Finishes and almost

A fabric box and thread catcher.  

I managed to finally get to Target and remember to buy diapers.

With scrap strips from the stash I whipped up 10 burpers for Jo.

I snapped this photo a few minutes ago.  I am nearing the finish of quilting my Metro Medallions.  After I finish this last row, I will have to go back and quilt in the green areas.  

My ruler/template skills are definitely improving, not near as much un-stitching.  

I'm into the second day of a migraine--the meds are just taking the edge off so I can still function.    

I do have to work tomorrow and Saturday and hope the headache will have left by then. 

Customer quilt finished.

I quilted wonky feathers all-over using a green thread. 

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Another co-worker has landed in the hospital and so I was asked to make a quilt.

I thought perhaps I'd make the Swoon pattern.  It's one I've been just itching to make.

So I got the pattern.  

But decided perhaps the blocks were a bit big. 

 I  re-drafted and made a sample block and although I love the block either bigger or smaller, I nixed the plan on using it. 

Truth be told I want to make it for ME!!!!

I added the borders on the sample block and now have a 20 inch square Pillow!

yea.  

I decided on an 8-pointed star block for the gift quilt. I'm using hst so they're going together quickly.

The blocks finish 16 inches and I have the pieces all cut for 6 more blocks.

I'm using a FQ bundle from Minick and Simpson called Bar Harbor.  I've had it in the stash for a while so it's time to use it up. 

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I did re-load my Jonquils & Stars quilt and did a background in all the blocks and I have the binding sewn on.  

AND THEN my thumb split AGAIN!  

(dang you dry winter air.)

So I have three sides to hand stitch but with the thumb wrapped in two band aids I'm having a heck of a time.  I haven't had a chance to take more photos and  before I do, I would like to do a little searching on how to take better quilt photos since they never show the quilts and quilting like I want them too.  It's very frustrating to me.  I just need MORE TIME...aggggghhhh

:(

*******

I have run out of the light grey fabric for this modern baby quilt so it's done!

I have the blocks sewn into rows of two so far.

I made the 'bull's eye' off center by a row-just to be rebellious-ha! 

The row of leftover blocks at the bottom I will sew into the back. 

I love it.

*****

In an effort to get my flimsy's done, I loaded my Metro Medallion quilt.

 I am going to use rulers on this one too-gotta use 'em if I'm ever going to be good and comfortable with them.  

I do like the precise results I can get with them.  

I know it's just practice, practice, practice! 

--and a good deal of frogging--

But dang I'm impatient, impatient, impatient. :)

There's that time issue again!

******

and look who's 2 month's old already! 

Sleeping like a baby!

Be-still my heart. 

Life is so good!

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.

*******

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.

Fresh look

Change is good.

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.