faulker094

Two more LITTLE TREASURES 6-inch blocks done!  I call this one "A Nut With Bolts." As I am trying to only use reproduction fabrics, I was limited in choices of fresh-tone fabrics.  I chose one that was the right hue, but it had a design on it that was too strong.  I tried the trick of using the wrong side of the fabric...but the little design shows through, which looks a little weird. She looks a little bruised! This next one is from the Flowers (2) bundle of patterns.  It is called "Althea Branch." Just a few more blocks to stitch and I will be caught up! In stitches, Teresa   :o)

I am still pondering my central medallion block for this swap quilt containing my applique blocks and pieced embroidered blocks from 2 friends in Michigan (working title " Repro Madness ").  I have come to a decision between three blocks: 1)  Remember I had a block published a Quiltmaker 100 Blocks magazine in the last year or so?  I was thinking about doing that block in repro fabrics (here's the version that was in the magazine...lots of bright yellow, pink, red and orange).  Definitely NOT reproduction fabrics... This block is in the possession of Quiltmaker Magazine ...I wonder what they do with all of them?  Maybe they make a quilt from the 100 blocks for each edition of the magazine (this block was in Edition #10), set 10 x 10 blocks.  They wanted us to sign the blocks...they must have had something in mind. Wait a minute!  I think I prepped one of these blocks in repro fabrics that I never stitched down.  I took a picture...now where ...

I have had the applique done on these 6-inch LITTLE TREASURE blocks for a while, but I finally got around to getting the embroidery done.  They are destined for my Repro Madness quilt made up of swap blocks in reproduction fabrics. I was tempted to ink the writing instead with a Pigma pen, but went with embroidery at the last minute.  The writing is so small, but I have not played much with inking stuff, so I decided to play it safe. Do any of you ink details on your applique blocks?  Is there something better to use than a Pigma pen?  I have several classic Baltimore Applique books (I love Elly Sienkiewicz!) where wonderful flower details, shading and writing are added to blocks by inking.  I need to be brave and try it!  I have only done this on quilt labels... (The patterns for these two blocks are available in the LITTLE TREASURES - Misc (1) bundle offered in my web store.  I almost have a second Misc bundle and a group of Dog and Cat designs al...

This is a new 6-inch LITTLE TREASURES block for my Repro Madness swap quilt project.  I wish I had this little doggie's help as I try and tame the verge around the house on this 800 acre treasure forest! In stitches, Teresa   :o)

I am trying to finalize two new LITTLE TREASURES bundles of 6-inch finished block patterns... Dogs and Cats (1) and Misc (2) .  I hope to have them in the web store by Sunday afternoon. This block is called "Penny Chew."  There were so many things available for pennies, nickels, and dimes in these kinds of machines when I was a kid...I was fascinated (then usually disappointed) in the contents. This next one is called "Still Life With Cat."  I miss how Weasley used to squeeze his bulk into any available container...whether it already had stuff in it or not.  Then, he would just sit there until I noticed him...it must be nice to have that kind of time in your day.  I like to imagine what kind of goofy things I could come up with, time permitting, to try and catch my husband unaware throughout his day, since he now works from home...like hiding in a closet that I know he is about to visit or striking some weird pose and "freezing" until he passes. I thin...

This is the little box of vintage pattern weights I found on Ebay recently.  I spent about $30 to get them, but I love them and will definitely use them...unlike a few gadgets I have bought for quilting in the past. The modern pattern weights I have seen are little bean bags, which are fine (made by Dritz), but I already had six of the white plastic ones, which I love.  This is what the Dritz variety look like. With my larger blocks, six pattern weights were just not enough. I received my first set of white, plastic, "vintage" pattern weights in the early nineties as a wedding gift from someone who thought I would use them in garment construction (as if I make garments anymore...).   They didn't grab me at the time...I even lost one of them in our reclining chair when I opened the package. I put the remaining five away and the sixth one remained buried somewhere in that chair for over 20 years.   Then, I realized how great they were for applique prep!  I finally...

"You get what you pay for" is one old saying.  A better one may be "quality in - quality out." I have been quilting for almost 35 years, so I've seen a huge improvement in the quality of quilting cottons.  Those first calico's I bought in the 1970's weren't great and there were so few from which to choose!  I recently pulled out the first quilting project I started in 1982 to take as a humorous "ice breaker" for the guild talk I was giving.  It is a hand-pieced Grandmother's Flower Garden partial top...Y seams (no English Paper Piecing)...pretty ambitious project for a beginner.  I will share a picture...no judgin'...LOL! My grandmother had just given me her last quilt, finished with hand-quilting help from community ladies before she passed away from cancer.  That quilt consists of flowery scraps from my dress sewing (I thought she wanted my scraps for her community quilting bee!).  Apparently, she started hand-piecing it about the...