When the top was assembled, I realized that the purple was just too close in color to the black to stand out.

Before I quilted it, I used a decorative stitch with purple thread in the pink twists and pink thread in the purple twists as well as the perimeter of the group of twists. Very fine clear polyester thread was used to add a bit of quilting in the seam lines in the black border.

After binding it with same purple as I used for the twists, I thought it needed just a bit more embellishment and added the white snowflake buttons.

I incorporated the fast finish triangles on the back side for hanging it.

I was thinking that this may be a future donation quilt for AAQI, but, the finished size is about 9.5″ x 9.5″ and the maximum width they can accept is 9″. Next time I will just trim it a little bit smaller all of the way around before adding the binding.

I will enjoy looking at this in my own sewing room. It will inspire me to do more of these fun little quilts.

9151 – Eggs Marks the Spot

$50.00

June Y.
Goodyear, AZ USA

Width: 8″ Length: 12″

Designer: Embroidery design from the Embroidery Library, #A7236, used with written permission.

Materials/Techniques: Machine embroidery on cotton fabric.

Artist Statement: I made this mini wall quilt last spring and once I learned of AAQI I thought this would be a fun one to share. The main embroidery design is from Embroidery Library, and I digitized the text above and below.

This quilt has Fast Finish Triangles.

Read more: http://www.alzquilts.org/9151.html#ixzz1msrQVpPv

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9152 – Do You Love Me . . .

$35.00

June Y.
Goodyear, AZ USA

Width: 7″ Length: 5.5″

Designer: Original design

Materials/Techniques: Machine embroidery on cotton fabric.

Artist Statement: I am enjoying coming up with different ideas for making mini quilts for donation to AAQI.

This quilt has Fast Finish Triangles.

Read more: http://www.alzquilts.org/9152.html#ixzz1msr1ckrx

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9153 – You May Have Forgotten…II

$65.00

June Y.
Goodyear, AZ USA

Width: 11.5″ Length: 7″

Designer: Original design

Materials/Techniques: Machine embroidery on cotton fabric.

Artist Statement: This is the second variation of my You May Have Forgotten mini quilts. I love how the blue and red embroideries really stand out on the black background.

This quilt has Fast Finish Triangles.

Read more: http://www.alzquilts.org/9153.html#ixzz1msqr84ON

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These were fun projects because I tried new techniques on each of them.

I actually had to get a couple of days head start for the first one, which will be my submission for the Quilt a Month Challenge at AAQI. The finished size is 10″ x 7″

The background fabric started out as black cotton fabric. I used my new Shiva Paintstiks to embellish the fabric and had to allow it to dry for 3 days before heat setting it.

One of the challenges for February was to use a bird(s) in the quilt. I digitized this design a couple of years ago and knew right away that I wanted to use it for the challenge.

I used left over embellished fabric for the binding.

On the back side, I added Fast Finish Triangles to allow for easy hanging by cutting a dowel rod to length and inserting into the triangle corners.

*

The second mini quilt is one that I am considering keeping for myself.

The finished size of this one is 7.5″ x 11″.

This one started out as a leg of a pair of jeans and white muslin.

I designed the flower head on the computer and then printed it out.

I placed the white muslin over the printed outline and traced it with regular Crayola crayon. Freezer paper ironed to the back side keeps the fabric from bunching up while the rest of the coloring was done.

I highlighted the outline and added shading in both the same color and a second color to add depth to the flower.

Once I was happy with the coloring and it had been heat set with an iron (which also softens the colors), I placed some batting behind the flower and stitched around it to add a trapunto effect. Then I cut just outside of the stitch line.

I repeated the coloring process for the stem and leaves once I knew the size I wanted them to be, but instead of using batting this time, I used heat and bond lite to fuse it to the denim background.

After fusing the stem/leaf section, I placed the flower head into position.

I used Free Motion Stitching with a few metallic threads to outline and embellish the flower head and stem. Then I made a quilt sandwich and used Sulky’s new clear polyester monofilament thread to free motion quilt around the flower.

After trimming and adding the binding, I decided that I wanted to add some more color to the outer edge.

I used the clear thread again to stitch down 3 rounds of pastel variegated pearl cotton just inside of the binding.

When it was finished, I decided to add a snowflake button to accent the center of the flower.

I took a personal day off from work Thursday so that I could attend all three days, but I ran out of energy and money at the end of the second day so did not go back for the third and final day.

There were hundreds of vendors and several educational seminars throughout the day. I did make it around to the vendors on my must see list, but there were many more that I did not get to see. I attended several of the seminars, which in turn introduced me to “new to me” products that I just had to have.

I went with a budget and spent my limit, but not more. I waited until the second day to make my purchases so that I would have a shopping list to work from. Some purchases were pre-planned, some were a result of attending the seminars.

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I have been interested in trying these paint stiks for quite a while, so was very happy to see that they were not only being sold there, but Laura Murray  was doing one of the seminars. I decided to get the beginners kit which included a set of 12 full size iridescent paint stiks, 6 rubbing plates, a stencil and a stencil brush and a DVD by Laura Murray describing how to use it all and then some.

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My only fabric purchase was these batiks. They are half yard cuts that gradually change color from one end of the fabric to the other. The small section at the top of each piece shows the other color for that cut.

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Another vendor that held a seminar is Pam Demour.

I purchased her newest book in digital format, which includes embroidery files by co-author Debbie Homer.

The zipper tape can be cut the desired length and includes 8 sliders. There were several colors, but I decided to play it safe and just try the black first.

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A stop by Cindy Losekamp’s  booth reminded me that I really need some sparkly stuff.

She was also demonstrating a newish method of silk screening, but I had to pass on that new hobby, for now anyway.

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The chalk in this pouncer erases with the heat of an iron, and I just thought this new stencil would be fun to try with the chalk.

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I knew I was going to be picking up a pattern by Amy Bradley, but was torn on which one was my favorite.  I finally decided on this one, which is one of her new ones.   This will be perfect on the wall in my sewing room.

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I was happily surprised to learn that the 007 bonding agent was being sold at the festival. I have been looking for it for the past couple of months. In addition to the 007, the purchase included a vinyl and leather repair product and an instructional DVD. When I asked if they also sold the foil that I was planning to use with the 007, I was told it was available “right around the corner”.

Once I went “around the corner”, they showed me other adhesives I could use with the foil.

~*~

Threads were definitely on my pre-planned purchase list. These decorative threads are from a company called Wonderfil.

I bought a variety pack which includes threads with fun names like Razzle, Dazzle, Sizzle, Tutti, Frutti and Konfetti, just to name a few.

I also picked up some extra spools of their metallic thread.

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At the Sulky booth, I picked up a new book and I needed more KK2000. After seeing a vest Free motion quilted with Sulky’s clear polyester, I wanted to try it. I also picked up a new (to me) color of their new Blendable thread.

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Well, I certainly have enough new products and projects to keep me busy for a while. Please check back to see if I make use of it all.

Well, it took me a while to get focused on sewing, but I finally decided that I wanted to make something for Valentinte’s day.  I had seen something similar online and digitized the embroidery designs myself.  I actually started out with the appliqué heart designs and then digitized the smaller hearts and the center flower motif as I went along. I also tried to give it a curvey, rounded edge but it ended up being a bit out of whack, but I really like it anyway. I used a clear sparkley metallic thread for the free motion quilting and I think it looks like sugar sprinkled onto pink frosting.  I was truely winging this one as i went along.

I love working on small projects like this to enhance my skills. I may try this one again as a donation quilt for AAQI.

Thanks to Heidi and Bobbi for hosting Friday Night Sew In.

It is not too late to sign up yourself and join in on the fun.  My husband and I will be heading out to the gym for about an hour, but as soon as we get back I am heading to the sewing room.

Since these “Priority”  mini quilts are only 9×12 inches or smaller, they are quick and easy to make.  Most are sold on the AAQI Quilts for Sale page, but they also have an online auction the first 10 days of each month, the funds raised help fund Alzheimer’s research.

  I definetly plan to make and donate more of these Priority mini quilts.

My second project is another embroidered towel, but this one is for the kitchen. The towel is a bar mop from Target.  I used the new Gingerbread Cookies Recipe design from Embroidery Library. I may still add a fabric border to this one.

My third and final project is a mini quilt that I will eventually donate to the Alzheimer’s Art Quilt Initiative. It measures about 5.5″ x 7.5 inches. It could be used as a mug rug, but I went ahead and put “fast finish triangles” on the back so that it could be hung.

I intend to make a couple more donation “Priority” quilts and then send all in at once.

I have already sent one Priority quilt, and it is still in the process of being photographed and assigned at AAQI. Here is a photo of it, and I will blog about it again when it is posted for sale.

This one measured 9×12″.