Between cleaning and cooking and picking up stuff

I forgot to tell you I also did three loads of laundry.

 These are the pieces for the applique that are cut up for the applique pattern. I cut 4 at one time and will now press them onto the back of the fabric. They are freezer paper so they will adhere to the fabric, but pull off easily. I use the glue stick method to turn under the seam allowance.

This is Esther Aliu's pattern she is offering as a BOM. The block that was sent first was the upper right one. That is what all those pieces are for. I wanted to repeat four of them for a center of a quilt for a wall hanging. It is on the blog.
estheraliu.blogspot.com/diamondhill

I made a blueberry pie for supper and have scalloped potatoes and ham in the oven now.
Jeff has been painting ceilings in the bathrooms. He is getting ready to paint the walls and the ceilings needed it. It has been about 6-7 years since we painted anything. More than long enough.

54 degrees today, but it is to cool down again. Chris

I found this while looking for stapler

Looks like I forgot to set the date on this. That is the default date on my camera. Tells you how old my camera is. 

When I was looking for pins, stapler and thread I found this storage bag with this in it. I have nine of these Antique Rose hand stitched that needed to be appliqued onto the blocks. They are quite large. 

I used the old fashion method of templates and scissors to cut out the kite shapes to make this block. Then I hand sewed this by hand. I started these when my husband was basically tied to an infusion pump to eat. That was a long stretch to get him through that period. 

I will sash the blocks after they are squared up with an unbleach muslin colored fabric. I have more of the background that I thought I would piece some more of these Antique roses with for a border. 

This block can be EPP'd also. I chose to do the template and scissor method. In fact I used a lid off of a whipped topping container. It was firm and I could mark around it to make my sewing lines all the same. 

I think this one will be hand quilted. It has taken this long to do why not take more time to get it done. 

I had five of these blocks not appliqued so yesterday I got one more done. Today I will get another prepped and ready to hand stitch in the evening.

Hope you have a good day. We are suppose to get to the 50's today. Chris 

Applique prep

I have followed Esther Aliu on her blog for several years. She does some gorgeous applique quilts. This is a BOM she started January 15 and it will go for 7 months. She has a Facebook Group you can be a member of or use the posted patterns. They are in a PDF form. She gives yardage and colors that she will use and variations with different color schemes. The name of the quilt is Diamond Hill

Here are the flower and leaf patterns from this block. I am cutting four freezer paper pieces so I can make a center medallion for a quilt. Other blocks will be coming. 

Since I got the crib quilt done I thought I should quilt this queen size quilt done also. Simple quilting will happen on this one. I need to look for backing for it. 

When I was looking for thread in a box that it came in I found my saftey pins for quilt basting. Also I found the thread I thought I was out of. But I couldn't find my desk stapler. So I went and bought a new one. Now next week I will find that one I have misplaced. 

When we had the house torn up for so long everything got shoved here there and everywhere to empty rooms for carpeting. It is a wonder I haven't misplaced more. 

Now the fun begins I need to pull fabric for the flowers and stems and leaves. I have a cream color for the background and I think I am going to use more traditional colors for this. She used shades of pink and several shades of green for the stems and leaves. 

Esther's blog is here.

 www.estheraliu.blogspot.com

Chris

Yahooooo.......

Today I had a goal. Get this done. and I did. Yippee! I used a little pretty print on the back. Figured I have girls so why not. Later on when I make for Great Grandchildren I will have to make some more neutral quilts. 

I couldn't decide about the binding so I had this red sitting there. It needed pressing so that task got done and this is what I used. 

 This is the finished quilt. so glad I have a finish. It has been so long. The couple days in the machine quilting were worth the effort. I think it turned out pretty good. There are a few hiccups in it, but I won't tell you where.

The back is a little purple flower with green leaves. I figure it wouldn't look good on a guy quilt. I got it at a rummage sale with lots of other quilting fabrics. This was a 6 yard piece, but i thought I have another baby quilt top that needs quilting so it won't go to waste. 

Well trying to relax to get ready to go to bed. Sometimes that takes hours. Chris

Almost done

I have about another hour and the machine quilting will be done. got up at 4:30 am and started sewing at about 6 am. Then had to quit because my shoulders were hurting. Sat to long without moving. Stopped to eat something then I will go back. Have to find  a binding fabric. 

I have been prepping for another project. I need to get freezer paper cut now. It is an applique project. 

The other night I went to bed early and decided I would look on You Tube for any videos with Beth Ferrier in them. She is an appliquest. Well I found two with another quilting star, Kay Woods. 

I thought it was funny that I dreamt about fabric and applique all night long after that. You Tube has about everything you can imagine on it. From repairing your washing machine to sewing and quilting. 

Sun is suppose to be out for awhile then clouds and possible rain or snow. That is a maybe since last night it changed. Last night they said we wouldn't get anything. Time will tell. 

I think I am going to get some more sewing done today. I have so many things almost finished. 

The other thing that need to do is cleaning. I have miss placed my container of safety pins for quilting. I set it up so it wouldn't get in my way. Well I put it away to well and now I can't find it. I am not going out to buy more. 

Hope you have a nice weekend. Chris

I am not so smart

I have some patterns I want to change the size of. They are appliques and I know the percentages for the printer to be changed to. Well I have a scanner on the printer, but can't find how to change the  size of the scanned item.

I don't use it enough to get a handle on this printer. An the manual for the printer is in the form of online. so I can't go through step by step while doing the changes.

I thought it would be as easy as the last one i had. Wrong! I guess I need to really print out the manual. Still not sure I can figure it out. Maybe my daughter-in-law can figure it out.

I can take it to the store and have them to do this, but there is a cost involved, but maybe the only choice I have. I don't have a projector to do it on my own.

Short of buying a new printer and adding it to my system I don't know if I can do it without help.

Smart I am not. I need to read better when I make a purchase. Chris

Sure glad I washed these

These batiks have been sitting there and I was pretty sure they hadn't been washed. I am going to use them for applique on a white background and wasn't liking the thought of bleeding stray dye onto the white background.  

So they got thrown into the washer with detergent warm water wash and 2 tablespoons od Dawn dish soap and three Color Guard sheets. They are in the dryer now. Will be ironing for ever when they come out of the dryer. 

I found two of the three Color Guard sheets. Look at the mess this would have left on a finished quilt if I hadn't washed them. So glad I did this. If in doubt do the right thing to protect your work. Chris

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