DIY Jelly Roll Quilt Along.

I am enjoying quilting along with Christa from her blog www.christaquilts.com  She has started this quilt-along using Jelly rolls.  I am using Moda's Honey Bun - Nostalgia jelly roll collection by Aprl Comell in 1 1/2" strips instead of the 2 1/2" strips that she is using so my quilt will be much smaller than hers, so it will be a mini version.  I have sewing my strips together, cutting them and sewing the blocks together.  I will upload some pictures a little later on today.  Check out my Quilting & Sewing Arts Studio to follow my progress.  Here are some pictures of my work

what a frustrating morning!

Wow it has been a frustrating morning and it's not even noon yet.  I have been trying to sign into one of my debit cart accts but forgot my username or password.  well after several try's and checking my email to help link up my account several times. no email has come thru...well I called the bank and now it will be 48 hrs before  I can reset anything because they have to check out why I am not reciving any emails from them. 
Then - on Sat I got gas and was double charged for my purchase so I called the gas company and they said that the 1st charge was voided and it should be showing up on my card but my card is telling me i was charged twice so my balance is low.  well we called the card co and the gas co is going to fax over info so hopefully I will be able to use my card with the $ released back to me.  after all $32 is a lot of money to be paid twice for gas.   so that might take another 48 hrs to resolve.... Oh! Boy!  

My venture into scrappy blocks

Today I made my 1st scrappy block, inspired by all of my scraps on hand - It has been fun and I did post a small tutorial on my Blog Quilting and Sewing Arts Studio.  so head on over to see it.

The Bang!

I woke up this morning with a start.  A BIG Bang rang Thur my sleepy consciousness.  a Thunder storm and a very near lightning strike...wow!  It was about 8am and my TV was on!  Now I do remember turning it off last night before bedtime???????  Oh! my poor cat.  she must have been at her food bowl when it came because it was in disarray, and she was approaching it VERY carefully.  lol - I straightened out her place mat and bowl and gave her fresh water but here it is 2 hrs later and she is still approaching her bowl with the most ginger of steps - poor kitty.

Quite a day for bloging and sewing!

Today I shared on my blog Quilting and Sewing Arts Studio about my Sewing machine Gear - no sew pin cusions and about organizing my scraps of Bits and Pieces so do check them out and let me know what you think.  I have started to organize my scraps better after reading "Sunday Morning Quilts" written by Amanda Jean Nyberg and Cheryl Arkison. They both have blogs so if you click on thier names the link will take you there.

Working on my "Minnesota Hotdish" quilt top today

 Today I continue to work on my quilt top and am very pleased at how it is coming together.  It began as an idea in color, then picking a pattern, buying the fabrics then cutting and piecing the blocks together and finally arranging them in blocks of 4. (I did this so that the one directional print I have will be going in the right direction when the top is pieced together. 

This is my directional print.  Birds.  I do like the effect it has.  Today I was at my monthly crafting gathering at my community center and 2 of the ladies were hand quilting.  I got a good tip from my friend Jean.  She draws her quilting pattern on each strip or block before piecing it together with a pencil.  Wow! what a great tip so I thought I might try that by doing it on my completed blocks of 4.  I already had been thinking about what I wanted in each center so now to decide on a pattern.  I just love to get together with other crafters and share information.  Tomorrow is my quilting group at the "Pointe" and I can't wait to show them my progress on this quilt.

A great day for quilting and bloging

Getting Ready to Strip Piece my blocks

"Minnesota Hot-Dish"

It was cooler out this morning as I sat on my screened in porch around 6am having my breakfast and coffee. I love this early am time to myself. there was a gentle breeze making my windchimes tinkle and the tall grass outside my porch sway as the birds woke up. My nieghbor hood is quiet with hardly a stir unlike my neighbors off my back patio who are already leaving for work. After breakfast I find myself in my studio working on my latest quilt, it is blue, white and tan. I have 40 - 9" blocks made so far with only 40 more blocks to go before I can piece my top together. My kitty "honey" comes in from the porch to visit me and crawls behind my sewing machines to cuddle on the floor while I strip piece these blocks together .
After finishing another 20 blocks strip piecing and ironing them I took a nap, checked out other blogs on the computer and looked at pintrest, I also checked Craftsy on the block of the month class. This month of July she was doing a dresden plate block. It looked fairly simple and I thing I might try one later today so I printed out the template and pasted it on some stiff carboard.
After Lunch I checked out this blog: Oh, Franson by Elizabeth Hartman who has a quilt "Sparkle Punch" that is featured in July/August 2012 of "Love of Quilting Magazine" by Fons & Porter. Elizabeth Hartman is a self-taught quilter from Portland, Oregon and Author of The Practical Guide to Patchwork. Modern Patchwork: 12 Quilts to Take You Beyond the Basics



A new Chapter in my life

I have started a website this week http://www.quiltingandsewingarts.com .  this is an informational and blogging site where quilters and sewers can come together and share all things concerning both the quilting and Sewing & the Crafts and Hobbies that interconnect them.  I do hope this will be a great site...I am looking  forward to getting this site up and running and hope that all will come to visit it and will take part in it's growth. 

Froggies swimming on the Lily Pads. Quilted by me at TopStitchery!

Froggies on Lilly Pads

"A froggie on his Lilly Pad"

Froggie pattern quilted on the top at TopStitchery in Roberts WI by me :)

Quilted by Diane Swett

Froggies swimming on the Lily Pads.  Quilted by me at TopStitchery!  I visited TopStichery's site and had fun commenting on the baby quilt I did Wed May 30th here are some more picture's of the baby quilt.  The Pattern is Turning Twenty by Tricia Cribbs and uses 20 fat quarters to complete the quilt.  I used flannels in baby prints and colors and divided the blocks into 4 quarters, making 4 baby quilts....I love how it turned out.  It was a great idea since 2 Great Grandbabys have arrived allready and a 3rd one is due soon...  Check out the 1st baby quilt in my earlier post's.  This one was stitched in the ditch and I love how it turned out too. 

It was a great Day!

had breakfast then went to the cheese store in Spring Valley later in the day and an art fair at Willow River State Park and Broasted Chicken dinner - Later a Movie "The Help" - what a great day.  I did recieve texed messages back from most of my kids, all in all it was a nice day and it did show me they are listening. :) a successful test.

piecing the border for our Group Quilt

This Morning  I texted all my children and grand children as a test to see who responds back with a Happy June morn message.  So far one response. LOL - lets see who is sleeping today.  well down to Dick's for breakfast this morning.  :}

Thru the Woods - a McCalls Pattern

Yesterday I finished piecing the top and bottom border for our colabrative Quilt my church quilting group is making for the November Raffle. and am in the process of figuring out the side borders.  It will be a handsome quilt when done.  Frank did a nice job on the trees, Gwen & Eliane did a good job on piecing the top and deciding on the colors.  I had fun with the stars.  It will look fantastic all put together.  The Pattern is Through the woods from McCall's Quilting Quick Quilts Winter 1998/99 magazine.  Our quilt will be larger than the pattern - more Queen size.  (We added an additional 24" both width & legnth)

These are 6 1/2" corner Stars

The border with the stars and trees

Sunday Morn - It is a beautiful day outside and I have both my porch door and back door open to the gentle warm breeze
today.  I love this June weather. 

Happy June to all!

completed projects

Small Project sew along with Amanda Jean

I am compiling a list of projects I want to complete for the sew along

1. finish my quilt top I started in class with Meg - I haven't touched this one yet
2. finish quilting 3 baby blankets - I finished quilting one top - found that I had to complete the 2nd and could not find the third. See below the pictures of the Froggies -
3. finish my 12 week Blocks by Amanda Jean - still only at week 4
4. finish my projects for kitchen items for sale at my churches womens sale & work on my Bridal Shower Gifts.5. complete my christmas wall hanging - ***finished some of my kitchen projects for the bridal shower gifts.  did not work on the christmas project.
6. complete a floral wall hanging for my bedroom - not done
7. finish quilting my log cabin foot quilt for my bed. - not done
8. work on my quilt for my daughter Nan - not done

froggies

 The Baby Quilt with Froggies

Well I did not get a lot accomplished this month of May.  I had to much fun on my vacation I guess and was out a week not feeling well. But I did get to quilt the top of one of my baby quilts with Froggies at Top Stitchery last week.  now to put on the binding and I can give the quilt to my Great Grandaughter Rose.  I also attended the book signing by Amanda Jean at Riverside quilting and started a class with her on Machine Quilting Sampler... and I did finish and give my Daughter Beth her wedding quilt.  

Below are 4 6" Star corner Blocks I just completed for the Quilt my Group is making for the Church Sale coming in late fall. 

catching up with my works in progress

Here it is Friday the 25th of May - I am back from my vacation in Laughlin Nv...well rested and ready to continue working on my WIP's (works in Progress).  Saw Dr Lutz today for another injection in my back - hopefully this one will go better than the 1st since it kicked up old symptoms.  feeling better this eve but sore... yesterday I started on a new BOM from Ladybug Hill Quilts - A fit to Frame Pattern by Lori Smith 12 - 6"x6" appliqued blocks that can be framed when finished. I am behind by 5 months but am enjoying the process and planning to do some ebellishments with beads and embroideries.  These I can work on while I am recovering from my Shoulder replacement surgery at the end of June.

excitement is in the air

tomorrow my favorite blogger Amanda Jean of www.crazymomquilts.blogspot.com is coming to one of my favorite quilt shops Riverside Quilting in River Falls WI to do a book signing from 11am - 2pm. I plan on going down there after my quilting club in the am to meet her and say hello.  I have been following Amanda Jean's blog for a few months now and enjoy her blog immensely.  I have also signed up to take her class "machine Quilting Sampler" at the end of the month so I will be getting ready my 12 - 17 block sandwiches needed to complete the quilt.... I also want to stop downtown Hudson to Kelly's Gallery to meet the artist who is presenting his painting in honor of 911.  it will be a busy day....

Happy Friday

Hi all, it is going to be a great day!  The sun is out and it's supposed to be in the high 70's! Yea!  I've been feeling chilly the past few days and the warm sunshine will be welcome.  I have finished some small projects this past week.

I finished this lovley kithchen towel with an apple applique and a matching pot holder.  I also have 3 more potholders on the make using some of my orphan blocks & I love using the insul-bright batting inside them.  I have love the feel of this fabric and have enough for one more set.  I will try to do a tutorial with this for all to see on pintrest.

I finished block # 4 of 12 - so now only 6 blocks to go....  today I plan to finish some more sewing projects and also spend some time with my friend Sue - she is having a garage sale today & was so helpful when I had mine.  Have a great day all.

Feeling Better Today!

I am so glad that I am finally feeling more like my old self today.  The back pain/stiffness from the Shot I recieved Friday has finally gone and I feel more energetic and less tired today.  I am going to take advantage of that and work on my small projects and clean house in between.  I have decided to stay home today and only go out for my PT appointment at 2pm.  I will rest inbetween and hopefully be up and running by Friday...  It is good to feel better,

Small Project sew along with Amanda Jean

I am compiling a list of projects I want to complete for the sew along

1. finish my quilt top I started in class with Meg
2. finish quilting 3 baby blankets
3. finish my 12 week Blocks by Amanda Jean
4. finish my projects for kitchen items for sale at my churches womens sale & work on my Bridal Shower Gifts.5. complete my christmas wall hanging
6. complete a floral wall hanging for my bedroom
7. finish quilting my log cabin foot quilt for my bed.
8. work on my quilt for my daughter Nan
9.
10.

 I finished up Block # 4 of 12 today (5/2/12)  and also finished up another Kitchen Towel and Pot holder.  The potholder has Insul-Brite for the batting and the The Towel has a hand appliqued Apple on it.  Yea! working towards completing the list of projects!!!!

Dolls I have made

I was looking through some of my older pictures today and came across 2 of the Dolls I made in and wanted to share them.  My Golden girl Still sits by my Desk although she has lost her crown and purse.  The Girl in Green with Wings I gave to my Daughter-in-Law Jenny for the Girls.  My Grandaughters were over one day and little Echo spied her and called her a Fairy. So I just knew this one needed to be given a home where she could inspire others.  They are both made of Polymer Clay and Hand fashioned costumes.  Dated before 2000 Created by Diane Swett.

The Bride liked her gift.

The Bride liked her gift of the kitchen towel and basket.  I did add a knitted washcloth and a scrubby sponge inside the basket.  It had been a slow day.  I came home afterwards and took a nap till 4:30pm.  I still am having some side effects from the med.  some shakiness and unsteadiness and some discomfort and numbness in my foot.  I did feel better after my nap and was able to enjoy making a Sausage/Potato and Green Beans for supper and then I watched Finding your Roots on PBS.  it was good and I caught 2 episodes one on channel 17 and one on channel 2. 

I decided not to put it in the Basket

I did make a hot pad to go with the Other Kitchen towel and am working on a 2nd hot pad & kitchen towel.  I embellished this set with a scrappy bow and button.  I am so glad I was able to sit at the sewing machine longer today.   I will pair this set with a Red knitted washcloth and a scrubby or sponge also.  I am not sure I will put it in a little basket tho.  Getting ready for another Bridal Shower :) and working towards finish up Friday for this coming week.

Went over to Amanda Jean's Blog and learned that she is letting go of the Finish Up Friday's for a while.  Thanks for having it.  I has been an inspiration to me to finish up my projects.  I was checking out my stuff on pintrest earlier and saw that I had over 2000 pins on this project. Thanks all for your interest.  wow a very easy project - maybe I could do a tutorial....

Finish up Friday is here.

The Finished Quilt - with Borders and Binding on.

Hot Pad

I used Insul-Bright batting for this Hot pad that I finished from a finished log cabin block.  I put 4 blocks together to make a table topper and will finish that up next week

Kitchen Towel for a Bridal gift

 Here is a Kitchen Towel I made for a Bridal Gift.  I embellished it with several strips of fabric and appliqued a heart and button on it.  It is attached to a nice basket that can be hanged on a door and cooking utensils or hot pad can be stored inside. 
I had fun making this gift.  can't wait to present it to the Bride to be on Sunday.  

.

Working on the binding to Beth's Quilt and will be done by this eve...Then Off to it's owner - Yea! I quilted in the Lable with washing instructions. "wash with Cold Water with a cup of vinegar in the rinse water"  (I did not pre-wash the quilt top material - but I did prewash the backing.  (live and Learn - (this is my 2nd quilt and I just did not get this step done.))

Another Bridal Gift on the make.  Finished one Kitchen Towel and plan to make a 2nd one or a pot holder from this material to place in the basket.