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.

Scrap Addict Wednesday on Thursday

Wednesday is my day to spend in town, first with my Binding Friends sewing group, then errands and maybe groceries.  But my whole day was messed up. No big deal....

I continue to work on at least 5 string blocks a day.  Today while working on them all I could think of was what a mess!  But I soldiered on and made my blocks, trimmed and de-papered them and cleaned up my mess.

My little box is getting full. I think I am at 120 now. Should I start making a plan for them? No, I know one day the light bulb will come on and I will be ready to get working!  Later today, I plan to make a few more of the larger quilt as you go blocks. It's been a couple days since I did any more of those. Good news is, my string box looks like it might be a bit emptier. Yesterday it looked like it exploded.

Sarah at Confessions of a Scrap Addict wrote a great blog post yesterday with several scrap cutting options. Of course you know I am a Bonnie junkie so I try to follow her scrap users system.

Will I ever have my system perfected? Probably not but I'm working on it. One scrap at a time.

Design Wall Monday

I've had the itch to make a new bag. I love this City Tote by RLR Creations.  I'm quite sure the recipient will love it too.  It was a pretty straight forward sewing project. I did had to muscle the turning of the bag through the lining hole but that's normal for bags that are made with lots of interfacing and foam or fleece inside.

Wonder Clips are fabulous! No more pin pokes!! Easy to clip on and off. I often use binder clips but on something like this, I want my cute little red clips.

I'm still working everyday on my scrap problem (check out Sarah's inspiring posts). I added to my string block collection. On Wednesday I had 65, and think now I am at 85 on the little ones and 14 or 16 on the larger ones and not much of a dent in my string bin. I have all of the backs cut for the 9" blocks, just need to figure out what I'll use for the sashing and binding. That won't be too hard, especially since they don't have to match. I'm kind of excited to start sewing these blocks together.

Head over to Patchwork Times and see what exciting things are happening around Blogland.

Scrap Addict Wednesday

When our Granddaughter Taylor was little, her favorite movie to watch with Poppy was Monsters, Inc. They had a ritual, get ready, hide under the quilt, get ready, wait for it, SCREAM!!! 

Mike Wazowski, the one eyed green guy, said I've got my eye on you.  Since then, that has been our saying. And because I can't wink, everyone does the Gramma wink (cover one eye) and says I've got my eye on you! So when I found this string in the box, I had a giggle fest! Oh the things we remember at the funnest times!

I've been having a blast with my string blocks. It's so easy to make more than the 5 a day I had planned to to. Since I have no other projects ready to work on, I'm just making strings blocks right now. My goal for 155 blocks for the month is quite reachable.

Eight days into the month, (7 days making string blocks) I have 65 blocks sewn, trimmed and de-papered! Go me!!!

Since 3" blocks use up so little fabric, I also have 9" quilt as you go blocks stacking up. I finished #10 yesterday.  Less not my favorite fabrics and fewer batting scraps. It will take more than one string quilt to tame those batting scraps!

While working in the string bin, I am finding larger than strings. I have 3 chunks that will be turned into backing squares and several pieces to run through the Go cutter for tumblers. Today I am babysitting so it will be a good day to run the Go cutter with a 4 year old as my helper. She loves fabric so it will hold her attention for a few minutes.

I am still hoping to have my string bin empty by the end of the month. Am I a dreamer? Probably but that is my plan. It was fun to read Sarah's post this morning. I love being inspired by other quilters. I also love that I am not alone in my scrap addiction. It's still hard to toss out those itty bitty pieces but I don't see myself ever making another quilt with such tiny bits. I keep telling myself it's good to let go.

Design Wall Monday

What a week!

There seems to be a lot going on in my world. 

Nothing serious, just busy, busy.

After reading about Sarah's Scrap Problem, 

I am making time to sew.

I want to sew every day this month.

I'm making 5 (or so) string block a day to try to decrease the amount of strings in my bin.

I wrote about my scrap problem here

.

Thursday morning, I had an epiphany,

Only making 3" string blocks will take forever to reduce the strings in the bin.

And then I had a huge brain storm! 

I will make larger quilt as you go blocks in addition to the 3" blocks.

10" squares of no longer my favorite fabric were cut for backing.

The batting scrap box came out and scraps of batting were layed out on a backing square.

Starting with black center strips,

9" blocks are being made.

Look at all the stuff that is being used up!

It's a stormy, rainy day here today,

hubby will work out in his shop

(he is newly retired, sort of)

and I will sew!!! 

It's a great day for string blocks.

 

After  much searching on my blog, 

I didn't find the picture of my last finished quilt as you go string quilt.

July 2014

I'm glad a had a picture of it on my computer!

This quilt lives in hubby's pickup.

The new one will live in my car.

You never know when you will need a quilt!

See what others are working on at Patchwork Times. 

I May Have A Scrap Problem...

Confessions Of A Scrap Addict wrote a very intriguing blog post this morning.

She was talking directly to me!

How did she know that I have a serious, overwhelming problem.

I am out of control. 

I cannot toss a scrap.

I want to blame someone but I am the one to blame.

No one else.

insert sad face here

(I'm hoping I can figure out how to put her badge over on my side bar.

This stuff is a challenge for me.)

This is the top of my string big.

This is the side view of my string bin.

One of them.

another sad face inserted here

This is my table top string bin.

My goal is to empty it.

Use each string until it is gone.

Then grab the next and the next.

After reading Sarah's post, I decided I needed a plan.

In September for National Sewing Month,

I sewed every day.

September 25, 2015 was the last day I made a string block.

Until today.

I made 5 early this morning.

I will make 5 later on today.

( I don't want to fall behind on March 2nd.)

I plan to make 5 a day, every day in March.

If I do that,

 I will add 155 3" string blocks to my collection.

What will I do with them?

Oh no worries about that.

These make awesome borders for string quilts,

fun quilts like Bonnie's Love Shack that I will make someday.

But not today.

I have to empty that string bin down some first!

So I am going to do like Sarah and 

challenge myself every month to get my scraps under control.

I have a good plan for March,

I'll have a good plan for April.

I'll have a good plan for......

you get the idea.

Wish me luck, I'm headed into the abyss. 

Tuesday Fun

I'm trying to not get behind on The Splendid Sampler blocks. The 6 heart block stumped me. I didn't know what to do with it. Since I am using blacks, whites and lime greens, it just didn't compute in my brain. That is until I just sat down and started pulling fabric.  I think I like it. In the big quilt, I probably will forget it isn't my favorite.

I love the split 9 patch but had to change it just a bit when I was choosing fabric. I had 2 pieces of 2" lime green that were only 4" long. Easy, peasy, just make a center block. And that applique flower pot was so much fun! I love playing with thread and free motion embroidery. I'm not that good at it so something simple like this block worked out great.

Design Wall Monday

Yesterday I finished and gifted the Dresden Quilt I showed last week. I know which UFO quilt I want to baste next but wasn't up to pulling out everything to get it started. Instead I pulled out a gallon ziploc bag full of half square triangle parts. In the bag were 10 6" snowball blocks. I don't know who gave me the bag but I know it's been a while because I've moved it from here to there numerous times.

I spent some time in EQ7 drawing this design. Of course it will be super scrappy. I think it will make a nice baby boy quilt. I don't know of anyone having a new baby boy but I bet there will be a new one one of these days.

See what others have on their design walls this week at Patchwork Times-Design Wall Monday.

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!

Design Wall Monday

After finishing 2 little quilts and rosette number 6 for Millefiore this week, I decided to set up the tables and get to pin basting the Dresden Plate quilt. The Daytona 500 was getting ready to start as I settled in to baste. Hubby isn't as big of a fan as I am anymore so it didn't matter that I would be right in the way of the TV. He was deeply into his new book.

By the time there were 8 laps to go, I only had this last little bit of the corner to go. I finished before the race did...good timing. I would have finished sooner if I hadn't taken so many breaks!

So why not go ahead and start ditch quilting. I have a good idea how I want to quilt the plates and backgrounds but the sashings are making me ponder....I love that word!  I think I will practice doing ribbon candy. Debby Brown uses it in almost every quilt she makes. So I want to use it too.

 It's raining pretty hard outside this morning so I'm going to fill my cup and take a little tour around Blogland. I'm starting at Patchwork Times and then on to others that are sharing Design Wall Monday with us. And after a few household chores, I'm going to quilt.

Slow Stitching Sunday

 Rosette 6 from The New Hexagon Millefiore Quilt Along 

is now complete.

I haven't been working on this much but now that I have,

I'm pretty anxious to get it together.

Laying all the completed rosettes on the floor this morning helped get my mojo for this back.

Next is rosette 7 which will go in the open center spot. 

I'll be using the fabrics from my Allietare to bring in some red and black.

So this morning was spent sorting paper pieces for rosette 7.

I'll pull the fabric basket  and get those pieces cut and ready to baste.

Maybe I'll get numbers 8 and 9 sorted and pull fabrics for those too.

It's nice to have the picture now so I can decide what colors I want to use next. 

Today's quilt inspector is my little Jessie dog. 

Isn't he adorable!

I'm hoping to have some slow stitching time today during the Daytona 500. 

Visit Kathy's Quilts today to see what others are doing on Slow Sunday Stitching.

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. :)

Design Wall Monday

2016 UFO Busting is full speed ahead.

I finished the Pine Tree wall hanging Friday morning.

UFO #2 started out as 5 Dresden Plate blocks appliqued the background,

2 plates ready to applique.

The background fabric went missing so I used something else.

After playing in EQ7 for a while,

I came up with a plan.

 Friday afternoon I cut 2 more colors and made the plates.

Saturday morning I appliqued the final 4 plates while watching a weird movie.

Saturday afternoon the sashing, cornerstones, borders and binding were cut. 

Sunday I put the top together.

It's amazing how fast it goes when everything is prepared, ready to go. 

I plan to get some lavender flannel for the back and

quilting will be simple. 

This pile of half square triangles need pressed and the dog ears clipped off.

Then they will be pinned in groups of 10 and put in the Jamestown Landing bin.

I love how fast they add up when I don't pay attention. 

To finish off Sunday evening/night,

I had to make the Hearts Aflutter block for 

The Splendid Sampler.

This morning I'll be hanging around Blogland

via Patchwork Times-Design Wall Monday.

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!!!

2016 UFO Busting

I've started quilting the next UFO. This one is a round robin from WASIQ  (Washington State Internet Quilters) Yahoo group that started in September 2002. I found it pretty amazing that I still had the original letter and label that I sent out with my starter package.

Three of the ladies signed the label but the maker of border number two is unknown. I guess it will remain a mystery.

I am making good progress on this. The tree, checker board and flying geese are quilted. I have an idea for the 9 patch/rail border but I'm still thinking about the green and cream sections of border two. I'm hoping to have this little quilt hanging on the wall by the end of the week. Darker brown fabric has been chosen for the binding.

The next UFO project to be worked on will be my Dresden Plates that haven't seen the light of day since July 2013.  That's not too bad. wink, wink!  I need to pick up some solid background. I used white for the 5 blocks that are appliqued already so I think I'll use cream for the last 4. Oh boy, that means I only have to make 2 more plates, I already have 2 that need appliqued down. That just made me smile!

I posted the pin basted picture on Facebook and my sister asked about the little colored things. I love those little colored things!!! They are called Quilter's Delight Safety Pin Grip Covers. Previously I had bought a bag of them and needed more. JoAnn's had a good sale so I bought them the other day. Now I need to get one more bag and should have all my pins covered. It sure makes a difference to my arthritic fingers when I use these. Who would have thought that little bit of grip could help so much....probably the makers of these pin grips. 

Have a great Wednesday. I'm going to spend part of it with my Binding Friends.

Design Wall Monday

I heard a rumor there was a big football game on Sunday.

Hubby watched, I sewed.

I've had Swoon Nora cut out for a few months.

I knew she would take up a bit of time,

 so on Saturday I did all the prepwork

and on Sunday I sewed. 

The fabric was a gift from my friends Marian and Sharlene a couple years ago.

(I'm glad I saved it for the perfect project.)

And vinyl! 

I learned quite a bit about vinyl.

I had to call my daughter for tips on sewing/gluing.

She's used a lot of vinyl in her bag making.

My machine sewed right through it.

Nora is a nice size traveler bag.

Included in the pattern are 2 smaller sizes. 

Before I started Nora and after finishing Pineapple Crazy,

I decided to make my log cabin blocks for a swap with a group of friends.

The last log is medium blue under the yellow.

These things are like Lays Potato Chips,

you can't make just one.

Soon there were 30 blocks ready to trade.

Are you planning to participate in The Splendid Sampler?

This block is a bonus block or can be used in a design/pressing station.

I'm using mine as a bonus block.

I've decided to use lime, black and white for my fabrics. 

I'll be linking up with Patchwork Times.

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!

Design Wall Monday

 
I'm so thrilled that the quilting on Pineapple Crazy is complete. 2 days of intense concentration! I did nothing fancy, I just quilted a medium meander and the texture that it gives is amazing. The red binding strips are cut and today I they will be sewn on. That is, after I finish trimming it. I used wool batting and a wide back that I was in my stash. Did I say I was thrilled?!?!?  (Thanks Jo for the shoutout!)

Next up, I pulled out more blue and neutral strips for Jamestown Landing. I cut my fabrics into 7" chunks so I can do a good mix up of blue and neutral. I used up quite a few chunks that were left from other projects. 

The neutral strips mostly came from strip swaps with friends at retreats and the a lot of blues came from an online swap. Whenever I cut fabric for something else, I try to cut for my strip boxes--2 1/2", 2" and 1 1/2". 

These 2" neutrals are what I had left from Allietare. I am cutting off the half square triangle ends-they will go into the 2" HST bin and the remaining pieces will be cut up for log cabin blocks that I am getting ready to start for a swap with local friends.

I'm going to go over to Patchwork Times and go Blogland cruising this morning for a while and see what my friends are working on.  I love Monday in Blogland!