Sister's Choice

I was gifted 70 vintage 9 patch blocks recently. These HAVE to be from the 60's-70's. Some of the fabrics are, well, ugly! lol That makes them my favorites. I decided to make some of them into a Sister's Choice quilt. Here is the center that I got done yesterday during our snow day (we got 25 inches yesterday!!). Still have to decide on borders for it and it will go to House of Mercy. Wait until I show you what I sewed it on!! Will have to get a good pic and then will upload it!

Wow

Wow. It's been over 2 years since I've posted on here. That time sure flew by. I've missed the blog for one reason...seeing my own progress on quilts. This is how I knew how many quilts I had worked on, what stages they were in, etc. So, here I am again. I'll have to update my lists. There are a few quilts that are finished and can come off the lists, and more than a few more to add to them. I will have to see if I can remember which quilts I finished during that hiatus and post pics of them here. Sigh. It's good to be back.

Feeling like...you know what...

The only bad thing I can say about my grandson, Jaxson, is that it seems every time he comes to visit us, he brings some kind of germs that infect half the family. I'm guessing it's just a cold that has moved into my lungs or something and I feel yuckkkkky. So, I took the day off of work and can't even enjoy it as it takes too much effort to hold my head up. Heading back to bed in a minute after dosing myself up with cold medicine. I am hoping to be able to work on some handwork later and I dug out my hexies to work on. I decided I didn't like the outer border I had on the center:

So, I took that off and am now making a red ring to go around it:

I think I like this much better. I did get the bow tie top all done:

Nothing fancy or exciting, but I like it and think it will go on my kitchen table when I get it quilted. Now, off to rest up so I can shake this stinking bug!!

Ocean Waves is done!!

And a close up:

This is absolutely my favorite quilt I've made so far. I really love how the black background makes these pieces sparkle. This was Bonnie Hunter's Ocean Waves pattern, available free on her website on the right sidebar here. Today I decided to get a baby quilt I made all set to quilt. I pieced the backing and then did this:

I pieced the batting for it, also. Do you guys do this, too? Anytime I have leftover batting from bigger quilts, I save it all and then piece them together for the little quilts. Here it is, all ready to be quilted:

Now I just have to wait for hub to put my Janome together again so I can quilt it up! In the meantime, I dug out this box of little bow tie blocks that I swapped with my Cobbled Court Quilt Circle sisters:

I wasn't sure what I wanted to do with them, so just started sewing and this is where I have gotten so far:

It's still a work in progress, so not sure where we'll end up. Still deciding if I am going to keep that "oops" in there or not. See it??

Sailing along on Ocean Waves

I now have the center done on my Ocean Waves quilt. Now for the 3 borders. 2 are solid and 1 is pieced, so hopefully they won't take too long!

Making some progress

I dropped everything when Bonnie Hunter posted about a tutorial she found showcasing these little, wonderful scrappy stars. I needed a baby quilt and these would be just perfect for a little guy who wears lots of plaid shirts. This is how the quilt top turned out:

I'll have to see if I can find the link again for the pattern, but I'm sure you can do a search at Quiltville's Quips and Snips and find it. I just love how it turned out and can't wait to quilt it, but wait I must. I was having some major problems with my Janome so hub took it apart to fix it and we had to wait forever for a part to come in. It's in now, so hopefully he'll get my girl all put back together! I also have been making some progress on my hst quilt. This quilt took over 2200 hst's! I started making them as leaders and enders while making my Celtic Solstice, so it really wasn't too hard to get them done. Here they are getting made into a top:

Yup! It's an Ocean Waves. I've always loved these quilts and this one is turning out just like I envisioned it. The hst's finish at 1 and 1/2 inches. Doesn't look like there will be any sewing today. It is sunny and glorious out and there are weeds that need pulling!!

Is it really April?

Holy moly! Where did the time go? There haven't been any posts in ages because I hadn't really done any sewing. I finally got back into the sewing room and got some things done. I finally got my Celtic Solstice top all together! I made the king size which I believe is 114" x 114". All made out of scraps, yet didn't seem to make a dent in the scrap pile!! Kathy Nyman, one of my Cobbled Court Quilt sisters, runs a ufo challenge on Marie Bostwick's Cobbled Court face book page. I pulled a block swap top from years ago out and started quilting that, but it's not completed yet. I want to do some more intensive quilting this year, and since I am keeping this one for myself, I figured it was a good one to experiment on. Here it is so far: I'm hoping to have it completed by the end of the week so I can cross it off my list!! I did finish another ufo. This one was a Mysteries for Relay pattern designed by Marge Gordon. Love this one!! Completed it and gave it to my son, Joe, for his 21 birthday this past Tuesday. I also made over 2400 half square triangles for my next quilt. Can't wait to get that started!!! As usual, now that I have finished a ufo, it has really motivated me to finish up some more. Hopefully, I won't lose any momentum!

Happy January!!

Looks like I blew right by the holidays!! Hope everyone had a wonderful season of family and friends...and getting last minute projects done! I did have 3 more finished for the year, 2 baby quilts for a soon to be great niece and 1 for her big sister. I had posted about working on them from leftovers from Judy, but I don't think I ever posted the finished projects. Here they are: I can't get the next picture to load, so I will have to play with that later. I do have lots of plans for the new year. 1) My scrap box challenge. I was apparently very lax with cutting down my scraps (and other people's scraps when they were given to me) and it resulted in a huge box and 2 bags FULL of scraps that aren't cut down. Any new quilt I start is to be made fully from these (except borders and backings). I could just spend weeks cutting them down and putting them away with the other scraps, but I thought this might be more fun to see what I could come up with. Most are LITTLE scraps so we'll see!! 2) My Cobbled Court Quilt Circle sisters are working on a UFO challenge. We list 6 (who has only 6????) and each month Kathy will pick a number and we work on that project. I picked 2 projects for each number...one to be quilted and one to be pieced and quilted. Should get a lot done that way!!! I have a lot more odds and ends to share, but I think I'll save them for further posts. So, happy stitching to all and here's to a productive weekend!!!

Honey, I'm home!!

Sheesh..what is up with me and not keeping my blog updated???? Well, I am determined to rectify that, so be warned that there will be more posts in my future!! The first weekend of October I went on my yearly Cobbled Court Quilt Circle retreat in Connecticut. We had the best of times, as usual!!! Author Marie Bostwick is the best to hang out with for the weekend...not to mention all the other ladies!!! Here is our annual pic: I did get a lot of sewing done. I don't have a pic of the wallhanging I worked on. I got the background made and the applique ironed on. I have finished the top since I got home and will post a pic of that as soon as it's quilted. I did make another Bricks and Stepping Stones (by Bonnie Hunter) quilt: I was working on this in the wee hours and I cut the black and white 4 patches into rectangles and not squares. Sigh..that's ok....I still like it!!! I made it for a friend of mine at work, Jerri, and she LOVED it!! I had a lot of leftover rectangle black and white 4 patches, so when I got home I made this baby quilt for my soon to be great nephew, Beckett: This is a close up of the kid prints and the skull binding (skulls requested by the soon to be dad). Then, since I was on a roll, I made this Roman Stripes baby quilt from maryquilts.com: This one is going to my brand new great nephew, Lucas...formerly known as Nugget. I have some momentum going, so hope to have a lot more finishes..and beginnings...soon!!

Pennies from Heaven is done!

Here it is hanging at Cafe SewCiety. I will be teaching this pattern there as a block of the month starting in October. The pattern is by Gretchen Gibbons. This was the first time I've worked with wool and I couldn't believe how easy it was!!!! About a year ago, my friend Patrice gifted me with some projects that she didn't want to finish. Included in that were 6 blocks from a block of the month. She also gave me some more of the fabrics that went with them. I dug them out and since they were red, white and blue, and since Patrice's daughter is in the military, I decided they should go into a Quilts of Valor quilt. When Shellie came back last weekend to sew with me, I finished making a few more blocks and got the top put together: It feels so good to finally be making some progress on some projects! It sure is motivating! Hope you have gotten some finishes lately and here's to hoping for many more for both of us!!!

Quiltalong part 2

Well, Shellie came over and we got a LOT of work done despite our chatting, snacking and a little imbibing!! My camera died so I didn't get a picture of the pillowcases we both made to donate. Sigh....next time! I did get a set of 10 Christmas tree napkins made, thanks to Joanna!!!

My friend, Patrice, had gifted me, about a year ago, a block of the month pattern and material that she had started. I decided to dig that out and work on that as the colors would be perfect for a Wounded Warriors quilt. She had 6 blocks done and I made 2 more. Now, just 4 more to go then to get it set and finished!

Shellie made a few more blocks to add to some she already had and got this top all together!!

So, all in all, it was the perfect day! We got a lot accomplished, but better than that, we got to spend time with each other and we haven't gotten to do that in AGES! Hope everyone else had a great weekend! Thanks SO MUCH to our hostess, Hazel. Without you, none of this would have happened!!!

Christmas is in the air!!!

Yay! Today is part 2 of the Christmas Quiltalong weekend. I missed yesterday due to a baby shower for my niece. I made Bonnie Hunter's Dancing 9 Patches for my soon to be great nephew: Now, I am stumped as to what I am going to do with my wonky log cabin I am making for the Challenge of the quiltalong. So, I am putting that on hold for today and am hoping one of the quiltalongers (like how I just made that word up??? lol) can help me! Last year, one of our hostesses had a tutorial for napkins that folded up into Christmas trees and, of course, I can't find it now that I want to make them!! Does anyone have that link or remember who shared it?? While I wait for an answer on that one, I will be working on other things. Shellie is coming to eat, sew and drink with me today!! We are going to be working on some pillowcases that we donate yearly at our retreat in October. I am going to put some time into my leaders/enders quilt as I have lots of tiny 9 patches to add to it and maybe even start on a new baby quilt. I have another great niece and great nephew due in a few months!!!! Off now to check on what everyone else was working on this weekend!!!

Thanks, Hazel!!!

Look at this beautiful yard of Secret Garden I won from Hazel!! Just for participating in the Christmas Quiltalong!!! Hazel...I just LOVE this!! Thank you so very much. You are an amazing hostess and it's always been my pleasure to participate in the quiltalong. I can't wait to see what this gift becomes!!! I haven't gotten much sewing done lately, but I did get this Operation Kid Comfort quilt made: I hope the little girl who gets it likes it! And now..for the BIG news. My grandson, Jaxson, was born July 16 and is probably the world's cutest baby....just saying! Not sure where get got all the hair from, but we like it! lol I'm getting ready for our family vacation to Allegany State Park next week. No electricity, no water, etc for one whole week!!! So, I am bringing my hexies and my my Giant NY Sunflower quilt to work on while I am there. I will be busy packing this week, but hope to get in some quilting/sewing time, too!!!

Some handwork

Couldn't get back to my machine yet, so did some more handwork on my hexies. I now have the center medallion done. Think I'm liking it!! If all goes as planned, it'll be back to working on my little cabin tonight!

The cabin

It's not much, but I got a little wonky log cabin made for my Christmas Quiltalong challenge. I am still working on what setting I want for my little cabin, but I'm excited I at least made a start!! Off to go for a swim and then check and see what everyone else is up to!

Time to get Started!

My oldest daughter, Jess, is in the very early stages of labor! Our grandson, Jaxson, was due last Wednesday. So, yesterday ended up being spent getting ready to make the trip up there (she lives about an hour away) and getting everything done around here. If Jack doesn't come on his own, he will be induced on Tuesday. I do have to make a quick run to Cafe Sewciety quilts this morning. Judy got an urgent request for 4 Kid Comfort quilts for families that are relocating. Need them done NOW. So, I am going to whip one up for her. Until that time I am finally starting my challenge project. Woot woot!!!! I only have a vague idea of what I want..no details. Hope they come to me as I work on it! Now, off to visit everyone's blog, then on to it!!!!

Invite me to a picnic!

I made 2 more casserole carriers yesterday. One is for a friend, and one I am actually keeping for myself. I love these little guys! Now I am all set for the summer picnics we are invited to....well, minus the food that needs to go in it!! lol I actually finished these last weekend, but couldn't post pictures for some reason. I finally had to install firefox so I could post pictures. So, now I have a few more things to show you since then. Here's another casserole carrier..this one is a longer one. It's a gift for a wedding: I also got the top made from Judy's pink flying geese: I finished up all those flying geese by making the stars with the black square centers. Now I just have to put borders on that and can show you that progress. This quilt top is called Summer Breezin'. Shellie, Kathy and I started these together ages ago using 30's fabrics. They used white backgrounds, but not me, of course. I chose this peachy background and really like how it turned out. It's been on my ufo list FOREVER and I am so glad to be one step closer to finishing it!!! This weekend is the Christmas Quiltalong. I FINALLY came up with an idea for Sue's challenge. I am hoping to start putting it together and see if I can come up with something I like!!! Want to join in on the fun and get a head start on your Christmas projects? Just click on the link on the right!!!

Another Finish

Yay...another finish!!! Not only is it a finish, but it was a UFO I've had sitting awhile, so I am so glad to have it quilted finally. Isn't it just the BEST feeling when you get to remove a project from the "to be finished" list?? This one is going to my soon to be born grandson, Jaxson, formerly known as Blueberry. This pattern is one designed by Marge Gordon at Mysteries for Relay and is called World's Fair. It drove me nuts when I was making it, being only 2 colors, but I am just floored by how it turned out. Just love this one...thanks, Marge!!!!

Day 2 of the Christmas Quiltalong

Nothing Christmasy done yesterday...unless you count the HOURS of thinking about the quiltalong challenge!! I have not yet stumbled across the project I want to do. That's okay..I still have today to mull it over while working on other things! I got these two little quilts done yesterday for Operation Kid Comfort (just have to sew the binding on tonight). Gosh, I LOVE finishes!!! I need more of them in my life!! Remember the pink flying geese units my friend Judy gave to me that were leftovers for a quilt that she was making for a customer? Well, I used up an entire charm pack and got those blocks made: That's not the final layout..I was just playing around with them. To sash or not to sash..what do you think? I am kind of liking it without the sashing. Hmmmmm..... Those pink flying geese STILL were not done, though. I still had a pile left! There were these squares in with the flying geese: So, I started working those up and now have 6 of these done and lots of units left to make more: As a bonus, I now have a box of these pinwheels from the dog ears I cut off the flying geese!! LOL...this was the gift that kept giving!! At this point, I will have 3 quilts made from the flying geese Judy gifted me. I do have to say, I am starting to hate these things!!! lolol Other than some Christmasy, I refuse to work on anything else until I have these things used up and GONE! lolol Okay...well, maybe I might QUILT something else, but I am not starting anything else!!!

Christmas Quiltalong!

Oh, I am sooooo excited!! Hazel from Hazel's Quilts and Joanna from Needle, Thread, Happiness have started up a Christmas quiltalong! Boy, do I need this. I've gotten so much done for the holiday the past 2 years I've done a quiltalong. This year, the ladies have made it a whole weekend of holiday fun, sewing and sharing!! This way, lots of people can join in. You don't have to be here ALL weekend (although who wouldn't WANT to be??), just pop in and join us at some point over the weekend. Sue at Quilt Times has come up with a great quiltalong challenge. There is going to be so much to see and do!! Woot woot! Won't you join us? Joanna is hosting this month, so just click on the link above to get all the official information for the quiltalong. As for me, I'm not sure what to start on! I have a few non Christmasy things I have to finish, I need to start dreaming and planning for Sue's challenge and just reconnect with the friends I've made through the past year's quiltalongs. What a FABULOUS weekend!!!!