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!