POWER Cutting and Sewing!

phew! I've been power cutting fabric all morning!! And then I sat down to power sew!!

all strips sets sewn, ready for ironing



Pretty colors!! I love the cornflower
blue background with the
dark brown fabric...
just another strip set....

cutting this 2.5" set into half sq.
triangles, using the Easy Angle
Ruler



more 2.5" strip sets....this is the
background fabric














After I cut all these strips, I sat for some serious power sewing. I have a lot of strip sets to make so I finished that first. The pictures that I have not posted are the over 500 triangles that I cut this morning too.
I will piece those triangles this afternoon....I'm thinking of posting this quilt as a mystery quilt. I have the instructions from another quilter, but I can't for the life of me figure out where I got the pattern from. It came from the internet as a free pattern, so I'm not going to take credit for it. Just come along with me and enjoy the process of making this quilt.
If you do want to sew along with me, drop me a comment and I will send the info.
You can make this scrappy or controled. I believe my yardage for the background fabric was close to 3yards. My little bit of extra that I have left over is going into my Farmer's Wife quilt and Civil War block of the week by Barbara Brackmann. I'm also going to begin the Nearly Insane quilt....that will be in the summer....
My colors for my neices quilt: pear green, sage green, cornflower blue, medium to dark brown...I used a crackle fabric for the brown. If you wish to make this scrappy gather your fabrics now, get the pressed and ready to go. I can tell you that the sage green and light colored fabric were cut in 1.5" strip wof. You need to make 8 strip sets of these two colors. These are going to be made into 4patches. If you are a quilter, you already know how to do this. Cut the segments into 1.5" segments, then sew them into a 4-patch making sure the same colors are diagonal of each other...

Now, onto the other quilt that I am making....here are the colors/fabrics for this one:

My favorite are the two blues, and the cream fabric with the little red roses. Don't know if you can see the little blue accent in the cream fabric...but man do I love these...more to come...

And last the creams to go along with all the autumn colors .....I know I should be thinking spring....but this is not for me. I think I'm going to be making the quilt Hidden Spools by Bonnie Hunter from http://www.quiltville.com/ If you are interested in the pattern click on the link and scroll down...her patterns are listed on the right side bar in alphabetical order.

That is all for now...I must get moving off the computer!! Happy sewing everyone!!

Good day yesterday!!

Yesterday was a fabulous day for me! I heard from FP, so I have my contract for my quilt to go in the magazine!! WOOHOO!! I'm working on several other designs that I am going to be submitting to QW magazine....lol...I could not go to sleep last night because I had a quilt design in my head! I did not want to get out of my warm bed either to write my idea down .... I would have woke up my husband too.
I spoke with my dad yesterday. We don't talk very often, but it felt good to hear his voice. Long story behind our relationship...got a minute?
Shall I begin at birth? lol..seriously, I'm adopted. I was given up at birth. My biological parents were young teenagers. Life was not great for them at home and it would not have been good for either of them to have the responsibility of raising a child, they were not ready. I was adopted when I was 2 days old. Raised by a wonderful family! I had 2 sisters waiting at home for me...you know how sisters can be...they are little mommas! We moved a lot when I was growing up, from coast to coast basically. I went to lots of schools, my dad was in the Navy. Mom stayed home, sometimes she worked, but mostly stayed at home. Anyway, mom died when I was 15 and dad basically took off before I graduated high school. My sisters were there to help me and we stuck together as a family as best as we could...life happens and you must continue on, you must pursue to survive.
At 19 years of age I decided it was time for me to find out who I came from. And I did. I found my biological mom. I look just like her!! Honestly, that was scarey. Growing up adopted, I always wondered who I looked like, who was I like, who did I take after...why am I the way I am....????? Curiousity takes over and I have a determination that can be absolutely annoying sometimes. When I set my mind to something I don't give up!
Several years later I decided it was time to pursue finding my biological dad. Finding mom was not hard, just scarey...the unknown...you don't know if they (the biological parents) want you...rejection was in the back of my mind. By the way, she greeted me with a big hug and tears!! She did not want to let go. She spent 2 weeks with me.
Back to finding my dad. He was not as easy to convince that he was my dad. I'm not kidding when I tell you that I am a determined individual, and I was determined I was going to get to at least hear his voice!! And I did. You would not believe what I did to find him!!  That is another post that would take lots of room...but honey, I found him!! I will never forget that phone call either. WOW, emotions coming back
So, present day...yesterday, I called him, my dad. He was on my mind and figured I needed to see how he was doing...actually I did not call him, I texted him...then he called me! lol...and said, "Why don't you just call me?" Honestly, it is the whole rejection thing that creeps into my head. I can't explain why I feel that way on my blog, that would not be nice to others that might be involved....I will keep it to myself...you don't need to let the entire world know everything, right?
It felt wonderful hearing his voice yesterday. I was on cloud 9 after that! And to top things off he called me 2x! I think that was my clue that I need to contact him more, there is not going to be any rejection. I need to let my guard down.
So my dad is telling me about how our family line is filled with creativity. It is???? Why did you not tell me this before? For years and I do mean years I've wondered where I got the love for singing from, playing an instrument (which I gave up on early because of moving too much), drawing (the longarm quilt machine), piecing quilts...sewing in general....oh my goodness!! The pieces of the puzzle are being found! I can put more of who I am and where I came from together!!! He told me that his mother loved music, was a great pianist (played by ear, self taught), loved to sing...and acting runs in the family...So, not only did I get my creativity from my mom's side (her grandmother was a quilter) but it also comes from the McKnight side...my dad's mom. WOW What a lot of information to absorb! My boys love to play their instruments: guitars, drums, keyboard.....acting! they love acting...me not so much acting...I panic can't do it! lol
Also, yesterday I had emailed my pastor about something that had been bugging for a long time....I hate when I don't let people know how I feel or what's bugging me...but he really gave me some great compliments! Thanks Pastor! You are a great man!
Time to get moving....even though we got snow last night, I'm gonna be happy!
Happy sewing!

Quilt Journaling

I've got an idea that I might start a new project....this can get me into trouble, but it might be worth it. Quilts have played a roll in US history. I'm thinking of beginning my own quilting journal of historical blocks and keeping them in a notebook....then we will see what happens with all these quilt blocks...ugh...there might be a lot of them. I want to begin when we declared our independence from Britian and take it from there. I don't know how it is going to happen, don't know the layout....but I'm going to take my time and enjoy the journey.
in the words of Abby Galey..."just saying"....I will post pictures as the blocks come together.....later everyone....

Last day of February!

I've been very busy, just like everyone else in the world, and have not stopped to post to the blog world. So, I thought I'd give it a shot this morning. You know I always have this list of things, the list is in my head, of what needs to accomplished....I probably should write this list down...except it always occurs to me when I am asleep! It wakes me up! This is not good....



sorry so dark, I turned the flash off



I've noticed my eye is back to twitching. I need to go to the doctor about this. It may just be that I'm tired...I'll buy that....I also need to go for an eye exam...but I don't care for that when they blow the air into your eye! and dilate (spelling?). Last time that happened I got an amazing headache! I really need new glasses, it is getting harder to see things that are close up...I'm having to hold things further away...my arms are not that long! LOL



I have to tell you about my newest purchase! I bought the "Nearly Insane" book and "The Farmer's Wife"!! I'm more in love with "The Farmer's Wife"!!

I plan on beginning the little 6" quilt blocks this week.

I have a client's quilt on the longarm machine. This was her first time piecing a seminole border and honestly, that can be hard because of all the bias...and this is a big quilt. There is some fullness...honestly, lots of fullness...so I had to call her to let her know that quilt needs to be repaired before I can continue. I gave her two options and lets pick which ever suits her best. She opted for me to do the repair. I've made one of these quilts before so I know how to deal with the bias pieces....thank goodness this is not a rush job....so I will repair the quilt put it back on the machine and she will have a beautiful quilt. All will be happy in the quilt world.

Also, last Monday I watched Fons and Porter. The assembled a block from a quilt that was published in a 1999 issue of "Love of Quilting". The quilt was named Memories, but that is not the name of the block. The block resembles a Maltese Cross. They gave a few dimensions and walla I figured it out. I've made two blocks...here it is:

Maltese Cross, I love this block!

OH! I almost forgot! I was able to put the border on my Friendship Rings quilt, the blue and green version. Hopefully, Carroll at the Village quilt shop will be able to hang it up in place of the black and tan one. I need to run up to the shop and pick that one up. Still needs more quilting and bound! Which reminds me. I need to piece my Hopkins Square quilt. I'm teaching it next Tuesday.....Got to get busy!

Now I can't forget to post about this! The other night, a little after 10pm, I was in bed watching tv and my husband walks in. He is getting ready for bed and he heard a noise...I did not hear it, but he ran to the window....someone in a HUMMER (H2), was driving too fast down our road and drove into our yard...the roads were icey and snowy...maybe you should slow down hummer or not!  My husband heard their tire blow!! You see, we have small/medium size boulders at the edge of our yard by the road...why you say? so people won't drive into our yard and tear up the lawn. This is the 2nd time this week we have had someone miss the road...hmmm....anyway, they blew their tire because their hummer could not make it over the boulder.....they drove down into our yard and back up on the road...there they stopped....I'm sure they said a few choice words...called a tow truck....and off they went about 2 hours later.  I kind of feel sorry for them, but not totally....oops....oh well, people slow down up here...it is winter and I don't care what you drive .... your vehicle can and will slide on ice...ice does not care what you drive....

Well, I hope I remembered to post everything that I had intended.....I will figure it out later!! LOL....

Happy quilting everyone!

Double Dutch

Good morning world, we have snow on the ground. Last week the snow melted! It was wonderful seeing grass, some people don't understand that concept...seeing grass is great. I stopped to get the mail yesterday, reached out of my truck (no snow at this moment), grabbed the mail, came back into the truck, looked up to begin driving towards home and "Whoa! It is snowing..man is it snowing!" It happened that fast! We have at least 6 inches on the ground. I'm glad I had no where else to go!
Saturday I had my sewing buddies over. I love having them over. Helen was able to attend, we have not seen her in over 8 months! We all worked on our own projects. I was able to work on my double dutch quilt. And yesterday I was able to finish putting the borders on. Now I have to put the ric-rac on 3 other sides and walla she is finished. I truly did not want the quilt to turn out as "pink" as it did. I was going for a more spring green look, but alas I did not have the fabric to create that look. I used what I had.
So, tell me what you think:

Double Dutch



Double Dutch with ric-rac on one side
of border...still need to add to the other 3 sides




Just another view of double dutch

 Before I forget, my bestest buddy came over to help me clean up my sewing room on Friday! That would be Dawn. We had a great time! I will have to remember what she continued to tell me as we were cleaning up my sewing room, "you don't need to go out shopping for fabric, you need to shop in Nancy's Sewing room" That would be my sewing room!! LOL She has a great point! Thanks Dawn for helping me!

Spring, oh Spring...where are you?

OH when is spring going to get here? This past weekend I really had a hard time getting warm! I was cold to the bone!!
Last night was guild meeting night. I love seeing everyone's work! Makes me want to come home and sew, then I step out of the meeting to the outside air and just want to run back inside the building! I am not dealing well with this winter. We had our "garage sale" night. I purchased a Jim Shore quilting angel. I collect them. I placed her on one of my antique sewing machine tables. She fits perfectly there. I will have to take a picture of her tomorrow when I have more time.
I'm working on my double pinwheel project but I'm going to name it something else...can't remember what I named it either...I wrote it out on a pad of paper in my sewing room....which of course is not with me. oh well.
Today is our homeschool co-op day. It is more work than I am willing to put into it. For some reason I just don't want to do this any more. But I am committed to next year...I hope my attitude changes....Steve will graduate next school year and then John is only 3 years after him. Wow, that really isn't long...
Time to go...just a little post, hopefully I will have my project pictures up soon.
Take care and happy quilting.

Just figured out 2 things today!!

Today I figured out how to use my kodak camera. I take pictures often of my quilting (piecing and machine quilting). Often though I will not post my pictures, or at least close ups, because the quality of the picture is poor. My fault for not reading the instructional manual.
Second thing I figured out was how to make a double pinwheel using my Easy Angle ruler. This quilt block was inspired by a clients quilt on the longarm machine. I put the quilt on the machine last night. I just stood there and thought, I'm gonna figure this one out. Why did I not just go buy the book? I looked for the Double Pinwheel (Quilt in a day book by Eleanor Burns) at JoAnn's...not there....not a the local quilt shops either. I've asked a few friends about it, they did not own it either. I really did not have the $$'s to order the book...this was our mortgage paycheck (not much left after the mortgage is paid)...and most of  you would agree that out of a need comes a necessity...one to figure things out for myself! LOL
So here is what I did. Basically, I'm giving anyone that would like the  instructions on how to make this block. If you don't have the Easy Angle ruler, you can purchase one at your local fabric store or online. Or maybe you use what you have at home!! The angle is a 45degree.
Cut 1- 2 1/2" x wof each of a light and dark fabric. Sew these two strips together down the width of fabric to make your first strip set. Each strip set makes 2 double pinwheel blocks.


1)Begin with two color strip set



2) Fold strip set onto itself, remove selvege edge



4) Use Easy Angle Ruler, line up at 4 1/2" line and cut on angle




3) flip ruler, notice black tip of ruler is resting on bottom of strip, cut on straight side of ruler...flip and cut...continue this down the strip of fabric



5) Open up your first set of triangles.  You want to place your fabrics like I have in picture. Same colors should not touch.





6) Here is one block with all 8 units



7) Fold right side of unit onto left side of unit and sew on the angle



8) This is where I learned how to use my camera!!
LOL I'm chain piecing here



9) This is my chain piece separater. I have my seam ripper held in place by a square of fabric. I hold the chains in my hands, placing the thread that joins the units on to the seam ripper and giving a slight tug down the thread gets cut..continue down the chain



10) Here you join the units to make the
top half and bottom half.
press the seams open



11) almost done!!! Sew these together, press open



12) Look! You are done!! Block 1 complete.

Remember, each strip set makes 2 complete blocks. I hope you like the double pinwheel block! I think I'm gonna make some more.
I don't know if there is another name for this block, I can't find one in my book of blocks. My block size is 8 1/2inches....
By the way: I was teaching at the lqs this past Saturday and someone stole my "quilter" front license plate off my truck. I'm slightly ticked about this!! Why oh why would someone steal this?
Happy quilting!