Im still here!

hiyall,
Im still here! Having alot of problems with my phone lines. apprently the gutters are backed up, forcing the rain water to seep into eaves, which run down the wall that has the shorted the phone jack and now I have no phone service. everytime it rains I have this problem. once I locate a 15 ft ladder, beloved monkey boy (aka son) can climb and clean out the gutters. then I can get the phone jack replace and get back online. I dont have internet access at home but I do have BMB's puter and access at the library. no pictures for a while, so I hope I dont bore ya with my chit chat. thanks for understanding!
Keep On Stitchn' On!
(mauh) Liz

my next article for NPN~

Recycle and Re purpose

Hiyall!

Its that time of year, time to be thinking about what you can give to love ones for Christmas. If you are like me, your budget is stretched to the limit and you have no or very little cash for presents. Well, don't you worry Virginia! There is a Santa Claus and its YOU!

You have skills! You are good with needle and thread! You can make all your gifts this year! Check around the house, do you have a set of vintage sheets you can part with? Go look for that stash of tea towels you bought along time ago and hid from hubby, get that embroidery machine out and find that perfect logo or design for gifts! I know you have a big bucket of scraps that need to be cut and organized and made into something useful and practical!

Have some old dresses that you made eons ago and they are either to small or outdated? Cut them up to make shopping totes or table runners or coasters. Do the same with old cotton blend shirts that are hanging in the closet! Now is the time to hit the thrift stores. They will be trying to clean out their inventory to make room for the December donations people make for that last minute tax credit. For very little money you can get a lot of material for making those gifts! You have done duo duty! Your helping your local charity with your purchases, you are recycling and re purposing the things you have bought! I have bought name brands items for a fraction of the cost in the department stores.

I have included in this article some of my favorite links to gifties I have made in the past. Have fun surfing and let us know which ones are your favorite! All the links are active as of 11-07-09.


wristlet ~ great for using old sweaters that you have shrink in the wash!
http://www.artful-offerings.com/images/FREE%20Mini%20Wristlet%20Pattern%20&%20Directions.pdf


Pincushion~ experiment with different size circle
http://www.cddesigns.com/AfternoonProj/YoYo/PDFs/yy004b.PDF


fabric covered thumbtacks~ cute for a kids room or sewing room
http://howaboutorange.blogspot.com/2007/03/thumb-tack-tutorial.html


thread catcher~ arm chair sewers love these!
http://www.kquilts-studio.com/pincushionthread_catcher_tutori.htm


heat therapy rice bag ~ great for the weekend warrior!
http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/?p=280


flat round pin cushion ~ nice gift for the beginner quitter
http://whipup.net/2006/03/01/stickin-it-to-the-pincushion/


my favorite hobo bag pattern! love this pattern! made it several times
you can get your hardware at home depot or lowes. magnet snaps at Joann fabrics
http://www.jcarolinecreative.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=JC&Screen=HOBO_BAG


baby booties! cute cute cute! I make a pair for my friend's baby's first Christmas in colorful Christmas fabrics. they end up in baby books after they are out grown!
http://www.poopockets.com/free/footies/footies.htm


key fobs~great for those key ring size loyalty cards that most retail stores have now
http://www.jcarolinecreative.com/Merchant2/keyfobinstructions.html


pincushion and thread holder
http://monkeyroom.blogspot.com/2007/01/tutorial.html


site with hundreds of links for sewing accessory ideas
http://www.victorianaquiltdesigns.net/VictorianSewingAccessories.htm


another key fob
http://blissfulbyquenna.blogspot.com/2008/10/scrapbusters-long-strips-wristlet.html


a zippered lunch bag! a few alterations and it can be a tween purse!
http://blissfulbyquenna.blogspot.com/2008/09/tutorial-zippered-top-lunch-bags.html


snap wallet~ great for business cards or larger loyalty cards
http://blissfulbyquenna.blogspot.com/2006/10/whiplash-accessories-entry-mini-wallet.html


pincushion cuff~ love this pin cushion you can use all sorts of fabrics with this included felted wool
http://keyka.typepad.com/my_weblog/2008/10/pincushion-cuff-tutorial.html


Keep On Stitch'n On!
(mauh) Liz
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ninepatchnews/?yguid=7402355 to subscribe go to this link, but you need a yahoo addy, quick, easy FREE to sign up for one

for those of yall into civil war reproduction things.....

hiyall,

recently I sent out a link to a website to my online quilting buddys that had a pattern for a pin cushion fashioned after a Civil War Reproduction. My friend Ramona made one and it came out very cute! This is the link to the website, just download the fre PDF file:

http://www.marcusbrothers.com/makeit/projects/eight-pointed_civil_war_buckshot_pincushion/civil_war_buckshot_pincushion.pdf

Ramona said she used fluff to stuff, but you can use those plastic pellets or the ever popular crush walnuts shell availible at your pet supply place. I have a friend who gets the crush walnuts for her son's lizard cage so in a sense...its lizard litter!

Remember those adorable Poochie bags I posted about earlier this month? Wellllllll, Ms Monica has done it again! She designed a itty bitty poochie bag! they are so stinkin' adorable! She uses a moda layer cake slice for hers, but you can also use 5 inch charms!

http://www.unitednotions.com/MBS-itty-bitty-poochie-bag.pdf

they come out approx 4 inches, you can fill it with candy and stuff the pockets with a gift card for a present! cute cute cute!

Keep On Stitch'n On!

(mauh) Liz

woohooo! Sparkly Pumpkins are done!

hiyall,
the sparkly pumpkins are finally done! yea!!! they were due Oct 1 but I have been very busy with working a full time job and 2 part time jobs. Things have eased up a little and I got to work on these all day today. great rainy day project! I will get them out to the new owners on Monday. had a blast making these. the pumpkin and crow pattern came out of an old McCalls Quick quilts mag. I zig zagged the edges, use gold glittery tulip paint for sparkle and silk leaves for a 3-D look. Click on picture to see better details. The jack-o pattern is out of the lastest Fons and Porter magazine. I used 2 different size buttons for the eyes. pieces were fused and zig-zagged. I added a ceramic fall color leaf to each style. in my online exchange group of 12 (there are now more in the group, all from the pickle posse) 1/2 wanted fall, other half, included myself wanted halloween. this group is park of the sparkly chicken group from last summer.

I have recieved 5 blocks so far in the exchange, I will post pics when I get more. I had fun making these blocks, great diversion from training on new job and working other jobs inbetween. I wanted to stamp a dingbat on them as well but I couldnt find my stamp or the stamp pad....grrrrr dont you hate that?

Keep On Stitch'n On!

(mauh) Liz

Let the Blogger Quilt Festival begin!

Hiyall!

I know I am late! the festival started a few days ago but I be a very busy busy dingbat! This is my latest 'favorite' quilt (sheepish grin). I adore 30's repros. Dont ask me why, but I do. In August my LQS where I sometime work and teach at had a Murder Mystery. It was set in at 30's nipjoint in Chicago. It was a hoot and a blast. We were given clues as how to construct the quilt and had to find out who 'murdered' one of the characters. mine was named Sly Sleeze and I was *wiggling eyebrows*. The name of this Quilt is called Twisted Cables. I dont rember who the designer is but they did a good job. lots of 4 patches, flying geese and elongated snowballs. I entered this quilt into the local county fair for judging. the judges were BLIND! I was robbed, robbed I tell ya! no ribbon but there is always next year! The picture shows 1/4 of the quilt, it is approx 52 by 76. Perfect for this fluffy bat! thanks for dropping by, have fun visiting all the hundreds of talented quilters who happen to blog too! Keep On Stitch'n On! (mauh) Liz

A Fall Festival of Quilts!

hiyall! Amy of Parkcitygal fame http://parkcitygirl.blogspot.com/ is sponsoring another Online Quilt Festival like she did last Spring. Since most Quilters are not gonna be at the huge Houston Quilt Festival this year, this is a great way to see what other quilters are making and designing on their blogs. See that button on the right side of the my blog? just click on it and it will take you to list of Quilters! I have seen a few and it has inspired me to work on my quilts even more! Later today or early tomarrow I will post my latest Quilt. First I have to go pick it up from the local county fair. No ribbon this year, but there is always next year! Keep On Stitchin' On! (mauh) Liz

new job and busy sewing!

hiyall,

Quick hit and run post. I have a new job, its temporary but it pays well and I really like it. I am a Quality Assurance Product Inspector at QVC! big ass title! My number is 75, the year I graduated from high school (snicker).I work 10 hr shifts, 4 days a week. that give me a extra day off for sewing! yea! I have sundays off again so now I can teach at the shop! Last weekend I had 3 days off so I caught up on some much needed sewing therapy.

I found this tutorial at Happy Zombie This is a sweet little tote to make! takes 3 fat quarters! Once I figured out what to do, it went very fast! its lined with pockets on each side. I will be making a bunch of these for gran nieces for xmas! its approx 9 x 11. good size to tote portable sewing projects too!

I got the top done on the mystery quilt! The LQS where I sometimes work and teach at had a murder mystery weekend. This picture shows half the quilt, I dont have much wall space in my tiny Townhouse. I played a character names Sly Sleaze. Murder took place in a 30's speak easy. We had a blast. I have layer and basted this top and its ready to be machine quilted on my machine. I hope to get it done sometime this week. I really like this one. I do believe this one will be a keeper!

my plans today are to work on my sparkly pumpkins and get them ready for snail mail. I will be late sending them out but my sparkly friends will understand! I will post pictures when I get them done.

Keep On Stitch'n On!

(mauh) Liz

Sorry if you have received any SPAM mail from a Spammer BITCH DISA !!!in a cryptic computer fonts.

It has been reported and hopefully will be dealt with.

another baby quilt and shop samples!

hiyall!

I have been busy, busy, very busy lately with baby quilts, grocery bags and shop samples!

this is the quilt that I presented to the mommy last week. simple little

5 rail fence pattern. instead of my usual stitch in the ditch I tryed doing a wavy line

between the rows. it came out ok, afterwards I figured out that I could have

covered the feed dawgs and used a stippling foot to get a better wave.

mommy loves it. the pink bag you see is my latest trend. instead of using

paper gift bags from the dollar store, I will make the gift bag out of fabric!

butterwick has a pattern B5338 that has several options to making grocery

bags like the plastic ones in the stores. I made one according to the pattern

and I decided I needed to do some tweeking to it. these bags are very roomy

and will hold 2 gals of milk! I have made a bunch of them and I will be selling

them online soon!

this is one of the shop samples I made this week. there is a line of mini quilt kits called Snap Sack, small quilt kits. go to this website for more info http://www.hummingbird-highway.com/

each sack comes with all materials needed for the top, backing and binding. you provide the

batting. cute cute cute kits. this one is called 'summer bloom' approx 15 in sqaure. I made it in semi-

christmas fabrics. click on the picture to get a better view of the pattern and my machine

quilting.

when I was cutting this kit, I was asked to make a sample of it. I asked

if I could cut enough for 2 so I could keep one for myself. Mary Beth

said sure. MB is the shop owner and is very generous to us sample makers

and kit cutters. I decided to make the kit with mock binding and birth each

one instead of the usual layering and binding. to mock bind, you cut a strip of

fabric 1 inch wide and add it to the outer border of the quilt. put the front to back with right

sides together, lay on top of a piece of batting and stitch all around leaving

a opening big enough to turn inside out. I like to call this method,

birthing a quilt, cause its a labor of love! I know....bad pun....bad pun!

Blind stitch opening closed, then stitch in the ditch all around the edge.

this will give the illusion of regualr binding but its not, its MOCK BINDING.

on the second sample I used a different binding and it gave the little quilt a whole

other look about it. made it lighter.

this snap sack sample is called Liberty Belle, approx 10 x 28. this is perfect for a narrow space on the wall or a door charm. both kits were very quick to make and there are generous cuts of fabric in each one. ask your local quilt shop about them.

Keep On Stitch'n On!

(mauh) Liz

she likes it! she really likes it!

hiyall!

the little mommy loves her quilt! I used a simple disappearing ninepatch design and 2 borders. all pinks, whites and a little bit of yellow....very girl girl! she is due the second week of september, but we think she will deliver long before then. I thinking the full moon of the 4th

keep on stitch'n on!

(mauh) Liz

A tutorial for NinePatch News!

hiyall,

long time no post! ack ack, real life got into the way! today's post is a long over due tutorial for the online newsletter Nine Patch News that I write for. last months article was on how to re purpose your stash. if your not gonna make quilts, make grocery bags! this tutorial is about make grocery bags. although the pics are going to be on a lunch bag ( my own design of course!) I will be giving 2 sets of measurements. one for lunch bag, the other for grocery bag (will be in parenthesise). both these bags are DEEP. will hold alot of lunch and grocery's! lets get started!



you will need the following supplies:

*1/2 yard of all cotton (one yard all cotton)

*size 14 needle for top stitching (larger eye and better to go thru many layers)

*matching thread

*cardboard template 2 1/2 in sq (3 1/2 in sq)



@cut 2 pieces 12x16 (21x24)

@cut 4 pieces 1 1/2 x20 (3 strips wof x 2 1/2)

@cut 2 pieces for pockets 6 x 8 1/2 (9x9)





~take corner templates, mark fabric, and cut out corners. hem the top of the bag body. fold over raw edge 3/8 of an inch, fold down again and stitch in place

~take pocket pieces, right sides together, fold in half, sew along the raw edge. turn inside out so right side is showing. place pockets where ever you want to place them, sew along the edge to the body of the bag

~take 2 of the long strips and sew together along the ends. with wrong side together sew along the sides to make a long handle. do not turn inside out, just press flat. see picture


~pin handle to the body. the end of the handle should start right about the corner cutout, along the edge of the pocket, to the top of the bag,loop around and come down the other side. do this for both bag body pieces


~zig zag along the handle to secure raw edge.


~this is where a serger would come in handy, but since I don't have one, I just sewed along the sides and bottom. I went back and zig zaged the raw edges to keep the material from shredding.

~Match your corners and sew edges plus zig zag

~turn inside out and there you have it! a nice tall lunch bag! The size width wise is like a regular brown paper bag. it is TALL but it will accommodate bottles of water and bread sticks *grin*

Sorry this isnt a nice clean polished tutorials like the ones I read on other blogs, but Im working on it! Next on is how to make a apron out of recycled jean legs!
Keep On Stitch'n On!
(mauh) Liz

12 Steps for Quilters

hiyall,
I have a little poem for yall. This poem was written by my blogger friend Sara, she a good writer and an excellent sparkly chicken maker. She gave me permission to post it on my blog. I really like it and find it very befitting a Quilter. Check out her blog when you have a chance. http://universeaccordingtosara.blogspot.com/

12 Steps for Quilters
by Sara Sparkly Chicken Maker

1. Admit you are weak - perhaps even addicted, obsessive, compulsive, and anal-retentive - when it comes to quilting, quilting attitudes and ideas, fabric, notions, tools, books, and patterns.

2. Accept that a Power greater than yourself has put quilting, fabric, notions, tools, books, and patterns into your life for a reason.

3. Decide to turn your quilting will and life over to this greater Power.

4. Make a thorough, fearless inventory of your fabric, notions, tools, books, patterns, WIPs, and UFOs.

5. Admit to the greater Power, yourself, and your quilting friends that you have wronged others in your neglect of them due to quilting and that you have wronged yourself in your neglect of quilting to fulfill the needs of others.

6. Ask the Power to remove any character defects that lead to a lack of productivity, unfinished projects, impulse and/or binge purchases that you won't use in this lifetime, and guilt that arises from preferring to participate in quilt-related activities instead of family, friends, and work activities.

7. Humbly ask the Power to remove any shortcomings - poor organizational skills, lust for more quilting supplies that you truly don't need and won't use, inability to sew 1/4" seams, fear of quiltzillas, a perfectionist nature, terror of new techniques, and so on - from your heart and head.

8. Make a list of all people you have truly harmed through your quilting and be willing to make amends.

9. Make direct amends to those you have harmed, whenever possible, by gifting them with at least one quilted object that is larger than a potholder; make amends to the Universe by gifting at least one charity with a quilt each year.

10. Continuously take inventory of your , quilting attitudes and ideas, fabric, notions, tools, books, and patterns, admitting when you've overspent, purchased unwisely, have no intention of completing a project, or have neglected loved ones in order to pursue quilting-related activities and so that you might remember that quilting is a gift that serves many purposes and meets many needs in your life.

11. Through your version of prayer and meditation, establish conscious contact with your greater Power so that you might fully understand and fulfill your quilting purposes.

12. Having had an awakening of understanding, spirit, and consciousness as a result of these steps, carry this message to both other quilters and the loved ones of quilters, so that they, too, might come to the understanding that quilting is more than just a hobby but that it is a way of life.

Keep On Stitch'n On!
(mauh) Liz

apron finished! and a couple more chickies!

hiyall!
apron is finished! please note the towel loop at the waist band. even thought I like wearing aprons, I do like having a towel at my hip! I use the welt from another pant leg to make the loop. I made the straps extra long so I can wrap them around my waist. despite being a fluffy bat, this does fits me well!


2 more chickies arrived in the mail weds! our everso loverly mail lady took a 4 days weekend and I have no mail til monday. grrrrrr......I am loving these chickens. I now have 7 in the roost!
We have decided to do a sparkly halloween swap. I have dug out my pumpkin and cat templates! cant wait to get started!
Keep On Stitch'n On!
(mauh) Liz

happy 4th of july!

hiyall,

have a safe and happy 4th of july. when yall are out there flipping burgers and watching the fireworks tonight, think of me. I will be working til 11pm, ahhh, the joys of retail!

here is waht I am working on, I am doing an article on 'going green' with making tote bags out of recycled vintage sheets and jeans. I was playing with some cut off legs that came from some jeans I had turned into shorts for beloved monkey boy. I saw a article on another blog on how the back side of a pair of jeans turned into a apron. I thought I could do the same with a jean leg. what ya think? I still have the waist band (I found some turquiose materials in my stash), ties and towel loop to put on. enjoy! stay tune for my double giveaway coming up soon!

I plan on doing a tutorial in how to make this.

Keep On Stitchin' On!

(mauh) Liz

here chickie, chickie part 2

hiyall,

these are the sparkly chickens I have received so far. there are 12 of us in the group. the blocks are 10 1/2 in unfinished and will make a interesting wall hanging! I havent forgotten to add the eye to foghorn leghorn, I will do that when I finish the mini quilt. this was a fun swap, we are already tlaking about another one for the fall and xmas.

Keep On Stitch'n On!

(mauh) Liz

here chickie, chickie......

hiyall,

just a sneak peek of the sparkly chickens I have made for a online group. I had packed up most of them to be mailed out tomarrow when I relized I hadnt taken any pictures.










I love wild and crazy colors. your really cant see the beading but its there. I put large beeds in the head piece to be 'curlers' and a pearl necklace and tiny beads on the wings and tail feathers. this is my own design and I kinda proud of it. I added a ladybug for poops and giggles. as a added surprize I added a key fob made with chicken fabric. hope everyone likes them. I have receive several so far and I adore them!
Keep On Stitchin' On!
(mauh) Liz

mail call agin!

hiyall,
I love mail call! getting squishies in the mail are so much better than the usuall bills and junk mail! in the last couple of weeks I have gotten ninepatches from an online exchange I am in, 30s repro strips that I am trading with a chatroom friend. we both lost our jobs about the same time and wanted and need to fix our addiction for 30s repros. we both have large stashes so we agreed to send some to each other. Its amazing how different our collections are. I sent her about 20 pieces of various sizes (she is making a catheral window quilt) and she send me 30plus strips out of her stash (Im making a summer quilt for memememe!). we had about 4 pieces the same. Thank you Doreen! you have made my stash very happy!

the next pakage is a blog give away from JulieK http://juliekquilts.blogspot.com/
she had a give away during memorial day. she was cleaning out her sewing room and was giving away on a first come first serve basis. I saw these precut hexagons and I had been encouraged by local quilters 'to join the fold' of the hexagon makers. I have seen this growing popular trend in the blogs as well. I asked for them and I recieved! interesting thing however......when I got the box, I looked at the floral pieces and said to myself, that material sure does looke familiar. then I remembered.....I have sheets made from the same stuff! vintage sheets at that! they are at least 30 years old! Im a pack rat, can throw away nuffin.....I did throw away the bottom sheet cause it was pretty much thread bare but keep the top sheet. I will use that as the backing whenever I get the top part done. Julie said she may have to do that again. pop on over to her blog and see whats she does....


ok...alittle announcement......some how I missed my first year blogaversary. with all the crazyness of last spring, getting fired from old job, picking up a new job and training for weeks, looking for another job to supplement the income cause this one aint covering the bills, it somehow snuck passed me. now I see on the blog list that I am close to 100 posts! this called for a double giveaway!! stay tuned for more info in the coming days (wicked evil batgrin)......
Keep On Stitch'n On!
(mauh) Liz

great googly moggly!!

hiyall,

holy crap batbroad! its been over a month since my last post! what the heck???? I have been busy with the new job and job search, have done very little sewing. this will be a quick post then I will post agin later tonight or tomarrow am. One thing I did get done recently is my prototype of a denium bag I am designing. I have a dozen denium pant legs I cut off beloved monkey boys pants that I had laying around the sewing room. I created a paper pattern, use the hem of the legs as the top of the purse. I used 2 legs and a fat quarter of material to create side pouches and inside pockets. I did create a gore to widen the purse which I got from the left over scraps of the legs. of course I used a magnetic snap for a closure and a cute daisy button to hide the snaps

.

I then took 3~2inch strips of fabric, tubed them and braided them for the handle. I use exta large key rings on the handle so I can clip my keys and wont have to digg for them. this purse is ok for light duty (quilt shows, craft shows, yard saleing) but not as a everyday sling this puppy around heavy duty purse. I plan on making another one with some changes. First, make it bigger, almost hobo style. then line it and put more inside pockets. make the darts smaller. this time I will wrap the longer strips in batting to make the handle stronger. enjoy!

Keep On Stitch'n On!

(mauh) Liz

can't stop makin' cuteass minatures!

hiyall,

Im telling yall, I can not stop making these cuteass minatures! This one is a shop sample. My boss at 'The Quilting Bee' in Chesapeake Va, Mary Beth asked if I would make a sample of one of the kits in a sack. The kit contains all the materials you need to make a cute mini wall hanging with the exception of the batting. This was a quick and easy kit to make. I got to practice my curly cues in the machine quilting. Im finally getting the hang of it! The mini is approx 18 in square.

makes a nice little wall hanging for valentine's day, eh?

curly cues are still a little tight but it looks good on the front and back! no loopies!

Keep On Stitch'n On!

(mauh) Liz

mail call agin and some news!

hiyall,

major mail call agin this week! I love my quilting buddies!

first pakage came from my pirate booty partner. I love this little quilt, done is 30's repros and in the campbell soup colors of my kitchen! charm packs and 30s repos in blues! kitchen towel will look great too! love love love it!

second pakage come from my truck driving quilt buddy Nancy! Nancy has this embroidery machine and can stitch out the cutest sayings. she stitch me up some stinkin' cute patches. I plan on making patch pockets on some tote bags . Nancy went to her first major quilt show in Lancaster! she bought me some GIANT RIC RAC!!! gotta love those colors! I see some retro tote bags made with the ric rac!

Good News! the online newsletter Nine Patch News is coming back online! I am a contributing writer to the newsletter. The original Editor had to drop out and for about a year there was no letter publish but now we are back in action!

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ninepatchnews/?yguid=7402355

If you are interested in receiving the newletter go to this website and sign up! Right now it will be a once a month and it will be jammed pack with alot of info!

Keep On Stitch'n On!

(mauh) Liz

last swap quilt is in the mail!~

hiyall,

its been a crazy april for me. I get fired from the orange box, details on my evil blog. then I get a new job, the one I really wanted for a long time. been training for the last couple of weeks. trying to get all my swaps done too! this is the last mini quilt swap. I joined the Doll Quilt Swap 6 a couple of months ago. I knew what I wanted to do, just trying to find the time. I recieved mine last week, which I ADORE! I finally got this one done and got it into the mail. not telling yall where its going.....dont want to spoil the surprize for my swap partner. I added a couple of goodies to the pakage. I hope my person likes them

I call this one, 'butterflys are free' its about 16x18.

close up of the butterflys.....fuse and blanket stitched by hand. quilting is by hand except borders with was machine stitch in the ditch. I may have to develope a pattern for this one too!

Keep On Stitch'n On!

(mauh) Liz

have you seen this man?

hiyall,
is it a bird? a plane? a nutjob? nooooooooooooooo its QUILT MAN ON A SEGWAY!
http://www.segwayonline.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3108
read the comments at the bottom.....they are a hoot!

new job is going well, it amzing how after 2 weeks out of a job, you get soooooo tired without that afternoon nap!
Keep On Stitch'n On!
(mauh) Liz

mail call!

hiyall!

The maillady was very good to me today! first I got more potlid knob covers! first one is from Kay, the second one is from my friend BB. both women are very talented. Love the colors of Kay, but the ribbon on BB's makes it look like an adorable sunbonnet! thanks ladies!

I am part of a online doll swap, my partner Molly sent me this adorable 30's repros mini quilt! I am sooooooo loving this quilt. not only did molly send me the mini quilt, she send daisy buttons, button head straight pins and much needed note pads. I love to know how she knew I love Dove chocolate!?!?! I need to hussle on my partners quilt. I will post picture when I am almost done .

Keep On Stitch'n On!

(mauh) Liz

swap pakage is in the mail!

hiyall,

remember this sneak peek?

this peek turned into this:

which turned into this:

:

this is an orginal design by MOI and I hope to make it into a pattern. This mini (approx 18 in sq) is going to my swap partner in the 'minature booty swap' . I almost didnt send it out (grin). I will make another one in really bright colors! enjoy!

Keep On Stitch'n On!

(mauh) Liz

this is my challenge and I sticking' to it!

Hiyall,

I am participating in Amy of cityparkgirl's virual http://parkcitygirl.blogspot.com/ This is my story on my favorite quilt. Actually it a quilt and a mini. This is the story of 'the challenge'

A few years ago, when I was a member of the local Guild, we were given a challenge. Purchase a piece of fabric (in this case an awful lime green batik), make a piece of art along the lines of the theme. This theme was Romantic Nights in Margaritaville, hence the green batik. Always up for a challenge I took this one on! Whatever we came up with would be put into the Guilds quilt show in the fall and be voted on for a prize.

After much searching and fretting over color schemes, I finally decided to do a double Ohio star in colorful batiks with a black tone on tone background. I cut a test block out and assembled it. I really liked how it looked and went forth with the cutting. Each block is 12" sq. finished with a 2" sashing, 1-1/2" border and 3-1/2" second border. Using the challenge fabric as the focal, I pull from my stash 11 other different batiks. Once I figured which colors to pair up, I started the cutting of the pieces. When I finished cutting each block, I carefully put each in its own baggy.

Now for the fun part, sewing the blocks together! Since each block was in its own bag, I didn't have to worry about losing any pieces as I went to assemble. After putting the second block together, I'm thinking to myself why is it taking me so long to put these blocks together?? I counted the pieces and discovered 53 PIECES!! 53 pieces??? what was I thinking??? So each night for almost 2 weeks, I would grab a baggy and sew one block. Each block took 2 HOURS to put together. Once I got the blocks done, I cut sashing and borders (the narrow border is made of left over batiks, cut into 2 inch random length strips and sewn together) and finished the top, which took another 6 hours. All together the top alone took 30 hours of work!

I was so proud of myself! I was strutting around my tiny sewing room chanting '"I got a winner, I got a winner!' Then (hanging head in shame) I read the rules........The challenge piece could not be more than 140" AROUND. Mine was 55" x 66". AHHHHHHHHHhhhhhhhh!!! After all my work! Its too big!!! I went to Guild and saw the coordinator of the challenge and tried to sweet talk him into letting me enter my quilt. He stood firm and said no. Great.... I worked hard on this and now I cant put it into the challenge. Then I remembered the snippets!

As I was putting the blocks together, there were several snippets left over. 20 to be exact from each of the 12 blocks. I ended up with 240 snippets! For those of you who do not know what a snippet is, its the corner you trim off a block. Very common with flying geese and snowball. Both of these blocks are in the Double Ohio Star. You sew the snippet along the long edge of the tiny triangle and press open. You end up with a small half square triangle . I saw on the cover of a Fons and Porter magazine the perfect pattern. It had single Ohio stars on point, with prairie points. I thinking, I can do that! I played with the HSTs and discovered I could make Ohio Stars out of them! Played some more and was able to create mock prairie points! Yes! I will be able to enter the challenge after all!

I did finish the big quilt (titled 'Stars over Margaritaville') had it machine quilted in a medium stipple with jewel tone variegated thread. It came out WONDERFUL! With the mini quilt (titled 'Getting snippy in Margaritaville') I hand quilted with the same variegated thread inside each star. It is eye catching and very bright.

Since I could not enter the big quilt into the challenge, I did put it into the local county fair and won a BLUE RIBBON! The big quilt is one of my favorite quilts I have made. The mini did go into the Guild Challenge. Even though it didn't win a ribbon, I am told many were oooooooooing and ahhhhhhing over it. The following fall I did entered the Mini into the local county fair and that too won a BLUE RIBBON! The moral of the story is: Sometimes it does pay not to read the rules!

I hope yall liked my story (even though it was a tad long) about my favorite Quilt(s). I have made many full size and mini quilts since these two and they remain my favorite after all these years. Please excuse the fuzzy pictures, I wrote about the challenge in a online newletter called Nine Patch News and was able to retrieve these pictures. Yes, that is me hold them up. Enjoy!

Keep On Stitch'n On!

(mauh) Liz

I have some of the bestest friends!

hiyall,

Im telling yall, I have some of the bestest friends! I love my quilting buds! I recently sent out a email and included this picture that I stole off a blog:

The blogger had bought this jewel at a seniors craft show in Fla. I told my friends that I would trade a little sum-sum for one of these. I dont knit or crochet (I have to assume this was crocheted) and I would be more than willing to barder. well.......several of my online friends said they would make me a set with no trade. hot damn! Arlene send me this set. She made up her own pattern and used all cotton. all cotton will not conduct heat so it is a perfect thread to use. this is what she sent me:

they fit perfectly and they stretch to fit. I will be getting good use out of these. She sent me instructions on how she made these, she winged it as she went along. If you would like these instructions (they look like gibberish to me but to a crocheter they would make sense) just email me at Erzebatbat@aol.com Arlene said I could share the instuctions with yall. Cant wait to see what my other friends are doing! These lid knob covers would make a great craft show item to sell.

Keep On Stitch'n On!

(mauh) Liz