I Zigged when I should have Zagged

I like to use up leftover fabric as I go along, rather than put the scraps back into stash or into my scrap baskets. Most of this fabric was leftover from my Log Cabin quilt…all I had to do was add an additional few black 2.5 strips.

There a quite a few good tutorials on the internet to help you with this pattern. I laid mine out and the more I looked at it, the more confused I got, even with the tutorial.  I just couldn’t get the zigs to zag…..then it hit me…I saw the “L” for loser  shape in the design. From then on, no problem to getting my blocks to zig and zag. I opted to quit it in a straight line format with black, white and grey variegated thread. It made for a nice size runner when completed.

Stashed Log Cabin complete

I have finished my log cabin, all quilted and bound and a beauty. I used the pantograph called Mandarin Lace and grey thread to quilt it. It’s really hard to believe that this whole quilt came from my stash….even the borders, binding and backing. I’m seriously amazed…well more shocked than anything…do |I actually have that much fabric tucked away. I’m thinking I should be committed, and I don’t mean to quilting.  Regardless….I love it, love the grey and black together…one of my all time favourites. I may just have to keep this one for myself!….

I’m so selfish.

I Don’t Have a Thing to Wear BOM

I’ve wanted to start a new BOM design for 2013…I’ve done one almost every year for the last 5 years. There was Bunny Hill’s Snowbound,  Little Miss Shabby’s Birdie Stitches, Henrietta Whiskers, Tisket Tasket and Raspberry Rabbits….no wonder I’m in withdrawal.

So I’ve come up with my own…here is the first month’s block. The fabric is a vintage line from Lecien called Old New 30’s and my inspiration come from vintage paper dolls.

Race to the finish

I have watched the Jelly Roll Race video on Utube and was amazed how that quilter completed it in 35 minutes…wow. Excited to try it myself and armed with my own jelly roll…I decided I would try one on. It was quite fun  and easy to do…however mine took a lot longer than 35 minutes to complete. I would have had to strap my machine to the space shuttle to get it done in that time line. I found the quilt a little smaller than I typically like and added an inner and outer border making it a nice lap size. I would definitely try one of these again.

Vintage Goodies

I was lucky enough to pick up these sample packs of the line Old is New 30’s when I was at Checkers Distributing with Kindred Spirits Quilt Co. With the start of the new year I’m hankering for a new BOM. Maybe I can use these little lovely pieces along with some creative juices and design something fun.  These are from the line Old is New 30’s from Lecien.

Decisions, decisions

I’ve been playing with my log cabin blocks trying to decide what would be the best layout. I am amazed how many different designs can come out of 36 matching blocks. I had my heart set on a star design after my last log cabin did not co-operate. For some reason it looked horrible when laid out in the star pattern and the only layout that seemed to do it justice was Fields and Furrows.  This log cabin however….. the sky’s the limit.

Wow, this is tougher than I thought.

No new fabric was harmed in the construction of this block

I’m teaching the Quilt in a Day Log Cabin Quilt at Kindred Spirits Quilt Co. and wanted to have a sample to demo along with the students. I decided to do a queen size quilt which consists of  (36) 14.5 inch blocks. Yep..that’s lots of fabric.

Now believe it or not, I’ve been on a mission to use fabric from my stash and to try and limit my addiction to  spending on new material.

Believe it or not I was able to get all the fabric  for this quilt…including borders, binding and backing from my stash.

Now that could be two schools of thought…….

One……from the quilter’s mindset…wow she actually used her stash for this quilt?  Wow…all those blacks, creams and even that centre fabric that has both the grey and cream in it? Wow she must have an incredible stash and how frugal of her to use it all and not have to purchase anything co-coordinating!

 

Two…from the producer of Hoarder’s…”get this woman on the phone, we need her for our next segment”

Anyway…I’m proud of myself for resisting the temptation to start a log cabin with a new line featured at the store. I’m proud of digging into the depths of my bins to get just the right combination of stash that worked!

Actually even I was shocked that I had this much co-coordinating fabric…

Leftovers Again

I had quite a few scrap leftovers…leftover from the Mystery Quilt I completed last year. I had set them aside and had been contemplating what to do in the way of a quilt. I had some larger rectangles and some thinner strips about the same length. I added white sashing and started piecing. 1 large  …a sash, 1 small…a sash….1 large… a sash, 1 small… a sash….and sew on and sew on. Pretty soon I had a small quilt finished. It measures 73X69.  I don’t mind leftovers again at all! I was even a bit short on my backing and added a few white patches in to make it fit.

LCL Group

So what is the LCL group you ask?  It’s  Leslie’s Crazy Lunatic Group   Log Cabin Ladies'  Group…which includes…Lorna, Bianca, Leilia, Gail, Jane and Debbie.  What a great group of students..all stripping their way through the log cabin quilt in a day class. Here are their blocks so far…I think they look great and their fabric choices are wonderful. Can’t wait to see how they made out with their homework.

2013 Creative Pay it Forward

"2013 Creative-Pay-It-Forward: the first five people to comment below will receive something from me within the calendar year. Your gift will be a surprise and will arrive without warning. The catch? You must post this invitation on your blog, as well.Ready? Go!"

So, here is what I would like you to do:
1. Comment below that you would like to receive something from me within 2013.
2. Also, write in your comment the name of your blog so that I can learn something about you. 
3. Then go and post this invitation on your blog so that you can pay your creative abilities forward!
3. Finally, email me your full name and address for mailing your gift.

 

MAKE BELIEVE…That`s the name of this original oil painting that I am the proud owner of….courtesy of my amazing mom. My dear MOM is 86 and is an incredible artist. I loved this painting from the minute I saw it. I could imagine this little girl making believe that she was someone else, or somewhere else.  My mom is so funny…if  a family member comments that they like something, whether it`s a painting, or a piece of furniture or some keepsake…she gets out her stickers, writes the person`s name on it and sticks it on the back of the item….OMG…too funny. Her wish is that after she goes…(not sure where she is going)…that the item will make it`s way to that person.

No sticker on this one…I mentioned how much I loved it and she wrapped it up and gave it to me for my birthday….got to love her.

An apple a day….

I am officially a hooker I guess…..I can’t stop, this is addictive. I’ve been laying awake at night trying to get to sleep…counting tea cozies  jumping onto white teapots.  I’ve got it bad.

This is a little red apple tea cozie …the pattern is from crochet world…cute eh?  This was easier than the first one as you crochet it in 2 sections, then sew it together. It’s done with every other row crocheted in the back loop of stitches which gives  you the ridges.

I need to get a life…this is crazy…I don’t crochet!

Hooked on Crochet

Listen….I don’t crochet…I meant it…I  really don’t…but I happened to be away with my sister in law before Christmas and she does crochet. I took a few balls of wool and my crochet hooks with me in case the urge struck me while my sister in law was there to supervise and teach… low and behold…….it did. I made 5 curly scarves while away, another 4 when I got home and it is safe to say I have turned into the Happy Hooker.

My daughter’s wedding was a few years back and her theme for the wedding was “Love is Brewing”. Centerpieces were teapots with flower arrangements in them…..where am I going with this? Well, I had about 6 teapots left over from the event and thought it would be nice to do something with them as they are your basic white, run of the mill teapots. I had some extra wool, my crochet hooks and the internet to search out patterns.  Surely to goodness, I thought,  I can make a few tea cozies to accentuate these little babies.

I used the patterns as a basis, as when I used the exact pattern the cozies were way to big. I must have ripped out my work at least 5 times. Here is my little lemon yellow tea cozie. I thought it might be nice to give as a gift with lemon tea, a tea towel embroidered with lemons and a few other little goodies in yellow shades tucked all together.

 

Listen, I don’t crochet….it’s just a few double crochet , half double crochet put together in rows….

New Year…New Room

Sometimes things just need a little facelift and our bedroom was no exception. We hadn’t changed the room in about 10 years so we were way over due. I got the idea from Pinterest and I love the way it turned out. It started with the inspiration of the quilt, this wonky log cabin I finished earlier in the year.  We painted, added the shelf and a few decorating details. We even added these really cool lights under the shelf so that I can read at night. 

Love is the Thread that Binds Us

Just finished this little 12.5X12.5 mini called Love is the Thread that Binds us. It’s a design I’ve created for Kindred Spirits Quilt Co.  The customers can’t get enough of these little guys. I usually do a few new designs a year, and we were in need of a new Valentine Day themed mini…so here she is. The little quilted patchwork heart is set behind the hand quilted background.  It’s from the line  PomPom de Paris by French General…ohhhhh… love the pink!

Happy New Year

2012 was not a ruff year at all….lots accomplished, lots of travels, lots of quilts completed, lots to be happy about. Looking forward to new adventures in 2013 as well.

Happy New Year Everyone!

This is our dog Jock, he partied up a storm last night with us…yeah right…we were all in bed by 11:30pm. You’d think he could have at least smiled for the pic.