Design Wall Monday, May 20, 2013

Kushy Kourt 98" x 99"

I finished with the binding yesterday afternoon.  I just love the way Kushy Kourt (Bonnie Hunter's Easy Street) turned out.  I made mine with Bonnie's suggested colors...it was the 2012 Mystery.  When I'm using this much fabric I don't stray too far away from the suggestion.  I did change up the suggested border to one that is pieced.  The corners were a bit tricky, but I believe I pulled it off nicely.  Tonight is Canyon Quilt Guilds May meeting where I plan to share it during Show and Tell.

I just finished compass seven of Koriander Kompass.  I moved everything around on the design wall so it had a chance of fitting.  Any ideas on the center circle fabric would be appreciated.  I'm not sure if it should blend in or be more pronounced.  The pattern by Brenda Henning (Spice Island Compass) shows it as being a dark fabric.  I haven't spent much time on the border up to this point.  What you see started was only to test the background.

There are lots of other quilters showing their Design Walls today through the links at Patchwork Times.

Sunday Stash Report, May 19, 2013

Memory Lane Purchase

I purchased 9 yards from Memory Lane this week.  The background fabric for Koriander Kompass is what escalates the purchase and for a short time my stash report numbers.  Its soon to drop off along with a bunch more when I complete this 2011 UFO.  I had the black that I'm using in the borders and several other fabrics set aside for quite awhile waiting for me to put this beauty together.  If you are interested in more information on Koriander Kompass look at a few posts behind this one.  In the bottom left you'll see Kushy Kourt.  Still working on the binding.  I have two of the four sides done.

Koriander Kompass Under Construction

Not too bad using up my stash in 2013 not quite yet the middle of the year.  Hope you are having fun using what you have and fun new fabrics in your stash.  See how others use up theirs through the links of Patchwork Times.

Used this week:  0 yards
Used YTD:  152 yards

Purchased this week:  9 yards

Purchased YTD:  47 yards

Net Fabric Used in 2013:  105 yards

Saturday, May 18, 2013

This is where I start today with Koriander Kompass.  The sixth of nine compass blocks ready to assemble.  This collection of fabrics is the last before I repeat fabrics already used.  I'm sure duplicates will hardly be noticed, I just prefer not using the same ones...but this project is coming from my stash as much as possible!  Next you will see the five I have into segments.  I haven't decided how to go for the centers.  Any opinions?

Koriander Kompass, 2011 UFO

First compass

Second compass

Third  compass (and the brightest) 

Fourth compass

Fifth compass

 I am also finding time to hand sew the binding on Kushy Kourt.  Stop by tomorrow for pictures of my Bonnie Hunter 2012 Mystery Easy Street and my Sunday Stash Report.  Happy Saturday.

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.

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.

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.

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. 

Design Wall Monday, January 7, 2013

So much going on...where to start?  First I've got Kwitcherbitchin.  I've got a mess on my sewing table for certain.  I've been taking the 12 x 12 blocks down off the design wall much of the day.  Instead of putting a solid piece border on my quilt I will be doing piano keys.  I'm pretty certain that the green dot will be the inner border and positive that I'll be using dark strings for the piano keys.  I've pulled the "keys" out and they are in the basket waiting for me.

Don't you think the green dot will be better than the green/black print?  As much as I like it...I think it is a bit too busy.  The green will probably highlight the dark strings more to my liking. I'm not 100% decided yet; more on this later during the week.

Next up is Bonnie Hunter's Easy Street.  I've decided to add a purple inner border and again changing it up a bit to include a pieced border.  I'm going to duplicate the gray and white/black 4-patches along with the green setting triangles.  I'm still playing around with how the corners will come together.  Perhaps I'll put another block from Step 7 in the corner.  I don't know if you picked up my quilts name from a previous post or not; Janet helped out on this one Kushy Kourt.

I've got a bunch of 4-patches to make...

There's sewing tonight!  See what others are doing today at Patchwork Times.  Have a wonderful week.

Friday, January 4, 2013

I'm ready to assemble this wonderful mystery that Bonnie has created for us in Easy Street.  All blocks are sewn, all setting triangles, and corner stones ready!  Now if I can only figure out why I can't connect the photos on this post....argh!

I've decided to participate in the 2013 UFO Challenge at www.52Quilts.com.  The challenge is called 13 in 2013.  My first one will be Easy Street that I'm now calling Kushy Kourt (thanks Janet).  I renumbered it to be #5 which is due in January.  I see no reason why its not possible to get it done.

Technology is wonderful don't get me wrong, but heck if something goes wrong....  Hope to fix this soon....

Well I was able to upload from my Iphone through a Google App.  Then I tried on my desktop with Google Chrome and successful.  Maybe Internet Explorer is the problem.  Still more investigating to do, but here's the completed blocks of Step 8.  I hope to get this project assembled tomorrow. 

Thursday, January 3, 2013

I haven't figured out how I'm going to handle my 2013 UFO Challenges this year.  I participated the last two years with Judy at Patchwork Times, but she's changed her system for 2013.  I'm not sure it will work for me.  I plan to finish a quilt a month as unlike most I'm challenging myself with patterns that I've been collecting and want to make instead of UFOs.  You see I don't have too many real unfinished objects or UFOs.  Got to give it to Judy; she keeps things different and many apparently want to finish multiple things in a month.  Goals are a wonderful thing for certain.  I'd have to break down a quilt project into 4 tasks...not sure that makes much sense for me and there are no set numbers assigned for an unexpected "pick" each month.  I'm going to look around for another monthly challenge for 2013 that will work better for me. 

So for this first month of 2013 I've selected my #11 to finish.  It is Bonnie Hunter's Easy Street.  I've yet to find the perfect "K" name for it yet.  Ideas anyone?  "Street" could easily become "Kourt", but then what would "Easy" become?  I'm on Step #8 right now. 

The other project I'm working on is Kwitcherbitchin that is another Bonnie Hunter design.  Pfefferneuse is from her book String Fling.  I've got it all finished except putting the blocks into rows.  I was asked in an earlier post by the reader "knitnkwilt" the size of the hour glass units.  They are each 3 1/2" unfinished.  I'll leave a comment on his/her blog too in the hope it gets read since an email address is not known.

Let me close today in sending hugs to Heaven for my brother Steve.  He's been gone to us for five years today.  Never will he be far from my thoughts. 

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Monday sewing was all about getting up to pace with Easy Street.  I got my self twisted up in Kwitcherbitchin and slid behind just a bit.  Step 6 I figured was pretty simple so it was put on simmer...then Step 7 showed me I'd better get busy since the next day would be the big reveal.  Bam, bam, and then bam again...three steps released in nearly as many days.  I was determined to get Steps 6 and 7 done before Step 8 was released on New Year's Day. 

Step 6

Step 7 (the first part)

Step 7 (the second part)

Step 7 (the third part)

Step 7

I sure like the finish.  A great way to bring in 2013.  New Year's Day sewing.  The Rose Bowl Parade and Game will be on while my Pfaff hums.  Kwitcherbitchin will have to wait it's turn.  There's going to be two finishes real soon from my sewing room.  Happy Sewing!

Design Wall Monday, December 31, 2012

Here we are the last day of 2012...  I close the year with Kwitcherbitchin on my design wall.  You can see that I have some blocks yet to assemble, but all are trimmed up and ready.  This is a Bonnie Hunter pattern called Pfefferneuse.  Next will be to sew the blocks into rows.  This one is nearly done.  Kwitcherbitchin will likely be my first completion of 2013!

I was so anxious with Kwitcherbitchin that Step 6 didn't get done by today when Step 7 gets released.  Once again a Bonnie Hunter pattern called Easy Street.  I have several of the strips cut out and ready...I won't fall behind!!!

Be careful if you venture out tonight.  Remember to both drive smart and defensive.  Happy New Years!

Wednesday, Decmeber 26, 2012

I find that I need something more to do! Bonnie's annual mystery Easy Street isn't keeping me busy enough... 

 My Mom misread the neutral string block swap instructions.  (Is everyone on schedule to having them done by the end of January?)  They are quite nice but she added in gray fabrics.  Everyone will expect to get whites, creams, and beiges...not gray in their blocks.  Since Mom used up most of her neutrals for these blocks I sent her a bunch of neutral strips for her to make new ones.  I suggested different project ideas that she could do with these.  She instead gifted them to me.  Mom stitched these together very well.  The colors are something I can sure work with. 

 

I scanned Bonnie Hunters String Fling book and decided on Pfefferneuse.  I'll add dark browns, grays, and blacks for the dark string block.  Not sure what color I'll do with the hourglass blocks yet.  Maybe as I put the dark string blocks together the color will present itself.  It will be great to use up some fabrics from both of these overflowing totes.  On one of DH and my visits to Old Towne in San Diego recently we both noticed a wall decoration that resembled a license plate.  Printed was "Kwitcherbitchin".  Seems to fit this project...what do you think?

Mom also sent me some Fat Quarters she won at guild meeting holiday parties.  She sure seems to be lucky quite often!  Mom feels a bit intimidated by her growing stash...  Thanks Mom.