Sunday, February 27, 2011

In my spare time... Finished the Lone Star!




I always have serveral quilts working in different stages. Some days I like to stand and make blocks or cut / sew applique... other days are meant for sitting and quilting. And since I quilt by hand, my quilts can take 6 months or a year to quilt. This one I've been working on in the background while I'm working on my Roseville applique. Everything is a very specific burnt orange color and features the Texas longhorn. This is a gift for my daughter's graduation from the University of Texas at Austin this May (so this one had a deadline!).
This is the second Lone Star I've made, but this one turned out even better - I think because the fabrics all blend so well. This quilt will not be a surprise to my daughter since that would be too hard given how long it takes me to finish a quilt... but I know she will be thrilled to have it.
Just thought I'd share this ... even though it is not a glorious applique design. Also finished another Roseville block today. I actually have a blister on my finger from finishing the binding on the Lone Star plus the finishes touches on sewing my 3rd Roseville block all in one day! I have to take a break - but it is hard to walk away.

Friday, February 25, 2011

/circles

This afternoon, I printed 120 .5" circles and 60 .75" circles using the new Inklingo circle collection. They are sized to use with Karen Kay Buckley perfect circles. I took a quick photo and am not sure how wells the lines show up in the photo.

Mary

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Lollipop Girl Is Halfway Finished



I finished block number eight and I was so happy to add them to the others. It is amazing how happy the fabrics can make you feel.

This list and the pictures that you post are so inspiring, it is wonderful to see everyone's work and the fabric choices that we make. Even though everyone's tastes and colors are different, every block is delightful to look at. Keep on stitching,

Happy Stitching,
The Lollipop Girl
Rosemary Youngs
rosemaryyoungs.com






Flower Garden quilt first block


Tuesday, February 22, 2011

The Wreath Corner block


I have my corner block for the top right position finished. I changed it a bit, besides swapping it's position. The fabrics I used seemed to emphasize the circular look to the block, which is why I placed it opposite the other corner block that had a circular look to it, but then it looked a little sparse to me. I added a couple of birds and some dots, and I think it looks a little more balanced.? It's funny to me, how different the blocks look just by the fabrics we choose.

I can't get a full pic because my room is so small..but you can kind of see how this block looks in position?



Monday, February 21, 2011

A finished block!




This block went relatively quick. I failed to sew in the 1/4 inch stems and didn't realize it till I was about finished. So I used 2 strands of cotton perl thread in a green. Using a stem stitch I created all the stems in about 1 1/2 hours. While stitching this block I keep trying to finish up a large panel. It's down to mostly circles and all the small shapes.
I'm so enjoying this quilt. I'm even making it my own with "my" changes.
Before I finished this block I started preparing another. Can't have any down time. Have to have something to stitch when I sit on the couch. Busy hands make me happy.
Frog Quilter

Another image of Hearts & Flowers

As requested by Pat... let me know if you can't open the full image. For some reason this image would not open from the last post.

block 5


I was truly shocked to find i didn't post since early january. But here it is, my block #5.
For the leaves i used what is mostly used as a background. But since my background is this nice red, i figured i would use my 'background' fabrics in a different way. So far, i do like where this is taking me, but still very anxious to see the outcome because i still don't know where i am heading.
I also like my sometimes quirky circles, doing them the needleturn way. I feel it fits the playfullness of the quilt to be.
Have fun.

Sunday, February 20, 2011

one a day

I've done one block each evening and this is where I'm at so far with the Flower Garden pattern.
The background fabric is chalk spots and the colour is most true in the middle block below.
There's a bit of reverse applique but as Kim said to us in class, you could also sew those parts on the top.

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Hearts & Flowers - My 2010 project





I noticed some of you were working on variations of the Hearts & Flowers quilt, so I thought I'd post some pictures of mine. I started this quilt (along with my dear friend) right after Christmas in 2009 and it took me most of 2010 to finish it. My goal was to complete it before the Houston Quilt Fest last October - which I did. I love the way it turned out and decided to hang it in my stairway. I've been quilting for about 15 years, but this quilt was my first foray into these fabrics from Fassett and so many others and I had a lot of fun with it. This was also my first real hand applique! (I'd done some on the machine, but it just isn't the same). Also, I hand quilt all my quilts! That's why it takes me a year or more to finish one!
Now back to the Roseville... almost finished another block today. I'm loving it.

Thursday, February 17, 2011

Roseville Bottom Panel


I finished another panel, Yeah! One step closer to my goal of May 20th. I made a few minor changes. For starters I accidentally reversed the pattern for the trees so all my birds and circles are in slightly different areas. Since we use to raise black Angus cattle, I had to make them out of black fabric and of course, a Bull....our close friends thought I needed a mule (because they have mules), thus the long ears on the pink one and we had several outdoor cats even a yellow one. I'm not familiar with the long horn billy goat, but I must confess, this is one piece that I sewed partly on with yellow fabric and thought it was too light and replaced it with the blue poka dot. This blue is much better and is very eye catching. This has been my favorite 'block' to sew, so far. This was a fun panel to do even though it took me 2 1/2 days for each tree.
Working on the top panel and already have most of it cut out and have sewed on one tree. I sure like having all of those circles ready for sewing.

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Workshops with Kim

I know all you glorious applique enthusiasts would have loved to have been in Kim's class but since that wasn't possible, I have some photos to share with you all. The next three are courtesy of Belinda Betts who did the first class on Wednesday. The class project was the Flower Garden Quilt.
We had a beautiful venue in north Sydney that had large windows and a spectacular view, the food was really wonderful too.
A show, tell and drool over Lollypop Trees.
The rest of the photos are from my class on Saturday which was the last one, we didn't mind the cool wet weather outside at all. The Flower Basket Medallion quilt is on the right, is anyone making this quilt?
The Kaffe Fassett and Brandon Mably class was held in the room next door and after classes, there was a bit more show and tell. This quilt was made by Penny, my neighbour in the class who did a class with Kim a few years back before she retired from teaching. The Mariners Compass quilt is not available as a pattern.
I guess you know by now that the garden quilt will be my next new project.

Friday, February 11, 2011

First 2 Blocks of Roseville


I almost hate to post these blocks on top of these fabulous pictures of Kim and the group and these amazing quilts. Looks like a wonderful time. We all wish we could have been there!
I started the Roseville a few monts ago with the large bottom panel... now I've finished these 2 blocks. I do like the way they turned out - I changed up the panel with the tall vase a bit. I had this fabric with these beautiful leaves so I decided to use those on this block instead of what the pattern called for. Also, I kept the flower petals all the same fabric. The other block with the cactus-like things and all those little shapes was fun, but it took quite a while to make all those little flower shapes. I made them out of wool because I liked the solid look (plus... I loved not having to turn under the edges).
I'd love to hear your comments. I wish I could work on this quilt everyday! It is so hard to leave it to go work and attend to all of life's so many distractions...

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Some Kaffe, Brandon and Kim photo's (as well as the rest of us!!)...

Thanks Sally for the heads up of photos of these guys over on Kathy's blog. I'm bringing some pics to share here too! We had a wonderful night at Kim Mcleans (she is one gorgeous lady) and meeting Kaffe and Brandon was the highlight for all of us.
L-R front row: Sharron (Dragonfly Gypsy), Kim McLean, Kaffe Fassett
L-R back row: Sue (no blog), Brandon Mably, Janet (Quiltsalott), Me (Cabbage Quilts), Kathy (Material Obsession).

You can see more pics, as Sally mentioned, at Kathy's (Material Obsession) or Janet's (Quiltsalott) or my blog (Cabbage Quilts) just click on the links above.

But I really wanted to show another photo of Janet's incredible Stars and Sprigs quilt.  Janet's quilt is absolutely stunning...
and her quilting amazing. I simply cannot believe she hasn't done much quilting at all, this is perfect! (you should be able to click on the pic to see it even closer).
We also got to see some of Kim's award winning and divine quilts (the woman is a genius!)...
What inspiration all in the one room (people & quilts)!!

Good luck to Kaffe & Brandon as they travel around Australia bringing their passion for colour, their creativity and enthusiasm to so many Aussies. I'm sure we would all love to see pics from Kim's classes running in Sydney now too (hint, hint to anyone attending!!).

Cathy xo

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Kaffe, Brandon, Kim in OZ!

There is a great post on materialobsession.blogspot.com showing Kim's quilts and includes Janet and Kathie (others?) of Glorious Applique! Kaffe and Brandon are in Australia to do a workshop. Could I be more envious? Don't forget to take a look. I'm sure there will be more posts once the workshop actually begins.

Lollypop #10

I am continuing work on the Roseville border as I am still avoiding the block with the vase that I was not pleased with. The Mantra-----never underestimate the border-----is true as it is taking a LONG time. I think it is because of the "hands" which are putsy.





I have completed my 1oth lolly block and have a good start of # 11.

Monday, February 7, 2011

Feeling the Love

I made some time for stitching today, and this what I found in my hands and under my presser foot!  It's hard to tell in the photo, but the background is a soft lime green color.  I have NOT enlarged the pattern from the Quilt Romance book.  So, those large circles are about the size of a quarter.  This is completely machine appliqued using a blanket stitch.  Being that it is little faster it does give me a more immediate gratification. : )
Piecefully, Pam

Moving right along



Two more Lollypop's completed.  Just a couple more and I can put the center together.  Not too sure about the center circle in the first block..now that I see it in the picture it looks like a mouth full of teeth to me.

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Lollypop, Lollypop - My first Lollypop!

Boy -- have I learned a lot.  Thanks to all the helpful hints and trial and error, I'm hoping block #2 makes me a tad happier.  Things I want to remember....

1.  Line up the bottom of the leaves for sure - when they're off, it shows more there (see first set of purple polka dot leaves).
2.  Make sure there's enough seam allowance under the stem.
3.  Makre sure there's enough seam allowance with the little leaves/big leaves (do you sense a theme?).
4.  Consider staying with more of a color theme -- leaves down the center seem to have continuity -- it gets a little wild with the branches and circles.
5. Kay Buckley is a life saver as is basting the center intersections/sewing lines
6.  Cutting out circles and basting at a friends house is perfect way to use time. An "inventory" of pre-made circles makes you feel rich.
7.  Smaller basting stitches make for fewer puckers on circles
8.  Wet toothpicks can be your best friend
9.  No matter how sure your block is safe after you've laid it out, be sure to take a pix because your husband will find it and accidently knock it in the floor.
10.  Circles left unattended after basting around the templates will roll under the lowest pieces of furniture in the house when said husband accidently knocks over the block.

You all are lifesavers and have helped make this journey "glorious"!

Jan

A finished block




I thought I would share one of my completed blocks. So much fun. This block was photographed in two different lights.
I changed the birds at the bottom. (I'm known for changing things; that's me)
I am about 75 % finished with one of the LONG............................panels. Seems like it is taking forever. I just keep plugging along. Am so enjoying this project.
Frog Quilter

Saturday, February 5, 2011

new stash fabrics
I purchased at City Quilter, NY City
beads purchased at various shops there
the fabric will go into the
Roseville Album
I am working on


Thursday, February 3, 2011

Testing, testing...

I have been making circles.  Did I tell you, I've been making circles?  Yep, circles!  I knew you'd understand...

This is a test.  There has been no sewing of said circles just yet.  I only placed them this morning.  The Squirrel panel is on my design wall.  I will look at it for a few days before I commit to these circles.  What do you think...  Opinions and suggestions welcome!  ; )
Keep safe everyone!  We are united by threads and have spun a community that cares for one another.  Take a few stitches when you can and be soothed by them.

Piecefully, Pam    

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Blizzard Block


Greetings from the snowbound Midwest in the U.S. As bad as it is here, I am concerned about our Australian friends in the path of the cyclone. We could all use less weather drama. I hope you all all safe and will remain so.

A few days ago I finished my third (pink) corner block for Roseville. I rather dreaded all those fussy "hands," but in the end they were fun to do and very satisfying. You can see the three corners I have finished so far, and I have cut out the fourth. But I have to take a break for a time to make a baby quilt for my third grandchild, due at the end of April.

I'll be following the rest of you in the coming weeks. Happy stitching.