Adding a Little Color

Spring in the Atlantic Canadian Maritimes 

is often synonymous with 

relentless rain and lingering cold temperatures.

Even if the sun comes out, the winds are bitter cold. 

And June isn't getting off to a very good start.  

It can't last much longer!

Can it?

So, what do you do when it's windy, cold, 

and usually wet, day after day after day?

You work with the brightest, 

most colorful fabrics in your stash, of course!

Luckily, I had a fat quarter bundle 

of rich, brilliant Free Spirit Solids 

just screaming to be used, 

and a Preppy the Whale pattern calling my name!

I have been working with two colors at a time, 

and making four whales at a sitting.

This is only half of what I've accomplished so far.

I am chain piecing this project, 

and making a scrappy leader/ender quilt at the same time.  

I like to play the 'don't break the chain' game 

and see how long I can sew without starting over.

I'm also participating in Lori Kennedy's FMQ-a-long

over at The Inbox Jaunt.

I was fortunate to have a little box full of bonus HSTs 

leftover from another project to prep.

I need all the practice I can get!

This has been knee replacement week for The Ranger,

and I'm a little behind on my sewing,

so I guess I'd better 

get back to work!

Happy June!

More May is for Makers

There has been a lot of sewing going on in my house,

but not very many finishes!

Wish I could show you a picture of my new design wall!

But there is some 'secret sewing' on display,

so maybe next time.

I'm delighted to share with you

my only recent finish.

It's a new pattern released just today

by our very own,

Linda at Scrapmaster
and Karen of Sugar Free Quilts

Follow the Arrow.

My version:

I chose to reverse the 

center row of arrows,

    because I ... 

...well, because I just did.

I finally broke into my 

coveted box of  Cotton and Steel 2015 prints 

that I'd ordered 

from Craftsy awhile back.  

The gray print backing

is from Red Rooster.

I echoed around each arrow 

with a gray Auriful,

and kept it pretty simple. 

My daughter saw a picture of this on my design wall

and laid immediate claim to it before it was even completed,

so I guess it will be winging its way to TX soon.

May is for makers!
Check out this great pattern!
Support our designers!

Have a fantabulous day!
~karen

May is for Makers

Yay!  It's May!

Given the fact that time passes much too quickly, 

I'm not one to wish it away.

That said, I've never been so happy to see a month arrive!

It's been pretty cold up here, and I've had about enough!

Not to mention that May is for Makers!

I've completed two flimsiest just in time to share,

But let me apologize for the pictures up front.

The forecast for the week is dismal,
so there is no sense waiting.

Many of you know I'm a naturalist,

and when Barb of Bejeweled Quilts published this pattern,

I had to have it.

A day trip to Joshua, Texas to shop at Batiks Galore this winter,

a few days at my trusty old Kenmore,
 which, by the way, is parked in front of the wood stove,

And voila!

There isn't enough fabric left over to piece a backing,

but there's just enough to make a matching tote bag, 

so guess what's next on my list?

And while I'm in a blue mode,

I just had to make this charming wall hanging

 by AllieOopsDesigns

I was pretty pressed for blue fabric, not being a blue person
and having very little in my stash,

but I managed to find two pieces that would work for a trial run.

The lighter blue is a poly blend (how did THAT get in there?)

and didn't play nicely, but I managed.
What color fabric do you lack in your stash?

I think it would be delightful if Allie could design a whole set!

I just love the font she chose! Not only is it pleasing to the eye, it was fun and easy to applique.

Whenever I machine applique, whatever stitch I choose to use,
I always take the time to pull my beginning and ending threads
through to the back and tie them off.
It gives a nice, smooth finish on the front.

Today, my plan is to quilt these up on the Janome.

I hope you'll take a minute to visit these two ladies
to see what other beauties they've designed!

Enjoy your day,
whatever your weather!

A big hello to Fran!
Hope you're staying warm, dry, and safe!

XO,
karen

Dressing Up Granny

How often we read about quilters finding inspiration everywhere, from nature to bridges, floor tiles to ceiling tiles, even fruit and vegetable displays at the grocery store.  And that's true for me, too, and I snap all kinds of pictures, but never do anything with them.

Well, the other week, I was at a local drug store, and in walked an elderly lady, dressed to the nines in skinny black jeans and coordinated accessories.  But, what stood out the most was the shocking pink swatch of hair at her left temple!  I watched her move about the store and she was a real pistol, and I thought, "Why NOT dress up granny?"

So, I came home and I did!  

I love making Granny Squares, 

as evidenced by this picture of my 

scrappy leader-ender project from over the winter.

Here are the first two grannies I came up with.

I decided I would keep the consistency of the white line throughout all my blocks.

The next one is ready to sew up,

which I will do leader-ender style while I work on another WIP.

I'm having fun trying to think of creative ways to 'Dress Up Granny'

and look forward to working on these,

one block at a time,

as the spirit moves me,

over the summer.

I have no idea where it will go from here

or how long it will take!

Happy Quilting!

XO,

Karen

One Monthly Goal March Finish

It's time for

And I did finish my green paper lanterns flimsy.

However, I packed it into my luggage before photographing it.

Sorry about that!

But I'm on the road, now, so it isn't going to happen.

Before leaving TX, I made a Diaper Clutch from a tutorial at LemonSqueezyHome. I've made several of these because my sweet friend in Houston asked for one when she had her first child 7 years ago, and she STILL uses it. Whenever she needs a shower gift, she asks for another.  Her husband told me that it's all he brings when he has the babies out.  I surmise that carrying a diaper bag isn't always the manly thing to do!


There's little that frustrates me more than turning a project right side out, then having to try to manipulate a mere quarter inch to fold under and finish.

I thought I'd share my trick, which is easy enough to do, and produces crisp, clean finishes with that professional look.

First, I measure out an extra quarter inch in the seam allowance to be turned, giving me a 1/2" seam allowance.

Next, I pre-press it, but open it back up and pin it as I would normally do.

Then, I just stitch around my project, whatever it might be, and turn it right side out like always.

Finally, I am able to fold in the seam allowance neatly and accurately to close up my hole.  It comes out perfect every time!

You may also notice that the bottom corners are rounded.  Rather than clip those curves, I take the pinking shears to them.  Makes a nice smooth corner!

Just prior to heading north, we visited our Houston friend and had a wonderful time, especially with the kids, including a very cold visit to the Houston Zoo.

The baby loved his pillow case.

The 4 year old wanted to try her hand at crochet!

And the 7 year old wanted to 'learn to knit'!

She finished a hat before we left!

Be sure to visit Patty

at Elm Street Quilts

to see everyone else's monthly accomplishments!

Let's make this linky party

a real party!

I know each participant will appreciate your visit,

and it's a great opportunity to meet someone new!

Enjoy your day!

I won't complain about going from 80+ degrees

to only 39!

XO,

Karen

Counting Down

Eight days and counting,

before I head back to the northeast coast.

Progress is being made in my sewing room,
despite all of life's distractions.

Here's a quick pic of my design wall

(I'll never live without one again!).

My green Paper Lanterns quilt is just about all sewn together.

Just a couple more rows to sew to meet my one monthly goal.

While I was constructing those hearts blocks,

I kept thinking about how nicely they would play with one of 

Loft Creations' recent pattern releases,

Paper Dolls

Even though I don't have the time to make the quilt,

I did take the time to try the paper doll block.

TOO much fun!

I will definitely be revisiting this pattern again, 

and soon!

Click the picture to enlarge

Some of you may recognize the fabrics?

Circa late 1970s.

When Crafty Daughter was just a toddler,

I made her little sun dresses using this whole line.

(Yes, the scraps are still in my stash.)

*

When I am pinning pieced blocks or rows together,

I have a simple process I always use

that I thought I'd share today.

First, I pin at the beginning and at the end.

Next, I sweep back across and nestle all the matching seam allowances.

Then, I travel across one more time and secure all of the 

seam allowances that lay in the opposite direction than I'm sewing.

This gives me the opportunity to ease in any extra fabric

without compromising my corners.

Finally, I stitch it all together!

I'll bet a lot of you approach it in a similar way. 

*

Well, here's hoping it won't be too, too cold

in Massachusetts and Maine after next week.  It will be difficult enough

to be away from a sewing machine for a few weeks,

but to be c-c-c-c-cold, too?

Ouch!

Enjoy your day!

Thanks for popping in for a visit!

XO,

Karen

Secret Life

As my green Paper Lantern pile grows,

my secret sewing is closer to being finished.

I look forward to replacing one for the other on the design wall.

I only have ten three more lanterns to make!

I fly back to the east coast in just a few short weeks,

and I'd like to be packing a finished flimsy

instead of a baggie full of partially finished blocks.

So why not link up to 

Elm Street Quilt's

this month?

As I've been attaching lantern tops and bottoms,

I am reminded that I finger press,

a lot,

when I am pressing seams with the iron,

especially when there is bulk.

It makes a big difference.

I know, I know, it also slows down the process,

but the process is the best part!

I've been stitching up some smaller gifties, too.

I never got beyond these first two blocks during a past QAL,
despite my best intentions,
so two little totes for two sweet little girls,

pillowcases for my three Houston kids,

and necktie onesies for my

Houston kids' new baby boy cousin!

With a forecast of 100% chance of rain for the entire weekend,

it's back to the sewing machine for me!

My blogging break is over.

But, before I go,

I had to share this picture.

I made Crafty Daughter a pillow to match her quilt.

And when she's not looking.........

.....The Secret Life of Pets?

Hope you have a quilty day,

no matter how large or small your project,

no matter your weather!

XO,

Karen