Quilting News and a Hint

Shown in the pictures below are the February Quilter's World magazine and my pattern on page 65. I just couldn't contain my excitement so I'm sharing it with you.

Now for the hint. I was cutting a dark fabric with a busy pattern the other day and found it hard to see the edge of the fabric through my ruler. After squinting and holding my breath trying to line up the edge I finally realized if I cut from the wrong side of the fabric I could see it much better. If you have a hint you'd like to share please contact me at jaybeehive@yahoo.com . I promise not to pester you. I will even delete your contact after I read your email. The only thing I ask is if you would allow me to share your hint on my blog. Let me know if you want your name mentioned or not for sending the hint to me. As always thank you for visiting.
~Joan~

Catching Up and Sharing Christmas

Between a major accident that totaled our car and the holidays I've neglected my blogging. We are very blessed in that our injuries were not life threatening and we're on the mend.

It's a little late but I wanted to share my Christmas ideas and decorations with you. This is our tree in all it's glory of 18 inches. The quilt was a flower pattern I found in a magazine last year. The reds cinched it for that poinsetta look.

This 17" square wall hanging was made using a novelty print and attic window blocks. It's hard to see but the border fabric print is Christmas lights. The right bottom corner is wrinkled from being stored. I have to confess at being lazy and not pressing it flat before I photographed it. It really is perfectly square. Whats Christmas without gingerbread people? This girl and boy gingerbread wall hanging meaures 13" x 24". I taught this in a class one year. I embellished with baby rick rack for the icing on the arms and legs. Buttons were used for the eyes, nose, and on the boys chest. It was a quick and fun project. The last picture below shows my "Photo Ornaments" that were published in the December 2009 Crafts and Decorate magazine. They measure 3-1/8" x 4-1/8".

Needless to say their too big for my tree. I think I'll pin them to a ribbon next year and create a garland to hang over my door. I guess I don't have to wait for Christmas I could use them anytime in a wall grouping. As always I thank you for stopping by. I look forward to sharing the new year with you.

Joan

No Need to Mark That Quilt Top.

I met the nicest people while attending the annual Arizona Quilt Guild Fall meeting yesterday.
One lady happened to share a neat hint with me. I'm passing it on to you.
1- Draw your quilting design on Press-n-Seal.
2- Place the marked Press-n-Seal on top of your quilt. Smooth the Press-n-Seal down with your hand. No need to pin. It should cling to the top.
3- Stitch on the drawn line.
4- Tear the Press-n-Seal away.
Wow! I'm anxious to try this. Guess where I'm headed to? The store to get some Press-n-Seal. Thank you Germaine Fritz for sharing this with me.
Till next time,
Joan

Introducing My New Pattern

I've been busy trying to get ready for the, November 6th & 7th, Lake Havasu quilt show. I'll have a booth there. If any of you decide to come to the show be sure to stop by and say hello. I'd like to introduce you to "Divinity", my new pattern.
A wall hanging that measures 24-3/4" x 24-3/4". It's a diagonal set with a fusible applique center and four pieced feather blocks. Its now in the hands of a pattern tester. I'm hoping to have it ready for the quilt show.


If you'd like to see more of my patterns you can view them at http://www.quiltersfun.com/
Enough bragging. Wishing you well on your journey.
Thanks for visiting.
Joan

Rotary Cutting Hints.

While cutting fabric for my newest design I had a couple of things happen to me.
1- After cutting a strip I had a jagged edge.
2- After cutting a strip I had a slanted edge.
Now for the reasons. When cutting fabric I concentrate on the measurements I need and the quantity of strips needed per color. I find that I don't pay attention to how I'm holding the rotary cutter.
Solutions to the problems for number:
1- The rotary cutter is dragging. I'm not holding the cutter handle high enough so that just the blade runs across the fabric.
2- I'm holding the cutter at a slight angle.
Now for the good news. At least I didn't blame it on the blade being dull. It could have been expensive changing them more often than needed.
I'm hoping I'm not unique and that there will be others that benefit from these hints.
Enjoy the day. Thanks for visiting.
Joan

Combining Hobbies to Make a Quilt.

My first love is quilting. A close second is cross stitching. While on vacation I decided to take some hand work with me. Rather than take quilting along I chose to do some cross stitching. After finishing the three small images I wasn't sure what I wanted to do with them. I ended up creating a wall hanging by sewing sashing between the cross stitch squares and then adding a border. After layering, quilting and binding it I had the finished product shown in the picture. My husband made the hanger.

Now to change the subject. If you have any questions or a subject you would like me to write about please contact me at www.jaybeehive@yahoo.com . Would love to hear from you.

Till next time.

Joan

Applique' Hints and More

Over time through experiance we all learn little helpful hints or have read techniques that make life a little easier. Here are a few of my favorites I'd like to share with you.
(1) When using paper-backed fusible webbing have you ever had part of the webbing stick to the fabric and part of it stays with the paper? Well I've found that happens when I don't wait long enough for the pressed unit to cool before removing the paper.
(2) When layering different pieces of an applique' I use what I call iron basting. First apply the fusible webbing to the back of your fabric as instructed then cut out the fused images. Remove the paper. Place the first fused piece on your background and touch the tip of the iron to it. This holds it in place. Layer the next piece where needed and touch it with the tip of the iron. Continue with this method until all pieces are layered and in place. Now fuse all permanently.
(3) When you need to baste why not use fusible webbing instead. Just cut little snippets of webbing and place them randomly between pieces that need to be basted together. Press to fuse pieces together. Use this in place of thread basting.
(4) Have you ever tried combining different fabrics to create an appliqued piece? For example if you were making a flower pot with flowers in it. The pot and background can be from cotton fabric. Create stems with narrow rick rack, binding, or use a straight line stitch with green thread. The flowers can be from wool or felt. This makes them look dimensional and theres no need to finish the edges as wool doesn't fray.
Part of the fun for me is playing with creativity.
Try it!
Thanks for visiting.
Joan