October ATC

October the theme for our ATC group is "What's your sign" - and here is my Leo the Lion. Julie (http://justtickety-boo.blogspot.com/) already has hers done and posted and looking good. You can check it out by going to her blog.

She also has a card found on the net pretty much like the one above except for her sign, of course. I happened to find this as I was looking around for some inspiration. Thought she would get a kick out of mine, too. That's where I got the Born to Rule! I am feeling a nap coming on!

(Click to enlarge)

Fashion Friday

Our models for almost all of the Fashion Fridays have been from the twenties, but today we will advance to the year 1957 to the town of Ft. Madison, Iowa. Here we find Carol and Sherry all dressed up for church. Sherry is looking adorable in her pretty little dress with the full skirt, her white shoes and anklets and a sweet little hat that has a ribbon around the brim. Wearing a dark two piece suit with white buttons and a corsage, Carol has topped her outfit off with a hat that looks rather like a flying saucer, a term that had not even been thought of back then, at least I think I am right on that. Big white earrings complete the look. On the front stoop under the mailbox is the insulated box where the milkman left the milk. It's been a while since milk has been delivered! (Click to enlarge)

More Tisket A Tasket

Here is a shot of the nine blocks for Tisket a Tasket. Some are without little embellishments in the way of buttons, mostly, that I will add after it is all together. Three more to go - one of which I have just downloaded and it is a darling little witch and black cat for October's basket. I have thoroughly enjoyed doing these cute, quick little blocks.

Anonymous left a comment (thank you for the compliment) and wondered what foot I used, thread and settings on my machine. The thread I have been using for the past few months is Sulky and I really like it. It's expensive but the coupons and sales at Joann's bring the price down nicely. The foot above is an open toed machine embroidery foot (I think that's what it is called) and it gives you a clear view of where you are sewing and also where you are going! I use this the most of any of the feet I have. After I got my Bernina, my son asked me what I wanted for Christmas and I told him about this foot. He went to a shop and asked for a shoe - close!

Here are the settings I use on my 21 year old machine. They actually are the default settings and I love the way they look. It is very easy to adjust them to another size if you wish, especially when you are coming to a point or doing a small piece. I look forward to teaching a machine buttonhole class for our guild next week and hope I can do a good job and not get all rattled! As I have gotten older, I am not as glib as I used to be when talking and, like most old people, get hung up on words occasionally. I am sure the gals in the class will give me a nudge and help me along. (Click to enlarge)

Tisket A Tasket Sashing in the Works

I decided some time ago to do a multi-colored sashing for Tisket a Tasket Block of the Month. There are now nine blocks done and three to go. If I figured correctly, there will be 28 2 x 8" sashings plus cornerstones. I like these little squares on point and could have pieced them or paper pieced them, but I decided to take the easy way and just buttonhole applique them, also. Using fabric in the blocks, of course, and think it will look pretty. I do believe the border will be very plain but will make that decision when I get there. Just spent a couple of hours cutting the little pieces and ironing them on the white. When I start appliquing, I will pick a color, do all I can in that color, then switch to the next. There are already a few done as you can see in the second picture. (Click to enlarge)

Last Red Delicious Block

Finally - this block was the hardest to do but probably the most beautiful design of all. Although all of the blocks are gorgeous. I think I could have done a better job even though there is quite a bit of time in this one. When they are all together I doubt if I will notice anything that I wish I had done differently. My fabric for the cherries does not have as much contrast as I had thought, but the contrast is still there and it is a pretty, rich batik. I have loved working in the reds and actually used almost exclusively fabric from my stash. But, by golly, there is still a lot of red there! The next time Esther will put up the directions for the sashing and finishing the quilt.

This is the layout that was in with the last pattern downloaded so, even though it is not to scale, you can get an idea of how all the blocks will go together. As I was making them, I made them a little larger and will have trimming to do, plus things to add such as some red buttons on the middle block at the bottom. There will also be some little black buttons around the center of the flowers of the upper right block. Anyway, I am glad the cherry basket is done. (Click to enlarge)

Polka Dot Girls

Here are the two blocks for the third section of Polka Dot Girls. Have the fourth ones on the fabric and ready to start the embroidery. Will also piece the section these two belong in.

(Click to enlarge)

Fashion Friday

Nelle, in a provacative pose and with an unknown friend or suitor, is looking her usual lovely self. She is wearing a simple dark skirt and white blouse topped with what looks to be a very pretty sweater. Her hat, however, is the standout in this picture with the brim turned down in front and a pretty plaid band. As for her friend, it is hard to tell what his outfit looks like except for his hat which is hard to describe. I always love Nelle's expressions - she had an air about her that shows up in every picture, even the ones as she grew older. (Click to enlarge)