Saturday, May 30, 2009

HAPPY HOUSES HAVE ARRIVED

Just had to show you all the happy houses I received in the mail yesterday. These are from the Happy House Swap that Kathy Earley of the Humble Quilter Coordinated. Aren’t they pretty! The nine blocks came from various places: Pat at Patspattering and Jeri from Florida. The other blocks didn’t have information on them so I don’t know where they are from, but I love them and thank all of you. Do you see yours there? Now how to make them into a quilt…let me think about that.

This block....

And this block are the blocks that I’m sending out Monday for the Around The World Quilter’s Bee. I’m not going to tell you who they are for just in case they want it to be a surprise. I never knew this Bee was going to be so stressful. I think I agonize over every block I make and worry if it is the right block to go along with the other blocks sent to me. Everyone’s taste is so different. Maybe I have a control issue. Oh, my, get over it already!
Nicole has some great tips for all you bag makers. Check it out.
Until Next Time: Happy Quilting
Caroll


Wednesday, May 27, 2009

HOW TO GET A FREE QUILT

That’s how I look at it. I just got a free quilt. Here’s how. On my last post I talked about my love of making blocks, thus accumulating numerous orphan blocks. Instead of putting them in my “someday” pile where they would be out of sight and out of mind, I slap them onto my design wall in the hopes of getting back to them and actually finishing a project.

Among my many blocks was this appliqué block of bright colored fabrics and batiks and was from the book Quilting for Joy (Barbara Brandeburg and Teri Christopherson). I fully intended to add the little bird and make it into a pillow…someday.

Also there were several of these blocks made out of 30’s prints. The pattern is Butterfly Chain and I downloaded it from rjrfabrics.com. Again, this was something I wanted to finish … someday.

Then one day as I walked into my “studio” (read corner of my basement where I hide my stash and do my sewing) my eyes slid over the design wall, and my brain said, those blocks don’t look too bad together. Who would have thought about putting brights, batiks and 30’s fabrics into one quilt. I started playing around and came up with the design, then, thinking it really needed some kind of border, I rummaged through my box of orphans and found the appliqué flowers on vine that I had made years ago and could not remember why, …and they worked.

And that’s how I got a free quilt. I didn't have to buy new fabrics or new patterns. I think of it as free. Afterall, if I hadn't done this, it would probably have been wasted fabric because there are always newer patterns and fabrics calling my name and demanding my time. What a wonderful way to save money and still enjoy your love of quilting. You can do that too. I bet you are like other quilters, with lots of orphan blocks. Be creative. Let yourself go. Have fun. I’ve heard it said that every quilt is a learning experience. You will certainly learn something by doing this exercise. If nothing else, you will gain confidence. Don’t wait until someday. Do it now. Create!
CT publishing has a great tutorial for a folder folio. A great way to stay organized.

Until Next Time: Happy Quilting!
Caroll

Monday, May 25, 2009

MAKE A BASKET AND DO THE FANDANGO

Not much quilting going on this weekend as there was way too much yard work to be done and the weather was way to beautiful to stay inside. However, some quilting had to be done in order to maintain mental balance so I made this cute little basket. It can hold scraps, tools, cotton balls, chocolate kisses (that's my plan). The pattern can be found at Pink Penguin.

Don’t forget Fandango Thursday at the Attic Window Quilt Shop. It’s not easy to make this pattern but is a fun table topper. Call the shop if you are interested in the class. Other classes of interest are Penny Rug Club (Glenys always has something fun to do), Batik FQ Club (love those batiks), and if you don’t do another thing this week, come help the women sew for the Kids With Cancer on Friday.

I just love to make different blocks. However, I often get sidetracked when another pattern or piece of material calls my name. I slap the orphan block on the design wall and proceed on to something else. This is one of my orphan blocks. I’ll let you know about my design wall accident and this block next time.
The Object Project has some cute tutorials for a tea clutch and a child’s purse and lots of other interesting things. Check it out.

Until Next Time: Happy Quilting
Caroll

Friday, May 15, 2009

REVERSE APPLIQUE SCRAPS

I was giddy while stitching away on these lovely bright blocks, yet as time wore on my mind began to wonder what could I possibly do with the pile of scraps …

...that was beginning to look like this (above).

I pulled out individual pieces to see what I had.

I’m still creating scraps. After I cut the cornerstones I sewed them together to make these squares. But what do I do with all the scraps? I can’t throw them out. The fabrics are far too beautiful to ignore. Something inside me puts on the breaks and yells no no no you can’t let them end up in a landfill. They are calling my name saying, create create create.

So I cut apart some of that outside circle square and started sewing and came up with this. Now I’m trying to decide – should I square it up? Can it be squared without loosing too much of the lovely fabric? Should I add some curved pieces? Maybe I can make three different applique blocks: circle, this strange square, and bars. My goal is to use up the beautiful fabric. Maybe use it in a quilt top, or use it in the backing for the quilt that started all this anguish.

So what do you think? Do you have any suggestions? Should I applique them onto a square white background? Or should I try to piece them together? Or just use them somehow on the back of the quilt I’m making? I’d love some feedback.

I’ll keep you posted as I progress.
Do you have trouble picking colors for your quilts. Maybe this new toy will be of help. Try out this new fun tool, the color scheme designer to help you decide on colors.
Quilting On A Budget has a great tutorial on making wonky squares. She says: (WONKY : Pronunciation [wong-kee] –adjective) .
Until Next Time: Happy Quilting
Caroll


Tuesday, May 12, 2009

QUILTING AROUND THE WORLD

Have you heard about The Around The World Quilting Bee? This project was put together by the clever and oh so organized SummerSadie. There are 24 people from 5 different countries around the world participating. I'm thinking of using the above as my starter block. I can't decide between this or something in the 30s fabrics.

How this works is we each have an address to send our starter block to. That person makes a block that will look nice with your block and sends it with your block to the next person on the list and that person makes a block and forwards it with the others, etc. In the end we will each have a quilt that is made up of blocks from around the world. I will keep you posted as the blocks come in as it should be interesting to see the starter blocks and how the quilts are turning out. This should be lots of fun and I hope you will enjoy it with me. PS: Several people have asked about this block. It is called Twisted Sister and the ruler is put out by Ami Sims. It's a fun easy block.

Until Next Time: Happy Quilting
Caroll

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Happy Mother's Day To All

This wool tabletopper or wallhanging was discovered hanging on the wall in the wool corner at the Attic Window Quilt Shop. Can’t you just see it in your house? This is a quick and easy project. Call the shop for details.

Gerry has done it again. She made another quilt from her stash! Goodness, wouldn’t you just love to see her quilting room and go through that stash? Her quilts are lovely.

The Friday evening UFO class was in full swing this week. Lois Parker was doing traditional rug weaving. She brought in her own frame. She says weaving uses up lots of fabrics and is a good way to use up your stash. When asked how long it would take to make this rug, she said she didn’t know but her teacher said she could make one while watching two Lifetime movies.

Have you ever heard of wet bags? Sara Larson makes these darling bags that are lined with water proof rubberized material, the kind used in hospitals and it is anti bacterial. She said it is easy to sew with. She made the pattern herself and makes the bags in four different sizes. You could use them to contain anything wet, like wipes, diapers, wet swim suits, make up, etc. She does pretty well for a gal who has only been sewing since January!

Have you ever thought about making your own slippers? Shabby Raggy Roses has a nice tutorial as well as some other really darling ideas for you.
Until Next Time: Happy Quilting
Caroll



Wednesday, May 6, 2009

MICHIGAN MADE APRONS & TREES

Wonder why we don’t wear cute aprons like this anymore? You too can go back to a simpler time. Make an apron like this sample that Robbie made for the Attic Window Quilt Shop. We have lots of vintage fabrics and patterns too. Stop by and take a look.

This is the finished quilt for last year’s seasonal BOM. What fun it must have been to make all these wonderful blocks. I’m sure you can still pick up a pattern at the store.

Spring has arrived in Michigan. This is what I see when I step outside my door. It’s breathtaking even if it is in my neighbor’s yard. All winter long I’ve been drooling over beautiful photos taken in Australia. So I had to show everyone how beautiful Michigan can be. I think it’s even more beautiful after the winter we just went through.
Tutorial - Check out Mels Own Place. She has the cutest Owl Tutorial. You’ll fall in love with it and have to make lots of these stuffed toys for those special kids in your life.

Until Next Time: Happy Quilting
Caroll

Sunday, May 3, 2009

WE'VE GOT CREATIVE LADIES

Wow, everyone has been so busy at the Attic Window Quilt Shop. Lee Anne made this tote bag and beautiful purse. She was kind enough to bring them to show and tell at Saturday’s Bee. I love that green fabric with the circles. You can find it at the shop.

Here are two more that she made. She does great work and has a good color sense. If you’d like to take a purse class, look for one of Cindy’s upcoming classes. She is our “bag lady” and is great at teaching you how to make these wonderful purses and bags.

This wallhanging was made by Sherri Pipenger. She brought it to the Knotty Ladies Stitching Bee last week. Aren't these trees and flowers just awesome! This is a present for her lucky sister. What a great job, Sherri!

Jan Larson shared this quilt at Saturday’s Bee. (Sorry about the fuzzy picture.) The quilt is quite lovely. She says she’s going to make it into a tabletopper. Can't you just picture it on your diningroom table? Or on that table on your enclosed porch. Thanks for sharing Jan.
Quilting On a Budget has an interesting tutorial of a new method for creating the Cathedral Window Quilt Block.
BTW don't forget our free redwork block on the sidebar.
Until Next Time: Happy Quilting!
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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