Time for a garden

Well, it's snowing AGAIN!  I've decided to help spring get here quicker.  It's not too early for a garden is it?  My dear neighbor has given me a quilt challenge and so I thought I would work on it a bit.  I am trying some techniques that I would like to get better at.

Since this picture, the tall flowers have been sewn into the quilt.  The tomatoes and hexies are waiting for company.  This will be sort of a row by row quilt.

I also received my paint in the mail today for my poppies quilt.  I'm looking forward to working on it. 

Mountain Top

I forgot to mention that my sister and I have our Mountain Top quilts in photos on the fabric quilt scissors blog http://fabricquiltscissors.net/blog/ mine is at the quilters now!

Brooklyn Heights

Well, I guess I was on a roll with this one.  I cut it out three days ago and just finished the top tonight.  I'm trying to finish older projects but still like to stay inspired with new ones too.  So, I have to sneak one in every now and then.

This is a pattern called Diamonds from Quilter's World magazine Feb 2011.  It's made from Brooklyn Heights fabric that I bought from my favorite quilt shop Fabric Quilt Scissors in New Era, Michigan. http://www.fabricquiltscissors.net/ 

(I know, looks kind of funny on top of the other quilt...still waiting for nice weather!!!!)

Now, what to put on the back?  I'm thinking the large floral that goes along with the line of fabric but, maybe I'll ask my friend Heather from the shop and see what her opinion is.

Here's a little closer shot...

I need to get busy and quilt some of these tops soon so I can enjoy them! (and take them off my long UFO list)

Square in a square

Here is my latest throw size quilt.  I originally started it for a wedding gift but decided on something else.  I will probably just do a meander stitch and call it good.  The backing needs to be done yet.  Trying to decide if I want to piece it with scraps or buy something new.  Oh, the temptation of buying more fabric...I just can't stop at one.

I can't wait to be able to take pics outside.  It's hard to get a good photo in here.

Here's a closer shot so you can see a couple of the blocks.

Leaves

I have been working like crazy on my sewing projects.  I have finished my mystery quilt top and another quilt top that has verses on it (forgot to take a pic).  Today, I finished a quilt top that has been sitting since Oct '09.  It was just waiting for borders.

This is a Thangles pattern that uses their paper sheets to make the HST.  I like that I chose wild colors while my sister made this same quilt with me, she chose more traditional fall colors.  We have had fun doing many quilts together but using our own colors.  Seeing them together is a treat.

I've sent away one of my quilt to a longarmer.  She will get it back to me by April 5.  I can't wait to see it finished.  The pattern I used is Mountain Top by Edyta Sitar from Laundry Basket Quilts.  I will be making at least a couple more of her quilts.  I have HST ready for one of them (on my UFO list).

Working on a Mystery

I have been working on a mystery quilt through my quilt guild.  I have the center done and need to add borders.  I put it on my bed and have decided that I want to make it a bit bigger than the clues called for.  Now, I just need to figure out exact measurements.  The guild has decided to show them at the May meeting.  Guess I better start thinking about how I want to quilt it.

UFO Finishes

Sorry, I have been gone for a while.  My computer decided to take a vacation for a week.  Boy did I ever feel like I was without my right arm!  I'm glad to be back.  I guess my time away was good because I seemed to get a lot done.

Okay, I am in a couple of quilt guilds that are working on getting us to finish our UFOs.  So, I made a list of mine (I love lists!).  I am a little embarrassed to say that I have 77 UFOs (just quilts not table runners, potholders, little projects, etc.).  My mission now is to finish a lot of those projects this year.

Here are 4 baby quilts that I donated to one of my guilds.  It's quicker to quilt them when I go to my favorite neighbor's house and use her quilting machine.

And, this quilt top has been waiting to be quilted for probably about three years.  It has some of the Psalms verses on it.  I had made one for my oldest son for his confirmation but it was not so floral.  I used the Yellow Brick Road pattern (fits with the Dorothy theme don't you think?).

So, that is 5 off my total.  I am at 72 unless I buy more fabric which is what I love to do!

Fusing and Painting Class

I took a fusing and painting class today with Lenore Crawford.  I chose her Yellow Poppies pattern.  I finished fusing three poppies in class and the rest later this evening.  She showed us how to paint them when we were finished.  I just have to order the paint.  Having to wait when I'm excited about a project really stinks!  Of course, nobody around here carries the paint so I have to wait for shipping too.  Bummer!  Anyway, here is a picture of my quilt waiting for the next step.  Looks like I need to take another pic during the day.  The background color is closer to grass green and lime!

I think next time I will choose different fabrics so my poppies end up more yellow than orange.  I did enjoy using misty fuse.  I have never tried it before.  I like how the fabric stays flexible even after having several layers.

Bindings

Boy, do I have a lot of work ahead of me.  Here is a pic of the bindings that I have ready to go on quilts.

I have decided that snow days are not as much fun when you are an adult.  I didn't get any sewing done today because I was too busy moving snow!  I did however finish the last of 4 baby quilts last night that I will be donating to one of my quilt guilds (I am a member of 3 guilds).  I like to do 4 at a time because I make a kingsize quilt and cut it into 4.