Finish Friday: Another Baby Quilt

Riding on the high of the baby quilt productivity, I made another one last night.  This one is a little bigger, as it's for a toddler.  Completing small projects is so motivating.  More baby quilts are definitely on the horizon.  I haven't made any quilts for our local children's hospital lately, so I think I will be digging through my stash this weekend.

And it was still light out when I got home from work today, so was able to get a few photos.

Linking up with TGIFF being hosted by Aylin and with Can I get a Whoop Whoop hosted by Sarah @ Confessions of a Fabric Addict.

 

 

WIP Wednesday: Baby Quilts Edition

Last night was a great night.  I made a baby quilt in two hours!  Disclaimer:  The squares were already pre-cut and laid out on the design wall.  But I pieced, sandwiched, quilted, and sewed the binding on -- all in one night.

hanging from my filing cabinet

I had to bring the quilt to work because it was too dark last night to take a photo, and sadly, it's too dark in the mornings as well.  I don't like fall/winter because of the cold and the snow, but now it's interfering with my ability to take photos, so even more unhappy.

I managed to get better lighting in the Chief Judge's Office while she was out:

Chair in the Chief Judge's office

My productivity was motivating, so baby (toddler) quilt number two on the design wall:

Hoping to get a start on this tomorrow night.  Darn computer class tonight is interfering with my quilting plans.

Since it's WIP Wednesday, linking up with Let's Bee Social @ Sew Fresh Quilts and WIP Wednesday @ Freshly Pieced.

Help Me...

...my name is Anja, and I have an addiction...to zippered pouches.

Instead of organizing my fabric stash, I made more zippered pouches.  These two will be Christmas gifts:

And another one for me:

I. Must. Stop!

Fabric Organization

Although I spent a lot of time in my sewing room today, there wasn't a great deal of sewing going on.

I love the Open Wide Zippered Pouch that I made yesterday, so I decided to make the medium size.  I think I see an addiction in my future.  I then went searching through my stash to find some coordinating fabrics to make two pouches for Christmas stocking stuffers.  Definitely on the road to addiction.

To reinforce said addiction, I decided I needed one of the zippered pouches I made for the swap with the Victoria Modern Quilt Guild.  Check it out here.  So back to the stash to find more fabric.  Then on to cutting up the fusible interfacing that was purchased to make fabric storage bins (check them out here) -- I didn't want to buy more if there was enough in the house.

Two plus pillows have been sitting on the design wall all week long.  They coordinate with the quilt that was finished yesterday, so time to get those finished as well.

Back yet again to the fabric stash to put together two baby quilts.  Fabric is now all cut and one quilt is on the design wall.

After all the searching for fabric, I decided I didn't want to use the fabric I had chosen for the zippered pouch.  So back to the stash tomorrow.

As I was searching through the fabric (and there really isn't a great deal of it), I sadly realized just how disorganized it is.  I knew it wasn't organized the best it could be, but didn't realize just how bad it was.  Task for the week:  organize the fabric.  And maybe make some more pouches....

Successful Sew In

Today was Sew In with the Maritime Modern Quilt Guild.  I always debate on how many projects to take.  Take too many, and you don't finish them all so you feel like you didn't accomplish anything. Take too little, and you finish them all early and then don't have anything to work on.

First up on the list was to finish the binding on my Candy Scraps from Moda Bake Shop...because I ran out of thread on the last side and wasn't able to finish it before heading out to Sew In.  Project one...done.

Next up was a zippered pouch.  I've been wanting to try the Open Wide Zippered Pouch from Noodlehead ever since I eyed the ones made by Jenn over at A Quarter Inch from the Edge.  You can check out her recent creations here.  Project two...done.

At the September meeting of MMQG, we had a zippered pouch exchange -- bring a pouch, receive a pouch.  I received a great bag made by Linda over at Scrapmaster.  Linda shared her pattern, and I decided to make it for the zippered pouch exchange MMQG is doing with the Victoria Modern Quilt Guild.  I had to read some sections of the pattern more than once and had to consult with QD as I had no idea what the instructions meant.  But once it was finished, all the directions did make sense.  Project three...done.

The last on the list was the Seaside Table Runner from Jaybird Quilts.  The pieces are diamond shaped, and I was having trouble lining them up properly.  So I thought I'd give it another try today.  Sadly, still no luck.  But then Dominique over at The Running Thimble gave me a very helpful hint.  It creates more work as you have to mark all the pieces, but...success!!   Perfect alignment.  Thanks Dominique.  I managed to get some of the pieces marked.  Project four...in progress.

 

Linking up with Sew Can She for Show Off Saturday.  What do you have to show off this weekend?

 

 

 

 



Sunday Finish...The Library Project Finale!

Sunday Finish doesn't have the same musical ring as Friday Finish...but I finished a huge quilt...with free motion quilting!!!  Show Off Sunday!!!

This was the fourth and last of my projects for The Library Project hosted by Adrienne over at Chezzetcook Modern Quilts.  Thanks Adrienne.  It has been fun, and it was a good motivator not to lose sight of projects.

The tutorial is found over at Happy Quilting.  It was a great tutorial and a fun quilt to make...I just didn't realize how large the quilt would finish.

The plan was to quilt this afternoon, but I'm second-guessing my choice of quilting.  Need some more time to ponder.  The sun is out this afternoon, so I think perhaps an outdoor adventure is in order.

I hope you found some quilt happiness this weekend.  I did!!

Long Overdue Finish Friday

I can't believe it's been three weeks since I've quilted and posted to my blog.  In my mind, I thought it was two weeks.  Oh my...  But I enjoyed the quilting break to catch up on some reading and to take it easy....okay...I was really procrastinating about some quilt tops that needed to be quilted.

But success!!  I finished a crazy nine-patch that has been hanging around far too long.  I decided to do some "crazy" straight line quilting.



I see now that there are some sections that have a lot of quilting, and other sections, not as much.  I guess that adds to its character.

I have been spray basting several of my quilts lately thanks to the suggestion by QJ.  I was only doing smaller quilts, but I was still having issues with the fabric puckering.  QJ suggested this week to lay down the batting, spray it, and then put the backing on top of the batting.   Genius!!!  What a difference.  Instead of the hardwood floor in the living room, I basted on the carpet in the basement.  The batting is so much easier to smooth out, and it sticks to the carpet.  So I stepped out in faith and attempted to spray baste a 85-inch square quilt.  Success!!!  It's like a whole new world has opened up.  Bye bye pins!!!

Linking up with TGIFF over at Simply Pieced.

Sunday Success

Riding on the high of yesterday's sew day, I finished a quilt that has been hanging around in my sewing room for far too long.

This is a strip quilt using the tutorial at Quilts + Color.

Strip Quilt

I cut the red accent pieces 2.5-inch square rather than the 2.5 x 4.5 inch rectangle as indicated in the tutorial.  Next time, I'll skip the borders.  I thought the quilt needed to be "framed" -- but the borders were just a nuisance in the quilting process.

When I started this quilt, I considered who the recipient might be.  One name popped into my mind, but I dismissed it.  When I pulled out the quilt last night to have it ready for quilting today, the same name popped into my mind.  Okay...you don't have to hit me over the head.  My friend turns 50 in a few months; however, I've decided to give it to him early, as we have learned first hand this week, that tomorrow is promised to no one.

My goal for this week is to start sandwiching (and hopefully quilting) the five quilt tops taking up space in my sewing room.  I've vowed not to start anything new until these quilts are finished.

What are your sewing goals for this week?

Another Successful Sew Day

Today was sew day with Maritime Modern Quilt Guild.  It's always a dilemma on what projects to take, and I always bring too many. Today was no exception.  I bought several projects with me, but didn't finish them all.  It was so hot today that it was difficult to sew.  It seems that summer is trying to hang on for just a little while longer.  And I'm okay with that!

Here are two commissioned baby quilts that were finished today.

Chevron #1

Chevron #2

I ran into Baby T (not really a baby, but at the time there were two T's, and we had to distinguish them somehow) yesterday and learned that he has a new baby.  Unfortunately, he was two weeks' premature.  So what to do?  A baby quilt of course.  Baby M needs all the love and encouragement he can get.  This quilt will be delivered tomorrow.

Elizabeth Hartman's pattern:  Charm Squares

I enjoyed making this quilt and will likely make it again.  Elizabeth Hartman has some great patterns.  Head over to Oh Fransson to check them out.

Yesterday was the celebration of life for E, who lived life fully every day.  Just a reminder that tomorrow is not promised to anyone.  Enjoy life while you have time.

Show Off Saturday: The Baby Showers Edition

My quilt bee friend QJ, otherwise known as Jenn over at A Quarter Inch from the Edge, is expecting twins.  She is also a Girl Guide, so her Guiding friends hosted a baby shower.

It was difficult to decide what to make, but I finally decided on chevron quilts with sea creature fabric.


Quilts for Double Trouble

And then on Thursday, one of our quilt bees hosted another baby shower.  Two showers, two babies....two gifts needed of course.  But what to make?  I remembered I had some PUL fabric, so two changing pads.  Thanks to QB for the pattern.  Waterproof is always a good idea with babies.

Waterproof changing pads

I love these ducks and monsters.  I think a tote bag made with the monsters is next on the project list.

It's that time of the month for The Library Project update.  I finally quilted my postage stamp quilt.  The pattern is from Oh Fransson.

Postage Stamp Pattern

One more quilt to finish, and then I will have completed The Library Project.  I'm off two days next week, so I'm going to tackle this last quilt.  I have been procrastinating on this one because it's 85-inches square, and I'm going to do free motion quilting.  I had been feeling very overwhelmed on the amount of quilting to be done and the size of the quilt, but some encouragement this week from QJ has convinced me to get it done.

Since it's Saturday, showing off about my finishes this week and linking up with Sew Can She.

 What are you showing off about this week?

Sew Day with the Squares

Another great sew day with the Squares today.  Sadly QB couldn't join us.  But I bet she had lots of fun snuggling with her grandson.

QJ over at A Quarter Inch from the Edge made some great fabric storage bins a few weeks ago.  I really liked them and thought it would be a great way to use some of the orange and green fabric I bought in South Africa.  I finished one and then ran out of fusible interfacing.

Our LQS was out of stock of the weight of interfacing I needed (we always go out for lunch and a trip to our LQS on sew day), so a quick stop at another fabric store on my way home.  And then finished storage bin #2.

I also finished the two baby quilts tonight that had been in the QPP.  Just under the wire, as the baby shower is tomorrow....at my place.  Stay tuned for the reveal. 

The September meeting of the Maritime Modern Quilt Guild was this past week, and we had a zippered pouch exchange. Make and bring a pouch, receive a pouch.  I forgot to take a photo of the pouch I made with laminated fabric, but here is the great pouch I received from Scrapmaster.

Thanks, Linda.  I love it!

Decisions, decisions, decisions...do I stay up late to do the housework I didn't do tonight because I was sewing?  Or do I get up early and clean like a crazy lady before everyone arrives?  Maybe a little tidying up and then a hot bubble bath.  If I do housework tonight, then I'll feel like I can sew in the morning, and then there will be thread and bits of fabric everywhere, and then I'll have to clean again.

I hope you had some fun sewing today.

The Week of Non-Productivity

Not much quilting in this house the past week.  I just wasn't feeling it, so I took a break.  I figured the fabric and WIP's wouldn't go bad and would be waiting for me when I was ready.  Instead, I read, watched some TV, maybe had a nap or two, some Girl Guide stuff....it didn't take long for the week to go by.

And back in the sewing room tonight finishing the piecing on the Gray Square Scramble pattern.

Gray Square Scramble

I am quite pleased with the results.  It finishes 55 x 72 inches.  I would make this pattern again.  I'm undecided on how to quilt it.  Luckily, Maritime Modern Quilt Guild meets on Thursday, so I'll get some advice.

All my WIP's are now finished quilt tops waiting to be quilted -- my least favourite part of the process.  So it's time to buckle down and start quilting.  Other than a few skirts for my goddaughter and maybe a few fabric baskets, I will not be starting any new quilts until I get this tops quilted.

What are you excited about this week?  Any new projects you want to start?

Around the World Blog Hop

It's my turn on the Around the World Blog Hop.  Thanks to Jenn over at A Quarter Inch from the Edge for inviting me along on this journey.  As a participant of the blog hop, each blogger is asked to share a little about herself (or himself).

I'm new to the blogging world, just having started back in February, but I have been quilting for ten years.  I have recently been moving out of my comfort zone and trying new things, like free motion quilting and improv piecing.

 

What am I working on?

 

I always have a few things (okay, a lot of things) on the go at any given time.  I enjoy piecing the most, the quilting the least, so I'm always starting new projects.  I'm currently working on a pattern from the Spring 2014 issue of Fons and Porter's Easy Quilts -- Gray Square Scramble.



Blocks for Gray Square Scramble Pattern

 
I just finished piecing Candy Scraps -- a pattern over at Moda Bake Shop.


Candy Scraps Pattern

 

 

I'm also working on some things that are in the QPP (quilt protection plan).  As you may have already read about over at A Quarter Inch from the Edge, my friend Jenn is expecting twins in a few months.  Do you know how hard it is to make something for something who can make her own stuff????

I have a few new ideas that I want to work on, but I need to get all my quilt tops quilted before I start anything new.  Oh boy....what am I saying????  I've put out it there in the universe, so now I have to follow through.

 

How does my work differ from others of its genre?

I don't know how my work differs -- and quite frankly, I don't care.  I just make what interests me and what makes me happy.  Sometimes that's something modern, sometimes it's something traditional.  I like to make things, and most of my quilts are gifts, either for family and friends or donations to our local children's hospital.  I don't want to be painted inside a tiny little box of being labelled as a modern quilter, or a traditional quilter, or whatever the term of the day is.  I. Am. A. Quilter.

I love orange and finally made myself an orange quilt.

Brandon Mably likes my quilt.

 

Why do I write/create what I do?

To be honest, I started my blog in order to enter a contest.  Yes, the possibility of a free gift is a great motivator.  Jenn is a bee mate of mine, who has been blogging for some time and who has always encouraged us each to start a blog.  I have found that it's a great way to keep track of the projects you're working on, and a great way to share with family and friends.  Life sometimes gets in the way, and then quilting comes in second, or third, or even fourth.  My goal is to make quilting part of my regular routine, rather than finding time to quilt.  Having a blog makes you accountable to make things, as you need to write about something.

 

How does my writing/creating process work?

My creative process begins with me seeing something I like.  And then I make it.  I need a pattern, but I'd love to be able to design a quilt.  I'm not quite there yet, but I'm hoping that as I read more blogs and try more new things, I'll eventually get there.  My bee mate QD can look at a photo and them come up with a pattern.  That's a great talent.  But I admit I have been known to make jokes at her expense when she pulls up her Excel spreadsheet to work on a quilt.  I use my talent as best I can, with the hope that I can improve on it as times goes by.

I recently bought some fabric that intrigued me, although I have no idea what to do with it.  Guess I need to put on my design hat -- or fascinator as the case may be since I own more fascinators than I do hats -- and come up with a plan.

Word Fabric:  Dream - Serenity - Tranquility - Relax - Believe - Peace - Imagine

Thanks for stopping by.  I've also invited a few friends along for this journey.

 

Quilt Matters - I recently met M-R when she attended a Maritime Modern Quilt Guild meeting while on vacation.  M-R provided some great tips for improving my blog.  Check out her blog to see what she's been up to, including being featured with her son Daniel in the fall issue of The Canadian Quilter.

The Running Thimble - Dominique is a fellow member of the MMQG.  As we have gotten to know each other, I discovered that she works with a cousin of mine.  Small world.  Dominique is great at making pillows and luggage tags.

 

 

10 Quilty Little Secrets

After reading Molli Sparkles and 13 Spools, I decided to make my own list of 10 Quilty Little Secrets.

1.   My favourite part of quilting is piecing the quilt.  If I had the money, I'd leave the quilting to someone else.

2.   I sew over pins.  If I take the time and put them in correctly, no problem.  Other days, I'm lazy, and I bend a pin...or two.

3.   Although I love the convenience of basting spray, I will often pin a quilt.  I find I get puckers in the backing when I use spray, no matter how much effort I put into smoothing.

4.   I need a pattern.  I'd love to be able to create something in my head, but I'm not there yet.

5.   I never hand sew my binding.  Machine binding all the way.  Who has the time?  Or the patience?

6.   I. Hate. Paper. Piecing!

7.   I have far too many UFO's/WIP's.  See #1, and I always see something new I want to make.  I need to stop looking at magazines and on the internet.

8.   I pre-wash all my fabric.  It's a chore, but I'd rather the fabric shrink at the beginning of the process rather than at the end.  I don't like to wash a finished quilt -- I like the crisp look.  The crinkled look makes it feel used.

9.   I forget to change the needle in my machine.  Thank goodness I break needles from running over pins (see #2) from time to time; otherwise, the needle would never get changed.

10.  What is the big deal with Aurifil thread?  I have recently tried Aurifil, and although it's a decent thread, it didn't impress me much.  And since it costs a lot more than Gutermann, I won't be using it unless I can find it on sale.  I use Gutermann thread because one of my LQS often has 50% off notions, so I stock up.  I have also recently tried the Essential thread from Connecting Threads.  I do like this thread, and at about $3 for 1,200 yards, we have a winner!!


What are your quilty secrets?

Sunday Stash - Bargain Lover Fat Quarter Club

I love when fabric arrives in the mail!  This week it was my Bargain Lover Fat Quarter Club collection from Sew Sisters Quilt Shop.

I love chevrons, but I'm not sure what to do with these.  Some of the colour combinations are not ones that I would choose.  It's hard to tell in the picture, but the yellow and orange at the top are both paired with green.

As I was working on my blocks today that I started at yesterday's Maritime Modern Quilt Guild Sew In (more on those in a later post), I had a brainstorm.  I've been struggling with what to make for two baby gifts that are needed in the next several weeks.  The vision requires me to think outside the box as I'm trying to re-create something I saw online, but trying a different technique as I don't want to make HST's.  I don't know if I can make the vision come to fruition.  It's time to get out the paper and pencil to do some calculations.

Here are the fabrics I'm going to use.  These were a previous fat quarter collection from Sew Sisters.

Don't you just love that smiling octopus.  And the whale.  And the starfish.  How cute are all those wonderful water creatures.

My camera didn't seem to pick up the colours very well, but those are Kona Ash, Cyan, Citrus, and Kiwi.

Linking up with Molli Sparkles for Sunday Stash.

I'm on vacation this week so hoping to get some finished tops quilted and off my WIP list.  There are lots more projects I want to start.