Downton Abbey Mystery weeks 2 & 3

I've been forgetting to post pics of my blocks from the Downton Abbey mystery quilt along!   

So far I am keeping up.   :)

I've been having to take pics inside and that is making for less than perfect colors.  But you'll get the idea.

Here are the four blocks from week two. They are all 12 inches.

For week 3 we had to make eight blocks. I only took a pic of one.

You can see how bad the color is by the difference in the pink in the two pics.  Same fabric.  

All 8 of these are also 12 inch blocks.

Today the clue/directions were given for week 4.  Sixteen blocks (6 inches) to make this week.  I can't wait to see how its all going to go together.

Women of the Bible Sampler Blocks 13 & 14

Here is block 13 - Asenath

 Asenath is a 10 inch block.   

Block 14 - Jephtah's Daughter

Jephtah's Daughter is also a 10 inch block.  

I have used most of the fat quarters I had with this collection. Now I'm going to be needing to repeat them and paying attention to placement so no two are next to each other. I don't like when that happens!

Design Wall Monday - Small Indian Blanket

I played with the Indian Blanket pattern from the Angled class I took.   I'm going to be teaching this as a class in March so wanted to create an optional small version.  

I used mostly Aneela Hoey fabrics.   I sewed the two top rows together after I took this picture.  Its 42.5 inches wide.  Not sure yet what the length will be.   

I'm really loving this!

Linking up at Patchwork Times here.

Women of the Bible Sampler Blocks 11 & 12

Block 11 - Naomi

Naomi is a 10 inch block.  No changes to color placement.

Block 11 - Judith

Judith is a 15 inch block.  I made a couple of changes here. I wanted the star to be the dark (its light in the pattern) and I wanted the mediums to be all the way around forming a "circle".  

I need to get a picture of all the blocks I've made so far and see what they look like together.  I've been coloring in the black & white outline drawing of the quilt with colors I'm doing so hopefully the color balance will be ok.

The next two blocks are cut and ready to sew.  :)

Downton Abbey Mystery Quilt Along

I saw a link for this Downton Abbey themed mystery quilt along back in December and was intrigued.  I don't do many mystery's because I have yet to love a final quilt.  I do, however, love the process. And I love Downton Abbey.  And I love doing group projects.  So I jumped in and joined the fun.  Each part of the mystery is released with a new episode on Sundays.  

Part one was last Sunday and here is the resulting block:

Its huge.  20 inches.  I'm thinking it might be the middle of a medallion setting.  We shall see.

I bought a kit of Downton Abbey fabrics for the top from the Fat Quarter Shop.  I didn't care for all of them (not a purple gal) so subbed in some others.  

I also ended up changing the fabric placement.  Something I tend to do a lot of.  Really hoping it doesn't mess up the look when I add on other parts.  There's always the seam ripper, right?   LOL!

There is still time to sign up for the mystery if you want to play along. Check it out at LoveBug Studios.

Purple Owl

When my grand daughter was asked what she wanted for Christmas, one of the things she said was a purple owl.  She is 4.  :)    My daughter put it on the list with a little added note that said "Mom, maybe you can make one?"    What's a Nana to do but make one.   I'm not a stuffed toy maker so searched the Internet for something really simple.  

And this is the result.

I used the free pattern and tutorial from We All Sew by Ashley Johnston. 

I made mine with quilting cottons and left off the center strip (made it easier).   Miss Heidi was so happy and that makes this Nana happy!!!

Perfect Zip Bag

I embroidered the October girl from Sarah Jane Studios (Her Month by Month patterns) for my daughter and decided to make it into a zippered pouch for Christmas.

I like to do simpler outline embroidery.

I wanted the embroidery to be the main focus so I only added a little bit of patchwork.  

And just a litte band of patchwork on the back.  Gotta have patchwork! 

I used Elizabeth Hartman's "Perfect Zip Bag" pattern as its my favorite go to pattern for zippered pouches.  I've made several now and can get them done quickly. 

So fun to make!

Women of the Bible Sampler Blocks 9 & 10

Block 9: Bathsheba

Bathsheba is a 10 inch block.  

Block 10: Esther

Esther is a 15 inch block.

I stuck to the patterns of both blocks this time.  :)  

I have the latest two blocks sitting here by my sewing machine.  Should get them done this weekend....we shall see.  

Women of the Bible Sampler Blocks 7 & 8

I am a bit behind on my WOTB sampler blocks.  Holidays and new grand baby have taken precedence.   Here are the last two I made.

Block 7: Rebekah

Rebekah is a 10 inch block.  I changed the color layout on this one. I wanted a light background...pattern called for it to me a medium hue.  I really like how it turned out.

Block 8: Ruth

Ruth is a 15 inch block.   This is another block I changed the fabric layout (wanting light backgrounds) and also changed out the middle.   I'm not in love with this one.  That dark orange just isn't "singing" to me.  But I'm gonna hold off re-making until the very end in hopes that it all looks fine in the final quilt.   

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.