An Angel Call - and an update

Wow,  it is September tomorrow. This year has flown for me.  I have done lots of different things.  I have taken classes online and the time has gone "Whoooooshhhhhhhh!" speeding by me.

This year we will be doing the Quilt Angels project again. Some of you know that in 2011 the Quilt Angels project started.  The project gathers handmade quilts of love for youth who for whatever reason are deemed "in need of care."  Many of these youth can not go home because home is not a safe place for them. These youngsters, aged 12 to 17 are housed, fed and taught life skills. They participate in community service and also continue their education while they are in the program.  Many of them have never know what it is like to be loved and cherished.  Some of them have known love and then things changed for one reason or another. None of them are bad teens, but rather are in a bad situation and need to know what love is.  They need to build self-esteem and learn to trust again.
One of the greatest things that happened the first year was when  young guy looked at the label on his quilt and saw that it came from Virginia. He was totally amazed that someone in Virginia cared enough to make and send a quilt to him.  I think it may have changed his perception of the world.  Every time I tell this story it brings tears to my eyes. It is amazing that something we make and honestly take for granted most of the time, has that power.
Guess what?  YOU have that power.
I am asking, if you are able, that you would make and donate a quilt to this effort.  When we started, we designated it as "lap quilts."  We do ask that they be at least 45" by 60" so that they can be used by the largest youngster that is there. We also ask that, if possible, you make it gender neutral.  The first year we got a couple of bed sized quilts.  Those are great too as they will be loved and used for years. They will be a tangible reminder that "Someone loves you!"
It is preferred that you put a label on the quilt. Whether or not you put your name is your choice. But, a label with your state and a short statement such as "made with love just for you" or "From someone who loves you" etc will add so much value to these quilts in the eyes of the recipients.
If you would like to send a quilt please leave a comment and I will contact you.  I know that sometimes we over-commit ourselves.  Don't worry if you find you can't manage.  Just let me know and I will adjust my list.
I am hoping to add some sponsors so that we can give a few prizes for those who donate. If you would like to be a sponsor, contact me also.

Now a weaving update:
The first scarf is looks decent but the homespun yarn is not something I will be using again for weaving.
I have started another one and here are a couple of pictures.

 That bright blue at the beginning is just a header that will be removed when it is taken off the loom.

It is looking pretty at this point. Although I am having  a little trouble with keeping an even tension on this particular yarn.
And for those who are wondering- no I am NOT giving up quilting.  I just like to have lots of creative choices.


Comments are welcomed. I will reply when possible unless otherwise stated. Foolishly posted "hate speech" comments will be swiftly removed.

Would You LOOK at That

See this?

Yes,  I started weaving.   I can do this.  This was just some yarn I had on hand. Today I get to shop for some new yarns.  Yippee!

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Loom update-silly me

My loom arrived Wednesday after I returned from a long day of work that included a a trip to Montgomery.  When I got home I was already tired.  But I was excited about the loom. I planned to open it up, string it with warp threads and start weaving.   Silly me!

 The box was my first surprise.  "Hey, it is not very big"  Oh, I thought, it must be folded. Ha.  Silly me.  Can you say assembly required?  Yeah, great.  Ha ha.

I opened the box and saw lots of pieces wrapped neatly in brown paper. I started unwrapping. (It is a shame I didn't take pictures - chalk that up to being tired.)  There was also a stapled set of instructions. The good news is that they were well written.  Several times I when "Huh?" but then kept reading and my question was answered.   Seriously, there were not two single pieces of work already joined except for the heddle.

 I did get it together.  I even added the warping cords that hold warp threads. (if you weave and I got the terms wrong-tell me or just pretend you know what I am talking about.)
I did take pictures after it was together.

 This is the heddle. - There are slots and holes. A warp thread goes through the hole and one through the slot for each set. This is what allows you to weave quickly as the heddle moves the warp up and down. (Trust me on this.  I will show you later - as in another day.)

Here is the heddle along with the shuttles  which hold your weft threads.  That stick in the back just in front of the heddle is a "pick up stick."  It is a tool for doing patterns in your weaving.

In the plastic bag are warping pegs, since this loom can also be used as a warping board. There is also a heddle threading hook and a warping helper.

And here is the loom put together just waiting to be warped. Then the weaving can begin. But, I am writing this on Wednesday night after a long day, now I want to go to bed! The weaving will wait a day or two.

Comments are welcomed. I will reply when possible unless otherwise stated. Foolishly posted "hate speech" comments will be swiftly removed.

Busy busy busy

Yes, I am busy, but I have no time for sewing or creating.  I am really missing it this week. Thank goodness my loom should arrive tomorrow.  I hope to do some practice weaving on it this long weekend.  I am getting a Kromski Harp Loom that is 24" wide.
I have "borrowed" this picture from the company.  I hope they don't mind.

I am totally excited about getting this loom. It is what is known as a rigid heddle loom.  That part in the middle that the threads go through is the heddle.  The cool thing about this loom is that it can be folded in half for easy storage - even if you are in the midst of a project.  That is a huge plus for me since I have limited space and may be moving into an even smaller space when I retire.
If I do good with my weaving I hope to put some woven items in my Etsy shop.  Right now all I have are note cards there.

And just for entertainment, here is one of my paintings for your enjoyment.

This is available printed on notecards.  Just ask here or convo me on Etsy at my Etsy shop.  I can add a listing for you.


Comments are welcomed. I will reply when possible unless otherwise stated. Foolishly posted "hate speech" comments will be swiftly removed.

Really finished

My little quilt is really finished now.  It is bound and ready for the first washing.  I always wash a quilt before I give it away or sell it. I want to see that they seams didn't pop out anywhere.  I am a little OCD about that after one of my personal quilts popped a seam the first time I washed it.
We did a photo shoot yesterday.  Dave, who does the camera work for my videos is a great photographer.  We did have to work with the bright sun in my eyes, so that was against us. Ha ha....yes I am squinting.

Let me ask if you have not voted at the Quilting Gallery for my quilt Windmill Magic, that you go and vote. Click HERE

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I want YOU!

.
.Hi folks. I have entered my Windmill art quilt in an online quilt show,  So I want you to go and vote for me -Of course you should vote with your heart, but I am hoping that will include my quilt also.

Windmill Magic

You can go to Quilting Gallery to vote at this LINK.
Today I am planning to trim a quilt, make binding and bind the quilt.  However as I have to make a trip to visit my Nana  it may not get completel. The Nana is visiting in a nearby town so it will be great to go see her without making a LONG trip.  Still it will eat into my day- but it is worth it!

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Guess What Is....

Guess what is ready to be trimmed and bound!
This one.

 Yes that is the back. I don't believe I had shown that until now.

Here is the front flipped over so you can see.

There is a sale  on Craftsy Linear Landscape Quilts Class.  If you have been wanting to try art quilting this may be just what you need to get started.

Also for the knitters, there is the Brilliant Knit Beads class and  Knit to Flatter on sale too.  I keep fighting the knitting needles but I haven't really made any progress.  Sigh.

Craftsy also has a money back guarantee if you choose to cancel the class within the first 30 days.  I have recently returned a class and am waiting to see how it works.  I will let you know.

 There are lots of other classes on Craftsy to choose from.  Click the picture below and go find one that thrills you.
                                             
Comments are welcomed. I will reply when possible unless otherwise stated. Foolishly posted "hate speech" comments will be swiftly removed.

Almost there

I can only imagine that everyone is tired of seeing this quilt under the needle.  Hopefully, you aren't really tired of it.  I have only a small amount to go in the body of the quilt and then I will quilt the borders with straight lines and a walking the Accufeed foot on my machine.   Meanwhile, here it is back under the needle.

 Now a closer shot--look how little is left there!

Yes basically that block is all that I need to do of the body of the quilt. 

And -because I took this picture too:

I used a few straight lines and some very loose  leaf shapes.  I had fun playing with the quilting on this.  It is not an artistic masterpiece.

In other news,  I had two paintings in an exhibit in Guntersville, Alabama.

Haiku of Spring

And 

Tomatoes for Pablo
A tribute to Picasso

Neither of them sold during the exhibit, but I heard today that one of them is still under consideration.  Fingers are crossed!

Comments are welcomed. I will reply when possible unless otherwise stated. Foolishly posted "hate speech" comments will be swiftly removed.

Project Weaving- completed

Quick update.  Project weaving was completed before lunch yesterday.  My tension was not great on this and I was not overly concerned about making a fantastic piece.  I just wanted to try it and see if I would like it.  I guess this will make a good mug mat.

The picture hides the fact that the red end is narrower than the other end.  My stripes are rather bowed but it definitely looks handmade- Ha ha! Just not very well made.   I will be keeping my eyes open for a second hand loom at a bargain price.  I really want a rigid heddle loom that is designed to be its own warpping board (space saving design!)  However, what happens, happens..and if that is nothing -oh well!  At least I have an idea now what it is like to weave.


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Project Weaving

Sometimes you just get something in your head and have to "exorcise" it. About a month ago, I read a mystery book that just happened to take place at a fiber gathering.  In case you are interested, the book is Murder Comes Unravelled - A Flock and Fiber Mystery by Veryl Ann Grace.  The woman obviously knew her stuff about weaving and spinning, because the book passed that passion on quite well.  
I had noticed a class on Craftsy, Rigid Heddle Weaving, and I have looked at it several times.  I then did some online shopping for various looms.  The simple fact is that I can't afford one at this time.
The class looks excellent.  When I can get a loom, I will be sure to take this class.

So I did some research to see if I could make a simple weaving loom.  I found several articles about making a simple box loom.  I took a cardboard box and cut off the flaps.  I then marked the narrow ends every half inch and cut slits to hold the yarn.   Here is the box strung with my warp yarn strung.

 You will notice that there is a loop of excess at each end. These will be used to "tie off" the project when it is finished.
I also used one of the box flaps to make a shuttle so that the weft yarn will pass through easily. Trying to weave a ball of yarn over and under would be a nightmare - or at least a major challenge.
Here is my shuttle wound with yarn.

Another issue is that the sides of the box would impede progress.  I didn't want to damage the integrity of the box so I just cut a small section out of each side to ease the process.

Notice that I left a half inch or so in the corners to maintain the strength of the box.

Now I am ready to start weaving!

It is a simple over and under process. See how that "tab" at the end of the shuttle acts to lead the rest of the shuttle and yarn through the warp threads?  That was a lucky bit on my part. I am glad I did one on each end.
And here is a picture showing more of my progress on this.

I am "combing" the weft threads together with my fingers.  I also read that it is important not to pull the weft tight as it will distort your project.  Looking at this picture I may be getting just a bit tight.

Now, if anyone has a loom they want to get rid of -contact me and let's see if we can work something out.  I probably don't want anything larger than a 24" loom, or smaller than a 16" loom.  But I will consider anything!  Ha ha.
Now, back to my weaving project!


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Another one

The notebook covers are so much fun, and I bought a lot of notebooks to use for this during "tax free weekend" so I am making another one.   There will be a tutorial eventually.  For now I am planning it each time I make one of these.
So, remember the khaki's that I cut up to recycle? Remember that I did embroidery on two pieces?  Here is one of those that I am using for this.

I started with plan to do a few rounds of log cabin strips around the embroidery.  Oops!  It was too large for that! Instead it is framed with colors that are near to the colors in the design. I did those, measured, and said "Hmm...it is too close to add more log cabin."  I simply added a bit more of the khaki to the top and bottom -most of that will disappear once it is put together.
I then added more khaki for the back of the cover.

Nothing fancy there! You may notice that seam in the khaki back---I was watching a movie and got a bit aggressive with the trimming. I just sewed a chunk back on and trimmed again.
You will notice that I remembered to quilt this one BEFORE construction. I have to laugh at myself about that mistake on the last one.  I do this simple quilting with the open toe embroidery foot on my machine. I just "wiggle" the fabric around to make the lines wavy, stopping at the points and pivoting the cover.  You can quilt it any way you desire.
Next up, I will choose the lining fabric and the fabric for the inside "pockets" that hold the notebook in the cover.   I think this has enough khaki in it. Since the khaki is thicker fabric I don't want to use more than one layer of it, as a general rule.  Why? It makes the cover too thick.
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The Figs are producing

Those of you who have been following me for some time may know that my mother has a huge fig tree.   A couple of years ago, the tree was so full of figs that I had to do something to save them.  So I looked around and found a recipe for making preserves.  This is an old recipe that uses jello to make faux strawberry preserves.  
Now you know that I like  VARIETY! Yes, I confess.  So I decided to play with the recipe.  I started changing the strawberry jello for other flavors.  I have made:

• strawberry (to get started) 
• orange spice
• grape
• raspberry
• spiced peach
• lemon ginger
• pineapple

The pineapple is new this year. I have only had a small sample from the leftover.  I doubt I will keep it in the date rotation that I try to use them in. (why, because it is yummy!)   I currently have a couple of jars from 2011 left, a nice stash of the 2012 crop and now I am building the 2013 stash.  

Our figs look something like this picture I found.

The tops generally stay green until it is too late! Either the birds and bugs get them or they start fermenting right on the tree.  I truly meant to take a picture of my bag of figs...I thought of it again as I was cutting up the last couple of them.  (sigh) Sometimes I get to excited about what I am doing to get pictures. 

I have my jars filled from this evening's adventure.  I made a batch of spiced peach since we love that one a lot.   I use peach jello and add ground cloves, cinnamon and a bit of allspice to spice them up a bit.  

Here is the basic recipe  -

Faux Strawberry Fig Preserves/Jam

3 c. fresh, peeled figs mashed slightly (I didn't peel or mash to start with...just washed and quartered) 

2 c. sugar 

2 (3 oz.) pkg. strawberry Jello 

1/2 c. water

1/2 slice lemon (okay I usually just ream out a lime into the pot) 

5 - 7 (8 oz.) jars

Mix all ingredients in large pot. As it starts to cook I use my stick blender to puree the figs.  Cook on high heat until mixture comes to rolling boil. Cook on medium heat 20 minutes or until thick, stirring occasionally. Pour into sterilized hot jars and waterbath  for 15 minutes. 

Play with the flavor of jello and maybe add some spices to bring up the flavor.

Here are my jars -I am listening for that sweet POP that says they have sealed.  If a jar doesn't seal, put it in the freezer until you need it OR put it in the refrigerator and enjoy the fruits of your labor. 

I turn mine upside down as I read that they seal better that way.  I also put them on a beach towel and cover them with another towel. Yes it is probably "overkill" but it makes me feel better. 

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Quilted? Notebook Cover

Have you ever made the same project so many times that you just KNOW how to do it?  I know I have made so many of these quilted notebook covers that I should be able to do it in my sleep.  Ha!

After a weekend of no sewing, and one Monday evening of quilting even more on the current quilt, I thought "A little easy project is in order!"  So I decided to make another quilted notebook cover.  I had some string block made from a jelly roll.   Actually I had made a "jelly roll race" top. When it was done I didn't like so I cut it into squares, on a bias.  I also sewed the partial pieces that were left into blocks.  They have been sitting for some time.  I grabbed a couple of those and proceeded to use them in this project. I cut all the parts and started sewing it together.

OOPS!

What was I thinking?  Apparently not much.  I had the seams almost all sewn when it occurred to me,  "you were supposed to quilt the front layer with the batting before you sew it together."  (okay, I may have added the word "moron" in there too.)  I really didn't want to rip out all those tight stitches.  So I just proceeded to finish it.  

Then a lightbulb went off "Why not quilt it, now?"  Fortunately I didn't quilt over the flaps because I did actually have a lucid thought about that.  (yaay me!) 

So here it is: Front, back and opened out. 

For such a "disaster" in the process, I think it came out pretty good. 

Yes, I make mistakes.  They are a part of the creative process.  I try to make the best of them and I am able to laugh at my own mistakes.  Learning to do that is one of the best gifts I have ever given myself.
How much interest is there in how to make these covers?  Should I do a tutorial or a video or maybe both?
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Sale Alert

I really should have told you about this earlier.   Vicki Welsh has a sale on her hand-dyed gradient fabrics. They are normally $9 for a half yard.  However, until Monday they are $7.50.  So this is a great time to try them.
Let me show you some of them.
This one is called Morning Glory

It is a beautiful play of color from hot to cool tones.  Yes, I ordered a half yard.

How about this one called Festival (there is only one left in stock as I write this) I bought a full yard of this one because it looks so versatile (and fun) to me.

Then this one called Anatola

Can you imagine a sunset or sunrise here - that is what I see immediately. I had to have some.

There are many others also. I am sure you can find something you can't live without.  (ha ha)

Disclaimer: I am posting this of my own accord. Vicki has not asked me to post it or provided me with any compensation for doing so.

I don't have any immediate plans for these, but it was a great price.  My favorite uses of the hand dyed fabrics include making things like these:

Kindle Cover

Convergence quilt

House in the Valley art quilt

Comments are welcomed. I will reply when possible unless otherwise stated. Foolishly posted "hate speech" comments will be swiftly removed.