Fall Trees Quilt

  • November 19, 2009 10:47 AM

My month is coming up for Another Quilting  Bee 1, and last night, Sarah, came over and helped me figure out what to do for my quilt.  I have all these orangey fabrics that I want to use, and I had thought of requesting long tall stacks that would resemble trees (kinda like this), but I couldn’t figure out the logistics.

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But then, Sarah suggested that if I want trees, to just ask for trees.  Now, I’ve got this quilt in mind.  Each person will make a tree and I’ll put them together on a white background.  I’m a little unsure how the trunks will work, so if you have any suggestions on how to make it easier, let me know.

A Future Quilt?

If you remember my quilt for Sew Connected 3, I haven’t finished it yet.  I get all caught up in my other activities, and never put aside enough time to quilt.  And since each block is so different, I have no idea on how I will quilt it.

What kind of winter craftiness have you been up to?

Quilting Bee Blocks and a Potholder

  • November 6, 2009 2:08 PM

I got a bit behind in my online quilting bees, but last Monday, Sarah came over and we quilted up a storm.  While she worked on some Christmas gifts, I worked on my quilting bee blocks.  These are some of my favorites that I did.

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The first block was a request for a geometric shape on a white background.  Diamonds are a lot harder than I thought they would be, but I like the bold design.  The second one asked for a mini-quilt.  She had such a wide variety of fabrics, so I had to find something that pulled them all together.  Matching the points on the triangles was a little tricky.  The third one is a string quilt and I can’t wait to see all of her blocks put together.  I’m considering a string quilt for my next month in the quilting bees.  The last one asked for a star on a white background with these beautiful Asian-inspired fabrics.  This time I used the half-square triangle method and the triangles didn’t stretch and the points fit just right.

2009-10-06 Quilted Potholder

I also recently completed a little quilt, or at least it’s what I’m calling it. It has patchwork, quilting, binding…but it’s only 6 inches square. I was asked to make a prize for a Breast Cancer Fundraiser, so I made a quilted potholder. I was able to use all scraps and I really liked how it all turned out.

My Sewing Accident

  • November 2, 2009 11:23 AM

Wow, I’m really surprised that talking about the nude spas in the previous post didn’t generate more comments.  Oh well, I never know what will spark comments, but it was a bit of a shocking experience to me.

Friday’s plan was lots of sewing and then post a Work in Progress before I got into the Morocco photos.  Unfortunately, I never made it because I ended up having a sewing accident and had to go to the ER for stitches.  Warning:  Rotary cutter blades are sharp!!!

The Weapon

The Weapon

As I was taking apart my rotary cutter to put in a sharper blade, I dropped it and immediately jumped back.  My Mother-in-law has given me all kinds of warnings about how dangerous those are after she had one drop on her foot years back.  I thought about that as soon as I dropped the blade, especially since I only had socks on.  Unfortunately, the blade hit the ground and rolled around, with my foot landing on it.  Yikes!!

I don’t do well with the sight of blood (and there was a lot), but I was able to bandage it up to stop the bleeding.  I messaged Thomas online about what happened and told him that it was deep enough that it would probably need stitches, so he came on home to help me navigate our first time with the Belgian healthcare system.

It all turned out okay.  Once he was home, we called a taxi to take us to the local hospital.  They gave me 5 stitches and a tetnus shot and sent me home.  There were, however, a few differences in how everything worked:

  • I didn’t have to fill out any forms.  They just swiped my identity card and had all the info they needed.
  • No money was exchanged at the hospital.  A bill will be mailed to me, and since I forgot my insurance card, I can work that out afterward.
  • They used tough threads that need to be removed rather than the disintegrating kind.  I get them removed by my general physician, rather than back at the hospital.
  • I *think* that if I had needed the stitches before 5PM, I could have had my general physician put them in rather than the ER.
  • They gave me a prescription for antibiotics, but we had to search for a pharmacy that is open past 6PM.  They’re generally closed then, but they rotate which one is open later, printing the list in the newspaper or online.
  • The ER was thorough and good, but more with a tough love kind of feeling.  I was surprised that they didn’t give crutches – yes, I can hobble around without them, but the US would have given me some, at least so I didn’t step on the wound before it was sewn up.  This one was the biggest surprise to me.

It all worked out and though I didn’t get any real sewing done, my friend Sarah is coming over today so we can work on our projects together.

Since I can’t stand the sight of blood, myself, I’ll hold off on posting more photos in this post, but if you really want to see more, they’re on Flickr:

P.S.  No quilt blocks were harmed in the making of this blog post.

Quilting Bee Catchup

  • August 31, 2009 9:04 PM

I haven’t posted about my Quilting Bees for a while, and in fact, I’ve joined one more — for European Quilters only. I’ve also now got the Bee links on my Crafts Tab. Here’s some of the blocks I’ve been making…

3-July

String Quilt Block

This block was for Stitches and Scissors in the SewConnected 3 Bee. She asked for a String Quilt block. This was my first time doing paper-piecing, but it was very easy with this tutorial. Hopefully, it doesn’t screw her up that mine makes a diamond-shape rather than a square.

AQB1 - July

Coin Quilt Block

This block is one of my favorites that I’ve made – mostly because of the colors. Crafty Lady Crafts in Another Quilting Bee sent the greens and white without any specific directions. I added in a bunch of my favorite greens with it. I liked how it turned out so much that I’m thinking about recreating it with some of my leftovers…maybe a pillow, or table runner?

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Retro Kitchen Block

For this block, Messy Karen in Another Quilting Bee requested some kitchen-themed blocks that pop off of her retro kitchen print. Once I finished the pot, I realized there was a little blue and red pot in the print too. :)

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Dutchman's Puzzle Block

This Dutchman’s Puzzle was requested by Mama & CO for our first Eurovision Quilter’s Bee block. Unfortunately, after cutting the fabric, I discovered that the fractions were blacked out for me on the tutorial page, and then I misread her directions on the final size. I sent it back to her before I messed it up further, but hopefully my big seam allowances will allow her to still use it.

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Quartered Log Cabin Block

Quilt Dad in Sew Connected 3 sent these vibrant prints and requested that we make a log cabin, and then cut it into quarters so he can mix and match them in a Bento Box type of quilt. I can’t wait to see how it turns out.

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Maverick Star Block

This block is a Maverick Star, created with this tutorial for Oh That Ashley in Sew Connected 3.  Everyone is making different-sized stars, all with the same background.  I look forward to seeing her finished quilt.

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My Sew Connected 3 Quilt Top

This is my quilt, so far, for Sew Connected 3. I sent out Fall-colored fabric and asked for bold and modern blocks. The blocks I got were all very different, but they go well together. I outlined them with a sash and am now just waiting for one or two more blocks to finish it up. The back is going to be a mixture of three vintage sheets with brown, yellow and green patterns.

WIP Wednesday

  • July 15, 2009 11:01 PM

I’ve been doing a little sewing this week, so I figured I’d do a quick Work in Progress  post.

Zipper Pouches

Sarah recently taught me to make these little lined pouches and they’re so easy – done in minutes.  I use the little one for coins in my purse, and Thomas picked out the fabric for the bigger one for a pouch to hold his oversized Belgian driver’s license and passport.

12 blocks for Modern Quilt A Long

I’ve also started Fransson’s Modern Quilt A Long.  The quilt a long is over, but the instructions are still online.  I’m combining various red and orange solids with coordinating batiks.  I’ve completed the first 12 blocks so far.

I also finished lining the curtains in our bedroom to make the room darker in the mornings, but they’re not exciting to photograph.  Just thought I’d let you all know what I’m up to other than traveling.