Anja Quilts: March 2018

Friday, March 30, 2018

TGIFF - Digital Wave

I finally decided on a quilting motif for my Digital Wave quilt top -- a pattern by Yvonne @ Quilting Jetgirl.

This is one of my FAL 2018 Q1 goals.

A boxy stipple in cream thread.

I struggle with finding different ways to take photos of my quilts. I was home during the day and was able to catch the daylight, so I tried posing the quilt on my Singer treadle.

I really like this pattern and may try to downsize it next time.

If you have a finish this week, here's your chance to share it with everyone:

Thank Goodness It's Finish Friday @ Cheeky Cognoscenti

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

Sunday, March 25, 2018

Project Quilting 9.6 - Scraptastic

The sixth and final theme of Project Quilting hosted by Kim @ Persimon Dreams was: Scraptastic.

This was my first year participating in Project Quilting. Thanks to Sarah @ Sarah Goer Quilts for encouraging me to play along. I thought it would be extremely difficult to both come up with an idea for a project and make that project within one week. I wouldn't say it was easy, but it definitely was do-able, and I would participate again.

I've been collecting selvedges for years but never did anything with them. But what to make?? The quickest and easiest was a simple 9-patch of rainbow colours. I used 55 different selvedges to create this 14-inch wall hanging.

Of course, my favourite orange had to be at the top.

The quilting is organic wavy lines in both directions.

There are a lot of great selvedges...some from my own fabric and some collected from friends.

I did a faced binding, using this tutorial. I ended up doing the binding twice, because I sewed the strips to the back of the quilt rather than to the front. Thank goodness it was a small project.

Thanks to Kim and Trish for organizing and hosting Project Quilting. I'm happy to say that I tried something new and survived.

You can vote for your favourite project here.

Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Modern Plus Sign Quilts Blog Hop - Celestial

It's my turn on the Modern Plus Sign Quilts blog hop hosted by Cheryl @ Meadow Mist Designs and Paige @ Quilted Blooms. Both Cheryl and Paige have signed copies of their book available on their Etsy shops, and Amazon has the physical and digital versions of the book.

I made the Celestial pattern. It's made with 24-inch blocks, for a total size of 96 x 96 inches. I decided to make a smaller version, with just four blocks, and it measures 48 x 48 inches.

The fabrics are a turquoise polka dot and Kona Cactus. Both fabrics were chosen after I chose the binding fabric, an awesome plus print. I've never planned a quilt around the binding fabric. It was quite fun.

I decided to try a new quilting motif. I should have stayed with tried and true. I definitely need practice with curves. The curves got a little better once I drew lines as a guide.

I wanted to make a plus on the back, but I ran out of fabric, so it ended up being a 9-patch.

Since the background was a bit busy, I quilted it with all-over loops in a matching turquoise thread. It blends with the background, but it gives the quilt some texture.

If you don't look close up, my curves don't look too bad. 😉 I used the same turquoise thread.

A few more photos just for fun.

I hope you find time to stop by all the blogs participating to see all the quilts that are in the book. If you're visiting Anja Quilts for the first time, I hope you take some time to look around and perhaps follow me if you like what you see.

Blog Hop Schedule:

Tuesday, March 13th

Signature Plus

Soma @ Whims and Fancies

Ann @ Brown Paws Quilting

Kitty @ Night Quilter

Tribal Plus

Sophie @ Luna Lovequilts

Afton @ Quilting Mod

Shelley @ The Carpenters Daughter Who Quilts

Wednesday, March 14th

Plus Surround

Jayne @ Twiggy and Opal

Jen @ A Dream and a Stitch

Abigail @ Cut & Alter

Kaleidoscope Plus

Yvonne @ Quilting Jetgirl

Sandra @ mmm! quilts

Karen @ Run Sew Fun

Thursday, March 15th

Postage Plus

Linda @ Flourishing Palms

Bernie @ Needle and Foot

Liz @ Savor Every Stitch

Stacey @ Stacey In Stitches

Rick Rack Runner

Michelle @ From Bolt to Beauty

Patty @ Elm Street Quilts

Melanie @ A Bit of Scrap Stuff Blog

Friday, March 16th

Row Addition

Myra @ Busy Hands Quilts

Izzy @ Dizzy Quilts

Transparency Chains

Ruth @ Charly and Ben's Crafty Corner

Christa @ Christa Quilts

Monday, March 19th

Jessica @ Quilty Habit

Cindy @ Hyacinth Quilt Designs

Jennifer @ The Inquiring Quilter

Julie @ The Crafty Quilter

Tuesday, March 20th

Tish @ Tish N Wonderland

Judy @ Sew Some Sunshine

Emily @ The Darling Dogwood

Wanda @ Wanda's Life Sampler

Karen @ Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats

Katherine @ Sew Me Something Good

Wednesday, March 21st

Anja @ Anja Quilts

Kate @ Smiles from Kate

Sue @ Seven Oak Street Quilts

Carole @ From my Carolina Home

Alison @ Little Bunny Quilts

Thursday, March 22nd

Debbie @ Esch House Quilts

Laura @ Slice of Pi Quilts

Beth @ Cooking Up Quilts

Janice @ Color Creating and Quilting

Joanne @ Quilts by Joanne

Friday, March 23rd

Cheryl @ Meadow Mist Designs
Paige @ Quilted Blooms

Monday, March 19, 2018

Top 60 Canada Quilting Blogs

I quilt because it's fun and it helps relieve stress. Blogging is a way to keep track of what I'm making and to keep me focused on finishing projects.

Imagine my surprise when an e-mail arrived advising that I had been selected as one of the Top 60 Canada Quilting Blogs on the web. Wait...what?? Me??? So I click on the link, and there I am -- #48 on the list.

I feel so honoured and privileged to be on the list. My purpose in blogging is not to be praised or to receive awards, but it sure is nice to be recognized.

I am fortunate to be recognized along with some great bloggers, including some friends:

Linda @ Scrapmaster -- #30 on the list

Leanne @ Devoted Quilter - #31 on the list

Lesley @ The Cuddle Quilter - #14 on the list

There are other bloggers on the list that I do follow, but there are a lot of blogs that I was not aware of. Go Canada!

I hope you click on the link and join me in checking out some Canadian bloggers.

Saturday, March 17, 2018

Worldwide Quilting Day

Today was Worldwide Quilting Day (aka National Quilting Day). My LQS hosted a sew in and a sale today. It's was snowing this morning, so I think people stayed at home -- it was just myself and one staff person sewing all morning.

I decided to work on my Classic Meets Modern BOM hosted by Kelly @ My Quilt Infatuation. There were two blocks for the third month of the BOM.

There were two Sawtooth Stars -- 6.5 inches each.

The Propeller block is 10.5 inches.

These blocks pieced easily and quickly.

You can view my previous blocks:

Friday, March 16, 2018

TGIFF - Sweetpea Pod

Part two of my Craftsy class by Joan Hawley -- Zippered Bags with a Twist -- is the Sweetpea Pod. It's a great pattern, and I like the zipper technique. Another finish of my FAL 2018 Q1 goals. Click here to see the Becca Bag I made last week.

I love that there are no zipper tabs to make and no messy zipper ends. Surprisingly, the zipper technique is easy.

Although this is a great pattern, I really don't like the pouch. They're too small, and I don't like the shape.

These would make great gifts, and I'll add them to my ever-growing pile of projects with no final destination.

I will definitely make more Becca Bags.

If you have a finish this week, here's your chance to share it with everyone:

Thank Goodness It's Finish Friday @ Musings of a Menopausal Melon

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

Wednesday, March 14, 2018

WIP Wednesday - Banner Year

I have a finished quilt top! This is Banner Year, a pattern by Andrea @ 3rd Story Workshop. You can find Andrea's patterns here.

It's an easy pattern -- I started the blocks last week. It took 8 hours to cut all the fabric and piece the top. It would be a great weekend project.

I used the following Kona colours: Candy Pink, Valentine, School Bus, Carrot, Lemon, Corn Yellow, Cactus, Lime, Teal, Celestial, Niagara, Royal, Dahlia, and Purple.

I love that polka dot background. I may have to go buy some more. 😉

And now the hard part, deciding 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

Wednesday Wait Loss @ The Inquiring Quilter

Monday, March 12, 2018

Modern Plus Sign Quilts Blog Hop

Welcome to the kick off for the Modern Plus Sign Quilts blog hop.

Cheryl @ Meadow Mist Designs and Paige @ Quilted Blooms invited 40+ quilting friends to participate in the blog hop. I am honoured to have been asked to participate.

There are 16 quilts in the book, and 2 quilts will be featured each day of the blog hop. Make sure you stop by to see all the projects and to enter the giveaway.

Both Cheryl and Paige have signed copies of their book available on their Etsy shops, and Amazon has the physical and digital versions of the book for the best price.

Blog Hop Schedule:

Monday, March 12th

Cheryl @ Meadow Mist Designs

Paige @ Quilted Blooms