Wednesday, January 21, 2015

A TEMPLATE IDEA FOR VISUAL REFERENCE

Hi Stampers and Stitchers,

I am making a visual stimulation quilt for my new grandson. I wanted to know what sizes to make the blocks so that all of the pattern on the material could be seen very well.


I used the cardboard from a 12" x 12" tablet of scrapbook paper, a six inch omni-grid ruler, and a rotary cutter to cut out my square in the center of the cardboard. The 6" sized block will work perfectly for this quilt so I will use the 6 1/2" ruler to allow for seam allowance.  I also used a paper punch to punch a hole in the corner of the template so that I could save it for future use. I made several of these for different sizes. 





I will keep you posted on the blocks and the measurements of this quilt. I hope that you find this information helpful for future projects, i.e. quilting, sewing, crafts, stamping, scrapping, etc.

Enjoy and as always, please ask me any questions you may have.

Enjoy your week!

Sunday, January 18, 2015

More Quilting Blocks of the Month

Hi Stampers and Stitchers,

It's warming up outside! Who knows what the next 3 months hold for us though! It's Indiana, the state where we have all 4 seasons in one week!

Here are a couple more blocks I've finished for our little group swap. The first is called Milky Way. It is a 15" block when finished. This will make a nice lap quilt! The second is called Box Kite. A very fun block for kids if you needed a colorful, easy pattern. Even though the HST are there, they are very large and very nice to sew.

Next I have a very exciting visual stimulation quilt in the works for the new baby arriving Feb 21st hopefully! I will share photos and the plans for making it when I'm finished.

Until then, happy stamping and stitching!


Please ask me any questions that you may have.



Tuesday, January 13, 2015

QUILTING BLOCKS OF THE MONTHS

Hi Stampers and Stitchers,

I've been busy creating blocks for our little group swap. I've made 3 blocks this year so far. Next I will make my block called cardtrick.  It's pretty cute!

The first block is called Betty's Delight, the second is called Birdhouses, (it was paper pieced) and the third block is called Depression.

Next I have 2 blocks left to sew on my memory quilt of my Mom's passing!  She loved blue!  I started this is 2002 but quit quilting because it was too hard for me. I needed time to grieve. It's been almost 13  years and it's still hard sometimes.  I will post the top when it is finished.

When that's done, I'd like to start stamping some more. :)  I miss it.

We have had bitter cold weather here in IN and now snow. I've been shut in for 3 days.   Our tractor broke yet to boot so it needs a new engine.   Better $1k than $5K.  Although I'm pushing for a new zero turn mower and a new barn!!

If you have any questions about the blocks please ask.




Thursday, January 1, 2015

HAPPY NEW YEAR! HERE'S THE FROZEN QUILT AND MY CHRISTMAS CARDS!

Hi Stampers and Stitchers,

I didn't realize it had been a month since I posted. I have been very busy with the grand kids and the holidays. I will try to be more attentive this year. :-)

Here is a Frozen quilt that I made for a friends 4 yo daughter. I got the idea for the snowflakes from the accuquilt die cuts. I used my Cricut explore to cut each of them out. The material was from the frost line  and fairy frost white with glitter was used for the snowflakes and  I appliquéd them on to each square. If you have any questions, please ask. I'd be happy to answer them for you.

Next is the Christmas card I used for 2014. The idea came from the internet. I lost track of where I found it and thank you to whomever had the idea.

Stamp supplies:

Cardstock:  Real Red, black, and very vanilla
Ink:             Garden Green
Stamps:       Lovely As a Tree, Watercolor Winter Too
Other:        printed paper, Star brads, and Red Sheer Ribbon; all from Hobby Lobby, a square punch
                  was used to make the end of the banner



The borders were done in blocks. The height of the borders are 9 1/2". I was following RXR last year and this gave me the idea for the size. I believe the width of the block is 8 3/4."  Do some math and figure out what you'll need from the length of your panel. I trimmed my panel down to the burgundy stripe and then used that stripe as part of the seam allowance.  Get your grid paper out and be creative!