February Review and March Intentions

Before I prepared to do this post I felt that I hadn't accomplished much of anything during this month. Then after I made a few notes and put some collage pictures together, I realized that I might not have the 'finishes' that I've come to expect of myself, but I really had been very productive just the same. 

First up is the OBW quilt that I started in January. I thought I was ready to quilt it until I layed it onto the frame and saw that it wasn't flat. Much to my dismay, after measuring, I realized that my cutting and stitching of the hexies in one specific area, was "OFF", I'm not taking it apart! But I know I also do not want a pucker. So, I sliced it, yep! Cut it in from the edge to an apex point. It now lays flat, but I have another bit of stitchin that will happen before it gets quilted. 

My Batik Stars BOM quilt top is still waiting to be quilted. I worked hard and long to get it to where it is and like most of us, I'm afraid to mess it up! So, I've spent time working out some designs on paper. My quilting had better be prettier than my workbook!

My friend Betty brought three quilt tops by for me to quilt up.  She's so kind, always says I can do anything I want, and then says it's perfectly what she wanted when I return them to her. She makes lots of quilts for her grandkids, and I'm blessed to be her Everyday Quilter. 

I hosted the February meeting for The Sandwich Makers', a Cobblestone Quilters Guild splinter group. We had 8 in attendance and shared so much useful information. I'm glad I got my room cleaned up before they arrived. I even had some of my leftovers sorted. 

The marbling on fabric mini workshop that I gave for The Palmetto Fiber Arts Guild, was successful. We all had a great time and most everyone went home with 3 fabric samples and a post card. 

I also did a mini workshop of a fabric manipulation technique, for a sewing group that I meet with once a month. I precut everything with my Accuquilt Go and saved a ton of time! 

The Go cutter has been a real help in my starting this tumbler quilt. And getting the leftovers cut into ready to use units for future sewing projects. 

It was a real treat to cut this stack of clam shells, for a future project. The leftovers were cut into units for some upcoming workshops. 

I also attended a one day class with Elaine Quehl from Ottawa, Ontario.  Had a great time with The Cobblestone Quilters Guild stitchers. Hosta 101 was the name of our class. I decided to use her pattern, Hosta Trio. Picture below, on the left is with the background fabric. It needs stitching and quilting , but today, I'm happy to look at it on the design wall. 

Kept the hubby busy with some painting requests. And putting this gorgeous ceramic flower into our garden. It was a gift from my neighbor, Debbie. She also gave me the rolling cart that had been black. 

Then, I gave a coat of a dark brown, even though it shows up as blue in the third photo down, to a collage piece that I've been unhappy with from the start of adding color. I figured I'd try one more direction before I burn or bury it!!  I wish it was that brilliant blue but it isn't. My next step is to invest some time applying a light metallic paint to the edges! 

I actually like the third picture the best, but you don't get to go back with this process. And the picture is probably nicer looking than the piece was in reality. 

And to be honest and up front, no progress was made on my Mystery BOM quilt, Batik triangle quilt, Tequamenon Falls wallhanging, or my Dragonfly pages. There's another month starting in a few hours, 

I'll see what projects get the attention. 

March Intentions: 

Move forward on any of my projects 

Cleanmy house

And visit my family in the Midwest. 

How have your intentions and accomplishments been lining up? Like ducks in a row, I hope. 

May God bless you with loved ones to share your life with. - Luann

Mid-Month Update

You may remember that I had 7 finished items in the first 7 days of January. Well, today is the 16th and I most definitely do not have 9 more finished. But I have 9 that got worked on or finished. 

First up are the remaining 3 small wallhangings. 

I also got my January blocks done for the Mystery Quilt Along

Then I had this bright idea that I could do a quilt-as-you-sew table runner, on my longarm machine!

Basically it's the stitch and flip method that I've done on my domestic machine. I really just wanted to prove to myself that I 'could' do it. The three main blocks were from a workshop I did with the Community Sewers back in Green Bay, WI. I did apply the binding to the top while it was still loaded on the rails, all except for 12 inches. That's the amount that I needed for making a bias joining. I did that and the final decorative stitching on my Viking 500. 

I got a potato pouch finished for my neighbors. 

Then I decided to make a One Block Wonder quilt. This consists of hexagons made of 6 equilateral triangles. You stack 6 identical cuts of fabric, align them precisely, cut strips, cut the strips into triangle-sets. You then take each set and make a hexagon. These are then arranged in some pleasing to the eye design and sewn together. Borders can be added. There are a few variations of the blocks that I might do. Here's a group picture of the beginning fabric, triangle sets, and the first 15 hexies up on my design wall. 

I have made more hexies, but my design wall can't display them all opened out, so this next photo shows 33 half-hexies. 

I'm trying to keep similar colors close together. I have 114 full hexies to make, along with some variations with other fabric. This will not be a quickly finished project. But, it is something I've wanted to get started on for quite some time. So it's a start, towards a finish, and I'm happy with that. 

I started this little coaster a while back, and it is now a finished piece. 

I've done some hand stitching on my jacket. It's an ongoing project to keep my hands busy at mtgs.

So that makes my project count at: 6 finished, 2 more having substantial progress made on them, and 1 with a little something added.  I'm satisfied. Actually, I'm pleased. 

So now it's your turn. What have you been up to? Leave a comment, and if you have an active blog leave its address so we can all come visit you. 

May God bless the work of your hands, and the words of your mouth. - Luann

A Busy Time of the Year

It certainly has been a busy 9 days since my last post. I have very little to show from my sewing and creative activities. 

My snowman quilt top, from a panel I purchased years ago. I fiddled with those mitered borders for more time than I should have. I really don't know why I didn't just sew them on two sides at a time. What was I thinking? The aqua plaid that shows around it is the border from my Poppyfields quilt. I just pinned this to the top. I will enjoy it for the 'winter' season and then finish the quilting and binding. 

My friend Vicky showed us how to make button bouquets at our Wednesday Clubhouse Meeting. They were fast, easy, and fun. I may put these on my 'gifts for others' list. 

And I polished my kitchen floor. Now I need to get the energy to do the rest of the house! 

I had 7 days with some type of event happening. One day had three! I'm a bit worn out.  I enjoy being with all of these people. I just wish they hadn't all decided to have their event on the same week. I'm glad I have the memories, Thanks to everyone that invited me, I love you all!

Merry Christmas

Luann

Second Update for December

It's been a busy week around here. I've been cleaning and organizing in a couple of areas. I've also spent some time preparing a few gifts. 

The Lord's Prayer, a quilted wallhanging for my Secret Sister. 

Learning how to make fabric twine. I chose to zigzag stitch this little trivet piece together. Normally the fabric twine is used when crocheting or knitting, but  I'm always trying something a bit different. 

I received my first Blog Book. It has 205 pages and includes my first 114 posts. A very neat way to have a 'diary' of a blog. If you haven't made one for your blog, you really should look into it. You can choose which posts will be in your book. That helps if you're trying to keep expenses down. They are running sales now till the end of the year. If you need the site, email me, and I'll get the info to you. 

Mug rugs and hotpads just waiting for bindings to be sewn on. 

These are as far as I've gotten on my Improv Triangle quilt. There are four sizes, three within 1" of each other. Then 8 are quite a bit larger. I had this thought that I would just keep adding sides until they were all very close and then I'd trim them to one consistent measurement. My problem came when I realized that I didn't  have the amount of black that I wanted for a background. Now I must decide to go totally out of the box and just let what happens happen. Or choose a substitute, or many, for the black. I wanted the triangles to look as though they were floating. This will be put in a container and left to rest for a bit. I can put it on my list for the quilt guild's UFO Busting Challenge for 2016. 

More insertion lace pieces got to climb into the dye pot this week. Along with,

17 pieces all dyed serendipitously. That just means, I didn't follow the plan I started with. I know many dyers really try hard to get something specific. I usually have a written plan, labels attached, and everything thought out. However, this week I woke up one morning and it was as though someone else had taken over my body. I got to go along for the ride, and I totally enjoyed the entire process. I even shortened my batching time and was pleased with the results. I now have 17 pieces that are just shy of 48" by 40". I tear my cloth at 40" intervals so the shrinkage won't ever put me under a full yard when I'm done with all the hot water washing. 

A possibility for 2016, put these up for sale in an Etsy shop. Hardest part, parting with any of them. I just love the textures and interplay between the colors when I "free style"!  Now there's a new word for us cloth dyers. We can say we were 'free styling'. Works for me. 

And I did say I was cleaning and organizing. 

Packaged batting and a container of cut offs. 

Just a few of the thread choices. 

Larger pieces to be used for backings. And some emptied shelves! 

George and I went to lunch at Middleton Place this week. The weather has been beautiful and we are determined to enjoy it. This is a nice place to have lunch, take a carriage ride, tour the house and grounds, and stroll the property. And YES, I did get startled by an alligator, again! 

This wasn't the one, but probably a relative!

If you are in my neighborhood, drop by. I'd love to visit with you. My door is always open. 

May God bless each of you with happy memories and loved ones to remember them with. 

Merry Christmas,

Luann

One Step Forward, Two Steps in some other direction!

It seems that sometimes my plans just don't make it past the writing stage. How often does this sort of thing happen to you? 

I got a couple of stitching lines added to my jacket:

Four client quilts were completed.

And then, like right now with this underline thing going on! I'm on my iPad, I have no idea why it's typing in blue and underlining everything!   

I give up, I'm calling this post done. I'll let you know next week if things improved or not. 

May God bless each of you with the power to endure whatever may be happening in your life,

Luann

Please, before you leave?

I had a call on Wednesday morning from Betty. A new friend I've made through the hand stitching group I attend. 'With These Hands' is a splinter group of The Cobblestone Quilters Guild. We meet up on the third Friday of each month at Panera Bread. They've all been very friendly and Betty and Edie have brought me quilt tops to be done on my long arm. So, when she asked if I could get a quilt done for her, before she was leaving for vacation (in a few weeks), I had to chuckle and told her I was leaving within a few days myself. I could hear her disappointment, but she was very understanding. I asked about the quilt. Size, who was it for, could it get a simple edge to edge design, etc etc. she said I could do whatever I thought best. Now how can you say no to that? 

20 minutes later she was dropping it off. I got to work right away, and by mid afternoon I was able to send her the text message, 'she's done and ready to be picked up'. Betty popped on over and took home this bundle of comfort that's going to a grandchild. 

So, I have a 'finish' for the day before leaving on vacation. 

I have decided to take along some hand work for the road trip portions of our vacation. 

I'll post pictures as I progress, as I don't expect it to be a 'finish' for quite some time!!

May God grant you the energy to accomplish all your heart desires to get done,

Luann