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Monday, September 30, 2013

Peace and Harmony

It's so exciting to post "Peace and Harmony."  This quilt was created for the "Let's Twist to the 60's with Batiks" blog hop. 


Peace and Harmony Quilt


 Welcome to my stop on this magical mystery tour. There have been some trippin' projects in this hop and it has been my favorite hop to participate in, so far.  Color is my THING!!  Batiks are a favorite of mine and I was born in the 60s, so this hop just seemed to click with me.    Madame Samm created this hop and Mary put the organization to it and I want to thank them.



Peace Sign Free Motion Quilting

I've always been a fan of the artwork on the Grateful Dead albums and used that as my inspiration for this quilt.  It's kind of tie dye meets pixels in batiks.  I think of it as color harmony in a twist.  I will work up the pattern and share it later. It's 72" x 90" double bed size.  Update:  THE PATTERN IS NOW AVAILABLE AT CRAFTSY.

The quilting is at least a million a lot of peace signs free motioned in a mixture of sizes on my Janome 6600.  This is the first time I used different thread on the front than the back.  The thread on front is variegated cotton and the back is white poly. 

A look at the back
Once I figured out the tension, it worked like a charm.  I never realized the difference having a pieced back would make.  The white fabric needed a little less tension than the peace sign fabric.  I had to change my tension in the middle of stitching some of the peace signs to keep the threads from showing.


Love, Peace, and Daisy Hill Forever Jayhawk in Lawrence Kansas


This quilt traveled with me to northeast Kansas (5 hours) and had it's picture taken with a Jayhawk in Lawrence, Kansas.  My son was the photographer and posed the quilt.  I'm not really a Kansas University Jayhawk fan (unless it's basketball season), but it was a perfect shot.  Thank you, Randy!


 

Thats not all, of course.  My twist on words... a batik project called "Peas and Hominy."  You can never have enough Pot Holders, right?  I'm pretty sure pot holders were used in the 60s.


Peas and Hominy

Another twist - not the dance - I tried my hand at dyeing my own batik fabric and made a little coin purse from a 1960's pattern.  I adorned it with a button and a charm I found at Hobby Lobby.



I will try making a batik again, but with a little more planning on the designs for the fabric and colors.  It was fun to give it a go, though.  I'll keep you posted on all the trials and errors...

Here are the other far out blogs participating today:
October 1

 
Please spread the love and visit them.

I'm so sad to see my days of listening to 60's music and watching 60's inspired movies come to an end.  I loved researching for inspiration and working with the beautiful fabrics.  In fact, I want you to have some 60's fun too.  How about a giveaway...


Just leave a comment and you have a chance to win these fat quarters of batik fabric and your very own peace charms.  If you are a follower you can leave me another comment saying you are.  That will give you 2 chances.  The winner will be announced by Monday October 7th.  Anyone can win, just make sure I can e-mail you...



Wishing you Peace, Harmony, and Love,











Linking up with:  Amada Jean at Crazy Mom Quilts 
 


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Saturday, September 28, 2013

100 Blocks and 108 Inches

Check.  This top is ready for quilting.  I'm only one month behind schedule on this one, but it is a finish worth waiting for.  The wind has been blowing about 30 MPH for the last week, so excuse the inside picture.

Garden Trellis

I'm calling it "Garden Trellis" (the colors and pattern just puts me there) and it is for my daughter.  I first posted about it here.  That is where you will find info on the pattern.  The fabrics are mostly batiks.

I've spent the month working with batiks gearing up for my day in the "Let's Twist to the 60's with Batiks" blog hop.  My day is Tuesday, October 1st. The hop so far has been "Far Out!"  Check out all the groovy projects...

 
So come back to see my big finish!!  I have a fun colorful one to show.
 
Happy Weekend,
 



 
 











Linking up with Amanda Jean at  Crazy Mom Quilts and Sarah at  Can I Get a Whoop, Whoop.
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Saturday, September 21, 2013

1960's Inspiration

I've been quilting up a storm to the sounds of the 60's and watching some old movies getting ready for the "Let's Twist to the 60's with Batiks" blog hop.

My mom and I in the 60's
I was a little one in the 60's, but my mom was pretty groovy looking if you ask me.  Today, I think we would say she is a hotty.  How cool are those sunglasses?  Inspiration?

Photo - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help!_(film)

Do you ever look to music or movies for inspiration?  I have been enjoying researching and becoming very inspired by the decade of great music and social change.

 Did you know the movie, "Help!" was dedicated to the memory of Elias Howe, who in 1846 invented the sewing machine?  I was very surprised to see that!


This is one of my favorites.  There is a lot of information and great music and I've watched it about a 100 times while working on this project.  I even went and bought the sound track.


 
I can't share my WIP with you, but I'm very excited about this one.  My day is October 1st, so be sure and come back for a peak.  I will tell you that my arms are very sore and I don't feel rusty on my free motion quilting anymore.... Thank you, Madame Samm, for putting this blog hop together and the always wonderful, Mary, for organizing all of us.
 
Hope you find your inspiration,
 
 
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Friday, September 13, 2013

You Can't Show Up Empty Handed

I'm excited to visit my son next weekend, but I don't want to go without a gift.  This is the perfect excuse to purchase a new ruler and make him something...right?

He commented about a pillow I had made his sister when he was home for a visit, so I decided I would use the same pattern but with different fabrics.  The pattern uses 36 half square triangles. 


I needed to get the rust out of my FMQ skills. They've been put away for awhile.  I did a little stipple for the quilting.

I like to make my HSTs  a little bigger and then square them up.  I found a great ruler to help with that!  The ruler is called Bloc Loc and it has a groove that sets right into the seam and makes quick work of squaring up.  I guess I'm giving them a little free advertising, but I really do love this ruler.



Trim one side, then just slide the ruler down the seam and cut the other side.


I used my rotating mat to whirl the little squares around and trim.  It was so much faster.  Yeah, me.  I have the 6.5" size.  I think it will be perfect for me.

 
I have labels now, too.  You would think it's my birthday or something....  *giggle*  Oh, wait, it almost is!  lol



This chair was made by my son when he was in 4-H and I thought it made a neat picture. 

I'm linking up with Crazy Mom Quilts and Can I Get a Whoop, Whoop.

Hubby is taking me out to celebrate 15 years of wonderful.
Have a great weekend,


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Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Pin Cushions Galore

How lucky am I to have one of my Grandmother's Pin Cushions?  Very!


If you want to see some incredible pin cushions, Madame Samm at Sew We Quilt and Kristen at Meadowbrook have put together an exciting blog hop. 

Here is the schedule for your viewing pleasure.  There are prizes and giveaways. 



September 10
Meadowbrook




September 16
De Zondagssteek
 

Wishing I had a few of those,

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Sunday, September 8, 2013

September 8th, One of My Favorite Days

Free Motion a Birthday Card
To my best friend and the man supporting every thing I do.  I made you a little card, but you have given me everything.  This is one of my favorite days, the day we celebrate the day you were born.

Behind the scenes, my main man.
I'm the luckiest girl in the world. 
Thank you for you!
And the EQ7 - coming for my birthday, soon... lol
I love you,

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Friday, September 6, 2013

A Little Mouse Told Me...

I have so many projects started (and not started) that require my attention, but this little mouse keeps distracting me.


I've only put two rows together on this quilt top that was supposed to be an August finish, but I have a mouse.


I've signed up to be part of the "Let's Twist to the 60's in Batiks" Blog Hop, and here is the pile of fabric I need to get busy on, but I have a mouse.




The sign up for "Wicked 3" Blog Hop is tomorrow and the little mouse pulled all this Halloween fabric out, which is so distracting. 


I guess the real distraction is the fact there is a pin cushion blog hop starting next week and I didn't sign up for it, so I decided to make one instead of completing anything else. 

 
 
I'm excited to see a bunch of creative pin cushions.  The hop starts Tuesday and you can start visiting the pin cushions at Kristen's blog over at Meadowbrook.

 
My little mouse was a fun Friday finish.  He will see me through a lot of quilting if I can keep him  me from climbing the wall.  Sharing my mouse pin cushion at Crazy Mom Quilts.
 
Happy weekend,






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Monday, September 2, 2013

Hot Hairstylist with a Mug Rug

Sitting out on the porch, wondering what to do in the sewing room, when it hits me. (as if I need to wonder..) That mug is needing a rug...


That would mean I would need to make diamonds!  That would mean more of that 60 degree triangle ruler!  (technically 30 degrees but the ruler is 60)   I was up for the challenge and had a blast.


Now that is a lot better.  Anyone want a hair cut this morning...


From a Hot Hairstylist? 

Are they talking temperature?

Happy Day Off!











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Sunday, September 1, 2013

Blueberry Pancakes for Me, Please

Nothing beats breakfast in the country.  It just tastes better sitting on the porch with a cool breeze before the day starts.

This morning, I'd like to share my blueberry pancakes. 



 
1 cup flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 Tablespoon sugar
1 egg
1 cup milk
3 Tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
1 cup fresh blueberries
 
Combine dry ingredients with a whisk.  (I hate sifting and this works just as well)  In a separate bowl, beat the egg until it is frothy.  Beat the milk and butter with the egg until well mixed.  Pour the egg mixture into the dry and mix until everything is moist.  It should be a little lumpy.  Fold in the blueberries, gently. 
Heat a skillet until a little cold water dropped on the surface just rolls off in droplets.  Use about 1/3 cup of batter for each pancake.  Cook on one side until the edges look dry and bubbles form on the surface.  Turn the pancake over and cook until it is golden brown on the underside. 
Serve with more blueberries, butter, and syrup.
I even enjoy topping the pancakes with whipped cream once in awhile.  It's like dessert.
 
In a pinch....
Grab some baking mix and follow their directions for pancakes and then add some fresh blueberries to the batter.  Homemade doesn't take long and is better, but I enjoy the convenience of baking mix once in awhile a lot.


Happy September,

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