Roseville Album and my block #2 completed...

 I like how on the back of this block the stitches remind me of neon because of the black background...

I began this block on January 21, 2011.  There have been a LOT of changes in my life from those first stitches to these last stitches...  I marvel at the stories a quilt keeps.  ; )

And, since I now have everything unpacked, I started my third Roseville Album block preparation today.

Piecefully, Pam

It took more than a year, but

I have finished my first Roseville Album panel.

Thank you to Kim and Liza for the kindness and support that you each have given during this past year.  And, Janet...HUGS to you Sensei!!!  Your dedication and amazing talent has allowed this blog to GROW and flourish!!!

I am tickled to bits with the works and shared experiences fostered within this community of stitchers.  : )  Even the spin off blogs are quite miraculous, aren't they?!?!?  Though I do not comment and post with regularity, know I watch and read and try to keep up to date.  I am in AWE with this blog space and that of our sister blogs as well!!!  I never would have imagined such interest, enthusiasm, encouragement and acceptance.

Thank you one and all for sharing here.  <3

Piecefully, Pam

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    

My Squirrel panel

It has taken me (too) many months, but I took the last stitches in that top-most bird tonight!  : )  I do have ALL the circles to place and stitch yet.  All things considered, I feel pretty satisfied and wanted to share my Squirrel panel with you.

Also you will see my little jar of prepared circles.  Along with a stack of circles ready to be made.  They all have a running stitch and are waiting for a bit of starch and my iron.  Perhaps one day soon...

 Enjoy your day and the stitches you take!

Piecefully, Pam

Tools of the Trade

This is the outside of a great applique carrier that I bought several years ago from a Canadian quilter named Annette Johnston. Her company is Nature's Colours. Unfortunately, she no longer makes them. I love this bag!!!

Here are some pics of the inside. I keep my scissors, markers, and my trusty seam ripper on this page.

I have several different sizes and kinds of needles. Right now, my favorite is John James Milliners needle, size 11.

I have my Clover applique pins and another brand that's even smaller.

These are my Mettler cotton 60/2 threads. I got them when I took a class with Pat Campbell of Jacobean Applique fame. I've also got a donut bobbin saver with Masterpiece thread in the Frostings line. I know, I know. I don't have nearly enough. lol Give me time!!

This is the back page. I have my Clover needle threader that I couldn't live without, some Roxanne glue and my toothpicks. I can't fit the Cracker Barrel toothpick holder in here; it's way too big. I have KKB's Perfect Circles but I'm not sure where I put them :(

I keep the blocks and pieces I'm working on folded up inside of the bag and I can just pick up and head out at a moment's notice. I also use the overlay method. I took a Becky Goldsmith class once and I like it much better than any other way of lining everything up.

Color.

Here's a little something that may help those struggling with color and fabric selections.  Choose a focus fabric...a fabric that you ABSOLUTELY LOVE!!!  If that particular fabric is going to be included in your quilt, then use that sublime fabric as a jumping off point.  Allow it to help you match colors and make other fabric choices.  Fabric has colored dots along the selvedge edge. Those dots show you what specific colors were used to make that particular piece of fabric.  So...sew, use those colored dots to your advantage!  If you are not going to use that sublime fabric in your quilt, but you do SO love the colors, then let those dots help you choose fabrics and colors that will match and work together in your quilt.

During a class I took with Sally Collins, she said, "Color gets all the glory, but value does all the work." Remember to add a mix of lights, darks and mediums.  This can be done using the value of a color or scale of a print.  If you are unsure what value a color is, photocopy the fabric.  It will copy dark, white or grey...

I don't always make the best choice first time around either.  My 'mistakes' can be used on the back of the quilt or may become a signature patch.  See, I can still use that awesome fabric somewhere!  For me, color and fabric selection are two of the MOST fun aspects of quilting.  I encourage you to just let go! Delight in color and let it make your soul smile and your designs soar.  I BELIEVE in you and your choices!!!

Make your quilt yours!  I use fussy cuts, favorite fabrics and hidden bits in most of the quilts I make...these things make the quilt mine!

I LOVE how this entire fussy cut flower turned out.  What FUN!!!  See that lime green Funky Monkey fabric on the left?  I happen to enjoy the whimsy of sock monkeys and isn't that color FAB?!  It found a place in my pieced border.

That dark fabric, on your right?  I didn't have a piece large enough for this applique shape.  So, I sewed two pieces together.  I bet you would never have known?!  

Can you spot the little hearts, words and pops of black tucked in there?  Those little things help to make a quilt magical!

I encourage you to enjoy your quilt making journey.  Choose colors and fabrics that make YOU happy.  It is my hope that you will LOVE the project you are working on and the process too.  : )

Piecefully, Pam