Chickens! Angels!

Fatcat Patterns has done it again! Sindy just keeps rolling out those cute patterns. And we keep right on working them up!

Here is the latest batch of chickens--love this one with her nose in the air!  She must be the 'top' hen in the house!

These chickens have been so much fun putting together, just looking though the stash for these colorful fabrics has been half the joy.

Just another chicken in the henhouse!

What got into my mind that I need to make these angels?!!  Don't have a clue, except they are so cute and easy to assemble.

I'll only be making six of these angels as only have enough background fabric for that and replacement fabric is nowhere to be found--so I'm thinking these will make a little girl's Binky quilt.

Hard to pick a favorite--have two more to complete and then we'll chose--all these blocks will need to be buttonhole stitched when we return to our winter home--join in the fun at Sindy's website--she has alot to offer! 

Messy! But Worth It!

When packing to head north (in May), I found two quilt patterns that I wanted to accomplish over the summer. Both of these patterns were designed by Paula Stoddard of Pacific Patchwork.  So into the packing box they went.  Well, it took awhile to get around to working on those patterns.  Every time I pulled it out and looked at it--there were all those HST (half square triangles) to make and I would put it back into the box--thinking another day!

Another day was fast approaching! as well as the end of summer and I had to set my mind to making those HSTs!  Finding these papers online was a bonus--Quilting and Whatnot.  Of course, I've used pre-printed papers before--have a whole stack of them in Texas location but not at summer homestead.  Printing off the right size and off we go..............

Setting the stitch length to shortest possible and stitching is easy.  Then comes the tearing off all the papers and you have a massive amount of HSTs.

Press and you have the correct size--no need to measure or trim--except for all those little 'dog ears'.

Here are the completed blocks--neat and tidy!  And we are glad we tackled those HSTs!

And the finished project!

The other pattern from Paula was this 'bunny' one and it used HSTs also, but I found a quick way to make those pinwheels--Quick Easy Pinwheels and it's on Youtube too! The only problem is all the bias edges, but that is taken care of when the blocks are sewn together.  So much fun to put this one together.  Thanks Paula for some really cute patterns!  Now, to tackle the other letters of the alphabet in my stash!  You see, Paula has patterns from A-Z...........................

TACtile

An outing with friend Judy brought us to this out of the way site--TACtile Denver's premier location for the arts:  Their "mission:
TACtile is the premier art center and gallery inspiring growth, visibility,and creative excellence in textile arts".  The location is not easy to find, but once you do, you'll know exactly how to return.

Up the elevator to the second floor you will see as you exit this nice board room.
Here you can find: 
 Art gallery exhibits Classes with expert instructors
Meeting location

Workspace and equipment

Dye studio space
Shop for books, magazines and supplies
Buy one-of-a-kind artists' gifts, fashion and home decor
A place to make friends with fellow textile artisans

This is a look at their large meeting area and workshop space.  Along the wall and on removeable boards, art pieces are displayed.

Mona Doering is exhibiting her two quilted pieces.

 

Here is a close-up of the larger piece.

More of Mona's work--"Triple Sunshine"

 

Sarah Campbell exhibits "Pieced Silk Canvas"

 

Two more pieces from the hands of Sarah

This is a place for all those who are interested in the fiber arts.  Their is a membership fee for individuals and organizations but it's free to visit.  There is also a free to use their classrooms, but it's worth the price to have a central location for all fiber artists.

We came to see this special fiber exhibit:

Elfriede Style: A Retrospective of Colorado Couture, featuring garments from Elfriede’s collection, made from beautiful fabrics with the best couture construction circa 1974 to the present. This exhibit is an educational experience as well as a celebration of beauty in fashion design.

Elfriede, the owner of Efriede’s Fine Fabric shop in Boulder, Colorado has made an impact in the sewing and design community. This started when she made two huge steps in her life that have helped her share her knowledge and love for fibers with us. She left Germany in 1957 and changed her promising career in as a PhD research Biologist to bring fiber arts to all those around. She has kept her shop the same as when it first opened, keeping everything hands on and personal

The gallery space was filled with Elfriede's displays--what wonderful clothing pieces!  Take a walk with us as we admire the fashions--we could touch, stroke and even photograph these lovely creations!

close-up of the dress--what a great way to use directional fabric.

Elegant and stylish!

All made with extreme tailoring and caution!

What a super exhibit of fashion wear!  We were in awe and delighted that we came to see this exhibit before it closed.  Another exhibit was upcoming within the next week--never a dull time at TACtile!  Make plans to visit while in Denver!  and if you live in Denver, what a perfect place for fiberists!  Other cities are green with envy!

Instant Color?

Have you ever wanted a certain color for your stitching work and you can't find it? Well, here is a quick way to put some color into your embroidery floss.

With a 50% coupon from Michael's, this is a good purchase!  Tumble dry or heat set color.  These are basic colors but mix well to achieve a good range of color.

Take white or beige floss skeins.

You can use a plastic coated clothes hanger to wrap the floss around.  Find a container to use as a catch basin for your dyes.  Spray away!  The floss was wetted first, but you can just spray on dry floss for a different look.

These skeins were dyed without wrapping around hanger--heat set with an iron after dry.

Add as much or as little color you want.
 

Now,  here is the embroidery work that used one of the dyed floss.

This is January angel and the one skein was used throughout the whole piece

Don't you just love this curly hair?

Here is February angel completed.

Close-up of February Angel

And March angel of pinwheels--these pinwheels were fun to stitch as I wove the section!

April's angel of Texas bluebonnets!

Here are the pattern selections--these were found in a storage bin--who knows why they were bought but.................

1997?!  well, we can say these are well aged! and stitching up nicely with the special dyed floss

Make A Mistake with Paper Piecing?!!

Oh, you betta! you can make a mistake with paper piecing!! This year the project from Carol Doak is a mystery pattern.  Carol is known for her paper piecing techniques.  She has a Yahoo group that you can join to get in on the fun of these free monthly pattern releases.

On her website she has some helpful hints on paper piecing--also, there are other free patterns you can download for your PP adventure!  First, you print off the number of copies you need to make the block--in my case, I letter each section with the color that is needed--this is to keep track and not lose focus.

You set your stitch to the smallest length--makes it easy to tear off the paper after finishing.  There are special papers you can use, but I just use plain printer paper.  This pattern went together nicely!

Now, this one!  It was a really challenge!  Why?  Because I didn't notice the color placement too well--just was humming along with the original lettering on the back--and then it hit me!  darn it!  it's wrong in one section!!  I ripped out that one section so many times, I had to reprint as the paper was loose and no lines were there to follow.  Finally, it came together-- after waiting for the next day and a good night's sleep just to make sure it was going to go right.  It's a neat star for sure after all that fuss!

This one was easy-peasy to PP.  These  quilt blocks will go in the guest room of our summer home--this is a year long project--keeping my head in the game of PP will be the real challenge!!