$10 Quilt Club

A local quilt shop runs a $10 Quilt Club.

For $10, you contract to come to the

shop, at a designated time, to pick up a

kit (colour choices made ahead of time) to be completed

by the next meeting. There you get the next kit, 

having arrived with your completed

block from the previous time. If you miss, 

either by not doing your homework or not 

making a meeting, you pay $10., to keep

going with the kits. (You do this every time you blow it :))

Here's pictures of a recent one, done by a newbie quilter.

She's got a good handle on the process. She liked what

I did, and I did it within her budget.

I tried the smaller picture

format. I don't care for it. Back to the usual, next.

Happy Tuesday

gudrun

Late Autumn a lot like winter

A picture  is worth a thousand words. Well at least a few...this is todays view from my

computer. 

 Winter has arrived...not by the calendar but it is here.

Happy Winter Friends!

gudrun

More tidy up

Sew....I did all that organizing.  I also 'tidied' all the plants, in my Attic.

They were all watered well, and all the unsightly bits removed.

Then  I cleaned the floor, being a bit wet.  Look at what I found....

Wash-away thread...washed away by the water on the 

floor from playing with plants.  (sigh)

Happy Hump Day,

gudrun

Tidy Up Time

Procrastination has hit an all time high in the Attic.  I stay busy whileI procrastinate.  I  'tidy' when I procrastinate, or another way to put it is to say I  sharpen All my pencils before I start. In this case I sorted fabric.  I felt every last piece.  I folded and sorted. Any piece less then a 1/4 m.  is in a laundry basket. (A project for another pencil sharpening attack.) Pieces between .25 and 1 m. are folded one way, one meter or larger is folded another way, both are folded to fit the storage unit.   I am so impressed....I impress easily, tis true. But look at this,  is it not marvelous!

From this to 


this,

and this and four fully folded drawers more. (Great alliteration eh!)

 Now I really must get those Christmas sewing projects

started.  hee hee 

gudrun

"Recycle" The story of Trish's Quilt

This quilt is called "Recycle".  It is going home to the maker's

son.  Son works in our neighbourhood's solid waste management arena  (where is this

going?) Well, the symbols for this industry are green and circular, the quilt was made

with mostly scraps. It is a happy quilt, all those lovely bits of fabric. It sure made this long armed quilter happy as she recognized so many fabrics and  hung out in the memories 

that belong with them for a few hours.

Spirals and a small circle, and a small swirly thing along the

edges.  The edges were serged, and there was a generous seam allowance for points. 

Every quilt has its challenges, true here too. This one is large, lots of piecing, bias edges.

 Translates into a  heavy quilt and  some wonk to the edges. Having quilted many quilts I say

fore warned makes life a bit easier.

As I got closer to the end (even though I was careful with "the wax off wax on")

I knew there would be stretch as I got to the end of the quilt.

To tug on a quilt, or moosh it around too much (there is a lot of stretch in fabric)

 is to give myself a big head ache. (Gently, gently always gently. )  


It looks like a lot of fullness, not really though, carefully as  George watches, I pin down the edge easing in the fullness, watching that the pattern lines are straight.

 

Sew...go back to the top for  another look at the finish  ...turned out great.  Trish's idea of the spirals was a great finish to this happy quilt.

Happy Sunday,

gudrun

ps the picture was the correct orientation on the desk top, don't know how

to fix it, don't strain your neck muscles looking   :)

A different Quilt

Oh my...look at this.

I quilted a multi fabric lap quilt, designed for Alzeimer's patients.

The quilts are designed with ' tactile-ness'. Okay sew, the back is fleece,

 just a hunk no selvages.  I tried not to stretch it.

  BUT I wasn't successful,  did an very open meander.

 What we have here is indeed tactile.  Ha, it's very tactile.

  Just look at that pucker-y back....heck the whole thing is one big pucker.
It feels nice though, and the variety is great.




I put the binding on this one too. Machine binding,  and don't cha know I broke the needle plate of my Husky.  Tsk.  I dis-remembered  cracking it...it didn't like bulk.  Well it was only a matter of time.(sigh)  I am sure glad I have a 'spare' sewing machine  :)

A bit of satiny fabric with a bit of embroidery....check out those puckers  :)

A bit of lace, fleece, knit, some shimmer and some shine....I hope someone enjoys it.

gudrun

Quilted Table Pieces

I was wondering what pattern  to try for place mats and perhaps a table 

runner, consequently wondering what favourites are out there in bloggerdom.

What piecing pattern do you use for place mats, also what is the finished

 size that you like for a place mat? It'd be nice to hear...  a comment, or a link.

My dm, mentioned he liked the larger ones we have...

I never knew he cared  :)

 I have some  precut strips  in  blues....good start.   I know I need to keep

 it simple.  I 'd like them to not look 'simple'.  I can do that

 with some fancy quilting :))

I finished piecing a few pink and green place mats, from bits left over 

after acover was made for a Kitchen Aid machine. 

  (Never took any pictures duh!)

I find this is not the most efficient method of piecing, but then

 I like doing jigsaw puzzles, too. It seems to some, to be 

a time waster .....my kind of waster. 

 (These are pretty greens,  I promise its true! The orange background doesn't help.)
Also contrary to what I thought

this project did  not use up a significant amount of scraps. 

 I am  wondering if the scraps clone when I leave the room.

The Sun just peeked in the window so I'm going out, happy Sunday friends.

gudrun

What's in a word

So, what's in a word.  This is one of the roads in my valley and at the top of the hill, lives the Hill family.

Keep smiling...

gudrun

Straight but not Square (saving at your long armer))

 There are some folks do not understand  'square'. 
Certainly not as it applies to fabric.....as in large pieces of fabric.
This is a picture of backing fabric. The pieces are all cut straight, 

and seamed straight.  But the end result is not a square piece.
And no,  I don't know why that happens,  it just does.



Those large 108" wide fabrics need to be squared as well. 

As you see several inches may be lost squaring fabric, take this  fact

into consideration when purchasing backing.
Squaring a large back is no different then squaring fabric for cutting strips.
It is bulky and awkward to handle, but needs to be done.
So here's a quick how to, and one can check the web for lots of visuals

 if this is too obtuse.

1.  Find the centre of the back, lengthwise. Fold in half. Carefully smooth the 

fabric and fold again to fit on the cutting surface.  This will take a minute or

 two as you need to make sure the fabric is smoothed out.  The rough edges 

that appear, are now ready to be trimmed.
2.  Repeat this process for the width....or you can do width and then length

 if your feeling contrary  :)

I allow my clients the first 'unsquare' back adjustment gratis, because some 

folks just don't know.  
Then I explain, because there is a charge and who needs to pay

 that when it is sew simple and you can do it yourself.
Happy Wednesday,

gudrun

Funky Brown Quilt

Okay I confess, I don't care for brown fabrics. I like the colour brown
it has its place....wood, dirt, dogs, and chocolate. But brown fabric has
never inspired me. So, this quilt was a lovely surprise, for me.
It has a very friendly and relaxing feel to it...just perfect for
the young lady it was made for.



The back is the same solid brown, I used a paisley pantograph and a Poly Neon Variegated Madeira thread.
Forgot to take a picture of the back..sigh. Trust me it looks good :)





I have lots of quilts to get finished on the long arm, in the next few days so watch for the pictures.

Happy Monday folks!
Gudrun

Canadian Grade School Reader Quilt

Do you remember Dick and Jane? Here's  2009  quilted version





Oh oh what fun! Sorry about the soft focus...I will get better with the camera I promise.

Happy Tuesday!

Gudrun

New York Beauty

Check out this lovely little quilt. Wahoo wild and wonderful oranges and brown. The right now kinda colours!





Of course George came outside to help me photograph this lovely...the wind was up and the photographer is an amateur.


It's a small piece 46 x 68 and is not rectangular...as you can see.

What all ya 'all think?  Love to hear from you.  Leave a comment.

Gudrun

New Home for George

Our home has a new four legged furry member. George arrived 2 weeks ago today from Vancouver, B. C.  He was reeking havoc in his other home with the elderly cats there and I offered to adopt him.  I am fond of cats. Our long time cat friend, Willa, passed away this past winter.  I miss our furry friend. Always thought orange a great colour for a cat. Also wanted my 2 legged friend to come visit me. I got a whole lot of what I wanted just by offering a home to George. 

Oh yes, apparently George is a quilt tester.
Happy Hallowe'en folks!
Gudrun

Beautiful British Columbia

This Quilter took a vacation.....
These views taken from a bus. A trip I took this summer between Terrace and 

Prince George, B. C. This is the landscape of my childhood.  Those mountain vistas make my knees weak...yikes. What's that all about?  It has been many years since I travelled that highway, and it was a pleasure to let some one else drive while I stared out the window and reminisced. 

These are the banks of the mighty Skeena.  I explored those banks for many  hours,

 built many a fire  on a sand bar and swam in little back pools. Those pools are cold.

I can't find an adjective to describe this northern river kind of cold but swimming wasn't something done for long, just for cooling off, or goofin' off.  All of  these events where just  momentary blinks, because the water was so darn cold.  Of course that was fun.

The trees....I couldn't get enough of them.  

More to come....

gudrun

Kudos to Georgian Quilters Guild

Kudos to Georgian Quilters Guild! They put together a lovely quilt top, which they entrusted to me to quilt. AND they entered it in a local fair (which recently added a 'longarm' category) said quilt won a ribbon. Everyone is pleased! Here's a picture.


New York Electric Blue Beauty was also a winner in two local fall fairs.

Mystery Quilt

Greetings,

I have been on a lovely vacation. I have lots of vacation pictures. To be edited and

such before I can begin to share them.

  I am going to get back into the swing of blogging again, with this gem.

Prior to my vacation in Beautiful Northwest British Columbia, I had the pleasure of quilting this  one.   The colour choices are lovely.  This picture doesn't do it  justice. (they never do) Except for the borders this was a 'mindless' job, of  SID.  Mindless, yes but concentration is a must :)) As my fellow quilters know.

Embellishing the Lily

Our last trip to the summer place was a short one, the sewing machine stayed home. A small quilt and container of 'things' and a few beads did however come on vacation with me. (smile) 

I only took a few things along so this is far from finished.  I think it is coming

along nicely.  

I am now in the process of looking for a box (somewhere in the studio) that contains

a small supply of silk ribbon, and some silver embroidery floss. Every garden needs a  spider and  its web.

 
These are parts of a set of ear rings that I bought from a street vendor on Queen Street, when I first lived in Toronto.  The only reason they are still a set after all these many years, is of course due to the difficulty I had putting them in, consequently I think I probably wore them less times then fingers on one hand. What a way to break a set... I am well know for single earrings, and gave up worrying about it a long time ago.  I wear 'odd' pairs all the time, the ear ring police haven't found me yet!
Happy Hump  Day Folks!
gudrun

One Colour Quilts

I quilted this one a while ago (see  the green in the background  :) )  

This is a one colour quilt.  It's beige. As you  can see. (smile) I am so glad I am finished this piece, It's not exactly a stimulating number,  it's heavily quilted, with a paisley style meander.

But ya know it is pretty when you see it up close and personal. I used a thread with a strong shine, and not much colour.  It's very quiet.  I know someone who would suite this one....but it ain't me babe  :)

Happy Thursday folks

gudrun

(this post was started in July 09. it is now Nov...but I don't know how to

adjust the date to publish it in Nov. eeh ghads )

Little Lily & Oriental with Metallic Fabrics

I am a lucky gal....

I found this top for sale at a local quilt store. I quilted and bound it, now I am going to 'highlight' it.

I am starting with some trapunto and beading.

More to come....

I also worked this week, (tsk tsk...ya' ll thought I vacation all summer eh!) quilted this Oriental fabrics quilt, with a simple Gingko leaf.  The backing is a gold metallic fabric, as well lots of metallic fabrics on the front.  I found lots of 'metallic gunk' ( a specially specific name for a new to me phenomena ) in the bobbin race.  I am thinking this stuff is what gave the long arm tension headaches. sigh. I did all the tricks and tips I have learned over the past 5 years (yikes already!) of long arming to deal with tension.   I ended up blowing a fuse and having to make a trip to purchase a replacement and spares, in a near but still away hardware store  blah blah not the way I planned that day.  The good  news is Client is coming over this am so that means payday..Yeah!  I hope she likes it.  

It is a gift from the bride to a sister that  is 'standing' up with her on the big day. The pictures here do it little justice many large scale prints where left in large pieces to get a 'picture' of the fabric,  some are large portions of panels...of which I own one. 

wishing you all a happy Thursday,

gudrun

Summer Quilt Projects

I am going to say the usual...I can't believe how long its been since I posted.

I have been up to my ass in crocodiles trying to drain this swamp.

Nah... it's summer I like to be outside, so that really limits the amount of time left over

for screen play.   

 Our summer spot. 

 And this is what I did on my vacation 

The picture is taken in full sun on the deck, so is a bit washed out looking.  I don't usually

work in these kinds of colours so it was challenging to stick with it. 

I had the good fortune of acquiring someone else's ufo at a recent Guild auction. For a very small sum. I know the lovely lady these blocks belonged to, she is no longer able to sew or quilt. There was no info with this kit re designer or pattern name.
There were 8 completed blocks and 4 in various stages. I made several more from my scraps, to make this a larger quilt. There was lots of the light green fabric  included in this ufo pack. 

 I will add  a border(s) but haven't decided as to colour(s).  I am thinking of using the rest of the light green and  a tiny bit of white. Keeping it simple, making a one inch "straight"

border is enough of a challenge for this piecer.

This isn't everything, more later.

Wishing you a happy Friday. and as D A M  say

 peace

gudrun

Wild & wonderful colours.

What an amazing colour combination...right here

in my back yard.

Gudrun

Blooming time

 Since I last wrote, the yard has broken into full bloom.
I haven't had much opportunity to write, between the gardens,  customer quilts,
and our children home for visits on the weekend the time disappears.

I have been attempting to dry some of the blooms, maybe I'll try some flower pounding.

The orange poppies are about to open, I wonder what colour they pound out to be.

I hope these pictures bring you a smile, they do me.

Gudrun
(ps the apple blossoms are gone already.)