Sew & Tell ~ February 20, 2023

 

I finished #8/52 mini quilts... this one is my artistic expression of the section of Scripture from Exodus 28.  My daughter and I took a little extra time and did a shared synopsis of the stones placed on the piece, the properties of them as well as the meanings and significance of them.  

The Breastpiece

15 “Fashion a breastpiece for making decisions—the work of skilled hands. Make it like the ephod: of gold, and of blue, purple and scarlet yarn, and of finely twisted linen. 16 It is to be square—a span long and a span wide—and folded double. 17 Then mount four rows of precious stones on it. The first row shall be carnelian, chrysolite and beryl; 18 the second row shall be turquoise, lapis lazuli and emerald; 19 the third row shall be jacinth, agate and amethyst; 20 the fourth row shall be topaz, onyx and jasper. Mount them in gold filigree settings. 21 There are to be twelve stones, one for each of the names of the sons of Israel, each engraved like a seal with the name of one of the twelve tribes.

The placement of the "stones" is from right to left, as the Hebrew language is read.  Interestingly enough, not all translations list the same gemstones in the same order.  I am using The Message Bible in my readings. 

It was a fun and creative activity and helped to get the Word a bit more engrained in my brain.

Among other quilty items I finished or worked on... The "Toy Boats" quilt for a customer and HS classmate/friend.

I made a number of repairs to clothing and snow pants and cleared off my cutting table with several hours left to begin sandwiching and quilting another one of the 8 quilt tops for another customer.  I pulled a green and white one out...

I have a few lines of quilting on it and will mark the remaining lines as if I get time this week.  We will be doing final packing and prep for our trip.  You can expect that I will be rather silent on the web for a period of time but have the posts/stories for Sew & Tell scheduled so that you can all show off your creative endeavors.  The link-up opens at 7:00 p.m. (Mountain Time) Sunday evenings and remains open until 5pm (MT) on Friday.  You are able to link up blogs or social media links, or even a YouTube video, if you would like.  And if you have more than one link to share, that's ok too.  Invite your friends. The more the merrier!  

Last week I spaced the features... I'm not sure where my mind was, other than preoccupied about something.  Sorry folks... I am an imperfect person who is sometimes forgetful. 🙈 The most recent parade had some great shares.  These are the ones that captured my fancy.

Andree shared a project from a class where she learned a technique to make stones.  She shared a meditation card as well.  Both have given me ideas for future mini quilts.

Jocelyn shared four scrappy patchwork quilts she is making to be given to a nursing home.

And from Joy's Jots, Shots & Whatnots we have a beautiful Quilt of Valor that was pieced by a group of quilters on QOV National Sew Day.

It's your turn now!  Join the party, talk amongst yourselves by visiting a few links and leaving some kind words.  

Keep Piecing,

Melva

Linking with:

Oh Scrap! at Quilting is More Fun Than Housework

Sunday Stash at QuiltPaintCreate

Design Wall Monday at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts

Monday Musings at Songbird Designs

To Do Tuesday at Quilt Schmilt

Toy Boats Finish

I had an unplanned, extended session in the studio found a finish... thanks to a big storm.  Last week a high school classmate (dare I say, from 40 years ago!) contacted me requesting a baby quilt for a grandson that is due to arrive this spring.  The nursery is being done with a sea themed room in navy.  I took advantage of this extra time and found it very productive!

When I sent her a photo of a "Captain Frog" quilt I made several years ago she liked it... Here's the fabric pull for her grandson's quilt.

As the snow started falling outside on Wednesday, I was busy cutting and piecing... The snow stacked up and the wind was making it drift, but I was comfortable and warm in the studio.  

Since I was only making a baby quilt the pieces were few and came together quickly.  Before I knew it, I was ready to add borders to the top.  Sandwiching the quilt took place on Thursday, followed by FMQ loops and swirls on my Babylock Jazz... and by 3 in afternoon the toy boats quilt was ready for a quick photo session, once again, in the snow.

As I picked up the quilt after a few shots in one place I discovered that there was an imprint left on the snow...

I think there is meaning behind this... We all leave an imprint on every person and thing we come in contact with. Make certain it is a good one!

Is there something else that comes to mind as you look at this picture?

Leave a comment... I love hearing your thoughts. 

PS - My friend's maiden name is Shipp... I thought it was cute that the baby quilt has ships... even though I am calling it Toy Boats.  May their family be blessed with love and joy with this child.

Keep Piecing!

Melva

Linking with:

Can I Get A Whoop Whoop at Confessions of a Fabric Addict

Off The Wall Friday with Nina Marie

Brag About Your Beauties at From Bolt to Beauty

Peacock Party at Wendy’s Quilts and More

Friday Foto Fun at Powered by Quilting

Thank Goodness It’s Finished Friday

Finished or Not Friday at Alycia Quilts

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Wintery Wednesday Works

I realize we do live in Southeastern Colorado and that the highest amounts of snowstorms happen in the spring. I do... I really do know this, but it has been a strange season.  We can get some very low overnight temperatures but this year we have had three separate stretches of days that the temps did not rise above freezing.  Brrrrr!

Despite these temperature swings the trees and grass are beginning to wake up and the winds are stirring that little bit of pollen all over the place causing allergy issues for many.  Yet today we have yet another storm settling in with snow predicted to fall for 24 hours+.

This mini quilt is a bit reflective of the temps and my mood lately... though it does help to have had to the opportunity to create and play with some mini quilts... This one (#7/52) was designed with a guy in mind as a gift from his wife for Valentines Day.

It was cut from an orphan block that I received from my customer that sent the 8 quilt tops.

I am still practicing and learning dimple quilting, what works and what doesn't. 

So far, I have learned that smaller stiches are best as well as the random placement of the stitching.

#8/52 is in progress and reflective of my daily Bible reading from the Book of Exodus... the details of the Breastplate that Moses was told by God to have built with 12 gemstones representing the 12 Tribes of Israel.  

As my daughter and I talked about the breastplate it occurred to me that I probably had the stones in the wrong place... I had placed them from left to right, but after an quick inquiry to one of our mentors, we learned that the text of the Torah is written and read in a right to left direction.  

After my correction of this I quilted them into place.  I will do some embroidery to outline the stones later today...

But for now, I am headed to the studio to start a custom baby quilt for a HS classmate's grandson.

I'll be enjoying hot tea as I seek refuge, warmth and joy in my studio... and dream of warmer temperatures and the sounds of the beach.

Am I the only one ready for spring?  It is my favorite season with the earth awakening, plants and trees poking out buds and flowers and wildlife rejoicing as new life springs forth.  

What is your favorite season and why?

I'd love to hear from you... please leave a comment.

Keep Piecing,

Melva

Linking with:

Mid-week Makers at Quilt Fabrication

Wednesday Wait Loss at The Inquiring Quilter

Put Your Foot Down at For the Love of Geese 

Needle & Thread Thursday at My Quilt Infatuation

Free-Motion Mavericks at Quilting & Learning

Thankful Thursday at Brian's Home

Little Things Thursday at Good Random Fun

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Sew & Tell ~ Recent Finishes and Good News!

I've been steadily working in the studio... 2/8 of my customer's quilts are D.O.N.E.  The smallest was an easy finish... squares on point, trim so that the edges were straight (didn't even worry about square) and bind by machine for the finish...

The second patchwork quilt had wonky borders that needed to be fussed with after quilting the center of the top with hanging diamonds (you can see what I did to fix it by clicking on the highlighted link above...  Simple twisted ribbons are in the borders and look so sweet. 💚

Side note:  Why does the quilting always show better on the back of the quilt???  Whatever the reason, the lighting was perfect to capture it as the quilt was waiting on my sewing table for the binding to be sewn on...

You can see from the pictures we got snow again!  Another 10 inches of wet stuff... it made a great backdrop for the photo session.

Mini quilt #6/52 was a scrappy finish with so much stitching and texture... MUCH more than is my usual.  But that is the thing with my personal mini quilt challenge... I want to try things outside the box for me... push me on my creativity... and if it turns out great, it's all good.  If a little imperfect, that's okay... 'cuz it can sit under a mug of coffee just as easily as a really great one.

Valentines Day was the inspiration for this one... John 3:16 is easy to say when we read or recite "God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son."  But how many of us need this reminder by saying "God so loved ME that He gave his one and only Son."... Yes.  EVEN ME.

The coming week will have me at the computer for an extensive amount of time... the reason?  Well... I have been granted permission to compile and print all of the stories of Marion Sloan Russell from The Land of Enchantment and my patterns for the quilt blocks.  It has been a slow process, but I am finally able to move forward.

Since we are heading south across the big ol' state of Texas to the beach soon, I want to get the document ready for printing so that I can get a proof on order as soon as we return.  

I'll be busy in the kitchen with some baking of muffins, snack bars and simple meals to take with us.  We'll be making a stop at Katie's Seafood Market in Galveston... with grand plans for a seafood pizza, and various seafood meals as we play in the sand and surf!  We are soooo excited for this trip.  Among one of the many reasons that we purchased the 5th-wheel trailer was to have a little more room for the times that we take our dog Shelby with us.  We will, indeed, be taking her along.  We look forward to seeing how she reacts to the sand and waves.  We are also looking forward to traveling with some friends taking their own trailer.  Look out Crystal Beach!  Here we come!

As time allows, I'll be prepping a few more quilted hearts to pass my time on the road.  

Do you take quilting projects with you when you travel?  Or maybe some other kind of handwork, such as knitting, crocheting or cross-stitch?

Leave a comment... I'd love to hear from you about how you pass the time on the road!

Keep Piecing,

Melva

Linking with:

Oh Scrap! at Quilting is More Fun Than Housework

Sunday Stash at QuiltPaintCreate

Design Wall Monday at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts

Monday Musings at Songbird Designs

This & That at Days Filled with Joy

To Do Tuesday at Quilt Schmilt

Mid-week Makers at Quilt Fabrication

Wednesday Wait Loss at The Inquiring Quilter

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Therapy in the Studio

Wednesday started as any other day... a quiet time of Bible reading and devotion time which sparked a creative idea for a mini quilt.  I grabbed my sketch book and made some notes.  It was a sweet and special time.

I then headed to the kitchen to make a new batch of granola for breakfast. For those interested, here is the recipe.

2/3 cup coconut sugar

1/3 cup coconut oil (melted)

1/3 cup maple syrup

1/3 cup honey

Combine in a microwave safe bowl and cook on high for 1 minute.

Stir in:

1/2 cup shelled sunflower seeds

3/4 cup ground flax seed

1/2 cup walnuts

1/4 cup sliced almonds

1/4 cup shelled pistachios

Microwave for 1 minute.

Add in:

6 cups whole GF oats

1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes

Microwave for 3 minutes; stir.  Microwave for 3 minutes and stir a second time.

Mix in dried fruits:

1/2 cup dried apples

1/4 cup dried unsweetened cranberries or cherries

1/4 cup raisins or chopped dates

Microwave for 3-minutes.  Stir in 1 tablespoon vanilla.  Let cool, stirring several times and store in an airtight container.

As I was waiting for the 3-minute periods to pass, I decided to take care of something on-line that needed attention.  Trying to log in to an account, the need to update/change a password and more technological challenges persisted.  In all, it took 45 minutes to download a bank statement. 😒

My pleasant demeanor and attitude was quickly dissolved. So I sought refuge in my happy place as I repeated "Not today Satan... NOT TODAY."

I spread out the second of the eight quilt tops for my customer, I liked the look of the hanging diamond layout for the main body of the quilt.

It was time to spread out on my workspace (the floor) and try to ease in the fullness of the borders.  This involved some running stitches and making a slight gathering without ending up with creases or folds.

Some of the worst sections required three lines of gathering stitches...

I will be making a twisted ribbon in the narrow border and two separate twisted ribbons in the larger border.  Any little bit of excess on the outer edge will be eased in as I add the binding.

Fingers crossed that this extra step will help to mask any issue... I'm sure it will look fabulous once trimmed, bound and washed/dried.  

Stay tuned for the finished product!

Oh, and I have to say that before long I was in a pleasant and happy mood again.  Quilting helps my mood!  How 'bout you???

Have you ever had such an issue on one of your quilts?  

What did you do to avoid wrinkles and creases quilted in?

I'd love to hear your ideas...  I'm sure there are one or two more quilts with a similar problem.

Keep Piecing,

Melva

linking with:

Put Your Foot Down at For the Love of Geese 

Needle & Thread Thursday at My Quilt Infatuation

Free-Motion Mavericks at Quilting & Learning

Can I Get A Whoop Whoop at Confessions of a Fabric Addict

Off The Wall Friday with Nina Marie

Brag About Your Beauties at From Bolt to Beauty

Peacock Party at Wendy’s Quilts and More

Friday Foto Fun at Powered by Quilting

Thank Goodness It’s Finished Friday

Finished or Not Friday at Alycia Quilts

Oh Scrap! at Quilting is More Fun Than Housework

Sunday Stash at QuiltPaintCreate

Scrap Happy Saturday at Super Scrappy

Patchwork & Quilts at The Quilting Patch

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Sew & Tell ~ February 6, 2023

Can you believe that we have turned a page to a new month???  It was a very cold week and all that snow we had two weeks ago remains (as I prepare this story on Friday afternoon).  Could it be that that is the reason for February being the shortest month?  Because we all just want to get past the winter and welcome spring???  Though the temps have finally warmed enough that we have started melting it and once it started it melted quickly.  

It's been so cold I haven't been doing much walking and I have a very difficult time trying to make myself do some simple exercises in the house.  *sigh*  I guess that my beach-ready body (haha!) will not be fully ready for when we head south with some friends for camping on the beaches near Galveston... less than 3 weeks until we pull out.  Woohoo!

It was during the recent unusual deep freeze of weather with frigid temps and some higher content of moisture than is typical...  (Seriously! We had this hoar frost for almost three days!) that I created a mini quilt which reflected my feelings. 

Last week I had a misspelling on one of the minis that I made... I failed to write the "e" in the word believe... making the word belive.  I recalled a picture/devotion from October of last year...  I COULD have left it alone... instead I picked out the stitches and fixed it.  Just to clarify this week... I did put Son rather than sun on this one to remind myself that even though the sun may not be shining The Son should always shine through me. :)  This mini quilt ~ #5 of 52 ~ is 4"x6" with a buttonhole stitch to finish the edges.

I am enjoying the creative process of making the minis which is helping me to explore techniques and styles that are outside my comfort zone.  Applique is not a favorite of mine, but I didn't mind including it on the Colorado wall hanging that I shared in my Friday Finish post...

My assistant helped me over the fence and turned the quilt around so that I could capture Fishers Peak...

 

The second of two commissioned wall hangings required an extra spark of creativity.  It was requested that I include a local landmark, Simpsons Rest... a tall sandstone bluff that overlooks the town of Trinidad.  My great-grandfather led the crew that installed the first Trinidad sign that was lit and dedicated in 1915.

I got past my mental block about how to create the sandstone bluff... thanks to the advice from my creative consultant and assistant, Dave, as well as a sudden burst of brilliance in how to enlarge the photo to the size I needed.  Using some technology and photo editing, I was able to enlarge the picture to the proper size, print it out in sections and tape it all together to make my pattern.  Ta-dah!

The final border is a fabric of Trinidad bricks that I had printed by Spoonflower a few years back.  The square stippling on the bluff mimics the nooks and crannies and shadows in the sandstone.

My customer was beyond pleased with both wall hangings and when I shared my pictures with her, she asked if they were ready to be picked up.  She arrived a very short time later. 😍  

I told them they would have a new home and would be properly loved and cared for and bid them farewell.  

I returned to my studio to begin quilting quilt top #1 of 8... While sandwiching this top I realized that it was very wonky but pressed it out the best I could as I sandwiched it using Hobbs Heirloom Fusible batting. 

Remember that these were all tops completed by a woman advanced in her age with decreased vision... Keeping this in mind, they are precious treasures for the family, and they deserve the best finishing possible, just as a quilt made to be entered into a national quilt contest.
 

There are many mis-matched corners, a few folds and wrinkles in it, but once it is washed a dried, they will disappear into the natural wrinkles that occur when the 80% cotton batting shrinks just a tad.

It is an ideal size for a baby quilt... and any baby that might be wrapped in this will not mind one bit that there are a few imperfections... all stitched with persistence and love.

This week I'll pull out another "1 of 8 tops" and get going on it.  It will likely be a mid-sized one.  I'll also make mini quilt #6/52. 

Time for Sew & Tell...  what have you done this week?  There has been a steady increase of entries.  I offer many thanks to everyone that has spread the word and joined the weekly parade. 

You might say I had stars in my eyes this week! 🤩Two entries that caught my ever-lovin' scrappy attention... 

Bonnie In Stitches had some bright scrappy stars. 

and Sew Sunshine showed off another beautiful scrappy star.

Keep Piecing, 

Melva

Linking with:

Oh Scrap! at Quilting is More Fun Than Housework

Sunday Stash at QuiltPaintCreate

Design Wall Monday at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts

Monday Musings at Songbird Designs

This & That at Days Filled with Joy

To Do Tuesday at Quilt Schmilt

Mid-week Makers at Quilt Fabrication

Wednesday Wait Loss at The Inquiring Quilter

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A Blessing of Fabric

Last weekend I met up with many long-time friends... the first time in a really, really long time.  We had a common purpose for our gathering which was to begin preparing for a Women's retreat.  As we caught up with each other there was laughter and joy, tender care and prayer.

One especially tender reunion was with a close friend with whom I have stayed in contact with over the phone.  Our daughters happen to work together and have children close in age that attend the same school.  This friend learned in December that she had breast cancer and would soon be undergoing treatment.  Pat loves to craft, sew, quilt and embroider along with many other "hobbies".  She has from time to time cleared out some of her fabric stash and scraps... and sent them in my direction.  YAY!  

She had slowly been sorting through her supplies in the fall, but upon her diagnosis her husband (ever so kindly???) asked her to make this all happen faster (like before her treatment would begin).  She agreed to do so... I'm not sure I would have been so quiet and willing as she was.  I won't go into how his request rubbed me the wrong way...  

None the less... I was able to meet with her quickly in the parking lot as she unloaded her de-stash into my car.

I gave her a huge hug and spoke a prayer over her as she headed off to another meeting.

As I examined the assortment of fabrics after returning home, I set a few aside because I knew what I would use them for.

I was recently commissioned to make two wall hangings. 

One was similar to one I made several years ago and needed to have the Colorado flag and Fishers Peak on it.

From Pat's stash I pulled out the grey that I used for the mountains and the peak, the yellow for the center of the "C" and the light blue that I used for the binding, as well as the red/white/blue fabric the backing.

The mountains are prairie points with the points tacked down.  The echo quilting represents the many mountain ranges in the state.  And stippling fills the top and bottom representing the blue skies and mountain lakes. 

One done... one to go!

I am stumped still in the designing phase of the second wall hanging... The request was to have another local landmark on it, Simpsons Rest which bears the big TRINIDAD sign.

I did locate the perfect fabric for the sandstone in Pat's blessing of fabric... beyond that I'm not sure what to do or how to do it.  

My creative consultant (husband Dave) advised me and gave some suggestions... but I am still unsure intimidated.  My mind just can't wrap around it. I know from experience... I simply need to set it aside until I have the inspiration and answer come to me... which usually happens in the early hours of the morning as I am just barely awake.  😴

What do you do when you have a block about a project or design?

Leave a comment... I'd love to hear from you!

Keep Piecing,

Melva

Linking with:

Put Your Foot Down at For the Love of Geese 

Needle & Thread Thursday at My Quilt Infatuation

Free-Motion Mavericks at Quilting & Learning

Thank Goodness It’s Finished Friday

Can I Get A Whoop Whoop at Confessions of a Fabric Addict

Off The Wall Friday with Nina Marie

Brag About Your Beauties at From Bolt to Beauty

Peacock Party at Wendy’s Quilts and More

Friday Foto Fun at Powered by Quilting

Finished or Not Friday at Alycia Quilts

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