Break from quilting...Zucchini Pickles!

Don't these look yummy?  Zuni Cafe Zucchini Pickles, one of the easiest pickles I have made.  After you've followed the recipe, simply put your jars in the refrigerator and they will last indefinitely; no water bath or pressure cooking necessary.  What I like best?  They are yummy and...it's a small recipe; makes two pints as you can see.  If you want the full recipe, just drop me a line.  I added a bit of whole mustard seed and celery seed, mainly because I had them on hand and they add to the pickle flavor.

Jelly Roll Quilt Tops!

"Jelly Roll Race" quilts...two of them!

In the meantime, in between working on my 8-point scrappy star wall hanging, I've been jumping from project to project just to keep momentum flowing.  For example, I just whipped out two, not one but two,  "Jelly Roll Race" quilts, using a couple of jelly rolls that I had purchased but had no idea what to do with...that is, until my penpal Deb directed my attention to a great You Tube video published by the Missouri Star Quilt Co. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bEJLnaZQOU).  This video kept me in stitches (LOL) and was instructive at the same time; its banner promises a quilt in less than an hour (mine took about 2 or 3 hrs); my little machine was buzzing!  My penpal and I have just gotten started corresponding, but I can tell she's got a great sense of humor and she's practical, too.  I am just a little bit crazy when it comes to keeping my crafting priorities straight, but I live happily with what I do...keeps life interesting.  Creative chaos and all that, you know!

Edyta Sitar; wall-hanging progress

First corner completed

2nd corner in progress

Each of the four corners of this wall hanging are to be appliqued with this leafy design.  I have completed the first corner.  Each of the pieces has been edge-stitched in place.  This was not so hard to do once I found the right stitch size and, of course, fusible web makes it all possible.  I am now working on the second corner and I expect to have all four corners done pretty quickly.  Then I will move on to preparing the finished piece for quilting. 



Underground Railroad Sampler



I posted this miniature quilt quite a while back, but I like to bring it forward again, from time to time.  These are 6" blocks; the design is from "Underground Railroad Sampler," a Quilt-in-a-Day book by Eleanor Burns and Sue Bouchard.  I enjoyed piecing this quilt top and learned that I like to work on miniature quilts; the piecing is tedious but the overall size is so much more manageable.  Since I have a difficult time with machine quilting, I sent it out to a local quilt shop to be quilted.  This is a wall hanging that I made for my husband to hang in his office.  I generally prefer to do hand quilting, but my goal is to one day be able to master machine quilting.

Edyta Sitar; wall-hanging applique in progress

I am working on applying the applique pieces to my 8-point scrappy star wall hanging (design by Edyta Sitar, from her book Scrappy Fireworks Quilts).  I have traced each piece of the applique design onto sheets of double-sided fusible web.  Because there are so many duplicate pieces, I marked each one (for example "D-1 of 4, D-2 of 4, etc.) as I trace, to avoid getting confused.  The picture above shows pieces I have traced and cut out, and ones that have been fused to different fabrics and are ready to press into place.  Once I have arranged the pieces and pressed them into place, I will edge-stitch each piece.  The most time-consuming part of this project will be to edge-stitch each piece.  This is my progress, so far.

Applique stitch

How I keep track (Bernina 830E)

Applique edge stitch, up close

Still working on my scrappy 8-point star, mini wall hanging.  Edita's design features a beautiful scrappy star as its center, surrounded by appliqued vines and leaves...very pretty.  My star block and the surrounding borders are completed, and now it's time to apply the applique.  Edita's suggested method is to apply the applique pieces with fusible web; I am using Lite Steam-A-Seam 2, and then to finish the raw edges with an edge stitch.  The process is surprisingly not as tedious as you might think; just need to use care and not rush the process.  I am learning to relax my body and let the machine do the stitching (I'm just the guide); otherwise, it can be a really tense workout.

Edyta Sitar; my first 8-point star

My latest favorite quilt designer, Edyta Sitar.  I purchased two of her books, Scrappy Firework Quilts and Friendship Strips and Scraps.  Here's my first 8-point star in the making, from a pattern in Edyta's Scrappy Firework Quilts book.  The scrappy diamond pattern looks intricate but the technique is easy enough, provided you measure and cut carefully.  This is a little ambitious for my first-time, 8-point star, but I wanted a more challenging project, and I wanted to make something I really love.  My greatest challenge has been to distribute colors and prints evenly throughout the star.  Matching each point of every little diamond went quickly once I mastered the technique...again, a little care ended with good results.  Now it's time to piece the star together.  This will be a wall hanging when it's completed.

When I'm quilting, sometimes I forget to do simple things...like cook and clean, go to the market,  or get a haircut even! 

Chatelaine all done!

Here's my finished chatelaine.  Two flat pockets and two pouches make this a handy quilter's tool belt.  I use mine to keep my thimble, needle, thread, tiny scissors and other ditties close at hand while I'm quilting; very convenient. 

Chatelaine in progress...

My chatelaine in the making

The quilt block in the photo measures only 3 inches; it will become a pocket, and  I will make another one for the opposite side.  Those gathered pouch pockets are nice, too.  This is a fun project; small-scale elements provide a challenge, but are easy enough to do.  The best part is that I'll have a handy chatelaine to keep my quilting tools close at hand; e.g., thimble, tiny scissors, thread, even my glasses.

Chatelaine Pattern

Chatelaine is defined on Wikipedia as "a decorative belt hook or clasp worn at the waist with a series of chains suspended from it. Each chain is mounted with a useful household appendage such as scissors, thimble, watch, key, vinaigrette, household seal, etc."

Along that line, I am making a chatelaine for when I am quilting or doing needlework.  The one I am making hangs comfortably around the neck and has pockets to hold thimbles, tiny scissors, thread and other odds and ends.  The widest part of the sash is 3" across and 1-1/2" wide at the neck.  You can adjust the length to suit yourself.  This pattern is from Patterns by Annie, www.byannie.com.  Mine is almost done.  I'll be making one for my friend, Kathy who also does crafty things like me, and I know she'll love it as much as I do.  I'll be posting a picture once mine is completed.  I'm planning to make the scrap bag included with this pattern, for catching snips and loose threads.

L'il Sunbonnet Boy; better known as Overall Sam (or Bill)

Here's a simple quilt which I recently pieced together.  I appliqued a little Sunbonnet Boy in his overalls with a polka dot heart patch on his knee, onto the quilt to give it a little bit of extra love.  I did try to use what fabric I had on hand but ended up back at Joann's fabric store anyway.  Coupons come in handy for times like this to keep material cost minimal.

Idea File



Cherry Cobbler

Lemon Twist

I'm always on the lookout for quilt patterns that I'd like to make or add to my idea file.  Here are two quilt top patterns that are sweet.  I found these listed at www.shopmartingale.com under Quilting ePatterns, $4.99 per pattern.

Photo issues...

Recently my posted pictures have a dusty look.  It's the lighting, you see.  I need to find a good spot to take my snapshots.  : (  Where oh where? 

Colores quilt progress...

Colores quilt blocks in progress.  These are 14" squares once pieced, including 1/4" seam allowance.  I will make 20 blocks for lap quilt, two done, eighteen to go; approximately 54" x 67-1/2" when finished.

Colores

Cutting 2" strips for this Colores quilt pattern

Sampling of the fabric palette for Colores

Summer 2012; it's is my goal to complete several quilt tops this summer and then to quilt them by either hand or machine quilting for gift-giving at Christmas.  Today I started cutting two-inch strips for this Southwestern-style quilt top.  These blocks will be easy to piece together.  I have chosen a color palette which is uniquely Southwestern.  Choosing the right colors can be a task; however, it's a creative process that I enjoy.

Sunbonnet Sue

Part of my first and favorite quilt, finally completed after all these years.  Sunbonnet Sue and her friend Sam are warm and cozy additions to a variety of quilt block samples.  These are 12" blocks; all the quilting was done by hand.  I love to work on sampler quilts.

New quilt top...shades of yellow and green

Sampler quilt top in the making; shades of lemon yellow and dusty lime green.

This sampler quilt top is nearly done and ready for quilting.  I took most of this fabric from material in my cupboard.  I've read many blogs and clips from other quilters and we all seem to have a common thread that binds.  Ah, the old fabric stash thing.  It's in my mind to sort mine out; use what I have or let it go.  This quilt reminds me of a delicious, fluffy Lemon Meringue Pie.  One mitered corner left to go and then it's ready to be quilted.  I'm debating; should I hand-quilt, try machine quilting, or send it out to be quilted?  Sending it out is not an option.  I dread machine quilting, but maybe it's time to give that a try in the interest of getting it done more quickly.  We'll see.

Dresden Plate

New Look #6574; fabric from my stash includes natural tan linen, rusty orange cotton and black and white checked bias tape.



Created this Dresden Plate applique using the EZ Dresden acrylic tool, with bits and pieces of leftover fabric from other projects.

Here's a look, inside out.  I added pockets which are not part of the pattern.  I also quilted the bottom piece.

I am determined to use fabric from my stash and to try out some of the many patterns I have collected along the way.  June, is it?  Not to early to start sewing gifts for Christmas giving.  I selected a bag pattern, something I've wanted to try.  This is a simple  project which moved along quickly to completion.  The pattern called for interfacing to be applied to both fabric and lining for body.  Instead, I used an iron-on Pellon fusible fleece which I applied to the wrong side of the fabric pieces; I did not interface the lining pieces, to avoid bulkiness.  See the Dresden Plate applique which I created using the EZ Dresden acrylic tool?  Fun and easy to make.  I applied the applique using machine stitching.  I decided to quilt the bottom of the bag to create a firm fabric base that was not sloppy.  The black and white checked bias tape turned out to be a nice contrast and was not difficult to apply.  It covers up and finishes the raw seams around the bottom of the bag.  All in all, this took me two days to complete, working on it off and on throughout the day and night.

Her First Quilt...finished at last!

It's May, almost June 2012.  Earlier this year, I had been busy in the garden with my herbs and flowers, but now I have drifted into a pre-summertime slide and won't give full attention back to the garden until fall.  I'm quilting again.  In the back of my mind, I keep thinking of aprons and summer dresses that I'd like to sew this season, so that will be coming up as well.  Here's my most recent accomplishment, a sweet Sunbonnet Sue sampler quilt which has taken me over 25 years to finally complete, mainly because it kept getting set aside for other projects, other quilts, unexpected interruptions and those kinds of things.  Each block is 12" square.  The quilt should have another column of blocks for better balance, but I'm pleased that it is done at last.  The quilting part I did by hand and I discovered how much more I enjoy hand quilting over machine quilting.  This was my very first quilt project, the one I learned how to quilt on, how to make pieced blocks, how to applique, how to lay out a quilt top to prepare for quilting, and finally how to apply a binding.  Tah dah!