Thursday, August 31, 2017

A smattering of mostly small stuff

If you followed along with Temecula's Marvelous Mini Monday, are you going to use their final setting? Right now I am just laying the blocks on fabric to audition standard sashing (and I did make 5 extra blocks). I am trying to decide whether or not to use cornerstones. I may also need to play with an on point setting before making a final decision.
These 4" unfinished blocks aren't really as wonky as they appear. It is just hard to get tiny blocks to lay flat without starch, and I don't use that much. (Well, maybe some of them are that wonky.)


Thanks to the help of two generous quilters, Barbara and Eileen, I was able to sash my Love Thy Neighbor mini, and get the border attached. I hadn't planned on cornerstones on the border, but I was just barely shy of enough of the red to complete the border. Not even enough to piece it--and I wasn't going to beg again this soon!

This was made in response to Maureen's invitation to join her in making a house quilt with the theme of "Love Thy Neighbor". Thanks for the suggestion, Maureen.

I have sewing machines in two places in my home--the sewing room, of course, and a nook off the family room. The windmill leader/ender project I have shown on occasion sits beside my sewing machine in the nook. So when I am working on my featherweight in my sewing room, I grab whatever I can to serve as my leader/enders. As I worked on the above projects, I was running out of bonus triangles to sew together. So I did a little digging, and look what surfaced.
Remember these little trees? Kevin the Quilter posted the pattern here. Of course, I downsized it. I had cut out 8, but had only made one. Now I am almost ready to sew the rows together on #3. Maybe I will actually have this ready for Christmas, if I keep sewing in my sewing room.  What a concept! :)

My enabler friend, Karen (Log Cabin Quilter), sent me a photo she had found on a Facebook post on Jo Morton's page. A woman had made a mini quilt featuring these tiny trees that she said finished at 3.5 inches. Was it possible, Karen asked--innocently? Of course, I had to find out.
I used leftover HSTs from my Christmas version of Bonnie Hunter's Smoky Mountain Stars. That wasn't the best idea for something this small, because some of the shirt fabrics I used in that quilt were rather heavy and coarse. They made it hard to get sharp points and creases, but I forced them into submission, and here it is. With no pattern, it was a guessing game on some things. If I ever make one again I will foundation piece the trunk portion, as in Bonnie Hunter's Crab Apples pattern.

I need to get quilting some of these little quilts. The stack is beginning to grow again, and it doesn't yet include the WIP shown above. I don't want a repeat of last year!
These are currently awaiting quilting in the small/mini pile. The three on the right are last year's leftovers that would have taken me to 50 small finishes, had I completed them that year.

But there is something I should quilt before any of those (besides the beast, that is a quilt-when-you-gather-the-courage project).
I finally assembled the top for Mom's quilt from Dad's blue plaid shirts.
I don't know why this has taken me so long. It is such a simple thing and should have been finished months ago.
Now to get it pressed and basted, and "quilt as desired".

It has been such a long, hot summer here, but today is cool and cloudy with occasional showers. I am so ready for Fall! Maybe it is time to break out the Fall colored quilts.

Until next time,
Janet O.
 

36 comments:

  1. I absolutely *adore* the blue and white quilt from your dad's shirts. That took my breath away! Your Christmas trees are sweet, too! You always have such fun things to share... Keeping up with mini-Mondays? It's all I can do to keep my head afloat these days! LOL! Hugs! :)

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  2. Love your Temicula layout. Mine will probably be a table runner. I did ok with the small blocks based on a 4-patch, but when the pieces got smaller that that I had trouble and just couldn't make those.

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  3. I love those little-bitty Christmas trees! And of course all those in the lineup awaiting quilting. Looking forward to seeing how you decide to quilt that beauty made from your dad's shirts, especially since my copycat top for our ministry still awaits quilting in the sewing room closet, lol!

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  4. The Temecular quilt is so nice. I like the extra blocks. They add a lot. The cornerstones on the little house quilt seem appropriate. Every house needs a cornerstone. Look forward to seeing what you do with the little tree blocks. Your version is so sweet - I love anything miniature. The tree blocks is wonderful! I'm not sure I've every seen it made up in plaids. It's just perfect. I have one of those "gather the courage" projects on my frames downstairs. It's the repair job for my oldest son's FIL. I bought the backing fabric, pre-washed it, sewed it together and pin basted it to the old top. I just need to sit down and blind tie it but I have to admit my heart isn't in it. Good thing the FIL is in the middle of a move so I don't think he's worried about when his quilt is finished. I like the way you off set the quilt for your mom. It adds so much more interest.

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  5. Love you fathers shirt quilt, so much beauty in such a simple pattern. The mini monday blocks are still sitting in a pile in my sewing nook of the lounge room. I quite like your layout, but I dont want to make extra blocks! Good luck with your quilting pile. At least miniatures are not draped all over you in the heat.

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  6. love that memory quilt and all those tiny trees are sooo cute! glad to see you've gotten some sewing time in!

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  7. I think those first blocks would look great on point. I love the tiny tree, and the green trees will be really cute too. What a nice collection you have of all your little quilts; you'll get that last group quilted soon I feel sure. You mother will love the beautiful blue quilt for two reasons: fabrics from her husband's shirts, and the fact that you made it. ---"Love"

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  8. Your sweet mini collection continues to grow. Once you add your lovely quilting, they'll look perfect with all the others in your collection. Your Mom's quilt will be a beautiful memory quilt. The pine tree block is incredible! wow!

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  9. Love all your mini quilts, such a lovely collection. Your mums quilt will be a beautiful tribute and treasure for mum, one she'll bring back beautiful memories.

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  10. Such a delightful post and so much eye candy!! I like the offset design you used for your dad's shirts. It's so much more interesting than a square setting. I'm going to look at Kevin's pattern for the little trees. Ive been wanting to make a "Christmassy tree" quilt and I'd like it be smaller rather than larger! Thanks for sharing!

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  11. Well your Temecula Monday Mini quilt is very nice. I do like your use of the light sashing right next to the blocks. I like the idea of the extra blocks, too. Not enough for me to do it, mind you!! vbg
    Love the trees!! Couldn't you do them any smaller?? :-)
    And your dad's plaid shirt/quilt for your mom? LOVE IT. Why is it taking so long to get it done? I'd say it has a lot to do with your dad's death and your coming to terms with it. But what do I know??!!
    Can't believe all those minis!! WHEW!!!
    When they give out the aware for tiniest minis, you're going to get it, gf!!!

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  12. Good job on Love Thy Neighbor--love the cornerstones on the red! This is the first Temecula quilt I haven't made--trying to finish a few things.

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  13. Your tiny quilts never fail to astonish me, Janet! I hope they all make it through the quilting queue to enjoy real life quilthood. Glad your Mom's quilt is ready to get quilted. Any ideas how you'll do it?

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  14. Everything looks wonderful and I am happy it is cooling down for you back there!! Come to the beach, it seems like it is always cool here!!

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  15. Early on, in my quilting, I did a queen sized quilt, without the cornerstones, and learned that they really help ME keep the rows straight. Rows got wonky without the cornerstones, and so now I always use them when using sashing. They also can add a punch of color to an otherwise so-so quilt.

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  16. Is it possible to make more blocks and doll quilts ? :) :)
    I can say that you are very busy ! Thank you for sharing all your work and I especially love the pine tree block ! Wow ...amazing Janet....
    Congratulations for this wonderful work !

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  17. Are you crazy or what? Those tiny triangles in the tree blocks are amazing!!!! All I could say was look at that. But then tiny is what makes you happy...so work on.
    We all love the blue and white quilt of your Dad's shirts.....it must be quilted soon. Vines or feathers would fill in those light spaces so nicely:)

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  18. I am finally catching up on my blog reading! What beauties you have been working on! Love your miniature take on quilts...you're such a talent! I am also in love with your HST Quilt. What a great idea and how wonderful that your mom will get to have such a special quilt. Would you mind sharing the source for the pattern? Thanks!

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  19. That tiny 3.5 inch tree block!!!! wow! The picture of all your little quilts hanging together makes me really appreciate how small some of them are! Your mom's blue and white quilt top is gorgeous.

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  20. More mini magic from Janet! All of these are so lovely but the tiny plaid tree is amazing, can't stop looking at it. The scale of the plaids is just right. I'm glad you have such an able enabler in Karen. lol

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  21. First of all, I don't think "wonky" is a word in your vocabulary. At least it should never be used when describing any of your work. It is simply perfection! I love the Temecula blocks and look forward to your setting decision. I adore those little tree blocks. I copied the pattern from Kevin too, but of course haven't made one yet! I love what you have done with your Dad's blue shirts. Maybe it is going slowly because of the memories wrapped up in each piece. Have a great day.

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  22. All very nice projects Janet. The Christmas trees are really cute. With eight blocks will you be making your project into a runner? Looking forward to your quilting posts...get caught up before the end of 2017! Kosmo and Katastrophy arrive tomorrow! =^.^=

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  23. Your blue and white Dad's shirts quilt speaks volumes - what a precious and wrapped in love quilt for your Mom.
    Love your tiny tiny trees and the little house quilt turned out so well!
    (Having issues with being a no reply blogger for some mysterious reason - hope this comment works. )

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  24. Your Mom is going to love the quilt mad with your dad's shirts. Did you make yourself a quilt yet? I like your Mini Monday layout better than their random 36 patch layout. I'm always partial to cornerstones, mainly cuz it's easier for me to add the sashing that way and partly cuz it's just how I've always done it and why fix what ain't broke :)

    I think your Love They Neighbor quilt is still very current with Houston neighbors helping each other! The videos are sad and amazing all at once.

    I. Cannot. Wait. to see more of those itty bitty trees!!! I knew if anyone could make them, you could!

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  25. Quilts set on point are especially eye appealing. Your Mom will be so pleased with the quilt made from the fabric with your Dad's shirts. Seeing your Churn dash/monkey wrench makes me want to get back to mine. Maybe the extra day in the weekend will give me some time to work on it

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  26. I like your idea of cornerstones on the Temecula mini quilt Janet! I'm still playing with my finish. I admire your tenacity completing the mini Tree of Life block! Wow! I love it! Your Dad's shirt quilt is stunning! Beautiful layout and so precious! So much eye candy in this post! Sweet Christmas trees!!

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  27. So glad you've had some quality sewing time lately! All your projects are just lovely - I especially like that little tree block!

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  28. Your Love Thy Neighbor quilt is darling! But the little green Christmas trees stole my heart away, they are so precious. As usual, your blog is filled with charming eye candy.

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  29. Great miniquilt heaven at your house. I made a Wonky House for my vesion of Love thy Neighbor. It will end up a smal quilt for our up-coming Quilt Festival.

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  30. Ah, you made one of the little trees. It looks good. Do you have a plan on what to do with your little tree. Would make a nice little bowl filler for a Christmas gift.

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  31. What a lovely post...as always, you pick up my spirits!!

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  32. The shirt quilt is really fantastic! I love that setting!!
    Woo-Hoo on the tiny tree block- that's crazy!! I put out my fall decor yesterday, even though it was 100 degrees. I saw pumpkins at the farmers market and that's all it took.

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  33. Janet....I truly love your work.......I think you know that! The quilt for your mother from your dad's shirts is a perfect way to showcase the fabrics your father wore. I am touched by it, and I know your mother will be too! How large, or I suppose I should say....how small are those tree blocks? LOLOL

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  34. You are amazing! I can't believe how much you always accomplish. That tree of life block is just too sweet. Your piecing is perfect.
    Your Love Thy Neighbor turned out great, and how nice that quilt "neighbors" helped.
    Love how your plain HST looks. Very manly and graphic.
    It is so fun to see all your little ones together - wow
    I really like those little pine trees too :)

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  35. Your little Christmas trees are too adorable! They would not be nearly so wonderful if they were larger! And the tree block with triangles -- wow! Your work is always so stunning in its perfection and in its size, too. Your wall of minis has such a variety of quilts on it. Which will you quilt first, I wonder. I'm sure the quilt made from your father's shirts will be well-loved when it's finished.

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  36. The little Christmas trees are so cute! And of course, you made the tiny HST tree without a pattern. That is adorable!

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