Try, Try Again

October 13, 2015 by Candy Fullaway · Leave a Comment (Edit)

It’s a beautiful, cloudless fall day, the kind that makes me think, “We don’t need any cold, wet winter.  Let’s just do this until spring.”  Okay, yes, we need winter.  But I’m going to enjoy the heck out of this while I can.  Also, sunny days make me more energetic so I need to take advantage of that.

On that note, I remade the very marginal winter cabin I put up last week to some thing I like much better.  It involved buying fabric because even though I have a big stash, it doesn’t always have what I need.

So far it’s only been fused and I’m looking forward to adding some detail and quilting it.  The ultimate plan is to put a house block on each end of a runner and have the center be the fabric on the border of this block.  This way I won’t hide a block under the candles or flowers or whatever the centerpiece of the table might be.  It’ll probably be a week or so before this is finished as I have a couple of Halloween projects to finish.  I’ll show the block as I go along.

For those who are spider phobic, stop reading now and go to our Shopping Page at www.mobquilts.com.  We’d love for you to make one of our patterns and show us your work so we can show it on the Gallery Page.

So here’s the deal:  it’s fall and we have spiders.  They use my garden decor to anchor their webs and catch lots of bugs that I don’t really want in my house.  (It’s still warm enough to leave doors open for the dogs.)  The spiders are industrious little guys and there’s always the possibility of getting a neat picture of a web on a damp morning.

This one has caught some dinner and seems to be doing a little repair work on the web.

This big boy’s (or girl’s) web shows up a little better against the bricks.  Nothing currently caught in the web, but he doesn’t look like he waits to eat.  This concludes the bug portion of the blog.

Thank you for indulging my “Nature Moment.”

There’s still time for an Autumn themed quilt and we have some ideas for that on the Shopping Page.

If you have an idea for a quilt pattern you’d like us to create, let us know at www.mobquilts.com or motheronabroomstick@gmail.com

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Filed Under: Christmas, Fall, Halloween, Quilt blog, Quilt for fun, Quilting Blog, Quilting patterns

Sew Fall

October 6, 2015 by Candy Fullaway · Leave a Comment (Edit)

Monday, October 5

As I write this, it’s sunny and about 80 degrees.  A bit later I will go out and water the flower pots mostly just to be out in the sun.  Oregonians don’t like to waste sun.  The veggie plants are all out (except for the lettuce, which is doing wonderfully well) and some mums will go in that space later this week.  I didn’t have the heart to tear out some California poppies and a few tough lobelias and the volunteer tomato.

 

I also have some dahlias that don’t give up until it turns cold.  I like these guys.

 Last week I went to Southern Oregon to visit my mom (The Matriarch).  On Tuesday it was 88 which is pretty warm even for there this late in the year.  It’s also been very dry.  That part of the state usually has cool nights by now, but 79 degrees at 8:30 pm is pretty balmy.

Flower pot watering here usually lasts from sometime in June to about the middle of September.  This year we started in May and we’re still at it.  There comes a point when I don’t care as much as I did in the spring.  Then I turn on the TV and poor South Carolina is floating away!  Prayers for them that they dry out quickly.

Most of my Halloween decorations are out.

 

I’ve had this lantern a long time and it always reminds me of a few episodes of having a bat in the house.  FYI:  An open door to a dark room in September is an open invitation to a juvenile bat.

Sweet husband cut out the witch several years ago from plywood.  Her cauldron will be out there soon.

And the new quilts are up.

Sew Scary, above, is a panel with some cool borders.  I like it because it’s a bit steampunk and also because there are those who think I am sew scary.

The quilt below is an older one made of fun panels set into twist and turn blocks.  Just right for snuggling up to Halloween.

The weather says,”no, no, no,” but the calendar says “get with it” so my goal for the week is a Christmas/Winter block.  It took me a while to figure out how I wanted it.  I was looking for the fine line between same old Christmas red/green with a Santa and a winter scene that could be anytime of winter.  It’s not that I don’t love Santa and traditional colors.  It’s more that I have a ton of Santas and Christmas colors.  Maybe something a bit more subtle.

Which reminds me that the Starshine Runner is great with Halloween prints.  One of its earliest incarnations was this small Halloween runner.  It would also be great with some general fall prints.  Please don’t ask why one thing reminds me of something completely different.

And finally, if anyone knows what the behavior below is about, please pass it on.  Ella goes out the open half of the French door and then stares in through the closed one.  It must be interesting inside her head.

My name is Ella Bella Poodlehound and I like to stare at you through the glass.

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Filed Under: Fall, Halloween, Quilt blog, Quilt for fun, Quilt patterns, Quilting Blog, Quilting patterns, quilts

Officially Quilt Time

September 26, 2015 by Candy Fullaway · Leave a Comment (Edit)

It’s officially fall, which is a beautiful time of year in the Northwest.  It’s cooler, of course, but often sunny with comfortable temperatures up around 70.  We have lots of trees that turn amazing shades of red and gold, mixed in with the evergreens.  This last full weekend of September is also the Northwest Quilt Expo, here in Portland.  We spent some hours there on Thursday and my feet are still tired.  As always, it was worth it.  I have to show off the entry from my small quilt group, Quilters on the Edge.

It’s called “Glories of Oregon” and each small quilt was made by a different member of the group.  Because it was not supported in the middle, and it’s heavy (each small quilt is about 18″ X 24″) it didn’t hang straight, which was a bummer.  I might also add that I forgot my good camera and used my phone, which I’m not very good at.  It was a fun project that challenged all of us.

This show has a bit of everything.  Modern . . . love the colors.

Realistic . . . he could’ve just jumped out and scampered into the woods.

Landscape . . . very seasonal and cool.

Hard to classify . . . but SO classic.

Amazing quilting . . . and use of fabric.

My head is swimming with all that great inspiration and some new ideas.

Of course the vendor mall was fun and I had to use all my self discipline powers not to buy one of each.  All in all, it was such a fun show.

It’s about time to close down the vegetable garden.  I learned a few things and will do it differently next year.  I’m even making some notes so I remember what not to do next year.  Some of the plants loved the hot, dry summer.  Others not so much.  Sadly, I can’t magically know in April what the weather will be like in July.  It’s a gamble every year.

I’m working on a block for a Christmas runner which I hope to show in about 10 days.

Please visit our website at www.mobquilts.com and comment back to us.  

Do a little handwork while you watch football if you’re a fan.  If not just go to your sewing space and QUILT FOR FUN!

Candy

PS  Like us on Facebook.  We’d just love that.

Quilt for Fun – Late Summer

August 20, 2015 by Candy Fullaway · Leave a Comment (Edit)

Every year at about this time, I say the same thing:  Why does summer go by so fast?  One minute it’s fireworks and parades and the next it’s back to school.  The list of what I wanted to get done “this summer” is still, largely, just a list with but few check marks.  I did finish a couple of UFOs and “Halloween Housing” needs only to be bound.

I took a class from Karla Alexander at the end of July and just couldn’t rest until the top was finished.  The pattern is called “Red Onion” from Karla’s book, “Stack a New Deck.”  My version is  “Onion of a Different Color.”  Karla is a great teacher and the class was a lot of fun.

This summer I’ve seen so many new fabrics and techniques that I love, it’s hard to choose what to do next.  I have lots of ideas for new projects and find myself annoyed when I have to go shopping, plan dinner or throw a load in the washing machine.  We went to see the Minion movie a few weeks ago and I think I need some Minions to do housework and weeding and laundry.  Also, errands, grocery shopping and cooking the boring stuff.  Wouldn’t that be cool?  I even saw some Minion fabric.  “Bello!”  I would even make them their own quilt.

The whole Northwest has had a hot, dry summer.  Please remember our firefighters in your thoughts and prayers.  Portland has had a record number of days over 90 degrees.  The good news is that the veggie gardens are having a banner year and the fruit has been terrific.  The bad news is that the glorious sunsets are partially due to smoke in the air and fire season is far from over.

No matter what I’m working on, Ella is always good for some commentary or reminding me when it’s time for a treat.

She never, EVER forgets treat time.

“Halloween Housing” will only be on sale until the end of August.  When you next see it, it will be part of a double pattern.  Turn to our shopping page ( www.mobquilts.com) for more details.

Quilt for Fun

Candy

Quilt For Fun Blog –

July 20, 2015 by Candy Fullaway · Leave a Comment (Edit)

It’s a beautiful summer morning with sunshine, a light breeze, singing birds and some crows.  I spent the week before last at the Quilter’s Affair in Sisters, taking a four-day class from Katie Pasquini Masopust.  We each brought a finished quilt as a jumping off point for a series of quilts.  I seriously surprised myself by doing four small quilt tops.  Each of us in the class was on her own little journey from very abstract to realistic, from patchwork to acrylic paint on silk and a whole lot in between.  I tried some things I hadn’t done before.  For me it was about experimenting with techniques and if it worked, great.  If not, then at least I learned something.  When I got home I finished the last one in the series, quilted it and hung it up.  It’s called The Last Leaf on the Tree.  It’s simple, effective and I like it.

Going to Sisters always prompts all kinds of new ideas for me.  The big problem is that I can’t do them all, have them all, or buy them all.  I’ve been told by someone who knows me well, (thank you, Sweet Husband) to reprioritize and cut myself a break.  It’s time to pick a few favorites from the favorites.  And maybe indulge in a bit of meditation to calm my overwhelmed senses.

The week after I got back was mainly one of recovery.  Six days of quilts is kind of a lot.  When overwhelm sets in, learning and appreciation levels really go down.  Of course, we’ve already made reservations for next year.

While I was gone, my vegetable garden went crazy.  It looks like a jungle out there and it seems that one of my “zucchini” plants is actually a cucumber.  I’m not quite sure what to do as I have two other cucumber plants that are producing an embarrassment of riches.  Better lock up your cars or I may leave you some unsolicited cukes!

I just realized that I offered a special on “Halloween Housing” a couple of weeks ago and didn’t put it up on the site.  I’ll be fixing that this afternoon.  It’s really a fun little quilt and goes together fast.  Check it out.  We're at www.mobquilts.com   

Quilt For Fun

Candy

Quilt For Fun – The Blog

June 17, 2015 by Candy Fullaway · Leave a Comment (Edit)

Why do you quilt?  Nobody actually asked me this but the actual question:  “What are you doing with your time now that you aren’t working?”  made me consider it.  My first wise guy answer would be, because I can.  My clothing & textiles background made it a natural and it pretty quickly displaced making clothes.  Also, I love color.  I like projects that have a beginning, middle and end (unlike housework which has a beginning and a middle that goes on forever).  I also like having something fairly permanent to show for my time and the endless opportunities to create something new.  Good to know.

There are also reasons like:  they make special gifts, they’re memories of different occasions in life, I can honor the sacrifices of others with Quilts of Valor and something I’ve done will outlive me.  Also, nobody in my family will likely freeze.

The final answer and the most real one is that it’s fun.  The fabrics, the colors, the designs, the classes, the friends,  all of it is fun.  There’ll always be a challenge out there and I like that feeling, too.

So why do YOU quilt?  I think it’s worth taking a few minutes to think about.  Write yourself a note to remind why you’e doing this when it’s time to rip something out.  Then get back in there and Quilt For Fun.

Here’s a picture of a new little quilt that I’ll talk more about next week.  For a better picture, go to Mother on a Broomstick Designs on Facebook.

It’s going to be part of double pattern in a few weeks, but will be available soon as an individual download soon.  In the meantime, browse our patterns and let us know what you think.  We always welcome your input.

And Then There's This

If you look up teasing in the dictionary, you'll find a description of spring weather in the Northwest.  Warm, cool, sunny, rainy, breezy, calm - from day to day you never know.  And the weatherman isn't really sure either.  Now that the tulips are finished, the one bright spot in the garden is this poppy.

It'll soon have lots of company.

This glorious shade of coral makes me want to quilt it, paint it and photograph it.  I'll put that on the list.  Along with all the other ideas and a whole bunch of UFO's

I finished this little hanging which I did as a test piece from the new book "Patchwork City" by Elizabeth Hartman.  It's not my usual MO, but it was fun to do.  I'd like it better hanging on a darker wall, but I don't currently have any.

I liked that the blocks and quilts had familiar names.  They should be familiar; Elizabeth Hartman is from Portland and many of the names are Portland-based.  These small blocks require accurate cutting and seaming and I'm relearning to measure as I go along.  It's more exacting work than I've been doing lately and I enjoyed it more than I thought I would.  I went back to my Sally Collins books to review my skills.  If you're not familiar with her work, Sally makes small-scale quilts and by that I mean really tiny pieces and perfect intersections.  While it is very unlikely I'll ever do such small work, the lessons are valid for any size.  The bottom line is that the more accurate the cutting  and piecing, the less weeping and gnashing of teeth.

I gave up making clothes years ago.  I loved it for many years but quilting stole my heart.  I jumping back in - okay, more like dipping my toe in by making a sun dress for my 9-month-old great niece.  I hadn't intended to do this, but the green seersucker with embroidered pink flamingoes called to me and I just couldn't walk away.  So I bought a pattern, brought it home and decided to read through it just to be sure.  It calls for a zipper which I thought was odd.  I made Barb about a million sun dresses when she was a baby and toddler and while I no longer have evidence, I'm pretty sure none of them called for a zipper.  Seems to me that it wouldn't be very comfortable when sitting in a car seat or a stroller.  So I'm changing it.  (Hey, I took Children's Clothing Construction in college.  No zippers there either. )  Kids grow out of stuff so quickly that the simpler, the better.  Here's a sneak peek at the fabric.  I dare you not to love it.

I'll keep you posted on how it turns out.

Quilt for Fun

Candy