Sunday, July 24, 2011

Busy,busy,busy!

We're all pretty busy here!  I worked Friday night and we also had Applique Club and I worked today......I started a small project which I will put borders on at home.

This is a miniature quilt, of course when I bought the pattern I thought it was full size but the larger HST's (Half Square Triangle) are 2-1/2" and the small ones are 1-1/2".

I hand picked each fabric from my stash and I have a couple of tips that might help you out when choosing a quilt like this.

TIP:  First, I made the HST's a little larger than required and then cut them down to size - the 2-1/2" size I made 3" and the 1-1/2" size I made 2", then cut them to size.

The second tip has a photo - which refers to the block with the 4 1-1/2" HST's.  I chain stitch them in order and when I cut them I leave the two matching pieces together (I don't cut the thread between them).  Then I lay them on the ironing board and face one to the left and the second one to the right and press them.  The seams are now pressed opposite each other and nestle nicely for a perfect match.  I then take it over to the machine and fold it over and sew my seam.
Karen and Raili stopped by today to "wow" me with a quilt top and sign up for the Cock A Doodle Quilt Club.  So the quilt top is the 2009 Buck-A-Block with a twist.  Instead of putting in the large plain blocks in between the HST blocks she designed a gorgeous Pinwheel Block which really looks fabulous!...I also love her dark border, it really frames the quilt.  From what I understand this quilt will be hanging at the York Heritage Show in November.......
 Last but not least, I got another Farmer's Wife block done this week.  I finally started hand piecing again to go with my blitz at cutting.....happy to get another one done.....
I also prepared lunch for tomorrow and will be there again in the morning to make lunch....

Come on by and say hi!!!!

Happy Quilting!

Jo-Ann

Friday, July 15, 2011

I can only say WOW!!!!

Barb and I came to the store this evening to find Sharon prepping dinner for the Sit & Sew tonight.  She had the most fabulous thing to show us.

For her Birthday this year her sister made her a "Miniature" - not a quilt!  Wait until you see this........it measures 4" square by 8-1/2" high.....I left the wall plug in the back so you can get an idea of the scale.  It's a sewing room!
 Blow it up and you will see the patterns, the books, the fat quarters, cats and rotary cutters.....
There are scissors and a seam ripper, fabric bolts and beads......
 ...and notice the bulletin board has a copy of the Cock A Doodle Chronicle, every page no less.....
She is extremely talented, right down to the spools of thread and the glasses!  I just had to share this with you.....

Happy Quilting!

Jo-Ann

Saturday, July 9, 2011

I'm back.....

Has it really been over a month!?!?  So sorry, didn't mean to take so long.....
I've been working this weekend, first time in two months - worked yesterday and today and I'll be back tomorrow!  Boy, have I missed the store!  I love this store.....

The Healing Heroes group were in today and it was fabulous, I even got some work done on one of my quilts - check it out at http://www.creationsbyjoann.blogspot.com/.  It's called Alaskan Wildflowers and we have the book in the store - great book!

I also confirmed that we produce absolutely "CRAZY" quilters!  Andy was in today working on her "Heroes" quilts and brought in her latest project......
Each of those squares is a different fabric and they are approximately 1/2" blocks - there are 3,900 so far!!!!  This is what I would call insanity!  She makes the most fabulous quilts and she's only been quilting 1-1/2 years.....

Now that I'm getting back in the saddle I can tell you that we are preparing the BEST EVER newsletter for the fall and we've got some great surprises coming up!  You will soon hear more!  I'll keep you posted!  In the meantime I'm off to work on another project.....

Happy Quilting!

Jo-Ann