Sunday, February 21, 2016

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.



Saturday, February 20, 2016

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.



 

 I haven't been writing much, but that is fine.  I have been busy working and planning various lessons at school.  This year, I have bee...