Design Wall Monday

It's time for the last Design Wall Monday of 2014! I have been putting together my LeMoyne Star quilts from the blocks I made as part of the Rainbow Scrap Challenge all year. I got this batch of six-inch blocks joined together and started to add the borders, but then decided that the black print border was too dark. I am now working on a pieced border, but don't have any photos of it yet.

I also joined my twelve-inch stars together with the sashing and cornerstones. I still need to figure out a plan for the border on this quilt. Maybe I will have a photo of that project to show next time.

I am linking up to Design Wall Monday at Patchwork Times where you can see all sorts of amazing quilting inspiration! 
Happy New Year to all and happy quilting!

Julie in GA

Stash Report Sunday 12/28/14

Here we are at the last Stash Report Sunday for 2014. My fabric goals for the year were to use at least 100 yards this year, and to use at least as much as I added to my stash. I was successful on the first goal, but not the second. I have been buying fabric like crazy lately, and that killed my stash reduction efforts.

I received gift certificates for two local quilt shops as Christmas gifts (my husband knows what I like!) One of the shops was having a sale all weekend, so I used my gift there already. I got a couple of pieces to use for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge next year, plus a piece to make into pj pants for my favorite Santa collector.

The only usage for the week was 1/2 yard for the border on my Rainbow LeMoyne baby quilt.

Rainbow LeMoyne #1
40.5" x 48.5"

Used this week:                           .5 yards     

Used year to date:                  124.875 yards

Stashed this week:                      6 yards

Stashed year to date:              150.625 yards 

Net year to date:                 25.75 yards stashed

Maybe I can end up in the black next year! Check out more stash reports at Patchwork Times. 

Julie in GA

Rainbow Scrap Challenge 2014

The Christmas break has finally given me some time to work on my Rainbow LeMoyne quilts. I have been making LeMoyne Star blocks all year as part of the Rainbow Scrap Challenge. I ended up with 77 stars that finish at six inches and 12 stars that finish at twelve inches.

I have been trying out a few different sashing options. I started with 20 of the six-inch blocks and ended up with this little top for a baby quilt.

Rainbow LeMoyne #1
40" x 48"

The next group of blocks got a different setting. The final border just needs to be stitched on, although I am having doubts about that black print. Maybe a pieced border of the black and white prints would look better. Any suggestions?

I am still working on putting together the twelve-inch blocks, and there are about 20 of the six-inch stars left over. I have also been trying to decide on my rainbow project for next year. 

It has been a great year for using up a rainbow of scraps (although I still have plenty more to use next year!) I am joining the linky party for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge. Check out all of the terrific scrappy projects!

Julie in GA

Design Wall Monday 12/22/14

Two weeks ago I showed these blocks and the beginning of my sashing on my design wall post. This has been one of my projects for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge this year. I started out strong on getting them all joined together, but then life intervened and put progress on hold. Yesterday I finally managed to finish joining all the blocks and sashing units together.

All that's left is adding the black and white check as a border. Right now the center of the quilt is pinned up to the design wall on top of the check to make sure I like them together. I should be able to get the borders done later in the week, and maybe even get the quilt pinned for quilting.

I am linking up to Design Wall Monday at Patchwork Times where you can see all sorts of amazing quilting inspiration! 

Julie in GA

Stash Report Sunday 12/21/14

I have fallen terribly far behind on blog posts lately. Between preparing for Christmas, a five-day business trip to New York, and a crazy schedule at work, quilting has been pushed to the back burner. 

My stash report has taken quite a hit recently. I had been doing well at limiting my purchases all year, but for some reason my will power seems to have totally disappeared. I couldn't resist the amazing Black Friday sale prices at Connecting Threads, and I stocked up on some of my favorites. Mostly lots of reds and blues, plus some neutrals, so I foresee some great Quilts of Valor from this group.

I also had a gift certificate from one of my favorite local quilt shops, Intown Quilters in Decatur. The expiration date was the end of the year, so I used it to get some lovely batiks on clearance. No idea what these will become.

My recent trip to New York ended up being mostly work and not much time to play. However, a co-worker and I did find time one afternoon to visit Mood Fabrics of Project Runway fame. I also made it to the City Quilter, one of very few quilt shops in NYC. They have many wonderful New York themed fabrics, but I limited myself to a few black & white prints.

My only fabric used in the last two weeks was 1 yard for the sashing on my Rainbow LeMoyne baby quilt, and that just happened today. I will have four days off for Christmas, and I am counting on spending some serious time at my sewing machine. Unfortunately, I am unlikely to meet my goal of using more fabric than I add for the year.

Used this week:                           1.0 yards     

Used year to date:                  124.375 yards

Stashed this week:                   34.625 yards

Stashed year to date:              144.625 yards 

Net year to date:                 20.25 yards stashed

Check out more stash reports at Patchwork Times. 

Julie in GA

Scrappy Saturday

I had hoped to make more  progress this week on my Rainbow LeMoyne baby quilt, but I only managed to get three rows of blocks and sashing joined together. Hopefully I can finish the quilt top next week.

I am joining the linky party for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge. Check out the terrific scrappy projects!

Julie in GA

Design Wall Monday 12/8/14

One of my quilting goals for the month of December is to put together at least one quilt top from my Rainbow LeMoyne Stars blocks. I have been making these blocks in both 6" and 12" sizes all year as part of the Rainbow Scrap Challenge.

I was considering several options for setting my blocks, and over the weekend I decided to dive in and give one idea a try. This first attempt will become a baby quilt, using 20 of my 75 or so 6" stars.

I am making sashing from the two background fabrics, plus 4-patch units for cornerstones. The sashing units switch back and forth so each block ends up framed with the opposite background fabric, light blocks with a dark frame and vice versa. I would love to get the rest of these units made in the next couple of days and get the blocks all joined together.

I am linking up to Design Wall Monday at Patchwork Times where you can see all sorts of amazing quilting inspiration! On Tuesday I will also link up to Scraptastic Tuesday, hosted by Leanne at she can quilt and by Nicky at Mrs. Sew and Sow. Check out all the scrappy goodness!

Julie in GA

Stash Report Sunday 12/7/14

The Christmas sewing deadlines are looming, and I have been busy busting through some of my stash to finish gifts. This week I made a pair of pajama pants (that also accounts for the fabric added for the week) and a tote bag. Over the last several weeks I have also stitched background hexies to three of my Rainbow Scrap Challenge Hexie Stars.
                           

Used this week:                           5.25 yards     

Used year to date:                  123.375 yards

Stashed this week:                       3.0 yards

Stashed year to date:               110.0 yards 

Net year to date:                     13.375 yards used  


Check out more stash reports at Patchwork Times. 

Julie in GA

Rainbow Scrap Finishing Month

Time at the sewing machine has been in short supply lately, but I have continued hand stitching background hexies to my rainbow stars. This was the perfect project to have with me for our Thanksgiving travels, so easy to pick it up and do some stitching while hanging out at Mom's house.

I have finished adding the backgrounds to five out of ten large stars--halfway done! Before long I should be able to start joining the stars and snowflakes together. I began this project in August of 2013, and I would love to get the top done by August, 2015.

Thanks to all who commented last week with opinions for sashing/borders on my Rainbow LeMoyne Star quilt. I am planning to either use the black and white check that I showed as sashing or to frame the blocks with the two background fabrics if I have enough. Here are the two different options drawn up in EQ7.

Check out this week's Rainbow Scrap Challenge posts--lots of incredibly beautiful rainbow projects to inspire you!  I am also linking up to Hexie Weekend over at A Quilting Reader's Garden.

Julie in GA

Quilting goals and 15 Minutes to Stitch

Travel over the Thanksgiving weekend has put me behind on my monthly blog posts. It has been tougher than usual to find time for quilting, but I did manage to do at least a little bit every day this month except for one day over the holiday weekend. I will be linking up with Kate's 15 Minutes to Stitch post over at Life in Pieces.

November wasn't my best month when it came to meeting the quilting goals I had set at the beginning of the month. However, I did complete the most important goal of finishing the hearts baby quilt in time to give it to my niece at Thanksgiving.

NOVEMBER GOALS
1. Quilt and bind the "Surrounded  by Love" baby quilt. DONE 11/23/14 and presented to the mother-to-be!

2.  Rainbow Scrap Challenge--make 6-8 LeMoyne Stars in November's color.  Made 12" stars in beige and white.

3.  Scrap Hexies--continue adding background to hexie stars & snowflakes.              Finished the background on blue and black stars.

4.  Tell It to the Stars--make 32 blocks for the pieced border  18 blocks done
5.  Make at least 30 blocks as part of the 350 Blocks Project  23 blocks done
6.  Spend at least 15 minutes each day quilting--cutting, sewing, designing, etc.

     29 out of 30 days. I am linking up to Kate's 15 Minutes to Stitch



December goals:
1.  Complete 3 Christmas gifts 

2.  Rainbow LeMoyne--assemble at least one quilt top

3.  Scrap Hexies--continue adding background to hexie stars & snowflakes. 

4.  Tell It to the Stars--finish making blocks for the pieced border

5.  Make at least 30 blocks as part of the 350 Blocks Project  
6.  Spend at least 15 minutes each day quilting--cutting, sewing, designing, etc.

There you have it, my quilting plans and goals for December and my results from November. Watch for the next update at the beginning of January.

Julie in GA

Design Wall Monday

It has been three weeks since my last Design Wall Monday post. I have spent time quilting almost every day, but never seemed to have anything worth showing these past couple of weeks.

On my design wall at the moment are the scrappy LeMoyne Star blocks that I have been making for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge. I am debating what to use for sashing and borders. The original plan was to use the black and white check shown in the first photo, either with or without one of the rainbow prints for a border. Option 2 is just the rainbow print, probably the wavy stripes. I don't want to distract too much from the stars though. I would love to hear any opinions you wish to share. Anyone who saw my Rainbow Scrap Challenge post on Saturday has already seen these same two photos.

I am very happy to also have a finish to show. A week ago I completed the quilting and binding on the hearts baby quilt that I made for my niece's baby girl who is due to arrive in January. I was so happy to be able to give the quilt to the mother-to-be in person on Saturday. The fabric line is called "Surrounded by Love" and that is the perfect sentiment for this quilt.

I am linking up to Design Wall Monday at Patchwork Times where you can see all sorts of amazing quilting inspiration! 

Julie in GA

Stash Report Sunday 11/30/14

For the second time this month, I am reporting more fabric added to my stash than used. Holiday travel has limited my time to quilt, but did give me the chance to visit Nancy's Notion retail store and do some shopping. I got mostly 1/4 yard pieces, plus a larger piece of the background fabric on the right.

As for usage, I finished the quilting and binding on the hearts baby quilt I made for our niece's baby girl, due in January. I will show that tomorrow on Design Wall Monday.

Added this week:  4 yards from Nancy's Notions
Used this week:  1.75 yards for backing & binding on baby quilt
                           

Used this week:                           1.75 yards

Used year to date:                  118.125 yards

Stashed this week:                       4.0  yards

Stashed year to date:               107.0 yards 

Net year to date:                     11.125 yards used  


Check out more stash reports at Patchwork Times. 

Julie in GA

Rainbow LeMoyne Stars

My current focus for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge is trying to decide on the fabrics for sashing and borders with my 12" Rainbow LeMoyne Stars. I have come up with a couple of different options. There were twelve blocks done, but I wasn't happy with my green star, so it has been taken apart to be remade.

The first option (above) has a black and white check for the sashing, and I would add cornerstones from a mostly black print. The border would probably be the colorful wavy striped fabric (I am hoping to save the circle print for a future project.)

Version two (below) has the colorful fabric for sashing and borders, plus a mostly black print for cornerstones. This might work with an inner border of the same black and white check as above. Again, I would probably choose the wavy stripes rather than the circles.

I am totally undecided on whether I really like either of these choices. Maybe it will be easier to choose after I get the green star back together and put all the parts up on the wall together. Once again, I would love to hear your opinions.

Check out this week's Rainbow Scrap Challenge posts--lots of amazingly beautiful rainbow projects to inspire you!  

Julie in GA

Stash Report Sunday 11/23/14

Nothing added this week. I did order some fabric, but it hasn't arrived yet.
Fabric used: 1/2 yard for two 12" Scrappy LeMoyne Stars.

Used this week:                               .5 yards

Used year to date:                     116.375 yards

Stashed this week:                        0  yards

Stashed year to date:               103.0 yards 

Net year to date:                      13.375 yards used  


Check out more stash reports at Patchwork Times. 

Julie in GA

Rainbow Challenge update

For the first time in more weeks than I can remember, I missed making a blog post to the Rainbow Scrap Challenge last Saturday. I guess it was mostly because I had so little to report for the week. This week hasn't been the most productive, but at least I have something new to show.

I finished making my last two 12" LeMoyne star blocks this week. Our assigned color for November is light blue, but I have gone off in my own direction in order to finish out my color palette. This brings me to a total of twelve blocks (you can see most of the other blocks HERE.) Once I get sashing and borders added, they will make a good size for a wall hanging or small quilt . Thanks to everyone who commented last month on which additional colors to use.

Check out this week's Rainbow Scrap Challenge posts--lots of amazingly beautiful rainbow projects to inspire you!  

Julie in GA

Stash Report Sunday and 15 Minutes to Stitch

Kate over at Life in Pieces has been reporting on her efforts to stitch for 15 minutes every day. She had previously hosted the 15 Minute Challenge, and that really motivated me to make time for at least a little time spent quilting every day. Very often, that 15 minutes turns into 30 minutes or an hour. 

I have managed to get my 15 minutes or more every day so far in November. Unfortunately, I don't seem to have a lot to show for it, but I know I am making progress on a few different projects.

As for my stash report, this is the first week in quite awhile that shows more fabric added than fabric used. I had ordered a piece of fabric from Joann's for a Christmas gift, and since I was already paying for shipping, decided to add another fabric I've had my eye on. Unfortunately, the gift fabric was out of stock, but I do have this lovely print to add to my stash. I'm going to take a look at how well it works with my Rainbow LeMoyne blocks.

Fabric used was 1/4 yard for more Tell It to the Stars border blocks. I think I have 14 more of those blocks to make.


Used this week:                             .25 yards

Used year to date:                   115.875 yards

Stashed this week:                        2  yards

Stashed year to date:               103.0 yards 

Net year to date:                      12.875 yards used  


Check out more stash reports at Patchwork Times. Also check out Kate's 15 Minutes to Stitch link-up at Life in Pieces.

Julie in GA

Scraptastic Tuesday (a day late)

It isn't Tuesday anymore, but I still have time to link up to Scraptastic Tuesday, hosted by Leanne at she can quilt and by Nicky at Mrs. Sew and Sow.

Most of my quilting time lately has been spent on my Scrap Hexie Stars and Snowflakes project. I haven't been able to do much machine sewing, but I can usually do some hand stitching of hexies on my commute to work in the mornings. I have finished making all of the stars and snowflakes, and now I am concentrating on adding black-on-white background hexies around all of the large stars, like on the green and brown stars below.

I am so excited to check out all of the other posts for Scraptastic Tuesday! You can visit Leanne and Nicky's blogs to see plenty of scrappy goodness!

Julie in GA

Design Wall Monday 11/10/14

I am still struggling with the border blocks for the Tell It to the Stars mystery quilt. I finished up twelve blocks on Saturday, but it took lots of un-sewing and trimming to get them to finish at the right size. If you zoom in on the photo, you will see straight pins in several blocks. The pins are marking where my blocks are a little small, but I should be able to make up for that when I join the blocks together.

I am linking up to Design Wall Monday at Patchwork Times where you can see all sorts of amazing quilting inspiration! 

Julie in GA

Stash Report Sunday 11/9/14

There was a small amount of fabric used this week and no additions to the stash. I spent very little time quilting, but I did finish 12 border blocks for the Tell It to the Stars mystery quilt. These blocks are proving to be much more challenging than I expected. I still need to make 22 more blocks.

Used this week:                             .375 yards
Used year to date:                   115.625 yards

Stashed this week:                        0  yards

Stashed year to date:               101.0 yards 

Net year to date:                      14.625 yards used  


Check out more stash reports at Patchwork Times.

Julie in GA

Scraphappy Saturday 11/8/14

There is very little progress to show on my Rainbow Scrap Challenge projects today. I have barely touched my sewing machine this week, so no new Rainbow LeMoyne stars yet. I did manage to baste some background hexies and get them sewn to the light blue hexie snowflake that had been made early this year.

Maybe I will have more to show next Saturday. I hope to do some cleaning up in the sewing room today, which should make it easier to be productive in the days ahead.

Check out this week's Rainbow Scrap Challenge posts--lots of amazingly beautiful rainbow projects to inspire you!  

Julie in GA

Design Wall Monday 11/3/14

I was looking forward to showing a batch of border blocks for Judy L's Tell It to the Stars mystery quilt, but my design wall is completely empty. I thought I had figured out a clever way to piece the blocks that would eliminate some of the seams, but it isn't working out very well. I spent a good part of the weekend starting to make the blocks, but they are not coming out the right size.

The block at the top left was taken apart and re-trimmed, finally getting it to be the correct size. The other two blocks still need to be fixed, as well as the other half dozen or so that are partially together. At the right you can see the way I cut the pieces for this block. Silly me, to think I could improve on Judy's pattern!

I am linking up to Design Wall Monday at Patchwork Times where you can see all sorts of amazing quilting inspiration! 

Julie in GA

Stash Report Sunday 11/2/14

For the first time in about six weeks, I have an addition to my stash to report, and I couldn't be happier! Back in mid-October, hand-dyer extraordinaire Vicki Welsh of Field Trips in Fiber had a giveaway each day for a week. I was the very lucky winner of the final day's prize, which was 6 gradient pieces, 1/2 yard each. I think it was meant to be because Vicki drew the names of the winners on my birthday. Look at all the gorgeous colors!

Vicki Welsh gradients

Fortunately, I used up enough fabric this week to offset the addition of the gradients. I used 1.5 yards on the Fall Spinners blocks that I showed on Design Wall Monday,  1.75 yards making blue and yellow Quarter Log Cabin blocks, and 3/8 yard on background hexagons for my Scrap Hexie Stars and Snowflakes.

Used this week:                           3.625 yards
Used year to date:                   115.25 yards

Stashed this week:                      3.0  yards

Stashed year to date:               101.0 yards 

Net year to date:                      14.25 yards used  


Check out more stash reports at Patchwork Times.

Julie in GA

15 Minutes to Stitch--2nd half of October

It's time to report in for Kate's 15 Minutes to Stitch link-up. The goal is to find at least 15 minutes, hopefully even more, every day for quilting and keep making progress on our quilt projects.

I did very well in the second half of October, managing to do some quilting every single day except one. That one day was my birthday, and I was just too busy having fun (and working) to do any quilting. I think I get a pass for that day, right?

Unfortunately, I don't feel like I made much significant progress on any of my projects in October. I have one little quilt top done that needs to be layered, pinned and quilted before Thanksgiving. A couple of other projects have all or most of the blocks made, but I need to figure out how I want to set them together and what to do about borders. Making a decision has been difficult lately, but I really want to get these quilt tops finished.

Check out Kate's 15 Minutes to Stitch post at Life in Pieces to see how she and others are finding time for quilting. 


Julie in GA

Scraphappy Saturday in November

Here is a very rare thing for me, two blog posts in the same day. Every month I post a list of quilting goals for the next month, plus review how I did on last month's goals. I meant to get the October/November post written in advance and posted last night, but that just didn't happen. If you are interested, you can read that HERE.

It is a wild and windy day here in Georgia, definitely feeling like fall. As we go speeding toward the end of the year, it is time to work on wrapping up some ongoing projects. I have been making LeMoyne Stars all year for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge. This month's color is light blue, but I think I will switch over to light neutrals instead to round out my color palette.

I showed a photo of my 12" LeMoyne stars last week (see them HERE.) I have decided to go ahead with the plan to make 12 blocks. I made a scrappy brown star last weekend, and will work on a tan/beige one next. Thanks to everyone for the suggestions on a twelfth color to use. I think I will make it in white/cream/very pale prints with the black background.

My other rainbow project has been the Hexie Stars and Snowflakes, which I started in August of 2013. I spent October adding background to my black and brown blocks, plus I put together a leftover purple snowflake. I will continue to add background to the stars each month, still following the assigned rainbow color when possible.

Check out this week's Rainbow Scrap Challenge posts--lots of amazingly beautiful rainbow projects to inspire you!  

Julie in GA

November quilting goals & October results

Most of the time, my monthly goal setting really helps keep me on track with my quilting projects, but that was not the case in October. I just couldn't seem to work up much enthusiasm for a couple of these projects, leaving them totally untouched. Maybe November will be better!

OCTOBER GOALS
1. My October goal for A Lovely Year of Finishes is to finish the binding on another quilt. This time it is my Dancing Stars quilt, which was my 2013 project for the Rainbow Scrap Challenge.  Nothing done.

     
2.  Rainbow Scrap Challenge--make 6-8 LeMoyne Stars in October's color.  Made nine 6" stars and two 12" stars in blacks, greys and browns.

3.  Scrap Hexies--make hexie star & snowflakes. I have been adding background hexies to the stars and snowflakes that were made last year.

4.  Make 10-20 Autumn Leaves blocks to make this UFO bigger. Nothing done.

5.  Make at least 30 blocks as part of the 350 Blocks Project  Made 67 blocks
6.  Spend at least 15 minutes each day quilting--cutting, sewing, designing, etc. Done 30 out of 31 days (every day except my birthday!)

NOVEMBER GOALS
1. My November goal for A Lovely Year of Finishes is to quilt and bind the "Surrounded  by Love" baby quilt. We will be seeing our niece and her husband (the parents-to-be) at Thanksgiving, and I would love to give them the quilt in person. Baby girl is due in January.

     
2.  Rainbow Scrap Challenge--make 6-8 LeMoyne Stars in November's color.  
3.  Scrap Hexies--continue adding background to hexie stars & snowflakes.
4.  Tell It to the Stars--make November's blocks for the pieced border
5.  Make at least 30 blocks as part of the 350 Blocks Project
6.  Spend at least 15 minutes each day quilting--cutting, sewing, designing, etc.

There you have it, my quilting plans and goals for November and my results from October. Watch for the next update at the end of November.

Julie in GA