Thursday, June 04, 2009

Where Did May Go? Can You Tell Me?

Where oh where did May go? I've heard several people say the same thing...I don't think I've ever experienced anything like this one. I've had months go quickly, but I think this one was missing at least 2 weeks. I guess with my weeklong trip to Birmingham, and then Andy's trip to Key West with some friends, and then having the herd here for 10 days while the "visiting dogs" mom and dad took an Alaskan cruise...the month just got away. I sure hope things slow down a bit...I have lots I want to do.

I did get a few things done...I showed this one as I was working on it, but it's all done and on it's way to a new baby girl in South Carolina.

Here are 2 months of Belle Meade
...BOM from Homestead Hearth, pattern from Bonnie Blue Quilts. I am just loving these blocks. When I opened this month's fabrics I thought, "Yikes, some of these fabrics, I'm just not sure" But I stuck with them, didn't substitute anything and I love the result. I'm convinced that reproduction just work together.

I have a new favorite tool...
...Triangle Square Up. I've had this "ruler" for several years and have just never used it...I saw it the other day and decided I'd read the directions and try it out. I love it! I used to use the Precision Trimmer all the time...here's the difference...with the Precision Trimmer you pressed the HST open and then trimmed all the sides...4 cuts...well, this tool...you pick the line that matches with your cut size (not finished size)...lay the dotted line on the stitching and trim 2 sides...I love it. They came out perfect and half the cutting! YIPPEE!

My friend Jeanne taught me this new trick...another time saver...makes the sewing of the HST go so much faster. If you have a 1/4" foot (with a 1/4" on each side of the foot,
this is my Bernina 37 foot) feed the HST with the long side on the left and then the next one have the long side on the right...just keep feeding them through alternating. It takes a few going through to get used to using that left side of the foot as a guide, but as soon as you get used to it, you can fly. They just go through smoother and faster.

That's it for me today. I have to go get ready for Game 1 of the NBA finals...my Magic are playing! Have a great evening!

29 comments:

Cornfield Quilter said...

You sure have been busy! Love the baby quilt, the reproduction blocks are to die for, and that ruler you use is a "must have". I will also try using both sides of my 1/4" foot, that is something I never thought of but what a great idea! Thanks for the eye candy and the great tips. You have made my day. :D

Cheryl said...

Great quilts...and great tips!! So nice to be able to visit the blogs again..nothing like a new computer!

Anonymous said...

Oh goody...a post from Carol and with tips & tricks and of course eye candy. Fantastic quilt for a lucky little one!

Karen said...

I love the Belle Meade BOM. Their fabric choices are so good!
I don't know that I have Eleanor Burns square up. I saw it on another blog in the last day or two. I will check if I have one and if not, buy one for a try.
Your new baby quilt is a winner. Must be crib size because it looks good size.

Quilter Going Bananas said...

Nice quilts! I'm getting ready for game 1 of the finals too, wearing my Jameer Nelson #14 jersey, LOL

Debbie Busby said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Debbie Busby said...

I am looking for May also....the time on the west coast flys just as fast as the time on the east coast!!! We are having a spur of the moment wind, thunder, and lightening storm but they just announced that they would start the "GAME" on time!! I love your quilts as always!! hugs to you!!

Cathy said...

Oh, I have the Bernina 37 foot - great tip! Thanks so much! Anything to make the chain stitching easier and faster - get those quilts finished!

Carrie ~ Cricketwood Prims said...

Baby girls quilt is just so sweet, I love those tumbling blocks. And your new BOM is a keeper for sure.
Thanks for the little tutorial on the ruler, thats a keeper too. I may have to talk with my local bernina dealer about that foot too!!! Enjoy the game.

Thimbleanna said...

Oh gosh, I LOVE that tumbler quilt. I'm wondering if I'll EVER get mine done??? {Sigh}

Little Lady Patchwork said...

Glad that you are back! I missed you!

Darlene said...

You know I love the tumbler quilt. :-) Very sweet!

Oh my goodness those Belle Meade blocks are wonderful.

Hey I'll have to check out that ruler - great tips!!!

And, by the way where did May go?????

Gretchen said...

Great quilt projects!! I love the reproduction blocks!! That quilt is going to be beautiful. The tumbler block is so cute--a great gift.

Ginger Patches said...

I love that ME quilt!! Did you cut all that out with a template? wow I don't know if I would have the patience for that--templates make me crazy!! I am definitely going to to go looking for that triangle ruler...I love my precision trimmer, but to only do 2 sides? Way better! Thanks for the tip :)

Wendy said...

Your thimble quilt is awesome, the new baby will use it for a long time. I've got to try that ruler, it looks waaaaay faster when trimming.
Your reproduction quilt is wonderful, I'm going to check that one out. Did you order on their website?

Sherri said...

After seeing your tumbler quilt and Nanette's...I have to make one!!! And yes, where did May go??? I feel like I've lost weeks as well...but graduation was last night, our guests have all left...and I'm hoping to enjoy June now!

Libby said...

Time is flying, that's for sure. Sounds like you had quite a full month - even if it got away from you *s*

Dandelion Quilts said...

I think I might to get that triangle square up. Thanks for sharing!

Teresa said...

I think I have one of those rulers too, and have not tried it out. Gonna have to give it a shot - thanks for the reminder and the pictures showing how it works.

Karen said...

WOW love those block of the month blocks - they are beautiful. Your quilt is also so pretty - lucky baby girl and thanks for the tips - you can never have enough tips :)

Hugs - karen

Red Geranium Cottage said...

Love the baby's quilt and your new blocks. Those are wonderful.

Janet said...

I don't know why I didn't have you in my reader list, I love what you make! I've rectified that now. I have a jelly roll of the fabrics in the first quilt. It's wonderful, I love it. I will have to get one of those rulers, I've done that method with cardboard templates for hst but a ruler would be much better.

*karendianne. said...

Your tips simply ROCK! And boy you know I'm diggin' the Belle Meade blocks. You just know it!!! Visiting has made me a happy girl. (oh wait - I also love the tumbler quilt. Not as an after thought either, I really do love that and as I have a baby quilt to make, I'm thinkin' maybe I'll add this to my idea list.)

Good thing Brown Quilts! *karendianne.

Cathy said...

Your quilt turned out so beautiful....lucky baby and I love your blocks. Thank you for the piecing tips. I have tried using the stick ons etc, but nothing seems to work too well. I end up marking lines. I will try that way now.
Cathy

Nan said...

The baby quilt is beautiful, Carol! You've got me wanting to make a tumbler quilt now. Those reproduction blocks take my breath away! I think any reproduction fabric matches well with any other. It's amazing how well they all go together. I must purchase one of those rulers. HST's always give me trouble. I'm for anything that makes them easy....and look great! Since May screamed by for me, too, I'm hanging on to each and every day in June, by golly!

Nicole said...

Isn't it funny with reproduction fabric scrap quilts, how the ugliest little fabric just blends in and looks fine? I have been wanting to order a kit or two from Bonnie Blue and missed their sale they had on them recently. Darn!

Lea said...

Love love Loooove your Belle Meade blocks. Bonnie Blue Quilts rocks! :-)
and your baby quilt is absolutely charming.

Carole said...

I'm with you on May! My gosh.... lovely projects you have going! Thanks for the demo. Those triangles can get so warpy at times! ;o) Stay kool! ;o)

Quilts And Pieces said...

Oh I love the tumbler quilt! It is so perfect!