Coffee Table Runner

The Buttercup bag is so much fun to make, not to mention the need to use the piping foot, that I made a second one. I am debating some embellishments. Not that they particularly need it but I have all those beads. I have put an end to bead buying at least until I get these ones sorted and into some kind of storage container.



Today I started on a table runner for a coffee table. What better background than fabric that is dyed to look like spilled coffee stains. No worries if someone spills on this one, as long as it's not red wine!
You will notice the Australian landscape still sitting there waiting for some thread painting.

Buttercup Bag

This is the Buttercup Bag from Made By Rae. It seemed like a perfect project to try out my new piping foot, which worked perfectly. The only thing I would change is that I would use some heavy interfacing on the top piece. The fabric is one of my snow dyes. I may have to wait until next year to do more snow dyes. It looks like the snow is finally leaving us. Nobody is complaining.


Here is a close-up of the piping. I made it from a scrap of fabric that I had on hand. I may add some embellishments but I'm not sure it really needs anything else. But I do have all those beads....

Meeting

Yesterday we got up at 5:30 AM to drive to Minot to a quilt show. Isn't that dedication to the cause! It was well worth it because not only was it a wonderful show, but I also met Darcie from Quilting by Darcie. She is just as much fun in person as she is on her blog. She was helping her sister in her Comforts of Home vendors booth, so it was easy to find her. Naturally, we took time out from talking a mile a minute, to have our picture taken in front of one of the award winning quilts. I'm really hoping that Darcie will be able to make it down here for our quilting show in May.
On the way home, I stopped in at the Paff dealers in Killarney and bought a piping foot for my machine. I love the look of piping, especially on my wall hangings and bags, but I'm never quite satisfied with the results using a zipper foot. I can't wait to get to the studio and try it out.

Red Bag

I went out to the studio this morning to work on this wall hanging but it just didn't inspire me for some reason. It seems to lack focus or something. I'm not sure what.
So, when you are at a standstill on a project, what do you do? Well, I make a bag.


This little bag is made out of thrift store upholstery fabric. I am stalled on it for the moment because I need handles. The ones I got last week are a bit too big. I also have to put on the magnetic snaps and sew the top pieces on. I can't sew it together until I get the handles though.
I got the pattern on the internet but I can't remember whose tutorial it was. Whoever it was, if you let me know I'll give you credit on my next post. It's going to be quite a job to sew through all those layers at the top. I may get out my old treadle machine for that. Treadles will sew through anything!

I Won!

A few weeks ago I entered a draw held by Gwen from Scrappy Angel Quilts and I won! Today my prize arrived in the mail and I'm sure she has been reading my blog because the package contained a selection of my favorite kinds of fabrics. There were gorgeous hand dyes and dotted fabrics all tied up with the most beautiful trimming ribbon. The blue piece is very large and I have added another picture of a corner of it that is totally amazing. They will soon find their way into a quilt or wall hanging if I can bear to cut into them.


Thanks a million, Gwen.

Tool Box

I had all my tools in a large container and I was spending far too much time digging around for the one I wanted. I went to Canadian Tire and found this in the tools department. It was cheap and exactly what I needed for sorting my equipment. These aren't all my tools but they are the ones I use most often. My rulers, cutters and tape measures are on nails on the wall. That will be a picture for another day.

Thrift Day Again

OK, I think I have enough beads already. I particularly like the blue necklace in the middle of the picture. The bigger beads on it are really beautiful. I also found some beading wire and some trims. Now I had better get back to making wall hangings that need beads.

Journal Cover

This afternoon I made a sketchbook cover. I'd certainly do a better job the next time. I made it too short, having not allowed enough for the thickness of the book, so I had to add a piece of yellow to the back. Next time I'd make the folded over part that forms the pocket to fit the cover in, much wider. I do like the way my name turned out though.

A Pillow For Sure

This one is unquestionably a pillow. It already has the pillow inside the cover. I think it looks quite spring-like. It's a bit smaller than the others I have been making.

Lynne asked to see yesterday's pillow with the quarter turn so here it is.

Pillow?

I'm not sure if this should be a pillow top or a wall hanging. If it's a wall hanging it will be turned halfway so that the zigzag strips are vertical . I'll think about it for a day or two.

Spring Bag

First of all, I'd like to thank everyone who left kind comments on my recent medical adventure. I'm feeling much better now, although I seem to be slightly lacking in my usual energy. I'm hoping that will return soon.


Because of my lack of energy, I thought I'd start with something simple today. This is a plain tote with no pockets or zippers or snaps. I thought I'd try one pair of the handles that I got at the thrift shop on Tuesday. I like the look of them, although I have to admit that I'm not much of a fan of carrying a bag with handles like that.

My Adventure

Last night we squeezed some lemons and oranges to make juice which I drank before going to bed. It was very strong and acidic so I didn't even finish it. About half an hour later, after I was in bed, I began to experience stomach cramps and pain. I thought it would just pass but it kept getting worse and worse. Finally at about 1 AM we called the hospital and they said to come in. (Thank you, Canada, for Medicare.) The pain was quite severe by this time and I could barely stand. In the end it was decided that I had severe gastritis, probably brought on by the lemon juice. Gastritis is an inflammation of the lining of the stomach. They put me on intervenus and finally at about 3 AM they gave me a shot of morphine and one of Gravol. I was out like a light and when I woke up this morning I felt fine.
Today I have been catching up on my missed sleep and eating very mild food. The doctor said no coffee and that has been the worst after effect so far. It is not an experience I am eager to repeat so from now on the lemonade will be heavily diluted with water!

Score Again

Here are the beads I scored today at the thrift shop. I think they have a lot of them and put out some each week. They might as well save themselves a lot of sorting and just sell me the whole collection right now. Lol. The shells from the necklaces (there are three of them) should look good with the Australian fabric.
Today there were lots of bag handles for less than a dollar each. I got a few but I don't usually make bags with that type of handle. Maybe I should start.
The fabric is really neat but maybe not suitable for quilting. It may end up being a table cloth for our outdoor picnic table.
If anyone is interested in winning a pincushion Fabric Mom is having a draw over on her blog. Check it out but be warned that I plan to win!

Step Two

I have added some more fabrics. The tree on the right is sewn down. I'm not sure about the other one. I'll work a bit with the bottom fabric so it will look more like roots.


Does it need some green? I think the middle looks empty but I'm not sure what should go there. The little pompoms were a thrift shop find but they may not make the cut on this one. Maybe it's time to take out the beads. I could also try some thread painting. I've never done that before but I could do some leaves on the trees that way. Or I could fuse on some green fabric. I think I have some fabric with leaves if I dig deep enough...but as I recall, it's a sort of lime green and yellow. Perhaps too bright for this one.
I'm off thrift shopping soon. Maybe I'll find something that will just perfectly complete this one. If not, I'll still have fun!

Playing With Curves

I thought I'd try playing a bit with curves instead of straight lines. I'm using the Australian fabric again. I've only had time to start but now I have a dentist appointment so I'll have time to think of where to take it from here.

Australian Games

I finished this one this morning. For some reason it's not my favorite but I'm not sure what I would change. I have more Australian fabrics that I haven't used yet so maybe I'll try again.

Australian Games

I started a new piece using some of the Australian fabrics that Alison left here. The circle was inset using Sharon Schambler's Piecelique technique. Then I sliced them up the way I have been doing lately.
A couple of people have asked which books I am using. Here they are.

Thinking Outside the Block: Step by Step to Dynamic Quilts (Paperback)

by Sandi Cummings (Author), Karen Flamme (Author)

Quilters Playtime: Games With Fabrics (Paperback)

by Dianne S Hire (Author)


I tried to copy and paste pictures of the covers but I couldn't seem to do it but if you click on the authors names you will be directed to Amazon.

Floor Cushion

This one grew and grew until it became a LARGE pillow cover. I stuffed it with my last big bag of batting scraps. I'm so glad to get those out of my studio. Now if I just had a fireplace I could relax in front of it!
By the way, that is not lace around the outside edge. It is fabric that is printed to look like lace. I think it makes a wonderful border.

Fun and Games

Here we go again. The center three blocks are techniques from my Out of the Block book. I made them and now am trying to get them to play nice together. I've auditioned lots of different borders and sashings but I'm still not quite satisfied. The top will change for sure.

Cushion

I wanted to try some more techniques from my Out of the Block quilt book. It ended up being a cushion top and I got rid of a whole bag of batting scraps at the same time. The colors look quite faded on my screen compared to what they really are. The peachy background is my attempt at snow dyeing. I wasn't crazy about it but it does make a very nice background for these strong colors. The black is actually a very dark brown tone on tone with lighter flowery shapes.

And Another Tote

Well, here we are back at uber-bright. The back is "plain" with only the fabric with the squares. |I say this one is plain also because there are no extra pockets or beads. The inside is orange like the top band and it is closed with a bit of velcro.
The thing I like about the wall hangings over the bags is that size and shape don't matter whereas with the bags you have to think of both. This one is a bit long for me but would suit someone taller.

Subdued

I started on this one this morning. It is much more subdued than most of my recent work. I do love the peacock fabric. The back is the same except the peacock's tail is not spread out.

It's Done

It's done and a lot different from what I thought I'd make. The piece was too long to use vertically so I used it horizontally. Then I put an oval bottom instead of doing it like a regular tote. Once again I used magnetic snaps. It just didn't seem to suit a zipper.


Here is the back showing the two layered pockets.

First Step

Here is the first stage of the next bag. The middle blocks and their dividers are sewn down. The two side strips are sewn together but not attached. The colors look very faded on my screen but they are actually quite intense. The bag will probably be much the same shape as the last one but it's going to look quite different. I might put a zipper in this one instead of the magnetic snap.



While I was searching through my stash for the right border strip I couldn't resist grabbing some fabrics for the next one.

Done!

Here it is all finished. I'll try to get a picture of me holding it so you can get a better idea of the size. It's much brighter (yes that is possible) than in the picture. There are a few things I will change on the next one but all in all I'm pretty happy with this one.

New Bag

Here is my first attempt at a bag using the same techniques as on the wall hangings. I still have to figure out the handles, put on a magnetic snap and sew the lining in. The beads are just pinned on so far.


The back is very plain with the bottom dark part made into a pocket. I sewed it down the middle to make it into two pockets.

Maybe the Last One

This one is all finished except for the label. I just realized that I have a lot of them to label.




Cherie (Daughter) suggested a kimono shape when I talked to her yesterday so here we are. This is just the first layout and will change a lot I'm sure. The horizontal lines are sewn down but not the verticals. The little pom poms were another thrift shop find.
After this one is finished I am thinking that this technique would make nice bags, ultra bright and super embellished.

Enough Beads??

Today I found this guitar at the thrift shop. I don't play or want to learn so I said whoever in the family is nicest to me will get it. This should be interesting. Lol.

I also found more beads. Do I have enough beads yet?

Decision Made

I went with the darker colors and lots more rick rack. Now I have to quilt it, back it and sew on the beads. Once I get it to this stage I have to push myself to finish it before starting a new one. I don't want a big pile of them that all need backing.
I have already picked out the fabrics for the next one. Stay tuned.

Options

I have started a black and white wall hanging and so far these are the options I have.


I will probably go with the rick rack on this one. I'm not sure whether I like the darker strips or the bright ones in the previous picture. I want to leave tails of rick rack hanging down, possibly with beads or bells attached.
Any opinions out there? Come on all you lurkers!

Another One Done

At least it's almost done. I have the backing and hanging sleeve on. Then I decided it needed a few more beads so some of the bead strings still have to be attached. I used the real beading thread today and was quite impressed.
Now I feel the need to make a black and white one, perhaps with one or two colorful rosies. Stay tuned.

Still Playing

I went to Fabricland this morning to get fusible web and look what jumped into my shopping bag. It was Friday the 13th sale day. What can I say?
I also stopped at the thrift store and scored a few more beads. Soon my studio will be full of beads!



I added some of the new beads to this one. I think it's almost ready to put the backing on and call it finished.
I think I need to take a lint brush to my design wall. Too bad I dropped it and broke it in half. (The lint brush, not the design wall.)

Snow Dye

Here are the results of the first snow dye. The colors are quite pastel but I love the mottled effect. There will be more.