Design Wall Monday

I had a very busy week last week but didn't necessarily get to work on the projects I would have liked to work on.  I organized a co-workers retirement party that happened today so my weekend was spent shopping and cooking.  I did pin baste two quilts as work by reporting to work early to use the conference room floor.

My friend called and said it was time to get my crystal stars off of her long arm.  We figured out a way to work with the nesting without using the software feature.  It now needs to be trimmed, binding made and applied.

One of my quilt guilds met on Saturday and I took this this fabric to cut a new project for a family member.  I didn't get much done as I couldn't stay very long but did sketch out a plan for the quilt.

I picked up my embroidery machine from the shop.  After an extensive cleaning and replacement of three parts, the machine is in top running condition.  I cut a few hearts on my GO! cutter and used the embroidery machine to stitch around them.  I cut a few hearts as I'd planned to make a heart quilt but machine was not ready to do that when I was ready.  So, this one will be put away for now.

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Noveau Riche - 2nd Finish for 2011

I started Noveau Riche on my birthday last year, July 28th.  I fell in love with the quilt and my friend purchased the kit for my birthday gift.  I'm glad I finally got it quilted, especially before my next birthday LOL.

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Design Wall Monday

I had a long, busy, and productive week.  I had a few meetings and events to attend in addition to my sewing projects.  My quilting week started with me loading my Crystal Stars (Cathedral Stars) on Karen's long arm machine.  We had a few problems with Shirley Stitcher (auto sewing program).  I was able to get about half of it quilted before I had to leave.  Hopefully I'll get a chance to finish the quilting during the week.

I worked on the 100 Blocks and drunkard's path block for the week. I just need to make this weeks DP block to be caught up.  These blocks have separate posts if you want more information about them.

Next up was basting a quilt top to quilt on my domestic sewing machine.  I selected Noveau Riche.  It took two sittings to get it done and I have the binding made.  This week I hope to make a label and sew on the binding.  I'm just excited to get it quilted.

My scrap quilting club meet on Saturday.  I have a separate post for this topic too.  If you want to know where to get the pattern (Awesome Lap Quilt) and see other quilts in other fabric choices, click here.  I decided on Sunday that I did not like how the pattern design instructed users to square up the ends as opposed to having the pieces cut to size.  If I cut off the ends, my outer blocks would not be the same width as those on the inside of the rows.  Sooooooooo...I'm taking the rows apart to add a strip on each end of the rows.  I then trimmed the rows to the same size.  I like this much better.  I have half of it completed and will also work on this project during the week.  You may have to see the large picture to see the difference in the top and bottom halves.

That was enough for me this week!  I'm glad I accomplished a lot but now I need a small break.  To see more design walls, go visit Judy at Patchwork Times.

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Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks: Blocks 21 and 22

This week's blocks will go rather quickly, especially if you omit the hand embroidery.

21 - Sweet Dreams
Block 132 on page 37
Tricia Cribbs
FriendFolks
http://www.friendfolks.com/
13 pieces (mine = 17 pieces)

I decided I wasn't going to hand embroider this block as I didn't know what to do with the design used in the magazine.  I thought I'd have my preferred embroidery machine back from the shop but that didn't happen either.  So, I went through my "test" blocks and picked this butterfly embroidery.  Of course it wasn't large enough to fit in the center so I had add a frame.

22 - Shifting Star
Block 186 on page 64
Scott Murkin
Patchwork Possibilities
http://www.patchworkpossibilities.com/
20 pieces

I'll state the obvious, my star is twisting in the opposite direction.  Since I had a friend over last weekend, I've been machine quilting in the dining room and cutting in the kitchen.  So, when I started sewing the block in my studio, the instructions were in the kitchen.  I could see how the pieces match up so I just sewed it together.  When it was completed, I realized mine twist the other direction and I can live with that.  I changed how I made the flying geese units as I didn't want to have the leftover HSTs I would get if piecing according to the magazine's instructions.  Instead, I cut 1 purple square 7-1/4" and cut 2 each of two different fabrics into 3-7/8" squares.  If you don't know how to sew this together, let me know and I'll find a link online somewhere.

Don't forget to check back weekly at the links on the left hand side of my blog to see what the other participants are making with the Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks 2nd Edition blocks.

Now I'm off to go mattress shopping with my daughter... No resting going on ove here!
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Scrap Quilting Club

I had a very exciting day as the scrap quilting club met.  We are starting out on an easy project.  We have some neat stash buster projects planned and another year long project.  As I did last year, I'll post photos as we work and you'll get to see the quilts as we go.  We mostly work on projects that are free online.  However, this year we are working on two patterns that the participants must purchase.  Stay tuned for some great quilts from the club members.

Today we worked "Awesome Lap Quilt", a free pattern from Moda Bake Shop.  I chose an easy quilt to start us off for the year.  You just need one jelly roll and you're off and running.

Here is my quilt top in progress made from Christmas print jelly roll (although it doesn't scream holiday.)  Notice that the edges do not match.  This is part of the design and the quilt top is squared after sewing all rows together.  I think I will square the rows in sets of  three so I don't have to square the entire length at once.  I also added two additional rows and plan to add 2 borders to make it into a twin size quilt.

It's amazing how different pattern designs look with just changing fabrics.  Jennifer chose select colors and her top is beautiful.  She sewed here entire top; just need to press and square it up.

Carol used a batik jelly roll and it's also beautiful.  It makes me think of water.

Cherie used scraps she selected from stash in particular color way.  This is one of my favorites as I love true scrap quilts and using stash.  I plan to remake the quilt again using my stash after I start cutting more 2.5" strips from my stash.  Cherie joined our club this year and traveled quite a distance.  Thanks for joining and we hope you enjoyed participating.  I look forward to seeing you next month!

Someone commented that they may like the quilts vertical instead of horizontal.  So, I took a picture of Cherie's quilt again.  I agree, I like this orientation better.  The rows could easily be extended to make a larger quilt.

Drew showed her African Inspired quilt top she finished.  This was one of last year's project.  I love the border print.

 Laura is working on a string quilt she started last year.  Her scraps are scrumptious!

I'll have photos of completed quilts next month, with even more colorways.  I didn't get a chance to take pictures of all the works in progress.
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Bargello Quilts

The Quilting Gallery have bargello quilts up this week.  I entered a quilt but please go vote for your favorite.

http://quiltinggallery.com/2011/01/21/vote-now-bargello-quilts/

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Many Paths All Around - Drunkard's Path Block 10

I decided to get this week's block done before the rest of the week got out of control.  I made a cutting error when sizing this block and will need to take one seam apart and add 3/4" strip of fabric to get the 1/4" I'm short.  No, you can't see it in the picture as I cropped it out.  LOL  The beauty of Paint Shop Pro and Picasa.

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Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks: Blocks 19 and 20

It took me a little longer to get my blocks completed this week.  I've been so busy and spent a lot of time away from home.  I have four more meetings planned for the next four days.

19 - Snow Happy Home

Block 115 on page 29

by Monica Solorio-Snow

Happy Zombie

www.thehappyzombie.com

 14 pieces

This is the fourth block with a winter theme.  I really like the whimsical aspect of this block.  The hearts, instead of smoking exiting the chimney, are so cute.  I used reverse applique for my "curtain" fabrics.  I found the perfect heart button for the door window too.  I haven't sewed the buttons on yet; will do so after the project is quilted.  See last photo of the four winter blocks.

20 - Versailles

Block 121 on page 32

by Chloe Anderson and Colleen Reale

Toadusew

www.toadusew.com

41 pieces

I wanted to play with color technique on this block.  The picture doesn't do the block justice, but it is gorgeous.  I love the design and wish I had time to make an entire quilt with this block and fabrics.  To save fabric when piecing the angles, I cut rectangles 1" larger than foundation pieced pattern and then cut it diagonally.

I'm thinking I will make these four blocks into a wall hanging.  Not sure how I want to do that yet but I'll think about it for a while.


Thank you for stopping by.  I added two more blogs in the last week that are participating in the challenge.  For a list of all blogs, look on the left hand column for links.  However, if you would please visit Ellen and Karen, I'd really appreciate it.


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Design Wall Monday

I've worked on a few projects this week though my design wall will not reflect such.  My challenge project is needing one more seam to compete the quilt center.  Then I'll have to decide if I want a border or two added.  I'm working on a few steps to the project for the scrap quilting club but can't show that until Saturday after we meet.  I can show you a photo of the stack of quilts I made backings for this weekend.  I made backs for 4 quilts and pieced 1 batting for a larger quilt where warm and natural wasn't wide enough.  I then took that quilt to a friend's house to load on her long arm machine.  I plan to quilt it later today.

I have one of the 100 blocks completed but not the second.  The second one involves hand work and I'm only half done.  So, I'll be posting this week blocks in the next day or two.  I did finish one quilt, Hot and Cold, and it's my first finish for the year.  That's all I have to share this week; go to Patchwork Times to view more design walls.

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1st Finish

I finished Hot and Cold, a quilt top I made in May 2008.  This quilt is wonky string blocks made with hot colors in one set of block and cool colors in the alternate blocks.  I'd started quilting it the Fall of 2010, having half of it completed.  For some reason, I set it aside and never got back to it until now.  The quilting is free flowing wonky lines to keep with the theme.  I used two different threads while quilting to coordinate with the blocks.  I found the perfect binding fabric in my stash that I cut on the bias.  These are not the best pictures of this quilt; it a little too large to photograph inside at home.  I'll try to get a better photo at work later this week.

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Quiltmaker's Online Newsletter

Here is the link to the newsletter.  My blog is listed for the 100 Blocks Challenge.  Please go read the newsletter.  Thank you!

Quiltmaker's Online Newsletter
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Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks: Blocks 17 and 18

I'm so excited this week to publish my blocks.  I have lots of information to share in this post.
I now have a list on my blog titled "Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Blog Roll" for short cuts to posts on the participants sites.  If you have labeled your posts with 100 blocks, it should pull up all your blocks.  Please check your link to make sure it's working properly.

Magazine or book?  That's the question.  I have been using my magazine a lot and it was starting to show signs of wear.  To prevent the magazine from shredding to pieces, two weeks ago I took mine apart and now I have this neat binder.  It's recycled from the days when I worked on my Dear Jane quilt blocks and was waiting there for me with sheet protectors ready to be filled.

Here is the front page of my binder.  The yellow paper has the pattern numbers I'm working on for the month.  I scratch through them as I make the blocks.  What's not showing is my spreadsheet to keep me on track so I do not make duplicate blocks.  At the bottom of each pattern page I also write the date I made the block and total number of fabric pieces required.

For blocks I haven't made yet, if I have any of the templates cut or fusible web drawn, I'll add those in the pockets with the appropriate blocks.  I travel with this book, fusible web and freezer paper.  If I get a chance, I'll trace pieces I need from the pattern sheets.  This is done in no particular order as I plan to make all the blocks anyway.

After I use the templates, I'll store them in the "templates" pocket.  The pocket is a pocket file folder I cut down to fit (I made the pocket fit the magazine back cover).  I also store the original pattern sheets, each one in a separate page protector, making them easier to get to when I want to start working on new blocks.

Now for the information on the blocks made this week:

Block 17
Snowman Farm
Block 103 on Page 23
June Dudley, Editor in Chief
Quiltmaker
http://www.quiltmaker.com/
5 pieces

I haven't made snowflake type paper patterns in a long time and it was fun to go back down memory lane.  This block while very dramatic for such a simple design took me quite a while to make.  Since I didn't use batiks, I decided to satin stitch the edges and all the turning required to stitch was time consuming.  I love my little snowman block and its now resting in the block section of Quiltmaker's calendar holder.   Make a calendar holder for yourself; you will enjoy it.

18 - No ordinary Flake
Block #140 on Page 41
Susan Marth
Suzn Quilts
http://www.suznquilts.com/
17 pieces

This block was very quick to make and I had fun making it.  I used blues for my background so that this block could be used with three other blocks in a wall hanging.  I used a medium blue rayon thread for my button hole stitch.
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Design Wall Monday

I've been busy working on various projects this week, not all of them quilt related.  The biggest job was to put away Christmas decorations and clean up all the pine needles.  I decided not to keep snowman related projects out this year.  I went straight to decorating for Valentines Day.  In doing that, I realized I need to make a lot more quilts in order to decorate more than my living room. 

I worked on another huge project that is quilt related but involves computer work.  I realized last week that I had a total of 230+ labels on my blog.  Labels are the quick links visitors can use to search particular topics.  That was a long list.  So, I've been editing posts and trying like mad to reduce the number of labels on my blog.  In order to delete labels, I must remove them from the posts.  This task will take me a while to complete.  I'm motivated to compact them and now have 112 labels.  I don't know what is a good number of labels to have, but I know 230 isn't.

Last week I made drunkard's path block #8.

SECTION UPDATED 1/12/2011

I have this week's blocks done too.  I haven't blogged on the two 100 blocks ones yet.  I recently found out that Quiltmaker is going to write something about the challenge on their Quilty Pleasures blog News (their e-mail newsletter.) and I want to add the link to this week's post.  Here is the link:  Quilty News. So hopefully by Tuesday, I'll blog about the blocks.  Here is the link to this weeks blocks:  100 Blocks

Then I had to make a decision on a project for the Scrap Quilting Club this month.  This is my cutting made from a jelly roll.  The project doesn't have any borders but I plan to add two to mine to make it twin size.  This will be a family member's quilt, probably my mother.  She decided to go to a twin bed and I think she needs a Christmas quilt this year.

I worked a little on two challenge projects this week.  Those are to be a surprise reveal so can't show any photos of them.

To see more design walls, visit Patchwork Times.
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Drunkard's Path Block 9

I'm really having fun with these blocks.  I cut a few more pieces this week with my GO! cutter so my next one will have a few new fabrics added.  If you have the curve master foot for your sewing machine, now is a great time to pull it out and put it to use.

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