August UFO Parade

Happy August! I'm on a quilting vacay in my home state of Idaho. The number for August's UFO is the color of the sky in central Idaho.

I actually (!) have a finish of my own to share, but it will have to wait until I get back to Colorado -- I can't figure out how to upload the photo from my new iphone. Doncha just love technology?

In the meanwhile, here are the July finishes by 52 Quilts followers.

Becky finished not one, but two quilts using the Tonga Treats strip pack she won in the 52 Quilts 600 followers giveaway. There are more than 1000 followers now!

Becky reports:

You will be so happy about my July finish for the August UFO Parade!  Not only is it already done and it's only the first week of July, but do remember that Tonga Treats pack that I won waaay back in March 2015 in your 600 posts give away?  It finally is two completed bargello wall hangings!  Here they are hanging in my office at work. I love how even though they are the exact same pattern the color placement makes them look so different.  The motion is mesmerizing!

So now when you're gazing off in the distance, Becky, you can actually be thinking about quilts!

Ethel had a busy July, not just quilt-wise, but work-wise. Congrats on the promotion, Ethel!

First up, Ethel tells me:

(This) quilt was inspired by a pattern I found on "Quiltville" called "Scrappy Mountains Majesties."  I tweaked it to look like sawtooth blocks.  I used less than one layer cake and some yardage (background) for this quilt.  It ends up measuring 62" x 70". 

This batik beauty is a Villa rosa design, "Wistful."

Ethel also writes, 

"I have two more UFOs to finish and I think I'll be done for the year.  I'm also trying to bust my stash (especially my 30s and my Kaffe stash).  I'm also leaning more towards modern quilt patterns." 

Only two more UFOs, Ethel? Incredible!

It's good to see Sandi back in the UFO saddle (can you tell I'm in Idaho, what with the cowboy references?). I'll let Sandi tell us about her three finishes:

Let me start with May's finish.  Kayenne really got me off track.  Yes it was a very big project, unfortunately it hit on a month where my Mom was visiting and a quilt retreat was happening.  I did change direction on coloring.  The gold-yellows were necessary in my opinion to make Kayenne shine and yet not overpowering the other elongated New York Beauty design.  It is a bit larger of a project than I like to tackle these days.  You can read more about this quilt through the links on my blog http://kwiltnkats.blogspot.com/search/label/Kayenne 

Next is June's finish.  Kookoo Katchu is a stab at applique work.  I do like sitting and stitching the pieces that come together to create interesting designs.  This project brought in piecing too, so the best of two techniques after all the foundation piecing of Kayenne.  It was pretty relaxing while we binge watched episodes of two different shows on Netflix.  If you wish to learn more about Kookoo Katchu a link for you http://kwiltnkats.blogspot.com/search/label/Kookoo%20Katchu

What allowed me to get back on track is that July's UFO was already finished.  Kontentment is completely done.  I just love the scalloped border.  It really wasn't as difficult as you might think.  More on Kontentment here http://kwiltnkats.blogspot.com/search/label/Kontentment

Sandi, I hope the August UFO #6 is a simple one, so you can stay on track!

All there is to say about Sue's July finish is:  WOW! She writes this is a quilt made from block received in a block swap. She wanted it to be really colorful, so added the bright sashing. The quilt was supposed to finish as a single-bed size, but it turned out to be queen-sized!

Be sure to click on the second photo to see detail of the gorgeous quilting. And here is a link to Sue's Quilty Bits and Bobs, so you can read all about it.

Kerry is right on the seasonal target with her July finish, "Uncle Sam." It's an oldie-but-goodie from Quiltmaker magazine July/August 2000!

Kerry tells the whole story here at Kerry's Quilting.

I love it Kerry -- I'll have to ask my contacts at Quiltmaker if that pattern is still available!

Mary J's finish is one she has been working on for more than a year. It's "finally finished," all the way through the binding!

"Cherrywood Toss" was made using a scrap pack of Cherrywood hand-dyes. Yummy! Get the rest of the story at Zippy Quilts, here.

My Idaho quilter buddy, Martha, got a good start on this quilt while we stitched together in Stanley. She finished it at the Boise Modern Quilt Guild's first retreat.

You can go to Atkinson Design's page, here, to see many other color choices for Martha's quilt. But I think I like your's best, Martha!

Happy August finishing to you all, and keep those cards (photos) and letters (emails) coming!



From the desk of your

July UFO Parade

I had a wonderful weekend in Southern Idaho, celebrating the 40th anniversary of the class with whom I started first grade. Now it's back to our regularly scheduled blog post!

In case you didn't see it earlier, the UFO number we'll be finishing in July is:

It seems that a lot of quilters are finishing a lot of quilts this summer. First, Martha in Boise sent two photos of baby quilts she finished. Here's what she wrote about them:

The little boy one has some of my FILs shirting in it. It goes to my niece who was very close to her grandfather. The other goes to a friend's first granddaughter due in July.

I like that Jen has decided a finished top is a finished quilt -- remember, I told you that YOU determine what is finished! For me, a pieced top is finished, because most of my quilts go to a professional long-armer.

Here's what Jen finished this month:

Jen is a schoolteacher, so the end of the year is busy busy! But she completely finished this quilt using the "Joy" pattern from Villa Rosa Designs for a teacher friend whose baby was a preemie.

Below is another "kids" quilt. It features one of my favorite fabric lines from Zen Chic for Moda, "Sphere." Jen writes that she isn't sure what backing to use -- but Jen, I love the "kids" fabric for a baby quilt!

Ohmigosh, look what Susan-in-Australia finished! This beauty

was started in 2011 – a series of c lasses at my LQS – the quilt is called Stitchers Garden.  I leant a variety of techniques, such as bobbin work, applying cording to make an outline, using the circular sewing attachment -  and I used almost all the decorative stitches on my machine.   It was a fun way to learn….and I certainly increased my collection of balis and embroidery threads along the way.

Too true, Susan!

Here is a detail shot of some of Susan's bobbin work:

Here are two more finished from Jennifer, who cleaned up and organized her sewing room, and is really going to town on the finishes! She tells me the first one is a "Shopkins" placemat for her daughter, who is Shopkins obsessed.

Since I don't have daughters, I had a research "Shopkins." Here's what I found:

Shopkins is a toy manufactured by Moose Toys. Based on grocery store items, each plastic figurine has a face and unique name. The collectible toys (which are designated as common, rare, and ultra rare) have also spawned a line of books and trading cards, as well as a YouTube channel.

Now we know!

Her last finish is a wall hanging for quilt pins. It's about 4 inches wide and 26 inches long. 

Isn't that a clever idea?

Joy finished this table runner she taught as a class last year. She is a kinder teacher than I am, as

Due to miscuts of fabric by the students, some of my pieces were given away so they could finish theirs. I was pleasantly surprised to find the two fabrics I needed in January when I visited a shop I had never been to.  My tablerunner is now complete, just in time for 4th of July!

Joy, I bet it's on your table today!

It just wouldn't be a UFO Parade without a Bonnie Hunter quilt, and Becky caps our parade with this terrific scrappy quilt.

She tells me:

I finally finished the binding on my UFO just an hour ago!  Then the hard part was finding someplace big enough I could spread it out for a picture (it is full size)! 
The pattern is Strip Twist from Bonnie Hunter's blog: http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2005/06/strip-twist.html.  The first time I saw it I thought, "Wow!  That is a busy quilt!  I don't think I could ever make that pattern, too busy."  But the more I saw it the more it grew on me, especially when I actually read the pattern and saw how easy it was.  One day I was trimming down some scraps and this pattern was on my mind so I thought, "I'll just make a test block to see how hard it really easy."  Like potato chips, one just wasn't enough!  The top came together quickly enough, it's the quilting and binding that had it sitting in the UFO pile for awhile!  My backing fabric wasn't quite big enough, but fortunately there were enough leftovers from the top to stretch it, with a little help from some green and lavender from my stash.

Beck, I'll be heading to Quiltville.com to find this pattern!

Here's hoping all my American friends are enjoying Independence Day -- and that it's a work holiday so you can quilt!


From the desk of your

July UFO Challenge

My apologies that the July UFO Parade will be late. I'm in Idaho for the 40th Reunion of the class with whom I started first grade!

In case you have a long weekend for the Independence Day holiday, here is the number for the July UFO

I'm hoping to get the UFO Parade posted on July 4th. See you then!

From the desk of your

June 2016 UFO Parade

Not only is today UFO Parade day, and Rabbit Rabbit Day -- it's commissioning day for my favorite US Air Force Academy cadet, Blake McCown. Congratulations, Blake, and I hope you like your quilt!

I think it's appropriate that the UFO number for June is:

And now, on with the show!

Friend and frequent Ruth's Stitchery shopper, Ethel, has sewn up a storm this month. Her DH is currently deployed, so send good thoughts her way.

The first quilt she finished was from last year, and is "Strips Ahoy," a Jelly Roll Party project from last year. The fabric is by Lily Asbury from Moda, and is from the line "Fancy."

Here's a closeup of the lovely quilting:

One of the most fun things about quilting is make a quilt for a "first quilt" recipient. Ethel made this gorgeous green batik quilt for her SIL, and says she doesn't think anyone has ever made a quilt for her. She is going to love it, Ethel!

(Hello puppy!)

This Ohio Star variation is Ethel's birthday prezzie to herself. The stars are "Vintage Picnic" from Bonnie and Camille for Moda. She says this is her first time using a background color other than cream, white, or black -- a great success, Ethel!

Ethel was so happy with her "Strips Ahoy" quilt, she made another in "Black Tie Affair" by Basic Grey for Moda. This one goes to another SIL.

And not exactly UFOs, but who could resist these vintage beauties that Ethel scored in a local antiques shop?

I'd love to know the story behind this Grandmother's Flower Garden. It breaks my heart to know the family let it go, but I know Ethel will give it a good home (after a nice soak in Retro-Clean!)

Idaho friend Martha has also churned out the finishes this month. First is a quilt made from 30-year-old African waxed prints. It will be auctioned off when her DH's Peace Corps groups has a reunion, to raise funds to build wells in Africa.

Here is a second quilt made by Martha of African fabrics. I love these colors, Martha!

Martha was kind enough to include a link to the free pattern from Benartex. It's called "Amber Dreams," and the free pattern is here.

Martha's third finish is also from a free pattern. This one is "RetroPlaid" from Suzy Quilts for Birch Quilts. The free pattern is here.

And here is Martha's version:

Martha reports this one is very quick to put together, and will be a gift for a new baby.

Here's one for Martha's prize VW camper. It's called "Cut Campers."

I  know Jennifer has had a hard year, and her May finish is so appropriate (and funny!) She calls it "Sometimes I Wine a Bit," because the background fabric is printed with the phrase, "wine is cheaper than a therapist." It's a Villa Rosa pattern called "Joy."  Jenn reports she actually made the entire thing from cutting, to piecing, to quilting, and binding -- in one day!

It's Winter in Australia -- prime quilting season! Susan finished this cute winter-themed table runner using a fat quarter gifted to her by her bestie. She'll be ready to decorate for Christmas!

Visit Susan's Sewing Space for the detes on Susan's table runner.

Mary J is making a series of quilts based on Gwen Marston's techniques. MJ's "refrigerator" quilts are 12" square -- perfect to display on the fridge!

Great machine quilting on this one, MJ!

More details at Zippy Quilts, here.

Irene made a quilt from a book by two Colorado authors, "Toppers," by Lynda Milligan & Nancy Smith.

She's gifting this little beauty to her son for his new home in Wyoming.

Kerry finished this Denyse Schmidt design for her son and DIL's first anniversary. "Between the Lines" 

Kerry writes about this project and comments on her foundation piecing experience at Kerry's Quilting Stash, here.

June is shaping up to be a busy month here at 52 Quilts. But I'm planning a tutorial on mitering quilt borders -- look for it next Tuesday!

Congratulations to all service academy graduates -- especially those at the USAF Academy who graduate tomorrow!

From the desk of your

Tardy Monday Design Wall

Oops, I wrote it, but forgot to click "publish!" Here's what's on the design wall this week.

The pattern is "Chevron News" by Brigitte Heitland of Zen Chic for Moda. The original pattern calls for "Citrine" -- bright yellow -- but since I'm making it for an Air Force Academy graduate, I decided to use royal blue as the accent color.

There's a bit of a story behind this one. While I was in Texas last summer, I ordered a half-yard bundle of Zen Chic's "Paper" from Fat Quarter shop. I didn't have a plan for it, I just liked it. And it's OK to buy it just because you think it's pretty (thus saith the Elder Son. Smart guy, huh?(.

When May 1 rolled around and I realized I had one month to finish Blake's graduation quilt -- fast pattern to the rescue! First, I had to buy assorted yardage of "Ink" for the dark HSTs. Ruth's Stitchery to the rescue! I cut the required 10" squares. stitched those puppies together on my 1500 stitchesperinch Juki (her name is Zippy) and started to trim.

Then, this happened:

You know, the funny thing is, it didn't start to bleed immediately. When I realized I had caught the edge of my finger with the rotary cutter, I held it up and said, "Damn, that's going to hurt." Can you tell I was cutting with my left hand? Thanks to Barb Shie, I can cut with either hand.

Lucky for me, the cut wasn't too deep. So I finished up the quilt yesterday, and it's going to Denise to long-arm tomorrow. And it's still more than two weeks until graduation!

The moral of the story: Don't watch sad movies while trimming blocks!

From the desk of your