Stay at Home Round Robin - Round 2 - Diamonds

Did you finish your curves last week for the Stay at Home Round Robin (SAHRR) hosted by Gail @ Quilting Gail?

Emily @ The Darling Dogwood is this week's designer, and she has chosen:  Diamonds.

I added a 2.5-inch border using Kona Orange and Regal.  It was easy to cut the diamonds using my Sidekick ruler. 

A bonus of using the Sidekick ruler is that the pieces fit together for better piecing.

My block now measures 14.5 inches.  My goal is that each round will be 2.5 inches unfinished.  We'll see if I can continue it with next week's theme.  I asked my friend Dena (aka my quilt consultant) for some advice on whether to continue with the navy background for all the rounds.  Stay tuned to see how her advice plays out.

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

Rising Star QAL

I'm sewing along with Bea @ Beaquilter for her Rising Star QAL.  The pattern is Accuquilt friendly, with rotary cutting instructions also included.

I'm sewing with Kona White, Dove, Quicksilver, Black, Orange, and Tangerine.  I love a star block.

Kona White, Orange, and Black

Block A is 16.5 inches.  You can see Bea's two versions here.

All the colours:  Kona White, Dove, Quicksilver, Black, Orange, and Tangerine

Block B is a checkboard border, which increases the block to 21 inches.  Here you can definitely see the difference between Kona White, Dove, and Quicksilver.

Block C is not joined at this time.

Kona Black and Orange

There's still time to join the QAL.

Stay at Home Round Robin - Round 1 - Curves

It's time for round 1 of the Stay at Home Round Robin (SAHRR) hosted by Gail @ Quilting Gail. 

Curves!

I revealed my centre block last week.  This week, I added a 2.5-inch border using Kona Nightfall and Kale.

Convex and concave pieces to start.  I folded the pieces in half and creased them for easy matching.

I like using the curved templates created by Jen @ Betty Crockerass.  Based on Jen's advice, I use a yellow glue stick (fabric to fabric) to hold the pieces together instead of pins.  It makes sewing so much easier and faster.

There are many types of curves, including orange peel and improv curves/waves.  There are a variety of curved piecing templates to assist with cutting.  You can find lots of information and inspiration with a Google search.  Here are two to get you started.

Sew Kind of Wonderful - The Quick Curve Ruler makes cutting curves so easy.  I used the QCR Mini to make Posh Santa last month.

Quilting JetGirl - Yvonne has a tutorial for sewing full circles and has several curved piecing patterns.  Yvonne's patterns are well written, and I had no troubles with the curved piecing.

Here is my 10.5-inch block.  I didn't intend to have a dark background for both rounds, so I have to decide whether to continue or to figure out a transition to a different background for the next round.

Once you've finished your curved round, come back and link up (before midnight Sunday, January 23).  Don't forget to check out the other SAHRR bloggers (listed below) to get some inspiration to help you decide what type of curve you'll incorporate into your block.

You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!

Click here to enter

The SAHRR schedule:

January 10 - Centre Block - Gail @ Quilting Gail

January 17 - Round 1 - Anja @ Anja Quilts 🠜 You are here.

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

Stay at Home Round Robin 2022 - Centre Block

I'm sewing along with Gail @ Quilting Gail for her third Stay at Home Round Robin (SAHRR).

Generally, a round robin project consists of each participant passing the project to another person for each round.  For this SAHRR, there is no passing of the project, and you do all your own sewing.  Each week, there will be a theme for the round, and you choose how to implement that theme -- you choose the size, the colours, etc.

Today's round is your centre block.  You can create a new block, or you can use an orphan block.  My centre block measures 6.5 inches unfinished.  It does not look exactly how I had planned because I cut my strips of fabric for the concave pieces too large, but didn't realize that until I had sewed the blocks and realized there were some slight puckers when I pressed the blocks.  And I trimmed the curved blocks incorrectly so the curves do not end up in the seam allowances to match up with the centre orange block.  But I've decided to leave it as is.

I used Kona Nightfall and Carrot.

Here is the schedule for the SAHRR:

January 10 - Centre Block - Gail @ Quilting Gail

January 17 - Round 1 - Anja @ Anja Quilts 🠜 This is my round.

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

Project Quilting 13.1 - All the Colours

I finished my project before the deadline!!!  I used a technique in the Turnabout Patchwork book.  

In case you missed my earlier post, Project Quilting, hosted by Kim @ Persimon Dreams, is a 12-week challenge that consists of six themed challenges.  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.

The first theme is All the Colours, and we had to use at least five colours.  I made a baby quilt using a variety of Kona colours, with Kona Silver for the background and Kona Peacock for the binding.

I did an all-over stipple to give the quilt some texture.  There's not a lot of light on this gray day.

Linking up my finish with Kim @ Persimon Dreams.

Project Quilting 13.1 Progress

Have you heard of Project Quilting hosted by Kim @ Persimon Dreams?  The 12-week challenge consists of six themed challenges.  The theme is announced at 12:00 noon on Sunday, and you have until 12:00 noon the following week to link up a project that you made during the week.  The first theme is All the Colours - your project must be colourful with at least five colours present.

I started out with some colourful Kona colours.

I added some Kona Silver to make some HSTs.  Bloc Loc ruler for the trimming win!

My goal is to make a baby quilt.  Check back later to see if I succeeded. 😉

Giveaway Winners - The two winners from my Storm at Sea giveaway are:  Diantha and Debbie.

Linking up with:

Midweek Makers @ Quilt Fabrication

Wednesday Wait Loss @ The Inquiring Quilter

2022 Monthly Colour Challenge - January Block

Jen @ Patterns by Jen is once again hosting her annual block of the month sew along.  If you are interested in sewing along with the 2022 Monthly Color Challenge, make sure to sign up to receive the monthly patterns.

You can make 6-inch or 12-inch blocks.  There is also the option to use the same background fabric throughout the year.

January's colour is orange.  ♥  My favourite colour is the best way to a start a new year.  I used Kona School Bus and Torch.

The first two blocks are simple.

And then two simple HST blocks.  I love using my Bloc Loc rulers to trim HSTs.

Four simple blocks make a quick 12-inch finished block.

Each month, several bloggers will be sharing their blocks.

January Bloggers

Carolyn @ Appliques, Quilts and More

Andi @ True Blue Quilts

Kathy @ Kathy's Kwilts and More

Crystal @ Day Brook Designs

Raylee @ Sunflower Stitcheries

2021 Monthly Color Challenge - December Block

It's the final block for the 2021 Monthly Color Challenge hosted by Jen @ Patterns by Jen.

November's colour is green, which represents olives.

I used Kona Bonsai and Artichoke.

Unfortunately, I've been fighting a cold all week, so I wasn't able to get all my monthly blocks pieced together into a quilt top.  I guess I'll be starting 2022 with a WIP/UFO list.

December Bloggers

Kris - Scrap Dash

Kate - Katie Mae Quilts

Wendy - Pieceful Thoughts

Raylee - Sunflower Stitcheries and Quilting

Andi - True Blue Quilts

Crystal - Daybrook Designs

Ashli - Quilt 2 End Alz

Thanks to the Quarter 4 sponsors:

TGIFF - Advent Calendar

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.

If you would like to host TGIFF in 2022, you can sign up here.

You may have seen over on Instagram that I decided last minute to make an advent calendar for my nieces, but with a modern twist -- Advent calendar bags using the Lined Drawstring Bag pattern by In Color Order.

I finished the bags just in time to get them in the mail to Prince Edward Island for my nieces to open on December 1.

Some of the items in the bags were:  mini chocolate bars, coins for the piggy banks, balloons, play dough, chocolate coins, socks, mini games, glow sticks, and Christmas pajamas for the 24th.

I've already purchased a second panel to make a few larger bags next year.  The pajamas did not fit in the bags.  But now I have a whole year to plan gifts.

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

TGIFF - Santa Claus is Coming to Town

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.

If you would like to host TGIFF, there are lots of available spots in 2022.  Sign up here.

I have had the Posh Santa pattern by Sew Kind of Wonderful for some time, and I thought it was time I pulled out the pattern and my QCR (Quick Curve Ruler) Mini.

The ruler makes cutting fabric and piecing the curves so much easier.  The Sew Kind of Wonderful patterns have detailed instructions on how to cut the fabric and how to sew the curves.

I am sharing my finished top with you because my work has been keeping me busy, and I haven't had time to do the quilting.  This finishes around 29 x 40 inches.

Now to put my mind to a quilting plan.

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

Storm at Sea in Calm Lagoon

Today is my turn on the Calm Lagoon blog tour hosted by Sherry @ Powered by Quilting for her third signature line -- Calm Lagoon from Island Batik.

I added Island Batik solid grey to the beautiful blues and greens to create a Storm at Sea quilt.  I was unable to get the top quilted in time.

I purchased the Accuquilt Storm at Sea die, which made cutting and piecing more efficient.

I'm always amazed by the movement in Storm at Sea quilts.

I think I know how I'm going to quilt this, but I welcome your suggestions.

*Giveaway Alert*

Leave a comment for a chance to win some fabric pieces to make your own Storm at Sea blocks.  The giveaway will end at midnight Thursday, December 16, 2021.  If you are a no-reply commenter, I will have to re-draw for a new winner.

Blog tour schedule:

• December 1 – Sherry Shish of Powered By Quilting
• December 2 – Kimie and Missy of On Williams Street
• December 3 – Kate Starcher of Katie Mae Quilts
• December 4 – Jen Strauser of Dizzy Quilter
• December 5 – Nancy Scott of Masterpiece Quilting
• December 6 – Sally Williams of Paleofish Designs
• December 7 – Leanne Parsons of Devoted Quilter
• December 8 – Pamela Boatright of Pamela Quilts
• December 9 – Rebecca Lidstrom of Studio R Quilts
• December 10 – Laura Piland of Slice of Pi Quilts
• December 11 – Kathryn LeBlanc of Dragonfly’s Quilting Design Studio
• December 12 – Linda Bratten of Linda B Creative
• December 13 – Anja Clyke of Anja Quilts
• December 14 – Sherry Shish of Powered By Quilting

Calm Lagoon Blog Tour

I'm sewing along with Sherry @ Powered by Quilting for her third signature line -- Calm Lagoon from Island Batik.  It's a great collection of colours and prints.

Blog tour schedule:

• December 1 – Sherry Shish of Powered By Quilting
• December 2 – Kimie and Missy of On Williams Street
• December 3 – Kate Starcher of Katie Mae Quilts
• December 4 – Jen Strauser of Dizzy Quilter
• December 5 – Nancy Scott of Masterpiece Quilting
• December 6 – Sally Williams of Paleofish Designs
• December 7 – Leanne Parsons of Devoted Quilter
• December 8 – Pamela Boatright of Pamela Quilts
• December 9 – Rebecca Lidstrom of Studio R Quilts
• December 10 – Laura Piland of Slice of Pi Quilts
• December 11 – Kathryn LeBlanc of Dragonfly’s Quilting Design Studio
• December 12 – Linda Bratten of Linda B Creative
• December 13 – Anja Clyke of Anja Quilts
• December 14 – Sherry Shish of Powered By Quilting

Advent Calendar Drawstring Bags

I'm making progress on the Advent calendar bags that I started earlier this week.  I'm using the Lined Drawstring Bag pattern by In Color Order.

Here is the first batch of eight bags.

I'm using various Kona colours for the exterior.  I cut up an Advent calendar panel so I didn't have to figure out how to number the bags.

Cute little snowmen for the lining.

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

WIP Wednesday - This and That

I had to make a new list of the projects I'm currently working on so projects don't get forgotten. 😉

I had a thought to make an Advent calendar for my two nieces, using the Lined Drawstring Bag (by In Color Order) to hold treats.  And once again, I find myself thinking, it sounded like a great idea at the time.  LOL  I need to get 24 bags made, filled with treats, and in the mail by next Wednesday so they arrive before December 1.

I cut up an Advent calendar panel so each bag will have a number.  I need to create a plan for some assembly line sewing.  I'll probably watch Hallmark Christmas movies while sewing.

I'm doing some pattern testing for Bea @ Beaquilter.  I cut all the pieces using my Accuquilt Go and the 8" Qube dies.  One benefit of using an Accuquilt cutter is that you don't have to trim blocks once they are sewn together.  Time saver!

I need to get working on the November instructions for the Macaron Mystery QAL hosted by Cheryl @ Meadow Mist Designs.  I need to make and trim 60 flying geese units.  October's instructions were also to make 60 flying geese units.  Please don't let the December instructions be more flying geese blocks.  LOL

Linking up with:

Midweek Makers @ Quilt Fabrication

Wednesday Wait Loss @ The Inquiring Quilter

TGIFF - Wonky Wedges Pillow

I took an online workshop with Melissa Marginet at the end of September -- Wonky Wedges.  I was so  intrigued by the photo in the workshop flyer that I used the same colour scheme for my own version.  I used Kona Natural, Storm, and Yarrow.

The technique to make the wedges is quite interesting and makes piecing easy.

I used Wonderfil perle cotton for big stitch quilting.  My free-hand Xs are a bit wonky.  When I used my hera marker to mark the Xs to give me some guidance with stitching, they turned out much better.

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

2021 Monthly Colour Challenge - November Block

It's time for the November block for the 2021 Monthly Color Challenge hosted by Jen @ Patterns by Jen.

November's colour is blue, which represents blueberries. Yum!

I used Kona Ocean and Blue Jay.  This month's block was easy strip piecing to make a 9-patch block.

Each strip set is cut into sections.

And then you piece the four 9-patch blocks.

The four blocks together make an interesting pattern.

November Bloggers

Carolyn - Appliques, Quilts and More

Claudia - Quilt with Claudia

Roseanne - Home Sewn by Us

Raylee - Sunflower Stitcheries and Quilting

Andi - True Blue Quilts

Crystal - Daybrook Designs

Ashli - Quilt 2 End Alz

Kate - Katie Mae Quilts