Winner!

I won, uh huh, uh huh.  Thank you Geta.  I am loving the patterns you sent me.  If you all would like to check out and buy her patterns click on this link to go directly to Geta Grama's blog, Geta's Quilting Studio. Aren't they sweet!

Sailboat Blocks

My guild is doing a Carol Doak monthly challenge block.  Each month we are given a new one to do.  Sadly I have not been participating ... until now.  I finally had a chance to get those pages blown up, transfer onto foundation paper and get er done. 

It also helps to have an idea where I am going with this.  Not that I am going to share that yet but in my mind, I kind of need a destination.

I also wanted to share these lovely flowers that my oldest brother sent my Mother for Mother's Day. Yes, it is a gorgeous bouquet and YES! my brother is a show off when it comes to presents.  I will withhold my pettiness so I can share them with you in gratitude for all things beautiful and my mother being so deserving of them.

I

Door Hanger

This is for my daughters room.  I will hang it from an over the top hook on her door.  There is a little pocket there to put her picture in so you know exactly who's room it is even if you don't read.

I have to say I love that little lizard. I think I will name him Chico.  Wonder what my daughter will think of that?

Wall Hanging Ribbon Bulletin Board

I have been finishing some projects that have been nagging at me for a while.  Some years of nagging, some months of nagging.  Even though I have been totally scattered and distracted I somehow managed to get two loads of laundry done, finish this wall poster board type thing, a door hanger which I will show you next time and a block for the 2012 Craftsy Block of the Month.  Dang.

And yes I know it really isn't terribly straight.  It doesn't matter.  When it is hung and she has all kids of pictures and cards and to dads tucked in it, who will be the wiser?

Some things are worth trying to achieve perfection.  This project was more of a "get 'er done".

How did I do it?

I used two cardboard fabric holding bolts that a lot of fabric stores will be happy to give you if you ask nicely.

Next I glued them together and on to a yard stick that was broken down into pieces.  The yeard sticks were put on vertically to give it stability.

Then I wrapped it in fabric and glued it down to the cardboard.

Then I stapled the ribbon in working in a cross-weave type pattern. I staple gunned at the point where the ribbons crossed.

I also stapled the fabric down in the back along with the extra lngth of ribbon.

I decorated the ribbon "joints" with paper flowers.

Just a funny FYI this ribbon was given to me by my Mother who had received from her mother.  I had been saving it for the perfect project.  Silly me.  I used it for this.  I am sure her great grand daughter will love it. (probably from the 1960s).

Quilters Favorites

I decided to participate in this linky party.  I found out about it from one of the ladies in the Modern Quilt Guild that I belong to.  Visit this site to find out more and read other sites that have participated.




List a few of your favorite quilting notions. 
     
My favorite quilting notions are probably what everyone likes.  My rotary cutter/mat being the most obvious.  What do I use that is somewhat unique, hmmm, I do use Best Press spray.  Thats really not unique...  Oh, and a quarter inch foot for more precise sewing.

Any advice for a successful color scheme of a quilt ?


I think that all colors work together successfully if you pay attention to the tones and shades rather than the actual color.  I think most people intuitively get this but sometimes we have to work on it- practice and learning.






Some thoughts about thread and needles, batting, fabrics ? 


Change your sewing needles often.  I think many people don't realize how important it is to do this.

Better thread my cost more but in the case of Aurifil at least- it lasts so much longer.



Tips for easy piecing

Using a 1/4 inch foot is very helpful and of course chain stitching.


Machine quilting tips 

Relax and have fun.  I think that is the most important thing.  It should be enjoyable.  With some practice, you relax more.  Start with small sandwiches so you can familiarize yourself with the process.  Practice free hand and practice following a pattern.  See which one you feel more comfortable doing.

Me, I love to just do free hand.  I find it very relaxing and almost meditative.



Do you have free tutorials on your blog? Share the link.

How to Recover a Chair

I guess I need to do more of these.


What about modern quilting tools? Quilt software, die cutting systems, 
other tools? Why do you like them ?


I am too frugal to use a die cutting system, at least on a regular basis.  I feel like there is too much fabric waste.  I save everything.  The tiniest bits i put into a bag and use for stuffing.  I make pillows I use a combination of that and the stuffing you buy at the store for a soft yet firm pillow.


Do you have a favorite quilt designer ? 

I do not love a specific quilt designer.  I love to get ideas from all different places- books, blogs, quilt shows, magazines.  Whatever i can get my hands on.

Do you have a favorite quilt blogger? 

I have so many- where do I begin.  If you check out my sidebar, there are quite a few blogs that I visit regularly.  

Would you like to share one of your favorite quilts, made by you ?

I think this is my favorite so far.  In part because it was so fun to make but also because I just love the design. Its big and bold.



Do you have a favorite quilt, made by other quilter ? (please ask for permission before you post a picture of her/his quilt, or post just a link).

Do you have a favorite online quilt shops ? What makes it special ?

I love fabric.com, Hancocks of Paducah, Fat Quarter Shop and a smattering of other small shops.  I recently found Form and Fabric which is pretty amazing too.

What would be the perfect gift for your best quilting friend ?

I dont know what they would like other than the usual- fabrics, thread etc.  For me however it is clear- A day spent together shop hopping, lunch and lots of laughter.

Don't Do Like Me! 

For the best advice I could give is dont rush.  Take your time and enjoy the process.  And if you dont like something- dont keep going.  Fix it or move on.

Quarter to Four Challenge

The Modern Quilt Club I go to had a fat quarter exchange called "Quarter to Four".  You take  a fat quarter and divide it into four equal parts.  You keep one and giveaway the other three to a pool.  You then take three parts of other peoples.  So you end up with 4 different pieces equal to a fat quarter, 1/4 being your own.

You take it home and sew it into 4 - 8 inch blocks, using white or black or grey- whatever- to make it what you want it to be.

 Then you bring it back to the group.  Keep one and exchange the other three.

Then you take them home and make something with it...  What to do? Thats up to you.

So these are my blocks.  The top one is the one I made and the bottom three are the ones I chose.

They are all cool.  With the talent in the group it was hard to choose which one.

Modern Quilt Guild - January's Meeting- a tad bit late.

Around the time my computer started acting up I had taken these photos of the Modern Quilt Club I belong to.  They are from several months ago.  Too good not to be shared. 

Making floor coverings with quilters cotton.