12/1/15

Seems we all get busy and the last thing I want to do is sit at the computer when I'm in pain!

Trying to talk myself into joining the newest Bonnie Hunter Mystery Quilt and hope to talk my neighbor into doing it with me for incentive.

If you want to learn how to quilt or get better at it, joining Bonnie's Mystery Quilt will absolutely help you become a better quilter.

Hope to see more people joining up and keep pushing us all to finish

;-D

10/15/14

Are you ready for the next Mystery Quilt-a-long?

Hi everyone,

We are back to normal around our house and I hope everyone had a great summer.  


Bonnie Hunter posted her upcoming Mystery Quilt fabric requirements for 6-8 weeks of fun.  Yeah !!  Won't you gather up your stash and come join us?


Here is where you can see the colors we will all pull from our stash (or go SHOPPING for)... Winter Mystery Quilt called Grand Illusion


Even if you are a beginner in quilting, get involved in one of her Mystery Quilts.  Easy Street (a previous Mystery Quilt), was my 2nd quilt and a great adventure learning all the techniques to make a large gorgeous quilt.


Almost finished with the reorganize and rearrange both fabric rooms so I'll be ready to join after Thanksgiving in the Mystery Quilt-a-long.  


We get our 1st Assignment the day after Thanksgiving, don't be shy - Join in! 

11/30/13

Iron Quilt Challenge was a Big One

You all are the Tops!!  Thank you for helping me WIN a Madera Thread Chest - My quilt shown below placed in the Missouri Star Quilt Shop's "Iron Quilter" Contest.  








I am exhausted and thrilled to have my Iron Quilt challenge done with the photo submitted.

Voting is on Facebook on the Missouri Star Quilt Shop page  They will have an album with the Iron Quilts in them *Like* as many as you want to vote.  The top 25 move on, but no decision on when the next round (or where) will take place. The top 6 win prizes.

Only 1 charm pack of fabric had to be used but you could purchase up to 4 of RJR's "Lovely" fabric and I'm glad I did.  My 1st charm pack was when I noticed these were all not cut at 5".  All that pack was then cut wrong for the design I wanted.  Those will be used in another adventure LOL  
This entire quilt was a struggle.  The charm packs from pack to pack were cut and sorted with various different additions of the duplicates, then within the same charm pack not all were 5" some a bit more, some a bit less.  Argh right?  Not when you are making a quilt, this is important so I trimmed and remeasure and sliver trim again until I could get mine made -- I spent about 4+ weeks making this and hope it is liked on Facebook

I named mine "Lovely Jewels" and it's the 1st one my husband likes??  A high compliment and I hope you like too.






11/15/13

Mid-November Christmas coming Fast

Someone posted they needed an extra month between November and December!  I could not agree more.  So many projects, so little time.  How are you doing on getting all your Christmas projects done?

The Vintage Pattern Contest at PatternReview.com is full steam ahead with many lovely gowns, bolo jackets and other Vintage patterns being puzzled over and sewn up!  This is a great way to learn how to sew those harder Vintage Patterns.  The end date to submit your entry is November 30th so I hope some come join us :-)

About 4 am I was putting the LAST border on my Iron Quilt and ran out of bobbin thread.  No biggie right?  Well after every 3 or 4 bobbins, I do like to clean my machine out.  I'm cleaning and digging around with my brush and Opppssssssssss Dropped it DOWN into the back behind the Feed Dogs!!!  OhMyGawd - I unscrewed the feed dogs, but still can't reach it.  Nothing to do but put this Pfaff to the side and get her in to have a Simple FIX done by a pro *sigh*

I know we all try to piece on 1 sewing machine only -- But I suspect since I've only about 68" of this last border to go, it will be OK to move my project over to one of my other sewing machines right???
Argh!  Definately time to turn the  lights off and grab some sleep, tonight I'll put a new needle in, rewind bobbins and finish on my Viking 875Q machine.  That is what I'll be using to quilt this anyway, may as well get her humming.  

Have my scraps cut up and ready for Cider Row, and colors for a Penny Patch quilt and Bonnie Hunters Mystery Quilt that begins November 29th. 

Hope  everyone has a lovely weekend sewing and enjoying putting some YOU time into your life.

-Dee

10/28/13

Make a Quilt for the Homeless!

I am so pumped about this idea that was posted on the Missouri Star Quilt shop forum!

"I just had to stop stitching and propose a fun quilting challenge for people of any quilting capabilities. Winter time is coming, and in some states has already hit full force, and of course there are many people who are without homes or even a warm blanket to keep warm with. I know I personally have some hideously ugly fabric that I am totally stumped what to do with it. So, here's my thought process, a challenge for every quilter regardless of their quilting capabilities to raid their quilting stashes and find their least fabric fabrics, or to raid their own clothes closet and get out all of those old ripped jeans or cotton shirts, or tshirts, whatever, and to make a quilt with it. Now, here's the twist, they aren't allowed to keep the quilt, or give it someone who already has one. Whoever accepts this quilting challenge can use old blankets for batting, and a clean sheet or more ugly fabric for the backing, and once the quilt is complete take a picture and post it, then take the crazy quilt and give it to a homeless person. I know there are a ton of them here always begging on the street corner, so delivery would be easy, at a stop light simply roll down the window and instead of cash or whatever, simply hand them the quilt. 
I know that if I were to try to organize a challenge like this on my own it wouldn't reach very far, but you wonderful ladies already have the people following you and it would be able to reach more people that way. I think it would be amazingly fun challenge to do, and it would help those in need. Would you ladies at the Missouri Star Quilt Company please help to spread some warmth this winter? 
Thank you all sooo much for the time you've taken to even read this post. I hope and pray that you ladies would be willing to help motivate and challenge quilters to help a fellow person in need."


EASY delivery system and I'm sure we all have some of "that" color fabric - What were we thinking???  Even a quiit that perhaps you think went Awry and isn't perfect (well heck, none are perfect right?).... 

Please help spread the word - There is NO place to send these, just drive down any road and see the Homeless shivering on the corner and donate!

God Bless our abundance

10/23/13

November filled up!

I love being at home with all my stash, and so many fun things to fill up the winter months!  Still must reorganize stash brought in from the 5th wheel, and get it back in love with the poor stash that was left behind.

November I'm booked up.  Not in any order that makes sense but on my plate are the following.  What are you working on in November?

1- Vintage Pattern Contest Manager on Pattern Review (have you ever wondered before you bought a Pattern how the sizes would work, how the sewing would go?).  This will save you time and money reading about other's who bought/made a pattern with all the good and bad of each pattern!  What a great place to check out before you buy a pattern that may not work for you.  Pattern Reviews

There is also a Quilting side to Pattern Review that is celebrating it's 12th Anniversary.  The talent of these men and women keep motivating me to learn more.

Do you love the look of the 30's or 40's?  50's where everything looks so feminine!  The Vintage Pattern contest is open to everyone who is a member (and it's FREE to join, or pay a little to a yearly membership).   Vintage Patterns before 1978 will be sewn and hair pulled - Remember these old pattern assume you know basic garment construction and they leave out many steps!  This will stretch your sewing ability but you'll get  a beautiful garment as I found out last year with this Anne Adams 1950ish Sleeveless Dress and Boloero Jacket with Contrast sections!  Raisin Charmeuse Silk Vintage Dress and Bolo Jacket

Here are a few places I found last year when I was learning about Vintage Pattern Sewing.

 -- How to make thread belt loops
-- Where to find buckles to cover and make your own Vintage Belt
-- Threads Mag article - Working with Vintage Patterns

Have I sparked your interest?  I hope so.  Please come join us November 1st - November 30th 2013  on PatternReview.com


2 - Bonnie Hunter's Mystery Quilt (1st clue Nov 29). What great timing as the vintage contest will be nearing the end).  Thank you Bonnie **hugs** Always a surprise to see how the Mystery comes out.  Come join us all as we try to decipher another Mystery in some very yummy colors.

2013 Bonnie Hunter Mystery Quilt

3 - Finish all those, put the finishing touches on Christmas Presents!  Some only need a few buttons added, trim sewn but November is the time to get them done.  I put these projects in a basket so I can take them out during Sofa Cat time TV and petting cats time.  Much better to sew on a button than watching a commercial :-)

4 - Iron Quilter - Finish the design, cut, sew, press, sew some more, baste, back and Quilt!  After seeing many "tops" wre submitted last year, though they did not receive a ton of votes, I'm hoping more people actually Quilt for this years 2nd Iron Quilter Contest!

Want to find out how to join?  The Iron Quilter II Video *warning* smiles abound!

Iron Quilter II

Read the rules, watch the Cute, Cute you-tube with Sarah and Natalie from the Missouri Star Quilt company (they are gifed and fun ladies!)... There is also a great forum which is a wonderful place to share your love of quilting, find some friends or ask questions

5 - Pat Sloan's Quilt 

I recently joined the wonderful Pat Sloan's blog and having a blast making new friends there.  Pat could be my sister - always a Cheerleader (and loves coffee too!!!).... She posted a beautiful quilt I've fallen in love with called Cider Row that will help you use scraps up!!  Oh yes, you do need to add this to your list!
Thank you Pat for giving so much of  your talent and cheerfulness to the quilting world  Awesome, go check it out and Join for more fun with other Quilters

Pat Sloan's Cider Row - Yes you do need to make this too!

So Sew What are you doing in November?  

~ Dee




10/20/13

Is life speeding up?

It is nearly the end of October and it feels like life is speeding up toward Christmas!  Maybe that's because I still have several projects to get done.

On my table in the works are a huge Scrap paper piecing project, the Iron Quilter II Challenge, Contest Manager for the Vintage Pattern Sewing on PR - If you like to make Vintage clothing, please come join us November 1 - 30th!

I'm also looking forward to seeing if there is a Bonnie Hunter Mystery quilt along that typically begins in November?  Last year her beautiful Easy Street was my 2nd quilt :-) yes, I'm crazy now you can be sure.  I learned so much and while waiting for clue made quilts4kids, my family and still kept up.

Also part of a 12 month Secret Santa swap with fun "clues" each month such as Jan = Cold, February was Sweet, etc.  a little theme if you will for each month just to get us thinking.  My box is only 1 short Table runner shy, then it will go out to a forum friend.

Phew, I'm tired just thinking of all the sewing and quilting... Now, has October seemed to just fly by for you too?  Are you working harder to get those Christmas gifts in the works or were you quick and already have them all done?

Have a lovely Sunday all,

Dee