Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Whoops!

So I goofed up & deleted the list on the sidebar of who's turn it is each month.  Whoops.  When I changed the template, it deleted the html I added.

So... I've created a second page within our page entitled, "Schedule".  I need help filling in the blanks.  Here's what I remember... Let me know where to fill in the blanks.  Thanks!  Hope to see you guys this week at guild!


Our Schedule

June: Nikki- Quake Quilt
July: Caitlin- Spider Web Blocks
August: Paula- Broken Dishes
September: Toni
October: Steph
November: Nancy
December:
January:
February:
March:
April:
May:

Help me remember which people have Dec-May???  I accidentally deleted it on our new version of the blog.  Oops!

Dora
Denise
Jaime
Mary Anne
Andrea
Beth


Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Hibiscus' for Stephanie!

I really enjoy machine applique...it forces me to slow down and focus.  I find it very calming.  Here are the two blocks that I made for Stephanie's month...hope you like 'em!

original block

optional block

Sunday, November 6, 2011

I'm Feeling Tropical

I've seen some of these fabulous blooms on the Caribbean islands I have visited.  They are bright and glorious.







Now for the stitching!

Sunday, October 30, 2011

A start for steph





I haven't stitched yet, but here's what I've got so far for Steph. Depending on how well I am able to do on the stitches tomorrow on my
Mother-in-law's pfaff & if I'm able to make it to the store to get some more heat & bond, I may make the optional block, too. We shall see.

Now I need to get very serious on finishing my habitat project.

I'm getting excited about next month's block. Nancy is using some pretty kona earth tones. Not my normal color scheme, so it will make things even more interesting for me. :)


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Friday, October 14, 2011

Hibiscus block for Steph!





Check out my block for Steph! It was a lot easier than I thought it would be, and turned out super cute :) I can't wait to see how the final quilt comes together!

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

A New Look

I gave our blog a new look... What do you guys think?

Here's a picture of what we've been doing that's been keeping me out of the sewing room...  Camping!


Sunday, October 9, 2011

Toni's KC Scrappy Bee Blocks!

October is Toni's KC Scrappy Bee month...last night I sewed up her blocks.  Super easy and super fun...that free form circle thing kinda went against my precise nature, but after the first few I relaxed and realized it was OK to not be uptight! Thanks, Toni for these blocks they were so much fun!


These are the first blocks that I have sewn with my new/old toy...I love the sound of her whirring away. She used to have some tension issues, but she got over it and is nice and relaxed too!


Looking forward to seeing all you ladies on Thursday night!  Yippee!

Sunday, October 2, 2011

Batiks.....anybody need some?

Batiks here...





Batiks here......

                                                                                   and here...





So, I have a few Batiks, a rather nice selection of Batiks as a matter of fact.  If you are in need of a fat quarter or two let me know and I will bring a selection to the next meeting.

I know not everyone has the love of batiks that I have.  I love them.  They are unusual and one of a kind cuts.  They smell a little and seem a little stiff until you wash them but they are just fabulous.  They are crisp when you press and don't have the stretch that normal cottons do.  So have no fear.  This Batik adventure Steph is sending us on for the next block is going to be wonderful.   Machine applique, no problem.  Easy peasy!

Saturday, October 1, 2011

OCTOBER BLOCK - HAWAIIAN HIBISCUS INFUSION

Hi everybody!!  Today is my month and I'm feeling alittle Hawaiian inspired!!  So what I'm giving you all for this month's challenge is my Hawaiian Hibiscus Infusion applique block. The above picture is what I did.  The left is the completed block and the right will be your template.

What you will receive is a 11 inch batik block, the hibiscus template (for the "just incase you mess up" purposes), a piece of Heat & Bond that I have already traced the pattern on, and a smaller hibiscus block template IF you want to make another block for me.
RULES:
1) I would like for you to use a contrasting color for your block.  I would like it BRIGHT and BATIK or HAND DYED (NO EXCEPTIONS) because that's what Hawaii is all about, in my eyes.
2) I am assuming everybody has done applique before..If not I've provided all of you with a traced piece of Heat & Bond.  Place it on the back of the piece of fabric you are using for the flower but with Batiks I don't think there is a right side or wrong side and iron it on.  So after that wait a few minutes for it to cool and cut out the pattern.  Then peel off the Heat & Bond, CENTER the Hibiscus flower onto the block & iron on.  I always wait awhile before I sew because that allows the adhesive to take to the fabric.
3) I would love for everyone to attempt to match the thread with the hibiscus flower.  If not whatever comes close.  I'm very anal with my applique but that's just me!!
4) When sewing down the Hibiscus flower I am asking everyone to use the BLANKET STITCH.   Please set your machine to WIDTH at 2.5mm and LENGTH at 1.4mm.  YOU MAY HAVE TO ADJUST YOUR WIDTH FOR THE STYBUS THAT IS IN THE MIDDLE OF THE FLOWER.  I would do that last.
5) Do not trim the block.  I will do that when they get returned to me.
6) If you are up to making another block...I'm asking for a 8.5 inch batik block and a contasting batik color for the Hibiscus flower and the stitch should be the same.
7) HAVE FUN!!!  I know some of you are attempting to get mentally challenged for this but really, it's super duper fun!!  Sometimes straight lines get really boring!!

I'm hoping that I've given you all the instructions there is to do my block.  Any questions let me know.  I will be giving you all the blocks either by mail or guild....

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Lava and Broken Dishes!!!

First let me thank all of you for my Boken Dishes Neptune Style blocks.  I also belong to the BEE Neptune Bee and had them make the same block for me.  I plan to put it all together first chance I get.  I know this block was no challenge at for all of you but simple is sometimes nice.  This is going to be a great quilt!











Here are Toni's Lava blocks.  Hope they are not too wonkyfied for you!  I didn't try to make them uniform at all so how they came out was just as they were when I cut them.  I had to put some purple lava in there.  Lava is sometimes purple, right?  Anyway I hope you like them Toni.  Your quilt should be fabulous.

Toni's Bullseye Block for September

I'm glad I joined the group this year.  This has really taught me to think outside STEPH'S BOXY NOGGIN!!!! All the blocks so far I've never done before and this Bullseye block was fun.  I like the whimsiness & simplicity of this block!!!  Can't wait to see the final outcome of the quilt...should be way cool!!!
E N J O Y !!!!

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Bulls Eyes for Butterflies!


For September you guys were given a 'box of inspiration' ... 
I will be making a "Butter Fly Garden" Quilt with my Round I blocks .... 
Round I were fantastic Wonky Butterflies ... 
Round II i am asking for the BULL EYE Blocks ~
I finally got a 'tutorial' up on my Blog & links ... hop on over and take a peek -
If you have questions .. let me know,
But Butterflies are Free ...and so it is with the BULLS EYE BLOCKS
I'm giving you guys the freedom to CREATE & have fun...

Friday, September 9, 2011

Advice on Toni's blocks

Here's a pic of the back of a block. Be sure to trim away to 1/4 inch of the underside of the circle after you sew each new circle on. This keeps you from having 4 layers of fabric, which would make quilting more difficult.


Understand?



Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

For Toni in the kc scrappy bee

I don't know about you guys, but I can never sleep after a KCMQG meeting. Last night, I decided to whip out Toni's blocks before going to bed. I made a daybed quilt out of these years ago with some of my 30's reproduction fabric. These are one of my favorite things to make. So forgiving, so liberated. With the black background, they're really cosmic. I love em. A lot.

Enjoy, Toni! Thanks for a fun assignment this month!

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Playing Catch up!

Oy vey! ... where does the time go?! We did get to enjoy our family a wee bit ... But now that  Youngest 2 kiddo's back to school, and i'm not gonna lie, we survived the worst summer EVER! -- i want to thank you all for your patience and kindness while my 'old man' was recouping ~ Over the last few weeks i have finally been able to carve out some time for sewing therapy ... and have FINALLY gotten the pictures downloaded & uploaded ... etc.

Just wanted to share with you what happily keeps me up at night!

Parthena's Wonky House!

Beth's Flying Geese
Quake Quilt for Nikki
 Concluding Round I 
& Beginning Round II
... & bringing US current thru August! 
I really have enjoyed playing with the different Ideas! 
Thanx Ladies!


Spiderweb Quilt for Caitlin
Paula's Broken Dishes
PS. ~ ladies:
PLEASE post updated photos of your  Block "collections"!
I wanna SEE
SEPTEMBER: BULLS EYE BLOCKS ... (stand by for NEWS!)