Project Update - "In The Good 'Ol Summertime 20009"

It sat for a few days then all of a sudden I got busy with it. Just have to finish up the bird and add in a few flowers.
I've decided to call the piece "Guardian of the Wheat field."

A closer look at the top right hand corner. The flower is three dimensional. I had fun trying to do that and it proved to be fairly simple to do. I'm contemplating adding a yo-yo to the center.

The bird and leaves are also three dimensional. I just have to add an eye and legs to the bird.
I definately want to do some more three dimensional projects. Gives wall hangings a whole different feel. Once I've refined my process I'll do a little tutorial.
As for other projects. I made something, and sent it, to my recipient in the Angel swap. It went international and because of tightening up of security at their end I had to sign a customs form. So much for trying to remain anonymous :)
I'm also working on some fabric postcards but they are not ready to "show and tell" yet.

The "Whoopsy Daisy" pattern I won from The Quilted Fish arrived in the mail a couple of days ago. Thanks Amanda. I think I might adapt it slightly and do a mini version of it.

If you have read down this far then head on over to my other blog http://stitchacrosstheborder.blogspot.com for a small giveaway I am running till Thursday.

'tis a gift - Song Bird tutorial

The idea for this section is to make it an anything can happen kind of day.

Since I am working on my "In The Good 'Ol Summertime 2009" swap I decided to do a mini tutorial.

It has turned into a very mini tutorial because I was sleeping beauty today with a stinker of a sinus headache (one of the drawbacks of living in Tennessee) and I'm only sharing a few of the steps in my thought process.

Tutorial - making the pattern pieces

I made the main block pieces out of tracing paper and added 1/4" seam allowances.

The applique pieces are cut from copies of the pattern.

I decided to do a "mock up" of the block in calico just to make sure the pieces all fit together properly.

Tutorial - sewing together

(Sorry , it loaded sideways).

The center panel is on point with 4 outside triangles to turn it back into a square.

Sew two opposite triangles to the center fabric.

Iron flat.

Sew the remaining triangles to the center fabric.

Iron flat then trim to the square.

Tutorial - Playing with the paper pieces

(Aaargh it loaded sideways.)

The book does not have full patterns for all of the designs. I made two or three paper copies of the block so I could cut out all the applique pieces. Each is numbered which makes it simple to follow the main layout. Just to make it a little more interesting all of the leaves are different sizes.

Tutorial - Applique option

There are a number of options for cutting out applique pieces. I chose to do the following.

Lay the pattern pieces face down on the back of the fabrics.
Draw round each piece with a dark micron archival pen.
Cut out the fabrics INSIDE the lines.
Lay out the pieces on the calico and make sure all the pieces are there. This also helped me to see if I like the colors together.
Store all the small pieces in a marked envelope. I plan to use them again.

I'm giving myself some options with regard to the applique. I've opted for raw edge since there are so many small fiddly pieces but I have not decided yet whether I want to stick them down first. This also means I have no "seam allowance" as would be the case for a turned edge.

I'm going to wait till I finish the rest of the block together before sewing the pieces down.

Tutorial - Play around with colors

I like the colors I picked out for the applique but the big decision is what to do with the background.

It's fun (at least for me) to cut out different colors and PLAY. If they don't get used in one project they will get used in something else.

After some trying out it became apparant that I needed to lean toward warm colors.

Tutorial - Currently contemplating

I've decided to go with this color combination and am now playing around with different border designs.

The center block fabric reminds me of wheat fields and the triangle picks up one of the colors. I may use the green for the outside border to tie everything together.

At the moment everything is sitting on my table while I mull things over. When I make my own one it will be in a different color combination.

Changes are afoot and Blog Hop

A while back I mentioned I was going to change how I do my blog. Now that school is back in lets get started and we shall see how long I can stick with the following :)

Here's what I'm thinking

Monday - Blog Hop

Tuesday - Scots Corner

Wednesday - 'tis a gift

Thursday - Local Life

Friday - Project wrap-up

I plan on up-dating my cross-stitch, genealogy and family blogs once a week.

Blog Hop

I enjoy the comments I receive at my blogs and tend to go blog hopping from there i.e visit the writers and see what blogs interest them. On Sunday's I surf for a little while as we watch some T.V. The blogs I highlight may not always be related to quilting but if it has something I go "oooh" at I will share :)

So let's begin.

http://elizabethcreates.blogspot.com

Elizabeth is a mixed media artist from Virginia, USA and has some really interesting projects going on. I did not get permission from her yet to show a picture or two so go check out her embellished cuffs and dying projects. She has a washing line (I am soooo envious) and I loooooove the close-up pictures of a butterfly. She has an Etsy store called Elizajean. The flower cards are very pretty.

My darling doggie got into something on Saturday so I am off to give her a bath. Then it's time to tackle cleaning up my sewing room/guest room and get started on the wall hanging for "In The Good "Ol Summertime." If I have time I plan on making a little gift to send off to my secret partner in the Angel project. All of this before 2.00 p.m. so I can get tidied up for Kris and Nik getting home from school. They start at 7.05 and finish at 2.05. I take them in the mornings because of early morning Seminary classes and they get the bus home.

Decisions, decisions, decisions 2

Now comes the hard part for the "In The Good 'Ol Summertime 2009" swap. I've picked out three designs. The Song Bird block is my favorite but I'll have to look at what summer type blossoms are out there. The deadline for this swap is September 21st and it has to be a minimum of 12"x12"

Decisions, decisions, decisions 3

This would be a fun one to do with summery theme fabrics, maybe from the beach.

Decisions, Decisions, Decisions 4

For this one I have an idea running through my mind to turn it round, make it into a flower using prairie points and add a butterfly.

Beginnings and endings

I got the contact info for the person I will be making a mini quilt for "In The Good Ol Summertime" mini quilt swap. I've seen her blog before and I am happy to be making for her. Now I just have to decide if I want to go with one that is already partially made or do a brand new one. I still have not heard back from the recipient of my mini quilt in the "spring Blooms" swap.

Two of the group blogs I am with, Todays Title and Doodle Day are closing down. The group owner has decided to create a new one that will combine all of the different art elements in one place. I'm going to wait till I get back from vacation before deciding whether I want to join in or not. Got some other things in the works.

So I have one more swap commitment for Postcard Pizzazz to get completed (early) before we head of into the wild blue yonder. Got to get my thinking cap on and go play with fabric for a while :) All my other swaps are done and in the mail.

I've been playing around with my blog templates again. I might keep them for a while :)

If we are able to post to a blog while we are in Britain it will be to http://jocarhansenfamily.blogspot.com/

Toodles people. I'll be back here some time in August or maybe sooner :)