Wednesday, August 31, 2016

WIP Wednesday - Just the Basics QAL

First and foremost, a huge I'M SORRY to Leanne @ Devoted Quilter.  I've been playing along with her Just the Basics Mystery Quilt Along since March, but I haven't written a single blog post about my progress.  That's no way to show support to a fellow blogger.  I don't even have any photos along the way of my progress.  Oh my......

It's been a great monthly QAL.  But I forewarn you...there are a LOT of small HST's to be made.  The pattern comes in two sizes:

  • Baby size - 48 x 48 inches
  • Throw size - 60 x 72 inches

I'm glad I went with the baby size because the first step was to make 128 HST's....2.5-inch HST's.  Can't imagine having had to make 240 HST's for the throw size.


The two flying geese blocks were pieced in different months, and they were joined together in July's instructions.  When I began to press the seams of the newly-joined block, I realized that karma had paid me a visit as payback for not blogging about the QAL.  Somehow, I pieced one of the flying geese blocks with the wrong side of the yellow fabric facing out.  Ummmm.....how the heck did I do that???  There were 64 blocks, so I made a design choice to leave them as is.

This is one of the 16 blocks in the baby size.

At least, I was consistent and pieced all the 64 blocks with the wrong side out.  I'm hoping that once it's quilted, my mistake won't be as noticeable.

There are a lot of seams in this quilt.  There were a few times when I was piecing the rows that I thought I was going to break a needle.


Time to put on my thinking cap and decide on a quilting plan.



Linking up with:

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


Thursday, August 25, 2016

TGIFF - Finished Sew Together Bag

Welcome to Thank Goodness It's Finished Friday being hosted here on the East Coast of Canada.

If you are new to my blog, thanks for visiting.  If you're a faithful follower, thanks for stopping by again and showing your support.

Two weeks ago, I finally made a start on my Sew Together Bag (here).  You can purchase the pattern from Sew Demented here.  It's a great pattern, but I don't think I would have finished it without following the tutorial over at The Quilt Barn.  The tutorial works in conjunction with the pattern and has detailed instructions and lots of photos.

Ta da!


The inside.


The pocket lining.


The side panels.


I haven't used it yet because I don't know what to put in it.  ha ha ha  I already have more fabric and zippers pulled to make another one.  Sure hope these aren't addictive.......



Now it's time for your finishes.  Link up your blog post showing off your finished project using the linkup below.  Don't forget to visit a few blogs to spread some quilty love and encouragement.  Please include a link and/or the TGIFF button in your blog post so your followers can also view all the great finishes.




Linking up with:

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







Wednesday, August 24, 2016

WIP Wednesday - Snowflake Shimmer QAL

Time for Step 3 of the Snowflake Shimmer QAL hosted by Yvonne @ Quilting Jetgirl.  In theory, making square-in-square blocks is easy...but a very time-consuming process.

Just four blocks of this colour combination.  Piece of cake.


Eight for this colour combination.  I can do this.


And then...21 blocks of this colour combination.


After a few evenings of sewing and ironing, I was very glad to see the end of these blocks.


There are only two more steps in the QAL, so the end is in sight.  I'm looking forward to seeing how my fabric choices work in the pattern.

You can follow my progress here:




**Alert** - I'm hosting Thank Goodness It's Finished Friday this week.  Make sure you come back to link up your finishes.  I have a great finish to share with you on Friday.


Linking up with:

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


Friday, August 19, 2016

TGIFF - One Block Wonders

Two more finishes from my FAL Q3 goals!!!!  These baby quilts were started back here.  Baby quilts shouldn't take four months to complete, but life always gets in the way of my quilting fun.

This Diamond Path pattern  was created by Sandy @ Upstairs Hobby Room for her  One Block Wonders BOM

I procrastinate finishing a project because I never know what quilting motif to use.  These just needed to be finished, so simple FMQ loops.


These 25-inch stroller/car seat quilts will be delivered next week.


I think the teal and orange is my favourite.


It's a great pattern to use 2.5 inch strips.



Linking up with:

Thank Goodness It's Finish Friday @ The Quilt Journal
Can I Get a Whoop Whoop? @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict
Finished or Not Friday @ Busy Hand Quilts 


                   Finished or Not Friday at Busy Hands Quilts

Friday, August 12, 2016

TGIFF - Wonky Charms Baby Quilt

This finish has been a long time coming.  Jayne @ Twiggy and Opal shared a wonderful tutorial here that I highly recommend.

The quilt top was finished back in April, but I didn't make up my mind on how to quilt it, so it sat around my sewing room until this past week.  I chose the easy route and did loop FMQ.


I quilted the loops close together (not intentional), so it gave the quilt some texture.


It's 25-inches squares, so it's destined to be a baby quilt for the stroller or car seat.  I think I'll make the next one a little bit bigger.


This is the second finish of my FAL Q3 goals.

Now to get back to the many WIP's hiding in my sewing room.


Linking up with:

Thank Goodness It's Finish Friday @ Quilting is More Fun Than Housework
Can I Get a Whoop Whoop? @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict
Finished or Not Friday @ Busy Hand Quilts 


                   Finished or Not Friday at Busy Hands Quilts


Wednesday, August 10, 2016

WIP Wednesday - I Did It!!

I finally did it!!  I made a decision on fabrics and started putting together my Sew Together Bag.  I'm using the tutorial over at The Quilt Barn in conjunction with the pattern.

Here's my pile of fabrics, all ready for sewing.  I wanted to use a variety of colours and not just orange.  But who am I kidding???  This bag was soooooo going to be made out of orange fabrics, with orange zippers.  J


Side panels completed.  I like using the tutorial because it provides a lot of photos.


Stay tuned.  I'm hoping to make some more progress this weekend.


I also managed to get all my fabric cut for the Meadow Mystery QAL hosted by Cheryl at Meadow Mist Designs.  It's good to be not rushing at the last minute, but now I have to wait until September for the next set of instructions.  I'm excited to start sewing!!


What have you been working on this week?


Linking up with:

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





Friday, August 5, 2016

TGIFF - Kissy Fishy

I had the opportunity to test a pattern for Lorna @ Sew Fresh Quilts.  She has the most adorable animal patterns.  Kissy Fishy is one of Lorna's newest patterns, and it's so much fun.

I made a smaller version of Lorna's original pattern.  I made six fish using Kona Capri, Oasis, Tangerine, and Persimmon.


The fish are all pieced -- no paper piecing.


Lorna's instructions are always easy to follow, and she provides great photos.


Wavy line quilting to mimic water, with a pieced binding.


I love this pattern and will definitely make it again.


Some crazy butterflies for the back because the colours matched the front.


The pattern is now available in Lorna's shop here.


Linking up with:

Thank Goodness It's Finish Friday @ Quokka Quilts
Can I Get a Whoop Whoop? @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict
Finished or Not Friday @ Busy Hand Quilts 
Whoomp There It Is @ A Quilted Passion


                   Finished or Not Friday at Busy Hands Quilts


Thursday, August 4, 2016

Throwback Thursday - Girl Scouts Quilt

Where does the time go?  It's been a year since my friend Jenn @ A Quarter Inch from the Edge started Throwback Thursday.  It's a chance to showcase projects from our quilting past.  It's been fun remembering my early days of quilting.

This quilt was made using Girl Scout fabric created by Robert Kaufmann.  I purchased a fat quarter bundle and a jelly roll while I was in the USA, but unfortunately, they don't make the fabric any longer.


I can't remember the name of the pattern...I found it in a magazine that I borrowed from a friend.


My favourite GSUSA cookies....Samoas.  Yum!!


As you can see in the photo above, both the brown and yellow sashing fabrics were the same print.


Stop by to see what others are showcasing from their quilty past.



Wednesday, August 3, 2016

WIP Wednesday - How Did I Get So Many WIPs????

I realize that I am a little (okay...maybe a lot) behind on sewing due to being away in July, but where did all these WIPs I keep finding in my sewing room come from????  Although I am afraid, I will need to make a new list so I don't forget about some of them...which I may have done already.  Oops.

Step 2 of Yvonne's Snowflake Shimmer QAL was cutting.  Thank goodness for an easy step.  I can't wait to start sewing.  (Step 1 was fabric selection.)



I had to catch up on my Modern HST Sampler blocks hosted by Alyce @ Blossom Heart Quilts.  Even though some of the HST's were small, these three blocks sewed up quickly.

Block #13 - Turnstile

Block 14 - Introspection

Block 15 - Windmill

Patting myself on the back for these perfect points.  I impressed myself!





I also worked on a few more smaller WIPs this week.  The goal is to have a finish for Friday.


Linking up with:

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