Weekend Plans

It's going to be a dark, stormy night tonight (and most of the weekend), so I think I'm going to hunker down in my Quilt Cave and work on finishing some projects.  (I didn't tell you my Word of the Year is "Finish", did I?)

 

I'm going to pull out a few flimsies and get them ready for quilting:

 

Like this one - yes, the applique melons are finished - I'm really bad at not showing my finishes. I'm going to back it with this toile I got in Rome, Italy.  That was during the same time period I was piecing these blocks from the Just Takes 2 challenge, so it will become a wonderful memory piece (and a nice table topper just in time for Valentine's Day).

 

 

Now that the tree is down, I am finally going to baste this tree skirt and see if I can actually get it quilted in time for Christmas this year (I have used it for the last three years as a flimsy - I'm amazed no one has noticed).

 

I'll warm up my quilting bones with a few smaller pieces, like this:

 

 

And this:

 

And try to blast through my pile of flimsies!

 

Have a quilty weekend!

 

Terri in BC

 

Star Surround Quilt-Along

 

I've started another project!  Just a pillow cover, so that I can join another of Melissa Corry's Quilt-alongs.  This is the fourth one I've done and always loved the end results.  This is another large star and just 9 make a good-size lap quilt. 

 

 

Picture from Melissa's blog - Happy Quilting

 

I talked my best friend, Kim, into making one too.  Tonight I am at her house and before we started sewing on our individual projects, we cut out our blocks for the quilt-along.

 

Here is Kim's selection:  pink stars and purple for the surround, on a white background.  I'm linking for her because she doesn't have her own blog.

 

 

And mine, similar to one of Melissa's colour choices:

 

 

I probably could use a bit more contrast, but I have a plan!

 

We also cheated and figured that instead of cutting 2 7/8" blocks, they will probably be used to make half-square triangles, so we used the Easy Angle to cut triangles from 2 1/2" strips.  If we're wrong, oh well, white triangles will never go to waste!

 

Linking to the Quilt-along Cutting Instructions - have a great night!

 

 



Sunday Stash Report, Week #7

Finally, some finishes:

 

 

Pattern:  Melissa Corry's Happy Quilting  - Her first Quilt-along done in Pure by Sweetwater (scroll to the bottom of the page).

 

I'm counting in the binding as well, because it WILL be done by tonight!  I'm trying something new.  I'm going to do a wider binding in the same Minkee as the back (chocolate brown). It should finish at 1" wide if it works.  Flimsy already counted, used this week - 2 metres of 60" wide Minkee for backing and binding (that should count for 3 ;o).

 

 

Quilted simply with in-the ditch lines on all the main straight lines, and a double 1/4" away from the seam on the diagonally, using brown on the printed edges and neutral on the natural (Bella Solid).

 

 

Another project from Melisa Corry, her latest Quilt-along, Starburst (use the same link above).  I opted to make just one block and make a pillow.  This is going to be a large one - the centre finishes at 24" and I'm putting a 2" flange around it!  Hopefully, it will be done next week.

Made with Mama Said Sew by Sweetwater, and Bella Solids Blue Raspberry and Feather.

Total used - 1 metre

 

 

And last but not least - another quilt-along - The Triple Zip-along!  Check my last post for more information and links - I upsized this one so my total fabric used was 3/4 metre.

 

Used since last report: 3.75 metres

Used Year to Date: 9 metres

Added this week: 1.5 metres

Added Year to Date: 26.5 metres

Net Used/Added for 2013: 17.5 metres

 

Because of the Triple Zip-along, I was forced to add 1.5 metres of fabric!  I found the cutest gingham with white daisies over top to make a sundress for my granddaughter.

 

And the Added column doesn't tell the true story - I have 22 yards coming from Hillbilly Handworks Facebook store Ozark Fabrics.  At $3.50 a yard, it was a great way to add to my stash.  Other than some Skelanimals for a quilt for my niece, I'm going to share the wealth with a friend and use them for some future I Spy and Bonnie Hunter scrap quilts.  I ain't counting it til it gets here though - hopefully I can bang out a big finish with my gigantic Easy Street (only 20 A blocks to go).

 

 

 

Joining another Quilt-along (just shoot me now!)

This is the third of Melissa's quilt-alongs that I have joined.  I have been resisting since she announced it, but this morning when I saw Week 3's post, I finally broke down. 

 

I figured I could at least make one block and use it for a pillow cover. Since I want to use what is in my stash, I pulled out my layer cake of Mama Said Sew. 

 

 

 I had bought 2 metres of what I thought was Bella Snow to go with it on Saturday (I wish solids were marked on the selvedges, or the bolts had the names), but this morning when I pulled out my solids, it turns out it was Bella Feather - obviously I like that colour!

 

 

Again, my colours are off because it's another dreary day, but you get the idea.

 

This was my original pull:

 

 

Because there was only one of each fabric (except for the gray chevron), I used two different prints for the centre star.  Then I realized that I would actually need two of the same prints for the bursts as well, so I browsed my solids and pulled Bella Blue-Raspberry.

 

Tasks for Week one, selecting and cutting - complete!

 

 

And week two - complete!

 

 

This is my first time trying Melissa's method for making HSTs. I usually use my Easy Angle template and chain-piece the triangles.  I think I prefer my way.

 

At least I got to use this old tool I've had ever since I started quilting so many years ago, pre-rotary cutter days. It's a piece of acrylic that is exactly 1/4" square, and was used to add 1/4" cutting line after we traced those horrible cardboard templates we used to use.

 

 

 (UBI:  I took a quilting class right after I graduated high school, back in 1978 - so that means I've been quilting on and off for 35 years this year! Not that I've finished much - go figure!)

 

Then I got to work on Step/Week Three - today's assignment.  Melissa has shared a no-waste method for making Flying Geese and since I was trying new things, I gave it a try:

 

 

All done!

 

 

Again, I usually use my Easy Angle and Companion Angle templates.  There are pros and cons to both methods, but I would definitely use Melissa's method again if I was using direction prints (like I was here).  There was no having to think about which way to cut the fabric prior to sewing.  It is slower than I'm used to, though, so I will continue doing it my way most of the time.

 

 

I am loving it!  I may jump ahead and sew this together, but I think Melissa may have created a monster - I want to make more and make a full quilt - maybe with nine blocks or 16 blocks!

 

 

2013: The Year of the Finished Project

 

 

Lynne over at Never Too Hot to Stitch! is hosting a monthly linky party on the first Thursday of every month.  The purpose is to outline what you want to focus on that month, and share what you completed the previous month, in the hopes that 2013 will reduce the number of UFOs floating around the house.  Considering that my UFOs and WIPs are growing exponentially, I feel the need to join in!

 

This month, I am only choosing 5 projects to focus on. 

 

1. Complete Easy Street quilt top

 

 

I have all the parts made for the Bonnie-size version, but my daughter likes it so I am upsizing it to King Size, with a slight modification to the colour order.  Where you see her lime green, I am going to be using a medium purple.  The other colour orders are changed as well, and there won't be any aqua after all, but she is thrilled with the sample block I made. 

 

So far, I have done all the calculations to increase the quilt to king-size.  I'm waiting for tomorrow or Saturday for Hamel's Super Stitcher Weekend (first weekend of every month) so I can get the medium purples at a 20% discount.  It should be finished by the end of the month.

 

Due to the size, this one will get sent out to be long-arm quilted.  Hopefully, I'll be able to do that in March.

 

2. Finish my Pure Happy Quilting Quilt-a-long Quilt

 

 

 

This was the first quilt-a-long I participated in (and Melissa's first one that she hosted!).  This is a lap quilt just for me. 

 

It is partly quilted with a chocolate minkee backing.  I put it aside to concentrate on Christmas presents.  I should be able to finish this in just a weekend, including binding.

 

3. Sarah's Dragonfly Table Runner



 

All that needs to be done on this one is finish the binding.  I was short about 12" so after a quick trip I was able to find the right batik on the third bolt I pulled!  That was a month ago, so today I finished off the strip, attached the binding and it is ready for handsewing.  This will be done by tomorrow night and taken to my daughter's.  We bought the fabric together almost a year and a half ago as a project to teach her how to quilt.  Needless to say, the baby kept her too busy and I did most of the work.  We`ll find another project to do this spring.

 

4. Gramma quilt

 

 

I bought this kit about 3 years ago, and I have no idea why I put it aside.  I finally cut it out this summer, but now it is time to finish it as I am changing the beds in the grandkids` room and need a twin size quilt.  I want the top finished this month, and will quilt it in February.

 

5. Just Takes Two Pillow Cover

 

 

When I started doing my Just Takes Two quilt blocks, I thought I might use aqua and white instead of red.  I found it very bland and assembled the first six blocks to make a pillow cover. I have done the basic stitch-in-the-ditch quilting, but want to fill in the white space with some FMQ, which I want to practice this year. It will coordinate with my lap quilt really nice, which will also match my sofa!

 

So that is the plan for January!  I really want to take control of my projects, and this may be a great way to do it.  In addition to outlining my plan on the first Thursday of each month, I`m also going to participate in Leah Day`s UFO Sundays and dedicate Sunday afternoons to catching up!

 

Thanks, Lynne for coming up with The Year of the Finished Project.

 

 

You know you are addicted to starting new projects when...

When you finally cut out one project (from a kit you've had for at least 4 years)...

so you can use the leftovers to start another!

I've started making Tetris blocks, joining Melissa of Happy Quilting's "Tetris Quilt-Along"!  I love quilt-alongs, I actually have managed to finish a few quilt tops and even my Orca Bay quilt thanks to the motivation of having a set schedule.

Tonight, I watched the rebroadcast of the Opening Ceremonies of the Olympics (Go, Canada!) and pieced together my blocks for Weeks One and Two.  I'm using a mix of solids, marbles and prints. So far, each "brick" is different, even if it is in the same colour category.  I decided on a black square to represent the "holes" where the Tetris blocks don't fill in.  (Not my idea, I saw a few examples on Melissa's linky.  I'm also making mine using 2 1/2" squares, not 5", so I could make use of those great leftovers.  This may end up being a mini-quilt at 24" x 36", or if I enjoy it enough, I'll keep going!

So here is my block for Week 1:

And Week Two:

Melissa has some great prizes, too, so visit her quilt-along page to join in!

I love a good mystery but I've never tried a quilty one!

I've learned a lot in the last year since I discovered quilting blogs, but I have learned the most from Bonnie Hunter and her quiltville.blogspot.com site. For the last few years around this time of year, she launches a quilt-along without revealing the final result until the end.  This year's mystery is called "Orca Bay" and is inspired by this picture she took in Alaska.  I love the colour combination so count me in!

This reminds me of the sunsets around here in BC, with the purply-blue mountains reflected in the water and the sun peaking through the clouds, with that lovely pink glow.  Bonnie is suggesting pulling scraps of fabric in colours of red, blue, black and light neutrals.  I think my choices are going to include a lot of pinky-purple in the red selections, and blue-purple for the blues.  Black is going to be tough, I might have to buy some fat quarters or eighths. 

Be sure to visit Bonnie's site for more information and consider joining the mystery club.  I'm not setting any lofty goals - if I manage to complete a few blocks each week just to get the steps down pat, I'll be happy finishing it in 2012.