Quilt Labels

Using my Macbook's software program, I made labels for two quilts. My favorite method for making labels is using my inkjet printer to print onto Printed Treasures, a paper-backed fabric. You just need to anticipate making enough labels to fill the 8-1/2" X 11" sheet. In my opinion, Printed Treasures is pricey at $18 for only five sheets, but it does the best quality job. You just don't want to waste any of it.

This is the label for the baby's quilt. It's the quilt that looks like this.

(Some information has been intentionally blurred and removed.)

Yes, I write corny poems. I call them my little ditties. No, they aren't very clever, but it makes me happy to write them.

Since bub's getting a quilt, big sister must have one too. I blogged about this one before, showing how I free-motion quilted it, and how to sew on scalloped binding.

And here's the second label with another little ditty.

These quilts are now ready to put into a box that will be checked luggage when I head to Australia. I expect that opening the box on the other end will be just like Christmas morning.

Friday Flaunt - Hopping

If you say that I'm flighty when it comes to quilt-y things, I would probably agree with you! For some odd reason - which I long ago quit trying to figure out - I'm at my best when I have several projects going simultaneously. I simply enjoy that I can, and do, hop from project to project, sometimes several of them in one day!

This week has been such an effort, without much to show for it.

Continuing to work on "Snowflake Medallion," I've been gathering small fabric circles around 1 mm sequins and appliqueing them to eight flower blocks. I can't take credit for this ingenious idea for making tiny applique circles. It comes from my friend Di at Snippets 'n Scraps.

A couple months ago, when I saw the Candied Hexagons quilt Janet had made, and posted to her blog Quiltsalott, I knew I'd found my next hand-pieced, "traveling quilt" project. This one will travel with me pretty much wherever I go.

The pattern was first made in the late 1800s in Sydney, Australia by Frederica Josephson, later adapted and made by Kim McLean, and then made by Kerry Dear whose 2006 version appeared in issue #18 of Australian Quilter's Companion (out of print) using Marti Michell hexagon templates.

I selected a rich-looking Jason Yenter print as my focus fabric. It's a piece in his "Floragraphix IV" collection from In the Beginning.

I've been using my templates to cut the various shapes for my scrappy version of the traveling Candied Hexagons quilt.

I also cut plastic templates the finished size of each shape. I'm using them to draw the seam line on the back of each fabric piece.

I've free-motion quilted (saw this as "FMQ" on another blog) most of Baby Bub's Aussie Animal quilt. Quilted leaves are around the koalas.

Scrubby brush is quilted around the roo.

And a tortoise and croc are surrounded by quilted water.

So you can see I've been busy, but getting no where fast. Sorta like Hogan in this picture. He isn't getting anywhere "running" across the bottom of the sofa! But he looks pretty content, and that's exactly how I'm feeling.

Americans have a long weekend ahead, celebrating Labor Day on Monday. Guess that means we're to take a break from our labors. I hope you do! Take time to enjoy and do what you like to do!

Friday Flaunt - Baby-Bub's Quilt

This Nana went a little overboard on the backing for Baby-Bub's Aussie Animal quilt. I found these neat baby-related words printed on fabric at a recent visit to Block Party Studios. The colors coordinated so nicely with the quilt top, that I had to include the word blocks in the quilt back.

I didn't want a precise row/column layout, so on graph paper I drew a staggered layout that I followed for cutting and piecing. It was somewhat of a challenge to cut because the fabric is a directional print, and piecing involved some set-in seams. But I'm pleased with the result.

The words and sayings will grow with the baby. Maybe into his teen years!

After sandwiching the quilt, on a beautiful morning this week, I moved my sewing table and machine onto the back deck for a couple hours of free-motion quilting. The sunny day made it easy to clearly see the stitches.

I like how quilting around each animal makes the animal's profile appear on the quilt back.

More quilting to come.

Check out Cinzia's blog to see the list of 16 quilters participating in "Friday Flaunt."

Friday Flaunt - Stockings & Bub's Quilt Top

These Christmas stockings with yo-yos are the July BOM in the "Season of Grace" project being co-coordinated by author Emilie Richards and quilter Pat Sloan. One of my stockings is to swap with my BOM buddy, Mary.

Pat didn't post the August BOM until yesterday, so I guess that means she's just as busy a quilter as the rest of us!And, I'm working on another baby quilt. I've never needed to make baby quilts for anyone in the family and now we have a family that's blossoming!

This baby quilt is for our grandson - our first birth grandchild. Bub is due in October, to mum and dad who live in New South Wales, Australia. This American Nana is has been suffering from missing out on pregnancy. Thank goodness for Skype and webcams, and digital photos.

I'll meet Bub (his real name is a secret until he's born) for the first time when he's three weeks old.

Mum (our DD) and dad have been particular about colors not to include in Bub's quilt. So, feeling color-constrained, I opted for blues and browns. The fun came when choosing Aussie animals to machine-applique to make this 45" X 50" top.

Naturally, no Aussie animal quilt is complete without koalas.

The critter designs came from several sources: the Internet, an issue of Australia Patchwork and Quilting, and Down Under Di who drew this cutie herself and emailed it to me.

Thank you, Di!

I'll be sandwiching soon, using my favorite Cream Rose batting, by Mountain Mist. Then, some quilting that may include eucalyptus leaves, and Aussie animals' silhouettes.

Visit Cinzia's blog for a complete list of bloggers participating in "Friday Flaunt."