Stormy Seas

Posted on November 11, 2010 by Quiltobsession

Working with the batiks proved to be irresistible so shapes were printed on two of the fabrics. I actually have the individual units for a block stitched but not yet pressed or stitched together into the block.

This little pile of pieces is all I need for the next block.

The Stormy Seas quilt will be a long-term project as I plan to make it large enough for a king-size bed and will be using 9″ blocks. There’s a lot of stitching ahead of me on this one, but I have no deadline so can just enjoy the making of the blocks over the next year or so.

One of the other projects that is likely to get started on sometime in the next month or so will be made with these charm packs and the one larger piece of fabric from that line. I have a few ideas in mind for this one.

It has been amazingly mild this week. The mornings are a bit chilly, but as the day wears on we are hitting temperatures in the 50s. The other day, Mr. Q.O. got this photo of one of the trees at the front of our building.

Each week new floral arrangements are placed on pedestals in the lobby.

Smudge and Lester look so sweet in this shot — but don’t be fooled. Lester was wanting to curl up in the pink chair and was hoping Smudge would move.

Cabin Quilt Block 1

Posted on September 28, 2010 by Quiltobsession

This is the first of 12 stitchery blocks for a lap quilt that is from the other kit that I had mentioned last week. Once the stitchery blocks are done, then it’s a matter of some quick machine stitching. I said quick machine stitching?? It involves cutting some flannel squares into triangles to surround the stitchery and pieced blocks and I’m a bit concerned about the flannel stretching. Mr. Q.O. really likes this quilt, though, so I’m going to give it a try.

I managed to do the first stitchery block last night. When we were at Sew Sisters on the weekend, I asked what they used behind fabric when doing stitcheries and they suggested either a fusible batt or fusible fleece. I got a small fusible batting and I’m sold! It makes it quite easy to travel thread for a bit when stitching without it shadowing through on the front. As the back shows, I took advantage of that capability a few times.

I have always loved doing a little hand embroidery but the hoop has been my biggest issue for the past few years as tightening and loosening it was almost impossible. So I found this hoop and tried using it. What an amazing difference! It’s easy and quick to use, holds the fabric perfectly for stitching and there’s no hardware on which to catch the thread.

This is what the quilt will look like when finished, although I’m not sure I’m going to do the tree appliques on the border. I’ll decide that when I get that far. The pattern calls for tea-dying the stitchery blocks when finished. As I like the look of the stitchery blocks in the photo of the quilt, I think I may try that as well.

Monday, like Friday, was a migraine day. While not quite as bad as Friday when I could barely move, yesterday was bad enough. Today is the bruised head feeling that always seems to follow. So once again I’m behind in replying to comments but hope to get caught up through the week.

Smudge curled up sound asleep.

I have to use an antique DOS program for work so, rather than cluttering up my Mac with any Windows software, I have an older laptop just for that purpose. Lester is constantly trying to “help” and I’m usually on guard for a paw on the laptop keys. I think he watches the cursor moving on the screen.

Pickled Ladies Quilt, Block 1

Posted on September 7, 2010 by Quiltobsession

The new clamshell pickle collections have me completely enthralled. I immediately had at least three different ideas, one of which will involve my favourite shabby chic fabrics and some Oriental prints. I’m calling it Pickled Ladies as there’s a story that goes along with it which I will eventually write and share. The first of the Pickled Ladies is shown above.

The back:

I’m fussy cutting/printing the clamshells. It’s quite quick to do as I printed out one clamshell on a piece of paper cut down to the right size for printing just one shape, Mr. Q.O. cut out the interior of it and I have a window template which makes it very simple to figure out how to cut the fabrics and have a flower or other item as the centre of the clamshell.

The baby quilt top is finished, pressing is partially done and I’m still hunting for the flannel backing for it. As soon as it’s quilted, which I expect will only take a weekend or two, we’ll get good pictures of it.

Labour Day weekend was chilly. In fact, so chilly that on Monday we turned the heat on for a bit. It’s too bad that it was chilly, windy and rainy as so many people head to cottage country for that one last summer long weekend. Of course, today it’s supposed to be quite warm and humid again — typical of the weather here, as I can’t remember a year when, on the first day of school, we weren’t all roasting by the time school was over.

Smudge was curled up on the pink chair.