The Perfect Summer Day

A perfect summer day is when the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, the birds are singing, and the lawn mower is broken. ~James Dent

Even though the dry spell continues, the lawn has gone dormant and I have been working overtime to keep the garden hydrated, I still can say I have seen a perfect summer day or two.  When the daylilies start to bloom not even record high temperatures can spoil the moment.  I love daylilies and thanks to this year's abundant spring rain, my garden is exploding with colour.

On the sewing front, I am happy to say my Tiny Thimble doll quilt top is now finished, made from 240 tiny thimbles, hand pieced and measuring 19 x 24 inches.  It was fun working with the Charisma fabric and I still have plenty more for another project or two.

Click on photo for clearer image.

A couple of weeks ago, I decided to update my Tea and a Good Book page.  Instead of reviewing my books as I go through them, because I am so slow, I decided to just list all the quilting books I have in my personal library.  It was fun to do and no, I didn't count how many, but back in January 2010, I was up to 156 quilting books.

Okay, don't laugh.  Yes, that is a headlamp!  Sometimes, for a change, it is nice to sit in other places where the lighting isn't as good, as at my favourite chair and this little gadget works perfectly.  And, the cats love it too.  They chase the light across the floor and up the walls.  It has a zoom on it so you can focus the light directly on your project and low/high light settings.  You are laughing aren't you?

Until next time....happy quilting!

Karen

A Needle and Thread Kind of Week

Spring is in the air and with it came lots of snow.  The poor flowers appeared and then disappeared under a heavy white blanket, but without a doubt they will reappear.  In the meantime, all warm and cosy inside, I have been busy working on a variety of projects.

Hand quilting is almost completed on my Confetti doll quilt and the binding is ready and waiting to finish it off.

Well hand quilting I tested out the Clover Protect and Grip Thimble which is made from flexible rubber, but I soon set it aside.   It was so flexible as you press down on the needle the metal tip wobbles all over the place.  I think it was designed for the tipsy quilter!  I find the rubber is just not firm enough to support the metal tip.

I also finished cutting out the stars for my Friendship Star doll quilt and began hand piecing them on the weekend.  Just three more to go!   I also made freezer paper templates, selected fabric and began cutting out the applique pieces for my next Civil War Bride block.  And, a little more hand piecing of Klosjes and the borders around my Shades of Autumn POTC blocks.

198 Klosjes Completed

18 made last week

So, all in all, last week was pretty good quilting wise and the way the sun is shining today, the snow should be gone in no time.  Thursday I will be back with my March Clamshell Report, progress has been very good, and now my fingers are crossed for another productive week.

Until next time.....happy quilting!

Karen



Veranda Views

Veranda Views had me excited from the start, because I love to spend time in the garden.  Fabric selection was pretty easy.  I had a few pieces in mind and just added to them.

Then I stitched it all together and didn't like the end result.  It was way too busy with all the different fabric and the stitchery was lost.  I took it apart (January 2010) and used the pieces for Quilters' Compost.

Since then, I selected three fabrics that went nicely together and hoped for the best.  It only took a little over a year to attempt it a second time, but it turned out much better than the first time and the focus remains on the stitchery. 

Click on photo for clearer image.

I did change it some from the original pattern by adding more sashing and I tried not to increase the overall quilt size too much, so as not to tip the balance.  It looks nicer in person then in the photo and I am pretty sure I will not be taking it apart again. 

Well working on Veranda Views, I had a chance to test out my Center-to-Trim Guide by Dritz.  Normally I work on blocks that have already been cut to finished size, but for Veranda Views you cut them larger and then trim back when finished.  This was a first for me and I was pleased with the ease of the Center-to-Trim Guide.

In the close-up photo you can see a series of measurements and dots.  First you find the center of your block and mark it, through the hole, with a wash away pen.  You continue to mark in the same way, for the size of block you desire.  Then, with a ruler and rotary cutter, you trim down your block.  So fast and easy!

Do you remember my Brother PC3000 sewing machine ordeal?  I drove by the repair shop the other day and guess what; they have gone out of business!  Now, doesn't that explain a few things?

Until next time.....happy quilting!

Karen

Sew Saturday, Sew New!

Sew Saturday had a theme this week, it was all about new.  New to you, that is.  Trying something new, learn something new and starting something new.  First up was a new gadget, so I decided to give the Twin Pointed Stab Stitch Quilting Needle a try, a gift from my sister a couple of years ago. 

When I first started hand quilting I tried the stab method with a regular quilting needle and a handheld hoop, but had a hard time keeping my stitches uniform.  The stab method is intended for tabletop or floor frame quilting, which I rarely do.  I prefer the handheld hoop. 

Anyway, out came my little floor frame and after poking my finger about six or seven times, I got the hang of the twin pointed needle and was pleased with my nice straight stitches and how small I was able to make them, but it did take more time than the rocking method.  Maybe with more practice it would be just as fast.

Next up was learning something new, so I decided to try Sashiko.  There again, I have had all the fixings to try it for a couple of years now.  Basically, if you can do the running stitch, you can do Sashiko. 

The thimble is interesting, as you place it on your middle finger (with flap pointing down) to protect the palm of your hand when you push the needle through.  It comes with a traditional needle (2 inches long) and a modern needle which is shorter and has a larger eye.  I didn't get very far, but sure did enjoy it. 

Then, on to a new quilting project, which I had a few things in mind, but decided to prep my next doll quilt.  From Kathleen Tracy's book, Prairie Children and Their Quilts, I selected, Friendship Star.  The book is designed for machine quilting, so I first had to change the measurements to adapt to templates and hand piecing.  I still have lots of prep work to do, but couldn't help myself and stopped to stitch a star.

Other things I worked on this week, Clamshells, Quilters' Compost and my Civil War Bride block and did the prep work for my Block Book.

Before Christmas Ellen sent me a copy of her Block Book pattern, which you can purchase at her web shop, along with many other wonderful patterns.  If you like to hand piece, then you are going to love this book, perfect for my Dear Jane blocks.  It is a great way to layout and store your prepared block pieces. 

Ellen has posted about the Block Book on her blog, so be sure to have a look at the pretty cover and the inside of the book.  I will show you my cover when I get it all stitched together, and then I will turn it into a wonderful book.

Until next time.....happy quilting!  

Karen

New Gadget

Before I put this little gadget away, I thought I would show you what I found during my road trip to Shipshewana, Indiana.  It is a needlepuller for hand quilting.  Ellen uses one and I was very surprised and delighted when I came across it at Yoder's, my favourite quilt shop in Shipshewana. 

A little pricey at $10.99, but I was looking for something better then rubber disks and scissor forceps.  Rubber disks work fairly well, but I am always losing them and spend more time searching around my chair then quilting.  They also wear out fast.  The scissor forceps are a great idea, but then tend to bend the needle.  This new gadget stays on your finger as you quilt.  Click here to see how it works.

Up next.....

 some Stash Builders from my road trip. 

 Like I need to build my stash!

Until next time.....happy quilting!

Karen

A Trip to California

My sisters recently returned from a trip to California. Upon arrival, they rented a car and headed off on an excellent adventure. Their travels took them to Malibu, Santa Monica, Santa Barbara, Morro Bay, Nipomo, Santa Maria, San Simeon, Big Sur, Carmel, Monterey, San Francisco (Golden Gate Park (Japanese Garden) and Fisherman's Wharf), Yosemite Park, Clovis, Mojave (Red Rock Canyon State Park) and other places I can't remember. So, why am I telling you this? Well, California has lots of quilt shops. That's right. Lots!

First they stopped in Santa Barbara to see Rosalind Perry. You may recognize the name, as she is the author of three books about and the granddaughter of Marie D. Webster. I am now the proud owner of A Joy Forever and Marie Webster's Garden of Quilts.

They managed to squeeze in a few quilt shops everyday. Apparently 'cleaning up' at Betty's Fabric in Santa Maria and loved Quilter's Paradise in Clovis. Top of the list was Quilter's Coop in Temecula and they also liked, Temecula Quilt Company. I'm very excited about my two new stitchery patterns. Over the River and Through the Woods by Crab-Apple Hill and Ring in the New! by Kathy Schmitz.

Look what else I got.....

Lots of reproduction fabric

and 1930's fabric

Wool swatches and other Fall coloured fabric

A lovely mix of Asian

and some Allsorts!

And I must not forget the other goodies: a Kwik Klip for basting, John James Straw Needles for applique, a Jelly Thimble, YLI Fusible Thread for applique, Cosmo embroidery thread, Fons & Porter Pyramid Ruler, Quilters Dream black batting and a Yosemite National Park T-shirt and some nice Dellagio Caramel Praline hot cocoa. The black batting will be used for a project I hope to start this winter. I've had all the fixings for it for a couple of years now and am itching to get started.

My one sister quilts, so she knows what I like and my other sister loves to paint, so she has a good eye for colour combinations. Boy was she proud of her fabric finds. They both had fun being my personal shoppers and would e-mail me pictures from their Blackberries, but not of everything! They had to save a surprise or two!

Until next week.....happy quilting!

Karen

The Bamboo Report

I put my package of Fairfield bamboo batting (50% bamboo and 50% organic cotton) to the test. The first thing I notice as I removed the batting from the package was how soft it was and how thin it felt. So, after pressing it against my face (LOL), I compared it to the cotton batting. The bamboo batting definitely feels nicer to the touch. As for the thickness, I would say it is about the same as cotton.

Next step was to place the batting into a warm dryer for a little spin to help remove the fold lines. I then draped it over the ironing board for a couple of days. Some fold lines remained, but not deep enough to worry about. After thread basting my quilt top, I began to quilt. It was not difficult to hand quilt and maybe even a little easier then with cotton batting. Because it is not as firm as cotton batting, I would think twice before using it for wall hangings.

Overall, I liked it! I like how it feels and I like that it is a green product. Availability is an issue. Right now the only place I can find it is across the border at Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft store. Sold in packages from crib size to king size. The larger the package, you purchase, the more money you save. Plus, Jo-Ann's has 40% off coupons. I don't cross the border often, but when I do, I will be sure to pick up more bamboo batting.

Heirloom Tomatoes

Did you see Kaaren's tomato pincushion posting? How cute! After seeing that, I searched the Internet and found instructions for Heirloom Tomato pincushions. Somewhat different then Kaaren's, as they are made from circles of fabric, instead of rectangles. Instructions are provided for both methods. Also, be sure to watch for Kaaren's tomato pincushion tutorial, on Friday. So far, I have made seven heirloom tomatoes. Small like cherry tomatoes, so I could have one in each of my project boxes.

I have seen many wonderful pincushions sitting on top of old wooden spools. My plan for this one is to make interchangeable pincushions. Maybe, a seasonal series would be nice.

Until next week.....happy quilting!

Karen

Stitching Up a Storm

As I was stitching up a storm, Spring arrived in my garden.

Last weeks goal was to catch up on my BOM stitchery projects and I did just that. Bathtime and Bed'n Breakfast, from Veranda Views, are now complete. Also, the March Country Calendar block. I just couldn't help myself. I had to add a couple of shamrocks.

I look forward to Karen's Tool Time Tuesday and after reading last Tuesday's post, I headed straight for the hardware store. I purchased a handful of eye bolts, but sadly was unable to locate the other gadget. But, that's okay. We have four different hardware stores in town, so the search will continue. Upon returning home, I attached some pretty ribbon to my eye bolts and threaded them up. Then, I took one for a test drive. It was perfect! Wouldn't they make a wonderful gift?

Eye Bolt Thread Holders

Until next week.....happy quilting!

Karen

Paddle Thimble

Have you ever seen (or used) a hand-held quilting thimble? Also referred to as a paddle thimble. I bought mine many years ago, at the Creativ Festival, in Toronto. Made of stainless steel, so it will last forever.

You just lay the paddle across your hand with fingers wrapped around it. Position needle in fabric, then place thimble on top of needle. Now, quilt in usual manner. Your thumb is still used the same way on the top of the quilt and your other hand (the same way) below the quilt. Does that seem a little strange? Well, watch your hand when you are quilting with a thimble. What are your non-thimble fingers doing as you quilt? They are folded under in the same position they would be using the hand-held quilting thimble. Selling for around $15. So, if you are feeling adventurous, give one a try.

Last week, I made my first Dear Jane block. Click here to have a look. I started with the first block in the book, but will randomly select the blocks, as I go along.

Until next week.....happy quilting!

Karen

Happy Thanksgiving Canada!