First of all, I am the Calendar Girl for July - for the 2013 Aurifil Designer of the Month.....
This is my block, Chained Star - using Pat Brava's fabric collection - Rock'n Romance.
What else... for all of you who asked about my progress on the big stitch quilting of Nightingale.....
The quilt is finished and on it's way to it's destination. More pictures later - when it gets closer to publication time. It took me 12 days (evenings, really) to hand quilt it. The big stitch let me finish it in a flash.
I'm having a great time listening to my new favorite murder mystery series - the Flavia De Luce series by Alan Bradley. Flavia is an eleven year old detective/chemist in 1950 Great Britain. Yes, a real to goodness "girl detective". She is wonderful. The first book in the series is "The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie". My local library card lets me download the ebook audiobook of this (and many others) immediately onto my ipad. Sometimes the 21st century is just awesome.
Hope you all got through the fireworks celebrations ok. Gibby does not like them one bit. The relaxing of the local ordinances regarding fireworks is not helping his serenity at all. A Thundershirt was purchased and it helped some, but between the all day road construction noise and the week of evening fireworks - a trip to the vet was needed. A few anti-anxiety medicated days later, and he is a new dog. But seriously, the fireworks can stop any time now.
What else is going on here? Well I expect NEW FABRIC to arrive any time now and we are fine tuning the designs that will use it. One of the projects will have lots and lots of orange peels......
Laurie
22 comments:
I am new to hand quilting and wondered if you have a favorite marking tool that you have found to wash out with no problems. Your quilts and quilting are beautiful! Dora
I love the big stitch quilting on this beautiful quilt. I am adding it to the list!
Dora,
I use many different tools to mark - it all depends on the lines I am marking and against what fabric, but my favorites are the Hera Marker - which you will never need to wash out as there is no mark except for a sharp crease. The Sewline sewing mechanical pencils are great as is the Clover Water Erasable Marker. The last leaves a blue mark that washes out in water. I haven't had any issues with it. I do try to use a spray bottle of water and spritz it away as soon as needed - so the marks don't stay in too long. I also wash the entire quilt afterwards. Always test as you go with any kind of marker. Good luck.
So sorry for your pup with noise issues; glad you have found some relief for him. Love your big red stitching on your quilt. What a good idea. I am impressed with your orange peals. Are they stitched with a paper like hexies, they look so uniform. You are just so full of good ideas.Stephani in N. TX (Tomazec@aol.com)
Love your new fabric and your hand quilting - beautiful! Also, thanks so much for the comment about Flavia de Luce. I just looked over the books on Amazon and they really look to be enjoyable. I am now going to see if our local library will let me download these as audio books as well - great idea! I need to have some background story going when I quilt, and I tend to get distracted if its' the TV as I end up watching the show instead of sewing! So your thought about the Flavia de Luce audio books is very much appreciated!!!!
Thank you Laurie, I appreciate your help and will definitely try your suggestions! Dora
Flavia is the best! Loved reading them, loved listening to them again! If you get a chance, read THE EVOLUTION OF CALPURNIA TATE. Different time, different country, but equally adorable!
The Flavia de Luce books are very entertaining. I've been reading them as they come out, unfortunately only one a year.
I'm looking forward to more of your orange peel project as I have one on my "list." From the photo, it looks like you baste the edges around a paper backing - is that so? Then applique to the background?
For all you audio book "readers" out there - the narrator for the Flavia de Luce books is top notch!
Cathy,
I usually always do needle turn applique, but with the orange peel - the identical shape that repeats is so important to the design, that I thought the "paper piecing basting" would work best. Once they are basted I will spray with Best Press and iron. Once dry and cool, I will take out the basting stitches, and the cardboard. The orange peel will keep the shape of the cardboard. Thanks for asking.
Laurie
I adore Flavia! I named my Kindle Gladys in honor of her (and her bike). I love the banter between her & her sisters. "The devil's hairball", "odious prawn"--you gotta love it! If you enjoy mysteries make sure you check out Louise Penny's Three Pines series. The first book isn't so great but the rest of the series is wonderful.
Your big stitch quilting is fantastic, and I can't wait to see what you do with the orange peels!
Laurie, Your big stitch quilting is beautiful. Are you using Pearle cotton? Thanks for sharing your other how to do tips. I expect the orange peal to be stunning. Janita
Love your calendar block. Something different for you - no red, white and blue :0) You are teasing me with the orange peels... Can't wait to see what they become. The big stitch quilting looks fabulous - 12 evenings!! Seriously!!
Poor Gibby. I have spent many years with barking alternately scared and angry dogs but this year I don't think they can hear them very well, or they just don't care. Even the rabbit seemed unphased by it. Don't let a jet trail show up over the house though, Rocket will lose his mind over it.
Love the orange peels! Looks like it will be a fun project! And really love your big red stitches! Poor Gibby! Penny was completely unfazed by the fireworks, but the UPS guy gets a bark out of her every time!
You are such a tease with those orange peels! I be adding your book recommendation to my list of books to read/listen to if I ever finish slogging through the Game of Thrones books--love them but they are loooong.
We read Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie in my book club a couple of years ago--it was a great read. I'll have to remember to look for the next one at the library soon! Thanks for reminding me about those books.
Love the big quilting!
Have just finished the 5th book in the Flavia series. Cannot get enough of that plucky little girl!
Hi Laurie! I love the big stitch quilting you have completed and I would like to ask a question. Do you use a hoop for quilting when you are using the big stitch method? Thank you! Beautiful quilt!
Christine B
I use a hoop when I quilt. I have to move the hoop frequently when I do the big stitch, but that is the only
bad thing about it. I use a long, sharp embroidery needle and I used 12wt Aurifil thread - which I believe corresponds with 12wt pearl cotton.
Laurie
The big stitch looks just great. Maybe I'll try some on a tablerunner I've got to quilt. Our dog, a yellow lab,just loves fireworks! He tries to eat the ones bouncing on the ground. Well, maybe not eat them, but likes to try to catch them.He ended up in the car's back seat during the "show". Lucky was too excited. I will check out the library for the Flavia de Luce but I don't think they will have it as an audio book. Thanks
love the big stitch on your latest quilt!
That basket of Orange Peel sections has me facinated, though.
they look like they are easy and quick to make up, so of course i'm really itching to get my fingers on some and practice. Can hardly wait to see the pattern that they go with.
Poor Gibby, I do feel for him - turn up the volume Mom!!
yes, yes, yes - love the big stitch, it looks super, especially that quilt!! I am also curious as to what the orange peels belong to, as I see they are basted all so nicely...!!! Which brings me to the subject no one else brought up - I am on my 3rd (yes, 3rd) try of the Aurifil BOM. I've been doing the BOM for the last several years, they have offered them, and this one has been the most frustrating for me. I have now basted each piece (as in Eng paper piecing) in hopes that I can make a nicer looking block. I will admit though I do like a challenge, it may be that I have too much going on right now to feel the warm fuzzies for it. Don't worry Laurie, it won't stop me from being a huge fan, but have your ears been tingling??? LOL -
Hugs for the challenge *wink!!!
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