Friday, March 6, 2015

Friday Finish: March Jelly Roll Party

Today is Jelly Roll Party day at Ruth's Stitchery. And just look what we'll be making!



It's "Solar Eclipse," by Elizabeth Hartman at Oh, Fransson.

The pattern is written to use either 2.5" strips or yardage. Because I wanted the colors to be similar to those on the pattern cover, I used yardage of batik fabrics. Vivian did a spectacular job on the quilting -- and I am sorry I failed to take a close-up photo of the quilting. I'll add that photo when the quilt is taken down from display in the shop.

One more day to comment on Saturday's post for a chance to win the 3000 "Likes" on Facebook giveaway!



From the desk of your auntmartisignature

Thursday, March 5, 2015

Thursdays are for Knitting

One of my goals for 2015 is to knit 52 Hats for Sailors. This is the 9th week of the year, and here is the 20th hat I've knit so far:


The pattern is "Dean Street Hat," by Nina Machlin Dayton. The yarn is Regina Louise Superwash Merino DK Charcoal. This was a fun  knit, comprising "fake cables" and ribbing. You can see the details of the knitted stitches better on the Ravelry page, here.

A Facebook meme this week joked that no knitter has too many project bags. Too true! Here are two additions to my collection.  First, the Thirty One bag "Cinch-Top Bin" in Tweethearts. Big enough to hold a complete sweater and yarn. I got mine from my consultant, Jennifer Morales.


I can't wait to start using this one -- it was personally tie-dyed by my friend Amy. The colors are really much prettier than my indoor photo. Orange and pink, my favorites!


Of course, I added a little yarn to the stash this week also. This is Holiday Yarns' Wooly Ewe Worsted in the "Captain Jack" colorway -- a nod to the DH's Mini Cooper. It's 100% Superwash Merino, so it will make an excellent "Hats for Sailors" knit. I'm thinking Kyle's Hat by Tami Claybaugh.


These two DK weight superwash merino yarns are for Round and Round by Jennifer Vancalcar for Holiday Yarns. The colors are "Tortoiseshell Kitty" and "Chocolate Stout."


The yarns are dyed-to-order, so there is a short wait. But they're worth it!

Tomorrow is Jelly Roll Party at Ruth's Stitchery -- 
come back to see what we'll be making!


From the desk of your auntmartisignature

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

In A Bind

OK, not really, but I almost was!

Julie is hosting a "Binding Blitz" this month to encourage those of us who don't really like to bind to go ahead and get some bindings finished.

Right now, I have six quilts that are finished except for the binding. Even using Susie's Magic Binding, I am lazy about binding quilts. Maybe the chance to link up to Julie's blog will encourage me to get some finished!


Here is a quilt I bound today. It's the sample for Friday's Jelly Roll Party at Ruth's Stitchery. I had it all pieced and mounted on my Mega Quilter, when Meggie decided she didn't want to sew at a reasonable speed. Luckily, Frankie was available for an emergency quilting job, and the quilt is ready to display two days before the class!

I'm saving the "reveal" of this quilt until next month, but here is a close-up of the binding. The fabric is from Moda's "April Showers" line. The solid fabric flange is Moda Bella Solid "Pond."

I love striped fabric for bindings! And this one is the best, because it's printed diagonally. No need to cut on the bias to get the candy-cane effect!

I'm often asked what Susie's Magic Binding looks like on the reverse side of the quilt. Here it is! You can see the single line of stitching about 1/4" inch from the binding.


I get my labels from various etsy shops -- aren't these pink ones fun?

Binding Blitz

Linking up to "Binding Blitz" at Julie K Quilts.

Have you commented on Saturday's post for a chance to win the Daysail jelly roll?  I'm celebrating 3000+ "likes" on the 
"A Quilt Block a Day" Facebook page.



From the desk of your auntmartisignature

Sunday, March 1, 2015

UFO Challenge: March Parade

Are you ready for the March UFO assignment? It's



The first quilt in the March Parade is an oldie-but-goodie with a great story.


Martha's MIL started this t-shirt for one of Martha's SILs in the 1980. As her MIL is now 91. Martha took the quilt home to finish it. This will be a treasure for your SIL, Martha!

Mary has set herself a goal of making one charity quilt each month for Ronald McDonald house. Here is her January quilt:


You can read the whole story on Mary's blog, Zippy Quilts.

Debra's February finish is made with one of my favorite color combinations. It is called Chocolate Covered Cherries and is a freebie by Jo's Country Junction. The quilt finished at 91 x 92 - she put just a little bit bigger border on it.


Love that little investigator in the corner, Deb!

Isn't Sue's February finish incredible?



She calls it "Rainbow Lattice," and you can read all about it at Sue's Quilty Bits and Bobs. Sue promises a pattern, so watch for that!

Here is the first "Grand Illusion Mystery" finish! Kerry, I am so impressed!



This quilt is so big, it's hard to get a photo that shows the entire thing.

I'm excited to share two quilts made by a high-school quilter, Arianna. The first one is a baby quilt for her cousin's first baby:


Arianna, I have some of that same fabric stashed away for baby quilts, too!  Arianna made this second quilt for her church's prison ministry. I think that looks a lot like the Missouri Star Quilt Co.'s self-binding baby blanket -- I just made two of those yesterday to take to a baby shower!



Gloriajean's February UFO just happened to be her Valentine's quilt. She calls it "With All My Heart."


Perfect for February, Gloriajean!

Oh, look, here is another Grand Illusion Mystery! This one is by Heather:



Heather, I love that pink binding! I may copy you!

This seems to be the month for "pets on quilts." Here are two quilts Heather made for her puppies, so cute! This is Baylee:


And here is Suki:

Read all about them at Peachy Pages.

Nancy has made six quilts from the "Hungry Caterpillar" line. Here are two more:



She says she's made enough, and the rest of this fabric line will be donated!

Lynette send photos of two gorgeous "art quilts," from patterns by McKenna Ryan. First is "The Snooty Sisters":


That one went so well, she made "Koo Koo Puff."


Read the story at What A Hoot, Lynette's blog (and take a peek at her pets on quilts photos!).

Even though Donna was without a sewing machine for three weeks during February, and this is her first attempt at paper piecing: Look what she made!


Your lucky daughters are going to love these wall hangings, Donna!

Martha sent in a last-minute finish. This is a larger "Staggered Geese," one she also finished for the December parade. Even though I don't like making Flying Geese, I love this quilt!

 

Thanks to the Random Number Generator, Lynette is the Parade Winner this month. Congratulations, Lynette! I'm sending you an email to ask for your postal address.

Be sure to go to yesterday's post to comment for a chance to win the 3000 "Likes" on Facebook giveaway!

From the desk of your auntmartisignature