PRIMITIVE BUNNY

I've been feeling under the weather, but really wanted to sew today. Couldn't do the accuracy needed for patchwork, so what to work on? Then I remembered the bunny contest that was posted on a blog and has come and gone. It was from Nee Nee: http://primpatternsnhandmades.blogspot.com/2010/02/freebie-bunny-pattern.html The bunny was just a line drawing of the body pieces, no directions, no clothing, etc.

It was perfect to work on today. Primitive doesn't have to be exact or perfect. Primitive is primitive. So here's the results of my effort. She doesn't have a name yet, but please tell me what you think she should be called in comments. Her bucket/basket is empty, but I'll work on that. Her pocket is empty too, but I really think she needs something neat in it. Any ideas?

DEAR JANE SECRET SISTER GIFT

My March gift from my Dear Jane Secret Sister arrived yesterday. She sent me quilter's masking tape, a lovely dark blue Fusion FQ, a lighted un-sewer, and yet another lovely DJ block that she made. Along with this was a lovely, long, letter. She is just the best. It sure made my day. Thank you out there, whoever you are, LOL!

LOVE IS..............

Paula Stoddard is offering a block a month called, Love is. I just added a link on my side bar to this free BOM in redwork. I believe she posts two blocks a month, one in words and one in flowers. You can link to this BOM by clicking on the button in my side bar, scrolling down on the left.

ON THE DESIGN WALL

After finally stitching together the spool blocks, I was able to get out my Pink/Brown and Blue/Brown SBS swap blocks. Well only one set fit, but I do plan to mix them in my quilt. Possible fabrics for sashing, etc. are below.

There's lots to do before I get to this project, but I love walking by them on the wall. It helps with ideas spinning in my head for how to set the blocks and which fabrics to best show them off with.

CHURN DASH BLOCKS FINISHED

This week I finished 16 nine-inch Churn Dash blocks for the Amish Swap. I think it took almost as long to make and tack on the fabric labels, one for each, as it did to sew the blocks. Can't wait to see the blocks everyone is making!

SIGGY ARRIVES

A lovely siggy arrived all the way from the Netherlands. Dorine used a machine-applique fleur de lis for her center. It represents the French lily, because of the town she lives in, Lelystad. I love the bright, perky orange.

My stack of siggies to send out is getting low, and I think I'd better get busy and sew a batch of 10 or so.

INTERNATIONAL SIGGIE SWAP

Two siggies from Germany arrived in my mail the other day. Both are just beautiful. The top one is a hand embroidered goat, from Anne. I think that has to do with her life, but the letter was from Sylvia. Her nick-name is "Fliederhexe" which translates to "Lilac Witch", the good kind she assures. Her lilac fabric and embroidered witch surely reflect that.

HARRIET HARGRAVE

Continuing my post about my quilt retreat with Harriet Hargrave, this is her newest book, just out. It's the first of 4 in her Quilter's Academy series, Freshman Year. It's all about the basics of quilt making. It's for anyone just starting out, and for anyone wondering why their blocks aren't perfect every time. Why is it a tad short, wide, or wonky? While there are patterns in this book, it's really a skill builder, step-by-step.

She wrote the book with her daughter, Carrie, a new quilter. Carrie was the first guinea pig, and they did change some things as Carrie worked her way through, editing the book.

How fun to be doing a mother-daughter project like this!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY

This is my February DJ SS gift. What a wonderful secret sister I have this year. She send me two Dear Jane blocks, a 4 Patch Posie pattern, a magnet, the new wide Tiger Tape, lip balm and chocolates, as well as the yummy pink FQ it is all spread on. Then closer to Valentine's she sent the hand-stamped card. I make Stampin' Up cards too, so it was really fun to be on the receiving end this time, LOL!

HARRIET HARGRAVE

These are the books we used at retreat. Several of you have asked for tidbits of what we learned. Well..........

• There's no correct batting for all quilts - each has unique needs.
• Thread for piecing needs to be 100% cotton, thin, and strong.
• Blocks need to be starched, pressed, measured each step of the way. Starch, not Best Press or sizing. You are going to finish the top, quilt the top while it's nice and stiff, and then wash it all in short order. No worry about bugs.
• It's impossible to do nice quilting unless the top was perfectly pieced.
• No, you don't need a long arm.
• No, you don't need a stitch regulator.
• You don't need a larger area to the right of the needle on your machine, but it does make it easier to machine quilt.
• You'd be better off putting your $ into a proper fitting sewing table, cutting table, chair, good lighting, etc. than continuing to buy FQs or jelly rolls. Yes the good stuff is expensive, but look what we put into more and more stash and kits, etc. It adds up too.
• More quilting in the quilt makes goofs show up less, yet beginners often quilt as far apart as possible.
• Use pins to baste, not spray baste. Then anchor it all with some ditch quilting. Remove pins as you can, and do more intricate quilting.
• Invisible thread is good for quilting, but you need the right brands.
• Don't wear shoes while you do patchwork. You can't feel the machine as well.
• Become good friends with your machine. You should be able to feel and hear how it's going.
• Before buying thread, bobbins, etc., do some research. Who came out with it and why? If it's an art quilter, and you make baby quilts, what works for them won't work for you, etc.
• Some of the older machines are the best. You don't need the bells and whistles. The fewer the better.
• Harriet's daughter, Carrie, is doing the first ever comparative study on thread for her Master's Degree. She is using equipment to simulate aging, judge strength, ability to hide in the fabric, etc. Some of the thread companies aren't too happy about it. Others are all for it.

I could go on forever. Three days of straight information and guidance. If ever you have a chance to take classes with Harriet Hargrave, go for it. She is the one who invented quilting on your home sewing machine. Her applique is wonderful too. She truly does create and teach how to create heirloom quilts made by machine and all by you (in case you're like me and must do the entire quilt yourself -- not just the top!).

If you can't take classes with her, her books are excellent. Very step-by-step details, super photos, etc. They are older and can be harder to find. But the information is still current and she thinks it would be nuts to reprint them.

She does have one new book out, called "Freshman Year." More on that later.

FAREWELL BRUNCH

Here we are at the brunch on Sunday. I'm on the left and Carol is on the right. Everyone brings what they've worked on to show off, there are drawings and winners of various things, like the block lotto and challenge quilt. It marks the end of a very tiring, but fun, and super-educational long week-end. Next year's theme is Quiltopoly, as in the game.

I'll post about what I learned soon.

VALENTINE SWAP

Carol brought my Valentine Swap gift to Honeybee, to give to me. She made the Humbug Bag, back - left, and included socks, a love bug, notecards, and a heart-shaped box. The bag it all came in (back) is neat too! Thanks Carol. Very fun!

HONEYBEE RETREAT

Here I am at the Honeybee Retreat with teacher, Harriet Hargrave. I'm the old, tired, perplexed looking one, seated, trying to wrap my brain around these ideas. Harriet is the younger, perkier one, who quilts expertly on a home sewing machine.

Honestly this is the most intense class I've ever taken. Harriet is a slave driver! We start half an hour earlier than posted, take half the posted lunch time, and no breaks unless you sneak out!

Mind you, I'm not complaining. The class is excellent, and Harriet gives 200% and expects the same of her students. But, phew! I'm tired. And I'm with her for a third day tomorrow!

Carol, my dear friend who's here with me, had a hard time getting this picture, as Harriet is glad to take a photo, but she is not happy when anyone wants to take their mind off the quilting. Keep your mind focussed! Pictures distract. Yikes! Retreat has always been fun. This is intense! I've barely seen Carol, and I don't think the fun will start until after 5:00 tomorrow, when Harriet releases us. Well it will be more like 5:30 or 6:00 or whenever the guild comes in and says the next group needs the room!

I'm not complaining! Really the class is EXCELLENT! She just has so much to offer in so little time, my brain is spinning!

Off to enjoy a glass of wine in my pj's.

INTERNATIONAL SIGGIE ARRIVES

This wonderful siggie arrived in the mail from Australia yesterday. Helen hand embroidered the koala on a limb, and used an Aussie print for the block. She also included a letter and this wonderful card depicting native Australian designs. Just when I was thinking maybe I was done with the International Siggie Swap, this one arrives, and of course I'm staying in now. If you are interested, there's a link scrolling down on my sidebar.

AUTUMN LEAVES SWAP

The last of the batik Autumn Leaves Swap blocks arrived from Canada in today's mail, so I had time to swap them out before leaving for Honeybee. Here are all 61 sets. I'm eager to get going on my quilt. I have the pattern all picked out and the coordinating fabrics are ready to go. Now a quick trip to the Post Office tomorrow to mail these out to their owners.

PACKING FOR HONEYBEE

The theme for the Honeybee Quilter's Retreat this year is 'Quilt Safari'. I'm getting ready to leave on Wed. morning, and today rounded up some of my gear -- my ape, Hairy, my Sigfried and Roy tiger, 'African' noise makers from Disney's Animal Kingdom, and of course my blue pith helmet! You never know what you might encounter on safari so the helmet might come in handy. Now to get the quilting stuff ready..............

FINAL LEAVES FOR SWAP

Finally finished! My last sets for the swap are on the top and right. The left leaf is a loner, I'm keeping. Fortunately they don't have far to travel, because I barely made the deadline! But since I'm the hostess they've arrived here in the nick of time, LOL! No mailing needed.

MORE LEAVES FALLING

And another 4 sets. 2 more sets are all cut and waiting to go.

FLORIBUNDA

The One Piece at a Time blog is offering free applique lessons, with great photos, as well as a free BOM, Floribunda, using the techniques. This is the first block. The generosity and talent of quilters never ceases to amaze me. There will be 12 blocks in all, and Erin has also designed a center medallion. I've added this to blogs I'm following and also a link on my sidebar.

AUTUMN LEAVES

Today I'm working on 6" autumn leaf blocks for a swap. We are making sets of 5. So far I have 5 sets done, 4 shown here. We're using batiks in autumn colors for the leaves and batik off-white/cream/etc. for the background. I already have a quilt picked out to make from the leaves, so I hope to get 10 sets done soonest, before the deadline. That would give me 50 different leaves to work with in the quilt.

WHAT IS LOVE? stitchery

Designer, Val Laird, has been publishing a free BOM timed to end Feb. 13. I just found it today, but all the patterns are still up until 2/13/10. It is so sweet, and I think it would make a super wedding or anniversary gift. The stitcheries are very small and there's only eight of them. Val used them as a table runner, and gives directions for that too.

You can link from here and I'll place a link on my side bar too.

St. Patrick's Swap Arrives

I had literally just finished packing up my candle mat to put in the mail for the St. Patrick's Day Candle Mat Swap on The Quilted Table group, when I went to the mailbox to retrieve today's mail. Hmmm............a box from Barbara B. .............hmmm...............do I know her?................what is this..........

Upon opening the box, I realized that it is my St. Patrick's Day candle mat swap! Then, WOW, knocking off my socks (which I didn't have on with my flip flops here in FL), it is amazing...............it is gorgeous...............it is beautiful Celtic knot applique! Something I would love to learn to do! Oh my! I LOVE IT!!! It wraps in/under/around/through all in perfect curves! Thanks so much Barbara! You sure made my day/month/etc.! She even included a St. Pat's FQ and Favorite Findings. Doing the Happy Dance here, and feeling very Irish!

DEAR JANE HOLIDAY SWAP BLOCKS ARRIVE

Look what arrived in the mail today! These tiny 4.5" Dear Jane blocks are from the holiday swap and have come from as far as Belgium and Norway. Some need a trim (many of us make the outside edges larger and then the receiver trims), and then I'll get proper pictures posted, but I just couldn't wait for that. Ooh, what wonderful ideas are dancing in my head for these 25, plus the 5 of my own that I kept. Ooo, La, La!

SYLVIA'S BRIDAL SAMPLER PROGRESS

SBS block of the week is up and running after taking a break for the holidays. This is the current BOW, C-5, Lady of the Lake. These are 6" blocks and the quarter is for perspective as to how tiny those triangles really are. There are 34 pieces in this one. Blocks like this are why I love paper piecing.

IRISH PLAID

This afternoon I tried out this Irish Plaid block. It's paper pieced. I'm not sure if I have the patience to make an entire quilt of this block, but it would be stunning the way the plaid weaves together in a single block, let alone when you put blocks together. It's a free pattern on Quilter's Cache.

I've always been fascinated by all things Irish. After all, my name is Patricia, and I do have a smidgen of Irish in my heritage.