New York Beauty Hoop Clock

A hoop.  A quilt block.  And a clock. 

A match made in heaven if you ask me!

I have a confession. I can't function without an analog clock or watch.  Digital clocks strain my brain.  I need to see the clock face.  I need to see time in pie chunks. 

When we did the recent Studio Makeover, I mentioned that here were still many things to do.  This was one of them. I had a standing clock that was just taking up valuable floor space.  The focus on the makeover was to simplify.   The second mission?  If I add pieces or artwork, I want them to be inspiring.

But when we decided to donate it, I was left with no clock. I saw some seriously adorable clocks Like this one. 

From my Pinterest

But I really wanted to do something more. Not so cutesy, but more quilty. (is that a word?)

I scanned my Pinterest and I noticed the New York Beauty with flying geese blocks I adore and knew it had to be done. 

The background fabric is linen.
Full Disclosure:  It was not easy.  It paper pieced very nicely, but then it became squirreley when I pieced the curves. 

I tried piecing them with and without the papers in. Still stretchy.  

I was not impressed and got to the point where my repairs starting making it worse so I stopped. 

It was time to quilt. And I was excited. Until I realized most of the quilting just blended right into the loose weave. 

I had hoped to be able to see the quilting from afar.  No luck.

Again...it was just time to move forward.  Place it in the hoop and add a clock mechanism.
I cut a foam circle slightly smaller than the hoop so it would be snug.

I had to cut out a small square hole because the batting and foam were just too thick.

It's nice though because it is nice and snug and stable and doesn't pull the front to the back at all.

The hands were gold so I painted them black for more pop.  I still would like them longer so that might be an improvement in the future. 

But for now...I am happy.  Makes my right and left side of my brain are satisfied.  

Simple and clean....and inspiring!

(pssssst.....my camera died so these are phone pics.  Its amazing how many wonderful shots they can take and how many meeeeh pics they can take!)

Blogger Fall Quilt Festival: Artist's Palette

It's time again!

I have mentioned how much I love this GIGANTIC online festival, right?

I will be honest, I was really trying to finish a new quilt for the festival, but the stars did not align.

(pssst.... I promise..I didn't leave you hanging...sneak peaks at the end, my loyal friends)

Sometimes real life takes charge. Without further ado...this fall's submission.

My Artist's Palette Mini Quilt

It was the quilt that made me slow down this summer and enjoy the process of making quilts again.  It was for the Name Game Swap, Round Two on Flickr this past August.

My swap partner is an Art teacher in Florida. She stated that she would like something she could share with her class. She also wanted something incorporated from the area that the quilt came from. I think she was hoping somewhere more exotic than good ole Texas!

I designed a foundation piece to make the flying geese "paint globs". The little bandanna swatch would not have been my first "red" choice, but I really wanted to include a piece of Texas in there like she instructed!

I stepping out of my loops and meandering FMQ box. It was the first time for pebbles and swirls!  I admittedly, know it needs some work, but I love the look it gave. I also think the embroidery thread was the key component to making a rather ordinary quilt a bit more special.

I used black and white binding that seems to be all the rage for mini's. I was actually tempted to do a pieced rainbow colored binding until my Aussie friend Sharon at Lilabelle Lane steered me to the the black and white and I am so glad I did!!!  By the way...I "met" her through the Blogger's Festival.  *insert big cheesy smile*

I attempted a wood-like quilting on the handle of the paintbrush where I also embroidered her name by hand.

A grey stripe for the brush tip. I tried to add quilting to mimic the brush bristles to help the gray fabric stand out on the gray background.

Quilt Stats

Measures:15 x15 in.

Special techniques: Foundation pieced flying geese, 

needle turn applique (center and palette), hand embroidery

Quilted by: Heidi Grohs (myself) on my Babylock Symphony (domestic sewing machine)

Best Category: Doll/Mini Quilt, Home Machine Quilted, Wall Hanging

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Oh...and for my faithful readers that are still here to the end after reading all about my mini again?

A treat!

The do. good stitches bee quilt top I have been working on this week!

The top and border have received Button's full inspection.

Followed by his quick approval!

When he sits back and relaxes on a "kwit" top or a "titched" quilt...you know it is good!

Can't WAIT to get it on Ole Betsy and start quilting this!!!!!

WIP: Will I ever get some time to sew?

My computer issues set me back a few days.  I was able to recover all of my files, but still had to erase and reinstall my entire hard drive and software using Mr. Bosses Mac book. Who knew?

 

While we were at it, we installed a new printer since my old one was printing offset and only printing in black and blue.  I am highly annoyed that it took time away from other things, but I can't complain...computers make some things just too easy these days!

Finishes: NONE. I figured if I made this TEENY TINY to read you wouldn't bother reading it?

In Progress: 

Teacher Mug Rugs

5 bindings finished out of the 12.  I do it during my TV time at night.  

But the view is the same.

Violet's Quilt

 More of the border. 

The paper piecing is semi-slow going.  I find a bit of time, but get sidetracked when Button gets into my things like this:

And this:

And informed me that he has decided to write his very own Baby Button's Advice Column.  

This week's installment?

How to get up on mom's sofa in her studio. 

Just pull down the pillows for a boost. Take note of the linear line up of the pillows and the nod to his safety.  His mother's boy.

No Progress:

  Twins Quilt (tops finished)

Retro QAL (very few blocks pieced)

Twin quilt for nursery (still in design stage)

Christmas quilt (top unfinished)

Baby girl quilt kit

Thank you quilt 

Merry, Merry Snowman BOM

June's Imagine.do.Goodstiches charity bee blocks

I am off to see if I can get my creative motivation going and visit some of my quilting/sewing friends at

Lee is on R&R so there are going to be guest posts every week! FUN!!!

WIP: Overbooked

Monday night, I decided to sit down and really truly write down all my projects and see where I was at for the end of June.

This is upside down because this is how I feel!!!

It doesn't look good.  I scratched out Tuesdays because they are cleaning, tutoring, and lesson day. It is a pipe dream to even think I can answer emails on that day!  I am overbooked. I did it to myself.  Some of it can wait.  Some of it is for me.  I imagine that I will shove them to the next month....and the next....and the next.....

But good news.  Finishes and progress!!!

Finishes:

Flip Flop Pillow

  It is just a fun outdoor pillow for the chaise lounge poolside..nothing too serious!   To find out the process...it is HERE.  I have been inspired to do a radically different pillow for inside the house...but that is going on my "wait and see" list now!

In Progress:

 Twins Quilt 

 

I finished the appliqued names and the animals!!

 I am happy that they are similar, but have some subtle differences.

 They are ready to go visit Ole Betsy.

 

 

But Elephant needs his ear and eye.

 

And Giraffe needs his eyes first!

 

Teacher Thank You gifts.

 

Since school is over, I have been working slowly.  None of the mug rugs are in a completely finished state. 

 

 

I just grab my little $0.99 straw bag and work on them here and there. 

 

 

 I am vastly worried about why I am even doing them!  School has been over for 12 days now.  Mail them?  Or just wait and give them at the beginning of the school year?  Thoughts!??!

 

No Progress: 

 

Retro QAL 

Twin quilt for nursery

Christmas quilt 

Baby girl quilt kit 

Thank you quilt 

Merry, Merry Snowman BOM (I realized that the FIFTH block is on it's way....haven't started??!?!?YIKES!!!)

New Project:

Violet's Quilt

Violet's Quilt

Not necessarily a new project, but just haven't been counting it on my WIPs because I wasn't sure when I was ever going to truly start it...it has been in design phase for awhile.  It is for a special momma. She has memorabilia and sweet Violet's urn on a shelf.  She asked me to make a "shelf quilt" for her.

A Flying Geese border is my focus right now.  Strange for me to work on a border first, but the center will go quickly since it is going to be machine embroidered!

Foundation piecing: Flying Geese

Foundation piecing seemed the best choice since I was too tired last night to try the "easy" methods and my triangles are 1 inch tall and 2 inches wide.  I really want them to be accurate versus fast.

Violet embroidery design

I practiced my embroidery design that I edited and digitized from an image I found.   After stitching it out and realizing that 28 inches is REALLY long (it is almost as long as a small tablerunner!) I have decided to change the design a bit more.....stay tuned...

I hope that I can meet all the commitments I have in the next 17 days. 

  

DID I JUST SAY SEVENTEEN DAYS!?!?!?