tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-216319142024-03-12T16:23:04.657-07:00ferneA little blog about me and the things I love to do.fernehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17574438827016571137noreply@blogger.comBlogger214125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21631914.post-3401334266889294582016-12-01T21:51:00.001-08:002016-12-01T21:53:24.025-08:00A Little Christmas Magic<p><font size="2" face="Cambria">I have been busy catching up on the blocks to the </font><a href="https://lisabongean.com/"><font size="2" face="Cambria">Magic of Christmas by Lisa Bongean</font></a><font size="2" face="Cambria">. All 25 blocks are now up and I just finished #15 tonight. It is one of my favorites. Lisa is showing these done as all red and white (city) or red and cream(country). Well, I am always changing things up a bit and giving them a bit of my own spin so I have been using several different reds from my stash and throwing in a little bit of gold in each block. It has really been a fun project. Now to finish the last 10 blocks.</font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Cambria"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-7DLu_hNfqOk/WEEL5X3NkdI/AAAAAAAAFzA/Auk5sLPNQpo/s1600-h/IMG_0002%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_0002" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_0002" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-66b2D_KbKmg/WEEL5wEdVrI/AAAAAAAAFzE/-ll64SXGWgc/IMG_0002_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="534" height="419"></a></font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Cambria">While Lisa was busy with Quilt Market there was a bit of a gap in posting block patterns and I was all caught up so I began playing with alternate blocks and came up with a version I really like. I have lots more to make and am running out of that green so I might have to substitute some other fabric and sprinkle it about. It is a fabric from Ann Sutton’s line and I can’t seem to find more…in fact now I don’t remember what it was called.</font></p> <p><font size="2" face="Cambria"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bTfuEtsiXiw/WEEL6HE09fI/AAAAAAAAFzI/dpdXA8Wf2DY/s1600-h/IMG_0001%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_0001" style="border-left-width: 0px; border-right-width: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom-width: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; display: block; padding-right: 0px; border-top-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_0001" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FUp-edC8oMM/WEEL6p3ZomI/AAAAAAAAFzM/8b1v8UmsfPU/IMG_0001_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="511" height="327"></a></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="IowanOldSt BT"><font size="2" face="Cambria">We are keeping gift giving very simple this year so I don’t have any rush to get anything finished and that feels nice for a change. I will have my grandson for 2 weeks so there are lots of craft projects and cooking baking that will be happening then. He is 6, an age that really loves to get creative.</font> </font></p> <p><font color="#a5b592" size="4" face="IowanOldSt BT"><em>Hope everyone reading this is taking time to enjoy the holiday season!</em></font></p> <p align="center"><em><font color="#a5b592" size="4" face="IowanOldSt BT">~ ferne</font></em></p>fernehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17574438827016571137noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21631914.post-82658290752505351052016-02-25T09:42:00.001-08:002016-02-25T09:42:58.800-08:00Quilting with Rulers on the Janome 6600<p><font size="3" face="IowanOldSt BT"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1ePyqYiHca0/Vs89GFOtzII/AAAAAAAAFwE/o1UHO-xaYoI/s1600-h/IMG_1014%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1014" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1014" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-8X8GC0H6_Bk/Vs89GlNx5QI/AAAAAAAAFwI/SdIBKPhFkZ0/IMG_1014_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="532" height="411"></a></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="IowanOldSt BT">A while back I stumbled upon the blog of <a href="http://www.freemotionquiltingadventures.com/">Amy Johnson</a> and saw some stunning quilting being done on her Janome. I had been in practice mode with my FMQ on my Janome and was somewhat frustrated with my lack of perfection, but figured more practice was needed. Well, Amy was using some rulers (aka templates because they are thicker than rulers). I just had to give this a try so off I went to my Janome dealer and found the ruler foot I needed to use with the rulers. I ordered 2 rulers, 1 straight and 1 curved and got started playing around with them. I loved the results and yes there is still some practice to be done, but they are a huge help. The thing I love most is that there is very little marking to do. I marked the square and a few check points on each side and then let the ruler help me with the rest.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="IowanOldSt BT"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4WTZHUeOoyU/Vs89He2zB4I/AAAAAAAAFwM/zxWoc6vmY58/s1600-h/IMG_1013%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1013" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; padding-right: 0px" border="0" alt="IMG_1013" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-QNfTpXI56dg/Vs89IEUJNwI/AAAAAAAAFwQ/sK0bItU6SK4/IMG_1013_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="563" height="435"></a></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="IowanOldSt BT">These are blocks that will be 6” finished and I am trying a quilt as you go technique. There will be a different pattern in each block. Problem is I ran out of fabric and I have fallen in love with this fabric so I need to order some more if I can only remember what it is! Amy has since opened an online store and started selling her rulers. She also has a class on Craftsy and lots of videos on her blog…so if you want to learn this technique be sure to check her out!</font></p>fernehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17574438827016571137noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21631914.post-56307358891304564692016-02-18T19:22:00.001-08:002016-02-18T19:38:45.056-08:00Splendid Sampler<p><font size="3" face="IowanOldSt BT">Okay, I wasn’t going to do any samplers this year. I really need to quilt the quilts I have finished, but 2 blocks in to the <a href="http://www.thesplendidsampler.com/">Splendid Sampler</a> and weather that turned from Spring back to Winter sent me running to my machine. I had been pretty sick the last 3 weeks and did a lot of sleeping so not much sewing, cleaning or gardening got done. While looking through my blogs I started seeing people posting about Pat and Janes collaboration and decided to check it out. Once I did I thought how fun to jump in and try one, there are prizes to be won and they are small and not time consuming so I printed out the instructions and got inspired by some of the blocks people were sharing. A little digging in my scrap bins for some of my all time favorite fabrics and I was off and running. The heart came from a 3 Sisters fabric I had from years ago. I think it was the first fat quarter bundle I ever bought so fond memories come with that one. I doesn’t look quite square partly because it is laying funny, but I did have a little trouble getting back into the groove so this was a good block to start with. </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="IowanOldSt BT">Thanks to Pat for sharing this one and for setting up such a splendid group!</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="IowanOldSt BT"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nNHvFG_PQtE/VsaKXBdtPkI/AAAAAAAAFvg/LnLiQR_CyMU/s1600-h/IMG_1103%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1103" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_1103" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xH1cLe4REzY/VsaKXysQImI/AAAAAAAAFvk/IEqO-Lx7xm0/IMG_1103_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="533" height="420"></a></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="IowanOldSt BT">That was yesterday and today I remembered that block 2 was set to be posted today so I got my coffee and found the post and it was off to the printer. Well, Jane’s block was also a fun one to pull fabrics together for. The purple butterflies are from a recent project I finished piecing for my son’s 30th birthday in December…it is on the ‘to be quilted’ pile. I will be glad to see those butterflies to remind me of that project years from now, but I will hope neither project is still on that pile. This block was a bit more challenging though. It looked harmless enough, but those are 1” finished squares including the HST so some of my butterflies my not have sharp points. My advice to anyone reading this is that when she recommends pressing seems open follow that advice. I though I could figure out how to press the seams to the side so they would lock like I often to, but half way through the first row I was already in trouble so I switched it all there and I even used pins at most of my seams. You can see the ones where I got all confident and, well, they may be off a bit, but overall I am very happy with this block. I am still embroidering my antennea, but here it is…</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="IowanOldSt BT"><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jB3PIxMK4dM/VsaKY7dn0yI/AAAAAAAAFvo/Y9oTse1FasI/s1600-h/IMG_1109%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1109" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_1109" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RdQ8QIXLxnQ/VsaKZ2k0uXI/AAAAAAAAFvs/RETLzJxZM8g/IMG_1109_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="538" height="423"></a></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="IowanOldSt BT">and the quilt I made for my son in my December…I know, quite the rebel I am, but in my defense I was making something for my son I thought he would enjoy because he loves history and especially American history. All the talk about not displaying the confederate flag bothers me because it is a part of history and always will be so I designed this quilt completely around it. My son was not as excited about it as I had hoped, but I sure had a fun time making it. I even have some good ideas for quilting it and got a good flannel backing for it so after I take all the paper off those piano keys on the side I can get busy on that.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="IowanOldSt BT"></font><a href="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6gjSo5KGKS4/VsaKa8o472I/AAAAAAAAFvw/GR4weo-w8A4/s1600-h/IMG_1110%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img title="IMG_1110" style="border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px; background-image: none; border-bottom: 0px; float: none; padding-top: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left: 0px; display: block; padding-right: 0px; margin-right: auto" border="0" alt="IMG_1110" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--LiKwR7li5k/VsaKbw146PI/AAAAAAAAFv0/CSXRD0HUwUI/IMG_1110_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="548" height="431"></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="IowanOldSt BT">Hopefully, I might have a few readers here who I have inspired to check out the <a href="http://www.thesplendidsampler.com/">Splendid Sampler</a> project and join me there for fun, prizes, sharing and lots of learning for many talented designers. And…it is free!</font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#808040" size="6" face="Aldine721 BT"><em>Ferne</em></font></p>fernehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17574438827016571137noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21631914.post-20593525493074179332015-06-27T21:28:00.001-07:002015-06-27T21:28:00.470-07:00Farm Girl Vintage on a Hot day<p><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gZgqmpwBoHg/VY93s7sq57I/AAAAAAAAFro/tjb-hY4UbcQ/s1600-h/IMG_0901%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0901" border="0" alt="IMG_0901" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-evQMkGw5zn0/VY93uItR-2I/AAAAAAAAFrw/tRe3EqlMzMs/IMG_0901_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="511" height="389"></a> </p> <p><font size="4" face="IowanOldSt BT">It has been extremely hot here in Northern California lately so after do some early watering yesterday I decided to spend the rest of the day inside sewing something fun. I had gotten the Farm Girl Vintage book by Lori Holt a while ago, but not made anything yet mostly because I just couldn’t decide on any one thing. I love the way Lori writes and illustrates her patterns and this book did not disappoint. I had seen how Lori had pieced 4-6” pear blocks and I just had to try my hand at it. Picking fabrics was fun, but I can see I needed a green with more contrast. I have an idea to fix that with the quilting by using a darker green thread and outlining a leaf pattern on it. The background I thought I wanted was white, but I seem to be lacking fabric in that department so I settled on this brownish grey and am quite pleased.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="IowanOldSt BT"><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4od4b_fjBzQ/VY93vLIjrDI/AAAAAAAAFr4/_0diKSxNiDw/s1600-h/IMG_0897%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0897" border="0" alt="IMG_0897" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OFG26h072nQ/VY93xSkkY3I/AAAAAAAAFsA/ygryk4BcDoo/IMG_0897_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="510" height="389"></a> </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="IowanOldSt BT">I had lots of fun playing with some tools I have not used much yet such as the <a href="http://www.fatquartershop.com/alphabitties-specialty-marking-tools" target="_blank">Alphabitties</a> that proved to be so helpful since there were many pieces involved and the sizes on some only varied by 1/4” so they were hard to tell apart. I also had some batting boards I made a while back using Lori’s pattern. I still need to add the colorful binding to some, but they are just as useful without.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="IowanOldSt BT"><a href="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OYMb5Sbvn-0/VY93yqKUMYI/AAAAAAAAFsI/-5s9LtzH-Zc/s1600-h/IMG_0900%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0900" border="0" alt="IMG_0900" src="http://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--_n-9uG7wZU/VY93zmQqaCI/AAAAAAAAFsQ/5Lxu21UidVk/IMG_0900_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="539" height="411"></a> </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="IowanOldSt BT">There were many angles to sew and I remembered that I had purchased an angler in the past. Once I located it I found that I had really bought 2! Good thing I remembered where they were or I may have been tempted to buy another one…</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="IowanOldSt BT">Now that this block is finished and with the 4 together I made a 12” finished block I am thinking I could pick some more from the book and make a runner for my buffet. </font></p> <p align="center"><font size="7" face="Little Days">Farm Girl Vintage is really my style!</font></p> <p align="center"><font size="7" face="Little Days">Ferne</font></p> fernehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17574438827016571137noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21631914.post-44312161168649461502015-02-08T08:36:00.001-08:002015-02-08T08:39:08.951-08:00Quilting Direction<p><font size="3" face="IowanOldSt BT">I have been looking for direction in my quilting hobby. There are so many techniques that I have not tried that I am interested in dabbling in. I find myself drawn to wanting to do more hand sewing so my mind is all over the place from embroidery to EPP (English Paper Piecing). I have ordered a few embroidery books and some papers for scallops, elongated hexagons and hexagons. The Lucy Boston blocks have been calling me for some time and I hope to start giving them a try as soon as I receive </font><a href="http://www.inbetweenstitches.com/shop/Patterns/p/Playing-with-Paper-x2497877.htm" target="_blank"><font size="3" face="IowanOldSt BT">this pattern and templates from In Between Stitches</font></a><font size="3" face="IowanOldSt BT">. It is called Playing with Paper and is by Sue Daley, who seems to be the expert at paper piecing. I was guided to this kit after seeing </font><a href="http://sewnwildoaks.blogspot.com/2015/02/and-then-there-were-three.html" target="_blank"><font size="3" face="IowanOldSt BT">Lynn of Sew’n Wild Oats</font></a><font size="3" face="IowanOldSt BT"> doing it on her blog, so I can’t wait to give it a try. I also found a handy little You Tube video by </font><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DISKdReC4mY" target="_blank"><font size="3" face="IowanOldSt BT">Sue Daley on an easy technique for sewing scallops</font></a><font size="3" face="IowanOldSt BT">. She has many other youtube videos on other techniques and she has a blog and store for her supplies and patterns called </font><a href="http://www.busyfingerspatchwork.com/" target="_blank"><font size="3" face="IowanOldSt BT">Patchwork with Busy Fingers</font></a><font size="3" face="IowanOldSt BT"> and believe me, she must have the busiest fingers around and so creative, too. </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zCk_JSe6R7I/VNeQabL5DcI/AAAAAAAAFm8/gW92kIUKJt4/s1600-h/IMG_07044.jpg"><font size="3" face="IowanOldSt BT"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-zCk_JSe6R7I/VNeQabL5DcI/AAAAAAAAFns/-e5pcpSOFvw/s1600-h/IMG_0704%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0704" border="0" alt="IMG_0704" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-rNnWQ7XAVYo/VNeQbGXMtdI/AAAAAAAAFn0/EdFtKF156d4/IMG_0704_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="516" height="396"></a></font></a><font size="3" face="IowanOldSt BT"> I have finally found a needle threader that works great for small needles and another that works really good for larger eyed needles with thicker threads and embroidery floss (that little metal hook thingy). So I have tools and inspiration now to pick a direction and stay focused on a project.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Sfv93gf79pI/VNeQb-owGMI/AAAAAAAAFnM/0baBj9iNwbk/s1600-h/IMG_07024.jpg"><font size="3" face="IowanOldSt BT"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Sfv93gf79pI/VNeQb-owGMI/AAAAAAAAFn8/BxFK2qeVqPg/s1600-h/IMG_0702%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0702" border="0" alt="IMG_0702" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-pXmJR9vcJuk/VNeQcXgzqWI/AAAAAAAAFoE/RbR7afSYGu0/IMG_0702_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="550" height="422"></a></font></a><font size="3" face="IowanOldSt BT"> Over the holidays I got a good deal on an Aurifil thread pack with Joanna Figueroa’s thread colors and a small charm pack with a pattern for an adorable small spool quilt. I whipped the quilt up in an evening and a few more hours the next morning, thanks to Joanna’s great directions. I started quilting it that same afternoon. I have been following Lori Kennedys FMQ blog for a long time and she is doing a fun mystery quilt this year that is teaching so much information about all things sewing. Her most recent design was of a spool so it was very timely and inspirational for how to quilt this little quilt.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fDRLnEOTPdI/VNeQeaABqrI/AAAAAAAAFnc/X9r6P5fm0dU/s1600-h/IMG_07074.jpg"><font size="3" face="IowanOldSt BT"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fDRLnEOTPdI/VNeQeaABqrI/AAAAAAAAFoM/iEXTtBlvhvM/s1600-h/IMG_0707%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0707" border="0" alt="IMG_0707" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ONzQ8X2xxyI/VNeQewtMX5I/AAAAAAAAFoU/P0qMpS0hT54/IMG_0707_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="541" height="415"></a></font></a><font size="3" face="IowanOldSt BT"> As far as progress on the <em>ABC for Ewe and Me</em> quilt…the center is done and now I am stuck on the borders. The borders for the pattern seem awfully busy to me and I am thinking of changing them up to something else. I am considering making some hexagon flowers or something else fun. So I have a feeling that this project will be put aside for a while till I play around with some of these new techniques and see which one I could use in the border. This was such a fun project to make and I am considering the BOM that the Quilt Show is doing this year, but have not committed myself to doing it and it is already month 2. It is designed by Lynnette Anderson who designs such fun whimsical designs that are always fun to work on. I just really need to start finishing up some of my other projects first and several are at the quilting stage.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="IowanOldSt BT">sooooo…..I need some direction and focusing to get things moving !</font></p> <p><font color="#800000" size="6" face="Harrington">Move it! Move it!</font></p> <p><font color="#008000" size="6" face="Harrington">Ferne</font></p> fernehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17574438827016571137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21631914.post-64033992062222845332014-10-29T10:01:00.001-07:002014-10-29T10:14:53.474-07:00More ABC for Ewe and Me<p><font size="3" face="IowanOldSt BT">Well, with the weather turning toward winter weather I am getting to spend a little more time indoors and that means sewing time. I always seem to have a hard time getting excited about a project and getting in the sewing groove after such a long break, but I started by organizing what I already had going and that was all I needed to get back in the sewing groove and now I am excited to get going again. </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-GRBeXDEu6dI/VFEdamEri0I/AAAAAAAAFiU/JYszX-cKCsw/s1600-h/IMG_0576%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><font color="#222222" size="3" face="IowanOldSt BT"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0576" border="0" alt="IMG_0576" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-0fP3SCGaF4Q/VFEdbb7unKI/AAAAAAAAFic/kmxLXd8YOhE/IMG_0576_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="492" height="389"></font></a><font size="3" face="IowanOldSt BT"> </font><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-urkG7UIMxXg/VFEdcERpWrI/AAAAAAAAFik/YbsT8hl25Uc/s1600-h/IMG_0586%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font color="#222222" size="3" face="IowanOldSt BT"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0586" border="0" alt="IMG_0586" align="right" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nJ80M1ka344/VFEdc3jTeXI/AAAAAAAAFis/wxgNw6H_mnk/IMG_0586_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="322" height="246"></font></a></p> <p><font size="3" face="IowanOldSt BT">I jumped right into the ‘ABC for Ewe and Me’ again, determined to catch up which I thought would be a real challenge since I am about 5 months behind, but I finished up month 5 in a day and started month 6. While looking at that basket block which is ’N for Nancy’s basket’ I got inspired to try something new to me and use felt for the flowers and leaves. Good call! It went fast and I sure enjoyed the process. There is so much fusible applique on here that I am going to have to get more <em>Steam A Seam lite</em> real soon. I thought I should look for a roll….well, found it on Amazon for over $100, don’t think I need quite that much, but it sure would be nice to have on hand. It seems to be the only adhesive that doesn’t gum up my needle when I sew on it which causes a lot of frustration.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-QAhX9nVY9Wk/VFEddvHUAeI/AAAAAAAAFi0/XIPGbj4QiQI/s1600-h/IMG_0570%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><font color="#222222" size="3" face="IowanOldSt BT"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0570" border="0" alt="IMG_0570" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ivLb5jHVC_E/VFEdecH37SI/AAAAAAAAFi8/WxyymV0oFNU/IMG_0570_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="447" height="343"></font></a><font size="3" face="IowanOldSt BT">The next fun little project I started inspired by a link from Pinterest for the little house block. Now I tried to jump on the bandwagon for the little house project a year or was it two ago, but had found it difficult. This time I found a </font><a href="http://www.quiltingaroundtheworld.com/forum/yaf_postst4027_Building-Houses-from-Scraps.aspx" target="_blank"><font size="3" face="IowanOldSt BT">link to the foundation piece patterns</font></a><font size="3" face="IowanOldSt BT"> which come in 3”, 4”, 5” and 6” blocks. I picked the 4” blocks and then did some log cabin strips around them and rounded off the corners to make some hot pads. I like to make my hot pads extra thick so my quilt sandwich for a hot pads goes like this: backing, batting, insul-brite, backing, and top. It is thick but, not stiff and this method has made some of my favorite hot pads guaranteed to keep your hands from getting burned. </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-hd8jsv8lTxo/VFEdfFqihZI/AAAAAAAAFkw/LD9xDtNf1dA/s1600-h/IMG_0584%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font color="#222222" size="3" face="IowanOldSt BT"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-hd8jsv8lTxo/VFEdfFqihZI/AAAAAAAAFk4/FTJcotBQU-c/s1600-h/IMG_0584%25255B10%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0584" border="0" alt="IMG_0584" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ntIRcbfiqkk/VFEdf0T2H0I/AAAAAAAAFkI/Rp5JAz6BINE/IMG_0584_thumb%25255B8%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="247" height="197"></a></font></a><font size="3" face="IowanOldSt BT"> </font><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-A-oyu2dlkn4/VFEfl9W3v4I/AAAAAAAAFkQ/ktHCsgL5PeI/s1600-h/IMG_0587%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><font size="3" face="IowanOldSt BT"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0587" border="0" alt="IMG_0587" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-KYVWuVzI850/VFEfmSPBYcI/AAAAAAAAFkY/nakVrWHRAZk/IMG_0587_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="250" height="198"></font></a><font size="3" face="IowanOldSt BT"> </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="IowanOldSt BT">I was making this runner for a friend who recently got married, when I got to the quilting though I thought it would be easy and I would finish it in an evening…well, that was not the case. I tackled the pebble stitch for the sunflower centers with no problem and actually enjoyed them, but when I got to the petals my tension was all off and I couldn’t decide what color thread to use on the light colored back. I am now thinking I should have made the backing a dark color so I wouldn’t be stressing so much about the dark threads showing up on the back. I learned through a Janome group I joined on Facebook that my tension should actually be set at about 7 which I thought would be too high, but it really worked. I got frustrated with the quilting on this though and set it aside for another day. Sometimes you just have to do that or you will hate the finished project. So I am waiting for inspiration to strike me again then that project will be finished in a flash I am sure. The piecing was a lot of fun though and I did it with no pattern just the picture from Pinterest.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="IowanOldSt BT">Now that I have gotten back into my sewing groove there are lots more projects I would love to start and some I really want to finish. I think I will be busy this winter.</font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#008000" size="6" face="Harrington">Ferne</font></p> fernehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17574438827016571137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21631914.post-63208051636643655932014-08-20T10:14:00.001-07:002014-08-21T12:31:44.347-07:00Country Threads ~ River Town<p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-qHz7jnfmAQU/U_TXRLE8zXI/AAAAAAAAFfA/oloK1gcgpzw/s1600-h/IMG_0473%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_0473" border="0" alt="IMG_0473" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jJrtAQfc9AY/U_TXSPptOcI/AAAAAAAAFfI/Cr55MStyG_c/IMG_0473_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="526" height="404"></a> <font size="3" face="IowanOldSt BT">I haven’t been getting much sewing done the last few months between company and gardening I have been too busy to sit at the machine. Summer is winding down and the days are getting shorter though and I am finding a little more time in the evenings to sit and piece a few projects. I am about 4 months behind on my ABC for Ewe and Me BOM, but have found those blocks quick to do so I should be able to catch up before long. Right now though I have been enjoying working on my River Town blocks. I am so glad I had put it all together in a plastic box so it was easy to pick up where I left off. I just had an email from <a href="http://www.countrythreads.com/" target="_blank">Country Threads</a> saying that they are planning to retire and close up shop so I thought it would be fitting to work on getting this done. I had the pleasure a few years ago of meeting Connie in person at a quilt show in Des Moines and had a fun evening dining and chatting with this talented quilter. </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="IowanOldSt BT"></font></p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-SKDbKL1d6YY/U_ZIm5cAynI/AAAAAAAAFhg/g2EBQdh11fQ/s1600-h/IMG_04742.jpg"> <p><font color="#222222" size="3" face="IowanOldSt BT"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-SKDbKL1d6YY/U_ZIm5cAynI/AAAAAAAAFho/kq19LWSpxPI/s1600-h/IMG_0474%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0474" border="0" alt="IMG_0474" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-cVI8mP34U8s/U_TXU3juLmI/AAAAAAAAFhY/3hl5jo3kEMQ/IMG_0474_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="332" height="256"></a></font></a><font size="3" face="IowanOldSt BT"> I recently placed a nice size order for some fabrics that I think will work nicely in these blocks. Those squares come out to 3/4” finished. I made it all a little stream lined by strip piecing the sections and then cutting them.</font></p> <p> </p> <p><font color="#222222" size="3" face="IowanOldSt BT"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-w2b8VtKoZGA/U_TXWeBh5VI/AAAAAAAAFg4/g9aiOh9FwJE/s1600-h/IMG_0476%25255B1%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 10px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0476" border="0" alt="IMG_0476" align="right" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-YowJyYGYXHI/U_TXZ80hm7I/AAAAAAAAFhA/Sd2sa9HfdVM/IMG_0476_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="270" height="208"></a></font></a><font size="3" face="IowanOldSt BT">About a year ago I ordered a lot of patterns from Country Threads when they were having a clearance sale and I am so glad I did. They will also be having sales as they wind down and get ready to retire so be sure to check them out.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="IowanOldSt BT">This project is coming along nicely as I spend about an hour or two in the evening while listening to <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/quiltville" target="_blank">Bonnie Hunters Quiltville Quilt Cam</a> on my Kindle while I sew. It feels like I am sewing with a friend and sometimes more than one. She is handy with the tech gadgets and is able to read messages from other followers while she is working and chatting. It is so fun to see what others are working on too. Now I need to figure out how to post my projects to her. I learn so much from all the different inputs and it is quite inspiring. I have lots of Quilt Cams to catch up on since I didn’t realize she was doing this. It’s a lot of fun! </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="IowanOldSt BT">Looking forward to fall and winter now with so many fun projects to work on!</font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#800000" size="4" face="Harrington">Keep growing and sewing!</font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#008000" size="4" face="Harrington">Ferne</font></p> fernehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17574438827016571137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21631914.post-19256947832692289522014-05-04T08:20:00.001-07:002014-05-04T08:26:22.780-07:00ABC for Ewe and Me<p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-a8jxvqq8cA4/U2ZatWZak3I/AAAAAAAAFOQ/Se7RPzrVDAM/s1600-h/IMG_0279%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_0279" border="0" alt="IMG_0279" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DxjztoNjBpc/U2ZauZbez2I/AAAAAAAAFOY/7NZUR_dvouA/IMG_0279_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="497" height="381"></a></p> <p> <font size="3" face="Papyrus">I am really enjoying the BOM that is going on this year at </font><a href="http://www.thequiltshow.com/" target="_blank"><font size="3" face="Papyrus">The Quilt Show</font></a><font size="3" face="Papyrus">. They go pretty fast so I have lots of time to work on other projects while I wait for the next months instructions and the video that shows how to do the new technique that is the new months block. I am using scraps to do this and keep it all in a Art Bin so I can reuse some of the scraps in future blocks to tie it all together in the end. There is a really nice mix of piecing and applique in this and opportunity to try many different techniques. All of the applique has been done with Steam-A-Seam Lite then I am using a button hole stitch to go around them after. I am having lots of fun picking different colors of thread for each one to really accentuate the letters. I am a little behind with all the borders, but knowing it will only take me an evening of sewing and I will be all caught up has me procrastinating I suppose. I also need to stitch around the letters ‘e’ and ‘J’, which will be easier to do before I add the borders. I originally thought I might give this to my Grandson, but I am starting to fall in love with it and don’t know if I will be able to let it go in the end…time will tell.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="Papyrus">There is still lots of time to catch up if you are looking for a fun project, though The Quilt Show does require a yearly membership fee of $40, but they have wonderful hour long videos that come out about every 2 weeks and lots of sharing of patterns and other quilty tidbits. There is a forum for chatting with other quilters and so much more. I think I have belonged for at least 5 years now and look forward to each new video that comes out. Once you pay your membership you can watch past episodes too so that will keep you busy for a very long time.</font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#800000" size="4" face="Harrington">now I know my ABC’s</font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#008000" size="4" face="Harrington">Ferne</font></p> fernehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17574438827016571137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21631914.post-40799688628494813082014-02-28T10:57:00.001-08:002014-02-28T11:04:13.013-08:00Coloring on Fabric<p><font size="3" face="Papyrus"> </font><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-EfCRqYcSHQQ/UxDcGU0Z7iI/AAAAAAAAFMo/L5U_HeEsOLk/s1600-h/IMG_0159%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font color="#222222" size="3" face="Papyrus"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto 5px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0159" border="0" alt="IMG_0159" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-cMiz-zasLgA/UxDcHW1H8jI/AAAAAAAAFMw/2WIhIHV1234/IMG_0159_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="499" height="380"></font></a><font size="3"><font face="Papyrus"> I have been working on this little project for quite a while and kept putting it away because I was trying to embroider lots of little bees on it and they were not turning out as good as I had hoped. The other night I made the decision to take out all of the embroidery and try playing with coloring my bees with crayons. I spent a good hour carefully removing all my embroidery which is not quite as simple as ripping out a seam. </font><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rzyFA7dYSDQ/UxDcIKJ2p3I/AAAAAAAAFM4/dAvz3BwigqA/s1600-h/IMG_0157%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font color="#222222" face="Papyrus"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 0px 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0157" border="0" alt="IMG_0157" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-xfo0VOJIx5A/UxDcI1cD2RI/AAAAAAAAFNA/uK8ySMywSP0/IMG_0157_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="362" height="276"></font></a><font face="Papyrus">Then I ironed a piece of wax paper to the back of the fabric where I wanted to draw a bee, for stability. I used only 2 colors a yellow for the body and a gray for the wings. I then took a piece of printer paper and ironed on top of the colored bees, this melted the wax and the excess was absorbed by the paper. I then used the same black permanent marker that I use to make my quilt labels and drew in all the details. The whole thing took me less than a half hour and I love the results. It should wash and wear well as all my quilt labels have been holding up to lots of washing and the color from the crayon really soaked into the fabric. I also tried my hand at making this little paper pieced bee in the corner which was trickier than I anticipated so I decided to leave it at just that one bee. I have not decided what to do with the other 3 corners, but I just might do some fun quilting in the corners or applique some flowers.</font></font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-pPQMh9da0Pg/UxDcJhymJ6I/AAAAAAAAFNI/hwWIER-AKkk/s1600-h/IMG_0156%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font color="#222222" size="3" face="Papyrus"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto 5px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0156" border="0" alt="IMG_0156" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-jHisUizq3rA/UxDcKf0JVLI/AAAAAAAAFNQ/yHYDkQt8sEg/IMG_0156_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="308"></font></a><font face="Papyrus"><font size="3"> </font><font size="3">I got a crazy idea to make the backing for this table topper from hexagons thus going with the bee theme. It probably took me longer to cut the hexies than to piece them together. I had just watched a Quilt Show episode where this was done and having machine pieced hexies before I decided to give it a go. I love the way this turned out so much I am thinking of making 2 toppers from these instead of sewing them together. I am a little concerned also about quilting through all those seams, but I will give the hexie fabric a good press and starch and then decide. </font></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Papyrus"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0158" border="0" alt="IMG_0158" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-1jjNFKg_jiQ/UxDcKxQUf9I/AAAAAAAAFNY/s1ZwmO1QQSs/IMG_0158_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="366" height="279"></font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#800000" size="4" face="Harrington">Enjoying the wintery weather!</font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#008000" size="5" face="Harrington"><em>Ferne</em></font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#008000" size="6" face="Harrington"></font></p> fernehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17574438827016571137noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21631914.post-37880926711034179252014-01-12T08:38:00.001-08:002014-01-12T08:47:01.377-08:00Scrap Bustin’<p><font size="3" face="Papyrus"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-p4f-Dk0zsYc/UtLE414aUXI/AAAAAAAAFJs/zcpvSEohr40/s1600-h/IMG_0117%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font color="#222222" size="3" face="Papyrus"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-o-syihZDT84/UtLG8upmG9I/AAAAAAAAFLA/maaaqbGdoYo/s1600-h/IMG_0117%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 5px 0px 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0117" border="0" alt="IMG_0117" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-UxIfdMhYKs4/UtLE5r-N72I/AAAAAAAAFLI/davkpLuEy2Q/IMG_0117_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="314" height="254"></a></a></font>I have had an urge for quite a while to get my scraps in order and under control so I decided to ‘Hop to It’ as Edyta Sitar would say. I started by sorting through all my bins which I have organized by color and pulling out all that small stuff. My sewing table was filled with scraps for cutting up and my drawers are now so neat and tidy.</font> </p> <p><font size="3" face="Papyrus"><font color="#222222" size="3" face="Papyrus"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-kIAzQIVNV2c/UtLE72HUQmI/AAAAAAAAFK0/G5dU1cAKUS4/s1600-h/IMG_0118%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font color="#222222" size="3" face="Papyrus"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-kIAzQIVNV2c/UtLE72HUQmI/AAAAAAAAFLQ/akuJnwG7iR8/s1600-h/IMG_0118%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0118" border="0" alt="IMG_0118" align="right" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-z8GNiYG7gL8/UtLE8aZc4KI/AAAAAAAAFLY/yVpjezO_0Gk/IMG_0118_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="325" height="256"></a></font></font>The next step was to decide what size pieces I might want to cut them into <font color="#222222" size="3" face="Papyrus"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-kIAzQIVNV2c/UtLE72HUQmI/AAAAAAAAFLg/oJypAtCiOiA/s1600-h/IMG_01184.jpg"><font color="#222222" size="3" face="Papyrus"></a></font></a></font>so I started with 2 !/2 “ strips and 5” squares, but there was still some smaller fabric left that seemed usable so then I was saving 1 1/2” strips. I found too that I have been using a lot of 3” squares for HST so I star</a>ting a 3” pile. I have them all in this one Art Bin, but I think I will be making a bin for each size strip as soon as I can get to Michael’s or Joann’s to pick more up. I cut for hours and still have my old scrap bags to go through, in fact there is a whole drawer under the table full of plastic bags sorted by color. I have decided to sort my scraps by size now and drop </a>the color idea. We’ll see how that works.<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-UFlkJjsG-FY/UtLE-XekecI/AAAAAAAAFKQ/qoLSmXkmQiM/s1600-h/IMG_0120%25255B8%25255D.jpg"></p><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_0120" border="0" alt="IMG_0120" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4lHls4nrZBk/UtLE_CK3qdI/AAAAAAAAFKc/wvjPX9S5RMw/IMG_0120_thumb%25255B6%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="532" height="409"></a> </font><font size="3" face="Papyrus">Well, I couldn’t cut all day without sewing and I had been inspired by a quilt I saw on Pinterest so I figured out the sizes and started sewing strips of different sized together and cutting and ended up starting a quilt that is really going together rather quickly. Before I knew it it was 11:00 at night and I had been there most of the day. I had a blast! I am making the corner squares from the 5” blocks. I started trying to making pleasing color combos then I just went with the scrappy look and worked my way down my stack. I spent more time figuring out the setting corners since I decided to turn it on point til I remembered that I had this handy little reference tool put together by Harriet Hargrove, Alex Anderson, Sharyn Craig, and Liz Aneloski. The plan is to do some fun FMQ in the tan squares. I am also thinking of doing some fun scrappy border so I don’t have a plan yet how big this will be, maybe I will finally have a quilt for my queen size bed which has been a quilting goal of mine for a few years.<img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_0121" border="0" alt="IMG_0121" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jJ_8FHIZv9Q/UtLE_09oSEI/AAAAAAAAFKk/uS0EXe_Rlp4/IMG_0121_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="503" height="386"></font> <p align="center"><font color="#800000" size="4" face="Papyrus">Boy am I hoping for more rainy days of sewing to work on this!</font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#008000" size="4" face="Papyrus">Ferne</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-WfGvL7UJ28U/UtLFAqAhsPI/AAAAAAAAFKs/A2fBcetLusc/s1600-h/IMG_0121%25255B6%25255D.jpg"></a></p> fernehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17574438827016571137noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21631914.post-53864484366904938462014-01-04T10:37:00.001-08:002014-01-05T08:56:59.076-08:00Tone it Down<p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-ihxrsWqVnHU/UshU4Cs3jGI/AAAAAAAAFI8/ivCzhEFG_w8/s1600-h/IMG_0114%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="IowanOldSt BT"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_0114" border="0" alt="IMG_0114" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-0uFCzTxiww8/UshU5WC5EzI/AAAAAAAAFJE/RfBQT-VLEwQ/IMG_0114_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="406" height="406"></font></a><font size="4"><font face="IowanOldSt BT"> <font size="3">I love the idea of toning things down and simplifying so I am going to try to play along with making these quilt blocks from the </font></font><a href="http://modalissa.blogspot.com/2013/11/are-you-ready-for-quilt-along.html" target="_blank"><font size="3" face="IowanOldSt BT">APQ quilt-along</font></a><font size="3" face="IowanOldSt BT">. This is my trial block and I’m not sure if this is the color scheme I will stick with. The green seems too light and doesn’t show much with my beige background, but it is always fun to do a trial block then go from there. I found this block fun to put together and there are lots of strip sets to make it quick. If I had my color scheme finalized I could whip out a lot more blocks after spending a good evening getting all the cutting done. I love to chain piece and using long strips would really help to get me moving right along. Right now my favorite color way (Plum Sweet by Blackbird Designs) that I am seeing on the internet is the one that </font><a href="http://bunnyhillblog.com/2013/12/10/apq-quilt-along-the-blocks/" target="_blank"><font size="3" face="IowanOldSt BT">Anne Sutton from Bunny Hill Designs</font></a><font size="3" face="IowanOldSt BT"> is using. If I made this quilt for my bed though it needs to have a blue and/or green color scheme so I’d better do a bit more research.</font></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="IowanOldSt BT">There is even a </font><a href="http://www.pinterest.com/modalissa/apqquiltalong/" target="_blank"><font size="3" face="IowanOldSt BT">Pinterest page</font></a><font size="3" face="IowanOldSt BT"> which is full of inspiration for color schemes and showing the progress that people are already making. Camille Roskelley is really making progress and working with her new fabric line which is giving it a fresh, clean look.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="IowanOldSt BT">Thanks go out to Lissa Alexander for the design of this fun quilt and the Fat Quarter shop ladies for all ideas and enthusiasm they have put into this project. I always look for one block of the month to participate in each year. I rarely get them finished, but the process is fun and I always learn new things. Two years ago I decided that I really wanted to practice my FMQ and followed Sew Cal Gal’s wonderful line up of teachers that each offered some new tips and techniques on free motion quilting, I really got a lot out of that. One year I really wanted to learn to needle turn appliqué and followed Anne Suttons basket quilt, I love that one, but I didn’t get it finished because we moved somewhere in there and I got so behind I didn’t ever get caught up, but I have it all printed out and love stumbling upon the blocks I did finish. Last year I followed Lori Holt’s Quilty Fun row along and never finished that either, but now she has a book to go along with it and lots of projects that I could do something totally different with the blocks I did finish. It all makes me wonder what I would be doing now without all this inspiration from such talented quilters and the internet to help spread it around.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="IowanOldSt BT">Back to quilting! I am making my sewing machine a little dust cover (as if I ever give it a chance to collect dust).</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-G-eBvyS-A38/UshU6pEDWdI/AAAAAAAAFJM/qTnohw4-76s/s1600-h/IMG_0111%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="3" face="IowanOldSt BT"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_0111" border="0" alt="IMG_0111" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-DvtDogywj2c/UshU7VrwNQI/AAAAAAAAFJU/QYivuB12_wo/IMG_0111_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="427" height="325"></font></a><font size="7"><font face="Harrington"><font color="#008000"><em>Ferne</em> </font></font></font></p> fernehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17574438827016571137noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21631914.post-7570673879788854882013-12-06T09:07:00.001-08:002013-12-06T09:26:04.166-08:00The Sewing Elf<p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vuTC3Sy-EFo/UqIESU651LI/AAAAAAAAFII/Vj4wsUelA6c/s1600-h/IMG_0062%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0062" border="0" alt="IMG_0062" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-CK4r9qagYgY/UqIETMlCjwI/AAAAAAAAFIQ/zkMyw9dZewI/IMG_0062_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="264" height="202"></a><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-vtL3REovQYU/UqIEUqGmY3I/AAAAAAAAFIY/Y6xOz3-gG4M/s1600-h/IMG_0063%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0063" border="0" alt="IMG_0063" align="right" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-h-kLMIgLyKE/UqIEVKR3xcI/AAAAAAAAFIg/Hol9qzPW2vg/IMG_0063_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="281" height="207"></a></p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p> </p> <p><font size="3" face="IowanOldSt BT"></font> </p> <p><font size="3" face="IowanOldSt BT">I finally finished up this little blanket after the birth of a co-workers baby girl gave me a great big push. I always feel a little intimidated by the quilting, but once I got rolling on this corner to corner design I made up myself, I cranked it out in only a few hours. I backed the quilt in flannel which I had never quilted on before and I am very happy with the results. The fabric is prints from the Little Golden Books and has all my favorite characters though I am not sure if children these days know Shy Little Kitten, Pokey Puppy, Saggy Baggy Elephant and the rest. It was sure a fun quilt to put together and quilt.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="IowanOldSt BT"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-Z_qHPjcD0YI/UqIEWX--yhI/AAAAAAAAFHo/SloJalARJoY/s1600-h/IMG_0067%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0067" border="0" alt="IMG_0067" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-kzz7eqA51Pw/UqIEXOLaDiI/AAAAAAAAFHw/ezE21hkWS40/IMG_0067_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="375" height="286"></a> </font></p> <p><font size="3" face="IowanOldSt BT">Once the baby quilt was done I put on my elf hat and got to work on a few small gifts for some special little people. I have to get these in the mail so they have them to put out on Christmas Eve. The pocket is for holding a little note to Santa which I am suggesting to them that they put a nice ‘Thank You!’ note in. This pattern was around last year and I had saved it in my Pinterest folder so I found it easily and purchased it from <a href="http://www.pleasant-home.com/2011/12/dear-santa-mug-rug.html" target="_blank">Jodi Nelson at Pleasant Home</a>. She has an <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/PleasantHome?ref=offsite_badges&utm_source=sellers&utm_medium=badges&utm_campaign=en_isell_1" target="_blank">Etsy</a> shop where you can get this immediately as a PDF. What did I ever do before the internet?</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="IowanOldSt BT"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-PwUlDD7f6p8/UqIEYZSA0yI/AAAAAAAAFH4/M79PjbG8wjw/s1600-h/IMG_0066%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0066" border="0" alt="IMG_0066" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wGtp_fKlrrE/UqIEZI6LJQI/AAAAAAAAFIA/tYmg03TEJXg/IMG_0066_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="381" height="291"></a></font></p> <p><font size="3" face="IowanOldSt BT"> Also on my sewing table I am mass producing some pin cushions for sewing friends from a Fig Tree pattern that I have already used many times before. It makes such a nice and useful sized pin cushion that I just have to share with all my sewing pals. It fits nicely right by my sewing machine when I am sewing and I can easily transport it all around my sewing area with me. Since I love it I am sure my friends will too! Next up I am going to mass produce some needle books to accompany these little cushions. They are both from the patterns I used for the ones in my header, though I think I will make the needle book a little smaller this time.</font></p> <p><font size="3" face="IowanOldSt BT">I am loving working on these smaller projects for now, but I think there will be some bigger projects in the near future and with snow in the forecast what a perfect time to focus on some of those! I am about to tackle some more free motion quilting and finish up some of the tops that I have been nervous about. I found a wonderful <a href="http://freemotionquiltingadventures.blogspot.com/2013/09/new-rulers-for-free-motion-quilting.html" target="_blank">blog</a> by a lady who does some really beautiful quilting on her Janome 6600 (same machine as me) and she has been talking about using these <a href="http://www.accentsindesign.com/fineline.html" target="_blank">Fine Line Rulers</a> on her domestic machine. I am very intrigued and on the verge of purchasing a few after watching some demos and seeing what she is doing with them looks like a very handy tool. I love quilting, but get a little disappointed with my imperfections and these look like the perfect tool to help me create some perfect lines.</font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#800000" size="5" face="cinnamon cake">Slow down, create and most of all…enjoy the holidays!</font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#008000" size="5" face="cinnamon cake">Ferne</font></p> fernehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17574438827016571137noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21631914.post-11383074874857720562013-10-13T08:39:00.001-07:002013-10-13T08:39:35.885-07:00Patches the Pumpkin Protector<p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-fn2AMWp8hyk/Ulq-qLIKEKI/AAAAAAAAFFk/twJYyKqoYUk/s1600-h/IMG_0007%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_0007" border="0" alt="IMG_0007" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-bPlAdze7vtQ/Ulq-tU83HJI/AAAAAAAAFFs/KCv3fHORnG0/IMG_0007_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="294" height="430"></a><font size="4" face="IowanOldSt BT">Patches is quilted and the binding is on. I am very happy with the way this project turned out. It is a free paper pieced pattern from Martingale’s website you can get for free here<em><strong> </strong></em></font><font size="4" face="IowanOldSt BT"><em><strong><a href="http://www.shopmartingale.com/martingale-freebies.html">http://www.shopmartingale.com/martingale-freebies.html</a></strong></em></font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#008000" size="5" face="Harrington">Enjoying Fall!</font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#008000" size="5" face="Harrington">Ferne</font></p> fernehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17574438827016571137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21631914.post-3556149872814636092013-09-25T11:12:00.001-07:002013-09-25T11:23:38.479-07:00Inspiration<p><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" alt="" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/1262598_645315625503328_1007208230_o.jpg" width="511" height="385"></p> <p><font size="4" face="IowanOldSt BT">On my last blog post I received this comment: “<strong>stop looking at all the</strong> <strong>blogs and pinterest..."looking at art is not the same as making art" then there is time for sewing</strong>”. My first instinct was to erase it because I took it as an insult, but after thinking about it I realized that it is partly true though the author of this comment was also taking time to look and my blog and I didn’t even know who she was. I have several reasons for looking at blogs and pinterest and the biggest reason is for inspiration. Another blogger this week was discussing whether copying an idea or project was flattering or made you upset and I tend to think of it as flattery. Most of the time people will change a thing or two and not copy something exactly as you have done it. I enjoy seeing a new spin on an old idea.</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-AixY_QDD6FI/UkMnmK3Z-oI/AAAAAAAAFCg/y9JnSlEDPrA/s1600-h/IMG_16534.jpg"><font size="4" face="IowanOldSt BT"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_1653" border="0" alt="IMG_1653" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-5L0D8c1ZIMk/UkMnnTS-VHI/AAAAAAAAFCo/20YiZvDWJ0Q/IMG_1653_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="440" height="335"></font></a><font size="4" face="IowanOldSt BT"> </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="IowanOldSt BT">I copied this free pattern for </font><a href="http://blog.shopmartingale.com/quilting-sewing/halloween-quilts-patterns-free/" target="_blank"><font size="4" face="IowanOldSt BT">Patches the Pumpkin Patch Protector</font></a><font size="4" face="IowanOldSt BT"> from the <em>Stitch This!</em> website and have really enjoyed making it. I am not done yet, but it has gone together faster than I anticipated and I have discovered that I do love paper piecing. The recommended method was to use freezer paper, but I chose to use printer paper and it went together smoothly until I tried working on it one evening after work and made a mistake that I had to rip out and proceeded to tear the fabric a bit. I will be able to fix it, but it made me realize that one reason I don’t sew much after a hard days work is that I usually make errors when I am tired. My job can be quite physically exhausting some times. I work at a nursery and do a lot of walking and lifting and dragging heavy hoses around to water plants, I love my job, but I sure do get tired. That is when blog hopping is a good thing, it fills my head with ideas for my next day off when I have the time and energy to put into a project and do it right the first (or second) time.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="IowanOldSt BT"><img alt="Photo: 'tis the season- almost~" src="https://scontent-b-lax.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/p480x480/1234951_709950792352101_25653816_n.jpg" width="447" height="593"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="IowanOldSt BT">I get inspired by lots of things on the internet. Someone posted this picture on facebook last week and when we were decorating the lobby for fall I spotted the perfect thing to use this idea in and shared it with my colleagues who then followed through with the idea while I watered plants and I think it turned out splendidly. The inspiration picture is on top and I think it is at Alden Lane Nursery in Livermore, California, the picture below is how we used the idea in our way at our nursery, Wyntour Gardens in Redding</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="IowanOldSt BT"><img style="display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto" alt="" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-d-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/1292080_645315588836665_498840384_o.jpg" width="490" height="371"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="IowanOldSt BT">So I would say that looking at art may not be the same as making art, but it sure does give you inspiration to make something of your own later, and I will continue to get my inspiration from blogs, pinterest, facebook, nature and everything else around me and find what speaks to me to use in my own works of art.</font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#800000" size="6" face="Harrington">Always looking to be inspired ~</font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#008000" size="7" face="Harrington"><em>Ferne</em></font></p> fernehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17574438827016571137noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21631914.post-70247016991426056242013-09-19T09:12:00.001-07:002013-09-19T09:17:53.569-07:00Sewing Dreams<p><font size="5" face="Papyrus">I have a serious problem…I dream of sewing, I fall asleep most nights with quilt blocks in my head or quilting design possibilities swirling through my mind. I have been watching Angela Walters videos on Craftsy and last night I stopped as she showed how to quilt swirls, I think there were swirls in my dreams. My problem is that with summer still in full swing here I am busy at work and busy in the garden when I get home or I am spending too much time on blogs and Pinterest looking at more quilt ideas. I have stacks of patterns and inspiration that I have printed to work on when things change and I have more quilting time. Well, the days are getting shorter and my time in the evenings is getting longer and in a few weeks I will drop one day from my work schedule. I am looking forward to rainy days of doing nothing but stitching away on the ideas in my head. For now though I do have one finished project to show for it all…I watched a Craftsy video by Joanna Figeroa called Simple Fresh Quilts and figured out how to make her fun dresden block smaller so that I could try making one and turned it into a cute little pot holder. This also gave me time to spend practicing quilting and also some time spent binding, which I love to do for some reason, and voila a finished project!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-LcONyoHKRFY/UjsiQSPcWkI/AAAAAAAAFAk/PqdZGORKC4U/s1600-h/IMG_16384.jpg"><font color="#222222" size="5" face="Papyrus"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto 5px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_1638" border="0" alt="IMG_1638" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-VeN0slrrjVs/UjsiRYfED6I/AAAAAAAAFAs/JO21hJp1KXk/IMG_1638_thumb2.jpg?imgmax=800" width="425" height="324"></font></a><font size="5" face="Papyrus"> Another time eater these days has been the acquisition of two new kittens. We went in for one, but couldn’t choose between these two girls and they were sisters so why split them up, we took both. They are precious and entertain each other very well. They are about 12 weeks old now and really showing their different personalities. I’m sure they will be showing up on this blog more in the future. Their names are Gracie and Maggie and they are crossed Russian Gray with Maine Coon so they will be quite large cats. They are already climbing the deck railing and going toward the roof and climb every tree they come close to when they escape into the yard. They are eating constantly and really growing up much to fast.</font></p> <p><font size="5" face="Papyrus"><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-c-tL5YJFshA/UjsjqgTQaLI/AAAAAAAAFCE/y09Li5Yf3fo/s1600-h/IMG_1608%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_1608" border="0" alt="IMG_1608" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-rghW35ZxVsw/UjsjrlaVRaI/AAAAAAAAFCM/eku8W-kY2Rw/IMG_1608_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="253" height="179"></a> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-N4PoXbBMa9c/UjsiUI2_qmI/AAAAAAAAFBE/OGBhw5glS0g/s1600-h/IMG_1641%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_1641" border="0" alt="IMG_1641" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-j6unQBKPZy0/UjsiU8NVv7I/AAAAAAAAFBM/E-70mmz_ZiI/IMG_1641_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> </font></p> <p><font size="5" face="Papyrus">We have had a really nice harvest of Comice pears and figs this year so we sold at a market for our first time this year. It was fun getting it all together and while we were there we met a lot of neighbors that we had never had a chance to meet before. This is our little set up with my thrifted frame and my first attempt at using chalkboard paint.</font></p> <p><font size="5" face="Papyrus"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-jouX2axnLL0/UjsiVgHB57I/AAAAAAAAFBU/vgVAodvebHI/s1600-h/IMG_1630%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_1630" border="0" alt="IMG_1630" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-VlFgNd3PEAA/UjsiWT1k1ZI/AAAAAAAAFBc/hOoYZoA-jNE/IMG_1630_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="184" height="244"></a><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-JzWsOIa2pNU/UjsiYLX8s5I/AAAAAAAAFBk/uB0vjuv6gNE/s1600-h/IMG_1632%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_1632" border="0" alt="IMG_1632" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-eIYQsTPYsQU/UjsiY-CBbdI/AAAAAAAAFBs/kmVHv0hCiT4/IMG_1632_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="319" height="245"></a></font></p> <p><font size="5" face="Papyrus">Fall is just around the corner and this year I am ready for it…time to bake and sew!</font></p> <p> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9YW9_yi1A3Y/UjsiZkzGfKI/AAAAAAAAFB0/tTG_o87F5og/s1600-h/IMG_1633%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_1633" border="0" alt="IMG_1633" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-o9yid9RCRVE/UjsiakfzBCI/AAAAAAAAFB4/fNBgryix1bw/IMG_1633_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="489" height="373"></a></p> <p align="center"><font color="#008000" size="7" face="cinnamon cake">Ferne </font></p> fernehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17574438827016571137noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21631914.post-32153669883439521772013-06-21T20:48:00.001-07:002013-06-22T07:15:40.008-07:00New! Olfa Splash Rotary Cutter<p><font size="5" face="Papyrus"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px auto 5px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_1503" border="0" alt="IMG_1503" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-tLwr926opT8/UcUemoZucOI/AAAAAAAAE6Q/Cv_tK5gWErQ/IMG_1503_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="398" height="278">Once I saw how it worked I had to have it and came today! Not only is it a nice fresh color and so light weight and easy<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-QWdaZ6absXA/UcWxaqTIBpI/AAAAAAAAE-I/nWZ_-ulrm0o/s1600-h/IMG_15076.jpg"><font color="#222222" size="5" face="Papyrus"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-QWdaZ6absXA/UcWxaqTIBpI/AAAAAAAAE-Q/CfknMSTNlM4/s1600-h/IMG_15077.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 5px 5px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_1507" border="0" alt="IMG_1507" align="right" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Vz-O0OPzjVg/UcUenyM2zmI/AAAAAAAAE7U/uvuxPwpsLa0/IMG_1507_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="282" height="196"></a></font></a> to use, as soon as you see how easy it is to change the blade without ever touching it you will be sold too. I am loving the way it feels in my hand, but</font><font size="5"><font face="Papyrus"> I can’t stop playing with the <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ILdzd0CsaZE/UcUeokiDT2I/AAAAAAAAE-Y/v8_3c6pPeVQ/s1600-h/IMG_150816.jpg"><font color="#222222" face="Papyrus"></a></font>blade</a>. Y<a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Ou6ngBaJdLo/UcUiOtmIwgI/AAAAAAAAE9Y/MwCNtEZNp4w/s1600-h/IMG_1508%25255B21%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: 0px; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: 0px" title="IMG_1508" border="0" alt="IMG_1508" align="right" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9f1DZDgHWJE/UcUiPV7xT8I/AAAAAAAAE9g/yJ24EWH9GW0/IMG_1508_thumb%25255B15%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="164"></a>ou just lay <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ILdzd0CsaZE/UcUeokiDT2I/AAAAAAAAE-Y/v8_3c6pPeVQ/s1600-h/IMG_150816.jpg"><font color="#222222" face="Papyrus"></a></font>the cutter on the table and with the flick of your thumb pull down the lock, lift the blue handle off and the blade will be laying there ready for changing. Nothing to unscrew or line up <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8DMO_hXFqo8/UcUeqCW_TYI/AAAAAAAAE-g/f_hfPbcB4_8/s1600-h/IMG_15093.jpg"><font color="#222222" face="Papyrus"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-8DMO_hXFqo8/UcUeqCW_TYI/AAAAAAAAE-o/gSXFFhEm32Q/s1600-h/IMG_15094.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 0px 5px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_1509" border="0" alt="IMG_1509" align="right" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-nKrLu695BCQ/UcUeqhM6kbI/AAAAAAAAE78/N4rUiHwdt48/IMG_1509_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="210" height="144"></a></font></a>later. just put the black pin in the hole and push the lo</font><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ILdzd0CsaZE/UcUeokiDT2I/AAAAAAAAE-w/JbvOnCs2M10/s1600-h/IMG_150815.jpg"></a></a><font face="Papyrus">ck in place and voila! Now did I really need anoth</font><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ILdzd0CsaZE/UcUeokiDT2I/AAAAAAAAE-w/JbvOnCs2M10/s1600-h/IMG_150815.jpg"></a><font face="Papyrus">er rotary cutter? Not really, but this was too good to not </font><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ILdzd0CsaZE/UcUeokiDT2I/AAAAAAAAE-w/JbvOnCs2M10/s1600-h/IMG_150815.jpg"></a><font face="Papyrus">get and I have a feeling it will be my new favorite rotary cutter. Thanks Amazon Prime for getting it to me so fast! (here is the link so you can get one too ~ <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Olfa-Splash-45mm-Rotary-Cutter/dp/B00CNE8TEU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1371403291&sr=8-1&keywords=olfa+rotary+Splash+cutter" target="_blank">Olfa Rotary Cutter</a>)</font></font></p> <p align="center"> <font color="#800000" size="7" face="Harrington"><strong>Ferne</strong></font></p> fernehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17574438827016571137noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21631914.post-13683234492864386652013-06-21T18:47:00.001-07:002013-06-21T18:58:12.540-07:00Butterflies Inside and Out<p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Kc6wesBh804/UcUCF1PLcjI/AAAAAAAAE3Q/QCDyjGjEUM8/s1600-h/IMG_1468%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto 5px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_1468" border="0" alt="IMG_1468" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-QpjnUDEBFYI/UcUCG8lpqcI/AAAAAAAAE3Y/V2tPbPfDcgs/IMG_1468_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="404" height="308"></a><font size="4" face="Papyrus">These days my time at home is being spent mostly in the yard. With a garden and orchard to care for and working an extra day at work sewing time has been cut back a lot. So no big sewing projects going on, but I have been enjoying working on a few blocks here and there. I couldn’t resist giving this butterfly block a whirl. It was quick and fairly easy. I didn’t really have any project to use it in so I am making one up as I go. I figured out how to sew hexies together on the <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vSIlDhicyxg/UcUCIh5RAJI/AAAAAAAAE3g/Sx1wUEz14VU/s1600-h/IMG_1496%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px 5px 0px 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_1496" border="0" alt="IMG_1496" align="left" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-NIfip3Svkdw/UcUCJOdVZTI/AAAAAAAAE3o/DfyseQ90Zvc/IMG_1496_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="311" height="237"></a>machine a few years ago and have been doing it that way ever since, but I really wanted to try piecing them by hand just once so I made this flower for the center of my butterflies by hand and hand appliqued it too. I am thinking of making a scrappy hexie border for it and for that I will machine piece them. It really goes together quickly. I mark a dot at the quarter inch seam in the corners and sew to the dot and move on to the next one. I have paper pieced before and in fact my first quilt project was paper pieced so I never was afraid of it because I didn’t know I should be so when I saw Kerri’s Kaleidoscope pillow on her <a href="http://lovelylittlehandmades.blogspot.com.au/2013/06/kaleidoscope-pillow.html" target="_blank">Lovely Little Handmades blog</a> I went right to work <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-qrDzhLHPtt4/UcUCKbY0HDI/AAAAAAAAE3w/GQbT8GUGXJw/s1600-h/IMG_1497%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px 0px 0px 5px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_1497" border="0" alt="IMG_1497" align="right" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-FEsVczFFCpg/UcUCLVLLfqI/AAAAAAAAE34/Z_bqbXhLLsI/IMG_1497_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="288" height="220"></a> drawing up my pattern and stitched a few together. Today I came across some more information and an already drafted pattern on <a href="http://www.redpepperquilts.com/2013/06/Kaleidoscope-Patchwork-Block-Free-Pattern.html" target="_blank">Red Pepper Quilts blog</a>. I am glad I found her tips for sewing the them together because I was having a heck of a time with the centers having big bumps in them. I tried pressing them open, but that didn’t really help much. Not sure where I am going with this project either, but the colors I have chosen would look really nice in my bedroom so maybe something for in there. I would like to try my hand at big stitch quilting on this project since it is something I haven’t done before and I love how Kerri’s turned out.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Papyrus"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-3vbW1sFs0xw/UcUCM3wTv9I/AAAAAAAAE4A/fHUZWptAO9E/s1600-h/IMG_1439%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px 10px 0px 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" align="left" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-mhSVmS_DAIM/UcUCNzj1csI/AAAAAAAAE4I/zLYatVQJU-Q/IMG_1439_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="309" height="236"></a>Well, since I am not sewing much I am spending lots of time watering the garden and it is coming a long nicely. I love the hay bale beds we made, everything in them is growing leaps and bounds. I have been harvesting a lot of squash and today potatoes, I even have had some to share with neighbors. We are going to have pumpkins this year and they are getting big already. I think the bales are heating up the soil and compost a little more than the ground soil temps and that is what is making things grow so big. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Papyrus">We have also started harvesting the first real crops of fruit from our little orchard. We first harvested Cotton Candy Aprium which is in its third year.<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-q0N0R4Z-X0I/UcUCOtUHPaI/AAAAAAAAE4Q/GYKSrPrmbMQ/s1600-h/IMG_1446%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px 0px 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_1446" border="0" alt="IMG_1446" align="right" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-6mq2ClZsJaE/UcUCO5JbjQI/AAAAAAAAE4Y/6Db4nEmT5BA/IMG_1446_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a> Usually just as it flowers we get a frost or hail or something that destroys the fruit, but not this year. We got a nice harvest off of another apricot that is only 2 years old and a neighbor gave us more apricots that he didn’t know what variety they are, but they are quite tasty. There is not enough fruit to do much with, but we tried drying some and yesterday I baked muffins, today it was pies to which I also added some raspberries that have been producing in spurts. I think it will be peach time soon! </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Papyrus">I have been on a mission to find the perfect pie crust recipe that can be my go to crust and I have gotten really close, but today I tried a different technique that I never thought of and that was to mix the butter and flour by hand. It was messy, but since I could feel it I think I did a better job mixing it and it wasn’t over mixed like is so easy to do in the food processor. I made 2 pies which are still in the oven. I am trying to come up with a flavorful crust because I think pie crusts are really quite boring and bland so today I added cinnamon to the crust. This recipe also called for adding an egg with some milk beat into it at the end instead of water, we don’t drink milk so all had on hand was almond milk. Almonds and apricots are usually quite good together so I am hoping this will be tasty. I got my recipe from <a href="http://www.kingarthurflour.com/blog/" target="_blank">King Arthurs Rant</a>. What a fun site to visit if you like detailed descriptions of recipes with lots of pictures. Of course, they recommend their products, but they have great products so I don’t mind. In fact I do order from them quite often. I love to bake almost as much I love to sew. Now I have some pies to take out of the oven!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-yfCsQ43L7L4/UcUCQQPEDqI/AAAAAAAAE5I/2bTMWEu0Ogg/s1600-h/IMG_1476%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_1476" border="0" alt="IMG_1476" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7OlVGXqnp8Q/UcUCRBxPQcI/AAAAAAAAE5Q/9FPAv0c4KLI/IMG_1476_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="248" height="194"></a></p> <p><font size="5" face="Papyrus"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-s__poTHQaaA/UcUCSlTcqEI/AAAAAAAAE5Y/o60rTLrD48M/s1600-h/IMG_1472%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_1472" border="0" alt="IMG_1472" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/--xMdC8APmFc/UcUCTZ8QBfI/AAAAAAAAE5g/Jcprz2hyEtQ/IMG_1472_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="246" height="192"></a></font></p> <p><font size="5" face="Papyrus">This is where you can find me, flitting around from flower to flower in the sun!</font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#008000" size="6" face="Harrington">Ferne</font></p> fernehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17574438827016571137noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21631914.post-29633932354659282652013-04-07T08:48:00.001-07:002013-04-07T08:48:59.975-07:00Rainy Day Activities<p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-kS3IggKRvI4/UWGVW5gZFJI/AAAAAAAAEtU/NkDgQ-DkC58/s1600-h/IMG_1295%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Papyrus"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_1295" border="0" alt="IMG_1295" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZvzGWzAi3e0/UWGVXFst9bI/AAAAAAAAEtc/ID6PCNHxtds/IMG_1295_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></font></a><font size="4" face="Papyrus"> </font><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-QwSltjICT84/UWGVX2wnhAI/AAAAAAAAEtk/f4IjpFeoXrA/s1600-h/IMG_1297%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Papyrus"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_1297" border="0" alt="IMG_1297" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-GEfem-IfHco/UWGVYXGoZ0I/AAAAAAAAEts/mZRkUpLAJA8/IMG_1297_thumb.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Papyrus">I am really not a very disciplined blogger. It is easier to read other people’s blogs and I sure spend a lot of time at doing just that, than to write a post for my own. I have been doing some sewing especially on the rainy days, but just not blogged about it much. The scrappy trip around the world block has been so much fun and I have used it in several ways lately. I made this baby blanket which I am still sewing the binding on. I made the center block with Ann Suttons block from the recent Moda Designers blocks. You can’t tell really but, I also tried my hand at trapunto on those bunny rabbits. It doesn’t show much but, they sure feel fluffy. I added a layer of batting and sewed it around each bunny before I made my quilt sandwich, then I cut the excess batting away from the stitching so the bunnies have an extra layer of batting after the quilt is sandwiched. It was easier than I thought it would be and something I will definitely be using again. </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-gQbvhvLx6Zc/UWGVZNb7koI/AAAAAAAAEt0/gYyhHAthnAY/s1600-h/IMG_1353%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Papyrus"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="" border="0" alt="" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Gpbg4akzhR4/UWGVZlY4M-I/AAAAAAAAEt8/1d3FB0YV76c/IMG_1353_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="336" height="256"></font></a><font size="4" face="Papyrus"> I also recovered my old chair cushions using strips from an old collection of coffee fabrics I had. I quilted them and sewed them to fit the cushions. Now they are washable! The quilting made the cushions just a bit more cushy, loving that part!</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Papyrus">Another big project I tackled on a rainy day was to finally paint the ceiling after almost 4 years of living here and already painting the walls several years ago. I know I should have done it first, but I thought it would be a bigger project than it was. We have a very open floor plan so the ceiling had to painted all through the house except the bedrooms and bathrooms. Well, it took me 2 days and 2 gallons of paint, but it is done! Now I can move on to the next task…putting in new flooring in the bathrooms.</font></p> <p align="center"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-q5E-_YZBH6Q/UWGVab1xc7I/AAAAAAAAEuE/7PxTMewF4bM/s1600-h/IMG_1323%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_1323" border="0" alt="IMG_1323" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-PbeFDtRY4sU/UWGVakdX56I/AAAAAAAAEuM/fC4iHUD4B9M/IMG_1323_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="336" height="256"></a> <font color="#800000" size="6" face="Papyrus"><em>Wait till you see what I did on the sunny days!</em></font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#008000" size="6" face="Lucida Calligraphy"><em>Ferne</em></font></p> fernehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17574438827016571137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21631914.post-20437307643439318002013-01-17T10:06:00.001-08:002013-01-17T10:14:38.276-08:00Mystery Cat Quilt<p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-9wR66b4e4SY/UPg9RvBDr1I/AAAAAAAAEhs/2tBGWrXWMWQ/s1600-h/IMG_1200%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="IowanOldSt BT"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_1200" border="0" alt="IMG_1200" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-MvnVQeTHCbc/UPg9UnbxGzI/AAAAAAAAEh0/T65k_Dr1lUM/IMG_1200_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="407" height="310"></font></a><font size="4" face="IowanOldSt BT"> </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="IowanOldSt BT">My latest piecing project was picked out by my cat. It really was. I was cleaning up files on my computer and printed out a few of the patterns I had downloaded at sometime or other and deleted things I couldn’t figure out why I had saved. Now there is room for lots more! I printed this pattern out and laid it on my quilting table among others and my cat kept laying on it. It was a mystery quilt so the finished picture was on the last page, just so you know my cat didn’t know what he was picking out. I wanted a small project to work on after spending a lot of time trying to decide on a pattern to use for making a quilt for my queen size bed which is a big project. So I decided to give my brain a break and quilt this one up. I got some really great fabric advice from the guy in the house and had a lot of fun putting this together. I am thinking it will be lots of fun to quilt as well. It measures 36”X36” so it is a really nice manageable size. Originally I was going to put it in the cat bed, but I think I will hang it on the wall and ask my cat to pick which pattern I should use for my bed quilt…he obviously has good quilt sense!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-d582oB5glvo/UPg9XX7wE3I/AAAAAAAAEh8/5xEfhD1Bv7U/s1600-h/IMG_1201%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="IowanOldSt BT"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_1201" border="0" alt="IMG_1201" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-fljRqPmfbD8/UPg9Y80y4OI/AAAAAAAAEiE/BsKK4738Bmk/IMG_1201_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="384" height="293"></font></a><font size="4" face="IowanOldSt BT"> I decided that I need some new gardening aprons with spring just around the corner and thinking this little paper pieced project will be a pocket on my next one. I use these a lot at work and home because I have to carry a walkie talkie and a phone all the time so the pockets work great. I posted a little <a href="http://fernew.blogspot.com/2011/01/gardening-apron-tutorial.html">tutorial for this apron</a> on this blog and refer to it all the time. I have <img title="IMG_2796" border="0" alt="IMG_2796" align="right" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/_o1fVU0bEKxE/TS_S5tuBO8I/AAAAAAAADEI/VI5by5A-IPI/IMG_2796_thumb%5B1%5D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="292" height="223">accumulated lots of cute garden fabrics and I line them with cheap flannel which gives them just the right weight and makes them a little absorbent which is helpful with all the watering I do in the spring and summer. The best part is that they wash up really nice, and you know I am bound to get a little dirty! I work in a nursery and then garden a lot at home so there is always dirt in my fingernails and on my knees. Speaking of which the sun is shining finally and the temps are raising a little, all that and a day off work is making me ready to go out and play in the dirt or the compost or the greenhouse or all of the above. So not much sewing going on today.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="IowanOldSt BT">Enjoy the sun when you can!<a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WvpZh86KOgw/UPg9bVotFTI/AAAAAAAAEi0/Lb_cUq-3Bew/s1600-h/IMG_2776%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font color="#008080" size="7" face="Harrington"><em><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WvpZh86KOgw/UPg9bVotFTI/AAAAAAAAEi4/Z9yzFK-NT9o/s1600-h/IMG_2776%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_2776" border="0" alt="IMG_2776" align="right" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-fkfe8rPzusw/UPg9hjzWXMI/AAAAAAAAEiY/-RpjqUndXuk/IMG_2776_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="320" height="251"></a></em></font><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WvpZh86KOgw/UPg9bVotFTI/AAAAAAAAEi4/Z9yzFK-NT9o/s1600-h/IMG_2776%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><font color="#008080" size="7" face="Harrington"><em></a></em></font></a></font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#008080" size="7" face="Harrington"><em>Ferne</em></font><font color="#008080" size="7" face="Harrington"><em> <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-WvpZh86KOgw/UPg9bVotFTI/AAAAAAAAEi4/Z9yzFK-NT9o/s1600-h/IMG_2776%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><font color="#008080" size="7" face="Harrington"><em></a></em></font></em></font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#008080" size="7" face="Harrington"><em>& </em></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="7"><em><font face="Harrington"><font color="#008080">Makya</font></font></em></font></p> <p align="center"><font size="7"><em><font face="Harrington"><font color="#008080"><font size="5">the quilt connoisseur</font></font></font></em></font></p> fernehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17574438827016571137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21631914.post-77046847585167629552012-12-24T07:55:00.001-08:002012-12-24T07:55:17.234-08:00Seeing Hearts<p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-4L2TIDdbHLI/UNh61rSDQ7I/AAAAAAAAEcY/Wl_hbhqI0Qc/s1600-h/IMG_1153%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_1153" border="0" alt="IMG_1153" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-vC6vxIkqqHk/UNh63AxwlwI/AAAAAAAAEcg/dijjGuzWbYE/IMG_1153_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="399" height="304"></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="IowanOldSt BT"> Windy stormy weather has been keeping me home and indoors. Thank goodness my Christmas shopping and get togethers are all done. I missed one party due to weather issues, but made it to see all my family and that’s what was most important.<img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_1154" border="0" alt="IMG_1154" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ABQVwQ3d4fE/UNh644k-ruI/AAAAAAAAEco/iSrlw-QqBu4/IMG_1154_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="418" height="319"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="IowanOldSt BT">While I was stuck indoors and actually had electricity I pulled out a cute pattern to make a runner for Valentines Day by <a href="http://farmwifejournal.blogspot.com/">Cherilyn of Farm Wife blog.</a> She called it <a href="http://farmwifejournal.blogspot.com/2012/02/candy-hearts-table-runner-tutorial.html">Candy Heart</a> so I made mine chocolate and cinnamon. It went together so easily that I might actually have it quilted before New Years. Next project?</font> </p> <p align="center"><font color="#800000" size="7" face="Harrington">Ferne</font></p> fernehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17574438827016571137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21631914.post-20105689954267191312012-11-25T07:58:00.001-08:002012-11-25T08:02:13.114-08:00Catching up on my Rows<p> </p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-1MqiyaLcoiU/ULI_8PHU3pI/AAAAAAAAEbA/5bMQD1armAw/s1600-h/IMG_1082%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_1082" border="0" alt="IMG_1082" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-L4TtOu1oI5A/ULI_9KmpLwI/AAAAAAAAEbI/uQHuAZ8c4A8/IMG_1082_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="233" height="220"></a> <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-vFYnEFnGrWA/ULI_-86KjjI/AAAAAAAAEbQ/blyrYP7izwU/s1600-h/IMG_1085%25255B6%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_1085" border="0" alt="IMG_1085" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-mUOTOIhbG7c/ULJAARCSNlI/AAAAAAAAEbY/weVOWi7CQ8o/IMG_1085_thumb%25255B4%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="254" height="215"></a> </p> <p><font size="4" face="Papyrus">I finished Rows 5 and 6 yesterday except for the edges at the top and bottom, they are cut and will just take a few minutes to add on. Since I was almost out of bobbin thread I decided this was a good place to stop for the day I can’t believe I made that many little flying geese! Lori’s method really worked there was very little trimming to do and they were mostly perfect. I can’t say they were all perfect but, definitely close enough to work. I made an extra mug without knowing it and I put the handle on the wrong side of one so I am holding on to it for a future mug rug. These all went so fast, I actually sewed together the geese in the morning, they were already made and trimmed the day before, then I went on a shopping trip to Walmart which was surprisingly empty, came home and planted about 100 bulbs, cut and sewed all the mugs and it wasn’t even 9:00 yet. Since I live in outer Mongolia a trip to Walmart is no short jaunt and sometimes turns into an all day trip so I was surprised it wasn’t dark yet and that I still had time for planting bulbs when we got home…all thanks to the short lines at Walmart.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Papyrus">The next row is a row of leaves which seems so appropriate since this is the view from my cutting table right now. I am trying not to think about the work that comes when they all fall, though I did discover that the blower we have in the garage is not as noisy as most and I might just find it quite useful <u>and</u> it vacuums too so that might make cleaning up those leaves a whole lot easier! </font><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dVYe_soXF7M/ULJACzMPQjI/AAAAAAAAEb8/_zqnUTEp6gY/s1600-h/IMG_1086%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><font color="#222222" size="4" face="Papyrus"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-dVYe_soXF7M/ULJACzMPQjI/AAAAAAAAEcA/7F0PyXj_kbw/s1600-h/IMG_1086%25255B9%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 10px auto 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_1086" border="0" alt="IMG_1086" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-Kh_dKjOdYWM/ULJAJbyMfFI/AAAAAAAAEbs/bk4YeyQTNiw/IMG_1086_thumb%25255B7%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="454" height="348"></a></font></a><font size="4" face="Papyrus"> </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Papyrus">I just remembered that I need to make a Christmas runner for my buffet and finish quilting my Christmas table topper…guess those leaves will have to wait!</font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#800000" size="5" face="Papyrus">Keep sewing along! </font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#808000" size="5" face="Papyrus">Ferne<img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_1083" border="0" alt="IMG_1083" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WtIP5On-6Y4/ULJAKC2t60I/AAAAAAAAEb0/yt6vyTbigf4/IMG_1083_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="181"></font></p> fernehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17574438827016571137noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21631914.post-28391111721297555482012-11-21T07:06:00.001-08:002012-11-21T07:36:52.472-08:00Row Along Progress<p><font size="4" face="IowanOldSt BT"><a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-yyDrFPlcVfU/UKztvrMGYmI/AAAAAAAAEZI/DsLkR9Vd5h8/s1600-h/IMG_1078%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; margin-left: auto; border-left-width: 0px; margin-right: auto" title="IMG_1078" border="0" alt="IMG_1078" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7BJgBGZh0ME/UKztxDOaCtI/AAAAAAAAEZQ/Kdm-xkzPG84/IMG_1078_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="455" height="347"></a> The weather outside is frightful here with wind whipping and cold rain falling so I got sent home from work yesterday. I took advantage of the time though and stopped at the grocery store to get what I wanted for our little Thanksgiving dinner and whipped up some homemade rolls and squash soup, then I added 2 rows to my Bee in <a href="http://beeinmybonnetco.blogspot.com/">My Bonnet Row Along</a> project. I love this project but, had only gotten 2 rows done and was really wanting to get to the apples. I was well disciplined though and did the wavy row first and got it added then I played with the apples. I was having so much fun I almost forgot to eat my soup which turned out delicious and the aroma of homemade bread was in the air reminding me to eat, thank goodness. My apple row is not attached yet, but that might be a project for tonight after work. The next row is all flying geese and Lori has a new method for us to try that will make it quick and easy then I can move on to the current row <a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-jPVvqtRxw9Y/UKz09LquW_I/AAAAAAAAEac/2cXdpgp62CA/s1600-h/IMG_10808.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_1080" border="0" alt="IMG_1080" align="left" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-doQVlkHzbOY/UKztz8XJr0I/AAAAAAAAEak/_YkT4RlQlgw/IMG_1080_thumb6.jpg?imgmax=800" width="325" height="258"></a>of mugs that look like lots of fun and I will be caught up! My favorite block in butterfly row and the apple row are both red…I have been told that there is red in every quilt I make…I had no idea I had a thing for red… I am pulling fabrics from a box of 5” squares that has been hanging around for a while now, it feels good to put them to such good use.</font></p> <p><font size="4" face="IowanOldSt BT"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-nWjv5R2_XPg/UKzt1hJgBuI/AAAAAAAAEao/VyoLUmjn7og/s1600-h/IMG_107910.jpg"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; margin: 10px 0px 5px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_1079" border="0" alt="IMG_1079" align="right" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-SsmdSAhiW98/UKzt2o7rS8I/AAAAAAAAEas/3G51QCNWYiI/IMG_1079_thumb8.jpg?imgmax=800" width="285" height="233"></a></font><font size="4" face="IowanOldSt BT"></font></p> <p> <font size="4" face="IowanOldSt BT">I love t</font><font size="4" face="IowanOldSt BT">his project and am thankful that designers like Lori Holt share their talents with us!</font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#800000" size="5" face="Papyrus"><em><strong>Enjoy your Holidays!</strong></em></font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#808000" size="5" face="Papyrus"><em><strong>Ferne</strong></em></font></p> <p align="center"><strong><font color="#800080" size="3" face="Papyrus">Update: She is now on Row 7 so I am 3 rows behind…guess I will be doing a little catching up this week!</font></strong></p> <p align="center"><strong><font color="#800080" size="3" face="Papyrus"></font></strong></p> fernehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17574438827016571137noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21631914.post-20190306815084034252012-11-18T08:48:00.001-08:002012-11-18T08:49:55.867-08:00Inspired by Anka’s Treasures<p><a href="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-ic29ktsF3Lk/UKkQ5To_-FI/AAAAAAAAEXc/FlHdiiQtCGA/s1600-h/IMG_10653.jpg"><font size="5" face="Papyrus"><img style="border-right-width: 0px; display: inline; border-top-width: 0px; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-width: 0px" title="IMG_1065" border="0" alt="IMG_1065" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-G5sr4LwTc4I/UKkQ64_n6lI/AAAAAAAAEXk/DvEfr3cgp8U/IMG_1065_thumb1.jpg?imgmax=800" width="415" height="316"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Papyrus">This was going to be a runner for the buffet and the pattern was inspiration from a book by Heather Mulder Peterson called </font><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Favorite-Quilts-Ankas-Treasures-Patchwork/dp/1564777146"><font size="4" face="Papyrus">Favorite Quilts from Anka’s Treasures.</font></a><font size="4" face="Papyrus"> The name of the pattern was <em>Candy Apple Blossoms</em> and she had appliquéd some flowers in the white section, but I am thinking I will leave it and quilt some feathers in there instead.There are several patterns in this book inspiring me right now, but I picked this one and spent yesterday working on it while it was hailing and raining out. It didn’t look quite right as a runner, but moving blocks around led me to this design which fits nicely on my little table. Now it is ready for quilting…deciding what to quilt takes me longer than the quilting so it might be a while, but hopefully it will be done for the holidays!</font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-MluGG2sLOpw/UKkQ9gi7AKI/AAAAAAAAEYw/RrqL9pA2nSE/s1600-h/IMG_1076%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Papyrus"><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-MluGG2sLOpw/UKkQ9gi7AKI/AAAAAAAAEY0/a0xGs5Vw9Ms/s1600-h/IMG_1076%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_1076" border="0" alt="IMG_1076" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-A9KHpSEOMao/UKkRDB35s5I/AAAAAAAAEX4/nRITVgoTWs4/IMG_1076_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="459" height="353"></a></font></a><font size="4" face="Papyrus"> Well, since I started this post last week I have gotten some of the quilting done on this piece, but got stuck on how to quilt the colored logs and the border. I am thinking of either quilting in the ditch or cross hatching for the logs and I have a curlicue design in mind for the border. Hopefully this will soon be bound in black and done in time to grace my table for displaying some Christmas baking!</font><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-22DHAT1ppMA/UKkRGLzyEFI/AAAAAAAAEYA/8YxMlvF71FQ/s1600-h/IMG_1071%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Papyrus"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 10px auto 0px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_1071" border="0" alt="IMG_1071" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Qge1rDbeR-c/UKkRI40yJcI/AAAAAAAAEYI/NbGWWfpImQ8/IMG_1071_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="458" height="351"></font></a></p> <p><font size="4" face="Papyrus"></font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Papyrus">The rainy weather has had me on quite a roll of finishing up old projects and I am loving that it is also giving me more practice on my quilting. I finished up this piece that I started a few years ago intending to make a round pillow, but it changed into a table topper. I finished the embroidery and quilted it and I really like how it all turned out. It is reminding me that even though the weather is wintery Spring will be back before we know it. </font></p> <p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Xsv6nq-L05k/UKkRLsPrDWI/AAAAAAAAEYQ/BtceCjKJe6o/s1600-h/IMG_1073%25255B7%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Papyrus"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto 5px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_1073" border="0" alt="IMG_1073" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-uRoHVh72quE/UKkROHlRCDI/AAAAAAAAEYY/G23KSjtbCI4/IMG_1073_thumb%25255B5%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="448" height="348"></font></a><font size="4" face="Papyrus"> I also pulled out this table topper that I bought as a kit at the Quilt Market in Des Moines last October. I had so much fun quilting it with wintery designs that I made up as I went I played with threads too. I made a chain of mittens and quilted earmuffs on the snowmen I still have to tack that binding down, but that should be finished in an evening of hand sewing. I prefer to use double thick fabric cut on the bias if</font><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-9nwW4Su07Q8/UKkRRkwAEJI/AAAAAAAAEYg/4c1znUmQJVQ/s1600-h/IMG_1075%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><font size="4" face="Papyrus"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_1075" border="0" alt="IMG_1075" align="right" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-79X1RVE-Aw8/UKkRTRm8wSI/AAAAAAAAEYo/SMyKKjYDfLo/IMG_1075_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="258" height="338"></font></a><font size="4" face="Papyrus"> possible for binding and sew it on at 3/8” then I fold it over and hand sew it on to the back of the quilt. This is the method that has worked out the best for me. I cut my bindings at 2-1/4” wide. (I am posting this here as a reminder to myself). I have 3 little quilts sitting right now waiting for me to hand stitch the bindings down and it feels so good to have gotten this far with them all. I am very glad that I have learned to free motion quilt because it is helping me to finish all the projects that I started a few years ago and now I can look for new projects to start!</font></p> <p><font color="#800000" size="6" face="Papyrus"><em>Looking forward to new beginnings!</em></font></p> <p><font color="#808000" size="6" face="Papyrus"><em>Ferne</em></font></p> fernehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17574438827016571137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21631914.post-41800553852923326692012-11-09T18:18:00.001-08:002012-11-09T18:26:58.018-08:00Zippety Do Dah!<p><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-WYK16AYa7ww/UJ25LH0OrlI/AAAAAAAAEVs/hMdYNCwRcIc/s1600-h/IMG_1061%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: block; float: none; margin-left: auto; border-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_1061" border="0" alt="IMG_1061" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-coTpRLJnCRM/UJ25M9nPUsI/AAAAAAAAEV0/rSQvBWvJLKg/IMG_1061_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="386" height="294"></a> </p> <p></p> <p><font size="4" face="IowanOldSt BT">About 3 years ago <a href="http://fernew.blogspot.com/2009/07/package-arrives.html">I won a jelly roll of Zippety Do Dah by Sandy Gervais</a> and went right to work piecing this quilt then we bought this house and moved and life just got busy and it got put in a box. Recently though I have been doing a lot more free motion quilting and trying to get all my pieced tops quilted. I had never made a back for this, but had put all my scraps and extra blocks in a bag with the top so I went to work making a back which I now like even more than the top. I ran out of that beige fabric though and had to try to match it as close as I could at my local quilt shop. I love the scrappy look of it. I had planned to donate this quilt to a cause <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-xu3I7jDTBW4/UJ25PPYLPcI/AAAAAAAAEV8/bmjTSXpGdYU/s1600-h/IMG_1062%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_1062" border="0" alt="IMG_1062" align="right" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/--Rircl0Sn5U/UJ25QEPe2FI/AAAAAAAAEWE/n57cP4tRwCU/IMG_1062_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="305" height="233"></a>and might still do it, except that my cat as fallen in love with this quilt and has been sitting on it as I move it from pile to pile while I am working on it. He likes quilts, but I have never seen him get as attached to one as he has this one. I am surprised he wasn’t on it in any of these pictures. I put a navy binding on it and still have to do the hand stitching on it. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="IowanOldSt BT"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_1058" border="0" alt="IMG_1058" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-dUjq4M2aX8A/UJ25RpNaUkI/AAAAAAAAEWM/BBYmcrP9fUc/IMG_1058_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="405" height="312">It feels good to be getting all these things finished up. I have even started and finished a few new small projects thanks to feeling more confident with my quilting abilities. I have wanted to make this sunflower runner for a few years and recently I just went for it. The pattern is from the book <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Skinny-Quilts-Table-Runners-Designers/dp/1564777308">Skinny Quilts & Table Runners from today’s top designers by Eleanor Levie in 2008</a>. I had it pieced in a just a few night <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YuW_bEnZmnk/UJ25UK4iU8I/AAAAAAAAEW8/uUQs_-LGyxk/s1600-h/IMG_1059%25255B2%25255D.jpg"><font color="#222222" size="4" face="IowanOldSt BT"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-YuW_bEnZmnk/UJ25UK4iU8I/AAAAAAAAEXA/1KTKmANLE0U/s1600-h/IMG_1059%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 10px 0px 0px 10px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_1059" border="0" alt="IMG_1059" align="right" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-KJCaSQtym1I/UJ25Z5XpDgI/AAAAAAAAEWg/MfKvHUmZIWw/IMG_1059_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="299" height="228"></a></font></a>time sessions and quilted it in a just about an hour. It is taking me longer to hand sew the binding on than anything else, but I love the process of doing that last finishing touch. This will go on my buffet that recently got refinished.</font><font size="4" face="IowanOldSt BT"> </font><font size="4" face="IowanOldSt BT"> The sunflower runner will be for fall and next I will work up something to take it through Christmas. Runners are a nice size project to work on and actually finish up. I love doll blankets for the same reason and follow Kathy Tracy’s Small Quilts Yahoo group. That is a very active group and lots of info and blocks are shared there. They do exchanges and Kathy posts free patterns on a monthly basis. It is a great place to learn and develop</font><font size="4" face="IowanOldSt BT"> friendships. </font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#800000" size="6" face="Goudy Old Style"><em>And this is why I love to quilt!</em></font></p> <p align="center"><em><font color="#808000" size="7" face="Harrington">Ferne</font></em></p> fernehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17574438827016571137noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21631914.post-2197076473649373482012-10-06T10:17:00.001-07:002012-10-06T10:17:22.174-07:00A Big Ironing Board<p><a href="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-7KZvbfz1IcI/UHBnUfDNQCI/AAAAAAAAER8/ge6ZxgnN_dc/s1600-h/IMG_1005%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_1005" border="0" alt="IMG_1005" src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/-7KcKW-MGZDo/UHBnWucvQoI/AAAAAAAAESE/-9BnraR4OA0/IMG_1005_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="378" height="288"></a><font size="4" face="Papyrus">I am about ready to start quilting a big quilt and I like to iron the backing and front before I start, but it’s always a challenge with my ironing board. I was <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-4a5fUHHHPJc/UHBnYx3sAfI/AAAAAAAAESM/3gLtA8c0RV8/s1600-h/IMG_1007%25255B3%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_1007" border="0" alt="IMG_1007" align="right" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-AXSQh9jpmY8/UHBnaPAOMPI/AAAAAAAAESU/Tjcd09hDxrw/IMG_1007_thumb%25255B1%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="244" height="184"></a>inspired by several bloggers who had created large ironing surfaces and on my last trip to Home Depot a light went on when I saw an MDF board that measured 2’X4’ for only $10. A while back I bought a small plastic folding table to put behind my sewing table when I am quilting large quilts to give me more sewing space and support the weight of the quilt, this MDF fits on top of the table perfectly. I covered it with insulbrite and a nice piece of fabric I had that matches my sewing machine perfectly. I sewed them together and <a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-pemsk-erd_0/UHBnb3lYHhI/AAAAAAAAESc/xw1UJbPGPoQ/s1600-h/IMG_1008%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 5px 10px 5px 0px; display: inline; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_1008" border="0" alt="IMG_1008" align="left" src="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7suuugqBloI/UHBndLHrSZI/AAAAAAAAESk/O-DAsX6dKN0/IMG_1008_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="313" height="239"></a>pinned the corners to the backside, I might use velcro later so that I can take it off and wash it when I inevitably get something on it. What I love the most is that when I am piecing I can use a small area and still keep my supplies close at hand and then move them when I need more space. Then when I get to the big quilting projects I can pull out my machine and move the whole table behind my table and it serves double duty. I can also fit my fabric storage underneath so everything I need is close at hand. I <a href="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-uOeBB66X72c/UHBnf-ktYPI/AAAAAAAAESs/tdJtLb_62C4/s1600-h/IMG_1010%25255B4%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; display: inline; margin-left: 0px; border-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_1010" border="0" alt="IMG_1010" align="right" src="http://lh5.ggpht.com/-KL9krazz8XQ/UHBnhsESdnI/AAAAAAAAES0/tzFBfT_RtFI/IMG_1010_thumb%25255B2%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="305" height="233"></a>have all this set up in the little area behind my couch in my living room and it is working out quite well. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Papyrus">Recently I acquired an old buffet that needed some refinishing and we got that job done, moved it in the house and I wasted no time filling it up with more of my sewing supplies which meant that I had to go through everything and sort and organize. Now I am feeling really ready for some snow days spend sewing and I think being so organized will really be conducive to finishing up some of the big projects that have been on hold. </font></p> <p><font size="4" face="Papyrus"><a href="http://lh4.ggpht.com/-nIIwR6t0k9k/UHBnkGfHiKI/AAAAAAAAES8/o0xqwYMCyZI/s1600-h/IMG_1012%25255B5%25255D.jpg"><img style="border-bottom: 0px; border-left: 0px; margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; float: none; border-top: 0px; border-right: 0px" title="IMG_1012" border="0" alt="IMG_1012" src="http://lh3.ggpht.com/-ZVOGKZtTr5I/UHBnnQxhCwI/AAAAAAAAETE/o-_8DnNt27c/IMG_1012_thumb%25255B3%25255D.jpg?imgmax=800" width="437" height="336"></a>This is the buffet that lead me to get organized. I bought it about 30 years ago and lost possession of it for several years, but so glad to have it back and looking beautiful. Next I need to make a nice quilted topper to protect the top and wrap it in love. It is now loaded with fabric and quilt projects.</font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#800000" size="5" face="Papyrus">Loving my comfy sewing space…</font></p> <p align="center"><font color="#008000" size="5" face="Papyrus">Ferne </font></p> fernehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17574438827016571137noreply@blogger.com1