Five Shadows

I’ve been dreaming of pumpkins lately and came up with this little mug rug.

Then I got to thinking, what would it look like to insert flying geese into a pieced or applique pumpkin? This idea was generated from Gail Garber’s book Flying Colors, which I first heard about on Terri Stegmiller’s blog Stegart. I was intrigued by Terri’s design and bought the book from my local quilt shop Fabrics and Friends.

Playing, here is what I have so far:

And also an insert of triangles:

I am just having so much fun with this concept! And my mind is racing with other ideas of where to insert flying geese into quilts!

I’m taking a Machine Quilting Class through Craftsy with Wendy Butler Berns. I gave the machine quilting a go on this table runner.

I used Wendy’s Walking Foot method for the curves in the leaves and also used free motion quilting for the leaf stems. Heather of Trends and Traditions has a nice tutorial on her blog for doing the inside mitered binding corners.

Here is the pattern for the Falling Leaves Tablerunner. Please share a photo with me if you make the table runner!

Falling Leaves Tablerunner 2012.pages

Black & White

Ethnic Prints, front

Back

Pattern: Charm Party Tote by Penny Sturges

To stiffen the bottom, I used Pellon Peltex  72F Double-sided Fusible Ultra Firm Stabilizer. I have found using two pieces of 72F makes a nice firm bottom for purses and bags.

These are small blanket bits just 18″ square – more of a touch thing for little ones with satin on the back, pieced flannel for the front, and ribbons attached in the side seams. All very tactile.

August!

Craftsy BOM with instructor Amy Gibson. The blocks are star blocks this month.

I’m using Vicki Welsh’s monthly Color Palette Challenge when selecting the fabrics. Here is the palette for August:

And June – yes, I am behind.

New month, new color palette challenge!

August’s color palette:

My block for the challenge:

I’m using Joined at the Hip Baskets and Blooms Block of the Month from 2000 interpreted in Vicki’s color palette. I must say that this is my least favorite of the basket designs so far. What are those funky crown-like things coming off the center flower? I did try rearranging the elements, but decided to just go with the original design. But I am enjoying Vicki’s challenge! And incase you are just stopping by and have not heard, I’m using Misty Fuse for the fusible machine applique- love that stuff! And here is a helpful hint, you can use Parchment Paper if for some reason you have misplaced your Goddess Sheet or other teflon sheet when using Misty Fuse!

First up a big Thank You to Vicki Welsh and Judy Laquidara for hosting the monthly Color Palette Challenge! I won the random drawing for participating for the month of July! That meant I got to go to Vicki’s Etsy Shop and pick out one of her gorgeous packs of hand dyed fabric! Here is what came in the mail. Sooooo pretty!

Here is July’s Color Palette

And my basket block using the colors

First up – I’m working on catching up with my Block of the Month using Vicki’s monthly Color Palette Challenge. Here is my block for June. I did say ‘catching up’ remember! Yep, I’m behind!

The pattern is from Joined at the Hip 2000 Block of the Month Baskets & Blooms series. I’m using Misty Fuse and fabrics from my stash.

Next up is a 34 1/2″ square applique quilt. Could be a wall hanging or a baby quilt. It is a demo model for Fabrics and Friends Quilt Shoppe in Roanoke, IN. Tomorrow I will be doing a demo on fusible machine applique. The quilt shop will have  kits available with fused  Accuquilt die cuts in owls, kittens, flowers, and puppies. Steam-a-Seam was the fusible used for the kits. We will have several sewing machines set up for anyone who would like to try machine applique. Should be a fun time! OH, and did I mention donuts!

The top half of my iron is getting a bit gunked up from fusibles. I saw on Sew Cal Gal several products that are suggested for cleaning irons. Since I’m out of Dritz Iron-Off  I thought I’d give some of the other products she listed a try.

Wax paper – oops out of that too.

Dryer sheet – didn’t help a bit.

Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, got some of the grime off, but still a long way from clean. Maybe if I hadn’t gone so long between cleanings it would have worked just fine.

Guess a trip to Joann’s with a 40% off coupon is in my near future for the old stand-by, Dritz Iron-Off.

Smokey River by Whirligig Designs using Stonehenge fabrics by Northcott. Uses Easy Angle Rulers, II and companion ruler.