DESIGN WALL MONDAY

I don't have a design wall - I usually use the floor or the living-room carpet!  I completed some candle mats, made from a pattern I found on the net (not in English).  I made the medium size first, (12 inches wide), then played with the strip sizes to maker the small and large sizes.

I use Superior Thread's Bottom Line in my bobbin when I machine quilt, using a light neutral shade that seems to blend with all my fabrics.  I used Glitter metallic thread on the top, in red, green and light gold.  It glistens in the light, but doesn't photograph well.

The small size, (8 3/4 inches), was made from some stray fat quarters, and I quilted in pink and green thread.

Then I tried these larger size mats, (15 1/2 inches), using some pieces of fabric donated to my group several years ago. 

I had fun playing with different fill-in designs in different scales.

Now I'm machine quilting my mystery quilt - pictures to come later.
Check out all the creativity shared at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times.

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  3.5 yards

Fabric used year to date  45.875 yards

Fabric added this week  0 yards

 Fabric added year to date  50 yards

Net used 2015  -4.25 yards

I finally completed some sample candle mats that I started in November.  I saw some instructions (not in English) on the internet and tried out the method, then played with strip sizes to see what the results would be.  I was limited by the fabric I have at our southern home - most was designated for upcoming projects.  I'll probably donate these to my guild's boutique for the quilt show in June.

I'm closing the gap!

Check out others' at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times

EQ Block Challenge

I just came home from my afternoon quilting group, and saw the EQ block challenge, using the Fiesta line of fabrics from Michael Miller.

I had fun playing with the collection, and designed this block....

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

I certainly wish the weather would make up its mind!  My sewing room is unheated and built under the carport roof.  Earlier this week, DH opened the blinds early and I could sew by 11am.  Then when we had extra cold weather, my room didn't warm up enough to sew at all.  Suddenly, it is 83F outside, and my room became uncomfortable hot by 2pm!  This is certainly cutting into my sewing time.
I did get 3 sets of place mat tops completed.  The backings will be added when I return north in April - stash lives there....  I used a pattern called Take Four, using 4 fat quarters to make each set.

I'm still trying to decide which backing fabric to use for my dragonfly garden quilt.  It will be a large wall hanging, so I'm thinking I might use some unbleached muslin for backing - it will be against a wall for most of its life.

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

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  0 yards

Fabric used year to date  42.375 yards

Fabric added this week  3.5 yards

Fabric add year to date  50 yards

Net used 2015  -7.625 yards

I tried to be good at the fat quarter sale, and I picked up 3 sets of 4 to make placemats to be donated.  Then I found a cute stripe, and DH said I couldn't buy 13, so he picked up one more to make an even number!  2 sets of placemat tops are completed, but I'll wait until I return north to find backings from my stash.  I completed my Dragonfly Garden quilt top, but not sure what I want to use for backing.  My mystery quilt with my southern group is getting there - we have 2 more weeks left, and I stitched the centre together - I couldn't wait!  So......once again, lots of sewing but nothing finished!

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

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

More fabric from deep in the stash - lovely dragonfly fabric.  The border print finishes 9 inches wide.

The coordinating print only had 8 blocks so I looked through the blocks in EQ7 and chose one called "sixteen points" to make the centre block.

I don't have enough border print to make a mitered border, so I've decided to make corner blocks, using a quarter block of the sixteen points design, in colours to match the 2 combinations used in the quilt center.

I plan on giving this to DS2 and DDIL for their entrance hall.  She loves dragonflies, and they have a large open staircase in their new home.

Check out all the shared creativity at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times, and at Love Laugh Quilt .

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  6.625 yards

Fabric used year to date  42.375

Fabric added this week  0 yards

Fabric added year to date  46.5 yards

Net used 2015  -4.125 yards

I'm still in the red, but closing fast.  Unfortunately, my favourite quilt shop is having their annual fat quarter sale on Tuesday, so....

I did complete another "panel" quilt.  I've had this in my stash for a long time.  I'm looking forward to completing my group's mystery quilt.  Mine is in pieces, so I have samples of each step.  I've been sewing them together after each week so I'll have the top completed as soon as possible.
My next project is using a large border print and some matching blocks that just love.  Hopefully my design idea will work!

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

 

QUILTING AND BINDING COMPLETE

I completed the quilting on Tuesday, and hand stitched the binding down that evening.  I used monofilament (invisible) thread to outline all the cute blocks, then completed the quilting using Superior's King Tut thread in colour 937, called Tiny Tuts.  It is variegated in pink, blue, yellow and green - I use it often on baby quilts.  I stitched leaves in all the sashings, back and forth wiggle lines in all the yellow triangles, and gentle curves in the gray-green triangles. 

It is a shame that so many people think that monofilament thread is bad.  I've never had a problem with it, even in quilts that have been washed and dried regularly.  I love using it to give dimension to areas without adding another design detail.
 
I still have 9 more identical blocks for another project, but I think I'll work on it when I return north - I have more stash there, and can make a totally different quilt.  I'll have to think about this for a while.

Wednesday is my quilting group, and we are on week 5 of an 8 week mystery quilt.  I love seeing the pattern emerge with all the different choices of fabric.  I pin-basted another quilt panel, but DH and I are going out for the day - we need some US time!

SMALL QUILT TOP COMPLETED

I did  manage to complete the quilt top on Monday.  I would have quilted it as well, but we had a heavy downpour for most of the afternoon.  My sewing room is build under our carport, and even with a double aluminum roof, with insulation, it is still like working inside a bass drum when the rain is heavy.  

I did the best I could with limited stash available, and I refused to shop for more fabric!


Instead, DH and I watched a movie, and I baked chocolate chip cookies!

Today I've been competing with chain saws, as they are trimming trees in our community today!  My blinds are going to get more use on sunny days now.  I hope our air conditioning bill isn't higher this summer.....

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

I brought some cute printed blocks south, and finally decided to use them. I added sashing a multi-colour cornerstones.

I have limited stash in my southern home, but found these prints.

I plan on making 8 economy blocks, using the blue animal print in the center, and alternating between the yellow and green for the surrounding triangle pieces.  Then the blue print will be the final border.  Hope to get it completed by the end of today, although DH has been asking for some home made cookies, so......

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

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  21.75 yards

Fabric used year to date  35.75 yards

Fabric added this week  4.5 yards

Fabric added year to date 46.5 yards

Net used 2015  -10.75 yards

I'm still in the red, but gaining!  I love it when I complete a large project and can add all the yardage at once!  I completed my Grand Illusion quilt this week, along with a table runner.  I have to wait to get a picture of the huge quilt - DH needs a friend to help hold the quilt!  I did add some fabric this week - visited a quilt shop in Melbourne FL that was close to our friends' home, and I had to have a couple of yards of lovely striped fabrics, and a few fat quarters jumped into my hand as well.....

Now I have to see what other projects I can get started.

Check out Judy's blog, Patchwork Times,  to see all the stash reports.

A FUN LITTLE PROJECT

Last winter, when visiting a not so local quilt shop with friends, I spotted this wonderful border stripe fabric.  A piece had to come home, along with some of the coordinating fabric.  It is rich looking with metallic gold accents.

After completing my Grand Illusion mystery quilt, I needed a quick project to work on, so I placed the stripe on my cutting board, and cut one of each coloured stripe.  I cut 60 degree triangles from the darker blue stripe, and made a large hexagon.  I then cut a strip from the coordinating print to make the second stripe the same width, and cut more 60 degree triangles.

Here is the completed runner, that I named "Earth Sea and Sky".  I used gold metallic thread to quilt some of the lines in each block.  I echo quilted the shapes of the lighter fabric, and also in the centre of the darker hexagon.  I used crosswise cut strips of the fabric to bind the edge, to help bring the two totally different looking fabrics together.  Completed in an afternoon!  I showed it to my DIL via Skype this morning, and she loves the colours, so I think it has found a new home.....

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.
 

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  14 yards

Fabric used year to date  14 yards

Fabric added this week  0 yards

Fabric added year to date  42 yards

Net used 2015  -28 yards

I'm still behind, but finally finished a few projects.  Next week I should be able to claim my Grand Illusion quilt, being quilted right now (if I get back to my machine soon!)

Happy SuperBowl Sunday!  We're off to our neighbours' annual get-together later today.  Lots of delicious, less than healthy food, and lots of laughter and chatting.

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

ANOTHER FINISH

I spent all day yesterday, machine quilting, and managed to stitch the binding on and trim the excess fabric too.  I sat and hand-stitched the binding while chatting with friends, and watching TV, and was able to complete the binding after breakfast this morning!

I took this picture on an angle, to show some of the quilting.  I stitched a "double stitched" grid in the centre of the panel, then echo-stitched around the flowers.  There is lots of stitch-in-the-ditch elsewhere, as well as accent stitching around the flowers in the borders.

Here is my completed project.  I named it Victory Garden, after the line of fabric.  I had fun stitching the mitered corners on the two floral borders.  I had to add some compensating strips to make my flying geese border fit.  Now I have to decide what I want to do with this project! 

FINALLY, TWO SMALL FINISHES

I completed 2 cloth books - panels from my stash.  One has shapes and the other is in three languages, English, Spanish and French!
 


 I also completed a baby quilt, also from a panel.  I forgot to pack fabric for binding when I was packing in the fall, but I found that one of the striped fabrics that I picked up in January looks just great.Panel quilts make great quilting warm-up!

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

DH helped me pin baste 3 projects yesterday.  The largest is my Grand Illusion Mystery, then a quilt made with the Victory Garden panel and borders, and finally a baby panel, ready to quilt.

I plan to work from smallest to largest, getting my quilting "warmed up" as I go.

DH started yesterday by vacuuming and shampooing our rugs, and washing the floors!  Then he still helped me pin baste - what a guy!

During the morning, I dug out some panels to make cloth books.   I cut out 2 and stitched them together.  Last night I turned them right side out, and pinned them together, ready to be finished.  I'm sure my new grandson will enjoy them when he gets a bit bigger.  All our family are avid readers!

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

FABRIC REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  0 yards

Fabric used year to date  0 yards

Fabric added this week  5 yards

Fabric added year to date  42 yards

Net used 2015  -42 yards

 

Nothing finished, but that should change in the next week.  It is so hard to wait until quilts are completed!  I added 5 yards of lovely blue fabric.  I had to order a larger batting for my mystery quilt, and I prefer to add fabric to my stash instead of paying for shipping!

 

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

SECOND BORDER ADDED

I'm pleased with the flying geese border - it really adds to the quilt top.  I've added the third border - using the wider flowered stripe, but haven't taken a picture yet.

My king batting arrived from Connecting Threads today, so I "booked" DH to help me pin baste quilts tomorrow.  I have my Grand Illusion, the victory garden, shown above, and I've added a baby quilt panel lined up to baste!  I love having an assistant - helps the work go more quickly, so I can get to machine quilting!

DH took me to the quilt show at The Villages today.  They have a huge guild, with 18 chapters and around 1000 members.  They were selling a photo CD at the show, so we only took a couple of pictures.  I looked at all the vendors' wares, but came home empty-handed, although there were several fabrics that were crying to come home in my tote!

WE'RE GRANDPARENTS!

After waiting, anxiously all day, we finally received a call from our younger son around 10:30 last night......

 

Welcome David Alexander

born January 19, 2015 at 10:08 p.m.

 weighing 5 lb. 12 oz.

We are two happy grandparents!

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

I decided to add a narrow yellow border to the panel, then use the narrow stripe of the matching border print for the second border.





I spent my sewing time yesterday making flying geese in 4 different colours.These are sewn together, and will be the third border, followed by the wide stripe of the border print.


I'll be happy when this is together, as it waited much too long in my stash!
I spent the morning making split pea soup from my Mother's recipe.  I had a ham bone waiting in the freezer, along with some diced leftover ham to add.  It smells wonderful, and will be dinner tonight along with toasted English muffin bread.  I read on another blog about making this in the oven, but I make mine in the microwave.  It cooks in 6 minutes, and is wonderful toasted!

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

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.

FABRIC REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  0 yards

Fabric used year to date  0 yards

Fabric added this week 37 yards

Fabric added year to date 37 yards

Net used 2015   -37 yards

We left our southern home on December 28, and returned on January 10th.  We headed to the cold and snowy north to help our son and daughter-in-law, (8 1/2 months pregnant),  move into their new home.  We had a great time, lots of hard work, lots of helpers, lots of laughter.  I love spending time with family!

That is my excuse for not sewing.  Of course, we stopped at a couple of quilt shops along the way.  At one, I hit the motherlode of older quilt panels, so I stocked up for my guild's community quilts program.  I also ordered the backing for a quilt, so that will get used soon.  I've spent this morning catching up on mail, bills, and filing, and will follow with laundry this afternoon.  That way, I can get back to sewing ASAP!

Check out Judy's blog, Patchwork Times for more fabric reports!

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  7.375 yards

Fabric used year to date  222 yards

Fabric added this week  9 yards

Fabric added year to date  63.875 yards

Net used 2014  158.125 yards

My last "used" fabric of the year is from the baby quilt and table runner that I completed.  My favourite neighbourhood LQS, Quilts on Plum Lane, had their annual after Christmas sale today - everything 30% off.  I picked up some yellow fabrics to add to my stash, one bright kids print that DH found and the rest was background fabrics, so that I can make my scraps pop, as I try to use up all the small pieces of fabric and leftover strips. 

I have some more fabric ordered, but it won't arrive until January, so I'll have to start the year in the red!!!!!

I'm please with my stash usage, and I'll try to improve on my numbers next year!

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

FINAL FINISH FOR THE YEAR

I had stitched some fan units made from left-over 30's fabrics, so I decided to complete the project before starting anything new.  I added the quarter circle centre to each one, then added background triangles to 2 of the sides.  I stitched 2 sets of 4 fans, and 2 sets of 2 fans, then cut a rectangle of background fabric to fit, along with some corner triangles and came up with a table runner.

The appliques were leftover from a vest panel that I bought about 20 years ago for $1.  I made the vest to donate to my guild for the quilt show boutique and brought the appliques south.  I hand stitched them to the runner, using lovely silk thread.

I stitched a double grid (thanks Inbox Jaunt for great quilting ideas), then stitched a wavy fill in the alternate squares.  I stitched some flowers in the centre row, and echo stitched around the appliques.

Once this was completed, I cut yellow, aqua, black and pink squares and complete part 5 of Bonnie's mystery quilt.  The rest will have to wait until we return south, as we're heading north to assist on the "big move" to DS and DDIL's first house.

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.

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  5.875 yards

Fabric used year to date  214.625 yards

Fabric added this week  0 yards

Fabric added year to date  54.875 yards

Net used 2014  159.75 yards

Thanks to a baby quilt panel and finishing a paper pieced star miniature, I was able to add to my used numbers this week.  I have another baby panel pin basted and plan to quilt it today.

I finished step 4 of Grand Illusion yesterday - my fastest finish yet!  

We are heading north after Christmas.  DS2 and DDIL get the keys to their first house on December 31st.  Since our first grandchild is due in mid-January, we are going to help them get settled quickly.  We plan to clean bathrooms, kitchen and mop and clean the floors, vacuum the rugs on day one.  Then small boxes etc., will be loaded on day two.  I'm hoping that most of the kitchen items will be relocated, just leaving a few for breakfast on moving day.  Day three the truck, along with some volunteer helpers will move all the large items.   After 34 years of military moves, we're well practiced, and usually had our home organized in just a few days.  DDIL says that the most stressful part of this move, will be not helping too much!  She's been told that her job is to direct traffic, and order her helpers around!  We're taking a lounge chair on day one, so she can put her feet up and even take a short nap when necessary.

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

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

My sewing room is a mess of pinks, blacks, yellow, aquas, and neutrals (I'm using white with black designs).

  
I'm working hard to finish step 2 of Bonnie's mystery quilt. 

I am trying to keep up, so I can find time to complete some of the other projects I brought south for the winter months......  I have 200 half block units completed, just waiting to be sewn together.

We had our Christmas sing-along last night.  DH and friends provided music while people were arriving at the clubhouse, and he even persuaded me to play my flute when he sang two John Denver Christmas songs - the Peace Carol, and A Baby Just Like You.  This was followed by an hour of rousing singing by our neighbours, with different people leading for their favourite tune. 

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

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

I've been busy this week working on Bonnie's mystery quilt.  I have step one completed and step two is all cut out and partly sewn.  I'm using the "bonus half square triangle" method - I had difficulty printing the templates the correct size.  I'll probably use the extra parts on the back of the quilt!

Check out all the 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.