Double Twisted

My Twisted Tumbler turned out a little more twisted then planned.  I carefully arranged and numbered the rows for piecing, but somehow managed to start several rows from the wrong end of the previous row.  Oh well, it definitely has the scrappy look now.  The original Twisted Tumbler has a border, but I was thinking of going borderless.

The weather is not what we would expect for December; this afternoon reached the mid 50's.  The grass is still growing and plants are starting to break ground.  A heavy frost turned the garden into a sugar coated wonderland, but was soon washed away by heavy rain.

Countdown to Christmas with Aurifil Thread

What a nice collection I will have by December 25th.

Once the calendar flips to December the main focus is Christmas, but I hope to find a little time to finish my November Sweet Nostalgia block, Making Friends and more importantly to complete my last five Dear Jane center blocks.

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

Art, Gift and Other Bits

September is a very good time of year to fall back into reading.  With autumn just days away, it is the perfect season to snuggle up in a comfy chair with a good book.   A little adventurous with my latest purchase, I look forward to exploring the unknown.  

 

Last week I received a very lovely gift in the mail from Sheila, a wonderful selection of tea and two beautiful coasters featuring birds of Australia.  I will treasure my coasters and think of Sheila each time I place my teacup upon them. 

Thank you Sheila!

134 Klosjes Completed

I can't believe I didn't make any klosjes in August, and then again, I can't believe August is already over!  So, to be sure September doesn't pass by without any klosjes, I made one today. 

These days, I am seeing hexagons and clamshells in my sleep, with lots of prep work going on.  A stitchery block half completed and a finished quilt top that I started a year ago.  I have added some applique and now I am deciding how to quilt it.  I hope to finish it soon so I can remove another project from my list.

Until next time.....happy quilting!

Karen

Simple Pleasures

Thank you Terry!

I won her Half Blog Anniversary giveaway.

Simple Pleasures by Anni Downs

Enjoying the simple pleasures of life, letting nature do the entertaining, finding a balance between activity and quiet time, and not spending a lot of money in the process. 

The new definition of luxury is life's simple pleasures.  This new luxury doesn't involve great expense, but things like time, quiet time, and private spaces.  Being able to indulge in hobbies, recreational activities, and perhaps some extra time with the family is now seen as a luxury.

So, don't let another day go by without a simple pleasure or two!

My Agenda for the Week

Baby Ralphie has been selected for completion. Machine quilting is well under way and binding is just around the corner.  It was New Project Day, last week, at Sew Saturday and I just have a few finishing touches to go.  One Flower Wednesday is tomorrow and my Dear Jane block is ready for piecing on Thursday.  And, hopefully, the weekend will be spent with my clamshells.

Until next time.....happy quilting!

Karen

A Gift from Simone

Because she enjoys Marjolein Bastin as much as I do, a gift from Simone. 

My new address book has been filled in and I am already posting notes.

Thank you Simone!

133 Klosjes Completed

11 made over a week ago!!

Time to dig into my stash, for the next round of klosjes, as this is the last of Miss Jump's Scrapbag charm pack. And, things are moving along nicely with Ring in the New!  My July block is completed and August is ready to be stitched.

We never know the worth of water till the well is dry.

~Thomas Fuller, Gnomologia, 1732

Please send a little rain my way said the garden to the gardener and the birds to the sky above.  What I would do for a little rain!  Such a hot, humid, dry summer and we still have a ways to go.  Time spent in the garden, or outside for that matter, has been kept to a minimum. 

Why is it the weeds don't seem to care if it is hot and dry, they just keep growing.  The cost of water keeps rising and where I once watered the garden every other day, during dry spells, I now only water once a week.  Sometimes this seems for not as it is rain water that makes a garden (and gardener) happy.

Until next time.....happy quilting!

Karen

Time

It strikes! one, two,

Three, four, five, six. Enough, enough, dear watch,

Thy pulse hath beat enough. Now sleep and rest;

Would thou could'st make the time to do so too;

I'll wind thee up no more.

~Ben Jonson

Is it just me or have hours turned into minutes?  Maybe it is just the changing season, with summer just around the corner, grass to cut, gardens to tend and more outs and abouts.  A couple of weeks have passed with very little time spent quilting and this makes for a very sad quilter.  It's time to regroup.  I'm hoping that by the time June comes to an end I will be able to settle into a new normal flow and the change of direction will lead me to a few extra hours, under a big old shade tree, happily stitching away. 

122 Klosjes Completed

22 made over the past 2 weeks

With a minute or two, here and there, I managed to piece together some very special klosjes, from scraps of fabric Jeannet sent me.  And, even from scraps of fabric you get leftovers, enough to make 20 1-inch squares for my Postage Stamp quilt. Thank you so very much Jeannet!

I almost went with an Aged Muslin background for my Patchwork of the Crosses Shades of Autumn quilt, but by chance, I ordered some Hoffman's Bali Hand-Dyed Bluff Watercolors and I think this is the one, a medium light neutral that will frame the blocks nicely.

Time in the garden brings a smile to my face, as Peony flowers turn into beautiful crowns.  

Until next time.....happy quilting!

Karen

A Blooming Good Time

In the garden.....

Magellanica Anemone

Tree Peony blooms .....

and  hexagon flowers for the month of May.

So, here it is, the last Wednesday of the month and the day I have selected to report my One Flower Wednesday progress.  I must say how inspired I am with all the beautiful flowers being made.  So inspired, I see a 1930's flower garden and one with a rich green background, in my future.

For the month of May, I exceeded my one flower a week and made a total of 9 flowers.  I am using a mix of Withering Heights and Mistletoe Manor, or so I think they all are!  As you can see, in the photo, my lilac blooms overtook my hexagon blooms, but I thought it made for a pretty neat picture.   I plan to piece my garden together with no separation between the flowers, very busy and kind of Monet inspired.

Welcome to the following new members: Sue, Judie, Tineke, Angelika, Pauline, Gayly, Auntie Em, Anita, Gerda, Sam, Nancy, Bente, Jeannine, Marianne, Joke, Gerda, Corrie, Sarah, Marlise, Cheryll, Martina, Yvonne, Heike, Marieke, Marion and Steffi for a total of 78 members.  Dianne (D. Kellock) please e-mail me your blog link so I can add you to the Garden Party list.

Members, if you have not seen my previous post about the Sign In sheet, please read.  With so many blogs to visit and not enough hours in the day, I'm hoping this will make things easier for you.  With so many beautiful flowers to see, I would not want you to miss a one!

If you need more hexagons in your life, check out:

Hexagon Charm Quilt Piece-Along

Look Diane, I was able to cut 123 clamshells out of your leftover Kimono quilt scraps.  They are just beautiful and I thank you for your kindness!  The Clamshell Club is scheduled to begin June 1 and by the end of the week, I should have around 800 clamshells ready for piecing.

100 Klosjes Completed

19 made last week

Here are a few more klosjes made from Miss Jump's Scrapbag.  It doesn't seem that long ago when I pieced together my first klosjes and look how many I have made now!

I read an interesting post on Vivian's blog about Moose Muffins, and the first thing that came to mind was my Postage Stamp quilt.  I'm a recycler and have a hanger full of Quilters' Compost waiting to be turned into tiny squares.  My box of squares will soon be full and when piecing begins on this quilt, I will have myself a Moose Muffin.

Until next week.....happy quilting!

Karen

Summer's Gone

It took a bit of time, but I final stitched my first Sweet Nostalgia block.  Borders will be done in 1930's fabric and I plan to add them as each block is made.  Also, I took the opportunity to test out some Cosmo thread and was pretty pleased.  It is a little smoother then DMC, but like DMC, it does fuzz some, but a very nice addition to my thread collection.

Valentine's Day is just around the corner and I have yet to make a Valentine's Day quilt.  So, for this year, my Dear Jane Valentine's block will have to do.  Vivian at Quilts and a Mug had an anniversary giveaway and I won a lovely bundle of reproduction fat quarters.  Quilts and a Mug is one of my most favourite blogs to visit, so this was a special win.  Thank you Vivian!

Are you a cat lover?  If so, you may be interested in Catalicious by Red Brolly. Bronwyn Hayes will be posting, each month, a free stitchery cat design.  Right now, I am machine quilting my Country Calendar stitchery quilt and plan to have it finished, binding and all, by Sunday.

Until next time.....happy quilting!

Karen