those 70 buttons did take some time, but if you love buttons it is a great way to use them. The book has some great options for using the butterfly blocks. And, one day I hope to revisit this book and try a project with birds.

This project is: 33 1/2" x 33 1/2". Mine was almost the same size, but I chose to add narrower borders at: 25 1/4" x 25 1/4".

SEPTEMBER 2010

Beautiful Borders Backings & Bindings
Jill Reber and Margaret Sindelar

Orange Blossom Table Runner

Book Project (on left) / My Quilt (on right)

My fourteenth project was a change from the typical square shaped quilts. Even though I’ve used a mock piping on several projects, it was time to try a real piping technique. I did have trouble with the piping not knowing which machine foot would allow me to get close enough during the construction and when stitching it in place. I know I’ll have more success next time, when I use a much narrower cord.

I also didn’t really have the best greens to choose from to match up the project’s requirements, but did have experience with bias binding and attaching piping to a project. This project is: 18" x 34". Mine was very close at: 15 1/2" x 31". It ended up a bit smaller because I preferred to have the border narrower with the colour I chose.

Fuse-and-Tell Journal Quilts
Laura Wasilowski

Peaceful Landscape: A Deceptively Calm Day

Book Project (on left) / My Quilt (on right)

My fifteenth project was definitely fun to make after I sorted out how I’d arrange my fused pieces. It seemed better when I changed the story of the quilt to something I liked. I stitched clouds in the sky and added a tree. It may even be an orange tree, now that I think about it. I like eating oranges. I really enjoyed the variety of embroidery stitches and colours used. It was also fun to embellish with rick rack and buttons. Hand stitching is not really so terrible as I’ve thought, mostly because there is no hemming involved in quilting.

I think I’ll still add a hanging sleeve sometime, as I didn’t feel the small hanging rings were enough for the weight of my quilt with the extra layers. This project is: 16" x 16". Mine was close at: 18 1/2" x 15 1/2".

What techniques do you wish to try or already are your favourites? If you have enjoyed this review, why not leave a comment below?

See what’s coming up… check out my website for more quilting techniques and inspiring books.

Enjoy your week…

Fusing Fun

2010-09-19T09:05:00.000-07:00

Book:
Fuse-and-Tell Journal Quilts/ Laura Wasilowski

Time to reveal my next project... I finally decided on “Peaceful Landscape: A Deceptively Calm Day” on page 48.

Book and Fabrics

Thinking It Through

What I found most difficult is settling in on one project that I could make… and then… it was even hard to stick with the chosen design.

Perhaps, it was because when creating a journal quilt it really is better to write your own story. As I very rarely follow any project exactly as it is created, this was no exception.

So to begin, I figured it best to just START with the design and allow the magic to unfold as it wanted to…

Construction Process

My first major roadblock, was finding out the quilt shop didn’t carry the fast2fuse interfacing. So, I bought the Pellon 809 Decor Bond, instead.

For the fusible web, I usually use Lite Steam-A-Stem 2. I love working with fusible web designs. One day I would like to try some of the other fusible web products.

So to begin… I chose my fabrics and cut them ALL to the required sizes. Then, after attaching the fusible web to the fabric pieces, I began. To keep the confusion to a minimum, I added a label to each colour. (i.e. sky, water, grass, etc.)

Applique Fabrics

Next, it was time to play with those pieces and fit them into place. I really have difficulty with just tossing random pieces onto the background fabric. So, I changed it!!

Here’s what I thought it needed…

I didn’t have any silk fabric pieces. As I had ironed the fusible web to all my cut-to-size pieces, I wasn’t able to fray the edges. However, I did have another piece that was already frayed and laid it underneath the piece in question.

A Frayed Edge

Then, on the green strip; I clipped the top edge to make it look more like blades of grass. I put a piece of the release paper under the clipped edge when pressing the quilt, so it wouldn’t fuse flat.

Grass

I liked this layout. And thought a frayed edge on the background fabric would look nice placed onto another blue fabric. So I added strips of fusible web to attach both fabrics.

Design Layout

Then, the embroidery stitches were added… And, I did them ALL by hand. I enjoyed trying out so many different stitches.

I used: straight stitch, cross-stitch, running stitch, pistil stitch, French knots, couching, scattered stitches, and backstitch.

Embroidery Thread Options

After, the embroidery work was finished… I just didn’t love the blue fabric for the background. So, I cut the frayed edges. Then, I added a piece of fusible web to attach it to another fabric. I settled on a dark purple.

Attaching to the Background Fabric

So… here is what it looked like after the embroidery was complete and attached to the new background fabric.

Close-ups of Embroidery

Because the Pellon interfacing only had one iron-on side, I first stitched the back fabric onto the interfacing with gridlines and then assembled the layers.

I added a feather stitch with the sewing machine to attach the picture to the background fabric.

Another fancy machine stitch was added around the edge of the blue background and the baby rick-rack was sewn through all layers near the edges. And, then, fancy heart buttons were added to each corner of the quilt!

Baby Rick-Rack & Buttons

My Finished Quilt

Finished Size: 18.5” x 15.5”

I love to follow Laura’s blog and see what new ideas she comes up with… they are so inspiring!! Also… check out her section on where and how to use embroidery under “Thread-u-cation”.

If you haven’t yet tried making a journal quilt.. then this may just help you decide. Write YOUR OWN STORY… soon!!

Next Week...
It is time again to do a three month review of the five books I've reviewed in July, August, and September.

If you wish to see which books I’ve chosen for next month you can check out my website for more details.

Happy stitching, everyone!!

Homework

2010-09-12T08:57:00.000-07:00

Welcome to Autumn…

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Sometimes…

it’s just time for a change or a new challenge,

so I gave myself permission

to get out of that dull routine that had lasted long enough

and last week I…

went back to school!! I am taking courses to get a certificate in

Applied Business Technology at a local college.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Since I sit all day, I hoped to get in some days where walking to class was an option…

Even though the first two days were rainy, the other two days were great for walking. I find it so refreshing to get out of the house each morning and challenge myself with new things to learn each day.

All that quilting that I did over the summer has really given me more time for adjusting to my new routine. And, I’m loving it, too... since some of that quilting time is now spent in doing homework.

Most of my textbooks…

Term 1 Courses

Accounting, Admin Procedures, MS Outlook, Keyboarding,

Business English, Human Relations, Intro to Computing, MS Word

(missing: Business Math, Greig Reference Manual)

I love change; and believe learning something new always adds more purpose to life. Don’t get me wrong, I love quilting, but that doesn’t seem to be enough to do each and every day; and staying home just to cook and clean, that seems old news.

I LOVE THIS TIME OF YEAR…

the autumn leaves,
the cooler days,
regular activities starting back up.

Since our move in late May, things have really changed a lot for all of us. Perhaps, you also have embarked on something new or more challenging…

But… if your regular routine already seems dull and boring and all you feel like doing is letting out a huge yawn, why not STITCH up a great new story for your life. Then go ahead… and live it out in a style that keeps you inspired!!

If you have the opportunity to join in a local quilt guild, I say, go for it!! New people, new techniques, and lots of laughs and fun times await, if you dare!!

Adventures await… are you ready?

DO… stay tuned for my weekly posts and quilt book reviews, as those will continue… I have a few projects that are now finished are waiting in line to be featured on my regular book review posts.

FIFTEENTH PROJECT - SEPTEMBER 2010:

My fifteenth project will be shared next week...
Fuse-and-Tell Journal Quilts/ Laura Wasilowski

More Book Titles...

If you wish to see more quilting books you can check out my website for more details. Those books reviewed are listed on the "featured" page.

As your fall routine takes shape… and you plot out your new activities, remember to schedule in some personal time to add balance. Life should have both work and play times!

No Border Limits

2010-09-05T11:10:00.000-07:00

Book:
Beautiful Borders Backings & Bindings/ Jill Reber and Margaret Sindelar

Time to reveal my next project... I choose the “Orange Blossom Table Runner” on page 79. If you find that making the same type or shape of quilt gets tiring, why not try something different? Here, a table runner meets that need for a change of pace.

Book, Fabrics

As I was running out of quilting books from my own library that I hadn't at least tried one project from, I found this one. The project provided several different aspects I hadn’t worked much with and so it would be a great effort to see how it turned out.

Construction Process

The instructions for this project are easy to follow and it really comes together quite quickly. Other projects in this book with more complex designs will of course take more time to complete, but still very rewarding.

The center three blocks are put together with simple piecing and machine applique with one wide border to complete the quilt top. The piping is added to the edge before the layers are sewn together; and then turned right side out so the piping is on the outside edge. Remember to leave a small opening so it can be turned!

Pieces For Center Blocks

Close-up of Block

Adding the Border

Several years back, I had bought some cording for another project but never ended up using it. So, thought I’d better use it, even though it was very bulky. I secretly hoped I wouldn't find it, so I could buy cord that was narrower, but I found it.

I definitely would recommend using a narrower cord, and since I don’t have a piping foot for my sewing machine, it was difficult to encase into the bias strip. However, it’s the effort that counts, I’d say, that is important when trying new or more difficult techniques.

The fabric for the piping is cut on the bias and it really goes easily around the curved edge. I used a dinner plate to cut the curve for the quilt corners.

Cutting the Corners

The corners on the border fabric, were also cut on the bias so the strip on the fabric would go outward as they did on the side borders. That is why a striped fabric was chosen for the border. I would have preferred a less bold fabric but that was about all that I had for this application. And, so cut the width of the borders narrower.

Finished Piping Edge

This is only one way to finish a quilt and if you love adding borders to your projects, but run out of ideas, check out this book for lots of inspiration. My project this time, seems so plain compared to the many great ideas you'll have to choose from.

Sometime, I'll need to try out a fancy block border on a quilt. Perhaps, a simple center block surrounded with a complex outer border would look terrific. (I.E. using a medalion block or scenic print for the center)

My Finished Quilt Finished Size: 15.5” x 31”

More…

In my last post, I forgot to tell you what new adventure I’m embarking on... so you’ll have to wait now until next week to find out. As I changed some topics around from what was planned, I’ll have actual results to share, if I wait!!

My book review list is now on its own page, so if you’d like to see what techniques I’ve covered so far, it’s all there.

Happy Quilting…

Outside the Box

2010-08-29T09:20:00.000-07:00

WHEN CHANGE IS NECESSARY…

To relax… and just enjoy living can at times be really difficult to do. This may have been the very reason, hobbies were invented. Some people have the tendency to worry too much or fret about the rules… so having hobbies helps us to remember to take time to have fun.

???

So, if you were to ask yourself questions like: “When have I tried something new or done a common task from a new perspective?” What would you find out about yourself?

For some,

change is not something that is welcomed,

and for others,

it is the only thing that makes life worth living.

When I look back…

The hard times, the new experiences, the fun adventures all of them have taught me to appreciate life. I must of had good reasons to chart all of these elements into this lifetime, so I am grateful for the lessons that have been achieved. And, look forward to the new ones that are on there way now. For me, if life needed no challenges then why would we need to experience becoming human?

WHEN UNINSPIRED, BEGIN AGAIN…

I believe...

that when a new concept is learned

and taken all the way to its completion...

it is the most satisfying.

Don’t you agree?

However… when I brought out my “Beyond Baby Blocks” project drawings last year from a workshop I had taken back in 2008; I had to start all over again as I didn’t like my original design. I knew it was never going to go ahead without a new approach, so I started over and drew something different.

Now that I like the design much better I think I’ll give it a try sometime. And, I’m not worried about when that’ll be because our projects have the ability to wait until we are ready to get down to making them. Or perhaps… decide it is better to give away those that don’t inspire us.

EXPERIENCES, GOOD OR BAD…

When beginning a new year, a new project, or anything that is a new experience… try to approach it with a fresh outlook. Instead of dwelling on past misfortunes or failures, begin anew.

See those negative experiences as required lessons, and then move on…. as I feel every experience is part of our greater good to learn how to live an inspired life. Only when we have experienced the reverse of the one we desired, can we really appreciate it; when the better one comes.

FOURTEENTH PROJECT - SEPTEMBER 2010:

My fourteenth project will be shared next week...

Beautiful Borders Backings & Bindings/
Jill Reber and Margaret Sindelar

More Book Titles...

If you wish to see more quilting books you can check out my website for more details. Those books reviewed are listed on the "featured" page.

Enjoy your quilting time… as a way to relax and have fun. Remember that saying, "Laughter is the best medicine"!

Taking a Break

2010-08-15T09:42:00.000-07:00

I am feeling rather tired from… quilting, quilting, and quilting!!

Rather then working on my quilt challenge projects on a weekly basis, like slow and steady… I’ve been trying to stay ahead of my schedule.

Two reasons for this being…

(1.) Our move in the spring which I already knew could really disrupt a quilting routine. So, that worked out beautifully as I was able to have the time to somewhat get organized and be able to continue with my blog posts.

(2.) The other reason, is that I’m starting something new in the fall and want to be sure I have time for it. More on that in two weeks… Regular posting will be back August 29, 2010.

So, why not take a break away from your work schedule and do something new or do nothing at all!! As the autumn season approaches, or whatever it happens to be for you, see if you can take time out of your normal routine to enjoy time for yourself.

Also today is: Earth Healing Day – August 15, 2010. For more on that check out their website.

I recommend that you ENJOY YOUR LIFE as that is a very important part of why humans are having this earthly experience. If that isn't your present experience, see if you can begin to change small things that will get you back on track so that your life is rewarding and joyful.

See you in two weeks...

Butterflies with Buttons

2010-08-08T12:08:00.000-07:00

Book:
Nature’s Elegance/ Jan Kornfeind

Time to reveal my next project... I choose “Butterfly Fancy Wall Hanging”. It is shown on the front cover of the book.

There are eight awesome and colourful projects in this book that include nine different butterflies, flowers, insects, and birds. It was the butterflies on the cover that caught my eye that had me buy this book, and so I have now had the opportunity to stitch them up into a quilt.

Selecting Fabrics

I do enjoy choosing colourful fabrics. This project would be perfect for using up some of those great fabrics from your scraps.

Drawing and Cutting the Pieces

Machine applique is still my favourite technique in quilting and I do love all the steps involved in creating the designs… drawing out the patterns, choosing the fabrics, cutting and attaching them to the fabrics, and machine stitching them to the blocks, using a buttonhole or zigzag stitch.

Stitching the Butterfly

For this project, I matched up the thread colours I had as closely as possible to my fabrics. I used thread from my collection that consisted of a polyester/cotton blend, 100% cotton and 100% polyester. I find all of these thread types work equally well.

Finished Quilt Blocks Ready for Assembly

I had the choice of making them into smaller quilts, pillows or using all of them in one quilt. As I had decided to follow the project’s layout, I made them into one quilt.

THE BUTTONS

I did want to do this project because of all the buttons!! So, if I had made pillows, these would not have been added.

Butterfly No. 3

Buttons on Sashing and Butterflies

There are a total of 70 buttons used on this quilt. They were all added after the quilt was assembled and quilted. I think it would have been easier to sew the buttons onto the butterflies before assembly, but I chose to follow the directions.

The Binding

I really enjoy working with machine applique, but when working on this project, I really wished I had done one of the bird projects first, because then I would have had enough fabric for the center blocks. And, later I could have bought more light fabric for the butterflies. However, it is now completed, so here is the finished quilt.

My Finished Quilt

(Finished Size: 25 1/4” x 25 1/4”)

PS…

My post was almost ready to publish, when I hit the wrong key and ended up with a blank screen. So… my only option was to rewrite this review, and I’ll assume it ended up better written.

Enjoy the creative process… and take time to spend some of your time outdoors!!

Just One Block

2010-08-01T10:40:00.000-07:00

Don’t have time to make a whole quilt from all those great ideas out there? But you would love to try more new techniques?

Why not make just one block per month or per week as your time allows?

Make JUST ONE BLOCK of each new technique… so you have a variety of techniques and block sizes to create some very unique quilts at the end of the year.

Create a place to safely collect the blocks for the next year. Then after that time period is over; take a look at what you have made. During the year you may also document your progress by keeping a record of the things you did – technique, book is came from, the designers info, the date you made it, fabric samples, a brief description of what you liked/didn’t like about it, interested in making it again, etc. Have a digital camera? Then take pictures of some key stages and the finished blocks.

I think this would be a great idea if your quilting time is limited and it wouldn’t take up much space, either. You could still have fun trying new techniques and creating a quilter’s diary of your progress.

Hmmm… perhaps, that’s what I could try in 2011. And, maybe some of you would like to join in with me?

IDEAS for using these blocks:

Create a sampler quilt for yourself.

Frame them and decorate your wall.

Donate the blocks to your quilt guild.

Have a friend help by assembling the quilt top.

QUILT GUILD WORKSHOPS/CLASSES

This JUST ONE BLOCK method could also be great for paid classes sponsored by a quilt guild. For a class where a new technique is learned, instead of each person committing to a whole quilt project themselves… each participant makes one block and the blocks are collected and made into one quilt.

OPTIONS for the BLOCKS:

The class could decide to buy tickets and the winner(s) get the blocks,
Have it quilted in class and sold in a raffle or quilt sale,
The proceeds from the tickets or the sale of the quilt go back to the guild.

If you really love that new technique, I’d think you’d be eager to make a new quilt for yourself.

BENEFITS:

There isn’t as much cost in creating one quilt block.
The time commitment is less and perhaps more quilters could enjoy taking more classes.
Learning new techniques wouldn’t be a strain on the wallet.
Or add to the present UFO list.

I know I’d be more interested in taking classes if I knew my efforts were going to complete a quilt project and also go to a worthy cause.

With all the great workshops and classes available now, it is quite difficult to decide which new technique to try next and how to get all those quilt ideas into finished quilts.

Change is good. Doing things in new ways allows us to expand our abilities and use our talents to spread warmth and joy.

THIRTEENTH PROJECT - AUGUST 2010:

My thirteenth project will be shared next week...

Nature's Elegance/

Jan Kornfeind

More Book Titles...

If you wish to see more quilting books you can check out my website for more details. The books that will come up in my blog reviews are listed on the "featured" page.

Enjoy your quilting time this summer… !!

Square in a Square

2010-07-25T10:31:00.000-07:00

Book:

ADVANCING ON II with the SQUARE IN A SQUARE technique / Jodi Barrows

This is a workbook for the Square in a Square technique system for Options #1-17. It replaced the original “Advancing On” book.

Book, Fabrics

I had seen this technique demonstrated on TV many years ago, and thought… this is something I want to learn. However, as time passed, many other things and quilting techniques distracted me.

So, when I was looking through my own quilting books, realizing that I was soon to run out of books I hadn’t tried yet... I picked this one up. I decided it was time to try it…

Time to reveal my next project... I choose: “In the Garden with Tumbling Blocks” on page 69. It is labelled at an intermediate skill level project.

As I considered what I could make, this project felt like the best option… as I knew, I wouldn’t be able to try all 17 options this time; but if I tried just a few, I’d see how FUN this was!!

The project was for making a 48” x 55” sized quilt. It was going to have to be downsized for my challenge. So, as I turned the page, there was my answer that I needed… a tumbling block chart and diagram showing 12 blocks. Perfect size!!

So, I was going to finally:

1.) get the opportunity to use that special ruler and try out two of the options (#1, #3) in this project!

2.) do it by making a true tumbling blocks quilt. Some, say it is a difficult block to make!

Take a look… let me show you how easy it is to make when using the SQUARE IN A SQUARE technique.

Well, you know… there is ALWAYS something that seems difficult when trying out new techniques! Choosing your colors for a new project could be one of them, right? But, wait… To even make this simple, just pick a LIGHT, MEDIUM, and DARK fabric.

OKAY, ready!!… here are my fabric choices:

LIGHT: selvage block--MEDIUM: yellow--DARK: black

CONSTRUCTION OF THE BLOCK

After I had made my center blocks (using selvages), I was ready to construct the required blocks. I also needed to make sure my words would face in the proper direction.

First, two (yellow) pieces are sewn to opposite sides of the light color block (selvage block). Next, two (black) pieces are sewn to the two remaining sides of the center block.

Then, using the Square in a Square ruler, each corner is cut to produce the finished block, below.

After the individual blocks were constructed; they were sewn into rows of four blocks each. Shown below are two rows ready to be stitched together to make the 12 block square.

Close-ups… of the tumbling blocks. (Front & Back)

To complete the quilt…

I considered many options for finishing this 12-block piece. One goal I did have was to make something that didn’t end up square. To accomplish this, I cut off a piece of the bottom row and then added a white border. Now, what?

Here is one of the layouts, that was considered. I’d add a black border, all around; and a yellow/black strip on each side.

But… it didn’t seem very exciting, at this point. With the center of the block done with selvages, it seemed to need more.

So… I added more color to the sides!

The decorative strips on each side were made from fabrics used in the tumbling blocks. I continued adding pieces until I had the desired length. I even added pieces of the selvage block cut from the 12-block square. For more, I added mock piping, as shown below.

Now, that looked more like it!! I think I’ll stop there. As one can see, quilting is a very creative art. And, fun it was!!

Binding with Mock Piping

If you find some blocks difficult to make, it may be time to try the Square in a Square technique and see if you agree with me!!

These tumbling blocks just “fell together” easily. Thanks Jodi for such a great way to construct quilt blocks!!

My Finished Quilt

(Finished size: 18” x 33”)

During the making of this quilt, I thought it would be fun to give all the Options in the book, a try. In my opinion, that would be a great project for a sampler quilt. Also, check out Jodi’s website for more options, videos, and other fun stuff.

<><><><><><><><><><>

PS…

So, it worked out that I got to do tumbling blocks, after all, using a new twist! And, that is why quilters have so much fun with fabric!!

Why not start today… and unlock your own potential to begin producing wonderful discoveries of your own?

Selvage Blocks

To create the selvage block centers, I’ve posted an entry on my other blog, entitled: “Look, No Pins”. Otherwise this entry may never have ended…

Thanks for reading…

That Wonderful Stuff

2010-07-18T11:20:00.000-07:00

When I planned this 2010 Quilt Challenge... I knew I wouldn’t be able to buy more fabric for quite sometime. I needed to utilize the supplies that already filled my sewing cabinet. This challenged me to select colors from what I had and made me realize that I did have great colors.

Browns, Yellows, Oranges

Those organized shelves of fabrics really did inspire me to try to stay true to my quilting goals for this challenge. The one thing I did need to buy was batting for finishing the quilts.

I do believe that most quilters already have an abundance of fabric and sewing supplies. So then what should we do with it all?

We could start by…

donating books to libraries or charitable causes

when no longer needed,

playing with our fabrics.. to try out more new techniques,

sharing our resources with new quilters or participating in a local quilt guild,

simply loving the inspiration those beautiful fabrics provide,

and stop feeling guilty!

It is my personal intent… to use those books that have previously just decorated my bookshelves and that fabric that looks so pretty in my cabinet; to use more of it and allow it to become…

Beautiful Quilts

What About This…

Have you ever read about or heard someone saying that you should “save for a rainy day”? Or, grown up with the idea that we need to save and store up supplies for that day when we may not have the resources or ability to buy more?

This may be fine for you, but it seems to me… that for the most part, it ends up being “stuff” we are constantly trying to keep organized, with little success.

And then, recently, I was at a huge personal fabric sale from a long time quilter that had recently passed on. No, I had never meet her or even knew her quilting style, but my guess was... that she had loved fabric!

Yes, it was indeed a great place to check out quality fabrics at low prices! And this time, I was able to buy some pieces… and will look forward to adding them into upcoming projects! I chose mostly lights and darks so I have fabrics for those background colors I didn't have in my cabinet.

My new fabrics from that sale!

As I know that each of our life’s journeys is unique, it still makes me curious about… I still wondered what she would think now of all that fabric that she wasn’t able to utilize? Would she have done things differently, if she had known the outcome?

It really does become apparent to me that there will be many times when our attempts to follow through on chosen projects will be challenged. So... my recommendation would be to seriously consider what you'll do with those great fabrics you have, this year!

Some Things to Ponder…

When we understand and have the belief that we create our own reality by our thoughts, we really can reshape our own existence to live a more joyful and happy life.

Those beautiful fabrics and books we own, hopefully, will inspire and teach us how to become more creative and expressive. Instead of excuses of “I can’t”, or “I don’t have time”, or “I don’t have enough” or “I don’t have money to create from what I have”, etc. you can turn those around, by affirming:

“I do have enough and whatever I require will always

show up in my life, right on time.”

In my own challenge so far, this year; I have learned to stretch my abilities to... use colors together that actually work from my supply, tried new techniques, and continue to focus on creating projects that I can share on this blog.

So why not find your own purpose and discover that you do have the ability within… to move ahead.

Cross that Bridge Today!

TWELVTH PROJECT - JULY 2010:

My twelvth project will be shared next week...

Advancing On II with the
Square in a Square Technique/
Jodi Barrows

More Book Titles...

If you wish to see more quilting books you can also check out my website for more details. Also, to check out the books that will be featured this summer.

Enjoy your summer… and continue being creative in making time to create beautiful stitches !!

Redwork Stitchery

2010-07-11T10:18:00.000-07:00

Book:

QUILTING for the first time/ by Donna Kooler

Time to reveal my next project... I choose: Project 4 in the Beyond the Basics section of the book, "How do I frame needlework with a lattice-strip border?".

For any new quilters, this book is a great place to start!

All of the projects are small and need very little time to complete. Here you can find simple projects that will be a great beginning to discover if quilting is what you wish to pursue, under three sections: Quilting Basics, Basic Techniques, Beyond the Basics.

Book, Fabrics

I decided to try the redwork stitchery to see how I liked it. As, is usually the case, one doesn’t wish to spend much time, money, or resources to see if a new technique will work for us.

Embroidery was the first technique I learned when I was a young person. I really enjoyed it and liked sewing with lots of different colors. So, I thought this project would be a good choice for trying out if I liked stitching with only one color.

Also, this project was done about the time we learned that we’d be moving, so a small project definitely helped me stay focused and get it completed quickly.

Penciled design on fabric, red embroidery thread

Stitchery completed

What I discovered was that I still love color, so found it not as exciting as if I had used more colors. However, it was quick to stitch the small design and put it together. I also found doing the embroidery stitches easy and fun. I would however, use a different hoop and perfer working on a larger design!

Once the lattice-strips are sewn together and then added to each side, the tabs are attached. Then the layers are assembled and stitched, leaving a small opening. It is turned with right sides out and the opening is stitched closed.

Adding the tabs to the top

Layering the top, batting and backing

The following photos show the finished results. If it had been a school project, I would have lost marks as one of the borders was cut incorrectly. However, my results were to see how I liked redwork stitchery and that was accomplished.

Corner

Tab

My Finished Quilt

Approx. Size: 9” X 10” (doesn't include the tabs)

More...
If you wish to see what books are being featured this summer, you can also check out my website for more details. Next project (July 25) will involve using selvages... using the Square In A Square technique.

Enjoy your quilting journey in 2010!

My Button Reveal

2010-07-04T10:37:00.000-07:00

What is it about buttons? Are they just practical, decorative, beautiful, colorful or all of these? Or does this photo explain it all?

If so many of us love to collect them, why are they stashed in simple boxes or bags to not be seen, until needed for a project? Hopefully, we aren't embarrassed that we have so many, or else... perhaps it's time to have a button party and share them with others!

I recently blogged about the book, “Turning Twenty... Again” and was honoured to receive such a wonderful email from the author. And when I checked out her weblog, I found she displays her button collection in such beautiful containers, I thought I'd include the link to that particular posting. So, if you wish, go take a look and see if they inspire you to do the same with your buttons!!

Yes, it definitely takes a lot of buttons to fill all those fancy containers….

This inspired me to get my buttons out of their various sizes of ziploc bags and out of that worn old brown box they were stored in and out to where I could enjoy them. I found out that I don't have near as many, but why not display them, anyway!

Two Simple Jars

Buttons On High

I do realize that it will be much harder to get to those on the bottom, but for now they are available to view. And it will be delightful to pour them out into a tray or baking dish when I wish to make selections for that next great project.

Seems to me… that running my fingers through an assortment of buttons is as delightful as playing in the dirt when doing a gardening project. So, there you go…

Enjoy your buttons and all those cool items that make creating so much fun!!

ELEVENTH PROJECT - JULY 2010:

My eleventh project will be shared next week...
Quilting For the First Time/ Donna Kooler

More Books...

If you wish to see what books are being featured you can also check out my website for more details.

Enjoy your quilting adventure for... 2010!!

Apr-May-Jun Review

2010-06-27T10:36:00.000-07:00

My 2010 Quilt Challenge continues to forge ahead... and I am already at the midway point. It has been an enjoyable journey so far, as I continue to check out those quilting books on my own bookshelf. Some of them have waited until now to be enjoyed. Take another look at the projects that I’ve blogged about over these last three months:

--Quilting Books on Review--

Several main goals still being maintained for this challenge are...
· EXPLORING the books in my own library,
· USING fabrics I already own,
· CREATING small projects to test out these new techniques.

APRIL 2010

Easy Does It for Autumn
Nancy Halvorsen

Halloween Candy Quilt

Book Project My Quilt

My sixth project was definitely fun to make and there are a few more projects in the book that I'd love to try. I usually change things that don’t fit my way of doing them. First off, I did not include any buttons, as they were specialty ones that I would have had to go buy. The only item I am allowing myself to purchase for this challenge is batting. And, secondly, I added a binding to the quilt when the pattern didn’t use that method; therefore not adding the hanging tabs, either. These types of quilts are my favourite as they are small, the machine appliqués are done with fusible web, and the quilting is easy to do on my own machine. My favourite choice for batting in these wall-hangings is fusible Pellon. This bright quilt will be certain to get attention with its beautiful autumn colors. If you prefer stitcheries, then you may like to make the smaller version in embroidery, as shown above. This project is: 9" x 24". Mine was very close at: 9 3/4" x 24 3/4".

New Collection of Classic Quilts
Lynette Jensen

High Country Pinwheels – Christmas

Book Project My Quilt

My seventh project went together quickly as it was all done by piecing the cut fabrics together. This method seems too plain for me, as I love embellishing with appliqué, buttons, and mock piping. However, the opportunity to use some of my Christmas fabrics, and see how fabric can create such an amazing result; were two factors in my choice. I also love the process of cutting up fabrics with my rotary tools, so it was still enjoyable. The projects in the book are mainly large quilts, so downsizing of the pieces was in order to get this one finished. Even though there are many beautiful quilts in this book, I think this is the only one I will try. This project is: 56" x 56". Mine was 32 1/4" x 32 1/4".

MAY 2010

The Bargello Quilt Book
Piecemakers

Mini-Bargello

Book Project My Project

My eighth project was inspired from all the colourful quilts shown in the book. So, did I follow the pattern? Yes and no! Firstly, the method is so simple... and fun. It is a must to follow the technique to achieve what is called “bargello”. However, the color palette is completely your own! I don’t know if I’ll make this exact pattern again. But I do know that trying a variety of “bargello styles” would be fun to explore. It was rather difficult to pick my colors, and when nothing suited the amount of print fabrics that I had on hand, I chose one print and the rest were plains. I hadn’t seen that color choice done before. And, then, I only picked seven colors instead of ten. I chose to do the ‘diagonal quilting’ over the ‘in-the-ditch quilting’. This quilting was actually quite fun... an opportunity for me to go out of my comfort zone. Although I still did breathe a sigh of relief when I got to the binding stage! I hung my quilt with the points going downward. The project shown is: 27" x 35". Mine was 29" x 25 3/4".

Four Seasons of Quilts

Cori Derksen and Myra Harder

Pumpkin Patch Baby Quilt

Book Project My Project

My ninth project began with enthusiasm; however, I just couldn’t get myself motivated to work on the freezer-paper templates and creating all that bias for the stems. Even with this background, you can see I have difficulty with random placement of color. So, I had to decide if I could push myself to doing it anyway or change the project to one I could complete. I went with the latter, and was very glad I did...

Holly and Berries Table Runner

Book Project My Project

With a Christmas project already made in April, my first choice from the book was this autumn project. However, because this one wasn’t going to happen and I wanted to keep this book for May, this table runner was my second choice. Of course, I had to try my own method when doing the paper piecing portion. It worked out perfectly with the appliqué and my piece of holly and berries fabric. I had also planned on doing the stems in hand embroidery, but after spending so much time on my first attempt, I went with machine stitching, instead. Of course!

There are four fun mini projects (14” x 9”) that I’d go back for, but I still don’t know what I’ll do with my “Pumpkin Patch” appliqué-less quilt top. This completed project from the book is: 16" x 38". Mine was 15 3/4" x 34 1/2".

JUNE 2010

Turning Twenty... Again
Tricia Cribbs

9 Blocks – 3 x 3 setting

Book Project My Project

My tenth project was a perfect choice for using up some of those fat quarters that I have and aren’t particularly fond of as I like my fabrics to have two selvage edges. And fat quarters aren’t always so perfectly cut. I chose the smallest size because that is what I work with best. And, if you like to do everything will precision and order, then this technique is a sure thing to challenge you. When it says, “it makes no difference which side you choose”, it means exactly that. Of course, I am challenged when doing things randomly. So, if I ever make another one of these, I may just use my scrap fabrics, and choose my colors at random, to keep me from wanting to always match things up evenly! When quilting the layers together, I think all those seams and edges wanted to take a stretch because it wasn’t fun to quilt. I did, however, finally get it to work.

The project shown is done with the 12 blocks -3 x 4 setting. The finished size without borders would be 48 1/2” x 64 1/2 and with a 6 1/2” border would be 60 1/2” x 76 1/2”. Mine was the 9 blocks – 3 x 3 setting, and the pieces decreased by about one half to finish at 29" x 29".

Thanks for reading...

Enjoy your quilting adventure for... 2010!!

Next Week:
July begins my third quarter of quilting topics and book reviews. For more details of upcoming quilting techniques and more great books check out my website for even more inspirational ideas!!

Turning Twenty…

2010-06-20T10:00:00.000-07:00

Book:
Turning Twenty… Again/ by Tricia Cribbs

Time to reveal my next project... I choose: "9 Blocks – 3 x 3 setting" from the book. [We can use the Turning Twenty technique using 9, 12, 16, 20, or 30 blocks.]

Book, Fabrics

The fabric requirements for this technique use fat quarters. If you are making the quilt with 20 blocks then all you need is 20 fat quarters.

Also, if you like to do scrappy quilts, then this quilt pattern would be a perfect choice. Just go through your fabric scraps and start cutting until you have the required pieces.

All the Pieces Cut - Labels show the Size

Stitching Together the Units

A Complete Block

After the blocks are sewn together, you can decide if you wish to just add the binding or if you want to add borders. Go ahead and experiment…

I particularly like quilt projects that either have a variety of sizes to try or can be easily scaled down to make a smaller one. It’s a great way to familiarize yourself with a new technique before deciding whether you wish to make one in a larger size.

ASSEMBLY:

When sewing the blocks together, it doesn’t matter which side they are placed on… this makes each quilt unique.

The thing that I had the most trouble with was the quilting portion. I prefer to use 505 spray instead of safety pins to baste the layers together. However, I didn’t have any left and was determined to make it work without the spray, this time.

So after considerable time stitching and ripping out stitches, I decided on stitching in the ditch around each main block. Then, I stitched a square in the center of each of these blocks. I used a scrap piece of paper for a template.

Template for Block Centers

Center of Block Stitching

I usually breathe a sigh of relief when the layers have been stitched together. Then, I can enjoy stitching on the binding.

Binding

MY OBSERVATIONS:

I believe I have decided on two things in this quilt challenge:

<> My favourite quilts to make are ones that are small enough to fit on my 24” x 36” cutting mat.

<> And, I think that those that are not totally square, are most preferred.

While the most challenging part of this particular project was the quilting of those layers, it was good to finally dig this book out from my collection of quilting books.

What is the most interesting about this quilt challenge for me, is that I am utilizing quilt books that are on my bookshelf. No longer will they stay there just to decorate my sewing room.

My Finished Quilt

Finished size: 29” x 29”

I choose fabrics to match one of the quilts in the book. However, it would be fun to try a scrappy quilt with no set colors.

Next Week...
It is time again to do a three month review of the five books I've reviewed. If you wish to see what books are being featured you can also check out my website for more details.

Enjoy your quilting journey in 2010!

Half A Quilter?

2010-06-13T10:17:00.000-07:00

Since… a quilt top isn’t called a “QUILT” until all three layers are sewn together. And… I really only like the process of making the top layer of the quilt.

I ask myself this question:

Am I only half a quilter if I only like to make quilt tops?

I am getting a real sense of why people end up with so many unfinished quilt projects. The eagerness to want to do more then is physically possible will always result in a long to-do-list of projects in waiting mode. There are many reasons that quilts don’t get finished… the quilting process is one of them.

I too, love to sew up quilt tops and find the quilting portion a real chore on quilts larger then my cutting mat. I am grateful that there are long-arm quilters to aide in my successful completion of these projects.

OVERCOMING LIMITATIONS

2010 is a time for me to see how far I can stretch my quilting comfort zone. At times, this is more of a challenge then I anticipate. At other times, I even surprise myself and am able to push beyond the limitations in my mind.

So... I have determined that for myself, I will utilize the services of a long arm quilter to complete the layers for quilts on larger projects. My machine has a very small throat and I only add frustration to the quilting process, which should stay “fun”. And, when I wish to do it all myself, I can enjoy making small quilts.

BE UNIQUE

So go ahead…. be any kind of quilter you like!! There are no rules or limitations to quilting… you dream as big as you desire. Perhaps the only thing to really remember is to HAVE FUN!! And, if that isn’t happening, change the things that stand in the way to make it FUN.

Continue creating… all year long!!

TENTH PROJECT - JUNE 2010:

My tenth project will be shared next week...

Turning Twenty... Again/
Tricia Cribbs

More Details...

Next week I will do the book review and reveal my quilt project. Then the following week, I will be doing a review of the past three months. If you wish to see what books are being featured you can also check out my website for more details.

Enjoy your quilting adventure for... 2010!!

Quilt Book Picks

2010-05-23T09:51:00.000-07:00

As I work through my library of quilting books, I have found a renewed interest in exploring the techniques they offer. These projects will wait for our discovery of them, but for how long... before they become old?

Quilting Books

Some techniques are challenging,

some become favourites,

and some may not seem suitable for our skill level,

but do deserve a good attempt.

Sometimes…

at the beginning of a project,

I feel it will not turn out to be a positive experience,

but am surprised

when I change my mind and

seriously consider attempting another project,

at some later time.

Questions to Ponder??

Are there any quilting books that I own and still haven’t used

yet, but consider trying soon?

Do I know anyone that has published their own quilting book?

Have I seen an interesting technique lately, and know about

a quilt book that is available?

Next time...
I will be taking two weeks off from posting. See you back here in June. If you wish to see what books are being featured you can also check out my website for more details.

Enjoy your quilting journey... for 2010!!

Four Seasons

2010-05-16T10:41:00.000-07:00

Book:

Four Seasons of Quilts/ by Cori Derken and Myra Harder

I had picked an autumn project and got the quilt top sewn together. However, I just couldn’t get myself to work on the appliqué portion of it.

Background Setting For:

“Pumpkin Patch Baby Quilt”

I know this may sound odd because I love to do appliqué but the design and the size of the quilt caused me to stall. After some time trying to motivate myself to continue, I realized it was not going to happen. I made the decision to choose another project from the book and found that my eagerness did return.

*************************

Time to reveal my next project… my second choice was: "Holly and Berries Table Runner" on page 80.

Combining these two different techniques looked like a great challenge especially since - one was one that I love (appliqué) and one that I cannot find love for (paper piecing). I knew I’d finish this one, because of the way I felt about it.

Book, Fabrics

MORE ABOUT PAPER PIECING

Do you find some paper pieced block designs you’d love to make but hate using this technique? Then, check out my way to paper piece described below with photos. Generally, I find it works for me. As there are paper pieced design blocks that I have, on occasion, wanted to incorporate into a quilt top.

My Own Method:

1.) Print out the paper pieced pattern. (regular paper will do)

2.) Cut it out on the lines. 3.) Use these pieces as your paper templates.

4.) Cut out the fabric with seam allowances automatically added by using rotary cutting tools. (Place the one-quarter inch mark at the edge of the paper template.)

5.) Then follow the numbering on the pattern pieces to assemble the block. 6.) Press each seam open before adding another piece. 7.) And with this process that difficult block is completed!

The reason for paper piecing is to get those perfect points in the design. This I accomplished, even doing it my way.

The only problem was that my finished blocks were not square, mainly I think because of the small pieces and working with bias edges. You can see that the points in the design still are perfectly matched. So, I just squared them up and continued with the block assembly.

I’d suggest two ways – to square up your blocks, to the correct size:

1.) If your blocks end up smaller then the pattern requirements, like mine did, adjust your other blocks to fit. This is what I did for this project.

2.) Or… to make them the size the pattern requires to fit the other blocks in the quilt, add a narrow border around the block so that is ends up the size the project needs.

Okay, so this process worked relatively well. The quilt project that I had done several years ago used very large blocks and using my paper templates and the assembly process of the fabric pieces ended up perfectly matched up and square. It was my foundation paper pieced block that wasn’t so perfect.

THE APPLIQUE PORTION

Then, there is appliqué… for some people this is a technique that rivals my feelings towards paper piecing. And, there I would agree with you if you are referring to the needle-turned method. I tried to include a project with this method, but could not get myself to commit to it, so I know I found the technique I’ll stay with when it comes to appliquéd designs.

I love doing raw edge appliqué when it is done with fusible web and a machine buttonhole stitch. For me, this is the best way to have fun with appliqué designs.

Holly and Berries

I used red thread for the zigzag satin stitch for the berries and green thread for the stems and buttonhole stitch on the holly.

I considered doing hand embroidery for the stems, but changed my mind and used the sewing machine to stitch a double line along my pencil marks. They were done before the appliqué pieces were added.

Here is the back side of the appliqué section to show you how cool this side looks.

FINISHING THE QUILT

To finish the quilt layers, I stitched the paper pieced blocks with an “X” and the applique design is done with a shadow stitch all around the stems and berries; then separately around the leaves and single berries.

Showing the green backing fabric and the finished binding both done in Christmas fabrics. Seasonal fabrics come in so many wonderful patterns. When I found this project, I knew the holly and berries fabric would look great on the end borders on this table runner.

Then, a final note: I hope to come back sometime to do the applique on the other quilt. And, the book also has four small projects (14” x 9”) that would be really fun to make.

My Quilt

Finished Size: 15 3/4” x 34 1/2”

Next time...

Come back next week, for an invitation to share your favourite quilting technique. And if you wish to see what books are being featured you can also check out my website for more details.

Happy stitching!!

Paper Piecing... another way!

2010-05-09T11:09:00.000-07:00

Paper pieced designs are complex. And to get those perfect corners this technique allows them to be stitched with perfection. Or, so it should...

Do you love to do paper piecing?

Or... do you hate it?

I took a class to try paper piecing when I first started quilting. I wished to see what quilting techniques would intrigue me. Would this be one of them?

Five Paper-Pieced Hearts

This little quilt is loved and today hangs in my sister's house.

However, as I did not enjoy this technique enough to embrace it... I was determined to never try it again!! So when one comes across those beautiful blocks in quilt designs, what should we do with them?

A few years ago, I came across this technique again. There was a block that I had included in a quilt design and figured I could do it in paper piecing, as there were only four corner blocks to make. I did try one, but seriously... to do it four times, not possible, I said! I found it was still just as frustrating to do, as it was the first time.

So, that time, I did it my way! I got the design to turn out perfectly using my own method... and no one would ever know that it wasn't paper pieced.

When one cannot create something like it was intended, then one discovers another way... so it becomes possible to still do it.

Not everyone is as challenged by the same techniques, so when you hear words, such as, "I'll be easy...!" you still can give it a try, even though you don't believe those words. As with quilting, it should always be up to us whether we continue with a new technique or not. I believe that is why we have such a wide range of techniques to create beautiful quilts. Our GOAL should always be to have fun in whatever ways - fit us best!!

ANOTHER WAY...

The Method:

1.) Print out the paper pieced pattern. (regular paper will do)

2.) Cut it out on the lines.

3.) Use these pieces as your paper templates*. (see link below)

4.) Cut out the fabric with seam allowances automatically added. (using rotary cutting tools)

5.) Then follow the numbering on the pattern pieces to assemble the block.

6.) Press each seam before adding another piece.

7.) And with this process that difficult block is completed!**

More Details:

1.) See this entry for more information on using paper templates.*

2.) Next week's entry will have photos of this process.**

It is not my intent to ever take paper piecing seriously, so when I do come to a quilt that uses this technique, I decide how to proceed. I still take the view that quilting should be fun. Sometimes the learning curve is too difficult to overcome.... but sometimes, it just needs a change in attitude, that changes that too difficult technique into one that is enjoyable. So, you decide, love it or don't do it!!

NINTH PROJECT - MAY 2010:

My ninth project will be shared next week...

Four Seasons of Quilts/
Cori Derksen & Myra Harder

Enjoy your quilting adventure for... 2010!!

Bargello Quilts

2010-05-02T10:15:00.000-07:00

Book:
The Bargello Quilt Book/ by Piecemakers

Time to reveal my next project... I choose: "Mini-Bargello" on page 12.

Book, Fabrics

There are other great Bargello books that vary in design and complexity and would be fun to try. However, my goal is to dig through my own library of books that I haven't used yet and explore those possibilities first before I buy or borrow more.

My other goal, is to use my own fabrics and therefore the fabric colors are either matched as closely as possible or it allows me to do something totally different.

And, then… as I usually gravitate to the smallest projects first, I was delighted that they included a “mini” version, just for someone like me.

FABRIC SELECTION:

There are two main tips and then the rest is up to you.

1. Use either prints or solids or a combination of them. The main rule is to shade fabrics from light to dark.

2. Choose a few fabrics you love and continue to expand from them.

There were some fat quarter fabrics that I would have chosen but wasn’t sure if I’d have enough yardage for the mini version. So now, I’d say, yes! It just means you’ll cut more strips, but sewing them together still works fine.

I couldn’t decide from the larger pieces that I had… so, when I finally decided upon one print fabric, I chose all solid colors for the rest. I also went with only seven fabrics, instead of the ten used in this pattern.

What I loved, was the little black and white sketch of a quilt on the first page. It only used six colors, but it was so cute. If I had a few more blacks and whites, I would have tried making it.

Now, even though I don’t think I’d make another Bargello quilt, one can never be too sure. There are more interesting variations available in other books, that just may need further exploration.

As always, buying new fabrics in all the correct yardages, with the help of the quilt shop staff makes the fabric selection go very smoothly. But here I am talking about using the fabrics you already own, and that means allowing new choices to be tried. Try shopping in your own fabric corner for great color choices!!

THE PROCESS

After the fabric colors have been cut into strips, they are sewn together. Then from this, they are cut into the widths required, as shown below. I used a white label to mark the sizes as some of them really look similar when the process is ongoing.

Fabric Strips Marked by Size

A Pile of Strips

Sewing the Strips Together

Quilt Top Complete

Quilting the Layers

The Quilt Binding

Just remember, if you feel good about it, then enjoy the process as it unfolds. Who really knows… maybe you’ll come up with a unique design of your own, that others will enjoy making, too!!

My Bargello Quilt

Finished Size: 29” x 25 3/4”

Next week...

My next book choice and then a reveal the following week. If you wish to see what books are being featured you can also check out my website for more details.

Happy stitching!!

Paper Templates

2010-04-25T15:26:00.000-07:00

TEMPLATE QUESTIONS:

Why use a template?

Templates are a necessary step for creating those odd shapes required for some quilting techniques.

What materials have been available for me?

Looking back in time, people used whatever materials that were available to them. I have enjoyed using all the new innovations that are available now, as I began my quilting journey only about 8-9 years ago. There are more tools and techniques available today that make our quilting journey much easier and fun!

When did I need templates for a quilting project?

The time I needed special templates was for a quilting workshop that I took in 2008. The process seemed much more difficult then I thought was necessary. That project is still waiting for completion.

How do I make my templates now?
As I understand progress, doing things in a new way for simplicity and greater success is why I make my templates out of paper, not plastic. Yes, that's right!!

As I see it, however fun a workshop is to learn a new technique, the desired goal is to complete a quilt. Now, I know that even though that seems simple, it may not always turn out that way, every time.

HERE'S HOW I MAKE TEMPLATES:

These templates were for a project that needed several baby blocks in three different colors. By using paper templates, I can get to the sewing process more quickly.

Step 1.

The materials I will need are: fabrics, paper pattern, scissors, scotch tape, and my rotary cutting tools.

Step 1: Rotary Tools

Step 2.

The pattern is either printed out or drawn onto white paper and then cut out. Then is attached to the fabric with small pieces of scotch tape, just enough to hold them in place.

Step 2: Attaching the Template

Step 3.

From that, I just need to cut them out. I usually line up the sewing line with a 1/4" allowance added. This way if I don't have a seam allowance added on the pattern, it adds it for me when I cut.

These photos show the seam allowance added. Generally, I do not add seam allowances to a pattern, because I can easily add it when cutting my fabric pieces in this step. As when I do fusible applique, I do not need seam allowances, so then I would place the edge of the ruler without a seam allowance added.

Step 3: Cutting out the Template

The Paper Template:

Easily converts the pattern design to template pieces.
Time is saved because either it is printed or drawn out only once onto paper.
Lasts for many uses with the use of rotary cutting tools.
The cutting method automatically adds the seam allowances.
Once the paper design is printed and cut out, it is ready to lay onto the fabric.
No need to add seam allowances to the template before cutting the fabric.
No special markers or template materials are required.

Bonus: No extra time is needed to draw the shapes onto the plastic sheet, cut them out, then trace around the template to draw the shape onto the fabric and then finally ready to cut the fabric.

EIGHTH PROJECT - MAY 2010:

My eighth project will be shared next week...

The Bargello Quilt Book/
by Piecemakers

Enjoy your quilting adventure for... 2010!!

Classic Quilts

2010-04-18T09:44:00.000-07:00

Book:
Thimbleberries –

New Collection of Classic Quilts/ by Lynette Jensen

Time to reveal my next project... I choose: "High Country Pinwheels - Christmas" on page 64. (There are two designs: one is done in blue fabrics and the other in Christmas fabrics.)

Fabrics, Book

So, for a different type of quilt then I normally make, I chose this one – no applique, no embellishments, just the color choices and how the fabric pieces are placed to create the complete design.

OBSERVATIONS:

I do find this type of quilt very easy to assemble and it seems piecing is a popular technique of many quilters. As all you need is the ability to cut up fabric and sew straight lines. However, the results are inspiring, as the finished design ALWAYS looks more complicated then it really is to make.

Also apparent to me, many people love to make bed quilts, so this book is a great place to explore for these classic and popular designs.

If you would like to see the quilt project titles and sizes for this book, you may find them on my website listed under "T". All the books that have been reviewed on this blog, have this information on my website.

MY PROCESS:

Still having a good supply of Christmas fabrics, it was time to use up some more of them in this project. And, I bought this book several years ago through a book club and it was time to give it a try…

Since most of these classic projects are for larger size quilts then I can quilt on my own machine, I have scaled it down considerably. It is my goal to create small quilts while I try out new techniques and enjoy the process of expanding my skill level.

Cutting the Fabrics

Sewing the Small Pieces Together

Binding - 1/2" wide

Finished Quilt

Size: 32 1/4” x 32 1/4”

Next week...

My next book choice and then a reveal the following week. If you wish to see what books are being featured you can also check out my website for more details.

Happy stitching!!

Iron TLC

2010-04-11T12:26:00.000-07:00

It used to be that I wondered how anyone could get their iron base so dirty when working with fusible products! But... as I believe, when one wonders too much about such things - they have a way of showing up in one's life. I found out how easy it is to get fusible on the base of my iron.

It didn't really happen until I started this Quilt Challenge of mine in January. As you probably already know my favorite technique is working with fused applique designs. And up until now, I had traced out the designs onto the paper-backed fusible web. These shapes are pressed onto the fabric and then cut out, leaving no chance to get the fusible web on the iron. (I use lite Steam a Stem 2 fusible web.)

Fusible Web

However, when I worked on the Simple Stained Glass Quilt there was a large piece of fusible web used and the fusible side of the grid interfacing I used on the Watercolor Landscape Quilt was on the reverse side of the design. So, in both cases, I had fusible on either the opposite side or larger then the fabric pieces. Here I started to see how easy it was to get the iron on these fusible surfaces.

To this end, my iron was covered so badly that it was impossible to glide it across the fabric. This resulted in the necessity to find out how to get it clean!!

Iron base

Here is some great advice...

I looked up Laura's site "Artfabrik" for fusing tips and recommend you check it out for yourself. I love her designs and know she has the answers to making fusible web easy to play with.

Iron-off for cleaning your iron

I haven't tried some of the other fusible web products, she recommends, so I encourage you to give them a try and decide for yourself. I did buy a teflon pressing sheet and would recommend getting the biggest size you can afford. This really makes working with fusible web products fun and easy.

And... if you do need to clean your iron, here is a great place to start!! Now, I know that using the best products for each quilting project, will result in a perfect experience!!

SEVENTH PROJECT - APRIL 2010:

My seventh project will be shared next week...

Thimbleberries:
New Collection of Classic Quilts/
Lynette Jensen

ISBN: 978-0-9770166-7-9

Enjoy your quilting adventure for... 2010!! And, looking ahead, I plan on trying a quilt project from Laura's book, "Fuse-and-Tell Journal Quilts" sometime in the fall.

Autumn Quilts

2010-04-04T12:00:00.000-07:00

Book:
Easy Does It For Autumn/ Art To Heart by Nancy Halvorsen

Time to reveal my next project... I choose: "Halloween Candy Quilt" on page 5.

I know that for me.. Halloween isn’t until October 31st, but I have not done a quilt project from this book yet, and wanted to make a smaller fun project with these delightful autumn colors.

Fabrics, Book

For those of you enjoying the autumn season now, this book would fit in real well. Although, I don’t know when you celebrate Halloween, there are other great autumn projects to make. I look forward to revisiting this book, to make several more of these autumn projects.

I remember thinking last month, that April would be a time to do some fun seasonal quilts and so I’ve done just that! For me… if the quilt is small and it has an applique design on it, then I am very motivated to make it!!

To begin, I need fabric...

I find it rewarding to have my fabrics neat and tidy in this cabinet. I can easily pull out the fabrics and choose those that will be suitable candidates for my next project. Then, it is just as easy to put them back when I am done with them.

Fabric Cabinet

The assembly...

This project has two background pieces and one border that are all sewn together before the appliques are added. It makes it possible to have the design extend onto the border edges.

Quilt Top

The pattern uses the method of adding tabs to the top for hanging and no binding as the layers are put together and then turned. This was a method I would have chosen in the past because hand-stitching was not something I wanted to do.

However.. this time, I decided to add a binding and a hanging sleeve, instead. This is one technique that I have come to enjoy and adding the binding and hand-stitching it to the back is my preferred method, now.

Quilt Layers, Binding

For all bed quilts, I still would machine sew the binding to the reverse side and bring it to the front and then machine stitch it in place. This causes less stress on me and allows time for other things.

Embroidered phrase on the Moon

Stitching around applique pieces

Finishing...

This is always a rewarding part. The binding is so easy to attach and creates such a lovely edge. And, the final steps are to attach a label to the back and take photos of the completed quilt.

Finished Quilt Showing the Binding

Finished Quilt

(Size: 9 3/4" x 24 3/4")

Need motivation:

After getting all the tax returns I needed to file, done early, I thought.. why not do a quilt theme out of season! If doing taxes is something you keep putting off, then why not challenge yourself to get them done and reward yourself with a fun quilt project.

Next week...

My next book choice and then a reveal the following week. If you wish to see what books are being featured you can also check out my website for more details.

Happy stitching!!

Jan-Feb-Mar Review

2010-03-28T15:01:00.000-07:00

My 2010 Quilt Challenge for this year is still on track and may just be the most fun resolution I have ever set to follow. To share my progress with you, I thought it would be fun to do a review every three months with some more details. Take a look at the projects done so far as journaled on this blog:

--Quilting Books on Review--

My goal is to try new techniques from the quilting books in my own library first and then from ones I buy or borrow from the library. Two other goals are to use fabrics I already own and to first learn these new skills by making smaller projects.

As I believe when trying new techniques the success of completing the project is far greater when the project is small. If one does not prefer the technique, not much time or materials have been invested into a project that will never see the light of day. All quilts should have an opportunity to shine!!

JANUARY 2010

Simple Stained Glass Quilts
Daphne Grieg and Susan Purney Mark

In The Back Country

Book Project My Quilt

My first project was really fun to make and there are many more projects in the book that I'd love to try. I usually don't stick with the exact directions on most patterns, so was impressed that I did for this one. I did make some changes to how I used color in the inner border. I found cutting out the leading fabric with the art knife just like drawing. The finished design was truly magical. This project is: 19 3/4" x 22 1/2". Mine was very close at: 20" x 22 1/2".

Fantastic Fabric Folding
Rebecca Wat

Kimono Sampler I

Book Project My Quilt

My second project was a stretch for me as I am not really into fabric folding, so I did find the technique of folding a real challenge. However, I was really happy to see Rebecca include the kimono samplers, as they are much simpler to make. That made it possible for me to continue and be able to succeed in a finished project. There are two other projects that I wish to try at a later date because I like the design, however, I would certainly replace the folding flowers with appliqued ones. This project is: 57 1/2" x 57 1/2". Mine was 27 1/2" x 27 1/2". This smaller size is because I used the cutting instructions from the Kimono Sampler II but used the construction process from the Kimono Sampler I. That worked really well for me.

FEBRUARY 2010

Quilts from the Selvage Edge
Karen Griska

Glass Tumbling Blocks Garden's Edge

Book Project My Project

My third project was inspired from the quilt project shown above. My goal was to try making a border using selvages and then do something on the center block. I love applique so created flowers cut from selvage squares. I figured there would be opportunity to create a quilt from this book after I had collected the selvages from all the projects made during my quilt challenge. However, since I didn't wish to wait until then, I created a design of my own. The project shown is: 48" x 49". Mine was 25" x 25".

Flower Pounding

Ann Frischkorn and Amy Sandrin

Good Chi

Book Project My Project

My fourth project was interesting to create and noisy too. You can make one of these any time of year, whether you choose flowers from your garden or the local flower shop. I decided to use outdoor plants, but still needed to keep it small because I didn't want to create too much noise. So, I made a smaller vase for the flowers and added butterfly buttons for added interest. I was surprised when a purple bud pounded out green. So there are many more great ideas left to explore in this book. This project is: 15 3/4" x 25". Mine was 15 1/2" x 23".

MARCH 2010

Watercolor Landscape Quilts
Cathy Geier

A Lake Superior Maple (Level 2)

Book Project My Project

My fifth project was filled with challenge and intrigue. Since this was the only project I wished to try at first, it was what I made. To me, size matters, and many quilt projects are just too large for me to make. I thought perhaps the fabric choices would create a quilt that wouldn't work, but was rewarded along the way. The fusible grid worked well for me. However, with the more challenging projects this is what Cathy suggested: "If you do decide to do one of the more advanced quilts, there might be more scalene triangles and these aren't as easy to put together on the fusible because of the bias stretch inherent in the product... just be careful! I don't want to see you get frustrated." So, I will try foundation next time, as the grid would be too small for more complex designs. That is why I didn't choose the project "A Room with a View" this time. This project is: 27" x 31". Mine was 22" x 25 3/4".

Thanks for reading...

SIXTH PROJECT - APRIL 2010:

My sixth project will be shared next week...

Easy Does It For Autumn/ Art to Heart
Nancy Halvorsen

ISBN: 632552005211

Enjoy your quilting adventure for... 2010!!

Watercolor Landscape Quilts

2010-03-21T12:24:00.000-07:00

Book:
Watercolor Landscape Quilts by Cathy Geier

Time to reveal my next project... I choose: "A Lake Superior Maple" on page 77.

I remember liking this one when I first paged through the book but kept looking because I didn’t have the maple leaf fabric that the quilt is named after.

Fabrics, Book

However, when should that stop anyone from trying? After I could not decide on another project, this was the one I returned to make. As in all these projects I wanted to learn the technique and use fabrics I already had in my supply, therefore, I’d just change things I couldn’t duplicate. This is what I discovered:

There are a lot of squares to cut, but the sewing method is what makes the difference in how easily it goes together. I had bought a fusible interfacing with printed gridlines (2" squares) to save time with the line drawing. It also would save time if you place the squares on the fusible side so you eliminate the gluing of the pieces. Since this grid was smaller then the recommended size my quilt is smaller then the original project.

The squares ready to place on the grid

The reason I said, you would save time, is that I didn’t realize it had a fusible side until I was ironing it!! Why it didn’t dawn on me, is still a mystery? I would definitely have enjoyed utilizing the fusible for keeping the pieces in place, rather then using the glue stick!

One could also increase the size of the squares to make those fabric squares easier to work with, especially those that have more detail. Also, by using this interfacing like material, there was no need to remove it once the seams have been sewn.

The design coming together

Sewing the rows

I had some colors that matched the color scheme but not enough for binding, so I used them as a mock piping before adding the border. Then I used the same fabric from the tree for a mock piping on the outside edge.

If adding piping to the outer edge, I recommend you put together all three layers and square up your quilt before adding piping to the outer edge. I ended up taking mine off so I could square up the quilt and then sewed it back on before adding the binding.

Showing the mock piping

Buttons to embellish the corners

Will I Revisit This Book…

At first, I thought this would be that ‘ugly’ quilt I’d make, because:

My fabric choice (how could this fabric look like leaves)
My dirty iron (as I didn’t notice just how bad it was until I pressed the sky section and got fusible on the front)

However, after I washed the quilt and realized it was going to turn out looking okay, why worry about such things, as this is all part of the learning process. I didn't think I'd want to ever do this technique again, but there is one project at level 3 that I’d like to master, so one day it just may happen!

Finished Quilt (Size: 22” x 25 3/4”)

Next week...

My next book choice and then a reveal the following week. If you wish to see what books are being featured you can also check out my website for more details.

Happy stitching!!

Book Winners

2010-03-14T13:17:00.000-07:00

Thanks for stopping in to read my blog posts!! Even though many of you read the posting, only three comments were received. So, I have decided that all three will win a copy of my eBook, "Quilter's Candy Delights".

Winner on MumblesCafe blog:

Jennifer

Winners on QuiltSamplerJournal blog:

Kathy and Kayjay

Congratulations, ladies!! I hope you enjoy the Candy eBook. More details on the custom-made wrapper and your prize will be emailed to you soon...

FIFTH PROJECT - MARCH 2010:

My fifth project will be shared next week...
Watercolor Landscape Quilts/ Cathy Geier
ISBN: 978-0-89689-272-9 /

Enjoy your quilting adventure for... 2010!!

Candy for Quilters

2010-03-07T12:27:00.000-08:00

eBook:
Quilter's Candy Delights by Darlee Byron

A Birthday Wish

This week, I take a break from my project and book reviews to bring you the opportunity to win a copy of my own eBook as my gift to you for stopping by my blog. I appreciate all of you, as followers, friends, and visitors that have read my entries and thank you for your encouraging comments, from week to week.

eBook, Candy Projects

Our blogging adventure helps us to broaden our reach, allows us opportunity to share our beautiful projects, and enables us to make new discoveries. This truly brings each of us an abundance of joy as we continue to create, stitch, and embellish the great ideas from skillful quilters around the world. This also helps us have the courage to create our own ideas and bring them to life.

A Basket of Calorie-free Sweets!

My eBook has 16 unique candy ideas to make for the quilters on your gift list, at any time of year. They are quick to make and perfect for stocking stuffers and gift basket contents. Another great idea, would be to get a group of friends or quilters together to quickly make up a basket for someone that needs cheering up. These non-edible and calorie-free treats will be sure to please. These ideas go beyond that pretty bundle of fat-quarters that we all love...

Quilter's Candy Projects

And, for a special bonus, I will offer to design one candy wrapper to the winner of the free copy on this blog... for them to add to the chosen candy item from the eBook, to advertise your special event, such as a party favor for a party, special occasion, craftshow, etc. Then, with permission, I'd love to share the results at a later date on my blog.

"Advertising That Event" candy wrappers

If you'd like to make up a unique gift basket of candy for quilters or create some special party favors... then this book will be a delight. A perfect way to bring cheer to someone or best wishes on a joyous occasion.

If you'd like to participate in this giveway, please leave a comment. For more entries to this giveaway, see Post Notes below. Then, if you wish, visit MumblesCafe blog for more ways to enter...

Enjoy a sweet, calorie-free treat today!!

Post Notes:

Do you love giveaways? And want more chances to win... this is the plan for this blog: To make it fair for current followers, all followers, regardless of CURRENT OR NEW can receive additional entries only by inviting others to come comment on the blog.
To make it work, just mention it in your comment that you've blogged about this giveaway on your own blog. We all love to have topics to blog about, so if you do a write-up on your blog, you will receive two additional entries to the draw.
I would love to have you as a follower, however, I do not feel right about asking this of you just to enter the contest.