Post Cards

I made a few post cards recently. They are really fun to do. The first one I made went to Canada. The postal workers were so impressed when I took it in to be weighed and stamped that they took the time to show everyone in line. The person helping me made sure to put a pretty stamp on it and insisted on wrapping it in protective wrapping. I was told it arrived in perfect condition. The next two postcards were sent "as is" and arrived just fine. I look at my tiny scraps differently these days. I even asked a friend for her scraps from a recent project. I have included a picture of those scraps adhered to iron-on adhesive. You may even be surprised when one arrives in your mailbox.

Legal Size 4 1/4 x 6 1/2 Appliqued vase of flowers on mottled background- machine quilted

Happy Birthday- use of printed background fabric with appliques and machine quilting.

Happy Birthday- my first Post Card -all fused and machine quilted

Scraps adhered to iron-on adhesive

Stars in the Garden

This hand applique quilt, Stars In The Garden by Piece O"Cake Designs, was part of my late friends "stash". Her stash was distributed among a group of her closest friends. It is my honor to be finishing this quilt . She pieced the background fabrics  anticipating doing the hand applique to finish the quilt.

All applique is needle turned and stitched with #100 Silk thread. When finished the quilt will measure 70"x90".

Hydrangea

I am FINALLY finished the applique on this last block "Hydrangea". Next, I will assemble the quilt into one piece by adding the sashing around the blocks and apply the outer border. It will then be off to the quilter for quilting. When it returns from her I will still need to add the binding and a personalized label. That label will take a little thought and work on my part. I do enjoy that process as it signifies that one more project is finished and I am free to start another one.

Cherry Swirl

Dot's Delight

Iris

Daisy

Pincushion Flower

Peony

Clematis

Star Flower

Dogwood

Fanciful Fans

Honeysuckle

Dog On

I made this 72 inch square quilt for my son and his wife for their 19th Anniversary. Knowing it would be used in their new theater room and the dog would find his way to it, I named it "Dog On". This easy Batik quilt kit was given to me by a dear friend who loved dogs. I know she would not have minded Boris having a nice place to rest. I asked the quilter to include a dog bone and Boris's name in the quilting. When I gave the quilt, I told the family there was something special about the quilting. You can see in the photos that the search was on. And guess who found it....Boris!

Glad Tidings

 The following pictures are blocks of a quilt in progress. I am altering the pattern as published. It was seen in McCalls Quilting - August ,September and October issues of 2005. 

All applique is needle turned. The kit was given to me by an ill friend. She saw two applique blocks before she passed away.

The blocks are pieced and then hand appliqued. There will be four of these 16 inch blocks in this quilt with an additional appliqued block in the center and other pieced blocks, sashing and border that will complete the quilt.

I use 100 weight silk thread for my applique. You can see how fine the thread is on the photos of the back of the blocks. I use it because it seems to disappear into the edge of the applique

I have used different fabrics in the circle applique of the block centers. I am not sure if I will use one of these or try another one. Which one do you prefer?

First Block

Second Block

Block back

Close up of section of block back

This quilt is finally finished and ready to share with my friends.  The following three photos show the wonderful machine quilting done by Ruth Stonesifer. I have not used a flash so that you may enjoy the detail of her work.


Along the side of the quilt



Center Block


Corner Block


  One of the corners

Voila... all finished .. 
The label on the back
 A label will tell generations to come the story of this quilt: Who, What, When, Where and Why. It will help identify the quilt should it become lost or stolen, and will increase the value of the quilt at appraisal time.

The Homestead

                                         The Homestead
 
There are three friends with whom I take turns making Christmas gifts. Each four year turn seems to come around faster each time. We started this craziness in 1987 when I made a wooden "Christmas Tree Napkin Holder". You can see my last gift in the July section of this blog (Garment Bags) http://cottonkapers.blogspot.com/2011_07_01_archive.html. We have had discussions as to how long we were going to continue this tradition. We decided we could bow out of our next turn only after the other three had opened your most recent gift. This year I announced this was going to be my last turn. We raised our families and have had many wonderful times in the "hood" and I felt I would leave the exchange with my interpretation of a somewhat primitive rendition of their "Homestead".


When I got the idea for my gift I went out in the car with my camera in hand and took photos of each home. I needed to take repeat photos when I was uncertain about a particular feature. I downloaded my photos to my Kodak software which has a "Coloring Book" feature. This made it easy to get a workable line drawing. I printed that drawing and took it to have it enlarged to the size needed. From that point it  soon became learn as you go.

The sizes of the pieces vary but measure approximately 16 1/2 by 24. The actual sizes are noted with each home.

Fabrics used are 100% cotton, buckram, Heat and Bond and chiffon
.


Techniques used are fused applique, free motion quilting, outline sewing, machine embroidery and hand sewing.

Gingerbread Houses 2011

Every year our Christmas Season begins with my Grandson's and I decorating Gingerbread Houses. Each year the decorations become more elaborate and the boys come up with new ideas. It is always great fun for us to continue one of our Christmas traditions.

The supplies are ready

Candy anyone?

This year they opted for bigger fireplace chimneys.

Front of Zack's House

 

 

 

 

 

Back of Zack's House

House backs-Jake's on the left, Zack's on the right.

Zack's chimney.

House fronts (Zack-L,Jake-R)

Front of Jake's House

Side of Jake's house.

Fireplace chimney on Jake's house.

New Addition

I received a surprise gift in the mail today. A "new addition" to my quilting studio. My friend Chesapeake, from the Norfolk Eagle Cam Open Chat, must have known just how desperately  my studio needed an official name with proper identification..

Thank you, Chesapeake LOL