Washcloth Overnighters

Here are my washcloth overnighters that I made for the kids for cousin's weekend. I was really pleased with how the names turned out.  I used my machine to do this so it was super easy.  I will put a toothbrush, paste, floss picks and a comb in each one.  Hopefully they'll be able to use them other times such as camping.  Hey, I might even make one for myself to use.  Never know who can get some use out of it.

Patriotic Passion for Flags

Well, finished my bargello flag yesterday except for the hanging loops on the back.  I have to do some research about that.  I learned and tried a lot of new things for this project.  They are:

1. This time I followed the pattern exactly and it made quite a difference.  The only thing I did a little different was the strips for the star binding.  I was using a fat quarter and they are only cut about 21" and I needed a 44" length.  So I sewed two together.  No big deal there.  The rest went fairly smooth. 
2. This was the first time I completed a project using the strip piecing method.  I've done a little here and there but this showed me the ropes.  The pattern was very precise and as long as I did what it said, I was ok.  I even had some strips left over to put in my scrap basket.  Never know when I can use it.
3. This was also the first time for bargello.  I started a pillow doing the original bargello on the special material but never finished it.  I loved the concept and the final look though.  The bargello quilt patterns I've seen are beautiful and eventually I'd like to make one of the arch rock road on the way to Harrisburg.  It turned out to not be as difficult as it looks.  Just take it one row at a time. 
4. The binding technique was new for me this time.  I cut my strips as per the pattern and used both materials to blend in better.  Then for the final sewing I used the machine to do all my dirty work.  It didn't happen the first time but I got it. 
5. The last thing that I have yet to do is the loops for the hanging.  Like I said I have to research that but I'm confident I'll find a way to put it on the front door of the cabin. 

I'm really happy with my flag and kind of surprised I finished it so quick.  I thought it would be nice for the summer on the front door of the cabin.  Only another week until my next class so I'm glad it's done. 

Quickie Project

Well, after sending my sewing machine to the shop to get cleaned, I expected to be looking for other things to do.  It wasn't the case.  He called the next day saying my machine was done.  I felt silly for not wanting to hear good news but I've been through this before.  I feel sometimes they zip through it too quick and don't catch the real problems.  I guess time will tell.  I was told there is a 90 day guarantee on stitch quality so "sew away".  That's exactly what I did.  I found a project in a magazine that was online so I copied it.  It was for a thread catcher bag with weighted pin cushion.  I decided to use some material my son and daughter bought me.  It was a cute idea and one that if nothing else I could use when I go to my classes.  The only part that I wasn't sure about was the weight in the pin cushion which was supposed to be sand.  I just didn't like that part and wondered if some might come out through the seam.  We didn't have any anyway and their substitute was drapery weights.  I remember my mother using butter knives in the drapes to hold them down.  We've come a long way. I really didn't want to make a trip to the store and buy anything so I asked my hubby if he had something that might work.  Well, he suggested the fishing tackle that I used on several occasions in the past.  I told him they should set up a fishing tackle department in the sewing or craft store.  When I had my girl scout troop I used swivels for the bracelets we made, another type of swivel for the ribbon twirlers for Audrey's party and now sinkers for my pin cushion.  It can go both ways with crafts and hardware supplies as I've mentioned to my hubby if he needs something specific to try the craft store.  These sinkers worked great!  By the way, my machine is working really well so far so I'll keep my fingers crossed.  I also plan on writing a blog sometime after Sat. highlighting some crafts I made for my daughter's doggy birthday party.  I'm sure you'll get a kick out of it.

Recipes Handed Down

I'm talking about something a little different today.  I've been preoccupied with sewing for awhile now but as my machine is in the shop, I need a diversion.  I watched an Essential Pepin cooking show last night about puff pastry and cream puffs.  I've always been fascinated with recipes involving dough, mainly because my mother was also.  I remember us making strudel together and coming home from school to see a bunch of Hunklich or Maple Twists ready for the taking.  Her specialty was cream puffs though, and not solely based on my word.  One year when I was in 6th grade with Mr. McQuistan we were having an auction in class.  My mom made a big plate of cream puffs to be sold.  My teacher pulled me aside and asked if I had counted how many were on the plate because he was taking a couple before the festivities even got started.  Humor escaped me in those days but I knew they would be a popular treat.  Anyway, back to my tv show.  I was curious to see if Pepin had any memorable tips for dough making and I was shocked to find out his technique.  My mom always said to hand stir the eggs in one at a time or else.  Well, Jacque said first of all to not put eggs in a hot saucepan with the dough.  He then proceeded to put the dough in the food processor, add all 3 eggs and whirl the heck out of them.  I was shocked!!!!!  It seemed to work and who would argue with Jacque Pepin?  I hope if my mother were here with us today she would have embraced the new tool and technique for making cream puffs.  Maybe she would even make her apple pies in the microwave, use real pumpkins for her pumpkin pie and also make hardtack in the microwave also. Love you Mom.

My Cabin Wall Hanging

 

Here's my cabin wall hanging I just finished.  This is just the front of it but when I get several of my projects completed, I will quilt them all.  I really enjoyed putting this one together with all the different blocks with special meaning for the cabin.  I'll try and explain here the areas I wanted to cover and why I put them in my wall hanging.

1. The first area was the cabin itself.  I made a paper pieced cabin, a flag that we hang over the railing of the front porch and a blue canning jar like the ones I have on the window sills.  I was pretty proud of myself for these blocks because I had no patterns for any of them.  I especially wanted the cabin to look like ours without going too far with it. 
2. The second area was the animals at the cabin.  Some of these blocks are included in two areas.  The center block is called a Bear Paw block.  What I found interesting with this was it was made about 3 years ago when I first started quilting.  As I put it in with the others, I realized how far I've come skill-wise.  The other animal blocks are wolf, deer, Smokey the Bear, snake, hummingbird and frog.  Of course there are more but these were the obvious.
3. The next area was nature or outside the cabin.  For this I used the sun (I know it looks more like a star),paper pieced fern, leaves,and snowballs.
4. The fourth area was the four seasons which has already been mentioned in previous blocks.  My ideas for the seasons are spring  -  peepers , summer  -  hummingbird, fall  -  leaves, and winter  -  snowballs.  

Once again by not having a pattern for most of these blocks, completing the project was not easy.  I guess it wasn't as bad as it could have been though.  Next step  -  quilt it and hang it on the railing.

Log Cabin Star

Here's the star I made in my quilt class at Lakefarmpark.  It was a very interesting class where I encountered many new techniques.  I also feel like I contributed something to the class by bringing a template that I had bought that made 5 pointed stars.  The instructor had never seen it before and was quite interested.  I learned 5 things while making this block in addition to my ideas in order to finish my project.  They are:

1. As far as prepping for the actual block, I learned to turn off the steam in my iron while I'm pressing strips, seams or completed project.  I guess that's why I had so many wonky edges.  I also created a sample grid to preview my placement of fabrics.  I would never had put so much time into that before but I realize now what a help it is.
2. The major technique in this quilt block is the log cabin on a diamond shape.  It puts a whole new twist on the old block and I love that secondary design with the center star. 
3. The one thing I was never interested in doing was applique and avoided it at all cost.  Unfortunately when I got to class I realized that was how it was sewn on the background.  When I reached that point in the process I started hand sewing it on but got very bored with that.  So, for the first time I used one of my decorative machine stitches and appliqued my star on.  I couldn't have been happier with the results.  I doubt if you can see from the picture but, trust me, it looks great!
4. In completing this project I wanted to make additional stars to surround the big one.  The instructor of the class had shown us how to make a smaller star using the same technique but with background fabric in the center and only one row of blue around the outside.  When it is also appliqued on the background, all you see is the outside star and the rest blends in.  Great tip. 
5. The last thing I learned was how to use this new Jewelbox star template that I took to class.  The one I really like was the one that was fussy cut and when completed it looks like a kaleidoscope design.  Love it!

Well the project is not done yet but I have a fairly good start on it.  I'll show you when I can put all these new wall hangings up at the cabin.  Can't wait.

The Storyteller in Me

I am having so much fun creating my new wall hanging.  I'm not quite ready to post it, even partially done, but soon.  This is the one about the cabin and having a story for each block.  I'm using a lot of my scraps, especially in ways I never expected.  I'm also honing my paper piecing skills like you wouldn't believe.  I'm searching for new ways to do things and also those stories I talked about before.  It's not without its mistakes like I always say  but then I'm not taking the easy way with this wall hanging.  When I get all the blocks done I will post a picture of my design wall.  That's not to say it will look that way when I'm done but that's the point.