Friday, May 26, 2017

Hippy Chick Wonky Wallhanging

My super secret project is my quilt challenge entry for the Pantone Color of the Year of Greenery, the Hippy Chick Wonky Wallhanging measuring 24" x 19-1/2".  Machine pieced and machine bound, a skosh of applique, otherwise hand quilted.


Mini quilt scrappy pieced backing

Update to post: Cast your votes for the Pantone Quilt Challenge on the entries page here or over at Bryan House Quilts.  Voting will stay open until 10pm PST on Friday, June 2nd.  You get to vote for your favorite in each category.  To vote, simply click on the heart in the corner of the thumbnail photo.  

The reason why I call it Hippy Chick is because I was a child of the 1960s. Some of the fabric seemed kind of hippy dippy psychedelic. My fashion look during that time period was wire-framed granny glasses, a mid-drift tied shirt, hot pants (otherwise known as short shorts) and white Nancy Sinatra boots.
But I digress, fashion-related items do that to me. I arrived late to the party at nohatsinthehouse.com who announced the challenge in the middle of March. Better late than never!

At bit about my process (or lack thereof), I wanted to make wonky blocks but wasn't quite sure how to go about it. After the fact, I viewed a couple of online tutorials but didn't learn anything. They also used foundations for blocks (which I didn't). I haven't quite entered the world of curves and circles in patchwork piecing so I just sewed together fabric and cut at odd angles and cut some more and sewed some more. Eventually, you have to square the thing up, there is just no getting around that.

While machine quilting would have been faster, this mini cried out for hand quilting, one reason being the thickness of the fabric in the wonky block. The thread, a polyester coated in cotton, was labeled "extra strong - hand quilting." My first hand quilted project AND I discovered how to hide those loose thread ends. While I didn't use a cheater needle, I will for my next machine quilted project.

Admittedly, I machine bound the binding to the quilt but hand stitched the French fold binding. As you can tell, I am a big fan of scrappy bindings. I think it provides added interest to the piece. 

Update to an earlier post - I sent out sons-quilt to be finished by a longarmer (definition for the non-quilting crowd, a quilter who owns an uber fast long arm quilting machine). His birthday is in July and it is fast approaching - not to mention the "quilting" part is least enjoyable for me. Sending out son's quilt has freed me up to finish not one but two WIPs, the vintage four patch that is basted and a 4th of July quilt that is near sandwiching.

Also linking up with Amanda Jean at crazymomquilts for Finish It Up Friday.

Have you ever hand quilted a project? Sent out a quilt to a longarmer? Are you a hippy chick?

And, drum roll puhleeze, I have been nominated as Best Local Blogger for the Sacramento area. Please vote for me!

Thursday, May 25, 2017

Something fun with 30 Odds

While I am finishing up my super secret Hippy Chick project for the Pantone Quilt Challenge, I bumped onto this website with 30 Odd Questions at thedogladysden.com.

What did you want to be when you were a kid? 
Being a stewardess was all the rage when I was a kid. But when I flew and realized they were basically waitresses who navigated narrow aisles, I lost interest.
 
Which “Friends” character do you relate to the most? Why? 
Probably Rachel, because she is over the top cute and a fashion trendsetter (think "hair").
 
Do you like your name? Why? 
I like it - but as a child I wanted my name to be Candy. Course, mom and dad weren't on board with that one, it being kind of a stripper name.
 
Are you messy or neat? 
Gotta keep things neat or I can't think straight.
 
How tall are you? 
Just a smurf at 5'3".
 
How tall were you when you were 10? 
This question perplexes me, I seriously can't remember.
 
What is your guilty pleasure? 
Something I can't post online ~
 
What are you saving money for right now?
Saving? I'd like to say a trip to Europe but I'm more of a spender ... 
 
How many Pringles can you eat at once? 
Just a few of them, not a real Pringles fan.
 
Tea or coffee? 
Mainly coffee but love black pekoe tea too.
 
Are you an introvert or an extrovert? 
Definitely an extrovert - helps if you are if you are a blogger.
 
What will be your Halloween costume this year?
Hm, if I do dress up I would like it to be a pirate wench.
 
Sweet or salty?
Both together.
 
Favourite social media?
Facebook because I can keep in touch with longtime friends and relatives.
 
Who is the last person you kissed?
Mr. VZ
 
What is your favourite breakfast?
Eggs benedict
 
When is your birthday?
June 25
 
When did you start your blog?
I had a starter blog - Guinea Pig Stars that I published for a couple of years, then pulled the plug. This blog I started in August 31, 2011.

What is your opinion on the Kardashians?
Those gals know how to make money marketing themselves - more power to them!
 
How would you describe your style?
My fashion style? Elegant, comfortable, sometimes trendy.
 
What colour is your hair?
My natural color is platinum or shock white, I have it colored blonde. In retirement, I want to go natural and wear dreads!
What colour socks are you wearing?
Thigh high nylons
 
What is your dream job?
I'm nearly there - paralegal in public service. My title is Legal Analyst but I am angling for Senior Legal Analyst. Then I will have arrived!
 
Dogs or cats?
Both, I am an equal opportunity pet owner. 
 
What makes you weird?
I have an unusual sense of humor and I don't give a tinker's damn if anyone thinks I'm weird. God loves all the special snowflakes. 
 
Celebrity crush?
Hm, used to be Johnny Depp but he is looking a little long in the tooth. I'm still in love with Keanu Reeves.
 
Opinion on cigarettes?
Love them, have to stay away from them - bad for my health.
 
Do you want/have children? How many?
I have two grown children, boy and a girl.
 
Three favourite boy names?
Matthew, Mark, Luke - those were the 3 names I had picked for the 3 boys I thought I was going to have. Biblical, I know ~
 
Three favourite girl names?
Lauren, one of the names chosen for my daughter (we didn't name her that). Can't think of any others. Strange way to end the Q and A. 
 
Those are my 30 Odds - head on over and join the fun! In the meantime, pop on over to CityVoter and cast a vote for me as Best Local Blogger in the Sacramento area.
 
 

Sunday, May 14, 2017

Pineapple Crush and the Pantone Quilt Challenge

Knowing that I have adult ADD (squirrel!), it is no wonder that I am easily distracted with my creative projects. While I wait for fabric ordered online for my son's quilt (why is it so hard to find solid forest green?) the newest block to catch my interest is pineapple, a variation on the log cabin. A pineapple block ruler is en route too.  

I've pulled fabric for Pantone's greenery produced luscious springtime celebrations with promises of summer heat and lazy days.  I found this Pantone-quilt-challenge-greenery through another quilting blogger and decided to jump into the fray. Posting begins May 19th and the challenge ends May 29th so three weeks feet to the fire - I can do it!

I first I thought "GREEN! ugh" but the rules specific "must contain at least some Greenery or similar green."  So green it is, with other colors scrapping in. The more greenery, the better, with ideally it being the central focus of the quilt. "We'll see" as Mike Tyson would say. The choice of entry is also given as minis, quilt or just the top. Hippy chick busy at work on super secret project.

Mother's Day weekend was wonderful. Thrifting racked up items for $15 but with my $10 off frequent discount, I spent $5 for CAN YOU BELIEVE IT Antique dolls! Storybook dolls big and small.

I've kept the two in the best condition and the larger doll detailed above. That the large doll is intact is amazing. She has her original shoes and under garments.
A super soft T-shirt with a matching necklace with bracelet rounded off my $5 splurge. 
How was your Mother's Day and do you have any crushes or super secret projects?

Saturday, May 6, 2017

Baby on the way with dollies sure to follow

One of the reasons I began quilting was to make handmade gifts for co-workers expecting babies. It would be easy enough to just add money to the gift card du jour. I opt for the investment of time and tradition. Time frame goal to completion - less than a week.

I have learned that not all fabric is created equal. Ah, I hear those peals of laughter from the more experienced ones. When I began this baby quilt project, I pulled a stack of wanna-bes and ended up with the newest, zoomiest fabric that included pieces from a Riley Blake jelly roll and a Joann's specialty pack.  The other thrifted fabric seemed a little sad and well, used up. I also thought I could use the baby fabric banner but it too didn't make the cut, it can be saved for a baby shower event.

For the backing I thought was the perfect remnant, but when I was quilting the piece, the woven fabric caught on the machine and snagged, not just any old snag, a major snag. I didn't cut the exposed thread, I placed it all under the baby appliques.

I quilted this organically which to me means "flying by the seat of your pants" or "I didn't measure s**t."  *grins*

My next purchase as a quilting aid will be a supreme slider. I have read other quilt bloggers touting its benefits. Oh and as an aside, I burned out my beginning Brother quilting machine. Not bad for $150 investment and 2+ years of quilting.

As a follow up to my post listing my thrift shop find of doll clothes patterns, here are the other five, along with a listing of the dolls related to each pattern.
Fits: Baby Pebbles, Pebbles, Tiny Chatty Baby, My Baby, Baby Cupcake, Babykin, Tiny Tubber, Baby Buttercup, Littlest Angel, Lil' Susan, Teensie Tot.

Wardrobe for Kissy Doll
Fits 1968 dolls: Little Huggums, Baby Dear, Snuggle Softee, Angel Baby, Cheerful Tearful, Baby Face,  Honeybun, Betsy Wetsy, Softina, Tubsy, Li'l Darlin, Thirstee Baby, Giggles, Goody Two Shoes, Baby Buttercup, Little Miss Fussy Baby, Baby Pattaburp, Baby First Step, Baby Dear, Pussycat, Real Live Lucy and Victoria
Fits: Tiny Chatty Baby, Suzie Sunshine, Chatty Baby and Belle-Telle.
Linking up with Amanda Jean at crazymomquilts for Finish it Up Friday and a newly discovered blog Michelle's Romantic Tangle for Lets-make-baby-quilts.

Hospice thrift shopping at $2.50 each bought a Quiltsmart pattern with colorful fabric strips and a Croft and Barrow pajama pant with the initials "HIS" on the backside. I won't be wearing this out in public so I won't have to worry if those stand for some kind of obscure cougar gang reference.

Another shopping session brought me a tagless Ty Peace bear, a Pyrex bowl, a couple of CDs, bag of boy's toys and a Halloween fabric project. 

I am collecting bright and colorful strips of fabric to make a birch tree quilt, pattern found at crazymomquilts, bright-birch-trees-3-completed-quilt. I am thinking of alternating between black and white blocks rather than the multicolored.

Finally, I think I have finally fixed my no-reply blogger bizness, thanks to a blogger from the New Quilters blog hop who took the time to send me links and instructions. Many thanks!

Updating post to direct you to the final week of participants in the New Quilters Blog Hop 2017 with hosts Yvonne at quiltingjetgirl.com Leanne at she can quilt and Beth at Cooking Up Quilts.

The final four from my "hive."
  • Raylee @Sunflower Stitcheries and Quilting
  • Danette @Lucky Quilts
  • Olivia @Pumpkin Hollow Quilting
  • Debbie @Quilt Knowlogy

  •  

    Monday, May 1, 2017

    Son's Quilt showcased

    The lead off image is the beginning of the backing for my Son's Quilt. If you are going to have ducks, you've got to include a bird dog! Zipper Von Zalez keeping watch over the area. 

    It is my day to shine for the 2017 New Quilter's Blog Hop hosted by Yvonne @quiltingjetgirl, Leanne @she can quilt and Beth @Cooking Up Quilts. The others highlighted on this day include:
    Sandy @Sandy Star Designs
    Karen @Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats
    Kathleen @Kathleen McMusing
    Sarah @Designs by Sarah J

    The balance of the hive participants are:


  • Amandy @Mommy’s Projects
  • Bobbi @Snowy Days Quilting
  • Fi @living cloth
  • Jennifer @Inquiring Quilter
  • Laura @Slice of Pi Quilts
  • Anita @Domestic Felicity ~
  • Cate @Chaos Theory Quilting
  • Liz @My Sew Called Life
  • Olusola @Alice Samuel’s Quilt Co.
  • Sandy @Sandy Star Designs
  • Danette @Nettie Sews
  • Debbie @Quilt Knowlogy
  • Olivia @Pumpkin Hollow Quilting
  • Raylee @Sunflower Stitcheries and Quilting

  • Let's get on with the show! A quick quilting intro about moi - my mother first taught me sewing and a home economics class in junior high school about did me in. Well, let's just say I tried to work with knits and found it to be frustrating.

    Life proceeded along and when babies started to make their appearance, I made all of my own maternity clothes. I stuck with the basic stuff like keeping to cotton and putting in a zipper or two.

    Fast forward 30 years (where does time go?), I had been hand sewing and mending when I decided, after stumbling on a Hawaiian shirt hoarder's estate sale, to begin quilting. I processed about 40 xxxxxxl shirts for the material. I have spent the last two years learning to chain piece, making mistakes, quilting and cursing (the order in which those things happen depend on the difficulty of the block in question). Here we are today, proudly representing in this New Quilters Blog Hop!

    I have been bumping the creation of my son's quilt for other smaller projects and now it is time. His birthday is in July so it is a doable deadline. 

    I found this template at myquiltinfatuation.com. I am sure there are other variations on this theme but I decided to follow this one. Her creation is pink/purple titled Sugar Plum Fairy. I have slowly but surely been branching out in my block creations.

    Son's quilt top looking at it from the bottom right corner. Three ducks in a row on a cornerstone, one of my deliberate mistakes. You will also see in the block nearest in the picture, I ran out of the burgundy fabric, one of the perils of using thrifted remnants. Love the look of these blocks. Not sure if you call the top and bottom borders Big Piano Keys but that is how I think of them.

    Do you think he will pick Border Fabric No. 1?
    Border Fabric No. 2?

    Or Border Fabric No. 3?

    (The answer was actually revealed in my first image.  He chose No. 2 as the backing. )
    I purchased a burgundy solid and am on the hunt for a forest green solid or print for the borders. This will be a queen bed sized quilt so it has some growing to go.

    He does not want any florals so that made it more difficult. I wanted the plaid so all face the same direction and I made more than a few snafus, now orphan blocks. I also ended up dissecting the ducks in the center of the block but made up for it on the cornerstones.

    A newly discovered item (to me) is heat bond - quilting tip for this hop. I like the look of applique and when I found these two ducks, I saved them for this project. The heat bond provided just enough stability to the fabric avoiding that puckered look.

    Do you like quilting/sewing for the men in your life?

    As an aside, May 1 to me means a celebration of flowers.
    Happy May Day!