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? 

A Little bit of this... And A Little bit of that.

This week seemed a bit crazy and busy and with plenty of variety.

There were more blocks made for the MS quilts...

 



 

I started the wedding dress for our oldest daughter... Re-designing two patterns to make the dress exactly what she wants is a challenge!  The bodice from one pattern and the skirt from another - I figured that was going to be the hard part - getting the two to go together without it looking odd.  Turns out that was the easy part!  The bodice alone from the one pattern (noted as an "easy" pattern) was the challenge.  I was ready to pull my hair out after a short time... My mom suggested we get an old sheet and cut out the parts we needed and try it that way.   Brilliant!  It took some patience but I finally got it.

 

 

I then played some with the embellishment that she wants on the dress that came off of my veil.

 

 

I really should have continued working on the dress, but since my daughter couldn't just stop in for a quick fitting before I actually cut from the satin, I pulled out my Cri-cut and cut the letters for a fun little alphabet quilt for a friend's first grandchild.

 

I had no opportunity to be bored this week!  A little bit of this... a little bit of that... just the way I like it.

And remember, if you are interested in other quilting blogs check out http://www.quilterblogs.com/

 





Never Forget...

A dear friend lost her daughter in 2011.  She had Multiple Sclerosis and she was only 38 years young... far too short of a life.  Tracy left behind her husband and four daughters as well as her parents, siblings and numerous loved ones. 

Another friend that I met through facebook introduced me to a project that she was taking on throughout the Lenten season - Quiltblocks for MS.  A few days later my dear friend sent a request to support her in her MS Walk fundraising.  I thought, "This is too perfect!" 

I knew immediately that I wanted to make a few blocks in support of Sandi's daughter, Tracy. The blocks that are collected will be assembled and quilted and then sold at silent auction events held at MS walks. Below are the first blocks that I made. 

I never met Tracy in person, but from the stories I have heard of her and from the picture that I was sent I can tell that she was a vibrant and fun person who cherished life and taught those that loved her to do the same.

A lesson that is valuable and I hope to pass it on to those around me. 

Tracy's mom, Sandi shared with me the following:

Tracy was married to her high school sweetheart and they have four daughters. Tracy always had a smile on her face and joy in her heart. When MS started to take hold of her life she would look to the positive.  Tracy was headstrong and determined, this I believe gave her the determination she needed in the last few years of her life.  She loved her family of origin and doted on her husband and girls. Tracy loved to talk, and talk and talk! She would get on the phone and we would talk for hours. Sometimes the phone would be passed around the room several times and Tracy still had more to share. 

The last few years Tracy was in a wheelchair, which did not stop her from participating in the MS walks. When her youngest was four or five Tracy pushed her and her sisters in her wheelchair. Later the youngest would be on her moms lap and the older girls would be pushing. 

MS did not stop Tracy from living her life while she was alive. It was that strong determination and her bullheadedness that pushed her onward. I have no doubt God gave her that very young so as life went on she could endure.

 

Her daughter Sabrina wrote this:

 

I cannot believe that it has been two years today that you have been gone mom! I miss your smile, your jokes, your laugh,.... Just you being here. I would absolutely do anything to hear your voice again, feel your touch again & just get to tell you that I love you. I hope you knew that we loved you more than anything. I am honestly so lost without you. Two years and it still doesnt seem real! I'm still lost. Still cant forget when you took your last breath. I never wanted to die so much in my life. I never thought I would cry so much and so hard. The pain it has given all of us is undescibable but if it werent for daddy we wouldbt be where we are today or be as strong or be able to handle all of this. I love you so much and hope you smile down on us when we look up at you  I love you momma.
Thanks to everyone who cares

Live. Laugh. Love... and Never forget.

A Pick Me Up...

I've been picked up!  Well, my blog has been... my blog will now be included in a listing of quilters blogs.

I am supposed to figure out how to link to them.  The "banner" and "blinkie" thing is not working in the way that it should... I have not the tolerance and patience required to research the problem right now.

So, check out www.quilterblogs.com if you are interested in following any other quilters.  I am told they will also have special offers from various quilters supplies for items such as notions, fabric and thread.



Blinkies?!? Who thinks of such terms?

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