Modern Plus Sign Quilts Blog Hop - Celestial

It's my turn on the Modern Plus Sign Quilts blog hop hosted by Cheryl @ Meadow Mist Designs and Paige @ Quilted Blooms.  Both Cheryl and Paige have signed copies of their book available on their Etsy shops, and Amazon has the physical and digital versions of the book.

• Cheryl Etsy
• Paige Etsy
• Amazon

I made the Celestial pattern.  It's made with 24-inch blocks, for a total size of 96 x 96 inches.  I decided to make a smaller version, with just four blocks, and it measures 48 x 48 inches.

The fabrics are a turquoise polka dot and Kona Cactus.  Both fabrics were chosen after I chose the binding fabric, an awesome plus print.  I've never planned a quilt around the binding fabric.  It was quite fun.

I decided to try a new quilting motif.  I should have stayed with tried and true.  I definitely need practice with curves.  The curves got a little better once I drew lines as a guide.

I wanted to make a plus on the back, but I ran out of fabric, so it ended up being a 9-patch.

Since the background was a bit busy, I quilted it with all-over loops in a matching turquoise thread.  It blends with the background, but it gives the quilt some texture.

If you don't look close up, my curves don't look too bad.  😉  I used the same turquoise thread.

A few more photos just for fun.

I hope you find time to stop by all the blogs participating to see all the quilts that are in the book.  If you're visiting Anja Quilts for the first time, I hope you take some time to look around and perhaps follow me if you like what you see.


Blog Hop Schedule:

Tuesday, March 13th

Signature Plus

Soma @ Whims and Fancies

Ann @ Brown Paws Quilting

Kitty @ Night Quilter

Tribal Plus

Sophie @ Luna Lovequilts

Afton @ Quilting Mod

Shelley @ The Carpenters Daughter Who Quilts

Wednesday, March 14th

Plus Surround

Jayne @ Twiggy and Opal

Jen @ A Dream and a Stitch

Abigail @ Cut & Alter

Kaleidoscope Plus

Yvonne @ Quilting Jetgirl

Sandra @ mmm! quilts

Karen @ Run Sew Fun

Thursday, March 15th

Postage Plus

Linda @ Flourishing Palms

Bernie @ Needle and Foot

Liz @ Savor Every Stitch

Stacey @ Stacey In Stitches

Rick Rack Runner

Michelle @ From Bolt to Beauty

Patty @ Elm Street Quilts

Melanie @ A Bit of Scrap Stuff Blog

Friday, March 16th

Row Addition

Myra @ Busy Hands Quilts

Izzy @ Dizzy Quilts

Transparency Chains

Ruth @ Charly and Ben's Crafty Corner

Christa @ Christa Quilts

Monday, March 19th

Jessica @ Quilty Habit

Cindy @ Hyacinth Quilt Designs

Jennifer @ The Inquiring Quilter

Julie @ The Crafty Quilter

Tuesday, March 20th

Tish @ Tish N Wonderland

Judy @ Sew Some Sunshine

Emily @ The Darling Dogwood

Wanda @ Wanda's Life Sampler

Karen @ Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats

Katherine @ Sew Me Something Good

Wednesday, March 21st

Anja @ Anja Quilts

Kate @ Smiles from Kate

Sue @ Seven Oak Street Quilts

Carole @ From my Carolina Home

Alison @ Little Bunny Quilts

Thursday, March 22nd

Debbie @ Esch House Quilts

Laura @ Slice of Pi Quilts

Beth @ Cooking Up Quilts

Janice @ Color Creating and Quilting

Joanne @ Quilts by Joanne

Friday, March 23rd

Cheryl @ Meadow Mist Designs
Paige @ Quilted Blooms

Top 60 Canada Quilting Blogs

I quilt because it's fun and it helps relieve stress.  Blogging is a way to keep track of what I'm making and to keep me focused on finishing projects.

Imagine my surprise when an e-mail arrived advising that I had been selected as one of the Top 60 Canada Quilting Blogs on the web.  Wait...what??  Me???  So I click on the link, and there I am -- #48 on the list.

I feel so honoured and privileged to be on the list.  My purpose in blogging is not to be praised or to receive awards, but it sure is nice to be recognized.

I am fortunate to be recognized along with some great bloggers, including some friends:

Linda @ Scrapmaster -- #30 on the list

Leanne @ Devoted Quilter - #31 on the list

Lesley @ The Cuddle Quilter - #14 on the list


There are other bloggers on the list that I do follow, but there are a lot of blogs that I was not aware of.  Go Canada! 

I hope you click on the link and join me in checking out some Canadian bloggers.

Worldwide Quilting Day

Today was Worldwide Quilting Day (aka National Quilting Day).  My LQS hosted a sew in and a sale today.  It's was snowing this morning, so I think people stayed at home  -- it was just myself and one staff person sewing all morning.

I decided to work on my Classic Meets Modern BOM hosted by Kelly @ My Quilt Infatuation.  There were two blocks for the third month of the BOM.

There were two Sawtooth Stars -- 6.5 inches each.

The Propeller block is 10.5 inches.

These blocks pieced easily and quickly.


You can view my previous blocks:

• January blocks
• February blocks

TGIFF - Sweetpea Pod

Part two of my Craftsy class by Joan Hawley -- Zippered Bags with a Twist -- is the Sweetpea Pod.  It's a great pattern, and I like the zipper technique.  Another finish of my FAL 2018 Q1 goals.  Click here to see the Becca Bag I made last week.

I love that there are no zipper tabs to make and no messy zipper ends.  Surprisingly, the zipper technique is easy.

Although this is a great pattern, I really don't like the pouch.  They're too small, and I don't like the shape.

These would make great gifts, and I'll add them to my ever-growing pile of projects with no final destination.

I will definitely make more Becca Bags.

If you have a finish this week, here's your chance to share it with everyone:

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

Finish It Up Friday @ Crazy Mom Quilts

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

Finished or Not Friday @ Busy Hand Quilts 

Needle and Thread Thursday @ My Quilt Infatuation 

WIP Wednesday - Banner Year

I have a finished quilt top!  This is Banner Year, a pattern by Andrea @ 3rd Story Workshop.  You can find Andrea's patterns here.

It's an easy pattern -- I started the blocks last week.  It took 8 hours to cut all the fabric and piece the top.  It would be a great weekend project.

I used the following Kona colours:  Candy Pink, Valentine, School Bus, Carrot, Lemon, Corn Yellow, Cactus, Lime, Teal, Celestial, Niagara, Royal, Dahlia, and Purple.

I love that polka dot background.  I may have to go buy some more.  😉

And now the hard part, deciding on a quilting plan.

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

Modern Plus Sign Quilts Blog Hop

Welcome to the kick off for the Modern Plus Sign Quilts blog hop.

Cheryl @ Meadow Mist Designs and Paige @ Quilted Blooms invited 40+ quilting friends to participate in the blog hop.  I am honoured to have been asked to participate.

There are 16 quilts in the book, and 2 quilts will be featured each day of the blog hop.  Make sure you stop by to see all the projects and to enter the giveaway.

Both Cheryl and Paige have signed copies of their book available on their Etsy shops, and Amazon has the physical and digital versions of the book for the best price.

• Cheryl Etsy
• Paige Etsy
• Amazon

Blog Hop Schedule:

Monday, March 12th

Cheryl @ Meadow Mist Designs

Paige @ Quilted Blooms

Tuesday, March 13th

Soma @ Whims and Fancies

Ann @ Brown Paws Quilting

Kitty @ Night Quilter

Sophie @ Luna Lovequilts

Afton @ Quilting Mod

Shelley @ The Carpenters Daughter Who Quilts

Wednesday, March 14th

Jayne @ Twiggy and Opal

Jen @ A Dream and a Stitch

Abigail @ Cut & Alter

Yvonne @ Quilting Jetgirl

Sandra @ mmm! quilts

Karen @ Run Sew Fun

Thursday, March 15th

Linda @ Flourishing Palms

Bernie @ Needle and Foot

Liz @ Savor Every Stitch

Stacey @ Stacey In Stitches

Michelle @ From Bolt to Beauty

Patty @ Elm Street Quilts

Melanie @ A Bit of Scrap Stuff Blog

Friday, March 16th

Myra @ Busy Hands Quilts

Izzy @ Dizzy Quilts

Ruth @ Charly and Ben's Crafty Corner

Christa @ Christa Quilts

Monday, March 19th

Jessica @ Quilty Habit

Cindy @ Hyacinth Quilt Designs

Jennifer @ The Inquiring Quilter

Julie @ The Crafty Quilter

Tuesday, March 20th

Tish @ Tish N Wonderland

Judy @ Sew Some Sunshine

Emily @ The Darling Dogwood

Wanda @ Wanda's Life Sampler

Karen @ Tu-Na Quilts, Travels, and Eats

Katherine @ Sew Me Something Good

Wednesday, March 21st

Anja @ Anja Quilts

Kate @ Smiles from Kate

Sue @ Sevenoaks Street Quilts

Carole @ From My Carolina Home

Alison @ Little Bunny Quilts

Thursday, March 22nd

Debbie @ Esch House Quilts

Laura @ Slice of Pi Quilts

Beth @ Cooking Up Quilts

Janice @ Color Creating and Quilting

Joanne @ Quilts by Joanne

Friday, March 23rd

Cheryl @ Meadow Mist Designs

Paige @ Quilted Blooms

Project Quilting 9.5 - A Stitch in Time

The fifth theme of Project Quilting hosted by Kim @ Persimon Dreams was:  A Stitch in Time.

So what does "A Stitch in Time" mean?  The phrase appears to mean:  a (or one) stitch in time, saves nine stitches, which generally is shortened to a stitch in time.  If you mend a tear right right away, you would only use one stitch instead of ten stitches later if the tear goes unfixed and worsens.

It also means:  there's no time like the present, which means if you spend a little time and effort to deal with a problem now than to wait until later, when it may get worse and take longer to deal with.

So I decided to make my project about procrastination.  Ta da.

In my mind, I was going to make a pillow.  But I guess I should have figured out the measurements before I started sewing letters.  Oops.  It ended up being 20 x 36 inches.  Guess it's a wall hanging.

Organic wavy lines in black thread for a quick finish.  I used Kona Black and Silver

After it was all pieced, I realized that I should have left a bit more space between the check boxes and the letters.

This needs to be hung in my sewing room to remind me not to procrastinate on all my many WIPs.

Just one more challenge for Season 9 of Project Quilting.  I was nervous as I started this journey, but I am glad I decided to play along.  Thanks to Sarah @ Sarah Goer Quilts for the encouragement.

You can vote for your favourite project here.

TGIFF - Becca Bag

One of my FAL 2018 Q1 goals is a Craftsy class by Joan Hawley -- Zippered Bags with a Twist.  The class features two patterns, Sweetpea Pods and Becca Bags, using a one-zip way technique for the zippers.

I grabbed some fabric to match a pink zipper I had on hand and then started watching the class.  I made a few minor mistakes along the way, but they were fixable.  And voilà, a new zippered pouch.

No need to make zipper tabs and no messy zipper ends.

The Becca Bag uses fusible fleece.  I wonder if it would work just as well with interfacing.

I do like this pattern.  It will sew up faster next time since I won't have to watch the class as I sew.  Now to try the Sweetpea Pod.

Sadly winter has arrived.  Day two of crappy weather.  More snow tonight and then another storm Monday night.  Snow shovelling is going to cut into my sewing time this weekend.

If you have a finish this week, here's your chance to share it with everyone:

Thank Goodness It's Finish Friday @ Powered by Quilting

Finish It Up Friday @ Crazy Mom Quilts

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

Finished or Not Friday @ Busy Hand Quilts 

Needle and Thread Thursday @ My Quilt Infatuation 

Pattern Testing - Banner Year

I'm testing another pattern for Andrea @ 3rd Story Workshop.  You can find Andrea's patterns here.  This is Banner Year, and there are three sizes in the pattern.  I'm testing the twin size.

Cutting went much better after I changed the blade.  😂

I impressed myself with these perfectly matched points.
*Disclaimer:  Not all 49 blocks have perfectly matched points.  😂

Building the blocks by adding more background pieces.

The Kona colours are awesome with this polka dot print.

At this point, the background pieces go on different sides of the blocks.  I had to be careful when I was chain piecing.

Andrea has great patterns -- lots of photos and descriptions, as well as colour scheme suggestions.  Stay tuned as this quilt takes shape.

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

Amazing Craftsy Deal

Did you enjoy the free Craftsy Unlimited this past weekend?

Good news!  Craftsy is offering 2 weeks of Craftsy Unlimited for just $1.00.  You must sign up before Wednesday, March 7:   2 for $1 - Try Craftsy Unlimited 2 Weeks For Just $1 (no code needed).

Make sure you take advantage of this awesome deal.  There are a lot of great classes waiting for you.

Oops...I Forgot

I forgot to announce the winners of my blog anniversary giveaway.  The winners of a pattern each are:

• Jennifer @ Little Black Cat Quilting
• Cindy @ Stitchin At Home
• Roz
• Jayne

I also forgot to share some wonderful Christmas gifts I received.  My quilt bee has Christmas dinner in January (when it's not so hectic).  Instead of doing a traditional gift exchange, we set a price point of $10 per person (there are only five of us in the bee), and the idea is to purchase the same little gift for everything, so we all go home with a bag of goodies.

This year, there was homemade marmalade, bags, fabric, needles, thread, a gift certificate to a LQS, and wall art.

I gave handmade (not by me) quilting stilettos.  Of course, mine was orange and blue.

The wall art was created by Jenn @ A Quarter Inch from the Edge using her Cricut machine.  I need to find some wall space in my sewing room to hang it up.

I didn't sew much this weekend, but I think my cold is finally gone.  Yeah!!  Can't wait to get back to regular sewing.

Have a great week.