Sunday, August 14, 2016

BEEN A LAZY WEEK HERE AS SUMMER DRAWS CLOSER TO AN END.
I don't have a lot to show for myself.  I made only 3 blocks this week and just puttered the week away. I did go to the city and visited my two favorite fabric stores.  I had been looking for some fabric with little houses on it and finally found a suitable fat quarter with which to make a little town.


This fabric is very cute with its little shops and houses.  I found the cobble stone fabric in my stash and its works okay as a cobbled pathway through the town.

My other blocks are from Chuck's book.  

In this pretty wreath, I used my four main colors: peach, aqua, yellow, and green.  I use Karen Buckley's perfect circles to form the shapes of the flowers.




This block is simple but very nice in the combination of angular shapes and curved shapes. 


Well, that is it for this week-not too much to show for myself-I did not even do my free motion quilting homework.  Do you find that this lack of focus happens as a project nears its end?  I have been going over my beautiful Kona solds fabric chart and choosing colors for the sashing for Chuck, Susan, and me.  It is wonderful to have so much to choose from. I have narrowed it down to 16 different colors-4 of each main color in the quilt.


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My husband was caught up in the Delta Airline shutdown.  He spent 24 hours going from Roanoke to Atlanta to Cincinnati to Minneapolis to Kansas City.   He felt he was trapped in some alternate universe composed of airports and all humanity crowded into a tiny capsule. He was looking and feeling so frazzled towards the end of this odyssey that Delta upgraded him to first class which allowed him to catch up on some sleep. 


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Look what I captured with my fabulous camera:


Is this a perfect shot of a hummer or what?  I took several shots most of which were blurry.  But the nexus of focus and cooperation on birdie's part created this great photo.  She is a female ruby throated hummingbird-our most common hummer in these parts.
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I have told you of my terrible piecing skills-no matter how hard I try either the block is (usually) too small or is too big so corners have to be cut off.  In a blog post I saw a quarter inch foot with a wonderful guide on it that would ensure that the seam was was correct size.  I thought that's what I need.  So I go online to find one for my Juki, search around without much luck until I happened upon http://crazymomquilts.blogspot.com/. When I saw her blog photos, it was like an epiphany:


The Juki Manual calls this a compensating foot and not knowing what it could possibly be, I tossed it into a drawer.  Fool! It is obvious now that I know! Now I can sew perfect 1/4 seams and to think I had this little miracle in my possession all along.  This is very freeing and broadens my horizons in quilting. This happens at a opportune time because the sashing for Chuck, Susan, and Me will be made up of one inch squares.  The quilt will finish at about 100x108 so we are talking lots of little squares and a lot of 1/4 seams.  I guess this was not such a wasted week after all.

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Here are two more blocks from my version of the Caswell quilt:
This block has the leaves and berries of the A-3 block but I changed them around to add the pond, the dragonflies, and the butterflies.  The birds are based on birds in the A-1 block except I gave them the turned up tails of wrens.

This was my favorite Caswell Block which I left unaltered except my pattern called for a block 14 inches wide instead of 11 so I lengthened the birds and added some more flowers.  The color is off on both these blocks.

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My blog has had a visitor from Argentina.  I am so glad you stopped by and have added the Argentine flag to the list of international visitors.

I receive wonderful comments on my posts and answer all of them and check out those blogs as I am very interested in what you are doing.  However, it is impossible to respond to some comments as they are no-reply bloggers.  It is very easy to change this status.  If you are interested, here is a link which will help you: http://morefromyourblog.com/no-reply-blogger-how-to-fix-this/ 

Not exactly helping:


Though Blossom did teach me to use the ~~~~ which she entered on her own.  Actually this cat can do things with her fanny and petty paws that hackers can only can only dream of. 

That's all for now.  I hope you have a good week.  Lots of kids go back to school this week which is both a relief for mothers and a feeling of missed opportunities. 

I am linking up with the very fun and informative linkies listed on the right.  Stop by for some great quilts.

HAPPY QUILTING!




17 comments:

  1. The rock fabric is perfect for the paths in the little village scene. And your Caswell blocks oh so good. You are very good at making the blocks your own style.

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  2. So sorry about your husband's trip odyssey. By the way, I have a quarter inch foot and my blocks are still not the right size. My current 8.5 inch blocks had to be trimmed to 8 inch because one of the styles all came out too small. You are not alone. All your stitching is very pretty.

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  3. I think you made some good progress - not every week needs to be a marathon!! Remember to enjoy the process. Whoop whoop!!

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  4. I just love the insects you add to the Caswell blocks, it looks so beautiful.
    Greetings

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  5. My favorite of the 3 blocks this week is the wreath -- such perfect fabrics! I am so happy that you have found the perfect foot (at home!) for the accursed quarter inch seam! It took me many, many attempts before I was able to achieve the right seam -- lots and lots of ripping out and resewing...

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  6. Your Caswell is absolutely beautiful and such a piece of art - a one of a kind. Do you live in the US or Australia?
    I have 2 Husqvarna sewing machines and can set it at 1/4" and a SCANT 1/4" and I use the foot with the guide. If you are having problems with blocks not coming out to 6 1/2" (example) and maybe you are 1/8" short, etc. Try adjusting the needle - take a ruler with 1/4" and place it under the machine foot - then slowly (manually) place your needle where the 1/4" mark is and that is where you need to be for a "full 1/4" seam allowance" A scant is a thread width less.

    Is this clear as mud?

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  7. Thank you in your linking and inspiration you give us today at Show and Tell Monday !! Hug Bambi

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  8. I'm so tempted to buy the Chuck book---every block is a little masterpiece!

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  9. I'm so tempted to buy the Chuck book---every block is a little masterpiece!

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  10. Oh, that sweet wreath block!!! Be still my heart. And your work on the Caswell. Actually, your work on everything. Amazing!!!!

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  11. Your blocks are lovely, as always. And the Caswell blocks are very sweet too, love the birds! Yes, a quarter-inch foot helps with even seams. I'm looking forward to seeing Chuck, Susan & Me with the borders. Blessings, Gretchen

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  12. I popped over to your blog from Judy's Design Wall. I love all your hand applique. I used to do quite a bit, but none lately. Love your kitty and her typing skills. I will stop by and visit again.

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  13. Your blocks are wonderful as usual. Love your little village.

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  14. Hi, love your blocks and your caswell block to. I am planning to buy that pattern to it is really beautiful. Greetz Anneke

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  15. What a cute little town! And those Caswell blocks are gorgeous - your Applique always inspires!!! As for that compensating foot, I may have to have one of those if they come in a version that will fit my machine(s)!!!

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  16. I love the fabric you found for the neighborhood. It is adorable. This is my first visit (I think??) and found you via Needle and Thread Thursday. :-)

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