Chips and Charms Challenge

Beth, a member of our Central Florida MQG, always comes up with the best quilt challenges for members.

For me personally, they're a good way to stretch myself. Since I'm not a person who has been gifted with an innate ability to have multiple designs always floating around in my head (as others do), being told - given direction - is a good way to get me working, making an effort to come up with an original design. I've found our chapter challenges rewarding, especially as two of my previous chapter challenge quilts have been juried into QuiltCons. 

Our "Chips and Charms Challenge" is due at our November Central Florida MQG meeting. By the challenge name alone, it's pretty easy to guess that chips are 2½" precuts, and charms are 5" precuts. These are the packs in my stash, most of which have been collected at previous QuiltCons. I never knew what to do with them. 

Beth gave us only a few rules: 

• use as many chips and charms as desired (permissible to cut more from stash)
• make a quilt that's at least 15" X 15" with blocks no larger than 5" (unfinished)
• negative space/background can be no more than 50 percent of the quilt design

I'm going with solids only, and given that I won't use brown (ICK!) or black in my quilt, I've been cutting extra chips and charms from solid scraps. 

I sewed chips into four-patch blocks. 

Deciding I wanted a circle in the center of each block, I selected chips that looked good with each four-patch. From SF101 (center of photo) fusible interfacing, I also cut 2½" squares.

Though I have some lovely acrylic circle rulers, I didn't have one that efficiently covered all of a chip. Prescription bottle cap to the rescue! Using an air-erase marker, I drew around the cap onto the non-fusible side of the SF101 square.

With the SF101 fusible side (bumpy side) against the solid square, I machine-sewed on the drawn circle using a shortened stitch length. Using pinking shears to trim the seam, I only need to make a few extra clips to remove bulk from the circle. Slitting an opening through the fusible the circle makes it possible to turn the whole circle right side out.

Now the fusible side (with bumps) is on the outside.

I used this nifty tool to push against the seam to open it as much as possible. 

Then I pressed each circle on an appliqué pressing sheet (so the fusible doesn't stick)...

... and briefly adhered each circle onto a four-patch. 

These blocks - and many more - are ready for hand-appliqué. Since this ring of pre-wound Superior bobbins is portable, I'll use this as appliqué thread.

I don't have any idea where this design will go, but will happily stitch down circles until I have "enough," however many that may be. 

Book Recommendation

The Vanishing Half, by Brit Bennett is about Desiree and Stella, black twins in a small Louisiana town called Mallard. In their teens they take divergent paths. Desiree makes it to Washington D.C. and marries an abusive man; Stella runs away and transforms herself, adopting a lavish new life in a posh California community. Each of them has a daughter, but for more than 25 years, Desiree and Stella live wholly separate lives. When by chance, one daughter sees a woman who looks like her mother, pursuit of more information leads the two cousins to meet and discover a life lived as a lie, the truth of their heritage, and greater self-awareness. 

This story is about the color of one's skin - blacks who look white and pretend to be white; and blacks who look black. It also includes a transgender person whose story I found a little disturbing. Still, the book gave me insights into different perspectives about color and gender. 

Linda's score: 3.0/5.0

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Tenor Ukulele Case, and Life Lesson

It's finished - the case for my Enya tenor ukulele. 

I've loosely followed a 2012 tutorial by Mommy by Day, Crafter by Night, as she made soprano (small-sized ukulele) cases for her daughters.

Installing a 40" double-tabbed zipper wasn't any more difficult than installing a 5" zipper. It just took longer. 

Honestly, the most difficult part was joining each front and back piece to the side piece. I used a zipper foot to get as close to the cording as possible, but I did a lot of restitching in attempts to get closer. It was challenge sewing with all those layers: fabric, fleece, foam stabilizer, and extra firm stabilizer - times two! - and the cording edge. My Bernina was up to it, but it was a struggle for me.

Prior to sewing, these Clover Wonder Clips bent and broke as soon as I attempted to clip them to seams. I'm sure I've tossed at least 20 of these in the past few months. I've owned them for about seven years, and find it very disappointing that they don't hold up. 

Friday night fun was hand sewing the lining, backed with fleece, to the inside. I made sure to include my Flourishing Palms label on the inside.

One of my favorite labels is on the outside: You Can't Buy This. And, "No I won't make these to sell!" 

The zipper, purchased from ZipIt on Etsy, came with a plastic button tab. Cute enough. 

But I had to replace it with one I've been saving for something special. It's a glittery palm.

I'll head to Peace, Love, and Ukulele Club with this next week! In the meantime, I'm trying to practice twice a day for at least 20 minutes. Any more, and my fingertips get sore. Gradually, very gradually, I'm hearing some improvement in my picking ability. 

I've had a frustrating experience that I'm sharing to not only vent, but also hopefully prevent this ever happening to someone else. 

Every year, the MQG sells a QuiltCon magazine about the show. It's designed and produced by Golden Peak Media. Late each summer, MQG members are invited to submit original quilt designs and story article ideas, with the understanding that if a quilt design is accepted for publication, it will also appear in QuiltCon. Quilt designs submitted may not have been shared on social media. 

Each ideas is to be emailed, separately, directly to Golden Peak Media "submissions." 

In August 2021 I submitted, via email, two ideas:

1) an article about circles, and the prevalence of that shape in modern quilts; and

2) this quilt, my original design made for our Central Florida MQG 2021 Chips and Charms Challenge. 

51½" X 62½"

When, by late October 2021 I hadn't heard anything about the two emails I'd sent, I contacted the company (by email), forwarding each emailed-in-August submission and asking the status of them. The editor replied that neither submission had been seen by them, and the magazine was already put together. 

To say the least, I was disappointed. My emails had not bounced. 

Fast forward to August 2022 when the invitation for QuiltCon magazine submissions arrived from the MQG. I immediately returned to my two 2021 submissions, submitting them with a comment at the top of the email saying:

Please note: I submitted this idea for QuiltCon 2022, and later learned it had never been received or considered. Acknowledgement of this submission is appreciated!

I received acknowledgement that the article submission was received, and though I didn't receive acknowledgment that the quilt submission had been received, I assumed that the reply covered both submissions. 

I was so wrong.

On October 8 I received an email telling me my article submission would not be accepted. Assuming they hadn't made a decision about my quilt submission, I waited for a response about it. 

On Friday, I sent an email to Golden Peak Media asking the status of my quilt submission for QuiltCon magazine. Can you guess the response I received?

"I received your note regarding your Chips and Charms quilt submission. I’m afraid we did not receive it. All of the articles and quilts for the 2023 issue of QuiltCon Magazine have been selected and contracted."

What happened in 2021 happened AGAIN! Can you believe it?! I sure couldn't. "Frustrating" doesn't begin to describe how I've felt about this whole experience. 

It'll accept fault for not confirming that the quilt submission was received. But where in the world do my emails to them go?! They sure didn't bounce. I can only conclude that the company has a problem with their email system. And this must surely be happening to others who submit to their publications.

All this has taught me to verify, verify, verify. Do not assume.

I will not again attempt to submit this quilt to QuiltCon magazine. 

It's a good thing I'm in Bible study right now! From the Glory Days study by Max Lucado I've learned about strongholds (sins) in my life - admitting them, facing them, and dealing with them. This experience has me confronting and being held accountable for my stronghold of "pride." Lord, I have certainly learned a lesson. 

Book Recommendation

The Tobacco Wives by Adele Myers takes place in 1946 in a small North Carolina town called Bright Leaf. As her mother goes husband-hunting, 15 year-old Maddie stays with her Aunt Etta, working as her aunt's assistant seamstress. It's time for the big annual task of making gowns for the affluent wives of the local Bright Leaf Tobacco Company. When Aunt Etta becomes ill, Maddie is taken under the wing of the dazzling and beloved Mitzi Winston, wife of Richard Winston, Bright Leaf's owner. Just as Maddie moves into the Winston home, and Mitzi sets up a studio for her, with a new red Singer sewing machine, a cigarette and ad campaign is launched, promoting new mint-flavored Moments cigarettes, designed for women.

As Maddie draws on her design and sewing skills to fill Aunt Etta's shoes, she discovers a confidential document that could change the lives of the entire community. Concerned for others, she unburdens herself to two friends. When both her life and Aunt Etta's are threatened, Maddie knows she has to reveal everything she knows, even at the risk of forever changing her life, and Aunt Etta's.

Once again, I was pulled into a fascinating story that I learned, through the author's notes at the end, is based on historical research about the tobacco industry. The author mentions another books that I'd like to read: The Gilded Leaf by Patrick Reynolds and Tom Schactman, based on three generations of the R.J. Reynolds family. 

Linda's score: 4.1/5.0

Linda

So Much to Catch Up

The days have been zipping by! I can't believe it's been more than a week since I wrote a blog post! That's not like me, but is certainly a testament to how full each day has been. 

Retreat was marvelous! Luther Springs, a Lutheran church camp in Hawthorne, Florida is where Central Florida MQGers have retreated for the past six years. This was the first time we set up in the camp's new chapel, a room designed with quilters in mind: six large windows (no blinds/curtains); great lighting; electrical outlets in the floors; and nice, padded chairs with two legs on wheels. In this panorama photo, everyone was doing "a seventh inning stretch." 

My four-day perspective was this (lower left in the photo above). I spent most of two days quilting and binding the Australian jelly roll quilt I'd pin-basted to take along.  I ended up taking my Bernina 440QE because my 770QE was still being serviced. 

Here is my finished 58" X 65" Australia Jelly Roll quilt which is going to our daughter (she lived in Sydney, Australia for several years). As you can see, once the jelly roll quilt top was made, I cut it apart to make five vertical sashes through it, using seven different color values to create a wash of color.  I like that these strips made the quilt larger. 

Australian Jelly Roll quilt, 58" X 65"

I used a walking foot to straight-line quilt through the solids. 

However, in the busy-ness of the prints, I free motion quilted snail-trail swirls which definitely show up better on the back than the front. Binding on two sides of the quilt was made with the seven solid fabrics, to match the vertical sashing. 

I put my Canon camera on a timer to take a few pictures of all 18 of us who retreated. This is our "goofy" shot. As you can see, we were dressed a little warmer because the temperature turned cool for us heat-loving Floridians. It was 45℉ (7℃) a couple mornings. 

Also while on retreat I finished making the 18" X 18" Dresden Porthole Pillow, a pattern by Sarah Ashford Sarah Ashford Studio in the UK, that I made to pattern-test her design.

It was nice to embroider again. I used 12-weight variegated Aurifil thread to do backstitching, make Colonial knots, and blanket stitch.

When I was home again, I finished my Chips and Charms Challenge quilt. This picture is a collage of the steps for machine-sewn binding corners: "No Tails Binding: Mitered Corners by Machine."

I also picked up my Bernina 770QE from Al at Sharky's and was stunned to learn all the things wrong with it! Keep in mind, it had been 16 months/2,500,000 stitches since it had been serviced. I know; I know! It's NOT like me to let a tune-up pass by. Because I use my machine so much, every six months is how often I should have my machine serviced.

Anyway, these were the problems: 

1. Tension was way off which caused the seven bent/broken needles I experienced while quilting my Chips and Charms Challenge quilt. I had to finish quilting it with the Bernina 440QE.
2. Big wad of lint in the upper section, by the take-up lever (I vacuum out the bobbin area every Friday.) When I told Al I use Aurifil because it lints less than other thread brands, he recommended switching to Wonderfil (!)
3. Something sticky was inside. Al asked if I use basting spray. I rarely do, but I have used homemade basting spray. In the future, I'll keep pin-basting my quilts.

Hubs and I had our COVID-19 booster shots on Wednesday, and while I didn't get nearly as ill as I did after the second injection, the booster sure wiped out my energy! I lost a day and a half because I felt sluggish. And, my arm hurt. All better now, and feeling comfortably safe about continuing to participate in activities without wearing a mask. 

On Thursday I spent several hours writing, printing, washing, fabric-framing, and hand-sewing labels to five quilts! It's definitely time to buy more EQ Printables. 

During Thursday evening's "Sip 'n' Sew," a two hour social/chat time on Zoom with South Florida MQGers, I finished my latest Kawandi. It's 14" X 19" and is the fifth piece I've made with my grandmother's vintage fabric scraps. 

I saved this little fussy-cut frond print to put "just so" in the center. 

I still plan to share my QuiltCon entries in a blog post, but I'm waiting until "challenge reveals" are over. First there's this Saturday's Central Florida MQG meeting with reveal, followed by next Saturday's South Florida MQG meeting with reveal. I made challenge quilts for both chapters and after sharing them with the chapters, I'll share them here. 

Book Recommendation

Rose's Vintage by Kayte Nunn is the second book I've read from this Australian author, and it didn't disappoint. The narrator does an excellent job of speaking with British, Australian, and Austrian accents, and as a toddler. 

Rose goes to work as an au pair for the owner of Kalkari Wines in Australia's fictional Shingle Mountains. She's meant to be sleuthing for her brother who's interested in buying the property for investment purposes. But as Rose becomes comfortable in her new home, cleaning neglected rooms, cooking for two adorable children, befriending the nanny, and getting to know her boss, within months she's experiencing an unexpected fondness for her situation. When the owner's estranged, and demanding, wife returns without warning, reality hits Rose. She must face her true feelings - decide whether to take a stand and stay, or if it's time to leave.  

Linda's score: 3.8/5.0 

Linda

New Starts

Last Saturday's Central Florida MQG meeting was the reveal of our Chips and Charms Challenge quilts. While I'm not able to share mine yet, it was nice to see what members came up with. See everyone's quilts here.

Our Viewer's Choice winning quilt belonged to our president, Karen, who made a lovely wall quilt that included big stitch hand quilting. Her prize was EQ8. Everyone received something, and I received this five-piece "Lucky Charms" fat quarter bundle by Figo, from Stash Fabrics. Thank you Stash Fabrics! 

I've been in the mood to make something improv-y, so I pulled out my Improv Handbook for Modern Quilters by Sherri Lynn Wood, and started making score 9, curve patchwork. These improv-cut curved wedges are pieced with my new African wax prints, and solids from my scrap containers. 

Thought I don't know where it's going...

... I'm letting it settle-on, as I work on it in bits of time. 

Thinking of making Christmas gifts for several instructors (activities in recreation centers are led by volunteers), I bought and downloaded two PDF patterns - Inside-Outside Pouch, and Clear Boxy Pouch by Aneela Hoey. So far, I've made one of each. 

Inside-Outside Pouch

The Inside-Outside Pouch is my favorite because it has a clear-view zipper pouch on two sides, and at the top is a long zipper over an inside section. This recently-purchased Anna Maria Horner "Echinacea" print looks great as a bag.

This pouch is a little simpler make, with only one zipper at the top of a clear pocket. 

Clear Boxy Pouch

Leftovers of Emma Jean Jansen's "60s Scrapbag" fabrics, and Karen Lewis's "Blueberry Park" look good. 

While on retreat (Nov. 5-8), I sat near Courtney, a lovely, young, newer quiltmaker who is passionate about old sewing machines. She's a whizz at their repair and tune-up, and regularly sews on a 1962 Singer. Of course, we chatted about those machines and Featherweights. After seeing her Featherweight with its neat thread-holder, and carrying case, I ordered them too.

Don't ya love that pretty aqua-colored case? These items are from the Featherweight Shop in Idaho. After getting them, I just had to take my Featherweight for a spin, and used it on Tuesday, at Big Cypress Quilters, to piece the Sunny Lanes quilt (my tutorial here) I'm making from my never-ending pile of 1½" X 1½" squares.

Book Recommendation

Every Secret Thing by Laura Lippman was slow-going for me. Though the characters are interesting - two mis-matched young girls are spending their summer in each other's company; one of them isn't so happy about it - but too many insightful thoughts became tiring to listen to. 

Anyway... because of one girl's misbehavior at a swimming pool birthday party, they're both asked to leave. Walking toward home, they come upon a baby seemingly left alone on a front stoop. Deciding the child needs rescuing from parents that don't care for her, they take her. 

Seven years later, both young girls are now in their late teens. They have been released from incarceration. Now, toddler girls are occasionally going missing, usually for only an hour or so. When one goes missing for several days, the mother of the abducted infant (seven years ago) and the police, wonder whether there's a relationship between what happened then, and what's happening now. Police detective Tess Monaghan must sort out whether everyone is jumping to conclusions, or if there's a connection. 

 

Linda's score: 3.2/5.0

Let me just say it. I'm a huge fan Ruth Ware, author of The Turn of the Key. This is the seventh of her books that I've read, and there's not a one that hasn't been entertaining, if not enthralling. The Turn of the Key was tough to put on pause! First, there are no chapter breaks. Second, the story is captivating. And third, because of the excellent reading/acting ability of Imogene Church whose character voices are spot-on. 

Rowan is contentedly living in London, working for Little Nippers, a day care, when she applies for a nanny position in a remote area of Scotland. Upon learning that she's been hired, she sets off to deliver her best professional abilities to the family and their four young daughters. Upon arrival, Rowan discovers that she's also expected to learn the ins and outs of a high-tech home with security, remote listening and viewing capabilities, and even appliances that talk to her. Though a bit overwhelmed, she's determined to do her best, even as she wonders why previous nannies have lasted only a few months, and in one case, less than a week. When left on her own, she discovers that she has more to contend with than caring for children. Staunchly believing there's no such thing as ghosts, her necklace is missing, a broken china doll's head rolls off her lap, and creaking in the room overhead is keeping her awake at night. Everything has a logical explanation.

Warning: R-rating, for profanity. 

If you can't find this title at your library, don't hesitate to pick up another Ruth Ware book. You won't be disappointed.

Linda's score: 4.2/5.0

I'm wishing each of you a very happy Thanksgiving - a day filled with family and and good food! We all have much to be grateful for. Linda

Challenge and QAL Quilts

Last weekend was spent prepping two quilts for sandwiching. Having stocked a few wide-backs, I found just the backings needed for sandwiching and pin-basting my challenge quilts for Central Florida MQG and South Florida MQG. 

My "Chips and Charms Challenge" quilt (blocks could be no larger than 5") for Central Florida MQG doesn't yet have a name. Quilter's Dream Cotton Request is the batting. 

For the South Florida MQG "Curve Around Challenge," my Playin' Around quilt is coming along. Quilter's Dream Puff is the batting I chose for this one. 

After drawing circles on the quilt top using my acrylic nested circle rulers and a purple disappearing ink pen, I quilt with my walking foot. My Bernina 770QE stitch length is set at 3.15. 

I'm happy with the dimension that Puff gives, so the circles within circles within circles really show up.

When the quilt has been circled almost to death, I'll go back in and free motion quilt smaller circles in random places. 

Continuing with week 6 of the Finger Paints QAL, I pieced the last block (lower right), and went ahead and assembled the nine blocks into this 67½" X 67½" quilt top. I'd love to win Laura's QuiltFortCompany top QALprize - free longarm quilting for a Finger Paints quilt! I haven't had a quilt long-arm quilted since 2000.

Thanks to my friend Karen who alerted me to a 25 percent-off, September fabric sale, I was able to buy more of my favorite Painter's Palette solids from The Quilt Place in Orlando, Florida. Painter's Palette was $5.96 a yard, so I added 14 colors to my stash, totaling 34 yards. Four of the color were "refills" due to being mostly used-up: Maize, Patriot, Aruba and Pale Aqua.

Though I can't say I needed these fabrics, I've been monitoring the continuing rise in cotton prices. Today it is $1.13/pound. When quilt shops increased their retail prices back in April/May, cotton was 91¢. Hope you're paying attention quilting friends... 

Over a couple evenings, I was able to hand-stitch the facing on my Artisan Challenge quilt. The quilt is done now, with no name. Next I need to take pictures of this and a couple other QuiltCon entries. That's my plan for next week. 

Book Recommendations

I struggled to finish Waiting for the Night Song by Julie Carrick Dalton, one of the slowest-moving, repetitive, and predictable books I've read in months.

Cadie returns to her hometown to look for a particular beetle that she's recently found in a nearby forest. She's convinced that the insects are putting vast stretches of forest land in jeopardy. While in her childhood home, memories resurface that she's spent years trying to forget. Looking back on those years, she recalls an idyllic summer, rowing across lakes, picking and selling blueberries, and sharing adventures with her new best friend, Daniella. But when she unexpectedly faces "the adventure boy" who plays a significant part of a summer memory that must remain secret, she wants the truth to come out - to be released from the burden she's carrying. 

The author has used this story to express views about global warming and immigration, themes that are so over-riding to the story, that the plot was hard to find. I was truly glad when this book ended.

Linda's score: 2.0/5.0

Every Vow You Break by Peter Swanson is a story that, though highly improbable, moved along. The premise is that Abigail is in love and will marry Bruce, an all-round good guy who happens to have made his wealth in technology. At her bachelorette party, Abigail has a one-night stand, and decides to keep it from Bruce. She and Bruce have a beautiful wedding, and he secrets his new bride away to a remote island, a place that was once a boy's camp/girl's camp. The lodge and bunks have been renovated and are luxurious, and the wait staff is attentive to every guest's whim. Abigail notices that there's only one other female guest, a newlywed too. They start chatting, and Abigail discovers that their backgrounds are uncomfortably similar. Abigail begins to wonder if this place, and maybe even her husband, aren't what they seem.  

My score is based on indiscriminate sex and vulgarity that detracted from an entertaining read. 

Linda's score: 3.2/5.0

On my golf cart drive to line dancing early Tuesday morning, I had to pull over to take a picture of the glorious sunrise. Praise and grateful thanks to God for his beautiful creation! 

My kind of weekend is ahead! Central Florida MQG meeting, and through South Florida MQG, a six-hour (over two days) Intriguing Interleaves Zoom workshop with Mel Beach. Linda