Great Granny Square Block

When I shared my Sew Sister bee blocks, I had not decided on May's block for Michelle.

She requested any block that had meaning for us....first block pattern ever made, a favorite block, a block we have always wanted to try, etc.  In the end I chose a great granny square block as we had collaborated on a great granny square quilt for our mom's 70th birthday.

that's better

All print fabrics are Cotton+Steel, Michelle's favorite fabric line.  Originally all the fabrics were selected as a representation of our childhood, but I goofed on the center block (see below).  Now the center block represents where we retreat annually; the kitties/tigers are kind of an inside joke between us.  I am terrified of cats (although there is an old picture of me holding a kitty) and refer to this print as a tiger.  Michelle loves cats and calls this print a kitty cat.  Of course, we played jacks and had viewfinders as children.  I went with Kona Robins Egg as the background which is another favorite of Michelle's.

oops....

Here is my original block where I didn't take into account this block is squared on point.  I unstitched the center section and recut those squares but did not have anymore Mississippi print.

making do 

I didn't want to waste that Mississippi block, so I incorporated it into a 6" block with more tiger fabric.

small size spiderweb block

Spiderweb blocks are a recent obsession, so I had to make one for Michelle.  I used this tutorial for assembling but changed the dimensions so the block measures 12" finished.

She has received her blocks now, and I'm so glad she likes them.  I can't wait to see what she does with the different blocks made for her.

Friday Finish: spiderweb pillow

It's been quiet here on the blog, but I'm here today and with a finish to share too.  Woo hoo!

spiderweb pillow

When I made my spiderweb quilt, I overestimated the number of wedges needed and have been using them as leaders and enders when piecing other blocks.  I'll put them on my design wall and rearrange them this way and that.  They brighten up my studio, but it's nice to now have them sewn together into a cute pillow.  

the back

Amy Butler LOVE fabric from my stash was used to make the envelope style pillow back.  One of these days, I'll add a binding when making a pillow.  It seems I'm always in a rush to finish though and tend to say "next time"....

gift making

This pillow will be put aside for a Christmas gift.  After last Christmas sneaking up on me (and the year before that and the year before....), I decided this year to make one gift a month so I would have at least twelve gifts come December 25th.

Linking up with Crazy Mom Quilts.  Have a wonderful weekend and Easter too!

Blogger's Quilt Festival: Fall 2014

It's time again for the Blogger's Quilt Festival hosted by Amy's Creative Side.  This deadline motivated me to finish my MCM Bee quilt....and the fact that my turn to be Queen Bee again is right around the corner!

"Intersections" spiderweb quilt

I asked my bee mates to make a spiderweb block with low value/volume background fabrics and bright scraps following the tutorial by House of A La Mode for piecing spiderweb blocks but requested they leave the wedges unassembled as I wanted to combine the wedges from my bee friends into making the spiderweb block from Jacquie's tutorial.  

spiderweb wedges made using House of A La Mode tutorial

Spiderweb block A

I then designed a layout with alternating spiderweb blocks and "filler" blocks.  These filler blocks only have strings on the outer sections of the wedge.  I love how this layout opens up the quilt giving your eye a place to rest in between the lovely-scrappy-craziness of the webs and actually makes the webs stand out. 

Filler Block B

closeup

This is my first time participating in an online quilting bee, and it's been the best experience!  I love these ladies who encourage and inspire.  I found myself getting quite emotional as each block was quilted, reminding me of this special group.   

blocks coming together

Even though I merged the wedges I received from my friends, I took photos of their block parts as they arrived so I could remember who made what.  I loved recognizing the fabrics and blocks.  Quite a few of these blocks were assembled at my summer quilting retreat, so some scraps were provided from my retreat friends which makes this quilt even more special.

Valori Wells Karavan on the back

The blocks made by me, the backing and binding all came from my stash.  My Valori Wells Karavan yardage is the perfect backing!  I pieced this cool elephant print with the signature blocks and a section of Valori Wells Nest.  The binding is from Connecting Threads. 

quilted with walking foot

The quilting idea was totally stolen from Crazy Mom Quilts!  However, she gave me the Aurifil #2600 in 50wt which was used for the piecing and the quilting.   Aurifil #1148 was used to hand stitch the binding.  That cute little purse came from Stitch Supply Co.

binding supplies

I named this quilt Intersections for a variety of reasons.  Scrap quilts are special because of the history behind those fabric pieces; whether given by friends, leftover from favorite quilt projects, cut from child's clothing or pulled from that prized stash fabric that you finally cut into, each strip of fabric tells a story.  This treasured quilt is a collaboration between friends who share a common passion and whose lives have intersected because of that common bond.  Thank you Anne, Carla, Carla, Cindy, Debbie, Deborah, Elizabeth, Linda, Mary, Mary,  and Susan!  I couldn't be happier with my quilt!!!

Intersections

Spiderweb Bee Quilt

Quilt Stats:  Each block measure 16"; Quilt finishes at 64" by 80" and it's all mine!!!

Thanks for stopping by!!!  I would be thrilled if you leave me a comment letting me know you dropped in.  Don't forget to see more of the festival here.

WiP Wednesday 9/22/14

I really like making these spiderweb blocks and love the way they look, but can I say I am ready to be finished?!!  I have a self-imposed deadline that is rapidly approaching.

four more

This past week I made progress on the filler blocks that are alternated with the spiderweb blocks.  The above picture shows a partial layout.  

ten blocks completed

Dear Jane blocks are now up to ten.  

charity quilt blocks

I haven't blogged yet about my Maker Faire Orlando weekend, but these quilt pairs are waiting to be assembled into a quilt for Habitat for Humanity.

four patches growing

I invited attendees to stitch a block using 5" denim squares and charm squares.  I was pleasantly surprised at the number of pairs sewn: all that I brought and enough for a twin size quilt!

Linking with Lee's WiP Wednesday.

Thanks for stopping by,

WiP Wednesday 9/17/14

I signed up for Rachel's Angled Camp and have immediately fallen behind as I knew I would.  That's OK because I have a plan ;-)

fabric pull

Here's the first fabric pull for the first class quilt Indian Blanket.

Golds?

I am undecided between using this combination with the golds or this combo with the greens.  

or Greens?

Whichever I choose for this row, I will use the other in another row.  Suggestions?

eight blocks so far

I'm making progress on my Dear Jane blocks and my spiderweb blocks.  

slow but steady progress

The Dear Jane is a long term project; my spiderweb quilt has a looming deadline.

Linking up with Lee's WiP Wednesday.  Thanks for stopping by,

WiP Wednesday 9/3/14

I had computer issues all weekend so did not get to sew as much as planned.  My Mac has a doctor's appointment with the Genius Bar later this week, and in the meantime I am taking photos and posting with my iPad.  Again, more progress on my spiderweb blocks.

spiderweb bee block

One more completely pieced spiderweb block....another spiderweb block with all its wedges ready for assembly...and a filler block also ready for assembly.  

I spy some scraps from a friend as well as some new fabrics

I like to wait until there are enough wedges to assemble several blocks - more design choices that way.  Since last week I can report two more web blocks and one more filler block.

filler blocks to go in between the spiderweb blocks

I pulled out my Dear Jane project from longer than I can remember and pieced two more blocks.  That makes all of four to date!  Only 220 more to go!

All four DJ blocks

If you didn't read my post yesterday, Frustrated Quilter, Live a Colorful Life and I have formed a support group (not exactly) for these type of projects.  They are making Tula Pink City Sampler blocks while I'm working on my DJ blocks.  Care to play along?  It's a customizable quilt along - Choose Your Own Blockalong - decide which quilt project and how many blocks per week you aim to make.  Easy!  Click on the links above to read their take on the blockalong.

crappy ipad photo

At this week's guild meeting, I'm dropping off the finished baby quilt made for the Michael Miller fabric challenge.  More info on last Friday's post in you're interested.  Here it is fresh out of the dryer.

Linking up with Lee.  Thanks for stopping by,

Rene'

WiP Wednesday 8/27/14

Progress is being made on my spider web blocks.  I was out of town all last week, but did manage to squeeze in some sewing time before I left.

filler blocks

 These are what I call the filler blocks that will alternate between the bee blocks.

leftover trianges

 I love the triangles that are created when trimming the blocks.

quilt basted

My Michael Miller quilt top is basted.

"In My Room" backing fabric from Jeneane Morrison

I also pieced the back as I didn't purchase as much of the backing fabric as I thought, adding the same shot cotton background fabric to the Jeneane Morrison fabric.

OrlandoMQG Sew Day is Saturday so more spider web blocks should be finished by next week's check in.

Linking up with Freshly Pieced.  Thanks for stopping by,

WiP Wednesday 8/12/14

Now that my bee blocks are all current, there are several projects in the works that need attention.  I'm thinking Lee's WiP Wednesday may help with accountability.

bee blocks from friends

I brought my spiderweb bee blocks to work on at Gruber's.  I assembled all the blocks made by my bee mates (I requested them unassembled so I could play around with layouts) and pieced them into giant blocks.

not the prettiest design wall but love my blocks

While at retreat, I also decided on a layout for the quilt and determined the total amount of blocks needed (quite a few more actually but not as many as pictured below!).  I cut and marked the necessary background blocks, prepped fabric strips and even managed to sew a few blocks.

layout designed with Touch Draw app

Now that I am home, I put all the blocks back up on my design wall, prepped more strips and am excited to get moving again on this quilt!

Michael Miller challenge needs quilting

My Michael Miller fabric challenge quilt top was started during a workshop with Jacquie Gering in June and finished at Gruber's.  It just needs to be basted and quilted.  I have already picked out the backing, thread color and quilt design.  This quilt is destined for a baby quilt charity drive.

Our guild is encouraging members to finish those old WiPs, so I need to get busy.  There are a lot more where these came from ;-)

Linking up with Freshly Pieced.

Thanks for stopping by and happy stitching,

Friday Finish: Spiderweb Mini

Yay, it's Friday, and yay, I have a finish!!!  It's been too long.  This mini was an Instagram Pay it Forward made for a friend.  It has been 99% complete for a while, and I was able to deliver it to her in person this week.

Notice a theme?

I discovered Julia loves Anna Maria Horner about the time I started working on her PIF which coincidentally was when the SewDown Nashville teachers (including Anna) were announced and I had just ordered some AMH fabric bundles.  I knew then that I wanted to make her something featuring Anna's fabrics.

  

the top

Also around that same time I was working on my MCM Bee spiderweb blocks and cut some of the background blocks too small.  This mini is a product of that happy mistake and the lovely coincidences.  There are one or two non AMH prints.  The background fabric is natural linen.

machine and hand quilted

I used Aurifil #5011 (which is the perfect color for this linen) 50wt to machine quilt the webs and then used Perle Cotton to do some hand stitching in the background areas.  With my sore wrist, it took a while to do the hand work.  I was determined to add that perle cotton stitching ever since running across this selvage quilt on Flickr.

The backing is a AMH fat quarter and the binding is a roll of ready made binding I purchased a while back from Lollipops.  These designer bindings are fun to have on hand for minis.

AMH mini quilt, mini pincushion, FQ and notepad

I also stitched up a mini pincushion and threw in a fat quarter.  The cute notepad was part of the swag given by Anna Maria Horner during her studio tour at SewDown.  Another happy coincidence is Julia won the giveaway of extra AMH swag at Wednesday's guild meeting.  

Our OrlandMQG is challenging its members to finish their WIPs.  This is the first one crossed off my list of 30+.  Whoo hoo!  Also linking up to Crazy Mom Quilts finish it up Friday.

Enjoy your weekend!