Thursday, October 31, 2013

November's Block

  

November is here and it's that time of year when we give thanks. Thanksgiving is right around the corner and I'm already pulling out the favorite family recipes for the Holidays. Not only is it the time of year that we give Thanks but it's also that time of year that we think of those no~longer with us to celebrate with. One of those people I always think of is my grandma. She loved the Holidays and cooked and baked up a storm this time of year. It's fun to pull out her recipes. So I'm naming this month's block, 'Grandma's Plate'. There was a little glimpse of this month's block when I introduced to you the borders and sashings... I hope that I didn't scare you with a Dresden Plate. I myself had never done one, was always afraid to do one. So this month's block was a challenge also for myself! It was surprisingly easy! I'm in love with Dresden Plates now and have been making them when-ever I can.  Past patterns can be found for a small $1.99 fee at my Etsy and Craftsy shops just in case you are just joining the BOM or have missed one.

So here is how I made 'Grandma's Plate'...

I gathered six different fabrics for my plate... you can use 2,3,6,or 12 different fabrics.
I also traced the Dresden Plate template onto a piece of cardboard.

Cut out your wedges using a rotary cutter and the template.

Here are my wedges or blades, I cut two of each color for a total of 12.

Fold the wedge or blade in half with right sides together.

Sew a 1/4" seam down the top edge on each of the wedges/blades.

Turn the point of the blade corner inside out as shown. You can use a pointed
tip such as a chop stick or crochet hook to get a nice point... iron.

Here I have my sections laid out as to how I would like to sew them together.

With right sides together sew together using a 1/4" seam. Iron...

I started by sewing pairs together... continue to sew them together until
you have a 'plate'.

At the ironing board, this is what the back of my plate looks like.

Center your plate onto your 12 1/2" background square.
Pin in place.

I used a blanket stitch to sew may plate onto my square.
You can also use a zig~zag stitch, or hand stitch it using
a blind stitch. Whatever to prefer.

Trace your center circle onto the heat n bond and iron onto
the wrong side of your center circle fabric.

Iron you center circle onto the plate covering the hole.
Then using a blanket stitch, sew around the edge.

'Grandma's Plate'

The last block will be released December 1st.  Wow the year is almost done... we are almost to the close of the Quilt Doodle BOM 2013. The winner for the November block giveaway will be posted on December 1st too. So remember to get you photos taken and posted in the flickr group for a chance to win this month's prize, which will be announced on the 15th. Remember, there will be a GRAND PRIZE  giveaway for those of you who complete the Quilt Doodle BOM quilt top. It doesn't have to be quilted, but it does have to be pieced to qualify. I will be announcing the BIG PRIZE on December 15th also. I'm already thinking about what 2014 will bring and I'll be gearing up to present another Quilt Doodle BOM.

Happy Quilting!

Congratulations to our winners!

October Flying in Circles
Dee Davis

Kathy's Block
Kathy

They each won a Aurifil sample pack and 2 Christmas Fat Quarters!






Saturday, October 26, 2013

November 28, 1863

 On Novemeber 28, 1863, Cora writes in her diary;

'....Hurrah, Hurrah, Huarrah! I feel like I want to be somewhere that I can scream as loud as I can. I think I will get into the cellar and then no Yankee can hear me. Yes, Hurrah, Hurrah, Hurrah, for John Morgan and six of his men have escaped from prison.' 

Confederate General John Morgan and several of his men broke out of prison on November 27, 1963 in Ohio. The fled to the south. Morgan along with his men dug a hole into the ventilation space and tunneled their way out to the inner yard of the Ohio State Penitentiary. They then scaled the wall. Morgan caught a train heading to Cincinnati, and then hired a boat to take him across the river. John Morgan and his men made it back to Tennessee where they were safe in Confederate territory.

My block is pieced in strips, using foundation paper. This block could easily be rotary cut and
pieced too. I was so busy sewing that I forgot to take pictures while working on this block.
But I'm sure you can get the idea of how it's put together just by following Rosemary's diagram in her book.

'John Morgan'
November 28, 1863


Have a wonderful week! Remember to post your progress on the Civil War Diary Quilt Group on Flickr.

Next Saturday I will be working on the block called 'Lincolnites Whipped' ' out of Rosemary's book. Hope that you have a great weekend! I'm off to buy some Halloween candy and do a little decorating for the season outside to surprise the little goblins.

Happy quilting and perfect stitches to you!
Check out Rosemary's website.  Her books and Cd's can be ordered there too!

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Having A Wicked Good Time!

Photo
Happy Halloween!!!
It's time to have a wicked good time! Halloween is one of my favorite holidays and it's so much fun to come up with some spooky fun and crafts to share with you. I want to thank Madame Samm and Wendy for coordinating this fun blog hop. I worked on a few projects for this hop. I'm hoping to have the patterns available for everyone in a day or two. You'll be able to find them on Etsy and Craftsy as instant downloads.  I spent the weekend at my mom and dad's and had fun sewing with mom. Our own little quilt retreat. I worked on my Wicked projects while there. Drew my patterns up while having coffee with dad in the morning and then spent the afternoons sewing. It was such a fun weekend and went by way to quickly! 
Before I share with you my quilty projects, let me share a picture of my sisters and I. Earlier this month we spent an evening at Canvas and Chardonnay in Rochester. What a fun night! We spent the evening painting a spooky Halloween picture for our homes. They are the same but different! Just like we are...

My sisters and I at Canvas and Chardonnay in Rochester. I had so much fun spending the evening with them painting! October is full of all sorts of spooky fun!

I was able to make two new tea towel applique designs and a black cat table runner!

A better picture of my owl and haunted house design...

A closer picture of my black cat... he has green glass eyes... the table runner is backed with black fabric. In order to show off the backing I folded the corners up and sewed them down using an
orange yo-yo and black button.
For a fun giveaway, I will give a PDF copy of my Halloween Owl and Spooky House applique designs to three lucky winners. Just leave me a spooky, quilty Halloween comment. (For 1 chance to win) For an additional chance, be a follower and let me know that you are. Please remember to leave me your email address if you are a no-reply blogger! 

I get to share today with these talented ladies...

Quilt Doodle Designs (you are here!)

Happy quilting,

Saturday, October 19, 2013

September 24, 1863

Today I will be showing you another block that I got done on my Civil War Dairy Quilt. It reminds me of a 'signature' block. The white/cream rectangle in the middle would be the perfect place to sign your name or write a message! In this diary entry, dated September 24, 1863, Cora writes about a poem that Mr. Neill read to her about the 'Southern Cause'. It was written by Sallie Neill. 

Here are my fabrics for this block, I have also printed up my foundation paper
using EQ and the companion CD.
I cut my fabric into easy to handle strips for foundation piecing.

'The Southern Cause'
September 24, 1863
  
Have a wonderful week! Remember to post your progress on the Civil War Diary Quilt Group on Flickr.

Next Saturday I will be working on the block called 'John Morgan' out of Rosemary's book. Hope that you have a wonderful weekend and find some time to quilt. Today I am at mom's house at our MCA quilt retreat weekend working on all sorts of quilty fun! I packed my Civil War Diary Quilt and Red and White quilt to work on along with a couple of Halloween projects. I'm hoping to come back with all sorts of fun things to share with you!

Happy quilting and perfect stitches to you!
Check out Rosemary's website.  Her books and Cd's can be ordered there too!

Tuesday, October 15, 2013

October's Giveaway!


Keep posting those October blocks to the Flickr Group! Seeing everyone's progress on the quilt is so much fun.  We're almost to the end of the quilt. It's not too late to catch up if you are missing a couple of blocks! Post them too for a chance to win!  I have a wonderful giveaway for this month's block. Remember you need to post your block (or blocks) to the flickr group for a chance to win! I will be picking a winner on November 1st!

Aurfil has donated some generous prizes, thread!   Aurfil sent me 4 sample packs and a huge collection to giveaway for the Quilt Doodle BOM 2013. (I'm saving the 'big box' of thread for the GRAND giveaway at the end.) For this month's giveaway I will be picking TWO winners! Yes, TWO!!!  Each winner will receive a sample pack of Aurfil Thread and two Christmas fat quarters.



Keep posting those pictures for a chance to win! Winners will be announced on November 1st. You have until then to post your finished blocks. In January I will be giving away a huge basket full of goodies for our grand prize winner. I will be choosing this winner from those of you with finished Quilt Doodle BOM 2013 quilt tops. (They don't need to be quilted) So if you are a little behind, you still have time to catch up and post your blocks!

Happy Quilting,


Here are some of the awesome 'Flying In Circles' blocks that have been posted so far!

 Flying in CirclesDSCN5221Flying in CirclesFlying CirclesBlock #10Octobre-flyings circles

Sunday, October 13, 2013

Thank you Madame Samm!


I love goodies that come in the mail! Thank you Madame Samm for the awesome treats that were mailed to me a couple of weeks ago! I love them! Look at all of the fun goodies that I received! WOW! I don't know what I'll do with the FQB but I'm sure I will come up with something fun. You ask, what did you do to win such a fun package....well...... I join blog hops! I wish I had more time to do them. I've had to cut down on some of my participation since I don't have enough hours in the day to do them all. But I am signed up for a couple more for this year. I hope that you can join me too! I love seeing everyone's creations and get so much inspiration from fellow quilters. I could spend the whole day reading blog posts....

I'll be busy this weekend working on some special items for Wicked.... 

I have some fun ideas for this hop since I am surrounded by boys....

Happy quilting!