CAT RESCUE FUNDRAISERS & THE HERONS ARE BACK

 One of my daughters is involved in feral cat trapping, neutering, and returning them to their feral colonies.  Several vets in the area do the neutering for free or very low cost, but sometimes cats are not feral.  Usually they are kittens people dump, and often they are sick.  These babies the group fosters, seek vet treatment and neutering, and eventually are adopted out to good homes.  This takes funds to pay for these services.  Adoption fees do help, but the group often does fundraisers.  As a quilter, my daughter often asks me to do some sort of a pieces to auction off.  She says the runners and wall hangings I have made over the last several years have brought good funds for the group.  I am alway looking out for a good pattern.

On a recent trip to a local quilt store I saw this pattern.  Note this copy of the front page with my border notes.

I dug through my scrap bins and was able to pull out some fall fabrics that I thought worked well.  As you can see I had a plan for keeping myself straight.  

Things were going pretty well with the project, well minus the face.  I did end up at JoAnn's for the brown background and the two prints for the body and paws from Hobby Lobby.

I have finished off the appliqué pieces for the face.  The appliqués are held down with a small blanket stitch.  On to quilting it, which includes whiskers.  The little white highlights in the eyes were pearl beads.  Hope to have it done by next week's post.

The herons are back at my daughter's country home.  She spied them on a large tree in their back yard this week.  Earlier this year a breeding pair dropped by and enjoyed a romantic dinner at her fish pond.  They dined on every single one of the 50 or more feeder gold fish that had grown over about two years into 3 and 4 inches long.  Grandson Ben, age 12, along with older brother Noah had dug and constructed the pond and Ben became the keeper of the pond and he was not very happy about the situation.  His immediate reaction was to find his BB gun and take care of the matter for good.  Of course, mother was not going to allow that.  I imagine they have restocked the pond, but I am sure it has a net over it now.  I guess the herons will have to find a new dining establishment. 

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Mid Week Makers

Confessions of a Fabric Addict

 

 

FACES AND ROOSTERS

 I have been really lazy this week and somewhat in a creative slump.  I did finally just for a lark decided to participate in Alex Anderson's Face project.  She is available on Utube with a number of free projects and classes on Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays.  I think I need to do some more work on this, but it was fun to do something really different.

The eyes still need a bit of work, and it was fun to use the broderie perse flowers I had cut out a while ago with no real purpose for them.

A slump requires a trip to the quilt store.  I saw this fabric and thought of a my daughter with all the chickens and a table runner seemed like a nice idea.  I decided to cut 2 1/2 inch strips to use the outside print for binding on the runner.  I have enough to also make placemats, but I think I need another trip back for border fabrics to go around each of the rooster prints.  

I have the runner cut out and think this week to get going on it.

Last week I showed a partial picture of my Sew Steady Grid Glider and had a couple of comments asking to see it on the machine.  I have an acrylic table on my Bernina 480 and it just sticks right on that table firmly.  It can be removed and leaves no residue.  You can also trim it to fit.  To change the needle plate I just slide the acrylic table off a ways and back on.  You line up the center line in front of the middle area of the needle position and you have quarter dashed lines 1/4 inch on each side.  That really helps when sewing seams that do not drift off at the ends.

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THE MATHEMATICAL NIGHTMARE

 In the last couple of weeks I have been working on a small wall hanging project of approximately 36 by 36 inches.  Now we all know that when doing various sized blocks that one should follow the rule of making them in divisions of 2", 3" or 5".  this makes them easy to fit together.  Well, that did not happen with my project. 

This is the pattern I selected and if I had stuck to it there would not have been an issue.  But I didn't want it that big and I just thought it would be more fun to experiment a bit.  Following the pattern would have been way to easy!

Here is my top finished.  None of these baskets followed that rule.  The first one or two fairly closely followed the pattern, but after that I just went right off the deep end and made baskets, any size and measurement was just fine.  However, eventually one has to fill in the empty spots.  That's when things got dicey.  The sides of the baskets are cut at 60 degrees, which increases the math issues.  Do I love it, YES and it was a bit of a nightmare once or twice.    

The first Thursday of each month is the next installment of the Morewood Mystery Quilt.  So I have a nice start of this months instructions.  So finishing the 30 each of the two blocks should keep me out of trouble for a few days.

I recently purchased this Grid Glider for my Bernina 480.  It has an acrylic extension table and it sticks right on to it.  It is not a permanent stick and can be pulled off it one wanted to without damage to the table.  I really like it and found that it sure has helped when sewing seams and you drift off the quarter inch at the end of a seam.  The grid lines are lined up perfectly with the needle center on the machine and the quarter inch lines too.  

This is Colonel Sanders and his one and only lady hen.  My daughter thought that he seemed lonely as her other rooster Orby had a whole flock of ladies so she decided to do some matchmaking for him and purchase him a couple new friends at the feed store.  

And here they are.  They are getting along just fine and have moved right in with him and the other hen.

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FINALLY DONE AND ON TO FALL PLACEMATS

 I finished the Mastiff table runner.  Yes, it was a bit of a challenge.  The eyes in particular.  I do appliqués all the time, but for some reason these were a bit of an issue.  Thank goodness I increased the appliqué pattern to 165%. I cannot imagine doing eyes smaller as it was.  

This is  Lisa my oldest daughter's adorable pup that put in motion this runner.

I moved on to some very simple placemats for our dinner table.  I have two done and two more to go, but these two are already on the table.  It had been a very long time since I made placemats for myself.  Super simple and fast.

My youngest daughter has a peeking Tom.  The peacocks keep wondering around the house and peeking in the windows.  I think they are looking for treats.

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Mid Week Makers

Confessions of a Fabric Addict

BABY QUILTS, RUNNERS, AND A CADILLAC

This has not been much of a productive week.  Husband and I got out in the garden and spent time getting the winter garden started.  We have mild winter months, rarely weather with temps in the 30's.  The soil needed some enrichment with compost and fertilizers.  So lettuce is a great crop for us, plus we got in some snap and snow peas and  even some Brussel sprouts.  All that activity cut into my sewing time.

I try to keep a couple completed baby quilts at all times stashed away for emergency gifts.  Every once and a while one of my daughters have a request for one.  I recently sent one off so needed to replace it for future gifting.  I had this cute fabric in the closet and it was quick to put together.  Now just to get it off to the quilter and then a binding on it.

I got the eyes on the Mastiff appliqué.  They were a challenge  stitching on those little eyes.  Now on to getting the second appliqué at the other end of the runner done.

I did get into some of my Fassett scraps over the last couple weeks.  I  had cut multiple 4 inch squares when I did my Fassett quilt and ended up with lots left over.  My guild will have, hopefully a quilt show in February or March of 2022 with a boutique.  Guild members get together and make all sorts of quilted items to sell.  So I figured to use up some of those scraps and make runners to sell.  I still have three more to finish off.  They were a nice relief from sewing Mastiff eyes. 

My 14 year old grandson Noah.  Yes, he is sitting in the engine compartment of a 1960 Cadillac that he and dad are rebuilding.  They have a large shop on their country property with several old cars in the process of being rebuilt.  This young man is particularly talented at auto rebuilding and carpentry.  He is the one that also constructs all my his mother's chicken and duck coops.  Keeps them busy and productive at home.      

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MASTIFFS AND DUCKS

 I set aside most of my other tasks this week to make a runner for my oldest daughter.  She has a Mastiff pup that is just about a year old.  A dainty little thing of just around 100 pounds.  A week or so ago she sent me a picture of an appliqué pattern, ordered it and asked for a runner made with the appliqué on it.  

The pattern came from The Whole Country Caboodle.  Once it arrived I found I had to increase the appliqué pieces to 165% to make adequate sizing for a runner that was to be 34" by 15".  After that it was pretty straight forward.  

Then to select some fabric.

And I am on my way.  I plan to have an appliqué at each end of the runner.  This first one just needs eyes now.  The red Frixion pen markings are where I plan to quilt creases and wrinkles once I get the runner on batting and a backing.  It is a bit of a challenge and I only work on it for an hour or so then have to take a break.  I am happy with how it is coming along though.  

I have sandwiched in a quick charity quilt as a bit of a breather.  I got an SOS for some baby quilts for our local Pregnancy Center.  There is always a need for 36 " by 36" baby quilts.

My daughter on a trip into town discovered someone had dropped off 3 Muscovy drakes and a white domestic duck.  They were among the wild geese that frequent our canals in the summer months.  These guys are not wild breeds and do not do well under these circumstances.  When she stopped to check if they were OK all four of them ran up to her.  Someone had just dropped them off to fend for themselves.  Well she already has 14 Muscovy ducks at home so what is another 4 more.  She and grandson Noah just picked them up and popped them into the back of her SUV.  

And a nice new home for the 4 new ducks in a nice safe place to enjoy life. 

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BASKETS AND COLD WIND BLOWS FINISHED

 I have been watching Alex Anderson on The Quilt Show these past several weeks.  Her current class is a pieced basket quilt.  I actually took a class from her many years ago and have a wonderful basket quilt as a result of that class.  However, a pieced baskets just was not what I was in the mood for.  

I bought this pattern sometime in about 2009/2010.  I have pulled it out multiple times and put in back away in the closet.  I actually at one point bought a second one not realizing I already had one.  But, Alex did get me thinking about baskets so I pulled it out and decided finally this was a perfect time to try it out.  

Bias basket handles and a small blanket stitch.  Instead of using invisible thread I am trying out Superior Threads Microquilter white 100wt/2ply Polyester.  It is easier to sew with and looks great on the primarily white handles. 

And the first basket turned out really well.  I will admit using fabric that is only one way has made it interesting especially on the basket's 60 degree side pieces.  

And a good start.  I am thinking 36" by 36".  I guess it just depends on how I feel about it as I go along.  I am also playing around with the sizes of the baskets.  Once I made one or two I realized I can manipulate the sizes a good deal to fit where I wanted them to fit in the lay out. 

I finished my Cold Wind Blows wall hanging this past week.  Even quilted it myself which for me is no small feat.  I actually started out doing eco quilt on the center section and had a fair amount finished, but just could not get over the fact that it just was no coming out as I felt it should.  I ended up pulling out all the quilting and changed my plan completely.  Yes, I am much happier with it!

I stuck with just serpentine stitching.

And even that worked well within the center area.

Many of you are familiar with my youngest daughter with all her chickens, peacocks and ducks, but she also has 4 dogs and 4 cats.  I gather this congregation was a result of salmon on the human's dinner menu.  

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MOUNTAINS OF QUILTING AND A PUMPKIN MOON

 I finished up my Tree Canopy project over the weekend.  And yes, there is mountains of quilting on it.  

The project is 14" by 18".  I spent a good several days stitching, knotting, and hiding the threads into the batting.  I am not a fan of using the tiny stitches beginning and ending to secure my quilting.

Adding a dark brown batik print finished the project and just needs a hanging sleeve.  

I live in the central valley of California and the entire state seems to be on fire.  We have had several weeks of dangerous air quality, ash falling and often an orange glow to the atmosphere.  On Friday night my husband snapped a picture of the moon.  Yes, it is pumpkin orange, getting ready for Halloween a bit early. 

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TREE CANOPY AND THE COLD WIND BLOWS

 As I near my 7th month of Covid stay at home I realize while sometimes it has seemed a real pain in actuality I have made a leap into quilty areas I probably would not have ventured into before.

I decided to try a collage.  First step iron fusible on a number of fabrics.

Then cut up into little bitty pieces.  Note: tear off paper on fusible before cutting up into little bits.  Believe me from experience!  One of those mistakes you only do once.  Taking the paper off a pile of those little pieces took time. 

Lay out little bits all over your background.  I did discover it is important to make sure the fusible side is down on the background.  It was pretty easy to discover while ironing them down that one or two of them were fusible side up.  Scrapping the some of the little bits off the sole of my iron was a bit time consuming and fustrating.

I then fused on my trees.  I had a pattern of layout for the trees.  I am not sure why, but despite cutting everything the proper size, the trees did not lay out in the same manor as was suggested.  So, who cares!  I just laid them out as I pleased and I'm happy.  Now the idea is to lay net over the piece before quilting it.  Frankly I did not see the reasoning for that.  I am now quilting down the trees with dark brown thread and will quilt in between them with a gold or orange thread.  Then probably bind with a dark brown fabric. 

I just picked up my Bernina 750 from the doctor's last week.  I had a rather upsetting mishap with it about a month ago.  While quilting my Cold Wind Blows wall hanging it jammed and I was stuck with the piece stuck in it with the needle down.  With a good deal of fusing and husband finally taking the wire cutters to the needle to get it out it was off for repairs.  Surprisingly it wasn't much of an issue, just a good cleaning and the timing was off.  Running over pins was the suggestion for that mishap.  I would like to admit I never do that, but that would be a huge lie.  I am a regular offender!

I am back to quilting the Cold Wind Blow now.  And yes for those that saw my original posts about it.  I did tear out the eco quilting and decided on the serpentine quilting instead.  

And his highness Fred one of my daughter's peacocks is enjoying the late summer sun on her patio.  He rules the roost over the other three males and one peahen.  One must admit he is beautiful and very regal.

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FINISHING THE FASSETT

Got a bit done this past week.  I finished my Fassett quilt top.

 

I really love it.  This type of fabric is not my usual buy, but these Fassett prints certainly have grown on me.  I used almost all of them up except for a bit of one or two of them with this project and my Trees quilt.  I might have to buy some more.  

Once again my daughter has enlisted me into making Christmas pillowcases for the boys.  Once she found out I can make them instead of her buying them she had me hooked.  

The fabric is flannel, not my favorite.  I never buy it.  Plus there were no coordinate fabrics to make a standard pillow case pattern.  I selected to make them in a pillow fold way.  So one top side is hemmed and the other hemmed and folded over 4 inches.  To make sure the seams did not tray, as flannel tends to do I over locked the seams.  I had never done that on a standard sewing machine.  I do not have a serger.  It worked great and they are nice and neat with no fraying.  

For the chicken fans!  My daughter started to decorate for fall this past week.  Looks like two of the hens thought that they should give her a hand.  Snowball seems to believes she is a perfect addition to the fall decor.  

Design Wall Monday

Mid Week Makers

Confessions of a Fabric Addict