Design Wall Monday--Fair Entries

Off the Design Wall!  It was a sweatshop weekend trying to finish everything I wanted to enter into our County Fair, with the deadline of Sunday at 5:00 pm for turning in entries.  My main project was the Metro Twist baby/wall quilt.  I made the bias binding from a purple woodgrain print and rounded the corners using the Quick Curve Ruler, and even made a hanging sleeve.  

I spent many hours hand stitching down the binding to the back, but I did a lot of it while sitting out on the patio enjoying the summer skies and a nice breeze on Saturday.  I'm happy with the way it turned out.  It didn't get a label, but someday it may be a gift for a baby so I'm okay with that. 

Next were two squirrel projects, a pillow from the Frolic Turnover (Sandy Gervais) made into Broken Dishes blocks, and the Yarnover tablerunner.

I chose a simple stitch from one of the four stitch menus on my Husqvarna and used the walking foot and a Hera marker for the quilting.

I was happy to find this aqua blue flower print and the binding fabric in stash.  I used the same quilting stitch on the pillow back hem.  This is such a great way to make a pillow cover, assembling it just like a quilt with the bound edge.  I overlapped the back pieces by about 3-4 inches. 

I think it turned out well.  The pillow form I used was a bit flat but I thought it would be better for display at the fair. 

 The other squirrel entry is the Yarnover tablerunner (Anka's Treasures) from Mini Charms.

After some simple stitch in the ditch I decided to add the embroidery detail, again with a stitch from the Husqvarna.  I selected it from the "utility stitch" section, but liked the way it kind of echoed the yarnover points.    To these three projects I added the set of four Tea Time placemats, the Big Bag of all dotted fabrics I made a couple of months ago, a modern tablerunner I finished for Sewtopia, and the May Stamp cross-stitch in  the hoop, so 7 total entries.  Sadly I didn't end up finishing Sue Goes to the Orient, but chose backing and binding and plan to make a mini quilt. 

My timing was good for getting down to the Fairgrounds, there were a lot of folks sitting around waiting for something to do.  We all had a laugh when I pulled out the Metro Twist and had a bunch of thread tails still sticking out.  A kind volunteer gave me some scissors to trim them off.  They were pleased that I had already looked up the categories I thought were right for my entries, saving a lot of time.  A few more people trickled in the last 1/2 hour of the day.  I'll look forward to seeing my entries when the fair opens next week.  

See more Design Walls on Small Quilts and Doll Quilts. 

Fiddling About

It has a quiet week, home by myself without DH, and kinda boring (only relieved by a day with the grandsons!!).  We were home all day on the 4th--well actually Grant had to work some so it was I who was home.  Our kids were all busy so we had a very low key hot dog dinner and the only fireworks we saw were the illegal ones being set off all around the neighborhood.  My sister also had to work that evening, but she invited me over to try a recipe I had given her from BH&G June 2017 magazine, a peach Prosecco cake.  Kathy likes to cook and bake for relaxation and this cake had a lot of steps. 

She did a very pretty job of the whipped cream topping. Not having any mint to hand, she decorated with basil.

The cake layers were soaked in Prosecco prior to assembly.  It didn't taste like alcohol at all, and made for a firmer and nicely chewy texture.  Great summer cake, delicious! I see the recipe has been pinned on Pinterest, on a quick internet search.

We put up new wall lamps in our home office, with the usual "quick trip to the hardware store" prior, during which I went up and down the aisles of our local Ace store trying to find molly bolts for drywall.  Finally located them as hollow wall anchors, then had to figure out the right length and find 8 matching ones.  The first molly bolt we tapped in the wall decided to be obnoxious and Grant had to pry the bolt out with another tool.

My quilt guild president arranged a workshop this weekend with a friend of hers and we jumped at the chance to join in for some curved sewing.  I ordered the Drunkard's path templates for easier cutting, though the teacher, Jen Carlton-Bailly, is bringing paper templates for her Curve blocks.  These recent Shop-Hop acquisitions will be the basis for my blocks.

Background fabric will be an Essex linen in a black/white weave.  I think it will be dramatic and fun.  Meanwhile I'm making a list of entries for the County Fair.  I'll be creating a pillow cover from an already made block, and found the necessary stash fabric to finish it. 

I'd also like to enter my modern Metro Twist quilt, which is at flimsy stage.  I have a quilting idea and the backing already made. I'm considering rounding the corners, inspired by this quilt...which will mean a bias binding, but that is no biggie.  Pondering that.  Opinions?  

To date I've only entered quilts in the Fair, but maybe this year I'll add a couple of cross-stitched pieces.  One will need to be framed and the other I'll finish off in a hoop.  It remains to be seen if all this will occur in the next 15 days or so! Right, I'd better get to sewing.

Design Wall Monday--UFO #5 again

The last DWM of March is here already.  On my design floor is the same thing all month--my UFO Challenge pick #5, Metro Twist.  All the block piecing was completed a couple of days ago, and today I sewed all the rows together.  There was a lot of seam matching and curved edges to pair up.  It is not perfect, but looks just fine.  I then set about adding more of the Kona Silver to make the Twist blocks float and ran into this:

Dye lot difference that was too noticeable to remain--naturally I didn't notice until after I'd added two sides (cough).  Luckily I found the remainder of yardage from the lighter batch in the Solids bin.  

Much better!  My goal was to make the top about 45" square, a nice size baby quilt.  Next, a back was cobbled together out of a bunch of leftovers and some additions from the fat quarter dresser. 

I feel like I sewed all day to get to this point--which I practically did--but wanted to have the top and back all ready to spray baste after work tomorrow.  I'm thinking simple channel quilting in gray thread. I'll use more of the Kona Silver for the binding to keep the front minimal and modern looking.  See more Design Walls on Judy's Patchwork Times. 

My week is pretty light except for a Chinese ballet show outing with my mom, sister, daughter and niece one night, and a funeral on Friday.  It is sad when your parents' friends of 40-50 years begin to go.  We just attended another funeral last Friday for a dear family friend.  Meanwhile, my 98 year old mother in law is getting some hospice assistance, which should give her more attention and hopefully prevent any more ER visits from falls.  She's still quite mobile and talkative, but things do happen to old people in Memory Care. 

Design Wall Monday--UFO #5 Progress

On my design floor is the #5 pick of the month for the UFO 2017 Challenge.  After struggling with MATH when I found there was not enough background material to do what I wanted, I pressed on with my new layout design and got many more Metro Twist pieces made (Pattern from Sew Kind of Wonderful, with the Quick Curve Ruler). 

Additional prints were added to the mix in the same colors.  For my 3x3 layout, I had just barely enough of the orange solid background.  After completely confusing myself with one go at laying out all the completed and half-done parts, I pulled them all back up and started over, separating the rows.  Finally I was able to work out what additional prints and parts were necessary and get them all cut and pieced.

I used Kona Silver for the outer edge and am considering insetting the whole thing into a larger Silver background negative space.  It would be appropriate, since this whole project started with my modern quilt guild's challenge to use a neon color.  There are only 12 days left of the month and I aimed for a completed quilt for this project pick. While this project is not large, the blocks are about 11" when completely sewn--I have that yet to do! Sketching and MATH are in my future.  See more design walls on Judy's Patchwork Times. 

March UFO Update 'n Stuff

The month is half over and I've not gotten very far with my project #5 from Judy's UFO challenge over at Patchwork Times. There was some MATH that needed to be figured out since I don't have any more of the background fabric but wanted to maximize all I had.  My poor brain was all twisted, like the Metro Twist blocks I'm making.  I sketched and erased, added and subtracted, counted and recounted.  Finally I resorted to laying out all the pieces I've sewn so far. 

Well someone's big fluffy duff is covering up a lot of the layout!

That's better!  The plan for this small wall quilt is a 3x3 setting of the Metro Twist Blocks.  I have enough orange background to complete the remaining 20+ sections I have sketched out.  For the left and right edges I will add a different background, probably a solid light gray, but that's to be decided once I have all the orange sections done.  I've got many more prints to throw into this color mix, and a bit of green because it's my favorite color.  Green and white have been under my needle a lot lately making the some of the Modern Quilt Guild's December Block of the Month, the ModZ Block. 

The pattern downloads are only available to MQG members.  I liked this one a lot because of the oversized simple to piece shapes--it makes a 12.5" block.

When pressing the Tri-Recs blocks, I found myself saying a mnemonic to help me with neatly pressing to one side: Toward on Top.  I lay the block I'm pressing with the side that I will pressing TOWARD on TOP.  In this case I wanted to press toward the white triangle so it is on top.  (Sometimes I don't listen and have to do it over :)

 It's a fun block to move around into different layouts.

I couldn't bring myself to donate them to our Guild philanthropy table this month but am sure I'll be making more of the MQG blocks.

Meanwhile, cross-stitching is also progressing on the Lizzie Kate May Stamp project.

I have been adding some stitches during my lunch hour and am really enjoying that.  I've nearly completed the outline and can't wait to stitch the cute birdies next to the birdhouse.  There are a whole series of Lizzie Kate month stamps and I may just have to order a few...

Design Wall Monday--March 6, 2017

On my Design surface is the Patchwork Times UFO pick of the month.  Yes, I know I previously posted a different pick and a possible switch, but true to form, that was a mixup caused from looking at written list versus the website post, wherein I had switched the entries inadvertently.  So, going from the actual posted list on Patchwork Times, #5 is the Metro Twist project, using the original  Quick Curve Ruler. Happily it contains a lot of piecing, which is what I am in the mood for so I'll forge ahead.

Since this photo I've sewn and trimmed all the cut print pieces to the orange solid.  Using a solid means I don't have to cut two different orientations of the background.  Each twist block is made up of 8 of the curved rectangle units.  I now have to do MATH and figure out how many more pieces I can make with the orange fabric I have left (not much!).  Goal is to aim for a 3x3 block layout and if I don't have enough orange, use a different background for the just the very center block.   I have lots of fun prints to mix into the purple, gray, and yellow piles, plus a few others.   See more Design Walls on Judy's Patchwork Times. 

We spent a few hours on Saturday with this 1 year old charmer and his equally charming 3 year old big brother. Their Mama sent this photo stating this is Hunter's new favorite hangout.  So cute.  He hung out with me while brother Cove had fun playing "sick" and needing a blanket, medicine, and cuddles from his Papa---in between bouts of using a plastic golf club to shoot bad guys. They joined us at a local restaurant Sunday night to celebrate their Auntie's birthday and were as entertaining as ever. 

The Valentine's Day decor came down on Saturday too.  I bought this sweet mini at the local guild's quilt show last fall.  The hearts are stiffened and then sewn on the prequilted background.  Love it.  Bunco is at my house this month so all the St. Patrick's Day decor is up.  Hoping the Luck of the Irish is with me this week!

UFO Challenge 2017

Years ago I participated in Judy's UFO Challenge, whereby a list is made of 12 unfinished projects and she randomly picks a number each month to be worked on.  I have no shortage of UFOs of all types, some of which never made it off the list since the last challenge years ago!  So I have gathered my list and am looking forward to being intimate with fabric and thread and plans.  Here they are, in no particular order. 

1.  80s Star Medallion rescue: 

This star was pieced by my former boss's now former spouse, probably back in the late 80s; he gave it to me with a lot of other discarded sewing stuff some years ago. I cut off wide expanses of the blue print and added the pieced borders and haven't touched it since April 2015.  It needs backing, quilting, and binding.  However, I don't think I'll give it back to the former spouse--maybe I'll donate it to QOV.!

2.  Sue Goes to the Orient Wallhanging:

Poor Sue has been waiting for an outfit for the past two years, but these leftover HSTs have been around for about 10 years.  I need to select the fabrics for the applique and buttonhole stitch on, sew the borders on, choose a backing, then quilt and bind.  I last blogged about this project in May 2014.

3.  Improv Log Cabin:

I made the first row of blocks (on the left edge) in a class at QuiltCon 2016 with Heather Jones.  I passed off my row to my fellow Row Robin participants at our modern quilt guild and got back this very interesting finish.  I need to decide if I want to add another row of Improv Log Cabin blocks to lengthen the quilt (it is sideways in the pic); it will then need backing, quilting, and binding.  

4  Greenpiece Quilt Kit:

My dear husband bought me this block of the month in 2009, and there were four blocks per month--but that was the year I had 3 part time jobs so most of the kits were set aside.  I have all the pieced blocks done, the pieced inner border, and close to 1/2 of the wool applique blocks complete. My goal is to  finish all the wool applique blocks and the center medallion applique.  If massive progress is made, I'll trim all the applique blocks to size and frame the center tree.  Taking some stitches on my lunch break should help speed things up. Someday I want this beautiful quilt to hang in our bedroom.

5.  Quick Curve Metro Twist Quilt: 

One of our guild challenges last year was to use a neon color. I chose this orange and planned a small wallhanging using the Metro Twist pattern and the Quick Curve Ruler.  It was my UFO for guild this year but obviously never made it to the finish line. I have many pieces cut and need to finish the blocks, assemble the top, then the backing, quilting and binding.  

6. Pinwheel Garden Quilt: 

I cannot locate a picture of the finished quilt top, but it and an accompanying finished backing are hanging in the closet.  My plan is to quilt the center and then add some interest inspired by this quilt border seen at a local quilt show in 2013:

I liked the way it implied a stem without making one.  I have the greens set aside but need to play with size of leaf and layout and determine how many I need for the borders, cut, applique, then bind the finished quilt. 

7.  Send another quilt out for quilting, then bind.  I have several tops hanging in the closet that I plan to send out to be professionally quilted.  That means prepping the top, making a backing and binding, getting it delivered and selecting designs.  

8.  Houndstooth charity quilts:

I have two tops to complete for philanthropy for our guild.  One has all the blocks made and just needs assembly.  The other is cut and some blocks sewn.   I want to pass these on soon for someone to quilt and bind. 

9.  Flying Geese Baby Quilt:

Needs backing, quilting, and binding.  

10.  Round Robin Star wallhanging:

My quilt from guild Round Robin of 2015 needs to be finished.  Need to decide if it needs additional borders, then make a backing, quilt and bind. 

11.  Projects in Boxes: 

These four projects have languished far too long in boxes.  Two are from Kim Brackett's Scrap Basket Surprises book, one is a Moda Bake Shop pattern by Jo Kramer, and the last is a free pattern insert from a magazine that will use Aussie fabrics I purchased on my trip to Australia in 2009. They all have 2.5" strips in the design and my Accuquilt GO cutter will make quick work of that part of the job.  I love piecing!

12.  Cocoa Baskets: 

I finished this top in July 2016 but it too had languished in a box for years.  It needs backing, quilting, and binding.  I can't wait to hang this one up in the house too.

I'm going to enjoy concentrating on one project finish a month and will post my progress. Thanks, Judy!