Folk Art applique table square

This is another project for my Guild's Holiday Festival. The table square has a machine appliqued center bordered with a cute Folk Art print and plaid. The applique is from Simple Comforts by Kim Diehl. I was experimenting with variegated thread that I like to use for free motion quilting, I don't like it so much on this applique. The items I am making to sell at the Festival are going together pretty fast as I am not agonizing over every decision! Also I used Steam a Seam for the fusible applique, the layered flower in center is very stiff that is why I will add a hanging sleeve so it can be a wall hanging. The size is 54" sq.

New project Lizzie Mae's Medallion

Today I started the applique for Lizzie Mae's Medallion, all adhered and ready to machine applique. It has been over a week since I did any sewing, my youngest daughter was home for a visit and the whole family had a wonderful week! All went home this weekend, so I started a new quilt today, Lizzie Mae's Medallion. I decided to do the applique by machine. I have been collecting the fabrics for several months, my plan is to make it by the pattern ( I have never made a quilt by a pattern before) but will add my own touches to personalize the design with additional pieced borders. Since I usually draw my design layouts and work out the kinks as I go along, I hope this will go quickly. Wish me luck!
Happy Quilting,
Colleen

Folk Art Sampler quilt is finished

My original design Folk Art Sampler quilt is finally finished. I chose fabrics in Sept, posted my drawing and fabrics Oct. 4. I sewed all of Oct and Nov on the blocks and applique. Had surgery Nov 24. After several months being sick, surgery and complications I feel like sewing again. Last week I started machine quilting in the ditch on my blocks and outline on appliques. Today I added the binding and the quilt is in it's place on the back of my sofa.

Many projects are ahead for 2010, praying for good health this year, day by day. I have purchased book and fabrics for an Underground Railroad quilt, beautiful jewel tone batiks for a French Braid quilt for my sister, and need to make the last quilt for my Wizard of Oz series.
 Quilting Treasures is hosting a contest with Fons and Porter magazine and I would like to enter my series of 6 quilts, one from each collection.
Happy quilting and I am looking forward to seeing your projects on the Quilters Blog.
Colleen

Wool Applique Christmas gifts

Folk Art Sampler with borders and blocks

I sewed today and put the Folk Art Sampler top together. My first scrappy blocks quilt. It fits this double bed very well.

I have found design inspiration from many artists patterns and Quilter Blogs.com. I combined all my favorites along with my favorite fan block. As I study the top laid out on the bed I think I will add more applique, first I will connect the vines on my border corners and design from there.

 I have been thinking of redoing this bedroom for years. This quilt might just be my inspiration for a big project after Christmas.

I always need a project for winter

Folk Art Sampler

This week I have added the final ( I think) flowers to my basket. Also, gave my crooked basket a makeover! This is looking more like my original design, see drawing on former post.
I have been working on this applique through 2 months of being sick with all kinds of respiratory junk, asthma, flu and undiagnosed stomach issues. 2 rounds of Tamiflu. Gallbladder ultrasound no stones, scheduled for gallbladder scan Nov 20 to see if it is functioning at all. Seeing my pulmonologist Thursday.
I love doing handwork again, lets me rest while giving me something to keep me busy!
This is a big project with no deadline, unusual for me. Most of the time I put myself under pressure to finish projects. No quilting for Christmas gifts this year. I might do some small wool applique for gifts, but they are fast for me.

Borders for Folk Art quilt

Next step - work out the corners.

Also, redo the bottom of the crooked basket.

I do think I am loving this quilt!!!

Folk Art Quilt layout (maybe!!!)

I have not made a decision on my inside border corners, I think I might piece different plaids on ends of applique borders and do 6" blocks at the corners, thinking they should be dark.

We will see what tomorrow brings.

Folk art quilt flowers

I have been stitching like crazy to take my mind off losing Bridgette - does not really help but I have made considerable progress on my Folk Art quilt project.
This original design can be seen in a sketch in a former post. I am letting it speak to me as I work on it. Will it be for a bed or dining table or throw??? All I know is it will be mine. Some flowers are appliqued , some only basted. I will add something vining or bees or berries or ??????

Folk Art quilt w/ wool applique - progress!!!

Crooked basket!!! was working with this large 48" section in my lap, now I know I should have completed the basket before appliquing to center section. Lots more stems and flowers yet to do. I have completed 2 side borders and lots of scrappy blocks, not sure where I am going with this project.

Waiting for inspiration from flowers!

Wool applique corner blocks

These blocks are the four corners for the center medallion of my new design, see sketch in an earlier post. Thinking I might add WELCOME to the pineapple design. I love my bees and birdhouse, I did use a pattern for the squirrel block but the other three are my drawings.

The tiny houndstooth neutral is some washed wool from mens pants I found at Goodwill. I would like to use it as a border for the medallion with applique vines and flowers. I could dye it myself --- oh no another addition. I do love the design process most of all it is always revolving inside my head! You can see some block examples in an earlier post.

New Quilting Project - day 1

I started my new project yesterday. Worked on a sample for each block except one. I did some wool felt applique, got two blocks done and am happy with them. They are not laid out in any order. Refer to my sketch to see where they will go. My favorite is the fan, it will be on a dark green flannel which will be my center medallion for my wool applique basket of flowers.
This is my first time to mix wool with my cotton piecing, I plan to overlap some vines and flowers onto the blocks. My design will most probably change.
I ordered "Simple Comforts" by Kim Diehl, it came yesterday. Hoping to expand my design with ideas from this wonderful book. I don't like to work from patterns, but there are many techniques in applique that I can apply to my design.
I am having a gall bladder ultrsound today, my babies are moving in a week, what more do I need than a very challenging quilting project. It will help fill my time and will be easy to take with me for handwork when I visit Alex and Payten. Their Mommy is my precious middle daughter, always there for me when I need her as I am for her. I will miss her most of all.

New quilt project!

Last week I have been sick with bronchitis, could not sew, but did work on a sketch for my next quilt. I have some homespun plaids from 15 yrs ago. After seeing the Kim Diehl "Simple Comforts" pics on someone's post, I remembered my plaids. I have recently done some wool applique and want to combine applique with a sampler quilt. I have not ordered the book, instead I have been creating my own design using plaids, wool and some small prints.

I hope you can see the pencil sketch. Not sure when I will start, but all fabrics are washed, dryed, folded and ready to start. I will hand quilt this one. Size according to my block size will be 84x84 and I might add prairie points for my edge design. I need to find a couple more dark prints before starting.
The design phase is the most fun for me because with a good plan, cutting and sewing are relaxing and good therapy. I will hand quilt after our kiddos move so I will have a project to take with me when I stay to get my Alex and Payten fix and good times with Allison and Nick.

Wool Felt applique is addicting!!!

                Today's progress report -

I took the plaid pumpkin off and ordered another piece of wool to replace it. I have worked on it alot today. Just found out my precious middle daughter and her little family are moving away for her sweet husband to take another job. Going to Dallas area, only about 2 1/2 hours but my heart is breaking. Alex is 4 and my most precious little guy, his baby sister Payten 16 months is my adorable sugar baby darling girl. They stay with me several days a week and it is hard to imagine not seeing them every day. Their eyes light up when they see me and my heart takes an extra beat when I see their precious little faces. Yes I am having a pitty party!!! I deserve it--- My quilting and applique and blogging will help fill my days, looking forward to seeing them as often as possible on weekends. I had to bare my soul and thoughts to someone, so thank you  to those who follow my blog! I know we will all be fine, God has a plan and He knows our needs better than we do.

 

    My little sweetie pies!!! on Payten's Wizard of OZ quilt.                                                                               

"Give Thanks" Wool felt project

I did not like the plaid for the pumpkin on my "Give Thanks" penny rug. I have taken it off and ordered another piece of wool to replace it. A mottled wool in Pumpkin color. So funny because the plaid wool was my inspiration for the penny rug, but I knew when I saw the pic on my post that it had to come off. I bet many of you thought the same thing. New picture coming soon!!!

"Give Thanks" Penny Rug

This weekend's progress on "Give Thanks" Penny Rug. This is lots of fun!!! I love the feel of the wool felt, very relaxing to do while watching TV. All the large pieces are on, now lots of red berries in the lower right quadrant and a bunch of purple grapes hang on the left front of the cornucopia. Then 20 penny ovals around the edge with 3 layers of pennys.

Wool Felt Applique "Give Thanks"

Winterberry Cabin woolens - Phyllis at WC is very helpful - I will definitely shop with her again!!!

This pic is my first wool felt project, I have traced my applique patterns onto freezer paper. I love to learn something new!!! I will post progress.

Wool Penny Rug - new project

Yesterday I received my package from Winterberry Cabin. My order included a pattern for a Give Thanks Penny Rug 21" x 26". I chose my woolens to create a brighter version than is shown on pattern to go with my decor.
I am soooooo excited to begin. I have seen so many beautiful woolen quilts and applique on blogs this past month. My curiosity got the best of me and now I am going in a different direction.
I have only one quilt to finish, the Magic Stack and Whack top is done,.Don't know if I will hand quilt it or machine quilt. Also, Joe's Wizard of OZ needs to go to the machine quilter.
Not very many UFO's here as I need to see a finished product to verify spending the $$$ on fabric. LOL but it is true.
I will post a pic of the lovely hand dyed woolens and pattern soon.