Plus Quilt

I couldn't take it any longer.  I had to know what it was going to look like with my color choices.  I thought this would make more of a dent in my blue scraps, but the bin is still packed.  Maybe these icy colors will summon the polar vortex back.

I am not sure if I like the 2 blue blocks in there.  I was undecided when I started making this quilt if I wanted to venture into the "dark" side.  I made a few extras in case I had to omit them.  I used Kona Snow for the light and assorted scraps that were gifted to me for the blues.  The blacks finish at 6" and I plan to stagger them.  I got my inspiration from this quilt (and the desire to use up some light and medium blues).

Mid-Week Check in

Who knows what day it really is?  I have to keep asking myself with so many snow days in a row.

I hit the 20 quilted (finished) mark yesterday.  I started trimming the edges in preparation of bindings.  I came to the realization that it will probably take me most of February to do all the bindings.  I also know it will be a challenge to find suitable bindings for some of the really old projects.

This pattern is called two-fer.  I have to admit that I like it a lot better quilted.

This is the other runner that is created from the strip sets.  I had multiple problems quilting this one (operator error), but it is ready for binding.

This runner is really wide for a table.  I am not sure I will be able to find a location for it.

I am itching for a new project like you wouldn't believe.
























































This week I hope to

• finish trimming the rest of my quilts in preparation for binding
• hang up my blue "plus" blocks to see how they look together
• attach the border strips to an old lodge quilt
• finish sewing the rows together for my Carolina Crossroads quilt.
• Get 2 customer quilts ready to quilt
  

Only a couple more days of January left.  I think I have accomplished everything on my January goal list.  I am already thinking about February goals.

How crazy is it when 8 degrees feels like a heat wave.  I will say - "thank you polar vortex for the extra time to sew this month"

More Lines

I decided to go with a FEW more lines on this quilt.  I left it hang for a while and I thought it needed just a few more.  I am pleased how the lines look.  I should have done a few lines horizontally also, but I am not going there now.  It is good to learn from decisions.  I was going to take it outside to get some good photos, but then I remembered that it was -12 out.  Those snow photos I am seeing on blogland are beautiful, but I wasn't up for it today.

I probably didn't pick the best quilting design for this quilt, but I wanted to practice straight lines.  The more I practice, the easier it gets.

I marked 2 more off my list today.  I'm OK if I am snowed in tomorrow too!

Monday Madness

It is still blowing snow and extremely cold here, so another day without school.  I can't recall ever missing this many days of school even as a child.  This is the view out my dining room window.

I have had lots of sewing and quilting time, so I don't mind at all.  I am thankful we have a a warm house and plenty of food.

I finished quilting a snowman wall hanging/table decoration yesterday.  This is from a class I taught, so I have 2 more samples yet to complete.  I need to add the eyes to make it look finished.  I am adding it to my completed page for January and crossing it off my UFO list.

 I have my Carolina crossroads rows pinned and I am ready to get these sewn together.

Unfortunately while cleaning, I came across yet another project I started in 2013.  I am adding it to my UFO list, and I added it to this post so it wouldn't be forgotten.

I have all my "plus" blocks made and I hope to put them together this week in between other projects.  Stop back later this week to see my progress.

This is the view out mu studio door.  The walkout is nearly full of snow.  It is so pretty as the sun shines upon it.  My son's 4 wheeler is barely visible under the snow.

Stop over to Judy's to see what others are working on this week.

Small Finish

Small finishes are just as good as large ones in my book.  This one is really old.  I ran into several problems because of my lack of knowledge.  Let me talk about the pitfalls.

• I thought chenille would be great for applique, but I couldn't applique the edge well.
• wool on top of chenille, on top of cotton is too think for a sewing machine.
• chenille isn't very durable and doesn't sew well.

I had a plan to finish this guy yesterday.  At the time I started this wall hanging (probably 10 years ago).  I didn't realize that felted wool wouldn't ravel.  I decided it really wasn't important to cover the edge of the wool pieces on the snowman and just went with a straight stitch.

I free motion quilted the background on my quilting machine first.  My hopping foot would not go over the chenille (let alone the wool).  I didn't want to mess with raising the hopping foot for one little 10 year old wall hanging.  I removed the quilt and took it to my regular sewing machine (Juki).  The hopping foot didn't hop high enough on that machine either.  I set the pressure on the lowest and woman-handled the quilt to quilt the scarf.  The chenille was sagging in the snowman, so I put on my walking foot and quilted some lines on the snowman.  The little balls of chenille would catch from time to time on my walking foot, so I had to be careful.  It is completed except for binding and button eyes.  It looks like there is still plenty of winter left to display it.

 My walkout basement has a significant drift.  It looks like a great day to stay in and do some more quilting.

Check out my pages tab on the right to watch my finishes add up for the year.

Friday Finishes

I wanted to get three quilts done this week, but I am pleased with 2 finishes.  I made this quilt last year for a dear teacher that was retiring.  It was really a hard quilt to let go of.  I used 2 1/2" square on the first one, and 3 1/2" squares on this larger quilt.  The pattern is from this quilt along.

I created a plus sign for the back since I didn't have enough of any one fabric.  I like how it adds interest.










I also finished this scrappy 4 patch quilt from my UFO Parade.  I am still on the uphill climb with my UFOs, but I am making significant progress.  I am getting closer to the top of the mountain (the half way point).  The quilt is from the book Jelly Roll Quilts.


 Once again, I was just a little short on the backing fabric so I added these little scraps of fabric.  It also prevented me from matching up the butterfly pattern (which I didn't do well on the first try).  It was win, win!!

 I am linking up with Amanda for finish it up Friday.  Stop on over to see what others are working on.

What's up for this week

I had a fabulous time sewing with my sister and other friends at a retreat this weekend.  I made some progress on both some older projects and a new one.

I put these blocks together.  I have blogged about this quilt when I started it after Christmas.  I don't want this project to get forgotten.  I am ready to cut the border pieces and put them on.

 This is a older quilt that I worked on at Shipse several years ago.  It is ready for borders now also.

I wish I could credit the designer, but it was from  a blog post long ago and I have looked and looked for the original post.  It is a great pattern and it is cut from 2" strips.  The white stars get finished in the first border.

I also finished putting the blocks together from a really old lodge quilt.  I didn't take a picture this quilt, but I am deciding if I need to put a border on it.

This is my new project that I recently started.  I am using light blues and Kona Snow.  I used it as my leader ender project at the retreat.  I have lots more blocks half finished that I hope to work on this week.

My goal for this week is to quilt 3 of my larger quilts that I pieced the backings for last week.




I have one finish to report this weekend.  I moved this table topper to a new home.  I decided it was just best to abandon this project.  I am sure it will be loved where it went.  This makes 11 finishes for me in January.  I am energized by the UFO progress I am making.

I have already declared February as the month of B's.  I will be working on BORDERS AND BINDING(s)

I hope to are off to a great start on your goals this year.  Stop over to Judy's to see what others are working on this week.