Moving Right Along

I am feeling good about the work I was able to finish this weekend. I caught up at work (finally!) and was able to do some sewing. I even sat and picked out bad squares on a quilt I started earlier in the summer that was put away after a huge error was found. I love when things start falling into place.

Skill Builder BOM

I made progress on the Skillbuilder BOM. I am almost caught up with my blocks and am still debating how I want to quilt it. (Her tutorials on quilt at you go were pretty but not really my style.) I do know that I am falling more in love with this quilt and am so happy that I am making a quilt to keep.

 My first plan for the Saturn Block was to use this Free Spirit fabric to change up the colors. (This fabric reminds me of the doodles I used to do with Sharpies!) I could not get my stripes to work according to her directions. I also felt that it didn't match the other blocks after all.

First attempt at Saturn block

I decided to stop working on that block after feeling frustrated by the instructions. I moved on to the Candyland block. This one was a lot of fun. 

Candyland

Then, I started the Pixelate block. I love that I was able to just throw them together without following a set pattern. (I did make a rainbow on the bottom block just because I could.) The Pelon quilter's grid makes sewing tiny squares look so perfect.

Pixelate

After feelings of accomplishment on those two blocks, I returned for one last attempt on the Saturn block and loved how it turned out. I used the remnants of the Candyland block to break up the stripes needed for this block. 

Saturn's Rainbow

I have 3 more to go and then will be officially caught up on these BOM. I can't wait to put them all together. I hope to have the quilting design in place by then.

Charity Work

The OMQG is putting together charity quilts for Camp Boggy Creek. I was sitting at the table assigned to the RED quilt and was tasked with creating 5 blocks  I'm so excited about this cause because I know it will be put to good use. I've really love all of the charities we've supported so far this year.

Our table decided to use the January BOM from our guild. The fun was in going through my red scrap basket to find strips for this design. I remember all of the quilts I've made using these fabrics and it was a fun trip down memory lane.

All that's missing is the white border to make them 12.5 blocks. I think I will start on my scrap quilt next year. Since I've saved squares and strips from every quilt I've ever made there will be a lot of happy memories when it's all done.

More Halloween Blocks

I am determined to win the Halloween blocks on Wed! I wanted to make a few more blocks to increase my odds.

If do win, I will be making another quilt for my godson in NC who LOVES Halloween as much as I do. Even if I don't win, I will be happy to see them made into a fun quilt for someone else. 

Wishing you a fun and productive week!

Is it Fall yet?

Summer is the craziest time of year for me. My job keeps me pretty busy from April until September. So, of course, my blog gets put on the later pile of things to do.
I have made time to quilt and sew over the last few months even if I haven't stopped to share them with you. Some projects have kept me sane while I tackle the chaos that is my life once a year.

Picture Time!

Block of the Month (BOM)

Pippi Longstocking Block with an Afro.
I wanted my OMQG August BOM to look like me.

*Somehow I don't have a picture of my July BOM for the Orlando Modern Quilt Guild (OMQG) using the Snail Trail design. I guess in the excitement of choosing the BOM I forgot. It was made using red, black, gray and white colors. I'll be making more of those blocks so you'll see it again soon. (It's on the main website from the June monthly meeting in case you're curious.)

The Geo Swirl
Of course I made a rainbow swirl!

Chev N' Hex
Sewn by hand...never again I say!

Diamond Carat
Sewn by machine using clear thread...so much faster!

The Switz Block

Half way done with the Skillbuilder BOM

Half way done with the Skillbuilder BOM

I'm really in love with these rainbow BOM and can't wait to see how they will come together when they are done later this year. I enjoyed paper piecing more than I thought I would and will definitely take on more of those projects now.

In addition to my BOM for Skillbuilder and OMQG, I've also finished many projects for the annual Wayne County Fair. My "In-Laws" live in PA and each year I share my artwork in their local county fair. This started my passion in 2004 for creating unusual quilts, canvas work, and various household items to enter even if I don't win. I've made "modern" quilts before it was considered an actual art form in quilting and usually came in second or honorable mention next to traditional designs. I don't fault them for not getting my work. I think it was just too far out there for them to see what I wanted to present. If I knew there was going to be Modern quilt movement, I would have found "my people" years ago.

August Fair Items

Quilted Purse-Modified pattern from Modern Patchwork Magazine (2012). I added a strap and finished it with black borders. I also quilted the black and gray portion of the chevron for some texture. The straps can be tucked inside to make a fun clutch.

 

 

    

Baby Bunting-I created my own pattern with a huge poster board and used hexagons to create a fun little wrap for a little one. I sewed down one flap to keep the feet tucked inside and warm. At the suggestion of my sister-in-law, I didn't add any closure for the outside flap so there are no potential choking hazards or scratchy Velcro tabs. I didn't have actual baby or doll to try it out but it's soft and cozy to the touch.

Baby Blanket - Finished baby gingham stripped quilt. I used the left over squares to make a border and added a simple blue gingham backing fabric.

Christmas Gift Bag - Made a simple quilted bag with drawstrings for a holiday gift. I used a simple Santa fabric with green and red borders. (I didn't take any clear pictures of the front but I love the stripes on the back the most anyway. It makes me think of candy canes!)

Finished Home Items

Table Runner -Made from great Shoo Fly block Lotto win. Thanks to Michelle from OMQG I mastered the art of continuous binding and love the result.

French Press Cover- I used left over strips to make a fun rainbow cover for our beloved French Press. It's lined with Insul-bright to keep fantastic coffee warm. It's fastened with Velcro and (thanks to my girlfriend) found that it looks great in reverse too with the fun circle fabric I used as backing.

                                                     

Dog Blanket - My remaining dog blanket for the OMQG charity project. This was the last of my Michael Miller Noah's Ark scraps from my nephew's baby quilt. (He's now 5 and it was time to use them up!)

There is more to come later this month. I can't wait to share notes and photos from my class with Jacquie Gering!

Thanks for stopping by and reading all the way down to the end of this crazy-long post.

Happy Easter! (Eggs and Rainbows for All)

Eggs, eggs, and more eggs!

What a wonderful weekend! It was filled with family, egg dyeing, chocolate croissants, scrambled eggs, bacon, and eggs containing a wild treasure trove/scavenger hunt. The Council of Egg Hiders decided it was to be an adventure and so it was.

(Don't even get me started on the deviled eggs that ensued today. Yum!)

I made a quilted place mat for our nephew for which I received many kisses and thank you's.

Rainbows!

The Easter Bunny dropped off a great gift on Saturday for me! He knows how much I love a pretty rainbow of cotton fabrics.

So many great colors, I don't even know what to make yet. Any suggestions?

Making Progress in March

This month has been a whirlwind of fun. Despite a busy season at work, I'm still making time to sew and quilt. I even completed my long arm certification at my local quilt shop so I can make larger projects this year. I haven't had a chance to rent time on it yet, but I can't wait to expand on designs in my sketch book. (My guild president offered to show me how to use her L.A. machine, too, which makes me eager to get crafty!)

I completed a few mini quilts for the Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative challenge and a several pillowcases for the 1 Million Pillowcase Challenge. I can't wait to create more this year for the different challenges our guild plans to sponsor.
I also spent a lot of time enjoying my sewing table and practicing free-motion techniques before I put together my QAYG project.

Time for a photo summary...

"I Wish I Made That" Winner at OMQG

Gifts from QuiltCon. I am so there in 2015!

Bargello Blues for AAQI

Missing You for AAQI

For Mom (AAQI)

BOM for April OMQG

My Pillowcases

More of my pillowcases

I love our guild's creativity and generosity.

Leftover gingham strips for top of baby quilt.

Drunkard's Path blocks
(Pattern TBD)

... and that's all for now. I look forward to making more to share.