Monday, January 28, 2013

A Touch of Turquoise


When putting together the strings for the finished "Rainbow Scrap Challenge", several of the scraps had a touch of turquoise, so I added the little colorful border.

All done and ready for quilting, the little quilt finishes at 63" square.  


"Hold on Skeet, I will tear the bag open and we can share the Doritos"
(My great-niece Jolie and her pal Skeet)

It's Monday Design Wall Day, and I am linking up with Judy at Patchwork Times.  See ya'll there!

Saturday, January 26, 2013

"Wink Wink" -- It's Pink!



It is the last weekend for the Color Pink (Rainbow Scrap Challenge).  Using up most of the 1 1/2" and 2" strips for this quilt, the scraps have been greatly diminished.   I have been  testing border fabrics and have narrowed down to a couple of ideas.  I will probably sleep on it and decide tomorrow.  I had not intended on making this top very big, but it may finish at 70 x 70 after the borders are added.



Thank goodness Angela (So Scrappy) picked the color Pink for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge.  I have a deadline for mid February to deliver the above Pink "Stars Over Scott" Quilt for the "Ladies Night Out" Breast Cancer Awareness Fund Raiser.  I was able to use up pre-cut 5 1/2" strips cut from fabric left over from other quilts made.    The borders are cut and ready to add on -- I am anxious to see how this one finishes up.  I will be using a soft pink Glide Quilting Thread -- which has such a pretty pearl sheen.  



I still had 2 1/2" strips and 4 1/2" strips not touched yet, so I made a few HSTs and 4-patches for the Rainbow Quilt at the end of the year.  Because of the cancer fund raisers, I have accumulated an obscene amount of pink fabric -- along with an overflowing amount of pink scraps.  

I am also joining Sarah with Confessions of a Fabric Addict for her Whoop Linky, who just happened to make an orange quilt from my pattern (Blue Me Away).  I have also made this pattern in purple, blue and PINK (seen here)

Thursday, January 24, 2013

The Real Thing!


It's Vintage Thursday and I have two items to share.  The above mantel clock was passed down from my maternal Great Grandparents.  The poor clock has been through a 1987 Tornado that destroyed the mechanics and ruined a portion of the framing.  A local woodworker has restored some of the damage, however I am not sure the clock will ever work again.  But that doesn't matter, I will pass it on to my son one day with hopes the stories will be enough.

Now....do you see what the clock is sitting on???


Another quilt from my great grandmother, all sewn by hand.  Look closely at the blocks below.  No reproduction fabrics here -- they are the real thing from the 30's and 40's.  Several years ago when the the reproduction fabric first came out, I purchased several in hopes of finding some of the exact prints (or close to them).  I still want to reproduce this quilt one day, oh well, another quilt for the wish list.






This quilt is one from my collection that has the least amount of wear.  Granny must have used it sparingly, because I only found a couple of problem areas, which is how I discovered the raw cotton used for batting -- seeds and all!!!

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Utility Quilt #2, Geese Have Landed

It started with the string blocks left behind by my Grandmother and what would have been her 100th Birthday coming up.  My goal is to finish as many quilts as possible using the string blocks Nana started.  A little more of the story is here.


While watching Bonnie Hunter's Quilt Cam over at Quiltville one night, inspiration struck like a bolt of lighting.  Bonnie had picked up an antique quilt using string geese blocks and was using it to reproduce in her own style.  I was in love!  And with the string blocks already done by my grandmother, I started cutting the wings -- mine in brightly colored scraps.  


The Geese have flown into a bright green lake and settled nicely into a finished top of 64 x 80.  I can see more quilts done in this style --- with the geese flying into various other colored lakes.

I have two major projects behind the scenes and this is the perfect "Ender and Leader" Project.  I cannot thank Bonnie enough for her helping me celebrate Nana's year!

Monday, January 21, 2013

Monday Design Wall - - Think Pink!

 As part of SoScrappy's Rainbow Scrap Challenge.  Above is the first block of Strings -- 15" Finished:  HSTs, Hourglass Center and Rail fences.
Joined together, on point, I have continued on until the box of 1 1/2" and 2" strips are gone.  To finish the top, I will need to cut into the 3 1/2" strips -- which is good, because they have different prints.  There is only one more weekend of pink in the challenge and I still have 2 1/2" strips in the box -- I may make a few 16-patches, or just save them for a scrappy border for the quilt above.

For more design walls, visit Judy at Patchwork Times, and if you have a chance, visit SoScrappy's RSC Saturday link for a glimpse at the other "Pink" projects going on.

Saturday, January 19, 2013

A Day of Pink


The Rainbow Scrap Challenge hosted by Angela at SoScrappy continues.  It seems the more I pulled from the scrap box, the bigger the pile grew.  I have been sewing on pink all day, so I am late posting.  I made several strings, as "leaders and enders" (a.k.a. Bonnie Hunter),  as I sewed the rows together for the Pink Stars.   Above is the start for the hourglass unit.  To make the block below, I used strings for the HSTs, the rail fences and the hourglass centers.  The white Kona background calms down all the pink.

Turning to form the hourglass
.

Horizontal Setting.

  
 Set on point.


I have most of the rows for the Pink "Stars Over Scott" sewn together in 3 sets -- above is the right side -- tomorrow I will finish the inside top and then add the borders.  BUT, I need to work on something else in between, all of the pink today had me thinking of Pepto!







Friday, January 18, 2013

Friday Finishes


Although the quilts were shown right after they were quilted, I never came back and shared them all finished, bound and delivered.  For Christmas, I pull one name from those who work on the last day before the holidays.  Angela (left) won this year!  I have spoken of her before -- the Dumpster Diva!  This girl has a nose for finding the best stuff along highways, garage sales and yes, even the dumpsters.  


On Christmas Eve, the quilt above was opened by a special 3-year old, Grace.  The fabric used to make this quilt came from her Great Grandmother.  As you can see below, she loved it.  Sound asleep below.  Her Pawpaw also showed me a picture of her using it as a tent -- wish I would have asked for a copy.


For my finishes, I am heading over to link up with Sarah, Confessions of a Fabric Addict, for sharing with others - See ya there.

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Vintage Utility Quilt


 Vintage Thursday posts are everywhere, so I am also joining in  each week to share vintage items passed down from my maternal grandmother, Nana, as part of the year long celebration leading up to what would have been her 100th Birthday on October 14th.



If I am going to write about her, I thought a picture would help.  Above is my mother Joyce Marie and Lydia Theresa ("Nana").  In this picture, our mother was around 6, making Nana 30 years old.  

 The Utility Quilt above was originally made by Nana's mother (Granny Mary).

 A closer look, shows one the blocks originally used.  I will have to research what the name of this block is, but you can bet I will be reproducing this one soon.  Simple, yet each block looks so different depending on her choice of fabric.  Granny never used new fabric, but used everything  from the old clothes people gave her for quilting. The original was all hand quilted.


In the picture above, the binding was obviously replaced by Nana (by machine) using scraps of fabric she had.  Do you see the big X machine stitching next to the binding?  The worn blocks on the front were later replaced by Nana using other blocks she had on hand from her mother.


Batting?  Nope! Instead peeping out is the hint of a flannel, pale green striped blanket.  Nothing went to waste.


Another close up of an original block in different fabric -- this looked like old curtain fabric.


Then you will see on the right side, one of the blocks Nana machine sewed over a worn original block.

When our mom and dad moved us from Texas to Louisiana -- we made many trips home as I was growing up. Upon our arrival, Nana had pulled out the Utility Quilts and then stored them back in the closet after we left.  I guess the quilts are in pretty good shape considering there were four of us grandkids born in 5 years.

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Utility Quilt #1 Done


 Yesterday, Sarah asked me why we call them "Utility" Quilts.  This is the term Nana used to describe her quilts, with the expectation of being used a lot.  Just out of curiosity  I Googled the term and found various descriptions ..... functional, simple, those with few frills and durable.

 The backing was pulled from the stash, with only the goal of "fitting" - not necessarily matchy-matchy.  The quilt finished at 60 x 72 -- good snuggle size.  

Next Monday, my sister Phyllis and I have a holiday from work.  We will be sitting for our little Jolie (now 8 months old) and having a binding marathon.  I will attempt the machine bindings and of course she will handle the hand bindings. Let's see if Jolie will want to help -- she is growing so fast and is everywhere.  I don't think the other kids will be off that day, but I love to watch her interact with her cousins.

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Nana's Utility Quilts, #1


 Our Maternal Grandmother ("Nana") was born October 14, 1913.  This year, she would have been 100 years old.  Complications from Alzheimer's took her life in 2006, but not before Nana made many utility quilts for her family and also left behind numerous finished tops and blocks waiting for quilts.


To celebrate her life, my mission this year is to finish as many of her utility quilts that I can.  Join me as I attempt to finish many of them before her birthday.  This will also give me the opportunity to practice new quilting designs and use some of her yardage for the backings.  

Monday, January 14, 2013

Pink Stars Over Scott and Easy Street Update


For 2013, I have joined Angela, with SoScrappy, with her monochromatic use of scraps.  The month of January is Pink, which turned out to be a great beginning for me.  I have made a few "Pink" quilts for my many nieces and those designated for Breast Cancer Awareness fund raisers.   This of course has accumulated a healthy stash of pinks.  "Stars Over Scott" is a simple use of 168 HSTs forming 5 stars, using 5 1/2" strips -- each HST finished at 5".  This finished quilt will be donated to a fund raiser scheduled in March.

Now I need to tackle the use of the other pink strips still remaining in a variety of sizes. But first, a few finishes from the stack of other projects.


Bonnie Hunter's "Easy Street" Mystery blocks are sewn together and hanging on the long arm frame while I audition different borders.  The top went together easily and it paid off planning the pressing directions before I started to assemble.  I had a few changes in directions, but very minimal.  If I can't decide on a border, I may go without, or piece something from the left-overs.

For the Monday Design Wall link, I am heading to Judy's at Patchwork Times (who by the way, had me hooked on the monochromatic colors in 2011).

Saturday, January 12, 2013

In the Pink / Stars Over Scott Pattern


I love monochromatic quilts - very scrappy ones are my favorite.  This month "Pink" is the starring color in SoScrappy's Rainbow Scrap Challenge 2013  I need (168) 5 1/2" HST's for the layout below and above is half-way there.  I don't think I put a dent in the 5 1/2" strips; a size collected from the other pink monochromatic quilts made.  I also have a box of 3 1/2", 2 1/2", 2" and 1 1/2" pink strips that I have not touched yet.  The free Stars Over Scott pattern is available on this site.


Thursday, January 10, 2013

Vintage Thursday and Scrappy Pinks

I love pink and green together.  I pulled out the vintage tea pot that graced my grandmother's dining room  for a little pop of color.  The pinks are pulled as I plan for "Scrappy Saturday" and  make a pink quilt for fund raiser for Breast Cancer Awareness.  The pattern is "Stars Over Scott" and is made from HST's.

The scraps have been dumped on the cutting table, I have pulled out 5 1/2", 2", 1 1/2" and 2 1/2" strips from the more organized scraps.  The dotted white will be the constant background (love it).  I am so ready! But, I have to go to work first, so I have to calm down and be patient.

Have a Great Day!

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Quilt of Valor - Ready for Binding


I may be repeating myself, but I love the Red Snappers used to attach a quilt to the leaders.  The Red Snappers were purchased  at the Houston Quilt Show and now with practice under my belt, I had this top ready for quilting in 15 minutes.  This includes loading the backing to the leaders, basting the batting onto the backing, then basting the top (which I float) onto the sandwich.

The QOV Top was made by my friend Mary, now a resident of Pittsburgh as of this past weekend. If I had to guess, Mary and her hubby Howard are busy unpacking the fabric and sewing supplies first.  I will add the binding and then beg my sister Phyllis to do the handwork on the binding to finish for mailing.

Off to work ......

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Mary's QOV ready for quilting


While visiting, my friend Mary left behind this beautiful RWB log cabin to quilt for the Quilts of Valor.  I put it on the wall to let it relax a little before loading it on the frame.  I will show again later as I start quilting and again when finished before shipping off.

Monday, January 7, 2013

Easy Street Blocks on Design Wall


Well!  All the blocks are done for Easy Street, and as promised, Bonnie kept it "EASY" this year.  I do need to sew the blocks together and decide if a border will be added.  It is late and the sun has gone down, so the colors are showing darker than they really are.


A close-up helps show off the colors, but when I am done, an outside shot will help.  I have a feeling we will see MANY Easy Street quilts all done, but mine will come in time.

I am working on other projects as leaders and enders -- including a second quilt from a new pattern coming out later from Black Cat Creations; a pink quilt for a Breast Cancer Awareness function (using another new Black Cat Pattern); and the annual Relay for Life Quilt I donate.  I also have several tops waiting in line for quilting and a few needing binding --- I sure wish I was two people.  I hope to work in Easy Street for a big finish.

It is now time to link up -- Patchwork Times (Monday Design Wall) and Quiltville for the Easy Street Sharing -- see ya there!




Sunday, January 6, 2013

Grace's Quilt off the frame.

Quick little update -- Grace's quilt is off the long arm.  I used an all-over pattern of circles, finishing at 60 x 60".  Perfect size for a growing 3-year old.  Now for the binding!

Pattern:  Bonnie Hunter's Patches and Pinwheels

Saturday, January 5, 2013

Grace's Quilt, Singer 306K


In 2012, three year old Grace lost her Great Grandmother -- someone she will remember in the future from stories passed on.  Her Grand MaMa loved her blouses, leaving behind a quilter's dream of florals and plaids.  Two quilts were initially made for the two grandchildren by a family friend (Sandy).  I had this idea to  make a smaller version for Grace -- not wanting to leave her out.  Amazingly, there was enough plaids and stripes from the left overs.  To keep the top "girlish", I pulled the border from my stash of plaids.  



Working with sentimental fabrics and blocks over the last few weeks has made me think about my own grandmother's Singer 306K. My sisters and I have all sewn on this machine when we visited Nana.   I pulled her out, cleaned her up, oiled and greased and ordered a new bobbin case and hook system.  She is running great, but needs a little work on the timing.  I sure hope our local guy can take care of a 306K-- which as it turns out is a very DIFFERENT machine -- something I have learned from researching on the web.  Special bobbins, special needles were just the beginning -- this model was one of the first "Zig-Zag" machines using the Cams.

Friday, January 4, 2013

Sarah's Finish and Start of Grace's Quilt


Mary's quilt for Sarah is done -- I will add the binding and ship off this week.  The pattern is "Turning Twenty, by Tricia Cribbs".  


A close-up of the end to end feathers -- I am learning to control the Gammil with each quilt, but I still have a ways to go.  

Grace's Quilt:   I will share more of the story tomorrow about this very special quilt made from blouses of Grace's Great Grandmother. The pattern is from Bonnie Hunter's (Quiltville) Collection: Patches and Pinwheels.  

Fridays are also for sharing -- Sarah with Confessions of a Fabric Addict is the host of the Friday Whoop Whoop Party.  Heading over there now for a little fun.