When This You See Remember Me

This quilt was made in memory of my two grandmothers, Gladys and Barbara. You probably recognize the sentiment that was popular in old embroidered samplers: "When this you see remember me." These words are written with lots of old buttons, even one from an old Girl Scout uniform. One of the borders is full of buttons too. The rick rack is regular size and extra-jumbo. There are lots of memories represented in this quilt including an old pearl necklace and tea bag tags. 

Make a good memory today.

Thin Sticks, a Modern Quilt

Today I'm finishing "Thin Sticks." There's a long narrow scrap of gray in the upper right corner showing what the binding will look like. The outer edge looks like a blanket stitch, doesn't it? 

This quilt is fun to make. Lots of improvisation. Depending on the order you add the sticks, they look like they are in front of, and behind each other. More details soon!

We're having perfect quilting weather. The wind is howling and there's a crust of ice on everything. Can't do anything but sew, right?

Vote for Rain Dance!

"Rain Dance" by California artist Karen Tarlton.

She is a FINALIST in Artiste's contest. The winning painting will be featured on a wine label. 

Right now she's #3; we just have to push her over the top.

Follow this link and click LIKE in the upper right corner. Then scroll down to "Rain Dance" and vote.

See more of Karen's paintings on Etsy: Karen's Fine Art.  

I'll let you know how she does.

Thimbles Quilt Pattern is Ready!

The pattern for Thimbles is ready! This is a fun stash-busting scrap quilt with optional embroidered stars and ties. And of course there are lots of fabrics with little surprises hidden in there. I love to do that. 

My goal has been to publish a pattern/month, and now I'm a little ahead of the game. I'm trying to make hay while it's winter. 

Happy quilting!

Thimbles Quilt is Finished!

The Thimbles quilt is finished! There are little stars embroidered on the thimbles and a red running stitch along the light green inner border. I never get tired of using novelty fabrics to add little surprises here and there.

Thank you for your suggestions about this quilt!

Checkers Quilt Makes a Fresh Start

This checkered quilt has a new name: "Checkers."  

The first name "Nantucket" and the focus on the quilt's nautical characteristics was a little confusing. So I'm simplifying things. Here's the pattern.

I'm finishing the Thimbles quilt today. Photo coming soon! Thanks for your input on that one.

Spider Web Selvage Quilt

This selvage quilt by Tanya in Utah was featured on her Squares and Triangles blog. She used an 18 degree Dresden Plate ruler to cut the azure "background" shape. She likes the squared off shapes of the webs. Notice the bright orange binding too. Great job Tanya! 

Mom's Cactus Photo

Here's Mom's cactus photo that I told you about yesterday. Isn't it beautiful? She added the photo below to show what the whole plant looks like. Look at all those buds! Nice job, Mom!

P.S. Mom lives in Connecticut, just 30 minutes from me. She likes to visit Arizona to visit her cousin Joan. She always brings home some great photos.

Photo Contest

My mom and I are in a camera club together. At the meeting last night, my photo "Fisher Towers, Utah" was awarded a 9 (the highest possible score). If Mom sends me her cactus photo, I'll show you. That one got a 9 also, but neither of us won "Print of the Month." We had dinner at Panera with another member. It's fun to go out and play with my Mom.

Thanks for all the comments about steam ironing vs. dry. Lots of good thoughts. My non-quilting sister was impressed that we all had so much to say about steam. Haha.

Do You Prefer Steam or No Steam?

When you're piecing quilt tops do you prefer steam or no steam?

I've read dry ironing is better because steam can distort raw edges, but I use steam...the more the better.

How about you?

Thimbles Quilt Needs Something

This is what I'm up to this morning: Thimbles, and lots of "low volume" playful improvisation. But it needs something. I'm trying to figure out what. Maybe something orderly in the border to calm things down. I do like how the thimbles dance across the quilt. I think I like the 4 apples too. Any thoughts?

Nantucket Quilt Pattern!

This classic nautical quilt sparkles with summer colors. The backing and binding are solid ecru, like sails. The ecru ties look like seagulls in the air, and upon close inspection the little knots resemble boat rigging. 

See pattern here.

This pattern is for a quilt 61" wide x 85" long. It will keep your tallest loved one warm and cozy. Perfect size for college dorm beds: XL Twin. Yardage per block is provided so you can easily make your quilt any size you like. 

If you are new to the idea of improvisational quilt design, this pattern is for you! You'll see how to lay out the quilt 2 ways: the traditional way and using improvisation. Directions for optional tying included. 
Skill level: EASY

Have you seen the Harlem Shake?

Here it is. Take a look. Latest Internet dance craze.

Wanna see one more? The Dartmouth College Harlem Shake.

See Leann's son (with the red hat) in Sydney, Australia. The lady waiting for a ferry doesn't know what to make of this! Haha.

Escher Cartoon

***

My sister Eileen sent me this. I think it's from the New Yorker magazine. Haha!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Winter in Litchfield, CT

 

It's a charming winter scene in the center of town. Courthouse above, white Post Office below. It's a nice place to go for a walk and stop for tea. 

Felted Wool Quilt Pattern: Soft and Quirky!

Here it is! The new soft and quirky felted wool quilt pattern: Felted Noodles. The pattern is for the quilt shown below measuring 20" x 25," but you can make it any size. This is fun for fiber enthusiasts and a good project to do with kids too. Little fingers can tie the knots. And how exciting it will be to see it after felting!

Lots of clear, step-by-step instruction photos. 17 Pages. Easy. Supply list, handy tools, method that's gentle on the hands, ways to use thick yarns, more quilt photos, and lots of "What If" inspiration. 

Below: Solid color basic noodle. Doesn't it remind you of the spiky trees in a Dr. Seuss book?

Only $5, so there's more left for fabric. Fast, free email shipping. Good group/class project.

Happy quilting!

Gail Griffin's New Raw-Edge Tile Quilt!

This is Gail Griffin's stunning new raw-edge tile quilt. I like how the circles and ovals keep your eye moving. Take a look at those flowers in the corners too. So artistic. Here's what she said about it:

I finished my raw edge tile quilt top and have attached a photo. It was a lot of fun to make and I enjoyed the process. It made me feel like an artist! There is an orange block, several Christmas blocks, a couple of red, white and blue blocks, and a block that shows all the states I've lived in. Great pattern - thank you!

Want to make one? See Raw-Edge Tile quilt pattern.

New Pattern Coming Soon

I've been experimenting with felted quilt ties. It took 7 (small) quilts to climb the learning curve. That's because I was starting from scratch, and wondering "What if?" Those favorite quilter's words. (After "I'll take a yard of each one!") This pattern is almost finished. Can't wait to show you.

All the new snow is sparkling this morning. Good day for a walk.

Blizzard Photos

The storm is over and we have 2 feet of snow! It's very windy. You can see the snow blowing in the photo above. That's my quilt room porch. 

This is the side entrance to our "barn." It's a garage, but it's red, so we call it a barn.

We won't be using this back door any time soon either. So you can see I have no choice but to keep sewing.  Until spring!

I hope you are all safe and warm. I'm not too worried about you quilters in Australia, probably at the beach!

The Blizzard has Started!

Now this is a snowman! From Brunch in April.

The blizzard has started! Don't worry, I made sure I had plenty of fabric. 

Here's some blizzard humor for you:

From the New Yorker magazine (above).

Photo of Chicago blizzard (above).

From TYWKIWDBI. 

Another Way to Tie a Quilt - Sheaf Stitch

Here's a nice "Sheath" stitch for tying a quilt. It's basically three parallel lines cinched in the middle and tied with a square knot. (Sometimes a few words are worth a thousand pictures. Haha.) In the photo above, there are two "arms" that have a shadow under them. Those are the tied ends, sticking up a little.

The loose end in the top part of the photo will be part of the square knot (in photos above and below).

In the photo above, you slide the needle under the stitch (so you can gather up the 3 parallel stitches into the square knot).

Above, you're ready to tie the square knot.

Trim the ends and you're done.

See "Quilt Knots, Ten Ways to Tie a Quilt."