Today's finds...

...in my rural part of the world. There are not any JoAnn's, Hancock Fabrics, etc. here. We don't really even have a Walmart...with fabric close by. Even the closest store if over 20 miles away..but, no fabric. There is a Hobby Lobby about 30 miles away...but, it is limited too when it comes to "embellishing" supplies at times.

So, most of my purchases are usually online. However, today...my friend Francis decided to try and shop a little close to home. There is a little "hole in the wall, Mom & Pop" fabric store about 9 miles from home. It is just one of those metal fabricated storage buildings that they stocked with remnants from the cloth mills around this area...then about ten years ago, the mills all closed as the trade was moved to Mexico...and this little place has continued to keep those old fabrics. She also adds some new ones via her sales connections. She stocks a little bit of everything...cottons, upholstery, felts, flannels, faux fur, laces, buttons, zippers, etc.

Sometimes you luck out...and sometimes you don't.

Here is what we "couldn't live without" today. ;)

First off, some more green DMC perle cotton...cause really, "Can you ever have enough green?". A pkg of chenille and pkg of tapestry needles because her prices were just so good. Some laces, like the colors but have no specific project in mind.

Okay, I know that this is hard to really see. But, it was in the corner...all folded up; FELT in a lovely light peach. It felt and looked beautiful...and I walked by it 3 times as it just kept calling to me. Have not quite worked out what I want to do with it...but, brought a yard home just because. ;)

The owner has been listening...and how has about a dozen "batiks" in stock. These three just said "Under the Sea" blocks to me, so had to of course give them a new home. Now all of the above items were clearly impulse buys...as I didn't come into the stop looking for them at all. Here's what I was really looking for...upholstery weight fabrics for crazy quilt project quilts.

This first one is for a set of blocks (colors are deceiving in this photo)...but there is a lot of greens, golds, oranges, browns, etc. Definitely thinking "Autumn". The "brown" above is really a very rich deep orange...a perfect match to the fabric in the center of this section of the block sample I've done. So, SCORE...success for one project.

Next, I found this gray-blue upholstery solid for the border of my hexagon quilt. These are the last few loose blocks (easy to carry and match fabric with)...but the quilt will actually be squared-off when the portion blocks are also included. The upholstery will become a solid border, with lace included on top.

I'm thinking that this smoky blue with lace will be excellent! My goal is to finish this quilt for the Show'n'tell section of our February Retreat! Got to have goals and milestones to accomplish, right!

Lastly, I picked up this little blue/green/pink little floral print. It reminds me of the older flour sack fabrics...but the quality of the fabric is much better...and it sill be a border for a series of cross-stitch Easter Egg mini-quilt blocks. 

So, a pretty productive day...considering I was shopping basically in a "storage building". ;)

BCQC-1 is Open for Registration

The Basic Crazy Quilt Course is open for registration. Check it out here...

https://shawkl-classes.blogspot.com/2018/09/basic-crazy-quilt-course-bcqc-101-is.htmlhttps://shawkl-classes.blogspot.com/2018/09/basic-crazy-quilt-course-bcqc-101-is.html

CQ - Finishing Tips

This is the beginning of a new project. The blocks are diamond shaped, and I've pieced a small corner section using two different approaches...same pattern/colors (except for some embellishing).

The section includes one diamond (center), Small Corner triangle, Top Triangle, Side Triangle. I've inverted the second finished section so both of these would fit in one photo.

The section on the left is pieced in a traditional way...using 1/4" seam allowance and machine piecing. The section on the right is pieced by machine just for the individual blocks. These are then backed with fabric, similar to how an English Paper Piecing quilt would be.

Here is a photo showing the back fabric used. The advantage of this approach is that when all of the patches are backed...then sewn together; the quilt could be considered as "complete". The disadvantage would be that it is all hand work...so if you don't enjoy that; it's not the approach you would want to pursue. 

Neither of these units have any embroidery on the connecting seams. These are just done for examples. But, I still need to decide whether or not the "real quilt" done by this pattern will include work on the connecting seams. Hugs!

HEXAGON QUILT - Edge Blocks

The blocks are now all pieced...six half-blocks and six quarter blocks (or close to a fourth size)...all ready for seams.

I have one more full block to finish embellishing, than can move on to these. Might be packing these up to take to my quilting retreat with friends the end of this month.

Amazon Surprise

I like to check my book listings on Amazon every now and again, just to read the comments left by those that purchase them.

This morning...look what I found:

C&T Publications and I have not even finished the final edit yet...although I did approve the cover art...so Amazon is really on top of things! The release date is in April...although they have 7 May, so we shall see...but Amazon is already taking pre-orders. How crazy is that!

I will have a few copies on my Etsy Shop when the book is printed...so no rush to order (unless you think you'll forget or that I'll run out)...but what a weird thing to find it listed already!

NES - Band #1, Rows 1-4

Here's my progress so far in the Never Ending Sampler stitch-a-long cross-stitch project. The design is presented in rows and is free to participants. If you want to give this a try...you can find it at Pam Kellogg's blogsite. Pam is also preparing pdf downloads which will soon be available for folks (like me) that like to work from a paper pattern rather than have a tablet or computer handy. There is also a Facebook group documenting their progress...for more eye-candy. You can read all about that on Pam's blog as well.

I'm stitch the design on black 14-ct Aida, with sz 20 cording by Lizbeth (found on Etsy). The color variation is "Vinyard Harvest".

The photo really does not do justice to the true Black of the cloth or the sheen and beauty of this thread...which is almost like a braid than a twist cotton.

Hexagon Quilt: Block #16

The center flowers are "yo-yo's" created with wide silk ribbon folded over (gold and blue ones) and 13mm seam binding gathered. The kitten is another machine embroidery applique. Most of the seams of these last four hexagon blocks are from the Fancy Seams book.

ICQC-104 Open for Registration

The Advanced Motif course is open for registration today. Check the Shawkl Classes blog (link at top) for instructions on how to sign up.

Hexagon Quilt: Block #15

The beaded cabochon was created from a Czech Glass Button with the shank removed. The tiny hummingbird is another machine embroidery patch.

Hexagon Quilt: Block #14

The little center scene was a photo scanned from a landscape magazine and stitched over. The bunny in a machine embroidery patch (I'm loving using these...saves me so much time!)

Hexagon Quilt: Block #13

I've been stitching the seams in Crazy Quilting Volume III: Fancy Seams books for the Facebook Group Modern Seams...and using my hexagon blocks (and others) as the canvas. That has helped me to finish up a few more of these to add to my existing quilt in progress. Here is Block #13:

The little lamb is a machine embroidery patch. The center tulip is done in 13mm ribbon. The lace butterfly was a gift (machine embroidery lace) to me by Phyllis Latham in Oklahoma.

Gorgeous Blocks by Pam Kellogg

Wow! I just spent a few minutes browsing through this 40 page document...and it is wonderful!

This is Pam Kellogg's newest relese "Crazy Quilt Inspiration Volume 2: Trinket Blocks"

It is a collection of gorgeous photos, really large and clear photos...of 37 crazy quilt blocks made to showcase various collections of pins and trinkets she has collected.

It is so inspiring! Makes me really think about the various brooches, pins, patches, etc. that I'm constantly putting aside because they are just "too pretty" to use. This would be a wonderful way to showcase them.

Check it out at Magcloud or at Pam's Etsy Shop...it is so worth the look!

http://www.magcloud.com/user/kitty-and-me

http://www.kittyandme.etsy.com/

TIP: No Pins!

I'm working on piecing some blocks that have unique shapes, and am using a paper pattern for this. Here is how I do mine...no pins.

Instead, use clear tape (office variety) to tape the pattern pieces to the front of the fabrics. Leave about an inch of space between each piece.

Cut the individual pieces apart if you like, just so you can work with each then (make sure to cut where each will still have at least the 1/4" seam allowance intact.)

Then, use the ruler and rotary cutter to cut precisely 1/4" from the drawn line on the pattern piece.

There is just enough tape left on the edges to keep the pattern piece on the fabric until you are ready to sew the block together. Then, just lift the pattern and remove...easy! No pins to constantly remove, shift, re-pin as you trim up the patches.

Color Palette?

How do you organize your work when you design a quilt? I like to either work with a minimal plan (translated to be "just a stack of fabrics")...or a structured plan (like a palette and each patch planned out). Both approaches have advantages for me.; and the choice depends on what the project is to be used for and/or how much effort I want to put to the planning of it.

But, my "planned" ventures always turn out more satisfactory to me at the end...but, still that "fast project" has it's merits!

At present, I'm in the middle of a planned process at the moment...and have cut swatches of fabrics. All of these are from a group of quarter yard cuts (Maywood Studios, Shadow Play line of cotton fabrics) that are just a random selection of lights/mediums.

The fabrics all are mottled in color, but read like solids so are a perfect choice for my project. I had selected a grouping of lights and mediums when ordering...not really thinking too much about the colors. Just got a 1/4 yard of each. My thoughts at the time were more about "not" gettin any really darks or really brights in the mix. When they arrived, I could see that I had a lot of neutrals (no surprise there for me, ha!); and there seemed to be a lot of greens (who knew I liked green so much!).

So, I've broken them into two groups...a Spring Palette...

and an Autumn Palette. Guess I'll be doing two quilts!!!

Thinking the Autumn will come first...as I'm in the mood for that Season right now. I'll be adding loads of reds, violets, yellows, and more greens to the embroidery work.

BTW, the  letters/numbers under each is the stock number for Maywood. Just in case I need more later on! 

So, just wondering...do you create palettes for your work at times?

Hugs, 

BCQC-2 is Open for Registration...15-17 August

The BCQC-2 module is  OPEN FOR REGISTRATION 15-17 August 2018   You must have completed the BCQC-1 Module first!!!  

The BCQC-2 has three major objectives:

* COLOR — Learning all about Color Selection

* PIECING —Techniques for successful Flip’n’Sew pieced blocks

* EMBELLISHING — Promote individual creativity while reinforcing the

    techniques learned in the BCQC-1 module

The Color portion of the module is extensive. It will cover the first 6 tasks:

· Planning for Color

· Impact of Color Choices

· Color Mixing

- Reading a Color Wheel

- Color Play

· Fast Color Selection Techniques

The Piecing portion of this course will focus on using cotton fabrics and the flip’n’sew method of piecing a block. It will not include a pattern, but does recommend using strips of fabric rather than patch pieces of fabric. So, yardage (1/4 or even 1/8 yardage widths is fine) for this method. We will be using cotton (but you can substitute sturdy silk if you have yardage on hand). This section includes the next two tasks:

· Fabric Selection

- Flip’n’Sew Method (pitfalls and solutions)

The Embellishing portion of this course will include:

· Lace/Trims

· Seam Embroidery

· Silk Ribbon Ideas

· Finishing with Beads, Baubles, and Charms

In total there are 11-tasks for this course. Just as in the BCQC-1 each new task will be emailed to you after you have posted the prior task. 

This is the "follow-on" class to the BCQC-1, which you should have completed first. It builds on the techniques learned in the initial basic course and gives you experience in selecting COLORs for your fabrics/embellishments that will work together nicely. [Note: If you are presently enrolled in the BCQC-1, and are at least on Task #10, you can still sign up for the BCQC-2...as I know you'll have time to finish the BCQC-1 shortly.]

The reason for even offering the BCQC-2 is so that folks (especially true beginners) that want to attempt a block for themselves...with little "influence" from me...but still have a teacher available to answer questions CAN WORK A NEW BLOCK. I'll walk you through the various "layers" of embellishments and offer advice on how to balance the work as we progress through these. Before we even begin, the first few tasks will introduce the "world of color selection" to you...helping you to feel a bit more at ease when combining colors in fabrics and/or embellishments.

To register:

Email me your: name, state/country information, and the email you want me to use for the course shaw.kathy@yahoo.com

The class will begin on the 19th...so you should be logged into the class blog site by the evening of the 18th if possible. As with all of the courses...you'll receive a WELCOME email after registering and an INVITATION to join the course blogsite. The invitation only "works once" so, when you get to the site remember to bookmark the URL. If you forget, just shoot me an email and I'll send you a link back to it.

Hugs!

Ups and Downs...

...we all have them.

Life happens...and we usually just try to "roll with the punches" so to speak. My life is no different than anyone elses in that respect...some highs and some lows. Hoping the highs out number the lows, if you know what I mean.

It's been a pretty good month...but with several doctor's appointments. Got most of that behind me now, still dealing with incisions that don't want to heal up right away...but no pain...so that's good.

And, a really great "high" point this last month...as I "approved" the cover artwork for my new book...coming out soon I hope. Soon being a relative term, as it will still take weeks to finalize and then get printed...but hopefully, not counting in months any longer.

I'm especially happy that this book is the reason for the recent creation of the template set...as they go hand in hand. It's been a long time coming...being able to offer a book of seams WITH a permanent template set so folks don't have to make their own. That's a great accomplishment...and I have to give Janet of Creative Impressions huge thanks for her help in this!

So....all in all...a pretty good month. Hoping your month was also pretty good!

Hugs, to all!

BTW, current books and templates are still available in my Etsy shop. ;)

Crazy Quilt Quarterly - Autumn 2018

The Autumn 2018 issue of Crazy Quilt Quarterly magazine is now available!

I've been reading through my copy...and dreaming of the beautiful blocks to be made using orange, red, green, yellow of Fall! Such an inspiration!

The Autumn 2018 issue cover design by Elisabeth Baty. just makes me want to stitch! Her stumpwork cornucopia is absolutely stunning. The entire issue is packed full of wonderful projects by projects by Betty Pillsbury, Gill Compigne-Leaney, Suzy Quaife, Jan Conwell, Angela Grasse, Janese Morris, Renee Watts, Darlene Kliewer, Brenda Sandusky, Robin Waybright, Genevieve Tracey, and Mary Anne Richardson; with a combined article by Alice McClelland & Janet Popish.

40 Pages of patterns, articles, and enjoyment. Head on over to Magcloud and check out this issue...and any past issues you might have missed. This magazine is a labor of love for Pam and her entire group of contributors!

http://www.magcloud.com/user/kitty-and-me

OPEN REGISTRATION - Basic Crazy Quilt Course - 15-17 July

Please read the ENTIRE post before you email your registration information. Thank you :)

  Basic Crazy Quilt Course (BCQC-1) is open for REGISTRATION until midnight on 17 July (Central Standard Time)     NOTE: I do not accept late registrations for classes...you need to register within the dates of the open registration period. I'm sorry, but I just have too much going on to keep up with early or deal with late registrations.   This is a FREE online class. It is self-paced, and expected to take 4-8 weeks, depending on the time you have available to complete the 12 assigned Tasks.  

  These 12-Tasks include:   1 - How to Use the Class Blog 2 - Selecting Supplies 3- Design Principles of CQ 4 - Sewing the Block 5 - Surface Beading Techniques 6 - Template Seams 7 - Shape Seams 8 - 11 Various Silk Ribbon Flowers 12 - Finishing (lace, charms, etc.)   The class is FREE, you will not be charged anything for the instructions. You will need to obtain your own supplies as I do not sale kits.   Link to the Basic Supply List    Basic CQ supplies include silk ribbon, pearl cotton threads, tiny beads, etc. as the photo above indicates. None of these are in large quantity for a single block that measures about the size of a sheet of print paper.   You will be required to use a quilting hoop (Q-snap is fine). You WILL be required to access the private class blog (upon an invitation sent to you) and post photos of your work as you progress through the class. This is an ON-LINE course, so basic computer skills are needed (printing documents, uploading photos, etc.).
  If you are interested in taking this course, please email me at shaw.kathy@yahoo.com and provide me this information: Your first name Your last name You country of residence Your state of residence IF you live in the USA The email address you wish me to send class instructional handouts to.   After you register, I will send you a Welcome Email AND Google/Blogger will send you (at my request) an Invitation to join the Class Blog where the class will be held. Watch for BOTH of these emails, check your spam folder.   Because this is an ON-LINE internet class: You will need to follow some simple instructions to register and gain access to the private class blog. Your name and email will need to be entered; but NO social security or credit card information is required. Just basic information to "recognize" you as a class participant.   You will need to be able to take a photo of your work, and upload it to the class blog. You will get instructions on "blogging" so don't worry if you don't currently do that now; you will learn. But, you DO NEED to have an operating camera and be able to take photos. You do need a basic understanding of how to save these photos and then retrieve those picture files. IF you use an IPad to take photos...you will need to email them to yourself, download them to your computer, and then upload to the class blog. If you use a phone or camera...follow the instructions for that specific camera to upload photos to your computer.   NOTE: You will be given class handouts/instruction in the form of emails and pdf documents.  The pdf files can be opened with Adobe Reader (free software on the Adobe.com site)
 You need to be able to open these handouts/instructions and save them. You can also print as you desire. In total, the course contains over 200 pages of information...so paper/printer will be required if you want to retain a hard copy of this information.   Hugs, and I hope to see you in the class!    This Basic CQ Class (BCQC-1) is a REQUIRED course...before you can sign up to any of the other crazy quilt courses offered throughout the year. You begin with this course.   After you register...expect an invitaion to the course site before the morning of the 18th.   HUGS!

TEMPLATES are here (no more having to make your own)!!!

Yeah...look what is available now. They're here!

Etsy Shoppe
Embroidery Stitch Templates

I'm so excited! For the past few months, Janet of Creative Impressions and I have been working on the production/distribution of a new set of Embroidery Stitch Templates.

Yesterday, a case landed on my doorstep....thank you UPS guy!

So, I've loaded all of the information into my Etsy Shoppe (link above)...and these are available now for all of my followers and students (and their friends).

The set comes flat and is about the size of a booklet...so ships in a plain shipping envelope for minimal cost.

There are 5 pages of transparent, flexible plastic template sheets.

While they can be used just as is...my recommendation is to cut these apart into individual seam/motif templates. I've included dashed lines between so you can easily see where to cut them apart. A pair of utility scissors or a rotary cutter/mat is all you need.

I just cut these apart by scoring with my rotary cuter and then folding/snapping them apart. In this photo you can see some of the Straight Stitch Templates and some of the unique Motif Templates like the starts, flowers, hearts, etc.

Each individual template has the "type" of stitch base the template is for. You can see the actual seam marked on the template, and there will be little "holes" punched where each needle-up/needle-down position would be for that size/type of embroidery stitch seam.

Each individual template also has a single slightly larger hole punched out near the end...and the entire set (which took me about 5 minutes to cut apart) can be easily organized by placing on a key ring (like my Mrs. Owl here)...or tied together with cording/ribbon, etc.

The templates are clear so you can easily line them up along your seams for crazy quilt blocks...or even use them to mark hand embroidery on other projects!

If you have taken one of my free crazy quilt classes, or purchased any of my books...you have already gotten a short lesson on how to use this type of template. But, if you have not done either of these...here's a little recap for you:

USING TEMPLATES TO MARK CQ SEAMS:

1) Determine what embroidery template you would like to use and then place it on top of your finished fabric crazy quilt block...along a seam.

For the photo above, I'm using the #4 Herringbone Stitch base template and aligning the short "X" stitches top along the sewn seam line (see the arrow).

2) Use your pencil to place a "dot" in each of the holes. (I do this by placing the tip of the pencil into a hole...then "push down & twist"...but can't show that and hold the camera and push the shutter button with only two hands).

It is important to remember to hold the template steady...and push down hard enough to leave a dot. I like to lay my block on the table (or other hard surface) to mark my seams...then hoop the block to do the stitching.

3) The result is a series of little "dots" marking where the needle up/down placements are for this specific stitch (herringbone in this example).

Now, you do need to still know how to create a herringbone stitch...but the template also includes the photo of the actual finished stitching...so that can help guide you....

as you actually create the seam.

Continue to embroider the base seam following the little dots...until the entire seam is finished.

If your seam is longer than the template, just mark...then slide the template along the seam (aligning with the previous marked "dots"), and continue until you reach the end of the seam.

This completes the basic seam.

However, you can also continue using the "motif" templates to add even more stitching to a BASE SEAM.

4) Just align a motif template (here we're using the 5-prong template) wherever you might want that embroidery object to appear. For this example, we'll add several of these 5-prongs to one side of the seam...spacing them along the seam design.

The template shows the straight stitches for the 5-prong...(see arrow, hard to see in this photo).

These are marked in the same way...with "dots" in the little holes of the template.

Then, embroider as the design shows (usually using simple Straight Stitches) to create the motifs. In this example, I've added a series of these 5-prongs down one side of the base herringbone seam.

The seam is fine as is...and would be great on a traditional style crazy quilt or even as an adornment on the border of a traditional quilt.

BUT, we can keep adding "layers" of embellishment to make it more modern.

This photo shows the addition of small seed beads to the 5-prong motif elements; and round beads to some of the herringbone base stitches, plus glass flower spacer beads with seed bead centers to the base of the 5-prong elements.

This photo shows more layers...a trio of Fargo Roses in silk ribbon, with Detached Chain Stitch leaves on the opposite side of the seam from the 5-prong elements.

Lastly, the finished seam now includes some crystal montee slides between the Fargo Roses.

So, I hope you can appreciate that a complex looking seam...is really just a simple BASE SEAM with layers of other embellishing. That base seam...is neat, straight, and uniformly space because we marked the needle-up/down positions of the embroidery using a template.

Templates are available at my Etsy Shoppe and at Janet's Creative Impressions site (as soon as she can get the photo loaded). She also has other crafting, scrapbooking, and embellishing supplies...so I hope you will check her site out EVEN if you choose to get the templates from my Etsy Shoppe.

Hugs (as always)...Kathy