Surfing the Internet: A few finds

I am planning to post some favorite Internets sites here…of all kinds of quilty goodness. I will be re-posting and adding here… or that is the plan. BE SURE TO CHECK BACK TO SEE WHAT I HAVE ADDED.

Vicky Welch, Field Trip in Fiber:

Vicky often post interesting information about COLOR THEORY as she is a fabric dyer. She is also working on a COLOR CHALLENGE. If the quilters around here need hand dyed fabric, Vicky is who they order from. Her stuff is wonderful.

Find her at:

http://vickiwelsh.typepad.com/field_trips_in_fiber/color_theory/

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PINTREST

I love PINTREST! I am posting pictures of my pictures… so much easier. I plan colors for projects. Just finding stuff I really enjoy. Pictures, Pictures and Pictures. Loving it. Spent time with my initial set up but now I just play there in the darkness of the night. I have been posting pictures of my quilts and quilts made by friends and found on the internet… WONDERFUL QUILT INSPIRATION IN ONE PLACE.

BACK LATER, I am actually quilting today.

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TWITTER !!!…
Of course…Instant messaging where I connect with Quilty Friends and Family. Lots of post from national quilters and great quilty inspiration. Love it come and join me.

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Jaye and Sandy’s Design School Homework

Jaye’s Lessons (and Show Notes) on Unity on her blog

Sandy and Jay’s podcast for the UNITY in Design Discussion

I have been following Sandy and Jay’s discussion and trying to apply the principles and elements being discussed. I usually do the homework projects but have not posted pictures or made more than an occasional question or comment related to the lessons. For this discussion I went a little further and actually analyzed one of my quilts using the show notes as a guide. I found this to be very helpful in understanding the discussion and using what I learned to my own efforts in design. I have contacted Jay and Sandy requesting permission ( which they have so graciously granted) to post excerpt of the blog and podcast show notes. So here is my evaluation of my quilt using the UNITY as an principle of design. If you want to learn more I strongly suggest you read to Jaye’s blog and listen to Sandy’s podcast. Links provided on this post. If you post a picture of your quilt and with analysis of it’s designs please let me know as I would like to read the post. THANK YOU, NONNIE.

FLORAL SPLENDOR

Creating Unity (aka Unity with Variety (Pentak & Lauer, 5th ed. pg.19)
Unity cannot exist without other closely related elements and principles (Wolfrom, Adventures in Design, pg.97), which means that this is probably the principle where we will discuss the most other elements and principles.

FLORAL FOUR PATCH BLOCKS ARE MIRRORED AND DUPLICATIONS OF EACH OTHER WITHIN THE FOUR PATCH. The four patch blocks are further mirrored and repeated across the quilt. Blocks are mirrored in the corners and from the center out, repeating same / similar pattern motifs top to bottom and kitty corner.

“Unity of design is achieved by the arrangement of the lines, shapes, colors, values textures and patterns that are used.” (The Quilter’s Book of Design, 2d ed, pg.13)

Unity of design is achieved by the strong sashing blocking in the four patches. The interplay of the dark and light gold sashing over the quilt highlight the lines and makes strong block sections. The value changes of the light and dark gold colors make a bold block statement, but also connect the strong lines of the quilt.

The Grid:
A checkerboard pattern using only black and white fabrics has complete unity. There is a “constant repetition of shape and obvious continuation of lined-up edges.” This design, however, can be a bit boring. (Pentak & Lauer, 5th ed. pg.34)

This quilt is composed of is a simple four patch with double sashing in a strong grid / plaid pattern. It is very linear. The interplay of the light and dark gold unites the blocks in a bold statement, despite the simple construction techniques used. It is not the checkerboard pattern but it was built using the checkerboard assembly/ chunk method.

Unity through Repetition:
“Repetition is another way to create unity in a quilt design. The repetition of an element in a composition can tie the whole together, creating a relationship among the elements.” (The Quilter’s Book of Design, 2d ed, pg.15)

The simple four patch is mirrored motifs that repeat made using fussy cut patches. Each of the blocks are repeated elsewhere on the quilt. I tried to balance the motifs by having them kitty corner from each other in symmetrical placement on the quilt. I placed the darkest and strongest of the motifs in the corner and spaced equally in the center sides of the quilt.

“Variety creates increased interest in a design.” (Wolfrom, Adventures in Design, pg.99)
Porch posts or stair rails are another example. Certain standard measurements repeat while a variety of carving vary the sections of each column. (Pentak & Lauer, 5th ed. pg.36)

Despite using the same motifs to make the four patch fussy cut mirrored patches, I change the placement of the motifs to highlight different aspects of the motifs. Each block was slightly different from the other blocks using the same motifs. I had 9 different motifs to work with. I took particular care not to have a motif placed to close to another block using the same motifs.

Subtle repetition can enhance the unity of composition. By using subtle repetition, the artist draws the viewer in to look more carefully for differences. (Pentak & Lauer, 5th ed. pg.38)

The repetition in this quilt is NOT subtle; it is in fact a strong component in which the over all look is dependent upon. It is how I organized all the fabrics, balanced and deliberately repeated. The right side duplicates the left side of the quilt and repetitive blocks are kitty corner from each other.

Achieving Unity:
“One way to tie the foreground and background together is to repeat a color in both the positive and negative spaces.” (The Quilter’s Book of Design, 2d ed, pg.20)

In this quilt I feel the repeating of the sashing colors anchors and unites the floral motifs. The sashing forms a secondary pattern and kind of takes over and makes it’s own design statement. In a way it overwhelms the primary designs as the squares of the larger then the original floral motifs.

Jaye’s Lessons (and Show Notes) on Unity on her blog

Sandy and Jay’s podcast for the UNITY in Design Discussion

Well, this is my analysis of my quilt, FLORAL SPLENDOR. Please post your comments or better yet do an analysis of one of your quilts. Please let me know so I can read it too.

Edyta Sitar : Reasons for Quilts

Reasons for Quilts: An Inspiring Treasury of Quilts and Their Stories by Judy Stern Friedman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

2011

added value: cD with pdf files of 10 patterns selected from the book.

This is a mixture of Edyta’s personal quilting history with homage paid to the traditional blocks she favors and the quilters who made them. I felt like I was reading her private diary… thoughtful and retrospective; loving and respectful of her family and the traditions in a new country.

I have always enjoyed Edyta’s books and the pictures of the quilts in this book make it worth a high rating. I have seen Edyta’s trunk show in person twice and these quilts are even prettier in person.

Nonnie,

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GOOD READS

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THE QUILT SHOW WITH RICKY TIMS AND ALEX ANDERSON

THE QUILT SHOW

THE QUILT SHOW is reaching out to quilters. The are allowing members to send out a FREE SHOW to their friends and fellow quilters. I have sent out a gift certificate to all the commentors I have had on my podcast and word-press blogs since I started a year ago. This offer is good from THE QUILT SHOW for most of January. YOU probably would have to sign up as a free member which means you register and supply some basic information and emails address.

I am willing to send out a gift certificate as long as I am able ( I do have a full time job) to anyone that leaves a comment on my blog here at word-press or at pod-bean. I plan to check each day for comments and then send out the certificates.

LEAVE A COMMENT, I will need your email address to forward the gift certificate. If there is a particular person you would want to see from the last season of TQS let me know and I will try to accommodate your request. (I have access to series 800 and 900, until January 5th, 2012. After that I will have a limited number of shows I can send out.) IF you do not choose I will just choose one at random. Only one show per email address.

SHOW LISTS FOR TQS

I love THE QUILT SHOW and want to share it with my quilting friends.

Nonnie,

http://nonniequiltingdreams.wordpress.com/ Nonnie’s Blog

http://nonniesquiltingdreams.podbean.com/ Nonnie’s Quilting Dream Podcast

Pod cast link for Nonnie’s Quilting Dreams

JOIN me at GOOD READS

email me at: nonniequiltingdreams@gmail.com

Nonnie’s Flicker Pictures

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HOW I spent my my SEW-IN vacation – - -2012 QUILT RESOLUTIONS AND GOALS.

My Secret Santa Guild Gift.... getting me into so much Trouble.

At the guild Secret Santa party this is the gift I “STOLE,” a lovely jelly roll from Moda. This is called CATTAILS AND CLOVER and it was made by Kansas Trouble. I am getting in so much trouble with this jelly roll, and I do not live in Kansas. I have three quilts I planned to make this year on my 2012 QUILT RESOLUTIONS at Quilting for the Rest of Us. (Sandy’s 2012 QUILTY RESOLUTIONS AND EPISODE 73: MAKE QUILTY RESOLUTIONS, read the comments..) I had my quilts for this year all planned when this jelly roll fell into my lap (sorta.)

Added stash fabrics to blend with the Cattail and Clover jelly rolls.

Anyways, I went home and started matching fabrics from my stash to the colors in the jelly roll. Anything that blended with the original jelly roll, look good, got added. Not enough lights, I started pulling lights I would put with the darks. Most of the lights are not in the original fabrics but are what you would get if you added white to the colors in the original jelly rolls. And this is what I would get. The above picture is what I hope to be able to use; the final selection, would be on the design wall.

Cut Stash fabric into 2-1/2 inch and strips of fabrics for quilts.

For the BOXING DAY SEW IN and the NEW YEARS EVE SEW IN, I had only had scattered intervals of time to work on getting ready for my up coming quilt projects. The projects require strips so I have been going through my stash and cutting first jelly rolls and then paired matching strips of assorted sizes. I cut them up from width of fabrics and fat quarter, plus stash fabric that would give me the required strips. I am now ready to start on my quilting projects. The third picture is just some of the strips I have cut up, my brights. I have another box of strips cut from traditional fabrics.

I just want to thank everyone at the SEW INs and Sandy, Tanesha, Pam and Darla for organizing these activities. If you did not participated plan on coming to future SEW INs. I am sure these ladies will be planning more such activities. So if you have not joined us on TWITTER yet, please come by, I am sure you will find someone to talk to. I am NONNIE_P. You can then connect with the other quilter and a whole bunch more.

HAPPY QUILTING, LOVE NONNIE

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Pod cast link for Nonnie’s Quilting Dreams

JOIN me at GOOD READS

email me at: nonniequiltingdreams@gmail.com

2011 in review

The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2011 annual report for this blog.

Here’s an excerpt:

The concert hall at the Syndey Opera House holds 2,700 people. This blog was viewed about 16,000 times in 2011. If it were a concert at Sydney Opera House, it would take about 6 sold-out performances for that many people to see it.

Click here to see the complete report.

FREE MOTION QUILTING : PRACTICE PIECE

PRACTICE FOR FREE MOTION QUILTING

I have been trying to get some actually quilting instead of being a fake/ wanna be quilter. My daughter and I pinned some practice pieces to use for me to practice my FREE MOTION QUILTING. My daughter made this quilt from a panel, this is the first time she got her quarter inch seam allowance correct. The panel lies flat. She has design a cute little quilt picking out the fabrics on her own. I am very proud of it; but now she wants me to free motion quilt it. And now I AM AFRAID, I have only played with FMQ before, WHAT IF I AM NOT UP TO THE TASK. WHAT IF I RUIN this little quilt?

My DD says just go for it… do what you can, the baby won’t know or care. What advice could you give me to FMQ this project?

Happy Quilting,

Nonnie

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http://nonniesquiltingdreams.podbean.com/ Nonnie’s Quilting Dream Podcast

Pod cast link for Nonnie’s Quilting Dreams

JOIN me at GOOD READS

email me at: nonniequiltingdreams@gmail.com

CHRISTMAS with Nonnie

TIMBO TOY ASSEMBLY FACTORY

Best Christmas breakfast EVER!

One of the few, non healthy breakfasts of the year.

I am a trained doctor, now! Do you want a shot?

JUST WHAT I ALWAYS WANTED !

Every present he opens, he says, “JUST WHAT I ALWAYS WANTED !!!” He says it even when he does not know what is in the box. !

Boys at play

DD opening her charm bracelet ( big surprise)

This gift was a complete surprise ! Decided on at the last minute.

Nickel Quilts and More Nickle Quilts by Pat Speth

Nickel Quilts: Great Designs from 5 Inch Scraps by Pat Speth
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

2002

I have a fondness for this book because my husband actually went into my LQS and bought this and the sister book MORE NICKEL QUILTS by Pat Speth, all by himself. It was a birthday gift the year after I started making quilts. Of course I am sure he had the help of my quilt teacher and friends in the shop and they KNOW me so well.

I can recommend this book for making lovely scrap quilts using 5-INCH NICKELS, now called charms. Pat and Charlene give a brief instruction on how to make the quilts using other size blocks. But they give just a brief explanation and concentrate on explaining how to use NICKELS/ CHARMS. Using pre-cut charms make the scrap quilts easier and varied.

When planning scrappy nickle quilt, Ms Speth drives home the need to consider balance, value and contrast in the selection of your fabrics. Ms Speth further explains the need for variety of fabric scale, size of print, style of fabrics. She further suggests using different background to add interest to the quilts. I like her style and she gives a lot of common sense advise.

This was one of my first quilt books that I owned. I like her explanation of chain piecing, accurate seaming and cutting. She guides you through sewing of many of the basic patches. (HSqTri, Four Patches, sew and flip techniques, hour glass and picket fence.)

Favorite Quilts:

JEWEL BOX —

SUNNY LANES—

FOUR PATCH PLAID — Plays using light and dark patches to obtain a diagonal settings.

LABOR DAY MADNESS—This block uses partial piecing to achieve the block construction.

Criticism: As with most books published early in 2000 the finished patch/unit are not included in the direction. It would have been helpful. Especially as a new quilter I did not know how to figure out the sizes of the patches and blocks.

Because of using the 5 inch patches many of the block sizes are unconventional. I think this fact should have been discussed in the preface of the book. I found I had to read very carefully and make my own notes as to the size of the patches and blocks.

Ms Speth choice of colors are traditional and somewhat dated to my eyes. She uses a lot of browns and creams, my least favorite colors. As a quilter who has been around the block a couple of times I now have a better understanding of my own color choices and how to work with them to get the quilts I like.

Yes, I would like to recommend this book as I find using NICKELS / pre-cut CHARMS a fast and easy way to make quilt tops. The patterns would be exciting made in modern quilt fabrics.

Nonnie,

nonniequiltingdreams@gmail.com
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More Nickel Quilts: 20 New Designs from 5-Inch Squares by Pat Speth
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

2004

Once again Pat goes through her explanation of collecting 5 inch NICKLES and duplicates but expands the instructions from her first book. In this book she has a larger gallery of scrappy NICKEL QUILTS. What I did note that Ms Speth used more flying geese and hour glass patches in her blocks.

Quilts I liked:

Beach Party —

JACOB ‘s LADDER — I have always loved the black background and the bright fabrics used in this quilt.

Pinwheels on Parade —

Stars over Mitford — I have never seen this block except in this book. I tried looking it up in Encyclopedia of Patch-work and Block Base, despite trying several times. What I like about this block is the masculine flavor/ styling of the block. I made it for a nephew using blues and greens.

BRAVE WORLD — This takes my favorite block BRAVE NEW WORLD and mirrors them putting them with sashing.

I find I like the quilts in this book more than her first book, NICKEL QUILTS.

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Now I remember why I hate making doll clothes…..

I now remember why I hate making doll clothes…. sewed for over an hour… and get tacky results. It was suppose to be a bride made dress but looks more like a night gown. Still need to make a coat and another outfit…hope they turn out better.

tacky doll dress

Merry Christmas to all,

Keep yourselves SAFE.

NONNIE,

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Pod cast link for Nonnie’s Quilting Dreams

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Book Reviews: Scrap Therapy and Dual Applique

Scrap Therapy Cut the Scraps!: 7 Steps to Quilting Your Way through Your Stash by Joan Ford
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

2011

I have been hearing about SCRAP THERAPY for awhile and I just recently found Joan’s blog. I will be following it. I just purchased this book. I have a ton of scraps to start with; I just have to project to use them with.

I have not had a chance to asses this book in detail so I will be updating this review and the ratings.

December 18, 2011.

Nonnie,

http://nonniequiltingdreams.wordpress.co…
Nonnie’s Quilting Dreams – Blog

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GOOD READS

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UPDATE DECEMBER 23RD:

Scraps accumulate in my home … the more I quilt, the more I get scraps. So I have been seeking ways / patterns to use the scraps. I am a devotee of Bonnie Hunter and use some of her methods. I read Cutting the Scraps by Joan Ford, after reading about her via the internet. A lot of what she says makes sense. I will be using some of Joan’s methods in the future.

She believes in cutting the patches into 2inch, 3-1/2, and 5 inch squares. Because she uses the 5 inch squares books using charm squares as the basis for their patterns work well with her cutting methods. I recommend Pat Speth’s books, Nickel Quilts and More Nickel Quilts, as the scrappy quilt patterns in the book are all based on 5 inch charmed squares.

Where I do differ is her cutting and storage methods. For the quilts she makes HER methods are efficient and do-able, but I hate planning quilts so far in advance as I often change my mind, so I do not like cutting up my scraps into quilt patches until I have decided upon the pattern I am going to make. I DO NOT CUT IN ADVANCE AS JOAN ADVISES. Joan also advises storing patches in small shoe size clear plastic boxes, which I find a good method if you are making her patterns or similar charm pack patterns. I however make a slew of different style of scrappy quilts so I tend to pick the patterns then cut my fabric to use in that quilt. If I precut with the idea of someday finding a pattern to fit my cut pieces I would miss out on a lot of neat patterns. I will use her methods when I make on of her quilt patterns.

I also disagree somewhat in Joan’s advice not to sort your fabrics into colors / values but to cut your fabrics then to sort. (This could be my interpretation of her directions.) Since, I do not cut my scraps till I know what quilt I am making, I prefer to sort color and value, then when I need them I cut them into the size patches I need. I keep a bin with neutrals / whites, various colors, and darks. The fabrics in these bins are less than a fat quarter. I do keep separate small boxes of lights, medium and dark small scraps / patches. (Smaller than a layer cake.)

What I can definitely agree and base a recommendation for this book because of Ms Ford’s tips for precision piecing and making a accurate blocks. She does recommend SCANT quarter inch seam and she explains how to achieve accuracy. I also like how she recommends making sample / several blocks then checking for accuracy of size, before committing to an entire quilt. THAT TIP ALONE has saved me in the past many a heart ache.

I do enjoy the quilt patterns in book especially:
Scrappy Trails (Irish Chain)
Feed Sack Peaks ( 9 patch variations with HSqTri using 3-1/2 patches)
Everything Nice ( Square in a Square with Rail Strips)
Lightening Strikes Twice (my favorite)
This is a block I have never seen before and it is made in an interesting fashion. I can definitely see myself making this in the future. I love the zig-zag effect.
Blooming Steps Square in a Sq / flying geese and HSqTri… what could be better and more intriguing?

NONNIE,

I plan to update this book again once I have made a quilt from the book.

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Dual Image Appliqué by Dilys Fronks
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

2010

I have several other books by Dilys and have always found them informative and easily understood. I like the way she investigates different techniques and styles of applique. She is never boring. In this book she investigates negative and positive shapes in designs. I like how you can get different results depending on the placement of the shapes. The projects start as very basic and advance in complexity. Some of the projects are pre quilted and Dilys shows you how to assemble a pre quilted quilt.

I particularly liked the dual leaf applique that is on the front cover. I had attempted something similar in the past, but I found Dilys technique easier and more refined.

I would recommend this book to anyone that wants to make a different type of applique.

Nonnie,

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AMERICA’S TEST KITCHEN TV COMPANION COOKBOOK, 2001 to 2011

The Complete America’s Test Kitchen TV Show Cookbook: Every Recipe from the Hit TV Show with Product Ratings and a Look Behind the Scenes by Editors at America’s Test Kitchen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

2011

790 pages

I recently received this book when I bought the combination book and dvds of the PBS TV series, American Test Kitchen. Features from 2001 to 2011 are included, the recipes, the product tests, the science behind the cooking techniques. My daughter and I love this series and found it made us better cooks. I love reading the text and it can stand alone of the TV series. If you like the show you will like this book.

The books I bought as a combo, were suppose to come with the DVDs but they are on back-order. I am very unhappy that they were not delivered together and may not be available till after Christmas.

I am not happy with Cooks Illustrated / American Test Kitchen. Communications with them has been minimal and I do not know the status of my DVD order. I do not know if there is any way to get these books and dvds without going through them, but I will never order any more products from them without the guarantee of a timely delivery.

Nonnie,

http://nonniequiltingdreams.wordpress.co…
Nonnie’s Quilting Dreams – Blog

http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/635…
GOOD READS

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America Test Kitchen 2011 TV Companion book by America Test Kitchen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is the second book I bought at the same time as the Complete America’s Test Kitchen, TV Show Cookbook.

I am not happy with Cooks Illustrated / American Test Kitchen. Communications with them has been minimal and I do not know the status of my DVD order. I do not know if there is any way to get these books and dvds without going through them, but I will never order any more products from them without the guarantee of a timely delivery.

Nonnie,

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If you like HAND QUILTING… Have I got the blog for you!

I do not believe I have not posted or blogged about my friend and guild-sister Caron’s blog. She is an expert hand quilter and loves to talk about her passions. So if you are a hand quilter, check out her blog.

Michigan Quilts, celebrating HAND QUILTING

MICHIGAN QUILTS

CURIOSITY killed the Nonnie….

I went to my quilt shop to drop off triangles for the triangle exchange. I chatted for a while with Kay the store clerk/manager. She showed me the newest from Moda, SCRAP BAGS filled with half a pound of fabric. I could see some of the colors but we could not tell what size of strips were include. Some of the fabrics could be seen through the little plastic window but you had to guess about what you got. I kept looking at the bag and putting it back on the shelf, thinking to myself, I do not need that. BUT MY CURIOSITY GOT THE BETTER OF ME.

Half pound of fabric could not see what was inside. ($11.50)

I opened mine and my girlfriends and what did I find. The fabric in mine, was from the newest RUBY LINE, SO that is a plus. I counted 30 pieces in my bag and 29 in my girlfriends. The lengths were about 30 inches, cut lengthwise along the salvage. I am guessing this is fabric left over from Moda, die cutting jelly rolls and other precuts. The width of fabrics varied from 3-1/2 to 2-1/2 inch width; BUT THE SELVAGES WERE LEFT ON. Not only do you have to cut selvedges off to use the fabric; none of the sizes are consistent. The fabrics seem to come for a LINE OF FABRIC, so they complement and coordinate with other fabrics in the same package. I just think this is another marketing gimmick that I fell for; not sure if it is a value or not. I will let you know if the fabric is useful our not. I will say it is pretty, but pretty is as pretty does. If I can not find a use for the fabric…. what good is it?

A view of the scraps 30 inches; length wise with salvages x various widths

Christmas has come to our house; GdS discovers he likes to decorate!

Christmas came to our house and my grandson helped decorate the tree for the first time. He was very picky as to where he wanted to put every decoration. He also wanted to know where each decoration came from, and who gave it to my daughter. We have many homemade decorations as we had liked to craft when my daughter was young.

DD & GdS decorate the tree.

We are starting my grandson in that same tradition, he made an advent chain so he can keep track of how many days till Christmas. Next project, elves from paint sticks. Pictures to come.

Learning to be gentle with the old decorations.

Christmas Tree in the Lobby - 60 feet high

Happy Christmas/ Quilting,
Nonnie

Ricky Tims Rhapsody Quilt

Have you ever looked at a quilt and thought to yourself this is the quilt I want to make. This is the quilt that would be my master piece! This is the quilt that NEEDS Ricky to come to my house and draft for me, cause I could never get the top to lie flat! These are the thoughts that race through my head when I see one of the complicated Rhapsody quilts at a show, on line or in a book. I know how hard it can be to make cause when you deal with curves THINGS HAPPEN. The series of Rhapsody books that Ricky has published are the bane of my existence because they make me think that my dream is possible. Then again they might be my salvation as they can show me the way to achieve my dream.

Ricky Tims’ Rhapsody Quilts by Ricky Tims
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I love Ricky’s books and DVDs and was buying them even before he started THE QUILT SHOW and knew who he was as a quilter. I always fall in love with the pictures on the front cover and then I love the pictures of the gallery pictures. Ricky has detailed the process of how make your own RHAPSODY QUILT. I love his own quilts and the quilts of his students.

YES I AM A QUILT SHOW JUNKY !!!! Ricky showed how to make a Rhapsody quilt on the series.

PIN-LESS PRECISION CURVED PIECING

APPLIQUE

HOW TO DESIGN APPLIQUE

UNDERSTANDING THE DESIGN -

GOOD DESIGN VS DESIGNS THAT WILL FAIL

USING STAY STITCHES

SEWING CIRCLES

ADD this quilt to my dream list!!!

NONNIE

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New Expressions by Debbie Mumm

Debbie Mumm’s New Expressions by Debbie Mumm

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

2006


Ms Mumm has written over 50 book. I have made several of her patterns as projects from several of those book. She calls her patterns contemporary, others call it home dec. She has a pre- Modern sensibility. Very geometric. I made several projects from this book for door prizes for my daughter’s wedding shower. They were well received.


I do think my appreciation of today’s Modern Blocks and Quilts started with her books. I love geometric and simpler piecing style of quilts.


What I DO NOT like in her books was the color way…. olive/ gold/ browns. I felt I was back in my mother’s house in the late 60s and 70s… we had alvacado (same as olive) and gold appliances…yuck!!! I also do not care for her style of applique… very folk art. I did make some of her projects as door prizes as I know her style was very popular in my home area.

Nonnie

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Wheel of Mystery by Helen Marshall

Wheel of Mystery Quilts: Surprising Designs from a Classic Block by Helen Marshall
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

2006

Block size is 7-1/2 inches in most of the quilts shown. Templates included in the book are scaled to achieve this size block. I ordered acrylic templates from John Flynn’s company to make my blocks. My quilt group shared the cost of custom templates.

Ms Marshall is from New Zealand, and the style of these quilts are reflected of her homeland. From the little I have seen of Australian and New Zealand quilts they love color and busy fabrics. This is what you will see in the book. Ms Marshall has detailed instructions for how to construct this type of block since you will be doing a lot of curved piecing.

There are several different setting for these blocks: Attic Window, Lattice, secondary Melon blocks and Circle settings. A number of templates are included in the back of the book. Value and color placement dictate how quilts achieve their looks. Many of the fabrics are fussy cut to achieve a specific look to the blocks. (I use a layering technique in order to save on time, fabric and cutting when cut out my blocks.) A design wall is a must for most of these quilts / blocks.

Nonnie,

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Quilting Dot-to-dot Patterns for Today’s Machine Quilter by Cheryl Barnes

Quilting Dot-to-dot Patterns for Today’s Machine Quilter by Cheryl Barnes
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

2006

Quilting Dot-to-dot Patterns for Today’s Machine Quilter
by Cheryl Barnes

This books gives a big overview of beginning free-motion quilting. The motifs range from beginner to more elegant, traditional to contemporary. There is a good selection that will help build your skills. I recommend this book to all free motion quilters.

Nonnie,

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Review of Leah Day’s FREE MOTION QUILTING DVDs…..

Review of Leah Day’s DVD
Wednesday, November 30, 2011

I treated myself to an early Christmas present and bought the DVD comb from Leah Day on Black Friday. I got the BASICS FOR BEGINNERS and BEGINNER FREE MOTION QUILTING FILLER DESIGNS. I have been following her on line on her blog and YOU TUBE video posts. I enjoy her presentation and the information she presents. Leah goes into depth with her instructions of FMQ, bringing up some considerations I had not thought of before. I enjoyed the ways she discusses her thought process on how she tackles FMQ for a big quilt or a whole cloth. i loved her discussion on strategy, I have not seen or heard the same from some of the other FMQ DVDs I have looked at. Leah shows how to load a larger size quilt, I loved her squoosed phraseology. I have been following along with her instructions with the idea of improving my FMQ. I am making a series of fancy “pot holders” while I practice my lessons. I am practicing what SHE preaches… so wish me luck.

I loved Leah’s presentation of FREE MOTION QUILTING my only complaint was the sound quality. I watched the DVDs with my neighbor who wears hearing aides and she had trouble hearing the DVD because of the sound quality. I think Leah records with her husband in her basement studio so they pick up sound distortion. . We picked up some “echo” during PARTS of the recording. It was not terrible and was tolerable for me. During the times she was actually showing the quilting, her sound and voice was understandable and easy to hear for both of us.

We mastered the “echo” problem by using a MY ZONE HEAD SET for my friend, she could adjust the sound and hear better but we could not watch the DVD together so she borrows it .

I am enjoying the DVDs which are very like her YOU tube videos. I would recommend the series to beginner FM quilters. I think Leah’s DVDs has a lot to offer. I was impressed that this was a HOME PRODUCTION that was made by Leah and her husband.

Nonnie

LEAH DAY’S BLOG AND FREE MOTION QUILTING PROJECT

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email me at: nonniequiltingdreams@gmail.com