Sunday, October 31, 2010

I've been busy

After testing all of Jess's beautiful quilt patterns, for the past 4 yrs! (well, almost, I can't believe it's been that long!) I have decided to give my hand a try at pattern making. Like a lot of you, I have patterns bouncing around my head, trying to get out :)

So the past few weeks I've been working on those. I have 2 baby quilt tops all done, now I need to do some quilting on them and finish writing the patterns up. And one more I'm working on. They are easy, fun and stash busting! Here is a sneak peak at them.






I also have 4 'big' people quilt patterns and at least 3 bag patterns that I am trying to get written up. I am going to be making some, and selling them...at least, that is the plan. Wish me luck :)

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Over on the forum, we had a delightful mystery quilt weekend. If you missed it, you'll have another chance in a few weeks. I think it's the second weekend in Nov. So mark your calendars and come play. It's another fabulous pattern by Jess!

Our round robins from this year are starting to trickle home. I got my beautiful one in the mail a few days ago. I just LOVE IT. The Ladies did a fantastic job on it. Here's a picture.





Isn't it beautiful?

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We are finally getting some cold weather at my house, no snow yet, but lots of rain. It's the perfect time to sit at the sewing machine, feel the woodstove crackling at my back, and sip hot tea or cocoa.

I hope you can come see us on the forum, and join in the fun sometime.

Till next time.

Dorian

Saturday, October 9, 2010

Scrappy stars...done

I've finished my scrappy stars top. It is much different from the one on the link I showed you. I had put all the smaller stars together, with no sashing, and just did not like the way it looked. I've learned that you really have to watch the color placement of each strip. Next time, I'll make the strips better, so that the stars emerge as they should.


But I like this top. I think it looks good with the sashings. When I made the larger 'stars', I had thought, before I pieced them into the top, that they came out good. But once you put them together, you can see that the colors of the strips are not quite right there either. You need to use dark/light on the outer two strips, and a medium/light for the middle strip, in order for the pattern to come out. Oh well, I still like it. And I'm sure it will help to keep a Veteran warm. This is just a lap size, but something nice to snuggle under while watching tv, etc.

Here are some block pieces I am making for a "storm at sea" quilt. It's for our Sept QOV (Quilt of Valor) recipient. I am going to be piecing this beautiful top. It's made in batiks of purples, blues and greens. It's going to be gorgeous!


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Other happenings around the forum. We have moved the Oct mystery dates to the 22nd/23rd. So you have plenty of time to buy the pattern. And I'm sure if you ask Jess, she can kit it for you if you'd like.

We all have our Secret Santa friend, so have been browsing patterns and going thru fabrics, looking for just the right thing. I love this swap! It's so much fun making something for a friend, without her knowing who is doing it.

I also have the sign-ups for next years Round Robin going on. This year we are doing a Row by Row robin. You can find the thread here. Come on over and join us, it's lots of great fun!

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Fall has finally arrived at my house. It's been beautiful weather, cloudy, rainy, and the next day sunny. Highs have been getting in the 60's and 70's. And cool at night. We have the woodstove going in the mornings and lots of firewood being cut up and stacked. I LOVE this time of year :)

Hope you all have a great day.

Till next time.

Dorian