Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Work in Progress

Sewing down the binding by hand on the Red/White Quilts; auditioning the next Tie-Inspired Quilt Pattern and piecing together the back of the Spicy Snowball. Looking forward to a loooong weekend in PJ's and sewing. With time off in July here and there, I will be able to attend the quilt guild meetings!

Have a great Wednesday!

Monday, June 28, 2010

Monday Design Walls, June 28, 2010

To the left, my Tie Inspired Quilt Top. I am auditioning borders and think I found a fit. From the left-overs of other projects, the small inner is a black with pink polka dots, a very bright green in the middle and a large-print. If you go back and visit the tie that inspired (not copied), you can see the hint of the pattern.

I have a huge collection of ties, with several having quilt patterns deep within, just waiting to come out. I will be stocking up on baby quilt tops using Tie Inspired Patterns -- all of which I will share as they develop. Just a note, I also collect paper towel sheets, pictures of buildings (architectual designs) and sketches from visits to grave yards!


Next is the Spicy Snowballs.... then staying with the spicy theme, the back below is pieced from left overs and a few hot-peppers!

For more design wall projects, we can all hop over to Judy site at Patchwork Times. Judy has a wall full of nine patches, which I am sure will be something special.






Sunday, June 27, 2010

Stash and Pillowcase Report - Week #26



Here is part of the loot I picked up at the Gulf States Quilting Association Quilt Show. I volunteered for a couple of days in the Quilting Niche' Booth -- is there anyone out there who doesn't agree --- there is nothing like playing with fabric. Debbie had been hiding several new items for the quilt show, sooooo....it was like a kid in a candy shop. Based on the number of people strolling through, the Show was obviously a success. The GSQA officers, staff and volunteers should be very proud.


Now for the stash news:
Added this week, 7 yards (not too bad)
Added Year To Date, 162.85
Used (Finished) this week, (5.50)
Year to Date Used, (242.00)
Net to Date, (79.15), a little backwards



I have several cut out and ready to go, just need to quit playing with the other projects and slip in a few here and there. Next week will hopefully be better.


This week, -0-
Year To Date Finished, 36
Donated Kits, 17 (Sewn together by a few members of the Cane Cutter Quilt Guild)
For more stash reports, let's visit Judy at Patchwork Times and see if anyone else has been good or bad.

Saturday, June 26, 2010

Inspiration, Part 2



Using a tie as inspiration....


I created diagonal fabric using strings of pinks, on foundation fabric cut 5" x 8" (used those "yucky" thin, cheap fabrics in my stash for foundation). After stringing the foundation, starched, ironed and trimmed to 4.5" x 7.5". Each of the string blocks will be framed by 1.5" strips, finished block 6.5" x 9.5" (including seam allowance).


The setting blocks are 6.5" x 9.5" of pink (yes, more pink). Using 2.5" green squares, stitch diagonally, clip excess, flip and iron.


Now off to make more string blocks.


Stay tuned, more to come.


Have a Great Saturday!

Friday, June 25, 2010

Finish #20/21 - Red & White Coins

My two little great nieces will soon have their quilts. One is 1 1/2 and the other is 2 months old. This is two pictures of one of the quilts, the other under the machine with the binding about half way on. Hopefully, the next time you see the quilts the girls will be posing with them.

For more projects, visit Amy Lou Who and be sure to check out her Mom's table topper - ADORABLE!

Over the next few weeks, I will be featuring projects inspired by men's ties. Some inspiration will be from the tie's fabric pattern...some will be using the tie itself. I love ties and hope you will be just as inspired.

Have a Great Friday!



Thursday, June 24, 2010

Inspiration Everywhere

I collect ties...garage sales, husband's closet, son's closet...even have ties from a co-worker whose husband passed on.

I have a drawer over-flowing with strings. Project...maybe?

Monday, June 21, 2010

Design Wall Monday - June 21, 2010


Design wall has the Spicy Snowballs ready for the borders. With the busy patterns, I will not spend a lot of time and energy on fancy quilting....just a simple panto all over.
The first red/white is ready for the binding and its twin is sandwiched. I cannot wait to take pictures of these quilts with the two little girls they belong to. They are my great nieces and are adorable.





My old fashioned pizza box has the Survivor Blocks all ready for piecing. I use paper towels to separate the blocks and all the little pieces. Keeps them from moving around and avoid using pins...just in case they sit for a while.
For more design walls, I think I will hop on over to Judy's at Patchwork Times to see all the other great ideas.

Sunday, June 20, 2010

Stash and Pillowcase Report, Week 25










Eeeeegadddds...Next week stash report will not be good. I am going back to Slidell, LA this morning to the GSQA Quilt Show. Vendors are everywhere .... Quilts are everywhere .... Inspiration is everywhere!


The pictures are from the Quilting Niche', owned by Debbie Frank. Debbie along with her partner in crime, husband Patrick have put together a little shop of horrors! Since I worked with them yesterday, I have been an unwitting witness to the customers who were drugged by the yards of beautiful fabric, the awesome patterns everywhere (designed by Debbie herself) and the endless expertise . I can't wait to go back.


Added this week, 5 yards

Added Year To Date, 155.85

Used (Finished), (6.5)

Used To Date, (236.50)

Net, (80.65)



This week, -0-

Year To Date, 36

Donated Kits, 17


For more stash reports, visit Judy at Patchwork Times and see if anyone else has been having fun.




Friday, June 18, 2010

Friday Finish / Plaid Quilt, #19

The Plaid Quilt is finally finished. Perfect size to start out as a baby quilt at 48" x 64", staying with her until she graduates --- shhhh, can't say who will be gifted!





I like the back as much as the front. There was enough fabric from the 15 - 1/3 yard cuts and about a yard of white to make the top and back.
For more finished projects, visit Amy Lou at her Sew and Tell Friday Show.



Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Work in Progress - Quilt Show Announcement

GSQA - Gulf States Quilting Association is hosting their semi-annual Quilt Show in Slidell, Louisiana this weekend, Friday, June 18th through Sunday, June 20th, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. For more details, please visit their website.



I have all the borders on the Survivor Idol Blocks. When I take a break from quilting the tops on the current assembly line, I will start putting these together. The top is not very big at this point...about 54" x 54".



I have the backs ready for the two Red/White baby quilts. While watching TV tonight, I will pin baste them together to start machine quilting.

Monday, June 14, 2010

Design Wall Monday, June 14th


Played around with the Survivor Game Blocks. Not sure how big it will be when I am finished. I have not touched the snowball rows from last week, because I have been busy with the Plaid and Red/White Quilts.


Here is a glimpse of the Plaid Quilt's back. I am about half way through quilting, then I will start quilting the Red/White tops.
For more Design Wall's, visit Judy at Patchwork Times.

Sunday, June 13, 2010

Stash and Pillowcase Report - Week #24

This week, I completed the three tops I have been working on....the plaid and two red/white baby quilts. I am currently quilting the plaid top using some of my doodles from the sketch pad.

The backings for the two Red/White quilts are in the dryer, so I will be sandwiching them later today.

My stash report was not very productive, because I only report the stash "out" when the project is finished.

Added this week, 1/2 yard
Added Year To Date, 150.85
Used (Finished), -0-
Used Year To Date, (230.0)
Net, (79.15)

APQ Million Pillowcase Challenge
This week, -0-
Year To Date, 34

For more stash reports, visit Judy at Patchwork Times.

Friday, June 11, 2010

Friday Progress - Red/White & Plaids

Just 3 seams away from finishing the 2nd Red/White Baby Quilt AND just 3 seams away from finishing the Plaid Top - which will not have a border. This weekend, I hope to be quilting tops.

Heading to New Orleans this afternoon....hmmmm....wonder if my car finds a quilt shop!

Monday, June 7, 2010

Monday Design Wall - June 7, 2010

When I started this blog in January, I made a committment to myself that my job would never come into the picture. However, since my quilting seems to increase under stress -- it is obvious there is a lot going on --- like an "Oily Mess". I don't think we have had this much coverage for hurricanes...even my boss has been on CNN!

To the left, my winnings from the Survivor Game (Immunity Idol Blocks) in which I came out 2nd. The rows of bright snowballs and backing for the plaid quilt.

Below right, is the plaid quilt on the machine which has been posted all week. On the left, the Red/White baby quilt -- which has a twin waiting on the cutting table.

For more design walls, visit Judy at Patchwork Times...and be inspired!






Sunday, June 6, 2010

Stash and Pillowcase Report - Week 23


Straightened my sewing room, so I took pictures before the mess-fairy came back. This is my Red and Green Wall, with the drawers containing 10.5" squares, patterns and projects.

Added this week, 3 yards (Blogger Quilt Festival Winnings)
Added To Date, 150.35
Used (Finished/Donated), (20.95)
Used To Date, (230.0)
Net, (79.65)


"APQ Million Pillowcase Challenge"

This Week Finished, 2
To Date, 36
Donated Kits, 17

Our quilt guild, The Cane Cutters, meet on the first friday of each month to sit and sew -- this week several dedicated their time to make pillowcases for the Challenge. This is my busy season at work therefore I could not attend, however I donated the pillowcase kits I had. The pillowcases are delivered to our LQS, "The Quilting Niche".

For more stash reports, visit Judy at Patchwork Times.

Saturday, June 5, 2010

Blogger Quilt Festival Prize and Design Wall Update


Look what has arrived!!! I won a Kona Bright Rollup from Becca and Peg at Sew Fresh Fabrics as a participant in the recent Blogger Quilt Festival hosted by Amy's Creative Side.



Another update to my design wall -- I have 8 blocks left of the plaids and adding to the Red/White Baby Quilt.

Friday, June 4, 2010

Friday Finish -- #18

All Finished -- including the binding. This half hexagon project has been named "Pottery Garden". In the borders I quilted several pottery vases and then filled them with flowers, feathers and leaves.























I just love the fabric on the back -- from a collection of Valorie Wells.








And...a close up of the quilting on the border. Since I bought the new bobbin case for my Janome 6500, she has been working like a dream.









For more Friday Sew and Tell's, visit Amy Lou's Site and discover a talented group of bloggers.

Thursday, June 3, 2010

Progress on Plaids


Making progress on the plaid blocks...and started a baby quilt of reds and whites.

Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Snowball blocks and sewing room

The blocks for the Snowball Top are done. I will label each row and pull them from the design wall ready for assembly. Using the brights from my stash of 6.5" squares only slightly made a dent. The color combination was chosen to match a 3-yard cut of sunflowers that will be used for the border.

One favorite area....the cutting table. I love collecting the shoe box drawers from the dollar store. They are perfect for holding up shelving, storing pre-cut strips, gadgets, fabric and family photos. My collection of fat quarters are in the basket drawers underneath. One day, I will empty the room and pull the wall paper down....but not today.