Project Runway - Dress #2

I finished the second block for my Pretty Dresses quilt. 

The pink rosebud print is one of my all-time favorites.  It is part of the Paris Flea Market line by 3 Sisters for Moda and is about five years old.  I still have a little bit of that line hoarded away in my stash.

Portable Project

I 'm working on two projects now:  one is the school auction quilt for 2012 and the other is my portable project.  A little visit to my mother-in-law was the perfect time for some handwork, and voila, here is dress #1.

I'm using this group of fabric from my stash

to make this pattern, called Pretty Dresses.  I'm using the needle-turn applique method, which is not as difficult as I thought it might be (at least for this shape).

I'll be doing some traveling in January so my next step is to prep the rest of the blocks so they are ready to go when I'm on the go!

Where Did The Time Go?

I did not fall off the face of the earth nor did I slide down a rabbit hole!  I've been finishing up year-end projects at work, decorating for Christmas, wrapping presents, going to holiday parties...and not quilting.  I had grand plans to make another Christmas themed quilt during the month of December; did not happen! 

While I've missed quilting, I have been doing some fun things.  Miss Main Street and I spent a day Christmas shopping in NYC.  I recomend the Christmas Shops at Union Square Park.  However, they close at 5:00 pm today so you will have to wait until next year.  I definitely plan to go back in 2012.

As of now, all Christmas preparations have been made, the gifts are wrapped and the dough for tomorrow morning's cinnamon buns is rising.  And I got some cutting done.  This is my next project.  The basket contains approximately 400 quarter-square-triangle blocks in the making.  You can call me crazy!

 I'll be back to show off progress on this quilt but for now, I wish you a Very Merry Christmas!  

Have a wonderful day!

Cathy at Quilting On Main Street

More Decking The Halls

I've got most of my Christmas quilts out as part of my holiday decorating.  This is Holiday Spirit.  I think the pattern I used was a Miss Rosie's Quilt Company pattern but I don't remember the name and can't find the pattern now.

This log cabin was one of early efforts.

And here is Christmas Ribbons, my most recent Christmas quilt.

I have two wooden curtain rods hanging on the wall on the landing area at the top of the stairs leading to the second floor bedrooms. Usually, these rods hold a collection of mostly pastel bed quilts.  My goal is to gradually make enough red, white, and green Christmasy quilts to fill this display at holiday time. 

I figure if I can add one or two a year, I'll get there in another couple of years. 

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Decking the Halls

I picked up my Wooly Wreath from the framer today and hung it up in our living room.

The local framer I had been using closed a couple of years ago so I had this framed at Michael's.  I'm very pleased with the work they did.  It looks great hanging on the wall. 

Hand applique using wool was a new-to-me technique this year.  I enjoyed it and am very happy with the end result of my project.  I will probably do another little wool something but piecing quilts is still #1 in my craft repertoire.

If you are a new reader and want to know more about this project, I blogged about it here and here.

Button Wreath

I've shown this wreath on my blog before but thought I'd show it again as it is the season.

It is about 10" in diameter and completely covered with vintage white buttons.  I made it by sewing the buttons to white ribbon (3/8" wide) then wrapping the ribbon around a styrofoam wreath form.  I used a few sharp straight pins to secure the button covered ribbon in place (the pins are hidden under the buttons), then tied a ribbon at the top to serve as a hanger.

I keep this wreath up year 'round, hanging from the handle of the door leading to our third floor/attic. 

I've seen some smaller versions made as Christmas tree decorations.  You could also try glue-gunning the buttons onto the wreath form.  Ebay is a good source for buttons in bulk.

How are you decorating for Christmas?

  

Theme Song For Today

A Song for Early December
(Sung to the tune of "Let It Snow")

Oh the shopping outside is frightful
But the fabric is so delightful!
And until this Log Cabin is built -
Let me quilt!  Let me quilt!  Let me quilt!

My frog stitch is loudly ripping
But I've plenty of florals for stripping,
Just don't make me cut up my kilt!
Let me quilt! Let me quilt! Let me quilt!

When I finally bind the edge
How I'll hate going back to my chores,
But if you'll take a cooking pledge
I can embellish some more!

My machine is slowly dying
and my 505 Spray is drying
But my Log Cabin's been rebuilt...
Let me quilt! Let me quilt! Let me quilt!

(Sourced from EQuilter's newsletter.)

My New Portable Project

Remember this pile of fabric?

It is the process of becoming this...

...and will eventually become something like this.

My new portable project is Pretty Dresses, from the book Quilting With My Sister, by Barbara Brandeburg and Teri Christopherson.  The directions are written for fusible applique but I am trying my hand at needle turn applique.  So far, I have most of the dress forms finished and will begin adding the dresses.  I have the dress fabrics selected and several different pieces set aside for possible border selections. 

I will be traveling in January and think this will be a good take-along project.