Quilt Acronyms

 Christmas is the time of year when everyone is busy with their quilting, shopping etc.  I thought I would share the quilters language and get you to take a brake for a minute or two.  to take a deep breath and to put a smile on your face.

An Acronym is a word formed from the initial letters of other words (e.g., radar, laser).

. The language of quilters is quite interesting. Quilters have embraced the use of acronyms in a simply fabulous way, but the language can be somewhat confusing for non-quilters – like husbands and partners. The first time I mentioned a fat quarter to my husband he said “darling don’t talk about your body like that, I like cuddly”. Hmmmm. Ever told a non quilter that you quilt in the ditch? They give you this sort of funny look and you can see they’re thinking – she did what in the ditch? Acronyms fly thick and fast in the vocabulary of a quilter and I’ve taken on the task of describing to the uninitiated, what some of those funny sounding acronyms really mean. This is just a smattering of acronyms (say that fast) that I have come up with. There’s a lot more out there in webland – just Google Quilt Acronyms and be surprised! I’ll start with the well known ones, that are simply WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get!). FQ Fat Quarter (quilt fabric usually measuring approximately .5 yard by .5 yard) SID Sitching in the Ditch (quilting right on the seam line) UFO Unfinished Object. I sometimes wish my UFO’s would be taken by Martians, never to be seen again! WIP means work in progress and I’m guessing that we all have a lot of that. The above acronmys are the simple acronyms that most quilters use regularly. Now I’m going to take you on a journey of discovery of acronyms that are used by the wider quilting community, and they are very clever, I think. HSY Haven’t Started Yet PHD Project Half Done (does that makes my title, Judie Bellingham PHD.) MGBTQ Must Get Back To Quilting WIVSP Work in Very Slow Progress TOAD Trashed Object Abandoned in Disgust USO Unstarted Object STASH Special Treasures All Secretly Hidden SABLE Stash Accumulation Beyond Life Expectancy FART Fabric Acquisition Road Trip ( I do that all the time!!) TGIF Thank God It’s Friday is the usual acronym but quilters like Thank God It’s Finished. WIWMI Wish It Would Make Itself WWIT What Was I Thinking? And finally WOMBAT Wast of Material, Batting and Time (This one is close to my Oz Heart!!). As I said that’s just a small sample of the quilting acronyms out there. So I’ll have to just dream of a FART cause I  MGBTQ . HAPPY QUILTING EVERYONE,     HAVE A GREAT DAY!

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Sweetest Place on Earth

The Sweetest Place on Earth, that is Chocolatetown!  Oh, yeah, that is what they call Hershey, USA.  It was a town built on Chocolate, thanks to Milton S. Hershey.  I grew up near Hershey, most of my relatives worked at Hershey, including myself.

Milton S. Hershey was a very determined man who did not have a formal education but had the love of Chocolate
.


By the time he was 30, he nearly went bankrupt with prior businesses.

He started his first Candy business in Philadelphia in 1876 which did not do good at all.  He they went to Denver to learn how to make Carmel using fresh milk.  From there he went to New York City and started a Carmel factory, which failed.

He returned to Lancaster, PA.  This time the Carmel candy caught on.  He sold this business for 1 million dollars to concentrate soly on Chocolate.   He started building the well known Hershey Factory in 1903.  It was the worlds largest Chocolate Factory when completed in 1905.  The milk chocolate bar became famous and the rest is history.

In 1907 he opened the Amusement Park with many rides, a pool, and even a Ball Room.  Later Trolley Cars and Trains were bringing people from all over.






Milton S. Hershey School was built in 1909. (Also known as the Hershey Industrial School)  Milton and his wife Catherine could not have any children, so they opened a School/Home for orphan boys.




(The Homestead) 


Milton Hershey took pride in all he had done for the people of Hershey and the surrounding areas, he passed away in 1945 at the age of 88.  

My husband and I traveled back to Hershey  for Thanksgiving, where most of our relatives live.  We had a great holiday.  We got to visit with everyone and ate, well, you know how you can eat while on vacation.   Now, everyone knows why I am such a Chocoholic.  One can never get enough.  

We are now home again, and I can honestly tell you that Hershey is the Sweetest place on Earth.  That is where my son lives and where my Mom is!!!











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Facts I learned on the Log Cabin

I learned some interesting facts on the Log Cabin Block that I would like to share with others.  Some, like myself, are unaware of the interesting history behind these beautiful quilts.   Did you know that each square is a piece of history itself?  The block is a representation of an early log cabin home that was being built on the wide prairie.

The story behind the Log Cabin Quilt is as follows:

The center block is usually red or yellow.  This represents the fire in the hearth.


The light strips of fabric found on one isde of the square is the sun shining on the eastern side of the log cabin.


As of course the dark strips are for the shady side of the log cabin.


Together these simple strips were stitched together in a precise manner to form a complete picture of those who lived on the prairie.  They were to represent:  Home, Warmth, Love, and Security.


According to experts the earliest American Log Cabin Quilt that still exists was created in 1869.  Apparently it was signed and dated.  That does not mean there may have been many others that were fashioned by hand prior to that date.  

I also read that some will argue with the history and say the block was originated by Egyptians during the early Centuries,  No matter where or when this block first was originated, we are fortunate to still be able to enjoy the beauty of the Log Cabin Quilt.


Happy Quilting everyone, and hope you have a Great Day.






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Christmas Card Holder

I have been working on a lot of different Christmas projects lately.  Yesterday I made a Christmas Card Holder.  I had made one last year and it not only holds all your cards but looks good too.  Plus, you can hang it almost anywhere.

This is so easy to make and you get to use up all your scrap Christmas material.  But I can almost guarantee you that anyone who sees it will like it and want one too.  I started with these Christmas prints:

Then made a total of 8 Log Cabin Blocks.  Each block will be 5  1/2 inches square when completed.

Then sewed all of my blocks together in a row and put a 2 inch red Poinsettia boarder on.

From there I painted 18 mini clothespins gold.  You can paint them any color, but I wanted something shinny.

When they were dry, I carefully sewed the backside of the wire to the quilt.  I then used fabric glue to keep them straight and even.  It is a fun project that will last for years.  Total size is:  10" X 48"

Happy Quilting............Have a Great Day!





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Winner of my 10 Fat Quarters

CONGRATULATIONS TO Sharon Pernes , she is the WINNER of my 10 Fat Quarters "Summer in the City" by Urban. I used the random counter and it chose "Number 9", Sharon was number 9 on the comments.   They are beautiful, brightly printed fat quarters I hope she likes them (I am sure she will)

AGAIN.......................... CONGRATULATIONS,  Hope you enjoy them


Happy Quilting Everyone........Have a Great Day! 







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Summer in the City....Fat Quarters

I have 10 Fat Quarters of "Summer in the City" by Urban, for Moda......Is there anyone interested in having these beautiful prints? 

I have purchased 30 of these prints not that long ago and made a quilt for on my porch swing. A Crazy, Scrappy, Reversible quilt, it turned out beautiful.  The fabric is bright and cheerful, will match anything.

Anyway, I have these 10 full fat quarters left over and wanted to share with someone who would enjoy them. 

 

Check them out.....

 

So, all you have to do is leave me a comment.  "What do you want to make?"  I could ask for you to "Like my Facebook page, or my site...but why?  I really don't want to make this a problem to enter, I just want you to have fun.

Just think, there are 10 Fat Quarters......"Summer in the City" by Urban  for Moda 
Large prints, beautiful material, just leave a comment and they could be yours.  Friday, November 11th, I will use a random counter and announce the new owner of this fabric. 



Good Luck and Happy Quilting...........
Have a Great Day!

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Pin Cushions and Scissor Holders

This week was a busy week for us. So instead of a big project, I have been making Stocking Stuffers for Christmas.  One which was making small Pin Cushions and Scissor holders to match.

They were so easy to make.  I started by digging into my scraps and pulling out about 5 or 6 different pieces of fabric that matched.

Then I drew a 4 3/4 inch square on my foundation paper and made lines where I wanted my different fabric to be to make it look scrappy.

Next I sewed the fabric all together.  I cut a backing (a 4  3/4 inch square also).  With the right sides together, I sewed all around but about an inch to turn around.  Then turned and stuffed with little scrap pieces of batting that I had.  (I do not throw Anything away...never know when you can use it)  Then with a slip stitch, I sewed the opening shut, found a matching button and sewed it in the middle pulling it through the whole pin cushion.  (I used a piece of yarn as thread to sew on the button)

Next, I made my matching Scissor Holder.   I started by drawing a heart, (fairly large but not too big) this was going to be my scissor holder.  I then drew lines so I knew where I wanted each piece of material to make it look scrappy.  Then traced it on my foundation paper.

I sewed my fabric on, then cut a piece of plain material and thin batting using the same heart pattern.  I layered them with the right sides of the top and bottom together and the batting on the outside.  Then using a blanket stitch, I sewed around the top only.  Turned it around and matched the two open sides down to the tip and again used the blanket stitch to sew them together.  Then folded the flap down and added a matching button for decoration.

I think they turned out pretty cute.  So, I made some with just one piece of material.   I quilted the material in a 1/2 inch grid.  Then layered, did my blind stitch and put my button on.  Every Crafter uses scissors and most carries them with them piratically everywhere they go.

With the Holidays approaching  -  What better time of year to made all kinds of neat little things and pass them along to others.

Happy Quilting................Have a Great Day!

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Meatball Soup

These Fall days are among us and it is starting to get colder, rainy, snowing at places, burrrr.  What's better to serve your family on a cold blustery day, but a bowl of homemade soup. Soups usually don't take long to make, they can simmer all day on the stove or in a crock pot., and are very good for you.   That leaves all day for quilting!!  I make all kinds of different soups, but this is one of our favorites for a damp day.  


Meatball Soup

1  Cup uncooked spiral or shell pasta
32  -  1 to1 1/2 inch round meatballs  ( I prefer my own but you can use frozen)
2  Cans (14 1/2  ounces each) Chicken Broth
1  Can (28 ounces) Diced Tomatoes, undrained
1  Can (32 ounces) Mixed Vegetables
1  Can (16 ounces) Kidney or Pinto Beans, rinsed and drained
1  Can (26 1/2 ounces) Delmonte Spaghetti Sauce (plain)
1  Jar (4 1/2 ounces) sliced mushrooms, drained

Cook pasta according to package directions.   Meanwhile, combine the remaining ingredients in a soup kettle or Dutch oven.  Bring to a boil, cover and simmer for 5 minutes.  Drain the pasta and add to your soup.  Simmer till heated thoroughly. 

The next best thing that goes with your soup is a loaf of homemade bread.  I make Honey Wheat Bread, that is our favorite. I put a little molasses on and dip it into my soup broth. uuummm good!

So what do you make on a cold, rainy, snowy day?

Happy Quilting......Have a Great Day!





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History of Cotton

This is the time of year that the cotton fields are harvested.  We were driving yesterday down to Jackson and seen cotton all over the road.  (The pieces that were blown out of the truck)  It made me wonder when and where did the United States start making their own cotton fabric?

I went a digging and I found that the United States got it's first Cotton Textile plant in 1792.  This plant was located in Pawtucket, Rhoad Island. It was Samuel Slater that started this first yarn spinning Mill.  Then one year later in 1793, Eli Whitney and Hogden Holmes designed and simplified the method of removing cotton lint from the seed.  This revolutionized the cotton industry by increasing the productivity of Cotton Ginning.   (Before this the cotton fabric was imported here, mostly from England and France.)

Then in 1800 the south started growing the cotton and exported the cotton to England and up to the north to the Cotton Gins

The inexpensive and washable cottons opened up a new creativity in quilt making.  Patch work emerged in the early 1800's and so it began.

                                                 

The Nine Patch, Sawtooth, Star, Pinwheel, and Flying Geese were some of the earlist patterns.  Quilt making then started to become more widespread.

WOW....We sure came a long way, Didn't we?

Happy Quilting..........Have a Great Day!

                         






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Tri Fold Wallets

Want to have some fun with Fat Quarters and some of your stash?  I have been making Tri Fold Wallets for Christmas presents.  They are a lot of fun and easy to make.  I bet you already have all the materials right in your room, waiting to be used.

Materials needed are:

          2  -  Fat Quarters

          1  -  7"  Zipper  

          Interfacing

          7 1/2" X 12   Batting

          Buttons

          Velcro  (I use 1/2" square)

To start you will need two 7 1/2" X 12 " rectangles, one for the outside and one for the inside.

Then cut one 7 1/2" X 4 3/4" ,  one 7 1/2" X 5 1/2"  and one 7 1/2" X 6 1/4"  These are the credit card holders.

(you will also need interfacing of the same size of each of your three cuts for strength.)  Press them all and put the interfacing on the wrong side of your rectangles.  Fold each one in half lengthwise:

Press (I use a little spray starch to make a crisp fold)  then place them all together and set aside till later.

Next, cut four 7 1/2"  X  7" squares.  I cut one with the fabric I am using for the outside and the other three from the material I am using for the inside.  You also need to cut two squares the same size for interfacing.  Next, lay one square right side down, then the interfacing and another square right side up, press.  Fold in half length wise and press again.  (Again I use spray starch.)  This is your change compartment.    

Sew a 7 inch Zipper to each of the folded sides.  

I then fold and square up with a ruler if necessary.  Cut a strip 2" X 7 1/2"  fold and press ( like binding) and sew on the bottom making sure to catch all the ends.  Set aside.

Next, cut one 7 1/2" X 7" square of the outside material, and one of interfacing.  Lay the interfacing on the wrong side and press both.  Fold in half  length wise and press.  (Again I use spray starch)  

Then cut a strip 2" X 7 1/2"  and make a binding strip.  Attach to the folded side.  This is your dollar pouch.

Now it is time to put it all together.  First place you bill fold on one side of the back panel.  (Make sure your back panel is right side up.)  I then baste it on along the outer edge to secure. 

Then place your credit cards on the opposite side.  Measure your middle, mark a line and sew to divide in half.  Again I baste along the outside to hold in place.  

Next, center your Change compartment in the middle with the zipper toward the bill fold.  Sew along the binding strip to hold in place.  Open the zipper and also sew along the zipper on the inside.  This will hod your change compartment place.  

Lay your outside rectangle wrong side down, place batting on top, then your inside. 

Now cut your binding out.  Cut two strips 2" X 7 1/2" for either end, and two strips 2" X 14" for the sides.  Fold and press to make the binding.  Then attach to the inside starting on the two smaller ends.

Sew carefully along the edge of the binding.  Attach the two sides in the same manner.  I put a credit card in the credit card holder as a guide to make sure I do not sew the binding in too far.  Once I have it pinned, I remove the card and sew.  

After the binding is sewn on, turn and pin to the front side, make your corners neat and square.  I hand sew it to the outside for a neater look doing the blind stitch.

Fold and add your Velcro to the center inside the bill fold and on top of the credit card at the edge, that way when the wallet is folded, it will stay closed.  

You are now ready to add a decorative button or buttons or whatever you wish for decoration.  

Have fun and if anyone has any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.  I sure would like to see your wallets.

Happy Quilting..........Have a Great Day!

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Fall Expressions

The leaves are turning beautiful shades of orange, reds, yellows, etc.  It is officially Fall and with Fall comes the colder nights.  So, I bought some beautiful fall colored flannel material and made this quilt.

 I got our all my books and magazines and just didn't come up with a pattern that so called "Grabbed me"  So, I lined up all my fabric and started drawing different blocks.  

I decided to go with a 3 " half square triangle, two  1 1/2"  squares and a  1/2" X 3 " rectangle. Then sewed two of each of them together to make a 6 inch block.

But I went a little farther and added 4 of them together to make one 12 inch block.  Kind of like this:

The rest was easy, just made as many as I could with the fabric I had, leaving enough for the boarder.  I decided a pieced boarder would look best.  So I cut two 1/21" X 4 1/2" strips and then in the corners I made four 2 1/2" squares.

Flannel is easy to work with.  I used a medium weight batting and got a neutral shade of flannel for the backing.  

I got the top completed just in time for the arrival of my new long arm machine.  I had sooo many problems with my old one, I got a new one.  I was thrilled.  Well, as any new owner would do, I played with it for over a day.  Trying all kinds of different patterns and techniques that this machine would do.  I was very excited to say the least, still am.  So I then put the flannel top, backing and binding on the frame and quilted it.  Being my first, I did the stipple pattern for I am very familiar with it.  Next time, I am going to experiment on something different.   Oh, what fun!!!

I hand sewn a Dark green binding on and a label.  It is so soft, comfy and warm, perfect for on the sofa.  The finished size is 581/2" X 65".

Everyone needs at least one flannel quilt.

Happy Quilting...........Have a Great Day!!



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WINNER

And the WINNER of the "MY MEMORIES SUITE" DIGITAL SCRAPBOOKING PROGRAM IS:    (drum roll please...............)

                     " JODI  "


Congratulations to Jodi.........


It is ashame I had so many problems with the blog.  For some reason I quit receiving comments on the first blog.  Thank goodness it is fixed now.  So the number picked went like this:   The next number in line after the first blog, became the first number of my Facebook comments, then that last number was the first number of the second blog.   WHEW!  I would like to have more giveaways in the future.  I sure hope that this does not happen again.    This was soooo bad, I am sorry for any inconvenience to anyone.   The contest was fair and picked randomly.  Number 13 was the number chosen, which was JODI.  She will receive an e-mail from My Memories very shortly.  


OK I have just recieved a new long arm quilter yesterday, so I really would like to go play, 


Thank you  to everyone who entered and helped with my blog.  I really appreciate it.  You all have been so kind.


Again, CONGRATULATIONS to Jodi, I wish you lots of fun with your new program.


 Happy Quilting everyone.........    





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My Memories Giveaway----Revised.

I must apologize to everyone, I am soooo sorry.  For some reason, I cannot receive comments here on my blog.  I did not realize it until early this morning.  I have been trying VERY HARD to fix this problem.  But, I do not understand the concept of this blog.  Anyway, I cannot fix it, I need help.

Due to this problem.....I am extending the contest till OCTOBER 15th.  To enter follow the previous blog, you can still enter 5 times.  BUT instead of leaving a comment here....Leave your comments on my FACEBOOK  page.  For those that have already entered....You do not have to enter again.  I will start the number of my Facebook entries at the next number, that would have been a comment.


AGAIN,  I am soooo sorry, Please don't let this change your mind in entering the contest.  This is a Great Program!  I know that anyone crafty in anyway, would love this program and have a lot of fun using it.


(Oh, and anyone know how I can fix my blog to receive comments again....Please send me an e-mail and let me know how to fix this.   Thank you)

Happy Quilting.........Hope you are having a better day than I am.









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My Memories Giveaway

Check this out…I am giving away a “My Memory Suite”.  This is a GREAT Digital Scrapbooking Software.  You can make your own Quilt Journals, Special Occasion Photo Albums (vacation, baby, school, sports, wedding, etc.)   Make your own Memory Quilt.  I made this one:

This Scrap Book software is a lot of fun and so easy to use.  Change the size and shape of your pictures.  Add a texture background, or use one of many of their templates.  Add a caption to the page or even on the picture.  Add buttons, and all kinds of different embellishments.  If you don’t quite see the design or template you want, check their site out.  They have many, many, more, at very reasonable prices including lots of FREE ones!

With the My Memory Suite digital program you can make all kinds of albums, including a Quilt Journal.  Show your finished quilt, add a close up picture, and perhaps the label.  Then describe and note what you would like (date, size, etc.)  you can even leave space to make a pocket to keep the pattern or extra material with.  Print it out, keep it in the folder in your program to add to, put on a DVD.  What ever you choose, it will keep records of each of your quilt projects forever.

 Make a photo album for that special someone, or perhaps a calendar.

All Grandparents would love to have a custom calendar with their grandchildren on each month. But don’t stop there, what about cards?  Birthday, Easter, Christmas, Anniversary, etc.  The list goes on and on.   

  

Here is a good one……Make a baby book. Wow, just think of putting grandparents on each page, brothers and sisters, even pets, add letters, shapes, etc.  Quilt the books and sew them together.  What a great gift.  Make pillows, totes, etc.

I could go on and on.  As I was designing my Memory quilt, I kept thinking of all kinds of ideas.  I bet a wall hanging with the grandchildren on would look great.  Or making a memory quilt of life for your parents.  How about a collage?  (Check out their FB page for more examples of what others are doing)

This scrap book software is so user friendly.  When I received it, I was having a lot of problems with my server.  (I found out that my 4-G card was defective).  They had to send me another one.  I could not wait to get it to watch the tutorials.  So, I just started playing with the program.  I had no problem at all learning it.  And if you don’t want to design your own…they have album templates for you.

To enter .......  Go to My Memories  "LIKE" and pick your favorite Digital Paperback or Layout then come back here and comment on it. If you wish, you can enter 4 more times.  Go to Jane's Quilting and “Like”, come back and tell me,  Also My FB  "LIKE" that counts as another, .My Memories FB  "LIKE"  and the 5th entry would be My Memories Blog "LIKE".    REMEMBER to come back and post a comment each time.   Everyone knows the more entries, the better your chances. Tell all your friends, repost, the more that enter and the more entries I get.....the better chances of another giveaway!!! 

I will be taking entries until 11:59am Central Time, on October 10th.  The winner will picked randomly and will be e-mailed that afternoon.    

Good Luck ……………Happy Quilting

Check my website gallery for more selections: http://janesquilting.com