Oops! and Sewing updates

In my last blog post, I showed the 4 patch blocks I made using 1930's reproduction fabrics for a block exchange.  Oops!  I was supposed to use Civil War reproduction fabrics.  Oh well, now I have blocks made for a future exchange.  I pulled out some Civil War fabrics and made new (correct) blocks.  I still have to sign and mail them.

4 sets of Civil War 4 patch blocks

After I finished the 4 patch blocks, I finished the first of the Angels Among Us (calendar quilt) blocks.  This is the January block.  I still need to add buttons on each of the bird houses, bows to hang the bird houses on the line, and a button on the crown of the snowman angel's halo.  Sorry, the colors in the photo are bad, since I took it at night.

January Angels Among Us block

I'm also participating in another block exchange with Treadle On.  We are using our sewing machine attachments to make blocks using muslin.  I pulled out an attachment I found in the drawer of a Singer 201 that I got at an antique mall back about 9 years ago.  It is called a Monogram Embroidery Guide.

Monogram Embroidery Guide

I didn't have instructions for this foot, but there are video's on YouTube.  It fits on your regular sewing machine foot (vintage metal foot).  It guides your embroidery thread or ribbon so that you can sew it to your fabric.

the guide on my sewing machine foot

I played around with it on some scrap fabric, using a color that I wasn't going to use for the exchange.  I did try to adjust the tension, but nothing seemed to change, no matter what I tried, so I just went with it.  The foot also doesn't like to stay on well.  Here are my test pieces.

test pieces

I made 9 blocks (8 to exchange and one to keep).  I showed how to stitch a straight line, a curved piece and a piece with a sharp corner turn.

one of my finished blocks

I showed you my new sewing room closet.  Hubby finished the new, more narrow bookcase to fit under the windows.  It works well.  Now I can get the plastic tubs in and out easily.

new bookcase

Misc Stitching

I've been busy stitching, but, on different things. 

I did a bit more work on the Elephant, fusing the tree onto the elephant background, and making the tail.

tree is fused, the gray elephants still need to be hand appliqued

The tail was fun, but, took a long time.  First, I took three strips of the different greens, and braided them.

3 strips, braided

I did this 3 times, then took the 3 braids, and braided them together.  After that was done, I tied on the scraps pieces, from when I trimmed all the fabrics, to make the tail 'hairy' like a real elephants tail.  I like how it curved on it's own.  I didn't make it do that.

tail completed

tail laid on elephant

Then I had to put this project aside for a while.

 I have several purses that need to be mailed out this month.  I started on the first 4 purses (same pattern).  Here are pictures of what I've done so far, so you can see the fabrics.

inside pockets and zipper

front of purse

inside pockets and zipper

front of purse (hard to see the pocket on this one)

inside pockets and zipper

front of purse

inside pockets and zipper

front of purse

The top one is using pre-quilted fabrics, which I haven't done before.  I'm having to figure out the changes as I go.  The colors didn't show up well.  The pink/purple/blue (bottom) is really deep colors, but, the pictures show it washed out.  Oh well.

I still have to finish these 4 purses, then, I have another one, with an older pattern to make, and still another one that uses the screening. 

My little quilt guild (Wego Quiltin') met on Monday night.  Jinnie had kits ready for everyone, and we made wool needle keepers.  I finished mine yesterday morning.

front of needle keeper

inside of needle keeper

What a cute project!  Thanks Jinnie!  Since we are such a small guild (about 15 members) we teach each other different projects or tricks.  I taught the ribbon bookmarks last month.  One of the members had made about 48 of them, for her bible study group.  She showed them off at guild.

One of the ladies at guild gave me a present.  She cleaned it up before she gave it to me.

attachment box

full of top clamp attachments

Not sure what top clamp machine these will fit, but, fun to have, no matter what.  Thanks Kandy!

I've also basted more hexie's, while watching TV. 

hexies

I've finished all the green, and some of the others, too.  I'm about half done now.

Not sure how much sewing I'll get done the rest of the week.  It's a busy week here. 

Hope you are having a productive week!

Terrific Trip Treasures!

I drove my son's dorm stuff back to Oklahoma last week.  I didn't get a chance to stop at any fun places until I was on the way back home on Thursday.  I had fun stopping at antique stores on the way back.  A girl's gotta rest sometime, doesn't she?  I did get a tiny bit of stitching done while I was away. 

2nd Hedwig block embroidered

I did manage to find a few sewing related items for really good prices at some of the antique stores in Missouri and Illinois.  The most expensive thing I got was $7.50. 

I found another flat iron for only a few dollars.  I haven't plugged it in yet, to see if it works or not.  At least the cord is in good shape.

flat iron

flat iron

I also found some doilies, a hankie and some patterns.  One has a vintage machine in the pattern (gee, can't figure why I'd be drawn to that pattern, can you)?

these were too pretty to pass up

Dresden's are so pretty!

look at that vintage looking machine

I found several sets of attachments and buttonholers, too!

New Home box of attachments with a button hole cutter, too, also 2 double needles

vintage White attachments

vintage White attachments and part of a manual (not sure if it matches my machine or not)

not one but two Domestic buttonholers in cases

Domestic buttonholers, one with instructions

I did find a sewing machine, but, not what you think.  I found a Holly Hobbie toy sewing machine.  I doubt it works, but, for $5, it sure is cute!

Holly Hobbie toy sewing machine

I also found something from the USSR.  Check out this cool thimble.

above the hammer and sickle is 'CCCP'

I also found 20 hexie flowers for $7.50 (my most expensive purchase) in Missouri.  I'm thinking that I need to stitch them to muslin backgrounds and make a quilt with them. 

I love the fussy cut centers of these

another 'pair', fabric wise

love how they turned the pieces randomly

another pair

check out the frogs in the middle rings

another pair

one flower is all the same fabrics (still pieced)  I've never seen a 'solid' hexie flower before

these fabrics don't match any other flowers

some 'oddball' hexies

last set, kinda thrown together

I only had internet connection for one evening, and it was S-L-O-W!!!!!!  I couldn't check out any blogs at all.  I'm behind, but, I'll catch up on all of you soon. 

Monday is another quilt guild meeting, then Quilts of Valor on Tuesday, in Batavia.  I'll try to remember to take some pictures.

Have a great week!

Fun Finds this past week!

Last week was a busy week, but, also a fun week.  A quilting friend is moving out of state, and had a garage sale.  I went to the sale 3 different times.  I found stuff each time that I didn't see the time before.  This is just some of what I found.

unfinished table topper and vintage flat iron

This T-shirt describes me to a 'T', don't you think!

not sure what machines this walking foot will work on, but, for the price, I couldn't resist getting it

not sure if I have any High Shank machines or not, but, I can always pass this on

cute recycled button thumbtacks

quilt top, I have the blue fabric in my stash, and will add borders to make it a lap quilt for the Veteran' home for my little quilt guilds philanthropy project in November

She also had this cool attachment set for straight line machine quilting (the only kind of machine quilting I've been able to do so far).

Quilt Wizard 'in the ditch' quilting feet and shank adjusters

extra feet in the box.  probably Bernina feet, but, I don't have a clue what the bottom, right thing is, or how it would attach to a machine.  Let me know if you have an idea

The Dream quilt book

back cover

an inside page of the book

This is a great book for middle school and above by Gyleen Fitzgerald. 

I also got a few patterns and books, but, I've loaned out all but one of them, so far.

Afternoon Tea pattern

Now that I'm learning the 'proper' way to embroider, I just may have to make this.  I think I still need to learn several different stitches.  YouTube is a great way to learn.

I purchased a few items at the Batavia quilt show, too. 

The Bunco Club book

When we lived in Tulsa, our neighbor invited me to join the neighborhood Bunco group.  I was a member until I moved to Illinois.  What a fun group it was.  After I read this book, I will gift it to my former neighbor, who is still a member of the same Bunco group (well over 25 years later). 

You can check out some of the vendors from the Batavia quilt show at Karen DeWitt's blog, here.  You can also purchase her book in paperback & Kindle editions at Amazon.com. 

I purchased one piece of fabric at the quilt show, and another piece at a thrift store on Monday. 

notions fabric from the quilt show, 30's from a thrift store

I saved my most favorite purchase for last.  I got it, and a cute t-shirt from the Chix That Stitch booth. 

Golden Snitch watch necklace

Golden Snitch watch necklace, open

Judy, from the booth, said that if you want to order one of her watches (she has several really cute one, including a sewing machine and an owl, among many others) to email her about availability at ChixThatStitch@gmail.com.  She doesn't always have them in stock, but, she'll let you know when they come in.  My Golden Snitch watch necklace was only $15.  Let her know that I sent you. 

I have NOT gotten any sewing done this week.  I've been tired all week.  I guess I need to recover from the past several weeks.  We are having 30+ people over for a Sunday school party on Sunday afternoon (hamburgers, hot dogs and home made ice cream), then, I drive my son's dorm stuff back to Oklahoma on Tuesday.