A Cup Of Tea for Jeannie

As I try to find the words to describe my friend Jean I’m reminded of a little poem by Emile Dickenson that is hanging in a small frame in the hallway of Jean's home.

Jeannie (June 2011)

If I can stop one heart from breaking,

I shall not live in vain;

If I can ease one life the aching,

Or cool one pain,

Or help one fainting robin

Unto his nest again,

I shall not live in vain.

(by Emile Dickenson)

It sums up Jean’s generosity of spirit and kindness that is so comforting to all of us that know her. She’s the kind of friend that just seems to know how to make you feel good. Her quick wit and great sense of humor keep us entertained too! 

Whether it’s sharing a funny story, reminiscing about "the good old days" at Franklin High, listening to the latest drama in your life or praising you for the smallest of accomplishments, Jean just know what to say. I know this because I have been the grateful recipient of many a good laugh, kind word, and heartfelt hug from her!  

I had been mulling over ideas for all The Girls quilts for a few months but I still didn't have a clear idea on what I wanted to do for Jean.  A few weeks before Christmas 2010 Jean called to ask if I wanted to go Christmas shopping. I met up with her at her lovely home and headed out into the cold winter afternoon. The Christmas shopping went pretty quickly so we stopped off for a bite to eat and chance to chat. After returning to the house we indulged in one of her favorite pastimes; relaxing by the fire with a good cup of coffee.

Like most of us Jean relishes those rare moments when she can put her feet up and relax. Juggling life with a daughter blossoming into her teen years; a big house with a sprawling yard; an active but aging mother; and a flourishing career leaves very little time to just sit and sip a cup of coffee. So I knew right then, as we relaxed by the fire, that Jean's quilt would have to be about relaxing and enjoying the simple things in life.

My first inspiration came from this Debby Mumm coffee fabric.  Now I say my first inspiration because there were actually three quilts that came out of this particular creative process. The first two didn't make the cut.

Something just wasn't right, it wasn’t saying “Jeannie” to me.  Find out what became of the coffee fabric on these earlier posts "Revisiting the Coffee Quilt", "The Coffee's On" and "Just A Sip"!

At the next quilt show I attended I found this fabric that looks like a box of chocolates. The pink and brown combination sounds good but uhmmm again just not “Jeannie”.

Wondering what happened to the candy fabric? You can check it out in this earlier post "Box of Chocolates" and "Box of Chocolates Borders". 

By the following summer I had still not found the perfect inspiration fabric for Jean's quilt.  After convincing her and Gail to join me for the Lowell Quilt Festival, I asked each of them to show me which quilt they liked the best. Jean pointed out a pretty blue and white wall hanging.  The fabric was similar to the Blue Willow pattern seen on antique dishes. Once I saw that I knew I had the perfect piece of fabric in my stash – Tea Cups!  Finally, it all came together; relaxing, drinking tea, calming blue colors . . .  aahhhh.

Next, which pattern to choose?  I'll spare you non-quilters the details but for those of you that are interested there's a post here on choosing the pattern and one here on keeping it all organized.

As I’ve mentioned in previous entries, I wanted to make these quilts for my friends and at the same time challenge myself to try new quilting techniques with each project. This particular pattern included Prairie Points. Now that’s something I’d never tried!  I did a quick search on the internet and found a video on how to do it.  Here's what they look like in progress. 

It took a lot of pins and

some slow and steady sewing but the effect was beautiful!

That's our Jeannie with the finished quilt.  It is so pretty! I am really pleased with how it came out and best of all she loved it.  The colors are lovely and tranquil.  The pictures just don't do it justice.  You can't see the quilting in these pictures but I'll be doing more on the details on this quilt in future posts.  For those of you who are lucky enough to visit Jeannie make sure you check it out in person.

I found this nice saying for the label.  Notice the date when it was finished?  She just got it a month ago!

The simple act of relaxing with a friend is one of the many reasons I am so thankful for each and every one of The Girls. It may not happen as often as we’d like but when the time arrives we relish every minute. This past Memorial Day weekend was one of those times when the stars aligned and four of us were able to meet up at Betty’s. 

After for a quick lunch on the deck, including a surprise birthday cake for Jean, I was able to finally give her the quilt I’d finished months ago. Since her birthday is in December she was REALLY surprised!

Me and Jeannie with her quilt - when did I get so short?

The festivities continued with a matinee viewing of “Dark Shadows” which was very funny. As former daily watchers of the Dark Shadows TV series we were all wondering how it would compare to the original. There were definitely similarities but since this was a comedy the mood was very different. (“Does my sent offend thee?”)

We were all glad we had been forced into the matinee showing.  With very few people in the theater it was easier for us to sing along to the sound track of 1970’s hits like The Carpenters “I’m on the top of the world” and “Please Go all the way” by Eric Carmen and the Raspberries! 

Next was a short ride to the deck of a local restaurant to watch the sun set over Portsmouth harbor.  In between toasting our absent friends and the beginning of summer we squeezed in another meal and lots of catching up.

Sorry, some stuff is just for The Girls, let’s just leave it at “A good time was had by all.”

March Meeting Of The Once A Month Group

While I don't have any pictures of my own quilts to show you I do have some from the "One Friday A Month" group to share. Our March meeting was held at Deb's new home by the river.   She was gracious enough to have us for an over night quilting/visiting get together. 

We all arrived early enough for a tour before the sun set. Her home is warm and cozy not to mention beautifully decorated! There's a view of the river just 50 feet or so from her back deck and a huge working farm across the street from her front door.

Our rooms upstairs had welcoming beds with plenty of comfy quilts. It was like being at a bed and breakfast.  Nothing was overlooked, from the food to the accommodations it was a feast for the eyes. 

I feel very fortunate to have found a group of women who are all so talented.  I look forward to our monthly get together so I can see what every one's been up to and catch up on the latest news about family and friends.

Speaking of family, that's my sister Dutchy holding up a baby quilt she made for a friend's grandson.  It's a pattern of interlocking Friendship Star blocks.  I had made one when I first started quilting and it took me forever to put together.

Hers was whipped up in no time flat. Turns out that using the two colors along with the white printed background like she did her rather than the multiple blues and yellows like I did (here) made all the difference.  Oh yeah, and having a few more years of quilting under your belt helps too!

The blues and yellows are so soft.  The white background fabric on this one has the cutest little pastel toys on it.  I don't think the picture does it justice but here's a detail shot.  Kind of looks like flowers but it's really toys.  The border and backing were done "envelope" style where you sew all the edges right sides together leaving a small opening so you can turn it right side out.

Jane brought her Disappearing Nine Patch.  That's her peeking out from behind the corner of it.  I love all the colors.  One of the things I always admire when seeing a finished quilt is the personality that comes through.  Whether it's the quilters personality or the recipients personality.  Each one is unique.  I love how the sashing and the borders frame the large blocks.

I can't remember if Jane was finishing up the hand quilting or the binding.  One of these days I'll be ready for a lesson in hand quilting and these are just the people who can teach me.  They all do such beautiful work!

The rest of the gang, Tami, Carol, Deb and I, were all working on hand work.  I was so busy talking I forgot to take more pictures until morning!  Several of them had started a block of the month from our local quilt shop.  I worked on piecing some of the blocks for Mary's quilt and they were very cute. 

Deb, our hostess, was working on piecing a set of blocks embroidered by her grandmother.  They are the state flowers for all 50 states.  The embroidery is just lovely.  Everyone like the patterns so much that one of the girls decided she wanted to make them so she borrowed the patterns.  Wish I'd taken some pictures DARN!  Well, I'll ask Deb to bring it to the May gathering and get some pictures to share with you.

After many hours of talking and laughing we all headed off to bed.  SOME of us were asleep right away but the "Hot Flash Twins" (and you know who you are!) were both fighting with the covers.  One even got stuck in her sleeping bag and nearly melted from the heat LOL!  Oh yeah, and there was that little mishap with the picture in the bathroom - Sorry Deb!

After a short night's sleep we ventured down to the kitchen.  The hot flash twins were already up and trying to figure out how to get the coffee pot to work.  After many attempts and floods of giggles our hostess appeared with the simple answer:  put the special rock on the lid to engage the start mechanism.  HaHaHaHa  Why didn't we think of that!  Once the coffee got going we dug in to quiche, fresh fruit salad, muffins and juice.  Yummy :-)

The rest of the day was filled with sewing, eating, laughing, sewing, talking, walking and more laughing.  It all ended much too soon!  A big THANK YOU to Deb for sharing her home with all of us.

Before I forget, I want to mention that the April meeting was at Jane's home where we were all treated to Jane's luscious brownies and cookies.  Again I forgot to bring the camera so no pictures.  I really want to share the quilt that Jane is working on - it's red work blocks set with beautiful patchwork.  Jane if you're reading this I hope you'll bring it to the May get together so I can take some pictures.

Happy quilting everyone!

Still Here!

I'm happy to report that though my readership is a VERY small group I have had several inquiries as to why I've not posted anything lately. Thank you!

Truth is I thought I'd have lots of posts for April but as it turns out I've been so busy piecing the last of the quilts for The Girls that I haven't posted anything in ages. 

I'm happy to report the Mary's quilt was finally off to the longarmer on Thursday.  I should have it back in a couple of weeks.  That will give me plenty of time to get the binding and label on before I head off on a two week, cross country business trip that includes a stop in Boise.

Since I don't want to spoil the surprise by showing her quilt I'll just let you know that Guppy was not at all happy about all the late night quilting activity.  Look at that face!  If looks could kill I'd be dead !!! 

To be fair, he had been to the vet earlier that day for his annual check up so he was not particularly happy with us.  Shots and temperature taking can make a cat (or even a human) rather grumpy.

Good news is he's down to a slim, trim, 14 pounds and healthy as can be.  After a good nights sleep he was back to loving us. :0)  

Next time I'll show you some quilt pictures, I promise.

Back to Quilting



Flip Flops on Audrey's quilt


Ahhh, back to quilting!  I've been off studying for an exam that I want to get for my job.  It didn't go so well but I've decided that a little quilting time will cheer me up.  Actually, I have been doing some sewing since my last post but I haven't been able to share the projects yet because they are for "The Girls".

Jean's quilt is done and I just realized last weekend that it needs a label.  But the binding and sleeve are on and sewn in place.  It's really pretty and I can't wait to give it to her.

Kim's quilt is at the long arm quilters and should be home any day now.  That will be #5 of the 6 quilts I had set out to make beginning this time last year. 

Of course, I did have help along the way.
This is Guppy helping me measure
 for the binding on Betty's quilt.

It all sounded so simple.  I just wanted to make a quilt for each of The Girls for their birthday. Well, I almost did it.  I never imagined it would take so long or run the gambit of emotions along the way.  They didn't get them "on" their birthdays but they each got one.  Or should I say will get one since there is still one more to go. 

With such a large group of work in just over a year there's lots to choose from if I decide to enter a show.  Each quilt is so different from the next and I love them all so it would be hard to pick one from  the bunch.  Maybe I should enter a couple of shows? Hmmm, now that's an idea.  Guess I should look into that.

I've started working on Mary's quilt this week.  I'm just at the fabric and pattern stage but it feels good to be getting back to something I love.  Pouring over quilt magazines and check out patterns on the web give me lots of inspiration.  I have had an idea brewing for this particular quilt for well over a year now I just need to pull it together.

Besides the girls quilts I've started a wall hanging called Cone Flowers.  It's a nice size applique piece that I'm able to pick up when I take a break at lunch time or for a when I have a few minutes here and there.  After spending last summer with Betty's large quilt in my lap and without AC in the house I decided that I needed some small projects for this coming summer.

Along with the cone flowers I'm going to be working on the borders for my bunny quilt this summer.  I just love this quilt and can't wait to design the applique layout for the border.  This one is done in 1930's reproductions.  I want to add a 4 inch white border using the background fabric which has white on white polka dots.  The flowers and leaves will be from the 1930s prints that are in the blocks and the vine will be black rick rack.  The borders will be scalloped and the binding will be black.  I'm hoping it comes out looking something like this.

Sample border for Bunny quilt.
From the pattern "Sweet Caroline" by
Karie Patch Designs

Ahh, it truly is good to be doing something I really enjoy! 

Just A Sip

I did manage to squeak in another addition to the Coffee Quilt.  I studied for about an hour but since I study in the sewing room and this quilt is on the design wall right in front of me it's a bit distracting.  :0)

This time I've added these dark triangles so the blocks are sitting square instead of on point.

When they were all up there on point I was thinking of doing a checker board of colors for in between each block.  But it's getting pretty big now so I decided to just do a sashing. 



I'm going to use the small panel squares for corner stones.  They are starting out as 2" squares so they will be 1.5" wide once I get them sewn in.  That might be a problem so I'll give it a test run.  I'm thinking I can do a 1/8" seam so I don't loose the images.  Then again as I'm writing this I'm thinking I may not be able to use them.  Decisions, decisions.


Which fabric do you like for the sashing?






There's light blue with coffee beans or

Dark brown with coffee rings!

I can't decide so let me know what you think.

This week is quilting with the once a month quilters so I'll be asking them and there's never a always a fresh opinion from them!

The Coffee's On

Late Saturday afternoon I finally got started.  Since the blocks were already cut they didn't fit the dimensions called for in the pattern.  The math had me bogged down for a bit but then I decided to just pick a number and go with it.  I figured I could get a block big enough to cut down if I have to.  I keep looking at the pattern for inspiration but I don't know what it's going to turn out to be in the end.  Here's the progress on the first set of blocks.

Based on the largest of the motif squares I cut 5 inch strips from this pretty yellow fabric.  I starched and pressed the strips . . .

then cut them into 5 inch squares, then cut the squares in half diagonally to get all these triangles.  The starch really helps to stabilize the fabric when working with triangles since the side I'm sewing is the bias edge.

Looking at this picture I'm amazed how many tools are needed to make a quilt.  Although most of the work can be accomplished with as little as a ruler, a rotary cutter, a cutting mat, and a sewing machine, you can see from this and some of the other picture that scissors, starch, a seam ripper, several different size rulers, and a wooden pressing tool were also used.  (Not to mention the remotes for the TV!)

Anyway, the triangles are sewn to the fussy cut squares.  I chain pieced the top then bottom, left side then right side.  I don't know if there's a preferred order other than doing opposite sides so that the seams overlap in a pleasing way.  I'm a big believer in pressing after each step to keep things flat.  I don't use any additional starch unless the block is really not holding it's shape.

The triangles were purposely cut to be larger than the center square so to get them lined up with the centers of the sides of the squares I used this wooden pressing tool.  I just fold the block in half and press down with the tool to crease the fabric.  You can kind of see the triangles in the background have already been creased.  This is quicker than going to the ironing board.

That handy little tool is something I bought at a craft fair many years ago.  It was supposed to be used for spreading jelly or jam on toast.  I found it one day a couple of  years ago in a basket with all my baking things.  I never used it for jelly and hardly ever bake any more, except for holidays, so I decided it would get more use in the sewing room than in the kitchen.

I finished all 12 of these main blocks before calling it a night.

I laid them out on the design wall to be inspired for the next set of blocks. 

Guppy's not sure what to make of the whole thing.  He's wondering if he'll be able to reach the top row and pull them all off the board by morning ;o)

The finished blocks ended up being 8 inches square.  I'm thinking of doing scrappy "checker board" blocks to go in between.  That way I can mix in the smallest fussy cuts.  The medium size fussy cuts may end up as sashing corner stones or as part of the border. 

I'll be back with an update soon.  For now I'm off the tackle more math for the second set of blocks!

Oh yeah, I also started a couple of applique projects so I'll be writing about those soon too.

Revisiting the Coffee Quilt

In general I love the creative process.  That's why I do this right?  Many times when I'm out shopping I'll find an individual piece of fabric spark something inside that makes me want to make a quilt right that very moment.  I have to have it.  I guess that's what leads to having a "stash" of fabrics!  (a.k.a. impulse buying LOL)

But it's a rare occasion when I can come home from shopping and start sewing.  In fact, I don't think I've ever done that because I prefer to wash and dry my fabrics before cutting and making the quilts.  Then of course there's that little thing called Life that has a way of taking my attention away from the daydreams of beautiful quilts.

So somewhere between the thrill of buying the fabric and the reality of actually having the time to start the project, 6 other ideas and 10 other projects have entered the picture!  That was the case with the Coffee Quilt.

Quite some time ago I had picked up this coffee fabric thinking I would use it for one of The Girls quilts.  It was a panel so I wasn't sure how I was going to cut it up.  I washed and dried it, then tucked it away safe from dust and cats.  

By the time I got around to doing something with it the weather had changed and it was just too hot to quilt.  The next time I pulled it out I was less than inspired and decided the colors were just not right for person that I initially wanted to give it to.  So back to the safe, clean, cat free zone for the Coffee Quilt.

Right now I"m between projects and this seemed like a great time to give it another try.  After much deliberation I had decided to cut the panel of fabric into each of the different motifs and ended up with this collection of squares.  Now what? 

I had purchased some coordinating fabrics when I bought the panel so I pulled those out looking for inspiration.  Then I searched my stash for even more coordinates.  I typically like to start with LOTS of choices and take out the ones that aren't working for me.

I went back to the pattern I had chosen back in August, shown in the top of the picture below.  Putting it all together I came up with this combination.  It seemed like a good match but I was less than thrilled to get started. 

Next I reviewed some of the pictures I had taken of the fabric "auditions" done back in August.  When the materials at hand just don't match up with the idea in your head it's hard to be excited about the project but this time I was determined to get it done.  And it's got to be quick because I'm supposed to be studying for an exam!

Tube Block Try Out

It may seem like I haven't been up to much but I've really been busy which means I haven't taken the time to write any new posts.  Well, I'm back so here goes. 


Over the last few days of 2011 and into 2012 I finally got some time to work on the Chickadees quilt.  I took some time to indulge myself love of fabrics by pulling out some pieces that I hadn't considered before.  I truly want to make this a scrap quilt so I'm trying to let go of my need to make things match. 


While trying to make a final selection on the pattern I had some fun making blocks using the "tube" quilting method.  This is actually a method of cutting that is used to create blocks with half-square triangles using strip sets. There are several places on the Internet where you can find detailed instructions with measurements.  


Here's a brief walk through of this method. 
First you make a strip set with 2 strips - mine are beige and cranberry.

Press the strip set seam allowance toward darker fabric. 

Measure the open strip set then cut a strip equal to that measurement in a third color/print fabric.  This is important because you want to make sure you cut the next strip the right width.  I didn't measure, I just assumed, consequently my full strip wasn't quite wide enough.


Anyway, for this step I used a print that had a dark background and both cranberry and beige in the pattern.  Now place that wide strip over the step set, right sides together, and sew both edges so that you end up with a long tube.


TIP:  When sewing long strips like this it's a good idea to sew up one side then down the other to prevent stretching.

Now take the tube to the cutting board.  I used an 8 inch square ruler for this but you can use any ruler that has a 45 degree line on it.  Place the 45 degree line on the tube and line it up on the stitching at the bottom of the tube.  Slide it over until you have an area where all three fabrics are showing beyond the end of the ruler. Like this.  Cut off that end.  Depending on how frugal you want to be you can either throw that piece in your scrap bag or just throw it away. 

Now slide the ruler up so that the 45 degree line is on the upper outside seam. 

I'm not sure why but this close up got turned around and I can't seem to slip it back.  And I'm just noticing that the colors on these photos aren't the best.  But, hey, I'm a quilter, not a photographer!

 

The point is, the 45 degree line should be on the stitching and the end of the ruler should line up with the cut edge of the strip.  Now make the cut.

 

This next picture show the full block after it's been cut away from the tube and opened up. 

For the next block you again slide your ruler, this time to the bottom.  Line up the 45 degree mark on the seam at the bottom and cut.

 Voila! now you have two blocks that have opposite colors on the tips.

Continue cutting along the strip set until you get as many blocks as possible.  I think I ended up with 9 from one strip set.

Here are some of the layout options.

Light center

Dark Center

Hour glass

Stripes - which I think would be fun with more of a "scrappy" bunch of fabrics.

And finally the chevrons.

You really need to try this technique.  It was a lot of fun to see the results!

The Chickadee quilt is finished and it turned out great.  I didn't use this tube method because the fabric needed to have fussy cut blocks.  Instead I used the Disappearing Nine Patch just as I did for Betty's quilt.   I'll be taking Blue and Cream to the quilter this week and then Chickadees will get dropped off next.

In the mean time I've got a bunch of little things I want to re-visit and finish up before embarking on the next big project for The Girls which is a Log Cabin block but that's all I can say!

I promise I'll be posting some of those small projects so stay tuned.

Snowball Baby Quilt

I got started on the snowball baby quilt over the weekend.  With Christmas just around the corner there isn't much quilting happening.  Like most folks I'm finishing up work assignments along with holiday baking and shopping.  Here's what I've got so far.

Some fun faries!

Some yummy "goes with" fabrics.

A cute pattern. 




































And my first few snowballs.

The individual snowballs are 5" squares with 2" squares on the corners.  I'm stil playing with the arrangement since as usual I'm putting my own spin on that cute pattern.

Speaking of that pattern I had the reference wrong on the previous blog entry.  The pattern is "Tea Party" by Alison Newnam and Kaitlin Witte as shown in June/July 2011 addition of "The Quilter Magazne".

I had an intersting chat with my friend at Minka's Studio about storing fabric.  We both agreed it would be a good post so that will show up here and/or there sometime soon!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone!