WORKS IN PROGRESS

I've been busy stitching, but since I've been working on several projects at the same time, I don't see the progress.

I started making the hourglass blocks for the next border on my granddaughter's Hallowe'en quilt, with many more needed.

I'll have to get my rotary cutter working overtime, as I need lots of these blocks!

The manager of our community in the south is off on maternity leave.  My quilt group suggested making a baby quilt for the new arrival.    I sat down with Electric Quilt 8, and designed a quick rail fence quilt, with 2 borders.  I picked up most of the fabric required, and took 16 x 2.5 inch strips of fabric, and asked people to complete 1 or 2 blocks.  By the end of our session, all the strips had disappeared, and this week 16 blocks arrived!  We placed the blocks on a table, and tried different placements, and once everyone was happy, I stacked the vertical rows, ready for sewing.  My next job is cutting the borders and binding, and will get volunteers to add them to the top next week.  One of the members will be providing batting, so hopefully we'll get the quilt pin-basted, and maybe even start on the the quilting.

I received a request to work on a table runner that the group had shared in 2007.   Since we have many new members, I sent out the fabric requirements, and then dug into my stash to make some "stitch out" samples.  Everyone had fun making this quilt as you go, reversible runner, using Sharon Pederson's "Salted Peanut Table Runner" from her book, More Reversible Quilts.

This is side A, with spring-like colours, using my scrap strips.

This is side B, which looks more like autumn to me.  I do like brighter colours!

 A bit of a close-up.  When the strips are sewn on Side A, it quilts Side B.  I decided to try not to repeat any of the fabrics in my strips, as I like lots of variety!twp

The first time I made a runner from this pattern, I found a fabric that would go with both sides for sashing and binding, but with this quilt, I made the two colour binding, using the instructions in the book, and I'm just going to sit and start hand stitching the binding, so I'll have it finished to show the group next week.

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week 0 yards

Fabric used year to date  5.125 yards

Fabric added this week 1.5 yards

Fabric added year to date  4.625 yards

Net used 2020  .5 yards!

I've been busy sewing this past week, working on the first of 2 Hallowe'en quilts for my grandchildren.  I don't count fabric used until it is donated, or I have a completed project !

The center of the quilt came from a panel for a Hallowe'en tote bag, so I used one side for this quilt, and I'm saving the other for the second one.  The checkerboard strips on the side are made from the handles provided on the panel, and then I added the cute kids out trick or treating on the top and bottom.

 The next border will be made of pumpkin blocks.  The design came from Bonnie Hunter's book, "String Frenzy".  I found some gradated fabric when I was shopping, and just bought enough to the stems.

I picked up two more Hallowe'en prints with a purple background to use in the next border that I have planned, but I'm putting this project on hold, as I am teaching a class in thread painting, and I have to get my sample piece started...... Wish me luck!

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  2.375 yards

Fabric used year to date  5.125 yards

Fabric added this week  3.125 yards

Fabric added year to date 3.125 yards

Net used 2020  2 yards

Even though I picked up some fabric this week, I'm still in the black.  I'm hoping to stay this way as much as possible.  I have lots of fabric available to use - I just have to keep on sewing!

I added a panel to make a wall hanging for my granddaughter's room, and 2 pieces of purple to include in the Hallowe'en quilts along with a piece of variegated green for pumpkin stems.  I started my foundation blocks for the pumpkins needed, and will continue to work on those.  I am still playing with layouts on Electric Quilt 8, but other than both quilts having a large centre block, I plan on having them a bit different, but using most of the same block elements.  Wish me luck!

MORE SMALL FINISHES

I wanted to use more of the Christmas fabric, so I pulled out an old pattern, and completed 4 more items for the guild Boutique at our next show.

This was a fun project because you make 2 different blocks from each set of fabric.  Double the fun!

The first pair are candle mats.  These were made from 2 different 2 inch strips of fabric, stitched together, then a third fabric 3 1/2 inches .  When cut apart, they form 6 of each set of 60 degree triangles. 


These finish 10 x 11.5 inches.

Then I used the same method, but started with wider strips and made 2 table toppers, featuring more of my gingerbread fabric.



These  two finished 
16.5 x 19.5  inches.

I finally took some time to clear up all the scraps on my cutting table.  I started to make 4 patches with leftover Christmas fabric, and began playing with a layout, but I talked myself into setting them aside to work on a quilt for my grandchildren.

Yesterday, DH and I headed to Plant City FL. to visit Inspire, a lovely quilt shop, of course.  I had a gift card, so I picked up a few pieces of fabric to add to the grandchildren's quilts project.  I also found a great panel, that I will make into a wall hanging for our granddaughter's room.  It is bright and cheery and features an octopus and his friends.

FINALLY - TOOK A PHOTO OF MY DECEMBER FINISH

This is my finished version of Jewel Box Stars.  I decided that I had made enough blocks, as I have other quilts waiting their turn, especially 2 for my grandchildren.  When I counted the completed blocks, I was short by 2, so I got out my phone book paper, and made the final two.
Since they were different from the rest, I decided to put a long strip of the border fabric in between.  

I had fun making this quilt, digging through my scraps and small chunks of fabric leftover from various projects.  It is a bright and cheery quilt, and I hope it will bring a smile to its new owner.  I'll donate it through my guild's Community Quilts project.

I was going to put my Christmas fabric back on the shelf, but then I remembered a project I worked on a couple of years ago, so before I knew it, I had 2 more table toppers, and 2 candle mats waiting to be quilted.  The fabric that I used for the backing was in my stash since the early 1990's, so it needed to go.  I have a few scraps remaining, but these will be cut into 2 inch squares for some holiday 4 or 9 patches!

OFF TO A GOOD START

Since I still had my small collection of Christmas fabric on the cutting table, I hunted through my saved patterns, and decided to try the "Gather 'Round Runner" pattern from Iowa Star Quilts, that was part of their year of runners in 2006.

 The background fabric is a poinsettia print with silver highlights, and I used the remainder of the piece!  This will go in my collection of items for the boutique at my guild's next quilt show.

I soaked the beans for 15 bean soup last night, so this morning, I drained the soaking water, and added fresh, along with a ham bone that I had saved in the freezer.  We are having soup for lunch!

FINAL FINISHES FOR 2019

Fabric used this week  18.25 yards

Fabric used year to date  121.75

Fabric added this week  0 yards

Fabric added year to date 85.25 yards

Net used in 2019  36.5 yards

In the final week of 2019, I completed 2 table toppers, as well as Jewel Box Stars quilt, based on the leader and ender challenge from Bonnie Hunter of Quiltville.

I haven't taken a picture of the finished quilt, as one of my quilt holders is recovering from a serious cold.

The table toppers used some of my gingerbread holiday fabric collection, and will be added to my "boutique" collection for my guild's next quilt show.

I archived my stash report for 2019 yesterday, and started a new one for 2020.  I will continue to work on my "52 blocks in 52 weeks" project from the Canadian Quilters Association.  They have decided to add 2 additional blocks, to make it easier to complete a quilt, using all the blocks.  Then I have to decide how I will be setting all the blocks....   I also have an orphan project waiting for me to finish, when I return north in the spring.  I still have several quilt panels with coordinating fabric from my stash waiting in the wings to make their debut, as well as new quilts to make for our grandchildren.  Our youngest will be ready to have a big girl bed soon, and I want to have something new for her.......

Now, off to my happy place......my sewing room!