KNOWLEDGE IS POWER, BUT IT DOESN'T MAKE MY BLOW DRYER RUN!

Friday, November 30, 2018

Last Day of November




So remember those strips from my last post? I turned them into 4 patches for the newest mystery quilt from Bonnie Hunter, it's called Good Fortune. I really enjoyed making these.


There were a lot to make! I chose the aqua/blue colors. This was clue number 1.


Today was clue number 2 and the instructions were to make half square triangles. I chose red. I am not doing her color suggestions but going my own way and using up my scraps.


All these need to be cut into strips and this does not include the lights! I like the repetitiveness of the cutting, sewing and pressing. It's mindless.


I have only played with this ruler once and decided to give it a try. It was the exact size I needed. It's amazing how many things we collect that we don't use........


You can use it to cut up the strips and cut out the triangles.


Layer the light and dark right sides together and cut them out. The non-slip grip helps to keep it in place.


It's magic! You can get 10 out of a strip and they are very accurate. I was very happy with the results.


I am also working on another mystery quilt for my guild, I will tell you about this in the months to come.


It's going to be cute! I have about 20 members who want to make it. I can't wait to see what they all come up with.

Kelly

Monday, November 26, 2018

Let The Holidays Begin!


This was such a fun quilt to make and I love that I can keep it out over the entire winter season.


I always smile every time I take this out to hang for the next month. It was a fun quilt to fussy cut all those little scenes.


Thanksgiving 2018! Griffin 13, Fallon 15, Elliot 11 and Maddy 11!


Griffin and Elliot

Finn 3, Jaxon 3, Cameron 3 and Brynn almost 2!


Cam and Brynn. Brynn loved the green veggies the best! Don't you love her improvised chair? There was no way she was sitting in the high chair when the big kids were at a table.


Finn and Jax not eating.......!


Elliot and Maddy.


My temperature quilt is getting old. I am tired of this quilt and just need it to be done. As you can see I was a little behind and had a lot to make yesterday.
Only 35 more days to go!


Some lights for a new quilt that I am going to do.


Lots of strips to make and 4 patches in the works. I will tell you more about this later. I am using my stash!


Some inspiration that I just had to buy at the store today.


I did start to decorate and will do a little bit every day. I go heavy in the kitchen as I spend a lot of time in there.
What is your most favorite thing about the holidays?

Kelly



Thursday, November 15, 2018

Snow Today!


We woke up to snow today which is early for my neck of the woods. They said it would stay on the grass, they lied! We have about 6" and traffic is a nightmare! They keep saying it will turn to rain...we'll see!


Yesterday at my guild we had Diane Knott as our speaker. I have followed Diane for a long time and even made a pillow out of her book, Scrap Quilt Secrets for a blog hop. Diane was as warm and friendly as she comes across on her blog, Butterfly Threads Quilting She also has a wonderful southern accent which is so charming! Everyone enjoyed her quilts and we look forward to her new book coming out soon, Strip Quilt Secrets.


Every year in November we have a bake sale. It is a tasty fund raiser and the members love it! I made apple dumplings.


The ladies at Undercover Quilters were very welcoming to me on Monday night. It was a long rainy ride home but worth all the nice people who welcomed me and seemed to enjoy my quilts. Now I need to put all these quilts away and clean up my room so I can work!


My friend, Stephanie gave me some good books to read. Right now I am reading the top one, Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell. So far so good, it's a page turner! The other two look good as well. I love the feeling of a stack of books waiting for me.


I can't believe that Thanksgiving is next week, it feels like the Halloween candy isn't even gone yet!
I know it is early this year but still...


I have some grandchildren who have reached the age of gift cards )-: I know that is what they want but it feels so impersonal. At least these will make them feel more festive.
This week I am planning my Thanksgiving and trying to get some projects planned so I can sew when I have a few minutes here and there during the busy holiday season.
Do you have any holiday projects you are trying to finish up?

Kelly

Sunday, November 11, 2018

Pink and Yellow




Love that twirl!



Some easy Sunday sewing. I have been a little under the weather so this took some effort. But it was sunny and that lifted my mood.


I am working my way to the next block. All pieces are cut out and waiting for me.


This area also needs my attention.....it's amazing how quickly that happens!



I'm loving these Grunge fabrics (top) and wondering what took me so long? The bottom are basics by Zen Chic. You can find the at the Quilt Block in Exton PA.

If you are a local and want to see my quilts, I am having a trunk show tomorrow night for the Undercover Quilt Guild. You can go to their website here Undercover Quilters
The meeting starts at 7:00 PM the address is 

Christ United Methodist Church
600 East Duttons Mill Road
Brookhaven, PA 19015.


Kelly

Friday, November 9, 2018

Friday


 Today is a perfect day for sewing, gloomy and now raining.
I love 4 patches! The centers are very easy to swirl too. They are so versatile and so easy to make. If they are scrappy they will also give you an interesting design.


There is something soothing about matching the pairs and chain piecing them under the foot of the sewing machine. Almost automatic. Before you know it they're done!


If you haven't learned how to chain piece go find a You Tube video now! It will save you time and thread. Once you are set up it goes very fast.


So as you may have guessed this is going to be a baby quilt. There is only 1 juvenile print in there to keep it from being too "cutesy". The solids squares are a pretty yellow dot print on white.


I have been painting but not as much as I would like to be. My friend and I commented the other day that there are just not enough hours in the day! All my interests take a lot of time!


So Rose or Peony? I'm not sure either!


Don't hate me.....but yes I have got a jump on my Christmas shopping. It makes December so much more enjoyable. It's also my birthday month and it's no fun 12 days before Christmas stressing out about gifts or any other details.
Do you decorate before Thanksgiving? I've seen a lot of that on Instagram. I am more likely to do it the weekend after as you will not find me in a store on Black Friday!

Kelly

Monday, November 5, 2018

Rainy Monday


I know I am the odd man out but I love a rainy Monday! I always have so much to do so it doesn't bother me at all. I also am very productive.
I found this wonderful vintage quilt and just could not leave it behind. The blocks are small, 4 1/2" finished and they are all hand pieced! A true labor of love. It's big too, 283 blocks a perfect size to use as a throw quilt.


The fabrics are varied which gives it a lot of life! The solid fabrics in the center of the quilt are red and along the edges they are pink. I am guessing either an artistic choice or a ran out of fabric choice!
So the question I asked on Instagram.......it needs to be washed. Do it before or after it is quilted? Give me your thoughts.


I am also making some baby quilts. This one is for my niece who is not finding out if it is a boy or a girl. I feel like that is becoming a trend again? It's all washed and nice and snuggley.

sorry for the bad picture

I changed up some of the fabric, as it was a kit. I like the polka dots. The pattern is by one of our Modern Quilt Guild members, Rachel Rossi. You can buy the kit and the pattern at The Quilt Block.

Kelly