Sunday, July 30, 2017

Peaceful sewing

I spent most of my day working on this quilt.
It's a pattern by Prairie Queen.
Her pattern is a wall hanging and DD wanted a lap quilt.
So, the center panel is hers and then she had the courthouse steps around the center panel. 
But, I needed to make it larger.
I added the two panels and wish I'd added a couple of rows to the top and bottom.
I hate square quilts and this turned out to be square with additions.
So, instead of the courthouse steps around, I had to modify the design.
This is what DD and I worked out together.
I like the result.
Now, to actually quilt it tomorrow morning and get the binding on in the afternoon.

Friday, July 28, 2017

Texas State



Spent the afternoon at Texas State
It has changed so much since I graduated in 1978.
Old main is still there and the same, but so much more is so much bigger.
Went through a meeting today with DD about accommodations and was happy with what they suggested. 
Guess the excess paperwork was something that helped this time through.
Tired, but happy.
Doubt I'll be doing any sewing tonight.
Sharp objects shouldn't be touched after the long day I've had.

It was good to have a positive day.

Thursday, July 27, 2017

My Mom

Joyce LaVerne Childress Mitchell, 83, of Schertz, TX, passed away, 25 July 2017 after a long illness.

She was born to the late Bascom Bragg and Clara Childress on 3 December 1933 in Austin, TX. Preceded in death by her husband Raymond N. Mitchell. 

Joy was a wonderful mother and wife. She supported her husband’s Air Force career. She loved God and poured that out during her bible studies. She was true to her name by being joyful and smiling. She will be buried with Ray at the Cook Walden Capital Parks Cemetery in Pflugerville, TX.

Joy was preceded in death by her siblings, the twins, Marvin Childress, William Childress, Helen, Lester Childress and James Childress , She is was survived by her daughter Meloney J. Funk and her husband Randolph H. Funk, grandchildren Jonathon M. Stone and Ashley M. Funk, and her brothers Roland “Steve” Childress, Dean Childress and Wesley Childress.

In lieu of flowers, gifts may be sent to the Lone Star Parkinson Society, 614 C South Business IH35, PMB 51, New Braunfels, TX 78130.


Her memorial service will be held on Saturday, 5 August 2017 at 4 pm at
3460 Roy Richard Dr, Schertz, TX 78154

Monday, July 24, 2017

Motivational Monday

17 - 23 July 17

Quilt Tammy's quilt
WITB
Work on baby clothing quilt
I did a few more blocks

Work on Simply Woven
Didn't touch it. :(

Finish first banner
Looking for the smaller triangle piece. I might need to reprint.

Clean up studio (put fabrics away, organize extra boxes)
Not even touched

ENDED up adding the guitar quilt
Mom passed away, so no progress on this one yesterday.
I have jury duty, so I doubt I do anything today.

scrappy stars
I'm using this as the leader/ender for the guitar quilt.

24 - 30 July 17
Work on baby clothing quilt
WITB
 embroider the angels - was Mom's quilt and now for a nurse
scrappy stars progress
WITB
Work on baby clothing quilt
Finish first banner
Clean up studio (put fabrics away, organize extra boxes)

Sunday, July 23, 2017

Stash Report

Used this Week:                                                 2.00 yards
Used year to Date:                                         132.39 yards
Total out of stash this Month (July)                  14.41 yards
Added this Week:                                              0.00 yards
Added Year to Date:                                        18.00 yards
Goal:                                                             200.00 yards
Yards to goal:                                                  67.61 yards

Net Used in quilts 2017:                                 147.22 yards 
A couple of other fun facts are:

Prairie Moon is doing a 350 blocks challenge this year:
Number of equivalent blocks:                      841
Perimeter in inches                                    6883
Number of UFOs finished this year:              28
UFO Yardage Used                                117.30
    
Amount of yardage used in UFOs              80%
Number of Spools Used this week           0
Number of Spools Used this year            5

Slow week because of family issues.
Mom is on hospice, so life is unsure right now.
But, I got the apron finished and delivered to the friend that loves 50's styles.


12 Days of Christmas

It's Day 10 and my time to share.
The 12 Days of Christmas in July blog hop that Sarah is hosting is wonderful.
The previous days have had so many fun projects that can be made for Christmas.
I want to make them all
If you haven't found this before, here are the participants.
Also remember to leave a comment to be entered into the giveaway.

Friday, July 14th


Saturday, July 15th


Sunday, July 16th


Monday, July 17th


Tuesday, July 18th


Wednesday, July 19th


Thursday, July 20th


Friday, July 21st


Saturday, July 22nd


Sunday, July 23rd

Mel's Quilting Blog  (You are here now)

Monday, July 24th


Tuesday, July 25th

Abyquilts


OK, so on to the tutorials I want to share with you.

I have 3 tutorials for you - Kleenex Cover, Coasters, and Flower pincushion/pin.
I am still trying to figure out how to explain the flower one better, so there might be an update to that one in the future.

One of my all time favorites for teachers and friends is the Kleenex Cover.
It is very quick and easy to make.
I normally chain sew 3 at a time to make the process even quicker.

Kleenex Cover

These are LOVED by all.

Supplies
Main fabric and a contrasting fabric.
Thread
Cutting tools

Cutting
One 5 1/2" x 6 1/2" main fabric
One 5 1/2" x 7 1/2" contrasting fabric
The holly is my main fabric and the red is my contrast fabric.

Assembly
Place right sides together with the 5 1/2" edges aligned.
Sew on the two 5 1/2" sides.
They will not lay flat, and that is OK.
  
Turn right side out and press so the contrasting fabric shows about 1/4" on each side.
Fold in half to find the center.


Fold the edges to the center, overlapping just a little.


   
I pin in place where they overlap.


Sew along the short sides.
  
Turn right side out and your Kleenex cover is done. 
Fill with tissues and give as gifts.
I normally don't open the package when it is a gift.
I let them open them.
Very quick project.
They are so fun to make and so quick, you just can't stop.
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Coasters
THIS IS MY ALL TIME FAVORITE

Supplies:
5 coordinating pieces of fabric
(I've also used all different fabrics or two or whatever I had on hand)
Batting
Cutting tools
Thread

Cutting Instructions:
Cut 5 - 4 ½  x 4 ½ inch squares of fabric
Cut 1 - 4 ½  x 4 ½ inch square of batting 



Pressing Instructions:

Fold 4 of the squares in half, wrong sides together and press
You will have your batting, a 4 ½ inch square for the backing and 4 rectangular pieces.



 Assembly Instructions:
1.     Place 4 ½  x 4 ½ inch square of batting on table 

  

2.  Place unfolded 4 ½  x 4 ½ inch square right side up on top of batting.    


3.    Lay remain 4 pieces (the folded ones), with raw edges towards the outside, and layer as if you were folding a box top to keep it shut.



 




Things to notice: When sewing you want to have the layer on the upper right to be the one on top. This allows you to sew without catching the folds.

4.    Stitch ¼ inch around the outside edges.
Make sure to catch all layers.

  


5.    Trim corners


6.    Turn 

This is what it looks like while turning.


After it is turned, it might need the corners pushed out. 

Don't use a sharp point, or you might go through the seam. 
I use a rounded chop stick.


Finished

  Use it as a coaster. 

it can be used for stemware too.


  

It is washable and is loved by everyone.

When I gave them away at the office to my staff, other employees would come to see if I had any left that they could buy.
I always made more to make sure I had extra to give away.
Great for scrap use if you are only making one or don't care if they match.
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Flower Pincushion

Supplies Needed
7 - 4" square of green. (leaves)
5 - 4" squares of the yellow (petals)
1 - 4" square for the center
small amount of fiberfill
round wooden disk
Needle and thread
cutting tools

Assembly

fold all but the center square on the diagonal once 
and then again.  
Gather them along the raw edge. 
do this for all leaf and petal squares
I tried sewing them together with one length of thread, but think doing them separately would be best.























Sew them together to form a circle 
round the corners off the center square. 
Gather it and stuff with fiberfill.
Sew to the circle of petals 
Add the circle of leaves and sit the flower on top to the desired spot 
Pin the flower in place and sew to the leaves. 
Flower/leaf unit. 
Now to add the base. 
I used a wooden disk. I found at Michael's. 
Hot glue in place. 

When making the smaller flower, you don't need the leaves.
I used 2" squares.
You need 7 - 2" squares for the flower.
You can use the small yoyo type for the center or add a button.

These are a few of the items I like to make for quick gifts.
And as if great holiday ideas and a tutorial weren't enough, this year there is something extra special!  The lovely folks over at Free Spirit Fabrics have donated not just one item for a giveaway, but THIRTEEN!  And it's pretty drool-worthy stuff, too - it's Tula Pink's new holiday line, Holiday Homies!!!


There are six design rolls, six layer cakes, and one fat quarter bundle to give away - and here's how we're going to do it!  Visit each stop on the hop, including this blog, and leave a comment on each post for the day.  If you comment on all the blogs involved that day, you'll have that many entries in that day's drawing!  At the end of the hop, Sarah will do a giveaway for each day by putting everyone's name in the hat who commented that day (from all that day's hop-blogs and mine), and drawing a winner for that day.  That will be twelve winners - the design rolls and layer cakes.  Then Sarah will put all the names from all the days in a hat and draw out a grand prize winner for the fat quarter bundle!  Only one prize per person, though - let's spread it around a bit!  So carve out a bit of time to visit all the blogs and comment - it makes the time spent on each post worth it when you see what people think about your work!

A couple of notes about the giveaway - if you miss a day, no worries - Sarah will be counting up comments at the end of the hop, so you've got time to double up a few days without worries.  But all good things must come to an end, so you'll have until midnight on August 3rd to comment.  Sarah will gather up all the entries and draw winners and announce them on Whoop Whoop on August 4th!  Also, if you really want to win, you should leave your email address with your entry - it's really sad when someone's name is drawn, but they're a no-reply blogger and can't be reached!

Isn't this really exciting?