TGIFF - Paint Chip Challenge

My guild, Maritime Modern Quilt Guild, hosted a paint chip challenge for members.  In the spring, we drew a colour from three paper bags:  light, medium, and dark.  The challenge was to make something using only those three colours; however, we could add white and/or black.

Luck was on my side, and my three colours played well together.

I decided to work with solids, and the closest Kona colours were:  Niagara, Meringue, and School Bus.

As usual, I procrastinated until the last minute.  I changed my mind far too many times as what to make.  I finally made a decision, but this past Sunday, I still hadn't started and was doubting my choice.

So I did something wild and crazy.  I chose a paper pieced pattern.  Yes, you read that correctly.  I, who does not like paper piecing, decided that was the way to go.  I went with a Violet Craft pattern.  You can find the pattern Forest Abstractions: Wild Carrot here.

I outlined the flower and stem and then stippled the background.

The pattern finishes 8 x 18 inches, but I added side borders to make it 13 x 18 inches.

Early next week, there will be online voting on our guild blog.  I'll provide the link when it's available so you can see all the wonderful creations that were unveiled last night.

** Voting is now open for the Maritime Modern Quilt Guild Paint Chip Challenge.  My paper pieced project is #16.  Stop by to see all the wonderful creations and to vote for your favourite project (which I hope is mine ).

Linking up with:

Thank Goodness It's Finish Friday @ Quilt Matters
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 

                   

WIP Wednesday - Snowflake Shimmer Update

The Snowflake Shimmer QAL hosted by Yvonne @ Quilting Jetgirl is moving along quickly.

Here is my finished quilt top.

A closeup of the centre block.  I'm so glad I went with orange...this makes me happy.

I think I'm going to quilt with FMQ stars, but not sure what colour thread to use.

You can read about my progress here:

Fabric Selection

Cutting Fabric

Square-in-Square Blocks

Linking up with:

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

Midweek Makers @ Quilt Fabrication

Shadow Block Mini Quilt Along

Janice @ Color, Creating, and Quilting is hosting a Shadow Block Mini Quilt Along.  I've always wanted to make a shadow quilt so thought a mini was a good way to start.

All QAL participants followed this tutorial.  I went outside the box and used Kona Breakers for the background.

A closeup of some of the interesting prints.  Simple diagonal quilting for a quick finish.

An indoor view.  This mini is 17.5 x 21.5 inches.

And once again, I forgot to sew on hanging corners as I added the binding.  Sigh...will have to hand sew on a hanging sleeve.

Here's the list of participants.  I encourage you to visit to see all the finished minis:

Jen Rosin at A Dream and a Stitch

Janice Holton at Color, Creating and Quilting

Debora Exum at Studio Dragonfly

Amanda Everest at Quiltologie

Susan Arnold at Quilt Fabrication

Bonnie Stapleton at Institches with Bonnie

Jennifer Fulton at Inquiring Quilter

Jennifer Strauser at Dizzy Quilter

Joanne Harris at Quilts by Joanne

Mary Schuberg at Needled Mom

TGIFF - Fancy Fox Pillows

I debated whether to add the glasses to my foxes that I pieced here.  I was intrigued by the applique method created by Lara @ BuzzinBumble, so decided to give it a try.

Here's a closeup before washing.  I used a straight stitch and no fraying.  I have to admit that I did get a bit of fraying after washing because of operator error.  Note to self:  read the instructions and then read them again.

But the fraying is minor compared to using traditional applique methods.  I'm glad I added the glasses -- they just add a little something.

The kit I purchased was meant to make only one pillow, but I managed to get two through creative cutting.  I didn't have quite enough of the backing, so I used the fabric that was included for binding to give me that little bit extra I needed.

I think I'll try the gigantic block that is included with the pattern to make a baby quilt.

Linking up with:

Thank Goodness It's Finish Friday @ Quilt Matters
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 

Whoomp There It Is @ A Quilted Passion

                   

WIP Wednesday - Just the Basics QAL

First and foremost, a huge I'M SORRY to Leanne @ Devoted Quilter.  I've been playing along with her Just the Basics Mystery Quilt Along since March, but I haven't written a single blog post about my progress.  That's no way to show support to a fellow blogger.  I don't even have any photos along the way of my progress.  Oh my......

It's been a great monthly QAL.  But I forewarn you...there are a LOT of small HST's to be made.  The pattern comes in two sizes:

• Baby size - 48 x 48 inches
• Throw size - 60 x 72 inches

I'm glad I went with the baby size because the first step was to make 128 HST's....2.5-inch HST's.  Can't imagine having had to make 240 HST's for the throw size.

The two flying geese blocks were pieced in different months, and they were joined together in July's instructions.  When I began to press the seams of the newly-joined block, I realized that karma had paid me a visit as payback for not blogging about the QAL.  Somehow, I pieced one of the flying geese blocks with the wrong side of the yellow fabric facing out.  Ummmm.....how the heck did I do that???  There were 64 blocks, so I made a design choice to leave them as is.

This is one of the 16 blocks in the baby size.

At least, I was consistent and pieced all the 64 blocks with the wrong side out.  I'm hoping that once it's quilted, my mistake won't be as noticeable.

There are a lot of seams in this quilt.  There were a few times when I was piecing the rows that I thought I was going to break a needle.

Time to put on my thinking cap and decide 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

TGIFF - Finished Sew Together Bag

Welcome to Thank Goodness It's Finished Friday being hosted here on the East Coast of Canada.

If you are new to my blog, thanks for visiting.  If you're a faithful follower, thanks for stopping by again and showing your support.

Two weeks ago, I finally made a start on my Sew Together Bag (here).  You can purchase the pattern from Sew Demented here.  It's a great pattern, but I don't think I would have finished it without following the tutorial over at The Quilt Barn.  The tutorial works in conjunction with the pattern and has detailed instructions and lots of photos.

Ta da!

The inside.

The pocket lining.

The side panels.

I haven't used it yet because I don't know what to put in it.  ha ha ha  I already have more fabric and zippers pulled to make another one.  Sure hope these aren't addictive.......

Now it's time for your finishes.  Link up your blog post showing off your finished project using the linkup below.  Don't forget to visit a few blogs to spread some quilty love and encouragement.  Please include a link and/or the TGIFF button in your blog post so your followers can also view all the great finishes.

An InLinkz Link-up

Linking up with:

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

Finished or Not Friday @ Busy Hand Quilts 

WIP Wednesday - Snowflake Shimmer QAL

Time for Step 3 of the Snowflake Shimmer QAL hosted by Yvonne @ Quilting Jetgirl.  In theory, making square-in-square blocks is easy...but a very time-consuming process.

Just four blocks of this colour combination.  Piece of cake.

Eight for this colour combination.  I can do this.

And then...21 blocks of this colour combination.

After a few evenings of sewing and ironing, I was very glad to see the end of these blocks.

There are only two more steps in the QAL, so the end is in sight.  I'm looking forward to seeing how my fabric choices work in the pattern.

You can follow my progress here:

Fabric Selection

Cutting Fabric

**Alert** - I'm hosting Thank Goodness It's Finished Friday this week.  Make sure you come back to link up your finishes.  I have a great finish to share with you on Friday.

Linking up with:

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

Midweek Makers @ Quilt Fabrication

TGIFF - One Block Wonders

Two more finishes from my FAL Q3 goals!!!!  These baby quilts were started back here.  Baby quilts shouldn't take four months to complete, but life always gets in the way of my quilting fun.

This Diamond Path pattern  was created by Sandy @ Upstairs Hobby Room for her  One Block Wonders BOM. 

I procrastinate finishing a project because I never know what quilting motif to use.  These just needed to be finished, so simple FMQ loops.

These 25-inch stroller/car seat quilts will be delivered next week.

I think the teal and orange is my favourite.

It's a great pattern to use 2.5 inch strips.

Linking up with:

Thank Goodness It's Finish Friday @ The Quilt Journal

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

Finished or Not Friday @ Busy Hand Quilts 

                   

TGIFF - Wonky Charms Baby Quilt

This finish has been a long time coming.  Jayne @ Twiggy and Opal shared a wonderful tutorial here that I highly recommend.

The quilt top was finished back in April, but I didn't make up my mind on how to quilt it, so it sat around my sewing room until this past week.  I chose the easy route and did loop FMQ.

I quilted the loops close together (not intentional), so it gave the quilt some texture.

It's 25-inches squares, so it's destined to be a baby quilt for the stroller or car seat.  I think I'll make the next one a little bit bigger.

This is the second finish of my FAL Q3 goals.

Now to get back to the many WIP's hiding in my sewing room.

Linking up with:

Thank Goodness It's Finish Friday @ Quilting is More Fun Than Housework

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

Finished or Not Friday @ Busy Hand Quilts 

                   

WIP Wednesday - I Did It!!

I finally did it!!  I made a decision on fabrics and started putting together my Sew Together Bag.  I'm using the tutorial over at The Quilt Barn in conjunction with the pattern.

Here's my pile of fabrics, all ready for sewing.  I wanted to use a variety of colours and not just orange.  But who am I kidding???  This bag was soooooo going to be made out of orange fabrics, with orange zippers.  J

Side panels completed.  I like using the tutorial because it provides a lot of photos.

Stay tuned.  I'm hoping to make some more progress this weekend.

I also managed to get all my fabric cut for the Meadow Mystery QAL hosted by Cheryl at Meadow Mist Designs.  It's good to be not rushing at the last minute, but now I have to wait until September for the next set of instructions.  I'm excited to start sewing!!

What have you been working on this week?

Linking up with:

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

Midweek Makers @ Quilt Fabrication

TGIFF - Kissy Fishy

I had the opportunity to test a pattern for Lorna @ Sew Fresh Quilts.  She has the most adorable animal patterns.  Kissy Fishy is one of Lorna's newest patterns, and it's so much fun.

I made a smaller version of Lorna's original pattern.  I made six fish using Kona Capri, Oasis, Tangerine, and Persimmon.

The fish are all pieced -- no paper piecing.

Lorna's instructions are always easy to follow, and she provides great photos.

Wavy line quilting to mimic water, with a pieced binding.

I love this pattern and will definitely make it again.

Some crazy butterflies for the back because the colours matched the front.

The pattern is now available in Lorna's shop here.

Linking up with:

Thank Goodness It's Finish Friday @ Quokka Quilts

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

Finished or Not Friday @ Busy Hand Quilts 

Whoomp There It Is @ A Quilted Passion