Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Updated UFO List

For all intents and purposes thirteen of the quilts listed below are done or will only have binding left to go when I get them back from the quilters.  This is the list from the end of March on my blog...not too shabby!  I am thinking I can soon get to starting something new, lol!  
I see the August UFO draw is #7 which is my Quilt History blocks from 2010.  I just need to cut and add sashing and cornerstones so that won't be as much work as some of the rest.  I may have to make a few more blocks or use duplicates too.  Whoot, whoot!


TO BE QUILTED BY ME:
3 Mourning Quilts w'Dad's Clothing-Sent to JoAnn for Quilting
Auntie's Anvil-DONE
Christmas Tree Skirt-DONE
Broken Crockery Rainbow-DONE
Little Basket Mug Rug-DONE

TOPS TO BE COMPLETED:
Bargello Seasons-Top Done, still undecided what to do with it
Lil’ Twister Pink and Green-DONE
Mac’s Bluework Blocks-waiting its turn
Cheddary Challenge ie. Bonnie's Sisters Sister Bow Tie Blocks-still in progress
I Spy Squares/Hexagons (cut what I have collected so far)-another one done, but have more to go
Jack in the Box Rainbow Scrap Challenge 2012-in progress
Nine Patch and Snowball Top-One Done, more to go
Pineapple Blossom Blocks-done and gifted to DJ Hunt
Randy's Smith Mountain Morning-making progress on this one now
Twist of Fate-still waiting
Quilt in a Day leftover bits from Night and Day-in progress now

Tina’s Crown Quilt-needs binding
Quilt History Blocks-pulled for August, so soon to be done!

HAND SEWN TOPS TO BE COMPLETED:
Hexagon Doll Quilt-no progress
Hexagon Bigger Quilt-no progress

COMPLETED TOPS FOR ROS TO QUILT:
Roll Roll Cotton Boll-JoAnn is quilting it
Bibelot Schnibbles-DONE
I didn't add anything to this list but was just happy marking things off!

A Little Modern Quilting

 Did a quick run to JoAnn's today and used my 40 percent off coupon to buy this yard of fabric which includes four Denyse Schmidt fat quarters.  So cute...I hope the other three find their way to me soon!
 I put a back on my Lil' Twister and quilted and bound it.  My featherweight bent a needle part way through the binding and now needs to visit the repair guy again.  Sigh, I was going slow and everything!  Anyways I finished up the binding on my Diamond.
 It isn't perfect but it is acceptable.  It is just for me anyways so it is all good.  Will try to remember to bring this to show and tell for the Phoenix Modern Quilt Guild meeting since it is made with modern fabrics.  Now I am settled in in front of the TV to watch the Olympics.  I am going to unsew my cheddar quilt..the last row I put on needs some adjustment.  I have put too much time into that quilt to ignore it, so unsew I will.  If I finish that I will knit.  My schedule is suddenly freed up tomorrow so I don't have to work.  YAY!  There will be sewing tomorrow!

Monday, July 30, 2012

Smith Mountain Morning Moves Along :)

 Had a short work day today (was thinking I was going to Deaf Expo in Vegas but plans changed and I stayed home) so I got to sewing when I got home.  I started out with the centers of the blue stars.  Had to trim a bit of width off them but otherwise they went together well  I trimmed the rest of the points and made the tops and bottoms and viola, 16 blue stars are made.
 I had to lay them out with a few of the logs..didn't look at Bonnie's actual layout to see if I was copying since I only have one brown star done, but just wanted a feel of what it would look like.
So I have 15 brown stars to go (all the parts are made but points need trimming) and then this top will quickly be coming together.  I don't suppose I will get lucky and Judy will pull this one for the UFO for August.  That would just be peachy!  
Kathy worked on more red, white and black bits from Night and Day too.  Then after Packer Waffles for dinner we did some serious fast forwarding through the opening ceremony of the Olympics and through the events we wanted to see.  I am all caught up now :) 

Sunday, July 29, 2012

Sunday Sewing with Megan

 I spent a lot of time working on Smith Mountain Morning today.  I was making a zillion star points.  I put together one block to make sure I was sizing them right.  And I laid it out with the others to get a sense of it.
 That motivated me to go gangbusters on the star points.  I won't mention how I can't count and so I have WAY TOO MANY browns.  I think my border shall be a creative variation on Bonnie's plan.  Either that or I have a start on another one down the line.
And in other news, Megan made her quilt larger.
 Then we spray and pin basted it and she got to quilting!
 She did a great job and was very patient when the machine was giving her thread problems.  She would just rip it out and just keep on trucking.
 Then I taught her how to make the binding and she attached it all herself by machine.  It really looks great for a first quilt.  I am seriously proud of this gal!  Way to go Megan!  She is already thinking about what she wants to do for her next quilt!

Saturday, July 28, 2012

Blissful Sewing Day!

 Started off by making my sister's crown quilt binding...her birthday (and Kathy's) are next Friday...I need to pick up her quilted quilt from Ros and get it bound to give her next weekend.  Where does the time go?
 Here are the blues I cut the other night.  And today I added all the browns.  (Still need to cut the muslin so I can start putting the last units together!)
 Since I was tired of cutting I decided to play around and sew some bags.  This led to organizing all my zippers by color (see Amy there is another page for our book!).
 Meanwhile Kathy finished up her clue for the mystery.  Loving the look of this one.  She can hardly wait for the next clue.
 Then I made a few more modern looking bags.
 All while listening to Isabel Allende's "The Sum of Our Days" which was good.  Finished it tonight so it can go back to the library.
 I cut into my modern fabrics and sewed squares together.   I am sure you can guess where I am going with these blocks.  Always a dog in my pictures...
 And the border...
 And tada another Lil' Twister.  This is the first one I have made with the tiny, tiny ruler I bought awhile back.
 See how small it is?  Love it!
 Kathy continued to sew the leftover bits from the Night and Day quilt I made almost two years ago into these blocks.  She isn't too happy with the centers, so she insists I do that part on the remaining blocks.  There are lots of seams that come together and we haven't followed Eleanor's directions to spin the seams or whatever..but maybe I will try to figure that out.
So most of the day was spent in quiet company with Kathy and our audiobook while sewing and cutting to our own beat.  It was really relaxing.  Tomorrow I plan to cut the muslin and start sewing that last unit.  Megan is coming over again to work on her little quilt so I will have a companion.  Kathy thinks she will make some dog biscuits with Ayla.  Speaking of that...Kathy has launched her new website where she sells homemade dog biscuits.  The dogs love them (even June's dog who is quite fussy about what he will eat!) so if you are interested check out http://shop.jandrdogtreats.net/ 
:)

Friday, July 27, 2012

QOV Mystery Blocks :)


 I took a sub job today for most of the day (and it started early!) then I got a quick haircut and went to Kathy's sister's house for a visit and a swim.  We then came home and working on the QOV Mystery.  Here is the start of my blocks and then them turned into stars.

 I then did the other block and guessed on a possible layout for a picture.  I don't think mine is super exciting but it is red, white and blue and maybe borders will perk it up a bit..or maybe I guessed the layout wrong!

 Kathy is doing hers scrappy with scraps I LOVE.  So this one appeals to me much more.  She did all her centers and stars and is working on the second block..here is a sample of what they will look like.

I did a few more baby burp clothes too.  That was today's sewing...tomorrow I need to get back to cutting the rest of the pieces for Smith Mountain Morning.  I can't wait to see some more progress on those blocks!

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Phoenix Modern Quilt Guild July Meeting

 Some of these pictures are upside down but I am not gonna worry about it!  These are the show and tells that I got pictures of from last Saturday's meeting.  Jill started us off with this beauty.  She also showed us some cool orange funky log cabin blocks.
 Becky showed us her Auntie's Anvil (which is now done since that meeting!)
 She was working on hand quilting all through the meeting and even later on after she got tired of machine sewing at my place.  Here is her hand sewn hexie quilt..grandmother's flower garden ish.  I LOVE it!
 Georgette showed us her hands free mail sack bag in batiks.
 Martha showed us her bag (which she offered to teach us how to make) which is far more gorgeous than this picture shows.  She and Patty (next to her) are from another guild I was in and I have been to quilt camp with them several times in case you recognize them.  They said they will be coming back so it is nice to see old friends again!
 This one is also Martha's Athena's Puzzle.  Really pretty brights!
 The back is just as appealing...something it seems modern quilters are apt to do...make a pretty back so the quilt is twice as nice.

 Patty shared some gorgeous applique projects.  I CANNOT wait to see this one come together.  I was almost tempted to make one myself then I remembered the last applique quilt and how I wound up getting it quilted without appliqueing it.
 Another one from Patty.
 Upside down T Shirt quilt by Michelle.  She said this is only her second quilt and she was trying to decode our language the whole meeting.  We assured her she would be understanding us in no time.  She obviously has what it takes, quite a nice quilt here for number two!  She said she "quilts by check" and I will from now on use that phrase as I mostly do too!
 Chesla shared this beauty!  She said this is all paper pieced.
 Again, the back is as nice as the front!
 She also did a SWOONalong block.  Hers is resized and has a cool block in the center.  Such talent!
 Nedra shared her Mumbo Gumbo quilt.  She has taught many classes of this quilt.  Love its scrappy goodness.
 This one is absolutely exquisite.  Not one I would ever attempt, but Nedra really outdid herself with this..I LOVE the colors and the look of it.  (by the way, Nedra has a blog http://cactus-needle.blogspot.com/2012/07/phoenix-modern-quilt-guild-july-meeting.html and she got better pictures than I did if you want to see them!) This is a Judy Niemeyer "Pie in the Sky" pattern.
 Alyssa shared her bag with hexagons on it..really cute.  She had several cute things to show us which I didn't get good pictures of.
 She shared this little quilt--the modern medallion.

 Here is one she made for her little one.

 Another ADORABLE back.
 This is one for her son too.  She explained how she did the letters for this..we all agreed that is what makes the quilt.  Funny how one detail can really change the whole look for the better.
Picture borrowed from pileoffabrics.com
Allysa is hosting a totally groovy quiltalong at http://pileofabric.com/post/1001884-totally-groovy-quilt-along-with-prizes  that looks like fun.  I thought this looked kind of hard, but she assures me that it isn't and that there will be lots of tutorials to help us along the way.  I am hoping to win the pattern because then I will HAVE TO do it.  I like the fun and funky look of this quilt.  If you are joining in on this, please comment me and motivate me to just jump in!
Danny shared this funky quilt. Cool fabric.

 I really love the fabric on the back and had never seen it before!  (Michael Miller, Peacock Lane) She also shared a cool Farmer's Wife cloth baby book she made with six of those itty bitty blocks.  http://quilting.craftgossip.com/tutorial-farmers-wife-cloth-baby-book/2012/05/15/  Amy and Angela keep posting these cute little blocks and I have been thinking I might do a few one of these days and see if I like making them...if not, someone will wind up with this little book if I can get six made!
 Oh  I shared this Schnibbles which I haven't given away yet and then my Bargello Seasons so I could get more advice on what to do with it.  Seems if I had a light color all the way around instead of the green I might like it better.  Someone also suggested quilting it from the center out in a diamond type pattern.
It was a fun meeting and I couldn't believe that there were five of us that were from Nimble Thimbles.  I no longer go to those meetings (a weeknight when I work now) but it was nice to see these gals again!  Our group will be meeting in August on the 18th at 1:15 PM at the Downtown Police Department.  If you are in the area please come and see us!  

Old Town Quiltville Mystery and More

Just wanted to share the game gifts I crafted for my honorary daughter who lives in Norway.  Rachel is very appreciative of anything I send ...