Building Houses 4 and 5

One house for April and another for May.

And.....

24 Klosjes

Pieced in April

For a total of 272 of 500 completed

Something I have not worked on in a very long time.

Until next time.....happy quilting!

Karen

Kaffe Klosjes Completed

248 of 500 Klosjes Completed

I needed a project to take with me well away from home for a couple of days, something that would fit in my overnight bag.  And, that turned out to be my little box of Klosjes.  The last of my Kaffe Fassett's just waiting to be stitched and that makes twenty.

Until next time.....happy quilting!

Karen

CWB Block 20

Well, I think I just appliqued my tiniest piece ever, the bird beak.  Can you see it?  You may have to enlarging the photo.  And, I also appliqued my second pair of tiny feet.   Block 20 of the Civil War Bride quilt was a nice one to stitch and unlike the previous blocks, there was room to spare without crowding the seam line.

Last week, I hand appliqued Block 20, but really should have had it done months ago.  Everything was ready to go; I just needed to make some bias stems.  Now, I don't know what it is about me and bias stems, but I always seem to put off making them.  I'm not sure why, as it is not difficult to do.  Anyway, when I finally got to making them, I made lots of stems, so I should be good for many more blocks.

228 of 500 Klosjes Completed

I have really fallen behind on my Klosjes, only six made in a little over two months and what a depressing bunch they are!  Of all the bright and happy Kaffe Fassett fabrics, I managed to bring home some dull ones.  

Time in the Pink Garden is where most of my free time has been spent over the past couple of weeks and I sure can't complain about that.  We seem to have come into a dry spell, so many evenings are spent watering the gardens.  On July 1st, as I watered away, fireworks filled the sky for Canada Day.

Right now, my focus is on my Tiny Thimbles, but I also have the urge to do a little stitchery too, so I have prepared the next Sweet Nostalgia block,  it is called The Witching Hour.  The question is will I get it done before the real Witching Hour?

Until next time.....happy quilting!

Karen



A Splash of Colour

222 of 500 Klosjes Completed

18 made in April

The first of many Kaffe Fassett spools!

Our annual spring road trip to Shipshewana, Indiana came a little earlier this year.  It was mostly sunny, with a little rain, but warm enough without a jacket.  More time than usual was spent on the road, as we decided to venture off the beaten path and explore a few new quilt shops. 

Last year, we discovered two great shops in Michigan; The Hen House in Charlotte and Quilts at the Marshall House in Marshall.  After a return visit this year to both shops, we decided to explore more of Michigan and stopped at Ann Arbor Sewing & Quilting Center in Ann Arbor, The Quilter's Garden in Fenton, The Quilting Season in Saline and The Village Quilt Shoppe in Lake Orion, all lovely shops.

The bulk of my purchases, though small, as I was careful to follow the Quilters' Diet came from Yoder's and Lolly's Fabrics in Shipshewana.  My shopping list was a short one and I found all three items; border fabric for my Flower Garden, sashing fabric for Dear Jane and more background fabric for my Klosjes. 

Also, I did carefully select a few extra pieces of fabrics to take home with me, because one does not drive 6 hours for just three pieces of fabric and besides I have been fabric free since the beginning of the year, except for a piece of muslin I purchased in February. 

Although I stuck with my Quilters' Diet by selective shopping, I didn't do so well with my food diet, as delicious food is all around you in Shipshewana.

Until next time.....happy quilting!

Karen

Splashy!

I was feeling a little splashy and needed something to take with me to Sew Saturday.  Because I am still waiting for the perfect project to come along, to use my Kaffe Fassett fabric, I thought it would be fun to make a klosjes from each piece in my collection.  I now have about 45 klosjes cut and ready for hand piecing.

And, speaking of splashy, a couple more great deals on books;  Material Obsession and Material Obsession 2 by Kathy Doughty and Sarah Fielke for only $8.00 each!  Who knows, maybe I will be back cutting into my Kaffe Fassett fabrics sooner then I think.

     

204 of 500 Klosjes Completed

6 made last week



A few klosjes to welcome Spring.



And, my first Kaffe Fassett.

 

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



Vintage Charm

The center of my Confetti doll quilt is now finished.  Being such a fun pattern to stitch, it was hard to stop.  With no repeats in fabric, you would say my quilt is charmed.

Instead of squaring up the edges with ruler and cutter, I have made up some templates.  This way I will not have to cut into the diamonds and squares.  Now, I have to decide if this round will be an inner border, or part of the border.

 

The month of January came and went and I am happy to report that it was a fabric free purchase month,  but I did go a little crazy with books.  I just couldn't resist Link to the 30's by Kay Connors and Karen Earlywine. 

Last posting, I mentioned the three books by Kathleen Tracy and I also ordered Small Blocks, Stunning Quilts by Mary Elizabeth Kinch and Biz Storms.  Plus, Quilting Line & Color, by Yoshiko Jinzenji, which is techniques and designs for abstract quilts and a book by Jean Wells, Intuitive Color  & Design, about the adventures in Art Quilting.  It's just like going back to school!

180 Klosjes Completed

10 made this week

It looks like I have been enjoying a little vintage charm!

The other day, I final got around to testing out my grandmother's Singer 301 and it seems to be running just fine.  So, on Friday, I purchased some sewing machine oil and needles, and soon she will be ready for her first assignment.   The original darning foot (for free motion) is missing, but I can easily order one and I also have my eye on a 1/4 inch foot with a quilting guide bar attached.

As for my Brother PC 3000, it has been three months and the keypad has yet to come in.  What I didn't know was because the repair shop is not a Brother dealer they cannot order Brother parts, they order from a distributor which sells parts that will work in a Brother machine.  I didn't like the sounds of that and told her to cancel the order. 

After thinking long and hard about it I have decided not to get it repaired.  I am not willing to travel as far as the nearest Brother dealer is located and the keypad and installing of it will cost almost half of what I paid for the machine.  Not worth it for a machine I rarely use.  If I was ever to buy a new sewing machine, I would be sure to leave all the bells and whistles at the store.

Now, I can still use the machine, but the needle is locked in the left hand position.  Why one would sew with the needle to the left is beyond me, but I tested it out and am still able to attach my walking foot for quilting, but not my 1/4 inch foot, as this requires the needle to be in the center position, but I did find another foot in my bag of goodies, that works like a 1/4 inch foot, so piecing and binding is still possible.  And, because the free motion foot has a wide opening, it should work with the needle in the left position.

So, all is not lost, just the parts of the machine I never really used.  Sure wish I thought of this three months ago!

Until next time.....happy quilting!

Karen

Sweet and Delicious

So sweet and delicious to indulge in applique once again.  I'm back working on my Civil War Bride quilt and about halfway finished block ten.  This will be my fifth block of twenty.  The stems and strawberries have been appliqued and now I'm working on the berry tops and leaves.

Prepped and ready to go are thirty 1930's Klosjes.  That also finishes up the last of my background fabric, but I have been on the lookout and was successful in finding other fabrics that match nicely.  So, I am still aiming for 500.

Hanging among the tablecloths was this long since forgotten cross-stitch, of quilt blocks, from 1996.  A pleasant surprise, but I really don't know what I would do with it other then hang it back in the closet.

My Sewing Chair

Polka-Dot Girls

I can't tell you how long I have been working on this block, but it sure felt good to finish it up over Christmas along with my last two Ring in the New! blocks.

December

I will honor Christmas in my heart,

and try to keep it all the year.

Charles Dickens

November

How bountiful is the good earth.

I am a little overdue for a One Flower Wednesday report, but I have been working on my garden, every Wednesday at teatime and now have 43 flowers joined together. 

As I piece my flowers together I continually change my thread to match the colour of the darker of the two flowers I am joining together.  This way, I don't have to worry about that odd stitch that makes its way to the top of the quilt being noticeable.  Does anyone else change thread colours as they go along?

Last Saturday, at Sew Saturday, I spent the day working on my Confetti doll quilt.  I just love the diamonds and squares pattern and as each row is added the more I love it.  About three more rows to go, then the center will be finished. 

And, speaking of doll quilts, I ordered three of Kathleen Tracy's books; Prairie Children and Their Quilts, Remembering Adelia and her soon to be released book, The Civil War Sewing Circle.  The first two books have arrived and I like what I see.  It is going to be a fun year of little quilts.

Until next time.....happy quilting!

Karen

Christmas Break

This will be my last post until the New Year, as I am running on empty and the holidays are fast approaching.  I need to focus on Christmas preparations and catch up on some much needed rest.

Maybe it is an age thing, but every year seems to pass by faster then the last.  It has been a wonderful blogging year and I thank you for your company.  I look forward to reconnecting in the New Year and all the inspiration to be found along the way. 

170 Klosjes Completed

7 made two weeks ago

My sewing room has been organized from top to bottom and now the untrained eye would not know of my quilting hoarder ways. I did ask Santa for more time to quilt, in the New Year, so I will just have to wait and see what he leaves in my stocking.

Sashing is starting to go around my Shades of Autumn POTC blocks. Three of the sixteen blocks are now completed and I am very pleased with the results.  You can see the colour of the Bali Bluff fabric more accurately on a previous posting.

Over the holidays I hope to finish the last two blocks for my Ring in the New! stitchery and work on other hand piecing projects. I will also continue joining my flowers together, each Wednesday, for One Flower Wednesday and plan on visiting any Garden Party members that post over the holiday season.

May the spirit of Christmas bring you peace,

The gladness of Christmas give you hope,

The warmth of Christmas grant you love.

~Author Unknown

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas!

Happy Holidays!

Until next year.....happy quilting!

Karen

CQH

163 Klosjes Completed

14 made last week

The last of my fall klosjes completed and just in time, as the busiest month of the year approaches.  Before Santa arrives I hope to have a few Christmas klosjes to show you. 





My name is Karen

 And I am a

Compulsive Quilting Hoarder

The day a stack of fabric filled containers came crashing down to the floor; I knew I had become a Compulsive Quilting Hoarder.  After taking a good long look around my sewing room, I realized that it had become too small for all my quilting stuff.   

In hoarding terms, my sewing room would be called a clog.  In my clog I have several clots.  A clot is a "work in progress" or an "unfinished project" that sits around, unmoved for years at a time.  Does this sound familiar?  I am also obsessed with fabric and wonder just how many yards of fabric one needs to have before they can truly be called a hoarder?

One of my big goals for 2011 is to decrease my quilt related shopping.  I'm not too worried about it, I'm pretty sure I can do it.  I also need to decrease the time I spend on the computer, because this is the only way I will be able to gain more quilting time and start using some of that stash.

This year felt like a year without applique and I missed it, so I will make that my focus in 2011.  Hand piecing will continue, which I love, and I plan to start adding some Doll Quilts to the mix.   I also look forward to getting back to hand quilting on a regular basis and relaxing with my stitchery. 

How are your goals for the New Year coming along?

Until next time.....happy quilting!

Karen

A Little Bit of Orange

Road Trip

We covered miles and miles of road and enjoyed the fall foliage along the way.  Twelve quilt shops and 23 yards of fabric later, I had a very good time indeed.   Just one photo to show you, I seem to have taken a fancy to the colour orange.  Not everything was orange; I bought lots of other colours too!

Ring in the New!  BOM

I fell behind on my Ring in the New! BOM, but now I am caught up.  If you remember, I added an accent colour to the January and February block and thought I would do the same on the October block, but I do not like it, so the moon with be changed to black.

October

Shadows of a thousand years rise again unseen,

Voices whisper in the trees, "Tonight is Halloween!"

D. Kozen

September

Mighty oaks from tiny acorns grow.

August

Whilst August yet wears her golden crown,

Ripening fields lush - bright with promise...

Michelle L. Thieme

Lucy

Left all alone in a very big world, how do things like this come to be?  Looking out my window exactly when I did, I guess it was meant to be.

Say cheese for the camera Lucy!

October Clamshell Report

October was not as productive a month as September when I started fresh and stitched 67 clamshells together, but I did squeeze in a little time and added 18 new clamshells to my quilt, for a total of 85.  Just 635 to go!

149 Klosjes Completed

4 made this week

I'm seeing more and more finished and near finished klosjes quilts and they are all so beautiful!  My background fabric will soon run out, but I have found a couple other fabrics that will match nicely.  My goal is to make 500 klosjes, and then I will start piecing them together.

Patchwork of the Crosses (POTC)

Shades of Autumn

Back to working on my POTC quilt, I did a rough count and believe I need 504 elongated hexagons for sashing and the border.  The thought of tracing and cutting out that many pieces from a plastic template is delightful! 

When witches go riding,

and black cats are seen,

the moon laughs and whispers,

‘tis near Halloween.

~Author Unknown

Well, it is time for some milk and cookies, and then back to my sewing machine.  Soon I will be finished Louisa and another one crossed off my list.

Until next time.....happy quilting!

Karen

Awesome Autumn

How sweet is that?  This is just one block of many from a beautiful redwork quilt on display at a quilt show, when I was in Shipshewana.  Sadly, the photo I took of the quilt was too blurry to post.  I just love the background fabric and the detail around the block.

Now’s the time when children’s noses

All become as red as roses

And the colour of their faces

Makes me think of orchard places

Where the juicy apples grow,

And tomatoes in a row.

Katherine Mansfield, 1888-1923, from “Autumn Song”

It's beginning to look a lot like fall everywhere you go and how can you not love the sights, the smells, and the change in the weather, falling leaves, pumpkins, frosty mornings, crisp, fresh days and wood smoke in the air.  And, don't forget, spiders everywhere!  The sounds of twigs snapping underfoot and blackbirds high above, a harvest moon, acorns too and oh the sweet taste of autumn; grapes and apples and pumpkin pie just to name a few.

So, what to do with my apples....
I'm thinking a delicious pie or two!

145 Klosjes Completed

10 made this week

with a fall theme of course!

The Thanksgiving long weekend has arrived here in Canada, so that means time with the family and lots of yummy food.  Then, off we go on a road trip to be awed by the blaze of brilliant fall colour.  The GPS is programmed for lots of quilt shops along the way.  I'm sure we will be home before every leaf has fallen from the trees, but not before we have filled the car with fabric.

Until next time.....happy quilting!

Karen