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Pacific Northwest, United States

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I've been crafting things for myself and others since my teen years. Designing and creating is not just what I do.....it's Who I Am. Thanks for stopping by.

Tuesday, April 30, 2013

Got It Done–April, 2013

GID-Apr
This was the the list I made at the end of March. 

Grannie’s Scraps Quilt

I got side-tracked with other projects (Quilts of Valor) so this will have to be pushed off for a few months.


Craftsy BOM

Not started…..Not done…..Don't like the block....etc.  I may do this block some time in the future when I feel more inspired.


April Scrap Quilt

AprilScrapQuilt
This was a UFO (unfinished project) that I wanted to see completed. 
I had most of the piecing done for the top.  I added a flannel sheet for the backing.  No fancy free motion quilting was done, just simple stitch-in-the-ditch to keep the layers together.  I didn’t even bind it.  I plan to use this as a cloth for the picnic table.




April Baby Quilt

P&P-quilting
I named this design Patches & Plates.  This baby quilt measures 37-1/2” square. 
For the quilting I did a simple serpentine stitch with the walking foot diagonally both directions.  The backing fabric is flannel.






April Washcloth

AprilWashcloth-1This month I knitted the Ball Band pattern. 
I blogged about it here.










QOV Quilt Tops

QOV-top
I help put together a couple of quilt tops for our local QOV group.  The individual blocks surrounding the center panel were already made so I attached them and then added the borders. 
For more information, I blogged about it here.



QOV-quilt_top

Getting It Done – May 2013

Here’s my list of quilting/knitting projects that I want to accomplish within the next month:
GID-May

I’m linked up with the Getting It Done Challenge at Patchwork Times.

Monday, April 29, 2013

Design Wall Monday - April 29, 2013


Some progress has been made on the QOV quilt top.  I still need to make the red star blocks and cut some more solid red squares for the corners.  After I assemble the interior of the quilt I'll make a final decision about the border design.  My original idea was to have 6-inch solid blue borders with blue star blocks in the corners.  At this point I think the white needs to be balanced with more red and blues.

Please visit Patchwork Times for more Design Wall blog links.

Happy Quilting,
        ~Diane

Monday, April 15, 2013

Design Wall Monday - April 15, 2013


Even though I'm supposed to be planing and packing, I started a new quilt top.  I was so encouraged with all the nice things our local QOV group is doing that I wanted to make at least a top or two to donate.  There was fabric left over from the ones I worked on last month so I put together a design in EQ and have started cutting the pieces.  The plan was to cut all the major pieces, making a kit.  I wasn't going to actually start piecing this until I get up to the lake for the summer, but I wanted to make sure I had the correct sizes for a couple of the blocks.

This center block will measure 18" finished.  I will also be making smaller 6-inch star blocks and some Half Square Triangle blocks.

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to visit Patchwork Times for links to more Design Wall posts.

 ~Diane

Friday, April 12, 2013

Off The Needles - April 12, 2013

This month's washcloth is done!


This was an easy pattern to make.  There are twelve rows that are repeated several times.  For more information about the pattern and materials I used, check out this link.

Soon after I finished weaving in the bits of yarn ends and taking these pics to share with you I dunked this cloth in hot water.  I wanted to see how well it held up when being used.  It did not stretch out much at all like some do.  This should be a good one.

Thanks for stopping by and be sure to visit Judy's blog, Patchwork Timesfor more On The Needles blog posts.

Happy Knitting,
      ~Diane

Thursday, April 11, 2013

Quilts of Valor quilt tops

Last month I visited a local QOV sew-in at Montavilla Sewing in Portland, Oregon.  I met some really nice gals who were busy putting quilts together for the cause.  Debbie had a couple of partial quilt tops that needed more blocks added and borders put on so I volunteered to do that.  Today, I stopped in at the monthly sew-in and dropped off the tops.  Another gal asked if we could take a pic because she was interested in the borders I had made.


The blocks surrounding the center panel were made by a group of women at a previous block party.  It was challenging to get all the blocks sewn together because of the size differences, but it all came together in the end.

My mom served in WWII and my brother in Vietnam so this project is dear to my heart.

I've been playing around with a couple designs ideas in EQ as well as collecting red, white, and blue fabrics so I can make a few tops in the near future.  

I would encourage all quilters to get involved in Quilts of Valor or some other charitable group like this and share your time and talents to help others.  The personal satisfaction and rewards are immeasurable.

Happy Quilting,
  ~Diane
 

Friday, April 5, 2013

Recycle Project: Pet Mattresses

A while back I made a mattress for one of my cats.  The outer fabric is one that I really didn't want to use in any quilts so it was a perfect choice.  For the stuffing I filled it with fabric trimmings, batting bits, and even some small pieces of yarn.  To add a little height, I boxed the corners.

 
It was a big hit with the kitty.

Next I made one for her carrier.  Sometimes she goes on long trips and needs to be comfy.



Then I made one for my other kitty.  This time I used some string blocks found in my UFO bin.


The thing I love about these mattresses is that they are made of materials that I would have thrown away so if they get soiled and don't come through the wash well, I can toss them and make some more.



On The Needles–Apr 5, 2013

ballband2The pattern I chose to make for this month’s washcloth/dishcloth is called “Ball Band Dishcloth” by Peaches and Crème.  You can find the pattern here.  The name of this pattern is not very creative.  I believe it has been printed on the back of the band of their yarn for years and the style appears to be old-fashioned. 

I’m using size 7 US needles and two different colors of 100% cotton yarn – white and the  purple/teal/brown leftover from the circular washcloth I made last month.



OTN-040513
Things are going well so far.  The pattern is easy enough, but I don’t LOVE it.  Perhaps I’ll feel better about it once I get it wet and use it. 

I did some more internet searching for washcloth patterns and found a couple that I want make in the coming months. 
So, what’s on your needles?  Be sure to visit Patchwork Times for links to other blog posts.

Happy Knitting! 
         ~Diane
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