Friday, May 25, 2012

Elaine Quehl's directions, but my results are different

Elaine Quehl was kind enough to give some directions a while back on how to make multi-colored fabric, the kind you'd use for a Ricky Tims-type convergence quilt.  So, I tried it last weekend, and some of my fabric turned out nicely, and some didn't.  Of course, it doesn't look anything like hers!
I really like these:


These were ok--

Some I wasn't crazy about at all, so, I wrapped on a pole, dyed in a dark gray dye, and now I love them!






I've been feeling bad lately, due to having to have my poor old German Shepherd dog Thunder euthanized this week.  He was 12 years old and could hardly walk, and it was pitiful watching him getting comfortable enough to lay down, it took him 2-3 minutes each time.  It was a hard thing to do, and I miss him a lot.  Hope that spending some time this long weekend sewing and creating will help.  Hey, anything is better than being at work.

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Another month, another FM assignment

I love that I've been able to incorporate the "assignments" from the FM Quilting Challenges into quilt tops that I've had done for a while and they just needed quilting & binding.

Here's my May Free Motion challenge:
 Very easy design, and really quick to sew on large spaces, filling them up FAST.
I used Madeira thread for the first time.  It was on sale at fabric.com a few weeks ago and I know that Linda & Laura Kemshall always rave about this thread on their blog.  Madeira is a rayon thread that has a nice sheen to it, I think I like it and will keep using it.  My machine liked it, too, which is the most important thing.
This is a blanket for Madelyn (granddaughter) which is made out of scraps I had left from a beach blanket I made two years ago for my daughter.









Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Quick trip to Myrtle Beach

Nothing quilty here today--Last Friday I drove the 3 hours to Myrtle Beach to spend a few days with my daughter & granddaughter while my SIL was golfing with some of his buddies.

Here's Madelyn enjoying the sun-- 
And my beautiful daughter Erin--
 
The view from our hotel balcony--

And me with Madelyn, in a romper I made her and a sunhat my sister-in-law Sarah brought for her from Wilmington NC--