Bittersweet Needle and Thread

Bittersweet Needle and Thread

Thursday, January 29, 2015

Quilting Frame and Quilt

NEW QUILTING FRAME

OMG!  What was I thinking?  Did I take measurement?  NO.  Did I consider the size of my living room?  NO.  Did I consider the weight of the frame just to move it?  NO.  Did I want it?  YES.  Do I like it?  YES, YES, YES!!!  I'm talking about my new quilting frame. 


Look at how much space the frame takes up, but I have the whole Duckling quilt on it and still have some (hum) room to move around in the living room.  My "area" is on the far side of the room and only encroach on my husbands side when I have to work on the the right side.  And... he doesn't seem to mind that its there.  Wow! 



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 SMALL CRIB QUILT

This small quilt I made last year.  I only had small amounts of each of the fabrics and this is what I ended up with.  The colors go well together and I used a light purple for the back.

 

What I did differently was add some of the fabric to the binding and I really like it.

 

 I machine quilted this one, but I'm not very good at it.  I prefer hand quilting.

 

 This quilt is going to a 4 month old little girl.  Her mother is a Physical Therapist Assistant student that I have been working with on her first clinical affiliation at my facility, which is skilled therapy in a nursing home.  She's been with me for the whole month of January and tomorrow is her last day.  What a good therapist she will be.  Her patience, communication skills and knowledge base is very good.  I know our patients have enjoyed working with her and so have I.  Best wishes to her on her continued studies and next clinical experience.

Thanks for visiting
Cinder


Tuesday, January 20, 2015

Baskets

 DEER ANTLER BASKET

Here is a collection of some of my baskets that I use every day.  This basket was one of the first deer antler baskets that I made around 2001.  It was very different then regular handled basket, as I had to make sure that it was balanced and would sit without falling to one side.  I helped this out by adding the stone with a hole in it that I got from my friend Sherri.  The ribs are willow and the reed was dyed in walnut hulls.




 This basket is in my bathroom holding wash clothes. 

 


 POTATO BASKET

This basket was made in 2004 from reed that was dyed in walnut hulls and yellow ritz dye.  I also used sunflower fabric for weaving.  The rim is an old embroidery hoop that was my grandmother's.



 This is where I keep my curlers. (Yes there are some of us out there that sleep in curlers!)

  

WILLOW BASKET

I purchased some bamboo handles in the mid 1990's and made this fun basket from willow and dyed reed.  To dress it up I added a green satin ribbon.

 

 

 This basket holds my makeup.  It's getting pretty beat up from daily use and some of the ribs are getting broken.  I'll use it until it wears out and enjoy every minute of it.


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UPDATE:  I'm soooo excited.  I just purchased a new quilting frame this week and can't wait till it arrives.  NOW I'll be able to hand quilt crib to queen size quilts!  Up to now my frame only allows full size as the largest and that would put a strain on it.  Oh what fun I'm going to have.  And my husband is sooo happy to have it in the living room!!!!

 Thanks for visiting



 

Sunday, January 4, 2015

Flying Geese and Receiving Blanket Quilt

FLYING GEESE QUILT

I had fun making this small lap quilt from miscellaneous scraps.  It is one of the quilts I hope to give to the local women's shelter.


I hand tied it and wanted to keep it simple. 

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RECEIVING BLANKET QUILTS

My niece, Virginia, had a sack full of receiving blankets from her 3 girls and asked if I would like them.  At first I said no, then I got to thinking (sometimes that can be dangerous for me!).  Why not!  So this is what I was able to make.  A twin size soft flannel hand tied quilt.  When I was done with it, I gave it to my sister, Dawn, to be used at her house when the girls come to stay the night.  Now the girls can continue to use their blankets in a blanket.


  
Can you see the stain on the white block in the last row!  I left the receiving blankets just like they were, stains and all.  I bought a pink/brown polka dot flannel for the back.

And then.....from bits left over I was able to make this small lap quilt.  What fun and so soft.   I don't remember what this cross pattern is call but its cute.


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The Duckling quilt is really coming along.  I have all the blocks done and have added the blue border and sash.  Now I have to find some fabric for the back.  Then on to the quilting frame!


Oh yes, I started another braided rug!  Fun, fun, fun.

Thanks for visiting,
Cinder