Giving It Another Try

Back in January I posted about trying to make the
Disappearing Pinwheel block and how frustrating it
was due to the stretching of the fabric.

While reading Raewyn's blog, June 19, she posted
about this particular block and even had a link for
a tutorial, http://www.heyeshome.net.  So, I decided one
day when I had nothing better to do, I would give it one
more shot.  Today was that day as  I really didn't feel
like working on my nine-patch blocks,   The tutorial
was great and I played around with several different
sizes, which are given in the tutorial.

Much happier with the results. However, with more
practice and time, I believe I can make the block come
out a little more accurate.  This is a 6-inch block.

Decided to add borders to the block and hang it on
my little stand.  Made this out of the fabric scraps
that was left from my quilt, "Twinkle, Twinkle" that
I made in 2011.

A Little Sewing Today

Yesterday my friend, JoAnn, came down and we worked
on our Hocuspocusville (Halloween) quilt center blocks.  We
spent time cutting the fabric into two inch squares for the
16 nine patch blocks.

Today I was able to chain-piece all the squares and then
quickly sew them into the nine-patch blocks.

We have chosen to do the nine-patch blocks all in the same
rusty orange prints instead of different colors.  The cream
print we've used is what we had left from the houses
we stitched.  Using various colors seemed to detract from
the houses we have stitched and I didn't want my focus to
be on the blocks.

Now, I just need to cut and sew the quarter square
triangles to the blocks, cut the black fabric blocks that will
separate these and then I can begin to assemble the
quilt.  May not get to this part until next week with
work and the 4th of July.  But, at least I'm making
progress.

We also took time to do a little shopping at our new,
and quickly becoming a favorite of ours, quilt shop.
I also needed to pick up some little sewing scissors
for these scissor keeps I made for her granddaughters
who are staying with her.

 

Simplified and Finished!

Back in February I started making blocks for a quilt
flag, titled, "Old Glory" by Yellow Creek Quilt Designs.
As I started cutting and piecing the blocks, I realized
this was going to be a very BIG quilt.  I remember
seeing it on the wall of the quilt shop and knew it
was quite long, but for some reason it didn't compute
in my brain just how BIG and LONG it was going
to be.  Referring back to the pattern it said, "Approx.
36" x 57".  Goodness, that would never fit in my
house.

So, decided to take the blocks I had made and turn
them into a table runner.  I didn't want to waste any
more of my red fabric and I didn't want to make any
more of the different quilt block patterns.  Guess I
could have made it to go over the foot of my bed,
but by the time I thought about that possibility, I
just wanted it done and out of my hair.

I'm quite pleased with how it turned out.  I hand
quilted it and bound it with the same fabric used in
the border and blocks.  The stars at the ends are of
two different blue pieces.  It looks cute on my table
and adds a festive touch to my room along with my
other patriotic pieces.

The size is much better: 19" x 48".

I've Been Collecting......

Over the years, when I make something, I snap a picture
to keep as a record.  The pictures either end up in a
family photo album, hidden away in the photo envelope
they come in or "who knows where".  Quite a LONG while
ago, I bought me a nice "Stitch-Crafting Journal" to
keep my pictures in and to record information about
that particular item.  Have I started it??  No!

Decided NOW was the time to hunt up as many
pictures as I could, track down photo envelopes, etc.,
and take pictures, if necessary.  So for the last while 
I've been trying to identify pictures, the year I made
that particular item and if I kept it or gave it to
someone.



















Still don't have all the pictures of everything I've
made; bu,t I'm making great progress.  Today, I spent
a good portion of the day working on them and
tonight they are now organized into years.

After going through all the pictures today, I have
almost decided to put them in a nice photo album
I have.  To the side of the picture space are lines
where I can write a brief explanation and date.
Although I love the journal, after going back and
looking at it again, decided it is just too labor
intensive and I really don't have all the information
it asks for nor the time to spend on it. 

Think as I begin new projects, I'll make notes
and then can begin recording in the journal.
But, for now, I believe the photo album is the way
to go as I really want to get this project put to
rest.

Quick and Easy

I am always on the lookout for quick and easy little
gift ideas that I can make and give to friends and
as a way to say "thank you" for kindnesses shown
me or just because.....  Found this little scissor case
here:
http://www.modabakeshop.com/2014/05/scissor-case.html

These work up quickly and it is a good way to use
up orphan charm pack squares.  Plan to make a
few more this weekend, as all the ones I made
earlier have found new homes.

Two Years Later.......

......Or a little more, the Halloween Houses/Hocuspocusville
from Crab-Apple Hill are FINISHED!    Yahoo!  It has
probably been almost 2 1/2 years as I found a blog entry
for January, 2012, in which I mentioned I had just finished
my third stitchery.

These have been so time-consuming and so detailed that
I just couldn't make myself sit and stitch for long
periods of time.  Then I would tire of them and work
on something else.  But, decided they had to be done
this year or else!

My friend, JoAnn, has hers done and we have purchased
fabric for our center blocks and will start piecing those
soon.  Hopefully, I can get it quilted and the binding on
so I can hang it and enjoy it for fall.  Am thinking it
will go up about the middle of September so we can
enjoy it. 

Now to finish hand-quilting my patriotic table runner.
Hopefully, can finish it by the first of next week so I
can put it out for the 4th of July.

FYI:  We all still have our jobs at Bowman's, the
grocery store where I work.  I mentioned sometime
ago that it was being sold and we were all on
pins and needles wondering if we would have jobs
or not.  Well, the sale fell through a couple of weeks
ago and so things will continue on as before.  Such
a difference in the feeling in the store and with the
employees.  It is much more relaxed, everyone is
happy, including the customers.  Don't know if
someone else will make an offer down the road,
but for now we are back in business as usual!

"For Pink Sakes"

Today while reading my friend,  Karen's, blog she
posted about a blog hop she had come across this
morning that is in support of breast cancer.  You
can read about it here:
 http://lifesewcrafty.blogspot.ca



So, being a breast cancer survivor, this
immediately appealed to me and I knew I
could make a quilt block to send.

This is my 12 1/2 unfinished Churn Dash
block that I will mail on Monday. 

Hope some of you will take the time to
check out the blog hop and perhaps make
a quilt block to help out, also.