Thursday, February 26, 2015

NEW CLASS, FABRIC, BOOKS

Vickie S. stopped in at the Attic Window Quilt Shop yesterday and showed us her latest project.  She used a Tonga package to make this stunning Bargello quilt. I love this pattern because it uses various size strips.  Be sure to look for Vickie's upcoming class and make this beautiful quilt with her.
There are also new fabrics in at the shop.  Above is "Blend" by Windham Fabrics.
This is a close-up of the top bolt in the previous picture.  I love this design.
These bolts of new fabric are "Spice Pallette" by Marcus.
Above is "Civil War Times - Mourning Gray and Purple" by Penny Rose.
It was difficult to decide which book to buy when I looked through these yesterday.  I want them all.

Be sure to stop in at the shop this weekend and check out all the new fabrics and books.  You're sure to find a new project in one of these books and I bet you'll find the perfect fabric for making that project.  Hope you have a great weekend.

ON ANOTHER NOTE: 
Until next time,

Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!
Caroll

Wednesday, February 25, 2015

MOD SQUAD MAKES BLOCKS

The Mod Squad met Wednesday at the Attic Window Quilt Shop.  Some of the members are participating in a BOM.  Since last month's block seemed to upset those used to more traditional block making, we tried something a little less stressful this month.  Above Peggy shows us her block.
This is Marti's block.  Remember, this is what the block is supposed to look like.;
Cathy's block is the blue and yellow one on the wall.
 Remember I told you what the block was supposed to look like?  Well, this is my block.  Let me tell you what happened.  Once I had the block sewed together I realized I had not put the pieces together correctly.  I made a major decision right then and there...I am not going to unstitch it.  So I did a slash and insert adding the black and white strips.  Then I took the left over triangles from the center piece and attached them.  There you have it...a new block...of sorts!  Anyway, it was fun to make.
Above are the four blocks made today.  It will be interesting to see how we grow and experiment during the year.
Cathy showed us her recent finish.  This was a Quilt As You Go and made with a layer cake.  I would love to try this one.


ON ANOTHER NOTE
:
Until next time,

Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!
Caroll

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

APPLIQUE BEE HAS SHOW N TELL

The Applique Bee met Tuesday at the Attic Window Quilt Shop.  Above is the new “Sew Together” pouch that Judi A. made.
This is a close look at the inside.  Don’t you just love all those pockets and zippers!  What a darling pouch!
Cathy M. was sewing bindings on her placemats.  I think I previously showed you the little cathedral window blocks she was making.  She sewed them together, added a piece of rickrack and, poof, she has an adorable placemat.
This is a close up of one with the finished binding.  Wouldn’t this make a great scrappy project! You can see more of Cathy's place mats by going to the Grand Rapids Modern Quilters blog here.

ON ANOTHER NOTE
Until next time,

Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!
Caroll

Monday, February 23, 2015

THE #1 EFFORTLESS PROJECT TO MAKE YOUR DAY

I blame it on this weather, but this morning I woke up feeling a little bland (read lazy) and at loose ends, not really inspired to start a new sewing project today.  For some reason my late daughter-in-law came to mind, which got me to thinking about an episode I saw on Sewing With Nancy this past Saturday.  It was apparently a rerun, but I had not seen it before.  I remembered a Pretty Pockets website she spoke about.  After going there, I was so inspired that I made this wonderful little Pretty Pocket.
 In fact, I made two pockets.  I wish I had known about these when my DIL had her cancer.  You can read more about making these Pretty Pockets for cancer patients here
 
Since it is asked that you use flannel and that you wash it in unscented soap, I used what fabric I had on hand.  After searching for a unscented soap, I washed and dried the fabric. Given that I had the fabric all prepped, I cut out three more pockets.  It was fun chain piecing these.

Check out this cute little tag that you can attache to each pocket.  I just printed them off on my computer and attached them with a ribbon and small safety pin.
Above are the five I made.  They are so incredibly easy to make.  I had all of these completed before lunch and that included the washing and drying and ironing of fabric!  I intend to take them to the Lacks Cancer Center.  Making these small pockets for someone in need has helped make my day.  There is nothing like giving to another to boost your spirits.  I hope you will do the same.  Each pocket takes two pieces of fabric about 6 ½” by 8”.  So save your scraps and get to sewing.  I promise you, it will make your day!

Until next time,

Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!
Caroll

Sunday, February 22, 2015

DO YOU ALREADY KNOW EVERYTHING?

I recently read an interesting article on Girl Blogger Next Door.  The title was 17 Ways Successful People Think Differently About Money.  Number 17 caught my eye:

“I am constantly learning and growing vs. I already know everything I need to know.”

Although this article was about money, I think this thought could be about anything…quilting for instance.  I’ve been quilting for a number of years but am still learning new ways of doing things. 

How about you?  Are you still learning?  I purchased the above table topper as a kit a number of years ago and for some reason put it aside.
 Maybe I needed to learn a few things before I tackled it? 

 I have been unhappy with the looks of my bindings and watched several videos prior to tackling the binding on this one.  I think I learned a few new things.  This table topper lays nice and flat and the corners aren’t too bad either.
 I like the colors in this piece so much that I have now decided to add a sleeve to the back and hang it on the wall in my spare bedroom.

Another thing I learned was to be brave and cut loose and do some free motion quilting.  I made random leaves in the borders.  The pattern for this table topper is Color Fun Daisies by Linda Sullivan.

DON'T FORGET: To check the calendar for all the fun happenings at the shop this week:
  • Sonoma Quilt - Monday
  • Applique Bee & BOM - Tuesday
  • Mod Squad & BOM - Wednesday
  • Doll Bee - Thursday
  • Coin Purse - Friday
  • Stitch-in - Friday & Saturday
ON ANOTHER NOTE
  • Did you see this on Patchwork Posse?  It is a tutorial for a disappearing 9 patch with a double twist.  Take a look.
Until next time,

Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!
Caroll

Thursday, February 19, 2015

AN ENGLISH PAPER PIECING QUILT ALONG

I didn’t get any sewing done today.  I took advantage of the weather, and spent the day enjoying lunch with friends and doing a little shopping.  I figured I better make hay while the sun shines because I understand more snow is on its way.  However, Stephanie P. sent me a picture of what she’s working on. 

Take a look above at this stunning hexagon English Paper Pieced project.  Stephanie is participating in the New Hexagon Millefiore Quilt Along.  It is from the book by the same title by Katja Marek.  You can go here to see how one blogger is machine stitching her blocks.  And you can see more here.

Apparently a number of bloggers are participating in this quilt along.  Just Google New Hexagon Millefiore Quilt Along and you’ll get to see what others are doing with this fun project.  I can’t wait to see the rest of the blocks throughout the year.  Thanks Stephanie for sharing.  I hope you will send us pictures each month!

DON'T FORGET:  
  • Next week there is a Sonoma Quilt class on Monday and UFO is also that day.  The Applique Bee meets on Tuesday afternoon and the Mod Squad meets Wednesday.  Knotty Girls meets Wednesday night.  Marilyn is teaching us how to make a coin purse on Friday.  There is a Stitch-in on Friday evening and all day Saturday.  Busy week!
ON ANOTHER NOTE
Until next time,

Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!
Caroll

Wednesday, February 18, 2015

WHAT IS IN YOUR STARS?

I just started reading the book Blink by Malcolm Gladwell.  Somewhere in the first few chapters I read how people can tell a lot about another person without even meeting them but just by observing their dorm room or bedroom.  Wow!  I looked around my sewing room today and wondered what it says about me…Slob?  Messy?  Disorganized? 

Oh, well, too bad.  I'm sewing today and I'm not going to clean and organize, mainly because once I do that it takes me months to find things.  Since it is another snow/sew day around here I’ll show you what I worked on instead of cleaning my sewing room. 

Recently I realized I had nothing to place on my table during July.  When I saw this red stripe fabric and the fabric with white stars on a blue background at the Attic Window Quilt Shop, I knew it would be simple to make a table runner with these fabrics. Above is a close-up before it is quilted.
 I didn’t have a pattern, but simply cut things to the size I needed.  However, I did want to add some larger stars to spice things up a bit.  I added three stars but am now wondering if I should add more and if so where.  I did some auditioning before I quilted it and couldn’t figure out a pleasing arrangement, so I just gave up and went with the three.  I flipped it up on one side so you could see the backing.  Binding goes on tomorrow (unless I’m able to get out of the house).
I did want to tell you about how I appliqued the stars.  Remember on yesterday’s post, the link to Blue Susan Makes shows you how to use fusing to make the pieces of the heart.  I normally use the freezer paper method when doing applique.  However, I gathered my courage and decided to try this fusing method on my stars.  After all, it was only three stars and still allowed me to turn under the edges, which I like.  I have to tell you that this was an excellent technique!  It was so easy to use my iron to push the fabric in place at the V points.  However, I must admit that I did have a little trouble getting those outer points right. Perhaps it was because it involved several layers of fabric.  I had to use a layer of woven interfacing to keep the dark background fabric from showing through the stars.   I think I need to work on making those points.  Once I have it perfected I’ll post about it.

ON ANOTHER NOTE: 
Until next time,

Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!
Caroll

Tuesday, February 17, 2015

YOU CAN MAKE THIS BURSTING HEART

Another snow/sew day.  Since I couldn’t get to the shop to take any pictures I thought I’d show you what I’ve been doing.  Above is the Bursting Heart that Blue Susan Makes showed you how to make here.  I didn’t follow her instructions exactly. 
I did a lot of auditioning and rearranging.  I don’t do the fusing method enough to really understand it, (read that I'm afraid of it) so I just made my freezer paper templates.
 I did read in the instructions that the heart grows larger as it “bursts.”  That happened to me and it outgrew my pillow form.  That's why it is not as "bursting" as I wanted it to be.  I kept scrunching it down to fit the form.  Then I just gave up.  Now I think I’ll turn it into a table topper.  Chris has some darling Valentine’s fabrics in the shop so I’m anxious to get up there and finish this project.  Why don't you drop by too and pick up some new fabric and make this project now?  You can have it completed and waiting for you to display next February.

ON ANOTHER NOTE
:
  • The Q and U has a charming block.  You’ll want to try it too.
  • Also, did you see that Vickie Ferguson (on sidebar) has a link to a new food storage guide.  A must in every home.  Check it out. 
 Until next time,

Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!
Caroll

Monday, February 16, 2015

WHAT TO DO WHEN SNOWED-IN

It snowed this weekend.  Actually, at times it was a blizzard.  What else can you expect in February in Michigan?  I’m just thankful that I don’t live on the east coast.  God bless those who live there.   I hope those residents were able to do as I did this past weekend, which was to sit in front of the TV and sew.  I set a goal to get some appliqué done.  I was so intent on sewing and getting things finished that when I crawled into bed Sunday night, it hit me…I didn’t do a blog post.  Because of the weather I didn’t make it to Happy Scrappers on Saturday.  I don’t think anyone did.  Consequently I had no new pictures on my mind to show you. However, I was lucky.  Misti sent me pictures of what she did while snowed in.  Above is the cute Microwave Bowl Potholder that she made.
This is another view.
Check out that darling Frozen fabric.  No wonder all her friends want one.  Thanks Misti for sharing pictures of your latest project with us!

DON’T FORGET: To check the calendar for happenings this week at the Attic Window Quilt Shop.  There is lots going on:  Bees, BOMs, Trip Around The World, Tatting, Civil War, El's Kitchen, Beginning Machine Quilting, Pave the Way Quilt, Fire Escape Quilt.  Call the shop if you are interested in registering or need more information.

ON ANOTHER NOTE:  If you would like to make a microwave bowl potholder yourself, Patchwork Possee has a nice tutorial.  It is not the same pattern that Misti used but you can get the idea.  I would make one but I’ve got to get some of that special batting first.  I know the tutorial says use cotton batting but I've been told that regular batting has a scrim that is not to be used in a microwave. 

Until next time,

Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!
Caroll

Thursday, February 12, 2015

BAG LADIES LOOKING PROFESSIONAL


Diana sent me these pictures from her recent Make It Take It class at the Attic Window Quilt Shop where they made these darling bags.  Above Lynn shows us the inside of her bag.  Note the zipper and all the pockets for credit cards.
Marrilee shows us her bag.  She said she made it as a gift for her daughter.
Carolyn E. shows us her bag.
 Cathy M. made her bag in red, white, and black fabrics.
 Judi A. made this yellow, white, and black bag.
 Julie B. shows us her bag.
 Mary Ellen shows us the outside of her bag.
 Here, Mary Ellen shows us the inside of her bag.
 It looks like Peggy F. made two different bags.  This is the inside of one bag.
And this is the inside of another bag that Peggy made.  Love those fabrics.
I showed you Marilyn's bag that she made yesterday and wanted to show you again so you can see what the bag looks like closed.  When you take this class you will come away with a classy and professional looking bag!

Diana will be having another bag class in March. In fact, she is having two bag classes.  In one class you will make the above bag.  In the other class Diana will show you how to make a bag that is similar but larger and has a strap.   Be sure to call the shop to register in advance so we will have enough frames in the shop for you.

DON’T FORGET:  
Due to the Heart of Winter Tour, FIRST SATURDAY SAMPLER moved in February ONLY from Saturday, February 7th. To Saturday, February 14th.  This will not interfere with Happy Scrappers as they will meet immediately after Sampler.

ON ANOTHER NOTE:
Until next time,

Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!
Caroll

Wednesday, February 11, 2015

HAPPY SCRAPPERS AND MONKEY BUSINESS

The Happy Scrappers met Wednesday at the Attic Window Quilt Shop.  I worked on this little guy and I'll tell  you more about him later in this post.
Judi A. showed us this lovely bag that she made.  It has a drawstring top and Judi said it will be perfect to hold her wool projects.
Judi also made these items to go in the bag.  The scissors keeper, pincushion, and needle book are awesome.  Judi did the art work on these items on her spectacular sewing machine.
Peggy showed us this fabulous quilt that she made for her newest grandchild.  I don't think the baby has arrived yet, but Peggy is anxiously awaiting.
Marilyn made this classy bag while we were sewing today.  I couldn't get over how quickly she made it.  Last night several of our Happy Scrappers attended a class with Diana on how to make this bag.  Diana said she would send me pictures of everyone's bags.  Look for them in an upcoming post.  Can't wait to see them.
Mary worked on her QAYG blocks, but I didn't get a picture of them.  However, I did get a picture of this block that Cathy worked on.  She is making place mats and I think these blocks go down one side of each mat.  I love making place mats and am looking forward to seeing these finished.
Now let me tell you about this little guy.  It is a mug rug.  Peggy said the first time she gave a mug rug to one of her younger relatives that the girl didn't know what it was.  Peggy told her it was a large coaster.  LOL  According to Christa Rolf in her book Love to Sew Mug Rugs, a mug rug is just what it says it is...a rug for your mug.  The pattern for this monkey is in this book, along with dozens of other wonderful mug rug patterns.  I can't wait to make more from this book.  As for this mug rug, I'm giving it to my five-year-old great grandson who loves monkeys.  It is never too late to start teaching about manners and about mug rugs.   Take a look at the book.  You'll love it.

CORRECTION:  I'm so embarrassed.  It's like I don't even read my own posts.  The round "Let It Snow" Table Topper in yesterday's post was made by Sue C.  I mistakenly said it was Kathy. Sorry!

DON’T FORGET: 
  • Due to the Heart of Winter Tour, FIRST SATURDAY SAMPLER moved in February ONLY from Saturday, February 7th. To Saturday, February 14th.  This will not interfere with HAPPY SCRAPPERS as they will meet immediately after Sampler.
ON ANOTHER NOTE:

Until next time,

Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!
Caroll
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Attic Window Teachers

Attic Window Teachers
Attic Window Teachers

Quilting for Kids With Cancer

Quilting for Kids With Cancer
Generosity has no bounds. Above are the women in the Quilts For Kids group at the Attic Window Quilt Shop. Left to right, Henrietta, Phyllis, Nancy, Carol, Karen. These women donate their time, fabric, money once a month to make quilts for kids who have cancer.

Quilts For Wheels

Quilts For Wheels
Many thanks and much appreciation goes to the women who work diligently each month to make quilts for those in wheel chairs. Kudos go to: Yvonne, Mary T., Fran, Joan, Mary Ellen, Barb, Lee Ann, Nancy, Mary.
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