Big Finish!!

Two weeks ago, I decided to finish up my grands' Jolly Little Christmas sampler quilts and hand them off to their mother this weekend to save on mailing.  The quilts are their BIG present from Grandma this year but I wanted them to be able to enjoy the quilts throughout December!!

By keeping the quilting simple and staying focused I was able to have the quilting finished in a week!?!  I used long vertical wavy lines with snowflakes inserted randomly.

Lori Kennedy's Snowflake tutorial was the inspiration -- check it out HERE. 

To have them ready in spite of being on the road for six days, I cut the bindings and packed the trimmed quilts and my machine in the car. 

As good luck would have it, the hotel on my free evening had a desk that was perfect to get the job done and enjoy another episode of Vera (my current English crime favorite). 

I returned home yesterday afternoon and after putting away the stack of quilts from my lecture for the National Road Quilt Guild in St. Clairsville, Ohio -- I was ready to wash and dry the newly finished quilts so they are ready to wrap and hand off this weekend! 

I always wash quilts before giving them away.  My go to settings are lots of cold water on gentle cycle with an extra rinse.

I have used Quilt Soap for over 30 years and it always does the job well!  It's gentle, pure, and rinses out completely.  It's also very concentrated, so a little goes a long way.

Thankfully, I noticed this little bleed mark when I was binding the quilts.

That meant, add ColorCatcher sheets.  The box says two but I put in three just in case.

Then I had to find something to do so I could hear the washing machine when it finished -- it doesn't do to leave wet quilts laying in the machine when you are trying to control bleeding.

Glad I did that!!

Look what's down there at the bottom of the machine!?! 

Pink!!

I ran each quilt through another rinse just to be sure all the renegade red was out. 

Fifteen minutes in the dryer on low and then I hung them outside to take advantage of today's breeze to finish the job!

My grandson's version has a male cardinal and the moose.  I used green for the cornerstones and the binding.

The backing is so cute and so perfect for this kid who loves to be outdoors.

He doesn't have a red pickup yet (he's only 9) but I wouldn't be surprised if there's one in his future. 

My granddaughter's quilt has a female cardinal and the reindeer block.  I used red for the cornerstones and the binding. 

The backing is a beautiful print of pine boughs from Hoffman Fabrics that I have been hoarding for years! 

I signed both quilts, dated them, and quilted the kids names into them.

I used Quilter's Dream Machine Blend batting and a silvery gray Isacord rayon thread left over from my machine embroidery days.  

You can find the patterns for these blocks and a few more over at Sew Fresh Quilts!

So two BIG presents done and two finishes from my fourth quarter 2017 Finish A Long list!!

What's next?!?

If you follow @52quilters on Instagram, I'm next week's host!!

Lots of y-seam fun stuff planned!!

Enjoy the weekend!

Mary

4th Quarter 2017 Finish A Long Goals

I can't believe it's time to set finishing goals for the last quarter of 2017??

It's such a busy quarter than I'm going to keep it simple because I know other projects will catch my eye as I generate Christmas gifts.

First and foremost, must absolutely be finished are two Jolly Holiday sampler quilts for my favorite grandson and favorite granddaughter!!  As of this writing, one top is assembled and the second just needs an afternoon of studio time to be ready to layer.

Backing fabrics are in hand.

Quilting will be simple and durable because I know these will become living room cuddlers.

I love that my kids and grands use the quilts I make for them!!

(Head over to Lorna's blog HERE to check out these patterns.)

This UFO has put in 12 (or more) years on the ready-to-quilt shelf.

I layered it this summer to illustrate how I do that on a table (click HERE to read that post).

So I might as well quilt it and let it start the useful part of it's life!!

I'm thinking it might be donated to a fund raiser for a local family. 

(The pattern is in Karla Alexander's book, Stack a  New Deck -- LINK).

Finally, this a rollover from the last quarter (and perhaps the second quarter?).

It's the crib size version of my pattern, SANDSTONE - you can buy the digital version HERE for $5.

It's layered and would be a good fall addition to my Etsy shop.

Need a baby quilt? 

I'm sure grateful to the gals around the world who maintain the Finish A Long connection!!

It's so much fun to see what everyone is doing and the inspiration is terrific!!

What are your goals?

Mary

Linking up HERE!

A Finish -- Smorgasblocks Sampler!!

I love to cross items off a list -- don't you!!

Quilting my Smorgasblocks Sampler provided lots of good breaks this past week from the annoying task of sanding woodwork (now finished) and painting (75% finished).

Two years ago, I used Baptist Fan to quilt three scrappy quilts for my three children made with heirloom blocks from their great-grandmother.

I shared how I moved through the design in this POST.

This little tool set I shared a couple weeks ago inspired me to use that quilting pattern again!

These are Ruler Foot Echo Guide disks, made by the Sew Steady folks (they make those wonderful Dream Tables that fit on any sewing machine) to be used with the Westalee domestic machine ruler feet -- they slip around the presser foot so you can follow along a ruler edge 1/2", 3/4", or 1" away. 

Happily they fit on the new APQS George ruler follower presser foot, too!!

In my Baptist Fan post from 2014, I illustrate the stitching path I found easiest to use.

With one of these ruler foot echo guide disks, it was even easier!!

You can find a local retailer list HERE.

I used the 1" disk and echo stitched along the previous arc.

I love how smooth (most of) the arcs look.

No marking necessary!!

It took eight 45 minute work sessions to complete the quilting.

Ready to trim and bind!

This is my favorite block in the quilt!

I discovered I have an alarming quantity of the yellow print I used in it -- 4 yards in three cuts?!?

Apparently, I really loved it or was afraid of running out of it?

Perfect binding!!

I even remembered to sign the quilt as I finished up the quilting.

The finished quilt!

#4 on my third quarter list for the 2017 Finish-A-Long!!

(It's windy here today.)

It's easier to see the old-fashioned quality of the Baptist Fan quilting on the back!

Doesn't it look cozy?

That was so easy, I might just quilt everything I touch with Baptist Fan!?!

I'm planning to give this quilt to a special person (must not change my mind).

Next up for a date with my APQS George -- a baby quilt!

I'm thinking a smaller scale Baptist Fan using the 3/4" disc!!

Hope your September is off to a great start!!

Mary

9/26/2017 - linking up to the 3rd quarter 2017 Finish A Long!!

http://www.shecanquilt.ca/2017/09/q3-of-2017-fal-time-to-link-up-your.html

Finish #3 for the Quarter!!

Over the past week, I've been steadily quilting this scrappy trip around the world lap robe.

A simple grid of (mostly) straight lines 1/4" on each side of all the seams was just right.

Not much thinking required, no threads to bury!!

I used orange thread (Aurifil 50wt/2ply) to highlight the orange in the plaid of the backing fabric.

I cut it close on the binding, but I made it!! 

My daughter graciously held it up for me on the front porch this morning before she left for work.

Close-up!

And one more shot because Willie showed up for his cameo.

Now I've reached the halfway point on my third quarter Finish-A-Long 2017 list!!

I spent the afternoon checking out the eclipse -- Northeast Ohio was in the 70% zone.  My science teacher daughter secured the correct eye gear and so I stayed outside most of the afternoon checking the status every 15 minutes and creating this page in my Haiku journal.

Apparently, I have no memories of past eclipses even though folks tell me I have experienced them.

Probably wasn't impressed because there were no birds involved?

The birds and animals didn't seem effected by the event.

This female/immature ruby-throated hummingbird spent 5 minutes scouring every flower in the patio pots for nectar.

I also added another species to the list of neighborhood animals that eat from Willie's outside dinner bowl -- a little short-tailed shrew -- lives under the back steps and darts out and grabs bits of dry food from the dish!?!

Several readers asked so I'm working on a post for Friday showing how I layer my quilts on a single table without a helper.  

Hope the week is off to a good start!!

Mary

9/26/2017 -- linking up to the 3rd quarter 2017 Finish A Long!!

http://www.shecanquilt.ca/2017/09/q3-of-2017-fal-time-to-link-up-your.html

NNP August?

NNP stands for NO NEW PROJECTS!!

I am trying to have pass through the month of August without beginning any new quilting projects!

There is so much temptation out there but I'm determined!!

Don't worry, I won't be bored -- there is plenty in production already.

While I do have a little trouble staying with a project when it is no longer challenging, I should be okay.

The straight line quilting I'm doing on this piece is only interesting for about 5 lines and then I'm ready to do something else!

I'm pleased with the results -- stitching 1/4" on each side of all the seams.

To hold some focus, I'm trying to work on improving the consistency of my stitch length and eliminate "jiggles" at my start/stops.

Theory is if I improve in those two areas on this quilt, it will translate to the next one?!?

I'm not going to start the ZenChic Triangle QAL via the Bernina blog even though I've pulled such a great stack of fabric to go with the little bundle I bought last week of Down by The River by Lewis and Irene.

If you are tempted, HERE is the link to the QAL!

Found the fabric at www.fabricworm.com!

It's quietly sitting in a chair in the studio waiting for September 1.

The first step is simple work so catching up should not be a problem.

I really should sew up this blouse -- all cut out and wouldn't take an afternoon!!

I finished three more dodecagons while visiting my youngest daughter and her family last week!

Only 5 more to go, fabric combos all picked out, just need to cut!!

Monday morning when I stumbled across the #100days100hexies2017 on Instagram (the enabler is @sewfoxymama), I did not start a new project -- I decided to use it as an excuse to prep lots of black hexies for bordering my dodecagons!

I will be overachieving though and do 10 a day (cause I need a lot).

Every evening, I'm putting about an hour's worth of stitching into the quilting of a previous hexie masterpiece, Karen's Value Proposition FAL from 2015 (or was it 2014?). 

And I won't do more than one of these blocks a day . . . . aren't they fabulous??

It's @lorena_in_syd's fabulous design, Opal Essence!!

Well, I needed something up on the design wall -- can't just stare at a blank wall?!?

I only have to be strong for 16 more days!!

Back to the quilting!

Mary

A Full Moon Means Focus on Finishing!!

I'm not really superstitious but I do believe that the full moon agitates my insides more than I like,

So several years ago I developed a "full moon strategy" to combat the negative impact I feel for the few days surrounding this monthly cycle.  One aspect of it is to finish projects rather than start projects.   I get such a positive vibe from finishing something that it just makes sense to manufacture good vibrations to counteract the turbulence of the full moon.

So I dedicated this past weekend to finishing!!

Finished the Meteor Shower wall hanging the I made for Emily Breclaw's Adventures in Hexagon blog tour -- yea!!!  (Read about that finish HERE).

Then I turned to the two twin size quilts that came back from Sarah at Quilting by the Mill the end of May and the binding that was already cut -- been setting right there for two months patiently waiting!

 Got those bound -- yea!!!

Took all of three hours and now they are ready to put up for sale in my Etsy shop!!

Go HERE to look at them!

I think they will look charming in a young girl's bedroom -- soft blue walls, white furniture!!

Plus getting them finished is another goal reached on my third quarter 2017 Finish A-Long list!!

While I'm (smugly) crossing that off the list, I realize that one third of the quarter is gone and I still have four quilts to quilt and bind on that list?!?

(The LIST with full frontal pics of the quilts!)

So Monday (sturgeon moon day) was all about layering and basting!

Number one.

A scrappy "many trips" for my nephew-in-law.

Done!

Number two.

A charming crib quilt that is destined for the Etsy shop.

Done!!

Number three.

My Smorgasblocks top from last summer -- destined for a niece-in-law.

Done!!!

Wow, I'm so impressed with my stick-to-it attitude.

I even know exactly how I'm going to quilt one of them and the other two are beginning to make suggestions -- love it when the quilt talks to me like that!!

Next challenge?

Quilt them of course!

I hope that stacking them up next to George will be a nagging reminder to "come quilt us".

I can't believe I did that -- layered three quilts in one day?!?

Whew?!?

Mary

9/26/2017 -- linking up for the 3rd quarter 2017 Finish A Long!!

http://www.shecanquilt.ca/2017/09/q3-of-2017-fal-time-to-link-up-your.html