Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Wall St. Journal, Truck Drivers and Quilting

Every so often, my day job crosses path with my love of quilting. Yesterday, the Wall Street Journal published an article about the growing number of Truck Drivers turning to hobbies in their down time. I sent the article out to several of my quilting buddies and already Mary Lea is warning Alice to check her stash! Can you guess...Alice's husband is a truck driver!

Monday, March 29, 2010

Monday Design Wall

Ok...here's the thing........the top below is almost finished. From the class I took in early March with Judy Laquidara, I made a smaller version of "Peaches and Dreams". I used blues, yellows, greens and whites. There are eight (8) borders. I thought I had enough of the navy blue for the last 2 1/2" border and binding ..... and of course I am short. If our LQS has enough, I'm done. If not, I am still done ... going green. My niece graduates in May, so I have a little time.



Below are four of the eight placemats I am working on --- using the HH method. The top left is sewn together and trimmed, finishing at 12" x 18". I am using up my oriental fabric stash that seemed to multiply over the last couple of years. If there is enough left over, I will make a table runner. For the quilting, I will use a straight stitch AND machine finish the binding. If any are finished by Friday - stayed tuned.




For more design walls, visit Judy L's home at Patchwork Times.

Sunday, March 28, 2010

Weekly Stash Report / Comment Answers

Weekly Stash Report

Used (Finished) this week, (6.50)
Year To Date Finished, (140.75)
Added this week, -0-
Added Year To Date, 87.675
Net Year To Date, (53.10)

Beautiful weather has kept me outside, however I have almost finished the top, "Peaches and Dream", from Judy Laquidara's Seminar Class. I don't add anything to my "used" stash report until the tops are quilted and bound (before handwork) -- I need all of the incentive I can get!

I have also been doing a little web shopping. It is very hard to get solid Kona Cotton locally in the snow white and black. Sooooo....next week, I may have a little "blurp" in the added section.

Answers to past comments:

Yes, I do all of my own quilting. I currently own a Janome 6500, however I have also quilted on my old Singer. One day, I really hope to have a mid-arm.

Yes, I work outside the home. I am one of the blessed people who have great job I love as much as quilting. However, in my obituary I hope to be remembered as quilter. My great grandmother was a nurse/mid-wife, but died a quilter. My grandmother worked in a department store over 35 years, but died a quilter.

For other stash reports, please hyper-jump over to Judy at Patchwork Times.

Friday, March 26, 2010

Finish #13 and #14

Almost hating to admit this, I always have about 10 tops hanging in my closet ready to quilt. Last Thanksgiving, I made tops to "tame" the scraps. These are the best for practicing machine quilting and perfect for gifting and charities - simple and pretty.






Bordered with Texas Bluebonnets, the above quilt is a smaller version (54 x 62) of the "Short Stack" pattern designed by Black Cat Creations. I have made this particular pattern 11 times -- Boy! have I got my money's worth. It is very QUICK and perfect for the larger scraps and those beautiful fabrics we just don't want to slice too small.







The second quilt is a nine patch using my stash of 6 1/2" squares, sliced whacky and framed with 2" strips (60 x 75). I tend to use 6 1/2" borders on my quilts, so the scrap drawer holding this size overflows often.

Although I have several tops still hanging in the closet, these were the last two I wanted to quilt before returning to piecing. This weekend I have big sewing plans -- work on the four tops lurking around and finish at least three placemats (goal is 8).

Today is also "Sew and Tell", a special day hosted by Amy Lou. I can't wait to visit her site to link-up to the many other finished projects.

Monday, March 22, 2010

Design Wall Monday

I need a bigger design wall -- or I need to finish quilting tops so I can get back to piecing full time. In between quilting tops, I have been slipping in piecing the border blocks for two projects on the design wall -- "Goose Has Left the Pond", designed by Larisa Key and on the left from Judy Laquidara's "Peaches and Dreams". What you can't see, is the stack of HH's piling up on the cutting table to make table placemats for a wedding present -- saving for next Monday's design wall -- by then I may have some room!

On "Friday Finishes" I will have two more quilted tops posted, hoping for a third. All are lap size, so they don't take as long. I actually love the quilting part, always looking for new designs. My Janome 6500 has been great for quilting, but I still long for a tabletop mid-arm (like the George, hint-hint).

For more "Design Wall Mondays", check with host Judy Laquidara at Patchworktimes.

Sunday, March 21, 2010

Sunday Stash Report

I have completed two quilts this week, the HH (half hexagon) with Faffe fabric, which I provided instructions using the EZ Tri Tool Ruler. For those using the instructions, please let me know if you are not able to understand them -- I have several ideas to share, however I am still learning how to put them in easy instructions.

Below is the second quilt finished --- a whacky scrappy nine patch. I am working on my feathers, so the whole quilt is covered with all kinds of feather techniques. The scrappy tops are the best for practicing. Visit my site again on "Friday Finishes", and I will have a full view of the quilt.




Stash Report:

Used (Finished) this week: (17.75)

Year to Date Finished: (134.25)

Added this week: -0-

Added Year To Date: 87.675

Net Year To Date: (46.6)

For more stash reports, please visit our host Judy Laquidara.

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Scrappy Half Hexagon Quilt Pattern

Disclaimer: I am NOT a professional quilt pattern writer. This is a very simple use of the EZ Tri Tool Ruler discovered playing with different fabric scraps.

Materials and Supplies Needed:

  • 2 1/2" strips of various fabrics (scraps are the best)
  • EZ Tri Tool Ruler ("EZ")
  • Small numbered scraps of paper to label rows
  • Design Board (floor, table, etc.)

Rotary Cutting Half/Hexagon ("HH") Pieces and Layout Instructions

  • Stack six (6) layers of 2 1/2" strips (2 of each color). Using the EZ Ruler, line up the 2 1/2" line at the top of strips. First cut....cut both sides, then flip the ruler aways lining the 2 1/2" mark on the fabric strips.


  • After cutting a dozen or so sets of HH, move them to the design area and start building your desired layout and size. I tend to work from the "hip", that is, play until I am happy. My preferred method...cut several HH, lay them out, cut several more, lay them out...etc. See these two examples: Kaffe and Brights

Assembly, Trimming, Borders

  • After you are satisfied with the layout and size, pin a numbered label on the first HH of each row.
  • One row at a time, sew each HH across, finger pressing the seams to the left on odd numbered rows, to the right on even numbered rows. As each row is finished, join it to the previous row(s) and press with the iron. I do NOT pin, the seams nestle as I sew...however it is your choice.
  • Trim the sides after the top is assembled.


  • Using your favorite method for measuring the borders, attach a 2 1/2" inner border and 6 1/2" outer border.

I have not finished the Bright HH, however here is the link to the finished Kaffe.

Friday, March 19, 2010

Finish #12, Sew & Tell Friday



I made this top a few weeks ago from my collection of Kaffe, and placed it in line for quilting. I finished quilting last night, put the binding on this morning, with handwork scheduled for tonight. This has to be my new favorite pattern. I made my MIL the first for Christmas 2009, this is the second and a third is in the works. Although I have shown the use of the EZ Tri Tool Ruler to make the 1/2 hexagons from 2 1/2" strips, I will be putting together easy to read instructions this weekend.


I have recently discovered a new blog...Amylouwho. She hosts "Sew and Tell Fridays" for viewers to share their finished projects. I have actually visited several fridays and loved the shows. For those of you following my blog, please visit Amy Lou's site -- you will be in for a treat!

Monday, March 15, 2010

Monday Design Wall


For those following, I have just returned from the Gulf States Quilting Association Seminar held annually in Baton Rouge, LA. My classes were with Judy Laquidara (Peaches and Dream) and Bonnie Hunter (My Blue Heaven). Above are 12 blocks of blue, yellow, greens and whites....favorite colors of a special niece. I am a "scrappy" kind of girl, so my quilt top has taken on a completely different look.

In class, we had purple themes, orange/peaches, and blues....but my favorite was the "coffee and creams". I have too many projects started right now, however I may just start pulling those browns, tans, beiges, and creams.



My "Blue Heaven" is more "Hot and Spicy", using many shades of reds and sprinkles of oranges. I will be using this quilt top as my "leaders and enders" project.

Unfortunately I am off to work, but with the time change will have an hour more tonight to play.

Again, I cannot express just how much fun I had taking classes with Judy and Bonnie. Some of those taking the classes were just beginning to quilt, some teachers sharpening their skills and those like me -- for fun.

For more design walls, take a trip to Judy's website and enjoy!

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Stash Report






Not Good --- Rehab is around the corner. I just returned home...really...just unloaded the car. I dropped off my friend Mary at the Baton Rouge Airport at 6:30 this morning and drove home.


The Gulf States Quilting Association held their annual seminar in Baton Rouge. Mary and I took classes Thursday and Saturday and shopped all day Friday. Our favorite shop -- Fabric Krazy Quilt Shop -- who has an awesome collection of Kaffe Fassett line and the largest selection of lime green fabric I have ever seen!




Here it is...

Used (Finished) this week: -0-

Year To Date Finished: (116.50)

Added: 29.125

Added Year To Date: 87.675

Net Year To Date: (28.825)


A special thanks to Bonnie Hunter and Judy Laquidara for great classes! I don't care how long you have been quilting, there is nothing like sitting in a room of quilters learning from those born to teach. Stay tuned tomorrow for my Monday Design Wall, I am going unpack right now so I can show off the blocks from those classes.


For more stash reports, visit Judy Laquidara's site -- hope others did better than I did.


Monday, March 8, 2010

Monday Design Wall





I have made a little progress on the "Goose Has Left the Pond", designed by Larisa Key. I am still determined to finish quilting at least two more tops before starting another top.

This weekend, I completed my Carolina Christmas , designed by Bonnie Hunter which will be donated to the 2010 Relay for Life for cancer research.

For more Monday Design Walls, check out Judy's site -- I am on my way there now!

Sunday, March 7, 2010

Stash Report Week #10, Finished Quilt #11

BEAUTIFUL DAY DOWN SOUTH! It is about 70 degrees, sun is shinning and my husband is mowing the lawn (clovers are taking over). I know this weather will not last, but that is ok.



Finally finished (#11) Bonnie Hunter's Carolina Christmas (Mardi Gras) -- even the binding's done. Mine ended up at 97 x 97. A close-up of the machine quilting below shows my new "Interlocked Hearts" on the small green border. I have a feeling this new pattern will be showing up on several baby quilts in a larger version.




Happy to report my stash report this week --

Used (Finished) this week, (17.9)
Year To Date Used, (116.50)
Added this week, -0-
Added Year To Date, 58.55
Net Year To Date, (57.95)

This Thursday, I will be leaving home at 5:00 a.m. heading to Baton Rouge for our annual Gulf States Quilting Association Seminar. My friend Mary (in New York) and I have been cutting our fabric requirements for the Judy Laquidara and Bonnie Hunter classes we have signed up for on Thursday and Saturday. Friday is open for visiting and shopping. Can't wait!

For more stash reports, visit the Judy Laquidara website.

Wednesday, March 3, 2010





Still quilting tops....so very little has been added to the design wall. I clean the lint from the bobbin case after every bobbin, so I piece a little in between. Finished the last two of the large blocks and started adding the first pieced diagonal border and corners.

Just 8 days left, and I will be heading to Baton Rouge for the annual Gulf States Quilting Association Seminar. Unfortunately, I understand the Seminar will not have their vendor market this year....FORTUNATELY, I have already googled all the LQS's within driving distance for Mary and I to create our own "shop hop". We both have signed up with Judy Laquidara and Bonnie Hunter on Thursday and Saturday...so that leaves idle time on Friday.

Small world....on Monday a comment and question was left by Bettyp. Shout out to Betty -- yes I am right here in Houma, Louisiana, just 30 miles away from you. The Cane Cutter Quilt Guild meets on the third Friday of each month at the Parish Library, with a membership now exceeding 75. I am able to attend about half the meetings depending on my schedule at work - thank goodness my office is only 2 miles away.

Monday, March 1, 2010

Monday Design Wall - For Wanda

Today my post will only be dedicated to Wanda, a talented and dedicated quilter who lost her life on Sunday in a totally unexpected battle. The last several days, our "Cane Cutter Quilt Guild" joined in prayer with hopes for Wanda's speedy recovery. However, the Lord had other plans for Wanda. Our thoughts and prayers continue for her husband Barry, their family and her many friends.