Patty Murphy

Needle Know How

I wrote and posted a blog for my favorite quilt shop and thought I’d share it with you. There are quite a few hand sewing needles and sooner or later you’ll need one, but do you know the difference? After some research I realized that I do occasionally (gasp!) use the wrong needle for projects.Continue reading “Needle Know How”

More Japanese Taupe Applique

Blocks three and four (from this book) are complete except for some embroidery. I don’t have the correct color perle cotton and need to order that from here. If I’m lucky I’ll accomplish that in the next day or two. Fingers crossed (sigh). I was planning to mix pieced and appliqued blocks but I loveContinue reading “More Japanese Taupe Applique”

Monster Pillow

I have been absolutely in LOVE with the patterns from Don’t Look Now. I think they are adorable and really fresh. While at my favorite local quilt shop the other day I ran across the Little Monsters pattern and knew I just HAD to make it for Q Man. Then I got it home andContinue reading “Monster Pillow”

Hooray, Horray for Applique!

I think applique work is beautiful. It’s even prettier when the person that made the block or quilt is experienced with applique. I’ve always loved what applique adds to quilts and been in awe of those who can beautifully create it. I have, however, been scared to tackle this particular element of quilting for someContinue reading “Hooray, Horray for Applique!”

It’s in the bag

The last day of school is next Monday. It’s been a great year for us and I’m sad to be leaving his class. Little Mister had the best teachers this year! I just loved them! As a small token of my appreciation and eternal gratitude I made tote bags for them. I was sneaky andContinue reading “It’s in the bag”

Quilt Transformation – part two

What began as a blendy, rainbow type quilt has ended as a red quilt. I have to say that it surprises me a bit because I don’t generally gravitate towards red*. Don’t get me wrong, red is a lovely color, but I think it’s more than fair to say that I wouldn’t make a redContinue reading “Quilt Transformation – part two”

Handmade not Homemade

Handmade not homemade. Seems like a silly set of words to compare but there is a difference. I think most artists would agree. To me handmade implies that an item was made by (usually) a single person and a considerable amount of thought, time and love went into it. Think about a handmade quilt, dressContinue reading “Handmade not Homemade”

Quilt Transformation

I’ve made many quilts with strips and scraps and scraps of strips. It goes without saying that the goal is to use some of the fabric in my stash and create a beautiful quilt. I began this quilt about a year ago. The quilt was achieving the look I wanted – colors bleeding into oneContinue reading “Quilt Transformation”

Kuondukewa Siwewe Tu – If I only knew Swahili

Kuondukewa Siwewe Tu I have no idea what this means but it’s on a panel I recently quilted for someone. The panel was purchased in Africa and it’s stunning! I absolutely love it! The center of the sunflowers have white bubbles (in case you missed that). I tied every other bubble with white perle cotton.Continue reading “Kuondukewa Siwewe Tu – If I only knew Swahili”

Japanese Taupe

I really love Asian textiles and artwork. The colors and textures, the attention to detail. It’s awe inspiring. I remember being at the Houston Quilt Market in the fall of 2009 and staring at the quilts in the Hanamomen booth (maybe it was Lecien, or Kokka….I don’t remember but the quilts at the Japanese fabricContinue reading “Japanese Taupe”