Baby Raven

I heard that everybody who saw the Raven table runner (Well Wishers) loved it.  Dan forgot to put it out at the event so he only showed some of the people afterwards and they liked it.  One of those was the pregnant lady who wondered if I would make her a baby quilt since she will be naming her daughter Raven.

Of course that put the idea into my head and I thought this might do.  She wanted the fabric colors to be forest green and dark purple.

I was thinking of putting her name "Raven" at the top and then shrinking the picture of the Well Wishers (2 ravens sitting on branches and holding a heart) down to fit in the bottom border.

Would you put anything on the side borders?

What do you think?

Excited today...

Today I am excited because the Raven table runner should be arriving in Arkansas for the event this weekend.  Hopefully the bad weather will still get it there on time.  It's nice to be part of the event even if I can't go down for it.  For those of you who wish to get a flavor of a SCA event, this was posted on youtube.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZ4FQHnEGPg

It is from the SCA Gulf Wars XXII 2013 Camp Life and Battles.  It will give you an idea of what they do at Gulf Wars.

I also finished doing my test pattern for The Quilt Pattern Magazine.  It was a quick little wall hanging but I can't show you yet.  You'll have to wait until August before I can show you that.  I still had problems with the quilting.  I think it is the walking foot.  The sewing machine runs fine until I put on the walking foot.  Then it starts to clunk.  Take off the walking foot and it doesn't clunk.  I have noticed that it doesn't stay "tight".  It loosens up after stitching for a bit and I have to get out the screwdriver and tighten it back down.  I'm wondering if it is the walking foot itself since my regular foot doesn't have that problem.  I have met my immediate sewing obligations so now I can let it rest for a bit and do some more hand work.  We'll see how it goes.

Well Wishers is DONE!!!!!!!

I managed to finish up Well Wishers at 10:30 p.m. Monday.  Not bad since I have to mail it out tomorrow (Tuesday).

Ready for pictures?  Tonight started out with picking out the white thread that had bled over into the back.  I think that was because of problems I had quilting it.  Oh, before I forget...Thanks Kat!  I think that the walking foot wasn't on right.  I'll let you know if it acts up when I quilt the test pattern.  Now, where was I...oh yes, Where I started out tonight.

 Piking out the white thread that came through the back.  A pair of tweezers, Karen Buckley's scissors (super nice pointy blade), and a lint brush were all essential equipment.

1 1/2 hours and it looks a lot better.

Three hours later and I finished the Well Wishers.

Finished size is 51 1/2" x 23 3/4"

I will be mailing these Ravens down to Arkansas tomorrow.  Hopefully the recipient will remember to take a picture of the table once they attach it.  I think I'll add in a color catcher  also for when they need to wash it.  LOL.

Now it's bedtime.  Thanks for stopping by.

I was soooooo close....

The table runner is almost done.  Yes I was suppose to mail it off on Saturday but that didn't work.  Why didn't it work?  Because I ran out of Kona Snow fabric.  I tried to piece it but it wasn't going to work.  I tried to use IT as the middle and duplicate my red border around it but that wasn't going to work either.  So let's recap.

1.  Front went beautifully.  Didn't have problems with the applique or anything.
2.  The back - Didn't have enough fabric
     a.  Tried piecing what white I did have - didn't work
     b.  Used the white for the middle and put red borders on - didn't work - will use that for something else.
     c.  Tried using white in middle and putting two red panels on each side with embroidered design - didn't work - took look long.  Took 4 hours and only had one partially done.
     d.  Used red for all the back - Ta Da!

3.  Get out the batting and start the sandwich.  WRONG!  Where did all my longer pieces of white batting go?  I didn't want to piece it.  Finally found an off white batting which was wide and long enough to use.  The Kona Snow fabric is thick enough that it didn't show through so that was fine.

4.  Start to mark my quilting design.  Check.  Didn't go too badly.  Used a ruler and blue marking pen to draw the grid lines (cross hatch).

5.  Sew.  Ah HA!  Back to getting dissatisfied.

By now you can imagine I was stressing out because I'm behind schedule thanks to the backing problem.  I put in a red bobbin but kept the top white.  So far so good.  I got about half way into the quilting and my machine started to clunk.  Yeah, clunk.  That's not good.  By the time I was down to three lines to complete the quilting, it was clunking pretty good and the walking foot jumped more than it walked.  I plowed on and prayed.

I have to do a test pattern this week so I NEED my sewing machine to be working.  I'm taking Tuesday off of work to try and perhaps clean out my machine?  I've never done that so wish me luck.

Sorry no pictures this time because the recipient of the table runner checks here periodically.  I'll post it after it arrives.

Oh yes, one more thing on the table runner.  NOW there are two small spots on the front--my beautiful front is spoiled now!--and I wonder if I should try to get it out or blame it on mailing it to the recipient.  :)

Another project

I started another project today since I didn't bring my applique in to work.  I'm trying to remember how to do a ripple afghan.  Now this is a major undertaking for me.  Consider it up there with needleturn applique or FMQ good enough for show quilts.  I'm serious.  I can only do one thing with confidence in crocheting (hot pads/pot holders) and even then sometimes they don't come out right.  That's why I usually tell gift recipients "I'm giving you a variety of sizes for the hot pads so you can use them with various dish sizes".  I thought that was a good cover up.  So if you get crocheted hot pads from me don't tell me you know the REAL reason why they aren't the same size.  I prefer to live in ignorant bliss on that topic.  :)

So here is my chain.

How many do I chain?  I have no idea.  I'm going until it looks right.  The pattern says chain multiples of 5 plus 7.  So that's what I did.  I always thought the chain looked like a snake.  I guess it doesn't help that it is variegated yarn.  I'm just doing this to use up left over yarn so it will look ugly.  My colors won't be changing until I end a left over ball of yarn.  Right now this color will be around 3 rows...maybe.  I have some tan yarn that I might use next as well as brown.  After that the colors will look a bit weirder (more weird?).

Once I commit this pattern to memory (IF I do) then I'll go and plan one more carefully.  This one will be used to curl up with on the bed or throw over me while on the computer, etc.

Wish me luck!

What I've been working on...

Hi everybody.  Remember me?  I know it's been a little bit since I posted but that's because I've been busy.  I know...surprised myself on that one.  :)  Most of you know I periodically talk about my friend Dan and his SCA group.  Today is another time.  That's why I've been busy.

The Society for Creative Anachronism is an international organization dedicated to researching and re-creating the arts and skills of pre-17th-century Europe. Our “Known World” consists of 19 kingdoms, with over 30,000 members residing in countries around the world. Members, dressed in clothing of the Middle Ages and Renaissance, attend events which feature tournaments, royal courts, feasts, dancing, various classes & workshops, and more.

You can learn more about them by visiting their web page:

http://www.sca.org/

You'll also see some great outfits on the page.   Dan's group is called The Incipient Shire of Ravenshold.  They will soon become a Shire in their own right and they are a wonderful group of people.  They put on "events" which can include contests (fighting, archery, etc.) and also have demonstrations on how to do things (arts and crafts, fighting, etc.).  They also have great cooks and, as my mother and grandmother would say, they know how to "put on a great spread".  That means they have a long table filled with food and people dressed up in period clothing.  They also have a "high table" which is set up higher than the others.  That is the dignitaries table.  It is an honor to sit there and usually reserved for the nobility that are visiting.  

They are having an event on the 21st of February and when I saw "Well Wishers" from The Quilt Pattern Magazine, I knew I had to make it for them.  I am almost done with it, which is good since it needs to be mailed out over the weekend or early next week to reach Arkansas in time.

Ready for some pictures?  The applique work is done although I might redo one of the eyes of the Raven to make it larger.  

Here are some close ups.

The eyes were to have been appliqued on but I thought it easier (yes I'm lazy) to do a French knot.
Now I have to:

1.  cut down the table runner a little bit.  I always allow extra for any shrinkage from applique work.
2.  add a red border (probably 2 1/2 ")
3.  layer and quilt it (a cross hatch pattern)
4.  trim and add binding.
5.  MAIL IT!!!!!

Table runners usually lay flat on the table.  This, from my understanding, will be attached to the front of the table cloth (the part that hangs down) as a decoration for the high table.  Dan has promised me pictures of it from the event so we'll see how it looks.

Wish me luck in getting it finished.  When it is finished I don't have any rest time since a week later I have to have finished a test pattern.  LOL.  Guess I didn't want to be bored!

I hope you have a great day!

It's FRIDAY!

Did you ever think it wouldn't get here?  I know I did.  Yet today hasn't been too bad.  I know what I will be working on this weekend which always helps to keep me on track and I got paid so while I don't have a lot of extra money I have enough to go to JoAnne's or some place for therapy.

I fused the Ravens and heart to the white background last night and started to stitch them down.  What was I thinking?  Stitching at night black embroidery floss on black ravens?  Whew!  I didn't finish even one but I started to mess it up a bit and knew it was time to stop.

As you can see, I had to dig out my clip on magnifiers to put OVER my regular glasses (cheaters) that I wear.  It always makes me feel old.  LOL.  At least I didn't bring out the over the neck magnifier.  I've had to pull that out before.  Talk about looking weird when I have to use all three!  See that cork stopped vial?  That's my needle case that I got from It Is What It Is.  It's made out of a horn.  I have my three needles in it that I'm using for this so when I cut my embroidery floss I can separate the floss and thread three needles at a time.  It goes a little faster that way.

I'm having trouble matching up that Kona red though.  Tonight after work I'm taking a swatch with me and see if I can get a better match than the one I already have. Wish me luck.

Everybody have a great weekend!

Making progress

I should have finished this table runner  awhile ago but I'm afraid of messing it up. With that in mind, I am only working on it a little bit at a time.  Tonight was to cut out the pieces and lay it out for an idea of how it will look.

That will give you an idea.  It will have around a 2" red border and the binding will be in black.  It's called Well Wishers from The Quilt Pattern Magazine.  I think that I'm going to use a French knot for the eyes.  The person who I'm making it for said that they would like to see a white eye.  According to the legend of the Ravens the white eyes reflect light of the sun.

What do you think?

Extended Weekend clean up and quilting

Welcome to my extended weekend.  I wanted to start quilting but as usual I have to clean up before I can start to be messy again.  Last night I decided that I was going to stack up thins on my couch so that I can go through them later and slowly put them away.  It worked out pretty good.

Now I have a chair to sit on and notice my other chair is for when I'm lazy and prop up my feet while I stitch.

I did that last night so this morning I got out the vacuum cleaner and did a quick swipe around.  I should have known not to do that yet.  Bolstered by my success last night I went to the next room and started to clean it.  THAT will take more than one day because that is the room I keep my fabric and stuff in.  But where do I put it in order to clean it and semi organize before putting back?  Yep, you guessed it.  I put it on the bed or couch in the room I just cleaned.  It didn't go too bad at first.  I separated out my fat quarters from my yardage from my scraps and put them on the bed. n These were just the fabrics that were "laying around" and not already in a bin or something.

THEN I started to come across my stash of UFO's.  Oh dear.  THEY needed to be a bit more organized so that took awhile.

I went to Dollar Tree and picked up some of their large bags.  For three bags for $1 I can't beat it.  They even have extra large bags which you get two in a box for $1.  I like to keep my UFO's in them because then my BOMs are all in one place or I can match up certain fabric for a special project and keep it with the pattern so I don't use it before hand.  I think I counted around a dozen UFOs there.  It would have been more but I gave some UFO blocks to a friend so she can have something to work on while going to doctors etc.

The next portion of the sewing area had some things that needed to be shredded so I brought out my shredded and took a break to do that.  Oops.  I had forgotten that it makes a mess when I empty it into the garbage bag.  Notice I said that "it" makes a mess and not "Bonni" makes a mess.

I still haven't stitched down anything but I am still happy with the progress that has been made.  I will put away the fabric on the bed before I go to bed to sleep so that will also get done tonight.

Tomorrow will be back to cleaning the room again and perhaps, if I'm lucky, I will also get to stitch something.  I feel brave today because I took down my winterizing stuff for my window.  It warmed up today and even though I know it will get cold again, it was nice to have the window clear and I could look out it.  Hopefully it won't get REALLY cold for the rest of the winter.

I hope everybody is having a good day.  Here are some simple rules (that aren't always easy to keep) that might help you be happy or have a good day.

Everybody have a great day.  Tomorrow I might be organized enough to post about a new BOM that I will be doing (or attempting to do).  It reminds me of Grandma Chamberlain's Blue Willow plates that she used to always use.

January 3, 2015

See?  I typed 2015 on the first try today.  I must be getting used to it by now.  LOL.  How is everybody doing?  My day has been predominantly good.  I have a new friend (online) who is just starting out in quilting and I found she doesn't have a stash.  REALLY?  I didn't think that was possible.  So I'm going to be sending her some fabric so she can continue to make quilts for families who have lost their parents or children.  That will help me clean up some of MY stash that I'm not using as well as (cross fingers) help me get a bit more organized.  I think that I might send her some lap quilts that I have that mom had been using also.  I have so much from mom that I don't need to keep everything.  While going through her things I found this on her bed and snatched it (grins).

It's mom.  The pink flowers and the pink and white squares.  I know she didn't do them but it is still her.  I've found that it is quite warm and like it across my knees when I'm typing on the computer.  My computer sits in front of my window.  Even though I have plastic over the window for winter, it still gets cold.

 Today's positive/thoughtful thought for the day came from somebody who posted this in a facebook group I'm on.  Let us remember that we don't always have the answer or our answer isn't the only one available.  Quilting is a good example.  How many ways are there to do applique in quilting?  They all are right.  How many ways are there to cook something?  How many ways can you think to get from one city to another one?

So let's respect what other people say and think and don't dismiss it just because we didn't say it.  I believe by doing that new ways of thinking (perhaps even better ways) will open up to us and perhaps introduce us to future friends.

Another thing that I thought I'd share is this picture.

A friend of mine put it on her facebook page and I immediately fell in love with it.  Wouldn't that make a delightful wall hanging?  I might try to do it for next year.

What do you think?  Now I'm off to rest my eyes from the computer for a little bit.

Have a great day.

Happy New Year - January 1, 2015

Happy New Year Everybody!

Do you have your projects all set up for 2015?  Here are some Free Blocks of the Month (BOM) that I have found being offered in 2015.

Sycamore Hill Quilts -     https://cburdy.wordpress.com/

Jenny of ELEFANTZ has a new one.  If you love redwork you might want to check this out.

http://www.elefantz.com/

I have some more somewhere but these are two that I will be working on.    I did manage to work on my January 2014 HEXIE blocks.  Yeah, you read right.  2014!.  It is now sewn onto the background and sometime this month I will quilt it and hang it in the office.  The hexie pattern is about 24" across.

Now that I'm actually putting the hexies onto the background, I need a place to store the templates.  Since they have a hole in them, I am stringing them up.

Some of you might remember that I am trying to be positive so todays tidbits or chuckles come from a  book that I got from mom.  It is called A Gift of my favorite things by Perry Tanksley.

"Instead of so much talking about losing weight, I've decided to just keep my mouth shut."

Another tidbit in that book is:  "If fate throws a knife at you, remember, there are two ways of catching it--by the blade or by the handle."  I don't know about you, but I'll take the handle any day.  :)

Everybody have a good night and count your blessings.  I don't know if  they are big or small but I do know that everybody has some blessing that they can count.  I am blessed with having so many friends.

Thanks Friend.  I'll talk to you tomorrow.