First Finishes of '15

Today just happens to be Finish it Up Friday!  I have a few finishes to share.

First off, my very first finished quilt top~

This one is Kate Spain's Sunnyside and Bella solids HST quilt.  I have been wanting to make this one for quite some time.  I love playing around with HST's but they do take a while to square up - even with my Loc Bloc.

My trimmings.

Next up is a big finish.  And I do mean BIG!  A flannel quilt 116" x 120" for our bed.  I made pillows, pillow cases and shams to match.  Now this was an simple, easy quilt.  But that is what I wanted.  Handling the size made it difficult.

It has been washed and dried in this picture and I am impressed with the quality of the flannel.  The reds did not bleed at all.  The fabric is Bonnie and Camille's Miss Kate.

I also got two mini quilt tops done this week.  

The first one is to hang at the office for the upcoming month.  I used this free pattern from Fat Quarter Shop called Color My Heart.  The "love" was paper pieced using a pattern from Kim Noblin of Block Central.  Of course, my white kitty was helping out by laying on top of the sewing machine. Silly cat!

The second mini if for the IG #rainbowminiswap.  I am on #rainbowteampurple.  This one has been a challenge as it is intricate and took me some time.  It has lots of different fabrics from my stash.  And a few I just HAD to buy.  The pattern is Geese Crossing by Three Owls Handmade.

Oh I hope my partner likes it!  Tomorrow is work out and quilting mini day.  

What Friday Finishes do you have?  Linking up with Crazy Mom Quilts.

Friday is Finished - Almost

It is late here where I am at.  Still have a couple of things to do, so I am up.  The Birthday Girl got her quilt today, so I can show my finish!  She was so happy and excited to get it!  This quilt is in Terrain by Kate Spain.  I got very lucky and found some yardage still available for the borders and backing.  Gorgeous colors!  Now this quilt went with us out to Cape Lookout where I did actually hand sew a portion of the binding to the back.  Here are some pics of the quilt, a couple of our doggies at the bight.

 (Molly and Abby - both sailor and photo bomb doggies!)

Can you find the lighthouse in the background?

The quilt is for a full size bed (80 something inches by 90 something inches).  I am struggling a bit holding it up and keeping the wind from blowing it around.

Here are some pictures of the quilt after it was washed.

There is a live oak tree behind the office that is perfect to hang quilts from!

Starlight Quilt.

 Close ups of the quilting.

 The border and binding.

My niece loves the quilt and the colors!  She said hers will be the happiest room ever!

Linking up now with Amanda Jean over at Crazy Mom Quilts.

WIP - Daydreamin'

Our Memorial weekend trip was lovely!  Had a great time and I do hope to get back into my morning sewing routine here soon.  However, last week I had some definite issues with my long arm sewing machine and it was out of commission until tonight when the parts arrived.  With the help of my DH, she (yes, she) is up and running again.   This week, another one of my babies developed bobbin issues.  So a 3 1/2 hour one way trip I will be making to the dealer on Friday.  Did I mention the dealer has a 10,000 square foot fabric store, too?  Oh yeah, baby!  Um hum!  Some shopping will be done!

This WIP is an idea I had for a block that can be made with charm squares, some solids and (Bella Porcelain) background.  The main fabric is Daydream by Kate Spain.  Oh, I do love me some Kate Spain!   Here are the blocks that I have done so far...

Look at those colors!  So vibrant!  And yes, I really have been making 1/2 square triangles out of the scraps to use as a border.  I don't like to waste beautiful fabric, especially Kate Spain beautiful fabric!

A picture of the first block I made.  I might make some changes and play around with a bigger size, but this is the idea.  I have vowed to get this quilt top done before I start cutting into #mynextquilt.

Linking up now with Freshly Pieced for WIP Wednesday!

Sunday Stash #15 - I am weak

Off the top of my head, there are a few fabric designers that top my list of must have:  Alison Glass, Anna Maria Horner, Heather Bailey, Kate Spain and Tula Pink.  Amy Butler is right up there, too.  So, of course, if a new line of fabric designed by one of the above comes out, this girl is right there with her credit card.  Because I am weak.  And a Fabricaholic.  I am okay with that.

Pretty Potent by Anna Maria Horner was released recently and you know what my latest stash is, don't you?  Quilt Home recently had a sale on AMH, a good one, but it is over now.  : (  Here is my latest stash:

Chamomile and Aloe Vera - Balm for the soul

Family Unit (LOVE!) and Echinacea

Eucalyptus and Thistle (Hmmm, the one Thistle looks a tad Halloweenish to me.  But I don't like thistles.  Been stung by them before.)

Primrose and Banner Days

I will admit that some of the prints are just okay, while there are others I just love.  After my Kate Spain Daydream adventure, I will be making a king size with the above and these two.

Steel and Black Essex Linen.  With this pattern.

(Pattern can be purchased here at 20% off for PDF:  Pink Chalk.)

This will be for our king size bed.  The pattern is simple and should come together fast. This goes towards my goal of a quilt for every bed in the house.  Seriously!  How can I claim to be a quilter and not have every bed in the house covered?!?  In reading this (which I copied directly from Quilt Home's site) I think this is appropriate for a quilt:  COLLECTION: Pretty Potent. In the Pretty Potent collection, Anna Maria drew inspiration specifically from plants and flowers that are often used for healing. While they possess properties to heal our physical bodies, the very beauty of the plants themselves seems intended to be a balm for the soul. Potent and pretty.

What's in your stash?  Linking up now with Molli Sparkles.

Finish it Up Friday with Terrain and Daydream

Today, I got the border quilting done on the Starlight quilt.  This is the quilt that will be a birthday present for my niece.  It isn't completely finished as it still needs binding.  The pattern is similar to one I have made before with the Lazy Angle ruler.  Here is a nice shot out in the afternoon sun.

Look at those colors of Terrain!  LOVE!  After our downpour this morning, the sky turned sunny and blue!

A shot I took in the house of the quilt:

That picture is okay but I do believe the one out in the sun does the fabric line more justice and shows off the colors better.  (Note to self.)

A close up shot of the quilting.  (Before washing and drying.)

And to round out my day working with gorgeous Kate Spain fabrics, I pulled out Daydream to make these blocks I had sketched out...

More fabulous colors!  I used the scraps to make the half square triangles and then trimmed them up with my Bloc Loc.  Maybe I will use them in for a border or on the backing?  Not sure yet.  Going to work up a pattern with different sizes of blocks.

Linking up with Crazy Mom Quilts for Finish it Up Friday!  

WIP Wednesday and Dancing with the Stars

I have cut up my Kate Spain Terrain charm packs.  Loving the colors!  Using my Lazy Angle ruler, here is the quilt I am in the process of sewing together.

Seriously, the colors are so gorgeous!  I took this at night, even.  To me, the stars look like they are dancing.  Do you see the one block that is different than the others?  Well that was a cutting mistake turned into an opportunity.  See, I needed every charm square in the 4 packs to make this quilt.  The top two rows have been sewn together, the rest obviously not.  They are just kind of thrown on the design wall. This quilt is for my niece's birthday at the end of May.  She saw this quilt made with Kate Spain's Cuzco and Jessica's over at Sew Patched Up Simple Squares pattern and hinted that she would love a quilt like that.  Well, I couldn't find any Terrain layer cakes (they were gone on #thegreatfabricdestash before I could even think about typing in my email address) BUT I did get 4 charm packs!   Finding yardage still available was a challenge - I totally love challenges!

Another WIP that has nothing to do with quilting are these adorable little guys:

Our bluebirds are back!  They are raising their first clutch.  Yep, 5 hungry mouths to feed!  Not too worry, my husband keeps their feeder stocked with meal worms.

Linking up now WIP at Freshly Pieced being hosted this week by Laura of Quokka Quilts.  What quilty sewing goodness are you working on?

Sunday Stash #10

Let me start off with Scrumptious by Bonnie and Camille.  Can't wait to make a Granny Squares Quilt with these and another little project.  (There is NO fabric dieting going on here!  I am already on a gluten free diet - a girl's gotta have something!)

I also couldn't pass up on some charm square packs of Kate Spain's Daydream.

When I was out visiting my Dad and family in Utah, I stopped in at My Girlfriend's Quilt Shoppe and picked up a couple of low volume prints for my stash.

Sun Print by Alison Glass and a Timeless Treasures print.  I have no idea what I am going to do with these but you just never know!

Linking up now with Work in Progress Girl for Sunday Stash!

Sunday Stash #2

Did you participate in the #thegreatfabricdestash on Instagram?  Did anyone else wake up the next morning with a fabric binge hangover or was that just me?  Just checked, it is still going on!  In fact, there is a FQ bundle of Anna Marie Horner True Colors that just might be calling my name...  I am a big fan of Heather Bailey's.  I have quite a stash of her fabrics.  Yes, I found some more.  Tula Pink is another one that I love.  But TP fabric went fast and for top dollar!  Talk about an investment!

Well for my Sunday Stash #2, I am going to share the charm packs that I received yesterday from #thegreatfabricdestash.  4 are from another big favorite of mine, Kate Spain.  The other 4 are adorable and will make a wonderful quilt to donate for auction at our annual Fur Ball that benefits homeless pets.

 

 

Yes, I scoured the internet and found yardage to go with these!  Whooohooo!  Then, my dear friend Jessica sent me this link:  Freckled Whimsy Charm Pack Quilt Along.  Check it out!

Linking up now with Molli Sparkles!  Happy Sunday!

1st Quarter 2014 FAL

Yes, I am one of those people - the kind that tries to squeeze just one more in under the deadline.  I realize the deadline is Jan. 8, but not going to make it.  That is okay.  Too many other things going on.

Here is what is going on the list:

Swoon Good Fortune King Size Quilt

We need this one for our bed!  I have yet to make a quilt for our bed (gasp!) and this one is it.  Each block takes a while to make so I tend to procrastinate.  I do love a quick quilt for instant gratification.

 

Craftsy BOM 2013 Quilt

 



This is just one block of several that I have made.  I am putting off the BOM that involves appliqueing a handle on a basket of flowers (also applique).  I like applique, but baskets are just not my thing (right now anyway).  Gotta finish this one!

 

Architexture Tula Pink BOM Quilt

 

I need 64 blocks to make the lap sized Trellis Quilt in TP's book.  I have all the fabric I need.  Definitely needs to be finished!

 

Sugarloaf Quilt

 

I am practicing on my FMQ with my longarm on this one.  I put this one off because digital quilting patterns turn out so perfect while my freehand, custom ones - well, they suck.  Yes.  Um hum. (Perfectionists, you know it.)  Practicing will help with that, so that is what I am doing.  Allowing myself to make mistakes, too.  Right now, ruler work is what I am practicing and I find that it is enjoyable for me.

 

Tula Pink 100 Modern Quilt Blocks Quilt

 

 

 

 

I do have 40 of these done, really I do!  I will be lucky if I get another 40 done this quarter.  I need 100 to make the quilt.  So, not expecting to get this one done.  I LOVE the blocks and the quilt, just not going to rush it.

 

Glimma Quilt

 

This poor baby keeps getting pushed further and further to the end of the list.  : (.  Don't think I will be getting this one done, either.  I changed the size of the block and forgot to write it down.  Doh!  So every time I go to make a block (didn't precut all the fabric, either) I have to reinvent the wheel. Last set of blocks I made, did write it down, though.  I keep putting it off.  My infatuation with Glimma has waned?

 

Started 4th Q but not on list:

 

King size Orange Peel Quilt for my SIL and daughter made with Sunshine Clover, Corsage and Streamers by Alison Glass.  Oh, I am having fun with this one!  Will I get it done 1st Q?  Probably not.

 

Not Started but want to get done 1st Q 2014:

 

Bluebird Park Quilt

 

The pattern is from Spring 2014 Quick Quilts called A Bushel and a Peck by Emily Bailey.  This is for my dear husband (Valentine's Day)!

 

Vintage Quilt Revival Block Along

 

Vintage Quilt Revival Block Along with Sukie

 

 I love this book!  And I love my Tula Pink Acacia fat quarters with coordinating solids.  I have been searching for the right quilt to make with these and when I saw Sukie's Block Along with one of my favorite quilt books, well, you know it!  If you don't have the book Vintage Quilt Revival, I highly recommend it!  It even has a DVD of the paper piecing patterns.

 

Gypsy Wife Block of the Month

 

I signed up for this ~  Gypsy Wife Block of the Month with Intrepid Thread in the Calm colorway.   Crazy?  Yes.  I have been lusting after Jen Kingswell's pattern for some time.  Jumping down the rabbit hole!

 

Lazy Sunday Quilt

 

One of my New Year's resolutions is to use up the fabric that I have stashed.  Or at least a good portion of it.  I bought quite a few charm squares and layer cakes on a couple of good sales that I need to use!  One is Noteworthy by Sweetwater.  I cut up the layer cake last night so it is already to go.  The pattern is one from May Chappell.

 

 

 

Fresh Quilt King Size

 

 I have a layer cake AND a charm pack of Simply Style.  Which actually is a good thing because I want to make Camille Roskelley's Fresh Quilt from the book Simply Retro.  Will I get it done this Q?  Probably not.

 



 

 

MORE~

 

I am in the process of coming up with a quilt to make with Sunnyside charm packs by Kate Spain.  There is a lap quilt to make for donation to the annual Fur Ball with Summersville Spring jelly roll.  A lap quilt with Lottie Da jelly roll and a Hashtag quilt with Happy Go Lucky.  Plus the Ballerina Quilt (by Jaybird Quilts) out of Modern Bliss.  I may be making a Baby Girl quilt, too.

 

That about wraps it up!  (Whew!)  Linking up to Katy at the Littlest Thistle.





Swooning Again

The Swoon quilt was on my 4th Q FAL.  Yes, this one will definitely be going onto my 1st Q FAL for 2014.  I am motivated to get this one done as we are in need of a new king size quilt for our bed in Spring colors.  It has been moved up the list of things to finish.  I got did get two blocks done this weekend, so now I have a total of 4.

If you have ever made a Swoon quilt, you know how time intensive it can be to cut and piece.  It is a good thing that all the blocks end up at a 24.5" unfinished size.  I plan on making mine 4 x 4 with a border because I like overhang on my quilts.

Cutting time has been significantly reduced because I have been using my Accuquilt Go.  The dies I have used are:  55000 (6.5" square), 55005 (3.5" x 6.5" rectangle), 55006 (3.5" square) and 55009 (3" finished 3" triangle).  I press, starch and precut my fabric before putting a stack on the die.  I have found that if I stack too much fabric on the end result is distorted.  Another tip someone had posted was how to draw where the actual cutting part is on the die with a sharpie so that it can been seen where to put the grain of the fabric.  I have the older dies, so this tip was very helpful!

See how the cutting edges are on an angle?  I make sure to put my fabric on the die with the grain at the same angle. 

Here is my kitty Casper earning his keep doing some quality control.  He is constantly with me in my sewing room!  He loves to sit on my lap when I sew.  But as you can see, he doesn't like his picture taken.

Gorgeous Simple Squares Quilt!

Here are some pictures of quilts made with the pattern Simple Squares designed by my good and very talented friend Jessica.  It takes one layer cake, a jelly roll and some yardage for the border, binding and backing.  It is about 78" x 87" inches.  For a free PDF copy of this pattern, go here to Jessica's blog:   Sew Patched Up

This one was pieced by Jessica and made with the Good Fortune fabric line by Kate Spain:

A picture of the one I made in the Cuzco fabric line also by Kate Spain.

 

A fun, easy quilt to make without much, if any leftovers!