It's been a while

It's been over a month since I posted. A lot has happened this past month.

The end of September we traveled to Berlin, OH and stayed in a wonderful cabin called Simple Blessings Cabin. We shopped, traveled the back roads and basically had a great relaxing time. My husband said it best when he said he did not know how he would ever stay at a motel again after staying at Simple Blessings Cabin .

I've been doing some sewing since I returned. Still have not finished the Frosty Frames (see previous post) I do however have it sandwiched and pinned and ready to quilt.

OH, OH I took a meandering quilt class at the Riverplace Mercantile . It was really fun and I learned a lot. I have even been able to use it.

Here is a small wall hanging I made... 1 of 3 ...I bought the pattern in Berlin and only had to buy some more white on white fabric for the snowman. It is about 12" x 18".

If you look closely you can see my meandering.

Here is another project I did the last couple nights. It took me forever to decide on the fabrics and I'm still not sure about a couple of them. I still need to put the batting & backing on and quilt it. I haven't decided whether to blanket stitch around the mittens, letters, etc. or just leave them like they are. This wall hanging is about 41" x 14".

Making Strides

Help in the fight against Breast Cancer. Our family has participated in the Relay for Life for the last 6 years. Although my daughter had brain cancer, it was a breast cancer chemotherapy (her 3rd one) that finally worked in keeping the cancer from growing in her brain. This is why we need to help with the raising of funds and awareness for ALL cancers. On October 4th Port Huron, MI will be the site of the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer in our area. If you would like to make a donation to The American Cancer Society for the research of breast cancer please access the link below.

Making Strides Against Breast Cancer - 2008-2009

Frosty Frames ...almost done

I'm almost done with the Frosty Frames wall hanging. I only made 1/2 of the squares to make a smaller hanging. I'm now waiting for my friend to come over with her button jar to see if she has what I need for eyes and noses. I also have the embroidering to do.

I guess I could put it together for quilting since I cannot quilt it with the eyes and noses. I'm really looking forward to finishing this and putting it up for the winter.

Recipients

These are my wonderful grandchildren. They are the recipients of the quilts mentioned in previous posts.

In this video he mentions he was watching a horsey. There was a show on TV that was showing a horse being rescued from a river. They were using a ladder and a fire truck. I'm not sure if he was more interested in the horse or the firetruck.

Baby Girls quilt top

In a previous post I showed the quilt top for my grandson made from my daughter's (his aunt) pajamas. I finished the quilt top for my granddaughter Friday night. I've washed the fabric for the back and on Friday I will put the quilts together and prepare them for quilting.

Coasters

A couple weeks ago someone posted a link for the Criss Cross Coasters . Since then I have made a few of these. They are sooooooooooooo easy and make up really quick. I used the heavy Heat 'N Bond on mine. I cut it about 1/2" smaller than the fabric squares.



these were for my friend "The Pig Lady"

Quilt tops

After my daughter, Pati, died in September 2006, my younger daughter, Traci, suggested making quilts for her (Traci's) children from Pati's flannel pajamas. In January '08 I started the process, finally. I cut all the pajama bottoms & tops into 5" squares and 1/2 squares. We had enough squares to make two quilt tops each approximately 60" x 90". One top is complete and the other still needs the rows sewn together. Here is a picture of the quilt top for my grandson along with a picture of my daughter. If you look hard (click on the picture) you will see the squares from the pajamas she is wearing in the picture. This quilt top used the majority of blue fabrics trying to get a more "masculine" quilt for the grandson. The other top is made of mainly pink fabrics. Only thing now is my daughter is expecting another child in the spring. I think I may have one pajama top and one bottom that I found after sewing these. I could probably make a baby size blanket for the new grandchild.

Note: there was some misunderstanding that the quilts are for Pati's children. (Pati had no children) The quilts are for Traci's children. (just thought I'd clarify that)

Great time

Well it's Tuesday and our wonderful weekend had to come to an end. We spent a lot of time walking through the arts & craft show in Harrisville, MI. I only bought two things. That does not include the strawberry shortcake, roasted almonds or kettle corn. **Yummy**

We also spent time in a couple of quilt stores. I only made a minor purchase at The Cotton Patch , a wonderful quilt store in East Tawas, MI. Then of course on Labor Day we hit Hobby Lobby and Joanne's in Saginaw.

Heading North

Well Labor Day weekend is upon us. Many years ago, about 1989, the women in our family made a yearly tradition of driving north to Harrisville, MI for the annual Harmony Weekend, not sure if that's the correct name. They have a great arts & craft show on Saturday and Sunday and there is also a smaller one in Tawas City. So of course we hit them both, stopping along the way at any mall, craft store or restaurant we desired. At one time there was 10 of us that would go. In 2003 this tradition ended when my mother became extremely ill the day before we were supposed to leave. She passed away about 2 1/2 months later.

Last year my husband and I went up for the weekend. What a great trip and he liked it too. I found out that the crowds on Saturday are all gone by Sunday. Sunday was a much nicer day for getting a good look at everything. On Saturday you would shuffle down the aisles and try to sneak a peak at the booths. It was also difficult to get back into the aisles when trying to leave the booth.

WELL, this weekend we have 3 couples going. I'm sure we are going to have a great time. My brother loves going to large craft shows and is really looking forward to going. I hope he's not disappointed.

Only disappointment for me will be that the quilt shop will not be opened. Maybe that is a good thing though. So, no sewing for me this weekend. I'm on vacation!!!

Quilt shop trip

After a recent trip to Bird-In-Hand and Lancaster, PA, I found myself wanting to do some sewing. I had purchased a small key chain made from a tiny log cabin quilt square. My friend and I both bought one and talk of how easy this would be to make. One night after returning home I set out to make one and was it quick & easy!! This picture is of some I made.



I posted a picture of all I had made on Stashbusters, and had requests for the instructions. So here they are...
LOG CABIN SQUARE KEY CHAIN – I did not create this idea. I just made some after buying one.
Start with 1” strips of five colors, I originally cut all strip 6" long, and a piece of scrap about 3" x 6" for the back and loop. Center color is the only one I cut to size. It is 1” x 1”. I used approx. ¼” seam. (that’s about what the edge of my presser foot is)





Sew the center and first strip together, trim to the length of the center, press open






Using the same strip stitch it to the end of the previous piece, press open





Continue around sewing the strips on the block, trimming and pressing until square is completed

Backside and the loop for the key chain: From the 3" x 6" scrap cut the following – 1 piece 1” and two pieces about 2.5”. I just cut the small piece off and then cut the remaining piece in half.



Take the smaller piece and fold the long edges to the center, press, then fold together in the center. Press. I do not stitch this. Cut to about 1” in length. This will be the loop for the key chain/ring to be attached

On the larger pieces fold over about ¼” on one side of each piece and stitch. Note: I just noticed that the one I purchased was not stitched, just folded over and pressed.




Lay the large pieces face up, one on top of the other, overlapping the stitched edges as needed to make the piece the size of the square. Note: this will create the opening for turning the square inside right.
Note: I changed the color of the loop to show the placement. Fold the loop piece in half. Lay it at the corner of the last strip. I center the folded edge right at the corner, then stitch the length of the loop to hold it in place. The stitching will be removed later. I stitch it to keep it from shifting.


Lay the log cabin square right side down on the back piece. Stitch completely around the square. Trim seam and corners.

Turn piece inside right pushing out the corners and removing the stitching on the loop. Many times my loop has been too long or just does not look right. If this happens take out a few of the corner stitches and slide the loop in or out as needed or straighten it out.







Finished piece measures about 2”