Design Wall Monday, September 7, 2020

Candy Cat project is on my Design Wall today.  12 out of a possible 30, if I make the full project, are done.  The newest one is on the bottom left.  Who doesn't like polka dot fabrics?

This one will be cat 13.  Can you guess what fabrics I will use for each part of the block?

Most of the week has been watching NBA finals and binding.  Krispin is finished entirely.  I'm 100% pleased with this one.  I was a bit skeptical on how the vines would finish with the machine couching stitch, but all in all happy with the results.

Kadaddle Kopy finished too.  This one is just 13" by 16".  100% pleased here too!  Kerry does such a great job with the quilting.  I'm working now on the next binding project with just the sleeve left to stitch in place on it.  I still have another three yet to get the binding started.

More cats on tap =^.^=  Hope you have a nice Labor Day and say a little prayer for the victims of 9/11 later this week.

Design Wall Monday, August 31, 2020

 

Glad you decided to look closer at my blog post!  

Of course you don't really want to see the back of what I am about to work on...so here are the fronts.

There is just way too many projects going on in my sewing room.  I am feeling overwhelmed =^.^=  I think I need to take down some of these projects an get back to focusing on just one.  I usually start with one and don't work on another until the current one is finished.  How many projects can you see that are in the middle of work?

Adding to the projects is Beware! It's Halloween September BOM.  This one is The Witches Residence.  I think this one will be the most challenging one in the project.  Besides receiving a BOM each month since March and storing them away absolutely nothing has happened with this project.  This will not become a UFO because it will be one of those long time projects for me.

So what's going on in your sewing room?

Sunday Stash Report, August 30, 2020

I wonder what will come this week in the final Clue of the project?  I'm like the rest of the participants...just guessing on the layout.  I like what I have so far...

These came from Kerry for Candy Cat blocks.  I have yet to pull the rest of the fabrics that will go with each of them.  These will be used as background for two separate blocks.  Teal may be a goldish cat to match the color of the fish.  The white might be??  Thank you Kerry!

#5 2019 UFO project A Quilt for Mrs Chalmers is moving right along.  I spent most of my sewing this week on it.  I had a bit of a set back, but recovered just find.  The white looking squares are a very light beige with numbers.  The fabric came from a previous gift from Kerry of five FQs with words or "type" theme.  None to this point has been sewn together except to the 4-patch units and 3 unit pieced border.  A black third border comes next and then a finishing fourth border.  All these fabrics are from my stash.  A 4-patch unit finishes at 2".  I made it several rows smaller than the pattern called out.

Finally readying for binding and sleeve on these three projects.  Kosmo is trying to get me to go to sleep!  He is on a clock and it is past time.  You might wonder why I spend the time on my sleeves.  I just can't let blocks become orphans!

Stash doesn't change this week, but A Quilt for Mrs. Chalmers will turn the numbers next time.  Any ideas quilting buddies for a "K" name for this project?  Mrs. Chalmers has her quilt displayed on the project cover over a tractor.  Specifically the one pictured above.  Maryland farmers wives...need your help!

Used this week:  0 yards

Used YTD:  101 yards

Purchased this week:  0 yards

Purchased YTD:  15 yards

Net used in 2020: 86 yards

Sunday Stash Report, July 19, 2020

Krispin is complete!  Yippee another UFO from 2019 finished.  This project had me using a new stitch on my Pfaff that otherwise would have continued to be just one more stitch the machine offered unused =^.^=  Krispin will be headed to Kerry's Quilting this week along with the January 2017 BOM Win from UFO 2020 list (project #7) that became two charity quilts.

Mom sent fabrics from her stash for the backs.  The nautical one is my favorite. 

Two other fabrics large enough for backs came from Mom as well.  I think the patriotic batik was mine to begin with LOL.

The mail also brought the last of the tools ordered for Lori Holt projects that are in my queue.  There are three projects now of Lori Holt's so they will get use.  The long awaited 1 inch and 3/8 inch bias tape makers and the turning tool she says is her favorite.

For my friend Bonnie, I completed a project she was stalled on.  It is a panel of flowers and humming birds that she was outline quilting.  It is ready for binding now, but Bonnie will see this part through.

So turn the numbers to account for the finish of Krispin...a whopping 1.25 yards!  Another 2019 UFO will begin this week; #4 Nines in Blue by Pam Buda.

Used this week:  1.25 yards

Used YTD:  82.75 yards

Purchased this week:  0 yards

Purchased YTD:  14 yards

Net used in 2020: 68.75 yards

My Great Nephew Greyson goes in tomorrow morning at 7am eastern for Open Heart Surgery to repair two parts there that are not as they should be.  It is very scary, but a procedure that isn't too uncommon for the surgeons.  It will be a long day for our families.  Keep this strong little guy in your thoughts and prayers.

Wednesday, July 15, 2020

A Hump Day Post!  Krispin with all leaves ready for stitching.  Will be using the perle cotton thread.

Autumn Love with crow legs and flower stem.  I'm ready to touch glue these pieces down then applique stitch around the shapes.  There is a vine to add with floss between the leave and stem of the pumpkin, but that comes after the applique work.

This is the cut pieces for the next project 2019 UFO #7 Starry, Starry Nines by Pam Buda.  The largest cut is 2.25 inches square and the smallest is 1 inch square.  I may need tweezers!

A kit was being offered for this project at a good sale price.  I don't usually get kits, but thought if the deal was good enough...  As it turns out I already have the pattern!  I have been going to the wagon/truck Christmas decor so this one will fit right in.  It could end up a smaller version than this one.  Maybe, just maybe it will be made after all my UFOs are done from 2019 and 2020 =^.^=

Enjoy the rest of your day!

Design Wall Monday, July 13, 2020

Today it is all about Krispin.  This is where it stands this morning, but I am very excited to get back to it as soon as my work day is complete =^.^=

The technique to use for the couching (the stitching for the vines) had to be figured out first.  Will it be by hand or by machine?

My Pfaff is a wonderful machine!  I found stitch 6.2.1 to be perfect for my needs.  You probably can't detect unless you look very closely, but the stitch connects at the center and locks in place before moving to complete the next stitch.  So you can clip away the connector stitch without losing anything.  I'm still debating whether it is necessary.  Let me know what you think, please.

The vine is just 1/8" wide!  The next part is to get the leaves in place.  Here I'm not certain what thread to use.  The thread from the sewing machine or perle cotton that was planned.  These leaves are about the size of a watermelon seed.  Again I'd value your experienced position on what thread might be best to use for the leaves.

At this point only the vine that is eight separate pieces is sewn down.  I used fusible web to secure the wool on the background before stitching.  In an earlier photo of my practicing you can see the backside of the fusible web on the wool that is being used for the vines and leaves.  This fusible web can be put through an ink jet printer to get the pattern printed directly onto it.  I traced with pencil this time which is also an option.  The product is called Barely There by Swirly Girls.  I became aware of it from a class by them I took at Road to California a couple of years ago.  I've used it a lot since then.  It is very light weight, much like Steam-a-Seam 2, but lighter.  Lot's of places offer it; just search for the product to find other distributors.

I'll be tracing out seven more leaves and then putting them in place with the fusible web.  Deciphering what thread to use for stitching down the leaves and away I'll stitch.  Everyone be safe and enjoy the middle of July this week =^.^=

Sunday Stash Report, July 12, 2020

Because I needed some quick gratification not to mention the need to complete UFOs...  I pulled out #7 2020 UFO to finish.  This was a Sunshine BOM Win where Kerry got lucky a few years back.  It was offered by Terrie as the January 2017 BOM.  There were lots of members who participated, 37 to be exact.  I split up a few of the blocks to make the borders on each of these.  Nearly every participant chose to make the block with the white out.  So for the blue version one of the blocks was reassembled.  Terrie supplied the blue and we were to provide a light neutral in either white, cream, or beige.  My Mom has backs to send me for both of these that will end up as charity projects.  Kerry will quilt them and I'll finish them up with binding.  #7 2020 UFO COMPLETE!

Do you notice the different layouts?  They aren't very obvious I will admit.  This is the white version.  Each of them will finish around 43" x 55".

This is the cut pieces of the next UFO from 2019 this time.  It is #4 a pattern by Pam Buda called Nines in Blue.  This one finishes at 18" x 20".  I haven't been to a quilt shop for fabric in it seems forever =^.^=  My stash is getting me through this time to stay at home.  

These threads arrived on Friday from Primitive Gatherings.  One of the greens will work and the burgandy for Krispin (formerly known by the pattern name Back In Time).  Crispin Glover played George McFly in the movie Back to the Future.  

Nothing spins the numbers although there has been two finishes in #7 2020 UFO.  I have lots to show tomorrow on Krispin's progress.  Head back tomorrow if you have the time.  Until then do take care of yourself!

Used this week:  0 yards

Used YTD:  81.5 yards

Purchased this week:  0 yards

Purchased YTD:  14 yards

Net used in 2020: 67.5 yards

Design Wall Monday, July 6, 2020

Back in Time is tiny!  This was my progress until the threads arrived for Wooly Nutcracker.  The are the unfinished unts laid out just before sewing into rows.

When my sewing day ended yesterday this much had been sewn into rows.  The corners will go on last.

This is what remains for me tonight.  The piece of wool on the right will be used with the couching stitch that make up the vines on the outside border.  I'll be heading to Primitive Gatherings online for more thread ordering.  I don't have a deep red or green that will work...  It will be nice to have this 2019 UFO done, but first I'll need Primitive Gatherings to bring thread!

Does anyone know if there was a character or place in the movie Back to the Future that would help me with a name for this project?  Everyone take care =^.^=

Design Wall Monday, June 22, 2020

It is a start!  This is the background and units for the one and only border of Wooly Nutcracker.

There appears to be an error in the pattern, well two actually.  They have you cutting the final unit in the pictures the wrong way and not cutting enough of the blue pieces.  Adjustment made before catastrophe!

Next I'll be cutting out the wool for the nutcracker.

The mail brought me the first two of four bias makers that will be used for Autumn Love.  I have the third on order and who knows when the 1" size will be found.  I have a "let me know when more stock arrives" at Stitchin Heaven for the 1" size.  Also on its way for Autumn Love is the Point 2 Point tool from Stitchin Heaven and the Bee Basics Aurifloss kit from Amazon.  The Cute Little Buttons Jars #1, #2 and #3 are sold out everywhere.  I left a post on Lori Holt's blog hoping she might have something for me; fingers crossed!  All of these purchases will come in handy with the Vintage Christmas project that I also have planned.  I signed up at Stitchin Heaven for the BOM that starts in December for the kits.  I already have the book.

No progress on Back In Time as of yet, first things first and that is to be Wooly Nutcracker!  Hope your week ahead is perfect.  DH celebrates his birthday today.  We have Mexican dinner planned as a take-out at Fidel's.  We are both having our favorite from the menu.  Ole!

Sunday Stash Report, June 21, 2020

Kandles is ready for quilting!  This is a 2020 UFO that I'll be gifting to my friend Bonnie.  When I first saw this design Yule Glow by Diane Harris in the McCall's Quilting Nov/Dec 2019 I knew I wanted to make it for Bonnie.  The pieces were cut out sometime ago which made the making of it quick.

I started transferring the pieces to my design wall last Wednesday.  As you can make out it is mostly HSTs.  I used my cell phone to photograph the unit placement to my sewing table which was very helpful to keep track of all the HST placement.  There is a particularly appealing quilting design that is shown with the pattern that Kerry will stitch out in this 27 by 33 inch project.  Excited to have this UFO done!

Keeping the UFO projects going...Wooly Nutcracker is ready for a start.  This is also a 2020 UFO.  I'm using all fabrics from my stash so there is a change to the background and setting pieces (everything not nutcracker).  The fabrics will be cottons and not wool.  My sister Karen gifted me awhile back the gray on the top right that will be directly behind the nutcracker.

Since I haven't finished the 2019 UFOs yet :(...  Back In Time is also to be started.  It is a small project on 16 by 18 inches.  Another modification to the applique for this one too.  I will use cotton for the vines and leaves since there is no green wool in my stash.

So there you have what is to be worked on next and a completion!  The stash number roll this week :)  Hope you come back tomorrow for a visit =^.^=

Used this week:  4 yards

Used YTD:  80.25 yards

Purchased this week:  0 yards

Purchased YTD:  14 yards

Net used in 2020: 66.25 yards