Progress!

This is my progress so far on the Ying/Yang quilt.  I am using a batik jelly roll that I purchased last year at AQS.  It is interesting that it was a predominate purple one, yet there were yellows and beiges in there as accent pieces.  I am making a queen size with unbleached muslin as the background.  I am going to border it so it should (hopefully) be large enough for my new BIG bed!

Last week was AQS in Paducah.  Diane came up and we went for two days.  I have to tell you though, it was COLD both days we went.  The second day (Saturday) it was rainy all day.  I really believe that had we not been going on a bus, we would have bypassed the trip.  The quilts were beautiful and except for a few, I was really inspired!  To clarify, I am only inspired by quilts I feel I would be able to make myself.  The very intricate ones that look like they were made by a machine, although beautiful, do not inspire me to quilt, but rather make me feel defeated since I could NEVER make anything like them.  This year there were more quilts that I think, given a perfect alignment with the stars, I could possibly make myself!

Both Diane and I were very selective about our purchases this year.  For seven years I have been looking for Kaffe strips to make a quilt I saw in a magazine and later in a book.  This year I purchased those strips (15 half-yard cuts) and some shot cotton.  I also found some strips and fats at Hancock's, although I didn't see a real SALE on fabric, although I got some patterns 50% off.  I got a ironing board cover (which I put on and am very disappointed with), but all in all I stuck to my list.  I did have two impulse buys---two cute little magnets that hold scissors and pins and some inks to dye fabric.  This isn't all I purchased (of course), but the highlights.  Next year they will add a show in Chattanooga which is only about 1.5 hours away from my home.  Great fun!  Diane will not be able to come again for that one, so I am going to scoop it out and see how it is.

At any rate, I had a great week!  Only wish I had won the lottery, or found several thousands of dollars to add to the joy!  Now I need to get busy and use up that new fabric and those patterns.

Thanks for stopping by!  "Talk" to you soon!

Ying and Yang!



 

I was making the "Scrappy Trip" quilt---and still have every intention of completing it, but I have gotten TIRED of it.  I need to cut more strips and just wasn't "feeling it" anymore---so into the "to be picked up later" pile.

 

I looked through my pile of "to be done eventually quilt patterns and found the "Ying/Yang Quilt".  It is funny, I didn't want to cut out more strips, but I cut out enough parts to make 160 blocks---6.5  inches.  I have completed the "Yang" side (90 blocks) and am in the process of completing the "Ying" ones (70).  I used up some of my stash---a jelly roll and about 4 yards of unbleached muslin.  I am also adding a couple of borders---again from my stash.  Should be a nice BIG quilt for my BIG bed.  It is (thankfully) going relatively quickly so if I stay on target, I will have all the blocks completed and will start to put it together next week.

 

 

Tomorrow Diane gets here!!!!  Lots of fun planned ahead!  It is our annual trip to Paducah and the show which we both look forward to.  We have vowed to both be more selective in our purchases and even have lists.  We will see how focused we stay.  It is great to hang out with such a close friend.  We have had some stressful times in the last couple of months so we both need this to "recharge" our batteries.

 

What else is going on-------I am playing with purchasing a loom!  I have always been interested and have been doing some research on-line.  Going to a yarn shop is on the list of things Diane and I will investigate---so I may have yet another "hobby" to add.  Since I quilt, and dye my own fabric, it only makes sense I would think about truly "making" my own fabric (at least that is my reasoning to the hubby).  We will see.   While the looms themselves don't seem really expensive, particularly the starter ones, the accessories really are.  I could not be looking at the right things, and because I am so new to this, hopefully I am misinterpreting what I am reading....hence the visit to the shop.  I am not sure I want to invest a LOT of money to another hobby-----quilting is pretty expensive all by itself.  I could end up with not only a fabric stash, but a yarn stash as well.  At any rate, I am enjoying the research part of this, whether I move forward or not, I am learning a lot.

 

I will keep you informed as I begin yet another adventure!  

 

Thanks for stopping by!



No Rest for the Weary!!!!

 

 

I have been very, very busy and sick!!!  Above is my quilting busy! I finished quilting my daughter's quilt.  I haven't thought of a name for it yet---but I love it.  I continue to be amazed at the texture that quilting gives a quilt!  I used one of my CL giant templates to quilt it---Swirl.   It is a perfect complement for the squares. (the light spots are reflections of the sun from the window).

 

Before



After

 



My bath is all finished now and as I mentioned, I really now need to complete the others.  I am loving it!  I run my bath, light my candles, and pretend I am a lady of leisure.

I was working in the yard and was bitten by a spider! I had a bad reaction---lots of swelling (my middle finger); pain; antibiotics and now I am much better.  My finger is still swollen and the skin has peeled off, but other than that, I consider myself blessed since these types of bites can be really bad.  Moral of story----shake your garden gloves out before putting them on, better yet, store in the house in a zip lock bag!---or even better, hire someone to work in the yard!

Well, wanted to touch base with you.  Diane will be here in two weeks for our annual trip to AQS.  Given my bath renovations, I will have to be a bit more selective in my shopping, but shopping I plan to do!  I am counting the days!

My Goodness!

All I did was call my husbands attention to a loose tile in the bathroom!  Actually I had been doing this for a couple of months---but this time I raised my voice a little more.  Anyway, we got a contraction to come in, with the intention of having a new tile floor put down.  Little did we know!

 

We ended up replacing the entire floor down to the joints.  Since we were tearing everything up---why not totally renovate it.  So that is just what has been going on.  Since this will be an absolutely beautiful bath, the other bathrooms don't look so good----so---I will have contractors in the house all summer.  Needless to say, my budget for fabric will be affected a little! (to say the least)!

 

 

 

I finally finished the black and white quilt.  I have decided I do not really like "modern quilting".  It takes too long and uses too much thread!  I wanted to take this off the frame so badly, but I decided I was going to push on and finish.  It is a pattern by J. Gehering (spelling) that was in a magazine.  Not sure what I will do with it, but this is one of those things I can say "been there, done that, got the t-shirt".

 

Well wanted to check in.  Bath should be done by next week and I can move back into my bedroom and my bed!

 

Have a blessed Easter Holiday!









Yet Another Start!

In my  last post I was complaining that I thought I was losing my "quilting MoJo".  I think I have found it, but I also think I am suffering from a lack of focus!  I seem to not have a problem starting anything, but of late, finishing it is yet another very long story.....I know other quilters have the same malady.

The above is my latest quilt beginning---this one though I will certainly finish since it is a gift for my youngest daughter.  She is moving into a new house and asked for a sofa quilt.  I had a couple of solid jellyrolls and had been looking for the right pattern.  I saw this quilt during one of my blog surfing expeditions.  There is a pattern for sale but as I looked at it, I decided that after 20 years of quilting, surely I could reproduce it, and so here it is. 

I would have liked a little more variety in color---lots of blue and red strips, but all in all, I still think it is okay!  I have three more rows to go and then it will be a "flimsy" waiting for quilting.

After this is finished, I need to get back to one of the 4 quilts I have in various stages of completion.  Thanks for stopping by---hopefully my next post will include some finishes.

 

Quilting Block?

I have been doing "some" quilting, I have been sorta blocked.  Not sure why---but  I know we all go through the same thing on occasion.  What I did do is to make the pictured quilt tote. 

It was pretty easy to make----used one yard of pre-quilted fabric.  Although the pattern says it would hold a queen quilt, I don't think it will hold any more than one.  I think I will remake it larger, but it will definitely do for taking smaller quilts to guild, or holding equipment needed for a class. 

Anyway---this is a pretty boring post---sorry, but that is the way it goes at times.  Have a great remainder of the day!

Progress!

This is my progress so far on my Scrappy TATW  (8 blocks)!  To speed up the process I cut a lot of 2.5 inch strips.  There is going to be some repeats, but it really doesn't matter to me.  The plan is to make a 84 inch square quilt....no border (49 blocks).  I am making the strata's first and then I will cut and sew them into blocks.  For me it appears to be more efficient.  There are several ways to lay out the quilt, but I really like the traditional layout.  It is interesting how when looking at the quilt, I don't see the diamond shape as well, but when I take a picture it is so apparent.  I also like the unplanned part of it, how the shape sorta blends out at points  Remember, I am into spontaneity and not so planned.

I also finished my very first truly "modern" quilt a couple of days ago.  It will be called "Study in Black and White #1"....a modern name for a modern quilt.  I didn't design it, but made it from a pattern in a magazine I recently purchased.  It is to be a housewarming gift for my oldest son and his wife.  I cannot keep a secret so as I was talking to him this week-end I let it "slip" about the quilt.  He exclaimed how neat that was, since he and his wife had decided to only hand black and white art on the wall of their bedroom.  The quilt is a wall hanging and solid black/white (also new for me).  I am now contemplating the quilting I will do.  I think I will do some freehand quilting -- sorta like I used for the quilt I made as "homework" in the Craftsy class.  I will post a picture after I have finished and sent it off, since they read my blog occasionally.  They clearly know they are getting it, but I want to keep the details a secret.

Well, just wanted to update you.  Thanks again for stopping by....more later!

No Direction!@#@#*

 

 

The blocks in the picture above represent three quilts I am working on---there are blocks for three others that are not posted.  I seem to have absolutely no directions---but the good thing (I guess), is that at least I am working on something.

 

The blocks in the upper left is the beginning of a "Scrappy Around the World".  I have been cruising the web and it looks like others are thinking the way I am.  I have LOTS of scraps and really want to use them in a quilt.  This is a great quilt for that-------if I had cut all my scraps into 2.5 inch strips---which I haven't.  As a result, it is taking more time since I have to stop and rummage through a very large pile of scraps looking for either strips, or pieces large enough to cut into strips.  I am also working on the Craftsy 2012 BOM, and have gotten some strips from that pile, but I really don't want two quilts made with exactly the same fabrics, so I am going to try really hard to stay away from that group.    What I am going to have to do is to make more scraps by cutting into my stash----more scraps to add to the ever growing pile! 

 

 

Moving clock-wise---is the new block I added to the 24 month BOM.  I have added "Amish Star" to the "Antique Tile"---so my A blocks are done.  I am liking how they look and hope that all other blocks will be as easy to increase in size.

 

 

The last block is the first of the Pile O'Fabric BOM.  A modern quilt that will teach new techniques.  This first block is called "Sound Wave".  It was very tedious to put together, but I prevailed.  It will use my hand dyes with the background a dark chocolate brown (it looks black in the picture).  Once finished each block is to be quilted using the QAYG (quilt as you go) method.  I am going to quilt mine the traditional method though--since if not, I probably wouldn't ever get it done :D.

 

I have made 7 blocks of the Craftsy BOM, and have put aside the "Spider Web" for a while.  I will finish it this year---hopefully by June---but I am tired of working on it so I gave myself permission to put it aside.  Hence the title of my post "No Direction".

 

Thanks for stopping by!  Have a great Saturday!

 

 

 



BOM

Like many of you, I joined BOM activities---actually two and now three. The latest one is an Alphabet BOM. There is a block each month beginning with a letter of the alphabet.  The block for January begins with A, February will be B, etc.. That means that this BOM will last for two years! I am barely able to keep my quilting goals month to month, yet alone two years! In addition the blocks are small---9 inch finished size, but my problem is I really do like the concept, and the group---so I am going to add it to my list, but modify it a bit.  Above is the first block "Antique Tile"---made in the original size and then my revised 12.5 inch size. Realizing, in addition to lacking the "will" to follow along for two years, I also like BIG quilts---so in addition to "refining" the concept for me, I am also going to make mine bigger.    How am I going to "twink" it a bit------I will choose another block---beginning with the letter of the month, and will increase the size.    I am planning to make mine a three color quilt, which for me is a real change since I LOVE scrap quilts. I am choosing navy, green and white. I will keep you posted.

 On the other quilting front, I have finished binding another baby charity quilt, so by the February meeting, I hope to have at least four to submit.   I worked this week-end, so other than the binding and these two blocks, I didn't do a lot.   Classes start tomorrow, so I don't think I will get a lot done before the week-end but then who knows. Anyway, just wanted to keep you posted.


The other block on my design wall is a "test block".   I was trying to see if I could make the quilt using 5 inch squares---yes, but LOTS of tiny pieces. I will save that for another day since I really do love the block.

 Well, have a great day! and thanks for stopping by!!!!

A Sleepless Night!

I often have problems sleeping.  If I am worried about something or even looking forward to something, I can't sleep.  Classes will start next week, but faculty returned this week.  I will have a very busy week everyday, including Saturday, which would normally be a time I could catch my breath.  Today and tomorrow will be particularly hard since I chair a committee that has some really hard decisions to make specific to student retention.  Not an easy task!  I am also feeling rather pensive and have some decisions to make personally----all in all, a not very creative time for me.

I have been up since 2:00 AM and what do you do when you can't sleep----either sew or play on the computer.  I can't sleep, but I am really too tired to handle a rotary cutter :D, so I am at the computer.  I see that a lot of bloggers are choosing a "Word of the Year".  Interesting---never done it before but it is a novel idea.  I read "The Chitlin Circuit" often (see my side bar) and Karoda has a word that I think is a good one for me as well---particularly given the events that are presenting themselves to me.  The word is DISCERNMENT.  It means to catch sight of; recognize; and understand.  I think that will be my word since for me it is appropriate for almost every aspect of my life, be it quilts, job, friends, children etc.   So that will be my word!  I will keep you posted on it's appropriateness.

On the quilting front---not much going on!  I have finished another block on the Craftsy BOM.  I want to do a little commercial for the "Steady Betty" again---wonderful tool!  My blocks have never been this square.  I finished quilting one of the baby quilts.  I am not going to be able to attend Guild this Saturday because of work, but I hope to have several done including binding and will start turning mine in.  Another goal I have is fulfill my commitments in advance----less stress for me.

Not much else to say.  Will post pictures later.   xoxo