Cowboy's need Quilts Too!

In January, Judy at Patchwork Times challenged her readers to a scrappy block project.  Well....I have scraps!  I have several HTSs ready to go!  And...I love scrappy.  So....here is the finished quilt top.  The red setting stars are made with cowboy fabric.  The cheddar yellows are scrappy too.

The finished top is 72" x 88" and is quilted with simple swirls (quick). I am hooked on Mad Men via Netflix, so the binding was leisurely done by hand (my favorite method).  I have tried the binding by machine, however I need more practice.

Of course, the backing had to be something with a Western Theme....so in came the cowboy boots.

Sneak Peek!  With the H2H challenge going on at Confessions for a Fabric Addict, Sarah has invited me to guest blog and share one of my favorite "go-to" patterns.  Here are the fabrics, each chosen to compliment the other and a black contrasting Kona Cotton.  Sarah is also the host of  the "Whoop Whoop Friday" link up party...where many of us share our Finished and/or in progress projects...I am heading over there now to take a tour of those who are already there.

Easy Street, Scrappy Mountains

It seems to be a Bonnie Hunter morning!  Above is the finished Scrappy Mountain Majesties top from Bonnie's patterns -- Christmas Gift for a "Cowboy" guy!  As soon as the long arm is empty, this one is next. 

Easy Street, the 2012 Mystery by Bonnie Hunter:  Part 1 (Done) and Part 2 (Partially done) -- this year I am heading in a different color direction.  For my Orca Bay, I used black on white background and I used aqua/turquoise instead of blue -- with that said, I needed to think about a new combo.  Using my Hancock coupons, I like to buy bolts of Kona cotton -- so I had plenty of Snow on hand.   

Today is a double header link -- Monday Design Wall over at Judy's Patchwork Times, and East Street with Bonnie of Quiltville.

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 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.

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!!!!

Friday Finish - Field of Violets

Donald and Aaron's garden is also the backdrop for the finally finished "Field of Violets" (February Color in Judy's Patchwork Times Monochromatic Challenge). I have the pattern started and will introduce it later in the year after I make another sample -- how about something "scrappy" ???? I have accumulated a list of 5 (still growing) of you who emailed me wanting the instructions. I will send each instructional step as they are completed in hopes of a little proofing from friends before going global :)!

There are really only 2 blocks: a 16 patch from 2" strips and "chubby pinwheels" from 3 1/2" blocks of violet and 2 1/2" of background. The tiny pinwheels are the cut aways from the "chubbies".

Closeup of the quilting -- an all over pattern of feathers and flowers in the centers and corner panels, with a little detailing in the center framing and side triangles.

Today is "Good Friday" down in South Louisiana ..... it is also a day of Boiled Crawfish and quality time with Family.

Over at Sarah's, she is having a party of her own -- the Whoop Whoop Friday! If you have something to show off, head on over to Confessions of a Fabric Addict and "LINK UP".

Stash Report and EQ Layout of Stars Over Scott

I recently finished this top (Stars Over Scott) using years of border scraps. When I finish quilting it, I will provide the instructions, which should take me about 5 minutes, since the block is a simple "Half Square Triangle". I still don't design in EQ, however it is great for documenting those designed on my wall.

My stash report looks much better this week. I have two (2) quilts to count as done -- both will be shown with my Friday Finishes.

Finished this week, (24.75)

Finished year to date, (44.90)

Purchased this week, 5 (for a backing)

Purchased year to date, 48.75

Net, 3.85 --- getting closer to breaking even, then I will start busting toward the 150 Goal for 2011.

I will be linking up with Judy, so for more Stash Reports, visit Patchwork Times.

Mary Ann and Stash Report - March 27, 2011

I am so proud -- Mary Ann and I worked together for years, and when she retired in 2009, she became a busy quilter. Every time she visits our office, she is showing me quilts finished and quilts in progress. Mary Ann made this quilt from my pattern "Kendra" for her sister who loves blues.

I have been missing from the stash reports because frankly, I had not bought anything and had not finished many projects being worked on -- until now. I needed borders and backing for the Black and Gold project, and backing for a special quilt not yet shown here.

Finished this week, -0- Finished to date, (30.15) Purchased this week, 16.50 Purchased to date, 16.50

For more stash reports, visit Judy at Patchwork Times.

Monday Design Wall -- RRCB Progress

This past weekend has been about quilting tops and binding. The Yellow Monochromatic Challenge is done and will post at 2:00 PM this afternoon. I can't wait to see the next color, especially now that my least favorite color is now out of the way. Although....I actually liked the finished quilt.

The above design wall is progressing with the RRCB Mystery Top, by Bonnie Hunter.... on the ironing board, the remaining blocks in various stages of completion. Hopefully by next Design Wall, this will be done.

For more Design Walls, visit our Monday Host, Judy at Patchwork Times.