I finally made something in which to store the TP! Hooray! Only one, though, so I have another for the other bath off my to do list.
This is not a difficult project and I am glad I made it when I did, which was at the end of a long day of sewing. It was a very satisfying day where I was basically getting stuff done that had been hanging around on my to do list for way too long.
One Hour Basket
I needed less than a yard of fabric. The partial half yard worked fine for the exterior.
The following are simply some things to know about or to consider:
The pattern used three different seam allowances
I did not have fusible fleece on hand, so I used leftover Soft and Stable
One Hour Basket Side with Soft & Stable
Since I used Soft and Stable I sewed a couple of lines of quilting to attach the fabric to the Soft and Stable. Also, I had to do a Franken-batting job to the Soft and Stable, because I only had small pieces and didn’t want to open my new package. I used a very large zigzag stitch to hold the parts together. Where you see the zigzag in the picture (left) is where I had to sew bits and pieces of the Soft & Stable together.
I did a few lines of quilting since the pattern calls for fusible fleece and Soft & Stable isn’t fusible, just to keep the fabric attached. I don’t think it was really necessary, but it made me feel better.
The one thing I couldn’t do was add some Vinyl Fuse to the bottom. I like to do this for bags to keep them clean. I only add the VinylFuse if I can also sew all the sides of the Vinyl Fuse into a seam since there is a possibility of the fusible coming away from the fabric. Since this is for use in the bathroom and there is always a possibility of water on the floor, it would have been nice. On the other hand, I can always make a new one if this one gets nasty, especially now that I know how easy it is.
I put this in the tote bag hashtag basket. I am not sure it is really a tote bag, but I don’t have a basket tag and I am not about to make one at this moment. I may make a few more of these, but not tons, so into the ‘tote bag’ hashtag bucket it goes.
One Hour Basket in Use
I can’t tell you how thrilled I am with this project. Getting the TPoff the floor has been on my list for an eternity. Finally! Yay!
Tanesha over at CraftyGardenMom website and podcast made one of these. I love the fabrics she chose! Pam at Hip to be a Square podcast made one as well.
Yesterday, I received one of the calls that quiltmakers do not want to hear. My quilter called and said that my back was too small for her to quilt the Food Quilt #2.
What????
She explained again and I was mortified. I really couldn’t imagine how this happened. I thought I was being careful.
So, yesterday morning my first order of business was to make a 5″x90″ strip. The back is black, mostly, so I used black again.
This piece is off to my quilter. I missed my slot, so I don’t know how long I will have to wait.
After returning from Philadelphia, I got back into the groove by cutting some pieces for pillowcases. I made three. The first is a college pillowcase. I used Minkee, which I told you I was going to try.
The Young Man is quite kinesthetic and I think having something soft will be good for stress.
I have never used Minkee before and this was a challenge. First of all, I only had a small piece of flannel so I had to cram the Minkee pillowcase body into it before sewing. I use the burrito method I have discussed a number of times. The quilt shop had a guide for using Minkee, which said I should use a 1/2″ seam allowance and a walking foot. I pinned the flannel really well to the Minkee and that worked to keep the Minkee stable while I sewed. It was difficult to cut straight initially so after sewing, I trimmed the body straight again. I hope I didn’t trim to much, but we will see.
Again, I pinned the body of the pillowcase really well and sewed. Then I used a knit stitch to do the French Seam to finish the case.
This isn’t an instant success guarantee. We’ll have to see if the case is too small and if the bumps on the Minkee bug his face when he sleeps. Still, I am pleased. I have a September pillowcase and something for the care package. I also got some experience with Minkee.
Definition (#1): “Rock music is a genre of popular music that originated as “rock and roll” in the United States in the 1950s, and developed into a range of different styles in the 1960s and later, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States.[1][2] It has its roots in 1940s’ and 1950s’ rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by blues, rhythm and blues and country music. Rock music also drew strongly on a number of other genres such as electric blues and folk, and incorporated influences from jazz, classical and other musical sources.
Musically, rock has centered on the electric guitar, usually as part of a rock group with electric bass guitar and drums. Typically, rock is song-based music usually with a 4/4 time signature using a verse-chorus form, but the genre has become extremely diverse. Like pop music, lyrics often stress romantic love but also address a wide variety of other themes that are frequently social or political in emphasis. The dominance of rock by white, male musicians has been seen as one of the key factors shaping the themes explored in rock music. Rock places a higher degree of emphasis on musicianship, live performance, and an ideology of authenticity than pop music.
By the late 1960s, referred to as the “golden age”[3] or “classic rock”[1] period, a number of distinct rock music subgenres had emerged, including hybrids like blues rock, folk rock, country rock, raga rock, and jazz-rock fusion, many of which contributed to the development of psychedelic rock, which was influenced by the counterculturalpsychedelic scene. New genres that emerged from this scene included progressive rock, which extended the artistic elements; glam rock, which highlighted showmanship and visual style; and the diverse and enduring subgenre of heavy metal, which emphasized volume, power, and speed. In the second half of the 1970s, punk rock reacted against the perceived overblown, inauthentic and overly mainstream aspects of these genres to produce a stripped-down, energetic form of music valuing raw expression and often lyrically characterized by social and political critiques. Punk was an influence into the 1980s on the subsequent development of other subgenres, including new wave, post-punk and eventually the alternative rock movement. From the 1990s alternative rock began to dominate rock music and break through into the mainstream in the form of grunge, Britpop, and indie rock. Further fusion subgenres have since emerged, including pop punk, rap rock, and rap metal, as well as conscious attempts to revisit rock’s history, including the garage rock/post-punk and synthpop revivals at the beginning of the new millennium.
Rock music has also embodied and served as the vehicle for cultural and social movements, leading to major sub-cultures including mods and rockers in the UK and the hippie counterculture that spread out from San Francisco in the US in the 1960s. Similarly, 1970s punk culture spawned the visually distinctive goth and emo subcultures. Inheriting the folk tradition of the protest song, rock music has been associated with political activism as well as changes in social attitudes to race, sex and drug use, and is often seen as an expression of youth revolt against adult consumerism and conformity.” (Wikipedia)
Rocks have been used by mankind throughout history. From the Stone Age rocks have been used for tools. The minerals and metals found in rocks have been essential to human civilization.[1]
Post the direct URL (link) where your drawing, doodle, artwork is posted (e.g. your blog, Flickr) in the comments area of this post. I would really like to keep all the artwork together and provide a way for others to see your work and get familiar with your blog or website.
The Creative Prompt Project, also, has a Flickr group, which you can join to post your responses. I created this spot so those of you without blogs and websites would have a place to post your responses.
We are also talking about this on Twitter and Instagram. Use the hashtag #CPP
I recently returned from a trip to Philadelphia. I visited to attend a conference for work. Even though I had to miss the BAMQG meeting it was a good trip. Short and I didn’t get to have as many touristy adventures as I have in the past, but still good. Still, I took a little time on Saturday to go find a gluten free Philly Cheesesteak and in the process found a few new mosaics that I hadn’t seen before.
I really would like to make a Welcome sign in this style for my front porch. Someday.
I have been wanting to write a review of Block Magazine for a few months now and this is the first chance I have had to do it. I will write about the magazine in general, but use the Summer 2015, volume 2 issue 3 issue as my reference.
In general, I like this magazine, because there is more to it than just patterns.Like many other magazines, there is an introduction, patterns, sometimes an article about a notion or tool and some piece of quilt-related fiction. This magazine is good entertainment.
Each pattern comes with a story or essay and that makes the patterns infinitely more interesting to me. Wouldn’t you rather hear about how and why Aunt Irma made thus and such quilt from pieces of her little girls’ dresses than just get a pattern on a sheet of paper? I would and, thus, I like the essays that go with the patterns. The essays tell the inspiration of the quilt.
The pattern for Box Full of Letters was in a previous issue of this magazine. There are a couple of interesting patterns in this issue as well. One that I really like is 4 Patch Frenzy. It reminds me of a tile floor. It occurred to me that it might be a good use for the Half Moon Modern fabric I have. I also like Sweet Stars. The bright colors on black have really great contrast.
I also like the colors they use for their drawings of the patterns. The soothing blues and greens make me feel like I can make anything.
If you like pre-cuts, this is the magazine for you. Usually the patterns use some kind of pre-cut, sometimes two. They never talk about bias issues, but the patterns do work.
This issue has an article about needles, which I think might be missing a paragraph, but gives basic information about needles that is really helpful.
Color Palette, Summer 2015 issue
Sometime ago, I made my own Jelly Roll. In each issue of the magazine, they put together a color palette, which I am often tempted to duplicate. The one included in this issue is particularly bright and cheerful. They also tell the line, stock number and color for each piece of fabric in case you want to buy a piece and/or make your own Jelly Roll.
Do you absolutely need this magazine to get the patterns? I don’t think so. I think that most of the patterns included have been made into one of the Missouri Star Quilt Company videos. The price is really reasonable – $5.99 per issue and each issue is more of a book than a magazine.
I might have to stop subscribing to this magazine just because it is giving me TOO MANY ideas! LOL!
The other night after starting to arrange the patches for FOTY 2014, I was laying in bed and thinking about the arrangement and wondering what it would look like if I alternated light and dark for the whole thing instead of gradating the colors? This is where my mind goes when I am trying to go to sleep.
I didn’t have an equal amount of lights and darks in this batch, but I made an effort to do the light and dark arrangement just to see what it would look like. To get an idea.
Since I did the Christmas Pillowcase Tally the other day, I thought I had better keep myself honest by putting some notes down about the pillowcases I want to make the Young Man for college. I may need help, but we will see.
I want them to be punny, if possible September
Theme: soft
Fabric: Minkee and flannel
I was tempted by a “School Daze” theme, but I don’t want to send him something that will embarrass him. I also want him to use the pillowcases. I decided to make him a really soft pillowcase so I bought some Minkee to try. I am about half done with it.
October – Done
Theme: Halloween
Fabric: skeleton fabric by Timeless Treasures
November
Theme: Thanksgiving
Fabric: timeless Treasures Golden Harvest
I was disappointed I couldn’t find a cornucopia fabric, but I did find another fabric that looks very Thanksgiving-y.
December
Theme: Christmas
Fabric: not purchased
January
Theme: snow, winter?
Fabric: ?
February
Theme: ?
Fabric: ?
March
Theme: ?
Fabric: ?
April
Theme: Easter?
Fabric: ?
May
Theme: Cinco de Mayo?
Fabric: ?
I’d be tempted to make a pillowcase from Philip Jacobs fabric, but I don’t think that would be popular.
Food is always a good fill in theme for months where there is no apparent theme. I think I have some Pokemon and Star Trek fabric that can become pillowcases as well.
Websites, Articles and Information
Is this a new podcast? CraftyPlanner?
Faith, over at Fresh Lemons blog, talks about Quilter’s Bug, a new-ish company that has created an online haven for quiltmakers. There is a forum, classified ads, online journals and more. I haven’t had a chance to take a look, but it sounds like Quilter’s Club of America.
Sherri Lynn Woods will speak at our guild this month. I saw an article by Melanie Falick about what she has going. Take a look at the Test Quilt Blog Hop in which Ms. Woods is involved.
If you want to try a new method of gathering, which is billed as perfect every time, take a look at the post on the Sew Mama Sew blog.
Pam talked about getting a good quarter inch seam allowances in one of her recent podcasts and provides some resources for you.
Wanda, over at Exuberant Color, has a wonderful color wash quilt on her site. It is arranged like my FOTY 2013 quilt and I am scared that I am not being original. I want to think that she selected the fabrics especially to make the gradation more successful, but I really don’t know.
Books, Patterns, Magazines & Projects
QuiltCon West is having a triangle challenge. I thought I would enter my FOTY 2011 quilt, but the template is too small.
Marsha McCloskey has a tutorial on her blog for a block called the Winter Star Tutorial. She posted another lesson recently. This one is about cutting for a 3″ Ohio Star for the center of the block, and includes the particulars for making a 1” finished 4-triangle square. The rest of the sewing part will come soon. “As always, in a class, teaching a specific block is just a vehicle for teaching skills and techniques. This tutorial includes drafting, bias-strip piecing, rotary cutting, trimming points, precision piecing and a “cut-larger, trim-it-down” method for the making the star points of the tiny Ohio Star in the center of the block. The Winter Star block finishes at 11?.” All the posts she’ done so far are available at the address above.
Torie turned me on to Sweet Jane. She has a simple tote bag pattern on her blog, which you might want to try.
Michael Miller and Modern Quilts Unlimited are having a Block of the Month project. You have to use Michael Miller fabrics. Find the directions on a dedicated website. There are two entry parts to the challenge – a block a month entry and a finished quilt. Great prizes! The July block is already available.
California Shirt (back)California Shirt (front)
DH’s cousin was inspired by the California shirts SIL and I made. She made one for her husband. She was only making one shirt, so she was able to do more with the motifs. I really like how she put the California letters on the yoke of the back. That was inspired!
I found a row quilt (http://bit.ly/1DmjAb6) I could love. It is a Craftsy class from Crazy Mom Quilts.
Over at Bemused blog, Jan is talking about the Chuck Nohara QAL on Instagram. I am ashamed to say I have never seen his block dictionary, but the blocks are so unique that I may need to join in. I love the colors Jan is using in her blocks so far. I haven’t visited Bemused blog in awhile and I am glad I did.
Fabric, Tools, Shops, Supplies & Embellishments
Remember the shirts SIL and I made for DH and BIL when I visited her in January? I found more of the tablecloths. You can find them by searching Google for ‘california tablecloth’ or at the Home a la Mode website (no affiliation).
One hour basket pattern: I know you have heard about it, but here is a link so you can make one. A couple of friends have timed themselves and it really does take approximately, an hour. I may use this pattern as interim bathroom baskets until I find or design the perfect pattern.
This is dangerous. How did I not know about the Quilty Box? Perhaps I don’t need to know about the Quilty Box? It might be good for gifts, though. The web page is pretty slim. There are is only one page and it gives you some info on how the subscription works. There is no information about what was in past boxes, but they do discuss the value of the products inside the boxes. Instagram has photos if you search for #quiltybox
Exhibits, Tutorials & Events
The Electric Quilt Company now has a search tool that allows you to search for in person classes. If you are not an online class person, then this is for you!
There will be a FUN-raiser (their words not mine) to support the International Quilt Study Center. It is a cruise to Alaska with all male teachers. Find more information. To get the free goodies, you have until July 21 to sign up.
I’ll be taking a tuffet class (FINALLY!!) on August 6 and 20th at Scruffy Quilts. I originally saw the tuffet at the 2006 Association of Pacific Northwest Quilters show they used to have at the Seattle Center in Seattle. The pattern was sold at Quiltworks Northwest. I never got around to making it and when Kelly pointed the class out to me last week when we were out together, I had to sign up. Now I have until August 6 to cut strips. You can find out more about the class on the website.
After one of my recent posts on pillowcases, I thought I had better do a tally regarding the Christmas pillowcases I am planning on making. The last tally I did was May 4 and I have made some progress, so I thought I had better crow a little bit.
Here is the grand total of what I still need:
SIL#1: 4 kids, 2 spouses/SOs
3rd oldest nephew + SO
Oldest niece + Fiance (yes, this has changed since the last update) (DONE for fiance)
I am off the fence about my 3 youngest nephews. Even though I made them pillowcases last year for Christmas, they are each getting a pillowcase. My YM is also not on the list, but I will probably just send him one before the school year ends.
Definition: “A roof/?ruf/ is part of a building envelope, both the covering on the uppermost part of a building or shelter which provides protection from animals and weather, notably rain, but also heat, wind and sunlight; and the framing or structure which supports the covering.[1]
The characteristics of a roof are dependent upon the purpose of the building that it covers, the available roofing materials and the local traditions of construction and wider concepts of architectural design and practice and may also be governed by local or national legislation. In most countries a roof protects primarily against rain. A verandah may be roofed with material that protects against sunlight but admits the other elements. The roof of a garden conservatory, protects plants from cold, wind and rain but admits light.
A roof may also provide additional living space, for example a roof garden.” (Wikipedia)
Red Roof Inn
roof deck
Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
green roof
ROOF studio
roof coating
National Roofing Contractor’s Association
cool roof
roof racks
The Roof of Africa, held in the Mountain Kingdom of Lesotho is considered to be one of the absolute toughest off-road endurance events in the world
roof shingles
The Indiana Roof Ballroom, in Indianapolis
raise the roof
Tin Roof Bar, Nashville
Fiddler on the Roof
“Also called Tibetan Highlands, Roof of the World. a vast plateau in S central Asia bounded by the Tarim and Qaidam basin deserts to the N and the Himalayan, Karakoram, and Pamir mountain ranges to the S and W: highest plateau in the world, averaging about 15,000 feet (4570 meters)”
roof garden
Post the direct URL (link) where your drawing, doodle, artwork is posted (e.g. your blog, Flickr) in the comments area of this post. I would really like to keep all the artwork together and provide a way for others to see your work and get familiar with your blog or website.
The Creative Prompt Project, also, has a Flickr group, which you can join to post your responses. I created this spot so those of you without blogs and websites would have a place to post your responses.
We are also talking about this on Twitter and Instagram. Use the hashtag #CPP
I missed another couple of months. I sewed very little in June and May was very hit and miss, so I suppose posting the same thing over and over would be boring.
I sewed for awhile with wild abandon and it resulted in some quilt projects I delivered to the quilter, but it wasn’t that much fun. I felt confused and overwhelmed. Of course there was a lot of stuff going on in regular life, so I know all of that stuff contributed also. Still, while I like to have a couple of projects going at once they need to be at different stages and I need to be able to focus on one at a time.
Still WIPs
I still have WIPs. Who doesn’t, after all, but the list is getting a lot smaller.
Aqua-Red Sampler – Frances and I finished the Basket block and you can make one as well by looking at the tutorial series. Now I am tasked with doing a tutorial on partial seaming.
The Tarts Come to Tea: I still haven’t worked on this since April 2011, though, I have been moving it around the Fabric Closet. Periodically, I think about working on it.
Pointillist Palette #4: Fourth is a series of 6 quilts; needs tiny square patches sewn together. I still haven’t worked on this project either, but I do think about it. The Lunns have a new line of PP fabric out. I saw the new colors and didn’t feel I needed them.
Self Portrait: started in 2006 at a class at Quilting Adventures in Richmond, Virginia. My career counselor breathed new life into this project for me. She asked a simple question and the end result was inspiration for this piece, but I kind of lost steam again after printing images on paper to try out different designs. Lately, I have been feeling like I need to finish this piece as it should be a good reminder to keep in my office.
Under the Sea: class project; like the design, but not the colors. Still a possibility for abandonment.
Ready for Quilting
Wow! Everything on this list is new, as in it was never on the original 26 Projects list.
Table runner: Basted; needs quilting and binding. I am planning on free motion quilting this myself for practice, which may be a challenge when my main machine is not working.
In Process
I decided that I had better put in an ‘In Process’ category. The difference, at least in my mind, between ‘In Process’ and ‘UFO’ is that I am actively working on a project and that is defined as“In Process.”
Stepping Stones #2 using primarily Bonnie & Camille fabrics Bliss, Ruby, Vintage Modern: I made two test blocks, but wasn’t quite happy with them, so I added a number of other reds and turquoises to the variety to make the piece more scrappy. I ending up deciding against using a solid turquoise for the background.
Hunting and Gathering
Blue Gradation Quilt: cutting 2.5″x4.5″ blue rectangles
Blue Lemonade: cutting blue, green, purple 2″ squares
Spin Wheel: really not started, but supplies gathered. I probably have enough fabrics and just need to decide to start.
Stepping Stones #3 using the Macaron pre-cuts from Hoffman. I just remembered this project-to be. It isn’t started, but I have all the pre-cuts and should think about actually using them.
Windmill quilt: Still hunting and gathering. I am cutting a variety of greys for the background,to preserve the pattern. The pieces are too oddly shaped and I don’t want to lose the pattern in a mass of scraps
Penny M, a relatively new reader (yay for new readers!!!), asked what the deal was with the Creative Prompt Project. I thought my Friday posts were self explanatory. Regardless, I thought this would be a good time to reintroduce the project. Interest has kind of waned and perhaps this post will boost participation.
The whole idea is to commit each week to be creative. Not for me. Not for your art teacher, but for yourself and to enhance your creativity.
Each Friday I give a creative prompt and each of us interprets that into a drawing, a doodle, a collage, a scrapbook page, a crocheted afghan, a painting, a photo…any kind of creative work that suits you. We can design a quilt, make a sculpture from marble or Sculpey, mold something with clay, paint, or write anything we want in response to the prompt. There are no rules on medium or method. The idea is to develop a regular art practice.
If your week is crazy, post a previous art piece and let that older piece inspire you and others.
Take 5 minutes to create your response. Create a creative habit and not a masterpiece.
How to Join: Feel free to join in by posting your artwork somewhere on the web (your blog, your website, or the AQ Flickr Group). Follow your post up by making a comment in the relevant creative prompt post’s comment area including the direct link to your artwork. You can post your responses to the AQ CPP Flickr Group. You may copy the Creative Prompt Logo image and post it on your blog or website as well. If you do that, link it to the AQ Inspiration page so others know how to join.
People are inspired in different ways and the web provides a lot of different ways to be challenged creatively. Some additional resources for your creative work can be found on the Creative Prompt Project Inspirations page.
This project will end sometime towards the end of the year. I am going to stop at Prompt #365. You have about 45 prompts in which to create a creative habit OR start from #1 and work through them all.
I am finally starting on FOTY 2014. After finishing the “triplets”**, Field Day, the Food Quilt #2 and Box Full of Letters, I looked around to try and decide what to do. I cut a few pieces for FOTY 2015, put in a new rotary cutter blade and decided not to dither. I took out the piece of FOTY 2014 and started in.
Sorting FOTY 2014
First off was sorting. I took the two bins out and sorted the colors into general stacks. I had only two bins and was worried that I had lost some patches, but after taking out all the pieces, I realized I had a lot of patches with which to work.
As I have mentioned many times, even sorting is a challenging part of this project. You can’t dilute a fabric’s color or hue. It is what it is. Of course, I could paint that fabric, or color it with markers, but that is not the point of the exercise.
I am often a little disheartened by the sorting, because I think I will never be able to blend the colors. Somehow I do it and get a wonderful finished quilt.
FOTY 2014 Arranging
After a general sorting, I started arranging. Like 2013’s piece, I decided to start with white in the middle. I used and bought very little white in 2014, so all of the ‘white’ I have has another color on it. That is fine. Again, it is one of the challenges of this project.
I wanted to get all the colors on the design wall on Sunday night when I started, but that was not to be. I found out a few things:
There are a lot of green patches
There are a LOT of pink and red patches
There are a lot of patches in general and now I am concerned that I won’t be able to fit them all on the design wall
Still, I have started and I am determined to make good progress and get this piece off the design wall and sewn together by the end of the month. We’ll see how that goes! Stay tuned.
**I call the three quilts the triplets because I worked on them simultaneously and finished them all within about a week of each other.
Yes, I finished piecing the back and making the binding over the weekend. I have three projects to take to the quilter today and I am very pleased about that. I am very pleased to get these projects off my plate for awhile and can move ahead to something else.
Field Day Top Finished
I had thought to put a gold border in between the Sangria borders, but once I put the Sangria on the top and bottom, I thought the top looked finished and I was happy enough to leave it as is.
The ‘coins’ float, which is a little odd, but I kind of like the look.
I had a goal for Saturday to get the whole piece ready for the quilter. As I mentioned, I am taking two projects over and to take a third would be an added bonus.
Field Day Back Finished
I was able to achieve my goal in the nick of time. We had plans with friends on Saturday evening so I only had about 3 hours to get the piece ready. The back, as usual took me a long time, even though I used a large piece and I used up some of the leftover fat quarters.
