I Miss quilting...

It's been awhile since I've done any quilting... In reality, it has only been about 8 or 9 days, but it seems soooooo much longer.

I've just been busy elsewhere.  Last week I was helping to set up for a fundraising dinner and silent auction.  It was all fun and good and successful.

 

Centerpieces - The theme for the event was

"Hats off to the past, present and the future"

 

 

Silent Auction Tables

 

You could barely tell that the event was held in a gym!

 

Trinidad State's President, Dr. Carmen Simone

 

And what am I doing this week?  This week I am making our oldest daughter's wedding dress.  At least I am back in my sewing room.  Maybe late next week I can get back to some quilting. 

 

Did I mention that I miss quilting?  I'll be on the hunt for some t-shirts for another sports memorabilia quilt later this week... Maybe a Colorado Avs quilt?  Maybe Chicago Blackhawks?  It just depends on what I find on my hunt!

 

Have a great week!

 

 

Fixing a Imperfection

No one is perfect... we have all heard the phrase.  The Amish quilt makers are humble people and many consider their quilts as close to perfect as possible.  I once heard that they will purposefully place an imperfection in their quilts. 

I don't go to that extent, but my most recent quilt had a small imperfection that was a result of my rushing to get it quilted.  Many would not notice it, but it was something that really bugged me. There was a pucker near the edge of the quilt.  Enough of one that would have been noticeable when I sewed on the binding.  It is difficult to see it in the picture but it is there...

Somewhere in my years of quilting I heard about a "fix" for the error.  I did a running stitch near the edge and gently, and ever so slightly, gathered the fabric so that it laid flat. 

NOW it is ready for the binding...

...and it lays flat with no puckers.

So, no one is perfect.  But with a few tricks and tips some imperfections can be hidden.

I don't quite agree with the statement on the quilt below, but it drives the point home. 

 

Unfortunately, I don't know who to credit for the picture below... but it is cute!

 

I, for one, am grateful that the pressure of being perfect is one that I don't worry about (much) anymore.  I do, however, give it my best effort.  So, next time you have a little pucker in the quilting... don't sweat it - try to blend it or work in.  Happy Quilting!

 

Inspiration Comes From...

No matter what you do, whether it is sewing, quilting, knitting, scrapbooking or even baking... Where does your inspiration come from?

I find inspiration for quilts in all different places... at the hardware store, a tile store, nature... the possibilities are endless. 

Recently we visited a house that had an addition finished.  We had been there before, but the fireplace wasn't completely done.  This time we walked in and it was beautiful and instantly made me think "THAT would be a really cool table runner". 

I quickly snatched Dave's phone and snapped a picture.

 

Now, tell me what YOU think.  And tell me where you find inspiration to create.  Maybe I'll look there too!

 

 

 



A "blended" quilt

This week two of my favorite activities came together - Scrapbooking and quilting.

Using my Cricut I created templates of 5 inch capital letters, traced them to fusible web, picked the letter fabric and then machine appliqued the letters to 6-1/2 inch blocks.  The end result was this fun little baby quilt!

 

As I was appliqueing the letters on to the blocks, I had them sorted by the color of letter because I was using matching threads.  As I sewed, I played a game in my mind of how many different words could be made up with the letters that I had spread out on my sewing table.  When they were all done, I played on my design wall...  What can I say, I am easily entertained!

Thus, my new cover photo for facebook... I couldn't help but think of the learning opportunities the activity offers.  Matching colors of letters, matching background fabrics, spelling, initials... 

This could be a fun activity with a young child, or with Alzheimer's or dementia patients.  In fact, it is something I would have enjoyed doing with either of my girls as preschoolers and even my dad as his Alzheimer's progressed. 

Oooh, it just occurred to me... What a fun wall-hanging this would/could be made for a baby's or toddler's room! 

My word for the year is Hope.  What word would you create?