Another Friday Finish

Again, two, in fact!

The best thing about unexpected time off from work is, a lot of quilts get finished! This week, I bound two.

The first one is winging its way to Idaho. A former classmate needs a heart transplant, and this quilt will be raffled at my class reunion next month to raise money for the surgery.

This was a fun quilt to make, started in a class at Sew-ciety in Castle Rock. The pattern is Dash in a Box from Quilter's Dream. Here is the post where I introduced this quilt -- in 2013!

I bound it using Susie's Magic Binding, with orange as the main color and bright blue as the accent.  Thank you to all the staff at Ruth's Stitchery for helping me decide on binding colors!

The second finish is the September Jelly Roll Party sample for Ruth's Stitchery. The pattern is Leaf it to Me from Cozy Quilts. I loved the colors in Daniela's sample so much, I tried to copy them the best I could. I used a Hoffman Bali Pops in the "Nirvana" color for the leaves, and another Hoffman Bali batik for the purple borders.

The border on this one is "Jean's Genius Binding," which makes the quilt look like it has no binding at all. I love it!

Which reminds me, I'll be teaching both Susie's Magic Binding and Jean's Genius Binding at Ruth's next Saturday, August 20. If you're in the neighborhood, bring a ready-to-bind-quilt and we'll bind it that afternoon!

Back to work on my "Ugly Christmas Sweater" quilt. Winter is coming!


From the desk of your

WIP Wednesday: All the Blocks are Finished

One of the best things about a quilting vacation is getting caught up on blocks of the month!

I really dialed back the number of BOMs I signed up for this year ('cuz, you know, I have so many from previous years!). One I couldn't resist was "Park Bench" by Julie Herman of Jaybird Quilts.

I picked up the kit with the same fabrics Julie used at Quilt Essentials in Laramie, Wyoming -- maybe two years ago?  So when Beth announced she would teach this quilt as a BOM at Ruth's Stitchery this year, I was ready!

Remarkably enough, I kept up with the monthly assignments. And while watching the first days of the Rio Olympics, I finished the last three blocks!

A word of caution: don't try to piece complicated blocks while watching TV. I mis-pieced two of the 15 blocks -- but really, only someone who has already made the quilt using the same Carolyn Friendlander "Botanics" fabrics would notice. Right?

Friend Betty designed an alternate layout. So as soon as I get a photo of her quilt, I'll make the background blocks and get this baby sewn together. I love the fabrics, and Julie's directions are excellent. Really! The mistakes are entirely due to me watching the TV instead of the pattern!

Two quilts bound today -- photos to follow on Friday!



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Something New: Design Wall Monday

I believe the word is "meh." 

According to Wikipedia, " meh" is defined as:

Meh /mɛ/ is an interjection used as an expression of indifference or boredom. It may also mean "be it as it may".^[1] It is often regarded as a verbal shrug of the shoulders. The use of the term "meh" shows that the speaker is apathetic, uninterested, or indifferent to the question or subject at hand. It is occasionally used as an adjective, meaning something is mediocre or unremarkable.

And that's just how I felt when I put the first three blocks of this quilt up on the design wall. [The fabric license plates above are from my Row-by-Row trip to Idaho. Not part of the quilt!]

Meh.

I've mentioned before that I make a quilt for each of my Mother's great-grandchildren when they turn 12. The last male great-nephew turned 12 this month. His Dad told me the celebrant likes "yellow and orange, but not prints. And he really likes lions."

So I pulled  out every yellow and orange in my solids stash. I originally planned to make a "Jelly Roll Race" quilt from them. But then I saw this tutorial from Rob Appell of Man Quilting. It looked like so much fun, I decided to give it a try.

Rob is right: sewing curves is really easy when you use the Man Sewing technique!

Now, I love quilts in which the colors, or shades, progress from light to dark. I made these three blocks from shades of yellow. When I hung them and asked the men in my house (DH and Elder Son) what they thought, both were -- to say the least -- not impressed.  Elder Son recommended mixing the colors rather than using shades of a single color.

And this is the result:

The DH suggested having all the block oriented in the same direction, rather than alternating as in Rob's sample. I think his idea was spot on!

I moved some of the blocks around to get a better color spread:

The carpeting in the Mexican restaurant where we had lunch yesterday has a curves-and-circles motif that I think will make a perfect quilting design. I ordered a Lion print fabric for the backing. Can't wait to put the blocks together and start the quilting!

So, what do you think? Will Luc like it?



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Sunday Stash

A Summer of travel means a lot of Stash Enhancement! 

Here are some of the goodies I brought back from my trip to Idaho last month.

One shop I don't get to visit often is the Sun Valley Fabric Granary. It's not the largest shop in Idaho, but I think their selection is the best curated! Here's a view inside the shop:

(Photo lifted from Sun Valley Fabric Granary website)

 Doesn't this just make your fingers itch to get inside this shop?

I picked up this "Alation" kit just because I liked Bonnie Christine's "Winged" fabric collection for Art Gallery. I failed to note it requires using quilter's grid interfacing, so the odds of it actually being made are not great. Maybe I'll try it without the interfacing method.

Have you hear about "double gauze" fabric? It is yummy soft, and really double-layered. This pretty cut is going to become a summer top -- probably Amy Barickman's Asymmetrical Tunic from  Indygo Essentials.

Here's a closeup showing both layers:

You know I'm a "cat person," so I couldn't/didn't resist this Cotton  Steel panel "A Tiny Piece of Portugal" by Sarah Watts, plus the companion print. Someone will love the wall hanging it will make!

Anna Maria Horner is one of my favorite designers -- and her "Loominous" collection is among her best. I must love it, because when I got this pretty fuchsia piece home, I realized I have the same print in turquoise! 

Of course, there's more to show -- come back next Sunday to see!

From the desk of your

Finally a Friday Finish

The best thing about solo vacations is, there's lots of time for sewing!

On my recent trip to Idaho, I hid out in a mountain cabin and sewed for three days -- what a treat! I made two projects, start to finish.

First up, a 25th anniversary quilt for my nephew and his sweet wife. Wedding and anniversary quilts are the only ones for which I allow requests. Kristi saw a "puzzle quilt" online and said, "That's what I want!" It took me a few months to find  pattern, then a few more months to decide on fabric, then a few more months to get it sewn, quilted, and bound. But it will go in the mail today!

The pattern is "Snuggle Blocks" by Margot Languedoc Designs for The Pattern Basket. I made it one row longer, so it's a good "snuggle" size. The fabric is 30s reproductions from my stash. Background is Moda's Essential Dots from Ruth's Stitchery. It's tiny red dots on an off-white background. The binding, of course, is Susie's Magic Binding with a solid red flange.The pattern quilt finishes at 49" x 58" -- this one is 10" longer.

Next up is a hostess gift for another niece, who displays rooster motifs in her country kitchen. I bought this table runner kit in Schertz, Texas last summer at the Scrappy Quilter -- you know, because it's OK to buy it just because you think it's pretty! When I spent the night at this niece's house, I knew this runner would be perfect for her.

It was pretty funny trying to get a photo -- thanks, DH, for being the quilt hanger!

The fabric is Bohemian Roosters by Daphne B for Wilmington Prints. The runner  finishes at 12" x 63" -- longer than most, but my niece has a big kitchen table.

Today, I'm working on the 12th birthday quilt for the last great-nephew in that generation. It's a new technique for me, so come back Monday to see what's on the design wall!


From the desk of your

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