Mini Quilt Swap

I participated in the latest round of the Mini QT Swap on Flickr.  These are minis that are at least 9 inches and no bigger than 18 inches. The theme was "Tis the Season".  My partner, Marilyn, has received the one I made for her so I can show it to you.   I decided to make a block from a quilt pattern by Anne Sutton that I have called "The Night Before Christmas".  I have all the fabric for this quilt and thankfully my partner loves French General fabric!   

  I hand quilted a little in the star and around all the applique.  Then I added some "stars" with Perle cotton in the upper half.    It turned out really cute.

This is the mini Marilyn made for me:

She included so many things I love:  little hexies, fussy cuts, applique and hand work. 

Its perfect! 

Women of the Bible Sampler Blocks 5 & 6

I made up blocks 5 & 6 right away.  Hoping to stay up with this block of the month.   So far, so good. 

Block 5: Hagar

Block 6: Jezebel

Both of these are 10 inch finished blocks.  

This free block of the month hasn't been going for long so its not too late to sign up at Little Quilts.

Lined Drawstring Bags

I've had the pattern for Jeni Baker's Lined Drawstring Bags for over a year but didn't make one until the Twas' The Night blog hop.  It's what I chose to make for the hopper I sent a gift to.  Now that my day is over I can show you it.

Then I made another one yesterday.  A bit smaller and this one only took me an hour.  Partly because I knew what I was doing and also because I didn't make the handles but used some ribbon instead.

 I love these bags.   

The pattern has 8 sizes to choose from and directions for creating your own custom size.

You can also see how Sara Lawson added an outside pocket to it here on her blog.

I'm gonna have to try that on my next one.  :)

Twas The Night blog hop

Its time for another fun blog hop. This one is all about quick things to sew for Christmas. Who doesn't want lots of great ideas for quick sewing ideas for the holidays.  Especially if you're a procrastinator like me!  ;)

This hop had a fun little twist. We were to make a quick gift for another hopper and send it early so she could feature it on her blog post.  

I received a GREAT bag and fun pattern from Dorian of Ridge Top Quilts.

I was so excited when I saw the bag cuz I knew immediately that it was the Sew Together Bag by Sew Demented.   I have this pattern and have wanted to make it for some time. But I am intimidated by it. Why you say?  Look:

That's right!  3 inside zippered pockets that are inside a bigger zippered bag.  Wow.  I can't believe Dorian made me one.  Thank you SOOOOOOO much!!!

You will see what I made and sent on Mandy's blog, Just Keep Swimming.

Now on to the things I made for the hop.

The first thing I made was a Christmas apron.  Its been on my to-list for a couple of years and the hop was the perfect deadline to get it done!

I had this fabulous fabric from Michael Miller.  Makes me smile every time I see it.

I used the pattern booklet "More Retro Aprons" by Cindy Taylor Oates. I've made several aprons from this book. Not all sew up as quickly as this one.  The ruffle takes the longest time. Its fully lined.  I left off the pocket which is not something I need on an apron.

Next I made some Grocery Bags.

This is a great pattern by Michelle Patterns. There are three sizes on the pattern. I always make the large bag.  Oh and they are reversible!  This is a PDF pattern so you can satisfy your urge to sew at midnight.  LOL!

The last thing I sewed up were some itty bitty Christmas trees to make a bunting. 

I had seen these on Pinterest so gave them a try.  The free tutorial can be found on this blog.

I couldn't get a decent pic with them strung as bunting but this one I took before is fun:

Thanks Madam Samm for a fun hop idea. Loved the twist!  And thanks to Marlene for the work she did being our cheerleader/organizer. 

Be sure to visit the other bloggers today. Loads of great ideas.

Thursday, Nov. 13

Daisy Days  - You are here.

Just Keep Swimming

Words and Stitches

Apple Avenue Quilts

Pampered Pettit

Moose Stash Quilting

Women of the Bible Sampler

I started seeing some fun sampler blocks on Instagram and decided to join in.  The Women of the Bible sampler quilt is a free block of the month offered by Little Quilts quilt shop in Georgia.   All you have to do is sign up for their newsletter and new blocks are sent via email. 

I'm using my low volume fabric stash for the backgrounds.  Also this Mimosa collection from Windham that I have will serve as the main stash for the rest.

Block one: Eve.  

Block two: Rachel/Leah

Block three: Sarah

  This will be a nice slow project as the b.o.m. doesn't end until July.   :)

Leaders and Enders

When I first learned to quilt I was taught to sew off onto a scrap of fabric instead of cutting threads.  That way you saved thread as well as avoiding those nasty "birds nests" that would happen underneath when you start sewing a new piece.  Years ago I found Bonnie Hunter and her "Leaders and Enders" ideas!  In Bonnie's own words:

"Then a lightbulb went off. I took a bin of scrap 2" squares that had been accumulating from trimming scraps down, and started using those as leaders/enders instead of a wadded up thread covered scrap. I would sew a light square to a dark square, trim off behind it.....and eventually have a stack of these little "two squares" that I would also use as leader/enders to sew into 4 patches."

And I had my own light bulb moment.  Why not be actually making something?  So I started with 1.5 inch squares that became little 9 patches like these:

Once I had a couple hundred of them I decided to use them to make a quilt for my best friend for her 50th birthday.  Fun! 

Right now I'm making sampler blocks from Tula Pinks book "City Sampler".  I just cut out a few (from scraps) and use the pieces as my headers and enders for my regular sewing.  I have no idea if I'll actually make a quilt out of them or not.  Its a no plan, just do it, kind of thing for me. 

Here are my Tula blocks so far:

 I was able to meet Tula at market in Portland last year and she signed my book.  :)

Check out Bonnie Hunters web page, Quiltville, and see all the fun scrappy quilts that can be made with leaders and enders. She has even written two books about it.

Bloggers Quilt Festival - Mini Entry

I love when its Festival time.  Amy, of Amy's Creative Side, has been hosting this festival twice a year and does such an amazing job.  So many great quilts to see and new blogs to discover. 

 I finished a few quilts this year but only have pics for one.....so that's gonna be my entry in the mini category.  :)

I made this mini for the Mini QT Swap on Flickr.   It was an "anything goes" round.  My partner, Mona, was open to any colors which made it so easy.....just went with  my faves!   I chose the Right Round pattern by Better Off Thread.  I had bought the pattern months before the swap and it was waiting for just the right project.  I had to scale down the pattern so the dimensions would work for the swap.  That made for some itty bitty pieces.

Lots of little paper pieced wedges.  

I did minimal quilting around the wedges.  I was really happy with how it turned out.

You can see the amazing mini I got in return from Mona on my original post about the quilt. 

Time to go check out more entries in the festival!  

New job and Urban Nine Patch class

Another long absence from blogging.  Usually that means I am busy sewing bits and pieces and not finishing a project to show.  :)

I have a new job!  I am now working part time at Quilted Strait, my local quilt shop. 

 And I get to work with my best friend, Rhonda.  So excited.  These past couple of weeks have been training so that's about all my brain has been able to handle.  LOL!  If you're ever in Port Gamble, WA. on a Tuesday stop in and say hi!

I taught a class on Tuesday at the shop.  The Urban Nine Patch by Sew Kind of Wonderful. 

Its not a hard block  but it does take time. Usually only a few students finish one in the time allotted.

Here are a couple of blocks from my students.

Vicki opted to use a beautiful big print in the middle instead of making the nine patch.  

 I really like this idea.  My brain is spinning with some I Spy designs.

Bobbie is making hers for Quilts of Valor:

I like the dark background! 

I took my daughter away for a weekend of no kids!  She is due with her 4th baby in less than a month so I thought she could really use some alone time.  We took our sewing machines and worked on a couple of projects. 

We both are making a Big EZ quilt by Bloom Creek:

All that and some secret sewing is what I've been up to since I last blogged.  :)

Linking up with Lets Bee Social.

Design Wall Monday - Prism blocks

After I finished the Indian Blanket quilt top I put my Prism blocks up. This kind of scrappy project needs the design wall so I can balance out color.   The paper pieced blocks don't stick at all to the design wall until I've pulled off the paper....ugh, I really dislike that part.    They are coming together nicely.  I'm not really in a hurry with this so I expect it'll be up for a month or so.  :)

Just for fun:

My helper when I was putting binding on a quilt (a very old ufo!)

Linking with Design Wall Monday over at Patchwork Times. 

Indian Blanket top done!

My goal was to have this top done by this weekend and I made it!  It turned out so lovely.  Soft and feminine.  Just for me.  

My hubby was outside playing with tree limbs and decided to make a tepee structure for our grand kids to play in the next time they come over.  He called me outside to take a look. After I graciously told  him how great it was, I then was like - this is perfect for taking pics of my Indian Blanket!!!   :)

Love that he humors me.  

Off the quilt topic - I have no idea why the light is so different in each pic. Photography is not my thing and it sure shows.  If I cared I'd take a class, huh?   :)

#30 Lists

No surprise here but I didn't last long trying to make creative pages for my lists!  They were fun. They were pretty.  But.   Every time I was working on one I'd be thinking the whole time that I could be cutting fabric and making a quilt block!   I love the list part so I simplified and am just making a list in a small journal.  Now it takes minutes to jot stuff down and I'm happy.

Here's a peek at day 9 & 10 lists:

See, nice and easy.  Just right for me.

Indian Blanket almost there

Here's a peek at my progress as of today:

I have 4 more rows to add then I'm done!  It's going fast.....and I'm not being distracted.....at least not yet.  :)

4 Rows done

Here's a peek at the first 4 rows - ignore the icky lighting.  :)

Wish I had a better way of photographing quilts. Its not my forte that's for sure!  

Start of Indian Blanket

Angled class started this week and I got the first row of Indian Blanket sewn.  The triangles are coming together nicely....yay!   The row is 66 inches long and I couldn't get a decent pic of it.  Here's a peek at two triangles in the row that are so cute. Mr. Bear wants some of that fine honey!   LOL!

I'll be working on the rest of the rows in the coming weeks.  I'm hoping to finish the top by the end of class. 

While I was waiting for class to start I worked on ufo's that have been sitting around.  I got the zig zag hexie blocks together.  

It's trimmed now and waiting for borders.  Will do that the next time I have an inkling to finish up ufo's!   :)

Linking up with Let's Bee Social.

Design Wall Monday - Fabric layout

I love playing with fabric and making decisions about which ones to use - and where - for a new project. After many changes...and more changes....and more....I think this is my fabric arrangement that I've settled on for the Indian Blanket quilt in Angled class (that starts today!).  The fabrics on the right will be the background for that row.  I'm not happy with the backgrounds on the bottom two but will see as I start sewing.

Linking up with Design Wall Monday at Patchwork Times.

30 Lists Blog Hop

September is almost here and that means the start of the 30 Lists challenge I joined.  

There is a blog hop going on today to introduce the challenge via showing lists.  We were asked to pick a prompt from the March 2011 challenge. (Those prompts are available here).

I chose "recipes to try" and here is my list:

 

Dora Wat (Spicy Ethiopian Stew)

Italian Drunken Noodles

Buffalo Chicken Chowder

Chopped Orzo Corn Salad

You can see other posts with sample lists at their Facebook page.

Fabric Pull

I signed up for Rachel Hauser's latest class over at Stitched In Color.  Its called "Angled" and features 5 - yes, I said 5!!! - quilts.  You can see all the class quilts and read about it here.  

The top one I'm super excited to make is called "Indian Blanket".  All equilateral triangles in different sizes. 

Here is my initial fabric pull for that quilt:

Several Bonnie Christine collections and solids from Art Gallery.   Love.

There are more than I need so I have to edit.  Next step is to put them in pairs (rows have two) and put on my design wall to see what I think.  

I can't wait for class to start so I can begin cutting!

Creative Challenges

I have decided to expand my creativity with two new challenges.  Neither have anything to do with fabric!!!

I signed up for 30 Days of Lists hosted by Campfire Chic and Lemon & Raspberry.

I have always dreamed of being an awesome scrapbooker.  That's as far as it gets....dreaming.  I see albums gals make and I'm impressed.  But never could make myself do it.  Heck, if I have time I want to sew!   I also admire those who keep journals.  Another dream that stays dreamy.  :)

Combine the two and you have this list challenge.   I joined because it looks doable.  Its only 30 days.    There is a prompt and all I have to do is list a few things...not write long involved entries!  I'm using a small pad of index cards.  I only need to experiment with creativity on a small scale.  Kinda like my mini quilts.  

This is the other thing I signed up for.  A creative pen pal swap. (which is still open)

I already got my partner. She's in Australia.  I'm looking forward to pushing creativity with this too.

Do you see the trend?   Paper.   What's up with that?   :)     Has me giggling since sewing on paper is something I dislike.  

But then I keep on doing it.  Working on my Prism blocks.

Linking up with Let's Bee Social.

Binding by Machine

I have always put on binding by sewing it to the front by machine then hand sewing it down on the back.  It turns out beautiful.  But it is time consuming (not that I mind!).  I tried to attach binding on both sides by machine with my 99 Modern Block quilt.  I used a straight stitch but didn't like how it looked on the back at all.  Partly because I'm not good at it but also because it just didn't catch everything. That resulted in re-doing sections.  Can you say pain in the backside?  

With my Penny Sampler quilt I decided to try Pat Sloan's method of machine sewing binding on a quilt. Only thing I did different was that I use a double fold binding.  I like how it looks so much better!  

This is the front:

And this is the back:

You can see it isn't perfectly aligned but because it was sewn down first on this back side it isn't wavy or wonky.....just has stitching slightly off.  I can live with this.

Especially since it was so FAST compared to hand sewing.

I have another quilt ready to have the binding sewn on. I'm gonna try this method again but with a wide zig zag stitch and see which stitch I like best.   Doing them by machine will mean I can actually finish more and reduce my ufo pile!   :)

Mini Swap Quilts

I am home from vacation.  In the mail was the mini I received from my partner so now I can finally show you the mini I made for her in the Mini QT Swap.  The theme this round was "Anything Goes" which is why I joined in.  I liked the openness of it!

Remember all those paper pieced segments?  Well.....tada:

I love how it turned out and thankfully so does my partner, Mona.  The pattern is called "Right Round" by Janice of Better Off Thread.   I wanted to make it smaller to fit the rules of the swap so I reduced it to 60% which made it a 13 inch square.  It was a lot of work but the results are great.  I would make it again...but next time I'm keeping it!!!

I was not disappointed at all in the mini I received.

Gorgeous!  Mona used solids for the itty bitty wonky stars and linen for the background.  And then she hand stitched around each star.....in matching thread colors.   I love everything about it!

Mini's make my heart sing. 

Linking up with Let's Bee Social.