Monday, August 30, 2010

Too intense ....

Have you ever experienced that feeling when you can feel someone staring at you?

A few weeks ago, my scrap bin got emptied and I've been making these blocks. The last time my scrap bin got sorted, I made a crazy quilt (go here to read the whole story) and that is what is happening again .... except this time .... just blues and reds will be used.
Anyway, getting back to the topic of feelings .... I was very busy working on these crazy blocks when suddenly I just got that feeling that I was being stared at. I looked up from my sewing machine and caught Ashes staring at me. She was hiding in the empty scrap bin and kept staring and staring at me. I had time to reach behind me for my camera, removed the flash mode, took a few shots and she still stared at me.
How intense can she get? Perhaps she thought I couldn't see her in the box? Silly girl!

I'll be showing more photos of my crazy blocks later. Everything will be made from my stash and all my reds will be sewn together for the backing. My aim is to start reducing my stash as much as possible and this is a good start.
Have a great day!

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Tin surprise

What is in the tin? Oodles and oodles of baskets .... you will have to wait and see what they turn into.
When I look at the photo with the basket blocks, it reminds me of an article in one of the older magazines about a woman who was going through some rough times as she made blocks and added them to a lard can. Many years later, her relatives made quilts out of those blocks in the can.
Usually, I pin my blocks to my design wall to see how it is coming along and what colours are missing (my basket quilt will be scrappy) .... but for some unknown reason, I just keep making these blocks and adding them to this tin. Could it be that article is subconsciously making me do the same thing?
There are only about 25 more blocks to make and then I can start pinning them to my wall.
Have a great day!

Friday, August 13, 2010

Another one topped up

This has been a very good week for me .... another top done. This top has been teasing you and I for a long time now and it was about time that I just bit the bullet and got this top made. It was the corner setting triangles that stopped me from completing this top a long time ago.

There will be some hand quilting and machine quilting on this one. But not right now .... it is just too hot to think about quilting. In my previous post, I was asked about the pole that is used for showing my quilt tops for photography. I use a 3/4" dia. electrical conduit steel pipe that can be purchased at a hardware store. They come in lengths of 8' and 10'. They are nice and sturdy and don't sag at all. In the photo below, my top is held up by curtain rings (the ones that have clips that you pinch open). I'm standing on a step ladder and holding the pipe against a tree trunk.

So, now you know ....

Enjoy your weekend!

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

Topped up Klosjes

Here it is ..... my klosjes are now a top!!! Oh, happy days, for sure!

Looking at this photo taken from far way, I could have placed some of the darker blocks a bit better. I guess that I'm just standing too close to my design wall and didn't see the placement until now. Too late, this is the final layout. I'm very happy with it. :o)

This morning, the top got laid out on our bed and it sure looks good .... sorry, forgot to take a photo of it!

Have a great day, eh!

Friday, August 6, 2010

Quilt or tablecloth?

At the end of May this year, my SIL and I went to St. Jacobs area for their quilt festival. We attended a quilt preview at a Mennonite auction and while browsing the tents for new/used items, this piece was purchased for $10.00. I was looking through old used magazines and a lady customer talked me into buying this. At first, I thought it was for a twin size bed; my SIL thought it was a table cloth and runner. Now that I have it hanging up to take a photo, I realize that the open space between the embroidered areas is too wide for a pillow tuck. Once I put it on my table, it is definitely a table cloth and runner. Perfect!!! The person that did the embroidery is a master and I wonder why she never cut up the pieces and hemmed them to use. For $10.00, I sure got a treasure and I will finish them to use. 'Thank you' to whoever embroidered these ..... they are wonderful!

On the klosjes front .... there are only 4 more border blocks to do up. Perhaps next week, you might see the finished top. I know that I am anxious to see this all done.

Enjoy your weekend!

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Cottage away

I was away at our family cottage compound for a few days .... the weather was glorious; the lake breeze cooled us down; the food was great and the company was great too! A good time was had by all. A little bit of cottage work got done, but mostly we sat on the screened-in porch and just lazed away the days. Hand projects were brought with me to work on ..... this is what captured my attention. Hexies! This was the view from my chair. Thank you .... lazy, hazy days of summer!

Have a great day, eh!