Quiltathon Day 4

Is your husband retired?

Mine is.

Some days it's hard to get anything done.

Like today.

It took all day but I got my quilt basted.

Not one stitch was sewn.

Not looking good for tomorrow either. 

I'm trying to use up the stuff that is taking over my sewing room.

Like batting scraps that my friend gives me.

I've use lots of them in donation quilts but not the wool batting.

I've saved that for myself.

I use the iron on tape to join the pieces.

Some times I amaze myself with how close I come with measurements.

I swear I had at least 5 extra inches but as you see, I didn't.

Close is good enough today.

Thanks Judy L for another quiltathon.

I'm hoping to get a bit more accomplished during April.

Design Wall Monday

It's time to make some decisions on the On The Road Project.

Like exactly how big I'm going to make it. 

What am I going to do for the sides and the corners.

How many more blue pieced hexie do I need.

How many yellows.

I love how it's looking! 

Sometimes this is all I want to work on.

I went on a hunt for a complete picture of this quilt and didn't find any.

I did find a few of this in progress and labeled them.

And I found pictures of the mini sister quilt called Trees Left Standing and labeled those also.

That will be quilted next.

The pattern is from Bonnie Hunter's Adventures with Leaders and Enders.

If you don't own this book, you should order your own autographed copy.  😉

Leaders and Enders has changed my quilting life!

Anyhow, the basting will begin today!

I'm pretty excited that I have the binding ready, 

the thread is picked out,

I even know the quilt design I'm going to try.

Quiltathon Day 4 begins now!

See what others are working on at Patchwork Times Design Wall Monday.

Quiltathon Day 3

I feel like I've had a pretty productive day.

I hemmed my shirt and top stitched the neck of another.

I decided to not cut out shirts but to work on something quilty today.

I pulled out an assortment of greens to make the back for the Crabapple top.

One of our retreat classes in May is for Bonnie's Garden Party.

Since I'm already working on one, I decided to make this one a different colorway.

Green.

So I cut a strip from each of my green fabrics before prepping them to become a back.

The pieces were all sewn together and the back is made.

When it was time for lunch, Ernie turned on the TV.

Netflix has a new series called Marvel Iron Fist.

Yes, I got sucked in on this rainy afternoon.

Time to work on some hexies for On The Road Quilt.

These partials are for the top. 

It's early enough in the day that I might get one or 2 attached before I'm done for the day.

Tomorrow is basting day.

I swear!

Since the next Quiltathon is next week, 

Check out Judy L's sidebar for the quiltathon schedule.

Quiltathon Day 2

Yellow walls and florescent light, yuk!

My quiltathon isn't going as planned.

I decided to spend some time with my Laundry Day Tee pattern.

I taped my pages together,

traced out the size I needed.

Put my master pattern underneath,

marked the adjustments and drew out my final pattern.

This fabric came from Walmart.

It's a nice knit.

Not as nice as Knitpop  or Love Adore but it's nice.

It was a super easy sew.

I love that it is all the seams sewn on the serger.

I really love using the coverstitch for the topstitching.

I need to hem it this morning.

Maybe I'll make that quilt back today.

Or maybe I'll make another Laundry Day Tee!

It's still early.

March Quiltathon-Day 1

Today starts Patchwork Times March Quiltathon.

Oh I had grand plans to quilt!

But I needed to clean a bit in the sewing room.

I needed to piece more hexies for my On The Road Project.

Here are 11 different groups of 4 units for the top and bottom row of my quilt.

I have 6 sets trimmed and pinned to the papers ready to baste.

I need to find a good basting movie. 

My plans for tomorrow are kind of up in the air.

I'd love to piece some batting together and pin baste my Crabapple UFO.

That was my plan for the quiltathons this year,

reduce the amount of tops on Mt. ToBeQuilted.

Slow and steady!

I took a little walk this afternoon.

Our East-side neighbors have lots of ducks.

They have decided they like the West-side neighbor's and our driveways.

They hang out here and there all day long and then waddle themselves back home.

I sure hope they don't get run over.

They are pretty fun to watch.

No, I do not want ducks.

Design Wall Monday

Not much happening around here that involves a design wall.

I have been playing with my new coverstitch machine.

You may have read about Judy L's and my antics over the past few days.

It started on Facebook and then went to her blog.

I haven't had this much fun on the computer in a long time.

Facebook posts, blog posts, emails,

the fun went on for days and I think will continue for several more days

as we share our passion for our new machines.

Here are my first test stitches. 

I hadn't even changed out the nails they call needles.

I was too excited.

I have yet to use it on any garments but hopefully that will change today. 

While waiting for my machine to arrive, 

I made some progress on my March UFO.

The final borders are on and the binding is ready to be made.

I need to piece some batting scraps together and get this basted.

That will not happen today.

I need to focus on my project for the March Quiltathon that is happening this weekend.

And that will only happen for me if Washington State does not open clamming at our beach.

If it does, we are out of here. 😀

See what others are working on at Patchwork Times Design Wall Monday.

Design Wall Monday

We spent a few days at the beach so I took along some Mischief Quilt block parts.

I have 4 more to add to the ones below.

These are the blocks I had finished before the weekend. 

Except that one on the bottom left and now it's finished.

I sewed a bit on my beach sewing project.

Quiltville's Wild and Goosey.

I added 5 more little blocks.

I have a long ways to go.

10 big blocks done already.

Slow and steady, taking a few more scrap pieces each time we go.

During the week, I worked on my On The Road Project.

The blue row is complete,

including the gray and neutrals.

Yellow and orange, here I come!

I think I'll work on the top row yellow/orange 

and the sides

before doing another blue section.

It's as wide as I want it at the widest point.

I plan to use it on a twin sized bed.

I'll try to remember to get a picture for next week.

Now I need to go catch up with Patchwork Times Design Wall Monday. 

Design Wall Monday

2017 UFO Busting continues.

This table runner is finish number 6.

This is from July 2009.

I put it away and promptly forgot where I put it.

 I thought it was gone forever.

Recently I opened a bin to get something else out and there it was.

How long had it been since I had opened that bin?

I asked on Facebook which color binding I should use.

I even posted pictures of a few selections but no red.

Only because I didn't have any that looked good with these repro prints.

Thousands of Bolts to the rescue again!

I finished and wore another new shirt.

I made a design chance,

then neck too low for my comfort so I added a piece of lace.

After wearing it, 

I'll take the lace off and rework the neck.

I have enough fabric to combine with another piece 

and I'll use the lace on that one.

My plan to work on this month's UFO was put on hold.

I chased a squirrel instead.

This is The Mischief Quilt.

I wrote my story here.

I see some great links at Patchwork Times Design Wall Monday.

I think I'll chase a few squirrels. 😀

The Mischief Quilt

The Mischief Quilt

Or as I am calling it, Squirrel!

I follow Karen TheDIYAddict on Instagram.

She's been sharing these awesome epp blocks.

I fell in love and had to check them out.

Variation #3 is my favorite.

I ordered the kit.

It came a few days later.

I watched the videos and

started pulling batik strips that I have accumulated from strip swaps.

The aqua is for my center octagons and the pale green is for the neutral kite shapes.

Honestly I was only going to make one block to see if I liked it.

Originally I cut enough pieces for 7.

I sewed up one block and immediately started on number 2.

I know I'm weak.

I went back in and kitted up 18 more blocks.

And have the papers kitted up for the next 25.

I can rationalize all of this.

Of course I can. 😃

My On The Road Project is getting pretty good sized.

I need a small project to take to my Binding Friends group on Wednesdays

or to the beach.

This will be perfect.

I hope I don't finish it before the 15th when we meet again. 

March UFO Plan

Hello March!

The month of my highest highs and lowest low.

Memories are tricky and 

I am so happy to have my quilting to help work my way through the bad ones.

Judy L picked Number 5 for her UFO Challenge.

This is the 2014 BOM from The Hexi Blog.

Here is my first post about it.

As I sat here this morning drinking my coffee,

I came up with a plan for this quilt project.

First thing it needs is a good pressing.

I have the remaining fat quarters bits from making the sashing.

I plan to cut it all up, add more scraps/strings and make a piano key border.

I have some fun red fabric with paint cans and brushes all over. 

I think. 😉

I'll dig that out and get in through the washer and dryer.

I have plenty of batting scraps to piece together.

I'm excited to get busy on this one. 

Let the games begin!

February UFO Progress

Patchwork Times UFO Number for February was 9.

I was pretty thrilled when I was what my #9 was.

With all of the distractions in the month,

I'm happy to report all my pieces and parts for Jamestown Landing have been used

and have created a pretty darn fabulous quilt top.

I think Bonnie Hunter of Quiltville designs the most fabulous quilts.

I really do want to make them all. 

I'm going to keep at it and hopefully get it into a quilt before the end of March.

I'm going to call this month a success. 

I'm anxious to see what number is pulled for March. 

Finish Number 5

Yes, table runners count as finishes.

I started this a little over 2 years ago.

All I needed to do was quilt it.

Why do I put this off?

I'm blaming the squirrel.

Actually I was going to hand quilt this but decided to just get it finished.

This will go to in the bus.

Yeah for UFO Busting!

Design Wall Monday

Jamestown Landing is now a completed quilt top. It was my UFO for the month and I can't believe it took me all month to get to this stage. I can get myself off track so stinkin' fast, it will make your head spin. LOL  Will I get it quilted by March 1? Probably not but I"m going to give it a try. Maybe.

When I finished this yesterday, I needed something quick and easy to work on. I pulled out a couple of table runners that are UFOs and need backs made for them. I had been gifted a stack of muslin scraps that are perfect to make backs from so those were made. Just now I remembered I have another table runner in need of quilting. This one was rescued from the scrap bin at a quilt shop that was closing unlike these 2 that were rescued from the UFO bin. I guess I will make another back and have it ready too. 2017 UFO Busting is in full force!

See what others are working on at Patchwork Times Design Wall Monday.

Design Wall Monday

There's not much to talk about his week. I sewed another t shirt and have another partially sewn and another cut out and waiting. I forgot to take any pictures. I love that they don't take long to sew. Simple front, back and 2 sleeves. Easy peasy and they fit and don't shrink up to show off my tummy.

 I don't know what happened but I decided to clean my sewing room. EEEKKK! That room was a scary place and now it's even scarier. But I'm making good progress.

Really I do know what happened, I read a Facebook post where a woman was given all of a friend's stash. It was an OhMyGoodness moment for me. I needed to get my stuff in order.

In the evenings there has been hexi work. Lots of basting. I've added a few more sections to my On The Road Quilt. I'll lay it out when the row is complete for a picture. I discovered I need to make lots more neutral blocks. 

The t shirts have to be finished first. That's a good project for this rainy, rainy day. I'll put in an hour or so more time cleaning, because I have a few piles to sort through still. Then I'll sew and sew and sew... (that picture is an old whoopsie, haven't done that it a while so I better pay attention.)

See what others are working on at Patchwork Times Design Wall Monday.

Design Wall Monday

After finishing Grand Illusion,

(4th finish this year!!)

I decided to get to that pile of t shirt knits.

Shirt one is done and after another press it will be ready to wear.

I've discovered a new online fabric shop.

Knitpop, they sell knits.

Really nice knits.

I may have already ordered a couple of times.

With my design wall empty and my machine clear,

I'm going to spend time with my serger and my ball point twin needles 

and make myself a few more shirts this week.

See what others are doing at Patchwork Times Design Wall Monday.

Quiltathon-Day 4

Crappy cel phone picture edition. 

I need clothes. After finishing Grand Illusion-except for that little bit of binding to finish, I decided to do some sewing for myself.

 I have a stack of t-shirt knits to sew up. My pattern is almost tweaked to a perfect fit. So today I decided to get busy and cut and sew a shirt. I don't know where my brain was but the neckband is awful and has to come off. Honestly, this is not my first t-shirt. Just the first in a while. I'm pretty excited to sew on knits for the next few days.

So tonight after we go out to dinner, I'll take that band off and finish the binding. It's been a great quiltathon. I already know what I want to work on next month.  Thanks Judy L. 

Quiltathon-Day 3

I'm going in the sewing room. 

I'll check in later.

Lunchtime update:
The quilting is done!!!
The quilt is trimmed.
After lunch the binding goes on.

The question was asked:
"Who's that for?"
"Me, it's all mine!"
"Aren't they all?"
"Yes."

Thanks Judy L for an awesome quiltathon!
I cannot wait to stitch the binding down.

This picture makes me laugh.
Ernie has bum shoulders and it's hard for him to hold things up over his head.
But he kept it off the wet deck so he gets points for that!

When this is finished, it will be quilt number 4 for the year.

Quiltathon Day Two

Like Judy L, my day 2 quiltathon was a bust. I had forgotten that we were going with the Grands to the Sportsman Show. They got out of school early so off we went.

My body is tired!  Walking around for hours on concrete is exhausting!!  We just got home at 9 pm. That's pj time for this ole gal.

Hoping Day 3 is more productive.

February Quiltathon-Day 1

It's Quiltathon Day!!!

Judy L at Patchwork Times is hosting another Quiltathon.

My plan for these quiltathons is to quilt.

For the first part of the year, 

I'm choosing Quiltville tops.

I need to get these quilted before I retreat with Bonnie in May.

Less than 100 days. 

Here is Grand Illusion with the thread I couldn't make up my mind about last night.

I have since chosen the verigated green.

The quilt is all basted and ready to go.

I have most of the day to myself so that will make it easy.

Lasagna was pulled from the freezer to put in the oven for dinner.

Let the quilting begin.

\
4:30 update

I have about 2/3rds of my quilt quilted.
I don't know if I'll do any more tonight or not.
I'm thinking a nap sounds like a good idea.

It's been a very productive day.
Plans for tomorrow are to finish the quilting, trim and sew on the binding.

Design Wall Monday

 You don't know how excited I was to see that Judy L pulled UFO  #9 for this month's challenge.

It just happened to be Jamestown Landing for me.

I had already been working on it.

After completing all the blocks and sashing pieces,

I set them aside to make the border string blocks.

Those are all done, de-papered and trimmed.

I'm pretty excited to have all the blocks sewn into rows.

The first picture shows rows 1 & 2 under the needle.

We headed to the beach on Friday.

I knew there wouldn't be much sewing time since we were with family.

What's more important than spending time with family!!!

Nothing.

I decided to take a bunch of strips and do some prep work.

I'm starting Oklahoma Backroads as my new leader/ender project.

This is a free pattern from Quiltville.

Big surprise that I'm using a Quiltville design??? Ha!

So all the neutrals are cut and the ones I needed to mark are marked.

Let me tell you, that Bonus Buddy Ruler Bonnie has is FAB.U.LOUS!!

Now that we are home, I'll pull some squares out and start the 4 patches. 

But first things first,

This week Judy L is hosting another Quiltathon.

See her side bar for the dates.

My project for this one is to quilt Grand Illusion.

That means I need to get it basted before Wednesday!

Check out great projects at Patchwork Times Design Wall Monday.