Batik Fabric Shopping KY style

I have quilt shops I love in my area.  One is only 10 minutes away and the other is in the city.  They are quaint and small and friendly.  But in KY, quilt shops are HUGE.  I couldn't believe the selection!  I visited 2 shops while I was there.  One was in a non-descript small little mall and I might have walked right past it - but I'm glad I stepped in.  The other was a further drive and was having a fat quarter sale on thousands of fat quarters at $1.50 each!!!  Too bad I wasn't in town for that one.  I did manage to purchase some fabric for my applique sampler quilt and I had great fun doing it.

Potholders from PA to KY

When I realized I would be in Kentucky for my aunt's 66th birthday, I knew I had to make something awesome and fun.  I was inspired by the color palette in the crochet blog, Attic24.

So, I stitched up some double sided pot holders.  So that they were usable, I wanted them doubly thick.  This also gave me a chance to make 2 designs.  One is square and the other is round but they coordinate in color and pattern on both sides.  One side is granny.

Both sides are rainbow colored.

They are stitched together in a simple crocheted edging.

Since I had made my mom a few double sided potholders as a late Christmas gift, I knew her sister had to have some too!  Maybe if my mom reads my blog and calls for some technical assistance, she can post some photos of the pot holders I made for her (I forgot to photo them before I packaged them up and mailed them to her).

Fortunately, all of my checked luggage made it safely to KY and I was able to give my aunt the crocheted pot holders (also useful as table trivets) on her exact birthday.  I think she liked them.

Kentucky Crafting

During my week in Kentucky, I spent most of my free time (and there wasn't much free time since my wonderful hosts had me scheduled to the hilt!) sewing block 1 and starting block 2 for my applique sampler quilt.

Here is how that worked:

And here is a look at Block 1 all done.  I feel I did pretty well.  Even with bi-focal contacts, the small stitches required for applique are a big challenge for my eyes so I spent a lot of time taking on and off my contacts and putting on a headlamp for extra light and magnifier glasses for extra sight!

It wasn't too hard to stay focused on sewing as I was surrounded by wonderful family handicrafts all over the house!  Here is some of my inspiration in the Kentucky home where I stayed:



This Crazy Quilt - a project on my long craft to do list!



These needlepoint pillows made by my grandmother with a color scheme true to the time they were stitched.



And this wonderful, heavy, huge, wool stripey crocheted blanket that I ACTUALLY MADE many years ago when I was in college.  I think I made 4 crocheted blankets that year while working 2 jobs and taking a full load of credits.  I don't know how I found the time.  I also didn't remember that the blanket was so big and heavy.  I just stitched random combinations of patterns, probably to keep my mind off all of the English and Journalism papers I was supposed to be writing that semester.  Anyway, I loved using it while I was visiting.





Second Hand Sublime

I don't know WHAT the connection is between crafty people and a passion for second hand stores, but I certainly have both of those attributes.  In my area, Wednesday is half price day at my favorite second hand stores.  I have a love for vintage hand crafted items, 100% wool sweaters for felting, cool hand made pottery pieces and other odds and ends.  Here are some of my recent finds:

Sweet needlepoint butterfly pillow

I noticed in some of the blogs that I follow, that OTHER crafters have this same second hand weakness.  If I'd been at their thrift stores, I'm sure I would have found their great bargains really hard to pass up.  Check out this groovy crocheted afghan that Betz White came up with and take a look at these awesome vintage melmac dishes.

Block 1 and 2 Cutting, Traveling, Completing

Over a week ago, I completed ALL of the cutting for Blocks 1 and 2 of my Applique Sampler Quilt.  I was ready to leave for a trip to Louisville, KY and I need to work on the blocks while I was there.  In our Week 2 class, we learned how to applique inside points and curves.  I practiced using a pink tulip head on a white background and I did okay.

We also learned how to use a HERA MARKER and some sandpaper to make bias strips to use for the long stems.  We learned how to stitch bias strips as well but my sewing machine lives in a closet, unfortunately so I opted for the hand made bias strips.  I also learned WHY bias strips are called bias strips and how when fabric is cut on an angle not on the grain, it's stretchy.  I know that's very basic but I never had much sewing instruction in my younger days.

I packaged Block 1 and 2 supplies in little baggies, labeled them and tucked them into my carry on bag - no way was I going to trust all this cutting to the checked baggage!

And off I went to the airport for my plane ride!