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.
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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One of the few, non healthy breakfasts of the year.
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. !
This gift was a complete surprise ! Decided on at the last minute.
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,
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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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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.
Merry Christmas to all,
Keep yourselves SAFE.
NONNIE,
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email me at: nonniequiltingdreams@gmail.com
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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,
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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.
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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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,
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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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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.
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.
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?
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.
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. 
Happy Christmas/ Quilting,
Nonnie
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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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 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
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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