Ribbon Border

Hello Everyone,

 

Today I'm going to show you how to make this ribbon border which will be framing my Peek-a-Boo Pumpkins.

 

I started by making 32 (HST) half-square triangles.  I make my HST eight at a time using an easy method.  You can watch this method by clicking HERE and viewing my video on The Quilt Show. There is a lot of information in my Patchwork Math videos.  To soak it all in, you can watch them over and over again for free!

Now that I've trimmed my HST to the correct size using a Bloc-Loc ruler, I then add another square on top.  This is the process that I use to make Y-squares.  This process is also documented in a video of The Quilt Show.  Click HERE to see how to make Y-squares.  The Y-square is such a versatile quilting component.

I now have 64 Y-squares all trimmed and ready to be turned into a ribbon border.

Ta Da!  The border is coming together nicely, and quickly too.

All of this information is also in my Patchwork Math book which is a wonderful reference to keep by your sewing machine.  The book is available HERE on my Etsy site.  I think I'm going to rename it Quilters Survival Math.  That's all it is, basic math that quilters use on a daily basis.  My book is dog-eared and well used.

All of the fabrics used are called Best of Days from Henry Glass & Co.  I was really looking at the fabrics and saw the words Magical Memories running throughout several of the fabrics.  Some quilting days are magical.  We get to apply our creativity to an empty canvas and make it come alive, and create magical memories.

Mr. Joe stacked a lot of wood by the fire last night so we don't have to go outside in the rain, wind and snow today.  We are going to hunker down and stay cozy while the weather outside is frightful!  I have no place to go, except to my sewing machine, so let it snow!

I love, love, LOVE the fact that I cut down on my lecture, show and workshop schedule.  Now I can spend more time quilting and sharing my ideas with all of you.  An added bonus is that I get to stay home and annoy Mr. Joe on a 24/7 basis!

Soon,
Lynn

#HenryGlassFabrics
#BestofDays
 

Creature Features

Hello Everyone,

Just a quick post this morning to show you my little creature who lives in the pumpkin.  She will soon have eyes and whiskers.

I now have the three pumpkins done.  I'm working on borders that incorporate more of this wonderful Best of Days fabric line by Henry Glass Fabrics.  I'm turning to my Patchwork Math book for border ideas and calculations.

 

My plan is to machine applique the table runner.  I will hand applique the little mice in place.  All of the seams are turned under and ready to go.  I'm not a fan at all of raw edge applique.  My pumpkins are finished, but I do need to add another little mouse or three. 

 

Tonight we are expected to receive 8-12" of snow and more during the day on Thursday.  If the power goes out, our generator will be working overtime to keep me quilting. 

 

Maybe some of you noticed that I am replying directly to your comments in the comment area.  So many comments come from quilters that are "no-reply" status.  If I reply directly to your comment, then I can keep in touch with all of you, and everyone can see my response.  Throughout the day, I will be checking the comment area to see the activity and I'll try to keep up with it.  I don't always receive a notification when comments are posted, so I do not know when comments are left.  This way I can have a running dialog about each post.  Let's give it a try!

 

If you don't hear from me for a few days, just know that I'm probably snowed in.  Our Internet provider usually goes out the minute the flakes start falling.  Those pesky, overhead lines!

 

Soon,

Madam Ambassador

 

#henryglassfabrics

#janetraenesbitt

 #bestofdays

Best of Days Designing

Hello Everyone,

 

I having the best of days designing with Best of Days fabric from Henry Glass & Co.

 



The instant I opened the box of Henry Glass fabrics, I saw a fall design in my future.

 

Stayed tuned so you can see who lives inside the little pumpkins.  I'm having fun in my role as Brand Ambassador.  I have two projects in the works.....one more to go. 

 

You know I have to think about machine quilting my projects, and my long arm is in the unheated garage.  I actually looked at a pair of heated pants on Amazon. Now wouldn't they make quite the fashion statement! I'm sure they would make Mr. Joe swoon.  The snow is supposed to fall in earnest next week. Our garage is detached from the cabin, and I have to walk uphill to get to it.  With my luck, I would fall into a snowbank and my behind would get zapped with a heating element!  Oh, the trials and tribulations of mountain life. 

 



Stinkin' Cute Pumpkins!

Every morning I get up with the chickens, and begin my work/play day.  In reality there are NO chickens here because the coyotes, mountain lions, and raccoons would eat them.  Yesterday morning I was greeted with a dusting of snow.  It didn't last too long, but long enough to turn the mountain into a fairyland for a few hours.

 

Company arrives today, our son and his family.  I'll be putting my projects on hold over the weekend.  I'll be playing cards, and cooking with the grand kids.  I may try to sneak in some applique in the early morning hours while they sleep. 

 

Our 18-year-old granddaughter took the weekend off from work and college so she could be here at the cabin. She loves doing activities with family. She missed out on the fun after Christmas since she had to work the after Christmas sales.  It makes us so happy that she wants to spend time with us old folks......she keeps us young.  She is so special, and so is our time together. Maybe this will be the visit when we beat her at Rummikub!  Not one bone of competiveness in any of us.....seriously....NOT!

 

Soon,

Madam Ambassador

 

 

My Progress

Hello Everyone,

 

This is just a tease showing you what I've been up to this week fulfilling my role as a Brand Ambassador for Henry Glass Fabrics.  During the week I made a whole lot of blocks that look like this.

 

I have exactly one month to make three small projects or one large project.  I decided this time around I would go for the small projects......only because I have so many ideas on what I want to make with the fabrics.  Let me refresh your memory on the fabrics that were sent to me.  The lines of fabric are Best of Days by Janet Rae Nesbitt and Country Journey by Jan Mott.

Let me show you the first thing I did, after fondling, sorting, ironing, and a bit of hand wringing.  I got out my handy dandy Strip'n Sew that Mr. Joe made for me.  I cut a lot of 1" strips and sorted them by color.  I ended up using 28 different fabrics.  My goal was to use as many as the fabrics as I could. I also have to plan my use of the fabrics carefully, so I have enough of what I need for the other two projects.

I started making strip sets.

Before I knew it, I had a pile of 3-1/2" x 3-1/2" little blocks.

 

I stitched little red squares onto the corners after I sewed the sections together.

 



 

Then I had a pile of (36) 6-1/2" blocks.

 



.....and I started stitching the blocks together.

 



This is what I had together by the end of yesterday.  It is going to be a table topper measuring about 40" x 40".  I'll be figuring out my borders today once I finish sewing the rest of the rows together.

Remember, I said that my word for the year is gratitude.  I'm so grateful to Henry Glass & Co. for this opportunity to be their Brand Ambassador, that I'm going to pay it forward to you.  During the month of January, I will be posting a free tutorial for this table topper on my blog, so stay tuned. Later on, I will be placing this pattern for sale in my Etsy shop.

The entire time that I've been working on this project, I've been planning the next one.  I will only be using the Best of Days fabrics pictured below.  The next project is going to be applique.....I think.  I have it all drawn out....now I need to bring it to life.

 

I am in a bit of a pickle.  My long-arm is in the garage, and I will need to do some machine quilting this month.  Snow is predicted beginning the middle of next week......for several days in a row.  I'll be wearing my long underwear and quilting with mittens!  It's a good thing I have a lot of natural padding and insulation built in!

 

Soon,

Madam Ambassador

 

#henryglassfabrics

#henryglass&co

#countryjourney

#bestofdays

 



 

New Year and New Projects

Hello Everyone and Happy New Year!

 

When we arrived back at the cabin after Christmas, there was a package waiting on the doorstep from Henry Glass Fabrics.  Christmas continues at Wilder's Last Resort!  I was delighted to receive a very generous package of Country Journey fabrics by Jan Mott.  This is one of the lines of fabric I will be using in my role as Brand Ambassador for Henry Glass Fabrics.

 

In addition to the cut yardage, the package contained two panels.  I envision cutting this panel up by season, and make a year of tablerunners.  I will make components and place them around the table runner, and each season will be different.  This is going to be a nice little project.

But wait, there's more.  The next day I received another generous package from Henry Glass Fabrics! I was excited to receive the first package......and then another one too!  This line is called Best of Days by Janet Rae Nesbitt.  This package also contained four spools of Aurifil thread, my favorite thread for piecing.

I put both lines out on the dining room table to take pictures, and low and behold, the two lines wanted to play together!  Their rich shades blend perfectly.  You know me, I use everything but the kitchen sink in my quilts.  I hit the quilting jackpot with the two fabric lines.

 

In my role as Brand Ambassador, I need to create one large project or three small projects.  I'm having trouble sleeping at night with all of the ideas swirling around in my brain.  I want to do this, I want to do that.....I need to focus on my main project and actually started working on a new design yesterday.

In this process I need to stay true to myself and my style.  My style is small blocks with small pieces.  I was able to create something with small pieces, yet easy to make......and most importantly easy to finish.

My process begins with really looking at the fabrics.  I fold, press, and fondle each and every piece. I get to know the fabrics.  I worked out a design in EQ software, and made a sample block.  The goal in my big project is to use almost every fabric.  By the end of yesterday, I incorporated 18 of the fabrics into 8, 9" blocks.

Over the next month, I will be posting my progress, along with tutorials and quilting tips so you can make your own quilts with these gorgeous fabrics.

So many quilters on Instagram posted their top 9 pictures with the most number of "likes".  Not one to be outdone, I posted my top 9 too.  It looks like I worked on the same quilt for most of the year!

I have totally cut back on my schedule for 2020.  Last year I spoke to so many quilt guilds and held countless workshops.  I did shows and was constantly getting ready for something, and waving goodbye to Mr. Joe.  I felt that I lived out of my suitcase, and in the process I drove thousands of miles.  I didn't have time to do what I wanted to do......and that was designing and quilting.

This year is going to be different.  I'm going to be home creating and enjoying every minute!  My word for the year is Gratitude.  I'm grateful for my family,  my friends, and the many opportunities life has given me.  I'm going to have the Best of Days in 2020.

Soon,
Madame Ambassador

#henryglassfabrics
#countryjournal
#bestofdays