I am constantly on the look out to try new things in quilting. I just need something to give me a kick start.
Recently I found this challenge are on Pat Sloan’s blog.
Perfect!
It was a small challenge, easy to do in one night. I can use up fabric from my stash for it and then have a reason to go to a quilt store to replenish! Wins all around.
And I was able to have some fun practice with photography and staging my pieces.
This one is my favorite.
The James Stitching Sisters is a local group of quilt makers who make quilts for patients at the James Cancer Center and clinics.
I have always wanted to join in with them, but was unable to due to family obligations.
This weekend they hosted their 12th annual Quilt Day. Everyone is invited. All that you have to bring is your sewing machine, an extension cord, and a willingness to help out.
Before the day even started there were 484 quilt tops brought in and 205 completed quilts.
Then there was this;
171 sewing machines whirring away. Mine was there as well. There were also volunteers ironing, sandwiching quilts together, and a few long arms finishing quilts. There were also many volunteers making sure those quilting were happy and comfortable, providing entertainment and food and a welcoming place to be.
While quite a few of the quilters were able to complete 2 or 3 tops during our 7 hour day, I only managed one.
The pattern was called Tuscan Sun. We all received bags with the fabric and backing pre-cut and ready to sew with directions.
I started another kit called Good and Plenty. I almost finished all the blocks before the end of the day. Despite being completely exhausted I did finish them before bed and laid them out to sew together.
I also brought home a quilt sandwich ready for quilting and plans to visit the Stitching Sisters once a month to drop off at least one top and one completed quilt and pick up new ones.
I have a special post tonight, all about surprises.
Today I received my first Sew Sampler box from Fat Quarter Shop. It’s a box I will receive monthly filled with quilting goodies. You don’t know what you will get until you open up the box.
SURPRISE!!
As I ran up the stairs with the box I thought the blue reminded me of a box from Tiffany’s. But what is inside here was going to be better than anything from Tiffany’s.
It was very hard to not rip into the box right away, but I really wanted to photograph everything first.
Let’s open it up!
Hehe! Still more unwrapping to do.
Here it all is.
I feel like I must be on the same wavelength as Kimberly Jolly. The Strawberry Picking pattern just caught my eye the other day, and last week I was just saying I needed embroidery scissors with a case to travel with me. That ruler looks fantastic for all the little pieces I’ve been working on lately. I love the grips on the bottom.
The Grow! Charm Pack from Moda has all the colors of the rainbow. My mind started racing a mile a minute with all the things I could do with it. It was hard to put it back down and not start on a new project right away.
Also in the box were Screw B Do, which are magnetic screwdrivers (they’re in the little fabric sack) for sewing machines, a sticker, magnet, and the first block pattern in a series. One new one comes with each box.
In the end, I’m quite pleased. The hard part will be waiting for next month’s box!
What a perfect name for the block I am working on for the Crossroads Quilt Along this month, especially after my last post about Community.
But first, I want to show you this nifty gadget I picked up on clearance from Craftsy.
It’s a handy little seam guide! Do you see the fraction markings? Right next to them is a hole you can put your needle into on the sewing machine.
Like so;
I was able to make sure my quarter inch foot marking was really marking a quarter inch. I’ve noticed my needle can be slightly off center sometimes. But it looks good here.
I used the ruler to mark the machine with masking tape.
I was curious to see if having a longer mark for the 1/4 inch guide would help on my blocks. It didn’t hurt.
Also I used it to mark the diagonals on the small squares for the Friendship blocks. It has the perfect mitered edge for just a task.
Time to sew!
My blocks this month lost some points. I pulled apart and redid pieces many times. In the end I am quite pleased with how they turned out. I even went outside for a fancy photoshoot with them.
Remember, the Crossroads Quilt Along is raising money towards the March of Dimes. Please donate if you are able!
Now that the Crossroads blocks are done, I am (im)patiently waiting for the mini size from Sondra Davison of Out of the Blue Quilts. I am picking out and starching fabrics tonight!
Also, it is almost time for a special arrival!!!!!
I’ve signed up for the monthly Sew Sampler from Fat Quarter Quilts. The very first one ships this week and I can’t wait to share with you the surprises I find inside. I’m looking forward to trying out new notions and tools and giving you all an honest review of it all.
There are so many other projects I am working on too. I can’t wait to share them all with you.
I have always been a lone quilter. I’ve attended classes, but by and large I am self taught. I get lonely at times.
Recently I attended my first one of these!
I walked in and immediately felt at home. The quilts were so beautiful! It was hard to get pictures but here are some of my favorites.
Look at these gorgeous scrappy quilts.
This scrappy one is my favorite!
But I don’t think any of them can beat this mini (yes mini) log cabin scrappy. The note card read there are 628 pieces of fabric in this mini quilt.
There were beautiful floating blocks.
A few t-shirt quilts that I spent time admiring.
A few more mini quilts..I have a special place in my heart for mini quilts.
My absolute favorite is the next one. It is amazing. The artist created it for a show that was themed Fantasy Sports. The Red Dragon is The Ohio State University and the Blue Dragon is Michigan. They are holding their school signs with their tails.
Here is a close up of just the dragons.
I can’t get over all the details! I’m just in love.
Of course I spent some time shopping, too! There were a few vendors and a garage sale from the members of the quilting society running the show.
I purchased an interesting looking tool and beautiful buttons (I see more pincushions in my future)
I am always on the look out to build my stash. I’m very low on purples and oranges. I found a great little bundle of purples and was just delighted when I got home and opened one up to find this stunning peacock.
I immediately started making plans for her.
Before I left I did one last thing. I joined the quilting society running the show. My first meeting with them is in a few weeks and I am looking forward to it. I can’t wait to see and learn and explore with all these fine quilters.
I-O
Yay, for OHIO!!!!
I’ve had some cheerleaders in my home recently…
They hung around for a while.
And were a little mischievous.
But we didn’t mind.
These grand fellows are now on their way to a new Buckeye home. But before they go, I have to show you the little one up close.
His eyes are actually buttons! Can you believe they make googly eye buttons!!!! I need to buy more of these.
Special thanks to the boys in my home who delayed their Nerf gun war to do a photo shoot for me while I was at a meeting.
I’m finishing off the Hockey quilt top for my nephew. I want to applique his name on the top of the quilt. I used my Cameo Silhouette to cut the letters out using the same font as the team uses.
I put Wonder Under under a large piece of fabric and sent it through the machine.
They came out really nice.
After that it was just a matter of ironing them onto the top border and machine appliqueing them on. I used black thread to give them a little pop.
I added the top and bottom borders and the top is finished!
So here it is, the finished top. I don’t have a back fabric for it yet. This team is one of the few NHL teams that doesn’t have a licensed fabric. I may just go with the navy blue, but I’m opened to suggestions.
If you know of a fabric you think would go great with this top, leave a comment and let me know!
Well…not really, because this quilt is a hockey quilt and I don’t think they use balls in hockey.
As you can probably tell, I’m not much of a hockey fan. I do like baseball and football, but just can’t get into hockey. However, I have family members who are fans and a nephew who never got his baby blanket from me.
My sister and I did some searching and found this pattern by Kristie at OCD: Obsessive Crafting Disorder and I got to work.
I wanted to personalize the borders and decided on some applique. I will be putting my nephew’s name at the top and on the sides I decided the logo for their favorite team would be perfect.
I have this great circle cutter that I’m in love with. I used it to cut the black and white circles I needed for the logo.
Perfect!
The circles were cut larger than I needed and I used this method by Anna Maria Horner and machine appliqued them.
For the main part of the logo I used Wonder Under and cut out the main part.
Once the circles were machined appliqued on, I ironed the main part of the logo onto them and machine appliqued that on as well.
I attached the borders to the sides and they are looking great on the quilt!
Stay tuned for my next post to see the finished top!
I have been following along with The Splendid Sampler quilt along. I’m not making every block as I have too many projects going on. However, every now and then a pattern has struck me and I’ve just HAD to make it. This happened recently and it was great timing as it was an embroidered block and I was looking for something to do while waiting for my car to be serviced. I love projects that are portable.
This block is called Crocheted Thoughts and is by Alyssa Thomas.
I found some blue variegated thread in my container and was thrilled. Not only do I love blue, but I have SOOOOO much blue fabric. I started pulling out of the bins and laying them out. I take pictures with my phone so I can step back and get a better read.
At first I tried to use some fabrics that came together in a pack and moved them about a bit.
But I wasn’t happy, so I tried a new arrangement.
I got closer with that arrangement. I really like the center fabric, it is a very pale blue, but I didn’t like all the other blues around it.
So, I figured I would use some color theory and asked myself what the complementary color of blue is. Answer is orange!
No way, orange with blue?! There was no way I was going to like it, but I went to my orange fabrics and pulled some out.
Oh my goodness, I think I was falling in love. But to be sure, I cut all the pieces out and laid out the block.
Yes, this is definitely a winner!
The finished block is 6 inches. Not sure what my plans for it is yet, right now I just enjoy looking at it.