Picture review of Kilkenny and Killarney

Old farm house where we stayed. 

Kell Priory-extensive ruins of church, outer buydings and wall,  builtt parts date from 1183!

The Liffey in Kilkenny

Kilkenny Castle

Flowering Quince

Light House On the Ring of Kerry

Tide pool-look a lot like the ones back home!

Torc Water Fall

Mockross lake

Mockross Hall

This part of Ireland is so beautiful and there is something interesting to see around every turn in the road!

Next up the Cliffs of Moher!

Cheers, Claire W.

Dublin day 2

Well we had a nice walk over to the Gaol only to find out it was booked for the day*&^*%^&!! So we went to the museum of History and Decorative Arts instead.  It's located in the former Military barracks. A beautiful group of old stone buildings.

We hit the History section first and viewed an exhibit of the 100th anniversary of the 1916 Irish rebellion. An attempt by the Irish to separate from the British government.  A precursor to many events that ultimately brought independence. 

Then I insisted we go to the textile exhibits, and they did not disappoint!

The signage says this is a wood block but it sure looked like a copper plate to me which would make more sense?! 

  I think this last set is particularly interesting,  Take away the vail and the woman could past for someone from the '60's!

Went on a Pub crawl with my kids last night did not goto sleep 'til 

3:00AM  I can't remember the last time I stayed up that late!!!

It was fun,  everybody sings here!

We are on to Kilkenny today!

Cheers, Claire W.

In Dublin!

We walked all around central Dublin and along the river yesterday but I took very few pix (probably jet lag).  But I dii get this shot of the walled garden at Dublin Castle.  It's a very cool space!  It's kind of  circle in a square.

  And the Spring flowers are still happening here as opposed to home where we said good by to the tulips weeks ago!  A pleasant surprise!

We are going to tour the old kilmain gaol.  The tour is highly recommended.  We shall see...

cheers, Claire W.

Orphan Blocks

Our guild has the custom of making Thank You blocks for the executive board at the end of each term.  Since being the BOM person is on the board I got to choose a block.  But instead of asking for a specific block I asked for Orphaned blocks.  I make charity quilts out of orphan blocks.  I like the challenge of getting them to all work together and it's fun! Read more  here and here.
I have not rec'd most of them yet but one gal sent me these early 'cause she was going out of town.  Nora has been a quilter much longer than me, she makes wonderful quilts and does fabulous hand work, But these are probably just random blocks she's picked up along the way.

They are all really wonderful but I probably won't use any of them.  They are such nice vintage blocks but to fragile.  But they make good study blocks! 

Look at this '30's block, what an interesing design!

This one could almost be Modern except that it's appliqué?!

And look at the neat old fabrics in this one!  

I'm looking forward to getting more blocks it will be like Xmas in May!

Have a good week!

Cheers, Claire W.

Another RED quilt and a Winner!

Congrates to Kaja!  She's the lucky winner of the Threader and Caddy!!

This week I've kind of wondered around in my sewing room.  A little of this, a little of that.  But I did spend a fair amount of time playing with my red scrap basket.  I think I will work on the next border today!  I don't have to think to hard...LOL!

It's an easy place to go when I'm burnt out on more difficult constructions.

Happy weekend!

Cheers, Claire W.

PVQA April BOM- "April Showers" and Give Away!!

Details of the Give Away are at the bottom of the page!

This block was inspired by a quilt pattern designed by Camille Roskelley who has a line of fabric called April Showers. Her quilt is called Raincheck.  Here’s the link to the full quilt pattern: http://thimbleblossoms.bigcartel.com/product/raincheck-pattern-164-paper-pattern

I did not do the appliqué as suggested in the pattern.  When appliqueing a figure like this (fairly large) I prefer the quick turn method.  Here's how that works. 

 Cut out the template on the black line. Stick the template on the wrong side of your umbrella fabric (a dab of glue stick will keep it from moving).  Use a pencil to trace around the template and then remove it.

 Cut out the umbrella shape a scant ¼” outside the traced line.  (Just eyeball it) 

 Place this cutout right side down on a larger rectangle of interfacing or very lightweight cotton and press. The static cling will help it stay put. 

 Using a short machine stitch length sew just outside the traced line all the way around the perimeter of the umbrella shape. Note :Trimming after you sew the figure helps to stablize the shape. 

 Trim / snip seams at points and curves.

 Snip an X in the backing that’s big enough to pull the umbrella fabric right side out. 

 You will need to work the points with your fingers (tweezers / stiletto will help) to get the points nice and pointy.  Work all the edges with your fingers until they are fully turned.  Give it a nice press.

*  I like to use the Quick Turn method because I’m not very adept at traditional applique but I like the look of the smooth turned edge and the extra layer of fabric makes the appliqued motif stand out more.


And Now for the Give Away!

I know some people who do a lot of hand work swear by these Needle Threaders! And here's a sweet little sewing caddy to go with!

Leave me a comment and this helpful gizmo could be yours!!!

Here in Northern California after 4 years of Drought we finally had normal rain fall.  I thought maybe a few April Showers would help things along a bit more!

Have a good week!

Cheers, Claire W.

Two Finishes in one week!

I'm so excited I got this quilt finished yesterday!  Just in time for a presentation I'm doing next week!   Kaleidoscope block designs  are so cool,  same basic units but you can dress them up in so many ways to produce so many different looks!  This is the first in a series of Kaliedescope quilts I'm planning for a class I'm calling, "Kalidescope Blocks: All Kinds".
Whoop Whoop for all us Friday Finishers!  The link is to the right in the side bar.  Check it out!

The idea behind this design is keeping the 8 triangles "quiet / neutral " so the stars really stand out.  To read more about the inspiration and construction of these blocks read here.

I'm still getting use to the hopper foot on my new long arm.  But I'm reasonably happy with the way the quilting turned out (all free hand).

If you are wondering where the other Finish is check out my Thurs. post here!

Whoop Whoop for all of us Friday finishers!

Next Tues. will be April BOM and give away!  Stay tuned!

Happy Weekend! 

Cheers. CW

Cheater Cloth

I'm always on the look out for good cheater cloth to make charitable quilts.  I thought this one was particularly nice!

I found both the panel and the border fab online.  I think it was Fabric.com.

It was really fun to quilt!  Lots of pseudo blocks to quilt without the lumps and bumps of seams to navigate over! 

I thought it might make a good layout for a Modern pieced quilt but after looking more carefully at the intersections of the blocks it looks like there might be to many set in seams?!

I always thought cheater blocks were probably invented in the 1930's but I came across a vintage quilt made in the last quarter of the 1800's that had a wonderful cheater cloth for a backing!  I've since seen a number of quilts from that time period with cheater cloth.  The oldest one I've found so far in the literature is one listed in the Quilt Index dating from around 1830's !  So I was off by 100 years, so much for my fabic dating instincts! LOL!
                                                      Happy Weds!  Cheers, CW