May the God of hope fill you with all joy 

and peace in believing,

 so that by the power of the Holy Spirit

 you may abound in hope.

 ~ Romans 15:13

 May the God of hope fill you with all joy 

and peace in believing,

 so that by the power of the Holy Spirit

 you may abound in hope.

 ~ Romans 15:13

Fall in Iowa this year has been filled with wet and cold days and dreary gray skies. Today is sunny, so I grabbed the quilts I finished over the last few weeks so I could get some pictures of them while the sun was shining! 

I pulled out my hoarded Flea Market Fancy (Denyse Schmidt) scraps and made a small baby quilt. Oh, how I loved this fabric!! I wish I had bought more of it when I had the chance! 

This next quilt is a hard one to photograph no matter the weather. I think all the white makes it hard to capture the colors accurately. 

In person, it is a really sweet and fun...

All it needs is a little girl to love it! 

This quilt is very similar to this one I made earlier this year. The Perfect Ten pattern is a great way to use up those panels! 

This is one of two matching quilts I made for gifts for Christmas. They are both packaged up and ready to give, otherwise, I would get better pictures of the both of them. At least I got one picture, even though it's not the greatest. I don't work with batiks very often, however, every time I do, I remember how much I love working with them! The pattern is a free one and a great way to use fat quarters. The extra bits left over from the fat, I made into the border. Every bit of the fat quarter got used and I love that! You can find the pattern here: Stashbuster Quilt Pattern. 

I hope you all had a nice Thanksgiving!! 🦃 Let the Christmas shopping begin!! 

Fall in Iowa this year has been filled with wet and cold days and dreary gray skies. Today is sunny, so I grabbed the quilts I finished over the last few weeks so I could get some pictures of them while the sun was shining! 

I pulled out my hoarded Flea Market Fancy (Denyse Schmidt) scraps and made a small baby quilt. Oh, how I loved this fabric!! I wish I had bought more of it when I had the chance! 

This next quilt is a hard one to photograph no matter the weather. I think all the white makes it hard to capture the colors accurately. 

In person, it is a really sweet and fun...

All it needs is a little girl to love it! 

This quilt is very similar to this one I made earlier this year. The Perfect Ten pattern is a great way to use up those panels! 

This is one of two matching quilts I made for gifts for Christmas. They are both packaged up and ready to give, otherwise, I would get better pictures of the both of them. At least I got one picture, even though it's not the greatest. I don't work with batiks very often, however, every time I do, I remember how much I love working with them! The pattern is a free one and a great way to use fat quarters. The extra bits left over from the fat, I made into the border. Every bit of the fat quarter got used and I love that! You can find the pattern here: Stashbuster Quilt Pattern. 

I hope you all had a nice Thanksgiving!! 🦃 Let the Christmas shopping begin!! 

To catch up on my story of my red, white, PINK and blue quilt, read yesterday's blog post. Per the instructions shared by Vicki Welsh in her article, Save My Bleeding Quilt, I soaked it in the bathtub with very hot water for 12 hours with 1/2 cup Dawn dish soap. I then placed it in the washing machine without adding any more soap, to rinse it out well and this is the result....

I apologize for the picture quality, but I think you can see the difference clearly enough. 

All in all, I am thrilled with the result! I consider this quilt saved! Yay!

 One note, that I didn't mention yesterday, after trying to get the pink out with the synthrapole, I dried the quilt in the dryer, so if you have a quilt that has had dye bleed and you have washed and dried it, it is worth a try to see if this method removes it.  You have nothing to lose, right? 😄

Here is the link again...Save it to your files!

Save My Bleeding Quilt

To catch up on my story of my red, white, PINK and blue quilt, read yesterday's blog post. Per the instructions shared by Vicki Welsh in her article, Save My Bleeding Quilt, I soaked it in the bathtub with very hot water for 12 hours with 1/2 cup Dawn dish soap. I then placed it in the washing machine without adding any more soap, to rinse it out well and this is the result....

I apologize for the picture quality, but I think you can see the difference clearly enough. 

All in all, I am thrilled with the result! I consider this quilt saved! Yay!

 One note, that I didn't mention yesterday, after trying to get the pink out with the synthrapole, I dried the quilt in the dryer, so if you have a quilt that has had dye bleed and you have washed and dried it, it is worth a try to see if this method removes it.  You have nothing to lose, right? 😄

Here is the link again...Save it to your files!

Save My Bleeding Quilt

I should have known better. I should have prewashed or, at the very least, tested the red fabric to see if it would bleed. I did not and now I have a red, white, PINK and blue quilt. *sigh* Yes, I used a color catcher, but it obviously wasn't enough. Now, this quilt isn't a gift for anyone in particular, but I did want the option to gift it to someone if they wanted it. With the color bleed the way it stands now, I don't have that option. In other words, I am not devastated at the color bleed, but it is disappointing. 

As I was studying it this morning, I found it curious to see how some of the whites really picked up the red, but some didn't at all! 

 Some of the colored fabrics weren't affected and others got duller. 

I rewashed the quilt a couple of times with synthrapole in the washing machine, but I didn't see much improvement. I went to bed last night accepting that it would always have a pink tint to it and it would become a car quilt. However, this morning, while I was taking pictures to show you all the "pretty pink," I recalled an article that I had saved called, Save My Bleeding Quilt by Vicki Welsh. I figure I had nothing to lose, so I am giving it a try! 

It has to soak for at least 12 hours. I will give you an update on how it goes. 😀

Linking again to Vicki's article, in case you missed it. 😊

Save My Bleeding Quilt

I should have known better. I should have prewashed or, at the very least, tested the red fabric to see if it would bleed. I did not and now I have a red, white, PINK and blue quilt. *sigh* Yes, I used a color catcher, but it obviously wasn't enough. Now, this quilt isn't a gift for anyone in particular, but I did want the option to gift it to someone if they wanted it. With the color bleed the way it stands now, I don't have that option. In other words, I am not devastated at the color bleed, but it is disappointing. 

As I was studying it this morning, I found it curious to see how some of the whites really picked up the red, but some didn't at all! 

 Some of the colored fabrics weren't affected and others got duller. 

I rewashed the quilt a couple of times with synthrapole in the washing machine, but I didn't see much improvement. I went to bed last night accepting that it would always have a pink tint to it and it would become a car quilt. However, this morning, while I was taking pictures to show you all the "pretty pink," I recalled an article that I had saved called, Save My Bleeding Quilt by Vicki Welsh. I figure I had nothing to lose, so I am giving it a try! 

It has to soak for at least 12 hours. I will give you an update on how it goes. 😀

Linking again to Vicki's article, in case you missed it. 😊

Save My Bleeding Quilt

My orange peel quilt that I talked about on this post, is now a finished top. It measures at 94" x 94", which will fit nicely on our queen size bed.  I am dreading the basting part of the process...Ugh!

I chose to use a blanket stitch for the applique and the thread I used was 80 weight Quilters Select thread which I loved!! It is so fine and very strong. I'll be using it again! 

The Print and Piece applique paper in the orange peels, make the quilt very stiff at this point. It was a little difficult to wrestle with as I was putting it together.  

Since this photo was taken, I added a 4" white border. I wanted the blocks to float. I still need to figure out what I want to use as a backing and binding. I do love how it turned out and I look forward to cuddling underneath it! 

I finished the red, white and blue quilt I made last May. I am all ready for next 4th of July! 

I began quilting without thinking about what thread was in my bobbin. I got too far along to rip out what I had done and switching to red bobbin thread. Oh, well....For the binding, I used the serpentine stitch, just for fun. I like it and will do that again! 

Anyone else going to be Instagram stalking the peeps that will be at market this weekend? I can't wait to see what fabrics will be coming our way next year! 😀

Until next time, happy sewing!

My orange peel quilt that I talked about on this post, is now a finished top. It measures at 94" x 94", which will fit nicely on our queen size bed.  I am dreading the basting part of the process...Ugh!

I chose to use a blanket stitch for the applique and the thread I used was 80 weight Quilters Select thread which I loved!! It is so fine and very strong. I'll be using it again! 

The Print and Piece applique paper in the orange peels, make the quilt very stiff at this point. It was a little difficult to wrestle with as I was putting it together.  

Since this photo was taken, I added a 4" white border. I wanted the blocks to float. I still need to figure out what I want to use as a backing and binding. I do love how it turned out and I look forward to cuddling underneath it! 

I finished the red, white and blue quilt I made last May. I am all ready for next 4th of July! 

I began quilting without thinking about what thread was in my bobbin. I got too far along to rip out what I had done and switching to red bobbin thread. Oh, well....For the binding, I used the serpentine stitch, just for fun. I like it and will do that again! 

Anyone else going to be Instagram stalking the peeps that will be at market this weekend? I can't wait to see what fabrics will be coming our way next year! 😀

Until next time, happy sewing!

Fall is not my most favorite season, summer is, but I have to admit, fall is a beautiful season and it has been especially so this year. I just need to get over grieving the loss of summer. 😉

Last fall, I purchased two Primitive Muslin flannel layer cakes to make a fall quilt and sewed them up very simply to make a cuddle quilt for the couch. Now that fall has rolled around again, I knew I had to get it finished so it could be used! It's all wrinkly because it has already been nap tested. It passed. 😴

I wish the back fabric showed the gold metallic sparkle. I have been collecting gold metallic fabric lately. No plan, just kinda love it! Not my norm at all. =) 

To continue the fall theme, I got to make a sample using a new Hoffman fabric line called All A Twitter. It is stunning! The pattern is by New Leaf Stitches.  When it comes back from the quilters, I will take a picture of the whole quilt. I really love it!.😄

I have also been sewing lots and lots of grocery bags using the pattern by Michelle Patterns. Our church participates with Operation Christmas Child and I thought they would be a great gift for the children and they fold/roll up nice and small. They are fun and easy to make. 😊

Thank you for stopping by! 

Fall is not my most favorite season, summer is, but I have to admit, fall is a beautiful season and it has been especially so this year. I just need to get over grieving the loss of summer. 😉

Last fall, I purchased two Primitive Muslin flannel layer cakes to make a fall quilt and sewed them up very simply to make a cuddle quilt for the couch. Now that fall has rolled around again, I knew I had to get it finished so it could be used! It's all wrinkly because it has already been nap tested. It passed. 😴

I wish the back fabric showed the gold metallic sparkle. I have been collecting gold metallic fabric lately. No plan, just kinda love it! Not my norm at all. =) 

To continue the fall theme, I got to make a sample using a new Hoffman fabric line called All A Twitter. It is stunning! The pattern is by New Leaf Stitches.  When it comes back from the quilters, I will take a picture of the whole quilt. I really love it!.😄

I have also been sewing lots and lots of grocery bags using the pattern by Michelle Patterns. Our church participates with Operation Christmas Child and I thought they would be a great gift for the children and they fold/roll up nice and small. They are fun and easy to make. 😊

Thank you for stopping by! 

Making an orange peel quilt has been on my "I want to make" list for a long time. A few weeks ago when Julie @ A Crafty Quilter released a couple of blog posts detailing the different ways to applique. It was the push and encouragement that I needed to get started. 

Here are the links to Julie's posts that detail the different ways to applique:

A Roundup of Raw Edge Applique

A Roundup of Turned Edge Applique

The method I have chosen to use is the turned edge technique demonstrated by Sharon Schamber's daughter, Cristy @ Sew Much Like Mom. Cristy made several videos that take you step by step on how to do the turned edge applique that really helped me to gain confidence that I could do this and have it turn out well. 

The next decision was what fabric to use. I have plenty in my stash, but none was really what I was looking for and I had in the back of my mind on making this one a big one for our queen sized bed. I figured if I was going to go all out, I wanted special fabric and one fabric I have been wanting to try out was cotton lawn. Sue Daley's Linen and Lawn by Penny Rose was perfect! The colors are so bright and cheerful! After playing with the lawn, I want more in my stash! It is wonderful fabric. So soft and light and yet strong! It feels so good and it is easy to work with. 

For my quilt, I am using the Fat Quarter Shop Orange Peel 5" template and tracing them on Quilters Select Print and Piece. If you haven't heard of Quilters Select Print and Piece/Print and Piece Fuse Lite, it's a paper like product that is partially water soluble. When you wash the quilt, half the fibers will go away and the others that are left will create a bit of loft under the applique. That's the look I am going for. Next time I will use the Quilters Select Print and Piece Fuse-Lite. It would have eliminated me having to use a glue stick to get the fabric to stick on the orange peels I cut out.   

According to my math, I need 324 petals! Lots of tracing and cutting! 

I love my applique pressing sheet. It keeps the glue off my pressing table and then washes off the sheet easily. 

Here is a picture of the backside of one of my finished orange peels. 

Eventually, the orange peels will be appliqued on a four patch of Essex linen in natural and Kona snow. The four patch will finish at 10". I will be making 81 to make a 90"x90" quilt. At that time I will decide if I want to add borders to make it a bit bigger. 

This is not a quick project to be sure, but it's one I am excited about. =) 

Have a happy Thursday! 

Making an orange peel quilt has been on my "I want to make" list for a long time. A few weeks ago when Julie @ A Crafty Quilter released a couple of blog posts detailing the different ways to applique. It was the push and encouragement that I needed to get started. 

Here are the links to Julie's posts that detail the different ways to applique:

A Roundup of Raw Edge Applique

A Roundup of Turned Edge Applique

The method I have chosen to use is the turned edge technique demonstrated by Sharon Schamber's daughter, Cristy @ Sew Much Like Mom. Cristy made several videos that take you step by step on how to do the turned edge applique that really helped me to gain confidence that I could do this and have it turn out well. 

The next decision was what fabric to use. I have plenty in my stash, but none was really what I was looking for and I had in the back of my mind on making this one a big one for our queen sized bed. I figured if I was going to go all out, I wanted special fabric and one fabric I have been wanting to try out was cotton lawn. Sue Daley's Linen and Lawn by Penny Rose was perfect! The colors are so bright and cheerful! After playing with the lawn, I want more in my stash! It is wonderful fabric. So soft and light and yet strong! It feels so good and it is easy to work with. 

For my quilt, I am using the Fat Quarter Shop Orange Peel 5" template and tracing them on Quilters Select Print and Piece. If you haven't heard of Quilters Select Print and Piece/Print and Piece Fuse Lite, it's a paper like product that is partially water soluble. When you wash the quilt, half the fibers will go away and the others that are left will create a bit of loft under the applique. That's the look I am going for. Next time I will use the Quilters Select Print and Piece Fuse-Lite. It would have eliminated me having to use a glue stick to get the fabric to stick on the orange peels I cut out.   

According to my math, I need 324 petals! Lots of tracing and cutting! 

I love my applique pressing sheet. It keeps the glue off my pressing table and then washes off the sheet easily. 

Here is a picture of the backside of one of my finished orange peels. 

Eventually, the orange peels will be appliqued on a four patch of Essex linen in natural and Kona snow. The four patch will finish at 10". I will be making 81 to make a 90"x90" quilt. At that time I will decide if I want to add borders to make it a bit bigger. 

This is not a quick project to be sure, but it's one I am excited about. =) 

Have a happy Thursday! 

Good Morning! Autumn is most definitely in the air in Iowa these days. Very cool mornings...I'm always sad to see summer go, although fall is a very beautiful season here in the midwest. I have been in the fall cleaning mood, so most of my time has been spent getting some of that done, although I did get some fun play time in and I managed to get a couple of tops off my to-do list. 

This baby quilt is made with the left over half square triangles from this quilt. 

I used Moda Grunge Peony for the back. 

The binding is Moda Luxe Brushstrokes in black. I am trying to convince myself I don't need to buy more of this fabric, but I am not fully convinced. 

I also finished another string quilt. I still have more blocks in a box that need to be made into a top! 

In other news, Labor Day weekend we took a trip to Effigy Mounds near Marquette, Iowa. We have been doing a lot of hiking this summer and we are always looking for a new trail to explore. This is one we will come back to again. The trail is beautiful! 

These mounds you can see, but the rest need a high vantage point to get a clear picture of the bears and other animals depicted by the ancient peoples. Still very beautiful! 

There was a tornado earlier this year in the area and you can see some of the damage that occurred during that storm. 

As I was looking out at one of the overlooks, I saw a bit of movement out of the corner of my eye on the fence. When I looked down I saw a walking stick bug! I could have watched him all day! 

Right now I am stalking my postman waiting for a fabric delivery for a project I am excited about. I am still working it out all in my mind. =) When I get it all settled, I'll share more about it!

Until next time!! 

Good Morning! Autumn is most definitely in the air in Iowa these days. Very cool mornings...I'm always sad to see summer go, although fall is a very beautiful season here in the midwest. I have been in the fall cleaning mood, so most of my time has been spent getting some of that done, although I did get some fun play time in and I managed to get a couple of tops off my to-do list. 

This baby quilt is made with the left over half square triangles from this quilt. 

I used Moda Grunge Peony for the back. 

The binding is Moda Luxe Brushstrokes in black. I am trying to convince myself I don't need to buy more of this fabric, but I am not fully convinced. 

I also finished another string quilt. I still have more blocks in a box that need to be made into a top! 

In other news, Labor Day weekend we took a trip to Effigy Mounds near Marquette, Iowa. We have been doing a lot of hiking this summer and we are always looking for a new trail to explore. This is one we will come back to again. The trail is beautiful! 

These mounds you can see, but the rest need a high vantage point to get a clear picture of the bears and other animals depicted by the ancient peoples. Still very beautiful! 

There was a tornado earlier this year in the area and you can see some of the damage that occurred during that storm. 

As I was looking out at one of the overlooks, I saw a bit of movement out of the corner of my eye on the fence. When I looked down I saw a walking stick bug! I could have watched him all day! 

Right now I am stalking my postman waiting for a fabric delivery for a project I am excited about. I am still working it out all in my mind. =) When I get it all settled, I'll share more about it!

Until next time!!