Some Kind of Wonderful

In the face of adversity, great things can occur.

I was doubting this last night when we lost power during a wind storm. This morning seemed as bleak. Rather than working on the second Splendid Sampler block (whimsical butterflies), I found myself in my quilt room this morning doing a little Spring cleaning.

For the last few years my primary quilting has been memorial quilts for other people. I loved the challenge of taking a pile of clothes and cutting and piecing until something magical came out of all that sadness. But it drained me and took the joy out of quilting. There were weeks when I couldn't open the door to the quilt room.

And then this Winter I moseyed back in and worked on my log cabin quilt. I always have a simple, mindless scrap project to pick up and put down. I've been piecing this one for 10 years. After completing my block, I realized I only needed two more for the center of a quilt.

And then The Splendid Sampler came along. I only intended to watch (just like I watch the Stitch-along group). I loved seeing the heart blocks filling my Facebook feed, nudging out the political posts and the Flint Water Crisis rants. When the butterflies appeared, I was hooked. There's no way I can keep up with two blocks a week, work, geocache and continue with my online courses, but I can work on the ones I like and make a pretty wall hanging from it.

So this morning, without power, I found myself back in the quilt room cleaning off the table and putting unneeded fabric away. And, lo! What did I find?

My Some Kind of Wonderful project! 

Look how beautiful it is! And look how many blocks I completed! And this is not all of them. I even found two more in stages of completion! I had safely tucked them away so all the blocks, pattern pieces and fabric were in one place. After my successful Splendid Sampler heart the other night, I have the urge to pull out my appliqué needles again.

I admit now that when I started this project I was potentially setting myself up to fail. To learn how to appliqué starting with a full size quilt is insane! My mistake was not allowing myself time to learn at my own pace. Which makes it so sweet pulling this old friend out of the pile and picking it up when I can. 

Hey, if it takes 10 years to make a log cabin quilt, why am I rushing my applique quilt?

Ok, I Couldn't Stand It...

I had to iron it. (grin)

Another SKoW Block Done!

Life took over, and I'm behind on my Some Kind of Wonderful project. With over half the blocks completed, I'm determined to finish at least one block a month.

I love this block. Michigan is so wet right now - love to find a tree to sit under!

Of course, being so wet & dreary, I can't get a good picture of it. Hope this tides you over in the interim!

Happy Wednesday!

Sorry... Too Busy To Chat...

Finally got back to my Some Kind of Wonderful. Must stitch while the fire is hot!

Anyone ever use Roxanne Glue Baste-it? Pros? Cons? Tips? Warnings?

Happy Stitching!

Elisa

 

Cup Cakes, Anyone?

A very good friend of mine reminded me it's been awhile since I've posted.  I'm a system's trainer at a publishing company, and we're rolling out several systems simultaneously.  Right now I'm in the middle of writing documentation and training our service division.

In the middle of this, I finished my cupcakes!

I admit - I dawdled.  I didn't like my cupcakes (still looks as if I frosted them while still warm).  I finally decided I needed to finish it before I can move on.  Now that they're complete - I'm loving them!  

Don't they look scrumptious?

Here's my 3 blocks so far.  I'm only 7 behind!  I know once things slow down at work I can catch up. I'm pretty geeked about these as I'm learning as I go.  Can't wait to see how the last block compares to my first attempts!

Keep warm!  Michigan is about to be hit with Winter!  I'm going to miss these 45-50 degree days!

Happy Stitching!
Elisa

Dancing - Not Singing!

I don't delude myself - I can't sing.  But, I do live by the motto:

Dance like there's no tomorrow!

Again, I don't delude myself. I can't truly dance.  But I don't care.  Not even when my neighber sees me through the front window shaking my thang while vacuuming do I care!

This is my second applique block ever!  It's from my Some Kind of Wonderful group.  The quilt is My Favorite Things by Anni Simms.  I've changed it from "Singing in the Rain" to "Dancing in the Rain".  I love a good puddle.

Like the blue jeans, I needleturned the main part, but that handle was a bear.  I really like spray-starch applique for those tricky curves.  Now, I'm just 3 blocks behind for December!

Happy Stitching!
Elisa

Not So Blue About My Jeans!

Ok, I'm probably over excited over this. I'm sure all those that appliqué are rolling your eyes.

But I did it! Finished my first block in the Some Kind of Wonderful stitch-along!

Here's the full block which measure 7.5"x12.5"

I used traditional needleturn for the main appliqué and spray-starch for the pockets and waist.

Thanks for listening!

Elisa

My Favorite Things

Ok, I took the plunge!  I've selected my fabrics for the next Some Kind of Wonderful SAL.

My Favorite Things - pattern by Anni Downs

I'm going with Nancy Halvorsen's Garden Song fabrics for the applique and color accents.  And I will use creams, tans and pale yellow fabrics from my stash for the borders and sashing.

Now, all I have to do is figure out how to applique!  Thanks, everyone, for your suggestions & applique tips.  Keep them coming!  If I get enough, I'll compile them and share them on this blog.

Happy Stitchin!

Elisa

The Big "A"

I'm so psyched! Finished my Tis The Season SAL and now can officially join the next round using Anni Down's Some Kind of Wonderful book.

This next project uses scrap piecing, embroidery, and APPLIQUÉ! I can machine appliqué and buttonhole, but have limited experience with actual hand appliqué.

So, my friends, any recommendations for an appliquéing newby? Any favorite appliqué authors? Blogs? YouTube videos? Tutorials? Any tips to share or "must knows"?

All help greatly appreciated!

Stitches!
Elisa

Lookie! Lookie!

Another finish for the year!  Completed my Tis the Season Stitch-Along and can now join the others in the Some Kind of Wonderful round!  Woot!

Thanks, Lauri, for holding this up on a breezy day!

My friends Ann and Lisa are going to be shocked - the next round.... involves.... APPLIQUE!  I've been saving Teresa of Fabric Therapy's Glue Stitck Applique tutorial, and she makes it look so easy so I'm diving in and getting my feet wet!

Hope all of you stay along for the ride and share any advice along the way!

Stitches!
Elisa

Quiltin' Done!

Woot! Finished quilting my TIS SAL! Just have to bind & label, and I'm done! Can't play the next round with the other girls until I've completed this one!

Just stitched in the ditch, but I like it! Will share when the whole quilt is complete.

Happy Stitchin'
Elisa

By the way, my friend Allie-Oops, is a genius! Followed her advice in basting the quilt, and my backing was perfectly smooth! http://allie-oopssweethappylife.blogspot.com/2011/09/undone.html

I'm Stitching! I'm Stitching!

I love this SAL and have loved spending my evenings stitching away.  Here is the completed top.  I'm not sure I'm keen on how the borders turned out - got a little too fancy.  Think I should've left out the smaller "circles" border and went right from cranberry to green.

I missed the deadline (Sept 30th) but I'm plugging away - Chooky won't let me join round 3 until I'm done.  Round 3 is Anni Down's Some Kind of Wonderful and, probably much to my friend Ann R.'s amusement, is filled with the "A" word!  Guess I'm going to learn applique!

Stop back in a day or two and I'll share how I achieved the perfect 1/4" border/sashing.  Very neat!

Sew Happy Sewalong

It’s just amazing all the talent in the quilt blogging world! 

Check out this new Sewalong from Sew Happy!  Each Friday, for seven weeks, Lesley Boost will share a one-of-a-kind Christmas embroidery pattern on her blog for all of us!  Week eight will have the assembly instructions for this Christmas bunting!

Here’s a picture of the finished project from her website:

I’m joining!  Because we all know I need another Christmas Stitchy project right now!

Happy Stitching!
Elisa

May Stitch-Along

I'm so excited!  I've completed my May (and half my June) Stitch-along blocks!  Woot!

These are SO much fun, but my time has been so limited.

Angel: as funny as it sounds, this block reminds me of my late mother.  She was just so sweet, always had a kind smile, loved the holidays, and is now an angel.  She'd like the snowmen surrounding her!

Penguins: now this one reminds me of my sister.  She is a docent at the Detroit Zoo, and last year she treated me for my birthday a trip behind the scenes at the Penguinarium!  It was SO cool!  The birds were loud, stinky, and utterly adorable!

Elf: makes me think of all my nieces and nephews.  We have a VERY large family so, when we gather for the holidays, the kids will scurry to and fro passing out the gifts from under the tree!

I can't wait to see this quilt completed!  Winter sounds pretty good in this hot and humid Michigan!

Elisa

P.S. If you get a chance, visit the Stitch-Along site and see how wildly talented these women are and how wildly diverse is their fabric choice!

Is There Anything Cuter...

... than a Mama penguin holding a baby penguin?

Almost done with my May Stitch-Along blocks!

Weird Day

Spent the day outside dealing with this:

Which, apparently, is the only thing I can successfully grow. When I really wanted to work on this:

This is from my Tis the Season Stitch-Along. Did I mention that I stitched the wrong block for this month?

Where's a good dandelion patch when you need one?

April Stitch-Along Blocks are done!

I really had a fun time stitching these over the last few weeks - my fabric choices probably don't make sense to you now, but when you see these with the other 10 blocks - WOW!  You can see my March blocks here.

Tis the Season Block 4

Tis the Season Block 5

The pictures look a little wonky.  In the future, I'll have a nice covered board that will hold them upright and flat so I can snap some decent pictures.  I just have my Birdie Stitches block to complete, and I'm done with April.

Take care!
Elisa

March Stitch-Along Blocks are done!

March is done!  Look at these beauties!  These are my three blocks for the Tis the Season Stitch-Along.

You can't tell from here but these blocks are a little lighter and square - too excited to wait for morning to snap these :)

 I realize that I still haven't mastered the straight stitch so I stuck with my friend, the stem stitch.

The sashing fabric is from Moda's Fruitcake line.

WOOT!

Elisa

Jelly Roll Conundrum

Oh the pain! The agony! I can do it! <pant> <pant> I am woman!  I am strong!  <gasp> Give me strength!

The time has come and I don't know if I have the courage to cut into my Jelly Roll!  My Tis the Season blocks cannot be complete without sashing but to actually have to unwrap and cut into my beautiful, beautiful roll.... the pain!

As you can see, I obviously have not found the courage to do so in the past! Left unattended, these things multiply like rabbits!

Tune in next time for an update in this crisis!

Stitch-Along Starts Today!

Today is DAY 1 of the new Stitch-Along!  I'm so uber-prepared!  My fabrics are prepped and my patterns are traced.  The "attack plan" has been diagrammed.  Just a few more hours until I can go home and get a' stitchin'!

Here's the plan of attack for anyone following along!  I'll keep you posted!

Elisa