One Down--Many More to Go!!

I completed "Happy Eight" Saturday and completed quilting it yesterday.  Although I initially wasn't sure about the quilting pattern I chose, I am really glad I did.  It adds lots of texture and doesn't over-shadow the block patterns at all.  All I need to do is to make a label, bind it and give it to my friends little girl for her 8th birthday!  I enjoyed making it and it wasn't really difficult at all.  I may make it again, but I will not join the ovals into 8's.

Now on to the quilt I am making for the auction.

Current Work!

I still haven't began blocking "Crop Circles" so I haven't put the binding on yet.  It is my plan to have that done within the next couple of weeks.

I have started two new projects though:

• The donation quilt for the silent auction for the fundraiser:
• I started one quilt, but changed to a quilt made with my hand dyes.  It is comprised of 350 half-squares.  I have 125 made, so the cutting and sewing goes on.  The fundraiser is not until September, so I should be done at least one month before the deadline.  No picture to share yet.
• I made a quilt for one of the nurses I worked with when her second baby was born, and to address the possibility of the older child being left out, I also made one for her (she was probably 2 at the time).  That nurse is still  working at the hospital and although I no longer work there, I take my students there for clinical and so see her frequently during the semester.  In a conversation a couple of months ago, she relayed how her daughter (who will be 8 years old in September) really loves that baby quilt.  She said although it is really too small, she wants it spread over her when she sleeps and sits on it when she is playing.  I saw this really cute pattern that was made of ovals put together to make an 8.  A perfect quilt (I thought for someone turning 8 years old).  I discussed it with her mother, who agrees, and so I am making it completely from my stash (including the backing).  The "8's" will be 6 different colors of polka dot fabric.  The picture is of a partial row, but I think you will get the idea.  The "8's" are staggered, and I am making a throw size, so it will be usable for a while.

• I have completed quilting the most recent donation quilt.

I used a really simple pattern for the quilting and although I really do not like the light backing, I didn't have anything suitable and I really didn't want to buy anything.  I have more fabric to make another but I will use another color for the back.  As I type this, I just thought I had some red and some blue flannel that would have been better for the back.  Oh well---next time.  Maybe I will just hold on to this one and make a more suitable baby quilt.  Who knows!  It is cute though.

Well, that's it for now.  Hope you are having a great Sunday!  Take care and thanks for stopping by!

Happy Dancing---All DONE!!!!!

I am all FINISHED!!!  with the quilting on "Crop Circles".  That is what I think of when I look at the quilt and until I come up with something else--"Crop Circles" it is.  My knees and my back are confirming the "work" it took to get this done.  Even though precision in distance was not my goal, I still tried to make the circles evenly spaced somewhat.  Of course, the closer I came to finishing, the more "hiccups" I had and had to do some removal of stitching, but I was able to line it back up and so it isn't really that noticeable.  All in all---it isn't bad.  The circles are really nice and I think worth all the work.  Now to trim and bind and add to my pile of completed works.  I may enter this one though in a show.  I would really like the feedback.  We will see---anyway--following are some pictures.  Unfortunately, the texture of the circles doesn't photograph well, but take my word for it, it adds to the quilt nicely.

The quilt is lying on it's side.  The top and bottom are the wide solid orange borders.

 I still need to cut the "jump stitches".

The last one includes the back.  Sorta goes with the theme of "crops" doesn't it.

I have loaded a donation/gift quilt for my next quilting project, but the rest of the day will be spent resting.  I feel sorta good, so I may even make a "home cooked" meal, with biscuits, for Sunday dinner!  My family will think it is Christmas!!!!  Have a wonderful day and thanks for stopping by!!!!!

MIssing in Blogland!

I have been remiss about posting on the blog I know.  Life has been very busy indeed.  Two grand-daughters (sisters) graduations---one from college, the other from high school.  As happens with most families at this time of year---I had lots of  family visiting to attend the ceremonies.  It was a time for me to reflect on how fast time had gone by.  I remember when each of these babies were born---I was actually present in the delivery room and was the first person to sing "Happy Birthday" to each of them.  They have both grown into really beautiful (inside and out) young women, and I was one proud Grandmother at the graduations!!!!

Things are settling down and I am getting back in the routine.  I have (of course) been doing some quilting:

I finished the Bargello and am now in the process of quilting it.  It is a VERY slow process, at least for me.  I am quilting concentric circles of different sizes.  I am overlapping so I don't have to be concerned with "lining" them up.  The first picture is a close-up of the circles (with "jump" stitches not yet cut).  The backing is a piece of African Fabric I have had for some time.  It is amazing how well it matches the top--almost as if I purchased it specifically for that quilt and at the same time.  I am about 50% complete so I should be done in a couple of weeks.

I have also made another baby quilt for our Guild charity I need to quilt and made a quilt from cheater fabric to practice ruler work.  I also need to work on the Moda Sampler one of these days soon.  Lots to do!  It is also getting warm and hopefully I can do some fabric dyeing this summer.  My garage is an absolute disaster and so will need a good cleaning and purging!  I purchased a new washer so my old one is going to be installed in the garage and I will use it to wash the fabric I dye.  Just have to find the time to get everything put into place.  Whew----just thinking about it makes me tired.  I think I need a nap!!!!  Thanks for stopping by!

Diane and I Won!

Diane entered a quilt she pieced and one I quilted in a quilt show in Florida and we won the "Mayors Award". The show was small (about 50 quilts), but was judged so we are proud.

For some reason I cannot post the picture of my quilting.  I will still work on it and post when I figure it out.  Anyway--isn't this "Paducah Nine Patch" pretty!  See how she has arranged her colors!  

Checking In!!!

I have been very lax in keeping up with my blog---"almost" breaking my NY Resolution---but not quite.  So much has been going on in my world----renovations to the master bath (AGAIN)--that has left a layer of fine dust on absolutely everything--even areas upstairs.  Hopefully this will be a success but the work will continue since we have decided to redo all the baths.  That means the workmen will be here at least into the early fall.....gotta save money first for each one and then proceed; it is the end of school for me and so LOTS of papers to read and grade; two grandchildren are graduating from school--one college, the other high school; and the AQS show with my and Diane's eighth yearly trip there.  It might be a bit more complicated since my brother and his wife and kids are also visiting---making sleeping arrangements a bit more creative.

On the "Quilty Front"-----This is the completed "Mad About Plaid" quilt.

The back looks like a page from a book about birds.  It is a perfect (I think) backing.  When putting the strip strata together, some of the strips ended up a little wonky because the shirting's were so soft.  I really liked that looks and so purposely made it wonky.  This is going to my grandson.   He wants to redo his bedroom and so this will be the fourth quilt (I made one for his bed at his Mom's house) I have made for him.

Next in line was a UFO Kit from a couple of years ago.  It is made entirely of my hand dyes and so I plan to keep it.  I got the pattern from a web surfing expedition and cut out all the fabrics, even made a chart.  This is another "tedious" pattern.  It is like losing your place while reading a book--if you do, you sometimes have to start over to get it right.  I had to start over a couple of times even though I had been careful (I thought) to mark the strips.  Once finished it will be turned differently so as is, you are looking at the quilt sideways.  It is a Bargello---not sure if it is easier than the original pattern,  not really even sure if I will like it, but I am moving ahead.  I love the brightness of it!  It looks so contemporary/modern.

The left side of one section and a border is finished and I am starting on the right side of that section.  There are four sections (which make 2 sides) all together. From the lesson I learned with the first section, I am only putting three rows together at a time.  I am also going to carefully mark the top.  This will be a "sofa" quilt since I am changing the slip cover to a very light beige-grey and this should brighten it up.  Don't know how I will quilt it ---"it" hasn't "spoken" to me clearly yet.

That is my update.  I have to put my fun stuff aside, drink another cup of coffee and then read and grade some more papers.  Do have a wonderful Sunday.  At Guild meeting yesterday one of the members brought the most wonderful apple pie that was "store bought".  In a little bit I am going to go and purchase one for our dinner dessert.  Think I will take it out of the box and pretend I "made" it---LOL.

"Talk" to you later!!!!!

Almost Done!!!

I loaded "Mad for Plaid" on the long arm this morning and I am already half done.  I decided to not use the Baptist Fan but rather another CL board (see the second board).   The quilting fabrics and design make using a really complicated quilting motif unnecessary so this board will add just enough texture.  The backing is a moda print that I have had for quite awhile.  It is a combination of text and birds (from a dictionary).  The color is perfect for the quilt and "modern up" the very traditional pattern.  I should be done with it by the week-end!

On the Home Stretch!!

The top and bottom and one of the side borders are on.  I just need to put the right side one and I will be ready to quilt.  The border is dark strips although I have decided to carry a couple of the circles out to the edge of the border.  Add a little interest.  I had originally alternated the border squares with light and dark and didn't really think it "ended" the quilt, so I took out the light and substituted for the dark.  As I "frogged", I really was trying to talk myself into leaving it, but since I probably will not make another quilt quite like this again, I decided to do it right.  Again, it is a little "wonky", but I really like it!  Now I am trying to figure out how to quilt it.  I am not going to get too fancy since you will not be able to see it anyway, but I think texture is important.  I am thinking either Baptist Fans or the Egyptian Eye CL Board I have been using a lot lately.  I am going to have to "study" on it for a bit.

Guess Who Just Won!!!

I entered a contest hosted by Rebecca at Ruby Blue Quilts to name her longarm.  I am a "follower" of her blog and read it daily as well as get inspiration from her quilting.  I take things very seriously and so really looked at her quilting and paid attention to the "vibes" I was receiving.  I suggested two names, one for a female persona (Allegra) and one for a male (Memphis).  She chose Memphis!!!! Her choice was because she really loves the movie "Gone In 60 Seconds" that has a main character named Memphis---I suggested it because her quilting has such a "bluesy, soulful" feeling, like the Memphis blues.  I chose her newest book as my prize.  I can't wait to receive it.  What fun!!!!!

Now on my quilty front---I am working extra hard to complete "String Fling"---my name.  I am now putting the borders on and should have a picture within the next couple of days.  Although string quilts are normally not that difficult for me, this one turned out to be since the string blocks, once cut into the Drunkard's Path, should be put together with the strings going alternately vertical and horizontal.  In addition there is the challenge of light vs. dark and vice versa to make the circles stand out.  At any rate, it will be finished soon and another UFO marked off the list!  I am not sure how to quilt it, but it will not go into the pile "to be quilted"----I want it done!!!!

Take care!!!

Spring Break!!!!!!

I am on Spring Break for this week!!!!!!  Happy Dance!  I have lots to do, but I certainly intend to get some quilting in.  So now to update you!

I finished "The Trip".  Completely finished with the quilting, binding and label!!!!

 You can "sorta" see the texture created by the quilting.  At any rate it is HUGE!  I don't think I will ever quilt a quilt this big again (until this one wears out).

I also finished quilting and binding the "gift" quilt.

It really turned out nicely I think.  The polka dot backing is a nice touch.  I sure hope the little one who receives this will like it.

Since I have finished the UFO, I am now back to working on the Building Block quilt.  Huge blocks, that you would think would finish quickly, but takes longer than I would have expected.  Being true to my commitment, I am also going to work on a UFO.  I looked at my "pile" and this is one of the "oldies but goodies" (I have blogged about it previously).

This is made from recycled shirts---some of them belonging to my grandson when he was a little one.  It is rather time intensive---I have to take the shirts apart, cut them into strips, sew a strata and then cut the pieces and then make the block.   It is kinda tricky since the strips should alternate in the blocks.  It is nice and wonky---giving it a real vintage look that I am going for....sorta Gee's Bend-like!  This is 8 rows and I need to make 8 more so------

I pulled out my GO! and started cutting up some shirts I had already "de-boned" into strips (with my strip die) and will also use it to cut the Drunkard's Path blocks.  Without this tool I am absolutely positive I would not have chosen to make this quilt!  I LOVE tools that make things impossible, possible!!!!  Although I could probably use more variety in the shirts, I will not buy more but will use only what I have.  There may be some repeats, but I am good with that.

Onward!  I have lots to do!  Hopefully my "Quilt MoJo" will stay active and productive!