New Years Sew In

Well, it's that time again - what better way to spend New Years Day than in the sewing room!

If you are on Twitter, you can use the hashtag #NYSI to join in the conversation.  On Twitter, I am colleenquilts2 - but I have to warn you, I'm more of a listener than a chatter.  (Just like real life!)

Sandy, over at Quilting for the Rest of Us, asks us to send her our Quilting Resolutions.  I put mine in, but should have printed it off.  Now I can't remember what they were - but I'm sure they were good!  I'll have to listen to her podcast to see if she reads mine out.

I do remember my main resolution - and that is to complete at least two UFO's for every project that I start.  Good luck!  Last year, my plan was to only complete UFO's.  Well, two young ladies that I know were pregnant, so, of course I had to make them baby quilts.  And I had to try out the Twister tool from my last post.  And, there is another little project I started that I haven't posted about yet.   I have the attention span of a gnat!  But, I did get two major UFO projects completed, so I'm happy about that.

But, I've got so darn many UFO's and kits and patterns / purchased fabric combos.  And my sewing room is not that big!  I'm running out of space!  I don't have any pregnant friends or family members at present.  So, I am committed to keeping my resolution this year.

What are your quilty resolutions for 2013?

Trying out the Twister

Last spring, I bought the “Lil Twister” at a quilt show.  I’m always a sucker for new notions, and this one looked like fun.
 Around the same time, I won a charm square pack from AJ at I Knit n Quilt 2.  It was Martinique, by 3 Sisters.  Beautiful, soft browns, greens and pinks.
I finally tried out the Twister on these charm square fabrics.
First, I sewed all the charms together

Next, I had to pick a border fabric.  For some reason, I have lots in my stash to choose from!

Here is the Twister template.  It has lines on it, set on the diagonal.  You place these lines on the seam lines of your patches, and cut around the template.

Then, you lay out the newly cut pieces in exactly the same order that they were in as you cut them out.  Voila – twisted blocks!

As your border has become part of the twisted blocks, you need to add on another border.  Here it is unquilted

I decided to quilt it in diagonal, parallel lines.  The lines are about an inch apart.

You can’t see the binding very well, but I found a soft green stripe in my stash that worked well.

It finished up at about 30 x 33 inches.  Just a nice size for a table topper.
The Twister does leave a lot of fabric behind.  Being the thrifty person that I am, noticed that the pieces left included 42 squares about 2 1/2 inches in size.  I cut them down to 2 inch and added them to my leaders and enders.  Yes, they are cut on the bias, but I figure that they will end up sewn to lots of other pieces, so the bias won’t have any harmful effect.

Tree Skirts and Stockings and Whiskers on Kittens

OK, there are no pictures of whiskers on kittens. I admit it - I am a quilter without a cat.

I'm linking up with Heather at Books and Quilts to show you my Christmas Tree skirt.  When I was a child, my mom had a roll of "cottin battin" that we used for a tree skirt.  That's how we pronounced it - cottin battin.  I had no idea that it had any use other than looking like snow under the tree.  We had a little cardboard village, with sparkly walls and waxed paper windows that we set out on the cottin battin each year.  My sister had, when she was about three, poked out all the windows.  So, for ever after that, the houses had no windows.  We also collected various plastic farm animals - of various sizes, so the chicken was as big as the cow, and spread them around the village.  There was also a plastic moose, as I recall.  What a Hallmark scene we created!

It wasn't until I made my first quilt, and opened up the package of batting, that I thought, "This looks an awful lot like the cottin battin that we used to... Doh!"

My tree skirt today is slightly more professional.  Here is the flat view:

And here it is around the tree:

I'm also linking up with Quilting Lines to show you my Christmas Stockings.  There isn't anything special about these - they were one of those panels you buy at Fabricland that has the stocking printed right on.  I just cut them out and sewed the two halved together, then finished the top and added a loop to hang them.  But, Mr. CQT loves them because they are pretty big.

And finally, one more little crafty item - well, six of them:

These little guys are each about 2.5 inches tall.  They are ceramic, and I painted them - back in the pre-bifocal days when I could actually see to do this kind of thing.  Sorry the picture is a little washed out.

To all that celebrate Christmas, have a Merry Christmas!

Look What I Found!

I admit it - I really am not a shopper.  Retail therapy - what's that?  More like retail torture to me.

So, Christmas is really the only time that I spend a lot of time in the stores, and, as a result, I usually run across lots of things that I would like.  I have to remind myself to focus on the reason why \I am there - to try and find a useful and/or item for friends and relatives that have just about all that they need.

But, last night, I lost focus for just a minute and splurged on this item for myself.

Isn't this just the cutest little ornament?  A quilters tote bag.  See the little tag in the front - Quilting Bee!  A bolt of striped fabric in the back.  A cutting mat.  A ruler and rotary cutter over on the right.  Scissors, pens - and what's that right in the middle?  One knitting needle.  I guess whoever designed it was one of those confused souls who think that we knit quilts.  Or, perhaps they weren't sure, so they put in only one knitting needle, not two.

Oh well, I love it anyway!  That is taking an up front position on my Christmas tree this year.

Here is another view - fancy designs on the sides.

I'm just going to sit and admire my little ornament for awhile.

Quilters Christmas Party

Sew Cal Gal is having a Christmas party, with lots of great prizes!

We had our office Christmas party last Friday.  Actually, this was party number 1.  Our team reserved space in a restaurant, and went out after work for drinks and nibblies.  It was great fun.  I work with a great group of gals!

Party number 2 is a building-wide lunch, complete with our IT guy dressed up as Santa.  What a hoot!  That is this week, I think.  (I have a ticket - I'll have to check that to make sure I don't miss it.)

Party number 3 is our monthly "special lunch" - that celebrates the month's birthdays.  Usually, we all bring our own lunches, and one person brings a special dessert.  This month, we are all chipping in for pizza, and the lunch will have a combination birthday / Christmas theme.

Lots of fun!

To keep this quilty, I'll show you my Christmas quilts.  (I can't show you any decorations, as I have none up yet!)

This is a tablerunner that I made from a Patrick Lose pattern.  I love the whimsy of it!

This is a panel that I used for my first free motion quilting class.  Sorry about the fuzzy picture!  I got really good at stippling when I fmq'd the sky.  Real good!   Too bad I didn't quilt the rest of the quilt that heavily - the bottom is wavy as a result of the difference in the quilting density.  Oh well - I learned a lesson and the quilt is still cute on the wall.

And finally, the tree skirt.

And that's it for my Christmas craftiness!   I'm looking forward to seeing what others have done.

A Quilter’s Proud Moment

My daughter (who teaches Grade 6) posted on my facebook page: 
“I used one of your quilts in class today to teach about angles.”

Awww, thanks!




She's got lots of angles to choose from with this one!

Tag, I’m It!

I’ve been tagged by Sam, at Quilting Curve.  Thanks, Sam – I hadn’t seen your blog before and it’s a real treat!

 

Now on to the tagging.  The rules are:

• Every tagged person has to tell 11 things about themselves.
• The person who tagged you asked 11 questions over at their blog, answer these questions in your post.
• Ask 11 questions of the people you tag (any quilting blogger with under 200 followers).
• Mention the person who tagged you (but don't for goodness sake tag them back!)

 

So, 11 things about me.  Hmmmm

1.  I’ve been a lawyer for almost 30 years, but only in private practice for the first 7.  I found it hard to ask for money from people in crisis.

2.  I met my DH in my law office.  He came in to get a Will done.  I asked him if he had ever been married, and he said, “No.  Anyone who married me would have to have a pretty good sense of humour.”  I thought, “I have a pretty good sense of humour.”  We started dating several months after that, and he has kept me laughing ever since.  He has a pretty good sense of humour too.

3.  I threw up on his shoes when I was in labour.  He has never let me forget it.  (And yes, he laughs about it.)

4.  I talk to myself.  Whenever I am alone.

5.  My secret ambition is to write a novel.

6.  I have not started to write a novel.  And yes, I realize that starting is the first step.

7.  I love to bake.  Nothing too fancy; just comfort food.  I think I’m a pretty good cook.

8.  I need to lose some weight.  I wonder if that has anything to do with #7?

9.  I have a 25 year old daughter, who is a teacher, and a 20 year old son, who is a tech whiz and a student.

10. My kids are so much more well adjusted than I was at their ages.  How did that happen? 

11.  I am so much like my Mom – in personality, and appearance.  Whenever we are together, someone says, “Well, I can sure tell that you are mother and daughter.”  I kind of like that, and I think she does too.

 

And now to answer Sam’s questions:

1.  Did you have an artistic background leading up to quilting?

Gak!  (That was me choking on my laughter.)  No, I have absolutely no artistic talent at all.  I always wanted to be artistic, but it is just not there.  I have always been creative, though – I’ve crafted my whole life.  But, almost always following a pattern.

2.  What would you change about your quilting studio / space?

Make it bigger. (Wouldn’t everyone?)  I am lucky that I have a complete room for my sewing.  My DH put it in when he finished the basement, and it seemed like there was lots of room when I moved my stuff in there.  But, my stash has grown a lot, as has my book / magazine collection and that space is filled up!

3.  If you could describe your quilting style in one word, what would that word be?

Careful.  (I am very slow and methodical, and like to think through each step.  I was going to use the word “precise”, but, to tell the truth, my quilting is not all that precise.)

4. Fess up – how many UFO’s do you have?

Oh gosh, I haven’t counted them for awhile.  If unopened kits don’t count, then I have about 5.  OK, 7.

5.  What inspires you to quilt?

It used to be classes and magazines.  I haven’t taken a class since the LQS near me closed down (5 years ago), and I don’t get as many magazines now.  I’d have to say that these days, the blogging and podcast communities are what inspires me.

6.  What kind of information, quilt wise, have you had trouble finding on the internet?

I looked for a pattern to make a Mariner’s compass quilt and could not find one.  There are lots of Mariner’s compass variations out there, but not the basic pattern.  I ended up buying a book.

7.  What is your favourite organization technique (quilt wise)?

If I have purchased fabric for a particular pattern, I keep that fabric together with the pattern.  The fabric that I purchase “just because” is sorted mostly by colour.

8.  What colour would you like to paint in your quilting studio / space?

Yellow.  (It is currently white.)

9.  If you could visit any country / place, where would you visit?

I’d like to go to London, England.  Well, actually, all over the UK.

10.  What is your favourite meal right now?

Some kind of pasta, with marinara sauce.

11.  Where do you buy your fabric?

If it’s something that I need to finish a project, I will usually go to a quilt store in Calgary.  However, I usually like to visit every quilt shop I come across when we travel, and, of course, I have to buy something in very one, so that is how I have built up my stash.

 

And now, here are my 11 questions for the people I tag.  (Sheesh!  This is getting to be a lot of work!)

1.  How did you discover quilting?

2.  Have you taken formal quilting classes?  If yes, what did you like about them, and what did you not like?

3.  Has the fact that you blog inspired you to quilt more?  Or has it eaten into the time you have available to quilt?

4.  Tell me the truth – are you just a teeny bit jealous of those bloggers that seem to have a quilt completed every week?  (Or are you one of those quilters, in which case, I’m a whole lot jealous!)

5.  What is your favourite part of quilting – cutting, piecing, quilting the quilt, handwork (applique or binding) or something else?

6.  Is there a quilting technique that you would like to try, but haven’t?  Why not?

7.  Is there something that you like to watch or listen to while you quilt?

8. Do you quilt regularly – or in spurts?

9.  Are you working on a Christmas gift right now?  If so, what?

10.  What are your other hobbies? 

11  What tempts you more – chocolate or chips?

 

And here are the blogs that I am tagging:

Amy’s Free Motion Quilting Adventures  Lots of tips and some videos.  She shares as she learns free motion quilting (but, really, she’s pretty darn good already!)

Wilma’s Craft Corner  I found Wilma because she was doing the same Block of the Month as me.  She has finished hers – I haven’t.  She has lots of photos of great projects that she has completed.

Capitola Quilter  Karen has a wonderful modern style.  She participates in lots of swaps and bees, and that is always fun to read about.

LIfe is a Stitch  I’ve been following Nancy-Rose’s blog, I think, since she started – and she was an early blogger.  She has a great sense of humour.  And, she has created some beautiful quilts, often out of thrift store scraps.

Books and Quilts  Heather combines crafting (quilting and knitting, mostly) with book reviews.  And the occasional recipe.  It is a very fun mix.

Stars Around The Garden - Finished!

I've got the binding all sewn down on Stars Around The Garden.  I couldn't be happier with the way this quilt turned out!

The pattern is by Bits and Pieces Designs.  I did it as a Saturday Sampler at local quilt shop that is, alas, no longer in business.  They provided all of the fabrics for the blocks.  I bought the sashing, choosing brick red instead of the green they had in the shop sample.  The quilt is huge - this is a queen size bed.  I'll have to measure it again, but I think it's around 96 x 108!

The quilt was quilted by the very talented Chelsea, at Pins and Bobbins.  Here are some close-ups of her quilting.  Click on the pictures for a better view.

She echo quilted the applique, then some free motion stippling around that:

The pieced blocks each had a stencilled design that mirrored the gorgeous feathers in the sashing:

In the borders, she quilted leaves and flowers to mirror that applique, then echo stitched around them:

More of the border, and you can see the feathers better:

Thank you Chelsea - you have helped me create an heirloom!

Saturday Morning Sew In

Brye Lynn, over at Sew Stitch Create is organizing a Sew In for Saturday morning.  The details are on her blog.

Since it is supposed to be -19C on Saturday morning, and since it is currently snowing heavily outside, it seems like a good plan.  Maybe I'll see some of you there too.

Finished Blue Bayou!

Finally, finally, I finished the Blue Bayou quilt for my son.

This was intended to be a graduation quilt for his high school grad.  Well, that happened 2 and a bit years ago, so it’s a little late!  However, he should not feel bad, because his sister’s high school graduation quilt was about 4 years late.  Think I should get started on wedding quilts now?

You’re may be thinking that my son has a very tidy bedroom.  Ha!  I thought about photographing it in his room, but decided you really didn’t need to be punished by having to look at the chaos in there.  Actuallly, I put the quilt on the guest bed to photograph it.

It feels so good to get a big quilt like this done!  When I decided to make this, I spent a lot of time collecting various fat quarters, as I wanted it to be really scrappy.  Many times, I came home with some fat quarters, only to find that they really didn’t go with the other blues I had chosen.   I had decided to lean towards teal, and there are even some bits that are green, but they don’t show up so well in the photo.  I spent about a year collecting the fabric – that’s really my favourite part of quilting, so why rush it?  Then, cutting hundreds of squares! 

The pattern instructions were, in my opinion, annoying, as they told you to cut the squares into half square triangles, then sew them together in various combinations of dark, medium, light and white.  I would use the “draw the line diagonally across the square, then sew on each side” method, so I had to calculate myself how many of each combination I needed.  I do a fair amount of technical writing at work, so when instructions are vague or confusing – or not as efficient as they could be, it bugs me.   It’s not easy writing good instructions!

Here is an end-on photo that shows the pattern and quilting a little better.

I just did an all over pattern, as the quilt is so busy, the quilting would not show anyway.  And, it’s easier!

The pattern is from Fons and Porter magazine – the January-February 2008 issue.  I made the mistake of throwing away the magazine without writing down the name of the designer.  I e mailed F & P to ask them, but they have not got back to me yet.  If any of you save old magazines, perhaps you’ll be able to tell me.

Today is a glorious day – sunny and above freezing.  We had about 6 inches of snow a week or so ago.  That’s a bit early for us, although we usually have snow right around Halloween.  Then, it was cloudy and foggy for an entire week, which is REALLY unusual for Calgary.  We’re so dry, we rarely get fog, and we usually have lots of sun in the winter.    But, the fog has lifted, the sun is shining, and I have an extra hour today!  What could be better!

Fourth Quarter Finish-A-Long

Well, it's time to set goals for the fourth quarter for the Quilter in the Gap Finish-A-Long.  It's hard to believe that this is the last quarter - I sure haven't finished up as many projects as I had wanted, but I have finished up some (without starting any new ones), so I'm happy.

First goal (surprise!) is my son's Blue Bayou quilt.

Yes, I know - this quilt has been on the goal list every quarter so far.  But this time, I know I will finish it - I'm at the binding stage, so I have no excuse!!

Second goal is Stars Around the Garden BOM quilt.  (I really am going to have to do some digging before this is done, so I can tell you the designer's name).

This one, I know I will finish as well, because the quilting is done, done, done!  Chelsea at Pins and Bobbins has done a beautiful job and I got it back in the mail yesterday.  So, all that needs to be done is the binding.

Then, there is this quilt:

 

and its border:

That shouldn't take too long to finish up - once I actually get to work on it!

And, if I have time, I'll work on the Freebie Fifteen:

I have three more 12 inch (complicated) blocks and a bunch of 3 inch quarter square triangle blocks.  And sashing - which I think I've decided to make light grey / taupe, so as to keep the overall quilt in soft colours.

So, that's it - four goals.  Will I accomplish them?  Who knows?  I am the slowest quilter I know!  But, if I don't, then I'll just move 'em on to the next goal setting period.  It's not a race, right?

Confused by Quilt Math?

Lynne, over at Lily's Quilts, is starting a series on Quilt Math.  Her first post, today, discusses how to calculate how much fabric to buy for binding.  Click on the button to be re-directed to her site.

I'm a bit of a math nerd, so I like to figure out how to do things myself.  It will be interesting to see if Lynne uses similar methods, and I will probably keep some of her techniques bookmarked, so that I have a handy reference when I just don't have the time or desire to puzzle it out myself.

Finish A Long - Third Quarter Report

At the beginning of this quarter, I had three projects I planned on finishing for the Quilter in the Gap Finish-A-Long.

The first was my son's Blue Bayou quilt - which had also been on my first quarter and second quarter lists. Because it is a huge quilt, I had made it in two halves, and the plan was to quilt each half, then sew the two together.  Frankly, the plan terrified me - resulting in supreme procrastination.

 Here is the status of that quilt.

Yes, I have quilted the two halves, and the front has been sewn together!  The points don't match exactly, but close enough!  I just have to hand stitch the joint in the back and put the binding on.  So that one WILL be done next quarter!

The next quilt looked like this at the start of the quarter:

I just had to put the border on, then quilt it.

Today, it looks like this:

Yes, I admit it.  I have not touched this quilt this quarter.  Too busy procrastinating about Blue Bayou!

The only project that I did finish is this one - the table runner I showed you last week:

So, one finish.  But, I'm making progress!

Finish! Table Runner

Just a small success, but a success nonetheless.

I bought this table runner as a kit.  I loved the bright colours!  The background is also a batik - mostly white, with a little purple. We have a table in our front entryway, and my goal is to make a table runner for every season and/or holiday.  So far, I have Christmas, summer, autumn and now spring.

I quilted this with a mulitcoloured pastel variegated thread.  I did loopy things to look like petals in the coloured parts, and an all-over meander in the background.  When it came to pick a fabric for the border, I was looking for green, to look like the leaves or branches going with the flowers.  I found a green batik that has the exact shades of blue and purple in it as in the quilt itself.  Perfect!

I'm still working on my son's Blue Bayou quilt - that I've been wanting to finish all year.  I am quilting it now, so should have it done shortly.  (Shortly, for me, means a couple weeks!)

Layout Ideas for Freebie Fifteen

The instructions for finishing the Freebie Fifteen quilt have the blocks sewn together side by side, along with some extra blocks with those awful template pinwheels in them.  (Awful to make, not to look at.)  Then, there are two rows of 3 inch hourglass blocks at the top and the bottom.  I should have thought to take a picture of the partially finished quilt top in the store, but I didn’t.
I think, though, that these blocks are far to busy to be sewn together side by side.  I’d like to put some sashing between them.
I’ve laid them out on my deck, with some of the deck boards showing through to look like sashing.

The deck boards are a light grey.  I would use a taupe sashing, as I think it will match the grey and sand in the blocks best – but I’m wondering if it should be light, like the boards, or darker, like, say, the darker colour in this block:

What do you think?

Freebie Fifteen - the Penultimate Blocks

Do you have some words that you just like?  One of mine is "penultimate".  I don't get to use it very often, but when I do, I smile.  OK, I'm strange that way.

I've got 3 more blocks done for the Freebie Fifteen.  Here is the actual freebie block:

I cheated like CRAZY on this block.  I am so tired of these teeny tiny templates.  I have decided that I am not a template girl.  So, I just cut those darker strips and fused them on.  I didn't even stitch around them - I'm planning on having the quilting hold them on.

And here are the other two - these are companion blocks:

Again, I cheated on the pinwheel blocks.  They were supposed to be those narrow pinwheels made with (aargh) templates, but I just quickly did them with half square triangles.  And, I made them by cutting a square and sewing on either side of the diagonal - which is why the pinwheels spin in different directions.

So, then, I went in to get the final blocks and the finishing kit, and the nice woman at the checkout tells me to make sure to keep certain of the fabrics separate, as "You'll need them to make a whole bunch of these pinwheels" - pointing to the dreaded template pinwheels on the wall.  Yikes!  I think I'm going to find another way to finish this quilt.

And to finish this post, a nice picture of the turning leaves in the park behind our house.

Why We Quilt

When I ran the Quilters Gallery Blog Hop giveaway, the question I asked was why you quilt.  And the answers I received were amazing!  I had such fun reading through them all, that I thought I'd share some of the best with you today.

Heather said:  It is my creative outlet.  Well, actually it started because it was much better than continuing to take anti-depressants. I also have far too many ufo's but that will give me lots to do without having to go shopping except for backing, binding, batting, borders... (anything else with b?)

I think perhaps you like the shopping part of it too, Heather!

Samantha said:   I quilt for many reasons. Some quilts I make so we have something to cover up with! I believe in making lots of pretty but functional (utility) quilts that get used and used and eventually fall into tatters and can't be used anymore. Stress relief is another big one. The last reason I quilt is because sometimes someone deserves to have time spent making something special just for them. 

Absolutely, Samantha!  Sometimes we get caught up in the idea that our quilts are heirlooms and shouldn't be  damaged.  But aren't they intended to be a symbol of our love for someone? And if they are used to tatters, then we should be happy that the recipient loved the quilt as much as we love them!

Cathy said:   I quilt because I have to. It is my creative outlet. My drawing and painting skills are sadly lacking, but with fabrics as my "paints" and all the various patterns as my "drawing" I can be as creative as I wish, with endless possibilities. Just like no 2 original paintings are the same, no 2 quilts are ever the same.

I feel the same way, Cathy.  You would never call me an artist - I can't draw stick people!  But I do love to be creative, and quilting allows me to create beautiful things.  I feel great when someone asks, "Did you make that?"

Richard said:    We had a baby girl this year and I started quilting to make her a quilt. My wife did not know how to quilt and told me to make my own if I wanted one so that is what I do.

And thank you, Richard, for doing what your wife told you to do.  You're a keeper!

Quiltn Mama said:  I quilt because homicide is frowned upon ;) 

No comment.

Renate said:  Why do I quilt? Hmmm I think it is because I love to fondle ... fabric that is. Nope it's because it brings out the artist in me. Nope, because it has expanded my social circle. Nope it's all of the above. and because I get to meet others on the internet highway that share the same interest, just like you.

Thanks Renate.  I agree with all of those reasons too!

Donna said   Why I quilt? Well let’s see back in March of 2009 I fell off my Concrete Mixer Truck. (that’s right I was concrete mixer driver and loved it and the pay wasn’t shabby at all). However when I took the fall I fell backwards unto asphalt road and put a goose egg on the side of my head the size of a softball, ended up having surgery on my arm, cracked 5 ribs, and the worst part left me with horrible back pain. I’ve worked hard my whole life and found myself in deep depression do not too able to have the life I use to have because of back pain. So in Feb of 2011 so fed up with TV and FB games, I decided I would see if I could quilt to keep from going stir crazy. Now sitting long periods of time makes my back hurt but I just keep trying to keep my mind off my pain. And found out that I could quilt and love every minute of it. Especially when it comes out right…LOL

And this is the reason I quilt!

That is the most unique reason I came across!  I'm glad that quilting is helping you recover, Donna.

Nanbon44 said:   I quilt to bring smiles to a seniors face when they feel forgotten, I quilt to bring laughter to a child who is fighting for their life, I quilt to soothe a new baby when she enters this world, I quilt to bring comfort to a woman as she tries to make sense of the abuse she just escaped from.. I quilt for others as my mother before me did.. I have some big footsteps to fill.

And that about says it all, doesn't it?

Thanks everyone, for your wonderful and inspiring comments.  I'm going to compile all of the answers and put them in a separate tab at the top of the blog - as soon as I figure out how to do that.