Six Quilts in the Sun

My camera died, so on Black Friday we got a new one and apparently I need to figure out how to adjust the settings because all my pictures look overexposed.  Usually I bring my phone out and do pics with that at the same time to put on Facebook, but this time I did not, so since I am not trucking them all out there again this is the best it is going to be!  First above is Leap Year Schnibbles.  Below, is Anita's Arrowhead for my daughter Hannah this Christmas.  It matches her Christmas Tree Skirt I made her last year.

 This is Star Path and was a mystery quilt.  Pretty sure this one is going to Jill--my longtime friend from before Coleman was born.

 This picture is the worst...this is Dime Store Schnibbles..it has no home yet.

Above is Quilt History blocks from 2010..this one will go to my cousin Trisha and her hubby Bob.  Below is Bonus Night and Day for my son Coleman for his birthday coming up just before Christmas.

Randy's younger brother (in Ohio) had a massive stroke last night and prognosis is he will not survive (and if it does he will be a vegetable) so Randy will be flying to Ohio late tonight to say his goodbyes and be with his family during this hard time.  Dave was a great guy and I know he will be missed by all who knew him.  Life is short and you just never know...tell those you love that you love them often.  If you are the praying type, please say a prayer for the Clark's in Ohio.  

Binding Marathon!

Today Kathy and I met up with my mom and dad for the Tempe Arts and Crafts Fair.  We shopped and walked and got a great philly cheese steak sandwich at Corleones.  We were exhausted  by the time we left but very excited to get home and sew.  We put in Walk the Line and then The Green Mile and got busy.  I put the bindings on ALL SIX of the quilts I got back from Joanne.  YAY...several of them are Christmas gifts so I am really glad to cross them off my to do list.  I won't mention that none of them has a label yet, UGH.  So that is still on the list.  Tomorrow I will take pictures of them outside so you can see them all, but here they are getting bound.  

The first one is Hannah's Christmas Quilt (Anita's Arrowhead) and I forgot to machine bind to the BACK so I could machine bind it on the front, but I made it work anyways!  

 The second one is actually Kathy's most recent mystery.  This one may be for my good friend Jill (who was Coleman's father's girlfriend at the time he and I met--he has been out of my life for 25 years, she has remained close to my heart always..funny how things work out!)  or it might be for my cousin Tricia and her hubby Bob for their ten year anniversary.  At the time they married I wasn't big into quilting, so she is my only married cousin that doesn't have one of my quilts.

 This is was number three.

 I think this one was called Dimestore Schnibbles (I should check but I am in bed on the laptop--yep it is checked google!).  Not sure who is getting this one yet, but it will find a home.

 Number four is made of Mary Englebreit fabric.  Love this one!  It is also a Schnibbles--Leap Year.  I haven't been doing the Schnibbles the last few months.  Just have had too much else to do but I see pincushions are the next challenge and they make good gifts so I may try to squeeze that in somewhere this month.

 Leap Year.  Not sure who will get this one, I really love the fabrics, but I sure don't need to keep it.

 Number five is Coleman's 26th birthday quilt (coming up on Dec. 9th!) and this was made from leftover bits of Night and Day by Eleanor Burns.  Really happy with this one.

 And last but not least in the binding marathon was my quilt history quilt from 2010.  I am quite happy with this now that it is done...debating on this one for my cousin Trisha and her hubby Bob too.  My mom says she likes Americana so this quilt might fit the bill better than the one farther up.

Tomorrow, in addition to quilt photos in the sunshine, I plan to pull out all the "can be gifted" quilts and see what should go where and make the final decisions on these that I am on the fence on!  So very happy Joanne was able to quilt these up and get them back to me so I can get them out the door.  

In other sewing news...Kathy cut both our clue two rectangles that Bonnie told us about for a future clue and then she (and later I) cut some strips and squares for more Moth in the Window blocks.  I have been cutting them as I go and now we kitted some up to speed that project along!  I did sew up one spool block and cut up several more from leftover bits from making the bindings.  I have a great habit of making the binding when I do the backing but somehow with these six I had only made binding ahead of time for TWO of them!  I do have  a leftover binding drawer and I used a few from there and had to make a few too.  

Bonnie will be on QuiltCam tomorrow so I will be sewing up Moth in a Window blocks while listening to her!  Hope you have had some time to sew too!

A Bucket List Quilt and a UFO Finish!

 So Jo over at Jo's Country Junction http://www.joscountryjunction.com/bucket-list-hawaii-sunset-1845/ sent out a call for anyone who might want to join her to work on this Hawaii Sunset quilt from Quilters' Newsletter Magazine awhile back.  I got about this far picking out some fabrics before I remembered I was really trying to finish up my UFO's.  I don't have a lot, but I don't like have ANY!  So I just tucked it aside...and added it to my bucket list.  Then Beth over at http://bethstrand.wordpress.com/2012/08/11/what-would-you-do-with-15-minutes-a-day/ posted and asked her readers what they would do with fifteen minutes a day....this got me to thinking I can devote around two hours a week to a bucket list project!  So that is my reward for getting another UFO done today.  I am going to just go for it--it make take a year or two in and around everything else that I do, but the journey starts today!

 It is a gorgeous quilt and other than Bonnie's stuff I have never tackled anything like this...sure hope I can follow magazine directions, if not I will be emailing Jo (LOL!) and begging her to explain and expand.  Smile, nothing beats Bonnie's step by step directions as far as I am concerned!  So do you have a project you have been dying to get to that you can devote fifteen minutes a day (or two ish hours a week) to?
So on to the UFO!  These are my quilt history exchange blocks from 2010.  Our group exchanged blocks but FIVE people dropped out at the last minute and so I had five of my own blocks instead of one...then to make it even more someone else picked the EXACT same Broken Sugar Bowl block I did so I actually had SEVEN of the same block though in various fabrics.  I was so unhappy about all that that I just put it away.  But it was the UFO of the month and I can say I am so glad to have finally done it.  I bought the sashing fabric while in Wisconsin last summer when DJ and I were on a spree.  It was a good deal and I like how it all came together.

 Row 1

 Row 2

 Row 3

 Row 4 gave me fits.  First of all the third block on that was not even fudgebly off.  It was WAY too small on one side and a titch too small on the other side.  Luckily I was listening to Adele (and then Mama Mia) so I took it apart and redid the yellow triangles with a smaller seam which made it fudgable, though still too small. Then after I got the row done I realized that I had sewn the first block in with the wrong orientation (I was going for an X so that it seemed to make sense that I had ALL the same damn block!) so I unsewed that and fixed it.  Well worth it, I am satisfied with this top!

No idea where this one will go to yet, I don't think I will be keeping it though I really love that airplane block!  Was so nice to empty out the bin this was in and move a new UFO into it...lol, June had some thirties nine patches all made up so I found a pattern for a cool quilt and raided her stash before the sale and now it is a UFO for me to finish--though it hardly counts because I didn't start it, I am just going to finish it...later!  SMILE.  

Productive Saturday Sewing!

 Finished listening to the Edwards short stories and dug Dreams of Joy out of my car (been there for like 6 months, I was on disc 8) and am most of the way through it.  I was inspired by Amy to piece a border for Star Path QOV.  I didn't add an inner or outer border as she did, but I am happy with this one.

 I also pieced the backing from the last of the Anaheim discount fabric from when we went to Disney.  It is the perfect backing for a QOV.  I also made the binding.  Now I will ship it off to Alycia and she can get another volunteer to quilt and bind it and it will be ready for a soldier.  Thanks Nancy for a great mystery!

 I took some of the quilts outside to get pictures in the Arizona sun (seriously it is 100 and something out there) but I see my shadow made it into this picture.  Doc Schnibbles for Rachel's baby in Norway.

 and the back.

 Star Path in the sun.

 Kathy worked on the parts of these Night and Day blocks and finished them off and sewed them into this tablerunner.  Found a cute border fabric in my stash (thanks June) and it is now ready to be quilted.  This will go to my cousin Tara since it matches her quilt and her birthday is later this month.  We also made a quick trip to JoAnn's to buy a Kaleidoscope ruler (half off plus 25% off for educators) to use up the other leftovers from Night and Day.  Waste not, want not.

 I bought the other three Denyse Schmidt fat quarter yard thingys too.  Figured I had a coupon and I had money from my mom for my birthday so they are now mine!  Oh, and two skeins of dishcloth yarn as I am almost running low!

 Here is what Jack in the Box is looking like now that I have added the aqua colors.  I took it down to make room for my quilt history block UFO.  We cut sashing and cornerstones for it but that is as far as it got today.

And last here is a picture of baby Caleb snuggling in the quilt DJ and I made for him on our Prescott Staycation awhile back.  His parents are good friends of hers in Vegas.  What a cutie!

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!

Carolina Crossroads Progress and Here's Bug!

This came in the mail earlier this week..the final block from my the last holdout of my quilt history group swap. Cute! One other gal apparently decided not to make her blocks after all (what?) so since we were told to make fifteen and then we only swapped ten or so I have about 7 extra blocks that are the same. Oh well, they will all go in the quilt either in the top or the back I suspect. Finally remembered to take a picture of Bug. Isn't she cute? She fits in really well here and we love her already! And I have occasionally been sneaking in a Carolina Crossroads block or two but the pile never seems to get smaller! I will have plenty of quilt to get into tops this summer when I have more time to actually sew.

Short Story: The End

I guess I should go back and update my final parade of Schnibbles to show the bound and done Short Story Schnibbles quilt! I am happy with how it came out despite my not trimming it at the time. It is a bit bigger than some of the Schnibbles, but looks good! I am planning to give this to Kathy's sister Kelly unless I change my mind again and give her Joy Luck instead. Smile, we will see how I feel come wrapping day!

Our little bush is flowering out front and despite the Arizona heat is looking good so I couldn't resist a second picture of the same quilt. I am sure my neighbors think I am wacko...I am always trekking outside with various "blankets" and the camera....from their view they must really wonder what in the heck I am doing!

Went to Quilt History class tonight after missing the last three meetings. Really enjoyed myself and learned lots. Maybe this weekend I will share some of it on here. Roberta is so knowledgable I really wish she would write some books. Seriously. I tell her that pretty much every month too.

I did work a bit on my Quilt History Exchange Blocks for our December meeting. I did the rest of the trimming of the 4.5 inch sections and sewed up two more blocks (ten are now done) and the last five blocks are pinned and ready for sewing. Should complete them this weekend. I was not real thrilled to be doing the exhange (versus making a block a month myself) but now that it is getting closer and people are sharing the blocks they chose I am getting excited. One is doing applique airplanes and another a completely hand sewed block...so I should get another neat quilt out of it.

Other than that I plan to do some binding this weekend. Still have three quilts sitting here waiting for me to get going on that. Kathy works all weekend so there should be plenty of time for it. Hoping to spend some time with June too...it has been weeks I think!

Another Binding Done and Puddle Jumping Mystery Clue Five in Progress

I have the sashing and cornerstones on the inside of the Puddle Jumping Mystery Quilt...I don't have enough of the brown and purple fabric for the outside borders so I have to decide what I will do to finish it off...and the rows aren't sewn together yet horozontally. I have enjoyed this mystery!

Also finally finished the binding on my flying geese cat and dog quilt. I am now all caught up on binding...until I see Ros again, lol.

I didn't get a picture I guess but I also got the half square triangles cut and pieced for my Broken Sugar Bowl blocks for Quilt History. They need trimming and then I have to get them into the blocks, but all the parts are done anyway.

Broken Sugar Bowl Quilt Histor Progress

Last night I kept on sewing and though they don't photograph real well, these eight blocks turned out smashingly! I have the four patches all done for the other seven blocks but I need to get more of the dark blue fabric to finish them up. Will be on the lookout today since I am off to pick up June and meet BJ and Ros!

Puddle Jumping Mystery Clue Two Done....

Becky suddenly had some free time this afternoon so she came over to join me sewing! It was nice to have her over here for a change! I finished up my Puddle Jumping Clue two nine patches....

Becky worked on finishing up a UFO/PUP she is doing for this year's Nimble Thimble's challenge. Jade could not resist giving it her seal of approval.

Then I got to sew my Designer Mystery Block of the month, block two..."Santa's Lucky Hat" this cute little Santa hat! It was rather putzy but I was gabbing and sewing (and talking to myself too) and got it done.

After Becky left I threw in meatloaf, potatoes and asperagus and went back to trim a bunch of these blocks and now have them sewed into rows of three. These are for my Quilt History homework...I haven't gone in the past two months but I have to bring in fifteen finished blocks in this pattern (I picked) from Eleanor Burnes' book. I think it is called Broken Sugar Bowl, will have to recheck it when I go back up. They have been supplying the fabric as we go and I need to get more...when these are together there will be eight blocks done but I am supposed to have a total of 15! Have more four patches done, but don't have enough of the various blue fabrics to complete the other block. At least this project is seeing some progress.

Couldn't resist showing you block one and two together :)
Off to serve and eat dinner and then maybe back to sewing...tomorrow June and I are meeting Ros and BJ for shopping and lunch. I can't wait!