12/11/14

Crystal Bright!

This morning I was able to finish everything on the "Oh Christmas Tree" quilt I've been making. It's ready for hanging now. I've decided to call this quilt "Merry and Bright".

This started out as a Let's Book It project. I don't know about you, but the Let's Book It challenge has caused me to make a lot of projects that otherwise would remain untouched on my bookshelf. This one came from this book:


And that's a perfect title for the book because this quilt is made entirely with scraps from my stash, including the back. It ended up at 32 x 44 inches.

When I finished up yesterday, I had the binding sewn on by machine.


Before I sewed the binding on, however, I put a little pocket in each corner,


and a small sleeve in the center.


With those, I can insert a dowel rod for hanging. This isn't appropriate for a show since most shows require a four-inch sleeve. I'm not planning on entering this quilt in any shows, and so this is an easy way to accomplish the same thing. I've done this on several of my quilts. I've even attached a four-inch sleeve over the top of one when I decided to enter a quilt in a show at the last minute.

So this morning, I had time to hand sew the binding. I used a green metallic print.


And there it is...still "unlit" at this point.


I've used hot fix crystals before, but I've always used my craft iron to apply them. It's the only use I've ever found for my craft iron...oh, that's a lie. I've also used it when doing stained glass applique. The problem with using a craft iron for crystals, however, is that one runs the risk of scorching one's fabric, as I did with this Winter Wonderland quilt.


After all the embroidery, and all the piecing, and finishing the whole quilt, I was applying crystals to some of the snowflakes while using my craft iron. On one, I held the iron just a little too long and scorched the white fabric to a sickening shade of brown.


Geez, I wanted to slit my throat in that moment. You can't see it here because I was able to use Oxy-Magic to get that out, but I was lucky. After that, I was less enthusiastic about using crystals on my quilts.

One year at a quilt show, I saw them using one of those applicator wands for crystals, and they made it look so easy. It was on sale at the show, and so I purchased one. This is the one I have.


Then I took it home and tried using it, and I couldn't make it work at all...certainly not like they did at the show. Nevertheless, with so many crystals to attach in this case, and fearing the scorch, I decided to give it another try. So, I consulted my friend YouTube (I have a lot of internet friends), and found this video...which is annoying at the beginning, but eventually they get to the stuff you really want to see.


If you can't see the video, click right here.

So...okay. I gave it another try and it worked like a champ. I had those crystals applied in no time at all, and they seem very secure. Smitty helped me in the best way possible, by sleeping through the entire procedure. It seems to me that a cat could have had a field day with those little crystals.



What can I say, except that if you snooze, you lose.

And here's my finished quilt! I'm very happy with how this turned out, despite my tension problems on the quilt back. It's a wall-hanging, right? The wall won't care.


It really sparkles in the light, but it didn't photograph very well.


I had a few extra crystals, and so I put one in the center of the star.


You can see a little sparkle in that image above. I was wishing I could take a better picture of it, so I broke out my big DSLR camera and put a star burst filter on it. It shows a little better, but to really get the effect, it needs to be seen in person.


Some come on over, wouldja? I'll even give you some fudge!

Today I'm hanging out at home. I was going to get my hair cut, but there's a big scary, hairy wind storm headed our way. I got caught out in a wind storm once. It wasn't that the storm itself was so bad, but trees fell down between me and where I lived, and I had a heck of a time getting home. No matter which way I went, I encountered crews of citizen volunteers with chainsaws cutting up some big Douglas fir down across the road. Wanting to avoid a repeat event, I decided to reschedule my hair cut for next week. When it comes to weather, I'm a quick study.

So one last housekeeping item before I go. I have gobs of these bobbins from my Bernina 440QE that I can no longer use. Will these fit your machine? A lot of what I have still has thread on it that I'm using little by little. Right now I have about a half dozen of these cluttering a space in my drawer. If you can use them, I'll send them to you. The first person to respond can have them. Just let me know.


Making its way to the top of my sewing list today is the Hello Moon quilt. I'm going to sew this puppy into a flimsy if it's the last thing I do.



And with a "damaging" wind storm headed this way, who's to say what might happen?

24 comments:

quiltzyx said...

Merry & Bright is wonderful! I like the touch of sparkle the hot fix crystals add to it. Yay! I had forgotten about the scare you had with them on your blue work.
Stay safe! We're supposed to get some of that storm down here too - hopefully it will wait until after our guild holiday party tonight!

WoolenSails said...

I just realized today that I was not following your blog, not sure how that happened. But, what a day to come back and see all of the beautiful quilts that you have made.

Debbie

Christine M said...

Your quilt looks wonderful with it's added bling, Barbara.

Jeanie said...

Love your Christmas tree quilt! Glad you found a solution for the crystals... I like the added sparkle. Hope the storm fizzles out and doesn't cause too much trouble. Be safe!

Sarah said...

I do think those bobbins will fit my 430. Would love to trade you bobbins for something else!

I've never tried the t fix crystals but I do think they add a nice sparkle to your tree.

dq said...

Gasp! I just have to die for you on scorching your snowman quilt while applying crystals. I have made that quilt (not done yet) so I know the many many hours you put into it.

So so sorry! At least you can feel at ease that your post may prevent others, like myself, from making the same mistake.

Vroomans' Quilts said...

I can see the sparkle! Way to go on finishing - and no, the wall won't mind. My furries have been in a 'hibernating' state of late - but I think that is because of all the snow, ice, and wind.

CathieJ said...

I put that book on my wish list. I love that Christmas tree. I would like to make something like that into an advent calendar.... or maybe just a wall hanging. It is beautiful. I like the sparkle idea. I really like the blue-work quilt also. Those snowmen are adorable.

Marjorie's Busy Corner said...

everything looks great!!!!

Cath said...

I love the Christmas Tree wall hanging. Those crystals finish it off lovely! Oooh, yes, watch out for tree felling storms!

sophie said...

Looks like I am too late for the Bernina bobbins, so I'll just tell you how much I like your tree quilt and the sparkly crystals.

Quilting Babcia said...

Your crystal sparklies are the perfect finishing touch! Stay safe.

Shepherdess55 said...

The crystals are the perfect finishing touch. I hope the wind storm wasn't as bad as predicted.

Kate said...

Merry and Bright is a perfect name for this quilt. it turned out beautifully. Hope the wind storm isn't as bad as predicted. The last one we had blew part of the roof off, then it rained.

Teresa in Music City said...

It turned out beautiful Barbara! I'm looking forward to your Hello Moon. Your Hello Sun is one of my favorites :) Of course I have the patterns for both and haven't touched them yet LOL! Stay safe - you're smart to avoid the weather and it's damage.

Janarama said...

The tree is gorgeous and I'm diggin' all the sparkle and shine you added to this quilt.

Barb H said...

I agree with all the other commenters--your Christmas tree is beautiful! Love the look of the crystals but haven't had the opportunity to try them yet. As for the bobbins, I know they're spoken for, but I once saw a necklace made out of metal bobbins filled with assorted bright colored thread. Very crafty and very cute too.

Anonymous said...

Just watched the video. Was quite helpful (I have the Be-Dazzler) and have used it several times...successfully. Your hanging is wonderful and a perfect addition to your seasonal dec!!! I do hope the storm avoids you and your area with the high winds forecast. Smart to stay home in these situations.
If the bobbins haven't found a home, I'm sure I could always use a few more!!!! Hugs.......

Dana Gaffney said...

I get to see the sparkly tree in person and eat fudge? I'm on my way, LOL.

Lou said...

Your tree is beautiful!!!! Great job! I would stay in to if there was a big wind headed my way! But then I love any excuse to stay home!!!Smitty did an excellent job of supervising:)

juliehallfeldhaus said...

Love your Christmas tree:0 I'm with you an staying home!!! There's no place like home, Dorothy:)

Dar said...

your Merry & Bright turned out so cute. You did good and just in time for Christmas. Glad Smitty was able to help you so much near the end.

Lynette said...

Yep!! I would say the exact same thing about a wall-only quilt: "The wall won't care!" :D

Brown Family said...

The crystals really make the tree sparkle. I use the wand if I only have a few to set!