TGIFF - MMQG 2024 Block of Month

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

For three years, Dena and I hosted a block of the month for our guild -- Maritime Modern Quilt Guild.  The 2024 version was based on the Communique Quilt by Mouse in my Pocket.

I shared my finished quilt top here.  It was professionally quilted -- a prize I won last year from Musings of Menopausal Melon for her annual QAL.

I used Kona Natural for the background.  I love the pantograph used.

I wanted the stars to shine, so opted for a light-coloured thread that didn't contrast.

I had been hoarding this wonderful wide backing.  Now I wish I had purchased more of it.

I will be keeping this quilt for myself. ♥

It's time for you to link up your finishes from this week.  Please also visit a few of the link ups to get some inspiration and to share some quilty love. ♥

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Pattern:  Communique Quilt by Mouse in My Pocket

Size:  56 x 72 inches

Started: January/February 2024

Completed: January 2025
Techniques: machine piecing, HSTs
Quilting: professionally quilted
Fabric: various Kona colours and Natural for the background - various star prints

Binding: Kona Flame

Thread: unknown
Batting: Warm and Natural

TGIFF - Vinyl Zippered Pouch

I've been playing with vinyl this week.  I made a open wide zippered pouch -- my favourite pouch pattern.

There's a definite learning curve working with vinyl as you can't use an iron to flatten seams.

Despite the challenges, I am looking forward to using vinyl more in the future.

I'm linking up with:

Thank Goodness It's Finished Friday @ Devoted Quilter

Finished or Not Friday @ Alycia Quilts

Brag About Your Beauties @ From Bolt to Beauty

Needle and Thread Thursday @ My Quilt Infatuation

Pattern: Open Wide Zippered Pouch by Noodlehead
Size:  small
Started: February 27, 2025
Completed: February 28, 2025
Techniques: machine piecing
Fabric: vinyl and quilting cotton

Thread: Gutermann #460

2025 Stay at Home Round Robin - Round 6

It's time for the last round for the Stay at Home Round Robin (SAHRR) hosted by Gail @ Quilting Gail.  I hope you have enjoyed sewing along with us.

Round 6 was chosen by Emily @ The Darling Dogwood - the kite block or choose a block that starts with the initial of your first name.

I chose a block that started with the letter A -- Anvil block -- and used Kona Magenta, Kumquat, and Corn Yellow.

It's an easy block consisting of squares and HSTs.

The block in the top left-hand corner is my "centre" block.

I saw an interesting quilt layout online and tried to modify it for the SAHRR.  It didn't turn out how I envisioned, but I like it.

Make sure you link up this week's round with Emily before Sunday night to be entered in the prize giveaway.

You have until March 24 to link up your quilt top or finished quilt.

Schedule:

• January 13 - Centre block - hosted by Gail @ Quilting Gail
• January 20 - 1st Round - hosted by Kathleen @ Kathleen McMusing
• January 27 - 2nd Round - hosted by Anja @ Anja Quilts
• February 3 - 3rd Round - hosted by Gail @ Quilting Gail
• February 10 - 4th Round - hosted by Wendy @ Pieceful Thoughts of My Quilting Life
• February 17 - 5th Round - hosted by Brenda @ Songbird Designs
• February 24 - 6th Round - hosted by Emily @ The Darling Dogwood
• March 24 - Quilt/Quilt Top Parade - hosted by Gail @ Quilting Gail

2025 Stay at Home Round Robin - Round 5

Are you ready for round 5 for the Stay at Home Round Robin (SAHRR)?  Next week will be the last round.

Round 5 was chosen by Brenda @ Songbird Designs -- half log block.

I used Kona Pacific, Red, Lapis, and Chartreuse to make this 12.5-inch block.

Since I was working with 2-inch pieces, I used my fabric glue from Acorn Makers.

I made four 6-5 inch blocks and rotated them to make my 12.5-inch block.

We have been seeing a lot of different layout variations.  Are you sewing a traditional medallion layout, or something different?  I tried a different layout this year.  Stay tuned for the reveal.

Make sure you link up this week's round with Brenda before Sunday night to be entered in the prize giveaway.

Schedule:

• January 13 - Centre block - hosted by Gail @ Quilting Gail
• January 20 - 1st Round - hosted by Kathleen @ Kathleen McMusing
• January 27 - 2nd Round - hosted by Anja @ Anja Quilts
• February 3 - 3rd Round - hosted by Gail @ Quilting Gail
• February 10 - 4th Round - hosted by Wendy @ Pieceful Thoughts of My Quilting Life
• February 17 - 5th Round - hosted by Brenda @ Songbird Designs
• February 24 - 6th Round - hosted by Emily @ The Darling Dogwood
• March 24 - Quilt/Quilt Top Parade - hosted by Gail @ Quilting Gail

2025 Stay at Home Round Robin - Round 4

We're at the halfway point of the Stay at Home Round Robin (SAHRR).  If you haven't been able to keep up, or didn't have time to start, you can start sewing whenever you want.

Round 4 was chosen by Wendy @ Pieceful Thoughts of My Quilting Life -- slice square with insert.

As you know, I ♥ orange, so I had to make a block with an orange background.  I did three inserts with Kona Chartreuse, Pacific, and Corn Yellow.

Now I'm moving downward with my layout.

Make sure you link up this week's round with Wendy before Sunday night to be entered in the prize giveaway.

Schedule:

• January 13 - Centre block - hosted by Gail @ Quilting Gail
• January 20 - 1st Round - hosted by Kathleen @ Kathleen McMusing
• January 27 - 2nd Round - hosted by Anja @ Anja Quilts
• February 3 - 3rd Round - hosted by Gail @ Quilting Gail
• February 10 - 4th Round - hosted by Wendy @ Pieceful Thoughts of My Quilting Life
• February 17 - 5th Round - hosted by Brenda @ Songbird Designs
• February 24 - 6th Round - hosted by Emily @ The Darling Dogwood
• March 24 - Quilt/Quilt Top Parade - hosted by Gail @ Quilting Gail

Project Quilting 16.3 - Common Blocks

The theme for Project Quilting 16.3 -- hosted by Kim @ Persimon Dreams and Trish @ Quilt Chicken -- was Common blocks.

Common blocks are the core foundation of our craft – these are the block designs that no one “invented,” instead they’re the legacy we’ve inherited from quilters through the ages.

Here is my 36-inch baby quilt using Kona Nightfall, Snow, Lemon, and Cardinal.

I played around in EQ8 and choose sawtooth star, 4-patch, and HST blocks for my three common blocks.

I decided to use Dove Grey Wonderfil DecoBob 80wt thread again and practice free-motion quilting on my Babylock Accomplish.

I used a blue fabric for the back that I've been hoarding, but it suited this quilt so well.

I attached the binding by machine to the back and to the front to save some time.

Pattern: self designed
Size:  36 x 36 inches
Started: February 5, 2025
Completed: February 8, 2025
Techniques: machine piecing, HSTs
Quilting: free-motion quilting on Baby Lock Accomplish
Fabric: Kona Nightfall, Snow, Lemon, Cardinal

Binding: Kona Nightfall

Thread: Wonderfil DecoBob DB113 Dove Grey
Batting: Hobbs Heirloom Premium 80/20 Cotton

2025 Stay at Home Round Robin - Round 3

Are you sewing along for the Stay at Home Round Robin (SAHRR) hosted by Gail @ Quilting Gail?  If not, there's still lots of time to join in.

Round 3 was chosen by Gail @ Quilting Gail - a star block.

I made a 12.5-inch Sawtooth Star block using Kona Chartreuse, Lapis, and Kumquat.

I use EZ Quilting Flying Geese ruler.  The ruler cuts the "goose" triangle and the "sky" side triangles.

If you have been following along, you'll notice that I have been making blocks rather than a traditional medallion-style layout.  The great thing about the SAHRR is that you choose how to interpret the weekly themes, and you choose how to sew your top together.  It's amazing at the end to see so many different interpretations of each round.  Happy sewing!

Make sure you link up this week's round with Gail before Sunday night to be entered in the prize giveaway.

Schedule:

• January 13 - Centre block - hosted by Gail @ Quilting Gail
• January 20 - 1st Round - hosted by Kathleen @ Kathleen McMusing
• January 27 - 2nd Round - hosted by Anja @ Anja Quilts
• February 3 - 3rd Round - hosted by Gail @ Quilting Gail
• February 10 - 4th Round - hosted by Wendy @ Pieceful Thoughts of My Quilting Life
• February 17 - 5th Round - hosted by Brenda @ Songbird Designs
• February 24 - 6th Round - hosted by Emily @ The Darling Dogwood
• March 24 - Quilt/Quilt Top Parade - hosted by Gail @ Quilting Gail

Rope Bowl Finishes

I took a rope bowl workshop with Jeanette @ Stamp Stitch Create.  Jeanette shared helpful tricks and hints from her experience making bowls.

I realize that my past attempts were not successful because I wasn't using the right rope.  Jeanette suggested Rope Shop, which is a Canadian company.  What a difference using the right materials makes in the final product.

I started with a 6.5-inch base.  And then I used my new rivet press to finish off the end.  I don't have a purpose for this bowl yet, but I have it displayed in my living room at the moment.

We were working with 100 feet of rope at the workshop.  I didn't use all my rope on my large bowl, so I used the rest to make a smaller bowl.  This has a 4.5-inch base.  I've already gifted this to a co-worker who is being transferred to another department.

I "may" have gone in on a group order and purchased 1,500 feet of rope. 😀

I'm linking up with:

Thank Goodness It's Finished Friday @ Kathleen McMusing

Finished or Not Friday @ Alycia Quilts

Brag About Your Beauties @ From Bolt to Beauty

WIP Wednesday - Effervescence QAL

Are you sewing along with Quilting Jetgirl's Effervescence QAL?  Yvonne always has great QALs and patterns.  There's still time to join in.

I was slow in choosing fabrics because I wanted to use what I had in my stash.  But I'm now back on track.

Here are my first four blocks.  I didn't take any in-progress photos because the blocks pieced together very quickly, which I wasn't expecting.  Before I knew it, the blocks were finished.

The cutting was quite a production and took two full evenings.

I can't wait for the next set of blocks to be released next week.

I'm linking up with:

Wednesday Wait Loss @ The Inquiring Quilter

2025 Stay at Home Round Robin - Round 2

Are you ready for round 2 for the Stay at Home Round Robin (SAHRR)?

Round 2 was chosen by me -- half-square triangles (HST).  HSTs are versatile, and there are many choices you can make.  I generally make them the traditional 2-at-a-time way.  Blossom Heart Quilts has a great HST tutorial and math formula.  If you need some inspiration, check out Patchwork Square.

For this simple 12.5-inch HST block, I used Kona Meringue, Lapis, Pink Flamingo, Black, Corn Yellow, Magenta, Kumquat, Chartreuse, and Red.

I use Bloc Loc rulers to trim my HSTs.

As you can now see, I'm not following the traditional medallion/round robin layout.

Make sure you link up this week's round before Sunday night to be entered in the prize giveaway.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

Schedule:

• January 13 - Centre block - hosted by Gail @ Quilting Gail
• January 20 - 1st Round - hosted by Kathleen @ Kathleen McMusing
• January 27 - 2nd Round - hosted by Anja @ Anja Quilts
• February 3 - 3rd Round - hosted by Gail @ Quilting Gail
• February 10 - 4th Round - hosted by Wendy @ Pieceful Thoughts of My Quilting Life
• February 17 - 5th Round - hosted by Brenda @ Songbird Designs
• February 24 - 6th Round - hosted by Emily @ The Darling Dogwood
• March 24 - Quilt/Quilt Top Parade - hosted by Gail @ Quilting Gail

Project Quilting 16.2 - Ombre

It's time for Project Quilting Season 16 -- hosted by Kim @ Persimon Dreams and Trish @ Quilt Chicken.

Project Quilting is six themed challenges over 12 weeks.  The theme is announced at 12:00 noon on Sunday, and you have until 12:00 noon the following Sunday to link up a project that you made during the week.

This week's theme was Ombre.  I've been wanting to try a tutorial by Sarah @ Sarah Goer Quilts for some time, so this was the perfect opportunity.

I always use my Bloc Loc rulers to trim my HSTs.  I cut 4.5-inch squares as I didn't have enough fabric to cut 5-inch squares as suggested in the tutorial.

I've been using Wonderfil DecoBob 80wt thread for piecing.  I thought I'd try it for free-motion quilting on my Babylock Accomplish.  I used Dove Grey, and it melted into the fabric.  I will definitely use it again.

I found a green/teal print in my stash for the back and made a scrappy binding.

Kona colours:  Sea Mist, Ice Frappe, Julep, Aloe, Cypress, Kale, Enchanted, and Spruce.

Pattern: Ombre HST tutorial by Sarah Goer Quilts
Size: 28 x 36 inches
Started: January 22, 2025
Completed: January 25, 2025
Techniques: machine piecing, HSTs
Quilting: free-motion quilting on Baby Lock Accomplish
Fabric: Kona Sea Mist, Ice Frappe, Julep, Aloe, Cypress, Kale, Enchanted, Spruce

Binding: Kona Ice Frappe, Aloe, Cypress, Kale, Spruce

Thread: Wonderfil DecoBob DB113 Dove Grey
Batting: Hobbs Heirloom Premium 80/20 Cotton

2025 Stay at Home Round Robin - Round 1

Did you get your centre block made?  If not, there's still time.  Today is the reveal for the first theme for the Stay at Home Round Robin (SAHRR) hosted by Gail @ Quilting Gail.

Round 1 was chosen by Kathleen @ Kathleen McMusing - King's Cross block or choose a block that starts with the initial of your first name.

I decided to choose a block that started with the letter A.  I choose Auntie's Puzzle block as my nephew and nieces call me Auntie.  I used Kona Meringue, Kumquat, and Pacific to make this 12.5-inch block.

The block is made from squares, rectangles, and HSTs.  I was so focused on chain piecing that I ended up having to do a partial seam because I wasn't paying attention.

I decided to do something different with my layout this year.  Fingers crossed that my plan works out. 

Make sure you link up this week's round with Kathleen before Sunday night to be entered in the prize giveaway.

Schedule:

• January 13 - Centre block - hosted by Gail @ Quilting Gail
• January 20 - 1st Round - hosted by Kathleen @ Kathleen McMusing
• January 27 - 2nd Round - hosted by Anja @ Anja Quilts
• February 3 - 3rd Round - hosted by Gail @ Quilting Gail
• February 10 - 4th Round - hosted by Wendy @ Pieceful Thoughts of My Quilting Life
• February 17 - 5th Round - hosted by Brenda @ Songbird Designs
• February 24 - 6th Round - hosted by Emily @ The Darling Dogwood
• March 24 - Quilt/Quilt Top Parade - hosted by Gail @ Quilting Gail

2025 Stay at Home Round Robin - Centre Block

It's the first day of the 2025 Stay at Home Round Robin (SAHRR) hosted by Gail @ Quilting Gail.

It's time to get your centre block ready.  You can use an orphan block, or make a new block.  Think about what size you want your finished quilt to be and whether you want a specific colour scheme or a scrappy quilt.

I decided to use an orphan block for my centre.  This is the Corona block by Quilting Latinas -- one of several new bilingual quilt patterns.  I made this 12.5-inch block from Kona Black, Meringue, Chartreuse, and Lapis for the pattern release on October 30.  Life got the better of me, and I didn't get any more blocks made for a quilt.

Make sure you link up your centre block with Gail before Sunday night to be entered in the prize giveaway.

In order to qualify for prizes from our sponsors, we need to know who you are and how to contact you.  We also need to know where you live, so please put your name and country in the Caption line (see below) when you link up.  It is best to link up with a blog or Instagram post so we'll have your e-mail address.  If you do not have either, you can send me a photo of your round each week, and I will add it to the link up for you and enter you into the draw.  You can e-mail me at anjaclyke [at] gmail [dot] com.

Schedule:

• January 13 - Centre block - hosted by Gail @ Quilting Gail
• January 20 - 1st Round - hosted by Kathleen @ Kathleen McMusing
• January 27 - 2nd Round - hosted by Anja @ Anja Quilts
• February 3 - 3rd Round - hosted by Gail @ Quilting Gail
• February 10 - 4th Round - hosted by Wendy @ Pieceful Thoughts of My Quilting Life
• February 17 - 5th Round - hosted by Brenda @ Songbird Designs
• February 24 - 6th Round - hosted by Emily @ The Darling Dogwood
• March 24 - Quilt/Quilt Top Parade - hosted by Gail @ Quilting Gai