Back to the drawing board!

Hello again, friends, after a very long vacation!

Sorry I've been living life instead of helping my dear quilting friends improve their quilting skills.

First of all, let me tell you that I am back to handquilting at least an hour a day!  That is sooooo rewarding to my psyche!  I now have a precious little new puppy, named, "Precious the III"  (would you expect her to be named anything else?  ha.  She is a little Havanese puppy that I got when she was 6 weeks old.  She is now my constant companion..  She loves it when I am quilting, as she beds down right beside me and watches me intently to be sure to catch anything that I might drop.  Fortunately, I haven't dropped a pin or scissors, yet, as she would have them in a heartbeat and take off with them.  I could not catch her as she runs like the wind  The only way I get back what she has grabbed is to sit down and rattle her treat sack.  Then she drops what she has and comes running.  Once she has her treat, I grab my dropped item and swear to myself that I will never drop anything else when she is around.  Here's my PRECIOUS III:  It is a painting that I have done of her. 

 

Back in 2012-2013, I started an applique quilt of North Carolina flowers.  I got it all together and had started quilting on it when my husband became very ill.  I put the quilt in my quilting closet, and did not touch it throughout that long period.  It will be fun finishing the quilting, now, as I have plenty of time to do so. 

Hope you will enjoy seeing the finished quilted squares on the quilt.  Remember that each stitch is done by hand.  Not machine.  It is truly a labor of love.  The flowers in NC are awesome in the springtime, and I have just gotten to see them again and renew my love for that part of the world.
Hurry back to my blog to see what's going on in my life this summer!

Ford Model A Quilt

Ford Quilt is made of by machine applique.  Each Model A Ford is made to statistics.  Lots of work, but lots of fun!

Aloha

Aloha, dear friends,

Sorry it has been some time since I posted on this site, but Mercy, life seems to get into the way at times! 



ALOHA!!

I am so excited about the success of our Work Your Heart Out Day for Hospice on Feb. 11th.  We made over 600 heart shaped pillows in that one day!  Actually, we stuffed that many and delivered them to the Hospice center on that day.  My quilt Guild, Ocean Wave Quilt Guild cut and sewed the heart shaped pillows throughout the past year in preparation for this great event.  They had them sewn together and ready to flip and turn and stuff, so the stuffing was the big finale.  Over 60 ladies showed up to help stuff the pillows.  We made a two page story in our local newspaper.  That was exciting.  This helps us to get more new members in our Guild to help with our Hospice projects.

Since I talked to you last, I went to Hawaii.  It was truly an awesome event.  I visited Quilt shops and got all excited one more time about Hawaiian quilting.  I have given two lectures already about this subject and will give another one in March at a Rotary Club meeting.  Quilting is certainly alive and well in my part of the world in North Florida.

I am showing one of my Hawaiian quilts that I made a few years ago using batiks and wild colors.  Most Hawaiian quilts are made using two colors.  White and a primary color such as red, blue, green, etc.  I have to be different, of course,  ha.  My background is dark green instead of white.

I am showing how the folding is done to come up with the center designs.  It is very simple actually if you are not dyslexic, as I am.  mercy!

have fun with this!  I used Freezer paper applique to applique the designs down. 
Directions for that will be forthcoming. 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL OF YOU STITCHERERS OUT THERE! 

Have no idea where time flies, but it surely does.  I keep thinking that I need to add some things to my blog, and then my life gets in the way!  Thank goodness, I have the life to get in the way.  Not too crazy about the alternative! 

I have started so many new projects in the last two months, I don't know where to start.  I hope you have kept up with the crazy quilt using florals, as that is such a fun activity.  I shall work on my in earnest in January.  Right now, I am busy trying to get the Mystery Christmas Table runner directions to you.  Here is a picture of the finished project, as seen from my computer.  I plan on quilting this after Christmas when things are less hectic.  I'll have it finished for sure before next Christmas.  In the meantime, this project is also pretty to be done in RED WHITE and BLUE for July 4th tables.  Making the stars a bright YELLOW will be nice.  I can envision this project in many colors for many different months of the year.  While you know how to do it, DO IT.  ha. 

I did not put in the stars that are made when you use my "fancy sashing."
Directions, etc. will be added this week.

Crazy quilt beginning with decorations

Press and seal in grocery store with foil and wax paper.

Crazy quilt pieces using Press N Seal without having a sew them together.  Just butt the pieces up against each other, then press and seal the sticky side down to hold them,, and then featherstitch the pieces together on the machine. Rip away Press N Seal.

 

feather stitched together and Press and Seal torn away. 

Forgiveness

For ones of you starting the Forgiveness project.  Here are the pics thus far.

 

Notice that there are lights and darks.  It does not matter which one you start with.  I shall use some larger florals interspersed in the quilt, as well.  This next week I shall be showing you how to start and a special product that you will want to get to use to save a lot of time.  Look at your grocery store in the foil and wax paper section, for a new product called PRESS AND SEAL. I'll show you how to use it!  WONDERFUL!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PRECIOUS IS ALL FINISHED.  SHE LIVED TO BE 16 YEAR OLD.  A TRULY PRECIOUS DOG  SHE WAS BORN IN 1976 AND DIED IN 1992.  THIS IS ON THE BACK OF THE WALL HANGING.  THIS PICTURE WAS TAKEN OUTSIDE ON MY PATIO IN FT. WORTH, TX. 

 

MY PRECIOUS DOG named "PRECIOUS!"

In 1976, the bicentennial year I was given the most adorable little puppy by my son and his wife.  When they put her in my cupped hand, I said, "How precious!"  and they replied, "That's her name!"
I only have small pictures of her when she was a puppy, but the one I have chosen was taken out on our patio right after Precious had come home from the groomer.  She really knew that she was precious!  Her little rhinestone collar and leash are going to be so pretty in the wall hanging.  I have just started on this project, so you can follow along with me if you wish. 
I fused a piece of lightweight fleece to the back of the tan fabric.  I found the perfect black fur for her at Joann's Fabric Shop.  I shall be threadpainting over the fur to put in her white fur in a few places.  The background will be quilted on the machine. 
I enlarged the picture of her to get the pattern.  I have an overhead projector and just traced the outline of her on a piece of clear plastic and projected it to the pattern paper the size that I wanted to fit onto the 18" X 20" fabric.
I zigzagged the cut out fur piece after I had put Fray Check all around the edges of the fur to keep it from fraying. 
The first picture shows the pattern on the fur.
I pinned all of the pieces onto the fabric and that is what you see, now.  I drew in the legs of the patio table and put a little grass along the edge of the porch.  That will all be thread painted when I start sewing.

More pictures are coming as I progress with this project.

Enlarged pattern on black fur

Pieces pinned to fabric and fleece

This is my Precious Dog. Picture before digital cameras.

                                                   NORTH CAROLINA QUILT

Several years ago I designed this North Carolina Quilt based on historical info that I gathered from various sources. At that time, the Crossroads Chronicle Newspaper was located in that cute little red building on HWY 107 S.  Many things have changed since that time.  I have recently designed two new blocks that you may choose to use instead of the little red building: my pattern of the Biltmore Estate house or the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse.
 Each pattern  has the history along with easy to follow patterns for all of the 9 blocks:
 The 1st block  shows the Log Cabins that were prominent in the area from the beginning. 
The top center star is the North Carolina Star. The block on the right shows the Crossroads of Hwy 107 and Hwy 64;  it was the one red light in the area for years and years,  The 2nd row shows the rail fences that were erected by the Indians in the area and the pioneers have left them for us to enjoy.  The center block may be of you and your sweetheart, or your mom and dad or just one person if you wish.  I chose to have Mr. Whoozy and me in that block at the time,  The center-right block illustrates the beautiful Christmas tree farms that are located all around the area of Western North Carolina.  The bottom row-left is the state flower of NC.  I designed this block.  I think it is really pretty if you don't mind my saying so. :)  You can omit the little red building and insert the lighthouse or the Biltmore.  Those two blocks are done is freezer paper applique which is a piece of cake.  The bottom right block is the bear paw as we certainly have bears in NC. believe me!!  The history of this part of the world is so interesting, I think you will enjoy making these blocks.  If you wish a copy of the patterns for this quilt, send me cash or a check for $10 for printing and postage to Bonnie Talley, P.O. Box 2409, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32004.   

SILK PURSE BUT NOT OUT OF A SOW'S EAR!

WOW,  silk is so much fun to work with.  My daughter, Karen, brought me the most luscious pieces of silk from Texas last month.  We both decided to cut out little purses to carry in the evening to dinner.  They will hold our cell phones, one lipstick, and a few tissues.  Such a pleasure.

Wanted to share mine finished.  I used Christmas cording, plaited to make the handle.  It called for a 7" zipper, but I only had a 12" one.  I'm sure you know you can sew horizontally across any plastic zipper where you want it to stop, and then cut the rest away leaving only an inch.  It will work fine.  I buy zippers on sale, no matter what the length once  I learned this trick!

If you've never tried ribbon embroidery, you must,  I also used some scraps of trim that I had in my sewing box.  I save pretty ribbons from packages to use in this way, too.  Hand sewing all the little pearls and ribbons on is so relaxing.  There are many websites that teach ribbon embroidery.  Try it.  It is great fun.

Part 5 of cute purse:  Pinch corners together 1 1/2" from edges.  The purse will look like it has dog ears.  Once you have the right "pinch," take thread and wrap it around and around at the bottom of the pinch so that both ears are sturdy.  Ready made cording in various colors is available at most fabric shops.  Choose cording that looks nice with the little purse.  I highly recommend that you NOT use the silver cording that I used, as it is very difficult to sew through.  No matter what you choose, you will need 15" cut in half for each side.  Wrap raw ends with scotch tape to prevent raveling.  Pin each end of cording to the dog ear and using double thread and needle, or very heavy thread, whip stitch the cording to the front of the dog ear.  If you will pull out the sides of the purse as shown in the picture it makes it easier to sew the cording to the ear.  Once the handles are secured, do part 6.
Part 6:  cut 2 pieces of fabric 4" X 2 1/4" for ear covers.  Stitch right sides together, flip and turn.  Fold under 1/4" twice on each end, and blind stitch down securely.  This makes a nice piece that will wrap around the bottom of the handles, crossing it and pinning the ends securely.   Using a double thread, stitch the little covers' ends together and stitch all the way around the bottom of the cover.  Fix the cover onto the other ear, and do as before.
Part 7:  Sew on large snaps that are nearly an inch across.  They have the large ones at Walmart in gold, silver, and black.  Choose the ones that look the nicest on your fabric.  Sew on securely, as they will be pulled on to separate the little purse when opening.  Voila, you have made an adorable little purse that would sell nicely in any boutique. 

Part 3 of purse pattern: 

 Now that you have got the zipper in place, place the sides of the
two pieces together right sides together and place the edge of a saucer on the sides opposite of the fold and trim off the squared edges to make nice rounded edges for the purse.  Do this on both sides.  Save the scraps to use as pattern for cutting the edges off of the lining. 
Now to start the lining:  cut two pieces of fabric 9 1/2" x 7 1/2" for the lining.  Fold 1/2" down from the top and press with a hot dry iron.  See picture.    Insert a piee of light-weight batting the same size of the lining underneath the fold at the top.  See picture.    Trim off the curves to match the curves of the purse.  Stitch across the top.  Take small pins and pin along a 1/4" seam allowance all the way around.  Cut off the outside edges as close to the pins as possible to make the lining smaller than the purse.  See picture.  
Part 4 coming soon!  

Here is the first step for your new purse project!  After sewing all of the little strips together to make two sections, a front and a back, that are 7 1/2" by 9 1/2", fold under 1/2" at the top of each piece, and press with a hot iron.  Slip a closed 7" zipper between the two pieces,  as shown in picture, leaving about an inch on each end open.  Pin as shown, using smallest pins you have.  Stitch as close as possible without catching the teeth of the zipper, either by hand or by machine.  Next step, tomorrow!  This is my scrap purse.

Mr. Whoozy has become an angel!

For ones of you who have continued to check my blog since last September 2013 please forgive my lack of communication with you. Mr. Whoozy joined the band of Angels in December. I'm sure you can see him flying around up there if you look at the sky enough. when you see those white streaks across that you think are airplane wings those are probably Mr Whoozy flying around with his Annapolis buddies. He shall be missed forever..

I plan on sharing my quilting and stitchery work with you a while longer. I have just finished the cutest little purse that you will want to make for Christmas presents. They may be made out of small scraps of fabric. I have made one out of quilting scraps and am making another one out of small pieces of silk.
Knowing how I love to keep you in suspense, start by cutting strips of fabric 7" long x11/2"; 2"; or 21/2" wide.  It usually takes about 8 or 9 strips sewn together with quarter inch seams to make a piece to measure 9 1/2" across.   Once you have made one piece to these measurements, make another one for the back of the little purse.
When finished you will have the front and back of the little purse made.

Pictures of mine will be forthcoming.  I promise.

Back to work on Magnolia Quilt

  Forgive my tardiness but my life has been rather hectic the past few months.  Keep praying for Mr. Whoozy, as he needs your prayers.

I adjusted the size of the quilt at the top of my blog.  It is really the wildest quilt I have ever made.  It was a mystery quilt that I did for a newspaper a couple of years ago.  I decided that this would be the quilt that I would take with me to the "retirement home" as it will give them a good idea that I am a non-conformist in a big way!  ha.
I do love the colors, though.

I shall be adding directions for placement of Magnolia blossoms on the Magnolia Quilt pictured below, ASAP.  I shall be taking pictures of this to put on the blog; so stay tuned as they say on the radio (whatever in the world that is) ha.  I am showing my age using such expressions!

Happy Days are here again.  Quilting is my therapy!  Let it be yours as well!

FORGIVE ME!  I have had a few distractions the past couple of months.  I am back on track, now, so get ready to get some good new ideas from me.  I shall still be posting pictures of some of my quilts that I have made in the past 20 years.  Sometimes it surprises me how many I have made, as I really do have a life!
   I have a new computer that I am trying to get to be friends with, but, almost to no avail.  I keep thinking that I just need to use it more and forget that the old laptop that I love, is still sitting quietly by my side, waiting for me to throw this one in the trash!
   I've heard more people complaining about the new computers due to the programs that are on it. I am right there with them.  Whoever thought them up should be ashamed of themselves! MERCY!
  Keep checking this blog, because, as soon as I find out how to get pictures on this new computer, I'll be putting them on my blog!

Magnolia Mystery Quilt top picture

Magnolia Mystery Quilt top

Here's my Mystery Quilt Top ready to layer and machine quilt.  The fun part of this is that this is a wedding present for one of our grandson's and his "to be" who are getting married next March, 2014.  They are marrying at a Magnolia Plantation, so this is a must to have finished for them.
      I am keeping the background of the top very pale, so that the beautiful Magnolia blossoms will show up nicely on the top with their dark green leaves and white blossoms.  They will be appliqued on top of this quilt top, AFTER I have quilted it!
     This is a new techinique that works well for some quilts.
    The binding (gold fabric) is just laid on top of the raw edges right now.  More to come later....................
    Patterns for the top are forth coming..............:)Happy Days

Lacy Pastiche with designer B. Talley

Wow, thought you'd enjoy seeing a "crazy quilt" wall hanging this month, that I had made a couple of years ago for an exhibit at our Cultural Center In Ponte Vedra Beach, FL.  It is made out of hand made handkerchiefs, buttons, lace etc. that were some of my mom's treasures.  She had saved so many of these things that I thought that I had to save them, further.  It is not quilted, as I just didn't have time to do so.  It is all hand stitched.   I loved doing the silk ribbon embroidery, etc. that is on it.  I would love to do another one, as I still have so many things that were in her "treasure box" in her sewing room. Many of the buttons were given to me by a dear friend in NC named Helen M.  She had kept many of them for years, as well.  Another dear friend, Mary G. bought a box of antique buttons for me at a Hendersonville Antique Day in NC as well.  What a treasure it is to have things from relatives and friends, all preserved in one "crazy piece!"  Enjoy looking at all the little details in this, this month.  

Magnolia Mystery Quilt Block Pattern #2 Ladder block

Hope you are having fun piecing the blocks for the Magnolia Mystery Quilt.  I have all my blocks pieced and sewn together.  It makes a pretty background for an applique project.
The applique project will be to applique beautiful Magnolia blossoms and bud onto the background.  First, you have to finish piecing the blocks.  Make 8 identical blocks if making a square quilt.  To make a twin bed size quilt or larger, make 4 more identical blocks of #2 block.

The pattern is here for Pattern Block #2.