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Aveli's Quilts New Mexico Blog
02/28/10
Daughter's Quilt Status

Well I am working right along with my daughter's "drunkards path" quilt.  I have added several more rows since the last picture was taken. 

I know I promised a new picture, but my daughter says she wants to be surprised as to how the quilt looks.  So, I promised her no pictures.  Since she reads my blog frequently, I will not post a recent picture, only a picture of the finished product.

I must say, I am surprised that the project is coming along so quickly.  I anticipated a much longer period of time for this quilt.  But, with the interfacing on the circles helping me to turn the edges, it is going along pretty quickly.

I still have a long way to go though, because it is going to be a King sized quilt.  So I still have a lot of sewing to do.

 


Posted by Aveli at 6:28 PM MST
02/10/10
Update on Mini Basket Applique

I have continued working on the Mini Basket Applique Block and it is almost finished.

I was looking at an applique book and saw a style of roses that I liked.  So, even though the rose of Sharon is done on my block, last night I took it off the block and will be adding the new style that I saw in my book.

Because of that change, I will be taking a little longer to finish the block.  But, no matter, with as much snow as we have been having lately, I have plenty of time to work on my quilting.

I am also working on a drunkard's path quilt for my daughter.  This time it is not for her friend, it is for her.  I switch between the two when my hands get too stiff with the applique.

Here is a picture of my work when I first started.  I had started on this quilt quite a few years ago, put it aside because I couldn't find a pattern that I could like enough for the quilt.  At that time, I made a border that I liked, so now I just have to make the middle and connect the two.

The quilt has grown a lot more than this but I haven't taken a picture of it lately.

I am using the method of sewing an interfacing on the circle, turning it inside out and sewing the circle to a square using a decorative stitch to it on.  After the circle is sewn to the square, you divide it into fourths and then lay them out in the pattern you want.  I love this method! It is so much easier than the traditional method of sewing each quarter circle to a small irregular shape to fit around the curved part of the circle.  Both the circle and the small irregular shape are cut on the bias and are the devil to get sewn correctly.

The circle on the square is so much easier!  If you want the complete instructions for the easy method, you can email me through my website or just post a comment on this blog.  I will get the comment and send you the instructions.

As soon as I can take another picture of both the mini bouquet and the drunkards path, I will post them.

Happy quilting!


Posted by Aveli at 10:36 AM MST
Updated: 01/12/11 12:36 PM MST
01/04/10
New Year New Applique Method

Happy New Year Everyone!  Hope everyone had a great holiday season.

Now that I am getting back to actually doing some applique work for a quilt for my family, I wanted to find an applique method that would be easier on my old hands.

I am currently making a mini bouquet basket using the Eleanor Burns method with the fusible interfacing on the back of the pieces.  So far so good!

It seems easier for me to sew the interfacing on the pieces, turn the pieces inside out, then applique and then fuse with an iron.

I applique the pieces first before I fuse it to the background.  That way, I can make sure that there is no white interfacing showing to the front of the piece.

Here is a picture of the block so far.  Notice the interfacing on back of the basket and the slit  on the interfacing that was used to turn it inside out.


I really like this method because all the edges are turned under evenly.  I don't have to fumble with the turning under with my arthritic hands. I don't use the machine applique.  I still like the look of hand applique.  But after I applique the pieces down, I run the iron over the piece and fuse it to the background.  That way, I have the added protection of it being fused to background.

Just have to be careful when first sewing the pieces to the interfacing.

First, it has to be "fusible interfacing"  NOT the double sided glue stuff.  Fusible interfacing only has glue on one side.  I used the lightest weight of interfacing.  That way, it doesn't add too much bulk.

Second, when sewing the pieces to the interfacing, make sure the right side of the fabric is next to the glue side of the interfacing.  You can feel the little dots of glue.  When you turn the pieces inside out; the right side of the fabric will be showing and the glue dots will be showing.

I will post more pictures when I have finished the block.

Have a great quilting year!

 


Posted by Aveli at 12:31 PM MST
Updated: 01/04/10 1:08 PM MST
09/07/09
Happy Labor Day!

Labor Day is the official end of Summer.  I hope everyone had a great day off.  I know I did!

 I actually didn't do much today.  After all the running around and high stress level of the past month and half, I really was a couch potato today.

 The Millfest in Cleveland, NM is over and it was a great success!  We were lucky the rain didn't come on Saturday.  Sunday, it was courteous enough to wait until 4:30.  The millfest closed at 5 p.m. anyway, so it wasn't a problem.

The food was great, the mood was happy and the music was very good.

Thanks to all who stopped by to talk and to purchase items.  I had a great time meeting you.

The next step that I am working on now is getting a quilting group together in Mora.  It will be nice to have a local group.

This week I am checking out places to hold the meetings.  Once the site is set we will be getting together.

I will keep you updated on the progress.

Keep on quilting!


Posted by Aveli at 9:49 PM MDT
08/24/09
Millfest, 2009, Cleveland, New Mexico

I am busy preparing and creating quilted items for the 2009 Millfest; which takes place in Cleveland, New Mexico.

Cleaveland, New Mexico is just west of Mora, New Mexico which is 14 miles south of us in Guadalupita.

If you are going to the Millfest and coming from Las Vegas, New Mexico, take the 518 highway towards Mora and keep going another 10 or 11 miles to Cleveland.  The Millfest is on Saturday and Sunday before Labor Day.

So far, I have an Irish Chain crib quilt in pink and blue, a crib size "Beginners Quilt" from my kits and a railroad engine crib size quilt -- all hand quilted.

I also have various potholders.  Some are log cabin style, crazy quilt style and a small applique apple and pear.  I wanted to have more quilted items but have not had enough time.

I was invited to attend late in the summer and have been madly quilting since then.

Of course, I will also have my precut fat quarters, 5 1/2 inch squares and precut freezer paper shapes.  I can't have the freezer paper sheets because everything I sell must be manufactured by me.

Hope to see you there!  If you attend the millfest, let me know that you read about it in my blog -- I would like to meet you!

 


Posted by Aveli at 1:23 PM MDT
07/25/09
New Items on Aveli's Quilts

The Oak Leaf Block is now available for sale on our website.

Click here to see the fabric selection for the Oak leaf Block.

 We have also reorganized our Hearts page and added more new fabrics.  To see the new slection click here - Hearts

I am working on finishing the Applique Tulip block and will post it when done.

Next week, and Oak Leaf Table Runner should be available.  Check back again.

 


Posted by Aveli at 8:04 AM MDT
Updated: 07/25/09 8:16 AM MDT
07/18/09
Shopping Trip

We are in California for a fabric buying trip and will return on Tuesday.

I can correspond with anyone thanks to WiFi, but will be unable to ship any orders until Tuesday.  Thanks for your patience.

The Oak Leaf block will be available for sale next week.  It will have multiple colors available and later I will design a quilt kit for it.

See ya on Tuesday!


Posted by Aveli at 9:12 AM MDT
07/06/09
Oak Leaf is Done!

Well the Oak Leaf block is done!  Here is a picture.  It will be available for sale in different colors for the oak leaf.  We should have it available within the next few days.

I will continue working the blocks for a whole quilt, but that will take awhile.  I will let you know the progress.

As you can see I need more practice in applying the circles.  I will keep trying.  Since the quilt I am planning will have several more blocks, I am sure that I will get better at it.

Come back often to see the progress.


 

 


Posted by Aveli at 5:44 AM MDT
05/17/09
Flea Market in Las Vegas, New Mexico

Yes, there is a Las Vegas, New Mexico!  It's older than the one in Nevada.  It was where cattlemen like Chisolm met to make big cattle deals.  The Plaza hotel has been around since the 1800's and is where they met to make these deals.  Las Vegas is on the Old Santa Fe Trail that was the main highway in western times.

I thought I would explain a little history because I got calls about being in Nevada.

We were at the Las Vegas flea market on Grand Street on Saturday.  Everyone thought we might have to leave because it was threatening to rain and was extremely cold.  But it finally warmed up around 8 or 9 a.m.

Thank you to all who stopped to see us!  It was nice to meet customers face to face.

We will be at the flea market again next Saturday.  Stop by,  if you are in the area and say hi!

Since I cannot take all my products to the flea market, I am asking for your suggestions.  Please email me and let me know what products you would like to see at the flea market for next Saturday.

The tulip block has encountered some problems and has been shelved for now.  I will continue to work on redesign.  For the meantime, I am working on an oak leaf block and quilt. This particular block is very easily put together. It should be available in June.

This is a preview ---

 

 

I plan to put either another circle or a heart in the middle circle.

I will be making the block in the different colors of a leaf, green yellow, brown, etc.

I haven't decided if this is to be all that's on the block or if I will add some other flourish to it.

Let me know what you think.

 

Aveli


Posted by Aveli at 7:42 AM MDT
Updated: 05/17/09 8:18 AM MDT
04/26/09
We are Back!

Well, we went to L.A. to be with our grandchildren for Easter.  It was going fine on the first week of our trip.  But, the second week was terrible!

I caught the flue or some such bug from my grandchild and was miserable until we came back to New Mexico.

I am just getting back up to speed on my health and hope to get everything caught up on my website.

BTW, those of you that are in the Las Vegas, New Mexico area, look us up at the flea market on Grand Street.  We will be there starting next Saturday, May 2, 2009.

We are just testing this new area of marketing.  If all goes well, we will make it a permanent feature.

Hope to see you there!


Posted by Aveli at 11:43 AM MDT
03/23/09
New Applique Block
Mood:  happy

I have designed a new tulip applique block.  This block should be available in April.

I am also making this block for myself.  I really like the look of it, so I thought I would make a block for myself and then work it into a table topper.

As soon as I have finished making the block, I will post a picture of it.


Posted by Aveli at 8:29 AM MDT
The Squeeky Saga Continues
Mood:  caffeinated

Well, we learned our lesson with Squeeky taking off like he did.

We took him to the vet last week and had him fixed.  He was a little groggy for a couple of days, but now he is back to his old cheery self.

Our other dog brownie, is next.  When we come back from California, he is going to the vet.


Posted by Aveli at 8:26 AM MDT
03/19/09
Squeeky is Back
Mood:  happy

Fantastic!

We are so excited!  The postmistress at our local post office told my husband to post a picture and notice there of our dog. He came home to get a poster I printed out and when we got back to the post office the post mistress and another local from up the road were standing outside talking with a woman to had come to the post office.

Squeeky was in her car!  My husband saw him and squeeky got all excited to see him!

He explained how we had lost him and when, she explained how she found him.  She was a little sad to hand him over, but she did with no trouble.

We are so grateful that she was able to take care of him while he was lost.

I also want to say thank you to those of you who sent encouraging emails.  It helped a lot.


Posted by Aveli at 3:43 PM MDT
03/14/09
Our "Squeeky" is missing!
Mood:  sad

Our beloved dog "Squeeky" is missing!  He has been gone since this past Tuesday, March 10.  Our neighbor says she saw him in the morning when she fed him. (we were out of town)

We have driven around the area looking for him and have not seen him.  Unfortunately, when we look for him we can not call him because he is deaf!  So, we actually have to see him.

He is a 1 year old  grey/silver blue healer. Pictures below.

If you are in our area and see him, can you call the number on the avelisquilts website and leave a message?

Thank you for any help.

this picture was taken through the front door screen.  That is why it is so grainy.

The only different colorings that he has is his nose and ears are black.  The rest of him is the speckled grey and white so common to blue heelers.

He has a big head, short legs and long body.

 

 

 


Posted by Aveli at 10:36 AM MDT
Updated: 03/14/09 10:57 AM MDT
03/13/09
New Snowfall in Guadalupita
Mood:  quizzical

Well I thought that Spring was starting to show up, but I guess not yet!

Last night there was a snowfall predicted for this area, but I didn't believe it because it doesn't always happen when predicted.

 Well, it did and it's been snowing all night and morning!

Isn't it beautiful?  I am just wondering . . . what is going to happen to the grass that was already coming up?

Thank goodness our apple trees hadn't started blossoming yet.  Take a look.


Luckily, we bought more firewood; which you can see in the above picture.  It looks like winter is still here for a few more weeks.

I don't mind I just love the scenery here and we are so lucky to be able to live here.  What do you think?

With this type of scenery all around us, who wouldn't want to live here!


 

 

 

 

 

 


 


Posted by Aveli at 1:47 PM MDT

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