Progress Report

I've done so much in the last few weeks, but none of it included finishing any quilts.  Since I can't remember all the events that occurred, I thought I'd show some of the projects that I've worked on.

Topsy Turvy Nine Patch.  I still need to add three more rows.  I just got tired to making half-square rectangles.  Very graphic design that depicts movement.  This pattern is by Judy Laquidara.

Friends & Fellows by Jessica Smith.  My quilt group is working on this mystery.  It's due at our December meeting.  Still need to add the 3 borders suggested by the pattern.  I really, really didn't want to at this is just a gigantic quilt! (Not really, just feels that way - its about 87" square when done.)

The Mock Log Cabin was a project we started for those who stayed overnight during the quilt show.  As you can see, I haven't done much more.

I worked a bit more on my Scarecrow project, but ran out of black scraps that would work with this design.  I decided to wait to complete it until I get more appropriate black scraps instead of out right cutting them from stash.

Then I realized my scrap box is out of control again.  I had my scraps sorted by color.  However, a crafter in one of my clubs gave me some scraps and then with everything I've been working on the last 6 months have just created two boxes of scraps that are not sorted.  To make it worse, I can't sort them into my current system as it is just too much.  So, I decided to make a few mock blocks of patterns that I can cut the scraps for.  This is the first one, Pinwheels on Parade, by Pat Speth in More Nickel Quilts.

Emerald Forest from Batiks...Inspired by Bali will be an excellent way to use my batik scraps.  I'm using my Accu Go Cutter to cut the strips.  Will be all colors when completed.

For this one, I pulled green and blue 2.5" strips.  Then decided to add a few red ones to pop it every now and then.

I have 3 more projects that are not listed here (didn't take enough pictures) and another 2 that are for challenge projects that I can't show. 

The SITP quilt I'm working on is a few steps farther.  I have 3 rows pieced; just got tired of the darn thing.  Go figure...

As you can see, I can't seem to get focused on any one thing to get it done.  My mind is so scattered lately.  I'm trying to decrease items on my UFO list but I keep adding stuff.  I give up for the moment.  I'm going with the flow if that's what currently making me happy!

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Type-u-later,

Tea in MO

http://www.teaquilts.com

Trick or Treat?

Here is the photo of the Halloween treat bags. I made them "in the hoop" on my embroidery machine. For some reason, the candy corn bags came out perfect, but the Frankenstein ones did not. Oh well, they will do. I plan to use them to hang on doors. Two are for little ones in Atlanta, one for co-worker who decorates her door, one for my office door, and the last one for a door at home. These little boogers took about 1-1/2 hours to make. Designs are from C-Some Stitches.

-------------------------- Type-u-later, Tea in MO http://www.teaquilts.com

Completed Reconciliation and Crazy Pumpkin

I felt a little guilty about starting the fall projects that I sat my tush down and hand sewed the binding on the quilt yesterday. I had guild meeting and showed the quilt, receiving a lot of oohs and aahs. This quilt was started in 2006 as a chain on/off of those extra triangles we throw away when making flying geese units using the old method with rectangles and squares, from making snowball, and from bow tie blocks. I had to cut a few of the 4" half square triangles but that was it. The quilt has 1,680 half square triangles for a total of 3,360 pieces. This will be a great addition to my scrap quilt lecture. I got the Crazy Pumpkin quilt finished yesterday too. I show it at guild as well and they were amazed that the embroidery machine even added the stitches! This was way too much fun so if you have an embroidery machine give it a try. -------------------------- Type-u-later, Tea in MO http://www.teaquilts.com

Crazy and I know it

What's so crazy? I have 113 unfinished projects and what do I do? I started not one, but two more. I did make and sew binding on the Reconciliation quilt (see previous post) and am now handing sewing it to the back of the quilt. However, I went to Anita Goodesign and saw this Crazy Pumpkin Quilt design pack and just couldn't resist. I have all the blocks made as of yesterday. So, I need to put them together and decide how to quilt something like this. It's really pretty. For you machine embroiders, they are giving away a crazy quilt design pack after taking a 10 question survey that really fast to maneuver through. The download is immediately afterwards. Enjoy! The other project I started (yesterday) is the Ragamuffin Scarecrow pattern I mention a few posts back. With fall right around the corner, I'm preparing to get my house in seasonal compliance. I've pieced the pumpkin head and have all the fabrics laid out for the shirt and top of the overalls which I'll piece tonight.

If you are working on fall inspired quilts or have some on your blog, post something in this message and I'll mosey on over.

-------------------------- Type-u-later, Tea in MO http://www.teaquilts.com

WIP Update

I'm updating this post as I just posted pictures previously. The following quilt is the Covered Bridge wall hanging I mentioned in my previous post. I started in July 18 and completed it July 29. Its 26.5 x 22.5. Again, the designs are by Anita Goodesign. I used a gold cord to cover the patchwork seams joining the blocks. I used a widely space zigzag to attach to the top. Then, during quilting, I i zigzag over it again to hold to backing. I did some strategic quilting in the squares to keep them from puffing too much. In the border, I used my embroidery machine to quilt in a leaf design that I rotated here and there. I'm always asked, "how long did it take to sew the blocks?" Well, this time, I time the machine embroidery and it took 24 hours just stitching the blocks. This does not include ironing, cutting, and hooping time. In addition, it took 8 prewound bobbins where the thread is thinner and thus holds more thread on the bobbin.
The following Fall Scene is designed by Dakota Collectibles. I did not time this quilt. I started it on July 24 and finished July 30. It is 15.75" square. While not as complicated as the quilt above, it is a nice addition to my fall decorating.

-------------------------- Type-u-later, Tea in MO http://www.teaquilts.com