Christmas Ornaments 2019

Each year I make an ornament for everyone in my family.  This started 38 years ago when my second nephew was born.  I started with just nieces and nephews but after many years my sisters and brothers wanted one as well.  Over time those nephews are married with children and the tradition continues.  I now need 30 ornaments!  (Next year 31!)  And that's with no spares!

Here's what I came up with for this year.  The pattern is from Nancy Halvorsen, Ho Ho Ho - Let It Snow.  I reduced the size so the finished ornament is about 5 x 6 inches.

I'm excited that it is only December 20 and I have them ready to wrap!!  One year I got sick and was working on them Christmas Day.

Oops.  Not sure why the rotate did not stick??
These are not the original antlers.  I used my Silhouette machine
to cut the pieces, but the antler piece was very small and I couldn't
get a good cut.  Instead I found a feather dye for my Sissix cutter
and used a piece of that for the antlers.  I think they turned out great!

Another tradition I started 3 years ago was presenting the women of the family a small gift.  The first year it was a sachet (made at the last minute when I saw the idea on line), then very nice grocery bags, and last year machine embroidered quilted pot holders.  This year I added a table cloth corner to flour sack dish cloths.  I like how they turned out.  Maybe not practical, as the lace curls when washed, but they were fun.

I need to wash the ones on top to remove the stabilizer.

Something I learned while making the lace for the towels.  I was having trouble and thought it was caused by the weight of the thread.  Embroidery thread is usually 40 weight, but it kept knotting up and I'd end up losing that item.  I tried Aurifil thread (50 weight) and it seemed to work well.  Down side:  I was shocked when the red thread bled when I used warm water to dissolve the stabilizer.  Auriful is my favorite thread for piecing so I have lots of it in lots of colors.

I talked with the owner at my "local" machine store (50 minutes away) and immediately he told me it was my needle.  He suggested Organ Needles, Embroidery Anti-Glue.  That made all the difference.  I went back to 40 weight embroidery thread and everything was great.

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Sizzle: Top Completed!!

Yea!  I finished my Sizzle top.

This is the 2019 Block of the Month from The Quilt Show.
https://thequiltshow.com/

What looks like blue is actually turquoise.
There is one fabric that I used in all the blocks.  Here it looks
yellow, but it's actually a gold color.

71 x 71 inches

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Sizzle Update

A friend came to visit and sew for a few days.  I love it when she comes because I get so much done while we talk and sew.

I concentrated on the borders for Sizzle, The Quilt Show 2019 BOM.  I have (almost) finished the side borders for October and have made good progress on the top and bottom borders for November. I am machine appliqueing.  The pieces are all glued back and ready to sew.  I wanted to see how it looked.

It's on the wall right now and I am enjoying the view!!

Finished size will be approximately 70 x 70 inches.

The border on the right is only pinned.  The circles

are there for placement purposes only.  I have yet to

decide the fabric for the circles.  (Circles will be added

to the border on top as well.)

Thanks for checking in.

Donation quilt finished!

I finished the quilt for our church fundraiser.  With time to spare!!

60 x 60 inches
wool batting

I was worried about bleeding, so I washed the quilt and blocked it on my design wall.  If it was going to bleed, I wanted to know before I made the donation.

Good news!  No bleeding!!  

There is a little shadowing of the red fabric behind the white.  I tried very hard, but I missed a few red threads that show behind the white as well. (Darn "ravelly" fabric!)  I noticed them when I was quilting.  

Thanks for checking in.

October 2019

I have been busy the past two months.  I can hardly believe it's November already.

In September I decided I wanted to make apple butter.  It was a first for me of any type of preserves.  I had to  purchase all the equipment, but when I went to get my apples they were on sale!!  I started with 20 pounds, then had so much fun I went back for 30 additional pounds.  By the time I finished, I was done!!  50 jars of apple butter.  I'm not waiting till Christmas to give them away.  They are going out as I see people.  I used my crock pot to cook the apples.  It saved having to stand at the stove and stir.  I was surprised at how easy it was!

The apples have a long way to go before they're ready  to be
 called Apple Butter.  I still have to make my pies for this year,
but I'm almost appled out!

Quilts:
In a previous post I showed that I was all caught up on the blocks for the BOM Sizzle from The Quilt Show.  I actually started the prep work for the applique borders, but did not get far.  At least I have the fabric I'm going to use.

I've made several other quilts during September and October.  Unfortunately I forgot to take photos of several of them before I gave them away.

I forgot to take a photo of the entire quilt when I finished.

Here's the entire quilt.  Not the best photo, but you see the design.
I stitched the rick rack 3 times:  center and both sides.

I made this for my brother-in-law in honor of his retirement.
These were his ties.  Quilt title:  No More Ties
Of course, it took me 7 years to get it done!!

Back of No More Ties.

The charity for one of my guilds is Quilts of Valor.
I purchased this as a kit and made it up for the team to quilt.

Another guild does a boutique as a fund raiser.  The committee puts
kits together and you can take several and sew them up. This is three 
of the kits I took home.  I'd never made the iron caddy before. 
My second one was much easier!!  The one table runner is
"wine bottles".  I live in a area with lots of wineries.

More quilts in progress.  My church will be doing a work/witness trip to Belize early in 2020.  They are organizing a fund-raiser dinner with Holly Starr as the guest performer.  I'm making a donation quilt for their use.  Actually I'm giving them a choice of two.

This was my original quilt to donate.

This is a kit.  I think I purchased it at Keepsake Quilting
when we were back there for our Boston trip.

Not sure I like the red thread on white, but
once you start you have to finish.

Back of quilt.

 This is the second quilt.  I'll let Pastor select the one she'd like.  Two completely different styles.

This was a kit I purchased when in St. George Utah
during a Philippa Naylor class at Superior Threads.

The quilting on this is a first for me.  I did an overall
wave design.  It was actually harder to do than I expected.

And finally . . . . may I introduce you to Mr. October.
I saw this online and loved it!  The pattern is by Carol Steely of Fun Threads Design.  There is a second Mr. October.  Watch next year!

He was originally going to be a wall hanging but
I decided he needs to be on the bed.  He'll be a pillow.
His bones are glow in the dark fabric.

In addition to all of this I attended a one-day DIME presentation and a 4-day Destination Education for my Babylock Destiny machine.  Both were fun . . . I learned a lot!!  Workshops held at Kiki's Quilt Shack in Fresno, CA.

Whew!

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Sizzle 2019 BOM The Quilt Show

I've been busy the past few weeks . . .  but the good news is I have the center of my Sizzle quilt complete!!  I remade the lower left block because it was just too dark when put together with all the others.

60 x 60 inches at this point.  I've started the applique prep work for the border.
I need to decide if I'm going to use the black (background for the circles) or find a darker purple.

Thanks for checking in.

Mid-August Update

I picked up a pattern at guild this week that was on our "free table".  It was sunflowers and perfect to give as a gift to a friend who recently lost her mother to cancer.  It is finished and ready to go in the mail tomorrow.

11.5 x 31 inches

The quilting doesn't show, but I used gold metallic in the flowers.
Everything was fused and most pieces where secured with blanket stitch.

I am caught up on my blocks for The Quilt Show BOM 2019!  Only one more block, then we start the borders.

I will attach the purple outer sections after I make the final block.
I realized I might want to put them in a different position.
Each block finishes at 20 x 20 inches.

I also made two baby quilts for my sister to sell in the gift shop at her local hospital.  I didn't realize I hadn't taken a final photo until just now.  This is the 'boy' version - blue and green.  There is also a 'girl' version in pink.  I found the kits on sale at Shabby Fabrics and bought two of each.  I'll make the other two to sell at our quilt show next summer.

I've had a productive start for August!!
Thanks for checking in.

Delft Blue Update

I last posted about this quilt in March.  Since then I have finished all 12 blocks and put the top together.  I'm in the process of quilting now.  I need a new name since I changed from Blue to Pink.  I laugh because now when I look at the quilt I think "but it's so pink".  I'll find a use for it.

48 x 60 inches
All of the ditch work around the blocks in complete.
I've only quilted the block in the upper right.

One down, eleven to go.

Thanks for checking in.

Graduation Quilt

The next generation is starting to graduate from high school.  That means another round of graduation quilts is starting.  They start coming fast after this.

Melody wanted pale pink and green and although the first fabric purchase started that way, the direction turned as I was putting fabrics together with a pattern I wanted to try.  When I finished, the original fabric did not work as a border so I used it as the backing!  I had enough left over to make a pillow case to go along with the quilt.  Started June 26, finished July 7.  Not bad considering I was still recovering from the quilt show!

She doesn't know it's coming.  I hope she likes it.  I tell my nieces and nephews these are quilts to be used.  DO NOT put them on a shelf and save them.  They are washable!!  If something happens to it, I'll make you another.  I started this because I remember my grandmother making afghans for all of us.  I still have mine . .  and it's very special!

I got the idea for the block from Missouri Star Block magazine,
but I used my own method for construction.

57 x 74 inches

This is the original fabric purchased.  Compare it to the front!

I even got a pillow case.

Thanks for checking in.

Seven Sisters Quilt Show San Luis Obispo CA

The 2019 Seven Sisters Quilt Show is history!  We had another successful exhibit with great vendors.  I had to leave town early the next morning for a funeral, then my first general and board meeting in my new position as President of Soroptimist International of SLO.  By the time Wednesday got here, I was ready to do nothing!!  After sending out Thank You emails, I actually worked on a graduation quilt.  Worked s..l..o..w..l..y, but got circles appliqued onto the center of 12 blocks.

I entered three quilts in the show (maximum allowed) and received three ribbons!!  Two firsts and one second.  The judge gave great and useful comments.  I couldn't understand why several people asked about the batting I use.  Eventually one person said "we noticed in judging and hanging, your quilts do not have creases".  I guess wool batt does work!

Kona-Tone, Second Place

Kona-Tone

50 x 50 inches

Guild challenge based on 2019 Kona and Pantone color of the year.  It’s a “One Equals Four” quilt. I included personal challenges:  Quick Curve Ruler.  I need lots more practice using this tool.  This is my second quilt from “Mini Wonderful Curves”.  Then I used the coordinating ruler for machine quilting.  This also satisfies a friendship group challenge to make a quilt in 2019 involving curves.  One quilt = four challenges.

Ringo Lake, First Place

Ringo Lake

79 x 79 inches

2017 Bonnie Hunter Mystery.  I seldom use Bonnie’s suggested colors, but find a fabric I like and use that combination. It’s amazing to see how fabric combinations make the pattern look so different. 

I look forward to her mystery.  There’s something about working on a project with quilters from around the world!  We offer encouragement (when making 250 half-square triangles!) and praise each week.  Quiltville.com.  Starts Friday after Thanksgiving.

Twirly Balls, First Place

Twirly Balls

50 x 50 inches

I had an opportunity to take a guild class with Sue Garman. I contacted Sue and she graciously allowed a machine appliquer into her hand applique class. Most of the prep work is the same so I was able to learn from a master. Sue passed January 2016, but her influence in the quilting world continues.

My immediate goal is to get the graduation quilt finished (and out of the house!) and get caught up on June and July blocks for The Quilt Show's BOM Sizzle.

I did take a one-day workshop with Bonnie Hunter.  I started her Emerald City pattern using blacks and pinks/reds.  She showed my pieces in her blog and even gave it a name:  Midnight Hibiscus.  Sounds good to me!

Thanks for checking in.

End of May Update

The last month I've been busy with lots of projects, but not much finished for "show and tell".

I took two one-day classes at Kiki's Quilt Shack in Fresno, CA.  The days were fun and I learned more stuff about my Destiny.  The two class projects were a garment bag and a pillow.  It's not the projects, but rather the ideas I glean that make the classes worthwhile for me.

We "made" fabric for the body of the garment bag.  Fun Process!

We created all the designs some embroidery, some just using the machine.

The same instructor will be returning in October for a 4-day Destiny Education event.  I'm not sure how many spaces were up for grabs, but the workshop sold out in 2 minutes.  (I was in the first minute!)  There is so much I can do with the Destiny.  I know I have only touched the surface.


I did push my embroidery design skills.  I used software and drew a logo my sister wanted embroidered.  I also transferred it over to my Silhouette Cameo software so I could cut the fabric with my electronic cutter. I purchased a design from Fabric Confetti and read her directions for cutting the applique pieces.  Following her directions gave me the best results ever from the cutter!  It made the process much easier than having to cut around the stitching by hand.

14 Pot Holders designed from scratch!

I took a class from a local instructor through my guild.  I'd seen her technique for a Pineapple quilt but this was my first attempt.  It was a fun day - but I'll have to finish the class project at a later time.


Most of my time right now is devoted to Seven Sisters Quilt Show.  Bonnie Hunter will be teaching classes June 24 - 28 and the show is June 29 & 30.  I'm putting the finishing touches on our program (36 pages, printed professionally) and organizing the files to print over 300 name badges.  I'm one of the co-chairs so there is a lot to do behind the scenes!  The contracts are the scariest part for me.  What if I forget something!!  We won't have enough pipe & drape OR tables and chairs OR electrical power to all the vendors.  It's a great show.  If you're in the area of San Luis Obispo, CA, come check us out.

All of this was in addition to two trips to visit my dad and a weekend conference.  Whew!

Thanks for checking in.

Challenges

I enjoy challenges proposed by quilt guilds and friends.  I recently entered one in a guild challenge and today finished one for our show challenge in June.  (www.sevensistersquiltshow.org)

For the guild challenge we were given pieces of the Pantone and Kona colors of the year.  Each had to be used together in a quilt.  There was no size restriction and we could add any other fabrics.  I'm pleased to say my entry was selected Viewer's Choice.

I gave myself two additional challenges:  use the Quick Curve Ruler and the coordinating quilting ruler.  This is the second quilt I've made from "Mini Wonderful Curves".  

Kona Tone 48 x 48 inches

Our regional quilt show, Seven Sisters Quilt Show, will be June 29 & 30, in San Luis Obispo, CA.
The quilt below is for our challenge "A Touch of Red".  The perimeter of the quilt could not exceed 80 inches.  I designed the Hawaiian style applique block then converted it using software and cut it on my Silhouette Cameo.  It didn't cut perfect, but it was much better than my hand cutting.  I fused the red, button-hole stitched around all the edges, then echo quilted.

Red  11 x 29 inches

Thanks for checking in.

Sizzle and Tush Cush

I just returned from a four day quilting retreat in the mountains.  It was a small group, but we had a relaxing time AND got a lot accomplished.

I am all caught up on my Sizzle blocks.  I could not download block 5 until I got home, but I finished it today . . . . Yea!!!

All 5 blocks.  Each is 20 inches square.

Block 5. Finished today.

Block 4.  You were supposed to inset the center circle, but
I wanted to make sure it matched, so I will be using applique!
(Basically I chickened out.)

Block 3.  I have a hard time selecting which fabrics to use.

Block 1.

Block 2

Last month I took a guild workshop with Becky McDaniel.  We made her Crazy Cushion, which another guild member has renamed "Tush Cush".  Becky will be at another of my guilds next week so I wanted to have mine done.  I got it all put together at the retreat.

I'm not sure why the photo rotated back to its original position???

The pattern calls for "big stitch" quilting with pearl cotton.
I chose to do it by machine with contrasting thread.

I almost finished piecing my Halo Medallion, but I'll post that later.  I forgot to take the fabric to make the corner stones.

Thanks for checking in.

Wild flowers on the CA Central Coast

We've had rain this year which means LOTS of wild flowers are now blooming.  Of course there is a name: "Super Bloom".  There has been lots of discussion as to when the peak will occur, but last Thursday I took time to drive out and view the scenery.  It was wonderful!

I drove out Highway 58 past Santa Margarita to Shell Creek Road.  although it was lightly raining (barely had to use the wipers) the flowers were amazing.  Because of the rain, and it was a weekday, it meant a much smaller crowd.  I then drove further to Carrizo Plains National Monument.  I had never been there and even without flowers the scenery was beautiful.  Soda Lake was calm so the reflection of the clouds in the water made for great photography.

It was a great day!!

Thanks for checking in.