KT Quilts

Fabric Tuesday

2012-02-14T14:00:00.001-05:00

It's been awhile since I played along with Fabric Tuesday. I miss it!

I have been admiring these cute x and + blocks popping up all over the Internet. There is supposed to be a great tutorial (I have it marked on Pinterest) but the site wouldn't show on my iPad. Being too lazy to go get my laptop out, I just made up my own dimensions. I am loving the scrappiness of this top!

This binding is leftover from the quilt that hangs near my table. Since this will be a table quilt for that table, the matching bindings will work nicely. No idea why, but I almost always make way too much binding. It turns out great because I end up feeling like I've gotten a free pass when I use it on another project!

I am considering making a new ironing board cover and playing along with Randi. My cover is looking pretty ratty. Between the spray starch, scorch marks, and holes, my Jennifer Paganelli Casey Scroll cover has seen better days. (Insert lip quiver here.) Since my board is not standard, and I am pulling fabric from stash, I am going to have to tweak the dimensions. My current cover is all in one. This time I am going to make the pad separate from the cover. Hopefully that will only mean making a new cover next time instead of the expense of a new pad every time.

Be sure to click on the the Fabric Tuesday button and visit everyone's fun contributions.

Blessings,

KT

Day of Rest

2012-02-06T11:49:00.001-05:00

Yesterday we went to church, then came home and had a Super Bowl Party. After that life got crazy. Now there is sickness in the camp. So I have proclaimed, by executive order, today is a day of rest. In theory that means I should have time to sew. But I think I am getting a bad cold. Cold medicine and quilt blocks don't mix well for me.

:D

I did manage to hit a 75% off quilting fabric sale. I tried to be a good girl. The larger cuts on the left are for summer clothing projects. I always make some girly skirts, and guide a couple 4-H projects. Since I don't stash large pieces, I would have had to buy these anyhow. The smaller stack on the right are the only pieces I allowed myself to stash. Over all I spent $95 less than I would have, the fabrics were about $2.50 a yard! Needless to say, I am feeling pretty pleased with myself.

Hope you all have a wonderful week.

Blessings,

KT

Last Minute Entry

2012-01-31T20:57:00.001-05:00

This is my attempt at free motion quilting for the January FMQ Challenge. Nothing like waiting until the last minute, it had to be completed in January! You can click on the button on my side bar to find out more about the challenge.

Here is a quick shot of the back, you can see all my mistakes better here!

;0)

I have been playing with more scraps. These are test blocks. Think that I may break into special fabric soon! This one is ten inches finished.

This one and the following are 5 inches finished.

(I snitched this photo from Hawthone Thread's Blog, hope they don't mind the free ad.)

Have you seen Pat Bravo's new line. I think that I love every print!

Hope you all are having as much fun sewing as I am.

Blessings,

KT

Scrap Therapy

2012-01-28T21:08:00.001-05:00

The past week has been so tiring. Emotionally I am just spent. Nothing extraordinary, just life...people...unloving attitudes. Probably the same stuff you are all dealing with, because I know it is hard for us all.

So, though I had other things on my list for today, I played instead. Don't misunderstand, I called Dee too. She totally gets it. She is going through it too. Same stuff, second verse same as the first.

Last year my word/goal for the year was joy. I have been contemplating how to sum up what I learned, without sounding too negative. What I learned is truly a positive thing, it just looses much in translation.

I fell so short of clearly understanding joy. There was no mastery whatsoever. For quite some time I have found that very discouraging. I finally pulled up my big girl panties and asked myself what the Lord wanted me to learn from the past year.

The main thing that I forgot, was to rest. I need to rest in Jesus daily. Sometimes that is mentally realizing that I don't have to make it happen. He does. Many times that is physically listening to my body and stopping to rest. No one can have joy while tired and stressed to the limit and still trying to do it all.

I can't fix it all.
I can't know where it all is.
I can't clean it all.
I can't teach it all.
I can't cook it all.
I can't sew it all.
I can't be it all.

He didn't create me with the ability to solve it all. My mind is not created to dwell on it all. I will short circuit. My job is to trust Him, and love Him enough to obey His word.

He can fix it.
He knows.
He cleans.
He teaches.
I don't know if He sews, but He is amazing at knitting!
In Him it all came to be.

I need to rest in that. That is my word for the year. Rest. So if the blog goes quiet at times. You know what I am up to!

On a lighter note, I am totally paying penance for laughing at Dee dumping all her scraps on the floor to sort through them!

Shoulder to shoulder Dee, you and me!

Blessings,

KT

Who Ya Gonna Call?

2012-01-21T17:48:00.001-05:00

STASH BUSTERS!!!!

One yard for grocery sack that is hanging from the post.

Four yards for rice packs.

Three yards for napkins.

Four yards cut for more grocery sacks. Not gonna sew them now, but will sew them between quilting to break up the pace.

Total stash busted this week=TWELVE YARDS!

Hope you are all having a great weekend!

Blessings,

KT

Courthouse Steps

2012-01-17T21:23:00.001-05:00

Today I finished my Court House table runner for the sew along over at i have to say. Thanks Randi for the great motivation to use up some scraps!

At first I was stumped. I needed enough neutrals, and my little pea brain couldn't figure out how to have enough. I just didn't have enough off whites. Then a good online buddy,Leslie, mentioned that she was using gray.

"LIGHT BULB!"

So I mixed my grays and off whites. That is so far from my comfort zone it is scary! I just kept telling myself, it is scrappy. I was so relieved when it actually worked.

For the back, I used strips of the same fabrics. The only exception was the seed packet scrap which is from a fat quarter that was hanging out and lonesome in my stash. I just love how this turned out!

I am linking up with Fabric Tuesday over at Quilt Story. You can visit all the other wonderful projects by using the cute button on the side bar.

Edit: WIPs---Same as last week

Finished---January Sew Along project.

In progress---practice for January FMQ Challenge

I am adding this to WIP be sure to use the button on the side bar to visit all the great WIPs!

Blessings,

KT

Wee Little Finishes

2012-01-13T17:53:00.000-05:00

I have had this beautiful little panel in my to do basket along with all this wonderful fabric for awhile. The panel was designed by Amy and I bought it through her Etsy shop. She knew me well enough to know that I am a purple girl, so she gave me a little heads up. Though she is no longer printing these panels, she has a beautiful array of printed lovelies. I have bought several. All are so wonderful that I want to make something to keep with them. So that is probably why they languish in the selfish pile! Well, at least this one is free!! It came with great instructions for this wonderful quilt. I did swap out one of the blocks for a courthouse steps block, which has a rose fussy cut in the center.

This stacked coins block was part of the pattern, and just to cute to resist.

Did my usual cop-out and used decorative stitches on my machine to quilt.

Special fabrics on the back. The middle strip is a scrap that Amy sent as a thank you for ~~nosy interference~~ a suggestion I gave her. Love it Amy! The lighter fabric is maybe old enough to be considered vintage? My quilty partner in crime gave it to me, along with the purple paisley that I used for the binding. The blue is from a lonely stack that was in an LQS every time I visited. I noticed the neglected fat quarters over and over, liking them better each time. Finally I brought them all home, and now they are nearly gone!

I have discovered that on these little quilts I can make these pockets in the back corners, cut and sand a pinky-sized dowel to fit, and then use a regular picture hanger to hang. Cheap, easy, and it shows nothing to detract from the quilt.

These are bound and ready to go to their new homes. You can tell these aren't mine, they are red. (Remember I am a purple girl.)

Yup, that one is mine!

I really like all the little pieces. I even enjoyed sewing the red. Feels good to slip a few OOP scraps into a gift.

I can only show you the back of mine. Otherwise I would be giving away secrets. Theirs is pretty much the same, only the stripes are going horizontally. I like the horizontal better, but cut one of the pieces wrong. Used it on mine so I wouldn't have to re-cut....hey, it was late!!! More OOP fabric for the tags. Theirs are the same print, but in green.

Oh, and the last thing I finished, apparently, is being thankful for a mild winter. Our temperature is 18 degrees with a wind chill of 7. Topped off with icy roads. I think I'll stay in and sew tonight.

Be sure to visit the other Sew & Tell Friday Finishes by using the super cute button on the side bar. I am linking up with Crazy Mom Quilts Finish it Up Friday as well. Grab a mug of something warm and enjoy!

Blessings,

This and That

2012-01-11T14:06:00.000-05:00

Being the start of the new year, I wanted to establish some quilting goals to keep me on track. My most important goal is to provide each of my immediate family with their own quilt. Secondly, I really want to improve my free motion quilting skills. Lastly, I want to have fun sewing, and not be hurried to get things off my plate! Lately I have wanted to clear my small projects bin. I started working on it over the holidays. Just because I am a little burnt out on large quilts anyway right now.

Just need to finish up this mug rug to match my sewing machine cover. I have plenty of rainbow strips left over from making coasters. So I made a couple extra.

I am giving one to a good friend locally, and the other one will fly off to parts undisclosed to an on-line friend. That is all I can say, other than you can be sure they aren't for me...look at all that red!

1. My small projects bin isn't so full...

Especially since I am about to finish up my "Quilting Process Mini". Check back Friday for a reveal and a giveaway.

2. Grandma's Peacock---this is to be finished January for sure! Still find the beautiful FMQ pattern that Dee drew for me intimidating. I will do it though!

3. Freshcut Quilt---loosing steam since there is no way for me to quilt it at home. We are house hunting, so spending the cash to have it quilted is not acceptable right now either.

(My yellows are not photographing well today. This is a soft buttery yellow!)

4. Hunky Dory Double Hourglass quilt---no new piecing.

5. Masculine Bento---not even started.

6. FMQ Challenge---fabrics selected. I think that I am going to make my blocks into a quilt as you go quilt at the end of the year. This year's quilty goal is to build some FMQ muscles!!

7. Strawberry Quilt---not even started.

8. Finish Orange Pinwheel Top.

9. Finish Sew Bee It Top.

I am going to add this to Works in Progress Wednesday. Be sure to Use the button on the side baar to check out the other goodies linking up there.

Hopefully I can get these all done this year!

Blessings,

Fast Finish

2012-01-06T10:54:00.001-05:00

See the Paducah on the front? I am wanting to go back!

Let me just begin by saying...I love Pinterest! I found this iPad case tutorial on Pinterest. Just to prove that Pinning isn't a total waist of time. I made one. Well, I guess I wanted a case too. Now I am also following the blog this came from, The Polkadot Chair. She has great stuff going on over there.

Anyhow, Treasure and I got an iPad for Christmas. I wanted fabric love for it. Treasure didn't want to be seen carrying around a floral, quilty, girly, mess. Go figure! Keep in mind girls, if I made the worlds girly-est quilt for our bed he would be fine with it. He would tell you he married a girl, and he expects her to be one! (I really love this man!) So when he drew the line at a floral case, it was really easy to respect.

The dimensions for the case were great. There is just enough room that the iPad fits even with the Targus folio that we have for it. Since we keep it in a sturdy folio, I was less concerned about protection. Instead of the materials called for, I used scraps that I had on hand. Fusible batting ironed to the outer pieces, and regular batting basted to the minki liner.

I also swapped out the ribbon tie for something a little more...manly. Don't tell Treasure that is a girls hairband! The button was Grandma's.

I just love the black minki lining. The Main fabric is Hometown by Sweetwater for moda. Perfect because we love to travel, and quite manly. The secondary fabric is basicgrey curio for moda, with just a nod to the girl using the iPad too.

The back is a bit of a mess up. Once I got the back together (after ripping the zipper out at least once) I realized that the words were going to be upside down. I just flipped the piece. Only problem, now the zipper opens from the bottom up. I am pretending not to notice because upside down words would have bothered me more, and I was not sewing that zipper AGAIN.

After finishing two big quilts in time for Christmas (I neglected to get a picture of my Mother-in Love's finished quilt), I was needing some small projects. This fit the bill nicely. I will have another to share as soon as I have time to hand sew the binding. I will also have a giveaway coming up soon. I think it will be a good one.

Be sure to use the button on the side bar to visit all the other finishes at Amy's. I am also going to link up with crazy mom quilts for the first time. Love those finishes.

Blessings,

Progress

2011-12-15T22:58:00.001-05:00

Work In Progress---Christmas edition

2011-12-14T14:59:00.001-05:00

Making progress on Mother-in-Love's quilt. Top is finished, back is pieced and ready. This will be the first time to use flannel. I wanted it to be warm. Did you know that even if you sweep before working with navy flannel, it really doesn't matter. Every piece of lint within a mile comes for a nice long visit.

This will also be my first time working with wool batting. I will let you know how that goes. Just wanted it to be warm, super warm!!

This is what polyester batting looks like after 10+ years. Our picnic quilt was made some time ago, before I would have thought to call myself a quilter. This was the last time I ever used poly batting. Thought it would be good to share the lesson!! ;0)

After years of heavy use, it is just done. I was trying to glean some of the denim for the next picnic quilt. I don't know what I was thinking. These were worn out jeans that got ten more years of heavy use out of them. Not much worth using again!!

The little pile of denim scraps are all that was worth keeping of the original quilt. The drooly pile are scraps that I am going to cut up and use. Peeking out is the little container started blocks.

This is the little stack of blocks that are already done. I had a pair of jeans bite the dust a couple of weeks ago. These fabrics are left-over charm squares from other projects.

So WIP update:

1. Treasure's Quilt---FINISHED!!

2. Mother-in-Love's Quilt---Much progress.

3. Peacock quilt---Haven't touched it.

4. Picnic Quilt---Started, and collecting more denim.

Be sure to visit all the other WIPs by using the nifty button on my side bar.

Christmas Blessings,

Sew & Tell...( and soft squeals of delight)

2011-12-01T23:50:00.001-05:00

If you want to see more of my finished quilt you will have to go to Amy's where I am the guest poster. Hence, the squeals of delight (but soft ones 'cause my throat is still sore)!

She has got a great giveaway going, so pop on over and link along!

Blessings,

Alive and Still Stitching

2011-11-26T22:59:00.001-05:00

I will have some finishes to share soon. Treasure needs to go back to work for one of them to be photographed. ;0)

Speaking of which, my camera is suffering from "zoom error". I thought I would be able to spare you the terrible iPod pictures, but alas, we will suffer together.

Hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I am having a too-much-fun rebound cold! One more excuse to sit on the recliner and bind this quilt.

Christmas shopping almost done. Mother-in-love's Christmas quilt...not so much.

Blessings,

KT

Works in Progress

2011-11-16T13:13:00.000-05:00

Got my computer back last night, so I polished off the real camera and grabbed some pictures of Treasure's quilt. I used my walking foot to go around the corner squares. Now I am on to the loopy FMQ. I really goes so much faster than trying to turn all those corners!

(Gratuitous under the sewing machine shot)

I am abandoning my selfish WIP list for the time being. I need to get much done for Christmas. Hopefully I can get Treasure's Quilt finished by this weekend.

Then I will have to get back to this simple quilt for my Mother-in-Love for Christmas. She doesn't use a computer EVER so I finally have a Christmas present that I can share! I have flannel for the back, and the wool batting is on the way. Hope it will keep her cozy.

Be sure to visit all the other WIP participants by using the button on the side bar!

Blessings,

Pinned!

2011-11-06T21:39:00.001-05:00

Just finished basting Treasure's quilt. Hoping to start the "freeing" process. Is it weird that I feel like I am unchaining the quilt as I can take out the pins?

Hopefully I will get my computer back soon. Then I can quit torturing you with horrible iPod pictures!!!

Blessings,

KT

Quilt Back Finish

2011-10-28T01:11:00.001-04:00

Here is a sneaky peek at the back I finished for Treasure's quilt.

Here is the picture of the top that I finished back in August. I had hoped to give him the finished quilt for his birthday....this past Sunday.

Unfortunately, I haven't been able to decide how to quilt it. It better tell me soon how it wants to be! I am determined to get this finished. The top is about 71"x104" so I guess I'll be moving some furniture to get this baby basted!

Also made this cute pink cowl for my cold self. My scarf was looking pretty worn, and I was in need of a quick fix. The scarf on the right is made with Merino wool scraps from scarves I made as gifts. This will be a Christmas gift for Treasure after I get some more chocolate brown to finish it off.

I also worked on another Christmas gift, but it must be hush, hush. (She is a reader.)

Be sure to use the Sew &Tell button to visit all the other Friday Finishes!!

Blessings,

KT

Coasting to a Finish

2011-10-18T13:12:00.001-04:00

Finished up moments ago. Will mail partners coasters for swap tomorrow. The others are saved for little Christmas gifts.

Been battling migraine headaches, so sewing has been almost non-existent, but at least these will be on time!

Blessings,

KT

Friday Coaster Finish

2011-10-13T22:28:00.002-04:00

Well, almost. Going to be gone most of Friday, so I wanted to get this up early. I will try to update, but just as sure as I promise, the day will be nuts-o!

All but the purple coasters are finished. My hope is to do them Friday evening. Just stitch & flip, quilting & closing left. Then I will have four cute sets of six rainbow coasters. My plan was that people only had to remember their color to know which glass or cup was theirs!

One set is for a secret Potholders Pass Partner, the other three sets will be tucked away for various Christmas gifts.

Above is what is left on my cutting table. The purple bin is full of ROY G. BIV strips that should join nicely with some scrap gray and sewing themed scraps for some mug rug love. Yup, I am thinking Christmas goodies! And just so you know I am honest, I was going to make myself a set of rainbow coasters. That is what the blocks on the right are. At the last minute I chose to save them back for a wall hanging.

The little white milk glass cradle is holding some small scraps for a ticker tape quilt. Maybe also a Christmas gift!

Am I the only one that loves seeing the colors in my little trash bin? Having a hard time throwing such sun-shiny goodness away!

Also, many appologies for the terrible pictures. (Not that mine are ever that great anyhow!) But my computer is still in rehab. Ipod blogging...

I will link this to Sew & Tell in the morning. Be sure to visit all the other lovely finishes by using the updated button on the side bar. Amylouwho has had some trouble with her domain. Everyone please be sure to update her links to keep up with the fabulousness on her blog.

Blessings,

KT

Canning Day

2011-10-10T15:45:00.002-04:00

3 pints apple butter, 4 half pints lemon curd, and 9 pints barbecue.

Topping it off with a little housework and homemade pizza for supper.

Maybe I will even get to these this evening!

Blessings,

KT

Sew & Tell Friday: Lazy Beach Bum Edition

2011-09-23T09:40:00.001-04:00

Okay, please bear with me. I am a lazy beach bum trying to figure out a blogging ap on my ipod!

In the car on the way, I managed to finish February's Birdie Stitches block.

I even finished March. The dorky four-leaf clover are not part of the original design. I just couldn't leave well enough alone!

This morning, while treasure is at the pier fishing, I have managed to prep a couple of blocks for the trip home.

Still don't want to think how far behind I am!

Not yet finished with this!

Or this!

Orange Beach Blessings,

KT

Yielding

2011-09-14T00:33:00.000-04:00

I am not sure whether I am yielding to the fact that I am not going to have the Amy Butler Field Bag done for my trip, or if I am yielding to the temptation of a quick finish!

Diggin' the fussy cut!

Either way, I will have these cute little Ditty bags to match my Field Bag. The pattern is from Keyla Lou Patterns. I have had the pattern for awhile, and made one other. Love that it is a pdf download! If you have a zipper, fabric, and interfacing, you can get right to it!

Yup, my raindrops are upside down! Rats! Now you know I am not perfect!

I had made this, the medium size, before. The focus fabrics are Erin McMorris, Summersault.

Here is the big one, I think that it will be plenty big for my little dab of makeup. (I wear only a dab, not because I am already gorgeous, but because I want to look like I at least tried!)

Purposely had three different zippers.

Each also has a different lining. Using up those scraps! This one will hold all those fiddly little things that get lost so easily. I will say the small one was the hardest to make, but not terribly so.

This blue was some Bella Solid that I won...free is soooooo nice.

This is the large one again, can you get any better than purple AND Sandi Henderson?

In case you were wondering, I finished them up by carrying them with me to "hurry to wait" places Tuesday. They traveled in this lap-sized round, lined basket.

My hand quilting kit.

On trips, while Treasure drives, I like to keep busy. Since our car is a huge many van, I have learned the hard way that dropping certain items---say your black leather thimble---on the black rubberized floor, brings your sewing to an early end. Hopefully this basket is big enough to prevent such klutziness.

I threw my Birdie Stitches block in a plastic bag to keep it dry. Wouldn't do to erase those marks too soon! Yes, I realize that I am still working on the February block. It's alright though because you already found out I am not perfect!

This little case, from a swap, holds my floss for the blocks.

Field Bag Update: All 55 pieces cut, fused, and fleeced. Now to mark them (Step 4). The only problem? My marking supplies are all the colors of the bag. *sigh*

There has been no progress on any other WIP.

Be sure to use the WIP button on my sidebar. I will be linking up when it is posted in the morning.

Blessings,

Bird Litter

2011-09-13T23:33:00.000-04:00

Didn't notice the brand of this stuff until I got it home. :0)

I have no bird, so why would I need litter?

It is all because of this pincushion I made several years ago. It has had it in for me from the beginning. I have wanted to love it, but love shouldn't hurt. Everytime I reached for it, it drew blood. The pins reach all the way through. After pinning and cutting out 55 pieces from my Amy Butler Field Bag pattern, I had enough!!

Let me introduce you to my bigger, ~~badder~~, better pincushion. There will be no more poking of fingers in this house! I used an orphan bitty block that was too small, and some scraps, and well, bird litter. Now don't freak out on me. It is just crushed walnut shells!

A little Paganelli on the underside, because, well, I know it's there.

What do you think? I love it.

My next post will be an update on that bag.

Linking up with Fabric Tuesday, use the button on the sidebar to check out the other contributions!

Blessings,

(sounds like: KAYTEE)

;0)

Just a Start

2011-09-03T12:31:00.000-04:00

Have a feeling that the cutting out part takes the longest.

Washed and ready to iron and cut. Exterior fabrics were a great deal. Interior fabrics are stash.

Thought that I would cut out what I could while waiting on a good deal on interfacing. I need a ton!

Happy Saturday! (We are off to go roller skating!)

Blessings,

WIP

2011-08-31T16:58:00.000-04:00

1. Sewing Machine Cover.

2. ~~Peasant Blouse!~~ (Used this tutorial.)

Just wanted to show you a little detail, added the hem band with a little decorative stitching to make me smile. Also added pockets, one for the cell phone, and one for the ipod! :0)

3. Freshcut blocks, three more rows to square up and piece into rows.

(Rows A-F done!)

4. Baby Quilt--just have to list it on hubby's work classifieds. Suggestions on price?!

5. Neptune Kaleidoscope--needs a back, quilting and binding.

6. Grandma's Peacock--needs me to get some nerve and FMQ it!

7. Mother-In-Love's Quilt. (~~Not enough to show you~~ Sorry no picture yet!)

I have been grateful for WIP Wednesdays to keep my focus. If you want inspirational motivation, just click on the WIP button on the sidebar for a fun little cyber show and tell!

Back to laundry, and groceries tonight!

Blessings,

A Quilt for Joy

2011-08-30T08:31:00.000-04:00

Nope, haven't done anything about the ugly green desk. Too busy sewing!! ;0)

I have been needing a dust cover for my sewing machine, Joy. In fact, I have even had this fabric folded in a cute little pile, for months. All of the sudden, last Friday was the day! I worked on it between housework, and playing with friends and family over the weekend. Last night I finished its cute little skirt.

The rainbow strips were leftover scraps from another project, and they were just too sweet not to stay together. When I realized how well they went with the main print, I just knew. I just love the sewing machines on this Alexander Henry print. Lately Sandi Henderson's Henna Garden prints have been finding their way into almost everything I do for myself. Love them!

Another fussy cut, but why not?

This is the back. Because I pieced the front, top, and back as one piece, those sweet sewing machines are standing on their heads! This is the only thing that I would have done differently. (Yup, more Henna Garden!)

Thought a little Michael Miller Dandy Damask was too fun not to add. The pleated ruffle was added because I made the thing too short. Glad it happened, because Heather Bailey's Tiled Primrose was perfect to pull out those bits of blue in the main fabric and make them pop.

Over all, I am thrilled Joy's new quilt! It really neatens up the space when I am not sewing. And it is so colorful and happy!

Linking up with Fabric Tuesday. Use the cute button over on the sidebar to visit all the other fun projects being shared!

Blessings,

Table Runner, Quilt, and a Blouse...Oh My!

2011-08-24T16:32:00.000-04:00

First off, let me explain about the wacky array of pictures you are about to ~~be subjected too~~ witness. I got up nice and early to take them, when it was too dark this morning. Then I took some of them this afternoon, in the yard, when it was too light! Well, I came inside and snapped a few more and decided beggars can't be choosers.

When I bought this fabric, I really wanted it to be something for my table. I guess it is the cherries. I just love how the soft blue and watermelon-pink play together.

This is the center block, which has an extra border to set it off.

I enjoyed tinkering with my decorative stitches and different thread colors. Each of the end blocks is bordered with this floral vine that is probably my favorite decorative stitch.

I tried hard to capture the little pearly blue polka dots on the binding.

No amount of lighting changes could capture the soft washed out blue batik backing fabric. Since I was keeping this piece, it had to have a scrappy back, even though I had enough batik fabric...weird huh?

I love how the decorative stitching fell on the back!

Really like the thread color change on the back too!

The original panel for the cherry print had 15 blocks. Since I only used 3 for my table runner, I put the others to good use. This sweet baby quilt maybe the first quilt I sell.

Used that floral vine, but kept to only pink thread.

I used a machine feather stitch on the inner block. Love those bunnies too!!

The sashing and the backing are white one white, and I love how it makes the pink quilting thread look!

I also have this Nicey Jane blouse that I am trying to finish up. The scraps are already cut into charm squares though. (Does that make another WIP?)

W.I.P.s:

1. Nicey Jane Blouse.

2. Treasure's Neptune Kaleidoscope Quilt.

3. Grandma's Peacock.

Be sure to visit the other W.I.P. linkers by using the cute button on the side bar.

Blessings,

Fall Cleanout in Progress

2011-08-12T07:47:00.000-04:00

I have completely cleaned out two and a half rooms in my house. Furniture has been moved in an effort to ~~trick us into thinking we have~~ give us more space. So the sewing room has been moved to the dining room. I know you could tell, it still looks...so dining room-ish. Have to leave it that way. If we ever get to the point we can list our home, sewing stuff will have to move to storage, and this will magically become the dining room again.

In a time that now measures years ago, Dee and I purchased fabric alike to see how we use it differently. She has had hers done forever. Mine has sat neglected for years. Until now. I now have (almost) a beautiful table runner. I have cut off the excess since the photo.

Played with the decorative stitches on my machine. The pink is a lovely watermelon color. Perfect for aqua. Most of the fabrics were designed by Holly Holderman for Lakehouse Dry Goods...from years ago.

Added some scraps to the back, just because I love them.

The binding fabric has wonderful pearlized polka dots. Hopefully I can make this binding this evening. Under it is a sneak peak of my first quilt for selling.

Oh, and I bought a scrap bag from Sandi Henderson's website Portabella Pixie. I figured I love all her fabric, so I couldn't go wrong.

Boy was that an understatement!

For Real!! Trying really hard not to go buy another one!! (What harm would one more WIP be?)

Blessings,

Top Finished!

2011-08-05T14:50:00.000-04:00

Just popping in to share that I have finished Treasure's top.

This picture is the closest to true colors. The fabric is Neptune, by Tula Pink. It makes me think of all the wonderful vacations in Gulf Shores Alabama. That man of mine is so much fun!

Using this picture, even though it is washed out, because it gives some size perspective. This top measures about 72" x 96". Long enough for no toes to poke out when his shoulders were covered. Going to work on something else until I dream up a design to piece up the back. I have three extra blocks, and some scraps to make use of!!

Blessings,

Anina is having a giveaway!!

2011-08-03T10:44:00.000-04:00

GO!

Blessings,

KT

Avoiding Bias....

2011-07-29T00:46:00.000-04:00

Last Sunday I avoided bias by going antiquing with Dee and her family. We both loved this chair.

Saw some great quilts.

Dee held this one up for a picture.

By Monday I was avoiding bias by working on my Itty Bitty Project. By the time I finished the block on the bottom left (Flower Garden) bias was beginning to look fun!

Front

Tuesday, I avoided bias by going to King's Island. Riding roller coasters in 100 degree heat is bound to take your mind off bias!! While there, I noticed how handy drawstring backpacks are. But, being hot, I was not longing for the synthetic variety.

back

Wednesday, I avoided bias by using a charm pack that I won from my LQS to make this super-cute, non-sysynthetic, drawstring backpack.

inside

I used solids that I won earlier this year. Since there were no notions used, this bag was free!!!
I think that the charm pack was Just Wing it by Mo Mo.

Thursday, I avoided bias by tidying up the sewing corner. This great basket organizer was a wonderful gift from a quilty friend. Thanks Shannon!!

Picked this up at Marshall's for some scrap management.

I really like that I can slide the baskets out.

I love that it slides out of the way under my ironing board.

So finally, I needed to face the bias. I think that I will likely use a gallon of starch on this quilt.

Four rows down, four rows to go. I am determined to finish this soon, bias and all!!

Blessings,

Friday Finish...

2011-07-22T15:52:00.001-04:00

Not yet finished making my blocks. Loving the pattern, hating the bias.

As I finish the block sets, I am squaring up and putting the rows together. Loving how they look! Starting to get sick of working on them.

So, for a bit of distraction, I pulled these back out. Blast from the past! These just need to be squared and put together into a top. They are even already marked with their order. I got discouraged when I realized that a 96" by 108" quilt was never going to fit under my machine. I think that I am going to try to find wool batting and send it off to the long arm quilter. This will be our winter quilt for our bed.

Three rows finished! Kinda breaking up the Kaleidoscope Monopoly of my sewing time!

Squares cut for an Itty Bitty block.

Finished fabric shopping with my Super Sister Chick Dee (well, for today anyway)! ;0)

Bought the backing for Treasure's Neptune Quilt.

These lovelies also found their way into my fabric shopping bag. (Still loving it Amy!) The top two fabrics are for my Paganelli Pile, the bottom two are for stash, and the little fat eighths are for my scrappy double hourglass quilt.

Okay, so nothing really finished, but they will be and I am enjoying every minute of it!!

Blessings,

Quilty Admissions

2011-07-13T11:52:00.000-04:00

Virginia Star Itty Bitty

Okay, so after neatly avoiding (though I LOVE it) the Farmer's Wife craze, I have fallen victim to another quilt a long! I know, you are all shocked. Finished this one last night.

Greek Cross Itty Bitty

Completed this one this morning. I really felt called to add some purple to this project. (Again, I know you are all shocked!) ;0)

Here they are playing so nicely together. I hadn't expected to even do this many so soon, but I find I need a little stress relief from...

BIAS!!!!!!!!! I am loving the look, but apparently my scant 1/4 inch isn't scant enough, or I have stretched them somehow. I am getting bulls eye warping. Only thing I know to do at this point is starch the*&@! out of them. I still love the pattern, and adore the fabric, but I am disappointed in the outcome. I will press on! -Pun intended!- One day I will even do this pattern again and get it right!!!!! (Why did the "Eye of the Tiger" just start playing in my head?)

Oh, and one last admission. I am horrible at random. Can't do it...something about control. So, I have a whole schematic drawn up with a complex organizational pattern to make it look....random. Dee would affirm that I am a little neurotic.

Other WIPs (aka "The Doo-doo List):

1. Binding on April Showers May Flowers---still.

2. Catch up Birdie Stitches Blocks---still on February.

3. Quilt Grandma's Peacock---still intimidated to work on a precious antique.

4. Make a grocery bag pattern.

Well, break is over. I will be working on these among household chores today!!

Be sure to use the handy WIP button to visit the other lovely WIP's to encourage you to ~~start~~ finish some of your own!

Blessings!

This, That, and the Other

2011-07-09T23:52:00.000-04:00

Over the holiday, my family went with Dee's family to an antique mall before going to watch fireworks. I saw this quilt, and had never seen the stars in the circle like that. This may be on my bucket list! Anyone know what the pattern is called?

The poor quilt was so loved and tattered that it is no longer useful, so I didn't bring it home.

I did bring this home though! She is a 5 quart! I only paid $12.50. Now I am finally able to make double batches of our favorite meals. This way I am off cooking duty through the weekend!!! Great use of the money if you ask me!! She is holding Chicken Teriyaki that was a recipe posted on a blog...so long ago that I forgot where. It is one of our very favorite meals.

Spotted all these aprons yesterday at Marshall's. They were around $13.00, great if you need an apron, not so great if you just want to pillage the designer fabrics!!

As I dug through the racks, I just saw more and more.

Can you believe it?

Everywhere I look, I see the Farmers Wife Quilt A Long. I long to join, but really don't have the time, or need the guilt...

I plan on borrowing the book from the library to read all the fun stuff. I just have so many patterns already that I should get more use out of. But oh, those small blocks are cute!! So I made a list of 12" blocks that I have access to, yup 47!!! Told you I shouldn't buy another book! So my plan is to reduce them by 50%, as well as collect some more (without buying more patterns). This is going to be a scrap project, and it may not be finished for many years.

The first block that I have done was from an ipod app!! The app is called Block Fab. You should check it out if you have an ipod, iphone, or ipad. It took all the guess work out of reducing a block from its library.

Of course, I still had to make the block!!

It gave me a little break from this! Now I am on to adding the background to these!!

Boy am I loving this quilt!!

Blessings,

Busy Summer

2011-07-06T18:45:00.000-04:00

Been spending some time assisting a Lovely with her 4-H project.

I teach by doing, which is touchy when you are supposed to let them do it all. So I have worked a step ahead of her, and now have a couple of skirts for a couple of Lovely Littles!

We have had fun, and frustration. The pattern was The Girly Skirt by Pink Fig Patterns. Worked up easily, and is sooooooo cute. Especially in Lecien!

Hoping to get to piecing my Neptune Kaleidoscope Quilt after finishing the waistbands in the skirts. It has been wonderful teaching with my sewing machine, but it will be awesome to have my machine back to myself too!!

Other WIPs:

Binding for April Showers, May Flowers Quilt

Quilting Grandma's Peacock Quilt

Making Grocery Bag Pattern

Starting Secret Project!

Visit other WIP by clicking on the WIP button on my side bar!

Blessings,

Oh how I've missed you!!

2011-06-26T09:05:00.001-04:00

Life had gotten so busy, that I ended up tired out with a horrible respiratory infection. Had I been the only one to get it, that would have been one thing. But alas, every one in the family got it!!! Needless to say, computer time is been at a minimum.

Here and there I have managed to sew! ;0) These are more of this great pattern.

Finally finished one of my pinwheel party tops. I refuse to take the button off my side bar until both quilts are done. You girls hold me accountable now!

The Jennifer Paganelli blocks...

and the Henna Garden blocks...

are my favorite!!! I know, you're shocked!!

I bought the background at Connecting Threads, so when I wanted an orange solid for the back that is where I went. Perfect match, and the quality is great. The price was made this a home run!! I just don't feel like quilting it now, so after I finish the back, it will wait patiently until fall.

While shopping for the backing, I couldn't resist these little life saver prints. They just happened to want to play with another bargain fabric (the squares) from my stash. The solids are some Moda Bella that I won a while back. These are all saying Irish Chain to me right now. We will see.

Did join a quilt a long. Another button on the side bar...sigh. But I love the pattern and had been keeping this little stack back for a quilt for Treasure. I think that the Neptune is lovely, and will remind us of our family vacations to Gulf Shores Alabama.

Had some difficulty with static cling making the template stick to my ruler. Since I have a ton of triangles to cut, I didn't want to piddle with it, so a touch of spray basting to the template fixed that up in a jiffy. Not too much, or you will spend your time peeling fabric from the template!!

Using Kona Herb for the background. Liked what I saw with people using Kona Stone, but I liked how the Herb looked with the fabrics too. Plus it is the color of a stormy sea (and Treasure's eyes), bonus!

Now I am feeling nervous at the risk! These are the selvedges and the scraps that will become the back, and may be something else too!

So now we are caught up!!

Blessings,

Late, but Thrifty Fabric Tuesday

2011-06-07T22:38:00.000-04:00

Those who regularly put up with my weird ramblings may recall the doo-doo list I had when my sewing machine decided to take an extended vacation. Well I am trying my best to stick to it even though this is calling to my Neptune stash.

So, this quilt is finaly finished and bound. Made entirely from crib sheets and recieving blankets, the batting is an old cotton thermal blanket. The only thing that I bought was a yard of the blue fabric for binding. Only used less than half a yard. Total cost would come to about $5.00.!! Yeah!!!

Back.

Used this quilt as a chance to practice FMQ in a meandering pattern. Fun!!

This quilt is already broken in, even though I can't was it up. (Dryer is now on vacation!)

Since the dryer is in a coma, and the laundromat cost about $55.00 a couple weeks ago, there was need to shorten some play jeans. Since I noticed that our denim picnic quilt is starting to fall apart I decided to prepare the denim as I come across it for a new picnic blanket. Cut it into charm squares.

Used odd charms that I had laying around. This winter I plan on scavenging the denim from the old quilt to make some more. This is just the beginning! No cost here, I already had this stuff laying around.

This is my answer to disappearing coasters. All this fabric was scrap from wall hangings and such for the same room. Binding was leftover as well. The back was stash, and I pieced the batting from scrap. Total cost...

Sick of all the dark ipod photos? Sorry!

Be sure to visit all the other Fabric Tuesday entries by using the cute button on my sidebar. Now I am going to get something hot to drink, soak my binding finger, and do the same!

Blessings,

Wordless Wednesday...(almost)

2011-06-01T16:09:00.001-04:00

Fabric citing!! The shop owner will ship! Leave a comment with your email attached, and I will give you the number to call!!

Joy has returned!!!

2011-05-31T12:54:00.000-04:00

Most recently she is doing some FMQ on this free quilt. The fabrics are from sheets and receiving blankets belonging to a Lovely Little too big for his crib. The batting is an old cotton thermal blanket past its prime. Okay, so the binding I bought making the quilt cost a whole $9.50 or there abouts! I am about 3/4 of the way through quilting. Then I will add it to the needing bound stack!

This is the scrappy little table quilty that Joy started to cough on. Quilting is finished.

Binding is ready to be sewn on.

Here is a little bit of fun. These are a pattern I am working on. (Paganelli and Purple bliss...sigh) Really just deciding if the world needs another grocery sack pattern. What do you think?

A parting shot just to give some size perspective.

Adding this to the little linky party over at Quilt Story. You can visit all the other lovely finishes by using the Fabric Tuesday button on the side bar!

Blessings,

The Story Behind the Quilt

2011-05-20T11:49:00.001-04:00

This quilt started out because the blue and the green Katie Jump Rope liked each other so much. But then I started an orange quilt, and had these wonderful orange scraps. (By the way, the orange quilt still isn't finished. Can I get an "Amen"!) I had ordered some Sandi Henderson Meadowsweet because... And then on day, it all came together in my mind.

When I looked at this fabric together while quilting my mind kept wandering back to Grandmas and Grandpas. I grew up with all of them with me until I was in sixth grade. I have great memories. When may maternal grandparents went to Florida, they brought me back Orange Blossom Perfume. I can still smell it! When my paternal grandparents moved to Florida, I got a small bottle every time I visited them.

So this quilt is "Orange Blossom Perfume" in loving memory of the sweet times I had with all my grandparents.

Quilted with a feather stitch, I love how the soft orange thread looks on the blue KJR!

Since the original pictures were a bit washed out from the bright light and the snow, I took a couple to day.

It has been one of the very few non-rainy days since the snow melted!

I just can't tell you how soft KJR is.

Here is its summer resting place. It is ready for a chilly moment, or maybe just there if I need to remember Grandma's hugs.

Be sure to visit the Blogger's Quilt Festival!

Blessings,

Just keeping busy.

2011-05-13T19:42:00.002-04:00

I have been cutting. This fabric is going to be a quilt for my Mother-in-Law for Christmas.

Look closely at my sewing desk. Something is missing. Joy. Apparently I wore her out and she will be moving on to week three of her vacation as of tomorrow. I miss the feel of fabric in my hands. So I have been finding ways to accoplish SOMETHING in my little sewing area.

So, I also organized the unfinished projects. Most of these will go on to other homes, so finishing them will get rid of some visual noise.

Secret Table quilt. Just needs the binding.

Quilt for my end table to protect it from glass rings. My family, apparently, is morally opposed to coasters.

This is what I was practicing FMQ on when Joy started skipping up to four stitches at a time.

Grocery/Tote bags using my own way of putting them together. (Been toying with the idea of my own pattern.) Joy continued to be able to piece, only coughing on batting, so these are half done.

Then Joy's pedal died. So this wall quilt still needs hanging loops and binding.

This is what I was practicing FMQ to warm up to. Dee drew the greatest design for me, so my skills need to live up to the importance of the piece. (The embroidery was my grandma,s.)

Need to make two purses. One for my Sister-In-Law (for Mother's Day...sigh) and one for a friend's birthday (March 15th...double sigh).

Oh, and since there have been several days in the eighties already, I should be getting these made into summer jammies.

Oh, and this is still in pins. If I could just get these things done, my sewing area would be much neater. Assuming, of course, that I don't think up more projects....oooopps!!!! Too late!!! ;0)

Blessings,

Wordless Wednesday

2011-05-04T12:10:00.001-04:00

Sew & Tell: Why my sewing machine deserves a week at the spa

2011-04-29T09:24:00.000-04:00

Finished these bags for my Potholder Pass 7 partner. Well, almost anyway. My machine got very sick. These are finished, but there was more I had planned to send her. And I will, in a couple weeks when Joy gets back from the spa.

Made this cute Ditty bag to go with it. The pattern lining up was a happy accident. I am not that good!

I struggled to find a clean area of my house when I took the picture. Sometimes that is just the way it is! At least the laundry was clean! Both bag patterns were purchased from Keyka Lou, and were wonderfully written, not to mention nicely priced. She has more in her shop that I long for!!

Robert Kaufman Challenge complete except binding. With Joy on vacation, it is just is going to have to wait.

Decided to leave some of the Dresdens off, it was just too much. I call it "April Showers, May Flowers". We were given the word Spring. This says spring to me!

I used variegated thread to machine applique the flowers down. Yellow thread for the centers. With the quilting I went back to the variegated thread, and pretended to be rain. I left a few gaps to hand quilt, just because I am a glutton for punishment. (Many layers!)

This is the binding I plan on using. It has that watery feel to it!

Here is the back. It is okay if you like it better, I just might too! I haven't decided for sure, but this may be a playroom wall hanging when the Lord drops a bigger house out of the sky!

This is some secrety-sewing. I believe the pattern is called Kings Crown. The fabric is Martinique.

The back, and no, I am not tellin'!

Linking up with Sew & Tell, please use the button on the sidebar, and visit all the other finishes. You won't regret it!

Purple Peep Eater

2011-04-28T09:11:00.001-04:00

Many of you know that I love purple. What you probably don't know is that I love Peeps. My favorite, of course, are the purple ones. Since I prefer them stale (I know weird) you could say that I am passionate about my purple Peeps.

What I am not is a purple Peep creep. I don't think that purple Peeps are the only REAL candy. (Chocolate anyone?) I don't think that everyone should HAVE to like them. I realize that purple only adds to my experience, but not to the sweetness of the Peep. I will eat the blue Bunnies in a pinch! ;0)

I can, and do, love those who hate the Peep. If you can't stand purple I can still love you. (Some of my favorite people love red, I just don't get it, but I love them!)

If everyone were like me, the world would be flat and let's face it, very scary indeed. There would be nothing unique, nothing to spark my interest, nothing to make me grow.

No Joy!

Insert shudders.

"But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!"

Galatians 5:22, 23

This year I have been focusing on "Joy", mostly because mine was a bit tarnished. I cannot fail to produce the other fruit though. If I do, I will never have joy.

What that means in my virtual world is this. I like whatever it is you do. Feel free to borrow what you like, but I don't ever expect you to be me. I would rather delete this blog than to discourage you (or make you that crazy!). I want you to have joy and a purple Peep, but only if you want them.

Blessings,

DS fabric

2011-04-21T06:59:00.001-04:00

Click on the picture!! Go ahead...decrease my chances!!! ;0)
I promise I will forgive!

Blessings,

KT

Have you ever nearly wet your pants?

2011-04-15T10:29:00.000-04:00

I came close when I got this in the mail yesterday!

In a word, perfection! So precisely pieced, great fabric, and much thoughtfulness. When I saw it in the Flickr group, I could not allow myself to hope for it. Amy and I have been bloggy-email buddies for a little while now, and it has been a pleasure. When she won these fabrics from Jennifer Paganelli, I was at least able to be happy for her (she is such a sweetie)! But who would have thought she would share in such a wonderful way? By the way Amy, you picked my two favorite prints in the bunch!

But that is not all, she sent a FQ of gorgeousness along too! Plans are starting to perk. Thanks so much Amy, perfection is the only word to describe it!! I am still floating. :0)

Amy has an etsy shop, and wonderful prints in it!! Yup, bought these awhile back, and I am saving them for something special. These smootchin' cuties happened when she listened to a nutball commenter (yup, that would be me) on her blog, so of course I snatched them up when she put them in her shop.

Also bought this quilting process panel and the accompanying mini quilt pattern. They are collecting a small pile of purple.

So in all of this, here is my Friday finish. Honestly I finished it a week or so ago, but haven't been gutsy enough to post it until now. This is the project Joy began coughing on. (I figure she must have caught my bronchitis.) There are many stops and starts because of the skipping stitches issue. Thanks ladies for all the great advice. I think Joy (and I) need a week at the spa! ;0)

Be sure to visit Amy, Amy's shop, and the other Friday finishes!!

Blessings,

Sew, any ideas?

2011-04-13T10:18:00.001-04:00

First off, I am having technical difficulties with my sewing machine. {pout}

For some reason, she doesn't like quilting. Skipping 3-5 stitches if there is batting involved in the process.

-Needle, changed to new ones from several different packs.

- Vacuumed out bobbin area, several times.

- Changed thread. Sigh.

-Slowly changed tension, from loopy to breaking thread, still skipping stitches.

If you have any ideas, I would love to hear them!

Left the dirt on the floor to match the wrinkles on the quilt top!

This is my WIP today. Apparently Joy doesn't mind applique. No skipped stitches, with only the top two left to stitch down. Huh.

This is my Robert Kaufman Challenge. Hopefully I will get my machine issues figured out in time to quilt it by the April 30th deadline.

I have also been interviewing fabric for my potholder pass swap...a bag. No quilting here, so I should be able to whip it up quickly once I know what my partner likes.

The trouble is, she seems to like almost everything.

But I really want her to LOVE it. Ya know?!

So, I am going to put up a little mosaic and see if she responds.

Of course, it might be fun if you all weigh in too!

My other WIPs:

Boy's quilt-basted and waiting for a cooperative machine :0)

Grandma's Peacock Wall Hanging-ditto!

Side table quilt-double ditto!!

Friend's Birthday Purse (late)-ya, the quilting thing

Sister-in-law's Mother's Day Purse-......sigh...

I am linking up with WIP Wednesday. Be sure to use the nifty button on the side bar to visit all the other ladies to drool over what they are working on!!

Blessings,

A Little Playing with Color

2011-03-30T23:41:00.000-04:00

These came last week. They are Bella solids that I won in a giveaway sponsored by the Fat Quarter Shop over at p.s.iquilt. I have never used them before, and can't wait to try them out. I won a luscious yard of each color!! I have ordered from the Fat Quarter Shop before, and have had fast friendly service. Thanks!

Got a great deal on these Jennifer Paganelli prints over at fabric.com.

Since they all needed shelving, I thought that I would let them play a bit first. Don't they play well together?

Well, out came my stash of Paganelli Charm squares. Must....resist....urge....to start new quilt....Must finish other projects first.

Oh, these were out to play too. But it is a secret.

Nope. Not tellin'.

Okay, just a little sneak peak!

Linking up with WIP Wednesday. Use the cute button on the side bar!

Blessings,

Henna Love!!!!

2011-03-29T17:03:00.002-04:00

Finally finished, and I am loving it! It is a whooping 62" by 74". I used a free tutorial shared by Crazy Mom Quilts on the Bee Square Blog. Mine is a smidge bigger.

I used my walking foot to quilt along the zig zags. Four lines in each ash grey kona zig, and two lines in each Henna zag.

Since I didn't calculate how many blocks to make, and just made a ton extra, I cut up the extra blocks I made and re-sewed them to make the back. (It only makes sense if you are a quilter!) The rest of the backing is a Michael Miller Print. It echos many of the Henna colors, and contributes to the "Love". Yes, I still have more blocks left over, and I am not a bit sad about it!

I really like the way the back turned out!

Thought about using a solid for the binding, but had more Henna in my stash, and it really finishes it nicely!

I am linking up with Fabric Tuesday (thanks for featuring my purse girls) so be sure to visit all the other wonderful finishes! Use the dandy "Fabric Tuesday" button on my left side bar.

Blessings,

Last stitch...

2011-03-24T17:47:00.002-04:00

...quilted!!! On to binding!!!! (Insert trumpet charge!)

Blessings,

KT

Wordless Wednesday

2011-03-23T08:21:00.002-04:00

What I've been doing.

2011-03-17T18:43:00.001-04:00

Been doing a little nest fluffing. Got out these vintage linens and cleaned them.

Thought that these looked good on my mantle.

This one settled on the end table. Not sure which Grandma any of these came from. Two Great-grandmas, and one Grandma did these kinds of things, and I have stuff from them all. I am the one in the family who was crafty, so I was blessed to be gifted them!

I've only gotten about half-way through this thing...man it just goes on forever!

Rewarded myself for making it to the half-way mark by making a spring purse that I NEEDED! I saw this made up in an LQS. When I checked out, the lady helping me had made the sample. She said it was so easy, and she had made a bunch because everybody loved them...

Atkinson Designs Tag Along Tote

The clerk was right...easy peasy. Sewn up in a couple hours, using only 3 fat quarters, scrap batting and a zipper. My stuff is already stashed in there.

Now, let's go fabric shopping!!!

edit: I linked up with Fabric Tuesday, be sure to use the button on the left to visit all the other finishes!

What have you all been up to?

Blessings,

Friday Finish

2011-03-11T10:42:00.001-05:00

I am quilting a quilt in my very limited spare time this week. At this rate I am sure to finish by Christmas! Anyhow, I finished January's Birdie Stitches block! And it's only ~~February~~ March! These patterns are fun and free! Since I was on a fabric diet, and I had kona snow in my stash, that is what I used for the center fabric. I ended up using a very soft, silvery gray for the snow so that it would show.

Got a few French knots in!

All the border fabrics were also stash. Only thing that I bought was embroidery floss and interfacing!!!

Blessings,

Wednesday Winner!!!

2011-03-09T10:06:00.001-05:00

This past weekend Treasure took Friday off and we went on a weekend family trip. As I was doing the open-mouth-jello-neck-head-bob, Treasure sighted a quilt shop. He woke me and asked me if I wanted to stop. (I gave him the perfect nickname!) The lower pile of loveliness had to come home with me. I think that it is called Oasis by Moda. Any how, it was stash enhancement for the purpose of stash reduction! The pile above it is some left-over civil war reproductions from my former quilty life. I think that yellow is a welcome addition!!

Well, on to the real reason we are all here.

Number 42

Becky has won the two charm packs of Hushabye!!!!! I will be emailing you for your address!

Blessings,

Giveaway!!

2011-03-02T12:39:00.001-05:00

Can you guess what I got you? My LQS still has some of these awesome precuts. Thought that you all might be interested.

I like to keep things simple around here, so both of these charm packs will go to one lucky reader. Just leave a comment, and for fun, share one quilty admission. Here is mine. I hate to pin!!! I avoid it at all costs.

Please make sure your email address is attached to your account so I can reach you should you win. I will close the giveaway sometime Tuesday evening March 8th. No need to follow unless you want to. I am still a little amazed that so many people care what I am sewing!!

The giveaway is now closed!

Blessings,

Sew Bee It Flimsy

2011-03-01T15:18:00.000-05:00

Still can't get a decent picture of this quilt! The flimsy is all sewn together, and the border is on. All told she measures about 72"x 87". Just love how she has gone together. Wish you could see the lovely colors better. This quilt skipped to the head of the doo-doo list when I spotted the sashing fabric for a steal a few weeks back. It was my only fall off the wagon during my fabric diet.

Jennifer Paganelli border...just 'cause. The backgrounds of the stars differ. I am liking it! It is not going to be quilted right away though. In fact, I haven't pieced the back yet. I have three more blocks for there, and some wonderful leftover scraps plus some white on white yardage.

Instead, I am going to begin quilting this beauty. Be sure to check back today or tomorrow for a fabric giveaway to celebrate the end of my fabric diet!! Also, be sure to check out what everyone else participating in Fabric Tuesday is working on, by clicking on that button on the left side bar!!

Blessings,

Potential Layout

2011-02-23T09:53:00.001-05:00

Potential layout, originally uploaded by ktquilts4fun.

These are my Sew Bee It bee blocks all sashed and ready to be put together. Do any of you see glaring issues with this layout? There is not a lot of play because of the sashing and the fussy cuts. Unless I let go and let some of the fussy cuts go in different directions...input?

Here is the border I had planned to use. There is a little more contrast than what the dark-late-night-yucky-picture shows. It picks up little bits of purple in the sashing.

Really looking for a little input if you have a bloggy minute. Some of you wonderful ladies have such wonderful suggestions!!

Blessings,

KT

Wordless Wednesday

2011-02-16T12:01:00.001-05:00

Quilt Story Block Party

2011-02-08T11:21:00.001-05:00

Traditional Block

This is a Garden Walk block that I made using '30s reproductions. The pattern can be found in Eleanor Burn's book, "Egg Money Quilts". It is one of my favorite blocks of all time! The poor darling is languishing with its siblings in a box, crying out to be quilted. This is the year of finishes!!!

Modern Block

This is one of the blocks I made for Anina's Pinwheel Party. You can find the links and everyone else's quilts and blocks by using the pinwheel party button on the left sidebar. Such a fun new spin on the pinwheel, and I added fussy cuts to all of the squares for a little fun! This quilt too is calling to be put together this year!!

Creative Block

This block was made for my January Sew Bee It. Meredith asked for four letter words and sent the most wonderful fabrics. You can explore all the goings on of this bee and the wonderful ladies in it by using the Sew Bee It button on the left sidebar. I just couldn't resist using the cute little birdie for the dot in the "i". Love me some fussy cuts!

Be sure to visit all the other wonderful entries in the Block Party!!!

Blessings,

150 th Post and a Quilt

2011-02-06T20:14:00.000-05:00

Treasure braved the cold and ice to help me by laying out and photographing this quilt. Yes, you may applaud him! This quilt is officially finished.

Yup, I made a mistake on the back. Chanted to myself over and over as I sewed the back, " all the flowers in the same direction." Apparently, my memory is too short. I didn't notice it until I went to baste it. At that point I decided it would take too much seam ripping. I had a deadline...more on that later. The cross was intentional, this quilt is in memory of my grandparents.

I used an orange thread with a feather stitch to quilt the blocks. This covered over the sin of pressing the seams open. Stitching in the ditch wasn't going to work. I've used the feather stitch before and like how it looks on the front and back. I am especially loving the look on the blue!!

So there you have it, Orange Blossom Perfume, a sweet scent of summer in a cold, icy winter. Didn't wash and dry for crinkly goodness because this quit is going to be displayed in a local quilt shop for a Cabin Fever Shop Hop. Hopefully it will stir up some interest in modern fabrics and design.

I am a bit of a quandary. I have something that I want to buy to use as a giveaway for you all. But if you check out the side bar, I am on a fabric diet. Can you trust me? I will have a giveaway as soon as the diet is over.

Blessings,

More Remembrances

2011-01-25T18:37:00.001-05:00

My grandma gave this to me a couple of years before she passed. I went ahead and included this fuzzy picture because it is the only one that shows the entire before!

I just love this peacock. Now don't start sending me peacock stuff. I am only partial to this one. My Grandma embroidered several pieces, and I use them. But this one must have been her favorite as well. It is...fragile from use. Because of that I have made an exception to only keeping what I use, and tucked this lovely safely away. Until this week.

This is as far as I have gotten. I have stitched in the ditch around all the border blocks.

The flowers are my favorite part. You can also see the age of this piece showing.

I backed the piece with Kona Snow before piecing the border. I am hoping that a little FMQ will help stabilize the piece. My plans are to use it as a wall hanging in my living room.

This came in the mail yesterday (big smiles). Orange Blossom Perfume. I plan on trying to baste Orange Blossom Perfume (the quilt) tonight after bedtime. Praying...

Linking up with Fabric Tuesday. Visit them all by clicking the button on the left side bar.

Also praying for Summer. (Leslie, I am longing for flip flops.)

Blessings,

Oh Joy.

2011-01-22T11:36:00.001-05:00

Well, I have been doing a lot of this lately. And not just over this test block, which by the way is one inch too big in every direction. Guess I will have to make it into a mini for this.

Here is the final version for my Sew Bee It January block. Meredith's theme was four letter words. But really, there has been a three letter word resonating in my heart.

Yup, joy. This is an early birthday present to myself to remind me minute by minute. I bought it from Lora, who made it to order, but also has a great shop.

I fell in love with Jesus more than twenty years ago. (My first year of college for the curious!) He has given me great joy. But somehow, over the course of the last couple of years, I have lost it--the joy, but not the love :0).

Not every year, but many years I have asked the Lord to show me a heart issue I needed to work on. Not really a resolution. More of an openness to let Him change me, permanently. Guess what, I haven't done it in a couple of years!!! (There might be a connection there...)

So I have asked Him to give me my joy back. He let me know that He would LOVE to!! YAY!!!!

Then in the shower one day,----sometimes that is the only quiet time I get----He reminded me of this verse:

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." James 1:2-4

That is when I realized that I am probably going to get more than what I bargained for this year! This may be worse than praying for patience!! LOL!! I do have to admit that the "not lacking anything" part gives me great hope. I think that it is a promise. I know that I need it.

So, I may just be giving you all a joy update every now and then along with my quilty recess.

Just want to leave you with a great comfort that I have found. Jesus said:

"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you." John 15: 9-12

Just another good promise in there!

Blessings,

Zig-Zags and Orange Blossoms

2011-01-13T23:18:00.003-05:00

Disclaimer: Bad quilty pictures ahead, Winter in progress!

Actually got this together last week, but Friday was too hectic to post. So here she is in all her glory, and I call her "Henna Love". I still just love these fabrics. The solid is Kona ash. The tutorial I used says to cut off and straighten the edges, but I am considering leaving it the way it is. Seems a shame to lose even a smidgen of that Henna Garden print! Of course leaving it this way it is means binding will be less than enjoyable...advice would be welcome! I wish that the ironing fairy had shown up today, have any of you seen her?

Just took this picture a few minutes ago. (In my dark, poorly lit living room, sorry!) This quilt has always been called in my head, "Orange Blossom Perfume". Whenever my grandma and grandpa went to Florida they would bring me some Orange Blossom Perfume. This quilt makes me almost smell it. Putting it together has made memories return, and a few tears flow...with joy.

Update: I have batting for Orange Blossom, and the batting for Henna Love is on order. Finishing up backs!! Be sure to visit the other Fabric Tuesday links by clicking on the Fabric Tuesday button on my right side bar!!

Blessings,

Finally...

2011-01-11T14:45:00.001-05:00

the holiday rush is over. We had a great-niece born in the family right before the new year!!! So, I have been frantically making this. I have had this little stack of fabric for half of forever, just waiting for a little girl to make this for! I even had the squares all cut back when my machine was in the shop! All that was left was to piece this sweet disappearing nine patch.

I used some extra squares for a little piecing on the back. The straight line quilting shows off just how 'off' I was lining up the back. Rats! Oh well, I never was perfect!

The binding is my favorite fabric from the front. Beautiful aqua with sweet purple violets! Come on Spring!

Since spring isn't anywhere near here, I made a double thick flannel blanket too! We girls must be toasty.

My Henna Love quilt top is done, and I will try to share it Friday...if I can find someone to hold it for pictures!! I have started piecing the back using left over blocks that I cut up. Yummy!!

Be sure to check out the other Fabric Tuesday entries by clicking the button on my left side bar!!

Blessings,

Wahoo!!!!!!!!

2010-12-29T13:38:00.001-05:00

Warning: the following post is cinnamon laden!!

After charging my batteries with this breakfast, I just had to share a smidgen of my Christmas break with you all. (Recipe here!)

I won these lovely prizes from Rachel at Chickadee Creations as part of the Sew Mama Sew giveaway day. Speaking of giveaways, I will be having one soon to de-stash and celebrate my 150th post. (I am somewhere near 145 now.)

This was part of my gift from Dee. I think the title of this one is "Thinking of You", which makes it perfect to remember our vacation this past summer. Also in the picture are the 3-D glasses from seeing the new Narnia movie. Two thumbs up by the way, but only because I have only two thumbs. ;0)

Made this for Mom, and gave it to her in one of the grocery bags that I made. She likes it, and this is a photo of where it currently lives. Made a couple of hand towels to match, but in the Christmas rush, forgot to take pictures of all the gifts I made... bad, bad quilty blogger!!

Blessings for the New Year!!

Giveaway!

2010-12-11T14:25:00.001-05:00

Check it out here!!

Merry Christmas,

KT

Finally Friday Finish

2010-12-10T16:18:00.001-05:00

There have been plenty of finishes going on around here, but I can't show them. My mother lurks from time to time, so I can't show her gift. My sister-in-law may or may not, better not to show her gift. Well, you all know Dee hangs around. Rats!!

Well, I am pretty sure that my two year old niece isn't allowed to surf the net, so her gift I am showin'!! She is a super smart one that loves her dollies, and is a good little mama. Bingo!!! Doll quilt!

Of course, why stop there? Baby needs a diaper bag, and of course, you just gotta have diapers too! I have got some goodies to put in the bag too. The quilt and the diaperbag were all from scraps. I must admit that the white flannel diapers were stash. Way too much fun!

My Modern Swap is ready...except for labeling, wrapping, and mailing....Hmph. Details!

~~Be sure to exercise your clicking finger by clicking on the Sew & Tell button on the left sidebar and visiting all the other lovely finishes!!~~

Well, there is no link party until January 7th...sniff. ;0D

Merry Christmas!

WW

2010-12-01T11:41:00.000-05:00

Late Fabric Tuesday

2010-11-30T19:51:00.001-05:00

I have been silent for awhile because the cord for my laptop went out. Fortunately, my sewing machine was working fine!! Just finished this beauty up for my Modern Swap Partner. I am going to have a hard time giving this up. I am comforting myself with the fact that I have enough fabric left to make one for myself!

You can get a glimpse of the hand quilting I stitched into the petals. That plate is hand appliqued.

Thought she might need a housewife...don't we all! LOL!

I quilted the petals after appliqueing so that the stitching wouldn't show through the back. Did a little decorative stitch with the machine around the center in lavender. I plan on writing the label there. I echo quilted around the edge, and I love the look!

Made some more of these shopping bags to use as Christmas wrap. Just love this pattern, and they are getting quicker and quicker to make. Yup, that is a little rose housewife.

Couldn't resist a fussy cut.

Love the inside of this one. (edit---A housewife is a little pouch that will hold your needles, thread, thimble, and small sewing scissors!)

Just a peak of the linings.

Adding this to Fabric Tuesday, just click on the button on the left side bar to visit all the other fabulous fabric finishes!

Blessings,

WW

2010-11-24T10:06:00.000-05:00

WW

2010-11-17T00:18:00.000-05:00

Secret-y Christmas-y Sewing

2010-11-16T16:49:00.001-05:00

I can't say who these are for, but I can let you in on this great pattern! These are a breeze to cut out, and with all the reinforced seams, I think these grocery bags will hold up well.

After, of course, they are done being gift bags! I have been digging the light blue lining of the one on the right.

Well, these are just the first of the Christmas sewing list. I guess that my quilt is on hold for now. I refuse to put it away though, I love looking at it. (Plus, I am a little worried I will lose interest!!) ;0)

Be sure to pop over to see the other Fabric Tuesday entries buy clicking on the Fabric Tuesday button on my left side bar!!

Blessings,

Only a little late...

2010-11-05T11:23:00.000-04:00

These are my October Bee Blocks. I hate being any late, and I am sorry for it... life got in the way!

I was using this pattern, but I purposely turned the corner HSTs in the second block. (They told me to.) I think that it is fun to vary the same block, and see how different it looks!

Progress report on Henna Love Z.

Be sure to check out all the other Friday finishes by clicking on the Sew & Tell Friday button on the left side bar!

Blessings,

Blogger's Quilt Festival: Fall 2010

2010-11-04T09:53:00.000-04:00

This picture shows the truest colors.

Finally finished, my Blogger's Quilt Festival entry. Now I will allow myself some time to visit the other beautiful entries, and you should to. Just click on the nifty little button on the top left of this page!

This is how it hangs just above my piano. I am loving it! The charms are Jennifer Paganelli prints, some of which I won from Joan. The pattern is a modification of Kate Conklin's Charm Bracelet (which I also won from Joan's giveaway). I will definitely be using this pattern again, unmodified. Then it will be throw sized, and have some movement to the links. Yum!!!

I did one little run of hand quilting between each row. It is difficult to see, but I used a lovely variegated thread with royal blue, deep aqua, and (of course) purple! It was supposed to be used for tatting, but it was perfect for this project. Since there is still a lot of it left, I am glad that I love those colors and won't mind using it more.

The back is also Jennifer Paganelli. She, in case you couldn't tell, is my favorite designer!

I was a good girl and labeled my quilt. Its name? Paganelli Charm...of course!

Even the binding is Paganelli, and I am loving it!

Blessings,

Talkative Tuesday? (The first)

2010-11-02T16:18:00.000-04:00

Thanks to Alicia Key for hosting the great giveaway (which I won!) WAHOO!!!

You can check out what she is doing at her blog. Pssst. She only has a few followers...just sayin'.

Dee needed quilt shop therapy. So Saturday, our whole (minus a college kid) families took us on a two quilt shop tour. Well of course I couldn't let her shop alone!!! These were my purchases. I am still loving them!! Afterward, we went to Cheeseburger in Paradise. Dee's pick. She has good taste, even if she has kept me for a friend for almost 16 years!!! LOL!!

I have been working on getting my Paganelli Charm wallhanging done for the Blogger's Quilt Festival. All that is left is to hand sew the binding to the back. Should be ready by Thursday!! Also made this test block for October's Sew Bee It. (Looking down at my toes in shame). I hope to have the real blocks done and in the mail by Friday.

Allowed myself a little time to enjoy some Henna Love. Slow and steady right?

So that is what I have been up to, and why it has been so quiet around the blog. I can't wait to get caught up so I can go look at some more beautiful quilts at the Blogger's Quilt Festival. Must.have.self.control.

Blessings,

WW

2010-10-27T17:04:00.001-04:00

Friday Finish: Potholder Faux Pas

2010-10-22T09:53:00.000-04:00

Here is a flimsy finish of my Charm Bracelets wall hanging. (Kate Conklin's pattern.) I have a couple variations the first of which makes it a wall hanging instead of a throw. Since it was much smaller, I omitted a step that would give it some motion. Just thought that it would be too much for this small a quilt, and I wanted the focus to be o Jennifer Paganelli's beautiful fabrics. I will totally make this pattern again. Larger, with the motion. ;0)

More Paganelli for the back. Isn't it funny how Kona Bluebell is the perfect grey!

On to the potholder front...ahem. These are finished, but I realized when I posted them on flickr, I forgot to checkout my secret partner's mosaic. They are good for her description, but nothing like her mosaic!

They have super Bible verse fabric inset in the backs, but just not her style. I joined to try to bring someone a smile, so back to the drawing board. I have been having fun trying to decide what to do with these!

Going to finish quilting these today, but likely won't get the check binding on. Treasure and I have a D&DD. (Dentist & Date Day) LOL!!!

Be sure to use the Sew & Tell Friday button on the left side bar to visit all the other finishes...they are looking beautiful!

Blessings,

WW

2010-10-20T18:29:00.000-04:00

WW

2010-10-13T09:37:00.000-04:00

Finished....deciding anyway!

2010-10-12T11:35:00.001-04:00

Modern Swap decision made!

I had an easy time deciding on design, but a difficult time choosing fabrics. I think that my partner likes things a little bolder than I am used to. The plate is only temporarily adhered. I think that I am going to hand applique this one. I have until mid December.

Potholders however are due by the end of October. No worries, I have the piecing done. Just need to quilt and bind!!

Here is the back of the star.

Here is the front of the second potholder.

Here is the back.

Now I just need to come up with a cute ornament idea...(did you just hear my heart stop?)

Be sure to visit all the other Fabric Tuesdays by clicking on the button on the left side bar!!!

Blessings,

Finding my smile!

2010-10-08T08:40:00.000-04:00

A whole yard each!!

Last week I had cut out and sewn blocks for a wall hanging. But when it came to the background, well, I just didn't feel good. Wanted gray, but the Kona Ash that I had bought was leaving me flat and the quilt washed out. So I went back to my color card and discovered that Kona Bluebell was the perfect gray..whodathunkit?!

So why is there this wonderful Henna Garden picture? Well, I have had a rough week. So what do you do? Start a new project of course!! Jennifer and Jessica over at Twin Fibers were having a little Henna Garden love fest. You can see Jennifer's quilt here, and Jessica's quilt here.

Funny, but true, Jessica's quilt was inspired by an antique quilt of mine she saw on flickr and I posted about here!

I had been inspired to collect these prints, after seeing this quilt ! So inspiration is going round and round over there on flickr. All my strips are cut in one day, while watching 3 two year-olds!!

I am putting that Kona Ash to good use! Couldn't let it go to waste now, could I? Making it using this tutorial, so no half-square triangles. (I would have had to make 552 hsts the old way, and I don't even want to think about lining up all those points!) It is fun to see it coming together!!!

Be sure to visit all the other sew & tells by using the sew & tell Friday button over on the left side bar. I hope all the inspiration makes you smile!!!

Blessings,

Pass the Coffee

2010-10-06T09:24:00.001-04:00

I finished this yesterday, but it has been a rough couple of days. Friends are sick, injured, hurting. Some have lost loved ones. The prayer list is so long. Sigh. That is where my focus should have been. Nope, it wasn't. I was wrapped in my own health, pain, and selfishness...SIGH. Good thing Dee is around to lean on, vent to, snap me out of it!!! She gave me most of these selvages for my stash. They never made it there. This is my first ever mug rug, and it helps my smile feel like coming home. Dee gave the tags too. Good friends, great finds...well, one of us anyway!

This is its new home, right next to Joy. Its job is not only to help with drinks and snacks, but to beautify my ugly sewing desk!! It does a good job!!

Blessings,

Piano Key Piano Scarf or Paganelli Passion

2010-10-01T17:00:00.000-04:00

No this is not a mistake. It is supposed to be this long. No, the colors are not randomly placed. The gray represents the black keys on the piano, and each color represents a note!!

The back is just two of the fabrics that I had scads of with a grey key to separate them. The binding may look familiar to some of you. ;0)

Here is its new home. Fresh paint on the walls and old carpet removed from the floor welcome it home!

(I like you all so much that I spared you all the before pictures of sculptured beige shag!)

I also finished the blocks for the wall hanging that will live above the piano.

Couldn't show just one...

or two...

okay, I'll stop at three. I also couldn't decide on which fabric to use as the background. The above is Kona ash. I am using Kate Conklin's pattern Charm Bracelets that I won (and loving it by the way). I started out with some charms that I won from Joan over at wishes, true and kind. I added some of my own Paganelli and then limited the palette to what I want going on in my dining room. Don't worry, I have plans for the rest of the Paganelli Pile! Thanks Kate and Joan for the free start on this quilt. I will think of you both every time I look at it!

Or maybe Kona Medium Gray. Leaning toward the lighter ash, but really want those Paganelli blocks to sparkle!! Also want to avoid a big black hole of darkness on the wall. (That is why the room is no longer taupe accented with beige!) :D

I would love to hear your ideas. Also be sure to click on the Sew and Tell Friday Button on the left side bar and visit all the wonderful finishes!

Blessings,

WW

2010-09-29T11:58:00.001-04:00

******

Sew Bee It September

2010-09-28T09:42:00.002-04:00

Testing!

Block 1

Block 2

These were my first ever wonky!! I will mail them out today!!

Be sure to check out what others are up to this Tuesday by clicking on the Fabric Tuesday button on the left sidebar.

Blessings,