Inspiration

Vintage home and garden fabric from 1979

Inspiration to create something, anything has been coming in spurts.  I realize now that you must take it while you can.  This is my last weekend of work for a month, as my bosses are taking a vacation, so I've been slowly getting my WIPS organized and hoping that some of that inspiration comes when I have time to actually play. 

new sham style covers for the couch. 

 This couch is almost 8 years old and definitely showing it's age.  It has been well worn, loved and jumped on, but  I couldn't stand the stains on the cushions anymore. Unfortunately my budget doesn't allow for a new couch, and I can't stand the ready made slipcovers  that are guaranteed to fit ( yeah right) I whipped these up out of the fabric I had on hand.  The bluebird fabric came from curtains that hung in the window of the house my parents bought.  The selvedge said 1979 and they probably hung in the window that long.  I do plan on redoing the middle cushion as I'm finding not having all three match distracting.

 

This rug is my current obsession Using different mediums , fabric and rope and seeing how they blend together.     Up until now i  have only used the toothbrush technique in making my rugs.  I found a video tutorial on how to crochet  them in half the time it takes me.  I had no idea how to crochet but have wanted to learn for a while now.  My sister recommended the book Simple Crochet by Erica Knight and I have been poring trough it practicing my stitches.  All the fabric is crocheted, and the roping is crocheted and then weaved in toothbrush style.  I'm happy with the results, especially after pulling the rope out and doing it again a few times as the tension was all wrong. This one may be another biggie 5' or 6' feet round. Slow and steady . :)

Take care,
Kendra.

Whew, Still trying to get back.

2 inch  rainbow squares Crib quilt machine stiched and quilted with a crosshatch.

Toothbrush (weave) Basket

Whirlygig Doll blanket in Bright pink.
Machine stitched and hand tied.

Whirlygig Doll Quiilt
Machine stiched and hand tied with Chenille backing

Vintage strawberry shortcake custom curtains for the girl's room.

Custom panel shorts made from old jeans and canvas ticking for the boy.

Custom shorts made from twill pants  for the boy.

Take care,

I'm switching camps.

My good friend's facebook status this morning said "Hi everybody! Do y'all have your slickers and galoshes ready? '"


Ugh... It is rainy and nasty plus I'll need them for the rain and my tears. I finally have finished my Scrappy star quilt I started back in March of this year; one I was hoping to sell. I knew that there was the possibility that the colors may bleed, since it they did on my wedding star pillow for Chanel, and the "Hanna quilt” and researched what to do before washing. I had read that you can add a cup full of vinegar to your cold wash water or there is a product you can buy to set it, but it is extremely messy and time consuming. So I said a prayer and crossed my fingers hoping for the best and added the vinegar. It didn't work. Let's do some math...time on quilt, 120 hours + bleeding dyes in a 12 minute wash cycle = oh f*%k.


The water's gonna be deep today.


I saw some bleeding and instantly felt my heart sink. Brody being the greatest, ran down to the store and got some Oxiclean, thinking I could soak it and get the dye stains out. It soaked for a few hours. All, save one barely noticeable spot, came out. I immediately went and found the culprit in my stash cursing and muttering”I never want to see you again!" as I walked it to the trash. So as the title states, I’m switching camps.

To which camps am I referring? Well the pre-wash fabric vs. no prewashing fabric camps, silly. I had read the opinions of various quilters in blog land and firmly planted myself on the no prewashing fabric side of the fence. I'd spend the time making the quilt, bind it and eagerly wait for it to wash and dry to see the finished product, all the while hoping for the best. After these two rounds of waiting and hoping for the best knowing full well that my soon to be finished "paint box quilt," will likely bleed as well, well...my stomach hurts just thinking about it. I am planting myself firmly on the other side of the fence now and making a declaration today. I will ALWAYS prewash my scraps or fabrics, especially those that are of questionable origin, before going through this again!


Anyway after starting this 8 months ago, it's finished. It measure in at 47 1/2 inches by 32 inches. It was machine pieced, with machine and hand quilting with some decorative double whipped embroidery in the center of each star. I will be listing it on etsy for sale in the next couple days.
Editted to add: This is winter weight, 100% cotton batting.

 

Take care,

One down and one to go

This one is finally finished and ready to be washed.

This one is in the final stages of quilting.  Binding in the morning.

Take care,

Bound, labeled and tied up with string.

whew... finished.  This one was definately a learning experience from start to finish.  So many interesting and annoying things happened while making this. I've written down my problem areas  and where I ran into trouble as I went along and will do some research because there has to be an easier way that someone else discovered the same way I did. I'm happy with it, and glad  to move on to the next project. 

What are you working on?

Take care,

Been quiet on the blog....

because...

New (recycled) kitchen towels and washcloths.

Appliqued beach and bath towels.

 much needed ORGANIZATION

planting and repotting.

 pot holder 2 swap.

finishing baby quilt gift.

and ... a whole lot of beach days.

with NO MORE WHEELCHAIR!!!!!!!!

or shoes for that matter.

 

the Easter bunny. Kaiya had no interest again this year.

singing and swinging.

 and Jamie Cullum.  If you don't know who he is, you should.

 I'm still trying to get things finished/ sorted /sent/ freecycled or tossed and found I get more done * suprise*  if the computer/TV isn't turned on. 

Take care,

Pluggin' along at a snail's pace.

It's been quiet on the blog lately as I've been slowly working on my long list of in Progress quilts and finishing up my pot holders for the Potholder Pass.  Round three sign ups are going on now if you're interested, just let Amy over at http://duringquiettime.blogspot.com/ know.  She's been a wonderful hostess and organizer  and there has been a great collection of works by some really talented people.    I will be bowing out of # 3 as  life at home has gotten a bit crazy. 

Wednesday we are taking a trip to C.H.O.P.S. to meet a  new Dr/surgeon who has specialized in Perthes.  I hesitate to say he will be Brian's doctor as I know nothing about him except what is stated in his Bio on the Hospital's website.  There is still so much we don't know and numerous opinions as to what stage Brian's perthes is in, that we are at least going to have another opinion to add to the ever growing medical file.  It was stated that he will be casted and have some sort of surgey on his right side sometime this year; hopefully this doctor  can give us something a bit more absolute.  The unknown is what drives me insane or to tears on any given day.  We are still unaware of what the insurance company is going to cover. They didn't think the wheelchair is medically necessary,so...

He has recently learned how to use crutches for short distance walking and for home use and some excercises to help his range of motion in his hip.   He will likely need a walker for ease of use when he's casted ( I'm hoping for a Scottish-Rite Brace) , because he just feels that the wheelchair and crutches are "too much work".  Some days are good , somedays are bad and it seems as though it's a constant battle concerning his perthes.  This photo shows him as a happy child, right after this, he purposefully ran himself into a wooden fence for dramatic effect, outside of the tiger's cage  and yelled "this is too hard!  I hate You! I hate perthes", while onlookers leered at us; the  terrible parents of that poor boy in the wheelchair, with their mouths agape. He wanted a reaction and got it in spades.  It sucks for him, and us at times.    It's extremely frustrating  to continuously explain to an active seven year old ( he's frustrated with continously hearing it) that while he is able to walk, he is unable to run or jump because it will cause further damage and pain. I hope for a lot from this doctor without really knowing what I'm hoping for, if that makes sense. Thinking some good thoughts and sending our way would be greatly appreciated. 

 We participated in my friend Kate's day for Case for Smiles this past weekend and had a lot of fun with the kids.  So a big thank you to her for all her hard work and planning.  Make sure you check her out.  

I currently have 6 quilts in the works 4 of these are scrap quilts and here are some pictures of  the two I'm working on lately. 

This is my version of Paint Box Quilt made of scraps.  I pieced and sewed long srtips of scraps together and rotary cut them in 6-1/2 x 6-1/2 blocks.  I still have to add on the purple panel and the outside sashing.

This quilt is of my own design, although I'm sure I'm not the first to ever think of it.  These are the scrap leftover cuts from the scrap string panels I used to make my stars. This will be crib sized when finished.  I've been practicing my free motion quilting and have been using  a Skillbuilder #1 panel described here by Anita over at http://bloominworkshop.wordpress.com/.  I need so much more practice. :)

Take care,

Things here are on the up swing.

Take care,