Friday, July 30, 2010

Folklife Museum Quilting Classes/Bee

In Downtown Houma, LA, the Folklife Museum offers classes for quilting every Thursday. These ladies gather under the teaching of Ms. Rosetta (top left) for piecing and hand-quilting. To the right, Debbie and Rosetta are piecing quilt blocks.




Left - Rosetta, Aline and Shirley (whose husband also quilts) are getting ready to sandwich a new quilt.
Right - Lilia, Marion, Joyce and Trina are busy bees working on their projects.

Rosetta and Lilia are shown here with SIX! donated quilt tops for the Haitian Community. In March, our Parish declared Jeremie, Haiti a "Sister-City" offering support in many ways. Using donated scraps to make the tops, these quilts will be sent to families still living in this devasted area of Haiti.


AND Trina --- showing her beautiful baby quilt just finished in time for her first GREAT grandbaby due October 10, 2010!
Thank you ladies for a great visit yesterday. Each of you are such an inspiration to the Quilting World.

Monday, July 26, 2010

Design Wall, July 26th

The batiks are a little muddled in the picture, but this one is ready to be assembled. This top is another version of Kristy's Dream -- the scrappy version is here, and the Moda Boutique version is here. Again, for those of unable to access or print the PDF File, please email me (see profile for address) and I will be happy to send. UPDATE: I just changed the host - hope everyone now has access. Thanks Sheila.

Today I return to work, after a very busy vacation of sewing. Back to the business suits, back to 3" heels and back to normalcy for me. I am sure my DH will miss "on-time" meals and I will miss my sewing room. However, I always find time to sew at least a little everyday.

For more design walls, let's hop over to Judy's Patchwork Times. I can't wait until tonight to see what others have been working on.

Have a Great Week!

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Access To Pattern

For those readers having trouble accessing the Pattern, Kristy's Dream in the Google Docs, I will be happy to email you the file directly. My email is located under my profile. This is a new feature to Bloggers and some readers are having trouble accessing the PDF File. I will look for an alternative host, if Google is unable to correct.

I am so excited to share this particular pattern and hope everyone can access the Pattern List.... as it is my hope to publish additional patterns in the near future.

Thank you for all of your support, Jamie

Stash Report, Week 30

Tomorrow I go back to work after having a week off! This week I busted through 32 yards of fabric! Finished the Scrappy "Kristy's Dream", a Bee Challenge, two baby quilts I can't share yet, and ironing board cover. On my design wall (I'll show tomorrow) is the Batik Quilt Top slowly growing and our Guild Challenge (can't show yet).

Stash Report:
Used (Finished) this week, (32) yards
Used Year To Date, (293) yards
Added this week, 31 yards -- could not resist the "Awesome Layer Cake" and "Tina Givens".
Net Busted, (47.65) yards!

For more stash reports, visit Judy at Patchwork Times -- and let's see if everyone had a great week.

Friday, July 23, 2010

Finish #23 - Scrappy "Kristy's Dream"

"Kristy's Dream" was born with this top. It started with a man's tie (inspired the setting), scraps (the 2" strips were over-flowing) and the design wall.

This whole vacation week has been dedicated to quilting tops and a chance to try out new quilting "doodle" designs. This particular design was inspired from the engravings on the back of an antique wooden chair. It is absolutely amazing the amount resources for quilting patterns to evolve.

Something New to my site -- off to the right under the label of "L' Fair Quilt Patterns", will be links to this and future quilts.

As many of you watch the weather, Louisiana is once again a possible target for a tropical event. We are hopeful the system will avoid us of course, however if Bonnie does through our area there is a chance of losing the internet and/or power. If this happens, I will be ready with handwork -- as you can see with this quilt, I still have a little binding left to do.

Have a Great Friday!



Thursday, July 22, 2010

Ironing Board Cover to Match Curtains


It was beyond time to change the ironing board cover. I had several yards of the Tina Givens Fabric, so I made the cover to match the curtains made last week for my sewing studio. A curtain topper and throw pillow is cut out ready to sew later. Before returning to work next week, I still have quilting projects to finish first.




Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Wednesday's Work in Progress



Almost finished quilting another top. This was the first top made from the Kristy's Dream Pattern using scraps and is a smaller size. I will deliver this one to my sister to hand stitch the binding (she does a better job) this afternoon.


Today is "Sit and Sew" at the Quilting Niche' (LQS), and I am hoping to stop by for a visit later.
Have a Great Wednesday!

Tuesday, July 20, 2010

Introducing -- Kristy's Dream

My first pattern under the name of L' Fair Quilts -- which is a play off my last name. This quilt is named for my oldest niece, Kristy Lynn, who is a wonderful mother of four little girls.

A PDF has been created for a Printer Friendly Pattern and can be accessed from the list of L' Fair Quits in the upper side section of this blog. If you are unable to access the PDF, please drop me a line (my email address in located in my profile) and I will be happy to email a copy. Enjoy!








Monday, July 19, 2010

Monday Design Wall, July 19, 2010









The design wall is growing with batik blocks -- using the same pattern I designed and can't wait to share.




As computer literate as I thought I was, blogging is very new to me ..... only starting in January. If I have to stay up all night, I will figure out how to load this simple PDF file on this blog!


For more design walls, visit Judy at Patchwork Times.




Sunday, July 18, 2010

Stash Report - Week #29



I did much better this week, actually finished the quilt above! Just wish the sun would come out long enough to dry the ground so I can take a picture of it completed -- because there is a pattern / tutorial I will be loading.

Now for the good news:
Added this week, -0-
Added Year To Date, 214.35
Used (Finished) this week, 14.50
Used Year To Date, 261.00
Net Busted, (46.65)

For more stash busting, visit Judy's site at Patchwork Times!


Saturday, July 17, 2010

Changing Directions with Blocks



I still like the setting on point, just wanted to see what the blocks looked like in a different direction.


I should be finished quilting the Pattern Quilt (still have not named it) and the binding by tomorrow - so my goal is to post it tomorrow.


I am officially on vacation -- Quilting, Piecing, and cleaning the house.


Happy Saturday!

Thursday, July 15, 2010

Couldn't Help Myself!



I cannot concentrate when there is an empty design wall -- which is immediately to the right of the sewing machine. I am trying to finish quiting a top so I can load the pattern. Unfortunately, I keep a spare machine next to me so I can switch from quilting to piecing. Of course, it slows me down.


Some quilters make a quilt top once and never go back to that pattern. If I like "making" a quilt, I will revisit over and over. If I love the quilt, but hate the process -- never again. Christmas 2008, I made 5 BQ quilts. It can be addictive if it fits.

Monday, July 12, 2010

Design Wall Monday --- Closed for Quilting


One is on the machine table, one is being sandwiched and the rest are hanging here waiting for me. I will have to settle for designing on paper for a while. But relief is right around the corner, I am off next week -- the whole week!
Check out other design walls at Judy's site - Patchwork Times.
Have a Great Monday!

Sunday, July 11, 2010

Stash Report - Week #28




Found fabric for the Survivor Quilt Back -- perfect color, perfect theme, perfect price (50% off). I also fell off the wagon for a second week in a row --- had to use 2 coupons coming in the mail, one was 40% and the other 50%. Used the coupons to stock up on Kona solids.




Added this week, 30 yards
Added Year to Date, 214.85

Used (Finished) this week, (3.5) for new curtains in the sewing room. Found this awesome Tina Givens Fabric last year, which will be enough to also make a valance and a much needed ironing board cover later on!

Used (Finished) Year To Date, (246.50)
NET BUSTED, (31.65)

I have officially shut down the piecing for a while to finish quilting a few tops, especially the one I have designed and written a pattern / tutorial for -- stayed tuned. This will hopefully help the BUSTING totals, because I don't count them until they are finished. I know I keep repeating myself, but I really want a mid or long arm one day.

For more stash reports of fellow quilters, Judy is hosting a "Get Together" at Patchwork Times. I peeked at a few other reports and glad to see I am not the only one who was bad this week.

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Ready for Assembly and Border


All of the blocks are done and ready for assembly. I pinned up the fabric for the borders for a preview, because the next time you see the quilt, she will be done. AND, look at all of the left overs! Lots of 1/2 square triangle blocks, 3 x 3.2" blocks left from the smaller blocks and 2" strips. Doll quilt? Pillow Sham? Table topper? We'll see.....

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Almost done!



Just 4 small blocks to go! The long weekend is over and it is back to the office. I have been collecting pictures of the progress to add to the instructions, which should be ready some time this week. The top will finish as a twin size - using 1 layer cake. I will have a few 10" squares left - just not quite enough to make the top full size.



Have a Great Tuesday!

Monday, July 5, 2010

Monday Design Wall

The "Tie Inspired" quit top is done, using scraps of 2" strips in Green, Blue and Red. The border used up the last of the neutral and will be added to the charity quilts for our local guild, Cane Cutters.

I really like how the top came out, so I started another one. Remember the Moda Layer Cake and yardage I picked up at the GSQA Quilt Show (from the Quilting Niche'). The collection is by Chez Moi, called "Boutique". The 10" squares are perfect for cutting 2" strips and making the 5" blocks needed for the larger block.

A confession, this is the first time I have actually purchased a layer cake. It makes sense! I now have a slice of every fabric from the line - which satisfies my "scrappy" obsessions. Playing this game for this top, I have been picking three squares from the top, slicing the 2" strips, and NOT peeking at the next set. It has become a total surprise at how the next set blocks will be.

I am working on the pattern for this top and will share on this site very soon. If you have an over-flowing bin of 2" strips -- this pattern will work.





For more Design Walls, jump over to Judy's site at Patchwork Times -- I am heading there now!



Stash Report - Week 27



Ooops, almost forgot my report .... Picked up fabric with the Fleur De Lis print, which living South Louisiana certainly has become a staple. With all of the LSU and Saints quilts I have made, I still owe a few to family members.

Used (Finished) This Week, (6.5)
Used To Date, (243.00)
Added, 22 yards (backings)
Added To Date, 184.85
Net Busted, (58.16)



This week, -0-
Year To Date, 36
Donated Kits, 17


For More Stash Reports, visit Judy at Patchwork Times!!

Saturday, July 3, 2010

Another "Tie Inspired" Quilt Top






If I didn't need several small quilts, I think this one would have been larger. I am already digging through my stash to make this one again, in a larger size. Very Easy, Very Fast. I actually started this one last night.


I started with my stash of 2" strips, separating them into colors. Pulled the reds, greens and blues. Sewed 3 green strips, 3 blue strips and 2 red strips. I also pulled from my large collection of background pieces and found a 3 yard neutral (more than enough for this top).


When I finish the top, I will prepare a pattern and post later in the month. I am not sure how the border will end up ... as you can see, I am playing with a few left over squares off to the side. Might end up being a pieced border.


For more "Tie Inspired" Tops, stay tuned in the month of July. I use the men's ties to inspire (not copy) quilt patterns. So far, I am using scraps to make the tops -- which is helping me tame some of those overflowing drawers.