Wendy @ Pieceful Thoughts of My Quilting Life has chosen Stars for the 2nd round! I would usually piece stars for a round robin quilt, but since I had access to an accuquilt die with small stars, I opted to use them. I’m determined to get better at applique this year.
I continued to use Island Batik fabrics from the Baby Bloomers collection (by Kathy Engle for Karen Overton).
Now, you Need to go to the co-hosts blogs and see their star rounds! Their links are in the schedule below.
March 13: Parade – showing all of your finished SAHRRs!
More Round #1
Here’s Jacomina’s. Aren’t her improv blocks great?
Here’s Heather’s: I watched her work on some of these at the guild sew day!
Here’s Sarah’s. She says, “Resized the spools and changed the proportions” … looks great, doesn’t it?
Here’s Charlene’s. She says, “Spools are done, think I’m doing row by row, still deciding on end blocks for my snowman row.” It’ll be fun to see what she decides to do!
If you’re not on social media, send me a photo of your progress (quiltinggail@yahoo.ca) by noon on Sunday and I’ll post your photo on next week’s blog.
How I made my stars
I used an Accuquilt die and cut out the stars … at the moment they are ironed in place, but will be appliquéd when it’s quilted.
All 2023 Island Batik Ambassadors received 2 boxes of wonderful products!
For some reason, unknown to me, IMovie is not working on my mac. When I tried to download the videos, it told me I didn’t have enough space. So I tried to download a simple text picture and it said the same thing …
The end result is that you now have 2 un-edited videos to watch in order to see all the wonderful fabric and products I received!
Lots of AWESOMENESS in the boxes! Details of everything is below.
This fabric collection is called “Fruit and Veggies,” designed by Kathy Engle. It will be in shops in February. I will be using it for my February challenge. The 2 coordinating fabrics are “Veggie Garden – Green” (part of the collection) and Mint (a foundation.)
6 yards of the neutral “Ghost.”
1/2 yard cuts of basics. These fabrics are available at all times and go with many different fabric collections!
1st Column:
Amber – from Opulent Oranges
Chameleon – from Tantalizing Teals
Marble – Leprechaun – Blender
Marble – Aqua – Blender
Bubbles – Copper – Blender
Marble – Frog – Blender
2nd Column
Green Solid
Orange Solid
Lime Green Solid
Turquoise Solid
Oatmeal – from Opulent Oranges
Grass – from Glorious Greens
This is a “Maple Island” stack of 10″ squares. Paired with 2 yards of Seaweed (from Tantalizing Teals) and 2 yards of Dot-Sky (a blender). I can’t wait to start playing with these!!!
4 yards each of solid White, Grey & Black!!! Fantastic fabric!!
This stack of 10″ squares is called “Opulent Orange.” There are 20 different fabrics and 2 of each colour in the stack!
This strip pack of Prairie Dreams is paired with 2 yards of Chalk (a Naturally Neutral) and 2 yards of Slate (from the Bodacious Black collection).
Brilliant Blues!!! a 2 1/2” strip set. 20 different blues, 2 of each colour!!! How fun!!!
Island Batik ambassadors have been posting their Unboxing Videos on their blogs and social media! It’s a great way to “meet” the ambassador’s and see all the awesome fabric and goodies they have received from Island Batik and the industry partners. My day to post is tomorrow … so stay tuned!
Has started!!! Be sure to come back and see all the wonders that are happening!!! If you need some incentive to join in the fun, we have a lot of wonderful sponsors!!! and you could win some fantastic quilting goodies! You can see the beginning posts linked below.
Please note that I will be posting this week’s SAHRR on Tuesday!
One Gift a Month Challenge
Have you heard of this challenge? I’m a sucker for challenges and blog hops … they all keep my creative juices flowing and they also keep me busy in my quilting studio. OK, I admit it, sometimes they keep me TOO busy!
However, as quilters, we sometimes need to have small gifts on hand … those secret gift exchanges … something little to show someone they are loved … you get the idea.
Days Filled with Joy is hosting this challenge. This month it’s a little basket that Pink Penguin has a tutorial for (See HERE). Since I just found out about this challenge last week, I’m not sure I’ll get this basket done before the end of the month … but it might be done in February! However, I have started it! The fabric is cut out and I started sewing the little blocks together. The fabric is Island Batik from the Deco Revival collection.
Are you going to join me in this challenge????
Stitching Stuff
Kate, from Life in Pieces, is hosting “Stitching Stuff” and the goal is to sew for at least 15 minutes a day. I use Kate’s guideline, but my personal goal is to sew for 30 minutes a day. On those “blah” days, it does motivate me to sit at my machine and 30 minutes often turns into several hours. Thank you Kate for the motivation!
January: 29 / 29
Percentage: 100%
Stash Report
Donna at Quilt Paint Create hosts a weekly linky party where you can display your stash numbers. This has really kept my stash from growing (somewhat!) Before I buy anything, I am always mindful of the fact that I need to report it on my blog … That sometimes stops me in my tracks!
I did finish 3 table toppers … They used Island Batik fabrics, Hobbs 80/20 batting and Aurifil thread #2600 (Dove Grey) for the piecing, quilting and binding.
I can still brag … !
Fabric Used this week: 3 yards
Fabric Used in 2023: 4 yards
Fabric Bought this week: 0 yards
Fabric Added this year: 0 yards
Net Fabric used: 4 yards
Just an FYI: I do not count any fabric that is given to me (Island Batik), but this year, I am going to count it as fabric used.
To Do Tuesday
Carol from Quilt Schmilt is now hosting “To Do” every week.
The To Do list from a last week:
Finish the sashing and borders Clue #7 Chilhowie√ DONE
Classic Cars Colour Challenge BOM – Sept / Oct. in progress. (Just a note, I am working ahead on this so that the finished quilt is done in time for the final reveal. )
More Nutcracker colouring. in progress
Continue working on Island Batik February project in progress
Sandwich Bird Panels not done
Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes √ DONE
Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! not done I started the One Gift a Month challenge.
This week’s list:
Sandwich Bird Panels
Sandwich Chilhowie
Work on February Sweet on You Blog Hop project
Bind Island Batik’s February project
Finish colouring Nutcracker
Finish “One Gift a Month” project
Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder!
In November, Carla from Creatin’ in the Sticks announced the Sew It – Show It Challenge: Shades of Blue. How could I resist? Blue is my absolute favourite colour!!
I have a LOT of blue flying geese and half-square triangles that I have made as a leader and ender project. I put them together to make these 3 table toppers. (All different sizes since my table tops are different sizes!) They use all sorts of Island Batik fabrics from my Island Batik scraps. That means that they were left-overs from some projects and pieces from stash-builder rolls.
Hobbs batting (80/20) is in the middle and they are Free-motion quilted with Aurifil #2600 (Dove Grey).
I taught a binding class to a wonderful group of ladies this week and thought these 3 little table toppers would be perfect for demonstrating my easy method of machine binding!
Here’s a closeup of 2 different stitches that can be used for securing the binding down.
Here’s the list of all the “Shades of Blue” Blog Hoppers. They all have awesome “blue” projects and it’s well worth visiting each and every one of them!
March 13: Parade – showing all of your finished SAHRRs!
How I made my spool blocks
The half square triangles are tiny … they finish at 1″ …. so they are 1 1/2” unfinished … the blocks below the top HST are 1 1/2” square, unfinished and the center column is 1 1/2” x 3 1/2” unfinished … the whole block will finish at 3″ …
Linky Party
Roseanne & Sue @ Home Sewn by Us will have a linky party so you can see everyone’s 1st Round!
More Centre Blocks
Some people are participating in the SAHRR, but don’t do social media … so I and another hosting blogger are posting their blocks for them … It’ll be fun to see how these blocks grow into their own quilts!
Has started!!! Be sure to come back and see all the wonders that are happening!!! If you need some incentive to join in the fun, we have a lot of wonderful sponsors!!! and you could win some fantastic quilting goodies!
Classic Car BOM
The colour for January is pink. I used scraps of Island Batik to make this beautiful block. Visit Patterns by Jen to download the pattern this month. It’s free until the end of the month. She also has a video to help you make the funky flying geese!
Stitching Stuff
Kate, from Life in Pieces, is hosting “Stitching Stuff” and the goal is to sew for at least 15 minutes a day. I use Kate’s guideline, but my personal goal is to sew for 30 minutes a day. On those “blah” days, it does motivate me to sit at my machine and 30 minutes often turns into several hours. Thank you Kate for the motivation!
January: 22 / 22
Percentage: 100%
Stash Report
Donna at Quilt Paint Create hosts a weekly linky party where you can display your stash numbers. This has really kept my stash from growing (somewhat!) Before I buy anything, I am always mindful of the fact that I need to report it on my blog … That sometimes stops me in my tracks!
I did finish this little wall hanging … and used 1 yard of fabric!
Actually, I could brag … it was a bit hard to resist going shopping with other retreaters … but I resisted!
Fabric Used this week: 1 yards
Fabric Used in 2023: 1 yards
Fabric Bought this week: 0 yards
Fabric Added this year: 0 yards
Net Fabric used: 1 yards
Just an FYI: I do not count any fabric that is given to me (Island Batik), but this year, I am going to count it as fabric used.
To Do Tuesday
Carol from Quilt Schmilt is now hosting “To Do” every week.
The To Do list from a last week:
Finish the sashing and borders Clue #7 Chilhowie. in progress
Classic Cars Colour Challenge BOM – Sept / Oct in progress – blocks are cut
More Nutcracker colouring. in progress
Sandwich Naturescape Lone Star.√ DONE
Work on Shades of Blue Blog Hop project in progress
Continue working on Island Batik February project in progress
Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes √ DONE
Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! √ DONE
This week’s list:
Finish the sashing and borders Clue #7 Chilhowie
Classic Cars Colour Challenge BOM – Sept / Oct
More Nutcracker colouring.
Finish Shades of Blue Blog Hop project – I post on the 26th!
Continue working on Island Batik February project
Sandwich Bird Panels
Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder!
Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes
Design Wall
Judy, at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts, hosts a linky party for “What’s on your Design Wall” every week. Piecing:
Classic Cars Colour Challenge BOM – Sept / Oct
Chilhowie – Clue #7, sashing and borders picture shows most of the sashing blocks ready to sew … still in progress
Island Batik February project – isn’t the fabric beautiful?
Shades of Blue Blog Hop project – need to ‘get er done!’
Quilting:
Naturescape Lone Star is ready to quilt
The bird panels are ready for sandwiching.
Current Blog Hop
This blog hop starts Monday, hosted by Creatin’ in the Sticks: here are the links to all the participants:
This is my centre block using Island Batik’s Baby Bloomer’s by Kathy Engle with Island Batik solid white as the background. You can read more about it HERE and see all the wonderful centre blocks that others have chosen!
I started this little mini wall hanging when I was at a retreat last week. It was a partial kit that came in Missouri Star’s Advent Christmas box. We were given a full charm pack of Kona solids, but since I LOVE blue so much, I picked out the blues for the border.
Since it is a wall hanging, I didn’t worry too much about getting all the letters sewn into place and I just quilted it with a wavy stitch with my walking foot, using Aurifil thread. I had the perfect size piece of Hobbs Poly-down for the batting.
I didn’t have binding fabric with me at the retreat and I didn’t want to go shopping for fabric. I’m trying really hard to stick to a very strict “no buying fabric” diet. So, the project needed to wait until I got home.
In my stash, I had the perfect solid navy blue for the binding. It didn’t take too long and the project was trimmed, binding cut and sewn on. And ta-da!!! it’s DONE!!!
If you need more information on the SAHRR … you can go to THIS POST.
Centre Block
Here is my centre block. The birds and the flowers were cut with Accuquilt dies that I borrowed from our guild’s die collection. (Go! Birds and Rose of Sharon). This piece is 9.5″ x 12.5″. I will do the applique stitching when I quilt it. I used Island Batik fabrics from the Baby Bloomers collection (by Kathy Engle for Karen Overton) and solid white. I initially used the Baby Bloomer fabrics for a Lone Star Quilt you can see HERE.
Now, you Need to go to the co-hosts blogs and see their center blocks! Their links are in the schedule below.
If you do not have a way to join the linky party, email me your photo by Sunday noon, and I’ll post it on my blog the following week. (quiltinggail@yahoo.ca)
Next week?
Roseanne & Sue will tell us what to do. Make sure you follow their blog, Home Sewn by Us .
Relax … this is easy … and it’s only one round each week!
Our Wonderful Sponsors
We will be drawing for prizes from our sponsors after the March 13 Parade.
Here’s a list of the sponsors and their generous gifts!
Starts tomorrow!!! Be sure to come back and see all the wonders that are happening!!! If you need some incentive to join in the fun, we have a lot of wonderful sponsors!!! and you could win some fantastic quilting goodies!
Stitching Stuff
Kate, from Life in Pieces, is hosting “Stitching Stuff” and the goal is to sew for at least 15 minutes a day. I use Kate’s guideline, but my personal goal is to sew for 30 minutes a day. On those “blah” days, it does motivate me to sit at my machine and 30 minutes often turns into several hours. Thank you Kate for the motivation!
January: 15 / 15
Percentage: 100%
Stash Report
Donna at Quilt Paint Create hosts a weekly linky party where you can display your stash numbers. This has really kept my stash from growing (somewhat!) Before I buy anything, I am always mindful of the fact that I need to report it on my blog … That sometimes stops me in my tracks!
In 2023, I haven’t finished any projects, so haven’t used any fabric, but I haven’t bought any either!
Fabric Used this week: 0 yards
Fabric Used in 2023: 0 yards
Fabric Bought this week: 0 yards
Fabric Added this year: 0 yards
Net Fabric used: 0 yards
Just an FYI: I do not count any fabric that is given to me (Island Batik), but this year, I am going to count it as fabric used.
To Do Tuesday
Carol from Quilt Schmilt is now hosting “To Do” every week.
The To Do list from a last week:
Start Clue #7 Chilhowie.√ DONE
Classic Cars Colour Challenge BOM – July / Aug √ DONE
Start colouring Nutcracker. √ DONE
Work on Naturescape Lone Star.√ DONE
Start Island Batik February project
Pack for retreat! √ DONE
Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes √ DONE
Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! √ DONE
This week’s list:
Finish the sashing and borders fClue #7 Chilhowie
Classic Cars Colour Challenge BOM – Sept / Oct
More Nutcracker colouring.
Sandwich Naturescape Lone Star.
Work on Shades of Blue Blog Hop project
Continue working on Island Batik February project
Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder!
Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes
Design Wall
Judy, at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts, hosts a linky party for “What’s on your Design Wall” every week. Piecing:
Classic Cars Colour Challenge BOM
Chilhowie – Clue #7, sashing and borders picture shows most of the sashing blocks ready to sew …
Island Batik February project – isn’t the fabric beautiful?
Shades of Blue Blog Hop project
Quilting:
Nothing … I need to colour the Nutcracker before I can start quilting!
Naturescape Lone Star is ready for sandwiching …
Maybe I’ll get Chilhowie to the flimsy stage!
The Quilt More just needs to be trimmed and bound.
The bird panels are ready for sandwiching.
Upcoming Blog Hops
Creatin’ in the Sticks: Sew It – Show It: Shades of Blue (January) My day is January 26!
So, what does Strip Poker and “Row, Row, Row the Boat” have in common?
They were happenings at the retreat I attended this week. (and dang it … that silly song is still singing in my head!)
Yes, Strip Poker was played with different 2.5″ strips of fabric … lots of fun! And “Row, Row, Row the Boat” was sung by everyone that participated in the secret sister exchange!
Here’s a glimpse of what happened at the retreat … the first group of pictures were taken by Judy B.
And I took these pictures …
Unfortunately, I didn’t get pictures of what everyone was working on … but, believe me, there was a LOT of creativity happening!
So what did I get done?
I didn’t get a single thing finished … but I did get a few things done on a few things. Here is the list of what I took to work on and what I got done …
Birds panel (ufo). … to the flimsy stage
Wallet #1 (ufo) … a little bit of work on it … snaps are in
Wallet #2 (ufo). … a little bit of work on it
Colour BOM (ufo). … not even touched
MSQ wall hanging (Quilt More, Worry Less) … put together and quilted.
Chilhowie … one row of sashing on …
Shades of Blue project … not even touched
Nutcracker and Inktense pencils … a little colouring done
I could have easily finished the Quilt More, Worry Less wall hanging, but I didn’t have binding fabric with me and I did not want to buy any more fabric … but it may be finished soon!
Starting Monday …
Yes, the SAHRR (pronounced Stay At Home Round Robin) starts on Monday. You can read more about it HERE. Be sure to follow all of the bloggers and join in the fun!!!
I’ve been busy, but don’t have much to show for it!
I’m going to a 4 day retreat tomorrow and hope to get a LOT done! Well … you know how that goes … I take a dozen projects to work on and finish one or 2! LOL!!!
Here’s my list of what I’m taking:
Birds panel (ufo)
Wallet #1 (ufo)
Wallet #2 (ufo)
Colour BOM (ufo)
MSQ wall hanging (Quilt More, Worry Less)
Chilhowie
Shades of Blue project
Nutcracker and Inktense pencils
Stitching Stuff
Kate, from Life in Pieces, is hosting “Stitching Stuff” and the goal is to sew for at least 15 minutes a day. I use Kate’s guideline, but my personal goal is to sew for 30 minutes a day. On those “blah” days, it does motivate me to sit at my machine and 30 minutes often turns into several hours. Thank you Kate for the motivation!
2022 Stitching!
Total: 318 / 365
Percentage = 87%
2023 Stitching
January: 8 / 8
Percentage: 100%
Stash Report
Donna at Quilt Paint Create hosts a weekly linky party where you can display your stash numbers. This has really kept my stash from growing (somewhat!) Before I buy anything, I am always mindful of the fact that I need to report it on my blog … That sometimes stops me in my tracks!
In 2022, I used a net total of 76.5 yards of fabric.
Fabric Used since the last report 0 yards
Fabric Used this year: 109.5 yards
Fabric Bought this week: 0 yards
Fabric Added this year: 33 yards
Net Fabric used: 76.5 yards
In 2023, I haven’t finished any projects, so haven’t used any fabric, but I haven’t bought any either!
To Do Tuesday
Carol from Quilt Schmilt is now hosting “To Do” every week.
The To Do list from a last week:
Start Clue #6 Chilhowie.√ DONE
Classic Cars Colour Challenge BOM – May / June √ DONE
Re-do Nutcracker. … when I went to start colouring the Nutcracker, I realized that many of the black lines had run … well, duh, Helen said to use UNWASHED calico … and Batik has been washed a zillion times … √ DONE
Work on Naturescape Lone Star.√ DONE
Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! √ DONE
Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes √ DONE
This week’s list:
Start Clue #7 Chilhowie
Classic Cars Colour Challenge BOM – July / Aug
Start colouring Nutcracker.
Work on Naturescape Lone Star
Start Island Batik February project.
Pack for retreat!
Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder!
Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes
Design Wall
Judy, at Small Quilts and Doll Quilts, hosts a linky party for “What’s on your Design Wall” every week. Piecing:
Classic Cars Colour Challenge BOM
Chilhowie – Clue #7, sashing and borders
Naturescape Lone Star …. after making the Lone Star for the December Island Batik challenge, I fell in LOVE with Lone Stars!!! I just happened to have an Island Batik 2 1/2” strip pack of Naturescape with coordinating green and so I started sewing and cutting! Yes, there is a LOT of matching of seams … every. single. one. But the end result is great – even if I can’t sew at 100 miles an hour!
Quilting:
Nothing … I need to colour the Nutcracker before I can start quilting!
And maybe I’ll get the Naturescape Lone Star top ready for sandwhiching …
On this first Friday of 2023, I don’t have any finishes … however, I do have many things partially done …
My Stay at Home Round Robin is close to being finished … but of course, I can’t show you until March … but you can watch my progress, starting January 16!
Would you be interested to know that we have several awesome sponsors and will be giving away prizes when the SAHRR is over??? So make sure you join us for the fun!
Bonnie Hunter Mystery
This is her latest mystery quilt. Chilhowie with Island Batik fabrics! I’m all caught up except for the clue and reveal that came out today. If you’ve ever done a Bonnie Hunter mystery quilt, you know that it involves a LOT of little pieces and can be quite time consuming. The first picture is the blocks in progress and the 2nd picture is the blocks as they are today. Now, I just need to do the final steps!
Colour BOM – from patterns by Jen (made with Island Batik scraps) (a UFO)
Necessary Clutch wallet (a UFO)
Pencil Cases (free pattern byAnnie)
Missouri Star Mini Quilt
Winter Branches Table Runner
The Tally Sheets
I managed to get 12 UFOs completed this year. The New Starts in 2022 have been completed, except for the ones that won’t finish until 2023 and projects that I started in December … and just didn’t have enough time to complete … (and that’s allowed! – They will be on the 2023 UFO list!)
My Task sheet has not changed … And here is the link where you can find the colourful Task Sheet at Ms P Designs.
This month, my favourite is the Lone Star quilt!!! I was pretty intimidated with this challenge, but in the end, following the directions (who me?) made it easy! It was so much fun!! Check out Meadow Mist Designs for more “Favourite Finishes”.
DrEAMI
DrEAMI stands for Drop Everything And Make It.
PHD in 2023
Yes, there is a PHD in 2023 … see THIS POST for details
Quilting Gail 