It's For The Birds~Cardinals

Welcome to my day of,  It's For The Birds Blog Hop!!! This is the quilt I chose to share with you today!!

I started this little quilt over a year ago!!!! When I saw this blog hop I knew I had the perfect little quilt to share with you. Now I just needed to get it completed!!!

Here is the pattern by Connie D Roys.

I bought the pattern in a quilt guild yard sale. Someone had already started the quilt and gave up. The back ground moon was appliqued on to the two background fabrics. I added the little red border and brown border. I think I paid about $1 or $2, what a great find!!

I did hand applique using the glue stick method. You may notice that my quilt is opposite of the pattern. I didn't have time to trace all the pattern pieces as we were getting ready to go on a trip to Phoenix to see our son. So I copied the patterns using freezer paper and my copy machine.

I adhere the freezer paper to the right side of the fabric, cut out each pattern piece leaving a small edge to turn, apply a little glue, and fold the edges back using two seam rippers instead of using my fingers, until I see the freezer paper edge. Works for me!!!

Here's the quilt ready to layer and pin.

I add quilt extensions to the edges of my quilts. They are basted on using the same  seam size that I will use when putting on the binding. That way, I can quilt to the edge very easily. Once the quilting is done, they are removed quite easily!!!

Layered and pinned and ready to quilt!!

I drew  lines on the background to help me keep my quilting lines fairly straight on the the horizon.

I was trying to get the feeling of a haze in front of the moon. This took awhile to do and the blue lines did help!!

Almost done with the moon!

The background is totally done. Just need to finish a little more on the birds and branches.

Thank you for visiting!! I hope you enjoyed this little quilt. I am so glad to have it done and off the to do pile. I now have another quilt to hang for Christmas. Although, I think this one could be hung any time of the year!!!

If you have time, there are many more birders out there!! I've seen some awesome projects on this blog hop!

Enjoy your visit with the others who are participating!!!!

Monday, May 13

http://www.quiltsmiles.blogspot.com

http://sewdarnquilt.blogspot.com

www.cindycraftycreations.blogspot.com

http://madebymeinred.blogspot.com

http://featheredneststudio.com

http://cmyprims.blogspot.com

http://ukcitycrafter.wordpress.com

www.gracieoliverarts.blogspot.com

http://cateslinens.blogspot.com

http://quilterinthecloset.blogspot.com

http://quilttotheedge.blogspot.com

http://aroundthehomestead.blogspot.com

http://sewpeacetopeace.blogspot.com

www.caliquilter.com/blog/

http://pamela-kieffer.blogspot.com

Take care everyone, Happy Quilting and keep those needles sharp!!! Martha

Quilt Postcard-Attempt #1

Not completely done yet. I need to re-read the instructions and get some Peltex so that this is stiff enough to send through the mail.

I started with a piece of fabric 5" X 7". The final size of the postcard will be 4" X 6".

I didn't mark the first feather or the hearts and I wish I would have. Some quilters are able to make beautiful free form feathers. I am not one of them. I need to mark the spine first. And in the future, I will!! :^)

Have a wonderful weekend, Happy Mother's Day to all the moms out there, Happy Quilting and keep those needles sharp!!! Martha

"Flo" is done!!

I started this little quilt in June, 2012, for our Free Motion Quilting Challenge. Our teacher was Cindy Needham. I had the border and binding to finish, and FINALLY got that done!!! I may be naming it Flo. The design seems to flow, and then I thought about naming it after my husbands Aunt Flo who passed away several months ago. We loved her dearly and miss her much!

So, I wanted to show you the double binding I put on this. Someone, somewhere, at some time that I cannot remember now, posted a tutorial by Aunt Marti and a double binding tutorial. You can find it at here at Tuesday Tutorial:Susie's Magic Binding which is in "Thirteen in '13! UFO Challenge blog by Aunt Marti!! That was a mouthful!! The complete instructions are there for you!!! She has a really nice blog too, so check it out when you have time!!

Before binding, but after machine quilting the border 

This binding uses two fabrics. The wider fabric on the left is the accent and will show up as a little flange or edge

Now I need to sew the strips short edge to short edge, then sew the two long pieces together.

Sewing the binding to the back of the quilt.

I always use my walking foot to apply the binding. It goes on so much nicer that way!!!

When I get to the hanging sleeve, I pin it well before going any further

All pinned and ready to continue

You apply the binding exactly like any other binding

Perfect corner!! :^)

Binding on, and pressed lightly. I've never done that, but that was Aunt Marti's suggestion and it does help when you are turning the binding to the front.

And the front, all pinned and ready to machine stitch down.

And now, you machine stitch it down! A huge time saver for sure. Stitching in the ditch !! Awesome!!!

I love the look of the "double" binding!!! What a fabulous technique for sewing a fancy binding on!!

Well that's it for today. Have a lovely day, take care, Happy Quilting, and keep those seam rippers sharp, I know mine are as I put them in use last night!!! Martha

QuiltMaker Magazine 100 Blocks Volume 7-Unofficial Blog Tour

I am not on the official tour because I am not one of the designers. But I was one of the block testers and was given the opportunity to make a quilt using 3 of the blocks I tested using a new line of fabrics called Home To Roost, designed by Terri Degenkolb, and manufactured by Red Rooster Fabrics.

Here's my quilt before I shipped it to Golden Colorado for a photo shoot.

Now it is hanging in the quilt gallery at QuiltMaker Magazine.

Here's the magazine. It should be out in the quilt shops on May 7th.

Side view and Maddie :^)

Close up of the embroidery in the center

And the back of the quilt.

 This is the second volume I have worked on for QuiltMaker Magazine. Testing blocks was an interesting occupation. We get the block instructions sent to us via the computer and are given 2 weeks to complete. Once done, we take pictures of the finished block and fill out a Block Evaluation form. The main purpose is to make sure the instructions are correct before the magazine is published. It was a lot of fun and I am a bit sad that I am no longer "working" for them. We are only allowed to work on two volumes to make room for others who want to be a part of Quiltmaker Magazine. I am glad that I had the chance to work with them. It was fun, a bit stressful at times with deadlines looming overhead, but very educational!!

Here are some of the blocks that I tested/made!!

Love Blooms by Amy Rullkoetter

Hootie by Shayla Wolfe

Candy Stripe by Jacquelynne Steves

Trendster by Jocelyn Ueng

Enchanted by Amy Ellis

Meadow Glory by Jo Moury

Whirly Zig by Heidi Foltz

Lollipop Lollipop by Amanda Murphy

Between the Lines by Melissa Peda

Framed by Corey Yoder

Flowers Around by Gail Pan

Tilt-a-Whirl by Chris Hoover

So this is all the blocks that I tested for Volume 7!! Now I will turn them into small quilt wall-hangings, or quilted bags, or quilted pillows or????? Not quite sure yet :)

Here's my quilt in the magazine along with a couple others.

And another close up!!!

This was a really great experience and I would love to work with them again! Maybe I will try my hand at designing a block?? Hmmmm??!!

Take care everyone, Happy Quilting and keep those needles sharp!! Martha