Tutorial & Vintage Fabrics

I'm so excited to be doing my first tutorial for you all!

Do you find yourself losing pieces of paper that you need to refer to often? I do. I make piles of my papers and, consequently, end up not knowing what's in the pile. So, I started taping papers to my cupboard doors. Oh, don't worry, the tape doesn't ruin the surface of my doors. But, you know...white paper on white cupboards. hmmmm...the paper tends to get lost in all the 'whiteness' and then I forget it's there. What to do?

Well, I gotta tell you, I had a marvelous idea this morning!

I was in the straightening mode and ran across my BOM schedule...OH! I never told you about that! Okay, but first things first. My BOM schedule needed to be put up somewhere, in a conspicuous place...somewhere I would see it and be reminded of the meetings. You get the point, yes? Sure, I could have written on my calendar, but I am one of those who doesn't like to do that. And, since I always know the date (my job totally revolves around what day/date it is), I actually don't look at my calendar very often.

Since this is a relatively simple tutorial, I won't be showing 'as I go' photos. You'll catch on pretty quickly, though.

List of supplies:
1. whatever it is that you want to tape on the wall/cupboard/whatever.
2. scissors
3. tape
4. construction paper

How to:
1. Choose a color of construction paper that will either match or contrast with your room. AND, to serve its purpose, it really should contrast with whatever you're taping it to. Since my cupboards are white, I have the entire spectrum of colors to choose from! (well, not white, but certainly, all the rest!)

2. Because my schedule was printed on a 1/2 sheet of paper (for those of you who are not math whizzes, the paper measured 8.5 x 5.5 inches), I needed just one piece of construction paper.

3. I wanted my 'frame' to be the short/wide way (or, landscape). I brought the two ends (or what would be the sides of my frame) together, and , without creasing the paper, made a cut into the center. I then opened the paper flat and cut a rectangle. Not being too fussy about how it looked... rather, wanting it to look primitive...I just cut, not paying attention to how straight I was cutting, or how square the corners were.

4. Centering the schedule carefully, I laid the 'frame' on top of it to make sure the opening was the right size. I then turned it all over and taped the schedule (front side down) to the back of the 'frame'.

Here's the finished product. I am rather proud of this...it totally serves its purpose...the blue stands out against the white cupboard, drawing my eye to it, thus reminding me that the schedule is there for me to refer to.

I hope you enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed writing it! Learning something new everyday is a good thing, yes?

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Just so ya know...that tutorial was

completely a fun thing...

please don't think I think I'm

some kind of really smart cookie with a

brilliant idea that just needs to be shared!!

I was grinning the entire time I was typing.

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Okay...now to explain the BOM. I was at Saving Thyme Quilt Shop, buying a 1/2 yard fabric to finish Kim's quilt. Hanging on the wall next to the cash register is an absolutely gorgeous quilt. (well, you know, quilt shops hang all those gorgeous quilts all over their shop...supposed to act as incentive/inspiration, I guess. ~grin~) I kept looking at it, and finally commented to the woman who was waiting on me that I thought it was gorgeous! She proceeded to tell me that it was the BOM (block of the month) quilt for beginners.

Now, having sewed (sewn?) all my life, I have NEVER made a quilt. Actually, this winter, I did make a doll quilt that I haven't shown you...and a blanket with batting, but not a 'quilt' quilt. ya know? I am definitely a 'beginner quilter'.

There I stood, looking and looking - probably drooling, too - at this quilt...but so wasn't going there. You know that feeling. Well, the more we chatted, the more information was exchanged...and before I left the shop, I had signed up, paid my monthly fee and had my first month's BOM kit. Can you believe that?

Here's how it works. For $10 each month for all 12 months of this year, I will receive a kit of fabric and instructions for a 12x12 block, and I will meet at the shop - with the others who are doing this same BOM quilt - on a designated Saturday morning to show my block and to be instructed on some aspect of quilting. Social hour, fabric, instruction...WOW! Nothing to lose...everything to gain. I figure this is the best way for me to do this, as I am not all that great at color planning...and trying to choose quilt fabrics is way too confusing for me. Plus, it takes a lot of fabric (read money) to build up a fabric stash.

Good news...at work the other day, I just happened to overhear 2 of my coworkers talking about some fabric...one thing led to another, and I ended up with a box of vintage cotton fabrics. The fabric came from an elderly woman who obviously never threw a single scrap of fabric away. Apparently, there is much more, but I am not sure that I will be the one to receive it all...I hope so! All I need to do in return is make a table runner for the woman who brought this to me. No problem!


All of the pieces shown are at least 1/2 yard...many are larger. There are some other pieces...and a gazillion small pieces of these same fabrics. I had to wash it all, as the fabric was dirty/dusty. Oh. My. Gosh. Really dirty. All sparkling clean, now!
I have a vintage apron pattern that is very similar to the aprons my Grandma used to wear, so I am thinking of using these fabrics for full aprons. Cannot wait to get started!!

BOM 2

The BOM club met this morning...what a nice group of ladies. All very serious about their quilting...and really, all levels of experience.

Here's the second block...a signature block...I think I did pretty well matching seams...

Procrastinator that I am...the last meeting was 4 weeks ago and we have a 4 week period to sew our block. So, guess when I did mine? Last night. LOL...really.

Next month's BOM is a log cabin design. I'm hoping I get to that sooner rather than later.

After that, I think most of the blocks involve triangles...(gulp).

Sunkissed, Birthday & Snow Days...

The weekend is about over...darn.  I had plenty of time to get a few things done today that I really wanted to, though, so it's all good.

I got the Sunkissed fabric cut for the sample quilt for my lqs (Saving Thyme).

I prepped fabric and traced a pattern for a huge project.  Did I tell you about this?  Sharon of MoosecraftUSA & I are embarking on a project.  Together but separately...each will have our own finished product.  But, across the miles, we will be here for each other as we work our way through this project...and try to not become overwhelmed by the immense amount of hours it will take to complete it.  (Me Mum predicts that it will take 194,000 hours to complete it. Sharon did the math and it comes out to be 12 years...24/7.  ha!)

It all started when Sharon mentioned 2 BOM's that she was starting this year.  Applique/quilting projects.  I looked at the patterns she was doing (they're so cool!) and looked further and saw one that I was completely taken with.  If you're a regular reader of my blog, this will sound familiar to you.  That's cuz I wrote about it here.  Sharon and I emailed back and forth about this quilt and we were both so excited...she finally could no longer resist and joined the BOM for that, too!  YAY!  So, my plan was to cheer her on with it.  But, surprise, surprise, she decided to send a pattern of my own to me.  Happy Birthday to me from Sharon!  Thank you so much!  (ohyeah, more about my birthday in a bit.)  So.  We are in this together.  I think she just really wanted someone to feel the pain with her.  This pattern calls for 16 skeins of floss...of the same color...2 strands used for the stitchery.  Look at how gorgeous this variegated floss is...

The pattern calls for over 40 different fabrics, but I opted to cut that number down to 26.  I went to the lqs close by my work (Stitcher's Crossing) and Julie gave me outstanding customer service with help in selecting fabrics.  In fact, she ran around with a skein of the floss and chose fabrics...all I had to do was stand there and decide which ones I could not live without.  There are several batiks...soooo gorgeous!  Lots of textures.  And, of course, all more gorgeous than they show here.

I tend to watch a lot of tv in the evenings...especially now with American Idol on and Dancing With the Stars due to start soon (March 21).  If I have some handwork to do...it's all a good thing.  Keeps me from thinking about smoking and eating.  This project will definitely keep my hands busy!

So.  My first block of stitchery is ready to go.  YAY!  The stitching is all done in backstitch, so it won't be at all difficult.  The challenge is the detail in the stitchery blocks.  

That being said, it is going to be one gorgeous quilt when finished.  Since Sharon's BOM is 14 months long...and I'm not going to rush to get done before her...we should have these ready to cuddle up with for the winter of 2012-2013.  Course, it's always possible that after all of our work, we will opt to hang them on our walls!! 

(you'll have to click to enlarge to see this and even then you may not be able to see it very well.  I would like to point out that this block has the least amount of detail of all of them!)

 

 Wish us luck!

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Yup, I had a birthday this past week.  I think I forgot to mention it.  No big number/milestone...this year.  It was a quiet birthday...nothing special going on.  All of my coworkers brought food...can you say sugar overload?  I received many phone calls & emails,  2 virtual floral bouquets, several happy birthday wishes on Facebook and some very nice gifts.  Thank you all very much!

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I have been thinking about doing a giveaway.  The only reason that I'm not announcing it right here & now is that I haven't made up my mind what to give away.  Any suggestions?

Have a great work week!

Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might. - Ecclesiastes 9:10

Marching Right Along...

Here it is, Sunday morning...I've been up for several hours already as I start writing this. Haven't done much...tried to get caught up on my blog reading...still need to make comments on about 3 dozen blogs...fed the dogs, took the following photos...read a bit...got dressed.

I miss Tango very much, but we're doing okay. And, again...thank you so much to everyone for your support and caring.

I haven't had much to say this week, but today...I DO!

Here's a picture of the fenced-in backyard...not quite daylight when I took this. My poor pups, having to go out into this frozen wasteland. I was going to say 'tundra', as that word just kinda follows 'frozen', but #1 - I do not live in the arctic & #2 - wasteland (get it...'waste'!) is just such a more fitting word. When the shoe fits and all that, hey?



Jill and Tim were here yesterday. They were in Madison Friday night to see George Thorogood at the Barrymore Theater. Sounds like it was a great concert. While they were here, Tim changed the oil & oil filter in my car and carried about a bazillion things up from the basement (more on that to follow).
And, they brought me some birthday gifts! YAY! Thank you so much!
"The Rifleman" dvd with 3 episodes...young as I was at the time of that series (1958-1963), I loved that show...and the beginning always thrilled me. Here it is...

They also gave me a Yankee jar candle - BUTTERCREAM scent...ohhhhhhhhhhhh YUMMY!!! 2 hangie-thingies for my car windows...one is I LOVE MY COLLIE and the other is (of course), I LOVE MY CHOCOLATE LAB! I will hang them proudly! And, my godchild (as in, "My. God! Child."), Michelle, sent along 2 pair of slipper sockies with non-skid dohickies on the bottoms. Thank you so much!

We had a great visit & ate pizza from Papa Murphy's for lunch - steak fajita - it was delicious! And, I gotta say, it's always great fun to be with my baby sister. Who is now 50, by the way! Now, all the 4 J's are in their 50's. ohwow...time really does get by you, hey?

As most of you know, I've been putting in some serious time working on sewing projects and hooking projects. Then, I made that flannel blanket (thanks, Kelley!) for Kaylynn, and that lap quilt for Kim. Which led to me getting all interested in quilting. Fabric started speaking to me, calling my name, in fact!!!! Then, I joined the BOM club at the quilt shop in Stoughton. I found the cutest counted cross stitch patterns...ohmygosh. I cannot show you, as I don't want to spoil the surprise for those of you who may be receiving them as gifts at some point off in the future. Then, there's the online course that I am teaching this semester. Just a lot of different things going on...all of them with 'stuff', which is getting out of control! I have tried to keep organized, but I just cannot do it! Too many things to do...too many ideas going through my head. I have been trying to put things away as I use them...but we all know how that goes. And, if I brought something upstairs from the basement, I didn't take it back down. Well, I was planning to, but just haven't done it. Then, a coworker gave me some vintage fabric...and has more to come. And I've picked up a bit more fabric on my own.

Speaking of BOM...yesterday was the first meeting for me. There was a meeting in January, but I didn't join until just after that...so I missed it. Apparently, that was when they explained things in great detail and gave a few tips. Just an example of a small but very important tip they gave...make a practice block first. Who'da thought? I mean...I started sewing over 40 years ago...but I sewed clothes, never quilts...and no one made a practice dress before they made the actual dress! Why would I think of doing that now? (well, okay, the bigshot designers do, but that's cuz they're following what's in their head, not a paper pattern!) ha! Well, now I know! And, apparently, you get credit for how many blocks you made (whether they're practice blocks or the start of another quilt with that new block design or whatever)! Even though the BOM quilt only has one block with that design. Know what I mean? I'm not quite sure what the credit gets you...but it's interesting. All new to me!
LOOK at this...isn't it adorable??? Was thinking to make girlie summer clothes...now I'm not sure. It'd be adorable in a quilt...but I really don't know anyone to make it for...so that'd be a waste. Doncha think?

I don't know what I want to do first. But, I do know one thing. I'm going to try really hard to buy fabric ONLY if I have a specific need/project for it. Otherwise, I will surely end up with a cotton stash to rivel my wool stash! YIKES! Cannot have that.

So. I decided that what I need to do first, is to get everything organized. With my cluttered mind and my cluttered dining room and sunroom, I really cannot settle on doing any. thing. at. all! Plus, I really need to get rid of stuff that I don't need and/or won't use. So. While I had a strong manly man here yesterday, I had Tim carry up my tubs of wool and 90% of my project containers, as well as a wire cube unit. Here's what my dining room and sunroom look like now. (Yes, the pups are in their crates...I had just fed them breakfast when I took these photos.)



Even though this looks AWFUL - please don't come to visit me in the very near future unless you plan to help! - I am actually looking forward to going through everything and getting it all in some sort of order.

Here's my office...desparately needing to be straightened/cleaned. My desk is full...couldn't find anything on here if I had to! But, there's my trusty can of Pepsi! I didn't turn off my monitor before taking the pic...I think that's Kelley's blog showing. Look at that table...there is wool from 2 or 3 different rugs all over it. I started working on filing my taxes, so that paperwork is on top of that mess. Since I closed my website, & don't do any of that anymore, my closet could get a good going through. My bookcase needs to be organized...more books & patterns in the other room.

So. Office first. I plan to put the wire cube storage thing in here. Then, some of the mess in the dining room/sunroom, can move into this room once it's organized. THEN, I will have easier access to the things I need/use the most. That will save me many trips up and down the stairs...which is really awfully hard on my bad knee.
AND. Once I get everything organized, I am going to move my sewing chit-chat and in-progress photos and what I'm going through as I learn to quilt over to a new blog. It's all ready to go...just waiting.

So. That's what I've been up to and what I will be doing. How about you?

As If...

Yes, as if I don't have enough on my to-do list...

While looking through my stash for fabrics for (yet another set of) napkins, I came across these fabrics.  The kit was put together by my lqs for a BOM last year.  Along the way, I decided to not do the BOM...just too much going on at the time.  Most of them are Normandy Court and Fossil Fern, both  by Benartex...very pretty, aren't they? 

I did use a few pieces for napkins (I'll show that set later) and then started obsessing about wondering what I should do with these lovely pieces.  With the help of my friend, Erin of Why Not Sew?, (thank you!) I decided a 16 patch would be perfect.   

Even though I have a quilt top all set to sew together and another one to start right after the first of the year, and even though I am not quite done with Christmas gift-making, and I do have a few commissioned pieces to start on right after the first of the year...and especially even though I really need to concentrate on making doll clothes...I may have to take a bit of time when I wouldn't otherwise be sewing to work on the 16 patch.

Obsessed, I know. 

And crazy.

For sure.



"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.". Jeremiah 29:11

BOM - Pioneer Sampler Quilt 2009

The top is pieced...YAY!

I used only 9 of the 12 blocks we received.

I totally messed one up...not once, but twice.

That made 11 blocks finished.

One I don't like much.

The other is a signature block.

They will go on the back.

This looks so much richer in person.

Started a new BOM today...Pieced Applique.

Here's a (really bad) photo.

I'll try to get a better one. 

This was taken by someone else whose

printer was apparently running out of ink.

The quilt is pretty, but definitely not my colors.

 I think it looks nice and fresh, though.

Reds, yellows, soft greens & aquas, black & white.

It'll be challenging, but I think a lot of fun.

BOM 7

I finally got my July BOM done. How frustrating this one was. Only because, for some reason, I couldn't get the points to match the seams. Redid 2 sides 3 times! Each! But, I'm gonna pull the 'I'm just a beginner and learning' card. haha. No...not really. I finally decided this was good enough. And, ya know, I probably am not going to put this one in the quilt. The colors are too Christmasy, or something. Will have to see how it works with the others before I make that decision, I guess. Here it is.

Next on my to-do list...Erin's mini quilt. Seriously! I know she's waiting and waiting and wondering what in the heck is taking me so long!?! After all, I've been enjoying the mini quilt and other little gifts she sent me for several weeks, now! I've got everything ready to send...just waitin' on the quilting/binding/laundering.
After that? Well, I have several choices. And, I am not sure which one I'll do first. I think I'll have to put them in order of when they need to be done.
Something fun is coming my way in about a month. I hope, that is. Not that it's not coming...it is. But, I hope that it's everything I think it is. If it is...watch out everyone! ~grin~

BOM 10

This is the latest BOM...one more month to go.

That's all for today!

So far today...

I got two of my sewing projects done.

Here's the April block of the BOM I'm working on...

I had it done and pressed and ready to put away...then noticed that I had the middle 4-square patch turned the wrong way...so ripped out a lot of stitches and sewed everything back up. whew. But, hey! Those triangles were easy to do, after all! And, I think I did pretty good matching seams, too. YAY! Happy girl, here!

I'm almost finished with the secret project using the happy camper fabric. There's about an hour of hand-sewing to do, yet. Oh, and guess what! As cute as that fabric is...the design is not straight on the grain. Not too happy about that...so I'm not going to call it the happy camper fabric any longer.

Now to do the March block of the BOM. Yeah, I know...should have been done already. ohwell.

Raining all day...ugh. But, that's okay...I could concentrate on inside stuff and not worry about yardwork.

Snow Days Revisited...Again...Seriously!

You will be happy to know that I am working on my Snow Days quilt.  Again.  Seriously!    

For those of you who have not been reading my blog for the past 4 years...here is a quick recap.

Sharon - of MoosecraftUSA blogging fame - and I started a BOM in February of 2011.  Snow Days.  She actually did the BOM thing...where she received a box of fabric from the host shop each month.  I received the pattern for my birthday and bought my own fabrics.  

Here is the pattern cover...

And, here are the fabrics I purchased...

To continue.  I finished stitching all 14 blocks within 11 months.  woohoo!  And, then I did nothing for a year.  In 2013, I pieced all of the fabric blocks that go around the border of the quilt...those that attach to the stitched blocks I had completed.  Since then, I have done very little with it.  So.  Here we are in 2015...I must be able to work on this in only the odd-numbered years.  (huh?)  

Today, I cut stitched blocks to size and sewed them to pieced blocks.  I have four more to go, but I am done for today.

Here are the blocks that are now ready for the next step.  (Ignore the measurements written on the paper tags...those are the sizes I needed to cut the stitched block.)  Without further adieu...

 

There is more stitching to do on some of the blocks.  Extensions of the tree branches.  That will keep me busy in the evenings for awhile.  And, I need to piece all of those center blocks!  I will get this done!  

Hope you're having a pleasant and productive weekend!


"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.". Jeremiah 29:11

Small Projects.

Hanging out...
reading, watching a movie,
& working on small projects today.

Here's the September Pioneer Sampler quilt BOM block.

Here are the wonky stars I made for
Brioni of my Bee Addicted 3 block swap.
They were fun.

Cannot wait to see what we'll get this next month!

YAY!!! The Weekend Is Here...

And, I am more than ready for it!!!

I love my LQS! Had to pick up a few things

today on the way home from work.

Here's what I got...

This really nifty 'camper' fabric for a secret project...

Gorgeous blue and chocolate brown for a secret project...

Binding, sashing and border for my BOM...

it's much prettier than the photo shows.

This stack of fabrics...most of which I had from a

million years ago when I was going

to do appliqued wallhangings.

I added the top 3 pieces to it today.

It's not a secret, but I haven't yet figured out how

to translate what I have in my head.

You'll know when I know, I guess!

That's it! I have many sewing projects to work on.

I have 2 really good books waiting for me.

I have my free-motion quilting class.

Should be a great weekend!

Fabric Galore!!

I said last night that I had lots of fabric to show you.

Feast your eyes!

Remember this photo I showed you of the sample quilt
of this year's BOM I am doing?  

Not sure who took the photo and printed it out, 

but her ink was apparently running low...

the alternate blocks are light yellow.

After much thought, I decided that if I was going to 
put as much work as I will be putting into this, 

I wanted it to be something for me.  

The colors of the sample quilt are pretty,

but just not my colors.  Ya know?  

So.  The owner of my LQS & I put together
a wonderful collection of fabrics for MY quilt.

I am so excited! 

Here are the fabrics that will be used in the blocks.

(there's another green one that I didn't photograph... 

it's the same fabric as the border on Julie's quilt.)

Here are the fabrics for the alternate blocks, borders and binding.  

Don't you just love that bias stripe?  I sure do!
It's for a small inner border and the binding.
(the background of this big floral is actually a dark brown, 
like the dark floral in the photo above.  Looks purple on my monitor.)

My good friend, Jane (from here), sent me a box of fabric.

Here are the photos.  Holy Schmoly...

I kept taking out piece after piece after piece!

It is all wonderful!  
Thank you, Jane!

I finally started picking up fabric for my son's quilt.

Paul & Rachel got married in December
and asked me to make them a double wide lap quilt.

Here are 3 pieces of the au.then.tic. fabric collection...
6 more are on the way to me.
I'm going to need at least 10 more fabrics...
which means that I get to go to the PRIM quilt shop
to select some wonderful blacks, reds, & purples.
Cannot wait!

This is going to be a fun quilt to do.

Last, but certainly not least, here is the fabric for my doll quilt swap (DQS8).

It's a MoMo Wonderland charm pack and 2 pieces of yardage.

I know exactly what I'm going to do 

and I think (hope) my partner will be very happy!

That's it for now!