2011 Christmas Quilt Show

Christmas is just around the corner and it's time for  SewCalGal's  2011 Christmas Quilt Show.

Stop by and see all the wonderful Christmas quilts.  It's not too late to enter one yourself.  There are lots of wonderful prizes to be given away. 

My entry is Comfort and Joy a pattern designed by Pat Wys.  

It was a block of the month quilt at Sweet Home Quilt Company.  

Merry Christmas everyone

Nancy

Beyond the Cherry Trees Oh My!

It was a nasty day here yesterday power blinking on and off and I didn't want to use my machines so I decided to square up my Beyond the Cherry Trees blocks...all 24 of them.

Squaring up blocks has always made me a little nervous so I bought a 16 1/2" square up ruler to use.  These rulers are not cheap but I thought if it would make squaring up a little less stressful it was worth it.

The first few blocks were easy no problem even if some of the pieces were just barley a 1/4 inch from the sides. Then I started running into trouble.

The applique pieces were outside the 16 1/2 inches.



 







I thought I was being very careful putting the patterns together just right.  I guess I should have been checking each block to make sure but it never occurred to me they would not be correct and I didn't know what size the blocks were supposed to be until a couple of months ago.  I have 10 blocks to go back and fix.

They say we learn from our mistakes.  I think what I have learned is not to assume a pattern is correct.

To always check to be sure before you just go blindly stitching away.
All this can be fixed with a little time and patience it just means I am not as far along with this quilt as I thought.
I hope your stitching is going better than mine.
Nancy

Happy Thanksgiving!

Wishing you all a blessed Thanksgiving!

Why didn't I think of that?

I just had to post about this clever idea Nike at Choose to Thrive had.  I think I will start cutting up sheets.
Happy stitching,
Nancy

Beyond the Cherry Trees!

Just completed Block 24 only one more block to do.
I still have the borders but I thought I would wait until I got the center put together so I could be sure of the size.  I always get so nervous when I start squaring up blocks and cutting borders.
You put all that work into the applique'  one slip of the cutter and your starting over.
I wonder how some of you square up your blocks?
Happy stitching,
Nancy

Lucky Number 12!

We have a winner.  Pam lucky number 12 has won the copy of QuiltAlbum.
Congratulation Pam!
Thanks for all your comments.
If you didn't win and would like to have a copy.
Remember there is still a coupon for $5 off on my blog.

FriXion Erasable Gel Pens- Yes or No!

There has been a lot of discussion lately on the Yahoo Groups about 

FriXion Erasable Gel Pens.

The ink disappears when you iron it but comes back if you put it in the freezer.

I am not one to put my finished quilts in the freezer but still I don't like any residue from the ink to be left in my quilt.  Who knows what would happen over time.

So I decided to experiment for myself to see what happens.

 I traced a pattern on some white fabric with a blue FriXion pen.

Then I ironed part of it with a medium hot iron.
It went completely away but I could still see a faint
shadow where the lines had been.

I put the piece in the freezer for a while and all the lines came back so there must be some chemicals left in the fabric.

 I took the piece and washed it with Synthrapol and everything came out.  Back to the freezer it went and the lines did not come back.

I believe I will use these pens to mark my applique blocks because I always wash them when I finish each block to remove any oils or dirt from my hands.  They are less expensive and have more color choices then the pens I have been using.

This is the wool applique quilt I just finished using my Rose of Sharon die from Accuquilt - read more here.

I don't think I would use them to mark a quilt like this one for quilting because I tend not to wash my quilts when I finish machine quilting them. The chemicals would be left in the quilt and I don't want that.
Happy Stitching,
Nancy

QuiltAlbum Giveaway

I had the opportunity to evaluate QuiltAlbum software and would like to share my thoughts with you.

How many quilts have you made in your years of quilting...... any idea?  I know I don't have a clue how many I have made.
When I first started I bought several albums and started strong taking pictures, printing them and putting all the information in the album.  Then I got  busy making quilts and I stopped documenting them.
Now I know the importance of making labels for your quilts but I have to admit I don't always get one made for every quilt.

Some of the first questions people ask when looking at your quilts are.... What pattern did you use, When did you make it and What fabric is that?  I never seem to remember and the more time passes the less I remember.
Well, QuiltAlbum is an electronic scrap book.  Using this software you can upload pictures of your quilts or other projects and record all the little details that might slip your mind later.
Then you can print the page to put in your quilt album or even make a label.
You can even go a step further and make note cards or  business cards with pictures of your quilts on them.
It's very easy to use.  Once it's downloaded on your computer......You upload a photo of your quilt and  fill in the fields with all the information about your quilt.  It's that simple!

You can download the program for $29.95-but if you use the discount code ARL-AK you save $5 at checkout.  Just click on the words  QuiltAlbum and it will take you to their site to read more about the program or to order your copy.
I have been using QuiltAlbum for a couple of weeks now and am really pleased with how it works.  It is a great way to document the details about your quilts and is very easy to use.

Would you like to win a copy of QuiltAlbum?
As a thank you to my readers, the people at QuiltAlbum are giving away a copy of the program to one of you.  Just leave a comment below to be entered.  If you have a blog and post about the giveaway let me know and you'll get another entry.
Please make sure you leave me a way to contact you if you win.
I'll use the random Number Generator to choose a winner.
This giveaway will be open until 11-15-11.
THIS GIVEAWAY IS CLOSED.

Life's Little Routines Keep Us Going!

It's really hard getting back into the routine of your life.  I seem to be having a difficult time getting motivated to do much of anything.  There is so much on my list  I don't  know where to start.

I did take a nice break last Thursday to go to the Georgia Quilt Show
with my friend Judy.
We had such a nice time and managed to find a couple of places
to spend some money.

I found a book "Country Quilts" by Jan Patak in Auntie Ju's booth.  

It's a great book and there are a couple of things I actually plan to make in it.

One of the main reasons I wanted to go was to visit the Primitive Gatherings booth.  I have become very attracted to all the wool in quilts now and Lisa Bongean has some great ways to use wool.  

Her book "Nine Patch Gatherings" has a clever way to make little nine patches in it and I had to try to control my urge to buy her little squares of fabric.

After all I do have a GO cutter.

I also found a new thread called Omni by Superior to try in my longarm.

It was a fun day!

The binding on the Black and White BOM quilt from 2010 is finally finished.

Several members of the little quilting group I belong to did this together. 

I can't believe it's almost been two years...

Happy Stitching,

Nancy

This is a great time of year to get ready to submit your entry in the upcoming Christmas Quilt Show.  Christmas Quilts of all sizes, as well as "winter theme" quilts will be accepted.  And, EQ6/EQ7 users can also enter their Christmas or winter theme designs too!
Bloggers will need to post their entry on their blog during the show and add a link to the show linky.  Non-bloggers will enter by adding their photo entry to a special Flickr Gallery and then adding a link back to the show linky.  More instructions will be provided as the show gets closer.
Help from PR Angels will greatly be appreciated to increase awareness and encourage others to participate.  Thank you to those that help spread the word with posts on their blog, posting the badge for this show, shout outs on twitter and/or Facebook, etc.  
This a quote from SewCalGal's blog about the upcoming Christmas Quilt Show.  There are lots of prizes to be won!
Happy Stitching,Nancy

Whew!

The last couple of months have been----well let's just say different. Lot's of family matters to take care of. Things are getting back to normal again and it's nice to have a little time to spend on the blog. I missed posting and reading your comments.

There hasn't been much quilting going on but I was able to do a little Internet shopping. I found these three great books on Amazon.

I just love to get new books even if it's only to look at the pictures and dream.

I also found a moment here and there to work on the borders of Comfort and Joy my Christmas quilt.

I have gotten a little behind on Beyond the Cherry Trees.

The patterns for one of the borders and block 24 are out, but that's just fine.
 I have to keep telling myself---- it is not a race after all.

Now all I need is a little piecing time at the machine.  I have been having withdrawal systems.
I know you understand.

Nancy

Fall Theme Blog Hop

Just a quick post to let everyone know about the  Fall Theme/Accuquilt Blog Hop Sewcalgal is hosting.
I was supposed to be a part of this but family matters need my attention at the moment.

I know it will be fun so click here and go over to Sewcalgal's blog to check it out.

I am looking forward to getting back to stitching and posting in the near future.
Nancy

Beyond The Cherry Trees

Seems like forever since I have found the time to post to the blog.

  

First,  I want to thank Katrina over at Sunshower Quilts for the nice prize I won.

She had a giveaway for a ScrapMaBob and I was lucky enough to win.

Katrina has a very interesting blog you should check it out.

I finished blocks 21, 22 and 23 of my Beyond the Cherry Trees quilt.  

It's getting close to the end  only two more blocks left to do and then the borders.

I here the  borders have hundreds of circles.  What fun!

It is always exciting when I get to the end of an applique' quilt.  When I pick all the colors for a scrappy quilt I am never quite sure how they will all look together.

Hope you are all finding time for some stitching.

Nancy

Irene Update

The storm has passed us and I think the worst part was trying to sleep on the couch in the basement with a nineteen month old.
It's still raining and a little windy but the worst is over.
We had very little damage in our immediate area. A few branches down, no flooding or power outages. I just wish everyone could have been as lucky.
I have no idea how to publish pictures using this iPad--something else I need to learn.
Looking forward to a little sunshine.
Thanks for all the good thoughts sent our way.
Happy stitching,
Nancy

Irene is Coming!

This past week I have been in Alexanderia, Virginia visiting with my Daughter. It seems like every time I come for a visit there is some sort of natural disaster.
Last week they had an earthquake here. At first we thought the washing machine was out of balance but when the whole house started moving and shaking we figured out it was an earthquake. She didn't have any real damage just a lot of crooked pictures and things falling off the cabinets.
Now we are trying to get ready for Irene. Rounding up batteries, a generator, water and anything else we can think of. The powers that be are saying we will loose power for several days.
If all goes as planned I will be returning home Tuesday----Maybe there won't be anything else before I get out of town.

The Ice Cream Dress

One of the patterns I used and  really liked is called the Ice Cream Dress.  One day as I was blog hopping I came across the Badskirt blog.  Amy was having a sew along making the Ice Cream Dress.  It was so cute I decided I needed to make one for Lillian.
On the yoke of this dress you have to turn a hem before you sew it down and it needs to be nice and even since you are turning it to the right side.
Here is a little tip I have for pressing hems so they look nice and straight .

Cut a manilla folder into approximately 2 to 3 inch strips and mark the amount you want to turn under along the edge.  I guess you could use any type of folder just be careful if you choose a colored one because steam might transfer the color onto your fabric.

Then place the strip on the wrong side of the fabric and press the hem -  folding the fabric over the edge of the folder strip.

  This gives you a nice crisp turn with a smooth edge to sew down.  It's very quick and easy and could be used to turn a hem on almost anything where you want a nice even edge.
Happy stitching,
Nancy

Lillians Clothes

Not much time for quilting lately because I have been busy sewing for little Lillian.  I haven't made any little dresses in quite some time and it was fun.
I was a little surprised at how expensive the patterns for these little gems were.  Most of them were bought at the quilt shop and are not anything like I remember patterns.  You have to trace your own  pieces and you need to have a little dressmaking experience because the instructions are somewhat lacking.
Still a few left to finish but I put these in the mail today.  Sure hope they fit.
If you know of any cute ones I have missed let me know.
Happy stitching,
Nancy

Out of Town Visitor

I have had a visitor from out of town for the past few days.  Meet Rolly the Accuquilt rolling pin.  Since the Accuquilt Retreat in Fremont Nebraska he has been traveling around the country visiting all the friends he made at the Accuquilt Retreat.  The purpose is to encourage Accuquilt to hold another retreat.

Rolly belongs to Steve Nabity the CEO (Chief Energizing Officer) of Accuquilt who used his wife's rolling pin and cookie cutters as dies to cut out paper  shapes and so began the Accuquilt die cutting system.  If you would like to read more about the Accuquilt company go here.

Rolly is getting a few flying lessons in my Husbands newly restore Stearman airplane.  If you remember about this time last year there was a little accident.  You can read about it here but after a lot of hard work the Stearman is about ready for it's first flight.

Keeping Up!

Sometime keeping up is not all that easy.

Blocks twenty one and twenty two prepped and ready to stitch on my Beyond the Cherry Trees quilt.  Only three more blocks and then the borders.

I am up to date with my BOM Comfort and Joy Christmas quilt.  But this months block is ready to be picked up so I guess I need to go get it.

 I managed to complete two tops for Healing Hugs a group that makes quilts for chemo patients.  Only the  quilting left to do.

 This is my progress on my GO tumbler leader and ender project.  Long way to go with this one and silly me I bought cheddar fabric to make the Bow Tie leader ender project Bonnie Hunter is hosting.

Better get off the computer and get busy.
Happy Stitching,
Nancy

Red and White Swap

Several weeks ago I signed up for a fabric swap Sew Many Ways was hosting.  Not that I need more 5" squares of fabric but I do love red and white.  

We all sent in 125 -  5" squares and were supposed to get 125 different ones back.  I guess a lot of people sent in the same fabrics because when mine came back I had lots of duplicates.    I know seperating all these squares was a lot of work and   Sharon always does such a nice job. She always includes a little gift in your return package. This time she  sent everyone a sweet little red and white spool and bobbin holder.  Thanks Sharon.

I picked up my machine yesterday over $400 so glad to have her home.  Please don't unplug your power cord from your machine when you are shutting down.  Unplug or turn the power off at the wall.  I learned an expensive lesson.
Happy Stitching,
Nancy