Friday, March 29, 2019

BENDING TREE

I took a break from charity quilts this week and decided to work on my Bending Tree appliqué project.  I pulled a picture off Facebook and enlarged it for my pattern.  The picture came from The Quilt Show put on by Ricky Tims.
I'll trim this background down and add boarders once I have machine appliquéd it with a finished size of 17 or 17.5 inches.  
I really like the batik leaves I fussy cut.  
I ended up buying some Mettler Variegated Poly Sheen thread.  A bit of an experiment over my usual rayon solid color appliqué thread.
Not sure if I really like the thread change.  But an experiment is always a gamble.  I will have to see how the leaves look.  
I am happier with the leaves in the variegated thread.  
The wisteria is in bloom, which means spring is finally here.  Reminds me I still have a very unfinished project going that features these pretty flowers. 



Tuesday, March 26, 2019

NATIONAL QUILT DAY FUN

My quilt guild does a workshop every March to celebrate National Quilt Month.  Our usual project is making pillowcases for a children's hospital in the area.  Annually we churn out about 150 to 200 each year at this event. 

Some of our crew sewing away.  Well we do take a break for lunch too.
My first one done.  Nice bright fun colors.
And two more to the project added.
And the final finish for me for the day.  Have to love those bugs!
And just for giggles.  For those who might remember that my daughter lives out in the country and keeps adding to her country pet population.  These guys were out and about yesterday after a good rain, doing some worm and bug clean up duty.  She calls them her pest control service.  That rooster has five hens as well, but they were probably off getting into her garden eating her baby tear and newly planted flowers. 



Friday, March 22, 2019

FRIDAY FINISHES

I have had a productive week and all of a sudden things began to fall together and quilt tops we're finished.  
My Dresden wall hanging top was finished off and has been mailed to Rachel at Stitched in Color.  Originally I did not think I could manage to finish it and get it to her to quilt before she moves to the Netherlands.  
One of three charity quilts I have been working on got the blocks sewn together.
Quickly followed by the second one.
And this third one.  I think this one is my favorite.
Now I am off tomorrow to my guild's National Quilt Day Sew In to make pillow cases for a children's hospital.  We do this every year and are able to send over 150 pillow cases each year to be given to their young patients.  
A great way to end the week!

Saturday, March 16, 2019

BACK TO CHARITY QUILT MAKING

I am back to making charity quilt tops again.  I have set a goal of at least 2 quilt tops and hopefully 3 each month for 2019.  Thus far I have delivered 10 in the first three months of this year to Warm Wrappings 



These blocks are finished in 5 variations of the back ground for a total of 20 blocks.  Just need to sew them into rows.  
And the first block started for the next quilt top.
But, first this chore must be done.  Why is it that when you buy sheets for the bed the top sheet is so wide that it hangs below the quilt.  I finally gave up cut off 7 inches and re-hemmed the side of our green top sheet.  I hoped that this blue set's top sheet would not have to have that done.  Well, it needs a good 4 inches cut off.  A real pain.  Unfortunately our summer blanket has the same problem.  Just does not make sense, as our mattress requires 18 to 20 deep pocket fitted sheets, but still the top sheets are way too wide. 
   

Saturday, March 9, 2019

BABY QUILTS FOR MY STASH

I have three daughters, all beyond having babies, but every once an a while one asks for a baby quilt to gift to a friend, or co-worker.  So I keep a stash of them handy.  My stash has been severely depleted over the last couple of years and it was time to do something about that problem.
I love Carrie Bloomston's fabric lines.  The fussy cutting of the night sky, beach, and ocean on this quilt was such a fun addition to a rather plain half square triangle center.  I actually used a good deal of those same fabrics on my double wedding ring quilt, which I have yet to finish, but will someday.
My second finish was this animal quilt.  So fun and I really like the prints that came with the printed animal blocks.  Nice to finish off these two quilts.

Saturday, March 2, 2019

HOME WITH BATIKS AND SOME IDEAS

Just returned from our trip to Malaysia, Borneo, Vietnam, and Thailand.  So much fun.  
At the Karyaneka Handicraft Center in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia I found a shop with Batiks.  I should have bought more, but not realizing the money exchange I hesitated.  Wish I had been more aware.  One meter each of these three was US $23.40.  They are 39 by 45 inches.  Now to find something wonderful to do with them.  
On the ship there was this tile wall.  It gave me awesome ideas.
I figure to fuse different colors of fabric and cut little squares and see if I can duplicate something on this line.  
I think I can get those nice curves without much difficulty with the little triangle pieces too.  
While at a zoo in Singapore as I was taking photos of those bats, this little guy crawled right up to me, nudged my arm and insisted on a photo too.  Handsome little guy.