Luckypup Quilter

First post for 2012

2012-01-02T10:13:00.000-08:00

Happy to be here starting a new year. There is still not much quilting going on as work and home life have been extra busy. I do have another of the batik quilts completed and ready to send for a wedding gift to my nephew and his bride. There is also some progress on the Psalms quilt for my niece. The photo of a recently completed project that I have here is a fall table topper called Acorn Crisp. I started this in fall 2010 participating in a Fall-o-ween blog hop with free patterns from different designers. This one is by Kari at New Leaf Stitches. The pattern is even still available here. I think this is the first time I had actually worked with wool and found it quite fun. I have saved alot of wool from previous garment making and hope to make use of more of it.

I had left over pieces.

So I made a mug rug which I'm still using today :-)

No models were included with these photos so I snapped a shot of Ms Bridget this morning. She is not a willing photo subject so she looks a little tense. She is such a beauty to me though so I have to sneak it in every once in awhile anyway!

Another sneak view is of the burrowing owl we go visit when we are out walking on the ranch. He was up the hill from his burrow one afternoon and so I was able to get a picture of him...from a distance with my not so great telephoto lens. We want to see this guy for weeks or months (whatever we can get) so we are careful not to get close and bother him.

I cannot seem to work with Blogger today. So I'll just be content with the fact my pictures are not sideways.
Hope you are all having a happy start to the New Year!

Merry Christmas !

2011-12-20T10:37:00.000-08:00

Mosley is posing here with the Debbie Mumm tree skirt turned table covering that I'm shocked to say I finally completed 2 years ago...how did 2 years go by! Oh well...It's just in time now so that I can share a holiday photo and wish you all a very Merry, Happy Christmas!

Life is getting back to something more normal slowly and surely around here after everything seemed to be "breaking" for awhile. My mom fell and broke her wrist, my cat was having some troubles, both our computers broke down and the list went on. I'm happy to say that my mom is healing well without having to have surgery, the cat got a new diet and we are determinedly loading software and learning Windows 7 :-)

Not alot of sewing has been going with all the extra needs, but I have been able to get one quilt completed and several 'almosts' that I started in the fall. As I get these quilted I'll get back to taking some pictures and posting them. I can start with this one that is actually the picture I'll show for four of them!

This is a quilt by Karen Montgomery called Jungle Fever. I purchased it along with 3 layer cakes of Tonga batiks when I was at the PIQF in October. I needed a few quick gifts for weddings, etc for people who wanted neutral or earth tone quilts for their living rooms. This was not the most interesting past time but it sure has been fast as I was able to make four quilts out of the 3 layer cakes plus yardage for the borders,etc. So far the first recipient has been pleased. Yeah!

I couldn't get any volunteers to quilt model for me but here is Elinor. I had added a quilt sleeve on the quilt I gave my sister in the summer, put it on the piano till I could give it to her and Elinor jumped up there immediately to bless it for me.

Hope you are enjoying the fruits of your efforts this year and are blessed with loved ones around you to share them. God's peace in my heart is the sweetest gift I have this year and I treasure it each moment. I pray that you are blessed with His presence during this season and all year long. Joy and Peace to your world!

The Wedding Quilt Winner

2011-12-04T23:16:00.000-08:00

The day is almost over and I have the name for our giveaway winner! Quilt Hollow will now have the chance to read this sweet book!

Quilt Hollow said...

I've hardly had computer time and so glad I didn't miss this post. This book will come in handy for when I'm down with surgery the 16th...or some drugs! LOL
Thanks for the chance Loris!!

November 28, 2011 9:46 AM

Quilt Hollow please email your address and I will send it on and hopefully it will be a comforting distraction as you recover :-)

Thank you all for your comments and interest. I enjoyed the read all the more knowing I could share it with someone else who would enjoy it.

Wedding Quilt Giveaway!

2011-11-25T10:03:00.000-08:00

Hope that title got your attention :-) Today is the day to begin the giveaway for this new book by Jennifer Chiaverini, The Wedding Quilt. This book is a continued delight of reading about the Elm Creek quilters. Jennifer Chiaverini's books include interesting bits of history...some of it authentic and some of it developed in the many endearing characters she has introduced to us. This latest story is written 'from' the future and tells of what has gone on in the lives of the Elm Creek quilters and their families since we were last with them.

I thoroughly enjoyed it! The characters in these books are like old friends that I love reading about and I'm really happy I get to share them with you.

Since this giveaway can have a special goal of getting the word out about this new book and giving someone else the joy of reading it, I want to encourage you to share this book picture and link on your own blogs. Leave a comment of your interest in reading it and if you have a blog, send me a link to where you have posted about the giveaway. One chance will be entered for a comment and an additional chance will be added for your 'getting the word out' post. I will choose and post the winner on December 4, 2011.
If you haven't read any of the Elm Creek Quilters series, I would definitely recommend you treat yourself to these wonderful books. They are in libraries, Amazon and all over the place :-) Start with The Quilter's Apprentice and enjoy your way through the stories.

Giveaway coming!

2011-11-18T09:40:00.000-08:00

For some reason :-) my humble little blog was noticed and I am getting a chance to giveaway a new book. The Wedding Quilt by Jennifer Chiaverini has been released. I received the copy of it this week and will get to start reading it today....sitting in the docs office waiting to get my sweet mom's fractured wrist rechecked :-(
So stay tuned for a review and giveaway of what I'm sure is to be a very enjoyable read. The Elm Creek quilters draw me in every time!

I've been distracted

2011-11-08T08:52:00.000-08:00

lately and not posting what I'm working on. So here's a peek into my world :-)
I was the lucky recipient of a giveaway by JulieQ. Here is Elinor in the midst of triangles galore! Some were sewn together, some weren't. I am having a great time with them as leader/ender units. All different fabrics than my own and already cut :-) Thank you, Julie!

Last week I found a lovely pumpkin color check from Buggy Barn to use with these triangles. I'm going to love all this country warmth!

In the finishing area, I was able to piece and quilt a wedding gift. However, Marianne is blessing it for me and I will need to take a photo for you later.

I hope you are having a beautiful day!

a few more pics from PIQF

2011-10-23T09:18:00.000-07:00

Fall Spendour. I think this quilt was actually machine pieced together. Impressive work.

More pictoral quilts.

This first one was applique and thread play.

Applique

I still have a few more to show next time :-)

west coast quilt show

2011-10-14T19:36:00.000-07:00

Pacific International Quilt Show is this weekend in Santa Clara, California. I was able to go yesterday and really enjoyed some beautiful quilts as well as meeting up with some of my favorite quilters! First on my agenda was to see quilts that Nancy Brown had entered. I was thrilled to see a blue ribbon by her quilt with the elephant seals and penguins. I love it when the judges realize what good taste I have and they put the ribbons on my favorites :-)

I love the expressions on these girls faces (the elephant seals depicted here are the females...I don't know about those cute penguins though...there could be some boys there).

Here is another quilt of Nancy's that was commissioned by another quilter. Just by looking at this picture, you could tell this was a very sweet grandmother. I know the pigeons liked her :-)

There were some beautiful quilts with flowers. Iris are my favorite.

This quilt was gorgeous fall colors and included plaid.

This quilt really was inspiring to me. I don't know if the picture will show it well but it has the look of wood block art....I think I just made that term up...I don't know what they call it but...the background is black with the scene appliqued onto it (I think?!) Anyway..it is a breathtaking view of the Sisters Mountains in Oregon. So wonderfully done!

The vendors were as delightful as ever. I didn't do too much 'damage' but found some good hand dyes to use for applique pictures of my labs and some pretty batik layer cakes to make a couple of gift quilts. A sweet, memorable day!

meet Wizard

2011-09-15T19:50:00.000-07:00

Here is my completed pup applique. It looks like another dog I used to know rather than my dog, Bridget. So I'm calling this one Wizard. I definitely needed some practice with this (and I need to wash out the pencil markings!). So I'm going to shop for some perfect fabrics..maybe hand dyes and then make a picture with my two labs, Sandy and Bridget. Then if Mosley is sweet and not acting like a criminal, I'll try one with his picture....if!

I really enjoyed stitching this boy. Marianne is posing here while I type this reminding me that she would also look beautiful in a quilt. She's right, of course.

In the meantime, the quilt group I meet with monthly has started a BOM. It is a mystery revealed one step each month. If you would like to join along with us, check out Pieces of Rana's Life for the pattern instructions.
This is my effort for the first month. The edge is just turned over and will hopefully look alot smoother when I stitch it onto the background.

Pumpkins :-) just in time for autumn!

applique class with Nancy Brown

2011-08-28T13:48:00.000-07:00

We gathered (opps, Nancy's not in this picture!) last Sunday in Morro Bay and learned applique tips and how to shape cat and dog faces in fabric. We had beautiful samples and a wonderful (and entertaining!) instructor right there to inspire and teach us. I enjoyed the whole day!

This first picture is Nancy's quilt of her friend, Mittens.

And this quilt is of Nancy's cat, Opie. The quilt shows off Opie's beautiful blue eyes.

If we locked ourselves in this room for the next three years, Nancy promised that we could complete this lovely quilt with several of our favorite dogs....might take me six with lots of help!

Nancy also showed us how to trace pictures of our own pets and accent the light and dark to make quilt replicas of them. This week was busy so I only got as far as a neck and two eyes for the dog applique that will look like my dog, Bridget....completed that in the class, except for having to redo one of the pupils on one dog eye. And then another dog eye for a second dog applique that will look like my other dog, Sandy.

Hopefully someday these parts will look a little like this.

My thoughts and prayers are with those of you on the east coast braving those storms this weekend. Hope it's almost over.

finally some finishes

2011-07-26T14:09:00.000-07:00

Mr. Walking Rabbit is quilted and decorating the wall in our family room, warming my primitive heart. Thank you to Log Cabin Quilter for the inspiration. I loved the plaids and flannel that went into making this guy. It was just a fun project.

Next I have another attempt at dealing with my novelty fabric "problem". When I started quilting back in the 90's, Debbie Mumm's designs thrilled me...to the point of buying an awful lot of Noah and his ark. (I am fighting with Blogger again about where I want to place text)...So here is the quilt top and then the quilt back. I actually still enjoy Noah...fortunately. This quilt was simply designed to showcase the large images.

One initial plan for this fabric was to use a "10 minute block" method that I saw posted on Happy Cottage Quilter's blog but it didn't work so well with these novelties. Zebra would be Zera in all the blocks. I do like the idea of this method though and will look for a chance to use it.

On to newer fabric...but still a few years old...I made a king size quilt for my friend several years ago for her wedding. Recently, I realized I had leftover blocks and lots of fabric I could use to make a smaller version for myself. This quilt is called Buckeye Beauty in Marsha McCloskey's Quick Classic Quilts. Tonya chose the fabric collection from my stash and selected this pattern. It is still a favorite with both of us. For mine, I quilted it with a pattern called Plumage...which seems to be my current favorite.

I have been doing some embroidery and now quilting on a couple of little quilts planned for Christmas presents....no pictures available because of the surprise factor. And today I have gathered up all the Psalms blocks and will start on putting them together with sashing fabric. I will show a picture next time because if I try to add it now...who knows where it will show up in this post.

Hope you are having a wonderful summer day!

Happy Independence Day!

2011-07-04T09:32:00.000-07:00

I have been doing embroidery, piecing and longarm quilting but have no pictures to show for it yet. What I do have though is a picture of the new baby deer in our neighborhood and some views of where we go to walk the dogs most days.

This sweet little creature will learn which houses have the best salad!

We are blessed to live by a large ranchland that our town purchased and now has open as a park for everyone to enjoy. Along the ocean we have a beautiful circuit to walk and view the ocean and some interesting creatures.

This is looking north to San Simeon.

And here we head back toward the south to check out who is hanging out on the rocks.

We love seeing these sunbathers everyday.

Hope you are having a great day with family and friends.

a couple of finishes

2011-05-24T17:51:00.000-07:00

Finished this small floral quilt for a co-worker but I'm not sure if this is her style or not. This was started with some leftover blocks from the quilt I made for my mom. I quilted it using the Plumage panto. I love the feathers but this pattern is kind of narrow which means more passes on the longarm. Perfect for a smaller quilt as I don't run out of interest like I would on a queen size.

So in case she isn't into sweet florals, I pulled from my stash and made up this quick darker quilt...which I sort of prefer for me as well. I put the feathers on this one too.

Carol of Brown Quilts posted about a friend of hers making pillowcases for servicemen and women. Some help could be useful so several of us are pitching in. Feel free to join the effort if you are so inclined. It is kind of fun. Here are the two that I am sending off.

I'm currently working with more leftover blocks making a quilt for me :-) Will show pics of that later but I leave you with improved pics from my new camera of my friends, the billboard cows on 101 north to Salinas. These guys always make me smile.

quilt show

2011-05-04T11:05:00.000-07:00

Seven Sisters Quilt Show this weekend in San Luis Obispo was lovely. Here are just a few pictures...

Rose quilt by my friend, Rana :-)

A dog quilt that was pretty cute.

Viewer's Choice

Marianne says my camera skills are pretty boring.

But finally there is some quilt piecing going on around here. I'm making a little quilt for a co-worker from extra blocks from the quilt I made for my mom.

I'm having quite a time with this blogging template today, fighting to keep the font I want and having it align on the left. I am not much of a HTML warrior though so I'm signing off to piece. My sewing machine is much nicer to me!

2 Psalm blocks and a camera

2011-04-26T09:16:00.000-07:00

"River of Delight" is for Psalm 36. "How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light." Ps 36:7-9

"Prairie Flower" is for Psalm 103 and is the final block I am making for my niece's quilt. "As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field; the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more. But from everlasting to everlasting the Lord's love is with those who fear Him....Ps 103:15-17

My plan was to sashing these together with black fabric and border it with grape vine fabric that I have leftover from my Women of the Bible quilt. The colors in these blocks are a little different though and may not go as well with that fabric. So I will have to see how it all looks together.

This next picture is the first I took with my new camera that I got for my birthday :-) It just came in the mail yesterday and it was late till I could play with it...due to waiting for the battery to charge. This shot of my sewing room may be TMI as you can see at least 2 of the cat beds in here and the dog collars off for the night. I'm kind of like an 8 year old that loves to keep trinkets and stuff around to look at... which leaves the not the neatest of sewing areas and this room shows it.

And here is the first picture of Elinor with the new Canon Elph. She's not as annoyed as she looks...or at least I didn't think she was. She is sitting on yet another sewing room cat bed. The girls are such big helpers in here, they deserve the best :-)

Just One Star and a Broken Heart

2011-04-15T10:38:00.000-07:00

I was inspired by a recent Covered Porches post to join in and make a quilt block for the quilts being made for soldiers. You can get the pattern to make one too for the Just One Star challenge that Moda is holding. Moda needs to receive them before May 1st. I made mine out of scraps I had in my stash...and in looking for what to use became inspired to clear out a draw of fat quarters and scraps working them into either the 'scraps to be cut box'...see previous post :-) or into my wall cupboard that has the fabric sorted by colors. Reorganization and clearing out is always a good thing.

This Psalms block was actually finished about a week ago but the pressing was not attempted and the photo not taken until today. I'm not showing the back :-) but it came out better than I first hoped. Pressing these blocks still has a ways to go on the learning curve.

This block is called Broken Heart and is for Psalm 34

I sought the Lord, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and He delivers them. The Lord is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Ps 34:4,7,18

Elinor went up to check out the beautiful blue sky. She is a little camera shy but held her spot for just long enough.

Haven't started a pieced scrap quilt yet because I got distracted by this at Log Cabin Quilter. I now have it mostly stitched down...had to move the pocket and still need to re-do the carrot.

it's a good week

2011-03-17T13:28:00.000-07:00

Last year while walking the dogs, I met up with some quilters who were enjoying their own quilting retreat right here in my own neighborhood. You can read about that visit here. So I knew they were headed back to town this year but it had been kind of a busy week for me and I hadn't seen them yet. As I came by walking with the dogs, my DH and a nephew, I started to tell them about the quilters and then came upon this sign :-) Quilters are so creative...even in ways to communicate. I met up with them later and really enjoyed seeing them again along with the fantastic projects each of them were working on. Sharon and Margaret both have blogs so you too can check up the projects they've been working on...at least maybe after they get back home. This group really knows how to treat themselves to the best retreat and right on the ocean.

I have finished quilting a wall hanging for our friend, Tony but Blogger is not letting me add any more photos today so I will save that for another post. What I have been sewing on this week are bags to take to the market. My friend, Tonya (hey there, Ms T) had me shorten and re-hem curtains a few years back and I've used the cotton duck from that project to make these bags. Only several more to go :-)

Ms. Elinor is still enjoying those dog beds! Fortunately, there really is plenty of them to go around and the dogs are learning to adjust a bit. It's nice to see the cats keeping everyone learning new style.

quick note here

2011-02-24T12:47:00.000-08:00

Two Psalms blocks finished. The first is called "As watchmen wait for morning". This is for Psalm 130. "I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His word I put my hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning. Ps 130:5-6

The second block is called Morning Star and is for Psalms 143. "I spread out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land. Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul."

I chose colors that reminded me of sunrise but I wish I'd placed them differently. This doesn't look good to me.

Underneath and to the left of where I sit at my computer is a dog bed.

For some reason, the cats have taken to sleeping on the dog beds.

Bridget is not sure what to do with this change.

Scraps

2011-02-16T12:32:00.000-08:00

Such lovely photos here of my ~~hoarded~~ leftover scraps from too many projects and years to remember. I have dug through these piles and pulled out pieces but most of it is not that useful especially when I can't find what I'm looking for. I have admired Bonnie Hunter's quilts from Quiltville for so long and I finally decided to finally organize them like she suggests. Marianne is kindly helping me.

And Bonnie is helping me too! I was the lucky winner of her brand new book when I commented on Bonnie's post over at Stash Manicure. I love the patterns in Bonnie's book and am feeling inspired to put my scraps to use. Until my stash is cleaned up, I am not likely to go shopping for shirts like she does but I will sure enjoy making these quilts.
Thank you, Bonnie!

Tuesday

2011-02-08T14:11:00.000-08:00

It is a beautiful day here on the coast. You can see the blue water in the horizon... and a new picture of the almost completed roof across the street. It's a nice roof :-)

The neighborhood is peaceful even inside. This is a rare picture of Marianne and Elinor in sleeping coexistence.

For quilting projects, I have a couple of blocks to show you. This is a Lone Star made following directions in the book Stars By Magic. I must say...it was fairly magical! Pretty easy to follow and easy to get good results. Thank you to Mary at Quilt Hollow for inspiring me to take another look at this book. Where this block is headed is still kind of a secret so I will save the rest of the story for later.

This next block is the 20th Psalm block I've made. It is called Snowflake and is for Psalm 51. "Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow."

We are headed out to walk the dogs along the bluff. I hope it is a beautiful, peaceful day in your neighborhood too.

Giveaway Winners

2011-02-07T14:05:00.000-08:00

Well, the Spiced Pears seem to be the most popular of these cute little pin cushions. Though I am still partial to the pumpkins.

Here are my first attempts. I need more pumpkins and haven't started the tomatoes yet. They are quick to sew up though so my garden will be growing soon.

It was really fun to read about where each of you live. I hope to see more of the country someday and take in the beautiful sights.
I used the random generator for the 14 entries and it selected 14 the first time around. So the Spiced Pears kit goes to Linda of Flourishing Palms. The second "spin" chose #4 and so Big Delores,the pumpkin (my fav :-) goes to Yankee Quilter of Scraps and Threadtales. And since it is thought that the rg never picks #1...I was happy to see it show up this time for Elaine of Faithful Quilter who will receive the Heirloom Tomatoe. Please email me with your addresses and I will pop these in the mail right away.
I really wish I could send all three to everyone! Thank you all for joining in to help me celebrate blogging.

I was 'celebrated' in another fashion too. I won a cool giveaway hosted by Kelly at I Have a Notion. This is fabric by Laura Ashley and it is beautiful. I love it! Thank you, Kelly.

Check out Kelly's blog today for an adorable pin cushion kit from Just Another Button company. I love their cute pins....check out the IHAN website for crows and quilt blocks.

101st Post Giveaway

2011-02-01T09:38:00.000-08:00

A big Thank you to all of you that have made blogging fun, inspiring and a community. To celebrate, I'm hosting a giveaway (and doing some shameless promotion) of cute pin cushion patterns. These are not just any pin cushions...they are tomatoes, pumpkins and spiced pears designed by a friend that I met through Melanie of Crazy About Quilts. Rana of Pieces of Rana's Life has a fairly new pattern company offering designs for quilts, totes and these sweet little notions. Check out more of her patterns at Sewn into the Fabric

For the giveaway, I'm offering one kit (pattern,walnut filler, and some fabric to use) for each of 3 winners. So join me in celebrating blogging by leaving a comment on this post and mention which one you would like. If you care to make the replies extra fun to read, please let me know something you like about where you live. Next Monday I will pick three names (prolly using the handy random number generator) and announce those who will win a pattern and kit.

neighbors

2011-01-24T11:45:00.000-08:00

This is my 100th post and I've been planning a giveaway...but I haven't completed the little projects involved and so it will have be delayed for possibly a 101st giveaway. Stay tuned. It involves fruit and vegetables and fun :-)

Now to the neighbors...on Christmas Day we walked the dogs by our friends house to deliver a gift. We found that their frig had up and died that morning and offered space in ours till they could get another one working for them. When they were up and running again with a new one, they came for their food and brought this beautiful wall hanging that Darlene (no blog) made. She uses her Bernina for amazing embroidery work and makes wonderful quilts showing the designs. I enjoyed it for an extended Christmas and will find a place to hang it next Christmas.

The neighborhood excitement today is across the street where a new house is being built. We thought the roof was going to be the curved spanish looking tiles (?) but a huge truck just pulled up with what looks like slate (flat) tiles. We like this look so we are eager to see what goes on :-)

The girls are interested too.

So I'm off to stitch for a bit. Hope you are enjoying your day!

quilt for mom

2011-01-16T14:08:00.000-08:00

I purchased a kit of fabrics at our local quilt show a couple of years ago and finally was able to complete it over the past months. It will look good on my mom's bed. Marianne was kind enough to bless it for me after quilting while I prepared the binding.

The fabric is predominantly Robyn Pandolph from her Sumptuous Living line. They are beautiful florals but they raveled so much during sewing that I was afraid I was going to lose my seam allowance! I also had some 'pattern' issues. Since I was making the quilt bigger than the pattern I was using, I wanted to check out how many blocks I should make for it. I have some early EQ software that came with my Bernina embroidery software. So I entered the measurements and calculated how many blocks I needed. Unfortunately, the calculations were way off and I made the quilt body way too big. I had to subtract one planned inner border and cut the main border size in half just to keep this quilt at a reasonable size for the queen size bed that my mom has. I had my friend, Rana, enter the numbers on her EQ7 and came out with the correct calculations. I was not happy with the error but I know now not to trust my current software and well, Mom still loves the quilt, so all is good.

Quilting pattern is called Feathered Curls.

I had purchased extra fabric and have quite enough left over to make some smaller quilts for more spring to share in other homes.

Psalms block #19

2011-01-03T09:06:00.000-08:00

The block for Psalm 32 is called "Hiding Place". Not the most thrilling block but I love this verse from the scripture. "You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance" Ps. 32:7
It is a beautiful day here in Cambria, with skies clearing from storm clouds and the sun shining brightly. Today is my mom's 89th birthday ...and though her new bed quilt is still on the quilt frame! ...we are celebrating with a little lunch at her house with her 2 neighbor friends that meet with her every day for prayer and devotion. The wonderful friends that love her reflect the blessed richness of her own soul. Happy Birthday, Mom!

cordless iron review

2010-12-30T10:43:00.000-08:00

Christmas brought this new iron into my sewing studio and I have had a chance to use it a bit. I like it :-) From plugging the base into the electrical outlet to feeling the iron hot enough to use was about 60 seconds. It has a nice weight to it and glides wonderfully smooth on the fabric. It stays hot enough, long enough for my purposes with quilting and heats up quickly when back on the base. As an iron in general, I'd probably rate it a 4 on a 1-5 scale but in the cordless range...I think I would give it a 5. I don't miss moving that cord around.
I don't usually use steam for my ironing but thought I should try that feature out to see how effective it was. I needed to iron a large amount of backing material for my mom's quilt (which I will post about later :-). So in went some filtered water. The water tank detaches easily from the iron and is easy to fill. The heating time for steam use is longer. And since I was ironing larger amount of fabric at the time, I could see if the heat held very well. IMHO...it seemed to work fairly well. I used the button to direct an actual stream of water onto some of the fabric where I was trying to get rid of the mark where the fabric had been folded onto the bolt. This worked pretty easily. Re-heating time when returned to the base unit took notably more time. There is some kind of internal control that is supposed to turn off the steam function when the iron isn't hot enough to produce steam effectively. This is to prevent water drops and leaks onto your fabric. I didn't experience any unwanted leaks.
All that being said...it seems to me that someone wanting to use alot of steam for pressing would be better off with an iron that wasn't losing heat while in use....meaning that one with a cord would be more consistently effective. I got the iron (that I recently dropped) because I hated the automatic shut off system in the Rowenta....it kept turning off while in use and leaked water frequently when I tried to use it with steam. That is probably where I stopped using steam features period. It is just easier for me to have a spray bottle of water that I can use for stubborn creases. Keeping that in mind...I personally would rate the steam function with only about a 3 on a scale of 1-5..I just like my water spray bottle better.
So enough about that...now to another fun turn of events :-)
The base does take up room on the ironing board so I looked for alternative places to keep it. There are little shelves or 'iron holders' that can be added to your ironing board or come as part of one but I have a closet where I store my ironing board and can't allow for it to be longer. So is this a nice excuse to shop for furniture? Of course!
I had a messy corner next to where I iron that would be just right for a cupboard or something that I could roll right up next to my ironing board. I looked in town at a couple of antique shops but didn't really find anything workable. Then I looked online for ideas. Nothing really showed up that was fitting my idea but a 2 drawer file cabinet from Pottery Barn looked promising. Was close to ordering it but the $25 surcharge for shipping and the $30 actual shipping and then another $29 tax on the cabinet, the surcharge and the shipping really just started to make this item cost a bit more than it was worth to me. But upstairs I had an old oak file cabinet that had belonged to my MIL...hmmm maybe that will work. So upstairs we go and it works except that I had needed wheels on the bottom of it and this thing has nothing but the sides to it...no bottom basically. DH is thinking we could put a board for base but for some reason thinks it isn't going to work well. I head off to walk dogs and come back to find he has shopped online and found a cute little jelly cabinet that he likes for it. I'm not so sure but since he likes it, we order it. Buyer's remorse sets in...and the next day, I find that this sweet company will cancel the order...no problem. DH heads off to help a friend out. I head back upstairs to check out the file cabinet. I empty it out and manage to slide it down the (carpeted) stairs and into my sewing room. So now about those wheels...this thing slides pretty well just on the plastic protectors it has on the bottom...Hey :-) what about magic sliders....I look in the garage and we even have some right in our possession that are rectangle and just the right size to fit on the meager "bottom" of this cabinet. Free and it works! Now my ironing "center" is complete. Short story made long...

So if you made it this far, you have persevered enough...I'll save the Psalms block for another post! Happy New Year :-)

did some ordering for my hubby

2010-12-19T12:12:00.000-08:00

Panasonic NI-L70SR Cordless Steam/Dry Iron

My favorite iron took a hit the other day when I tripped on the cord. It still works but I don't think it gets as hot as it used to and as the control for the heat died awhile back...well, it may be time to say good bye. So hello Cordless!
Wish me luck with how well this will work out. I will do a review after I use it awhile and I'll let you know what I think. Amazon had some mixed reviews...most loved it, including some quilters...a few hated it for not staying hot when they wanted it. But I will surely find out. DH was lamenting the other day about finding gifts for me to open on Christmas. This iron should work and not subject him to scorn since I picked it out myself :-)
To soften the purchase, I ordered the new Josh Groban CD as well.
So in my new soft socks, I'll be ironing away with wonderful music and a "fire" all in my sewing room. Merry Christmas to me!
And Merry Christmas to all of you too!

quilter's group gift exchange

2010-12-16T13:44:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas!

Not sure where I got this picture of the cardinal but I love it. We don't see birds or snow covered branches around here so it's nice to see them in pictures.

Been busy as everyone has, getting gifts and decorations ready for Christmas and enjoying meeting up with others to enjoy the season.

Our quilter's group met Monday evening for a dinner of soup and desserts to exchange gifts for the quilter who's name we drew. The gifts I received were very fun! In addition to a Ball jar filled with Hershey's kisses :-) I opened a package with especially warm and soft socks that actually somehow have a layer of lotion in there to soften your feet while you wear them. I don't really feel the lotion but I wear them to bed to keep my feet warm and magically, I must say, my feet feel softer in the morning. Amazing and cozy!

And this adorable little quilt welcome wall hanging was specially made for my home at the beach. Very fun colors and very beach cottage.

Faux Fireplace

2010-11-28T19:01:00.000-08:00

My DH was playing around with my computer while I sewed away on many rows of floral fabric....then had me come look at what he had done.

I now have a crackling fire in my sewing room :-)
That's my computer screen with a fireplace screensaver running. Silly but fun.

Happy Holidays!

cat,quilt and flowers

2010-11-22T08:53:00.000-08:00

I am a bit behind here in sharing what projects I have been working on. I'm still sewing Psalms blocks, working on a large quilt with Robyn Pandolph fabrics for my mom, crocheting an afghan, and needing to get several other small quilts quilted. Last week though, I decided to make a small quilt for a co-worker going through some rough changes. Quilter's Cupboard, my favorite LQS, helped me pick out some beautiful fabrics and plan this quilt. Elinor is helping with the ironing and then also modeling the finished work.

This is my new favorite quick quilt pattern called "Just Can't Cut It"

I altered it by making only 9 blocks and shrunk the block size to 75% at that to make it even a faster project. I was pleased to get it quilted using a panto called Woodcut Camilla (sorry I can't find a link to show it to you). The fabric is so busy that you can't hardly see the quilting on it...even when holding the quilt. But it was fast and worked well with the large flowers.

My latest Psalms block is called God's Eye. We studied Psalm 139. "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made..."

And finally to some flowers. Several months ago, I planted some sunflower seeds. They sprouted only to be eaten by bugs when they were about 1-3 inches. I abandoned them. Then about 6-8 weeks ago, I noticed that more Wild Sunflowers (that was what the package had labled them) had grown up to about a foot high...and then the deer starting eating them. I put some mesh around them and they continued to grow unharmed. Now I have blooms :-)

The big yellow bushes on either side are a pungent flower that the deer won't eat. They also require very little water. Perfect for Cambria.

help in the sewing room

2010-11-03T11:34:00.000-07:00

Just after finishing my post yesterday about sewing rows of quilt blocks together I turned to see Elinor promptly lie down on them.

Marianne then got up to give direction.

Yes, this will work.

Hard Times

2010-11-02T10:10:00.000-07:00

Kind of a boring quilt block here but I got alot out of the Psalm it was representing. Psalm 142 was written by David when he was hiding in a cave to avoid being killed by King Saul. David's hard time at that moment was surely more challenging than what I face and yet I can hear myself at times ~~whining~~ complaining or fretting about troubles or worries but without the focus that I read in this Psalm. I'm thinking it might be more fruitful to memorize this Psalm and use the words David wrote down...and get my mind back to knowing God is my Source and Refuge.
One thought that opened my eyes a bit was the line "deliver me from my persecutors". I think the only one persecuting me around here is me! Women in particular often are our own worst critics. Wendy posted an interesting thought today on Stash Manicure that encourages me to change that habit. And Psalm138:8 also gives me a better focus, "The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O Lord, endureth for ever".
Here is a quick photo of Marianne...I'm documenting 'progress' in my attempt to get her to use the Crinkle Sac that I bought because "cats Love them" ...or so I was told :-) She is at least sitting in front of it on some crinkly tissue wrapping paper. I maintain such lofty pursuits! :-) She isn't as annoyed as she looks. Just the wrong second for the camera to shoot.

Today I am sewing together the rows of lovely Robyn Pandolph fabric.
Hope you are doing something beautiful today too.
PS Something happened to my typing issue here! The words just justify normally and not all from the center. Yeah! Thank you Blogger or Google or whoever fixed that!

Psalms block #16

2010-10-25T11:13:00.000-07:00

This block is called Cornucopia and is for Psalm 85. "Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven. The Lord will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest. Psalm 85:11-12

I am in the midst of a few projects and have started yet another one which will be for my mom. It is a kit purhcased at our local quilt show..a couple of years ago!..and is made up of some beautiful Robyn Pandolph fabric. Floral pinks and aquas that will make a nice bedspread quilt for her.

This was my favorite.

And here are the girls, faithfully helping me in the sewing room.

Made it to PIQF! (warning lots of pictures)

2010-10-16T14:55:00.000-07:00

After some serious persuasion...I was blessed with a friend to travel with to PIQF on Thursday! Thank you, Rana, it was wonderful! I had a small list of items to shop for and one very special quilt to see and all was acomplished! So here are some pictures of the show...

Here is the quilt on my most important list! This is 'Bay Bridge Series' by Nancy Brown. Very worth the trip! I love her applique animals and am always amazed at the personality she captures. What made it even more fun was getting to see Nancy at the show as well.

Note: Not sure what to do with the difficulty I am having with blogger...can't seem to figure out what is happening with sentence alignment! Hope you can follow along till I figure out what is wrong. And it is only letting me load one picture at a time. Period. I've had to save and close the post, wait and come back to another 'editing' session to add additional photos. And the word alignment starts in the middle and justifies left only when I type enough words in a line. This is a bit crazy! Any hints?

Just look at this elephant face.

OK they did also have a few other quilts at the show.

And yet another quilt inspired by Nancy Brown by students.

The vendors were rich with beautiful fabric and inspiration. I loved seeing the Fig Tree booth with Joanna sharing her wonderful design and color.

I also was able to meet John'aLee of The Scrappy Appleyard with her beautiful booth of fabrics. She was stitching on her Buttercream Summer BOM which looks even more delish in real life.

A long but amazing day!

Fall into Fall Giveaway Winner!

2010-10-15T17:59:00.000-07:00

Just a quick post to announce the winner of the sweatshirts and pattern I have for the Fall into Fall Giveaway.

Stormy Days, who has an adorable dog, is the winner. I will just need the mailing address and I will get the giveaway items in the mail. Congratulations!

Thank you to everyone for participating.

PIQF this weekend

2010-10-12T15:17:00.000-07:00

PIQF is this weekend and I really wish I was going! Nancy Brown is showing a quilt that I want to see...bad! And then there are all those vendors who practically present a quilt show all on their own...too much to miss.
Just in time for PIQF, Library Gal and One Stitch Off will have some new jewelry they are making to be shown off at Honey Run Quilters booth.

In the meantime, there is some nice stitching going on in my own neighborhood. I hosted the Piecemaker quilt group here last night and was gifted 11 delectable mountain quilt blocks that I had handed out the previous meeting. I'm hoping to make a charity quilt or a Quilt of Valor out of these blocks.

The Psalms block I finished this week is called Day and Night. "Yet the LORD will command His lovingkindness in the daytime, and in the night His song shall be with me," Ps. 42:8

My 'Acorn Crisp" is coming along. I found some wool at the LQS that will work better than what I had for the leaves. I also got a tip from Laurie at Cat Haven Crafts and will be able to try some more wool projects in the future. Thank you, Laurie!
The Fall into Fall Giveaway is going on till October 15 so if you are looking for that post :-) Click here.

Autumn project

2010-10-07T12:13:00.000-07:00

(If you are looking for the giveaway post..click here)

The girls stayed up late with me last night to help make a little table topper that was featured by one of the designers in the Fall-o-Ween blog hop. It is called Acorn Crisp and was designed by Kari at New Leaf Stitches. Check out the pattern here.

It calls for flying geese blocks and I sewed an extra seam as I have seen others do to make the portion of fabric that will be cut off to be already sewn into scrap HSTs.

I had a picture of Elinor for you and I had another picture of the rewards of the extra seam to show but this new Blogger format is 'killing me' in that I can't move the pictures around with any ease at all. I gave up and deleted the photos because it wouldn't let me place them.

And now it is not letting me type....

Here is the topper ready for me to add the leaves and acorn applique. I'm looking for the right colors of wool so this may wait till I'm off work again next week.

Here is the latest Psalms block completed. It is called Paths of Peace for Psalm 25

"Show me thy ways, O LORD; teach me they paths. Ps. 25:4

Fall into fall Giveaway

2010-10-01T01:00:00.000-07:00

This weekend there is large gathering of giveaways sponsored by Quilting with Debi. EQ and Fat Quarter Shop are joining the giveaway blogs. So look for the Scarecrow on the blogs you visit. For my participation...I'm giving away this California Coat pattern which is perfect for those of us who love the comfort of sweatshirts and want to look fun at the same time. To get you started, I have 2 sweatshirts in cool colors. They are Extra Large and will hopefully shrink some when washed cuz they are big.

So if you are interested, leave me a comment and I will have a name drawn October 15th. Good luck in all the hops going on right now! The prizes are great and the recipes and free patterns are wonderful. Check my side bar for links to them.

Hill and Crag

2010-09-27T13:14:00.000-07:00

Hard work going on here in the sewing room. You can see I have not given up with the krinkly sac. It is stuffed with tissue paper and ribbons that the cats like to play with so that maybe they'll be persuaded to sit on it or in it and please me once and for all :-) They are not budging today though. They are, however, keeping me company as I sew these little blocks together.

Last night I finished stitching this Hill and Crag block for Psalm 121.
"I will lift up my eyes to the hills-where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth." Ps 121:1,2
Almost forgot to mention...this 6 inch block and 52 pieces in it! My, oh my!

Happy Autumn!

2010-09-23T10:50:00.000-07:00

I love this season! It is my favorite and yesterday was an absolutely wonderful way to start enjoying it :-) The sew day with Rana and Melanie's sweet dog, Kali was fantastic fun and amazingly productive. I was able to sew all 18 sawtooth star blocks together....Rana probably thought I would never leave, as she finished an entire quilt top and got two all basted together and ready to quilt before she started working on more blocks for yet another quilt! She's fast..I'm not. But I was definitely dedicated! The technique I used to sew these is used by Jo Morton and I think, Carrie Nelson as well. It takes awhile but I think they are somewhat goof proof for the less than precise stitchers because the stars came out just like I like them :-)

We stopped midway for a delicious lunch out at the French Bakery in Morro Bay down by the harbor. What a beautiful, sunny day which of course I can't share with you because I forgot my camera. Still not the blogging expert here...
But the day was a huge success and only wish Melanie could have been in 2 places at once...having a wonderful vacation and there with us too!

getting ready

2010-09-21T19:08:00.000-07:00

I'm getting ready tonight...with Marianne's help...to go for a sew day tomorrow. Having cut out all the pieces for little sawtooth blocks, I hope I can get many of them all sewn together.

And check out the blog hop starting September 27 with Gudrun's blog.

10 of the designers we all love.

Swamp Angel

2010-09-19T10:32:00.000-07:00

Surely there must be a better name for this block but I'm not going to take the time to look for it just yet. So here is block #12 for Psalm 91. "If you make the Most High your dwelling--even the Lord who is my refuge-- then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent. For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways..." Ps 91:9-11 These words cause me to search further for meaning as disasters do come near those who trust in God. What is not destroyed though is their faith when they seek God for their refuge. Ps 91 promises That God will be with us during the bad times of our life, to guide us and show us His faithfulness. Though I must say, I have certainly felt and known some Godly protection in my life. I have definitely felt like Amy Grant's song says.."angels watching over me"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1jdlsw08p0
I am thrilled to say that I get to start a new quilt this week...even if it is one I've made before. I have another Jo Morton quilt kit from The Quilted Moose to make this wall hanging for a friend who really liked it. He builds things...not quilts...so I'm hoping he'll enjoy having another of my quilts in his home....when I get it finished, that is.
And I'm thrilled to say, I get to start this on Wednesday sewing with Rana :-)

Three cheers

2010-09-09T14:37:00.000-07:00

Ever get a good way into a book or movie and wonder how they came up with the title? This blog post title is mentioned towards the end. But for those of you that love pictures of pets, here are some of one of mine.

We have dog beds tucked into most rooms of our house. The dogs are protected from getting walked on and we enjoy the comfort of them resting wherever we happen to be. This shows Sandy sleeping underneath the desk here in my sewing room. She was kind enough to wake up and give me a look for the camera. Sandy is probably the sweetest one in our household. The rest of us are a little more self centered and touchy.

I'm working away on Psalms blocks and here's the one I sewed this week.

I watched the video I mentioned with the pressing tips but am still not too impressed with my attempts...so I will NOT be showing the reverse side of this block :-)

For Psalm 71, this is a block called Three Cheers. Not the best name, I don't think, but I like the design. Verse 8 "Let my mouth be filled with Thy praise and with Thy honour all the day."

mailbox party and giveaway notice

2010-09-06T10:34:00.001-07:00

Came home from a very busy day in the ER to find a whole lot of fun going on in my mailbox. I had ordered this umbrella not because I needed one but because it was PLAID! Silly me. It probably won't even rain much this year in this usually drought ridden area. I'm trying to figure out a way to leave it open and 'on display' without scaring the cats.
Plaid is just so fun. I love it and hope I'm going to find a bunch of it in stores this year cuz I think it might be 'in' this season.
Then I opened a package with the book I won in the recent giveaway for the Pet Picture parade. Kay Mackenzie sent me a copy of her book which will hopefully help me with the overload of novelty fabrics I'm hoarding.

Thank you Kay!
And then for a total surprise..there was this adorable Snap bag from Mary at Quilt Hollow

It is so cool! My rotary cutter and ruler and scissors fit ...but I'm not sure if I'm using this for quilting notions...not sure yet. It is handy for many ideas. Included in the bag were the 2" squares of Bar Harbor charms by Minick and Simpson. These are especially fun...the fabric is wonderful...and they are called Bar Harbor which reminds me of Maine (I love Maine) which reminds me of fall(I love fall!) which reminds me of PLAID...and as I've said I love PLAID. Yes, I'm a little nuts! Thank You, Mary :-)

So I've been doing more hand stitching and some crochet as I sit watching tv and recovering from work. We have been watching the past seasons of Leverage..liked it. And an older BBC program of Delderfield's To Serve Them All My Days. I read many of his books including this one back in the 90's and we enjoyed watching this one.

Click the picture of the buttons and head over to The Quilted Fish for a great giveaway! And have a happy holiday :-)

Winged four patch

2010-09-02T18:33:00.000-07:00

Interesting name for this block. Winged four patch is for Psalm 57. "Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, for in you my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed." David wrote this when he was fleeing for his life from King Saul.
In the pattern I followed for this block, there were brighter colors with more contrast. But I kind of like it subdued.
I am enjoying hand piecing alot but not so much the pressing after it is completed. Fortunately, Linda Franz has provided some extra instruction for this in a DVD/CD that she produced called Jane Austen's Writing Table Quilts. I am finally getting around to ordering it today...which I happily find on sale...so I can improve the pressing on these blocks. She was inspired to make quilts such as these as Jane use to write her wonderful books at a small twelve sided table in her dining table in Chawton. It was through Linda Franz that I discovered the fun of hand piecing...enriched by inspiration from Jane Austen's diamond shaped block quilt and from her writing as well. After I finish this Psalm's quilt, I will get back to making some diamonds.

caught up in the GO! frenzy

2010-08-31T08:55:00.000-07:00

Here is yet another giveaway chance for the GO! Good luck to all gazillions of us :-) http://sewmanyways.blogspot.com/2010/08/accuquilt-go-give-awaylets-go-go-go.html

This blog of SewManyWays is full of ideas and inspiration for uses for the GO! and quilting in general. Even without the Go! giveaway, she is a great blogger to follow!
Happy Tuesday quilters,
Luckypup Quilter

sew many things to post...long read warning! giveaway note at the end

2010-08-30T14:31:00.000-07:00

Stash Manicure has a couple of great posts about organizing your fabrics here:http://aquiltinglife.blogspot.com/2010/08/hexagons-and-go-giveaway.html and here: http://stashmanicure.blogspot.com/2010/08/inexpensive-way-to-house-your-stash.html. I have been working on organizing my own stash and was thrilled to see some of the tips mentioned. ~~The huge mess~~ My own stash has been calling out to me for some time to be sorted and put in a more easily found arrangement. I have 2 stashes in a way. I have the prewashed fabric arranged fairly nice in one cabinet and then there is the other stash....The Great Unwashed which seems to grow when I'm not looking.
I purchased some plastic bins and began sorting. One pull out drawer where these fabrics were residing actually broke under the weight when I began to look at them and I just started pulling everything out and throwing it onto my cutting table. When I saw how much was there...well, I was a little ~~freaked out~~ overwhelmed to say the least!
I was too busy holding up the fallen drawer to take a picture of the before...but
here is part of the finished job with the prewashed stash in the left picture. The right picture shows part of the GU separated into projects soon to be started, and with florals separated from fabrics sorted by colorways.

Now this bit of the GU doesn't really scare me all in its own...it is the 8 other plastic bins that now live in my bedroom closet that are a bit much! I organized my novelty fabrics and find that I still have somewhat of a hoarding problem....like with the Debbie Mumm fabrics I fell in love with in the mid 90's. And the animal fabrics. These filled up several bins...dogs, farm animals, Wild animals, cats...I think I'm forgetting some. Then there is the large bins of Christmas and the aforementioned Noah's Ark from DM.
But I made it through and feel much better because at least now I can actually see...and get to...the different colors and styles so I can USE THEM UP or share them with other unsuspecting quilters.
And one bin holds my Cherrywood fabrics for my Psalms blocks. Fortunately, I actually was able to stitch during this fabric 'war' :-)

This is Ocean Waves for Psalms 46.
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall in the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. Be still, and know that I am God.

This next block is for a ministry quilt for a soldier. I have been blessed to join a friendship group of quilters and this will be one of the first quilts projects that I am participating in.

We also finish blocks for whoever is hosting the monthly meeting. Rana is hosting in September so at the last meeting, she gave us blocks to complete and bring to her house this next month. So this is for you, Rana :-)

Last but not least! Here is a link for yet another GO! giveaway. There is only about 600 entries yet I'm still hoping to be the Luckypup that wins this :-)

http://aquiltinglife.blogspot.com/2010/08/hexagons-and-go-giveaway.html

kind of racing in and out

2010-08-24T10:39:00.000-07:00

The past couple of weeks have been kind of a blur with alot going on. I have been hand piecing, doing some applique, crocheting and working on a memory t shirt for a co-worker who lost her son this last spring to diabetes.
Actually, this t shirt quilt has taken up most of my thoughts as it stirs so many feelings looking at the clothing and the muslin pieces family and friends wrote messages on. Not sure that I'll show a picture of it as it is such a personal treasure for this family. I was fortunate to have another nurse come and sew on it with me last week. It was a good thing to share.

In the hand piecing category, I finished block #8 for the Psalms quilt. This is a block called "David and Goliath" for Psalm 27. "One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the day of my life...For in the day of trouble He will keep me safe in His dwelling; He will hide me in the shelter of His tabernacle and set me high upon a rock."

Just this morning, I got an email from SewCalGal giving me the news that I had won a prize in the Pet Parade contest. I won a book from Kay MacKenzie

So not only did I get to show off pictures of my animals and see adorable pictures of other quilters animals...I enjoyed receiving fun emails from other bloggers and readers....and got a prize too! I am one luckypup!
SewCalGal Darlene, mentioned animal rescue as many of the photos were of adopted 'used' animals. My own group of fur creatures have come from assorted pasts and have made my life richer. So I put a button up top on my blog for a site where I just click a tab each day to generate donation of food for animals in shelters. I have also found some fun things to purchase from the site as well. Please check out the Animal Rescue Site and perhaps enjoy adding a rescue animal to your own family someday. They are quite grateful !

Complete overload of Pet Pictures

2010-08-08T11:35:00.000-07:00

This is not a pet but a 'pet project' which I think fits the rules for this Pets on Quilts contest...It is Izobel which I made from my Nancy Brown workshop. She adorns my quilt room.

However, as any excuse to post pictures of my animals or look at other quilters animals will do...here is another chance to 'shamelessly' brag about my cute critters. The Pets on Quilt Show button on the left bar of this blog will lead you to a variety of wonderful animal themed pictures with quilts. This link may actually make the path easier. Enjoy!

http://www.linkytools.com/contestentry_linky_include.aspx?id=38565

Marianne is a big helper with pressing, block arrangement and general supervision.

Mosley here with the Beach House fabric quilt

The current canines of the household.

Ms Elinor on the Great Gatsby quilt.

The next photos are of previous loves...still in my heart.

Jeff and Simba showing off a quilt for Dad. And Simba enjoying the quilt he thought was made for him.

stitches of another kind

2010-08-06T11:54:00.000-07:00

I had so much fun crocheting the dishcloths that I went into our local yarn store and bought some fancy wool yarn and made a simple hat. It amazed me that I could do it and it was great fun. It is has turned cold yet again around here and I've actually been wearing it when I walk the dogs.

Last Saturday, I had invited some friends here to sew. We all worked on projects that we had allow to 'languish'. I started working on a tshirt quilt and actually spent the day cutting and fusing. If these fun ladies weren't here with me...I wouldn't have actually got it started. But with company and some good treats (Rana makes really good salsa!), we made progress. Melanie worked on some beautiful floral diamonds and Rana paper pieced blocks on one of those cool machines that has a thread cutter. Amazing!
I finished another hand pieced block. These blocks are 6 inch blocks. This one is for Psalm 23 and is called Table for four. Ps 23:5 "Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies". Or as in The Bible in Today's English Version reads..."You prepare a banquet for me, where all my enemies can see me; you welcome me as an honored guest and fill my cup to the brim." I chose the green and the blue actually for other verses. Vs 2 "He lets me rest in fields of green grass and leads me to quiet pools of fresh water". This is really a favorite Psalm of mine. If ever I picture God, I can't help but think of The Good Shepherd.

Bloggers inspire me

2010-07-29T17:31:00.001-07:00

Today's mail brought this charming book full of cute quilts. It was sent to me by Kim of Magnolia Bay Quilts because I was the lucky winner of her generous giveaway. As many of you know, there has been a Schnibbles Parade going on monthly. We can view several creative versions of these quilts in not one but two sizes. Thank you, Kim! Now I can join the parade :-)

This next photo shows my first crocheted dishcloth. I use to crochet about 35 years ago and was inspired again when I saw Laura of Paws 'n Tails Quilts showing the ones she had made. It took me several attempts to jog my memory and finally went to a video tutorial to get going on the right path. It was too much fun and today stopped by a local yarn shop just to check it out....$$ later, I have gorgeous yarn and a pattern to make a hat :-) more later on that!

My hand stitching has continued. Here is the 5th block:
From Psalm 90 is Fly away
"Psalm 90 is about the fact that life on earth is short. Our opportunity to do something meaningful, to make a difference for others is here today and gone tomorrow." Carol Honderich...Psalms quilt designer
Teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom Psalm 90:12

The 6th block is:
From Psalm 16 End of Day
I will praise the LORD, who counsels me: even at night my heart instructs me.

Block 4

2010-07-05T11:47:00.000-07:00

All quiet on the western front here. Just some stitching and studying and walking dogs. We watched fireworks on TV and the dogs didn't even wake up for them...much better for them that way. We did celebrate with a nice dinner and peaches from the San Joaquin valley for dessert. MMMMMMMMMM!
This is my fourth completed block for the Psalms quilt. Road to Heaven for Psalm 73 I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalm 73:23-26

Ruby is just happy the celebration is over and we are back to quiet on the streets :-) We are finishing up a little quilt top for the neice and nephew today. I have a couple of blocks left over and I'm going to make a little pillow to go with it. Pics to follow eventually.

Happy Summer Y'all!

I won the nautical quilt top :-)

2010-06-29T21:37:00.000-07:00

Rana made this quilt top along with some other quilters in what they call a 'progressive'. Then she offered it up in a giveaway and I won! Yea for me! It came home with me tonight and I can't pick out which block I love the most. I love lighthouses but the walrus, the seagull and the little umbrella and chair are too much. I guess it's good they are sewn together and I can see them all at once :-) I hope my quilting and finishing will do it justice. I am honored to give it a try. Thank you so much Rana! I will also enjoy the extra blocks and fabric you sent along with it. What an amazing giveaway!

summer projects

2010-06-29T09:19:00.000-07:00

It is still cool here but less blustery. I think we are finally moving into some June gloom just in time for the month to end. We have been sitting on our front porch wrapped up like it is snowing but enjoying the fresh air and chatting with neighbors taking their walks. This has given me some nice to time to read and hand stitch. I completed the 3rd block for the Psalms study and quilted Izobel, the giraffe.

This block is called Patience and is for the study of Psalm 37. Wait for the Lord and keep his way.

Izobel is ready to grace a wall for me. She holds a fond memory of Nancy Brown's class and being able to see Nancy's quilts up close and personal. She does such amazing work with the animal portraits. I am in awe.

Prepped here is this week's handstitching.

I'm also making up a quick little quilt for visiting nephew and niece.

block two

2010-06-18T11:35:00.000-07:00

The second block in the study is for Psalm 19 and is called Rising Sun. I am hand piecing these blocks so the edges look a little wonky but will smooth out just fine when I machine piece them together with sashings, etc.

Psalm 19 is one of my favorites. "The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens He has pitched a tent for the sun, which is like a bridegroom coming forth from His pavillion, like a champion rejoicing to run his course. ...It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is hidden from its heat.

For some rather fun giveaway news, head over to Rana's blog. She has an adorable nautical quilt that I'm going to hope I win :-)

Elinor was helping with quilt prep last night. She sends her regards.

giveaway notice :-)

2010-06-17T11:20:00.000-07:00

Mary at Quilt Hollow is having a sweet giveaway. I've been enjoying her blog posts for some time now and this one even has a 'reward' !
PS Mary wants you to mention that you heard about her giveaway from my post if you make a comment on her site.
Quilting and blogging at my house have been at a relaxed summer pace...even though the weather has been cold and even blustery! I hope to share some pics soon. I wish the rest of my schedule was 'relaxed' :-)
Marianne says it's boring here.

finally the first block..

2010-06-02T18:24:00.000-07:00

Way last October I posted about starting a quilt for my niece. I have been doing the Psalms study with Carol Honderich. Each week we read and study a Psalm and also applique or piece a block designed to accompany the thoughts in the Psalm. Previously, I made a similar quilt call the Women of the Bible quilt with this same group leader, Carol.

I have kept up with the study but the blocks...not so much. Finally, I have finished the first block, Psalms 1 "Prosperity". And am prepping for the second, "Rising Sun".

Again for this quilt, I am using Cherrywood Fabrics. I needed to do the Synthrapol treatment on a few pieces and then get them pressed. Elinor here is helping me with the ironing.

simple pleasures

2010-05-20T12:05:00.000-07:00

We took a quick trip north on Tuesday and passed by a personal favorite site of two cows (painted on board) that I fondly view from our highway.

Our return trip included a long visit to the Sleep Number bed store to try out a new mattress idea for us. DH has a chronically sore back and has found our pricey 'new' mattress from a few years ago to be already sorely lacking in support. So with what seemed akin to shopping for a car...we put in our order for one. The deal was sealed when they gave me 35% off the mattress because I am an RN! That was quite a pleasant and rewarding surprize!

We rarely find ourselves at a mall but that was where this store was and it turned out to have some other rather fun vendors in it as well. We ate dinner at the Cheesecake Factory (for a first), got free ice cream from the Haagen Das as they were celebrating the 50th year for their company, and enjoyed the smells from a Yankee Candle store. We also visited the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory for some dog bones dipped in something creamy looking (not chocolate!) for our brittany friend in Arizona and some popcorn treat drizzled in chocolate and marshmallow for our neighbor who was spending time with our pups while we were gone for the day.

Late yesterday, Polywood adirondack chairs arrived via UPS. We did the last bit of assembly and put them out on our front porch (right about midnight). This morning we enjoyed some tea out front while the girls did some sunbathing. Mosley was busy in the shade chewing on pine cone bits.

This is some of our view from the porch.

On my birthday last month, we were over in Atascadero to visit Quilter's Cupboard and then north to the sushi restaurant where we can sit outside with all three dogs at our feet while we dine ...and yes, share bits with them :-)

On the way up the highway, we passed a garden/nursery that was selling items of rusted metal and I found a great Texas Star that I have wanted for awhile.

I brought it home to decorate our back patio above Mosley's food bowls. We both like it :-)

Second to last thing...here is how my giraffe remains for the moment. So little sewing going on here but I am working on putting the background together so I a can sew her on. Hopefully, tomorrow...

And in todays mail :-) I received 5 gift card packs from The Vintage Workshop

Very cool! Most of these are from Sarah Sporrer and include actual patterns to make the appliques shown. These are great gift ideas...especially to me! I think the Gold Finch is my favorite. Indygo Junction sells a huge variety of these.

giveaway contest

2010-05-12T13:08:00.000-07:00

The Vintage Workshop is hosting a contest with 2 gift sets of some rather nice items...especially the notecards seen at the bottom of this photo. Go check them out and read the blog post about the contest. This is from a company that also has patterns, etc from Sarah Sporrer who is an absolute favorite of mine.
Check them and Indygo Junction out. They are inspiring!

I have been on the 'blink' this week and am getting well enough hopefully to feel good at work the next 2 days. Nothing quilt worthy going on around here but I read a good book by Jennie Nash, The Last Beach Bungalow. I really enjoyed it. The library is holding copy of The Aloha Quilt... new by Jennifer Chiaverini...so I'm looking forward to reading that next.
I bought a Bendable Bright Light (after seeing it on Carrie Nelson's blog) and think it is the greatest thing since sliced bread :-) One for my Bernina and one for my longarm. With aging....more light really helps those eyes function better!

Monday morning and some time to sew

2010-05-03T10:02:00.000-07:00

Marianne was nice enough to pose for me this morning :-)

And here is my giraffe in progress. Today I hope to get the horns sewn on and then I make the background. The process of making this face has seemed so difficult as my marking technique has not been very exact. I sewed in one of the eyes rather crooked and the forehead isn't very centered. But somehow it is turning how fairly reasonable...to my surprise. Which is a good thing because some of these stitches can never be undone to correct it!

3rd post today?

2010-04-28T19:04:00.000-07:00

DH has been studying about web site design so I asked him to make a quick button for me. Feel free to 'grab' it if you want a sweet golden retriever face on your blog page. I even got brave and put my own photo for my profile though I'm not sure that is going to last. Marianne says I should put hers there.

time not spent sewing (or what I did on my birthday vacation :-)

2010-04-28T11:48:00.001-07:00

The Monterey Pine forest here is not well rooted. With a usually scant rainfall and not the best soil, the roots tend to go sideways and shallow rather than down and deep. So sadly they sometimes fall. One storm a few years ago brought down over 100 trees and left much of the town without power for 2-4 days. The storms this season again brought down some trees right onto people's houses. Our neighbors have enjoyed a healthy pine but were finding the foundation of their home invaded by the roots and were getting increasingly nervous about the possibility of having it fall on their house. They made the tough decision to have it removed. I seem to get attached to trees around here and document them before they go. I am more closely attached to this one however :-) as it is now spread all over our property!

Work in action with the crane and chainsaws.

The tree work is done.

The wood was chipped and delivered to our driveway. The picture doesn't seem to show it but I swear this mound was the size of an RV.

With a little help, I shoveled and wheelbarrowed these chips for 4 days. We shared with neighbors but the pile only seemed to get bigger! I got it down to the size of VW bug and was relieved to have the help of a man with a backhoe :-) Up the hill on the other side of the fence, we needed a stump removed from a tree that fell in one of the storms. He pulled it out and then made several trips to scoop up the rest of the chips and unload them on the upper section. What a relief not to have to wheelbarrow up that hill!

Now we have continued weed control and our driveway back :-)

There is that weed control 'paper' under most of the chip area. I may decide to grow something someday but in the meantime, I'm happy with my rocks and wood chips!

Well, I do have a few flowers.

quilt show purchases

2010-04-28T11:25:00.000-07:00

I forgot to share the photo of some of the fun stuff from the show. I was trying hard not to succumb to too many temptations and to try Not to bring home new projects to start....There sure were some cool ideas out there though. What I did bring home was a quilt hanging system to try that uses very strong magnets, some fabric and a few gifts.

There are packages of note cards that have novelty fabric fussy cut and framed. There is batting behind the fabric of the animals and the lobsters (left bottom corner). The lobsters remind me of Maine so I will keep those to use for gift tags. The cows and the cats have destinations. I may try making some of those cards myself with the dog fabric.

There is one kit in there...not very well shown...that is for a quilt for my nephew or niece. Alphabet animal fabric that was too cute to pass up. It will be sewn and given to them during this summer's visit...I promise :-)

Then there is just the beautiful colors in fabric that were priced too well to pass.

The only thing I miss is the Kaffe Fassett bundle from Quilter's Cupboard that I wish I had purchased. Talked myself out of it cuz I couldn't rationalize it with the thought of who use it for (since I already have one)...thought of someone yesterday :-) Fortunately,QC is only about 30 miles away and I can still get it. Yea!

quilt show report

2010-04-26T10:18:00.001-07:00

Seven Sisters Quilt show was this weekend in San Luis Obispo, California. Seven local guilds come together and put on this show in the spring at the Madonna Inn. I was able to go yesterday and found it kind of hard to leave. The quilts were lovely and the vendors were too! My selection for photos is quite biased. The first is called Fractured Cats. The novelty cat fabric was pretty fun. It made for a bright cheerful quilt.

The next photos were of a lovely quilt that was an interesting way to combine alot of floral fabrics.

And then, of course, plaids. Just because they are plaids :-)

This quilt had beautiful lime green and purple.

And a great idea here where the quilter used up extra batik strips.

My friend,Darlene's awesome applique and design work. I think she wrote that she was 'using up' fabric too!

This one was lovely colors and kind of looked like a Courthouse Steps which is one of my block favorites. I didn't get a picture of the back..but it had hearts on it. The quilter quilted from the back following the heart fabric which made for a lovely quilting pattern on the front.

This one was just bright and interesting.

And here come the animals. I just like these bears.

And of course, most of all....the giraffes. This was a wonderful pictorial. This guy had alot of expression in his face.

and another giraffe quilt with extravagant applique added.

A definite highlight to the day was to happen upon a fellow blogger! I follow Melanie's blog, Crazy About Quilts, and recognized her from her picture. She was there with 2 friends and it was quite a fun moment to move from written word and pictures to real people. As I have never moved passed having a quilt for my identifying photo with this blog, she would never have known who I was unless I walked around holding it up all day :-) So I overcame my ~~dislike of every photo of myself,shyness~~ pride and suggested we have our picture taken together for the record. It was worth it :-) Melanie has a definite brightness in her smile and spirit. As true in person and in her pictures.

Nancy Brown Class

2010-04-11T09:03:00.000-07:00

I stumbled on a planned class for a local guild a couple of weeks ago and was blessed that they still had an opening. Nancy Brown had the quilt, "Oh, my", showing at PQIF in 2004 and I think it became my most favorite all time quilt. Pictorial quilts have not been my favorites always but her quilts are a definite cut above! She is teaching at Empty Spools quilt retreat at the end of June this year. I'm very tempted to try to go. She's an excellent and fun instructor.

Yesterday's class was wonderful. We learned her applique technique and had instruction in foundation piecing a background as well as making a pattern from photographs of our own animals or wild animals. Most of the day was spent appliqueing (is that how you spell that?) the pattern she gave us of a giraffe. I'm slow so I only got 5 spots sewn onto her neck.

I'll show more pictures of her quilt pictures in another post. It was a very fun day. Almond Country Quilt Guild knows how to host a wonderful class!

walking with the dogs...

2010-04-07T10:13:00.001-07:00

When I was a young one, I apparently had the habit of adding to the dinner table conversation often starting with "when I was walking with Paula..." Paula was my neighborhood friend and I guess we found some interesting (to me) stories to share. I don't remember this 'habit' but my older sister does :-)

But now I do hear myself often saying "when I was walking with the dogs..." And it happened just like that about 2 weeks ago! I was walking the dogs around the neighborhood and noticed someone's license plate bracket that read "Dogs for Diabetics". I live in a neighborhood that has homes for rent on a weekly basis to allow visitors to enjoy the central coast. The next day some of these visitors were out in front of the house loading up this mentioned car and I had to ask about the dogs for diabetics. Well, these ladies were quite friendly and loved on my dogs till Wendy came out to tell me more about the D for D's. She fosters the dogs while they head on their way for more training. Very cool service!

As they were getting ready to go somewhere, I had the feeling I knew where. I was right. These ladies are quilters and they were headed to my favorite LQS, Quilter's Cupboard in Atascadero. This brought more to talk about and I ended up with a lovely invitation to join them for dinner and a show n tell the next evening. It was great fun and yet, I forgot my camera :-(

Fortunately, Sharon didn't :-) So head on over to her blog and read the posts about these very fun women and their yearly visit to my neighborhood! Quiltgranny's Shoes

catching up

2010-04-04T17:19:00.001-07:00

Here's Marianne and Elinor holding down the cowboy dog quilt before the binding went on.

Here are photos of it completed. It's raining here today so these are indoor shots. I was trying to show the quilt pattern but you can't hardly see it even when you are looking right at the quilt. Oh well, I liked the idea of it. I used the Stetsons & Boots pantograph which was fun even if it's hidden :-)

Dawn awarded me the Beautiful Blogger Award last week. Which I must say felt kind of fun :-) My blogging is at a fairly slow pace with the intent of participating so that I'm not just an invisible lurker gleaning all the inspiration from quilters adding so much to the quilting world. And trying to add something that hopefully inspires someone else. The award comes with some tasks to keep the fun of it passing. To mention the blog award and who gave it to you with a link to their blog. To share 7 interesting things about myself. Hmmm. And to nominate 7 other blogger sites that I enjoy.

Interesting things about myself....probably only in the eye of the beholder but here goes. I've been a nurse for 32 years, mostly in the ICU.

I work in the ER now but still feel like ICU is a better fit for me.

I am looking forward to retirement in 7 yrs and 46 weeks :-)

Animals of most any kind stir my heart. Life without dogs and cats would be too hard to live.

I live on the beautiful Central Coast of California and sometimes pretend I'm really in Maine. yea, explain that one!

Anne Tylers' Ladder of Years is one of my most favorite books as the main character sort of inadvertantly 'runs' away and starts a new life. The idea is always in the back of my mind. Except no one traveling with 3 dogs and 2 cats inadvertantly goes anywhere :-)

I love to sing worship music really loud when I'm alone driving my car.

Now for blogs I love to read...A Simple Girl, Eclectic Quilter,Magnolia Bay Quilts,Quilt Hollow, Lazy Gal Quilting,JulieK Quilts, and Crazy About Quilts.

There are actually many more so please consider yourself all awarded by me as wonderful blogging friends. Feel free to pass on this award to others that inspire you or just enjoy the recognition. It is always good to blog without obligation...even if I can't figure out how to get that little BWO sign with the crow on it to show up on my blog page...

quick post to announce the winner

2010-04-01T19:57:00.000-07:00

I am home from a busy day in the ER where I seemed to have to admit all my patients. This is not the usual. We like to send people home and happier. Not happening with me today though. Anywho...I'm headed back there early in the morning so I am making a quick announcement here for the Happy first Anniversary giveaway. Thank you so much for all the fun and sweet comments. It has been a fun and fast adventure.
So Mr Luckypup was eager to help pull the names out of the hat and I am happy to announce that Marj from Eclectic Quilter is the winner of the pattern and fabric. This turns out to be a very cool way (at least for me, anyway) to celebrate her kitty, Bandit, coming home from the hospital with improved health. I haven't met Bandit personally, of course, but I know he is a big help in the quilt room :-) So Congratulations to Marj and Wahoo! Bandit, I'm so glad you are home again and doing better!
More later...when the days are opened up for stitching.

First year anniversary

2010-03-25T09:49:00.000-07:00

What an interesting year it has been! I have learned from blogging (HTML strike outs, and hyperlinks :-), studying, and from bloggers. For a celebration giveaway, here is a pattern and some fabrics to get started honoring all those cats that help us out in our quilting endeavors.

And to celebrate all those sweet canines keeping our feet warm and our creative efforts dogged, here's a fabric collage of pups in carrying bags.

I will be posting the winner of this giveaway next Thursday so leave a comment if you are interested. Thank you to all who have read, commented and encouraged me through the year. I'm enjoying the blogging quilt community immensely.

Baby quilts

2010-03-14T18:03:00.001-07:00

I delivered three baby quilts this week though I forgot to take a picture of one of them. They have flannel, chenille and corduroy fabrics in them and I quilted them with floral pantographs. Fast, easy quilts with fun baby colors and fabrics. Two were given to infants but the third one (not shown) was given to a boy almost a year old and he gave me a smile and a little squeal :-) Quite a charming response!

Mariner's Compass

2010-03-11T09:29:00.000-08:00

I tried to post on this the other day and made a goof so let me try again.
A couple of weeks ago, I was the winner of a giveaway hosted by Yuki. The pattern and fabric were included to make this Mariner's Compass block which is paper pieced and finishes at about 12". I set about to sew this and found it challenging. It took me about 4 hours to complete and I was ~~shocked~~ pleasantly surprised to see that the outer circular edge fabric and compass actually came together smooth enough! Thank you, Yuki. I would never have gotten around to trying one of these blocks without your gift and inspiration.
Yuki is fortunate to have lovely feline helpers in her studio and I want to thank Snowflake (her beautiful white cat) for picking me as the winner of the giveaway :-)

Twinkle

2010-03-09T16:02:00.000-08:00

Splurged with buying just a small amount of Kaffe Fassett fabric recently and made the quilt pattern shown at my favorite LQS, Quilter's Cupboard. I made only enough blocks for a small quilt and because I'm such a genius and purchased eighth of yard swatches instead of quarter yard...I shrunk the block size also. It worked out though and I loved being able to sew it up very quickly. The pattern is called Twinkle and I enjoyed sewing up all these bright fabrics.

It still needs to be quilted so I'll post it again and show you the gorgeous green fabric I am using for the back....it's called Cactus by Kona Bay Cottons.

messing with blog pictures

2010-03-03T10:10:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I added Picasa to my tool box and set up a quilt album slideshow to play on my blog. It is best at the bottom of the page because of the narrow width on the side of my blog template. Would love for you to check it out :-)

I've been busy sewing and have some partially done projects but today I want to show a couple of sweatshirts that I appliqued for my mom. She is so tiny that I wished I had made the dog smaller but it looks cute on her anyway. She is always cold even when working away in her garden so she wears sweatshirts all year long.

P.S. If you want to add Picasa to your blog too...right click on the pictures and it pulls up a link for you.

almost a finish

2010-02-24T19:21:00.001-08:00

Here is the Lone Star top completed..or at least I think it is. I'm going to audition the blue fabric for a border. The pattern calls for just a binding for the wall hanging and I may go with that idea. Probably a wide binding. With 7 seams coming together in the middle, I'm amazed it actually lays flat. The instructions were to have the seams pressed open but I'm not sure that was possible. I'm going to look at it a bit more and see if I can tidy it up.

But right now, I'm tired and I'm going to go watch a movie.
Hot chocolate, anyone?

Lone Star technique review

2010-02-23T17:38:00.001-08:00

I chose to do this lone star quilt hanging mainly because on QNN a long time back there was a demo that showed the quilt using these cool cowboy fabrics that I had in my stash. The technique was using the Quiltsmart product which has the pattern laid out on fusible web. The directions are pretty clear and there is more available online.

I started with cutting rectangles from 4 fabrics. Place the first one in the designated section on the fusible pattern and iron it down. The second rectangle is placed sideways at the bottom of the first using the several marks for specific placement and then a diagonal line is used to sew it down. That second piece is then ironed down and the step is repeated keeping the order of the fabrics rotating.

At first, I struggled with getting the edges even when I folded it down over the line sewn on the diagonal. I was concerned this would end up making the seam allowance too narrow or somehow mess up where the seams would meet. When I sew, the piece is turned over with the interfacing on top to follow the lines. So I am sewing on a line that may or may not be accurately correlating with where it should be on the fabric. This however did not end up to be much of a problem so I'm just getting it as accurate as I can.
The technique & tool are good in that there are no bias edges to deal with. Since I am sewing a short line in the midst of this large piece of interfacing though it took awhile to get used to it. No speed piecing here! For the wall hanging that I am making, having the interfacing left in is not a problem. Were this going to be a quilt for use, I don't think I would like the feel of it.
I hope to get the remaining diamonds sewn tonight and then add the background pieces. I'm going to enjoy finally seeing this up on my wall when it's completed. The blue fabric has working ranch dogs :-)

I'm a little bit crazy

2010-02-21T14:29:00.000-08:00

and it shows up in my sewing room. I'm really still about 8 years old even though I've lived about 5 more decades since. I like to 'keep' little treasures and keep them out where I can look at them all the time. These treasures must include the cats and dogs in my life. So I have dog beds in just about every room and in my sewing room alone, I have at least 5 cat beds (for just 2 cats).

I have 2 Krinkle sacs that I'm trying to entice the cats to crawl in. No success yet but at least they aren't running from them anymore...I thought cats loved these things! I must just believe the advertising.

More to the point of a blog about quilting though...the picture on the left shows the left end top of my cutting table. I have plastic boxes with projects waiting to be done. Some of these have been waiting awhile. One box has leftover fabric from a quilt already completed....need to decide if it should go into general scraps or be used in yet another quilt by itself.
Another box had this Lone Star pattern which I have now pulled out to start. It is supposed to be an easy way to sew this but it looks a bit daunting. Fortunately, there is a note to check the website for a tutorial.

even better, Elinor has come to help :-)

Beach House finish finally

2010-02-19T10:08:00.001-08:00

The extra wide binding was sewn on actually a couple of weeks ago with the help of Elinor crawling onto my lap to sit. She never does that so I took it as a hint that she must just really like this quilt. As she has continued to sit on it wherever it is..I have decided it must be hers :-) And though I don't have a very good picture, she does look lovely on it.

In the meantime, I sewed together some flannel scraps for a baby quilt and promptly came down with yet another cold. It seems to be a rough winter in the ER this year and my immune system is not yet up to par. I will surely 'get over it' and be immensely grateful that it isn't anything much serious.

To keep myself entertained, I have been perusing quilt books for inspiration. There is an overwhelming amount of it! I received Bonnie's Adventures with Leaders and Enders and am really enjoying all the tips she has for use of scraps. Another book, Scrap Basket Surprises is from Kim at Magnolia Bay Quilts. I started reading the pattern instructions more closely and was indeed surprised at the simplicity of the blocks. These patterns are quite approachable and soon to be future quilt projects.
Sew, I have a few baby quilts to sew when ~~my head stops hurting~~ I am back to having fun.

Lucky Day

2010-01-28T15:32:00.000-08:00

The final stitches for this Retreat have been sewn and Beach House is now a quilt top. Thank you all for checking in and keeping me sewing. Today was a challenge even though I only had 6 seams to sew...the phone kept ringing and I wondered if I could even get them done. But alas, I did and even got the photograph uploaded. Next week I will hope to get it quilted and stitch an extra wide lime green border on it.

Mr Luckypup has helped me with the draw for the give away and I'm happy to announce that Darlene from Quilting Daze is the winner of the pink sewing tin. I will send it off with some Valentine treats inside and good wishes for many daze of happy stitching. (Darlene, please email me your snail addy :-)

Today was also my lucky day as I received this lovely package from Marj at Eclectic Quilter who had sent this lovely blue fabric and bluebird pattern.

I enjoy reading your blog, Marj, and will have a good time with this fabric and pattern. Thank you!

back to stitching

2010-01-28T09:27:00.001-08:00

Yesterday was taken up with doctors and errands and a hot fudge sundae for my injured DH. But is was a productive day and the sun was shining.
Today, I have my helpers ready to go here and we are sewing the rows together on Beach House. Instead of purchasing backing fabric, I actually found two choices right in my own stash. I am going with Mr Luckypup's choice of a blue check from an older line from Robyn Pandolph when she was with Moda.

I found an ironing board cover for me and some Valentine's candy to share.

More later...and the name of the give away winner :-)

It's a beautiful day!

Day Two with Beach House

2010-01-26T13:28:00.000-08:00

We are off to a good start here. Elinor is checking out my work. The dog girls are keeping me company just outside the path to the ironing board.
I was able to make more blocks for a bigger quilt 52 x 65 or so. I even have enough fabric to make the extra wide binding so this is cool. The 'retreat' will be interrupted tomorrow while I take my mom to the doc's in the morning and Mr Luckypup to the orthopod doc in the afternoon. This will however facilitate me shopping for some backing for this quilt. I'm hoping someone has some Beach House fabric or something else beautiful that will work. I have a 30% off coupon at Beverly's so I'm hoping 'she' is the one :-)

The rain 'storm' didn't start till after midnight but has continued at a respectable pace till now. I think it is slowing enough to get out for dog walking.

We will dress appropriately...mainly just to entertain the neighbors.

Hope to keep stitching with you after our walk. Thank you all for joining in!

Beach House Progress

2010-01-25T23:02:00.000-08:00

Bridget, here in the 'dog cave' by my sewing chair was my only help at the start. We cleaned and oiled the machine and got to sewing the charm squares I had cut. The pattern turned out to be even easier than I had remembered...that is if I ever looked at it. In not wanting to let a fabric group go by without me having a part of it, I seem to have gotten into the habit of buying quilt kits without too much concern for the pattern. I just know I want the fabric and don't have the wherewithal at the time to come up with my own idea of what to do with it. This one is working out well because I really don't have alot of time or brain power at the moment for something complex. I am just having fun. This fabric is lovely.
The pattern, I think, is a free one from the Moda site called Charm Thursday. (I'll include it in the give away box) It uses the charm squares without much cutting and no waste.

Bridget and I finally got some assistance after we got to sewing. Marianne showed up to make sure I knew what I was doing.
Mosley wanted to see if he was being left out. And Elinor thought she would just get some exercise in since we were all busy.
Apparently that wore Mosley out.
Then Sandy finally came in to check on the party.

It is too wild here :-) I have 63 blocks sewn which is the number I think I need although I have alot of charms left over so maybe it could be bigger. I'll lay it out tomorrow and see how it goes. I'll have more pressing to do when I see which way they are going together.

Quilting Retreat at the Beach and a Giveaway

2010-01-25T17:13:00.000-08:00

The dogs have been walked, the groceries purchased, wood brought in for the fireplace and the storm is late arriving...I think it is time to sew!
I could work on UFO's but I think it is time to pull out something kind of new...as in I bought this kit last spring at the quilt show. Still feels new to me.
It is a fast and simple pattern with gorgeous Moda charm squares and some faded lime green for a wide binding.
To celebrate finally getting a good start here, I'm inviting anyone with free time to join me. I'll share some pics of how it's going as well as the chocolate and beverage of choice (mine is English Breakfast or Diet Coke, of course).
I was listening to Sarah Boyle and have moved on to Michael Smith. Let me know your suggestions for music. I love it all.
And for an early start to Valentine's, I have a cute pink sewing notions box for a give away. More surprises inside that of course will include some sweets for the sweet.
So please join in if you can and sew through the storm at the beach with me. This retreat will be stitching it's way on through Thursday and I'll announce the winner that evening. Extra entries will be for the quilters who have already added themselves as followers since my Humble beginning but all who leave a comment will be included in the draw. Mr Luckypup will help with the draw even though he only has the use of his left paw. Thank you all for the fun start in blog land.

what a week

2010-01-24T18:00:00.000-08:00

Started out Sunday with the first of the California storms. Monday morning was my presentation for work...it was going OK...didn't think I was too nervous until my mouth was dry and it sounded like I was slurring my words. I think my body was betraying me! Came home and took the dogs for a walk during a brief lull in the rain and came back to find DH waiting patiently for me to take him to my place of employment...the ER. Poor guy tripped on a cord and was afraid he had broken his shoulder. He did :-(
So for several weeks, he is stuck with a sling and shoulder immobilizer till it heals. Fortunately, it is not likely to need a surgical fix. He is doing pretty well and knows from lots of experience how to treat his nurse, cook, chauffeur, and you name the skill...

Then sometime Tuesday, I think?, most of the town lost power and cable (read TV and internet!) Bummer...although, remember this? At least we had heat and lights and a refrigerator that kept food from spoiling. We were so glad that we finally got that job completed. The cable and town power wasn't restored till Thursday and then had a few more hitches Friday but we have been back online without further troubles so far.

Once I recover from this weekends shifts, I'll see if there is hope for any quilting but bigger priorities seem to be prevailing at the moment. Things could be much worse so I am just feeling grateful for the supports already in place...like a back up generator and NO trees falling on my mom's house or ours.
Take care y'all. I hope to have quilt progress pics to show again soon.

something fun I learned

2010-01-15T11:56:00.000-08:00

I always crack up at what they call 'strikeouts' when I read them in others blogs. It is when you write a word then 'cross it out' in a fashion that still shows it for reading. Like I am ~~enraged~~ mildly irritated.
My DH helped me learn how to do it the other day when I asked. It was a treat to myself for learning PowerPoint :-) Now I just hope I can come up with another example to use.
He said it was my first use of HTML...hypertext markup language.
Like: I have my sewing room ~~messily~~ creatively arranged.

If anyone else is interested... I don't seem to be able to type the explanation...it keeps just crossing out the words! But I learned by googling the word strikeout and another person's blog came up with the explanation.

still waiting for the time to sew

2010-01-12T10:24:00.000-08:00

The tiny baby quilt is being sent off today but not a single stitch or rotary cut has followed that finish. Instead I am learning PowerPoint and putting together a presentation on Strokes for next week's Base Station meeting...not all bad as there are handsome firemen and medics attending :-)

The funny thing though is that when I was in grad school, IBM Selectric was the big deal. PowerPoint and the Internet is quite a different playing field! Fortunately, I don't have to re-invent the wheel here and can use the wonderful information from the American Heart Association and some other stroke sites.

On a happier note...no strokes here...my mom celebrated her 88th birthday in style. And her sweet adorable dog, Ruby is still very photo worthy.

Next week however...I'm sewing!

some computer learning and blocks

2010-01-05T11:41:00.000-08:00

New baby scheduled for a friend next month and I'm using up leftover blocks from the last baby quilt to make one for her. In trying to balance out the dark and the similar, I use my camera as a 'design wall'. In the camera software(on the computer) I finally figured out how to put the pictures side by side to compare and see which order I liked best. I think I'm going with the one on the left.

Next I want to learn how to attach the 'button' for Bunny Tales new block of the month. I've got the picture but want it to be a live button so readers can check out her site. Any hints?

And for work...I'm hoping to learn PowerPoint for a presentation I need to do soon. Busy year of learning already!

well, wahoo! I just figured out that 'button' thing. Check out Bunny Tales

December

2009-12-19T11:22:00.000-08:00

Still a bit 'out of whack' here with quilting and blogging...but have hopes for better focus in the new year. Here are a few pics of crafty/sewing things I managed to sneak in during the past month. First is some fabric stuffed candy canes that I will stiffen and antique for completion...as soon as I finish stuffing the other ones. This idea is from Carrie and Rosie at Miss Rosie's Quilt Co

The next photo will hopefully not make you seasick looking at the awkward angle but it is simply a table cloth quilt with Debbie Mumm's Noah Noel fabric. I can't even remember how long ago that I bought it but it made me feel happy to pull out something that I could quilt quickly to count as finished. It is a good thing to go shopping in one's own cupboards!

And the last picture is of Mr Mosley sitting by the table topper I made from long ago purchased Woodland Santas...also by Debbie Mumm.

This season feels better to me than past as I got an early Christmas present from my boss telling me I can go to part time in the New Year. I am thrilled...more time to recover from those 14 hours days! More energy for family and fun things! I am blessed and grateful.

Following that good news the season got even better with a visit from my friend from the north who came and walked dogs in the rain with me, baked cookies, read by the fire and even stitched some (her first quilty project!). It was an absolutely wonderful visit. Thank you Tonya!

Thank you all as well for checking in on my blogging start this year. It is kind of fun seeing my projects and notes posted 'on the screen'. I have really enjoyed seeing so many ideas and wonderful thoughts shared by other quilters through the blogging world. I pray that you all know God's Peace and Joy this season and on into the new year.

back to plan A

2009-11-17T10:56:00.000-08:00

My plans for the baby quilt to have scalloped edges fell by the wayside when I realized that I didn't have enough backing to cover a bigger quilt. There has been so little time to sew that I just wasn't willing to put it off long enough to travel to shop for more fabric...I just wanted to quilt it. So after re-timing my longarm to get the stitching back in order, I was happy to put some loops and hearts all over this little shabby chic (am I spelling that right?), romantic collection of red, white and pink fabrics.

So is finally on its way to sweet little Emelyn Kate.

almost back

2009-10-19T11:41:00.000-07:00

As you can tell, it is over a month since I posted my whereabouts...it has been a focused and taxing time but I think it has been fruitful. I passed my 'lovely' CEN test almost 2 weeks ago, then worked too many days in a row and managed to earn a cold that I'm still trying to beat. Less whining from me about it this time because it wasn't the flu or something worse. And mostly just required drinking fluids, taking Motrin and reading some good books.
Absolutely no sewing has been happening here but will hopefully start soon.
I am participating in the Quilting the Psalms group. I am thinking I will use the Cherrywood fabrics leftover from the Women of the Bible quilt. My niece really liked that quilt so I'm thinking this Psalms quilt will be for her. I'll have to see how it turns out. She was pleased with the batik quilt..."Searching for Chili Pepper Red"... so I'm hoping she will like with this one.

I found a new author, Robert Whitlow and enjoyed reading Deeper Water and Higher Hope. There's a third book in the trilogy that I will need to order. He's a lawyer and writes from that background. Fast reads and good characters.

Now the real news is that the new baby arrived early October and she is adorable. Almost even more adorable though is her proud big brother. Emelyn Kate is one lucky girl to have Kian welcoming her into the family. This is the second grandchild for my brother, Ron. I tell ya...his kids are making him and his wife look so good! Alot of love passed on down in that family.

quick note re: whereabouts

2009-09-03T09:21:00.000-07:00

Last month I studied this book to take the exam for Trauma Nurse Certification last week. Intense course but I did well and learned alot.

This month I study this huge book and take another exam sometime early October. Hope to learn alot more. After working in ICU most of my career, I have now been working in the Emergency Department for a little under 2 years. So I'm hoping to put what I've learned together and add to it.

Yesterday after a hair appointment, I was able to stop at our tiny LQS to visit with the owner and brought home these. The sewing tin is a gift for a friend and the book is for me :-) I love scrappy quilts and hope to plan for some of these. Kim at Magnolia Bay Quilts has designed some lovely ideas for quilts.

When I can fit it in though, this will be this months project for the first great grandbaby girl in my family. Don't know her name yet but she is inspiring me to try a scalloped edge. I read Kaaren's blog and first got the idea from her love for 'scalloping'. I have received several tips...one from a friend who has a special template for making whatever size I need and some from the ladies at Quilter's Cupboard where I shopped for the fabric. They helped with color choices for the border and binding and recommended sewing the edge of the scalloped edge before I cut it...actually now that I think about it...she said to actually sew the binding on before I cut it as well. The sewn edge was to hold the fabric together and actually give me a line to follow for a 1/4"seam. I'll have to re-read this note before I tackle this challenge because it is going to be a few weeks before I can do it...I will surely forget! Note to self....read instructions :-)

a visit to the lighthouse and a visit to see Ruby

2009-08-11T19:27:00.000-07:00

On the coast north of San Simeon is a lighthouse named after these rocks...Piedras Blancas. We toured today and learned about the history, the native vegetation and some of the marine wildlife that frequent the area.

The top of the lighthouse was damaged in an earthquake and removed in 1948. There are plans of restoring it but in the meantime, it still has a working light fixture. No fog horn though.

I thought some of the architecture was interesting. The window is actually on another building which houses machinery which I can't remember does what!

The rocks have a large number of sea lions resting on them.

And the next pic has a favorite beach for some Elephant Seals. You can see the sand bathers in the upper left corner and two sparring males in the water towards the middle of the scene.

After touring, we went for lunch at Sebastian's in San Simeon. And then we went to see Ruby :-)
All perked up and settling into her new home.

new luckypup in the family

2009-08-10T17:21:00.000-07:00

My mom wanted a little dog and the local animal shelter just happened to have just gotten in a pure bred Pomeranian. So Ruby, 8 years old, came to live with her today. She was not spade yet and thus had to have surgery this morning. She is still recovering from the anesthesia and decided under the bed was the best place to do that. She's probably right because we are going to have a hard time not petting her :-)
Ruby is awfully cute. It seems like so much for her to go through in such a short time...move to the pound, meet potential owners, wait over the long weekend, have surgery and then move to a new home....but that's how they do it with county animal control. At least she will have a quiet, safe place to start over.

not much sewing going around here

2009-08-06T09:30:00.001-07:00

Had to work most of the past week but stitched the border on this little baby quilt for a co-worker. The LQS had easy kits of fabric put together and so I grabbed a couple. Since the next grandbaby in our family is to be a girl, I picked up a second kit with pink, red and white in it. A very shabby chique start for her. Will start that soon.

getting to the finish

2009-07-26T16:41:00.000-07:00

Elinor here, looking out the window...and as always, away from the camera. She is sweet company even if she won't pose for me.
We have been working away stitching the binding on these placemats...only 3 to go. I tried the turn the backing over method but couldn't get the mitered corners the way I liked them. So I gave in to binding each of them..It's a good excuse to sit and sew by hand though.

Last photo is of the roosters on the back.

I'll be happy to finally put these birds in the mail this week!

2 favorites

2009-07-14T09:21:00.000-07:00

This is an Olfa ruler 6" x 24" that advertised being slip resistant. I have been using Invisigrip on the back of my rulers to prevent slipping, but I find this ruler works better. I purchased it last week at Beverly's with a 40% off coupon and am quite happy with it. My old Fiskar rulers that were my favorites had lost the markings as I hadn't put Invisigrip on soon enough. :-(

The markings on the Olfa don't seem as vulnerable. Time will tell.

Marianne is helping show my other favorite. My reordered Organic English Breakfast tea came yesterday from Donnalynn with Sensibiliteas. She really knows tea! Donnalynn shares lots of information about where the teas come from and the differences, etc. I learned that I'm taste specific to teas more from Ceylon than from China. She keeps me happy with delicious flavor :-)

Donnalynn also knows quilts and helps with the MQX quilt show in the spring....well, April, not always "springy" in New Hampshire.

too tired to think

2009-07-12T19:55:00.000-07:00

Work was simply too much to take today. So to turn my mind to things that are more fun...I have my photos of the first and latest quilts. :-)

This first beauty was actually the brainstorm of my freshman college roommate and I. Why be like everyone else, we'll buy fabric and sew it together and make coordinating bedspreads. No instruction, no pattern....can you tell it is 1970? Orange was my favorite color for years...till we 'learned what season' we were...I'm a 'winter' (remember that?)...it doesn't include orange. And as of 2006...I'm still in a lime green phase....I just don't wear it.
We never actually finished the bedspreads. My granny finally folded the thing over a really thick batt and tied it for me. I am so glad she finished it for me. What an sweet memory.

It occurred to me though that maybe I could show the first quilt I made when I was actually learning from someone who knew how... This lovely Debbie Mumm Noah's Ark quilt was made in 1994(?) on my brand new Bernina. Capistrano Sew and Vac's Steve paid for my first quilt class for the purchase of my most beloved 1090S. That class was an awesome gift!

So my latest finished quilt was actually the Imagine quilt shown in a previous post. Almost finished are these gol' dern placemats that are taking forever to make. I'm quilting 'chicken wire' and I'm going to bring the backing around to the front for binding....really hoping that works.

just a little progress

2009-07-07T09:52:00.000-07:00

The rooster placemats are coming together here. Here's a picture of the 'parts'. I have pieced the blocks and put a very dark brown border around each group. The backing is on the quilting machine and hopefully this week I'll have time to quilt the chicken wire pattern on them. I really enjoyed these rooster mug shots. The backing is a different rooster fabric that seemed to coordinate fairly well. Finish pics in a week or so...depending on how I do the binding. I'm hoping to fold the backing over and finish with mitered corners as a binding rather than cut and sew regular quilt binding.

Just purchased this cute flannel on Friday to make a baby quilt for a new great grand baby entering stage center this fall. I was sure it was going to be a boy but yesterday we got the news 'It's a girl'! This sounds pretty exciting! The parents are wonderful and the first born son is a sweet heart. He will be a nurturing big brother to the baby girl. But do you think these pale greens and blues will work? Should I pursue pink?

"Imagine" a finish

2009-06-28T17:41:00.000-07:00

I think we have overcome some of the computer issues so...Finally some quilting around here. This is a Schnibbles quilt called Imagine that I finished today. I messed with the block placement a bit to make a more obvious pattern. Lovely collection from Moda called Peace On Earth. The plaid in the group was my absolute favorite. It is a small 37" square and fits perfect for me to use when I sit at my computer or to adorn the back of my chair.

I'm working on placemats with roosters this week... when I am not headed off to work that is.

log on problems

2009-06-25T09:34:00.000-07:00

I'm having trouble with my computer locking up every time I try to pull up the blogging website/dashboard page. So I'm not sure how long I will keep trying to blog. Thanks for those of you who have checked in for my posts and I'll continue to check in with yours when I can.
Keep stitchin' :-)

doggin' it

2009-06-20T14:30:00.000-07:00

Looking at this video, one might assume we are successful at getting Mosley to get a little extra exercise using a Dog Trotter....however, we can only get him to move ever so briefly when trying to reach for the cookie. It apparently needs a motor. :-(

Oh well, I'm going back to stitching and either start the placemats I need for a gift or finish the binding on a Schnibbles quilt (as seen in left corner of video). Guaranteed success there.

Update just in!...we called the 'company' and they suggested putting the front of this contraption on wood blocks to raise it up a bit. AND it worked! Mosley was trotting away at 2.8miles per hour and very proud. Now why would we want this in the first place? We adopted Mosley last November. He is almost 8 yrs old and has some behaviour issues that I felt would be partly helped by more exercise. I walk the dogs 4 days a week for about 1.5 hours but can't do it on the days I work. Dear Husband, as sweet as he is, is not able to take them for walks but came up with this idea as a way to help them when I'm not home. This is such a huge relief. Returning this item was going to be a huge shipping challenge!

This week, we also had a long awaited consult from a trainer who has done some work with The Dog Whisperer. I've watched the shows but knew there was so much I just 'wasn't getting' and boy was I right. She helped us so much in such a short time. After owning dogs for 30 some years, I may actually become a calm, assertive pack leader :-) Thank you Cheri Lucas!

I rewarded Mosley for his efforts with a walk out in the real world with his sisters. What wonderful creatures :-)