The Sting Quilt Story

2016 Finish #7

Thursday I finished my string quilt.

The one I've been working on as part of the Scrap Problem challenge from 

Confessions of a Fabric Addict.

I brought it out and layed in over the recliner and

before I picked up my phone to take a quick picture,

Miss Polly jumped up and made herself comfy!

I love that cat!

I posted this picture on Facebook because cats on quilts are adorable.

I knew I would get great comments from my friends and family.

It always makes me feel good to know they like what I do.

I did not expect Cousin Julie to want to buy my quilt.

She did.

This is the first time I've sold a quilt.

I love that she loves it and wants it.

Today it will get de-threaded and take a spin through the washer and dryer.

Then I'll lovingly box it up and get it ready to ship.

One of the funnest things for me is after 2  blocks or rows are sewn together,

I look at the back. I never worry about if 2 of the same fabrics are next to each other.

I call it blind artistic expression.

It is a great way to use up my not favorite fabrics.

It's also amazing how much I really like some of these after they have been used in a quilt.

Weird, I know!

Thanks Julie for loving what I do so much that you want it to be part of your life. 

Now I need to decided what to focus on for my next Scrap Problem challenge.

Design Wall Monday

 I've had a fun week in my sewing room. I got my new ruler foot for my machine on Wednesday and had to play. After some fun practice pieces, I found this block that screamed out for some straight line quilting . I'm sure it came in a scrap bag from one of my generous friends. So I played and now have a bright, cheery little table mat.  I am counting this as finish #6 for the year. After all, it is a finished quilt.

Since the backing fabric I ordered arrived, I'm pretty excited to start making a batting (sewing together the big hunks) so I can get busy quilting the next quilt. Oh boy do I have a plan cooking up in my head.

Speaking of batting, I added to my stack of quilt as you go blocks. This helps empty out one bag of small batting scraps and lots of strings from the bin. I have 30 blocks done, 18 to go.

Sunday found me making a stack of 31 little string blocks. Sometimes I get started on these and forget to stop. I settled in for some TV watching and some de-papering. 

I also spent some time cutting the last 2 rosettes for block 7 of Millefiore. I'm using scraps from Allietare. Next for this quilt will be to join the rosettes I have complete so I can figure out which colors to use on the remaining rosettes.

See what other quilters are working on at Patchwork Times.

Finish #5

Today is Miss Estella's 4th birthday. OhMyGoodness, that was fast! I decided the Dresden Plate quilt would be the perfect birthday present for her.

I should have worked everyday so it would be ready for her Saturday birthday party but it didn't happen.

Just like most things I plan, they don't always work the way I plan it in my head.

I love that her Great Gramma gave her this cute frog. Her dress has sparkles in the tulle skirt. I thought it was funny my little Princes with her Frog Prince!!!

The back is flannel and it is oh so snuggly. Sweet dreams Princess!

I wonder what I'll pull out next. This 2016 UFO Busting has been fun!

Finishes 3 & 4 WooHoo!

Last year I gifted my nieces, great nieces and the little great nephews with quilts.

My youngest sister wasn't coming down for the family reunion so I was going to finish her grands

quilts later and send them to her. 

You all know what happened.

Time slipped away!

The quilting was almost finished and the binding was ready but I put them aside.

Until yesterday!

They are ready for gifting today.

Finishes 3 & 4 for this year.

This bright, happy 9 patch is for little Miss Justice.

This fun little lap quilt is for her brother Malachi.

I couldn't give the great nieces a quilt and not give to the little great nephews.

It just wouldn't have been right.

I don't know if I will ever again do a big secret project like this again.

Number 1, it was really, really hard to keep this a secret.

Number 2, that was a lot of pressure I put on myself.

Now I will finish a quilt and just give it to who I want.

No more big secret projects!!!

No more big secret projects!!!

Now to relieve that pressure,

Miss Polly,  #1 Quilt Inspector.

I should get her a badge.

And here they are with Gramma (Sister Holly).

I think they love them.

I love a good surprise. :)

2016 Finish #2

I am bound and determined to reduce my UFO count substantially! This is 2016 Finish #2 and my first UFO busted this year!

It's nice to walk by the bedroom and see this hanging on the wall. Too bad the picture is so dull with the crappy florescent light and the pale yellow wall, the phone camera just doesn't do it justice.

This Pine Tree Round Robin was started in September 2002 and I honestly don't know why it was put away. Maybe I had intentions of making bigger. The truth is, I have no clue. ;)  I'm happy to have it finished. I had fun quilting it and even did a few feathers. I have to admit, they aren't as scary as they once were.

Next!!!

Pineapple Crazy, The Finale!

Here she is.

2016 Finish #1.

The last stitch was taken Wednesday, February 3rd.

I love her so much more now. 

My friend Mel has a fabulous dog named Gordon.

I've never met him but she posts pictures of him on Facebook.

Here's to you Gordon!

TaaaDahhh!

Here she is in all her glory!

Pineapple Crazy is officially a quilt top!

She still needs a good final pressing before quilting.

This has truly been a labor of love!

My friends have all contributed to my scrap baskets 

and that make this even more special.

If you've read my blog for any amount of time, 

you know Bonnie Hunter of Quiltville has had a huge influence on my quilting.

When she first posted pictures of these little 5" blocks, I was smitten.

I'm not sure if this is the first post but I believe it might be.

I knew that someday I would make this quilt.

Here is my first post about this quilt.

Yesterday was a funny Facebook day.

This showed up as one of my memories.

It was from one year ago.

How appropriate and almost scary.

But not really true because I never wanted to quit.

I never considered this to be a UFO even though I started it over 3 1/2 years ago.

It was always a work in progress.

I would pull it out and make a few blocks,

then put it away again.

All the while, saving itty bitty scraps.

Later today I am going to pull out the backing fabric.

I was going to piece a bunch of things together 

but this weighs a ton.

I think a nice one piece backing will be perfect. 

When you see her again,

She will be finished! 

Allietare-My Official First Finished Top of 2016

When others look forward to shopping on Black Friday,

I look forward to Clue 1 of the Quiltville Mystery!

Look for the Allietare Mystery tab at the top of her page.

I wish I had a place to lay it all out for a good picture.

I will have to wait until the lawn is dry.

 I just love it!

A little help from Miss Polly,

aka The Quilt Police.

One piece went into the garbage can,

the other to the string bucket.

Nothing like having just enough fabric.

Next up is making the backing.

I'm thinking about using all the leftover fabric for that.

Thank You Bonnie Hunter for another fabulous mystery quilt!

Looking forward to the next one.