Tuesday, October 13, 2015

Progress

Quilting the Swoon, and I'm almost finished with red background quilting. It really does pay off to do some Free-Motion Quilting every day. I'm feeling more relaxed and comfortable, and I'm getting more confident. I'm just limited in space, and somehow feel that if I had more space to maneuver, my lines could be straighter.


This quilt is so heavy! And big!


Here's my little handsome munchkin! Isn't he getting so big?!!! I can't believe he's 20 months old! He's a little climber, a cuddler, and into everything! Yes, he climbed into the table and onto the quilt. He thinks it's fun to climb in mama's lap and "help" by pushing all the button settings. Hence, I put the hard machine cover over the top of the machine, when I'm finished or ready to step away.


Ha, this is the other night...I ran out of thread, just as I finished that red background triangle. That is the edge of the center block!
It doesn't feel like I'm making progress, but if I've finished another spool, that proves progress, right?!!!!!

Tonight, I'll do a bit more, then pull the quilt flat to see if I missed any background sections yet.

I'm also finishing up the hot glue on my design walls. Hubby is on shift, and my goal is to get them finished before he gets off. That way, they will be ready to hang when he gets home. He actually bought the wall hooks, months ago! He's picky about wall mounts and scews, and using the drill. And he'll actually need to measure some.


What I used:
--2 Fons and Porter Design Walls (basically felt-covered vinyl sheets with a 2" printed grid"
--2 cardboard cutting boards
--plenty of office staples and a standard stapler
--duct tape
--hot glue

First I measured and stapled the Design Walls to the top of the cutting boards, deciding where I wanted the hanging grommets. Then, I stapled along that top edge, and started down one side. Then I moved from the grommets and followed along the opposite side, pulling the vinyl slightly taut against the cardboard and stapling. I did need to trim the vinyl because it was too wide for the boards. I made sure to bend the staple points to lay flat on the back side. Then I covered all the raw edges with duct tape, especially where the staples were...one, to cover the staple backs and prevent the staples from snagging, and two, to create a nicer visual edge. After I worked on the first, I've noticed that the duct tape kept curling away from the felt...not creating a nice stick. I tried Tacky Glue, then tried hot glue. I like the hot glue for bonding the tape into the felt fibers.

Wa-la ! Two design boards that I can hang on a wall. Each a little more than 36" wide and about 72" long. Stiff, lightweight, foldable, portable. I can taken them down to take to a class, or take a project with me, or hang them on a different wall. Or even lay them on the floor and cut big pieces of batting off the roll, or measure backing.

Thursday, October 1, 2015

September report

Hi!

Finished or progress in September:

#1: started making more progress on quilting the Swoon!

Finished 2 blocks (one is really a border), in Pat Sloan's BOM.



Finished a back for a mini-quilt.



Finished a Row by Row kit that I received from belonging to a row swap group!


Made cute little scissor holders from a Moda Bake Shop pattern.


Submitted my Star Hope quilt in the Peteetneet Quilt Show, and received 3rd place in Wallhanging category. Whee!!!!!

I nearly have my design wall panels finished. Then hubby needs to drill in hooks to hang them on the wall.

I guess I got more finished than I thought!

Goodnight all !

Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Little bits

Ok!
Finished some parts of things the past few days.

#PatSloan2015
Mystery quilt along:
Finished month 8: Salt Water Taffy border
So cute! I used the last of my two fat quarters of the cute butterfly/dandelion on pale purple (fabric #2 in the fabric palette) to alternate with the background solid.


Finished Month 9: Ferris Wheel block


Tonight, I finished up the backing on the mini-quilt #ModaLove made with a Kate a Spain Solstice mini-charm pack.


These rectangles are what's left after cutting all the charms for the Kate Spain Christmas charm swap. There's mostly Solstice, and the white/red snowflake print is from Jingle, this year's Christmas collection. Then I filled in with spacers of solid red from Legacy Studios. I really really adore Solstice and Jingle prints.


Now I just need to decide if I'm making a mini-quilt for the wall, or a Christmas pillow. It is roughly 20" square.

How do you vote: quilt or pillow?


Tuesday, September 29, 2015

Peteetneet Quilt Show 2015

Hi!

This morning I went to work. On my way home, I met my best friend at the Peteetneet Quilt Show (and had lunch after!).

I was so amazed and pleased to see that my Hope Star received a Third Place ribbon in the Wall Quilt category !

Here's some of my favorites:



This next one took Best in Show!

Here's a cool autumn sampler:




Here's a civil war swap quilt:


I might join a swap like this soon.



Tuesday, September 8, 2015

ALYOF-September goal

I honestly have no clue what to set my goal for. I feel like I've got such a mountain of projects that I'll never get through it all.

I haven't even blogged or posted on Facebook, because I've been busy but not progressing much on projects.

However, I still want to finish a project for the Peteetneet Quilt Show this month. I think my best bet for that is still the Swoon.

I better go find out when the quilt show takes entries!

I really want to participate in the Sew Fresh Quilt-Along for Dog Gone Cute! It just started this week. But, we all know how fast I am....the Elephant Parade top and backing are finished, and it still needs layering and quilting!

Monday, August 31, 2015

ALYOF: August report

No, I didn't even get to touch the Swoon quilting.

Yes, I got my mug rugs finished for the swap. They need to get mailed/delivered.


I finished cutting, and started chain piecing, the Pat Sloan BOM August border blocks.

I did a bit more on my Hawaiian appliqué.

Sunday, August 16, 2015

Almost mug rugs

Wishing you a happy, restful, peaceful Sunday.

I joined a charm swap group on Facebook this past year. This month, we are having a little swap for mug rugs. 
I have finished piecing and sewing borders on my little mug rugs.


I used the bonus HST from my Pat Sloan 2015 Mystery BOM blocks.

I love how the top left block looks like a flower. Hmmm, now looking at the picture, I think it needs a dark purple border around the flower.
I love the spinner pinwheel and the little Colorado block, too. I love them all!