Wednesday, September 9, 2015

Today I'm off to the San Diego Quilt Show.  I will be a student of Tina Rainer for the Lucy Boston's Patchwork of the Crosses class.  This will be a very first applique workshop for me.  Now all I need are my supplies to gather before I start my trek to the convention center.

After the class Kerry and I along with two others will have dinner in the Gas Lamp area before heading back to the convention center for the Preview Party.  You may recall that I have three quilts in the show.  Kaskade, Konstituent and Kooter Klan.  The Preview Party will give me my look at the three quilts.  Two of them are for sale and the new owner of Kooter Klan was kind enough to lend me the quilt for the show.

I haven't quite settled back to routine, but I am catching up on some rest.  There will be more to share after today's events.  Perhaps I'll see you there.

Design Wall Monday, July 8, 2013

First up is a finish!  Kaskade is complete.  This is a design by Deb Luttrell called Ice Castles.  It was published in McCall's Quilting magazine issue February 2009.  Kaskade is a 2011 UFO.  It measures 78" x 87".  Only two more to go off that 2011 UFO list.  I have quite a few deadline projects in the next few months that will keep me busy, but I plan to get those last two done in 2013.

Now to my next project.  July 2013 UFO is Layer Upon Layer by Country Threads.  The fabrics for this project are a bit different than I usually lean towards.  The scale of the fabrics is small too.  Country Threads has there sample made up in reproduction fabrics.  I don't have much of that style in my stash.  I need 36 sets of different fabrics; I am at 24 right now.  Another search of my scrap 1 1/2" strips will probably turn up more fabrics for the remaining sets.  

Since I'm just getting started nothing to put up quite yet on my Design Wall.  I will have something there soon rest assured!  See what others are working on through the links at Patchwork Times.

Sunday Stash Report, July 7, 2013

I pulled the fabrics that I'll be using for my July 2013 UFO.  This is a Country Threads pattern called Layer Upon Layer.  It calls for a 40 piece Layer Cake.  The Layer Cake is cut into various lengths of 1 1/2" wide pieces that come together surrounding a dark center.  I will be using my stash for this project and not all pieces are Layer Cake size (10" square).  I started my fabric pulling with the three plaids that are in the center.  I'll either use a dark navy or the teal polka dot in the center for the dark centers.  I have lots of the teal polka dot which will definitely be most of the back if that becomes it's only use.  Kubicle was suggested as a name for this project...any more ideas out there?

I'm continuing today on assembling Kaskade.  I will have more photos on Kaskade tomorrow.  Until next week I have nothing to report either way to my stash.  Kaskade is coming next week!

Used this week:  0 yards
Used YTD:  206.25 yards
Purchased this week:  0 yards
Purchased YTD:  53.5 yards
Net Fabric Used in 2013:  152.75

Patchwork Times has more quilters explaining their stash today.  Enjoy your Sunday!

Saturday, July 6, 2013

I had the pleasure of sewing together a patriotic project for Kerry on Independence Day.  I'll give it to her later today when I see her for a bit of sewing in the afternoon.  DH and I celebrated with barbecue baby back ribs, chunky veggie slaw, pinto beans, and some fine crafted beer.  While I was preparing the slaw I listened to the fireworks going off in Maryland.  It was fun listening to the BOOM and BANG over the phone with my parents!  Of course we saw and heard our local fireworks display too.  Hope yours was fun also.

Today I've finished all the border pieces.  I'll be putting all the blocks together next.  I'm pretty certain I'll have Kaskade off the Design Wall and my July UFO started before the weekend is out.

Enjoy Saturday!

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Kaskade Today with twirled stars!

Thanks everyone for your suggestions on arrangements of some of the stars.  Can you see a difference?  I swapped one dark block for a light one that has a darker background.  I knew I wanted to move that light with the darker background towards the side.  I also swapped out the centers on a couple.  I think this version is a go!  Full steam ahead later tonight!

Kaskade on Design Wall Monday, July 1st

July 2013 UFO #8, Layer Upon Layer

This is the project to work on in July.  It is a Country Threads design that I knew would work well with my stash.  It's yet to be named with one of my special "K" names, but will definitely be on my Design Wall this weekend.

Both of the ice cream quilts for the 1st/2nd graders of Moore, OK are done and will be in the mail this week.  Kerry's patriotic mini is up next now that I have all the fabrics at hand.  I'm still planning on it being finished when I see her on Saturday!

Enjoy your Wednesday...

Design Wall Monday, July 1, 2013

Happy Monday and the start of the second half of 2013!  Can you believe we've already reached the halfway point?  We've been having some very hot weather in San Diego lately, but today at my home the coastal breeze was wonderful.  I'd thought the air conditioner would need to be turned on, but no!  I had every window open in my home which made it somewhat difficult to keep all the pieces of Kaskade on my Design Wall.  Now comes the time to ask you what you think of the color layout...  It is all scrappy so its easy to move things around.  I'm thinking there a couple of stars are too dark; perhaps a change of the center  is needed and that one star almost in the middle looks darker than others.  Changes coming!

This is the start of the borders.  I need to cut more of the neutral triangle.  Fortunately I'll have enough to get me all that will be needed.  I can't leave Kaskade up on my Design Wall too long...Aunt Marti of 52Quilts has selected July's UFO!  I'm off to see what is in store along with the 13 in 2013 Parade of June's UFOs.  

Enjoy both shows at www.52Quilts.com and www.patchworktimes.com!

Sunday Stash Report, June 30, 2013

Let me start this last day in June...and...the halfway mark of 2013...with a purchase :(!  I'll be using it up pretty quickly though...  As a matter of fact I've already used all of the greens and neutrals on Kaskade :)!  I'm busy putting the pieces together.  A little more each time I find myself in my sewing room.

As with many projects one needs to purchase some fabrics to complete them.  I am going to love Kaskade, but it may have been more of a reduction to my stash if it had been made with a different shade of neutral and blues or blacks/grays.  Oh well I'm sure another project will come that will help me reduce those two stash containers.

I ran into a shortness of fabrics working on Kerry's patriotic project.  That has been rectified so I will get to working on it again.  I promised a finish for Independence Day which is what I plan to accomplish.  There are other projects going on that I will share progress on tomorrow on my Design Wall post with Patchwork Times.

I'm anxious to see the Thirteen in 2013 Parade today with Aunt Marti.  Mine is Kloudburst.  I selected both thread and quilting pattern at Kerry's Quilting on Friday.  Gold thread and a design called Twirly Feathers.  I'll be anxious to see how it turns out.  Monday Aunt Marti will announce the July UFO...excited!

I found time to sort out the HST Swap on Saturday.  The participants packages are either in the mail or in my trunk.  Liz has already been to pick hers up.  I hope to get to El Cajon Library at noon today for a little Opportunity Quilt for Sunshine sewing.  Perhaps there will be others in attendance who will claim their package.

So for today I have 7 quarter yard and 4 half yard pieces to bring up my purchase status.  Nothing to claim, but come next Sunday Kaskade just might change my Net for 2013!  See other quilters using their stash through the links at Patchwork Times.

Used this week:  0 yards
Used YTD:  206.25 yards
Purchased this week:  3.75 yards
Purchased YTD:  53.5 yards
Net Fabric Used in 2013:  152.75

Thursday, June 27, 2013

 Here is where I start this morning on Kaskade.  This is as far as I can go without more background.  Bonnie's fabric just wasn't quite right...  I stopped by Bits and Pieces in Poway on my way home yesterday and did pick up a FQ that works.  It really isn't what I wanted but the color worked.  If going to a couple other LQS between later today and tomorrow don't have what I need I'll be back to Bits and Pieces.

 This is the project I'll work on today (PJ Day =^.^=).  I've already made this, but now I'll make up Kerry's project which she has been delayed on for other projects.  My hope is to give it to her tomorrow.  It is all cut and ready to assemble.  A small project that I'm pretty comfortable I can finish.

The last swapper's HSTs arrived just now.  Looking for dividing them all out and shipping them off this weekend.  Any of you participating swappers looking for a HST project to work on during the Independence Holiday?  They'll be ready for you.

On to sewing...

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Just a little bit of progress on Kaskade last night.  Another eight blocks done.  I used up what neutrals I could find in my stash.  Bonnie is going to bring in a fabric tomorrow that might work.  Aren't friends the best?  I'm planning a stop at Bits and Pieces in Poway on my way home from work tomorrow too.  Hope you find time in your sewing room today!

Design Wall Monday, June 24, 2013

Kaskade, 2011 UFO

My design wall is just getting started with Kaskade.  This is a design by Deb Luttrell called Ice Castles.  It was featured in McCall's Quilting in their February 2009 magazine.  There are 28 "snowball" blocks and 28 "star" blocks.  I have to search my stash for more of the neutral fabric for the "star" blocks.  Kaskade will be a somewhat controlled scrappy project with the "snowball" block using the same neutral.  All sorts of possibilities ahead for a quilting pattern that will show up in the 9 1/2" centers.  The inner border will be pieced using the same fabrics as the "snowballs" and "stars" along with a very dark green.  That same dark green will be the last border.  Deb's design has a third border that she suggests be neutral, but I'm planning to keep the size a little bit smaller by eliminating it.  This will end up being a 16" reduction all the way around.  More to come on this as the week progresses.  It would be great to hear what you think...

See more inspirational projects today through the links at Patchwork Times.

Sunday Stash Report, June 23, 2013

I have two small quilts to claim as used today.  Both are for the Moore, OK 1st/2nd graders who will celebrate the opening of their new school with an ice cream social.  

Moore, OK Ice Cream Project

Project Linus Jan/Feb 06 Quiltmaker, Moore, OK Ice Cream Project

I purchased 5.75 yards of fabric at Memory Lane, but have already used it so I won't take time to add and subtract.  The big piece is for the back of Kloudburst and the other .75 yards is going towards the extra blocks to make Kilowatts larger.

Kloudburst Back

I was "quilt retreating" this weekend with eight others.  So much fun to spend time with my quilting sisters.  I worked on four projects, two of those were the ice cream quilts.  Kilowatts saw a little bit of work...not much.  The last project was Kaskade.  I changed my mind on the background and didn't have enough of the fabrics I decided on to work much on it.

Today was the turn in day for the HST Swap that I've been coordinating.  I got six swappers blocks.  Here's a sampling of what came from Susie, Collette, Joan, Liz, Kerry and Debra.  I have one yet to get and I'll be working to divvy them up and send them to everyone.  

Liz, Kerry, Debra

Susie Q, Collette, Joan T

Used this week:  13 yards

Used YTD:  206.25 yards

Purchased this week:  0 yards

Purchased YTD:  49.75 yards

Net Fabric Used in 2013:  156.5 yards

There are more quilters using their fabrics...or purchasing more for projects that they are inspired to make.  See the several links at Patchwork Times.  Enjoy your Sunday!

Design Wall Monday, June 17, 2013

Khambray

Except for the label Khambray is done.  I sure love this design by Cathy Wierzbicki from her Geometric Gems book called Pineapple Nine Patch.  Diamond Dust another design in her book intrigues me too...  Khambray is all from stash and was a 2013 UFO from earlier this year.  The quilting is awesome; not that I'd ever expect less from Kerry. 

Thanks Bets on pointing out my OOPS! on Kloudburst.  I hope that I would have caught it when I was pressing, but you sure helped out a bunch with your comment.  That top right gold/background HST is definitely rotated wrong.  Points to the center a must!!!

Kloudburst

Nothing on my design wall today.  Projects finished that were there. It's on to cutting the next project.  There are two I'll be working on Kaskade (yet another 2011 UFO to complete) and ice cream quilt #2 for the Moore, OK kids.  Have you been involved with the Ice Cream Social for the 1st/2nd graders?  For more information on this worthy cause leave a comment and I'll provide details.

Kaskade

Ice Cream quilt #2

Canyon Quilt Guild meets tonight.  I'll be back in my sewing room Tuesday night.  Have fun creating this week!  

Sunday Stash Report, June 16, 2013

Happy Fathers Day!  Dad loves his new golf shoes...what a pose!  Hope they give you lots of great games...

I have a finish YIPPEE to report.  Kloudburst is done!  Kloudburst is my June 2013 UFO #9 with 52Quilts.com.  Oh is it satisfying to have a completion...  I did have to beef up my purchased stats a bit to finish it, but only by a 1/2 yard.  The inner border just wasn't to be had in my stash.

Since I was at Beverlys finding the right fabric for Kloudburst; my next project Kaskade needed some medium greens.  Well you may remember that I've been using my green stash lately hence medium greens are not among fabrics in my green tote...  Another purchase, but these 1/2 yard pieces will be used up real soon.  Sometimes you just have to purchase to use your stash.  This was one of those times.

Last up are the fabrics for the second Ice Cream quilt for the 1st/2nd graders of Moore, OK.  I'm going to use the Project Linus pattern put out by Quiltmaker Jan/Feb 2006 for this one.

Saturday brought Connie's HSTs.  I really like the rich colors she used in her blocks.  Everyone is beating the due date...just a few more to receive before I can sort them all out and send them back.

So for this week I have two stats to change.  Not a bad week...how was yours?

Used this week:  14 yards

Used YTD:  193.25 yards

Purchased this week:  2.5 yards

Purchased YTD:  49.75 yards

Net Fabric Used in 2013:  143.5 yards

There are more quilters using their fabrics...or purchasing more for projects that they are inspired to make.  See the several links at Patchwork Times.  Enjoy your Sunday!

Sunday Stash Report, May 12, 2013

Happy Mothers Day!  Wish I had plans with my Mom today.  Mom you are definitely on my mind and soon on the phone...wish there weren't so many miles between us...

I've got a great report this week!  I've jumped over the 100 yards used and it's only May still.  At this rate 200 yards for 2013 looks very promising!

I finished Kartwheels.  (Judy Niemeyer Mariner's Star.)  What a beauty this project has turned out to be.  Thank you everyone for all your wonderful comments.  I'm going to be entering Kartwheels in this year's San Diego Quilt Show.  I'm sure Kerry will quilt it perfectly as she always does.  Kartwheels was started in May 2011; funny that I should finish it the same month two years later.  I'll start into another from that year's list.  I have four more to finish.  Will it be Kaskade (Deb Luttrell Ice Castles), Koriander Kompass (Brenda Henning Spice Islands Compass), Krossfire (Judy Niemeyer Jumping Jax Flash), or Kurry (Judy Niemeyer Briar Patch)?  Each of these are as involved as Kartwheels.  One of these will challenge me totally for a few weeks until 2013 June UFO is announced.

Kartwheels, 2011 UFO

Knautical is done too.  (Judy Laquidara Scraps Ahoy.)  Two totally different quilts you can certainly see.  Using up scraps is my main goal and Judy sure helped me do that with her quilt along from a year or so ago.

Knautical, May 2013 UFO

Used this week:  32 yards
Used YTD:  152 yards

Purchased this week:  0 yards

Purchased YTD:  38 yards

Net Fabric Used in 2013:  114 yards

There are more quilters using their fabric stash in lots of different ways.  Find time to visit Patchwork Times to see what others are doing.

2011 UFO Challenges, January 1, 2011

Happy New Years!
Here are my ten 2011 UFO Challenges.

#1  Kourageous.  This is an idea for a project that I thought of about three years ago.  It was started collecting fabrics during the 2008 Cruisin' Quilters Run.  It will be a collection of foundation pieced exotic flower blocks using animal skin themed fabrics with a black/dark brown background.  This UFO will be done as a BOM on Patchwork Times 2011 UFO Challenge.  Each month a number is selected I'll do that block.  Should be fun!  Here's a picture of the fabrics I'll be using.

Done...in blocks ready to assemble.

#2  Geese in Flight.  This is a group of blocks won in December 2009 with the BAE Systems Quilters.  This quilt will go to charity.

Done

#3  Koda's Keeper.  This is a group of blocks from a Block Exchange started in September 2007 with Canyon Quilters.  This quilt was the quilt made for my brother Steve and his wife Tammy.  It's named as the parent of Koda that is the first quilt made for my niece Morgan.  Both quilts were designed to match the bear theme of Morgan's nursery.

Done

#4  Kartwheels.  This is a pattern by Judy Niemeyer called Mariner's Star.  I've purchased the back and several FQs from Sew Batik in July 2009.  The rest of the fabrics needed will be pulled from my stash.

Done

#5  Komfort Kove.  This is a pattern by Theresa Eisinger called Pinwheel Cove that was published in the Quiltmaker Magazine July/August 2010 issue.  I've got the back and the white fabric (pieces cut).  The rest of the fabrics needed will also be pulled from my stash.

Done

#6  Krossfire.  This is a pattern by Judy Niemeyer called Jumping Jax Flash.  I've got the back and the rest of the fabrics will come from my stash.

#7  Kurry.  Judy Niemeyer pattern called Briar Patch.  Only back purchased for this.  Again a stash buster!

#8  Koriander Kompass.  Brenda Henning pattern called Spice Islands Compass published in the Fons and Porter's Love of Quilting Magazine March/April 2007 issue.  Have only one other piece of fabric besides the back.  If I have enough stash it will be a buster too.

In Work

#9  Kaskade.  Deb Lutrell designed this one that she calls Ice Castles.  It's from McCall's Quilting January/February 2009 issue.  I have two pieces of fabric with hopes of getting a piece I love for the back from Quilters Connection.  It has my name on the piece, but its first slated for the owner of the shop...I may have an opportunity to what's left.  If not I'll be purchasing something.  By this time it's doubtful that large pieces will be in the dwindling stash :) (a good thing).  Other fabrics will come from my stash as this is also a scrappy quilt project.

#10  Komplikated.  Bonnie Hunter designed this one she calls Patches and Pinwheels.  I first saw it in the September/October 2008 Quiltmaker Magazine issue.  This one is definitely a scrappy quilt.  It will empty my 2" stash strips and blocks stash for sure.  I'll put a border on it based on the color the center calls out for.  This is a picture of Bonnie's quilt.

Done

So I've got my challenges cut out for me for this coming year.  Check back to see how I keep up with them all.  Hope you've set some goals for yourself in 2011.  Keep your hands busy with needle and thread (and your favorite sewing machine).  Happy 2011!