Discovering More UFOs! (Concrete, WA)

On The Cutting Board

I finished the Bunny wall hanging.  I decided to do an echo quilt stitch.  This seemed to have straightened out the little ripples.  The kit included the green polka dot fabric for the binding, but I think my golden brown works better.

 I made the sleeve a little too long and I almost sewed the end into the binding.  I'll have to be more careful with measuring and make it a little looser.  I'll probably use an old wire clothes hanger so it doesn't bulk up when it is hanging.

Added a little rouge to the bunnies' cheeks and it was done!  All right!  One project done and two dozen UFOs to go...whew!

Project 1

I found the appliqué pattern of Sunbonnet Baby (female) in an old library book.  I wanted a boy to match Sunbonnet Baby, so I designed this little guy below.  I just love their little bellies!

Speaking of unfinished projects, I found two more UFOs in the bin while digging through my stash.  Uh oh!  I forgot I had these.  I really hate forgetting about my projects.  

Project 2

Well, I think I might combined these two into one scrappy quilt. 

Here's a few more photos from around the area....Enjoy!

New and fresh looking helicopter seeds

It's all about location

Happy Quilting!

Walks in the Rain (Concrete, WA)

We finally got a break in the rainy weather.  Not that it kept us from going outside, but we did not do much sightseeing since the clouds were hanging very low around us.

We dusted off our raincoats that we rarely wear in the south and went for a couple of walks around the RV park.  Walking in the rain is rather relaxing as long as it is a gentle rain, of course.  We did go through a couple of pairs of pants and shoes.  I think the soggy pants and shoes were worth the extra hassle of washing and cleaning.  It is so quiet here except for the wind in the trees and the rain on our roof.

The clouds started to lift yesterday and the sun finally peaked out.

We took advantage of the nice weather and spent some time driving around the surrounding areas.  We visited Baker Lake with low hanging clouds, but no rain.  By the second day, the sky was blue.  So we drove the mountain loop around Mt. Baker.

Baker Lake

Mt. Baker with clear skies

The best is yet to come!  The blackberries are getting nice and plump.  I can't wait to pick ripe berries from the bushes!  Yum!  I'm already enjoying fresh cherries and raspberries from the markets...delicious!

On The Cutting Board

I basted the bunny wall hanging so it is ready to quilt.  I'm trying to decide if I want to quilt it by hand or just do it on the machine.  Tough decision...well, I'll get back to that one.

Oh, and I prefer the lighter fusible webbing: Steam-A-Seam.  I did not have as much trouble getting the needle through the layers.  It still makes the fabric stiff, but it does not make my needle as sticky as the Steam-A-Seam2 does.

During our rain break, I also pulled out one of my tubs filled with fabrics.  I found just what I needed to add 16 more blocks to the True Lover's Knot quilt.

 I'm about halfway through the materials, but my templates are starting to show wear and tear.  The corners are starting to look rounded and the paper is pealing from the plastic template.  Next time, I will make two sets of templates.  I still need to make the off-white pieces as well.

Oh! and the little brass wheel - that is a 1/4 inch seam maker.  I stick my pencil in the hole and roll the wheel around the outside of the template.  This gives me a line to cut on without having to guess at my 1/4 inch seam.  Nice and neat!

Happy Quilting!

Head For The Mountains (Spokane, WA)

Travel Day!  We are leaving Spokane and heading west over the North Cascades Hwy.  I have updated our map to include Concrete, WA.  You can see our travel plans on our 2012 Map page.

We plan to spend one night in Winthrop and four nights in the North Cascades National Park.  We should have WiFi when we get to Concrete.

Dusty sleeping with his tongue out.

Until we get there, I plan to close up my Etsy shop and of course, there will be no blog posts.   Recently, I have been needing more downtime from the computer.  It seems to be taking over my life!

And yet, I cannot stop for too long because I have made so many online friends.  I love to read about their latest projects and family outings...sigh, I miss them already!  In the meantime, I hope to get a lot of scenic photos and get some more projects done.

On The Cutting Board
I finished the embroidery on the bunny wall hanging.

You probably will notice the background is a little wavy.  Yep, the batting shrunk when I ironed the fusible webbing to the background.

I used the Wool setting, but apparently that was too hot and the batting shrunk.  When I tried to embroider the ears to the background...well, that just made it worse..  Bummer.  I'm going to do some heavy duty quilting on the background.  Hopefully, the quilting will flatten it out some more.

Whew!  It's a good thing I am making this for myself.  I don't think I would want to give anyone this wall hanging.

Mad Max close-up

Happy Trails!

Bunny Wall Hanging (Spokane, WA)

I was so excited about my little wall hanging kit that I decided to start working on it this week.  I'm glad I took inventory because I was missing an 8x12 brown background piece.  

I had two greens, but no brown.  Hmm, not a good start to my new project. 

I double checked the material included list...

No, nothing specific here.  So, I looked at the materials needed.....nothing saying I needed to provide the brown fabric.

Lucky for me, I have a small amount of golden brown floral print that I feel is a perfect match. 

So, after that first bump, things were moving along well.  I traced out the bunnies on double-sided fusible bonding.  Ironed it onto the appropriate fabric.  Cut them out.  Sewed the background together.  Ironed the bunnies together using my appliqué pressing sheet for correct placement.  I did not take a photo, but here's one from a past post if you would like to see the technique.  And I  placed the cut pieces on top.  Hmmm....the ears seem a little big... 

so I compared them to the pattern.  Yep, correct size.  

I don't know how I could have made them bigger since I traced them from the pattern, but you never know with me.  Looked at the picture to make sure I was placing the ears in the correct position. 

Measured the background to make sure it was the correct size.  That was correct - 10x16.5 inches.  

I tried to moving the ears more upright with the thought that the tips would be on the background.  No go.  Plus the ears made from batting is fused to the back of the hat.  When I tried to move the ears, the batting started pulling apart.  

Okay!  Back to the drawing board.  Should I make the background bigger?  Mmm......no and tell you the truth, I liked the ears hanging off the background.  I decided to fuse some of the brown floral fabric to the back of each ear and I will embroider the edges together.  I think that will work just fine.

Well, back to my project....    Happy Quilting!