Thursday, January 31, 2013


Here's my #5 with the Thirteen in 2013 UFO Challenge.  Kushy Kourt that is Bonnie Hunter's Easy Street design.  I used 10 1/2" squares to assemble the back...100 of them...it's a big quilt.  I did change the solid border to a pieced border.  The corner was a bit tricky.  I do like the way it ended.  I'll use the teal fabric that's shown in the picture in the top middle for the binding.  Kerry's Quilting will have Kushy Kourt in the quilting queue real soon.

I hope you had a chance to get done with your January goals.  To see what others were able to accomplish in this challenge that I'm participating in see the parade at 52 Quilts on Friday.

Wednesday, January 30, 2013


My Mom and I will be taking a workshop at Bits and Pieces in Poway, Ca tomorrow.  This cute Travel Case will be fun to put together.  Kim Baker will be guiding us along on this Pearl Pereira design.

Tuesday, January 29,2013


More Neutral Blocks have arrived!  The top are from Debbie, Liz and Debra.  The ones just below are from Susie and Theresa.  


And these are from Mary.  Great blocks ladies!  Still more to get...once they're all in my hands I'll be ready to sort them and send them out.  Should be in about a week...  What pattern(s) have you decided on?



Design Wall Monday, January 27, 2013


It was a wonderful quilt show this weekend.  Besides the fabric purchases that I made on Sunday these items made there way to my sewing room.  My Mom won an opportunity to make a selection from a treasure chest and I benefited!  I made the selection of the FQ brown/black batik.  Thank you Mom...  I took advantage of Olfa's show special with a cutting mat.  Finally this nice pattern by Annie Unrein called High Voltage.  I've been doing a lot lately with black/white and white/black prints so this had pattern had to come home to use up some of the scraps.


This is the first class I took with Marti Mitchel.  It's Seven Sisters Simplified.  The "simplified" part is not having to do "Y" seams.  It's all straight line stitching.  I finished two blocks during class.  I'm being a bit challenged in locating the right gray fabric for the backgrounds.  The rest of my fabrics are all reproduction.  The solid parts (triangles) will be a solid gray.  This may change as the quilt comes together, but that's the current plan.  I'll be working on this one the next couple of weeks.


Next up is Expect the Unexpected by Karen Sievert that was the mystery on Friday night.  There isn't a photo in the pattern of the quilt put together beyond the one I've shown below.  Sorry my first two blocks are a bit rumpled...  I've got parts put together but these are the only two blocks that were finished.  It's quite a beautiful design.  This project is my #13 UFO Challenge..."for extra credit".


See other quilters work if you have time.  Monday's can be quite inspirational through all the link ups provided at Patchwork Times. 

Sunday Stash Report, January 27, 2013


Today I report my first purchases of the year.  Not too much and only one that really becomes stash if you know what I mean.   The fat quarters on the left and the one on the top in the middle are for the class Seven Sisters Simplified that I took on Friday at Road to California Quilt Show.  I'll be sharing pictures of the pattern and what I was able to accomplish in the class in tomorrow's post.  The larger piece was calling out to me.  It's a gray background fabric that was the last 2 1/2 yards on the bolt.  I can always use a piece like this.  I have plan to make more of the quilts in the Spotlight on Neutrals book by Pat Wys where it will work perfectly.  The fabrics on the right are more for my Kuibble project that is a UFO this year from the pattern Licorice Allsorts.  I'm not including these in my stash since they were a gift...


I kept my fabric purchases at Road to California minimal too.  I purchased more grays for Seven Sisters Simplified project and more white on black prints for Kuibble.


I picked up a few other items which I'll also share tomorrow.  So here's my report for this week.

Used this week:  0 yards
Used YTD:  46 yards
Purchased this week:  5.25 yards
Purchased YTD:  5.25 yards
Net Fabric Used in 2013:  40.75

See how others used their stash at Patchwork Times.

Wednesday, January 23, 2013


Tomorrow is a big day at your Local Quilt Shop (LQS).  Well any day is really if you are purchasing =^.^=! If your LQS is participating in this contest you could be the winner of a Brother USA Project Runway Limited Edition Computerized Sewing Machine AND a $500 gift certificate to the quilt shop featured in your entry.


In my area Paradise Sewing, Bits and Pieces in Poway and Memory Lane in El Cajon are participating.  I've got some readers in Southern Maryland...Material Girls in LaPlata is in on the fun too.

To enter your chance to win.  Visit a participating LQS, take a photo of you inside the shop, and upload the photo to the contest page at facebook.com/quiltshopday with a caption saying why YOU love your LQS.  You can also upload your photo to twitter or Instagram with hashtag: #ILoveMyLQS in the caption or tweet.  Deadline for entries is January 24, 2013 at 11:59pm PST.  Fans will vote for their favorites January 25 -31, 2013.  There are official rules so check them out before entering.  Information on the event can be found HERE.

Have fun!  Share your LQS with the world!  Win prizes!

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Last night was Canyon Quilt Guild January Meeting.  We were treated by members of the guild, Judy and Barbara.  Judy's presentation was on her art quilting talents and Barbara on her traditional quilting talents.  It was indeed a treat to see what fabulous quilts these two produce. 


At the meeting Jeanne and Collette turned in their neutral string blocks.  Nice job to both of you.  I'm so happy to have an opportunity to own some of the fabrics that have been used to make the blocks from this swap.  I can't begin to say the variety of neutrals is amazing.  Collette was nice to bestow upon my a gift of a few extra blocks.  Thanks Collette, this opens up more patterns to be made from Bonnie Hunter's String Fling Book.

In case you want to wish Bonnie a Happy Birthday it's Wednesday of this week...

I'm counting down the hours now until Mom comes to visit.  She'll be here on Thursday for a good long visit.  Friday takes Kerry and both of us to Road to California Quilt Show.  The excitement is mounting!  It will be the first time for Mom at a major quilt show.  Do you remember your first?  Happy Tuesday!

Design Wall Monday, January 21, 2013

Koda's Keeper

Happy Monday!  Today I begin with Koda's Keeper on my design wall.  This project has been sitting too long; time to get it done.  Its been in this state for five years now.  It started out to be for my brother Steve and his wife Tammy when my niece Morgan was born.  
Koda
Morgan has her Koda quilt, but circumstances made it emotionally difficult to finish Koda's Keeper.  Steve passed away quite unexpectedly just days after Morgan was born.  Five year will always seem like yesterday.  This quilt must be finished.  I had it as a 2011 UFO Challenge...as you can see that didn't get it done either.  I'll be making a few more applique bears because I really like these patterns.  Some more bear paw blocks might be made too.  I think it needs more pink, blue, and yellow.  Perhaps the setting pieces will be more neutral fabrics so the applique bears "float".  First up is to prepare some patterns for applique.




Karen stopped by with her neutral blocks today.  I can't say enough about how all of the blocks look.  Everyone should be really happy in a couple of weeks when their part of the swap gets to them.  My guess is that there will be a bunch of page turning of Bonnie Hunter's String Fling book!


For more inspiration see other projects through the links at Patchwork Times.

Sunday Stash Report, January 19, 2013



Kwitcherbitchin is done.  This is Bonnie Hunter's Pfefferneuse design in her newest book String Fling.  My quilt finished at 85" x 85".  I changed the solid border that was suggested into piano keys to follow the string-thing that is going on in the design.  Kwitcherbitchin used 20 1/4 yards of fabrics.

I'm off to a terrific start using stash in these first weeks of 2013.  I sure hope I can keep it up.

Used this week:  20.25 yards
Used YTD:  46 yards
Purchased this week:  0 yards
Purchased YTD:  0 yards
Net Fabric Used in 2013:  46 yards

See how others are using their stash at Patchwork Times.

Saturday, January 19, 2013


From Great Mills, Maryland came Theresa's blocks.  I sure like the variety in the blocks.  Everyone is using lots of different foundations.  Theresa's is crinkly.  It appears to be an easy one to use.  Okay Theresa what is it you used?

Anxious to see who turns in next.  We are expecting mid 70's today.  Hope wherever you are today the weather is nice.  I'm off to a day of sewing at Kerry's.  Happy Saturday!

Friday, January 18, 2013


These are the fabrics I'll be cutting into 10 1/2" squares for the back of Kushy Kourt.  I'm really excited about how my Easy Street by Bonnie Hunter turned out.  The white with black is nearly three yards.  I'll be using it as a solid piece.  The purples will complete the rest of the back with some surprises with the orphans made into blocks and scattered about.


Jennifer stopped by Thursday evening with her neutral blocks.  Along with her blocks an appreciation gift too.  Thanks Jennifer!  I enjoyed our brief visit.  Love your fabrics!  I'll be anxious to see what COLOR you add to them.


Louise's blocks came in the mail yesterday.  I love that fabric that runs down the center of her first block.  Wonder who will be next to turn in theirs?  Great work Louise!


Thanks to Jennifer's suggestion I'm much happier with the January BOM for Sunshine Quilt Guild.  She has one to do that has the salmon color in it.  This was a fun block to make.  Yes indeed Bonnie Sue it does look complicated...reading is important...can't just go by the pictures on this Quiltmaker pattern by Anita Grossman Solomon.  The fabric provided is from Moda's Botany  layer cake.  We were to add a coordinating fabric.  This promises to be a very scrappy project.



Thursday, January 17, 2013

I finished the last piano key boarder last night for Kwitcherbitchin.  I trimmed it to 5" wide this morning and attached it.  Another project done!  Thanks Mom for the neutral with gray strings.  This design of Bonnie Hunter's (Pfefferneuse) is one I wanted to make along with a need to lighten my dark browns, grays, and blacks.


I'll be cutting 10 1/2" squares for the back.  The quilt is 85" x 85".  That means at least 90 squares to cut and sew.  These are the fabrics I'll be using to begin with; I'll see how far they take me.  I prefer to use lighter fabrics for the back, but I do want to use my stash so I'll go for these medium grays.  I'll also find a way to put the orphans into the back...give it a little zing!


Yeah!  I have numbers to record as used on Sunday.  Check back soon.  Happy Thursday.



Wednesday, January 16, 2013


Kwitcherbitchin is looking terrific with it's two borders almost done.  I have the inner border that is a tiny black and ivory plaid (that reads gray) completely around.  The piano key boarder that is in different widths to match the string blocks in the center of the quilt is on three sides.


This is the reason I didn't get the fourth side done...I ran out of piano keys!  I'll need to get the stabilizer out and cut another 75" off the roll.  I still have a bunch of dark strings already to go. Hope that I can use up what I have without cutting more.  Tonight I'll be sewing more piano keys.


Enjoy Wednesday!

Tuesday, January 15, 2013


Straight from Hollywood, Maryland...Joan S 9" Neutral Blocks.  Excellent work!  Six turned in 12 more to receive...  Who will be next?

Hope you get into your sewing room even if its just to get your day going.  Have a wonderful Tuesday.  

Design Wall Monday, January 14, 2013


Today starts with Kwitcherbitchin nearly complete.  I'm on the last border side.  I really have come to like the way sewing strings on foundation works.  A couple of years ago I'd have thought nothing about sewing fabric strips together for the piano key border...but the sewing and end result seem much more precise using a foundation.  Any fabric, light weight interfacing or paper works.   My preference by far is a tear away interfacing fusible or not.  My SIL found some sewing items at a yard sale and thought of me.  Two of the items she picked up were two rolls of Sulky Totally Stable Iron-On Tear Away Stabilizer.  That's what you see under my machine.  My borders are 5" and the roll was 12" wide.  I cut the stabilizer in half and the length of the border I needed.  The basket has the strips ready to sew and away I go!


At first I thought I'd use a beige inner border, but once I put this gray geometric up and the pieced border next to it...the decision was made.  I have everything prepared now to assemble.  The only thing that remains is a bunch of pins and about an hour.  Kwitcherbitchin will be ready for quilting!


Now what project should I work on next?  For more inspiration see others working on their projects at Patchwork Times.

Sunday Stash Report, January 13, 2013


I have a finish to report!  My Easy Street is done.  I had a time figuring out the corners for the pieced border.  I calculated and made several changes along the way...all day Saturday...but I'm happy with how they have turned out.  I played with the idea of a blue flying geese in the corner, but found that the purple seemed to work best.  I will be using a one piece teal binding.  My Easy Street by Bonnie Hunter that is her annual mystery finishes at 95 1/2" square.  I call my quilt Kushy Kourt.  Sorry not to be able to show the entire quilt; that will need to wait until it's quilted and a sleeve allows me to put it on my quilt rack.


I have a dark string border to work on today for Kwitcherbitchin.  First I'll need to iron some of the fabrics before cutting.  I'm sure this border will go much faster than what time it took for Kushy Kourt.  Pictures on my Sunday sewing tomorrow.  

Used this week:  25.75 yards
Used YTD:  25.75 yards
Purchased this week:  0 yards
Purchased YTD:  0 yards
Net Fabric Used in 2013:  25.75 yards

See how others are using their stash at Patchwork Times.

Saturday, January 12, 2013


Borders are figured out!  Wow what a day making these work.  There will be more photos of Kushy Kourt tomorrow on my Sunday Stash Report.


I have string borders to add to my Kwitcherbitchin project tomorrow.  I need to figure out whether I want to use the green for the binding or the inner border.


These fabrics are from my Mom to consider in my Kuibble project.  Kuibble is my #3 2013 UFO Challenge project.


Friday, January 11, 2013

Klappers
Kerry's Quilting finished Klappers over the weekend YEAH!  I used the same fabric for the binding as I did for the outside border.  This is a Judy Laquidara pattern that was featured in Quiltmaker Magazine Sep/Oct 2010 issue.  It was one of my 2012 UFOs.  It's so bright and cheerful.  The backing was purchased in Maryland during a trip there last year.  If you happen to be in southern Maryland you should check out Olde Towne Stitchery in Leonardtowne.


Thursday, January 10, 2013


I don't remember if I mentioned that I've found a group to participate with in finishing UFOs this year.  I'll be participating in Aunt Marti's "Thirteen in '13 UFO Challenge".  You can find out about the Challenge HERE or go to www.52Quilts.com that is Aunt Marti's website.  I've also got a button on my right side bar that will get you there.  Pictured above are my UFOs for the year.  I've got whatever I've started in bags waiting for their month.  If you want to learn about my UFOs another selection on my right side bar called 2013 UFOs will get you there.  Each have their own pattern photo and information about the project...along with a number that Aunt Marti will give us once a month to work on throughout 2013.  You may wonder why there are thirteen?  The extra one is "extra credit" according to Aunt Marti.  I'm looking forward to the year ahead.

For the month of January #5 was selected to work on.  I had already decided that Bonnie Hunter's Easy Street would be the one I would finish in January so it became #5.  The rest are yet to be known (I like this part of the Challenge).  I am working on the borders right now.  I decided to change from one piece borders to a pieced border using the 4-patch design within the quilt.  I'm real excited about how it is looking so far.  A single teal fabric will be used for the binding to help rest its wonderful busy design.


Kushy Kourt
I will be busy today making the borders.  Check back tomorrow for today's accomplishments.  Happy Thursday!

Wednesday, January 9, 2013


Last night I got Joan T's blocks for the swap (left)...and...today I got Betty's (right).  Nice job ladies!  These two bring what I've received so far to 5.  End of the month is when they are all due.  That means 13 swappers are busy getting there's done.




Joan also shared the next block with me for wool applique.  I've learned that my wool needs to be felted to keep it from fraying.  Joan says I did a good job with my first project...wash and dry the wool I'm going to use before I start the next 15" square project.  Guess what's going in the washer tomorrow....

Sunshine Guild was last night and here's the BOM that I'll be working on that Bonnie Sue put together for us.  I'm to add a background that looks good with the fabric provided.  Hmmm...what should that be?

Did you notice the pieces in the background of the first photo?  That's what I'll be working on tomorrow.

Hope "hump day" treated you right.  Have a great Thursday.