Earlier this year, Joanne, of Canuck Quilter offered a free mystery quilt. I couldn’t resist! She offered 3 different sizes and I chose to make the baby size. Although she had a parade of finished quilts (see HERE), I missed the deadline. But I’m here to show you mine now!
Here are the progress pictures:
And the finished quilt:
Quilt Stats:
Size: 36″ x 48″
Fabric: Island Batik: a 10″ stack of Island Batik “Constellations” and the light fabric is “Fondant.” “Blueberry” is the blue border. Binding is “Marble Storm” from Blenders
Yvonne @ Quilting Jetgirl hosts a “Favourite Finish” each month. My favourite finish is (again) hard to choose. My Island Batik paper pieced tree skirt (see THIS POST) or my Half and Half mystery. Which one is your favourite?
I still have 5 New Starts to finish and 5 UFOs … Working on them slowly!
Don’t Forget
Here is my Affiliate link: https://glnk.io/mzmmj/quiltinggail If you order over $50 from Missouri Star, you will get 20% off your order and I will receive a small commission. Thank you for your support!
Oh DEAR!!! This is a HAZARD to be beginning projects and not finishing them!!! (Updated for this post)
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!
Luminous Layers a quilt-a-long from MMM quilts (see HERE for details and links to instructions)
St Paddy’s Quilt. A sew-along by Denise of A Quiltery. see (HERE).
Quilting: to do … a long list, but it’ll get done, one stitch at a time!
Prisms Blog Hop (a secret for now!)
Island Batik June project using a 10″ stack of Deb Tucker’s fabric line, Squiggles, Dots and Lines and the Tucker Trimmer ruler. (top is done, just waiting to find out final details from Island Batik, then I’ll pick a backing and get started on quilting it!)
Island Batik FW Catalogue quilt using a brand new line: Petal Poetry
Canuck Quilter: Mystery Project. I’m using a 10″ stack of Island Batik “Constellations” and the light fabric is “Fondant.” Borders are on … need to pick a backing ….
Quilting “Gardenia“
Lone Star Left-overs (you can see details of the Lone Star HERE). I need to figure out the backing and then quilt it.
Sunday Stash
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 finished the On the Road Again blog Hop Challenge: this fun quilt used 5 yards of fabric. You can read all about it HERE.
Fabric Used in the last week: 5 yards
Fabric Used in 2023: 77.5 yards from non-IB: 33.5
Fabric Added this week: 0 yards
Fabric Added this year: 21.5 yards
Net Fabric used: 56 yards
To Do
Carol from Quilt Schmilt is hosting “To Do” every week.
I have a bit of progress on many things … but nothing completed …
To Do from the last report:
Finish Quilting “Gardenia“ not done
Finish “On the Road Again” block hop project – DONE and posted HERE.
Finish Prisms blog hop project – top done, ready for quilting in progress
Finish IB June project – top done, ready for quilting in progress
Finish IB FW Catalogue project – top done, ready for quilting in progress
Sandwich and Quilt Lone Star Left-overs from Pin Dot Floral lone star
Sandwich and Quilt Canuck Quilter Mystery Quilt in progress
Here is my Affiliate link: https://glnk.io/mzmmj/quiltinggail If you order over $50 from Missouri Star, you will get 20% off your order and I will receive a small commission. Thank you for your support!
Carol, from Just let me Quilt, is hosting “On the Road Again” blog hop. Here’s what she had to say about the blog hop:
Challenge: May starts the summer of travel so where would you like to go? Make something showing transportation vehicles (cars, planes, buses, etc.), summer fun, or a place you’d like to travel to.
I was debating and mulling over what to do for this challenge. I’d have one excellent idea, and then a day later, I’d throw it out. Another idea, and another day and ‘nope’ it’s not going to work. Silly cars?? planes?? Sailboats?? Mountains?? the beach?? SIGH!!! Such a fun theme, how can it be so difficult?
THEN … along came a post from Sew Can She … and I knew it was perfect for what I wanted! Rockets and Stars!! You can find the pattern HERE.
Now, I do not have any dreams to be in a rocket or to circle the earth or to go to the space station. Nope, not a single one. But, I’m almost 100% positive that the little boy that gets this quilt will at some time, dream of being an astronaut!
I made a few changes to the original pattern. I decided to do the stars in a different colour than the rocket blasts and I added a strip of sashing between the rows. And, when I was quilting it, I wish I had added one at the top and bottom as well.
Here’s a close-up picture of the quilting and a picture of the back:
Here is my Affiliate link: https://glnk.io/mzmmj/quiltinggail If you order over $50 from Missouri Star, you will get 20% off your order and I will receive a small commission. Thank you for your support!
An online friend sent me this picture! I love taking vitamins and these look so good! I think I’ll switch to this brand!
She also said, “I think it’s great if you’re looking for colour combos.” Ioleen has lots of IG posts and does very well with colour … you can follow her @ioleen.kimmel
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!
Island Batik June project using a 10″ stack of Deb Tucker’s fabric line, Squiggles, Dots and Lines and the Tucker Trimmer ruler.
St Paddy’s Quilt. A sew-along by Denise of A Quiltery. see (HERE).
Island Batik FW Catalogue quilt using a brand new line: Petal Poetry
Quilting: to do
On the Road Again, blog hop
Canuck Quilter: Mystery Project. I’m using a 10″ stack of Island Batik “Constellations” and the light fabric is “Fondant.” Borders are on … need to pick a backing ….
Quilting “Gardenia“
Lone Star Left-overs (you can see details of the Lone Star HERE). I need to figure out the backing and then quilt it.
Sunday Stash
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 finished the May Island Batik challenge: this lovely tree skirt. It used 10 yards of fabric. You can read all about it HERE.
Fabric Used in the last week: 10yards
Fabric Used in 2023: 72.5 yards from non-IB: 31.5
Fabric Added this week: 0 yards
Fabric Added this year: 21.5 yards
Net Fabric used: 51 yards
To Do
Carol from Quilt Schmilt is hosting “To Do” every week.
I have a bit of progress on many things … but nothing completed …
To Do from the last report:
Finish Quilting “Gardenia“ not done
Make on “On the Road Again” block hop project – it’s due on the 22nd! in progress It’s almost done!
Finish Prisms blog hop project in progress
Finish IB June project in progress
Finish IB FW Catalogue project in progress
Sandwich and Quilt Lone Star Left-overs from Pin Dot Floral lone star not done.
Sandwich and Quilt Canuck Quilter Mystery Quilt in progress
Pull fabric for Luminous Layers. See HERE. not done.
For the second giveaway there are two Fat Quarter bundles of complete 20-SKU collections by Kathy Engle that will be shown off this week – The Grove and Prisms!
Go to the Island Batik Blog (HERE) and follow the Rafflecopter prompts for your opportunity to win!
Here is my Affiliate link: https://glnk.io/mzmmj/quiltinggail If you order over $50 from Missouri Star, you will get 20% off your order and I will receive a small commission. Thank you for your support!
Here’s what Island Batik had to say about this month’s challenge!
Technique: Paper-piecing Theme: Holidays and celebrations Design a paper-pieced quilt that celebrates the spirit of a holiday of your choice, transforming fabric into a visual ode to joy and festivity! We encourage you to get inspired by your assigned Winter ‘23 collection and explore the world of paper piecing. The precision, ease of use, and design flexibility of paper pieced patterns have made them a favored choice among many quilters. We can’t wait to see your stunning paper-pieced masterpieces that capture attention!
My Surprise Package contained “Peppermint Sprinkles.” This collection was designed by Kathy Engle for Heidi Pridemore of the Whimsical Workshop. Look at those wintery blues and reds! Such a fun line!
With this beautiful fabric collection, it was an obvious choice, to me, for the celebration to be Christmas!
The guidelines were to make a Lap size quilt or larger. I found this tree skirt pattern by Stacey Day: Frosted Pines Tree Skirt. Stacy is from the lower mainland and belongs to the Modern Quilt Guild. (And yes, it’s a FREE pattern)
Anyhow, I knew that it would be perfect with my fabric collection. But, would a 50″ circle tree skirt be adequate to meet the size requirements of a lap quilt? I wrote to Elizabeth (one of our leaders) and asked. She said it would be stretching the guidelines, but thought the fabric was perfect for the tree skirt.
I paper piece without sewing on the paper. I used to do this with regular computer paper and it worked quite well. When talking with a friend via Zoom, she said to try using Freezer Paper and do the exact same thing. The advantage of the Freezer Paper is that the fabric sticks to it and you don’t need to use as many pins. I bought some Freezer Paper and it works great! The Oliso iron is perfect for this!
One of the advantages of paper piecing with this method is that you can use a regular stitch length and can chain piece it. Another advantage is that with no sewing through paper, the needle does not dull as quickly. I still used a Schmetz needle and it lasted for the whole project.
Yes, you’ll see a few pins in my pieces. These pieces are SMALL and they needed just a little help to stay in place.
A few ‘in progess’ pictures! The tree top ornaments, organization of the trees, the Aurifil threads I used and a final pressing with my Oliso iron.
It was fun doing the photo shoot!! Tree skirts do not hang well on the clothesline, so I resorted to placing it on the bricks in the back yard.
We are dog-sitting our ‘grand-dog,’ Daphne, and as soon as I put the tree skirt on the ground, she was on it!!! “Thanks for the comfy quilt, G’ma! It’s nice here in the sun!”
“But why did you have to put something in the middle?That is a poor excuse for a tree!“
“OK … I’ll let the plant stay!”
Of course, in May, there are no Christmas tree displays, and this small tree across the street was the closest I could get to a Christmas tree.
I’m not sure why it didn’t come to a complete circle … I know the piecing was correct and my 1/4″ is bang on … but since it’s a tree skirt, I’m not going to worry about it! That open V can go to the back of the tree. On 2nd thought, perhaps if I had left it as a circle when I went to quilt it, it might have remained a circle? I’ll try that next time!
Peppermint Sprinkles can be found at many quilt stores, but the one closest to me is Creekside Quilts in Oregon. They are an online shop. Also Villa Rosa Designs in California will be carrying it.
Visit my friend, Emily, at The Darling Dogwood to see what she made! She used the same collection, Peppermint Sprinkles! I haven’t seen it, but I heard a rumour that it’s gonna be super cute!
You Could Win …
Island Batik Blog Hop: Week 2
For the second giveaway there are two Fat Quarter bundles of complete 20-SKU collections by Kathy Engle that will be shown off this week – Oasis and Peppermint Sprinkles!
Go to the Island Batik Blog (HERE) and follow the Rafflecopter prompts for your opportunity to win!
Here is my Affiliate link: https://glnk.io/mzmmj/quiltinggail If you order over $50 from Missouri Star, you will get 20% off your order and I will receive a small commission. Thank you for your support!
Yup!!! I totally agree! Especially on Mother’s Day!
Monthly Colour Challenge
May’s colour is Yellow!!! Here is my May block. Visit Jen at Patterns by Jen to get your free pattern for May. It’s free for the month and then you’ll need to pay a small fee for it.
I’m using Island Batik fabrics for my blocks.
May: Yellow
And a picture of all my 2024 blocks to date.
The Quilt Show
It’s always fun to see quilts made from classes I’ve taught, or from older mystery quilts. These are a few I spotted at the show:
And then there are the quilts that I either saw being made or admired the finished product:
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!
Island Batik June project using a 10″ stack of Deb Tucker’s fabric line, Squiggles, Dots and Lines and the Tucker Trimmer ruler.
St Paddy’s Quilt. A sew-along by Denise of A Quiltery. see (HERE).
On the Road Again, blog hop
Island Batik FW Catalogue quilt using a brand new line: Petal Poetry
Quilting: to do
Canuck Quilter: Mystery Project. I’m using a 10″ stack of Island Batik “Constellations” and the light fabric is “Fondant.” Borders are on … need to pick a backing ….
Quilting “Gardenia“
Lone Star Left-overs (you can see details of the Lone Star HERE). I need to figure out the backing and then quilt it.
Sunday Stash
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!
Nothing finished, no fabric bought!
Fabric Used in the last week: 0yards
Fabric Used in 2023: 62.5 yards from non-IB: 29
Fabric Added this week: 0 yards
Fabric Added this year: 21.5 yards
Net Fabric used: 41 yards
To Do
Carol from Quilt Schmilt is hosting “To Do” every week.
I have a bit of progress on many things … but nothing completed …
To Do from the last report:
Finish Quilting “Gardenia“ not done
Work on “On the Road Again” block hop project. not done. Fabric chosen, need to cut, piece, quilt and bind!
Sandwich and Quilt Lone Star Left-overs from Pin Dot Floral lone star. not done
Sandwich and Quilt Canuck Quilter Mystery Quiltnot done
Pull fabric for Luminous Layers. See HERE. not done
Keep working on St Paddy’s quilt HERE. in progress Working on it, but it’s slow work!
Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! √ DONE
Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes.√ DONE.
To Do for next week: I know I’m dreaming, but this is my list for the next week!
Finish Quilting “Gardenia“
Make on “On the Road Again” block hop project – it’s due on the 22nd!
Finish Prisms blog hop project
Finish IB June project
Finish IB FW Catalogue project
Sandwich and Quilt Lone Star Left-overs from Pin Dot Floral lone star
For the second giveaway there are two Fat Quarter bundles of complete 20-SKU collections by Kathy Engle that will be shown off this week – Oasis and Peppermint Sprinkles!
Go to the Island Batik Blog (HERE) and follow the Rafflecopter prompts for your opportunity to win!
Here is my Affiliate link: https://glnk.io/mzmmj/quiltinggail If you order over $50 from Missouri Star, you will get 20% off your order and I will receive a small commission. Thank you for your support!
Did you do the Fall Mystery quilt that was posted here on my blog? Several local people did the mystery and I got to see some of them in person at a guild meeting …
Here’s Patti’s, Patricia’s, & Stella’s
Below is Lynne who used the extra blocks to make another quilt! She donated both of these quilts.
At the Boundary Bay Quilt show, I spotted 10 hanging around the venue. If I missed yours, please accept my apology!
I had been under the impression that they would all be grouped together so people could see the variation that fabric choices make. (Obviously, I was mistaken) At any rate, here they are … no two are alike! I’m in AWE at how the different fabrics make such a different looking quilt!
The last 2 quilts are mine. The last one was made with Island Batik’s “Cheers” fabric collection. Hobbs batting is in the middle and Aurifil thread was used to piece and quilt it! All sewn on either my Feather weight or my domestic Janome (M7).
Please note: The clues to the Fall Mystery, using a Layer Cake, or a 10″ stack, will be removed at the end of May.
Something NEW!
Tomorrow, May 10, Jenny’s new tool box will be available for pre-order! The MSQC home page will be filled with all the information. Unfortunately, the kit is not coupon eligible for a 20% discount, but if you purchase it and use my Affiliate link: https://glnk.io/mzmmj/quiltinggail , I will still make a small commission.
Details of the Tool Box: This aqua metal toolbox is embossed with the Missouri Star logo and comes with Quilt Town floral fabric-lined inserts that easily lift out so you can store additional notions. The inside of the toolbox lid is magnetic to hold pins, needles, and other small notions. Elastic straps are also included to hold needle packs or a small template, and there’s extra room underneath the inserts for additional supplies. Jenny’s Signature Series Tools are made from German-grade surgical stainless steel and come beautifully etched with Missouri Star logos. The actual kits will start shipping sometime in August.
Here is my Affiliate link: https://glnk.io/mzmmj/quiltinggail If you order over $50 from Missouri Star, (aside from this Tool Box), you will get 20% off your order and I will receive a small commission. Thank you for your support!
This doesn’t happen to me anymore … except when it’s a box that I haven’t opened for a LONG time! LOL!!!
The Quilt Show
I was vending for Essem Textiles at the quilt show and didn’t have a lot of opportunity to look at the quilts! But what I saw was pretty fantastic! Here are the quilts that I entered in the show:
All of the quilts above, except one, used Island Batik fabric. They all used Hobbs batting and Aurifil thread. All piecing and quilting was done on either my featherweight or my domestic sewing machine.
I will show some more quilts from the show in another post.
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!
Island Batik June project using a 10″ stack of Deb Tucker’s fabric line, Squiggles, Dots and Lines and the Tucker Trimmer ruler.
St Paddy’s Quilt. A sew-along by Denise of A Quiltery. see (HERE).
Next in line for Piecing:
On the Road Again, blog hop
Island Batik FW Catalogue quilt using a brand new line: Petal Poetry
Quilting: to do
Canuck Quilter: Mystery Project. I’m using a 10″ stack of Island Batik “Constellations” and the light fabric is “Fondant.” Borders are on … need to pick a backing ….
Quilting “Gardenia“
Lone Star Left-overs (you can see details of the Lone Star HERE). I need to figure out the backing and then quilt it.
Sunday Stash
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!
My son’s girlfriend fell in love with one of the quilts at the quilt show, so I did buy some fabric to make a quilt for them. But I won’t show it until after it’s made and gifted.
Fabric Used in the last week: 0yards
Fabric Used in 2023: 62.5 yards from non-IB: 29
Fabric Added this week: 1.5 yards
Fabric Added this year: 21.5 yards
Net Fabric used: 41 yards
To Do
Carol from Quilt Schmilt is hosting “To Do” every week.
I have a bit of progress on many things … but nothing completed …
To Do from the last report:
Finish Quilting “Gardenia“ not done
Make a decision on “On the Road Again” block hop project in progress. Decision made, but not started yet.
Sandwich and Quilt Lone Star Left-overs from Pin Dot Floral lone star not done
Catch up on Canuck Quilter Mystery Quilt√ DONE.
Pull fabric for Luminous Layers. See HERE. not done
Work on May IB project: Holiday Paper Piecing √ DONE
Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder! √ DONE
Tidy & clean studio for 30 minutes.√ DONE.
To Do for next week:
Finish Quilting “Gardenia“
Work on “On the Road Again” block hop project
Sandwich and Quilt Lone Star Left-overs from Pin Dot Floral lone star
This week is the start of a fabulous blog hop! There are many many new fabric collections and each one will be featured on a different day! Here is the schedule:
There is a beautiful raffle quilt and tickets will be available at the show!
And there are raffle baskets … Two will be raffled off on Saturday and 2 on Sunday … make sure to buy your tickets:
I will be at the show all weekend, so I won’t be posting on Friday. Hope to see you at the show. I’ll be managing Essem Textile’s booth, so stop by and say “Hi.”
Quilting Gail 