CleverQuilter Blog

Your Coolest Edition to a Quilt

2012-01-23T07:00:00.000-08:00

"Cora Bell" is done!! Thank you to one of our blog commentator's for the name: it fits perfectly!

During the completion process, I added some yarn from a scarf project my daughter started a few years ago during a "knitting phase" plus about 18" of beaded trim used when I made curtains about 8 years ago. Saving odd ball tidbits of colorful things that "could be used some day" is all part of owning a crafting horde. I can't wait to find a use for the heavy, glass beads I bought in bulk at one of the craft super stores on a whim!!

What's in your crafting / sewing stash which is fun that you've used in a project? Was it unexpected and unique? Tell us about it!

One UFO Completed!

2012-01-20T01:30:00.000-08:00

Sponsoring the UFO Challenge with Quilting Gallery has given me the umph to finish up some projects. Although I have a beautiful shop and plenty of space there to create, there's something about sewing at the dining room table, in the house, cat nearby, tea cup full, and stereo playing: I really prefer it to sewing in the shop. Here's the catch: I have very little space there to store quilting paraphernalia in the house. If I want to start a new project there, I have to clear out other projects first.

In order to make room for the Hawaiian applique quilt blocks, I pulled out this project I started in April of 2011. My friend, Carol Britt, of Batiks Etc. gave me the pattern as a gift and I immediately feel in love with it. She designed the pattern, the really cool technique for creating the blocks AND (I love this part) it is a quilt-as-you-go project! What is NOT to like??? Here's the link to her shop and the patterns.

Anyway, it took 1.5 cups of coffee and about an hour for me to FINALLY finish up piecing this table runner this morning. Max, my kitty, helped which is why it took an hour verses 30 minutes....

If it only took an hour to finish up, why did it take over 8 months for me to pick it up and finish? That's a topic for another day... Thank goodness for Quilting Is Murder and Quilting Gallery's UFO Quilt Challenge, though: who knows when we'd have this lovely table runner on the dining room table???!!!

Ellie Update

2012-01-17T12:55:00.000-08:00

Since I can't do just ONE project at a time, here's some pictures of Ellie. I'm almost done beading and have to return to doing the little zig-zag stitches around her pieces. For whatever reason, I can only do those little zig-zag stitches for a bit them my machine decides it has had enough and starts goofing up the bobbin thread. Oh well: I just turn back to the beading!!

I added close-ups of her feet and eye. My camera isn't very good ~ I'm wondering if my iPhone takes better pictures... You get the idea, though. She is certainly getting lovely!!

Her ears are just not zippy enough: the beads are not showing up enough. The next update may show more there!!

Now where to hang her when done....

To Add the Yarn or not: That is the Question

2012-01-13T08:10:00.000-08:00

Here's a picture of the yarn I'm considering attaching around the border of the quilt. It is just draped here. I love how it is fuzzy, colorful and not too "big". What do you think? Add it to the border or not? Maybe just add it as a fringe to the bottom?

Ideas and thoughts? I'll pull out the beads in the next posting ......

My New Years Project - the Cow

2012-01-11T12:05:00.000-08:00

First - this project is "in Process" - heck, I don't even have a name for it other than "Cow"!!

This year, I started something I'd wanted to start for years: a project that involves taking a paper picture and creating my own fabric picture. This is about 21" square and not done yet. There will be beads and maybe fuzzy, fun yarn.....

What I've learned so far:

Lesson #1: Contrasting thread is your friend. I found my sun and flowers do not show up at all: I was worried if I used darker threads, they'd over power the cow. NOT!!

Lesson #2: Just start and do it. I must have sat there 15 minutes before I started the flowers on the bottom. Then, I sat there another 15 minutes, frozen, before I started the sun. Grab the project, hit the pedal and GO!!

Lesson #3: Beads rule. I can't wait to start adding beads. Blue beads for the "sky" and green for the "grass".

Should I add decorative yarn to the outer border? Let me know!

Have you started anything - tell us about it.

Happy New Year!!

2012-01-01T05:25:00.000-08:00

In our final Holiday Cheer installment, we'll display the best of the best, IMHO, from the Houston Quilt Show, West Coast Wonders. Thanks and enjoy!!

Wave Rider by Monika Scola

Summer Dreams by Mary A. Tabar

Elf Owl by Terry Waldron

My absolute favorite is "Elf Owl". The whimsical aspect makes me smile each time I look at that cute little owl! I love how the sky is a patterned blue ~ I never would have considered using fabric like that. What makes viewing really spectacular quilts neat, to me, is the "Oh wow - I'd never have thought to do that" factor.

Which were your favorite quilts and did you see any in our series that made you think "Hey, I never thought of THAT." Please share!

Happy New Year a bit Early!

2011-12-30T05:20:00.000-08:00

And a few calorie-less treats for you. Drink up these images and enjoy the smiles they bring to you!

Roadside Poppies by Denise Oyama Miller

Tsunami Rattles California by Ann C. Sanderson

Deception Pass by MonikaScola

Holiday Eye Candy Cheer

2011-12-28T05:14:00.000-08:00

Viewing quilts from award winning designers never gets old!

View from the Verandah by Katie Mackin

Railton Trees - Daytime by Denise Oyama Miller

There's more! Woot Woot!!

Merry Christmas Eve!

2011-12-24T05:05:00.000-08:00

Enjoy some absolutely lovely quilts this season. Our Holiday Cheer series continues!

The Quilt Show was called "West Coast Wonders 2011".

California Dreamin' by Judy Laird

California Beauty by Felisa C. Lyons

Seeing these quilts in person gives you the ability to admire the tiny pieces, the stitches, and embellishments which don't show in a blog posting. I've written Bill Gates about this and asked for 3D and touchable screens (so you can feel the fabric) and he has assured me that his engineers are working on it. Maybe next year.....

Holiday Cheer - Enjoy!

2011-12-22T05:01:00.000-08:00

From the quilt show at Quilt Market, Houston I bring you more fabulous quilts. :)

Point Buchon by Sara Kelly

Malibu Beach by Sherry Davis Kleinman

Clean more Glasses - More Holiday Cheer to go!!

2011-12-20T04:56:00.000-08:00

A few quilts on display in the Quilt Show at Market. Original, lovely and guaranteed to give you a touch of happiness ~ holiday cheer.

Wish I Was There, by Barbara A. Daniel

Santa Barbara Riviera by Ranell Hansen

Holiday Cheer #10ish....

2011-12-18T04:38:00.000-08:00

Love, Love, Love Batiks!

When I took this picture, I figured I'd remember who made it: I can't. My memory is not like an elephant's! Wish I remembered: this was such a cute guy. I can see appetizers perched on his back ~ he'd be a centerpiece for my next party.

Let the Fun Continue! More Holiday Cheer

2011-12-16T04:45:00.000-08:00

Images from quilts entered into various contests at Quilt Market and displayed in the Quilt Gallery.

Blazing Autumn Trees, by Terry Aske

Beach Scenes, by Mia Bloom

Jingle Jingle - More Holiday Cheer!

2011-12-14T04:30:00.000-08:00

I love how Sarah has mixed colors to make the elements pop!

This is a Swirly Girls Designs pattern - "Zig Zag". I reached out to touch it when I saw it - looked 3D!!

Cheerful Holiday Quilt Candy

2011-12-12T04:25:00.000-08:00

Black and white never go out of style.

Yes, it is made of fabric - it is simply incredible what creative minds can think up, write down then translate to fabric.

Holiday Cheer - 7th Installment

2011-12-10T03:37:00.000-08:00

Makes me think Arabian Nights! (And start humming Aladdin tunes...Thank goodness you can't hear me sing in a blog posting - lol!)

This is part of Ty Pennington's booth. I rode from the airport to my hotel with a woman who helped design the booth and made the guitar you see above.

Go Grab Some Eggnog

2011-12-08T03:33:00.000-08:00

I've never worked with animal skin-type fabric: wouldn't it be fun??

I never got his name.... And no, just like at Disney, he doesn't talk. (What fun!!)

Holiday Cheer - part 5

2011-12-06T03:26:00.000-08:00

Jennifer Sampou's booth: it won best of show.

Time to book those flights to Hawaii!!

Candy Canes For Everyone! More Holiday Cheer from CleverQuilter

2011-12-04T03:19:00.000-08:00

The Dutch Quilter previewed this absolutely lovely amaryllis bulb. Incidentally, this image reminded me to pull my bulbs out of the basement so they can get going for Holiday blooming. So far, my four bulbs have lasted 3 years but I think two will be "retired" this year as they looked very unhappy when I put them in the basement for their dormant period in September. It's always a surprise which color will bloom first. In Upstate New York, winter color is simply wonderful!

One of my passions: flowers.

Eye Candy - No Calories!!

2011-12-02T03:12:00.000-08:00

This quilt is all fusible applique and inspired me to replace my old, beat up (and holey - not holy!!) teflon ironing sheet. Creating lovely things requires good tools, after all!!

Kaffe's booth always makes me smile. Two years ago I saw him working on a hand embroidery piece in hie booth. The designers do create what we see at market, with their own hands!! It's pretty neat.

Holiday Cheer - CleverQuilter Style!

2011-11-30T03:05:00.000-08:00

Dimension was added using machine embroidery - can you image creating this?

Whole cloth quilting using fusible applique plus one heck of an Advent calendar!

Holiday Cheer

2011-11-28T03:05:00.000-08:00

Take a break from your holiday shopping, cooking, cleaning and enjoy some Holiday Cheer, CleverQuilter style!
During December, I'll be posting images from Quilt Market, held in Houston on Oct. 28 - Nov. 1, 2011. Lovely, inspiring images that made me smile or simply filled me with awe when my eyes rested upon them. Relax and enjoy..

I can picture my daughter, about 10 years ago, making tea for her Dolly in this house.

Lovely!!

The Eyes Have It

2011-10-13T06:59:00.000-07:00

It feels like I've been working on Ellie forever! This is the beading stage: the part where I pick up the quilt while watching TV and add bling. Lots of BLING!! The problem is who has time to watch TV? I certainly don't ! Looks like Ellie will be a work in progress for the next few months, at least....

Here's what I've done to her eyes - first the left then the right. Her tusks are also done with glossy, clear beads and I'm planning her toenails next. After that, I'll start her floppy ears. Since there is sooooo much body on an elephant, it's hard to get my mind around what to do there. Instead, I'm knocking off the small, more manageable parts first. Does that ever happen to you? When you get involved in a big project, do you pick it apart and tackle small pieces, one at a time? It has helped me feel like I'm accomplishing something during my "TV time". :)

One more thing I want to add: we have a new kitten in the house. Beading a quilt is pretty tricky with a curious cat batting at your thread each time you move and the bead tray: oh, what a mess!! Here's a picture of my "helper":

He only LOOKS asleep......

Random Quilting

2011-08-12T08:21:00.000-07:00

I love this type of quilting. Just doodle, filling in the area in a directional pattern. The challenge is how to fill the area without crossing threads! I'm almost done with this quilt top. My plan is to add beads and sequins to make the quilt sparkle. You can see the kit here . Elephant Thunder - kit includes fabric and full size pattern. Perfect Saturday project. It looks like it would take days to do but not if you use fusible applique and a hot iron. "Ellie" has been on our work table for a few months. It feels wonderful getting her completed and ready to hang!!

Up next is quilting Strolling Giraffe. I did a blog entry on her a while back you can read here. Quilting "Guy" the giraffe will be more structured.

Which do you prefer: doodling quilting or structured, patterned quilt designs? Which do you LIKE to do yourself verses see on quilts? I think there is a reason I like doodling myself but seeing structured quilting on others quilts: it's much harder to do the structured quilting!!!

Barn Raspberries

2011-07-25T07:30:00.000-07:00

Behind the shop, a patch of brambles has grown. They seeded in naturally. Over the past three years, I've been going through the patch and pulling up non-berry plants. The result is a wonderful patch we harvest each year, starting with red blackberries and then blackberries. I've made jam with these - its wonderful!! Getting enough berries to survive the trip from the shop to the house is a problem: they tend to get eaten as they are picked!!