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?

Plotting along

A few years ago I took Rossie's pledge to show progress. Up until now, I would sit down to work on a quilt and the next thing I knew it was done. Yesterday was a first. I actually grabbed a snapshot of all of the pieces cut & on the wall. 

And then another of the design. 

Now this quilt started as a request from my mother to make her a quilt that was part of a duvet cover. So, here I am wondering what the best way to quilt it is? I plan on using very light batting as to make going over the seams easier. (A lesson learned in another quilt). 


While dearest mother was visiting, the quilt conversation happened, as it does with everyone I meet... will you make me a quilt? So, mother & I went shopping for ideas and so that I could make sure she loved her quilt. (For more that the fact that I made it for her.) I know she loves Art Nouveau and much of the art from the 1920's. So we found this panel: 

It is the perfect color combination and style she loves.

Next I had to come up with the pattern, that was a long process. Trying to find a way to showcase the panel and be large enough to cover a queen size comforter. Then came the buying & cutting. Yes, a good portion of the fabric came from my stash. I still needed to buy a bit more, mostly to round out the design. 

Now, I am trying to think about the quilting. So far, we, Hubs & I, have agreed that we will most likely use 3 colors for the quilting, Aurifil variegated in greens, creams and pinks. I am trying to determine if I need to take the duvet cover apart to quilt it? As mother wants to be able to put a comforter inside. If I don't take it apart how difficult is it going to be to quilt the upper corners? And what type of quilting. We, Hubs & I, know that the more it's going to be used the more it needs to be quilted, but how, is the question?

Left overs

I have a question...

As a beginner, I have bought threads that I wanted to quilt with and for one reason or another my machines didn't like them. I have in some cases almost entire spools of thread.

What do you do with it?

Sewing list updated

Snoopy quilt: hand quilting is 1/2 way done, then to bind

Gargoyle: still cutting and placing, almost 3k hexies is a large task. It has come to the office to fill my lunch hour.

A&M: designed (log cabin using the quilt as you go method), need to cut, piece & bind. Anyone have any luck with adding borders to a quilt as you go or fun & done?

Dad's welding caps: always on the list.

Sister: wants something with keys but not too "jazzy" (her words). Plotting, planning designing is in the works. Next time we are both in the same town there will be shopping. I love her dearly.

New commission: Pandora from the Lady Death comic, sort of designed (pandora's box in red black & white or grey) then to acquire fabric, cut, piece, quilt (still planning that) bind & send or give (if I am in the area).

5 pay it forward projects:

1. Dusty ~ something in blue, need to design, cut, piece, baste, quilt, bind & send/give.
2. Marie ~ something in red (may use a few pieces of the Boop fabric), need to design, cut, piece, baste, quilt, bind & send.
3. Thelma ~ Chit chat fun & done in purple, green & blue, need to cut, piece, bind and give/send.
4. Sandy ~ no bloody clue; not even sure if the gift is going to be quilty.
5. Mother Dearest ~ Ohio star, need to cut, piece, baste, quilt, bind & send/give. 

Wedding quilt: at the moment I am considering Storm @ Sea (not sure if that bodes well for the marriage). She loves pinks & yellows. I may post pone the making until Happy Mochi Yum Yum is available. 

Baby quilt 1: Owls and nature for a boy, I think will be perfect, no? then all I will need to do is cut, piece, baste, quilt, bind & send. 

Baby quilt 2: not sure what the mother wants, its a boy, so the whole process is on hold until ideas / direction is given.

Baby quilt 3: again no clue on the mothers plans for the nursery, not even sure on the sex yet. So temporarily on hold. 

Between now & the end of the year more things may get thrown into the mix. And each of the projects I want to complete this year. Especially the Gargoyle & A&M quilts. They have been on my to do list for a few years. 

Hold that thought and other ramblings

So just before Christmas my baby sister asked me to make her a quilt for her bed. Then the conversation started as to what do you want and what colors. She wanted 2 big keys on a key ring, in grays and blacks. So when she came up to ski we spent a few minutes at an modern fabric shop looking at what she likes & doesn't like. Fast forward to a few weeks ago. We were both online: she is in Dallas & I am in Denver. I sent her to look at Fabric.com and a few other places. She found a key pattern she loves. Just yesterday I received an email regarding the closing of a local quilt shop. So I sent my sister online to chose fabric for me to get for her quilt. Then thought that followed it was: quilt as you go. I learned about it last week in a class in Grand Junction. New thought for the pattern is to look for key scrapbook stuffs. And put together blocks with alternating positive and negative patterns. Off to Home Depot, Michaels, and Jo-Anns to see what "templates" I can find.

Now for the ramblings: I am working for a second degree. This time in Sociology, so I can get my Masters in Sociology. I specifically want to do something with Art & Sociology. My first degree is in Fine Art, emphasis in Printmaking. This semester I am taking classes online. Procrastination Nation. Now the urge is to quilt rather than work on school work.

Task list for the weekend:
Finish reading 3 chapters
Take 3 quizzes
Read other chapters for Stats class
States homework
Write 3 posts regarding the 3 chapters and how they relates to my research project.

Oh such a squeal

I am so in love with the last quilt I made. I can share photos yet. I will once the recipient has received it. There were a few bumps along the way. In the end I am very happy with the results. It helps that the quilt features one of my all time favorite characters "Betty Boop."

After I bought this fabric and had Christmas with my family I found more Betty Boop fabric.

There are so many things I learned along the way. Especially in the finishing. I stitched 1/2 the binding down then folded over and went around again. I very much like the results. Also on the quilting of it, I started in one corner and worked my way diagonally to the other. no puckers or anything. And and and...

On to the next one...

This coming weekend I will be taking my 1st ever class. Fun & Done! with my wonderful sister in law. I will be very sad when she moves back to Tulsa, as for now she is close enough for a weekend trip.

Todays lesson

When basting remember to not baste where you plan to quilt.

Starting to quilt in one corner and working in a diagonal worked really well, until I ran across the basting lines a few times. I am waiting a few days before I bind the quilt, due to grumbles with the quilting. As I went across the basting lines there where snags created when the basting lines & the quilting became tangled. There may be some frogging in my future...

Easing of pain

So about 2 weeks ago I too the "fabric diet" challenge by Cut to Pieces. Shes pretty cool. Today in her blog there was a little lovely post...

Lucy & Norman (who I had not heard of until this morning) are giving some yummy Moda fabric. The Deam on line. See this lovely post.

Resolution

Normally I don't make resolutions. Usually, things backfire. Here's hoping things don't. 2010 I found blogging. Most of the time it has been just about watching and seeing what others are doing. No comments not many posts. I am going to try to make more posts and post more comments.

I think I can

Reading 2 other blogs I stumbled across this:

A challenge not to by fabric until the 1st of March. I think I can.

It's a simple resolution. I don't usually make my resolutions public. I think I can.

just had to say this

Where is the Fall? Almost 80 yesterday. First part of November & I live in Colorado close to the mountains. Denver specifically. Arg. Where is the snow? Last year at this time I was really getting into the snuggly blanket making. This year all I want is to be outside. That doesn't work for making Christmas gifts.

Holy squeak!

 

Reading this mornings blogs. Also known as (for today) postponing the dreaded paper that I must write for class tomorrow. I have know about this paper for a bit of time, since the end of August. I found: Tea n bickies and her latest is wow to me check it out. Super cool. Just had to share.

Bliss-fully bliss bliss bliss

A wonderful lady littlebluebell is this giving away:

A luverly fat quarter bundle. Bliss is quickly becoming a yummy favorite of mine. 

Me thinks it is time to hit a local shop & score some for myself.