Fun for Halloween

I took a class last weekend

to learn how to use my new toy.

The pumpkin face on the glass block

was one of the projects.

Very easy and fun to scan in what you want

then have the machine cut it out for you.

I see many applications for this and have already used it

to scan and cut out some quilting patterns 

which I then ran through the sticker machine.

It will also cut out actual templates

so I see lots of uses for this tool!

Bunnies and Chicks

I tried out a new bunny pattern thanks to JJ's conversion from knitting.

Isn't he cute?  In spite of the kind of hunch back neck from my error.

I foresee more of these fellows.

Since you can see the bottom corner of my quilt in the above photos,

I thought I would share that as well.

LOL  This is my flock of chickens.

Too bad the newer TV sets higher and blocks half of it.

The pattern showed hand done eyes but I used the plastic wiggle eyes.

They may not be archival but they are fun for now.

Place Mats (or making a daughter smile)

Completed.

The last of the kitchen accessories requested by my daughter.

I told her I would make these quilted place mats

but would need to machine quilt them

with straight lines.

No fancy machine quilting here.

But when it came down to it

I could not put straight lines on these lovely swirls!

So I designed a quilting pattern

and made a template

And this is how it came out...

 

This backing is actually black but the flash washed it out.

And this is a close-up so only a corner.

I much prefer doing hand quilting on a hoop/frame

 but did not have anything to accommodate this size

 and had put enough time into this project.

Not to mention it is not easy with Carpal Tunnel.

Besides as you can see

the quilting really doesn't show on the front.

But she will be happy.

And that is what a mother wants most.

Cause for Paws

This past Friday I stopped by my local quilt shop

to help support a fundraiser for

a no kill animal shelter.

Last year they raised more than $20,000.00

from selling donated fabric postcards

sent from people all around the world.

The shop provided the machines and all materials.

All I brought was a little of my time.

Literally!

Because I had never made these before.

I had never sewn on any of these new machines.

So this was a win win win for everyone.

Wish I would have had more time.

Maybe next year...

Then again maybe I will make up a few during the year

to bring with me next time.

Now that I know how.

But here is what mine looked like.

Not terrific photos but hey, aren't cell phones wonderful little gadgets?

Fidget Quilt

Recently I learned about Fidget Quilts.

Simple lap quilts with do dads added,

which are appealing to the fingers of dementia patients 

as well as victims of stroke and head injuries.

I was so excited I got out my stash and whipped up this top:

Then I added some texture with beads and fringe and crochet.

A little ribbon and bias tape.

And of course tied it using buttons.

I am going to give it to my mother. 

I hope it will occupy her fingers.

I cannot imagine what it must be like to forget how to crochet.

It isn't the best work I have ever done and I like to hand quilt but I had a deadline

and imagine she won't mind.