Free Motion Quilting

 A week ago I thought I would try my hand at FMQ again. Frances added a little curly cue to the leaves. I like how they look but I was not doing such a good job with the FMQ. The top photo is the front of the quilt sandwich.

 This is the back. For some reason I was getting little bird nests where I was doing the curly cues. I have no idea why since I was doing everything the same as the first time I tried the leaves.

 I tried this Supreme Slider too. I think I must be very heavy handed because I could not tell a difference in how the fabric moved around. I will keep trying.

 Next I tried my hand at this fill in quilting. I  was trying to mimic this design I found in a magazine.

  I wanted to FMQ this little quilt myself. I did do the fill in quilting and you can see how the piece came out pretty wavy.

 So I turned it over and took a steam iron to it. Still a little wavy.

 So I decided to use Sharon Schamber's binding with glue technique which helped out tremendously. I have used this technique on another quilt that had some waves in it.

 Here is the finished product and a close up. You can see how much fill in quilting I did and I am sure that is why the quilt rippled so much. But now it is all good.

I used back basting applique to do this quilt. I hope to teach a class in the future. The pattern is by Lori Smith. It is called Enjoy the Flowers. It measures 16" x 20" and uses four fat quarters for the whole quilt, front and back.

After all that, I am pretty pleased at how it turned out.

With Passion,
Carrie P.

Couldn't Help Myself

 I  have the same disease Marlene has. BOM disease. What is a person to do when others come up with such cute BOM. I just can't help myself. I was going to be strong this year and not take on any but I failed.
This sweet BOM was created by Michelle May of The Raspberry Rabbits. It is called Harrington and Hannah after her two cute bunnies. I had this little pack of 2 1/2" squares of Perennials that is going to be perfect for these blocks.

 I have not stitched down the bunnies yet because I don't have the thread from the list. But guess what? I asked Michelle to come to our guild to be our speaker in March. She is coming! Yippee! Then I will get my thread because she is bringing all sorts of goodies for us to buy from her too.

 I bought some 100% Merino wool felt from Felt on the Fly. I found Janet's Etsy last year. Oh, this wool is so beautiful. If you love wool go to her site and check out all the wonderful colors.

 Because it is 100% wool I washed my pieces that I will use in the Rabbit BOM. I did not want to worry about them shrinking or colors running. When I washed them the dye from this red did get caught on a Color Catcher sheet. You can also see that it shrinks just a little compared to the grey. For other projects you don't need to wash this wonderful wool.

 The other BOM I just had to make is the Country Cottages from Shabby Fabrics. It has everything I love to work with. Wool, applique, and embroidery.

 I used one of my vintage glass buttons for the door knob.

I am going to use Bliss by Bonnie and Camille for my cottages.

I don't think there is any help for me! But I am glad to know there are others in the same boat as me. LOL

With Passion,
Carrie P.

PIP

I finished! This was a project I started the first of December. I waited another month to receive a back-order of the ribbon and the thread for the roof. When I saw this punchneedle cupboard door hanger depicting a tree farm I knew I had to make it. Taking a trip to the Christmas tree farm in the mountains is one of our traditions that we have been doing since the kids were little. If you look close you can see some rusty jingle bells sewn to the bottom of the hanger. (pattern by Brenda Gervais)

News travels fast in the blogging world but just in case you haven't heard Kaaren will be doing 6 weeks of cancer treatments. Shelley at Red Quilts has a super idea of sending some sunshine to Kaaren. Go to Shelly's blog where you can read more and find out how to participate.

With Passion,
Carrie P.

A Finish!

One more Hop To It block done! Two more to go!

With Passion,
Carrie P.

Book Review

Raise your hand if you like to decorate your house for each season or holiday? Me! I really like to change the quilts and other decorations that I have around the house. I am so excited to do this book review for Dawn Heese. Dawn gave me free rein to show what I wanted and to say what I felt like saying about the book. So this review is all me. Dawn has written a new book called "A Year Of Cozy Comforts" published by Kansas City Star Quilts. This book has quilts, pillows, a pincushion, and a table runner that you can make to decorate for each season. Here is the cover of the book with a sneak peek of what you could make for each of the four seasons.

 When I get a new quilting book I read it from cover to cover even the step by step directions. Dawn has written some really great directions which include color pictures of the parts you will make.

 Here is a page with the cutting directions. Clear and Concise.

 Here is something I really like. FULL SIZE PATTERNS! I do not like having to trace a pattern and then get it enlarged to the percentage that the pattern recommends. Sometimes because of the printer I have I can not enlarge the pattern to the size. Some places will not even copy the pattern for you because of copyright laws. With Dawn's pattern you don't have to worry about that.

How would you like to enjoy a summertime picnic on this quilt? I know what you are thinking. Yep, I would not have a picnic on the quilt either but it is nice to think about it. I sure would make this quilt to display for summertime though.

 Look at this quilt! It is my favorite of all the quilts in the book to make for Autumn. I want to stop everything I am working on and get busy making this one.

The book has beautiful photographs of each project and Dawn includes a family recipe for each season. I am going to try the Taco Soup one chilly night for dinner very soon. 

Here is the back of the book. You can get another peek at some of the other projects in the book. If you love to do applique this book is for you.

You can see more of the quilts on Dawn's blog plus you have chance to win the book. You have until the 25th. If you don't win you can also order on her website with free shipping in the US.

Now I am inspired to go do some applique on my next two Hartfield blocks.
Off to my sewing room I go.

With Passion,
Carrie P.

Randomness

Eeny, Meeny, Miny, Moe! Oh, so many choices when it comes to gardening catalogs. If you are a gardener and buy from catalogs you know what I mean. This is my first year doing this so it is a bit overwhelming. Out of all the catalogs I have it seems that three are my favorites. I just have to pick out some tomatoes and potatoes. Then I will place my orders soon.

 Here is a sneak peek of a quilt I am working on. Since I am the guild vice president this year I am responsible for coming up with a quilt for our president. I will show more as it progresses. I will tell you that I will be getting help on the next part which is applique.

 My first time forcing a bulb to grow during the winter months. This is a paper white which I was given from the Plow and Hearth store that opened up in our area. Here are some of the stages. I tied all the leaves up with a twine but now they are so heavy the leaves are laying on its side.

 Some flowers have opened up. The flowers are tiny. Measuring 1 1/2" across and smell delightful.

I have been working on various other things but nothing else really to show just yet.
I have been asked by a reader to do a tutorial on inner curves and deep valleys using needle turn applique. I am preparing my next blocks from the Linen Closet Quilts BOM to use in part of the tutorial.
Speaking of the Linen Closet Quilts blog, did you know Dawn is having a giveaway for her new book? The giveaway is open until the 25th.

With Passion,
Carrie P.

Embroidery

Have you been to Aurifil Buzz yet? For 2012 Aurifil will showcase twelve designers who will share an embroidered block. The blocks will be a mystery. Aurifil has a 12 weight thread that they will be using. It is like using 2 strands of floss. Unfortunately I don't have access to the thread where I live so I used what I have on hand. I made the first block by Roseann Kermes. You know how I love birds. This was a "must do" block. I can't wait to see the other blocks as the year progresses.

With Passion,
Carrie P.

I'm A Pipster

How many of us say we are going to finish projects each year? Stephanie has created this cute little button as a reminder for us to try to finish some of those projects. I am going to put this button on my side bar and keep a list of those projects that I finish. 

 This first finish is not very big but I still wanted to finish it. I started it before Christmas. My applique facilitator gave us all a little kit to start us off. The bird wing is velvet. I made my first bullion knots ever around the bird wing. A very interesting embroidery stitch.

As you can see my ornament is a little different from Sue Spargo's ornament. These ornament patterns were in the December 2011 issue of American Patchwork and Quilting magazine. I would love to make them all but I have other PIPS I want to finish.
YAY! one down, how many more to go? I am not counting. lol

With Passion,
Carrie P.

Free Motion Quilt Challenge

 You might have noticed that I have a button on my sidebar for the 2012 FMQ Challenge hosted by SewCalGal. I don't want to be just a straight line machine quilter so I took the challenge. The top photo is my first attempt at the free motion quilt challenge.

 I first began by watching a video by Leah Day that she showed doing the shapes on the bottom of the piece. She is also hosting a Free Motion Quilting Project.

 Next I watched a video by Frances Moore who showed us how to make these leaves. You can see I made notes on my piece.

 This one above I just got lost and could not figure out how to fill in the space. UGH!

 The photo below is the back of the fabric. I definitely need to practice on my speed so that I don't get this look on the back.

 I use this thread which seemed to work fine.

 I went to The Quilting and Fiber Art Marketplace this past weekend. It is a show that has 40+ vendors that sell all kinds of quilting and needle art supplies. I decided to get the Supreme Slider which I will use next time I try my hand at the challenge.  This was highly recommended by Leah. I can't remember if SewCalGal mentioned it or not. But I am anxious to give it a try. I really need the practice!

It is not to late for you to join the challenge.

With Passion,
Carrie P.

Guild Meeting

Look who came to our guild meeting last night! Amanda Murphy! No, she is not that short she is squatting down among her fantastic quilts. She gave a lecture on how she creates her patterns and fabrics for Robert Kaufman fabrics. You can see all her patterns and fabrics on her blog.

With Passion,
Carrie P.

Need some motivation...

to get back in the groove of sewing again? After the holidays sometimes it is hard to get back to a regular routine. Take a look at these beautiful pieces of work from my applique group. I am sure you will be inspired to get back into your sewing room after seeing them.

 These two patterns were made by Kathleen. The pillows are wool applique made from patterns by Woolylady. Enjoy the rest of quilting inspiration.

With Passion,

Carrie P.

Christmas Through the Year

Many of you probably participated in "Christmas Through the Year." Making Christmas gifts during the year does lower the stress level. Last year Allie and Cheryl hosted it. This year Allie is up to some new stuff so she has stepped down and Darlene has taken her place. I am sure Cheryl and Darlene will have some great things to share this year.

So I made some pillows for gifts and entered them in the giveaway that Allie had in December. I won the giveaway which was this sweet topper and coaster. I keep the coaster by my computer. I am going to add a sleeve the topper and hang it in my sewing room. Both are so bright and cheery. Thanks Allie for being a great hostess and for my sweet quilts.

Will you be making Christmas gifts throughout the year?

With Passion,
Carrie P.