SPINNIN' SPOOLS TOP COMPLETE

I finished the top late yesterday, and made the binding this morning.  DH held to top so I could take a quick picture.

This morning I mixed up the dough for a loaf of pumpernickel bread, headed out to do a bit of grocery shopping, along with some toys for the Toys for Tots annual drive.  When I returned home, I made a pan of cheesecake brownies, then baked the bread - company coming on Thursday!
I'm heading out to my sewing room to cut the pieces for the remaining plaid quilt.  Hopefully, this will finally use up most of the plaids.  Anything remaining will decorate the quilt backs....

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

I was hoping to show the "Spinnin' Spools" top this morning, but I still have a few rows to sew and press!  I also have to see which plaids will be used for the borders - determined by which pieces are large enough....
I've been working on my Christmas hexagon in the evenings, and I have the third corner section ready to attach to the centre.



I still have the final corner and a small side unit to complete.

 Then the big decision is how to finish it!  I had though about leaving the edge irregular, and hand stitching it to the backing, but that will leave all sorts of bias edges, and won't be too stable.  I recently saw a hexagon quilt that was appliqued to straight border pieces, and I am tempted to use this finish, so the quilt will have lovely straight edges.  I still have time to decide.......
Check out everyones' design wall at Judy's blog today.

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Used this week  0 yards

Used year to date  215.5 yards

Added this week  0 yards

Added year to date  70.25 yards

Net used 2011  145.25 yards

 Just because I reported 0 yards used, doesn't mean that I'm not quilting!  I only report finished quilts, so I'd better get busy and finish the tops so I can begin the quilting!

I've been working on my "Spinnin' Spools" quilt, using another scrap block pattern from Bonnie Hunter in Quiltmaker magazine.

The first picture is the blocks pinned in sets of 4, ready for sewing.

Then they are sewn together assembly line style, first in one direction, then in the other.

 After a good pressing, the blocks were arranged on the living-room carpet.  DH helped me re-arrange the blocks until there were none with the same plaid spools next to one another.

These will  have sashing and cornerstones added when stitching.

 

I picked up the blocks, stacking each row from the top to the bottom, then pinned each row of blocks together in the top right-hand corner.  Row one (marking from right to left) has 1 pin, row two has 2, row three, 3.  The next couple are marked in Roman numerals ( fewer pins) - four is marked IV and five is V.  This way if I drop the blocks on the way to the sewing machine, or move them, I'll still know which way they go into the quilt!

Here are all the sashing strips and cornerstones, waiting for today's sewing.

Head over to Judy's blog to see everyone's stash progress.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

 
Hope everyone is enjoying a great Thanksgiving this year.  Since I am a Canadian, I already celebrated Thanksgiving in October, so I'm not ready for more turkey yet!  Give me a month or so........

DH and I spent the day at Disney's Hollywood Studio yesterday, with all the vacationing families.  We had a great time, enjoyed some wonderful shows, sat with a couple of great families from Ohio and Indiana at the Fantasmic show, then ended the night with a walk through the backlot, enjoying the Osborne Christmas Lights.  It even snowed!  (Disney magic).

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

I'm off and running on plaid quilt number two - another Bonnie Hunter pattern from Quiltmaker magazine.  This one is called "Spinnin' Spools", and uses 2 inch strips and squares.  I decided to use all the same fabric for the "light" portion of each spool.  The top right hand set of 4 is a finished block, measuring 9 inches finished.  I plan to put sashing between each block, as I want a bit larger quilt this time.  I'm aiming at about 60x80 inches.  I'll probably make all the spool units before deciding how to pair them up, so I don't get too many colour combinations the same.  DH has a great eye for this, so I'll probably have the parts all over my living room carpet!  I'll be making 35 blocks this time, so that means 140 spool units.


Let's see what other creative bloggers have on their design wall by visiting Judy's blog.

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  0 yards

Fabric used year to date  215.5 yards

Fabric added this week  4.75 yards

Fabric added year to date  70.25 yards

Net used 2011  145.25

I didn't count any fabric used, even though I finished the "Moth in the Window" quilt top - I always wait to report it when the quilting and binding is complete.  That way, I don't forget what parts were reported - works for me!

I went to JoAnn's yesterday - had coupons burning a hole in my pocket.  I picked up the final fabric to complete a kit made from my stash - needed 2 1/2 yards, and didn't have anything that would work at home....

Then I had to buy more Christmas red fabrics - I discovered that I hadn't cut enough pieces to make the rest of the hexagons!!!!  I picked up 1/4 yard cuts of nine red prints, so that added the 2 1/4 yards.

I called Mary Jo's Fabrics in Gastonia NC on Friday to order the lace for my future DIL's wedding dress.  I sent samples to her, so she could choose the one she likes the best.  Received an email that they still had the lace that was selected, and now I have to call on Monday to arrange payment and shipping.  I managed to use a 60% coupon to pick up the lining, so now I only need the zipper , and I'll be ready to begin the dress etc., as soon as we return home in the spring.

DH was happy to see that my coupons worked, and after paying under $30 for all my purchases, I saved $49.73!  Usually when I shop with a coupon, everything I'm looking for is on sale, so this was a pleasant surprise!

Now I have to dig out my serger, and serge all the edges of the fabric I've picked up since leaving home, and then I'll be able to wash everything.  I need to get back on track with my hexagon project - I need hand sewing to do in the evening!

Check out all the stash reports at Judy's blog!

ONE TOP DOWN - TWO MORE TO GO

Here is the completed "Moth in the Window" quilt top.  I have green plaid binding prepared, and now I'm getting ready to start plaid quilt #2.

This time I'm using another of Bonnie Hunter's scrap blocks from Quiltmaker magazine.  
I'll be making "Spoolin' Around", found in the July/August issue No. 140.

Once again, I drew the block in Electric Quilt, and decided to use sashing and cornerstones between the blocks this time.  I'll also be using a single fabric for the "light" component in the block.

FINAL PLAID BLOCKS (for this quilt.....)

I finished the final set of 6 blocks.

Then I had to lay them all out on the living-room carpet.  Since 18 blocks had dark "moths" and 12 had light "moths" I laid them out in alternate rows of 6.  After peering at it for quite a while, DH noticed that there were a couple blocks that had the same fabric, residing next to each other, so after a couple of changes, the block layout was decided.

FOURTH SET OF PLAID BLOCKS

I'm coming down the home straight - finished the fourth set of 6 blocks.  Since I am reorganizing the pairs, I decided to change the location of the lights and darks for the next two sets of blocks.

 I managed to finish these before heading out to my quilt group, and even had time for a small lunch!
There was only a small group in attendance, so we all worked on some items we brought to finish, and talked about plans for projects this season.  Many of the part-time and full-time residents head north for either thanksgiving or Christmas or both, so the group really swells in size when January arrives.  This is the time some members like, as they get extra help with some of their quilting problems.
Now I have to add some planning for upcoming quilt group projects to my "To Do List".

THIRD SET OF BLOCKS!

So far so good - I made another 6 plaid "Moth in the Window" blocks again yesterday.  I'm trying to keep up the pace, but today is the first day my quilting group meets, so I might not finish all 6......

I have 18 finished blocks and only 12 more to go!  I think it takes more time to choose the pairs of fabrics for each block than it does to sew them together!  This was the end of my plaids, so now I have to rearrange the pairs of fabrics for the next blocks, trying not to make the same choices again.
I plan to make two more projects from my plaid fabrics, so I'll probably move on to the next project when the top is complete on this one.   I've been cutting the borders first, to make sure I have enough fabric.  Some of my plaids are only half yards or fat quarters.  Some are yards, and just a few are larger.  Don't want to run out before I get the tops made.  Then I plan to use the rest for backings......

MORE PLAID!

I'm trying to make 6 "moth in the window" blocks each day.  My sewing room gets very hot by the afternoon hours, so I'm heading out first thing in the morning, trying to keep to my self-imposed schedule.

Here are the 2nd 6 plaid blocks....

I think I have enough fabrics left to make another 6 blocks, then I'll have to re-arrange the pairs of fabrics for the rest of them.  
I managed to get the second large corner attached to my Christmas hexagon project - pictures to come soon.

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

Finally, something on my tiny Florida design wall.  I was inspired by Bonnie Hunter's scrap block design, "Moth in the Window", found in Quiltmaker magazine.  I brought my entire stash of plaid fabrics with me, and managed to finish 6 blocks (only 24 more to go!)

 I've also been stitching on my hexagon quilt.  I have the second large corner almost finished, and hope to add it to the large piece tonight!  It always surprises me, how long it takes to add the large corner.  It may take 2 TV nights to get it added!


Check out Judy's blog, to see what is on everyone' design wall today.

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Used this week  0 yards

Used year to date  215.5 yards

Added this week  0 yards

Added year to date  65.5 yards

Net used 2011  150 yards

No change from last week.  The floor in my sewing room is complete, and I actually managed to sew for a while yesterday afternoon, making a test block.  I'm trying to use my plaid stash, and have 3 quilts planned.  Hopefully I'll make some headway soon.  Still have to transfer a few items into place, then I'll be able to get some work done!

I've had a couple of members of my southern quilting group drop by to see when we begin meeting (next Wednesday).  Until January, we mostly work to finish projects that are already started.  In the new year, I'll have some small projects planned for the group. 

Check out Judy's blog to see how much everyone's stash has grown or shrunk!

SEWING ROOM PROGRESS

DH finished laying the tiles on my sewing room floor this morning.  This time we used two of my large square rulers to measure the cuts - one in the room and one at the cutting table.  It sure sped up the process.  Now he is busy replacing one of the screens in our screened porch at the front of the house.

Tomorrow morning we'll clean the windows and sills in my sewing room, and then the furniture can be put back, and sewing things can be unpacked.  Had one of my quilters drop by this morning - she knew that we were here, and wondered why I hadn't been at quilting yesterday afternoon.  I have to check with the power-that-be to confirm our usage before just showing up!

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

Design floor is more like it!  I managed to get the first corner completed and attached to my Christmas hexagon project.  It looks a little wrinkled, but that is because it was packed in a bin for the trip south.  I completed the corner section just as we were arriving on Friday!

I attached the corner and started the next section over the weekend, but most of my time was spent unpacking, cleaning and shopping.  

DH decided that we needed a new floor in the sunroom - my sewing area.  We looked at lots of options, but decided to replace the tiles with more tiles.  DH spent part of yesterday removing the old tiles from the concrete floor - not a fun job.  Some never stuck, and some really don't want to come off, and he has the blisters to prove it!  He's back at it for a while this morning, but then we're going out to play for the rest of the day!

Check out everyone's creativity at Judy's blog!

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Used this week  0 yards

Used year to date  215.5 yards

Added this week  10 yards

Added year to date 65.5 yards

Net used 2011  150 yards

I did some shopping on the way south, but only a little!

I had to have a yard of the lovely gradated fabric, and I plan to use the 2 yards of Christmas fabric to border my hexagon project.

I love the multi-colour jig saw print, and will use it for some of the kids quilts.

The dark green won't be used until I return north as the background for a thread painted project I've been planning.

The yellow gingham flannel will back a baby quilt, and the light blue print will make a nice binding.  I brought several panels south to complete during the winter months.  I get some machine quilting practice, and my guild's community quilts program gets the quilts.

Check out everyone's progress at Judy's blog.

 

ARRIVED SAFE AND SOUND!

No long stops on our final day on the road.  I did get some stitching done on my hexagon project.

 We stopped to pick up a few groceries on the way through town, so we wouldn't have to go out again.   Our the neighbours dropped by to welcome us home, and we did a bit of catching up, but just a bit, as the loaded van was calling to be unloaded. 

We had a simple dinner, relaxed in front of the TV for a while then off to sleep in a familiar bed.  Today DH cleaned leaves and Spanish moss from the garden and the railway.  He also cleaned and refilled the pond, and added the pump to circulate the water.  I spent the morning unpacking clothes, then unpacking all the non-sewing related items.

Headed out to JoAnns Fabrics after lunch, and looked at their bridal fabrics - a couple of potential laces.  Picked up some flannel to back a baby quilt panel, along with a print for the binding.  I'll have to account for them tomorrow.  Then off to the vegetable stand and grocery story for a more serious shopping.

Tonight I'll be able to start adding the section I completed to my hexagon project!  Then tomorrow its back to unpacking and organizing.  My sewing room isn't available until DH gets the garden railway set up.  This year we are planning to put some new flooring in the sun room, so that will add to the delay.  I'll set up on the dining table until the outside work is done - I can't put my quilting on hold for long, but I do have some "fall cleaning" to do for the first few days.

ON THE ROAD

Our first day on the road was uneventful.  The skies were clear and so was the road.  There were remnants of snow in Pennsylvania, but none in Virginia where we stayed on Wednesday night.
This morning we saw a fabulous sunrise over the Blue Ridge mountains!

We made a quick stop at Trinity Schoolhouse Quilt shop, then at the large fabric shop in Floyd VA, before continuing south.  Made it to Mary Jo's fabrics by 3, and drooled over all the bridal fabrics.  I picked 3 potential fabrics for future DIL's dress etc., took some photos to send immediately and also some samples to mail later.  After all the hard work, I treated myself to a couple of pieces of fabric - one for bindings on kids' quilts and the other for a project that I've been planning for some time.
We made it to South Carolina and expect to arrive at our southern home tomorrow, unless we stop to smell the roses!