A QUICK FINISH

In April, as my guild's President's challenge, the members made spring themed place mats to be give to the Victorian Order of Nurses, for delivery to their "Meals on Wheels" program.  

It was so much fun that instead of making blocks for community quilts, as has been done for the past few years, our summer project will be to make autumn themed place mats.  Since I never know what tomorrow may bring, I just finished 2 sets.....

 I'm not sure where the pattern came from, as it has been passed along between friends, but it starts with 4 coordinating fat quarters for the tops.  I kept the quilting simple and minimal, so the fabric could speak for itself.

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

Nothing on my design wall - I just finished sewing the binding on two more flannel quilts, ready for donation to my guild's community quilts program!
 
Once again, I used one of Bonnie Hunter's patterns from Quiltville.com, called
Hidden Spools.
 

 It is made with "light and dark" 2 inch strips, and although the finished blocks have bias edges, it is a quick way to use leftovers.  I made several strip sets, and found out I had more than I needed for the first quilt, so I made a second smaller one.

In among the flannel scraps were some leftover pieces from previous "use it up" patterns, so I stitched them together to make the pieced borders for each quilt.  Both have a cotton backing fabric.  One of the previous ones I made was flannel on top and back, and I thought it was a bit heavy for a baby.


Head over to Judy's blog, Patchwork Times, to see all this week's creativity!

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week 0 yards

Fabric used year to date  115.25 yards

Fabric added this week 0 yards

Fabric added year to date  28.5 yards

Net fabric used 2014  86.75 yards

Nothing completed this week, although I have 2 more scrappy flannel quilts in the works, just waiting to be quilted!

I've spent the week catching up on some chores around the house, finishing some cross-stitch Christmas ornaments for my friends' church sale in the fall (I make things when I have time), looking through some quilt books for inspiration for some up-coming projects, visiting with friends, etc.

After stitching each pattern, I "fringed" the edges, then mounted each on felt, trimming the felt with a pinking blade.  The hangers are made of a sparkly silver yarn that was leftover from a long ago knitting project.

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

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

Nothing on my wall - just finished the last 3 projects I had been working on, but......

I have been staring at these two piles of flannel scraps, trying to decide what kind of quilt top I can make.  Sometimes having too many scrappy choices make the decision more difficult!


There are lots of pastels, and a few bright colours as well.  Should I mix them all together?  Should I make a pastel quilt and a bright quilt?  What to do, what to do?

Check out all the creativity shared at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times.  I'm sure I'll find some inspiration there.....

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  12.125 yards

Fabric used year to date  115.25 yards

Fabric added this week  0 yards

Fabric added year to date  28.5 yards

Net used 2014  86.75 yards

I finished the second flannel baby quilt.  This was a second project using leftover flannel.  Depending on the quilt that I back, and how accurate the flannel was cut, how much shrinkage occured during washing and drying, I have varying amounts left over after backing quilts.

Then I completed my version of Le Jardin by Red Brolly.

I stitched a different design in each of the coloured strips surrounding the embroidered blocks, repeating the designs by colour.  I used a pastel variegated thread.

Depending on the colour of each strip, the stitching showed more or less, but it gave me an opportunity to try some designs that are good for narrow areas.

 

This was fun to stitch, both by hand and by machine.  It made me remember some of the embroidery stitches that my Mother taught me, but I hadn't used in a very long time.  The quilting was challenging, finding many different, narrow, continuous line fills that suited the garden theme of the project.   I have to thank The Inbox Jaunt for much of the inspiration - her tutorials are great!

Join everyone at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times to see others' weekly reports.

 

PICTURES TAKEN

I always have difficulty taking pictures of larger quilts, so I wait until my 2 tall sons arrive for a visit. 
The first picture is "Chocolate, Strawberry and Vanilla Oh My!" which was completed in January.

They did a good job, struggling with a few wind gusts!  Good thing we have tall sons!  The next quilt is "Row by Row" completed more recently, in April, but started a year + ago!

 I also added pictures of these quilts to my Quilts 2014 page, but without my two wonderful sons.  I would like to invest in a portable quilt stand, some lights and a good tripod, so I could take better pictures of my quilts and others, in a more controlled way.  I'd still have to find somewhere to set everything up - not always easy in a small townhouse!

FLANNEL SCRAP QUILT NUMBER 1 FINISHED!

I completed the quilting and hand stitched the binding yesterday, while waiting for my family's arrival!

The backing was made from leftover pieced backing from a quilt made for our friends' granddaughter.  I had to add a bit more to make it the correct size, so I added the green zig-zag, to complement the green fabrics in the top.  The binding is cotton, in a pale yellow with pale pink "splotches".

I kept the quilting simple - just diagonal lines through the squares.  I use King Tut thread from Superior in a colour called "Tiny Tuts" number 937.  It is a lovely variegated pastel thread, and I use it often on baby quilts.

The quilt is resting on the top of the pile headed to my guild's community quilts program, to be donated in our area.

SCRAPS AND MORE SCRAPS!

I've been trying to tidy my sewing room, and manage an ever-growing pile of flannel scraps.  I love using flannel on the backs of baby and kids quilts, so I've collected lots of leftovers over the past few years.

This was my first quilt top, using 5 inch squares and 2 1/2 inch strips and cornerstones.  The colour choices were determined by the size of the scraps available.

 This is the second top, made with 2 1/2 inch strips.  I used Bonnie Hunter's scrappy Bargello pattern, but only sewing 3 strip sets, with 23 strips in each.  My pile didn't shrink much, but I'll keep working on it .....

My guild needs more baby quilts for our community quilts program, so I better get them finished soon.

DS2 and wife, and DS1 are arriving tonight for a visit!  I'll be making a pot of chili today, along with some French bread to feed them when they arrive this evening.  They are having clear weather for their drive, so that is always a bonus.  They should arrive around 6pm, depending on the traffic leaving Toronto.  I'm looking forward to lots of hugs - always welcome after a winter spent in the south!

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

Here are the final two hand embroidered blocks for my "Le Jardin" quilt, designed by Red Brolly.

I went hunting through my stash for a collection of pastel floral prints to make the blocks.  I finally found a few.....

Following the instructions, I decided the colours of each strip, block by block.

I found some floral stripe fabric that had been hiding in my stash, and decided to use it for the border, with a green leaf print for the cornerstones. 

 Now I'm off to hunt for some suitable backing fabric, as well as some for binding!

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

STASH REPORT AND EASTER SUNDAY

HAPPY EASTER TO EVERYONE!

Fabric used this week  19.625 yards

Fabric used year to date  103.125 yards

Fabric added this week  0 yards

Fabric added year to date  28.5 yards

Net used 2014  74.625 yards

I was finally able to count the fabric used in two quilts that were made while I was south for the winter, including backing fabric that was added just before we returned north.

Boxy Stars was made with tons of scraps, all leftover from previous projects.  The only "new" fabric was the striped border and the backing, both picked up on sale.   Machine pieced and quilted.

  Cherry Pie Friends began as a  small panel, and a collection of cherry themed fabrics.  The group sat together for more years than I'd like to admit, before the inspiration hit.  The backing was new fabric, also picked up on sale.  Machine pieced and quilted, with unstuffed piped binding, sewn by machine.

We're having a quiet Easter, but our two sons and families will be visiting next weekend.  They don't like to travel on a holiday weekend, so they drive to our home on Thursday night, taking Friday as a day off.  That way they have a nice visit before returning on Sunday.

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

DOING A LITTLE CATCH UP

I updated my 2014 quilts page today, as well as adding 2 items to the "Other Items" page.  I still don't have pictures of some of the larger quilts, but hopefully I will by next week!

I spent the past couple of days completing the quilting and bindings on 2 quilts that travelled north with pins - I just ran out of time to complete them.

 Cherry Pie Friends was made to finally use a collection of Mary Englebreit fabrics that had lived in my stash too long.

I used the "unstuffed piped binding" on this quilt.  It was machine stitched to the back first, then turned and stitched in the ditch between the main and accent colour, using invisible (monofilament) thread.

 I really like the tiny accent this adds to the binding, especially when it is matched to the final border.  I missed hand stitching the binding though - it almost felt like cheating!

 I also completed the quilting on another Boxy Stars quilt - pattern from Quiltville.com (Bonnie Hunter).  A couple of these blocks were leftovers from a group project that my southern quilt group worked on a year or so ago.  The 9-patch blocks that I used in the border, were made from my "leaders and enders" - also a Bonnie Hunter idea.

 One of the most difficult tasks I find, is how to quilt each quilt.  Since I hand-guide my quilts, and don't use a quilting frame, I can't do a pantograph style of quilting easily.  I also used an odd colour of thread - variegated between a medium purple to a gray-green.  I find it useful on many quilts!

 The 9-patch flower quilting is a "go to" design that I've used frequently.

These 2 along with a few others, will be donated to the community quilts group for my guild.  The group donates many quilts in our local community - wherever there is a need.

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

My sewing room is slowly getting back up to speed after returning north.  We've just finished doing our income taxes for this year - always a stressful time.

I needed something to stitch while things were in limbo, so I turned to Red Brolly's "Girls Own Stitching Club" project called Le Jardin.  
I prepared the first 4 blocks and started stitching with a bag of leftover embroidery thread scraps from cross stitch projects.




When we arrived home, I chose a light gray print for the applique pieces required for the next 5 blocks, using the "other side" of the fabric, to make it appear more muted.

 This is a great project to use various embroidery stitches.  Some are so rarely used, and I like being a bit challenged.
There are instructions included for all the stitches!

I'm enjoying some of the whimsical details from the designer's imagination.

Two more blocks to go......
Then I can assemble the blocks into a lovely spring-summer wall hanging.


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

 

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  21.5 yards

Fabric used year to date  83.5 yards

Fabric added this week  0 yards

Fabric added year to date  28.5 yards

Net used 2014  55 yards

I finally finished my hexagon quilt, so I was able to claim all the yardage this week, although it was a 13 month project! 

 

This is the first picture of the finished quilt, although it doesn't show the borders.  I placed it on our bed as soon as the last thread end was clipped!  I machine quilted around each of the motifs.

Head over to Judy's blog, Patchwork Times, to see other quilter's stash reports for this week.

QUILTING DOWN TO THE WIRE

I'm looking forward to returning home soon, seeing family and friends, etc., BUT - I can't seem to stop quilting!

My hexagon quilt is about half quilted, and this afternoon, DH and I pin-basted 2 more quilts - one about twin size, and the other a bit smaller.  I had the backing prepared, and thought it would be easier to use the large tables in our clubhouse.

Tomorrow is my last day with the quilting group, but the hall is booked until the end of the month.  There are always a few trying to finish the last bit of their quilt projects.  When I get home, I'll have to start packing up my sewing room - I've just been regrouping items, trimming scraps into usable sizes, measuring leftover batting etc.  Our final few meals are interesting, trying to use up most of the food in the house.  Our left-overs will be passed along to neighbours, and finally get shared with some of the full-time residents.

The beds in our guest room are beginning to be piled with items that need to be packed.  The totes are lined up, ready to be loaded.  Once I start packing, it will all disappear quickly, then it is up to DH to fit everything in the van.  This year he has more equipment than ever before - golf clubs, 3 guitars in cases and 3 amplifiers, music and guitar stands, etc., etc., etc.  For the first time ever, I think his items are more bulky than mine!!!!!

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  0.125 yards

Fabric used year to date  62 yards

Fabric added this week  14.5 yards

Fabric added year to date  28.5 yards

Net used 2014  33.5 yards

I had a busy shopping week, picking up backing fabric for 3 quilt projects!  My hexagon quilt is pin basted and ready for quilting, and the backs are prepared for my scrappy boxy stars, and my Mary Englebreit quilt.  Hopefully, I'll be able to get a bit of quilting done, but this is our packing week!  My little finish is a small sewing machine needle case.

I'm always shocked at how much "stuff" we travel with, both north and south.  I'm always happiest surrounded by all my favourite things, from sewing machines to kitchen gadgets.  Some are duplicates, but others travel in large totes in the van, along with golf clubs, thread storage containers, scrap containers, sewing machine, guitars and amplifiers - the list is endless.  Fortunately, DH is very organized, and prints lists so we don't forget anything.

Today is bright and sunny, and just perfect for DH's group's final performance for the season.  They are doing a free concert on the pool deck this afternoon, to share their music with all our friends and neighbours.

Head over to Judy's blog, Patchwork Times, to see everyones' stash progress this week!

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

As usual, I bring more projects south each fall, than I can finish, but I pulled one out yesterday, determined to take at least a finished top home.

Somewhere in my web browsing, I had seen instructions for this block: 

It began by layering 2 x 4 inch squares and stitching all four sides.
Then a line was drawn from corner to corner to form an X, and one layer was cut on the drawn line.  The triangles were pressed away from the centre square.
Next a 5 inch square was layered with the first step, sewn all around and cut on the drawn X again.
Since I had two different fabrics, I made 2 different blocks.  The only drawback to this block is all the BIAS edges, so care had to be taken when pressing.  The points are supposed to disappear too!

 I think the borders work well with the Mary Engelbreit panel that was in my stash.  I had collected several fabrics with cherries, bowls and chairs, and finally managed to use them in a quilt top.  I have more borders to add to this project to call it a completed top, but I should be able to get it finished before serious packing begins.


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

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Used this week  0 yards

Used year to date  61.875 yards

Added this week  0 yards

Added year to date  14 yards

Net used 2014  47.875 yards

I have been sewing this week, but didn't manage to finish anything..

I have my final appliqued borders attached to my hexagon quilt - just waiting for backing....

I added the final mitered border on my latest scrap quilt - also waiting for backing.

It looks like my numbers are going to get worse in the future before they get better!  I just found out that my favourite local quilt shop is having their next 30% off everything sale on the day we depart, and DH likes to be on the road 2 hours before they open!!!!

Hopefully I'll find backing fabric that I like in the next day or so.  I'd love to pin-baste my quilts before leaving, as I don't have easy access to large tables once I get back north, where there is still snow on the ground!

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

HEXAGON PROGRESS

I've been slowly adding the hexagon units to the final border for my quilt.  I am doing applique by machine, using monofilament thread in the needle, and a very narrow zig-zag stitch.  So far I have 3 borders completed, and the 4th is past the half-way point.  I can't wait to add them to the quilt!
Next, I have to find a suitable backing fabric for this project.  I attended the Sewing and Quilting Expo in Lakeland yesterday, but none of the fabric was just right!  I guess I'll have to check out a couple of quilt shops soon!

SPINNING MY WHEELS!

That's what I feel like lately!  We had adult guests for over 2 weeks, and I managed to do a tiny bit of sewing, and attend my Wednesday quilt group.  Then we had friends visiting with 2 small girls.  We went to all 4 Disney parks over a 10 day period, with alternate days of shopping, swimming, mini golf, golf cart rides etc.  Needless to say, my cover remained on my machine for the duration of the visit, and I missed both Wednesdays, but everyone managed just fine at quilting.
It has taken me a few days to get caught up - laundry, cleaning, sleep, etc.  I managed to get to quilting on Wednesday, then out on an adventure with some friends today.  DH has been looking at our "closing the house for the summer" list, and has begun taking care of some of the items. We'll be hitting the road, van packed in just over 2 week!  

Where did the winter go?  (I know - we didn't have to suffer the endless snow and ice, but I'm sure there will be some left when we return!)

I have 3 of the 4 borders for my hexagon quilt ready to attach, and I was hoping to find some backing fabric today, but nothing climbed into my shopping bag today.  I also found out that my favourite quilt shop's 30% off sale takes place the day we depart......
I guess that means that a stop at Mary Jo's in Gastonia NC is in my future!

I still have a few days to sew before serious packing begins, so there is hope yet!

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  0 yards

Fabric used year to date  61.875 yards

Fabric added this week 5 yards

Fabric added year to date  14 yards

Net fabric used 2014  47.875 yards

Sometime, during the past several weeks, 5 one-yard panels arrived.  I can't believe I didn't even turn my machine on for over 2 weeks, but having company, especially little visitors, took up all our time.  We had fun taking them to Disney World, and seeing their faces light up when talking to their favourite characters.  DH took them to the pool every day he could, and played mini-golf, took them for rides in the golf cart, etc.  I kept everyone fed, and tried to keep them organized.  I also edited the photos taken each day, and played games with the girls.

This is our second day of laundry and cleaning, and hopefully, I'll get my sewing mojo back by Monday!

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

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

This was my finish for this week.
The pattern is the Versatile Wave pattern by Susan Rooney patterns.

This purse has two parts.  The inside pouch has a zipper opening and two interior pockets.  It has two buttons to connect the outer reversible cover.  The inside part can be carried as a clutch.
I added piping to the outer bag, and it has swivel clasps to connect the handles.  Glasses, cell phone, etc., can be placed inside the outer bag for quick access.  
The directions were well written, and I enjoyed making this purse.  I plan to make a better zipper pull when I return north - I have a huge box of beads and charms to use!

I won't be posting about my design wall for a week or two, as our little visitors arrive today, and DH and I will be BUSY!!!!!

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

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Used this week 1.75 yards

Used year to date  61.875 yards

Added this week  0 yards

Added year to date 9 yards

Net used 2014  52.875 yards

 

My only finish this week was a small purse, which accounts for my fabric usage.

 

My days were taken up with house cleaning, laundry, grocery shopping, etc., following our first guests' departure, and preparing for the next set.

 

DH's group, 3 for a Quarter, had a successful performance yesterday afternoon, entertaining on the pool patio for neighbours and friends.  I was even persuaded to play 3 numbers on my flute, accompanied by DH on guitar and his partner on bass.  The weather was lovely, clear blue skies, light breezes, and warm temperatures.  The pool was busy, but people were singing along as the swam or sunbathed too!

 

I don't think I'll be getting much sewing done over the next 2 weeks, as we have 2 little ones visiting, but I do hope to attend the quilt show in Mt. Dora FL on the 8th.  DH has found a great park with a wonderful playground to entertain our small guests nearby....

 

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

HEXAGON PROGRESS

I managed to finish all 42 of the large motifs and have 9 of the small flowers completed.  I can't wait to get them finished, and begin appliqueing them to the final border of my hexagon quilt.  This should make it large enough to fit on our bed, so I can sleep under all the beautiful colours!

Today DH is out rehearsing - his group is playing on the pool patio Saturday from 1-3.  He has persuaded me to do 3 numbers, accompanying him with my flute.  This afternoon, we head to the grocery store to re-stock for our next visitors.  Since we have little ones coming, I'm going to stock up on healthy snack items to take along on our outings.  I plan to do some baking over the next few days - cookies and squares for desserts.

Sunday, a quilting friend and her DH are stopping by for a quick visit.  They are approaching retirement, and want to see where we spend our winters.

I hope to squeeze a bit of sewing into the time as well.  I decided to put another border on the boxy star quilt, but don't have anything that will do, and I need some backing fabric as well, so that will have to wait until I can find the time to visit my local quilt shop!

COMPANY GOING AND COMING.....

Our guests departed on Wednesday afternoon, so we've been catching up on chores.  DH has been busy, doing loads of laundry, cleaning bathrooms, helping to change beds and running the vacuum around.  Of course, my knee decided to have a "flare", just when it is the most inconvenient.  I've been doing as much as I can to help, but this knee issue is frustrating.

Our next set of company, our BFF's and their 2 granddaughters, age 4 1/2 and 6 1/2 arrive on Monday evening.  We have plans to go to Disney World with them (see why my knee flare is inconvenient?)

They will be here, arriving March 3, and departing March  14.

Our Godson, along with his parents are spending March 8-15 in Orlando, so we have to squeeze in a visit with them as well. 

More wonderful friends are staying nearby for the month of March, and we have to fit in a get-together with them, in between their many golf games as well.

Hopefully my knee will stand up to all the activities planned......

On the plus side, I've finished the 42 larger hexagon units, and have 4 of the smaller ones made.  I'm getting anxious to see this quilt top fully assembled!

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

I'm working on a scrappy quilt again.  The blocks are Quiltville's Boxy Star pattern.  Some parts were leftover from a previous group project, so I decided to make more for a small quilt.

 The nine-patches for the border were made from my "leader and ender" squares, stitched while making other quilts this winter.  I added triangle corners to each, using 2 alternating prints - the light wouldn't have been my first choice, but I have very little stash in my southern location.  Sorry for the poor perspective on the photo - I placed it on my driveway, and that was the best I could do to capture the whole quilt top.

 My finish for this week is a small wall hanging that will eventually be given to my SDIL2.  I plan to show it in my guild's next show in 2015, but I will let her see it when we return north. 

 Dragonflies are her favourite, and my son found a wonderful picture of one, that he printed poster size so I could use it for a pattern.  It took me a while to figure out how to transfer the pattern to the dark fabric.  My first thought was to use golden tracing paper, but since the wings are thread-painted with metallic thread, I was dreading the chore of removing all the bits of paper.  When having a tidy session in my sewing room, I found an old package of water soluble stabilizer.  I used a hot pink Frixion pen to draw all the tiny lines, then pinned the stabilizer in place over the appliqued body.  I stitched the wings with Superior's gold thread.

Visit Judy at Patchwork Times to see all the creativity this week!

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Used this week 1.625 yards

Used year to date  60.125 yards

Added this week  0 yards

Added year to date 9 yards

Net used 2014  51.125 yards

I finished a project this week that was a long time in the planning stages.  I thought about it for many months, finally figured out the design, then had to figure out how to transfer the design to the dark background fabric.   I did the decorative stitching a while ago, then had to think about how I wanted to quilt and finish this small project.  I was happy when I put the final stitches in the binding.  I still have to make a hanging sleeve and a label, but that can wait.  This will be a gift for a special someone in my life......

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

HEXAGON REPORT

29 of the 42 large units completed so far!

Another busy week with guests visiting, and Olympics to watch!

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

This wall hanging is about 40 inches square.  The tea pot blocks had been in my stash for a long time, but I think what stopped me from using them, was that there were only 8.  I decided to make a paper pieced block to round it out to 9, and found this one in my stash of patterns.  The original block was a mystery project from Paper Panache.  It was shared in time for Mother's Day a while back, and has a heart theme (handles, cup and tea pot lid).  There were also hearts on the pot, but I decided to make it all in print fabric instead.  I also used the same print for the binding.  Now I have to find a home for it!

Some things are difficult to photograph, and I find that embroidered blocks, especially those with lots of metallic thread are among the hardest for an amateur to do well......

All of the angel embroideries in this quilt were made with 3 shades of metallic thread, excluding their hair, skin and some small details.  The pot in the bottom right hand corner block is made of silver thread, and hardly shows at all. 

In person, this is a great quilt!  I decided to stop after the first border, but did add a narrow yellow accent strip to the edge before adding the binding.

Here's the star of the show!

 I just love the expressions on the sheep!  This is what attracted me to this project at first.







This project was designed by Natashia Curtin of Smee Designs and is found in the July 2012 edition of Australian Homespun magazine, available as an e-edition at Zinio.com

The designer's humour shows in every block.  My only complaint is that I was having such fun stitching the blocks, I was sad when I completed the last one!

Check out Judy's blog, Patchwork Times, to see all the shared creativity this week!

STASH REPORT SUNDAY

Fabric used this week  7.75 yards

Fabric used year to date  58.5 yards

Fabric added this week  0 yards

Fabric added year to date  9 yards

Net used 2014  49.5 yards

We've had a busy week with company arriving on Monday evening.  DH's cousin and friend arrived, and we've been having a great time, getting to know one another again, sharing family stories, and just having fun.
Cousin P, a professional musician (guitar), has been having fun playing with DH and his friends.  His specialty is bass guitar, and he's been teaching our friend some new rhythms and little fingering tricks as well.
I did manage to get two projects completed this week!   I completed the quilting and binding on "Long Time Ago in Bethlehem", and then finished "Tea Anyone?" (I had completed most of the top up north, so I just had to add the final border, and quilt it!)   I haven't had time to take any pictures, so I'll try to get them taken so I can share them soon!
Check out the stash progresses at Judy's blog, Patchwork Times.

MORE HEXAGONS

I thought I was finished making hexagons, but after I appliqued the quilt to the plain border, I decided it needed to be a bit larger to fit our bed comfortably.  I thought about adding a pieced border, but didn't think it would add to the overall design.
My final decision was to make a second plain border, using fabric similar to the final background hexagons used in the quilt top, and then add two alternating hexagon motifs , appliqued to the final border, to finish the quilt.
So now I am back making 42 flower motifs, and 42 lozenge motifs.  I had been complaining to DH that I didn't have any hand stitching to do while watching the Olympics, so now that problem has been solved.

DESIGN WALL MONDAY

I've been busy getting ready for company arriving this evening.  Both DH and I use our guest room as extra storage - me for quilt stuff and DH for guitars, amplifiers, stands, cables.  We had to be very creative to find accessible storage for all of the items, so our guests will have a room to themselves!

I decided to use the blue fabric with stars that I bought recently, to use as sashing around the embroidered blocks of "Long Time Ago in Bethlehem".  I couldn't find any pale colours with small stars, but I did get a buttery yellow with small polka dots.

  After looking at the completed top, I decided to finish it without the remaining borders in the original design.  I'll be using the same blue for the binding, so I machine basted a small folded strip on each edge to provide a small accent.

 I've been making hexagon units while watching the Olympics.  I want to plan the final appliqued border for my hexagon quilt, so I know how many I have to complete.

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

STASH REPORT WEEK 6

Fabric used this week  0 yards

Fabric used year to date  50.75 yards

Fabric added this week  0 yards

Fabric added year to date  9 yards

Net used 2014  41.75 yards

Nothing completed this week - two days were too cold to sew in my room, the weather was cold and rainy for the south.  Nothing like family and friends are suffering at our northern home!

I added the sashing between the embroidered blocks for "A Long Time Ago in Bethlehem".  The original pattern had two of the blocks without sashing on the outside edge of the quilt top, so I adjusted some of the block sizes and added it.  When it was finished, I decided that the quilt is large enough for a wall hanging, so I'm not going to add any more borders.  Now I have to hunt for some backing fabric in my small stash.

Then I decided to work on finishing my hexagon quilt.  I cut the remaining burgundy fabric in strips to add a straight border to the outside edges, and spent 2 afternoons machine appliqueing the top to the border.  After measuring the top, I've decided that it needs to be larger, so I've decided to add an additional border, and I'm back to making motifs that will be appliqued to the final border to bring the hexagons to the outside of the quilt.

DH's music partner found 2 hats to add to their performance wardrobe, but they need new hat bands.  His wife found some great black and white musical striped fabric, so I'll be cutting some bias strips to dress up their new hats.

Check out Judy's blog, Patchwork Times, to see all the progress made this week!