Sew & Tell Friday #28

These Dear Jane blocks are addictive!  If I hadn't spent the first half of the week sick in bed, imagine how many I could have finished.

At least I completed the first seven blocks assigned for my Dear Jane class.  Laura selected a variety of pieced, appliqued and paper pieced for our first assignment due in two weeks.  Awhile back, I graphed out the color layout of my DJ quilt.  I plan to follow Jane's original around the world color scheme but with fresh and modern fabrics.

This one is I-8, paper pieced, and the first one I made.  I am going to redo this one.  I didn't realize Laura's sample picture (which I followed) had the darks and lights opposite of Jane's.  The fabric is some that I had won in a giveaway.  It is part of the Wildflowers line from Heather of Anka's Treasures.  

Here is A-6, one of the easier pieced blocks.  I really like this fabric but can't remember where it came from.

Another pieced block,  A-8.  Picnic Parade is the fabric.

I need to redo this block as well.  My 1/4 inch seams must have been too scant, because the block is too big.  I can't trim it anymore without losing the points.  This I-2 block was made with leftover Verna.

 Plume by Tula Pink was used for B-1.  I left my thread tails long as instructed by Laura.  I just can't remember exactly what she said about pulling the back threads up and tying them off?  

Another applique block with threads still attached.  A-7 made with leftover Sorbet (I think).

Another Tula Pink Plume applique block, I-5.

Remember a long time ago when I said I was going to do a liberated Dear Jane?  That was mainly because I didn't think I could ever do paper piecing ;-)  My revised plan is to make two sets of DJ blocks:  one set with instructions given in my class....second set just winging it liberated.

I only had time to make one liberated from this group:  A-6 with more Tula Pink Plume.

Don't forget to head over to Amy's and see all the Sew and Tell finishes.

Have an amazing weekend!!!

I'm Back

You can't imagine how glad I am to be back!  That flu bug just knocked me on my butt.  Thank you for all the get well wishes sent my way.  It warms my heart!

Receiving this cute Heather Ross fabric in the mail sure helped my recovery.  My first fabric purchase from ebay.  I blame it all on Angela ;-)

Being sick, I didn't get a chance to tell you about Friday's Dear Jane class at Material Girl.  I really need to devote an entire post, but here is a quick run down.  Our wonderful teacher is Laura.  She gave us patterns and directions for seven blocks...all due in two weeks.  No worries...I don't have any other projects to work on ;-)

Thanks to Laura's fabulous instructions and tips, I was finally successful in paper piecing...something I didn't think would ever happen.  It's not perfect, but it's a great start.  Hopefully, I will have some finished blocks to share for tomorrow's Sew and Tell.

I enjoyed meeting my classmates Sue, Sandy, Doris (not in picture), Lynn and Kathy - a fun bunch of gals.  I took the opportunity to shamelessly plug the equally fun Orlando Modern Quilt Guild with the hope that they will consider joining us.

Speaking of which, did you see Jacquie's article about The Modern Quilt Guild on Sew Mama Sew?  Check it out.  You'll even see a picture of the lovely ladies from the Orlando guild.

Have an amazing day!!!

Sick Leave

I hope to join the world of the living in a few days.  In the meantime, I am home in bed trying to get rid of the flu.

See you soon.

Have an amazing day!!

Sew & Tell Friday #27

All week I have been sewing pinwheel and hexagon blocks trying to catch up on my quilt alongs.  Yesterday, I tried to think of something to make and share for Sew & Tell Friday.  Ever since seeing Amanda Jean's ticker tape quilt, I have been wanting to make one.

Recently, Angela showed pictures from her Ticker Tape Workshop at the Chicago Modern Quilt Guild.  They looked like they were having so much fun, I wanted to play too ;-)  The above picture is one of the tops I assembled from my scraps.  It is basted and ready to quilt.

I made two.  While digging through my scraps, I found a bunch of fabrics purchased in Montana, and I thought a themed ticker tape quilt was in order.  This one has already been quilted.  It just needs the binding.

I just love this cowboy and cowgirl pair!  I can't tell you how many yards of this fabric I own.  This is from the line of fabric I used for my daughter's Cowgirl quilt.  

Here is another cute cowgirl.  This little quilt will be traveling with me to Montana this summer.

Don't forget to visit all the other Sew and Tell participants.

Have an amazing weekend!!!!

Hexagons...finally

After unsuccessfully trying to figure out a hexagon quilt design myself, I was thrilled to see Julie's Hexagon Quilt Along pop up over at Old Red Barn Quilt Company.

The instructions seemed straight forward enough.  Sew sets of two strips of jelly rolls.  She gave instructions for cutting the triangles using three types of rulers.  I went with the mack daddy cool looking 60º Double-Strip Equilateral Triangle Ruler.  This being the first time making hexagons I figured I could use all the help I could get.

I don't know if it was the fancy dancy ruler, but these were pretty easy to figure out.  They look pretty cool, don't you think?   

Above is the suggested layout of Block 1. 

 This is the layout that Julie used to make her original hexagon quilt.  I really think this layout is pretty cool too.  I went back and forth until finally deciding which one to use.

I had enough triangles to make ten blocks.  Here are the two halves....waiting for further instructions.

One more picture...just because ;-)  

Keeping up with the hexagon quilt along is my goal #1 of Jacquie's Spring to Finish Challenge 2010.

Have an amazing day!!!

Wonderful Wednesday!

Still working on scanning old photos.

I am planning to spend another Wednesday at my favorite book store.  It's a great place to hide with  my laptop and get some paperwork done.

Have an amazing day!!!

Just What I Need...

...another challenge!  This challenge, however, is not about starting a new project but about finishing projects.  So I am joining Jacquie's Spring to Finish Challenge 2010.

This is my list of goals I posted on Jacquie's post:

1) Keep up with the hexagon quilt a long
2) Keep up with the pinwheel sampler quilt a long
3) Quilt and bind Liberated Amish quilt
4) Quilt and bind baby boy quilt
5) Quilt and bind Charity "100 block" quilt
6) Label, register and mail AAQI Peace quilt
7) Start snowman embroidery block of the month

I completed all my pinwheel sampler blocks, so until Rachel posts the next set of instructions, I'm OK with #2.

Tomorrow, I plan to get started on the hexagon quilt along mentioned in #1.  

I forgot to show a picture of this great label Beth made for me.  She digitized our guild logo and embroidered my name.  I plan to incorporate the label into my guild badge.  I guess I should have added that to my spring to finish list.

What projects do you hope to finish?

Have an amazing day!!!

Sew Day

Saturday was Orlando Modern Quilt Guild's second Sew Day.  This location was sooo much better than the first.  We had plenty of room, light and, most importantly, electrical outlets!

Kathryn worked some on her pink house quilt and then brought out this beauty to work on.  This is all hand stitched!  Even when looking at this up close, you can not see her stitches!!!  Incredible!

Beth brought two machines.  While one machine was embroidering this gorgeous family tree,

Beth pieced the backing for her rainbow quilt.  I love how she just used the stripes on two sides.

Clare finished this quilt for a friend.  I love these fabrics!  She used the tutorial Beth gave at our guild meeting for her binding.  Clare even had time to start P.S. I Quilt's scruffily quilt.

Jodie worked on her Red Pepper Quilts hour glass blocks.  Jodie has quite an eye for choosing the perfect designer fabrics for her projects.  We were drooling over her Hunky Dory.

Jodie also marked and sewed blocks into half square triangles for another pinwheel quilt.

I completed my pinwheel sampler blocks....just in time for Week 8's block instructions to be posted.

I did not start, much less complete, the five other projects I brought to Sew Day!!!  Where does the time go?  I have to say, this group is the best!  In addition to sewing, we discussed best places to buy fabric; we compared online shops as far as the best service, quickest shipping, lowest prices; there was some fabric swapping; bartering deals were made; charity projects discussed; and quilting tips were shared!  Can't wait for next month!  If you are in the area, check us out.

Have an amazing day!!!

Sew & Tell Friday #26

This week I've been sewing my pinwheel blocks that are {gasp} several weeks behind.

That didn't leave much time for other projects.  But I wasn't about to miss participating in Sew and Tell Friday!

With leftover fabrics from the Feeling Groovy quilt, I made a mini for AAQI.  This is a much smaller, much easier version of a peace sign ;-)  You'll notice that the fabric placement is reversed:  here the peace sign is in purple batiks and the background is the various colors.  

I tried some new techniques:  the peace sign is reverse applique, and I used a glue stick on the back instead of fusible web.  I zigzagged with a variegated thread on top.

Here is the back.  You can see I had purple thread in the bobbin.  I like the way the peace sign stands out on the back.  If I had used the variegated thread in the bobbin, I'm not so sure the peace sign would be visible.  I also machine stitched my binding using a zig zag stitch.

Head on over to Amy's place for all the Sew and Tell Friday posts.

Have an amazing day!!!

Catching Up

I have a lot of catching up to do, quilt wise.  I'm not going to make a list because it would be too long.  I will say that Rachel has posted Blocks 1 through 7 of the Pinwheel Sampler Quilt Along, and I have only completed Blocks 1 through 3.

Time was spent with my rotary cutter, mat, ruler and fabric preparing for Blocks 4-7.  Neat piles of fabric are waiting to be sewn into these fabulous pinwheels.

I only managed to completely piece Block 4 - times two.

Here they are side by side.  Can you guess which is my favorite?

Block Five is under construction.

These quilty bookmarks were calling my name at JoAnn's.  Aren't they cute?  Wouldn't they make great door prizes or gifts for quilting friends?

Have an amazing day!!!  Gotta get back to those pinwheels.