WWW

   This year I have heard more quilters saying "I'm going to finish up some of those UFO's before I start one more project".  This is sage advise so I'm going to try and finish up a few unfinished projects myself.  Today I'm finishing the "Hooray for Spring" by Maggie Bonanomi.  Once I began to quilt it I was reminded that I've started using this new technique to tie off the loose threads.  Here is an example of what I'm doing.  When you begin quilting and you bring your bobbin thread up to the top, hold on tightly to the ends of those threads and begin quilting.

 Once your foot is away from your beginning threads, stop your machine and use your hands to tie a knot in the threads and then a second one.  Snip the threads to even them up but make sure you leave a long enough tail.

 I've started keeping a needle in a pincushion next to the Honey Q and I use it now.  Thread your needle.

 Now insert the needle really close to the starting stitches.  Make one long stitch between the batting and top of quilt.   Bring the needle back up and pull taunt so the knots tuck under and into the middle of the quilt.

 Snip ends of threads.  What I like about this method is it gives me a nice clean start to my sewing, does it take a little more time, yes, but I'm really liking the results.

 I've decided to practice some feathering and shrink the size of this wall hanging to 13 1/2" square.

 That size will guarantee that this little quilt will hang on my small stand.

I'll add some binding and a sleeve and this will be a finished project.  Well that's one, just a few more to go.

Honey Q

   We have had the craziest winter, most days have been clear and sunny and ranging in the high 70's.  So when it dipped down to 60 this weekend and the clouds moved in, it felt like the perfect time to put a quilt on the Honey Q.  Luckily there was one handy that needs quilting.  This is Sheri's baby quilt.

The pattern is called "Smitten" by Rachel Griffith and the fabric line is Puttin' on the Ritz by Moda.

 Now this hexagon quilt doesn't need quilting but when I was changing out my quilts I uncovered this one made by my great granny.

 She taught hand quilting well into her 80's.  I don't think we ever visited her when there wasn't a quilt frame set up with a quilt, loaded and ready to finish.

Funny, fabrics have changed, quilt designs are different and the tools we use certainly don't resemble those of Great Granny's era, but the reason we do this remains the same...it brings us joy.  Have a peace filled week.  Laural 

Sweet!

   I don't know what has gotten into me.  Maybe its all the left over Valentine candy and then big boys giant, very yummy, birthday cake that is still in the refrigerator, but I am on a sugar high these days that I can't seem to kick.   And with that in mind I thought I would share a recipe that I got from Pinterest and made for a sewing group.  It's easy and delicious, I hope you enjoy it, meanwhile I'm going to go work out.

 This recipe uses 5 simple ingredients.  Mix instant vanilla pudding until it begins to thicken.

 This should take 2 minutes then fold in whipped cream, not quite an entire tub.

 Now build your layers.  Graham crackers/pudding/repeat/end with graham crackers.

 Soften premade chocolate frosting and top your cake.  

For complete recipe and finished photo see the "recipe" page on my blog.  And since we are talking about sweet things.  A mystery has been occurring in the aforementioned sewing group.  When I get home I find a nicely wrapped little package.

Sneakily placed into my sewing bag and when I open it there is a...

cupcake!  This is the one for February, but there have been others, so much so that I now have a collection going.

So girls this is really sweet but I'm starting to run out of room on the cupcake table.  Seriously I don't know where they got the idea that I'm some what obsessed with cupcakes?

Have a great weekend.  I'll be quilting on the Honey Q and trying to avoid that cake in the frig.

WWW

   Good morning.  No matter how much packing and prepping you do for a class invariably something is forgotten or a fabric selection which looked so appealing at home now seems not quite right.  This is my dilemma  today.  I will be reworking the background of block one in the Comforts and Joy class that I've started attending.  I was able to complete the flying geese row.  Although I did borrow that top red goose from Mary.

 And I'll replace the light grey background with this darker version.  

 The layout is a bit more pleasing, but something is still not quite right?

 The door!  Needs a red door.

I'll be working on the balance of the applique' today, there is still a tree, flag, bird and few other things that may not make it on this block.  I may have been distracted by the deliciousness of baked goods that Julie provided for us.

  Next time less drooling more sewing.

Tutorial-Transferring Embroidery Designs

   I need to make a sample for a "potential" new client and the pattern I'm choosing to make uses a fabric which is nearly impossible to see through.  This gives me a great opportunity to demonstrate how you can transfer an embroidery design when using a light source like a window or light box still doesn't allow you to see the design you need to transfer.  This is called acetate layover.  You will need a clear, smooth, strong sheet of plastic.

 Place the plastic on top of the design you wish to transfer.  In this case my "Friends Reach" pattern.

 Use a permanent marker like a sharpie and carefully trace the design onto the acetate (plastic).

 With your design completely transferred you will need to center it on TOP of the fabric you wish to embroidery on.  I'm using the piece of tea stained canvas which comes in the friends reach kit.

 This part is very important...change pens!  I'll now use my frixon transfer pen to put the design onto the fabric.  With one hand holding the acetate in place I carefully lift up a side of the plastic and use the design above as my guide to trace the design.

 Take it slow and soon you will get the hang of it.

 Until finally the entire design has been transferred.  I have shifted the acetate on the next photo to show you that the writing is in place.

You don't have to go out and buy a roll of acetate, which can be purchased at art stores.  I often use page protectors as I have those handy.   Well I hope this helps you the next time you are struggling with a pattern that has been printed on card stock or you're using a fabric like sandcastle.  Have a peace filled week.  Laural

Road Trip part II

  As promised here are the rest of the goodies we saw at the Valley Quilters 32nd Annual Quilt Show.  I ran into a familiar face.  So happy for Lolita for moving forward with her publishing company.

 Her black work and primitive style are so to my liking.

"Stitchin by the River"

 I'm awarding her the blue ribbon for best booth design.

Besides the quilts hanging the ladies of the guild have put vintage sewing items everywhere.  Like this old clothes rack ladened with hand embroidered dish towels.

 Or one of my favorite pieces, and a must do, this covered dressmakers form.  

 As always the art quilts are show stoppers.  "Reef Cruisin" by Phyllis Binkley was one of our favorites.

 This guild is famous for their hand quilting and we learned so much from watching the hands on demo in the second room.

 And no trip is complete without a trip to Pollys for lunch after the show.

 That is if you can call cherry waffles lunch.

Have a great weekend, for most of us its a long one which means more time to get some quilting done.

WWW

   Sometimes a friendship group meets and I just don't want to work on the same old hand sewing project.  So I'm reaching for my Primitives Projects and More magazine (Spring 2012 edition) and low and behold if I don't find another cute project to whip up real quick.  "Hooray for Spring" by Maggie Bonanomi.

 I grabbed wools that look close to the one's in the photo and iron on my freezer paper templates.

 I like to use small, very sharp point, serrated scissors to cut my wool.  

 I lay it out first to get a feel for were everything will fit.

 Using a fine point permanent marker to transfer the saying to muslin.  I really like this idea and the look of it, plus it keeps me from having to stitch all of that in place.  Remember to press to heat set.

 Placements looking good, time to glue baste it down.  I'm missing the gold for birds legs and other flower berries but if I eat a few more valentine candy I should be able to find them.

  I hope everyone gets to work on something fun this Wednesday.  

Valentines Day

   Hearts...stitched, sewn and broken.

 A Love Note.

 A pincushion Love.

 A stitched Love.

 A love renewed 4 months before the end.

It's worth it, loving someone and losing them, its worth it, for the alternative is to never love at all.  Happy Valentines Day my loves.