Center of Attention

You may remember my 2 Big Star block quilts that I made over the last few months.  When snowballing the corners of the blocks I sewed the seam & then sewed about 1/4" from that seam & cut down the center.  Instead of wasting fabric I had completed half square triangle units.  I had set them aside knowing I would do something with them.  Et voila!  The center panel of this quilt is the result of using those units.  I added some borders & even used some orange fabric to make corners on the joining units for the one border.  All in all I am very happy with the results.  The backing fabric was included in the borders & is from the Prairie Grass line of fabric from ConnectingThreads.com.

"Center of Attention"

Machine quilted using a "Curls" design

We had about 8" of snow this morning (UGH) but it was nice to spread the quilt out on my lap to sew the label on. By the way, I am so tired of winter weather :(

The next project is awaiting.  I am making a quilt for a co-worker's daughter's wedding.  She picked out the fabric & thanks to ConnectingThreads.com we were able to email each other with fabric kept in a wish list on the CT.com website.  It made narrowing down the colors & fabrics so much easier!  Anyway, the shipment arrived yesterday.  I just have to tweak the pattern (which means I am adapting a quilt she saw online) and decide what size block units will work the best for the queen sized quilt that she requested.



Mixed Ends

Finally finished the label for the "Mixed Ends" quilt.  I used the last of the half hexi's that I had cut out & even pieced the batting.  I also used up some bobbins that I had wound for the machine quilting.  Those colors were white, blue & black.  However, I didn't mind the mix as this quilt is truly using up what I had on hand.  It ended up being a nice lap sized quilt.

We also spent the weekend in Fruita, CO with my oldest son & his family.  It was our Tucker's 12th birthday.  We had wonderful meatball sandwiches that his Mom made & attended church on Sunday with them.  His Dad was able to confirm him with the Aaronic Priesthood.  It was a wonderful weekend.



In The Key of H

This quilt was made with the leftover pieces from the Friendship Braid pattern.  This time the half hexi pieces were sewn in rows to form hexagons.  Since there is fabric with musical notes in this quilt the name is "In The Key of H" (H is for hexagon in case you didn't get it).  The back is also pieced with flannel & the binding is also flannel.  I have just a few of the half hexi's left that I have put into another quilt.  Just have to put the borders on that one & then I can load it on the frame to machine quilt it.

Can't decide if I am going to sell this quilt or if it will be the one I donate for a Bingo prize at the County Fair.  What do you think?  Would you play Bingo to win a quilt?  Would appreciate some input on this one.

Enjoy your long weekend, if you have one.  I get to babysit on Monday.  Love my little Hannah.

In The Key of H

Last of the half hexies make the label

Sevier County Fair 2013

Well, we had our first fair board meeting this past week.  Lots of great ideas were thrown out there.  The theme will be We've got Moos for you - celebrating 75 years of the stock show.  Should be alot of fun.  Everyone had such great ideas for contests etc. at the fair.

Guess I had better come up with a quilt pattern to match the theme.  Let's hope lots of folks come to the fair in August.  Fun times for all.

February 2013 Craftsy BOM

After finishing my "chores" I decided to get the February block of the month made.  It is called "Spring Blooms".  The lesson is on partial seams.  As you can see I am using black, white, gold & tan color wave.  Also started the first row on my hexi quilt.  Dinner is in the crock pot and I have time to do 2 blog posts today.  Unusual, to say the least.  If anybody would like to do the block of the month it is a free course on Craftsy.com.  The blocks for each month are different sizes.  The whole pattern is going to be fun to see.  Actually the class shows you what the quilt may look like when fully completed (if you follow the construction pattern).  You never know what a quilter may do with their blocks.

Enjoy the weekend.

Spring Blooms

Friendship Braid

I recently purchased a large & small half-hexi template from the Missouri Star Quilt Company (one of my favorite online shops!).  Well, I have this closet full (OK, it's over-full) of fabric.  Chose some flannel & one piece of cotton, prewashed the fabric (I don't always prewash), and decided to use the large half hexi to make a friendship braid.  It went together very quickly.  Decided what size of sashing & borders I wanted to use and ended up with this fun 65" x 81" quilt.  I have enough half-hexi pieces cut out of the same fabrics to make a hexi quilt.  The pieces are ready to sew together.  I love these templates!  I was able to cut out 4.75" strips of fabric & used the template by alternating position of the template after each cut.  The smaller half-hexi template will fit on jelly roll strips (2 1/2" strips).  I just happen to have a full bag of strips cut from leftover fabric of past projects.

I am actually going to list this quilt for sale at $125.  So if you are interested, send a message.

Hope everyone else is having fun with their hobby too!

Friendship Braid

"P is for Peace"

January 2013 Craftsy Block of the Month

Whipped up the January 2013 block of the month.  The pattern calls for 4 of the Offset Log Cabin blocks.  My color choices for this quilt project are black & white with beige as the background fabric.  There will be gold and other tan fabrics & maybe a pop of color every once in awhile.  It will be interesting to see what the final quilt top looks like.  I am so glad that I bought an assortment of black & white print fat quarters over the past 2 years.

Now that the January block is out of the way I can start on the next quilt project.  Hmmmmmm, what to do, what to do.

Big Block Stars Revisited

Had an order for another big block star quilt.  I was able to find some batik 10" squares on sale and just love the colors.  Used cream as the background fabric and brown for the highlight fabric & backing.  I quilted a meandering stitch with leaves tossed in here and there.  The top and bottom both begin with a row of leaves with ribbon curls.  Now that this quilt is finished I can start on the new block of the month project from Craftsy.com.  Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend!

Big Block Star blocks

"Starlight"

Newest Bargain

I dropped by Deseret Industries (local thrift store) on my lunch hour and found this sweet little bargain.  Brought it home, cleaned it up, serviced it, gave it a couple of adjustments and there you have it.  The original instruction manual was inside and included the original sales receipt from Sears.  The tool box is missing the buttonhole attachment, but I just happen to have a Kenmore buttonholer in my parts drawer.  Guess it's OK to save things once in a while.  This is what would be termed a "utility stitch" machine.  Has all the basic stitches & stretch stitches.  Oh what fun I am going to have.

The machine was purchased new in 1971 for $139 back in Ohio.  Now can you guess what I paid for it?

Yep, this little lady was only $8.00!

Happy sewing everyone.

It's in the bag!

I watched a couple of tutorials on my favorite Missouri Star Quilt Company site.  Jenny Doan showed how to make a bag from charm squares.  The tutorial is entitled "3 bags 1 charm".  There was also a tutorial on making preemie blankets using charm squares.  Well, I had some orphan blocks (you know, those unused quilt blocks that hide in your boxes).  Any way, I thought, hmmmmmmm, what if I used some orphan blocks instead of charm squares to make the bag.  What do you know.  I have a bag.  I used an orphan block as the inside pocket, 2 orphan blocks for the front and the back, added a flap closure with velcro closing, and a button tied on with ribbon for an embellishment.  Still have a couple of orphan blocks left to make a preemie blanket or two.  I hope you all check out the Missouri Star Quilt Company online.  I just received two orders in the mail from them.  The one invoice included a hand written note from Julie wishing me a good day.  Well, with wonderful folks like the ones at the MSQC I will have a wonderful day.

I hope you all have a wonderful day too.