What I've Been Up To Lately

A few months back I took a leap of faith and bought a brand new 

Gammill Statler Stitcher!!!!

With over 3,000 digitized patterns, user-friendly design software and manual capabilities, the creative, graphic design, side of me took over! It has been an amazing couple of months!

Here are some of the things I have worked on so far...

I quilted a Stars and Loops pattern on this beautiful baby quilt with a flannel top and minky back.

This fantastic t-shirt quilt is now on the college bed of a recent high school graduate.

My best friend received this lovingly pieced, hand appliqued, and quilted beauty as a wedding present!

For all you Star Wars fans, I had Tie Fighters and X-Wings flying across my fabric.

This Cuddle backed Jelly Roll Quilt turned out as beautiful on the back as it was on the front! 

This black satin cape was worn by our Caped Crusader for a Breast Cancer Awareness event.

A flannel back was the perfect was to soften and finish this antique quilt made from wool skirts and jackets, as well as plaid shirtings.

This antique quilt top was pieced by the clients mother and grandmother. She brought it to me to finish, in order to create a family heirloom.

Spirals and curves gave this Bullseye quilt the circular finish it needed to become a cozy memory quilt!

Hank Williams was the inspiration behind this T-Shirt quilt. Some of the shirts had belonged to the clients father and together with the clients own collection of Hank Williams Jr. shirts I created a quilted memory for the whole family to enjoy.

And the best part is....

I'm just getting started!!!!

Arrrrgh Mateys!

Ahoy there mates!

Today is National Talk Like a Pirate Day!

In honor of this festive occasion I have some silly jokes and some fun fabric to share with you.

Q: What kind of socks does a pirate wear?

A: Arrrrgyle

Q: Where does a pirate get a hamburger?

A: Harrrr-dees

Q: How much did the pirate pay to have his ears pierced?

A: A buccaneer (buck-an-ear)

Q: Why do pirates make good singers?

A: Because they can hit the High C's (High Seas)

Alright, now on to some fabric finds.

The main Pirate print came from Timeless Treasures Fabric Inc. and the rest I found to coordinate. Aren't they the cutest!? So many possibilities!

Happy Sewing and make sure not to do any pirate chores today...like irrrroning!

Chicken and Dumplings for Two

With the weather changing and Fall around the corner I was inspired to make a hearty, home cooked, dinner. 

Now I am not much of a cook so I started with some basics and went from there. My hubby approved and I hope you do too!

Ingredients:

For chicken mixture...

2-3 chicken breasts cubed and cooked

1 can Campbell's Cream of Chicken

2 small cans/ 1 box chicken broth

Mixed frozen vegetables ( I used Bird's Eye single servings of corn and peas)

For dumplings...

Bisquick

milk

cheddar cheese

Directions:

Mix chicken, cream of chicken, and chicken broth in a medium sauce pan. Bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and add frozen vegetables. Simmer 10-12 minutes. 

Mix dumplings as directed on Bisquick box. Drop dough balls onto the surface and cook according to box recipe.

Remove from heat and enjoy!

Celebrate Suess Quilt Tutorial

I love starting new projects!

Quilts for a friend, quilts for a loved one, quilts for myself!

The anticipation of the finished product is so exhilarating!

With help from my friends at Shannon Fabrics, Robert Kaufman Fabrics, and Friend Folks I'm bringing you this start-to-finish quilting tutorial.

 




Step 1: Choose a Pattern

For this tutorial I've chosen to use the Turning Twenty pattern by Tricia Cribbs. The pattern is perfect for fabric with large print. It allows the fabric to be the star of the quilt rather than the pattern.

Step 2: Purchase Fabric

Depending on the size of the quilt you want to make, buy the appropriate amount of fabric and don't be afraid to buy a little extra for your stash. ;) For this quilt I chose from the Celebrate Suess! line of fabric by Robert Kaufman. It's large prints and and iconic images where fabulously suited for the pattern.

Step 3: Buy Backing Fabric

Many quilters skip this step when first buying material for the front and then later wish they hadn't. If you buy the back while you're buying the fabric, then you'll have it ready when you finish your quilt top. If you don't, you run the risk of having your quilt top lay abandoned for days on end. Yikes!

For this quilt, I chose to use Cuddle by Shannon. Shannon Fabrics coordinates with Robert Kaufman Fabrics on some of their fabric lines and had the perfect Celebrate Suess! backing.  Cuddle by Shannon is the softest fabric you'll ever touch and makes an amazing back. Since it is 60" wide you rarely have to piece the back. Check out The Perfect Back for a Baby Quilt for more information.

Step 4: Cut the Fabric

Be sure the follow all directions carefully. Turning Twenty has great, easy-to-read instructions and picture!

Step 5: Sew the Quilt Top

Match pieces together and sew blocks according to the directions. Chain sew if possible to increase efficiency! Once all the blocks are sewn, layout the blocks and adjust placement until you are satisfied with the way your quilt top will look. Mark blocks so you know how they go together and then assemble rows. Sew rows together to complete your top!

Step 6: Batting, Backing and Basting

When your top is complete it is time to baste your quilt so it can be quilted. Lay your backing fabric, right side down, on the floor. Secure the corners with pins or tape so the fabric won't move. Place your batting on top of your backing. You may choose to secure it as well. Lay your completed quilt top, right side up, on top of the batting. Now it is time to baste the three layers together in your preferred way. Personally I like to pin baste, but any way will work!

Step 7: Quilt your Quilt

I love quilting using my sewing machine! Mark the lines you want to quilt on your top clearly. I usually stick to straight lines when quilting with my machine. Some people are afraid to use Cuddle with their sewing machine, but I love the way it turns out. Plus, it's very easy to work with! My only tip is to use your Walking Foot. This will help the fabric feed through without sliding or bunching.

Step 8: Trim and Bind

Once you are finished quilting, trim away the excess batting and backing fabric and attach your binding!

Enjoy your new quilt and cuddle up under your Cuddle-y back!