Monday, May 21, 2012

Bloggers' Spring 2012 Quilt Festival

I'm sharing my Chubby Chicks quilt for the Bloggers' Quilt Festival - Spring 2012 event.

I purchased this adorable pattern long ago, but decided to dust it off and use it as a tool to learn my new BERNINA CutWork Tool and Software. With a little help from my friends, I learned to scan and digitize the cutting as well as stitching, and used the CutWork tool to cut out all the bodies and beaks. I then let the machine do the work of stitching down the body and beak, as well as embroider the eye, legs and wing.

I feel SO much more comfortable with CutWork now, and am always on the lookout for patterns, shapes, lettering and other fun images to digitize and cut out.

I was thrilled to have this quilt featured on the cover of Through the Needle ONLINE magazine, Issue 8. This issue also includes the 4-page article containing step by step instructions on how to digitize the applique chicks yourself! Download this issue FREE at http://www.throughtheneedle.com.

The completed project. It makes me happy to look at!
Digitizing the chick in the BERNINA CutWork software.
Setting up the cutting - maximize the number of shapes for a given hoop size. I was able to cut 10 layers of fabric backed by OESD Applique Fuse & Fix, sandwiched between a bottom and top layer of Hydrostick stabilizer (note the Hydrostick was not water activated - it was used "dry" as it is very stiff and provides a good cutting surface).
Here are the chick bodies being cut out.
Body parts. :-)
Now it's time to create the chick blocks. The embroidery machine stitched the legs first, then placement line for the chick body.
Finished chick block. SO cute!
Make 60 of these (in a fraction of the time it takes to do traditional applique), piece the quilt according to the pattern, and "quilt as desired." Don't you love that phrase?
Many people do not quilt through applique - I do it all the time and like the texture. The fabrics in this quilt are from various American Jane collections by Moda.
This was a terrific way to learn a new process, software and tool. I look forward to bringing out Chubby Chicks each spring to brighten my home.

Quilt in Progress

New fabrics I couldn't bear to cut too small, so I chose the BQ pattern by Maple Island Quilts. It's a great pattern for large scale prints, and there is plenty of space to show off your quilting. I am planning a pieced (modern) back that is mostly blue chambray, with bits of leftover prints from the quilt top. I'll post pictures when it's complete. Hopefully SOON!

Saturday, May 19, 2012

Direct Links to Retiring Lists

Click HERE for list of retiring stamp sets.
Click HERE for list of retiring accessories (only while supplies last).

The last day for ordering retiring stamp sets and remaining accessories is May 31, 2012.

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Last Chance for Retiring Stamps and Accessories


It's the end of the Stampin' Up year. As we prepare for a new catalog on June 1, 2012 (it's AWESOME), this is your last chance to order retiring stamp sets and accessories, available only until May 31, 2012. Simply visit my Stampin' Up web site at lisaklingbeil.stampinup.net, click Shop Now in the upper right hand corner beneath my contact information and this will take you to the online ordering site. Then click on Retiring Products at the top of the left side navigation pane. Please note retiring accessories are running out daily - once they are sold out, they are no longer available for purchase. Orders of $150 or more qualify for Hostess benefits = $25 in additional FREE product.