Mystery game

    A spark of an idea  came from  the comments  about my new project to sew during the Olympics.   I was referred to as a tease and being sneaky......I love it!   So, a mystery for you to figure out as I progress. I will add a clue or photo as I go along.  Figure out what pattern I am making, leave a comment.   The first comment to correctly identify the  published pattern will win. I am  putting this mug rug into the prize pile for now, and will add to it as we go along.  

    
A few sections to test the pattern instructions.....once again I am sewing angles.  The instructions don't really give a good instruction about matching the strips to the cut angle piece, so I am glad I tried a few before doing a whole block. 
So the lesson learned here:  sew the strips and then trim before attempting to add the next section.  

   Opening ceremonies are tonight.....machine set up, pieces ready, flag up......Go USA!!!!
Happy stitching.

What is she doing now?

     I have been prepping for a new project.  I  ran across a post recently that was about this project.  It reminded me that I had set the pattern aside for  the future.
    Today is that future time.  The Olympics begin  this weekend, and I wanted something to sew on in the evening while watching.   I decided to spend some time getting this cut and organized for sewing.
   So instead of spouting off and running on about my design, hold on to your hats.......
#1, I will be following the pattern given---mostly.  I am using various scraps instead of yardage. I may tweak the layout a bit.
#2, it is not my usual colorful mess.   
#3, it is not wall hanging size, but lap size.  
#4, it will have some applique.  
   That is all I will say for now.    Let the games begin.  Till then I will catch up on Dallas and Lizard Lick Towing shows that I have recorded!  Happy stitching.

Purple banner done

     Finished up the quilting on the banner.  It took me a couple of sessions to quilt, and this morning I completed the binding.  I love how it looks hanging on the yard flag stand with all the green surrounding it.  But alas, it will not be staying outside long. 
     How I created the triangle units are posted here ,  along with the details about the original tutorial I kind of followed from Magnolia Bay Quilts.  
    

 Close up of the quilting:    I did my usual swirls---click here for tutorials on free motion swirls ---and used a medium shade purple thread.  Up close the color is obvious on the white, but 3 feet away not so much.
  I generally chose a thread that blends with the overall project, so I don't have to change thread.  Sometimes the stitching will be more obvious because of the color, so if that bothers you change it.  Just remember that 3 feet away it will probably not be that noticeable.
   So this is out of my system.  Aren't we glad of that!
   Has anyone tried the sponges instead of gloves yet?  I keep seeing comments around blog land about it.  Let me know.  Happy stitching.

More from Mrs. Claus

   If you need inspiration for a big quilt, read on!
  Doll quilts from Sharon at Vroomans quilts came yesterday.  Will you check out those tiny pinwheels!
How wonderful.....thank you.  Sharon introduced me to a new blog called Quilts are for Giving .  I will be posting there also about the Get your Mrs. Claus on project.  Check out the amazing stories there.










Then today when the door bell rang,  I knew there was mail.....snail mail kind.  A package of doll quilts.....can you believe it?
    This is the last batch  of quilts sent by Nicki from the Mrs. Claus gals at the HGTV Message Board.  Such a variety of techniques,  and bright and cheerful fabrics of all types just spill from the box.  Mother Goose fabric, lady bug fabric, animals, strips and plaids.....just so cute.




How about 2 crocheted doll quilts?  These are just so precious.  The blue doll quilt has raw edge appliqued circles scattered all over it.....very cute.  The raw edge applique gives it great texture.

  The bright red one has paper pieced fish blocks.  And check out the tiny checkerboard quilt.

And tucked in the middle of the stack was a quilt made from leftovers from her first and only water color quilt.  I know who made this one....Nicki herself.  Great job!
  The little one on the right is raw edge appliqued too, in the ticker tape style.  It has a wonderful assortment of fabrics.
   From this one group of quilters,  all very special Mrs. Clauses, I have received 126 quilts!  That is so absolutely amazing and wonderful.    I will be singing---no, not really singing---your praises when I post at Quilts are for giving.  Thank you, ladies.
  Variety, color,  and inspiration  all wrapped up in love in these doll quilts.  Hope you enjoyed the views.
Happy stitching.  

Slick tip

     We did errands this morning and I asked Sir Old Man to stop at the $ store.  I needed a couple of sponges.....?
For a test / trial run / experiment.  Instead of a laboratory---which was my haunt for years---I went to the sewing room---my favorite place for this testing.  Results were great..........so what exactly was I doing?

     Fanny, a long arm quilter friend, shared a slick tip with me this week. Instead of wearing gloves when free motion quilting, use 2 kitchen sponges to move the quilt.  Then you don't have to keep removing and putting back on the gloves.  Just use the sponges to grip and guide the fabric.  
  I was a little skeptical, as a I have been a big promoter of wearing gloves for free motion quilting.   But  I figured I could give it a try.  I first did a couple of mug rugs  to get back in the swing of FMQ.  The sponges worked great to grab the small rug and move it around.



So, on to a larger project, the purple banner.  I began in the center and started doing swirls and curls.  Amazing....I found I was not applying as much pressure to move the fabric sandwich and I still had control.  One caution----pay attention to where your safety pins are because you can't feel them or see them through the sponges!  No, I did not have an accident with one, but got a little close in one place.   
 It was easy to stop and  clip a thread  or remove a pin...just let go of the sponge, no glove to remove.   Also the edges were very easy to quilt with the sponge gripping the fabric.  So I can attest to the ease of use on small projects for sure.    So, big thank you and hug to Fanny for sharing her tip.   Now, everyone run out to the dollar store for a new quilting tool!  Happy stitching.  

This and that...

   Two new doll quilts arrived from  Shelia at Sew cook and travel.  She is a  Mrs. Claus in North Carolina!  These two cuties are so bright and colorful ...love the stripe  binding....and will make 2 little girls quite happy.  Thank you.


  Shoulder update:  Drum Roll......please.  Day 90--- The doctor pronounced the fractures healed enough on Tuesday to be released!  Guess that is good since I went ahead and started driving again.....impatient me.    PT was yesterday, and during the arm manipulations the therapist broke loose one spot that had been so tight and painful.  Yes, it hurt but was so worth it as today the swelling in the arm is noticeably less.   I have 6 more weeks of  PT and then I am on my own.  It has been a very long journey.

   So today was clean up the sewing room day.  I am at a lost on beginning a new "big"  project.....I have several to quilt first.   Anyway, I uncovered a couple of snack mats in need of quilting.   Good size to begin getting back in the groove with.   Mark them done.

 From trash to treasure....... Then there was the pile of short end of strings of floral fabric.  I hate to throw any fabric away.....so string piecing was the day's stitching.  I ended up with 6 mug rug size pieces.  I got them pressed, and ready to be squared up to finish off.   


  Wanda at exuberantcolor is putting together fabrics in kit form for 3 different color wash quilts.   You know they will be fabulous  because she is doing the selection.  I'm going for the bright color wash kit.  Any one want to sew along?    
     Happy stitching.  

Mrs. Claus news

     We are just into July and the doll quilts have been arriving since February and I have been notified of more on the way.  The stack is at 130 right now and if I add more it will topple over!   But that is a great/wonderful/fabulous problem to face, right?
   The word of the project is spreading in part because of  Mrs. Techie Claus---aka Dana at Stormy Days ---and the blog buttons she created for us.  It is so neat to be reading a blog and see them in the side bar.   Thanks again, Dana.
    Today I ran across a blog entry about Mrs. Claus at  Quilting with a marmalade cat .  I love Sharon's idea that said
 "Another thought...if your town has a Christmas gift program for needy children, maybe they could use these little doll quilts to add to their packages.  That way you would be helping local girls but without the postage costs.  "
   That is exactly what the Get Your Mrs. Claus On project is all about.....find a need and fill it.  Thank you, Sharon, for spreading the word.  

  I have been fretting and pondering on how to photograph and show all of the quilts for 2012.    My photo skills are average, and  space and layout present a dilemma.   And guess what?   Need filled by a professional photographer!   Sir Old Man has been working at church with the Production Team and  talked to Jesse, our video-cinematographer ----big word as he just does it all---lights, camera, action, and he takes photos too!!!   So he  has volunteered to do a photo shoot of the quilts.  I am so excited by his ideas!  
  Insight:   You don't have to do it all by yourself.   Remember that.
Happy stitching.