Pincushions

Two of the guilds that I belong to are getting ready to have their major fundraising events for the up-coming year. I always contribute my time and make/donate things to help out. Pincushions are fun for me to make and something every sewer/crafter can use.

As with all groups there are the doers and well, those that take a more laid back approach! I am going to get on the soap box and say, your guild is only as good as everyone's participation. I am not saying you have to be in charge of the major fundraising events but doing nothing is not acceptable either. In order for a guild to stay vibrant everyone needs to help out and take turns. Different people with different ideas also make it more interesting for everyone.

The next thing you know people get grumpy and cranky, not a good idea for people who have rotary cutters! Even if you can only participate in a small way, please do so, all those little things add up. Ok I 'm done.

I think cat things sell well and this fabric has just come out, it is called Tabby Road by Tula Pink. I got mine earlier when I was in Houston before it was released to the public. The black and white is a Cotton + Steel.

The backs also sport new and cute fabric.

Why do things just look cute all lined up? These will be available at the Penn Oaks Quilt Guild Quilt Show For the Love of Quilting IX. May 5th and 6th, 2017 at Griffith Hall at the Ludwig's Corner Fire House in Glenmoore  PA, (on Pottstown Pike).
We are a very small guild only 58 members but we have an awesome show, complete with vendors, raffle baskets, mini raffle quilts and food. You can also email me Kellymx@aol.com and I will be happy to answer any questions.
For more information and directions, you can go to our website at Penn Oaks Quilt Guild
I hope if you are nearby you will come and see us!

Kelly

Snow Day

We finally got some snow and it's February 9th! Of course they made it out to be the "stormageddon" well almost.......the news people do love a snowstorm! We only ended up with about 4", hardly a big deal but a good enough reason for me to stay put for the day.
I have been working on some flying geese. These will be a long term project and maybe even a full size quilt! I am using the method that makes 4 at a time. It's very accurate and feels a little like doing magic. The centered deer in the top block was a happy accident!
I was thinking this might be fun to do as a swap. Is anybody out there interested? You can find a tutorial on how to make them right here on my blog.

I made this today as a gift for a friend. I found some antique stamps a few weeks ago and they included some very unique ones.....I will do a post on them another day. They do have some letters missing so I had to improvise with new stamps. The fabric in this pincushion is from Cotton and Steel called Flower Shop that I got in Houston last fall. I think it is coming out in the quilt stores now.

Brynn

How sweet is baby Brynn? I spent the beginning of the week getting some meals ready for them and yesterday I spent the day at my daughter's house. I will go back tomorrow to give her a hand and next week if she needs me.

Sleeping baby, it's good thing

So far so good. She is only getting up once a night and going right back to sleep. Mom and dad are getting a good night's sleep! She took to breastfeeding right away which really takes a lot of stress off the mommy.
I am busy getting things ready for our annual getaway next week. As usual I can't decide what to bring. Right now I have about 5 projects, too many? Not enough?

Kelly

Corner Triangle Tutorial

You know I can't pass up a good pincushion. I made this one with some scraps I had leftover cutting out scraps for my stars in the last post. The ribbon was in one of those boxes that Moda has come out with called Frivols. This will be gifted to a friend next month.

Front of quilt

I had a few people leave a comment about my triangle corners so I thought I would do a tutorial. Unfortunately I could not answer you directly because you were a no-reply commenter.
Just for reference this quilt is not symmetrical.....First you quilt your quilt in the normal way, it does not matter if it is hand or machine quilted.
I did not invent this and I believe Ami Simms did but I am not sure.

back of quilt

Square it up after you are finished quilting it. Many times the quilting will slightly distort it.

For my quilt I cut out (2) 3" squares. I don't know that there are any hard and fast rules for what size to use but this technique is only for small wallhangings. I think the largest I  have ever used are 4" squares.

Next press each square on the diagonal.

Place your triangle on the back upper corners of your quilt with the cut edges even with the raw edge of your quilt.

Next stitch the edge of the triangle about 1/8". You are only holding it down until you apply your binding, it's easier than pins. Be sure to backstitch at each edge.

It will look like this. Next you apply your binding as usual.

binding is not on!

Next get a dowel cut about an inch smaller than the length of your quilt. All you do is stick it right inside those triangles. (Please note I don't have the binding on yet!)

This is what it will look like. Now you are able to hang it like a picture! I really like this technique for mini quilts and small wallhangings.  If the quilt is too large you will get a gap in the middle. Be warned though, some quilt shows still want a sleeve.
I hope this helped those of you who asked. Please feel free to ask me any questions!

Kelly

Don't Forget!

Tomorrow is the drawing for the pincushions. This is one and the other is not finished yet. Go back and look at the last post to enter. Please make sure you leave me an email if you want to win!

My sewing room is messy and loney.  I have only been in there to dump stuff while I had company for the past couple of weeks.

At the last meeting of the Lancaster Modern Quilt guild we received our round robin quilts back. This one is mine. Cherie did such a good job matching my hand dyed fabrics with non-hand dyed. I love it and am looking forward to finishing it.

I did make it to the quilt show in Oaks. I can never remember the official name........ Pennsylvania Quilt Extravaganza maybe?

I did not buy a lot but I found some new vendors which was nice.

I really like this Japanese panel, they have lots of different sections to cut apart and use in all kinds of ways.

I thought these chenille squares were such a great idea! Wouldn't they make a nice soft, snuggly, vintagey, baby quilt?

I would love some advice from you technical people out there......does a wireless mouse ever die? Yes I changed the battery and it still doesn't work. I haven't done anything to change any settings and can't figure out what to do. It is a royal pain and I stink at doing it manually. any comments are much appreciated! Thank you in advance for any advice!

I will be back with the winners tomorrow!

Kelly

End of Summer

Colin, Cam, Jenny and Jax

Summer is winding down and I am looking forward to Fall!  While I was gone a lot has happened. Jaxon and Cameron turned 1!!!! How did that happen so fast?

They are the sweetest babies, mom and dad are enjoying them very much. I give them so much credit for getting through the first year. Jenny is amazing especially when you  hear that she had them sleeping through the night at 3 months old, at the same time! It's fun to see that Jax looks like Jenny's side of the family and Cam is the spitting image of Colin. Don't you love those chubby legs?

We bought them these little cars and they love them! They are so cute zooming around the house.

Once again our family is growing! This will be grandchild number 8.

Maddy and Finn

Maddy and Finn will be getting a baby brother or sister this winter. Maddy is hoping for a girl, I think Finn has no idea what is going on!
This is part of the reason for my break. My daughter Cait was not feeling well the first trimester so I helped out whenever she needed me.

They have decided not to find out if it is a boy or a girl.....so I found this wonderful flannel baby fabric at the Quilt Block in Exton and may have to make 2 quilts.

Elliot, Griffin Fallon
Cameron, Maddy, Finn and Jaxon

So what are you guessing, boy or girl?//? We have 5 boys and 2 girls. I am so excited it will be a surprise.

Ok now for some sewing......I made these adorable pincushions that I will be giving away! If you are a Penn Oaks member they could be yours.

They are from a book called Sew Illustrated. They are fun and fast.....

and addictive! I love the scissors the best, so far.

I will leave you with these little colorful business cards that I had made using my quilts. I have been doing some speaking and these are a nice way to give out information.
Now that summer is slowing down my fall is not. Another family wedding, house guests and my son's 40th, yes 40th!!!! birthday will keep us busy in September. I promise to get back to my regular blogging as I have missed it and you keep me motivated to get things finished!
Enjoy these beautiful summery days that are almost over. Can you hear the crickets slowing down?

Kelly

Miscellaneous Monday

I am hooked on these Lola Pouches! They are so versatile and a really nice size to hold all your stuff!
I decided to make a hexie one for my hexies. It's fun picking out the fabrics!

I chose a bright, bright fabric for the inside that my friend Barb gave me. Look how pretty that zipper looks.....

I decided to make a pincushion to match the bag. This is the result and red won, the pink one will be a gift.

I have not done any hand applique in a while. I wanted a no frills, easy project. I designed a flower that requires no lines to follow. Jut cut out the pieces and fold under whatever seam allowance you want, to get a free form flower. I like that it is a little "off" and it is easy to do while watching TV. The circle is way more perfect than I thought it would be.

The only thing I know for sure is that the center will be that red dot fabric and the background will be low volume prints. For reference the block will be 11 1/2" finished, how is that for an odd ball size! I do have a template to sort of follow for the petals but everything else is cut free hand.

I also made this strawberry from an adorable fabric that is so delicate and feminine. I want to make a collection of these to display in a bowl.
Somedays small projects are just what I need to make myself feel productive. My annual retreat is coming up and I am busy preparing. How many projects do you bring to a retreat? I have about 6 because you never know what you are going to feel like working on. Some are big and some are small.
Next week I will have a post of the Zelda quilt, stay tuned!

Kelly

One More

Maybe I am developing a problem? I love pincushions. I like making them, I like how they look, and they are fun to collect. This one is going to be a gift, I think or maybe in the pincushion swap next month at the Lancaster MQG. It will depend on if I can come up with an idea I like. It's big 6" x 6".

A few weeks ago I showed my heart block that I made for the meeting last night. I won 18 blocks! Plenty for a nice quilt or maybe even a couple of table runners! The colors are so pretty and very modern!

I am also in a swap with some of the other members. These are the colors I am working with this month a bit of a stretch for me but I am up for the challenge. I will show you the block later this week. Purple is one of the colors, I had to dig deep in the stash for that one.

For my local readers I am doing a trunk show on Monday February 8th for my guild the Penn Oaks Quilt Guild The meeting starts at 7:00, for more information click on the link or send me an email.

Kelly