Saturday, July 5, 2008 Free scrap quilt pattern Posted in Quilting OOh now I just LOVE Scrap quilts. And this free pattern is just yummy. It is available for download for a limited time so pop over & visit. Gee I am greatful to the kind ladies who share their patterns on line! http://www.mycraftivity.com/adminquilt/blog/cat/general • Comments (1) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link Thursday, June 5, 2008 Quiltathon Posted in Quilting Judy has a mid week quiltathon I would LOVE to get to the machine today. I have two weeks of Crazy Moms Quilts blocks to make so really want to make them. I have to (ooh doesn't that sound so awful) go to quilt shop & buy some fat quarters - I'm in a Kiwi Quilters Birthday swap so will pop in & buy some fat quarters so I can wrap them & post. It's very well organised, you get 5 names & colours they would like for their stash eg I have ladies wanting Blue - 1930's prints or yellow, reproduction fabrics or similar or neutrals/tans, anything (except Country Plaids), Light Blue or pastel (any shade) and me I'm collecting Christmas theme fabric reds, greens & white & like sparkle fabric as yes I wish to make a Christmas theme quilt - I know, I know I gotta finish what I've started. - But it's fun to plan. Once the fabric is brought - you wrap & send all to the organiser who then ensures each person receives them by their birthday - Fun aye. Our quilting guild is also on & my friend Annette & I plan to attend. So a quilty day planned. But still have orthadontist visit, home school, cattery & meals to make. But I plan to quilt my two blocks at least, • Comments (2) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link Wednesday, June 4, 2008 Quilting Bloggers Posted in Quilting Connie shared on her blog about Quilting Bloggers What an awesome idea a website of quilt bloggers from around the world. Go sign up gals. • Comments (1) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link Monday, June 2, 2008 Quilt Block of the Month - June Posted in Quilting This month's block is called Puss in the Corner - well I have fussy cat a rose for each corner so mine is called Rose in the corner. BWG Using four colours. YELLOW (background) Cut 1 51/4 inch square & cut into 4 diagonally Cut 8 27/8 inch squares and cut in half diagonally. FLORAL cut 1 41/2 inch block cut 4 21/2 inch blocks - I fussy cut all of these floral blocks. PINK cut 4  27/8 inch blocks cut in half diagonally Cut 1 51/4 inch block cut in half diagonally twice so have 4 triangles. BLUE cut 2 47/8 inch square cut in half. NB Please note in photo I have an error - the two blues should be four & the blues on right should of been pink - I forgot to re take a photo (SORRY) Lay blocks out as below. Step 1. Sew all four corners. Step 3. Sew all middle sections. (4 the same) Attatch sides & middle on all 3 rows. Then sew top & bottom to the centre row & all finished. This one is of Abbey's one using only 3 colours. Have fun - Let me know when you have finished your block & posted it on your blog. • Comments (1) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link Wednesday, May 28, 2008 Dear Simple Things Posted in Quilting http://simplethings-craftycherry.blogspot.com/ I can't leave a comment on Simple Things blog & I know she pops into mine. So here is the comment for you! I love the quilt you have just finished & tucked your daughter up in. ANd I LOVE the idea of your bee...do you know copying is a form of flattery - hence I am going to copy your idea on my quilts - but mine will be a lady bird instead of a bee. I hope you get to see this comment. Blog readers pop over to her blog & see the wonderful quilt she has finished http://simplethings-craftycherry.blogspot.com/ Love Leanne • Comments (2) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link Monday, May 26, 2008 Cats, quilts & cookings. Posted in Quilting Cats quilting & cooking was pretty much my Sunday I had cats to move about in cattery - the Tom cat is now on his own again - out of all the cats it's the Tom we feel for. His latest girlfriend hasn't appreciated his afterspray - I try & tell him to be cleaner around the girls - but he is proud as punch of his spray. He was allowed in last night & sat on Brent for two hours while we watched a movie - based on a true life about a family with an autisim boy - Kyle & his dog Thomas. Lordy stayed on a lap for 2 hours, he knows if he tries to get down - out he goes - I like my animals but they have a place & spraying tom cats arn't for the house. Another work in progress - scrappy log cabin. James placed some of the blocks & I think I like it. I finished listening to a book on tape - The Village School by Miss Read - I've often seen on blogs Miss Read books are popular & it was a nice taste of her work. Tea was a roast of lamb - lamb off paddock I flavour it by stabbing holes with knife & inserting peeled cloves of garlic & fresh rosemary - sprinkle sea salt & roast away. Very easy meal & inexpensive for us while I finish a few stitches - but I didn't I was good & put away sewing machine & got out the iron & ironed clothes, plus snuck a few blocks to iron too. • Comments (4) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link Sunday, May 25, 2008 Saturday at our place Posted in Quilting A beautiful autumn day - sun was streaming on dinning room table - so I just had to sew. - But I had to get past the Celts first. I finished Sarah's Choice - this block just came together & I think possibly is my favourite so far out of the blocks. I had popped in a loaf of fruit bread in bead maker - the house smelt yummy. This whole loaf got gobbled up I had to make another. I wish I could find a way to cut fresh bread - my slices are always huge & wonky. Fruit Bread 3 teaspoons sugar 3 teaspoons yeast 1 teaspoon salt 2 teaspoons mixed spice 1 teaspoon cinnamon 3 cups flour 1 1/4 cup warm water 2 tablespoons olive oil Pop in bread maker - fruit bread setting. Add as much mixed fruit as like - about 2 cups. When bread maker asks for it. I had to finish ours off in oven as Bread maker got turned off in error - no problem. Just popped in bread loaf tin & bake in hot oven 200 deg c for 30 mins. I'm pleased to say that today I  finished off all the blocks of Abbey's Mary Igalls quilt. After spending a good amount of time unpicking the blocks - If I ever decided to tackle this pattern again I would use the easy pattern Mary shares. I just don't seem to see patterns well.....So another quilt now waiting for me to go to shops & buy it some sashing, backing & filling. MMM all up to date with sewing what am I to do.... should be working on winter quilt - but instead I got cutting in scraps & cut more 1 1/2 inch strips & made some more log cabin blocks. - Will snap a photo & pop on blog tomorrow. I might get a bit of sewing done again Sunday - I am on a mission to get quilts on every bed in the house this year. • Comments (3) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link Sunday, May 18, 2008 Quiltathon Progress Posted in Quilting I've had a real neat day with the autumn sun streaming on my back & all I've done is sew. I've cooked no meals - Brent has spoilt me rotten!\ I'm all up to date with Seeing Stars quilt  - pattern at Crazy Moms Quilt.Including all the filler blocks & the 2 1/2 inch strips on sides. Laid out like this it looks a good pattern for a science person - kinda looks like DNA HAHA I got back into Abbey's Mary Ingalls quilt - patten here at Mary Quilts. I want to add another row to it  & then the borders. Back to the machine before I have to pack it up for school tomorrow. Got lots done! - and as a friend is going to be a first time grandmother - first out of all our friends I have ideas swimming in my head what to make for the baby as I know it is a girl. Girls are fun to sew for..... • Comments (5) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link Sunday, May 18, 2008 Quiltathon Posted in Quilting I'm up bright n early & going to try & sew most of today. Judy has another quiltathon weekend. Yippie. Bessie my trusty Bernina is all ready to go. • Comments (0) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link Wednesday, May 14, 2008 Star Quilt Along Posted in Quilting Crazy Mom Quilts  Has a star quilt along - she shares a block a week . This weeks is an Ohio Star - I hope this afternoon to make this plus some more blue scrap setting blocks. Here is my work to date. Week One Week Two Setting Blocks - I've made mine into scrappy Blue Blocks. I'm really enjoying making this quilt & can see it as a beautiful Christmas themed quilt too...... • Comments (0) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link Monday, May 12, 2008 Quilting Posted in Quilting No time to blog or read blogs today - it's 6am - just seen Brent off for work - I have 2 hours before kids wake up & then I have to put my sewing machine away for school. OOOh to have my own sewing room off the kitchen dinning area - that would be how I would design a house! Promise will get photos on blog sometime today - tonight. off to zooooom zoooom zooom PS I had an awesome mothers day - I felt like crumpets with golden syrup for breakfast - but thought had no crumpets. But Abbey found them in freezer YAHHHH - Brent cooked a cooked breakfast for the rest of us Lunch Brent cooked chips & sausages -quick n easy. Dinner Abbey cooked roast chicken. I didn't lift a finger in the kitchen all day - I don't mind cooking but it was nice to be pampered. I told the kids when they grow up they can come to our house & I will cook for them on mothers day. • Comments (0) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link Sunday, May 11, 2008 Our Saturday Posted in Quilting Brent worked, James was at his sleep over (I am NOT into sleep overs!). Abbey had a day on computer. Me I quilted - I've run out of material, I need to go spending & buy some for borders & binding - plus some batting.... So what's a girls got to do??? Especially when she sees this blog Star Quilt Along. And as I was two weeks late joining - I was behind so  needed to get cracking! - I've finished the two star blocks. - Colour cream star background with scrappy green & Blue stars. The filler blocks are all in scrap blues. ahhhh _ I do like starting new projects BWG And never following a pattern 100%. James has claimed this quilt for his bed. Next time we go to town I'll buy some material so I can finish some quilts. - then all of a sudden we will have quilts all finished. Will upload photos tomorrow. Just grabbing a cuppa tea break - Abbey is sitting with Cinders who is in labour - these pedigree cats demand pampering when in labour -Cindy & I have had quite an argument over where she is having her kittens!!! - No way is she wanting to have them in her nesting box. - She would much rather dig up my couch or chair! I tell you I will win! So we should have some Mother's Day kittens today. Happy Mother's day to everyone - personally we don't celebrate - too commercial for me - we would of gone on a family picnic lunch - but with having kittens due I might be able to sew a bit instead. I feel ever so greatful to be a mum we had trouble getting started & then got a pigeon pair - arn't we clever. Hug your kids today. Will pop photos of star blocks on blog tomorrow am. • Comments (0) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link Wednesday, May 7, 2008 Quilt Blocks Posted in Quilting I know there are a few ladies here learning to quilt. I want to share Crazy Mom Quilt's with you - she is doing a tutorial of star blocks. And is soo detailed with her instuctions. They are 12 1/2 inc so will work really well with what a lot of us have been doing. - I'm signing up! • Comments (1) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link Wednesday, April 30, 2008 May's Block of the month Posted in Quilting As this is a beginners block of the Month I've turned the block around & renamed it from Brave World to Timid World. No doubt the turned around block has an actual name - but I couldn't find what it was when I looked in the book 5,500 Quilt Block Designs by Maggie Malone  Hence I've named it Timid World as for beginners to get their points matched can be a challenge & we have children making these blocks of the month. Hay if you learn the name of the block let me know - or you & your kids might think of a better name. Background Fabric (Yellow) - cut 4 3 7/8 inch squares then cut in half . Colour 2 fabric (pink)- cut 4 31/2 inch squares. Feature Fabric (floral) - Cut 2 6 7/8 inch squares and cut in half. This block of the month is made up of four squares. Take two background fabric triangles(my yellow), one colour 2 fabric (my pink) square & 1 triangle of feature fabric (my floral). And lay them as in photo (this is two squares) Sew a background fabric to colour 2 fabric - note position and don't sew the longer part of triangle to colour 2. Sew second background fabric Sew feature fabric along long triangle side as in photo. Sew another 3 blocks the same. Then place the 4 blocks as per photos For Brave World  Block- (NB you will have to insure you have spot on 1/4 inch seam allowances to get the center to meet.) Or for an easier block - which I"ve named Timid World Block - this would probably be better for beginners esp the kids. My Finished Timid World Block Abbey's Brave World Block Your block should measure 12 1/2 inch. My Blocks so far. Abbey's blocks so far. • Comments (3) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link Sunday, April 27, 2008 Double 4 patch quilt Posted in Quilting Yesterday I got to work on the pink & green Quilt I'm making for Abbey - here is link to pattern http://maryquilts.com/double-4-patch/ Mary warns to watch for the pattern - well it seems I just don't see patterns easy - I have unpicked & unpicked blocks that many times grrrrrr. I'm a just about to get on sewing machine now (6am) I can sew in the mornings again now as Abbey has moved into her new room & it looks devine!!! So I wanna get a bender on & get this quilt finished! Will post photos when new camera arrives - should be any day now. Yesterday Brent went Bush Bashing with friends in land cruisers - I made his packed lunch & he was gone all day - he had a wonderful time. They drove back with no steering sounds hair raising to me! • Comments (1) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link Thursday, April 3, 2008 Learn to Quilt - Make use of those scraps Posted in Quilting Being a frugal quilter is using up all your scraps, buying scrap bags at quilt shops or friends giving you their scraps. Quilting doesn't need to cost a fortune. This scrap quilt uses 2 1/2 inch blocks & 4 1/2 inch blocks - and is suitable to a beginner - it is just making 4 patches. Here is the pattern I'm using from Mary Quilts. And my blocks look like this - (a VERY easy quilt) Any one else joining me? • Comments (0) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link Wednesday, April 2, 2008 Learn to Quilt Part 6 - Sewing Posted in Quilting The two essential parts of quilting is measuring & sewing accurately. The best way to get your seams at a scant 1/4 of an inch - scant meaning it is a few threads less than 1/4 of an inch is to make a sewing guide on your machine. Spend a few minutes reading these wonderful instructions I found on the web & make a masking tape guide. It is soo worth doing this now before you sew. OK to sew our 9 patch. Lay out your block how you wish it to look finished. Then pick up the first two blocks going across the row. Place right sides together sew your scant 1/4 inch seam - do not cut your thread - leave it all on the machine. Now pick up the middle two first blocks & sew your scant 1/4 inch seam - leave thread on machine Pick up your last two blocks & sew your scant 1/4 inch seam. Cut the thread. They should look like this. - And you have just completed your first machine chaining - a very fast way to sew quilts. Open them out Now repeat sewing each block your scant 1/4 inch in chain piecing as we did above. Now take the time & iron your rows. Do not use a steam iron just dry hot iron. I always press my seams open - many quilters do also - but others don't they press the seams together towards the dark fabric. I learned to sew clothing (including my wedding & bridesmaids dresses) and we always open seams. I also find it easier to get nice points if my seams are ironed open. Take top row & middle row - and right sides together Place a pin thru the middle of the top seam then line that pin up to go thru the middle of the next join.Make sure the two centres of the join marry up. Taking the time to do this will help you get your centres straight. Then do the same for the next row Your block should look like this. Measure your block - if you have sewed it correctly it should measure 12 1/2 inches square. But if not don't worry here is a great instruction on how to square up your block If it is smaller that 12 1/2 inches your seams haven't been 1/4 inch - go back & have another look at these instructions If your block is not right, be it finished size or your points don't match - take the time to correct it. My unpicker is my best friend - no one likes unpicking - but it is soo worth taking the time now - as you will find if you leave the wonky block - you will always see it in your quilt. If you are working with a child - they don't like the actual unpicking part - so I do that for them & yes tears happen - but once they see their first block as good as any quilters they will feel very proud. BUT also remember the  Amish never make a perfect quilt - only God is perfect so in every quilt they have a mistake. And at the end of the day your family will love the quilts you have made them - they care about the love & time you have put into it for them - not how straight your points are. - Leave me a comment with a link of your & your child's finished block & I'll share it with everyone here. - And for the HSB's that were making blocks of the month with previous lady - here are mine so far. Oh and tomorrow I begin sharing how to make your scrap quilts along with this block of the month - hope you have been gathering up your scraps. (I am using two colours - scraps in pink & green) Have fun & make some memories with your family - (oh don't forget to start reading the Little House books) • Comments (3) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link Tuesday, April 1, 2008 Beginners frugal Block of the month - Block 1. Posted in Quilting All quilters have to start somewhere & why not the same as Laura & Mary Ingalls did with a nine patch - click here to see a Quilt at the Wilder Museum that is on display made by Laura & her daughter Rose. And do tell me if you ever go & visit. Laura Ingalls books bring back warm memories of our younger years at home schooling - we did a big pioneer unit & loved it! We used Prairie Primer  I regret selling this & keep my eye out for it to come up 2nd hand here in New Zealand. (we are currently using The Anne of Green Gables unit study & also loving this!) Some of us have been making blocks of the month here at hsb - sadly the lady left without saying goodbye - she started us off using 12 inch blocks - hence our beginners block will be 12 inches also. I will share a new block o the 1st of each month You can make the nine patch in any colours you wish - as we are aiming for our block of months to have 1 background colour & 8 fat quarters you could do a block of each colour. You could use just two colours as Laura & Rose did here Or you could have the centre with a main feature as I have. Ok so you need to cut 9 blocks 4 1/2 inch square. This is mine 4 yellow (my background colour), 4 blue & 1 feature all 4 1/2 inch square. Here is my 9 patch all laid out ready for sewing. Tomorrows lesson will be on sewing your patch. Have fun cutting your block And here is an example of a finished quilt using th 9 inch block - but just smaller blocks. I should of laid it out flat instead of just snapping the photo of quilt sitting folded up on end of bed - but you get the idea. Have fun & let me know how you go cutting out your blocks. • Comments (3) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link Monday, March 31, 2008 Learn to Quilt part 5 - cutting your fabric Posted in Quilting The first thing you need to do is get your fabric straight. I've found on the web a good example here for you.For beginners I urge you to cut one layer at a time. - But it will not take you long to learn how to cut double layer. If you are using a rotary cutter & self healing mat - here is some good instructions. I cut a strip of fabric using my ruler & then I like to use my square to cut it into blocks. But use what you have just recheck your blocks are square. If you are using the traditional method and hand cutting You will need cardboard - cereal boxes work well. - Cut out a 4 1/2 inch square - re check it is square. Then place on wrong side of fabric & draw around it - if you have a sewing marker use that - if not a pencil (I have been known to use a ballpoint pen) then cut on the line you have drawn - you should end up with a 41/2 inch square.  The key is measurement - make sure your blocks are cut out straight and are 4 1/2 inches square.  Practice, practice, practice on some old material And Measure that you have 4 1/2 inch square! • Comments (0) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link Monday, March 31, 2008 Learn to quilt part 4 - using scraps. Posted in Quilting I really want to encourage frugal quilting - lets face it - it is what making a quilt was all about - cutting up bits of old clothing to reuse as a quilt to keep the family warm at night. We don't tend to do this now as a lot of our clothes are a cotton knit - stretch fabric or have polyester in them. I personally like the look of scrap quilts - some people don't. To make an eye appealing scrap quilt you still need to choose your material wisely - use the colour groups I shared in part one. Don't just put any old fabric into your scrap quilt you still need to try & keep to the same colour group. Quilt shops sell grab bags of scraps Heres my one I got for $10.00 this week - all greens. The jewel tones pop out at you first - these I will not be using in my current scrap green & Pink quilt - so they get put away in my stash for another project one day. These scraps will be then cut up into 1 1/2 inch strips & 2 1/2 inch squares (for scrappy log cabin or scrappy basket quilts) Log Cabin quilts traditionally the centres are red or yellow - but you can do what you like. 2 inch squares & 5 3/8 inch blocks for a scrappy nine patch quilt 2 1/2 inch squares & 4 1/2 inch blocks for a double four patch scrap quilt. Nothing get wasted. I like making scrap quilts as then I can buy a fat quarter here & there when I visit a quilt shop (which doesn't blow the budget)- get the wonderful feeling of holding, choosing & then owning new material - I personally think this is the best part of quilting So how are you all going on choosing your material for our frugal block of the month? And little did you all know you will begin making a scrap quilt at the same time. So gather up some material - get some storage boxes - I use plastic boxes & label them - then as I cut my material for a quilt I'm making - the scraps get cut down to 1 1/2 strips, 2, 2 1/2 & 4 1/2 inch squares and put in each container. Tomorrow we begin cutting our fabric. • Comments (3) • Post A Comment! • Permanent Link

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