Tuesday, July 31, 2012

The correct answer is



    The original pattern was published in 2010 in Quilter's World as White Birches, and recently in a book called Quilting in Black and White.    First correct guess was from  Sharon at Vroomans Quilts.   Congrats to her.  
    I thought the give away hint would be on Saturday and the Foto Finish link to Cat Patches  because Barbara is working on the same project and in her post  she named the pattern!  So, here's a photo of the original pattern I am working from.  Note the cardinals.....that is what drew me in, and I am adding a few more of them.  It just shouted "make me"!    I have all the  blocks together and ready to join the rows.  

      Mrs. Claus News:
    Four more quilts arrived from Selina, Mrs. Claus of NJ.   She sent 2 of each! The colors are so wonderful.  Don't you love those backing fabrics.   Thank you so much.   Drop in and visit her at Selina Quilts.
    Photo shoot day is Friday.....the photo  shoot of the elves went great!


  PT was today.....I began lifting weights, or a weight.  A one pound weight!  I know, I know.... I have a long way to go.  I was so glad to know that I can at least lift more than a piece of paper without help.  Maybe soon  I will be able to lift a bolt of fabric.    Happy stitching.

Monday, July 30, 2012

Here's a block and a hint

   Today completely got away from me.  Everything took  longer or I am just slower.  Anyway, I promised another peek and a hint at my project.
   So here's a block.....the rest are sewn just not pressed.
   I will say that this is not a beginner project...more advance because of the angles.  Those angles can give you fits, but luckily there is some  leeway when it is time to set them together.  I think I will need it when the blocks are trimmed up!




     It is not a traditional pattern, so you will need to connect the threads of hints I have given to find the pattern.  You know the color palette,  and now you see one of the blocks.  
    I'm throwing in a pin cushion ---filled with stuffing and crushed walnut shells for a little weight--- to the prize for the correct guess.
    Happy stitching.
    

Sunday, July 29, 2012

Quilter's Pie

High heat calls for a cool, creamy dessert.....
Mocha Cheese Pie, I'm calling this one  Quilter's Pie.
    1 graham cracker crumb crust---ready made makes it easy
    8 ounces of cream cheese---softened
    3/4 C powdered sugar
    1 Tablespoon instant coffee plus 1 1/2  Tablespoon of hot water
    1/2 jar of chocolate sauce (or ice cream topping, I used Hot Fudge Sauce)---calls for 1 C in recipe
    2 Cups of Cool Whip---whipped cream is better, but more calories
Cream  the cream cheese in bowl with mixer until smooth and fluffy.  Add powdered sugar and mix till blended.
Combine the instant coffee and hot water. Leave it out if you don't like coffee and use vanilla instead.  Add to the chocolate sauce.  Mix till smooth.
 Add 1/2 of  chocolate mixture to the cream cheese and blend.
Add Cool whip and blend.
Place about one half of mixture into the crust.
 Pour the remaining chocolate mixture over the bottom layer of cream cheese mixture.  Then top with the remaining portion of the cream cheese mixture.
 I added some shaved Hersey's candy bar to the top.  Refrigerate till set.    Excellent!

Tip:   Another type of Quilter's Pie----the math kind, the confusing kind, the don't mess with my brain kind.  I should have learned this in high school, or college, but it never made sense until a few years ago.  I think that's because I had a reason to apply the principle when quilting and remember it.  So, here's a quick tip to help when you are planning a quilt layout with blocks set on point.  I thought it was good enough to share.
 From an article by Robin Strobel that I received from Martingale Publishing.  

".......there are a couple numbers of which I am fond.   My favorite number is 1.414.
That’s because 1.414 is the number they never told me about in that long-ago and best-forgotten geometry class. ...... I’ve since discovered that 1.414 is a quilter’s magic number.   It is how you know the width of a block if you set it on point.   It is how you know the size to cut setting triangles for on-point quilt patterns.   It is how much longer the diagonal of a square is than the sides.
  You can also use the magic of 1.414 to find out how to calculate setting triangles for your on-point blocks.   (Yes, there is a setting-triangles formula!)   Quilters usually make corner-setting triangles from half-square triangles, and side-setting triangles from quarter-square triangles. (This keeps the fabric’s straight of grain on the outside edges of the quilt and makes it less likely the edges will stretch and ripple.)   As always, make all your calculations using the finished measurements and then go back and add the seam allowances.   This is because the amount you add for seam allowances depends on the shape you are cutting.   Add 1/2″ for squares and rectangles, 7/8″ for a square from which you cut two half-square triangles,  and 1 1/4″ for a square from which you cut four quarter-square triangles."


    Deana  came up with a very neat knitting  project bag design.  I think it would be a great quilter accessory bag too.   I love the way she put the zipper on the outside for the pocket.  Too cute.  


  More mystery game hints or clues tomorrow.
Happy stitching.

Saturday, July 28, 2012

Foto Finish--Yellow

Opening ceremonies for the Olympics were fabulous.  The Queen's entrance with James Bond was a  treat.....so understated!    I did manage to get a lot of angles sewn........

    I just saw that Barbara at Cat Patches has a Foto Finish linky up today.   I love seeing everyone's photos, and I just happen to have one I can put up.  This Calla Lily blooms just outside my bedroom window.
  Linking to Foto Finish.
  Happy stitching.

Friday, July 27, 2012

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.

Thursday, July 26, 2012

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.

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

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.
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