I'm back!

I had completely forgotten about this blog. Re-start, refresh, begin anew. I'm ending my third week of working from home under the self-isolation, shelter-in-place, and social distancing, world that we find ourselves. My personal goal is to stay sane, avoid personal contact, and expand social contact through any means possible. This blog will be focused on creative ideas and projects including glass, metal, sewing, and any other miscellaneous crafts that have my current attention. Be back soon. Take Care.

Lampwork Glass and Jewelry Making

I've got a new diversion/obsession/hobby that has taken over my brain space. I've been learning to melt glass to make jewelry components and some metalwork. I've taken classes at John C. Campbell Folk School,  BAGI, Silvera Jewelry School, The Crucible, and  Revere Academy of Jewelry Arts. 

I'm slowly setting up my studio and will be putting in the time to hone my skills.

Sewing Pattern Organization

I've been using PatternFile software to organize my sewing pattern stash. Not sure how I feel about it, I'm still in the tedious part of getting all the data in the system. If the patterns are recent, it is painless because they are usually already in the system. I have a gob of out-of-print, er "vintage",  patterns that take a bit more work to get the information.

I'm storing them in banker's boxes. I like the idea of using comic book boxes, but banker's boxes are cheaper and I can fit the larger vogue patterns in there too.

I'm up to 448. EEEEKS.

Quilting in the Garden 2012

Always something going on at Alden Lane Nursery. They host a quilt show in the fall.

Mitered Corners

For the flannel baby blankets I wanted a simple, fast, binding. I decided to use the backing folded over to the front. I folded the edge twice which results in  4-layers so the edge would be a bit thicker than the blanket. The corners were really thick, so I decided to use a miter for a smoother corner.

How to make mitered corners

Blankets are two layers of flannel. Backing is cut two inches wider.

Fold over one inch and iron.

Fold over again and iron.

Unfold and cut using the fold lines for guides.

Refold first fold on both sides. Fold the newly cut angle down to pressed line.

Refold the sides to previous press lines. Align corner folds.

 

Then I stitched the corners and edges. 

Baby Blankets for Soldiers' Angels

Making progress on baby blankets for the big baby shower.

 

Two layers of flannel with mitered corners.

 

The stack is growing. Ten more waiting for backing.

 

Using 9 inch blocks set 4 x 4 or 4 x 5.

Flannel Baby Blankets

I'm using flannels in my stash to make baby blankets. Five are in some form of completeness. They are 8.5 inch blocks set in 8 rows. One finished, two more just need binding, and 2 more are pieced. That's a nice Sunday afternoon of progress.

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Baby Quilts for Soldier's Angels

I'm making baby quilts for a big baby shower to be given for military families the first week of September. Ready. Set. Go. Maybe that should be Ready, Set,  SEW.

Sail Boat Baby Quilt

A baby quilt with pieced blue boats and  embroidered sail boats and waves in the white blocks. Made in 1998 by Helene Hart, Strawberry, Arizona.

Doiley Quilt

One of many "Doiley Quilts" by Helene Hart. She crocheted the doilies and used satin and velour  fabrics for the background. This one was made in 1994, Strawberry, Arizona.

Quilt Cache

 

I come from a creative family. I found this photo of quilts made by my mother (Helene Hart, Arizona) and my grandmother (Laura Hart, Ohio).  The quilt on the bed has a note from my mother, "the first quilt that I pieced and quilted myself." She made many quilts with my Grandma Hart. Mom pieced them and my grandmother quilted. Later she would piece my machine and hand quilt. She often embroidered on her quilts. The quilts on the rack are from my grandmothers hand, pieced and quilted.

Dahlia Quilt

Dahlia quilt by Helene Hart, Strawberry Arizona

Anniversary Quilt

1946 - 1996
50th Wedding Anniversary
Helene and Gerald Hart
Quilting and Embroidery by Helene Hart

My mom always had a basket full of projects in the works. This quilt she made to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary.

Chinese Coins Baby Quilt

 

This quilt was challenging for me because the fabrics were different from my usual pallete. The mom picked out the large print for curtains and crib items. I used it as the backing and added coordinating fabrics for the top. It has free motion quilting. Fun project!

Peekaboo Monkey Quilt

Inspired by a design in "Quilting for Baby", this was my first attempt at applique. I think it won't be my last.

The applique patterns were created by enlarging the monkeys from the background fabric on a photocopier.