Uppity-Mama

Sunday Slice, Cool Cardboard

I am loving my new recycled cardboard wreath from Cardboard Safari.   And until Valentine's Day all of the proceeds from heart wreaths and boxes are being donated to Haitian relief.  I also bought this one and am considering putting a few of these over my bed!

Playing With Circles, Part 2

For this block I again did machine applique, only this time I used some spray adhesive to hold the circle in place and I stitched right on the edge of the fabric.  

 

I used a thin satin stitch, and after I washed it discovered I was a bit TOO ON the edge, so some of the fabric came out from under the stitching.  I either need to stitch a little further onto the fabric or use a wider stitch.  So since those seem like easy enough solutions, I have to say I like this way.  Of course you are adding color and texture to your circle in the form of the stitching, but I think I dig this. 

Now here's something else I tried.  I had seen Latifah making some circles this way at the LAMQG Weekend Sew.  

Two equally sized circles,

one with a slit cut into the middle,

sewn right sides together, turn the circle right side out and press. 

I blindstitched it by hand to the block.  Very puffy.  Not quite as symmetrical as I'd like.  Not my favorite.

 

More circle madness coming soon!

Playing With Circles, Part 1

I love the look of circles on quilts.  As I've got NO experience doing them... I thought I would play around a little with different methods.

I used these June Tailor templates I got at Joann for some of the circles.  I traced around them and then cut them out with a small rotary cutter.  My first method of attaching the circles was using "NO SEW" Heat n Bond.

I used the same templates to cut out the heat and bond and fused them onto the circles, then the circles onto the fabric.  They looked very nice.

However, after I washed and dried this block, the two bottom circles came off.  So much for NO SEW.  I feel very strongly about being able to put my quilts through the washer, even if I have to set it on the "hand wash" cycle.  Perhaps using the dryer was pushing it?  Anyone have any thoughts or advice about this?  'Cause, damn, if this really worked...life would be sweet. 

Next, I tried attaching the circles using rough edge machine applique.  Circle cut, laid on fabric, stitched around.  Pretty easy but I wondered how it would look after washing.  Also, I did not use any kind of adhesive before sewing around the circle and that was probably a mistake, it definitely shifted a bit and got a small pucker.

After washing it, the edges looked fine to me, but it did get even more puckered.  Another thought...maybe with circles you really DO need to pre-wash your fabrics?

Please stay tuned...more circular experiments to come!

Commisioned Baby Quilt #2

I used a Moda Honey Bun of Hello Betty fabric for this one.  More stippling...feeling more confident with it and even, um, enjoying it.

A New Dress

I posted the other day about my the untimely passing of my friend, Capril.  I also mentioned that we both loved orange.  So I made this dress to wear to her "Homegoing" service and life celebration.  I couldn't have made it without the skills she taught me.  There was a picture of Capril in the entryway of the church which I thought looked so much like the woman on my dress right down to the flower in her hair.  Don't you agree?

I made the dress using Anna Maria Horner's Socialite Dress pattern.  I had made one before and didn't feel it was flattering for me so I altered it a bit.  I did not gather the fabric in the back and instead made the back panel into two pieces and took it in a couple of inches.  I also did not add the pockets this time as I felt they made my hips look pouchy and I cut the skirt more a-line than curvy.  And the result is I will DEFINITELEY be wearing this again.  I love it.  And it reminds me of Capril in so many ways.

Commisioned Baby Quilt #1

A friend asked me to make baby quilts for new twins.  This is the first one.  The second one still needs the binding sewn to the back...hopefully I'll show you soon...it is quite different from this one.  It's hard to take good pictures when it's gray and rainy!

 

 

In Memoriam

My wonderful friend and mentor, the goddess who taught me to sew, Capril Bonner-Thomas, passed away last week.  I cannot express what a huge hole this leaves in my heart and the lives of all who knew her.  She was such an inspiration. My whole family adored her.

We shared more than just an obsession with sewing and fabric.  We loved eating junk together at the movies, going to craft fairs, and the color orange.  She was so generous in so many ways.   I cannot look anywhere in my home without seeing the gifts of Capril. 

This is me holding the quilt she made me for Beckett.

This is what I got her for Christmas this year...I didn't get a chance to give it her. I think she would have loved it.

I know her generous spirit will live on in me and in all the people who's lives she touched.  I hope everyone has someone like her in their life.

I love you, Capril.  I miss you so much.

Fabric Giveaway Winner...

Here are the names of all the entrants.  Thank you for participating and thank you for your comments.  SARAH KATE, I really appreciate your comment...I get so much from the generosity of others blogs, it's nice to know I am giving something back. 

 

All of your names went into this bag:

My daughter Violet reached in...

 

....and pulled out...

Congratulations Krystyn!

Fabric Stash Giveaway!

I'm trying to get back to organized.  I have a lot of fabric that either I bought too much of, was given to me, or I'm just tired of looking at so I'm giving some away.  Today's giveaway is of 12 different fabrics in the green family.  All you have to do is leave me a comment on this post before midnight on Friday and you'll be entered in the drawing.   Good luck and thanks for stopping by! 

 

Quilting Bee

I am so honored and excited to be part of the Bricolage and Butter Bee that Jamie has put together.  12 quilters are each assigned a month of the year.  Each month, the assigned quilter gives the other members fabric and instructions for constructing blocks for her quilt.  At the end of the year...12 quilts collaboratively made and everyone has one to keep!  Jane has January and she picked out some amazing fabrics.  She decided to have us quilt in the Denyse Schmidt style of paper bag piecing.  Small, medium and large fabric pieces are put into paper bags.  Without peeking and starting with the small ones...you pull out pieces and put them together and trim however you see fit.  So much fun to do!  Jane is also a graphic designer and even her bags and instructions were adorable!

 

These are the blocks I put together for Jane: