iPad Case

When I brought my new iPad home, I quickly realized how unprotected it's fragile screen was and also, how slippery the back of it was to hold on to while using it.

So I googled the heck out of "iPad cases" and found numerous Kindle covers and nothing much for iPads.  I decided that I would follow the instructions on this site - Rocks, Cats & Crafts - and hope it would work.  I knew I didn't want ribbons on my case though so that would have to be changed.  Some of the things I really liked about the way that Kindle case was made were the way she made her device stand up by using Timtex, which I had never heard of.  However my local quilt shop, Esther's, had it on hand.

Closed iPad Case

Flap open

Opened flat

Standing vertically

Horizontal stand

Standing horizontally

Closed, snapped shut

I didn't take photos of the actual construction (because my camera was elsewhere) but basically I followed 'Rocks, Cats & Crafts' instructions except when it came to the ribbons.  At that point, I added a flap with magnetic snaps... and I covered the inside elastic bands with triangular pieces.

I intend to make another case for someone who has requested one so I'll take pics of the construction of that one in a few days. 

Two more blocks done!

Summer has definitely kept me busy.... this area, including Seattle, has a festival every week if not two or three per week.  To make up for the gloomy winter rain, I suppose.  Anyway it's fun to get out and listen to bands, walk and bike while the days are nice.

But I did manage to finish two blocks to begin the next row of this quilt I'm working on.  First is

Pretty straight forward block... only had to manage to line up the corners so they all met nicely.  If you click on the picture it will enlarge; click again and it will really enlarge.  Then you can see all the places where the discrepancies are, and there are a few.  You'll have to click the 'back' arrow to come back to the blog if you enlarge.  Sorry but I don't know any other way to make it work.

 Next block is...

So, here is what I've done up to this point.  Only 98 blocks to go... but I'm in no hurry.  I will stop to do other projects - birthday quilts, Hallowe'en costumes, Thanksgiving table runners and Christmas gifts etc.

Life does not stop for quilts I've found out.

Fourth Row Completed

So, I only have 10 more rows of 10 to go.... 100 more blocks and I can put this top together!

40 done, 100 to go

The four blocks I completed are:

D-8

D-7

 

D-9

D-10

 

I paper-pieced D-8 and D-10 and appliquéd D-9.  D-7 was traditionally pieced and it's not perfect but sewing all those curved edges wasn't easy for me.  Well, if I have to admit it, neither is paper-piecing and appliqué.... lol.  I make quilts to learn and so far every single one of them has been a learning experience for me.

One of my daughters asked me to give her a quilt... the Dear Jane quilt.  Now, I've given quilts to two of my granddaughters and one of my sons but I'm reluctant to give her that quilt for some reason.  I considered making a Dear Jane for years and years before I finally made one... and it took a long time to finish it what with all those intricate blocks and tricky triangles.  But I don't think that's why I won't give it to her.  She lives together with her older sister, who really admires the Dear Jane quilt too, and I don't feel great about giving one of them that quilt.  But eventually someone has to get it, so maybe I'll think more about it... and maybe I will give it to her.  

My oldest grandaughter and my son gave the quilts back to me that I gave to them.  Not because they didn't like them but for other complicated reasons which I'll share one day.  Not now.  So hard to give my quilts away; they're my babies.

Twice in one day !!

Hard as it is to believe, I am actually posting twice in one day.  It doesn't make up for those times when I don't post anything for weeks but I want people to know that I do other things besides sew.

This morning I sewed, didn't complete the block but I got the pattern copied, cut out and my fabric strips cut.  Maybe tomorrow I'll finish it but for today this is it....

This is a mistake I make often.  I sew the fabric on, then when I'm trimming, I cut it off.

 This is why this particular instrument is so necessary...

So I finished only that little part of the block but it was more time and work than it looks. :-)











Yesterday, I had lunch over at my dd's and I got to check on the 7 new puppies and their mommy.... and all the other animals and people who live up there on the north part of the island.  All of 6 miles away.  Thought I would post some pictures of the luncheon and pets.

First, Sally and her pups.

 Then, one of the kitties sleeping on a carpet that was put out to air... Mr. Jones.

Then the chickies relaxing on a carpet that is also outside being aired out.  I thought it was funny to see how much 'the girls' liked perching up there.  They're curious creatures.

 Enjoying the day while Leonidas aka: Daddy, sits at my feet.

 Flowers on the table fresh from the garden.  The Mojitos were made with mint from my garden which I was happy to contribute for drinks.

After lunch, we took two of the dogs, Chubaca and Leonidas, for a walk in the park.  Lots of new smells for them as well as new dogs to meet along the way.










A pleasant day was had by all and even though the day got cloudy by the time I drove myself home, it was still nice and warm.

Chance to win a quilt

If you go to the MaryQuilts site (page up) on or before June 23rd and donate $10 to the Red Cross, you'll have a chance to win a lovely quilt.

It's Coming Along

I've completed two more blocks on row 4 and they took forrrrevvvver to do.  All those itty-bitty parts and my usual quandary... what colors should I choose.

I'm trying to use purples and reds because they go well with the yellow and also because I know that my oldest dd as well as her daughter love purple.  Either one could be the recipient of this quilt when it's done.  Ria (gdd) and her husband have just bought their first house so that's been on my mind while working away.

I'm not completely pleased with this block because of the fabric I selected with all the white flowers but it's done, all the seams match up and none of the points were cut off so I'm keeping it.  Probably won't be noticeable in the midst of all the rest of the busy blocks anyway.  But you can see that I'm fabric-selection challenged.

Both of these blocks were paper-pieced which is accurate but a little boring to do after a while.  I like to strip quilt but there's no way to do that in this quilt... so I'll save it for the next one.

it's not particularly attractive but I find I work on the blocks more often if I can see how far I've come.  Only 5 1/2 rows to go.

My dd's doggie had her pups (yes, I know she should be spayed but she got preggers before she could be) - 7 of them.  One is a runt and she isn't feeding him so it may have to be bottle-fed if it's to live.  She had them last night so we'll see if the little guy makes it through the night.  Then I'll get some pictures of the new mommy and her babies.

Take care all.  Hope you're enjoying beautiful weather like we are here. :-)

Spring Fever (I guess)

Seems like forever... but there's just so much to be done.  Bird-watching, gardening, thrift-store shopping, birthdays, new chicks and did I mention quilting?

This is something I found in a St. Vincent de Paul thrift store which I seldom go to because it's way over in Bremerton which is quite a drive, but my dd's were heading over there and I went along too.  The label reads "This Amish doll is handmade of 100% cotton. The quilt is printed in traditional Amish colors and patterns and is lovingly quilted."

 The head is a wooden ball on a wooden neck but the body of the doll is stuffed and soft, except for the bottom part which is quite heavy and moldable so the doll stands in place very well.

 I just love her bonnet and that beautiful apron she's wearing.

 The quilt she is holding is a lovely small replica of a real quilt.

 Hand quilted as you can see from the backing.

 Isn't she lovely?!

 Look at that handwork....

... truly a work of art.  The cost of this masterpiece was so small it was obvious that the thrift shop did not know the significance of the doll to a quilter.  It was on a shelf with the children's dolls.

I'm so happy that I was able to rescue her and give her a good home.  I live so far from Amish country that it's unlikely that I would ever be fortunate enough to see one of these dolls in person.  Of course, I realize that there are probably a million of these objects all over the East coast where they are made... but that doesn't lessen it's value to me.

Oh, and I have another block to add to my 'yellow' quilt...

I paper-pieced this block in four quarters, then sewed them together to make the complete block.

I probably should have used fabric for my purples that contrasted more with each other but c'est la vie.  I might redo it when I've done more blocks but for now... it's done!