Trick or Treat?

The Ghastlies Blog Hop is almost here and I can't wait to show you what I've conjured up!  This quilt has been haunting me since last Halloween and is absolutely to die for.  Here's a teaser of it being quilted on Laurena's longarm. 

I'd seen a few quilts on flickr using this fabulous Charlotte's Web panto by Anne Bright and just knew it would be perfect! It's a rather complex pattern and took me waaay longer to quilt then I'd expected but once you get in the groove it flows pretty well. 



Wait until you see the front... it's truly Ghastlie; )

Dirty Little Secret...

I have a confession to make. Despite the fact that I've been quilting for a really long time, not all of my quilts (and sewing projects) turn out as planned.  Some end badly!  Generally I hide those ones away and certainly don't show them on my blog but after a conversation with a quilty friend I decided to come out.  "Hi, I'm Alice and sometimes I make ugly things!"  

Yes, this looks a lot the Ghastly Manor Wonky Log Cabin I'm always saying how much I love except this was my first attempt at making this quilt.  As I said in my other post, wonky isn't really my thing and this was the first time I'd ever tried this style of piecing.  Parts of it do work but it really didn't capture the quilt I had in my head.  I can look at it objectively and other than that point in the top right where I can't stop looking because the blacks don't line up it's OK... but I expect more than OK from my quilts.  I thought about pulling the top apart and trying to fix it but decided it would be easier to just start over.  I was seriously planning to toss the first one but a friend said she'd take it if I finished it.  Looking at them side by side I hope you'll agree that I "got it" on the second try.

So what I'm trying to share is this:  

1. There's usually a learning curve to making a new technique work.  You'll get better at it if you keep trying.
2. There really aren't any wrong choices, there are just better choices.  If I hadn't had a very clear vision in my head I might have been happy with my first attempt. 
3. Quilting really does make the quilt.  There have been several quilts that went from so-so to stunning once quilted.
4. There's a lot to be said for a strategically placed applique; )  They can hid a multitude of sins!

 Thanks Diana, I hope you enjoy it!

Tombstone Label Tutorial - Ink jet Printing on Fabric

I like to get creative with my quilt labels and try to make something that ties in with the theme of my quilt.  In this case I thought it would be fun to make my label like a tombstone.  Usually I would just use a Pigma pen to write my information on the fabric that I am appliquing but in this case I wanted the writing to look carved with this faded, aged look.  I've also tried the iron-on transfer paper but I hate trying to applique through the stiffness it adds and I don't like the glossy look it gives the label.  Of course you could buy photo transfer fabric to print on but I didn't want just a plain white, I wanted something that would work a little better with my quilt.  So here it is, a quick tutorial on how I used an ink jet printer to create this label.

Here are my supplies:  a sheet of Quilter's freezer paper and a charm square of Sugar Cookie grunge from the Fruitcake collection by basic grey.

I started by using Microsoft Word to create the label. The tombstone shape is one of the provided Flowchart auto-shapes and I created my text with the free font Northwood High. Once I got the sizing and spacing just the way I wanted it I printed it out on regular paper so I'd have a guide.

Then I took my fabric and starched it until it was crisp.  Using my paper template to properly place my fabric in the printing area, I pressed it to the sheet of freezer paper.  Once I knew it was stuck on really well I just popped it in the printer and printed my word document.  I pressed it again with a really hot iron to heat set the ink and then peeled it off the freezer paper and appliqued it to my quilt.

I do have some concerns about how this will wash.  I probably wouldn't use this technique for a baby quilt or something that will get a lot of washing but for a seasonal wall hanging like this it should be fine.

The View from Behind

I was thrilled beyond belief when my LQS asked if they could display my Ghastly Manor Wonky Log Cabin.  Imagine my surprise when everyone kept talking about the BACK!  More specifically, how I made my quilt label. 

Since I explained it to them I thought maybe I should also share it with you but you'll have to come back on Wednesday for the tutorial; )  Oh, and in case you were worried I've still got something Ghastlie to show you for the blog hop!

WIP Wednesday

Things have been rather unstructured around here lately so after having lots of deadlines I've finally got some free time to just play.  I keep shamelessly foisting my coffee cozies on anyone who makes the mistake of admiring them so I made a few more...  Obviously I was in an orange mood: )

I also made this bag.  It's very photogenic, I don't like it nearly as much in real life!  I love the wool fabric and striped silk lining but the fusible I used didn't give it enough body and I think the strap is a tad too long.  I'm debating pulling it apart and trying again.

And there's been a whole lot of straight line quilting going on... here's another peek for the Ghastlies blog hop.  The perfect project for watching season 4 of Dexter!

The last of the mini quilt mondays

I've had so much fun this month, it's been wonderful to push my creative boundaries.  That said, it's a bit of a relief to get back to the things I've put on hold...  it's a lot of work to make something every week!  This week I decided to go back to handwork and finish up this reverse applique mini from the BMQG workshop with the amazing Pippa Patchwork.  My circles aren't as perfectly round as hers but I love this technique.  I tried using big stitch quilting with pearl cotton to outline the circles.  It was odd making big stitches after I've spent so much time perfecting my 12 stitches to the inch but it sure does go fast!  I was able to quilt all of these circles while watching the premier of Pan Am: )  Thanks Faith for pushing me to learn some new things even if I didn't get to go back to school!

Work In Progress Wednesday

This has been a busy week but I did manage to finish up the Sherbet Pips baby quilt I re-purposed after my failed attempt at a pieced border. 

I think the quilting really made the design work, especially on the back.  Apparently great minds think alike, the amazingly awesome Rita @ Red Pepper Quilts did a very similar quilting design on her mini quilt.

I also started working on something new...  a sneak preview of my latest project for The Ghastlies blog hop sponsored by Madam Samm at Sew I Quilt.  Check back at Halloween to see the transformation;-)