Nanci Quilts: July 2011

Sunday, July 31, 2011

Summer Sunday reads....

So anyone who knows me knows I am an addicted reader and thought I would start sharing some of my favorite books. This is a new one for me, but it easily made my favorites list. It is a story told like none other and deserves to be read by everyone. So have you read this already? What did you think? If you haven't read it I hope you'll add it to your summer list.

I also made the leap this year to a Kindle reader and I my gosh, can't believe it took me this long.

Twas the Night Before Christmas

and all through the house.... I have been diligently working on this stitchery for the past year and finally got all the pieces complete and recently put the top together. I am working on this for a family member who loves all things Christmas and hopefully I'll have the backing together soon and get it quilted and in the mail to her by Thanksgiving so she can enjoy it for the holidays. The stitchery is a set of patterns I bought from Hugs 'n Kisses. The designer, Helen Stubbings is an Aussie stitcher with some great patterns and kits. I do alot of stitchery but this is the first redwork I've done and I loved not having to pay attention to where the colors change. I just started on a new one and can't wait to get some quality sewing time.

Hope you all have a wonderful Sunday!

Saturday, July 30, 2011

Santa Sack Swap 2

Recently I signed up for a Santa Swap that is being organized by Carol at Carol's Crafts Blog. This is a swap that will take place over the next four months. We will each make a little sack/bag and add two small wrapped gifts and then mail them on Sept 1st and then each month mail two more small gifts to go in the sack. Then in December we'll also send a larger gift. All of these will be opened on Christmas and the anticipation of getting these gifts each month will be very tempting to look, morning and we've all taken a vow of honestly to not peak before then. So today we found out who our partners are. My partner is Kim from Creating by the Lake in the arid state of Arizona so I'll be working on some surprises very soon for her. Kim I'll be checking on your blog to see what surprises you would love the most :)

Yoko Saito - My Home Town

About a year ago I bought a tapestry wall hanging kit My Home Town by Yoko Saito, a well known Japanese artist/hand crafter quilter. Once I actually had the 6 kits in hand I was overwelmed when I realized it was all written in japanese and I had never even done needle turn applique in english much less japanese. I eventually contacted her to see if she would translate the instructions for me which she graciously agreed to do. Now with the english translation in hand I was ready to start. So I made a sample block using scrap fabrics and using a pattern from her book House House House. I love love this book. I will definately be doing more houses down the road. So now with some practice behind me I was ready to start on the real thing. The kit is made up of 6

Sample block

separate months , 5 of which I'll be making houses, barns, trees and lambs, and then on month 6 I'll sew all the separate kits together and begin hand quilting. She has very detailed instructions on the hand quilting lines which I am already looking forward to starting on. All of the awesome fabrics are included in the kits and most of them are taupes that she has designed herself. So below are some photos of my progress so far.

I have thoroughly enjoyed the hand work process but the pieces are very very

tiny so when I finally get to the applique process my fingers always feel like they are in the way. I have the first two sets/months done and working on month three. The progress is very rewarding but slow.