Medallion Magic QAL

Have you seen the QAL being hosted by Leanne @ Devoted Quilter for her Medallion Magic pattern?  There's still time to join in -- the second set of sewing instructions was just released this week.

I realized that I forgot to link up my centre star block...oops.  But I had it done on time.  Here it is.

I'm using Kona Nightfall for the background (it sometimes looks black in  my photos).  I'm also using Royal, Tangerine, Torch, Orange, School Bus, and Tiger Lily.

I hope to get the next step done this weekend.

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

Finish Along 2019 Q2 Goals

And just like that... it's time to set goals for Q2 for Finish Along 2019.  I finished all my Q1 goals!!

You can find out more about Finish Along 2019 and link up your goals and finishes at any one of the following hosts:

• Sandra – Studio Sew of Course
• Marci – Marci Girl Designs
• Leanne – She Can Quilt  *Canadian 
• Izzy – Dizzy Quilts *Canadian
• Ella – Throw a Wench in the Works
• Karen – Capitola Quilter
• Lynne – Tinking Along
• Sarah G – Sarah Goer Quilts
• Sarah Z – Cedar Fork Stitches
• Julie – That’s Sew Julie
• Sharla – Thistle Thicket Studio
• Nicole – Handwrought Quilts *Canadian

*A little shout out to my fellow Canadian bloggers. 😉

1.  Meadowland Quilts - I participated in the QAL hosted by Then Came June.  I need to quilt both tops.

And I plan to make two pillows from the leftover blocks.

2.  Hand Pieced QAL - I finished all nine blocks for the QAL hosted by Patty @ Elm Street Quilts.  I need to get the sashing and the corner blocks sewn on.  The QAL link up is April 30.  I hope I can get the top finished by the deadline.

3.  Blooming Wallflowers - I kept up with this QAL hosted by Christa @ Christa Quilts, but then I fell behind when I couldn't figure out a quilting plan yet.  My goal is to get this quilted.

4.  Everyone's Got an X - This is the second baby quilt I've made using this pattern by Andrea @ 3rd Story Workshop.  And of course, I've fallen behind in the QAL as I debate/procrastinate about a quilting plan.

I like linking up with Finish Along as it helps me finish projects -- a little bit of accountability to help keep me focused.  Now if only I didn't get sidetracked by new projects.  😄

Accuquilt Ready. Set. GO! Baby Quilt Challenge

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

Accuquilt was generous and provided the Island Batik Ambassadors with a Ready. Set. GO! Ultimate fabric cutting system.  This month's challenge is to make a baby quilt using the cutting system.  I finally made a decision on what to make -- GO! Star Delight pattern -- so I started cutting fabric tonight.

I did a few practice cuts to make sure I was comfortable using the cutter.

In my package from Island Batik, I received a 10-inch square bundle of Icicle Batiks.

Here are some of my triangles.

And my squares.  It didn't take too long to get these all cut.

Stay tuned for further updates.  I can't wait to start sewing.

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

Midweek Makers @ Quilt Fabrication

Wednesday Wait Loss @ The Inquiring Quilter

OMG April Goal - Meadowland Quilts

And with a blink of an eye...it's time to set an April One Monthly Goal.  OMG is hosted by Patty @ Elm Street Quilts.

I played along with the Meadowland QAL hosted by Then Came June.  I used a FQ bundle True Colours by Joel Dewberry.

I was a week behind in the QAL, but I managed to catch up.

The blocks were easy to make, but they were time consuming.

And then there were two 48 x 48 inch quilt tops.

I have two leftover blocks that I will turn into pillows to go along with the quilts.

My April OMG goal is to quilt both quilts and get the two pillows made.  I think I can manage with a four-day Easter weekend coming up.

WIP Wednesday - Hand Pieced QAL

I finally finished all my hand-pieced blocks!!  The Hand Pieced QAL was co-hosted by Patty @ Elm Street Quilts and Kristin @ Simple Handmade Everyday.

Here are my nine 6.5-inch blocks.

I used Kona White for the background.

The prints are from the Michael Miller Hash Dot collection.

I need to get the sashing strips sewn on, as well as the corner triangles.  The link up for finished quilt tops opens tomorrow.  I sure hope it's open for more than a week; otherwise, I'm going to be scrambling to finish before the link up closes.

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

Classic Meets Modern BOM...Finally Finished

Last year, I participated in the Classic Meets Modern BOM hosted by Kelly @ My Quilt Infatuation.

I linked up my finished quilt top, but I did not get around to quilting and finishing it until now.  I did not win a prize 😲, but you can see all the quilts linked up in case you were looking for some inspiration to make your own version.

I copied the same colours from Kelly's original version:  Kona, White, Steel, Turquoise, Berry, Pool, Parrot, and Royal.

I had three months to decide on a quilting plan, but I ended up with an all-over loopy stipple.  I used a light grey thread.

The light grey thread blended in quite well with all the colours.

I quilted my name along the edge, following suit with Sandra@ Musings of  Menopausal Melon.

I managed to get somewhat decent photos today before going to visit with my nieces.  It was a dreary grey day, and we're in the awkward stage of no snow (yes!!) and icky brown grass (yuck!!).

This was the last of my FAL 2019 Q1 goals.

OMG March Goal

Cutting it close to the end of the month completing my OMG March goal.  😉

I started this EPP project back in August.  But it's finally finished!

29 inches on each side

I struggled with completing this project because I did not have any more of the fabrics to finish the edges/put on a border.  But I found some more of one of the orange fabrics.  I had originally thought about a dark blue border, but I'm happy with this.

I've managed to get my domestic Singer to do some free motion quilting (which is normally doesn't like), but if I use Aurifil or Gutermann thread and crank up the tension a bit, I can get good success.

I started with a large loop in each of the orange diamonds.  And then I did an orange peel in the navy blue around the centre block.  I had planned to do something different for the rest, but I was having good success so continued with orange peel in the medium blue, and then did two more loops in the orange diamonds.

I got inspiration for this project from Jayne @ Twiggy and Opal.  You should check out her blog -- she creates a lot of great stuff.

Now to find another EPP project.  I really don't like hand sewing, but I do like having something to work on when I don't feel like sewing at the machine or don't have a lot of time to sew.

This is one of my FAL 2019 Q1 goals.

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

Vintage Reimagined - Lone Star

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

My second challenge as a 2019 Island Batik Ambassador was not stressful like the first challenge; however, I did delay making a decision on what to make.  The monthly theme is:  Vintage Reimagined -- vintage quilts inspiring new creations (36-inch square or larger).

I had more or less decided to make a Lone Star/Star of Bethlehem.  I like working with solid fabrics, so Amish quilts intrigue me.  But I second guessed my choice for a week or two.  As I Googled some potential patterns, I remembered a pattern that I wanted to try.  So I headed to the blog, hoping there were some directions.  It was my lucky day -- not only was there a tutorial, there was a chart giving various quilt sizes.  Score!!

Even better, Vasudha @ Storied Quilts (another Island Batik Ambassador) granted me permission to use the tutorial and she even helped me with colour placement.

I used these eight Basics, along with Black for the background:

These were great fabrics to work with.

Only two 2.5-inch strips were needed from each of the eight colours to make this 40-inch quilt.  In keeping with the theme, I pieced my strip sets with my Singer Featherweight.

Last Saturday night, I stayed up until 1:45 a.m. to piece all the star points because I wanted to see the awesome spiral that Vasudha's pattern makes.  😫

I love the star that forms in the centre.  Look at the amazing colours and prints.

I used Hobbs Premium 80/20 Black batting.  And I used my Clover chaco-liner (grey) to mark my quilting lines.

Simple straight-line quilting using Aurifil thread #4150 Creme Brule.  It's a great variegated thread.

I would definitely use Vasudha's tutorial to make another spiral Lone Star.

Now to finalize my plans for my April project.

I struggle with naming my quilts.  I haven't yet been able to come up with a suitable name for this quilt.  I'm open to any suggestions you may have.

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

Trinket Sew Along - More Week 3 Blocks

It's almost the end of week 3 of the Alison Glass Trinket Sew Along.  Have you been playing along?  If not, there's still lots of time to join in -- you can get the pattern and more details about the Sew Along here.

I've been sewing along with some other Canadian bloggers in support of Clinton Modern Creative, (IG @clintonmodern) a shop sponsor for the SAL.

• Made by Meag - IG @madeby_meag 
• Daydreams of Quilts - IG @daydreamsofquilts 
• A Quarter Inch from the Edge - IG @mmeteezee 
• Quilts by Joanne - IG @turtlequilterjo 

Here is Shapes 2:

Shapes 3 was another opportunity to showcase a "trinket" from my Alison Glass fabric.

I'm showing you my 28 mm OLFA cutter and add-a-quarter inch ruler with my Shapes 4 block.

My blocks are posted daily on Instagram -- @AnjaQuilts.  Don't forget to check out Clinton Modern Creative for your sewing needs.