Made By Colleen

Project Completed: Easy nine patch stash quilted Christmas candle mats

2012-02-12T20:35:00.000-08:00

Easy Nine Patch Candle Mats.

Following my usual pattern of madly scrambling between Thanksgiving and Christmas to finish gifts, then experiencing extreme crafter burn-out through most of January, I've just now gone through the massive backlog of photos on my camera and sorted through all the Christmas photos -- including completed pictures of the nine patch candle mats I started last November.

These mats were quick and allowed me to use up a bit of my Christmas stash. Paired with a pretty scented candle, they made great personal gifts for a bunch of our Bible study couples.

This Jo-Ann's nativity fabric made the perfect backing for candle mats for our Bible study friends.

Traditional Christmas fabric backing.

Highlights from the 2012 Road to California quilt show and convention

2012-01-20T23:36:00.001-08:00

A collage of some of the most interesting quilts.

I am at this fabulous event, with my mom, for the 2nd year in a row, and I expect it to be an annual tradition from now on. Today we hit the vendor mall and toured the quilt exhibit; tomorrow, we have classes.

These are photos of my favorite quilts on exhibit. I came armed only with my iPhone camera this year, so the photos might not be as nice as the ones I posted last year, and I couldn't zoom in enough to snap photos of the placards showing the quilt names and quilter names. So, forgive my lack of attribution. And I am writing this post via my iPhone, so forgive any funky auto- corrects. I will fix the formatting and any typos once back home.

But, enjoy these beautiful quilts!

Project Completed: Basic Quick Knitted Hat & Scarf

2011-12-20T18:45:00.000-08:00

This easy scarf and hat knits up fast!

I've been too busy trying to finish up Christmas gifts to post much, so I'm trying to catch up a bit here with some of my completed projects. This quick and easy hat and scarf set is a Christmas gift for my sister, who recently moved to the mountains (and the snow). I fell in love with this scrumptious warm cozy bulky Country Loom yarn from Loops & Threads, so I bought a couple skeins in a few different colors. This color, Landscape, fits my sister.

Yet they are so soft, cozy and warm!

For the scarf, I specifically sought out a quick pattern designed for bulky yarn, and I settled on this hand-knitted Basic Scarf pattern from Lion Brand, which uses big size 15 needles. The easy pattern simply consists of a garter stitch border, with the main scarf in stockinette. I used 1-1/2 skeins for the scarf.

When it came time to do the hat, I opted to go with a quicker Knifty Knitter loom-knitted solution -- this basic E-Wrap Loom Scarf (I've made many of these). The hat knitted up in just a couple hours, using less than 1/2 a skein of yarn for an adult size.

A basic e-stitch loom-knitted hat with brim.

Making pretty scarves for Christmas? Help your gift recipients find fun new ways to wear them!

2011-12-08T20:00:00.000-08:00

Photo courtesy of Flickr user Brixton

I love scarves when the weather turns cool, as it has finally done here in sunny Southern California. But, I am terrible at figuring out the best way to wear a scarf! I catch myself looking enviously at women who do fun creative twists and turns ("scarf art") with their pretty scarves.

Fortunately, there is a great little video tutorial that creatively demonstrates 25 ways to wear a scarf! This is a "new to me" video, that came out in April. It caught my attention today when Tweeted out by my colleague, Twitter bud, and fellow knitter Susan Sivek (@profsivek). I thought I'd share it with my fellow crafters in the off chance that some of you, as well as your gift recipients, share my "scarf art" woes.

Now, hopefully, I can move beyond the basic boring Classic Drape and the Toss!

Project Completed! Easy Unisex Single Crochet Striped Pattern Scarf (OFA's Red Scarf #2)

2011-12-06T07:30:00.000-08:00

Unfortunately, my kitchen lightening washed out the deep rich burgundy and rich navy blue colors.

In addition to the Irish Hiking Scarf, this week I also completed a second scarf contribution for the Orphan Foundation of America's Red Scarf Project -- a pattern of my own making (my very first pattern!). Inspired by this Vertical Stripe Crochet Scarf pattern from Eating Out Loud, my single crochet scarf is perfect for beginners or any crocheter in need of a super quick easy gift. And because it's unisex-friendly, this is a good pattern for males or females -- this is actually the first one I've made that my husband commented upon extensively, although I know he still won't wear a scarf.

I tend to like my scarves on the long side, and I am wagering that some of the Red Scarf Project recipients are taller than my 5-foot 1-inch frame, so I made this scarf on the long side. Simply start with a shorter chain row if you want a shorter scarf.

Rows of single crochet stitches make this scarf nice and warm.

Easy Single Crochet Striped Pattern Scarf

Source: Colleen Greene

Materials

Size K crochet hook

Yard needle

1 skein worsted weight yarn, Color A

1 skein worsted weight yarn, Color B

Abbreviations

CH: Chain

SC: Single Crochet

WS: Wrong Side

RS: Right Side

Instructions

CH 200 in Color A (RS) for a 6-foot long scarf, less for a shorter scarf.

Row 1: SC in Color A all the way across, turn (WS).

Row 2: SC in Color B all the way across, turn (RS).

Row 3: Join Color B, SC all the way across, turn.

Row 4: SCt in Color B all the way across, turn.

Rows 5-8: Repeat Row 4, 4 more times.

Row 9: Join Color A, SC all the way across, turn.

Row 10: SC in Color A all the way across, turn.

Rows 11-12: Repeat Row 10, 2 more times.

Row 13: Join Color B, SC all the way across, turn.

Row 14: SC in Color B all the way across, turn.

Rows 15-18: Repeat Row 14, 4 more times.

Row 19: Join Color A, SC all the way across, turn.

Row 20: SC in Color A all the way across, finish off and weave in end with needle.

Cut fringe in appropriate colors (I like 6-7 strings per fringe bunch). Using the crochet hook, tie a fringe bunch of the appropriate color to the end of each row. Trim to about 3 inches in length.

Project Completed! Orphan Foundation of America Red Scarf Project (scarf #1)

2011-12-03T10:17:00.000-08:00

A traditional Irish cable knit scarf.

Last month, I FINALLY finished a project that I'd actually started 12 months prior -- my first attempt at a traditional Irish cable knit scarf.

I'd intended to complete it in time for the 2010 Orphan Foundation of America Red Scarf Project deadline, but, other Christmas-deadline projects kept getting in the way. So, after attempting to once again get back to it after the holidays last year, I packed up this WIP with the hope of completing it in time for this year's OFA Red Scarf Project deadline (December 15, 2011). And to my great relief, I did finally finish this beautiful scarf early last month.

A basic 6 stitch left-turning cable.

I am thoroughly hooked on cable knitting now, and cannot wait to try this scarf out in different yarns and colors, and perhaps in larger projects as well, after I finish my holiday gifts for this year.

You can get the free Irish Hiking Scarf pattern from Hello Yarn.

Stitch-In-Progress: Easy nine patch Christmas candle mats from my stash

2011-11-18T16:36:00.000-08:00

Easy nine patch Christmas candle mats.

During what little time I've had to sew over the past few weeks, I have been busy cranking out a bunch of holiday candle mats to give out to a group of our friends for Christmas.

For expediency's sake, I just went with a simple nine patch design of 5-inch squares (4-1/2 inches completed) made from an assortment of Christmas fabrics and coordinated colors from my stash. To "fancy up" my stitch-in-the-ditch machine quilting along each seam, I took the Crazy Shotcut Quilts approach and used one of the zigzag stitch settings on my Janome. Now I get to sew on binding. I had intended to just do cheater binding, but I don't like any of my backing fabrics as binding. So, instead, I get more hand work practice.

Project Completed! Easy reversible nautical placemats & table runner

2011-11-01T08:00:00.000-07:00

I was super happy to complete yet another UFO this past Friday evening -- easy pretty nautical themed placemats and a table runner, a birthday gift for my wonderful mother-in-law. I had actually intended these to be a Christmas gift last year, but, after suffering major Christmas craft deadline burnout, I finally called it quits at about 2am the night before they came down for our family Christmas dinner.

These placemats and table runner sew up really quick...when not stressed out on deadline.

Just like the fruity summer themed runner and placemats I made last year, I used the Quick and Easy Table Runner pattern and the Easy Placemat pattern from CraftAndFabricLinks.com.

The coordinating blue solid makes these reversible if my Mother-in-Law wants a bit more variety for her table setting.

Why a nautical theme? Because my in-laws' house is heavily adorned in nautical decor, including similar fabric on their dining room chairs. Since retiring a handful of years ago, they spend most of their time sailing on their beautiful boat, or touring the US in their decked out RV.

I fell in love with this print as soon as I spotted the fabric at my favorite neighborhood quilt show, the Calico House.

My in-laws' sailboat, the Red Tide.

So, while I was extremely frustrated and bummed out to not get these finished for Christmas last year, setting them aside gave me a good head start on this year's gifts.

Project Completed! Simple quilted Christmas table topper from 2 inch stash

2011-10-22T18:13:00.000-07:00

Sewing 12 rows of 12 two-inch squares was definitely more work than I anticipated!

Last October, I sewed up a bunch of quilt blocks to make into candle mats as a quick and easy Christmas gift for friends. But, when my blocks were done, I just wasn't happy with them at all. So Hubby and I came up with a Plan B for our friends, and I stuck the Christmas blocks away into my stash drawers hoping to find future inspiration to reuse the fabric.

My inspiration came in the form of this guest blog post by Wanda from Exuberant Color on Sew We Quilt. Wanda used her Christmas-themed stash of 2 inch squares to create a simple but beautiful table topper. So early this month, I started sorting through my own stash of leftover scraps from past Christmas projects and cut them all up into 2 inch squares while watching football with my husband. Then I sewed the squares into 12 rows of 12 squares each - finishing my binding this Thursday evening.

I just quilted simple diagonal hash marks on the point of each square.

I am quite pleased with the result! But, I did not realize how much work it is to work with tiny 2 inch squares. So, I won't be making a bunch of these table mats for a large group of friends. Instead, I'll probably just make a few for special gifts. I had intended to keep this first table topper for myself, but my mom got hit with some hefty unexpected car repair bills on Wednesday, so I thought she could use a little unexpected cheer this week and gave this one to her instead.

This Week's Stich-In-Progress: Finished my batik Earth and Ocean quilt top!

2011-10-08T16:21:00.000-07:00

I am pretty happy! Just finished the quilt top for my first batik project -- a quilt that I've titled "Earth and Ocean", which will be a gift. I used Red Pepper Quilts' "It's a Hoot!" as my inspiration. Now, on to the actual quilting...

Is there anything more fun in quilting than creating order and beautyout of chaos?

2011-10-01T16:58:00.001-07:00

Experimenting with Christmas candle mats to use up my Christmas fabric scraps.

Last Week's Stitch-In-Progress: Mountain bears panel wall quilt

2011-09-25T13:37:00.000-07:00

After finishing up my dad's USC Trojans quilt at my three day quilt-in last weekend, I was itching to make good progress on something for myself. So, I dug out this little wall quilt kit that I picked up at the Road to California earlier this year, to go up in our family room -- Hubby and I are both big on mountains, hiking and wildlife.

The bear pieces were a single panel that I cut into two squares. I sewed a thin brown border around each square, then the stone-patterned fabric border, and finally a grassy meadow border. I plan to hand quilt around the bears, and then do simple stitch-in-the-ditch machine quilting along each border, around the squares, and light hashmarks inside the squares around each bear. The kit included a pretty woodsy scene fabric for the backing, and I'll frame it all with dark brown binding.

FINALLY! Done with Dad's USC Trojans QAYG quilt!

2011-09-17T19:02:00.000-07:00

Front of the quilt.

I am SO happy! I finally finished my dad's USC quilt that I started way back during the week between Christmas and New Year's, but didn't really get serious about finishing until this summer. This quilt was my first attempt at the Quilt As You Go (QAYG) technique, and it was much more challenging than I expected...hence, the long delay between start and finish.

Back of the quilt.

I based my QAYG method off this great tutorial from the Welsh Quilter -- using sashing and binding to connect each pre-quilted block. What made this technique so difficult for me is that I didn't account for shrinkage. I should have cut each piece of sashing and binding a bit longer than needed (I now understand why long-arm quilters require the backing and batting to be 4-5 inches bigger than each side of a quilt top). But, I was able to fix my slightly-too-short sashing and binding when squaring up each set of blocks and each row.

Unlike the Welsh Quilter's example, I decided to add a border to the front and back of my quilt. This too was extremely challenging when doing QAYG because I should have cut my border strips longer than I actually needed in order to account for shrinkage. But, it worked out.

And finally, I based my design off of this Layer Cake Throw from Moda Bake Shop. This pattern is particularly suited for prints that need to be showcase in big blocks -- like my assortment of USC fabrics (most of which I bought on eBay).

I'm thrilled to finally be done and turn this quilt over to Dad to enjoy for the rest of Trojans football season.

Hosting a quilt retreat this weekend!

2011-09-16T17:17:00.001-07:00

My husband is off on his annual camping, fishing and shooting weekend in the Western Sierras with his old high school buddies, so I took a vacation day today and invited my mom and her best friend Betty over for a long quilting weekend. I'll post photos of our quilting creations later.

By the way, this is my first post using the new Blogger app for iPhone!

Bought my first batiks this weekend!

2011-08-23T20:19:00.000-07:00

I have only been quilting for a year and a half, but almost immediately after starting to learn about quilt fabrics, I began to hear the term "batiks". And soon I was able to recognize batiks. But, I didn't care for batiks...at all. They're just not my thing. My mother, on the other hand, loves batiks, and I soon discovered that many other quilters share her passion.

Well, this week, when paying my first visit to the nearby Quilter's Garden in Anaheim Hills, I caved and bought my first batiks. A pretty fat quarter stack of 14 beautiful Hoffman batik prints in earthy greens, blues and browns. I am planning a special quilt for a special person (can't say who in case she or he -- it's not Mom -- reads my blogs or Tweets), and this person has a fondness for earthy greens, blues and neutrals. None of the other prints or colors I've looked at the past few weeks felt right. Until I stumbled upon this last little fat quarter stack at the Quilter's Garden.

I am not sure just yet what type of quilt I will make, but I'll post pictures of my progress. I do need to first finish up my dad's USC quilt before starting this new project.

Holly Puppy is knitting!

2011-08-20T17:34:00.000-07:00

She's supposed to be on her blanket when on the couch!

Couldn't pass up snapping this photo when I saw our adorable Beagle go sit down by my daughter's vacated knitting seat on the couch.

This Week's Stitch-In-Progress: Finished my Italian herb quilt top!

2011-08-02T09:54:00.000-07:00

The pathetic natural lighting in my bedroom doesn't do this quilt justice.

Last night I spent about one hour finishing up the quilt top for that Italian herb themed kitchen quilt that I started cutting last weekend. The fabrics are from the First Course collection by Tara Reed Designs, and the kit and pattern are titled Oil & Vinegar, which is distributed by South Sea Imports.

We had horrid humid super hot weather in Southern California this past weekend, which prevented my husband and I from doing our regular weekend hikes, so I used the time stuck inside (in the A/C) to piece together the quilt top. The big blocks and wide borders made it a relatively quick top to sew -- although I spent most of Sunday struggling with the cornerstones (I absolutely hate working with cornerstones).

I love the colors and prints in this fabric collection.

I plan to hand quilt this one, and was initially rushing to get the quilt top done in time for me to sandwich and then take on our family vacation to Mammoth over this next week to hand sew in the evenings. However, I can't make up my mind what type of pattern I want to hand stitch -- I'm thinking something with vines in the block centers and the wide borders -- so I'll think on it for a few days, order the templates, and then start on the hand quilting after we return from vacation.

I'd like to go with a vine-themed stencil for hand quilting in the big blocks and wide borders.

Do you have suggestion for what type of pattern I should hand stitch?

This Week's Stitch-In-Progress: QAYG USC quilt is almost done!

2011-07-30T13:21:00.000-07:00

Front View

I finally managed to assemble all of the rows and strips of the Quilt As You Go blocks, and I am really liking this fun quilt now. All that's left is two borders and the binding.

I can't wait to give this to Dad, so he can enjoy it for the upcoming football season!

Back View

This Week's Stitch-In-Progress: Cutting a new quilt top!

2011-07-23T16:54:00.000-07:00

Aren't these colors and prints gorgeous?!

I haven't finished Dad's USC quilt yet, but my parents came out today so that Mom could teach Kellie how to sew binding (on the first quilt that Kellie's made completely by herself). And, since the USC quilt is for dad, I couldn't exactly work on it with him here. So, perfect excuse to start a new quilt!

I am cutting out the quilt top for a kitchen quilt with an Italian herb motif kit and pattern titled "Oil & Vinegar" distributed by South Sea Imports, which uses the beautiful First Course collection by Tara Reed Designs. I think I will hand quilt this one.

This Week's Stitch-In-Progress: QAYG USC Trojans quilt

2011-07-12T17:48:00.000-07:00

I was thrilled this past Sunday to get to spend the entire afternoon and evening working on yet another of my many UFOs -- this one my very first Quilt As You Go project, a USC Trojans quilt for my dad.

After completing my first USC Trojans quilt in December for my great-uncle's 80th birthday, I decided to use the leftover fabric (supplemented by some additional fat quarters I found on eBay) to make a USC quilt for my dad, who is also a huge Trojans football fan. I started the project the week between Christmas and New Year's but have been too busy until now to resume my progress on it. Since I'd originally intended to complete this for my dad's birthday last January, I am hoping I can finish it up in the next couple weeks to present the next time I see him.

This Week's Stitch-In-Progress: Irish cable knit scarf

2011-07-09T18:17:00.000-07:00

Getting there!

I haven't had much time at all this week to work on crafts, but I did finally get to pick up my kitting needles this weekend. Of the many UFOs I've got stashed in the craft nook, I decided to start working on the Irish cable knit scarf (my first time learning and using this stitch) that I was supposed to donate to the Orphan Foundation of America's Red Scarf Project in December. But, Christmas projects set me back, so I'm determined to finish at least at least a couple scarves for this year's OFA deadline.

Highlights from the 2011 Road to California Quilt Show: Outdoorsy Quilts

2011-07-08T17:00:00.000-07:00

More photos -- in batches (because I took a ton of photos) -- of the breathtaking quilts that were on exhibit at this year's Road to California quilt show and convention in January.

These photos are simply a sampling of the quilts on display in the massive exhibit hall -- my favorites. I tried to also photograph and make note of the quilt names and quilters, but I did miss some. So, if you recognize the unidentified quilts, please post the info in a comment, and I will make the correction.

The Rogue Art Quilters' "Along the Rogue" Exhibit

I acknowledge that I am new to quilting, but this is one of the most incredible exhibits I have ever seen (and it highlights an area that I absolutely love). The exhibit -- made up of a series of 19 individual quilts -- is meant to the displayed and viewed (from right to left) together as a single quilt "The River Quilt" depicting the entire length of the Rogue River in Southern Oregon, from its headwaters at Crater Lake to the point where it enters the ocean at Gold Beach. The collaborative quilt is the artistic work of the Rogue Art Quilters group.

I was only able to snap a few photos because there were so many people admiring and photographing the exhibit, but you can view all of the quilts in this exhibit on the Rogue Art Quilters' website.

I tried to photograph each quilt, however I had a hard time working my way around other admirers who had the same idea.

My favorite of the quilts, by Janis Stoker

First quilt of the series, by Janis Stoker.

(Left) The final quilt in the series, by Carol Palmer. (Right) A deer by Rona Barnes.

Other Outdoorsy Quilts

Art Naturescape: "God's Rock Garden (Mt. Rainier). Maker & Quilter: Gayle S. Pulley (Eatonwille, WA).

Art Pictorial: "Sunset and Sandhill Cranes". Maker & Quilter: Joanne Baeth (Bonanza, OR).

Art Pictorial: "Out on a Limb". Maker & Quilter: Cynthia D. Garcia (Racine, WI).

"Outside My Window" by Pat Blair (Mt. Baldy, CA).

Innovative Mixed: "Vision of Horses". Maker & Quilter: June Jaeger (Prineville, OR).

Art Naturescape: "Grand 1". Maker & Quilter: Kathleen A. Rassu (Palm Springs, CA).

Art Naturescape: "Fire Storm". Maker & Quilter: Carol Anne Sinnreich (Lawton, OK).

Art Naturescape: "Dog Day Dream". Maker: Linda Bolhuis & Diana Shore. Quilter: Diana Shore (Bell Canyon, CA).

Art Pictorial: "Ravens of Angels Crest". Maker & Quilter: Thom C. Atkins (Santa Cruz, CA).

Art Naturescape: "Natural Wonders". Maker & Quilter: Kathy McNeil (Tulalip, WA).

Highlights from the 2011 Road to California Quilt Show: Ethnic & Cultural Quilts

2011-07-07T07:00:00.000-07:00

This past January, I attended the fabulous impressive Road to California quilt show and convention with my mom. Once I got caught up in my big craft and craft blog hiatus the first part of this year, I simply forgot to post all the photos I took of the breathtaking quilts from the show. So, I'm sharing them now -- in batches, because I took a ton of photos.

These photos are simply a sampling of the quilts on display in the massive exhibit hall -- my favorites. I tried to also photograph and make note of the quilt names and quilters, but I did miss some. So, if you recognize the unidentified quilts, please post the info in a comment, and I will make the correction.

Enjoy! I can't wait for the 2012 show!

Faculty Exhibit: "I Dream of New Mexico". Maker & Quilter: Mary Lou Weidman.

Traditional Mixed: "Summer Wedding". Maker & Quilter: Mary Chalmers (Willmar, MN).

Innovative Mixed: "Grateful Dance". Maker & Quilter: Ranell Hansen (Carpinteria, CA).

Art People: "Basket Arrangements". Maker & Quilter: Ann Horton (Redwood Valley, CA)

Art Pictorial: "Monteczuma Castle". Maker & Quilter: Jo A Blade (Sedro Woolley, WA).

Art Pictorial: "Precious Cargo". Make & Quilter: Allyson Allen (San Jacinto, CA).

Innovative Mixed: "Sakura I: Hanaogi Views the Cherry Blossoms". Maker & Quilter: Megan Farkas (Sanbornton, NH).

Art People: "Monk in the Doorway". Maker & Quilter: Julie Duschack (Denmrk, WI).

Hoffman Challenge: "Congratulations, You Won!". Marcie Eaddy (Florence, SC).

UFO Project Completed: Beginner-friendly single-crocheted potholders

2011-07-04T17:50:00.000-07:00

I went with a solid country red, and a variegated red pattern, to match my red kitchen.

I am happy to have checked a little project off my Unfinished Objects (UFOs) list this holiday weekend -- easy single-crocheted potholders made out of kitchen cotton.

I started this project almost 1 year ago (September 2010, Labor Day weekend) as an easy pattern to teach my mother-in-law Linda how to crochet. Linda wanted to start with a project that she could use in her home, instead of the usual beginner one-skein scarf pattern that I teach to new crocheters. So, I selected this free Lion Brand potholder pattern (requires a free Lion Brand account) since they are stitched entirely in a single crochet. The only "hard" part is using three strands of yarn held together (I went with Sugar 'n Cream 100% cotton).

The pattern consists entirely of rows of single crochet stitches made from holding three strands of yarn together.

Once my mother-in-law left, I tucked the project away in my craft nook while I tried to tackle more pressing craft projects. But, I'm making a concerted effort this year to complete as many UFOs as possible, and to use as much stash as possible, before allowing myself to shop for new fabrics or yarns.

This Week's Stitch-In-Progress: My bright psychedelic granny square afghan

2011-06-30T23:08:00.000-07:00

The four different block color schemes stagger and repeat throughout the afghan.

I actually put down the laptop and iPad for at least an hour or so every couple nights this week to finally make a bit more progress on my bright psychedelic crocheted granny square afghan that I started way back during the week between Christmas and New Years.

My plan was to give this to my niece Jade for her 14th birthday -- which is in July. So, I'm going to have to haul some serious bootie to get it done by at least the end of her birthday month. If that timeline doesn't work out, I'll just stash it away as a Christmas gift for her.