Project Quilting 10.3

Project Quilting is beginning to remind me of am English class I took in college. We read three short stories each week and had a paper to write on our choice of stories.

Even though I would devour the stories, it would take me until lunch time the day the essays were due to crystallize my thoughts. (I aced the class, by the way… to each their own process. )

For the “bigger than a breadbox” challenge, I conceived and rejected a whole lot of ideas and finally settled on something I needed that was actually shaped like a bread box…a new sewing machine cover!

I already had a cover for one machine so it was high time I made another. (Machines can get so jealous. )

Here’s the first cover and I wanted them to match…sort of.

Many thanks to Kim and Trish for another fun challenge. My cover meets the challenge requirements at 10 x 18 inches and 8″ deep.

Linking this up and rushing to squeeze in some quilting time before work. Snow seems to have evaded us so no snow days looming ahead for me this week. I’m also working on my project for

I started with this

A pile of leftover geese and I’m excited to show you what I’ve come up with!

Happy quilting!

Beth

Project Quilting 10.2

Well, this one was tough… which surprised me. It took me until Friday to come up with a plan. I tried pulling all the red, white and blue scraps from the current scrap bag but nothing happened. My brain remained as blank as the look the cats give me when I tell them they’ll have to move off my project!

On the plus side, when I dumped the bag of scraps out, I could see signs of progress. It is exciting to see an end in sight. Maybe 10 more blocks? We’ll see soon! I decide to omit blue from my project except for a tiny bit in one of the prints and remembered buying these in Houston.

It didn’t take much to round up some red 2.5 inch strips to make more squares and I also had a 5″ square pack of Patrick Loose Lipstick prints. I cut several of those into 2.5 inch squares to add to the mix. There was and audition for borders…

And the winner was the one on the right. With only a third of a yard, I used almost every inch of it!

I looked through my batting scraps and found an existing frankenbatt that was just right. (Notice how small the pieces I save are… some are 2″ or so. )

I wrestled with Milo over who was in charge of this project.

I tried quilting concentric hearts on this one since I liked the look of spirals on my last one. I also used a bunch of leftover binding pieces to bind my quilt… everything but the white and the 5″ pieces were scrap. I finished after dark so I’ll try to get a better photo in the morning… here’s my Scrap Happy Heart!

Happy quilting!  Be sure to check out everyone’s creation over at PersimmonPersimmon Dreams Dreams!

Beth

Stringing Myself Along….

One of my goals this year was to sew every day and, I must admit, I’ve done pretty well. My mom came to visit through winter break so I decided to do a little hand applique. I managed to get a face on the second nutcracker in my Christmas Carol row along quilt. (The bells were my row. ) I also started trying to sew my way through a lovely bag of strings and bits. So far, I’ve got 22 9″ blocks so far and the bag looks just as full!!!

I even used a few of those scraps in my project quilting challenge quilt. The next two nights are “two job” nights (that’s when I leave for work by 7 am and get home around 10:30 pm) so I’ll be lucky to sew a couple strips each night. I’m really curious to see how many blocks are hiding in this bag….22 we’re sure of, maybe 3 times that? I can’t wait to see!

Happy quilting,

Beth

Oh, and I almost forgot… here’s the look I get when I suggest Gizmo needs to move so I can trim something.

Project Quilting Challenge 1

I love Project Quilting because it gives me a chance to stretch myself and forces me to prioritize some quilting time.

The theme was Hope Springs Eternal. I’m still focusing on using my scraps…optimistic as ever that I could make a dent. Some of the bits in this quilt came from the bag I’m trying to use up first.

And some came from my Bonnie Hunter scrap user system.  I tried to use a wash of color to   represent how hope pushes back darkness.

I was thinking of a pillow this time but my star decided (at 11 PM last night) that it really needed a small,  scrappy pieced border.   And then my sewing machine decided that it was going to have a tension issue.   So I plan B’d my way to a finish just before the deadline….because hope springs eternal!  And hers’s my barely finished in time quilt!

Linking this up to Persimmon Dreams!

Happy New Year!

I love New Year’s! A whole year of possibility ahead… no mistakes yet. Did I mention that I haven’t used my seam ripper all year? We made ribs today (which is an all- day process) along with all the sides and hard friends over. My mom is visiting and it’s super nice having her here. I feel quite lucky that my mom is someone I genuinely like spending time with. I have dubbed her, “Grandmother of Cats.” Here she is with Milo.

I’ve been nibbling at my pile of scraps, too, and three more blocks are done.

The bag, however, seems just as full.

I wonder how many blocks are hiding in those scraps?

Happy quilting!

Beth

Elephant Nibbles

I have scraps… lots of scraps… my own scraps, scraps I’ve acquired… lots of scraps. And I love my scraps! I love using them and seeing blocks emerge from the bits some might throw out. But this year I want to make a concentrated effort to utilize more of my scraps. So, I’m starting with this bag.

Griff is in the first one for scale.

I started last night on more string blocks.

I’m working with 9.5″ unfinished blocks so 100 of them will make a good-sized queen quilt. I was thinking 6×6 for a donor quilt. The smaller left over bits are going into crumb blocks. So far, the bag looks just as full…I wonder how many blocks until it shows any improvement? I’ll keep you posted!

In the meantime, there’s a fun project over at Just Wanna Quilt. We’re making 6.5″ (unfinished) blocks to make a quilt of blocks in common use (public domain.) I started the ball rolling with this block

We’re looking for blocks in the Just Wanna Quilt logo colors. We’d love to have as many people send a quilt block as possible. Hop over to Just Wanna Quilt and check it out. The podcasts are so much fun to listen to!

There’s everyone from famous quilters to regular quilters like me. 🙂

It’s nearly time for bed so I’m going to practice my daily stitching goal with a little hand applique before bed.

Happy quilting!

2019 Quilting Goals

Ah…New Year, new goals…or are they just the same goals over again? Either way, here are my goals…

1. Stash control… fold it, cut it, use it up… whatever…. just get it better organized!

2. UFO’s…. need I say more? Mine are in the triple- digit category and some of them need to come to light as finishes.

3. Yoga….I know it’s not strictly quilt related but more energy equals more quilts (and, besides, these are MY goals. )

4. Quality time… yep, I’m not using my time as wisely as I should. I want to spend a few minutes each day doing what I love even if that’s a hexie on my break at the second job or a quick 4- patch before bed.

5. Dare I even say this… I’m considering a “fabric and new project diet” this year. Except, of course, tea fabric and anything strictly necessary to finish a project. Oh, and I get to start new things for Project Quilting. So, I guess I’m going on a kinda-sorta diet maybe a little. Possibly. (I’ll keep you posted. )

6. Sewing room renovation. I’ve come a long way but it’s time to finish. There may even be a coat of paint on the horizon.

So, those are my goals….I feel a touch tired just thinking of them. I know, however, that 2019 has lots of potential to be a red- letter year!

Linking up to the #2019planningparty at Quilting Jet Girl.

What’s on your list for next year?

Merry Christmas

From my hectic home to yours…. Merry Christmas…

Just a wee bit of progress…

Oh, the holidays…I do love them but the whole 2-job, grading time, busy bees at the chocolate shop, trying to squeeze the season into the margins…and find time to quilt! (I’m not complaining here, really, because I love my crazy, busy life. ) It took me all week to get the last clue for Bonnie Hunter’s mystery quilt. I’m take the slow approach this year and really focusing on increasing my accuracy. Even after 35 years, there’s room to improve.

I made a dozen triangle units and then moved on to this week’s clue and made….wait for it…..2/3 of one set. Whew! That’s kinda hard to admit. But it’s ok. As the week goes on, I’ll try to steal more time to work on these while figuring out where the tree lights are and when to put them up.

In the meantime, I’m busy enjoying seeing everyone’s progress and sewing vicariously. Here’s a few pictures from our tree adventure on Saturday.

Hopefully, when it comes time for next week’s link up, the tree will be decorated and the gifts under it.

Happy quilting!

Beth

Good Fortune and More Houston Memories

Ok, I wasn’t gonna do it… I’m the queen of UFOs…. but it’s a Bonnie Hunter mystery! I had to scrounge every piece of orange I had around but I think I will be OK. (I added one whole piece of orange in Houston… sigh. ) I may still consider switching orange for something else but we’ll see. )

The first clue was easy little four patches. I decided to simply do a dozen at a time.

Now, part two of Houston… this was the most amazing array of quilts! I’ve tried to make sure each one has its attribution card.

I’ll add more later… there are even more beautiful quilts to share but now I’m going to quilt!

Happy quilting,

Beth