I often claim to have a Quilting "Hobby" in attempts to hide my obsession with fabric and color.

Friday, January 25, 2013

Calypso in Earth tones

I realized I never posted my other Christmas Client Quilt. This one was ordered by someone as a gift to her son and daughter-in-law.

She printed off the picture of Ritas Quilt (Calypso in Fire tones) and said, that it needed to be in Earth tones. When I asked about the space it would be going in, she replied that she wasn't sure, because she thought they might be redecorating. The only other given criteria was that it be as large as possible....her son does the "Crocodile Roll" as we call it in the north. You know, the grab of the cover, tuck under the chin, and roll! And her DIL was tired of always having to tug back to be warm.

So I ran with it. My favorite part, picking the fabrics, was a breeze. But cutting that much fabric...holy cow! And then to the machine I went. It's the easiest 2 block quilt, but making sure you lay out the rows right is the key.

Once this monster was made, I had to shove it under my machine. She wasn't looking for intricate quilting but rather a stitch that could hold up to tug of war, cats, and frequent washing. Simple, as stitch the ditch/frame combo did the trick, and was machine friendly.

I think the final quilt was a looker, and I added a little decorative vine quilting to the border. And when the pictures came back from the happy recipient, you would have sworn the quilt was made KNOWING the colors of the space.

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Custom Addi Case

This is my chance to brag, scream praise, and advertise for a fellow crafter.

While the name of my blog is My QUILT Corner, I have become a closet addict of Crochet. Really.
So much so, that for my last birthday, all I wanted was an iPad so I could sit in bed at night after the family was asleep and YouTube Crochet videos.

I re-learned it, and then learned some things I never knew before. And let me tell you, like quilting, crochet opens a whole new world of obsessions.....hooks, yarn, books, doodads...And I made the mistake of wandering into the local yarnsnobshop. You know, the one that would NEVER sell anything you could find at JoAnns or Michaels. And they had these oh so cool hooks. Addi Swing Crochet Hooks. OMG. Ergonomic, warms in your hand, made of the smoothest stainless steel. (googly eyes). And they are NOT cheap! So, I asked for the set of the first 11 for Christmas....and I GOT THEM!

Now being a relatively new item, there is NOTHING on the market to protect these little treasures. I searched the web, hit all the stores, even considered making my own. I mean, I am a quilter, so how hard could it be? But like we all know, if it's something you do everyday, it's not likely you will do it for yourself....or at least not anytime soon. So, while I was trolling the internet for ideas anyway, I came across this listing for a makeup/brush/pencil case on Etsy by a little shop called The Giving Tree.

I saw a little button for click for custom orders.....

I asked if she could modify a bag for my hooks and make it purple....

And LOOK WHAT SHE MADE ME!!!!


I love it! And it was just what I wanted. And it fits my 11 hooks perfectly. And it's purple. And it was so affordable.




If you crochet, if you have these hooks, might get these hooks, or have anything you want in a gorgeous, custom, portable, affordable case....contact Penny Sperry @ www.thegivingtree.etsy.com

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Granny Blankies

Look! 2nd day in a row I have managed to post something! It's a new year baby!

As I mentioned in a previous blog, last summer I decided to "tech" myself crochet. I have knitted scarves, hats, and pillows for years, but found it a little bleh. I dappled a time or two in crochet, but really, found it's a little tricky to learn from pictures of other people's hands in books.

So last summer when I got an iPad for my birthday, I pulled up that nasty YouTube, searched Crochet, and "poof" a whole new hobby was born. Now I will state up front I will NEVER make anything that can be considered clothing, but lace edging, dishtowels, blankets, scarves, what FUN!

In addition to all the little things I have tried, I have made now 3 full size granny blankies (one for each kid) and a ripple blanket for myself. Here are the grannies:
This is Tori's and the colors she picked.



Becca's in BRIGHT rainbows.

And Aerik's in "boy" colors.

I made them all with the Carron Simply soft yarn and boy are they cuddly soft. I find that Crochet is the perfect end of the day activity while watching a little tv. A switch from the sewing machine, and still portable.



Monday, January 7, 2013

Allison's Quilt

I know I'm working backwards here, but after neglecting this blog for more than 2 months, I figured it was just better to start somewhere.

Just as I finished up my last clients quilt before Christmas, I got the most amazing email from the wonderful woman we got Blue from. Turns out a dear lifelong friend of hers had been diagnosed with stage 4 ovarian cancer. Her and a group of friends had seen this amazing YouTube video on a comfort blanket given to a cancer patient. They wanted to know if I could do something like that for them. Of course I jumped on it, and told them that a tumbler block quilt would be a perfect pattern, with some plain fabric blocks that could be written on with a fabric pen.




After finding out her favorite colors (PINK and blue), I scooted right over to the fabric store to find the softest flannel I could for the backing. Emails and Facebook group page gave me the names and messages to add, and in just under two weeks, a very special quilt was in the hands of the USPS to be delivered to a much deserving woman.





The experience had such an effect on me. To be honored with the trust of these people to make just the right quilt for such a dear friend. To be able to put my love and attention into something that would bring comfort and warmth to someone so deserving. I made this quilt my gift, and found it made the Christmas season just that much more special.