Color My World

Let's make the world a more colorful place. After all, that's why we're quilters, isn't it?

Have you ever listened to a Louis L'Amour book? I mean really listened. My favorite is the Chick Bowdrie series. Now there's a man a woman could fall in love with. Chick is part Apache and a Texas Ranger. He has ax handle shoulders, knowing eyes, and sits tall in the saddle on his trusty horse, "The Strawberry Roan." Poor horse never gets a name; it's simply, "The Strawberry Roan."

Then there are the secondary characters including the ranch hands whose names come under the heading of Tex, Slim, Rusty, Dusty, and of course Cookie. Can't have a chuck wagon without a "Cookie."

Chick rides from town to town saving the ranch from foreclosure, the school marm from harm, the boy from growing up to become a gunslinger, and of course the "day." Chick always saves the day. Then he rambles on to the next adventure, to the next town, ranch, or day, always meeting a very colorful group of characters.

This leads me to the question of why aren't there more nicknames in the world? When you head in to the corporate office in the sky-high building in the traffic-congested city see what nicknames come to mind. As you take that long elevator ride to the 27th floor, are you standing next to Buck, Curly, Pecos Pete, Ramblin' Roy, or Git-A-Long Sal. If you're in line at the grocery store, is it Lulabell, Coyote Jane, or Hitchem-up Bob in front of you? You know, perhaps if folks all had nicknames, the world would be a far more colorful place.

Bye Bye Summer

When working with my hand-dyed 2" squares, I noticed that despite all of the Synthropol and washing, some colors were still bleeding. Sooo, little by little over the summer, I've been re-washing with a vinegar rinse. I won't miss the heat, but I will miss hanging out the wash. It really does brighten up the neighborhood.

Fuse box cover up

Is there a fuse box on an exposed wall that needs to be hidden? Or how about a phone jack that doesn't hold a phone anymore?

You really don't need a reason to make this fun little quilt, just a few 4-patches, some HST's and wallah you're done.

The 4-patches are made with 2" squares trimmed down to 3-1/4". Take 4" squares of dark and light fabric to make the HST's (as shown in previous post).

Pull out a few of your favorite colors, throw in some almost uglies just for fun and play. If you really like it, hang it in the kitchen. If you don't, well, just call it practice and hang it over the fuse box.

Just for Tonya

Since the weather was holding, I decided to get a picture out on the back clothesline. At the top of the quilt, the sun is just beginning to make it's way down towards the other mountain. In winter, when the leaves are off of the trees, I get some wonderful sunsets.

This pattern is based on the one found in Scrap Quilt Celebration by Karen Bolesta (page 156). It is a very lovely book with a wide variety of ideas. I bought mine in 2003 so it's most likely still available.

The close up view allows you to see the hand-dyed fabrics versus the store bought. They add a lovely glimmer.

If you have not tried dying your own fabric, I recommend 2 resources. One is Pro Chemical and Dye( www.prochemical.com/ ) and the second is http://www.dharmatrading.com/. I would place my order based on where I lived as shipping is outrageous, ( i.e. Pro Chemical is on the east coast and Dharma is on the west coast. ) If you're outside the U.S., well then you already know all about shipping costs. Dharma offers a free catalog full of a wide variety of clothing and accessories ready to be hand-dyed.

If you want to dye fabric only, http://www.hancocksofpaducah.com/ offers a high quality bleached muslin that works very well with Procion MX dyes. I cannot think of the name of it, but they'll be happy to help you out.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . . . . .

The Straight and Narrow

Title sounds like a PG-13 movie pertaining to blue jeans worn in the 1980's. Forgive my warped sense of humor, it's been a very long work day.

Today's quilt class is really about working with the "straight of grain." I've been promising a couple of folks that I would cover this aspect of quilting and now FINALLY it's here. Please forgive the delay ladies, you both know the hours we work.

1. Begin with 100% cotton fabric of course. Clip a notch about 2" down from the top and tear straight across from selvedge to selvedge. (save torn strip for string quilting) You now have a TRUE grain line.

2. On the right hand side of your well-padded ironing board (I use an old mattress pad, flannel sheet, or army blanket), pin the selvedge edges together in a straight vertical line. Make sure it is even and straight - VERY IMPORTANT.

3. Notice how the fabric bubbles. This is because the top edges are not in alignment.

4. Insert the big long ruler in between along the fold. Spray with water or spray starch. Using your hands and your hip, (yes, this is quilter's aerobics), apply gentle pressure to the fold line allowing your torn top edges to line up evenly. Your fabric fold line and your straight of grain each must be straight. Press with a warm iron, tugging and pressing at the same time to align the top edge and keep the fold vertical.

5. Next, align your straightened fabric on the vertical and horizontal measurement lines on your cutting mat. Again, your fold line must be straight. No waves.

6. Align the vertical dark line on your ruler with the fold of the fabric. This is a true indicator of how straight your fold is. If it is not straight, take it back to ironing board and try again. (This piece took me 3 trips to the ironing board.)

7. With fabric evenly placed on the cutting mat and vertical ruler line along the fold, trim off just enough of the top horizontally to create a clean edge. Not too much, you don't want to waste it.

8. Move over to the other side of your cutting mat, align the long line of the ruler along the clean cut edge and cut your first strip, whatever width you need.

9. After cutting 2 or 3 strips, move back once again to the previous side and align the vertical ruler line along the fold and trim a tiny bit off the top edge to even it up again.

10. Move back around to the side of your mat and cut your next strip.

11. If you cannot move from side to side at your cutting station, move your mat board to make the proper cut. DO NOT MOVE your fabric. When you move your fabric it shifts everything that you just worked so hard to line up.

12. I've seen some students use their cutting mat yellow line as a guide for cutting. I do not recommend this as those lines get worn. Stick with a good ruler. Quilter's Rule brand is my favorite as the lines are raised and there is less slippage.

NOTE: Not all fabric becomes off grain when wound on to the bolt.

Fabric that must have the grain straightened is best worked in small sections depending on the size and number of strips to be cut. For instance, if I need five 2" strips, I tear off a piece of fabric that is 11". That 1" allowance is usually enough for trimming. However, sometimes if the fabric is very untrue, 2" extra may be needed.

I hope this helps. If you have any questions, you know where to find me. Night Ya'll

Feeling Blue ?

Sweet Blueberry Muffins

Batter:
2 eggs
1 cup milk
½ cup cooking oil
3 cups flour
1 cup sugar
4 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries

Crumbs:
1 cup flour
½ cup sugar
¼ cup butter

To prepare batter combine eggs, milk, and oil in a bowl.
In separate bowl combine flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
Stir wet ingredients into dry ingredients until just moistened. Fold in blueberries. Spoon batter into 24 paper-line muffin cups.

To prepare crumbs, crumble all ingredients together. Sprinkle crumbs over each muffin.

Bake at 350 degrees for 20 – 30 minutes.

(Why not make 2 batches and deliver some to your favorite librarians?)

More Free patterns - Oh Yeah!

Just a quick post today, as I have to get ready for work.

Three of my favorite sites on the internet that have free patterns are:

http://quickquilts.com/qblocks/
http://www.freequiltpatterns.info/index.htm#AB http://homepage.mac.com/chiaverini/sylviasbridalsampler/patterns/patterns.html

Until then, keep stitchin' . . . . .

Fabric therapy

Have you ever had a really bad day at work? I mean REALLY bad.

The downpour begins just as you leave the house and your youngest child needs the umbrella. You have to park 2 blocks from your building, whereupon you break a heel on your favorite pair of shoes and ruin a brand new pair of hose.

You arrive in the midst of a company meeting in which your boss is mad because her boss is mad and they are both yelling at you.

Your coworker makes her usual uncouth statement regarding your attire simply because it is in her nature to do so. Obviously she needs her medication adjusted. As a matter of fact, they all need their medication adjusted. Either that, or a good dose of FiberCon. Can it be hidden in coffee? hmmm . . . . .

Unfortunately, everyone has rough days. Well okay, maybe not quite this bad, but pretty darn bad.

That's why there are solid colors. There is an intensity about shades and tints that takes you to a higher level of concentration. There are no swirls or whirls, no spirals, leaves, vines, pedals, or pinstripes to hide behind. Just pure saturated color and like a good book, it draws you in.

Every 2" square carefully placed, complimenting it's neighbor. They are all different. They all get along. Each piece in a planned arrangement simple in its uniformity forming a beautifully blended whole.

Why can't people be more like solid colors?

Cheaper rotary blades???

Have you heard about L.P. Sharp Company?

Located in Gilman, Minnesota, they offer a reduced price on both Olfa brand and generic brand blades. They carry different sizes and when you exchange your old dull blades for new ones, their rate is better yet.

So contact L.P. Sharp at www.houseofhanson.com/lpsharp.html and tell 'em Gypsy sent ya.

Quick Update

Just a quick post before I'm off to work.
If you need to make your hourglass block bigger, go up 1" on your beginning block size. For instance, if you want you hourglass square to be 4", start with a 5" square of light and dark fabric.
If you want your hourglass square to be 5", start with a 6" square of light and dark fabric. You get the idea.

Don't forget to share pictures of your final quilt.

Hourglass Quilt

To begin your hourglass quilt, you will need 4" squares, 1 dark and 1 light.

From each dark/light block combination you will get 2 finished hourglass blocks, in other words, 2 sets. You can use both sets in your quilt or work with a friend and trade half of your blocks or maybe make 2 quilts.

Picture #1
To begin, place a light and dark 4" square right sides together.
On the darker square, draw a diagonal line from corner to corner using a Pilot brand fine point black pen. (Pilot brand does not

bleed.)

Stay away from pens that promise their ink will disappear. It does not, but more on that later on.

Picture #2

Using the continuous piecing method, sew a 1/4" seam on each side of the drawn black line using a size 10 or 12 to-the-inch stitch.

Once a seam is sewn on to each side of the black line, cut along the black line. You now have 2 half square triangles (or HST).

Next you will press each HST open making sure the dark side of the seam is pressed towards the dark fabric triangle. Do not press the seam open as it weakens the seam.

Picture #3
Lay out HST #1 with the dark triangle towards the top left.

Right sides together, place the second HST (in the same color grouping) with the darker triangle on the bottom right. Slide them together until the seam lines come together, but do not overlap. It must be a snug fit.

Using the same Pilot pen, draw a line diagonally from corner to corner, this time from the light triangle point to the dark triangle point.

Picture #4

Pin if necesary and sew a 1/4" seam along each side of the drawn line. Cut apart on drawn line.

Picture #5

Press open to see your hourglass block.

Trim square by placing the diagonal line of your ruler on the center diagonal of the block. Be sure to align the 1-1/2" mark in the very middle of the block in order to trim the first 2 sides. If you don't square up from the center out, your block will be off-kilter.

Blocks will finish at 3" square trimmed, and 2-1/2" square sewn.
In order to determine how big you want to make your quilt divide
width and length of required size by 2.5".

For instance, if my quilt needed to be 25" x 35" before adding borders, it would be 10 blocks wide by 14 blocks long. (I tend to make them the size I like and then add borders.)

Good luck and happy sewing.

Pennies From Heaven

I don't know about you all, but I simply adore packages. That has not changed from the very first time I went off to college and ordered seed catalogs (they were actually free then) from every vendor who offered one just so I would get mail.

I met one of my dearest friends when I walked in to class after lunch with a package. Inside, amongst other things, was a postcard of a lilac bush. A very quiet, shy classmate named GB was sitting next to me and said, "I like lilacs." I gave her the card and we've been pals ever since. And yes, she grows lilacs.

I've been amazed and blessed in my life's journey with the friends I've met along the way. A few days ago, I managed to wander out to my mailbox (it's 1/2 mile from the house) and I discovered another lovely package full of wondrous treasures from a new friend. Such excitement, such trepidation!!!! Could it be fabric? Is it fabric? Who knows me so well that they would send me FABRIC!!!!

And not just any fabric, but well loved pieces from a time gone by including the most wondrous turtle block. As you can see, it was fashioned by a most creative hand. Ohhh, such a lovely gift. Such a lovely new friend.

Thank you Finn.

Crumb Cake

Thanks to Patti over at "Quilting Is My Passion" and her lovely tutorial, I dove right in and used up about ohh, say 1/2 teaspoon of the 37 gallon bucket of my string stash.

I knew I was saving the left over ends from my 2" strips for a good cause (well okay it seemed like a good idea at the time). And when they were assembled in to a vertical chain, it made a lovely spacer to a totally chaotic wall quilt.

For those who've known me a long time, you know this is totally out of my "comfort zone." However, I think it's good to go beyond our boundaries once in awhile.

The Mile-A-Minute blocks are trimmed down to 6-1/2". The vertical spacer chains are 2" wide.

I was so caught up in this project I made 10 extra 6-1/2" blocks. Which, I have decided, should be the ingredients for someone else's "Crumb Cake."

So, if you leave a comment to that effect on this post, I'll pick a winner from the list of names and mail you the 10 blocks within the next 63 days. The contest ends at midnight on Wednesday, August 15th, East Coast / USA time.

Here is Patti's post so you can join in the fun.

htttp://quiltingisstillmypassion.blogspot.com/2007/07/mile-minute-blocks-photo-tutorial.html
Until then, keep stitchin' . . . . . . .

Free Patterns?

Did you know that if you log on to the fabric manufacturing sites, many of them offer free patterns. Of course, these are created to promote their new product lines. But hey, that's okay as it lets me see new fabric at the same time.

http://www.robertkaufman.com/

http://www.baumtextile.com/index.shtml

http://www.andoverfabrics.com/

Cool and Breezy and Easy

LEMONADE PIE

1 (6-ounce) container frozen lemonade concentrate
1 medium container Cool Whip
1 can sweetened consensed milk (fat free is fine)
1 baked pie crust or ready-made shortbread pie crust

Combine lemonade concentrate, Cool Whip, and condensed milk. Place in to pie crust. Place in freezer. Thaw 10 minutes before serving.

Friend's birthday coming up? Better make two. Enjoy! . . . . .

One-Patch Wonders

In 1985, I had the good fortune to attend a class taught by Harriet Hargrave.

At the time, little did I know that one sentence she stated would influence my quilting style from that point on.

The discussion was in regards to scrap quilts, building your stash, etc. Harriet remarked, "Decide on your favorite strip size, then cut and save an extra strip for future projects." (Ok Harriet, if I did not get it exactly please forgive me, but after all, it has been 22 years.)

My favorite strip size is 2". And yes, I'm still saving them. From them, I cut 2" squares. Simply by choosing 2 colors, you can create simple, cheerful whimsies for your dolls, your walls, or your friends. They can be shared on birthdays, rainy days, Saturdays, or just to send a hug to someone in need of one.

They don't take long to make, but the joy with which they are given is priceless.

Now don't thank me, thank Harriet.

http://www.harriethargrave.com/

A Tisket, A Tasket . . . .

Utilizing vertical space can be your best option in a small room. This idea is very simple to incorporate. It goes up quickly, comes down quickly, and does not require expensive materials.

The 4 baskets to the right were purchased at Three Crowns Antiques in Newnan, Georgia many years ago. They are English market baskets, made of willow, and very sturdy. (I've no idea if the store is still there and if so, whether they would carry the baskets.) The 2 on the left I've had for quite awhile, aren't nearly as sturdy, and therefore hold lighter items. As you can see, they are filled with my "baggie projects" still in progress.

The "S" hooks were custom made for me by a friend who is a blacksmith, but you can also find them in some specialty kitchen stores that carry pot hooks.

The "pole" is actually the handle of a heavy duty garden rake. You can also use a thick wooden broom handle or a 1-inch closet dowel.

In order to hang it, I purchased a length of chain, 2 U-bolts with bar, and 4 nuts. The U-bolts slid over each end; U section on top, bar on bottom enclosing the pole. Then nuts were tightened with a wrench on each threaded end, first making sure the chain was threaded through the top of the bolt. The chain was then hung on hooks screwed in to the rafters.

When living in an apartment with a drywall ceiling, it's possible to insert heavy-duty plant hangers in to the ceiling without losing your security deposit. First measure the distance between the hanging chain on the pole and set your plant hangers that distance apart. However, when working with plant hangers, it's best to put a much lighter load in the baskets. Sheetrock is only so strong after all. :0)

If you utilize this idea, let me know how it works out for you. I'd love to see a picture.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . . . .

Free Fabric?

Did you know . . . . that if you log on to http://www.marcusbrothers.com/features/tips.html

you can share a quilting tip. If they list it, you win 5 free fat quarters. It takes awhile for them to arrive. So long, that by the time they did, I had completely forgotten what tip I had submitted. Good luck!

Until then, keep stitchin'!

"Deputy, cordon off the perimeter."

I could not refrain from using a quote from J.D. Rob's character, Eve Dallas.

As promised a quick review on creating a studio. (Well as brief as I can manage.)

In order to separate my work space from the rest of the basement I bought 5 rolls of plastic sheeting and proceeded to tack them to the rafters. (Remember everything has to come back down.) The plastic allows me to heat the space more efficiently and it keeps the dust down. The carpet had been moved in first thing.

High grade extension cords had to be threaded along the ceiling using tea-cup hooks from the electrical outlets on the other side of the basement. I have a healthy respect for electricity. At one time I worked for a major electric company typing safety manuals they used to train their employees. One could say I'm overly cautious about safety; however, I don't believe you can ever be too careful about such things.

Two trips to the thrift store during their "fill a bag for $3.00" sale garnered enough flat white sheets and tableclothes to line 2 gray cinderblock walls. I'm sure you know that white reflects light best.

I purchased my shop lights at Wal-Mart along with daylight bulbs. The bulbs were the most expensive item in this venture. One light hangs above the sewing table and another above the cutting table. They plug in to a ceiling fixture that was in place.

Notice that my sewing table, ironing board, and cutting table form a work triangle (It took me years to figure this out). This is how they design kitchens (fridge, stove, sink). The closer they are together, the less time I spend moving from place to place.

Further down you'll notice the Amish quilt and log cabin quilt are pinned to my portable design wall. (Everything I build is portable.) These were made using paneling that was painted on the back to prevent splinters. To the front, using caulking glue, I attached a full size sheet of blue core board insulation, off-set by 2" on the top and 1 side to allow room for screwing in to a wall. They were then covered in thin cotton batting (which I had on hand) and another layer of thin polyester batting, the cheap stuff. Some folks use flannel as a covering after gluing their insulation board directly to a wall.

Since I couldn't screw these in to cement, I attached a small piece of 2 x 4 to the top back, screwed in eye bolts on to the top of the 2 x 4's and hung them with chain attached to rafter hooks. Yes they swing back and forth if nudged, but hey, they work for me. And no, I did not do all of this alone. A dear friend assisted some of the initial set up. It took me about 4 months from start to finish, but I also painted all of my shelves and cutting table. Paint gives everything a fresh start.

It's been a very, very long day so I'll say goodnight for now.

Until then, keep stitchin'

Translation

My shift leader and I were having a wacky discussion last night about communication within families. I told her that if you can talk to your teenage children and they understand you, then you are bilingual. If both your husband and your children understand you, then you must be trilingual. (Anybody who works night shift understands goofy jokes at 4 in the morning.)

This led me to consider the fact that not everyone knows about Babel Fish. http://babelfish.altavista.com/

Babel Fish allows you to type in a message and then translate to another language. Or if you receive a message in a second language, you copy it in and then translate it to your language. It's not 100% perfect, but you'll get the gist of it.

More quilt related adventures to come. Until then, keep stitchin' . . . . .

Close up shot - Kitchen Sink #1

I'm learning to play with Picasa2, which was a free download. (Thanks Bonnie.)

This picture is dedicated to Mr. Toooolbucket who requested a close-up.

I promise more fun and adventure on studio set-up later on in the day.

Until then, keep stitchin' . . . . .

Space, The Final Frontier

Anyone can build rectangle shelving units. Even if you don't own or operate a tablesaw or know anyone who owns and operates a tablesaw. I built mine back in 1993 when I lived in an awful efficiency apartment in Riverdale, Georgia for 11 months. Thank goodness, both the shelves and I survived.

All you need is a nearby Home Depot type of store and a screw driver or portable drill. Well, and the gas to get there, but we won't talk about that. You'll want to go to their pre-cut lumber section. You're looking for Grade D (yes lumber comes in grades) white pine that is 48" long and 12" wide. Buy 3 of them for each shelf unit. You shop for lumber the same way you shop for fabric. Look for clear boards with few knotholes and no warping. If you just won the lottery and feel like going for Grade A, that's up to you. Personally, I like to paint mine so grade D is just fine.

Ask the kindly tablesaw operator at Home Depot to cut 1 of the 4-foot boards in to 3 - 15" long pieces. The first 2 cuts should be free. The third one is probably still 50 cents.

You'll need wood screws to assemble. Nails just won't do it. I've no idea what size, but someone at the store will know. Too big a screw will split the wood and too small a screw will not hold it together, so yes, size is important.

Using #1 - 4 ft board, draw a center line with pencil across the width (not length) of the board. Repeat for 4 ft board #2. Using a portable drill with a drill bit (bit must be smaller than the screw size - trust me on this), drill 3 small holes equidistant along the pencil line. Repeat for board #2.

Align the 12" x 15" spacer board directly under the predrilled holes of board #1 and drill in wood screws about 1/2 way down. Lay that board flat on the ground and place second long board on top of spacer piece. Repeat step. You now have a big H. Place the remaining 12" x 15" boards on each end of the H and screw half way down on each end and each side. Once all spacer boards are in place and evenly aligned, finish setting screws flush with the top. Take your time. Paint if desired.

CAUTION: If you make more than 1 stack and there are kitties or toddlers in the house (prone to jumping and bumping), they need to be screwed together and then to the wall. Mine have never toppled, as they are weighted down and very sturdy; however, there are no kitties or toddlers here.

Kitchen Sink, #1

Thank you so much Mary for your kind assistance with my header. Unfortunately, the blog elves will not allow me to list my title also.

This picture is for those of you wanting to see the entire quilt. The title is Kitchen Sink, #1 in the series.

The 4-patches are made with 2" squares, then trimmed down to 3-1/4". The light and dark fabrics consist of many donated, old, very ugly, or otherwise unloved fabric. For fun, I threw in any leftover blocks that could be trimmed down to 3-1/4". It is backed in flannel that I bought through the Hancocks of Paducah catalog about 5 years ago. If you make a kitchen sink of your own, I would love to see a picture of it. It's a very liberating pattern because you throw in, "everything but the kitchen sink."

In stitches . . . .

Setting Up

Through the years, many folks have asked me how I arrange my work space.

When I lived in Georgia, I moved 8 times in 12 years and got very good at setting up my work space quickly. This was often due to the fact that I was moving on a Saturday and teaching on a Monday. I taught in a minimum of 3 quilt shops back then and had to be able to locate all of my needed supplies.

My current residence required a bit more thought. I knew when I rented this small house it would not be for a long duration; therefore, everything that went up, had to come down very quickly. Electrical outlets were at a minimum, as well as sufficient lighting. For an even greater challange, I decided to keep set up under $100.00.

Throughout the next few days, I'll explain the process step by step.

until then, keep stitchin'!