Quilt as you go

Obviously I still don't have any idea how to put the pictures where I want them. But if they stay in the same order I'm seeing them, the one on the left is the scrappy version of a QAYG Rail Fence that we made in our QAYG class. The center one is the QAYG Rail Fence done with three planned colors (although I must have ignored the part about how pink takes over). And, the picture on the right would be the table runner I made using Bonnie Hunter's Boxy Stars pattern and my QAYG techniques.

I originally learned QAYG by making the Fun and Done version of Speedy Stars. In getting ready for this class, I was looking for ways to make it as easy as possible for those doing it for the first time to succeed. So, I picked a rail fence pattern to play with because nothing has to match from one block to the next. Then I had the students strip piece the blocks to minimize cutting
and slipping - and trimming after. I added a step where we baste the pieced block to the batting before we put it with the backing and do the quilting.

Then we talked about doing other patterns with the QAYG method. My class has already done several Boxy Stars quilts and loves the pattern, so I chose that one to make a sample. It became a table runner because I was using scraps and only had enough of the red print for a few blocks.

Happy New Year!

The images above are of the newest member of the family - Kira. She arrived with Kevin and Nicole and stayed with us for Christmas. The three resident felines were less than pleased, but in time, Kira managed to achieve a grudging truce from them. There has been a lasting side effect though. Ever since Kira went home to Oregon, our three have been playing more. I think they were just jealous cuz she's so cute.

We had a nice visit with Kevin and Nicole -- even managed to fit in some movies and games. We had cute Christmas trees and blue lights decorating the deck out front and a colorful tree in the lawn which we intended to take pictures of, but the only pictures we seem to have are of Kira, so you'll just have to take my word for it -- the outside looked nice.

We spent the week between Christmas and New Year's taking care of all the little details to close out 2009 and get ready for a great year in 2010. I even got last years quilting scraps sorted and into the bins ready for some scrappy quilts. Maybe this will be the year I get better at posting to the blog. You never know -- it could happen . . . . .

How I spent the weekend

Happy Halloween!

Thought I'd share a couple of pictures from our Halloween Village.

We've been so busy, there hasn't been much time to enjoy the holiday.

We had a great show at West Sound Quilters last week.

We did so well, I've been furiously

making more things so I will have enough to properly fill the booth at the two shows yet to come.

Richard found his Halloween costume at the show and spent a great deal of time entertaining the vendors with it. I'll also share a couple pictures of the booth.

I'm Back -- Let's Try This Again

Yes, I've been goofing off. Now the year is half gone and it's time to get busy. So, I'm hoping I will stick with the plan and post at least once a month - have a give away this fall - who knows. . .

Since April, I've been teaching classes, straightening up around the house, and making quilts for family. I thought I would share one of those from the past (Star Trek) and the latest one made from wolf panels. The wolf quilt is made with thinsulate batting for extra warmth. I really like the thinsulate because it gives the quilts an extra soft and cuddly feeling.

Until next time, happy quilting!

Look What You Can Do With Scraps

Well now that the scraps are so neat and organized, I just can't seem to stay out of them.

I have two classes scheduled now. One is ongoing on Sunday afternoons and is finished with their first project and ready for more. (See group quilt photo above. )

This group is very informal and everyone seems content to work at their own pace. One person has already finished her second project which led me to go in search of ideas for a third. Alas, I have no pictures of the second project as yet.

Anyway, I needed a sample and the scrap bins provided just the right stuff for the boxy stars quilt shown here. Pattern can be found on www.quiltville.com. Of course, I resized it for those who wanted to work with bigger pieces.

The next thing on my agenda was a project that could be used to teach the Quilt-As-You-Go method designed by Susan Nelson. Once again I went to the scrap bins and created the small runner shown here. Now I know my calculations are right and I can proceed to make the kits for people to use in class.

It seems I've had lots of treasures hiding in the scrap bins. For now at least I have a plan for staying caught up with them. I set a drawer aside for collecting scraps and I'm determined that everytime that drawer gets full, I will take an evening and sort them out and put them in bins so they will be ready for my next creative moment.

At least it's a start . . .

After at least 50 quilts made and roughly 4 years since the last clean-up, I managed to accumulate quite a pile of scraps. But after pulling everything out of the sewing room to make room to switch my old quilting frame for the new one, I was determined to put some order into the scrap pile and turn it in to something usable.

After two weeks of spending virtually every weekend hour and weekday evening sorting and trimming, I feel I've made great strides. Lady Cat was quite concerned at my single-mindedness and felt it necessary to stroll across the table now and then to check up on me. At one point, she stopped nose to nose and just stared at me as if to say "this has gone on long enough - you can pay attention to me now". So, I took the hint and put the sorted part neatly on the shelves and stuffed the rest back into 2 bins, and then sat down with Lady Cat to catch up on television. I was rewarded with a contented purr and adoring looks before she drifted off to sleep.

I made a note to self to be sure and get back to those bins soon -- we'll see.