Quatrefoil

Yes! I said Quatrefoil.....that was this week's Creative Prompt word.......do you think Jaye is really trying to challenge us?
A short time ago, I was admiring some pretty pincushions that Mary over at Quilt Hollow had been making and I was quite tempted to make one of my own.....so when I saw the prompt word, I knew I had to make this.perhaps, even the button could be considered a Quatrefoil

Toothpicks are NOT created Equal.

Toothpicks? seriously? Yes that is what today's post is about. You see, when I work on my applique projects I have always used a particular type of toothpick, one with this interesting end on it.
Well I ran out of them and can NOT find more anywhere. Regular toothpicks just don't have the same sturdy pointed end on them, they simply do not get the job done.
So I went in search of an alternative and decided that perhaps these wooden Barbeque skewers might be the answer. They were easily cut to a more manageable length and with a quick pass across an emery board, any cut, rough edges were sanded smooth. The tip is PERFECT and the skewer is not only performing as required but is also holding up extremely well. I will get lots and lots of use out of each and every one of them. I don't like to waste anything so the ends that I cut off (the "waste"is about 8" long) will be just right for mixing paints and inks. I got about 100 skewers for a buck......can't beat that.
with all these circles ready to go I will be putting my newest applique tools to good use.Even though we had a very, VERY mild winter in my area this year, I am thrilled to see the end of it and to celebrate the official arrival of Spring, I inked this Robin.....yes, I can hear you asking......where is the red breast?.......sorry, you will just have to use your imagination.

Doodling

Every week, Jaye at Artquiltmaker.com gives us a new "prompt"word and every so often there is one that gives me instant inspiration. As soon as I saw this week's word, I knew I would draw this.Word #148 is TEA

I began to participate in the "prompt words" nearly 3 years ago, you can see my first post about them here.
I have often been asked about these doodles, many liken them to Zentangles and quite often they are referred to as such, but when I began, I had never even heard of Zentangles. My understanding is that Zentangles have some shading effects, there are specific patterns used, and I believe I read that you have to be "certified"to teach the art. I am fairly certain the Zentangling was originally done on small square tiles (paper) but now you see it being done on everything from clothing, to automobiles,

What I do, really, is just doodling and because I have had many questions about these, I thought I'd show you the progression of one.
I begin every one just like this......I draw a shape....could be a moth, a pair of eyeglasses, or like today, a teapot. Once I draw that general shape, I include a few lines to break it up. Now, of course, I don't actually have a teapot that looks like this.......I am just doodling so I can make it as strange as I feel like......there are no rules to this!........then I just go to town filling in the different areas with pattern.
I don't plan any of the drawing. I just concentrate on one isolated area at a time, until the whole shape is filled with pattern, like the finished teapot at the top of this post.

Ta da!!!!

A couple of weeks ago I talked about a block that I designed for a fellow guild member who is about to open her own Quilt shop. I only gave you a little peek at it then, but today I can show the full design.
It really is just a block, but designed in such a way that it could be done using machine applique (as I did in the sample) or it can just as easily be done using turned hand applique.....or how about doing it up in wool? I think this one would be a great candidate for wool and hand stitches. So here is the block
I created a tiny quilt ( 19"square) with mine by adding a couple of borders....sorry but I really tried to photograph the quilting.....it is kinda tough to do sometimes.....(not the quilting part, using the camera part LOL)
So the shop opens this Saturday, March 17th....it is called CORNERSTONE QUILTS & More which is located at 1700 Hyde Park road in London Ontario.
As far as I know the shop owner is offering this pattern free to those who come by to celebrate opening day. She has lots of fun things planned and I wish her great success.

on a totally unrelated topic.....I just GOTTA make a point of having Chinese take-out more often.......check out the message in my fortune cookie.....how fun is that!

QR code

A few posts back, I mentioned that I have a new tablet. This technology is completely new to me as I never did get on board with a cell phone that could do anything more than make and receive calls. So each day I try to learn something new and it is endlessly fascinating.
Have you seen these around?They are popping up everywhere and are codes known as Quick Reference (gee, and I thought the QR stood for Quilt Rat)
anyway I decided to figure this stuff out yesterday....created my own code for my site (the one shown here), and then took it a bit further.
Since the idea is that, using an app that allows you to "grab" a code, one can scan it with their device and be directed immediately to the web site it is attached to, I thought it might be cool to attach these to my quilts. Then when someone wanted to access more of my work, they scan the code and voila! they land right here..............ah BUT would it work?

I, of course, HAD to give it a try. I took my code and using photo editing software, I created a page full, I flipped the page so that I could print it out on to transfer paper.
Cut them apart, and ironed them onto fabric bits. Now I have a whole bunch of little labels I can add to my finished quilts. In the future I can just simply add the code, along with other information as I create my labels.
I was afraid that all that re-sizing, manipulating, flipping, and ironing might distort the code and render it useless....BUT it WORKED!!!! Now come on....who says you can't teach an old dog new tricks.

Spring is in the Air!

The Spring issue of The Canadian Quilter is out, and in it, is my latest article. This time I stuck with something a little more traditional. I offered an applique block that can, of course, be done in whatever method you prefer. Mine is hand appliqued. Along with the pattern, I give ideas on auditioning fabrics and how to use interesting prints to your advantage.

It is always fun to see the article in print, BUT, it also means that the deadline for my next submission is fast approaching....I'd best get busy!

Just teasing

Not too long ago, a guild member told me she was considering opening her very own quilt shop. I told her that if she did, I would design a pattern for her to commemorate the opening. Well, that shop will be a reality in just a couple of weeks and I did design a pattern that the shop owner will be giving away on opening day. It is really just a block, but by adding a few borders, it could be turned it into a nice little wall hanging, a cushion, a table topper, multiple blocks repeated would create an interesting quilt.......well you get the idea.
I made mine into a small wall hanging that I will show soon, but for now, here is just a tease.


I have noticed recently, that the word verification process has become very frustrating for those wanting to leave comments, so it has now been removed.

A New Papercut

#143 in the line up of word prompts for The Creative Prompt Project was Melody.
I thought it was time for another papercut (well 2 actually), the first one is made up of just 8 Treble Clefs and in the second I have added a few more sheet music symbols.

Quick Project

I recently received the gift of a new Tablet, so I am currently learning all things Android. I was going away for the weekend, wanted to take the Tablet along, BUT the case/protective sleeve I ordered, had not yet arrived. I needed to make something quick!!!
This is what I made.Tablets and e-readers are not one standard size, so here is how I made mine, you can adapt this to your device.
I started with a piece of paper for the pattern and made it roughly 2.5 times the length of my gadget and 2 inches wider, this allows for the seam allowances and thickness.
My pattern is roughly 26"x 9" Remember I needed to get this made fast. I stitched a couple of contrasting fabrics together and then cut a rectangle slightly larger than my pattern. Next I cut a piece of fusible fleece the same size. Laid the fabric on top of the fleece, right side up and did a real quick all over, meandering stitch to quilt it.I then cut this to size, using my pattern (with the corners rounded off) I also cut a piece of cotton the same size and shape for the "lining". These 2 were placed right sides together and I stitched all the way around leaving just a small opening at the bottom so that I would be able to turn it right side out. Don't forget to clip those curves to get a nice smooth finish.
A little "belt loop" was added on the front where the flap would be tied down (and I could hang my stylus). The next step was to determine the depth of the tablet sleeve. I folded the fabric up to that amount and with right sides together, stitched the side seams (notice the seams are on the inside)
A long tie was attached and I was all set to go.

The case/sleeve that I ordered finally arrived and is made specifically for my device with openings that allow for access of the various ports, controls and camera, I did place my tablet in that one and now it all slips nicely into the quilted (not quite as boring) little case.

Gift exchange

This week's CPP word #142, is Gift, so I thought I would tell you about a "gift"exchange I made with Debbie at Stitchin Therapy
Recently I did a post talking about some materials I have begun collecting for a project I have in mind. In answer to that post, Debbie mentioned that she had a variety of threads languishing in a drawer and asked if I might like to have them. Of course, I was happy to accept these threads but wanted to send her something in exchange, and this is what we decided on.
Debbie sent me this terrific collection of mostly silk floss along with a few pearl cottons (the camera really did not catch the luscious colours in this grouping)
I drew this, and sent it on to her.
Why a Cardinal? to find out, pop on over and read Deb's post here

and take look at this photo that I took while standing near the shore of Lake Huron on Saturday.....yup, a gorgeous, sunny day at the beach in....FEBRUARY!!!!
Not exactly a typical Canadian Winter scene...... A GIFT from Mother Nature :-)