Tuesday, March 29, 2011

Binding Again

This is another binding post, but first I thought I’d explain how I made the blocks for this quilt.

I’ve had this Botany charm pack for a while and after the snowy winter we had I was ready for some Spring like colors. These colors were perfect. Ok, so first I grabbed random charms and made a 9 patch block. The blocks looked so plain I just couldn’t stop there, so I cut them up. I cut them on the diagonal both ways. So I had 4 pieces from each block, then I grabbed random pieces again sewing 2 together to form the blocks. I did try not to pair similar prints. So there you have it. Blog 221   Blog 220Now on to the binding. Here is a picture of the binding machine stitched down and ready for hand stitching. Since I’m such a cheap uh frugal person the clips I use to hold my binding are a little different than others you might have seen. I purchased these at the beauty supply store. They cost about $1.99 for 250 clips. They work as well as the ones that clamp and cost much less. I haven’t had any problems with them falling off. If you’re still using pins, you should try clips. You don’t have to worry about getting stuck while you’re sewing the binding down. 

Blog 222 Blog 223 Happy Quilting!

Monday, March 28, 2011

Binding

Those of you who don’t think I’m crazy already will now. I love binding my quilts. It’s my second favorite part. Quilting being the first. I always make a 2 1/4 inch binding unless I’m binding something small like a potholder, mug rug or table topper, then I use a 1 1/4inch binding.Blog 214 This is the binding for the quilt I spent sooo much time frogging last week. I always put my binding on and empty tube like this one. It’s so much easier when I’m sewing it on, it doesn’t get tangled or caught on all of those things that really shouldn’t be on my table anyway. ( How does that happen?) Blog 215 In spite of the problems with this quilt, it has grown on me. Indecision on my part was the reason for the stitching problems, but I’m satisfied with the quilting now.

Blog 217

Look what I got in the mail. I won a giveaway over on Em’s blog. Do you know Em? If you don’t, you should! She’s the Best!

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Friday, March 25, 2011

Oops!

After spending 2 hours last night frogging this quilt,

I got up this morning and this happened.

Now I'm sitting here doing this until things get better in the sewing room.

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

The "S" Word and The "T" Word

Spring is here! We are so happy! We're even going to get some of the "S" word this week! No not the sun. Snow! Can you believe it. we are supposed to get wet snow 2 days this week. Well I guess it really doesn't matter much anyway, I'll be stuck inside doing taxes.

Well on to much more pleasant things. On National Quilting Day I visited a fabric store in Phila. Here's the loot. The zippers were 10 cent a piece so I picked up a few for cosmetic bags. My wonderful husband and I spent all day Sunday lugging limbs, branches and twigs to the backyard and burning them. It really looks like the pile grew. The teenager said, "Doesn't look like you did much." It may not look like it, but let me tell you my sore body knows I was doing something!
I hope to get a chance to finish the tumblers this week.

Friday, March 18, 2011

What Do You Think?

I think I need a little help here. The orange and blue creation is still on the wall. I keep adding and taking away the white strips. I'm thinking now I might want to use white strips between the vertical rows. What do you think? I 've got to get this finished. It's holding up about 5 other ideas that are waiting for the design wall.


I'm still working on the tumblers in the evenings. Here is a close up of the hand stitching on the January Rainbow Challenge wall hanging.

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

A Little Sewing

Well I've finally lost my mind! These are 1" finished Tumblers! I had to use a 1/8 " seam allowance because 1/4" was a bit too bulky. Look for the finish on Saturday.
So you don't think I really completely lost my mind. I made this. My old one was getting a little ratty and since I'd made one for my sister's best friend for Christmas, I was a little jealous.
Material Girls Quilts is having a giveaway. You could when fabric. Hurry over it ends tomorrow.

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Rainbow Challenge Scrap Happy Saturday

Here it is, the mindless green table runner. I just pulled scraps and sewed them together. I did organic quilting with a variegated green thread from Connecting Threads that is no longer available. I used my bamboo batting on this one and on the Canning Day table topper. It was a breeze to quilt. I'm really feeling quite lucky I found it for that price.
I will be spending the rest of the day doing some hand stitching in the family room while my wonderful husband watches television. You can see what everyone else made here.

These are the next victims fabrics on the cutting mat!

Friday, March 11, 2011

Finally Pictures!

Here are few of the finishes this week. I finally got them loaded even if it was 1 at a time! First is the journal cover made with a few batik scraps.
Next a couple of pincushions which have been sitting around for a while waiting for buttons. My DD dug in the button jar to find these. They are filled with fiberfil, sand and lavender. My wonderful husband grows the lavender. Every time you pick up the pincushion the scent is released. It's wonderful.
Here's the start and finish of a small table topper made with 1 charm pack of Canning Day from Connecting Threads.
My sister has already claimed this one.
And finally a sneak peek at my Rainbow Challenge creation. Which you can see tomorrow.

Lucky Again

Lucky me. While I was sewing last Saturday my wonderful husband recovered my mini ironing board for me. He used an old print that I don't like enough to make a quilt out of, but it looks good as an ironing board cover. I'll be back later with some finished projects!
Thanks Shay for your help with blogger!

For Those In Japan

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Sorry Blogger Doesn't Like Me

I've been trying to upload pictures for 2 days but Blogger doesn't like me. I just wanted to share a few of the things I've been working on lately. So I guess I'll be back when Blogger likes me again.

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Rainbow Challenge Scrap Happy Saturday

This month's color is green. I shouldn't have too much trouble with this color judging by my green scrap bin. I have lots and lots of the lime/kiwi color. It's one of those colors I try to include in all of my scrap quilts.
 

I've started with these half Log Cabin blocks and I'm thinking of adding some wonky stars. I'll see want develops. It will either be a table runner or small quilt.
Ok, it's back to work for me. Have a great weekend!

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

What's In The Crochet Bag

I always have tons of things going on at once. (just like the rest of you) So of course I have a few crochet projects going on right now. This is one of the Afghans I'm working on in the evenings. Recently I joined Ravelry and I haven't been able to pull myself away from it. There's enough there to keep me busy for years and years. And, that's only crochet. What if I learn to knit?

Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Hello March!

I'm so glad that February is over. I love the winter weather, but this is one I will not miss.
I can't wait to see some of these out in my garden!

This is what I'm working on now. Any one have tips on making a quilt from denim?
Happy Quilting!