Get It Done in December

Get It DoneThe items I accomplished in December were not even on "The List".  An attempt was made towards my goals. 
Goal #1 was to clean up my sewing room.  If I dared to take a picture of the entire mess; you would know I have a long ways to go.  But I have begun the process.  I am going through every single wire bin, sorting and cutting up all the little bits and pieces of fabric into usable squares and rectangles.  It took several days to work through the Christmas scraps.  I only have 55 more bins to sort through.  Every bin generates more scraps that need to be cut.  Yikes.  I could just dump the scraps into the Red & Green Plastic Bin but that has only created an overwhelming.....problem with nothing fun to sew.

Organized Fabric Bins

Goal #2 was to add borders and quilt the "Over the Rainbow" quilt top, and at the moment, I'm not sure where it is.


Goal #3 was to quilt the Santa and His Reindeer Table Topper Quilt.  I discovered it needed a border, so it has been sitting on my dining room table during the month of December.

Thank you to all the quilters and their Blogs, who have inspired me through-out 2013 with their comments, accomplishments, and their photos. 

Many thanks go to Judy Laquidara of Patchwork Times.com
Check out what others have done and plan to do in 2014.   Get It Done

Design Wall Monday

As I was attempting to sort through some fabric bins, I came across a tiny little label describing a "Mini Quilt" that I had created with fabric scraps from my Labor Day Madness Quilt.  The block ideas came from Temecula Quilt Co. over a year ago since the label states September 2012.  Now where did I put the quilt?  After 15 minutes or so, I found the quilt top, which measures 30" square.  Of course, the goal is to get it quilted before the end of 2013.

 

Panel to a Quilt Top

Back in November, when I attended our local Project Linus Day, there were many bins of donated fabric for us to choose from to make future Linus Blankets aka tied quilts.  Since I love the piecing part, my friend, Lenore chose quite a few panels for me.  Here is the first one that I designed with other fabrics she chose.

FROM THIS:

TO THIS:

Is it December already?

Farm Quilt  (54" square) before quilting & binding

The days are flying by.  At the end of November, I thought of something fun to make for a Christmas gift.
A Charm Quilt with 144 (5" squares) all from different fabrics.  It took a day to cut, a day to piece, a day to piece the back and a day to quilt and a day to sew on the binding.  The only problem is, it needs to be shipped to California.  The good news is, the quilt is complete except for a label.  To add to the challenge, I decided to make a book through Ancestry.com, which entailed going through all of my "old pictures" to find my relatives.  I found a couple of pictures from the 1860's but most of the old ones were from the early 1900's.  All the pictures I chose for the book needed to be scanned and saved, which I did yesterday.  In my mind, I thought it would be a quick morning project.  Wrong!  I took 2 quick breaks for lunch & dinner.
Thankfully, I was able to place my book order at 11:00 this evening.  Something tells me, the gifts may be late this year....   Anyone reading this, please don't tell  my relatives what they are getting for Christmas.

Both projects were "eye openers".  It let me know how disorganized my sewing room really is. 
The pictures are in worse shape.  Most of the people who can determine who are in the pictures have passed on.  Anyone out there that is interested in their ancestry, please ask your grandparents to look at the pictures and write down on the back who is who and the approximate date the picture was taken.   
  

Mystery Quilt Top Complete

Flowers made instead of Yo-yos

Picture of the fabrics used

Delighted to report that I have completed the Mystery Quilt top and I'm quite happy with the results.  As I was making the flowers, I had to laugh because I didn't want to spend the time making 40 yo-yos but what I made to replace the yo-yos probably took longer but it was something different to try.  I had just enough fabric to make all 3 borders.  My quilt top turned out to be 63" square.  I have no idea how I will quilt it.  I am just thrilled I can show a complete top in mid December at my Quilt Guild meeting.

Mystery Quilt Top completed  12-03-2013

 

 

Design Wall Monday

In late Spring, I decided to join in on the Mystery Quilt offered by our quilt guild.  Each month we were sent the next installment of instructions for "Flowers in the Garden of Life".  The title should have been the major clue in determining the fabrics to use but I chose not to purchase any more fabric but use what I had.  Of course, I did not have quite enough of all of the fabrics for what was recommended, so I decided to just make do as I went along.  My outside floral border helped me choose the fabrics for the rest of the quilt.  It was a fabric I had been holding on to for over 15 yrs., waiting for the perfect quilt.  The pattern states the Yo-yo flowers are to be placed around the vine.  Making 40 Yo-yos was not appealing to me and I was not sure that I would ever finish the quilt, so I plan to machine applique several different sizes of circles.  After I get the flowers sewn on, I will complete the borders.  The goal is to show the quilt top at our December Guild meeting. 

Be sure to check out what others are doing over at Patchwork Times.com

Mystery Quilt - November 2013

Bed Runner Complete

FRIENDSHIP CROSSING

This bed runner was made for my long time friend from 7th grade. As I was trying to decide what pattern to use, I came across the design shown above, called "Friendship Crossing" and I knew this would be the perfect design.
The outside border fabric was designed by Edyta Sitar of Laundry Basket Quilts for Moda Fabrics.  Edyta came to our state-wide Assembly Day of Guilds in July of this year.  She showed us over 100 quilts that she had created and quilted using all of her beautiful fabrics.

Quilt of Valor ready and waiting for final destination

 Quilt of Valor completed in October 2013.
The quilt pattern can be found on Judy Laquidara's Blog, Patchwork Times.com under "Free Patterns".  It is called QOV - Sit & Sew 2013.
Patchwork Times Free Patterns



Lorrie Brown from Monterey, TN did a beautiful job on the long arm quilting with lots of stars.  Lorrie sent an official QOV label, which can be purchased through the Spoonflower.com/shop
You need to search Quilt of Valor labels when you arrive at their site.

The matching pillowcase can be easily made using
Judy Woodmansee instructions as shown in her
YouTube: Making a Sausage Pillowcase with Judy

Flat Doll and clothing complete

Flat Doll and clothing completed 10-16-2013

Design Wall Monday

Oh my... Finishing the list of "Get It Done" projects ought to be interesting this month, since half the month is already gone and I am just now posting for Design Wall Monday and my goals for October. Ha. 

I did finish a QOV top and am ready to send it to the Long Armer and then realized today the Post Office is closed due to Columbus Day, so it should be sent out tomorrow.

The Citizen Sam Quilt has been machine quilted with the walking foot and this morning, I bravely washed it with 2 color catchers and it came out with no running of colors. Yay!!

Since I purchased the Flat Doll fabric back in June, I decided it was time to finish the little Girl Doll with her clothes, so I could mail it off to Sophie's grandmother, who is also a quilter.  Actually, I wanted to make the little doll and clothes, so I could take it out to California this summer but I ran out of time, making Table Toppers.

Be sure to check out Judy's Blog at Patchwork Times to see what other quilters are creating this week.  I'm glad my life doesn't depend on giving you the link because this afternoon I cannot figure it out, so I give up!

 

The link below is a wonderful YouTube with step by step instructions on how to make the Flat Dolls using Fusible Fleece.

 How to Make Flats Dolls with Angela Yosten - Fat Quarter Shop - YouTube

Flat Doll Fabric panel

Flat Doll made up with clothing with other clothing still to be made

Design Wall Monday

Citizen Sam Top is finished

Thanks goes to Judy at Patchwork Times.com 
She and her Blogging friends have been encouraging me to keep quilting and focusing on my UFO projects over the last couple of years.  

This quilt is for the Citizen SAM project.  In the last few days, I have made an effort to focus on using my patriotic fabrics.
I belong to a weekly Sewing Group and we make all sorts of quilts for those in need.  I also need to thank Elizabeth from our Sewing Group for donating the blocks on the right side of this quilt top.  Many helping hands go into our projects that are then sent on to comfort others.  Our contact person for the Citizen SAM Project is Arlene from LA.  There is always an urgent need for these quilts to cover our wounded as they are flown to Germany and back to the United States.  A friend who is at the hospital told Arlene that he wished we could see what a difference our quilts make to our wounded warriors who receive them..  Citizen SAM dimensions are 4 ft. wide and 6 1/2 ft. long, to cover the injured on gurneys.  They can be tied, or quilted on our machines.  Nothing fancy at all, just a warm quilt from home.   These do not have to be red white and blue necessarily, but mostly masculine and some feminine.

See what other quilters are creating and showing on their Design Walls at Judy's Blog.  Here's the link:
 Patchwork Times.com

Design Wall Monday

Last night, I finished sewing all of the "Over the Rainbow" blocks together.  I still need to cut the borders and sew them on and then quilt it.

This morning was a beautiful Fall day with blue skies and just right for walking around the outdoor mall, perfect weather for some good exercise.  While we were out and about,  I mailed (4) Fabric postcards to friends and family that I created last night. 

So, this afternoon, I needed to get busy on the Citizen Sam quilt that I began in June.  I am rather embarrassed to admit that I have waited so long to work on it.  Several ladies in my weekly sewing group helped make half of the blocks that I'm using.  The picture shows what I have so far.  Once I get the 2nd strip of string blocks sewn together and placed on the other side of the eagle section, it should make more sense as to what I am trying to create.  The quilt needs to measure 48" by 78".

Citizen Sam quilt top in the making

Be sure to check out what other quilters are creating and showing on their design walls at Judy's Blog,
Heres the link:  Patchwork Times

Design Wall Monday

Just two more blocks to make (a half block and a quarter block).  The picture does not show the top blocks due to size restraints of my design wall.  I'm happy with all of the bright colors and hope that the depth will show itself when all the blocks are sewn together.

Over the Rainbow Quilt 09-16-2013

This morning was spent dealing with cell phones, which we have had for over 5 years.  My husband and I decided to purchase new ones.  The girl who waited on us was very nice and patient.  I think I had a dazed look on my face, the entire time I was in the store.  We now have "Smart Phones".  This afternoon,  I sent my very first text to my girl friend from 7th grade.  She was quite surprised.

Here's a link to what others are designing on their Design Walls as shown at Judy's Blog, Patchwork Times.com
      

Design Wall Monday

Over the Rainbow Quilt Top is progressing....
The sewing is easy but I have been struggling with colors.  So far, I see too much green and lots of blue.
Now I am trying to use more brown in some of my blocks.  I just have to make (2) more Quarter Blocks and (6) more Half Blocks.

Over the Rainbow Blocks

Check out the Design Walls of other quilters

Got It Done in August 2013

The items I got done in August were never on "The List" but I loved making every single one of them.
When I flew out to California in early August, I took (11) Table Toppers and (8) placemats for gifts for family and friends.  My sister, Suzy hit the jackpot with a Table Topper and 8 matching placemats.  Some were made with special fabric, specifically for them, Kristy, Nancy, and Kathryn.  Others were able to choose from the remaining toppers.  Obviously, the ladies I saw first, got first pick.  Since I did lots of sewing before I left, I didn't sew anything while I was there.  I chose to enjoy being with family and friends.   

Design Wall Monday

I know it is now Wednesday but I first needed to find my project that I had stashed away when I was getting ready to fly out to California.  Well, I stashed it good because I was frantically looking for it in my numerous plastic bins.  So, do I need to get organized?  Of course!  And maybe, just maybe, someday I will.  I'll let you know when I do.

Over the Rainbow 

This is the quilt from the class I took at the TVQA Spring Seminar in late June.  Our teacher was Lisa Hardy from Huntsville, AL. 

See what others on doing this week on their Design Walls

The town of Napa - The old and the new

The old Napa, the way I remember it...
The saddle shop on Main Street where I always dreamed of buying a silver belt buckle--the store is gone, along with several other stores.

The Napa Mill and Granary where my Dad and I bought a bale or two of hay for our horse, is now a beautiful hotel on the river front.  We always loaded the hay in the trunk of our Ford automobile.

The beautiful dress shop where I bought the lace blouse for my wedding is a deserted store.

The Rexall Drug store on the corner is gone but the building has been restored and painted.

Rexall Drug Store on the corner with the awning

Enjoying the Treasures of Family and Friends

View of Napa countryside

Why have I let the entire month of August pass by without any posts?  I was spending time with family and friends in northern California.  One Sunday afternoon, on a delightful sunny day, I had the pleasure of sharing my love of quilting with three of my nieces.  We all got together to make Table Toppers and Placemats.  Being the teacher meant I could enjoy the process of what everyone was making.  I had always read about other families getting together to work on quilting projects together and this month, it became a reality.

One evening, my sister and I watched the movie, Julie and Julia.  I had seen it before several years ago but I enjoyed seeing it again.

Planning ahead helped make things happen....
My sister and I were able to see our twin cousins, whom we had not seen in ten years.  Several of my friends from 7th grade were able to gather for lunch and/or dinner in the Napa Valley Wine Country.  You can always tell true friendship when the conversation just picks up from where you left off the last time you've seen each other.
  

Got It Done in July

1)  Finished Table Toppers
2)  Cleaned up part of my sewing room
3)  Finished a "surprise" for my friend

Darling little project for a sweet little girl

In June, I attended the TVQA Spring Seminar in Murfreesboro.  This is when I took the "Over the Rainbow" quilt class.  Anytime quilters arrive at a gathering, we can always look forward to Fabric Vendors.  "Fabric N Quilts" came all the way from Jamestown, TN.  There were a couple of fabric pieces that caught my eye.  Here is the piece that I plan to work with first.  Actually, I may not have purchased this fabric but she had the little fabric dolls made up and their clothing attached with velcro.  I couldn't resist!

Flat Dolls fabric

Light Bulb Moment

After taking a picture for Design Wall Monday, I discovered one Blah block, so I looked through the box for another fun fabric and I found light bulbs.  What cute fabric!  So another 9-patch block was made and switched for the blah block.  I am happy with the lay-out.

Light Bulb Fabric

Design Wall Monday Revised

Design Wall Monday

Dancing 9-patches...

Dancing 9 Patch

Oh, what to do with all these 9-patch blocks sewn together by several ladies from our sewing group.  Jill has an AccuCut machine and cut hundreds of (3 1/2 inch squares).  We considered just sewing them together but then I found this neat pattern on Bonnie Hunter's website called Dancing Nine Patch!
The pattern is listed under "Free Patterns".  Hopefully, the link I have added will work for you.  I still need to add a small blue border and her neat piano key border.  Can this be done before tomorrow's sewing day?

 Bonnie Hunter's Quiltville Blogspot free-patterns

Good thing, I put all the blocks up on the Design Wall because I see a "Blah" block in the lower right corner.
It has no contrast!  No problem.  There are many more blocks to choose from in the box. I had better get busy.

Go check out what others are doing today at:
Patchwork Times.com

Table Tops ready for quilting

Yesterday, I worked on completing 3 more Table Toppers that were on my Design Wall on Monday.  They just need to be sandwiched and quilted.  I changed the strips on two of the toppers and I'm much happier with the results.

Table Toppers  July 2013

   

Design Wall Monday

Here it is...almost midnight and I am just now taking a picture of what I started working on this afternoon.  There have been several interruptions, so this is all I have accomplished today.  We had our favorite neighbors come over for dinner and an enjoyable evening of conversation.

Three more table toppers to complete prior to my vacation in early August.

Check out what others are doing: patchworktimes.com

Table Topper Addiction Continues

Design Wall Monday

Over the Rainbow  July 2013

Over the Rainbow remains on my Design Wall....
Two more half blocks were made last week and then,
I received a Quilt of Valor back from the long armer and my MTSU Signature Quilt was ready to be picked up after it was quilted.  So, I have spent the last couple of days working on the bindings for both quilts.

The plastic project bins have come in handy and I just love the ones I have.  No need to be searching for the labels for the back of the quilt or what fabric to be used for the binding.  I just need about 10 more for all my UFO's.  The reason I mention the project bins is because I was sure I had made up extra labels for the QOV projects but cannot find them and I'm wasting time, looking for them.     

Got It Done in June 2013

The Quilt of Valor top was completed and sent off to the long arm quilter last week.  The Soldier's Child Birthday Foundation top was completed and is waiting for the long arm quilter to come back from her vacation.  Pictures of both quilts will be posted after the binding is sewn on.

Sorting and cutting scraps will continue and is never ending.  Every project generates more scraps but then you all know that already.  LOL

Design Wall Monday

I love quilts with a 3-D effect.  TVQA's Spring Seminar was last Thursday through Saturday and there were many classes offered.  The class that got my attention was "Over the Rainbow" taught by Lisa Hardy.  I was intrigued by the optical illusion of depth when proper color choices and placement is chosen.  I wanted to know how did Lisa accomplished this look?  The quilt gives the appearance of 12 blocks on the bottom with 6 blocks centered on top of the 12 and a final 2 blocks placed in the center on top of the 6 blocks.  We were told to choose 25-30 colors of our choice and Lisa had us pre-cut the fabric into strips.  I was amazed to finish the center blocks during our 3 hr. class.  I came home and made 2 more blocks on Saturday.

The part that is most challenging for me is choosing the colors.  I want the quilt to have good variation of color and keep with the illusion of depth.  Here is what I have so far....

Over the Rainbow

  

Design Wall Monday

Yesterday and this morning, I have been working on fabric postcards.  I used to sew fabric binding around the edges and then hand sew it down, which was very time consuming and difficult to sew through the stabilizer.   This morning, I was able to zig zag around all 5 postcards in less time than it took to sew binding on just one.   All (5) are ready to mail this afternoon.  Several years ago, I purchased little clear envelopes through Creative Images.  The size I like best is:  4 5/8" x 6 3/8".  Their website is:  www.cistamps.com

Fabric Postcards with zig zag edges

Soldier's Child Quilt Top is ready for quilting

Soldier's Child Birthday Foundation Quilt top

Here's a picture of the finished quilt top.  One of the ladies from our weekly sewing group has agreed to quilt it.  

Design Wall Monday

Soldier's Child Birthday Foundation blocks

Last Tuesday, I began working on "A Soldier's Child Birthday Foundation" quilt.  I had a bag of Patriotic strips and a new package of "Sheer Delite", which I was anxious to try.  Our guild recently had Bobbie and Ginger from Strips and Strings come to our guild for a trunk show.  The stabilizer came in a roll measuring 30" x 10 yds.  Sheer Delite is a soft, sheer, translucent mesh stabilizer.  To make good use of the width, I cut my squares 7 1/2 inches wide and then trimmed them down to 7 inches square.

I found the pattern under Mary Quilts.com
Click on Quick Strippie.  Scroll down the column on the left side to Instruction Sheets and click on New Heart String Stars and you will find the instructions on making these scrappy stars.  The diagonal string squares were quick to sew together.  The half square triangles seemed to take way longer than I had anticipated.  Of course, it didn't help that I was running low on white muslin and the blue QOV fabric with little light blue stars.  I still need to complete 5 more star blocks to finish the top.

Since I was running low on white muslin, I took a trip down to JoAnn's Fabric and purchased a 15 yd. bolt with my 50% off coupon (that just happened to arrive in my email box last evening).  I guess it was just meant to be that I should purchase a entire bolt.       

Design Wall Monday

On Saturday, our Quilt Guild met and approximately 35 members took the class on Making Spiral Placemats and Table Toppers.  Oh, the design possibilities are endless and it is hard to decide what fabrics to use.  It was a very encouraging class in that almost everyone finished their top, in time for "Show & Tell".  I've already begun cutting out centers and strips for additional Table Toppers.  They will make great gifts!

Table Topper Ideas

Get It Done early in June

Just finished a Quilt of Valor top.  Patriotic fabrics were donated by Marlyn, a member of our local guild.  It measures 60" x 70".  Will need to purchase backing and then request long armer.  I believe I have enough dark blue for the binding. 

QOV using Marlyn's fabrics 06032013

The panel and the mottled cream outside border fabric were designed by Linda Ludovico for Northcott Fabrics.  They are from the richly classic patriotic collection; Stonehenge, Stars & Stripes in support of the Quilts of Valor Foundation.

The red border that I chose was not from this collection.  It came from Connecting Threads and I had just enough left from another project to add a 4 inch finished border with about 1 inch to spare. 

Get It Done in May

This evening I began reading about what everyone had accomplished during the month of May on their "Get It Done" projects.  What had I accomplished?  I hadn't touched my 1989 hand pieced and hand quilted quilt in many years, except to get it out and see what still needed to be done.  I thought I needed a new thimble, so I bought a Clover Protect and Grip thimble with flexible rubber.  I wanted different quilting patterns and several pretty plastic design templates were given to me.  I just needed a huge push, which I felt I received tonight.  I made great progress on one block.  I still have 2 small areas to hand quilt and I can call one block complete.  What a delightful feeling!

Many "Thanks" go to those who completed so much this last month and posted the results on their Blogs.

Hand quilting done May 31, 2013

It's My Birthday!!

Today is my birthday and I'm two years old.  I had a grand day!  We went for a long walk around the neighborhood.  The day was delightful.  Beautiful sunny skies, not too warm and low humidity.  Just a perfect Spring day.  My Mom made me a flowered sash for me to wear for my picture.  She knew I wouldn't be too keen about wearing a party hat.

Design Wall Monday

The Project Linus Tiger Quilt top is now complete.  Now we just need to find a nice large back for it and decide if it will be machine quilted or hand tied.

51" x 59"

Design Wall Monday

Project Linus Tigers

The tigers panel was won at the annual Quilt Guild Auction, along with several different safari prints.  Since I am making a boy's quilt, I added some gray plaid to the top & bottom to add some length.  The width is already 50" so I just need to add more borders, so the length can be 60".

Finished Quilt Top

The finished quilt top for Project Linus is (49 1/2)  inches square and I'm happy with how it turned out.

Project Linus Quilt Top

Design Wall Monday

Almost didn't make the post in time to qualify for Monday.  I see it is now 11:25 p.m.  Here is another Project Linus quilt for our area's upcoming Project Linus Day on May 18th.  In the picture, the dark rosy blocks look red.  I also took a picture of the fabric that inspired the quilt.

The beginning of another quilt for Project Linus

Fabric that inspired quilt

 

Got It Done in April 2013

Here is what I did accomplish in April 2013-
Our Guild's Mystery Quilt-April's clues:  DONE
Finished making (12) Shop Hop Blocks:  DONE  (pictures of all blocks shown in April 2013 posts)
Finished "back" of MTSU Signature Quilt:  DONE  (Now ready for the long armer)
(picture of the front of "Trip Around MTSU" is shown in October 2012 post) 

Back of MTSU Quilt

Design Wall Monday

Last Monday evening (4/22/13), I was trying to decide if I should add a piano key border.  Several quilters posted comments of encouragement, so with those comments, I was happy to pursue the piano key borders. I'm quite happy with how it turned out.

Linus Stars and Piano Keys

Getting It Done-Shop Hop Blocks

Here are the final 3 blocks completed-Hooray!!  Now, I just need to decide on a setting, so I can complete the top.  I did go to a fabric sale at one of the shops and purchased 3 yards of black fabric to match the background fabric of all the blocks.

Shop Hop Blocks (L-R) 10,11,12

 

Getting It Done in April

This afternoon, I finished making my 9th block from our Shop Hop.  Here's a picture of the last 3 blocks I completed.  Just three more to go and then I will need to decide on a setting.  There were five (5) Quilt Shops that we visited and each one had created a different setting for the quilt.

Blocks 9, 2, and 8

Design Wall Monday

I was given 19 Star Blocks to create another Project Linus quilt top.  Here are some of the blocks I haven't used yet.

Left over blocks from Project Linus Stars

Here is the quilt top I created using 12 of the Star blocks.  I added gray sashing to give your eyes a place to rest among all the bright fabrics.  The top still is not big enough, so I'm thinking about adding some piano keys as a border.  At present, the quilt top measures 34" across by 44.5" down.  I want to add a 3" border all the way around.

Project Linus Stars

Getting it Done in April

I'm posting pictures of the (6) Shop Hop Blocks that I have completed.

We used Thangles to make the half square triangles.  They worked wonderfully.  I found the blocks were easier to piece together when I pressed all the seams open (which was very labor intensive) but worth the effort.  If you ever find yourself in middle Tennessee be sure to check out these (5) quilt shops.  You can easily visit all five in one day and have time for lunch and time for shopping.  The shops we visited were:
Country Lane Quilts in Smithville, TN
Sew Clever Fabric in Smithville, TN
Quilt Connection in Murfreesboro, TN
Country Store, Hwy 70, Shop Springs, TN
Lebanon Vac & Sew, Lebanon, TN

Each shop created their own version of the quilt with different settings.  They were all beautiful.