It's a beautiful time of year right now, there's color everywhere. . .and the quilt blocks under the needle in the sewing room are no exception! I'm still plugging away on the Barn Star Sampler, playing catch up for time missed.I'm back at it again today, stitching blocks. It's hard, though, when I'm distracted by the wonderful world of color that surrounds me just outside the door. What
read moreWell, now that Memorial Day has officially been observed; it's full speed ahead into summer. I'm ready! Having successfully navigated twice-a-week, post fracture, out patient physical therapy sessions I feel ready to tackle the world again! The therapist that I was assigned has been fabulous, he's young, motivated and extremely supportive of my desire to be fully healed, flexible and strong. He
read moreWell, now that Memorial Day has officially been observed; it's full speed ahead into summer. I'm ready! Having successfully navigated twice-a-week, post fracture, out patient physical therapy sessions I feel ready to tackle the world again! The therapist that I was assigned has been fabulous, he's young, motivated and extremely supportive of my desire to be fully healed, flexible and strong. He
read moreThis morning, I was up at 6:30 am because of all the sun coming through the windows. I couldn't go back to sleep even if I tried.
So, I played on my game and then got ready to go to moms. I stopped at Safeway to pick up a couple things. Once that was done, I arrived at moms with a few people behind me. There were 7 of us today.
I pulled out the pattern that I needed for the first block.
It seems to be a bird-y kind of year so far. This is a total coincidence but I love them!
"Chirp!" by Sue Spargo is a project I started with two friends. We're making one block a month.
This morning, I didn't sleep well. So, I was up and ready to go. I got a few things done before heading to moms. It's quilting Friday. Mom's Friday group is an applique group. Normally I don't like taking a lot over and having to bring it back so I decided I would work on one of mom's Block of the Month quilts.
Mom ordered this in 2018. She falls in love with some of Debbie M's quilt designs and orders the block of the month. She ordered her most recent one. So, we ...
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First up is Half & Half. Half of the blocks are 6" blocks and the other half ...
read moreHi there! Just wanted to let you know that we have been working really hard behind the scenes to bring a FREE Transparendo sewalong for you and your sewing friends.
Who is we? Verena from einfach bunt Quilts and I have teamed up just for you. She will be corresponding mainly with German quilters and patchworkers here in Germany, while I will be concentrating more on the English speaking world internationally.
Transparendo Sewalong
What is the sewalong all about?
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One down - 3 more to go |
It's always hard to get back into the swing of things after a vacation, isn't it? At least that is what I found this week. I did manage to get my studio unpacked and finally looked at my Block of the Month, Homeward Bound.
Sighhhhhhh
I had a few rules parameters when I started this journey last January.
- Stick to the pattern
- Stick to the technique the designer was teaching
- Finish each month on time
Build your quilting skills with the Vintage Rose BOM quilt this summer! Roses are red, but sewing fun has many more colors!
Vintage Rose Block of the Month
Let me introduce you to the Vintage Rose Block of the Month program that I designed for the Vintage Rose collection by Timeless Treasures! It measures 87” x 87”, and every block finishes at 12″.
Are you a beginner quilter? I’ve got your back! These blocks use regular piecing techniques – only one block requires the simplest paper piecing on the corners. You already have at home all you need to make ...
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Helen's EQ8 mock-up |
Attempt 1 - I just thought the petals were too BUSY! |
Wow! Spring is crazy around here. It's like all the ladies across the country woke up and thought, "Gosh, it's spring. I need some new clothes!" So you'll forgive me if this is a short I did manage to get in a bit of applique this week and when I say a bit....I actually mean a bit!
I am working on the fourth month of the Homeward Bound Quilt from the Quilt Show website. It's the month when we finally get to put all the ...
read moreIt's been a while since I've shared my progress on my version of Crimson Tweed. This is what it looked like when I finished with my hand sewing group last Thursday.
Right now I am working on the pomegranate block (left side in the upper middle). If you look closely you can see my needle and thread where I parked it in the block.
Here are a couple of close-up shots.
I still have quite a bit left to do, but I am making noticeable progress every week!
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Me stitching in my studio watching the Mentalist...again |
Okay, let's face it. I'm not one for following trends. I'm the type that decides what is good for me and mine and then goes in that direction. I do, however, keep track of trends, just because it's good to stay informed. I recently got Timna Tarr's latest newsletter and it mentioned that handwork is becoming more of a trend on the national scene. That I can see. You hear of handwork everywhere these days. First English paper piecing made a resurgence with the Millefiori Quilts ... read more
I signed up for a couple of BOMs this year, actually in 2022. I also may have started a couple of other new projects...
This is how I circumvented my self-imposed rule of not starting any new projects in 2023. Clever right?
The first one is "The Secret Garden" by Sarah Fielke.
The colors and fabrics I chose are completely out of my comfort zone, but I love it!
I also actually purchased some fabric for this project, which I haven't done in YEARS!
Next up is The Quilt Show's 2023 BOM, called Homeward Bound. This was also ...
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Houses, Mabel Hewit, 1936 |
This week I went down the rabbit hole they call Pinterest, only to rediscover my love of woodcut art. Woodcut is a relief printing process in which knives and other tools are used to carve a design into the surface of a wooden block. The raised areas that remain after the block has been cut are inked and printed, while the recessed areas that are cut away do not retain ink, and will remain blank in the final print. It is a very positive/negative area kind of printing! I always thought woodcut printing was interesting ...
read moreWhen I first started quilting, I thought art quilting was beyond my reach. Through the years though I've taught myself how to make them. Now, with the Homeward Bound Block of the Month quilt, I'm revisiting my roots. When I decided to take on this project I gave myself some basic rules (yes, I'm a rules chick):