Just Sew Quilter: 2013

Friday, December 27, 2013

Christmas Time

Kathy in her blog, Just Quilt It, inspired me to share some of the gifts I made for this Christmas season. It was a full several days with a wedding to start our festivities. I showed a photo earlier of the table runner I made for Andrew and Marie. Here they are with their gift. They really like it.

Kathy also inspired me to make aprons for my daughters, but then the project kind of snowballed. I made one for myself, then for Sarah and Natalie. Since the granddaughters like to help them bake, I thought they needed their own aprons too, to match their moms'. Then I realized our grandson needed one since he likes to help as well and the sons-in-law have to have them too. They cook a lot. We are all decked out in our Christmas aprons. The girls and I all have church lady aprons, reversible. I created the guys' aprons to be more like the chef apron style.

I made several different doll outfits for both the little girls. This is the only 1 I took a picture of, silly me. I also made rag quilts for Hailey and Harper and matching doll quilts, but didn't get photos of them either. Their parents are going to have to do that for me.

I love Christmas because of time we get to spend with family which adds special meaning to the season. Getting to make gifts for them is an extra bonus.

I hope all had a very merry Christmas and remembered the message of the Christ. May his blessings be on us all in 2014.

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Christmas projects are underway

Thanksgiving was fantastic!!! with lots of family (could have been more) around, lots of visiting, games, walks, some shopping, and FOOD! Oh, my goodness! I treasure times with family--love Thanksgiving!

I've been getting ready for Christmas by making a number of presents. My list is prioritized by when each project needs to be finished. Here is one that will be given away tonight at our women's fellowship Christmas meeting and potluck. Many of us have prayer partners and tonight is the big revealing of who our partners have been during 2013. My prayer partner is going to receive this table runner. The pattern is "Copper Pennies" from the Loose Change book. This design used charms and mini-charms--so pretty!

Several other things are finished, but I have enough other things to make that I should be busy up until Christmas.

More postings to follow in coming days about my projects.

I hope all of you enjoy sewing and quilting and getting ready for Christmas and the excitement that goes with it.

Friday, November 22, 2013

Friend Karen and I went to the Sewing and Quilting Expo last weekend in Tinley Park, IL. It was fantastic! We took a bunch of classes; Karen's were mostly clothing construction and mine were mostly quilting-related. The vendors were amazing, exhibits were awesome. We saw stage shows and even a fashion show. I would love to go again (there is one in Shaumburg in March). The mini penny rug below is one of the classes Karen and I took together. Wool is fun to work with.

I've been working on several projects and sent the bicycle quilt to my new great-nephew just this past Monday. Jack was born in the wee hours of November 17. The quilt and little tab blankie were ready to mail upon his arrival. I fretted and sweated over this quilt to get it just right for Jack and his mommy and daddy.

This white table runner with Lucy Boston-style English paper piecing is a wedding present for my nephew. I don't think they look at my blog so I should be pretty safe showing it off early. This is made to match the dishes they had on their gift registry. The blue and red have gold running through it and I used metallic gold to quilt the back and to blanket stitch around the stars. Again, I fretted, sweated, and labored over this one, but I think it turned out pretty well.

Two of my grandchildren are learning to sew! My daughters got me this cute little Janome Hello Kitty machine for my birthday, which we celebrated at Connor and Hailey's house, so we got right after learning to sew. First step is sewing on lines of paper without thread. At Christmas time, we may try some fabric, and I'll have one more granddaughter to join in the fun. Connor and Hailey both enjoyed sewing this time. :)

I'm working on some Christmas projects now. My work has been prioritized and marked off the list as I finish them. I don't know how I ever had time to teach! I do love sewing--it's a joy to be able to cut, stitch, and finish so many projects.

Thursday, October 17, 2013

Finished quilt top

Yesterday I finished my quilt top in the Aiming for Accuracy Quilt-along that Michele Foster has been leading us through. I love the colors. Next step is to piece the back--I'll be using several of the fabrics I used on the front.

I saw this on facebook. Fun. I am Careful Knit-Scoffer. Since I don't care for knitting and I don't like to trash it completely, I guess these designations work for me!

The big project I am focused on now is a baby quilt for my new great-nephew-to-be, due November 10, or somewhere close to then.

Sunday, September 29, 2013

Some finished creations

One of my teacher friends, Natalie Stocks, turned 40 on Wednesday. Tuesday afternoon I decided I had better make a little wall hanging for her. I have previously made her a snowman one and a tulip one--she needed one for this season of the year. Found a pumpkin pattern in a table runner book, altered it to suit my desires, and made this little hanging. She loved it.

I don't remember if I've shared the Fox Around St. Louis quilt I made for Natalie and Todd. I put a sleeve on the back of it so they can hang it in their St. Louis home. I gave it to them the weekend of Sept. 14.

This braid quilt had been sandwiched and the quilting begun before I laid it aside to work on other projects (St. Louis quilt and others). Rosie taught us the braid technique in quilt club (February of this year?). I finished quilting it a week or so ago. The squiggly FMQ on the braids in rainbow colors, FMQ in the pink that echoes the braid pattern, and then the walking foot on the borders in straight parallel lines. I really like the way it turned out. Now I'm trying to catch up on the Craftsy 2013 block of the month, ready for the July block!

Thursday, September 19, 2013

Daughter Natalie is holding the St. Louis quilt, "Fox Around St. Louis," that I made for her and Todd. It is from a quilt kit that I bought at the Quilted Fox in Clayton, MO. I love the St. Louis fabric. It is a beautiful quilt, if I do say so myself.

Now I have to show a photo of Grandma with Baby Amelia who doesn't look too thrilled in this photo, but she is usually quite a happy little gal. We enjoy getting to see her fairly regularly, even if we do have to travel a few hours to get there. She will be 3 months old next week. How fast they grow!

Sunday, September 8, 2013

Aiming for Accuracy Quilt-along Blocks

I realized I had not posted lesson 9 as I had planned, so here are the past 3 weeks of lessons.

In the photo below, the lower row of blocks are for lesson 11. They are attached to a block from a previous lesson. My points are all pretty precise--exactly what we are after in this project.

I have learned a few things while working on these lessons: 1) to use 50 wt. or finer thread for piecing--helps keep seams the proper width; 2) to use the June Tailor half square/quarter square triangle ruler when sizing the squares after sewing--what a help!! I'm glad I bought one; it is worth every penny.

The block below is lesson 10. The photo turned sideways for some reason. Not sure why that happens...

This one is lesson 9. Again, it is supposed to be vertical. I expect you can tell I am using browns, golds, greens, and aquas with yellow as my contrasting color. I love these colors together.

I'm feeling the need for a quilting retreat! I hope my quilting buddies and I can arrange one next month. At least we can go in mid-week now that I am retired. Yippee!

Tuesday, August 27, 2013

Be a Hexie Queen August 28

Today is my day for Be a Hexie Queen. Many thanks go to Madame Samm and to Debby Kratovil! I signed up for this hop so I would have the opportunity to work with hexagons and do some English paper piecing as well. The first thing I made was on display for the Ho Ho Ho Christmas in July hop--a mug rug.

I’ve been basting a lot of hexagons since! One kind I’ve been working on is the Lucy Boston type. When I saw those, I knew they would be perfect for a table runner for my nephew’s wedding in December, so I got one “block” put together while on vacation. The colors I chose match the color of the china on their gift registry.

In the meantime, my niece was getting married on Aug. 24 and I had a more immediate need to make something for her. I wanted to make a table runner with the half-hexagon braid, but found out she didn’t have a table! A bed runner was born—and are they ever long, especially for a queen-sized bed! I used a jelly roll of Grand Finale from Moda designed by Sandy Gervais and did my own thing for borders and backing.

Here's the back...

I had also already decided I wanted to do something kind of modern for a hexagon wall hanging, so I sewed some of my EPP hexagons together, added 2 more on the background, and have my “hexed snake and prey” wall hanging. I did some echo quilting around the hexies with purple on the lavender ground. I like it, if I do say so myself.

Some of you lovely ladies made coasters or mug rugs with hexagons; I had to try it too. I was given fabric with panels of various kinds of textile workers—this one is the quilter. She makes a great mug rug. I know, the mug doesn’t match, but it’s one of Alaskan artist Barbara Lavallee’s prints and she does such wonderful patterns for quilters to use. I love her work.

AND, that was so much fun, I made a school one for one of the teachers at the school from which I retired last spring. I think I’ll make more for the others—after I finish another project(s) I’m working on.

I almost forgot! I visited Missouri Star Quilt Company while on vacation and found some cute hexagon fabric and pin fabric. Had to get some. I made a little bag with it—it can hold my EPP work—and, thanks to more inspiration from some of you lovely people, a needle book with my first name on the front.

I hope you enjoyed seeing all my creations! Be sure to visit the other creative people who are sharing their work today!

Adventurous Quilter

Scraps of Life

Sew and Sow Farm

Kwilty Pleasures

Just Sew Quilter (That’s me!)

Marjorie's Busy Corner

NitaDances

Pig Tales and Quilts

Quiltscapes

Livinbluequilter

Sew We Quilt

I love seeing your comments. Thanks for visiting!

Monday, August 26, 2013

Amelia

Our newest granddaughter was 2 months old Friday. This is Amelia Jean.

Isn't she precious?!

My day to share for the Be a Hexie Queen blog hop is coming up--August 28!

Stay tuned for that. :)

Sunday, August 25, 2013

Since we were getting ready for and gone on vacation, I not only got behind in my sewing the Aiming For Accuracy blocks but in putting them on my blog. Below are blocks 6, 7, and 8. Block 9 is going to be under construction in a day or 2. Then I'll put it up.

I don't understand why this photo got turned when I uploaded it Now it looks smaller than it should, and the bees are sideways in the small squares. I intentionally tried to get them positioned correctly in the squares.

Shoot, I should have put a photo of our 2 month old granddaughter on here. I'll do that next time (I hope), although next time may be for my turn on the Hexie Hop! That's August 28 sew come back then!

Saturday, August 10, 2013

Bagging it!

If you had a hard time finding the buttons on my Let It Snow wall hanging for the Ho Ho Ho blog hop, there are only 3 so far: a snowflake in the top left section, a gingerbread boy in the largest center section, and a cardinal on a nest in the bottom section. :) They are hard to see with such little photos.

Today I want to share the bag I made for my cousin who is a cat lover extraordinaire.

Below you should see the entire bag.

I used that special stiff lining for purses (first time ever--and it sure used a lot!)

I didn't want to spoil the outside with pockets...

Sew, I put a bunch on the inside!

I "wrote" her name on the strap with the lettering on my machine, after which I added a few kitties.

And I "wrote" my name and the year on a pocket, with more kitties, of course.

I love this bag and would be happy to keep it, if it weren't made for someone special. :)

I can't wait to give it to her!

My hibiscus are blooming so beautifully that I thought others might like to see them.

(My blackberries laden with fruit are behind the propane tank.)

Here's a close up. They are so large and such amazing flowers!

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

August 8--Ho Ho Ho Blog Hop--My Turn

Ho Ho Ho… It’s my turn today. Thanks to Mdm Samm and to our cheerleader Carol for heading up this wonderful blog hop. This is my first one and I have really enjoyed (well, most of the time) making some projects for this event. I hope I can get them posted correctly!

First, I want to show some placemats I finished up a few months ago. The pattern is Take Four by Cary Flanagan and uses fat quarters. I’ve made several different sets in various fabrics. There are 8 of these, 2 of each design.

Next, especially for this hop, I wanted to make a Spicy Spiral table runner (pattern by School House Quilts). I think this is the 4^th one I’ve made. If you saw Kathy’s tree skirt at Just Quilt It yesterday, you saw the same technique used as for this runner—fat quarters and a 9 degree ruler. I love the results! (But I have no idea why my photo turned sideways when I uploaded it for this post.)

Well, there were scraps to be used, sew I didn’t want to waste anything and thought these coasters would be cute. They take 6 charm (or 5”) squares for each one.

Then I wanted to get a jump on the hexie blog hop, sew I tried my hand at English paper piecing and came up with a mug rug with more of the scraps from the table runner. I machine appliqued the flower onto the mug rug after it was sandwiched sew the applique was also the quilting. I do like it, if I say sew myself.

When I saw the Nancy Halvorsen panel and matching fabric, I had to purchase it and make it into a wall hanging. I added a few button embellishments and may add more if I get time. Can you find the 3 buttons I added? For quilting, I did some FMQ around the shapes and stitch in the ditch along all straight lines. I put it on the clothesline as some others on this hop have done and tried to get good photos. As One Other Lady said, it is difficult to get a good shot in the wind. LOL

Lastly, I found a UFO when looking for buttons and decided to finish it. Don’t you just love this dolly dress? Wait a minute, it’s not a dress—it is a towel to hang over an oven door handle! It will look quite dear at Christmas time in my kitchen (or someone else’s)!