Wednesday, November 30, 2011

QJ - Floral Applique - Part X-A

QUILT JOURNAL - Floral Applique - Part X-A

OUTER BORDERS - PART A

So –

These are some of my border fabric choices –

Dark batik with blue/green/gray
Dark gray mottled - HST and skinny strip fabric
Light gray mottled - Block background fabric
Red batik - Rose fabric
Yellow batik - Leaf fabric
Green batik - Leaf fabric



What about -

#1 - A skinny light gray mottled and then the dark gray mottled?




#2 - A dark mottled gray and the darker multicolored one?




(Yeah, I know some of the HST are going the wrong way - oh, well!  ;))

or - some more from EQ7 -

#3 - A colored inner border




#4 - Three color inner border




#5 - Use the extra HST from the sashing -



but those are easy choices -

I’ve been thinking about some other ones -

NOT so easy -

And a LOT more work -

I’ll show you when I can get the pictures I have in my head –

Down on paper -  ;))



Talk to you later - gotta go - gotta sew -


Monday, November 28, 2011

BOB has moved - again -

BOB has moved - again -

To a brand-new home - Quilter BOB -

I decided to change the name of her blog (again) to something less harsh -

Something that I could actually refer my nice quilty readers to -

Something that I could have Google actually scroll -

Something that I wouldn't mind seeing on the first page of a Google search -

Something without the word "b!tch" in it -

Even though BOB is one -

She doesn't want to show up on any "@dult" searches - ;))

SO -

Quilter BOB -

is BOB's new home.

I tried to transfer all of the old posts and such -

But Blogger got upset at all of the activity -

So - the transfer itself is yet another UFO -

Just what I need, right? -

Another UFO -

Anyway -

Please come visit -

We'll put the coffee on. ;))


Talk to you later - gotta go - gotta sew -

Design Wall Monday - Orca Bay - 11/28/11

DESIGN WALL MONDAY - ORCA BAY - 11/28/11

Those of us who are linking up with Judy L. at Patchwork Times - Design Wall Monday -
and -
Those of us who are playing along with Bonnie Hunter's ORCA BAY MYSTERY QUILT -
are linking up on Mondays.  Check out our progress on her blog - Quiltville's Quips & Snips!!
We are all working at our own pace - following along with her clues - it is NOT a race.  ;))

I'm linking up with them both - so -
This is what I've been working on this past week.
=====


This is only week two -

And I’m already behind!!

Been working on the 224 units from last week -

Got about 50 completed -



About another 140 pairs sewn together -


About another 100 pairs cut and ready to sew -


And now I’m getting myself confused as to how many of what is what -

And where I am -

And how many more I need -

I think I’m about 50 short -

But I’m NOT sure -

So - I’m going to finish this batch -

And then count them -

To find out how many I REALLY have -

In the meantime -

I pulled out my blue strings and strips


And some fat quarters -


And I cut out the 72 paper patches -


I KNOW how many of those I have -

‘Cuz they are WAY easier to count - ;))


Talk to you later - gotta go - gotta sew -

Saturday, November 26, 2011

QJ - Chad's Quilt - My Very First "REAL" Quilt

QUILT JOURNAL - Chad's Quilt - My Very First "REAL" Quilt

Bonnie Hunter (Quiltville.com) has set up a linky to First Quilts!!

I had planned to post an entry tomorrow in my Quilt Journal series -
starting at the beginning with Chad's Quilt - My Very First "REAL" Quilt -
so her timing is incredible!

I have already told you about my first attempts sewing in 7th Grade Home Ec -

And I told you (About This Blog - And Me) how -

I made my first quilt out of two sheets and some batting in 1973. I tied it with yarn and bound it with pre-packaged quilt binding. Quilting books and magazines were scarce back then - but I had them all. My first "real" patchwork quilt was for my first nephew in 1976. So I have been quilting for a while now. I love to quilt.

So - here's the story of Chad's Quilt - My Very First "REAL" Quilt -
=====

CHAD'S QUILT

Machine Pieced - Machine Quilted
Baby Quilt - Approx 45” x 60”
Started - July 1975
Completed - February 1976

Made for my First Nephew - Chad
Born February 1976

This was my very first REAL quilt!!

Made from scraps - poor baby!!

Back then my scrap stash was pitiful -
red, yellow, blue, green gingham, & a brown floral from a dress I had made myself.

The only photo I have is one that my sister sent me that was taken when he was about six months old - too young yet to sit up by himself. This is a photo of that photo - so the quality is rather poor.



Believe it or not - I STILL have scraps of the green gingham and brown floral!!


When I found out that my sister was going to have a baby - I decided that I wanted to make a quilt. A REAL quilt. I found a book (Patchwork Plain & Fancy - © 1973 by Mark Dittrick & Susan Morrow - A Lancer Larchmont Book) - with instructions for “The Easiest Quilt in the World.”

And - I still have the book!! ;))


The idea was to cut scraps the same width (5") but different lengths - (this was before rotary cutters) - and then to join them in random order. The cross seams aren't supposed to match - a beginner's dream quilt!!

I cut the patches out by hand and re-arranged them on the floor until I thought the colors were pretty well mixed up. Back then we didn’t know the sex of the baby until he/she was born - so I wasn’t too sure about the brown floral - but it was all I had - so it was what I used.

Making the quilt was easy - lay the center strip on top of the batting and backing - flip next strip face down (right sides together and raw edges even) - stitch the seam. Flip sewn second piece over so right side is up and continue to the edges of the quilt. Do other side same way. Sew and quilt at the same time - at least lengthwise. Bind and tie. No seams show on the front at all!

Neither my mother nor my sister could figure out how I did it.

And I wasn't about to tell either of them how easy it was! ;))

1976

EDIT UPDATE - Sunday - 6:35pm

Katie asked "Is the quilt still around, or was it loved to death?"

Yes - the quilt is still around. My sister found it a couple of years ago - in a box, wrapped up, that had been in her garage for 20 years. She asked me for washing instructions - which I gladly gave - and told me later in an email -

The old quilt washed up beautifully! It turned out fine, no loose seams, no fraying, no fading, no nothing. I followed the instructions: washed and dried on Delicate, and it looks and smells good. Hooray.


Friday, November 25, 2011

QJ - Floral Applique - Part IX-B

QUILT JOURNAL - Floral Applique - Part IX-B

SASHING REDO - PART B

Now the trick is to figure out how to keep the blocks as big as possible –

And to figure out how big those skinny gray strips should be –

OH CRAP!!

There’s that four-letter word again –

M - A - T - H !!

OH NO!!

THE HORROR!!  ;))

But never fear –

I am the QUEEN of FUDGING!

I’ll think of something!!

Ok – so first I have to make sure the side HST sections are the correct size –
Measure them against the ones I have made already –

And sew them to the side blocks –



Then do some MATH –

Quick calculation gets the skinny strip size in the range of 1-3/8” -
I don't know about you - but 1/8" measurements make me nervous -
Like it is cutting it SO close - I just KNOW I'm going to come up short -

So - I’ll just sew a 2” skinny strip to the other side of the side blocks -
2” is for insurance – I’ll trim what I don’t need –


So – after a little fiddling and fudging -

I got it together -

TA - DAH!!


I LIKE IT!!

Next up -

Borders -



Talk to you later - gotta go - gotta sew -

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Here's hoping you have a very nice Turkey Day with your family!

And have plenty of left-overs! ;))


Talk to you later - gotta go - gotta sew -

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Orca Bay - Lighting

Orca Bay - Lighting

Those of us who are playing along with Bonnie Hunter's ORCA BAY MYSTERY QUILT -are linking up on Mondays.  Check out our progress on her blog - Quiltville's Quips & Snips!!
We are all working at our own pace - following along with her clues - it is NOT a race.  ;))
This is what I've been working on this past week.
=====


I cut some more pairs yesterday -

But some of them were coming up short - huh???

I'm using another version of Bonnie's companion ruler -

And -

I am LEFT-HANDED -

So - to make the cuts accurately with this ruler -

I need to line up the RIGHT side -

Then cut on the LEFT side -

Wherever that is -

This morning I realized that I wasn’t lining up the RIGHT side of my ruler correctly -
See those little dots on the left side of the ruler? Watch what happens -



The LIGHTING was wrong -

There was a shadow on the RIGHT side -

And that made it difficult to see that the ruler was OFF the fabric -



When I moved my lamp to the RIGHT side of my cutting table -

I could see where the RIGHT edge of the fabric was -

And the little dots are under the ruler now -



Such a simple solution - it made me laugh.  ;))


Talk to you later - gotta go - gotta sew - (a bunch more of these  ;))

Two Question Tuesday - 11/22/11

Two Question Tuesday – 11/22/11

Here's the deal - I really liked Mama M.'s Five Question Friday - but that's just too many questions for me.  So I'm going to do my version - and without the linky thingy.

I'll ask two questions and then give you my answers. If you want to play - you can give me your answers in the comment section. If you have a blog and would rather answer them there - just leave a link to your blog instead. I don't know how to do the "Linky" thing like Mama M. yet - and to be honest - I would rather sew than find out so I'll do it this way until I figure it out.
==========

Two questions for you this Tuesday -
Courtesy of Judee - who asked me these questions three weeks ago - here you go -


1.  What is your favorite color?
2.  What emotion (or memory) does that color evoke?

==========

1.  What is your favorite color?
My favorite color is blue.

2.  What emotion (or memory) does that color evoke?
Blue is very peaceful to me.
It is the color of the sky on a sunny day.
It is the color of the ocean – and reminds me of the time we spent in Hawaii.

==========

OK - your turn.


Talk to you later - gotta go - gotta sew -

Monday, November 21, 2011

Orca Bay - 11/21/11

Orca Bay - 11/21/11

Those of us who are playing along with Bonnie Hunter's ORCA BAY MYSTERY QUILT -are linking up on Mondays.  Check out our progress on her blog - Quiltville's Quips & Snips!!
We are all working at our own pace - following along with her clues - it is NOT a race.  ;))
This is what I've been working on this past week.
=====

So I dug out some more neutrals -

And even found some frogs - dogs - and bunny rabbits - ;))



I’m not really sure about some of my white prints with black in them -
But I cut one strip from each just in case -
(I can always use them in something else - right?)



Some of my strips have a cream background - but I think that will be OK -
I’m trying to stay away from the ones that are too tan -



And I really like the ones with the little “doo-dads” as Bonnie calls them -



Pulled out my black fat quarters -
And some left-overs from the B/W/R quilts I’m making for the grandkids -
Top row - not sure about the black with white -
Or the gray on the right end -
And the first three on the bottom row (left-overs) probably have too much red in them -



So I just cut a few black strips -
And made some twosies -



When I get these few together -

Think I’ll have an even 10?

Of course not -

Count ‘em -

I’ll only have 9 - ;))

But I'm having fun -

And between this and my Floral applique -

It keeps me out of bars at night - ;))



Talk to you later - gotta go - gotta sew -

QJ - Floral Applique - Part IX-A

QUILT JOURNAL - Floral Applique - Part IX-A

SASHING REDO - PART A -

It's Monday - so it's time to link up with Judy L. at Patchwork Times - and her Design Wall Monday. Be sure to check out what everyone else is doing. ;))

OK - I had to figure out what to do about the center HST columns -

Couple of problems there –

Who knows what sewing machine I used to sew the top HST row on the bottom section - 
Or how accurate my ¼” seam allowance was back then –
Chances are it's NOT the same as it is now - (we all know my 1/4" comes and goes ;))
So getting those center columns to line up with both the top HST row and the bottom section - 

EXACTLY - is just NOT going to happen ;)) -

AND -

The bottom section has two blocks and a center HST column –



While the new section has an extra HST column in the middle –



That’s an extra 2” that has to come out of the center block -

No wonder it looks so crowded!

Say it with me guys –

OH CRAP!!

OK –

What if -
I take the center columns of HST out entirely –



Nah – that looks like it’s missing something –
Besides the blocks aren’t wide enough all by themselves –
And the seam allowances would eat up another inch -
They need SOMETHING between them to fill the space -

What if -
I take ALL of the HST out –
Make the sashings narrower -
And replace them with a dark solid gray?  -



Nah – that looks too dark to me –

What if -
I take ALL of the HST out –
And replace them with the dark mottled gray?  –



Nah – it’s better than the dark gray solid –
But it looks too ORDINARY to me -

What if –
I keep the HST – as is -
But just replace the top columns with a skinny strip of dark mottled gray?  –



Yeah –

That might work!!



Talk to you later - gotta go - gotta sew -

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Corn on the cob


Corn on the cob


I don't know if any of you like corn on the cob –

Or if you have already seen this - or not -

But –

I got an email from Judee a little while back –

With a link to this little video -

It is NOT a JOKE!!

This is the coolest way to make corn on the cob –

No muss - no fuss -

FOUR minutes each -

For two ears of corn -

In the microwave -

EIGHT minutes TOTAL -

You just gotta see how he gets all of the silk off!!

Shucking Corn with Ken - Clean Ears Everytime

Cool, huh?

We tried it -

And I will NEVER cook corn on the cob

Any OTHER way again!! ;))



Talk to you later – gotta go – gotta sew –

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Orca Bay - Part 1

Orca Bay - Part 1


OK - You all know I’m supposed to be working on my Floral AppliquĆ© -

And I AM - honest!! -

BUT -

Bonnie Hunter - of Quiltville fame - has a new Mystery Quilt series going -

It’s called ORCA BAY -

And you also KNOW how much I love Bonnie Hunter!!

She is one amazing lady - and I am a HUGE fan -

 I did her CHRISTMAS LIGHTS Mystery a couple of years ago -

And it turned out Fantastic!!

And - I've been looking for another "scrappy" project -

SO -

I couldn’t resist -

I pulled out some blacks and neutrals -



And my black and neutral 1-1/2” strips -
Not very many yet - gonna have to fix that -



Sorted them out -



Paired a black and a neutral -
And using my handy-dandy ruler -
(Not the same as the one she uses - but it does the job) - 


I cut out some triangles -
LEFT-HANDED -

I start at the RIGHT end -



Cut one -



And then FLIP the ruler up -
I told you I was a Flippin’ Lefty ;))
But even Righties have to flip the ruler - so no difference there) - 





To cut the second one-



Cut two different sets -

Stitch them up -

And mix the halves so I had two different blacks and two different neutrals -


Now the TRUE TEST -

Does the unit come out to 2-1/2” when the two halves get sewn together?

You all know how much FUN I have losing and then finding my 1/4” seam -

SO -

You wanna bet whether or not this came out right? ;))



Well -

TA DAH!

IT DID!


I KNOOOOOOOOOOW!! - I’m as surprised as you are!! ;))



Talk to you later - gotta go - gotta sew - (another gazillion of these suckers ;)) -

Friday, November 18, 2011

Private Blogs

Private Blogs


Yesterday I did a post on how I got "Permission Denied..."

When I attempted to check on a referral blog site -

Katie M. left an interesting comment -

Interesting.... I wonder if the blogger is aware of her settings? I have to admit here, I don't think I even knew I could make my blog 'private'...... Learn something new everyday.

My reply was -

She probably doesn't - and I can't tell her - because I don't know who she is. But - I could do a sort of - "Did you know?" - post like everyone did when they kept getting "no-reply" commenters - huh? Good idea - I think I will. ;))

So I am -

Right now -

=====

Dear Whoever - You - Are -

Did you know that your blog is private?

If you do - and you did it on purpose - that's fine with me -

But if you think you aren't -

You are.

If you (or any other blogger out there) want(s) to check/change your settings -

Go to your Dashboard -

Then to Settings -

Then to Permissions -

The second section says -

Blog Readers - Your Blog can have up to 100 readers.

Who can view this blog?
Anybody -
Only People I Choose -
Only Blog Authors -

Your blog is open to all readers by default.

You can restrict your blog to only readers you choose.
However, these readers will need to log in before reading your blog, adding an extra step.


And - 


Just so you know -

When you restrict your blog -

And then refer your readers to other blogs -

We other blogs can't reciprocate. ;))



Talk to you later - gotta go - gotta sew -

Thursday, November 17, 2011

Permission Denied...

Permission Denied...


WARNING – THIS IS A RANT – IF YOU DON’T WANT TO READ IT – STOP READING NOW!!


OK - this has been bothering me for a while -

And - mind you -

This is only my opinion -

And I could be wrong -

But -

I was checking my stats the other day –

And saw a new blog listed under “Referring URLs” and “Referring Sites” -

When I see new referral sites –

Sometimes I want to visit them –

Just to see how/why they are referring readers to me –

I’m curious –

What are they saying about me?

Do they have one of my buttons?

What?

So –

Here I am one day – and I click on the “link” –

And – this is what I got -

BLOGGER: PERMISSION DENIED

This blog is open to invited readers only
(site address – blogspot.com – deleted for this rant)
It doesn't look like you have been invited to read this blog. If you think this is a mistake, you might want to contact the blog author and request an invitation.
You're signed in as (also deleted for this rant) – Sign in with a different account


EXCUSE ME!?!?!?

Now – I admit – I may be overreacting –

And I don’t want to start a war or anything –

AND – this is just my opinion –

BUT –

There was something about that message that rubbed me the WRONG way!!

Let me see if I got this right –

You can read my blog –

And refer other readers to my blog –

Thanks, by the way - ;)) -

BUT –

I need an INVITATION to read yours??

Say what??

And how exactly do I “contact the blog author and request an invitation” –

If I don’t know who the hell it is?

And who says I would even want to request an invitation anyway?

I don’t know anything about it -

And apparently can’t find out - either -

And what makes your blog so special that only INVITED READERS can read it?

OK – I’ll stop now –

The blogger is probably a real nice lady –

And has her reasons for limiting her readership to invitation only –

But – that REALLY rubbed me the wrong way!!

Can you tell?? ;))



Talk to you later – gotta go – gotta sew -

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Two Question Tuesday - 11/15/11

Two Question Tuesday – 11/15/11

Here's the deal - I really liked Mama M.'s Five Question Friday - but that's just too many questions for me.  So I'm going to do my version - and without the linky thingy.

I'll ask two questions and then give you my answers. If you want to play - you can give me your answers in the comment section. If you have a blog and would rather answer them there - just leave a link to your blog instead. I don't know how to do the "Linky" thing like Mama M. yet - and to be honest - I would rather sew than find out so I'll do it this way until I figure it out.
==========

Two questions for you this Tuesday -
Courtesy of Karen M. - who asked me these questions two weeks ago - here you go -


1.  What is your best sewing tip (left or right handed)?
2.  What is your best storage tip for your sewing space?

==========

1.  What is your best sewing tip (left or right handed)?

I think my BEST sewing tip is –

Sew to your thumb.

Let me explain.

When you are hand sewing – you hold your needle in one hand and your fabric in the other. Your thumb is holding down the part you want to sew, right? If you just concentrate on sewing the two or three stitches it takes to get to wherever your thumb is - you can forget the rest of the seam for the moment.

When you are machine sewing – your left hand is spread out to hold the fabric down as it is fed through the machine. Do the same thing - concentrate on sewing the stitches it takes to get to wherever your thumb is. When you get to your thumb – stop – reposition your hand and continue.

You don’t have to worry about the whole length of the seam at one time.

Just concentrate on getting your ¼” seam allowance and seam straight a couple of inches at a time.

You will get “there” eventually.

So - Sew to your thumb. ;))


2.  What is your best storage tip for your sewing space?

I think my BEST storage tip would be –

Use a coffee mug on your desktop to store your camera cord –

It’s right there - real handy and all nice and neat – and -
You don't have to hunt all over for it when you want to download photos to your blog - ;))


I have more tips on my Left-Handed Quilting Page –

Check out "My Sewing Room" – and –

"Fabric Stash and Scrap Management / LHQ - Fabric Stash Room"

You might find something you like. ;))


==========

OK - your turn.


Talk to you later - gotta go - gotta sew -

Monday, November 14, 2011

QJ - Floral Applique - Part VIII

QUILT JOURNAL - Floral Applique - Part VIII

HST SASHING/INNER BORDER -

Time for the HST (half-square triangle) sashing/inner border -

Here are the HST - all ready to cut -



And the “PLAN” –

HST columns between the blocks - 
And on the outside edges -
The top row of HST will be the reverse of the bottom row - 

Should be pretty -
Should match the bottom section - 
And tie it all together -




The left Leaves/Berries block with the HST –



The design board with all four columns of HST – ready -



The top row of HST – on the wall –
So far – so good -



Add the four columns of HST –


OH CRAP!!

That center block looks way too crowded for me -

The top three need more space around them -

And it doesn't help any that I left a TON of space around the daffodils -

AND it looks too BUSY -

All of those HST colors are a bit MUCH for me - 

They distract my eye away from the blocks -

I spent too much time on the blocks for my eyes to focus on the columns instead -


That’s NOT AT ALL how it looked in my head!!

I repeat –

OH CRAP!!



Talk to you later - gotta go - gotta sew -

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