Monday, April 8, 2013

This and That

Is it just me or do the days pass by more quickly as you get older?  One day just seems to lead into the next and it seems like in the blink of an eye, another week has gone by!

If we didn't have to take Ollie to the beauty shop this morning we would have been outdoors working in the yard.  What a glorious day here in Paradise the Annapolis Valley of Nova Scotia. The sun is shining, the temperature is in the 50's  and there were people golfing at the course just up the road from us.  I think that Spring has officially arrived!

Ollie before...


Move over, Frankie.  You're hogging the carpet!
and Ollie after.


Aren't I beautiful?
His trip to the spa really tuckered him out.


Wake me when it's time for dinner...zzzzzzz.
While Ollie was at the spa, Mr. Painted quilt and I went shopping.  I've tried to be so careful with my "almost new" Rowenta mini iron until last week when I dropped it twice and tripped over the cord two or three times.  The handle is loose and and it makes funny noises but it does still work...for how long is anybody's guess.  I had to purchase a new one as a spare "just in case"...
because I really couldn't be without one.



I also came across this gadget which I've never seen before...a mini vacuum cleaner that runs on 2 "AA" batteries.



I figured at $12.99, it wouldn't break the bank even if it didn't do the job.  It even comes with a couple of attachments to get into those hard-to-reach places in the bobbin housing.



I'm going to blame the mishaps(s) that I had with my iron due to the fact that I was stressed out.  The third instalment of Darlene's mystery quilt involved machine applique...something I've never tried before.  You all know how much I love hand work so machine applique was something that I had never given much thought to.

This next photo is Darlene's...



and here is mine.



I changed it up slightly and designed my own border with bunnies, folk art-y roses and berries which I did affix to the fabric by machine using the blanket stitch.  It wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be and discovered that it is much the same as hand applique, only it was the machine that was doing the stitching and it was me who was driving the machine and steering the fabric.  







I did learn a few things as I went along and I can definitely see myself using machine applique in some of my future designs.




My Grandmother's Flower Garden is coming along nicely.  I've been diligently working on it over the last couple of weeks as well and should have the completed flimsy to show you in my next post.  Y'all are going to be surprised!


Happy stitching!

45 comments:

Angie said...

My two furbabies had the 'spa' treatment today---traumatizing for them LOL--they have to sleep all afternoon after such strenuous treatment. :D I LOVE your border adaptation. Just so darling. :)

Natasha said...

Ollie looks fanatastic! My westie Samson is in serious need of a hair cut, I trimmed him up myself yesterday but he still needs more, next week he will go in. I love your furbabies they are so sweet
:)

I am so happy for the warmer weather. I hope you have a wonderful week

Clara {Clover and Violet} said...

Your quilt is so pretty, so much beautiful applique! Ollie is adorable of course! I am glad you showed your new iron, I think I need one too! Enjoy your Spring day!

Marcia said...

Your puppy is absolutely adorable :)

Terry said...

I really like your border for the mystery quilt! It's so pretty! :0)

Nanette Merrill said...

My daughter dropped my iron last week. It is one I've had for 18 months. That isn't very long but if you use an iron everyday, it is like 10 years in regular people use. Anyway, I said goodbye to it. Sadly. I moved my Rowenta from the other room (where we do big boy ironing) to my little ironing board next to my sewing machine. I have been thinking I want a smaller iron before I even shop for another one. Or should I just keep this one and have the family move it back and forth (that would never work, when I get to needing it, they would have it in the other room). Anyway LONG story, I think I'm going to look at your mini rowenta. Do you have to add water constantly to it? that is my problem with little irons, they don't hold water. Tho I'd like a smaller profile iron....oh problems! thanks for the post, it made me laugh

Lesley said...

So nice to sit in an airport lounge and read your wonderful post! Love your appliqued borders...beautiful fabrics and excellent appliqué! Ollie looks cute too! So nice to know that I am leaving snow country and flying home to nicer weather!

Chookyblue...... said...

looks like you managed the machine applique just perfectly.........nice quilt top....

Lynn said...

Gasp!! A mini vacuum!! I'm fanatical about cleaning the lint out of my machine. When I first started sewing I didn't realize you had to clean it out, lesson learned. This is just the thing.
Your applique is beautiful! And Ollie is quite handsome.

Abby and Stephanie said...

It's tiring work staying handsome. :o) LOVE your spin on the quilt. Makes it totally unique and I love your colors.

Alba-mà said...

Ollie ha quedat perfecta.
Els dos quilts son esplendits, cada un te la seva gràcia en la combinació de les robes i colors.
Una abraçada des de Catalunya.

Bev said...

LOVE your border! I have to say I'm trying to work on the row BOM of yours. I have never done embroidery and I'm working on the little birdhouse block. It looks very awful. I've looked up I don't know how many lessons online and the one thing I can't find is (well 2 things) what size needle you use and how many strands of thread? Uggg. I've tried to do the stab stitch, the running stitch, the outline stitch...sigh. How long does it take to get to the point where it doesn't look horrible? Your boy looks very dapper by the way. He's so cute! We have 80 degrees today but tomorrow we might have tornado issues. I live where we have the record breaking tornado for duration and for wind speed. Thanks and cheery wave from Bev Oh, and thanks for the nice words about Jason. He's my youngest and, although he's in his 40's now, he is still my baby-lol.

Merilyn said...

Ollie looks so cute anyways LOL! I love his shaggy 'weekend' look and I love his groomed 'prom' look as well, he's just such a sweetie!!!
Your machine applique design is a very nice one, and I actually prefer it to the original! Machine applique is a skill in itself, selecting just the right width and length and style of blanket stitch is all quite experimental. I made up a sample of all the different variations on a scrap of muslin and coloured scrap and wrote on the sample the various settings etc so I'd be able to replicate my favourite or most appropriate style for any furture work, beats trying to remember the settings. You're enjoying the beginning of Spring, while we're enjoying the start of Autumn, am loving the cooler temps, and have already put the feather doona on the bed, so cosy!!!! Have a great week!!!

Samplings from Spring Creek said...

Oliie is so handsome--does he enjoy going to doggie beautyshop?

Spring has once again returned and it feels so good to be digging in the dirt. Looking forward to seeing your garden return to life.

Your quilts are beautiful! Never tried machine applique will have to add this to my bucket list of things to learn.

Miriam said...

Ollie is very handsome!!
I love your version of the border. Machine applique is a skill I haven't treid yet. Its on my list! You did a beautiful job!

Anonymous said...

Love your border!

Nancy said...

Loving your applique!!!!!

Dianne Mitzel said...

I have an iron like that, love it..I had the older version, but love this one as well. Ollie is adorable, they are so cute together..what sweet little buddies..

Angie in SoCal said...

Your adaption of the border is inspired. Really like it. You'll find machine applique will be faster too. Your Ollie is a cutie.

Marie said...

Ollie is truly a beautiful Westie! I had one named Ralph when growing up they are sweet dogs.

Your quilt is beautiful and your machine quilting looks great.

Just got in from a walk ~ it is beautiful here in south western VT as well.

Karen said...

The addition of the bunnies is so very prim looking and something I like very much. You are such a creative person and have good design sense.

Susannah said...

Hi Kaaren...I have an iron like yours. I can not be without it. Maybe I should buy a spare. I love it!!!

Your little Ollie is all spruced up and looking so handsome!

I love your border...so folksy and prim!

Happy spring days to you.
Susannah

Janet O. said...

Ollie looks mighty handsome there!
I think you have made a beautiful border for the snowball quilt. I prefer it. And looking at your machine applique, I can't believe you have never done it before. Excellent work!

Joyce Carter said...

Hi Kaaren. Time definitely goes by faster as you get older. I have even lost some time.
Ollie is so adorable and all set for the warm days. He is a very sweet looking puppy.
I really love your quilt. The colors are very cheerful looking. And the borders are awesome with the bunnies. Your applique is excellent.You really did a wonderful job.I like to hand applique,too, but every once in a while, I will use the machine. It just gives it a different look that I really like.
Have a wonderful week!

Elaine said...

Not only do I enjoy reading your blog, I love how you changed up the border on the quilt. What a handsome guy Ollie is!

Ginette said...

Ollie looks great with his new "do"! I have that little vacuum and I absolutely love it! I use it every time I change the bobbin.
Your machine appliqué looks great!

Sandi said...

What a lovely variation you came up with. I love your bunnies and flowers. Congratulations.

Your prince looks lovely after his trip to the spa.

Pam in IL said...

I thought Ollie looked cute before his grooming and now he looks even cuter! Looks like you did a great job on the machine applique. Maybe you can share some tips in an upcoming post? Can't wait to see your Grandmother's quilt!

We've finally had some spring weather here in IL, but Hubby put the snow shovels away yesterday and now there's snow in the forecast for Wed & Thur. Go figure!

Robin at The Primitive Hutch said...

Oh ~ Ollie you are Beautiful!!!
Your Quilt is Beautiful ~ I just love the bunny border!
Wishin' we had warmer weather ~ in the 30's and rainy. Enjoy yours!!!
Prim Blessings
Robin

Needled Mom said...

Ollie looks so handsome!!!

The applique is beautiful! You did an amazing job on it.

EL RINCON DE CHELO said...

Que precioso tu perrito , yo también tengo un westy!! . Precioso trabajo, besos

Adrienne Cleave said...

I love the change that you have made to the border of the quilt. You are so very talented.

Catarina C said...

Couple of weeks ago I also bought this mini Rowenta, I like it but I miss one thing, a light that tell me when the temperature i clear. Your quilt is very nice with all apliques and of course your Ollie seems to be a very sweet dog. Hugs from Sweden

Juicybear said...

Beautiful quilt and Ollie looks so pretty to, what a swwet boy a big kiss for him and Frankie.
Greetz Anneke

terriquilts said...

I'm a sucker for bunnies, so I absolutely love your border.I haven't started Darlene's quilt or your row BOM yet, but they are both on the to-do list. First, I MUST FINISH SOME UFO'S!! I'm very bad at finishing things, but am trying to do better.

Sandy said...

I just want to squeeze Ollie right through the computer screen...so cute! I love how you did your borders on the quilt...with the bunnies and all. Super cute. I have never tried machine applique either...time to try it. I am in need of a new mini iron also..have dropped mine too often and now it leaks, so can't use steam. Can I asked where you purchased your Rowenta...my full size iron is that and I love it.

MyCretanlife said...

Love to see cats and dogs sharing the same mat.
Your quilt it lovely especialy the rabbits. Well done.

Sandra said...

Ollie should be one happy doggy! He looks great! I love the way you put the applique with your own design. Very nice! Irons are so hard to be without. Hope your new one will be just right for you.

Candace said...

Oh doesn't Ollie look that handsome gentleman! Frankie is hogging the carpet because he's jealous of all the fuss and muss over a simple haircut ;>)
The quilt is just adorable with all your special touches, Kaaren! It took me a while to warm to that machine blanket stitch, but now I love it! Can't wait to see the big surprise!
Cheers!

Kindred Quilts said...

Your machine applique is beautiful! I can't believe this was your first attempt... it 's wonderful!
That is one handsome Ollie!!!

Carin said...

Ollie is looking VERY handsome !!!
Your machine applique looks great, I never done any applique on a machine

Anonymous said...

Love your border...and bonus seeing the babies! Hugs!

Sherryl said...

Your quilt is gorgeous! I'm working on the same quilt and have never done ANY applique before - so I was nervous. I also changed up the applique and I'm really happy with the outcome and not scared anymore... but I REALLY love yours. Isn't it wonderful how creative everyone is? Life is good!

Shelley said...

your machine applique is just fine!! and ps.....I love the rabbits! Please do a Friday Freebie using these rabbits lol!!

Allie said...

Ollie looks so much better - and I love the border you did on that quilt!!!