A Little Bit Accomplished

I've been quiet, but, I've been busy.  Since I last posted, I've been to another Quilts of Valor sew-in, and unexpectedly gave a speech about QoV last night, since the State Coordinator was ill.  I only got half a day to prepare for the speech.  I think it went well.  Marilyn went with me, and helped.

I've also been sewing.  On January 15th, I was given some craft items, thru Freecycle.  Woohoo!  LOTS of great quilting fabrics, some other fabrics, notions, etc.  Some of the fabric I was given, were left over from a quilt the giver had made.  She had LOTS of 2.5" strips, in coordinating fabrics, and some yardage, of some of the same fabrics.  I did have to buy 3 more fabrics, so that I could finish all the blocks I'd cut out.  I ended up with 45 blocks, and made this, using 30 of the blocks.  Now to go make one more block, so I can make another, smaller quilt, with the last few blocks.

Rectangle Island finished quilt top

I bought enough of one of the fabrics, to make a backing for this.  I'll use the leftover strips (not enough to frame a 10.5" square) as the binding.  I think this quilt will be a graduation quilt for my niece, who graduates this spring. 

I also made 2 more blocks for my Mystery Row quilt block exchange.  This month's blocks are quilt shops. One block to keep, one block to exchange.  Notice the little sewing machines in the center of the window quilt blocks. 

block I'm keeping

block I'm exchanging

Last August, I was bad!  I took the hand crank off my beloved 1959 Singer Spartan and put the motor on it for the first time.  I'd never sewn on it with the motor attached.  I really  needed some 'speed' to get those 38 - 60 degree table runners made, along with some other projects.  Well, this week, I took the motor off, and put the hand crank back on the Spartan.  I made the Mystery blocks with the hand crank, and put the framed blocks together with the hand crank.  Boy did I miss my hand crank these past few months!

Mystery blocks made on the Spartan hand crank

Last Saturday, my large quilt guild had a sew-in, at a new location.  I used the day to cut out all the pieces for my son's wedding quilt. 

wedding quilt, cut out

The stack at the back will turn into HST's, using Triangulations.  The stack in the front will be sewn into strips, and sub-cut.  I did have to completely redraw the pattern that I will be using, since her pattern uses very different colors and is much smaller than this quilt will be.  I'll try to remember to take pictures of my version of the pattern, and put it in another post (and link to Jean's pattern & quilt).  Sewing all these HST's and strips on the Spartan hand crank will be fun! 

I did buy a new sewing machine this month.  I haven't even played with it.  I bought it, and my son has worked on it, instead of me.  I don't have lots of machines with (working) motors, so, this should be a great machine for loaning out for classes.

Kenmore 158.19412 free arm (1976-77)

 This is my first free arm Kenmore.  For $12.99, I couldn't go wrong.

As for classes, my little quilt guild is having a sew-in this Saturday.  Marilyn will be teaching how to make block holders in the morning.  I will be teaching how to make pin cushion/thread catchers in the afternoon.  I was supposed to get everything ready yesterday afternoon, but, I was re-writing the QoV speech instead.  Guess I'd better get everything ready. 

Some finishes and some fun gifts!

Woohoo!  All my Christmas gifts are DONE!  (but not in the mail yet).  These are the last items I needed to finish so that I can start wrapping and mailing items.

Rene' and Doris's purses

Holly and Melody's purses

The last two pursed I messed up on, when I cut them.  I had written to cut 16" x 17", when I should have written cut 17" x 16".  Oops!  It makes a BIG difference when using directional fabrics.  I fixed the problem by adding a strip of coordinating fabrics to both sides.

side 'strip' added

I also added a strip to the lining, to make it fit.  These turned out great.  I may add the strips again, on purpose.  I liked the slight contrast.  Thank goodness I had enough of the coordinating fabrics pre-quilted.  It also makes the purse an 'ooch' larger (good English, don't you think)? 

As soon as I finished the purses, I had one last item to make before shutting down my sewing room until after my son's visit.  My future daughter-in-law is coming, too, and, since we are celebrating Christmas early (they have to be back in Anchorage before Christmas), then she needed a special stocking.

Krystal's finished stocking

I think I'll add some bells to the points.  I took this pattern...

free pattern, online

and made it my own.  The only part of this pattern I used was the templates.

stocking template

 Instead of using fusible fleece, I wanted a lining in this stocking. 

I finished this Thursday afternoon, just in time for quilt guild.

At the other quilt guild's Christmas party, I got a few favors I thought you might like to see.

candle mat (I used cone thread for the picture, since I didn't have a candle in my sewing room)

chap stick holder and coaster

I also got a great gift in the mail from Terri.  I love these calendars and have a collection of them in the basement.

calendar from Terri

The last thing to arrive in the mail was my Mystery Row swap block from Deana (November block).

Mystery Row swap block

I do still need to make my block to swap for December.  I'll get it done after my son leaves. 

My best Christmas present will be arriving on Thursday at 5:10am.  Connor and Krystal will be here for 4 and a half short days.  I have lots to do before they arrive.  I'm so excited!!!!  This is the only time we'll get to see them until the week of their wedding, next May. 

If I don't post again before then, then...

Merry Christmas!!!!!!!

November NewFo's and finishes, etc

Barbara, over at Cat Patches is hosting her last year of NewFo linky parties.  There is only one more month before the end.

Here are my NewFo's for November:

Mystery Row Blocks for exchange.  I made 2 blocks, but, I'm only exchanging one block.

block I'm keeping

block I'm exchanging

I also started on 4 purses that will be Christmas presents, all requested after I made these purses, earlier this year.

Krystal's purse & Michele's purse

Betty's purse

Betty asked me to make two purses, one for each of her daughters, in OU (University of Oklahoma) fabric.  Michele's daughter also asked for a purse, after seeing her mother's purse.  I'm also making a purse for my mother-in-law, who mentioned that she would also appreciate a purse like these.

So far, I've quilted all the fabrics, and started the cutting and pinning for all 4 purses.  I still need to sit down and stitch the purses together.  I was going to make one for myself, too, but, there just wasn't time to quilt more fabric.   The purses that I've made in the past, have used pre-quilted fabrics.  All of these purses had special requests for fabrics that I couldn't get pre-quilted. 

4 purses, fabrics quilted, pieces cut out, and first parts pinned and ready to stitch

I did have some finishes in November, too.  I made 19 more 60 degree table runners.  This time the table runners were the 'bonus' table runners that are round.

8 Snowman table runners

2 Apple table runners

4 beach themed table runners

2 sunflower table runners

3 floral table runners

I also made 3 mini Christmas tree quilts.  I've already mailed 2 of these to Alaska.  One for my son, and one for his fiance.  They both liked their trees.

3 mini Christmas tree quilts

pattern for 6"x20" trees

I also managed to add a few sewing machines to my collection in November. 

1927 Singer 15 (in a base that hubby made)

Damascus treadle

Kenmore 158.17530 (1969-70)

My oldest son is now playing with three of my Kenmore machines, trying to see which one (or more) that he wants to keep for himself.  One of these days I'll have to do a blog post about what he's been sewing.

Two new machines and some exchange blocks received

I've gotten 2 more machines this month. 

First, I got a Damascus treadle.  I'm hoping someone will want this treadle, since it is treadle #6 in my house, and I'm only supposed to have 4 treadles.  I'm running out of treadle space.  This treadle had been sitting in  a basement for about 40 years when I picked it up.  It didn't come with any attachments, but, it has the shuttle and a bobbin, which is a plus.  I have before cleaning and after cleaning pictures.  This machine had mold on the outside of the machine, and, some inside the drip pan area of the cabinet.

Damascus, before cleaning.  Some of that is mold.

back of machine, showing dust and mold

paint splatters on cabinet

mold on drip pan inside of cabinet (it cleaned up easily)

clean and shiny

no more dirt or mold

Damascus in it's treadle cabinet

patch on the treadle peddle (no, I didn't clean the treadle irons)

Anyone want a treadle????

Also, I picked up another Kenmore in a cabinet.  I left the cabinet in the garage, so, I don't have pictures of the cabinet. 

Kenmore 158.17530 (1969-70)

cams and attachments and button hole maker that came with the Kenmore

more stuff that came with the Kenmore

this came with the Kenmore, but, I haven't a clue what it is

up close (and fuzzy) of the mystery part

My oldest son may get this machine.  He's 'testing' 3 of my Kenmore machines, to see which one (or two) he wants for himself.  For the first time, he's not complaining when I bring a machine home.  At least I am teaching him how to clean and oil the machines, so, he's done most of the work on the Kenmores.  Fine with me.

I also got lots of exchange blocks this month.

The first block is from the Mystery Row exchange I'm doing.  This was the 2nd month of the exchange.  I still need to make this month's block.  This is the block I received.

Mystery block I received

I was also in another block exchange, with my Treadle On group.  All these blocks have to be made on either a treadle or a hand crank sewing machine.  No electric machines allowed.  These are the blocks I got back.

Treadle On block exchange blocks

One of these days, I need to start sewing all my Treadle on blocks together.  I have them from several years now.  I think I like this setting.  Each block is signed, with the makers name, location, and what machine it was made on.  Some of these blocks are from England. 

I have been slaving away in my sewing room.  I'll post what I've been doing  at the end of the month, so that you don't have to see it twice in one week.