March 6, 2013

It's Working


Winter Turkey Tracks
94x94
I did work last night and got the Winter Turkey Tracks together! This took me 2 days to cut out and sew together. Not bad. :)  I thought it was appropriate that I was working on it,  since we had our "last" big snow this Winter during it's completion

.  My hub got his truck loaded with extra weight from rock salt bags and was able to get out !! So, the many Blue Spruce we are blessed with on our country property are scalloped in snow...it isn't going to last though, it will be 50 degrees in a few days....but it is Winter!!  Spring is just 2 weeks away though and I think the groundhog did NOT see his shadow this year, so that could mean an early Spring.  I can't wait to see our tulips and daffodils we buried in the ground last fall.  It is always a great surprise to see where you planted them.....Seasons that God gives us without fail are just amazing; each has it's own importance and beauty.  Enjoy the work, my pics are NOT that great...I have a stack of 6 quilt tops now to longarm but want to do a paper pieced top for my shop before I jump into the 2 Graduation Picture Quilts I need to start!  God Bless, keep warm, and as always Quilted Blessings, Karen

March 5, 2013

PomPom Challenge

Meow!!
I just HAD to share this PomPom Idea my daughter in law sent to me this morning.....the challenge is on!!!  The Pompoms in the sky is your only limit!!!  So Funny!!  Blessings!!! Karen

Pixel Quilts

Contrasts?
Usually when I see picture quilts as an idea I think of the traditional ones, use a photo, scan it and then print it on photo fabric. That is great! and that is what I am going to do for my first two Grandgals that are graduating from High School this year (how did THAT happen?)......and it will be a great gift.  I really do have to get busy on that.  But, the back fabric, what do I do?  I want them to use the quilt, so I thought just a whole cloth on the back, but I found something better, I think, and wanted to share it.  It is a free Craft class for using photos with alot of contrasts to pixel and do into an art Quilt......really, now how cool would that be on the back.... Now, I have to search my old Printed from 35mm film (remember those) photos to find a really cute one of each of them to enlarge and pixel and then do the back out of it.....it could be just their precious baby eye, or hand, or their little feet in tennis shoes.....or SOMETHING!!....my creative juices are flowing and my right side of my brain is doing the dance of joy!!  so, if you are in for a snowstorm like we are here in northern Indiana, go to crafty and join the free class!!Photo Art Class at Crafty 
Spend your snow filled day making pixel snowmen? maybe, why not!! 
Get the picture?.....Hey, maybe this would be a way to get younger gals interested in Quilting....the more modern approach, outside the box or inside the pixel frame? I'm just sayin".....and maybe if its not on this snowy day, then a rainy one?  I hope those are coming soon! and our tulips and daffodils.......Love Spring!! 
Just wanted to share this FREE class; I do love Crafty.com!  Quilted Blessings!!  Karen

Coming To The Aid


Lets' Roll !!
You know there are such great people in this world....in America!!....today I was struggling to figure out why I am a non-reply blogger....I am new to this and last week was my first Blog Hop....and I wanted to join one in April and when I did say I would join I also asked our "cheerleader" how I could fix my status.....she was wonderful..Pig Tales And Quilts..she had me call her and from there we went into the google plus and change a couple things and whala!! I am now on basic also and when I do join a Hop they will go to a simple page where my email is "up front and fancy free!".....
Winter Turkey Tracks
Yesterday I spent some time doing Jodi Barrow technique to make a quilt for my Cabin wall....shew! the dark blue fabric frayed ALOT!!.....but we got through that and also finished up the white.....then to put the strips on the squares and cut out the flying geese and there you are!!....I was able to get one block of the quilt top done.  Not bad for a day and a half.  I wasn't working on it constantly but her technique is easy to get use to and you can come and go with it too.  I like to get all my things cut out and then stacked in a basket or a small TV tray stand.... which I plan to cover and make into a small ironing stand too.  I feel pretty good about today.....figured out a computer issue and got a block finished too.  There is a snow storm in the horizon I hear.  That is not difficult for an addicted quilter like me.....no Quilting Regrets live here!.....Have a safe day and may it be blessed also......Quilted Dreams!!  Karen

March 4, 2013

An Apple A Day....

WOW! just had to share this great wallhaning....remember our challenge a couple days ago with Doing something in Chenille? Looking closer, I think it is ruffles of fabric!! fooled me; I think it would be cool in Chenille though....  Well, this Rocks My World ! :):)

I am still working on my Winter Turkey Tracks......Love it so far!! will share my progress tomorrow, for now, enjoy the Apples
Source: trueup.net via Cyndi on Pinterest

March 3, 2013

Winter Turkey Tracks

Jodi's Book that comes with the mini Square in a Square

Her instructions are concise



Hello Friends,

     Thinking that it is STILL, winter I came across this pattern in Jodi's first book and she does have it on her page in the Videos and hanging on her stairway.  I plan to hang mine on my soon to be lighter yummy blue wall by my stairway too.  Stay with me as I post from my IPhone to Flickr and then to my post. (my camera is in hiding!)....I love Jodi's techniques;  the points are always perfect and her many books that she has out now are just fabulous. In case you don't know about her, she does write fiction historical books also; based on stories and facts of her family and their settlement into America out West.  I love the West!!  She has a Pony Express book with a story and fabric and patterns. I always wanted to be Annie Oakley growing up!! Jodi does have her own fabric now too.
 We once lived in Dallas, so I have a tie to her that way.
  Anyways, today I am cutting this blue and white fabric out in strips today and then to begin her Square in a Square technique....yes, you can hear me humming!! The fabric is from Judie Rothermel and I doubt they make it now, sorry!!
  Please relax and enjoy Jodi's videos;  her link is on the right side of the blog.
 I just want you to feel good about quilting and to be successful in it and this will get you there!!  Maybe its because I did work at one point in OB and I always wanted those precious ladies to be happy in nursing their babes too......These quilts are my babies now!!!
Sturbridge Village Blue
So,  I promise!!  you won't look back!!
 Quilted Blessings!! Karen

March 2, 2013

Tips with Jodie

Hi,
Jodi Barrows Square In A Square
  I am about ready to cut out my quilt with Jodie, I revisited her page and she has a great segment to the right and top on the media section of her instructional videos.  I am partial to her technique and love her quilts, ideas and designs.  I would love to purchase her Pony Express fabric, I do have the book to get started.  But, for now I am going to do a 2 color quilt from her first book....its the red and white one that she shows, I am not decided quite yet, mine may be a dark blue as I am going to paint a huge tall wall at our cabins' double French door entrance by the stairway.  I do LOVE that new blue that is out..... I was born a Painters' daughter, grew up on paint and varnish fumes, covered in wallpaper at night....so! after 5 years of a dark blue I am ready to dress that wall up. My sweet hub put a double small barn window in it that opens up into our bedroom.....so, yes, it does need a special quilt.....so! that is what I am up to and also finishing the Doll Quilt for my California Partner in March.......Enjoy! and please if you don't have Jodi and her rulers and books, it is a 'TO DO ' on your Quilted Basket List.....OK?.....Quilted Blessings ! Karen.........Square In A Square...
OH! Go  IU.......and Go Buckeyes!......March madness is about to begin!!........