Every year, each of us makes a quilt block for that year's guild president; those blocks are given to her so she can make a quilt. It is our way to say "thank you" for all her hard work. Today I had the chance to piece my block for last year's president, Diana. I am happy she chose the Disappearing 4-Patch, as I had seen it but had not yet tried it. Just in case you have not pieced this block, I made a tutorial as I went along. Here is what you will need: 2 - 5" squares of white fabric 2 - 5" … [Read more...] about Disappearing Four Patch Tutorial
Machine applique
This is my other source of relaxation: machine applique. I can't show you the whole quilt as it is for our round robin... The colors turned out so nice, I may even make a quilt for myself with them. I am adding some embroidery on the corners, but am not sure I like the thread I am using (too thick) as the French knots are not turning out right. It looks like a do over... Applique is a great technique to use when the quilt blocks are very geometric, and the whole project could benefit … [Read more...] about Machine applique
Handmade baby gifts
Just purchased the Quilt a Gift for Little Ones book by Barri Sue Gaudet. This book has so many adorable gift ideas to make for babies! Barri Sue's designs are gorgeous! The booties will be my first project. They can be made for either boys or girls. Although the pattern is for newborns to one month old baby, I will enlarge it and make a few different sizes. The embroidery is dainty, easy, and fast. My second project will definitely be the overnight bag! The ultimate in cuteness! The … [Read more...] about Handmade baby gifts
Spring Cleaning
I had dozens and dozens of quilt magazines in my studio. This week I decided to look through them, remove the pages I wanted to keep, and throw the magazines away. In the evenings, when I had no energy left for anything else, I would put my feet up and look through each magazine. I kept favorite patterns, pages with tips and tutorials, inspirational pictures, and nothing else. Yesterday I purchased two binders and plastic sheet protectors. In one binder I placed tabs for quilts, gift and small … [Read more...] about Spring Cleaning
Hawaiian wall hanging – Tutorial
I designed this quilt and tutorial for Sew, Mama, Sew!, and they have just posted it on their site. It measures 20.5" x 20.5", with Anthuriums in the center, surrounded by embroidered turtles - the two things I remember often from my trips to Hawaii. The tutorial includes a PDF file with the design. The spadix on the flowers is embroidered using long and short stitches, and the turtles are done with back stitches. Head over to Sew, Mama, Sew!. I love their blog as they have lots of cool … [Read more...] about Hawaiian wall hanging – Tutorial
I am in love all over again!
After three days with migraine (yikes!), I am finally up to blogging... and it is about time, as I want to introduce you to my first grandchild, Nicholas Rafael Stier! Nicholas was born on Sunday, April 14. He weighed 7.7 lb and was 20 in. long. I spent the day at the hospital on Sunday, and then went back on Monday, when I held him for 1.5 hours, finally giving him to my daughter-in-law so he could nurse. It was heaven... How blessed I am for the opportunity to have had children. How blessed … [Read more...] about I am in love all over again!