Blogger's BOM

Have joined in the fun? Jackie of Canton Village Quilt Works is hosting a BOM. Different bloggers are creating blocks for this BOM. You can read more on Jackie's blog. Sherri created the first one. Here is my version of her block.
With Passion,

Carrie P.

It's Official

Autumn is here!
This pattern is from the Give Thanks BOM from Jenny.

With Passion,

Carrie P.

Applique Addicts Show and Tell

The applique addicts met this past Thursday and I thought I would show you some really great applique. I am sure you will be inspired.
These birds were done by Beverly. The pattern is from a pattern called Graceful Baltimore by Denise Sheehan.
Here is Jane's version of one of the Hop To It blocks.
Look what Betty is working on! A Cathedral window bursting with color.
Susan is working on a tiny wool project from Primitive Gatherings.
Susie is working on some really pretty flowers.
And finally, look at Christie's beautiful batik butterflies.

Now are you inspired to do some applique?

With Passion,

Carrie P.

Being Knotty

Celtic knots that is. I taught a Celtic Knot applique class this past Saturday and I had to work on some samples to show in class. The different blocks show some of the tight curves and mitered corners.
It is fun to look for different fabrics to use in Celtic knots. As you can see from original fabric, Sherbet Pips, it looks quite different cut on the bias.
Here is a photo of the pattern just in case you want to try your hand at being Knotty. You can see one of my finished projects using knots here.

With Passion,

Carrie P.

Testing!

I have been holding onto this photo since February. I get an email newsletter from Apple Blossom Quilts. The creator, Connie Sue Haidle, put out a call for pattern testers. She was looking for people to test patterns for a free BOM that she is offering in her newsletter. I emailed her, let her know my skills, and she asked if I would test a block. As you can see I said yes. I could not share my block until a newsletter had been released which comes out once a month.
What is really neat about this BOM is that she is offering three different blocks which are for different applique skill levels. The other two blocks use the butterfly in the pattern but they are much more intricate. My block was the "easy" block.

If you go to Apple Blossom Quilts and click on "newsletter" you can get the blocks for free. You can only get blocks free if you subscribe to her newsletter. After the newsletter has been sent you have until a certain date to get the patterns. After that date then you have to buy the patterns if you missed any. If you go on the website you will also be able to see past blocks.

I got the free BOM patterns for my Buttons N' Blooms quilt (above) a couple years ago from Apple Blossom Quilts. After I made this quilt I then taught it as a BOM in an applique class. It was a fun quilt to do.

Connie Sue is a very talented applique artist. If you go to her web site you will also find some great applique tips. Even if you don't get around to making the blocks now it will be worth it to subscribe and collect them to do later.

With Passion,

Carrie P.

In the mood...

for a little embroidery. This is a Crabapple Hill pattern and Cosmo threads that Sue sent me last year as a gift. I had it all ready to work on when I took my road trip to California but never started it. The threads remind me of fall and I am longing for Autumn to arrive.

I thought I would share a few photos of our soon-to-be garden. The photo above is a rotting tree with moss. I just thought it was so delicate looking.

My husband has cut down a lot of trees so far. Some will be used for fire wood. Some will be cut into planks for a wood floor in our future dream home. Some will be used for the actual frames of the raised beds. As you can see from the photo even the branches are being used to make mulch for the pathways. I am the one who goes back and forth bringing the branches to be chipped.

I have some seeds planted which have already sprouted. I plan to have a fall garden this year. We are really excited to finally have this space. I don't know why we waited so long except we had planned to sell last year but have decided to stay here about five more years.

I still have not done any sewing but I do need to prepare for a Celtic Applique class this Saturday. I will show you my sample later.

With Passion,

Carrie P.

No Sewing

Instead of sewing I have been enjoying our very nice weather. It has been in the low 80's. I decided to get outside to do some yard work. I have not been outside hardly at all this summer. Too hot and humid. I get eaten alive by mosquitoes too. I took a minute to look around to see the beauty of nature. Look at that Oak Leaf Hydrangea. It looks just like copper.
Here are some shots of my yard work. I would rather do yard work than house work when the weather is nice.
This is the other side. The grass just took over the flower beds. The Iris beds in the backyard look terrible. They will be next.
I noticed this garden spider and it's web when I went to rinse the clay off the tools.
Take a look at this monster. I was trimming some plants and felt stinging on my elbow. It was this mad looking caterpillar. It stung for a while.
Yesterday I went to a couple of our quilts shops. Several of them are holding a shop hop. I will not make it to all of them. I did buy a few pieces of fabric which are in the washing machine as I write. I also bought this sweet pattern.
If you live near the Triad of North Carolina you can join in the hop too. Here is a link to read more about it. Three sewing machines are being given away. http://sewwelcome.com/atthehop/default.asp

The last two weekends my husband with the help of one of our sons has been cutting some trees down on our property so that we can finally have garden. It has been a lot of work. This weekend I will be out there again helping move limbs so that he can chip them into mulch. So still no sewing going on while I work with my husband. I will be working in the yard getting the other flower beds nice and neat before winter too. I enjoy the work but this fifty four year old body sure can tell it has been working hard.

Just wanted to let you know what I was up to lately. Just taking advantage of the great weather. Enjoy your weekend.

With Passion,

Carrie P.

Step by Step

One more Hop to It block done. Taking the different photos during different times of the day sure does change the look of the fabrics. I used freezer paper for all the leaves. For the stems I used a Clover 1/4" bias maker. Perfect Circle makers by Karen Kay Buckley were used for the centers of the flowers. For the yellow part of the flower I used Templar plastic, no melt plastic, and painted the edges with Magic Sizing. Then I ironed the edges around the plastic. So as you can see I like using a variety of applique techniques. What is your favorite way to do applique?

With Passion,

Carrie P.