Thursday, June 28, 2012

Shabby Chic Coming Off the Frame ~

 
On the bed, Shabby Chic is trimmed and waiting for binding and washing!

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My Grandquilter froze on me during quilting yesterday, I had just cleaned and oiled before I began. The needle was in the up position, and stayed there.!.
Plugs? Check. Switch? Check. Bobbin? Top thread? Needle? 
Check, CHECK, CHECK!
I went online to troubleshoot, went back and re-cleaned the shuttle runner...no luck. The last thing I had done before moving the machine down the frame was pushed the cutter button...I pushed it once more, and down went the needle, which was what I couldn't get it to do. Man, what's the deal? I lined the machine back up, pushed the start mechanism, and we were off and running fine. But not without about 45 minutes of frustration. I guess it is some occasional glitch, as it has done this before. Now, I know to check one more thing next time....


 ~ coming off the frame, this almost always brings a smile ~



Here are some of the different designs I put into the centers, though most just were a repeat of the outer edge...what shape DO we call this?
The pattern fits on a charm square, which I thought was good to know....






Next, the binding and washing. 

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I'm working on a present for bff Beth, too, one of those raw edge table runners I talked about at quilt class. Her birthday is Saturday, and we are going to visit them this weekend. I'm hoping to post the chicken directions next week... see you then!



Happy Quilting!








Psalm 37:4 "Delight thyself also in the LORD; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart."


Monday, June 25, 2012

On the Frame: Katie and Shawn's Shabby Chic Quilt

I like to leave little messages in the quilt lines...and there are always a few hearts sprinkled in...!




Just have a few photos to share of the "shabby chic" quilt for the newlyweds. 

 


The quilting part has begun. No machine mess ups so far, I'm so glad to report that!! Yes there have been some human error, I'm the human...but I am smiling anyway. 
 Tell me, would you be a bit unnerved to see your squares falling off while you had a quilt top on the frame?
 
 It does give you a second thought, but so far, so good....

We participated in the Southern California Quilt Run again this year, driving around three different days. 

~Jeanne, Pokey, Beth and Ginny~
 ~quilt run friends at Stars and Scraps in Corona, California~

Here is the group I chauffeured around last Thursday, when we drove about 200 miles for 7 stores and home again. Needless to say, we had a grand time!

 The Temecula Quilt Company is one of our favorites, too. This time, Sheryl prepared little pincushion directions and pieces for us to make. Beth and I sat down and sewed them together Friday night.  
Paper piecing is about the only way I can make 
such tiny pieces turn out accurate, lol






Tonight, I'm planning to share how to make a chicken pincushion 
 with the girls at quilting class, and also a bit on raw edge applique.


Seems me gluing my pieces into place with Elmer's Washable School Glue caused a few eyebrows to raise (and question my methods,lol)! But I've proven this method of gluing before with successful results. 
I'm glad to oblige.
The plaid ticker tape has been used on my table for 2 years now.


In our family news, please say a prayer for my Larry. He has a procedure tomorrow, but he is still having tummy troubles. I'm hoping to see him start improving in his health issues! 

TTFN~

"Unto thee, O LORD, do I lift up my soul. O my God, I trust in Thee... Lead me in Thy truth, and teach me: for Thou art the God of my salvation; on Thee do I wait all the day."   Psalm 25



Tuesday, June 19, 2012

School is Out~Summer Begins!

Sometimes 
a year takes a bit out of you.
 I feel like I'm ready to take on a creative challenge, and boost my energy level! 





Yesterday was my check-out day for school, so today has a project that's a wedding gift for my friend Katie and the kind man that became her husband. She wanted "shabby chic" with green being the main color. My quilting class has fabric swaps in the summer, and a couple of years ago, I picked up the main portion of these scraps that are Moda prints. Actually, they are a bit pastel for my taste, but I think they fit the bill for what Katie wanted.

 

The pattern is from McCall's Quilting, Nov/Dec 2011. The pattern is called "Freshly Frayed", and it is a raw edge applique. I knew when I saw it I would make it someday! You make the background piece,

 

 draw a grid,




 cut your shapes, and glue them down. I've used Elmer's Washable Glue Sticks before, but never the liquid. Seems like it's working! I think the grid was the hardest part so far. 




Then, I decided I wanted to add the curvy borders. The two sides are on, so I will move on to the top and bottom borders. 

I need to draw a new piece since the edge is different than the sides, but I was excited to post and say hi!











"The LORD is my strength and song, and He is my salvation: He is my God, and I will exalt Him."  Exodus 15:2