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!

Finally Finished

As you all know, my "Lazy Hearts" BOM was over this month. But I had not sewn the blocks together. I'd experimented on my EQ7 with designs but wasn't happy. The blocks are so scrappy that I just couldn't decide. So I dug into my scraps of 2 1/2" squares, cut them down to 1 1/4" squares and hundreds of squares later, the blocks came together. I used tone-on-tone cornerstones to add that little something to the overall quilt and finished off with a dark 2 1/2" border.
Me like!
What do you think?
If you are wondering where all the BOM pattern are, I moved them to this page. Just scroll down to find them.

In To It

Lately, I've gotten interested in "mug rugs"..........you know, a little coaster for your mug except bigger....... I got the idea from another blogger......would give her credit but can't remember who it was.....sorry about that. My latest "mug rug" was don't on my embroidery machine.....I was actually able to get 2 designs in the hoop....if you really knew me, you'd know how difficult that was......LOL The "face" design needed a little something so I added decorative stitching for hair and then straight stitching to fill in everything else......now all I need to do is get it hemmed and ironed.

February Early - BOM

Is it February yet?

I couldn't wait....sorry....I'm posting BOM #2 a day early.

February's heart block is here!  Go to my sidebar for the instructions.  Remember, I'm still wrestling with the PDF thingy so before you cut your 8 1/4 inch square, check to see if the heart fits within.  If it doesn't....shrink it about 2 to 5%.
I really appreciate your participation and your feedback.

Put Down The.........

 See my new baby....it's the Kindle......my mom gave it to for me for Christmas.......OMG......I went crazy.....I mean absolutely C R A Z Z Z Z eeeeeeeeee........
Sewing......who needs to sew.........
Embroidery.....who needs to do machine embroidery when there's reading to be done!
I have had the hardest time putting the thing down........my girlfriend Kathy warned me but I didn't listen..........I needed help and quickly.  So I got out the old trusty timer, set it for 2 hours to read .......with the hopes of stopping when it rang off to do something else......like house cleaning, laundry, grocery shopping, visiting with the little princesses.............Did it work, you ask?.........................
......................................Well...
......................................................hummmmm......
.................................................................................
....................................................................................YES!
.....................................................................................................I got busy!

I've been thinking about trying my hand at a BOM (Block of the Month).  It will give me a chance to practice my hand embroidery (I'm a true beginner). 
"Lazy Hearts" is a one year BOM project that is whimsical and a fun way to sharpen your skills.   If you'd like to join me, feel free!  I have placed a PDF (on my sidebar) for you to download ...... with all the instructions and patterns. Join the fun, why don't you.
My girlfriend Molly is hosting her second BOM......"Boot Bash"......make sure you check it out, as well.

OESD Designs

Last month, you may remember, my "wacky" girlfriends and I went on an embroidery retreat in Tyler, Texas. We learned plenty, laughed alot and of course purchased several designs. This is one of them. It's "Visions of Summer by OESD. Obviously, I haven't completed it but I couldn't wait to show off my efforts from the Deer Camp retreat.  There are 12 panel to the main body of the design, which you see here, and 18 side portions that I will get done one of these days.  I was so proud of myself for sticking with it over the course of 4 days. I did learn that when a design says that the sew time is 30 minutes, it really means about 45 minutes to an hour....with changing threads, walking away to do something else and forgetting that the embroidery machine, while great, does not change those threads by itself.....unfortunately.  When all the parts are stitched out, I will need to sew them together by using a 1 inch strip between the blocks, creating a window pane effect.
There are 3 other designs in this series....Fall, Winter and Spring.  I'll get around to those, as well, one day.

D.C. as in Deer Camp

Here I am taking a break from embroidering. You would not believe how much we got done in the 3 1/2 days at D.C.

At one point we were laughing out loud because with all the machines going and us bent over our machines, it looked and sounded like a "sweat shop."

Below are just a few of the things I was working on.

First Border Plus New Project

The first border is from the same 2 1/2" squares that I swapped with my wacky buddies. I'm thinking of placing a 1 1/2" black border next, followed by a floral border which I have not chosen yet.  Maybe I need  to visit my local quilt store.......hehehehehehehe

As most of you know, a few months ago, the Wacky 6Pack lost one of its members to cancer.  We often think about Jerri and her great antics.  The woman was truly something else.  At our retreats we drink to her and laugh at all those great jokes she told.

Jerri and I bought our Janome 11000s at the same time from the same store.....actually Jerri talked me into buying the machine...(that's my story and I'm sticking to it)....

Anyway, I've had the wonderful machine for a little over 2 years.  I was exclusively using it for embroidery until my wacky girlfriend Annie (no blog....can you believe that) told me that I really needed to start sewing on it.......I did as she demanded.......LOL....and yes, it sews like a dream but embroidery is a passion of mine, it's in my blood.  I've become an embroidery addict and frequent MANY embroidery sites....some of you know how that is........

Where was I.......oh yea, back to this wonderful machine....Annie mentioned that I should be able to stitch out photos with it.......that was months ago......okay, so I had to allow the thought to stew a bit.  I decided that my first project would be dedicated to my friend, Jerri.  I found a picture, fiddled with the shading using Picasa 3 (don't ask, it's a photo storage thingy from the net), scanned the image into my Janome design thingy, added stitches, blah, blah, blah, blah........and stitched it out.  See the steps below and if you really want details of each step....let me know, cause that will have to stew in my little, pea brain for awhile.

The final measurement is 5 inches by 7 inches.

Progress

During our embroidery retreat, our hostess, Brenda (no blog) talked about the "plop & drop" method which she defined as stitching out  embroidery designs and sewing them together without adding extra blocks or borders.  She said to think outside the box........I realized, I've always thought outside the box....more to the point....."What box!"

Remember this little quilt from a couple of year ago....

The Fruits of my Labor is progressing nicely. I'm using some of those one thousand 2 1/2 inch squares that my "wacky" girlfriends and I cut and traded as a challenge last year.  Those girls really keep me on my toes.  My next step is to continue with the squares as the first border, then come back with a wider border of some sort....so stay tuned.

The Fruits of My Labor

Since the embroidery retreat, I've been playing around with a few designs.  So far these 3 (peach, tomato and apple) are what I've managed to stitch out.  Each one takes about 2 hours.....yes, 2 hours.......there are a lot of thread changes but the results is magnificent.

I love searching for designs on the "net". My favorite sites are:
embroidery library
ann the gran
molly mine
advanced embroidery designs

Just to name a few!  Where do you look for great designs?  I'd love to know.

To Tyler We Go

Nobody can pack a vehicle like Kathleen can. Five of us piled into Kathy's suburban after Kathleen carefully packed all our stuff.

BTW, no laws were broken in the process of loading or unloading our embroidery machines.

The setting up begins!

Isn't this a great little quilt....see those horses.....they're all machine embroidered. So are the borders.  The blocks are then highlighted with half square triangles.....I love this quilt!!!

I was working on a cute the "Hearts" series from Molly Mine.com.

This giraffe was scanned and digitized by lady who said that it was her first time ever attempting this.

I'll post more very soon.

Red-Black-Blue Work

Depending on the color of thread you're using this wonderful little embroidery piece I stitched out

is famously known as "red work," but I used black thread so it's "black work."   Whatever color you use, these types of designs are fun and fairly quick to stitch out. Alot of the designs are free on-line or can be bought at a reasonable price.  I love surfing the net, trolling for freebies.....LOL
With my Janome 11000, it's easy to buy or download designs in any format and convert them the JAN.
If you are thinking of purchasing an embroidery machine, think about what you want the machine to do; will it be able to communicate with the Internet; is the machine worth the price or can I find one that's second-hand; what's the warranty on the machine and its parts; etc., etc., etc.
I have 3 machines......a Singer CLX; a PFAFF 2070 (I think that's what it is) and my new baby, the Janome 11000.  I had always wanted a PFAFF and have thoroughly enjoyed it.  Most of my girlfriends had purchased Janomers, which I'd never heard of before but when I finally investigated them......WOW...I was really impressed and one day, my girlfriend, Jerri, talked me and herself into taking the plunge. I've had my "BABY" now for a little over two years and love it and have recently just started to actually do some sewing with it......don't laugh........hehehehehehehe. 
I am presently experimenting on different weaves of fabrics and veragited threads and their weights.  I'll let you know how that all turns out later.
What type of machines do you own and why or what's so special about yours?

Thinking of Summer

Still away from my computer but couldn't resist "scheduling" this post.

I embroidered this little watermelon patch a few days ago because it was

a cold rainy day and I was feeling that I desperately needed some SUN!

It took 45 minutes to stitch out with 18 thread changes...which.....BTW...I have learned to quick-change with ease...YEA!..

So, here's to Spring and Summer weather.

October/November Give Away

Oh dear! The month just crept upon me and is nearly half way finished. Sorry! Well, I've decided to do 2 months worth of give-aways. Here's how it works.........To me "FOLLOWERS"..........just leave me a comment on this post expressing which embroidery work you like best & which is your second favorite. By November 2nd, I'll draw 2 names. The first person drawn will get their 1st choice; the next person will get their choice if it isn't already chosen...........is this making sense? I know what I'm thinking but it may not be coming across....LOL......that is so like me!

I've Got A Winner

Alrighty then. I know it's not tomorrow yet, but it's raining here and cold, again. And it was girls night out at our favorite watering hole, so I took advantage of the situation and asked Kath to draw a name for me. I wasn't taking any chances with the neighbor.......hehehehehehehehehehehehehe (previous story, that) And the winner this month is.........PAT! Hooray Pat. E-mail me your address and I get this wonderful embroidery block to you.

And The Winner Is.............

It's nice and warm here in Central Texas this evening......thank goodness. If you remember what I went through last month with my neighbor, the cows, the freezing cold, his bewilderment...........well, I wasn't going through that again. So, mom plucked a name from a bowl.

Without further ado........the winner of the February blocks is Shelly!

Hooray Shelly!!!!!!!!!!! Shelly doesn't have a blog but she does have an "E" so when you view this announcement Shelly....."E" me and your blocks will be placed in the mail. Congratulations!

Last Chance

This is not just a picture. It's an embroidery design. That's right, I stitched it out on my Janome 11000. I just love that machine and the things it can do. This design took roughly 48 minutes and used 3 thread changes. As most of you know, I am still in the learning mode when it comes to stabilizers (I used the tear away on this project), tension, spray glues, etc. And as I learn and grow, I have developed quite a collection of embroidery samples.

That said, this little windmill (or one just like it) measuring 3.5" X 7" approx. & is unfinished meaning not in a frame, is my last give-away of the 20008 year. To win it, just leave a comment & your e-mail address so that I can contact you and your name will go in the hat. The drawing will happen January 3, 2009.

Was that clear or just plain confusing?

HELP!

I need help in the worse possible way! Below are several Disappearing 9-patch designs. Please help me decide which design to sew together. Vote for #1 Vote for #2 Vote for #3 Vote for #4 Vote for #5

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The 9-patch is a wonderful block in itself. But when you cut it into quarters, it's amazing what new designs you can get. My "wacky" friend, Molly has a tutorial on her blog if you'd like to see how it's done.

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I decided to post the count as everyone votes for their favorite: Update.... Quilt#1 = 11;..Quilt#2 = 0;..Quilt#3 = 1;..Quilt#4 = 5;..Quilt#5 = 13 This is so exciting......keep helping me to decide. I'll be making the outcome of this post sometime next week. I want to thank all my blogger friends, in advance, for all of your suggestions, encouragement, and for making me laugh. I decided to thank you guys on my blog because some of you have the no-reply comment thingy and I like to respond to all comments when I can.

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Yet another Janome 11000 design stitched out. This one is of Chief Sitting Bull. It took me an hour and 20mins.to stitch it out due to several thread breakings and thread changes. Oh, and I might have been staring at the needle and movement of the frame as it stitched out the pattern. It still amazes me how this is possible. If you have a machine that embroiders and you haven't been using that particular aspect of it, I challenge you to get out there and get started. Don't be afraid of making mistakes. Just do it.....I promise, you won't be sorry.

Can't Get Enough/Borders

I can't get over the things my Janome 11000 can do or the fact that it can communicate with my computer. My grandfather would have loved this technology! Anyway, I ordered, downloaded, extracted then uploaded the "Hands on Bible" design. Within an hour and a half (actual time 53 minutes but I was busy elsewhere) the design was stitched out and volia.....5 1/2" X 7" Finally, I got the borders to this little quilt put on. If you'll remember, I finished putting the blocks together at a recent retreat....weeks later.....all done. Hooray! 41" X 42 1/2"

Fruit and Wine Anyone?

Added another block.

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Well I was playing with some new designs from EMBL that I purchased the other day. Of course, it took by all day to stitch them out. Basically it was because I couldn't make up my mind about the thread choices.....I know, I know.....the Janome gives you the choices......duh! But I didn't want to follow them all the time, thus the all day thingy. I started the project with 3 designs and some wonderful fabric from Benartex Inc. It's 100% Cotton Screen Prints fabric and I love the graduating shades of it. I tried to make sure that part of each fruit rested half and half.....alittle on the light portion and alittle on the darker side. I'm not sure how I want to set the blocks together. Maybe all my blogger friends can give me some suggestions. I'd love to hear from you. Please leave a "Kind Word" and I will definitely consider each response.

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Today was also a very special day for me and a wacky friend of mine, Kathy. We received letters announcing that our blocks have been chosen as part of the "Toast a Rising Star" contest which celebrates the numerous wineries and wines in our great state. A quilt is being made and will be revealed at the State Fair in Dallas, TX in September. We have been invited to the viewing. I am so happy and honored to even be considered. If you're in town, stop by the State Fair and take a gander at the quilt.