How wrong was I??

Posted in Friends of Baltimore, Hand-Applique Techniques, Sue Garman Pattern, Uncategorized by Simple Bird Applique

Very wrong! I had been wanting to start the next block of Sue Garman’s “Friend’s of Baltimore”. Well! I took one look at the block…and walked away! It looked way too difficult. Boy, was I wrong.

In fact, it was not difficult at all…almost a walk in the park! Here is the freezer paper template. Yikes!

And here is the template ironed on to the wrong side of the fabric. So far, so good!

I thought this is where it might get a bit dicey. So instead of cutting out the entire design, I just cut a small portion and starched the seam allowance in place.

The next thing I knew, I was finished the inner part!

So I worked on the outer section until the whole piece was prepped!

I took a deep breath and removed the freezer paper…

And this tangled mess….

…turned in to this!

I would like to thank the quilt gods for helping make this possible!!

Til next time…

Kerry

15Mar2013

Row 2 of Civil War Bride Completed!

Posted in Civil War Bride Quilt, Uncategorized by Simple Bird Applique

I was one block away from finishing the second row of “The Civil War Bride Quilt”! All I had to do was finish the bird block. So I spruced the birds up with some tail feathers that I thought were rather snazzy, added some solid looking feet and gave each bird a colourful comb!

After I finished stitching each block, I washed it in the sink with hot soapy water to remove all of the starch, glue and even a bit of my own blood! (Note to self…my new scissors are really sharp!) When they were dry, I trimmed the blocks to the correct size. (As a rule, I always cut my blocks 2″-3″ larger than needed.) Believe it or not, the blocks do shrink up a fair amount once they are stitched.

Once they were all trimmed to the correct size, I started stitching them together.

And, finally, I stitched 2 rows together! Spiffy!

Since I had my sewing machine out, I took the time to stitch another block of Barbara Brackman’s “Grandmother’s Choice”. I must confess, I am a not exactly keeping up with the weekly blocks, but I do intend to make a quilt (or two!) with the blocks …and maybe add a few applique blocks. We will see!

Til next time…

Kerry

11Mar2013

Not so fast!

Posted in Civil War Bride Quilt, Friends of Baltimore, Hand-Applique Techniques, Sue Garman Pattern, Uncategorized by Simple Bird Applique

I was so excited! My block was finally finished…or was it? I must admit, all along I thought the vase was missing a little something. And it was! So…here is the “unfinished” block…

….and here is the “finished” block!

I thought I would take a break from the flowers, and leaves and vines. The birds on the next block of the Civil War Bride Quilt were calling my name!

First, I started with some stems and beaks, and what I assume is some sort of fruit. (So far I am not impressed!)

Next, I added some branches and leaves. (Still not impressed!)

Okay, now I see it coming together! All the birds need now are some tail feathers and they are ready for take-off!

Til next time…

Kerry

7Mar2013

How Crazy Am I?

Posted in Bouquet For a New Day, Friends of Baltimore, Hand-Applique Techniques, Hand-Quilting Tools, Sue Garman Pattern, Uncategorized by Simple Bird Applique

As I work away on Sue Garman’s “Friends of Baltimore”, I keep asking myself…”How crazy am I?” These teeny, weensy pieces are a little…..tiny! This is the actual freezer paper pattern.

First I made the tiny outer blue circle.

Then, the teeny, tiny yellow inner circle.

Here is the flower, before the centre is added.

And here is the finished flower!

This is what I have accomplished so far!

I have been working very steadily on Sue Garman’s “Bouquets For A New Day”. Here is another finished block…

…and here is what I have completed so far! It is starting to have an “almost finished” look to it!

Til next time…
Kerry

27Feb2013

So darn excited!

Posted in Bouquet For a New Day, Friends of Baltimore, Hand-Applique Techniques, Sue Garman Pattern, Uncategorized by Simple Bird Applique

I am really excited to be working on the next block of Sue Garman’s “Friends of Baltimore”. When I finish this block, I will be able to stitch together another row, which I can then add to my first completed row! I am going to start hyper-ventilating real soon!

First I started with the vase. The dark brown piece at the top was the first one to be stitched in place, and then the pieces below it followed.

Next, the remaining dark brown pieces were stitched in place. The long edges will be covered by the light brown sections, so the edges do not need to be turned under.

And, finally, the last section is added. The top edge looks odd, but will be covered with flowers and leaves.

Next, the handles were added and some stems and leaves. Please allow me to gush about these leaves! I fussy-cut each leaf with the lighter green “veins” running lengthwise. I am pleased as punch!

Now that the berries are in place, I can start to fill the vase with many, many flowers!

I can’t think of a better way to spend the cold winter evening than hand-quilting Sue Garman’s “Bouquets For A New Day”. Here is another completed block!

Til next time…

Kerry

20Feb2013

A Tasty Block!

Posted in Civil War Bride Quilt, Hand-Applique Techniques, Uncategorized by Simple Bird Applique

Onward and upward! I was eager to start the next block of The Civil War Bride Quilt, so that is what I did! First, I traced the pattern on the background with a Clover water soluble marker. Next, I made some stems using my 1/4″ bias maker, and then, I stitched them in place.

I wanted skinnier stems for the cherries, so I took the stems I made with the bias maker and folded them in half lengthwise. They are really skinny!

Next I added some leaves and a bunch of grapes….

….and then I added the pears, the strawberries and the apples….I started getting a little hungry!

Next, I stitched all of the remaining leaves in place. Jenny can hardly contain her excitement!

I added the cherries and Voila! Another completed block!

For some reason, I was craving fruit salad…so I went to the fridge and dug out a pear, some strawberries, an apple and some grapes. I did not ave any “real” cherries, but I did have some dried cherries.

I added a few pecans and had myself a very healthy snack!

Til next time….

Kerry

16Feb2013

Lots of Leaves!

Posted in Civil War Bride Quilt, Hand-Applique Techniques, Uncategorized by Simple Bird Applique

The block I am working on from the Civil War Bride had a lot of leaves on it.

Boredom was starting to set in, so thank goodness I had some emergency chocolate stashed away!

I stitched a bit…ate a chocolate…stitched a bit…ate a chocolate…until finally all the leaves and flowers were stitched in place.

I was worried that my pink flower looked a little…well….pale. It seemed to fade into the background.

So I carefully drew around the outer edge with a pink Sharpie marker. Much better, I think!

Til next time…

Kerry

13Feb2013

The Trouble With Vacations….

Posted in Civil War Bride Quilt, Hand-Applique Techniques, Uncategorized by Simple Bird Applique

Vacations are wonderful….except they come to an end!

This year, we decided to do something really different for our winter vacation. On January 25, Paul and I left the Canadian winter behind and flew to Antigua, where we spent two absolutely awesome weeks aboard The Amoeba, a 67′ schooner owned by John and Bev Bryson. We had the pleasure of meeting John and Bev earlier this past summer when we went for a sunset cruise on The Amoeba while visiting family in Baddeck, Nova Scotia.

When we weren’t on the sailboat, we were on the beach….

…or buying fabric! Who could resist?

Of course, wherever I go, I take my applique with me!

So now it is time to get back to reality and do some serious stitching! I woke up this morning with the next block of Civil War Bride on my mind.

First I stitched the stems in place.

Then I added some colourful buds.

The many, many leaves are prepped and ready to go!

Til next time….

Kerry

6Feb2013

So Close to a Finish!

Posted in Friends of Baltimore, Hand-Applique Techniques, Sue Garman Pattern, Uncategorized by Simple Bird Applique

This block in Sue Garman’s “Friends of Baltimore” is so close to being complete! I am so excited!! The only thing left is the Album that will sit in the empty space.

First, I made the spine of the Album…

…and then I prepped the red background of the Album. I chose more of a burgundy red so the Album would stand out from the red flowers.

The skinny beige border is a full piece. I think it is easier to work with a big piece rather than a skinny little piece! And finally, the top red piece of fabric.