2016 Finishes Challenge Quilts

I participated in two quilt challenges that I can now share the results.

The first was for my small guild of five members.  The challenge was to make a modern quilt with only two fabrics.  The fabrics could be multi-colored or solids.  Out of character, I chose to make a quilt with two solid fabrics.  I call this one Modern Hexies and I won 1st place in the challenge.  I also entered this quilt into my large quilting guild challenge which was to make a hexagon quilt.  It won first place in best longarm machine quilting category.

Honycomb Quads was my main entry into my large quilting guild challenge, make a quilt which feature the hexagon.  I made this quilt similar to the stack-n-whack setting but used strings instead of repeat fabric segments.  I also cut the hexagon into four rings and strip pieced my star points.  The quilt won two ribbons:  2nd place in bed-size category and 3rd place for best longarm machine quilting category.

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

New Videos on My YouTube Channel

It seems that if I'm catering to one of my social media sites, the others get neglected.  In the process of learning how to record, edit and upload videos, that's about all the time I have allotted to computer work.   I've been blessed that I have quite a few lecture and workshop bookings so I'm also allocating my time for prepping for those as well.  In addition, my Scrap Quilting Club still meets monthly and I dedicate some time to that.

As I was browsing my blog, I realized that a lot of my finished projects have not been posted.  I've made a list of quilts I need to photograph.  Hopefully, I will start getting those up on the blog.  When I'm caught up, maybe I can show you some of my works in progress.

In the meantime, look at some of the videos that I've uploaded since my last blog.  Click on the links below to view the videos.

While you're there, subscribe to my YouTube Channel!


Longarm Quilting:
Practicing Feathers
Haul:  Longarm Supplies
Bowling Fun Panto Review
Correcting Rolling Errors & Loading a Quilt That Already Has Binding

Scrapbuster:
Rail Fence
Take 5 Christmas
Scraps Galore Challenge
Two Scrappy Quilt Border Ideas

Miscellaneous:
Make Your Own Display Board


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

Some 2013 Finishes

Here are a few finishes this year; proof that I'm still quilting. LOL

The "T Quilt" is a guild challenge quilt.  The main rules were to make a quilt with blocks that begin with the initial of your first or last name.  Now, anyone that knows me knows that if I make any sort of quilt about "me", it will reek of me!  I had been working on the Trailing Geese units and had them in my works in progress storage for years.  I pulled some of the units out and made a letter T with them.  In addition, I made Tumbling Blocks; I had cut 45 degree diamonds left over from a previous project so I had a great start there too.  I then pulled 3.5" Tumbler units I'd already cut on my GO! cutter.  I made all of these things go into one quilt.  I won 2nd place for most creative use of blocks.

I had help finishing the Pineapple Nine Patch quilt.  It will hang in the quilt show so I went to one of my favorite long arm quilters, Sarah Cohen.  She used orange thread and the quilting is fabulous! This pattern is designed by Cathy Wierzbicki from book Geometric Gems. This link is not necessarily the cheapest price, but you can see all the designs in the book. I saw cheaper prices at online stores:  Barns & Nobel, Target, and WalMart.

I also had Sarah Cohen quilt the Shakespeare in the Park quilt too.  This one took so many years to complete to end up with mediocre quilting.  I used three colorways instead of two and that almost burst my brain to keep all my pieces straight.  I did have to use the seam ripper a couple of times on this one.  I'm glad it's finally done and love everything about this quilt. This design is by Judy Martin and on Sunday the book with this pattern was $9.95.  You can purchase by clicking this line.

I know I haven't listed all the finishes but I must not have taken photos.  More to come later...
-------------------------- Type-u-later, http://www.teaquilts.com

Charmed I'm Sure

My quilt guild had a charm quilt challenge this month and last Thursday was the big reveal.  There is nothing super fancy about my quilt but I didn't want to see another one on the line so I kept it a secret.  Here is my charm tumbler quilt I titled Charmed, I'm Sure.  It has 202 different fabrics including the backing and label. 

My first plan was to scatter the charms and piece how they landed.  For some reason that did not appeal to me so I went to plan B.  I decided to make frames with the tumblers (by the way cut 3.5" with my GO! cutter) by separating the light and medium/dark values.  I also had fun throwing in novelty fabrics.  I just love looking at this quilt.  It tied for 2nd place in the challenge.  NOTE: Quilt was hung upside down on the line.

Here are some other charm quilts that members made.  I forgot to write down the names of the makers.  If you are members of the guild and have correct information, please let me know.

Drew Benage
3rd place

 Doris McCall

 Debbie - tied 1st ?

Norma Silk
Tied 2nd
over 400 1.5" .5" rectangles

Judy Kooi

Connie Barnett
Tied 1st place

--------------------------
Type-u-later,

http://www.teaquilts.com

Design Wall Monday

I worked earlier in the week and made all the optional blocks for the guild year.  You can see the blocks in a previous post.

In addition, I worked on the Pineapple Nine Patch quilt top.  I have the first border on the quilt center.  I pieced the 2nd border and when I went to put the sides onto the top, they wouldn't fit.  I found that Martingale has a corrections page posted online.  So, I'll tackle the quilt top later this week.  Here is a picture of half the quilt top with the border attached but it sure doesn't match up.

Saturday my small guild met and I made this meeting my cutting day.  I cut over 300 tumblers and 300 chisels.  I didn't cut too many apple core shapes as I wanted to test sew them first.  The longest task with using scraps is prepping them for cutting.  I spent hours starching and pressing fabric and a little over an hour to cut all the pieces.  The GO! Cutter has definitely changed the way I view cutting. 

So I didn't win a copy of Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks Collector's Edition Vol. 2 magazine so I purchased one on Sunday.  I just had to have my own copy as the participating designers had their blocks posted on their blogs last week and they were oh so pretty.  As I was driving home from Hancocks, I thought about the fact that I purchased the first volume of this magazine and did not make one block.  So, the challenge for me is to make ALL the blocks within a year.  I'm starting this week and plan to make 2 blocks per week.  Anyone want to play along?  It would be neat to see the blocks showing up in blog land.  I said I didn't win a magazine.  However, I did win some flurry friends fabric that I should receive in the mail this week.  Check out the fabric at The Whimsical Workshop; they have fabrics and projects that are perfect for children quilts.

One challenge isn't enough!  While shopping this week I came across this drunkard's path sampler.  I was buying door prizes for my scrap quilting club and just couldn't pass up one for me too.  I plan to make these 12 blocks, one per week.  If you want to play along, purchase the Many Paths All Around from Elisa's Backporch Designs (scroll down...I think it's 4th from the bottom).

To see more design walls visit Patchwork Times.



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

SSBQG 2010 Retreat

Here are a few photos from our annual retreat.  We go to a bed and breakfast that set up for quilters/crafters in Greenville, IL.  This is our 6th year and as usual, we had a lot of fun.

We worked on x- block quilts.  To see my x-block quilts, go here.  I'll also show one of my x-block quilts that I worked on this week in which I pieced the border tomorrow.

Here is the photo of the miniatue quilts made for challenge.  Click the photo to enlarge it to see the quilts better.

Seven of of attended retreat; here are 5 of them at work and the sample for class.

Here are the other two participants; I'm on the left after just getting 3 hours of sleep.

Here are a few x-block quilts; I realized as I was editing the photos that I did not get a photo of everyone's quilt, so I can't share them all with you.

At retreat, the hostest put on a fashion show for us.  I won't spoil it for other groups that go here, but I wanted to share one photo.  This is the block pleated skirt with Peter Pan collar.  It was so hilarious.  They had a lot more outfits too.

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

FVQG Self-Portrait Challenge ...

Here is my self portrait that I made for a challenge for my guild.  The quilts were due tonight.  I did not win a prize, but I had so much fun making my quilt.  This was my first portrait quilt and I had no clue how to even start.  I just jump right in and this is what I came up with.

If you like, you can view all the entries.  I have added the maker's name; in addition I've indicated which quilts won prizes.  OOps.  I forgot to type that the 5th photo in last row is Tied for 1st place.

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

Completed the Exploding Star and more WIPs Listed

Hey, I'm posting more than once a month again! I decided that trying to remember an entire month of things I've done when I'm very productive is difficult to do. I had a productive week. I hand sewed the binding on my flower challenge quilt (picture will be posted after June 18th). In addition, I basted my scrappy ocean waves quilt. I just decided that it did not need a border as it's just a lecture sample. I placed the blocks on point and then figured out how to piece the setting triangles and corner blocks. It was a lot of fun. I need to learn (and remember it) how to make smaller quilts when needed only for teaching.

The big drum roll goes to the EXPLODING STAR! I completed the quilt last evening about 9:30. It took me five days of quilting on my sewing machine to get it done. The quilting process was pure torture and many times I had mental images of destroying the quilt (but not in actuality.) This one has truly been a labor of love. I started this quilt September 24, 2005. It took me about six months to piece as I used it as my chain on/off project. I've taught the class twice before completing the quilt. I just decided that I wasn't going to teach it again as a quilt top only. Sometimes impromptu, crazy goals is what it takes to get me moving.

Here is a round robin quilt organized through a swap group. I may get this one basted after I make a backing for it. I have a simple flag that I made years ago that would make a good start for the back. I have outgrown the simplistic nature of the flag and couldn't decide what to do with it.

This week I plan to make a name banner and teach at a quilting retreat. I'm in the process of packing class items. Then I will have to decide what projects I'll work on in my down time. I have a couple of scrap quilts that I've neglected for too long. So, I'll probably take a couple of those. But first, my embroidery club meets tonight so no sewing for me today. -------------------------- Type-u-later, Tea in MO http://www.teaquilts.com

Wrapping up for the month...

My two year tenure as president of Flower Valley Quilting Guild will end at our July meeting. I made cell phone cases for the members who volunteered this past year. Some of them worked on two or more committees and they will also receive a lace bookmark. I need about 30 cell phone cases and 5 bookmarks. I figure while I'm making them for guild members, I may as well make them as gifts to co-workers and family for Christmas presents. I made 60 cell phone cases and 10 bookmarks. NOTE: I couldn't get all 60 cell phone case in one photo. Here is the Turning Twenty Again quilt completed. It took a while but I got the binding added (all by machine) so this one is officially off my UFO list. I will probably give it as a wedding gift to my step-daughter next year...unless some other wonder idea pops in my head. By the way, I'll add a better photo on my website (http://teaquilts.com/) as I couldn't get a good photo. This quilt fits a queen or king size bed.

This month I quilted my 2nd challenge quilt for this year. I pieced the top last year but didn't get around to quilting it. It's horrible how we set something that we love aside and don't return to it in a timely fashion. Sometimes challenges are a great idea to move some of those WIPs. I just can't stay focused on any one quilt from start to completion. I can't show you a photo until June 19th. The theme is simply "Flower Valley Blooms." No size requirements and makers can interpret the theme as they please. I now need to make the binding and then sew it onto the quilt.

Another project I completed was this Ruler Holder I found in one of the Fon's & Porter Magazine (not the main one but a side publication.) It is very handy. I have it hanging on the wall behind my door to my sewing studio so it's not taking up valuable wall space. I only need to see it when I need to pull something out of it. I hope your month was as productive as mine.

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

Have I Got a Lot to Tell You!

I made this "She Loves Me, She Loves Me Knot" purse (pattern can be purchased at this link as well as photos of purses made by others: http://www.youcanmakethis.com/info/featured-products/She-Loves-Me-She-Loves-Me-Knot-Handbag.htm ) for my mom for Mother's Day. I started a second one for me but haven't completed it yet. She loves it and has already toted it around town. My step-daughter graduated from St. Louis University this month. She has a B.S. in Social Work. She entered the 5-year master of science in SW so she will obtain her MS next year. We are so proud of her as she graduated summa cum laude! Way to go Cary - here she is with her dad, my husband and a photo of the very large graduating class from SLU. Since I'm telling you about school type stuff, here is a photo of my niece before leaving for prom. I've attended three graduation ceremonies this month. I have one more to attend this weekend for my nephew. It is an exciting time in my family. While on the subject of family, here is a family photo of most of the attendees of our Memorial Day celebration. Approximately 6-7 people who attended are missing from the photo (a little camera shy.) My family usually eats all holiday meals together, rotating between members' homes. When asked what I did for a holiday, I tell them this, but this photo shows the closeness of our family unit. I have finished my flying geese challenge quilt. The requirements were to make a quilt using flying geese as the main theme. The geese must be pieced and the quilt top could be no larger than 30" on any one side. In addition, the quilt must be completed which includes the binding. I started the quilt 4/7/2009 and completed it 5/3/2009. I purchased this pattern about 4 years ago at Hancocks of Paducah not knowing that I needed to also have the accompanying DVD for piecing directions. So I figured out how to piece it myself. I changed the pattern a little to meet the flying geese requirement and used my own method for piecing the top together. The "Soaring Compliments" pattern by Caryl Bryer Fallert can be found here: http://www.bryerpatch.com/wkshops/soaring_compliments_2day.htm . As you can see in the photo, I won first place! I was pleasantly surprised as the competition was fierce.

Here are all the challenge quilts. We had art quilts as well as traditional styles entered. The above challenge quilts were due at our quilt retreat. Memorial Day weekend, Friday through Sunday, I went on a retreat in Greenville, IL. We had so much fun and the food and hospitality was excellent. Here you see the retreat attendees taking a fun group photo.

Here are the projects we worked on. The pattern is Bamboo and Pinwheels. You are making blocks for both quilts at the same time. I added an additional row to each wall quilt size and plan to add borders to make into twin quilts. These will go to twin great-nephews. Come back in a day or two to see the 60 cell phone cases I've made. I just need to add buttons to about 20 of them. Then, I will upload a photo and take off my UFO list. Also, I'm making a few free standing lace bookmarks.
I also found the fabric for Turning Twenty Again quilt. I had quilted it and then couldn't remember where I put the binding fabric. Well, after looking for a couple of months I have finally found it. I hope I get enough time this week to add the binding to the quilt (all by machine of course.) I know this was a long post but I just had to share what's been happening in my life. I hope that was okay as I was so excited that I had to tell you.
-------------------------- Type-u-later, Tea in MO http://www.teaquilts.com