What a winter we are having. The weather forecast said we would get some snow last night but it sounded like it would be just rain mixed with some snow and then turning to snow by late today. Instead we woke up to 3 1/2 inches of very wet heavy snow. It stopped but the news says it will start again in the afternoon and through the night. I wonder how much we will get? We briefly lost our power this morning so I hope it won’t be a lot more to make trees and power lines heavy. What we have now is the heavy wet stuff. I thought I would do a blog post this morning in case we loose power later. We do have the generator but hubby is working today and I don’t know if I would be able to get it started – it has a pull cord on it and I am not good at those!
The last time I measured the snow I used one of my sewing rulers that is a little confusing and not clear and concise. I pulled out a different one (wavy edge) and it has the numbers marked really well. Just a tad over 3 1/2 inches right now.
Our winter wonderland
and another view
Of course this isn’t anything like what everyone out on the east coast got on Saturday. One of my sisters and one brother live in Northern Maryland about 15 miles apart. They had a whopping 30 to 36 inches. Saturday was my sister Vicki’s birthday – here she is in the snow in front of their house.
Luckily a neighbor has a snowplow and cleared their driveway and here it is all piled up in the front yard! A birthday to remember! (Vicki in front of her house)
Thank you all for your comments on the border of my quilt that I posted yesterday. I have gotten started on the applique and though it will take awhile to complete I am having fun doing it. I will need to make time this month to get busy on this months assignment for the Star Crazy quilt. I have my instructions printed out and now to figure out what colors from my scraps to use and get busy making what they say needs to be done this month.
After making more circles last night and earlier today the top is ready for the applique stitches. I will be working for the next several week on this border to get it done. I couldn’t lay it all out for you to see as I don’t have enough floor room so I had to fold it a little.
better than nothing but I wish I had room to lay it out totally flat.
Here it is folded in half
To work on it neatly and have it not end up a wrinkled up mess I fold it so that the border is on top.
then I fold it in half again and again. This is an easy size to work with. As I get the applique finished I keep refolding it so that the border is always on top. I have found from past experience that it works out best folding it like this - other wise you tend to start tripping over it when you get up to move and also it gets very wrinkled this way it stays nice and neat.
I periodically will bring it back to the sewing room to match up threads as closely as I can. Now you can see why I say this thread cabinet was one of my best quilting investments. I can't always find a thread to match but most of the time I can. When I do not have a thread that matches closely I use a beige color silk thread that usually doesn't show up with the tiny stitches that I use. I will probably match up thread for about 6 to 10 circles at a time and then I put the threads back in the cabinet and match up more. It will be time to refold it about then anyhow.
I tend to do more of my applique work in the living room while watching tv and I have a lamp that extends out over my work so I am comfortable and have a well lite area.
I might have a new photo to take of the daffodils tomorrow – they might be in the snow! Yes they say winter is back tonight and we might be getting a little snow during the night and all day tomorrow. I don’t think they expect we will get a lot though, most of that will be north of us. I guess it will be a good day to make progress on the applique.
Our snow fall will not be anything like what one of my sisters and one of my brothers had – they both live in northern Maryland and they had about 30 to 36 inches of the white stuff the other day!!
First I will explain the “spring is coming” comment on the top. I know a lot of you are under snow and getting more as I write – I’m talking about all of you out east – I know you are in the midst of a strong winter storm I imagine others of you in the northern areas are too. But here – in north central Arkansas look what I discovered today when I went to get the mail out of the mailbox! I think the groundhog of the south (located in Georgia) is right – spring is in the air (even if it feels like winter 
at times )
the earliest variety of our daffodil bulbs are budding out. This always happens in February it seems, sometimes we have them popping open with snow around them. You always know that spring is really on its way when we see these.
And another clump - we still have a little bit of last weeks snow on the ground in places in the shade. I would not be surprised though to see a little more snow come our way before spring is actually here though.
I told you all I was going to be working on the border of my circles and four patch quilt which I am now naming “Going in Circles” I think it is appropriate. I have been taking some photos as I go along with it to show how I do it. I do not follow any particular rules this is just design as I go.
The first most important step in my opinion is protect your work surface especially if this is your new dining table! I have a large cutting mat 30 x 36 and I use that for the protection. The table is being protected from any glue leaking through.
I start in a corner so that is what I lay in place first.
The supplies - the circles, the nine patches, vines, glue, scissors, and a photo of the border that I am using for inspiration.
I forgot to take a photo of my first corner as I was doing it so this is a photo of the second corner - put your corner segments in place first - one corner at a time is best but you can do all corner first then go to the sides, up to you. These are glue basted in place.
put glue dots on circles as you are ready for them. I put about 2 feet of the vine down first with glue dots on the back, press them in place with your fingers, curve them as you desire. Then I put a circle on each side of the vine, I wasn't going to measure but then I decided I needed to as some were to far apart (they peel up well if the glue is still damp), I am putting the circles about 3 1/2 inches apart on each side of the vine.
getting ready to lay out more of the vine - the vine is all in one piece on each side of the quilt border.
When I got about 2 to 3 feet from the end of the border I laid the next corner pieces in place and glue basted them down. This is so I know where I want my vine to meander and end. Then I cut the vine to the right length ( I will trim a little more off when I get it all basted in place. I glue baste this portion of the vine in place and tuck the end under the 9 patch. The 9 patches also will be needle turned appliqued in place. Using the glue is an easy way to baste also if you need to make adjustments you can gently tug a piece up and reposition as you are working.
One side of the border is done and the second is almost done. Enough done so I can take this photo so you can see what it will look like. Now back to making more circles - I thought I had plenty! LOL I ran out before I finished the second side - talk about not judging correctly!! I had at first done some circles in two different sizes but the larger size was too big I felt so I am going to cut those smaller to begin with and use them to make more of the smaller size circles. That will let me finish the second side of the border but then I will be back to making more circles. Maybe I will get this done late tomorrow or Monday instead of today!
This sure adds a colorful finish to the borders doesn’t it!
Today it rained all day – so what do most quilters do on a rainy day? They tend to stay in and sew like me if they are able to. I did run out to the fitness center and then it was back home to fabric and a book
I made my vines today for the border of the quilt. I cut the bias strips yesterday and today I prepared that long, long piece of bias that I had sewed together yesterday – all 420 inches of it!! I don’t know what method most of you use but here are the steps I use once it is sewn together. I forgot to take photos yesterday of me cutting the strips and sewing them. To make my bias strips into vines or stems I use the product from Clover – it comes in various sizes. ( I have not ordered from this link given but I linked it to the Clover site) There is a fusible tape that you can use with this tool also and iron your stems and vines down. Sometimes I use it other times I don’t. There has been a time or two when I could see the fusible through the fabric and it didn’t look good. Other times it doesn’t seem to stay ironed on. Most of the time in the last couple years that I have used it I just press it and then when I put it on my quilt top I use the Roxanne Glue Bast It to hold it in place until I stitch it down. In this case I will continue to do my hand stitching as so much of this top already has hand stitching in it (the circles) and also because for me it will be neater!!
this is my bias stem/vine maker. It is by Clover and this one is 1/4 inch wide.
I lightly spray with starch (in BACK of the maker - don't spray the area that has already been pressed or it will open back up), give it a second or two to dry slightly and then start pressing the seams down with the iron as you pull/push the maker the opposite direction. I constantly move the iron to keep up with it to press the seams under. I don't even lift the iron up but a kind of push the maker with the iron as I press.
I cut a piece of cardboard off of things in the kitchen cupboard for winding the vines to keep them neat - in this case a large box of microwave popcorn came into use.
400 inches of bias piled up on the floor
420 inches of vines neatly waiting for me to glue baste in place on the border - maybe tomorrow?
Tonight I have gotten some little 9 patch blocks ready and have some more to make. After that it is more circles – I’m making 2 different sizes from scraps and they will go on the sides of the quilt border most likely on both sides intermittent along the vines.
Yesterday I just about completed 2 Dear Jane blocks for the “Insanity Revisited” quilt, I finished one up this morning. The two done:
Block number 8 from row 10
Block number 9 from Row 10. It seems that at times on this quilt the original maker Jane Stickle must have enjoyed making certain kinds of pieces in this case oval shapes, these two and the next two have them. They are a pain to make in my opinion!
Now I am back to making the patchwork blocks for the border until CSI comes on at 8 – how do you all like CSI lately – I haven’t enjoyed it as much the last two seasons now that they replaced the Grissom character with Lawrence Fishburns character – he just doesn’t seem to go with the other cast members as well I think and also not the same since they killed off Warrick last year, or was that two years ago? Too many changes aren’t good for a show at times!! In my opinion
I have decided on my border – thank you all for your opinions. I am going to put the vines on the border like the one I showed you on the baby quilt. I will put nine patches in the corners also in pretty much the same arrangement and then on the sides of the borders I will put circles here and then instead of the patches shown in the baby quilt. I was busy today cutting bias strips to make the vines but that is all the further I got with it today.
Someone asked in the comments on yesterday’s post how I plan to quilt this quilt — by hand of course! I do not quilt any other way. I think she mainly wondered because of all the seams. For me when hand quilting I go with the design of the quilt. I would not try to do anything fancy – wreaths or what not on the main part of the quilt because of all the seams. Around the circles I will quilt circles (outline) and on the squares I will have a diagonal line run through them. Yes the seams make it a little harder but there will just be a couple bigger stitches there. This is for me not a show or whatever, the size of the stitches do not matter to me, consistency does. On the border I will do outline stitch around the vines, circles and blocks and then the diagonal lines from the squares will run through to the border – that is what I am thinking right now. Another questions was why did I have a baby quilt — I’m not sure why that question was asked – don’t all quilters make baby quilts? This particular baby quilt was given to one of nephews on the birth of their baby about 4 years ago, I take pictures of most of my quilts and have a computer file to pull photos from. I have made a lot of baby quilts over the years. I used to try to make them for all the babies in the family but I come from a very, very large family and can no longer keep up with them. I still make baby quilts now and then, sometimes for charity and sometimes to sell.
I spent part of the day finishing a book I was reading so I could get my books back to the library before they were over due. Of course seeing as I was at the library I checked 3 more out. I also made a cake earlier – Mike’s birthday today – we will go out for supper later – steak for him – I don’t make a good steak and I don’t care who knows it steak is not a favorite of mine as I know it is for so many people, maybe that is why I don’t make one well?
We actually get a little more snow I hear over the next two days! I am amazed – this winter seems to be drawing out longer than normal for us. The temperatures are not bad though and what we have on the ground is melting.
I have a book I want to share with you all. I’m giving it a great review. I wonder how many of you quilters have this handy reference? This is a great little book. I picked it up at a quilt shop on one of our travels someplace – the sticker on the book says “Hearthside Quilt Shoppe”. We have stopped at plenty of quilt shops when we travel, it could have been anywhere! The book is by Peggy Scholley and it has a ton of information stuck into 30 pages. The book: “The Quilters Pocket Reference” I do not know if Peggy has a website to order the book from, the link I gave goes to Amazon. Com
The Quilter's Pocket Reference by Peggy Scholley
An example of the inside pages. This book gives you information and measurements. How big do you need to cut a piece of fabric to make a 3 inch half square triangle block? The book tells you. Run your finger down the column of numbers and you will find what you need. Anything from figuring out how much the fabric will cost to make you quilt to hst's and borders, how to cut and measure for quilt backs, calculate yardage for squares. You name it the little book has it. I really think it is one of the handiest books on my shelf - in fact I don't even keep it on my book shelf among the other books I have it on the shelf right above my cutting table where I can access it easily and always know where it is!
This is a very handy book and I recommend it to all quilters – especially if you are poor at math like I am
One more Insanity Revisited block is finished, actually I almost finished two last night but the one not shown I have several pieces to applique on to it and will show it another day.
Block # 7 Row 10 "Insanity Revisited"
As you all know (if you read my blog that is LOL ) I finished a big quilt top last week – my circles and four patches. I have been pondering how to finish off the border. I had thought to just scatter some circles around but I’m now thinking of another idea light bulbs are always going off aren’t they. Here is the picture of the quilt with the incomplete border in case you haven’t seen it.
The four patches and circles quilt
Now what do you think of this border on this baby quilt that I made about 4 years ago – only on the big queen size top.
I really like this border. (I think I found this pattern in a McCall's magazine - maybe about 6 years ago? I no longer have the magazine I just cut the pattern out)
Maybe put the four patches in the corners and then circles in other places – or all four patches as this one has? Actually I think 9 patch would be better color wise. Because it is a queen size quilt and this was a baby size, more patches would go on the sides of course. I don’t know why I happened to think of this baby quilt earlier when I was looking at the border. I will make vines using the darker of the two aqua colors that I used in the Dutch Treat quilt. I have plenty leftover and would be able to make bias stripes easily from it. That color has been used here and there in the four patches and will go well with the light aqua stripe in the border.
I will get started making bias strips for the vines and see what you all have to say and decide later on patches and circles.
Of course now that I have been looking at this baby quilt so much today I have of course thought how great it would look in a queen size too LOL — maybe next year
I told you all yesterday that the red and green applique had some red bleeding on it. I couldn’t zoom in on the bleed very well so you could see it. I could see it – it wasn’t a lot but I thought what the heck lets see if I could get it out. Before I do another red and green block I will pre-treat all of the fabric first, just plain washing it doesn’t always work with red and green I have found!!
Ok so here is what I did – first I basted Shout Color Catchers all over the colored pieces of the block.
the catchers basted on the block
Then I put it in the wash in a lingerie bag with some laundry soap – cold water wash. This is what it looked like when it got done.
I don't know if you can see on this photo that there is red dye caught in the catcher - but when I looked on the other side I could still see dye in the fabric.
Remember this was an experiment – if I had to re-do this block I would. I had a fourth of a bottle (4 oz) of Retayne (I have not used the company at this link but I am showing what the product looks like for those of you who have not used it) left so I put the machine on a small load once again and I dumped the rest of the bottle in it!
When the wash load stopped I took it out and took the stitches out holding the color catchers to the block. Can you see the red dye in places? I'm happy to report that all of the bleeding came out. What did happen though is that the background block is actually just a tad lighter now - weird! There had been a brownish type of marking by the top rose bud on the left side at the top. If you look at yesterday's picture you will see it. It is not there now. But all the bleeding is out.
the finished block - it shrunk just a tad. It is supposed to be a 16 1/2 inch block and it is a 16 1/4 inch block instead. I will deal with that later by having a skinny seam allowance when it is sewed together.
the rose bud where there had been a brownish type of marking that was in the fabric is on the top left side.
before using the color catchers and the Retayne - see the brownish mark? I don't know if you can see the bleeding -it is just a light pink
It is possible that the red and green colors have lost just a little bit of color but as all of the blocks will be in various red and green fabrics it doesn’t matter for the overall quilt. I am ordering more of the Retayne (the company I use is Connecting Threads as their books are 40% off right now and there is one I want (of course I will find a few other things I need as well) – if your order comes to $50 it is free shipping) and I will follow the directions on the bottle and pre-treat all of the red and green fabrics I will be using! I learned my lesson.
Our snow is starting to melt already – we got up to 35 degrees today and the rest of the week should be in the 40’s – this snow will not last long!! Because I spent just about 3 whole days in the house and barely got outside I did get some sewing done, and a bit of tv watched! Too much, I don’t like to sit still for so long and can only wander back and forth in the house so much. I spent a lot of time on my applique square for the Red & Green Traditional quilt. Even though I washed my reds and greens 3 times I can now see I will have to pre-treat as well. I finished the block and washed it this evening as I had glue basted and I like to wash the glue out. I had a little bit of bleeding!!! Not a lot and it isn’t real noticeable. I have some Retayne and I will try treating it tomorrow and see if that little bit will come out. I am also going to order a new bottle as I am almost out – I might just order two while I am at it as I can see that even though I washed all of these reds and greens numerous times I might just as well pre-treat them all as well.
Block one of the Red and Green Quilt. In this photo the bleeding does not show up well and my husband couldn't spot it without me pointing it out to him so it is not real noticeable - probably just to quilters that are looking for that kind of thing. All of the rosebuds are from the same fabric, it was a really great mottled red that had some black in it as well to almost shades of pink, great for buds so they are not all the same. The really dark ones in the photo though are a little darker than they actually are, they appear darker here and I couldn't lighten the photo up properly.
Block 5 from Row 10 Dear Jane, Insanity Revisited. The first time I made this quilt I pieced this block as shown in the book, this time I appliqued it for something different - I think it was actually easier to piece.
Tomorrow I am getting out of the house for sure – I can’t stand being in the house all the time I go crazy.
The storm passed during the night and although it certainly took it’s time going through Oklahoma and Arkansas we saw on the news this morning that it certainly rushed it’s way to the east coast during the night! amazing how fast it moved once it left our state. We in the south get pretty excited about our winter storms, I think it is because we don’t have very many of them and all of you in the north are tired of them by December! I remember – I’ve been there and done that!! I grew up on the shores of Lake Michigan in Wisconsin and had long hard winters, then we lived for a time in Connecticut and Idaho when Mike was in the military so had plenty of snow then too. Here though we are lucky to get a winter storm once a year, there have been times when children in this area of Arkansas didn’t see snow for several years at a time. I’m sure there are plenty of snowmen being made today. I bundled up earlier this morning (high of 25 right now) and took photo’s before the snow lost it’s pretty untouched look.
The snow measures at four and a half inches. I thought we had more than that!! Maybe it is higher in other parts of the yard this is on the patio table. (sewing ruler so the numbers look messed up on it - can be used from either end - I thought it said 6 1/2 and had to recheck it)
a frozen pine tree
a part of the yard looking really white
a set of animal tracks down by the woods - I do not recognize what they are from - We had plenty of deer, cat and dog prints but these?
yesterday it was covered with ice now with snow - I wonder if I will be able to get the doors open when I go outside in a little bit to clear it off and get warmed out so I can get out of the house for a little while and exercise.
the road in front of our house - a slushy mess right now, tonight down to 14 or lower - it will be all ice tomorrow.
our yard from the top of the driveway
another view - we have close to 4 acres, and about a third of it is trees.
Well thank goodness so far we have not had the massive ice storm that was predicted. We have ice but it is not too bad out there right now. We probably got about a 1/4 inch of ice and now it is snowing, the weatherman says it will snow all day. So far it has gone from big pretty snowflakes to light snow. We have taken photos of course and maybe tomorrow morning it will be even prettier than it is now. I hope the snow does not add to the weight on the power lines though and that we continue to be lucky with no outages.
My bird feeder is a little way from the house – I filled it up yesterday and it is empty already. I don’t want to walk over the feeder to fill it so I threw seed out around the yard from the safety of the porch
birds feeding on the patio
more birds
my car covered in ice and now you can see the snow
pretty cardinal
looking from the porch to the workshop - admiring the pretty snow.
the squirrels are hungry too and eating the birdseed right next to the birds.
No quilting photos today. I finished a book this morning that I wanted to get done with and then sat at the quilting frame for awhile working on the Christmas Quilt. Now I have a long afternoon and evening to fill up so I will get busy on my applique and see if there is a movie on tv. Hopefully the roads will be sanded and cleared a little tomorrow and we might get out at least to exercise. I hope everyone else has been lucky with this storm system and have not lost power, right now they said there are only a limited few power losses.
