May 2015: 26 Projects

I haven’t posted this post for awhile, because I haven’t been in the mood. I am sick of being a good girl and want to just sew whatever I feel like sewing. I did finish a lot of UFOs and a few still are on the list, but it means that I don’t have 26 Projects anymore and I have been starting projects with wild abandon. Fortunately, I seem to have learned some self restraint and am finishing projects, too.

Finished 2015 Quilt Projects

Finished 2014 non-Quilt Projects

7 Christmas pillowcases as gifts – finished May 4, 2015

This year is, so far, not as stellar as last year, but I am making some progress on projects.

Short, but sweet. Stay tuned!

Creative Prompt #310: Helmet

Helment Heroes

Helmet City

motorcycle helmet

Helmet (band)

Helmet hair

helmet laws

Definition: “A helmet is a form of protective gear worn to protect the head from injuries.

Ceremonial or symbolic helmets (e.g. UK policeman’s helmet) without protective function are sometimes used. The oldest known use of helmets was by Assyrian soldiers in 900BC, who wore thick leather or bronze helmets to protect the head from blunt object and sword blows and arrow strikes in combat. Soldiers still wear helmets, now often made from lightweight plastic materials.

In civilian life, helmets are used for recreational activities and sports (e.g. jockeys in horse racing, American football, ice hockey, cricket, baseball, and rock climbing); dangerous work activities (e.g. construction, mining, riot police); and transportation (e.g. Motorcycle helmets and bicycle helmets). Since the 1990s, most helmets are made from resin or plastic, which may be reinforced with fibers such as aramids.

The word helmet is diminutive from helm, a Medieval word for protective combat headgear. The Medieval great helm covers the whole head and often is accompanied with camail protecting throat and neck as well. Originally a helmet was a helm which covered the head only partly.” (Wikipedia)

flying helmet

football helmet

Helmet Salon

The Daqri smart helmet replaces the traditional hard hat and looks like a Tron motorcyclist’s costume

‘Thor’s Helmet‘ is a strikingly beautiful, messy nebula.

batter’s helmet

Post the direct URL (link) where your drawing, doodle, artwork is posted (e.g. your blog, Flickr) in the comments area of this post. I would really like to keep all the artwork together and provide a way for others to see your work and get familiar with your blog or website.

The Creative Prompt Project, also, has a Flickr group, which you can join to  post your responses. I created this spot so those of you without blogs and websites would have a place to post your responses.

We are also talking about this on Twitter. Use the hashtag #CPP

Dream Projects #5

New and exciting projects continue to spring into my head.

Art Institute of Chicago Fusible Quilt

  • Pattern: Original
  • Fabric: Turquoise and red, mainly, but other colors for the leaves and flowers
  • Steps: need to fuse a bunch of turquoise to some piece of fabric in the ‘ticker tape’ style. I am thinking of making it similar to the Whole Cloth Quilt and using red, again, for the background.

Basketweave Baby

  • Fabric: Scrappy
  • Pattern: Fons & Porter, series 1000, episode 1005
  • Thoughts: I like the challenge of piecing this quilt and the unique piecing

Blue Rectangles Gradation Quilt (Hunting and Gathering)

  • Fabric: blue 2.5×4.5 rectangles
  • Pattern: similar to FOTY 2008
  • Thoughts: Original idea stemmed from the FOTY quilts. I just decided to do one with blues instead of all colors.

Blue Lemonade (Hunting and Gathering)

Easy Street

  • Fabric: pinks
  • Pattern: Easy Street by Bonnie Hunter
  • Thoughts: I really liked Daisy‘s version of Easy Street, which she calls Cherry Bomb (she thinks of the best names for quilts) in terms of color and feel. I don’t want to copy her, but if I do this quilt, I’d like to have the same pinky-red feel to it. One challenge about a mostly monochromatic quilt is getting enough contrast. I look forward to that challenge.

Feathered Star Block (Dream State)

  • Pattern: I haven’t decided on a particular feathered star
  • Thoughts: use the Triangle Technique for the HSTs

Food quilt #3 (Hunting and Gathering)

  • Pattern: Disappearing something, probably 4 patch or 9 patch
  • Fabric: RJR Food prints. Will use a different color for the non-food print section than I did for the Young Man’s version.
  • Thoughts: Gift for nephew for graduation

Good Night Irene Quilt

  • Pattern: Good Night Irene from the Missouri Star Quilt Company’s Block magazine, Spring issue v.2, issue 2, pg. 54
  • Fabric: Possibly a layer cake I already have, though I am tempted to use the scrap 2.5″ squares I have been cutting.
  • Thoughts: I thought about using dots on a white background, as I did with the Scrapitude Carnivale quilt as the background. It makes the Scrapitude quilt look so cheerful. I probably wouldn’t call it Good Night Irene.

Half Moon Modern Quilt

  • Pattern: I have some ideas, but nothing definite. It occurred to me that I could use the Stepping Stones pattern with a strong background to make the pattern show up. I’ll think about that.
  • Fabric: Half Moon Modern Fabrics. I have half yard cuts, I think, plus some odds and ends and I’d like to use them together with some additional fabrics, or, at least a background.
  • Thoughts: I do think it is difficult to start with fabrics rather than a pattern.

Interlocking Triangles Quilt(s)

  • Pattern: This is an idea that I designed myself. I made two quilts and have variations on the pattern to make more.
  • Fabric: I have a few different collections of fabric I want to use. Most are rainbow colored
  • Thoughts: This is a quilt from which I get a lot of bang for my buck. The visual impact is tremendous. The easiest way to do the spiky triangles is with paper piecing. I am not that big of a fan of paper piecing (read my laments about the Spiderweb‘s paper piecing). I made Spiky Stars using templates and that was meditative and won a prize, so it is doable.

Jack’s Chain Quilt

  • Pattern: Jack’s Chain, a continuous pattern
  • Fabric: bright scrappy, consistent centers
  • Thoughts: This is one of the first quilts I saw hanging in a quilt store and thought of making, after I had learned to quilt. Making the nine patches would be a good leaders and enders endeavor.

Medium Mondo Bag

  • Pattern: From QuiltSmart. Saw Katie’s and really liked it. I also thought it would be a good use of those mini-charms, or give me an excuse to buy them.
  • Fabric: I have a number of groups of mini-charm packs I have been collecting to use for this project. I will probably go with a combination of Bonnie & Camille fabrics to start.
  • Thoughts: There is something about the stabilizer that I cannot wrap my head around, which is one of the reasons I have not started this pattern.

Music Quilt

  • Pattern: Top will have a piece of music the Young Man can actually play. That will probably be applique’
  • Fabric/Colors: music prints and tone-on-tones with a little red
  • Thoughts: The Young Man has requested this quilt as his graduation quilt. Probably won’t make it for graduation, but I will make it. He has sent me a piece of music, which I need to print out and make into an applique’

Neutrals and Red/Scarlet Quilt

  • Pattern: Sew two ~3?x3? squares together, slice each separate fabric and insert a red strip, resew and sew the two squares to another set of squares.
  • Fabric: neutrals+white, black and whites. I have some of these. I bought them not know what to do with them.
  • Thoughts: gift

Pineapple (Hunting and Gathering)

  • Fabric: dots. Have most of the strips cut. Will be much more selective about which strips I use.
  • Pattern: Pineapple log cabin
  • Thoughts: I haven’t given up on a Pineapple quilt despite my frustration with the previous attempt. I bought a different ruler: a Creative Grids Pineapple ruler in hopes that it will work better for me.

Pink Rectangles Gradation Quilt (Hunting and Gathering)

  • Fabric: pink 2.5×4.5 rectangles
  • Pattern: similar to FOTY 2008
  • Thoughts:

Scrapitude #2

  • Fabric: scrappy again, but with NO browns or blacks or super darks that look like holes; also more blues and perhaps a different background, though I do like the dots on bright white. I would make sure to skip the dots with a cream background.
  • Pattern: Scrapitude by Charlotte Hawkes
  • Thoughts: I want to try and figure out how to make the edges NOT on the bias.

Silk Colorblock quilt

  • Fabrics: silk dupioni and cotton in brights (of course)
  • Pattern: Similar to Colorblocks 2
  • Thoughts: I have made a couple of, what I call, Colorblock quilts over the years. One was the Kona Challenge in 2011, another was my 1990 Colorblocks 2 and the first one, Colorblocks, also made in about 1990. I bought the fabrics at the Marin Needlearts show about a zillion years ago and they have languished waiting for me to learn to back them so I can use them.

Spin Wheel  (Hunting and Gathering)

Stepping Stones #3

  • Fabric: Macaron pre-cuts from Hoffman. It isn’t started, but I have lots of pre-cuts and think they would make a really fun version of this quilt.
  • Pattern: Stepping Stones by the Lintott girls

Windmill  (Hunting and Gathering)

  • Fabric: Scrappy. I will use a grey for the background, because if I use more of the cut fabric patches, the pattern will be lost. The pieces are too oddly shaped and I don’t want to lose the pattern in a mass of scraps.
  • Pattern: Come Quilt with Me Rotary templates

Out of the Dream State:

Box Full of Letters

  • Fabric: Kiss Kiss Charm Pack with a solid blue background
  • Pattern: Missouri Star Love Notes
  • Thoughts: since I write so many letters it appealed to me. I have already started sewing, though only a little.

Food quilt #2  (Hunting and Gathering)

  • Pattern: Disappearing 9 patch
  • Fabric: RJR Food prints. Will use a different color for the non-food print section than I did for the Young Man’s version.
  • Thoughts: Gift for son of good friends for graduation. I have started cutting for this in a serious way. The alternate color will be purple. I will use black again for the non-food squares.

Stepping Stones #2  – I started to make blocks for this, so it is out of the dream projects stage.

  • Fabric: Bonnie & Camille fabrics Bliss, Ruby, Vintage Modern. I wanted the contrast to be good, so I added additional fabrics to beef up the Bonnie & Camille fabrics.
  • Pattern: Stepping Stones by the Lintott girls

Various & Sundry #6- Mid May

Books, Patterns, Magazines & Projects
I am blowing through Marie Bostwick’s Second Sister. This is her most recent release and not part of the Cobbled Court series. I thought I would be resentful, because I really want to know what happens in new Bern. I was pleased to find that I really like the characters, the premise and the story in Second Sister. I was kind of annoyed at myself for not giving this new book a chance right off the bat, but I am over it. As soon as I started reading, I was all in. This is a well written, modern book that I think many women who work at demanding jobs and have family life intervene can relate to.

I found a leaders and enders Linky party over at A Quilting Chick. I don’t really think of my leaders and enders in the same way she does, but I added my most recent O9P post to the Linky party to 1) get more traffic and 2) acknowledge that the progress I am making is all because of leaders and enders. I wonder what my life would be like if I only worked on one project at a time?

I have always been interested in casserole carriers and other things like that. I thought they would be good gifts, especially for a shower. “The Casserole Carrier measures 9-1/2″W x 14-1/2″L x 4″H and transports a standard 9″ x 13″ casserole dish. Zippered pockets on top and bottom will hold utensils, napkins, a cutting board, and more. There’s even an inner mesh slip pocket for a hot/cold pack. Measuring 11-1/2″D x 3″H, the Pie Carrier is perfect for pies (even deep dish!) or cupcakes.” My only concern is whether the casserole would get on the inside top of the carrier. I saw an interesting pattern in the May 1 ByAnnie newsletter. You might also need a shower gift or a room parent gift.

In the same newsletter, I also saw a baby travel accessories pattern that would make great baby shower gifts. I especially like the pacifier carrier.

The Lindy Petal Skirt is a free pattern from Itch to Stitch. I love the petal look and the designers says you should be able to sew it in an hour. (Not me, but you)

Other Artists

During Ricky Tims’ concert at the Paducah show, he got on FaceTime with Libby Lehman and the brief conversation was projected on the screen for the whole audience to see. Libby was also able to interact with the audience. She has come such a long way from the aneurysm and stroke she suffered a few years ago.

Nancy Zieman is a giant in the world of sewing. In recent years, she has also jumped into the quilt world and produced some great projects and products. Now she has been diagnosed with cancer and it is time for us to give back. All of us have  cancer somewhere in our families. Some of us, sadly, know better than others the day to day worries and emotions that engulf a patient and a family. I saw an article recently about Emily McDowell, an artist and cancer survivor, who has produced a line of cards to send to someone with cancer. I am not saying to go buy one of these cards, but go read the blog post about why she produced this line before you write to Nancy or anyone else you know who has cancer. It will change the way you phrase your words. At least it did for me.

Weeks Ringle posted on her blog about this and Nancy also has a video posted explaining what is going on. You may not be a fan of Nancy Zieman, but she has, no doubt, worked hard in this profession and contributed.

Websites, Articles and Information

Mandy Applebee of Yellow House Quilts wrote a great blog post about encouraging others and not breaking them down. One quote was “I am instead asking that we take a moment to BUILD OTHERS UP, speak up, stand up and ENCOURAGE others to create their best work right now, encourage them to TRY, practice and create whatever makes their hearts happy.  Support others, it doesn’t take anymore time to build another person up instead of breaking them down.  ENCOURAGE, ENCOURAGE, ENCOURAGE and help build others up!!  This industry is big enough for everyone no matter their level of skills and training, so help and support others whenever you are able.  Be a builder and take a stand against the bullies!!  PLEASE!!”

I am not diminished in my own process or projects if you sew up a storm. I find joy and inspiration in what you do. I want everyone to share the excitement and challenge I feel in quiltmaking. Why are there quilt bullies? What is the point? Is it the same reasoning as for other bullies? Thanks to Ms. Lottie for sharing.

Gretchen was kind enough to point out an article on pre-washing in a recent blog post. What was interesting was the shrinkage. I would have thought bleeding would be the issue, but shrinkage was much more noticeable. I was surprised to see that one fabric shrank 1/2″ on the weft side. The article is well organized by fabric manufacturer. (As an FYI: I wash all of my fabrics in hot water with Retayne and dry them on low).

12 revealing facts about rulers (not the Queen Elizabeth kind) is an informative and entertaining look at rulers. It mostly has history, but a few bits about quiltmaking rulers as well and the history gives an interesting foundation to the tasks we perform with our rulers.

I have wanted to make a Feathered Star blocks since I first saw what Marsha McCloskey was doing. She has a number of books out and I own a few. Now with the Triangle Technique, it is a lot less daunting. Still, I have not done it, but it is on the list. Marsha McCloskey finally has her blog up and running. Take a look at: https://featheredstar.wordpress.com/

Fabric, Tools, Supplies, Shops & Embellishments

Rock Baby Scissors has an interesting Etsy shop full of bags. If you need some quick gifts for Comicon fans, this is your shop.

Exhibits, Tutorials and Events

“Kevin Kosbab, who wrote the popular book, Quilter’s Appliqué  Workshop, is dedicated to helping other quilt artists use appliqué easily and creatively, using his tips, tricks, and techniques.

Here are some of his suggestions for success:

1. In general, for both hand and machine appliqué, start sewing an appliqué along a straight or gently curved edge rather than a corner or point. The corners look neater this way.

2. To reduce stiffness from fusible web, cut the center away from your fusible shape, leaving a border of about 1/4″ inside the traced outline.

3. Try different types, sizes, and brands of hand needles to find the best one for you. I use a size 11 sharps for hand appliqué, but you might find it easier to manipulate fabric edges with a longer milliners needle. Ask for recommendations from friends or quilt shops, but ultimately it’s a personal decision.

4. Cross-wound spools of thread generally feed better on your machine’s horizontal spool pin, while stacked (parallel-wound) spools work best on a vertical pin. If your machine doesn’t have a vertical spool pin, try a thread stand-also a good idea if you find monofilament thread tangling when sewing invisible appliqué.

5. When combining piecing with appliqué, press the pieced seams in the direction that makes sense pictorially-that is, press seams away from whichever fabric is supposed to be the “background.” When pre-piecing fabrics to sew down as a single appliqué shape, press the seam allowances open to reduce bulk in the turned edges.

Kevin has many more tips, techniques, and patterns for creative, stress-free quilt appliqué, and he shares them all with you in Quilter’s Appliqué Workshop.”

Field Day Progress

I am not liking the name Field Day Zipper. It is too long and unwieldy. Anyway, I made progress on this piece at the fabulous retreat.

Field Day- May 2015
Field Day- May 2015

All of the pieces are cut and all of the sections are sewn to the background. As well, sections are sewn to each other, so there is no more than two sections are alone. I worked hard at getting the piece put together, but couldn’t quite do it. Still, I am pleased with how much progress I have made and see the end in sight.

The fabrics, as you may recall, are all from one line. As you also may recall, I usually advise people to to remove about 20% of the line and replace it with other fabrics not from that line. One issue that I had is that I did not add or remove any fabrics from the piece. It really shows. I had to be careful about where I placed fabrics so as not to create big blobs of color or pattern. It isn’t easy to remove certain fabrics and add others, but this is a lesson to me to take my own advice.

 

Food Quilt #2 – Major Progress

Food Quilt #2 top without borders
Food Quilt #2 top without borders

I spent the first part of the quilt retreat (will write about the retreat in general, but want to talk about the projects first!) working on the Food quilt that will go to a friend of the Young Man’s.

We are friends with the parents also, and they are very interested in my quilts. It seems reasonable to make a graduation gift for their son.

I bought plenty of fabric when I purchased for the Young Man’s Food Quilt, so I have plenty of fabric. The fabric is hard to find near where I live, but I bought most of it in Lancaster County when I was there with my SIL. Food themed quilts are good for boys as they are sort of neutral, but not too girly for boys. Quilts can easily be kind of girly, especially for someone like me who loves pink. 😉

I did the same pattern, a Disappearing Nine Patch, though I arranged the blocks in a different way.

I wasn’t able to finish the top, because I forgot the black I want to use as an inner border. I did make 4 piano key borders to add once I put the black border on the piece.

This project has been hanging over my head so I am glad I have made significant progress on it. Hooray for retreats!

10 Years of Artquiltmaker Blog

Yes, today is my 10 year Blogiversary. Appropriately I am at a Quilt Retreat. I’ll pick up any gifts when I return. 😉

Have you been with me the whole time?

I started Artquiltmaker Blog because I had hit a big milestone and I wanted to start something new and send my life in a new direction and practice writing. My first post was not stellar. I remember being distinctly uncomfortable and not knowing what to write. I got better though and even later in May 2005, I was posting real content. Short, not every day, but real content.

At the end of 2008 I moved the blog over to WordPress.

In 2008 and 2009, I started trying to post every day. I worked my way up to posting on that schedule, which I do now except in extraordinary circumstances. Life happens sometimes.

Somewhere in there, I did the Block-a-Long, which was fun, but not very popular. I am also doing the Creative Prompt Project, which will be ending when I get to #365. I still have to think of something special for that one! Having a once a week post that I don’t have to think up helps a lot in getting something posted every day.

This forum has helped me to move forward in my work. I have enjoyed seeing comments from people, getting to different quiltmakers via Instagram and Twitter and even meeting a few in person.

I really enjoyed looking through the photos below to pick the ones I wanted to add to the gallery of the last 10 years worth of my work. I was pleased to add a few pre-blog photos, so you get more of an idea of my work during my quiltmaking career.

I don’t know what the future holds. I don’t know if I will continue to post every day or if I will start posting twice a day. As long as I enjoy the process and contribute to the quiltmaking community I will continue. Thank you for enjoying the ride along with me.

Regards,

Jaye

Update 5/13/2015: Thanks for playing! Comments are closed. The winners are:

  • Pam C – fabric scraps
  • Sherri D. – pattern
  • Jackie B – book

Creative Prompt #309: Treasure

Treasure Island, San Francisco

treasure chest

Bruno Mars, Treasure

buried treasure

lost treasure

treasure map

Definition: “Treasure (from Greek ???????? – th?sauros, meaning “treasure store”,[2] romanized as thesaurus) is a concentration of riches, often one which is considered lost or forgotten until being rediscovered. Some jurisdictions legally define what constitutes treasure, such as in the British Treasure Act 1996.

The phrase “blood and treasure” or “lives and treasure” has been used to refer to the human and monetary costs associated with massive endeavours such as war that expend both.” (Wikipedia)

treasure hunting

Staffordshire Gold HoardStepping off the road near the rise of a small ridge, they dug a pit and buried a stash of treasure in the ground. For 1,300 years the treasure lay undisturbed

Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson

Sacred Treasure, a free online Adventure game brought to you by Armor Games.

Treasure Island Flea Market

National Treasure (2004 Movie)

Treefrog Treasure – free online math game, students explore different worlds as a frog and learn fractions and numberline concepts.

Treasure Arena is an online battle-arena for up to 4 players.

treasure planet

Princess Treasure Hunt (Lego and Disney)

Post the direct URL (link) where your drawing, doodle, artwork is posted (e.g. your blog, Flickr) in the comments area of this post. I would really like to keep all the artwork together and provide a way for others to see your work and get familiar with your blog or website.

The Creative Prompt Project, also, has a Flickr group, which you can join to  post your responses. I created this spot so those of you without blogs and websites would have a place to post your responses.

We are also talking about this on Twitter. Use the hashtag #CPP

Origami Starburst

A long time ago, I met up with a friend and she taught me to make folded paper stars. Later, I found out that they are actually called starbursts.

Back in the day, I only had copy paper and I made a practice star from that. You need 16 squares of paper to make one starburst, so it is not an insignificant amount of paper and I didn’t have that much pretty paper on hand. I was pretty proud of that simple white star. At some point, I glued it together.

It was a good technique and the results are impressive, so one Christmas, not long after, DH and I folded up bunches of legs to make ornaments for gifts. We also made some larger ones as gifts and Christmas passed. Then the process kind of fell off my radar and I forgot how to make these starbursts. Sadly, I couldn’t figure out how to make them by reengineering, because I glued the one I had left together.

So, time passed, but I kept looking at that star at the top of my design wall. I started to become obsessed by making one again. I searched the web and couldn’t find instructions. I was infuriated. I am a librarian, for goodness sake, I should have been able to find one measley set of instrustions.

I firmly put the problem into the back of my mind to torture me there – uh, rumble around – and let my subconscious work on it.

One day I was on a boring call and clicked over to Pinterest to peruse while I listened. Suddenly, I saw a folded paper star!!! It finally dawned on me to search Pinterest and after trying ‘starburst’, within moments, I found instructions on a blog!!! I know I reported on this in the last V& S post.

For awhile I basked in the knowledge that I had the instructions and could make a starburst anytime I wanted.

Last week, I decided to make one to see if works. Now I can’t really stop. I haven’t been doing much scrapbooking lately, so I took some paper and made a first star. I cut the paper to 8.5″ squares and made a pretty big starburst.

Origami Starburst
Origami Starburst

Next I went, coupon in hand, and bought some special pieces of 12″x12″ scrapbook paper and make them into another even more giant starburst. The paper I picked wasn’t matchy-matchy, but it reminded me of a line of fabric that kind of had a Paris theme with lots of pink and black. I just felt like these were the right patterns and motifs.

Paper is fun and everything, but I have a lot of fabric and I began wondering if I could make a starburst from fabric. I let the idea rattle around in my head and decided that one big problem was cutting 32 pieces of square fabric – well 16 pieces of fabric and 16 pieces of interfacing. Regardless of how much I cut in other projects, it seemed daunting for this starburst. I think it was a problem in my mind, because of the uncertainty of whether it would work.

Finally, I came up with charm squares. I got a Fresh Cuts charm pack out of my drawer and picked out 16 squares that I thought would work together. I worked on it at Sew Day and then finished it at home. You need Flatter or Best Press to make the pieces really flat.

Fresh Cuts Origami Starburst
Fresh Cuts Origami Starburst

The idea worked. I think the starburst came out really well. It is a little bright and cheerful. The only thing I need to think about is how to keep it together. Normally, the tension keeps them together, but the starburst wreath is kind of fragile if it gets handled too much. Sewing or gluing are my options.

May to Do List

I completely forgot to post this in April. Probably for the best, because not much has changed even after TWO months. The last post is from March.

To Do List:

  1. Quilt Christmas table runner
  2. Wash fabric AKA The Great Unwashed-I washed more loads in April. I have a some receiving blankets to make and some dresses for Political Wifery to make, so it was inevitable.
  3. Make stiff bucket or box for TP in main bath
  4. Make stiff bucket or box for TP in second bath – I am thinking of making this triangular in shape
  5. Anna Maria Horner Multi-tasker tote (gift-due Holiday 2013- sigh. Missed 2015 deadline as well)
  6. Cut out 3 notepad covers for gifts
  7. Finish cutting out Day in the Park backpack variation
  8. Finish cutting out 3rd Petrillo bag
  9. Sew Bon Appetit apron
  10. ATCs for CQFA April Meeting – made a large piece
  11. Fix button on DH’s California shirt
  12. 3 Christmas pillowcases
  13. ATCs for June meeting
  14. Art supplies Sew Together Bag
  15. Art supplies pincushion
  16. Purple Sew Together Bag
  17. Purple pincushion

To see the 26 Projects Lists, which list quilt WIPS, visit the December Current Projects update. Last month’s to Do List has a couple of changes, which is heartening.

All small items, prior to those completed in December 2014,  have been completed since November 4, 2013. This is a new list for 2015. You can find the list for 2014 and previous on the last post.

Finished in 2015:

 

More Pillowcases

I counted up the pillowcases I need as well as the ones I have made and have a good idea of what I need to make before Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving, you ask?

I was thinking I would mail these out around Thanksgiving so the niece-phews could use them throughout the Christmas holiday. We’ll see.

Here is the grand total of what I need:

  • SIL#1: 4 kids, 2 spouses/SOs
    • 3rd oldest nephew + SO
    • Oldest niece + SO
    • Nephew (not sure where he falls in the order)
    • Youngest niece
  • SIL#2: 3 kids, 1 spouse, 2 great niece-phews
    • Oldest nephew + spouse + 2 kids
    • 2d oldest nephew
    • middle of the pack nephew
  • BIL #1: 1 kid
    • 3rd youngest nephew
  • SIL#3: 2 kids
    • Middle niece
    • middle of the pack nephew – 4th youngest (??)
  • BIL #2: 2 kids
    • 2d youngest nephew
    • Youngest nephew

____________________

Grand Total: 17 pillowcases needed

This does not count The Young Man. Not sure whether to include him or not. I am thinking of sending him a pillowcase per month when he goes to college. It might be the only time he changes his pillowcase. (EEWWW!).

I made two last year and 7 the other day. Total of 9, so I am halfway done.

2 Snowman Pillowcases
2 Snowman Pillowcases
1 Opposite Snowman Pillowcase
1 Opposite Snowman Pillowcase

Now, the thing is that I made 3 pillowcases for the littlest nephews a few years ago. They should still have theirs, but it somehow seems unfair to leave them out. I was also thinking of giving them the designs above. They are close in age and often play together. I would give the 2 that are the closest in age (different families) the top two and then the littlest nephew the bottom one. I want them to know which are theirs, so I don’t want to duplicate the designs.

Still if I give those three away when they have already gotten them, I have to make three more.

Halloween Pillowcase
Halloween Pillowcase

I think the Halloween pillowcase needs to go to the youngest niece. It just seems like her and I wonder if she will notice that it is not Christmas. Since I would be giving them out together, she will probably notice and think I am odd. Perhaps she will get two.

Flannel Pillowcase
Flannel Pillowcase

Finally, this one is flannel and nice and cuddly, except for the cuff. It is also fairly staid. Not sure who will get this. Perhaps a spouse?

More Peacocks

Enchanted Plume Panel by Timeless Treasures
Enchanted Plume Panel by Timeless Treasures

 I had pretty much decided to skip the One Block Wonder this time. I really like how Pam’s piece came out, but wasn’t sure I could replicate her success with work as interesting or cheerful. I have seen others that are not as nice.

When I saw the fabric on sale I looked at it and really made a conscious decision not to make a One Block Wonder project. I thought really hard about the logistics, time and money required to make the project and decided no, not now. I didn’t like the fabric enough to commit. I took the book back to the library and that was that.

Yay! Done deal. Moving on.

Then, yesterday morning, I went on Instagram and saw a new Peacock range by Timeless Treasures (damn you, social media!).

 The colors in the panel are much richer and bolder. The design of the panel is more complex and way more interesting. The motifs are much more stylized and lush. Oh, and, Timeless Treasures, thanks for including those awesome solids that match the panel. Just what I needed. More temptation!

This is another good reason NOT to keep your tablet by your bed.

So, now this idea is back in the thinking pile. Here are some questions for you to answer:

  1. What do you think of the panel?
  2. If you saw it in the store, would you think of me? (since, of course, I am always first on your mind. 😉   )
  3. Do you think a finished pieced piece would be too dark?

Picking Colors for Pillowcases

There are things I like about pillowcases, but more things I don’t like about making pillowcases. The other day I got into a zone with making them and the whole process wasn’t so bad. Making pillowcases in batches is definitely the way to go.

One thing about making pillowcases is the different colors and fabrics required. The sizes required are so weird that I am left with weird pieces of fabric left over. This really shouldn’t matter that much since there is really no shortage of fabric in my workroom, but the bad part is figuring out where to store these weird sizes.

All this background is to say that there is more to choosing colors for pillowcases than actually just choosing the colors. Do I want this particular fabric leftover in a weird size is a consideration also.

One thing I have done is to eliminate the trim unless I have a piece laying around that will work. Next I decide on a color I want as an accent for the cuff and go rummaging around in the particular bin where that color is stored. I might have the perfect color, but I might want to keep the fabric for something else. Lately, I have been trying not to consider certain fabrics precious. I am much happier if I can see a fabric I love in a project I use frequently.

Laurel Burch Pillowcase
Laurel Burch Pillowcase

Some of the Christmas fabrics I had were hard to match with accent colors. I really wonder why I bought this Laurel Burch fabric, but I did and it was about to become a pillowcase. It was probably on sale.

Orange isn’t really a Christmas color, but it is different and orange makes the pillowcase even more bright and cheerful than the Laurel Burch cats already are. It is a different look, but one that will suit one of the nephews or neieces.

Purple, Green & Gold Pillowcase
Purple, Green & Gold Pillowcase

The purple with gold was a challenge. it is definitely more of a winter themed fabric that Christmas per se. I would have chosen gold for the cuff, but don’t have any gold fabric. I decided to use the color wheel as my friend and picked a batik green with purple highlights. It isn’t a stellar choice because of the motifs, but it is bold and unique.

These two are the most unusual. The others I made were much m ore conventional.

Creative Prompt #308: Radar

Post the direct URL (link) where your drawing, doodle, artwork is posted (e.g. your blog, Flickr) in the comments area of this post. I would really like to keep all the artwork together and provide a way for others to see your work and get familiar with your blog or website.

The Creative Prompt Project, also, has a Flickr group, which you can join to  post your responses. I created this spot so those of you without blogs and websites would have a place to post your responses.

We are also talking about this on Twitter. Use the hashtag #CPP

Radar O’Reilly (MASH)

United States Doppler weather radar map

Definition: “Radar is an object-detection system that uses radio waves to determine the range, altitude, direction, or speed of objects. It can be used to detect aircraft, ships, spacecraft, guided missiles, motor vehicles, weather formations, and terrain. The radar dish (or antenna) transmits pulses of radio waves or microwaves that bounce off any object in their path. The object returns a tiny part of the wave’s energy to a dish or antenna that is usually located at the same site as the transmitter.

Radar was secretly developed by several nations before and during World War II. The term RADAR was coined in 1940 by the United States Navy as an acronym for RAdio Detection And Ranging.[1][2] The term radar has since entered English and other languages as a common noun, losing all capitalization.

The modern uses of radar are highly diverse, including air and terrestrial traffic control, radar astronomy, air-defense systems, antimissile systems; marine radars to locate landmarks and other ships; aircraft anticollision systems; ocean surveillance systems, outer space surveillance and rendezvous systems; meteorological precipitation monitoring; altimetry and flight control systems; guided missile target locating systems; and ground-penetrating radar for geological observations. High tech radar systems are associated with digital signal processing and are capable of extracting useful information from very high noise levels.

Other systems similar to radar make use of other parts of the electromagnetic spectrum. One example is “lidar“, which uses ultraviolet, visible, or near infrared light from lasers rather than radio waves.” (Wikipedia)

through-the-wall radar imaging

RADAR studio renders audio PCs and audio interfaces obsolete.

Radar Poetry is an electronic journal of poetry and artwork published quarterly.

Restaurant management, Business Intelligence, Back Office and Enterprise Reporting software for Restaurants.

RADAR is the world’s first Wi-Fi signal-strength based indoor positioning system.

RADAR is an award-winning incident response management SaaS solution used by leading organizations to reduce risk and simplify compliance with data

radar apple

live radar

radar bug tracking

Radar Restaurant is named after Skip Radar Tollefsen — Artist, Pirate, Restaurateur, Dad.

Michelle Tea is the founder and Artistic Director of RADAR Productions

flying under the radar

Radar L.A. is presented by REDCAT and CalArts in association with Center Theatre Group.

Radar” is a song recorded by American singer Britney Spears for her fifth studio album, Blackout (2007). It was written and produced by Bloodshy & Avant

Radar Partners is a principal investment firm. The firm invests in early stage technology companies.

Asteroid Radar Research.

Radar online – celebrity news and gossip

avian radar tracking