DESIGN WALL MONDAY

I had to prove that I'm working hard even though I'm not counting any fabric as "used".

My oriental kaleidoscope top is finally finished!
Here is one section of the top pieced.  The narrow stripe fabric had to be added to each segment, pressed and trimmed before piecing the blocks.
There is a half block of green as the first border.

 I added another stripe border the same width as in the quilt center.  Then followed it with another plain green border.
I decided to make asymmetrical borders, so the right border has a wide strip of the original fabric.  I try to include a piece of the original so viewers can enjoy the kaleidoscope puzzles in each block.

For the three remaining borders, I made blocks with an on-point kaleidoscope 4-patch in the center, alternating between a dark and a light blue background.  I spaced these squares with more pieces of the original fabric.
Added another strip border.

Then continuing with the asymmetrical theme, I added a dark blue border on the top and left side, and a light blue to the bottom and right side.  I mitered all the corners.


After quilting,  I'll add more stripe fabric as the binding.


Another quilt that is ready to baste is my Christmas hexagon project.

I found the bright green Christmas print in a shop in Virginia, on the way south in the fall.  I machine appliqued the top to the borders, using invisible (monofilament) thread and a tiny zig-zag stitch.
Since I still had leftover squares,  I sat watching TV and pressed them into prairie points.  These have been machine basted to each edge and will be turned to face the outside after quilting.  The center of the quilt has 2343 hexagons and 264 squares to form the prairie points.

Check out what others are creating at Judy's blog.

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Nothing to report this week!  Nothing in and nothing out!

More visitors for 3 days this time, plus a day with my quilting group left little time for sewing.  I did manage to get all the fabric that I  bought last week washed, and gently pressed.  I serge all the raw ends of the fabric so it doesn't fray in the washer/dryer.

We are beginning to count our days left in Florida.  Now that all my visitors who will be staying are accounted for, I can begin using the spare room to stage all the items that will be returning north.  I have small gifts etc. tucked away in drawers, closet shelves etc., and I like to get everything out before I begin to pack.  This can be a frightening proposition, but DH always manages to fit it all in our van for the trip home!

This afternoon, DH is participating in a small concert on the pool-side patio next to the clubhouse.  I'm doing 2 songs with him as well - DH playing 12 string guitar and singing, and I'm playing my flute (had to dust it off!)

Check out everyones' stash progress at Judy's blog.

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

It seems like I've been working on this kaleidoscope project forever!  For the past two days, I've been stitching the corner units to the blocks and pressing the seams.  I just finished laying the blocks back in order, making sure that the corner units match.  Here's a small area of the quilt centre.....

When all the blocks are stitched together, the corners will form a secondary pattern.  I still haven't decided how I'm going to make the final border(s).  I always try to use some of the original fabric in the border, but it would be fun to add more kaleidoscoping blocks too.
You can see all the pieces of masking tape that DH added to mark the columns and rows - this would have been impossible to organize without the markings.
My project was inspired by one in the second Stack n Whack Quilt book by Bethany Reynolds, but instead of 9 blocks, I made 30!
Hopefully the piecing will go quickly from now on and I can play with some different border ideas.
Check out all the creativity at Judy's blog.

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Used this week  0 yards

Used year to date  67.625 yards

Added this week  29.125 yards

Added year to date  89.375 yards

Net used 2012  -21.75 yards!

 This is my first day's shopping at the Patchwork Pig.  I found 3 cute baby panels, lots of background/ go with fabrics, and the bottom black piece with metallic gold and silver "just because".  I didn't include the piece I picked up at the quilt show, as it is for a gift.

 These are my fabrics from Saturday's trip, chosen for a project that I'll make next winter in Florida.  I found a pattern for the group to try, and I always make one myself.  The lightest, leaf design fabric was bought on Friday, but will go well with the rest of the fabrics.
I didn't include a yard of dark brown solid that I want to experiment on......
I can't believe I bought 29.125 yards of fabric!  I haven't done that much "damage" at one time in several years...... 

Hope everyone who links to Judy's blog made positive progress this week! 

FINALLY BACK TO QUILTING!

Our visitors returned home on Thursday, so I spent part of the day doing laundry and sewing.

On Friday, DH and I, along with 2 quilting friends headed to the Hudson FL quilt show.  Lovely quilts and vendors, and I was tempted to pick up a cute cat fabric, destined for a lap quilt for future daughter-in-law.  Bumped into a "white glove lady", who overheard my conversation, and turned out to be a blog reader who requested a recipe!  Small world.

Following the show, one of my friends said that she had news that one of the local quilt shops was closing, so we headed to Lakeland FL to check it out.

Sadly, the Patchwork Pig on Pine Street in Lakeland will be closing soon - no official date yet, but all fabric was $5 per yard and everything else 50% off.  Needless to say there were 3 large bags of fabric in our van for the return trip home.   

 I returned this morning to find fabrics to make the quilt I have proposed to my group for the main next winter project.  Once again, I went with certain colours in mind, but the fabric had other ideas.  I saw a bolt that I just loved, and then found the perfect friends to play with!

I'll be heading into the red zone on tomorrow's stash report!!!!

I emailed my local group last night, and bumped into at least 6 members of the group at the shop today!

I've been working on my kaleidoscope project today.  I laid the blocks out on the living room rug, then DH and I spent a half hour rearranging until we liked the balance.  Then I had to add the mini kaleidoscope triangles to all the block corners to turn them from octogons to squares.  These had to be pinned, and DH assisted by numbering each block, so I can get it back together after sewing on all the corners!  My knees are sore, so that will be tomorrows' job, while I finish the laundry. 

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

This is the fifth and final set of blocks for my kaleidoscope project.  I haven't made much progress on anything, as having company visiting has taken most of my time for the past while.   They are departing on Thursday morning, and then on Friday DH and I are taking a van-load of quilters to a quilt show in Hudson FL, so I won't be making much progress until the weekend.  I'm having sewing withdrawal!!!!
Head over to Judy's blog for lots of creative links.

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

No changes from last week.....
We're having fun with our company.  Disney World, golf, swimming, mini putt, dinners out, etc.  Tonight is the variety show at the clubhouse, and DH will be performing, playing guitar and singing.  He also is entertaining with some audience participation while the acts are setting up. 

Head over to Judy's blog to check out everyone's reports.

FOURTH SET OF BLOCKS

 

DH and I spent yesterday with our friends at the Magic Kingdom.  It was their first visit, so I was fun to see it through a first-timers' eyes.  We had a full day, arriving shortly after opening, and staying for the Electric Light Parade and the fireworks.  We took time to enjoy some of the entertainment around the park, and were happy we all wore lots of sunscreen!

 

THIRD SET OF BLOCKS

 

I love making these types of blocks, and seeing all the different variations that the fabric produces.

Our company arrived yesterday  and we were back from the airport in time for lunch.  The guys headed to the golf course, and the girls hit the pool before a simple dinner and an early bedtime.  

Today I'm heading off to my quilting group, and DH is taking them shopping.  They need a new camera, as well as some assorted clothing items, so they should have a good time. 

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

Here is the second set of 6 blocks for my latest kaleidoscope quilt.

 

I have all the triangles cut to make the edged squares that fit between each block, and I also have the triangles and strips cut to make the first border.  I will be able to sew some when I can sneak a bit of free time over the next 10 days with company.

 Although the pattern called for the seams to be pressed open, I decided to press them all in the same direction, so they would spiral around the block.  I was able to open the centre to reduce the bulk.

 Check out all the creativity this week at Judy's blog.

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  0 yards

Fabric used year to date  67.625 yards

Fabric added this week 11.5 yards

Fabric added year to date  60.25 yards

Net used 2012  7.375

Wow!  My numbers are going in the wrong direction!!!!!!  

I did buy 28 fat quarters at my favourite shop during their annual fat quarter sale, but I'm hoping a friend will take them off my hands when I return north.  If she does, I'll count them as fabric used then.....

I also returned to the shop to pick up some more of the stripe fabric that I'm using to edge all the kaleidoscope blocks.  I didn't want to run out before I've finished.  I have an idea for the border, so I picked up two more lengths of fabric to complete that as well.  Serves me right for turning a wall hanging pattern into a queen size quilt!!!

I hope everyone made good progress this week.  Check it out at Judy's blog.

I'VE BEEN BUSY

Working on my latest kaleidoscope blocks.  I've made 30 blocks, each with 8 wedges, and each wedge had a narrow strip sewn to the top edge, and then trimmed before stitching together.   Here's the first set....



 Next step is to complete the corner units - more kaleidoscopes - triangles this time.  They also need the narrow strip sewn to each one.  I'll also be making the border "half blocks", also with the strip to each piece.  

Our visitors arrive Tuesday morning, so for the 10 days following, I'll have very little time to sew.  I may even have to skip my Wednesday quilting group - we have to plan outdoor activities according to the weather, and so far, it isn't planning to rain on Wednesday.....

I hope to get some hand sewing ready to work on while they are here, but who knows!  My next step is to pack up all my quilting stuff that is stored in the "guest room".  We love having company, but I wish I had another place to store my stuff.  My sewing room is under the carport, and has no climate control, so I don't store much there.  Love the space, but wish it had air conditioning this year!

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

First, another small finish.  I've been having fun playing with batik fabric lately.

 Here's the finished table runner.  Lots of half square triangle blocks!

 I just did simple quilting as the fabric speaks for itself.  I used a variegated "Rainbows" thread from Superior thread in the border and block centres, and just some simple stitch in the ditch for the rest.

 On Friday, I finally began cutting the wonderful Oriental print that I found last winter.  It had a huge 24 inch pattern repeat.  I spread out three of the blocks - to - be, to show some of the variations.  I haven't tried octagon blocks before, and these will have kaleidoscope triangles to complete the corners.  I spent some time yesterday, adding a narrow accent band to the outside edge of each piece.  I've cut 30 blocks, as I want a larger quilt (the original pattern was only 40x40 inches).

Head over to Judy's blog to see what creative happenings are on the other linked blogs.

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  5.625 yards

Fabric used year to date  67.625 yards

Fabric added this week  20.5 yards

Fabric added year to date  48.75 yards

Net used 2012  18.875

The 15 yards of half price batiks that I ordered on Superbowl Sunday arrived this week.  They are washed and ready to use!

These weren't the exact fabric that I chose.  They had such a successful sale, that they had finished all three fabrics before filling my order, so they contacted me and offered to provide 3 similar fabric at the same price.  I think I like these choices better than my original!   Great service from the Fabric Depot!

Then yesterday, DH booked an oil change just 2 blocks from my favourite quilt shop, and suggested I come along for the ride!  I finally cut some of the block kits for another kaleidoscope quilt (fabric that I found and counted last winter), and went looking for the two coordinates that I need to complete the quilt.  Of course, I went with particular colours in mind, but something completely different jumped from the shelves, and I think it will look wonderful.

I just picked up an advance flyer for a quilt show next November.  The Cypress Creek Quilters are having another outdoor quilt show at the USF Botanical Gardens!  I attended one there several years ago, and it was a wonderful setting for a quilt show.  They did have a plan if it began to rain - they could get all the quilts down and under cover in under 3 minutes!

Head over to Judy's blog to see how everyone else is doing - hope they are all reducing their stash!

ANOTHER SMALL FINISH

I've been concentrating on some small projects for the boutique at my guild's quilt show in the spring.  They seem to take longer than large quilts!  Lots of small, fussy cutting, no assembly line piecing, trying to use lots of fabrics - all time consuming.

 I managed to get the quilting  and binding finished on the pastel table topper.  These colours are outside my comfort zone!  I used gold variegated thread to stitch the small motifs in the flower squares and also to stitch the free-form feathers in the gold border.  Green variegated thread for the swirls in the teal/green border, and white to stitch leaves and curliques in the background areas.  The rest was done with "invisible" thread, stitching in the ditch.  
One thing about making small projects - they are great places to try out new designs in quilting and practice - no sore shoulders from manipulating a large quilt through a small machine!

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

After finishing the quilting on some baby and lap quilts, I decided to try a small project.  A member of my group had tried this pattern, and was a bit confused when it was time to add the borders, so I thought I'd try it with some of the pastels that have managed to migrate into my stash over the years.

 The centre was simple, with quarter square triangle blocks and square-in-the-squares.  I decided to change the direction of the quarter square triangle blocks, as I like the 2-tone triangles that were formed with the next border.  Next time I make this, I'll follow the pattern exactly.
I managed to get the "stitch in the ditch" quilting done, as well as some small motifs in the floral blocks completed before it was time to go out to dinner with friends last night.  By the time we returned, I was too full of "prime rib" to continue, and with the sun down, my sewing room had cooled off.  I have the blinds fully open this morning, so I'll be able to begin work by about 10am, after the sun has time to warm up the room.
Head over to Judy's blog to see all the creativity happening this Monday!

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Used this week 24.25 yards

Used year to date 62 yards

Added this week 12 yards

Added year to date  28.25 yards

Net used 2012  33.75

I headed off the Joann's on Wednesday after quilting, to pick up some fabric for my friend to make sun hats for her grandchildren and great-neices and nephews.  While I was there I picked up 4 different 3 yard pieces of cream on cream and white on white.  I realized that I had used my entire stash of simple background fabrics, so needed to replenish my supply.  Now I have to look forward to pressing all the yardage after it is washed!

I finished quilting and binding three more projects this week.  I added borders to this farm panel.

 These blocks were made a couple of years ago.  My quilt group donated leftover 2 1/2 inch strips and we used Bonnie Hunter's Boxy Stars pattern to make the blocks.  A bag of pre-cut solid strips was donated as well, and I used them for sashing and cornerstones.

 I made scrappy binding, pulling leftover binding strips from my 2 1/2 inch strip box, to continue the colourful projects.  These will be donated to the Community Quilts program at my guild, when I return north in the spring.


Now I have to decide which project to work on next.  I brought an applique project along, so I guess I should begin preparing the pieces for evening hand sewing work.


Head over to Judy's blog to see how others are doing this week.

AUTUMN LEAVES AGAIN

Several members of my quilting group tried the Quilt in a Day pattern to make an autumn leaf table runner.  Everyone seemed to have great success, especially with all the diagrams to follow.  They used a variety of fabrics.

 There was a really good variety of leaves made.  The final leaf shown only used 2 fabrics for the leaves, and fussy cut the pink and green areas from one piece of fabric.  Several of the quilters enjoyed the project so much, they are making more, with one making a runner and 4 place mats to match.  The only complaint was over the slipperyness of the templates, but that was solved with a bit of "Invisigrip" added to the back.

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

This was one of the 4 quilts that was pin-basted on Saturday.  It is still waiting in line to be quilted.  I did finish my Tipsy Stars wall hanging - finishing the quilting before heading out to a super-bowl party, and finishing the binding this morning while I watched PBS.

I had fun choosing different coloured threads for each flower, then I used a green metallic mylar thread for the leaves in the background areas.  It still looked like it needed more, so I added stippling and called it finished!

 This shows the leaf design in the background with stippling.

I stitched a regular feather in part of the petal, and a feathered hook in the centre highlighted areas.

Off to do more quilting, after I run the vacuum around.  Lots of little bits after having a dog for the week!

Head off to Judy's blog to see what other quilters are creating today.

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  8.375 yards

Fabric used year to date  37.75 yards

Fabric added this week 0 yards

Fabric added year to date  16.25

Net used 2012    21.5 yards

We've been looking after our neighbours' dog while they are on a cruise this week.  They returned yesterday afternoon and Sophia  was uncontrollable when she heard their voices!  She is easy to take care of, and we've been taking lots of walks.  But having her with us has shown us why we don't have a pet right now.  We've gotten used to the freedom of retirement - heading out at a moment's notice for a few hours/days, with no concerns of a little furry person waiting at home.  I'm sure I'll own another dog at some time, but not right now!

I've been busy sewing this week.   I finished the quilting on my batik cathedral windows quilt.
I did all the quilting with "glitter" mylar type metallic thread by Superior Threads.  Most of the stitching was done in gold, but I tried the red holographic thread in the red border.

I used one of my favourite leaf designs in the green border, and I love how the light makes the quilt glisten.

Then I found one more baby quilt panel that I brought south.  It was one of the panels that is only 24 inches wide, so it needed some additions.  The panel is a farm design, and I found 2 pieces of fabric in my stash with barns, cows, chickens etc.  Since I had limited fabric, I chose to add 2 plain borders - not enough for the pieced borders that I had planned....
While rummaging in the dresser, I found a stack of "boxy star" (Quiltville pattern),blocks that had been pieced by my group a couple of years ago.  At the same time, someone donated a bag of strips, all from solid fabrics.  I had cut sashing and cornerstones for each of the two sets of 12 blocks, so I took the time to stitch the tops together.  
I spent most of Saturday preparing backings and pin-basting.  I hope to get some quilting done before heading off to the neighbourhood "superbowl" party. 
Check out Judy's blog to see how others are doing this week.