Jan19

Fun With The Silhouette Cameo

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I have had the Silhouette Cameo for several years and, I’m afraid, I have to confess I have not used it for anything up until now.  In November 2015 I took the opportunity of attending the Silhouette conference near Atlanta.  Other than freezing all weekend I really enjoyed the class and finally have gotten the time to play.

This was a cup from the Dollar Star, the name and slogan were cut out of adhesive vinyl and attached to the cup.  Still lots of room to learn and improve but it was really fun.  Of course I had to make a mug rug to go along with the coffee!  Mug rug was made in the hoop on the embroidery machine.  Fun project and simple.  I have dishwasher tested the process and find that it holds up to the dishwasher process superbly!

Next I intend to concentrate on some t-shirts with Heat Transfer Vinyl.  I even got a heat press for Christmas so that I could play some more. Running out space on my cutting table though!

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Looking forward to trying to make and adhere rhinestone designs.  I have played with cutting fabric for applique on quilts as well.  I know these machines can accomplish this…just need more user knowledge.

Happy Quilting…Karen

 

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Jan18

LOVE BLUE AND WHITE QUILTS!

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LOVE BLUE AND WHITE QUILTS!

These were the last quilts to come off the quilting table.  Mema does beautiful work and her fabric choices are wonderful.  I really love the blue and white quilt.  Its a blend of lots of blue fabrics and I quilted it with swirls to make the orange peels spin.  Looks great!  The second is another of Mema’s quilts, this one done with 30’s fabrics using the Dresdan shape to create the flowers.  Great idea!

Enjoy your day….Happy quilting!  Karen

Jan14

Latest Quilts Going Home

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Last finished and delivered:

This beautiful table runner made by Paula.  Love the batiks she used for the leaves!  She will certainly be ready for Fall!  Another great quilt by Paula really jumps with color and fantastic fruit/veggies.  Love it.  Wanted to simply quilt it so it is quilted with chevrons and variegated red/yellow thread.  Great fun Quilt!

Happy Quilting!…..Karen

Jan12

STATE OF THE STUDIO

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STATE OF THE STUDIO

Well, this seems a very appropriate day to check on the “State of The Studio”.  I make a really big mess when I am working on a project (kind of like not doing dishes as you are cooking).  That being said, I can’t stand to start a new project, no matter how large or small, when my studio is a mess.  The studio is almost the entire upstairs of my home, and yes, it does overflow downstairs.  The main “game room” holds my longarm, my design walls, my book shelves and longarm thread cabinets along with many other things as well.  Walls are covered with patterns I have printed out, ribbons, notes to myself etc.  Here are some pics of the “main” room.  We will check out the “cutting” room with the another post and then the embroidery/serger/stash room later.  Yes, there are two more bedrooms upstairs and there is barely room for the beds!  Closets are “quilt” full!

Happy Quilting…Karen

 

 

Jan7

Quilting Survives The Holidays

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Quilting Survives The Holidays

Or, maybe I should say, “the quilter survived the holidays” and is back to a more normal workday.  The latest quilt off the table belongs to Roberta A.  She is a big fan of K. Fassett patterns and fabrics.  I really love these fabrics she used in this great quilt!

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I did throw in a Quilts of Valor quilt.  It turned out really well with a rather heavy patriotic design by Nancy Haacke.  I used royal blue Glide thread on the top with a matching bottom line on the bottom.  I love working with the red/white/blue color scheme!

Close up of quilting
Great QOV Pattern

It is the 7th day of the 365 Challenge for one block per day.  Actually, since this challenge originated in Australia, it is the eight day of the challenge.  So far so good, maybe not one per day but I am caught up with the blocks so far.  I was concerned about the color values but a black/white picture of the finished quilt shows that the border we are working on is very dark and the value comes into effect when put next to the light colored blocks.  The blocks, although 3″ square, are really simple!  Go to http://www.365challenge.com.au if you are interested in joining the fun.  She also has a facebook page.  Here are the simple blocks we’ve constructed up until now.  You can see what I mean by the values.  I choose browns and DSC_0004 (1)creams since my stash is overflowing there.  We shall see…..

Happy Quilting….Karen

 

 

Jan4

Quilt Hugs Needed!

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Quilt Hugs Needed!

I am so impressed with Snowball Express, an effort to show love and support to surviving family members of our fallen.  Quilters definitely are there for our troops but I have long been concerned that we are not always there for the families they leave behind when they give their life for our country.  I wanted to share this U-Tube video with you.

So many moms, dads, wifes, husbands, and children have to face the grim reality of never seeing their loved ones again.  These people need quilty hugs!  Quilts of Valor has served our returning vets for many years and do a really admirable job!  Lets not forgot those gold star families!  If you know of any group that is organized with quilts for these families, please let us know.  I would love to join in, even organize, if others are willing.  I know there are so many causes, horrible flooding, refugees, vets from many eras, but there are families we can’t forget!  Families that have given everything for our freedom.

Blanket Ladders????   Check out the search engine on ETSY, only you have to use the word “blanket”….  Oh well, there are some very nice Quilt Display ladders to be found there.

Green thumb..not me  

Just wanted to show you a pic of the gorgeous blooms on my Christmas Cactus, gifted by a good friend.  It is filling with blooms and is absolutely fantastic.  So glad it is a cactus and doesn’t take much care..I am so bad!

incredible cactus blooms

incredible cactus blooms

 

Happy Quilting…Karen

Jan2

Oh..I’d Rather Be Quilting

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Well, the holidays are over and the inevitable has come…time to take down the Christmas tree and decorations!  I sure don’t like this part.  Thought about leaving the tree up all year (I love the lights) but figured that wouldn’t be acceptable..sigh.  So, ornaments and garland off the tree and now I have to figure out a new container for the tree itself.  It’s old home has given up the ghost.  Problems, problems.

Here are a couple more designs for background fill on quilts.  Just imagine a beautiful applique in the center of either of these fills.  They were fun to do, fun to learn, and I’m looking forward to trying them out on some quilts this year.

My 365 Challenge is going well.  This is Day 3 and I have 3 blocks complete – 3″ blocks.  That means I only have 362 more to do before Jan. 1, 2016.  Right on task – wonder if that will be true 6 months from now, or 6 days from now for that matter.

I found reference to another type of 365 challenge that I thought was a terrific way to be ready for the holidays next year.  I wish I could give credit to its inventor but can’t locate that information.  So here it is:

Find a jar and keep it handy.  On day 1 put 1 cent into the jar, day 2 put 2 cents in, on and on, day 100 put $1 in and on day 365 put $3.65 into the jar.  If you are good all year, on day 365 you will have $667.95.  Great, effortless spending money!  I think I will try it!

Watching Downton Abby over again in prep for the last season (sob).  Love this series and my Amazon prime has all 6 seasons.  I’m up to Season 3, Episode 4.  Need to watch the rest of that season, then season 4 and 5, then, alas, the final season starting in the USA now.  I love this show and love the way the costumers have integrated its’ story into the quilting world.  The second time through really lets me SEE what is there, the fantastic fabrics and costume design, the wonderful home as well as the incredible countryside.

Back to the tube…happy quilting.  Karen

 

 

Dec31

365 Challenge Starts Today

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Oh my, it’s the first day of the 365 challenge that I am participating in.  Kinda nervous, I don’t like starting something I can’t, or don’t, finish.  (Please don’t look at my UFO list)  So many choices of things to make on a daily or monthly basis and most start in January.  If any of you are participating in any challenge please join and show us your project.  In this case we were given two blocks to choose from, one a really easy 3 piece rail fence and the other, well lets say its definitely more complicated!  Hopefully I’ll get mine done and post pictures tomorrow.

Trying to finish a wall hanging that I started at the Houston Quilt Festival this year.  It was a thread painting class with Pam Holland.  This was simply a cat’s head that was based on a photograph but is super fun and pretty easy to do.  Not quite finished yet but here is a pic:DSC_0415I love the background fabric and will do some quilting on it when I finish the cat.  He is almost finished.  It is all thread except some of the inside of the ears.  Loved doing it!

So, I belong to two guilds and both are doing a UFO challenge this year.  Five items over a 12 month period.  So…submit same 5 for both guilds (no, that isn’t right), pick 10 pretty easy finishes? – maybe, or just find the 10 UFO’s that I really want to finish – probably.  I have to make up my mind shortly so will let you know.  Way to many UFO’s to pick from!

Off to work.  Happy Quilting.  Karen

 

Dec30

Wow, I’m Back!! Quilt blogging again!

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Well, it’s only been 1 1/2 years but blogging has peaked my interest again since I am trying to cut back on the number of customer quilts I am doing each week to have more time to play and talk with you.  I am actually taking a couple of weeks off and “playing with quilting and my Intelliquilter again.  Working on fun new backgrounds for applique and/or show quilts.  I love technology and really like the challenge of making the computer “sew”.  This is one background fill I’ve played with.  the echo pearl design would look great around your fantastic applique!

Great around applique

Great around applique

My new favorite blog:  I am Pam by Pam Holland      Check it out!

My new challenge:  http://www.365challenge.com.au   Check it out and join me.  one block a day for 356 days!  Starts Jan. 1   Great scrap project!!

See you soon!  Happy Quilting

Karen