MEET A NEW BLOGGER

Above is another block of the Monster Patch pattern that I blogged about here.  I just wanted to get your attention because I have something important to tell you. 

THERE IS A NEW BLOGGER IN TOWN:  I’d like to introduce you to my friend and fellow quilter, Vicky Ferguson.  She has started a couple new blogs that I’m sure you will find informative, interesting and inspiring. Vicky is a Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator.  Her day job includes: Outpatient nutrition counseling.  Her evening/night job includes: Food and Nutrition Writer and Recipe Analysis.

Vicky has been writing "Ask the Dietitian" food and nutrition column since 1985.  Her column has appeared weekly in The Muskegon Chronicle, The Grand Rapids Press, and The Jackson Citizen Patriot.

You can see that Vicky is highly qualified to write her new blog Vicky Ferguson, R.D. Food and Nutrition Writer, Ask the Dietitian.  Do you remember that a while ago I told you about a food storage guide?  I got that from Vicky’s newspaper column.  After reading that, I realized I had to do some cleaning and tossing.  Whenever I have a question about nutrition, food, diet, I go to Vicky.  You can too.  You can send her an email with your question (the address is on her blog) and she will answer it.   I recently sent Vicky a question about baby carrots and today she answered it on her blog.  Go check it out and tell her you said hi!

Vicky also has a quilting blog.  Check out the Back-Burner Stitcher.  I’m sure it will be another favorite to visit.  Good luck Vicky on your blogs.

 ♥

Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!

Caroll

A GIFT FOR YOU - FREE PATTERN

I made this little wallhanging to go on my door during Easter and thought I’d share the pattern with you and tell you a little bit about how I put it together.

Size: I used a 15” background square and after it was quilted, cut it down to a 14” square.  

 

Making the Parts:  When making the rabbit parts in white Kona, I didn’t want the background to show through, so I lined each piece with Pellon SF101.  Since I use the freezer paper method of appliqué (you can find my instructions and a tutorial for this method by clicking on the Witch’s Feet on the sidebar), I have the piece made and the edge ironed under before I cut the shape out of the Pellon.  When I cut that shape out of the Pellon, I cut it slightly smaller than the template, then slide it into the shaped piece and iron it on.  When doing this, make sure you have the template on the correct side of the Pellon so when you place it into the piece, the rough side of the Pellon will face the wrong side of the fabric and it is ready to iron.  Then I can place the entire piece on the background and stitch it down.  Again, you can see how I do this by clicking on the Witch’s Feet on the sidebar.

Embroidery:  As you will note above, I also do the embroidery before I stitch the piece to the background.  It makes it easier since there are not as many layers to stitch through.  Don’t be confused by the ears in this picture as after I had these made (I was trying to make a floppy year) I decided that wasn’t what I wanted and made the larger ears.

Templates:  The templates are the exact size.  If you are using the fusing method, there is no problem, but if you are using a turn-under method like I do, you will need to cut your fabric ¼” larger than the template.  ALSO, I do not have a template for the purple piece of fabric (sign background).  I cut it 4 ¼” by 9 ¾”.  You don’t have to be exact.  These measurements are enough to turn under the edge if you are using that method.  Also, when I made the pattern it said “Spring” but when I went to sew it I decided I wanted “Easter” instead, so feel free to do what you want.  I really struggled with what to say:  "Hop On In" (as a welcome sign), or “Some Bunny Loves You.”  There are so many cute sayings and I couldn’t decide.  One day when I was in the Shop, Maggie suggested Hoppy Easter and I knew that was what I wanted to say.  

 The Pattern: Here it is hanging on my door.  You can get the pattern here.  There are four pages.  The first two are only for placement of the various parts. You should place the second page over the first and line up the nose etc. and tape it together.  Now you can use this as a placement guide.  You will notice that the pattern is larger than the paper that we print on.  That is why some of the pattern goes off the page (like the ears and the tulips).  However, there is enough there to act as a placement guide.  The following two pages have the full size pieces and the letters for Happy Spring.  If you have any questions feel free to let me know.  I hope you enjoy the wallhanging!

  
Speaking of new patterns, Wendy of Ivory Spring has a new pattern for you.  Check it out.   You’ll love her tablerunner.

♥

Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!

Caroll

HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT THIS?

When I was at the Attic Window Quilt Shop earlier this week, Maggie showed me this cute little table topper she recently made.  I wanted to show it to you because I thought it was so clever.  I’m not sure what size ruler or template she used.  At first I thought it was the 60 deg. ruler, but, even with my deficient math skills, I don’t think it was that.  At any rate, I love how she used the decorative stitches in the seams, and the curved edging.  What really caught my attention was that she made it reversible.  On one side she used Easter fabrics, and…

 ...after that Holiday she can turn it over and use this side with the lovely spring colors.   What a great idea.  Usually, on a small table topper like this, I’m just looking around for some scrap, any old piece, to place on the back.  After all, no one will see it.  But by putting some thought into my project, I can get double the use out of it.  Thanks Maggie for this great idea!

 I’ve been nursing a cold this week, but did manage to get this block done for Sampler which meets Saturday.  Not too bad considering all the piecing I had to do.

 NOTE:  For those of you who are participating in the Rose of Sharon BOM, you can pick up your kit the first of the month for the next seven months.  There will be a FREE demo on Wednesday, March 7^th from 6-8 pm.  Colleen will show you how she made her beautiful quilt.

  

Little Blue Bell has a No Template Double hourglass tutorial.  Be sure and scroll down past the video for the step-by-step pictures.

♥

Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!

Caroll