Lots of Stuff Going On

I'm a Cover Girl! 😊😊😊

Last year I was contacted by 50 Plus Life magazine asking if they could do a story about my quilting. Mary from my guild gave them my name and I thank her for doing it. It is something I never would have thought about doing on my own and truthfully it was a bit daunting.

You can read it using this link Quilting Made Modern  I think Megan did a great job asking questions as a non-quilter and interpreting them into an article. How fun is the cover! They made a quilt using quilts, there's even stitching along the edges!

Some of you may remember the swap Barb Vedder organized I think in 2018. I love these blocks and wanted to get them in to a quilt. I am almost there. I also stretched and used a dark blue background instead of my usual low volume, light and airy fabrics I tend to use for the setting squares. I am so glad I did! It will be perfect for watching football (hopefully) this winter.

I have made quite a few tops the past few months. I am actually quilting one (albeit slowly) myself. I need to get some backs made to get the others finished. 

I am doing the Alison Glass Slow stitching along. I really like this but it took me forever to get to it. My stitches are needing some work but it went fast and I like my color choices.

I am doing a Sew Along for my guild and all the members made these pretty blocks for me! I am so touched that they took the time. It means a lot to me. Thank you all!

I have been painting too. I am taking an online class and you get to use an old fashioned Little Women ink pen! They are fun. This is another skill that I am learning and loving!

Some of you may have heard about a new product called Applipops. I was curious and decided to try them out. It's a way to get some pretty perfect circles for applique.

Sorry for the dark pictures, thank you Hurricane Isaias! Can you hear my generator humming through the computer?

I made a big one so now I am going try a small one. Cover the larger ring with a scrap of fabric.

Push the smaller ring into the back. It will look like this.

When you turn it over, the larger ring should look like this.

Trim your seam allowance. The directions say 1/4" or less. If you have done applique you know the smaller the seam allowance the better it looks and the easier it is to sew down flat. Go as small as you are comfortable.

I used the iron to start pushing the edges towards the center.

Take a paint brush (or a Qtip!) and put liquid starch all along the edge.

Use your iron tip to push all the edges towards the middle making sure the edges don't have any dents.

This was definitely harder with the smaller size but not that hard.

This is what it should look like.

Flip it over and it should look like this. I ironed both sides well to get a good crisp edge.

LET IT COOL! This is so important. If you don't let it cool you will lose your circle and it will be wonky.

After it is cool, pop out the smaller circle and it should look like this.

Pop out the smaller circle and there you have it, nice smooth edges and ready to sew down.

Here is the larger one with the smaller one. After you take the metal rings out, press it well and leave it until cool. Your edges will stay down better.

They come in 2 sizes. I bought both. If you are interested in them you can find them here...Applipops

Just so you know I bought these myself and am giving you my own honest opinion. I like to share what I find!

Lastly, I bought myself a book holder. While working I always am losing my papers or book. This makes it so much easier! This block might be the start of a new quilt!

Kelly