When it Snows it Sews

We have been under a little bit of snow the last couple of days. The kids have been out of school for 3 days. I was off for two days then received a snow day for the third day. Makes my work week only 2 days this week. So with the weekend, I have been able to craft for 5 days in a row.

Good thing is....I have done a few things.
Bad thing is...I have to go back to work tomorrow. It's all good.

My co-worker decided she was going to Jo Morton's retreat again, all the nerve. So I was asked nicely to teach her March class. She was even kind enough to give me the pattern early so that I could even do my own sample. She is such a lovely person.

Cheddar Baskets - all from my scrap bucket. I did have to applique the handles down so it took me 2 days to get it done.

Yes I have a lot of pins in there. I am looking to be safe than sorry. Why? You ask. I have decided on attempting to hand quilt this little bad boy. Have I ever done it before...no. I had planned on starting this the other night but the spool of Valdani that I was going to use has disappeared. It has only been in the same spot forever and I guess in one of my cleaning moments I moved it.  Hoping to find it and get started soon.

My second Little House on the Prairie applique section is done. I even have the third section prepped and ready to go. I am really on this applique kick lately. I have another piece prepped but will show that another day. Unfortunately, my hands only allow me to do a little bit at a time. Ironically though my vision is going to hell in a hand basket and I have had to stop lately because I can't see and not my thumbs. Go figure. Especially when I realized that if I applique every other day I am good to go and I can even go a little bit longer than usual.  Oh well, I do have an appointment on the 22 so hopefully it will help.

I figured since I had an extra day of sewing and I was at a loss  procrastinating on what I should be working on (can anyone say Farmer's Wife 30's). I would start my Pre-cut Party quilts for April. There are 3 of them and they are all small. I bought two different charm packs and mixed them up. 

This one I finished in about 45 minutes, would have been sooner if I would have been paying closer attention (stinking DVR's) and didn't have to rip out a couple of rows. This one is Winding Road.

I did start the second one and have the 3 squares done but I pooped out. Actually, I didn't but my back did. I will finish the other two this weekend I am sure. I have a light work week next week so I should be able to get a lot done then. 

Is is weird to want to hand quilt this one too. I can just see using some big bright colors and some big stitching. May have to take a trip to get some thread.

Not that I don't have enough to do as it is. I am taking the afternoon off to go knit on my socks. These are on a deadline and my Loopy Academy (yarn and fabric) will be here shortly so that will be 6 more projects to do.

Have a great day and smile YOU ARE BLESSED.

Michelle

Design Wall January 18,2016

I started an applique project. It is really hard to take time to do it since I am usually knitting or my hands can't do it for a long period of time. I really do enjoy it though.

I prepped this block last week and finished it Saturday night. I now have to prep the next one (note...cut back on the glue).

The fabric is from Little House on the Prairie and the pattern is from one of Kim Diehl's books. I have 3 more sections to do like this one and then I can put the quilt together.

I need to hurry up. I already have my next applique project planned.

Head on over to Judy's for more inspiration.

Off to prep....I hope.

Michelle

A Little Bit of Appliqué

Im teaching a new block of the month next year. So of course I'm trying to get ahead. The choice in the setting squares was appliqué or a pieced block. I couldn't decide at first. After spending untold hours cutting, starch and pressing all of those little pieces I made up my mind.  There will be 4 blocks appliqués and 12 pieced. I love appliqué most of the time but these pieces were a little too persnickety for me.

I now have one done.  One ready to stitch and 2 left to prepare. I am procrastinating on that part..

Here is what the complete quilt looks like. I have a lot left to go.

Have a great day. I am off to starch and press some more then head on to work. Fun times.

Michelle

Design Wall Monday 11/25/2013

I started a new project. Like I don't have enough to do already. I just decided I needed something to do when I don't feel like knitting and EPP is not good on my hands. I figured a needle turn applique would fit the bill and it doesn't hurt my hands as much. Weird I know.

Right now my plan is to only make 4 blocks. Each one will have a different design and a different color - Jade - Hot Pink - Yellow - Lime Green, and they will all be on a black background.

It is kind of hard to see the outline and I haven't cut out all of the surrounding fabric. I figure in some areas it will be easier to cut as I go.

I had a really hard time getting this cut out. The book I have gave me directions to cut it out like we used to do the snowflakes. You know fold the paper a billion times then cut. Well, trying to cut through eight layers of fabric was not working real well. Of course I also didn't have a big enough piece of paper to use either. I ended up tracing each section (eight of them) on to freezer paper, cutting out, placing the puzzle and ironing down then cutting out from there. I am going to have to find me some big paper for the next three that is for sure.

I also was frustrated because the book told me to use a 16 inch square of print fabric but that was too small I really needed to use a 20 inch like the background so needless to say there was some fabric wasted in the cut out of this block. At least I can cut the other ones larger. I still have 2 fabrics I need to wash.

I am off to do some chores then try to work on my first Fit For  Hero section once Judy posts it. I also need to get my blocks for Downton Abbey sewn together as well. Oh a crafter's work is never done.

For more eye candy head on over to Judy's.

Michelle