Oh, Rainy Day!

Oh, rainy day today...what to do inside?  Likely we'll make a trip out to the log cabin, post office, library, and grocery store, read some stories, sing some songs, and quilt, quilt, quilt.

Mystery Quilt Borders

Yesterday I finished up the low contrast nine-patch blocks and set them into these on-point borders.  They came out nicely, after some un-sewing when I realized I put some of the blue triangles where the red triangles should go.  I only noticed after I used up all of the blue triangles!  Ooooops!  :)

Log Cabin Print

Also, some recent vintage shopping turned up this cute log cabin print.  It's by Lotti Avila, vintage 1987.  It's even signed and numbered, number 29 of 1950.  I believe the log cabin set like this is called "Furrows", like the furrows in a field.  Lotti Avila is mainly known for cross stitch design.  I'm sure I have some of her cross stitch designs in my vast collection.  I was really into cross stitch for a while.  I still enjoy it on occasion, especially samplers.  They are my favorite.

Until next time...visit the Curlicue Creations Shop...and have a super day!

Jennifer

It's Warm Enough to Make Frosty Sweat!

Frosty Quilted Table Runner

This week I worked on the Frosty Quilted Table Runner a little bit.  And it's hot!  Hot enough that the two older boys actually tried the swimming pool yesterday.  I should have taken a photo of that!  It's 80 degrees and sunny, but the pool is likely 50 - Brrrrr!  You're not going to see me in there, but I'm betting there will be some more swimming this afternoon.

Corner of Frosty Quilted Table Runner

Here's what's happening with Frosty.  I quilted some fun loop-de-loops in the red border.  I love doing those.  Now all I need to do is figure out what to quilt in the blue outer border and he'll be ready for binding.  Lookin' good!

Mystery Quilt Inner Border Corner

I also finished putting the inner border together on my Mystery Quilt.  Here's a photo showing one of the corners.  I turned the corners around to give the border a different look.  I like the effect.  It looks a little bit woven.

Low Contrast Nine Patch Block (almost!)

Now I'm working on making nine low contrast nine patch blocks.  You can see what they're going to look like in the photo, above.  These are going to be in an on-point postage stamp style setting in the next border.  I was just going to do solid squares of the star print, but I didn't have enough of it, so, voila!...low contrast nine patch blocks were born.

Until next time...please visit the Curlicue Creations Shop...and have a super day!

Jennifer

Quilty Magnets and Mystery Project!

Good afternoon and Happy St. Patrick's Day Eve - Don't forget your green tomorrow!  Also tomorrow, March 17th, 2012 is National Quilting Day, so maybe I should say "Don't forget to quilt something green".  That could be celebrated a number of different ways.  You could wear something green while quilting, or you could work on a quilt made with green colored fabrics, or you could quilt outside, using environmentally friendly fabrics.  Or just drink a green beer and try not to quilt through your finger.  I don't recommend drinking while quilting, just saying!

Anyway, if you have ordered goodies from the Curlicue Creations Shop in the past,  you likely
have received one of my quilty magnets in your package as a little thank you gift.  I love making these.  They are so much fun, and as addictive as popcorn!  I just wanted to show a couple that I finished recently.  They are currently adorning my refrigerator.  I made the many pointed compass, above, and also the flying geese magnet, below.

                             

I also started making a mystery wall hanging this week.  You know I need a new project, just like I need a hole in the head, but why not?  It's fun.  Plus I have a whole log cabin to keep my U.F.O.'s in when they overflow my quilting studio.  It's going to have one center block.

I made these nifty checkerboard blue and white borders out of some 2-7/8" x 1-5/8" rectangles.

Then I added this red stripe and thin white stripe.  The white stripe is going to be facing the center block.  I'll show more of this next posting, as I get it done.

Until next time...have a super day!

Jennifer

Crabby Crab Pot Holder Pattern

Hooray!  Hooray!  I just finished the Crabby Crab Pot Holder pattern and it's available in the Curlicue Creations Etsy shop at this link: Crabby Crab Pot Holder Pattern.

Here's some pics from the Crabby Crab Pot Holder photo session:  

White Wall

Beachy Planks

Shabby Chic Picket Fence

Bloom!

Rocking Chair Red

Thanks for looking!  When you visit the Curlicue Creations shop, be sure to take a look around.  I've recently added a bundle of patterns by some other fantastic designers.  I'm sure you'll want to browse the Quilt Pattern section to see what's new.  Have a super day!

Jennifer

Crabby Crab Fusible Applique Tutorial

Here's a little tutorial about my way of doing fusible applique.  

1.  Trace the pattern pieces onto the paper side of your fusible web.  Don't forget to include any reverse pieces.  I like to use Heat N Bond Lite.  It works for me and is easy to find in the store.

2.  Cut out the fusible web pieces 1/8" to 1/4" beyond the drawn lines.  Allow a little extra where pieces will meet for an underlap.

3.  Iron the fusible web pieces to the back of your fabric, following the manufacturer's directions.  I press for about 20 seconds, with a hot iron, no steam.

4.  Cut the pieces apart from each other to make cutting them out easier and smoother.

 5.  Cut the pieces out on the drawn line.  Make your cuts as smooth and even as possible.

6.  Gently fold your background fabric in half both vertically and horizontally and finger crease on the folds.  Using the crease lines as a guide, arrange the applique patches on the background, tucking one edge under where patches meet.

 7.  Working in alphabetical order, peel the paper backing off each piece and fuse to the background with a hot iron (no steam!).  I usually press each piece for about 20 seconds.

8.  Tiny zig zag stitch around the edges.  Use a clear plastic foot, and set your machine for a very small zig zag stitch.  On my machine I use a width of 2 and a length of 1.  Experiment on a scrap until you get the look you desire.  Use a matching thread in the bobbin.

9.  Begin with the needle down on the outside edge of the patch.  Stitch slowly, stopping and lifting the foot to rotate the fabric when necessary.  You may wish to take a few tiny stitches at the beginning and end to secure the thread.  I prefer to pull the threads to the back and secure with a couple of tiny knots.  Be sure to trim the thread ends before stitching the next patch to avoid entanglement.

10.  Press and enjoy your finished fusible applique block.

Crabby Crab Block

The Crabby Crab Block pattern is included in the Outer Banks Bunny Quilt Pattern.  You can also look for it soon in the Curlicue Creations Shop as the upcoming Crabby Crab Hot Pad Pattern.

Until next time...have a super day!

Jennifer