Cooking while quilting

Posted on May 18, 2013 by pkay

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 we want to speed up the process.  Do you know how to do that?

You put a little cozy on it!!  This one was made from a 1927 cutter quilt, I cut a strip the circumference of the crock pot plus 1/2″ and draw a circle 1/4″ larger than the body of the crock pot all the way around.  Sew the long strip, ease in the circle and hem the bottom. Voila!  I think Laura Pinney (whose name is embroidered on the quilt) would be happy to help out in the kitchen.  The little cozy raises the temperature in the crock pot a few degrees and cooks the food faster. The other day I put a roast in at 10:00 and it was perfectly done by noon.  The juice makes wonderful soup.  Give it a try and free up some kitchen time for quilting!

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studios!

Posted on May 10, 2013 by pkay

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 Studios, and it will be available soon in places like Barnes and Noble, craft stores and online at http://www.interweavestore.com/Mixed-Media/Magazines.html?SessionThemeID=21

I have to thank my husband, Jerry, for insisting that I submit pictures of my space to the magazine.  It was just the nudge I needed.

To see the photo album of the studio being built from the ground up, go to my webpage and click on the “studio” bar in the headline.

Posted in Media / Press | 3 Comments

My last upholstery job. . . I think

Posted on April 26, 2013 by pkay

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 style, so I decided to make some changes.

I tried to document with pictures how things came apart. (It sure makes putting it back together easier!)

It took me most of 2 days to take out all the staples and tacks and to remove the old upholstery for a pattern to replace the existing fabric.

And here it finally is. . . completely naked!

I chose a neutral linen to cover the chair, I restyled the front of the arms and the side of the upper back.  I re-used the original decking fabric in the chair and inserted my personal label.

. . . and here it is, all done, comfortably sitting in my living room!

Now I’ve reupholstered everything in my home.  I have an office chair in my studio to recover some day, but otherwise I should be done for 10-15 years.

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The Lorax Challenge

Posted on April 12, 2013 by pkay

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 I get done. It finishes out at 3″  One block is never enough for me to decide if I like it or not, so I made up several.

Then I sewed borders around my Lorax fabric.  Nope, I don’t like it. Too dark.

I auditioned other colors (green, orange, blue) and I finally decided on red, so I sewed the borders on.

Then I sewed blocks together and auditioned borders.

Yes, I think this is the one.  I am going to incorporate some rick rack too.

I’m liking the way this looks–the little white border next to the yellow with the red rick rack straddling the two of them.

And here it is, quilted and bound.  Ready to be auctioned off at the Mengei Anniversary Party!

Posted in Quilts | 2 Comments

Curved piecing, memory quilt, & rescuing an antique quilt top

Posted on March 26, 2013 by pkay

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.  It makes it more “me.”  I started on Saturday with 6 fat quarters, cut the strips, shuffled the deck and put it all back together in about an hour.  I squared up all the blocks and sewed them together, then auditioned borders on Sunday. That was the most time consuming. After making my selection, I added borders, batting, backing and did an all over stipple quilting. The quilt was totally completed by the time of the lecture on Monday night. This was ONE FUN QUILT to make!

My label on the back makes it complete!

I made a memory quilt with various neutral knits and canvas and twill fabrics. The knits needed to be stabilized and arranged in a pleasing manner.

And, isn’t it nice once it’s all seamed together and quilted.  The fluffy rust colored flannel back is nice and cozy.  It’s a great quilt to keep a loved ones spirit near.

I had this hand pieced plaid 9-patch top for a few years now and decided it was time to quilt it up and make it useful.  I love plaid, and I think this is especially charming with the plaid sashing.  The hand piecing is outstanding.

The solid green was pieced to make the 9-patch.  I love the “make do” attitude of the seamstress.  Who would dream of joining those fabrics together?

How funny this corner 9-patch is!  The overall effect is one very interesting quilt.  I like using the Baptist Fan pattern to quilt these old tops. I think it is probably 60-70 years old. I’m glad it’s finally the quilt it was meant to be.

The latest challenge was to create a memory bear using a sweater, necktie and baseball cap.  I think it turned out adorable. It will provide comfort and a huggable reminder of a loved one who has passed.

Posted in Miscellaneous, Quilts | 3 Comments

Easy Street Quilt

Posted on March 11, 2013 by pkay

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 it!  I had to go with three similar fabrics, which is all right with me. It makes it more interesting and totally more scrappy.

I tried to put all the blocks on the design wall, but they wouldn’t fit. This is going to be one big quilt!

Then I had to audition borders.  Can you tell I love plaid??The next decision I had to make was how to quilt it.  Since it was so angular and had so many straight lines, I chose a curled feather, an all over pattern with pretty dense coverage.And here it is, all bound and ready for the bed.  It is a king size quilt.  The original pattern called for limes and teals and purples: http://withstringsattached.blogspot.com/2013/01/dwm-swap-results-and-easy-street.html  You can look at other images if you do a Google search for Easy Street Quilt images. It’s fun to look at all the color combinations.

Posted in Quilts | 5 Comments

Professional cutting mat

Posted on February 19, 2013 by pkay

 

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 an Alvin. Check this out. It’s gray/light black with grids every 1/2″ and has the 45 degree and 60 degree angles too (not shown here)

See how nicely it fits my center island?  It is completely edge to edge, it measures 30″ x 60″ and to cut on it is a dream. It’s self healing, it has 3 layers, it is easy on the rotary cutting blades, it’s reversible, it’s amazing! I believe in getting the best equipment you can afford, and this is really top of the line.   Actually, I never knew of this brand. I’d only been exposed to Olfa, Fiskers, and the translucent one from JoAnn Fabrics. I’m glad I made this discovery.

I took a class at Road to California a couple of weeks ago.  Kim Diehl taught this amazing class on machine applique.  I did this little center block in a day!  I’m hooked!  She’s a great teacher and shares a fantastic technique.  I can’t wait to get started on a big quilt with lots of applique. If you have a chance to take a class from her, DO IT!

Posted in Miscellaneous, Quilts | 8 Comments

Two baby quilts and a receiving blanket

Posted on January 13, 2013 by pkay

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 quilting friend, Dee, came over yesterday with a notion to make a couple of receiving blankets and some burp pads.  I got all excited and said there was an on-line tutorial how to make a quick and easy baby blanket.   It took me a little bit of looking, but I found it here: The Self Binding Baby Quilt (Receiving Blanket) | Always Great, Always Free Quilting Tutorials

 

I used a flannel back and a plain cotton front, as that is what was in the bin.  I’m on a roll now, all these cute baby prints!  I think I’ll experiment a bit more with the basic pattern and see if I can come up with a variation that has a batting in it for a bit more warmth.

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Wool blankets=Christmas slippers

Posted on January 8, 2013 by pkay

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!!

Then with right sides together, they were sewn around the outside, then the back was sewn.

Then I turned them right side out and made six more pairs of slippers (some for ME too!) They are extra cozy and completely machine washable.  What a fun way to recycle a ruined wool blanket!

 

 

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Christmas Decorations

Posted on December 20, 2012 by pkay

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 when they were little. And here’s my mini Christmas tree forest.  Can you see the one that has a wine cork as it’s base?  I got that idea off Pinterest!  OK, it’s really hard to see–just in front of the Christmas card with a tree with a red base, then the cork base tree. (sorry) Do you know that if you double click on a picture it will make it larger?This year I hung “Hark” in the family room.  I usually alternate between it and “Snowbound”I have a sort of “Charlie Brown” tree in the living room.And another “Charlie Brown” in the dining room, next to a quilt with blocks that I won at a Cheri’s Fan Club meeting with extra blocks from my own collection. I love it!Of course I have to have a tree in the kitchen!And my snowman scene in the upper dining room is a fun statement.

That’s all I can show you for now.  I wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!  I can’t wait to get started on the next year’s projects!

 

Posted in Miscellaneous, Quilts | 3 Comments