Friday, December 30, 2011

"ROOOOOAAAAR" says the Tiger


Dance with the Tiger is approaching the final steps. The 10 triangle setting blocks are done. The four corners are remaining and they will also be pieced. The instructions will be posted this Tuesday, January 3rd for these setting blocks. Here are the links for the instructions for Block 1, Tiger Star and Block 2, Framed 25-patch.



My little sister Phyllis is also busy with a new baby quilt. It is amazing how a simple little snowball can come alive with bright fabrics and solid black cornerstones.

A little plug -- be sure to visit Black Cat Creations and sign up for their Newsletter. Big announcements will be coming in 2012. Stay tuned!

Now hop on over to Sarah's, Confession of a Fabric Addict where I will be linking up for her weekly Whoop Party -- see ya there.


Thursday, December 29, 2011

Dance of the Tiger - Part II, Block 2 Done

Continuing on, the six 25-patch blocks are framed and done. The pieced setting triangles are ready to go and should be all done by next Tuesday when I post the instructions.

This weekend marks the end of a good year. With 2012, change "will-be-a-happening"!. I will be finally purchasing the mid-arm machine I have longed for -- making room for the machine has been a challenge. My sewing room will now expand to two rooms. Thank goodness for 4 bedrooms.

Another big change -- I am embarking on the world of designing quilt patterns. How Fun is THAT! Have you seen the Black Cat Creations tag on the top right of my page? Be sure to visit and sign up for their newsletter and follow their blog -- that is all I am saying for now -- don't want to spill too many beans before 2012!


Tuesday, December 27, 2011

Dance of the Tiger - Part II, Block 2

The next block starts with a 25-patch. 5-2 1/2" squares across, 5-2 1/2" squares down, alternating with background and purples as above. Cut strips of purple and background 2 1/2" x WOF (or from scraps like I did). My strips were at least 11" long so I could spread the different colors around.
The units pictured above starts with purple and ends with purple -- you need 12 of these units.

Another unit starting with background and ending with background is needed -- total of 18 needed.
Because I used scraps -- after sewing the units, I spread them on the design wall to avoid same fabric squares close to each other. Then, I pulled them from the wall and sewed them together.
Above is a picture of the back of the 25-patch -- notice the layout -- background squares are in the four corners.
Next, cut 24 - 1 1/2" x 10 1/2" black strips to frame the 25-patch blocks. For the cornerstones, cut 24 - 1 1/2" squares from left-over strips.

Sew the frames to the block as pictured above.

Above is the start of two finished Block 2's -- can you see the secondary star forming -- totally by accident. By the end of the week, I should have the other four done. Next Tuesday, I will have the pieced setting triangles -- more purple and background squares. For previous progress and instructions to Block 1, visit here -- or click the picture of my baby brother "Tiger" in the right margin.

Because I have been home this last week, I spent a little extra time surfing on the net. I visited my favorites, but also discovered a few new sites I will be adding to my reading list. One site is Quilt Story, hosted by two sisters, Heather and Megan. This site is a little different -- a way to share tutorials. On Tuesdays, they have a linky get together -- so here is my first.

Monday, December 26, 2011

Monday Design Wall and ORCA Blocks

Oh how I wish for just one more week off. I am almost finished quilting a top and need a little time for binding. I am almost finished Step 5 of Bonnie's Orca Bay Mystery and have a good start on Step 6 -- a couple more days off would catch me up completely. But alas -- not gonna happen.

Not to mention, progress on my "Dance with the Tiger" below is coming along. The setting blocks are ALMOST done (a little peek of the 25-patch blocks below) ... I will share Step 2, Block 2 tomorrow for those who are interested. Step 1, Block 1 instructions are here. After all the blocks are done, I will label the rows and remove from the wall for assembly and quilting later-- this quilt is not due until the end of February.

Not to waste my last day off, I have left-overs for lunch and supper. No shopping, no housework, just sewing -- well maybe a little housework -- and a little blog surfing to see what others are up to.

Now to link up with Judy at Patchwork Times along with other Monday Design Walls, and Bonnie for the Orca Bay Mystery Quilt progress.


Saturday, December 24, 2011

Dance of the Tiger - Part I, Done

Started with 12 - 4 1/2" Purple squares on Monday. By the end of the week, I am done with the the 12 blocks for Part I. I am still quilting a top -- but need to take a break every so often to rest my shoulders, so this is the perfect diversion. "Dance of the Tiger" is due at the end of February -- so I still have time.

If you enlarge the picture above, you will see the Tiger Fabric which will be used as one of the inner borders.

Since I still have time, I think I will hop over to Sarah's Confession of a Fabric Addict and join in her end of the week linky party.

See you after Christmas -- with Part II of "Dance of the Tiger".

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Dance of the Tiger - Part I, Progress

Six blocks done for "Dance of the Tiger", six more to go, then I will work on Block 2.


Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Dance of the Tiger - Part I, Block 1

No, there is no Tiger Picture....but my little brother "Tiger" came to mind when I was pulling the fabric together for this quilt .... and you know that I like to name my quilts after family. For now, I am playing with this block and a setting. I have in mind using a second block using more scraps of purple, however the design will evolve on the wall, so let's see where this takes me.


Yesterday, I showed you the 12 - 4 1/2" scrappy squares from my purple stash. Above, I cut 2 1/2" strips of 1 background (off white), 2 yellow, and 1 green.

Stacking the four strips - I used the Companion Angle Ruler to cut four sets of triangles.

Make four, hour glasses for each block using the triangles, set as above.

The four hour glasses will surround the 4 1/2" purple square -- but you are not done yet with the hour glass units.
From the background fabric (off-white), cut 4 - 4 1/2" squares from 4 1/2" WOF strips.

From black accent fabric, cut 8 - 2 1/2" squares and 4 - 3 1/2" squares.

Draw two diagonal lines on each of the 3 1/2" black units --- one corner to corner diagonal, the other 3/8" apart. Sew on both lines, cut in between, open and press.

The four larger units (4 1/2") will be used for the block -- save the HST's for later.

Here is the placement of the 4 units you just finished above. Now let's go back to the hour glass units -- for another step.

On the 8 - 2 1/2" black accent squares, draw 2 diagonal lines, one corner to corner, the other 3/8" apart. Place one 2 1/2" squares on the bottom right, sew both lines, cut in between lines, open and press. Place the second 2 1/2" square on the bottom left, sew both lines, cut, open and press. Save those units you cut away for other projects.


Here is the final layout of the block ready to be sewn together. I am making this quilt with 12 of these blocks (using scrappy purple centers) -- so there are 11 to go.

Monday, December 19, 2011

Monday Design Wall and ORCA Update

My Design Wall will soon be full of a new project. Above are 12 - 4 1/2" purple squares, which will be the center of the blocks. I designed this block a while back and no longer have the project - so it is time to make another and share.

I am also busy quilting a top on my Janome and turning to the left every so often and piecing on my little Singer. It is so much fun! I am on vacation until after Christmas, so it is SEW-SEW-SEW!
And -- here is the progress on the ORCA Bay Mystery Quilt hosted by Bonnie Hunter at Quiltville. Steps, 1, 2, 3 and 4 are done! Step 5 is half way done and almost ready for Step 6 this Friday.

Monday is a double linky -- visit Judy at Patchwork Times for Design Wall Monday and Bonnie at Quiltville for the ORCA Progress.

Monday, December 12, 2011

Monday Design Wall - Orca Progress

It's Christmas, and some of my design wall will have to wait until after the Holidays, but I am taking pictures for later. As for my progress on the ORCA Mystery, Parts I, II, III and almost IV are done. I have used blues in the aqua family and my reds are orange-reds. AND, in keeping with Bonnie Hunter's methods, I have used more of my white "2000 fabric". Using the ORCA Mystery as my "leaders and enders" for my special projects has helped me stay focused with the finish line in site for holiday gifts.

Have you picked your Christmas Present Yet???? I have, and it is ordered. The new Judy Laquidara Quilt Book, "60-Pieced Quilt Borders" will be coming out very soon and I have pre-ordered mine.

For more Design Walls, visit Judy at Patchwork Times and for progress on the ORCA Mystery visit Bonnie at Quiltville.

Saturday, December 10, 2011

Guild Challenge Finish

Last Friday, we had our annual guild Christmas Party. It was so nice to be able to visit and meet new quilters. I don't get to go very often to the meetings because of my job, however I try to always make to special dates.

Within the group, we have little bees and challenges. Each year a fabric is chosen which we buy and challenge ourselves to make a quilt-type project. The project is then revealed at the Christmas Party. Here is mine -- all done, finished at 60 x 60. And the back below, where I used up the orphan blocks made from the scraps HST's. Because I used a very simple pattern with large blocks -- I feather quilted all over.


It is not too late for me to link up at Sarah's "Confessions of a Fabric Addict", so I am heading over there right now.

VERY IMPORTANT -- Judy Laquidera has opened pre-orders for her new quilt book, "Sixty Pieced Quilt Borders". My Christmas present is now ordered!!!!

Monday, December 5, 2011

Blk/White, Orca, Quilting

The above quilt has a very sentimental story .... made with the clothing of a loved one lost. A co-worker Barbara wanted to make quilts for her family from her mom's clothing, A TOTAL OF NINE! Barbara had never quilted - in fact - she did not own a sewing machine. With pure determination and the need to heal broken hearts, she bought a sewing machine, made all of the tops and the backings.

As of this weekend, she had already finished quilting the first top using her new walking foot. To help her, I offered to quilt the one she made for herself -- what an honor. After the holidays and after she has gifted each to her family, I will share more of this heart-warming story.

A few years ago, I designed this 18" sample block which was never used after I "tweaked" the final block. While looking for black and white scraps for the ORCA Mystery, I found it -- JUST IN TIME. I finished it as a little topper and will reveal later this week as part of the November Monochromatic Challenge at Patchwork Times. I had totally forgot about the final block and the lovely quilt it made -- one of which I will just have to re-make and share in 2012.

The above progress represents Steps 1 and 2 in the ORCA Mystery Challenge hosted by Bonnie Hunter. I have cut out step #3 and finished around 50. I truly believe a mystery quilt is one of my favorite projects -- I actually have a hard time sleeping on Thursday night waiting for the next clue. With everything going on -- how in the world could I fit this in -- what's a couple hours less sleep.

For more design walls, be sure to visit Judy at Patchwork Times and for progress on the ORCA Mystery quilts, visit Bonnie at Quiltville.