Monday, September 24, 2018

Monday Meandering 9 - 24 - 2018

Boy did that week past quickly.  The highlight of my week was the Wacky Family Portrait class with Lisa Ellis.  Lisa is a great teacher and was so helpful to all of us. I chose to do pictures of all 4 of my grands.  So, much of the time I was perfecting each tracing and duplicating it on a fusible.  I also got all 16 pictures (4 of each grand) fused on to fabric.  I was only able to get the one of Theo actually cut out and ready to fuse to the backing fabric. Nope, I'm not fusing it to the background fabric until I can lay out all 16 background fabrics [yep, all different...] and decide where I'm placing all the pictures.
'
First up is the photo and drawing of Theo and then Ellie. 
I left off Theo's hands because I was hoping the arms would go off the background.  See below for more info on that. 
One of the things Lisa suggests is to simplify the picture.  That's why I'm not including the long hair down Ellie's face.  I sure wouldn't want to cut out that piece! And the dolls won't be included.  I may have to fuss with her arms a bit but I'll see how it goes. 

And here is one of Theo's "wacky" pictures. I will be going back to the drawing and copying his little hands and adding them. Hum, I wonder if I need to add the shorts.... he looks really long waisted here!  I will probably cut off some of each sleeve to make it work.  Aimee, his mom, thought it was terrific. (I do too!) 
Here's one of Lisa's samples: 
How fun is this!  She also has a different, easy way to finish the piece.  I'm looking forward to finishing this wall hanging.  It's so much fun to do! Below is  the little one Karen put together of her brother and his wife.  Except the picture is their engagement picture from years ago!  
There were several more "pictures" that I would have liked to snap photos of but just didn't get to it.  

So besides that how did I do on my goals this week? Not bad.  Didn't get them all done but I did get many of them done.

September 17, 2018
Prep class for this week!
Knit on Sock
Start sweater for Theo
Prep for mini demo on labels
Make a pillowcase?nah, didn’t happen, again! 

September 24, 2018
Cut a quilt for retreat 
Finish up sock
Knit on Theo’s sweater 
Make a pillowcase (well, it could happen, maybe) 

That's it for me today. 

Happy Quilting All!  Bonnie 



Monday, September 17, 2018

Monday Meanderings 9 - 17 - 2018

What a week.... I was trying to get some piecing done and get ready for Florence.  But in the end Florence didn't come but some refugees from North Carolina:  my quilting buddy Sharon, her hubby and her dad.  It was great to see them but not under these circumstances.  Sharon and I did get a little sewing in while they were here.  

After Florence started to move on, Dale kept an eye on the roads and they left as soon as they could get through on the roads.  Her dad's house didn't have any flooding and he had electricity so they are staying there for the time being.  Dale has been posting updates on their house.  Flood water is closing in on them but hope is that it won't breech the house.  Luckily Sharon's studio is on the top floor of the house.  This whole thing has not been a nice welcome to their home.  They moved in about 3 weeks ago. I'm hoping she gets to come to retreat in about 2 weeks.  Fingers crossed.   

Here in Northern Virginia we are just now getting rains from Florence.  But not all that bad for us.  And, our house in Nags Head probably has no damage. We're awaiting a report from our property managers.  

On to sewing report.  I was able to enlarge the Potato Chip purse by just a little.   And get it completely sewn.  YEA!  A finish for September.  Not much is getting done this month for various reasons. Here's where you can buy the pattern if interested. You can also see lots of them made up on Pinterest.

Next up is preparing for a class with Lisa Ellis.  We're doing something called Wacky Portrait. Scroll to the bottom to see the sample.  I have quite a bit of work to get ready for it plus I'm doing a mini demo on making labels at guild meeting that night.  I'll definitely have my hands full this week! 

Here's how I did on my goals last week.

September 10, 2018 
Reviewing UFOs and updating spreadsheet More needs to be done…
Prep for class in mid Sept√ at least started
Figure out how to enlarge purse pattern & get started on it√ done 
Knit on sock

Make a pillowcase oops — I did buy some new cuff fabric!

And here's what I hope to do this week.... hope being the key word here.
September 17, 2018
Prep class for this week! 
Knit on Sock 
Start sweater for Theo
Prep for mini demo on labels 
Make a pillowcase? 

As usual I'm linking up with these great Monday linky parties: Oh Scrap!, Monday Making, Main Crush Monday, and Moving it Forward.  You know the drill -- take some time to see what folks are working on.  Also you can still visit bloggers who are participating in the Meet and Greet.  Here's the link to all the bloggers. 

And don't forget you can sign up for the Great Grand Prize below.

This link has been giving me grief today.  If it doesn't link please let me know.  

Happy Quilting All!  Bonnie



Tuesday, September 11, 2018

Stashbusting and OMG

Here we are 11 days into September and I am just getting around to posting my statistics.  And, yes, they were good! 

2018
Fabric In Month
Fabric In Year
Fabric Out Month
Fabric Out Year
Total In or Out Year
Aug
03.00
48.625
9.375
69.625
21.00





The good news is I'm back over 20 yards out for the year.  September won't be great but I have all sorts of hope that October will be great.  We'll see how it goes. 

OMG! 
I bet you are thinking the one monthly goal.  Nope I'm talking about this picture: 
Map by National Weather Service via the Washington Post.
The good news for us is we aren't in the direct path. The bad news is our beach house is right about where the "m" in 2 p.m. Fri is.  Hopefully it will be ok.  And then the follow up bad news is: 
Map from NOAA.
The beach house will be getting lots of rain.  Hopefully, here in Northern Virginia we'll get 4 to 6" range.  And, just to add a touch of irony -- I think there are something like 3 or 4 disturbances in the Atlantic ocean that may be developing into tropical storms and then hurricanes. Oops, one is actually already a hurricane. Oh boy! 

I'm taking a break from OMG, the monthly goal.  I didn't make up my mind as to what to work on and the linky party closed.  Oh well. 

I'm off to read and keep all my electronic devices fully charged.  Tomorrow I'll be picking up cardboard boxes that are stored in the unfinished basement and placed on something.  Just in case.  

My plan is start sewing and sew as long as I can.  Then I'll start cutting projects for retreat.  Hopefully we won't lose our electricity but who knows. At least I have a plan. 

Stay safe everyone who is waiting for Florence.  

I'm linking with  Free Motion by the River and Midweek Makers. (I'll link with Susan's Midweek Makers when it goes live and I remember to do it!) 

Happy Quilting All!  Bonnie 

Sunday, September 9, 2018

Monday Meanderings 9 - 10 - 2018

Ok, this past week zoomed by in a blur!  And, boy did that blur mess up my stitching time or so it seems.  I also decided I won't be doing a One Monthly Goal this month.  I kept trying to think of an easy, fast project and the next thing I knew I had missed the deadline.  That's one way of making a decision! 

Here's the good news though.  My Jamestown Landing quilt top is finished!  YEE HAW!  I need to find the backing and then it is going on Ruthie and getting quilted asap!  I hope I can get it on Ruthie within the week.  It may not get finished right away but I sure hope I can start it right away! Here's the left side... 



...and the right side of one end. Both of these pictures were taken while the quilt was hanging over the rails of Ruthie, the long arm. 



I did make a practice block for another quilt. I have acquired a few jelly rolls and charm packs over the years.  So I decided to see what block I could make using one of the charm packs.  It was really a half charm pack with somewhere around 20 to 25 charms.  Wonderful size for a baby quilt or possible a quilt for a child.  I decided to try a friendship star block.  Here's my sample block. I think it will finish at 9".  



I bought the darker blue in Lancaster a couple of years ago.  The background is a very light grey that I used to make Theo's quilt.  I may have to find more of it or something pretty similar.  I'll have to figure out how many charms I have.  Both the background fabric and the half triangle squares were cut with my Accuquilt Go.  (It's always nice to use dies I already have!)  This will be cut out in time to make at my retreat early in October.  Yea!  I have another idea of a project to work on then but have to plan it out a bit still. 

I wasn't too successful on my goals this week.  On the other hand I was out and about quite a bit.  Here's last weeks results. 

September 3, 2018
Review all UFOs and update spreadsheet√ started
Finish Jamestown Landing borders and apply √ YEA on to the quilting!
Prep for class in mid Sept oops!
Figure out how to enlarge purse pattern & get started on it oops again
Finish cutting pieces for Pirate Quilt
Finish knitting on my sock ... it's the second one and halfway done Ok, some more knitting was done but not finished yet

September 10, 2018
Continue reviewing UFOs and updating spreadsheet
Prep for class in mid September 
Figure out how to enlarge purse pattern and get started!
Knit on sock 
Make a pillowcase 

Pat and I had a great time watching Ellie and Theo so that Kevin and Aimee could go out for their 7th anniversary this weekend.  It worked out pretty well as they decided to go out for an activity and then go to lunch.  We played with the kids in the morning and then they both took naps.  So Peka and Grammie weren't completely exhausted... just a bit. 


I'm linking up with my normal Monday linky parties:  Oh Scrap!, Monday Making, Main Crush Monday and Moving It Forward.  I'm getting pretty consistent on writing my Monday blog post on Sunday evening.  So, that explains why some of my links are not active -- the linky parties haven't started.  So, tomorrow after I work out I'll check again and see if I can activate the links.  

Happy Quilting All! Bonnie 

Monday, September 3, 2018

Quilters Meet and Greet

Welcome to my little corner of the Internet. I hope you are having a fun time checking all the different blogs that are participating in Quilters Meet and Greet. With October just around the corner, I've decided to share some Halloween quilts that I really like and hang up every Halloween.  First up is a round robin done by a group of gals who were all active on Prodigy in 1999.  We did this as a row robin.  Each of us sent a row that would give the general theme to the rest of the members.  Mine was Halloween. The top row of pumpkins was mine.  If I remember correctly the rows were not attached so folks just made a row to add wherever the owner wanted once everything was returned.


  It was a lot of fun to finish this quilt up.  I was so impressed with the Sunbonnet Sue row.  The little "candy corn" at the door also had a paper bag in her hand.  I always get so many nice comments when I share this quilt.  And, because I was really on top of it when I sent my row out, I also have a really cool label for it. 


I just love that tree.  I am guessing (cause heaven knows I don't remember) that I traced it from a book of art for quilter's labels.  Everyone signed and said what part they produced. With one gal from Spain it was an international group.  I can't remember if there was a Canadian or not.  Hey, if you remember this round robin or see your name please send me a note. 

My second Halloween quilt is a cute little wall hanging -- The Witch Is In.  I made it from a pattern but I've loaned it to a friend who has recently moved. Thus I didn't really know the name.  However, after an hour or so on the Internet here's one place I've been able to find the pattern. I had a lot of fun making this quick pattern.  It's the perfect size to hang in our great room.  (Hum, I probably need more longer, skinny quilts to hang there.) 


The next two are very small, projects doable in a day.  The first one is Grim Ripper.  (No, not reaper, ripper....) I was able to find the location of the free pattern if you want to make one for yourself. It is 10" x 13" and would fit beautifully on the iron stand shown in this post. I bought it from Connecting Threads. Now I just need to add some loops and remember to put it out come October. 

And my last little Halloween quilt is one that was either given to me in a swap or I bought at a silent auction.  It is a darling little pumpkin -- one that can stay out for all of the fall months. It is tiny -- 8" x 10"  It's made up entirely of 1" finished (1.5" unfinished) squares and half triangle squares.  The background is various black fabrics.  And the stem is one green square and one half green half black triangle.  Hope that gives you all the info you need in case you want to make your own scrap pumpkin. 

It's been fun sharing some of my Halloween quilts. (Heck, I think these are all of my Halloween quilts. But it might be time to make a new one....) 


Click on the picture above to find a list of the bloggers who are participating in the Meet and Greet.  Then take some time to visit a few of them.  

And, there is a grand prize that you might want to sign up for too. Click on the box below to sign up for the grand prize. (Both of these link will go active on Tuesday, Sept. 4 at 8:00 am Atlantic time.) 


I hope you spend some time visiting the links listed above.  

Thanks for visiting. 

Happy Quilting All!  Bonnie 

Sunday, September 2, 2018

Monday Meanderings 9 - 3 - 2018

Here we are starting September.  You know what is coming -- the mad dash to the end of the year.  So, we all need to up our game and get sewing, or knitting or crafting -- what ever makes you happy.  

This week I actually finished part of a quilt top.  But I didn't realize until the section was done that I hadn't really planned to work on it this week.  Not even on my goal list but I've got the 9 patch border on my garden top. I added the light yellow to the center section and I really think it works better than having the busy garden fabric up against the busy 9 patches.  Next up is 1 more border. I've got more of the garden print to use for the backing so this one is getting close to being done. 
I've started cutting a new baby quilt. The plan is to get it all cut out and then make it while at the Country Piecemaker's retreat in October.   I bought some pieces of pirate fabric a while ago -- within the last 5 years or so.  And by pieces I mean 6 maybe 8 pieces of a line but the pieces were small -- 11 x 14" and smaller.  After looking around some free pattern websites I decided to make Twisted 9 Patch that Mary has shared directions for on her web site, MaryQuilts.com.  This link goes directly to this pattern where she gives the link to a PDF of the pattern.  Mary has the most generous heart and has a lot of wonderful quilt patterns available to use.  Take some time looking through all of her patterns.  You need to have a basic idea of how to quilt but she has sizes to cut but not how much fabric to buy, if I remember correctly.  I've made several quilts using her patterns. 
This pattern uses a 6.5" unfinished 9 patch with the twist.  I chose to use this because I wanted to use a 6.5" Go die to cut the pirate fabric.   Here's my first pair of sample blocks.  I wanted to make sure it worked before I cut all my fabric.  After you sew the blocks you need to trim them to 9.5".  As you might have guessed, these are not trimmed.  Good thing because I decided having two colors surround the block was a bit too fussy.  I'll be taking these two apart and making one red and the other yellow.  
My biggest complaint is I had already cut into the pirate fabric so I can't come up with 16 blocks.  I've pulled two fabrics that might go with the quilt but I'm not sure yet.  I've cut out pieces for 12 blocks....maybe I need to find a border.  This is one pattern you have to really think through if you choose to "slant" your blocks both directions as these are.  In fact, duh, I'm going to have to cut more of the yellow rectangles so I have all 4 pieces going the same direction. Good thing I didn't cut the rectangles on the diagonal when I was doing my cutting earlier.  (Read Mary's directions for more info about the slanting, but basically I need to cut 2 rectangles going from top left to bottom right and 2 rectangles going from bottom left to top right to surround two blocks leaning the opposite ways as the ones above do.  Are you confused?  Read the free directions...) I sure hope this isn't too confusing to do at retreat!  Maybe I'll plan to work on this one first. 

So, you may be wondering how I did on my goals this week when I actually worked on a project that wasn't on the list.  I did pretty well.  Especially since I decided to check the list before the end of the week! 

August 27, 2018
Finish Bargello top✔️
Make more Christmas lotto blocks for Oct. retreat✔️(all done!) 
Work on Jamestown Landing borders✔️
Attend Country Piecemakers Quilt In✔️
Cut more blocks for pirate quilt✔️
Make 3 pillowcases✔️2 done, 1 more started cutting 

Must report my pain on the Jamestown Landing string border blocks. ARGH!  I thought all I had to do was trim and sew them together.  Nope -- I needed about 10 more blocks made. So, I've done at least 5 more and I found some more turquoise fabric so I don't have to go buy more.  I've got one border piece sewn together.  Notice below I hope to continue working on it and perhaps get it done! 

September 3, 2018
Review all UFOs and update spreadsheet
Finish Jamestown Landing borders and apply
Prep for class in mid Sept
Figure out how to enlarge purse pattern & get started on it 
Finish cutting pieces for Pirate Quilt
Finish knitting on my sock… it’s the second one and I'm halfway done! 

I'm linking with my regular Monday parties.... Oh Scrap, Monday Making, Main Crush Monday, and Moving It Forward.  If the link isn't live yet I'll check back later to see if they have been posted and add the link here. (Yes, I've been writing my blog the night before.  Leaves me time to play in the studio on Monday Mornings!) 

Let's also take a minute to think about all the veterans and current members of the military who protect our country.  Both of my grandfathers served in World War I, my dad was career Navy and served in World War II, Korean War and Viet Nam.  My brother Larry was drafted during Viet Nam.  Thanks to all of our men and women who have served. 

Happy Quilting! Bonnie