End of the year favorite

   A few quiet and restful days before the end of the year......A little reading, a little cooking, and some family time too, but just a little sewing.  And before anyone asks, I do not do resolutions---because I know I won't keep them.  I hate breaking promises, and  resolutions are like an anchor around my neck.  Every year they weigh more.  

    I  do like to evaluate my past year, reflect a little, and  decide where I  am heading for the next one.  2012 was the year of the "shoulder event"---shudder and cringe---yet I got through it and learned a bit about breaking through that wall of despair / depression/ etc.    It was also the year of the Free Motion Challenge at SewCalGal.  The most important thing is I learned so much doing each lesson.....I hung on and made it to the end....and improved quite a bit.    Looking back at the photos, I  amazed myself at how much I accomplished.   Here's a collage of the major projects from 2012......banners, wall hangings, lap quilts,  scrap quilts, and 2 quilts given in celebration of life events.      

   I think that it is easy to figure out my favorite effort of this past year......front and center is the color study, Wonders of Color.   Inspired by Wanda at Exuberant Color, this is the most viewed post of the year!    I owe her so much.     Rudy does come in a very close second choice for my favorite project.  His story is here.   He will continue to pop up as I share the doll quilts this year as they arrive.  His permanent residence will be on the sewing room door, so he can keep up with all that is going on.
   A very  strong contender for  favorite is the string quilt, Faceted Jewels, which now resides in Michigan with my daughter.  I love the sparkle it has  and turned a photo of this one  into my new banner for this year.  I still have lots of strings, so I am thinking there just may be another  jewel of a quilt that develops this year.
    It was not exactly the year I had planned, yet it was a satisfying year in the end.  I will take that any time.
So till next year....happy stitching.   Happy New Years, too!!! 

Forecast

  Sunny and bright today!  I am so tired of the overcast sky, so when the golden rays of light appeared this morning I came awake immediately.  I am ready to finish boxing up the seasonal decor and get back to a routine.

  First I  need get my toes warm, so I will be donning my new socks from Deana.  Beautiful blue and so soft....love the stitch pattern she used for them.    And the hang tag is so perfectly me!

  Update to photo storage on Picasa web-----Have you checked your web album lately?  There was an upgrade to free storage.  It is now 5 GB instead of 1 GB.  So we all should be in good standing for a while.  Maybe they added storage space since we figured out how to reduce our photo size?

   I am playing around with the bargello idea on EQ7 today to get the upward curve I am wanting.  Once I have the design worked out, I will start pulling fabrics and coloring in my layout.  Happy stitching.  

Catching up

    Step 5 of the Easy Street mystery.....I have some power sewing to do this afternoon on these, and I will be caught up.  Bonnie says no more geese, but I think these still qualify because of the 2" corners.  We must be nearing the end and almost ready to join the units together.

  Good news from the Nifty Stitcher....she will be doing posts after the holidays  to help understand the endless feathers that curls around.  Thank you, I am excited about this.  I want to do a skinny bed runner quilt that is just quilted with these feathers....a NewFO.

  We were given this tin of cookies.  Now mind you, they are not the ordinary tin of cookies like I expected.  After one bite, I knew they were a special toffee cookie treat.  I checked on line to see where I could get more....whoa!  $$$  I was sure surprised.  But they are so good.  And I love the egg shaped tin as well as the color.  A keeper here.

       

 Merry Christmas to all.  And happy stitching.  

Endless feathers and new challenge

    I dropped in to check out what The Nifty Stitcher  had been doing lately.  And once again her stitching blew me away.  She had a sample of a curling /swirling feather that was so fabulous.  Rhianon  has a link to a Russian gal who is doing this technique.  Of course, I was mesmerized by the videos....that I watched them twice and then again!  How did she do that?  She doesn't mark anything?  Just off she goes.  I had to try at least.  Paper practice first...lots of pages filled with feathers of a sort.  Then to the machine.

  I used polyester batting and 2 pieces of white muslin to practice on.  This is the first one.....my feathers look a lot more angular than they should.  I haven't figured out the way to make them curl around each other.  I am hoping to coax/ beg/ plead / entice Rhianon  at the Nifty Stitcher to pass on some guiding advice on achieving that.
    So check out the link.....really beautiful feathers.





 Notice the new button.....2013  The Year of the 
Finished Project.   Lynne at Never to hot to stitch is organizing a monthly linky party to motivate us to finish up those projects hidden away, or stacked in the corner.  Please click over and check it out.   No rules, but do set your own guidelines.   Lynne's idea for herself is to finish 2 projects before she can start another.  That should help her clear out those UFOs.
   My own general guide lines  will still apply to me---or kind of apply---one project  to be quilted, one being sewn, and one in the planning stage.  Eek...right now I have two I am sewing and 2 being planned.   Already I am breaking my own rules and playing around with feathers.   Of course, the small projects that pop up on the horizon  and fill in some space and time, do not have to play by my guidelines.  Just so you know.
This may prove to be a very dangerous new year.    Happy stitching.  

Free label downloads

      I ran across some quilt labels at Connecting threads.  Click here   for a selection of label graphics  to download.



    Down load the labels to your computer and save.  You can then add your text with a word processing program and print onto treated fabric, Printed Treasures, or June Tailor Quick Fuse, for example.  I get requests for labels a lot, so I thought I would share these freebies.  I would grab them soon because I am not sure how long they will be available.   Happy stitching.

Recapping the FMQ year

 
  To finish off the challenge we need to show proof of completing at least 12 of the tutorials.  I actually did 14---2 of them were bonus tutorials---but I'm only showing 12 here.   Obviously, I liked all the lessons with swirls, but really liked the center tutorial with the trapunto.  A great year from vines and hearts to feathers, swirls to organic fillers, gridded designs to stitching in rows.....we covered a very wide range of techniques.  It's been fun, and now it is done. 

FMQ Challenge for December

   This is the final month for the FMQ Challenge at SewCalGal.  The finale....the finish....I did not quit....I persevered!  Thanks to Patsy Thompson for this one.

    Since I did not have a project with lots of borders that she suggested, I improvised an art project that was unfinished and destined for the trash can.   I thought it was an "ugly"  effort, and put it aside.  Today I added a couple of border strips to the 2 sides.  And off I went.

 
   When I found the dark purple with the linear graphic, I thought it was perfect for her border quilting idea.   It actually gave me spacing and lines to follow.  And that gave me the idea to use the technique in the background of the center  from another month's tutorial.....the organic quilting of following the fabric motif .  The background fabric was a wipe up cloth from sun painting fabric last year.  I just defined each color area with stitching.

 For the large outer border, I thought I would do multiple rows to simulate multiple borders---wavy curls with semi-straight lines between them.  I like the effect.  In fact I like this ugly now, and will find a binding for it.  It will be a good reminder to think out side my usual box.



Confession time, I wanted to just let this challenge  go several times, and not complete any part of certain month's tutorial.  Sometimes it was too hard, or appeared to be, other times I just did not think I was interested in the technique.  But every lesson offered a tidbit, that one small hint, a tiny jewel of advice that was worth the effort.   I will never be a super, hyper quilter because that is not my style or preference.  Yet, I learned loads of technique and gained much needed experience for the effort.    Big thank you to SewCalGal and all our outstanding teachers.....it has been a good /great / wonderful year!

Happy stitching.

For 2013

Update.....All the hankies are in the mail!  And that was an experience to be sure....I mean jumping through hoops to mail brown envelopes????   The post office worker had to feel each envelope and ask about the contents.  How do you explain "giveaway  for my  blog readers and friends" to someone who has no idea what a blog is?  Or what a "hankies to make into mug rugs" means?  We really do speak a different language in the blog world I guess.  Personally I think I prefer it to some of the real stuff happening.

Yep, making plans for the new year.  The 2013 New FO  is over at Cat Patches.  She is such an enabler.  She "enables" me to buy more fabric, more thread, and make more of everything.  My New FO list has begun but I am also including some items to be finished in the new year.  

   First up  is the guild challenge for 2013, Lemons to Lemonade.  I was given a half yard of "ugly" fabric to use in a quilt or quilted project.  Luckily, mine is not really that ugly, but it is very dated!  It is a calico from the 80's.  The easy way would be to use it in a watercolor, but for me that is not a challenge.  I am thinking of hiding it in plain sight by adding a lot more fabrics.   

   Two ideas that are in the planning stage for 2013, are another bargello quilt and a vertical strip quilt with applique.  So the challenge will probably be one or the other.  I need a bit more thinking time on this, yet I need to get it started.     

   Doll quilts from gifted fabrics......I  managed  to get  5  doll quilts cut out with backing!  They are stacked up and ready to work on during the year.

To Be Finished:

  

  Finish up the small hanging for the table top stand.  And make at least 2 more for Summer and Fall.  

  Complete the Easy Street mystery.

  Finish the shaded 4 patch scrap quilt.

  Finish the quilt for Habitat for Humanity that was on the design wall!

So that's my plan, just don't hold me to it!   I am sure there will be more starts to add as the inspiration hits.
 I am linking this to the New FO Challenge at Cat Patches.   Happy stitching. 

Recycle them, please

   While cleaning out Deana's sewing room in preparation for her move, she found a bag of machine embroidered hankies  ....blue, pink and yellow.  These are not old ones, but still too pretty to discard.
   I can't remember where I saw this idea to turn them into mug rugs.  The fabric is quite thin so I folded them in half and cut off the corner embroidery in a square about 5 1/2".  I added strips around the sides to coordinate with the embroidery.

 
   And now a nice pair of mug rugs and I know just to person to send these to.   Of course,  these could be used in a wall hanging instead, or even a baby quilt, or tote bag.

  I have about a dozen or so of these hankies.....free to the takers.  No, the cup is not included.  Just a gift from me to you.    Send an email with your address for mailing, and note the color or colors you want.
Happy stitching.
Update:   Thank you all for replying and  wanting to recycle!  All the hankies are spoken for and will be in the mail today.

Doing the mystery dance

    Just to prove I am ...... here are my "parts" so far for the mystery at Quiltville .    I am not even speculating about the arrangement on this one.
   This week was part 4 and involved more flying geese and wings!  I knew it was coming---and expect another batch of them---but I used the no waste method this time.  So much faster for me and I trimmed them while watching TV with Sir Old Man last night.   I still need to cut the squares of the zinger fabric.  I am using red, not lime green.








  And that leaves me some time to work on the scrap blocks.  I have about a dozen put together so far and on the portable design board.  Since the block is a 4 patch, they go together so quick once the units sections are made.  Lots more to go and then I can play around with the layout on the design wall.

  The countdown has begun....only 9 more days till Christmas!  I am enjoying a chocolate a day.
  Happy stitching.  

Scrappy shaded block from 5 " squares

    This is the block from my scrappy project from 5 inch squares.  Each block takes 4 sections.....2 of the dark/light HSTs and two of the 4 patch sections---one in light values and the other in dark values.   Each unit is 4 1/2" unfinished.
   Lay out the units into a block and join together.
 The block will be 8 1/2 " unfinished.

    Here is one block sewn.  It is a great illustration of value.  Notice the rosy square in the light area 4 patch......it is really a strong medium, but by placing it among the light fabrics, it appears lighter.  And  it adds just a bit of interest in the light values.   If placed in the dark half,  it stands  out as much  too light.

  

   Easy Street update:   I got caught up on the mystery from Bonnie Hunter.  And then what does she do?  The next step involves more "wings".....I am going to fall back to the optional no-waste method using squares rather than those tiny triangles.    I'll only need 8 of the large squares for this step!  Sounds better than 100 tiny triangles to me.  

   Sir Old Man cooked breakfast this morning!  Banana waffles were excellent.....and a movie this afternoon.  I better check the calendar, as it must be a special day.  Happy stitching.    

Gifts from the Queen of pickers

   I hereby bestow the title of 

"Queen of the Pickers" 

to my dear friend, Doreen. 

   I won't declare our ages, but know we have been friends since we were 18, and don't ask how long ago that was.  She loves to hit the yard sales, estate sales, and antique malls.  I remember one time we actually stuffed a large braid rug into the back of her small sports car.....OK, it hung out the back a bit, but we got it home.
   She loves to hunt down little things to send me for my antique sewing collection.  She did really good this time.  I love the tiny oil can, it is just so cute!  There was a cute tin of mother of pearl buttons, and an advertising needle set.  Another darling  box was filled with spools of ribbon, candles, magnetic picture frames and notepad.

   
   And fabric.....about 4 yards of adorable prints that will be perfect for doll quilts.  The one on the left is actually a pre-printed panel for a pillow.  The kittens  in the baskets just need to be a doll quilt.

  And there were some scraps--large pieces--of oriental fabric that I think is begging to be a tote bag.  Add that to the list for next year.



And at the very bottom of the box was a T-shirt.  Not just any tee, but one that made me giggle.  I mean who doesn't love Snoopy!    I know what I will be wearing this season.

  May your days be merry....thanks, girl, I love it all!
Happy stitching.  

Welcome the Carolina Chickadee

Update to this post:   Can I just tell you how boring it is to sew "wings" on to triangles and squares!  I'm stitching on the Easy Street mystery quilt.  I am so very, very glad I decided to do half the number of blocks. So far, so good, I am on to step 3.

   I mentioned I was working on a  chickadee pattern I got from  Carol at The Landscape Lady .  She does beautiful art quilts and designs patterns for Craftsy.  Her original pattern was wider than long, which I loved, but it did not work for the wire hanger I have.  So, I did a little switching around and made mine longer.    This is basic fused applique with an extra layer of batting behind the chickadee and the pine cone for a little trapunto effect.   Carolina chickadee banner is 13" by 16".  A great winter welcome!
Happy stitching.   

4 patch methods

    I heard from a lot of you about the last post on reducing your usage on the Picasa Web Albums.....so I know many were busy the last couple of days resizing photos.  I have an album with 700 photos to resize, so yes, it takes a while but is worth the effort.  Hang in there!  One more hint.....while you are re-sizing photos, you can also add text for marking your photos in the Creative Kit online.  Most of my older photos are not marked, so I am taking the time to add my blog addy to them.

   Guess we all know how to make a basic 4 patch unit or block....cut 4 squares the same size, sew 2 together, then sew the 2 patch units together and you have a 4 patch.  Both the patterns I am working on call for 4 patch units, and I used different methods on both for each of them.  So I thought a little comparison would be good.

  First,  there's the  the mystery at Quiltville called Easy Street.  I know I said I would not do another mystery, but here I am in the midst of part 1.  I decided not to use gray, and  I chose a light blue.  Bonnie's preferred method of making 4 patch units calls for sewing the strips together, and matching the long strips in pairs before cutting  the 2 patch units.  Once cut they are already matched and just need to be joined and pressed.  She gives  excellent details and photos on her blog.
   Pros to this method....everything is matched up, and by working thru  the directions correctly the intersection seam does swirl and lie flat.
 

   Then there is the method  from Missouri Star Quilts that makes 4 patch units from pre-cuts or in my case
 5" squares.   It can also be adapted when working with jelly roll strips.      

   This technique worked perfect for this scrap quilt because I was concentrating on value rather than color.  I wanted 4 patch units  of light fabrics, and units of dark value fabrics.
  Rather than explain the whole technique, check the link above for the tutorial.  My photo shows the final cuts for the 4 patch units....all are different and very scrappy.  Perfect for this!
  Pros to this method.....quick,  working with large sections, produces very scrappy units, and you are not sewing small pieces together.

  I think there is a time and place for each method depending on what you are trying to achieve.  No cons to either method really.    I am about ready to put a block together for the scrap quilt....maybe tomorrow.  Happy stitching.

Need more photo space?

  Whether you know it or not, you have a Picasa web album space on Google if you have a blog with photos.  That is where the photos we upload to our blogs are stored......and if we go over the limit in size there is a charge.  One of those very pesky things that is in the very tiny fine print that we probably never got to reading when our blog was set up / modified in blogger changes.   I don't have ads on my blog, so why would I want to pay for photo space?   All those monthly charges are less fabric and thread I can purchase!
So here is how I am solving the situation for now......

  1.   Find your web albums.....picasaweb.google.com  is the place to look.   Check the very bottom of your page and you should see  the amount of storage you are using.  I was around 60% and figured out how to reduce this without deleting photos.
   2.   This is time consuming but worth the effort.  Click on an album and bring up a photo.  On the right hand side of the page you will see the photo size shown.  If it is over 800 x 800 pixels you are using storage space.  So click on "Actions", and then on "edit in creative kit".  This will bring up the online editor and your photo.
  3.   Click "Resize"  on the left side of the page.  Change the largest pixel size to 800 and mark the "keep proportion" box.   Click apply.
  4.   Then you need to click on "Save to my Album" in the upper right corner.  A pop up box appears.....I choose "Replace"  photo in the album.   You will be returned to your web albums.
 
  I am working my way through the albums.....don't ask me why so many because I do not know.    My usage  is being reduced bit by bit, and I have 2 more large albums to go through.   As for current and new photos that I add.....I am making sure the upload size is reduced prior to putting on my blog.  But that's another story and there are much better explanations on other blogs on how to accomplish that.    

What to do with 5" squares

    Somewhere along the way I ran across this handy chart  from the Moda Bake Shop  with ideas on using 5" squares.  Since I have a large stash / box of 5 " squares, it seemed like a good time to put them to use.
   A few years ago I designed a simple quilt in EQ5 that used hsts and 4 patch units.  And these 5 " squares will work perfectly for this quilt.  It is totally scrappy---anything goes---and the size will just depend on the number of blocks I can get out of the scrap squares.   It is also a  quilt that relies on placement by  value, using mainly dark and light value fabrics.  A few mediums will work themselves in for some variety, of course.
  Waste not and a new FO for next year.....I'm already breaking my own rules because I plan on starting Bonnie's mystery quilt too.  Help!  Happy stitching.

What is Mary Jo's?

What is Mary Jo's?  A sewer's / quilter's smorgasbord  featuring fabric, fabric,  and more fabric!  Imagine a fabric store the size of a large grocery store, and you will get the idea of what awaits inside these doors.   The store is just off the Interstate 85 in Gastonia, North Carolina.....about 10 miles from Charlotte.  
   I thought I would share my visit with those of you who asked for photos and info.





 One side is all cotton and a quilter's heaven, while the rest of the store is bridal, dress, and home dec fabrics.   I won't even admit to how many hours and trips we made to MJ's for Deana's senior collections when she was in design school.  Just believe me, we all know the store very well!   Sir Old Man is well versed in carrying bolts of fabric to the cutting tables.

 Just one of the rows of batik fabrics.  I think I counted 3 aisles this time of Batiks only!

   Now I wonder why I noticed this aisle of black and white prints?
  You can find whole sections devoted to specific colors, like purple, and turquoise, and red, and blue......you get the idea!

Prints....florals this time.  But there are rows of reproduction fabrics, civil war prints, novelty prints, fruits, landscape, and on and on. 

 
   Our guild use to give an annual "Mary Jo's Shock Award" to the first time quilter who ventured into this store totally unaware of what to expect.  I have seen people wander around in a daze with no idea where to begin.  So go prepared with a shopping list!

   So what did I find?   From the scrap bin, I found a few batik ends for 75 cents and $1.50.  Could not resist them.    Considering that my main excuse for shopping was to pick up some muslin,  I really expanded my list once I got inside.  

 
   This is the rest of my pretties......3 yards of the Hoffman print from the clearance section, some purple, turquoise, and black and white and a strong dash of deep red.   I know I am coming late to the party for Bonnie's  mystery quilt.....but I think I may dive in now!

   And that's the Mary Jo's adventure....an experience you should have at least once.  Let me know if you are in the area and I would love to meet you there.   Happy stitching!

For the birds

  A couple of really cute items came my way from my daughter....as an early birthday.    One was the decorative birdhouse with the beautiful glass knob for the perch.  It is covered with all kinds of seed packet graphics!  I just love it.  So colorful and unique.  This is going into my sewing room for sure.

   On the left in the photo is a cage filled with nesting material for the birds!  I thought this was so creative.  The  cage is a type of feeder that usually holds a seed  and berry cake for birds. Instead, here it is filled with wool bits and ends that are too small for spinning.  Now  the birds can pick and pull out what they need to build their nests.    And I can add to it by saving bits of thread and tiny bits of batting, etc.  A way of recycling for the birds!   What I like to call "waste not".    Thank you, Deana, these two are just perfect for me.

   I had a great visit with my brother this weekend, and tomorrow we are heading for Charlotte for the day.  There's a stop at Mary Jo's planned for me---read fabric into that--- before we unload the furniture at Deana's that we have had in storage for her.   She leaves for the north on Friday....  :(   Yes, sad, but happy for them.  Happy stitching.  

New starts

 I am really into these little table top size wall hangings.  I think it is the variety, and chance to try different projects.  I have two underway.
   The first one will be for Spring.  A cute little arrangement of fused pieces.  I think I will do a little trapunto work on the bird and the birdhouse.

  But look at this one!  I was fortunate to get a chance at this pattern from  the Landscape Lady .  I have only gotten it fused so far, but want to get it finished  first.  The original pattern was wider than long, and I had to make a few adjustments to create the size I needed.   So a little play time and I figured out this layout.  It will be great for a Winter table topper.
  Looks like I will doing the zig-zag dance for a while here.  Happy stitching.

Challenging

  The end of the month almost slipped past me for the Free Motion Quilting challenge!  I thought this month would be a breeze because I love doing swirls.  Wrong!   I love quilting swirls, but I like them all over and different sizes.....and this month was based on consistency and working in a row.

 
I did the paper practice and it was fairly easy.  So I drew off  a grid of sorts onto my fabric to fill in with swirls.  See for yourself.....my sizes are all over the place.  A few times I hit the mark and filled in with the appropriate size, but mainly not.  After doing a half dozen bands of these, I just went to town and filled in the bare spaces.
   This practice piece is about 12" by 18".  My fabric choice was a solid piece of polished cotton moire---and probably not a great choice for practice.   I had to change needles and go much smaller to get a nicer stitch.
   Lesson learned......I don't like being boxed in, or following a grid, and I much prefer mixing it all up.
   Only one more month to go on the challenge.  I have mixed feelings....I liked trying new techniques each month and learning a few new things.  Yet I am glad to be finishing it up.  I am really glad I kept with it and saw it through to the end.  There is just something about making that commitment and working to that end that gives satisfaction.
Happy stitching.

  

Road Trip to.....

   It was  Road Trip day  to a very secret, very hidden, very special Santa Toy Shop.   This small cabin tucked away in the mountains is actually the original toy distribution point for The Country Santa, and where  all the helper elves work hard every year.   Toys from all over the upstate area of South Carolina, and North Carolina arrive here and are sorted  by age groups, and placed on shelves for Christmas delivery.

The Country Santa began over 30 years ago to provide toys at Christmas to kids. This organization  will cover at least 5 counties in the region of the Blue Ridge mountains, meeting needs where ever they can.

   This Santa believes ........

Children don't understand that life is hard and sometimes there just isn't enough for Christmas presents. A child believes that Santa will find them Christmas morning.

And Santa will be bringing  doll quilts this year, too....the doll quilts of Get Your Mrs. Claus On will be part of that.   Doll quilts from Mrs. Claus all over the country.  It would not be possible without the help of all of the Mrs. Clauses who have stepped up to be part of this project.  Thank you.
    Oh, yes,  Rudy went along to ensure the doll quilts were delivered safely.      Notice the signs...."Toy Loading Zone".






    It was a whirlwind of activity when we opened the door, as a group of elementary students were helping Santa that day.  Each had a list of children  for whom to select toys and each carried a very large bag to fill.  This Mrs. Claus had the privilege of helping  one of the students----and promised to hide her identity.  
   One of the older elves commented, "Christmas happens here."   After viewing and visiting, I knew what he meant.  Christmas begins in the heart and becomes that outward expression.  You could see it on the children's faces as they were Santa's elves for a day.    Priceless.

Wonders of Color bound.

   No shopping here.  Instead I got the binding put on the color study wall hanging made from the 2 1/2" squares.  Here is the beginning of this project.   I purchased a packet of squares from Wanda at Exuberant Color  this summer to get me started on this one.  I added lots of squares from my stash and this one finished up at 34" by 50".

  I debated on the quilting for a while.  With so many prints and patterns in the fabrics, any quilting pattern I used, like swirls or stippling, would just be lost.  In the end, I decided to use simple straight lines.  I like the texture the lines created.
   I used multiple fabrics for the binding.....making sure they were all in the darker to mid tone in value.  Since one side--the right--is a bit lighter overall in value, I began there with a mid tone value and progressed to the dark value.
   Sir Old Man likes this one a lot and has claimed it for the office.....after I get the sleeve stitched down.
   Thank you, Wanda, for sharing your knowledge and fabrics, and spreading the love of color with us.

   Don't forget the visit and enter the The Christmas Quilt Show  at Quilting Tutorials.  Some great quilts and inspiration to be seen.
Happy stitching.