Church Quilt - Go Texan

 

Just got my "Barnes" quilt back from the Houston Livestock & Rodeo event. This was my third quilt to win "Go-Texan,"

My "Churches" was recently delivered to Houston. It won "Go-Texan" back in June.

Cultural Arts

Before I had cataract surgery on the right eye, which, BTW, went well, I decided to participate in our local cultural arts festivities. I entered three quilts and won in all three categories.

I was so excited to win and my ladies' group was happy for me.  Now, I'll need to recover from the eye surgery. That will take a couple of weeks of doing very little work...hehehehehehe....poor Mr. Cowboy will have to step up to the plate.

 

Chickens in the Box

I was clearing out some old scraps the other day from a box in my garage. I'd started to just throw it out without looking inside but got curious. Thank goodness for curiosity because lookie what I found... CHICKENS!!! This is a quilt from a long ago block swap. All I'll need to go is put a binding on it. Surely I can get that done before long!!!

Details

 I've gotten the outer brown circle in place and will need to hand stitch a thin circle to add more detail later. So far the circle is roughly 16 inches.

The stars that appear above the eagle's head are supposed to number 13 for the first 13 states but I decided not to depict that tiny detail because my talents are not up to that one as of yet...... LOL

The leaf and berries have the correct number of 13 each and I have 13 arrows.  Not sure of my next step at this point but I'll sleep on it and come up with something soon.
The weather here in central-ish Texas is unusually rainy. Last night we had lots of thunder and very scary lightening. Then the rain came in buckets. It was one of those times like I remember my grandma use to say, "Get somewhere and be still, little girl!" That's what she told me during those time and believe you me, I was very still last night....... smiles!

National Quilting Day

 

To celebrate National Quilting Day, I decided to pick out some fabrics to start a new quilt I've been thinking about.  As most of you know, I'm really into "seals" ..... not the animal or the guy model..... I'm talking about symbols of authority, such as, the Texas seal.... remember that one??



So, this is the next project concerning seals. As I've said many times, for me the process of choosing fabrics is the hardest part because there's just so many colors to choose from and I want to get just the right shades.

When working on this kind of project, I use a color copy and a black/white, plus, I enlarge or shrink the design as desired.
I'll be using several techniques.... applique`, hand embroidery and silk purse, as well.

Here I've started the eagle. It's just on a non-stick pressing sheet for the moment. I'll add the talons later and the white tail feathers.

Happy National Quilting Day everyone!

Final Step and Done

I eked out some time to finish my woodsy project. Now, mind you, this is my take on the photo, which means I can choose to alter the photo to suit what I want to achieve. You know how we quilters are. We see and love a pattern, design or block and sometimes change it to make it ours.

 I think it's important to take photos as you go because it allows you to see what needs to be added or taken away. This way you can evaluate what you're doing with perspective. Sort of like squinting at a block to see you've made a mistake.

The sky fabric I found and added to the backgrounds really helped to define the piece. I also added more shadows around the bottom of the little quilt.

 I then compared the original photo to the piece. I added more branches across the front of the rotted tree trunks and more shrubbery , as well.  I liked what I saw and pressed everything down before I changed my mind. Sometimes I tend to over think a project.... not good..... you can definitely go overboard.

The final piece measures 13 1/2 by 12 1/2 inches but I might trim it more later.  I just love the subtle colors mixed in with the dark shadows.

I have no idea of how I want to quilt it but I'll think of something.

What are your thoughts????

Autumn

I've often talked about my "wacky" girlfriends who come up with loads of crazy ideas usually involving something painful, well not painful but some loony sewing project.  The following is one of the first weird things we participated in years ago before I knew what I was really getting into.
But first, these are the "sisters" I'm so fond of.  As you can see, they have influenced me and not in a good way.... LOL  One of our beloved sisters passed away over a year ago (Jerri, seated in floral) but she is always with us in spirit and always manages to make us laugh to this day.  Her favorite line.... "Not it!" when we hatched with some outrageous idea.

 This project started as a wild idea at a retreat years ago. I think one of the girls had had a couple of too strong coffees or something. Anyway, we all wound up at a local quilt shop with goals of looking for a fabric for each of us.  Something unusual that could be use as a background. I chose the  marble-y brownish woodsy sort.... boy was that a mouth full.

 Once each of us chose and purchased our background fabrics, we brainstormed about what to do next. Notice we tend to plan as we go.... LOL

My theme was "Autumn" and each person was to make one or two block with that theme in mind.

Some of the ladies really got creative and ambitious.

One group member decided to make hands and hearts to go in each quilt top.

Note the spider in this block..... very funny, someone.... very funny!

I was really happy with the overall quilt and how well the background fabric worked out. At the time this was made, I was not very good at making sure the quilt squared up but it was definitely a learning experience and one of "MANY" that I've ventured into with my "wacky" girlfriends.
Final measurement 44" X 62"

When Nature Calls BOM - Block #1

Notice that the 3 block above look slightly different from the other.  I just wanted to show how little can be added or how much.

It's finally here .... a little early!  Block #1 from "When Nature Calls" (WNC)

I couldn't wait another minute to share with everyone.

You can find the pattern on my sidebar.  Make sure you copy & past the photo of WNC to add to your sidebar as a reminder each month.
Each block was produced in no certain order and placed in the quilt as I liked them.  That said, as you develop your blocks, here's a chance to create your own masterpiece. Each block is already reversed so that when you're ready to arrange the pieces they are turned the same direction as in the photo.  Hope that made sense.
This BOM is designed to get rid of some of those use some of your scraps and bits of fabric. Add a touch of your imagination and you've got a winner!

Now for a bit of fun

Leave a comment about this first block in order to get your name in the "hat" for a chance at five 9 1/2 inch squares of my favorite landscape type fabrics which would fix into any nature block. (no photo - my surprise)
If you are a FOLLOWER or become a follower, you get two chances.

State Fair of Texas

Here I am delivering my "Patriotic Me" quilt to our state's fair.  I've been to the state fair many times and always marveled at the beautiful quilts on display.  While surfing the net the other week, I ran across an article on participating in the fair's many events (cooking, canning, wood work, quilting, etc.). I decided to give it a try.  This is a juried event and ribbons are involved.  Wish me luck.

Mini Quilt

Before you weigh in, I know, I know......the eagle is too big and I promise to make him smaller another day....LOL.......sigh..........but what do you think about the overall scene????
I've gotten great feedback from my FaceBook buddies; Gene, Cindy, Needled Mom and others, so now, I need more help.  Picture the eagle smaller with a trout in its claw.....do I need something different for the eagle?  Also, notice the foreground tree (that was my clue, Gene, that the eagle was too big....LOL) does the tree need more, less, something else????  I've also placed sawed tree parts around the lake and I extended the water to flow off the scene......any improvements there????  In other words.........
HELP!!!

Bunny Tutorial Part2

The "bunny" wallhanging is coming along rather slowly.  I got side tracked looking for that elusive copperhead......he's still on the run....BTW.

The 3 hearts pictured were found in one of my many UFO boxes (imagine that).  I decided to cut around one of the hearts and applique it as if the bunnies are holding it.

I'm planning on doing one other panel underneath....... so stay tuned.

Band - Big Finish

The quilt is done.......YEA!  It measures roughly 68 by 94.

It was fun but I'm glad it's over.

I didn't get to go to the school for signatures but that's okay, too.

Now, it off to the quilter's.

Band Quilt Blocks Done

These are the last blocks for the band quilt.....next I'll be going to the school so that the kids can decide what goes where!  One of the "band boosters" has asked that the students be able to sign the quilt somewhere.......do not panic.....I'm thinking.........lol........I mind seized on an idea.........on the backing............don't laugh.....this is a great idea.........I will provide a 4" by 80" stirp of muslin (which will run the length of the quilt) for the kids to sign in Pigma Pen!

In The Meantime.......Flowery Florals

Taking a break from the "Band" quilt because all the students are on Spring Break, I decided to do a little cleaning and clears out of my stash..........when I found the above............oh dear!

This is one of those long term projects.....you know what I mean.....one that's been in a box for years...months.....you run across it, open it up.......oh yea, I remember that.....better start working on it.......again.............that's the one I'll refering to. Two of the bottom blocks you may recognize from the book I'm featuring on my sidebar ( Shadow Applique` ). I'm planning on making several more blocks..........more of the horizonal design.....I really don't have a specific size for the quilt which is kind of exciting. And I hope that I can make some headway towards finishing this baby before it finds it's way back into that box.

The Band Part 4

The band quilt is coming along.......with just a few more block before I'm satisfied that it's big enough.........my good friend, Pat had some great suggestions about adding school sports blocks and Cindy, another wonderful blogger friend said go for it.......so, of course.....I did!!!   I'm going to place strips of some color when sewing the quilt together but that's a surprise on the fabric.

Here's a thought....since this quilt will be raffled off or tickets purchased, maybe I should get the Homemaking department at the school to help with final placement of the blocks.....that way the kids would have a part in the making of the quilt and maybe generate more interest.......what do you think???

Let's Hear It for the Band Part 3

More blocks for the band quilt.........I'm trying not to get carried away at this point but it's so much fun.

Again, here's what I have so far.........I'm thinking this needs to be about 64" by 84ish".....something a college student might use on his/her bed..........what are your thoughts?????...........Hopefully I can get more blocks done by Friday night then post on Saturday sometime to start the placement.........if I voice it.....maybe it will happen.......LOL!