Starlight Snowman

The inspiration for this quilt was from 'Under cover' by Pearl Louise Designs. This was a project at Casey Spring Retreat held the first of this month. I veered from the pattern on the top part using a panel. I was determined that this was not going into my pile to quilt. I quilted it free hand learning some new designs. I did not do it really close as I wanted it to feel supple. Size is 53x80. Close up below.

I made stars for the sky. It does not really show up but you get the idea. The fabric had stars in it.

Miniature Class

Seven of us went to Cotton Weeds in Freeport for a Ohio Star Miniature Quilt Class with Leslie Muir-Volpe our instructor. (Pictured below).

These are some of the miniatures that she has done. She is a very talented lady and a great instructor. She began by explaining choosing your fabrics, color and explaining about the process and choices you need to make before you start.

These are the samples made by Leslie for us to make. The 3 1/2" block was the first one we made so that we would be a little bit more comfortable when doing the smaller 1 1/2".

My 3 1/2" amazingly came out perfect. Then it was the 1 1/2" blocks that was my challenge and by the time I got to the 4th block I was a little more comfortable. I opted not to do the cornerstones. Her instruction in laying and cutting the seams on the back really helped along with a lot of tips when dealing with little itty-bitty pieces. I will probably stick with the 3" finished squares when doing mini's at least at this point.

There were three of us that went together. Beth who also has a blog.

Donna
I am sitting at my machine...windows are to my left and it was a delightful work area. The day was sunny and beautiful with temperatures in the high 70's so it was tempting just to have stayed outside. The next best thing was to take our lunch break outside.
These are the mini's in progress...Mine is on the top left....Beth is in the bottom middle...Donna did her's in batiks. They were all unique and we have a great time spending the day together. It was in a quilt shop and we shopped afterwards.

The day was challenging and it was a stretch for some of us but we agreed it was worth it and we had a lot of fun as we interacted with each other.

Monday was a sunny day and I usually clean and do laundry. Well, I was having major water problems and you cannot clean without water...so the next best thing is to quilt. I finished the top that I started at Casey Quilters Spring retreat over three weeks ago. It is called "Under Cover" and has 3 large snowmen done with fusible web and then embroidered. I do not really like doing that process so bought a panel with snowmen and changed the top...I made up my mind that this top was not going into the pile to 'wait' to be finished. I already have it on my quilter and will hopefully finish it by this weekend. I am calling mine 'Starlight Snowman' If you want to check out how it was suppose to look click hereI take a lot of my quilt pictures on my clothes line because it is easier to get a full picture. You can see the ground is still pretty barren with a little green grass starting to grow. The pine trees always have their needles and we are starting to see little buds on the other trees. You can hear the pollywog's at night peeping which is a sign of Spring. I was thinking today, when I was a kid and how we use to take a big clump of them (they were big slimy bunches) put them in a jar and hopefully watch them hatch. Memories are a wonderful thing.

Pin Cushion containers

Tacoma Quilters met today and below are the 'Duffy bags" that we made a few weeks ago. These are 20x29" and various pockets to carry our rulers. The one on the botton is long because the gal who made it is short and she also wanted to put her mat in it. They are so unique. There are others finished but were absent. This is a pattern that Barb, our president designed. Judy had a workshop today and we made pin cushions containes from plastic pill containers. You use an 8" circle of material and gather it....hot glue it. Inside you put a plastic cap that you get on water bottles to hold your thimble. It is amazing how much you can carry in it. Great for class or small projects. We thought these looked like colorful ice cream cones.

This is the gals that finished theirs today. Judy who is in front was the instructor.

This is the area where we meet. We have about 22 members. We had two more join today. It is a morning meeting and those that can go to lunch afterwards. It is a fun group...we represent all levels of expertise.

1st Miniature

This is my first attempt at making a miniature. I used Thangles to make the half triangles and then hand pieced each one together. I used flannel inside and a Kona cotton for the backing. I hand quilted. It was a fun project for me.

Two other gals and I are scheduled for an upcoming miniature workshop at Cotton Weeds in Freeport on April 25th with Leslie Muir-Volpe – Class Instructor - Flying Fox Studio. We will be doing the Ohio Star in this workshop.They say she is very good and I expect to learn lots!

Easter Message

If you celebrate Easter check out my Family/inspirational blog for entry.
http://livngfrhm.blogspot.com/
Have a wonderfu Easter....Margo

Duffy's Bag - Tacoma

I have posted 3 entries this evening. Please scroll down to see them all if you would like. I am playing catch-up!!!


This is designed by Barb and called the 'Duffy Bag'. It's intended to hold all the rulers etc. that we carry to a meeting or class. It measures 29 x 20" with different sized pockets on front and back.

I basically made it to fit my needs. The straps are 42" and I can put it over my head to carry. I used
pre-quilted material. I also put a band on the top with straps stitched inside. Barb's was made so it was like a tube and turned right side out after stitched. I had to do some adjusting because there was no lining. But I am very pleased with it and have already used it.

Front and back shown

Tacoma Projects

Our Tacoma quilt group had a demonstration of 'miniature quilts'. This was the first time that Kayleen had led a class and she was a little nervous. But she did a great job and I am sure this is only the beginning. And of course she made a lot of us hungry to launch into a new area we had never been. These are the ladies looking over her samples, books and tools she uses.

These are a couple of samples. I am making the one on the right. I am piecing the pinwheels by hand.

Each month we have a block drawing. This month was Easter. I used bunny material and I made a cross. The cross is very meaningful to me and puts me in remembrance of what He did for mankind.

My flying geese came out perfect. I used Flying Geese x 4 ruler by Lazy Girl Designs
Very easy to use. You can make 4 at a time in 12 sizes. No Math, No Waste and No triangles to cut. 1/2" seam allowance included. The winner this month was our President Barb.

We are a busy club. We had two new members this month giving us a total of 20. There are always many ideas of new projects.

Casey's Spring Retreat

This is mine in process...added last and cannot seem to move it down....
I am doing something different on the top. Scroll down to see more.
This was done at Casey's retreat.
It has been awhile since I have posted. My intentions were good but just no time.

Sherry hosted a two day retreat for Casey Quilters. There were 9 of us who came with machines and material and with a goal.

Our project was 'Under Cover' quilt taken from Fabric Trend magazine - Winter 2009 and designed by Pearl Louise Designs.

This is Sherry's (left) full size 54" x 76" quilt made using two simple blocks with quick-fuse applique.

She served as the hostess, instructor and also supplied the meals. What a treat not to have to cook. We ate well.

Barb who is so creative fashioned a miniature. She scaled it down of EQ6. And, Of course, we all ooh and aah. It was adorable. (please note her button noses that look like carrots)

Here she is with the snowman in the process of putting the faces on for her larger quilt

Chris, starting to cross stitch the faces to give them personality.

This is Sue's and she is not pictured because her eyes were closed and she would not have appreciated it. (smile) She did a kit that was called 'Under the Stars" done in flannels and we thought it should be called 'stuck up snowman' because of the noses...it was looking good.


We certainly have fun when we get together. There were others I did not get pics of and a couple of the gals worked on other projects. All in all we accomplished a lot and agreed it was a wonderful weekend!