Mini Finishes

As part of the Sewing Summit, we were given the opportunity to participate in a blind swap with other participants. As part of the swap, we will create either a mini-quilt or a zippered pouch, whichever we chose. These reflect "hot topic" items at the Summit for participants. 

That said, I was given my partner assignment and I set to task stalking her blog, flickr photo stream, Pinterest likes, etc. to get a feel for what her style was. I think I've got it but since I am only just mailing the package off, I can only show you what I created and the little extras (a wallet pattern w/2 coordinating fabric choices, 200 1/4" paper hexi templates (hey! she likes tiny piecing so I'm sending a challenge lol) and I'll be cutting up 200 fabric squares to go along with those hexi templates) I'm sending along. In the meantime, please keep your fingers crossed for me that I don't disappoint. :-)

Using the pre-cuts in our swag bag from the Summit, I put squares together and created half square triangle squares. Then I sewed blue solid to those and created another square comprising of three triangles. 

I pondered making these into geese blocks or into pinwheel blocks and ultimately decided geese was appropriate. 

Last, it was a question of layout. All one direction or in different directions? 

Since the geese were pieced, different directions also seemed to be the better choice. All sewn up and it looked like my geese were confused. 

Now, I would like to pause a moment here and give you a little advice. USE AN IRON, even when working with little pieces.  The temptation, when these pieces are so small, is to use a wood presser, fingers, roller, etc. However, I learned that it can lead to seams not laying flat enough and then you can't get matching lines. 

No match...

Match...

Back to our regularly scheduled program, I present to you, measuring in at approximately 14"x11",

"Confused Geese"

Look okay? I used a simple straight line quilted edge and chevron pattern as the quilt motif. Contrasting thread felt right even though I knew it would show errors easily.  Undettered, I quilted away. Poor partner.

Also completed this week is a set of 4 reversible placemats for my sisters.  I saw the M&M fabric and it screamed my sistser's name. Then I showed her the cookie monster fabric and she loved that, too. So, reversible placemats were decided upon. (Although she will have to wait until next year to use the M&M side).

Of course, this led to my sister asking for a year round table cloth and we spent a few minutes one morning picking fabrics out of my stash. It will be interesting completing this b/c one's tastes are bright colors (aqua, pink, purple, orange, etc) the other's tastes are more subdued earth tones (greens, blues, etc.)  We found fabrics that work and I have a diagonal stripe in mind but well, I'm sure you'll read more about this later. :)

How is your crafting going?

Cheers! Beck

Read up, please. Quilts of Valor

Ladies and Gents,
Quilts of Valor is in need! Alycia has no more and there is a need! 

Do you have a quilt that can be sent (it does not have to be patriotic colors).  Please look at Alycia's post and forward what you can.

I'd like to offer my services, for whatever they are worth, to those of you who have completed tops which fit the requirements but need quilting and binding done.   I have a mid-arm and can do basic continuous-line quilting if you are willing to send the top, batting and backing.  I will then attach a binding (or you can send that, too, if you have it).  Once complete, I will happily forward with my couple of submissions to Alycia (copying you on the communication so you know it arrived and your work went where you meant it to go).

Most of you know, but for those of you new to my blog (life), my husband's last post in the Army before his retirement this year was as CSM of the Warrior Transition Battalion (it's the wounded-warrior battalion) in Ft. Campbell, KY.  This was an extremely rewarding post for him and us as a family. Those soldiers and their families are amazing and I feel strongly that anything I can do to assist their healing should be done.  This is the place I come from when I offer my services above or reach out to you in a call for help on behalf of Alycia.

So, if you are interested, take a look at her post and see if there is a way you can assist please reach out.

Oh, and if you cannot assist on this immediate needs but do want to help down the line, please do not hesitate to look at the Quilt of Valor organization as an alternative. I promise, it's a worthy and very appreciated cause.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this and consideration.

Warmest Regards,
Becky

Bloggers Quilt Festival - Fall 2011

If you are here from the link on the Festival, welcome. 

If you are just happening by or are a regular reader, Amy is hosting the bi-annual quilt festival again and let me tell you, I'm excited to see all the genious out there in cyberland.  The gorgeous quilts are one thing but reading the stories adds a whole new level.  If you want to see, just click on this LINK and maybe join up with a quilt of your own.  Also, a big thank you to the sponsors (linked on Amy's blog) that contribute and assist in the hosting of such a fantastic event! (I'm off to shop as soon as I post this. :D)

For my entry this fall, I'm choosing my "The Sun Still Shines" quilt.

This was born of my desire to share my love of paper-piecing with my cyber-buddies who were new to the technique or maybe were just rusty and wanted a quick refresh.  So, I planned a quilt along and while it was small, it was a lot of fun to do.  I was able to create a design using EQ6 which would provide a lot of versatility for each individual taste out there.  I think the photos in our Flickr group illustrate that was a good choice (and if you want directions, look at the discussion field in Flickr, I don't want to link blog posts here).

I enjoyed designing this but I found I also really enjoyed creating the You Tube videos showing how the technique worked. They are my first and I was very nervous but I am proud I didn't let that get the better of me and I trudged ahead. 

While trying to decide a name for it, and holding it, I was struck by the path of destruction in Joplin, MO after the tornado this past May. The path was clear destruction and chaos but the video that next day was being shown in the bright sunshine, people were assisting neighbors and there were many places that were not destroyed. When I looked again at my quilt top and the design, it seemed to mimick the sun shining over a path much like the tornado's and I was reminded that even in difficult times and dark hours, light does return... the sun does still shine.  And the name and quilting motif was born. 

For me, naming a quilt is just as meaningful as creating it and so this one, for all the joy in creation and contentment in the name, is my current favorite quilt.  Thank you for stopping by and have a wonderful time viewing all the other quilts in this Fall Festival!

Cheers! Beck

Another Embroidery Block

I jumped on the sewing bandwagon again this week but have little to show so far except this embroidery block. 

I have to say, tehre are some things I've learned. I cannot rotate the hoop and embroider in only one direction, if that makes sense.  However, if I keep the hoop level, then I sew a much more even stitch.  I find this a little annoying because it means my left hand rarely changes position and I have to stop and stretch it.  

Anyway... a set of reversible placemats are being made right now for my sister with some fabric that was simply too cute to pass up and that ended up with her request for a new tablecloth also.  No good deed goes unpunished, right? lol  Pics of the placemats will be posted as soon as I bind them.  The tablecloth may take a little longer. :)

Hmm, what else am I working on simultaneously? A mini-project for my secret swap partner from the Sewing Summit (well, not secret to me but she doesn't know I'm sending her something).  I am not going to provide hints about what it looks like because I don't have a definitative design yet.  You'll know when I know, which means, when it's done. -wink- I have to mail it by 11/5 so you will see it very soon.

That's all about me.  How about you, what are you up to this week?

Small accomplishments

I realized I forgot to show you the embroidery block I completed on the plane ride out to Salt Lake City, UT. 

Also, just finished another test cathedral window mini. I tell you, I'm not completely satisfied with the tutorial I previously used but I was trying it again here with some modifications in process.  Can't say I'm thrilled but it is a practice piece so I get to see what works and what doesn't. One day, when I have a method that allows lazy me (I hate pinning) and less than perfect me (I cannot seem to get perfect folds from a perfect starting square which is supposed to create the perfect finished square) to get a beautiful finish, I will be sure to share it with you.

Cheers!
Beck