Back to Quilting

Well I can't quilt quilts yet but have managed to do some table runners the last couple of days. Got the frame set one notch higher than I usually start with. I can quilt one runner then roll the backing and do one more. Since there is so small amount of fabric and batting it is easy to roll and doesn't task my hand.

I know I won't be ready to do any quilts for the next couple of weeks at least but nice that I can get some of my craft show runners quilted.

I quilted these two patriotic ones yesterday.

and quilted these two fall runners this afternoon.

I also found, ironed and loaded some backing fabric on the frame to quilt up two more tomorrow. Since I am only quilting a couple at a time I am having good luck so far at least finding pieces of fabric big enough for backings.

I am still working on piecing the rest of the tumbler runners together. I think I will probably end up with about 5 of them. The last two (pictures later) I have fused poinsettias on the ends of the runners.

Another HOT day today, was nice to spend the afternoon in the basement.

kathie

Design Wall Monday (memorial day)

No sewing yesterday, my hubby and I spent the day painting the master bathroom. This is what is currently on the design wall. I think I have decided to not add borders, I like it just the way it is. This block is called split decision and is made out 2 1/2 by 4 1/2 pieces. Nice project for those left over binding strips. I am tempted to try making this block using the rectangle die for my accuquilt GO. The block would be much bigger and I don't know if it would be to big?

Sammy decided to jump up in the window this morning and check out the fresh paint. The paint is actually a light tan though it looks yellow or gold in this picture. It was great to finally get this room done.

We are going to go out for our traditional holiday day breakfast this morning and then considering it is expected to be about 95 degrees today I intend on spending the afternoon down in the basement sewing room.

Remember to take time to think about all the vets that lost their lives to protect our freedom on this Memorial Day. I have know lots of people that served but luckily I have not known anyone lost in a war.

Kathie

Sunday Stash Report - May 29, 2011

Well my net numbers took a back slide this week. With JoAnn's 50% off sale on clearance fabric I went ahead and got backing fabric for two quilt tops I have done (my patriotic quilt and my neon cats quilt). Once that fabric is washed and seamed it will be out of my stash.

Fabric used this week: 7.25 yards
Fabric used YTD: 122 yards
Fabric purchased this week: 10 yards
Fabric purchased YTD: 100.5 yards

Net fabric used in 2011: 21.5 yards

Finished up my split decision top (picture tomorrow) and started piecing together more of the Christmas tumblers to make a couple more table runners. I am happy to see that my box of pre-cut projects is rapidly going down.

Have a great sunday, going to be HOT here in Maryland.

Kathie

This Week

The last few days I have been working on completing enough split decision red/white and blue blocks to make a quilt top. I made one of these more than a year ago and the remaining blocks and strips have just been sitting. I figured since it was mostly cut out and is also a UFO that this would be one of my projects while my hand heals.

I now have all 42 blocks made. Here are the first few laid out on the design wall.

Do you have anything planned for this holiday weekend? The daughter has several social things going on this week but the hubby and I don't. We are going to take the opportunity for a date night and go out to dinner tonight but the rest of the weekend will be pretty much the usual unless we stop and get some paint tonight.

I would love to start painting the master bathroom. When we moved in this house 11 months ago the painting was fairly fresh but pretty much nothing was colors we liked (master bathroom is a weird gold). We have been SLOWLY repainting everything. I say we but it has been mainly the DH with a little help from the daughter. I am one of these people that totally suck at painting. I can tape things off and paint trim but if I roll a wall it ends up having to be redone. I was thinking since I can't long arm for awhile longer that I might tackle the bathroom. At least there is no carpet in there for me to ruin with paint.

Kathie

Yesterday's Projects

I did lots of computer/book work yesterday so didn't spend to much time in the sewing room. I did get the second tumbler runner top complete. This one is strictly tumblers but after all the favorable comments on the runner with the solid fabric on the ends and holly fused on it think the remainder of my tumblers will be sewn into that type of runners.

I also pulled out this little charity strip quilt top I made a few weeks ago and didn't like. It was just to plain and the white/cream sections just looked to wide.

I got a new Accuquilt Die the other night called Fun Flowers so decided to put a few of those across the quilt. I think it helps a whole lot. I am going to add a few more but need to take a run to JoAnns to get some more wonder under first.

I decided to take a break from the tumblers for a couple of days so pulled out my next project. This one will be a quilt made out of red/white and blue split decision blocks. I made a charity donation quilt out of these last year and as usual way over cut the fabric and made some extra blocks so I will make another of the quilt either for donation or for fall craft shows. Will probably spend the next couple of days making those blocks and then see if my DH will help me trim them up.

Kathie

Almost a Senior

A friend of Mandy's loves to take pictures. This is one of the pictures she took of Mandy last weekend, I think she did a great job, I love the picture.

Kathie

Design Wall Monday - May 23, 2011

Nothing to exciting on the design wall today. I was working yesterday on putting together tumbler runner #2. It is in rows, just not sewn together or trimmed up yet.

What I want to know is if you think the runner will look best like this one is going to be, just tumblers, or like the one below that I did on saturday with the white and the holly on each end. I have enough tumblers cut for at least two more runners (I do fall craft shows so make LOTS of runners) so would like opinions. They are getting a little boring to piece so think I will go on to another project I have cut out and come back to these in a few days.

The incision on my hand is healing nicely. A little achey today so I might have over did it slightly yesterday but definitely not doing anything I am not suppose to as I want it to heal as quickly as possible.

Kathie