Beating the Blues

All across the U.S. it's freezing cold.  It must be the global warming?  My thoughts would be someones data is a little off.  What better way to beat the winter blues and the cold weather than by stitching up some spring projects.

There will need to be some redecorating in order to make room for my latest project.  Even though it sticks out like a sore thumb, for now it's home is in the Studio.

Using the template for the Cherry Blossom Marmalade block with a different scalloped that I struggled to draft.   And then finding this free little bluebird pattern.  I've tried several different methods of transfering patterns.  This wonderful Mark B-Gone pen and a light box works best for me.  

 To add the Lazy Daisies I drew 7 inch circle, folded the fabric 3 times.  The 4th dots in between were eyeballed....clear as mud?

 Leftovers from my boutique days were used.  Fusible batting  used in making purses, and cloths line that was used for basket making.  The fusible batting is dense and gives the pillow a nice sturdy form, keeps its shape well.  And the cloths line for the piping.  

Before adding the dresden I quilted the background on my DSM.

 Then added my dresden using a very tiny blanket stitch and some stitch in the ditch.

 60 wt.  Fufu embroidery thread 

 Piping is so easy and adds a nice look.

 Can you see the little french knots in the center of the daisies?  

 It's reverable!  

As scraps from this project were made I added them to the WIP design wall.  The yellow teacup stands out like a sore thumb with all the blue and pink.  Hopefully  adding the yellow print that goes along with this line of fabric will calm down the little cup.  Or adding more yellow flowers to the unfinished center block.  

Since your not going outside today due to the freezing cold and snow, you might as well hop over to Judy's and check out all the other design walls.  

~Lea Anne~  

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Getting in the Zone

Do you ever feel like the Mad Scientist when designing a project?  Yesterday I was in the zone.  After hours of digging and playing around with ideas the decision was made that maybe dressing and combing the hair would be a good idea.  After making myself presentable to the world (showering gave me time to mull over ideas) I settled on the fabrics.

The project plan wasn't quite so easy.  Two small design ideas drafted on paper, cut the fabrics and YUK.  As the old saying goes "Third times the Charm".  By this time its around 9 p.m.  Finally it's pleasing to my eye.  Wanna a sneak peak?

Designing(drawing by hand) that scallop made my little ole brain muscles work extra hard.  Not to mention that the studio now looks like a natural disaster zone.  At 12:57 a.m. I'm satisfied with the progress and can finally call it a day.  You see shutting off the brain when in the zone is almost impossible.  Many a night has been spent tossing and turning, mulling over a project.  

Before the insanity started yesterday and before daybreak a flimsy was completed.  Not the best picture due to the sun was just coming up.  

So let's just fold her up and file her under "needs to be quilted"

Uh-oh NO MORE SPACE in that file.  15 tops with backings all ready to go.  2 that are partially quilted in plastic bags.   In my defense one of the partials is waiting for just the right thread.  I ran out and can't find anything close enough to finish.

Well gotta run I'm super excited about the new project, it's a small one so it could be done in a day or two!  See you then!

~Lea Anne~

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No pinning required tutorial(pic heavy)

I moved the furniture in the living and spread out my quilt pieces on the floor because my design wall can't handle this quilt.  I've also brought my sewing machine and cutting board to the dining room table.  The dining room and living room are one big room.  Makes for a great space when I need space.  My studio is just off the dining room, sew I can just pop in there for the pressing.  

The first couple of blocks went rather slow due to pinning. UGG!  Then it hit me I don't need to pin.  Why is it I always forget this nifty little trick.  So here goes the no pinning piecing.  Let me first say that these blocks were over sized and squared down using June Taylor Shape Cut Ruler.  Just line up the X and cut 2 sides, turn and do it again.  Perfect Quarter Square triangles.  

 Okay let's get this girl together, I've laid her out to the left of my sewing machine and lowered my stitch length on my sewing machine to 2.0.  

 ...flipped the center block over on top of the left row.   Working from the top down keeps your block in order.  So when you cut it off the machine it lays out just as it was sewn without cutting the units apart, that's the trick of this method.  Don't cut the units apart.  

 Because these were squared down to size they match up perfectly, no pinning.

 Only take one stitch off the fabric in between each unit. 

 The next unit down on your block will be butted right up against the needle and stitched, remember when you get to the bottom only take one stitch off the fabric then add the next unit.  For this block that 3 units.

 They should look like this when you take them off the machine. DON'T CUT THAT LITTLE STITCH, IT SERVES AS YOUR PIN.

 After cutting it from your machine it should line up perfectly with the last units.  DO NOT CUT APART THE UNITS YOU'VE SEWN TOGETHER ALREADY.  Flip the far right unit over on top of the middle unit.  

 You'll have the other units hanging down in your lap.

 Remember only make one stitch off the fabric in between.

 Due to bulky seams I've pressed my current seam open before .  If your block calls for pressing to the side then do that.  But DON'T cut the units apart.

 See still all together.  

 Flip the right unit on top of the middle unit.

 That one stitch holds the seams together perfectly, no pins!

 One last seam and this girl is done.

 Flip the left side unit onto the center and stitch.

 After your block is completely stitched together you'll need to cut that one stitch if your pressing the seam open.  If you press your seams to the side you do not need to clip this stitch.  

 My block is complete and perfect.  

 Look at that perfect point, and with no pins.  Isn't that a wonderful little trick?!

~Lea Anne~

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Country Girl at heart

If there's one thing I know for sure its that I'm not a city girl.  100% Country girl.  Okay I don't own cow, pigs, or horses but I do love living in "the sticks".  It has influenced so many areas of my life.  One area would be quilting of course.  My granny, which was 100 % Kentuckian, has influenced my quilting over the years even though she's been gone for quite some time.  Her quilts were almost always scrappy and made from her old clothing.  And the fact that she was color blind really made them scrappy.   When I saw this line of fabric I fell in love because it reminded me of granny's quilts.  It's Country Girls by Tasha Noel.  So cute!  And so is Tasha's blog "A little sweetness".   MMMM.....I gotta have some of this!

~ Lea Anne~

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