1930's Sew-A-Row Done

Two down, two to go!

I finished the 1930's Sew-A-R0w today and only have two to go before the June 5th meeting.

I added the bottom row to this one--the vintage puppies and kitten I found in an old pattern leaflet I picked up off the silent auction table at guild. I used them as the models for the embroidery on Alexander's baby quilt last year and love them so much that I just had to use them again.

In March I tried a new technique for machine applique on another Sew-A-Row and Angie suggested that I try using the basting spray that is used on quilt layers to compare efficiency, so I did. I have to say that the spray-basted parts did not "stick" as well as the ones I did using the fusible thread. In fact, they were so loose that I ended up using that Bo Nash 007 Bonding powder so I wouln't have to cut new pieces. I did have to cut a new cat because I ruined that one, so I just used Steam-a-Seam II to fuse that one.

My final opinion? I liked the method using the fusible thread in spite of its labor intensity because it left the applique shapes soft and supple and they'd have been easy to embroider over had I needed to do that. The SASII and Bo-Nash both left the pieces stiff hard to needle.

I'm really glad that Angie gave me the idea to try another method, because a quilter can never have too many ways get 'er done.

Quilting Bloggers

Mishka at Quilting Gallery has a new feature on her site called Quilting Bloggers and I urge you to check it out and get yourself listed!

Miniature Booty Swap!

My offering for Miniature Booty Swap hosted by Toni, The Quilting Pirate is now finished and just needs a label so I can pop it into the mail.

The pattern is a mini-tumbler charm quilt that I cut from 4-inch squares of fabric using the EZ Dresden template. I machine pieced and hand quilted the project, and the finished quilt measures about 17" x 22".

I loved doing this project and I loved these Katie Jump Rope fabrics by Denyse Schmidt and luckily, I have enough leftovers to make one for myself! They remind me of my beloved 1930's reproductions with a kick!

Now, to print the label and get this baby in the mail to "SOMEONE."

Sew A Row Done!

I finished one of my four Sew A Rows and have another almost ready to go--just need to finish the handwork embroidery.

Christine did the top (starter) row, Mary did the row in the middle and I did the row on the bottom row. Both Mary and Christine used three dimensional piecing techniques, which I tried and failed. I decided to call it good with simple pinwheel stars and to forget trying to make the while pinwheels stand out.

I've also almost finished hand quilting my Miniature Booty Swap quilt and I'm going to have to force myself to put this baby in the mail. I won't post the photo until it is received by.....someone.

Slackin' Blogger

That would be me.

My darling Greyhair has had a birthday, which resulted in a visit with his mom and her husband, so blogging time was non-existent, and then his Greyness was suffering from a mild anaphylactic reaction to one of his medications, and a massive case of poison oak. He is pictured making out with our Miniature Schnauzer, Gator.

Our home is on a hillside formerly covered with scrub, manzanita and poison oak and we've rid the yard of most of it, but some stragglers pop up every spring amid the ground cover on our side slope. I went on a reconnaissance mission with my spray bottle of blackberry and vine killer and found about 5 suspect plants and after spraying them I covered them with rocks to prevent the dogs from bringing the oil in on their fur--our most likely source--although our Greyhair did pull a "weed" while planting some fuschias that "might have been poison oak." Doh!

Long story short, sewing time has been at a premium for the last couple of weeks, but I am improving my time management and have finished up a couple of lotto blocks for Nancy and Moira and have one Sew-A-Row done with 3 more due by June 5th. Pictures to follow.

Our New Blog

My darling husband, Greyhair and I each have a blog to discuss our primary passions, mine quilting and his politics, but we wanted another place where we could discuss our other hobbies and family.

So, we've launched La Dolce Vita, Italian for "The Sweet Life." La Dolce Vita has always been our personal way of expressing our love of the life we share.

Now, I can devote this blog pretty much to my quilting and with that, I promise a picture of my Spring Fling Round Robin tomorrow. Today I finish the applique.

Today's quilt picture is the last picture taken of my Dad in 2002 at the age of 87. I made him a quilt when he had a stroke and it was newspaper print with black and white friendship stars. I called it "Black and White and Read All Over" after the old riddle, and because Dad was a retired editor and publisher of our local newspaper. Dad passed away on May 19th, 2002 and I miss him.

Go check out our new blog--we'd love to see you there!

Publish Post

Nothin' New Here...

I've been busy piddling around with little projects like the Spring Fling Round Robin and the Round Robin Bloggers project and miscellaneous Sew-a-Rows, so I'll share a picture of a quilt I made in 1975 as a commission for the Colorado Children's Book Award. I made a block to commemorate each of the 20 nominees, and it is hand appliquéd and quilted. I was paid a whopping $200 plus materials for it.

I purchased several of the books at the awards dinner and had them autographed and I have a paste on label with Dr. Suess' autograph that says "To my favorite quilter, Jan Gibson."

Last I heard, it was hanging in the children's library in Fort Collins.