Montana Majesty Mini Quilt!

This week I have been working on my flying geese quilt, hand sewing takes a lot longer but I am on the last two rows of quilting, then I can do the ties and bind it. I am trying something new with it, so once I finish, I can explain how I did it.

I wanted to make something quick and smaller and one quilt I have been wanting to make is Montana Majesty by Nancy of Tom Miner Quilts and Folk Art. I love the idea of doing strips with scraps but I don't have the time to make another large quilt, right now. So, I made a mini version.

I used wool for my appliqué and reduced it. Then I took strips that a friend gave me from one of her log cabin quilts. I kept sewing strips together until I got a size that fit the design and sewed them together. The border is also from my friend, so I got to use up some of my scrap stash. The quilt is 17" x 14".

I used #5 black pearl cotton to do the quilting and a prim stitch around the design and then in each strip and border. Next time you want to play with your scraps, try making a mini version of your favorite quilts. I also used wools from my thrift wool stash.

Friday Finish: Snow Angel

I got my first Christmas piece down, a million more to go, lol. This piece is called Snow Angel by All Through the Night. I love her designs and this one was no exception, it was fun to do and pick out wools to use in it. One thing I got when I hit the wool store this year, was a few yards or white shades, love the textured whites and they are fun to use in winter projects.

The wools are are a mix of new and thrift wools. I think this will be a happy piece to hang for the holidays. I decided to use snowflake buttons on mine, I think they are fun on this piece.

Wool Quilt Finished?

I got my quilt finished for now. I am still not sure about the side bards and I might add more embellishment to the stars and the sides, but for now it will have to wait. Hard to get a photo and capture the true colors since there is so much going on. It was windy today so that didn't work out.

I did edge stitching on the blocks where the blanket was flat and left it along where they came out. A bit of this and that, just having fun and doing whatever as I went along. The finished quilt is 54" x 43". It is very heavy, so it will be nice and warm in the winter.

I lightened it up in photoshop so you could see the details, but it is much more prim in person.

After I did the top, I pinned it to the backing and cut off the excess. I sewed the black border/binding onto the front and then flipped it over to the back. That was not the best way to do this, the thickness made the wool bunch up on the sides, so I had to make a few fixes. The new larger star over the kitty is one place I needed a cover fix;) I wanted the border to be a little wider, so I folded over about a quarter inch on the back and pinned that to the back, then sewed it down by hand. This way it has a floppy, softer edge. The green is a loose weave wool, that a friend gave me.

Christmas Quilt Finished!

First I want to thank all of you, that voted for me in the challenge at http://tnt512.blogspot.com. I came in second and was thrilled. I was practical and got a few packs of rotary blades, I will be doing lots of quilting in the next few months. I will show you the fabrics when I receive them. They are also running another giveaway this week, so be sure to visit and enter to win some fabulous fabric and a pattern.

Yesterday I finished my quilt, but I wanted to take an outdoor photo, so I waited. It didn't help, the photo still didn't come out nice. I think I need to take my camera in and see if it needs inside cleaning on the lens, the hazard of taking photos on the water;)

I hand quilted around the blocks and the sashing with black pearl cotton. I use the border as my binding, so when it is done, I fold the extra front, to the back and hand sew it down. This time I tried a tea stain, but it wasn't dark enough, so I added coffee and still didn't work. I finally added walnut crystals to the mix and a little vinegar and it came out just right. It primmed it up without over darkening the design.

The stitchery designs were all freebies from Tiffany of Primitive Blessings. Tiffany's designs are great for stitchery or punch needle, and great for gift ideas.

The quilt measures 25" x 19".

Here is a closer look at the blocks and stitching. I used black to keep it prim. The one difference I would make, would be to put the greenery around the saying, further out on the top block.

Locker Hooking and Vintage Thread!

This weekend I decided I needed to make my own rug for the front entrance, since I haven't found anything I like. I have locker hooking supplies and I need to use up some stash, so this is the perfect project. I also got some extra supplies from Chris at We Love Quilting. She sent me a box of rug hooking supplies along with locker hooking tools and a book, which I didn't have. The hooks she sent me are from John James, so much nicer than the cheap one I had.

I am just doing a basic hit and miss rug and using up colors that I really don't use in quilting and I do have quite a few reds. This will be at the entrance so it will be walked on a lot and get dirty, but it is washable, which is nice. A great project to use your scraps on.

Another item I have had and trying to decide what to use them for, are vintage threads that my friend Lauri from Threads of Miz, sent me. I am wondering, should I use them? They are in good condition and beautiful threads and I could use them in embroidery projects or stitchery and they seem thin enough to punch with. Should I use them?

There are more colors underneath, it is a complete set.

Wedding pillow!

After a failed attempt, I finally got the top, of the wedding ring pillow, stitched. With the advice from a friend, I went with a cream linen. When I got the fabric I checked out the threads and went with a cream pearl cotton. I like how the thicker pearl cotton gives it just enough of a raised effect to show, but blend in with the linen. My DIL is letting her mom make the arrangements and pick out the dress, etc, so I want the pillow to be simple, but nice, and match any type of setting they have.

I will be adding a ribbon with pearls down the middles of the front and on the back, I plan on doing a simple design with names and date, so I need to draw that out tomorrow. I used my pocket camera, so not the best shot to show it off. The camera wanted to turn it yellow, but it is more of a light cream.

The pillow size is going to be 8". The design itself, can be found on this website. It is in french and I have no idea what most of it says, but enough to know that they have wonderful free designs. I modified it, to fit the corners of my pillow and will be happy to share the design with you, as soon as I scan it in.

Before I started stitching I needed to clean the house and Izzy does not like the vacuum, so she ran into the bedroom, but that was where I was going. When she realized that, she decided that this would be a good place to hide.

Patriotic Prayer Stitchery

I finished another one, I do enjoy making these, as you can see.
It is a good brain break but I am starting to get new ideas for things I would like to make and design, but for now, I am content with making things for fun.

This is another design by Tiffany, of Twigs n Sprigs. I start by making her design and then I put a border on.
Then I see what space is left and add my own touches. After I made this piece, I wet the front and then sprayed the walnut ink, full strength. I think it gives it a more aged look. So if you want an overall aged piece, mix the walnut spray with water. If you want a random, water stained and aged look, wet first, then spray onto the piece. I am tempted to keep this one for myself;) I need a new americana piece, but I may do one in applique and stitchery for my drying rack.

Friends Stitchery

I finished one stitchery tonight.
I have been moving slow lately and working more on my yard, so I am tired when I am done.
I have a few more to finish, so getting there.

This one is another design by Tiffany from Twigs n Sprigs. They are just too fun to do up and make great gifts for friends.
They fit nicely in a yellow envelope, so it is a way I can give gifts and not spend too much on shipping.
This one is only 7 1/2 X 6 1/2. I did the stitchery on a dark tea stained fabric and then used walnut spray, when it was done to age it more.