Monday, May 28, 2007

Blocks & thread painting



I did accomplish a bit over the long weekend. The flowers are thread painted and will be used as a fund raiser for the NSQG auction in July. I started out with a print from a fabric. Starched the fabric until it was almost like a board!!! Then put a sheet of computer paper under the fabric, dropped the feed dogs and outlined the areas to paint, with black thread. Next started out with the darkest value threads. Moved the fabric to cover the fabric print. I stitch the darkest area on the actual fabric and then worked to the lighter following the values on the base fabric. Used a combination of sulky, polyester, and cotton threads. Cut the whole thing out after pressing it flat. Now its ready to stitch on a background and add border and quilt.

The block is the result of the 9 patches I was cutting a few days ago. First you stitch a nine patch that will finish about 5". The next step is to cut that 9 patch down the center vertically, then across horizontally. This makes 4 small squares that look like a square with rectangle sashing plus a tiny cornerstone, Then these are stitched together to make blocks. I have squares cut for 11 blocks and will need 9 more to make a throw. I pressed the seams open on the nine patches and on all the seams in the blocks. Eliminates bulk at the joinings.

I think this would work on slightly larger 9 patch blocks also. This will be something to try in the future when I can spend more time cutting. Goodness knows I have plenty of scraps.

Thursday, May 24, 2007

Someone Smack ME!!!

Pulled a stupid today. Rotary cut some 9 patches into squares and irritated the Ganglion Cyst on my left wrist--- again! I KNEW I should not do this for longer than 10 minutes, but OH NO, I had to cut for about half hour. Now that nasty little cyst is hurting again. OH well, live and learn. Does make me angry that I did this, as now it will set me back with healing the little devil for another week or more. grrrrrrrrrr.

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

Taught a class today

Spent the day at quilt club teaching a class on Slice N Dice 4 patch. Lots of pretty tops will come from the days work. Forgot my camera so couldn't take pictures of the projects, perhaps some will bring them to next club meeting and show them.

Beautiful day even though it was windy.

Monday, May 21, 2007

Second Blog
















A couple more flower picture to share, The orange is of course, a Poppy and I am not sure what the purple flowers are, can't remember the name, Guess its a Sr Moment!! Enjoy

To all who read this, I have started a new blog for recording the recipes from my grandmothers handwritten cookbook. if you would like to see this go to www.RecipeRiot.blogspot.com/
I hope I got that right, plan to post some recipes almost every day for a while. I have two spiral notebooks with the handwritten recipes. The books are so spotted and fragile thought I had best record the recipes before they all disintegrate, a few will be lost as parts of the pages are gone.

Sunday, May 20, 2007

Spring




Ah spring is finally here when the fern patch is growing, the iris and phlox are in bloom. Thought I would share a few flower pictures with you all. These are also inspiration for use in the quilts I do.

The fern patch is all along the north side of my studio. Its about 10 ft wide and 30 foot long. They really are a sight when fully grown later in the season.

Iris are my favorite flowers ---however so many winter killed this season. Not sure I will replant as it gets harder to do the work every year.

The phlox were started from plants across the street before they tore the house down and destroyed all the plants there. They spread a bit more every year. This type grows about 3 foot high. Someone told me they were wild phlox, but do not know if this is true.

Haven't gotten a lot of stitching done lately, but have been sketching in my sketchbooks. Mostly haven't decided what to do with black and white quilts. Think I may do one of each and just name them Negative and Positive. What do you think?

Its been beautiful weather here the last days. into the 80 degree range during the daytime and 50 ish overnight.

The wild mama kitty brought her babies to our garage, when they get a bit older will take the mama to the vet and get her spayed and give the kittens to humane society to find homes. We will take her back and continue to feed and care for her. I finally tamed her enough to pet her, so shouldn't have to much trouble catching her when the time comes to take her in. She has two black/gray kittens and one bright orange kitten. Cute little things and want to get them good homes.

Sunday, May 13, 2007

Mothers Day


Exploding Bear Paw #2 This is a plaid version of the exploding bear paw (blue and white) that I have posted earlier. This is such a fun quilt to do, may have to make one more so all my kids get one of these quilts.

Happy Mothers Day to all Mom's --Will be rather quiet around here as yesterdays graduations will serve for Mothers Day visits too.

This is OK with me as I am a bit tired too.

Will be a beautiful day here in central USA. Actually will be a bit to warm as temps are to be in the 90's. To hot for me, but we don't control the weather.

Want to spend a part of today trying to cut something out. Wrist is still giving me problems, but it slowly is getting better.

Saturday, May 12, 2007

Graduations






graduations are over--both went well. Went to the 2 o'clock ceremony, did a quick stop at the party after, then off to the second graduation. Got there just as they were getting home from the ceremony, so made the party after. Both grandsons understood that I couldn't be both places at the same time.

Finally accomplished something this week, Did samples of two color ways of blocks I have had in my design book for ages. Found the negative/positive fabrics on a clearance sale, so just had to try them with this design. Had planned to use both in a quilt, but now I think I will do one that is mainly the negative print, and one the positive print.

Wednesday, May 02, 2007

class

Have been running again this week. My online class starts on Saturday, so will keep me jumping for a while. www.quiltuniversity.com class is Drunkards Flowers. A combination of applique and Drunkards Path pieces.

Accomplished exactly nothing this past week, well did get the club fund raiser quilt blocked and tickets made, so guess that was something.

Two grandsons graduate next weekend. Of course in different places and one hour apart so will have to miss some of both celebrations. Will go to the 2 pm commencement ceremony, then drive to the other where we will get to the party after the ceremony. Thats the way it goes though.

Will try to have something interesting to show soon.