Design Wall Monday and ...

...Mystery Monday Link Up

This week, after finishing part 2 of Grand Illusion and a tis the season project, I spent my weekend working on part 3. I love checkerboard designs and can't wait to find out where this fits in to the grand plan.  I came across this piece and was thankful for the oh so subtle reminder.

Quilting is fun for me. I love each and every process about it. It makes me happy.  What else makes me happy is a fun pile of pieces waiting to be put under the pressure foot.  I stack mine up on my ruler to transport them from the cutting table to the machine.

Fresh off the ironing board are some of my blocks, counted and clipped into bunches of 10 of course.  I need 12 of these clipped stacks, I still have 8 clips to fill. Did you see Angela's tip about the clips?  You can read about it here.  I've been doing it that way for a long time.  Sure saves the brain.

It's Monday so that means I'm linking up to Patchwork Times Design Wall Monday and to Quiltville's Mystery Monday Link-Up

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Design Wall Monday and

Mystery Monday Link-Up

I need background noise while I sew. 

This weekend it was Netflix sweet and sappy movies.

I sit my little tablet and speakers right behind the machine.

After a while, these parts were finished for Grand Illusion.

Time to snip dog ears and get those wonky blocks in shape.

Most of mine turned out perfect but

there were a few that needed work.

I even had to use the ripper on some of them.

Now they are all pretty and ready for a partner.

Today I'm linking up at Patchwork Times and Quiltville.

Two of my most favorite people. 

The 2014 Bonnie UFO Challenge Finale

 TaaDah!

Two quilt tops finished!

Two quilt tops added to Mt. ToBeQuilted.

Bindings are made, labeled and stored away in the binding bin.

Plans for backings are drawn out.

It started here with a bag full of parts and a note to myself.

(Notes to myself are one of my best ideas ever!)

Actually it started in March 2008.

These quilts will be finished and gifted this summer.

It's always nice to have help from Miss Polly.

Not really!!

Thanks Jo for doing this challenge again this year!

I'm excited to have this one out of the bin!

Soon these will  be UFOs no more.

Check out Jo's beautiful quilt and 

see how others did with this challenge at Jo's Country Junction.

Design Wall Monday and...

...Quiltville's Monday Mystery Link Up Party

It finally arrived! Clue 1 for Quiltville's Grand Illusion.  On my design wall are 20 blocks.

I had grand plans to sew all day Friday and Saturday.  You all know what happens when you make plans!  I did get all the parts cut. I finally have all my half square triangles sewn and 30 blocks are sewn together. I have 40 more yellows to sew to HSTs and 68 of the blacks.  I know I'll have a good sewing week because the work week begins again tomorrow, my house is clean and laundry is almost caught up. :)

I did some unsewing and resewing of squares to get all units of Cascadia to match.  With this many pieces, correct seam allowances are very important. Now I need to find a backing and binding for this. I'll do some simple quilting and have a cute mini quilt.

Today I'm linking up with Patchwork Times and Quiltville.

Design Wall Monday

I've been working hard to get my 2nd Scrappy Sister's Choice blocks sewn into a top. I did that and now I'm stalling on choosing border fabrics. I'll do that today.

In the mean time..... I'm working on Cascadia. A mystery quilt along with Lori at Humble Quilts.  Scroll through her blog to find Parts 1, 2 and 3.  I have a plastic pencil box that was stuffed full of 1 1 /2" squares. I'd started making 4 patches with them then discovered Bonnie's Tumalo Trail design and switched the 4 patches to 9 patches.  Then Cascadia comes along so I used some of the 4 patches to get started.

It's fun doing Lori's little quilts. I have the perfect spot already picked out for this one. I'm excited for the next step.

I'm excited to see what's going on in Blogland today. Check out great design walls at Patchwork Times today.

Bonnie UFO Challenge Success!

My version of Bonnie's Sister's Choice #1 is a finished top. It's hard to tell but the border is brown with green leafy vines and itty bitty yellow and blue flowers. I'm going to find some blue for the binding. You can see it here if you want.  Another of my life's simple pleasures.....Miss Polly always posing for the camera.  We'll work on the lighting another day.

Sister's Choice #2 has one of the 6 rows sewn together with part of row 2 under the needle.  I didn't stack these blocks the right way to be able to web the top like I normally like to do. I don't know what I was thinking or even if I was. This is giving me lots of leader/ender action which is a good thing.  I am in get it done mode and I'm running out of time before the mystery kick off.

See how others are doing with their Bonnie UFO Challenge at Jo's Country Junction.

Design Wall Monday

Good progress was made this week on my version of Bonnie's Sister's Choice Quilt. (Free pattern found here.) A few days ago, I did some math and decided to make 12 more blocks and make 2 quilts instead of one. Crazy? Nah, I have a plan!!

Quilt #1 is getting the rest of it's borders today. Quilt #2 will be layed out and blocks stacked, ready to sew together.

Funny story........most of the blocks have the same outer neutral per block with lots of neutrals being used. A few are scrappy.  The last 12 blocks....the centers are sewn spinning in the opposite direction from all the others. I didn't even think about it until I was pressing them.  Does that bother me? No, it's a scrappy, fun quilt. One day someone will look at it and wonder what was she thinking.  The answer will be "She wasn't!  She was doing mindless sewing, having a wonderful time with her fabrics."

The border fabrics are nowhere in the quilt. Again, does this bother me.....NO.  I love this quilt and I'm so happy I chose it/them to work on before Grand Illusion starts. I need to hurry, I want both tops finished before the 29th.

See what others have on their design wall at Patchwork Times.

My plans for this week:

• Finish Quilt #1
• Finish Quilt #2
• Rearrange sewing table

Design Wall Monday and...

 ...November Retreat Roundup

 And what a retreat it was.

I got so much done while having so much fun.

I have nothing on my design wall but I have great completed projects.

First thing I did was make the block for Wishes Quilt Along.

Then I did the borders for Tell It To The Stars.

Next up I made my final block (the one I just knew I had already made!

and will probably find someday in a different project box!!) 

and made the connector blocks for Friends and Companions.

Then put them all together, added the setting triangles and borders.

I love a good retreat TahDah!!!

And how fitting that my Friends were with me when I finished this top.

I added a few more Pineapple Crazy blocks.

(Not these particular ones,

I'm too lazy to get the bin out and take a picture.)

And added quite a few new to me scraps from friends.

It was fun to see when they found their fabrics.

We do strip swaps.

Usually 2 1/2"  black/whites, neutrals and batiks

but this retreat we added a new category.

1 1/2" neutrals!

Look at that selection.

35 different fabrics.

I am the swapper so I get the up close and personal look at all the great fabrics.

I am trilled to have added 60 strips to my stash!!

I had to stop Friday morning on my way in to Royal Ridges to take pictures.

The fall colors with the sunshine streaming in was just gorgeous!

I looked out my window to see these beauties up on the hill.

I will miss retreat season but

I am ready to hunker down at home for the winter.

Of course it hasn't officially arrived yet but it sure feels like it has.

Check fabulous design walls at Patchwork Times.

Bonnie Challenge Update

I'm a day late with my Bonnie UFO Challenge Update. 

That's the way things have been going lately.

I only have 8 blocks left to sew back together.

Then I did some counting and some math.

Bad idea???

Maybe not.

If I make 12 more blocks, 

I can make 2 cuddle on the couch quilts.

Will I?

I don't know.

I'm still thinking about it.

I also have these 8 sewn blocks to press.

That's not all I've done this week,

I worked on another project instead.

Can't tell you what it is though.

You know,

tis the season.

How did others do with their Bonnie UFOs?

See here at Jo's Country Junction.

Design Wall Monday

This is not really a design wall but my living room curtain with Circle of Jewels pinned to it. I've been a bit obsessed with it this week. After I finish the half jewels, I'll fill the sides in with half flowers and then add borders. This post shows where I was last Monday. What a difference a week makes.  I'm sooooo close!!!

Right now it measures 54" x 56 1/2".  After I add the borders, this will make a be a nice cuddle on the couch or in the recliner quilt.

Last week's plan:

• Sew back for Pieced Hexies. No.
• Work on Scrappy Sister's Choice   Yes! I have just a few blocks left to sew together.
• Baste Pieced Hexies.  No. Like I said, I was obsessed with CoJ.

Plans for this week:

• Get ready for retreat!
• Go to retreat!
• Have fun at retreat!  
• Circle of Jewels-maybe I can get the black and white part finished and start the half flowers.

See what others are working on at Patchwork Times. 

Slow Stitching Sunday

Today I plan to work on Circle of Jewels. I need to make some half flower rosettes and some half jewels.  This means I am almost finished with the hand stitching part of this quilt. I love my zebra lap desk. It has a nice padded underside so stays almost level on my lap.  That is if a cute little dog or a couple of kittens stay out of the way.

Last Monday I took this photo. I have since finished the bottom row, See there on the right side, 2nd row?  I was unsure what to fill that with so I sent this picture off in an email off to Mickey DePre for her opinion. (After all, it is all her fault that I started this. All she did was post one little picture of her future project and I fell in love and went crazy! Crazy in a good way!!)  She said she planned to fill her sides in with half flowers so I will too.  Then I will machine applique it to a narrow border and add a wider black and white print border like I did with Mae's GFG. I will probably quilt it pretty much the same as her's too.

This isn't a big quilt, it's just the right size to cuddle on the couch with.

What are you stitching today? See great projects at Kathy's Quilt: Slow Sunday Stitching.

Bonnie Challenge Update

Jo has challenged us to work on a Bonnie UFO before the mystery begins. I've been working on my version of Bonnie's Scrappy Sister's Choice.  I've found new energy with this project. I had pinned the parts together for a bunch of blocks. Now each block is placed on the design board and so it's easy for me not to mess it up. LOL  Under the needle is a 9 patch unit for my leader/ender. These are destine for Tumalo Trail which is in Scraps and Shirttails II. Pretty fun working 2 Bonnie quilts at the same time.

Here is my pile of blocks. I cannot wait to lay them all out and get busy on more rows.

Check out how others are doing with their Bonnie Projects at Jo's Country Junction.

Design Wall Monday

Do you ever pull out a UFO and wonder what the heck was I thinking? That was me Sunday when I started working on this UFO.  I had partial blocks pinned together with their parts. Blocks that were unsewn and pinned together. No notes other that what I found on the blog right here in 2008. Good thing I only made 4 totally scrappy blocks before I found this.

I will be spending some serious sewing time before the Quiltville mystery starts with this UFO. I have hopes of having a completed quilt top.  Why am I working on this UFO?  I blame Jo for having a Bonnie UFO Challenge.  My post about that is here.  The fun has begun.

Plans from 2 weeks ago:

• Retreat starts Thursday.....Can't wait. How many Pineapple Crazy blocks can I get made in 4 days without going crazy!  12 Pineapple Blocks and 5 border blocks
• Finish Patches and Posies  DONE!!
• Mail 9 patches for swap  I decided to add more blocks, they are done and everything will be mailed today.
• Make back for Pieced Hexies.  Pieces are cut and ready to sew.

Plans for this week:

• Sew back for Pieced Hexies.
• Work on Scrappy Sister's Choice
• Baste Pieced Hexies.

See what others have on their design wall at Patchwork Times.

Slow Stitching Sunday

I can't believe it's been a month since I've posted about my Circle Of Jewels quilt. I work on it almost every evening and am making nice progress despite my helpers, Shirley and Polly.  They were doing very good on my lap last night--maybe because they were spayed Friday and still not quite themselves. For the most part, they settle right in to nap but then there are those other times when they have to be off my lap!! 

I am almost ready to add the last row of flowers, then the last row of jewels.  I had a bit of a panic moment when I thought I was out of one of my jewel fabrics. I did a strong search online for more but didn't find any anywhere. The other day I was digging in my knitting bag and there was a sandwich bag with a nice pile of jewels fabrics cut and ready to baste to papers.  Talk about a sigh of relief! I totally forgot about doing that......so now you know how long it's been since I've really spent time knitting more that just a row or 2.  All because I am obsessed with this quilt.

It's now time to figure out what to do for borders.  I think I have a plan but I need to sit down with graph paper and colored pencils to see if it will work.  Since it's going to be a rainy, dark and gloomy day, I see more lap time for the kittens.

See how others are spending their Slow Stitching Sunday at Kathy's Quilts.

Saturday Sewing

I hadn't touched my sewing machine all week. The last day I sewed was Sunday before leaving retreat. I had great plans but something always came up. This morning Ernie left for hunting. I puttered around on the computer while having coffee and then when in to finish this quilt. I gave myself until 9:00 to sew then I had to do some housework.

Just before 9, Ernie came home with his deer.  There goes my morning! Not in a bad way, just something unplanned.

Everything was done, lunch was fixed and he decided to take a little nap.  I went in and quilted more. Then the phone rang. Plans were being made for more hunting.  Yeah! That means more quilting.

After he left, I kept at it and before long, this quilt was finished!  Binding on and stitched down by machine. Done!!!

I practiced echo quilting. Each flower block got a little better than the last.  I love the look of the back. This is my favorite flannel backing. I buy it at JoAnns. I've used in on lots of quilts and  I have never had a problem with it. My go to backing when I don't know what else to use.

Number 4 marked off the UFO Parade list and the super long UFO list. Looking back on the blog I see the top is finished July 2010. I know I got the book for this is July 2006 and remember working on these during down times at work.  

Next!

My Bonnie UFO for Jo's Challenge

Jo at Jo's Country Junction is hosting a Bonnie UFO Challenge. That's all the inspiration I need to pull out this UFO. I have my version of Bonnie's Scrappy Sisters Choice quilt.  When I started this quilt, I had a stack of center blocks already made. I used those instead of 9 patches.  Then I started putting it together. Then I changed my mind, wrote a note and put everything away. That means I haven't touched it in a very long time. 

Included in the bag of blocks and partial rows is a note to myself.  It says where I blogged about this top. It also includes what I planned to do with them.  I thought I needed to add sashing.  Several blocks need to be completed (There are several partial blocks with the parts pinned to them.) and that I wanted to take apart the blocks that are sewn into rows.

What's really going to happen in I am going to complete these blocks. I am not going to take the rows apart and I am going to finish this top. Will it be quilted before the new mystery starts? No. I've got other things happening but it will be nice to have this ready to quilt. I have border, backing and binding fabric so when it gets put away, it will be ready to baste and quilt.

I'm linking up at Jo's Country Junction.

Design Wall Monday

This past weekend was spent retreating with local friends. I was lucky and got to share a table with DD2-Crystal. She hasn't retreated with us for quite a while and we were all very thankful that Mike could take some time off from work so she could get in a few days of power sewing.

I only took my Pineapple Crazy to work on. I had 12 bobbins for my featherweight ready to go, my bags of scraps and papers. I thought I could get through those 12 bobbins, I really over estimated myself! I used 5 bobbins all weekend. I made a small dent in my scrap bags by completing 12 pineapple blocks and 5 border blocks.

I am now officially over one third finished with my blocks....82 pineapples and 20 border blocks. Not bad for 2 years time when I consider this to be my long term project.  I'm wondering how long long term is.  But after seeing Bonnie Hunter's quilt in person, I am very motivated to work on mine and get it finished.

Of course we had to play with some of the blocks to see what it could look like.  One of the gals stood up on a chair to get a look-see so I handed her my phone to get a picture. I hadn't seen it from this angle and it looks amazing!  Now I am really motivated. This is what 30 blocks looks like.   Pineapple Crazy is found in Bonnie Hunter's book-String Fling .

Go to Patchwork Times to see what other quilters are sharing today.

**I just remembered I didn't make a list for this week. I didn't finish my list from last week so I'm going to finish that and then we'll see what trouble I can get in to.

Design Wall Monday

Do you make deals with yourself? I do. All the time. I finished the Pinwheel quilt the other day and said I was going to get the Pieced Hexi quilt basted and quilt it next. But...the backing still needs to be made and Patches and Posies is on the UFO Parade list and it's smaller and everything is right here, ready to pin baste and PH is big and PP is older and screaming at me!   PH will be next.

So here we are. I'm practicing my echo quilting. OH BOY! I need practice!! I figure I won't get any better until I do it. I'm doing it. I'm echo quilting. Block 3 looks lots better than block 1.

Last week I planned to:

• Finish the pinwheel quilt  DONE 
• Work on Friends and Companions.  Nope
• Work on Wishes.  I looked at it, assessed how much background I have and need to do some thinking about different borders. This is a stash quilt and I still have quite a bit of the bright print so I'm thinking piano keys...maybe.

This week:

• Retreat starts Thursday.....Can't wait. How many Pineapple Crazy blocks can I get made in 4 days without going crazy!
• Finish Patches and Posies
• Mail 9 patches for swap
• Make back for Pieced Hexies.

See fabulous design walls at Patchwork Times.

On The Needles

Good progress has been made on the No Purl Monkey Socks.

I am such a slow knitter and if there is a pattern,

I'm even slower.

It's all good,

this isn't a race or a matter of life and death.

Good thing!

I made a whoopsie in the heel.

I'll live with it.

I am terrified of unknitting short rows.

Again, it's not a matter of life and death.

Check out some fabulous On The Needles projects today at Patchwork Times.

Finishes Feel Fantastic!

Time to Celebrate!

Pinwheels Finished!

(Ooohhh, I forgot to use the lint brush before posting a picture.
It's all de-linted now, ready for gifting.)

Fun pinwheel backing found at Thousands Of Bolts.

Scrappy Twin Sisters Finished!

Fun scrappy flannel backing.

Before this makes it to a UFO list,

borders have been added so it is next up to be quilted. 

Time to get out the tables for basting!

That's 3 UFOs off the UFO Parade List-Part 1.

Design Wall Monday

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Quilting has begun on number 3 on the UFO Parade from August.  Thursday morning I cut batting for the next 3 quilts I want to get quilted.  2 were on the list and one needs to be finished before it makes a list. UFO 2 has the backing made but I forgot to cut that batting. Binding for #s 2 and 3 are sewn and pressed waiting in the binding basket.

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This is Scrappy Twin Sister and she is finished.  She has aged from September 2010. I think that's plenty long enough. I found this block design in Quiltmaker magazine as one of Bonnie Hunter's Addicted to Scraps Column.  It was so fun to discover all the fun fabrics I put in this quilt.  The back is scrappy flannel squares.  I'll take pictures this week.  Of course I had to have a seam ripper moment. Thank goodness it wasn't more that this little circle.  Aren't those pink poodles a hoot!

 Just for fun, Shirley and Polly have discovered the empty dishwasher. I had to spin the spray arm above them. They are so funny!  No kitties were harmed in the loading of the dishwasher.

Last week's list:

• Finish Tell It To The Stars   Done-waiting for the November clue
• Pin baste a quilt  Not only pin basted but quilted and finished!
• Next block for Wishes, work of border and sashing  Block in finished but didn't start on sashing or border
• Next step for Friends and Companions  Block is finished.

This week I plan to:

• Finish the pinwheel quilt
• Work on Friends and Companions.
• Work on Wishes.

I can't wait to have Monday morning coffee with friends of DWM at Patchwork Times.

On The Needles

I'm working on the No Purl Monkey Socks again. It is Socktoberfest Season after all. I want to knit a couple pair of socks this month. Or at least finish these. I have so much fun sock yarn to play with and I miss knitting. 2 more color sections were added last night before I was interrupted by someone needing loves . I will leave my knitting bag next to my chair and try to knit at least a color section each evening.

Miss Shirley Kitty is learning to lay on Momma's lap/legs without playing with the yarn. She is doing really good. What you can't see is the little dog that is napping on my right hip.

See what others have on their needles at Patchwork Times today.  I might be adding a new pattern to my collection.

Tell It To The Stars

(Please forgive my horrible photos.

Poor lighting and cell phones combine to make this happen.

And me, I broke my camera.)

I have Tell It To The Stars sewn together.

Quilt Inspector, Shirley approves.

Next up are the borders.

Knowing Judy L, she is going to have an amazing pieced border to add to this.

I will sit back and wait for November's mystery clue.

It feels good to be ahead of the game.

There is no place in my house to lay out the quilt top and get a full picture.

It's raining outside. Boo.

I love the colors I chose for this.

It will be a wonderful fall quilt when it's finished.

Check out other Tell It To The Stars participants that are linking up with Patchwork Times. 

National Sewing Month Recap

My goal for National Sewing Month was to sew every day. 

I did it! 

I am celebrating.

Seriously, I cannot believe how much I accomplished.

Most days I was able to sit in front of the sewing machine.

Some days were spent with a little time, threaded needle and Circle of Jewels in my lap.

What did I work on?

In the collage you can see red/white/blue blocks for retreat lotto drawing, under that is the Quilt Retreat bag, next to that is Shirley checking out Tell It To The Stars, Batik Boxes (UFO blocks) top was put together, Wishes BOM was caught up, 2 minis, more Pineapple Crazy blocks made. Retreat fun happened. Smith Mountain Morning top was completed, Batik Hexies quilted. Circle of Jewels added to and a butterfly bag  (the black and white bag was made by Cheryl).  

Each day sewing time was found.

I'd love to keep that up for October.

For no other reason than

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Sewing Soothes My Soul.