Quilters Delight

 It was a good day!  The day our group of quilters gathered after a long period of time!  Such joy to see those faces again!!

We meet in Judy’s studio.  She always has some interesting work around the room.  Quilt on the left is one of Pat Sloan’s BOM—right one is embroidered with piecing. 

Annette has brought her flower garden pattern to show.  She has been working on these blocks for many months

Close up look—quite smashing!

Just brings out her hexagon top.  These are always a labor of hand stitching, sit, relax and make a few hexies

Judy has added a bias vine around her edges

And will add leaves which she has constructed 

With this fine backing

Called whisper lite

A bag of leaves sewn and turned

Annette also had couple other tops to show—this one with 1.5” squares

A baby to ready to quilt

And this beauty!  Such small pieces!

And how about this one?!!  She was quite busy during our lock down time

She said this one took no time at all!  After all those small blocks, this one was a dream to piece!

It was a joyous day of sharing happy news; techniques.  Comforting one who received a loss with hugs of love. 

Hopefully, our group will be able to continue on 

WIP

Time to take stock of what's in the sewing room and on the cutting table.  

Finally, finished!  this was a real challenge--small pieces galore! It was American Quilters Stitch along, designed by Lisa Bongean of Primitive Gatherings.  Soon it will be quilted on the long arm, once I decide on backing.

20 blocks of pure patriotic colors--some of the little blue blocks I enjoyed making 

while others were a pain in the tush!

Still-yes, still! chugging out these winter blocks from 2020 Countdown to Christmas.

Every December Moda Bake Shop Bakers group on facebook enjoy a new

pattern each day--I began this challenge in January 2021--so still working on it.

I will cut out a block or two and when I have a chance to sit to sew, it's ready to go!

And this one is waiting in the wings--ready to sew hearts; 

Happy stitching y'all!

 

PUrge Out point two!

It was time to purge the guest room bedroom closet !  What will we find? 

Forgotten cross stitch photos, stitched by brown head daughter in late 1980's.  She didn't sign the piece--what a shame I didn't ask her to put her initials on the beautiful piece.

This piece is also done by the same daughter.  There are also couple of pieces by blond headed daughter--love all these handworks so I'll find a good wall to place them again.

I've a storage bin where I kept all my name tags from every event, every convention, every conference -some of the tags are just printed on paper then slipped into a plastic sleeve.  It's amazing how many events I attended throughout the years.  This name tag above was a good thought at the time when there were only 20 attending but then when we gained more attendees, we gave the person the instructions along with the supplies to make the name tag for themselves--guess how many followed through?  Not many. 

The idea was to print name, etc on sticky label to put on the bottom of this name tag--okay, that idea went to the wayside.  I still have proof that we tried!

Some of the organizations where I served on boards as an officer presented elaborate name tags and even two gave me small quilts--these will be saved for sure.

How may save their ribbons from exhibits or fashion shows!??  Well, I did!

Out they go--nobody cares about these ribbons; although, I do have the photos proving I was honored to win these ribbons.

Alot of the name tags will be saved just because they are fancy--some have elaborate hangers.

I can tell you that I spent better part of the afternoon fingering each name tag and remembering the event and the people who were involved.

Onto another closet for purge out!!

Color of year!

 Word of day Gloss means "to provide a brief explanation of a difficult or obscure word or expression" or, generally, "to explain or interpret."

And the Kona Color of 2022--not my favorite!  But I'll add some to each of the quilts I make during the Year==Along with my Favorite color---ORANGE!

Described by Pantone as the "happiest and warmest of all the blue hues," the 2022 Color of the Year is called "Very Peri," a "dynamic periwinkle blue hue with a vivifying violet-red undertone," according to a press release. It combines the faithfulness of blue with the energy and excitement of red

Well, I'll be!  another year of more purple shades!  Although, I really like this shade--hope you enjoy

playing with purples!!

Let’s Read!!

A tome is a large or scholarly book.

So far, in the past few months I've read several good books-- "A Man Called Ove"--soon to be a movie. Ove played by Tom Hanks--glad I read the book first before the movie.

"When the Crickets Cry" by Charles Martin--a tender happy sad book!

"The Joy and Light Bus Company" by Alexander McCall Smith--love his books and a fast read.

"The Extraoradinary Life of Sam Hill" by Robert Dugoni--I'll never again say "What the Sam Hill!" as an exclamation!

“The Silent Patient” by Alex Michaelides—areal page turner

“Rock, Paper, Scissors” author Alice Fenney—

It’s time to read, especially during these cold February days and nights.  Here is my list of books that will keep me warm.  

“For All The Light We Cannot See”—so far, this great prose about a time in history we cannot forget. Soon to be a Netflix limited series.

“The Last Thing He Told Me”

Brown headed daughter recommended this book as she handed me this copy and said, “this is a real page turner!” Okay, then I must wait to begin this book when I want to just read—not at bedtime then! 

“Better Off Dead” 

It’s the annual Jack Reacher read!  Must send 2022off with another book from pen of the Child’s Brothers—and yes! There will be a series on Amazon Prime video called Reacher!--

I love my reading time--what are you reading?

Hexagons

Word of the day:  Palingnesis--rebirth, regeneration

Country Lane in Quilts is hosting a hexagon stitch along--what fun!

great handwork while watching TV, or listening to audio

I printed my hexagons  at half inch on card stock paper, cut those little suckers out.  I’ve never ever made hexagons!! A new experience!  It seems so easy—just cut small pieces of fabric, stitch around the very small hexagons and you have one petal of flower—continue....

Ok....that half inch isn’t working for me!  Way too small—

Printing 1” now—let’s see if that works for me!

Then we jumped to 1.5”! 

Actually settled on .75” and this is my first completed “flower”—this interesting handwork—I’m so proud of me for trying this. I’m learning various techniques on how to keep the hexie centered as I sew around. 

And now that one flower has grown to two

I found after much discussion in the group, that these little clips work well to hold the center in place.  There were some who use magnets but I had these clips and off we go to stitch

While straightening up the table in my sewing room, I found two bundles of micro chips that were freebies at Quilt Con year or so ago—just right for my flower petals! 

Now, that I know what I'm doing (sort of) I'm going to jump to 2" hexies--because I would like to make this top below: 

 

Feet And Mouth!

 Out of my big mouth comes these words, “why don’t you wear your wool socks I knitted for you?”  These words were said to my hubby.  It was a very cold day and he was complaining about cold feet.  His answer—“one pair has big holes in the heel and toes, the other pair is dirty”. 

Oh goodness gracious!  I’m not going to darn holes in socks—I’d rather knit a pair!  And that was that!  I’m knitting a pair of wool socks for hubby!!  

Of course, it takes some time to find a “manly” colored wool yarn in the stash—there are lots of blues, reds, etc but I have only one skein of each—could knit one of blue sock and the other with red—hubby isn’t into this sort of thing—heck, he wants everything the same way.  I did find this brown--looks like I tried to use some other time--it's wound around the ball and a mess!  I took some time to untangle--

Next--I find two circular needles--can't cast on!  For some reason, I can not cast on right for knitting two socks as the same time on circular needles--I have a mental block.  I must cast on four double pointed to get started, then I can transfer to circulars.  I love knitting a pair at the same time--they come out the same length!  

And we're off to knitting a pair of socks! Not sure I like this pattern--K 6, P2--but, I'm committed now--will NOT begin again!

Thinking Hearts!

Word of the Day:  This is SWEET!  Easy to knit, not much to sew, heart to knit for your friends, family and sweet"hearts"!

Scrappy Sticky linky mess has instructions--so knit away!

And don't forget about making some small prayer hearts to give.

below is a video

Knit to your HEARTS content with these heart dishcloth patterns!  Some free! 

Sew Me Some Love!

Fort Worth Fabric Studio--Sew This is Love! 

First clue is making x's and o's--

Clue 2--It looks cool!  But, I"m not sewing this YET!

Finish!  Short and sweet! 

 

HeartFelt! And More!!

Word of the day:  inveigle--To entice, lure, or ensnare by flattery or artful talk or inducements.

Fat Quartershop  announces Hearfelt Quilt Along!  It's their ninth charity--benefit Make-a-Wish Central & South Texas.

 We are proud to present the 2022 Heartfelt Quilt Along!  Join us as we go row-by-row in making this heartwarming quilt designed by Corey Yoder, featuring her fabric collection Beautiful Day, designed for Moda Fabrics!

Fabric requirements are released today 

From February to September,  a new pattern will be published on the blog 1st Friday of each month.

Today is a good day!  Another QAL has arrived at this blog post!

Favorites from Aby Quilts!  Favorites is based on one 18" block, four 12" blocks, four 12"x18" blocks (composed of 6" nine patches), eight 8" blocks and four 8"x18" blocks.  The QAL launches February 1 with instructions for 18" center block, Friendship Wreath.  There will be ten installments of 2022 BOM program, which will finish up in November. 

Melva Loves Scraps is hosting her third walk through family history with

this quilt along, beginning February 3 and each month thereafter through December.  Her historical  stories make history come to life through stitching!

 

Start A New Project For a Good Cause

Begin a new project in a new month!  And this is a great quilt for a worthy cause!

One of my favorite people, Alycia Quilts, is once again hosting this mystery quilt-a-long.

This begins February 1 with fabric requirements and on February 16th the first clue will be revealed.

Alycia says this will be a super easy, beginner friendly pattern; finish at 61"x81" with NO half squares!

This size is just perfect as Quilt of Valor .

Gather your red, white and blue fabrics for this one, I'm sure!

Another great project for someone you love!

This is the quilt-- and below is the block pattern

free block from cluck cluck sew

 

Good Idea?? Or Not??

Word of the day:  Spirit-stirring:  stirs or animates the spirits; spirit rousing!

 I thought this would be a good idea!  Who doesn't like to make medallion quilts?  Simple--start with one block and build around it!  It's called a round robin as well as medallion-- A round robin involves sending your piece off to friends to add the next round.  Eventually, after all the rounds, the piece makes it back to first sender.  Last year, this group didn't send their rounds but were sewn and chosen by you! Once again this year, there is the SAHRR group and you can join along with me!  Only thing for me--I had to construct the middle (starting) block! Luckily, I still have a couple of orphan blocks that can be used.  

It officially began January 10th and each Monday thereafter for six rounds, a different blogger would offer their suggestions for the next round.  Below is the list of bloggers who contributed. 

Here is the orphan I decided to use.  The first go around was chosen as something curved—oh bother!  Watched several videos to decide what to do—there were suggestions for drunkard path—too involved for me.  I wanted something quick—landed on video by Rob Appell’s way to create free form curves—perfect!!

Next go round will be more difficult; am sure some math will be involved!

Second round—triangles!  Yes, math involved!  I found some aged friends blocks.  These were made while we lived in Venezuela as our group formed a sewing guild. Each member signed their name as a keepsake—I thought these make great triangles!! And surprise!  They fit!!

• Anja @ Anja Quilts
• Emily @ The Darling Dogwood
• Texas Quilt GAl
• Wendy @ Pieceful Thoughts of My Quilting Life
• Gail @ Quilting Gail (it’s Gail who hosts this fun)
• Chris @ Chrisknitssews

Stitching!!

Keep those hands busy!! Let's stitch!

Beginning January 31, come stitch along on Blue Jar Medley. Each Monday following, a participating designer will feature their "Blue Jar" with a free downloadable pattern available during each designer's spotlight week.  After that week, the patterns will be $5.  The finishing pattern will be availabe free April 25-May 2, 2022.

• Jan 31 - Feb 4 Calico Patch
• Feb 7- 11 The Woolen Needle
• Feb 14 - 18 Red Button Quilt Company
• Feb 21 - 25 Linen Closet Designs
• Feb 28 - Mar 4 My Red Door Designs
• Mar 7- 11 Blueberry Backroads
• Mar 14-18 Sew Cherished
• Mar 21 - 25 The Cottage Rose
• Mar 28 - Apr 1 Traditional Primitives
• Apr 4 - 8 Yellow Creek
• Apr 11 - 15 Through the Needle's Eye
• Apr 18 - 22 Rusty Crow
• April 25-May 2 Calico Patch: Finishing

Books and Roses  

This is a small embroidery design featuring books and roses which you'll be able to make into a unique bookmark of your own style. Of course, you might want to make them into a small wall quilt or stitch them onto small projects. 

All of monthly bookmarks will be a bit different from each other and perhaps that will give you ideas of your own.  gather ribbons, lace, fabric scraps and buttons, and chose a red, blue, green and white colour scheme. There's a tiny pop of applique and the designs are stitched onto lovely white linen.