Three Rivers Quilters annual show was last weekend.

 This was my entry. 

I didn't take too many pictures the show was quite crowded.  They have a slide show of the winners here.  The Best of Show quilt is amazing.

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I finished this customer quilt yesterday afternoon. It's all flannels top and back.
I did a swirl echo on it (from the Pajama Quilter), it gave it really nice texture, especially with it being flannel fabric!

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I loaded my little Swoon block sample and got that quilted before I load the next customer one.
I'm going to make this into a pillow...so my first Christmas gift is about done!

*****

Urban Birthday is a flimsy.

On the design wall now is this one from Sunday Morning Quilts.
 I am going to try to just take my time with this
 and piece the rows s-l-o-w-l-y.
(ha-ha --I did say "try")  
I don't need another baby quilt (right this second anyway) nor do I need another flimsy.

This pattern uses the cut off triangles from piecing binding. I use 2 1/4 inch strips for binding rather than the 2 1/2 strips most people use. I didn't have enough of them so I would say a good half of these I just cut from the 2 1/2 inch strip bin. 

After I got it all arranged on the wall, I thought perhaps I should make it bigger.
And then I smacked myself and came back to reality.

almost there....

Jonquils & Stars 80 x 80

I thought I could take a bunch of pictures out on the deck.

I nearly froze and then the wind blew and flipped the quilt over and I said 

enough...brrrr.

 

the center, I do like the quilting.

all blocks & seams were SID and then each big star block quilted differently.

I didn't quilt in the background of the blocks and after I unloaded it I didn't like it.

Too much 'poofing' going on as you can see in the star block above.

I have a customer quilt that must be done first -I've had it longer than I thought I would. 

 I honestly didn't think the quilting on Jonquils would take sooooo long; calling this a good learning experience.

After I quilt the customer one, I will re-load and quilt the block background.  I am hoping to enter this in a show here that has an entry deadline of the 18th. 

If I don't make that one, there is another one in the Spring but I'm shooting for the first one. 

I will take more pictures after I really  finally finish it. :)

2 outa 3 ain't bad

First I got the CW lap quilt together. It measures 48 x 64

I pieced M Ring blocks in between rows-sorta like a huge leader/ender!

After lunch I had to run down to the store and then I was back at the machine.

Ta-da!

These are the little scrappy triangle blocks I've been using as my real leader/ender.

I was just going to count them but with the nearly empty design wall I couldn't resist playing around for a bit.

I have enough of the light grey fabric for 10 more blocks, which will finish that row on the right.

I've double checked but if you see a block that's not going the right way-do let me know!! 

The first CW lap quilt is now a flimsy. 

It measures 48 x 64

I took this picture of Jonquils from underneath my quilting table!  

 If I didn't like my new blog header picture so much I would change it to this.

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And here is my design wall:  

Metro Rings blocks

 2nd CW lap quilt

and way at the end some modern anvil blocks from "made fabric"

I am going to get Jonquils & Stars finished today.

I am.

And sew together the CW one as well.

I will.

And finish piecing the Metro Ring units into blocks.

I'm serious.

Sew Day!

Yesterday Libby & Mary Lynne came over to sew.  Oh my gosh, I forgot how much fun spending a day sewing with friends is-- especially in the dead of winter when the temps are in the frigid ridiculous zone! 

The night before I moved the sewing cabinets and added a table so we could sew and gab with ease.

They arrived at 9:30 and stayed until 3. 

First Libby shared a little show-n-tell; her granddaughter is making her 1st communion in a few months and each child has a banner at their seat. Libby made Ella's 

And a new baby quilt; the plain blocks have embroidery on them but my camera didn't pick it up.

When I invited them over to sew, Mary Lynne asked if I would teach them the Interleave  technique.  

Here is Mary Lynne's. She choose the Mirrored Sine Wave pattern

  

And here's Libby's. She did the Helix Sine Wave pattern.

I finished trimming all my Metro Rings units.  In spite of heavy chatting I managed to get them trimmed without mishap.  

I also had to take apart and rotate one block in my Metro Hoops top. After I had blogged about the finish, someone was kind enough to let me know one block was turned--whew! See it down there bottom row next to the right corner.  I doubt I would have seen it although now that I look at the picture it's glaring at me!!

But now it's fixed. 

We are planning on making these sew days a regular event.  

******

After the ladies left, I did some quilting. I'm doing a paisley fill behind the appliques and in that little center square area I cross hatched -the lines are 3/8 inch apart-yikes.

 I'm still just Stitching-in-the-Ditch on on the star blocks and along all the border seams.  The plan is to do a fill in the background (light green batik) areas around  the star blocks.  

Oh and the batting and quilt are off the ground...always a nice sign that the end is closer than I thought.  I would really like to get this done over the weekend. 

Wow-an achievable goal!  The question is: Will I persevere or start 2 or 3 new projects instead?

Fun times, fun times!

Life is good.

  

whoa!

two posts in one week...

just a little follow up on my quilting progress (not much)

I got a little more of the SiD and the inside border done

 see told you not much.

However, I did get all the rest of the 2.5 inch strip sets sewn together and the curved piece cut out-96 total.  It took a good long while to do.

and then I cut the background curved pieces.  So now I'm all ready to piece the blocks.  

I work this weekend so not much more will get done until next week.

The plan was to get all these prepped yesterday but we had a surprise visit from this little one.  A very happy break for both Meg and I.

(yep-that's a made by Mimi burper!!-vintage Amy Butler perhaps...)

Today I loaded Jonquils & Stars.  I spent the last couple days piecing the backing for it from "chunks" of batik fabric from my stash.  

I started the SID along the inner border and then I got real hungry.  I stopped for lunch and then remembered I needed a few things at the grocery store and had to go to the bank.  I got home and thought I really should get the house cleaned so all but the dusting-bleck-is done and now it's coffee break time which will lead into having to make dinner (meatloaf) so I hope I'll get back to quilting this in the evening.

Earlier, while I was waiting for a quilt-drop off, I pulled out the CW Block-a-days 12 inch blocks.  I had them pinned in rows (from last year) but re-arranged them and added the blocks from the guilds Christmas BOM that I started but stalled out on. 

 There are two blocks left over and I will probably put them into the back. I will probably sash this with 2.5 inch strips.  I'm going to let them sit there for a bit and think about it.
Not for too long though as I also got out the Metro Rings pieces.
They are getting worked on next.

In the same project box with the Metro Rings I found the pattern for
Urban Birthday and a layer cake and yardage for it--- oops!
forgot all about that one.

Jenny is starting a new QAL which I'm probably going to do :)

Metro Hoops

is my first flimsy of 2014!

For about 3 minutes I pondered adding a border or two.  Instead I sewed a basting stitch all around the outside edge to secure any loose seams and it is officially done.  whoop-whoop.

now to decide on backing do I piece some fabric I have or buy new?  

******

Yesterday, I completely forgot to go to my guild's Mod Squad group!!  I thought about it around 3 o'clock in the afternoon.  It runs from 1 to 4.  I was doing some sewing cabinet re arranging and forgot about the time.  I was bummed to miss the meeting but real happy with the sewing room changes.

I moved my one sewing cabinet over to the corner of the room and pushed the white one (that I use) closer to my ironing board and I also spun it around so while I'm sewing I can see my design wall.  I never liked having it behind me, but I thought the lighting was better that way.  

After sewing with the new setup, I can't tell any difference-go figure.

The room feels so much bigger.

Facing the design wall and HQ I can now think about what I'm going to quilt on the next flimsy.

My lovely Jonquils & Stars top from my first ever QAL.  I do need to get backing for this it's 80 x80.  If I remember correctly, I did have a backing for it and then used it on another quilt!! oh well.

******

Today after church and breakfast at a local diner my mom and I stopped in to visit this little cutie-patootie 

She's five weeks old and she smiled for us! Real smiles, not those reflex ones.  

I can't wait for the cooing to start.  

Life is Good!

January 8th

My house is almost un-decorated but that is another story.

At the beginning of 2012, I thought I had made  a very do-able goal list.  But as the year wound down I could not finish (quilt) the 3 tops that I have had on the list for the last two years now.  I'm bummed about this but hey that's how it goes!  

They are:

Chloe

Aster Manor
I can not find a picture of the completed top--yikes!

Jonquil & Stars

They are all big quilts full/queen size and I have the backing and batting ready too.

Chloe was loaded on Saturday.

I was back and forth over how to quilt it-always a dilemma! The thoughts of custom quilting it just makes me tired.  Of course I really wanted to do feathers on it but was thinking it was too busy.  Then I was making my bed later, um I still have my Christmas quilt on it.

I did all over feathers on it and it's a darn busy quilt and I love it.  Love the texture, love the feathers.  Decision made!

So now I just need to get started on the quilting.

My goal list is much smaller this year.

4 tops need quilted. The 3 above and Modern Misfits too.

I have 5 WIPS:

2 embroidery pieces – finish as pillows, frame etc.

Swirled Christmas tree wall quilt (applique)

Bunny Hill Designs BOM “Dresden Plate”

New York Beauty

Curve it Up Quilt Along (Blog) BoM

I did get my Christmas Swirls top fused.

I may save this for the quilt guild retreat. It might be a good little project to take along in case I get tired of one of the other things I'm working on.

For "NEW" projects this year I just have 

"use my Quick Curve Ruler." 

I've started making Urban Candy already. 

I have 10 blocks made.  It calls for 90.  

Making these modern quilt patterns is so far out of my norm and curves so out of my comfort zone that I shake my head over this change in me. A few years ago I would never have thought I would ever make a quilt like these.

So I start this year hopeful that I will finally finish up my UFO's and WIP.  I didn't even mention the 70+ block a day blocks that are still aging to perfection in a box under my cutting table (oh yes! I know exactly where they are) don't want to overwhelm myself. *wink*

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In other aspects of my life I need to

- get back into a routine; this creature of habit needs it ....badly. 

-continue my walking and good eating; got away from me a bit this holiday season

but I'm back in the saddle again.

-s.l.o.w. down  

I'm a fast person, I do everything fast. Not as warp speed fast as when I was younger but still pretty fast. I move fast, I talk fast, I eat fast, I get ticked off fast (but I also get over it fast)

 :)  

I'm starting to get a little tired.  

*****

fun times, fun times.

Life is good.

Spring...AKA migraine season.....

I woke up at 4:30 this morning feeling like doo-doo, ya' know: crap.

After tossing and muttering and waking up Paul (oops he still had 1/2 to go before the alarm), I got up and ate a yogurt so I could take meds.  I was planning on going back to bed; the medicine only took the edge off, which is great, but it wasn't enough that I thought I could sleep.  So down to my sewing room for some distraction.

I sewed the outer border on the CW Medallion quilt-yeah!  It measures 94 x 94! yikes.

No finished picture-- I've been looking at the dang thing on the design wall for so long I just folded it up, put the notes on it about backing, batting and that I have the binding ready and hung it in the closet.

******

Then I almost got out the crap  Crab apple blocks to work on,

*edit: whoops, blame it on the headache~ :)*

 

but I looked over my list for 2011 and saw Jonquils & Stars. It's a WIP just like the Crab apples but I only needed to cut and sew on the final outer borders.  I bought the fabric last month...maybe in January and have no idea why I didn't just finish it then. 

ta-da it's now a flimsy. 

January BOM

  I had a hard time picking the 4 colors for this block.