Design Wall Monday 11/26/12

I was inspired to make Scrappy Trips Around the World blocks for the block drive that was being sponsored by Alycia.  Not only were they gathering blocks to be assembled into Quilts of Valor, but she was raffling off 5 yards of red,white & blue fabrics--one entry for every 5 blocks you sent in. That was enough to get me sewing!  

My initial goal was to make 10 blocks before the deadline.  I had those 10 finished and ready to send away two weeks ago.  However, once I had pulled out my red, white & blue strips, I just kept making more and more blocks.  To have enough for a Quilt of Valor needed only 30 blocks.  I arranged them in an off-center barn raising type layout.

The blue and white diagonal check on the back is a fabric I got from Hancock's of Paducah in their Labor Day sale for about $3 a yard.  I wish I had bought lots more, but wasn't sure I would like the quality of it.

All that's left is to finish making the binding and label, then get everything sent off.  For anyone who is interested, Alycia is still accepting more of the Scrappy Trips blocks to be made into more Quilts of Valor.  She has posted photos of the blocks she received so far here and here.


Check out all the beautiful projects on Design Wall Monday at  Patchwork Times.  

Julie

Stash Report Sunday 11/25/12

I finally finished a project, used up a bunch of fabric, and didn't buy any more.  This has been a good week!

I finished making the last 8 blocks for the Scrappy Trips Around the World quilt.  My favorite thing about making scrap quilts is getting to see so many favorite fabrics, both old and new.  This quilt used around 160 different fabrics--most of the whites are used in 2 blocks each, but the reds and blues appear in only one block, with just one or two exceptions.  The photo below shows leftover strips from most of my red and blue fabrics.

I got all the blocks joined together, and also pieced together the backing and made a pillowcase for presentation.  All that's left is to make the binding and a label.  The quilt will go to Quilts of Valor after it gets quilted.  Here is a picture of a portion of the top--more photos tomorrow.

Used this week:  7.25 yards
Used year to date: 64.5 yards

Added this week:   0 yards

Added year to date:  94 yards

Net year to date: 29.5 yards added

Check out more stash reports at Patchwork Times.

Julie

Design Wall Monday 11/19/12

When I started this project, I was making the Scrappy Trips Around the World blocks to send to Alycia for her block drive.  Last Monday I had 10 blocks made and planned to send them off the next day.  I now have 22 blocks finished and only need to make 8 more to have enough for a Quilt of Valor.  These blocks go together very quickly, and it is so much fun to see them come together that I decided to keep going and make enough for a whole quilt.

Check out all the beautiful projects on Design Wall Monday at  Patchwork Times.  

Julie

Stash Report Sunday 11/18/12

For most of this week I was feeling good about making a dent in my stash.  I have continued making more Scrappy Trips Around the World blocks.   They go quickly, and I am using up lots of red, white & blue strips on them.  I currently have 20 blocks done and will show a photo of the whole group tomorrow.  That project has used another 2 yards.

Yesterday we had some errands/shopping to take care of, mostly preparations for Thanksgiving.  The shopping center we went to has a JoAnn fabrics, and it was my husband who wanted to go in!  He collects all sorts of Santas and wanted to see what they had gotten in this year.  Of course, I ended up buying fabric.  We found two Florida State team fabrics, and I bought both.  Someday one of them will probably become a pair of pajama pants for him.

Used this week: 2
Used year to date: 57.25 yards

Added this week:   5 yards

Added year to date:  94 yards

Net year to date: 36.75 yards added

Check out more stash reports at Patchwork Times.

Julie

Design Wall Monday 11/12/12

Happy Veteran's Day to all, and a huge thank you to those who have served our country.  It seems appropriate that all the blocks on my design wall right now are red,white & blue.  

There is a Scrappy Trip Around the World block drive going on at Alycia's.  The blocks go together very quickly, and they will be put together into Quilts of Valor.  I have 10 blocks ready to send to her.  I have been playing with ideas for a whole quilt or two from this block pattern, but this group will be mailed off tomorrow.

My other patriotic looking project is the blocks-of-the-week by Barbara Brackman called Grandmother's Choice.  I'm not wild about some of these blocks, but I am determined to keep up with making each week's block (sometimes with minor changes.)  They will definitely look better together with some sashing.  These may become a Quilt of Valor too.

Check out all the beautiful projects on Design Wall Monday at  Patchwork Times.  

Julie

Stash Report Sunday 11/11/12

I keep thinking I am going to make a significant dent in my stash one of these weeks, but the numbers never seem to go down by much.  In fact this week, they have gone up again.

In the used column--1-1/2 yards to make 9 scrappy Trip Around the World blocks.  These are for a QOV block drive sponsored by Alycia.  

Also used--1/4 yard to make blocks #9 - 11 for the Grandmother's Choice block of the week.  So far, I have been able to keep up with these.

On the other side of the numbers, the scrap bin at Intown Quilters had just been replenished, and there were nice big chunks of lots of beautiful batiks.  These are all about 12 - 13" across and 12 - 18" long, some even more than that.  I managed to get all that plus several pieces of cotton prints stuffed into 2 ziploc bags.  I figured it to be about 4-1/2 yards total for $10.

Used this week: 1.75
Used year to date: 55.25 yards

Added this week:   4.5 yards

Added year to date:  89 yards

Net year to date: 33.75 yards added

Check out more stash reports at Patchwork Times.

Julie

Design Wall Monday 11/5/12

MY QUILT MADE THE FINALS!!

This afternoon I got an email with the exciting news that my Storm at Sea quilt had been nominated as one of the favorite quilts in the Blogger's Quilt Festival.  I am so thrilled to be included in the final voting, especially since this is my first time taking part in the event.  

Those of you who have been reading my blog over the past several months have followed along with the progress of this quilt.  I have appreciated all the comments and support along the way.  

If you haven't already voted for your favorites, you can do so HERE.  My Storm at Sea is in the bed quilt category.  Voting ends this Thurs., Nov. 8th.

The only addition to my design wall for the week is the two most recent Grandmother's Choice blocks.  That makes a total of 10 blocks plus 2 duplicates.  As the blocks get finished, I am liking the way they look together more and more.  Only 39 more to go!

Check out what others have been working on at  Patchwork Times.  Also be sure to vote for your favorite quilts in the Blogger's Quilt Festival.

Julie

Stash Report Sunday 11/4/12

I was very excited to finish up my Storm at Sea quilt last weekend, but as soon as I put it on the bed, I knew that it needed matching pillowcases.  That used 2-1/4 yards of fabric.  I also made the binding for my next quilt to be finished, using another 1/2 yard.

I have entered the Storm at Sea quilt in the Blogger's Quilt Festival.  There are hundreds of amazing quilts on display there.  If you haven't already nominated quilts for the voting round, I would appreciate it if you would consider mine.  It is entry #499, and the categories it could be nominated in are bed quilt, scrap quilt, and professionally quilted.  The deadline for nominations is today, Nov. 4th.  You can find the nomination form here.  Thanks!




Used this week: 2.75
Used year to date: 54 yards

Added this week:   0 yards

Added year to date:  84.5 yards

Net year to date: 30.5 yards added

Check out more stash reports at Patchwork Times.

Julie