Sunday, July 31, 2011

Pillow Talk Swap 5

It's been a while since I have posted anything because life has just gotten in the way of quilting and that makes me sad :-(

I am starting to get some quilting things done because it's just too hot to do anything else. I'm staying indoors with the AC on. I'm not looking forward to seeing this month's electric bill.

The Pillow Talk { Swap } ~ Round 5 - Front

Look at this great pillow I got from Sandy, aka Paper Poppies. Now, I just need to get an 18" pillow form.

The Pillow Talk { Swap } ~ Round 5 - Back

Love that the she left the selvage on. It make it even more modern in my eyes.

Thanks for a great pillow Sandy, the colors will work great in my living room!

Until next time,

Sunday, July 24, 2011

Screw You Kitty


Zeus did not like the kitty being in his front yard.

Until next time,


Wednesday, July 20, 2011

A Different Perspective - Sarah Craig



I am starting a new feature called A Different Perspective. This is going to be a feature where I introduce fellow followers of Qubee Quilts to you my reader. I hope that this is a way we can learn about other quilters like ourselves and know that we are not alone and maybe reach out and find a new quilting friend.

Today I would like to introduce you to Sarah Craig. She has been a reader of Qubee Quilts for a while now.

  • Tell us a little bit about yourself?
First of all, I’m really honored to be interviewed here! I’ve enjoyed your blog for a while now and found lots of inspiration here. I’ve been blogging and quilting for about a year and a half - just kind of fell into both at the same time. Nowadays I can’t imagine spending my day without some sewing and some blog surfing - even on vacation! I’m blessed to get to stay at home with my 3-year old granddaughter four days a week, which gives me some freedom to sew - actually much more than I had when I worked full time. I work with a growing quilt ministry at my church that has distributed over 120 quilts to people in need over the past year and a half, and have the joy of teaching quilting to people who never thought they could ever sew, much less quilt. When our ministry began, none of us had made more than one or two quilts in our lives, and most had never made one at all. We’ve come a long way, baby!!
  • What is your quilting background? (When did you first get started into quilting)
In Winter Snows - Original Deign
It’s funny - my grandmother taught me to sew and do all kinds of needlework, but she wasn’t a quilter - so I never made a quilt until I was a senior in high school. I made my first quilt using a quilt-in-a-day log cabin pattern (I must say it took a lot longer than a day to make!) and then never did much more with quilting until about a year and a half ago. I caught the bug then after organizing a quilting bee to make a quilt for a friend with cancer, and haven’t looked back since!
  • Have you always been a quilter or did you start out doing something else?
I started out young - I learned to sew at age eight - and made all my school clothes for years at my grandmother’s house during the summer. She also taught me to do crewel and cross-stitch, knitting and crocheting. The cross-stitch took the best, I think - I went through a period of about fifteen years where that was my favorite craft. Alas, age and vanity caught up with me and when I started needing glasses in addition to my contacts to do stitchery, I put it aside......
  • What inspires you?
I seem to find a lot of inspiration in architecture - I like the clean bold lines of good architectural design. I also find inspiration every day as I blog surf - there are so many talented quilters and designers out there!!
    Caribbean Reflections
  • What is your favorite color to use in your quilts?

By necessity, because most the quilts I make are charity quilts, I don’t always get to choose my favorite colors to quilt with. But given a free hand, I tend toward bright summery colors, with green usually being dominant.
  • I was always taught that quilts need to be 100% cotton. Cotton fabric, cotton batting & cotton backing, but now am learning to use other types of fabrics in my quilts. Is this the case for you?
I’m afraid I’m kind of a purist when it comes to quilts - I really prefer to use cotton to anything else! But I’ll try anything once to see if I like it!
  • What draws you to a certain type of fabric? The line, color, designer, etc?
Sue Ann's Quilt
Usually it’s color that draws me to a fabric first, then a design that appeals to me. I tend toward whimsical fabrics with contemporary color combinations. And it seems that I am drawn to almost anything with Kate Spain’s name on it!!
  • What does modern quilting mean to you?
Modern quilting means fewer rules, more freedom, a chance to think outside the traditional box. I think that the modern quilting movement has allowed a lot of women to embrace the craft who otherwise would not have the time or energy to try it. Simpler quilts made with bold and interesting fabric - bring it on!!
  • What is your least & most favorite part of quilting & why for each?
That’s a hard question. I love all parts of quilting, but if I had to say which parts slow me down the most, it would have to be cutting the pieces at the outset of a project, and preparing a quilt back. My GO! Cutter has eased the first problem. I’ve also learned that not every quilt back has to be pieced - sometimes it’s acceptable to put a whole cloth back on a quilt so that it can be finished and move on to its new home, with someone who needs the comfort it will provide. My favorite part? When I finish the flimsy, press it all nice and flat, and hang it over my quilting frame - seeing all that beautiful pieced goodness just waiting to be quilted makes my day!
Not Your Grandmother's Flower Garden - Original Deign
  • When making a quilt do you follow a pattern or make it up as you go along?
I usually start with a design - either one of my own or someone else’s - but then I will adjust it to fit the size of quilt that I need, or the amount and numbers of fabrics I have to work with. Pieced quilt backs are another thing - those usually just grow on my design wall made from leftovers of the fabric from the front of the quilt. Now that’s fun - no rules, just creating!!
  • Do you consider yourself a ruler breaker in quilting?
More of a rule-ignorer, I think! I never had any formal instruction in quilting, so no one ever told me the “rules”! If what I’m doing works and looks good, then it’s good enough for me.
  • How can others find out more about you?
They can come visit my blog, Confessions of A Fabric Addict. There are several regular features there - Make-A-List Monday, Toddlerless Tuesday, Can I Get A Whoop Whoop Friday, and Surfin’ Sunday. The first two are basically for my benefit, to keep me accountable on my projects in progress. Fridays are for anyone who wants to celebrate their own progress to link up and share - then check out the links and provide encouragement to their fellow linkers! It’s a great way to meet new bloggers and get and give a little “attagirl”. And on Sundays, I try to feature a fellow quilt blogger who may be new to most of my readers.
    Yarn and String
  • Is there anything else you would like the readers to know about you?
Charity quilting is near and dear to my heart, and earlier this summer I hosted the Hands2Help Charity Quilt Challenge. Quilt bloggers are currently making quilts for Judi of Green Fairy Quilts to send to Romania to be distributed there during her husband’s annual trip. This is a great group of quilters and it looks like we will have in excess of fifty quilts to send to Judi as a result of this challenge. It’s too late to join up this year, but we’re hoping this will be an annual event - so keep an eye out for the next H2H challenge!!

Thank you Sarah, for taking the time to be with us today and letting us take a peek into your world of quilting. It has been a pleasure getting to know more about you.

If you would like be a part of A Different Perspective please drop me a line. I would love to showcase you here.


Until next time,


Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Christmas Quilt Along 2011 - WINNERS!

Photobucket


Sunday sure went fast and was a lot of fun. Thanks for joining in. Oh what fun it is to quilt in a one horse open sleigh!

Now, to simplify the giveaway, I'm not going to post pictures of the Random Number Generator as that will take up a lot of space.

Here we go ...


Jeanne said...
Okay, I'm here. Good morning to all my friends and new folks in my computer. I am excited.

Melissa said...
I just bought my first roll of freezer paper today and now I have a project to go with it! Thank you!


hueisei said...
Loves the thread.. I hope I will win some for my project.. Thanks for the chance...

Jeanne said...
Charlie you are a great instructor, when can we expect your book out sir? I got in such a hurry to sign up for the flurry that I forgot what I was doing. I have just stemmed and broken 36 quarts of green beans. Now, I can go to my sewing room. I will beat this deadline if it kills me! LOL
It's kind of funny and ironic that Jeanne should win two prizes. It's not rigged I promise. She is just lucky!

  • The winner of the Grand prize of a $100 gift certificate courtesy of Fat Quarter Shop winner is:


Finished Quilt for the Christmas Quilt-a-long



I would love to hear the good, bad, and ugly of what you all thought about the quilt along. Let me know what you enjoyed, what you'd like to see more of, where I dropped the ball, etc. Please email all your feedback comments to qubee@kc.rr.com and help me make next year's quilt along that much better!!

Thanks again to our wonderful sponsors


And a special thanks to Sue Abrey for donating her book for the giveaway.

Until next time,


Sunday, July 10, 2011

Thank You!

Button Large 325 x 265

Hope you all had fun today with our quickie Christmas Quilt and are now in the mood to get some Christmas gifts done.

A special thank you to all of our wonderful sponsors. Without them I could have not done this quilt along.


Ryan at I'm Just A Guy Who QuiltsModa 150x150




Woundrous 125x125Aurifil_rainbow 125




A special thank you to Sue Abrey for donating her upcoming book entitled Pick Four


Sometimes we don't think of the BIG picture. We're all connected by what is know as the World Wide Web and we think everyone is running on the same time zone as we are, but they are not. I had forgot this and I apologize.

For all my international folks, I've updated the time for the finished quilt to be posted to fickr to midnight 7/11/2011 CST to be eligible for a grand prize drawing of a $100 gift certificate courtesy of Fat Quarter Shop



Overall, I hope you had fun today and I will take what I have learned from this and apply it to the next quilt along that I host. Thanks for remembering I am human and I do make mistakes.

If you could not join us today for what ever reason you're welcome to make the quilt at your leisure as it will be immortalized forever because of the web.


Until next time,


Cherry Mash Candy


Cherry Mash Candy

My mother used to make these every Christmas. I've not had them in years. Maybe Thomas will make me some.

Prep Time: 5 mins

Total Time: 5 mins

Ingredients:

  • 1 (14 ounce) package strawberry frosting mix (powder)
  • 1 lb confectioners' sugar
  • 7 ounces sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 4 ounces maraschino cherries, drained and chopped
  • 1/4 cup butter (soften)
  • 2 cups chocolate chips
  • 1/2 sqaure paraffin wax
  • 8 ounces salted chopped peanuts

Directions:


  1. Combine dry frosting mix, confectioners sugar, condensed milk, vanilla, cherries and butter in bowl; mix well.
  2. Shape into patties or balls.
  3. Melt chocolate chips with paraffin in saucepan, mixing well.
  4. Dip balls into chocolate; then roll into peanuts, coating well.
  5. Chill in refrigerator.



Until next time,


Christmas Quilt Along - Quilting & Binding

This blog post is brought to you by:


Anyone who leaves a comment below will be entered to win their choice of either a red or blue FQ bundle of Flurry by Kate Spain for Moda. Note blue not shown


Only one entry per person, please. All duplicate entries will be deleted. Only entries on blogger count. As blog posts are linked to Facebook. If you're reading this on Facebook please join us at www.QubeeQuilts.com to enter.

You may enter up till 10:00 pm CST and at that time I will close off all comments. I will draw the winners using the Random Number Generator and announce them here on Wednesday, July 13, 2011!

You should have your quilt top done. We're in the home stretch and almost done. Just a few last things.

Basting

Press your top and your back. Lay your quilt back right side down on a flat surface. Tape the edges so that the back is smooth and taut, but not tight. Lay your batting on top and make sure it is wrinkle free. Complete the quilt sandwich adding the top right side up. Again, make sure it is smooth and wrinkle free. Baste the quilt sandwich by pinning every 3 or 4 inches starting at the center and working toward the edges. In lieu of pins you could use spray basting (which is what I used). Basting tutorial by Crazy Mom Quilts

Quilt as Desired

I choose to quilt mine in a diagonal crosshatch grid every two inches apart. To do this I used my 24" x 6" ruler and marked my quilt with iron off chalk.




Binding

The one - step binding method.

This method of binding is attached by requiring only one pass with the sewing machine & will require a 1" (25mm) bias tape maker.


Traditional methods of binding is mostly 2 1/4" binding strips, The one-step method uses 2" strips. We begin by making contentious binding strips the length needed. Yes, you can use binding strips cut with the grain or on the bias with this tool.

Making the Strips
  • Trim one end of the binding strip to a point for easy feeding through the 1" bias tape maker.

  • Pull the tape maker while pressing the binding. Take your time to ensure that the raw edges of the binding align in the center of the strip & are of consistent in width.
  • Trim off the pointed end.

  • Press the binding in half lengthwise for a consistent 1/2" wide binding strip. Steam will help help set the folds.
Attaching the binding.




  • With the quilt facing up and starting about a 1/3" of the way up my a corner, slip the raw edge of the quilt into opened binding. The biding should be the same on both the front & back if you have ironed the binding carefully.
  • Leave about 5 to 10 inches of binding unsewn and stitch about 1/8" from the edge of the binding.
  • Use your left hand to guide the quilt under the presser foot & your right hand to keep the binding snug against the quilt, sewing all the way to the quilt's edge. Left the presser foot & cut the threads.

  • Hold the quilt with your left hand, place your right thumb inside the binding strip and fold it open, making a 45 degree angle on the front & back of the quilt.
  • Fold the binding to the front of the quilt, making a crisp miter on the front and; back of the quilt.
  • Slip the raw edge of the quilt snugly into the slightly open binding. You might wish to pin as you go, but with practice you can overcome this.

  • Continue sewing down the next side of the quilt, backtack the miter corner to reinforce it before continuing on.
  • On the last side of the quilt stop about 10" from where you began.

  • Trim the binding so it overlaps 2" with the beginning edge of the binding.
  • Open the binding all the way and stitch the binding tails together from upper left corner to lower right corner. Open to make sure stitching is right and trim to 1/4". This is the same as putting binding on the traditional way.
  • Press seam open to reduce bulk.
  • Continue sewing the binding until you the starting part. Overlap the stitching & backtack for added strength.
If done correctly your stitching will be even on the front and back of the quilt.

Some problems to watch for:
  • Do not wrap the binding around the quilt, but instead insert the quilt into the binding. This could lead to the binding being wider on the back than the front.
  • If stitching is missing on the back then you might have wrapped the binding or it was not snugly in the binding.
If you miss in a few spots that is fine the quilt police will not come and get you. Remember it's the back of the quilt who is going to look back there anyways? If they do look , they deserve to see it.

Add a quilt label and call it done.


Now lets go eat some fudge.

See you back her at 4pm (CST) for closing and wrap up.

Don't forget that you must post your fished photo to the flickr group before the end of the day on Monday, July 11, 2011 (midnight CST) to be eligible for a grand prize drawing of a $100 gift certificate courtesy of Fat Quarter Shop

Until next time,

Christmas in United States of America




Christmas in the United States of America


Santa Claus was born in US in the 1860's he was named this as he had a white beard and a belly, so he was named Santa Claus as this was the Dutch word for St Nicholas, Sintaklaas. Although the Dutch had bought him with them in the 17th century, he did not become an important person at Christmas until the Novelist Washington Irving put him in a novel that he wrote in 1809. This first Santa Claus was still known as St. Nicholas, he did smoke a pipe, and fly around in a wagon without any reindeer, but he did not have his red suit or live at the North Pole, he did however bring presents to children every year.

In 1863 He was given the name Santa Claus and bore the red suit, pipe, and his reindeer and sleigh.
Now Christmas celebrations vary greatly between regions of the United States, because of the variety of nationalities which have settled in it.

In Pennsylvania, the Moravians build a landscape, called a putz - under the Christmas tree, while in the same state the Germans are given gifts by Belsnickle, who taps them with his switch if they have misbehaved.

Early European settlers brought many traditions to the United States. Many settled in the early days in the South, these settlers would send Christmas greetings to their distant neighbors by shooting firearms and letting off fireworks. In Hawaii this practice is still in use as under the sunny skies, Santa Claus arrives by boat and Christmas dinner is eaten outdoors.

In Alaska, a star on a pole is taken from door to door, followed by Herod's Men, who try to capture the star. Colonial doorways are often decorated with pineapple, a symbol of hospitality.

In Alaska, boys and girls with lanterns on poles carry a large figure of a star from door to door. They sing carols and are invited in for supper.

In Washington D.C., a huge, spectacular tree is lit ceremoniously when the President presses a button and turns on the tree's lights.

In Boston, carol singing festivities are famous. The singers are accompanied by hand bells.

In New Orleans, a huge ox is paraded around the streets decorated with holly and with ribbons tied to its horns.

In Arizona, the Mexican ritual called Las Posadas is kept up. This is a ritual procession and play representing the search of Mary and Joseph for a room at the inn. Families play the parts and visit each other's houses enacting and re-enacting the drama and, at the same time, having a look at each family's crib.

In Hawaii, Christmas starts with the coming of the Christmas Tree Ship, which is a ship bringing a great load of Christmas fare. Santa Claus also arrives by boat.

In California, Santa Claus sweeps in on a surf board.

In America the traditional Christmas dinner is roast turkey with vegetables and sauces. For dessert it is rich, fruity Christmas pudding with brandy sauce. Mince pies, pastry cases filled with a mixture of chopped dried fruit.

The majority of Americans celebrate Christmas with the exchange of gifts and greetings and with family visits. For many, the day begins on Christmas Eve with the Midnight Mass. At Christmas it snows in many states, so dinner is usually eaten indoors. Dinner usually is roast turkey, goose, duck or ham served with cranberry sauce, then plum pudding or pumpkin pie followed by nuts and fruit.

American homes are decorated with holly, mistletoe and branches of trees, most have a Christmas tree hung with electric lights, tinsel, baubles, and strings of popcorn and candy canes.


In Colorado, an enormous star is placed on the mountain, it can be seen for many kilometers around, while in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, a star is lit in early December.

Polish Americans on Christmas Eve spread hay on their kitchen floor and under the tablecloth to remind them of a stable and a manger. When they make up the table for dinner two extra places are set up for Mary and the Christ Child in case they should knock at the door to ask for shelter.

In Philadelphia, a procession called a mummers parade runs for a whole day with bands, dancers and people in fancy dress.

There are two homes for Santa Claus in the United States one is in Torrington, Connecticut, where Santa and his helpers give out presents. The other home is in Wilmington, New York, where a village for Santa and his reindeer is located.

In Arizona they follow the Mexican traditions called Las Posadas. Families play out the parts of Mary and Joseph searching for somewhere to stay. They form a procession and visit their friends' and neighbors' homes where they admire each family's Nativity crib. In parts of New Mexico, people place lighted candles in paper bags filled with sand on streets and rooftops to light the way for the Christ Child.


Until next time,

Christmas Quilt Along - Putting it together

This blog post is brought to you by:



Anyone who leaves a comment below will be entered to win a sample pack of gorgeous AURIfil threads!



Only one entry per person, please. All duplicate entries will be deleted. Only entries on blogger count. As blog posts are linked to Facebook. If you're reading this on Facebook please join us at www.QubeeQuilts.com to enter.

You may enter up till 10:00 pm CST and at that time I will close off all comments. I will draw the winners using the Random Number Generator and announce them here on Wednesday, July 13, 2011!


Count Down to Christmas
  • Arrange the blocks as shown, alternating between black and red blocks. In 4 rows of 4
  • Using a scant 1/4" seam allowance, sew the blocks into rows
  • Set seams and press them in one direction or press open

  • Using a scant 1/4" seam allowance, sew the rows to complete the quilt top.
  • Set seams and press them in one direction or press open

Remember, to take some time and check out our sponsors web sites. If it was not for them I could not bring you this quilt along.

See you back here at 2:00pm (CST) where I will teach how I have quilted and bound this little Christmas quilt.

Don't forget that you must post your fished photo to the flickr group before the end of the day on Monday, July 11, 2011 (midnight CST) to be eligible for a grand prize drawing of a $100 gift certificate courtesy of Fat Quarter Shop

Until next time,


Happy Rainy Wedneday

Hello my friends, How is every one?  Below are some projects that I have been working on. This quilt has been on my design wall for ove...