I have made some progress

I got this tub of batiks from my Mother's stash. I like the bold colors, but never was attracted to them. I have just left them out to see if I could get inspired. Most of this tub is fat quarters. I have an applique project I wanted to get started and so why not use them for the applique pieces. There are a lot of variations within one piece. 

This is just a small piece, but look at the posibilites. 

Here is another group of the pieces. I can see this in applique flowers. 

I started last night with trcing on freezer paper and then I decided I need to do a different process. Also my permanent marker is going dry so I need to replace it to finish. Next trip to Walmart. 

These block patterns are from Teresa Rawson's Little Treasures. I bought the packages of flowers patterns. I have my background fabric bought so it is just get the pen and start in. 

Gloomy weather again today. No precip. but just dark. Hope you have a great day. Chris

This is another baby quilt size

This is another crib quilt in the works. I made this one and decided it wasn't big enough. Lots of color.

So I added 4-patches to the outside edges. Now I think it is big enough. I need to get this one basted and ready to be quilted. 

My husband started a big project. He is painting the ceiling today in his room. Then the walls need to be painted also. It has been several years and this is the last of the main projects. This will be two rooms done when this is completed. 

Well the sun was put for 30 minutes. Not near as long as it needs to be. It was 13 degrees at 5 am this morning. It is about 27 degrees out now at 10:42 am. Have a good day. Chris

I think this is ready to sandwich

I went into sew for a short period of time. I got the last border on this. I just didn't think it was wide enough for a crib quilt. This is crayon colors and really bright. Just from 2 inch wide strips. 

This is what I thought  would be enough but it just wasn't quite as wide as I liked. I put it down for several days well like 20 days if you look at the dates on the pictures. I thought about it and decided to add the logs around the 4-patches. 

I think it works and adds about 3 inches more to the width of the quilt. Which isn't much but it finished off the edge in my opinion, but who am I?

So later tonight I will get the backing pressed and get the batting ready. Maybe tomorrow I can get it pin basted and decide on the quilting and thread. I have a pale yellow I might use. 

Hope you have had a good sewing day. Chris

Errand day

Nothing real exciting for today. I have to go today and get the oil changed in my car and while it is there they are going to rotate tires.

Then I am driving to meet my son at the Fire station he is working at today. I need to talk to him face to face and not over text for a change. He works all the time and is exhausted when he is home.

Trying to regroup with my thoughts on doing machine quilting. I am not good at free motion quilting. I think the type of quilts I make the walking foot method is going to be the best I can do.

I have watched You Tube videos of using this method. Also I have experience with using a walking foot with garment sewing for years.

I am not bashful about my short comings when it comes to free motion quilting. I know I am not good at it and at this point in my life I know my learning curve is beyond my abilities. Not saying I can't try to learn, but just not a priority.

At the time I quit work I  had a dream of teaching basic piecing and trying to do machine quilting. I looked into buying a used longarm machine, but my life style changed because my husband's health changed. I am so glad I didn't get that job done with the purchase. I know now with my back issues I never would be able to stand to finish even a section of a quilt. Sometimes things happen for the best.

I love to look at machine quilting and longarm quilting. It fascinates me how these quilters come up with the beautiful quilts they do for others and for their judged pieces.

Well need to get a take along bag to go while I sit and wait for my car to get done. I am sure it will be about an hour worth of repairs to sit through.

Have a good day. Chris

Bits and pieces

Some more hexie work going on. I do this in the morning to get my hands limbered up. This is the 3/4 inch hexie papers. So it goes a little faster. I have been using garment thread to baste the paper pieces. Might as well use it up.

I have been the person many gave me leftover thread to. I received a lot of polyester thread and it was ugly colors so in basting it has worked well. In the Utility quilts I make I use polyester thread for stitching the units. 

Some will say that isn't right. Well polyester batting is used so what is the difference??

I found sets of these little containers at the local hardware/lumber yard. They have 3 larger containers with snap lids and three smaller ones. They can be connected together with the black little handles also. 

I use them for my EPP pieces and also small applique pieces. With them being clear you can find what you want at a glance. I think i got them on sale and then a month later they were buy two and get one set free. My husband has a couple sets in the garage for pop rivets and small screws. 

Another good storage contine is pencil cases. They are on mark down at the big box stores. They were cheap when school supplies come in also, but now like a quarter a piece. 

Well the nice weather has gone away. Colder temps and flurries off and on. Stay warm and safe Chris

Yeah they are here

Finally today my patterns I ordered came. No ones fault. We live rural and usually mail is slow getting to us. 

I ordered two packages of Little Treasures flowers from Teresa Rawson. I can't wait to get the small pieces cut out and stitched onto a back ground fabirc. I have thought I would maybe make two sets at one time. Maybe agressive, but it you have the colors out and the thread out why not. As they are printed they will make a 6 inch block.

I went to the store today and I can't believe the cost of everything now. Milk and eggs are cheaper, but meat sure isn't. 

Well I would like to thank Teresa for taking the time to send this to me. Thank you again. Chris  

Placing an order for fabric today

I have a package of applique patterns coming in the mail.Sorry Teresa didn't get to the mailbox today. My husband wasn't feeling good so stayed close.

I want to get some fabric ordered for background for applique blocks. I like the Kona Cotton Snow, but I have tpop order it. The Joann's doesn't carry it here. I do like a good quality tea dyed muslin also.

I would like to get to the quilt shop in a local town. It is about 50 miles away. They have civil war era prints.  I need neutrals. I have plenty of the other colors, but weak in neutrals.

Tomorrow it is suppose to rain so I think I will get my monthly shopping list made and try and get out between showers. We might get some snow fall also. We are 7 inches short on snow fall this winter. The farmers worry about that because it retains moisture in the ground when there is a ground cover.

Well going in to get ready for the day. Cleaning for sure. Chris