CAN THIS BE A GIFT?

Hello Quilters.  Have you been able to get any sewing done this week?  Chris, owner of the Attic Window Quilt Shop gave me a copy of the design so I could paper piece my log cabin block, since I missed attending Happy Scrappers last week.  So, this week I've been able to put my scraps to use and make this pot holder.  I hope to get more accomplished this weekend but that is doubtful.  This is a busy time of year.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR NOW:

• CRAFT DAYS: Saturday, Nov. 23; Saturday, Nov. 30; Friday, Dec. 6.
• February Bus Trip is scheduled for Feb. 8.  Four shops are participating. 
• January 1, BIG SALE DAY!

AT THE ATTIC WINDOW QUILT SHOP 

• Craft Day, Saturday, Nov. 23
• Stitch-In, Monday, Nov. 25
• Beginning Intermediate Quilting, Monday, Nov. 25
• Civil War BOM and Vintage Christmas, Tuesday, Nov. 26
• Bee, Tuesday, Nov. 26
• Attic Window Quilt Shop closes at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 27
• Happy Thanksgiving, Thursday, Nov. 28
• SALE, Friday, Nov. 29
• Craft Day, Saturday, Nov. 30

ON ANOTHER NOTE:

•  Vicki's Crafts and Quilting has a tutorial for a cute snowman table topper.

Caroll, 

Caring, Sharing, Creating Smiles

WHY YOU DON'T TOSS YOUR SCRAPS

 I know this doesn't look like much but this is what I've been working on.  These fabrics are certainly not my usual cup of tea.  However, when I took the Scrappy class from Adrienne a few weeks ago at the Attic Window Quilt Shop, I fell in love with her scrappy blanket.  You can read about it here.  Adrienne is so kind and thoughtful and knowing scraps such as these were not in my color pallet,  gave me a bag of her "low volume" scraps.  Eagerly I took them but wondered if I would be able to make anything with these "no color" pieces. Now I'm LOL because I did!  I'm so happy with what I've done and am eagerly planning other projects using this method and these low volume scraps.

This is a closeup of my scrappy low volume quilt!
I hope you will come to the Happy Scrappers the second Wednesday of each month and join us in making scrappy quilts.

Speaking of classes, I have another good reason that you should come to the Attic Window Quilt Shop.  Other than classes, beautiful fabrics, great patterns, and notions, you also get to spend time with friends.  I read recently in a Web MD magazine while at the doctor's office, that to avoid getting Alzheimers, you need to exercise, eat right, and socialize.  There is no better place to socialize than the Attic Window Quilt Shop.  It is a fun place to spend the day and you meet such nice people.  I've always said that Quilters are the best!

Check out the calendar on the sidebar and see all the upcoming classes and bees.  It is updated each month.  One new Bee that you might be interested in is the paper piecing bee (PPB).  It meets on the fourth Wednesday of the month.  With the start of fall, I believe there will be other new classes and bees for you to attend.  Be sure and check it out.  You can also pick up a calendar of the month's events when you stop in at the shop.  

AT THE ATTIC WINDOW QUILT SHOP 

• Wednesday, August 21
• New Sampler
• Civil War BOM and Vintage Christmas
• Thursday, August 22
• Doll Bee
• Intermediate Quilting
• Friday, August 23
• Stitch-In
• Saturday, August 24
• Classroom reserved for a special group of Girl Scouts.

ON ANOTHER NOTE:

• Generations Quilt Patterns has a tutorial and free pattern for a chain link quilt block.

Caroll, 

Caring, Sharing, Creating Smiles

UPDATE! DATE CHANGE

I'm so sorry but I had the date for this wrong.  This class will actually take place on Saturday, August 17th.  Hope to see you there!!!!

Are you like me in that I can't resist a Charm Pack filled with lovely fabrics?  Or maybe someone has given you a charm pack and you wonder, what I can do with this?  Well, now is the time to attend the Charming Scrappy Day (lunch included) at the Attic Window Quilt Shop on Saturday, August 10th.  Bring those charm packs, or your 5" scraps, or best of all, buy new charm packs at the shop and get sewing.  Chris will show you what to do with them.  I promise you, you are going to like this pattern.  Call the shop to register so she will know how many to plan for lunch!

AT THE ATTIC WINDOW QUILT SHOP 

• Thursday, August 8
• Doll Bee
• Intermediate Quilting
• Beginning Quilting
• Friday, August 9
• Stitch-In
• Saturday, August 10
• 5" Charming Scrappy Day and Lunch

ON ANOTHER NOTE:

• Threading My Way has a Reusable Tote Bag, Easy to make, Repurposing Tutorial.

Caroll, 

Caring, Sharing, Creating Smiles

 Not much sewing going on around here this week.  I did get some time to work on these blocks that I started when at Happy Scrappers at the Attic Window Quilt Shop.  I think I'll make four more blocks, apply a border and quilt it.  It is a great way to use up my scraps.

This is a closeup of the block.  Each square in the block is 2 1/2 inches.  I think the most time consuming was going through my scraps and cutting the squares.  You can read more about this block (name and where to find the pattern) by going here.

Happenings at the Attic Window Quilt Shop

• Tueday Bee, Tuesday, Dec. 20, 10-1
• Sampler, Wednesday, Dec. 21, 9:30 a.m.
• Farm Girls BOM, Wednesday Dec. 21, 10-1
• Doll Bee, Thursday, Dec. 22, 10:30 a.m.
• Close at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 24
• Closed, Monday, Dec. 26

ON ANOTHER NOTE: 

• Em's Scrapbag has a tutorial for Uncut Diamonds, another way to use your scraps. 

Caroll,

Caring , Sharing and Creating Smiles

YOU CAN MAKE THIS BAG

 When I was at the Attic Window Quilt Shop earlier this week I noticed this adorable bag.  Kathy B. made it as a sample for the shop.  The Sassy Tote Bag pattern is available at the shop.  I think I have to make this one.

 It is raining and dreary here in west Michigan today, so I went to my sewing room in the basement and made some blocks.  The above block is from the book Modern Bee and is for Jill who is the Hive's queen bee this month.  I hope she likes the fabrics.

I spent the better part of the afternoon going through my scrap pile looking for just the right corner stones for the Charity Quilt blocks that I showed you on my previous post.  I finally came up with these.  This was not an easy decision.  I would find a fabric that would be perfect only to discover there was not enough fabric for the nine blocks in the quilt.  Of course, I had plenty of fabric available on those that were too dark, or not enough contrast, etc.  I do like this pattern, but think next month I'll try a different design, maybe something more conducive to helping me shrink my pile of scraps.  I'm going to follow along with Alamosa Quilter.  She has a BOM quilt along that is sure to reduce my scrap pile and also make a beautiful Charity quilt.  Be sure and check Alamosa Quilter on Feb. 17 as that is when directions will be posted for the Goose On The Loose BOM.

DON’T FORGET:

• THE HEART OF WINTER TOUR, Saturday, February 13.  Call the shop and make your reservations now as seating is limited.  

MARK YOUR CALENDAR NOW:

• Pineapple Tool – Friday, Feb. 5
• UFO Night – Friday, Feb. 5
• Sampler – Saturday, Feb. 6
• Heart of Winter Tour – Saturday, Feb. 13
• Spring Craft Days – Friday, Mar. 18 and 19

Be sure and check the calendar on the Sidebar for more happenings at the Attic Window Quilt Shop this week.

ON ANOTHER NOTE:   

• Sew Toy has a free pattern for a cute decorative dog pillow.  

♥ Caroll, 

Caring , Sharing and Creating Smiles

ROTE QUILTING PROGRESS

 Today I thought I’d show you my progress on Ruth’s Quilt. 

I call it Ruth’s quilt because earlier this year at a Happy Scrapper’s meeting, Ruth (above) showed us this quilt.

Here is a look at the entire quilt.  She said it was a great way to use up those scraps, or those “ugly” fabrics that you no longer use.  I thought this was a wonderful idea because I have lots of fabrics that I purchased when I first started quilting and now never use because my style has changed.  I wouldn’t call them “ugly” fabrics.  They are just fabrics in a color that I no longer use.  Ruth’s quilt seemed like the perfect answer.  A great way to reduce that stash!

 As a rule I don’t like repetition quilting.  I get bored so easily.  However, this is a perfect quilt to work on when you are at a Bee and can just sew without much concentration, which allows you to socialize with your friends.  You can see my project box filled with the cut rectangles and squares used in this block, and that I have been making progress.

No concentration is needed when sewing these rectangles together, then sewing them into a block, and then adding the gold sashing (a color I had to throw in to perk up this quilt).  Thanks Ruth for such a wonderful idea!

ON ANOTHER NOTE:  I love fabric and am always looking for a new way to use it.  Make It & Love It has a clever idea.  Check it out. 

Until next time,
♥
Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!
Caroll

RUTH MAKES UGLY BEAUTIFUL!

I’d like to introduce you to Ruth and her awesome quilt.  She was at the Happy Scrappers Quilting Bee Saturday at the Attic Window Quilt Shop.  She said making this pattern is a great way to use those scraps, especially those fabrics you consider old or ugly.

This quilt turned out to be rather large.  Ruth said she is unable to visualize dimensions and just kept making blocks and using her scraps.  I don't see any ugly fabrics, do you?

This is a close up of the quilt.  Ruth said that the biggest challenge in making this quilt was cutting the numerous small pieces (you need 904 of one size of dark fabrics and 452 of a smaller size of those ugly fabrics and 113 of the red centers).  She did most of the cutting while sitting in front of the TV.  She said the sewing was what she calls “mindless sewing.”    Ruth made this quilt for the Gitchee Guemee Bible Camp at Eagle River, MI.  Great job Ruth!  I’m inspired and have already started cutting my 1 ½” X 3 ½” pieces.  Wonder how long it will take me to get to the 904?

On Another Note:  Living With Punks has a tutorial for a re-useable market bag.  These are so much nicer that those blue or green things you get at the markets.  Check it out.

Until next time,
♥
Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!
Caroll

THE BEST WAY TO USE YOUR SCRAPS

 What to do with these scraps? They are so small, most people just throw them out.   I never throw anything out and by golly I’m glad I don’t.  I found a wonderful use for them recently when my granddaughter and great granddaughters came to visit.

 Norah with her beautiful smile found a use for them.

 Older Sister Claire with her great sense of style used them.

 They probably get their artistic bent from their Mom who is helping them make jewelry.

Claire shows us how it is done.   You just take some masking tape, make a circle (a little larger than your wrist) with the sticky side out, and stick those little pieces of fabric to it.

Norah has her bracelet finished and is ready to start on a necklace.  They made bracelets, necklaces and rings.

 

 Claire is laughing at me because I didn’t know how to make beads.

 Norah shows me how to make a bead with a straw and some fabric and some glue.  (check out her necklace).  These kids showed me even more uses for these little pieces of fabric.  It kept them busy for hours!

 This is a bead and you can string it! Doesn’t this look like a nice bead?

What a perfect day.  Could I ask for anything more?  It looks like they had a fun day too.  I sure did!

On Another Note: The Busy Bean has a nice tutorial for a place mat.

Until next time,
♥
Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!
Caroll

I LEARNED TO LOVE PAPER PIECING

You may think you have seen this one before, but I don’t think so.   I showed you Buffie's paper pieced focus square quilt.  I showed you Deb’s quilt.  And I may have shown you pieces of mine, but above is my finished quilt.  Got that…FINISHED! 

This quilt was so much fun to make and even more fun hunting for those special focus squares for the center of each block and then trading with others in the Happy Scrapper's Bee.  This is my prince charming. (Maybe he needs a kiss.)

I love the fabric I found for the back and bet my great grandchild will too.

This is a close up.  What child wouldn’t like to be wrapped up in this!  Buffie was so right - she has made a paper piecer out of me.  I want to make another one.

On Another Note:   Sew We Quilt has a tutorial for a darling table runner.  It would make a great gift.

Also: Yesterday when I put out a call for gift ideas, someone suggested pot holders.  I love this one because it is different, creative and uses scraps.  Check out Fairy Face Designs for the tutorial. 

Until next time,
♥
Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!
Caroll

I MAY NEVER QUILT AGAIN!

Above is a block that I saw on Don’t Call Me Betsy.   I thought it a great way to use scraps and had to make it.  It will have to do because I may never be able to quilt again.  At least that was what I thought this morning after an early morning perusal of my house.   When did this happen?  How did it get into such a mess?

“That’s it,” I told myself.  “This has to stop!”

The little voice in my head continued its tirade. “New Rule!” it said as I put my fists on my hips and stamped my foot for emphasis (after all, I meant business).  “You cannot go play until your daily chores are done.”

I had to agree as I looked around and wondered how long it had been since I last ran the vacuum. 

I had to agree as I wrote my name in the dust on the TV table. 

I had to agree when I couldn’t find a clean coffee cup because they were all in the sink with the other dirty dishes.

I made a promise to myself right then and there.  I will clean this house first!  Then play. 

I did a pretty good job of sticking to my new rule today, but by mid afternoon I decided to make a slight change to the pledge:  I can go play once my chores are done; however, if they are not completed by noon, I can still go play.  Hey, I’m retired!  Surely I can get some play time.

However, my days of stumbling out of bed, grabbing coffee, and going down to that sewing room to play all day are over.

It is true.  I can’t deny it.  I’d rather “play” any day than run the sweeper, dust, or wash dishes (I don’t have a dishwasher).  I thought I’d died and gone to heaven when I retired.  I could sew and make quilts all day long.  However, I imagine that is only true if you are very rich and can afford a maid and housekeeper, and still be able to buy fabric!

Does anyone else have this problem?  I could probably stick to my pledge if everyone didn’t have so many cute tutorials and patterns out there.  I want to try them all.   Just the other day I saw some fancy shoelaces that I thought would be great for kids.  But I didn’t buy them because Art Gallery Fabrics has a tutorial for making Gang Rocking Shoelaces.  Great gift idea for those kids on your gift list.

Until next time,
♥
Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!
Caroll

WHAT WILL YOU DO THIS WEEKEND?

Remember these?  It seems like I’ve been making tea leaves forever, but I still have only 150 of the 260 that I need.  So, guess what I’ll be doing this weekend.  How about you?  What will you be doing this weekend?

I’ll also be cutting out the 4” background squares (maybe).  I couldn’t wait and decided to just see how things were going to look.  Ugh!  I don’t like this at all.

This is what Buffie’s sample quilt looks like.  I love her subtle colors.  However, I don’t think I’ll be getting that with my 30s fabrics. 

I thought about using grey fabrics for the backgrounds, so I tried placing some leaves on these fabrics.  I think I like it, but I’m just going to continue to make leaves and wait until the Happy Scrappers meet next Saturday.  Buffie said she would help me choose background fabrics. 

ATTENTION:  I know one other thing I will be doing this weekend - attending the West Michigan Quilt Guild's show.  Quilts On The Grand is this weekend (Oct. 5-7) at the Delta Plex Arena in Grand Rapids, MI.  There will be over 250 quilts on display, demonstrations, quilt raffles, special exhibits, and a vendor mall.  I can’t wait for those doors to open!

On another note:  Bee in My Bonnet has a nice tutorial for an Easy Square in Square.  Since I’m trying to improve my piecing skills, this might be a great one for me to try.  Check it out.

Until next time,
♥
Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!
Caroll

WHAT'S IN A NAME?

The other day while blog hopping I came across s. o. t. a. k handmade and saw that Svetlana had made a couple different name tags.  It was for a challenge for her Modern Quilt Guild that had just started in her area.  I thought about our Happy Scrappers Bee and how we are getting new participants each month.  It is such a wonderful/inspiring group and I’m anxious to learn everyone’s name.  And, of course, I want them to know me too, so I decided to make my own name tag.  I did this in the hopes of inspiring others in the group to make name tags too.  After all we are a scrappy group and what better way to use those scraps than make name tags. 

Do you recognize any of these fabrics?  Some from the modern pillow I blogged about last week, some from the Monster Patch, some from the quilt I just finished and will bog about next, and some from my Modern Monday blocks.  I wish I had had some cute little scraps on hand like Svetlana did in her first name tag, but I didn’t.  So the above is what I came up with.  Not bad.  I hope you will be inspired like I was to make a name tag.  It really is helpful for old/forgetful people like me.  Rosa in our group made a darling name tag and has worn it from day one.  We sit next to each other.  She has become my best friend.  I never forget her name.  I’ll try to remember to get a picture of it at our next meeting. 

You can get a head start on your Christmas decorations at This Year’s Dozen.  There is a nice tutorial for a Mug Rug Set.

Until next time,
♥
Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!
Caroll

WHAT YOU CAN DO WITH SCRAPS

The Happy Scrappers Quilting Bee met Saturday at the Attic Window Quilt Shop.  Above, Buffie shows us the result of a Pandora’s Box.  Long ago she place the pieces in a basket and forgot about it.  She moved and later found it again.  Determined not to move that basket one more time, she got busy and finished it.  Buffie has a great eye for color.  I love how she used the pink to pull together all those various scrappy blocks.

Terri is that rare kind of person who doesn’t have unfinished projects.  This is a close-up of her Spider Web quilt.  She used scraps and made the pieces wonky.  I think that’s why I love this quilt so…scraps and wonky.  She’s my kind of gal!

This is Lee Ann’s latest project.  It is only half finished but she is still working on it.  I think the pattern is Trip Around the World.  I love her choice of fabrics.  She said I might like the way this quilt is made, and suggested I take Chris’s class and learn her easy method for making this quilt. 

 And last but not least, check these out.  These are goodies that the quilters brought to share!  We all love it when Rosa’s husband cooks.  He made these wonderful blueberry cakes for us. In the front left and right are a Blueberry Cream Cake and a Blueberry Cheese Cake.  In the middle is my Crunchy Fudge Bars.  I didn’t get a picture of it, but Buffie also brought a cucumber salad that was to die for!  Needless to say, no one keeled over from lack of food while they were quilting.  I figured I had to keep my stamina up because of all this heat!  How's that for rationalization.

Here’s a quick fun summer project for you.  Do you have a puppy or know someone who does?  Check out Riley Blake Designs for a cute puppy placemat.
♥
Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!
Caroll

ANOTHER SCRAPPY PROJECT

I had to show you this block.  I love finding new ways to use my scraps and when I saw this how-to for  Crazy-Pieced Blocks in the latest Fons & Porter’s Scrap Quilts magazine I had to try it. This how-to is a quick and easy method to make blocks for the Pixie Sticks pattern in the magazine.  It was so much fun seeing this block grow and seeing my pile of scraps diminish (well, you probably wouldn’t be able to tell any difference in that pile, but I knew).  I hope to make some more blocks and put them together in the Pixie Sticks pattern.  It would make a nice charity quilt for the Quilts For Wheels group at the Attic Window Quilt Shop.

For those of you who like working with wool, check out Tiny Toad Stool for a wonderful way to use your scraps and make a beautiful gift.  

Wondering what to do with the kids/grand-kids now that school is out.  Check out Shiny Happy World for a free pattern for a game that is sure to keep them busy.

Remember:  Friday is Reindeer Games.
♥
Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!
Caroll

DO YOU LIKE USING YOUR SCRAPS?

We got lots of snow over night and you know what I always say:  A snow day is a sew day!  I played in my studio all day long and made this.  Well, actually, it didn’t take me all day.  But it did take most of the morning to make this one block.  I am not going to tell you how many times I had to get my seam ripper out.  I saw the quilt on Pleasant Home and went over to A Little Bit Biased and followed the tutorial.  I’m not much into piecing, but I love using my scraps.  I kind of like the way it turned out.

 

The sun did come out this afternoon, but I couldn’t leave the house because a repairman was coming.  You know how that goes…"he’ll be there between 1 and 5."  So while I was waiting, I decided to make another block.  Didn’t take nearly as long as the first one.  It's a good size as the block finishes at 12 1/2 inches.   I’m liking this block so much I think I’ll make some more.  Maybe I’ll make the quilt in the tutorial.  We’ll see.  Hope you all had a good day of quilting.  Looks like we will be getting more snow tomorrow, so maybe I’ll make another scrappy block.

Don’t Forget:

·       Snow Days at the Attic Window Quilt Shop all during January. Get a free snowman pattern and snowflakes. 

·       Heart of Winter Tour is Feb. 11.  Reserve your place now! 

I hope I haven’t shown this before.  I may have because I like Oh, Fransson’s Mod Mosaic tutorial so much.  If it snows again tomorrow maybe I’ll give this one a try.

♥

Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!

Caroll