The Quilts of QuiltCon

Fancy Tiger Crafts out of Denver recently attended QuiltCon and shared the following quilts from the displays.   Quilt making as art truly represents the personal stories, the personal journeys of each maker. Take a look at some of the captured quilts from the show; take a minute to read some of the descriptions or designer notes - some of the stories are enlightening and some are heartbreaking.

http://quiltconwest.com/quilt-show/

Sewing is therapeutic!

December was so busy that I didn't get much sewing done. Happily, we had Holiday Break and I was able to crank on the sewing machine.  First up, and I've mentioned it before, was my version of the Constellations quilt.  I used a Kona solid - charcoal black, with a heavy mix of batiks.  Below, the top square (left) is made with a 7-inch base for the 1/2 square triangles; the bottom star (left) is made with a 5-inch Charm Pack base. Final measurement on the top square was 25 inches (right).

The final quilt measured approximately 75" by 75". I just love!  I'll be teaching the class at QuiltPlay on March 5th and 12th, 10:30-12:30pm.

I've been wanting to make my Dad a shirt for sometime. So, I purchased a Craftsy video on shirt making.  And, yes, it was worth it.  Tricks and tips really helped and I will say proudly, he can wear the shirt inside out and you would never know, well, except for the buttons. It's one of the best made items I've ever done. And, I now love flat felled seams.  I used a walking foot for much of the sewing.

 Next up is the Stowe Bag.  I purchased the pattern from Wild Haven Fiber Co. in Milwaukee. And, I'll be teaching a class on Saturday, February 27th beginning at 10:30am. Both linen fabrics were purchased through Etsy but it's been a while so only the bee fabric is still available. These are the small versions. While they are perfect for a small knitting project, they could easily be used for other crafts, children's travel bags or play bags, or even a lunch bag.  The pattern was simple to follow and the bag are unlined but do have accessory interior pockets.

So, that's what I did on Holiday Break. What about you?  If you didn't make, did you receive a favored handmade item?

Per my daughter's request, a Patriot's cheerleader costume

A relatively quick project that turned out even better than I expected.  Go Pats!

DONE! DONE! AND DONE!

I am doing my happy dance right now!  BEHOLD TWO Advent Calendars are completed!!  Ready to wrap and send out on Monday!  YIPPEE!  This Grandma made it!  Phew!  I was inspired by the pattern on line.  Made my templates similar to hers and off I went.  There were several times I had a 'What was I THINKING? TWO?' moments.  A conversation with my sister about how perhaps I won't make it this year...  OHHHH SUCK IT UP was discussed and that's what I did.  I was thinking about making the ornaments to go on the tree too but that would have put me way behind schedule not to mention I was done working with felt!  I ended up purchasing ornaments at a store for miniature trees and they work perfect-ly!  Another sigh!  These are out in the mail on Monday and I do hope that the grand babies will love them for years to come!

PS.  Felt likes to move around when being sewn on a machine....  That was my only complaint about this project.

I just ordered supplies to make Advent Calendars for the grandkids!  I can not wait for the supplies to get here.  I am hoping this will be a quick sew??
  Here's my inspiration:
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/284500901437749159/

Finally finished!

As many of you know, I have been working on both of these quilts for some time (the black, grey, and red for well over a year).  I have finally finished and given them to the intended recipients.  

This was supposed to be a Christmas gift for my parents.  They both graduated from Purdue and still love to attend football games every once in a while.  This was made using 3 inch squares in too many different fabrics to count.  While I love the finished product, it is probably not a project I would repeat!

This is a quilt I began for Joe while recovering from my foot surgery in April of 2014.  The pattern was very quick to cut and sew together.  However, I backed it in flannel which made it a very heavy quilt.  Neither of my machines were in great condition and so the quilting portion was difficult to say the least.  Once I finally got both of my machines tuned up, I was able to wrestle it through and get it DONE!

Now I need to start on the graduation quilt I have planned for Jamie.....

Fall 2015!

Good Day, everyone!

We've let stress, worry, and the world get in our crafting way.  Let's get our groove back - share some crafting or rather crafting that WE WANT to be making rather than everything else that's taking up our time.

Here's my share -

The Constellation quilt is what I am currently obsessed with.

I am currently playing with the colors and layout - see blog main picture, above.  I started off with a charm pack, 5 inches square. However, looking at the scale of the quilts above from this blog, I think my 1/2 square triangles have to be much larger - maybe from a 8 or 9 inch square.

Whether you've completed anything or not - let's see what your dreaming about making.