happy quilting,
kate
Wednesday, January 30, 2013
Monday, January 28, 2013
Project Monday- Challenge #2
Good Monday!
How are you?
This weekend I finished up the quilt for challenge #2 of Project Quilting. The challenge was "My Favorite Color".
You had to make your project using white and just one other color.
Favorite color. I know many people can state that color without hesitation, but I can't.
Some days, pink is my favorite color.
Some days it is blue.
Other days, I might actually think green is at the top of the list.
I have to admit though, orange is never the favorite and brown doesn't make the top 5 either though I like them both.
Ah, but look how pretty these are!
And yellow just brightens up the room!
Oh, wait, what about purple? magenta? fuchsia?
See my dilemma? How to pick just one?
So, I finally decided to go with the colors that represent my favorite place.
For those that know me, there is no guessing here.
(No, not Disney World- that is my second favorite place!)
The beach.
Color - done. Blue and white.
Design. A whole other dilemma. I was tempted to pop on over to the Project Quilting flicker site and see what others had done. Cheating! So I restrained. but it was already Saturday afternoon, the quilt was due by noon on Sunday. Time to get in gear!
I remembered a quilt that I had designed for a retreat in Madison CT many years ago called Seaside Retreat. It had these wave blocks and I thought that would be perfect.
So I decided to do a bargello style top with wave blocks through the middle.
And then quilting... I am a straight line kind of machine quilter. My favorite is lines that start and end off the sides of the quilt so I don't have to worry about how to end or bury the threads!
But I wanted to experiment on this quilt- that is what this is all about isn't it? Trying something new?
So, Viola!
Wavy lines and a circle. (And yes, they did start and end off the edges of the quilt!)
Project Quilting Challenge #2. "The beach, baby! "
Ta-done!
happy quilting,
kate
 |
| Sunrise off my deck this am |
This weekend I finished up the quilt for challenge #2 of Project Quilting. The challenge was "My Favorite Color".
You had to make your project using white and just one other color.
Favorite color. I know many people can state that color without hesitation, but I can't.
Some days, pink is my favorite color.
Other days, I might actually think green is at the top of the list.
I have to admit though, orange is never the favorite and brown doesn't make the top 5 either though I like them both.
And yellow just brightens up the room!
Oh, wait, what about purple? magenta? fuchsia?
See my dilemma? How to pick just one?
So, I finally decided to go with the colors that represent my favorite place.
For those that know me, there is no guessing here.
(No, not Disney World- that is my second favorite place!)
The beach.
 |
| Nantucket |
Color - done. Blue and white.
Design. A whole other dilemma. I was tempted to pop on over to the Project Quilting flicker site and see what others had done. Cheating! So I restrained. but it was already Saturday afternoon, the quilt was due by noon on Sunday. Time to get in gear!
I remembered a quilt that I had designed for a retreat in Madison CT many years ago called Seaside Retreat. It had these wave blocks and I thought that would be perfect.
 |
| Corner of Seaside Retreat |
So I decided to do a bargello style top with wave blocks through the middle.
And then quilting... I am a straight line kind of machine quilter. My favorite is lines that start and end off the sides of the quilt so I don't have to worry about how to end or bury the threads!
But I wanted to experiment on this quilt- that is what this is all about isn't it? Trying something new?
So, Viola!
Wavy lines and a circle. (And yes, they did start and end off the edges of the quilt!)
Project Quilting Challenge #2. "The beach, baby! "
Ta-done!
happy quilting,
kate
Friday, January 25, 2013
Friday Finishes
So...
It's Friday!
Yesterday I had a great time with Wendy exploring quilt shops. We spent our wad pretty quickly and got a bunch of fun stuff.
I also got some different fabrics for me- I don't usually buy novelty type fabrics. Isn't this little bundle of fun cute? Not exactly sure what I will do with it but... I have some ideas!
Yesterday when I got home, I was determined to finish my January block for the Aurifil 2013 BOM.
And I did. Just don't look too close- I whacked off some points. That's what happens when you sew quickly in a dimly lit room. I have already been to Target this am to get another lamp for the room! For now, I will leave it alone. I may have to go back someday and do a little tweaking!
So, have you heard Monoploy is retiring one of it's play pieces? I had not heard about this until today. OH MY- we have to save the thimble! It is currently in second to last place and that won't do!
If you are on Facebook, here is a link to the app where you can vote for your favorite token.
And Susan Brubaker Knapp has created Save the Thimble logo and it is on tshirts and mugs.... the proceeds will go to the International Quilt Association! Check it out- it's fun!
Off to sew- sew much to do, sew little time!
happy quilting,
kate
It's Friday!
Yesterday I had a great time with Wendy exploring quilt shops. We spent our wad pretty quickly and got a bunch of fun stuff.
I also got some different fabrics for me- I don't usually buy novelty type fabrics. Isn't this little bundle of fun cute? Not exactly sure what I will do with it but... I have some ideas!
Yesterday when I got home, I was determined to finish my January block for the Aurifil 2013 BOM.
And I did. Just don't look too close- I whacked off some points. That's what happens when you sew quickly in a dimly lit room. I have already been to Target this am to get another lamp for the room! For now, I will leave it alone. I may have to go back someday and do a little tweaking!
So, have you heard Monoploy is retiring one of it's play pieces? I had not heard about this until today. OH MY- we have to save the thimble! It is currently in second to last place and that won't do!
If you are on Facebook, here is a link to the app where you can vote for your favorite token.
And Susan Brubaker Knapp has created Save the Thimble logo and it is on tshirts and mugs.... the proceeds will go to the International Quilt Association! Check it out- it's fun!
Off to sew- sew much to do, sew little time!
happy quilting,
kate
Thursday, January 24, 2013
Visit Your local Quilt Shop Day!
Today is the day-
 |
| Row House Runner- I am loving this pattern! So much fun to make Coming soon!! |
The day to show your love and support and visit your local quilt shop!
OK- I am in- how about you?
As many of you know, I moved here to Colorado about 6 months ago. And working from home does not give one as many opportunities to meet new people. Last week, I went to the quilt shop that is only about 2 miles from my house- isn't this great!- AND I made a new quilting friend! Even with laryngitis!
She is a recent transplant from North Carolina and has been here for about 5 months. So today, I am taking her on a little mini quilt shop hop.
There are quite a few great shops not too far away and she hasn't gotten to them yet.
Well, we must correct that!
So, first we are going to Harriet Hargrave's store, Harriet's Treadle Arts in Wheat Ridge. Then on to the Golden Quilt Company in Golden- they have wonderful fiber arts store in the back called Golden Fiber Arts. Lots of thread, paint, ribbons and just really fun stuff!
I just love to wander Golden's Main street which is not, Main Street. It's Washington Ave. Remind me to tell you someday where Main Street was in the town I grew up in!
Then on to downtown Denver to Fabric Bliss and Fancy Tiger Crafts. Love both of these places! And they both carry yarns- to feed my other addiction!
(And yes, Elizabeth and hubby, if you are reading this, I am driving into downtown Denver. Me. wish me luck!)
The back south a little to Snappy Quilts (isn't that a great name!) and Holly's Quilt Cabin. What a great adventure!
I have lots of projects going- who doesn't? and I need a fabric infusion to the piles I grabbed from my stash.
This is the pile of fabrics for the Star Paper Piecing BOM over on Don't Call me Betsy. I got a bunch of them last year in New York on a quilt retreat with friends at O'Susannah's Quilts &Gifts in Watkins Glen.
Another great store with a wonderful set up on the second floor that you can rent out for retreats.
And these are FQs of California Girl that I picked up in CT at Yankee Quilter shortly before I left. Two great ladies, Barb and Cheryl- sisters- run that store.
(Don't tell hubby I bought fabric right when I was supposed to be purging for the move! But who could resist?) These will be for the Aurifil BOM.
I was pretty determined to use my stash for both of these projects and just add some extras.
Have a great day- and get out there and support your local quilt shop!
OK Wendy- let's go shopping!
happy quilting,
kate
Wednesday, January 23, 2013
Monday, January 21, 2013
Banner of the Month!
Happy Monday to you!
How are you all?
I have been spending a little more time online lately. Feeling under the weather means more computer time!
So, look what came in the mail today!
I won this stack of lovely solids recently from the Quilting Secrets blog hop organized over at MrsPickles.
It looks like I will have to come up with a project for them- they sure are bright!
Nice and cheery for spring!
Over the holidays, I sent my son and daughter in law a lovely Christmas tree wall hanging and a hanger from Ackfeld. Recently I realized that they would need new banners to hang on their hanger- you can't hang a Christmas tree all year!
So, in honor of Rea's birthday, I included 2 more wall hanging in her birthday box.
This one is the January wall hanging. It is a pattern I designed a couple of years ago but we never published. Maybe I will revive it someday soon! It is called Winter Sunset. The banner is adorable and the quilt is in the pattern is really great. Hmmm...
The other one I sent is for February. It is from our pattern, Little Bits of Love. Perfect for February!
I picked up these fabrics recently and am thinking about making myself a new Little Bits with them- what do you think? Aren't they great?
But first, I have a few other projects to work on...
This is fabric for a bag that I am making for the monthly project over on Hopeful Threads. I plan to fill it with some goodies and send it to her for the outreach program called Water Angles. You can read about it over on Hopeful Threads.
Next I am making a few more table runners from our new pattern Row House. I love the runner and it is a great way for me to get a few samples done, test the pattern and have fun!
And then it is time to plan this weeks Project Quilting challenge project!
So many projects... so little time!
happy quilting!
kate
How are you all?
I have been spending a little more time online lately. Feeling under the weather means more computer time!
I won this stack of lovely solids recently from the Quilting Secrets blog hop organized over at MrsPickles.
It looks like I will have to come up with a project for them- they sure are bright!
Nice and cheery for spring!
Over the holidays, I sent my son and daughter in law a lovely Christmas tree wall hanging and a hanger from Ackfeld. Recently I realized that they would need new banners to hang on their hanger- you can't hang a Christmas tree all year!
So, in honor of Rea's birthday, I included 2 more wall hanging in her birthday box.
This one is the January wall hanging. It is a pattern I designed a couple of years ago but we never published. Maybe I will revive it someday soon! It is called Winter Sunset. The banner is adorable and the quilt is in the pattern is really great. Hmmm...
The other one I sent is for February. It is from our pattern, Little Bits of Love. Perfect for February!
I picked up these fabrics recently and am thinking about making myself a new Little Bits with them- what do you think? Aren't they great?
But first, I have a few other projects to work on...
This is fabric for a bag that I am making for the monthly project over on Hopeful Threads. I plan to fill it with some goodies and send it to her for the outreach program called Water Angles. You can read about it over on Hopeful Threads.
Next I am making a few more table runners from our new pattern Row House. I love the runner and it is a great way for me to get a few samples done, test the pattern and have fun!
And then it is time to plan this weeks Project Quilting challenge project!
So many projects... so little time!
happy quilting!
kate
Friday, January 18, 2013
Pressing tips
Such an important part of block construction. Ever notice some of us press more than others?
And pressing is not ironing.
I like to press often. It helps me to create a better block.
I usually press first with the seam closed from the wrong side to set the stitches and relax them in case they got tight during the sewing.
Then I press the seam to one side, from the right side of the fabric.
It minimizes the frequency of getting that pesky little flap that sometimes one gets when pressing from the wrong side.
I started this post a few days ago and I was going to give you some more tips, but then I saw this post at Allpeoplequilt.com! Ta-da! (thanks Celine for the link!)
I am a big believer in not re-creating the wheel.
Good information. Go check it out!
happy quilting,
Kate
Oh, and one good point that they don't mention. Just in case you need to know this.
Do not attempt picture taking while holding a hot iron in one hand and a camera in the other.
Just saying. NOT the best plan.
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Points
How many pins do you use to get perfect points?
Curious minds want to know!
happy quilting,
kate
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Puzzler Update
A while age, I shared some photos of blocks that I had received from a 12 month block exchange.
I just got the last 5 months of blocks in the mail!
Over the holidays, while back in CT, I spent a great day with my daughter and my cousin and we finished up the last of our blocks. I think we were the final hold outs to getting this finished!
Here are the blocks I got back from the group:
September:
A close up of one of the blocks.
October:
Don't you just love the dots?
November:
Some months we all seemed to be on the same page- this month had a lot of green in it!
December:
Love the grey fabric with the pink and turquoise- such a great combo!
And the last month-
January:
Two of my blocks have that red center- I may switch one out for a hot pink. But it is so cute! I just love it!
Elizabeth, who was the organizer and block exchanger extraordinaire, also made all of these lovely quilt labels for the backs of our quilts.
I guess she is expecting us to finish!
The label was made with Printed Treasures Sew-On.
Our group was diverse and Elizabeth shared some of the demographics. We had 12 swappers from 5 states with an age range from 20s to 60s. And from very beginner to seasoned quilters. Didn't we all do a great job?
Now to out some of those blocks together....
happy quilting,
Kate
I just got the last 5 months of blocks in the mail!
Over the holidays, while back in CT, I spent a great day with my daughter and my cousin and we finished up the last of our blocks. I think we were the final hold outs to getting this finished!
Here are the blocks I got back from the group:
September:
A close up of one of the blocks.
October:
Don't you just love the dots?
November:
Some months we all seemed to be on the same page- this month had a lot of green in it!
December:
Love the grey fabric with the pink and turquoise- such a great combo!
And the last month-
January:
Two of my blocks have that red center- I may switch one out for a hot pink. But it is so cute! I just love it!
Elizabeth, who was the organizer and block exchanger extraordinaire, also made all of these lovely quilt labels for the backs of our quilts.
I guess she is expecting us to finish!
The label was made with Printed Treasures Sew-On.
Our group was diverse and Elizabeth shared some of the demographics. We had 12 swappers from 5 states with an age range from 20s to 60s. And from very beginner to seasoned quilters. Didn't we all do a great job?
Now to out some of those blocks together....
happy quilting,
Kate
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