Working on my blog

I haven't been able to update my blog lately...I apologize...
I have since lost all my pictures due to a computer virus and having to reformat my hard drive...very sad!

I am trying to get some images from an external harddrive, but having trouble uploading...
So, it is a work in progress and hope to be updated soon!

Check out Blue Moon River Blog - giveaway

Here is a great giveway for the holiday season!  Check out my favorite quilter's blog and leave a comment to win.

http://wwwbluemoonriver.blogspot.com/

Season's Greetings everyone :)

Sandy

Here is Custom Quilt #2

This is Giselle's quilt.  It is her first quilt and obviously has some meaning because there were wonderful pictures of her family.  She didn't want the pictures quilted, which is fine and I probably would have only outlined them which would have meant alot of starts and stops.  The result was a meander around the photos to stabilize them and then I took a hint from the fabric and in the pieced blocks, did a funky flower in the center of each.
The border is piano keys with the corners showing the same little funky flower, but smaller, with a meander around it.

I used Signature thread for this quilt, all in black.  I did stabilize the yellow sashing with a monofilament thread.

I think it turned out pretty cute!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/57105519@N07/sets/72157625482937543/show/

Sorry, I tried to get the slide show embedded in the post.  It comes up in the preview window correctly but when I try to publish it, all I get is the square with the dreaded red "x" in the corner.  Will try and find out how to get it within the post so you don't get forwarded to flickr.  This will have to do for now :)

Okay...1st Slide show

Let's give this a try.  Here is the first custom quilt done on my new system.  This is Jan's quilt.  Large vertical panels with applique.  The top turned out great, however with the lack of vertical seams, it was hard to stabilize enough of the quilt to get a smooth back.  Unfortunately unless I had basted the quilt before I started quilting it, I don't see how I could have avoided it.  Unless I did the can trick which probably would have caused folds near the fish border which I had already stabilized before I started doing the centre panels.

If anyone else has a suggestion or trick to avoid this, please send me an email.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/57105519@N07/sets/72157625614809492/show/

Pictures...so many Pictures

I was going to load some pictures tonight, but it is taking forever to get them uploaded.  I will set up a slide show for you and post it on my blog tomorrow.

There are 2 custom quilts and the others are various panotgraphs.  The custom quilts were done mostly with Signature threads and the pantographs are done with King Tut...
However, there is one Jenny Beyer quilt that was done with Lava thread, again by Superior.  The thread was just perfect for the quilt.  It took alot to get it to work, but once it did..WOW...it turned out beautiful.  A simple pattern for a very elegant quilt.

I will try and put captions with the quilts.  Not sure if that works with slide shows, but I will try anything at least once.

Until tomorrow :)
Nighty, Night!
Sandy

Xmas Rush

I know it has been a while since I have posted, but I have been busy with the Christmas rush.  One more quilt that is promised before the big day....
I will be posting pictures soon!

I did my first couple of custom quilts on my new system and understand the term "bread and butter" now.  Maybe I will get a chance to sit down tonight and give you some eye candy.  There are some really pretty quilts landing up on my frame. :)

Stay tuned...I promise it will be worth it!

ttfn
Sandy

So, what is on your bed?

I finally have a quilt on my bed that I can sleep under :)

This is a jelly roll pattern, I believe it was "Quilt Magazine" and it went together so quickly.  The quilting design is Mariposa by Patricia Ritter, Urban Elementz, which is butterflies and flowers.  Very pretty, but your tension has to be pretty accurate because the small bends in the pattern can cause some puckering.
I used King Tut Parchment and bottom line.

Are you seeing a pattern to my thread choices?
Of course, you have to see it on my bed.  The "girls" weren't too sure what to think of it as it is not as puffy as the duvet that used to be on the bed.

You will notice that they are sleeping on the quilt and NOT on the mat that is specifically for them!  GRRRR!

Here is a picture of the quilt that I did for Kelly at the local quilt store, Quilt as Desired.  This is the quilt that I had to frog (rip it, rip it).  If you know any particulars about Thimbleberry quilts...they are always BIG!...  Rob gave me permission to post this!

The pantograph used on this quilt was Novaya Zhizn by Beany Girl Quilts available through Willow Leaf Studios.  The thread is again, King Tut - Bedouin which is very similar to Signature - Mother Goose, but a bit more blending IMHO.  Because I was having tension issues at the time, I used Essentials from Connecting Threads in the bobbin, just to balance the weight of the threads.

Well, my order came from Superior (do you believe that I did not have a blue thread that I could use as bobbin thread?).

At least I can get back to quilting :)

Have a great Thanksgiving to all the Canadians.  Enjoy the Turkey!

Sandy