Emily @ The Darling Dogwood has chosen Square-in-a-square blocks for the 5th round!
I continued to use Island Batik fabrics from the Baby Bloomers collection (by Kathy Engle for Karen Overton).
With using a huge variety of fabrics from the Baby Bloomers collection, I felt that it needed a bit of a break, so I added a 3″ border. I may fill it in with appliqué or quilting later. Anyhow, here is my quilt with the Square-in-a-square blocks added. The quilt now measures 48.5″ x 52″
Now, you Need to go to the co-hosts blogs and see their first rounds! Their links are in the schedule below.
March 13: Parade – showing all of your finished SAHRRs!
How I made my Square-in-a-square blocks
I used the Accuquilt 8″ Qube die #6 and die #5 to make the Square-in-a-square blocks. They finished at 4 1/2” x 4 1/2” and when sewn into the quilt will finish at 4″ x 4″.
The math worked out perfectly as I added the coping border (plain white) so that both the sides and top were divisible by 4.
Linky Party
Emily @ The Darling Dogwood will have a linky party so you can see everyone’s 4th Round!
Non-blogger’s Rounds
Here’s Heather’s: I like how her flying geese point into opposite corners!
Here’s what Jacomina has to say, “I thought I should repeat the improv piecing of the center block in the geese. Not so sure yet how or even whether they will end up in this quilt. Let’s see next round.” I love the scrappy Improv!
Here’s what Sarah has to say, “It took me a while to figure out what I wanted to do with the flying geese, but now I’m well on my way. “
Next week?
I will tell us what to do. See you then for the last and final round!
Our Wonderful Sponsors
Here’s a list of the sponsors and their generous gifts!
Have you been following the Stay At Home Round Robin? Last week was Round #4: Flying Geese! I’m using fabric collection “Baby Bloomers” (by Kathy Engle for Karen Overton). I absolutely LOVE the fabrics in this collection! As you can see from the picture below, there’s a range of colours! Each one is SEW pretty!
Come back tomorrow and see what the latest prompt is!
One Gift a Month Challenge
Days Filled with Joy is hosting this challenge. February’s gift is a Heart Shaped Zipper Pouch. See HERE for the tutorial.
At first, I thought this little pouch is too small, and then I spotted my ear buds, lying there, the connecting wires spread here and there … they need somewhere safe to live! So I’m going to be making one for me! I think I’ll make 2.
Since, it calls for 5″ squares, I went to my Island Batik stash and found some beautiful heart prints from a stash builder roll! Perfect! Hearts for a Heart Shaped pouch! Aren’t these pretty fabrics?
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: 31 / 31
February: 19 / 19
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!
Lots of fabric used since last time I posted about my stash. The Lone Star Quilt Used 7.5 yards of fabric and the Puff Quilt used 6 yards
I can still brag … ! I’ve made it one month and a bit … can I make it for 2 months?
Fabric Used this week: 13.5yards
Fabric Used in 2023: 18.5 yards from non-IB: 9 yards
Fabric Bought this week: 0 yards
Fabric Added this year: 0 yards
Net Fabric used: 18.5 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 few weeks ago:
of course, having 2 weeks, makes it easier to ‘get er done – grin!!!
Quilt Bird Panels not done
Quilt Naturescape Lone Star√ DONE. and posted!
Work on Gardenia.√ DONE
Work on Melodic Mystery: January’s clue √ DONE
Sandwich Chilhowie√ DONE
Work on February Sweet on You Blog Hop project. √ DONE
Sandwich Nutcracker√ 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:
For me, this list is big … it’s what’s on my To Do list, but the ones with purple text are my priority. If I get beyond those, I’ll be extremely happy!
Finish Gardenia to flimsy stage
Melodic Mystery: Finish top
Chilhowie: start quilting
Quilt Bird Panels
Quilt Nutcracker
Start March Island Batik Challenge
Start Dust off a Quilt Book project
Work on Little Green Apples blog hop project
Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder!
There promises to be a lot of wonderful projects with this hop! Many of my blogging friends are participating and I know they do awesome work! Come and join in the fun and be inspired!
This puff quilt was made for Island Batik‘s February challenge.
I like the back as much as the front!
This quilt was made with fabric from the Fruit and Veggies (designed by Kathy Engle) collection. This collection is available at Creekside Quilts in Oregon. (BTW – they carry a LOT of Island Batik fabric!)
You can read more about how I made this quilt HERE.
Two opportunities to win!
First: Go HERE to Island Batik’s blog and follow the Rafflecopter prompts.
Second: I am giving away over 1 yard of fabric from the Fruits and Veggies collection. Leave a comment on my blog stating what you like about this collection and what you might make with the fabric if you were to win. This is open to anyone in Canada or the USA. I will use a number generator to randomly pick the winner when the blog hop is completed.
I was Featured!
Jennifer from Inquiring Quilter, Andrée from Quilting and Learning, and Kelly from My Quilt Infatuation all featured the Lone Star Quilt I posted last week! You can read more about this quilt HERE.
Anja @ Anja Quilts has chosen Flying Geese blocks for the 4th round!
I continued to use Island Batik fabrics from the Baby Bloomers collection (by Kathy Engle for Karen Overton).
To be honest, I have NO IDEA how the math worked out on this!!! The hourglass blocks were 3″ finished and the flying geese are 2″ x 4″ … and it worked out on all sides! Boggles my mind!
Now, you Need to go to the co-hosts blogs and see their first rounds! Their links are in the schedule below.
March 13: Parade – showing all of your finished SAHRRs!
How I made my Flying Geese blocks
I used the Accuquilt 8″ Qube die #4 and die #5 to make the Flying Geese blocks. They finished at 2 1/2” x 4 1/2” and when sewn into the quilt will finish at 2″ x 4″.
Linky Party
Anja @ Anja Quilts will have a linky party so you can see everyone’s 4th Round!
Non-blogger’s Rounds
Here’s Heather’s:
Jacomina said, “I found these braids in the bags received from quilters going into retirement homes. A nice filler round. Now 23″ by 15.5”
This is what Chere has to say, “Playing catch up on this . My centre block is a Japanese Sashiko block which I did the running stitch in cream and red. Had purchased a few Japanese cotton fabrics to go with block, but not much. Hoping to keep it small so I’ll have enough fabric left .”
Great job catching up, Chere!
Next week?
Emily @ The Darling Dogwood will tell us what to do. Are you following her blog?
I hope you’re having fun!
Our Wonderful Sponsors
Here’s a list of the sponsors and their generous gifts!
A Puff Quilt??? A Bubble Quilt??? I’ve never made one before. It wasn’t even on my bucket list. I didn’t know where to start. Thankfully, many fellow Island Batik ambassadors were in the same boat! We discussed many options and had a lot of suggestions for each other!
I ended up looking at many you-tube videos and a few Instagram posts to figure out how to make my Puff Quilt. The video that made the most sense to me was this one: How To Make A Puff Quilt The Easy Way ~Bubble Quilt ~ Puffer Quilt. I didn’t use a minky on the back as the video suggested … I used more of the Island Batik fabric from the collection I was given.
I was given “Fruit and Veggies” collection by Kathy Engle. Along with 2 yards of Veggie Garden – Green (one of the collection fabrics) and 2 yards of Mint (a foundation fabric). Isn’t it a beautiful green & blue collection?
I started out using EQ8 to decide the placement of the fabrics. The final decision was this Trip Around the World.
I cut the fabric into 5″ strips and then squares to get my layout. Once on the design board, I webbed the quilt together. You can see the technique on my Youtube channel HERE.
I forgot to take a picture of it totally webbed together … this picture shows some of the rows sewn together with the bottom webbed.
Then I put a pleat or tuck on each side of the squares … in this picture you can see where I’ve pinned the squares so they could be sewn all the same size.
Here is the top with all the tucks/pleats sewn …
Then I needed to make the back … I only used 13 fabrics for the top, so the back uses the other 7 fabrics, plus the fabric that is in the centre of the front.
I used 10″ width of fabric slices and sewed them on the diagonal, thinking that the seams would not ‘clash’ with the seams on the front. It worked!
I lined up the top of the quilt front with the back and sewed them together. Then, I sewed down 2 blocks worth and started stuffing the squares. I used almost 2 bags of polyester fibre fill for the stuffing.
Here’s a picture of the puff quilt in progress as I’m sewing down the latest stuffed row.
I must admit that the binding was a bit difficult to put on. The blocks were all wavy and I had to straighten them while pushing the stuffing out of the way. It took a lot longer than I expected, but it slowly got done!
Here is the finished quilt from the front.
And a view from the back! The intent was to just have the puffs on the front, but the back also became a little puffy.
Blocks on front: started as 5″ squares. With pleats became 4.5″
Binding is Veggie Garden – Green.
2 Opportunities to win Island Batik Fabric!
Island Batik is giving away 2 fat quarter bundles! One of King’s Castle and the other Juicy Mosaics. Visit Island Batik’s blog for your opportunity to win this amazing fabric! Click HERE and follow the Rafflecopter prompts.
I am giving away over 1 yard of fabric from the Fruits and Veggies collection. Leave a comment on my blog stating what you like about this collection and what you might make with the fabric if you were to win. This is open to anyone in Canada or the USA.
Another Picture!
The lilac trees are no where near ready to bloom, but I just had to take a picture of this quilt in the garden!
Make sure you visit “The Quiltery, For the Love of Geese” to see Denise’s puff quilt. She used the same fabrics as I did and I bet they are totally different puff quilts!
In December, I needed to make a Lone Star Quilt for my Island Batik challenge. I made this pink Lone Star using Baby Bloomers (a signature collection by Kathy Engle for Karen Overton). You can read more about it HERE.
I LOVED this quilt SEW much, I went to my Island Batik pre-cuts and found a strip pack of Naturescape (by Jerry Khiev) which came with a 2 yard cut of “Large Netting – Pineneedle” (a dark green). It was the PERFECT fabric for my centre star and to radiate out to the star points.
Enter EQ8, to plan it! I downloaded the Naturescape fabrics and the dark green into the program. Paired it with the solid grey.
It’s a totally different look than the pink one, but I like it! Here are some pictures of the quilt in progress. I’m not a great pinner, but for this quilt, I measured and pinned EVERY. SINGLE. INTERSECTION. And, for the most part, the seams were pretty good. But I’d be lying if I told you that everyone was perfect!
And here’s a picture of it finished! I quilted it with Aurifil #2615
I quilted it the same as the previous lone star – with small arcs in the diamonds and fake feathers on the grey!
Quilt Stats
Fabric: Island Batik Naturescape strip pack, solid grey and Large Netting – Pineneedle
Size: 62″ x 62″
Hobbs 80/20 on the inside
I quilted it with Aurifil #2615 (Aluminium) on my Domestic Machine (Janome M7)
Bound with Large Netting – Pineneedle
Will I make another Lone Star Quilt? Probably, but not for awhile! LOL!!! You know … pinning all the intersections … (grin)
And, just for the record, this is my 2nd UFO finish for February! WooHoo!!
March 13: Parade – showing all of your finished SAHRRs!
How I made my Hourglass blocks
I used the Accuquilt 8″ Qube die #4 to make the Hourglass blocks. I then trimmed them to 3 1/2.” They will finish at 3″ x 3″ in the quilt.
The math for this round was pretty easy. The star round ended at 21″ x 24.” With the hourglass blocks finishing at 3″ square – it meant that the 7 hourglasses across and 8 down were the way to go.
If I was having difficulty with the math, I likely would have put a few empty white blocks between some of the hourglass blocks to make it fit. Depending on what I needed, they might have been 1/4″ spaces or 1″ spaces … whatever I need to make up the difference.
Other’s Rounds
Here’s Heather’s:
Here’s Charlenes … Stars are done…called eccentric stars
Here’s Jacomina’s … She’s waiting to see what Round #3 is to fill in the borders …I found some very interesting orphan blocks and hope to incorporate those …
Sarah’s been ill and only has 1 of her 4 stars done … that’s OK … I hope she feels better soon!
Linky Party
Chris @ Chrisknitssews will have a linky party so you can see everyone’s 3rd Round!
Next week?
Anja @ Anja Quilts will tell us what to do. Are you following her blog?
Relax … this is easy … and it’s only one round each week!
Our Wonderful Sponsors
Here’s a list of the sponsors and their generous gifts!
Have you been following the Stay At Home Round Robin? Last week was Round #2: Stars! I’m using fabric collection “Baby Bloomers” (by Kathy Engle for Karen Overton). I absolutely LOVE the fabrics in this collection! As you can see from the picture below, there’s a range of colours! Each one is SEW pretty!
One Gift a Month Challenge
Days Filled with Joy is hosting this challenge. This month it’s a little basket that Pink Penguin has a tutorial for (See HERE).
I finished this basket and posted about it on Friday (see HERE).
February’s gift is a Heart Shaped Zipper Pouch. See HERE for the tutorial.
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: 31 / 31
February: 5 / 5
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!
The basket above used 1 yard of fabrics. Yes, many were scraps, but it still adds up.
I can still brag … ! I’ve made it one month … can I make it 2?
Fabric Used this week: 1 yards
Fabric Used in 2023: 5 yards
Fabric Bought this week: 0 yards
Fabric Added this year: 0 yards
Net Fabric used: 5 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:
Sandwich Bird Panels√ DONE
Sandwich Chilhowie. not done
Work on February Sweet on You Blog Hop project √ DONE
Bind Island Batik’s February project √ DONE
Finish colouring Nutcracker√ 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:
Quilt Bird Panels
Quilt Naturescape Lone Star
Work on Gardenia
Work on Melodic Mystery: January’s clue
Sandwich Chilhowie
Work on February Sweet on You Blog Hop project
Sandwich Nutcracker
Do NOT be distracted by any SQUIRRELS! I NEED this continual reminder!
This blog hop is starting Monday!!! The next 4 weeks have LOTS of eye candy for you!!! The Island Batik Ambassadors have mad a Puff Quilt from their assigned collections! I’ve seen glimpses of some of them … you are in for a treat!
And there’s already a chance for you to win some fantastic fabric. Visit Island Batik’s blog to enter! Island Batik is giving giving away a Fat Quarter bundle of the complete Island Batik collections – Broken Glass by Kathy Engle or Exuberance by Deb Tucker’s Studio 180 Design!
Take a look at the following snapshots of some of the fabrics in each collection. Which is your favourite?
I told you earlier this week that I was joining a challenge called “One Gift a Month.” I showed you the start of the project.
Well, I worked on it for a bit and finished it!
It was an easy project to make! If I were to make it again (if I remember this), I would make the boxed corners on the lining about 1/4″ larger so that the lining would be a bit smaller and fit into the main part of the basket without extra fabric floating around.
I used “Deco Revival” fabric from Island Batik. It was pieced, quilted and top stitched with Aurifil #2581 (Dark Dusty Grape).
Upcoming Blog Hops
Island Batik: February Blog Hop! (My day is February 13)
The next 4 weeks have LOTS of eye candy for you!!! The Island Batik Ambassadors have mad a Puff Quilt from their assigned collections! I’ve seen glimpses of some of them … you are in for a treat!
The pictures below give you a taste of some of the designs in each collection. Which is your favourite?
Are you determined to finish a bunch of UFOs and to NOT increase the number of quilts or projects on your UFO list???
Congratulations on making that choice!!!
Did you realize that each stitch you take is one stitch closer to finishing that project? Think about it … it’s the only way those projects are going to get done! You just need to take that first stitch, and then the next … and before you know it, that project will be done!!!
My Tally Sheets
I finished one UFO this month, my Shades of Blue project. You can read more about it HERE. (These used Island Batik fabrics, Aurifil thread and Hobbs batting).
Two projects were started this month, but I’ve also spent a lot of time working on the following (you can see my progress on my task sheet).
Panel Birds
Melodic Mystery
Chilhowie
Nutcracker
SAHRR ’23
Colour Challenge ’23
Sweet on You
If you want to keep track of your own progress, please feel free to download the 2023 Template.
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.
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:
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!
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!
I’ve made and posted all of these during the past year! Enjoy!
January
This was a UFO from the “Any Which Way” mystery that was hosted on the blog in ’21. See HERE for the finishing details!
The first Island Batik challenge of the year was to use a Fat 1/4 bundle of Tantalizing Teals. You can see details on this challenge HERE.
February
I used Kelly Young’s book “Scrappy Improve Quilting.” You can see details of it here.
This was a quilt I made for Island Batik’s catalogue featuring the “Evergreen and Pine” fabric collection. See the link HERE.
This quilt was made for Island Batik’s catalogue featuring the “Contempo” fabric collection.
The February Island Batik challenge was to create a quilt with the Row by Row theme. I used the “Vintage Lace” collection, designed by Kathy Engle. You can read more about it HERE.
I made this cute little basket using Deco Revival fabrics. You can read about it HERE.
March
Here is the Stay at Home Round Robin that I made using the Flutterfly collection and Island Batik’s solid white. You can read more details HERE.
We were challenged to create a piece based on the Italian thread that we received from Aurifil. I received “Pompeii Red” colour builder set. See HERE for more details.
This was a table runner that I made for the Quilt as You Go class that I taught. See HERE.
I made these little coasters with left-over fabric blocks from my SAHRR. See HERE for details.
This quilt was made for the Time in a Bottle Blog Hop. I used fabrics that were left-over from my gradation quilts (January). See HERE for more details.
April
April’s challenge was to make a Funky Friend. I chose Gregory Gorilla. He was a lot of fun to make!! See all the details HERE.
This little zipper pouch was made for the “World of Colour” Blog Hop. Details can be found HERE.
May
The following 3 projects were made for Island Batik’s challenge called “Triangle Tricks. I found the first one very difficult to make, but the last 2 were quite easy! See HERE for details.
June
June’s Challenge was to make a New York beauty and I was given the Harvest Night fabric collection. See HERE for details.
These 2 quilts were made with the “Jewel Carvings” fabric collection (designed by Kathy Engle) for the Island Batik catalogue. My friend, Amy, made the one with the light background and I made the one with the dark. See more details HERE.
This quilt was my very first magazine publication. It was in the Fons & Porter Love of Quilting July/August issue. See HERE for more pictures and details.
This quilt was designed by Sandra Walker at MMM Quilts. You can see more details of it HERE. If you want the pattern you can find it HERE
I made this window hanging in an on-line class with Epida Studio. Elizabeth is a great teacher! More details of my window hanging can be found HERE.
July
Island Batik’s challenge for July was “Christmas in July with Accuquilt.” We were all given the Tree of Life die. This was a super fun quilt to make and it was super fun to give it to a dear friend on mine! See more pictures HERE.
I had left-over HST from the Tree of life, so I made this little zipper pouch!
August
August’s challenge was to make a Marvelous Mini Quilt. I was inspired by a speaker we had at the guild, as well as many different Dresdens made with friends. This was my mini. Details HERE.
September
I received the “Corner Pop” tool from Studio 180 and was challenged to use it, along with a 1/2 yard bundle of “Flourish” by Kathy Engle It was a lot of fun to make this quilt using the tool, along with other Studio 180 tools! See HERE for details.
These were made using “Left-overs” from the above quilt. See HERE for details.
This was made for the Queen of Gadgets Blog Hop. You can read about all the gadgets I used to make this quilt HERE I used a 10″ stack of Pumpkin Spice and the background is “Celery”.
October
October’s challenge was a ByAnnie bag. I chose to make the “A Place for Everything 2.0” bag and paired it with fabrics from the “Bee Kind” collection. The pattern was easy to follow and with supplemental videos – it came together easily! See details HERE.
This tree skirt was made for Island Batik’s catalogue using the Winter Sky collection. I just LOVE the blues!
This quilt was made for Pinktober. October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. My heart is all a flutter when I think of the story behind the gifting of this quilt. You can read about it HERE.
And little bags made from the left-overs from the Pinktober quilt.
November
Island Batik’s November challenge was to make a Christmas stocking. These were fun to make! You can read about how I made them and used an Accuquilt die for the snowflackes … HERE.
This quilt was made with a 2 1/2″ strip pack of “Citified.” It was fun to make and I had a blast quilting it! You can read about it HERE.
This was made for the class I was teaching called “Travel Posts.” You can see class participants’ quilts HERE.
These little baskets were made with left-over fabric from making the Winter Sky tree skirt (see above). You can read more about them HERE.
I did a trunk show for Boundary Bay Quilter’s Guild – with ONLY Island Batik quilts and projects that I have made in the past 4 years as an Island Batik ambassador. You can see a glimpse of some of the trunk show HERE.
December
Island Batik’s challenge for December was to make a Lone Star! It was SEW rewarding to have this quilt turn out so nice! You can read about it HERE.
Left-overs from the Lone Star quilt turned into this cute quilt! Read about it HERE.
Little Pencil cases made with the left-overs from the Lone Star and the Baby Quilt:
The Scrappy Fall Mystery Quilt, background is “Linen,” all scraps from my Island Batik scrap bin:
This was my Spicy BOM Colour challenge Quilt. You can read more about it HERE.
A Winter Branches Table Runner … made a bit bigger to fit on the top of my piano.
I hope that everyone had a pleasant Christmas – if you celebrate! I know there were lots of changes in travel plans because of the weather across Canada and the USA. So, hopefully, you were able to celebrate with your loved ones!
A Dog Quilt
My daughter has been complaining that her beloved dog did not have a quilt of her own … so I decided I’d make one for Christmas for her. I went to my “dog” fabric bin and found this panel! Viola! A simple dog quilt. I quilted it with Silly Moon’s Cupid ruler. So fun to have hearts all over it! I think she loves her quilt!
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!
Lots of stitching in the past week!
January – November: 288 / 333
Dec: 24 / 25
Total: 324 / 358
Percentage = 87%
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!
The dog’s quilt used 2.5 yards of fabric for the front, back and binding!
My goal each year is to have a net fabric of 100 yards used. I didn’t make it this year! But at least I used more than I bought!
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 #5 Chilhowie
Classic Cars Colour Challenge BOM – Mar / Apr
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 … so I need to re-trace it on some unwashed fabric!
Work on Naturescape Lone Star
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 #5 When I went to start the block assembly, I realized that I had missed part of Clue #1 … so I’m currently catching up and finishing Clue #1!
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 re-trace the Nutcracker before I can start colouring and then quilting!
Quilting Gail 