Glorious Autumn Block Party..

Hello and welcome to my turn at the Glorious Autumn Block Party.  Thank you Michele at Quilter's Gallery for putting on such a fun event.  Be sure to run over to Quilting Gallery and check out my profile.  This is my first jump into the blog party lake and I am excited.  This is my block:  Yikes!

Download the pattern for free from my Craftsy store.
This was a fun block to design.  It's an easy applique pattern.  The spider legs can be a little tricky, especially if you are a perfectionist.  I'm not !  I hand dyed the background a nice indigo.  The block can be constructed using any applique technique.  I used needle turn, except for the eyes (fused).

Spider Tutorial
  He is placed in the top left hand quadrant of the block.  The key to the spider is to mark the background.  Trace the body of the spider and it's head.
I'm using paper and colored markers to make it easier to see.

How to make a spider:
Use the corner of a sheet of paper (cut it to about 1 1/2 inches by 2 inches) to mark the spider legs. Mark 1/2 inch, 3/4 inch, and 1 inch on one side of the paper.  Each leg is bent to form an L.  The front legs bend toward the head and the back legs bend toward the flat ribbon.  Don't over think this part.  It does not have to be perfect!  Basically, the small front legs are 1/2 inch, bend, 3/4 of an inch.  Each leg is a hair longer than the one before it.  You will not use the whole 3 inches of rickrack given per leg.  Larger pieces are easier to use.  Have each piece of rickrack go inside the circle 1/4 of an inch.  That way one edge is covered by the spider body.

Step 1: trace the spider body and head onto the fabric.

Step 2: draw the line for the ribbon.  Place the corner of the paper on the spider body so that the 1/2 mark and the corner is outside the circle.

Step 3: Trace that edge.

Step 4: Reverse the paper square to draw the legs on the left side of the spider.

Step 5: The same technique is used for the back legs.  Remember to change the direction of these legs and make them longer.  They should point toward the ribbon (pink line).

Step 6: After the legs are drawn onto the fabric, sew the ribbon down and sew down the rickrack.  Remember to have the rickrack inside the body (piece H).

Reminders for rickrack.  I love rickrack, lately I am using it a lot.  It can be problematic.  It tends to fray, so using an anti-fray product may be useful. When folding under, match the humps of the rickrack.  Pin one end of the leg and bend as you go.  Try to stay on the line or use a washable marking tool!

I hope you have as much fun as I did making this block. 

Now for the giveaway.  Only residents in the continental US can win.  I can't afford to ship oversees.  All you have to do is become a follower and leave a note in the comment box.  If you are already a follower leave a note to tell me so.  Giveaway is open until October 22 at midnight central time.  I will notify the winner on my blog on October 23.  What can you win, you ask.  This beautiful turned seam ripper made by my Sweetie Pie.

You must leave a comment AND be a follower to win.

Please be sure to visit the rest of the blogs on tour this week:
Oct 16- Cynthia at Quilt Doodle Doodles
Oct 17- ME
Oct 18- Melissa at Happy Quilting

 

Happy Quilting

Caren

AAQI goes to Houston...

Wish I were going...

 

The Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative is offering more than 2,100 Priority: Alzheimer's Quilts for sale at International Quilt Festival in Houston. Please head over to the front of the Exhibit Hall, Row S and buy a few quilts (Oct 31-Nov 4). All profits fund Alzheimer's research.

See the quilts: http://www.alzquilts.org/houston2012.html

 

If you would like to help sell quilts, rope people into the booth (it is Texas after all) or generally lend a hand, they need you. Sign up for a 2-3 hour time slots (and get free admission on the days you volunteer) or join their Text Brigade and help "as needed." Learn more and sign up here:

http://aaqiupdate.wordpress.com/2012/10/11/houston-helpers-the-aaqi-text-brigade/

 

It's so exciting to have a quilt for sell at Houston, it's even more exciting when it sells!

 

You could win this (or something like it)...

 

 

Win this quilt! The AAQI is launching a newsletter to keep supporters informed. One lucky subscriber will win a beautiful little quilt made by Martha Wolfersberger. Sign up here for a chance to win and keep tabs of what the AAQI is up to. The newsletter is free.

http://www.alzquilts.org/newsletter.html

 

In other news:

My day is this week: October 17th!  Be here or be square!  I have a fun fall block with a Halloween theme plus a giveaway!  There were 3 awesome blocks last week, make sure you catch these this week:

October 16- Cynthia at Quilt Doodle Doodles

October 17- Me

October 18- Melissa at Happy Quilting

 

See ya soon

Caren

 

 

 

 

Gift for Sweetie Pie...

OK, I didn't make this today, but I did make it a few months ago.  It was a gift for my Sweetie Pie.  I searched the stores for a good anniversary card, with no luck.  So I thought...I'll just make him one.  This was the result.

The colors of our wedding were yellow and blue, hence the color choices.  There are two pieces of my dress also on the front of the card.  I hand embroidered a heart ,too pale to see ;(  and our initials.  Yes, that is us.  Aren't we a cute couple!

And this is us now!  WOW, we have changed!  Sweetie Pie loved the card, and it only took 4 hours to make!  Part of that time was spent locating and printing photos.  The inside of the card is made with super stiff stuff called inner fuse.  Next time I think I will use a heavy weight interfacing.  I want it to stand up on it's own, but not be as expensive to make. 

They are fun and addictive!

In other news.....

My day for the Glorious Autumn Block Party is just around the corner.

I have a really cool block in store for you.  The color's are not traditional fall colors but the subject screams fall.
This week at the block party:
Oct. 9th- Jackie at Canton Village Quilt Works
Oct- 10th - Vicki at Quilting Lodge Blog
Oct-11th- Jovita's Patchwork Atelier

Happy Quilting,
Caren

I can see the sun...

Issac has left and we are starting to dry out.  Keep those in Louisiana in your prayers.   They have had terrible flooding. The sun was out today and it was glorious.

Speaking of glorious....
I have finished my block for the Glorious Autumn Block Party.  I am still tweaking the directions. It is so cute, I can't wait to show it to you.  But you will have to wait.  I will also have a giveaway, but you must comment on October 17 (that's my day)  and be a follower!   Pat Sloan will start the fun off Tuesday.  Followed by Benita on Wednesday and Lenna on Thursday.  Be sure to drop by each site, there will be lots of giveaways between September 4 and December 13.

This is my first block that I have designed for a blog hop.  I am so excited and so nervous.

Happy Quilting
Caren

Guess what...

I have several things to tell you about....but first I want to show my new AAQI quilt.

It is based on our vacation this summer.  One morning on the beach we watched a pod of dolphins leap and flip for over 10 minutes.  I've been going to the beach for %^ years and have never seen this before.  It was amazing and I wanted to remember it.

Now- what is this for?

The colors are much better in person.
Drum role please.......
I am a participant in the Glorious Autumn Block Party at Quilting Gallery

 Be sure to visit me on October 17 to find out what those fabrics are for!  I am so excited this is my first block blog hop.  I have a cool block planned and I hope a giveaway.  Spread the news!

Happy Quilting,
Caren