Design Wall Monday 4/29/13

This past weekend held a special quilting treat for me.  My mother and my sister Karen arrived from Wisconsin for a visit. Karen and I have made a few quilts together in the past, and we decided to make a baby quilt for her first grandchild which is due in July. She had already made one quilt like this, so she had figured out the the best way to construct the pattern. The first night they were here, she showed the fabrics she had brought along, we pulled out some more choices from my collection, and we were ready to make a start. Here are the fabrics we decided to include.

After only a couple of hours, we had all the pieces cut and stitched into rows. Next chance we get, we will stitch the rows together and add borders.  Then we need to find something for the back.

As usual, I will be linking up to Patchwork Times for Design Wall Monday.  Check out all the great inspiration there. 

Julie

Stash Report 4/28/13

This was a very busy week even though I wasn't working, but I did manage to find a little time for quilting. I made the last two 6" blocks for my Scrappy Sampler BOM, then joined all the 6" blocks to the quilt center. Next we will be making 8" blocks that go around all four sides of this center.

My other project was making 5 more green Dancing Stars blocks. I am making these blocks as part of the Rainbow Scrap Challenge 2013.

I have been tracking my stash usage each month for both of these projects rather than trying to figure it out at the end of the year.  I am finally getting close to 20 yards used this year!  There's a long way to go if I am going to meet my goal of using 100 yards this year. 

Used this week:  1.25 yard  
Used year to date:  19.25 yards    

Added this week:   0 yards

Added year to date: 2.5 yards

Net year to date:  16.75 yards used 

Check out more stash reports at Patchwork Times.

Julie

More Green Dancing Stars

I finished five more green Dancing Stars blocks this week, bringing my total in green to 11. 

The green stars will join the pink, purple and orange blocks from previous months. My total number of blocks at this point is 43, and the next photo shows just under half of them. The pattern calls for a total of 98 blocks for a throw quilt.  That seemed like a lot for a throw, but the blocks are only 6" finished.  If I were to make the pattern again, I might scale the blocks up a bit, maybe to 7-1/2 or 8".

I am linking up to the Rainbow Scrap Challenge 2013, where you can see all sorts of wonderful ways that other quilters have been using their green scraps this month. This fabulous Dancing Stars pattern is available at Amy's Creative Side (and it's free!)

Julie

15 Minute Challenge 4/23/13

I have had some time off this past week, but it has been filled with trying to get many things done around the house.  We have been very busy for the past few weeks, and it shows around here.  With my mother & sister arriving for a visit on Saturday, it is time to whip this place into shape.

Most of the time in my sewing room this week was spent cleaning up, but I did manage to do a little bit of sewing too.  Sis and I are planning to make a baby quilt together while she is here.  We always have such a good time when we get to quilt as a team.  

Tues., 4/16--cleaning sewing room
Wed., 4/17--cleaning sewing room
Thur., 4/18--Dancing Stars
Fri., 4/19--Scrappy Sampler
Sat., 4/20--Scrappy sampler
Sun., 4/21--none
Mon., 4/22--Scrappy Sampler


Check out the 15 Minute Challenge posts at Life in Pieces to see how others are finding time for their creativity. 


Julie

Design Wall Monday 4/22/13

Hanging on my design wall this week is the last UFO that got pulled out to be photographed for the UFO Parade. This is my oldest UFO, started in a class in 1996. It is a Mary Ellen Hopkins design, but I don't know if it was ever published. Our teacher called it "Unteraegeri Adventure" because she learned the design at a seminar in Unteraegeri, Switzerland. The pattern is a log cabin variation that combines uneven log cabin with stepping stones that run diagonally in both directions. My version is called "Curves & Cornerstones." I love the curvy movement of the design. Mine is actually square, but you can't see the sides in this photo.

This is going to be my next UFO to work on. I had originally tried to design a pieced border to finish it off, but none of the ideas I tried seemed to work.  That is why it has been packed away in a box for so many years.  Now I believe the thing to do is make 12 more blocks, which will add one more row at the top and bottom.  That brings the size up to 58.5 x 78", a good size for a throw quilt.  It could become a QOV if I don't decide to keep it for myself.

The only problem now is that I have run out of one of the red fabrics.  This close-up of the center shows a possible substitute fabric laid over some logs on the left side. Once the additional 12 blocks are done, I will decide where to put those blocks in the quilt--whether they become the extra rows top & bottom or if I should mix them in with the rest of the quilt.

Here is a photo of the fabric that has been used up (at the top) and the one that I plan to use as a substitute. The new fabric is darker than the original, but it should be ok.  However, if anyone has some of that top fabric and could spare 1/4 yard or so, you would make my day!

As usual, I will be linking up to Patchwork Times for Design Wall Monday.  Check out all the great inspiration there. 

Julie

Hands 2 Help update

This year I signed up to participate in the Hands 2 Help challenge making quilts for two charities. Today participants are posting photos showing progress on their projects.

My current quilt project is this Zigzag quilt. The top is together and the backing fabric chosen.  Fortunately, the quilt is small enough that I don't need to piece the back. Next step, machine quilting.

Check out other quilts being made for Hands 2 Help at Confessions of a Fabric Addict.  It's not too late to join the fun.

Julie

Stash Report Sunday 4/21/13

My net stash usage continues to increase slowly.  This week I used 1.75 yards to back the Zigzag quilt. I  also gave away six sampler blocks that I made from Judy Martin's The Block Book. Going through all my UFOs for the Patchwork Times UFO Parade helped me realize that I will never go back and do anything with these blocks, so it is better to be rid of them to someone who will use them.  I am estimating 1.5 yard for these blocks and the leftover fabric that I am sending away.  Thanks to Julianne for taking them off my hands! I look forward to seeing what you make with them.

Used this week:  3.25 yard  
Used year to date:  18 yards    

Added this week:   0 yards

Added year to date: 2.5 yards

Net year to date:  15.5 yards used 

Check out more stash reports at Patchwork Times.

Julie

Green Dancing Stars

I missed posting to the Rainbow Scrap Challenge last week because I had nothing new to show. This week I finished up three more green Dancing Stars blocks. I especially love the bright lime green star at the top.

This brings my number of green stars to six, with two more started and fabric prepped for another half dozen or so, which is more than I really need.  My total number of stars made for the year so far (pink, purple, orange & green) is 38.  

I am linking up to the Rainbow Scrap Challenge 2013, where you can see all sorts of wonderful ways that other quilters have been using their green scraps this month. This fabulous Dancing Stars pattern is available at Amy's Creative Side (and it's free!)

Julie

UFO Parade 4/15/13

Note: This post was updated on 10/7/15 with some completions, but does not include new UFOs that have been added since the original post in April 2013.

Judy at Patchwork Times is hosting a UFO parade.  I guess the theory is that by showing ALL of our works in progress, the embarrassment will motivate us to do something with them, whether that means finish them or get rid of them. Michelle at Michelle's Romantic Tangle posed some questions that were bothering me too--do I need to count every sample I made to try out a pattern or every late-night mistake experiment?  There are lots of patterns I have seen and liked in books or magazines, made a block or two or a few, but didn't like it enough to keep going. Those did not make my list.

Here is my list of UFO's & WIP's, listed in order by date started, beginning with the oldest. Most have photos too. These are projects at all different stages of completion, and I am sure there are several more around here that haven't been unearthed yet.  I know there are some hand applique projects somewhere.  Finished tops that need to be quilted are not listed here--that will have to be a separate post.  Projects started this year are not included. 

1.  Unterageri Adventure, 3/1996--started in a class, design by Mary Ellen Hopkins; 36 blocks made, can't decide if it needs more blocks or what to do for a border.
TOP DONE 7/25/15

2. Ring of 8-Point Stars, 8/1999--idea based on photo in Quiter's Newsletter, March 1996, Persian Star by Mary K. Ryan. I made these star blocks, but got stuck on setting and I don't like the center of the stars.  Free to a good home.

3. Judy Martin sampler, 6/2000--blocks from Judy Martin's "The Block Book."  I no longer have most of the fabrics used in these blocks.  Available for giveaway.  Sent to Julianne in CA 4/23/13

4. Sawtooth Diamond--inspired by Diane Gaudynski quilt at Sun Prairie show 3/97, bought fabrics Oct. 2000, began piecing half-square triangles. 

5. Stack & Whack Hexagons, 11/00--made blocks as possible class sample but ended up using another fabric for the model.  These could become a kid's quilt.

6. Ring Around the Stars, 5/01--this was planned to be a bed-sized quilt, but I ran out of the background check.  I bought another background and pieced a whole new top 7/2001, and that is one of my favorite quilts ever!  This piece currently measures about 49 x 63".

7. Mini Snail's Trail, 7/01 designs/samples; 6/02 piecing, need to pull more fabrics to make as planned (3-1/2" blocks)

8. LeMoyne Star Sampler (red/white/blue) 9/01--get fabrics, begin making blocks; 5/03--make more blocks, 2/2012--combine w/ RWB Scrap Club blocks

TOP DONE 3/23/14

9. LeMoyne Stars 6" blocks, primary colors, 9/01--these four blocks are all that got done, but there are a few more cut out & I love the way they look

More blocks made 2014, two tops finished 12/2014 & 1/2015

10. Jewels in the Sky, 10/01--Karen K. Stone pattern "Jewels in the Garden"

11/01 cutting strips of blue/blacks and yellow/oranges, begin foundation piecing but not sure I like how it is turning out

11. Snowflakes, 11/01--started foundation piecing with pattern on the right, didn't even finish one block, similar pattern on left is from Quiltmaker Nov./Dec. 03

12. Feathered Stars,12/01--planned to make eight more feathered star blocks like this one for the center of a quilt, this is the only block done, measures 17"

13. Dutch Tiles, 2/2002--started in a class, approximately 35 or more blocks made, need to figure out how many I still need & how to finish this.

TOP DONE 4/6/15

14. Simple Symmetry #1--pattern by Paula Nadelstern in Quilters Newsletter, Jan./Feb. 2002, cutting & piecing May/June 2002

15. Placemats, 6/2002?--a guild I used to belong to had a placemat contest each year, and all the entries were then given to a Meals on Wheels group. These were started as extras for that program but never finished.

16. Jacob's Ladder, 7/2002--4 blocks pieced for possible class sample, more strip sets & half-square triangles made.

17. Diamond pineapple, 5/2003--1st block made in workshop with Sharon Rexroad, 7 more blocks made later, need to figure out setting/finishing plan.

18. Boston Fiesta, 4/2005--inspired by quilt at Paducah 4/2004, bought fabrics in Somerset, MA, began making samples/piecing blocks, 24 blocks done
TOP DONE 5/16/15

19. French Braid, 4/2010--begin panel for back door, more piecing 6/2010, needs borders & finishing as Roman shade

20. Simple Symmetry #2, 5/2010--class with Paula Nadelstern--my fabric was not a great choice, not enough contrast? 
GAVE AWAY FOR "ORPHAN ADOPTION" 9/2015

21. Shooting Stars, 5/2010--started in a class, made 2 blocks.

22. Paisley placemats--begun fall 2010?, 6 placemats & tablerunner completed 5/2012, plan to make 6 more placemats

23. Orca Bay, 11/2011--my first attempt at a Bonnie Hunter mystery.  I fell far behind rather quickly and set this project aside.  String blocks are not my favorite.  This may become a small Christmas wallhanging or tabletopper.

24. April 2012 Color Palette Challenge--my first attempt at English paper pieced hexagons

25. Grandmother's Choice, 9/2012--I started this Barbara Brackman Block of the Week last fall and kept up just fine for a few months, but lost interest.  Anybody want these blocks?  Sent to Julianne in CA 4/23/13

26. Easy Street, 11/2012--another Bonnie Hunter mystery, this one was much easier and more manageable.  I was able to keep up with the steps and got the center of my quilt together in January, 2013.  Need to figure out a border.
TOP DONE 4/28/15

To tell the truth, I was afraid there would be many more (but I know there are still some lurking in the closet, plus a whole box of unquilted tops.) Of the 26 shown here, there are 9 that I still really like and definitely plan to finish someday, 12 that I hope to finish, but don't hold your breath, and 5 that I am ready to give up on (throw away or give away.) Now I just need to come up with a plan for how to get more of these done and start fewer new projects, one of my major goals for this year.  All suggestions welcome!

Happy quilting!

Julie

15 MInute Challenge 4/16/13

It has been a few weeks since I reported my quilting time for the 15 Minute Challenge. I was so busy at work that I didn't have much time to quilt and even stopped keeping track of which days I did quilt.  But now work has slowed down and quilting has resumed.  I even managed to make a quick Zigzag quilt top in less than a week. My main project right now is cleaning up the sewing room so that I can work more efficiently.

Updated to include 3/19 - 4/1
Tues., 3/19--none
Wed., 3/20--none
Thur., 3/21--Dancing Stars
Fri., 3/22--Dancing Stars
Sat., 3/23--none
Sun., 3/24--Scrappy Sampler
Mon., 3/25--none
Tues., 3/26--none
Wed., 3/27--photos for quilt show entries
Thur., 3/28--none
Fri., 3/29--none
Sat., 3/30--none
Sun., 3/31--Scrappy Sampler
Mon., 4/1--none

Tues., 4/2--Dancing Stars
Wed., 4/3--Dancing Stars
Thur., 4/4--Dancing Stars
Fri., 4/5--Dancing Stars, planning Zig Zag quilt
Sat., 4/6--Zig Zag quilt
Sun., 4/7--Zig Zag quilt
Mon., 4/8--Dancing Stars
Tues., 4/9--Zig Zag quilt
Wed., 4/10--Dancing Stars
Thur., 4/11--ZigZag quilt--top finished
Fri., 4/12--none
Sat., 4/13--Dancing Stars
Sun., 4/14--clean sewing room
Mon., 4/15--clean sewing room



Check out the 15 Minute Challenge posts at Life in Pieces to see how others are finding time for their creativity. 

Julie

Design Wall Monday 4/15/13

My design wall shows quite a contrast in styles this week.  Up first is the finished top for my Zigzag quilt, with the backing fabric hanging next to it.

The other project on my wall is the center of my Scrappy Sampler BOM. Our assignment for April is to make the last two 6" blocks, then join them all to the center and add another border.  I have been auditioning fabrics for those remaining blocks.

As usual, I will be linking up to Patchwork Times for Design Wall Monday.  Check out all the great inspiration there. 

Julie

Stash Report Sunday 4/14/13

Finally some stash usage--the top for my Zigzag quilt is finished!! That project was started last weekend when I needed something quick & easy to sew. Now I can choose a fabric for the back and work on quilting it (as soon as I clear away some of the mess around my sewing machine table.)

Here are two possible fabrics for the quilt back.  I need to measure both to see if there is enough.  I will show the finished top tomorrow.

Used this week:  2.75 yard  
Used year to date:  14.75 yards    

Added this week:   0 yards

Added year to date: 2.5 yards

Net year to date:  12.25 yards used 

Check out more stash reports at Patchwork Times.

Julie

Design Wall Monday 4/8/13--Zig Zag quilt

I felt the need for a quick and easy project this weekend.  I had seen lots of great zigzag or chevron quilts, so I decided to make a baby quilt.  So far I have finished five of seven rows, with the two at the bottom still to assemble.

This project was just what I needed--very quick and satisfying and fun. All I have to do is make the last two rows, join them all together, then quilt and bind it. 

As usual, I will be linking up to Patchwork Times for Design Wall Monday.  Check out all the great inspiration there. 

Julie

Hands 2 Help links

This year I signed up to participate in the Hands 2 Help challenge over at Confessions of a Fabric Addict.  For this challenge, participants make quilts that are designated for two selected charities, Happy Chemo making quilts for chemo patients, and Quilts Beyond Borders which gives quilts to orphanages.  

Today is the day where we link up with tips and tutorials for charity quilt ideas.  I discovered Project 12 Quilts just the other day.  Janeen decided to make 12 quilts to donate to charity in 2012.  Her blog includes the patterns for all the quilts that she made for her project.  Most are small and fairly simple patterns.  Here are all of her 12 quilts.

I especially liked her zigzag quilt, and it inspired me to make one too.  Here is what I got done over the last couple of days.

Check out the other links to tutorials and tips for making charity quilts at Confessions of a Fabric Addict.  There are some great ideas there.

Julie

Stash Report Sunday 4/7/13

I have no fabric usage to report this week, but I hope to soon. Long hours at work over the past month have left me with little energy or brainpower for quilting. Yesterday was the first Saturday in a month that we didn't work, and I wanted to make something quick and easy.  I decided to make a zigzag pattern similar to Judy's Chevron Quilt.  I am using bright colors to make a baby or kid's quilt.  This is as close to instant gratification quilting as I've had in quite a while. I hope to finish the top today.

  


Used this week:  0 yard  
Used year to date:  12 yards    

Added this week:   0 yards

Added year to date: 2.5 yards

Net year to date:  9.5 yards used 

Check out more stash reports at Patchwork Times.

Julie

Green Stars for Spring

This month's color for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge 2013 is green, and that makes me very happy! I don't really have a favorite color, but I do use a lot of green in my quilts.  It is the perfect color for spring.

I finished three green Dancing Stars blocks this week, and also pulled fabrics for about a dozen more.  That's more than I will need, so I might try out some other scrap patterns later in the month.

I am linking up to the Rainbow Scrap Challenge 2013, where you can see all sorts of wonderful ways that other quilters have been using their green scraps this month. To download this fabulous Dancing Stars pattern (and it's free!), go to this post at Amy's Creative Side.

Julie

Design Wall Monday 4/1/13

Yesterday I was able to finish this month's "homework" for the Scrappy Sampler BOM. The block for the center of the quilt was made last week, and now it has it's borders. There are still two more 6" blocks coming up in some future month. Check out this link if you want to see the whole quilt in a totally different color palette.

The lower half of the design wall displays my current collection of Dancing Stars blocks for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge.  I can't wait to find out what our color will be for April.

As usual, I will be linking up to Patchwork Times for Design Wall Monday.  Check out all the great inspiration there. 

Julie