Tube block

Have you ever done a tube block?  Where you take the two strips and sew them top and bottom, then cut to get half square triangles?  I first heard/saw these done with the Wonder Cut ruler.  I jumped on the band wagon and got me one of those rulers.  I personally don't care for it but I've talked to others who love it.  It's a matter of choice.  Anyway, I needed to make up a set of quick quilt blocks and thought about the "Tube block" technique and pulled some practice fabrics to work on the right measurements for the size blocks I wanted to complete - sometimes my brain just goes to 'math dead' and I can't figure out the dimensions...
My first strip sets made blocks too big for what I needed the set for but I really liked the way they looked so made a complete set from my 'practice' fabrics:

These blocks measure 14" and I have a set of 12.  I'm thinking a solid color green to sash and border for a finished quilt...
If you've ever cut triangles from a strip, you know you end up with the odd ends.  I decided to play around with those ends and this is what I came up with:

These aren't sewn together yet... the little blocks measure 6" so this piece when sewn together will measure 27" X 11".  I will border it and probably use it as a dresser runner.  Then.. I had some of the peach and white strip that was longer than the green and peach strip so cut that up into 4-patches along with some squares of green and this is what I have:

This will measure 10 X 20 and will end up being used as a table scarf or something of that nature.
I'm glad I decided to use these pieces while I was in sewing mode instead of throwing them into the scrap tub.  
Oh, the blocks I 'needed' to get done - well, they're for a special project and needed to get sent to a friend to use with a set of embroidered angels:

The person who will be the recipient of the quilt loves bright colors and I have had this print in my stash for quite some time.  I liked pairing it with the Fairy Frost fabrics I had (more fabric I've had for awhile...)
You may have noticed that these blocks aren't the same layout as the green & peach blocks... The green & peach create a square and these obviously don't.  That's one of the things I really like about using this technique, there are several different looks using the same units...  

Wishing everyone a wonderful day,

Katie

this and that

While I've been in sewing mode, I started working on things for Sew Fest which isn't until August, but the way my ambition comes and goes these days, I take advantage while I have it:

 These blocks are my start to a "Sampler Challenge".  The QFC group was asked to make 2 blocks of 5 different patterns over a period of a couple months.   It was asked to use the same fabrics for all the blocks that will then be put into "sampler" style quilts at Sew Fest.

 These embroidery designs are from Windbell Embroidery.  I used a varigated red thread and wasn't sure I'd like where it went so pale as to be almost white but after I looked at the stitchout off the machine, I liked the 'softness' of it.  This year at Sew Fest we are planning on some more feminine quilts to honor our lady veterans.

This set is also from Windbell Embroidery.

My grandson is in the Air Force my plans are to put this block into a quilt for him.

This block is from Eleanor Burns book "Day & Night" which also comes with a 'specialty' ruler which is really just a triangle ruler with specific to this pattern markings:

You start with a strip set then cut left and right units.  There are some "bonus" cuts that are used for a small version of the star and also the 'spider web' block:

I don't have the corners on in this picture yet....  These were really simple to make and I am sure I will be doing more.

My youngest granddaughter is really into the Disney movie "Frozen".  Her room is decorated accordingly and she has the Elsa and Anna (fashion) dolls as well as other Barbie dolls.  So, thinking ahead to Christmas I've started cutting out doll clothes from my scraps of fabric.  It doesn't take much fabric for these small clothes.... 

Until next time, I wish you all well and much creativity.

Katie

Labeling charity quilts

I know, 2 in a row - don't faint!
If you've followed me, you know that I am the co-founder of a group, Quilters for Comfort. - If you click on the tab you will find out the information. - We have a couple new members and a question has come up about labeling the quilts for donation.  
QFC started originally when we were all members of an on line machine embroidery site and someone came up with a label that simply states, "Lovingly made by Quilters for Comfort".  And because at the time, many of the quilts were made by more than one person.  Someone would send embroidered blocks, another would send 'filler' blocks to an assembler who would construct the quilt then the quilt would be sent on to someone to quilt and bind.  (yes, the postal service loves us!)  As this group has grown, we still have many quilts made by many hands but we also have some who make an entire quilt, start to finish, on their own.  I understand the 'signing' your work.  You've worked on something you're proud of, you sign it.  Here's where I get concerned --- When you're not sure who is going to receive that donated quilt, do you really want your full name on it?  I personally do not but I'm interested in if I'm a minority on this issue.
If you do quilts for charity, do you put your full name on it?  What is your opinion of this topic?

Been wondering lately if I should even keep this blog open.  It seems I rarely post anything anymore.  Lately I haven’t even been reading much, yet I do enjoy seeing what others are working on, what’s new, etc….

AZ has had a glorious couple weeks.  We’ve come close to the 90 degree temps and I don’t have a problem with that at all.  We also had a pretty decent snow storm the beginning of January that I just happened to have to drive home in!  Being from the U.P. of Michigan, I wasn’t concerned, but I was sure wishing the people in front of me were behind me!

I have been quilting some QFC quilts and also sewing up pillowcases:

The scrappy patchwork ones were tops given to me a couple years ago from a QFC member who, due to health reasons, can no longer sew.  These were part of a community service project and were a little rough but a little trimming and quilting and they will comfort someone.

In my last post I mentioned that my 14 year old fur baby was in poor health, sadly last week we had to make the very difficult decision to let her go.  It’s still raw and I can’t remember ever feeling so much emotional pain.  My first instinct is to immediately get another fur baby, but I think it’s best for me to settle and not have expectations of a new pet…
Not sure when I will post again, could be days, could be months….


Katie

A little post script here...  I usually use windows Live Writer but the last couple times, I have not been able to post... Wonder what's up with that????

It’s been quite awhile since I last posted – almost 2 months!  Thanksgiving and Christmas have come and gone and I’m just now getting around to posting.
I will start with some pictures first as I think that’s what most want to see:

Christmas quilt #1.  I had to show a close up of the embroidered designs.  I love these Snowmen. Each one has a ‘scene’ in his ‘belly’.   I believe they are from Ace Points.

Christmas quilt #2/  These are the cutest Santas…  These designs are also from Ace Points.
These quilts went to my two great-nephews.  The first one is now 4 years old and had never received a baby quilt.  The second nephew was born in May and by the time I got the announcement, it was late July and I had Sew Fest and my sister’s wedding, then on to Christmas sewing – so instead of a baby quilt, they each got their Christmas quilts.

The red quilt is University of Alabama and is for my step-daughter.  The navy and orange quilt are for her husband and is Auburn.  The tops are done and I hope to get them quilted over the weekend and ready to mail to them by the end of next week.  I wanted to ‘showcase’ the team fabrics, therefore the large squares.  With his, I started with the smaller squares with the white and orange ‘frames’ but it was too orange for my likes and did not showcase the team fabric.  If you look, the top and bottom is 4-patches with the small squares.  I did not have enough fabric left to cut the larger squares of fabric.  He’s a big guy and needed to have that length.  Overall, it turned out okay…

So the holidays…. Thanksgiving was a quiet affair.  My daughter-in-law usually does Thanksgiving but with her school schedule and the lack of out-of-state family, I offered to do Thanksgiving.  It was a small affair with just the 5 of them and me.  Hubby was off elk hunting…
Christmas was very nice and held at my son and daughter-in-law’s.  My preparations for Christmas was an entirely different story.  I don’t know if I was depressed or just not in the mood, but everything I made was a chore.  I didn’t decorate my home, did very little baking and “hum bugged” my way through it all.  When all was said and done, I thanked God for my blessings of a wonderful family and was glad all the hoopla was over…

Now on to a new year.  I have a few plans for the year.  Sew Fest is already scheduled to be held in McKinney, TX the first week of August.  My son gave me a white water rafting trip for Christmas.  He and I have always talked about going and so this will be that year!   My sister and new brother-in-law have informed us that they will spend Christmas 2016 with us and that is something I will be looking forward to.   On a sadder note, my little dog of 14 years I expect to lose this year.  She’s had multiple surgeries for skin cancer and bladder stones.  She’s had a stroke that has affected her hearing and her sight is limited.  She has now become incontinent and I need to keep a diaper on her.  I know she feels bad because she can’t control her bladder and often has a puddle in front of her doggie door.  It is sad to watch her decline but I thank God I’ve had her as long as I have.
I hope you all had very nice holidays and that your new year brings you much joy…

Katie

finally–pictures

I can finally show some pictures…

This is the quilt I made for my dear friend who was diagnosed with Uterine cancer.  She has since had her surgery and I’m ecstatic to say she was early stage and no further treatments are necessary after her surgery:

These blocks measured 15”.  I wanted to get this quilt done and in her hands before she had her surgery so I needed to be quick about it.  I did manage my goal!

This next quilt was for one of the Quilters for Comfort members who’s husband had a massive stroke.  The ladies from QFC donated embroidered crosses and verses from scripture.  One of our members sent me 20 blocks!  I incorporated them into the backing as well as a couple in the top.  There were a few embroidered blocks left that were sent on with the quilt as I knew our member will find a use for them in one of her “whisper” quilts:

I chose fall fabrics from my stash as I felt they had the more masculine feel… 

This  following quilt was made from ‘left overs’… QFC had another one of our members who underwent kidney surgery and again the ladies donated angels.  There were enough for 2 quilts and as it turned out – we needed those extras as another of our members informed us she was undergoing chemo treatments..  This is her quilt top: ( I did not make or quilt the other quilt, so no picture of that one…)

   I did not quilt this.  I sent it on to another of our members for quilting as I was in a ‘rush’ to get my friend’s quilt finished.  The ‘flying geese’ are made from strip blocks that I was given.  I just took those strip blocks and paired with white squares and got the HST’s.  I felt this was a good quilt to use them on and I still have a LOT of those strip blocks left….

And this is just a picture of a quilt from Sew Fest I was quilting:

at Sew Fest we had a stack of scrappy 9-patch blocks and I just stitched them all together and made a scrappy patchwork quilt.  As I looked at this quilt to decide how I wanted to quilt it, I chose the all-over swirls because I felt it needed some ‘texture’ because of all the different fabrics.  I wasn’t real fond of this quilt until it was in the ‘finished’ stage….

Okay, picture time over – now just some chit chat

Okay so it’s ‘Holiday time’ and that means I start my yearly season of chaos.  I don’t normally make quilts for Christmas gifts but this year is the exception with need to get 4 done!  2 will be Christmas themed quilts for 2 small great nephews.  The youngest was born in July and due to my busy summer he did not get a baby quilt.  I’m sure by now my niece thinks I’ve ignored her birth announcement… I didn’t want to send a card and give the ‘something later’ message – so instead I decided to make both boys Christmas quilts and send them together.  The older boy is still young enough that I would not send something without including him…  The other 2 quilts are for my Step-daughter and her husband.  They live in Alabama and cheer on different college sports teams.  They will each get their own quilts with their teams fabrics … One is Auburn and the other the U of Alabama ….

I will also be making the pajama pants that I normally do for all my g-kids at Christmas but I’m hoping to change it up a little this year.  I’m hoping to find some heavier jersey knit to use instead of flannel. The kids today wear so many T’s and stretch(ier) fabrics than before and so I think they will appreciate the knit…. Guess I’ll find out….

And – I’ve been asked to work with a committee at the local Elk’s lodge to put together the Kids Christmas party this year… QFC has donated Christmas stockings in the past and had enough to last a couple years.  We’re needing at least 60 more, so this morning I put a shout out to the amazing ladies on the QFC Yahoo group for help….

Anyway, I had a relatively busy summer and now it’s looking like I will be staying busy through what’s left of 2015… 

If you’ve made it this far, I thank you for taking the time to read and comments are always appreciated.  I know I’m not real consistent in posting on my blog, but I just don’t figure my general chit chat and day to day is of interest to everyone….

Katie

That’s over!

Sister’s wedding was beautiful:

They said their vows as the sun was going down and the professional photographer was able to get pictures with the sun setting. ( This is the happy couple as taken by my hubby.)  It seemed as though God had his hand in this as everything was just perfect….

So that’s over and the long days of driving are done and I was very happy to be home.  I think I’m still playing catch-up on my rest.  Another nice thing about the wedding was being able to spend some time with my son without the interruptions of his being a husband and father.  With his wife in school and the kids in school, they weren’t able to attend the wedding, but my son flew in and actually escorted his aunt to her groom.  Okay, sorry, as usual I tend to side track…..

While I was gone had some unhappy things going on with friends.  One dear friend’s hubby had multiple strokes and one was considered massive…. QFC (Quilters for Comfort)  is coming together to make a quilt for her husband as he (and she) have a long road ahead of them.  A member of our QFC team has been diagnosed with cancer and the team is putting together a quilt for her.  And one of my very dearest friends has been diagnosed with uterine cancer and will be facing surgery soon.  I’m scrambling to get a quilt done for her prior to the surgery.  Fortunately, the doctor is saying it’s “early stage”.  When I look around and see the trials my friends are dealing with, I’m thankful for just  my sore knees and back….  Life is good and I thank God for my many blessings.

Until next time,

Katie