Life … as a Quilter

Life …

The wheat is already turning a golden brown.

I stopped for a short visit to see Paul’s folks on her birthday. They were trying to find the reason their martins were acting so funny!

Paul needed a ride from the field back to the house, so I picked him up.

Paul built this Fisher Classic many years ago.

Craig takes the Leagle Eagle up for a fly.

Joel said this was his best birthday party yet!

Ashton thinks Dustin will enjoy these tractor pictures in the card he is making.

… as a Quilter

My sister Emily gave me this panel and I’m making strata to go with it in preparation for a kaleidoscope class in Jackson.

Linda D. came one afternoon and helped me decide on the placement of the colored strips for my strata and ironed some too.

Quilt -- 2 for 1 Hula Lessons

Back in April I took a class, 2 for 1 Hula Lesson  with Stacy Michell in Paducah.

Now that I have my class samples heavily quilted I'm wondering about the binding. I usually go with a 2" strip from the bias, folded in half length wise, sewn to the front and hand stitched to the back.

These pieces measure close to 19" square.

What color of binding should I use? Or should I consider an alternate method of finishing? And if so, what?

Fiesta Fireworks–2014 Blogger’s Quilt Festival

 I’m joining the Spring 2014 Blogger’s Quilt Festival sponsored by Amy’s Creative Side.

Twice a year we get to enjoy an online quilt show from our own home hosted by Amy.

I have picked “Fiesta Fireworks” for my entry this time.

It has a woeful tale of not meeting the requirements of the challenge it was created for. I should have paid more attention to the fine print. You can read about it HERE and HERE.

It was made to be a quilt of “Celebration.”

“Yes, they shall sing of the ways of the Lord and joyfully celebrate His mighty acts, for great is the glory of the Lord.” –Psalm 138:5 (Amplified Bible)

And I just learned this week that it has been juried into the AQS Quilt Show in Charlotte, SC.

Yes! Let’s celebrate!

Fiesta Fireworks
Dimensions: 39”X41”
Materials: cotton, tulle with glitter, cotton and polyester thread
Techniques: piecing of some of the blades, fusing, applique
Free motion quilted on a home sewing machine.
Category: Art Quilts

Mississippi License Plate – Go Mississippi II

This is my 2nd Mississippi license plate quilt.

Remember how I said I want to simplify, yes, simply the first one?

The biggest noticeable difference is two pine trees instead of four.

And this time I used the American Made Brand cotton fabric.

The AMB blog tour will start Monday, May 19. I hope you will follow along and visit two states a day. My day will be May 30 along with Indiana. You will have to wait until then to see my “real” Mississippi tag block for AMB. You can see the schedule HERE.

But for now, here is how I made

Go Mississippi II.

I paper pieced the pines.

I added the blank center fabric and …

… and the strips of water at the bottom.

I resized and printed out the “Mississippi” logo and then traced around the letters onto the fabric with a textile marker. (And yes, I’m left handed.)

For the magnolia flower, I drew, cut out, and fused the petals and leaves together …

… and ironed them to the background.

Then I outlined the flower with a permanent craft pen.

Next I layered the top, batting, and back and began quilting. I left the background behind the letters unquilted because I was undecided how to make it look good.

After working with a sample, I decided to quilt right through the letters and then use my textile marker to blacken the thread over the letters.

Now it’s all finished!

Go Mississippi II – $60

Detail

Dimensions: 12 1/4” X 6 1/4”
Material: AMB cotton solids, King Tut cotton, Rainbows, and other thread, unknown batting and backing
Finished with “Fast Finished Triangles” and is ready for hanging.

The back

And you have until 5:00 p.m. PST, May 16, 2014 to enter my fabric giveaway HERE.


  

  

Magnolia Sewing Circle

Our group was quite large this month with 22 or more adults and 25 or more children attending.

We continued hand quilting the quilt with the embroidered blocks.

Sherilyn sews the binding for a comforter.

Shelah, Jenn P. and Jenn L. also finish binding comforters.

Evie and Rhoda cut out dresses for another project.

Brittany and Karla get another comforter ready for sewing the binding.

It was a beautiful day and for the most part the children played outside. But a few toys enticed their creativity indoors.

Crystal shows Sheila how to sew alternate blocks for the bird blocks.

Crystal lays out these bird blocks, that Sheila has bordered, in a pleasing arrangement.

Lester and Louise plan to deliver these 22 packaged comforters to Christian Aid Ministries in Indiana.

And don't forget to enter my fabric giveaway HERE.