Tuesday, October 30, 2012

My progress so far on Krabapple.  I have all the trees paper pieced and trimmed.  I've also got the checkerboard sky ready to be sewn to the trees.  The sky is two light dark light sections sewn to either side of a dark light dark 9-patch.  This part goes onto both sides of the tree with a dark 9-patch at the top of the tree.  I have three of the blocks done.  This project will go together pretty fast since all the 9-patches are done...swaps are great!

The rest of the nine patches both dark light dark (top left) and light dark light (top nearly center) are for the border.  A cheddar and red will be the sashing with an olive green for the setting triangles.  Oh didn't mention that these trees go on point. 

We'll see how much sewing gets done tomorrow.  I have an entry in a Chili Cookoff to make for a fun group competition that takes place on Wednesday.  I'm also making a pumpkin goodie.  My place is going to smell yummy later tonight.  Wish our team "DIWS ur Chili Cluck" a Blue Ribbon on Wednesday!

Design Wall Monday, October 29, 2012

Here we are in the last days of October 2012.  Are you ready for the next four holidays?  They come rapidly now...Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years.  I've got the scarecrows and skeleton out in the yard and a few decorations around the house in place.  Candy is in the pumpkin container and a pumpkin desert is planned for dinner on Tuesday.  Wonder how many kids will come to ring my door bell?

I find myself working on the last half of my neutral blocks.  I've got to make a total of 38 (36 to trade) for a swap I'm coordinating.  The directions for the swap are 9" neutral string blocks in white, cream, beige, and tan (no darker than a paper bag).  The center block needs to be 2".  I'm a bit flexible with this 2" since I didn't stipulate finished or unfinished width.  Either way the size will be sufficient for cutting through the center if that's how your project needs it done.  I use a feather or light weight interfacing as a stabilizer so that I don't have to remove paper.  In this project paper will do fine too.

Once I've got the strings sewn down I position my foundation on a line on the cutting mat.  Can you see the foundation just below that middle string?  Then I position a square fit for 9" blocks with the diagonal line on that same line on the cutting mat.  Then trim away the two top sides of the string block.  I always cut with the strings up.

Next turn the block 180' with the cut point on a cutting mat line.  Place the square at the 9" mark making sure that both side edges are on the 9" mark as well.  Then trim off the last two sides of the string block.

Here's the back or foundation side.  Notice how that center piece is exactly in the center.

With my trimmed away strings...any that are 1 1/2" long get squared and made into cute little 9-Patches.  No waste here!

The rest of my week will have me sewing on my Krabapple project that was also a swap I coordinated a bit earlier this year.  The swap consisted of dark and light 9-Patches.  Krabapple uses lots of 9-Patches in it's border and the sky of the crabapple trees (Bonnie Hunter design called Crabapple).  All pieces are cut out for my project already. 

 Time to sew Krabapple now that my 2012 UFOs are complete or it will become a UFO :).

Sunday Stash Report, October 28, 2012

Knoted


Let me start with my final 2012 UFO completed.  I'm two months ahead of the challenge.  Being ahead let's me get a few others done before 2013 challenges commence!  Knoted is a Judy Laquidara design FREE on her website called Note to Self.  Knoted has that silent "K" when pronounced.  I stopped mine after the third border with the plan to bind it in the dark black/brown which would have been the next border following Judy's design.  Although I like how I can use more stash with a larger project I prefer something a bit smaller.  Knoted finishes 67 1/2" x 80".

Kooky Kins

I finished Kooky Kins this past Monday.  Kooky Kins is a Buggy Barn design called Crazy Jacks.  It can be found in their book Frightfully Crazy.  Kooky Kins is also a 2012 UFO that has yet to be selected.

A third finish this week is Lori Smith's design that I'll call 4 Stars from her Quilt Squares #6 pattern.  This block is October's Quilt Square Quilt Along block selected by Jo's Country Junction.  I'd make these ahead too but it isn't known which design is next until the first of each month.  I'll claim yardage on all 12 blocks that I do in 2012 when I put the project together into a sampler quilt around the first of 2013.

I did add a bit to my stash this week; purchasing fabrics for my Road to California Mystery class that I'll be taking in January 2013 and eight 1/2 yard pieces for a 2013 UFO that I've got on my radar where I will need a bunch of neutrals.  These fabrics won't collect dust!  I am quite pleased with my numbers this week!

Used this week: 26.25 yards
Used YTD: 247.75 yards

Purchased this week: 18.75 yards

Purchased YTD: 125.75 yards

Net Fabric Used in 2012: 122 yards

Hope you have time to create this week!

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

I have my Quilt Square Quilt Along block for October finished.  This is a year long project with Jo's Country Junction where Lori Smith's Quilt Square patterns #1, #4, and #6 were used.  I never did find on Jo's website where to "link up" September's block (the 9-patch on the bottom right).  I suppose I'll be able to show it too when I "link up" in October.  Only two more blocks for this year to go.  I think I've got the color mixed up enough now.  Maybe I'll tackle the applique offering if Jo has a "your choice block" with pattern #6 as she's had with #1 and #6.  These patterns are designed to be small quilts, but I've chosen to make mine into a sampler.  Time is coming to start thinking about a setting.

I went during my lunch break on Tuesday to Quilters Paradise in Escondido, CA.  I thanked my buddies for allowing me to spend more than they did combined...LOL!  The entire purchase has a project to go into so none of it will collect much dust.  The fabrics above (less the batik to the right) are for the Mystery Class that I'll be taking at Road to California quilt show in January.  There is a lot of precutting to do on this project.  It makes a huge quilt.  I'm a bit concerned that the scale of the focus fabric is a bit big.  The instructions didn't include what scale the design should be.  I may drop the instructor an email to see what she thinks about how my fabrics will work.

I also purchased eight 1/2 yard pieces of mostly neutral batiks.  I took a 2 1/2" strip off all but one for building up a jelly roll that my Mom will use in the class she takes at "Road".  The rest of these less the redish batik will be used in one of the projects from the book below.  I'm still undecided which of the designs I'll make. 

After getting the Quilt Square Quilt Along block finished I worked on cutting the last of the pieces for Knoted from the collection of batiks I showed yesterday.  Knoted is my final UFO for 2012 to complete.  I'm hoping to work on it yet this week.  Now that the cutting is done I'll fly right through it.  There may just end up being three quilts in my trunk to get to Kerry's Quilting!  I'm excited in that Knickles is finished and ready for me.  Just need the opportunity to get to Kerry's.

No sewing tonight for me.  DH and I are going to a concert at the Sports Arena in San Diego.  Bob Dylan and Mark Knopfler will be crooning for us.  DH has enjoyed Bob Dylan music since his teens; he's not one of my favorites...maybe he's better in person?  Mark Knopfler is popular from the Dire Straights as the lead singer.  Mark has been on his own now for quite some time.  He doesn't perform much in the United States, so when he's around you got to see him!  Before the concert we'll be having Phil's Barbecue.  We've got a fun evening planned that starts with a shortened work day!

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

I didn't get as much sewing done as I'd hoped on Monday evening.  I got a bit side tracked with selecting fabrics for Knoted.  I'm going today during my lunch break with Bonnie, Delinda (maybe), and Sue to Quilters Paradise in Escondido.  The owners have decided to concentrate their business on laser dye kits; so another great quilt shop closes it's doors soon.  We've seen four quilt shops in my area go different ways since June :(!

I hope to pick up some fabric for a few projects that I'll take on in 2013.  What better time than a 30% discount at Quilters Paradise.  I've already got my list of 12 patterns for my 2013 UFO Challenges.  Have you been thinking about what you'll take on next year?

Design Wall Monday, October 22, 2012

I have another 2012 UFO done ahead of schedule.  This is Kooky Kins a design by Buggy Barn called Crazy Jacks.  The pattern can be found in the Frightfully Crazy book.  This is the second time to make it.  I had to have one of my own.  Used up a lot of my purple stash and the bright oranges took a hit too...yeah for using the stash.

Here's Kooky Kins back.  There are a lot of my favorite purples in this back.  The squares are 11".

This is my October quilt block with Jo's Country Junction.  Jo has been coordinating a block a month from Lori Smith's Quilt Squares designs.  This is one from her #6 pattern.  I selected four different colors for the stars.  Creams for the background.  The browns for the sashing corner stones.  The darker cream for the sashing.  Finally the borders.  I have the pieces cut now and will be sewing this project next.

There are lots more sewing rooms to look in with the links at Patchwork Times.

Sunday Stash Report, October 21, 2012

I went to Rosie's to use my Birthday gift and....  Came home with the two large pieces that you see above.  The "batiks", neutral and dark, are for the black and white parts that you see in the instructions.  I'll use my scraps for the color.  This will be a very scrappy quilt.  It is the last 2012 UFO to make.  The pattern is Judy's called Note to Self available free on her website.  I'll be calling my quilt Knoted.

I also met Chris who is participating in the Neutral Block Swap that I'm coordinating with 18 others.  Chris is new to the swaps that I've been coordinating.  Nice to see timing of turn in won't be a problem with Chris...she's first to turn in...the deadline is the end of January 2013.  Way to go Chris.

I hope to have Kooky Kins done for next week, but for now there's Knoted fabrics to count in.  Here are my stats for this report:

Used this week: 0 yards
Used YTD: 221.5 yards

Purchased this week: 4.5 yards

Purchased YTD: 107 yards

Net Fabric Used in 2012: 114.5 yards

Hope you have time to create this week!

Saturday, October 20, 2012

I've finished piecig the candy corn border sections.  Next is sewing each of the sections together.  I'll measure out what's needed for the sides and top of the jacks center, but first I'll need to get the jacks ready.

Trimming the jacks down to 12.5 x 14.5 now.  I remember from the workshop that there isn't much stem so I won't be taking too much off the top.  I found in the workshop and this second time of making the Crazy Jacks pattern that there is about 1" or more around the sides extra to work with. 

My first two are done with seven more to go.  That's my morning so far.  I should be able to get the rest of the jacks trimmed and the jacks put together.  I'll have the candy corn border on in no time.

Right now it's off to Rosie's to use my Birthday Discount before the month is out. I will find something fun; thanks Rosie!  I may be able to catch Chris B while there.  Chris is already finished with her Neutral Block Swap blocks. 

Friday, October 19, 2012

This is Kooky Kins candy corn border.  There are 14 layers of fabric that are assembled alternating with a purple then a yellow/orange/white strip set then purple again and then white/orange/yellow, repeat.  Each layer is 5" wide by 21" long.  It's real good to use the 60mm rotary cutter for Buggy Barn projects since you cut lots of layers at once. 

Tomorrow I'll be sewing...

Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Moving right along on Kooky Kins.  Looks like I'll need to move some of these Jacks around to mix up the colors a bit more.  I'm looking at both the Jack colors as well as the background.  Next to sew is the cute Candy Corn pieced border.  First part is making white, orange, and yellow strip sets.  Look for progress tomorrow.

Hope you enjoy your day...find a little time in your sewing room.

Design Wall Monday, October 15, 2012

Kooky Kins is on my wall today.  This is one of the last two 2012 UFOs I have to complete.  There will be nine pumpkins with a pieced candy corn border.  The pattern is from The Buggy Barn in the Frightfully Crazy book called Crazy Jacks.

This will be the second time I made this project.  The first was a fundraiser for Sunshine Quilt Guild.  Kooky Kins will be for me.

With the neutral scraps that I had right at hand, half are finished.  I used the leftover trimmings for 9-patches.  The string blocks are for a swap that I'm coordinating that finishes in January 2013.  The 9-patches don't have a project but the will get used for some day.

Tonight is Canyon Quilt Guild with David Taylor.  I'll be rushing home for Dancing With The Stars.  It has been a great season so far.  Wonder who will go home this week.

What's going on in your sewing room?  Lot's more to see via the links at Patchwork Times.

Sunday Stash Report, October 14, 2012

I'm working away on using up some neutral stash.  This project is part of a swap I am coordinating that has participants making 9" neutral strip blocks.  With this size and being neutrals the possibilities for their use are many.  Five different designs from Bonnie's new book can easily use them.  Each participant will be making 38 blocks with a due date at the end of January 2013.  19 are participating so that means a lot of variety will come to each.  I'm also making 9 patch blocks from the trimmings.

I've got two finishes to record this week.  It's been a drought lately...  Kurly Kues and No Klucks Here Either! are done.

Used this week: 12 yards
Used YTD: 221.5 yards

Purchased this week: 0 yards

Purchased YTD: 102.5 yards

Net Fabric Used in 2012: 119 yards

Friday, October 12, 2012

No Klucks Here Either! is finished.  I've got something to claim as used this Sunday!  YIPPEE!!  This project was the workshop sample that I used when I taught at Quilters Paradise in September.  The pattern is of my creation that was originally put together for a quilt given to my parents last year for Thanksgiving.  Mom has her quilt No Kucks Here! back in Maryland and displayed for the Fall season.

Next on the sewing table is a charity quilt for some lucky little boy...eeks it's Pirates Matty!

Thursday, October 11, 2012

Here's Kerfuffle back from Kerry's Quilting.  It was is a Myra Mahy design that I put together during a workshop with her through Sunshine Quilt Guild earlier this year.  I've got Kerfuffle trimmed up, binding sewn in place along with sleeve.  Next the couple of hours to hand sew the binding down and the label.  This will be a football game project!

I also got from Kerry a very cute Birthday Card and a Halloween theme fat quarter pack.  I've got Krazy Kins to make yet this year...the purple in this pack will be perfect for it.

To the far right is a charity kit from Sunshine Quilt Guild.  Gaylon makes up some real cute kits for the kids.  November is the second of two times during the year that we present quilts to the group we support.  This one is a pirate theme.  I'm guessing it will be in the hands of a little boy for Christmas.

Wednesday, October 10, 2012

Here is what Karen did with her 9-Patches from the swap I coordinated recently.  Instead of using them for the Crabapple design Karen added a few more 9-Patches to get Tumalo Trail.  Both of these designs are from Bonnie Hunter and can be found in her last two books.  Great job Karen!

I am hoping to be sewing tonight.  Real close to finishing No Klucks Here Either!  Last night I got Kerfuffle back from Kerry's Quilting.  I hope to be binding it soon.  I love the quilting on it.  I will have photos to show you tomorrow.  Have a great day.

Design Wall Monday, October 8, 2012

Happy Monday!  I hope today will bring as beautiful weather as it did today.  It was gorgeous here in San Diego.  I like it that the cooler weather has decided to arrive.  Weather forecast is calling for rain mid week...we'll see about that.  I'm working on No Klucks Here Either! this week.  I have the first turkey done with three more to go.  I'm getting some practice with the blanket stitch instead of a zigzag as I did on the first No Klucks Here!

Instead of a photo in the center of the star I plan on a quilting motif in brown thread.  Something Fall like will work. 

I finished all the blanket stitching on the leaf stems.  After the turkeys are done I'll be assembling the 16 blocks that are Twist n' Turn trimmed.  The green dot will be an inner border so all the blocks will float.  Next border will be a blueish green and then the final border a green print that looks good with the green dot.  The last two fabrics are in the first photo at the top left.

I was able to assemble Kurly Kues top and back.  I've still got some pressing to do, but this is a finish...off to Kerry's Quiting next.

Hope that you have something fun going on in your sewing room.  There is more to admire through the links at Patchwork Times.  Have a wonderful week.

Sunday Stash Report, October 7, 2012

Happy Birthday Karen!

Today my sister celebrates her birthday.  Here she is with her new hair style.  I believe she's taking a picture of herself...pretty good!

Knickels is ready for you Kerry!  This was certainly a larger task than what I had anticipated.  The scissors my Mom got me back in June really came in handy.

Nothing to report again this week purchased or used.  I've been spending all my week with Knickels.  Time to sit down and sew either on Kurly Kues or No Klucks Here Either!

See what others are doing with their stash at Patchwork Times.

Used this week: 0 yards
Used YTD: 209.5 yards

Purchased this week: 0 yards

Purchased YTD: 102.5 yards

Net Fabric Used in 2012: 107 yards

Saturday, October 6, 2012

 

I have known for sometime now that Jeanne had her Crabapple finished.  It took a little bit to get it, but here is her quilt.  Yeah Jeanne!

 

I learned that Karen plans to use her 9-Patches for Bonnie's design Tumalo Trail.  This pattern can be found in her Scraps and Shirttails II Continuing the Art of Quilting Green book.  I'll be anxious how the 9-Patches look in it.

 

I wonder who will be next to finish? 

Friday, October 5, 2012

Today is my Birthday!  I'm receiving lots of birthday wishes from all my friends and family.  My Dad even sang to me!  I'm also receiving lots of discounts during my birthday month.  I'll certainly make good of Rosie's and Erica's fabric coupons.  Then there's Macy's, my Eye Doctor, far too many to mention Restaurants, even Poway Honda wants me to celebrate with them.  Friends at work are taking me out for lunch and I'm pretty sure DH won't be expecting me to make dinner!

I did treat myself to some new 3-Day blinds for my home.  I had an offer of 20% off which was made even better (25%) by the representative who came to measure the windows.  They were installed last night.  I'm really pleased with how they look.  I had nothing at the kitchen window, roman shades at the laundry and office, and vinyl shades in the exercise room.  It was nice to change up after 12 years.  We have the same blinds in most of the other windows in our home.

Kitchen

Laundry Room



Office

Exercise Room

 

Hope you have a Happy Day!