Quilting Progress

Well, since I started hand quilting this baby, it's gone pretty fast. I am a lot farther along than I thought I would be. I will definitely be done before my estimate of two weeks if I keep up this pace.

Another 14" section done!

I feel like the 'pinwheel' needs a little somethin-somethin in the middle....mmmmmmm

I have a few  threaded needles here and there. The hoop does get in the way but it holds the fabric so nicely....I don't mind....as long as I remember where there are. If not, yeeee-ouch!

Kinda hard to tell, but it looks about half way done.

The stitching isn't as nice as the front, but I am happy to say, 

it isn't as bad as I thought it would be!

It's not perfect, and I kinda like that about it. 

That's a big step for me because I am a little anal at times. lol  

I can't wait for it to be done because it will be the second quilt I have quilted all by hand.

Next pics will be in the finished files!!! woo and hoo

Big Stitch Quilting

Some of my more purist quilter friends might cringe at the thought of using pearl cotton and only having 3-4 stitches per inch, but I don't care! LOL I have always preferred fewer stitches to the inch.....11 pin-dot sized stitches might show off some serious skills, but I just don't care for it in most quilts. Art is so subjective, no?

Hand quilting with pearl cotton is something I've seen in the last few months (maybe even a year) and I fell in love with the look. I finally decided to try it. I am WAY out of quilting practice and it shows, but I really like how it's turning out. I got quite a bit done in only an hour.

I am free handing the design. Not too shabby.
I'm using a 14" hoop, a size 24 chenille needle and some pink size 8 pearl cotton. I tried using my thimble and the traditional rocking motion.....hahahahahahha  I pulled those stitches out right quick. Where is my hand quilting instructor when I need her? Didi McElroy.......find me...pleaseeee

If I work on this for an hour every night, I could be done with the quilting in less than two weeks. 
It will feel so great to have a finished project under my belt and I hope it motivates me to finish more projects!!

Have you tried anything new lately?

Long time, No blog and a little Quilt Show

Hello blogland!!

I have been quite absent, I know. A whole lotta life came and sucked all my creativity and zestiness for a little while, but now I am back and life can just kiss my boo-tay.

I haven't sewn much, but I started up again last night. Just a little hand work to get back in the groove.

 I felt at one with the desert, as of late, so that was my motif. Got these at sublime stitching when they had a big sale a couple weeks back. 

Went to a quilt show today in Livermore. The quilt shop In Between Stitches hosts a show at Alden Lane Nursery called Quilting in the Garden. Cute little show. Well over 100 quilts, a couple of vendors (I would've loved a few more) and a few big name quilters, like Alex Anderson showing their quilts and chatting with us little people.

A few pics:

A Christmas Tree that features shoes!! 

Sparkly shoes!

Me amongst the sunflowers and the bees.

 Believe it or not, this was all I bought.

I know right, I must be off my game. lol

I've been wanting to try this hoop for awhile and I finally saw one. 
The pearl cotton is for some hand quilting....I think.  Maybe just some added prettiness after it's machine quilted.....we shall see where my mojo takes me.

What's on the horizon?  I am in a dresden plate swap, so I better get off my bottom and make them......due November oneth.

Granddaughter's first Halloween......hmmmmmmmmm She will be too little to trick or treat, but maybe she needs a festive little set of jamjams.

Christmas sewing. I haven't really planned any, but it just isn't Christmas without a little handcrafted object or two, right?! OOOooo, grandbaby needs her first Christmas stocking! 
Now I have a plan!!

Attention Trekkies.........Have you seen the Google Doodle today?

Well, you better go look now!!!  Warp Speed!

 http://www.google.com/     

It's only good for today 9-7-12  

It has sounds and actions and beaming and everything!

A little more info here:  http://popwatch.ew.com/2012/09/07/star-trek-google-doodle/

Labor Day Adventure

Our little family decided to escape the home front and traverse the beautiful California Delta. It was a little strange since this was the first time we were a family of three and not four. Sniff sniff.....my son and his family will be starting their own traditions. I missed him. Sophie really missed her big bro.  To quote Bowie: Ch-ch-ch-changes..........

Here we are in our fair state's Capital, Sacramento

It was Gold Rush Days in Old Town

We got some learnin' in

Saw the Calvary preparing for their day 

time to break camp

and protect the citizens

then we walked down the dusty streets

Worked up a mighty powerful thirst, so I pumped some water

looked at some dollies

Met Black Bart, the gentleman criminal.

Factoid: he only robbed Wells Fargo because he felt they did him wrong. 

He never fired a shot or harmed a clerk.

Jammed with the band

Delivered some mail

witnessed a shoot out

Saw the fire department in action

Saving some local 'working girls'

A grateful public

 

Next, we found the Chalk it up Festival

then we found Nemo

Watched some artists work

Time to say goodbye and follow the mighty Sacramento toward home

Cross a draw bridge

Or two (or six)

Then we took a wrong turn and ended up in..........

RIO VISTA???

Te hee hee I couldn't resist. Rio Vista is just over the river from us and I HAD to take a pic just like the phone commercial. 

It was a pretty great day.

Sticky Fabri-Solvy update #2

Well, this go 'round had much better results. I used four strands of floss and pulled the threads quite firmly. Everything was split stitch except the veins in the leaf. It just didn't do too well with a single strand of floss and regular pulling. Next try: pearl cotton.

Finished pumpkin with solvy still there

Back

Still wet from soaking and swishing the solvy off

Now, I have a fall kitchen towel...use it or not???? And by use I mean get it allllll dirty. lol

All in all, for complicated designs, the solvy ain't too bad and there will be no lines showing if you go a little wild. :-)

Finished and Sulky Fabri-Solvi Review

Well, I finished one little embroidery project using the sticky sulky fabri-solvy. It sewed fine. I didn't need to change my needle or anything. It was great not having to trace, however, I am not thrilled with the outcome of the finished project. Maybe I need more practice? You be the judge:

The back. Not bad, not bad at all........

 The front with the sulky still there. looking pretty good too. 

I used a single strand of dmc floss and the stem stitch for 99% of the embroidery.

 After I rinsed. The threads are all loose and a knot got pulled to the front. 

It's still okay, but not nearly as crisp as before the rinse. 

Maybe when it's fully dry I will feel differently, but I am not hopeful.

I printed up several motifs on a sheet, didn't want to be wasteful ya know, so I will try it with multiple strands of floss and some pearl cotton with the next projects. I will pull things a little tighter too and see if that makes a difference. If I am still 'eh' with it, I will go back to iron ons or tracing. I hope it gets better because the idea is amazing and easy peasy.

My grades.....
Ease of use - A
Cost - B-
Outcome - C-

**update** it dried a little tighter, but it isn't near as crisp as it was before the rinse. We are now up to regular C or a C-+  lol