If only I was into appliqué

If only I was into appliqué, this would be my next project.

Isn’t it interesting?

You can find the pattern here, at the Robert Kaufman Fabrics web site, along with the new lines of fabric.

Check out the web site if you are not familiar with it they awesome patterns and new fabric to preview.

like Empress Bouquet by and

Artisan Batiks: Autumn Splendor

I think I better finish a few UFO’s before I start another.

I just wanted to do a quick post this morning to let you know I am still kicking and to share the site with you.

Now I am off to do Thanksgiving preparations, shopping etc.

The kids are coming, the kids are coming home for Thanksgiving, I am so excited.

Happy Quilting

North Star ready for my winter quilting project

I can’t think of a better way to get through the cold winter evenings than sitting with a quilt in your lap quilting away the storms outside. This quilt may last through more than one winter, but that is just fine. It is always the journey not the destination that pleases me, when it comes to quilting, that is..

I have to clarify that for my kids, before they fall off the chair laughing.

I found a new way of basting a quilt, new to me I should say. Maybe others do it this way all the time.

I googled "How to baste a quilt" and found this wonderful video on YouTube by Sharon Schamber. It made perfect sense to me. So much better than my old method of basting which involved the pain of crawling around on the floor.

I just happened to have a couple of 1”x2” boards in the shop. I covered them with fabric then I pinned the quilt edge to the fabric before rolling the quilt top on, then doing the same with the quilt back.

The batting lays free in between the top and back.

I was able to baste the whole quilt while sitting comfortably at the table. Unrolling and smoothing it out as you go.

I have always used the tailors basting stitch, to prepare for hand quilting, the same stitch that Sharon used in this video. Basting with pins for machine quilting will work with this method too.

This was the easiest method I have ever used for basting a quilt, and the end product was smooth and ready to mark.

I recommend watching the videos (there are 2) if you are getting a quilt ready for machine quilting or hand quilting.

If you have ever basted or pinned a quilt on the floor or even bending over a table, your knees and back will love you for taking the time to watch the videos I promise.

Happy Quilting!

Thinking about the next one

Do you start thinking of the next quilt while working on the current one?  How many do you have on the design wall in your mind? 

I am so close to having this one ready to baste, (this will be my winter hand quilt project) I woke up this morning eager to finish this flimsy, so I can move on. 

My next quilt is somewhere in this container of treasured 1930’s fabrics.  It is either in this book “Granny Quilt Decor” by Darlene Zimmerman  or

 

perhaps in one of the magazines.

Cymba  is always eager to help.

Here she is saying HEY it is time to take a break and pet my belly..

I started this post with the question "How many quilts on the design wall in your mind?"

Happy Quilting!

N. Star progress & a diagonal set tutoial

I am moving right along on my designing of the North Star quilt. I will soon be making a decision about adding borders, but for now I am working the diagonal setting blocks. I thought I would share with you the math/method I use to figure the blocks for the corners and side sets.
In order to have the straight of grain on the edges of the corner pieces they are cut differently than the side pieces. I cut 2 squares 2" larger than the block.
Then cut these in half diagonally for the corners.
4 corners.
For the side setting blocks I measure the diagonal size of the block, add 3" cut your square using that measurement. Then simply cut into four sections, the outer edge will be straight of grain.



Add the side setting blocks to the end of the rows before sewing the rows together. Simple as that.

Now to come up with a border design.

Happy Quilting!

This day has got to get better & Splenda a zillion $ a lb.

A dark, gloomy, rainy, windy day here in Idaho gets to a bad off to a bad start for me. My first indications was getting out of bed and stepping on a upchucked hairball. Only to find another in the middle of my dinning room table.

MY Sweet Cymba is never allowed on the table, who knows what else she does while I'm sleeping. Just look at that innocent face.

With that cleaned up I was ready to sit down with my first cup of coffee. Which is always the best cup of the day. I use Splenda in my coffee, (never could break the sugar habit) I quit smoking isn't that enough.

My sugar shaker was empty, I store Splenda in a snap top container on its side on the top shelf.

Evedentally I didn't get it snapped shut tightly when I put it away. Turned my back on it and out it poured. Not the way I had my day planned.



I'm afraid to turn on the news, I don't want to hear how far Obama is ahead,that will really ruin the day.

Squash Soup and quilting

I have just finished eating this yummy bowl of squash soup, Ok, I know it looks like baby food, but OH my goodness it is gooooood.

I just know you want the recipe, Right?

Simple Winter Squash Soup

2 cups fat free chicken broth
1 Tablespoon olive oil
1 small onion diced
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 teaspoon ginger (oops I didn't have any ginger)
1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard
3 cups cooked winter squash
salt & pepper to taste

In a large saucepan or dutch oven, heat the olive oil, on medium until it shimmers. Add the onion, garlic, and ginger, cook for 3 to 5 minutes until just beginning to brown. Stir in the mustard and cook 1 minute.
Add the broth (this can be preheated in the microwave) and stir well. Stir in the squash and stir until completely mixed in with the broth. Cover and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Season to taste. (if you like you can puree soup with an immersion blender.) I did.
If I wasn't watching my weight I would add a dollop of sour cream.

Only 113 calories
WW = 2 points




My friend Marge had to put her 14 year old, white cat named Junior to sleep on Friday. She quit eating and drinking, as her body shut down. It was a very sad day for Marge.

Yesterday I made this little wall hanging for her in memory of Junior. I took it over to her last night, she started crying, her daughter cried, hell pretty soon we were all bawling. We cracked open a couple beers and toasted Junior, yes Junior was a female.After I delivered it I thought I should have put a halo over the cat, or had the cat sitting on cloud instead of the grass. Oh well she was very pleased with it as is.


The free motion quilting is getting easier.


I am trying a lot of different designs, a sample of quilting on a sampler. Why not.



I really liked doing this one, continuous and easy. A good one to use on a 9 patch block.



My first stab at doing (a rose?) Sure need more practice on that one. .



I was quilting away when Cymba my quilting cat, jumped on the quilt as if to say enough for awhile.

She makes it very hard to move the quilt around so I gave up for the day, I will be back at it tomorrow.



As I was working on this today, I had a horrible thought. What if the reds fade? I usually wash all my fabric, especially the reds. But did all these get washed, not sure now,poor time to think about it huh. Waht was I thinking, I'll just have to keep my fingers crossed, as I always wash every quilt as soon as I finish the binding.

Happy Quilting!