Simply Red Done In Blue

Karen from Moose Bay Muses blog is teaching a class using Kathy Schmitz's quilt pattern called "Simply Red".  When I saw her blog post about it, I told her that I had the book but had not done anything with it.  She encouraged me to participate from afar and I have taken her up on it.  I decided that I needed to use fabric from stash for the quilt.  Mine will have to be "Simply Blue" as that is the color of my fabric.  Here are the first two blocks.

The patterns in the book are done in reverse for fusible applique and that is the method I have used.  It takes a while to stitch around the applique shapes by machine but is quicker than hand applique.  The touches of embroidery are done by hand.  I have the rest of the blocks fused and ready for stitching.  You can click on "Simply Red" above and it should take you to a picture of the book cover.

Enjoy your day!
Karen

My Swap Quilt

In my previous post, I shared with you a table runner that I received from Chelos in Spain.  I had forgotten to take a photo of the wall quilt that I had sent to her in trade.  Chelos has kindly sent me a photo of it so I could post it on my blog.

I used a Jan Patek design called "Urn Pillow" from the book "Primitive Primer".  I made it into a wall quilt instead of a pillow.  This was done with needle turn applique and then machine quilted.  I would like to make one for myself later on.  Well, I would really like to make the large quilt from the book which has this flower pot design as one of the blocks.  This quilt along with many other Jan Patek designs that I would like to make.

You will find me playing  in the sewing room today.
Karen

Catch Up Time

I have been busy preparing for company.  A major clean up in my sewing room with the help of my DH.  And he did most of the cleaning in the rest of the house.

I have had time to work on some projects and I will show you some now.  On the design wall are parts of a Jan Patek design called "Town and Country".  I had been doing this as a block of the month last year but got part way through the year anm  decided to wait on all the kits to arrive.  Not much new added to it except the birdhouse, a shoe fly block and a plain block.  I have a section which has the words "Town and Country" on it that I am working on.  I want to get the filler parts done around the barn and house section that you see in the middle before I go further with the outer blocks.

I have the "Donder and Blitzen" wall hanging flimsy done.  Another Jan Patek design.  I did an image search on this design and found that Jan had sold kits with different lines of fabric used over a period of time.  I really liked it in one of the fabric lines and was tempted to order some for creating this wall hanging.  Then I decided that I really, really needed to use stash and that is what I did.  And I am happy with the result.

I am working on basket blocks for a quilt.  The baskets were to be pieced except for the applique handle.  They are wonky style baskets and would have required templates and there are four different designs (three shown here).  I decided to use a square of background fabric and do the baskets all in applique.  I have 12 more baskets to stitch and then strips that go between and have applique on them.

I had an e-mail in January from a lady in Spain who also likes prim style quilts.  Her name is Chelos.  She said that prim style is not popular in Spain and that she has difficulty finding fabrics and patterns that suit the style she likes.  And in finding people that also enjoy the style.  After a couple e-mails, she suggested that we create a smaller size quilt and trade.  I forgot to take a picture of the wall quilt I made her but hopefully she will be sending me one that I can share with you.  I used a Jan Patek basket pattern.  A packaged arrived last week from Chelos.  Here is the piece she made for me.  A very nice table runner.

She also included some fabrics, a little kimono piece in Oriental fabric, and a tiny purse pin which is so cute.  The pin has a tiny key and spoon of thread hanging from the purse handles.

With this trade, I have made a new friend in another part of the world.

I have another quilt top done but will share that with you in a few days.  Stay tuned.
Karen

Hospitality

The pineapple is a sign of welcome and hospitality.  I finished a wall quilt from a Jan Patek/Sandy Klop pattern called "Hospitality".  The pattern is in "Folk Art Favorites Part 1 Winter Holidays".

The block on the left is "Hospitality".  The center block is "Home", and the last reads "Holidays".

This is not my first quilt with a pineapple on it.  I like to use the design because of its symbolism and I like to display them close to our front door.  Have you made a quilt with a pineapple design?

I have been working on snowman blocks and hope to have something to show you soon.
Karen

Winter's Scraps

I love Cheri's designs which is evident with how many of her patterns I have used.  A new finish made  from a  Cheri pattern in  an issue of the Primitive Quilts and Projects Magazine.  Last year, I won a box of Cheri's scraps of fabric.  The rail fence blocks are made from some of those pieces.

It is a wonder that this piece is flat.  I had a problem with drifting on my seam allowance when making the rail fence type blocks.  I ended up fixing some and just trimming others so a bit wonky looking but still a good look.  I used wool for the applique.  Another check mark on my list of things to make and finish.

Karen

Snowman Entusiasm

My DH says it is hard to be enthusiastic about a snowman when it is 80 degrees outside.  My new wall quilt.

Made from a pattern by Jan Patek called "Snow Guys".  I have to say that this pattern was not the easiest to understand.  Some parts you have to add seam allowance and some not.  It was confusing as to which were which.  Thus I ended up having to use a spacer above the snowman hats in order to get those blocks to be as tall as the three pine tree blocks in the center.  Still I am happy with the result.

Karen

Winter But Working On Fall

A bit early to be thinking of fall when it is still winter (it was 82 degrees here yesterday.....winter?).  Before Thanksgiving, I did a lot of searching on Bing Images and Pinterest for designs with a turkey.  Then into my stash of patterns to see what I could find.  I decided to make another wool mat from a pattern I had.  I ran out of time and Thanksgiving was long gone.  After Christmas I decided I should go ahead and make the mat and be ready for fall 2014.  Here is "Abigail".  The pattern is by Liberty Rose.  At the end of December, I showed "Crystal" that I had just completed.  I will add that picture here also.

I am working on my third "Piece and Plenty" quilt and all from the same fabrics.  This one is for me.  I have the first basket  done.  I think it is the most difficult applique block in the quilt.  At least for me.  But one of the prettiest designs.

I finished another wall quilt and sent it off on its way to Spain for a quilt trade.  I thought I had photographed it but I did not.  It was made from a Jan Patek basket pattern.  I hope the recipient will send me a picture.

I have been very busy creating quilts and blocks and will share more with you soon. And, yes, I really do make all these things myself.  No elves to help.  LOL!

Karen