Thrifty, Stitchery

Wooden clothespins, a fun and thrifty way to organize your embroidery floss.  Use a fine permanent marker to record the colour number on each pin and for storing,  how about in a lovely old wicker basket, glass top canning jars or even in an old mixing bowl? 

Click on photo for larger, clearer image

And, here is my second Hocuspocusville block,  The Toil & Trouble Employment Agency.  So fabulously fun to stitch.  Now, back to the Polka-Dot Girls!

Until next time.....happy quilting!

Karen

Squirreling Away for Winter

I am taking my cue from the squirrels, as the weather gets colder, days get shorter and the leaves soon to turn colour and fall off the trees,  it's time to prepare for winter.   As they busy themselves building up fat reserves and creating a cosy place to sleep, I too have been busy squirreling away for winter.

As I busied myself basting October Moon for hand quilting I started thinking about all the quilt tops still hanging in my sewing room waiting to be quilted, ten to be exact.  Winter is just around the corner, surely I can find some time for hand quilting.  But, so much prep work needs to be done first, preparing backing and binding for all the quilts and marking a few before basting.  I can just see it now; winter will be over before I even get started.

Well guess what, I got started!

Veranda Views

Amish Stripe

Friendship Star

Tiny Thimbles

Elegant Nine-Patch

Red Delicious

Bad Apple

Butterfly Garden

Farmer's Market

Times Remembered

Just look how many I now have basted and ready for hand quilting this winter.  Even the binding is made and ready to go.  I will continue, but with less urgency until all ten quilts are basted.  But first, I will bind October Moon.



My Hand Quilting Basket

So, as the squirrels sleep away the winter in their cosy place, you will find me in my cosy place, quilting away the winter.

Until next time.....happy quilting!

Karen

“The dog that buried the bone which even a canine appetite could not manage, the squirrel that gathered nuts for a later feast, the bees that filled the comb with honey, the ants that laid up stores for a rainy day - these were among the first creators of civilization. It was they....who taught our ancestors the art of providing for tomorrow out of the surplus of today, or of preparing for winter in summer's time of plenty."    ~ Will Durant 'Our Oriental Heritage' (1935)

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

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

Fiddlin Around

I headed off to my sewing room one evening with a purpose and before you knew it, I was just fiddling around.  The large stack of quilting magazines, sitting upon the shelf, caught my eye.  Out came the scissors and I started to thumb through the pages.  Interesting how our taste changes and I ended up saving very little. 

Next, I started going through a pile of single patterns and even though I still really like some of them I decided it was time to give them up.  My wish list of quilts to make continues to grow, so why hold onto something that most likely will never come to be.  The next day, armed with a bag full of goodies, I headed over to my sisters.  Out came her scissors and you know the rest.

I was thinking of posting a large chart on the wall of my sewing room with outstanding projects, but because I enjoy the process more then the finish, I decided not to pressure myself.  But, out of curiosity, I did make a list to see where I stand and it wasn't as bad as I thought.

Quilts in the Making:

3 ready for machine quilting (2 small, 1 medium)

5 ready for hand quilting (3 small, 1 medium, 1 large)

2 being appliqued (both large)

2 blocks to turn into something

2 being machine pieced (both small)

5 being hand pieced (4 medium, 1 large)

3 stitchery (1 small, 1 medium, 1 large)

Maybe as I did with Karen's Flower Garden, I can slowly start to allot a little time each week to each of the groups above.  Now, don't for one minute think this is going to stop me from starting new projects as life's to short for that kind of silly stuff! 

So, what's with the pattern in the photo above?

It's a giveaway!

GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED

I love this pattern, but most likely will never get around to making it.  So, if you can promise me that you will piece it together in the near future and not file it away, then leave a comment asking to be entered in the giveaway. 

Until next time.....happy quilting!

Karen

 

January

Something about January feels good. I don't mind the cold, dark, snow covered days outside my window. It's warm and cozy inside. A pretty new calendar hangs on the wall. My day planner is organized and I dream of the year ahead.

Last year ended on a tidy note. I re-organized my sewing room and then got down to business. Three more Autumn Shades POTC blocks are ready for stitching. The September through December blocks for Sweet Nostalgia are traced and ready to go, as are all 12 blocks for Ring in the New! Lots of bobbin winding took place and now the last of my DMC and Cosmo floss are ready and waiting for new projects. The last three A Tisket, A Tasket baskets are complete. And, I met my Dear Jane goal for 2009. Because of lack of contrast, I was a little disappointed with a couple of blocks.  But, it was a good year overall.  So now, on with the New Year!

This year, I think I am going to try something a little different with my blog postings. Instead of once a week, I'm going to post a little more randomly. Definitely it will not be more then once a week or too long between postings that you forget about me. I must sacrifice some computer time in order to gain more sewing time. Lots of projects need to be finished and new ones started.

January

A childhood friend who reappears with every winter's snow.

First up, this new BOM that has me all excited. The original pattern was done in all black thread and for some reason a little dot of colour was used in just two blocks. I didn't like that at first, but since changed my mind. I can now see in other blocks where a hint of colour would be nice. For example, the carrot nose on the snowman. I'm not going to add colour to all the blocks, just a few.

Feeling bad that I fell behind on my A Tisket, A Tasket baskets, I worked hard over Christmas to get them done.  Now I am ready to piece together my quilt top.  Did you notice that Anne has a new free BOM for 2010, called Snowbound?  I wish I didn't see that!

October

November

December

Well, that's it for now.  January has been a very busy month for me and looks like it will continue into February.  I'm itching to get back to my Civil War Bride blocks and other ongoing projects.  First I would like to get A Tisket, A Tasket, Veranda Views and Country Calendar pieced and quilted.  My goal was the end of January, but seeing the month is almost half over, I'm now aiming for the end of February.

Until next time.....happy quilting!

Karen

One kind word can warm three Winter months.  ~ Japanese proverb

Almost Finished

Last week I headed off in one direction and ended up going in another. It turned out to be a good thing. A quilt that I was hand quilting, about this time last year, was set aside as the Christmas season approached and I never got back to it. Well, I'm back at it and determined to finish it before the week is up. Just one more block to quilt, then the binding.

I can feel it already. The hustle and bustle of the Christmas season has begun. It would be nice to get caught up on my A Tisket A Tasket baskets before the year ends. Then three of the four BOM's will be ready for piecing early in the New Year. Though I failed to keep up with the Red Delicious BOM, I will still continue on with this beautiful quilt.

The New Year will surely bring more wonderful free BOM's. I hope to be strong enough to save them for another day. With that said, I do plan on making Sweet Nostalgia. But, this wouldn't fall into the "being strong in 2010" category, as it came out in 2009. Wouldn't you agree?

Some bloggers are suggesting that 2010 be the year of finishes. I like that idea and am going to try my best to do just that. Still, I plan to start new projects. How can you not? After all, it is the pile of projects, which wait patiently for me, on the corner of my work table, that keep me going.

We crossed the border on Friday, to check out the Black Friday sales and I managed to get the rest of my DMC floss, at even less then I paid at the previous sale. Only .26 cents a piece! Now I have the whole DMC collection. Another great purchase was wool batting at 50% off and I can not wait to give that a try.

Until next week.....happy quilting!

Karen



 

September Resolutions

January is the time of year for resolutions, but I think September is the perfect time to revisit your goals. A time to reorganize, make decisions and get back on track. For me, this would not be possible without my little black book. It holds my list of needed supplies, for new or current projects. It also holds fabric swatches, lots of doodles and an inventory of all my quilting tools, patterns, threads, etc. I don't leave home without it!

Every year I resolve to be a little less the me I know and leave a little room for the me I could be.

I'm going to have to blame the Civil War Bride for my falling a month behind on my baskets. Anyway, here is my A Tisket A Tasket August Basket.

I had a little freezer paper scare. Three grocery stores before I found some. What's with that? I love freezer paper for applique and making my Dear Jane templates. I don't know what I would do without it. Two boxes came home with me, but I'm feeling a need to stock up.

Until next week.....happy quilting!

Karen

BOM Week

Firstly, I would like to thank Robin, from Crafty Musings, for the Kreativ Blogger Award. Robin is a busy little quilter. Her Jane Stickle blocks are fantastic and the Autumn House BOM, she recently started, is right up my alley! I look forward to seeing each block. Thanks again Robin.

What's that? More free BOM's! Have you seen, Baltimore Bliss, Season of Grace and Geese in the Forest. Sadly, I will have to save these for another day, as my project boxes are full. Or, maybe I could purchase a few more project boxes!

Last week, I did a little more organizing. Once I found out the shelf life of DMC floss, I decided to better organize mine. I'm still working on it, as I have about 250 older skeins. The new floss can wait. Because the skeins unravel and lose shape, I decided to transfer them to bobbins. They will be stored in DMC's floss organizer boxes.

Last week was also BOM week. I finished January's A Tisket, A Tasket block and The Bugs, from Noah's Ark.

Then I completed the February block of Country Calendar.

Anyone can catch your eye, but it takes someone special to catch your heart. ~Author Unknown

Until next week.....happy quilting!

Karen

A Week of Preparation

Last week, I decided which of the free BOM's I was going to make. I selected Red Delicious, A Tisket, A Tasket, Veranda Views and Country Calendar. My goal for the week was to prepare the project boxes.

Fabric was selected and background blocks prepared. Muslin was cut to go behind the stitchery and also some for the Polka-Dot Girls, so I can get back to stitching them. Next, I cut out my applique pieces for the first block of Red Delicious and A Tisket, A Tasket. Then traced the first blocks of Country Calendar and Veranda Views onto the background fabric and gathered together the DMC threads to be used.

Speaking of DMC threads.........I wondered what the shelf life was for cotton floss, as I have a large stash left from my cross-stitching days. I was unable to find anything on the Internet, so I sent an e-mail to DMC and was told that 25 year old thread has the same integrity it did when originally produced. So, that's good news. I also found this information, about spools of cotton thread. Bob Purcell, President of Superior Threads said, he would not hesitate to use a spool of cotton, good cotton quality thread, 50 years from now. So, that answers my other question, about my large stash of quilting thread.

Even though most of my quilting time was spent doing prep work, last week, I did get a little stitching done. January's Noah's Ark block, The Bugs, is half finished and my first Red Delicious block, Lovebirds, is complete. I have yet to put eyes on the birds. Tiny black buttons will go on later.

I also completed the January Country Calendar block. My background fabric is a nice knobby textured natural cotton. The muslin, behind the stitchery, worked out great. As you can see from the photo, I did all the stitchery on one block. I decided I would make a Calendar Quilt, instead of individual monthly calendars. In keeping with the country theme, my completed quilt, will have a scrappy patchwork look.

Until next week.....happy quilting!

Karen

Quilt Jar

If you are like me, you have many quilting books and magazines. Pages marked, indicating quilts you must make. How about single patterns? I have lots of them too. Or, how about a head so full of ideas, you are afraid it may explode! The patterns just keep coming. And, don't forget the Internet, with hundreds of patterns right at your finger tips and many for free!

All markers have been removed from my books and magazines. Boy, does that look better! I have recorded (in a spiral notebook) all patterns and locations. So, when I am looking for something specific, I can refer to the notebook. Then, for times when I'm not sure what I want to make or feeling a little adventurous, I can go to my Quilt Jar. Everything that is in my notebook, is in my Quilt Jar. That's right! It doesn't take much to amuse this quilter!

This past weekend, brought lots of rain and a few large snowflakes. But, a stroll through the garden, still brings delight.

Golden Nugget Barberry

Gro-Low Fragrant Sumac

Maple Leaf

Last week, I finished appliqueing my special block, to go with the baby Dresden's. It's very cute! Next, I piece the blocks together, then, maybe a little more applique. We will see. I also did the prep work for a couple of small Christmas projects and a little hand quilting on my large Dresden quilt. Also, worked a little on my Polka-Dot Girls and made another Dear Jane block.

Until next week.....happy quilting!

Karen

A Net for Catching Days

A schedule defends from chaos and whim. It is a net for catching days.

~Annie Dillard

My life was once of routine and schedule, then I started to blog. Well, I can't blame it all on blogging. But, I do know, that blogging has taken a bite out of my quilting time. Once on the computer, it's hard to get off. When working on my own blog and reading all the wonderful blogs out there.....how time flies! I now set the kitchen timer, as a reminder, that it's time to move on to other things. This seems to work. I also picked up a weekly schedule to organize my quilting activities for the week. I did stray a couple of times, during week one, but I think it's going to work out just fine.

The other day I was wandering through Michaels Arts and Craft store and found some pretty wild looking magnified glasses. I think the old eyes are going. I can't see to thread a needle anymore. When I was hand quilting my Dresden quilt the other day, I tested them out. I just left them at the end of my nose and tilted my head up when it was time to thread the needle. What a world of difference.

Started my Baby Ralphie quilt. Just love the fabric. The blades measure 1.5 inches in length and the completed Dresden measures in at 6.5 inches. I was surprised at the finished size. I was expecting much smaller. Don't know why. How small could it be with 20 blades?

Until next week.....happy quilting!

Karen

September Resolutions

I just lined up, across the sofa, many unfinished projects. Last winter I decided to do a little knitting. So, I headed out to purchase enough supplies for one knitting project. I now have enough supplies for about five projects. I'm still working on my first project and am about to start it again for the third time. I think I understand the pattern now, or do I? It's been so long since I picked it up.

I decided to make a scrapbook, because my sister makes lovely scrapbooks. I now have five scrapbooks on the go and lots of supplies, that I have no place to store. It's fun, but it takes me a whole day just to complete one page. If I purchased just enough supplies for one knitting project and one scrapbook, would that have not satisfied?

Now quilting, on the other hand, is different. One can never have too much fabric, quilting supplies, quilts in the making or new projects to start. Hmmm.....maybe that explains five knitting projects instead of one and five scrapbooks on the go. My approach was the same as for quilting. The difference is, I "love" to quilt, and a "taste" of something different every now and then, is all I need.

So, until I have turned my wool into something useful, I will finish that one knitting project a year. My scrapbook supplies will find a proper storage place and a work schedule will be put into play. Then, I will never ever let that happen again!

I know what I need, I need to quilt.

But, first I need to rid the guilt!

Okay, I feel better now. So, on to quilting stuff. As you can see, I completed the Rainbow Top, of the Noah's Ark BOM.

Oh, have you been downloading the free Stitchery Angel projects? Last weeks project was a really cute Chenille Pincushion, and the week before, a wonderful Sewing Bag and this weeks (love it!) Here Kitty Scissor Holder by Lynette Anderson.

.....and I finished hand appliqueing the first two (of six) Butterfly Garden blocks.

Started hand quilting my Dresden Plate quilt and bent five needles right off the bat. At first I thought something was wrong with the needles. I was trying a new brand. Then I switched back to my old brand, but the needles kept bending. The only other thing I could think of is, I decided to quilt through the appliqued Dresden blades. This adding an extra layer of fabric. The needle went through easy enough. I didn't feel I was putting any extra pressure on the needle to get through the layers, but what else could it be. So, I changed my quilting plans and removed what I had done, to that point, and am now quilting around the Dresden's instead of through them.

Also, finished preparing all the applique pieces for my Cherry Butterfly block, which will be the centre of another quilt.

I decided it was time to start working on my Dear Jane blocks and Quilted Diamonds. I reread both books, in August and since gathered together all the supplies needed to begin A Quilter's Journey Back in Time. I plan on hand piecing everything. No sewing machine. That makes me a little nervous. Some of the pieces are so, so tiny. Linda Franz has very clear hand piecing instructions in her book Quilted Diamonds, that can be applied to the Dear Jane blocks as well.

Came home with a bag of goodies, on Saturday, after attending two quilt shop sales. A package of Richard Hemming & Son Between needles. Hope they don't bend! Wee Play, charm pack, by American Jane for Moda and lots of other fabric. I've noticed a decrease in Civil War fabrics at local quilt shops. Now that I am starting my Dear Jane blocks, that's not so good. I have lots of Civil War fabric, but noticed I was lacking in "light" fabrics. I was hoping to get some during the sales.

Until next week.....happy quilting!

Karen