Getting Past the Distractions

Last week I set the dates for my days at the Trinidad Farmer's Market... July 4th & September 12

So... it is time to begin building up my inventory.  Already, I have made a few therapeutic rice bags (that can be heated in the microwave or placed in the freezer like an ice pack) as well as some microwave potato baker bags that can be used for much more than just baked potatoes.

And currently up on my design wall is a Harley Davidson quilt!

I don't have an overly busy week with errands, appointments and such, so getting this done quickly should not be a problem... 

The problem is...

I have the burning desire to whip up a few of these really cute and fun chicken pincushions!  They are small and should come together really quickly as well...

The last time I was distracted from what I "should have" been doing I made this...

I have never had a love or need for pincushions... until recently when I found a tutorial about making the adorable little tea cup pincushions.  While digging through a box of passed along fabric I came across this suede-like fabric that  I decided to use to give the look of a fancy latte.  I love it!

So, I will sign off for now and go make my little hen and then get busy sewing items to sell at the market. 

Happy stitching!

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Still Square Dancin'

I finally had an entire week at home!  Woohoo!  The first since before Mom's knee surgery... and OH! It felt SO good!

And with my time at home I was, naturally, in my sewing room.  This week I was able to finish the Frozen II quilt, deliver the Fireman's Patch quilt, fix two misplaced blocks in my second Addicted to Scraps quilt and play with a few Idaho Square Dance blocks to create a table runner.

The retired Fireman loved his quilt!  When we originally planned the project he talked about it being a gift to his son... when he proudly walked out of our house he was holding it closely and wasn't too sure about giving it away. Lol!

I was pleased with the final product of the Frozen II quilt.  You can read about that one here...  Frozen II  I am certain that some sweet grand-daughter is going to LOVE this one.

You will learn about the misplaced blocks sometime in August... I will sum it up in this "The queen-sized quilt was done and ready to be be photographed for Quiltmaker.  And then I saw it!  Two blocks that were turned the wrong way! And I couldn't leave them that way."  'Nuf said... you can read about it later when the quilt is revealed.

When I had started the Idaho Square Dance blocks I was intimidated by the number of  1-1/2" squares that were in the block.  So I played around with some larger blocks.  This is the result...

Using 6-1/2" center squares, 2-1/2" squares and 2-1/2" x 6-1/2" rectangles I quickly had three 14" squares and a table runner ready for quilting...  After completing one block and giving the project some consideration I chose to not alter the pattern... but this was a fun, quick project!

My time in the studio for the week is done, but you can bet I will back in there soon... next on the cutting table is denim for file holders for the summer NRA Gunsmithing students. Hey, this girl doesn't just quilt... I am a multi-faceted sewologist!

Happy sewing!

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Frozen II

I have been working on a second Frozen quilt for a friend... this one has pieced snowflakes.

I planned on doing free motion quilting to outline Elsa and Anna but was at a loss for what to do over the snowflakes... I thought about diagonal lines. I considered stippling or loops and swirls.  And then I searched youtube for a tutorial on free-motion snow flakes.  I was convinced that I HAD to do them!

Off to my studio...

I am really excited with what I have started... the top left flake was my first attempt - really bad!  Just figuring out what direction I wanted to working helped me.  #2, just below the first one, improved, yet was too close to the first one... #3 is still not perfect, but something I would be able to live with.

While I realize I have soooooooooooooo far to go with improving my skills as a free-motion quilter, I no longer fret over some imperfections in the stitching.  

Sometimes you just have to face your fear!  So go ahead... jump in... You can do it!

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Zia's Square Dance

As part of the group for Quiltmaker's Addicted to Scraps column that features Bonnie Hunter's blocks that are stash busters I was made this quilt...

The post by Quiltmaker can be found here... Zia's Square Dance...

I don't really have much else to add to the post, so rather than repeat everything that has already been written, just check click on the link above.

Thanks!  Happy Scrapping!

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Never Waste the Cast Offs!

My recent project has been hand-pieced... Rectangles with half-square triangles - using the stitch and flip method...

The finished blocks are snowflakes for a "Frozen" quilt...  Aren't they cute?!?

But, no fear, those little cast-offs did not go to waste...

  

I used all of the cast-offs to make the May Bitty-block for Quiltmakers Row Quilt!  All I had to do was trim them to size and add a 2-1/2" block for the pad and the 1-1/2 block for the corner... Easy-peasy!  Didn't the tiny Bear Paws blocks turn out cute???

You can find the pattern for these bitty-blocks here... Quiltmaker Bitty Block-Bear Paw

I think I will be spending some time piecing the remaining snowflake pieces this weekend... and catching up on my rest before Mom gets to come home...  What will you be doing?

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Hand Piecing is So Much More Than Just Piecing...

In the past week I have spent a great deal of time sitting and waiting... I waited as my Mom was prepped for surgery - a double total knee replacement.  I waited for the updates during surgery telling me that the first knee was being closed and eventually the second. I waited to be able to see her in recovery.  I waited for her to be moved to her room.

And that was just the first day!

While waiting I did some hand piecing.

I had 76 of these rectangles with a half-square triangle to piece.  Seventy-six... and only one was stitched incorrectly (with the wrong side of fabric up).  I think that was pretty good, given the various distractions and interruptions that occurred.

I had numerous comments on my choice of activity... One lady seemed envious that she hadn't been able to do any quilt for about 6 weeks because of complications with her husband's knee replacement.  She spoke longingly of the quilting group that had a project that was to be donated for a benefit dinner. She hoped that she would be able to be part of the project and contribute her two blocks.  

There is just something soothing and calming about piecing and quilting.  It helped me to pass the time, sure.  But I have always spent my time making quilts in prayer... so what better activity to do as I waited?

I am happy to report that, so far, my Mom is doing well.  There were some issues with nausea, but that is under control, as well as the pain, and she will soon be making a transfer to the rehabilitation hospital.

If you feel so inclined, I would welcome your prayers as she continues on her journey.

God Bless!

Melva

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Creating Heirlooms with a Passion

In addition to having a passion for quilting, I have a passion for heirlooms and history. So when the two come together I get really excited!

The latest project features a 25 year collection of patches/badges from fire departments.

This is a large collection... 121 patches - from all over the US... some commemorative patches (for the Oklahoma bombing, the 9/11 attacks), training patches and a few from other countries such as Germany and Australia.  When completed it will be for a full-sized bed with plenty of drop on three sides.

The biggest challenge with this project is actually sewing the patches on... It involves lots of pins.  Which means that with every movement or shift of the quilt while stitching on it there is an opportunity to poked or scratched.  On a finger, on the arm, on the waist or the lap...

A few things you will hear coming from my sewing room... "Ouch",  "Dang it", "Well"... and "Don't bleed on the quilt, Melva!"  I mean some of those sticks are bad!  Nothing that will leave scars but they still hurt.  And so far, I haven't bled on the quilt.  Though I did need to walk away for awhile as one of the sticks slowed down and eventually stopped.

What a wonderful way to display the patches.  I am so glad that the customer came up with the idea!  It would be a fascinating time to sit with him and hear the stories attached to each patch.  I am told this will be a gift to one of their children.  I hope that they have had or will have the opportunity to hear the legacy of this quilt/collection.

Happy quilting!

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