Astronomical Block Challenge with Karen Nyberg

Grace Mug Rug

Mug rugs are fun projects!

You can make something pretty and at the same time use it to try new thread and fabric color combinations.

Or you can test batting and free motion quilting designs.

Everyone Loves a Tote

Handmade gifts are special.

I really enjoyed making these tote bags.

They are quick, easy and pretty.

Want to make this tote?

Click here for videos.

Table Topper

Spinning Table Topper
Have seen or used the Kaleido-Ruler by Marti Michell?
She demonstrates how to use the ruler in a video series on YouTube.
The ruler makes eleven sizes of the kaleidoscope block.
My 15-inch block is pieced differently than the video series.
For the free motion quilting, I did not have a plan. I only wanted to changes things up a little bit.

Soft, Stable & Sale

 

Here is a peek at one of the Christmas gifts I’m working on.

My guild has a orphan block table where quilters can donate, swap, or pick up unwanted blocks. I picked several large blocks specifically for free motion practice.

Each block will be a table topper so I decided to use Soft & Stable by Annie instead of batting. Soft and Stable is a cotton scrim covered foam.

The quilting is done with a top stitch 90/14 needle, and trilobal polyester embroidery thread.

Don’t forget all Craftsy online classes are $19.99. This is the time to enroll in classes that are normally, $49 or $39. I enrolled in a sewing class, Creative Serging and a quilting class, Playing with Curves.

WIP - Retreating to Advance

It was exciting to be at the November quilting retreat at Williamsburg Christian Retreat Center again.Women from as far away as Alaska, Canada, and New York join in the fun.

Significant progress has been made on several projects. However, the most important is the quilt for my mom. She picked a pattern from "Still Stripping After Twenty-five years" by Eleanor Burns

The blocks, sashing and the first of three borders of the queen-sized quilt are pieced. You can watch a demo of the rulers used to make the star points here. The video demo shows how to use the same ruler to make a fish.

Blogger's Quilt Festival Entry

Blogger’s Quilt Festival ~ Fall 2013

The Festival has begun! There are so MANY amazing quilt entries. You will be inspired and challenged as you view quilts in 15 categories.

Blogger’s Quilt Festival Schedule:

October 25 – 31 – Linky’s Open & Nominate for Viewer’s Choice
November 1 – 7 – Vote for favorites in each of the categories
November 8 – Winners announced

This piece was entered in the Art quilt category. This was so much fun to make. The plan - incorporate the following techniques in one piece:

• Free Motion Quilting
• Decorative Stitching
• Yarn Couching

There is just as much free motion quilting as there is decorative machine quilting. This project was ideal for learning new free motion designs and experimenting with thread colors as texture.

Virginia Star Quilters Quilt Show

View some beautiful quilts from my guild's quilt show by click the link above.

The Winner is.....

Wow, I won a Baby Lock Grace sewing machine at the Original Sewing and Quilt Expo!
My sister wanted to know how I won. It would be nice to say it was for one of my quilts. But, I just completed an entry form for a prize drawing. I really like the machine’s name, Grace.

Grace is the free and unmerited favor of God, as manifested in the salvation of sinners and the bestowal of blessings.

Free Motion Quilting: Speed & Control

Did you know that free motion quilting and driving a car are similar?  Really?  Yes!  Just imagine that the car is a needle and you want to direct the curvy winding roads it takes. Read more by clicking the photo.

 

Page 23 Quilt Challenge

There is a first time for everything. This is the first time I am participating in a quilt challenge. My guild, VA Star Quilters, presented a challenge for the bi-annual quilt show. Click the photo to read more about my submission, Four Feathered Friends.

Free Motion Quilting with the Janome 7700

 

Free Motion Quilting

I am so pleased with my Janome New Home 7700. I exclusively use it for free motion quilting. There is a BIG learning curve for free motion quilting that includes thread and needle combinations, and matching machine rhythm to eye, hand and foot coordination, as well as batting choices. 

The 7700 arrived in February 2013 and we bonded almost immediately!  My free motion quilting has improved dramatically. I do admit,  that the arrival of  7700 came at right time in my request to learn free motion quilting. I had already made and recovered from rookie mistakes. Do not get me wrong, there is still so much I want and need to learn in free motion quilting. 

 

I have learned so much from quilters, Leah Day, and  Patsy Thompson when I first began learning free motion quilting a few years ago. Now, I am learning from Ann Petersen,  and Cindy Needham too!

Whether you are just getting started with free motion quilting or a veteran I would love to hear about your experiences with the process. Share a link in the comments to your blog post about your free motion quilting challenges and victories. I love the worldwide quilting community!  I am learning so much. Thank you!!!

Houston, we have a problem

The problem is that I miss my 16-year-old niece, Cynarra.  We just spent 7 days hanging out doing what girls do. We cooked, baked, sewed, watched Youtube videos on quilting and baking, watched two Will Smith movies, one Jane Austin movie and more. Click photo to see photos and read about Cynarra's first quilt shop visit, and long-arm quilting experience.

Guild Inspiration

 

Guild Inspiration

I joined the Virgina Star Quilters guild in March 2011.  Joining the guild was one of best things I did to advance my quilting knowledge and skill.  The wealth of talent, skill and years of experience is inspiring!  The guild has an amazing group of quilt artists. - See more at: http://livinh20.tumblr.com/guild#sthash.r3L3DAWY.dpuf

 

Virginia Star Quilters Quilt show

I will participate in my first quilt show and competition.  If you are in the area come by view over 100 quilts.

Gardening and Quilting Tug-of-War

Do you have hobbies that compete for your time? My shade garden and quilt projects both want attention and I want to give it to them. A few years ago, the answer was easy because winter and summer months were for quilting and garden was late fall and early spring. Each hobby had its dedication season. However, they are beginning to overlap. Read more about my garden and see more pictures when you click the photo.

Seven Days, Seven Projects

I am not happy unless I am juggling several projects at once. :-) A few weeks ago, I was overloaded with projects to complete for quilt show, raffle and silent auction.  See more of photos when you click the photo above

What is your name?

 

What is your name? 

I created this name tag  necklace to wear during Virginia Star Quilters guild monthly meeting. It was the perfect opportunity to practice free motion quilting and learn a new tool and technique for making half square triangles. 

Love Reminders

Love Reminders - Small Quilts-Lots-of-Love

Do you have a scarf, a note card, a dried flower, a ring, or even a mug that reminds you of someone you love? The quilting focus was learning and mastering new techniques, but the completed project focused on love.