Thursday, November 30, 2006

BETA BLOGGER


OK, I moved over to BETA today (That's me moving over to BETA), so if you have me on your bloglines and it says there are 25-26 new entries for Patchalot More, that is why. I already noticed that some of the comments posted on my blog say "anonymous". I wonder if it has anything to do with beta vs. non beta??? I guess I will have to learn a few new tricks. I wonder about this "not secure" business. More later....

Tuesday, November 28, 2006

HOME SWEET HOME

Home Sweet Home is one of the books by Blackbird Designs that I bought when the authors, Alma Allen and Barb Adams, were here in Virginia Beach. Alma Allen is in the photo holding up a table runner that she designed and made of wool. I love it! That project is in the book. I decided to make a small piece of it. I think it turned out really cute! I plan to put a border around it to frame it and also a backing to add support.
















In the meantime, I have also been working on the project from the class that Barb and Alma taught. It is coming along. I haven't really done much applique in the past, but I have always enjoyed handwork, and I am enjoying this as well. This bird block is an adaptation from their new book, Birds of a Feather. Yep, I bought that one also. Take a look at that wonderful toile that is the block background. That is theirs also, from their new fabric line, Nell's Flower Shop. Really, I am not getting a sales commision on their stuff! They just really hooked me!


Judy, from Quilting with Ragdolls, is working on the Birds of a Feather project. She has almost completed hers and I can't wait to see it. I am doing a simplified version. My applique didn't get placed exactly right, but I don't mind taking a bit of artistic license. I just say---it's folk art, right? And I am learning each step of the way. Wouldn't life be boring if we didn't continue to learn?

Friday, November 17, 2006

BBD CAT ON ROOF



Blackbird Designs has quilts for all seasons! I wanted to share this quilt today while fresh on my mind. This quilt was made by Barb Adams (and her Mom!). This design comes in a special package of its own. Isn't it spectacular! If you can't find this pattern, you can call What's Your Stitch N Stuff here in Virginia Beach, VA (757-523-2711). That is where I took the Blackbird Designs workshop.

Blackbird Designs also has lots of cross stitching and embroidery projects. They are big on samplers, which I love! Check out their website and you will find a few little free sampler patterns that you can download. We all like free!
This advertisement is not paid for,
nor in any way encouraged by Blackbird Designs!

Thursday, November 16, 2006

FIREMAN FABRIC #2


Just a note on the FIREMAN FABRIC from a previous post. I had a really hard time deciding who should receive the fabric. I wish I had more! Two ladies in particular really caught my attention and I couldn't decide so, I ended up flipping a coin. I didn't stop to think that this would be difficult! The fabric is going to Trudy in Iowa. Her husband has been a fireman for 30 years and now her son is. She says she recognizes what angels firemen truly are! Trudy is very involved in the community of firefighters and does lots of volunteer work, including cooking and quilting! She will put the fabric to good use. My uncle, Burt Winspear, was a fireman in Buffalo, NY years ago, and so I am very sentimental when it comes to firemen. I wonder if my grandmother bought the fabric? I don't know, but I am happy that it is finding a new home in a family of firemen. I hope Trudy will share her quilt with us when it is completed.

BLACKBIRD DESIGNS WORKSHOP

<-This is what I accomplished at the all day workshop given by Alma Allen and Barb Adams of Blackbird Designs! I have never been known as an over achiever! The workshop was fabulous and I learned a lot and had so much fun mingling with other quilters. We all really loved Barb and Alma. They are so talented, it just blows you away! But more than that, they were such a pleasure to be around. They are kind and generous and enjoyable. I will pay good money for friends like that any day! :0)


The project that we worked on is called Candy Canes and Holly. It is about 28" square. While this project is not in their new book, Birds of a Feather, parts of it are. They explained how easy it is to remove blocks from a large design to create something smaller. They have various pieces of the main quilt made up in wool applique, hooked rug, a stenciled bench, etc.
Barb especially like to use dye remover to fade her new fabrics, then she over dyes them with tan dye for a really old, faded look. Directions to do that are in this book. The toile background is from their new fabric line and is fabulous!
Remember the previous background they designed using samplers? They actually photo copied two samplers made by little girls in the 19th century, cut them up and combined them, and Moda ran them on fabric! It is wonderful! I 'm telling you, these ladies have so much talent. I think it is so neat that they can work together and enjoy each others company and combine their gifts and then share them with us. It is interesting how inspired I feel for having spent time with them. Today it is supposed to be stormy and guess who doesn't care? I have more applique prep to do! Then I can stitch in front of the TV tonight. The stitching is the easy part -- all that prep work is why I never get to the stitching part!

Monday, November 13, 2006

BROKEN DISHES MEDALLION


I have been working on my little broken dishes projects. I made two square ones for gifts and the little doll size is for ME! I hand quilted that one. The side borders on both are from the new Jo Morton fabric line. It is awesome fabric and really gives an old fashioned look. I feel good to have those two gifts done before Thanksgiving. After Thanksgiving the time just flies. I have a few more gifts to make. Notice how I jump around between projects? Is there a quilter out there who doesn't have ADD?
Tonight I have a lecture to attend given by the gals from Blackbird Designs. Tomorrow is their all day class. I am excited. It is at our LQS, What's Your Stitch 'n Stuff. I will report back in a few days!

Wednesday, November 08, 2006

I LOVE THIS BLOCK


I was cruising blogs the other day and saw this darling block on Mereth's blog. I hope she doesn't mind that I am "borrowing" it. I don't know the name of it. I had been looking for a block to use with some of these cool 19th Century repros I have been collecting. (Doesn't it sound better to say that we "collect" fabric?) The block easily graphed up at 10 inches. What I like about this block is that you can incorporate several fabrics into it. The corners are large enough to use a medium scale fabric and really show it off. In the single block picture, all the fabrics, except the tan, are from the Harriet Beecher Stowe collection by Windham. They are perfect in this block! At least to my way of thinking. The other blocks contain reproduction fabrics from other favorite designers. You probably recognize some of them. I really enjoy digging through fabric from many sources to see what works in a block. Making scrap quilts in this manner always takes longer, but each block comes forth as a pretty little prize in the end. Someday I will have to work harder at being more spontanious. I think we all evolve in quilting as we go along. We gain confidence and take chances and develope our own style. I am still working on that. In the meantime, I get excited about each new project that I start and try to go like crazy on it before something else catches my eye and I get distracted. Follow through to completion! I have UFOs that are calling to me, but this new project grabbed my attention! More later.....

Sunday, November 05, 2006

FIREMAN FABRIC



Take a look at this cute fireman fabric! It was with some of my mom's things. I think it is probably 1950's vintage. The firemen are about 1-1/2" tall on black cotton. Notice the little wings on the fireman by the ladder. I just love it, but it really needs to go to a special home. Please tell me if you have a fireman connection: husband, father, loved one. I would love to give it to someone who will love it and put it to good use. It is 38" wide and there are two yards. Be warned, I will want to see the end product! Anyone interested? Leave a comment and an e-mail address.

Thanks for your interest in this fireman fabric. I had a difficult time deciding who to give it to, but I have made a decision. I have e-mailed her and will report back later.