Least favorite step

So here I was making a facebook post that just blew up into a rant. As to not offend any of the quilters there I thought the rant would do better here.

My weekend plan is to finish the quilts that are almost done I need 2 things: basting spray & thread. Guess I will either work on my hand piecing projects or start other quilts that have been in the planning stages. One quilt I ran out of thread 3/4 of the way though quilting it. ARG! Really I could use a third thing: backing fabric for the Batman quilt that is ready to go as well.

I need the basting spray because I don't like the results of pin or thread basting. Especially after DH pointed out that he things the true definition of insanity lies in pin/thread basting.

I really dislike basting. I wish it wasn't such a needed step. So much work for a temporary need. I guess the only way around not basting is getting a frame for my Beast. (Yes, I have named my main machine.) Or take them to the longarm shop. Hmm. Naw, I like quilting in my house with my music and such like.

My train of thought is quite scattered today. Just writing about the name of the machine spawned another post. And above where I mentioned thread, well keep your eyes open for that post as well.

Leona's Quilting Adventure: Bloggy Giveaway...a little Tula Pink and....

Leona's Quilting Adventure: Bloggy Giveaway...a little Tula Pink and....: Happy Tuesday! Tomorrow is over the hump day! I hope that the beginning of your week is going along well! It is time for another Bloggy Giv...

Maybe a bit too Grand

So it seems my ambition is a bit to grand for this blog. Or blogging in general. I have yet to reach my goals of weekly or monthly posting. I love the idea of a blog and blogging . I just can't seem to motivate myself into writing. Maybe I should pick a word to work towards this year... motivate, start, create or DO. Maybe not DO as my title is Division Order Analyst. I DO all day long at work.

Current projects include:

1. Dad's quilt ~ Northwest fabric in golds, blacks and blues in Bricks from Mountainpeek Creations. This was done for his birthday, but the batting bearded thus I have frogged and will requilt. 
2. James' quilt ~ Batman
3. Hootenanny ~ Brown, blue and green scraps from Dare to be Square Quilting; this one was almost done. I, however, disliked the quilting. So I just need to rebaste and set to motion.
4. Rob & Solli's quilt ~ Red riding hood's path. Just needs a border then to be finsihed.
5. Liam & Robbie's quilts ~ each are getting 1/2 of supermariobrothers; I can't wait to get the pattern from the printer.
6. Sir Duke ~ a 4 foot by 7 foot hexi quilt of a gargoyle. The hexi's are 3/4 inch. There will be about 2695 hexi's.
7. Steven & Sara's quilt is from Quilt Remix, the pattern is Log Cabin.
8. I have started creating a plush toy for a baby. Super cute, paper pieced triangles. 
9. The Happy Mochi Yum Yum fabric has begun its transformation into a quilt along. I can't wait to see the blocks. EXCITEMENT is building. 

Projects in the planning stages

1. Flying geese pattern for my papa
2. Ghastlies
3. A quilt for my sister
4. My Aunt & Uncle want a quilt
5. Tons of folks in my life want a quilt.
6. And my genius (sarcastically said) self has decided to make quilts for a pay it forward project that started this past January.

I know there are more. I am just running out of steam. The idea of posting photos is wonderful, except for all of the work of editing them. 

Since I am at it... I think I will end this post with a TTFN. And go start a post for each project in the works. 

Queen of Hexagons ~ I so want to be ;)

I  have to say that I am in love with paper piecing. I can spend hours just stitching away on them. I have done bowls and now am working on this lovely little toy. 

 This is crown 1 of 4. The pattern is from Kid Giddy

And I am still working on my gargoyle. Here is an image of the entire quilt laid out.

And this is the progress that I have made. He is to be about 4 feet by 7 feet. The hexagons are 3/4 inch. There is about 2700 of them. The photo had to be taken on an angle because I wanted the whole width in the shot. 

Holy cow, I have posted more this week than almost ever before. Don't get me wrong. I think about posting in regards to the projects that I am working on; then for one reason or another (like being too into the project to stop and take pictures.) Or writing a post feels like Blahhhh-ging. Or, or, or... I am trying to step up my game. The new goal is to write what I have learned in each project I tackle. 

And ending a post... how? Good bye for now? Sure. This time. Maybe ciao bellas next time. Of even TTFN!

Lessons Learned

I am a learner. Constantly looking for new things and improvements on older things. 

In search of quilting better and better, I have found the following things that make my quilts (IMHO) better.

1. Glue basting ~ precise piecing using glue basting; thank you Alyssa

2. This way of finishing the binding, but not her way of stitching the binding: Missouri Star ~ Binding. I didn't take a picture of the finished binding but I did, what I know know as, an applique stitch. So pretty in my opinion.

3. I am in love with EPP and handwork. By handwork, I mean making quilts and other projects while sitting comfortably on the couch. This little project came from: busy Monday Accuquilt go modular star. I didn't mean to choose the say type of fabric. I am in love with it so far.

Busy bee

So, when I got back to work after 2 weeks in Dallas, there was to be a mid-year review. That didn't happen. What I got instead was a call to HR to tell me that I was too difficult to work with. So, since then I have been at the machine. Please forgive the photo heavy post. I have finished 2 quilts. 4 tops are ready to be basted, no photos of those at the moment. And these wonderful paper pieced boxes.

First off, the quilts. This one is called Cherries Jubalie: 

The pattern Rubic's Crush was from 101 Patchwork Projects + Quilts and the most of the fabric was donated by Wooden Spools. I did the front of the binding by hand & have to say that I am in love with it. I need to remember to give myself enough time to do so from now on.

The other quilt has been titled "Country Rose"

The pattern and fabric for the front was donated by Holly's Quilt Cabin. The pattern is Square Dancer by Mountainpeek Creations.

Then there are these bowls. I made 2 of each kind, with help from DH and the gals running the auction. 

  

  

 

Not a total fan of the boxes. Maybe next time I can take my time on them. 

Project 50 Stars

The last 2 years at work I have help and participated in the Holiday Market. The idea came when the folks on the Angel Tree needed things that were on the higher end of the cost spectrum: like tires and mattresses.

Last year, I didn't make a quilt. But the quilt for the Market brought in quite the fundage. It was a very patriotic quilt.

My idea was to have the Veterans and Active Military help me create blocks to go into a quilt. Alas, no one really responded. 

On my way to work the other day, I had the idea to make 50 hopefully different stars. From there piece them into the "next" auction quilt. 

The first pinned block:

Giveaway & new post

Golly, it has been a long time since I last posted anything. Been super busy and most things end up on Facebook. My Bad. I shall endeavor to be better. 

To the giveaway: Freckled Whimsy is giving away some yummy solids and thread here: sponsor-giveaway
Pretty isn't it?