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Thursday, February 28, 2019

OMG Finish

My February OMG goal was to finish two quilts.  They are done!

I quilted the first quilt in an all-over loopy motif in white thread.


The quilting blended in with most of the fabric, but pops on the black fabrics.


I attempted something new...following the lead of Sandra @ Musings of a Menopausal Melon...quilted my name on the edge of the quilt.  It worked!


I did a flower motif on the second quilt.  And again, the white thread blended.


I need some more practice before I can say I'm comfortable with this new motif, but I'm happy with it.



This was also one of my FAL 2019 Q1 goals.

If you have a finish this week, here are some ways to share:

Thank Goodness It's Finished Friday @ What a Hoot Quilts
Can I Get a Whoop Whoop? @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict 
Finished or Not Friday @ Busy Hands Quilts
Needle and Thread Thursday @ My Quilt Infatuation
Brag About Your Beauties @ From Bolt to Beauty
Show Off Saturday @ Sew Can She


Saturday, February 23, 2019

Island Batik Magnificent Mini

Note:  All products in this post were given to me by Island Batik as part of their Ambassador program.

My first challenge as a 2019 Island Batik Ambassador is:  Magnificent Minis.  The rules were to use any technique, using any fabric (except the Surprise fabric) to make a maximum 24 x 24 inch mini during the month of February.  An easy task I thought...until I sat down to design something.  😊

As I was looking for inspiration, I found a book in my sewing room that I didn't know I had and have no idea where or when I got it -- The Modern Quilt Workshop by Weeks Ringle and Bill Kerr.  When I picked up the book, it fell open to a brightly coloured pattern called Confetti, using batik fabrics.

Here is Tumbling Triangles -- my version of the pattern.  I printed the templates at 85% to get a 18-inch mini.


Once I decided on which fabrics to use, I only cut fabric for a couple of blocks to see how piecing went and to see what size block I'd end up with.  I used the Snowman print from the Icicle fabric collection for the triangle centres.


Piecing went quickly, so I cut more fabric and continued sewing.  And before I knew it, there a quilt top.  And then I realized I hadn't taken any in-progress photos.  Oops.


I used the Island Batik Stash Builders for the background.  These are rolls of 5-inch strips of fabric.  There are so many awesome prints and colours.  It was difficult to choose which ones to use.  I can't wait to play with them again.


I did a loopy stipple in the background and a wishbone motif in the triangle centres using Aurifil thread #5008 Sugar Paper.


I used Hobbs Thermore batting.  It's a thinner batting used for clothing and miniatures.


I was feeling pretty good about my efforts...until I saw what other Ambassadors had made.  Wow!   The talent is amazing.  I generally don't compare myself to others, but I felt my mini was inadequate and didn't come close to the skill level of the other Ambassadors.  I encourage you to check out some of the fabulous projects -- see the Ambassador list at the end of this post.



So I decided to make another mini.  The end of the month was quickly approaching, but there was still time.  I decided on floating triangles using the black solid fabric as the background.  And then on Sunday, the theme for the next Project Quilting challenge was announced -- Pixel Play.  So I decided to use floating squares instead of triangles to complete two challenges with one project.

I was travelling on Monday to attend my aunt's funeral, and we stopped to have something to eat.  We ended up at McDonald's, and this was their wallpaper.  I decided to re-create a part of the wallpaper (as shown in the green box) for my mini.


As we continued driving, I was thinking that the wallpaper reminded me of roads.  And then I started thinking of the times in the summer I spent with my cousins and being at my aunt's house.  It's a small town, and we walked everywhere (not that there was a lot of "everywhere" to go LOL).  The term running the roads was commonly used.  I remember walking down the road to Blueberry Hill to pick blueberries with my aunt and cousins.

Here is my fabric pull.  And once again, I forgot to take in-progress photos.  I need to put a note on my sewing machine that says:  Stop and Take Photos!! 😊


I used the Island Batik solid gray for the background (to represent the roads/pavement) and the Island Batik Stash Builders for the squares.  I quilted a diagonal grid using Aurifil thread #2600 Dove and used the Hobbs Heirloom Premium 80/20 batting, which is my go-to batting of choice.


This mini finishes at 15.5 x 19 inches, and it's called Running the Roads.



I'm linking up at:

Thank Goodness It's Finished Friday @ Alycia Quilts
Can I Get a Whoop Whoop? @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict 
Finished or Not Friday @ Busy Hands Quilts
Needle and Thread Thursday @ My Quilt Infatuation
Brag About Your Beauties @ From Bolt to Beauty
Show Off Saturday @ Sew Can She


2019 Island Batik Ambassadors:

Carolina Asmussen ~Carolina Asmussen
Gene Black ~ Gene Black
Pamela Boatright ~ PamelaQuilts
Connie K Campbell ~ Freemotion by the River
Anja Clyke ~ Anja Quilts
Becca Fenstermaker ~Pretty Piney
Jennifer Fulton ~ Inquiring Quilter
Barbara Gaddy ~ Bejeweled Quilts by Barb
Dione Gardner-Stephen ~ Clever Chameleon
Sarah Goer ~ Sarah Goer Quilts
Vasudha Govindan ~ Storied Quilts
Joanne Hart ~ Unicornharts
Mania (Magdalini) Hatziioannidi ~ Mania for Quilts
Carla Henton ~ Creatin’ in the Sticks
Stephanie Jacobson ~ Steph Jacobson Designs
Connie Kauffman ~ Kauffman Designs
Joan Kawano ~ Moosestash Quilting
Kim Lapacek ~ Persimon Dreams
Emily Leachman ~ The Darling Dogwood
Leanne Parsons ~ Devoted Quilter
Bea Lee ~ BeaQuilter
Toby Lischko ~ Gateway Quilts & Stuff
Bill Locke ~ Studio Bill Locke
Denise Looney ~ For the Love of Geese
Leah Malasky ~ Quilted Delights
Sally Manke ~ Sally Manke
Maryellen McAuliffe ~ Mary Mack's Blog
Kathleen McCormick ~ Kathleen McMusing
Carol Moellers ~ Carol Moellers Designs
Karen Neary ~ Sew Karen-ly Created
Jackie O’Brien ~ If These Threads Could Talk
Laura Piland ~ Slice of Pi Quilts
Michelle Roberts ~ Creative Blonde
Vicki Schlimmer ~ Vicki's Crafts and Quilting
Gail Sheppard ~ Quilting Gail
Sherry Shish ~ Powered by Quilting
Anita Skjellanger ~ Quilt in a not-Shell
Laticia "Tish" Stemple ~ Tish's Adventures in Wonderland
Jennifer Strauser ~ Dizzy Quilter
Jennifer Thomas ~ Curlicue Creations
Terri Vanden Bosch ~ Lizard Creek Quilts
Alison Vermilya ~ Little Bunny Quilts
Sandra Walker ~ mmm! quilts
(Debora) Anne Wiens ~ Seams like a Plan
Geraldine Wilkins ~ Living Water Quilter
Janet Yamamoto ~ Whispers of Yore




Wednesday, February 20, 2019

WIP Wednesday - Quilt Along Updates

I've been keeping up with the Hand Pieced QAL being hosted by Patty @ Elm Street Quilts and Kristin @ Simple Handmade Everyday.

All the blocks are 6.5 inches.  This is Block #4 -- quarter-square triangles.


I am loving the spun seams.  Block #5 was released on Monday, and I'm halfway finished.



I'm also playing along with the 52 Blocks in 52 Weeks quilt along being hosted by the Canadian Quilters' Association (CQA).  These blocks are also 6.5 inches.


These fabrics are from my stash.


I've fallen behind...I have three blocks to get made...hopefully before Block #7 is released next Tuesday.



Have you seen the QAL being hosted by Leanne @ Devoted Quilter for her Medallion Magic pattern?

I'm using Kona:  Nightfall (background), Royal, Tangerine, Orange, Torch, School Bus, and Tiger Lily.


The QAL started last month with fabric selection.  I made all the first fabric cuts last month and got around to the subcuts this week.  I love being on time/caught up on QALs.




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


Friday, February 15, 2019

TGIFF - MQG Mini Swap

Back in the fall, I signed up for the Modern Quilt Guild mini swap.  My partner is Linda from Vancouver.  She said:
Like improv, paper piecing, really just about anything modern and adventurous. Like the Scandinavian vibe. Also a big fan of whimsy, irony and anything that brings a smile in these troubled times.
Hmmm...what to make???  I Googled...and Googled...and Googled some more.  I finally made a decision -- a free tutorial by Caroline @ Sew Can She.

I combined both the gnome and tree tutorials -- 12-inch finished blocks.


I used Kona:  Snow, Alegria, Poppy, Leprechaun, Shell, and Jungle for the binding.


I decided to follow the pattern and do organic wavy lines up and down, rather than side to side.


This mini finishes 24 x 25 inches.  I hope Linda doesn't mind it's an inch larger than it's supposed to be.



I hope I was able to meet Linda's wishes and that she enjoys this fun mini.

Giveaway Winner:  Thanks to everyone who commented on my Turnabout Patchwork post last week.  Congrats to Izzy @ Dizzy Quilts for winning the e-book.

If you have a finish this week, here are some ways to share:

Thank Goodness It's Finished Friday @ Lisa in Port Hope
Can I Get a Whoop Whoop? @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict 
Finished or Not Friday @ Busy Hands Quilts
Needle and Thread Thursday @ My Quilt Infatuation
Brag About Your Beauties @ From Bolt to Beauty
Show Off Saturday @ Sew Can She


Wednesday, February 13, 2019

WIP Wednesday - Blooming Wallflowers Update

Things are progressing for the Blooming Wallflowers QAL.  The QAL is being hosted by Christa @ Christa Quilts.

The blocks didn't take long with some chain piecing.


I love the low volume print I used.  Why didn't I buy more??


And voilà....a finished quilt top.  This is the crib size -- 40 x 52 inches.


Quilting begins March 1 for the QAL.  That gives me lots of time to find a backing fabric.


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


Sunday, February 10, 2019

Project Quilting 10.3 - Bigger Than a Breadbox

I found this week's theme for Project Quilting very difficult -- Bigger Than a Breadbox.  The only requirement was that it had to be 9 x 17 inches or larger.  Oh my...where to start??  The possibilities were endless, but I had no idea what to do.

About mid week, I thought about making a tote bag -- it's functional, and I'd get some use of it.  I'm trying to get quilts out of my house, and I have no need for yet another mini.  My plan was to make the tote bag on Saturday, but I was not excited or motivated by the thought of making it.  So I procrastinated and worked on another project.

Time was running out.  I finally decided on a simple strip quilt where I could practice my free-motion quilting.  I sewed together ten 2.5-inch strips from my binding scrap box.  The motifs are a combination of ones that I'm comfortable with and new ones.  The challenge was fitting the motifs into the narrow 2-inch strip and trying new motifs.


First row - a mix of stipple and loops
Second row - wishbones
Third row - stars and loops
Fourth row - flowers and loops
Fifth row - boxy stipple


Sixth row - small and large elongated loops
Seventh row - square stipple (but don't make a box)
Eighth row - triangle stipple
Ninth row - sparkler/snowflake motif that I borrowed from Leanne @ Devoted Quilter
Tenth row - spirals


So now I have a 20 x 20 inch visual to help me decide on what quilting motif to use on quilts and to show me where I need to improve.

As much as I hate to "waste" supplies, this was a good exercise.  I will definitely make a larger piece in the future and practice again.





Friday, February 8, 2019

Turnabout Patchwork - Double Disappearing Nine Patch

Back in January, I gave you a sneak peek of a project I was working on.  Today is my turn on the blog hop for a new book by Teresa @ Sewn Up, Teresa Down Under -- Turnabout Patchwork.  You can buy the book here.



I made the Double Disappearing Nine-Patch, and here's my finished quilt.


You start out with a simple nine-patch block using 5-inch squares, that you cut into eight pieces -- the traditional horizontal and vertical cuts, and then you cut each quadrant on the diagonal.


You sew the opposite inner triangles (with pink corners) together and the outer triangles together.


This results in four 6.5-inch blocks -- two blocks that have reverse colours on the top.


And two blocks with a little bit of colour in the corners.


The layout is alternating blocks.  The white centre is a result of operator error (block trimming error), and I didn't have any fabric to make more blocks.


I attempted a flower quilting motif.  Some flowers are a little more organic than others.  😊


I can't wait to try some of the other patterns in the book.


Giveaway:  Teresa has generously offered a free e-book so I can host a giveaway.   For a chance to win, leave a comment.  The giveaway ends at midnight on Monday, February 11.


Thank Goodness It's Finished Friday @ Kathy's Kwilts and More
Can I Get a Whoop Whoop? @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict 
Finished or Not Friday @ Busy Hands Quilts
Needle and Thread Thursday @ My Quilt Infatuation
Brag About Your Beauties @ From Bolt to Beauty
Show Off Saturday @ Sew Can She


Blog hop schedule:

Wednesday, January 30 - Quarter Snow Ball
Tutti-Frutti - Quilt Design Duo and Puppy Girl Designs
Sun Dunes - Sarah Goer Quilts and Tamarinis

Friday, February 1 - Modern Shoofly
Flying Rainbows - Snug Harbor Quilts
Flying Butterflies - Samelia's Mum and Stitching Farmgirl
Flying Flags - Tamarinis and Pretty Piney
Flying Confetti - Saroy and Slice of Pi Quits

Saturday, February 2 - Half Square Triangles and Squares
Rose Garden Star - Said with Love
Houndstooth - Pretty Piney
Diamond Star - Sew Joy Creations and Piccolo Studio

Monday, February 4 - Striped Fabric Block
Jaws - QuilterChic
Arrowhead - Steph Jacobson Design

Wednesday, February 6 - Coordinated Strips
Peaks - Quilting Mod
Diamond and Crosses - The Quilting Biker and Pampered Pettit
Knots and Crosses - Devoted Quilter and A Bright Corner

Friday, February 8 - Double Disappearing Nine-Patch
Holiday Trellis - Powered by Quilting
Stepping Stones - Snowy Days Quilting and Anja Quilts
Two for One - Mania for Quilts