Design Wall Monday

Not a lot of quilting going on over here this week.  I worked on 100 Blocks challenge, making two blocks due last week and working on one for this week.

I cut and sewed strips for itty bitty 9-patches then cut them apart.  I also used some of the same fabrics with muslin and cut strips ready for some 4-patches.  These will go with me to retreat this weekend.

That's it for me, visit Patchwork Times to see more walls.
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Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks: Blocks 25 and 26

I'm very late with posting.  Don't quite know how I spent my week that resulted in my not getting the blocks finished during the week.  Today I completed last week's blocks, including them in this post.  Hopefully I'll get this week's blocks made by Wednesday, maybe earlier.  I'm also including the block assignment chart for this month at the end of the post.


Block 25 - Hearts Bejeweled
#104 on page 23
Susan Guzman
SuzGusDesigns
www.suzguzdesigns.com
29 pieces

Instead of hand appliqueing this block, I used fusible web.  I just ran out of time during the week and this was much faster for a photo.  I haven't gotten around to stitching the edges down yet so it still needs some work.

Block 26 - Simple Celebration
#148 by Anita Grossman Solomon
Make It Simpler
www.makeitsimpler.com
33 pieces

I wanted to play with color on this one.  The photo is a little off, but I like not using a traditional "light" fabric that was white or off white for the background.  The pink just jumped out of my scraps.  For me, the whole purpose of making the blocks is to experiment with techniques and color.  This one is growing on me....

Here is the chart for all the blocks assigned for this month.

Enjoy working on the blocks and please visit my left side bar to see blocks made by other participants.  We are growing, growing.  I have at least one local participant who doesn't have a blog yet.  She has 20 blocks made in the oriental theme.

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Design Wall Monday

I've been working on my challenge charm quilt this week.  I finished the top, basted it, quilted it, and sewed the binding to the front.  All that's left is to hand sew the binding to the back.  Unfortunately I can't share it until next Friday as it's a secret.

The only other project for me during the week was to make my two 100 Blocks for the week.  I change the first pattern dramatically so it doesn't look exactly like the original.  I used machine embroidery in the corners and machine decorative stitch to stitch the center "x".

That's it for me. To view more design walls, go to Patchwork Times.
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Quiltmaker's 100 Blocks: Blocks 23 and 24

Whew!  I didn't think these blocks would ever get completed.  My life is very busy right now and with the start of tax season, I don't see it getting any better for a while.  While I'm here, I want to post that the drunkards paths blocks are behind.  I should have 2 more blocks posted by the end of the week but I don't think that's going to happen with my schedule.

Block 23 - Faire la Bise

#116 on page 29

Helen Stubbings

Hugs "N Kisses

www.hugsnkisses.net

www.hugsnkisses.typepad.com

21 pieces, mine is 17 pieces

I must have been out of my mind to schedule this block during this hectic time in my life.  I had in my head to make this block with fusible web instead of hand applique.  Then why did I prep the pieces for hand applique before it dawned on me that that's not what I wanted!  I started working on the block, yes hand appliqueing it, and my stitching wasn't as perfect as I'd like on this one.  So I decided enough hand work and used my sewing and embroidery machine to finish it.  I needed to test the embroidery machine as I picked it up from the repair shop on Saturday.  I used my decorative stitched on my sewing machine for the "x" stitches on the diagonal.  Then I used my embroidery machine to stitch the corners.  The design is from Dakota Collectibles.  Not perfect, but I'm glad it's done!

Block 24 - Geese 'Round the Rosie
#168 on page 167
Gudrun Eria
GE Designs
www.gequiltdesigns.com
www.gudrun.typepad.com
33 pieces

Since I was machine embroidering, I continue with this block, adding a heart in the center of this block instead of fussy cutting a piece of fabric.  I made the single flying geese as instructed in the pattern but used Quilt in a Day rulers for the four purple ones.  I like the accuracy of this method.  I also found that when I made the singles that if I pressed the folds on the squares to make the geese, they were more accurate.  I usually draw lines with this technique.  I guess dragging the pencil across must affect accuracy a bit.

Don't forget to check my left hand side bar for a list of 100 Blocks participants.  There are now eight of us!

NOTE TO PARTICIPANTS:  In order for your blocks to show from the side bar link, you MUST have "100 blocks" somewhere in the body of the post or in the labels section.  Otherwise, all your posts will not be visible with the link.
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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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