Busy Hands!

I've been working away on my Comfort & Joy quilt because I'd like to have it completed in time for the holiday season...this year.  *wink*  

I first saw this quilt on Anne's blog and when she invited her readers to join her in making it at the leisurely pace of one block a month, I decided to take the plunge in...albeit somewhat late.  

I fell in love with the quilt and instead of making mine using the raw edge applique technique as the designers did, I decided use mainly wool applique with some brushed cottons thrown in for good measure.

I wanted mine to look more "primitive" so I chose to use a variety of traditional homespun fabrics in non-traditional colors.  As usual, I also changed up and added a few new elements so mine is not quite the same as the original.

My friend Alice will do the custom quilting and after she performs her magic, I will be adding some additional embellishments before it is completely finished. 

When I applique wool shapes on cotton fabric, I use a product called Steam-a-Seam 2 which is a fusible web that I find works best with the weight and density of wool.  One of the downsides of using any fusible web is that it can leave a sticky residue on the face plate of your iron which can be a pain to remove.

The last time I received my Keepsake Quilting catalog, I decided to bite the bullet and ordered a product called "Iron Clean", pictured below.

This stuff is magic and is so easy to use and with great results!  Each package comes with several reusable sheets that you just run the surface of your hot iron across and virtually instantly, all the glue residue instantly disappears.

Why did I take so long to order it?

If you've ever had the same problem with sticky residue on your iron after using any kind of fusible web, then this product is a definite "must have".   

We bought the fluffy liner below to provide some comfort for Ollie when he sleeps in his crate at night.  But because it's been so hot this summer, we decided not to use it until it got a little cooler.  

With the arrival of the cooler weather, we decided to give it a try.  One day last week, Mr. Painted Quilt placed it on the kitchen floor just to see what Ollie would do.  

He took to it instantly and it is now his favorite "kitchen" bed.

Sure beats sleeping on a wooden floor!

He even shares it with Frankie...sort of.

Move over Ollie.  There's room for both of us!

And now that my Comfort & Joy flimsy is complete, it'll be full steam ahead with my next project...Red Brolly's The Wish quilt!