While my quilting finger rests, I decided it was time to begin to make several Noah's Arks. Yesterday I cut out enough animals for two arks. These "cutouts" will now have to be carved. Today I began to make four arks. The arks that I am making are very similar to the one in the photograph. The photograph is of an ark and animals that I won in our carving club raffle. While I did make the ark, and carve the pigs and Mr and Mrs Noah, the other club members all carved the pairs of animals. I believe that there are 52 pairs of animals. My carving club is the COLUMBUS CHIPPERS, and this was an annual money making raffle.

The Noah's Arks and animals that I will make will be for some art festivals this spring and summer.

Sore Finger! Help!

It just occurred to me that I have never actually been taught how to make the quilting stitch. I've just read about it and looked at pictures. I don't think I have even watched any one quilt. This is the ULMER frame that I am using.

In my previous posting I mentioned that my fingers were sore. I am right handed, so I use the right hand for the needle. I put the left hand under the quilt. I insert the needle straight into the quilt, until I feel it in the index finger of my left hand. As soon as I am sure the needle has gone all the way through, I rock it back with the right hand while pushing up from underneath with my left hand index finger. In this manner I try to get several stitches on the needle before pulling the thread though. You can see in the photo why my finger is sore. I am obviously doing something wrong, other than not wearing a thimble on the index finger of my left hand. Aren't I? I have tried to use a thimble. It won't stay on, and even if it did, I could not feel the needle to be sure it went all the way through the three layers.

How do you all do it?

Lame Duck Bush!

After about three hours of hand quilting my fingers were beginning to leave some DNA on the quilt back. I never have been able to wear a thimble of any other finger protection for the hand under the quilt. I just push the needle until it sticks me. In time those fingers will built up more of a callous. So, as you can see I stopped quilting for a while, and tried to carve a caricature of President Bush. Funny thing! No DNA when using a pocket knife.

I just realized that I am closing in on 100 postings on this Blog. I guess that is supposed to be some sort of benchmark; one is supposed to give away a free car or something.

First Noahs Ark 2009

This year I have vowed to have enough Arks ready for the spring and summer arts festival season. I like to switch between carving and quilting. Totally different hobbies, that involve totally different processes. That way I don't get too tired of doing just one thing. This is the first Noahs Ark of 2009. I'll need lots more.

A Day For Some Quilting!

It's a chilly, misty, foggy day! Just waiting for a new cold front to bring some more chilly, and nasty weather. A good day to pull out one of the infinished lap quilts that my daughter did. I'll finish it. I've started adding a border. Next I'll assemble the quilt top with the batting and a back. Then onto the quilting frame, to be ready for some fun hand quilting.

Quilt In A Bag

This is a little tiny part of my QUILT IN A BAG quilt that I just finished. I am not showing the whole thing, cause I want it to be a little bit of a surprise for Kelly, my swap partner. Kelly sent me some fabric and trim, in a bag. And I sent her some too. We both have to use the fabric and trim that was sent to us, by our swap partner. We have to use it in the design and construction of a 24 x 24 inch quilt. We had to use some of each item sent to us, but could add some items of our own. I'll post a photo of the entire quilt, after Kelly receives it in the mail.

Handmade Toys Endangered!

These handmade toys are about to be unavailable for sale. That is, unless I pay to have them tested and certified as lead free (among other things). Last year Congress passed a new law under the Consumer Products Safety Improvement act. This law goes into effect on Feb, 10, 2009.

Yet another well intentioned law that was enacted in a response to the lead in the paints in all too many products being imported from China. Congress has once again confirmed my suspicions that the smartest and brightest avoid running for Congress. How many heirloom quality, handmade toys are going to disappear from small shops? Individual crafters will not be able to afford these expensive tests.