Friday, July 25, 2014

CW Sampler Blue

 (48 x 64)

I am so happy to have a finish today! 
 I machine stitched the binding -front side and back; hence the finish.

The quilting is an all-over called E's and 3's.  


  I've only started using E's and 3's this year and really love the look; makes me wonder what other great designs are out there that I haven't stumbled on yet.


The back is pieced- mostly CW repro fabrics.  
I really like it!



Tuesday, July 15, 2014

busy busy

I do have this circle sewn together but can't find the picture.
I got a new phone; my first smart phone and I'm s-l-o-w-l-y learning how to use it.
I just finally got the pictures I've been taking all month uploaded onto the computer, now to find them and edit them.  I'm thinking the one of this circle sewn is in that bunch somewhere.
(I can only do new technical stuff for so long then I get either frustrated or bored...)



4th of July bike ride to Ohiopyle state park.  A little chilly weather wise but beautiful scenery.



A patriotic quilt for a customer.  Stars and loops-can't go wrong with that.


I've also been trying, with little success, to relax and enjoy as the summer flies by.
(The dogs have it down to a science.)



 A panel baby quilt, I got the kit on Shop Hop this year and just needed something quick to make me feel like I'm being productive. Although as you can see, the binding isn't quite done yet!!
I quilted tiny loops all over with white thread. 


I'm real happy to say that the 1st CW sampler is quilted and just need to sew down the binding on this one too. 


I like the pieced backing almost as much as the front and that it was all from stash is a bonus too.


The 2nd CW sampler is loaded on HQ and halfway done. 
And that, I think, will mean the end of the Block-a-day blocks.  
woot-woot.

********
I've developed some kind of "older age" thing in my left thumb.  All my co-workers have diagnosed me (!HA!) as having carpel tunnel, arthritis, tendinitis, and I forget what else.  Also with admonishments of "welcome to your 50's...it's just going to get worse".  
if I weren't such an upbeat person, I'd be truly depressed!!
 :)
So I have an appointment with the orthopedic doc next week and get the real scoop on this pain in the hand.  
I did buy a generic brace at Target and it's seems to help.
OK enough whining.

 ****

In grand baby news, little miss Jo is 7 months old and just got her first two teeth...and she's very near to crawling!!!
Amazing. 
Oh and she really knows me now and LIKES me and reaches for me and I almost die of happiness every time.

****

fun times, fun times ... life is good.





Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Urban Birthday

I made Urban Birthday for a wedding quilt for my niece.  The shower was on Sunday.



I had it folded with the label on the top, so it would be seen when she opened the box.
She was so excited to see the label and that I had scanned in their wedding invitation too.

She thought it was the front of the quilt.  
I finally had to yell out "that's the BACK"!

I think she likes the front too --ha :)


There is something so very satisfying about a making a special quilt for someone you love and how appreciatively it was received that makes all the stressing over fabrics, patterns, quilting, deadlines-just fade away.

If only I could remember that for the next time. 
*smile*


*****


I also finished a cool customer quilt. 
It's a gift for a young lady who works in theater.





Saturday, June 28, 2014

 I spent yesterday sewing.  
Last June I bought a 10 degree ruler and never even took it out of the package.


A few weeks ago I picked up this book and realized one of the quilts uses a 10 degree ruler....how convenient!!

These circles I made by sewing (2sets) of 7 jelly roll strips together and then cutting with the ruler at the 17 inch mark.  Each strip set yields 18 wedges and you need 36 to complete a circle.  


My idea is to make some of these circles in different sizes and applique, by machine of course, to a background. I already purchased yardage of a nearly white grunge fabric (Basic Grey) but not sure if that will be the 'one' at this point.

This one I sewed 3 six inch strips together and then cut down to 14 1/2 inches wide before cutting the wedges.

Then I cut this cool blue fabric with tree rings for the alternate wedges.  I have the tree ring fabric in a green and pink colorway too....hmmmmm.


Right now my brain is flipping over all the different possibilities. Like I want to cut some solid wedges and insert a few of them in the mix too. 

But I think before I cut anymore I better sew one of these together.  
Additional circles will be smaller and even a few partial ones is the plan for now.






Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Up and Away -flimsy

My version of Amanda's pattern from the book, Sunday Morning Quilts.  
I randomly put some plain white squares in the rows.  I thought of this after I started sewing the rows together (of course) and just put them in without too much thought.
I could have used some in the upper right area-but those rows were already sewn together when the idea occurred!
I'm quite happy that this is a flimsy; it was on the design wall for way too long. Hopefully, it won't stay a flimsy near as long.

42 x 55

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

quilting

Carol's quilt: feathers, feathers, feathers!


Concentric Circles with a yellow/gold thread.
I do love this pattern-love the texture.


Nancy's T-shirt quilt. 

Lois' 2 picnic quilts.  
She made them just to use of the fabric and will be used for summer picnics with her family.
All-over loops, squiggles and stars.


I quilted this one with a swirl hook and flames.
(The Pajama quilter calls it 'woodgrain')


Heather's quilt. I did E's and 3's on it. 


And two identical baby panel quilts.  I quilted each differently.
This one has swirls.


This one little loops.

And another one of Nancy's. 
I did the wood grain all-over on this one too and a C-hook in the border.


In addition to all these. I finished Happy Jack (see previous post). And quilted and finished, yes even the dreaded binding, on these two baby quilts; finished the binding yesterday as a matter of fact.


I have a customer baby quilt loaded now and halfway done. I'm going to finish it today and then I can say. 
I'm all caught up! 
whew!
Except for the 7-8 personal quilt tops that are waiting to be done....

*******

Meg and I got season tickets for the Pittsburgh CLO's summer series. 
It starts tonight with Singin' in the Rain-can't wait. 







Tuesday, June 3, 2014