Design Wall Monday 10-13-2014

Not much going on except cutting scraps and cleaning off the cutting table this past week.  You can read about it here. 

I did get started on a couple of string blocks for a swap I'm in.  I have decided I won't sign up again next year as I have a horrible time keeping up with this group for some reason.  And, on the other hand I haven't gotten all the blocks due to me yet.  And, really, this is the main reason, I won't get around to making the quilt for months years. I enjoy my FCQ EQuilters so I will stay with them.  

Hum, the color is off.  These are MUCH brighter than this picture. I like the look of the block but every edge is on the bias once you cut them and sew the pieces back together.  I have a bit more to do on these and then they go in the mail to Christy. 

I started loading this quilt on Ruthie before retreat.  I would love to custom quilt this one as I really like it.  But the truth is, I haven't a clue how to custom quilt it with the new computerization.  So, I will be doing an edge to edge panto once I figure out what type of panto would look good. Any suggestions?  I'm probably going to buy a new one for it because I just don't have all that many of them. 

I didn't do very well on my goals last week.  But getting the cutting table cleaned off was well worth all the work with the added benefit of getting a bunch of scraps cut.

Week of October 6, 2014

Unpack projects and machine from retreat√

Stitch the second Grim Ripper√ buttonhole stitched but not quilted or bound.

Quilt something, anything, on Ruthie

Make a block for Christmas Favorites

Prepare for and attend Country Piecemaker’s meeting√

Clear off the cutting table and put away the scraps√√

Clean the studio 

Not as much is going to happen this week as I'm heading to Aimee and Kevin's house to help with Ellie while Aimee heads to South Korea.  Yep, I typed South  Korea.  She was invited to make a presentation at a conference there. I'll be getting Ellie to and from day care.  I'll bring a couple of UFOs to work on.  Plus I hope to go to a few fabric shops in the area. 

Week of October 13, 2014

Quilt sailboat quilt

Work on Easy Street

Put the last border on Carolina Christmas

Hang out with Kevin and Ellie while Aimee is traveling

Finish Grim Ripper
Bind the sailboat quilt

That's it for me.  Stop by Patchwork Times to find links to lots of different different Design Wall Monday posts. 

Happy Quilting All!  

A Clean Slate

When I returned from the retreat last week I knew I had to do something to my cutting table.  I had fabrics piled on the edges, around the front.  I was lucky if I could use a 9" ruler to cut anything. 

I buckled down and worked my way through lots of the scraps littered on both sides of the table.  The side closest to the ironing board I also cleared of all papers and miscellaneous tools and assorted junk items no longer being used. Unfortunately I didn't take any before pictures. But I've taken two pictures to show the after. 

First up is my collection of squares and strips after I cut for a couple of days.  I usually cut squares at 1 1/2", 2" and 2 1/2".  This time I added some 3", 3 1/2", 4", 5" and maybe up to 6 1/2"  I have a shoe box I keep squares at 3 1/2" and bigger in.  My main strip sizes are 1 1/2", 2" and 2 1/2".  Again, I have a shoe box with 3 and 3 1/2" strips in it.  This cutting of scraps was made much easier by my purchase of a Gypsy Little Gripper. It was amazing to me how easy it was to position the ruler over the odd sizes of fabric I was using.  I found it at a quilt store near where we were retreating.  

When I am making blocks for the FCQ Equilters or block of the month lottery blocks I check my cut up squares and strips first.  Sometimes I can find what I want.  Other times I go to my fat quarter stash.  Because I have a long row of bookcases on a short wall I can use the top of the bookcases for my fat quarters.  I keep them folded, by color in baskets and box tops.  I have way too many fabrics there and I keep trying to use up some and thus need less box tops of baskets but it doesn't seem to work.  I still have some fat quarters and bits and pieces of fabric I can not put in the containers.  Sigh.  Maybe another scrap quilt should be in my future. Oh, wait, I did just start a new one.  

Look at that wonderful expanse of clean cutting mat!  All of the things I like close by -- pin cushion, note pads, pens and pencils, and my chicken cushion for bigger pins are ready to go.  

Now to pick a quilt to work on.  And, may be, may be, I can keep this picked up better.  I'm not showing you the other side which was fairly well cleared of scraps at the same time but now hold vintage sheets, little girl's shirts and boxes of strips from the quilt guild.  Sigh. 

Happy Quilting All!  Is it time to clean off your cutting table? 

Design Wall Monday 10-6-14

Sniff!  Retreat is over for another year.  And we all had a fabulous time. 

Here's what I worked on. . . 

This is Carolina Christmas, Bonnie Hunter's yearly mystery for 2009.  I started it sometime in December of that year.  I have worked on it off and on for the last few years.  At the June retreat I got the center blocks all together and started making the pieced blocks for the border. I finished all of the border blocks once I got home.  I was able to put on the small inner border and get three of the four borders together at this retreat.  Hopefully, I won't wait for the next retreat to do the last border.  I was tired and making mistakes by the time I got this far.  I thought I hadn't pieced enough of the border blocks to finish this but I might have enough once I look at it again.  Thank goodness for photos -- I have the top left corner block turned wrong.  Sigh.  This may be a top by the end of this month.  In fact, if I were clever, I would have the thing quilted and bound by the end of the month but I have a lot going on this month so we'll see. 

Winston is one of the three wild dogs that I buttonhole stitched around the edges.  He has some eyes and other small details that will be added once I get the top together and quilted.  I've now finished all the appliquéing and I'm ready to sash them.  I bought fabric to do that but need to figure out if I have everything I need to finish the top.  

I didn't put much on my weekly goals because I knew I would be spending most of my time preparing and packing projects for the retreat.  

Week of September 22, 2014

Hair cut √

Prep last 2 wild dogs√

Cut background for new scrap quilt √

Cut blocks for Christmas favorites √

Attend Country Piecemakers Retreat!! √

Get to Amish store to buy licorice and glass chimney for candle sticks√

Visit Patchwork Plus √

And for this week... pretty low key as I rest up and clean up from the retreat.

Week of October 6, 2014

Unpack projects and machine from retreat

Stitch the second Grim Ripper

Quilt something, anything, on Ruthie

Make a block for Christmas Favorites

Prepare for and attend Country Piecemaker’s meeting

Clear off the cutting table and put away the scraps

Clean the studio

I learned something this weekend.  My car can accommodate three gals and supplies for a 4 day, 3 night retreat. I got very good using my side mirrors! 

Visit Patchwork Times if you want to see Design Walls Across the Internet. 

Happy Quilting All!