Design Wall Monday 5-12-2014

Good Morning All... or good afternoon ... or good evening!  I was able to make progress on several sewing fronts recently.  Here is where two projects currently stand. 

First, the sailboats. I didn't have enough fabric to cut both the top/bottom and both sides borders.  Darn that directional fabric.  I had to come up with a work around.  So each border will have some pinwheels in them.  I waited until Sharon came to double check my math.  Yesterday I got all the borders cut and the side borders are ready to sew on.  That will happen this week sometime. Rats, I just noticed I didn't align the pinwheels.  I think it looks better with the red blade going top to bottom so I guess I'll do a little ripping out and change the pinwheel on the left. Sigh.

Next up is more progress on the rail fence stars.  This is such an easy block although I'm noticing it is hard to get it really accurate. And yet, it isn't all that noticeable when put together.  Let me know if you would like a tutorial on this baby quilt.  It is easy and fast.  The one thing I would suggest is do NOT use directional fabric!  

I pulled out some old bow tie blocks yesterday and have enough to make a quilt. Country Piecemakers has added a nursing home to support with our charity quilts.  They don't need large ones, just big enough to cover laps especially for the folks in wheelchairs.  I for one look forward to using other fabric in my stash, rather than just the baby fabric.  My first one will be made from bow tie blocks that I've been making for years.  It used to be the block I would make as an ender.  I guess I got tired of it as now I use a second planned quilt as my ender.  

My goals all got met this week.  Of course, there weren't many on the list as Sharon and her hubby were down this weekend and I spent time trying to finish a quilt on Ruthie and get ready for the guild meeting on Saturday. 

Week of May 5, 2014

Finish curved piecing wall hanging√ oops I didn't even take a picture of it! 

Make BOM and write directions√

Finish quilting QOV quilt currently on Ruthie√

Work on the sailboat quilt√

Clean the house√

Week of May 12, 2014

Get borders on sailboat quilt

Make 2 Rainbow Scrap Color Challenge blocks

Finish rail fence star blocks & sew together

Load & quilt baby charity quilt on Ruthie

Load another QOV quilt on Ruthie

Make blocks for FCQ Equilters (2 different sets -- I’m behind!)

I'll leave you with a picture of Natalie wearing the shirt I made her for Easter.  The kids and grands stopped at our house on the way to North Carolina for the weekend. Jenny made the shorts which fit really well.  Unlike the shorts I made that didn't fit well at all!  Oh well.  It helps to have the person close by to fit the clothing to!  That's my excuse and I'm sticking with it!

Enjoy a cup of tea or coffee and browse Design Walls across the Internet.  You can start your journey at Patchwork Times. 

Happy Quilting All! 

Design Wall Monday 5-5-2014

My design wall is probably empty.  I haven't been in the studio since last Monday as I was out of town for most of last week.  So I snuck a picture of Sharon's little curved piecing wall hanging.  She finished it while I drove home yesterday.  I forget what the ruler she used was called. I know she has added two borders although one may actually be a flange.   But it made a cute block.  I'll take another picture of it this weekend when she comes to visit. (Yes, weird that we're seeing each other two weekends in a row... but that is how it worked.)  

And here are some of my purchases from the vendors at the quilt show. Yep, I didn't go all that wild.  I did buy a small kit for a wool pincushion and a birthday present that will remain hidden.  Hum, I guess it is time to unpack.  The two plastic bags are templates for the blocks shown.  I've tried to make that peaceful star block on the left and just didn't get it right.  I'm trying again with accurate templates.  (At least someday I will!) 

Surprisingly all of last week's goals were done!  (Ok, so I was very purposeful when I selected those goals!) 

Week of April 28, 2014

Go to Washington, DC√

Work the Faithful Circle Quilt Show√

Finish $10 & under items for the quilt show√

Give demo on Friday at show√

Lunch with Jenny and Sophie on Friday√

And what I hope to do this week. 

Week of May 5, 2014

Finish curved piecing wall hanging

Make BOM and write directions

Finish quilting QOV quilt currently on Ruthie

Work on the sail boat quilt

Clean the house

That's it for today.  I need to get in my studio and sew! Click on this Patchwork Times link and go visit design walls across the Internet. 

Happy Quilting All! 

FCQ Quilt Show Goodies

Hello from Columbia, Maryland! 

I'm staying with Sharon while we both work at the Faithful Circle Quilt Show.  Please stop by if you live in the DC area.  Visit the FCQ web page to get directions and details.  I heard that nearly (or was it over?) 300 quilts have been hung.  Plus we have vendors, demos and lots of opportunities to win stuff! Fun times! 

Here's a quick peek at a few of the quilts. 

You might recognize my owl quilt which is now owned by my granddaughter Natalie.

I thought this little fish quilt by Roma Knee was so creative.  This is part of the Dots for Tots challenge FCQ offered.  Anyone who wanted to participate was given a preselected group of polka dot fabric.  Remember my sailboat quilt? It's part of the challenge but it still needs its borders and quilting etc.  Here's a close up of the quilting Roma did on the fish. 

You can't  see the scales as well.  I was tickled with this quilt and think it would make a terrific kid's quilt.  I've been playing with drunkard's path blocks for the Throw Me a Curve challenge at Country Piecemakers.  The dp block isn't hard at all so I think there may be a fish in my future. 

If you are looking for my monthly fabric usage report I won't post it until I get back home.  I can give a quick recap though.  I didn't finish any quilt in April. NONE.  I did make several blocks for the monthly BOM but that is going to be it. I only bought 4 yards of which 3 yards was my short stack fabric by mail.  Hopefully I'll do much better in May! 

Happy Quilting All!