WIP Wednesday - Commissioned Quilt

It's been a busy spring as I have been working on three commissioned quilts.  Unfortunately, I have been working on all three at the same time, and they had specific (and not possible to change) deadlines.  Two quilts have been shipped to Manitoba and are currently making the journey to their final destination in South Africa.  Once they are received, I'll be able to share next week.

I'm currently working on the third and final quilt, which must be completed by July 10.  The colours were chosen to match a family tartan -- I can't share any more as the quilt will be a gift, and I don't know who may be reading this.

I used three Kona:  Juniper, Curry, and Grellow.  Here is the star block.

9.25 inches square

This is the log cabin block.  I need to make another batch of these before I can begin piecing.

9.25 inches square

Thanks to Dena @ No Frickin' Blog Yet who helped with the math.  My customer found a pattern online, but there was not a pattern available for sale.  So I had to do a lot of math to figure out the log cabin and star blocks to give a similar effect and meet the requested quilt dimensions.  The blocks finish at a non-standard size, so Dena's math expertise was greatly appreciated.  This is the quilt which was found here.

www.amishcountrylanes.com

Linking up with:

Let's Bee Social @ Sew Fresh Quilts
WIP Wednesday @ The Needle and Thread Network

Midweek Makers @ Quilt Fabrication

Wednesday Wait Loss @ The Inquiring Quilter

TGIFF - A Finish, A Winner, and Voting

I realized this week that I neglected to announce the winner of my giveaway.  My apologies.  The winner of a copy the Star Blossom pattern by Tish @ Tish's Adventures in Wonderland and Dave @ Dave the Quilt Engineer is.....Heather J.  Congratulations!!

I have a small finish to show this week.  My quilt guild, Maritime Modern Quilt Guild, hosted a challenge to create something using words.  I made a wall hanging which reflects my involvement in Girl Guides.

The words printed in the two sides are from the song "On My Honour" -- which makes me cry every time I sing it.

On My Honour

On my honour I will try

There's a duty to be done, and I say "aye",

There's a reason here, for a reason above

My honour is to try, and my duty is to love

We've got a promise to always keep

We will sing "Day is Done" before we sleep

We are Girl Guides together, and when we're gone

We'll still be a-trying and a-singing this song...

Here's a link to the lyrics of the song.

I appliqued the symbols:  I ♥ ♣ [If you're a Girl Guide, pretend that's a proper Trefoil symbol. ☺]

I've always wanted to print on fabric using my printer.  My original plan was to print the entire chorus in all four borders, but alas....my printer got the better of me.  I'm impressed with my first attempt, but there is a lot to learn about the finer points of feeding fabric through the printer.

So I managed to get the two key lines:  My honour is to try, and My duty is to love.

The binding is made from an old Girl Guide leader uniform shirt.

The guild is holding an online vote to determine the winner of the challenge.  If you want to participate in the voting and choose your your favourite piece (pick me, pick me ☺), click here to vote.




If you have a finish this week, consider linking up with:

Thank Goodness It's Finish Friday @ Cut and Alter
Finish It Up Friday @ Crazy Mom Quilts

Can I Get a Whoop Whoop? @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict
Finished or Not Friday @ Busy Hand Quilts 

TGIFF - Quarter Round Pillow

Welcome to Thank Goodness It's Finished Friday being hosted here in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada.

My apologies for the late posting.  As a result, the link up will stay open until midnight Sunday.

If you are new to my blog, welcome.  I hope you take a few minutes to look around to see some of my recent creations.  I do hope you'll stop by again in the future.  And welcome to my regular followers.

I finished my Quarter Round blocks that I showcased here.  The pattern is by Krista @ Poppyprint.

I used four 10.5-inch blocks to make a 20-inch pillow (which I have already gifted).

I used a home decor fabric for the back, with a hidden zipper.  I use this tutorial for installing the zipper.

Unfortunately, you lose the illusion of the circle once you add the pillow form.  I would make this block again, but not to make a pillow.

If you have a finish this week, make sure you link up here:

An InLinkz Link-up

Also consider linking up your finish with:

Finish It Up Friday @ Crazy Mom Quilts

Can I Get a Whoop Whoop? @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict
Finished or Not Friday @ Busy Hand Quilts 

Needle and Thread Thursday @ My Quilt Infatuation 

A Finish and a Giveaway

You may recall seeing the beginnings of this quilt here back in March.  I had the opportunity to test a pattern for Tish @ Tish's Adventures in Wonderland and Dave @ Dave the Quilt Engineer. 

Today is pattern release day, and here is my baby version of the Star Blossom pattern.  Make sure you visit Tish to see other versions of the pattern.  Each pattern tester is hosting a giveaway for a free copy of the pattern.

This top has been finished for a month, but I couldn't decide on a quilting pattern.  Because I work well under pressure of a tight deadline and wanting to be part of the pattern release today, I did a quick all-over stipple in white thread for a quick finish.

The PDF pattern is available for sale for $10 in Tish's Craftsy Shop.  However, to celebrate the pattern release, she is offering the pattern for $8 until Sunday, June 11.  This is a great pattern, with lots of directions and photos.

Giveaway - I have no plans for summer vacation 😢 and won't be making my annual shopping trip to the USA this fall.  For a chance to win a copy of the Star Blossom pattern, tell me about your summer vacation plans.  The contest is open internationally until midnight Monday, June 5, 2017.

If you have a finish this week, consider linking up with:

Thank Goodness It's Finish Friday @ Chezzetcook Modern Quilts
Finish It Up Friday @ Crazy Mom Quilts

Can I Get a Whoop Whoop? @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict
Needle and Thread Thursday @ My Quilt Infatuation 

WIP Wednesday - Quarter Round Quilt

I have been missing in action for the past several weeks.  This spring has been extremely busy at work, and I'm on week three of a cold that I thought was gone but re-appeared Sunday morning.  Today was a good day, so fingers crossed that it's now finally gone.

But I did manage to find some time to attend a workshop on Saturday.  Maritime Modern Quilt Guild (along with other guilds in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island) hosted Krista @ Poppyprint.

I participated in the Quarter Round Quilt workshop.  Here are my first two blocks.  They are 10.5 inches square -- Kona Pesto and Snow for the background.

And then two reverse blocks in a lighter shade -- Kona Grass Green.

And the four blocks put together.  I ♥ how this looks like a circle.

Now to find some time to quilt this and make a pillow.  I welcome your quilting suggestions.

Linking up with:

Let's Bee Social @ Sew Fresh Quilts
WIP Wednesday @ The Needle and Thread Network

Midweek Makers @ Quilt Fabrication

Wednesday Wait Loss @ The Inquiring Quilter

TGIFF - Charity Quilt

April has been an extremely busy month for me at work, and I have done very little sewing.  But I did manage to finish a charity quilt that I started here.

I'm participating again in Hands2Help hosted by Confessions of a Fabric Addict.

I did quick organic wavy lines in light pink thread.

I like the texture the quilting gives the quilt.

Although there are designated charities that will receive the quilts made, there is an option for quilters to donate to a local charity of their choice.  This quilt will likely be donated to our local children's hospital.

I will definitely make this pattern again.  It's a great way to use 2.5-inch strips.

If you have a finish this week, consider linking up with:

Thank Goodness It's Finish Friday @ Charly & Ben's Crafty Corner
Finish It Up Friday @ Crazy Mom Quilts

Can I Get a Whoop Whoop? @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict
Finished or Not Friday @ Busy Hand Quilts 

Needle and Thread Thursday @ My Quilt Infatuation 

Freefall Spring QAL

Sandra @ Musings of Menopausal Melon is hosting a quilt along -- Freefall Spring QAL.  Instructions are provided every two weeks, and there's still time to join in.  I missed the first progress link up, but I've managed to catch up.

The first eight blocks are 8-inches square.  I used some batiks I had in my stash for the leaves.

Here are closeups of a few of my favourites:

And to show that the snow is all gone, some leaves in the wild.

I'm linking up my progress here.

Postcard from Sweden QAL Update

I'm making progress on my Postcard from Sweden quilt.  But unfortunately, I've been so busy with work, that it's taken me four days to type this post.

I started out here with a pile of squares and triangles.  They've now been turned into HST's.

And I even managed to get the HST's up on my design wall.  I did make an error design choice -- I mismatched the colours in two of the HST's.  Oh well...

I substituted some of the Kona colours.  This is what the final quilt is supposed to look like:

Photo from JeliQuilts

I'm linking up my progress with Myra @ Busy Hands Quilts.

I'm off to try to squeeze in an hour of sewing before doing my homework for tomorrow's class.

TGIFF - Square in Square Class Sample

My LQS has asked me to teach another beginner modern quilt class.  I thought a square in square quilt would a good choice to show traditional quilters how traditional fabrics can be used in a modern way...baby steps.

I used Kona solids for the centres and prints for the outside.

The quilting is organic wavy lines.

These photos were taken when we had snow, but it's all gone now.  Yeah!!

There's been no sewing for me this past week -- it's still busy at work.  But I did some prep work tonight, so I can get right to sewing in the morning.  Here's to a good night's sleep so I am well rested to spend all day Saturday in my sewing room.


If you have a finish this week, consider linking up with:

Thank Goodness It's Finish Friday @ The Carpenters Daughter Who Quilts
Finish It Up Friday @ Crazy Mom Quilts

Can I Get a Whoop Whoop? @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict
Finished or Not Friday @ Busy Hand Quilts 

Needle and Thread Thursday @ My Quilt Infatuation 

TGIFF - Meadow Mystery Finish

The Meadow Mystery QAL hosted by Cheryl @ Meadow Mist Designs has come to an end.  Tomorrow is the deadline to submit a finished quilt (or quilt top) to be included in the parade of quilts.

And here is my finished quilt.

Sadly snow made another appearance.  😢

I spent a lot of time considering quilting options, but no ideas came to mind.  So when all else fails, an all-over stipple in white thread.  The white thread blended in so well with all the colours -- it gives the quilt some texture.

I found an awesome print for the back.  And now I'm regretting not buying more, especially since it was on sale for $5 a metre.

It was so windy, the snow kept getting all over the quilt.

You can read about the making of this quilt:

• Fabric Selection
• Cutting
• HST Blocks
• Hourglass/Flying Geese/Square-in-Square Blocks
• Piecing Blocks
• Piecing More Blocks
• Quilt Top

If you have a finish this week, consider linking up with:

Thank Goodness It's Finish Friday @ Celtic Thistle Stitches
Finish It Up Friday @ Crazy Mom Quilts

Can I Get a Whoop Whoop? @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict
Finished or Not Friday @ Busy Hand Quilts 

Needle and Thread Thursday @ My Quilt Infatuation 

TGIFF - Isla Top

I made my Isla top (created by Made by Rae), and I am so pleased with it.  ♥  I made a top!!  I was afraid to try it, and it was so easy to make.  So easy that I can't wait to buy some more knit fabric to make another one....maybe more than one.  I think I'm ready now to make my Washi dress that I've been avoiding for at least a year.

This project was my March OMG and my final goal for Q1 of Finish Along 2017.

I hate having my photo taken, but I knew it was the only way for you to get a good look at the top...so here goes.  I finished it on Sunday and then wore it to work on Monday.

Donna was trying to get me to pose, while trying to make me laugh at the same time.

Here's a close up of the top.

If you have a finish this week, consider linking up with:

Thank Goodness It's Finish Friday @ The Carpenter's Daughter Who Quilts

Can I Get a Whoop Whoop? @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict
Finished or Not Friday @ Busy Hand Quilts 

Needle and Thread Thursday @ My Quilt Infatuation 

And a new link up to showcase your efforts at trying something new:

New to Me @ Celtic Thistle Stitches

WIP Wednesday - Postcard from Sweden QAL

Myra @ Busy Hands Quilts is hosting a Postcard from Sweden QAL.  You can get the free pattern by Jeli Quilts here.

I started this project in 2016.  And by started, I mean that I cut squares and didn't do anything else.  Due to poor planning, I missed the first link up for the QAL.  Here is my pile of 5-inch squares.

I got down to business and cut all the squares on the diagonal.  And then realized quickly that I'm going to have to piece all the HST's before working on any other project.  All the 36 colours are paired with a variety of other colours, and I couldn't figure out the best way to stay organized other than to leave them out on my cutting table.

I've pieced the HST's for rows 1 and 2.

Rows 3 and 4 at the ready to be sewn.  I hoping to find some time this weekend for more sewing.

There's still time to join in on the fun.

Linking up with:

Let's Bee Social @ Sew Fresh Quilts
WIP Wednesday @ The Needle and Thread Network

Midweek Makers @ Quilt Fabrication

Wednesday Wait Loss @ The Inquiring Quilter

WIP Wednesday - More Pattern Testing

Not a lot of sewing happening lately.  I've been working overtime on some projects at the office, and I had a minor eye procedure.  As an FYI, having your eyes frozen is an odd sensation and not one that I'm interested in repeating.  But the worst part is now having to put drops in my eyes four times a day for two weeks.  I'm starting to think that the clogged tear ducts would have been better to deal with than these drops.

But I did manage a little of bit sewing -- pattern testing for Tish @ Tish's Adventures in Wonderland and Dave @ Dave the Quilt Engineer.  Here are the fabrics I started with.

The pattern is still under wraps -- due to be revealed and released in April -- so just a little sneak peek of the sewing.

I'm excited to finish the piecing and work out a quilting plan.

Stay tuned for the big reveal next month.

Linking up with:

Let's Bee Social @ Sew Fresh Quilts
WIP Wednesday @ The Needle and Thread Network

Midweek Makers @ Quilt Fabrication

Wednesday Wait Loss @ The Inquiring Quilter