Here's the schedule for the Crazy about wool blog hop! ( I am a day late so please forgive me!)
Tuesday, September 24
Val Spiers Sews
Quilted Crow Girls Design
Maria do Carmo (Pieced Brain will be hosting!)
Karen's Quilts, Crows and Cardinals
See ya Friday when it's my day to post about wool!!
Take care,
Missie
Yesterday was spent focusing on quilting and I got the entire center quilted on my new quilt! Yippee!! This morning I am clipping threads on my lap. To make this task manageable, usually I fold the quilt into quarters so it fits over my lap easily. I focus on threads on the quarter that lands on top, clip them all nice and orderly, covering the entire section easily because the size is small. Once that top quarter is clipped, I flip it over to the quarter that was on the bottom. After that side is neatly clipped, I will unfold the quarter fold and and refold so I can do the same with the two quarters that were folded inside. Sounds a little confusing, but it works wonderful and eliminates confusion about finding the threads that need to be clipped easily.
On this quilt, there are two- three threads on each layered circle that I need to find because I did not do continuous stitches between each layered circle.
Can you see those two threads on the penny above? That's what I'm clipping this morning. I'll be done before I know it and will flip it to the backside of the quilt and clip those as well. Today I plan to quilt the outer side of the border and get the binding on! Yippee Again!! You can see that my quilting is not perfect, but it's good enough for me. I enjoy doing the work of finishing the quilts I make, even though my quilting is not perfect. I dread coming up with the quilting designs because I am still new at freehand quilting, but each time I finish one, it gets a little easier and I get a little more confidant!
It's so exciting to get to the end of a new quilt! This one seems like it's taken a long time, but it really hasn't. Much of my time this summer has been spent on other things, like teaching, traveling, working on other projects, etc., and this quilt has been so easy to have to work on when I have snippets of time here and there. I know I've said it before, but I can't wait to introduce you to the whole quilt!
The next few weeks will be super busy for me. Today is the start of the Blog Hop, Crazy About Wool! My post will be on Friday the 27th, so be sure to come back and see what I have to offer for the hop!
This coming Saturday, Sept 28th, I'll be teaching my class, 5 Ways To Do English Paper Piecing, in Hills, IA at the wonderful quilt store, Inspirations. I'm so excited to share my techniques and strive for each student to walk away having found a few ways to baste EPP in a way they enjoy.
Next week, I'll be helping to set up the Des Moines Quilt Show which is the show within the show AQS Quilt Week. The show runs Wednesday, Oct. 2-5 at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines. We'll have a few hundred vendors and close to 1000 quilts between both shows! It will be great fun! If you plan to come, please let me know...I'd love to meet up!! This is where the raffle quilt I mentioned HERE will be shown and raffled off!
The following weekend, Oct 11-13, I'll be headed to South Dakota for a weekend retreat with the Stately Stitchers Quilt Guild to teach English Paper Piecing at their retreat. This is especially exciting because this will be happening in Pierre, SD! We lived there for 9 years and this is where I learned to appliqué and the women I stitched with weekly were so inspiring, supportive and fun. I am so flattered that they want me to come teach. It will be so wonderful to see these ladies again as well as to meet new members of the guild since I left in 1998.
Have a great day!
Take care,
Missie
It's been a while since I've had time to post...I've been to Rogers to teach at The Rabbit's Lair...
And I've been so humbled to find my design offered as a BOM, and on the same page with such wonderful quilts also offered. Check out the link above...
When I arrived, I found they had made a beautiful display of my quilts for the trunk show.
The building is so beautiful with wonderful wood trim and floors.
Unique little cubbies here and there, and this beautiful window bench where they arranged my trunk show.
I sat upstairs in this area to visit with customers as they shopped the wool area during the shop hop. In the afternoon, the class went well. There were 16 students there to learn 5 ways to baste English Paper Piecing. We had lots of fun together and I'm pretty sure most left having found a way they enjoy EPP.
When I returned, I found that my Clematis has bloomed...as you can see, it has been allowed to take over the bike parked under the porch! Looked cute, and Katie drives now, so I let it grow for fun.
It grows up the step railing, taking over at times!
But it sure is pretty to look at as we sit on the porch swing now that the evenings are a bit cooler
Since returning home, I'm finishing up the latest quilt! Only a few more stitches to go and then I can quilt it! I'll show you the finished quilt after it's completed!
Missie
Ok Ladies, I have sent the wool scraps pattern! If you signed up for this little freebie, look in your email inbox and see if it's there. Please let me know if you did not recieve it. You can shrink it, or blow it up a bit larger to suit your desires. You can duplicate it and make a wall hanging or table topper. Get creative and use those tiny scraps...then show me what you have made!
I'm going to start with a few of these scraps...
These will make good branches...
And I'm going to make colorful fall leaves...
Use the tiniest pieces to make leaves, scrap strips to build the tree trunk and branches, and maybe you'll want to add an apple, pear, or tiny pineapple.
Just take it easy and cut a half circle to start the leaf, (those scissor blades are about an inch long)
Then flip it around and cut another half circle to form the leaf! Very easy. They don't need to be the same size or shape...get creative!
Stitch each down with a few stitches of your choice. Perhaps a tiny blanket stitch, a slip stitch, a star or an x- stitch. Think about putting a small bead on top of each leaf...that might be cute! And perhaps a few embroidery stitches out on the background. Fill it full and use those scraps! And don't forget to send me pics as you go. I will give updates and post them in future posts so everyone can get good ideas
My youngest is a Senior in High School this year. We had some family pictures done along with her senior portraits while the other two sisters were in town. We just needed my super Son In Law and the picture would be complete. We love the pic though and were so glad all our girls were home at the same time! The girls from left to right are the middle DD, the youngest DD and the oldest DD! Of course, that's Miss Ginger in the grass, and Hubs on the right! Our happy little family.
I've been packing up for my trip to Rogers and am looking forward to meeting all the ladies who are taking the class on English Paper Piecing at The Rabbit's Lair. There will be a trunk show of my designs during the morning and I can visit with shoppers. It will be such fun to share my passion for EPP! When the day is done, I'll be heading a bit north to my folks area to do a trunk show for my Mom's Neighbors and Friends group. Should be a fun few days!
In between, I'm still working on the borders for the penny quilt. It's coming along nicely and is quick work since the main flowers and leaves are already sewn together. All I'm doing now is outlining each shape to sew it on. It worked great to sew the pieces together before placing the larger shape on the background!
I may be out of touch for a few days due to traveling. I'll be back in touch next week!
Take Care,
Missie
As you know I've been working on my new wool quilt this summer! I am happy to report that it has progressed from this...
To this...
To this...
And finally this...
I think I have a hundred pennies at least! Worth a dollar? Haha! Worth much more to me! I'll be starting on the borders this weekend...can't wait to get it going for the final stretch of relaxing stitching!
Many have asked if there is cotton in this top. Yes, there is! I love to mix cotton prints and wools...makes for wonderful textures for sure! I've also put these pennies on a cotton fabric. It has the appearance of a wool hooked rug. That was my goal with this one since the inspiration came from an old rug. I wish I had a bolt of that background fabric! It's wonderful.
Usually I do needleturn when using cotton fabrics. But for this quilt I decided to use a good fusible web and stick with the buttonhole stitch to sew on the pieces. It won't be a quilt that is washed, so it should be fine to have those raw edges covered by heavy yarn. Makes for a quicker project also!
I hope to send out that wool scrap freebie early next week! Spread the word of the little freebie pattern and hopefully everyone interested will get their name on the list! To get the pattern, go to my store link in the top left sidebar of my blog. Click on the picture and then find the contact page on my website to write me. Thanks so much for taking the time to do it that way. I am getting the email addresses on a different computer when you register that way. I can only send this pattern from that computer at this time.
I am excited for the Des Moines Area Quilter's Guild gathering today. August is the month for the Charity Auction! Different small groups make quilts and fill baskets with lots of goodies each year to auction off for three good causes. We also have what we call a Mall in the Hall where we can purchase quilting goodies that have been donated by our members. In the past we've collected a good amount of money for the causes. The ladies in DMAQG are generous for sure! Here's a pic of one of the quilts made by one of my small groups. I must admit, I did not help to sew this one, but donated the quilting. I quilted by checkbook on this one because my free time has been taken lately by my design business. This is a Kaffee design and it's made in batiks. They did a great job and we hope it brings lots of money for the charity of choice of the auction winner!
Have a great day!
Take care,
Missie
Do you save every last bit of your wool scraps like I do? I have pieces as small as 1/4"x1/2" and as large as an inch or so. What do you do with all of your luscious wool scraps? Sometimes I use them to stuff pincushions. It gives the pincushion a very hard finish...very antique like if you ask me. Sometimes I try to use them up for smaller projects and that works well too. But for the rest, I have something in mind...if you want to join in, send me an email and I'll send you a free download for a pattern to try to use up those lovely wool scraps! If you don't send me an email I won't send the pattern, so be sure to send the email to me to let me know you are interested!! See the left side bar for my store gadget to get to my contact link! :-}
It could be a very small project for you...
Or a bit larger project...
But if you have some wool scraps just waiting around...you will want to do this simple project with me! Email me and I will add your email to a list. When I have it ready, you'll get an email with the info! It will be a surprise for a little while longer, then I'll show a picture and we can get started together.
Save those wool scraps! You'll be glad you did!!
I've been stitching away on those pennies and flowers...I'm almost ready to start sewing it all together! Can't wait to show you all!!
Speaking of wool, I have added my latest design for Blackberry Primitives, Josie's Petals, onto my website, www.hallbrookdesigns.com. It is made of hand dyed wools and velvets and has the nicest feel to it. It's an easy stitching piece that's done a bit differently than the traditional way of the antique block, Joseph's Coat. Included with the quilt pattern is two sizes of patterns for a smaller quilt or a larger quilt, and directions for making an antique ball also! You'll never believe how easy it is! If you are interested in ordering a kit for this, email me and I'll get the info to you. I need to begin working on my own model of this quilt because Blackberry Primitive owns the original. My kit just came in the mail and it's all so pretty. There is not enough time for me to do all I want to do!! Again, I can't wait to get started!!
Take care,
Missie
As our guild is celebrating 30 years, it was thought appropriate to have the theme Legacy of Quilting for the show quilt. We started the center of the medallion with the very first quilts made and worked our way out to the present. Included is Broiderie Perse, English Paper Piecing, Red Work, Pieced, Needle Turn Appliqué , Trapunto, and Paper Piecing. To finish the quilt properly for history it was hand quilted.
If you would like a chance to win this quilt, please email me for information. Tickets will be sold at the Des Moines Quilt Show in October. This is the AQS Show in Des Moines and the Des Moines Guild has our show within their show. It's wonderful if you happen to love quilts and shopping! Between the two shows there are about 800-900 quilts to see and lots of vendors! If you are in the area, please let me know if you are coming to the show. I'd love to meet you! Bloggers, feel free to share this info about our show October 2-5 at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines!
My stack of wool appliqué shapes is getting smaller! As soon as I am finished stitching the inner layers, I'll be adding them to the background fabric and stitching around the outer edges. It's been a relaxing project so far!
Have a great day!
Missie
Take a look at what my Dad made us... A custom quilt ladder! It looked awfully big and tall as we were bringing it inside, but...it's a perfect fit!
We have plans of rearranging the big furniture in the picture so there will be more room for the quilts soon. I was so excited, I just had to show you all. I still have to stain the ladder also, so look for another picture in the future! Like I said, I just couldn't wait to show it off!
I got a good bit of stitching done in the last few days! More than I thought once I laid them all out on the table. Yippee!
Wow, that picture is way blurry! That will give me an excuse to show you more after I stitch a bit more soon! The pile is getting smaller and that's a good thing!
Have a great day!
Missie
Yes indeed! I worked all afternoon yesterday and prepped all the pieces for my next quilt with the pennies that I showed you yesterday!! Now I am excited to stitch!
Here's another sneak peak of what will be in the borders! I can't wait! I can't wait! I can't wait to stitch! This quilt is inspired by some rugs in my bedroom area. I will put this on the bed as a topper. A topper is a good way to have a new bed quilt without so much work. I'll explain more about this later. Look for this to come soon! I have 4 new designs that will be focused around this idea.
A few have commented about my use of cottons and wools. I love to mix the two together. It adds lots of contrast and interest to the lovely wools.
I'm going to send you to a few other blogs to read about the road trip a few of us bloggers took together recently! First, a Big Shout Out of Thanks to Kathy who gave us each a darling little quilt for a mug rug, a chalk pencil and some thread.
The rest of us exchanged goodies in February when we met for the first time! Blogging friend are so great!! Which makes me just want to call them and get together again!! Not for the gift, but because we just had so much fun together!
This time, We went to The Woolen Needle in Williamsburg, IA first. I was overwhelmed with the beautiful goods in this store! I could have stayed all day...I snatched the next two pictures from Kathy's blog, Kindred Quilts
That's Julie and I studying some beautiful wools...mmm...such beautiful wools! I didn't even get to the other half of the store!! Haha
Then we went to Hills, IA to visit the store Inspirations. It is inspiring indeed!!
So many samples and beautiful fabrics! The owner of this store offers wonder plaids along with many reproduction fabrics. You know how I love plaids mixed with repros and wools!
We had some great show and tell and lots of laughs. You can read more about our Roadtrip together on the other gal's blogs! Carolyn of Lee Prairie Designs, Julie of Me and My Stitches, and Kathy of Kindred Quilts. They've all posted some wonderful pictures, so check them out!! I know we all look forward to getting together again very soon!! Thanks girls for a wonderful time!
Take care,
Missie
I've been working more on my pennies today! The buttonhole stitch is so relaxing and easy stitching...don't you agree?!
There will be 3 large pennies on each block. I've layed them out in groups to keep the colors mixed up a bit. I guessed at the amount of circles I'd need and would you believe I only had one extra set? I'll have to put that one on the label on the back and make good use of it!
I'll work real hard tomorrow to get the border ready so I'll have lots ready to stitch in the next few days! I'm ready to start with the freezer templates to cut out the flowers and leaves from cottons and wools. It's quite a fun time to choose just the right fabrics for each section!
I don't think I've mentioned it to you all, but I've added a few new things to the website. One thing I've added is my own collections of Valdani 3 Strand Floss. I enjoy the same colors used in different combinations for my designs.
Here's the other collection from Hallbrook Designs called Basics. These are the more primitive colors that I use. I love these colors too! Cant do without the basics! With these two collections you can make about any of my Punchneedle designs. Go take a look if you are interested by clicking HERE.
Mmmm...Scrumpdillyumptious colors, don't you think!
Thanks for stopping by today!
Take care,
Missie
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