sewing Saturdays sleeves and half square triangle blocks the easy way

Welcome to Sewing Saturdays... my weekly round-up of studio time. When I finished this year's Halloween quilt (the one with owls) I took a few pics of how I attach a sleeve in the binding process.

If it's to go to a competition I make sure the finished opening is 4" exactly. This time I just cut the sleeve fabric about two inches less than width of quilt, and 6" (not 9") wide.
Hem the two ends where the hanging rod will slide through.

machine baste the top edge to the quilt before binding goes on.

Then I mark inside the halfway point, say 1/8th " less than halfway from the top and do a running stitch by hand across the whole width of sleeve.
The eighth inch allows some room for the hanging rod so the quilt won't bow out when hung.

 I just go thru sleeve, backing and batting. It's so much easier to do this now than putting on a finished sleeve after the whole quilt is done.

remember to tack the ends to the backing, fold it up to meet at the quilt edge and put on your binding as usual.
Because this is a wall hanging, I cut my binding slightly smaller than usual. I sewed on only one edge around the quilt, mitering the corners. Then when I was ready to handstitch it to the backing, I tucked the raw edge under the seam, folded it up and blind hem stitched by hand. It lays flat with little bulk and catches the sleeve.

It's doubled along the edge, but less bulk in the seam itself.

Next fast technique involves making lots of half square triangles.

I'm using this flannel panel to make a lap quilt. I am TRYING to use stash to match. The green border is much greener than it looks above, and has tiny dots which are so cute!

ack, image still looks washed out

The original pattern calls for little poinsettias around made of HST's in two shades of red. I have one, so I used my paisley orange/red fabric. I may have to find another red at a quilt store...

But the way to make 12 HST's with one long seam is this...

Print out the free pattern ( I had to change to landscape orientation to print)
Place two fabrics RST, pin the paper to them where it tells you to, sew one long continuous seam on the dotted lines then cut on solid lines.

The link to free thangles to make half square triangles is: http://quiltbooksandbeyond.com/

each time you use a sheet, it makes 12 HST with no stretching of the fabric!. I think it took 2 minutes to sew the seam, a bit longer to  cut out the blocks and pull the paper off. Be sure to hold the triangles secure as this will be ripping paper off bias. Press, and trim to size, I chose 3" blocks to finish at 2.5 so they'd fit my project.

I began laying them out to see how the orangish fabric looked, and it dulls the colors so despite having a substantial stash, there is no other red to use.
To make the cute poinsettias I need two black squares, two red and black, two red #2 and black squares, and two red #1 and red#2 blocks. It's gonna be cute!



I found a great site full of patterns and info called www.favequilts.com/

spent some time there this week!

Linking to
can I get a whoop whoop Fridays  
design wall Mondays at smallquiltsanddollquilts
lovelaughquilt.mondays

Paint party Friday... owls and gratitude

Welcome to Paint Party Friday! ( paintpartyfriday.blogspot.com)
I love seeing color move on paper as well as fabric, well, I just love color!
My little owl is one of two paintings done this week... four if you count the backs!

I tear a sheet of watercolor paper in half, because I like to work small and am learning still.
There is so much to learn in this world isn't there? I love to learn!

My thought in the beginning as I looked at the white blank sheet was to do a foreground owl, with mountains and the moon. I met a painter last weekend at a craft show. Her work was colorful and mottled and just gorgeous. I laughingly asked what made her work so much better than mine, and she said something like, "well I really wet the background and drop in colors so they move and blend". I looked closer and yes, that was a big part of why I liked them. She teaches small groups in the area and I thought what a nice person she'd be to learn from, then lost her card.

I paint some, then walk away and come back and add a bit... DH saw it mid way and asked why the owl was so big compared to the pyramids. I said, well those are mountains in the background.
DH: "well, it needs something"

I like things about this little work, and acknowledge it needs something about the perspective. The above picture shows the iridescent white metallic KOI paint I added in as highlight. LOVE! I also dropped in some faint bluish purple to shadow them a bit and love it. Now understand... I have had no lessons and am just pushing paint around on paper hoping it looks okay. I like the effect myself.

I used Gansai paint on the rest, and thought I'd do some kind of tree around the owl... I like how the branches are different colors and transparencies. I added in some marker for lines and definition, and some staedler fineliner in dark green to make more piney looking branches. A white gel pen made snow.
It does need something... I will ask a retired art teacher friend what it needs. She has a way of being very encouraging while answering questions like that.

So for now it sits in front of the computer to remind me to paint and keep making art. Oh, and I did really wet the background and let colors mingle and I like it. The moon has iridescent paint too.

It's hard to photo but this is the back... I like it almost more than the front! My logo makes me smile each time, but the aqua and fuchia tree really makes me happy. Subtle, momentary with no dithering, it just appeared on the paper. Love the subtle color that is unrealistic but representational.

On to the Thanksgiving piece...

I spent some time reading quotes on gratitude, which was very healing by the way, I recommend it!
I liked this one, and thought it would be a source of meditation this week. I penned the words first with a Faber Castell brush pen...
it's messy looking. Ah well, next time more planning on lettering.

I sketched out an off center heart but didn't get it off center enough... still learning... and really wet the background. Dropped in yellow then pink to blur and blend. It really has a nice effect to me.
Then doing it the hard way, brushed some pink around the words... it's okay I kind of like the white bits showing around the lettering. I don't like solid color usually preferring shades.

After paint, I started with a pigma .05 pen and drew in flowers and leaves. I love the spiral for infinity and the tiny word love. It needed balance so I added in the words at the bottom and of course they are not even. I'm not much of a planner so things get done on a whim, sometimes they are right, sometimes they are wonky. The flowers seemed to need a bit of Staedtler fineliner in pink.
Then for the back... (rubbing hands together in glee)

another tree and my logo. Love. it. each. time.  This time the tree has a knothole in a heart shape, which I've seen many times in nature. I painted it in gold metallic and fuchia, both KOI. Just because I could, I added in tiny words, roots, grow, and reach.

LINKING TO
all seasons
 
http://www.rainfrances.com/

I Like #167

 Welcome to this week's list of likes!
We went to the free day at the Denver Zoo on Friday. It was so crowded we had to park one mile away, so lots of walking on Friday.
I am enthralled by zoos, and took many really cool pictures but for today... you know how I
LOVE
Flamingos! They were in a warmed glassed in space for winter...

front pink ones from Chile, back ones are American

I stood a long time watching them mingle. Mostly the dark orange American ones kept to the back of the enclosure but toward the end of my watching they were mingling more. I watched them bite at each other, walk, puff up lovely feathers, eat, and loved every minute.

I also loved watching this mama...She had one baby, and kept a hold on his little arm so strong he leapt at the rope and she held on, he jumped at bugs and she held on, he pulled her arm out of the socket and she held on. Here she is tucking him in a tight embrace so she could eat. Apparently parents of every species are good mamas... how can people disrespect other species??

I was totally fascinated with this creature's skin... I'd loved to have felt it, bet it was soft. How cool is he/she???

Are you all laughing at me???

I have a great love of Science and nature, and a great respect for the earth and it's creatures. Humans are generally causing the most trouble on earth at the moment... we have a responsibility to protect our living space, keep the air and water clean, protect the balance of nature. I mean, Mother Nature is pretty ticked at us at the moment, we'd better straighten up!

The End... for the moment... more cool zoo photos to come later

I believe this TED talk is very important so I put it near the beginning...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YyXRYgjQXX0


We had a great time visiting the Denver Zoo but I didn't drink much and got a bladder issue. Did you know ginger is very healing as is cranberry? I drink Trader Joe's ginger ale made with sugar not corn syrup, and there are actual bits of ginger in the bottom. A couple drinks of that, lots of water, and a few ounces of cranberry (no sugar) juice mixed with water is correcting the problem.

LOVE my cuddle duds socks. I got them on sale last year at Khols and just opened them. Thin, warm, incredibly soft, in neutral colors. Win win win. 10-toes-up!

I like drinking yogurt drinks with fruit in them. It's an easy way to get probiotics and tastes like dessert to me. 

I liked finding a lime green shirt and a VERY pretty hand dyed coat at the craft show last week. I love this vendor's personality as well as her stuff. Her hand made felt hats are awesome too!

MadHatterMarystudio@gmail.com

I like the book on disc in the studio

with two in the wings

and this one for nightime reading

the author is so lyrical she makes me want to write stories too... we'd be friends if we met.

I only painted a few times this week, that post tomorrow

the back of one painting

It felt good to see color on paper, and this is so pretty in person, aqua tree with light fuchia shadows. My logo makes me happy every time I paint it.

I liked starting a Christmas quilt this week... story on Saturday

I liked  this clip from the Writer's Almanac this week:

" Elizabeth Cady Stanton (books by this author), born in Johnstown, New York (1815). When her brother died, she was allowed to take his place in the Johnstown Academy; previously she hadn't been admitted. She won honors there, but even so, no college would take her. She studied law in her father's office, but wasn't allowed to take the bar exam or practice. In 1848, the first women's rights convention in America was held near her home in Seneca Falls, New York. With Susan B. Anthony and Matilda Joslyn Gage, she compiled the first three volumes of The History of Woman Suffrage.

Stanton said: "The moment we begin to fear the opinions of others and hesitate to tell the truth that is in us, and from motives of policy are silent when we should speak, the divine floods of light and life no longer flow into our souls."

While we're respecting nature and other animals, let's not forget to respect women

 Milo's moments

Hi Y'all! I've had fun this week, mostly hanging out with my people. I got a chance to play with Gracie over the weekend, when she was in her garage watching her Dad build stuff. We ran like crazy dogs!
Sometimes I like to eat cookies for breakfast...

 While I watch the squirrel channel. Mama says it's okay now and then, since some people eat donuts for breakfast... I'm a big strong boy so I think it's fine.

I take my time, while Mama looks at her computer or paints. It's been extra cold, so I keep my jim-jams on most of the morning, then after cookies I have a little nap.

shhhhhh let sleeping dogs lie...

Please visit Mama's friends who kept lists of likes too... and join us keeping it paw-sitive!
please welcome our newest member: https://www.justletmequilt.com

maryinpeoriahandmade.blogspot.com 
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craftscaviescontras
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http://www.piecefulthoughts.com
http://littlepenguinquilts 

http://homesewnbyus 
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https://canadianneedlenana.blogspot.com/
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http://3poodlesandanana.blogspot.com  
https://knittingquilter.blogspot.com/  

PARTIES!!
Shadow Sundays
Pink Saturday!
viewingnaturewitheileen.blogspot.com/
 http://backroadstraveller.blogspot.com/
Thursday Thirteen
http://goodrandomfun.blogspot.com
http://itsasmalltownlife.blogspot.com/

can you relate?

who am I?


I was just shopping at Khols for underwear, but as one does, I walked around the store to remind myself what else I "need''


Passing by the towel section, there were subtle Christmas towels calling to me like a hawker at an amusement fair. Oooo I say to husband, look at these Christmas towels.


They were thick, not threadbare, and subtly colored.


subtle... not a word usually connected with my design sense of the weird and eclectic world of a 4 year old girl. I would go for a towel with rudolph on it complete with red blinking nose, not these gray towels with a dark red streak running through, like a dirty tartan.

But... they called to me, they taunted me with being fashionable and new, and maybe if I got them I'd be considered fashionable.

"Come on, join the gray brigade!".... "everyone's doing it!"


I fingered the soft, thick towel edge, pausing sideways on my way to more important purchases, my husband trapped behind me now having towel choices thrust upon him.


I imagine he was thinking, "I was so close to the running shoes.... " but because he loves me and wants peace in his life, he answered my question with, "sure let's get two"


We had a coupon for $10 and a 30% off coupon so basically my "Spaving" (spending while saving) self was appeased with the fact that they would only cost $6 each if that!


HA! That cinched it... we'll now be fashionable and hip with gray.
For Christmas.

why are they on my cage?

sewing Saturday... abstracts, owls, and flamingos oh my

Well if it's Saturday, it's all about sewing!
The above abstract piece was a surprise. I was working on other projects, but found I needed some medicinal stitching. Last week I showed the little red piece,

I wondered what would become of it...
This week I got out purple tiny scraps and turquoise ones... and sewed while listening to the latest book.

I keep even tiny pieces as they look like cool mosaics sewn together. I also do not cut scraps into squares or strips... I don't work that way, and don't view scraps that way. The odder the better for me.
Look at the little curvy pieces here... they were scraps from cutting the snowball block pieces.... from scraps. Don't they look cool pieced in??? well I like them.

I LOVE the way this is coming along, with red, purple and turquoise sections. wonder if I'll keep going with other color, or a mix of these colors. It's a good way to view color and composition. A good study of how lines influence the balance of a piece.

It's soothing to put the puzzle of same size or angle pieces together.
It's not useful, it's pretty.
It's about the process of making, of creation.
That is valuable... my mental and emotional health is improved while making.
It pleases me too. why, just look at the curvy print repeating the curves of the snowball scraps.

While sorting this week, I came across this misplaced little piece

so different in composition, color and line, but the process was similar. This was much easier, just sew thin strips together.... over and over. I like it mis-shapen and stringy like it is but suspect I'll trim it off when making it into wall art.

When we create, when we make order of chaos, it is valuable time spent. It brings us joy, and joy is sorely lacking in our contentious atmosphere these days. It stops the noise for a bit, allowing me to just breathe for a bit.

I also made a final owl, or another one because they are so stinkin' cute I may make more.

maybe for my stash of fall blocks...
I went through purchases made over the last year, and washed the fabrics

which helped me to feel in control of things.
I found this little beaded flamingo in that pile, purchased at a quilting event! Glad someone knows a flamingo can go a long way to soothing the soul.

I wrote a tutorial on how I do a hanging sleeve, a very easy way, but maybe I'll write that up later... the sun is out, the temps are warmer, snow again tomorrow (6 th time this Fall) and we have places to go and things to do. Happy sewing to you all... go make art!
Love, LeeAnna

Linking to
wendysquiltsandmore peacock party (quilts)
off the wall Fridays 
http://busyhandsquilts.blogspot.com/
Midweek makers wednesdays
design wall Mondays at smallquiltsanddollquilts
lovelaughquilt.mondays
oh Scrap Sundays 
 scrap happy Saturdays

Pen and Ink party Friday.... owls

"Sing your song"

It's been a slow painting week with my focus drawn on home issues instead. Learning waxes and wanes though doesn't it? I did watch two very good painting videos this week, and included them.

Instead of brushes and paints I played with my sketchbook, markers, the effects of lines, color changes in pens, to create the entire image.
I'm about to run out of pages in my sketchbook which is awesome! That means I'm really using it to learn this year!!

pen and ink are instant and permanent... no looking back!!!
(DH said, those are some mighty eyebrows on the bird!)
I thought, those are interesting beads on the sun! (which I don't like in the composition but being marker, it's there now, no going back.

I kept this page open all week, and added little lines now and then, I like the words on the branch... so small you'd have to accidentally see them but I know they're there to encourage me. It's obviously some kind of flying creature, leaves and mountains but still whimsical.

I think this little buddy, might become the next larger painting... sketchbooks are also for trying out what you might want to explore later. I googled owls and there are some lovely images to guide me.

a study of gesture

I watched Shayda Campbell sketch owls, and am always amazed at her ability to take a drawing down to simple component. A heart shaped face, rounded eyes... play with gesture, add in a branch.

silly owls

I just finished an owl quilt,  and I'm seeing them around the hood, so they are on my mind....

... I looked up their symbolism to humans
 The gist seems to be, feminism and change... with an element of mysticism. Perfect!
 I decided things have about as much power as we assign to them.

Here is the short video by shayda campbell on painting owls, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnVZ5pw7eE8) and tried her way, then moved to google images to sketch from the thumbnail images. It's good to really look at an image and see the components, the shadows, the highlights.

Now for a fun video on making cards... I love the materials she used, and ordered the metallic paint set, some white gouache and some maskit from Dick Blick.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_X3xLWKHQn0

Here's hoping we all have as much time as we need or want, to paint and draw this week!
Linking to:
https://paintpartyfriday.blogspot.com/