Happy Easter

Stan Leigh investigates the Bunny Bag. Pattern available from Art Gallery Fabrics.

Shiloh Pieced and Present supports animal relocation with quilt blocks

Tonni Shirley, the quilt shop owner of Shiloh Pieced and Present, is sponsoring a community project for Hardin Animal Rescue and Transition Team [HARTT], a non-profit for rescued animals in Tennessee. When I saw Tonni's post on social media, I thought it was a wonderful idea and wanted to contribute.

12" cat quilt block (12.5" unfinished) for Shiloh Pieced and Present community project.

Shiloh Pieced and Present is collecting 12.5" (12" finished) quilt blocks for a silent auction quilt. The blocks have a focus on dogs and cats. The details and specifications for the blocks—as well as the deadline for submissions—is listed on the shop's FB page.

Three dog-themed quilt blocks.

Three cat-themed quilt blocks.

I made a few blocks about a week ago. But yesterday... I desperately needed some time with the sewing machine so I made four more.

Log cabin style dog-themed quilt block.

Dog-themed quilt block.

To keep things balanced, two blocks are dog-themed and two are cat-themed.

Cat-themed quilt block.

Cat-themed quilt block. Simple, but effective. Look at those eyes!

My blocks are going in the mail tomorrow. I hope the auction is successful and raises both awareness and funds for the care and shelter of the animals that go through the HARTT organization.

Day 50 of The 100 Day Project—the halfway point

We're half way through the 100 Day Project 2022! It's flying by. Progress is steady, technique is improving, and I'm discovering interesting things.

Day 50 of The 100 Day Project 2022.

100 Days of Stitching: Stitched scroll with found objects

The 100 Day Project for 2022 started on February 13 and I'm doing two projects again this year. For my 100 Days of Slow Stitching, I'm on the third fabric scroll. The first 20 days are on scroll #1 and Days 21 - 42 are on scroll #2. 

Two completed stitched scrolls and the beginning of the third.
From The 100 Day Project 2022.

Since starting scroll #3, I've been experimenting with the blanket stitch and its variations. Here is the stitching for Day 50. 

Day 50/100: 100 Days of Slow Stitching found objects and fallen pieces.

100 Days of Patterns and Textures with hand-carved stamps 

For my stamp-carving project, I'm working in two sketchbooks and they are filling up quickly. Over the last 20 days or so, I've been combining multiple stamps in patterns and layers. One can eat up several pages just experimenting with different color and stamp combinations. It's so liberating and fun!

Working two sketchbooks for The 100 Day Project 2022: Patterns and textures with hand-carved stamps.

My carving is getting better and I've figured out a few techniques to getting cleaner designs. I have 52 hand carved stamps in my collection. 

52 hand-carved stamps in my personal collection.

I have a plastic pencil box in which I keep my stamps. This makes it easy for traveling.

Plastic box for traveling with stamping supplies.

Stamp carving discoveries

This 100 Day stamp project has the most learning potential for me because I've had very limited experience with carving rubber stamps. A few things I've discovered so far:

• the simplest design is often the most versatile.
• ghost prints (a second print without re-inking the stamp) can make the design appear more complex.
• ghost prints make it look like there are more colors of inks than there really are,
• every stamp has TWO SIDES!
• if stamps are the same size, or have a side with a common size, they are easy to combine into a new design.
• using acrylic mounts for the stamps make the process cleaner (less inky fingers) and easier.
• taking photographs (for both projects) is much better in natural light. I don't like the color shifts from incandescent inside lighting.

My pattern for Day 50/100:

Day 50/100: 100 Days of Textures and Patterns with hand-carved stamps.

Hand-carved stamp and patterns.

A quote by American filmmaker, Ava DuVernay, was illustrated in a recent Do the 100 Day Project post:

"Don't wait for permission to do something creative." —Ava DuVernay

3rd Make Nine finish: the Fast and Fun prompt

My third finish for Make Nine 2022 is pillowcases—for the Fast and Fun prompt. My resident fisherman is the recipient of this project.

Pillowcases made with Kingfisher Camp by the River and Gathering by the River (cuff)
from M&S Textiles Australia.

He spotted the Kingfisher bird

While sorting and updating my fabric headers for M&S Textiles Australia, L noticed the Kingfisher Camp by the River print. He said he was familiar with the Kingfisher bird as he sees and hears it frequently when he's out fishing. "I would really like something made from this fabric," was his comment.

"Pillowcases" is a good response to that request. With minimal cutting, a little pressing and all straight line sewing, they are quick and easy to make.

Sweet Home Quilting filled the order. You can see the note on the order that they agreed
that Kingfisher Camp "would make awesome pillowcases."

Insights from the fabric designer

According to Nambooka, the Australian designer of the Kingfisher Camp by the River design, "the Kingfisher teaches us about alertness and opportunity. We must first look and then decide if it is the right choices for us to benefit our lives." 

The choice to make pillowcases is most always a "right choice"! Pillowcases are functional, can be personalized, are fun to make, and one size fits all.

Make Nine 2022 worksheet.

Thanks to the beautiful Kingfisher bird and the fabric that honors him, my third project for Make Nine 2022 is finished.