New Quilt in the Works

My quilt guid has taken on a community service project to make quilts for patients at Philhaven, a local psychiatric hospital.  This quilt was originally on my "to do" list with Patchwork Penquin's http://patchworkpenguin.blogspot.com/2011/02/gyleen-fitzgerald-amazing.html monthly project challenge.  However, time is running out and I want to get this project going.  I had already chosen the pattern and fabric (from my stash).  Today I prepared and cut all of the necessary pieces.  Hopefully tomorrow I can make a dent in sewing it.  The quilt pattern is Squares and Stripes and it is located in Fons and Porter's Learn to Quilt Magazine 12/2010.

The fabric we were to base our color scheme on is Hancock's Challenge fabric which is a teal.  I coordinated some other fabrics around it.  If things go as planned tomorrow perhaps I will have a quilt top to show.

On a different note, my friend Lynn over at Lynn's Obsession http://cooks-patchwork.blogspot.com/2011/02/melt-down.html#comment-form has finished an overwhelming 87 quilts for the residents of the VA Hospital in Wilkes Barre, PA.  Tomorrow is delivery day and she is having a major melt down because she's afraid the fellows won't like them.  I don't know how they couldn't.  Each one is its own masterpiece and filled with an amazing amount of love from Lynn.  I can't wait to hear all about her adventure.  I am adding photos with just a few of her quilts. 













She has so many more.  Each one made by her.  The fabric is mostly from her stash.

Great job Lynn!  We are all so proud of you and are amazed at what you have been able to accomplish.

Tissue Holder Tutorial

As promised, here is the plan for making a fabric tissue holder.

Cut you fabric 5 1/2" by 8" and turn the 5 1/2" edges in a full 1/4 of an inch. I know the photo says 1/8 to 1/4 but make it the full 1/4".   Stitch along the folded edge.  I used regular thread on top and invisible thread in the bobbin.  This way the invisible thread is on the right side of the fabric and the bobbin thread is on the inside and not seen.  You won't have to change thread colors every time you change the fabric color.  If you are making several at a time this really helps with the chain pieceing.

Next, pressed the sewn edges.  (these were not pressed before I took this photo and it really makes a difference in the look of the finished product.)

Fold end edges into the center and overlap the edges a full 1/4".  Pin in place and double stitch up seam sides. Stay close to the edge on the first row of stitches so that you have room for the second row.  Use a small stitch for strength.  I used a double needle for the double stitch to save some time.

Turn it right side out and there's your tissue holder!

What I have been doing

Dear blog reader (both of you),

It has been over a month since I added to my blog.  Apologies for taking so long.  I have accomplished a few things that I would like to share with you.  As you may recall, I signed up for a UFO challenge with Nancy over at Patchwork Penquin.  http://patchworkpenguin.blogspot.com/  The first number chosen was 3 which meant I was to work on bazaar items.  This was not my first choice and had a little trouble getting motivated for it.  However, come bazaar time in October, I will be happy to have these little babies done.  My plan was to make 30 tissue holders and 30 fabric flower pins. 

Here's my progress:

This what a finished flower pin looks like.

The tissue holders are finished but unfortunately the flowers didn't quite make it.  Hopefully I will have them finished by the end of this month.

For those of you who are interested I will be posting a tutorial of the tissue holders.  http://stashslashproject.blogspot.com/2011/02/tissue-holder-tutorial.html  This would normally be a straight forward project but I managed to make a few severe mistakes along the way.  Can you say "Let's rip invisible stitches from 60 seams?"  From recently gained experience I can state that it is possible but not fun.

I also have a few "firsts" on my list of accomplishments this month.  I made my first fabric postcard and actually mailed it.  Still haven't heard if it made it to its destination or not.  It's a fussy project but lots of fun.  I will definitely be making more of these.  I would love to become involved in a postcard swap.

Joe and I made a trip to Nokomis, Florida to visit his grandmother and two aunts.  As a thank you gift for their hospitality I made two towels for them to use by the pool.  I purchased the bathing beauty fabric at a quilt shop while I was there.

I'm the lady in the green two-piece with the tatoo in the middle of my back.  I know that there is a name for a tatoo in this particular spot on the body but don't recall what it is.  I'll be mailing the towels tomorrow.  I hope they like them.

And, last but not least, I jumped into the world of working with selvage edges.  I love it.  It's amazing how those previously thought of as junk pieces become little artworks all of their own.  When digging through the selvage stash and deciding which one to use next, I found myself putting aside some "special" ones that I thought could be better used in a different project.  I even have a favorite edge.  It has "Rosie" on it.  You better believe that one will really go on something special and given proper treatment.  Here's my first selvage project.  It's a 12" bow-tie block.

This was good practice for me because my challenge for the month is to complete a selvage project.  I have one in mind but we'll see if it's the final choice.

UFO Challenge

With a little encouragement from Lynn of Lynn's Obsession,  http://cooks-patchwork.blogspot.com/  I have decided to jump into the UFO challenge being sponsored by Patchwork Penquin.  http://patchworkpenguin.blogspot.com/ 

In order to do this, I need to make a list of ten projects that I want to complete during 2011.  Here is my list.

1.  Triple Irish Chain - 30's reproduction fabrics
2.  Donations for Cornwall Manor Bazaar
3.  Community Service Project for Lebanon Quilt Guild
4.  Hana Wall Hanging
5.  Pillowcases to slash stash
6.  Quilt using my Daiwabo fat quarters.  Pattern TBD
7.  Trash to Treasure Pineapple Quilt
8.  Project using collected selvage edges.  TBD
9.  Quilt kit with Australian aborigine fabrics from Lancaster Show
10.  Quilted Jacket from Lancaster Show

Lebanon Quilters Guild Annual Quilt Show

During the first week in December my quilt guild held its annual quilt show in conjunction with the Festival of Trees.  There is so much talent in our guild.  It was a great show.  I took a few photos of quilts to share.  I apologize for the quality of some of the pictures.  My hand must have been a little shaky.

         This quilt was made by Connie Wilson.  It is a variation of a Ginny Beyer Pattern.

Georgeanne's quilt made with original feedsacks

JoAnne's Blooming Nine Patch

Close up of Annette's scrap quilt

Maggie demonstrating hand quilting on her frame at the show

Rosemary demonstrating her postage stamp quilt

Georgeanne demonstrating how to make fabric flowers.  Her twister quilt is behind her.

Myrna's Quilt

Close up of Myrna's Quilt

No Time

Time is such an elusive thing.  I just don't know where it goes.  Sometimes (like now) it seems to be moving so fast and at other times, it crawls.  I have been so busy trying to get things done for Christmas.  Making gifts, writing cards, shopping, cleaning and so much more.  The list never ends.  In my mind I had my schedule all planned out and everything would get done.  Now, the days are just a blur and I still have so much left to do.  Today I did finally get the Christmas cards done and also finished up some fabric gift bags that I have been making.  Goals for tomorrow - gift wrapping, working on fabric flowers and tissue covers.  If I can accomplish this then I'll be making a new list for Thursday.  Wish me luck.  I'll be back with some photos.

The Remarkable "Miss Lynn"

My friend Lynn is an incredible lady and just about everyone who knows her would agree with me.  Lynn would be the only one that would wonder why and probably dispute this. 

Lynn is the most prolific quilter I know.  Right now she is in the midst of  making quilts for Project Jimmy for the long term residents at Wilkes-Barre, PA VA Hospital.  She is making them in honor of her brother-in-law who resided there and needs about 70 quilts.  Right now she is up to approximately 50.  With the exception of  just a few, she has made all of these quilts herself..  When I say made, I mean from start to finish including the quilting.  To her credit, most all of the fabric used came from her stash.  Her deadline is Valentines Day.  She is working hard to finish them.  There is no doublt in my mind that she will.

Lynn and her quilts!

Did you notice that the quilts are all different designs?  I wish I had better quality photos so that you can really appreciate the beauty of these quilts.  Each one is unique.

Lest you think that all Lynn has been doing is making Project Jimmy quilts, you should also know that she has been working on and finishing many other quilts as well.  She finds time to come out and party with her friends, take care of  her family, read and a myriad of other things.  All of this she does with a smile on her face and a twinkle in her eye.  Oh, did I mention that she is a really caring and generous person?  Is it any wonder that I feel honored to call this lady my friend?

Lynn, you are one hell of a lady!

If you want to get to know Lynn better, check out her blog http://cooks-patchwork.blogspot.com/