WIP Wednesday

Okay!  Today I completed the flimsie for the February UFO!  I'm so proud of myself - from blocks to finished top.  If I get it quilted by this weekend, I'll have 2 ufos done for 2012.  Wish me time - I need that more than luck - LOL.  This is going to be a wall hanging for over my fireplace during Spring.  I've decided I like it without borders and it's just the right size for the space.  I'm calling it "Twelve Blossoms"  Oh, yes!  This quilt top was made with my modified rolling nine-patch block.  You can see the instructions for it under the tab at top called Free Patterns.

And today starts Esther Aliu's Forget me Not mystery BOM.  It sounds as if it is going to be gorgous!  Check it out: I'm linking to Judy's UFO Challenge - you can find the button on the sidebar. There you'll see what other ufos got done or made progress toward completion.

1st 2012 UFO Done!

My January UFO as part of Judy's UFO Challenge is done.  LOL - I know, it isn't Jan any more. This just took longer than I expected.  Here it is where I left off in 2011:
I was making this QAYG, so I had to add the borders one by one to get the pattern I wanted on the back.

Em chose Thimbleberries fabric for this one.  I should mention she made eleven of the blocks and I made one.  She had all the fabric needed to finish it off.

Here it is at last finished:

and the back:

I did get it done on time to show at guild.  We're having a UFO challenge there also.

I'm linking to Fabic Tuesday by Quilt Story and Linky Party Tuesdays and the 2012 UFO Challenge. Go on over and see some beautiful eye candy.  You'll find the buttons for them on my sidebar.

Design Wall Monday 2/27/12

Made some BOM blocks yesterday.  The two on top are for a new Veterans quilt I will be making for our May guild challenge - just twenty blocks to make a wheelchair lap quilt.  We are making 60 and then delivering them to our local VA hospital.  The strip below is a Just Takes 2 block.  I'm no good at paper piecing.  This small 12" strip took me as long to make as a whole charity quilt top - one hour.  LOL.

What's on your design wall?  Go on over to Judy's Patchwork Times (on sidebar) and catch up on what others are up to.

Stash Report 2/26/12

I've been working on Feb's UFO finally - lol.  Have only one row to add to the top and I'll be ready to sandwich.  I may get done before wednesday!  For most of the month I worked to finish my January UFO.  I'll show that later this week.  It is done - woohoo! For the rest of the week, I mostly made blocks from the Boms I'm participating in and finished a charity quilt which I posted about on friday.  I also went to the LQS which is moving and bought 6 yards for a different BOM I should be starting soon.  Then I bought and received 5.5 yards from the Fat Quarter Shop for Esther's new BOM that starts Feb 29th.  If you like applique, you should go over there and check out her quilts(forget me not button on sidebar).  The one for 2012 will be a mystery BOM.  So here are my numbers:
Used/Donated this week:    1.0 yards
Used/Donated YTD:        22.1 yards
Added/Bought this week: 11.5 yards
Added/Bought YTD:       19.5 yards
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Net Used YTD:                2.6 yards
Well..................at least I am still in the black.  Once I cut into that fabric for the two BOMs, out they come.

Go on over the Judy's Patchwork Times and see how others are doing (button on sidebar).

Favorite Things Friday

One of my favorite things is working with the group, St. Anne's Sewdality, at our church. These ladies brighten my day with their enthusiasm, dedication and cheerful personalities. We make quilts for first time low income mothers and parishioners of our church who may be going through a rough patch. Last year, our first year, we made 54 quilts. So far this year we've made 17 more.  Here are some members industriously tying another quilt top.

And here is another team designing a rag quilt.

 Here's our latest.  One member made the top.  Then others sandwiched and tied it.  Then I brought the backing forward and bound it - a team effort.  At the end of our meetings we pray over the quilts for their receipients and their babies.

What's your favorite thing this Friday?  Go on over to Shay's (button on sidebar) and link your favorite so we can see.  Thank you!

Applique Thursday

I was so busy finishing that January UFO that I only got a little bit more done on my 3rd Jubilee Album block.  My problem at this point is that the pattern calls for red flowers at the two stems left.  However, my botanical sense tells me it is not likely that would occur.  The only plant I can think that has various colored blooms on the same plant is the one commonly called yesterday, today and tomorrow.

I'll keep mulling it over - this isn't a true to life vase anyway -lol.

Would love to see your eye candy - done, in process or dreamed - use the blue button below to add your link.

WIP Wednesday barely

Here is the bare bones beginning of a couple of caring blocks I will make today as my work in progress.  At least the fabric is cut.  Now to find a white to go with it:

And last night at the lqg, I had a lovely surprise.  My friend, Deanna, gave me a darling Valentine heart.  I love it, Deanna.  Thank you!

I'm linking to Esther's WIP Wednesday.  You'll find the button on my sidebar.  Enjoy!

All that's left is Binding!

I'm finally to the point where all I have to do is the binding and my first UFO for the year will be done!

This has taken a lot longer than I expected because I wanted to have a pattern on both sides of the quilt.  And then I just couldn't get myself to quilt on so many of these winter days  - instead I do blocks, start a new ufo, read - sigh.  It's good to have a goal and I wanted this done for my lqg meeting which is tomorrow.

I'm linking to Fabric Tuesday by Quilt Story and Linky Party at Quilt by the River.  Go see all the other fabric stories out there (buttons in sidebar).  Now off to do that binding!

Design Wall Monday 2/20/12

I transferred the pattern on the second Promises and Borders BOM onto fabric.  This is what I plan to work on this week in between UFO work.  Don't seem to have very much sewing time these days. Maybe tomorrow with the holiday, I can get started again - sigh.
Go on over to Judy's Patchwork Times and BOMs Away (on the sidebar) and see better pics of other design walls/BOM blocks.  If I get a chance tomorrow, I'll change the photo for a better one.

Stash Report 2/19/12

Used .25 yards for my FMQ sandwiches. Started a charity quilt that uses up another 2.25 yards - actually it is a receiving blanket and will be tied by St. Anne's Sewdality members. Here's a closeup of the fabric.

And here are my numbers:

Used/Donated this week: 2.50 yards

Used/Donated YTD: 21.1 yards

Added/Bought this week: 0.0 yards

Added/Bought YTD: 8.00 yards

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Net YTD: 13.1 yards

Falling behind - should be at 14 yards.

I'm linking to Judy's Patchwork Times Stash Report post - go see what others are doing to destash (button on left sidebar).

Favorite Things Friday 2/17/12

Today's favorite thing comes from my garden.  I bought a Roma Grape Tomato Plant 3 years ago.  And while my husband has rooted cutting three times, in a way we still have the same plant and it keeps giving us these luscious little tomatos.  They have so much flavor.  I thought these in the photo were going to be the last ones, but I see the plant has sent out more flowers and with our mild winter - looks like we will be enjoying some more!  I'm linking over on Shay's Favorite Things Friday (on my sidebar).  Go see what goodies others have to share.

I'm trying!

but I have a ways to go! LOL.  Here are my first fabric attempts to quilt feathers.  Thanks, SewCalGal for having Diane on your challenge.  It's a great tutorial with lots of info.  I have her first book and it is like my "Bible" for quilting on my DSM. As you can see, I've got to learn how to taper the size of my featherlets so that they range in a pleasing fashion.  I also had a lot of trouble quilting with white thread on white.  I then switched to gray.  Finally I wanted to try a circle of feathers - I think they are so elegant in plain squares in a quilt.

I will keep on practicing. 

Applique Thursday 2/16/12

Well I didn't get very far, but some tiny progress was made. Ms Medusa now has a flower and one to be back basted.  I'm hoping I'll finish her before the week is out cuz I have to start my second Promises and Borders block soon! 

How did you do?  Would love to see eye candy of the applique kind or any project you are working on, made before or on your wish list. Click on the blue button below to submit your link.

And some good news is that Esther got her fabrics for her new free BOM!  More applique goodness!  I can hardly wait.  You can go to her site via her WIP Wednesday's button on sidebar.

WIP Wednesday 2/15/12

I'm helping my mom finish a T- Shirt quilt for my DDIL.  And I realized that it is perfect to practice my FMQ.  So, here is where I'll practice those lessons that my two yearly projects require of me.  It measures 71 by 84 and is 20 large squares made from T-Shirts she's worn at her employers.  This is the largest quilt I have tried to make with my DSM and not be a QAYG. I'm working on the central blocks right now so that then I can do the outside edge blocks.  3 done - 17 to go!

I'm linking over at Esther's WIPs on Wednesdays (on my sidebar).  Go on over for a look-see!

Free Pattern

As requested, I've uploaded the free pattern of my simplified nine-patch( see my previous post). You can see it here.  It's a versatile pattern.  I've used it to make a table runner and a full size quilt.  If you make something with it I'd love to see a photo.  Here's one I made last year. Some of you may have seen it already.  I called it Freedom's Wings and it was a Soldier's Angels top we turned in.  This one was not scrappy and I added a 6 1/2" sashing to make stars between the blocks.

Go on over to Fabric Tuesday to see what others are doing. You'll find Quilt Story's button on my sidebar.

Design Wall Monday 2/13/12

This is my #1 - the February ufo I need to work on for Judy's UFO Challenge for 2012.  It is now on my design wall.  I've been remiss on starting this and now I only have 16 days to work on it.  I want to at least get it to be a flimsie.  If you'd like the pattern for the block, let me know and I'll post it under the free patterns tab here at my blog.

Off to babysit the kids in Duarte and visit with my co-madre who is laid up in bed. Say a prayer for her - she is trying to get stronger to have the open heart surgery she needs.

What's on your design wall?  Go on over to Judy's Patchwork Times and see what others are working on. (find it on my sidebar).

Stash Report 2/12/12

This week saw sewing most days, but not days I necessarily used stash fabric.  I bought 6 yards for a mystery BOM I am going to do (starts Feb 15th at Esther's blog - her link is on my sidebar under WIP Wednesdays), gave 2 yards to St. Anne's, made three blocks from BOMs, and .25 yards for binding of the charity quilt.  Here are my numbers:
Used/Donated this week: 2.50 yards
Used/Donated YTD: 18.6 yards
Added/Bought this week: 6.0 yards
Added/Bought YTD: 8.00 yards
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Net YTD: 10.6 yards

So I'm behind - my goal for 6 week was 12 yards.
Go on over to Judy's Patchwork Times (on my sidebar) and see how others are doing.

Favorite Things Friday

or "Gift for Mella" .  Our St. Anne's Sewdality met yesterday, and we have 17 quilts to give out this month.  We are so thrilled to be able to hand these on.  Here's the one I made for a parishioner who lost her husband recently and a 10 year old great Grand son.  She's in her 80s.  The center is made of some hand pieced blocks donated to us from the 60s.

And here's the back of it.  If you click on the photo you'll get a closer view of the free motion quilting I practiced on this one.  I first put the purple all around it, but it just overwhelmed the center and then I added the floral print.  I hope she likes it.

I'm linking up to Shay's Favorite Things Friday and to Leah's Free Motion Quilting Project. See my sidebar.  Have a wonderful weekend!

Applique Thursday and More 2/9/12

She's starting to look like Medusa to me - LOL!,  but I still think the "She said what?!" fits.  What do you think? 

Been real busy with charity quilts so haven't had too much time to work on this one.  It's great to have the Applique Thursday to report and keep me moving on this.  What have you been up to?  Applique or not, would love to see your projects. Click on the blue link below.

WIP Wednesday 2/8/12

I almost forgot!  My guild is having a ongoing BOM this year also.  That makes four for me this year!  What was I thinking?  I have to do this one.  The theme of the BOM is things Riverside, our hometown.  As you can see our first block is an orange. Mine is a little different than the instructions cuz I'm phobic about matching seams - LOL, but it's a great pattern.   Some of you other Southern Californian or Floridian quilters might like to make this one.  You can find the directions on our blog  under the tab BOM, etc.  Go ahead and sign up as a follower to get the rest of them throughout the year.  They will come out around the end of the month after our meeting which is the third tuesday of the month.  Enjoy!

I'm linking to Esther's WIP Wednesday (see the button on my sidebar).  Lots of good things are posted each week.

Link on Tuesdays 2/7/12

I like these Linky parties - they motivate me to keep working on my projects even if it's for only 15 minutes.  Connie at Quilting by the River has started one for Tuesdays. So here's my entry which I finished this morning:

This is my last January Just Takes 2 BOM - it's a bit wonky but it is done.  Alas, it is 9 1/4 inches square, so I'll have to do something creative when it comes to setting it in the quilt - I'm not doing it again - LOL.  Now to start the February blocks.

I'm linking up to Connie's Linky Party Tuesdays and Fabric Tuesday by Quilt Story. You can find them on my left sidebar.

Design Wall Monday 2/6/12

On my design wall are two Just Takes 2 blocks - one completed and one cut.  For those of you doing this BOM, you can see I'm behind.  These are the last two from January. And the first batch for February are already post.  I'm not sure I will continue with this one.  I'm finding the instructions for the second set of blocks are not to my liking or I'm dense or ??  I couldn't paper piece one, so I rotary cut it and assembled.  Wasted precious background with that one.  Then this one of the fan - there were no templates for the half circle or the background piece and I had to wing it.  If someone who made these successfully could share how they did this, I would appreciate your input.  The schoolhouse is using the freezer paper method of construction.  That will be new to me also, but I"m willing to learn.  I hope to have that done soon.

What's on your design wall?  Go on over to Judy's Patchwork Times on my sidebar and see others.

Stash Report 2/5/12

Last week I made 3 blocks and used some scraps to work on my applique block for a total of .39 yards.  Then I pulled some pieces for another applique quilt I'm going to start for another 5.25 yards.  Here are my numbers: 
Used/Donated this week: 5.64yards
Used/Donated YTD: 16.1 yards
Added/Bought this week: 0.0 yards
Added/Bought YTD: 2.00 yards
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Net YTD: 14.1 yards


Hop on over to Judy's Patchwork Times (see sidebar) and see how others are doing at busting their stashes.
And for eye candy, here's the carpet in the foyer of the Irvine Museum of Art.  Wouldn't it make a great modern quilt?

Favorite Things Friday

15 month old Alan is visiting today!  So not much will get done quilty wise that is -LOL!  I did finish the second Craftsy block for February before he arrived.  These fabrics choices were made in the daylight.
  Be sure and see what favorites other have at Favorite Things Friday on my sidebar.  Off to take Alan for a walk.  Blessings!

Applique Thursday and More 2/2/12

And the winner is:  A Left Handed Quilter for "She said what?!"  Congratulations and thank you - send me your snail mail address, and I'll get that fat quarter out to you.

And here is as far as I've gotten:

I can just see this vase with hands on hips saying:  She said what?!   Thanks for playing.
Would love to see some of your eye candy - applique or not.  Just link with the blue button below.

WIP Wednesday - Craftsy block

Don't ask - this is what happens when you pick fabrics in the semi dark - LOL.  It's a little whackier choices than usual for me.  Not sure I would have picked such a bright green in the light of day. But it was half way done before I knew it, so it stays.I may call this my Wild Boxed Garden. Craftsy block three done - 17 to go.

I may have taken on more than I can do this year. Don't know what I was thinking!  I may wind up joining NewFO challenge before I know it as I'm 2 blocks behind already in the Just Takes 2 BOM and the new blocks are due today or soon.  I'm thinking I may make these craftsy blocks as a QAIG in order to have something to work on as I do the free motion project/challenge I've taken on also.  I've even found a back that might work for it.  We'll see.

Go on over to Esther's WIP Wednesday and see what others are doing.  You'll find a button for it on my sidebar.