Monday, July 29, 2013

What ELSE am I working on...

I can't proudly boast my progress on my Hand Applique project, because it didn't get very far last week.   I still have until Monday the 5th to reach my personal goal, so keep your fingers crossed for me!

Thought I'd share some of the OTHER pans I have in the fire to look for suggestions. I pulled a UFO (Un-Finished Object) out of my pile the other day and was completely mortified to see that it's been neglected for 5 years now (some of the blocks are dated 2008).   This was a Round Robin that I did with my guild.  We had to make our center blocks personally and then let the bag with the center block, along with whatever fabrics we wanted incorporated, travel round and round; month to month.  The girls were given criteria to follow.  (2" border; 4" border - must contain a half square triangle; 6" border - must contain a star; etc and so on)  I tried a feathered star in a star block once (in the block library of EQ5 or EQ6, can't remember which).  I grabbed any ol fabrics to practice it out, because I was going to do one out of ANOTHER girls's fabric for a different challenge.   So I already had this block hanging around, and I didn't have the heart to get rid of it.  So I threw some of the fabrics in the bag, the center block and forgot about it.   When the rounds of Round Robin completed, I ended up with this small square quilt top.


So why is it on my Design Wall?   Because I don't know if I like it or not.  Here's the beauty of being me.  I don't put the effort into completing a quilt IF I don't like it, weather other people worked on it or not.  So I'm trying to figure out if there is something I can CHANGE to make me like it more, or a special quilting plan to finish it off!   What do you think?

See what other Shenanigan's I'm up to on our Quilting Revolution FACEBOOK Page
And see what everyone else has on their Design Wall over at Patchwork Times

Monday, July 22, 2013

Design Wall Monday - Reverse Applique

I get so friggin proud of myself when I actually STICK to goals I set for myself.  I am, after all, my biggest critic.  But MORE so, my biggest supporter. {grin}

Ok yeah, so I do realize that I just set this goal this month...and I haven't actually jumped any kind of milestone or anything...  I finished the block I have been working on for like the past 2 months (omg, these swirly slender pieces take me so long to do)  But only a few stitches of embroidery remain to be done, so while I realize that NORMALLY, close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades....in my opinion, "close" counts in quilting too.   So I deem thee - DONE.


I've started my next block (on schedule mind you) and I'm pleasantly surprised at how this whole 'reverse applique" thing is coming.  I really thought I was going to struggle with it.   Definitely doesn't work up quick, but it works up perfect.  So I'm good with that!  


So a TRUE milestone will be that I am DONE with this block by August 5th, and starting another one.  (I secretly want to surpass that and have it done by this coming Monday...but whatever).  I like shootin high. 

See what other Shenanigan's I'm up to on our Quilting Revolution FACEBOOK Page
And see what everyone else has on their Design Wall over at Patchwork Times

Thursday, July 11, 2013

July Embroidery Club

Wine Glass Coasters

These coasters/cozies are fun to make, and fun to use.  With so many color combinations possible you could make enough of them for each guest to identify their own glass!  
Class will be held at Amelia's Fabric and Yarn Shoppe on Tuesday, July 16 from 1:00 – 4:00 pm. You must register for the class so call (585-392-1198) today to sign up!
Supplies needed for the class:
·         Embroidery machine and unit with cords
·         Design loaded in your machine or on a flash (USB) stick
·         5 x 7 embroidery hoop
·         Two  pieces of outer fabric 5” x 5”
·         One piece of cut away stabilizer 4 ½” x 4 ½”
·         Light  weight tear away stabilizer – one hooping
·         Threads  for the design
·         One bobbin loaded with embroidery weight thread (white is fine)
·         One bobbin loaded with embroidery thread  to match the outer satin stitch thread
·         Fabric  scissors
·         Temporary spray adhesive
·         Fray Check
·         Pencil

The designs this month come from Embroidery Library and there are several different packs from which to choose.  Below is the direct link to the page where all the coaster designs start.  You may choose a pack or single designs – it’s up to you.
There is no need to print out any instructions or the “DL” file, but do print out the design and color sequencing.  I will provide a template for you to trace around on your fabric.
Hope to see you in class at Amelia's Fabric and Yarn Shoppe for some fun and frolic.
Stitching along,

Vicki

Monday, July 8, 2013

Design Wall Monday - More "Sew & Tell"

I've recently decided to step up the progress, or rather the lack there of, on my Hand-Applique Quilt inspired by the book "Affairs of the Heart" by Aie Rossman.  I say "inspired by" because I have found myself making modifications and changes to many of her blocks.  Adding a little embroidery here, taking this piece out, adding that piece.  It's been fun! I am also going to be finishing the quilt in a totally different setting, with a totally different border as well. There are 36 total and I'm actively needling away at my 9th block.  I'm going to need more than 36 for what I'm doing with mine.  There's a quilt show here in NY in 2015 that I hope to enter this quilt when finished.  My calculations tell me I should reach for at least 2 FINISHED a month between now and then. Here's hoping!

 
Be sure to come check us out here for more updates -> Quilting Revolution on Facebook
I'm linked up to another board with this post. :-) You can see what others have on their Design Walls here ->Patchwork Times

Monday, July 1, 2013

Design Wall Monday - "Sew and Tell"

Just an update on what I've been working on.  The projects I have in progress are some big ones.   I'm a "Process" Lover after all.  So rather than posting weekly updates, more quarterly instead.  Hop on over to our Facebook page here -> Quilting Revolution on FACEBOOK if you want more updates!

Design Wall Mondays are a tradition over at Patchwork Times.  A great place to peruse during a Monday lunch hour. :-)

Up on my wall is a FIRST for me.   My very first Scrap Quilt.  I had to break out of my comfort zone for this one, and it's been a challenge to say the least.  I'm usually about balance, comformity, symetrical if you will.   Hacking up over 100 different fabrics into itty bitty pieces and trying to NOT pick and choose where every piece goes was tough.  BUT.....once I got moving, with MUCH encouragement from my quilty girlfriends....it's really rather freeing!  


The quilt top is done and is a traditional "Jewel Box" pattern in the center.  Scrap Therapy author Joan Ford added a genius floating diamond border with the left over pieces from the half-square triangles and 3 options for an outer border and calls it "Blooming Steps".  I picked the SUPER-SCRAPPY border and am plugging away at putting over 1,000 two-inch squares together.  I absolutely LOVE this quilt.  I chose all my florals to use.  Florals are, after all, palettes of color.  So I this is the first of many "Palette Quilts" that I intend to make :-)