Blog Hop Alert

A Quilting Secrets Blog Hop begins tomorrow, New Year's Eve, and it sounds to me like a neat way to begin a quilty New Year.  Mrs. Pickles has organized this event so please visit her blog to learn all about it.  http://mrspicklesgarden.blogspot.co.uk/
Here's the schedule:

Christine from http://www.quiltmonstercloset.com December 31st
Linda from http://buzzingandbumbling.blogspot.com/ January 1st
Barbara from http://catpatches.blogspot.com January 2nd
Melissa from http://blog.sewbittersweetdesigns.com/ January 3rd
Sharon from http://vroomansquilts.blogspot.ca/ January 4th
Sue from http://quilttimes.blogspot.com January 5th
Hayley from http://mrspicklesgarden.blogspot.com January 6th

I'll be checking in because I'm nosy and want to know their secrets ;-)  And I could definitely benefit from them! 

Yesterday I spent almost the entire day cleaning and somewhat organizing my little sewing room.  I filled one trash bag with trash and one trash bag to donate to Savers, and I can now walk into the room without having to follow a narrow path.  I am not a hoarder; I am a fabric freak, and there is a difference.  It is so much nicer in there. 

Hope we all have a healthy and happy New Year. 

 

God Bless You.

FMQ Challenge - December Finale

 

A year ago I joined SewCalGal's FMQ Challenge.  http://sewcalgal.blogspot.com/   It's been a year of a new exercise each month presented by a different expert in Free Motion Quilting.   Whether I did the challenge well or not, I learned something from each expert, such as advice on lighting, thread, needles, and even the advice most given, enjoy the process. 

 

My star above was going pretty well, except one point is short.  I think it looks alot like a starfish. 

 

I did not make a quilt with my swatches, but most often have used them for placemats or mugrugs, but I did lay most of them out to take a picture. 

 

 

 

What have I learned about my own fmq style?  I have to like the design in order to put the effort into making it look good.  I think that means I will never have a fmq business, but I really didn't see one in my future anyway.  For my own quilts, I have moved up a bit in skill, and that's what I hoped to achieve. 

 

Thank you to SewCalGal for organizing this challenge.  She really has an outstanding talent in this kind of thing, what with getting the experts involved and the sponsors support.  And she quilts, too!  Please visit her blog, click on the ads, leave a nice comment, and join in one of the quilting adventures. 

And by the way,

Wesolych Swiat Bozego Narodzienia

i

szczesliwego Nowego Roku!

 

That's Merry Christmas and Happy New Year in Polish (without the accents.)

Christmas Quilt Along, December

This is it for 2012's Christmas QAL.  Thank you so much to Sue of Quilt Times http://quilttimes.blogspot.com/ who began this adventure.  Even though I'm in my sixties (yikes, me?)  I was really a newbie to the quilting world when I joined in the qal three years ago.  My home is now covered (literally) with many of the things I made on these second Saturdays. 

 

My polar bear and penquin wall hanging is waiting for me to get the hooks in the wall so it can be it's stunning self.

 

My Scatty Stars quilt hangs on the back post of my bed.  Looks great there, too.

 

 

I made this runner last year, I think.  There is more, but you get the gist.

 

This year's cross stitch is unfinished but I only have two sections to go and then it's done.

Last but most certainly anxiously awaited is the Festive Mystery Quilt, sandwiched, pinned, rolled and waiting for this quilter to get to the sewing machine and finish it. 

• I don't seem to have much to show off from this past year, but I have unfinished blocks and quilts that I plan on getting to come 2013.  Would anyone be interested in joining me for a "Let's Finish Those Projects" day once a month?   I definitely need one. 
• God Bless You.
 

 



Thank You and Here's My Block

 

  Thank you to Paula the Quilter for sharing a link that has the solution to my issue.  I resized some pictures and was able to upload again.  Read Paula's comment in the previous post.  Thanks again, Paula.

 

I bought two new dies for Sizzix, a tree and a deer, and put together this block for my quilt hanger.  The snow is batting and it works great as snow.  I really love my little Sizzix. 

 

God Bless.

Need Help

Blogger will not let me upload any more pictures because they say I have used up all of  my space.  I can get more space by buying it, something I do not want to do.  Does anyone know of a work around or of a different place that will host a blog for free? 

 

Any advice will be appreciated.

 

I have a really cute block I want to show you!

 

God Bless.

November Christmas QAL 1 and Thank You's

Sue of Quilt Times http://quilttimes.blogspot.com/  is hosting this November Christmas QAL.  I want to know where the time went!  Boy, I feel as if these months keep going by faster and faster.  So today I will enjoy the gorgeous November day we are having here and hopefully get some stitching done.

 

I have several Thank You's I want to mention.  First one is to Elizabeth of Sand and Sunshine http://sandandsunshine.blogspot.com/ who hosted the October Christmas QAL and from whom I won this terrific pincushion.

Elizabeth, I told you it would get used right away.  Thank you for this cute win.

Second is to SewCalGal http://sewcalgal.blogspot.com/ from whom I won the pattern and fabric to make a wine vest.

It isn't made yet but I'll get to it soon.  It's that time thing I mentioned earlier:)  These vests are so neat and useful.  Thank you, SewCalGal.  Please note that SewCalGal has a Friday giveaway each week. 

 

My third thank you is to Donna of So Sew Crafty http://sosewcrafty.blogspot.com/.  Donna posted about a giveaway during the September QAL and I went over to the site and entered.  And I won for becoming a follower of the site.  So Donna, thanks for sharing the info.  I know that when bloggers share about giveaways it increases the competition.  But the more giveaways we enter the better our chances are of winning something we can use so it's a nice thing to do.

 

Fourth is my Thank You to Barbara H. Cline and C&T Publishing, from whom I won the prize about which Donna posted.

 

 

There isn't any reason why I can't make one of the beautiful quilts in the Simply Triangles book because I have the ruler and the instructions.  And I intend to make one in the coming year.   Barbara's blog is at   http://www.quiltingal.blogspot.com .  Her quilts are treasures.  Thank you, Barbara. 

 

So what am I going to work on today?  My cross stitch project from Point De Croiz novalee02  http://novalee02.over-blog.com/ .

 

I stayed up late last night working on it.  So today and tomorrow are cross stitching days, hopefully. 

 

And the Christening Dress and Cape are completed.  In my humble opinion the pictures don't do it justice.

 

 

 I think that a baby filling them out will make them look even better:)

 

See you later.

God Bless.



Pumpkin Patch and Treasure Chest Quilt Top

This block is named Pumpkin Patch.  It was designed by Debbie Field of Granola Girl Designs and was published in Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Vol.3.  I've loved this block since I saw it and finally got around to putting it together.

The Tresure Chest quilt top is done.  Maybe I'm unusual, but yesterday it took me over 8 hours to make the flying geese borders, and most of that time was spent squaring up.  Very tedious and because I was running out of fabric I altered the sashing from 4.5 " to 3" so instead of 4 groups of 8 geese I have 4 groups of 7 geese on the long sides.

We are expecting an unwelcome visitor tomorrow in Hurricane Sandy.  Hopefully the dire scenarios won't occur and we'll all just get a little wet and windblown. 

God Bless You.



Work on Treasure Chest Quilt

I spent yesterday sewing together the blocks for the Treasure Chest Quilt.  I wanted to continue making the flying geese border but don't have white fabric so it is on hold for now.  However, I just love the purple sashing.  Has it really been a year since I began this quilt? 

 

I also completed part 4 of the Christmas SAL and will be cross stitching the Santa section next.

 

Today I cut out the Christening cape. 

 

Everything is on schedule. 

 

God Bless You.

Sewing for a Princess and Getting to Know My Sewing Machine

My sewing machine and I have been together for maybe eight or more years but it still holds surprises for me.  I was looking something up in the owner's manual when I spotted a topic that interested me; "How to sew square corners."  What I learned is that there are two notches on the plate that indicate when the fabric is reaching the 5/8 " mark, the usual apparel seam allowance.  By knowing this, you can turn the fabric in the same spot for every corner and your seam allowance is the same on both sides of the corner.   I never knew about those notches, even after all of the times I've replaced bobbins, etc.  And I love them.  I used them when I sewed the Christening dress back and they do work great. 

I've also been using feet I only use occasionally, namely the rolled hemmer and the buttonholer.  The dress now has a perfect rolled hem.  The buttonholes are not so perfect.  The piping bumps prevented the foot from sewing forward and so I have a little hand sewing to do on them, but not too much. 

The online store from whom I ordered the wool crepe let me know yesterday that they sold out of the fabric (after placing the charge on my card; bad business practise if you ask me), so today I bought white velvet for the cape.  Is there a princess in the house?

This is the dress so far:

 

 I've been auditioning placement of the lace appliques.

 

 

 I think the second version is what we're going with although I would like to see something at the waist. 

 

I'm happy about the progress I've made. 

Now on to some cross stitching.

 

God Bless You.



More Dress Progress

 

The plan to use lace at the neckline was abandoned and I added piping instead.  Because the fabric is cut on the diagonal, I am now dangerously close to have very little left to play with, so let's hope all goes well.  I cut the bonnet fabric so that should be all set.

 

I hand sewed in the sleeves today and will machine stitch them in later, but it's looking good.

 

 

I'm done for today.  Buttonholes next, then the skirt.  Life better not get in my way:)

 

I wanted to say Thank You again to Elizabeth of Sand and Sunshine  http://sandandsunshine.blogspot.co.uk/ for the having us over to her place yesterday for the Christmas QAL.  Elizabeth has informed me that I'm the lucky winner of the pincushion, so that makes my day.  I don't use just one pincushion because I sew all over the house so I can certainly use another.  Thanks, Elizabeth.

 

 I made so much progress on this project because we have this QAL so a big Thank You to Sue of Quilt Times  http://quilttimes.blogspot.com also for starting this up some 3 years ago.  Some day I'm going to go back and count up all of the things I've made during our second Saturdays just so I can amaze myself.  It's alot.  Thanks Sue.

 

God Bless You.



October Christmas QAL 2; Pretty Sleeves

I've got the sleeves put together.  They will have a ribbon around the top of the lace and a bow on the the outside.

 

 

I'm going to begin the bodice next but need to find lace for the neckline. 

 

My deadlines are creeping up on me.  The next part of the cross stitch SAL is due 10/20 and the FMQ Challenge and Treasure Chest QAL are due 10/31.  And yes, I will get them all done.  And I will do them all nicely.

 

 

 

October Christmas QAL 1

Today the Christmas QAL is hosted by Elizabeth of Sand and Sunshine    http://sandandsunshine.blogspot.co.uk/ and located in Florida.  If you want to see some really cute Halloween decorations then visit her blog today and if you wish you can enter her giveaway for a very cute pincushion.  Thanks, Elizabeth.

In a previous post I mentioned my very special project of using my sister's wedding gown which our mother made for her and sewing the Christening dress for her newest granddaughter.  I'm using the Simplicity 4766 pattern:

I'm making the version without the lace over skirt because my sister's gown was slipper satin and gorgeous, so the fabric is rich enough.  My mother sewed lace details on the gown and this gown will have that also.  But after cutting the dress last night this is all the fabric that's left:

There's just enough left for the bonnet. 

I'm taking this one step at a time so progress may be slow. 

I ordered wool crepe for the cape.  Not sure yet what I'll get to line the cape. 

 

God Bless.

Pretty Bows

 

My pictures don't do justice to Carole's design.  It's just gorgeous. Part 3 is done.

http://novalee02.over-blog.com/

 

God Bless You.



Empire Star Block and Part 2 of Christmas SAL

The fourth block of the Benjamin Franklin Mystery Quilt is the Empire Star block.  http://erikhomemade.typepad.com/erik_homemade/benjamin-franklin-mystery-quilt/

It is a good looking block and I'm happy to be up to date on this qal. 

The third block is the Fly Foot block which I posted about here http://needlethreadhappiness.blogspot.com/2012/08/fly-foot-block.html

That block was bothering me because of its brutal associations so today I took it apart and rearranged it so it looks like this now:

I love the other blocks and the fabric I'm using in this quilt and knew I couldn't let it go.  I know, I'm too sensitive.   

 

I also completed the second part of the Christmas SAL with Carole of Point de Croix Novalee 02  http://novalee02.over-blog.com/

Love this project, too.

 

Hope you are all well.

God Bless You.

 

 

The Last Block

This is the Rose Dream block and it is the last block in the Treasure Chest Quilt. 

 

Here are my blocks in the layout Quilt in a Day used.

 

There is sashing and flying geese in the border, so there's more to do.

 

I'm happy the blocks are done.  I'm ready to start playing with my Christmas fabric.

 

And I have accepted a wonderful project. 

 

My mother made my sister's wedding gown some 43 or so years ago.  Yesterday my sister invited me to use her gown to make her new granddaughter a Baptismal dress.  How nice is that! 

I'll keep you posted on that project.

 

God Bless You. 



September Christmas QAL Post 3

I'm done for now.  In between stitches I roasted tomatoes and ate some on good rye bread - a delicious oily concoction.  I do like Hazel's Greek cookie recipe so that's a treat I will make in the near future.

I mentioned my mistake to some of you and just want to say it is still there but I over stitched the yellow error with white thread so it won't be so visible.  I guess I unconsciously put the Joanna stamp on this design.  I checked Carole's blog and she has posted pictures of this section done by 54 other participants, so I feel like the turtle in this race. 

 

Thank you to Hazel for being such a fun host this month.  She gets extra credit for all of the fancy dress outfits she came up with and shared with us.  I know for a fact you won't be seeing me in a sarong any time soon.

 

Hope the rest of your weekend is lovely.

 

God Bless You.

September Christmas QAL Post 2

Other than take a short walk and doing some laundry I've been stitching, but this is all I have to show.

This section needs to be completed and the photo submitted by September 15th in order for me to receive the next section, but I can only stitch for so long before I need to move around a bit. 

I have the last block to make for the Treasure Chest QAL, or more hand quilting or the FMQ Challenge for September.  Too many choices I think.  Think I'll visit the QAL gang and have a cup of tea.

September Christmas QAL Post 1

Hazel http://www.hazelsquilts.blogspot.com is our very cheery host this month.  So take a short trip to England and get happy just reading her post.  She's got me thinking this is going to be a great day for stitching.

And speaking of stitches, that is what is on my agenda today.  I have joined in a SAL for a Christmas cross stitch pattern with Carole of Novalee 02 http://novalee02.over-blog.com/ .  This is what my goal for today is:

And this is how much I have done so far:

As you can see, I have much to do.  Might as well get to it.

Blatant Request for Votes

 Okay, I have not done this before but I am asking for you to vote for my block,Ozark Trail, here  http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151059875683165&set=a.10151059872233165.438144.179582883164&type=3&theater#!/photo.php?fbid=10151059875683165&set=a.10151059872233165.438144.179582883164&type=3&theater  For me it means a gift certificate to Quilt in a Day, how nice is that.  For you, well, nothing.  But, I will be very grateful.  Here is my block:

It really is one of my best in this project. 

 

Hey, how is this?  I will pray for all of my followers each day in September for whatever they need, whether or not you voted.  You win even if you don't do anything but read this post.   

 

Thank you.

 

God Bless You.

 

Love,

Joanna

Fly Foot Block

The third block in the Benjamin Franklin Mystery Quilt http://erikhomemade.typepad.com/erik_homemade/  is the Fly Foot. 

 

Other than this block I've been hand quilting the QOV which at this point looks like it will never be finished.

 

Please read SewCalGal's post about prayer flags.  http://sewcalgal.blogspot.com/2012/08/call-for-quilts-prayer-flags.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+InsightsFromSewcalgal+%28Insights+From+SewCalGal%29

  That's something I meant to make when I first saw them on Nina Lise's blog last year I think, but I never got to make one.  It's a nice idea and some of the quilts are quite lovely.

 

God Bless.

 

Super Giveaway Wins And Not Much Else

Henry Glass Fabrics http://henryglassfabrics.blogspot.com/  recently had a blog hop of their designers and  I was lucky on two counts.  One of their designers is Little Quilts and from them I received this beautiful fabric and patterns group from their new collection, Little Darlings.

One of the patterns has embroidered blocks so I look forward to working on them.  One of the first quilt books I bought and still refer to often is "Little Quilts All Through The House."  It was written by the same three quilters who designed this collection and have a quilt shop in Georgia.  http://www.littlequilts.com 

From the Henry Glass site, I won this flannel fabric bundle of baby prints.  It's just too cute and soft.

Thank you, Henry Glass & Co., Inc.  It was nice to meet your designers. 

I'm not sure about you, but I do develop a loyalty to companies from whom I've won something.  If they can bother, then I can bother. 

I've worked on the FMQ Challenge for August and I don't seem to be able to duplicate the exercise.  We are supposed to be imitating a jester's cap and it's a really cute design, but I just don't seem able to get it. 

I was going to show what I've done so far but it's pretty bad.  I'll just do some more practising and see if I can't get it up to a decent level.

I've been hand-quilting my brother's QOV and now have three blocks done.  Right now my plan is to hand-quilt the five main blocks and machine stitch the rest, but that could change.  I like the way the outlines look when hand-quilted, so I may just continue.  Yep, really losing my marbles.

By the way, last week I asked for resources for quilt histories, and Barbara Brackman's name was mentioned by Sharon and Cathi.  I am reading Barbara's book, "Quilts From The Civil War" and am enthralled.  It's not a political treatise, but a chronicle of the war as it affected women, quiltmaking and the quilts themselves, textiles and such.  I think Barbara Brackman has done  a service to American history by writing this book.  Maybe I'm too serious about this, but I'm seeing the war from a different point of view.

God Bless You.