The Little Red Hen

Lady of the Lake - Finished

I finished the Lady of the Lake quilt last week.

It has been washed and fluffed a little in the dryer.

I had fun piecing a back for it too.

I like the back as much as the front.

The quilt measures 45 inches by 52 inches.

You can find the quilt here in the shop.

The Flower Pot Quilt

Last night I finished a quilt that I started many years ago. I don't know exactly when I started it but I do know that I only had two children then.

I started this in an applique workshop with Gwen Marston.  The flowers were cut directly from folded fabric without a pattern.

I have always wanted to try a sawtooth border and finally did it on this quilt.

I really like how that bit turned out.

The quilt is all hand applique and hand quilted. The center portion is quilted with a cross hatch design and the border has a miniature version of the bishop's fan.

It is a happy looking quilt.

The quilt measures 39.5 inches wide by 44 inches high.

It can be found here in the shop.

String Stars

It is still cold, cloudy, and rainy so here's a burst of color for you.

This quilt is inspired by old string quilts.

I made this quilt top while at my retreat a few weeks ago. I used the same technique that I used to make this quilt and this one.  The basic idea is to sew pieces together until there is a chunk large enough to cut the shape needed for the quilt design. For this quilt I started with a narrow strip of orange and added strips to either side until I could cut out a diamond piece for the star. When cutting the diamonds I made sure that the orange strip positioned the same in each one.

This was a good "use the fabrics" quilt. The sashing width was determined by the about of green fabric that I had. I also used all of that blue that I had for the background.

The binding is the same fabric as the ring in the stars. The back is a pretty purple print.

The quilt measures 42 inches by 42 inches. You can find it here.

Weave a Wave

I am happy to announce that my new sock pattern, Weave a Wave, is finished and available on ravelry.

The woven cables around the leg keep them snug so they don't fall down.

I love the subtle texture.

These are knit on US size 0 and 2 needles with Knit Picks stroll yarn.

The socks are knit top down in the round. The top rib pattern blends smoothly into the woven cable pattern of the leg. DIrections for small, medium, and large adult sizes are included.

You can find the pattern here on ravelry.

All The Trimmings

I was asked to submit a photo and blurb about myself to the local paper to help promote the All The Trimmings show that I will be a part of on December 4.

I am usually the one taking the photos around here and there are very few pictures of me. M came home from high school exams early so I enlisted his help. There was a bit of silliness during the photo shoot but we did get a few good pictures. This is the one I sent to the paper.

I am off do do my grocery shopping for tommorow's family feast. There will just be the five of us here this year but we will still make our favorite feast dishes. For us it is doesn't seem like Thanksgiving without the Harris family dressing and the Carson family corn pudding.

What are your favorite feast dishes?

2011 Calendar

 

My 2011 calendar is available for purchase on Lulu.

(Use the code FLURRY305 for a 25% discount through November 30.)

 

I Can't Stop!

I can't stop making these bags.

The curvy clutch is my favorite Keyka Lou pattern; they are so fun to make! I am quilting the outer fabric to the batting before adding the lining. These bags close with two magnetic snaps.

Rick rack!!

When piecing, I use the stitch and flip method and sew the outer fabrics right to the batting.

Embroidery.

I'm still thinking on the quilting pattern for the twinkling stars.

On to Bigger Things

After finishing a few more smaller projects I am feeling a little more prepared for the craft show on December 4.

I feel like I can now calmly return to a larger project like finishing another quilt.

I put hundreds of pins in it last night. I will be quilting it on the machine but haven't decided about the design yet.

I don't want to put any quilting on the stars. I really want them to float above the background.  Outlining each star would be very tedious but I kind of think it needs it. I would like a lot of quilting in the background but I don't want to do the old meandering thing either.

What are your quilting thoughts?

And isn't this backing fabric great? I had just enough for the back of this quilt!

 

Workshop Frenzy

I am busy in the sewing room these days. Starting new projects, progressing on others, and finishing some.

I even have a new pair of soft, squishy, warm socks for winter made of Artyarns Supermerino! I followed this toe up pattern to use all of the yarn.

All the Trimmings

I will have a booth at the All the Trimmings show on December 4 and the Chelsea Fair Grounds and I'm starting to feel the stress. I have been making quilts like crazy and now I have several tops still to put together and quilt.  I have a fear of having a booth piled high with quilts and not selling anything  so, I have taken a break from those big projects to make some smaller non-quilt items for the show.

I recently found Keyka Lou patterns.  I really like the clean lines and straightforward assembly of these bags.  The little clucthes don't use much fabric and I put batting between the layers for a soft finish.

I am really pleased with how this wristlet camera bag turned out. If I still used a point and shoot I think I might keep this one for myself. It also has batting to cushion the camera inside.

My favorite pattern has got to be this shoulder bag.  I love those pockets on the front.  It also has a magnetic snap closure. I had never put one of those in before. I am an instant fan!

I have done well to use fabric on hand but I have used up all of my interfacing. So, I guess I will trek to the fabric shop. I shall have to put on blinders and go directly to the interfacing and only the interfacing.