Fabric Clocks

Now I can post on what I've been sewing on for the past few months.  It all started when I bought a Quilting Arts Stitch Fall 2010    magazine and I seen a perfect gift on page 71:  a fabric clock.  I quickly found out what colors would look nice in my sister's sewing rooms.  The pictures below are my results.

The last two pictures are the backs of the quilted fabric before I mounted them on a frame.

Both of my sisters were delighted with the results.  It has been hard to keep this a secret.  I also done some exploring on internet and the designer of this great pattern is Linda Graham  of Soft Clox.  While you are on her web site, please check out all her wonderful clock patterns.

Thank you Linda for letting me share pictures of your design.  You will be hearing from me as soon as I can make up my mind which clock I want to make for in my sewing room.  

I just have to share the postcard that we received from my sister a few years ago.

The snowman just makes me smile even though I don't really like the cold :)

 Have a Happy New Year!

Happy Quilting

Kay Lynne

My New Sewing Room and I'm Proud of My Sis

This last week I've been slowly moving in my sewing room.  This is my cutting table and the wall on the right will be a design wall.  I haven't had time to make it, but that is the plan.  All extra scissors and razor blade knives are in the glass mug.  Rotary cutters are in the basket on the table.  DVD's are in a basket.  Quilt rulers all have a special place.  I don't have a storage plan for scraps yet, but there will be when I'm finished.  If you have any ideas for storage on scraps that are smaller than a fat quarter that would look great on a small shelf, I would appreciate it.

The space of this room is more than doubled from my old sewing room.  I had grafted out all my furniture on graft paper and played around with ideas for several months before I came up with something that is workable.  My serger table can also be used as a pressing and cutting table.

One corner has all my books and magazines.  My husband thinks that I should scan off all the magazines and store them on DVD, but I still like having a magazine to curl up in bed to look at.  The small cabinet with all the drawers was bought over 15 years ago to store all my sewing notions.  It's a pretty convenient place to store buttons, thread, needles, and anything else that is small.

This cabinet below was refinished this summer and I tiled the door.  I'm using it to store cone thread.

 After the holidays, Dean is going to install a new closet door so my fabric won't fade.  

 Over 25 years ago my grandfather built my sewing cabinet.  It comes in three sections.  Both of the side sections have three large drawers.  The center holds my machine and there's also a hutch for open storage and display.  The racks on the side for serger thread are really convenient, but are dust catchers.  I've thought about putting some clear plastic over the cones, but haven't made a decision yet.

I've become used to having a bulletin board in front of where I work.  It's convenient to hang patterns where I can see them.  I also hung my small quilting rulers where I can see them.  If they are in my site, they will be used!

The only new piece of furniture I bought was this ottoman.  It opens up for storage and also is nice for hubby to sit down on when he wants to see what I'm up to.

I've had this storage cube for a long time, but wanted to show you how I use it to store my dress patterns and long rulers.  It's amazing how some little hooks can make life so much easier.  Before I had a place to hang quilting rulers, I would spend a lot of wasted time looking for them.  Now everything has a special place so I can find it when I need it. 

My younger sister is a co-author of a new Ohio 4-H Quilting Project Book!  What an amazing project!  I'm so happy that the kids in Ohio have a project book to get them started.  I can't wait to have the hard copy in my hands!  I had the honor of proofreading the rough draft :)  We all need to remember to teach the younger generation our quilting skills and build wonderful relationships along the way.

I just have to say:
I'm so proud of my sis!
She is nine years younger than I am and I have sweet memories of Jen and me at Mom's 201 Singer working on 4-H projects.  She can tell you how I made her sew every seam herself with my supervision when Mom couldn't be there.  Now she does great things with her sewing machine!
Congratulations to everyone that helped put this project book together!

Happy Quilting & Merry Christmas!

Kay Lynne

My New Sewing Room is Almost Ready!

My husband is very busy at work putting up woodwork for me.  He has even found that my Ott-Lite works great when things are a little dark.  I'm wondering if I will have to hide my light in the near future?  Dean has found that he likes quite a few of my quilting tools since we've been remodeling.  He has even been known to "borrow" my quilt rulers.  So to fix that problem--I bought him a new tape measure :) 

I never thought that trying to find a stud in the wall would be so difficult!  We even had a high tech stud finder and I think it was confused.  We had drilled 4 holes before we found a stud.  The low tech method ended up helping us find a stud.  Dean fished a bent bailing wire through the wall and eventually figured out where the stud was located.  We were only off an inch--so close, but so far!

So that is what we did on a snowy Sunday afternoon.  I've been working on Christmas presents and will be posting on them after Christmas.

  Sorry Jenny and Emily--you will have to wait to find out what I've been working on  :)

Happy Quilting!

Kay Lynne

Free Motion Fun: Meandering, Leaves, and Feathers

I spent some time this weekend getting caught-up with the Free Motion Quilt along.  Meandering is a fun way to fill a quilt, but Christina has me thinking outside the box.  Why not cross the lines, add loops, and just have fun!  How about adding stars!  My sister added stars in her meandering.  Great job Jenny :)

Below is another idea from Christina.  It reminds me of water.

 I also practiced leaves. Leaves are a little hard for me because I never can get the shape I'm looking for, but they're still fun to try.  They can also be used as background filler with a little practice.

Here is one of Christina's patterns that I modified just a little bit.  Instead of traveling back on the curls, I trailed back making it look more like ribbon.  The options are endless!

The last but not least is feathers.  I have been practicing feathers for a long time on small projects and just drawing them in my sketch book.  Christina has more ideas on her leaves and feathers post.

Below is my feather.  I haven't tried a border before--it was fun :)

If you want to learn how I do feathers, check out my tutorial on drawing feathers.  Hint on feathers below:  I started with the feather at the bottom.  Yes--I chalked in a curvy line.  The rest I filled in without lines.  To start the next feather I traveled through the stitching to my chalk line.

In this busy time of year please take time to reflect on the important things in life, spend time with family, and don't forget there are others that need our help.  Have a wonderful week!

Happy Quilting

Kay Lynne