To Panic or Not, That is the Question
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
These are grocery store chrysanthemums purchased about 3 years ago. I planted them in an outside urn and now they return every spring and bloom each fall. Upon first glance you wouldn't think they would arise any panic, but they remind me my nose better be to the grindstone. There's work to be done!!! Fall quilt market is just around the corner.
These are from my pecan tree out back. If I can keep the squirrels away I might get to harvest some of these for myself. I have seen them scamper across the yard carrying a full cluster. That's when I tell my husband to call Cynthia, my neighbor, and beg her to get over here with her gun. (We have nicknamed her Annie Oakley because she's a sure shot.)
But, I digress. After attending fall quilt market for 14 years, Barb and I are changing how we look at market. We do what we can and finish up the rest of the list when we are able. The thought of market now makes me reflect just how lucky Barb and I have been. We have been able to create a business doing the crafts we love. We are very grateful.
This is one of the quilts I've been sewing for market. I'm using two backgrounds from our Nature's Basket line of fabric. This print was a coverlet converted to a cross stitch pattern. (Moda # 2720-24) I love the business of the print and the low contrast so it doesn't compete with the applique motifs.
This is the alternating background print in the quilt. It's also from Nature's Basket. The print is Moda
# 2722-24. The repeating motifs are formally organized and offer less movement which creates a space for the eye to rest.
Invisible machine applique is the method used on these blocks. Although, I must confess you can see the stitches in these close-up shots...so it's not as invisible as hand applique. After the blocks are quilted and the binding sewn in place, the quilt is thrown into the washer and drier. The cotton batting makes everything shrink up a bit. The results are wonderful. You can see the wonderful texture of the quilting and you really don't notice the applique stitch very much at all. I'm able to applique 1 -2 blocks a day using this method.
The coverlet print (Moda # 2720-24) was also used as the background in this table runner. If you want to make your own, pick your favorite 6 blocks from the Moda Blog hop. Sew them together using the 6" block templates. The first part of the instructions follow below. The rest will be in the next posting.
Instructions
1. Piece the 6 - 6" blocks.
2. Cut 2 - 10” squares from the background print. Cut each in half twice on the diagonal for the setting triangles. Use one of the triangles as a template and cut two more setting triangles.
3. Cut 2 - 5 1/2” squares from the background print. Cut each in half once on the diagonal for the corner triangles.
4. Sew the blocks together in diagonal rows to make the table runner. Trim if needed, leaving a 1/4" seam allowance along all of the edges.
Until later!
Alma
20 comments
Alma you and Barb do a wonderful job of continuing to inspire us! Thanks for these great ideas... Maybe someday I'll be able to enjoy your booth at Market in person!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to see your new look. Vicky and I will be at market! Love you both. Gloria & Vicky - Olde Green Cupboard Designs
ReplyDeleteThis is so gorgeous! i love the low volume colorways...and that mlda background is perfect. Beautiful work--I've never tried machine applique..I think yours looks great...hugs, Julierose
ReplyDeleteI always look forward to see what you gals are up to. I just picked up a bundle of the Natures Basket, so I may have to make this runner myself or a little bigger. Although red, is my favorite color, you can't beat the calming effect of these blues. They are sitting in a stack in my nest, and I just love looking at them - I need to sew something with them though to make them really happy and come to life.
ReplyDeleteLove your designs. I am trying to find out which Loose Feathers leaflet has the design Strawberry Garden. crzyprplmom at yahoo dot com.
ReplyDeleteHi Kate,
ReplyDeleteStrawberry Garden is Loose Feathers pattern #18.
Hi Alma....Hope you see this...we did the "drum" at Boxwood & Berries but the pattern only had a view of the top...can you send me a pic of the drum so you can see the side with the cross stitching? Thank you, Jean E., jeanbeans64@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteHi Jean,
ReplyDeleteWill be glad to. Will shoot a picture tomorrow.
Alma
Thank you!!! Can't wait to get this made!
DeleteCan you comment on whether you will be at both functions of the Houston quilt show, vendors and viewers. Hoping to see my favorite designers at the show, especially since we don't have much on cross-stitch available in my area. Stephani in N. TX (Tomazec@aol.com)
ReplyDeleteHi Stephani,
DeleteWe are leaving today for market! We will only be at the wholesale portion. We usually only show our quilt products at this show. We save our cross stitch for the Nashville show in early spring.
Alma
Miss Alma!! My favorite book of yours is Country Inn and I'll be getting Tending the Garden in short order. But I'm absolutely in love with this new quilt pattern & the blue/white cross stitch background is fabulous! Think I drooled all over my keyboard looking at it! Would it be possible to find out how much of the 2 background fabrics you used so I order some for myself?? Will be impatiently waiting to see how the full quilt turns out!! Absolutely, positively gotta have it!
ReplyDeletelisafranklin2004@earthlink.net
I always love your work and my BFF would love that blue and white.. Thx for sharing
ReplyDeleteMaggey
I just bought "Casting a Spell" I want to stitch them together just 2 inches apart to save fabric - any idea how much fabric it takes?
ReplyDeleteWill you have the pattern for the above quilt for sale? I love the contrast of the blues with the dark and all of the multitude of spots to rest your eyes on.
ReplyDeleteAlma--I have started the 2006 Birds of A Feather Cross Stitch pattern. It seems to have a symbol missing from the chart. It is the side ways arrow head. Can you let me know what color that should be? Thanks so much!! Shelly
ReplyDeleteHI Shelly,
DeleteSorry for the delay. I didn't see your question until today.
The open triangle pointing to the right should be NPS #693 or DMC #422.
I cannot find apic of your 2013 Houston booth. please post one, please, and I will be content.
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Just wanted to share what I made with Nature's Basket :) -
ReplyDeletehttps://scontent-b-dfw.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/t1.0-9/10374024_10203835875725641_4272542299825422559_n.jpg
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