Thursday, November 29, 2012

WHAT TO DO WITH ORPHAN BLOCKS

The other day I was rummaging in my sewing room for a pattern to make a hot pad to go along with some kitchen utensils that I had purchased as gifts.  While digging around, it occurred to me…why not use one of your orphan blocks.  I certainly have plenty as I like to try new blocks in the hopes of someday finding a block that matches my piecing skills (LOL).  After auditioning several, I chose these two blocks.  Fortunately, I found enough of this same fabric that I used in these blocks to make the bindings.
However, I had to use scraps for the backing.
I used Insul-Bright plus batting for the centers.  It made them nice and puffy.  I like how they turned out and hope my friends do too.
Remember these from my previous post?  I stopped by the Attic Window Quilt Shop today and understand that several people who didn’t get to attend Craft Saturday are interested in making these project bags.  Chris said that she is having another class, so, if you would like to attend, call the shop for details.

On Another Note:  In My Own Style has a great trick to help you get your closet hangers organized.

Crafty Endeavor has a nice tutorial for a rice shoulder heating pad.  This is a great gift idea.

PS:  I'm linking up to Confessions of a Fabric Attic.  Check it out.

Until next time,

Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!
Caroll

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

A CRAFT DAY YOU DON'T WANT TO MISS

 
 This past Saturday I attend my first Craft Day at the Attic Window Quilt Shop.  If you missed it you are going to be disappointed.  I’m now thinking about all the wonderful projects I missed over the past years when I didn't get to attend.  This year Chris B. had seven different project kits for us, all included in the one price to attend.  Above is #1 – a darling snowflake table topper.  Chris showed us a quick and easy way to make it.
This is #2 - An attractive table runner that will be good for the holidays (because of the red and green combination) as well as throughout the year.  I got this one entirely finished on Saturday.
Above are projects #3, #4, #5 – Chris provided everything we would need to make all the projects on Craft Day.  For these bags, we wandered through the shop and chose the fabrics that we most wanted to use.  I choose the yellow that was in the sample (of course).
This is #6 – This Christmas tree wall hanging is adorable.  The only items not included in the kit were the buttons.
This is #7 – I love this delightful snowman ornament.  There were enough supplies in our kit to make several of these cute little guys. There were so many projects for us that I didn’t quite finish all of mine.  Of course, it might have helped if I had read my blog and arrived at class in time!  LOL
Above, Rosa shows us her progress on the table runner. I think my laughing made this picture fuzzy.
 Tari shows us her table runner.  She even has hers quilted!
Pam is busy working on her table runner.
Chris is busy working away on her table runner.
Lee Ann shows us her darling table topper all finished!
 Chris and Tari show us their completed project bags.
Nancy shows us her finished project bag.  Love that fabric.
Several women said that Peggy's project bag reminds them of a Vera Bradley bag.  It is beautiful fabric!
Above, Chris B. show us the various ways to put the pinwheels on the table runner.
 It was a fun group and a fun day.  I love being with my fellow quilters.
Chris B. had nice bags full of what we will need to make the projects we didn't get around to.  It was a wonderful day full of surprises and fun.  Keep  your eyes open because you won't want to miss the next Craft Day at the Attic Window Quilt Shop.

On Another Note: Yellow Cloth has a tutorial for a cute little teabag pouch.

Until next time,

Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!
Caroll

Monday, November 26, 2012

MODERN MONDAY QUILT ALONG

Happy Monday!  I hope everyone had a wonderful Holiday.  We have another Modern Monday block today.  This is block number 58, Four-Patch Snowball.  It was an easy and quick block to make for which I’m thankful.  I was busy getting ready for Thanksgiving and didn't get to this block for the Modern Monday Quilt Along until Sunday.  I am exhausted and glad that I was able to quickly get this block completed.  Hop over to Alamosa Quilter and see what Lynn’s block looks like, then go to 42 Quilts and see what Jennifer has for us this week.

On another note:    Just in case you didn’t get enough sweets over the weekend, check out this cute tutorial at Truly Custom Cakery for making a melting snowman cookie.

Until next time,

Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!
Caroll

Friday, November 23, 2012

SALE SATURDAY!

 Happenings at the Attic Window: 

     CHRISTMAS CRAFT DAY – Saturday, Nov. 24, from 9-5.  Join us for a fun filled day of making some early Christmas gifts. Class is FREE. Three or four projects will be available. Kit fees will vary. Bring a dish to pass. Call and sign up as space is limited.

    SMALL BUSINESS SATURDAY SALE – Saturday, Nov. 24, is Small Business Saturday.  Support a small business like the Attic Window Quilt Shop.  There are lots of in-store specials.  All Christmas fabrics are 25% off.  Everything else is 20% off except for sale and consignment items. 
 
Hope to see you there,

Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!
Caroll

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

DO YOU LIKE 30s FABRICS?

What do you think about the 30s fabrics?  When I first started quilting, 30s fabrics were all I used.  Then my taste changed and I gravitated to the brights.  However, my love of the calming 30s fabrics has never died.  I still love them and decided to visit the 30s Clubees at the Attic Window Quilt Shop.  Barb David said that this group uses the 30s fabrics in whatever they decide to make.  It is her wish to keep the 30s alive.  It is also a good time for people to visit and stitch.  Above Barb is working on her Butterfly quilt.
Pat Anisko showed me her Butterfly quilt.  This is an old pattern and lends itself to these beautiful 30s fabrics.  I love how Pat has her butterflies going in various directions….just like real butterflies.
This is a close up of some of Barb's blocks.  Note the various size blocks and how these butterflies are not of all one fabric.  I think that is what I like about the 30s fabrics.  The colors are friendly and they all seem to go with one another. 
 Mary Ellen said that she loves the 30s fabrics and enjoys the Clubees because she can find all kinds of ways to use these wonderful fabrics.  Above she showed me her English Paper Pieced hexagon flower for her Grandmother’s Flower Garden quilt.
 Jan is also working on a Grandmother’s Flower Garden quilt.  Note her stack of flowers that she is pulling “flowers” from.
 I love this flower that Jan made.  This is just one reason I love the 30s fabrics.  They are sweet, fresh, clean, and invoke of wonderful memories.
Maggie showed us this die cut.  If you don’t want to cut the hexagon templates or the fabric for them yourself, you can have the shop do it for you with this die.  

After the first of the year, when that winter doldrums set in, come and join the 30s Clubees.  All are welcome, from beginners to seasoned quilters. We’re a little bit Club and a little bit Bee, but we’re a 100% 30’s. Come join us once a month as we work with the 30’s fabrics. Choose from the extensive re-production selection at the Attic Window, or pull from your 30’s stash collection. There will be new patterns and projects to choose from or bring a 30’s UFO with which you need a little help to finish. Our goal is to share, help, and enjoy! Come—Be a 30’s Clubee. We meet the third Tuesday of the month from 1:30-3:30.  Fee: $5/month.

Don't Forget Happenings at the Attic Window: 

           BREAKFAST STITCH-IN – Friday, Nov. 23, from 8 a.m. - ? Stop in and sit and stitch and enjoy a light breakfast with quilting friends.
           CHRISTMAS CRAFT DAY – Saturday, Nov. 24, from 9-5.  Join us for a fun filled day of making some early Christmas gifts. Class is FREE. Three or four projects will be available. Kit fees will vary. Bring a dish to pass. Call and sign up as space is limited.

On Another NoteMy Garden of Loves has a tutorial for attractive place mats.

Until next time,

Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!
Caroll

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT TEA TOWELS?

Last week Rosa and I met at the Attic Window Quilt Shop to do some sewing.  As usual sewing with Rosa made for a fun day.  We had intended to make the Forever Fresh wall hanging from the Applique With Attitude book from Piece O’ Cake Designs.  However, we got a little side tracked.
Rosa picked up some Tea Towels at the shop and made the Tea Towels With Attitude from the book.   This is the design she placed on one tea towel.  I love the colors she is using on this green towel.
Above Rosa is intent on finishing her towel.  I’m not sure how many towels she made as I left just before dinner, and Rosa was still working away.  What a trooper!

Don't Forget Happenings at the Attic Window:
 
           BREAKFAST STITCH-IN – Friday, Nov. 23, from 8 a.m. - ? Stop in and sit and stitch and enjoy a light breakfast with quilting friends.
           CHRISTMAS CRAFT DAY – Saturday, Nov. 24, from 9-5.  Join us for a fun filled day of making some early Christmas gifts. Class is FREE. Three or four projects will be available. Kit fees will vary. Bring a dish to pass. Call and sign up as space is limited.

On Another NoteCrazy Little Projects has lots of ideas for handmade holiday gifts.

Until next time,

Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!
Caroll

Monday, November 19, 2012

BARB DAVID DOES IT AGAIN


There is no Modern Monday block this week, so I saved something special to show you.  Barb David showed us this beautiful redwork quilt when we were at the Knotty Girl’s Stitching Bee last week at the Attic Window Quilt Shop.   I thought it deserved a space all its own.  Check out that border (click on the picture for a closer look).  The snowflakes in the border as well as within the quilt are done in Twilling.  Don’t forget, you can get Barb’s newest Twilling book here.

This is a close up of “one of the blocks.”  I put that in quotes because this quilt is really not done in blocks.  The center is all one piece.
This is another close up of one of the special snow people.  I think this character is my favorite.  Wouldn’t it make a wonderful block on its own?  As a mom who quilts I think it would make a great gift too.  The pattern is Months of Snow by Jana Davidson at Turnberry Lanes and can be purchased at the Attic Window Quilt Shop.

Don't Forget Happenings at the Attic Window: 
           BREAKFAST STITCH-IN – Friday, Nov. 23, from 8 a.m. - ? Stop in and sit and stitch and enjoy a light breakfast with quilting friends.
           CHRISTMAS CRAFT DAY – Saturday, Nov. 24, from 9-5.  Join us for a fun filled day of making some early Christmas gifts. Class is FREE. Three or four projects will be available. Kit fees will vary. Bring a dish to pass. Call and sign up as space is limited.

On Another Note:  Jacey Craft has a nice tutorial for a Happy Trees Mini Quilt.

Until next time,

Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!
Caroll

Friday, November 16, 2012

MORE OF WHAT THE KNOTTY GIRLS HAVE BEEN UP TO

This is the second part of the Knotty Girls Stitching Bee show-N-tell.  They met Wednesday evening at the Attic Window Quilt Shop.  What a prolific group.  I took far too many pictures for one post.  So today I’ll start out with Fran.  She is one busy woman and the picture above is the first of the items she brought to show us.  By the time Fran started showing us all she had done, there were so many in the group and some still arriving, that in the confusion that I didn’t get any names of patterns for you.  If anyone is interested, let me know and I’ll contact Fran and ask.  Above is a wool table topper that she made.
Fran also made this wonderful bag!  It is awesome with lots of ribbon and wool embellishments. 
Next, Fran showed us this beautiful quilt that she said will be used on her table on Thanksgiving.  It is made of cottons and wools.
Fran also made this cute little bag.  I wish I could work in wool.  All these pieces are just awesome!
And last but not least, Fran showed us this striking quilt that she made from a kit.  She also quilted it herself.
You may think you have seen this gorgeous quilt before, but not this one.  This wool wallhanging, a Pennys From Heaven pattern, was made by Cindy.  If you look at this one then look at the one in yesterday’s post made by Colleen, you will see the difference. 
Cindy also made this Zippy Strip bag (pattern by Atkinson Designs).  It is so charming with its cute little flower and wide rick rack.
This is the quilt that I promised you in yesterday’s post.  Sherrie made this awe-inspiring quilt.  It was last year’s Sampler.  I love the way she finished it. 

On Another Note
Don’t Call Me Betsy has a tutorial for a double flip HST.  Check it out. 

Until next time,

Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!
Caroll

Thursday, November 15, 2012

KNOTTY GIRLS GET A LOT DONE

The Knotty Girls Stitching Bee met Wednesday evening at the Attic Window Quilt Shop.  I have so much to show you that I’ll have to do it in two different posts.  First of all, I want to show you this darling needle book that Jean N. made.  Jean said she made it at a one day Sue Spargo class.  I love that bird and if you click on the picture you will get a close up and can see the intricate stitching on the body and especially the beak.
Jean was working on her Pomegranate Table Rug (pattern by Sue Spargo).  I love how these women embellish this piece.
This handy sewing caddy (a Sue Spargo pattern) was also made by Jean.
Here is another look at the sewing caddy.  Jean said she made the bird, the wool balls, everything on this caddy.  Isn’t it wonderful!
Judy A. showed us this lovely quilt that she made from a Sandi Bard pattern.
This is a close-up of one of the blocks.  It is so cute and perfect for this time of year.
Colleen showed us this wool wallhanging.  It is a Penny’s From Heaven pattern.  I bet it looks nice hanging in her house.
Judy (her blog is cjStitching) was also working on her Pomegranate Table Rug.  Judy said she loves working in wool and is applying lots of embellishments.
Sherrie made this quilt all by hand using the English paper piecing method.  She had another quilt to show us but you’ll have to wait until tomorrow to see that as well as all the others.  I thought this post was getting a little long and saved some for tomorrow's post.  So, be sure and stop back.

On Another NoteA Little Gray has a tutorial for the cutest Frosty Advent Calendar. 

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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