On my bed

 On my bed right now is my stack n whack that I made about 2 years ago.  I really enjoyed doing this block of the month.  It was always a surprise when I opened them up.

Here's a close up of the corner.  I had little mini ones that I had to put in somewhere 'cause they were so cute!

This quilt doesn't get put on my bed very often because I put too much money into it and don't want it ruined (I had it custom quilted).  Hummmm, I think it's been on my bed 5 times...that's close to $200 a use...maybe I better not think about that.  I don't feel that way about any of my other quilts.  I'm always happy to see them being used and loved.

Last Tree Block

I don't think that I needed to do a challenge quilt, this block was enough challenge!  My last tree block is done.  I still need to go back and stitch around my two applique trees.

These blocks will finish at 8 inches.  So, the half square triangles are an inch.  In the other pieced tree, the leaves are 3/4 inch.  Glad to be done with them.

I did get a chance to start quilting on an older quilt that I thought I was going to use for something else.  I was trying to do straight line quilting and I marked with painters tape.  I had seen someone blog about using it but, I have had trouble with it staying stuck.  So, after 5 lines of quilting, I needed a break.  This is the UFO of the month.  I've been trying to play along with Patchwork Times on the UFO challenge for the year.  We had to make a list of 12 UFOs and every month, she picks a number 1-12 and whatever is listed on that number is the one to finish.

Another Tree Block

I worked on my Elizabeth Rose quilt tonight.  I'm hoping it will be done soon to show you.  I also finished another tree block for my challenge quilt.  I wonder how my neighbor is doing on hers.  I still have to think up one last tree block.



Another Tree Block Finished

It's too bad that I had to turn the water off when I got home today...that meant I couldn't do dishes, laundry, cleaning, etc.  Guess sewing was my best choice!  Hope my husband can fix the problem when he gets home tonight (LOL but I love him anyway!).  Looks like a weekend of sewing! Yeah!

Tree block #7 of 9 is finished for my challenge quilt.  The little squares are 3/4 inch finished size.  I have thoughts for #8 but need to figure out something for #9 yet.

It looks better in real life.  The colors are darker than they appear.

Tree Blocks

I thought I was going to work on borders for my Elizabeth Rose quilt.  I did get them cut but wasn't in the mood to iron the center (hate ironing).  So, I worked on my challenge quilt blocks.  I have 6 out of 9 blocks.  I now have 7 of 9 English paper pieced flowers done too.



Design Wall Wednesday

I don't really have a design wall but I will love it when I have one someday.  So, if I did have one, this is what would be on it...

It's a quick shot before bed...it still needs to be ironed.  The top will be finished once I add the borders.  These "Elizabeth Rose" fabrics are growing on me.  I may or may not have bought more of this fabric to make another quilt.

This week, I also put together a backing for my field of flowers quilt.  I have sent another quilt to the longarmer.  And I have had bad thoughts of starting a new quilt (is there a group meeting for that?).  I have managed to talk myself out of it and work on finishing up a few things first.  Don't know how long I can hold off but, I will see what I can do.

My Craft Room

I have just finished a quilt for the king size waterbed in my craft room.  But, before I could put it on the bed, I had to move my stacks of planned out projects that cover the bed.  Thought I'd show you a picture of the new shelves my boys helped put together.

Then, once I found the bed, I thought I'd take a picture of the quilt that is on it now.  This is my very first quilt.  I made it when I was in high school.  This was before I knew anything about quilting.  These are all fabrics from my childhood.  At the time, I had a twin bed...what was I thinking?

The center has pieces from my sister's wedding gown, kitchen curtains, my brother's shirt, and the red bow is from a uniform I had to wear in first grade.  I stitched in the letters "HO" because when I was little, I used to write it all the time.  It wasn't until later that my parents figured out that I was trying to write DH (my initials).  They teased me ever since.

Here is a picture of the new quilt which I have decided I don't like with the room color.  I matched it with some green in a few of the blocks but that isn't the green that stands out.  Maybe I will just stack my projects back on the bed!

Earlier Quilts

Today was a rainy and gloomy day.  I needed a little something to cheer me up.  I've been wanting to take some pictures of my earlier quilts.  I know they would turn out better with sunshine but I wanted to test my props (thanks to my dear neighbor).

This is one I made to go with my living room furniture.  My dear Aunt Beth quilted it on her longarm.
(Priscilla, can you see my challenge quilt in the crock?  It's getting there! **grin**)

My sister and I worked on this same pattern together.  She did red, white and blue.  I chose pastels which are usually out of my comfort range but there was one print that I liked in this kit.  This is the quilt we fight over at my house.  Weird since I have boys.  This is the only quilt that I have used wool batting in and I wonder if that is the difference.

This quilt is a kit that I bought at a guild auction.  I practiced some new quilting on it.

Okay, back to sewing.  I'm re inspired.

National Quilting Weekend

National Quilting Day turned into a weekend at Fabric Quilt Scissors.  I love spending time there with my friends.  They had a shop hop during the weekend and I agreed to work (but, I use that term lightly).  I love cutting fabric for the customers but, the only problem with that is...I touch fabric that I wasn't planning on buying.  You know that if I touch it, it's mine!  So, I accidentally bought fabric for a new project.  My dear good friend Kathy told me that I don't have to add it to my UFO list if I start working on it right away and get it finished.  So, we decided to stay after work last night and into the morning.

My project began with the idea of double hourglass blocks.

They really weren't doing it for me so, I changed my mind.  (hummm, what to do with 15 blocks?  Maybe the next guild auction.)  I already had the strips cut so my options were a little bit limited.

So, I got all the blocks finished last night and maybe I'll work on it some more today.

 

P.S.  Since I finished binding the baby quilt and I bought a new project, my UFO number is still at 71.



Quilting Flowers

I have been busy getting a lot done.  I have finished the quilt top and back for the red white and blue fabrics that I showed in the last post.  I will show it after it's been quilted.

In the meantime, I have made an attempt at quilting from a design at my dear neighbor's house.  I tried a flower design on a baby quilt that will be donated to my quilt guild.  I think I "white knuckled" it the whole time.  Even though I was so nervous, it didn't turn out too bad for a first time.

The rows were supposed to be closer together but just in case I oopsed, I left them farther apart.

I like to try new things on small projects and this time it was a little bit like a bargello.

P.S. My new UFO number is 71!

Save the scraps

So, what do you get when you cut a new quilt and finish another quilt the same day?

I set aside my fabric scraps and was about to actually throw out the skinny pieces of batting when I talked myself out of it.  I have a terrible time throwing things out that can be used for something someday.  I thought somebody could use that batting for stuffing.  Then...it came to me that I've been thinking I needed a new pin cushion.  And of course right there next to it were my scraps.

(I guess the picture isn't as clear as I thought it was but you get the idea.)

A little finish & a new start

I went to my neighbor's house and quilted a baby quilt for my guild.  I gave stars a try.  I am learning something new every time.  Next time I do a baby quilt I am going to try her laser pointer with a design.

I also used a new stitch on my machine to do the binding.  I think it turned out cute on such a plain quilt. 

The quilt top was left over from another project that I decided not to use it on and it was just the right size for a baby quilt.

I also started a new UFO project with these beautiful fabrics...

They are all cut and ready to go!  But first, I am headed over to finish another quilt that I have loaded on the machine.



Meadowsweet finish

Well, my new walking foot worked great.  I will have to get better with the guide for quilting straight lines.

I just love the quilty wrinkles after it's washed!

I used fusiboo batting in this quilt.  I'm curious to cuddle with it to feel the difference (it just came out of the dryer and straight to pictures).  I really didn't enjoy fusing such a big quilt.  I had to tear it apart and start over.  Then, it really wasn't sticking well when I quilted it.  I had no problem with it when I used it on a small project.

I like how the back turned out too.  Pieced backs are really calling to me lately.

Since then, I have pieced 2 other backing for tops that are finished.  They are cute, can't wait til I can show you.  I will be heading to my neighbor's to quilt a couple of quilts in the next day or two.  My UFO number will be heading down even more yippee!



Happy Mardi Gras Y'all

I thought it was only right to show you my Mardi Gras UFO today.  It will be a wall hanging when it's finished but, it won't be finished for this holiday...maybe next year.  I have collected some things to add to the front of it but I'm thinking I might like a few more.

Here is a closer shot of some of the cute Mardi Gras fabric.

Working on binding...

...my yummy quilt.  I used my new walking foot today and have decided I love it!  I finished quilting this quilt made with mostly Meadowsweet fabric.  I love the sea green color it has in it.  I couldn't give you a full picture of it because I only have one side of binding totally sewn on but, it's getting there.  

 

Walking foot

I'm very excited to try my new walking foot.  I picked it up today after work.  I think I will be quilting my yummy quilt with it tomorrow.  I will show pictures when I'm done.

In the meantime, I have finished a couple more hexie flowers, added another row to my challenge quilt with my neighbor and been working on piecing a backing for my Brooklyn Heights quilt.

Other Quilting Son

This is son #1's first quilt that he made for a history project at school.  He was very proud to get 110%!  The teacher was very impressed and so was I.  He made this at age 12 and he also entered his in the Lighthouse Quilt Guild show in Grand Haven, MI that year.

Quilting Son

I asked my boys if I could brag about them and their quilts.  My #2 son asked if it would make him famous to be on my blog.  I said "yep it sure would"!   I'm so proud of my boys!

This is son #2's first quilt.  It was made when he was 7.  It was entered in the Lighthouse Quilt Guild show in Grand Haven, MI that year.  He has a love for rainbows.  His bedroom is decorated in rainbow curtains, blankets and pillow (made by mom).



Field of Flowers

Okay, I'm still on a flower kick.  Bring on SPRING!  Here is my latest quilt top finished.  Don't look too closely,  it was my first time fusing.  I just got around to stitching around all the petals (about a year and a half later).  I have decided that I don't enjoy machine applique on a full quilt top (those little circles were a pain)...on a block is just fine.

(Special thanks to Suzanne's Mom for bringing me scraps from her stash in Colorado!  This quilt was made mostly from those scraps!)