Metro Medallion QAL

Yea for starting!!

I was hoping to get at least four done yesterday but we had an impromptu dinner with the kids and my parents.  It's a fun block!

just wanted to show the DW real quick.  Happy Jack is waiting patiently to be sewn into rows.

The guild BOM is still being scrutinized.  I did find a leftover Bl-a-Day block that worked so I stuck it in (12 inch star block bottom left).  The layout will definitely change...

I did start sewing the leftover blocks, yardage and FQ chunks from Curve It Up for the backing.  

I am itching to start on either of these.  

But so far I'm showing great restraint.

Tonight I sewed on the final curved borders on my quilt top.

I'm hoping tomorrow to start piecing the backing from all the leftover chunks of fabric I have and a couple blocks that didn't make it into the front.

After taking this down, I started organizing all the fabrics I got on the Shop Hop last week.  There was stuff piled everywhere. Once I got things under control, I pulled out my Christmas BOM blocks from the guild.  Our show is the end of Oct. and the ladies who organized the BOM are hoping we get our tops done and entered in the show as a separate display.  I sorta got tired of working on them so this is all I have.

first layout

second layout

3rd

I had to dig through my scraps and found a couple 3.5 inch strips that I pieced to get the last  few plain blocks with the background! whew.

This is going to sit for a day or two.

One of the patterns I bought on Shop Hop was Happy Jack.

I started cutting out 3.5 inch squares for it.

too cute.

  

A New QAL

On July 1 the Medallion QAL starts. I will be using my FQ bundle of Comma by Zen Chic. The chartreuse is for the curves and the background is a Kona but I forget the color.

new projects and the block a days that just won't end.....

Yesterday I saw this pillow on Moda's Bake Shop. And I immediately started to make it.

I am making it a bit smaller, to fit a 20 inch pillow insert.

Of course I should not be making a pillow.  I should be working on the pieced borders for these blocks.

 all neatly piled up and ready to go

or quilting 

This is a baby quilt, the maker wanted something simple. It's for a boy. The quilting design is from The Pajama Quilter; double loops or 'olives' she calls it.  I was just flipping through the book before I started quilting and her words describing the design jumped out at me that if you quilt this giant size on a baby quilt it looks darling.  I was skeptical but liked it better than what I was thinking of doing and dang it does look cute!

  

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After Amanda was here last week, I had some quilt re-folding to do.

It was quite a pleasant task.  

During the refolding I pulled out a bunch that need to go.

I'm not in love with them anymore,a few I never was, they don't have a 'special' meaning for me and it's time for someone else to enjoy them. 

Of course, this doesn't reduce the quilts near enough and I am percolating a few different ideas of how to deal with this.  

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I also shamelessly got my block-a-day box out from under the cutting table yesterday as well.  

I don't know why I did, just to 'check on them' ???

I looked at them and thought, may have actually said out loud;

'this is ridiculous'

'these need to be done'

'sheesh'

So I started to play with blocks.

(there is another row of 5 blocks on the floor that you can't see)

I'm thinking of making two quilts from these 12 inch CWrepro blocks.

I'm thinking wide sashing between 3 rows. I'm thinking 2 lap/twin size instead of 1 queen...better for donating or matching for 2 twin beds (what??-yep I actually thought that even though I don't have two twin beds and don't know anyone who does and would want coordinating quilts in CW fabrics to cover them!!)  

It was great fun playing with them!  I still have two leftover blocks-they just don't fit in so will go into the backing.

This will end the twelve inch blocks and use up some of the large pieces of CWrepro fabric I got on sale a year or two ago.

I'm thinking I think too much and instead of starting more stuff should stay focused and finish what I have started  

hahahahahaa

I crack myself up.

design wall stuff

I made another group of stack in slash blocks.  After piecing a few more I think I will play with arrangements and adding some larger white pieces.  I'm thinking this will be a baby quilt or if I get carried away a lap quilt.

I like it.

 A lot.

I was gifted with these gorgeous batik FQ's at quilt retreat by my secret sister.

There were enough to use for my next Quick Curve Ruler pattern Urban Chained

I'm using a light blue print for the background.

My first test blocks.

I also have the binding on Urban Candy, just need to do the hand sewing.

I have 60 yo-yo's made (of the 409 I need) for this one.

Curve it up Block 10

The scrap X's are growing 

Urban Candy is a flimsy

I took a bit of time to sew 2 of the blocks for the guild BOM

there are a couple more six inch block options but guild is Monday night and this may be it for now.

Last Saturday I met with a group of quilters from the guild to explore modern quilts.  It was a fun afternoon.  Well how could looking at quilts, books, patterns and discussing quilts NOT be fun. 

So inspiration struck while I was making our bed a few mornings ago.  I was folding a stack n whack quilt that we use as an extra quilt in the winter.  It's Meghan's college quilt.  Reversible-blue and gold (Pitt colors) on the one side and   red/lt. blue/ beige scrappy on the other side.  Flannels on both sides.  It's dang warm and snuggily.

When I made it I thought that if the Pitt colors got old before the quilt did she could use the other side.

So as I'm folding it, I'm thinking how the block is modern looking and what if I used white in some of the layers.   

So I went downstairs and found a piece of white and cut four 5 inch squares and layers them with 5 batik charms I had.  

The blocks trimmed up to 3 3/4. 

I like it.  I'm going to make another one using 5 white charms.   I will have to get some more white fabric, it's sadly lacking in my stash.

If I do decide to make a quilt, I will be making the blocks bigger, these are a bit too small. 

As I look at this the ideas are jumping around like crazy...

Quick Curve Ruler Quilt Along

This morning I put together blocks six and seven.

Curvy Flying Geese:

block 6

Curvy Log Cabin

block 7

all blocks 

I didn't care for all the fabrics I had originally cut for the curvy flying geese block, so I cut a different one for the center, which now leaves me with enough for a 2nd curvy geese block.  I'm going to make that up this week.

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.