Patchwork Plus Quilt Shop

Last Day of Retreat More Show and Tell

2019-07-14T12:55:00.001-05:00

The past 2 1/2" days have been spent working on a new project "Tara".

Month 1

Month 2

Made 4 of these for Month 3

Then spent the remainder of the time cutting the rest of 24+ yards of fabric for this quilt.

I now have all of the remaining 9 months cut and ready to sew. There are LOTS of template work

here OR you can foundation piece. I don't like that "F" word, so I choose to work with the templates.

With all of this sewing, I did manage to get 19 more of my leader/ender blocks completed

That's a grand total of 29.

I only need 994 (whoot-whoot I'm under a thousand)

To finish up retreat, I am working on my Phebe quilt. Here is a pic of the finished quilt.

I started the center applique, but had 2 pieces of fabric that I couldn't decide between.

Both are tonal florals.

The floral is just a couple shades darker than the background and I think it gets really muddy.

I picked this one. Florals are a little more defined and I think my applique will show nicely on it. It will also be used in two more applique borders around the quilt. The hill fabric shows really light here but it is not. It's aggravating when pics don't show well.

Just waiting on my background center to dry - I starched it and will machine stitch the vase, trees and hill down before we start packing up.

All in all it was a tremendously successful week.

I just feel like I'm the luckiest person in the world being able to do what I love

and be able to do it all DAY every DAY if I like. It's great and I love it!

Happy Sewing

Summer Retreat

2019-07-12T12:49:00.000-05:00

I am so PROUD of myself. It has only been less than 3 weeks and I AM POSTING AGAIN!

I could say that "life gets in the way", but that would only be an excuse. I am just lazy and mainly forgetful. I don't remember to take pics of what I finish during the week at home. In fact, I have been at retreat all week and am just now showing you what I have done for the last 4 days.

I like to work a few months ahead on my block of the month commitments for the shop. It is easier to do at least 2 months at a time and then I can skip that BOM the next month. This system seems to work easier for me and I don't have to handle the same fabrics as much.

Here are August and September

Boys of the Bible Blocks

Next to do was the Temecula BOM. These are month 4 Blocks

And Dear Jane Blocks. I am determined NOT to let this sit around for 10 years before this second DJ is finished. So my Challenge each month is to make a certain number of these until they are all done. These are K3-4-6-8-9-10 and 11. I did not intend to skip around, but I forgot to pack any blue thread to applique with. I am about 30 blocks from having the center done (169 blocks total) and 26 pieced triangles to go (half way there with those).

At the lake in April, I finished the center block portion of Mrs. Miller's Apprentice BOM. And then it just sat at home until this week. Retreats are a great time to do some mindless sewing. With all of the laughing and carrying on and after everybody has gone to bed (I'm the late one) putting on a good book you can really get some things cranked out.

Two solid borders, pieced border and then the last solid one again. Finally went to bed about 4:00 am. BUT IT IS FINISHED!

These are the last 22 blocks of the Primitive Gatherings Triangle blocks. My finished blocks measure 6" and each has a different 3" center made of 16 - 3/4" half square triangles. There are 98 blocks total. You could make your half square triangles ANY size you wanted and you know me, I love all things little.

I used 1930's prints in all colors. I have about 10 different prints in each color. These are the last of the purples, turquoise, blacks and browns.

AND ANOTHER FINISH!

I don't have a setting worked out yet, but have been playing with that at retreat also.

And my new Square Deal leader/ender blocks. 11 total done now and more coming.

I am starting a new project and will have updates later on Tara.

Ready for lunch. A nice big caesar salad sounds great.]

Happy Sewing!

Insanely Insane

2019-06-24T09:30:00.002-05:00

It seems like I am having a hard time getting to the sewing machine this summer.

One month is almost gone and I don't have anything to show for it.

I am keeping up with my monthly obligations, but that is about all.

BUT--

(and this is probably WHY I didn't get anything else accomplished)

I am almost finished with my Leader/Ender project.

What is a Leader/Ender you ask.

Well, it is a second, no brainer, easy peasy quilt that I

piece anytime I am at the sewing machine.

First, I run a unit thru the sewing machine (the leader).

Such as these two

triangles

My leader

Right behind that, I chain piece whatever project I am currently working on.

When that chain is finished, I run another of my Leader/Ender project thru (the ender).

This piece stays in the machine after I have cut all of the chain piecing off.

It will automatically become the leader for the next round of sewing.

I always have a leader under the machine. Why do leader/enders you ask.
Well--

*it kind of "tricks" the machine into thinking

it is still sewing.

*I have no more points going down into the needle hole when I start

*I don't have to mess with those pesky long threads at the beginning

*I don't have to keep rethreading the machine because I used my threadcutter

and it came unthreaded when I started sewing.

*BONUS-I get a second quilt finished without any extra work or time

Now that the leader/ender class is over, back to the story.

I will be finished with my current leader/ender project soon. Just a few more of these blocks to go, and I will have made 98 - 6" blocks - JUST AS LEADER/ENDERS!

All half

square triangle units. The inside block finished 3" and uses 3/4" finished half squares with 1 1/2" ones for the star points.

So, I have been playing with some ideas for my next lifetime leader/ender project(s).

My inspiration came from a customer's quilt that I quilted for their guild show in September.

No, I won't show the entire quilt, but I will give you a preview.

Yes, they are 3" finished bow ties.

If you follow our Patchwork Plus facebook page

www.facebook.com/Patchwork-Plus-134736059870382/

you have seen the teasers of my new project.

48 darks

and 24 lights cut from stash and starched

then

cut and divided into 48 blocks

and these will be sew into square in square blocks.
And yes, the will finish 2 1/2"

I need 1023 to be set on point with these 48, I only have 975 to go!

While I was doing this one, I am also starting to cut for future Leader/Enders

I think I really do have my entire life of these planned.

As I pull out my reproductions I will be cutting for the above quilt as well as for

my version of the bow tie quilt

1400 - 3" finished blocks

and our new BLOCKSWAPPER program at the shop

A modified 9 patch

- Here are my 25 blocks due at the shop August 1.

Call the shop 618-251-9788 if you want to join us.

First set of blocks will be due August 1.

I need 410 less the 150 I will have from Blockswapper. So I only need to make 260 more.

This Bow Tie leader/ender quilt will be done with 1930's reproductions - 3" finished. 1440 blocks needed

and another 1930's leader/ender

1064 - 3" Nine Patch blocks

and as if I didn't have enough to do--

I am planning an applique quilt for when I just want to sit and watch TV

This one is only 143 5" finished blocks.

So, I think I really have ALL of my LIFETIME quilts planned with leader/enders.

I did manage to get these blocks completed for the new Temecula Album Sampler BOM

starting July 1.

Happy Sewing

Wrap UP

2019-04-26T14:46:00.002-05:00

Only been home less than a week and I need a vacation

from vacation.

How many of you feel like I do?

I mean, come on - the unpacking and laundry, putting the kitchen back in place

putting all the totes and suitcases away, catching up on the pile of mail,

and the dreaded --- putting away ALL the quilting you took!

And then---WORK!

I am very lucky that when I walked in on Monday am. there were a few calls to return,

just a little computer work to do and get the bank deposit together.

Thank you Margaret and Susan for all your hard work

the shop looked FANTASTIC!

Now on to the title of this post

here is what was wrapped up in the last few days of vacation.

First let me say that to this point I had finished
all I had "scheduled" to get accomplished.
Yes, I am one of those that like to have a plan of attack when I go on a sewing
retreat. I NEED to come home with things done (because I am usually behind when I leave).

Since I had the remaining months of Mrs. Miller's Apprentice with me, I just started piecing the next month

and the next

until I had all of them done.

So why stop there

I just had to see the center put together. There is one more plain border, then a major pieced border and then the large plain border. Beginning to work on that soon.

Plus a few more 3" triangle centers done for my star leader/ender blocks.

That makes 76 all done and

only 22 more to go. Maybe I'll have this project done by the end of the summer and all from

leader/enders. BONUS!!!!!

Keep those needles flying!

SNOW!

2019-04-15T03:14:00.002-05:00

Are you kidding me? Snow in April-yes we had some snow down here at the lake. Just enough to make the ground white, but it was gone by 10:00 am.

Last post I told about my 2015 Pizza Box blocks I was putting together into my own setting. Needed to make a king size quilt out of 12 blocks. Impossible you say--well, I almost thought it was but it did turn out great, if I say so myself. The more I put together the more I started not liking if very much. And because of the size, I was about to just say finish and give it away. But since it's finally finished and I look at it hanging, I really LOVE how it came together.

Yep, its a keeper. And I always make my binding at the same time. Almost 500 inches of binding, cut on the bias because I wanted to use this great looking stripe.

The last two days have been kinda crazy down here. The kids came in Saturday morning. Since Emma doesn't fish, she has made sugar cookies and brownies. Between all of them in and out, I did manage to get 16 more Phebe blocks done.

These are 6"

Two months of Boys of the Bible blocks

May blocks 8" x 12"

June blocks

Three more leader/ender half square triangle blocks- 6" (that makes those centers 3" with 16 - 3/4" HST)

AND finally finished month 7 of Mrs. Miller

again, 6" blocks and a 3" for the center.

Hope tomorrow goes a little better than today. I think I ripped out more than I sewed. Don't know what was wrong with me today.

Better tomorrow.

At the Lake

2019-04-13T01:42:00.001-05:00

I can't believe it's been about 6 months since my last post. Just like I can't believe it is the middle of April already. Where does the time go?

I thought I would show you what I have been doing here at the lake. If you know me, you know I have a "schedule" on what I want to get accomplished. So far, (2 days), I am right on track!

First, I wanted to get the remainder of the Posies Puzzle blocks finished for the rest of the year. April is only our 2nd month for this new Second Saturday quilt and I already had finished up to month 6 before the lake.

Monrh 7

Month 8

Month 9

Month 10

Month 11

Month 12

Plus there are these connector blocks as well, 4 each month

I wanted to start on the new Temecula Album quilt BOM we will be doing at the shop, starting in July. The BOM will be as close to these colors as I can get, but will not be the exact fabrics.

Month 1

A 15", 12" with a little applique (did mine by machine) and 3" x 9"

Got 4 blocks finished as my leader/enders.

Count is at 64 blocks finished

Today I finally finished a UFO from the 2015 Pizza Box Challenge.

It's HUGE! Big enough for a king size deep mattress.

Pics coming tomorrow. Don't have enough room to

lay it out to see the design. Will have the guys hold it up tomorrow off of the deck.

Time for a little Madagascar Vanilla Bean ice cream, a little I-pad and them off to bed.

Happy Sewing

Some Show and Tell

2018-11-12T15:58:00.001-06:00

Here are a couple of quilts I have been working on for customers:
LK brought in this embroidery basket top. Done as a BOM here a few years ago, she set it together with some wonderful oriental feel fabrics.

And the quilting designs help to reflect that feel as well.

And here is one made by CA, Prairie Gathering.

Here is an edge to edge with a custom feel

And one last custom

And this weekend I managed to get these two UFO blocks set together:

Remember the Bag Ladies embroidery we did a few years back---

A few buttons and crystals will be added after the quilting is done.

And we just finished up the Snow Ladies in September.

Now to finish some more---

Keep on stitchin!

Fall Retreat-The Adventure Continues

2018-10-25T02:49:00.000-05:00

A little later start to the day, some early quilt shopping and the lunch. Had some visitors this afternoon, a group of ladies in the conference room across the way visited.

So here is what was accomplished today! More leader/ender stars:

Then moving on to the 28 - 4" star blocks for Lori Holt's BOW Autumn Love

and 4 - 10" Harvest Star blocks for the same quilt.

Now, I am officially NOT behind on this block of the week sew along. Until Monday that is. I will have until then to get all of the applique done on the house block. THAT is on the agenda for tomorrow.

See you then!

Fall Retreat

2018-10-25T02:38:00.000-05:00

It's that time of year again when fall retreat is finally here. And did I really need it. I can't believe how fast this year has gone by and I feel I have always been lagging behind the entire time. So now is my chance to try and get just a little caught up.

Day #1 had me getting my Blockswappers finished (totally done because I hadn't even started them) for November 1.

Next was a totally new project for next Halloween.

Between all of these of course, were my leader/ender project, Triangle Gatherings.

The little 3" blocks were finished on vacation at the lake in September, but all of the large half's for the star border were done today. Here is one block that is totally finished.

And finally, last weeks house block for my Autumn Love by Lori Holt. This is a weekly sew along and so far, I have been keeping up (well, maybe just about 5 days behind).

Day #2 had me again working on those star borders (leader-enders) and finishing 3 more

and all while getting 6 sets of blocks done for Pony Club (January)

These are 4" and 8" blocks!

And now to bed for tomorrow's adventure!

Why It All Happens at Once!

2018-10-03T17:44:00.001-05:00

Do you ever think WHY does this always happen to me?

Well--I don't (at least anymore) because it happens so often, I finally got used to the unexpected.

Now, that doesn't mean I don't get frustrated, but just keep on trudging thru to the other side.

So here is a little catching up pre-vacation that I forgot to post.

Why, well because it all came at once, welcoming home grandson, packing for vacation, saying goodbye to said grandson and then leaving.

Dear Grandson graduating from USMC Boot Camp, San Diego, CA

Home on leave for a few days then back to ACT (Advanced Combat Training) 30 days and then

14 months of schooling for his specialty (don't really know what that is, Classified)

I do foresee a California trip in my future though.

Vacation WrapUp

The last few things I finished on vacation were:

Putting Dear Jane together into rows.

I have 3 blocks left to finished row #10 and then 3 more rows to complete the inside.

Outside triangles are finished on 2 sides.

Also put together these leader-ender 3" blocks.

Quick turn-around once we arrived home on Saturday the 15th. Unloaded the truck, checked on my Dad

and then showered and changed and drove to Pere Marquette Lodge for my cousin's wedding.

Lots of family in from out of town, so we had a really great time.

Sunday was mostly putting everything from vacation away, quick trip to the shop and washing up all of the clothes with napping between chores. Dinner with family later in the day and they requested an Angel Food cake and Almond Poppy Seed Loaf.

Monday at the shop was catching up on paperwork, customers and the like. Also some packing for the next "adventure". Tuesday was much the same, but visiting with Free Sew quilters and a tad more fun and loading the car. Wednesday (the 20th) was last minute things I forgot and off to Springfield by noon. Manning the QOVF booth at MQX. Thanks to Susan and Margaret for coming up to help. We had a great time!

Anyone out there think their sewing space is too small.

Meet Eric Long. Eric made this quilt

IN HIS TRUCK!!!!

Eric is an over the road truck driver and takes his sewing machine, iron, etc. with him on the road.

During some of his down time, he is busy sewing in the sleeper section of his truck!

He and his wife (the longarmer and quilter also) have a fantastic studio at home in Tennessee.

I couldn't make it home in time on Saturday night (22nd) to see Granddaughter and boyfriend Sam

going to the Bethalto Homecoming. But the pics are fantastic.

With September almost over with, I though I could breath a sigh of relief.

Then, I found out that the GREEN strips I had cut out for October Blockswappers were the wrong color. How could this happen when I wrote the color calendar?

So, grabbed the blue tonal I had picked out and quickly started cutting to get them done by Oct. 1

I can't tell you how many times I have hear-----

Your blocks always look so perfect, you never make mistakes!

Well, that's because YOU NEVER SEE THEM!

They are always made in the middle of the night when I am sewing!

So here is a real doozie of a mistake.

Did you notice anything wrong? Unless you are participating in our Blockswappeer program this year, you may not. After carefully stripping, pressing, sewing and pressing again all 24 blocks, it wasn't until I was on the last couple to square up when I realized it!

THEY ARE 6 1/2"

And they need to be 9 1/2"

So quick trip into the "vault"

picked out ANOTHER blue tonal and white print and started over. And they were all perfect-hardly any trimming necessary. The correct size were completed and turned in on Monday, October 1.

Smooth sailing the final week in September, or so I though!

Despite the size mixup above, all was going smooth until Friday!

The dreaded black (or blue) screen on the computer when it wouldn't boot up that morning.

Quick trip to Ace in Bethalto, fretting all weekend-final call-

Dead and must reinstall Windows 10.

Lost all!

So, I am now working from my old Windows 7 computer, trying to get by

until mine comes back and then days reloading all of the programs on it.

In the mean time, here is the latest block from my Lori Holt BOW.

Oh yeah-on Monday I ran the needle through my finger on my longarm!

Field Trip

2018-09-13T01:37:00.000-05:00

Today didn't go as planned.

Of course, what day ever does around here.

We were just headed into Osage Beach for a new foot for Mary Jo's sewing machine.

She is free motion quilting and broke her foot.

Found a few pieces for our Blockswappers

On the way back home, we decided to make a detour in the opposite direction and

headed to Lebanon, MO

to Buckles, Bobbins and Bolts.

Nice shop, lots of floor space, sparse fabrics, but lots of gift items.

But---

I did find a few pieces

The piece on the left will be a background for my animal block in Pandemonium

(starting in January)

The birds I thought would be nice in applique. Every once in a while I will

broderie perse one in a vase or other repro block.

(Oh yeah, Margaret, I got a 1/2 yard for you)

Also picked up a couple of repro backgrounds and some

panels for QOV quilts

They had this sample made up that I thought would be great

for DD Kari (loves Halloween). Got the panel.

Then back home late afternoon.

So before and after dinner, I prepped my applique

and then got it glued to the background for

Block 2 and 3 of Autumn Love.

Now to find the time to stitch down

(a great project to take to MQX next week-relax after a hectic day in the booth)

Too late to start another project

Until we meet tomorrow

Keep on Sewing!

New Project

2018-09-12T01:21:00.001-05:00

Although I got a lot accomplished, I really feel that I slacked off some also.

Visited a lot with my two fellow quilters here both Monday and Tuesday,

chain saw woodcarver is here for the week, doing some amazing work on some tree stumps,

had a local family friend come and visit on Tuesday for supper,

baked an angel food cake,

had some shop business in the AM

and took care of some Quilt of Valor business for a few hours

and am continually answering e-mails.

I finished my Pony Club blocks on Monday.

1 block set for October

2 block sets for November and

2 block sets for December.

Now that I'm ahead, do you think I will get January, February

and March done by the end of the year.

If you say "YES", you have great confidence in me.

If you say "NO", you are probably right, although I really do have good intentions!

I should have gotten out my Dear Jane next, but wanted to start my

New Project--YES, another new one.

On Tuesday Free Sew at the shop a few weeks back I mentioned that

Lori Holt (Bee In My Bonnet)

had a new block of the week (Autumn Love) starting on her blog:

Lori's Blog Link

A few of the gals decided they wanted to do it with me.

Week 4 came out today (Monday).

I couldn't wait any longer to start,

so I spent the rest of Monday (day and night) cutting out ALL of the quilt pieces

bagging them up

ready to rock and roll.

Today was spent prepping.

Here is Week 1 cut, applique prepped and ready to stitch.

Why the blue tape--

The block is cut 12", but will be trimmed down to 10 1/2" after the

applique is stitched down.

My 1" tape around all of the edges gives me

a 10" window (finished size of my block)

to lay out all of the applique pieces.

Now there is no guess work as to how close I can

get to the finished edge.

And here it is totally

HAND STITCHED down.

I think I will enjoy some hand applique with this project.

Although all of my shapes are cut from freezer paper,

we are heading into town tomorrow morning to the local quilt shop.

I think I will grab some rinse away stabilizer and use it.

No need to take it out.

Should finish my block much faster.

Hoping to get Week 2 prepped and start the stitching tomorrow.

Heading to bed shortly--they are making me get ready to leave by 9:30

Yuck-this is supposed to be vacation.

One Down!

2018-09-10T13:43:00.002-05:00

No, I really didn't skip a day.

I didn't post my accomplishments for Saturday

because I hadn't taken a pic to upload.

It was still gloomy, drizzly, cold and windy.

There isn't a place in the cabin big enough to lay out my finished quilt.

But-before I post a picture of it, let me tell you about the finish.

Saturday was spent cutting out for the 6 borders on this quilt, one of which was totally pieced.

When you count the 6 border x 4 sides each = 20 times

you have to measure, measure again and cut to size of quilt

sew it on, measure to make sure it is the correct size again and repeat for the next side.

I was determined NOT to go the bed until I was totally finished with this top.

So at 3:23 am

I could finally call it quits!

I can't tell you how many times on the last 3 rounds, this little voice in my head repeated

"you should finish this in the morning"

But, when your that close--

Today, with the sun shining, clear blue skies, I could get a great picture

of the quilt!

I just love how the colors blend. It actually looks like the sun

is shining right in the center of the quilt.

Sunday, another dark, gloomy and windy day was spent cutting out

for Pony Club, my next lake project.

This is really just a catch up and get ahead one.

I cut out my blocks for October, November and December.

10 blocks in both 8" and 4".

Lined up on the coffee table, ready to grab and sew.

Two sets for October

And another 2 sets of October blocks

and the 5th set before I quit for the night.

I'll spend Monday finishing these up.

And maybe making a cake~we'll see!

Hoping for a sunny day tomorrow.

Another Sneak Peak

2018-09-08T12:58:00.001-05:00

We have some new Block of the Months coming

in 2019. So here is a little sneak peak at one of them

Coming in January--

Mrs. Miller's Apprentice

A variety of blues in this fantastic quilt.

Block of the Month pickup starts January 1

Signup - $25

12 months @ $24.95

I have started sewing again and I must say

my hiatus from the machine has rejuvenated me.

We left for the Lake yesterday morning (4:45 am). Not my idea of a vacation.

Especially since I didn't sleep at all Thursday night.

So by the time we got down here, checked into the cabin,

unloaded the fishing equipment,

and sewing room--

it was time to take a nap!

Connie and I went to the grocery to gather milk, eggs and produce while

our guys started fishing.

With all of the kitchen put away, clothes unpacked and sewing room sew up

for the next 8 days

(here is a pic)

The afternoon and evening were spent cutting and piecing my last set of blocks

for Mystical Prism.

with the plan being that I will put the center together tomorrow and "hopefully" most of the borders

(some additional piecing on those as well).

My leader/enders are still the Primitive Gathering

half squares. Some new sets pressed and squared up.

My look out the window--gloomy and wet at the moment and for the next 2 days as well.

Maybe not good fishing--but definitely great sewing!

And my guy is banned to the dock

no lounging in my "sewing room"

for him.

Keeping dry~

A Little Hiatus

2018-08-22T22:55:00.000-05:00

Since July 1, I have been on a little hiatus from quilting.

Well, not quilting in general--but quilting MY machine piecing projects.

But I have been planning and buying some NEW Block of the Months and

Clubs for 2019.

Over the next few weeks, I will be giving you a little sneak peak

at these programs.

Here's the first one---

Coming in October

Baltimore House

This fantastic basket panel will make a fast and beautiful large wall quilt.

Perhaps some pieced stars between the panel and this

large, detailed, fantastic border fabric

If you finished your Amish With a Twist, our last 2nd Saturday--here are a few pics

of a custom quilting for one of our class members.

and because this quilt had no applique on it,

I did this great Amish Basket pattern

for the border

Back to quilting!!

So Sad!

2018-07-01T02:29:00.001-05:00

It' always sad on the last night of retreat.

I can't believe it has been 7 days of sewing.

The others here with me ask if we could look into maybe

2 weeks sometime.

I guess they think a week isn't long enough either.

Today, Dear Jane continued and I was amazed at finishing 10 more blocks.

I am not caught up -May and June!

(Tomorrow I will be behind again-but oh well)

And with these comes 3 more sets and some partials of my leader/ender project.

This puts me about half way of the 98 blocks.

Think I will retire early tonight

well-early for retreat since it's only 2:25 am

my usual bedtime.

Till tomorrow sewers!

Hooray for Fridays

2018-06-30T11:46:00.002-05:00

Normally I would be jumping for joy that Friday is here

but at retreat is means that I only have

ONE FULL DAY LEFT!

You know my day doesn't start until about 10:30 am

I'm a night owl and usually don't go to bed until 3-4 am.

So-a little sewing before we left for the quilt shop and dinner about 3:30.

Found some fabrics for QOV and a few pieces of repro for the stash

and a layer cake of Kaffe for my Pandemonium quilt

(I am starting a new fabric collection you know)

After returning from dinner,

I got down to work on Dear Jane.

and a few leader/enders pieces

Think I will continue Dear Jane today

although the progress on these puppies is really slow.

Closed out the day at 5:15 am this morning

Good night!

Hump Day

2018-06-29T03:40:00.002-05:00

Did you miss me yesterday?

I didn't post because it wasn't a very productive sewing day.

After a trip into Columbia and then over to Waterloo we returned and

ALL I did the rest of the day AND night was cut out.

I cut at least 15 sets of leader enders, (I lost count after that)

including all of their backgrounds---

Then came the entire quilt for Pieceful Pines

Lots of pieces of from lots of different fabrics.

And I cut up a few more blocks for QOV

Speaking of those QOV blocks

Do you ladies remember sewing some of these a few months ago

for the QOV Block Drive:

They turn out like this after I get finished cutting and sewing them

Pretty cool!

We had a changing of the guard today-one retreater left, but two came in and we had

an extra one come visit us just for the day.

Since my day yesterday was almost non sewing I really

had the pedal to the floor for hump day.

I can't believe that this retreat is almost over.

Here are three more finished leader/ender blocks

Month One - Pieceful Pines

This is a 28" center

Month 2 - Pieceful Pines

and Month 3 - Pieceful Pines

This puts me ahead on Pony Club, Mystical Prism, Pieceful Pines and Voices blocks!

All of my must get done projects are finished.

What to work on the rest of retreat????

Stay tuned!

Retreat Day #2

2018-06-27T03:27:00.003-05:00

Today started off rather well

BUT

then problems started to develop

Seems like every block I made wasn't fitting the way it should.

There was LOTS of ripping

LOTS of refiguring

and LOTS of recutting.

But in the end---the August Pony Club blocks are finished

and all instructions are corrected.

These are my 8" and 4". The other two sets were finished yesterday.

And I did get 6 more of my leader/ender blocks together today as well.

Had a wonderful dinner at Joe Biccardi's in Columbia.

Watched the several storms roll through!

Just before going up to bed, I starched my fabrics for tomorrow's project

Mystical Prism

I also want to cut out more leader/ender pieces

and

cut out for Pieceful Pines - our new Block of the Month at the shop

(I need to at least catch up on May, June and July)

It's now 3:35 am so--

Good Night!

Retreat Day #1

2018-06-26T11:19:00.002-05:00

As I mentioned on Facebook last night, we had a busy day Monday. By the time we got here and set up, it was almost time for lunch. We went into Columbia for a quick bite at the local "Merz on Main". Then it was back to sewing.

Donnie had to make a trip down here. Mary's Featherweight 221 was acting up. Well, it was really that I had forgotten the remote for my clamp on Stella Light, freezerpaper, my spaghetti sauce, well you get the picture, but Mary really was having machine issues. And YES, he did find a screw loose somewhere that was causing all of the problems.

No problem he says on his way out the door-with the addition of

"You can pay me later"

Get your minds out of the gutter ladies--

he and Hayden (fishing grandson) had just come from Cabela's

so he has MORE fishing equipment in mind.

How can one person have sooooo much fishing stuff?

He can only use so much - right?

https://youtu.be/uRg4Xi69fJI

Maybe I should just purchase what he wants and leave it at that.

I wouldn't want to open that "can of worms"!

Back

retreat

Our 2nd Saturday July blocks

My personal colorway (of course, doing 2 sets)

And the shop set, This set, I usually don't

put together until after that Second Saturday, but I just remembered that after I had the top one finished. Oh well, I'm not ripping out. I do have the basket block in stages to demo it.

Check that project off the list!

I started on the August (yes, August) Pony Club blocks. Finished sets, 8" and 4"

I think I need some other colors. Didn't realize both were reds.

Back to those today.

Between all of these were my leader/enders.

3" centers for a 6" star block.

One finished and 2 more in the works.

Well, that's all yesterday.

1 down - 6 more to go

Keep on Sewing

Yes, I'm Crazy

2018-06-13T12:43:00.000-05:00

I LOVE my reproduction fabrics and quilts,

but I have been fascinated for several years by the quilt

P A N D E M O N I U M

It is WELL out of my wheel house,

It utilizes Kaffe Fasset fabrics

(which for me is UGH!)

Not that I don't like the bold and bright,

I just have a hard time figuring out how use his stuff.

But---

this quilt kept calling me

and calling me

and calling me.

Each time I bumped into it-

in an e-mail,

on the web,

in a magazine--

I went to Google, found the pattern and dropped it into the

nearest shopping cart.

But before I pushed that BUY button

I always hesitated.

WHAT IS IT ABOUT THIS QUILT THAT KEEPS

DRAWING ME TO IT!

Time after time, I would empty the cart and go on with my

quilting,

till the next time I saw IT.

THEN

IT HAPPENED!

I saw it AGAIN

but this time, I finally realized what it was that kept drawing me back.

It was the structure yet chaos of the quilt
My quilt life may seem to always be in chaos to others,
but I work better and produce better on deadlines.
I'm always juggling at least 6 quilts or more at one time.
I get bored working on the same quilt from start to finish.

It was the intricacy of the pieces
I love small piecing. I would much rather piece a 3" block made of 56 units
than a 12" Nine Patch.
I love putting those puzzles together and making it work.

It was Applique
My first love is that dreaded A word for some of you.
I love to hand stitch applique, but rarely find the time any more.
My bad, I know, so maybe in the back of my mind, THIS QUILT
was my way of saying to myself that I will find the time for this quilt.

And finally
It was the fabrics
I know what I said earlier about the fabrics and that is still true-------
BUT
(and there is always a but in there somewhere)
it is taking that large, bold print and cutting out just the right area of color,
just the right area of texture
to make that small applique piece come alive.
Again, putting that puzzle together with fabric now.

So, this time, I pushed that BUY button
and it came one 2 days later in the mail.

I love this quilt and can't wait to start
But before that can happen, I now must start gathering
Kaffe Fasset and other bright, bold textural fabrics
to my collection.
I see LOTS of 5" and 10" precuts in my future!

And here is my Pandemonium!

I have divided the quilt into 12 sections and will tackle it one section as a time.
progressing like just another Block of the Month.

I have decided to start working on it in January 2019,
giving myself plenty of time to gather
tons and tons of prints.

If you already have the pattern or I have just tempted you with
all of this "pandemonium"
Drop me a comment below if you want to join me
in this chaotic adventure.
But remember,
I will be on the 12 ~~month~~ YEAR plan!

Sneak Peak for Shop Hop Quilt!

2018-03-14T15:48:00.001-05:00

Late last year, I vowed to get some of those pesky UFO's off of my list. And if you have been following along on facebook or the Patchwork Plus Thursday Threads newsletter, you will see, that I have accomplished A FEW of them, several as a matter of fact. But now, we come to those that need much more than just put together or a couple of borders. All of them that are left need a lot of time to complete. So since I came back from retreat, the going has been pretty slow.

If you don't know this about me-I work on deadlines. If the deadline is a few months away, I have plenty of time, so why start on it now. This leads us to the 2018 Metro St. Louis Shop Hop. We have ALWAYS made a quilt for shop hop and this year is no exception. I just finished putting the borders on this this one and here is the sneak peak---

We will be offering a complete kit for our 60" square quilt (we are only using OUR two blocks).

Kits will be $84.95. If you want one please call and reserve yours with a $20 deposit. Quilt kits will be available for pickup on Thursday, April 5 or after. We will kit a limited number of kits based on the amount of fabric we have.

Our kit can easily be adapted as a sampler if you are purchasing the fabric kits from each of the 7 shops. For this, we will have setting kits available for $45. These will be on a first come basis. We will not be taking pre-orders for the setting kits. These will ONLY be available during the 4 days of shop hop.

So this has taken up most of my time since returning from retreat!!! Hop(e) to see you all at the hop. Theme this year is "Summer Fun", so come by and we'll have a beach volley ball game.

Jan

Last Night

2018-02-22T01:53:00.002-06:00

This last night is always bitter sweet.

I can't believe how fast 6 days and nights can fly by,

but I did accomplish a lot.

Contemplating needing this retreat about every 6 weeks- maybe only for a long weekend.

But with almost 24 hour sewing-monthly obligations and UFO's are just flying off the list.

Today was spent completing 36 "major" fussy cut blocks. And it seems like those 144 half square triangles took FOREVER to get squared up.

61 blocks now completed for this quilt.

Today, I realized there is not enough of the fabric I had chosen for the setting triangles.

I auditioned several other pieces, but kept coming back the the original.

The intent was to fussy cut one flower cluster in each of the setting triangles. Not working, too much waste and then not enough fabric.

My solution will be to broderie perse (applique) each cluster to a white background setting triangle. No waste, but more work and will not be getting this quilt finished this retreat.

But in the long run, I will be much happier with the results.

The applique should go relatively fast.

Also took a few hours out of the day this afternoon to present 2 quilts to a couple of VERY DESERVING veterans today. Thank you Chris and Marvin for your service!

At long last this day has finally come to an end. Some packing tomorrow and

handwork to try and finish the little bit of embroidery left on this Snowlady.

Some fill in on the quilt and another month crossed off the list!

Good Night to all!

Jan

Hump Day

2018-02-21T01:42:00.002-06:00

Although I had taken pictures of what I accomplished on Monday,

I also stayed up VERY LATE to start a new (2016) UFO

so I guess I forgot to post.

On Monday, my focus was on Di Ford UFOs,

Montmellick and Antique Wedding Sampler.

English Paper Piecing 12 flowers for the next border on Montmellick

and two blocks for Antique Wedding Sampler

only 7 more to go

Before bed last night I got out my next UFO project. I have 12 blocks from our

Pizza Box exchange back in 2016. I have LOTS of fabrics pulled to put them together into a king quilt for our bed using 49 alternate blocks.

A little fussy cutting had already been done but that was it. After taxing my brain to the brink

of pulling my hair out, I finally called it quilts about 3:45 am.

I started fresh on Tuesday morning and realized that the fabric I thought was missing or worst case, I would have to purchase at our favorite retreat shop here in Columbia (and hoping they would have the right color) was right here in another bag.

So I spent all day fussing cutting a stripe fabric to make 36 block centers, green and background to make 144 half square triangles, etc. etc.

I have one set of blocks finished

and the final set partially sown.

Hoping to finished them tomorrow but I will be gone a couple of hours in the afternoon.

I am presenting 2 Quilts of Valor to graduates of Veteran's Court at 1:00 in Edwardsville.

Off to an early bed!

Jan

Lazy /Sunday

2018-02-19T03:04:00.002-06:00

It was a lazy Sunday at retreat.

Just about the time I woke up this morning,

it was time to get ready to meander down to

Gallagher's in Waterloo for the Sunday Chicken Family Style lunch.

After a three hour lunch, came back to starch my fabrics for the next project.

While the fabric was drying, I though it wise to nap for about an hour.

Now back to pressing and cutting out 12 Pony Club blocks.

Finished 4 sets of 4" and 8" blocks.

Set #5 is prepped and almost ready for applique first thing tomorrow AM

And then there is set #6

Notice no picture-that's because after all of the sew in seams, it went to the trash. This is one that I think will lend itself to EPP. May get in the mood for that tomorrow also.

But there has been a bonus the last few days.

These have been my leader/enders

They are 1 1/4" half square triangle sets that will be sewn into 3" blocks.

Just getting these few pressed and squared up, ready for sewing.

Like I said-lazy Sunday!

Night all

Jan