Come join us as we learn to quilt with Leah Day.

Here's my second block all finished.  I'm having trouble with my free motion drawing coming up at least 1/4" smaller than my block.  I've tried to mess with the settings on my printer, but I have not been able to get it to print a true 16" block size.  Oh well, it just means that I will have to free motion on my own.  Watching the video, once you purchase the block, makes it easier to just follow what Leah does.

I just love the colors.  My husband has claimed this 'quilt in the works', he will have to wait for the final quilt block and assemblage in December.

I love taking Craftsy classes!  This little quilt has been fun creating and sewing applique.  I'm not a big fan with hand work, so I decided to challenge myself with taking Mimi Dietrich's class, "Hand Applique' Made Easy".

Earlier, I did finish a small applique table runner with a local class.  This sparked my interest and I sought out this new learning venue.  I have now purchased another applique class with Beth Ferrier's "Machine Finished Hand Applique'".  Each instructor whether local or through this venue have taught me a variety of methods to make and create applique.

Handwork is not as tedious and is actually fun to create beautiful pieces.

This is such a cute and whimsical quilt with all of its bright colors.

This winter, I have been busy with either sewing up Bonnie Hunter's mystery quilt, Allietare, or sewing the blocks for the making of "Rectangle Wrangle" from her book "Scraps and Shirttails II".  I like the colors as they remind me of the rainbow with its variety of colors.  The black is what ties the blocks together.  One has to remember to make the blocks with the black either going up or going down in order to create the dividing lines.

I need 4 more rows.  This is making a slight dent in my scraps.

Allietare update....

I ripped and ripped, but now it's done.  Now on to the quilting!

This month while cleaning and re-organizing my corner, I found the mystery quilt created by Bonnie Hunter with 2013 Quilt Maker magazine.  Every issue, we received clues to work and sew on "Lazy Sunday".
I believe the pattern is available in her book....           

Here's my quilt top....
I especially love the borders, Bonnie's trademark...

I think I'll quilt this with a pink variegated thread.

I knew I've been busy sewing since moving back to New Mexico in 2010; I just didn't realize how many tops I need to get busy quilting.

I took this class with a local quilt teacher and spent lots of time chatting and having fun with everyone in the class.  It's amazing to see how many color combinations come about.  I like my colors and tried to use what I had in my stash, but of course, I had to add a couple more colors.  The pattern we used is "Counterpoint" by Kari Nichols of Colorado.

I think I'll quilt this with black thread.

Using the scrap saver system, "Scrap Therapy" created by Joan Ford,  I used my scraps to make this cute little quilt with Joan's pattern, "Triple Dip".  I call my version "Chocolate Mint Ice cream."  I like using her scrap system, by cutting my scraps into usable and manageable sizes.  This was the first system I found that I can follow and use to make the best use of my fabrics.  I also like that she has patterns to use these sizes.

I've made at least 4 bags and 3 quilts using this system.

 

This month, I began the task of cleaning up and re-organizing my little quilt corner and I found this gem!  I had the pieces cut out, but had put it away since I started teaching beginning quilters at our local shop.  Gosh, I started this back in 2012!  I don't even know if she is still offering this pattern through her website.  I'll have to look.

I was trolling the internet one day looking for applique patterns and I stumbled on this spot....Claudia's Quilt Shoppe.  One can download for personal use and I thought it was such a cute quilt top.  Each row represents the months of the year. Now, as I begin with October, I could not find the background fabric in my stash!  I thought I had placed every bit in the plastic baggie; I had cut the pieces out back in 2012!  I have been looking on the internet for possible matches and I think I found one!  I'm waiting for the package!
I need just 3 more months worth to finish.

http://www.claudiasquiltshoppe.com/patterns.htm

I found her website and this pattern is up for sale!  It's such a darling quilt and a great website!

I opened my plastic tub of quilt tops I've finished since moving to New Mexico and found so many tops.  I have to get to work and finish them, now!  I have a great machine, the HG Sweet Sixteen to help me finish.

Here's one...the disappearing 9 patch in blues.  This was my first 'beginner's quilt class' quilt top I created for my first quilt class for the general public.  We had a total of 3 beginners' classes using this pattern.  The students ranging from ages 8-??? loved using their colors to make their versions.
I taught fashion in middle and high school for many years, but this was my first teaching experience with older 'kids.'

As I keep digging, I will post more of my patterns and quilt tops.

                                                             A disappearing 9 patch....

Another beginner quilt top...Jacob's Ladder

I finished my wall hanging!  I took this class with David Taylor, professional quilter of Colorado, this summer and I finally finished with sewing/appliqueing the apple leaves.  The quilting was fun!  I used three colors, brown, green, and light blue to quilt.  I even created a simulated wood frame.
My youngest grandson wanted to help with the display!

I love it!  I also purchased his hummingbird kit.  It is so beautiful!  I can hardly wait to start, but I have to put it aside on the back burner.  I've several quilt tops to pin baste and get to quilting.

I finished my quilting for block #1 with Leah Day's quilt along!  This is fun, I can't wait to start block #2.  I've been looking at others' postings and some of the participants have finishing piecing block 2!  It's been just 4 days since Leah opened for purchase the second block.

Here's the front and here's the back with the pretty gold thread on top and backing.

Allietare!
I have been working when I have a free moment on my flimsy.  I had to stop and found my self ripping the last row.  I sewed the end blocks going the opposite direction and it doesn't align.  At the moment, I have 3/4 sewn with the last corner waiting for the last row..then I can sew the borders.

 
I love the colors.  I've never been to Italy, but what I seen in pictures and Bonnie's blog, the colors represent well.  It reminds me of the tile floors.

I have enjoyed this mystery..this makes my 4th mystery with Bonnie.

Bonnie's link up for Allietare!

I finally finished my table runner!  I took the hand applique' class back a few years at our local quilt shop.  The class was very informative and fun, but I just didn't get to work on quilting it.  I used my Electric Quilt program and their applique' library.  I don't like to hand sew, so I challenged myself and took the class.  It was worth the time.  I found the top while moving to another room; I had forgotten how much quilting I had sewn.....why, it's done.  So last evening, I cut out some binding and sewed.   I'll add my label this evening.

I don't have a lot of pink items around the house, so this is certainly a welcomed addition.  I could have it on hand for a gift....hmmm.

I'm just glad I'm finished with it!

I also took a machine applique class with David Taylor this past summer and I love using my machine and still have the same results.   I also have another machine applique class on the Craftsy platform..Amanda Murphy's 20 Fresh Applique' Techniques. Do you think I'm hooked?  I love this technique.