Hexies, FMQ and Le Challenge

I don't have much to show you even though the title makes it sound like a lot. First, I made some hexagon flowers for the fun of it and some grew up to be pretty little mug rug

and decided to use them to practice my free motion quilting.

Doesn't show very well here, so let's try the back side.  I did pratice all the wonderful advises I got from my bloggy friends. (Thank you so much each and every one of you. It really help me become a better machine quilter. Thanks! ♥♥♥)

More hexies are still waiting to be finished.

Then, Le Challenge served us the word METHOD for this month and I jumped on it.
This is the back of my project (to show my nice FMQ.)

Sorry for blowing my own horn, but I am really proud of my FM star. A little shaky but still I love it ! The echo around the star was made with the help of a walking foot. Then, I FM'ed the stippling which turned out SOOOOOOOOO MUCH better than my very first try lol. (See here for pictures of my first stippling disaster.)

I did some wiggly trees in the corners. This one was made following the mark of a pencil.

My first tree was made without any help, just free hand and it looks like Charlie Brown's tree lol. Oh yes, this girl has to learn the hard way. See the tension? It isn't very good here but got better. Anywho my entry in this month Le Challenge is a  

3D Bowtie Candle Mat. 

The METHOD I used to piece this traditional block is quite simple and it produces a real puffed knot in the middle.

See how the scissors disappear under the knot?  Cool?  For those interested, I will post a tutorial how to make a 3D bowtie block. Stay tuned.

Okay one last picture of the FMQ.

It is not perfect, I will grant you that but for someone who only started FMQ last month, I am tickled pink with this one. Now, if you will excuse me I need to go back to my hexies so I can practice some more. I am having so much fun!  :^D

Until next time ....

;^)

Linking to Le Challenge for the Method
Linking to WIP's be Gone
On Sunday, I will link to Oh Scrap.
Hope you will take a moment to check out all the wonderful works posted on these blogs.

Can we talk?

A few months ago, when I was stuck in the blues, making a blue quilt and a blue place mat for my friend (Was it really that long?) yes, it was actually back in June!!
So, as I was saying : a few months ago, when I started to have a monochromatic life, I decided to do a little side project. At that time, I showed you only one little picture of the project.

 It didn't show much because I didn't want the recipiant to guess what I was doing. And it worked cause NObody guessed ... (Will you tell us what it is NOW?)  ... what it was!

In that post, I showed (What are the red pieces for? Is it done?) ... I showed a picture of a cardinal (Just answer the questions!!!) I just did!  I showed a picture of a cardinal because I was sewing a cardinal !!!

Actually two cardinals. (Oohhhh!) One to give and one to keep. Since Cécile D from Patchwork Inspiration has so generously helped me, I thought of making a little something to show her my appreciation. Merci Cécile ♥.  (Show more pictures.) I don't have more pictures. (Why not?)  Because ... I didn't take more. (What was the idea of not taking plenty of pictures BEFORE shipping it half way across the world?) I am SEEEERRIously starting to thing my left brain needs some wine! (LOL. Yes, please!)

Hers, on the left, is hand quilted. I machine quilted mine since the picture was taken. I FREE MOTION quilted mine!!! (Oh la! EXCUUUUUSE  me!!)

Yea well, it's quite an accomplishment for me because it was my first time !! Yeah!! I really love the way it turned out! Double yeah! (yea, yea, blah blah blah!)

 I did go a little too far into the bird on few places but still, I am proud of what I did,until I look on the other side.  

(Bahhaha! What a mess!) Gee, thanks! But seriously, yes it is. What happen? (You didn't do it right!) I am asking all the experienced FMQ out there (not talking to YOU!)

What have I done wrong? The tension was good when I sew straight and not so good when I turned. Why? Will it go away once my stitches are more evenly spaced or is it a bigger problem ? Please help! (Just throw the machine away. Problem solved!) I definitively need better advice than this! Thank you for your input.

Until (you learned how to machine quilt?) next time ...

(Gosh! I need a glass!) .... sssssMile .... it could be worst!

;^}



P.S. Thank you so much to all of you who left a comment on my last post. I sincerely appreciate your input. I read all comments a few times and took notes. I am very happy with my decision. My plan is to show you which fabric I decided on with a finished project but, don't hold your breath because it might take me fooooorrrrreeeeevvver to get it done lol.  :^D

Good morning

We didn't have access to internet for the last days so I am soooo glad I can finally catch up with everyone's news today. And I have a few things of my own to show you. First, a winning.

Rhonda from Ravelly 1 did a gorgeous mug rug and decided to give it away.  I won!

Isn't it pretty? I think it is too cute to put a cup of coffee on it so it will go up on my wall next to my little Abundance quilt.  I love when quilters show their walls all decorated with little mini quilts. Slowly but surely, I will get one too. And Rhonda's little birdhouse will rest on my wall of fame, it flew all the way from Texas. I will add a little label at the back lest I forget where it came from. Thank you soooo much Rhonda. I love it and the little note too.


Second.
Yesterday, I picked up my quilt from the quilter. OH MY!! I am so pleased but soooooooooo pleased!! First, let me remind you that it is my first time asking someone else to quilt my quilt and this particular quilt is for my in-laws. There is a big deal of trust involved in this business you understand. My mistake was to take a quilt that didn't belong to me for my first try with a quilter. What if she does a sloppy job? What if I don't like it; can I give away something I don't like? Can I put my label on something I don't like? Will I have time to make another quilt? So many doubts and fears went through my overworked imaginative mind. Then Julie posted about her experience with a new professional quilter and how unhappy she was with the job.

                                                Oh ....

my ....

                        heart ....

                                                 sank !!!

It is not my imagination: it does happen!! 

Anyway, I got to her place and she opens the door with such a lovely and honest smile, I just can't help but feel comfortable with her.  So we talked and she showed me the quilt and oh my beating heart!!! It's GOOOORRRRGEOUS!!! 

I am sooooo pleased!  It is nothing too fancy, just a simple allover panto that I had chosen with her help and suggestion, but it makes the quilt look so much nicer. 

Blooming Star : 85 X 102

All I need to do is the binding in dark blue.  All the threads are tucked in already and the edge has been cut and basted by her. Wonderful! It is so lovely.  I didn't really like this quilt at first because it is not the kind of quilt I do ... usually. I love scrappy, busy, with lots of things to look at or movement in a quilt. This one I find ... well ... boring but... not anymore!  Needless to say, she is now allowed to quilt any quilts of mine!! She also told me that they (her and hubby) bought a house in Arnprior for quilting retreats! Guess who is saving up to go on a retreat?  She is that kind of person, the kind who is so comfortable you immediately feel comfortable with her as if you had known her for a long time. Not like me, I am shy and awkward with strangers (believe it or not) but ... I want to try a quilting retreat at least once in my lifetime.
Anyway.... here is the back of the quilt. 

Did I mentioned I am pleased with it? 

It is raining this morning so it makes a darker picture.

Today, I will add my "famous" hexies flower label and attach the binding while reading what the other wonderful slow stitchers are up to on Kathy's Slow Sunday Stitching. 

Until next time ... SMiLE ... please!  

P.S. If you want more info about this quilters' retreat, you can find it here.  If you want more info about her as a professional quilter, let me know and I will give you her contact number.