"STITCHING MENDS MY SOUL"

Friday, September 30, 2011

ENCOURAGEMENT QUILT

A member of one of my on-line quilt groups, recently had the opportunity to go on a 4-week life-changing adventure.  We wanted her to know how proud of her we all are.  Carol, coordinated this 'under the radar' project where we sent her blocks which she then made into a quilt for Cindy.

Here's a close up of the block I sent.  The pattern was from Block Lotto a couple months ago.  The words say "Here's to the new Cindy blooming".


And here's the entire quilt.


I think we managed to really surprise her!  Our generally chatty Cindy, said she was just speechless!

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Skill Builder Sampler

I was expecting one more quarter square triangle block this week.  But no, Sewn challenged us with this improv house and tree block.  Well, if it's improv, it might as well be on a hill.  And for the tree?  Why not a Sponge Bob Square Pants tree?  DH and I often walk EPCOT in the winter.  They have trees trimmed square in the entryway.  I often hear kids yell to their parents, "Look!  Sponge Bob trees!:"  Hey, whose house and neighborhood are red/white/black anyway?

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

WOW = Working On Wednesday

I should have said assembling packages yesterday.  I gave a few gals a start! Today I'm assembling rows, 8 of 19 so far.  I don't have all my blocks yet, as 2/7 of this quilt is in the mail on the way to me.  I won't attach the rows to each other until I have them all made, in case I want to switch things up.
I love, love, love this quilt!  Can't wait to get it all together.  By the way, the pattern is called Across the Spectrum, and the original in McCall's Quilting, Jan/Feb 2011, was put together in rainbow or color spectrum style.  I love it scrappy.  To ensure it is really random, the only thing I'm doing is making sure no two blocks identical are next to each other.  There are very few identical fabrics in this quilt so far.  I'm just taking a solid and a criss-cross and sewing them together, however they come.  What fun!

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

ACROSS THE SPECTRUM BLOCKS ASSEMBLED

Here we are.  Everything has been put into seven stacks, one for each of us.



Oops! I almost forgot to make 7 signature squares.  We could do them with ink, embroidery, stamps, etc. so I chose to use my stamp.


Six packages, ready to stuff into their mailing envelopes.

These blocks were so fun, but I feel like "check" "done" too!

Monday, September 26, 2011

ACROSS THE SPECTRUM BLOCKS FINISHED!

Yippie!  I finished on time.  These are all my Spectrum blocks.  For each of seven in the swap we cut one FQ into seven 5" squares, x 23 FQs, and likewise, with each of 23 FQs we made seven criss-cross blocks.  All 46 fabrics had to be unique.  This shows all my piles of seven, spread out on my cutting table.  More on this swap soon.

Friday, September 23, 2011

WE CAN DO IT!

This week's Skill Builder Sampler block is Beacon Light, made from 'made' fabric.  I always save even the smallest of scraps, sometimes to make 'crumb' blocks, sometimes for applique.  I think the made fabric was perfect for this block, as it looks like the facets on a beacon light.

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

WOW = Working On Wednesday

Esther Aliu. one of my favorite designers, posts a WOW every Wednesday.  Gals link to it with their WIP (Work in progress) On Wednesday.  So, here I go.

This week I'm working on criss-cross blocks for a swap (yes, another one!).  This is a rather labor-intensive swap, involving 40 some FQs.  Half are cut into 5" squares to swap, and half are made into these 4.5" finished size Criss-Cross blocks (those little squares are .75").  It's great fun, and we will have all the squares necessary to make the quilt top when finished.  Seven of us are making 7 blocks from each FQ.  Hopefully there will be very few, if any, duplicates.  We are using CW fabrics and Kona Cream.  Love it!  Seven of us will end up with awesome quilts.  This idea was in the Jan./Feb. 2011 issue of McCall's Quilting.  It was all set up for 7 quilters to do the swap.  Who could resist?


My June Taylor shape cuts are really getting a work out this week with these blocks! Notice, I've marked where I need to cut with tape, so I don't have to keep adding by 1.25"!

We gave it 9 months considering you have to come up with the 40 something FQs and then make the tons of blocks.  Due to my machine being in the shop most of the spring, and my eye having issues ever since, I'm running close to the deadline, but I'll make it!

Saturday, September 17, 2011

KICKS

Finally put the last stitches in this Downy quilt yesterday.  Now 'Kicks', as I named it, is all packed up ready to go to the post on Monday.  I shared photos of this kit from Quilts for Kids, back in July.  Here's the finished quilt.  Quilts for Kids is a very worthwhile organization.  They send you all the fabric, pattern, etc., and you make the quilt.  It comes complete with a label for the first name of the maker and a space for you to name the quilt.  There were moments of angst making this quilt, like when I accidentally cut into the back fabric while trimming the batting, etc., but it's all fixed and ready to go.  I doubt the seriously ill child who will receive it, or the parents will notice the minor oopses which are now fixed (unless the mom is a member of the quilt police).

If you are interested in sewing for Downy Quilts for Kids, or just want to read more about this organization, click here.

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

WE CAN DO IT!

We've moved on to quarter-square-triangles (QSTs) on the skill builder sampler.  I love the Ohio Star block, and couldn't resist fussy cutting that center block so the name would be there!

Look for the "We Can Do It" button on my left side bar to link to this project.

Sunday, September 11, 2011

SWEET BUTTON FROM ANGELA

Angela, at Country Scrap Quilts, designed this sweet angel, shortly after 9/11/01.  I love the sentiment.

9-11-2011

Along with all Americans, quilters pay tribute to the victims, their families, and friends.  Read more here.

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Paradise!


Just another day in Paradise!  Pictures taken this morning.  73 degrees.

PS: Go Spartans!
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Thursday, September 8, 2011

MILL GIRLS QUILT ALONG

The SBS and Other Elm Creek Quilts group is hostessing a quilt along for the Mill Girls quilt.  The picture above shows one block from the pattern book.  We each will be making our own quilts, but helping and encouraging each other along the way.  This quilt is from author and pattern designer, Jennifer Chiaverini, and the quilt is from one of her books.  The scheduled start date is mid-Oct.

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

THE LAST OF THESE CHAINS


I had so much fun playing with these long chains, that I had to do one more post about me making the last 10 or so album blocks.  They're all done, and in the mail now!  My next post won't be about 'the chain gang'.  Promise.

Monday, September 5, 2011

MODA COUNTRY FAIR BLOG HOP

Moda Country Fair Blog Hop starts tomorrow.  Get all the info here.

Thursday, September 1, 2011

WORKING ON THE CHAIN GANG

I'm back at it this morning.

Sitting at my machine, my cutting table is over my left shoulder.


Here's the view from my pressing station.  It's a beautiful day in Upper Michigan, (yooper land) - supposed to reach 80 degrees this afternoon.  But it's really windy, so I'm not tempted to play outside too long today.  The waves are really whipping up on Whitefish Bay in the background.

I used to think I should have set my sewing machine up under the window.  But it makes me get up and move around more this way, which is much better for you, LOL!