Teapot Tuesday!

Giraffe teapot

 I found this giraffe teapot in Tulsa, OK at a garage sale.  It was a whopping $1, and that included a box of tea.  Isn't he cute!

I've been sewing on one of my treadles.  These blocks were made on the 1896 Singer treadle for a block exchange that is due in September.  I have more fabric cut out to sew into these blocks.  

Disappearing 4 patch block

D4P set up

 I signed up for 2 sets of the Disappearing 4 Patch (D4P) blocks for this exchange.  Sewing the first 4 patches together was fine.  My feed dogs weren't working as well when I started to sew the cut pieces together.  I don't think the feed dogs like more than 2 pieces of fabric.  I had to 'help it along' when it came to sewing over seams.  This was difficult for me.  I'm not that coordinated.  I did fine with the treadling, but, I have to start by turning the handwheel with my hand to start treadling in the proper direction. 

another D4P set up idea

D4P before cutting

 I want to turn at least one set of these blocks into a quilt top for me to keep.  I may get to show off my 'people powered' sewing machines at my guilds quilt show next March.  I'd like to have some things that I made on these machines to show off.  I'll also have the blocks from the exchange, too.  The blocks from the exchange will have the makers name, location and what machine they were made on written in the muslin area.

If I could machine quilt (no, I can't, I've tried and tried), I'd machine quilt something on one of my treadles as an example.  Free motion quilting and I just don't get along.  Stitch in the ditch is the best I can do. 

L&L TOGA block exchange

I am going to the Loosen & Lube TOGA (Treadle On Gathering and Academy) in Wisconsin this weekend.  I will (hopefully) learn lots about how to clean my machines and get them all working.  I'm also hoping that I will be able to convert a few machines and treadle heads into hand cranks.  We'll see.  The blocks on the bottom (Rail Fence) were made on the 1896 treadle for the TOBE (Treadle On Block Exchange) at the TOGA.  I still have to sign them and list what machine they were made on.  I'm getting sew excited!  I'll take pictures and blog about it when I get back.

Have a great weekend!

Harry Potter! and more quilt show

36 1/2" x 37" block

 My family are serious Harry Potter fans!  Last night, my hubby, oldest son (youngest is out of town most of the summer) and a friend went to see the last Harry Potter movie in IMAX 3D.  This was the best of all the films.  We've not really been fans of the films, but, as serious HP fans, we see each one and have them in our DVD collection.  Years ago, I found this fabric and decided to make something for my boys with it.  It's not square, and it was kinda hard to figure out what to do with it.  My son and I went to my LQS (Prairie Stitches)  and found all of these blenders in colors that matched the panel.  I've used these panels three times now to teach mitered corners to my guilds.  I have 5 of each block.  These blocks are HUGE!  They are 36 1/2" x 37" each.  One son will get a quilt using 6 blocks, and the other will get 4 blocks, but, he wants me to add pinwheels or something to make his quilt larger.  I hope I have enough fabric.  I don't know when I'll finally finish these.  I don't plan on teaching mitered corners again, so, I can't use that as an excuse to not finish. 

Hogwarts Crest

Harry Potter suitcase

1896 Singer 15 treadle

 Marilyn, who went with us to the movie last night, gave us this Harry Potter suitcase.  It was a sample that she received  years ago from a movie theater owner she knew.  Wasn't that sweet of her!  Thanks Marilyn!  This will go with our Harry Potter collection.  We own every book in hard back, all the books on audio (both cassette and CD), and I'm collecting extra sets for when the boys move out, which will only be a few short years now. 

I've been sewing on one of my treadles today.  My son helped me move it into the family room so that I can sew and watch movies at the same time.  This was my first treadle.  I collected 3 treadles in 4 weeks last year.   As you can tell, the paint and decals have seen better days, but, she sews a great stitch.  This one has the round bobbins that you can still find at the stores.  I have a 1/4" foot on her (thanks Cindy) and this is the first time I've use the foot.  I made some placemat tops on this machine last fall, but, I still haven't finished them.  Today I am working on blocks for a block exchange with the group, Treadle On.  Rail fence blocks for the upcoming Loosen & Lube TOGA (Treadle On Gathering and Academy) the end of the month in Cameron, Wisconsin.  I also need to work on my Disappearing 4 Patch blocks that are due in September.  I'm hoping to have at least one hand crank up and working by the time the TOGA is done.  Then I can make some of the D4P blocks on them, too. 

1896 Singer 15 treadle

 Here are more quilts from the quilt show last weekend. 

 Love this pineapple block!  Such fun colors!

 ELVIS!  Wasn't he a hunk!

 I wish I could have gotten the whole quilt in this picture.  I could stare at it all day.

 Pinocchio is so cute!

 Bonnie, this one is for your 'cheddar' fix

 Love the music theme

 This is a story quilt about their trip to Grand Canyon and all the mishaps that occurred, including the helicopter ride to the hospital.  I love all the wonky blocks.  At least they got a great quilt out of the trip.

This quilt was the makers FIRST attempt at applique.  WOW!  She doesn't start small, does she!?!

Teapot Tuesday and a Quilt Show

Teapot Lamp

My youngest son bought me this lamp.  We were near the Apostle Islands in upper Wisconsin, and, he found this lamp in a shop.  He enlisted his father and grandmother to help him purchase it and hide it away until Christmas.  It sits on a little table by my hand quilting frame.  I've enjoyed this lamp for many years.  He found this lamp while I was in an antique shop looking at a teapot that I featured in another post.  That was a great trip!

September 11 quilt

I worked the booth at a quilt show this past weekend for Quilts of Valor.  Yipee!  Air conditioning and quilts at the same time!  Our table was set up next to this quilt.  I've seen this quilt at the same show before.  This is a quilt that can be seen over and over.  You can read about this quilt and the show at this link.  I love listening to the lady who made this quilt talk about it.  She came out of her booth several times when people asked questions about it. 

Hand appliqued and hand quilted

 Here are more quilts from that show.

 This dress was a final project for a fashion major.  She wanted to incorporate quilting patterns in formal wear.  My picture taking skills don't do this justice.  It is a lovely dress.

 Isn't this little guy cute?!?  I just had to include him.

 Loved this quilt!  She said the aliens messed with her mind and made her quilt 2012 for the date instead of 2011. 

 This quilt was made for a doctor for his retirement by several of the nursing and medical staff he worked with.  I included some closer pictures below of a few of the blocks.  It was quilted with a 'good' EKG pattern in the white areas.  This was a really original and great quilt.  What a gift. 

More quilts to come in later posts.  Have a Great Day!

Santa block exchange

Helen's block

 One of my quilt guilds had a Santa block exchange.  I've posted pictures of my blocks in previous posts, along with the rules.  We exchanged blocks last Monday night.  It's been so busy around here, that I'm just now getting to post all of the blocks from the exchange.  I signed up twice, so, I get 2 of each block.  Now I just have to figure out a setting, and, if I want/need to make more blocks for my quilts.

Emily's block

Jeanette's block

Gwen's block

 I bought some great Santa Cowboy fabric (see my previous post) that I will probably use in at least one of the quilts.  I can use it to make another block.  I also have other Santa fabric that I can use.  I have at least 2 more Santa applique patterns that I didn't use that I could make up, too.  A plethora of Santa possibilities!  This same guild had a Santa block exchange in 2005.  I was in that exchange, too.  It took me 2 years to finish that quilt, but, I just love that quilt.  That is one of the reasons we did it again.  I don't know what I'm going to do with so many Santa quilts. 

Kay's 1st block

Kay's 2nd block

Thelma's block

 Kay is the other lady that signed up twice.  See, I'm not the only one ; )  She was also in the last Santa block exchange.

Marilyn's blocks (1 red, 1 green)

my 1st block

my 2nd block

I saw my 2nd block pattern at a quilt show this weekend.  I had my camera, so I showed it to the vendor.  She had kits made up.  I bought another kit for Christmas ornaments from her.  I've bought from her at the same quilt show in years past.  Tomorrow, you'll get to start seeing quilts from the show.