Di Ford – Chopin – A Passionate Quilter From Texas

October 25, 2017October 25, 2017

Mountmellick Medallion – Almost Completed

Greetings from a cool 47 degrees in South Texas! Finally! Life is still calm and good. I have hade a most productive 9 days with my quilting projects. Friday I quilted my Heart quilt and it felt good to finish, but I do believe I pushed the envelope quilting it in 6 hours. When I originally loaded the quilt in May I had decided to do a meandering with circles. I do free motion quilting on my long arm as it is not computerized. During the last 30 minutes of the marathon quilting spree I noticed that the brain, hands and eyes just decided that they did not want to do that pattern anymore! But I quickly ripped that error and finished! This quilt was made in 2003 and was my first attempt at needle turn appliqué. I really had to laugh at my stitches – they were 1/4″ apart!!!! Now I appliqué at 1/8″ stitch! Practice does help – LOL (Still have the binding to do but maybe tomorrow)

Saturday I did a marathon appliqué recoup day on my broderie perse MM Medallion. Yesterday I finished the center, but still have small flowers (paper pieced hexagons) to do but that should not take too long. I am going to enjoy making this quilt. Each border will be a mystery as far as fabric selection goes as I will select them as I go! I decided that I would only do circles where the swag pieces meet and not the diamonds that Di Ford did on her quilt. So now I will sew them and move on to the hexagon flowers which should be fun as the hexagon are 1/2″. I am very pleased with my color selection. I took a chance that I may find another piece of the Dutch Chintz that I am using but figured that was a pipe dream. But, alas, I found a fat quarter and a 1/2 yard piece on Easy. The fabric is coming from Australia. YEA!

I am also working on Block 5 of Sweet Stitches. This block is a group of flowers in a vase with a couple of bees buzzing around!

On to the handwork and having a good sewing day! Hoping your day goes well!

Linking To: My Quilt Infatuation; Confessions of a Fabric Addict; Finished or Not Friday ; Sew Can She; Em’s Scrap Bag; BOM’s Away; Fiber Tuesday; Esther’s Wednesday WOW; Sew, Stitch, Snap, SHOW; Sew Fresh Quilts; Crazy Mom Quilts; Oh Scrap; Scrap Happy Saturday; Show and Tell Monday with Bambi

January 17, 2015

Happy Scrappy and 2014! On to 2015!

I hope all had a great New Year and that the year is starting off in a positive manner for everyone. Mine still has a few hiccups but things have settled down for us a little bit. I look back at the year and realize that I did not produce as much as I have in the past with my quilting. I do not know if it is age, Darryl’s illness, the stress of losing him, the extreme dampness this winter, or if I have really done something to my back to cause me so many problems with my Fibromylagia and Sciatica – whichever it is – I am not a happy camper when it comes to physical slow downs. I definitely am not going into my 70s gracefully! My mind says I can but the body is balking! We will see who wins! LOL But life does get in the way sometimes and we must remain as positive as we can and move forward.

–I was so ready to do all of the selected projects that I found on line – Barbara Brackman, Pat Sloan, Ester – Love Entwined, etc, when I started my Blog. I love keeping up with all of my favorite Bloggers now. Looking back over the year here is my progress (or no progress)

–I did make 2 quilt tops for the San Antonio Show this year and they are ready to be quilted. One of the tops was from Pat Sloan’s Globetrotting.

–I started on the Austen Family quilt, but had issues with time and interruptions and problems with reducing the block size to 6 inch blocks.

–Threads of Memory is almost completed with only 2 blocks to finish and then I can decide on a setting for the quilt.

–I still have one more block to finish on Wanda’s Antebellum Ladies Quilt and only one (1) bird to finish on Block Number 1 of The Lost Boy Quilt!

–Rosemary Young’s Happy Scrappy BOM was to be a challenge quilt and for me to work on my desire to develop quilt designing skills. This project has taken me longer than I thought it would.

–I finished one wall hanging for the Baltimore Applique Society On-Line Auction and that was very satisfying to be a part of the fund raiser for BAS.

–Darryl’s quilt – Sylvester’s Bean Pot

— Sentimental Scraps – that one needs to be finished – almost forgot about Edyta Sitar project.

++On the negative side of positive – I did not get the bindings done from left over “ready to be finished” quilts from 2013. Maybe I will get in the mood soon to get those done.

This year I made a decision that before I would start any major new project that I would try to finish the projects that are begging to be completed from 2014, BUT I now find out that decisions and plans sometimes need to be changed! Here I am already changing that decision on not starting a new project!

The Austin, Texas Guild has a Dear Jane Bee and I joined it. We do 4 blocks a month (hum… wonder if I will be able to maintain this challenge) The Bee will meet in Austin quarterly on a Saturday for a sew in and I am so looking forward to this. Today I downloaded the 4 blocks for the month (will see where I am in February – they are “due” to be completed (if possible) by the 19th of February – this will be interesting. I have the book, rulers, and the EQ Dear Jane. I am thinking that I am going to hand piece each block. I printed out the templates on the 8 1/2 x 11 sheets of freezer paper and this will cut down some of the time in preparation work. Next decision on this project will be the fabrics. I miss working with my batiks, but think that might be a bit challenging for hand piecing and take away from the original time frame of the quilt. I sincerely hope that I will be able to complete this project as I had purchased everything (less fabric) for a Dear Jane in 2009!!!! Where has time gone?

The other project is Ester’s Oma’s Blue Quilt. What a beautiful quilt in Blue. I am thinking that this one would be beautiful in my Batiks and either in Blues, Reds, or Purples. Decisions Decisions Decisions! I will probably shoot for a March start date on this one if life permits.

— Oh yes – and then there is Di Ford’s 2014 Quiltmania Mystery Quilt………….yup still in the drawer along with a lot of my money that I spent on Dutch Chintz fabric. WOW – where have I been?

So here we are and I am so happy because I have completed the top and bottom “block rows” of my Happy Scrappy quilt. I am pleased with it so far. Next I will begin to design the side panels from there – who knows.

Happy Scrappy Top and Bottom Block Borders

Here is a picture of my Lost Boy Quilt (also Civil War Bride) Block 1. – One little brown bird to finish! I am using Batiks for this quilt. I miss working with them, especially when I am working on an applique project!

I am grateful to have completed the projects that I did and the one’s that I am trying to finish. Life is good to Clay and I even with the impending heartache that is coming sooner than later. I just hope that we can make it through the rough times. Quilting has really saved my sanity many times over. I have missed working on special projects for my Show Quilts, but if God allows it, there is next year.

Have a blessed day and enjoy all that you can. I am thinking that next winter Sierra Vista, AZ would be a good place to be.

June 20, 2014

Up and Running Again!

We are back! We certainly enjoyed our 5 day trip to Durant Oklahoma and the Choctaw Casino. This time we did not take the 36 foot Fifth Wheel. We stayed at the Choctaw Lodge. They were so great and accommodated my eating issues. Now we can go back for short visits without having to hook up the home away from home. I prefer to take our home away from home on our getaways, but in this heat – forget it.

We spent 4 days in the Casino and I had a good time, BUT, I think that the Choctaws are a little richer this trip – Darn it! Hubby is a Choctaw and has his Certificate Degree of Indian Blood (CDIB) – but tribal members are not given money. The money is used to provide health care, support education, scholarships, etc for members – especially those in the 10 1/2 Counties in Southeastern Oklahoma. They are wonderful people. Always a smile and so helpful. Gregory Pyle had been the Chief of the Choctaw’s from 1997 until recently when he retired and now Chief Batton has taken over. I am sure that he will continue on with the great work and leadership that Chief Pyle had shown during his time. My husband’s lineage goes back to one of the three (3) original Choctaw Chiefs – MoShuLaTubbe, through the Freeny Family line. Fascinating history. If you are interested in seeing what wonderful things these Leaders are doing for their Tribal Members check out http://www.choctawnation.com, and take a trip to Durant for some fun times. Here are a few pictures that we took:

The Choctaw Casino and Grand Hotel, Durant, Oklahoma

Nanette in Room — Nanette at the Choctaw Lodge

The Room — Beautiful Picture in our Room at the Choctaw Lodge

My Baby Waving — Clay at the Choctaw Lodge

Buffalo in Casino — White Buffalo in the Casino

Blue Moon Cafe 1 — Blue Moon Cafe – Neat Place

Blue Moon Cafe - Police Car — Old Police Car – Remember When?

Back to my favorite thing – Quilting! I have now caught up with Pat Sloan’s Globetrotting and have completed Block 5 of Barbara Brackman’s 2014 BOM. (Somehow I did Block 5 before Block 4 – go figure). I do not have any problems when I work on Pat’s BOM – measurements are great and she provides great visuals.

Moving right along – I have caught up with Barbara Brackmans’ 2014 BOM! I had problems with this one. I am sure that I am not the only one, but as we all know we are usually advised – “Hummm no one else has indicated so” – Been there done that one many times.

This time the issue was printing out the templates that are on the web site. Of course, during the last month I cannot say that my brain was fully engaged and that proved an accurate statement when I measured the templates, mis-read the 3 1/2″ mark on my ruler and made big BOO BOO! Here is a picture of that block (hopefully will be used in another project, or just a pillow cover) The block should have been 12 1/2″ unfinished – Well, if one is off 1/8″ on the templates you will only get a 12″ block unfinished. But I learned how to do Y seans. I had problems getting the pattern into EQ7!

So, last week before we left for Durant, I went back to the drawing board and realized my mistake! I had to go into my printer settings and set the print at 112% – YEA YEA YEA…. The template came out perfect! I cut my templates out onto Mylar and used the little sandpaper discs to help hold in place when cutting and it worked great. I tried again to get it into EQ7, but it just did not work for me. I completed the block and it is 12 1/2″ finished. So now I have done 2 blocks using Y Seams – I have learned a new technique!

I am pondering over what to do with the Austen Family Quilt. I have 6 of the blocks made at 6 1/2″ unfinished (6″ finished). I am at at point where I really need to pull fabrics for the entire quilt that are from a certain fabric line, or continue to pull from various stash! Because I am contemplating a change, I will probably leave this one alone for a few days. I have had some issues with the blocks. They are a little more difficult to make at 6″ rather than the 12″, but I do not want another large quilt! So the cobwebs should be out of the brain in a few days and I can really jump back into it and play the catch-up game.

I need to start on Rosemary Youngs Happy Scrappy BOM – think I am 2 or 3 blocks behind. Today I am going to select the fabrics for Rosemary’s project. Next I will select fabric for Block 4 of Barbara Brackmans’ 2014 BOM and will then be current with that one.

My Di Ford’s Mystery Quilt is hanging in mid-air! My selected pieces for the Medallian are ready to go, but still sitting on the Long Arm Table! That is the one I worked so hard at ordering the fabric for and here it all sits. But I will be working hard to catch up with my on-line BOMS and the start on Di Ford’s. I think they call this “one day at a time” – Heck – Scorpio’s are intensive planners and hate to not meet deadlines.

The weather here in South Texas is nice and warm. We are experiencing the mid-90’s and high humidity. I have made myself a promise to have my morning coffee, do my walk, and fix breakfast. After that I always try to get to the Studio for the remainder of the day. I will be happy to do the 3 things each day as I have really fallen down on my walking. I have been a walker for the last 35 years and never missed a day, but boy this year is a different story.

So until next time – Have a Blessed Day and enjoy Life!

March 31, 2014April 1, 2014

Barbara Brackman’s BOM update

Well, I spent the day working on one Block. I do not care for paper piecing and I guess one pays for holding out. I used templates for this block on the large star points. I have some issues with the outer points, but hoping that it will be OK. If not, there is always time to remake the block. But for now, it is done and I am caught up on my BOMs.

I am thinking that I may start on Lucy Boston Crosses next. But then there is always Woodlands (some log cabin blocks) or that beautiful Prairie Rose quilt or if my Quiltmania magazines arrive I might start the Di Ford Mystery. Or I may just sit outside and enjoy the sunshine tomorrow.

Barbara Brackmans Block 3 of Threads of Memory – Colors are a darker beige, large star is a blue, and the 8 point star is a Mauve.

March 30, 2014March 30, 2014

Catching Up on 2014 Goals

Greetings from sunny South Texas where it is 87 degrees and 26% humidity – Nice pre-summer day!

Welcome to my new Blog Site. I love Word Press, now that I have learned how to set up a Blog. The quilt shown above is a quilt that I designed called Jacobean in Batiks. It was inspired by Pat Campbell and different Embroidery Patterns. It is needle turn applique and has embroidery around each piece and hand quilted. I am considering entering this quilt and 3 others in the Austin, Texas Quilt Show in September.

I have been working on playing the “catch up” game with my 2014 goals and projects. I have been inspired by all the projects that Rosemary Youngs has been working on this year. I met Rosemary when I ordered her CD’s that support her Civil War Books. I have learned so much by following her Blog. She has been so inspiring and helpful in guiding me through the world of Reproduction Quilts and introduced me to Di Ford’s work an Australian Quilter, Barbara Brackman’s Blog and her BOM and BOW for 2014, Country Threads, Jo Morton’s fabrics and the Quilted Moose Prairie Rose pattern, and Lucy Boston by Linda Franz. Di Ford’s book Primarily Quilts Book is absolutely a must for serious quilters to have in their library. I was at a crossroads in my quilting journey and I knew I needed inspiration to move to something different. Rosemary has introduced me to so many new avenues it is unbelievable.

I was able to acquire a pattern of Prairie Rose and was lucky to be able to find the fabrics that are used in this quilt at the Fat Quarter Shop. I hope to start on this soon. Di Ford has a Mystery Quilt in the Quiltmania magazine and I have subscribed to the magazine for the year through Homestead Hearth. I can hardly wait for the first 2 issues to get here! Friday I spent all day trying to find the fabrics for this quilt. Thanks to Reproduction Fabrics in Montana and Happiness Is Quilting in McKinney, Texas and Fat Quarter Shop. What great online shops and customer support! It will be a more time-consuming quilt, but oh so pretty. Di Ford has 2 other quilts in her book that I would like to also work on this year or next.

As I have stated in previous posts, I am now what I call an Organized Quilter! All fabric in its’ place and a great book that has all the patterns and information for my Just Take 2, Barbara Brackman BOM – Threads of Memory and the new one coming up – Austen Family Album BOW. I switched to Pat Sloan’s 2014 Mystery BOM from Country Threads. This is a great way to hone my quilting skills. I am using my EQ7 software by taking the patterns and inputting them into EQ7. Fun Fun Fun.

I am still working on my BAS blocks for the BAS auction in October. I need to begin pushing on these as they are due 8 Aug! I have made another friend through this project. What a great year I am having. How I wished I had been quilting when I lived in the DC area in the mid-1990’s. Espeically since I love to hand applique – I could have been involved with Baltimore Applique Society (BAS) in person, rather than from afar.

I find that I am learning how to really add movement through color to my quilts. This has been a goal of mine since 2010 when I realized I need to work on color and movement of color with my fabric. I have always been afraid to jump into scrappy quilts, but now I am beginning to feel more comfortable in using the beautiful stash I have. I will admit…. I have broken my promise to not purchase any fabric this year….Justification: I do not have that many reproduction fabrics….

OK – Now on to where I am in my Project Book.

Pat’s Mystery BOM is called Globetrotting and is based on places that she has visited. Pat is from the Washington DC area so it is appropriate that she designed the quilt around a block that represents that area. I am a visual person and she provides great visuals for this free BOM.

Globetrotting BOM Fabrics — This is my fabric selection. I have always wanted to make a blue quilt so I pulled the fabrics from my stash – I have had them quite awhile and glad to finally use them up!

Washington DC Block 1. This is the Center Medallion for the BOM. It measures 24 1/2″ x 24 1/2″ Unfinished

Venice Block 2. This was a fun block to make. It measures 10 1/2″ x 10 1/2″ Unfinished

Chicago Block 3 2 — Chicago Block 3. I was going to use the same fabric (the light) in the middle of the block, but decided to step out of my box and try something different. I love it! The block is 10 1/2″ x 10 1/2″ unfinished.

Tomorrow I will work on Block 3 for Barbara Brackman BOM and probably wash my fabric for Woodlands and Prairie Rose. I received my pattern yesterday and this will also be a fun quilt to make.

Until next time, have a great time quilting!