Quilt Projects Completed

I worked furiously to get many sewing projects done during the past 2 weeks as I will be taking a few weeks off because of upcoming foot surgery.

Two finished quit projects I sent to my favorite longarm quilter, Michelle Fialek, are finished and they both look beautiful.

 

The table topper made from leftover corners cuts from the mystery quilt I worked on this past winter.

I love the swirls that Michelle put in the pinwheel blocks which gives them a spinning effect. 

Before approving the final Cranes Wallhanging pattern for Cut Loose Press, I followed the directions and made a second wallhanging.

I like to see how other quilters deal with the quilting motifs. 

Michelle saw fluttering birds, and her quilting works toward showing the fluttering. 

Michelle also quilted my TREES quilt from the 2015 Mid-Century Modern Bee exchange. 

This is a improvisational block I designed. 

I like the breezy-like quilting Michelle did and I am working on finishing a faced binding on it. 

Happy Stitching!

I'll be back in a few weeks.

1 Quilt Project Teaser

This pattern idea has been churning in my mind for a few months now. Other projects were finished up and I am now working on getting this pattern completed. So here is my teaser for you. I will be submitting it to Cut Loose Press. I blog when the it is published and post finished photos.

Some of the projects that I recently finished were:

Blocks for the October Mid-Century Modern Bee swap,

My submission to the Four-in-Art 4th Quarter Challenge, 

The theme was I've Got the Blues. 

12 jars of strawberry jam for our youngest daughter,

A few Christmas gifts,

The 9 stars of Nancy McNally's Compass Stars quilt from the AQS class

and top almost sewn.

And a new haircut, which I like very much. 

2 Blocks for the Bee-Mate

My August blocks for the Mid-Century Modern Bee are in the mail for Mary S. 

She chose the Woven Blocks Pattern for us to make. 

The pattern is a free download from Robert Kaufman that can be found HERE. 

I think she will have a great quilt when all the blocks are assembled. 

The pattern was easy to sew and great to use up scraps. 

I see so much color potential in it that I'm going to try to make up one block 

each day with scraps just to see what comes of it. 

Quilting: My Mood Returned

After a month when I just couldn't get into the sewing mood, I am doing a good job of accomplishing projects on my list. 

I finished up a few "Americana" potholders for the 4th of July. I forgot to get a photo, but not to worry, I am making a few more because I liked them and want a few for myself. Binding is all that's left. 

I went right to work on my Mid-Century Modern Bee blocks. Years ago I made so many log cabin blocks. I forgot how much I liked making them. I made 4 blocks, not knowing which I would want to mail out. I finally decided to mail them all! 

I have loads of scrap fabrics and I think these blocks will be a great way to use up scraps. I have ideas spinning in my head on how to make them. 

However, the next project I have begun to work on is the Island Batik Christmas in July project. The fabrics I have pictured below are from the Holiday Happenings Collection. I'm not sure I will use the print on the top right, just doesn't seem to be too Christmas-y for me. 

I am planning on making a Dresden piece using one of my wedge rulers. The Patchwork Pearl posted the link to an article about Wedge Quilts, from Modern Quilts Unlimited, which was very good. You can read it HERE. I am going to look for the "Wedge It" tool that is talked about in the article. I can see so many possibilities for future quilts when using it.

We Island Batik Ambassadors don't have to design our Christmas in July projects using Electric Quilt, but there are some links in the Modern Quilts Unlimited blog under WEB EXTRAS that show how to design some projects in EQ. If you are interested in learning more about the possibilities of EQ, take a look at some of them.

In celebration of Electric Quilt's 25th Anniversary this year, Island Batik is hosting a double giveaway with the folks at EQ! Both posts (one on the Island Batik Blog and one on Behind the Mouse, the EQ blog) will be posted on July 10 and the giveaways will be open for entries until the 25th. Island Batik will be giving away an EQ software package and EQ will be giving away a fabric bundle. 

I have scheduled a day at Insprirations of Art Studio to used the Sweet 16 (this photo from HandiQuilter.com). I have 3 quilts our charity group needs quilted. It always feels great to have projects completed. 

Off to sew; are you sewing something for Christmas this summer?

  

18 Days Ago

Wow!
My last post was 18 days ago, but it really feels longer than that!
What have I been doing? Would you believe cleaning and purging?
A friend and I decided to have a garage sale of our excess, seldom used quilting (and some of my crafting) supplies on June 23, 24,and 25.

 My friend included much of her mother's supplies, too.

After the sale ended, I read Val's post HERE about the re-organization of her sewing area. She had returned from a retreat and was inspired. Read her tip for organizing fabrics and threads. And she said that with re-organizing she can get back to creating.

I know I am more productive and creative when my area is organized. It is hard to work around piles or try to find tools that are not where they should be.
It was a good way to tidy up for me. And here it comes.....BUT......
I didn't realize it was going to take so long!

I have one room where I shelve my fabrics and craft supplies. I found my box of cross-stitch books, kits and canvas, which I no longer do; so those items were priced to go.

At the beginning of the June, I cut some fabrics and had not folded them neatly or returned them to the shelves. So I spent two weeks organizing the shelves by colors and folding the fabrics so they fit nicely. I chose to say good-bye to many fabrics because they did not inspire me as they once did.

I let go of my Christmas beading projects and ribbons and lace. There is only so much one can work on.

Yes, I admit I have a stash! I realized I may never find the time to make all the quilts I want to.

I am hoping to be back to sewing on Thursday.

I will be finishing my Island Batik project for the June Modern Batik Challenge. 

Then I'll begin the Christmas in July project. There is a giveaway with this Challenge. 

I also will be working on my pattern for The Road Home Row Along coming in September, 

which is hosted by Marian of Seamstobesew.com and Amy of Sewincrediblycrazy.com

There will be giveaways for this online Row Along. 

There is the August 1st project reveal for the Four-in-Art group. 

The challenge is to quilt our representation of Purple Passion. 

On July 1, Sherri will let us know the block to make for the Mid-Century Modern Bee.

Wow! I will be busy. 

May quilting keep you busy, and happy.

March Is A Month of Quilting

This month is ramping up to be a busy month of quilting for me.

March 19 is designated as World Wide Quilting Day. 

I am not sure if I will be quilting with others or myself, but I will be quilting!

How many of you will be quilting that day?

I am working on a block swap for the Mid-Century Modern Bee. 

We are making 4 inch mini churn dash blocks. I will be sewing 9 blocks. 

Each one has to use red. I have 2 done. 

As an Island Batiks Ambassador I will be sharing a mini project this month. 

I finished the top and am waiting to learn when I will be posting. 

I will be sharing directions to reproduce it. 

March 23 is my day to post for the 

Quilt Qwazy Queens Blog Hop 

sponsored by Marian at Seams To Be Sew. 

HERE

I will be working on my entry for our Quilt Guild Challenge: 

a modern twist on the log cabin block.

It might not be due until May, but I want to get going on it. 

I wish you a wonderful month of quilty goodness. 

3 Swap Blocks Done

The blocks asked for by the February Queen Bee have been mailed. I am a member of the Mid-Century Modern Bee and each month a different member is the Queen Bee. The Queen Bee requests a certain block to be made by the other members and they are sent off to her. 

This past month we were asked to sew "Books for Baby" blocks using the pattern from the Patchwork Please! by Ayumi Takahashi. 

This was fun. I had so many choices of novelty fabrics to use. Then to decide on the spine and corner colors and the background colors. Can't wait to see the entire quilt completed for Live A Colorful Life's grand-daughter.

6 Days: Quilting Goals on Track

I am happy to say that I have met my quilting goals for the first 6 days of the new year. 

I completed another pincushion today for the swap. I can't show that until my swap partner gets it. I will be sending it tomorrow.

I am now a member of the Mid-Century Modern Bee. I am excited to be a part of this talented group of quilters. I worked on my blocks for this month's Queen Bee today, finished them and sent them off to her in the mail. Yea! 

I can't show a photo of the completed blocks, because it's in pattern development.  BUT, I will share with you how the seams of some very longs strips that I pressed turned out very STRAIGHT. (Oh, I do so like the blue I used in the blocks.)

I bought the Strip Stick a few years ago based on my friend's recommendation.

The introduction on the website HERE says, "The Strip Stick, so-named for pressing seams when strip quilting, makes ironing seams a snap without distorting previously pressed seams.  Other uses include the ability to press intricate piecing, such as one-block wonders and other blocks with intersecting seams. Quilters are excited to have a tool that not only keeps the seams very straight, but also cuts pressing time to a minimum!"

I have been happy with the results I get when pressing strips. Below, I pressed the seams toward the blue fabric. The previously pressed seams were not distorted by the iron. The Strip Stick is curved with minimal padding and a muslin sleeve on it. The curve is what allows me to press just one seam at a time. I have used it to press seams on blocks and have had excellent results. 

There is a video on the Strip Stick website showing how to use this product. If you have an inkling to know more about it, watch the video. (I do not have any affiliation with the company, I just want to share with you something I use with great results.

I am off to join A New Year A New Creative You at Embroider It for the last day of focusing on creativity. If you missed any of the 6 days, click the link and check it out. 

What goal have you accomplished this week?