Crochet and Quilts

As I wrote in my last post, I have been working on multiple projects. Typical me.  And after that last post, I decided to make a detour and add a project.

All the rage right now is with embellishing crafts with crochet trim. I have been an avid crocheter for about a year now, having made 5 bed size blankets, and gobbling up all the books I can find. I love my Addi hooks, and thought it was time to challenge myself to the lace/trim aspect of the craft.  Pulling out of my donated stash some floral fabric, I decided to try my hand at the pillowcase with crochet trim. I decided on a standard queen size pillowcase (22x34) and then embellished it. It was so much fun, and so easy (a single night project) that I am thinking of making more....can someone say Christmas gifts????

 On another note, I have discovered that I LOVE working with small pieces of fabric to make lap size quilts. I mean, who doesn't like to reach up and pull a cuddly quilt down for a nap on the couch? This one was made with leftovers from 4+ previous projects. I started with 2 inch squares and, using Bonnie Hunter's Leaders and Enders method, had enough color/cream combos to run away with this impromptu 4 square quilt. To make it just a bit larger, I added a border of all colored squares.  The final project is made up of 1156 squares!

What a blast!

Checking in

I must once again apologize for my negligence of my blog. I wanted so badly to have the discipline to write daily, or at least weekly. And it seems at best I'm writing monthly right now.

I have several projects on the board, and being client quilts, I can't post them until they are in the hands of the new owner.

My other projects ('cause any one that knows me knows I can't stick to just one, or two projects) include a 2" square scrap quilt that is going to be a cute lap warmer, a crochet blanket that I get one or two rows done  at any sitting, my Amish Twist quilt, and the amazing pillow project I just finished up with Becca's class.

AND if that wasn't enough, we are in the final haul towards summer break. Aerik has healed very nicely from his Tonsil/Adnoidectomy. He is going to be in HS this fall, and I don't know where the time went. Becca is going to be a 2nd grader but has all the attitude of a pre-teen already. And I am still in the confusing process of sorting out the cause of my Migraines, though the Neurologist is thinking I might have Fibromyalgia. She is treating some of my headache issues as if they were a result of my TMJ (a common issue with Fibro. patients) and my IBS (another coomon issue of Fibro.)

But regardless of the outcome, I am still a fabric hording, multiple UFO kinda gal, just trying to keep up with the kiddos!

Next post, PICTURES!

Half Square Triangles!

Well, having grown bored with squares, but not yet ready for curves, I decided to take on the mysterious Half Square Triangle.  I found a pattern called North by Northwest and decided with a color change up to make my own version.

I pulled from my Batik stash to make this in Blues, Greens, Purples, Browns, and a few Mulberry. It called for 1100 HST blocks, and I think I ended up using just about 900 of them. That is a lot of pressing time.

My plan is to back it with a soft flannel in blue. It's a nice lap size, good for naps.

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.

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

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.

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.

Robyn's Quilts

Well, I am going to gamble here that the Parents of the kiddo's I made these quilts for don't read my blog....

I finally finished up the Two Christmas Quilts that Robyn commissioned from me, and the two Blue's Blankets made from their scraps for her beloved pups.

This was a real fun commission because I was given full creative license so to speak. She told me the gender, age, and favorite colors of each child and off I went. I decided it would be fun to make them different enough to be unique to each child, but stay within a similar theme (geometric)

The pink and purple if for her Niece.  I quilted it in a double 4 leaf flower pattern that gave a neat optical illusion of broken circles.

 The blues and green is for her Nephew. That one was more of a rambling free hand with looped ribbons down intermittently. I used Sulky for that shiny detail...what an adventure. That stuff loves to snarl and break at the least opportune time. But the results are stunning!

And of course two little blankies (more pad size I think) for the pups!

Winter Geese Sold!

Again, it has been far too long since I posted last, but sadly, I feel there is so little I can post right now.  I have several projects in front of me, but I cannot post any of them because they are commissioned quilts and I can't ruin the surprise....and for those who know me well, you know the other part of my current life is incredibly personal and not something I want to post here. sigh.

But one good thing I can post about is that my Winters Geese Quilt has gone to a new home!

A former High School classmate and I reconnected some time back on Facebook. I did a quilt for her, and then she ordered several more (one of the two clients I am surprising!). She was recently diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes and this hit very close to home for her because she lost her mother to this illness. She has become very motivated to take charge of her health and has decided to be part of a walk to raise money and awareness for Diabetes research. She asked if I could donate a quilt to the cause, and I knew right away Winters Geese was the one! I mean really, who wouldn't want to cuddle up to a colorful, handmade quilt, backed in cuddly soft flannel? She posted it on Ebay, and it received great attention, and several bids, and ultimately a winner!

While I am not getting rich financially in my quilting adventure (yet...?) I have made some amazing new friends, gained some wonderful publicity, and been a a part of several terrific charities. So you could say it has been a wealth finding hobby.

Well, off to the machine...I must justify my fabric obsession some how!

Wow, where did summer go?

I am so embarrassed to see that I haven't blogged since July 11th. WOW!
 To start, I remember school getting out, and my thinking, "I will have sooo much more time to quilt and develop  'My Quilt Corner' now that school is out. Ok. Yeah, that didn't happen.
But we did have quite the summer.
For starters, Tori went down to Virginia early, by train. Got to catch up with friends and family and take in DC.
Brian, Aerik, Becca, and I went to Boston over my birthday weekend, and did the Aquarium, Fanueil Hall, and Cambridge Galleria.  And let's not forget the day trip to Granby Zoo in Canada, where I managed to get Becca to be goofy with me!


Then, once Aerik went down to VA for 2 weeks, I decided it was time to learn a new skill. So YouTube taught me how to make Granny Square Blankets. Now I am a crocheting fool! Quilt by day, and yarn by night.







First I made this crazy bright one that Becca promptly claimed.

And then a more subdued one for Tori.

Aerik finally picked some colors out so I will make him one after I finish the ripple afghan I just learned how to make (thanks again to YouTube!). With the kids at school, I can finally focus on commissioned quilts....

Did I mention, today was the FIRST day back to school????

The older two wanted no part of mom and the camera, but here is Becca all pretty and ready to go with her new backpack to first grade!

Hunter Star Quilt

Well, here it is! All finished, and ready to go....somewhere.

I posted the top before so there isn't much to post except the details of the quilting I guess.

I took a new step and tried out some embroidery thread for the quilting this time. It's nice sheen and color match made it pop on the back and it blended nicely to the front. My only complaint it that there are places on the light fabric where it looks drawn on rather than stitched in. I don't know if it's because of the fine gauge of the actual thread or if I'm just being too fussy.

I had a lot of fun doing a continuous line stitch around the stars and a free motion flower in the blocks. I also outlined the applique and then did a wave stipple on the boarders. This is one of the first quilts I can honesly say I like the back better than the front quilting!

Colors and Patterns will vary~ Can special order color scheme.

Anyway, the next project is another top that is already done, just needs to be quilted, and then I need to switch gears and start working on quilts commissioned for Christmas. Seems so strange to say that in July!





Also, since you are reading this....if you need a special gift for that pooch or kitty in your life, consider a "Blue's Quilt" for that special pet.


 I have renamed them that because the proceeds will be donated to support rescues that help save lives, in honor of our sweet Blue. You can email me or call My Quilt Corner for pricing and order details.

Star Cabin and Teachers Gift

Well, school is over, and the insanity has taken on a new high. It's amazing how the kids being home has left me with very little time to quilt, think, sleep....so sadly, I haven't been very productive. But I have managed to finish a quilt, make my end of year teacher's gift, and decide that before creating any more quilts, I AM going to back and quilt a few tops.

So here is the Star Cabin. Made with all batiks, I decided to start with the center fabric and base my others around it. It is a dark navy back with these lovely gold/orange/yellow sunflowers. From there I decided to do blues and oranges, with matching bars, so it is a total of 7 prints per block.
In keeping with the scrappy feel and the desire to clean out some stash fabric, I used the remainders of the orange prints from the front and a blue batik for the backing. I tried to take several pictures of the machine quilting, but nothing showed well. I used an Orange cotton thread on the front, and a varigated blue thread in the bobbin. What a nightmare that was. I realize now that mixing colors is not for the anal retentive OCD quilter....it shows every imperfection, every tension issue; trust me when you do a double batik quilt, tension is you #1 companion.



 Whining aside, I bound this lap quilt with the left over fabric I used for the stars. So in all, it was a fun quilt to make, a bear to quilt, and a colorful new addition.



On another note, this is the bag I made Becca's Kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Waldo. It was a pattern I found online for an Art Tote, and I modified it just a bit to be a toddler friendly go-tote. Pockets for drinks, tissues, sunscreen, toys. We filled it with a few fun summer toys and a book. Lots of fun!







Finally, I won't be blogging much this summer. Between all the kid activities, mini trips, and other obligations, I will consider it a good summer if I get even two more quilts done before the school year starts again and I start attacking my client christmas list.







But check in, you never know what lack of sleep might cause me to post.....

Client Quilt

Several weeks ago, I received a call from a lovely woman looking for some quilting to be done on a quilt she had made for her daughter's birthday. She had used a longarm quilter in the past, who also owns a local fabric shop, and she was given my number off a business card, because the owner was too backlogged to take on her project.

Now, keep in mind I haven't done much for client quilting, and I don't have a long arm. I told her this over the phone but was more than willing to take on the project. Boy am I glad I did! Not only did I make some money (yay!), but I met an amazing woman, and discovered a new idea for a quilting project.

Forgive me for the elusive write-up but I must remain somewhat vague as this is a gift that has not yet been given, and I will NOT be the one to let the cat out of the bag.  I have a few pictures I can share of the back of the quilt just to show my work. Because I am proud of it. I did all the Free Motion Quilting on my home machine (my beloved Janome MC6600) and while I had a stencil, I did most of the work by eye. And the thread I found by chance~ Variegated in all the colors of the backing fabric! What a find!!!!

Once the quilt is gifted, I will post again to this and show the front side, because let me tell you, it is a gorgeous quilt, with an incredible story. But for now, you just get a peek....


I also have a new quilt ready to go under the needle. It will be called Star Cabin, and it's done in Blue and Orange Batiks. It will finish out as a throw at 55"sq. More to come for pictures on that later.....

Lastly, todays funny.....what to do when it's hot out? Stay cool like a cat! Way to go Lilly!

Newest quilt top

I decided to try a new quilting technique. The Hunters Star. I used this amazing product called the Rapid Fire Hunter's Star by Deb Tucker.  Pretty neat. It gave me the motivation to use some fabric I bought way back when. And then I decided it would be neat to add some embellishments and attempt some basic bias applique. Lots of fun, very neat. I used a beautiful rayon Sulky thread and a double needle to secure it to the top, and when it's time to quilt it, I
think I will do some shadow quilting.



But let me tell you, those mini irons get hot!

I have to admit, sadly, I have managed to turn Quilting into some sort of contact sport. I have cut myself, sewn my fingers, glued stuff to me, and now, I can add branding.  Nothing like a day of quilting to add something to the conversation table. How many of you recognize this mark? Yup, that would be the Clover Mini Iron.

My son saw the burn the other day as it had a chance to dry out and darken down. He asked what it was and I told him it was a mark. "A mark?" he asked, and I answered, "Yup, to remind me which space ship I belong on!". They are so fun to mess with....