Jan-Feb-Mar Review

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

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

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

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.

What's in a Birthday?

WOW!! What a cool day it has been!! Good surprises are so delightful, aren't they? Here are the highlights of my birthday, this year...

I was enjoying a pleasant dream... and the phone rang. It was 6:55 am. I couldn't get my vision cleared enough to see the number, but answered it anyway after three rangs. Good-morning.... Hello.... Hello.... No one there. So, when I was almost asleep again, the phone rang. It was now 7:24 am. And, yes, it was the same number as before. Hello.... No dial tone, so I hung up and hoped I could get some more sleep.

I had a hair appointment at 11 am and arrived early and got in right away. An hour later I arrived back home and my son opened the door, and I was greeted with a beautiful flower bouquet. Oh, I love yellow!!

I got to chat online, on webcam and telephone with family and put in my order from the gift certificate I received from the handbag contest I won in February.

Patterns I choose to order. 

Visit the website for more great patterns.

I made caramel popcorn and watched a favorite movie, "The Lake House" with Sandra Bullock and Keanu Reeves. I love movies with Sandra Bullock. Then, to end a perfect day, I will enjoy watching my favorite TV series show, "Lost".

Thanks everybody!! Oh, and the mystery caller, was none other then my littlest granddaughter (she's 15 months old) playing with her mother's cellphone. So, I figure it was her way of sending me a birthday wish.

On March 7th, I'll reveal the details to my special draw/bonus. See you then....