I know, I know … you hate it when I say I’m working on a secret project. But it is finished and I can show you after Christmas. I can tell you that it involves some of these fabrics:
Free Motion Quilting
Monday update
Retreat accomplishments – some …
Oh my! The retreat was a great time. They always are! So many different projects, so many ideas, so much help … so much food … and 2 people brought halloween jellies and candy corn … groan! … too much sugar … click HERE to see the slide show of other people’s projects.
SEW … What did I get done?
Squirrels!!!
Do you like or dislike squirrels? We have black and grey squirrels in our backyard. And we enjoy watching them scurry along the fence, hopping onto the trees and burying nuts in our garden. A friend of mine said that squirrels are just rats with fuzzy tails. I disagree. They are cute and fun to watch!
Recently, (like in the past year) I’ve been noticing on quilt blogs that some projects are called “Squirrels.” I didn’t understand exactly what this meant, and I went searching. Google searching. When I researched “squirrel quilts” – that’s what I got – a bunch of links to quilts containing squirrels. Not what I was looking for.
Googled “squirrel quilts new projects” … BINGO … a definition of what I was looking for. Quilt Diva Julie had the explanation! Thank you Quilt Diva Julie! (Photo & Definition is from Quilt Diva Julie’s blog.
A squirrel is a sudden distraction that pulls us away from projects already underway. Something so exciting that we drop what we’re doing to enjoy the unexpected. The term comes from the movie UP where the dog named Doug is talking and suddenly his head whips to one side as he shouts SQUIRREL and he’s off to chase it.
SEW … all this talk about squirrels … and yes, I did have a sudden distraction that pulled me away from what I was diligently working on. Our guild has a Facebook page. This Saturday, a baby quilt kit making day was happening. One lady posted the cutest quilt with a baby on it. Of course, it was scrappy and blue – that’s why I thought it was cute. I quickly figured out how it could be done … easy peasy. Then Saturday came and I wasn’t able to make it to the baby quilt kit making day. Sew, to get rid of my guilt, I decided to make the quilt. It was easy to start.
- pulled fabric
- cut them into 6 ½” blocks
- sew blocks into half square triangles
- oops – realized that I should have cut 7″ blocks to make the math work properly … oh well, I’ll just add a wider border
- ironed the blocks
- placed them on the design wall
That’s as far as the squirrel has progressed. I will web this together and figure out if I need 2½” border or 3″ border to make the quilt 40″ x 40″. And, it’s using up some of my stash! And that’s always a good thing!
Top it Off
October’s Island Batik challenge is “Top It Off.” We were told to create a holiday themed table runner or table topper that includes appliqué. Well, you all know how much I love applique (NOT!!). However, with my Janome 500E embroidery machine, applique has become SEW much easier!
Child’s Play
Beat the Heat Blog Hop
Nothing like sitting by or in the pool to “Beat the Heat!” This is the finished quilt, just chillin’ by the pool! Continue reading
Baby Quilt Marathon – Finish Line
OK … so how did you do? Did you complete 26 hours of focus sewing on your intended project? Here’s how I did:
Webbing a Quilt
In the spring, at our guild, I demo’d how to web a quilt. They asked me to provide written instructions. Well, that proved extremely difficult for me. SEW … as I was webbing my demo quilt for the Baby Quilt Marathon, I decided to do a video. You can see it on YouTube HERE. The quilt in the video is below.
Something Different
About 9 months ago, I bought a Janome 500E embroidery machine. I’ve been making quilt labels on it and also a few other projects. I absolutely LOVE making “in the hoop” zipper bags. They are SEW fun.
This first one is an Anita Gooddesign. I altered it a bit because I was suppose to use “see through” fabric – which I don’t own. The fabrics were Island Batik.
This next one is a free pattern from Sweet Pea in Australia. It was a fun way to learn “in the hoop” applique and zipper insertion.
Who knows what I will make next?
My Daisy Chain Mystery was featured on Free Motion Mavericks. Check it out HERE.
There are LOTS of people going to join the Baby Quilt Marathon. Some are making baby quilts, others will be working on their own projects.
All that is required is a concentrated effort to work on a project for 26 hours during the time from July 1 to July 15. Are you going to join us?
Happy Quilting!
Gail
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Linking to:
- Let’s Bee Social @ Sew Fresh Quilts
- Midweek Makers @ QuiltFabrication
- Wednesday Wait Loss @ Inquiring Quilter
- Happy Needle and Thread @ My Quilt Infatuation
- Andrée / Free Motion Mavericks @ Quilting & Learning – What a combo!
- Put your Foot Down @ For the Love of Geese
- Can I get a Whoop Whoop? @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict
- Finished or Not Friday @ Busy Hands Quilts
- Sherry @ Powered by Quilting
- Michelle @ From Bolt to Beauty
- TGIFF @ Alycia Quilts
Whirlwind Week
Yes, the last week has been a whirlwind. I had a 12 hour drive up north to help a friend, then came back a few days later. The bonus was that I got to see a neice and a few old friends for a little visit! Unfortunately, I missed seeing a ton of other people!
Then, just as I got home, we picked up my quilting cousin, Terry! (She blogs occasionally at TLC Quilts).
My Cousin Time
Terry helped me cut and sew some border strips … unfortunately I didn’t get a picture. Since the binding flange strips needed to be cut the same width as the 1st border, she cut those as well. Then, I had a glass of wine and decided it was totally unsafe for me to either cut or sew …
This is a secret commissioned project, but I figure that I can show you a bit of the 1st border without giving too much away.
Terry and I hit a couple of local quilt stores. She fell in love with “Dragonfly Quilting and Gifts” To quote Terry, “This is heaven.” She bought a few fabrics to go with her future projects and she bought a beautiful beautiful piece that is simply beautiful. To my credit … I resisted buying that beautiful fabric. However, Dragonfly is only about 3 km from my house … but I’m not going there!
While Terry was here, she was talking about needing scraps of fabric for a couple of future scrappy quilts. I just grinned and grinned. And I grinned some more!!! She tackled my bag of red, blue and brown scraps and took a fair amount – but why are the bags still full???? I didn’t measure the fabric – so I can’t use the amount in my stash count this week. But, at least she has scraps and doesn’t need to go buy fabric to make her quilts. If she sends me pictures, or blogs about the quilts, I’ll be sure to let you know!
Terry then sorted my green scraps … and made a comment that a certain tone of green was predominant in my green scrap bag and there was likely enough for a quilt there. She’s probably correct and I may use that green in Bonnie Hunter’s 2019/20 mystery quilt.
Feathers
Terry also showed me how she does her feathers. It uses a “bird” and “sun” for guidelines. I’ll have to get the link of the youtube. Sew … she had me practicing different feathers. FUN!
Quite a few people have expressed interest in joining us for the Baby Quilt Marathon. Not everyone will be making baby quilts – but I will. You can see more details HERE. One person is planning on making a string quilt, another is going to be sewing up a bunch a baby / Christmas panels, and another plans to make a baby quilt from start to finish!
Are you going to join us?
Design Wall:
Piecing & Quilting
I showed you the little bit of border that I’m finishing piecing and will soon start quilting.
Stash Report
I finished the Quilt of Valour quilt. And, although the fabric from the top was from Island Batik, the backing was from my stash. It used 4 yards of fabric.
- Fabric Used this week 4 yards
- Fabric Used this year: 101.6 yards
- Fabric Bought this week: 0 yards
- Fabric Added this year: 57.05
- Net Fabric used 44.65
- –
- Husband’s Purchases 9.5
Stitchin’ Time
- January – May: 122 out of 140
- June – 21 out of 23
- Year-to-date: 143 out of 163= 88%
For more Stitchin’ Time, you can check out Kate’s blog: Life in Pieces
Happy Quilting!
Gail
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Linking to:
- So Scrappy Saturdays @ So Scrappy
- Sunday Stash @ quiltpaintcreate
- Oh Scrap @ Quilting is More Fun than Housework
- Monday Making @ Love, Laugh, Quilt
- Design Wall Monday @ Small Quilts and Doll Quilts
- Moving it Forward Monday @ Em’s Scrapbag
A UFO is done, done DONE!!!
Try It!
Try It!
The Island Batik challenge for this month is: “Try a Technique” Challenge. Oh, lots and lots of things to choose from!!! I had been wanting to try Angela Walter’s “Free Motion Challenge, Layered Quilting.” Sew, that became my project!
Angela Walter’s
I’m in SHOCK!!!
At our recent quilt show, there was a baby quilt challenge: Welcome to the Zoo. I just didn’t have any ideas at all. Or at least none that were practical and manageable. So, I grabbed a panel from my stash of panels and quilted it up. Just a panel people, a panel!!
Can you imagine my surprise when it was announced that I was the 3rd place winner? I still can’t believe it. It’s a panel. A few people told me that the quilting was amazing. I don’t know about that – but I did quilt it to death! And, it’s still nice & soft. It will be a donation quilt. I will take it back to the guild next month and hand it in.
PHD in 2019 – April Update
I have 5 UFO finishes for 2019!
The first picture shows, Ivan’s Diamonds, Carpenter’s Wheel and a Star Table runner
My 2 April finishes are Good Fortune and a Retreat Bag.
I have an Inlinks party for PHD in 2019 participants to link up to. However, you you want to link up, feel free! Just be sure to mention this blog in your blog post, Instagram or Pinterest picture!
I did Promise you
Close up pictures of a couple of quilts: This first one was the Island Batik Accuquilt Challenge. Free Motion quilting did not call to me and it’s totally stitched in the ditch. (And yes, I used my ruler foot and a ruler for most of the quilting.) I used Aurifil Thread and Hobbs batting. The fabrics are Island Batik and mostly came from the Stash Builder Rolls or my yardage.
This is a Close up of Good Fortune and the quilting. I just did an all-over pattern that was inspired by Roseanne of Home Sewn by US, but then it morphed into my own design.
Christmas RAPPing BLOG HOP
This awesome blog hop is continuing. If you haven’t checked out the great projects – be sure to do so. And, there is a chance for YOU to win! Check it out!
April 29 Joan @ MooseStash Quilting
April 30 Linda @ One Quilting Circle
May 1 Kathy @ Kathy’s Kwilts
May 2 Bea @ Beaquilter
May 3 Sherry @ Powered by Quilting
May 4 Jennifer @ Dizzy Quilter
May 5 Barbara Gaddy @ Bejeweledquilts by Barb
May 6 Nancy Myers @ Patchwork Breeze
May 7 Vicki @ Vicki’s Crafts and Quilting
May 8 Gail @ Quilting Gail THIS IS ME come back and see what I made!
May 9 Michelle @ Creative Blonde
May 10 Maryellen @ Mary Mack’s Blog
May 11 Denise @ For the Love of Geese
May 12 Maria @
CHANCE TO WIN
Click on the Rafflecopter giveaway link to have a chance to WIN 9 Island Batik FQ’s and 3 Aurifil spools of thread to 2 lucky winners!
Happy Quilting!
Gail
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Linking to:
- Midweek Makers @ QuiltFabrication
- Wednesday Wait Loss @ Inquiring Quilter
- Happy Needle and Thread @ My Quilt Infatuation
- Muv / Free Motion Mavericks @ Lixxie Lenard Vintage Sewing
- Can I get a Whoop Whoop? @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict
- Finished or Not Friday @ Busy Hands Quilts
- Sherry @ Powered by Quilting
- Michelle @ From Bolt to Beauty
- TGIFF @ A Quarter Inch from the Edge
Stars on Ice: Vintage Reimagined
A UFO bites the dust!
YES!1! This winter table runner is DONE!!! (And, I couldn’t resist taking a picture of it beside some crocuses! (Look carefully and you’ll see a couple of purple flowers!)
Another February finish!!
Woohoo!!! I’m so excited that this UFO is done, DONE, DONE!
My Progress Report – Feb 17
Design Wall
Piecing:
- Block 5 of CQA’s #52blocks52weeks block is NOT done … not cut out … I should do that soon, before I have 20 blocks that I need to catch up on.
- Good Fortune: Starting to web the centre of the quilt. The purple HST for one of the pieced borders is in progress
Woohoo! My first UFO finish of 2019!
That’s right, I finished a UFO!!!
This one has been sandwiched since the fall and I finished quilting it yesterday!
