Sunday, March 30, 2025

Dusting up the neglected blog!

My long neglected blog needs a little attention!

Even though the blog has been quiet - I’ve been busy!!

A little traveling, a little teaching at guilds and shops,
A little painting and lots of quilting!!

Here are a few highlights….

Biggest News ….
My house has an addition that was for my mom, 
after her passing we made it into a game room with big tv and pool table …
It did not get much use - so we donated the pool table and made the room
Into my Quilt Studio!!!! Mom would be happy!!!
If you notice I kept the pool table lights!
My pressing station with three rolling pieces that hold project boxes.
All (well most!) of my fabric is wrapped on comic boards
And displayed in IKEA Billy bookcases.

My sewing island constitutes of a pressing station, 
Cutting station, Bernina sewing area and my big Janome table and machine.
I LOVE it!!!
Plus I have the big tv to watch while sewing!!

My Painting station got a refresh too!!

As far as quilting I’ve been busy making samples
For QuiltCorner Studio in Sandwich MA

“Roulette” pattern by Sarah Thomas
Made with Guidry Guice fabrics
Kits for this available at QuiltConer Studio!

Another Laura Heine “Pincushion” 
For a class at All About Quilts in Walpole

Had tons of FUN making this one!
Fabrics by Tula Pink and fussy cut for center squares.
Kits available at QuiltCorner Studio
?? I can not remember the name of the pattern!!

A blue and green Christmas quilt!!
Pattern Christmas Cheer by Corinne Sovey
Fabrics by Camille


Quick 3 yard quilt

This Iconic pattern by Vanessa Goertzen
Is becoming my all time favorite pattern to make!
This on features dog print fabrics

My intended quilting design

Unfortunately did not work out…
My Janome did NOT like quilting
With fleece on the back….
So I had to resort to boring straight line quilting!!
Which is still in progress as I was aggravated!!!

Hubby spotted this beautiful fox scampering 
thru our backyard a few months ago!

My daughter who works as the athletic trainer 
asked if I would make a special quilt - 
It was for the Tulane baseball team…
And it’s HUGE.
Since the tallest guy is 6’8” she asked for it to 
Cover them up when they crashed in the locker room!

The label!

This is a great project…
Pattern - A Room with a View from byAnnie
Fabrics by Tula Pink.
My suggestion is to read ALL the directions
Before starting!!
Don’t go it alone - you will only be frustrated…
Ask me how I know!!!!!

The Ships…
The final marking to the quilt designs on the border are going on!!
I am determined to have this quilt DONE for my guilds
Quilt show in September!

Speaking of the Silver City’s Quilt Show,
This is my Starry, Starry Night challenge entry!
Bight Guidry Guice fabrics on a black background!
Pattern: Star Burst by Gourmet Quilter

Anther entry will be this Storm at Sea quilter
That was started after taking a workshop from David Sirota.
The fabric called Effervescence from Kaufman fabrics
Just happened to be sitting in my fabric stash and was perfect
For my vision of a color wheel quilt.

Once it was completed it reminded me of the 
sunny sky over the deep ocean.
With a roll of wide Golden Threads Paper
I started drawing out my quilting design

Quilting on my Janome, since this was a small quilt
I had an easy time of it. I hardest part - picking
All the Golden Threads paper out of my stitching!

But totally worth it!
Really Happy with how this one came out out.

The quilting is hard to see in photos,
Here is a close up of the face in the sun.




My water color painting has taken a bit of a backseat
Since I’ve been stitching up a storm the past few months,
Here are a few of the projects I worked on.

My sister is taking a trip to Paris - so I just had to paint her
A card with the Eiffel Tower - to get here ready!!
                                                 

 

My friend had lost her beloved dog Molly
After scrolling thru photos I selected this one to paint.
When you give a gift like this and the recipient cries
You know what you’ve painted looks like their pet!
Yes - she cried …a lot!

My favorite painting to date is my Raven!
Painting in an online class with Alex Cantù of the Netherlands!
                                                       

Still picking away at this cross stitch project!


Currently this is the state of my design walls!

Three appliqué projects.
One is ready for quilting - just need a few ideas! 
The two blue blocks are the first two blocks from Becky Goldsmith’s
Block of the month - Blooming Joy.
And the nine small blocks are the Bain of my existence!!
Little Pots by Wendy Williams
 I’ve started this wool appliqué project three times
Only to get a few blocks in and hate my background choices,
Thinking third times a charm - I’m liking this version!!

And on my other design walls if another 
Christmas Cheer quilt - in very bright solid colors!
Just need to stitch up a few more blocks
And it Done!!

Sew as you see my blog has been slacking,
But I have not!!

Have a great Quilty Day and enjoy the process!

                               Janet 








 

Friday, July 26, 2024

This past month I’ve worked on a few shop projects.

The first is a tote that features:
Rifle & Paper Fabrics
Cork
Pattern: Santorini Tote 

It was fun and easy to put together and the cork
Stitched up like butter!!!
Could be an upcoming class in the Fall??!!

The Wristlet Clutch
Pattern by Sewgnar Sewing
Was quick and easy!
The pattern is designed to be made with cork - 
my first wristlet came out very floppy,
The addition of Bosal gave the wristlet much more structure.


Same wristlet pattern but made entirely of cork
(No Bosal needed!)
The wooden beads was a fun little addition!

The commission baby quilts are 
quilted, washed, blocked, bound and in the mail!
Just love the baseball quilt - I think the
Big brother will love it!

Found some fabulous baseball stitch fabric on Etsy
And knew it would make a perfect spiffy binding!


And they are off into the mail
A Baby quilt and one for the baby’s Big Brother!!
Hope they love them!!

Found these nice quilt care instructions on line,
Paired it up with my special tag…
Added these to the baby quilt

Currently machine quilting my latest BEAST!
Afternoon Delight (pattern by Sue Garmen) made with sweet Tilda fabrics.
It’s a good size! And half way quilted!!

My other BEAST …
MY SHIPS!
The hand quilting of the nine ship is done!!!
Now onto the border.

For the border I designed a half compass stencil,
Using a blue wash out pen, I’ve traced the motif  into
The area just below the scallop border,
Still debating how to quilt the dark blue/green scallops.
Pretty sure the outer edged will be quilted with 
A double straight line motif…
Will keep you posted on that one!

Every once in a while a teacher receives the nicest messages
From her students!
I’ve received a few the past month but two gals added
A photos of their projects!

Thank you  Virginia Gunzelmann and Joanne Matthew
For sharing your beautiful prepared edge appliqué Tulip quilts!
SO glad you enjoyed the class and you both
Did a fabulous job!!!

Created by Virginia Gunzelmann          ~           Created by Joanne Matthew.         
 
          

Joanne went the extra mile and sent this beautiful 
note to her guild about my class:
“…To begin with, if you have done applique and thought this class was not something you needed, oh, how wrong you might have been. The first hour was by far, one of the best, most detailed classes I've ever taken. Janet went step by step, process by process, tools by tools, to explain all of them and why she recommends them. Of course, she also states that if you feel any of these suggestions are not right for you , by all means find your own style. For every process and every tool, Janet had a sample to pass around for all to see the effects of using the process or tool. 
Even though I've done applique on and off for years, I learned so much today. I will use some of what is new, and use some of what I know and feel comfortable with. That's what a class and the instructor does---show you alternative ways, new techniques, new tools, and so much more. 
If you didn't or couldn't come today, and you get another chance to take her class, by all means, do it.”
Oh My Goodness - my heart is so filled with Quilty Love!
Thank you Joanne!


My painting adventures continue!

Pink Rhododendron 

The Iris was definitely a challenge
And stretched my capabilities…
Really happy with how it finished.
 
            The Process                                             The final piece


Decided to venture out into Bookmarks!

Currently I’m working on a yellow Hibiscus…
Here is a few photos of the process…
This one is also stretching my capabilities!!!

Loving my on line art classes!!

Plus I did a commission painting!!
I was given a poem and asked to make a painting
Of the poem surrounded by small flowers!
Here is the result:
The recipient loved it!

Family Time!
The 4th of July was a fun Lobster Fest day!

The flowers around the house are outstanding this year!
Continuing to give color even into the hot days of July!



The Backyard Shenanigans continue!!
The past five days we have had the privilege of visits from
Phyllis (I named her!!) apparently she is a lost racing pigeon!
She does have a numbered band and we tried to contact
The Racing Pigeon Association - but no one seems to
Claim this gal!
We give her water and bird seed when she visits
and she seems happy,
But I do hope she finds her way home!

Just to keep things interesting there have been
Bunnies and raccoon galore!

 

~Bella~
Closing now with memories of the 
Sweetest dog anyone could ever have.
We rescued Bella on November10, 2013
She brought so much joy into our lives
She was The Queen of Fur
And a loyal companion.


Her favorite thing to do was to stick her head out the car window
And bark for her friends on the way to LaSalette for her daily walk!

 


She was a beauty.


Bella ~ you  will live in our hearts FOREVER.