Oh Oh I goofed!

I followed the directions to a T, or so I thought. I made all of the pinwheel blocks first, then the lemon applique blocks.The pattern said to cut the background blocks for the Lemon applique 9.5" then trim to 8.5" after appliqueing, I read that twice to make sure before I trimmed them. Actually that was correct, what was wrong was somehow the pinwheel blocks were to big. So I decide the pattern must have been wrong, my pinwheels were 9", all of the points matched, I was sure if I had cut one part of the block wrong it would not have come out correct.

I cut one more block 1 piece at time to make sure I followed the directions closely. Guess what, that block came out the correct measurement, so the pattern was correct, I am not sure where I went wrong.



The fix is not going to be easy, I can't trim the pinwheels or I will be cutting off the points, so it is either make all the pinwheels again for the lemon blocks. If it was my quilt I would probably add it to the UFO's and worry about it later. This project is for the shop so I will have to deal with it.








I still think it is a charming quilt and will look great hanging at the entrance to the shop once it is finished.














I did put it aside yesterday so I could work a messenger bag I wanted to make. I was able to finish that project, and still make it to the BBQ at my cousins.
























I hope everyone had a lovely Mothers Day!

Happy Quilting!

Spotlight on Scraps

A new book in the store that I fell in love with, I love scrappy quilts.




I think we quilters that favor scrap quilts was taught to use what we had at an early age.


I know my grandmother would have thought it a sin to buy new fabric and cut it up.


She was always happy to have a new piece of "drygoods", she called it, to put on the back of her quilts.



Most of the time the back was also pieced or a flannel sheet was used. I don't believe Grandma every used "store bought" batting, intsead it was a worn out blanket or old sheet. Some were called summer spreads, if nothing was available the quilt top and back were tied and it became a summer spread.



Now here I am many years later making scrap quilts from new "store bought drygoods". Sorry Grandma the devil made me do it.





I wish my grandmas was around to use up my scraps she would have been so pleased to have them.

Happy Quilting!

Friday Afternoon & Monday Morning update

Monday Update:I have had many inquiry's over the weekend about a few of the patterns I have shared with you.

I really wasn't aware I had so many readers.

The "beginners' Four patch" is available through me, just email me at quiltblocker@cableone.net.

I have also added it to my sidebar.


I neglected to mention the name of the bag pattern, it is called Purse-ality, it is by the "Stitchin Sisters". The book is "Bits and Pieces" the pattern and book are both availible at "All About Quilts" shop.


Her web site will be up and running in a couple weeks, but in the mean time,
to order contact Mary at (208) 318 0548 or email me.

Friday

I just finished this little red white and blue quilt, really satisfying to make something you can finish in one day. I worked at the shop this morning, helping Mary rearrange the store, we are always looking for new ways to display shop samples and fabric. The shop is small so it is a challenge to find room for the new fabric that is coming in almost daily. Mary will be going to Quilt Market in Portland, May 15, she is leaving me in charge of the store. Three days on my own, she is confident that I can handle it, but it is a bit scary too. Most days when I work I am there by myself but she is just a phone call away, come to think of it in this day and age I guess she will still be just a phone call away. And I just have share another bag, this bag is so much fun to make I can't quit making them.

Happy Quilting!

Monday Morning

It is a  beautiful Monday morning here in Idaho, I think spring has finally sprung.We had a nice warm temperature over the weekend it actually got up into the 70's. 



I have been busy working on a pattern for beginners, we have a lot of request for easy patterns.  Mary hadn't been able to find just a simple little pattern that wasn't in a expensive book.  So I offered to design and write one, sounded like a simple task. The pattern is written especially for a beginner, from rotary cutter safety to finishing the quilt, including binding.






Two weeks and many re-writes later, here it is.  Finished at last, Mary will be buying them from me. so I can consider myself published. TOOT TOOT, sorry that is me tooting my own horn.



Now I can get back to quilt making, we have a new book in the shop I will be working out of. I can sew using someone else design and not worry about taking notes or all the little details that come with writing a pattern.

Happy Quilting!

A Shop Sample Finished Cozy Cabin

Another quilt finished for the quilt shop, we had sent this one out to be quilted, it was returned a few days ago,I had the binding ready to go, I usually cut and prepare the binding when I make the quilt top.

We hung this quilt at the shop Tuesday, I stood back to see that it was straight and bam a glaring mistake jumped out at me. I am going to let you see if you can spot it, to me it stands out like a sore thumb. But there it is hanging in the shop for all to see, and every time I look at it that is what I see.


This quilt will eventually go to one of my sons and I am sure they won't mind, or even notice if I don't point it out.


I have been working on creating a pattern for a simple little four patch quilt for beginners. We don't have room at the shop to offer classes, but we have people requesting a simple starter quilt pattern.

I thought it would be simple to write a pattern for a beginner. The problem I am struggling with now is when to quit. Writing the pattern was easy, trying to write for someone that had never held a rotary cutter is a little harder.

Any advice would be helpful...

Happy Quilting!

Another week gone by.

I guess you have noticed my blogging has slowed way down, I have been very busy at the shop this past week. Mary has been getting lots of new fabrics, and patterns in.In addition to helping customers, I have been cutting and making up kits, this is one I will be making up tomorrow. Of all the sample quilts I have made for the shop this is probably my least favorite I'm not sure why I don't care for it. However it is one we get a lot of request for, so .


I did manage to get two bags completed, both will be shop samples. this one is made using a pattern called Purse-sonality by Stitchin Sisters, the fabric is Robert Kaufman. Isn't it a great bag?

It also has a easy little wallet to make,that is what you see sticking out the top of the bag. The curves make 2 hidden pockets on the inside. Fun.

This next one is also a shop sample I made this one using Alexander Henry Fabric, I just love the designs of Alexander Henry, however the bag was very difficult to make.

The bag has been on display only a short while and we have already had several offers of people wanting to buy it. But when the store is finished with it, it will go to my daughter. She travels alot I'm sure this wil be very useful for her.

She is going to Denver next month for a writers conference, she has ask if she could take it. It would be a big hit in Denver, don't you think? But Mary likes to keep them in the shop for about 4 to 5 months, it really helps sell the fabric and the patterns.
If it wasn't so darn difficult to make I would whip up another one in time for her trip, and who knows maybe I will.







Happy Trails to you, until next time.

I can't believe it!

I can't believe it has been a week since I posted, time flies when you are having fun.
I have been helping out at the shop more and more the past week. I have several things I am working on but nothing completed.
I have gotten several emails asking if I am alright. Thank you, I am just fine.
As spring approaches I have more yard work to do, those weeds wait for no one.

Today I will share a few baby quilts I have made in the past, they are long gone, and I don't even remember who they were made for.

Happy Quilting!

Where are the days going?

It is true, time waits for no one.
Seems like I have been busier than usual lately.

In addition to making sample quilts for the shop, she has ask me to work part time in the store, which I am thrilled about.

Not only will the extra income help out, I will get paid for doing something I really enjoy. I have to learn a new computer system, but I do belive you can teach an old dog new tricks, I guess we will find out.

I finished the Cozy Cabin quilt a few days ago and I just delivered it to the quilter today. I had intended to quilt it myself, but I have a quilter that will quilt it for $30. how can you beat that.

Of course Cymba has to give it the cat test, I think it passed .

Happy Quilting!

A little Flannel Quilt Show & Pay it Forward

First I want to Thank everyone that stops by my blog, I wish we could sit down over a cup and visit. I rarely have visitors at my home, so this is the next best thing. I really enjoy receiving comments and intend to respond to everyone, sometimes that just doesn't get done, but believe me I have good intentions.


I don't have anything finished to share today, but beings I am currently working on a flannel quilt, Cabin Fever I decided to share a few other flannel quilts from the past.
Everyone likes flannel what could be cozier than curling up with a book and a flannel quilt.

"Bear in the Woods"
I made this several years ago for my brother.




Ride em Cowboy
Maybe you have heard of Fabric Depot in Portland Oregon, I picked this up there as a kit in their bargain basket, I don't remember what I paid, just that I thought it was a real bargain. My grandson Eli has this one.

It was quite challenging to do.

The quilt back.

This is Glenn's quilt, a real early quilt I made for my son-in-law to welcome him to the family. It gets used everyday.
I hope you enjoyed the little quilt show.

Pay it Forward
I was the lucky third person to sign in on Linda's Pay it Forward. This has been going around for awhile and you may be familiar with the idea.
The rules are that the first three people to join the challenge on my blog will receive a gift handmade by me. I have 365 days to make and send your gift, though I hope that it won't take me that long. You in return will post on your blog inviting 3 more people to join in and receive a gift from you. I will try my best to visit your blog and make something that you will like. If you leave a comment please be sure to indicate that you are signing up for the challenge.

Happy Quilting!

Cabin Fever

No I don't really have cabin fever, I have been to busy for that.
I have been trying to write a pattern for a handbag I designed. I showed the handbag to Mary at the quilt shop she said if I wrote up the pattern she would buy it from me. A tough assignment for my old brain, but also a challenge.
I received a 2 month free trial of Microsoft Office, with my new laptop,so in addition to learning to writing a pattern, I am also trying to teach myself how to use Microsoft Office, at the same time.


I have also been cutting strips in my spare time for
Bonnie's Orange Crush Mystery quilt,
she posted the next step on her web site, You can find it here http://quiltville.com/orangecrushmystery1.shtml This months directions involves making 150, 4" fourpatch blocks, before we get the next step in the pattern.



In addition I have a new project,
The next quilt I will be making for the shop is called "Cabin Fever".


I will be using these wonderful Moda flannels "Cozy Cabin"


From the Book called "Cozy Cabin Quilts".


Sew that is what I have been up to lately.

Happy Quilting!