Ongoing Projects...

It's been a while since I posted about my current project list.  In fact, since last time, I've actually managed to finish most of what I was working on.  So I've made a new list.  I'm hoping I can finish most of these in the next couple of weeks.  That might be too ambitious, but time will tell.

1.  Orange Sherbert - I'm about halfway done quilting this right now.  It will be my TV watching quilt when the cooler weather comes.  I'm using a new pantograph that's a bit more intensive than those I've done in the past, but I'm really liking the design. (Completed 9/11/11.)

Quilting Orange Sherbert

2.  Pillowcases - I've been wanting to make more pillowcases to donate for a while now.  I even had all the fabric set aside.  I'm actually hoping to finish these tomorrow.  They go together really quickly with my serger. (Completed 9/9/11.)

Some pillowcases ready to sew

3.  Cindy Lou Who - This is a Schnibbles quilt I'm making using Odyssea (an older fabric line).  The pieces are all cut and arranged, I just need to start sewing!  I'm looking forward to putting this one together... (Completed 10/27/11.)

Cindy Lou Who Schnibbles Quilt

4. Dresden Plate Table Topper - This table topper requires 3 large Dresden Plates (plus another for the label).  I've made one and have the pieces ordered for the rest of them.  I'm still not sure how I'm going to attach them to my background, so all suggestions are welcome!

Dresden Plate Table Topper

5. Dresden Plate Wall Hanging - The table topper above uses the light fabrics from Nature's Gift by Deb Strain, while the wall hanging I have planned uses the darks.  This will hang in my kitchen come Christmas (assuming it's done).  It has 4 full Dresden Plates on the front (plus one for the label) and 8 half Dresden Plates in the border.  Again, all the pieces have been put in order and are just waiting for me to find the time to sew them together...

Dresden Plate Wall Hanging

6. Winter Wonderland - The center of this quilt is done and I'm still working on the star blocks in the border.  I have half of them made and would really like to finish the other half so I can lay it out.  My mom's version turned out so gorgeous that I can't wait to put mine together...

Winter Wonderland Star Blocks

So I'm wondering, am I the only one who works on so many projects at the same time?  I hope not.  And truthfully, these aren't all of them.  I have a couple more in the design stage and I'm waiting on a king size quilt kit to come in the mail.  Oh, and we've decided to start our bedroom renovation in a couple of weeks, so I've been meeting with carpet guys and shutter people and buying furniture as well.

Hmm, I think I'm getting tired now so I'll stop and head off to bed.  But before I go, I wanted to show this picture of David I took tonight.  I was trying to iron some fabric I just washed and he absolutely wouldn't get off.  In fact, he ended up biting me - which I will not tolerate - so he found himself on the floor and subsequently chased out of the room by the dog.

David on the fabric I was trying to iron!

Until later...

The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose. And both will be rewarded for their own hard work. 

1 Corinthians 3:8 (NLT)

Vet visits...

We are very fortunate to have found a vet that comes out to our house.  With 5 pets, it just makes things so much easier.  Last month, all of them were due for their yearly exams and shots.  I wasn't supposed to bend over or pick things up at the time, so it was up to Mr. Quilting Bug to corral each of the cats and put them in their carriers before the vet arrived.

Moses, Jack, Sam and David

If you have pets, you can imagine how not happy they were to be trussed up like this.  But they all got a good report from the vet and hopefully won't need to see her again until next August!

Until later...

“Be made new in the attitude of your minds.”  

Ephesians 4:23 (NIV)

Holly Jolly...

Do you know there are only 111 days until Christmas?  With our weather turning a little cooler here and the days getting shorter, it's not hard for me to believe.  Although I have lots and lots of Christmas themed quilts still planned for this year, I finished my first today.  I'm calling this little quilt Holly Jolly.

Holly Jolly

This one is intended as a gift for someone.  I figure they can hang it on a wall or use it as a table topper.  It's a good size for either at 31" square.  The bright colors don't match my house, but I still find it very bright and cheerful.  The fabric is Ready Set Snow by Me and My Sisters Designs.

I did a lot of different quilting on this one.  First, I spray basted it using 505 Temporary Spray Adhesive and quilted in the ditch around all of the octagons and in the borders.  I then embroidered snowflakes in each of the octagons using my embroidery machine.  What a quick way to fill in those blank spaces!

Embroidered Snow Flakes

I made loops in the outer border and filled in some of the other empty spaces with your basic stippling. 

Loop de loops and Stppling

Finally, I did some straight line stitching in the inner border and through the middle of the bow ties.  I used the blue painter's tape as a guideline for stitching.

Painter's tape marks the stitching lines

I find this tape is a must have in my sewing room.  In fact, I'm almost out and need to put it on my grocery list.  As with most of my quilts nowadays, I made a custom label for the back out of scraps of fabric...

Label for Holly Jolly

In case you're wondering, those are David's belly and feet in that picture.  I just finished up the quilting tonight and he tried to help me as much as possible.  In fact, he decided to take a bath on top of my sewing machine while I was sewing on the binding.

David taking a bath on top of my sewing machine

He also attempted to help me with the picture taking...

David helping again

So, the stats for this quilt are:

• Size: 31" square
• Fabrics: Ready Set Snow yardage and charm pack, Kona Cotton White for background
• Batting: Warm &White
• Thread: Aurifil 50 wt
• Pattern: Charlotte from 3 Times the Charm by Barbara Groves and Mary Jacobson
• Quilting: Straight line, Free Motion and Embroidery
• Completed: September 4, 2011
• Recipient: My sister and her children

Three final notes on this quilt:

• I spray basted it before I got sick.  I didn't get around to quilting it for about 3 weeks, but the spray held.  I was pleasantly surprised and it didn't gum up my needle at all.
• I spent extra time on quilting this one and I'm so glad I did.  I think the quilting really makes it pop and was definitely worth it.  I need to keep that in mind for the next project.
• I highly recommend the book this pattern came from.  3 Times the Charm has 7 different patterns and shows each of them made up in 3 different fabric combinations.  Also, each quilt only requires a single charm pack and a small amount of yardage to make!

Until later...

Those who listen to instruction will prosper; those who trust the Lord will be joyful. 

Proverbs 16:20 (NLT)

How old do you feel?

Over the years I've learned that almost every one feels like they're 18 - on the inside.  Until something on the outside reminds us that's not the case.  This week, I've had 2 incidents that made me think about my age.

Last week I had an eye appointment with a new optometrist.  After the exam, he told me that my distance vision had improved some.  He then went on to explain that it wasn't uncommon for it to get a little better in people of a certain age and that I could expect my near vision to start going down hill within the next 5 years.  I should mention that this optometrist was probably 10 years younger than me.  I left the office feeling a bit decrepit...

Bananas Foster by The Pioneer Woman

The second incident happened a couple of days ago.  I found a new recipe for Bananas Foster on The Pioneer Woman's website.  The recipe calls for Dark Rum so I headed to my local ABC Store to purchase a bottle.  As I was checking out, the clerk carded me!  I showed him my license and said "I'm sure I look old enough to buy alcohol."  He replied, "Yeah, but you don't look 37 (my real age).  25 maybe, but not 37."  I had a smile on my face the rest of the day.  Of course, now I recall that he was a gentlemen of a certain age and perhaps his near vision isn't what it used to be...

P.S.  I made the Bananas Foster last night and it was delicious!

Until later...

But I am trusting you, O Lord, saying, "You are my God!" 

Psalm 31:14 (NLT)

Stash Report Week #33, 34, & 35...

August 13 - September 2, 2011

Wow!  3 weeks of stash reporting in one post.  It's a doozy for sure.  I don't even know if I'll be able to remember everything.  It's a problem when you're too sick to sew, but not too sick to press a few buttons here and there.  The internet makes it way too easy to buy fabric - even while incapacitated in bed.

Let's see what I can remember...

I bought a good bit of Jovial recently.  I have a king-size quilt, lap size throw and wall hanging all planned out of this fabric line - so of course, it requires a good bit of yardage.  Truthfully, I'm still waiting on the last bit of it to arrive in the mail, but here's what I bought so far...

First batch of Jovial fabric

Starting from the bottom, there's 2.25 yards of the black, 2 yards of the red and 1.25 yards of the green.

More Jovial Fabric

Again from the bottom, there's 1 yd of the black, 1 yd of the red, .75 yds of the circles, .75 yds of the presents and 1.25 yards of the green on top.

I also bought .75 yards of this Countdown to Christmas stripe to use as the binding on my Starry Eyed quilt.

Countdown to Christmas Red Stripe

During one of my weak moments online, I happened to see that Lisa from Stashmaster was selling some of her stash.  She had a bunch of Charm Packs for sale at a ridiculously low price.  So before I knew it, I sent her an email and purchased all of them.  Yep, you heard me right.  She had 21 left at the time and I bought every one of them.  Aren't they beautiful?

21 Different Charm Packs

When she sent the package, not only did it contain all those little Charm Packs, she also included this Moda Candy Bar...

Extra Goody from Lisa

It contains 4 different packs of Candy Bars.  In case you're not familiar with them, they're like half of a Charm Pack.  Instead of 5" squares, they contain 2.5" x 5" rectangles along with a project sheet.  I've always been tempted to buy one, but had thus far resisted.  So I was tinkled pink to get it in the mail.  (I was also having a rough day when it arrived and the package helped perk me up.)

I had to pull out my calculator to figure this up, but it looks like 28.25 yards total came in the last 3 weeks.  Boy, that really makes me wish I'd included all the fabric I gave away earlier this year in my stash report.  Without it, it's highly unlikely I'll make it back into the black.  Hmm, I wonder if it's too late to slip it in?

As for what I used, I finished several projects, but they were small and didn't account for a great deal of fabric.  First, I finished the quilt Around the Block.  I used 4 yards for the back and binding.

Around the Block

Then I completed the Stained Glass Quilt Peonies.  I figure I used about 3 yards for the entire thing.  It's difficult to really tell with all the leading in it.

Peonies

So...
Purchased-this-week: 28.25 yards
Used-this-week: 7 yards
Purchased-to-date: 307.5 yards
Used-to-date: 133.75 yards
Net used: -173.75 yards

We recently put out a humming bird feeder because Mr. Quilting Bug likes to watch the little creatures.  Of course, so do I!  They're so tiny and amazing.  Our cat Jack is fascinated by them as well and was waiting for one to come feed...

Jack and the Hummingbird Feeder

Until later...

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.  

Hebrews 11:1 (NRSV)

Peonies...

(I've mentioned before that I'm part of an online group called The Twelve of Us.  Every 6 weeks or so, one of the members picks a new technique for each of us to try.  We make something following the guidelines and mail our attempts to another member.)

The most recent challenge was to make a Stained Glass Fabric Project.  I'm calling my little quilt, Peonies, for obvious reasons...

Peonies - 21.5" x 27"

I have to say that I really enjoyed working on this quilt.  It's the first time I've tried this technique, but I definitely see myself doing it again in the future.  Also, all of the fabrics in this came from my stash.  In fact, the pink in the Peonies is fabric I hand dyed a couple of years ago.

Closeup of a Peony

If you've never tried this before, the technique is pretty straight forward.  I got my pattern from an old stained glass book I have.  (In a previous life, I used to make real stained glass pieces.)  I enlarged it to the size I wanted and traced it on to a piece of muslin slightly bigger then I wanted the finished piece...

Muslin Background

I traced the reverse of each piece of the pattern on to fusible webbing.  (I used Heat N Bond Lite.)  Then I fused them to the back of my fabrics. 

Fabric pieces with fusible on the back

Each piece was then fused to the muslin background...

Pieces fused to the background

Probably the most time consuming part of this project was adding the lead lines.  You can make your own leading using a bias tape maker, fusible bias tape and bias strips of black fabric, but it is much, much easier to use the pre-made stuff.  I attempted to make my own and ended up throwing it all in the garbage (a couple of hours and a few burnt fingers later).  Fortunately, JoAnn's sells the pre-made bias binding and better yet, you can use your coupons for it!

I used lots of pins to hold each piece in place before I ironed it down.

Pinning the bias tape in place

Another slightly tricky part of this is that every piece of leading should lie under another piece.  In other words, no unfinished ends should be visible.  So there's a definite order to putting this stuff down.  However, if you pay attention, you can figure it out.

All of the leading is in place, but before quilting

To quilt it, I sewed on either side of each and every piece of leading.  I used my walking foot and a size 70 needle.  Someone else suggested using a double needle, but I didn't try that and don't know if it would be easier or not.  It's something to consider next time.

Back of Peonies

The stats for this quilt are:

• Size: 21.5" x 27"
• Fabrics: From my stash - including the hand-dyed pinks
• Batting: Warm &White
• Thread: Aurifil 50 wt
• Pattern: House Tours II by Judy Miller (a stained glass pattern book)
• Quilting: Straight line
• Completed: August 30, 2011
• Recipient: Karen A. from The Twelve of Us

  

Peonies

Now that Sam has started taking Prozac, she's started sleeping with her toes splayed out.  It's weird, but cute...

Sam, taking a nap

Until later...

...let us go right into the presence of God with sincere hearts fully trusting him... 

Hebrews 10:22 (NLT)

Around the Block...

Hi everyone!  I'm finally back (hopefully for good).  My gallbladder is doing some better and I'm not having it taken out right now.  I'll just have to see if I have any more attacks in the future...

Before I got sick, I was close to finishing a few projects.  I've since managed to complete 2 of them and a third is close behind.  Just today, I finished putting the binding on a quilt I'm planning to donate.  It's already been washed and is now packed up with some others and ready to go in tomorrow's mail.  I'm calling this quilt Around the Block.

Around the Block

It's the third quilt I've made using this pattern and Dilly Dally fabric.  Hopefully the child that gets it finds it bright and cheerful.  I tried out another pantograph on it as well.  This one is called Stars and Ivy (I think).

Stars and Ivy Pantograph

To go along with the quilting, I made a coordinating label for the back.  In the past, I've left the label until the very end and then it was just something I threw on there.  I'm trying to be better about that and also to put it on before the quilt is quilted so it can't be removed.

Closeup of the quilt's label

On the one hand, I'm glad to have finished these quilts and to send them off to their new homes.  On the other hand, I really enjoyed working on them and will have to make a few more in the near future.  Although my next charity project will be making some more pillowcases for the Million Pillowcase Challenge.  I would imagine they must have had that many donated already but I expect there will always be a need (unfortunately).

The stats for this quilt are:

• Size: 48"x 60"
• Fabrics: Dilly Dally and Kona Cotton White for the top, Spring Fever for the backing and binding
• Batting: Warm &White
• Thread: Aurifil (piecing), Superior Threads White #401 for quilting
• Pattern: Spice Cakes by Pieces from My Heart
• Quilting: Stars and Ivy from the book Quilting Dot to Dot (18 passes, 3 bobbins)
• Completed: September 1, 2011
• Recipient: To be donated

All Around the Block

Moses kept me company while I was finishing this quilt today...

Moses, My Sewing Companion

Until later...

But I trust in your unfailing love. I will rejoice because you have rescued me. 

Psalm 13:5 (NLT)