A Fiber Fetish

Too Many Projects

2011-02-03T10:47:00.000-08:00

Hi all! I'm Andi, DD#1. A little about me: I'm a bit of a fabric hoarder, I LOVE coupons and getting things for free, I've been married almost 2 years now, and I love making things - all sorts of things. I've been working on a variety of projects lately, as usual. I can never seem to work on just one thing at a time. My older sister just had a birthday and has a baby shower coming up this weekend so those have been the reason for of some of the projects.

The first project is a covered baby wipes container. I forgot to take before pictures but I'm pretty sure most of us know what a baby wipes container looks like. I measured and cut a fat quarter to be the size of the container. Then I applied Mod Podge to the container and pasted the fabric on. After it dried, I hot glued the braided cord around the edge and painted the cute sports designs on the top with acrylic and Tulip paints. I like the way it looks and hopefully she won't see this post before the shower.

For her birthday (and for myself) I made a dry erase menu board. This is possibly my favorite project I have made so far. Try it, you'll love it. I bought a couple of 8x10 picture frames (you can get great ones at the dollar store or on clearance at Target sometimes) with the easel back. I used scrapbook paper that I had on hand and cut it down to 8x10. In Microsoft Word, I typed up the Weekly Menu and then printed it out on the decorative paper. The first one was a bust because I used some paper that looked like notebook paper and forgot to make sure that it was lined up correctly.

So, the next ones I made I just used pretty paper that didn't need to be so perfect. My sister loved it and my husband loves ours too. It makes planning grocery shopping so much easier now because we plan out the whole weeks menu first.

There are more projects to come!

Fiber of a Different Sort

2011-01-22T13:06:00.000-08:00

I am so easily distracted. Any excuse to not work on what I'm "supposed" to be doing, even when it's a self-imposed to do list. Case in point:

This free sock pattern published by Martingale & Company on Facebook. I have wanted to try making socks but I'm not a fast knitter, so when I saw a cute crocheted sock pattern, I jumped! I took my Joann's gift card from Christmas and bought sock yarn and the right size hooks. Yes, I probably had the right size hooks but I don't remember where I decided was the perfect place to store them when we moved in here almost a year ago.

Pretty purple wool & bamboo blend yarn that feels so soft! And am I using that yarn to try my first sock?

No! I was afraid of the gauge being too small and I can't visualize crochet in progress like I do with fabric, so I went with a skein I had on hand, this pink camo. Is a girl ever to old to wear pink camo socks? I thought not! This is the upper part of the first sock and I like it so far. I stopped to I could measure last night. I can probably get half the foot done today while watching movies.

I'm making the largest sock, although I'm not sure if the number they use refers to shoe size or inches. Here again, this is why I'm using the acrylic skein on hand rather than the $5.99 (on sale for $4.99 this weekend at Joann's) bamboo/wool. The bamboo/wool balls are half the size of the camo, which means my pair of bamboo/wool socks will cost about $10. I don't recall what the acrylic ran (or where I bought it, darn it all!) but I'm guessing half of that.

If these socks turn out well I can easily see this being a new favorite hobby (I was going to say habit). Easy to take to craft night, easy to store in my room and takes up almost no space! I'll never give up quilting and sewing, but I might get it under control this year if I buy sock yarn instead of fabric. Whatcha think?

Enjoying the Process: Small Table, Big Quilt

2010-09-19T12:40:00.000-07:00

Inspired by so many blogs I visit, I bought a new camera and am taking the time to take photos as I work, rather than posting finished projects and telling you about them.

The first project was the quilting of my brother's wedding quilt. This was a slightly larger than queen-size top, made 96" square to have enough drop for a large mattress. I have a cutting table but it's set up in my bedroom/office/studio where I can only raise one leaf. It's crammed in tightly enough that moving it to a larger area is a nuisance. So, I pin-baste my quilts on the tiny, cherry kitchen table using Sharon Schamber's board method.

Now, Sharon says to be sure that your boards are 10" longer than your quilt back, and I learned why. The ends beyond the board don't roll properly, and I ended up with a ginormous fold in the center of the back. I had to unpin 1/3 of the quilt and re-baste! (And as I'm typing this with Sharon's video playing in the background, I hear Sharon saying she will never use safety pins...hmm. Maybe I'll try thread basting on the next quilt.)

I found that using the shorter boards allowed me to baste the center of the quilt properly. Next time I'll bast the center then turn the sandwich when done and baste the sides using the weight of the quilt to help stretch. We'll see how that works!

So nice to see no folds on the back after pinning!

I decided to quilt the white areas with white thread and the blue with blue, using a meandering vine with heart shape leaves. If you click on the photo, you can see the hearts. I love my new camera!

My green cheek conure gets lonely in the bedroom when I'm in the front of the house, so he and his cage come out to watch me work. I imagine the quilt would have taken a few hours less time if I hadn't gotten distracted with the camera. Say hello, Jasper!

As I quilt, I smoosh and stash the quilt sandwich around on the table, my lap, my shoulder, to keep the weight off the section I am working on. As this shot shows, this quilt dwarfed my little table. But with the Juki's longer neck it's easy for me to work in quarters and keep the stitching even.

I didn't get a photo of the finished quilt as it would have been the same as this one of the top - it's taller than my walls so I can't get the whole thing in one shot. The pattern is Past and Present from Scrap Basket Surprises by Kim Brackett. Since my brother just married a woman he dated in high school, I thought the name was perfect!

Now it's time to get back to the other blue wedding quilt:

Judy Neimeyer's Wedding star, which is now a "several months past the first anniversary" quilt for my daughter and her husband!

A Happy Little Quilt

2010-09-05T11:42:00.000-07:00

If you've ever participated in a round robin, you know sometimes the resulting quilt knocks your socks off. And other times, not so. This is the story of a not so.

I mailed out the center paper-pieced flower and green surrounding border. I knew not all the gals in my group could paper-piece and that was fine. But I was left a little flat by the solid-color borders that came back to me. I figured it'd be a great foundation for some pretty applique and put it in the UFO pile. Where it sat. And sat.

As I prepared to move earlier this year, my quilty friend Becky in Oregon volunteered to finish a UFO for me and mail it back when I was settled in the new place. I decided to send her the robin, but told her she could make a charity quilt from it or keep it herself.

Dumb move! She just shared a photos of my sad little quilt.

Can't you just see it smiling? Becky added the braided border and final border, the the iris, butterflies and moths. She used patterns from various sources. In the quilt she added both our names as creators.

Not surprisingly, she's keeping the quilt, and will make a charity quilt in my name. I knew from block swaps that Becky is awesome at applique, and this only proves it.

I'm sharing this as inspiration for your UFOs that no longer wow you. No, you can't all send them to Becky, but maybe you can swap with a friend, or organize a swap in your guild. Many quilters enjoy finishing someone else's project.

Or, pin up what you've got to work with and look at it with a fresh eye. Would a fancy border add some excitement? Some applique or other embellishment? Sure, we can hurry and finish them and send hem off to a charity, but I wonder if the sentiment might stay with the quilt. Wouldn't you rather send a happy quilt?

Neverending Quilt

2010-08-05T13:08:00.000-07:00

I really need to post about my purses or something here or you'll all think I'm such a whiner! I am currently trying to finish the Judy Niemeyer Wedding Star quilt. I hoped to have it done for the kids' anniversary today but I swear the pieces keep multiplying when I go to bed at night.

On the upper right are Unit 1 pieces (arc A and melons), right below the dark center star pieces. Next step is to sew those two together to make Unit 2. Upper left is the light center star which gets sewn to B arcs, middle left for Unit 3.

Below the B arcs are more Unit 1 sections, and to the right is a finished block, which I think is Unit 4. Unit 4 blocks get sewn together to make the body of the quilt. So I am making progress. I'm thinking a week to 10 days ought to have the whole thing finished - quilted bound and everything! Watch for more photos as it comes together.

A Once in a Lifetime Quilt

2010-04-27T12:06:00.000-07:00

I finished a once-in-a-lifetime quilt yesterday. I will never make another one like it. Truly! It turned out okay, but for so many reasons I won't try again.

This is my daughter's jeans quilt made from the jeans she wore in high school and just after. She had written on several pairs during classes, so she wanted a quilt to keep them with her. I learned so much from making it, but won't mess with again. I used this pattern, which is written and illustrated so well I thought I had it made.

My biggest error was in the size of the square template I made. (After cutting the circles of denim, you mark squares inside as stitching lines) Mine were a touch smaller than the edges of the circles. If you look at the tutorial above, you see the squares go right to the edges. This gives you your perfectly straight lines when assembling and finishing the edges.

If I were to do this quilt again (which I am NOT, even though I have enough circles left over and already sewn into small groups) here are some things I'd keep in mind:

Denim needle. Wow, imagine that! It only came to me toward the end and made a HUGE difference in sewing through the layers.
Make long strips rather than small blocks when assembling. Sew four columns of circles together, put the inserts in the center circles. Stitch down the flaps as she suggests in a long wavy line. Then add another two columns and insert squares again. Working in long straight sections is much more maneuverable than going round and round in small sections. I assembles mine into three or four long sections before putting the sections together, which meant sewing flaps down in between bulky finished areas. Not fun!
Perhaps I needed to press the flaps open better, but I was thinking a dab of glue stick or fusible bonding might have helped. But if I'd worked across in columns rather that finishing sections, it might not have been an issue.
Wind every bobbin you own, then go buy more and wind them before starting. Zigzag and satin stitching use a ton of bobbin thread! Better yet, buy a few boxes of prewound bobbins.
Use up all the leftover quilting threads you've hung onto, that don't have enough on a spool to do a quilt. The different threads are fun on a scrappy quilt like this!

While I don't want to work with jeans circles again, after finishing this I have a yearning to make a cathedral windows quilt. Stay tuned!

Wallets and Grommets

2010-04-19T09:33:00.000-07:00

My niece had a birthday this weekend and since she's on her own these days, I thought I'd make her a purse. Then I saw the pattern for a Wallet and Grommet Purse. My niece has a kitten named Wallace and plans to get a dog and name it Grommet, so I knew what I had to make her!

I started with the purse for myself, with grommets for a drawstring rather than handles, so I didn't make the sides of my niece's purse wide enough for big grommets. And I forgot interfacing!! But she figured it was a book bag which suits her. I had a FQ of jellybean fabric that I thought would make a fun wallet.

My own bag turned out pretty much the way I planned, once I found a big enough hammer to deal with the metal grommets. I was certain I'd never work with metal grommets again after the headache these were, but my daughter loved this purse so I guess I have to. But not right away! This fabric is the Tres Belle line. I collected enough for a bed-size quilt, so I should still have enough for a Turning-Twenty type lap quilt.

The pillowcases were cut out before I moved. I made my duvet cover with Bohemian Manor fabric. I already had two king-sized pillowcases to match, and these standard size pillowcases complete the set. I really love making pillowcases and love the look on the bed! I use the burrito method - enclosing the raw edges in the cuff fabric, and use French seams for the edges. They work up so fast!

I have a stack pf pillowcases to sew up for the pillowcase challenge, but I'll post about that another day! Happy sewing!

Catching Up and Settling In

2010-04-12T09:16:00.000-07:00

I see it's been a while since I have posted anything! Luckily there's so much that's happened since July that I can write daily for a while and catch up.

The latest news is the recent move. Mom and I bought a cute little mobile home just a few miles from where my daughters and their husbands live. We're now close enough they can drop by before or after work just to visit for a few minutes, which means Mom will see so much more of them.

So, this is the new place. That front room is Mom's and the window bumps out, giving Jake a place to sit and watch for us to return home. Mom decided it's more important for him to be able to see out that for her to use the space, so for now we only have a doggy in the window, no pretties.

Between the deck and the fence in a narrow planter and path, both of which were filled with weeds. There is a honeysuckle in the center, and we added a delphinium and jasmine, so far. We're taking the planting and laying of bark a step at a time, as you can see. I've weeded almost all the way to the jasmine and laid bark on the cleared area.

This is the view from the other end of the deck, showing you what the front looked like pre-bark. The ground is sandy so after a brief soaking the weeds come right up. I alternate yardwork and unpacking or putting up shelves, so little bits of everything are getting done.

Here's our yard. The whole thing, except for a four or five foot wide stretch behind the mobile, at the back of the photo. It should be easy to keep the lawn trimmed with a weed-eater, once I win the battle over the weeds. The shady spot on the left has a rose bush under the cedar tree. I have a Spanish lavender, a hydrangea and a Bleeding Heart plant waiting to go in that corner.

Jake's wondering why there is a fence between us. He loves his little yard and doesn't bark at the dogs living next door. He only barks when people and dogs pass in front of the house. Good boy! This front bed has the mailbox. We planned to not plant anything there but when we pulled up weeds we found a couple of bulbs and a volunteer pine tree, all of which are too small to show up.

The bed under the front window had tons of volunteer plants coming up in odd places. In the far corner against the house is a blue potato bush. Toward the center is a small sago palm, and next to it, a geranium. Scattered throughout were a couple of strawberry plants, California poppy, alyssum, and a few things we hope aren't weeds because we didn't pull them. We added stock, snap dragons, thrift, Gerber daisies, and a few other flowers I can't recall.

On to the inside:

Our lovely, cluttered living room. We're blending two households, and most of Mom's furniture is family pieces and/or beautiful antiques. I had to get creative, thus the drop-leaf table computer stand and the buffet entertainment center. Most of the seating is covered with quilts, both to keep it cozy and to protect the furniture. Someday I'll make enough coordinating quilts so it looks a bit less cluttered.

Split up in photos, the room seems so much bigger! The room is actually small enough that with two footrests in the first photo, the coffee table in this one needs to be used as an end table. In front of the grandfather clock (assembled by my father years ago) is a box of photos that I'm still hoping the photo fairies will put up one night as we sleep. Note the Old English Dictionary on the stand to the left.

The kitchen is surprisingly roomy, and somehow I'm managing to fit almost everything we own in the cupboards. Of course, I suppose most people don't have canisters on the stove. I need to organize the pantry so I can put the canisters in there. Those that aren't on the stove are on the high shelf next to the window, which means Mom won't be cooking if I don't change that.

Speaking of the pantry, we have a nice one on the right here, the size of your basic coat closet. However, lots of deep tall shelves aren't great for storing foodstuffs. Another project for one of these days. Oh, don't you love the junk drawer? The three drawer unit on the left held fabric in its previous life. Now it holds tools and picture hangers, cable/electronic wiring, extension cords, and all the miscellaneous pet stuff I've collected and have nowhere else to put.

And finally, a shot of my room. Yeah, this is all you're going to see for now! I still have boxes to unpack, but I set up the green modern lamp that came from my younger daughter and had to show her. The lamp adds a green tinge to everything in my room when lit. That might disturb some people, but suits me just fine!

Slowly but surely we're finding a place for almost everything. We've fit a lot more in than I ever thought possible! I think I have enough projects to see me through a few years, although some unpacking can't happen until projects get finished. Thank goodness for the two sheds. At least we have enough in place that it feels like home already! Drop on by sometime! We'll have a glass of ice tea on the deck and listen to the trains rattle by.

Birth of a Quilt

2009-07-10T11:00:00.000-07:00

Non-quilters are known to ask why anyone would cut a pretty piece of fabric into so many little pieces just to sew it back together. There is no correct answer, but for me it is just the obsession with the fabric. I have to touch it, to see the play of the dye or print across the quilt as it comes back together.

But it takes so long to do!

Thus begins a quilt. Eight pieces of fabric cut into 224 pieces each, laid out by value and sewn into 112 A arcs and 112 B arcs. And that is Step One and Two.

My daughter wanted a wedding ring quilt for her wedding gift. The traditional interwoven arcs are very pretty on their own, but my daughter is not a traditional, gently rounded sort of girl. She’s angles and spikes and excitement. In a search for the perfect pattern we agreed on Judy Niemeyer’s Wedding Star pattern.

I had the fun of finding the perfect shades of blues to suit the design. The not so fun washing and ironing the fabric in case it bleeds. And then the cutting. And cutting. And cutting. And finally I had eight neat stacks of 224 pieces.
As I sewed the first two pieces onto the paper pattern, all 112 arc A patterns, I began to ask, whose idea was this? Oh yeah, mine.

The instructions are amazing, the fabric pieces generous enough to allow room for error. Trimming at each step gives you the perfect seam allowance to line up the next piece. Basically, you sew, press open, fold pattern back and trim. Seven times on each of the 112 arcs. Then move to arc B.

I haven’t counted the pieces/patterns needed for the stars and background melons. I don’t want to know.

Again, whose idea was this? How long would it have taken me to go online and find a neat-looking quilt in blue and white to give her? Why did I wait until a month before the wedding to start it? Why did I want to do this?

Deep down I know why. It’s an heirloom gift. Something to pass down through generations. A hundred years from now some descendants of mine will look at the quilt and think of the hours and the love that went into this quilt. They’ll see photos of my daughter on her wedding day and the joy on all our faces.

They can wrap themselves (gently, please!) in a fabric hug and feel the love instilled in the quilt, and maybe know a little bit about me. They’ll have something tangible to reflect the passion for fabric that has been passed down in our genes, and maybe it will explain their own need to pick up the scissors and cut a pretty piece of fabric into little pieces, just to sew it back together.

Lessons From Deb

2009-06-14T20:17:00.000-07:00

(NOTE: The following is the eulogy I wrote for my sister-in-law who left us sooner than we expected, dying in her sleep. As you can probably guess from reading, the computer repair guy is my brother. They met when he would come to work on her company's computer. I share this because I think these lessons are key to our survival. After reading, call, text, email or hug your loved ones and let them know how much you love them. The clock is ticking.)

Lessons From Deb

The life path Deb planned was a difficult one, appearing to be uphill all the way. Yet she packed well for her journey. She passed along to me three tools for success, although she might not have realized she was doing so at the time.

1. Laugh often.
2. Love deeply.
3. If the computer repair guy is cute, make sure the system breaks down often.

Through the years we spent a lot of time laughing over the phone lines as we talked about life. I hear her laughter whenever I think of her, most often when I picture her saying "I told you so" about the length of her life. She saw the finish line a lot closer than I was willing to believe.

Deb loved with all her being. Love kept her moving forward when roadblocks appeared, and gave her the desire to succeed.

As for the computer repair guy, see lesson number two.

Deb's love and laughter helped carry me through some rough times and always reminded me what our purpose is in life. She lived the words of the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 13:7 ~

"Love bears up under anything and everything that comes, is ever ready to believe the best of every person, its hopes are fadeless under all circumstances, and it endures everything without weakening."

Love you, Deb.

Home to Stay

2009-05-05T19:07:00.000-07:00

That morning I was awakened by a phone call. As usually happens, the cell phone disconnected before I could get it to pick up. My brother’s name showed up on the caller ID.

That’s not good. They don’t call at this hour. Is something wrong with Bob?

I immediately hit the call button, but went straight to voicemail.

This is so not good. Who else would Deb be calling at this hour?

I set the phone down and waited, knowing she’d call again. When the phone rang I grabbed it. It had my other brother’s name on the caller ID.

What the hell...?

His wife was on the line. “Deb died in her sleep last night.”

I gasped.

No, she’s not gone. It’s not time yet.

We talked for a minute, then I called my brother as I walked down the hill to Mom’s apartment to break the news to her. My brother had to put me on hold and I quickly told Mom, so he couldn’t hear my voice break.

This isn’t real.

When my brother picked up I handed the phone to Mom and asked for hers in return. I called my daughters, neither of whom answered before the call goes to voicemail. They each called back as soon as they saw Mom’s name in the caller ID. The tears started as I told my older daughter the news. I was able to talk a minute later when the younger daughter called.

The older one cried with me. The younger said she’d let me go since I had the other one on hold. I learned later she called her husband and cried to him, shielding me from her pain.

I made it through work in a daze, the hours broken by calls to my brother and from my girls. It still didn’t really hit.

The next night I lay down and cried hard, but as soon as the tears came, my daughter called. She has a way of doing that. She talked about everything but our loss. She told me about the conversation she just had with my brother.

In her amazing way, she rambled to him about her memories of my brother when she was young. She reminded him of the Thanksgiving when she was two or three. She had stuck olives on each of the fingers on one hand and offered them to the grownups. Everybody ate their olives, except for Bob.

Bob didn’t like olives so he said no thanks. My daughter went on around the room, but found her way back to him. “Uncle Bob, it makes me sad that you don’t like olives,” she said, one olive still on the tip of a finger.

He caved. He ate the olive.

She laughed about it on the phone with him. “You must love me to eat olives.” She acknowledged that her fiancé wouldn’t do something like that for her, so her uncle must love her even more than her fiancé.

Bob agreed. At some point their phone call ended. The next morning he emailed my daughter and me to say thanks. After laughing with her on the phone he was able to go to sleep, something he’d been unable to do the night before.

Through the next few days, my younger daughter called to check on me, filling me in on the little things going on in her day. She knew how much I was hurting, even though she didn’t say so.

Within a week, life seemed normal again.

Wait, no, she can’t be gone. Let me call her and tell her...

She was only sixty. In my family, that’s so young. In hers, it was old. She’d told us for years that she wouldn’t make it into her 60s.

No, you can’t know that. You can’t just decide you’re old and leave. You have to wait ‘til we’re old, too. It’s the rules, isn’t it?

I laughed with my brother over the thought of her waiting for us at the Pearly Gates. She’d have her hands on her hips and be smiling. “I told you so.”

But, Deb, you can’t go...

I hear her laugh every time I picture her like that.

As the pain lifted, I noticed my dog slowing down. There was nothing specific, nothing to tell me to take him to the vet. Then one morning he woke up with his muzzle swollen. I assumed it was an allergic reaction to a bite, and in the next few days, the swelling lessened.

Then it came back, and this time he would only eat treats, not his usual food. We went to the vet who thought it was an abscessed bite. After shots and a prescription we went home to get better.

The swelling went down, but he still didn’t eat. Now he only wanted soft foods. We went back to the vet.

“It could be that it needs more antibiotics so we’ll try them for three weeks. But it could also be an infected tumor.”

The word hit me hard.

He’s too young, only 13. Old for his breed, but my last Aussie lived to be 16. He has three years left.

He had three days left. The first day, he stopped eating at all, even when I forced liquids on him. He grew weak, but he still followed me around. The following morning he could barely stand and we went back to the vet.

“We’ll give him IV fluids and antibiotics while we wait for the biopsy results.”

But I already knew the answer. A day later the vet called to tell me he was gone.

But, wait! He can’t be gone! I’m not ready. I still have three years with him...I don’t want to play this game anymore. This isn’t what we agreed to, is it?

Around me people are doing the same things they did a month ago. Going to work, school, parties, parks. The little stray dog who rescued me still wants to play. The guinea pig wants his lettuce. Can’t they see something is wrong?

He’s gone. She’s gone. Can’t you see the hole where they are missing? Can’t you see the hole in me? They’re gone...

I picked up my dog’s ashes today. The receptionist petted the box as she carried it to me. “Here you go, Woody. Your mama’s here. You can go home now.”

Deb, take care of my boy for me. Woody, don’t bark when you see her, you always scare her. Watch out for Deb ‘til we get there.

The box is so small. It doesn’t fill the hole in me. But my boy is home to stay.

Deb Fish
December 17, 1948 - April 2, 2009

Ridgerunner’s Ebony Woods
March 1996 - May 1, 2009

Fairy Follow Up

2009-01-24T11:26:00.001-08:00

It appears the holidays took over my life, as I quit posting once I got busy sewing. Since the last post shows some of the plotting for the fairy quilt, I'll start there. Want to see the finished project?

Instead of using one of the layouts I plotted in EQ6, my daughter used her graphics program to get her ideas across. I added the wavy seam between the borders so I could play with my new toy. I really love those Amy Brown blocks, and want to make one for myself.

New Toy!

2008-10-06T09:42:00.001-07:00

I am not a visual person. Well, I see things through a vague haze when planning a quilt. I have a hard time getting what's in my mind's eye onto paper, and then in fabric. So I splurged and bought EQ6.

What a kick! It will take me a while to learn, but this morning with the book open in front of me, I downloaded pictures of some Amy Brown fairy blocks and some fabric I recently purchased and began playing.

I wanted abstract. The recipient is not a traditional kind of gal. I scrolled through layouts until I found something that came close. Then I added fairies and fabric and came up with this:

I liked the blocks being offset, but the rest was a bit dull. So I moved fabric around.

I like this so much better! If I use the other new toy I got, the Wave Edge Ruler, on the straight edges, I'll like it even more.

I wasn't sure how to get rid of the little block and sashing lines in areas that won't be broken up, but I can visualize them not being there. I have a few more weeks before I'll actually make the quilt, so I might change my mind all together!

What do you think?

Art is...and other progress

2008-09-08T09:18:00.001-07:00

In the Fiber Art Traders group, we are making embellish felt leaves with inspiring messages to trade.

I first tried to needle felt some leaves with some orangish roving I had, but that turned out awful. I took the brown felt I had planned for backing and felted some baby camel wool onto the front. Loved the look, but since the brown felt is acrylic, the camel wool didn't stay attached. Thank goodness the silk yarn I sewed on for veins held most of it, and the beads and tag words helped.

My encouraging words are:
create/believe/achieve
art is/joy/beauty/life
be/creative/yourself
hope/create/believe

I think I like the "art is" group the best. I might have to do a series of pieces with those words.

The words are written on painted lutradur. It's a stiff but semi-sheer product with many uses. I wanted to see how it took paint from some paint pens I recently bought. It ended up a bit more opaque than I wanted. Next time I'll try thinned-down acrylics for a hint of color.

Another project I am working on is a quilt for my younger daughter to give her mother-in-law for Christmas. My daughter found a pattern online, then found some fabrics she liked. I ordered it all and this weekend, made a sample so they could see how it all worked. We (my daughter, son-in-law and I) agree that we like the dragonfly part, but not the borders. So, we've decided that an in-person meeting is needed to dig through my stash and see what we like best. I'll post another photo of what we decide!

Sunday Progress

2008-08-10T15:42:00.001-07:00

I got to play with fabric and fiber today, and had time enough to take photos and write about it. That's almost as close to a perfect day as I can get!

I finished another purse using appliqued drink glasses from Pat Sloan's "Five O'Clock Somewhere" pattern.

I used one of the embroidery stitches on my sewing machine that reminds me of streamers, it feels somewhat party-like.

Isn't this the perfect use for hunk fabric, lining a bag with it? Well, my daughter would say a better use is having it on the outside, but I'm thinking the older, more mature recipient of this bag will appreciate it's being inside where she can steal a peek with no one knowing.

I also got to cut and wind some fiber spools for a trade with the Fiber Art Traders group. The top left two are a mohair type and metallic blend, and next to them is a soy/wool blend. Bottom left is a silk/wool blend, center is wool, right is mohair. They'll go to 10 different swappers, and I'll get 10 in return. Can't wait to play with the new fiber I receive!

Kidnapped!

2008-08-08T09:17:00.000-07:00

My daughters decided my presence was necessary on their road trip to Las Vegas last weekend.

We filled Saturday with sight-seeing, as Andi, whose birthday we were celebrating, wanted to do more than just gamble and shop on this trip.

We started at Madam Tussauds.

When my younger daughter, Aspen, was in high school, everyone remarked on the resemblance between her and Cameron Diaz. When she smiles big enough, it can be shocking to suddenly see Cameron before you. I tease her and say she is channeling Cameron when she talks.

It is hard to believe I once resembled Lady Diana. She's only an inch taller than I, but she had on heels. (I wonder if I'll ever get my weight back down there!) My daughter Andi is a month younger than Prince William, and Aspen is a couple of months younger than Prince Harry, so I really felt connected to Diana.

I snapped this shot just because!

After Madame's, we wandered down to Sigfried and Roy's Secret Garden. At one time I had wanted to work with the big cats, so I really wanted to see what they had to show us. I was not disappointed.

They have a glassed-in enclosure where tiger cubs get socialized with handlers. There is a lot of glare on the glass, so getting a good photo can be hard. You are also aiming at a moving target most often, as they have the tendency to turn their heads at just the wrong moment.

This poor guy (gal?) had been trying to nap on a shelf, but a littermate decided it was time to play.

Finally, one of the white (there were 3 whites and one orange) cubs came over right in front of us and I was able to get a decent shot.

We wandered on to the large animal enclosures. Since it was 100+ degrees out and humid by Las Vegas standards most everyone was sleeping.

Won't this one make an awesome art quilt? These are white lions, as you can tell by the washed-out manes.

I sat down to rest by this guy, who seemed to sense my camera on him as he turned around almost immediately so I could catch his face.

We also hit the dolphin pools.

You can view the pools through plexiglass and watch the dolphins in action, or go to the second pool where a baby, his mother and older sister play.

At this point I was ready to all it a day. The misters and trees kept the animal enclosures somewhat comfortable, but the sun was just unbearable. We decided to head inside, the kids to gamble, and me to think about quilts to make from my photos.

An Addiction Begins

2008-07-29T10:01:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday I taught my daughter to use her sewing machine. Somehow I had it in my head that I was teaching her to make a tote bag, but it quickly kicked in that I had to teach her to sew first. From where to stand while rotary cutting (get your butt around this side!) to how far apart pins can be spread, we went step by step.

The results were amazing, don't you think?

She caught on to rolling the seams to seat them together, then pin, for a perfect joining.

On Sunday, she made a bag for her sister and added pockets, all with a few instructions over the phone by me. Talk about a quick study!

Monday night over the phone I introduced her to fabric acquisition. I gave her the URLs to my favorite fabric search engines, the FabShopHop and Quiltshops.com. Then I sent her over to Fabrics.com to check out sales. She ordered fabric for several Christmas gifts - tote bags, of course!

I don't know if I'll ever get her into quilting, but it is so fun to share my bag fetish with her. Watch for us to get an Etsy site soon, as our family isn't big enough for what we'll produce!

Quilters Helping Flood Victims

2008-07-16T09:09:00.000-07:00

I heard about how quilters are helping Iowa flood victims to replace their stashes. Some are raiding their own supplies, and others are buying their favorite lines/designer fabrics and patterns to send. I just got a newsletter featuring my favorite Bohemian Manor fabric at less than half-price, I think I have a new excuse to go shopping!

Read more about how you can help here.

Flower Quilt Motif

2008-07-06T18:32:00.000-07:00

See the pretty flower? It's centered on the dark purple square. I left paper here and there to make it easier to find the stitch lines. You'll probably have to click for the larger photo to see it.

This is a motif out of the book, The Art of Feather Quilting by Judy Allen. Love this book!

The borders on this quilt are free-motion feathers ala Sharon Schamber. All four of the purple squares have the flowers, as do the small pale squares within the wheel.

The four lighter diamonds have an enlarged version of the flower surrounded by feathers. In the center, there is an 8-pointed star, each point of which will have a feather motif from the book.

The outer light area is free-motioned with the curls seen in the first photo.
I have to decide tonight what to do in the wheel itself. I would like to do something that winds around the circle but am limited in the amount of room I have to work in. I'll probably do a vine with heart-shaped leaves, since it's something I know I can do. I am hoping to get this done and in the mail this week, so it can be displayed at a show, advertising a cancer auction coming up in October. I just hope it turns out good enough.

Flamboyance

2008-07-01T20:27:00.000-07:00

Pat Sloan asked in her blog what we are doing to add flamboyance in our lives. I thought it very apropos, since I have been trying to do just that since my friend Jennie lost her battle with cancer.

I've shown some of the photos here, but I have a stack of fabric waiting to be molded and shaped into the magic my muse has in store.

The most recent step was to make curtains for the little windows in one wall. The big windows all have white wooden blinds. I couldn't do anything that drab for these little ones.

Aren't they loud and wonderful? I want to do one project a week or so (it might take longer to figure out a slipcover for my chair) and I promise to add photos as I do.

Summer Treats

2008-06-26T13:55:00.000-07:00

An online quilt group I am in traded gifts for the summer solstice. These are the goodies I received from my birthday-twin Susie.

Such fun stuff, and all perfect for me!

That flip flop fat quarter was just screaming "new purse" so I found a coordinating lime green in my stash (I have almost as many lime green prints as I have lime green shoes!).

At my LQS, The Patchwork Penguin, I rummaged through the sale room and found those darling star buttons. The packaged set was called "Island Sunrise" which made it perfect for a summer flip flop purse. I had the bamboo handles waiting for just the right purse. I combined elements from some of the patterns I have made recently and came up with this.

While rummaging through the sale room I also grabbed some bolt ends of Jane Sassaman's Floral Fantasy fabric. Wait til you see my studio when I finish! I'll get photos of the curtains up here tomorrow, and the rest as I finish things.

Attack of the Giant Dust Bunny!

2008-06-23T09:20:00.000-07:00

I really need to vacuum more often!

Meet Clyde, my house bunny. He's litter box trained and we recently came to an agreement that his run wasn't big enough for a playful young bunny, so he now has the run of my studio apartment. The photo shows him having discovered he can get on top of the mess under the quilting frame. (I am rearranging everything, slowly, so there is a lot of chaos.)

I had to do some interesting things with cords, like the iron, and pick up the sewing machine foot pedal when not in use, and crawl on hands and knees to be sure no pins were lying around. My floor is cement, so at least they won't get buried in carpet.

Clyde has toys that he plays with. He loves anything he can toss in the air, or move with his nose. I gave him an empty plastic spool yesterday and could tell where he was hiding by following the sound of it repeatedly being dropped.

Happy Bunny!

Brassiere Redux

2008-06-18T20:04:00.001-07:00

As I mentioned, I needed to make another shopping bag for my daughter. I made a selection of 6 or 7, so she could give 4 to her friend and keep the rest for herself. When she saw the bra fabric, she asked if I had more. She wanted to give one to her friend and keep the other.

Hey, what mom can deny her offspring when they like something she made them?

And what mom can resist a bit of a prank when it comes to choosing the lining fabric?

Obviously, not this mom!

Leaves on Leaves

2008-06-18T15:09:00.000-07:00

It's so nice to scratch another one off the list!

I sewed down the last inches of the binding on the maple leaf quilt. I do have to make a label for it still, I always forget that step. But after a quick wash to get all of the thread bits left from all the frog-stitching I had to do while quilting this, I can fold it up and put it in the gift box.

I chose a meandering vine with heart shaped leaves. For some reason I can do heart shapes well, so I have a feeling a lot of quilts in the future will end up with this design.

Tonight I need to make one more bra bag (see the shopping bag photos) for my daughter, then work on some swaps. And take a photo of something, anything, so I have something to write about!

Almost Done

2008-06-08T19:29:00.000-07:00

Thanks to a UFO challenge, I have made some progress on one of the quilts I have in various stages of unfinished.

It surprises me to see how gorgeous some of these projects are, and I wonder how I kept setting this one aside. Another group I am in is collecting comfort quilts for a cancer center, and I will be giving this one up when I get it finished. As much as the colors please me, I hope they comfort someone in need.

This goes on the quilt frame this week, so by next weekend I hope to mark it "done"!

Sunny Bag

2008-06-02T10:36:00.000-07:00

I finished the June bag last night. Isn't it cheerful? I decided I needed to use it as a purse. It only has a cell phone pocket, though, which isn't enough organization for me. I made a glasses case for my sunglasses, and next weekend I will make an organizer like this one. Isn't that handy? Then I can easily switch from bag to bag to match my shoes, or my mood, or whatever!

Sunday's List

2008-06-01T09:34:00.000-07:00

I am a list maker, are you? The best part of doing anything is being able to cross it off the list.

A friend detailed her quilting list went step by step, including sashing, binding and label. (Hey, I might remember to label quilts that way!) I am trying that now and find I get a lot more done, at least on paper!

The first project today is a new shopping bag made from the scraps from a spring charm swap last year. The red square is from the swap, and will add a nice "pop" to the softer colors.

The rest of my sewing time will be divided between the quilt on the frame and the jeans quilt. I have a UFO that has to be finished by the end of the month for a challenge, so I will get at least one step done there.

I also list the cleaning and gardening and such that needs doing, because otherwise I would forget them until I see dishes in the sink at 9 pm, or a poor potted plant withering in the early morning light as I run to the car on Monday morning.

My life has gotten rich enough now, though, that I don't have to pad my lists with things like shaving my legs and washing my hair. Not that I remember to do those all the time, but my lists are now long enough that I don't want to get overwhelmed.

Off to start my sewing!

Saturday Results

2008-06-01T09:22:00.001-07:00

My sewing on Saturday started according to plan. I got the remaining shopping bags done for my daughter and her friend.

The lefthand three in the back were already done. My daughter has a fun sense of style, so the loud ones and the bra fabric are for her.

I then checked my list. I was supposed to quilt the project on the frame, and work a few steps more of a UFO that's in a challenge. But when I got to the cutting tabe, this bag sat glaring at me.

It contained the jeans circles and flannel squares that I had cut out over the last few years to make a quilt for my daughter.

Organizational tip of the day:
If you finish a project or use up some fabric, you don't have to find a place to put it.

It's going together rather quickly, I think. I didn't draw my squares big enough and had sewed the first seams before I realized why that was a problem. Some of the flaps might not be the same size, but this is a throw-in-the-car-just-in-case quilt made from my daughter's old jeans, so it's not worth stressing over.

On to Sunday!

The Ruler Method

2008-05-28T14:53:00.001-07:00

A friend recently mentioned using the ruler method, as described here to store fabric. I tried it with a few pieces and decided the folded fabric really does take up less space than when I just fold it as it comes out of the bag or box. I told myself that as soon as I had something better to use than totes for storing the fabric, I would redo all my fabric.

I got bored last night so I went ahead and refolded a tote-full of fabric. I now have room to spare in the tote, and I have the fabric grouped for easier access. One stack is stuff to be used together, one stack is miscellaneous pieces, and the third stack (yes, I get three stacks in my tote!) is backing pieces.

I have some shopping bags to get mailed this week, but as soon as I do, I will start folding my remaining tote and adding it to the rest. In theory, this means I'll empty a tote-full of fabric sooner than if I sewed it all up. Does that mean I can start buying fabric that much sooner?

It was tempting, but instead I made a list of what makes up most of the "goes together" stack. When I finish with those, plus a few other already-planned quilts, then I'll let myself shop.

On that list I wrote down the name of the pattern I planned to use with the chosen fabric sets. Now I have now excuse to spend my day browsing for a pattern when I could be sewing.

Hmm, I think my next list should be the patterns I have printed to make someday, and see what fabric I have that would work with them. When I get ready to make one I will know what fabric to buy already.

Wow, this is starting to get scary! What will happen to the world as we know it, if I become completely organized in my quilting? I shudder to think.

Made From Stash

2008-05-28T14:37:00.000-07:00

Over Memorial Weekend I got some projects finished, or close to. I am trying to sew from my stash, at least until I use one tote worth of fabric. I am rather pleased with how much I can make with why I have here.

I admit, my first project, a table runner, was made with purchased 5" charms, but the fabric was perfect for a Christmas gift. I did find the binding and backing in my stash.

I did the last three rounds on a Roosting Robin (made like a round robin, only you do it all yourself).

This is a bit scrappier than the designer had in mind, but I like it anyway. The pattern is from Quilts by Kos. The top is done and it's waiting for quilting. How long can it go before it's considered a UFO?

The other project I finished is the May bag in the BQL Challenge. (I'm not putting their link here as they aren't accepting new challenge members).

This bag is made using Insulbrite so you can carry your cold and frozen items from the grocery store. It has a zipper closure. The bow ties are 3-D, which give it a really fun look!

Comfort

2008-05-01T20:23:00.000-07:00

I don't know who decided that we should outgrow our need for a blankie, but I don't think I ever will. It's probably why I started crocheting afghans, and while I quilt because I'm a fabriholic, having one on my lap while I sew on the binding is one of the most comforting feelings.

The quilts made by friends, or round robins made with friends, are a special treat. Favorite fabrics, quilts made for special occasions, they all have a calming effect.

My first quilt that I made for myself is now in the possession of my dog. A lot of people might find that odd, but they don't understand.

Look how he is lying, almost as though he can't touch his bed, only his quilt. That blanket has been his constant companion in each of the six places we've called home in the last four years. I take it with us when he and I go visiting, so he knows his place.

This dog has been the only constant in my life for the past twelve years. Well, he and the brown furry tiger blanket my brother gave me for Christmas almost thirty years ago. I'll do everything I can to see to his comfort as he has mine. Everything short of offering him the tiger blanket.

One day he'll be gone, but I'll still have his quilt to warm me and comfort me when his loss weighs me down. The memory of its use won't outlast me, but maybe the quilt will bring comfort to someone new when I am gone. Whether two-legged or four, the feeling is the same.

I am home, I am loved.

"Must Hug in Person"

2008-04-28T14:26:00.000-07:00

My dear friend Kay informed me today that I am on her "must hug in person" list.

We were mourning the loss of an online quilting friend, Jennie Sherlock. Neither Kay, nor I, had been able to attend the large gatherings in the past with our quilty friends, and Jen's passing has made us realize how important it is to make that happen next year at Jamboree '09.

The recent movie "Bucket List" has people talking about the things you want to do before you die. I was having a hard time forming a mental list, as there aren't many experiences or places that are of major importance to me. The trips I would take revolve around people, either friends I want to meet in person, or visit the places that my ancestors called home.

Kay summed it up best, though. My bucket list would include the friends who share my life but who live too far away to sit down to coffee with. The people whom I must hug in person to have felt my life is complete.

Collecting Fabric

2008-04-21T09:36:00.000-07:00

What is it about fabric that make sit so hard to actually use it?

I buy two categories of fabric. No, three. First, fabric for a specific purpose. Second, a print so wonderful I can't live without it. Third, a great sale that is bound to be useful someday, or would make a perfect backing.

The specific purpose fabric gets used, of course. Most often, it's used for its original intention, unless something else comes along before I finish the intended project.

The second bunch is the hardest to use. Once sewn, it's gone. What if later I find a better project for it, and I don't have it anymore? I have a few totes worth of this fabric.

The last bunch seems like it would be the easiest to use, but sometimes it's much harder. Again, I worry about a better suit in a later project. If I was thinking backing, I am afraid to use some and not have enough for backing later. It's as if I think there is a limited amount of fabric on the earth.

This tote is made of second and third group fabric. The main print was a discount bolt, 50% off if you buy the bolt. I loved it, so I got what was left. I was saving it for a gorgeous quilt someday.

The blue was bought with another had-to-have fabric as the perfect coordinate. I made a purse of out of some of the other fabrics but was saving this to make a small quilt with the leftovers of the other.

The green was a sale print that goes with many of the colors I normally buy.
I love how they work together, and I have large enough pieces left to do something with.

As I finished that tote and looked at the overflowing remaining stash, I realized I could cut down a good portion of it by making quick and easy 1-yard shopping bags. Then I could organize what I had and maybe find some wonderful pairings for an amazing quilt.

Then I took a deep breath and calmed myself back down. Don't you realize how much energy it will take to cut into some of these fabrics? What if I find the perfect pattern two months later, and don't have enough fabric left?

Pattern, that reminds me. I have a box full of perfect patterns printed off the internet, just waiting to be used. The problem is, I no longer remember what fabric they were perfect for, and I probably have cut into some of those bigger pieces...

Collage Mania II

2008-03-27T08:15:00.000-07:00

Have you heard about Collage Mania II? Virginia Spiegel is holding her annual fundraiser for the American Cancer Society on May 5 & 6, 2008. Two of my collages have been accepted by Virginia to be available to donors. You can read more about how it works here.

Single Breasted Suits

Years ago while watching a talk show, I saw a breast cancer survivor who had gotten a beautiful rose tattoo over her mastectomy scar, and often wore garments to show off the tattoo. I was in awe of this person who realized her body was more than the sum of its parts, and she embraced what must have been a painful memory.

After my mother's mastectomy, she didn't go so far as to get a tattoo, but when she almost lost her prosthetic breast at a junior high concert, she decided that empty pouch in her bra could be put to much better use, such as holding her cell phone.

I dedicate Single Breasted Suits all breast cancer survivors.
Size: 10"x8". Mounted on bristol board, signed, dated and ready to frame. Materials: hand-dyed cotton, polyester, rubber stamp, ribbon, llama wool, pigma pen and watercolor pencils.

la belle vie (a beautiful life)

While working in Springfield, MO, I met a vibrant young man who welcomed everyone into his life. He was a chef, but his bold laughter and omnipresent smile nourished our souls as much as his food did our palate.

Dan recently lost his battle with throat cancer. He's gone from our sight, but his memories will sustain us until we can gather around his table once again.

Thank you for allowing me into your beautiful life, Dan.

Size: 10"x8". Mounted on bristol board, signed, dated and ready to frame. Materials: hand-dyed cotton, computer printing on cloth, cotton and rayon fiber.

National Quilting Day...Er, Weekend

2008-03-18T08:23:00.000-07:00

Saturday March 15th was National Quilting Day, so I pushed aside all other distractions like chores and got some work done of quilty projects.

I started Friday after work and got most of the sewing done on some pillowcases. Running out of top thread and then bobbin in quick succession told me it was time to sleep instead.

Last year, a friend passed along some fabric from a woman who was retiring from quilting (can it really be done? retire from quilting?), with the stipulation that it was to be used for charity. I work with a group who makes quilts for veterans, so my friend sent masculine colors. I got these cut out last year, but it took until this weekend to actually finish two almost identical quilt tops. They can now be sent off for quilting.

The vertical sashing is a border print that I received already cut into 4.5" widths. 4 10-yard pieces of 4.5" strips!

These are four fabric post cards I made for a swap with a great group of fiber artists who inspire me to try new things. I haven't had time to actually try those new things yet, though. I was down to the wire and the theme was tea, lace and roses with Victorian tea party mentioned. Since I was working too close to the deadline, I went with crazy quilt.

To be honest, I had to finish the embroidery on Monday night after work, so it made for a 4-day weekend.

The quickest project I worked on is one that is also close to my heart. Three years ago my baby girl got married. Although I had only been quilting for a few months, had made only a couple of quilts, I had to make her a wedding quilt. A Double Wedding Ring wedding quilt. I thought, I sew curves all the time in garment making. I can to this!

That quilt turned out rather sorry, but was filled with love. In the ring opening, I used a template with a Celtic chain of hearts. The one smart thing I did was test my quilting before I started on the quilt.

I saved that test, and this weekend I added a binding to it. It shows my lack of experience, and some of the blue marking pen lines that I didn't wash off. But it will always be special to me as a reminder of my baby girl's big day.

Quilt Green Challenge

2008-03-10T17:21:00.000-07:00

Quilting Arts Magazine is hosting a Go Green Challenge for quilters. It involves making a 5"x5" mini quilt with recycled items, nothing purchased just for the project.

In the current (February/March 2008) issue of the magazine, there is an intriguing article by Natalya Aikens on recycled quilting. She suggests making weekly journal quilts from repurposed materials.

I decided to try my hand at using found items for a few weeks, then entering one in the magazine challenge. Here's the first:

I used rummage sale ugly fabric for the backing, green dryer lint for the batting. The green was so pretty I didn't want to hide it, so I added small trimmings of cotton fabrics from my waste basket, some pink used gift wrap and shreds of gold, copper and raspberry paper from chocolate wrappers.

To help hold it all in place, I added a tea-dyed crocheted doily from an estate sale. (Oh, I just looked at the photo again and realized what I need to do with the other half of the doily!)

My doctor has advised me I need to be kinder to my body to the tune of 50 pounds (well, 40, now!) and the chocolate was smuggled into my body after my last check up. I decided to include the wrappers in some art, as the beautiful packaging is not helping my packaging become more beautiful.

I call this quilt "Waist Not."

Eco Quilting

2008-03-10T09:09:00.000-07:00

I think I mentioned before that I am trying to live more mindfully. In quilting, I am looking for earth-friendly ways to keep the passion going. I am starting with batting choices.

I use cotton batting most often, mainly because I love the feel. Cotton is renewable, but if it's not organic, you have tons of chemicals involved in growing it. I used to live next to fields and would be so sick when defolient was sprayed just before time to pick.

Alongside organic cotton batting made by several companies, you can now get bamboo blend batting. Fairfield has a line of 50% bamboo, 50% organic cotton. I used that batting in this quilt:

I have to say, when I pulled the batting out of the roll to let it air before using, it was the softest stuff! I wanted to just curl up with the batt, forget putting fabric around it.

When I got over that urge, I put the quilt on the frame and got to work. This batting is as thin or thinner than 100% cotton, has a light scrim that kept its shape beautifully. The quilt itself is very lightweight, a nice spring feel on the bed. I think this might become a new favorite batting, although I have a cotton/silk blend and cotton/wool blend to test still. There is also a line of corn-based poly that I am curious about.

Fairfield's bamboo products are available through Joann's; use your coupons to bring the price down, as it costs a bit more than cotton and poly lines.

YLI has a new line of organic cotton thread, although it's only available in white and natural that I can find. Maybe if we all start buying and asking for more colors, we'll get them. I found it for sale at Keepsake Quilting.

Next I want to find organic cotton fabric. The more we use, the more they produce, right? If quilters start demanding organics, the prices will come down and the variety will go up. And we'll all live a bit better without the chemicals. (Sorry, my SoCal nature-girl is showing)

By the way, the pattern for the quilt above is from Paula at Coffee Time Quilt Studio. Isn't it a fun design?

Pass It Forward

2008-02-22T21:14:00.000-08:00

I opened the mailbox today and found a squishy in there from my friend Yvonne in Washington. I had forgotten all about being the first to comment on her blog the morning she posted the Pass It Forward Game.

So, now it's my turn. Here are the rules:

"The first three people to comment on this post will receive a gift from me, sometime within the next 365 days.Who knows when it will turn up, or what it will be, but rest assured, it will arrive. All you have to do is promise to make the same declaration on your blog, and send out gifts to three of your lovely readers. Easy Peasy."

Who's it going to be? And what will they find in their mailboxes?

A Lesson In Values Part 2

2008-02-22T21:06:00.000-08:00

I just finished the second Spring Breeze top by Dorothy Young Designs and had to snap a photo so I could let you compare it with the first one, below. As I mentioned in Part 1, I picked too wide a range of light values in the first top, with some being too close to my mediums, so the design was lost.

As you can see in this one, I got it right. Well. almost. Can you see the spot where I swapped two pieces? I can, but only when I look in the photo. Oh, well, I am glad I too the photo before I quilted the thing!

I love the whirling designs in this pattern. I will have to make at least one more, out of non-holiday fabric, this time.

Finish Something!

2008-02-17T17:40:00.001-08:00

I was suffering a bit of quilty ADD yesterday and wanted to get started on some of the many new projects I have on hand. Yet, the cutting table was still buried and the quilt frame had an untouched quilt still sitting on it. So, I told myself I had to finish something before I could start another.

The quilting went quickly. I did a continuous line row of trees, very Christmassy, and I was pleased with myself for trying something new.

I had to remind myself I was stitching trees, not soldiers. It was okay that they weren't uniform, and if the "ground" was uneven. Still, an occasional Charlie Brown tree turned up in the lot.

This is the Spring Breeze pattern by Dorothy Young Designs, without the border to continue the design, since my irregular light values made the pattern hide. I still love the look, though, lots of fun scrappy Christmas fabrics.

I had to share the back, too. The dot fabric on the sides is the light value in the second quilt I am making from this pattern. That one looks the way it was designed. I'll share a photo as soon as it is done.

One Can Never Have Too Many Purses

2008-02-15T13:41:00.001-08:00

I've been going a little overboard, I guess, with purses. I want to make one from every piece of fabric I own, or see in the stores. And there are so many patterns out there, have to try them all at least once.

I started with a nice romantic one for my sis-in-law, and planned to make one like it for my mom. This is the Laurianne pattern from Moonlight Design.

While I had the pattern out, I made one for myself in wild and fun fabric.

Before I could make mom a nice romantic one, I saw the Gracie pattern from Lazy Girl Designs. It just looked like something my mom would have carried back in the day.

I found this have-to-have fabric, a coordinate that has the same lavender tinting the little stars, and from my stash pulled out the rest of the fabrics.

I made sure to buy enough that I can make one for myself. There will be leftover,s too, so I can make a lap quilt. I just need to find some teal to match, to bring out that color in the quilt.

I've been tagged! Me-Me, 7 things about me.

2008-02-10T08:59:00.000-08:00

Linda tagged me, so here goes.

The rules:

1. When tagged, place the name of the person and URL on your blog

2. Post the rules on your blog

3. Write 7 things about yourself

4. Name 7 of your favorite weblogs

5. Send an e-mail letting those bloggers know they have been tagged

About me:

1. I began sewing as a kid, making stuffed critters out of Mom's scraps. I didn't begin to quilt until about 5 years ago, and the first quilt I made was a photo quilt for my sister's 50th birthday.

2. I was one of the original Valley Girls, born in the San Fernando valley of CA, although I grew up in the surrounding suburbs. When Moon Zappa's song was released way back when, my mom swore they'd recorded phone calls of my best friend and me.

3. I am a published author, trying to make my way into the romance genre.

4. I once had a job doing oil changes & lubes at a truck stop. I had to paint my finger nails dark puple to hide the grease stains under my nails.

5. (This is hard, who wants to know this stuff?) Nine months out of the year, I am watching auto racing of almost any kind while quilting.

6. I have never been out of the country, even though my grandmother lived an hour above the Mexican border for the first 30 years of my life.

7. I am currently exploring the world of fiber art beyond traditional quilting, and hope to have photos to share here soon.

Favorite weblogs: Chania, Sarah, Tara, Kathy, Rhonda, Grace, Joy.

A Lesson in Values

2008-01-30T11:36:00.001-08:00

I am working on two versions of Spring Breeze by Dorothy Young Designs. The pattern is great, but I am disappointed in my fabric choices for the first one.

The lights I used were of different enough values that the pattern is lost. Actually, in all three values there is too much of a range to really make the design pop. You'll see the difference when I get the second one on the design wall, as I used the same mediums and darks, but used one fabric for all the lights.

This will be a Christmas gift and the recipient loves scrappy, so I know it'll be loved. And now I know that those nickel charm sets you can buy are not a good choice to start with in a pattern needing light, medium and darks.

Green Bags Tutorial

2008-01-26T10:23:00.001-08:00

While making cloth shopping bags, it occurred to me that to be really "green", I should use my scraps. This was inspired by my quilty friend, Linda, who challenged everybody to use their scraps. I started sorting and trimming, making 5, 4 & 3" squares, 2 1/2" strips and putting anything that didn't fit into a pile.

I quickly realized I could fill a year sorting and get nothing used! Going against my nature, I forced myself to grab and sew.

I started with some ugly fabric I bought at a rummage sale for $1 a yard. You can also use old sheets or large scraps, as this will be the lining. I used my Trader Joe's shopping bag as a guide.

Cut two rectangles 16" x 12", two 16"x 6", one 12" x 6" and two 2" x 16".

Cut interfacing to match, and iron the interfacing to the back of everything. I left the interfacing in the seam allowances for extra sturdiness. Set the 2" x 16" pieces aside, as you won't be covering them with fabric.

Reach in the scrap bin and pull out a scrap, laying it face up on the interfacing side of a large rectangle. Place another scrap face down on top of the first, sew with 1/4" seam allowance, and trim the second scrap.

Press open. Continue adding pieces until the interfacing is covered. If necessary, sew small pieces together to make a long enough strip before attaching to your block.

Turn the block lining side up and trim. Save any large pieces and toss them back in your scraps.

You can place your first scrap on an angle or use odd shaped starters to add interest.

Continue adding and trimming until you have covered your front and back, two sides and bottom pieces.

Matching short ends, sew a side piece to either end of the bottom. If your machine doesn't automatically, back-tack at the start and finish of your seams for stability. Don't press seams yet.

Pin the seams to the corners of your front piece and sew using 1/4" seam allowance. Attach back piece the same way.

Turn right side out and fold along each seam and press. Along top edge, turn a 1/4" hem to inside and press. Turn a 1/2" hem, press and topstitch around top edge.

Topstitch 3/8" from edge along side and bottom seams, encasing the seam allowance in a French seam. This will allow your bag to stand on it's own to be filled, which should make your bagger happy!

On the two handle pieces, turn 1/4" along the long edges toward interfacing side and press. Fold again matching pressed edges and topstitch 1/8" along both long sides.

Find center of top edge of the front and back piece and mark 1-1/2" on either side. Line up your handles along these marks with raw edges at the top of bag and pin. There should be 3" between handle ends. Sew in place.

Fold handles toward top, leaving 1/2" turned under, covering the raw edge. Sew close to folded edge and again close to top.

That's it! In theory, your thread and interfacing are the only "new" items you've used. You could try batting scraps in place of interfacing, or skip the interfacing, for a completely "green" bag. I wanted the extra sturdiness of the interfacing, though.

I made several of these using flannel-backed vinyl remnants I found dirt cheap at Joann's. No lining, and assembled in the same way except I didn't turn under seam allowance in the handles, just left the raw edges along one seam.

Since so many stores will be banning plastic bags (a good thing!), I encourage you all to make yourself some shopping bags. Use orphan blocks, scraps, or the too thin fabric you ordered by mail. Have a sew-in with friends and share your scraps. Buy a few old sheets at the thrift store. These would be great at bazaars and fundraisers, wouldn't they?

Happy Scraps

2008-01-23T09:31:00.000-08:00

I love scrap quilts, when someone else makes them.

On the other hand, I have two Christmas scrap quilts that I made and love, and have two more in the works with the Spring Breeze Pattern by Dorothy Young Designs.

I just seem to have this mental block that makes me feel they are less of a quilt. I am working on this!

I recently finished a very happy quilt with some orphan blocks and scraps that went a long way toward improving my feeling about them. I had some blocks made for projects where the blocks hadn't turned out as planned, but they were great blocks. I also had some half-square triangles made from corners cut off those blocks.

Using my design wall I began placing blocks in an area smaller than a twin batting. Then I measured space in between the blocks and filled as needed. I chose clear colors as they seem more cheerful, and as the spaces filled, I grew to love it more and more.

The quilt was to be a gift, so it was very important for me to love it. I can be very apologetic about a gift if I am not happy with it. (I am working on this, too!) When I had finished quilting and binding, my love for it blossomed.

Most importantly, the recipient love it, and has often been seen sitting beneath it, stroking the fabrics. Isn't that what we want for our quilts, to have them petted and loved?

It looks happy, don't you think?

Feathering My Nest

2008-01-22T09:52:00.000-08:00

It started with a piece of fabric. While shopping with quilting friends in Missouri, I found this amazing rooster toile by Alexander Henry. I fell in love, and loved it enough to add it to the single tote of "keep" fabric when I moved back to California.

A year or two later, an online quilt group held a block round robin where we started with 9 fabric charms to send around to four friends, each of whom added a border as directed. I had only one request of my group, to steer away from red. Although I had purchased a red toile, I am not found of true reds, although the bluer shades are okay.

I was delighted with how my robin blocks turned out! I knew I wanted to pick up the deeper reds in the toile, so choosing sashing fabric was easy, especially when I found a feathery-looking leaf print. There was enough of the toile left for an 8" border, for a final quilt size of 86"x86".

The decision to quilt it with a feather design was a natural choice. The problem was I have not learned to do proper feathers. My aim in life right now is to do everything mindfully, living consciously in the moment. To apply that to quilting, I want to enjoy the process and experience the improvement as I grow as a quilter.

That was a big step to take in a project that people may see in person. Do I make this my practice piece? Do I rip out my mistakes and keep trying until I get it right?

After spending a good chunk of my day at Road to California, the largest Southern California quilt show, I loaded my New Joy quilt frame with the project and threaded my Juki TL98Q. I took out my manual of the moment, The Art of Feather Quilting by Judy Allen. I practiced drawing feathers until I felt I had the rhythm.

Going to my quilt frame, I pulled up my chair and began. Horribly. I did not have the rhythm, I had a mess. In frustration I just did some free-motion loops and curlicues down the rest of the row, turned off the machine and watched TV for the night.

The next morning, I found an online video demonstrating feather quilting and saw my mistake. I remembered learning once before to make each loop from the bottom, not from the top. I went back to the quilt and made a decision. I was going to learn to do feathers by practicing, and this would be a practice quilt.

I did row after undulating row of feathers, paying attention to the process, not the result. I thought about what the quilt needed just ahead of where I was stitching. Where was the spine curving? How much space is there between the spine and the previous row or the edge of my quilting "window", right in this spot? Are there any imperfections in the quilt top that need to be worked in?

The finished project is not perfect, but my only goal was to show improvement between the first and last rows. That is does.

After machine sewing on the first edge of the binding, I sat on my bed to hand stitch the other side. Spreading my new quilt over my lap I had a sudden splash of delight wash over me. I had a new quilt, just for me! A rooster quilt, with a fabric I loved, backed with a field of chickens that no one will see but I will know are there. A quilt made with friends, who will forever be with me when I curl up under the weight of their fabrics.

Years from now when I look at the imperfections in this project I can smile, knowing they do not show my inability to make proper feathers. They show I am capable of letting go of the need for perfection and allowing myself to grow.

Drea Dawn's Red Sky at Night

2007-09-06T12:28:00.000-07:00

My daughter, Andrea Dawn, wanted an orange lap quilt to go with her sunset scene comforter set. Orange makes me cringe, but I agreed. While choosing fabrics, I found myself choosing blenders with lots of fuchsia, another sunset color. The comforter features palm trees in black, so I added black for a little contrast.

The overall design uses blended nine-patch blocks for a feel of clouds at sunset. This quilt was a real stretch for me, flying blind, adding blocks to the design wall and seeing what was needed next. I was pleased with the results, though!