School Begins

All my kids were up nice an early today.  They were eager to go back to school.  I don't know how long this will last, but I am going to enjoy it while I can.

I have already started working hard on my August goals.  I ran into a few problems.  Do you see anything unusual about this design?

 I guess I still haven't learned that symmetrical designs such as a log cabin need an even number of rows and columns.  I triple counted the blocks.  I had 56 blocks - yep, I planned to do a 7 X 8 block setting.  I had my little tantrum, then I got busy and cut out 8 more blocks.  The good news is I had plenty of scraps just waiting to be made into the 8 additional blocks.  They are almost completed then I will be ready to start my first August goal.   I love how the different shades of black play with each other.

 I started working on my second goal for August at the sew day last Sunday.  I have the quilt sew into 16 block sections.  This is my go to pattern for leftover bits of jelly roll strips.  This type of design needs an ODD number of rows and columns.  I like to start and end the rows the same (either horizontal or vertical).

I laid out my sections of blocks to see how they looked.  I like how the quilt looks, but I think perhaps I should make it a little larger to fit a twin bed.  As it it, it will be a large lap quilt.

Last July Finish

I know technically, this really isn't finished, but lets not get technical.  I had several other July finishes here.

This is one of my oldest UFOs.  It was the very first scrap quilt I ever started.  For those that haven't tried scrappy, the first one is the hardest.  I had a really hard time putting these colors together.  In the beginning I was trying to match the colors in each block.  I did a lot of complaining and doubting along the way.

Now that I understand value a little better (keep in mind I started this about 10 years ago), I would have done better on my red selection. I am pleased to have this one quilted an ready to bind.  It is a pattern from Love of Quilting magazine.

These are my August Goals.

August Goals

I have already exceeded my goal for finishes this year. August will be an adjustment month for both my family and myself since we will be easing back into the school schedule.  I hope to have just finishes for August.  As I look through my picture parade of unfinished projects, I notice lots of completions.  I did not find a lot of projects that were exciting me for this month.  I hope this won't end my desire to finish things.

1. Quilt my bright Christmas Star quilt
   
   
2. Quilt something for fall
3. Sew the blocks together for my bright scrap quilt
4. Sew the blocks together for my bright log cabin

Feeling Lost

I am feeling a little lost, like I should be camping at the ball park tonight.  I have come to my senses.  I am giddy with excitement!  I remembered we are having a sew-in on Sunday.  Very few things are better than a day away with friends!  Now for the hard part - what should I bring to sew?

Have a great weekend.

Food for Thought today - Jelly Roll vs. Layer Cake

Did you ever think about how much fabric was in a Jelly Roll vs. a Layer Cake?  Which one give you more fabric?  They are exactly the same!

2 1/2" X 40" X 40 pieces = 4,000 Square Inches

10" x 10" x 40 pieces = 4,000 Square Inches

In terms of body shape, I wish I was more like a jelly roll (long and skinny), but in reality, I am more layer cake shaped

Since they are the same amount of fabric, It is best to evaluate the pattern you want to use and determine which will give you the least amount of scrap.

July Progress

I working away on my July list.  I am working hard to get 1/3 of my list done by the end of the year.  Just one more week until school starts.  I think the kids are ready to go.

This first runner was a class sample a few years ago.  It was very loosely based on a quilt from American Patchwork & Quilting.  It is all trimmed and ready for binding.

 This is the same pattern with different colors.  Since these were small projects, I tried some new to me quilting designs.  I tried to just relax and have some fun with them.
This was a simple stripe table runner.  I quilted  a simple stipple on the blue and red quilt, and I quilted the nutcracker runner a little more detail

This runner sat forever because I was puzzled how to quilt it.

 I selected a swirling design in the neutrals and a loopy designer in the darker colors.  This is a Bonnie Hunter pattern from her book Scraps and Shirttails.

 I am excited to mark off these 5 UFOs.  Yes, I know there isn't binding on them, but it is close enough for me.

Chevron Quilt Photo Session

I wanted to share some photos of my chevron quilt with the binding on.  I had perfect weather to take the photos.  I love the contrast of the garden behind the quilt.  I went a little heavy on the photos.

This quilt is on its way to Colorado in time for the new addition to the family.  This was a new start for 2013, but the good news is that I finished it in the same year.