Stay at Home Round Robin Quilt Parade

Did you enjoy sewing along with the Stay at Home Round Robin (SAHRR) hosted by Gail @ Quilting Gail?  It's time to link up your finished quilt (or quilt top).

I used three solid fabrics:  Kona Nightfall, Torch, and White.  It finishes around 56 inches after quilting.

I used a variety of free-motion quilting motifs with a light orange thread.

I had planned to do some big stitch quilting elements in the centre, but I couldn't decide on a plan.  I can always add it later.

You can see my weekly updates:

• Centre block
• Round 1
• Round 2
• Round 3
• Round 4
• Round 5
• Round 6

Make sure you link up your finished quilt here.

Thanks to my SAHRR host bloggers for another great QAL.

• Gail @ Quilting Gail
• Wendy @ Pieceful Thoughts of My Quilting Life
• Emily @ The Darling Dogwood
• Brenda @ Songbird Designs
• Kathleen @ Kathleen McMusing

2024 Stay at Home Round Robin - Round 6

It's the final round for the Stay at Home Round Robin (SAHRR) hosted by Gail @ Quilting Gail.

Round 6 was chosen by Kathleen @ Kathleen McMusing -- letters and/or numbers.

I added a 4-inch finished Kona Torch border, with Nightfall cornerstones.  I decided to take creative license, and my "letters" will be quilted into the border.

I still have a wavy border, which made the top end up being 57.5 inches.  I gained 1.5 inches from the designed 56-inch quilt but managed to steam/quilt it flat.

I had a quilting plan for the centre of the quilt, but didn't know what to quilt in the outer borders.  I ended up doing an all-over loop motif.  I was having a lot of thread issues over the weekend, to the point that I skipped several sections of quilting.  I'll have to go back and quilt those sections.

My "letters" are my name quilted in the bottom corner of the quilt.

Make sure you link up your round 6 with Kathleen before Sunday night to be entered in the prize giveaway.

The parade for finished quilt tops (quilted or not) will be March 18 hosted by Gail @ Quilting Gail

2024 Stay at Home Round Robin - Round 4

We've passed the halfway point for the Stay at Home Round Robin (SAHRR) hosted by Gail @ Quilting Gail.

Round 4 was chosen by Brenda @ Songbird Designs -- square-in-square or on-point blocks.

I chose to make 4-inch finished square-in-square blocks in Kona Torch and white to match my centre square-in-square block.  These blocks are paper pieced.

I used the blocks as cornerstones with Kona Nightfall completing the border.

This is now 41.5 inches.

Make sure you link up your round 4 with Brenda before Sunday night to be entered in the prize giveaway.

Schedule:

• January 15 - Centre block - hosted by Gail @ Quilting Gail
• January 22 - 1st Round - hosted by Wendy @ Pieceful Thoughts of My Quilting Life
• January 29 - 2nd Round - hosted by Anja @ Anja Quilts
• February 5 - 3rd Round - hosted by Emily @ The Darling Dogwood
• February 12 - 4th Round - hosted by Brenda @ Songbird Designs
• February 19 - 5th Round - hosted by Gail @ Quilting Gail
• February 26 - 6th Round - hosted by Kathleen @ Kathleen McMusing
• March 18 - Quilt/Quilt Top Parade - hosted by Gail @ Quilting Gail

2024 Stay a Home Round Robin - Round 1

Did you get your centre block made?  It's time for round 1 for the Stay at Home Round Robin (SAHRR) hosted by Gail @ Quilting Gail.

Round 1 was chosen by Wendy @ Pieceful Thoughts of My Quilting Life - signature block.

I continued with Kona Torch and White and made 4-inch finished paper pieced signature blocks.

I struggled a little, as I often do with paper piecing.

This now measures 16.5 inches.

Make sure you link up your round 1 with Wendy before Sunday night to be entered in the prize giveaway.

Schedule:

• January 15 - Centre block - hosted by Gail @ Quilting Gail
• January 22 - 1st Round - hosted by Wendy @ Pieceful Thoughts of My Quilting Life
• January 29 - 2nd Round - hosted by Anja @ Anja Quilts 🠜 This is my round.
• February 5 - 3rd Round - hosted by Emily @ The Darling Dogwood
• February 12 - 4th Round - hosted by Brenda @ Songbird Designs
• February 19 - 5th Round - hosted by Gail @ Quilting Gail
• February 26 - 6th Round - hosted by Kathleen @ Kathleen McMusing
• March 18 - Quilt/Quilt Top Parade - hosted by Gail @ Quilting Gail

2024 Stay at Home Round Robin - Centre Block

It's the first day of the 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.  You'll want to think about the size of your finished quilt and whether you want a specific colour scheme or a scrappy quilt.

I used Kona Torch and White to make an 8-inch finished square-in-square block.  It's paper pieced to ensure accuracy so I don't lose the points when adding next week's round.

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 15 - Centre block - hosted by Gail @ Quilting Gail
• January 22 - 1st Round - hosted by Wendy @ Pieceful Thoughts of My Quilting Life
• January 29 - 2nd Round - hosted by Anja @ Anja Quilts 🠜 This is my round.
• February 5 - 3rd Round - hosted by Emily @ The Darling Dogwood
• February 12 - 4th Round - hosted by Brenda @ Songbird Designs
• February 19 - 5th Round - hosted by Gail @ Quilting Gail
• February 26 - 6th Round - hosted by Kathleen @ Kathleen McMusing
• March 18 - Quilt/Quilt Top Parade - hosted by Gail @ Quilting Gail

Heading North - Sandra's Pattern Release

Sandra @ Musings of a Menopausal Melon launched a new pattern last week -- Heading North.  My blog post was scheduled to post on November 3 while I was on vacation, but when copying the permalink on my phone, I somehow deleted the entire post.

The pattern has two sizes, each with a different layout.  The block is in EQ8, so I played around with colours before choosing my fabrics.  I mixed two Island Batik fabrics with other prints.

I made the throw size, but I added an 8-inch border on the top and bottom rather than the 3-inch border in the pattern.  I prefer rectangle quilts over square ones.

My friend Dena suggested orange for the background.  You all know I ♥ orange, so I was easily swayed.  LOL

Now comes the hard part of deciding on a quilting plan.  There's a lot of negative space to consider.

You can purchase Sandra's pattern here. 

If you are looking for inspiration, here are some other versions.

Wendy - Pieceful Thoughts of my Quilting Life

Carol - Quilt Schmilt

Rose - Something Rosemade

Michelle - @peetmichelle

TGIFF - Double Friendship Knots Pillow

I recently took a workshop with Sheri @ Whole Circle Studio -- Double Friendship Knots.  I almost didn't register because although I was interested in learning needle-turn applique, I wasn't interested in the paper piecing part of the workshop.

I learned that Sheri uses starch on her fabrics when paper piecing.  I had to leave the first session early (the session was the day after my roof was damaged in a rain/wind storm), so I didn't hear that she only uses starch if the paper piecing is then used for something else such as applique.   But I have done a few small paper pieced projects since then and have found that the starched fabric made it easier.  So win for me.

I had to move into a temporary apartment while repairs are being done to my house, so I only had limited sewing tools with me.  I had to use the blunt scissors from my first aid kit to cut out the paper pieced templates.  Out came my inner Girl Guide -- use your resources wisely.  LOL

I turned my piece into a 20-inch pillow.  This is a rainy/foggy view from the balcony of my temporary apartment.

These are the paper pieced knots before they were appliqued onto the background fabric -- Kona Storm.

I attempted to FMQ on my Singer Featherweight.  I had some trouble, so I had to sneak back into my house to finish the FMQ on my domestic Singer.

I have always hated hand work, but over the years, I have learned and embraced EPP, hand piecing, big stitch hand quilting (my favourite), and now applique.  I used Wonderfil InvisaFil 100wt.  Can you tell that I used brown thread?  InvisaFil is so fine, it just melts into the fabric.

I am looking forward to my next applique project.

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

TGIFF - Project Quilting 13.6

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.

Have you thought about hosting TGIFF?  You can sign up to host here.

Have you been playing along with Project Quilting hosted by Kim @ Persimon Dreams?

Project Quilting is a 12-week challenge that consists of six themed challenges.

You can see my completed project for Project Quilting 13.1(theme:  all the colours) here.  Unfortunately, life got the better of me, and I wasn't able to complete challenges 2 through 5.  But I've managed to complete this week's challenge.  The theme is flying geese.

I decided to use a pattern by Piece by Numbers Quilt -- Circle of Geese.  I used Kona Storm for the background and some bright Kona colours I found in my scrap bin.  I miscalculated seam allowances, so the blue goose runs into the side gusset.  I'll have to remember that for the next one I make.

I added a bright print for the lining, and now I have a little gift for someone.

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

Here are some other blogs to link up 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

TGIFF - Peace for Ukraine Zippered Pouch

Berene @ Happy Sew Lucky created a pattern to show support for Ukrainians.  I decided to make a zippered pouch using Noodlehead's open wide zippered pouch tutorial.  A friend of mine lives next door to an Ukrainian family, so the pouch will be gifted to them.

I used Kona Pacific, Citrus, and White.  In a workshop a few weeks ago with Sheri @ Whole Circle Studio, we were instructed to starch our fabrics when paper piecing.  It definitely made piecing this small pattern so much easier.

I used a butterfly print for the other side of the pouch.

The finishing touch with a zipper pull.

I'm linking up with:

Thank Goodness It's Finished Friday @ Sugar Sand 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

Stay at Home Round Robin - Round 3 - Stars

How are you doing on your Stay at Home Round Robin (SAHRR) hosted by Gail @ Quilting Gail?  I have to confess that I do not have an update to share.

Roseanne and Sue @ Home Sewn by Us are this week's designers:  Stars ⭐

As I mentioned last week, I had planned to add 2.5-inch borders.  I used EQ8 to design and print a paper pieced star template.  Paper piecing is not my favourite technique, but I will admit that I have moved from hating it to tolerating it.

It was an extremely busy work week with overtime, so I didn't get to my stars until Saturday night.  I should have known better.  I had half of one (just one) star paper pieced, and I decided 2.5-inch paper pieced stars were not for me.  So I abandoned this plan.

I didn't sew any more Saturday night because my body was aching from shovelling wet heavy snow from yet another weekend winter storm (the third in four weekends in January).  Twice I had to shovel, and twice I was wet because of the rain. And that doesn't include helping a neighbour push her car out of the street because for some reason she thought she could drive her car down her unplowed driveway into the unplowed street with summer tires on her car.

And then we had rain and a drop in temperature.  So needless to say, my driveway was a sheet of ice Sunday morning.  I decided to stay put (missing my weekly hair appointment 😭) and ended up working most of the day.

So life got the better of me this past week, and there was limited sewing.  But that's the beauty of this Stay at Home Round Robin -- you work at your own pace, doing your own thing.  No stress.  No pressure.

So my project remains exactly as I shared last week.

Despite today's overtime, I did manage to purchase an electric snow shovel.  I'm ready for the next storm, which sadly is expected to arrive in time for the weekend...again...sigh......

SAHRR Progress:

• Centre block
• Round 1 - Curves
• Round 2 - Diamonds

The SAHRR schedule:

January 10 - Centre Block - Gail @ Quilting Gail

January 17 - Round 1 - Anja @ Anja Quilts

January 24 - Round 2 - Emily @ The Darling Dogwood

January 31 - Round 3 - Roseanne @ Home Sewn by Us

February 7 - Round 4 - Wendy @ Pieceful Thoughts of My Quilting Life

February 14 - Round 5 - Gail @ Quilting Gail

February 21 - Round 6 - Chris @ Chrisknitssews 

February 28 - Link-up for finished quilts -  Gail @ Quilting Gail

Another UFO Finish - 2020 Summer Sampler

And yet another UFO finish from the Christmas break.  This was the Summer Sampler 2020 hosted by Swim Bike Quilt, Lee Heinrich, and Fresh Lemon Quilts. 

I was rebel and skipped the fancy sashing as noted in the pattern.

This finishes 60 x 60 inches.  There were a lot of Kona:  Orchid, Silver, Snow, Breakers, Aqua, Berry, Cactus, Acid Lime, Violet, Caribbean, Turquoise, Peapod, Bonsai, Summer Pear, Honey Dew, Sangria, Celestial, Crimson, Peony, and Ballerina.

I quilted an all-over stipple.

I enjoyed the various techniques, but I've discovered that I don't like weekly QALs.  It's too easy to fall behind.

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

WIP Wednesday - What Was I Thinking??

I signed up for the Atlantic Bubble Mini-Mod Swap, using the Mini-Mod Swap pattern by Berene @  Happy Sew Lucky.  The participants are from the four Atlantic Canada provinces:  Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador.

But what was I thinking??  Paper piecing and 2-inch unfinished blocks.  Oh my......

I pulled out my curved templates by Jen @ Betty Crockerass.

The swap involves sending six 2-inch blocks to four other people, as well as making six blocks for myself.  I'm in a group that requested white and cool colours.

I'm not sure what I'm going to do with the blocks.  I didn't make my own blocks yet as I wanted to wait to see what I receive from the others in my group.