2021 Monthly Color Challenge - December Block

It's the final block for the 2021 Monthly Color Challenge hosted by Jen @ Patterns by Jen.

November's colour is green, which represents olives.

I used Kona Bonsai and Artichoke.

Unfortunately, I've been fighting a cold all week, so I wasn't able to get all my monthly blocks pieced together into a quilt top.  I guess I'll be starting 2022 with a WIP/UFO list.

December Bloggers

Kris - Scrap Dash

Kate - Katie Mae Quilts

Wendy - Pieceful Thoughts

Raylee - Sunflower Stitcheries and Quilting

Andi - True Blue Quilts

Crystal - Daybrook Designs

Ashli - Quilt 2 End Alz

Thanks to the Quarter 4 sponsors:

TGIFF - Advent Calendar

Welcome to Thank Goodness It's Finished Friday.  TGIFF is the opportunity to share your finish from this week.  You can find out who is hosting each week by heading over to the TGIFF blog.

If you would like to host TGIFF in 2022, you can sign up here.

You may have seen over on Instagram that I decided last minute to make an advent calendar for my nieces, but with a modern twist -- Advent calendar bags using the Lined Drawstring Bag pattern by In Color Order.

I finished the bags just in time to get them in the mail to Prince Edward Island for my nieces to open on December 1.

Some of the items in the bags were:  mini chocolate bars, coins for the piggy banks, balloons, play dough, chocolate coins, socks, mini games, glow sticks, and Christmas pajamas for the 24th.

I've already purchased a second panel to make a few larger bags next year.  The pajamas did not fit in the bags.  But now I have a whole year to plan gifts.

It's time to link up your finishes from this week.  I encourage you to visit a few of the links ups to get some inspiration and to share some quilty love.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

TGIFF - Santa Claus is Coming to Town

Welcome to Thank Goodness It's Finished Friday.  TGIFF is the opportunity to share your finish from this week.  You can find out who is hosting each week by heading over to the TGIFF blog.

If you would like to host TGIFF, there are lots of available spots in 2022.  Sign up here.

I have had the Posh Santa pattern by Sew Kind of Wonderful for some time, and I thought it was time I pulled out the pattern and my QCR (Quick Curve Ruler) Mini.

The ruler makes cutting fabric and piecing the curves so much easier.  The Sew Kind of Wonderful patterns have detailed instructions on how to cut the fabric and how to sew the curves.

I am sharing my finished top with you because my work has been keeping me busy, and I haven't had time to do the quilting.  This finishes around 29 x 40 inches.

Now to put my mind to a quilting plan.

It's time to link up your finishes from this week.  I encourage you to visit a few of the links ups to get some inspiration and to share some quilty love.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Storm at Sea in Calm Lagoon

Today is my turn on the Calm Lagoon blog tour hosted by Sherry @ Powered by Quilting for her third signature line -- Calm Lagoon from Island Batik.

I added Island Batik solid grey to the beautiful blues and greens to create a Storm at Sea quilt.  I was unable to get the top quilted in time.

I purchased the Accuquilt Storm at Sea die, which made cutting and piecing more efficient.

I'm always amazed by the movement in Storm at Sea quilts.

I think I know how I'm going to quilt this, but I welcome your suggestions.

*Giveaway Alert*

Leave a comment for a chance to win some fabric pieces to make your own Storm at Sea blocks.  The giveaway will end at midnight Thursday, December 16, 2021.  If you are a no-reply commenter, I will have to re-draw for a new winner.

Blog tour schedule:

• December 1 – Sherry Shish of Powered By Quilting
• December 2 – Kimie and Missy of On Williams Street
• December 3 – Kate Starcher of Katie Mae Quilts
• December 4 – Jen Strauser of Dizzy Quilter
• December 5 – Nancy Scott of Masterpiece Quilting
• December 6 – Sally Williams of Paleofish Designs
• December 7 – Leanne Parsons of Devoted Quilter
• December 8 – Pamela Boatright of Pamela Quilts
• December 9 – Rebecca Lidstrom of Studio R Quilts
• December 10 – Laura Piland of Slice of Pi Quilts
• December 11 – Kathryn LeBlanc of Dragonfly’s Quilting Design Studio
• December 12 – Linda Bratten of Linda B Creative
• December 13 – Anja Clyke of Anja Quilts
• December 14 – Sherry Shish of Powered By Quilting

Calm Lagoon Blog Tour

I'm sewing along with Sherry @ Powered by Quilting for her third signature line -- Calm Lagoon from Island Batik.  It's a great collection of colours and prints.

Blog tour schedule:

• December 1 – Sherry Shish of Powered By Quilting
• December 2 – Kimie and Missy of On Williams Street
• December 3 – Kate Starcher of Katie Mae Quilts
• December 4 – Jen Strauser of Dizzy Quilter
• December 5 – Nancy Scott of Masterpiece Quilting
• December 6 – Sally Williams of Paleofish Designs
• December 7 – Leanne Parsons of Devoted Quilter
• December 8 – Pamela Boatright of Pamela Quilts
• December 9 – Rebecca Lidstrom of Studio R Quilts
• December 10 – Laura Piland of Slice of Pi Quilts
• December 11 – Kathryn LeBlanc of Dragonfly’s Quilting Design Studio
• December 12 – Linda Bratten of Linda B Creative
• December 13 – Anja Clyke of Anja Quilts
• December 14 – Sherry Shish of Powered By Quilting

Advent Calendar Drawstring Bags

I'm making progress on the Advent calendar bags that I started earlier this week.  I'm using the Lined Drawstring Bag pattern by In Color Order.

Here is the first batch of eight bags.

I'm using various Kona colours for the exterior.  I cut up an Advent calendar panel so I didn't have to figure out how to number the bags.

Cute little snowmen for the lining.

I'm linking up with:

Thank Goodness It's Finished Friday @ Storied Quilts

Can I Get a Whoop Whoop? @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict

Finished or Not Friday @ Alycia Quilts

Needle and Thread Thursday @ My Quilt Infatuation

Brag About Your Beauties @ From Bolt to Beauty

Friday Foto Fun @ Powered by Quilting 

UFO Busting @ Tish's Adventure in Wonderland

WIP Wednesday - This and That

I had to make a new list of the projects I'm currently working on so projects don't get forgotten. 😉

I had a thought to make an Advent calendar for my two nieces, using the Lined Drawstring Bag (by In Color Order) to hold treats.  And once again, I find myself thinking, it sounded like a great idea at the time.  LOL  I need to get 24 bags made, filled with treats, and in the mail by next Wednesday so they arrive before December 1.

I cut up an Advent calendar panel so each bag will have a number.  I need to create a plan for some assembly line sewing.  I'll probably watch Hallmark Christmas movies while sewing.

I'm doing some pattern testing for Bea @ Beaquilter.  I cut all the pieces using my Accuquilt Go and the 8" Qube dies.  One benefit of using an Accuquilt cutter is that you don't have to trim blocks once they are sewn together.  Time saver!

I need to get working on the November instructions for the Macaron Mystery QAL hosted by Cheryl @ Meadow Mist Designs.  I need to make and trim 60 flying geese units.  October's instructions were also to make 60 flying geese units.  Please don't let the December instructions be more flying geese blocks.  LOL

Linking up with:

Midweek Makers @ Quilt Fabrication

Wednesday Wait Loss @ The Inquiring Quilter

TGIFF - Wonky Wedges Pillow

I took an online workshop with Melissa Marginet at the end of September -- Wonky Wedges.  I was so  intrigued by the photo in the workshop flyer that I used the same colour scheme for my own version.  I used Kona Natural, Storm, and Yarrow.

The technique to make the wedges is quite interesting and makes piecing easy.

I used Wonderfil perle cotton for big stitch quilting.  My free-hand Xs are a bit wonky.  When I used my hera marker to mark the Xs to give me some guidance with stitching, they turned out much better.

I'm linking up with:

Thank Goodness It's Finished Friday @ Rebecca Grace Quilting

Can I Get a Whoop Whoop? @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict

Finished or Not Friday @ Alycia Quilts

Needle and Thread Thursday @ My Quilt Infatuation

Brag About Your Beauties @ From Bolt to Beauty

Friday Foto Fun @ Powered by Quilting 

UFO Busting @ Tish's Adventure in Wonderland

2021 Monthly Colour Challenge - November Block

It's time for the November block for the 2021 Monthly Color Challenge hosted by Jen @ Patterns by Jen.

November's colour is blue, which represents blueberries. Yum!

I used Kona Ocean and Blue Jay.  This month's block was easy strip piecing to make a 9-patch block.

Each strip set is cut into sections.

And then you piece the four 9-patch blocks.

The four blocks together make an interesting pattern.

November Bloggers

Carolyn - Appliques, Quilts and More

Claudia - Quilt with Claudia

Roseanne - Home Sewn by Us

Raylee - Sunflower Stitcheries and Quilting

Andi - True Blue Quilts

Crystal - Daybrook Designs

Ashli - Quilt 2 End Alz

Kate - Katie Mae Quilts

Scrappy Improv Quilting Blog Tour - Prismatic

I am honoured to join Kelly @ My Quilt Infatuation for this blog tour featuring her new book:  Scrappy Improv Quilting.  You can purchase the book directly from Kelly's Etsy shop or from major retailers such as Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

This is Prismatic - a 20 x 24 inch wall hanging.

I also sewed along with Kelly with the release of her first book Stash Statement back in 2018.  I am not a fan of improv quilting, but Kelly shares great tips on how to get started.  You start by creating a slab of fabric pieces.

And then you cut your pieces from the slab and use those to put together your quilt top.  I used Kona scraps for my three slabs.

I had a rough quilting plan when I sat down at my machine.  But....then I decided to go off script.  It sounded like a good idea at the time, but it ended up not being such a good idea.  I started by echoing  the coloured sections.  I was "supposed" to continue with the echoing, but I found it challenging with all the twisting and turning of the quilt through the machine.  So I thought I'd try a technique from Melissa Marginet's Walking Foot Quilting Designs book for the columns.  It did not turn out as I pictured it in my head. 

Nancy @ Grace and Peace Quilting is also sharing a pattern from Scrappy Improv Quilting today.  Make sure to stop by to see her finish and to say hello.

Over the coming weeks, make sure to stop by My Quilt Infatuation to see all the projects from Scrappy Improv Quilting.  There are a lot of great projects...not sure which one I'll make next.

Scrappy Improv Quilting Blog Tour Schedule-

8/31- Intro, Single Block Beauties, and Simple Shapes

9/7- Seasonal Sensations, Standards With a Twist 

9/13- Summer Blossom- Lori @ Crossquilt
           Up, Up, and Away- Sandra @ mmm quilts

9/15- Flutter- Rose @ Something Rosemade
           Botanics- Diann @ Little Penguin Quilts

9/20- Face the Sun- Laura @ Slice of Pi Quilts
           Full Spectrum- Jayne @ Twiggy and Opal

9/22- Prismatic- Anja @ Anja Quilts
           Downpour- Nancy @ Grace and Peace Quilting

9/27- Funkytown- Vasudha @ Storied Quilts
           Cherub Wings- Michelle @ From Bolt to Beauty

9/29- Chapel Window- Kris @ Sew Sunshine
           Winter Frost- Leanne @ Devoted Quilter

10/4- Heartstruck- Rebecca Grace @ Rebecca Grace Quilting
           Star Spangled- Christine @ Triangles & Squares

10/6- Birds of a Feather- Preeti @ Sew Preeti Quilts
           Fall Foliage- Susan @ Quilt Fabrication

10/11- Ornamental- Gail @ Quilting Gail
            Churn, Churn, Churn- Cynthia @ Quilting Is More Fun Than Housework

10/13- Sunset Crossing- Kate @ Katie Mae Quilts
             Positivity- Sarah @ Sarah Goer Quilts

10/18- All Dressed Up- Linda @ Flourishing Palms
             Shockwave- Anne-Marie @ Stories From the Sewing Room

10/20- Sweet Bee (a bonus thank-you pattern), Finishing, and Wrap-Up (here!) 

TGIFF - Scrappy Quilt

Welcome to Thank Goodness It's Finished Friday.  TGIFF is the opportunity to share your finish from this week.  You can find out who is hosting each week by heading over to the TGIFF blog.

I finally got around to quilting a top I pieced back in April.  Sarah @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict hosts an annual charity quilt drive called Hands2Help Comfort Quilt Challenge.

I had the opportunity to do a guest post on Sarah's blog, and I shared this tutorial.

I did an all-over stipple in yellow thread.  I used Hobbs Premium 80/20 batting (my favourite).  I actually purchased my first large roll a few months ago.  I can't wait to start using it.

I used Kona Bordeaux for the binding, using Aurifil #2350 Copper.

It's now time to share your finish from this week.  I encourage you to visit a few of the links ups to get some inspiration and to share some quilty love.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Here are some other link-up parties where you can showcase your finish:

Can I Get a Whoop Whoop? @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict

Finished or Not Friday @ Alycia Quilts

Needle and Thread Thursday @ My Quilt Infatuation

Brag About Your Beauties @ From Bolt to Beauty

Friday Foto Fun @ Powered by Quilting 

UFO Busting @ Tish's Adventure in Wonderland

Pumpkin Mug Rugs

This week's finish is pumpkin mug rugs.  They finish 6 x 8 inches.

The pumpkin is a log cabin block using a variety of orange batik fabrics.

I used some Kona scraps for the stem and a leaf.  Instead of finishing with binding, I flipped the three layers (Hobbs Batting 80/20 in the middle) inside out and top stitched around the edge.

I free-motioned a continuous wonky circle using Aurifil #2150 Pumpkin.  Happy coincidence that the thread is named Pumpkin. 😊

These may stay at the office, or I may gift them.

Here are some weekly link-up parties where you can showcase your finish:

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

Can I Get a Whoop Whoop? @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict

Finished or Not Friday @ Alycia Quilts

Needle and Thread Thursday @ My Quilt Infatuation

Brag About Your Beauties @ From Bolt to Beauty

Friday Foto Fun @ Powered by Quilting 

UFO Busting @ Tish's Adventure in Wonderland

TGIFF - Maple Leaf Pillows

Welcome to Thank Goodness It's Finished Friday.  TGIFF is the opportunity to share your finish from this week.  You can find out who is hosting each week by heading over to the TGIFF blog.

With fall approaching, I made two pillows using a maple leaf.  You can find free tutorials for this simple block.  And not that I need an excuse to use orange, but orange is a great fall colour.

I used a batik print on the back and did a simple envelope closure.

I used the woodgrain quilting motif for the first time.  It's not an easy technique, but not bad for my first attempt.  I used Aurifil #2000 Light Stand for the quilting and #2350 Copper to attach the binding.

And lucky coincidence that they match my living room decor.  😉

I was going to gift these, but I may have to re-think that....hmmmm......

It's now time to share your finish from this week.  I encourage you to visit a few of the links ups to get some inspiration and to share some quilty love.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

2021 Monthly Colour Challenge - August Block

It's time for the August block for the 2021 Monthly Color Challenge hosted by Jen @ Patterns by Jen.  Don't forget to sign up for the free monthly blocks here.

August's colour is tan.  I used Kona Gold and Scone.  I am fortunate to have a large stash of Kona, so I have been using Kona for all my blocks this year.

The pattern provides instructions on how to make four flying geese blocks at the same time.

As you follow the steps, it doesn't seem like you'll end up with flying geese blocks.

But voilà!  Time to pull out the flying geese Bloc Loc ruler to trim the blocks.  I really need to return this ruler to Dena.  Shhh 🙊...don't tell her I still have it. 😂

I am making the 12-inch blocks, but the patterns have a 6-inch block option if you are adventurous.