Monthly Archives: September 2008
Fall Colors are Beginning in Michigan
My favorite season is fall. I love the temperature, with the cool nights and fair days. I like the smell of the falling leaves, the colors in the trees and bushes, and the crispness of each step. I don’t think I would be happy living in a place that didn’t have a true fall.

One UFO at a Time

Dear Jane Progress Report
A quick report on my Dear Jane progress. I’ve slowed down to focus on Jake’s quilt, but have tried to do a few blocks each week. Today, I did the block to the left, called “E-12 Mary Ruth’s Corset.” Fairly easy paper piece, but in thinking ahead, I wish the quilt fairies would come over some night and pick the paper pieces out of my finished blocks soon!
Below is a peek at the quilt thus far. I’m planning on putting cornerstones between the blocks in the sashing, probably in a deep maroon color.
An Owl and a Snowflake Melt… in September!
I haven’t worked much over the last two weeks on anything but Jake’s Ninja Turtle Quilt. I’m trying to get that done by the end of this coming weekend. I think I just might make it!!! I’m past the half-way point of machine quilting it.
Last week, I missed making the Dear Jane “Block of the Week” for the first time. I wrestled with myself Sunday night to sew it, but after painting at Sean and Kim’s house most of the day, I was plumb tuckered out. I’m the kind of person who sets goals and stresses myself out over them. I have to keep telling myself that my life doesn’t depend on getting things done in MY OWN set deadlines. But now I’m dealing with the guilt from missing a week. I know, I need serious help!!!
But, today is only Wednesday, and see – I got this week’s BOW completed! I had a fun, relaxing evening last night hand piecing this block, H-9 Snowflake Melt. Come pat me on the back!
I finished this little redwork owl recently for my owl quilt. No self-imposed deadlines on this. Just little stitchery blocks to fiddle with when I want something relaxing to sew on. I love owls!
Hey Dad, Look!
“Hey Dad, look out the window!”
Thread vs. Gas


Setting up quilt on Next Generation Frame
This post is for my friends on the Pfaff Hobby Grand Quilter (Yahoo) group who are setting their quilt up for the first time on a Next Generation Frame (or something similar).
Hope this makes sense:
- I have my quilt top pinned to the leader on the quilt top rail with straight pins.
- I do the same thing with the backing and leader on that rail.
- I use the tube and groove to secure my batting in place.
- I then pull the backing up over the frame and secure it with pins to the take up rail.
- Next, I pull the batting up over the frame and lay it on top of the backing fabric. I make sure it is lined up straight about 1/2 inch down from where the backing and leader are pinned together. I DON’T pin the batting at this point.
- The next step is to pull the quilt top over the frame and smooth it over the top of the backing at about 1 inch down from where the batting is. I make sure it is on straight and line everything up square. I use straight pins at about every 3-4 inches perpendicular to the take up rail.
- I use my machine to run a line of stitching about 1/4 inch from the top of the quilt. This secures the three layers of the quilt sandwich together. The quick sketch here might help you understand. Click on it to enlarge it.
Happy Birthday, Dad!
And The Winner Is…
I’ve been fascinated by paper lanterns. How do they keep from catching fire? They come in all colors now, but it used to be that I would only see them in white or lighter beige colors. Here are some that I found online… If you click here it will take you to the website of Shoji De’cor where you can find paper lanterns in wide variety of styles and colors.
I had a contest to see if anyone could come up with the theme for my newest quilt. I didn’t give too many clues – hey come on, you have to do SOME work to win a prize! Here’s a photo of the finished quilt top, “Paper Lanterns.” Can you see them? Photo to the left without the outer borders.
The contest winner is JoAnne who said…
“Is it something oriental?” That comes as close as anything! JoAnne, email your mailing address to me and I’ll put your prize in the mail!
I’ll post “Paper Lanterns” again after I have it quilted. Photo right shows the final borders on the finished quilt top.