Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Tuesday Teaser / Missy's Fall Garden Sighting


Our LQS, The Quilting Niche' is heading to Hattiesburg, Mississippi October 8, 9 and 10 for the Pine Belt Quilters, "Fiber Art and Quilt Show" with a booth full of goodies. Debbie, the owner, also designs quilts for her pattern line "Fancy Girl Designs". I am making an extra shop quilt top from one of her patterns, which will show off this beautiful fabric by Robert Kaufman. If you are in the area, be sure to stop by and say hello to Debbie and Patrick.

While visiting bloggers, I was stopped in my tracks over at Sandy's Show and Tell ... she has made my Missy's Fall Garden ... completely finished!Bold!!! I am so flattered. If you have a chance, stop by and visit Sandy's Blog and check out the pages and pages of beautiful quilts.

Have a great Tuesday!



Monday, September 27, 2010

Monday Design Wall - September 27th

With 3 1/2" strips left over, I am piecing the border. Almost sad to say -- all four units are done. This block was so much fun, that I hated to stop. Each block ended up at 15" square - so needless to say, it is fast. The pattern will be named for my fourth niece Nicole, with a tutorial and PDF file available later in October.

This will actually be my fourth pattern under the L'Fair line, but only the third I am able to share. It is not fun keeping secrets, but alas, I must. So Samantha -- be patient!

Winding down the month of September, I will have slower week at my "paying" job .... so it will be a busy sewing week at my "playing" job. I am also putting together a shop sample for the LQS, The Quilting Niche' -- I will tease you guys out there in blogland later this week. The owner, Debbie is getting ready for a quilt show next month and wants to have more samples of her "Fancy Girl" pattern designs.

Next goal, is to start quilting tops so I can show a reduction on my next stash report!

Now for other design walls -- I am heading over to Judy's at Patchwork Times.

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Stash Report - Pattern With Color Variation

OK--- now I am having fun with EQ! I sit behind a computer an average of 50 hours per week, not my idea of fun at home. However since I was introduced to blogging and now EQ, it is different. The block I have been playing with the last few days looks totally different with a light background with reds and greens. I think it looks like poinsettias.


I am almost finished the last section of this week's top and hope to have the design wall Monday with all sections. All day today, I need to sandwich quilts or I will NEVER have anything finished to deduct from my stash.


Stash Report

Finished this week -- nothing

Purchased this week -- nothing

Net busted to date -- no change at (70.05) -- I really want to hit 100 yards busted this year!


For more stash reports, visit Judy at Patchwork Times and see if anyone else is doing better.

Saturday, September 25, 2010

Progress on the new top.

This block is so much fun. Here is a picture of the back of one of them. They are ending up at 15" finished. I cannot believe how easy these blocks are coming together. I have 3 sections finished and hanging on the wall. A few more blocks and I will add a fourth section. I did not buy yardage, so I may be piecing a border with the fabric left over if there is enough. Or, I may just bind the quilt as is.

I will definitely write a pattern / tutorial for this one. If for no one else but me, so I may make a few more.







Friday, September 24, 2010

New Project

It is officially Fall, and I feel another pattern coming on. Do you remember this past Monday Design Wall that just happened from playing with leftovers on the design wall -- well -- I am using my collection of Art Gallery Fabrics picked up at the 2009 Houston Quilt Show. When I make a quilt, I have to like the fabric, like the pattern, and like the process! I loved sewing this one. You know what I mean -- you find a great looking pattern, but turns out to be a chore sewing -- yuk. I love challenges, but I want to have fun too.

I can see this in several different colors, scrappy or solids. Also envisioning Christmas colors or fabrics. The process is being documented with hopes to bring you the pattern very soon in celebration of Fall arriving.

I again have several projects going at once (can't do it any other way) and if you look at the picture, there is a little glimpse of another new pattern using my Kaffee Fassett fabrics. This one is a very "hush-hush" project, so it will have to wait.

Today will be a great day -- my sister Phyllis and I are both off -- that could be dangerous.

Monday, September 20, 2010

Monday Design Wall with Batiks

If you play long enough on the design wall, the blocks eventually evolve. Several weeks ago, I started playing with left overs from a batik version of "Kristy's Dream". For some reason batiks are hard to capture on camera, but I am happy with the layout. Now to dig in my stash for a border or two. Then I need to quilt both of them.

For more design wall inspiration, take a hop over to Judy's house at Patchwork Times.

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Stash Report With EQ Picture

I am FINALLY starting to get the hang of EQ...not that it is hard, you just have to make a "time" commitment to learn - and I would rather sew. Anyway, I played around with the pinwheel connector block seen in the Moda Leftover and Saints quilt using Mardi Gras colors.

Stash Report for the week:

Purchased, + 2.125 yards
Purchased to Date, + 262.4 yards
Finished this week, (6.4) yards (Saintly Quilt)
Finished to Date, (332.5) yards
Net Busted, (70.05) yards

For more stash reports, visit Judy at Patchwork Times!

Friday, September 17, 2010

And the Saints Go Marching In.....

Finish #26 ... You would think I was a football fan -- NOT! I like the Football Pools, but then I have to wait until the next morning to find out if I won. This quilt is for a special guy who is retiring next week -- hope he will have many "Saintly" football games ahead this season.


I hope you can see the Footballs quilted -- The Quilting Niche' did a great job, thank you Janel.



A special shoutout to "PhylRob" --- she was the Winner of Debbie's Layer Cake Giveaway. Talk about a SMALL world. I ran by the quilt shop this afternoon to pick up the Saints Quilt. Debbie had comments from all over the world and who wins, a quilter from a nearby town...and there she was, visiting the shop to pick out her special layer cake. It was so exciting to meet the winner in person!
For more Sew and Tell -- take a cyber ride to Amy Lou Who for inspiration.

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Saintly Borders - Mini Tutorial

Measure the dimension of your quilt after the 1st border would be added -- this finished top is 56 x 40, with 1st 2" border = 60 x 44, dimension = 208/40" (LOF) = 5.2, round up to 6 strips needed. Join ALL of the strips diagonally to make one long strip.
Fold the longest side of the quilt in half and lay on your cutting area, making sure the raw edges are in line. Starting from the raw edge (right side in this picture), lay the long border strip from right to left, fold the strip at the folded edge of the quilt, repeat for four layers.


Trim off the excess at the raw edge. While the two strips are still folded, I cut out a TINY little notch to identify the center of the borders.



Starting from the center, line the notched center and pin the center and edge, then pin between. Notice my pins are about 1" from the edge.

Start sewing, notice I don't remove the pins while sewing. I don't speed sew, don't like to stop and start ... just like continued easy pace. Is that lazy? Maybe.



Repeat the process for the next border. Measure dimensions after the 2nd border is added, divide by four, etc. Four layers, trim, pin and sew.


And Done! Although I quilt my own tops, this one is heading to Debbie at the Quilting Niche'. They have the cutest football stencils (ok, guys don't say "cute" in football). I want this Saintly creation to be an obvious football snuggle quilt.






Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Saintly Status


Almost done -- only need to connect the vertical rows together, then the borders are next. I have a little confession, when I add borders, I do not use a measuring tape. Tomorrow, I will share "my way" of adding borders. The professionals will probably cringe - but it works for me.
Have a great Wednesday -- we are halfway to the weekend!

Monday, September 13, 2010

Monday Design Wall, September 13, 2010



A Manly Quilt, Fleur de lis fabric, Black and Gold .... hmmmm ... must be a Saintly Quilt. One of the things I do, is make a quilt for those retiring where we work. Last year, we had two; this year three. Obviously the Baby Boomers are getting older. The Moda Leftover Quilt had connector blocks using alternating pinwheels and simple 4-patch blocks. I loved the look, so I am using it again. I keep a stash of Saints and LSU Fabric for backings when these occasions come around, so this one will be made quickly.


For more Monday Design Walls, I am heading over to Judy's site at Patchwork Times for a "Look-See"!

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Stash Report and Baking Talent

Last week, the Moda Bake Shop featured one of my quilts -- that is about the closest I will get to baking! I have no interest in the kitchen, except to get in and get out as fast as I can. However, I love to see the talents of others --- two of them I work with.



Sandy's Cupcakes are scrumptious! Sandy is an scrapbooking artist; she decorates for baby showers, retirement parties and now, her new pallet is her cupcakes. Is your mouth watering yet?



Next, we have a birthday cake made by Heather. Can you believe that EVERY thing you see is edible! The beer bottles, the labels, the bottle caps, the ice cubes! Amazing. Heather can spend hours at her kitchen table sculpturing every tiny detail -- all self taught!

Now that I have attempted to distract you from my stash report that went backwards....

Purchases this week, 7 yards (Labor Day Sale)
Purchases to Date, 260.25
Finished this week, -0-
Finished year to date, (326.05)
Net Busted, (65.80)

I sure hope others did better this week ... lets visit Judy at Patchwork Times and see.

Friday, September 10, 2010

Moda Bake Shop Leftovers

When I made "Missy's Fall Garden" for the Moda Bake Shop Quilt, there were HST's left over -- 168 to be exact, which made 42 pinwheels. I added 8 more pinwheels from other scraps and started playing on the design wall. The results is this 72" x 72" Fall Companion Quilt, perfect size for a table topper.

For those who have not tried, or want more of these delicious calorie-free Moda Layer Cakes (42 precut 10"x10" squares), there is still time to sign up with Debbie at Fancy Girl Designs. Debbie will be selecting a winner on September 15th.



For more Show and Tell's, I am heading over to Amy Lou Who, to see what other finished projects are listed.

Thursday, September 9, 2010

Moda Bake Shop - Missy's Fall Garden

I am so excited! Missy's Fall Garden has just come out the Moda Baking Oven and is now available at the Moda Bake Shop. Named for my second niece, Missy Marie, the quilt uses every one of the 42 10x10" pieces of the Layer Cake, "Awesome" by Sandy Gervais, for Moda. I feel like I just won the Lottery!

Speaking of winning --for those of you who have never had a layer cake, or those who want to enjoy more of this calorie-free delight, my friend Debbie, owner of the Quilting Niche' is offering a GIVEAWAY at her new blog, Fancy Girl Designs!

Stay tuned -- there is more. The "left-over" HST's from the top were used in another fall quilt, that I will show tomorrow for Sew and Tell Friday!

Thanks go out to Moda for allowing me to be part of this great group of chefs! How ironic -- I am soooo NOT a cook.

Take Care, Jamie

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Quilting Progress

Only a few more of the large blocks to go, then I will start on the pinwheels. My goal -- is to finish this leftover companion to the Moda Bake Shop Feature coming out this Thursday, September 9th. Strange....when I took this picture, the chalk guide circles are bright and plain to see .... as I am quilting, it is a very faint line. It must be the camera flash.

Sunday, September 5, 2010

Stash Report and Moda Leftover Top



The Moda leftover top is done! The quilting and binding should be done by this Thursday, September 9th, which happens to be the same day as "Missy's Fall Garden" is featured on the Moda Bake Shop. The leftovers are from the "Awesome" layer cake, made into pinwheels and combined with fabrics from "Fall Back in Time" -- both lines designed by Sandy Gervais for Moda.



The Stash Report has made progress:

Purchases this week, -0-
Purchases to date, 253.25 yards
Used (Finished) this week, (10.25) yards
Used To Date, (326.05) yards
Net Busted, (72.80) yards

For more stash reports, visit Judy at Patchwork Times -- for those taking advantage of the long 3-day weekend, we should see progress everywhere.

Saturday, September 4, 2010

"Saintly" Crazy Patch

My sister Phyllis has been working on this crazy patch quilt, which, if you look close is very "Saintly". Phyllis and her husband are HUGE Saints Football fans. Last night she came over to rummage through the stash looking for a border. We played around with a few fabrics, but then decided on a strip pieced border -- made all the difference. To make it "football snuggle size", she is adding another 6 1/2" solid black to frame -- a perfect space for quilting feathers.


Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Pieced Borders for Moda Scrappy

Determined not to buy more fabric, I pieced the border using the remaining scraps cut into 2 1/2" x 4 1/2" strips. Using the snow white background, I will frame the pieced borders with 2 1/2" wide strips. Next challenge, looking for the backing in my stash --- maybe something scrappy. I have 20" LOF and one 8 1/2" square left of the stripe fabric to bind the quilt. There may be a pint size zip-lock left of small scraps ... or ... I could piece them all together to make a little pillow. I bet my great grandmother is smiling down on me -- she was the queen of scrappy quilts in our family. Granny would piece together slivers to make a 2" square.

Just 3 more days until a long quilty weekend.