WIP Wednesday Week 9 2/29/12

This week went by way too quickly, but I did manage to get quite a bit of sewing time in. Plus, I found time to get packed and prepared for retreat!
Thursday Paul got home, so we spent some family time together. Friday we headed to my dad's for the weekend. I did a bunch of embroidery. I made 3 more friendship blocks and the label for a quilt I'm planning to donate in mom's memory to our new Catholic retreat center.
Sunday we planned to watch the Daytona 500, but since it decided to rain, I worked on a blanket for my MIL. She's taking a trip to CO next weekend and I wanted her to have it for the car, in case something happens. I'm also sending her with my GPS, so she can get around. I won't need it to find the retreat!
The blanket was embroidered back in Nov. and I trimmed it all up, added another layer, and did a decorative stitch around it. It's washed and ready to go.

Monday night I was exhausted from staying up late working on my paper Sun. night. Only 3 weeks, 1 paper, & a PP left! Woohoo I'll be glad when this class is over.
Last night I was off early due to the nasty roads, so I took a nap and then was up half the night. I made this diaper clutch for Mikaela. It'll probably find a home in my purse and the other one will hang in the car. It seems about once a month we forget the diapers and wipes when we're in town, so Paul suggested I make another one! I guess the clutch was a hit with him too.

I also made this cute little 6" fabric book for Mikaela for church. I love her fabric books, but they are all so big and cumbersome to carry, so this is the perfect size and it talks about God creating the earth. It's a great book for church.

Then I spent the rest of the evening sewing strips together for the Merry Go Round Quilt. I'd like to get them pressed before retreat, but at least I got them all sewn. That's the boring part!

Then I sorted out my black and whites and decided on what I'm going to do for the block. I can't wait to see how this turns out. It's going to be awesome and I have so much black and white fabric! Everyone is bring a zinger to use for their block.

I'm packed for retreat too, though I know when I actually get it all together there will be more, but I've got a good start. I've even got labels to put on my stuff.


New Projects this Week:
Prayer book
Diaper Clutch

Finished this week:
Prayer book
Diaper Clutch

Ongoing projects:  (and progress this week on them)
Jim Shore Quilt - Quilted and binding machine sewn on -  1 1/2 sides done - Embroidered the label
Ed's Crown Royal Quilt - 2/3 of the way done, on the last set of blocks-packed for retreat
Little's Confetti - 2 of 80 blocks made, cut out 40+ of the little pieces from scraps - cut out all the background - packed for retreat
Merry Go Round -  Cut out and sewed about 15 stratas - packed for retreat

Completed tops awaiting quilting:
Blush Quilt 
Pink/Brown Friendship Quilts
Buggy Barn Pink/Brown Extra Blocks
Pink/Green Jungle Animal Baby Quilt

No progress:
Pokey Little Puppy Book
3 Mug Rugs - Binding
Mocha Meringue Wonder Blocks - packed for retreat
This week's stats:
Completed projects -2
New projects -2
Currently in progress -5
Finished this year - 10 , 6 Samples

I'm linking up for WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced!

I'm Featured on Follower Friday

I'm being featured today on Follower Friday over on Knotted Thread's blog. Please hop on over and read my interview. I had a hard time picking my favorites. I went through all 8 journals and looked at previous projects to decide what to feature. It sure was fun looking back at what I have made in the last few years. I really have forgotten a lot! It's only 1 week until quilt retreat!

WIP Wednesday Week 8 2/22/12

This has been another slow week. I had a very stressful week last week and ended up catching a cold that knocked me out! I was on the couch sleeping all weekend, which means I got no sewing done. With Paul out of town again this week, I have had limited sewing time. Mikaela's been going to bed good though, so I usually get about an hour of sewing in before I need to head to bed.
Monday night I pulled out these Sisterhood of Quilters Panels and found some fabric from mom's stash to use as backing. I quilted up two panels and they will become mug rugs for the quilt retreat I'm planning. Retreat is in 9 days, so I'll have to work fast to get them done, but I think it can be done!

 
The fat quarters and odds and end batiks from my stash will become my winding ways quilt. I think I'm scared to cut into them since I am not really using a pattern and I'm not sure what I'm doing. I don't know if I'll be taking them to retreat or not. It might be too complicated for a retreat project.
Tuesday night I cut apart one panel and made this little mug rug. It uses one strip of binding fabric and looks so super cute. I figure mug rugs next to our machines will be great. I got 3 done before calling it a night. I'll have to work on the hand sewing at work this week.





New Projects this Week:
14 Mug Rugs for Retreat gifts

Finished this week:
Zilch!
Ongoing projects:  (and progress this week on them)
Jim Shore Quilt - Quilted and binding machine sewn on -  1 1/2 sides done - none.
Ed's Crown Royal Quilt - 2/3 of the way done, on the last set of blocks- none
Little's Confetti - 2 of 80 blocks made, cut out 40+ of the little pieces from scraps - none.
Merry Go Round -  Cut out and sewed about 30 stratas - Nada.

Completed tops awaiting quilting:
Blush Quilt 
Pink/Brown Friendship Quilts
Buggy Barn Pink/Brown Extra Blocks
Pink/Green Jungle Animal Baby Quilt

No progress:
Pokey Little Puppy Book
Prayers Book
3 Mug Rugs - Binding
Mocha Meringue Wonder Blocks
This week's stats:
Completed projects -3
New projects -1
Currently in progress -5
Finished this year - 8 , 6 Samples

I'm linking up for WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced!

Be My Valentine Table Runner

I've entered my Be My Valentine Table Runner in the Quilting Gallery's weekly contest. I'd really love it if you'd take a look and give me a vote. Thanks!
When my mom found out she had brain cancer, my blogging friend Jen sent me a little bag with 2.5" squares of the L'Amor fabric line and 100 English Paper Piecing Hexi's. I sent from January 15, 2010-January 15, 2011 hand sewing each piece and then appliqued them to the backing. I quilted it by machine with hearts and loops. This quilt is a reminder to me of true love and friendship and I keep it out all year, not just at Valentine's Day. 

WIP Wednesday Week 7 2/15/12

This has been a slow week for me. As in excruciating for me. I hate not getting to my studio to sew. The only time I've been there is to write 2 1500 word papers and spend 2 hours online for class. Paul got home Thurs. night from being out of town working, so we spent the evening together. Friday we went to Famous Dave's for supper for my birthday and enjoyed some shopping together. Saturday we went to the Sport's Show and had a family day of looking. Saturday night Grandma Leslie watched Mikaela and we went out to supper for Valentine's Day.

We even dressed up a bit.

I got flowers from one of my campuses, my daughter, my best friend, and the roses from hubby. My office is very fragrant. Jenn remembered me with the daisies in memory of my mom's passing anniversary on Sat. She is so awesome and gave me a necklace as well.

I have my EPP'd Valentine's tablerunner out at my office as it reminds me so much of my mom and the hours I spend on it and the great friendship Jen provided in my time of need.


I have the Pink/Green Jungle Quilt still up on my design wall as my WIP for this week. I had really wanted to get the backing done this week, but it just wasn't meant to be. I'm hoping to get it quilted soon, to have ready for a baby gift or maybe Mikaela will want it, but I'm also seriously considering a stitch regulator for my machine and want to wait until I get that to do a lot of quilting. Does anyone have a stitch regulator that they really prefer it over just the speed control. I have the speed control and cutter button for my Janome 1600P, but I'm really considering the stitch regulator. I'd love to hear any feedback, either positive or negative. I'm going to put a green binding on this one and then I'll have just a few scraps left to make a little pillow or something.


The ONLY sewing/quilting I did was to pull out my mom's Loralie quilt and backing and see where they were in the UFO stage. They both look too good to be the back and I can't tell what she was doing, so I put them away until I had more time to look at them. I did continue cutting out Confetti pieces and I just have background to cut out now. It's going faster than I expected now.
Only 2 weeks until quilt retreat!! I've started packing. We'll be going to my dad's this weekend to get a few things and do some embroidery. Paul's going to go shooting with my family. He got a new gun this week.... I'm a very LOVED wife this week for saying yes, even though he's out of town.
Mikaela and I celebrated my Valentine Birthday with a heart shaped pizza from Boston's and a shopping trip to Best Buy. I think I've finally decided to get the Nook tablet thanks to Jen's recommendation. I just have to check to make sure it will work with my school books and stuff.

New Projects this Week:
Loralie Quilt(s)

Finished this week:
Zilch!Ongoing projects:  (and progress this week on them)
Jim Shore Quilt - Quilted and binding machine sewn on -  1 1/2 sides done - none.
Ed's Crown Royal Quilt - 2/3 of the way done, on the last set of blocks- none
Little's Confetti - 2 of 80 blocks made, cut out 40+ of the little pieces from scraps - Cut out more pieces
Merry Go Round -  Cut out and sewed about 30 stratas - Nada.

Completed tops awaiting quilting:
Blush Quilt 
Pink/Brown Friendship Quilts
Buggy Barn Pink/Brown Extra Blocks
Pink/Green Jungle Animal Baby Quilt

No progress:
Pokey Little Puppy Book
Prayers Book
3 Mug Rugs - Binding
Mocha Meringue Wonder Blocks
This week's stats:
Completed projects -3
New projects -1
Currently in progress -5
Finished this year - 8 , 6 Samples

I'm linking up for WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced!

WIP Wednesday Week 6 2/8/12

This week was very productive for me! I spent a lot of time preparing for quilt retreat, cutting 2.5" strips, cutting out confetti pieces, and pulling out projects I want to take. I started making lists and figuring out what needs to be done before I leave. It just doesn't really look like I did much in pictures.
However, that big game on Sunday caused Paul to do all the cooking and all I had to do was eat. Plus the excitement of watching the game was enjoyed by Mikaela, so I had about 7 hours of sewing time on Sunday.
I quilted this wall hanging with red metallic thread, echoing the seams of the zigzag. I also put the binding and hanging sleeve on, so I have some handwork for work breaks this week.

I pulled out this Patchabilities kit of moms and finished it up, so I have her UFO for the month done. I'm working on the handwork and only have the hanging sleeve left.

I was over the quilting part when I got to this one, so it only got quilting on the tops of the peaks of the zigzags of each color. It actually looks better I think. I got the hanging sleeve and binding on it as well.

Saturday night I was hit with inspiration and threw these leftover HST's up on the design wall. I let them sit in this pattern for a while and by Sunday night I decided I loved them. I started sewing and had them in 5 column's before going to bed for the night. I think it will make a cute baby quilt and use up the fabric mom had left from a baby quilt she made for Mikaela.

Tuesday night I finished up sewing it together and put the borders on it. It turned out pretty cute and I have enough fabric left for backing and binding. I'm so excited to finally have this one into a top and ready to quilt.


New Projects this Week:
Pink/Green zigzag quilt

Finished this week:
Two Valentine Wall Hangings with Zigzags
Patchabilities Valentine Wall Hanging
Pink/Green Top
Ongoing projects:  (and progress this week on them)
Jim Shore Quilt - Quilted and binding machine sewn on -  1 1/2 sides done - none.
Ed's Crown Royal Quilt - 2/3 of the way done, on the last set of blocks- none
Little's Confetti - 2 of 80 blocks made, cut out 40+ of the little pieces from scraps
Merry Go Round -  Cut out and sewed about 30 stratas

Completed tops awaiting quilting:
Blush Quilt 
Pink/Brown Friendship Quilts
Buggy Barn Pink/Brown Extra Blocks
Pink/Green Jungle Animal Baby Quilt

No progress:
Pokey Little Puppy Book
Prayers Book
3 Mug Rugs - Binding
Mocha Meringue Wonder Blocks
This week's stats:
Completed projects -3
New projects -1
Currently in progress -5
Finished this year - 8 , 6 Samples

I'm linking up for WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced!

January Quilting Accomplishments

January was a very productive month for me. I'm really impressed with how much I got done, in addition to being in school. I did about half samples and half stuff for me, so considering the samples are my second job I didn't really do all that much for me, but it's sewing and I'm counting it.
I made the Texas Two Step for a Groovy Girls Sample. It's a quick and easy pattern!

I made the Farmyard Friends quilt for a sample for my Happy Hour class I'm teaching.

The Owl Yellow Brick Road was a sample for Groovy Girls as well.

The Wrenly ribbon blanket was a gift for Emilee's baby shower for her daughter Rosaliee.

I made the Sweet Treats sample quilt for the shop.

I quilted up this cute girls quilt for my friend Cindy for a donation to an auction for a cancer patient.

I made Jen a Winding Ways Schelp bag to match her SBS binder. It was a bit belated as birthday gift for her. She loves it and I think was a bit surprised.

I made this baby quilt for my co-workers new baby. It's called Dippity Daisy.

I quilted up this growth chart for Mikaela.

I used my scraps from the leftovers of my Buggy Barn HST's to make a couple fun blocks.

I made three different friendship blocks I will embroider and quilt for friends as wall hangings.



I made 2 of these quick Valentine blocks and plan to make wall hangings or table toppers.

I made 4 Friendship quilts for my quilting buddies.

I made the Waffle Time Table runner for a Groovy Girls sample.

I am in the process of finishing the binding on the Wave Table Runner made as a sample for Groovy Girls.


So I sewed 102 hours in January, celebrated Mikaela's 1st Birthday, made 5 samples, made lots of blocks out of HST's, used my 1/4" foot (I know what a shock!), quilted a couple quilts, did my first donated quilting, and wrote 2  1500 word papers and 8 300 word discussion posts. Whewww it's been a busy month. Good thing there is that 31 on the month and 2 holiday days off! I also did all 5 weeks worth of WIP Wednesday posts. They may be duplication for some, but they really keep me on track with posting and making sure I take pictures and upload them. I finished all my goals except the quilting binding on the Jim Shore quilt. I sure hope to finish it soon. I also didn't get all the blocks of the Crown Royal quilt done, but I did work on the blocks, so I'm proud of that fact!
I've started two new quilt tops, Little Confetti and Merry Go Round, both using scraps... I know please gasp again, but I've been making a lot of samples and have lots of bits and pieces left, so I'm working on cleaning them up. I also have a stack to cut for 5" charms. If anyone wants my little leftover bits that don't fit 5" charms or 2 1/2" strips let me know and I'd be glad to send them your way. I've just got to reduce the clutter a bit. I'm also so close to making a Winding Ways quilt. To the point that I have pulled all my dark jewel colored batik fat quarters and I'm going to pick up some light colored batiks for the opposite and do a quilt with those colors. I was just going to do a two color one, but I figured that might be kind of boring and I've had about 20 fat quarters in dark purple/green/blue/marroon that I want to use up, so this is the key. I'd like to have them cut out to sew at retreat.
Retreat is coming together awesome!! I have 10 for sure and we may be able to have a few more, so still open to a couple more if anyone is interested. I'm super excited! I'm planning to make the  Winding Ways, the Crown Royal top, the BOM top, a construction baby blanket, a Loralie quilt of my moms, sign language baby quilt, Mocha Meringue top, and who knows what else I will make, but lots of tops out of blocks I already have made with a few Winding Ways blocks for something different.

WIP Wednesday Week 5 2/1/12

This was a productive week!!! First for a couple pictures from last week though. The Dippity Daisy Baby quilt for my co-worker Kristen and her daughter Emmaline. It's so cute and I love how fast I can piece it. It was about 2 hours for the top.

This is the growth chart I made for Mikaela. I'm still working on binding it, since school work is consuming my lunch times. It's amazing how much I've learned about the history of higher education. Though some of it makes me go...seriously??? why do we do the things we do in our country?

I made up two blocks in this pattern. I'd seen mini wall hangings with this block and fell in love. I can see a full quilt made from gasp.... scraps in my future. I love how quick and easy this block is to make. Since I only had enough for 2 blocks, I'm thinking a little table topper to use as a siggy quilt at the retreat.

Two more friendship blocks, each a bit different, but still similar.

The 3rd and final of 7 friendship blocks. I now have to do the embroidery on them, quilt and gift to a few more friends, but really no deadline for them now. I just love having the fabric used! I finished it when we had a sewing Sunday afternoon at Jenn's with a few friends. It was so fun getting together and sewing. I also got 12 more Crown royal blocks sewn. I just have to put the rows together on them, but it's looking like I'll have the blocks done in time for retreat! I love to make quilt tops at retreat and I can do that if I have blocks made.

Megan at Canoe Ridge Creations had this cute tutorial on her blog last week and I knew I had some valentine's fabric of mom's left, so I whipped up this Valentine's Wall Hanging the other night. I loved it so much, that I used the rest of the scraps to make one more, which I finished on Sunday. I allowed for backing and binding out of the same fabric, so now it's on to quilting in the next few days. I'm so excited to have these done. I just love them! They are about 16" square.

Here's a picture of the Friendship quilt I made for Jenn. Shonna, Gaila, and Emilee each got one as well.  A few more unsuspecting friends will receive the other 3 when I get them done.

Saturday night I made this Waffle Time table runner by Atkinson designs up. It's a Groovy Girls sample for this week. I love it and it went together fairly quickly.

The other sample I made on Monday was the Wave Table Runner. It uses a scallop ruler and I used the scallop ruler similar to the prairie points rulers to make the extra scallop in there. I love how it turned out and while this isn't a good picture, you can see just how cute it is. I used the gradations fabric for the inserted scallop and boy is that a fun fabric to work with. I have to finish the binding before Fri. night. I used the Easy Cut Bias ruler to cut the binding. Good thing I could Google it because there were no directions on how to use it!


This week I pulled all my scraps out to make a quilt from the new Scrappy Quilts book. It's called Merry Go Round and I'm super excited to use the 45 degree strip cut ruler. I picked up background and should be able to get it cut out tomorrow night so I can sew my strips on Friday night.
I also found a bunch of small pieces of Super fabric, so I'm going to make the Little Confetti pattern. Again super cute and very fast and easy.

Finished this week:
Three friendship blocks
Two Valentine Blocks
Waffle Time Table Runner
Wave Table Runner

Ongoing projects:  (and progress this week on them)
Jim Shore Quilt - Quilted and binding machine sewn on -  1 1/2 sides done - none.
Ed's Crown Royal Quilt - 2/3 of the way done, on the last set of blocks - sewed on 12 more!
Little's Confetti - 2 of 80 blocks made
Merry Go Round - Fabric collected

Completed tops awaiting quilting:

Blush Quilt 
Valentine Wall Hangings
Pink/Brown Friendship Quilts
Buggy Barn Pink/Brown Extra Blocks
No progress:
Pokey Little Puppy Book
Prayers Book
3 Mug Rugs - Binding
Mocha Meringue Wonder Blocks

This week's stats:
Completed projects -10
New projects -1
Currently in progress -13
Finished this year - 5 , 6 Samples

I'm linking up for WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced!