Handiwerx

IG Mini Swap

2014-08-29T22:51:00.001-04:00

Yes, I am still kicking... not blogging much, but sewing, quilting and kicking! This blog is mainly for the swap (so sorry, it's closed already!) But you might find interesting things in my ramblings.

My friend, Sandy aka CurlyBoy (who I met on a Doll Quilt Swap on Flickr) is having a massive mini quilt swap on Instagram. I think IG swaps are a fairly new concept. This is my first online swap in about a million days.

Mosaic made at BigHugeLabs.com

I don't have a Flickr account anymore, so I will attempt to link all of the source of each of these images next. Some are simply pictures, and some have tutorials.:

Fly With Me by Rashida Coleman-Hale of I Heart Linen
Big Quilt #1 (yellow) by Erin Wilson
Blue Chair (no source, image found on Pinterest)
Button Play by Juliana of jednoiglec
Quilter's Palette by Rachel
CHQ QAL quilt by Kristen (original Cherry House QAL here)
Ingrid Press quilt posted by Brioni Greenberg of FlossyBlossy
Banderitas by Vicky Murphy
Log Cabin Star by Strawberrylicious
Round Rainbow Log Cabin by Red Thread Quilter
Kylee's Kite by Eleanor Burns of Quilt in a Day
DQS13 by Petra
Sea Breeze by Megan Bohr of Canoe Ridge Creations
Scrap Map by See Kate Sew
Fan Quilt Along by Color Girl Quilts
Black and White with Rainbow (no source, image found on Pinterest)

I have been sitting with a knee injury. When bored, I pin at Pinterest. I have a bazillion quilts pinned in a dozen different quilting folders. There's also lots of stritchery, art, Zentangles, food and wedding stuff (It's exactly TWO months until DD Meredith gets married!)

So, WATCH OUT! Don't hop to Pinterest unless you have time to swoon and drool, LOL!

Partner, I put together this folder specifically for the IG Swap. In a nutshell, I love low-volume, text fabric backgrounds, solid fabrics and other rainbow and bright colors, presented in a highly graphic or linear design. I'm still crushing on the big clam shell quilts, anything with text prints and I do love me some improv too!

I am excited thinking about this swap process!

ALL SHIRTS! (no shoes)

2013-11-24T11:17:00.003-05:00

Have you seen Carolyn Friedlander's new shirtie pattern? This is a swap for those!

Hurry over to May Chappell/Lee's for full details and for the giveaway--you must enter today! But sign on at the Flickr group soon too!

As Lee said, "I’m off to make shirts! This is going to be epic!"

In other news, Meredith is engaged and getting married next year!

Meredith and her fiance, Scott

Last weekend, was our "girl's weekend" and she said "yes, to the dress!"
Good times!

Oh, and HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

There's always MUCH to be thankful for!

A Tale of a Featherweight

2013-08-25T18:05:00.000-04:00

Bloggers, forgive me for I am remiss... it has been two months since I last blogged! I feel like the worst blogger ever, but keep reading of others in the same boat. It's probably the instant gratification of Instagram that has us all starry-eyed and not practicing our blog-writing skillZ! I digress...

This story began with Colleen and her family vacation across the northern US and southern Canada. She had a great time and posted a lot of pics. I missed the one where she mentioned a white/mint Featherweight she had seen...

...Until our guild's last Sit 'n Sew. Colleen was telling me about her trip when the Featherweight came up.

Colleen's pic of her and my first peak

"Why didn't you buy it???"

"How much was it?"

"What's the name of the store?"

"Where is it?"

Lavoy's Antiques in Alberta, British Columbia. Just at the talk of the little beauty, I could feel my heart race. Later I told Byron about the machine and googled to find out more about the store.

On Monday, I called. The lady said I was her furthest inquirer about a machine. She asked me if I found her on Google. I told her the story. She sent me to the Kajiji listing for it (Canadian version of Craig's List) and gave me the machine specs. I told her I would call her back to let her know something and to please hold it in the meantime.

That was when I googled 'SINGER FEATHERWEIGHT WHITE.' I could feel my heart pounding again. Should I buy it with only Colleen's impression and a few not-so-good net pics? Was it worth the cost? Did those watermark lines on the box mean it had sat in water? Was it rusted?

The price was pretty good.

I studied the limited images on Kajiji pics. The cord was bound all over with electrical tape. I learned that the original machine came with this charming Bakelite box full of accessories and that it had originally had a white drive belt.

A half hour later, I called her back and continued to question. I pointed out the things that I saw were missing (largely, they were extras, not essentials.) I asked her if they would pay the shipping and leave it at the same price. She had to ask her husband, but he agreed. I was a little upset that they accepted so quickly and didn't haggle... maybe I had offered too high?

So, we made the transaction and the wait began. My Canadian friend, Katy and I joke about the 'black hole' between the US and Canada border. When something goes in/over, you never know when it's going to 'come out' on the other side. It might be a week or it could be closer to a month! I was determined not to mark the time closely so I wouldn't be anxious.

The electronic receipt came in my email. Then, in what seemed like no time (less than a week) the mail lady was blowing her horn in my driveway (that's rural for "You've got BIG mail!") Byron brought the whiskey box it was packed in inside. I spent a while looking her over and seeing if I saw any obvious problems. The cord was pretty beat up so I was afraid to plug it in.

AKA "Esme"

Yesterday, we took her to to the Poppy Featherweight guy who repairs machines at quilt shows. He gave her a check, at a screw or two and suggested replacing the cord. But other than that, she's good to go. YAY! I made a good investment!

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Other happenings to catch up on

(or "what I've been up to instead of blogging")

Working on the Tula Pink City 100 block quilt

Cute Noodlehead bag

Love the zipper detail

blocks for a special secret project

Alyssa's birthday quilt

Lovely pinnie and felting goodies from Louise in FLiPS
aka Fabulous Little Pincushion Swap

Mug Rug for swap and new social spot Ipernity

Mug Rug and cup koozie for the Triad Modern Quilt Guild swap

Travel Pillow for next TQMG swap

Back of the pillow

Eeeep! I was pleased with my quilting
(I did this on my straight stitch FW with NO walking foot!)

Dewey's cake recently shared at a TQMG Sit 'N Sew Sunday

Are you in the W-S area? Come join us THIS Tues. night, 8/27 at 6:30p
at the South Fork Community Center

Featherweight Muscle

2013-06-22T11:25:00.002-04:00

Hi! Although I am not being truly held hostage, I thought I would pop in as a proof of life, LOL! It's summer and life is crazy, ain't it?

As our service project, our local modern quilt guild makes wheelchair quilts for seniors. Wheelchair quilts, are roughly the size of a baby quilt--not so big that they get tangled up in the wheels. I make mine 36"x36" which takes slightly over a yard of fabric to back. That's also nine 12" blocks, which is like a giant nine-patch.

I have made several of these quilts, but had yet to successfully quilt one on my plain little Singer 221 Featherweight. It's a vintage machine that sews only straight stitches and the feed dogs cannot be lowered.
Sounds like a straight-stitched quilt, right? Usually, the feed dogs pull and the fabric puckers. It just looks bad, so I give up.

A bundle of batik big 10" charm squares arrived in the mail yesterday. What in the world I was going to do with more swap square? I can up with and answer: make summery looking quilts for the seniors.

I selected nine rainbow colored squares, evened them up to 9.5"and sewed a light background to each in half square triangles. The top was together in a chevron pattern in no time.

My friend who lets me use her long arm was away, so I decided to give my machine another try. I have had some success quilting small projects that had low-loft polyester craft batting. I tried low-loft cotton this time.

I layered, basted with pins and hoped for the best. I started in the middle and though I had a difficult time with zigzag of the chevron thing, it was working!

I pieced, quilted and bound the whole thing in less than 24-hours. Yes, it's pretty much all I did that day, LOL!

I wash the quilts before giving because I must know how well it's going wash. VOILA! When I got it out of the dryer, I was pleased as punch. The minimal puckers disappeared into those wonderful convolutions of the soft cotton batting.

I am pleased to report that I have one successful--albeit small--straight stitch quilt done at home!

A rainbow chevron quilt

I was pleased that I found this chevron fabric that has many of the same BG colors

And it feels good!

Forest Friends Quilt Along

2013-06-02T11:25:00.000-04:00

It seems like it’s only been a few days since Joanna invited me to be a part of the Forest Friends QAL and here we are at the close of it!

My forest ‘flora’ is the trillium. Here's an interesting fact about this flower: if you pick the blossom, the plant will likely die. I’ve been tempted, but never have!

Where I live, the trillium flowers are white. Joanna worked up the final .PDF for my design (thank you!) and represented a red flower. Maybe you will want to make yours a little differently than mine and choose red.

*This design is not very difficult as it is three petals and three leaves that are similar. Because it is a flower with three petals and the paper has 4 corners, it sits in a way that makes the design like a puzzle.

With the ‘puzzle’ warning, just be aware of your piece placement!

*FYI, at the end of this blog, there are links to download .PDFs of both the pattern and the instructions.

Here’s what you will need:

FQ or scraps of red or white for the trillium petals
Scraps of green for the leaves
Scraps of yellow/gold for center
Scraps of light green or gold for the tips of the leaves
FQ or large scraps for the background

For the center, I used Dimples by Andover Fabrics which is a tone-on-tone fabric that comes in a huge array of colors.

For the flower petals, I happened to have had a piece of white fabric with pin-tucks that I used as a representation of the veins of the petals--a striped fabric might work well too. I used a dark green batik for the background to simulate the dark forest floor and a striated batik for the leaves.

Working the design:

When printing, be sure that your printer is NOT set to “Fit to Page.”
Before you proceed, measure the square on the Trillium Pattern .PDF.
If you need a paper-piecing method, here is the method I use. You won’t end up with paper on the floor because you don’t sew on the paper!

Piecing the Trillium:
Be aware that several of these pattern sections look quite similar. Double check your section letters before stitching them together!

Cut out pattern pieces A-L. You might want to lay them out like the design so you get oriented to how everything fits together.
Begin piecing with Unit A, stitching together all of the pieces in each section, finishing with Unit L.
After all of the individual sections are stitched, begin sewing sections together in pairs.

Sew A to B
Sew C to D
Sew E to F
Sew G to H
Sew I to J
Sew K to L

You want to end up with two compound sections with NO “Y” seam, so continue as follows:

Sew unit AB to CD
Sew unit ABCD to EF. Remove freezer paper if you haven’t already. Press seams and set aside.
Sew unit GH to IJ.
Sew unit GHIJ to KL. Remove freezer paper if you haven’t already. Press seams and set aside.
Carefully sew unit ABCDEF to unit GHIJKL. Press.

Voila! You are finished. You can use this block to make a pillow. Add a few other designs from the Forest Friends QAL to make a wallhanging. Make all the blocks for a full-sized quilt! If you make my design (or any of the others from the Forest QAL, please share a picture of it at Flickr.

If you have trouble of any kind, please email me!

Thank you, Joanna and Julianna for hosting this fantastic Paper-piecing QAL!

Mini QT Swap

2013-05-17T07:05:00.001-04:00

I was partnered with Marilyn for the most recent round of the Flickr Mini QT swap. "Botanical and Feathered Friends" is the theme for the current round. Both Marilyn and are are bird lovers. What we would make each other was a no brainer!

Here are the end results. We also sent each other bird themed extras. Thank you Marilyn! FYI, the swap requires that these mini-quilts are no large 12"x12".

My quilt for Marilyn--a pekin robin

My gorgeous Carolina wren with dogwoods.
It is made of Dupioni silk and 100% handstitched

Hand Applique Technique (a demonstration)

2013-05-09T07:09:00.001-04:00

While I was recently hand appliqueing a piece, I thought about how much stitching keeps you in the moment. If you aren't thinking about what you are doing right then, the next step very probably won't be what you want it to be. I guess this is true with other processes. Maybe this was evident because of the slow process of hand stitching.

Regardless of the lack of speed, hand applique and embroidery are my favorites. I was not very successful at needle turn applique (edges are turned under as you sew and not left raw) until I learned of the following method. Maybe it will be helpful for you!

I thought of sharing this while my work was in process, so you join me there...

Here is where we are starting today. I am adding the bird's eye.

This paper cut-out is what the bird's eye will look like and where it will be placed.

You can see from the back of the piece where I have traced the shape of each piece,
starting with the bird's body. FYI, I have cut each piece to applique from a photocopied
picture of the bird(ignore my untidy embroidery back *blushes*)

With a disappearing marker, I am tracing the reverse side of the patch
that contains the bird's eye.

See the shape?

Using a large, thick needle and a double-threaded piece of heavy
hand quilting thread, I stitched right on that blue line, while holding a small piece of fabric
over the eye spot on the front of the bird.

The reason I use a heavy needle and thread is so that it pierces and makes temporary holes in the fabric,
kind of like a perforated line. This will make turning the edge under much easier!

I had to make sure the piece covered the whole space to be sewn.
Then from the back I basted it down, using large stitches with the big needle and thread.

(not pictured, sorry)

At this point, I sprayed with starch, then ironed the piece, securing and stiffening it. You do that for each subsequent piece, as well. THEN, I trimmed around the basted piece. It is trimmed slightly wider than 1/8 inch.

Beginning at the top, I removed a couple of the basted stitches
and start to turn the edge under.

Using a blind applique stitch, I sewed all the way around the piece, turning as I went.
Believe me, the 'perforation' makes turning so much easier!

For this piece, I am embroidering heavily on top of the applique
attempting to simulate feathers.

This is the picture I am sewing from. It's a Pekin robin.
In about a week, I will post a picture of finished piece
(after I have mailed it to my swap partner! ;)

I hope this method will help you. If you know the shape of your object (or using a temporary marker, can draw it on the front of your fabric, you can work this method from the front of the fabric. As I have mentioned, the main bonus is breaking the fabric with the stitched basting line.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

How did I do in the contest??

Thanks to everyone that voted me in last week’s

Appliqué Quilts event. The guest judge awarded 25 bonus points to Virgo Mermaid, On the Rocks, Flutterbyes and Flora & Fauna. The site owner awarded 50 points to My Grandmother's Rose of Sharon, 30 points to Africa and 20 points to Trains, Planes and Bicycles. Flora & Fauna by Karen H. was still strides ahead, so it won. I thought by virtue of detail, it should win.

>Even though we didn't win, thanks for your support. It meant a lot!

Please vote for me (and a give-away!)

2013-05-04T16:13:00.003-04:00

I recently made this appliqued mini-quilt for Ruth in the Flickr Fabulous Little Quilt Swap. I had so much fun picking out the fabrics and embellishments for the dresses.

See the one that's one space to the left of the top right corner? Ruthie is a Wizard of Oz fan, so that pinafore dress is a nod to Dorothy.

I have entered this quilt in the Appliqued Quilt Contest at Quilting Gallery. It is pictured in the 2nd spot and is called "All Dressed Up." Pop over and if you like mine best. give me a vote!

While you are there, enter the give-away that is going on. Thanks and I hope we win! ;)

Baby Things, Boy Things (Part 1)

2013-04-22T07:45:00.001-04:00

Our niece, Jessica is carrying the first great nephew. The doctor says he's to make his appearance into the world any day now. He is SiL Kathy's first grandchild and MiL Judy's first great grandchild..

His en utero nickname has been "Elbe" otherwise spelled as "L. B." which is the initials for "Little Baby." Cute, huh? His real name is not to be uttered yet. At least she told us his gender... well, that's the sonographer's best estimation. Right, Alyssa? (my own "I-never-say-100%-but-I'm-99%-sure-it's-a-boy" girl We'll never stop laughing at that!)

Over the last decades, things have changed and sonograms are much more accurate. I'm pretty sure this time they are right about Elbe being a boy. I have put stock in that.

I've personally given Jessica's child a bunch of boy "stuff" so far. I am perhaps as excited as a great aunt can be. Over the decades, I have mostly forgotten how much fun baby goodies are to procure and make! (well, there was Abby's stuff but that was for a girl.)

First, there is the baby carrier cover like the one pictures in the top left corner,
but made from the really cute IKEA fabric in all of the other pics, lol!
(there's a tutorial for that here.)

This is his quiltie (which serendipitously,
turned out to be the nursery colors she chose. =)

But WAIT, there's MORE! *blushes already*
There's the fleece bunny, burp pads and 'pee-pee tee-pees', hee hee!

Then, there's father-to-be Micheal's compact diaperbag
chocked full of toys and things a FTB should like
(pattern forthcoming, I hope!)

And finally (for now) the wallhanging.
I told Jess I would change out the letters for his name...
...when I know it! :)

Um, I have time now, like I did not when my own bebes were small. Gosh, if I have own grandkids, this could get really ridiculous! There may or may not be other handmade items in the works. *still blushing, but-probably-not-stopping* LOL!

GO VOTE!

2013-04-18T08:13:00.000-04:00

Sew Original, one of my LQS's is having a So Solid Challenge. I entered. I believe my number is #10. At any rate, the voting is through tomorrow. I'm going over today and I hope to have more pics of the entries.

Here's my entry. If you are in the Sherwood Plaza of Robinhood Rd. area today or tomorrow, I sure would appreciate your vote.

Quick Binding Trick

2013-04-10T12:04:00.004-04:00

By the time I finish a quilt, it's just me sitting around while watching TV with hubby. Nobody is around to discuss my method. Has that happened to you?

We've talked about how wide to cut a binding strip (2 1/4"-2 1/2") but I don't remember talking much with other quilters about how to cut and piece a binding.

I am Suzy Shortcut... I don't like pinning (though I have learned when I can't skip it.) I don't scissor-cut if I can figure out how to cut something with a rotary cutter (I use old blades for paper.)

And I would much rather eyeball something than measure (I forget numbers as soon as they are out of my mouth.)

That said, I like tidy bindings. I always double fold, but to avoid bulk, I sew the various strips together with a bias cut on both end of each strip.

With this method, it's easy to end up with your diagonal seams going in both directions. That's one of those kinds of details if I leave undone, it bothers me. So, I want a method that gets them right all of the time. I think this one is simple.

At the end of your binding strip,
fold your top piece under at an angle (about 45 degrees, but not always.)
The KEY is that the fold on the top makes the right "intersections" meet
(hang on, you will understand this in a second!)

Place your bottom piece under the top with angle folded--both right sides are up.
This fabric is directional so check that they are both the same if it applies.
NOTE: I *ALWAYS* make sure the top of the angle fold is on the RIGHT
so that all of my folds go in the same direction.

While holding the two pieces in place, carefully unfold the top piece.
Make sure that both edges of the top/folded piece meet the edges of the bottom piece.
Pin in place (or just hold it if you like to live dangerously, like me.)

Again make sure your edges meet and sew in the fold.

(FYI, I backstitch on both ends to lock seam.)

Trim away your threads and edges at about 1/4"
(this one looks a bit wider, but that's okay.)

Unfold to see your seam--they should meet.

Of it's a milli-fraction off, don't worry about it.

If it happens to be way off, I just cut that seam off and start over

(unsewing with that tiny point remaining intact is impossible)

Press your seams open, then fold your strips in half long ways.
Press. You are ready to sew your binding on!

Sometimes, when I am ready to sew, the two fabric strips are clearly not lined up at a right angle (which would form the 45 degree angle.) Don't worry, it will work anyway, your angle is simply not true (and that doesn't really matter here.)

DOWNLOAD .PDF of this tutorial

Spring Showers Give-away Winner!

2013-04-08T22:13:00.003-04:00

Congratulations, Lou! You were drawn as the lucky winner of my Spring Showers Sublime Stitching Sewing Set (6ix S's!) Contact me to claim your prize!

Forest Friends Quilt Along

2013-04-03T18:19:00.000-04:00

Once again, I have been asked to be part of the fun! Joanna/shapemoth and Juliana/sewingunderrainbow have asked me to join them in the Forest Friends Quilt Along.

Click on the icon or here to get started or check out the schedule. FYI, I am last all the way to June 3rd.

Look at this beauty coming up right away:

Be sure to check them out. They are challenging your skillZ! If you sew along with them, there is a contest. And they are offering some nice prizes.

In the meantime, don't forget try my design below and to keep checking on Spring Fling Month of lovely patterns! Here's Ruthie's bunny for today:

Spring Showers - Tutorial and Give-aways!

2013-04-01T00:01:00.001-04:00

Welcome to the opening day of Soma's Spring Fling Blog Hop! I am honored to be the first facilitator here on April Fool's Day! But I am not foolin'! I have seen some of the designs and you are going to have fun this month.

This little girl is walking in the rain right after a spring shower. I could not locate a green solid for her boots, so I simply decided to let her totally 'rock the dots' (like a little girl might dress herself.)

For complete instructions and tutorial for this block, click on the rainbow below, download and print the .PDF:

Spring Showers .PDF

In the .PDF file, on Page 2&3, I've included some changes or "short cuts" you might use to simplify making the design (just FYI, the design won't be quite as definitive, but works just fine).
Want to try a new paper-piecing method? This is the one I use with freezer paper. You can reuse your pattern because it's not torn up!
Here are a few tips that might help you as you go:

this tip also works when aligning seams, as well

Here's how to make the girlie's braids from embroidery floss.

Select a skein of embroidery floss that is the color you want for ponytail(s) and remove wrappers. Untwist the floss.
At one end, snip though all threads of the skein.
In the middle of the strands, lay the threads out flat. Find the middle and sew across the flattened threads ½” from the center spot.
Cut the two sections apart between the two sewn spots to make to pieces.

To braid, divide the threads in three even strands of floss.
Braid them loose at the top (near the seams) and tighter toward the end.
Line up the block's Umbrella Section and Girl Section. Hold your braids up to the block to decide how long (or short?) they should be.
Put a dot of glue at the spot you will be tying the bow.
Tie your ribbon on the end of the braid in your preferred fashion
Trim the ends of the pony tails.
Position your ponytails in the seam between the finished umbrella and girl block sections.
Carefully pin the fabric and braids in place.
You are ready to sew these two sections together, with the braids sandwiched between them.

I hope you enjoy piecing this little block! It was fun picking out the "rock the dots" prints for the rain attire. The cloud background is a little busy and dark. Next time, I might use a slightly mottled aqua, blue or light gray batik.

The rainbow lets us know that the clouds are parting and the sun is beginning to shine... shine all the way past the May flowers to warmer weather and summer!

If you have ANY problems at all with this design, please email me and I will get back to you as soon as I can.

===========================================================

There are at least TWO GIVE-AWAYS! this month...

PART ONE--MY Give-away: Today, you have three chances to win this prize:

from Jenny at Sublime Stitching

Subscribe to my blog, then leave a comment telling me your favorite thing about spring or paper-piecing (I know some of you have allergies *ah-choo!* and bless you!)

http://www.whimsandfancies.com/category/spring-fling/

Post the Button and a link to the Soma's Spring Fling Blog Hop on your blog, then leave yourself another comment HERE.
Tweet, tweet tweet about my blog and my block kicking off the Spring Fling Blog Hop. Add a 3rd comment and chance to win!

TeriEmerson.com

On Monday, April 8, Randy N. Generator will choose a winner for this spectacular kit from Sublime Stitching.

But WAIT ~ That's not all! Soma's having other drawings (I know this bundle will be offered at the end of the month.

Hello from Alexander, Anna Maria, Tim,
Valori, Rashida, and Denyse... oh, wait, is that
Riley saying hello with .5 yd. B&W Chevrons?
Right above Robert's Charm Square pack.
Russell says hello with chocolate and
an antique sewing machine scissor fob

Pop over to Soma's place to see what's happening there. You can also see the list of bloggers that will be bringing you free paper-pieced patterns and other goodies throughout the month of April.

Happy Sewing!

Happy SpRiNg!!!

2 Quick Notes Before Easter

2013-03-29T09:13:00.005-04:00

Due to unforeseen events, I am running a wee bit behind--in my whole life! But here's a couple of quickies I want to mention before the Easter weekend is upon us!

A close up of details

My new faraway friend at Flickr Sandy, aka Curly boy has blogged about the DQS13 doll quiltie I made for him, as my partner. Pop over to see the details. And if you are totally intrigued with the process, you can see a few pics of my process here, among my other minis.

messy sketchy

IN OTHER NEWS...
Soma of Whims and Fancies is hosting a fabulous Spring Fling Block Hop!. You might remember the fun Halloween hop Soma hosted.

Spring Fling!

The month of April will be chocked full of yummy, free paper-pieced designs AND there will be WEEKLY PRIZES!

My pattern will be first on April 1 (no joke! ;) with my "Spring Showers" design. Here's a sneak peek at the design corner:

Check back here on Monday, April 1 (no foolin'!) for the tutorial and...

...a GIVE AWAY HERE TOO!

(prize sneak peek from Sublime Stitching)

Won't you join in the fun on Monday? Oh yes...

HAPPY EASTER!

Swap-bot

2013-03-24T08:47:00.001-04:00

I've heard about Swap-bot a while back, but never jumped in. I used to do ATCs and maybe this is a new place to create quick art and share too. I enjoy making small detailed art.

In case you don't know, ATCs are are Artist Trading Cards. The size is uniform (2.5" x 3.5") but the expression is up to its creator. My faves to make are Zentangles. That keeps me busy learning new tangle designs as well as have a place to share them.

No, this mandala and satellites isn't ATC sized
and more detail than an ATC
It's my fave tangle I've drawn so far

Mixed media is also fun. Here's one of my faves I received from Colleen.

Colleen made a cloth envelope for this embroidered and beaded ATC

In the meantime, I am jumping in slowly by doing the One Word Answer Swap. It will be 50 question study in brevity, Those of you who know me well, know this may or may not be a big challenge!

One Word Answer Swap

Give-Away Fun!
Another note, Katy is about to celebrate her 1-year "blogaversary" and a new niece so she's having a give-away! Pop over to play and/or meet a new friend.

Eye Candy

2013-03-16T09:33:00.004-04:00

I love Flickr groups. That's where I socialize online with my fave thread covered pals *waves to Katy, Sooz, Dustin, Nina, Roxanne and the rest.*

embroidered center of mini-quilt for FLiQS secret partner--shhhh!

This morning, one of my images has 362 views... that's unusual! (It's usually 20 views tops.) I was wondering if it had been tagged by Explore. I have no idea how to locate it, but found some other fascinations to share.

Explore is relaxing--you can travel the world in minutes and see a lot of majesty and wonder! There's tons of artistic and creative inspiration, as well.

(THIS ONE won't allow me to link it, but you simply must go see Aurora Borealis!!! Another MUST CLICK of the sun rise or set over the plains)

Click on a pic to see the larger version.

this is Edgecombe Co., NC!

Did you smile? Oh, here's a fun toy to play with color: http://www.play-crafts.com/blog/palette-builder/

OH YEA! HAPPY NATIONAL QUILTING DAY! PIECE OUT! BE A RULER AND ON THE CUTTING EDGE! :D

AND while I am at it:

Beat the Winter Blues Blog Hop Party

2013-03-10T09:01:00.003-04:00

Wanna chance to win some new friends and meet some nice prizes? This just started a couple of days ago. Thanks, Colleen for letting me know (she's in the give away too!)

Chase away those winter blues because spring is on the way. We're getting a preview today!

Hello "Brown"!

2013-03-01T10:44:00.002-05:00

Yesterday and today, that wonderful brown truck with the man in the brown uniform stopped in my driveway. Each day, he carried a package with my name on it!

The first day it was from amazon.com: Kaffe's new Shots and Stripes. I own most of his books and believe this is the most beautiful and exciting book in a while.

The second day, Brown delivered Kona solid fabrics from fabric.com (on sale for $5.48 a yard!) I am ready to piece some low volume patchwork, probably for backgrounds and I can't wait to sew something from my new book!

Here are teaser pics of some of the glorious patchworks from the book:

Mother's Wreath: Thoughts about the liberties of women

2013-02-24T10:42:00.001-05:00

I am not a trained professional, but worked for nearly a decade as a lay counselor and facilitator for women in the area of unplanned pregnancy. These are some of my observations and questions.

This is a response to my friend's comment on the Grandmother's Choice suffrage quilt along thread. If you put women's plight in the category of grim, I think you have to classify many human problems as grim. I generally find that prospect depressing. Isn’t all of life to some degree a struggle?

My maternal grandmother lived through her 10 (home birth) pregnancies, but her first child died quite young, due to some (also horrible) childhood illness. I've seen pictures of him in his casket, like the pic this week’s Grandmother’s Choice blog.

I shudder thinking about my Maw-maw being pregnant for 90 months or 7 ½ years! She was a hardworking farmer’s wife, so I guess she took it in stride. I know later in life, she had trouble with her uterus and had to have it ‘tacked up’—why wouldn't such a busy place needing holding up?!

A woman being subject to many subsequent pregnancies was definitely a marker of the times. Though I cannot morally reconcile the practice, I kind of understand the women of a slightly earlier age who tolerated their men ‘visiting the saloon in town’ to have their sexual urges dealt with ‘upstairs.’ Weighing the odds, they may have thought it a lesser of two evils. In a different era, perhaps they didn’t really ponder the situation at all. They may have been too busy!

As an aside, with many illnesses of past ages, the scientific discovery of microscopic germs led to landmark improvements and lives that were spared. Handwashing still changes lives today. How often do you see signs posted urging frequent handwashing?

We like to think of women’s rights of having come a long way. I believe we live in a male dominated society that will never wholly change. Women will never be truly equal, though illusions of liberty appear. I believe it to be an ever evolving dilemma, which has now moved to women in the work place.

What about the daily stresses of a single mother? Is it always her choice to parent alone or is it a lesser oppression? Is it an oppression to feel the need to work outside the home in order to make ends meet? Is true freedom to have to choose between having children and a career? Isn’t it a life altering situation to have to choose between the well-being of one’s children or making a salary? Is not associate guilt potentially oppressive?

Lastly, is the psychological and social divorce of sex and procreation healthy for women? Can a balance be struck? Culturally, do we currently balance these two considerations or will they always be at odds? I know this is a moral 'can of worms', so we won’t delve into specific individual beliefs on these matters. In our 21st century modern, postmodern ‘liberation,’ these are my unanswered questions.

My own mother died from a long, long bout of uterine and ovarian cancer. Her death can technically be considered a part of the continued struggle for women’s rights. She was free to limit her pregnancies and she chose oral birth control or “the Pill.” In its early years, women were severely overdosed with a cocktail of hormones. It is unclear whether the overdosing was intentional or not.

Initially, overdosing caused some unwanted infertility (a problem with many forms of birth control.) Later in life, this mismanagement is manifesting in cancer like my mother’s. She was contacted to be a part of a class action suit against the manufacturers of oral contraceptions. She didn't have energy to pursue it.

This is a heavy subject. Sometimes, it weighs on my mind and in my existence. For instance, I am currently dealing with breast cancer. Why is breast cancer so prevalent today? For the record, mine was found in Stage 0, which means it was easily cured by surgery. I won’t require further chemo or radiation. I count myself blessed.

I end with more questions. Will women cave into hopelessness or continue to fight? Are we not better for accepting each other in love for whatever our life experiences make us? Are we not better off for continuing to fight some evils together, regardless of class, color or beliefs?

There is strength in unity. We can help each other. Through gracious love and acceptance, we can overcome many of life’s challenges. Fostering a sense of community strengthens our resolve.

I thank you, Mama for all you tried and often succeeded in teaching me about life. Everything is not always sunshine and flowers, but hope abides. I am thankful for the strong women in my life who have gone before me. I am thankful for my mama and both maw-maws. I am thankful for the hope that real love and community still offer.

Oh, as I blogged at the beginning of the Grandmother’s Choice quilt along, I am making this quilt in honor and memory of my mother. It is a colorful, joyful reminder of all that is rewarding about being a woman, wife, daughter and mother.

TMG Meeting with Melody Recap

2013-02-20T09:28:00.000-05:00

Last night was our guild meeting with fabric designer, Melody Miller as featured speaker. Melody shared with us about how she ended up as a fabric designer. She is a trained artist, but learned after a bit, that's a hard way to make a living (unfortunately, most brilliant artists through the ages become well-known after they are no longer around to hear the accolades!)

Her path to fabric designing includes a lot of serendipity, born out of her own necessity and curiosity. She presented a slide show to highlight her designs and ideas. She draws all of the images in her fabrics with a graphics program. They are amazing! She is immensely talented and totally driven!

She showed some of her new fabric, Ruby Star Sparkle that will include metallic ink. Of course, it has yet to make it to my neck of the woods, but she assured us it would be coming soon. FYI, you can get it at superbuzzy.com.

It's hard to take photos of slides and my camera is my phone, so I don't have any good shots from the presentation. You might visit the Triad Modern Quilt Guild's site in a few days or check out our Flickr group.

I have a couple of few interesting shots that I will share. Sarah decorated a cake with one of Melody's typewriter fabric designs on it. Didn't she do a great job?

sorry it's a tad blurry

As she was signing my copy of her book, I noticed her cute tattoos. I have a thing for tattoos, so asked her if she would mind if I took a pic of them.

those are her red sequined chucks with the neon shoestrings :)

I told Melody that when I met Tula, I had take a pic of Tula's tattoos, as well. She knows Tula, of course, and said Tula told her she sometimes uses those tats for ID, LOL!

goodies from the meeting (fabrics from my LQS, Little General)

Thanks to Lee and the TMQG leaders, and Gina of the Little General for putting on this fun event!

Melody Miller's coming to town!

2013-02-09T22:01:00.004-05:00

Isaiah's Quilt (and FMQ tutorial)

2013-02-05T21:23:00.003-05:00

A long time ago, I met a rambunctious, smart and adorable lil red haired boy in my 4 year-old VBS class. His name is Brandon. How has enough time passed for him to get married and have a son? (who by the way, looks exactly like his dad!)

I made a little quilt for Isaiah. First, I found the fabric for the background. It's a camera print from Robert Kaufman. Brandon is an ace photographer. I knew the camera fabric had to be for his son's quilt. I was excited to find all of the other matching fabrics in my stash!

It took me a minute to figure out the pattern, but I laid it out and then sewed 4-patches together. When the top was pieced, I took it to my friend, Kim, so I could quilt it on her long arm. Kim she showed me how to do make this puzzle pattern. The week before, she was demo-ing a Gammill at a quilt show and using this design. I knew it was perfect for this quilt.

Here's a close up of the teddy I made from the Zakka Style book pattern.

Here's a close up of the puzzle quilting design.

Wanna know how to make the puzzle design? It's easy when you know the trick!

1. First, decide how large you want to make the 'pieces.' If you make a puzzle bump on the seams, that gives you an regularly spaced guide.

2. Make all of your vertical lines first. Note that all of the puzzle 'bumps' are lined up--

this is so you can sew betwteen the straight horizontal lines in the next step.

It does not matter which direction the bumps go, just alternate from time to time.

(You might want to practice this several times on paper before you try it on your quilt.)

3. Come back with horizontal lines through the vertical puzzle lines and sew the same pattern,

alternating bumps up and down (use the same regulated markers as you did on the vertical.)

See? Wasn't that easy?

Giveaway at Mae Chappell's

2013-01-10T21:00:00.001-05:00

Wanna to win some new Joel Dewberry's lovely Nottinghill? Pop over to Lee's and get your chance!

Resolutely Resolved...zzzzz!

2013-01-01T09:37:00.000-05:00

A bird chirped briefly. She rubbed her eyes and thought, "Wow, that bird sounded really loud and is up early to be winter." Before she could finish her thought, the sweet voice of an English lady matter-of-factly stated,

"It's seven o'clock."

Just as the English lass finished her declaration, the first quarter of the Westminster chime sounded in a rather digitized, pixelated, computerficated tone.

As she drifted in and out of sleep, she heard the odd Westminster chime once more. Then, just as she dozed into a light sleep, there went the bird and the lass, who now noted, "It's seven thirty."

Like it or not, she was awake. She was sure this was not a real Englishwoman because she most likely would have said, "It's half past seven"!

Later that day, she told him, "I heard a bird, and English lady and the Westminster chimes announcing each quarter hour beginning at 7am this morning. Did you?"

"Oh, yea! No, I didn't hear it but that's my new app!" he proclaimed excitedly. She grimaced. Was this app number six thousand and twenty-one... or two?

"And why did it go off at 7am if you never get up that early?" He works from home. His commute is quite short.

"I need to start getting up earlier." She laughed on the inside as he left the room. For the quarter of a century she had known, she had heard him say this or something similar. Before a new year ever arrived and nearly with each change of the seasons, he made this resolution.

Often, the other three family members laughed aloud as he promised, "Tomorrow we are going to get up really early." He proceeded to announce some activity they would do or place that they would go... in his dreams!

The house was quiet until once again, the bird-voice-chimes scenario played out. She opened one eye. It was so early to have stayed up so late to watch the ball drop in Time Square!

"If you always sleep past it, why does the app start at seven???" she snapped jokingly.

"I need to start getting up earlier," he muttered and rolled over, eyes closed all the while.

As she typed the last words of her blog, she heard the deep heaves of his breath as he snorted a bit; mouth open, head on pillow, covers tucked under arms, hands clasped together. Perhaps she would start the coffee.

She'd bet money that he would smell coffee brewing, roll over, then reach for his glasses, so he could see the clock.

BINGO! In a fog he proclaimed that it was sorry because it was twenty-five minutes later than he'd told her they would go out and about on New Years Day.

She hit enter, checked her Flickr site and email once more, closed the laptop and rose to her feet.

A bird chirped.

"It's nine thirty..."

Blessings for the new year to you and yours!
May old acquaintances n'er be forgot...