Show and Tell Sunday, Star Cruising Quilt

The Star Cruising monochromatic quilt of greens was made last year, however I am still catching up posts on this blog.  The uniqueness of the quilt center came from a stencil found on Etsy (Native Owl Customs).  I enlarged the stencil to fit the center.  The young high school graduate recipient  loves the outdoors.  

Other versions of this quilt can be found here ... a couple of them were used for Quilts of Valor.

Pattern:  Star Cruising

Published by:  Black Cat Creations

Maker/Quilter:  L' Fair Quilts

Size:  68" X 85"

 

Green Monochromatic - Finished!

Not only is the Green Monochromatic Challenge Quilt Finished, it has been presented to a very special young lady under treatment for Non-Hodgkin lymphoma.
The back of the quilt was made with signature blocks of all her co-workers, who continue to admire her bravery during the last few months of treatment. Enough blocks were left for her family and those close at M.D. Anderson's Hospital in Houston.

Each block measures just 4 1/2" -- using 2" strips and 5" squares in between the 9-patches. A smaller quilt of 65 x 73, it is just right to travel and snuggle on the sofa.

Although I did not finish the quilt in time to link up at Patchwork Times for the Green Monochromatic Challenge, I will party with Sarah at Confessions of a Fabric Addict.

Blogger's Quilt Festival

My Entry to Amy's Blogger's Quilt Festival --- this Indigo Geometric Quilt combining traditional and modern. The quilt was designed right on the wall -- which is my favorite method for designing. Because of all the large spaces, I spent extra time on the quilting design.

The Quilt was inspired by the 2011 Monochromatic Challenge hosted by Judy at Patchwork Times. Although I have a Long-Arm on my wish list, all of the quilting has been done on my home machine.

Now it is time for all of us to head to Amy's Creative Side and visit all of the other entries -- HAVE FUN!

Monday Design Wall - More Scraps

The Scrappy Wall Quilt is growing -- I still have the sashing stars to finish -- using left overs from the Blue/Tan Quilt below (part of the 2-color challenge).
A "Sneak Peek" --- yes, this is the third quilt this year from a very simple design which will soon be a pattern. I will wait to tell you the big surprise when we get closer.

For more design walls, visit Judy at Patchwork Times and say Hi.

Green Monochromatic - Peace!

All the piecing is done and the border is chosen. The soft greens are highlighted with whimsical peace signs. I picked up 6 yards of this fabric with a monthly coupon and wish I had picked up the whole bolt. I am already quilting this sweet little top and will be sad to see it go.

It's Friday -- and time to link up with Sarah over at Confessions of a Fabric Addict. Have a great weekend.

Green Monochromatic Update

Just a few more 9-patches and then comes the border -- which I can't wait to show you -- Hint for all of the 70's guys and gals -- PEACE!

Pink Monochromatic

With October right around the corner, I have finished the Pink Monochromatic top except for the border. Judy over at Patchwork Times is our host for this great challenge that I am determined to finish even though I am a little behind. This quilt will be donated for a fund raiser to Breast Awareness --- and just happens to be a repeat of the Violet/Purple Quilt I made a few months ago. Those Chubby pinwheels are habit forming.

On the quilting table, I have the Church Quilt, next is the Blue Monochromatic, then I will quilt the Pink -- did I mention that I still have not quilted the last Bonnie Hunter's RRCB Mystery Quilt. AND -- I can't wait to start the Green Monochromatic!

Indigo - Finished!

The Monochromatic Challenge, hosted by Judy at Patchwork Times is moving along. The Indigo is now finished. I loved quilting this one! There are all these open spaces to go crazy with feathers. For the medium floral sections, kept the feathers simple since they would not show.

Although looking at this, there seems to be only three fabrics used, indigo, medium floral and white -- actually, there are five. The real reason was that I did not have enough of one indigo. However as a scrappy quilter, it logically needed more variety.

And the back -- a simple floral.

For more Friday progress, visit Sarah at Confessions of a Fabric Addict.

Quilting with Home Machine - My Way

Above is my Indigo Monochromatic top being quilted. For this design, I doodled on scrap paper, cut a template for a curve and used a medicine bottle cap for tracing a circle. I only traced the circle, the square in the middle and the curve -- all the feathers are free-hand.

• First, I use x-large garden gloves with the little rubber bumps. They grip great and they go on/off real easy. Mine came from a local dollar store.
• I also made my own sewing machine "drop-in" about 12 years ago and it is the greatest thing for home machine quilting. You need a flat space to work with -- larger than the small sewing machine area. This is a link to the "drop-in" -- if you check it out, notice how worn out it is!
• Next, I use lots of safety pins -- all sizes (I am not a pin snob). I have a utility table (30 x 72 -- the top is about 3/4" thick) that stays at the end of my king size bed. I sandwich on the bed then my DH helps me slide the quilt over to the table.
• I clip the quilt on the table with big paper binding clips. Big enough to get around the table. I am careful to stretch the backing and always start in the middle. After pinning all around the table, I shift the pin the sides, constantly making sure the backing is very tight.
• To make the table taller (I am 5'7"), I added plumbers 10" PVC pipe on the legs.
• A BIG step ... always pass your batting through the dryer with a small wet towel and NO BOUNCE -- you WANT the static cling!!! As you sandwich on the bed, additional static will build up while you are smoothing the layers. One of my friends uses a little wisk broom to smooth the layers.
• Never roll your quilt -- always make sure it is loose on the table and able to slide around. I have also waxed the table top using spray starch. Go figure!
• I practice a LOT of doodling with pen and paper. Junk mail has a purpose in my house.
• Start small -- we have 2 cats, so I have made several 30 x 30 quilts for them to sleep on. I change them out constantly and throw them in the washer/dryer often. As your confidence builds, so will the size of your quilts.
• Don't worry if you have a few tucks in the beginning. Keep a ripper close by and check the back often to catch the tucks as soon as possible. If you need to, re-position the safety pins after smoothing. When I first started, I also stitched in the ditch to hold everything together about 10 - 12" apart -- for example, around the big blocks, then went back and doodled all over the place.
• Try and keep your stitches even. In the beginning, it will be hard -- but try this: Keep the "pace" in your head with counting techniques. 1-2-3, 1-2-3 -- like learning to dance. The rhythmic counting helps to stay focused. Also watch out for those curves. When you are driving a car and coming around a curve, you tend to slow down on the approach, then speed up going around (especially when you are familiar with the road -- admit it -- you do!).
• Keep a sketch book of favorite doodles. I have also taken pictures of beautiful wall paper for inspiration. My I-phone is full.
• My way is not the only way. Different does not mean wrong -- just different.
• Can I do anything a long-armer can do? Probably not, but I like to try.
• Do I want a mid or long-arm -- you betcha! One Day!
• Now go have Fun!

Update on the Blue Borders

Playing around with the border on the Blue Monochromatic -- I think this will do. I would like to make another one with this setting using bright batiks (not anytime soon). Trying to stay organized, I am writing the instructions along the way, documenting the steps with pictures. Later this year, I should have a few patterns to share. On the other side of the room, I am still quilting the Indigo Monochromatic with hopes of finishing soon so I can start the binding.

Next project -- using a sticky roller to clean off the threads on the design wall!!!!!!

Monday Design Wall - Pieced Border

The August color is pink for Judy's Monochromatic Challenge, so I need to hurry and finish the blocks for the blue --- I need an empty design wall. Here is the top coming together with a pieced border. All the blocks are 5 1/2" and if you notice, I am using 5 1/2" white squares for the corner quarter units (they are blending in to the design wall). This will come in handy when I start quilting.

It's Monday and you know what day this is ..... Judy is hosting her "link-up" at Patchwork Times.

Quilting the "Indigo" Monochromatic

Woke up early this morning and started quilting the Indigo Top for Judy's Monochromatic Challenge (Patchwork Times) -- of course, it was the color for June. I am working on the white areas in the middle and will change the thread for the dark indigo. If I can finish quilting this top, I will start piecing again -- it has been awhile and I am missing it. I have one more deadline quilt for a Church Fair that I cannot wait to start on. The fabric is beautiful and the pattern in my head will be perfect.

Coffee is done -- back to quilting!

Monday Design Wall -- Blue Monochromatic

The Monochromatic Challenge for July was blue over at Patchwork Times -- but I have been busy quilting tops and have not done too much on the design wall. I started playing with 5" squares, however nothing is sewn. I thought about keeping July SMALL -- maybe a pillow or two. But I just could not help myself. Looks like this will be another big one. The fabric has snowflakes so I am hoping to finish by Christmas!

Added a few corner pieces -- then I remembered tessellating blocks I made several years ago. I don't have the pattern, so there is lots of playing until things started working.

Then I tried on point -- not really, just turned the camera! I need to quit playing because I REALLY need to finish quilting the top below.

Can you keep a secret??? This Saintly Creation is for a retiring employee, which will be just in time for football season. She already knows a quilt is coming, because I make quilts for those who retire in our department. I will show the whole thing after it is done and gifted.

Although late, I am heading to Judy's Patchwork Times and linking up to her Monday Design Walls. Well -- back to quilting tops.

Finish - Orange Monochromatic

Patiently waiting for the rain to stop for pictures, I found a little sun. As soon as the picture was taken on the swing, the rain started coming again ..... so the picture below is shadowed.

The finished quilt is 83 x 92, taking 22 bobbins of thread for the custom quilting. The binding is an orange and white stripe for the final touch.

Again, I must give special thanks to Judy Laquidara over at Patchwork Times for her Monochromatic Challenge. I have always liked orange so I had a huge collection of various shades ..... after this quilt, I love orange. I believe it will rest very nicely on the double bed in my son's old room.

Alexis' Quilt

A few weeks ago, I shared a quilt top made by my five year old niece with help from her grandmother (Phyllis). Today, I have been quilting the top -- not much else to do with all the rain.

Alexis sat on my lap and placed her hands on top of my gloved hands to help me quilt -- Worked for a little while, however she is five and found other things to do.

The back of the quilt has the cutest fabric with the number "five" as a theme. Phyllis had the idea that Alexis will always remember when she made this quilt -- perfect choice.

A preview of this week -- more quilting. Phyllis brought three child size quilts, the one above and two more. They are so cute, so I can't wait to start the other two.

I have also started a post all about Backings coming soon. Thanks to my friend Cookie, she gave me the inspiration to talk about how I choose backing fabric. Are you "matchy-matchy", "scrappy", or "close-enough". Do you buy ahead, do you only buy when needed? Most of us are a combination of each -- so stay tuned for "Back to Back" .

Next, I am patiently waiting for the rain to let up so I can take pictures of my Orange Monochromatic Quilt for Judy's challenge at Patchwork Times. It's HUGE! Like ... Queen Size! My favorite monochromatic so far.

Now it is time to hurry over to Sarah's so I can link up to the ''Whoop" end of the week report at "Confessions of a Fabric Addict". I have already visited a few others and see the H2H Challenge is coming together. So glad mine is done and off to Green Fairy's.

Stash Enhancement

My very good friend Mary came down from New York with her hubby Howard. Of course, that meant visiting with quilting friends, shopping and eating out. Howard bought Mary an Accu Cut Go (how sweet was that) at the Quilting Niche'.

Then on Saturday, we went "down the bayou" to a cute little shop in Cut Off, La. called MeMaw's Sewing Room, to visit our quilting friend Leslie. As you can see above, there was lots of stash enhancement. Leslie had a big sale, so 56 yards of backings later, and only $146 spent, I was a happy camper. I picked up several pieces (and bolts) of Westminster and Windham fabrics, for an average of $2.60 per yard.

I am so close to finishing the Orange Quilt (if I would just stay home). It will take me a while to hand sew the binding, however I hope to have it finished by the end of the week for my Friday Finishes.

Stash Report:

Purchased, 56.25 yards

Purchased year to date, 126.50

Used (finished) year to date, (96.40)

Net, 30.10 --- Since my goal is to bust at least 150 yards, I am now 180 yards away.

For more stash reports, I am linking up with Judy over at her Patchwork Times. I hope others have done better than me -- although I don't have an ounce of guilt.

Orange Monochromatic and Kristy's Dream

Mary Lea brought her version of Kristy's Dream to Show and Tell recently. I still get excited when someone uses my patterns.

And, after a few days of picking out some of the quilting on the Orange Monochromatic top, I am back on the machine. I think I was starting to get withdrawals as I try to sew something everyday. The Orange Monochromatic is for the month of April for Judy's Challenge over at Patchwork Times. The blocks for the Red top are done, but not sewn together and the Indigo top is ready for quilting -- which I will tackle next.

I am so glad July is here -- it is a slower month at work, so I hope to catch up on a few quilt projects, and -- finish writing 2 patterns, pillowcases, three mug rugs -- oh my goodness, the list is just too long to post.

To add to my already busy life, I have recently joined the local Art Guild. Our mom was a painter (oils) and very talented. She did sew (a lot of everything), except quilts -- I guess it sometimes skips one generation. My goal is to one day bring more art to my quilt tops --- I guess we will see.

Indigo Challenge and H2H Friday

My Indigo Challenge Quilt has not left the wall for some time now. June is one of two busy months for me at work -- so glad July is here. I am off today and on my way to our Guild's workshop for "sit and sew" time with the gals. I will stop off at the Quilt Shop for a border -- I hope she has an Indigo, because it just needs another border.

I will be linking up with Judy at Patchwork Times to show the Indigo after I add the border, and maybe a sneak peak of the quilting. Do you remember the "Orange" quilt? I finished quilting and now I am "picking". I started something new and became better the more I quilted, so I am going back to fix a few areas.

Here is the back of the H2H Quilt -- all quilted, bound, labeled, washed and ready to mail. Special Thanks to Sarah at Confessions of a Fabric Addict for hosting this worthy project and to KatieQ for the fabric exchange.
The simple pattern is from the 2007 "Quilt Pink", in the Better Homes and Gardens, American Patchwork and Quilting. I have made SEVERAL -- let's see --- the Red/White/Black, a Green/White my sister somehow has now, two Orientals, and two Black and Whites. Did I mention that I really like this pattern. AND thank you hubby for helping to stage the quilt.

H2H and Indigo Update

The Quilting continues -- on the H2H, a simple all over floral. The H2H is the Hands2Help Charity Quilt Challenge hosted by Sarah, at Confessions of a Fabric Addict. My fabric exchange partner, KatieQ sent me a collection of blues and yellows which fit nicely with my stash.

What a difference a day makes -- if you compare the Indigo Challenge with yesterday's post, you will notice a few changes. I replaced a couple of HST with squares to continue the weave. The best way to catch mistakes or see what doesn't work, is to take a picture. The smaller version helps those little hiccups stand out. The Indigo is part of Judy's Monochromatic Challenge over at Patchwork Times, which has absolutely "stretched" me to try new things. I have continued to use only what is in my stash and design each on the design wall.

Indigo Challenge on Design Wall

I didn't have that much Indigo (only 2 - 1 yard pieces) for Judy's Monochromatic Challenge, so I though it was going to be mixed with lots of white and probably very small. Then I found this OLD indigo/white floral, which looked like a good filler and I had 2 yards. Starting with one block -- a big one, I added 3 more! Each section is 6" so the finished block is 18".

I only had enough of the first Indigo fabric to make the four blocks. Then I pulled the second 1 yard piece and made a small 1" finished border against the 2" white border and to piece the corner units.

The corner units came from a large weaving block found in "The It's Okay If You Sit On My Quilt Book" by Mary Ellen Hopkins.

What started out small is now about 60" square -- I still have a little floral to make a small border, or maybe I will use more white. From the picture, I can already see I want to change a few corner unit pieces and will sew everything together, then decide on the border. The wall may stay like this for a while until I finish quilting a couple of tops.

I am also waiting for the "Drunkard's Path" to come back from the Long Arm Quilter to add binding - then off it goes to raise funds in the memory of two special young men who died in the path of a drunkard driver last July.

For more design walls, visit Judy at Patchwork Times.