ANOTHER QUILT COMPLETED

I put the final stitching in my second mystery quilt today!

The pattern is called "Rainbow Rotini".  It was designed by Marjorie Rhine, and was in the March, May and July 2012 editions of American Quilter magazine.

I chose my main colour as pink, as it will be a gift for my granddaughter in a year or so.  It will fit a single bed.

I machine quilted it with monofiliment thread, using a stitch in the ditch around all the various elements.  

I stitched two different designs in the background surrounding each block - 

Flowers and leaves around six blocks, and butterflies around the remaining six.

All the quilting on the neutral areas was done using Superior Thread's King Tut thread in colour #937  Tiny Tuts.  It has a mixture of pink, yellow, blue, green and mauve.

 The outer border was stitched with my favourite feathered hooks.  

I also added green binding, her big brother's favourite colour!

MACHINE QUILTING

I've been busy working on a quilt for my sister-in-law.  A few years ago, I helped her make some "stack-n-whack" star blocks.  She made a quilt top, but recently decided that she wanted the quilt for her king-size bed.  More borders were added, but then it sat for a while, as she had difficulty working on such a large quilt. She gave me the fabric for the backing, but wants to put the binding on when it is returned.
I brought it south with me for the winter, and just before Christmas DH and I pin-basted the quilt. 

I started, as always, to stabilize the quilt, stitching in the ditch with Superior Thread's MonoPoly and Bottom Line in the bobbin.  Then I auditioned various thread for the top.  I used a light blue twist thread on the yellow border and sashing.

 I stitched hooked feathers on the wide border, and alternating swirls on the sashing.

Next, I use a lemon yellow thread to stitch square and triangular flowers in the solid fabric in each of the 30 blocks.

I still haven't stitched inside the stars, and I also have 2 more borders to quilt, with one in the solid fabric, and the other in the original print fabric used in the stars.  I need to ponder what type of machine quilting to use in each of the areas.

I've also been working on the two mystery quilts that my group is working on.  I made step-out samples for the first block units of the paper pieced wall hanging, and today I worked on the sewing the first step of the pieced lap/twin quilt.

FINAL FINISH FOR 2018

During the past 12 months, I've been downloading and stitching some lovely patterns from Jenny of ELEPHANTZ

She offered a free BOM in 2018, with a new pattern each month.

I love hand embroidery, and had recently organized all my leftover threads from past projects and kits into zip bags, with one for each colour. 

It was fun to hunt through the bags each month to find some threads.

When I finished the December block, DH and I headed to my favourite local quilt shop to look for 2 fabrics to complete the project.

  I was having a difficult time choosing, as I didn't want the print to overwhelm my embroideries. 

(If you notice the pins in some of the pictures, I used them to mark registration points for the machine quilting.)

 DH asked me to give him some of the blocks, and a few minutes later he returned with the perfect bolt of fabric!

 











I'll share a picture of the completed quilt when DH is available as quilt holder!  The green frame was chosen to complement the print fabric.....

I've also been getting my fabric cut for a paper pieced mystery quilt that I'm doing with my winter quilt group.  I chose an autumn palette this time.

I'M STILL AROUND.......

I think I'm feeling my age more.  It certainly took longer to get settled, and back to my normal routine.  I discovered that I left my bins of strips behind when I packed, so that deleted some projects from my list for the winter months.

My quilting group is up and running, although we started a week late, as the management company decided to shampoo the carpets in the clubhouse - I still think this should be done during the summer months when the clubhouse is used much less.

I had not planned on a project for the group this year.  I always have simple projects for any beginners, and last spring, noone had ideas of what they would like.  Of course, the first week I was asked "what is our project for this winter?"

I dug through my designs, and decided on 2 mystery quilts.  One is small and is paper pieced.  Some of the new members haven't tried paper piecing before, and some others would like a refresher course.  We are also working on a lap sized quilt, traditionally pieced.  This project takes 9 different fabrics, so it will be interesting to see all the choices.  The instructions give directions for each fabric, by main colour, accent colour, and whether the fabric is a shade from dark to light.  

I have finished two baby quilts, made from panels.  When I found the panels, I picked up 2, and some of the coordinating fabrics from the same line.  Since many of the new panels are only 24 inches wide, I made 6 inch blocks to go on either side, and found flannel for the backs.  I called the quilts "Pond Friends" 

 I have one more nearly finished quilt project.  I have been embroidering 12 blocks, one per month, since January.  Since I had the December block almost complete, I went hunting for fabric to finish the quilt.  DH came along, and when I couldn't decide which one I liked best, he took some of the blocks and found a totally different fabric that was just perfect!
I plan on finishing the quilting on this one after Christmas, and I'll have some pictures to share then.

We have 3 couples to come and share our Christmas dinner this year, so I have been baking rolls, cookies, tarts, and other traditional foods in preparation.  Some parts of the meal are being made by others, but DH and I will be making the turkey, stuffing, gravy, cranberry sauce as well as a rutabaga apple casserole.  We're looking forward to our evening together with people we love.  We'll be visiting our grandchildren via Skype on Christmas morning, watching them open their gifts from Santa.  Our grandson will be 4 next month, and has been enjoying his Lego Advent calendar!  He had a long chat with Santa last week, but we are worried about the gift he asked for......  he wants an animal translator, so he knows what they are saying and can talk back to them!  

Merry Christmas to everyone, and I hope to be a better blogger in 2019!

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

Here are a couple of pictures of the quilting on my mystery quilt.  Still waiting for help to take pictures of a couple of my larger projects.

 I used thread colours that blended with the fabric this time.  I love the colours and the prints in this one.  Most of the fabric was  from Connecting Threads, using a collection that was available last summer.

I used more of Superior Threads Twist thread.  With the two shades twisted together, it seemed to blend better with my fabrics.

Now my dragonfly garden quilt is being quilted - just SITD so far.

Check out all the creativity shared at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times.

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Used this week  15.625 yards

Used year to date  61.5 yards

 Added this week  11.5 yards

Added year to date  61.5 yards

Net used 2015  0 yards

Looks like I'm back to neutral - now if I can just stop buying fabric!

I found a deal on 3 1/2 yard cuts of fabric - less than half price, and mostly in the blues I've been collecting for an upcoming project.

After claiming yardage for my spinning star candle mats last week (just a guess), I actually drafted the pattern in EQ7, then got their estimated yardage for the three sizes, so I added 2 more yards to my report this week.  I also finished my mystery quilt, and was able to claim 13 5/8 yards for that one, so I finally broke even.

This week, my southern quilting group is having a day out.  We're heading out for lunch, then a stop at a couple of not-so-local shops before heading home.  We still have 3 more weeks together before I leave for the "warming I hope" north!  Some of them will continue to get together until the end of April, but we're anxious to get home and hold our new grandson!!!!!

Check out all the reports at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times.

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

Nothing new on my design wall, but I've been busy quilting my version of Bonnie Hunter's Grand Illusion mystery quilt.  I rarely make a quilt in the same colours as designed, but this one struck a chord with me, and I quickly pulled almost all the fabric from my stash!  I think that quilts as scrappy as this one, usually look best with and all-over quilting design, as would be done on a long - arm machine, using a pantograph design.  BUT, I do my own quilting, by moving it through my machine's harp area, so I had to come up with a plan that would work for me.
I began by using monofilament (invisible) thread, and stitched in the ditch between each block and sashing, then around all the borders. 
After searching saved images on my computer, along with various books of quilting designs, I decided to keep it simple, and I chose design G1-8 from the book "Quilting Inside the Lines" by Pam Clarke.

I decided to use some "Twist" thread from Superior Threads.  I used a bright green colour to stitch the design, to echo the green in the sashing, and because there was no green in the block.

I continued to stitch in the the squares of the sashing, using a blue Twist thread, in a similar shade to the teal blues that I used in the blocks and cornerstones.  I used the "Squiggle Square" quilting design, from the tutorial by Lori Kennedy at theinboxjaunt.com.

Now I'm off to search for a floral quilting design to stitch in the cornerstones, using a bright pink thread.  I want to complete this quilt so I can count it as done soon!

Head over to Judy's blog, Patchwork Times to check on this week's creativity shared by other quilters.
 

FABRIC REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  0 yards

Fabric used year to date  0 yards

Fabric added this week  0 yards

Fabric added year to date  37 yards

Net used 2015   -37 yards

I don't count fabric as "used" until the project is totally completed....

I did complete my Grand Illusion quilt top.  I still need the piece the backing fabric (part of the 37 yards), but I'm waiting for batting to arrive - mine were all too small, and I didn't want to piece the batting.   

My next project uses a panel and matching striped border fabric that has been in my stash for a long time.  I decided to make one of the borders with 4 different coloured flying geese blocks circling the centre.  My next task will be cutting apart the striped border fabric.

My quilt group was busy last Wednesday, with many choosing to make the mystery quilt.  The variety of fabric being used is wonderful.  We have some new members, so there were lessons in cutting, pressing and stitching with a scant 1/4 inch seam allowance.  They are all anxious for the next installment, and several wanted it early, but I plan to email it just the day before we get together.

Check out all the fabric reports at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times.

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

I guess I'll start with step 4 of Bonnie Hunter's Grand Illusion mystery quilt.  I began cutting pieces on Friday afternoon, and by Saturday noon, I had them all stitched and pressed, ready for next Friday's clue!

Then I took out my bags of batting scraps, and pieced a batting for another panel baby quilt.  I used the same green for binding as I used on the previous one....  Usually I choose binding fabrics for each panel that I bring south, but this year, it completely slipped my mind.  I might have to buy fabric to complete the remaining panels!  This panel is artwork from Susan Wheeler - she has some lovely books....


Check out all the creativity shared at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times, and mystery progress at Bonnie's blog, Quiltville's Quips & Snips.

A COUPLE OF SMALL FINISHES

I've been busy with Bonnie's mystery quilt, Grand Illusion, but I managed to get a couple of small items finished this week.

 First is a miniature quilt called Shooting Star.  It is 23 inches square, and made with some gradated fabrics leftover from a previous project.

The blocks are paper pieced from a pattern in a 20 year old magazine!
I stitched feathers in the wide border, and a feathered wreath in the cornerstones.

I also layered and quilted this cute panel that has been in my stash for quite a while.  I used yellow "gingham" flannel on the back.  The stuffed animals, letters and shapes are outlined, with a large stiple in the background.

I stitched alternating leaves in the faux pieced border.  I'm sure it will keep a little one warm!

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

I'm just 2 days late posting, but better late than never!  We've been busy with holiday outings, some last-minute shopping, company, parties etc.
I managed to get all my part 3 units for Bonnie's mystery pinned ready for their final seams on Sunday night.  We were away all day Monday, and Tuesday our company was arriving.  I managed to get everything prepared for their arrival, and turned on my sewing machine just as they arrived in the driveway!

Today was my southern quilting group's almost annual Christmas pot luck lunch get-together, so after our company left, I headed right to my sewing machine to start stitching.  I set a time to come inside to prepare jambalaya for lunch - chopping celery, onions and green peppers to go with some diced ham and chicken.  While it was cooking, I finished sewing the 120 units together.


Then I pressed all the units open, then cut them apart as I pressed.

Here are all my completed "parts", waiting for the next installment on Friday!

I then fluffed my jambalaya and spooned it into a fancier serving dish and headed off to a wonderful lunch.  I think quilters make wonderful cooks - all the food was delicious, and we had fantastic desserts too!

Check out all the design walls at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times, and see all the Grand Illusion progress at Quiltville's Quips & Snips!

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  0 yards

Fabric used year to date  208.75 yards

Fabric added this week  0 yards

Fabric added year to date  54.875 yards

Net used 2014    153.875 yards

 

No changes for me this week.  I've been busy stitching Part 3 of Grand Illusion with Bonnie Hunter.  I also received all the pictures taken at my northern guild's annual Christmas dinner, so I was busy writing the post and updating the block of the month page as well.

I've been busy baking bread - 2 loaves of whole wheat on Friday, 2 white on Saturday and 4 cinnamon fruit bread today.  It smells awesome in my house!  I also made a batch of carrot ginger soup, ready for the freezer.  I love to have meals in the freezer for those days when I'd rather sew than cook.  Actually, every day is one of those, but usually I cook!

We're planning an outing tomorrow, cousins are arriving on Tuesday, and my southern quilt group is having their annual pot luck Christmas lunch on Wednesday - when will I find time to sew?

Check out the stash reports at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times.

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

I, like so many others, am working on Grand Illusion, the mystery quilt from Bonnie Hunter at Quiltville.  So far, I've made the 280 half-square triangle units in Step 1.

They are waiting patiently for me to cut the yellow and black squares to complete the 100 broken dishes blocks.

This is my collection of pinks and aquas from my stash.  I was fortunate that Bonnie sent out the fabric requirements before we headed south, so I could "shop my stash".
I've also been working on a miniature paper pieced wall hanging.

This is the first of five spinning star blocks.  The rest are partly stitched into block 1/4's, and are waiting to be stitched into 1/2's and then the final block.

The blocks finish at 4 1/2 inches.  I found that I had to be very organized to get the right colours in the right spots.

Check out all the creativity shared at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times. 

I'm also linking to the Grand Illusion link-up here.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Hope all my American friends are enjoying a special day with friends and families.  Canadians celebrate Thanksgiving in October, and we had a great visit with our family then.

Today we're getting together with some friends, to enjoy a meal together.  I'll be doing some quilting and laundry today as well.  I just have one more area on my rubber ducky quilt to complete!  I've been having fun quilting waves in various areas.

I have to get my sewing area tidy so I'm ready for Bonnie Hunter's mystery quilt beginning tomorrow!
 

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  0 yards

Fabric used year to date  129.125 yards

Fabric added this week  7.5 yards

Fabric added year to date  36 yards

Net used 2014  93.125 yards

I did complete the log cabin top, but won't mark the fabric as "used" until the quilt is completed.

Next winter, my group in the south will be working on a mystery quilt, so my new yardage is the fabrics chosen for the project.  We need a dark and medium fabric of colour 1, a medium of colour 2, an accent colour, and a background neutral, either white or cream, depending on your other fabrics.  Since I was ordering some batting, these fabrics jumped into the box as well.

It is all washed and folded, ready to begin!

Check out all the stash progress at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times.

Christmas Lights

I decided to make the mystery quilt by Bonnie Hunter that was in Quiltmaker magazine.  It was a three part mystery that began in the July/August issue (No. 128).  Since I am trying to use my stash, I thought this would be a great opportunity!
This is one of the blocks (colour is a bit deeper than in the picture).  I used a brighter yellow in the quilt where it asked for gold, as I was determined to use what I had on hand.