Raffle quilt

I am so excited to share the finished quilt

Raffle quilt assembly

Back in the spring I wrote about working on a border for this quilt. Well blogs have been turned in and I spent some time trimming and arranging. Lots of talent in this guild, I am so excited with how it is looking! The pattern is Stars and Sprigs by Kim McLean.

What is up with Blogger

Ok, so I am not sure if anyone out there can help me but I am having trouble with Blogger. Perhaps no surprise to others but I am stumped.  When I try to get into my own blog it will load the blog but not my followers or any of my blog roll etc. This only happens from my computer, when I try my tablet everything is fine so it must be a computer issue.  Norton, which I use for my security stuff lists my blog as untested or unsure or whatever jargon they use. It has been fine for over a year and now won't fully load. Any ideas on how I can fix this. I am pretty useless on fixing stuff on the computer but living alone these days means I must try.  In any case if I am not commenting on blogs etc. it means I am just not seeing you.  So sad.  Any help is appreciated.

Thanks,
Heather,  not such a Happy Appliquer right now

Subtle and pretty

This week has been spent house hunting but I did have a chance to finish the blocks for this quilt. I really like how these fabrics work together especially the low volume pinwheel chain blocks. Very restful and calming.

Back to traditional

After a fun foray into brights I find myself drawn back to my traditional quilting roots. I can't remember the last time I worked on a quilt using so few fabrics. This one has only 4 different fabrics and uses my favorite aqua. The stress of house hunting makes this calm quilt a nice relaxing project when I have a few minutes to sew. Being a quilter with a huge fabric stash and a long arm quilting machine and a husband that needs space for a hoist in the garage makes house hunting pretty tricky. And we are looking in Florida where my husband's job took him and that means no basement.. I my have to start getting rid of stuff again but I'm not quite willing to part with the stash, or the sewing machines or books. Who am I kidding, I want to keep it all! :)

A stab at Big Stitch quilting

Ever since I started blogging I find myself wanting to try new colors and techniques. For me that is one of the best things about blogging, discovering styles of quilting that I might not otherwise see or techniques that I see used in a new way. Case in point is big stitch quilting. While I had seen it used several years ago on primitive style quilts, it wasn't until I hit the blogs that I began seeing its potential when used with bright more modern quilts and decided to give it a try. On my last trip to Florida I made this little top to brighten up my sewing room wall here and knew it was the perfect project. It was quick and easy using peeled cotton and utility needles and overall I am pretty happy with the results. Maybe next time I will use a hoop but I do love the ability to play with the thread colors and designs. It has a wonderful soft drape when finished so would be perfect for a baby quit - that is if the threads don't bleed. I'm sure I'll be trying this again.

No dreaded Y seams required

Here are a few photos showing how the hexagon quilt goes together without y seams. Some of the hexagons are seen together while others remain apart until put together in row. The hardest part is keeping everything organized when the small triangles that make up some of the hexagons are sewn to the completed hexagons. I hope the photos help but since I only have my iPhone here I'm not sure how many photos I can include. I hope you get the idea.

Hexagons by machine

Inspired by the hexagon craze I am seeing everywhere and a desire to spend some quality time with bright fabrics sitting at my machine, I began playing with some acrylic templates to make hexagons by machine. I can't believe how fun and easy this is and the ones that are seen together are even accurate. The sides of the hexagons are 3 1/2 inches so this will just be a small quilt but so far it has been a perfect project to relax with. Please note that this is not fully assembled so those wonky looking hexagons aren't sewn yet. Lol

A little more stitching

Home at last! I have almost finished another one for the Civil War Bride before I head out again. At least this time I am heading to Florida where I have a little sewing space and will have a bit of time to relax and stitch.

Moving day

This is moving week with youngest son and one of the first things he wanted done was hanging his quilt. It looks great, now he just has to get everything else organized but thank goodness he wants to do that himself. Time to head home!