Wonky Log Cabins for the Craftsy BOM

I completed the two blocks for May.  Both are "Wonky Log Cabin" blocks, and here they are:

Working with scraps and strips like this always gets me over stimulated (in a good way).  I cut out more market skirts for my granddaughters ~especially the one in Florida, as I'll be sending her a package this coming week.  I received a picture she drew this week in the mail, and I'm pretty excited about that too!


I went grocery shopping today (so what? you might be thinking) but without a car you really don't take for granted the opportunity to load up on groceries.  It turned out nice, since my three 'in-town' kids and my grandson and I all got to visit for a while.  


We had a wonderful lightning storm tonight... and the boys and I sat out on my balcony and watched the sky.  We plan to watch the moon set early in the morning, since it's supposed to be the closest to earth it will be this decade (I believe that's what my son said).  I'm hoping the clouds will clear off by then, so we can enjoy it.  Most of the night sky events lately have been a bust.  


There's always more things to do on the weekends than seems humanly possible.  But at least I got a day of sewing in.  I'll post the skirt I completed tonight, soon...  It's been a great weekend so far.

Sunday Sunday....

This Sunday I gathered my market skirts for their ride to Florida for my granddaughter... and

Close up of both bills on the caps... and probably the closest in true color as well.  

I started on the Welder's Caps that I've been promising a friend of mine for a few weeks now. Thanks to Wildflowers and Whimsy, who was kind enough to email me the pdf of the pattern.   What a help. Other ones I've seen on flickr were free also, but I needed to blow it up for each size, which I still might do... but Kinko's wanted $21 to do that. Really? I remember a time when there was no charge for that, just the charge for the copies. But I can't seem to figure out how to size the pdf using the copier at work either.

I digress.

Here are the first two hats I came up with this weekend. I used my stash of course, so you may be seeing a lot of this particular fabric. I did try to jazz it up a bit with some of my AMH jelly rolls... but I think even her chevrons look girly girly... female welders?? where are you??

If you click on the picture to enlarge it, you can see the top-stitching

Finally a little something to share...

Please accept my apologies for being MIA soooo long.  Chalk it up to LIFE.  Let me reintroduce myself.  My name is Maureen (Mo) Ronolo.  Retired now and still a single mother of five adult kids. Now a grandmother of ten, and great grandmother of one. This is my time to be creative (and resourceful) so I'm getting ready to start blogging again. I hope you'll check back in and enjoy the projects I'll be sharing as they come to life.  

Thanks, ~mo 

                               ~*~      

New Life for Orphan Quilt Block

I was going over the comments on our BOM class and came across the term "orphan block".  I had never heard that term before, but I knew immediately what it meant. 

I have been wanting to make some eco-friendly projects and orphan blocks provided just the opportunity!

The Block of the Month this month was a String Block. I didn't quite follow thedirections and my 1/4 blocks finished up too small to make the required 12-1/2" block. So I had four little orphans to re-purpose...actually 8 little orphans because I cut each in half down the middle and made two triangles. 

I've been eyeing those coffee cup guards for a while, thinking I could make reusable ones (and save the planet from all those cardboard sleeves! haha).  

I kept the cup from my lunch-time Chai [at the Denver Public Library's "Coffee Mug"  Coffee Shop ~not so shameless plug... the girls *my age* in the coffee shop are wonderful, the Chai is to die for] and set out to reinvent the cup sleeve!   

The ones that come with these cups are actually cool because they are degradable (after who knows how many years).. and foamy, but not quite wide or long enough for all my fingers to fit on it.  So I took the sleeve off the cup and made a pattern from it, making it longer up & down on the cup.  I also added a little extra on the sides (1/2" on each side) for overlap and hook & loop tape to fasten it closed.



I took one of my orphan block triangles (see 1st photo above) and centered it on a black piece of fabric same size as my pattern. I did some more string piecing on each side of my orphan quilt piece to fill out my pattern  [with string piecing you end up with strips of fabric hanging off the sides that you have to trim away]  So now I have the top pieced.  


I didn't have fusible fleece on hand for padding, so I used one of my dollar store shammy's [you've seen them...bright yellow thin spongy cleaning cloths ~works great!] and cut two the same size as the top, and sandwiched the shammy pieces between the top and another piece of black fabric cut larger than the top by maybe 3/4"-1" all around.  This let me fold over the back to the front to finish the edges and give me that nice black binding.  


I centered the top and shammy pieces on the bottom piece.  I pinned it once or twice in the middle.  The black backing excess was brought over to the front.  I gave it a press at this stage (actually I press a lot through the whole process) and folded the backing so I had a nice even binding. I used my edge foot (I think that's what it's called) to stitch it down around all sides to insure  nice even stitching along the band.  I experimented with my decorative stitches to add a bit of interest.

It will eventually have a hook & loop closure... when I can locate my roll of  hook & loop tape I've had for years. Which may morph into my version of a sewing organization blog ~ please don't hold your breath!   

I'm also toying with the idea of having a strap to match with hook & loop tape that will fasten on both sides of the sleeve closure so it can negotiate through the handle of my favorite coffee mug.

I  think it turned out pretty neat.  New life for an orphan quilt block!! :D

And why stop at one???

~*~

Quiltpiphany!

Quiltpiphany...you may ask? My coinage...Quilt + epiphany, but simply based on the definition of epiphany: a sudden, intuitive perception of or insight into the reality or essential meaning of something, usually initiated by some simple, homely, or commonplace occurrence or experience.

My original intention of joining the B.O.M. (Block of the Month) class on Craftsy.com was two-fold. One was to fulfill my resolution to feed my need to be creative, while really learning to quilt. The other was to make a quilt for my mother... this woman is amazing. And I think "super-amazing" qualifies since she's 85 and does more than I do nearly every day! She was a DIY Diva before it was cool... inspired me to sew when I watched her sew (and lifted up the presser-foot lever for her. She's self-taught in so many areas, and nothing seems to phase her!

I have been pouring over blogs,  googling quilt patterns, looking at books, and reviewing my Pinterest pins... and finally I've decided the Dresden IS the quilt I want to make for my mother! Because as much as I love how my B.O.M. quilt is turning out, my sister and I agree that black is probably not the background color for our mom. Mom mentioned she liked pastels, particularly pink, and she happens to have the most incredible baby blue eyes... so pastels she will get with her Dresden plate quilt.  And that is my Quiltpiphany.

I used a blind hem stitch on the blades thinking it would be stronger, and last through machine washing better

The blades on this block are hand stitched which I really enjoyed.

And now that I know how to make a Dresden plate block (thank you very much Amy Gibson) I can do this! What a sense of relief and urgency at the same time!!! I have a beautiful jelly roll of Tea Cakes by Verna Mosquera. I bought it on sale a while ago on Craftsy.com. The colors are perfect.. and it will be fun to get started. I may even do some hand stitching on these blocks... the more I look at Amy's prize Dresden quilt the more I want mom's quilt to be look old fashioned and authentic. I'll have to decide how I'm going to stitch down those blades later. But now I'm thrilled I can get started on this. Maybe even have the top done before I go back home for my class reunion in September. I may even attempt a border similar to the one in Amy's post ~ I think I can figure it out. And for the backing... there may be one more plate with a really flowery print... but I think for sure there will be a heart, so when she pulls up the quilt around her, the heart on the quilt will be close to her own.

~*~

I also have Amy Butler fat quarters... I'm thinking I might either attempt one of her quilt patterns, or the Summer Porch Quilt by Eleanor Burns with Amy Butler prints... THAT would be a happy quilt! And hopefully mine!

This isn't my quilt... but it IS what I imagine my Amy Butler fabric/Eleanor Burns Summer Porch  conglomeration could aspire to be!

I bought the book just for the Summer Porch quilt pattern... and SCORE! I can also do a stained glass quilt with this pattern~just substituting black for the white lattice, so I'm psyched about that! I've also fallen in love with the easy method of half square triangles that we learned in the B.O.M. so I'd like to do something with that... maybe just go crazy making HST's and then put the pattern together, like a puzzle, on my floor, with my assistants... (the twins) and see what we come up with.

I could be a multi-quilt project person before long, and I haven't made one start to finish yet! (Except about 20 years ago I made a log cabin quilt with the QIAD book... but somehow turning the quilt like a pillow with high-loft batting inside doesn't seem quite legit to me... sorry Eleanor).

Oh boy! I'm set! Hope your weekend brings you a quiltpiphany!

Half-Square Triangle Sewing Basket

I decided I needed to see my dining table ~as a dining table!  It's covered in sewing paraphernalia, and I watched myself struggle to find my scissors, or seam ripper, or little 4-1/2" ruler... Maybe you know of what I speak.  Anyway, as I was cleaning, a brainstorm hit (or maybe it was just ADHD!) It started like this...

Left over half-square triangles... that I really like, and I've loved baskets since forever. not sure where the black ribbon came from??

Ohh... I should really use those HST's for something.  I really like them!  Oh what if I lined the basket with them and kept my sewing stuff in it??  Oh that would be cool.  [All my sewing stuff is out on my dining table and the ironing board is still up... actually the iron is hot and ready!]   

So I blew off cleaning up my mess for a while longer while I listened to the little horned guy on my shoulder.. and got busy with my new creation.

I made enough of the HST's with black as one side, then pink & white homespun type plaid, or my b/w gingham with the flowers on it on the other side, and made a zig-zag pattern that went all around the inside of the basket.

I did it the easy way... two 5-1/2 inch squares of fabric sewn right sides together around the OUTSIDE edges of the fabric; and then I cut those pieces from corner to corner (X) so I ended up with four HST's...  I really love this method.  So quick and easy.

I figured I would make a bottom piece to match, and put some toweling or something underneath to make it a bit softer...  

And then it happened... another brainstorm hit.  (Actually I love when this happens..)  I have two black (can you believe it?) dish cloths, brand new... well never been used anyway, from the dollar store... so I 'spent' 50 cents.  

If you peek on the sides of the basket (above) you can see the construction.

I centered the folds and pinned to follow the curve of the basket, and smoothed it out a bit by using the appropriate sized dish (put upside down on the fabric corners) for my rotary cutter to follow.  My dish cloths had a mesh backing, so I could either peel it off and not use it, or leave it on the dish cloth and use it.  I left it, [it was a bit stiff, and helped the dish cloth keep it's shape--like interfacing would].  I stitched around the edge of the mesh to hold it in place, since I just cut away the serged edges that were holding it in place.  I quartered my HST strip and pinned it to the dish cloth, and stitched a 1/4" seam so that it would work with my 'quilt pieces'.   

I had a few ideas for making pockets for the outside of the basket, and making the basket liner reversible,  but 'simple is better' won out.  I finished the edges with strips of black fabric (people must think everything in my house is black!  lol) added a piece of ribbon on all four quarters to tie it in place.  I love it.

Now I'll be able to find my tools in style  :D

I guess it's back to finding the dining room table again!  Wish me luck!

BOM to date...August 2012

I know my collage is titled "June" but it's really all the blocks I've done up to this point (August 2012).  And I'd probably arrange the blocks a few 100 times before posting, but it's not that easy on Picasa... and that's what I use.  However, that being said, I think my BOM quilt is shaping up nicely!  

Some Fabrics just make me Smile!

I am so excited about working on this quilt for my mom, and that excitement just ramped up a few notches when I opened up my new jelly roll of Tradewinds by Lily Ashbury fabric that I talked about on my last post.  I've already made 10 blocks and ran out of fabric.  So I picked up more fabric, not exactly the same kind, but similar colors.  But when I opened the new jelly roll..... OMG!

This fabric is so luscious and yummy it makes me long for a bowl of tropical fruit!  See what I mean?

Before I opened the jelly roll ^

I see that wonderful 'mango' color... and my mouth waters.. really! This is such a joy to work with this fabric!

Even my scraps are happy!   I saw a very cute paper-pieced umbrella on flicker somewhere...  I think these scraps could make a very cheery umbrella! or ten!  :D

I sewed the wedges 2x2 in the order I wanted them on the 'plate'.  It worked much better than when I sewed all of one print and sorted out the order after the fact.

Another view of the wedges joined together on my ironing board.  I also clipped the folded edge on all of them for easy turning.

One tip I can share... (and I don't have a picture that demonstrates that yet) when I sewed the blades (with the points) together I started sewing about 1/4 inch down from the top and backstitched to the top, and then continued down to the end of the blade.  Doing it this way the threads are 1/4 inch from the top which hides the start position and the thread ends, and makes the points that much prettier and cleaner.  I learned this after making ten blocks (200 blades!)... so I know of what I speak.... and like my Dad always said, "when all else fails, read the directions!"

The directions were right on the cardboard the wedge template came with!

This is the first plate in the new fabric.   The wedges are machine stitched together, but I hand sewed the plate on the background fabric, and then hand-stitched the center as well.   This fabric is easy to hand stitch too! The purple & yellow thingy is a seam ripper) I used to keep my place on the circle of fabrics. This is next to my sewing machine. I'm just going around the circle stitching the tops of the wedges. I alternated the "pow" fabrics with the 'duller' ones ~ none of these prints are boring! And I put them next to fabrics that had at least one common color.  I'm liking the results. P.S. some of these wedges even have the wrong side showing.

  

Just had to share my 'happy fabric'  :D

Retro Halter Top

I found some old patterns of mine...  circa late 60's early 70's.  Particularly a halter top I made and wore a lot!  If I find a picture of me wearing it, I'll scan it and post it.  It was one of my favs.

Here's the pattern:  Look $1.50!  (and a 31 1/2" bust??)

I decided to use my new pack of Rowan "Water" from Kaffee Fassett Collective fat quarters to make one up for my daughter, who turns 30 at the end of this month (but can still rock the halter top).  Happy Birthday Raine!

I made this top reversible (similar to the top I made for my granddaughter ~with the same green gingham fabric) and I STILL have 3 yards of gingham left...  

I used to make gingham napkins for the barbecue restaurant up the street (many moons ago) and I'm pretty sure this gingham is left over from then.  I just may make a set of napkins and who knows what else out of the rest.  But I like the gingham as a facing on this top, the greens compliment each other well.

It was fun was going down memory lane... my early days at sewing (and lets face it... when I could still rock a halter top!) and trying to remember what my sewing experiences were like back then.  I have to admit, using a 5/8" seam allowance seems a bit strange after sewing so many scant 1/4" seams while quilting.  

I still remember the fabric... a beautiful red woven print with lots of accent colors.  I made a peasant mini dress out of the same fabric too.  

But I don't much remember what I used to turn the ties right side out back then (maybe a safety pin?).  I do know my sewing techniques have come a long way since then.

And while the gingham is old school... and classic; the Rowan "Water" from Kaffee Fassett Collective is absolutely beautiful and fresh..

 I also made a mug rug out of my Kona white and more of the Rowan "Water"  selection.  I sandwiched it with some Insul-Bright, and did some channel quilting on the squares.  And I finished it off by binding it with bias strips I cut from the left-over scraps.  This was my first attempt at quilting and binding for quite a while.  While the block isn't technically perfect, I like it.  And I hope my daughter does.. :D

Three different prints from the "Water" collection were used for the top & the binding

Backing fabric...more from the "Water" collection

What's In the Bag?

My sister Rose has an embroidery business.  CB Designs, in Arvada, CO.  She has a beautiful machine that stitches out 10 different colors automatically, and she embroiders mainly for businesses (hats, gear, t-shirts, aprons... whatever).  But when WE get together she is all excited about the fun stuff there is to embroider and we test it out.

  

I like tree frogs.  And I'm not the only one in the family that does. So when Rose found this tree frog pattern... well we HAD to stitch it out.  The only thing she had though (since she doesn't sew) was a scrap T-shirt from one of the rejects of a print job they did.  Bright goldenrod.  The frog literally took an hour to stitch out (57,000 stitches I think), we used 14 colors.  I could not bear to let it sit on a t-shirt that would never be worn... SO I made a drawstring bag out of it.  Everything I used was already on hand.  The blue fabric was from my inventory stash.  Even the drawstring was pulled out of a pair of drawstring pants I don't wear.   I didn't use a pattern, I just made it up.  It was a bit nautical in theme since it was for my granddaughter in Florida who goes boating and plays on the beach a lot. 

And the ultimate recycling kicker is that I put an empty plastic coffee container on the inside.  The coffee can keeps the bag's shape, and keeps my granddaughter's treasures and treats clean, dry and sand-free on their frequent boating outings in Florida where they live.  Even the blue fabric is a wave print!  I love it when a plan comes together!  :D


OH! There's more!  Rose stitched out two of these frogs (two granddaughters remember?).  So the other T-shirt was recycled into a cute little skirt.  Unfortunately the frog is sideways, but hey... I can't even guess how much $$ in thread (57,000 stitches!!) there is in this frog!   Take a look:

Tree Frogs are my favorite!

Isn't she lovely?

For this simple little skirt I just cut the t-shirt across the chest, just under the arm-pits with a rotary cutter.  I folded over the raw edge to make the casing to fit the 3/4" elastic I had on hand, and I was done!  I left the hem of the t-shirt as is, and it's the hem of the skirt.  


Easy and easy care!

Earth Day and Feng Shui

My last post was about completing projects.  I'm still struggling.  One of my main objectives was to clear the clutter in my mind as well as my apartment, and neither is going terrifically.  While I have accomplished a lot, I've also turned to the internet for ideas to organize my sewing stuff/area/room.  Yay for Pinterest!  But now my mind is on information overload, and my get-to-it-tiveness is sputtering.  My dining table is a mass of fabric and sewing machines, patterns, half-done projects, and my sons are complaining about bumping into the ironing board I've left out which is in the direct path between the rest of the apartment and the kitchen.  Ugh.

I make lists during the slow times at work, where my life is uncluttered, take them home with determination, and somehow on the bus ride and the hike up the hill to my apartment it all goes out the window when I open my front door.   How will I ever accomplish this?

Earth Day is this weekend.  And since my main purpose is re*purpose (hence the blog name), I'm making the extra push to get things REALLY accomplished for Earth Day.  I looked up organizing blogs (hoping one would be particularly inspiring to get the lead out) and on http://clutterdietblog.com/ found information about Goodwill Industries. Did you know that across the country GWI saves over 2 billion pounds of waste from the landfills every year?  They recycle and list books for sale on Amazon, they recycle electronic equipment (Many people don’t realize that Dell and Goodwill have partnered in over 2600 dropoff locations across the United States to responsibly recycle computers, phones, monitors, and other electronics. You can find the nearest Reconnect donation center here.)  And they provide training and jobs for veterans, people with disabilities, language barriers, transportation problems, criminal records, or child care problems—anyone with a challenge to finding employment. 

I've just made arrangements with my daughter and son-in-law to help me load up my donations and take them to our Goodwill store this weekend.  So I'm committed!  And feeling better already.  Simple acts from all of us make hugh differences in the environment, and in people's lives.  So even if I don't personally make something cute or reuseable out of every bit of excess whatever I have around here, it will be recycled, put to good use and kept out of landfills.

Now that the big picture is clear, maybe my efforts will trickle down to my objectives in my own household, and my own re*purposing efforts!  And my apartment will return to it's cute self, so I can sew efficiently and effectively, and my place is decluttered, warm and inviting!  I can only blame the mess on the twins so long before I realise there are a few fingers left still pointing back at me!    Posting progress reports should keep me motivated too! 

Happy Earth Day Mom (Mother Earth)!  :D