Picket Gate Corners

I did it! 

Even though worn out erasers reminded of my old persistent math teacher, I dutifully bent once again over the fractions and geometrical shapes scratched on my graph paper. He had never quite convinced me of math talent, but through his many practice sheets, at least he gave some knowledge on how to figure out a new block for my quilt!
So, today...I finally have my picket fence corner blocks!

My concern was to square off my "Butterflies in a Garden" quilt border just like a garden fence!

I drew what I was picturing in my head with the desire to have easy geometrical shapes fit together nicely, finishing with an 8" block for each corner. It was the corner post that challenged me because I wanted the picket fence to meet in the corner, turn sharply and finish with the sky still above the fence.

As I worked, I wrote a list of needed measurements, and cut them out for a sample. 

2 blue rectangles....1 1/2 x 2 1/2 inch each
1 blue square...1 inch sq
1 white square...1 inch sq
1 white square....2 1/2 inch sq

These pieces gave me a 3 1/2 x 3 1/2 inch square.

Then I attached this square to a block made of 3 fence posts trimmed to 3 1/2"tall. This gave me

half of my finished block. I then attached this half to 3 full length fence posts going in the new direction for the continuing look of a fence border.
This little HST made an interesting little post on top of the corner post, and left sky on the outer rim of my border.
I didn't need to change my measurements for fence posts. I found I could just cut my prepared fence posts in half, using the bottom half for another corner's 3 1/2" tall fence posts.
Making fence posts can be found at this site:
http://debi-peacebypiece.blogspot.com/2013/05/making-my-picket-fence.html


Because of the fabric I purchased, I needed to constantly be alert of the NAP. The skylines can best be seen in the above small square, where they turn the corner with the post. Please notice also the look of wood splinters in the white. This changed direction for me along with the seam.
This may be a tad bit OCD for a quilter, but it mattered! So, to keep me from making many mistakes, I ironed each blue square in half, then put them in dishes for RIGHT or LEFT.
I like the result of seeing little wisps of clouds floating horizontally as you would see on a summer day.

I cut, measured over and over, ripping out a seam here or there, and squaring over and over...but finally, with a big sigh, I have a perfectly squared 8" block, with a little bit of flare for a corner post!

I assembled all corner blocks, liking how nicely they came together. So as I leave my sewing center...
all four CORNER blocks sit waiting for the rest of the picket fence!

PS. I think this photo best shows all the lines in the nap and how I turned the fabric to match the horizon lines of the sky! I also like the splintered wood look of the white posts.  
This hasn't been squared yet. :) (no quilting police allowed)

VIrtual Bee Quilt Block #3

Adding this post to WIP Wednesday and "What are you doing?" Block Hop (click on links in right column), because TODAY...I'm busy in my sewing room.

I am cutting out the pieces for Block 4.
Thought you'd like to see that the colors are working together (photo of 3) with the soft blue swirls for a background...

Wa-hoo!
It's FRIDAY, and I've finished another block for the Virtual Quilting Bee and Sassy Quilter's challenge.

This one went together very easily and was so fun!

My greatest challenge seems to be choosing the fabric for each particular block.

My stash is the Multidot & Delight Layer Cake.

I spend a considerable amount of time placing fabric here and there before I settle on the pieces.

To make things less confusing for me in this decision process, I begin each block with a background from the "soft blue swirls" fabric.
The instructions are awesome!
I don't know what the final result will be yet, but so far, these fabrics seem to be making a pleasing array of design.

I'm so glad I chose to join this Virtual Bee and Challenge!

If any reader still desires to jump in and join us, click on one of the links above and start cutting and assembling your blocks. Make sure to connect with us so we can see your blocks and join you in this fabulous group's
                 "oooh and ahhhh"!

Goodbye dear old friend

My old friend

The pages of my calendar turned a couple of times since I first began this post, but wow! I've been so busy reading the manual unpackaged with my new "tool for sewing"! Actually, it's my new "toy" to enhance hours of crafting joys!
In November, it became necessary to spend my own Christmas gift money because the mending pile was climbing so high, causing me to get lost just entering my craft room. It seemed like each family member needed this little hole mended, or this item hemmed, or a few tucks and darts here or there...and my old friend just couldn't revive enough to help me out.
I made several excursions to the closest sewing machine shop, overwhelmed with all the new possibilities. In a few shops, the prices were staggering, comparing themselves to the ticket on a used car! Decades had passed since I even considered replacing my childhood sewing machine and it was obvious a prosperous economy has influenced even this market! I spent shopping hours in awe over the new possibilities, listening to salesmen expound on the necessities of accessories and buttons, and watched as needles created awesome stitches. I read every brochure I could find, and researched the web for information. After many days of deliberation, I wearily set a price tag in my mind for what I actually needed and wanted, determined not to be swayed or overwhelmed by "bigger and better". Armed with 3 girlfriends and their advice, I marched into the Sewing Machine shop.

My new toy...oops, I mean "tool"! 

It was difficult not to be drawn to a higher price tags, but I knew what I needed and stood firm. I purchased a 3160QDC Janome to replace my aged New Home machine. Oh, yes...a couple of weeks later, 2 of the girlfriends purchased the same model, but I think they found an even better deal!  I hope we can spend time together, learning all the possibilities this little machine can create for us!

She's a beautiful machine & cabinet

Nostalgia still draws my heart to the dear old friend for simplicity and familiarity, but the parts are old and need to retire before I spend too much for repairs. Doesn't she sit in such a beautiful cabinet?
We've spent many hours together while making most of the clothes for my girls. But the time has come to stretch with electronic abilities and join new technology in a reasonable fashion and without too much debt inflicted. My SIL has offered to place her on Craig's list for me so, I'm hoping she finds a wonderful home.
Visions of quilting projects now invade my dreams as I read the manual on my Janome. This little machine has so many beautiful stitches that will be useful and fun. So far, I love the new stretch stitch with double needles for many of the knit tee-shirts that needed mending. Matter of fact, I found mending a breeze with just a touch of a button!
As soon as the mending pile disappeared, I tackled some new pre-washed fabrics on my cutting table and created Christmas gifts for my sisters! It was so much fun to sew on my new Janome!
So, Happy New Year, dear blog friends.
May all your dreams be stitched in time and pleasure be found with your "friend" this year!

Remember when I won the basket?

Looking back over the year is best accomplished for me with a quiet afternoon to glance through the photo albums I created each month by clearing my camera onto my computer. As I click through the photos, I allow my heart to walk back through the memories and joys once again. It gives me a chance to reflect on all God's blessings for the past year and praise Him for his love. This afternoon, I began in my Sewing/Quilting album, and realized I never posted any photos on that lovely basket I won on the SAFARI SHOP HOP.

Who could resist time with these?

I'm so sorry. Life became so busy and full of my 3 grand daughters being in the states with us. Look...can you blame me?
 The photos were filed, but the script not written for my blog friends to enjoy the basket with me! I also remembered that I saved the photos to blog until my three traveling friends could enjoy the "spoils" with me in person.

So, with no more delay, here are a few snapshots of the wonderful basket. It was packed full with pattern books, a calendar (2008) of patterns, stencils, kits, charm packs, and fat quarters. There was even a pack of batting and several sewing/quilting notions.

Full basket

For my Redwork project

There is so much in this remarkable basket that as a novice quilter, my heart grew faint thinking of all the projects and work it will take to make everything offered in the prize!
My favorite bundle is this red/white fabric. I've already started a Redwork project of antique scenes on muslin, and will use these fabrics to make the border around all each block of embroidery. Another blog will show what I plan to do to join the blocks together with these fabrics, and what the final outcome plan will be for this bundle.

Flannel...pillowcases?

Wrapped in ribbon was my next favorite combination. This pile was an assortment of flannel. I absolutely love the color of burgundy, but when you add a couple of plaid fabrics and top it with a simple floral, my heart is hooked. I have no idea what this grouping will make yet, but I know that something very special will pull all these fat quarters together in a lovable project. Just touching the flannel gives a cuddly feeling.

I offered anything from this whole basket of goodies to my three favorite quilting friends. They "ahhh'd" over each item pulled from the basket and many comments were made as to what they thought they could make with this or that. The final agreement is that they would remember what I had in my quilting box and when it is needed, it would be theirs for the taking. I really want to share it all with them just as they shared their days of shop hoping with me.  Time will tell as our projects evolve which parts of this basket are used by one of us. I just know it will be fun to be together, working on a various of projects and have the availability of all this "stuff" at our fingertips!

We're waiting for the next one!

Seeing the photos of this basket, reminded me again of the good times we had on our road trip and the excitement we had on the SAFARI SHOP HOP.  As a new year comes across the horizon, here's one quilter hoping the shop owners decide to plan another "HOP" really soon!

Have a happy and wonderful new year with your hobbies!

The little things...

Quilt hanging for Dad's room

Oh! I am so sorry! This month, 8 technicians guessed which part of the cable made my TV, telephone, and internet shut down! It has been absolutely frustrating, but I think everything that could be replaced, has been!
Is this a good enough excuse why my blog has been so quiet?  
I even messed up on FNSI! Please forgive my neglect! A stored "cheat cloth" caught my attention while cleaning, so for FNSI, I finished this quilt hanging. The artist, Norman Rockwell, is my Dad's favorite artist, although my daughter's work runs a very close second for her Grandpa. I stitched around all the figures and the border. I really wanted to add sparkling satin ribbons to the gifts at the bottom (another year, maybe), but for now, it brightens a little apartment for a dear elderly man.

The "baby"!

An eastern flight took our family soon after Thanksgiving, leaving behind a definite silence and emptiness in our home. We were together for 5 months and feel so blessed for all the memories we made. We watched the infant grand daughter change daily and grow into a beautiful toddler. While the family packed suitcases, she even accomplished rolling over to reach some colorful toys. She giggles and has the brightest smiles. Now, I wait for the phone calls, carefully listening for the talking sounds which show her verbal skills keep developing, too. Her first word is definitely "ma-ma"!

visiting a sick neighbor with treats

The oldest two have experienced so many new adventures in America. I think their favorite spots are the local libraries! They are having a wonderful time with paternal family members and each phone conversation fills me in on their daily activities. Christmas is exciting for them this year! They cannot wait to see JOY in their friends' eyes when gifts they chose are opened, and they say they have bundles of hugs for all their cousins!
So, as we watch our tree lights twinkle, my Don and I are recalling this awesome year. We're thanking our God for His goodness and faithfulness to us, and for the blessing of family and friends. I also greet you during this special celebration of Christ's birth and wish you all a wonderful season with your families.

Friday Night Sew-In

I invite you, my stitching comrades, to join me in "Friday Night Sew-In" on November 19th. Here is the link to explain all the details and how to join the group...
http://handmadebyheidi.blogspot.com/
I hope to do a lot of hand stitching that night and finish a big project I've been working on for a long while.
Please come join me and let me know what you'll be doing that evening. That way, I'll be thinking of you working on your project while I patiently stitch my way to the "finish line".
Envisioning creativity in color! Debi

Friday Sew-IN challenge met...

Getting into jammies and dreaming of sewing for an entire Friday evening was one thing! But, blogging what I've accomplished on a Friday night "sew-in"? That takes a lot of courage! I have 36 Dresden-decorated white blocks spread around me on the bed ready to be assembled, but I am so nervous!
You see, I'm a newbie...and this is a big deal to me! I cannot believe I am telling professional quilters that I am making a quilt one hand-stitch at a time...and then, showing them how it is slowly coming together. I never would have guessed that I would even blog, and have others see my feeble handiwork! I had big dreams of some day sewing a quilt, but wow...what a support group I gained by hanging out around you all!
In a previous blog, you can read my first photos in this attempt, and I will add new photos later tomorrow because you all are so encouraging and write things that make me think I can accomplish this great feat!
So...here goes - I am sewing and having a ball! Debi

A VERY FUN DAY

It was absolutely amazing! My four friends chose the day for a field trip and we piled into the largest van and took off for Hamilton, MO. One of them had found "the coolest Quilt Shop website" and the address was close enough for a day's excursion! Quietly two admitted to their tryst and day's excursion to spy out the place, begging a guilt trip for shopping without us. They tried every possible excuse for why they came across the location weeks before telling us what they found!

"I'm here! I'm finally here!"

What fun we had! Chatting and catching up on the summer past, we covered the miles quickly and pulled up next to a corner store. Photos had to be taken immediately for the explorer, but she struggled to pose as she danced a jig at the entrance into the place of her website!

Even the bathroom had displays!

Inside, I stood amazed. A colorful array of quilts lined the walls, and stacks of charms, jellyrolls, and bolts decorated each wall. I was drawn to the Autumn color pallet of fabrics across the first room and found beautiful charms in navy, gold, and garnet! I knew a pile of those would be in my shopping bag before I left the store!

Jenny, the store owner, greeted us enthusiastically, as did her husband and daughter! Jenny pointed out the Daily Special Rack and began a story of why this special was one of her favorites. From that conversation, she jumped to several "shortcuts" we'd enjoy. When our faces told her we were not picturing her lesson,

Right then, she taught us the short cuts!

she pulled open a drawer under her cutting board and with a "Let me show you!" began one of many demonstrations we saw in our field trip. I cannot tell you how many simple tricks she taught us in such a short time. She also made me think I could accomplish great things with the little blocks, the long strips and the tools hanging on the walls around us!

Jenny showed us many new tools

If you love quilting, please find some time to click on their shop website and enjoy all they offer or give yourself a treat and drive to Hamilton, MO!
Their website: http://missouriquiltco.com/shop And wow...great tutorials are in store for you at this site!

Here's the beauty of it!

And just for a quick note, I want to thank my awesome girlfriends for planning such a wonderful day of shopping, lunch, and just being together.
You all made a special memory for me!
And my vote is: "Let's do it again real soon!"