Rhonda's Clip-Art Quilt

Clipart in quilts--I have seen it done--it's a knockout! My friend, Rhonda made this Texas quilt using western clipart and it is fantastic. Silouettes are very suitable for quilts and easy to applique using any method as you can see in Rhonda's quilt. Any theme could be researched, designed and accomplished. What a talented friend I have. Don't you agree? See ya! m~

I SAID I WAS NOT GOING TO START ANOTHER PROJECT---UNTIL---!

Determined to finish at least "some" of the projects I have started before I started a new one, I have been working diligently to do so. I had to run to the Dollar Store last week and a really cute coloring book caught me eye. Seems I see quilting adventures almost everywhere I look these days. The coloring book is (yes, I bought it) pictures that seem to be drawn by a child. I also found some crayons that are pencil type with screw out crayon leads. These are in primary colors and really easy to use I decided that a childs crayon quilt would be just precious. I don't "NEED" a childs quilt at the moment, but on the other hand--since when do I make quilts out of "NEED". I printed the chosen pictures out of the book onto muslin. This is done easily when you iron your muslin onto freezer paper and then cut to the size of your printer paper. In my case the standard 8 1/2 x 11.

I took a picture of the crayon work before and after pressing with a hot iron. I don't know if you can tell, but the heat causes the colors to blend or melt into each other. You don't see the strokes anymore after heat. I also decided to go over the lines with a black marker. In the last picture you can see the difference as I have outlined the big dog, but not the little one.

This make great TV work and although I don't know when I will get to the actual piecing of the quilt, at least I will have the blocks when opportunity knocks. See ya soon! M~

This Old Bag Loves Swappin

The Old Bag Swap is going pretty good. Seems that each Wacky has picked a block and are making the same quilt block using the scraps from each "Old Bag" they swap for each month. I chose a pattern in the September McCall's Magazine. I don't remember the name of it as I did not buy the magazine, I just saw it when looking through a friends copy. It consists of two blocks and when put together a 36 patch is formed. I am cutting 2 1/2 inch medium squares and 2 1/2 inch neutral and black strips from the bags (if there are

any). The set is diagonal. The original quilt has light and dark nine patches. I think mine will look completely different. I laid the blocks I have made so far on my design wall just to see if I liked the look. I think I do. I love the way the black makes the other colors come to life. Sometime when I throw an odd color in with the mix, that particular square will make the quilt pop. I call these ZINGERS! Some of the bags are full of ZINGERS! Others have none, nada, zylch, nothing------. The last bag I worked with was less than full. I will refill it from my scrap bag. This is a really neat way to bust some scraps--and get a wonderful scrap QUILT in process. Come on girls--SCRAP IT UP!! M~

I took a Ride on Finn's Orphan Train!

I ran across a wonderful blog call Finn's Orphan Train. Her focus is quilts made from orphan
blocks. I sent her a picture of a Christmas Quilt I made a few years ago from my orphan blocks, put together with 2 1/2 inch squares. She posted it on her site. It has had some nice comments. Please go over and visit Finn and her . Orphan Train is a wonderful site. There must be a lot of orphan blocks out there and now they are being put in quilts. The quilts are some of the most beautiful I have ever seen. But then I am a scrap quilt lover. This is no secret. All you have to do is look at my quilts! LOL

I've Been Inspired

Sew--inspire me! I spend some time at a retreat and see all the beautiful quilts being made. I get an urge to applique. See a few new techniques and gadgets and whaaalaaaa-I am ready to get going. When I get home, I start going throught my patterns and internet sites trying to decide what I will make. After all, several thousands of hours of my life will be spent making this masterpiece. I never have enjoyed making the same block over and over. Sew, I decide I want a sampler quilt. Possibly some applique blocks and some pieced blocks. Then I think, "Well, why should I make someone elses quilt? Why can't I make my own quilt. A one-of-a-kind quilt. I will design each applique block as I go then put them with a pieced block that I decide on as an alternate block. A dreamy border and I will have a quilt all my own." I have never been a person who could or would follow directions. I read them and promptly forget them and do my own thing. A friend told me about a product called Du-sew or Do-sew. It is used to help you place applique pieces in an exact position. It reminds me of a see through interfacing. This should help me if I decide to do several of the same block. You trace the pattern on this product and then baste one side to your oversized block of fabric. You raise the Du-sew and place the pieces in the correct place and then lay the Du-sew back over the piece or pieces to make sure they are positioned exact. I have not been able to find any or I would do a demo. Maybe later. Another gadget that I learned about is called Circleze. This makes applique circles a breeze. Everyone but me probably knows all about this product. If so, shame on you. You should have told me! I can't wait to get it and try it out. I think I will try to order them on-line! We should start an Applique Bee--. Thanks for stopping by! M~

REALLY A RETREAT!

A Quilting Retreat At Compass Centre in Mt. Calm, Texas has now come to an end. We had such a good time and from the quilts below, you can see what is accomplished. These are just a few of the gorgeous creations by these talented ladies. I laughed more this weekend than I have in a long time. The friendships made are priceless. I made friends and renewed friendships (even smoked a piece-cigar=====don't ask). Kathy E was the hostess and did a fantastic job co-ordinating every detail. A fat quarter swap and block lotto were two activities that were enjoyed by all. We shared tips and techniques. The food was fantastic and shopping trips were an everyday thing also. Enjoy the quilts--more later.

Quilt by Jerri--I believe she said it was a Block of the Month.

A Sampler quilt made by Aunt Kaye (Fons and Porter)

A Halloween quilt made from a swap. (We turned out the lights to see the tiny eyes on the backing glow in the dark).

Pastel string quilt by Ruth

Fall quilt by Aunt Kaye (I think) If I am mistaken on the maker of these quilts please leave a comment.

What a beautiful quilt, Peg!

Jerri's quilt made from 9 patch swap blocks! Great Job, Jerri!

Kay's Block

The Wacky Pac member's block for the month for July Goes to Kay. Her chosen theme is "Texas Christmas". She received her blocks this evening and to view all the blocks visit Wacky Pac blog. The photo is of my block for Kay's Christmas Quilt. Christmas in Texas is definately different from the holiday our northern states celebrate. We have no snow. Santa wears a cowboy hat instead of a red wool hat with a tassle. He wears Western boots instead of snow boots,and along with his Ho Ho Ho is a considerably loud YYYEEEHHHHAAWWWW. Instead of eight tiny reindeer, eight galloping horses with rope tied each to the other pull the sleigh. The children sing Texas Christmas Carols like: It's Christmas Time in Texas, Merry Texas Christmas, Santa's Coming in a Stagecoach. The cacti of West Texas are just about the only thing green so we drape our strands of colored lights around them and place our beautifully colored packages under them (not really, but it sounds good). Actually I live in East Texas where my family's Christmas tree of choice was a Cedar tree- when I was a child. We would go out and look for one that was the right size and shape and it never failed, when we got it home it would be too tall or too small and have a big hole in a spot that we did not want a big hole so we would try to put that side next to the wall. Now we all have artificial trees. They are beautiful, but no smell and the fun of finding a tree in the woods is a lost tradition. Of course we don't have to worry about watering them, nor fear that they will catch on fire from the lighting when they begin to dry out. No cedar stubble stuck in the carpet when we drag them out into the yard when Christmas was over. Personally I don't know if people really have Cactus Trees in West Texas or not. I just thought it made a darlin Quilt Block. Hope you like it Kay. Merry Texas Christmas in July.