Design Wall Monday – December 27

My design wall looks the same as last week.  Over the holidays my poor sewing room has become the catch all.  So today I will be putting things back in order and hopefully get some sewing done later in the day.  In the meantime drop by Judy’s blog and see what other quilters are doing.  Have a great week.

Until next time.

Pat

Merry Christmas to all

Pat

Today

Last week I showed you some fabrics that I wanted to use on a challenge quilt.  So today I will show you how far I have progressed.  I need to find the right fabric for the stems. and the center element.

 Be sure you stop by Judy’s blog to see what other quilters are doing.

Hope this week goes well for you – I know that I will be busy with last minute preparations and baking.

Until next time.

Pat

Something Different

Today I am going to show you how Mr. Q&H keeps busy.  Along with becoming a Master Composter and volunteering for various gardening projects that Fort Worth sponsors he is a wood turner.  He is a member of the North Texas Woodturners Association.  I love the beauty of the wood that comes through.  

Here are some photos of some of the pieces he has turned. I love the next piece you can see where the worms ate away at the tree.

The grain on the next  pieces is beautiful.  He also achieves a very smooth finish.

 

 

The unique shape of the next pieces comes from the fact that they are from the crotch of the tree and you can see some of the bark that is left on.  The one with the dark spot running down the center comes from a tree that had a crack.

The following is a bowl that is in the works.  It is very fragile and you can see all of the worm holes.  It is going to be a beauty when it  is complete.

Until next time.

Pat

Design Wall Monday

Today I have fabric for a challenge.  I am to use this fabric in a quilt or something.  The acorns in the fabric must be featured.  Stay tuned for progress.  In the mean time hop over to Judy’s website and see what other quilters are doing.

  Until next time.

Pat

Design Wall Monday

I planned to put something on the wall this week, but so far it has not happened.   But, I did get 85% of my Christmas Shopping done today.  The stores were not too full either.  Stop by at Judy’s to see what other quilters are up to.

Until next time.

Pat

Design Wall Monday - Another Finish

Since last Monday I have finished the Philadelphia Pavement top, all two thousand four hundred and one 2” pieces plus borders.  I am very pleased with the results and love the graphic nature of this quilt.  I first saw this in Vintage Quilts way back in 2007 and I knew that I just had to make it.  I wish I had a better picture of the entire top, but I do not have a place to lay it out flat or, two tall people to hold it! LOL

  I am not sure what I will pull out the UFO stack to work on next, but I am glad that I now have one less.

Until next time.

Pat

Design Wall Monday

Today I am starting on the next project on my Power of 10 list.  It is Philadelphia Pavement pattern that dates back to 1895.  I have three quadrants sewn so I will be working on the final one.  This is what one quadrant looks like.

<>The piecing and cutting are easy, but it keeps me on my toes to follow the developing  pattern.

Drop by Judy’s blog to see what other quilters are working on.  What is on your design wall?

Until next time.

Pat

One Down and Several to go

In my last post I talked about the Power of 10 and today I can say that I finished one of the projects on my list.
 It felt so good to remove it from the list.  Now to decide what project to do next.  Let’s see…maybe Philadelphia Pavement or ????
Until Next time.

UFO’s

I have several projects that are near completion.  So I decided to put the “Power of Ten” to work for me.  What is the “Power of Ten” you ask?

The "Power of 10" in quilting is not some higher mathematical formula that quilters all need to learn to make a quilt. It is a simple way to complete those projects we want to finish before we buy anymore fabric.

First, simply find the projects that you are no longer interested in completing and pass them on to someone who would love it as much as you once did.

Second, list "10" projects that you would like to complete. Now remember "Only 10" projects are to be on the list.

Third, begin working on the projects on the list and spend three hours toward completing it.

Fourth, keep a list of projects and the hours worked.

Fifth, once three hours are spent on a project move to the next. A quilter's interest wanes and is usually spent after three hours.  Now if a project requires two to four hours it doesn't matter. Simply finish the project. Feel good about finishing it.

Sixth, find another project and add it to the list. Remember, only Ten Projects are your focus.

Seventh, continue to rotate the projects you are working on.

Eighth step is to list the supplies needed to finish your projects.

Ninth would be to shop at (substitute your favorite quilt shop)for items to finish your projects.

…and Tenth, the `Power of Ten` becomes reality when you are able to share your project.

Note: I need to give credit to Texas Quiltworks for this sage advice.

So today I pulled up the list on my computer and chose this project to work on.

So tonight I will prepare the elements for the bottom border while I watch some TV and soon this will be done.

It looks like my friend Daisy will be at my feet while I work.  Do you see her peeking at you?

So what are you working on?

Until next time.

Pat

Design Wall Monday

I continue to work on The Farmers Wife Quilt blocks.  They are addictive.

Until next time.

Pat

Design Wall Monday

I am taking a part in Design Wall Monday.   I have been working  on my “Nearly Insane” blocks and also started a new project  “Farmers Wife Quilt”
This is a change of pace for me and has been fun.   What is on your design wall?
We had quiet a few Trick or Treaters tonight, but most of the smaller children go to one of the area churches that feature Trunk or  Treat, which makes it nice for the little ones and safer too.  These two stopped by my house tonight from a land far far away!
 

They were so cute and their Mother, my DIL, always does a great job on their costumes.
Until next time.
Pat

Photos

I don't know what is going on with blogger, but my photos show one day and then the next they are no longer showing.  If you click on the place where the photo is it will open up.  I hope that this problem is resolved soon!

Until next time.

Pat

Another Finish

Today I finished up another quilt.  This one was designed by Kathleen Tracy from the book “Remembering Adelia”.  When I took the picture I did not know that Mr. Quilts fingers were in the way. :(

I have also been spending a lot of time doing some needlepoint.  This nativity set will be a gift for my Granddaughter.  They will be free standing.  I need to get busy and do the finishing.   Christmas will be here before we know it. Yikes       They have been a lot of fun to stitch.  I still have to finish the background stitching on a camel.  Maybe tomorrow when I attend my stitching group.

I also need to get back to the quilting as I have two challenges to finish and I am in the process of hand quilting my basket quilt.

Thanks for stopping by.

Until next time.

Pat

I AM NOT PERFECT

I have joined the I am not perfect protest.  Because I am not perfect!  I enjoy life, I am not a fashionista, the points on my quilt blocks are not always perfect, but I enjoy the process.    If I have a dust bunnie on my floor it will get swept up another day if I choose to wait.  And I could go on and on.

Now, since I have admitted it I will show you what I have been up to the last few days.  I have been trying my hand at various applique methods, but I think I will go back to my tried and trusted method.   Here are three not so perfect examples but I will probably go ahead and use them in my quilt.

  Until next time.

Pat

What I Have Been Up To …..

It has been a long time since I have posted anything.  Since last time I attended a retreat with the 19th Century Patchwork Divas.  I count myself lucky to have been able to be with these women and their extraordinary quilts.  Sorry I can’t show pictures of their quilts and some of them will be in their book that will be coming out.  

I worked on several projects while attending the retreat.  This being one of them.  It is now ready to be sent off to the long arm quilter.   It is called Star Peony by Kathleen Tracy.

Yesterday I picked this quilt up from the quilter and sewed the binding on last night.  It  is called Pieceful Nights by Lori Smith.  Sorry the picture is so dark.

 

Now I am working on this quilt.  It is from the book “When the Cold Winds Blow by Blackbird Designs, and is called Frost on the Ferns.

I need to finish up the bottom border and dye some ric-rack that goes around the center. 

I am also getting ready to attend another retreat in a couple of weeks.  I am not sure what I will work on.  I have another quilt in progress and I am getting itchy to start a new project.

School started in August here Texas and my Granddaughter started Kindergarten and her big brother started third grade.  They are growing up so fast!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Until next time…

Pat

The Fed Ex Man stopped at my house today

I am forever whining that I just do not have enough space for my quilting.  And, since I have filled every closet in the house with my “stuff”, with the exception of Mr. Quilts and my clothing closets,  I ordered a new table for the computer area in my sewing room.  It arrived today and I hurriedly  unboxed it and proceeded to tear my room apart.  It still is not big enough but I do have more space.

Here are some pictures

Here are my bookcases filled with quilt history books and books from favorite designers and my sewing area.

 

 

 

 

 

These drawers are filled with kits and in the smaller one are fabrics that I have pulled for the Nearly Insane quilt (see July 31, 2009 post) and below is my design wall with projects that I am working on.

Here is my computer area and  the drawers to the left of the computer are filled with just one of my favorite designers fabric. 

Below is more fabric storage and the ironing and cutting area.  I also have the closet also filled with fabric. 

As you can see I have used every inch.  It might not be beautiful but it is my little space.

Yesterday my five year old granddaughter spent time with me.  She said that she likes my sewing room and also that she likes to be alone with me, Nana, “as sometimes her brother is annoying.” LOL   I love to have her spend time with me and can’t wait until she can sew with me.  I tried cross stitch yesterday and she said “I don’t think I am ready yet!” 

Until next time.

Pat

Just a Quick Post

Thank you all who posted comments about m Eagle Quilt I appreciate them all.

Karen at My Colonial Home has a great post this week about Barn Quilts be sure you stop by and take a look.  Karen does a great job with her blog.

Until next time…

Pat

Getting Back on Track

I think I have mentioned it before, but I have been having trouble getting back into things for a couple of months. Finally, I am getting there.

This is a quilt that was part of a workshop when Jo Morton first visited Texas way back in 2007. It was put on the back burner for awhile and then hung in the closet waiting to be quilted. I took it to my long arm quilter and as always Sheri did a great job. My friend Sarah helped me find just the right binding. Thanks Jo for designing it and Sarah for having a great eye .I was out of town for a few days attending a wedding and catching up with family. When I arrived back home this was waiting for me. It is a needlepoint tree ornament that I had finished and had sent off to the finisher. I think they did a great job – especially since it is an odd shape. Sorry the photo isn’t better. Maybe I should hit Santa up for a new camera!

Today I am hand quilting a small Irish Chain quilt and I just put a pot of Anasazi Beans on to cook. I used this recipe except since I did not have any Jalapeno bacon I used black peppered bacon and two minced Jalapenos, with seeds removed. I will mix up some cornbread and pop it into the oven to bake and dinner will be ready. I like it when I can just put my dinner on to cook and forget it don’t you?

Later today, when it cools a little, I need to run out and buy some Mylar and get a challenge quilt started.

Until next time …

Pat