Quilts of Valor

I had hoped to get some lovely outdoor photos of my most recent Quilt of Valor completion, the Wonky Stars quilt top and back. Unfortunately, the weather has not been cooperating lately,  so I will have to settle for my usual through-the-doorway shots on the design wall.

This quilt was started as part of Alycia's QOV 2015 Block Drive. Alycia is constantly sharing beautiful photos of Quilts of Valor, plus hosting block drives and mystery quilts to benefit Quilts of Valor. Her energy and enthusiasm are such an inspiration! Be sure to check out her blog if you don't know her already.

Wonky Stars top
60" x 78"

My sister Karen and I made all the Wonky Star blocks for this quilt, then I joined them together and added the border of 3.5" squares. I didn't have enough of the blue circle print for the whole back, so I used the two blocks left over from the front, plus made two more larger Wonky Stars (15" finished). Those, plus a couple strips of blue/white crosshatch print, brought the back up to size.

Wonky Stars back
69" x 87"

Earlier today I shipped off a package containing the Wonky Stars quilt top and back to Alycia. I also included two other Quilts of Valor, both inspired by Alycia. The next one is called "Starry Night for Josh," and it was a mystery quilt-along that Alycia designed and hosted earlier this year.

Alycia's Starry Night
63" x 81"

Alycia's Starry Night--back

The other quilt that is on it's way to Alycia is from the Big Blowout Block Drive she hosted in 2013. I finished the top and back for this quilt early this year, and they have been hanging out in my sewing room ever since. It's time they get finished into an actual quilt and go to a deserving soldier/veteran.

1/4 Log Cabins

Back for 1/4 Log Cabins

I am linking up with Needle and Thread Thursday at My Quilt Infatuation and with  "Can I Get a Whoop Whoop" on Friday at Confessions of a Fabric Addict.

Julie in GA

Stash Report Sunday 8/2/15

July ended on a high note as far as stash usage is concerned, mostly because I made two quilt backs. That always gives a nice boost to the numbers, and there was no fabric added to my stash this week.

Curves & Cornerstones back         5 yards

Starry Night for Josh back            5.25 yards

Rainbow Bowties--51 red blocks   1.125 yards

It's also time for me to file my report for the 350 Blocks Project over at Prairie Moon Quilts. I ended up with a total of 93 blocks for the month of July, well over our goal of 30 for the month. 

This photo shows the back I pieced for Alycia's mystery quilt, Starry Night for Josh. I had four yards of the blue fabric, not enough for the entire back. I also had two star blocks leftover from the quilt top, so they got framed out with strips and nine-patches to reach the needed size along with the rest of the striped fabric.You can see my quilt top in THIS POST.

          

Over 100 yards used (my goal for the year) and it's only the beginning of August!! Last year I didn't reach that milestone until about a week into September. Now I just need to keep the fabric shopping under control.

TOTALS: 

Used this week:                11.375 yards     

Used year to date:          108.375 yards

Stashed this week:                  0 yards

Stashed year to date:         93.0 yards 

Net year to date:              15.375 yards used

Check out more stash reports at Patchwork Times.  

Julie in GA

Design Wall Monday 7/6/15

It has been so much fun participating in Alycia's Quilt of Valor quilt-along called "Starry Night for Josh." It seems appropriate to share my progress after the July 4th weekend. All the different parts have been made and are ready to be joined together.

The first photo shows the layout Alycia used. I like her design, especially the small white stars inside the large red stars, but I decided to play with some other layout ideas.

For my final choice, the blue and gold nine-patch blocks have been arranged in a more diagonal setting rather than the two parallel rows. I like the movement this brings to the quilt.

Thanks to Alycia for the terrific quilt-along. I can't wait to get these blocks all sewn together! 

I am linking up to Design Wall Monday at Patchwork Times, where you can see all sorts of amazing quilting inspiration! I am also linking up to Monday Making at Love Laugh Quilt.

Julie in GA

Design Wall Monday 6/29/15

My post today will be brief because I am having computer problems and have to borrow my husband's computer to post this, plus I am using photos from my phone.

I took a fantastic class on Saturday with Mickey Depre. The pattern was the Castle Wall block, and we hand pieced it. Mickey is a wonderful teacher, and it was so nice and relaxing to all be sitting around sewing by hand instead of trying to socialize over the noise of sewing machines. I finished my block yesterday.

Castle Wall
class with Mickey Depre

Alycia has been hosting a quilt-along that she is calling "Starry Night for Josh." She posted the final layout of the blocks today, and it looks fabulous! I haven't made the last set of blocks yet, but this is what I have so far. Her layout looks so much better than this!

Starry Night for Josh
alyciaquilts.blogspot.com

I am linking up to Design Wall Monday at Patchwork Times, where you can see all sorts of amazing quilting inspiration! I am also linking up to Monday Making at Love Laugh Quilt.

Julie in GA