KNOTTY GIRLS ARE BEING KNOTTY AGAIN

I recently spent an evening with the Knotty Girls and oh, they are knotty. They were working on so many wonderful projects that I wanted to share them with you. Above is a beautiful quilt that Judi Anderson is making. She said it is a Hoop Sisters quilt. This is very interesting and a new way of quilting to me. Most of it is done in the embroidery hoop on your embroidery sewing machine. It gives professional looking results.

This is a close up of Judi’s quilt to give you an idea of what I’m talking about. Isn’t this beautiful?

This is a redwork that Barb David was hand quilting. I love redwork and I envy the lucky child who will be getting this.

Phyllis Dewys is working on this wall hanging called Flower Bed from Sue Spargo’s book. I think Phyllis is having fun working with these vibrant wools. It is beautiful.

Have you ever thought about dressing up your barn with a quilt block? Phyllis also paints these quilt blocks. Isn’t this fish one cute? She says that these boards have 5-6 coats of primer/paint to stand up to years of sun, rain and snow. There are over 100 patterns to choose from. For more information please call the Attic Window Quilt Shop.

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Patchwork Underground has a great tutorial for continuous prairie points. Prairie points is another way to finish off your quilt and this tutorial makes it look easy.
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Until Next Time, Happy Quilting,
Caroll

AUNT MILLIE'S BLOCK #5

Above is another Aunt Millie’s block. I don't know what's wrong with my camera, maybe it's the lighting, but the background has a green cast to it. It really is white. I'm using the same background for all the blocks. I am not happy with the center either but decided to move on. I must have purchased at least 100 FQs over the past month trying to find just the right color combination. I think I have enough centers cut out and discarded to make an entire quilt. Anyway, if I find something in the future before I actually get the quilt put together I can change it then.

Thanks so much to everyone for your comments. I value all your suggestions about what I should do with my teapots. As you can see above I chose to go with the buttonhole stitch in black, but I’m using only one strand of floss. I did try other colors of floss but wasn’t satisfied with the effect, then I tried the straight stitch and didn’t think that gave me the definition I wanted, therefore, the buttonhole stitch.

I just discovered a new blog (well, new to me) by a fellow Michigander and hope you’ll give her a visit. Allie-Oops Sweet Happy Life has a free stitchery that is just darling.

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Until Next Time, Happy Quilting,

Caroll

CLASS SAMPLES AT THE ATTIC WINDOW

Isn’t this the cutest apron? I love these colors. Robbie made it as a sample for the Attic Window Quilt Shop. You can find these darling fabrics and the pattern at the shop.

This is Vickie’s sample for the pattern Chip off the Old Block. Use one jellyroll and add two borders to make this easy strip quilt with four variations. The class is Sat., Oct. 31 form 10-2. Come join Vickie for this fun class. Experienced quilters will probably be able to complete the entire top during class. This is a great class for beginners too.

This is also a sample. Colleen made the wool table runner for customers to see how the pattern will look when completed. Doesn’t she do good work? I’ve never been able to make my stitches look even.

Speaking of even stitches, thanks to everyone for leaving your comments about what I should do with my teapots. I think the consensus is that I need to do a blanket stitch, so I’m going to spend the rest of the weekend trying to make even stitches. Now for something interesting:

Frugal and Thriving has 45 awesome free bag making tutorials.

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Don’t forget that Thursday is National Pumpkin Day at the Attic Window Quilt Shop. All Halloween and fall fabrics are on special that day. You will also receive a pumpkin muffin recipe as an early Halloween treat.
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Until Next Time, Happy Quilting,
Caroll

CAN YOU HELP ME PLEASE?

I need some help please. I put these unfinished blocks on the design wall for a reason. Let me explain why. I saw at Freda’s Hive that Nanette had a new pattern. The name is Kettles in the Kitchen and is darling with blocks of teapots and houses. Makes me feel warm and comfortable just writing about it. I love teapots and couldn’t wait to try my hand at making a couple blocks. I remembered a pattern I had saved from a magazine for a table topper with teapots. The directions call for a buttonhole stitch in black thread around the teapots defining the lid and base area. I put up some pieces on the design wall to see if I had to do that. I get a little obsessed with my stitches not being even. In addition, I think a black buttonhole stitch will be too heavy for the look I want. My question is do you think I need to do something to define the teapots and if so would you recommend the buttonhole stitch with black thread or something else? I appreciate your help.


Are you ready for Christmas? I guess now is the time to start thinking about starting those projects. Debbie Mumm has a pattern for a Santa Door Banner.

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Until Next Time, Happy Quilting,
Caroll

AUNT MILLIE'S BLOCK #4

This is my fourth Aunt Millie’s block. I had such a time finding fabrics for this one. I didn’t realize how hard purple is to work with. I guess since the color purple is associated with both royalty and spirituality I shouldn’t be surprised. But I love the delicate colors in flowers like the Iris or the Lilac. Since this color is made up of a mix of reds and blues, it’s compliments are many. But choosing that compliment was just as difficult since it depended on the amount of blue or red in the purples I was working with. I thought the pink added a nice feminine touch. According to Feng Shui this color should be used sparingly. I think this one block of purple will be just enough for my quilt, don’t you.? PS: I haven’t shown this to my mother yet.

Red Pepper Quilts has a great tutorial for a lovely quilt made out of scraps. You must see it because my words just do not do it justice.

Saw this over at Jane’s Fabrics and thought you might be interested too. Go to RS Island Crafts and scroll down and read about the Downy Quilt Project. Downy sends you the fabrics, you put the quilt together, supply the batting and send to Downy when finished. Check it out.
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Until Next Time, Happy Quilting,
Caroll

THINGS MY MOTHER TOLD ME

My mother used to clean house every spring, from top to bottom, washing walls, cleaning wallpaper, changing drapes, etc. When I became an adult, I complained that not all that really was necessary any more since we no longer heated our house with coal, which spewed soot everywhere. I was thankful I did not have to wad up balls of wallpaper paste or change drapes every season. I was thankful for so many things, but my mother still insisted, “Caroll, you need to do a deep cleaning at least once a year.” This week it finally dawned on me, rippled through my thick brain and stuck, just why I need to do as my mother said.
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While trying to sort out my sewing room, I found an “It’s A Girl” panel that I had started to put together years ago. I have never cared for panels. It seemed like cheating to me. Besides, I was new to piecing and could not make it look like I thought it should, so I put it aside. When I found it the other day, I knew I had to finish it. At a recent baby shower for my granddaughter, I had given her bumper pads and a blanket in just the same soft yellow and purple colors. I ran upstairs, excited about my find and showed it to my mother, explaining to her what happened, how I had put it away and forgotten about it. The Biggest-Flirt-in-the-World shook her head sadly, heaved a big where-did-I-go-wrong sigh and said, “It’s no wonder you don’t have a man.”
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Undaunted, I reminded myself that I had so much to be thankful for and that I’d rather be quilting than cleaning and put it on the frame and finished the darn thing. Don’t think it turned out too awful terrible, do you? It is going it the mail to her tomorrow. Hope she likes it. Now about that spring-cleaning…..I’ll think about that in the spring

Val Laird has free BOM stitchery patterns with the theme of What Love Is. You have to click around on the site but you can find where you can download all of them.
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Hopless in Michigan,
Caroll

WHAT'S GOING ON AT THE SHOP

I did get up to the Attic Window Quilt Shop today and found some interesting things. I always do. A couple teachers had stopped by to pick out some patterns/books and fabric to get samples ready for the next session of classes. Above is a purse sample that Lee Ann made for the shop. Don’t you just love these winter fabrics in these bright blue colors. Everything isn’t just red and green anymore. This purse pattern is from Quilts Illustrated and is called Taylor’s Trio. It is FQ friendly. Pick up your pattern now at the shop.

Julie was having a doll class today. Above, one of her students is painting the face on her doll. This is such intricate work!

These dolls are just beautiful. Julie does such a good job of teaching these classes; she makes everyone look like a professional doll maker. She said that she has a Penny Rug Santa class coming up. She said you could make the Paper Mache doll too if you wanted. Be sure and check the button on the side bar to see how Julie makes these fantastic dolls. She also said she has picked out a Rag Doll pattern that she will be teaching next session. I can’t wait to see it. I love rag dolls and think I will be able to make one of those.

Do you remember the cute Christmas napkins everyone was talking about last year? They were unusual and looked so nice on your table. Check out Sandy Quilts for the tutorial.
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Until Next Time, Happy Quilting,

Caroll

AUNT MILLIE'S BLOCK #3

This is the third Aunt Millie’s block. These are such fun blocks to make. The big challenge is finding the right fabrics. Well, browsing the quilt shops, looking for just the right piece to go there or there is fun too. I just can't bring myself to try to make that intricate little circle that the pattern calls for, so I'm still looking for a unique piece of fabric for the center of my pink and orange block. Maybe the Attic Window Quilt Shop has some new fabrics. I’m going up there tomorrow. Hope to get some new pictures too.

Until then, you might want to check out the nice tutorial that Piece N Quilt has on it’s blog. I love the way the trees are off center in this Figgy Christmas quilt. Hope you like it too.

Geta’s Quilting Studio is having monthly freebies. Check it out. I have put the button on the sidebar for your convenience.

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Until Next Time, Happy Quilting,
Caroll

AUTUMN DECORATIONS

Don’t forget about the final National Pumpkin Day in October at the Attic Window Quilt Shop. On Thursday, October. 29th all Halloween and fall fabrics are on special. You will also receive a pumpkin muffin recipe as an early Halloween treat. Barb David made the wall hanging above. Isn’t it adorable? You will find the pattern in the shop.

This is another sample of a table runner that would be great for the holidays. Check it out in the wool corner of the shop.

Terry at Bits and Pieces has a tutorial for some cute bookmarks. Like she says, they will make great stocking stuffers at Christmas.

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Until Next Time, Happy Quilting,
Caroll

BLOGGER QUILT FESTIVAL

Amy over at Park City Girl is hosting an online Quilt Festival. She has asked us to post a favorite quilt we have made and blog about it. This will be fun since there are no judges in this festival, just lots of beautiful quilts for you to enjoy and to give you inspiration.

Above is my entry. It is called Rose Abunda. Some of you may have seen it before, but I chose it because it has a special place in my heart. Not only do I love appliqué, but it was the first quilt this large that I put on the frame and quilted myself. I think I trembled the entire time: will the thread break, are there loops on the bottom, is my spacing even….Gads, I was a basket case, but thrilled when it was finally finished. It gave me confidence to put another quilt on the frame and it gives me joy to see all the beautiful colors.

This is a close up of the quilt. Stop over at Amy's blog and register your favorite quilt. If you don’t want to enter, stop over anyway as there are loads of links to beautiful quilts. You’ll be inspired!
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Until Next Time, Happy Quilting,
Caroll

THOSE CRAZY ARTISTS ARE AT IT AGAIN

I know this is not quilting related, but I had to show you Nessie, Grand Rapids’ version of the Lockness Monster. Have your heard about Art Prize? It is an art contest going on in our town and has received national attention. Nessie is a 100-foot sculpture that weighs 5000 pounds and sits in the Grand River. I just love creative people.

This moose is completely made of nails and stands well over my head so he must be at least 6 feet. Imagine putting this together one nail at a time!!

An artist put this painted table and chairs on top of the bridge. People are already talking about another contest next year. Artists of all mediums entered this contest. I think someone should enter a quilt. What kind of quilt would be attention getting, would be something special to make the judges sit up and take notice? I am open to suggestions.

Now back to quilting: Do you like primitives? Check out The Chocolate Crow Trader for lots of free patterns.

Piece In The Hoop has a nice tutorial for making those bags that I blogged about earlier. I like how she did the handles and did her embroidery on the side. Very nice. Check it out.

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Until Next Time, Happy Quilting,
Caroll

PILLOWCASE AND BAGS

This is the pillowcase I’m sending to Barb. Isn’t it cute? When I heard she needed pillowcases I remembered a kit I purchased over a year ago, but never got around to making. I got this kit from The Quilting Season. You can download the pattern here. What? You say. Who needs a pattern to make a pillowcase? You will like this pattern. What makes it unique are the instructions for putting it together. It may not be new to some of you, but it was new to me. You gather all the pieces into a tube and sew it together in one long seam. Then you pull the material out of the tube and all you have to do is sew up the bottom and side seams. The top is all sewn and the seams are hidden. It couldn’t be easier. I love it.

I spent yesterday afternoon making these bags for the kids to use on Trick or Treat night. I had so much fun making them for my grandkids and friend’s kids. There are so many cute fabrics out there, that I really had to limit myself. Cluck Cluck Sew has a nice tutorial for making these bags.

Have your heard that Gum Tree Designers are giving you a free pattern every Monday over the months of October and November. These are creative women and the designs promise to be wonderful. You won’t want to miss a Monday visiting this site.
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Until Next Time, Happy Quilting,
Caroll

NEW SAMPLE NEW CLASS

Above is a sample of Pick Your Favorite Colors Quilt. This fun quilt uses a variety of colors to make it all your own. No two quilts will look alike. Pick a few or a bunch of colors, and your quilt will look fabulous. Join Carolyn at the Attic Window Quilt Shop on Saturday, Oct. 10th, from 10:30 – 2:30 and make this fabulous quilt.
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DO NOT FORGET: October is National Pumpkin Day. Oct. 5 and October 29 are the two days we celebrate. All Halloween and fall fabrics are on special these two dates. Stop in and receive a pumpkin muffin recipe as an early Halloween treat.
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Our dear blogging friend, Barb, is in American Samoa. You can read about how things are there in the aftermath of the earthquake on her blog here. When asked how we could help, she said they are in need of pillowcases. With Heart and Hands has a nice tutorial for whipping up these pillowcases in no time.

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Molly Chicken has a tutorial for making a bag out of ½ yard of material. She has a cute love bird pattern too.

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Until next time, happy quilting!

Caroll

AUNT MILLIE'S BLOCK #2

This is the second block of the Aunt Millie’s Garden. Probably if I had ironed it before I took the picture, it would look much better. I like the colors though.
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Be sure and check Sunday’s Grand Rapids Press for Jennifer Ackerman’s column. She will be talking about Martha’s Hope chest. She also has some exciting events in store for quilters. She was on Take Five today so I imagine she will blog about it too. Here’s a link to her blog.
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If you are considering making a block for Terry's quilt, you might want to go to Connecting Threads as they have two full pages of free 9 inch block patterns that you could use.
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Nicole Mallalieu Design has scads of tips for successful bag making, things like where and when to use interfacing, using plastic, etc. She also has a nice tutorial for making a child’s backpack or library bag.
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Hope you have a great weekend,
Caroll

DO SOMETHING NICE FOR SOMEONE

Some of you may have heard about an awful accident that happened to one of our fellow quilters. Some of you may know Terry of Terry’s Treasures blog. Her husband was injured in an accident at work and we’d like to give her what support we can. As quilters that means a quilt. Laurie, over at A Yankee Quilter , is hosting a give away for Terry and is accepting 9 1/2 inch quilt blocks from all of us. She has volunteered to make a quilt for Terry out of our blocks and quilt it on her long arm. Hop on over to Laurie’s blog and learn how you can help.
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Talk to your tomorrow,
Caroll