Auditioning Fabric...

Brynwood Needleworks - Border Option One

 

I've joined my Dresden Heart blocks into a long row. Now, to decide which border fabric I want to use. This was my second choice, but now I'm not sure.

Brynwood Needleworks - Border Option Two

 

I like to take the photos, because I get a different effect than just viewing them on my table. Now that I'm seeing it in the picture, I'm not so sure about my first choice. I love them both, but I'm going to have to think on this for a while to decide. I really don't like ripping stitches if I change my mind.

 

I'd like to get this assembled and quilted, so I'll decide soon. Handsome and I have a graduation to attend on Sunday, so we'll see if I get it done this weekend or not. We're looking forward to celebrating my nephew's achievements. It will be fun whether I finish this or not.

 

Choosing Fabrics...

Brynwood Needleworks - Dresden Heart Cardinal Blocks

 

All three of my blocks are finished now, so I pulled yardage of the Moda™ Martinique line that I still have from making my quilt and these extra blocks. I'm going to use the top two for sashing and borders on the blocks. Then, I'll use one of the lower two as the backing for my table runner. (I'm leaning toward the light one with the geraniums.)

My little cardinal in the middle looks like he's wearing a red tie, don't you think? I'll get the runner assembled today, and then I'll decide whether I'm going to machine quilt it or learn to hand quilt on this piece. I'll let you know which method I choose. See you tomorrow!

Creating A New Table Runner...

Brynwood Needleworks - Dresden Heart Cardinals Table Runner Block

 

In 2010, I was working on a Dresden Plate quilt using these Moda™ Martinique fabrics. I completed the quilt in 2012, and then entered it into our Florida guild show in 2014, earning a Third Place ribbon for my efforts. 

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Dresden Heart Cardinal

In 2013, I had a "Sweetheart Valentine Giveaway" using blocks that looked like these. Rather than a a round center, I applique´d hearts. Instead of a button at the corner, as I did there, I decided to tie small bows to complete the attachment stitching on these.

After all this time, I pulled these last three unfinished blocks to make into a table runner for the farmhouse. I applique´d the hearts onto the Dresden plate blocks when I was in Menasha on Tuesday, and then attached the little cardinals yesterday.

The cardinals were drawn in ink onto the muslin fabric by my artistic friend, Michelle Palmer. She usually has her drawings available in her Etsy shop - MichellePalmer. She also will do commissions on request. I love everything she's created for me, and love her whimsical, happy view of the world. I can't imagine a better finish for each of these blocks.

 

Brynwood Needleworks - Dresden Heart Cardinal Block

Two of the three blocks are complete, and I'll do that last one today. Then, I'll choose the fabrics from what I have left of this line to sew them together for a table runner for our dining room this summer.

Finished Fans...

I finished making all the fans for our 2016 guild raffle quilt! (yayyy!)

There were a total of sixteen Dresden fans (or half Dresden plates), and four quarter fans to be added to the corner sections. I love that they're so colorful!

I placed two Dresden fans into a plate formation to audition colors for the center circles on the plates. I've nearly decided on this salmon-y pink with a  little darker fleck. I think it fits in with the other batiks without overpowering, and it's different from the other colors in the fans. I think it finishes them nicely.   Once I'm sure, I'll make all the circles and then they'll be on their way to the next creative soul(s) to assemble the Dresden borders. This quilt is going to be another DPQG stunner!!! It will also be queen-sized, just like our last quilt.

This is the finished center section. The Dresden fans will go all around the outside of this center section. I think all the components are going to be fabulous together! What do you think so far? Are you liking the color choice for the centers?

Stormy Weather...

We've had rainstorms blowing through the past two days. We're expected to

have more of the same the rest of this week, too! It's perfect weather for

staying inside and working in the studio. I did have appointments each day,

but when we got back home, I could be found working on the Dresden plates.

Florida has some of the most stunning post-storm skies. The interplay between

clouds, light and dark can sometimes leave a person breathless. I love how the

light bounces off the top of the clouds like spotlights in the left side of this picture.

  As sunset gives way to darkness, the last bits of light peek over the clouds  turning the sky shades of orange and purple. Night falls and the world rests.    I'll finish the plates today and catch a few photos to share tomorrow. Happy Thursday!

That's Better...

 Well, it took a little longer than I expected, but it's finally finished. I'm

calling this my "Boho" set.  You know, kind of Bohemian/hippy chic.

 The back of the table runner matches the front of the napkins (first

photograph), and the back of the napkins matches the sashing on the

front of the table runner. It will look great in its new home next month.

 Rich colors and floral goodness. I'm tickled with the results.

 In case you're interested in the fabric line, it's "Old Blooms" by Pat Sloan for 

P & B Textiles. I purchased these fabrics about ten years ago, so dig deep in 

your stash, or look for it in someone else's. It's worth the hunt, I think. The 

dark brown fabric is current fabric - "Essentials"© Danhui Nai for Wilmington 

Prints. It comes in other colors, too! This brown was a perfect addition here.

I've already finished another gift, but I'll wait until Wednesday to share it with you.

Have a great week!

It Takes Time...

 I'd hoped to share another finished project with you today. As hard as I tried, I 

didn't get the binding on and sewn yet. And the napkins aren't even cut out either.

 I decided to do a more linear quilt pattern on this table runner. I 

thought it would be more appropriate with these fabrics. I like it,

but it definitely takes more time to do than my "needle dancing".

 All the quilting is finished as I write this post, and the table runner is 

trimmed and squared up now. I'll add the binding today and then make 

up a set of napkins. I guess pictures will have to wait until Monday. 

It's the weekend! Make it count.

Machine Quilting...

I continued working on my second table runner on Sunday. 

Instead of machine applique', I prefer to hand sew the Dresden plates to

the background fabric. Because of that, this runner took a little more time

 to ready for machine quilting. I stitched all three plates to blocks yesterday,

and then added the sashing to assemble the front of the table runner.

 I was able to start the machine quilting by late afternoon, and I'll finish my

work on the table runner today. Then I'll make the coordinating napkins.

This is going to be a pretty one, and I'll share the set with you on Wednesday.

Tomorrow is Tag's day and he can hardly wait to talk with you again.

It's going to be a great week!

Rainy Days and Thursdays...

 What to do on a cloudy Thursday that quickly turned to rain?

Well, for starters, teach the final class for the Over The River quilt.

That was really fun. I saw one finished quilt and helped with pointers

on another. My third student had a funeral to attend and couldn't come.

I headed home and went to the studio to work on the Princeton Plates.

 

 I asked Handsome for his input and together we chose the sashing, 

cornerstone and border fabrics. The blocks are all assembled now, 

so today, I'll square up the quilt and add the first and second borders.

 Then, I'll be ready to send it off to the long-arm. While it's away, I'll make

 coordinating pillowcases, shams and prepare the binding for its return.

There's still a bunch to do, but I couldn't wait to share my progress.

 If you need me, I'll be in the studio.

Catch ya later!

Circular Thinking...

 What a great weekend! I found time to work on the Princeton Plates quilt.

 I enjoyed resting with my feet up, stitching the plates to the background 

fabric. I kept my supplies close at hand - Kimono silk thread, Thread Heaven™,

silver bee thimble, scissors and needle. Everything I needed when my attention

turned to the quilt - available when the urge to work on it struck my fancy.

 By the end of the day Monday all of my plates were sewn down!

Time to change my focus to creating the circles for the center of the blocks.

I gave Handsome fabric samples and asked him choose his favorite for the center 

circles. The winner was the blue paisley fabric. I think the blue  will be just the 

right choice for these plates. After all, the Moda "Princeton" line looks just like 

men's ties when used this way, and the blue center moves it even more in a 

masculine direction. Even so, I like the choice as much as Handsome does.

I made a template for the center and then began the applique' process of

forming the fabric into circles.  I need eighteen circles for eighteen plates.

 Today will be a total play day. I'll make the rest of the circle centers and

sew them to the plates. I bet I'll be pretty close to adding sashing by Friday.

There will be a lot of "circular thinking" before this step is finished. (snort)

What will you be working on today?

Catching Up...

 Today, I'll be working on the gifts from my giveaway.

 I'm making two table runners and a tote.

 Don't these fabrics, paired with Michelle's sweet little birds, make you smile?

I'll take pictures of everything before I send them out so you can see.

I'm also going to make more table runners over the weekend for the Boutique.

Are you planning something creative today?

Making More Princeton Plates...

I'm back to working on the quilt for Handsome. I thought all along that I

might make the centers using this creamy paisley fabric, which also appears

 in the "spokes" of the plates. I like how it keeps the blocks more neutral.

But, it's not going to be my quilt. I showed the two choices to Handsome...

and he prefers the blue centers. Alrighty, then. Blue it shall be.

(Although I might ask him one more time before I start the stitching.)

I have over half of the blocks finished (except the centers), and will be

finishing the rest soon. I'll show you more when I get to sashing them together.

What do you have planned for this week?

Are you working on something creative?
Whatever you have planned, I hope you have a little fun mixed in.

Princeton Update...

I didn't want you to think I've just been sitting around resting on my laurels. I have to work toward a November 30th finish for this quilt top if I'm going to make the deadline to get it to the long-arm in time for Christmas.

It starts with twenty blocks with twenty plates. I've assembled nine plates with the other eleven patiently awaiting Prissy's (my Babylock Espire) touch. I decided to hand applique' those first nine plates to their base blocks and then finish assembling the last eleven.

I've already completed five of the plates, so I'll be back to joining more in no time. It takes me just over one hour to applique' one plate to its block. When the blocks are all completed, I'll add the sashing and borders to complete the quilt top.  I'm hoping to make the deadline, but just in case, my fallback position is his January birthday. I'll let you know how I do.

You know how I work...December 1st, this Santa's helper goes into full production mode. I'll share my list with you then - but everything is usually scheduled for a December 16th deadline so I can get it all in the mail to arrive with plenty of time to spare.

What are you working on this week? Are you making any of your Christmas gifts this year?

Almost There...

I so hoped that I would be able to share my finished Scrappy Plates quilt with you by today. I worked on it for a long time yesterday, but it's just not finished yet. I continued to make those little, invisible stitches...

but the quilt is a queen size, and I'm still tired from working at the polls. It was a satisfying and challenging job, but it demanded full attention the whole time. I'm only telling you this to give a lame excuse explain why it's still not finished.

I will have photographs to share tomorrow. I'm going to stick with this until it's finished today. It's a process I really love, and it's relaxing, too, so don't think I'm viewing the task as a negative. No way!

One last thing. Words cannot express my thanks to Tag's Aunt Rita at Driftwood Pet Care and Kennels. She and her staff not only took excellent care of my boy, but when I went to pick him up and pay his bill, she informed me that there was no charge. When I expressed surprise, she told me that because I was "doing my civic duty" (working at the polls), they were comping his stay. I actually started to cry and told her how much I appreciated her gesture. I knew that I was tired from our day, but I even surprised myself when I got weepy! I will say though, my gratitude was heartfelt and genuine. Thank you, Rita and Fred. You're the best!