H2H Finished

This is a quilt top I started last year when Judy at Patchwork Times introduced monthly blocks to use up our stash.  I finally put my blocks into a quilt, but now it is quilted, bound and ready to ship to Sarah's Hands To Help Charity Quilts.

And .... picking blackberries to make cobbler this afternoon.  The blackberry plants were from my Great Uncle Dan's backyard in Columbus Texas.  He has been gone since 1983, so these plants traveled here to Louisiana over 30 years ago.  They were planted on the bayou side of my in laws property and are obviously thriving to this day. Must admit, I ate so many of them while picking, my insides are purple.  

Red Design Wall

I am finally running out of HSTs pieces -- so I will need to start cutting into the scraps.  This red project is growing slowly, because it is a leader/ender project for a big project I am working on for Black Cat Creations.  So far, the size is 66' x 66'.  If I add a border, it will end up bed size, but I will decide later.

Funny thing...as I work on the Black Cat Creations project, I am accumulating MORE scraps.  Oh well,  I see another scrappy project in the future.

For other Monday Design Wall, visit Judy at Patchwork Times.

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.

February Scrappy Challenge

I took this picture 3 weeks ago...then lost my camera.  Although I tore my house apart, it just disappeared.  I have not posted since.  I have been shopping for a new camera, with hopes of finding one similar --- no such luck.

Then an email from Jackie (Black Cat Creations) suggested I use Red/White/Blue for a working pattern.  I went straight to my red stash and there laying among the red fat quarters, nesting quietly is my RED Olympus.  I must have pulled that fat quarter drawer out 100 times looking for the camera.

Now, I have some catching up to do.

I am too late for Judy's link up at Patchwork Times February Scrappy Block, but that is ok, I am just so happy to find my camera!!!!

Scrappy Block Challenge

All the blocks and sashing units are sewn for Judy's January Scrappy Challenge. My blocks are 12", because I used units on hand (already sewn). The rows will be labeled, stacked and boxed away for weekend assembly. 

 We have a freeze coming through Tuesday and Wednesday ..... don't see that down here in  Southern Louisiana (on the coast).  We may lose electricity, so I need to be ready for handwork.  If we have to shut down the town anyway, I would love to see a little snow -- as we don't see much.  Most of us don't know how to drive in it - including me.

Linking up with Judy at Patchwork Times and the Design Wall Monday!

Wall of BIG-T Blocks

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I am almost embarrassed to admit that most of the pieces used to make the Big-T blocks were already units in the scrap boxes....plenty of 4 1/2" and 2 1/2" HSTs.  I cut out the cheddar centers and dark blue units.  I have made 20 (12 1/2" unfinished) Big-Ts.... had enough to make more, but I am stopping.  It will end up being big enough for a full size bed.  

Even the sashing -- I almost had enough, but will need to cut out more 2 1/2" neutral strips.  The red blocks are cowboys, cowboy hats, and cowboys on horses -- seems there is a theme -- just trying to use up what was already there.

As you can see, I have no problem with scrappy quilts....they are my favorite.  Linking up with Judy at Patchwork Times (host of the Scrappy Block Challenge)

Monday's Big "T" Designs

While sewing together the rows for my Celtic Mystery Quilt, I had a stash of HSTs scraps for leaders and enders.  Before closing up for the night, I had enough to finish 4 blocks of the Big "T" Scrappy Blocks Judy (Patchwork Times) selected as the January block.   Based on my scrap stash (those overflowing), I went with a 12" finished block.

Now off the quilting frame and on its way to Texas, "School Pride" will be used to raise funds for my great nephew's baseball team.  My niece will take a group picture with the boys in their team shirts and the finished quilt.

Linking up with other Design Walls at Patchwork Times.

Rainbow Design Wall and Mystery Update

 The last of the 2013 Rainbow Challenge Blocks are on the wall.  Next was the audition of several fabrics for the sashing.  Funny, the ones I like the best, I did not have enough.  Then I remembered the left over fabric from the backing of another quilt -- Perfect -- and I even ended up with scraps.

Like the one done yesterday, I used 5 1/2" sashing and golden yellow corner stones.

Just in case a close up is needed -- see the butterflies, very girly indeed.

I am all caught up on the Mystery Steps, needing to move them to a larger basket.  Bonnie Hunter's Celtic Mystery is about to start taking shape and I want to be totally prepared.  There is a "Football" quilt on the quilting frame; the last 2013 Rainbow Challenge coming down off the design wall; and Rainbow log cabin top waiting in the wings to be quilted.

Can you tell, I am on vacation ..... Linking up with Judy's Design Wall at Patchwork Times and Bonnie Hunter's Step #5 of the Mystery Quilt.

School Pride / Mystery Update

 

Newest project on the design wall -- a quilt for my Great Nephew's school.  The colors are burgundy and white .... with a Tiger mascot in Silsbee Texas.  I pulled out a favorite pattern which will be a perfect school two-color quilt.  Although you cannot see the close-up of the white on white, it is from the "Quilt Across Texas" collection.  I bought 10 yards last month and ordered 5 more yards -- basic staple.

For Bonnie's 2013 Mystery, I am done with steps 1 and 2.  The perfect "leader and ender" project while I am working on the Christmas Projects.

Linking up with Judy at Patchwork Times and Bonnie at Quiltville.

On the Design Wall: "Now What"??

I mentioned a Trunk Show that I am working towards this August.  One of our patterns, was born from all of the larger pieces of fabric in my stash (3 yards or more).  You know, the kind that you absolutely love, but when you get it home it sits on the shelf.  Every time you admire it (while it collects dust), you keep thinking...."Now What"?  Well this pattern helps you work out the details and brings those fabrics to life. 

 I purchased this awesome stripe from Robert Kaufman's Ombre Collection!  NOW WHAT????

YEP, NOW WHAT?  

I pulled fat quarters, short cuts, and white backgrounds .... then started playing.  Made a few blocks, played some more -- I love the design wall -- it has to be my favorite quilting tool (next to the rotary cutter).  It is coming to life a little every night.  I cannot wait to finish just to compare with the first one.

The first quilt I made from this pattern, started with an awesome fabric purchased from the Camden Cafe line.  What a difference in the look. The rest of the fabric just came from my stash .... lots of blacks and golds.  

Pattern Name:  "Now What"?

Published by:  Black Cat Creations

Designed by:  Jamie Janow Elfert

Because this one may stay on the Design Wall a couple of weeks while I play, I am so happy to have something to show and link to Patchwork Times' "Design Wall Monday".  Judy is one of my favorite designers -- I am a piecer through and through and she is such a great inspiration.

A Touch of Turquoise

When putting together the strings for the finished "Rainbow Scrap Challenge", several of the scraps had a touch of turquoise, so I added the little colorful border.

All done and ready for quilting, the little quilt finishes at 63" square.  

"Hold on Skeet, I will tear the bag open and we can share the Doritos"

(My great-niece Jolie and her pal Skeet)

It's Monday Design Wall Day, and I am linking up with Judy at Patchwork Times.  See ya'll there!

Monday Design Wall - - Think Pink!

 As part of SoScrappy's Rainbow Scrap Challenge.  Above is the first block of Strings -- 15" Finished:  HSTs, Hourglass Center and Rail fences.

Joined together, on point, I have continued on until the box of 1 1/2" and 2" strips are gone.  To finish the top, I will need to cut into the 3 1/2" strips -- which is good, because they have different prints.  There is only one more weekend of pink in the challenge and I still have 2 1/2" strips in the box -- I may make a few 16-patches, or just save them for a scrappy border for the quilt above.

For more design walls, visit Judy at Patchwork Times, and if you have a chance, visit SoScrappy's RSC Saturday link for a glimpse at the other "Pink" projects going on.

Pink Stars Over Scott and Easy Street Update

For 2013, I have joined Angela, with SoScrappy, with her monochromatic use of scraps.  The month of January is Pink, which turned out to be a great beginning for me.  I have made a few "Pink" quilts for my many nieces and those designated for Breast Cancer Awareness fund raisers.   This of course has accumulated a healthy stash of pinks.  "Stars Over Scott" is a simple use of 168 HSTs forming 5 stars, using 5 1/2" strips -- each HST finished at 5".  This finished quilt will be donated to a fund raiser scheduled in March.

Now I need to tackle the use of the other pink strips still remaining in a variety of sizes. But first, a few finishes from the stack of other projects.

Bonnie Hunter's "Easy Street" Mystery blocks are sewn together and hanging on the long arm frame while I audition different borders.  The top went together easily and it paid off planning the pressing directions before I started to assemble.  I had a few changes in directions, but very minimal.  If I can't decide on a border, I may go without, or piece something from the left-overs.

For the Monday Design Wall link, I am heading to Judy's at Patchwork Times (who by the way, had me hooked on the monochromatic colors in 2011).

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

Heather and Megan are hosting a simple Block of the Month project over at Quilt Story. I have been having so much fun with my new quilting machine, I forgot to post my April Blocks with HSTs above -- shown with March blocks. Leaves and Diamonds showcase the HSTs from an original design by Marcia Hohn at The Quilters Cache.

Finished except for the hand work, Stars Over Scott in Red is done -- the 2nd Finish of the Year, and the 2nd Finish on my new Gammill. I am sticking to my favorite patterns so I can get used to the feel of the machine -- it is very different than a home machine (obviously), but similar in movements.
The top is done for the H2H Challenge hosted by Sarah at Confessions of a Fabric Addict. I hope to be quilting it by the weekend -- however I need to finish the Relay for Life Quilt Below.
Dance of the Tiger is almost done -- After I finish the borders, I am moving it to my Janome for simple straight stitching. I need more practice before on straight lines (even with the ruler, it will take time). I will post the last step for this quilt -- adding the borders --- later this week.

For more design walls, visit Judy at Patchwork Times.

Monday Design Wall - H2H, BOM

All the blocks are done for the Hands 2 Help Challenge hosted by Sarah at Confessions of a Fabric Addict. The quilt will be heading here to Louisiana in St. Bernard Parish (hence the bright colors of Mardi Gras), who is still recovering from Hurricane Katrina. For those of you visiting New Orleans on vacation, take the time to ride a little south east and tour this area. They have achieved huge goals, however they still have a long way to go.

On Sunday, the new Blogger's Block of the Month was announced by Allison at Cluck Cluck Sew. I took advantage of the day off and made my duo blocks (bottom left and top right). My fabric choice is Basic Grey / Origins by Moda. A big thanks to Jackie at Canton Village Quilt Works for hosting and inspiring this fun little BOM!

For more Monday Design Walls, visit Judy at Patchwork Times -- I can't wait to come home tonight and take a tour of all the links.

Palette Challenge

January Color Palette Challenge for me was "artsy". I needed something small for an area in my newly remodeled master bath. The quilting of the top came to an abrupt end when I was almost finished, when my sewing machine gave up. She has been in the shop since then and I truly miss her. My handy backup is great for piecing -- but nothing more.

Thanks to Judy, Patchwork Times and Vicki, Field Trips in Fiber who have challenged their readers -- I am looking forward to February -- another "artsy" top(?). We will see.

Monday Design Wall - January Color Challenge

A couple of months ago, we redid our master bathroom shower. We now have fresh painted walls -- NO MORE WALL PAPER!!! I have yet to hang anything, not wishing to have holes in the wall. Judy at Patchwork Times and Vicki at Field Trips in Fiber have teamed up for a 2012 Color Palette Challenge. I am working on a small little artsy quilt for one of the master bath walls. The blocks will finish at 4 1/2". Although the lighting in my room is a little off, every color in the palette has been used, plus one light neutral. I am undecided on a border -- so time will tell.

Most of us can label our quilting style by now. I am a piecer -- I love cutting fabric up into pieces and sewing them back together. Not "thrilled" with paper-piecing, not "good" with applique'. Let me clarify -- my fingers are not good with hand applique' -- practice does not always make perfect -- it makes sore joints. I have also tried iron-on applique', but not happy with the stiffness.

Recently I decided to try a simple "Starch Applique", which was graciously shared by Natalia Bonner at Piece N Quilt. Let me just say, this girl has it going!!! Natalie is a young mother and wife, a long-arm quilter, pattern designer etc, etc, etc! I love her method of using starch. It washes out, making the quilt so snugly and soft.

I have been enjoying a three-day weekend, which is almost over. DH and DS are hunting -- ahhh quiet -- so I am heading back to sewing, but first I need to check out other design walls at Patchwork Times.

Monday Design Wall - Orca Bay Progress

I am running late for the Monday Design Wall link with Judy at Patchwork Times and the Orca Bay link with Bonnie at Quiltville -- but not too late. I have several pieces done, but need to sew more components before putting them on the wall. I used aqua blues and orange/reds. Most of this has been done as leaders/enders to other projects ...... and in between quilting tops. I am very partial to scrappy and my favorite color is red - so naturally, I love this one.

For those following me on the "Dance of the Tiger", I will post the instructions to the triangle setting blocks and the four corners tomorrow. Tiger is no longer on the design wall and is ready for assembly later in the month. I have the inner borders all picked out -- a Tiger print of course, and a beautiful purple.

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.