Author Archives: pkay
Cooking while quilting
Lately we’ve been making a lot of our meals in the crock pot. This one is the little one called “Crockette.” We’ve put a small pot roast in it with an onion, some carrots, a bay leaf or two and cabbage if we have it. We fill it up to the top, put the lid on and walk away. It does a nice job in about 8 hours, but sometimes … 
studios!
Have you seen this magazine before? Do you LOVE it? There are so many inspirational designs and articles, but for me the last one in the magazine is the most exciting. . . Check it out, yes, it’s ME! I got my copy in the mail yesterday, and I’m thrilled beyond words. There are 3 pages dedicated to showing and telling about my studio. It’s the summer 2013 issue of …
My last upholstery job. . . I think
My friend Cece redecorated her sewing room and had to get rid of this darling little platform rocking chair. It was her grandmother’s, who was under 5′ tall. It is exceptionally comfortable for a short person (like me) because my feet touch the ground without strain! You can see the chair has a fancy side/upper back and a pleated skirt and buttons on the back. They don’t really suit my …
The Lorax Challenge
This is one of the focal points of the Lorax fabric that I decided to use to make a 20 x 24 quilt for the Mengei Museum 35th Anniversary Celebration. Ever wonder how my thought/design process goes? I’ll show you! I know I want to use this unit alternately with my Lorax blocks. Why? Because I like it, it’s traditional, it’s cute, and it will look like a quilt when …
Curved piecing, memory quilt, & rescuing an antique quilt top
I was fortunate to be able to take a class on gentle curved piecing with Karla Alexander a couple weeks ago. She has a great method using a “stack the deck” technique. She offered a wealth of information and tips for success. Check out her website for great books and tools http://www.saginawstreetquilts.com/ Here is a close up of the crow I added with a string of buttons in its mouth. …
Easy Street Quilt
The two quilt blocks on the design wall are components of the 2012 Mystery Quilt by Bonnie Hunter. I had most of the basic units done, but waited to join them all together in a block until I knew what the pattern was going to be. I auditioned at least 10 fabrics before choosing the maroon plaid in the end.When I finally chose the “right” fabric, there wasn’t enough of …
Professional cutting mat
I decided to treat myself to a new cutting mat. I stumbled upon a website: http://www.cutting-mats.net/ I checked out all the various cutting mats and discovered that what I had been using was considered a “hobby” mat. Well, I’m here to tell you that what I do is no hobby. It’s a full time profession, so I thought I’d step up and get what the big guns use. It’s …
Two baby quilts and a receiving blanket
Today was baby quilt day! Next Sunday our Church is having a baby shower for Pro-Life. I got my “baby” bin off the shelf and found these panels (on the left and right) so I thought I might as well practice my quilting. The one on the left is custom quilted, the one on the right is pantograph quilted. The item in the middle is a receiving blanket. My best …
Wool blankets=Christmas slippers
What do you do with a wool blanket that has been washed incorrectly, leading to a mis-shapen mess?Put two layers together and quilt through them. Cut out slippers from Martha Stewart pattern http://www.marthastewart.com/864540/stephanies-sewn-felt-slippers Hers were made from a single layer of felt. WAAAAY too whimpy! I sewed a star on the top for cuteness, and two leather dots on the bottom to cut the slipperyness. I don’t want anyone falling!! …
Christmas Decorations
I have been very busy working on Christmas projects, but I don’t want to spoil it for the recipients, so instead I’ll show a few areas of Christmas decorations in the house. This first one is Santa Claus Lane, all Santas grouped together. The one in the green box on the bar is over 25 years old! It’s actually a finger puppet, so cute! The kids played with it constantly …
