Little Updates . . . . .

Now that Settler's Trail is out the door and waiting to be quilted I'm focussing on Evening Bloom.  After 17 months I'm ready to wrap up that project.

This basketful of diamond pieces, 

is now this basketful of border blocks.

The points still need to be hand appliquéd down, I used a few strips of fusible web to hold everything in place until I get to them.  I'm a little nervous about all those points, edges and centers matching up perfectly, seems like a lot to ask of those little blocks!

Joe at ThimbleCreek Quilts mailed out a picture of their booth at Spring Market.  There's the red and white quilt I blogged about on the left, below that adorable house quilt.

But another quilt caught my eye too, I may be mistaken but I think that quilt in the center is an interesting variation of  Settler's Trail.  Just a few subtle changes, it has the same look but a little more punch, I like it!


Is there a Doc in the house?  Not my house, but don't miss Sherri and Sinta's Doc Parade today!

Read more

Settler's Trail - It's a Wrap, Finally!!

Settler's Trail is done, and this settler is happy!  

A couple of times, when I was blogging about this project, I would inadvertently type "Settler's Trial", instead of "Settler's Trail", which would always crack me up.  I wouldn't say this project was a trial, it's really very easy piecing, but it was tedious, due to the amount of piecing.

I don't do well with tedium, I'm more of a "let's change things up and do something different" sort of girl, I'm amazed I was able to stick with it!

So here's a good in progress shot.  

Now you can see where all those blocks I kept posting about figured into the scheme of things.  Once the blocks were finished this quilt went together very easily.  There were no seams to line up and match, just one block sewn to another block.

And here it is, all done!

It looks exactly like the pattern cover, I figured it would, but I like it just the same.  And it looks better in person, as most quilts do.  I think it will look even better once it's quilted.

I think this is one of those "right of passage" type of quilts, shouldn't we all make at least one quilt where we piece over 6,200 one inch squares together?  I'm sure glad I've got this quilt on my resume but I'm pretty sure it's not a pattern I'll ever make again.

Although Primitive Gatherings introduced a similar type of quilt at spring market called "9", and I bought the pattern.  It has approximately 10,515 pieces!

This quilt does have at least one mistake that I caught when I was connecting the blocks.  One square some where has the background fabric wrong side out!  I didn't think it was worth the time and effort to fix it once I spotted it, and I've since lost it, but I know it's there.

This is Lifetime Quilt #87.

The pattern is Settler's Trail by Kathy Borgardt for Primitive Gatherings.

This quilt has approximately 6,547 pieces.  ( a new personal record for me!)

It finishes at 50" X 59"
I used 82 different fabric choices.

Next up, something easy, with fewer pieces!

Read more

Settler's Trail Update . . .

So here are all the blocks I need for Settler's Trail.

I think this trail is all downhill from here!

Just in case you've forgotten, Settler's Trail is a pattern by Primitive Gatherings.

I'm guessing mine will look exactly like this one!  

Thanks for all your encouragement on finishing up my Evening Bloom border blocks.  You make a great cheerleading squad.  But Kathy had a comment that eased my conscience some, "why work on the border at the beginning, you may change your mind when you get to the end".   So true!

It's supposed to be unseasonably hot here this weekend, sounds like perfect sewing weather to me!

Read more

More Setler's Trail Updates . . .

I've finished all the Block B blocks for Settler's Trail.

Here's Block C.

I need 42 of these blocks.

And I've got a pretty good start on them.

Once these blocks are done, I'm done with the block making portion of this project.

I had the nicest time visiting my daughter in California for Mothers Day weekend, I hope you had a wonderful weekend too!

While my daughter and I were out and about we checked out the latest thing in cupcake sales, a Cupcake ATM!

Sprinkles Cupcakes in Beverly Hills has installed what they call a Cupcake ATM.  It was unveiled in March of this year.  You walk up to the machine, select your cupcake, insert your credit card, and look what pops out . . . 

a Sprinkles cupcake!

Can you imagine having access to Sprinkles cupcakes 24 hours a day???  I don't have access to any good cupcakes where I live any time of day!!!  When the machine first opened the line for the machine was longer than the line for the store!  They sell around 1000 cupcakes out of this machine daily.  The selection was great and the cupcakes were as fresh as the ones sold in the store.  You could only buy one at a time, which made for a slow process, but definitely fun and worth the wait.  I think I would have named it an ACM (Automated Cupcake Machine), but I guess folks understand ATM.  So far the only Sprinkles Cupcake ATM is in Beverly Hills, but the next one to be opened will be in New York.  I wonder how long it will take them to open one here, in the middle of nowhere?

Thanks so much for all the great 100th quilt suggestions!  In the back of my mind I was thinking a Double Wedding Ring should be on my list and that was the most popular suggestion.  I agree with Lesley's comment when it comes to Double Wedding Ring quilts, they keep coming up with better and easier ideas on how to make one, maybe if we wait long enough, it will make itself!

 A Baltimore Album quilt was also a popular suggestion, maybe I'll think about that one for my 200th quilt! I've got the log cabin quilts covered, I think a quilter could spend a lifetime making nothing but log cabin quilts.   A two color quilt, Dresden Plate, Grandmother's Flower Garden and a Lone Star quilt were also mentioned more than once, all quilt projects that had not occurred to me, I agree, they need to be on my radar.

The comments that were along the lines of, "the hundredth quilt should show how accomplished the quilter has become"  and "whatever makes you happy or your heart sing" describe exactly what I want my 100th quilt to be.  I think it would be amazing if I could design my own pattern for my 100th quilt, so I'm giving that some thought, one with 100 blocks would be better yet.  But as of now, I haven't made up my mind, stay tuned for updates.

Julie in Wa is the winner of the Pat Sloan book, thanks to all who entered!!

Read more

More Boring Settler's Trial Update Blocks . . .

It's going to take these . . . 

to make boat load of these!

I probably should have used strip sets to make these blocks, but I wanted to make sure they were super scrappy, and now they will be.

While in Paducah at the AQS quilt show I signed up for a couple of classes.  One class was "Tid Bits of Handowrk" with Pat Sloan.

Here's Pat with one of her amazing quilts.  It was a wonderful and relaxed class.  I'm always happy if I learn one new thing at a class,  I learned several things in this class.   We tried different types of appliqué, different size needles, different widths of thread and discussed all kinds of interesting quilty topics.

It's a perfect class to sign up for at a show, where things are hectic and your time is limited.  No big project to start and not finish, just a few new tid bits of techniques.  When I described my class to a friend she called it a "toolbox class".  Where you learn new things to add to your toolbox, a perfect description.

So this is what we played with,

the outer heart is stitched with the seam finger pressed under, 

the inner heart is stitched with a raw edge.

Here's a close-up of my different stitches using different threads.

That little wool circle, that's the first time I've ever messed with wool.  I cut it out and stitched it down.  How fun, just enough of a taste to convince me that I need to learn more.

Pat has a wonderful book that pretty much covers everything I learned in class and more. 

I bought one for me and one to giveaway to you.  Pat was even nice enough to sign it.   I think you'll enjoy the fun patterns and projects in the book.

With my 100th quilt project just around the corner, I've been wondering if there is a certain pattern or style of quilt that a quilter should have on their resume, especially a resume with 100 quilts.  What do you think, is there a quilt we all should make, and if so , what do you think it is?

- Contest Now Closed -

Just leave a comment on this blog or send me an email (cupcakesndaisies@gmail.com) before Monday with your thoughts on this subject to be eligible to win.  

I'm spending Mothers Day weekend with my daughter, my idea of a perfect weekend anytime of year but particularly fun this weekend.  

Best wishes to all the Mothers out there.

Read more

Some More . . . .

How about some more boring Settler's Trail update pictures?

So, last time you saw this, the beginnings of 2 inch nine patches . . . 

And now I have this . . . 

Beaucoup (i.e. a great many) 2 inch nine patches.

I'll be honest, this part of the project has been tedious, but it feels good to have all the two inch nine patches done.   I'm ready to move on!

How about some more AQS Show news?

At the AQS Show in Paducah I bought one thing!  Some pressing sticks. I've not used them yet but the demonstration was good enough to convince me I needed them.  As soon as I'm pressing something bigger than a 2 inch seam I'll give them try and give you an update.

I have to say I was a little disappointed with the vendors at this year's show.  There weren't as many vendors and the ones that were there didn't have as much as in years past.  I'm usually tempted to buy more kits than I can make in a lifetime, this year, there were hardly any kits at all, and the ones that were there just didn't appeal to me.

I did buy some fabric at Hancock's of Paducah.  Some Seasonal Gatherings by Primitive Gatherings for Moda.  I'm hoping to come up with a pattern and be working with this fabric in December.  As I've said before, I like to work with Christmas fabric when it's Christmastime, not in the summer when all the Christmas fabric hits the shops.

I'm guessing the glory, prestige, ribbon and cash that comes along with owning a winning quilt from the show is amazing, but here's what I think is the best thing about the being a winner, 

you get a chair with your name on it!  

I'm not sure if they are always red, but if I were lucky enough to win, I would want the red chair!  Throughout the show the winners sit in these chairs by their quilts so you can visit with them about their inspiration, techniques, and whatever else pops into your mind.  Pat Holly, the owner of this chair, has won at least 4 times at Paducah, she must have a room full of these chairs!!  She has so many of these chairs she probably actually sits in them all the time!  I'm not sure I could actually sit in mine, if I were to ever get one!  

I thought it would be impolite to show Pat's chair and not her quilt.

This is Imagining India by Pat Holly.  An original design that was machine appliquéd using silk fabric and purchased trims.  
The workmanship is amazing.

Pat Holly has some Youtube videos and has written a book or two about machine quilting. She has a very famous quilting sister, Sue Nickels, google Pat to find out more about her, I could not find where she maintains a blog, which is why she's won so many chairs, she's actually working on quilts, not blogging about them!  

Read more

Back on that Tral . . .

So now that my April Schnibbles, Summer Fun, is done it's back to making nine patches for Settler's Trail.

I think I need around a bazillion 2 inch nine patches........  Since that doesn't make for very interesting blog posts I'll share a few more of the quilts from the AQS Show in Paducah.

My red and white quilt was in category 900 - 1st AQS Paducah Entry - Large.  Here are the quilts that won that category.

Pat's Promise by Patricia Isaman from Harrodsburg, Ky took third place.

This is an original work with blocks created from Pat's everyday life on her little farm.

The Compass Quilt by Kathleen McLaughlin form Noank, CT placed second.

The pattern is Muncy Compass Quilt by Grick, Neff and Youngman.  Kathleen added her own border.  This quilt has placed first in two other quilt shows.

Royal Amethyst by Rachelle Denneny from Glenelg North, Australia placed first.

This picture does not come close to doing this quilt justice.  The quilting is amazing plus this top is adorned with  21,000 Swarovski crystals.  Rachelle has won honors for other quilts at other shows and teaches machine quilting.

Read more

Settler's Trail Update . . . .

Ta Da!!

I've finished piecing all the Block A blocks! I'm surprised how quickly it went.

Using strip sets to complete these blocks was definitely the way to go.

Now it's on to Block B

Here's my inspiration block. Now I just need to piece 463 two inch nine patches, yup, that's all I need to do!

I decided to go with the nine patches instead of strip sets to get a nice variety of fabric in each block. I'll let you know if it was worth the effort!

Read more

Settler's Trail Update . . . .

I didn't have much time to sew last week but I did spend a little time on my Settler's Trail blocks.

I'm in the process of connecting my strip pieces. When I pieced my original strip sets I always pressed away from the background fabric, not open like I normally do. By pressing the seams to one side it allowed the strips to go fit together perfectly. I hardly needed to do any pinning at all.

Once I've connected the strips sets I press those seams open. Here's the back of my block.

I'm thinking I still have around 6,000 pieces yet to connect!

Read more

Settler's Trail Update . . .

I don't think this Settler's Trail project is going to make for very interesting blog posts, but here goes!

The quilt is made using three different style of blocks, each block finishes at 4 1/2 inches. The directions call for using two inch 9 patches or one inch squares. I decided to try something different entirely.

I've decided to make this block using strip sets.

Here's my inspiration block.

And yes, you read that correctly, this block is 5 inches!

The good news, it didn't really take too long to make my strip sets and I'm happy with my fabric.

I think I need around 30 of these blocks.

Read more