Tuesday, October 28, 2014

I am coordinating a block swap of Unit 2 and Unit 2 from the Bonnie Hunter design Midnight Flight.  The swappers are starting to send them in now.  These are from Joan.  Anxious to see who finishes next...  I am about half way finished.  I decided to sew the extra seam to make bonus triangles.  Kerry wants my blue bonus triangles for her Scrap Crystals project (also a Bonnie Hunter design).  I will end up with the purple bonus triangles for some future project.

So today I've conceded in the knowledge that I will not finish the "chosen number 2" UFO for this month.  I have been working at it, but there is way too much to do for this design riddled project.  I should have been working on it throughout the year instead of this busy for me month =^.^=.  The photo on the top, center block, was made yesterday.  I'll be adding it somewhere to the growing number of blocks that I have assembled.  There are three smaller block designs to be added that when four come together finish the size of a large block.  Somehow I need to figure out which large block design I like over all the others and make four identical.  Trust me there is a long way to go!  See a photo of this Janice Ellertson and Jodel Yover design called Beauty 'n Check.

Koncentric Konnection

I do however have a UFO to swap out for this month.  It is number 3 on my Twelve in Fourteen list.  It was made earlier this year and gifted to my great nephew, Logan.  This project comes from a workshop I attended at Road to California, Harmony Square by Linda Ballard.  The pirates in the border are a HUGE hit with Logan (1 year old) and his older brother Luke (3 year old).  I'm told they use it to lay on in front of the their favorite videos and television programs.

Kaptain Khorous

This leaves me another month to finish Koncentric Konnection which should be just about right!

Design Wall Monday, October 27, 2014

Krazy Kookoos

I was quilting with friends this weekend at a retreat.  Since I had begun my Krazy Kookoos project on my traveling sewing machine; I decided to continue with the birds.  The 3" blue border also goes at the bottom.  The blue is also planned for the binding.  I need to plan with Kerry to see how to handle the quilting and the rick rack.  Each of the birds gets a button in the middle of the white circle that finishes the eye.  I don't have quite enough so a trip to either Michael's or Jo-Ann's will be part of this week's activities.  I also need to pick up about a yard more of the large green rick rack from Paradise Sewing.  The project by Buggy Barn called Bird Brain has you make 20 birds, but only 17 are used.  The other three will be assembled in some sort of manner of wall hanging.  I'd like to have this project done before my next Buggy Barn workshop that is on November 8th.

Koncentric Konnection

On Sunday I worked a bit on my Beauty 'n Check project by Janice Ellertson and Jodel Yover.  This is my UFO for October.  I have a plan for how to determine the layout that has been giving me all kinds of grief.  All the corner background pieces are going to go up first.  Then as I make the pieces of the blocks I can better decide what colors need to go where as well as what color combinations I need to make.  I'm still trying to figure out which one block will be made four times to create a continuous wheel.  I just may be switching numbers for my October UFO...

Sunday Stash Report, October 26, 2014

Rug 2

I have a finish!  Not something you would usually see on my projects finished, but Rug 2 was finished on Thursday evening.  I still have to sink in the tails of the knots.  Rug 2 is for in front of my kitchen sink.  It matches Rug 1 that has been in front of my nook door since its finish early last year.

Rug 1

These rugs are 2' by 4' when finished.  I am using up lots of scraps to make them.  Each uses around 17 yards of fabric.  Yes, I know you are adding up the cost of each one...let's not think of labor time either.  Just think of it as using fabric pieces that likely would not be used and time for relaxing.  It is quite rewarding when they finish and are so durable.

Here are my stats for this last week of October 2014.  Doesn't seem like I'm making a dent in my fabric stash this year.  You can tell that I'm sewing though!  See other projects through the links at Patchwork Times.  Happy Sunday.

Used this week:  17 yards
Used YTD: 193.75 yards
Purchased this week:  0 yards
Purchased YTD: 154.75 yards
Net Fabric Used in 2014:  39 yards

Friday, October 24, 2014

I'm so excited to have my second rug finished.  I only need to sink the strip tails on both sides before it will be on the floor in front of my kitchen sink.

Wish that I was able to post a finish of my October UFO.  I'm still working on it.  It is coming along, but its a design challenge matching up what colors and patterns go next to which blocks.  It is going to be beautiful once I figure it all out.  Photos soon to come.

I am getting ready for sewing with friends for a couple of days.  I have to shower and pack up the car.  I'll be working on my Krazy Kookoos project.  I started with my traveling sewing machine on this project so there won't be any seam size problems to be concerned about.  I have ten done and ten to go.  The pizza box that stores the project is very easy to travel with.  

I'll leave the October UFO at home for the Pfaff.

Enjoy your Friday!

Design Wall Monday, October 20, 2014

I am busy into my October UFO.  This one is another large design, #21.  I'm using the suggested foundation that runs through the printer.  It is a very light weight tear-away stabilizer cut into 8.5 by 11 inch sheets.  It work very well through the printer.  Janice Ellertson and Jodel Yover designed this project called Beauty 'n Check.  I started it in a class sometime ago and now it's time to finish it.

I really like foundation piecing; the results are so exact.  It does take a bit to get going after working on pieced projects, but once you start it's hard to stop.  The above pieces were my start.  I put together several units before I found my direction.  These pieces won't be used in the project.  Auditioning against the very earthy green batik brought me to the conclusion that the fabrics below would be best.   

From the bottom moving up, the black on black, ivory print, and green batik will be used in all blocks.  These are my constants.  The beigey background, black and tan dot, bright orange and teal and purple print will be scattered about depending on the block's design.  There are 25 large block designs and 5 small block designs to pick and choose from.  So far my large block designs are #1, #3, #5, #8, #10, and #23.  After #21 in the first photo I plan to tackle #16.  It is up to you to decide how many blocks and the size for your project.

Still in pieces and it will not be the final layout...this is what I have accomplished so far.  Not sure I will be able to finish before the end of the month, but I will be giving it my best shot.  My DH came up with a splendid name for my Beauty 'n Check; how about Koncentric Konnection?

I mentioned yesterday I would share my first blocks from the workshops I attend last week with Bonnie Hunter.  The one above is part of Winston Ways.  There are a total of 30 blocks that make up this design along with a checkerboard border with those cute red and white four-patches.

These two blocks are from the workshop Scrap Crystals.  Nearly all of my neutral and blue HSTs are from bonus triangles.  I really like how the secondary pattern (the star surrounded by neutrals in the middle) comes together.  This project has sashing and a nine-patch cornerstone at each union.  The project will need 20 blocks.  I'm in the process of figuring out names for these two projects...I'd love hearing any ideas you might have.  Remember I'm all about using the letter "K"!  I won't be getting back to either of these projects until next year is my guess right now.  I suppose they are the start of my 2015 UFOs.

I hope that you have something fun going on in your sewing room.  Carve out a little time in your day to see all the great projects through the links at Patchwork Times.

Sunday Stash Report, October 19, 2014

My fabric stash statistics took a little plunge this week to have the right fabrics to finish Scrap Crystals (yet to be named...).  I've been busy with Bonnie Hunter as my house guest as well as the Sunshine Guild Meeting, and two workshops through Sunshine Quilt Guild that I attended.  Since my workshop blocks are on my "wall" you will need to return tomorrow to hear all about them.

The commotion of the week concluded on Thursday evening after a fond farewell to my friend.  She was sure happy to be returning home from a hectic week of lectures and workshops.  Three lectures and five workshops; all of which were pretty much back to back to back.  Bonnie is such a pleasure to be around. Her next lecture and workshops are in Texas and then it's off on a working cruise with five other teachers on the Caribbean.  What a life!

Kolumbia

Kaktus

Early on in the week I finished Kolumbia and Saturday I finished Kaktus.  Don't you just love the quilting?  No matter the quilting design Kerry has a way with her quilting that I'm never disappointed with.  I can't wait for the next one to finish...bring on the binding!

Thursday evening brought the first Midnight Flight Swap package.  Elizabeth takes the honor of being first this swap.  The turn in date isn't until November 30th, but sending them in when you finish is just fine.

Return for Design Wall Monday...my "wall" awaits you!  Check out other quilters through the links at Patchwork Times.

Used this week:  0 yards
Used YTD: 176.75 yards
Purchased this week:  6.75 yards
Purchased YTD: 154.75 yards
Net Fabric Used in 2014:  22 yards

Design Wall Monday, October 13, 2014

Kadence

Another complete finish!  This is a FREE pattern on Bonnie Hunter's website.  It is called Fourth of July.  I will be donating this one to a Veterans Home in Southern Maryland.  Next one to bind is Kolumbia and then the big one Kaktus.  

Kaktus and Kolumbia

So my wall still has Buggy Barn birds on it.  I am anxious to get back to it, but other quilting priorities have come above it.

Krazy Kookoos

I have been getting ready for my two workshops with Bonnie Hunter.  Winston Ways and Scrap Crystals are this week at Memory Lane Quilt Shop.  There is going to be a wonderful trunk show at the Sunshine's Guild meeting tomorrow evening.  I have all my "Bonnie" quilts made since January 2012 ready to present.  As everyone at the meeting will expect I have quite a lot to share =^.^=

Winston Ways and Scrap Crystals

I am also working on my Midnight Flight Swap units.  I have one of the two neutral squares sewn on each of the 144 Unit 1s and 144 Unit 2s.  Next will be the trimming and then sewing on the remaining neutral square.  This swap isn't due until around Thanksgiving time, but that's when the new "Bonnie" mystery starts...  If you are interested in those details you can find them on her website.

Midnight Flight Swap

Now if that is not enough after this week I will be scrambling on my October UFO.  At the suggestion of my DH there has been a change of names.  Koncenteric Konnection is at the very beginning stages of assembly.  There is a lot of work yet to go...it pretty much looks like an impossibility that it will finish...but I will certainly give it a go.

Koncenteric Konnection

 Until next time have a great week.  Start it off with a cup of your favorite warm beverage and see lots of other wonderful projects through the links at Patchwork Times.

Sunday Stash Report, October 12, 2014

Kushona
61" x 72"

Today I show you completed projects.  My stash totals have already been credited for the use, hence no changes to totals this time around.  

Krazy Kattle 2
32" x 34"

I have been sewing on binding, sleeves, and labels all week.  Only a few interruptions with something new.  I finished the BOM for Sunshine Quilt Guild.  I was supposed to use bright batiks, but I just loved the way this silvery gray print played with the silvery gray dot background.

I have been working periodically on my second rug.  I have about a fourth of it to finish.  Once I have this week's activities and my UFO for October behind me...I will get back to this.

I will wait for Design Wall Monday to show you my "wall".  Check out other quilters through the links at Patchwork Times.

Used this week:  0 yards
Used YTD: 176.75 yards
Purchased this week:  0 yards
Purchased YTD: 148 yards
Net Fabric Used in 2014:  28.75 yards

Sunday Stash Report, October 5, 2014

Happy Birthday to Me!  This year is one of the "zero" years...  Where have all my years gone?  I've had a fun last three days starting with Friday lunch with my girlfriends from work.  We went to BJ's to celebrate.  I received a nice gift and all too cute cards...a cat that stares the reader down and a bran muffin with one candle...lots of fun.  Friday night was my special dinner at Peohe's.  Gosh I love that place.  I had the best steamed halibut and Asian vegetables.  Friends joined in on a very fun filled evening that finished with the famous Lava Cake.  Saturday lunch with Kerry, another nice gift and another fun card with cats in a roller coaster car.  Today we will be barbecuing, watching the Mira Mar Air Show and hopefully the Chargers will beat the Jets!  Thanks for all my Facebook Birthday Wishes and those who sent Birthday Cards.  I have a lot of fun reading all of them.  And let me not fail to mention the telephone calls and everyone singing!  It has been wonderful bringing in another year...even if it does end in a "zero".

So let me get to the stash.  I've got some purchases, but not much.  I need fabric to finish off Zuckerwatte.  A purchase of inner border fabric (Bits and Pieces) and backing (Cozy's) this week.  I ended up using the lighter purple by the way.  I didn't get a photo of the backing, it is white on white with a nice screen like look.  It will show off the variegated pink and purple quilting design nicely.  The best is that I also finished my project, hence there is a use to balance things out.

Kushona

Without further ado...

Used this week:  12.5 yards
Used YTD: 176.75 yards
Purchased this week:  5 yards
Purchased YTD: 148 yards
Net Fabric Used in 2014:  28.75 yards

Thursday, October 2, 2014

Well when I was at Bits and Pieces I just couldn't make up my mind on which purple would work best.  After taking these photographs I'm sure.  Which one do you like?

TV night and a finish to the binding on Kerry's Orca Bay.  What a spectacular quilt! 

Hope you've had a good Thursday.