It's about time......

It's about time......

I was able to turn my garden soil over!  

I'm too sexy for my garden, too sexy for my garden, so please do pardon! LOL

Trust me, I'm not complaining about all of the moisture we have been receiving in the Midwest.......WE NEED IT!  So, my garden is going in a little later than usual!  At least I did get some lettuce and potatoes planted!

I have some VERY exciting (well, at least to me) projects going on that I can't share with you just yet, so I hope you will stay tuned in for another month or two?  I KNOW!  I wish I could show you some photos, but, I can't........just yet.........stop trying to twist my arm!

OK, OK, OK, but, this is it for now! 

I was recently able to share in a first time quilting adventure with my best friend, Jamie.  You can read about the quilt I made Jamie and her husband Ted here.  Jamie and I go way back, and share a lot of similar interests such as cooking, eating, sewing, pageantry, browsing antique malls, and now........

QUILTING!!!!!!!

IT'S ABOUT TIME JAMIE!!!!!!

Jamie was in need of a gift for her friend's baby shower.  After discussing various ideas, she settled on making the baby girl a quilt.  Interestingly, her friend Abbie has chosen the name Betty Mae, which happens to be my beautiful mother's name!  BE-STILL MY HEART!  I recommended she research the "Quilt As You Go" (QAYG) technique for her first quilt making endeavor.  

I am sure most readers of my blog already know the basics of the QAYG method, or perhaps you have already made a quilt this way?  If you haven't, look it up on your preferred search engine or on youtube.  There is a plethora of items pertaining to QAYG on the internet.  None the less, please enjoy the following photos and commentary of Jamie's first quilting adventure!

 Cutting the batting while having a light snack of acrylic rulers.....

Spray basting the backing......

Attaching the first strip.....

Jamie demonstrated her mad sewing skills by appliqueing little Betty Mae's name on her quilt!  ADORABLE! 

Quilting right along.....

Some one's getting the quilting bug!!!!!

Jamie finished this quilt in roughly 2 days!

 Jamie thoughtfully made a card from extra fabric as well as......

 this country chic bow!

I would say this is a HAPPY mommy to be!

CONGRATULATIONS ABBIE (AND HUBBY)!!!!!!!!

Since Jamie is a novice quilt maker, I asked her to share some of her thoughts about the QAYG technique:

"Overall, I found the quilt as you go process to be pretty easy to understand and I think my quilt turned out pretty nice. 

 Recommendations to other beginners:

- Have plenty of room to spread out your stuff.  Working at Kevin's was a treat because of the designated and separate cutting, ironing, and sewing areas.  When I finished the quilt at home, I took over the entire dining room table (which is quite large!) and some of the living room. 

- Start with a thin batting.  I used a moderately thick (not high loft, but it had some body to it) batting, and I found myself getting really frustrated with the process of getting all the fabric to fit under the arm of the sewing machine.  Thinner batting would have provided better scrunching/rolling possibilities.  Also, I don't have a walking presser foot (yet!), and I found myself really having to push and coax all that thickness through--especially at the beginning.  I think the thinner batting would have alleviated that frustration quite a bit. 

- Use the basting spray to attach the back to the batting.  What a time saver!

- I did not use pins while sewing.  When stitching one particular row that was wider and longer than most of the others, it shifted quite a bit, kind of twisting my logs in a clockwise pattern around my centerpiece.  If you're attaching wider squares or blocks, pin it in place to prevent the twisting/shifting.  I didn't try it, but next time I might try using the basting spray on some of the bigger sections?  Maybe, we'll see--it only takes a few pins to keep it from shifting too much.

- Have fun with the fabrics.  When purchasing my fabrics, I narrowed it down to 7 different fabrics, one of which was the backing.  I originally thought I would use the backing fabric sparingly on the front.  I ended up adding an 8th fabric, 9 if you count the second type of pink and white gingham that Kevin donated when I said that I wished I had more gingham.  There were a couple of other fabrics that I didn't purchase because I was afraid it would get too busy and confusing if there were too many fabrics in the mix, but hindsight is 20/20, and I wished I bought a 1/4 yard of each of those fabrics to throw into the mix, too.

- One last thing regarding QAYG specifically.  Make sure to start with plenty of extra batting and backing as a base.  I started with an extra 2" width and 2" length.  With the twisting and shifting that occurred, that wasn't enough extra.  I had intended to have a 36" x 54" quilt, but after cutting it, I ended up with 33 1/2" x 56".  I did have a center piece that I clearly wanted to be centered from left to right, so I ended up cutting a little more off of the width than I would have had to if I hadn't had that center piece.  Oh well!"  

Jamie, thank you so much for allowing me to be a part of your first (of many) quilting endeavors!  Where's Dionne Warwick when you need her?  That's what friends are for!

Is everyone ready to go to the AQS Quilt Show in Paducah, Kentucky?  I AM!  Let me know if and when you will be there?  I would love to meet you there?

Thanks for all of the encouragement!
Kevin the Quilter  

Have you ever........

Have you ever seen a quilt or pattern for the first time and was so moved and motivated you HAD to make it right then and there?  Maybe it was on some one's blog?  Perhaps you saw it on Pinterest?  You might have even seen it in person?  Or you could have been like me, and seen it on the cover of a magazine while browsing at a book store?

Quiltmaker

March/April'13 No. 150

I have to admit my original intention when looking for this magazine was to work with Bonnie Hunter's Lazy Sunday mystery quilt.  And, I am still in the process of doing just that.  However, the quilt on the cover, Star Splitter, was absolutely eye-catching!  I had heard of Victoria Findlay Wolfe through various articles, and from who else, but, Bonnie Hunter!  Little did I know what I was missing out on?  Victoria's work is so fun to look at because she, according to the Star Splitter pattern in Quiltmaker: "uses an improvisational scrap-piecing technique to make her own fabric,".................SOLD! 

What do you do for someone who has blessed you with MANY SCRAPS?  I say, make'em a quilt!  And the Star Splitter pattern was a perfect match for this effort.  

Please enjoy the photos from this quilt making endeavor!

Piecing the stars from "made fabric."

MANY half square triangles for the borders.

Partial star segments laid out. 

Lots'o trimmings!

Beginning the lay out on my design wall, floor!

YUMMO!!!!!

Awesome shot with the sky!

Stained glass anyone?????  Cool shot from the back side!

TA-DAH!!!!!!!!!!!

This quilt was made for my friend Bev who gave me the scraps from which I made this quilt.  When I received the bags of scraps from her and went through them, I noticed that she had an abundance of greens in various shades, prints, and hues.  When I mentioned something to her, she said, "you found me out.....I LOVE GREEN!"  I thought it would be interesting to see how this pattern turned out using one variable......GREEN!  I am pleased with the end result and..............

I think Bev and her husband Tom are too!  (Not to mention one of their dogs, Greta!)

(Nothing like a quick break from yard work to receive a quilt? LOLOLOL)

Bev will be quilting this quilt as she is a long arm quilter.  Her husband Tom just retired (CONGRATS) and they plan on doing a lot of travelling.  She informed me she believes it will travel with them in their motor home on the bed so they can enjoy it each day.  I hope it brings you both joy during your travels!

I loved the way this quilt turned out, and was eager to share it with the original designer, Victoria Findlay Wolfe.  Much to my surprise she asked if she could share it with some of her blog readers at 15 Minutes Of Play.  Thank you so much for creating this pattern AND for the shout out Victoria! 

In other news, I attended my first marathon.........NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO, Amy, I didn't run in it!  Are you kidding me?????????? LOL  I had several friends that did though, and it was so exciting to see them run.......  

FINISH......AND.........

RECEIVE THEIR MEDALS!

WAY TO GOOOOOOO GUYS AND GALS!

As usual, 

Thanks for all of the encouragement!

Kevin the Quilter

Happy Easter............

I would first like to wish each and every one of you a BLESSED and Happy Easter!  I can remember as a child coloring Easter eggs with my sister and mother, usually on Good Friday.  We would then usually have an egg hunt at church on Saturday, followed by Easter services at church on Sunday and then a huge meal prepared by family.  Then all of the cousins would hunt eggs for hours on end on Sunday afternoon, weather permitting.  Ahhhhhhhhhhh, those were the days!  Not a care in the world other than trying to find the most eggs, and win the egg hunt!  I usually won..........yeah, right!

I did, however, win recently!   Kelli at Seriously..I think it needs stitches. held a spectacular blog give away recently.  I love reading her blog because she is so down to earth, she's a great mom, and she makes some pretty awesome things!  Seriously, check her out!

 I won this cool 2WENTY-THR3E jelly roll courtesy of Kelli and the Fat Quarter Shop!

I can't wait to use it in a project!

Thanks for hosting such an awesome give away Kelli!

In sewing news, I was asked by one of my awesome neighbors if I would be interested in doing some sewing for her.  I was curious as to what she had in mind when she said her sons were involved with Kuk Sool Won   I said "Coo-Coo for Cocoa Puffs, WHAT?!?!?!?"

According to their website, "Kuk Sool Won is the most comprehensive martial arts system, emphasizing etiquette and education first!"  Cool!  Her boys needed some patches sewn onto their gis as they work up the belt ladder.  SURE!  I can do that!

  I feel A LOT safer knowing these boys are protecting the neighborhood!

A simple applique stitch with invisible thread was used. 

Move over Karate Kid!  Kuk Sool Won Kids are in da HOUSE!

Any guesses as to what these might be turning into?

And last, but, not least!  I HAVE to show you all ............................

Miss Bev, and Murna all decked out in their lacy Easter Bonnets!  

These crocheted doilies are courtesy of my blogging friend Loretta at 365 Days and Other Ramblings.  These gals feel SO SPECIAL now thanks to your talents Loretta!  Loretta has recently remodeled her sewing studio, so go over and check out her blog and her new space! 

Happy Easter!

Thanks for all of the encouragement!

Kevin the Quilter

It's been a while.......

It's been a while since last I posted.........

OK, glad we got that out of the way! LOL  So sorry, I have had every intention of keeping this blog up to date, but, life steps in sometimes?  Please be aware, this post may be a little lengthy, but, I hope you enjoy the updates, and photos.

NOPE!  No gardening for me just yet!

STILL SNOWING!  We need the moisture though!  

Don't hate me because I'm beautiful, or for appearing a tad too sexy in this photo, but, this is the way I roll in the garden.  Fortunately, I have a 6 foot privacy fence that prevents the masses from viewing me while working in the dirt.  Dog gone paparazzi! I do however have a faithful companion that is willing to assist in the garden besides the chickens........

GRACIE LU!!!!!!!!!!

Gracie Lu is my big, bumbling, bull-esque Boston Terrier.  She is 5 1/2 years old, and is the equivalent to a bull in a China shop.  Sort of like the lady she was named after........Gracie Lu Freebush.......remember her?  If you don't, google her!  LOL  How could you not love that face though???????  She has been known to get into things she shouldn't, like.......

when I couldn't find her, and all of a sudden I saw something moving around in some scraps.  Yep......she loves to bury herself under the covers, AND evidently my patriotic scrap box!  I think I will keep her though!  She and Sophia get along swimmingly and are a constant joy in my life.

Sadly, I have to report that my local quilt shop is going out of business! :-/  I really hate to see it go, because there are no quilt shops in my neck of the woods now.  I wish I had the business sense, knowledge, and funds to open one of my own.  The shop had a decent sale, and I took advantage of it.  I added some yardage, and met some really great people the day I went.  One wonderful lady by the name of Lynn was so kind and encouraging, and gave me a gift!

Scrap fabrics for my Quilt of Valor donation quilts!

There was a note attached however.........

it reads:   "Kevin:  There is a string attached to this bag of fabric.  Please add it to your collection to make a Quilt of Valor and I'd like to see it before you whisk it away!  Lynn"  Well, you can count on it Lynn!  THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!  The generosity of  quilters absolutely amazes me at times!

I was also able to go shop hopping in Columbia, Missouri, and Mexico, Missouri with some of my quilting friends I have made recently.  Quilt 4 U was my favorite shop in Columbia, and Homestead Hearth  was my favorite shop in Mexico, not to mention my favorite shop of all that day.  It was interesting to watch the way my friends shopped, and the way they looked out for me!  Like many times I heard........

  Did you see these bags of scraps?!?!?!?

Well, after I saw them, I bought them!  Just as I bought a few other things...............like.............

ALL of this.............

these............

and, all of this.  Not to mention.............

OH YES I DID!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ladies and Gentlemen.......meet, 

MISS BEV!!!!!!!!!

My new (at least to me) Singer Featherweight!

Miss Bev was purchased from my new found quilting friend Bev.  She has been very well serviced and maintained, and I can't thank Bev enough for offering her to me.  It was love at first site, and the minute I sewed the first stitch on her, I had to have her!  Miss Bev will be travelling with me now so I can sew, sew, sew on my travels!  She is much lighter than Murna Marita, and that way I can save Murna for sentimental reasons.  Thank you so much Bev!  She shall forever be your namesake!

And here are a few photos of some things I have been working on, just so you all don't think I only collect fabric and sewing machines, and don't use them! LOL

I'm in the process of color selection for Bonnie Hunter's mystery in Quilt Maker Magazine.

I'm also working on Bonnie Hunter's Geese on a String .

AND........

Hmmmmmmmmm...........I think I may keep you all guessing on this one!  

BWAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAAAA (Evil laugh LOL)

Anyone else going to the quilt show in Paducah, Kentucky?????

Sorry for the lengthy post, I hope you enjoyed it though?

Thanks for all of the encouragement!

Kevin the Quilter

It's March already.......

It's March already?  I cannot believe how quickly time flies by anymore!  I KNOW it has nothing to do with my age.......or does it?  Anyway, I have several projects in the works here.  Not just quilting projects!  I have to get some taters in the ground if ever the weather will cooperate?  Trust me, I am not complaining!  After last summer's drought, we need any and all types of precipitation we can get!  However, I haven't been able to till the garden soil just yet.  St. Patrick's Day is still 12 days away, so, hopefully there will be a day in there that I can get some things done in the garden.

Every fall I put on a nice layer of, well, there's no nice way to put it...........chicken poop on top of my garden soil.  I let it compost as much as possible between October and March.  I have had great success with this method, and don't plan to change it.  What kind of chickens do I have?

  Ameraucana Chickens

This is my niece holding one of my favorite hens, Zadie.

I have kept chickens for several years now, and have enjoyed it immensely!  I wish I had the property to have a larger flock, but, right now, my flock consists of 9 Ameraucana hens.  No roosters here!  I wish I could have a rooster, but, right now it just isn't possible.  Did you just ask if this breed is also known as the "Easter Egger?" 

Yep!  They sure are!  My hens lay mostly green eggs, but I do get some blue variations, and one pink egg!

My neighbors love receiving fresh eggs, and by the way, if you have never had a fresh egg compared to one you buy in the store, just ask my neighbors about the difference! LOL  Truly, there is no comparison in my opinion, even if you are buying organic.

I take very good care of my chickens and they take very good care of me and my gardening efforts.  They are extremely entertaining as well.  

I will keep everyone posted on my garden this year.

If you have any questions about chickens, I will do my best to answer them.

Thanks for all of the encouragement!  

Kevin the Quilter (and Chicken Keeper)  

Murna Marita.............

I have received feedback from several people asking about how I travel as a flight attendant and am still able to sew on my layovers.  In the business I am in, it can get really old looking at the walls of a hotel room.  For those of you who travel extensively for your jobs, I am sure you can relate?  Now, some of you may be thinking.........this guy gets to travel to several different destinations daily?  Why wouldn't he want to get out and explore?  There are a few reasons why I choose to stay in my hotel room and sew:

1.  Keep in mind I have been doing this for 12 years.  I have usually been there, done that.

2.  We for the most part are NOT put in a hotel with great exploring possibilities.  We usually stay very close to the airport.

3.  Renting a car, eating out, tips, incidentals add up! $$$$$$$$$

4.  We are sometimes only in a hotel for a very short period of time, 8-12 hours sometimes.

5.  EXHAUSTION!  Yeah, sometimes flight attendants get tired too!

Sewing, and quilt making have become my therapy.  It's nice to know I have a little machine that I can bring along with me while I lay over that will provide me solace and entertainment all at once.  Yes, you CAN take a sewing machine in a carry on bag through the security checkpoint.  I was somewhat surprised myself?  But, check it out:  Transportation Security Administration

I am pleased to introduce you to:

   Murna Marita!

At 11 inches tall, and 12 inches wide Murna Marita weighs almost 20 lbs.  (Notice the pageant lingo! LOL)  She was built by the Singer Manufacturing company in Great Britain.  This is the vintage sewing machine I learned to sew on as a child.  She's petite, and every bit a lady, but, don't let her size fool you, she is a heavy duty machine!  Just like the woman that owned her, my Meemaw!  Yeah, that's what I called my paternal grandmother.  So, it is only fitting that this machine be named after her.  

I knew I had her packed away, as this was one of the acquisitions I received after my grandmother's passing many years ago.  I stumbled upon her much by chance, and she truly is the reason I started sewing and making quilt tops.  She hadn't been sewn on for several years, and when I first tried her out, she ran like a champ!  A little oil, and cleaning, and she hummed her little Spartan tune!  

Here is her travel case.  My very first issued luggage from the airline.  This is a Crew3 bag by Travelpro.  I never ever used it until I started carrying Murna with me!  The bag is soft sided and is approximately 12 inches by 14.5 inches.  

Murna fits in the largest compartment, and I still have two more zippered compartments that I can carry supplies, fabric, books, magazines, or any other items I may need for sewing in my hotel room.  She DOES fit under the seat in front of me for when I commute, so I NEVER have to worry about checking her at the gate.  For those of you who know Bonnie Hunter's tragedy, with her beloved Singer Featherweight, I think I would die if anything like that happened to my little Spartan.  I use finger nail clips for thread cutting, and I pre-cut A LOT of fabric before I go to work.  I mainly string piece on Murna because I enjoy it so much, I get a lot done, and I love the patterns in Bonnie Hunter's String Fling book!  

Here's a photo of some completed string blocks, and some magazines in the front zipper compartment.

Not a bad set up?  The sun shining in, watching TV, and just sewing along!

She's a BRICK........HOUSE!

In other news, I did get 30 blocks completed for Alycia's QOV block drive and they are on their way to her!  There is still a small amount of time to participate!  The blocks go together very quickly, and will be greatly appreciated!

Patriotic Blocks

Plaid Blocks

I also received these beautiful batik fat quarters I won in a giveaway from Connie at Freemotion by the River 

They are in such a nice color scheme!  I can't WAIT to find something to make with them!  Thanks Connie and Vicki at Quilting Lodge

Feel free to ask me any questions!  I love hearing from all of you!  

Until next time, thanks for all of the encouragement!!

Kevin the Quilter