ZigZapps and LQS shopping

Yesterday was the end of the month sale at one of the LQS that is about 20 miles from here. On the last day of each month, you can get one item for 30% off. They know that we quilters won't buy just ONE item and I didn't disappoint altho I only got 2 things that weren't on my list. I drove over there for the remaining yellow brick road fabric - too bad I couldn't get the camera to take a better picture of this golden fabric. This pix looks washed on out on my laptop. I also grabbed a couple browns for the Sweet Potato Pie blocks I am working on. I needed dark red thread and I found some 3/4" hexies at half price. I only bought 2 packages to get me started as I am really looking for a punch to make my own hexies. Any one have one they want to sell? Anyone?

Based on a couple comments I received yesterday, I think I should write a little about ZigZapps.
Essentially they are a tool for applique. Designs are printed on a fusible web with lines for sewing, cutting and slitting. After sewing the panel to the fabric, turn them inside out, finger press them to flatten, lay out your design and iron them to the background fabric. You can then machine or hand applique. It is not a permanent adhesion -they will peel off. This is good if you want to reposition them but I'm not sure how well it would last for hand applique - maybe you only add one or two pieces at a time. I am machine appliqueing and it worked great when I ironed on all the pieces at once.

I am using the leaf panel for the design I posted yesterday - you can see that it offers 3" or 4" leaves depending on how you cut it out. The panels also have little design ideas. I received the gingerbread panel as a gift when the most-LQS had their grand opening party. I have some brown and green tea towels that I want to add the gingerbread men to. Check out Quiltsmart for other design/panel options. At 99 cents per panel at the LQS it's not a bad idea if you need a standardized applique shape.

UFO Thursday

Remember the Sweet Potato Pie (drunkards path) blocks I pulled out recently? Well, I also pulled out some more browns and golds to continue making blocks. I have twice as many new golds to use as browns so I'll need to look for some FQs the next few times I am at a quilt store. I'm not in any hurry to get this done so I'll just buy a brown here and there. After making blocks with the new fabrics, I'll have 40 blocks and that should be more than sufficient. Each block finishes at 7" so it would make a nice couch size cuddle quilt with some fancy borders.

I’m still plugging away on my blendable curves class sample. About another 37 minutes and I’ll have all the curved blocks together. Then I just need to square them up. I don’t normally square blocks but these babies really need it due to all the curves and bias edges. I’ve noticed while working on this quilt that it’s a little small and I finally figured out why! I made the first 2 blocks for my own good after borrowing the book. I just wanted to have a sample of the technique. Then the LQS asked me to teach a class so I just continued with what I had started. I used already cut 2" strips for my first sample whereas the pattern calls for 3" strips. Well, duh! I know a couple outside borders will do some good but I also thought maybe I could add an interior border like on this other UFO to the right. The off-center blocks are very similar to my current project but I might have to make a few more blocks. I'll work on layouts for the rest of the week/end so hopefully I can make a quick decision.

Design Wall Monday - 2/14/11

It's a lovely day in the neighborhood. Today started at 46 degrees F. It's now down to 35 and sleeting. We also have wind gusts up to 57 mph. Two barn roofs collapsed this weekend from the weight of the snow. I am pretty sure last V-Day we didn't have barely any snow. I only remember this because V-Day is Chocolate in the Stacks at my local library and I don't remember parking in snow at last year's event. For CITS, there are chocolate treats scattered all over our library and there are almost 60 raffle baskets for a Chinese Auction. I'm on the library board and I'm not afraid to yell over the din of people so I get to pull the winning tickets and announce them. Wish me luck that I win something too!

This weekend, after finishing my February UFO, I worked some more on this class sample. Doesn't feel like I got a lot done but at least I am progressing. Maybe it's because this project gets a little monotonous and I worked on some other projects. Of course, this one also made me think of a drunkard's path UFO that I had to dig out and work a little on. Look for more on both UFO's on Thursday.

Design Wall Monday - 1/31/11

Sorry - gonna have to be a quick one today...too much work to do.

The class I was helping with at the LQS this weekend was a Disappearing 9-patch which gave me the push to finish this D9P top that was started back in August using Sew Tweet fabrics. I just need to pick fabric for the back. I must have something at home I can hobble together since it's couch sized.

Cali, today's Quality Control Officer, could have told me she wanted the blocks arranged differently BEFORE I had it together...

I started working on a class sample using "Blendable Curves" in blue, gold and purple. Will post more later this week along with a link to the book we are using.

I also finished my UFO for January but will post about it later...