Friday, February 25, 2011

Colour catchers~~ product endorsement

I needed to wash a quilt.  (We have a puppy.)  I knew it would be a night mare to wash, as just a small spill, a long time ago caused mega bleeding.  I have hung it in the breeze and have had it 'dry cleaned'  But I am not a fan of 'dry cleaning'  So  I washed it my  regular way, cold water, gentle cycle.  I used three sheets of "Shout" brand colour catcher, one more then recommended in the instructions. I am well pleased with the result. The picture tells it all...that is a lot of loose colour they caught.

Colour cathers rule!

gudrun

Raffle Quilt

I had a great opportunity recently to quilt for a community group called the Beaver Valley Agricultural Association, they organize and hold the Beaver Valley Fall Fair each Sept.

  Last year, BVAA purchased a quilt from Georgian Quilters' Guild for  raffle. It  happens I quilted that raffle quilt, that quilt now resides in the Philippines, but I digress.   This year a BVAA member gathered together blocks from previous challenges,  put them together with sashing and borders, and asked me to quilt the piece for BVAA.  It came together nicely, wouldn't you say.

                                                              
TGIF folks,
gudrun









Friday, February 18, 2011

Yesterday....Talking about the Long Arm

I am glad yesterday is yesterday.  I felt like a cat on a hot tin roof. Perhaps it was because we had a heat wave ...up to 5 from - 10)  here but probably because
I gave a little talk about what I do as a long arm quilter.
I was relaxed about it until a few days ago.... thought it would be "an okay gig" It was running around in my brain that I have quilted for almost half the membership but then I started to over think the whole thing and like I said I was sooooo nervous.  Apparently I did all right, had a hand-out to cover the basic requirements needed from the piecer and had some small samples to touch and examine circulating the room, answered a few questions. I hope I didn't say 'um' and 'like' a lot and I hope I wasn't slouching.  Mom  says I slouch.

 Anyway that was yesterday.  Today the sun is shining, even so, the day hasn't been stellar.  I had to take a tow truck ride down from the ski resort...no brakes on my car.  Totally creepy.  I was dropping DS off at the hill, and returning to the hospital rehab centre to get DH, when the lack of brake power in the car had me heading for the nearest parking lot at the resort hotel.
Okay that was before lunch, I am home drinking tea and having toast, all will be well, car is getting fixed and life continues  ...whew.  Today, I am will phone mother, tell her about my not 'another boring winter day'.

drive safely friends,
gudrun

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Folded Flowers Daffodils

FOLDED FLOWERS ~~~~   DAFFODILS 
1. Place two template pieces RST*, sew around  scant ¼” seam,  leaving an opening for turning RSO. Blind stitch opening shut.

2.  Applique one fabric circle (needle turned) to centre of prepared flower petal,
 re: step  1. 

3.  Run a gathering stitch 1/8th inch from circle......  (a significant contrast required here)
Pull gathering and gently manipulate the centre and Flower petals until it pleases you....back stitch to hold. And that is it.  Easy? Yes!

Daffodil template shown on one inch graph paper, note there are six points/petals. 

I do not have a finished piece using daffodils.....I am still making them. Also there is one more
tutorial using a circle...coming soon.
Happy sewing,
gudrun


Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Tulips


It was brought to my attention, that I don't have picture of the completed 'tulips'.  Sew here ya go!


These were the first few that I made, the flowers do get better looking as one makes a few.  Just like a real flowers they aren't all alike...some have nice folds and pleats, some have none....how about that.

Happy Tuesday,
gudrun