Quilting and Stuff by Knitnoid

Moving to WordPress

2009-12-30T21:39:00.002-06:00

Come visit my new blog at knitnoid.wordpress.com

A year ago I first starting blogging about my quilting to participate in Judy's Stash Reports over at Patchwork Times. I knew nothing about the various blogs tools which were available and so, essentially picked one at random. Blogger is easy to use and is some what intuitive. It was a great tool for my first attempts at blogging.

However, over the year I've needed a place where I could post a PDF file for a mystery quilt and I really like the idea of pages. It wasn't until I was working with my husband on his webpage (www.tedavara.com) that I found I could get both of these things in a single location -- a WordPress blog.

It's not intuitive as Blogger, but then it seems to have more features. So, moveing forward, I'll be blogging at http://knitnoid.wordpress.com/. I'll leave this blog up as there are all sorts of links to it -- Judy's Design Wall Monday & Sunday Stash Report are the two biggest.

All of my posts and the comments which have been left for me have been imported into the new blog, but the links back to previous posts point back here. So come visit me at my new internet home and let me know what you think. It's still a work in progress.

What's On My Design Wall? - 12/28

2009-12-28T11:58:00.003-06:00

Another week where I am recycling an old photo. There's nothing on my design wall this morning.

I finished Raising Cane yesterday and I don't want to start anything new. Not that I don't have plenty to work on. My goals for the rest of the year are to get the borders on Ladder to the Stars and finish the rest of those seams on the DWR. I'm not sure what's up with the DWR.

So last night, instead of doing either of these tasks, or even working on step 3 of Carolina Christmas I was playing with WordPress to see if I would like it better than Blogger. I like the idea of pages and with WordPress I can upload PDF files. So this may be my last Design Wall post from Blogger.

But I will not work on it any more until I get the DWR ready to baste! Keep reminding me of this. I really want this quilt on our bed by the end of November.

Check out what everyone else has on their design wall this last week of 2009 over at Judy's blog.

Raising Cane - A Dorothy Young Mystery Quilt

2009-12-27T13:58:00.007-06:00

This morning I added the borders to Raising Cane.

Originally, I had a beautiful butterfly print for the border, but it just wasn't working when I finished the center of the quilt. Then I remembered a stripe fabric I bought that didn't work for it's intended purpose. It was perfect. The top now sings.

While I was debating the border, I finished up Part 2 of Carolina Christmas.

Stash Report Week # 52

2009-12-27T10:31:00.003-06:00

Well, here it is my final stash busting report of the year. I started these reports to play along with Judy at Patchwork Times and to see exactly how much fabric was coming into the house and then being used. While I was at it I tracked all of my expenditures -- thread, patterns, notions, classes, etc. I must say it's been an eye opener.

This past week I had fabric coming in and going out. My LQS had a 40% off coupon -- first one I think I've ever seen in 5 year. So, I bought 6 yards of bright white on white. I'll use it to finish up Carolina Christmas and then put whatever is left back in the stash. Along with the WOW I was given a Civil War charm pack. So 6.69 yards in this week.

I didn't quite use as much as I brought in this week. I made a baby quilt from Dorothy Young's current mystery quilt Raising Cane. Two more borders and then I have top and 2 yards out of my stash. This week I also made a pillowcase, bound two labels (didn't discover the error until I started to put it on the quilt), and I'm counting the fabric I've used so far in my leader/ender project Oklahoma Backroads. In all that's just shy of 5 1/2 yards.

Fabric Added this Week: 6.69 yards
Fabric Added to Date: 289.273 yards

Fabric Used this Week: 5.487 yards
Fabric Used to Date: 114.263 yards

Net Stash: +283.786 yards

It doesn't look like it, but I was more selective in my purchases. I can only think of two or three yards of fabric (or FQ equivalent) that I bought just because I liked it. Most of my purchases were either everything I needed to make a quilt (which I still haven't done) or to finish something I was working on. The rest of the inbound number is the result of generous friends who know I love making scrap quilts and they where cleaning out their own stash. It's taken 24 years, but my husband has finally said "no more fabric". And I agree, until I get some of what I have worked up. Then, we'll see.

Merry Christmas, Snow and Wind-Up for the Weekend Quilting

2009-12-25T17:53:00.008-06:00

Merry Christmas!

A blizzard was predicted so instead of venturing out to my mom's and brother's for Christmas, my husband and I stayed home and called our families today. Looking out the front window the roads don't seem too bad, but then I watched the weather report and last night's storm is supposedly going to whip around and get us again.

We are considering ourselves snowed in (we could get out if we had to, but are choosing not to get out on the roads), I'm working on a couple of quilts. The pink, yellow, lavender and butterflies is Raising Cane, a Dorothy Young mystery. This is up through step 8 which is the last step posted so far. I have no idea where this is going and can't wait to see the finished quilt.

The pink on the bottom right are my 'bonus HST'. The dark fabric is what I'm using as my leader/ender project. They are for Oklahoma Backroads, a Bonnie Hunter quilt. I've got the 4-patches made and I'm 1/4 of the way through the 'picket fence' pieces.

Since I'm waiting on clues, I can either baste the music quilt together and start quilting it, or go back to Carolina Christmas. I finally decided that I really want to finish Carolina Christmas with the bright white instead of off white. So, I bought 6 yards of a bright white on white. I think it's more than I need for this quilt, but since I only have the two pieces I'm saving for my redwork snowmen, I could use some WOW in my stash. I'd like to get both Carolina Christmas and Raising Cane to the top stage, so I'm leaning toward more piecing.

Tamara at tamara quilts is starting a Wind-up for the Weekend Mr. Linky to see what everyone is planing on working on over the weekend. I'm going to play along - of course it will be interesting to see what actually gets done because I'm a great one to plan one thing and do something else entirely.

Stacked 4-Patch Race Cars

2009-12-24T19:26:00.004-06:00

Another UFO finished in 2009. This is "Race Cars". In 2008 I taught the 4-Patch Stacked Posies and this was my class sampler. Finished it measures 47 x 59.

I hope everyone is having a safe and Merry Christmas.

A Start & Finish in One Night

2009-12-24T00:15:00.004-06:00

Ok, it's not a quilt, but it is fabric out of my stash! A while back a friend gave me a pillowcase kit and as simple as pillow cases are to make (although I make them harder encasing all seams) I simply had not gotten around to making this up. So tonight after shopping for what seemed like hours (wait, it was hours -- not that we bought a whole lot), this was all my brain could handle.

Before we left for shopping, I finished binding the 4-Patch Race Car quilt. I need to put the label on it and wash it, then I'll get a picture posted.

What's On My Design Wall? - 12/21

2009-12-21T08:32:00.003-06:00

I am recycling an old photo. There's nothing on my design wall this morning.

Today I hope to finish the quilting on the 4-Patch Race Car quilt. I had tension issues yesterday and ended up ripping out everything I put in. Once that's done, I have a pillowcase to make, and maybe one of those bulletin boards with ribbon.

Nothing like last minute quilting.

Check out other design walls over at Patchwork Times.

Stash Report Week # 51

2009-12-20T02:03:00.003-06:00

Finished the back to the music quilt and I made the back and cut the binding for the 4-patch Race Cars. I'm going to try and get it quilted today. Nothing fancy, diagonal stitching through the squares and cornerstones. I'm not sure what I'll do in the border.

Fabric Added this Week: 0 yards
Fabric Added to Date: 282.583 yards

Fabric Used this Week: 3.35 yards
Fabric Used to Date: 108.776 yards

Net Stash: +173.807 yards

See how everyone else is doing with their stash over at Judy's blog at Patchwork Times.

Half a Back - Part 2

2009-12-19T19:05:00.003-06:00

The second half of the backing is now done. Just one more seam then I have to figure out how I'm going to quilt it. If the weather holds I'll take it out side tomorrow to get a picture of the entire back.

Half a Back

2009-12-17T14:35:00.003-06:00

This week I'm off from work. I thought I would have a whole week to do nothing but quilt, but it's not turning out like that. Monday morning I went with my mom to what was supposed to be a simple hour or hour and a half appointment. It turned out to not be so simple and Monday became an all day affair and it rolled into Tuesday and Wednesday. It's not over yet, but I am grateful I have the time off from work to help her.

So, today is the first that I've gotten any quilting done. That's not to say I didn't sit at my sewing machine and pretend to piece earlier in the week. I say pretend because I couldn't concentrate and everything I did sew I ended up ripping out. Just how hard is it to thread a sewing machine? Or sew a 1/4" seam?

Anyway, I've finally got the first six rows of the back to the Music quilt pieced together. After explaining how I pin my rows so I don't get them out of order, I got the last two pieces of the last row switched and had to rip them out. In my defense, earlier this week I picked them up off the floor without pinning them, thinking I'd lay them back out before sewing. Instead I put them on my ironing board in order - or so I thought. Since they weren't next to the previous row, I didn't see my mistake. In fact, I didn't see the mistake until I was pressing the row. But hey -- if that's the only problem I've to this point, I'm happy.

My nephew's Christmas program is this evening, so as soon as my husband gets home we are going out to my mom's and brother's. The guys are going to hook up a DVD writer and install some software so they can transfer home videos to DVDs. I'll work with Mom on the paper work she needs to fill out and then we'll have dinner before the program.

Tomorrow I'm quilting!

Music Star Top - Revisited

2009-12-14T17:16:00.005-06:00

This is the top or front of the quilt that I'm currently piecing the backing to. There are 168 different pieces of music themed fabric in this top. Admittedly some are simply color variations such as Column 4 Row 3 and Column 8 Row 4 or Column 1 Row 5 and Column 14 Row 6. Black & White prints vs Color Prints. Column 1 Row 2 & Column 10 Row 5; is a bit trickier. Since it had multiple images scattered on it, I was able to grab two different images so it is not just the color that makes a difference.

There is also a piece of fabric I printed that no one else will have. Doesn't look like much in the picture (Row 6 Column 8), but it's a print of a scan of one of my husband's original compositions - Large Egg Rag. You can hear it here.

What's On My Design Wall? - 12/14

2009-12-14T07:30:00.001-06:00

This week it's my Design Floor. The design wall is only 60 x 80, so it simply won't work for this project. This is the backing for Music Star. Each large square finishes at 10 inches, so the backing will be about 90 x 110 when I finish it. The first 3 rows are sewn together and the next 3 are waiting to be sewn. I hope when it is finished it is a pretty day out so I can get a picture of the entire backing.

To help me keep my place as I pick up each row to sew, I've taken some of my flat head pins and written numbers on them with a permanent marker. These go in the top left corner of the odd # block. Then I flip the next block over on top of it and pin the right edge at the top to show me where the seam is supposed to go. I do this down on the floor so when I get to the sewing machine I don't get the blocks out of order - or more accurately put them back in the correct order. So far, it has worked well.

Check out other design walls by visiting Patchwork Times.

Stash Report Week # 50

2009-12-13T10:49:00.006-06:00

This week I didn't sit at my sewing machine very much. I find that after a finish, whether it's a complete quilt, or a top, I tend to need a break. It's not that I don't have plenty on my list that I want to do - like finish the last few seams on DWR - but that it ends up becoming a chore and quilting is supposed to be fun. So once I finished the Autumn Splendor top on Monday, I read a couple of Lynn Kurland's books.

Sometime this week I pulled out my music fabrics and started thinking about the back of the Music Star quilt top. Naturally the back is going to music as well. After all I conservatively STILL have 40 yards of music fabric. I based my calculation on the 156 unique fabrics in the quilt top -- I had to buy at least a FQ and frequently bought more. However it's probably closer to 90 yards since the music fabric is stored in 2 drawers about the size of my fabric boxes and they are stuffed. My fabric boxes can hold 45 yards of fabric. Of course since I made the top, I've bought or was given a few more FQs and I didn't use every fabric I had in the top.

Anyway, I'm making the back ala' Bonnie Hunter (scroll to the bottom of the page). So Friday after dinner with the girls, I started cutting 10 1/2" squares, one from each piece of music fabric. I've got a few pieces which won't work as 10 1/2" squares such as this border print called Marching Band (It's Pattern # 2923 from Andover Fabrics and was designed by Gail Kessler).

I love this print, and searched the Kansas City area for it when it came out. That was the year of the Iowa Road Trip (13 stores in 3 days). I found it on our last day at Quilting Connection in Ames, Iowa. I bought 1 yard of it then. I've since bought a 2 yard piece mail order. Other than going into the Music Quilt I didn't know how I was going to use it. I cut one strip that didn't quite finish at 10 x 40 so I pieced a couple of squares to make it work. (Any ideas for how to use the rest of the fabric?)

This panel is another pieces that didn't fit.

I'm adding a couple of fabrics not already used in the back to it to make it finish at 20 x 30.

When it's all said and done, I'll need the equivalent of 99 10 1/2" squares. I managed to get 91 cut Friday and Saturday.

So if you've made it this far, here is my stash report for the week.

Fabric Added this Week: .25 yards
Fabric Added to Date: 282.583 yards

Fabric Used this Week: 9 yards
Fabric Used to Date: 105.426 yards

Net Stash: +177.157 yards

See how everyone else is doing with their stash over at Judy's blog at Patchwork Times.

P.S. That Snowflake FQ is for the Guild Christmas Party tomorrow. It's the first thing I've bought in 5 weeks.

Autumn Splendor Top is Done

2009-12-07T22:03:00.003-06:00

Cross one thing off my December quilting list. I just finished the borders for Autumn Splendor. The binding is also made. This is from the pattern Crazy Eights by Bits 'n Pieces. I used 12 FQs instead of 8 and added borders. The top measures 63 x 78.

I Must be Crazy

2009-12-07T20:11:00.005-06:00

I just found out that Dorothy Young is doing a Christmas Mystery called Raising Cane. I've made several of her mystery quilts - Spring Breeze, Diamond Links and The Chain Event and have loved all of the quilts/tops. (Only have Spring Breeze Quilted). I'm in the middle of Carolina Christmas and I know everyone thinks I'm crazy with the list of quilting stuff I'd like to get done by the end of the month.

I must be crazy is the only explanation I have for why I'm even considering starting a new quilt before the end of the month.

What's On My Design Wall? - 12/7

2009-12-07T12:15:00.001-06:00

I took my swap blocks down Saturday, so there wasn't anything on the wall until I put Autumn Splendor up there for a photo shoot. Yesterday I finished sewing on the inner borders, and then cut the fabric for the outer borders binding. That's 2 of my 4 yards to get me to 100 yards used for the year.

See whatever one else has on their design walls by following the links over on Judy's blog.

Stash Report Week # 49

2009-12-05T23:45:00.002-06:00

This week I cut the fabric for Part 2 of Carolina Christmas. No other fabric out and no fabric in. That makes it 5 weeks since I brought any fabric into the house. I might just hit 100 yards out before the end of the year.

Fabric Added this Week: 0 yards
Fabric Added to Date: 282.333 yards

Fabric Used this Week: 3 yards
Fabric Used to Date: 96.426 yards

Net Stash: +185.907 yards

Check out how everyone else is doing over at Patchwork Times.

December 2009 Quilting Goals

2009-12-05T21:05:00.005-06:00

Here's a quick recap of November Goals first:

* Keep up with the SBS BOW - no
* Finish the hand quilting on Josh's Quilt - Finished and given!
* Finish piecing the DWR - no (why haven't I got this done?)
* Complete Finishing Instructions for large Kansas Spirit BOM - finished (technically in December)
* Keep Scraps Cut Up - yes

I've gone back over my goals that I've listed over the year both here on my blog and on the Quilt in a Day Forum. After a review here's the list of what I didn't get done that I'd like to see done by the end of the year.

* Get the DWR on the quilt frame and quilt 11 rings by the end of the year.
* Get the borders on Autumn Splendor
* Get the borders on Ladder to the Stars
* Catch up on November's SBS Blocks (D1, E4, M7, B3 & J5)
* Complete the quilting on my Green and Cream swap blocks (quilting in sections)
* Prep the applique for a quilt so I have handwork
* Quilt a baby quilt
* Keep Scraps Cut Up

If that is not enough, I'd like to get the backing pieced to my DH's music quilt. That will push me over 100 yards of fabric used this year.

I must be crazy. Even with 2 weeks of vacation I'm not certain I can get all of this done.

Missing Recipe - Found

2009-12-05T14:07:00.004-06:00

Earlier this year I found an awesome cinnamon bread recipe on the web. It made 3 cute little loafs. I'm not much of a bread maker, but this recipe looked, so much so, I went out and bought these 3 small pans. They are about 4 x 7 edge to edge. The bread was yummy.

Now I can't find the recipe! I printed it off, so you would think it would be in my recipe drawer, but it's not. About the only thing I remember is that I found it reading a blog and that the blogger recommended Saigon Cinnamon. Is this ringing a bell with anyone?

Well, I'm going to search some more, now that I've remembered the the detail about the cinnamon and then do a bit of sewing.

9:20 - I finally remembered where I found the recipe. The Quilt in a Day forums. I searched for Saigon and found the thread. Once there I searched again for Saigon and found the recipe.

Carolina Christmas - On Temporary Hold

2009-12-03T12:30:00.001-06:00

Ok -- I peeked at Clue # 3 even though I haven't finished sewing Clue # 2. Boy am I glad I did.

Since I'm using "clear" pinks and blues, I opted for a bright white on white for the background. Thinking I needed 2 yards, I pulled everything from my boxes and just barely had enough. I thought I was going to have to cut into my snowflakes and snowmen that I'm saving for my redwork snowmen quilt. One or two strips each would still leave me enough, so I was OK with that.

However, it turns out we need more than 2 yards of background fabric, so I have to make a decision.

1 - use the creamy off white moving forward
2 - back track and remake some of Part 1 and Part 2 using the new creamy off white so there will be some bright white on white to use in the rest of the parts
3 - get over it and go buy some more bright white on white to finish the quilt (I still don't have enough using all of the snowflake and snowmen fabrics)
4 - toss in the towel and use what I've made for something else.

I'm stubborn so #4 isn't an option. In fact last night and DH and were discussing my options, that was nixed right away. #3 really isn't an option since I want this to be from my stash and I don't want to buy any more fabric this year. So that leaves #1 and #2.

Until I see the quilt put together I won't know which way I want to go. In the end who knows what I'll end up doing. But I have learned something. I need to focus on gathering some 'shirting' type fabrics -- light backgrounds with bits and pieces of color.

Can't wait to see Bonnie's finished quilt.

What's On My Design Wall? - 11/30

2009-11-30T07:30:00.000-06:00

Judy said she cheated since her picture was from Sunday. The SBS Blue & Brown swap blocks may be on the wall, but they are not what I'm currently working on.

I'm working on Carolina Christmas. Part 1 is complete and I'm half way through and I'm now cutting the large "green" triangles. (My gold is green and my green is blue. My red will be pink).

Stash Report Week # 48

2009-11-29T08:17:00.004-06:00

My big plans were to get the borders on two quilts this week, but I only managed to get the first border cut and partially put on Autumn Splendor before starting Carolina Christmas. Hum...I wonder if this has anything to do with why I have so many UFOs?

Fabric Added this Week: 0 yards
Fabric Added to Date: 282.333 yards

Fabric Used this Week: 3.04 yards
Fabric Used to Date: 93.426 yards

Net Stash: +188.907 yards

Check out how others are doing with their stash busting efforts over at Patchwork Times.

Carolina Christmas - Part 1

2009-11-28T23:03:00.003-06:00

Part 1 of Carolina Christmas was finished this evening. As I've checked out the pictures of what others are doing, I'm drawn to those that have scrappy backgrounds with tiny prints. This year my goal was to gather black prints - tone on tone, or prints on black backgrounds since I virtually wiped out my blacks when I made Orange Crush. I think next year, I'll be looking for tiny prints on light colored backgrounds. Either that or start haunting the thrift stores for shirts. I simply need to remind myself that even if I have to pay "full price", it's still cheaper than a FQ at the LQS.

Now off to work on Part 2.

SBS Blue & Brown Swap Blocks Received

2009-11-28T13:44:00.004-06:00

This morning I received a squishy in my mail box. The Sylvia's Bridal Sampler Blue & Brown Swap blocks. The blocks were from quilters all over the world. Australia, Canada, Ireland, The Netherlands, and the USA.

A special thanks goes out to Joan who coordinated the swap.

Now to figure out a setting to showcase these wonderful blocks.

Current Choices for Carolina Christmas

2009-11-25T22:06:00.005-06:00

I have continued to play in my pink and blue fabrics. Although I agree that the multiple greens added depth to the stack of fabric, I went back and re-read Bonnie's description of her fabric choices.

a lighter yellow green all the way through to dark pine green
reds all the way from orange red to burgundy
ONE gold print to tie the scrappiness together

So, I'm going to pretend my blues are green, my pinks are red (a little easier) and my single green is gold. Won't that be fun to read 'green' and have to remember to pick up the blue fabric. Clearly after I print out the pattern I'll be taking a pen to it so I don't get confused. My background will be one of about 6 or 7 different white on whites, all in about the same shade of white. I briefly flirted with a a single background, but the only 2 yard piece I have is beige and I decided I didn't like it with the 'clear' pinks and blues.

Let's eat turkey, then bring on the first clue. My fabrics are pressed, I know where my ruler is and I'm off to clear the cutting board so I'll be ready Friday. - right after I drop my car off to get inspected.

Carolina Christmas or Double Delight!?

2009-11-23T21:22:00.013-06:00

Last week I was asked if I was going to participate in Bonnie Hunter's new mystery quilt Carolina Christmas. I love Bonnie's patterns, but my plate is full so, I said no.

However, quilters have been known to change their mind and I might be convinced to play along. With all the chatter on the Quiltville list I've been pondering colors. One of my personal rules is mystery quilts have to come from stash. I have lots of pink and green, so pink and green with a white background, but what to use for the 3rd color? My husband suggested blue (hey I have a whole tote of blue), but then he qualified it "icy blue".

This is what I came up with:

When I found 2 hunks of the green totaling 3 yards I thought I'd use it to tie everything together instead of the selection of greens I had pulled.

It wasn't until I started this post that I realized I was looking at the instructions for Double Delight! You would think that either the title boldly printed on the top page or the fact that printout is nearly a quarter of an inch thick would have clued me in that I had the wrong pattern.

Double Delight! needs a 5th color and I have no idea what I would use. So, at this time I don't know which quilt I'll be making, or if I'll stick to working on something I already have in progress. I guess it will depend on how I feel about these colors after they sit together a while.

What's On My Design Wall? - 11/23

2009-11-23T06:40:00.003-06:00

Half of the inner borders are now on Autumn Splendor.

See what others are up to by checking out the links over at Judy's blog.

Stash Report Week # 47

2009-11-22T09:42:00.002-06:00

No fabric in. No fabric out.

But with two days off this week, I hope I'll get to the borders for both Autumn Splendor and Ladder to the Stars. That will bring me in striking distance of 100 yards. We'll just have to wait and see what the week brings.

Fabric Added this Week: 0 yards
Fabric Added to Date: 282.333 yards

Fabric Used this Week: 0 yards
Fabric Used to Date: 90.386 yards

Net Stash: +191.947 yards

See if anyone else is getting close to their goal over at Patchwork Times.

Border Decisions

2009-11-21T21:00:00.010-06:00

A little over a year ago I walked into a new to me quilt shop, Lil' Red Hen in Paola, Kansas and fell in love with the top FQ. They had all sorts of fall colors displayed just as you walked in the door. To top that, they had a FQ sale going on. Before I left the store, I had bought a dozen FQ to make a quilt (not that I had a pattern with me), 2 yards of the print I fell in love with and a yard of the gold for an inner border. In the back of my mind I was thinking a small Turning Twenty or a large Crazy 8.

I brought the fabric home, tied it up with a ribbon and put my Crazy 8 pattern with it. The bundle sat for over a year while I worked on my various UFOs, started and finished other projects, and started projects which only made it to the top stage. Two weeks ago I cut into the fabric and have slowly been working on it.

This afternoon I finished sewing the blocks together and it was time for a border decision.

When I bought the fabric, I knew I was going to need somewhere for the eyes to rest since the blocks and the borders are so busy.

So as originally envisioned, there would be a narrow gold border and then the large leaf border. This however was not working for me.

What drew me to the leaf print in the first place was the purple, so I pulled down my bin of purple fabrics to see if I had anything bigger than a FQ which would work. I found half a yard of border fabric left over from my Old Tobacco Road which I think is going to be just right.

So, now that the decision is made, I think I'm going to call it a night. I'll deal with the borders tomorrow.

Josh's Graduation Quilt

2009-11-16T13:31:00.003-06:00

It's done all that is left is for me to stitch down the label.

What's On My Design Wall? - 11/16

2009-11-16T07:00:00.002-06:00

The exact same thing as last week. I didn't even move the blocks.

On the other hand, Josh's graduation quilt is finished! (OK, I still have to attach the label, but it's made!) Remind me to never use black backing. It shows everything. Hopefully later today I'll get a picture of it.

See what other are up to by checking out the links on Judy's blog.

Stash Report Week # 46

2009-11-15T08:17:00.004-06:00

I've completely ignored my Sylvia's Bridal Sampler blocks so far this month. Maybe over Thanksgiving weekend I'll get all 5 of them done for the month. It will only add up to about 5/8 yard, but every inch counts.

The binding is going on the graduation quilt! I made it last night, so 5/8 yards out.

This past year I've reached for that fabric on more than one occasion to use it for something -- the last time I stapled a note to the selvage so I wouldn't use it and then wonder what happened to the binding fabric for Josh's quilt.

The note is now off the fabric and the remaining 7/8 yards is in the "blue" bin so I can use it for something else.

Fabric Added this Week: 0 yards
Fabric Added to Date: 282.333 yards

Fabric Used this Week: .625 yards
Fabric Used to Date: 90.386 yards

Net Stash: +191.947 yards

See how others are doing on their stash busting effort by checking out the links on Judy's blog Patchwork Times.

The Quilting is Done!

2009-11-09T22:48:00.003-06:00

The quilting on Josh's graduation quilt is done! Now I've got to trim, bind, label and wash it. Josh graduated May 17, 2007, so it's about 18 months late. The top was done then. Does that count?

What's On My Design Wall? - 11/09

2009-11-09T07:30:00.001-06:00

So close to finishing, or getting to a new stage in the projects I've been working on all summer I finally cut into new fabric Friday night. These are the blocks I made Saturday afternoon for Autumn Splendor.

I could have knocked out the rest of the blocks Saturday night or Sunday, but instead I worked on Josh's quilt. I've got three of the borders quilted, and the 4th one marked. Once I get the last border quilted, I think I'm going to go back and stitch in the ditch between the inner and outer border. At that point I'll have the tedious task of trimming the threads from the back of the quilt and trying to remove the dust and cat hair from the backing.

See what other quilters are up to by checking out Judy's blog.

Stash Report Week # 45

2009-11-08T00:40:00.008-06:00

It was a rather productive week. The last row on the DWR was attached, which allowed me to determine what I needed in the way of backing and batting. The backing was found in my stash -- so that's 9 yards out. Woohoo! I also finished the hand quilting on my nephew's quilt. I have one border machine quilted and have the second one partially marked. Finally, I cut into a kit I put together a little over a year ago and have half the blocks made -- 20 FQ = 3 yards. So 12 yards out and I'm back under 200 yards inbound.

If I push, I might just make 100 yards used by the end of the year -- borders for a couple of quilts, binding for Josh's quilt, backing & binding for the music quilt and perhaps a dozen SBS blocks.

Fabric Added this Week: 0 yards
Fabric Added to Date: 282.333 yards

Fabric Used this Week: 12 yards
Fabric Used to Date: 89.761 yards

Net Stash: +192.572 yards

See how others are doing on their stash busting effort by checking out the links on Judy's blog Patchwork Times.

Start of a New Quilt

2009-11-06T23:04:00.007-06:00

This evening after finishing the hand quilting, I thought I needed some mindless piecing. The 4-patches in the DWR in theory are simple enough, but trust me, it's not so simple. Ladder to the Stars just needs borders, but I'm going to miter the corners, which means I need to think. There's nothing on my extensive list of quilts in progress which I would consider mindless enough for this evening - not that I looked until I sat down to write this post. The call of new fabric was too much.

I went to my crate of PIGs and pulled out Autumn Splendor. Twelve FQs plus border fabric tied nicely with a gold ribbon. I'm using the FQ friendly pattern Crazy Eights by Bits 'n Pieces. I think this is 3rd quilt/top I've made, but the others have been with just the 8 FQs.

Instead of mindless piecing, I cut the new quilt out. Surprisingly, given that I was looking for something mindless, I didn't make any cutting errors. I can also report the scraps are all appropriately cut up and in their boxes.

I'll be ready now for when I do need to sit down at the sewing machine for some mindless piecing.

The Hand Quilting is Complete!

2009-11-06T19:46:00.002-06:00

On Josh's Graduation Quilt.

Now I have to finish it. For the border, I've decided to quilt lines 2" apart perpendicular to the edge of the quilt -- like a pieced piano key border. Once I get that done, I'll need to trim all the thread ends from my machine quilting, bind it and put a label on it. Who knows he might get it before the end of the year -- only 17 months after he graduated.

DWR Backing Found in my Stash

2009-11-04T22:59:00.004-06:00

After measuring my quilt top last night, I got to worrying about the batting. I typically use Warm & Natural in my quilt tops, but when I buy it by the yard, it's only 90" wide. My quilt measures approximately 94" x 104" - so I'm going to have to buy a king batt. I'm currently leaning toward Quilters Dream Cotton - Request.

That got me worrying about the backing. I called the LQS to check to see how wide the backing are - and shoot I can't remember now - but I did validate that even the narrowest wide backing (is that an oxymoron?) will be wide enough. The bolt sale lasts through Saturday, so I can get the backing on sale.

That was this morning early. Fast forward to about an hour ago and a flash of inspiration struck me. About a year ago I bought a bolt of 60" wide 100% cotton shirting for next to nothing. I pulled it out looked at it and decided that it would be perfect for my backing. Although I'm not looking forward to seaming the backing, I can take comfort in that it is fabric out of my stash and no additional purchase was needed.

Since I was on a roll, I pulled out my thread box and found both a partially used and a brand new spool of thread. The color is Camel. Since I really like this color, and would hate to run out of it before the quilting is complete, the next time thread goes on sale, I'm going to buy at least one maybe two spools of it.

I might just have this quilt on the frame by this time next week. Still have to finish seaming the 4-patches. I'm not sure what I did this evening, but it wasn't a whole lot of piecing.

It Is the Last Row!

2009-11-03T22:34:00.004-06:00

I just finished attaching the last row of rings to my Double Wedding Ring quilt! No, it's not ready for the frame -- I still have 4 patches to seam on the last two rows and then stitch the seams on the outer 4-patches, which are only going to be 3-patches. No sense in making them 4-patches and giving me 2 more corners per ring to miter around when I finally get to the binding.

Now I've got to measure the quilt to see how much backing I'll need and start thinking about thread color for the quilting.

This is what I'm planning on quilting in the background. It's a stencil by Gloria Hartley that I bought years ago.

I will also need to do some sort of quilting in the pieced arcs and 4-patches. I'm leaning toward outlining the arc, but not the individual pieces. I do want to finish this in this lifetime, preferably by this time next year.

Given that some of the quilting will be on the off white background and some on the colored pieces, should I use two different color threads? Or is there something which won't look odd in both places. I suspect my thread color may influence my backing choices.

What's On My Design Wall? - 11/02

2009-11-02T07:46:00.002-06:00

This is what I believe to be the last row of my Double Wedding Ring. Last night I finally sewed on the previous row, although I still need to sew the 4-patches. The row is far enough along so I now know I need an extra blue arc for this last row.

Check out what other quilters have on their design walls by following the links over at Patchwork Times.

November 2009 Quilting Goals

2009-11-01T19:13:00.003-06:00

Since I didn't do so well on last month's goals, it's more of the same.

* Keep up with the SBS BOW
* Finish the hand quilting on Josh's Quilt
* Finish piecing the DWR
* Complete Finishing Instructions for large Kansas Spirit BOM
* Keep Scraps Cut Up

Stash Report Week # 44

2009-11-01T07:30:00.002-06:00

This week was a wash. A couple of SBS blocks (although not the one due tonight) were completed and one FQ inbound.

Instead of quilting Saturday, my DH and I drove down to Independence, Kansas for the Neewollah Festival, specifically the Marching Band Festival. We heard some great music. The day was absolutely perfect for the drive and festival. It cooled off after the sun went down, but I had my trusty picnic quillow with me. It was a great seat cushion until I needed it to keep warm.

So here's the report

Fabric Added this Week: .25 yards
Fabric Added to Date: 282.333 yards

Fabric Used this Week: .25 yards
Fabric Used to Date: 77.761 yards

Net Stash: +204.572 yards

See how others are doing over at Patchwork Times.

Review of October 2009 Quilting Goals

2009-11-01T00:38:00.004-05:00

The month is over, so how did I do? Well, not as good as previous months, but it could have been worse.

* Keep up with the SBS BOW - Done
* Finish the hand quilting on Josh's Quilt - nope - two thirds of the last block remains
* Finish piecing the DWR - nope - one row is ready to attach and the last row needs putting together
* Hand quilt 2 rings on DWR - obviously not
* Complete Finishing Instructions for both sizes of Kansas Spirit BOM - The smaller quilt instructions have been turned in!
* Machine quilt borders on Josh's Quilt - obviously not
* Make at least 4 make-up SBS blocks
* Decide on the quilting for Jeremiah's quilt - didn't even look at it.
* Work on Ladder to the Star sashings - finished and got the center completed
* Keep Scraps Cut Up - did this, not that there was much to do

I also made a pineapple block to try out a new-to-me technique.

Playing Hooky

2009-10-29T21:19:00.003-05:00

Well, not really. I had a day of PTO (paid time off) today. The plans I made last week included sewing all day and perhaps going down to Heritage to get the backing for my DWR. Then over the weekend I got an e-mail from Quilter's Quarters in Leavenworth, Kansas saying that Earlene Fowler, who writes the Bennie Harper Mysteries would be in the store for an informal book signing. So my plans changed to include the drive up to Leavenworth.

By the morning my plans had changed again. #1 I still don't have the DWR finished and #2 it was rainy and overcast all morning. Since the DWR still isn't finished, I don't have the finished dimensions, so I don't know how much backing I'll need. And with the rain, I didn't want to drive for an hour to the book signing. So, instead I spent the morning working on my 6" Arizona block, ripping out various pieces because I kept sewing my HST facing the wrong direction.

By noon I think I had had it. Even listening to Voyager by Diana Gabaldon wasn't soothing me (Jamie and Claire are preparing to sail to the West Indies). So, my DH decided I needed to get out of the house and do something besides go to the grocery store. (Not getting out of the house can become one of the pitfalls of working from home if you are not careful).

So, off we went in the drizzle to Leavenworth. I got to meet Earlene Fowler, she signed my copy of Bennie Harper's Quilt Album (my husband gave it to me the Christmas after it came out), and while I was in the store I picked up a FQ purple to try with my SBS blocks (it's too dark) and the Little Gripper.

On our way out of town we stopped at The Bargain Factory - a closeout/liquidation store - because I saw a sign that said "fabric". Didn't bring home any fabric (didn't really think I would), but DH got a couple of pieces of music and a new lunch box.

Even with the rain (it poured on the way home) it turned out to be a great break and just what I needed.

Blue and Brown SBS Swap Blocks

2009-10-29T11:44:00.004-05:00

The Blue & Brown Sylvia's Bridal Sampler blocks will be back in the next couple of weeks. I think they are due to the hostess tomorrow or Saturday. Mine were sent off in early September.

Anyway, when I made my blocks, I made the five to swap and one to keep -- except for G10 - Arizona. I ran out of the background fabric. I decided go ahead and make the block so I'll have a complete set when they arrive. I think I like the original better than the new block, but in the long run I doubt it will matter much.

What's On My Design Wall? - 10/26

2009-10-26T17:30:00.001-05:00

These are the melons for the last planned row in my DWR. One I get the previous row attached and these into a row and attached I'll make my final decision. The melon on the bottom doesn't have it's corner squares yet because I'm not sure if they are supposed to be red or blue.

Right now I'm seaming the corner squares for the previous row. When I get these two rows attached, I'll finish up the borders on Ladder to the Stars.

Check out what's on everyone's design wall by following the links over at Patchwork Times.

Stash Report Week # 43

2009-10-25T08:46:00.004-05:00

Last week was mostly piecing what I already had cut. So just a little bit out -- enough for my SBS BOW and the rest of the cornerstones I need to complete the row of rings I'm working on for my DWR.

Even though I saw some great fabrics as the show yesterday, I didn't buy any. I even walked away from music FQs that I had not seen before!

Fabric Added this Week: 0 yards
Fabric Added to Date: 282.083 yards

Fabric Used this Week: .25 yards
Fabric Used to Date: 77.511 yards

Net Stash: +204.572 yards (162.583 was received as gifts)

See how others are doing by following the links over at Patchwork Times.

SBS Block Due 10/25

2009-10-24T22:20:00.003-05:00

A10 - Bachelor's Puzzle

Today S, T & I went to the Original Sewing & Quilt Expo here in Kansas City. It was the first time I attended the event since it moved up to the KCI-Expo Center.

They had some great quilt and garment displays and of course vendors. I nearly made it out without buying anything.

The very first booth got me -- although I made it through the entire show and circled back to make my purchase.

It was the Bo-Nash booth with the Bo-Nash Bonding Agent. Apparently it can be used to baste quilts instead of the quilt basting spray. It also came with a tube of vinyl/leather repair, so I'm going to try and fix my car seats. I'll let you know how it works after I use it.

FQ Bundle Giveaway at Pumpkin Patch Primitvies

2009-10-22T22:19:00.002-05:00

Pumpkin Patch Primitves Quilt Shoppe is having a giveaway. A FQ Bundle of Red Rooster's Pumpkins & Spice Fabrics. There is a picture in the linked blog listing, and this looks like a cool collection. Check it out.

Borders Needed

2009-10-21T22:32:00.005-05:00

The center of my Ladder to the Stars is done. Well, I need to trim it. The picture here is the result of a bit of photo cropping magic.

I'll follow my original design, shrinking the borders proportionally for the smaller 6" blocks.

The original quilt was raffled off for charity by the quilt club. At the time, the club had only 12 or 13 members with varying skill levels. Everyone pieced at least one block pulling fabric from their stash. The border and sashing fabrics were purchased from the LQS where we met. The sashings were pieced by several ladies, then I assembled it before it was sent out to be quilted.

What's On My Design Wall? - 10/19

2009-10-19T07:20:00.001-05:00

I've fixed the block -- it was actually every block in the row, but only the red one was noticeable. Anyway, I've got 3 more rows to sew together and then the borders.

Check out other quilters' design wall via Patchwork Times.

Stash Report Week # 42

2009-10-18T10:12:00.004-05:00

The week started off with 1/2 yard inbound from the Kansas Troubles Stash Society and ended with cutting the setting triangles for Ladder to the Stars. In between a sample pineapple block and this week'sSBS BOW. As a result, a bit more fabric went out than came in.

I've also pulled 2 1/2" squares out of my pre-cut box to use as leader/enders, but since these were already cut I don't think I'll count them until I put them into blocks.

See how everyone else is doing with their projects over at Patchwork Times.

P.S. I guess I should actually put the #s in the report. Must have gotten distracted by the timmer going off on the microwave.

Fabric Added this Week: .5 yards
Fabric Added to Date: 282.083 yards

Fabric Used this Week: 1.207 yards
Fabric Used to Date: 77.261 yards

Net Stash: +204.822 yards (162.583 was gifted)

10/19 - Added another 1/8 yard to the totals used. Forgot about my extra SBS block I did.

Ugh!

2009-10-17T17:25:00.002-05:00

I'm sewing the sashings and cornerstones on each block and then the blocks together. Clearly, however, I need to do one block at a time.

I had trouble sewing row three to row two -- my seams weren't nesting like they should have, but I plowed ahead and sewed the long seam. Then I started putting the sashings on the next row. It was wasn't until I was putting the individual blocks back up on the wall to verify their placement that I realized I had a problem.

I'm off to frog.

Giveaway at The Quilting Cat

2009-10-17T16:13:00.002-05:00

Piwacket is having an anniversary giveaway. Here's a link to The Quilting Cat and the giveaway.

Stayed on the Straight and Narrow

2009-10-16T22:42:00.003-05:00

Well, after an evening of fingers itching to start something new, I stayed on the straight and narrow and finished up the sashings for Ladder to the Stars. They are all finished, and I've got the setting triangles cut. Now to sew them together.

Bloggers Quilt Festival

2009-10-16T07:37:00.003-05:00

Today is the official last day of the Bloggers Quilt Festival that Amy at Park City Girl is hosting. However, the links to the quilts entries will remain on her blog. Which is a good thing since there are over 650 entires and I still haven't made it to all of them!

I want to thank everyone who has commented on my entry, and encourage everyone to check out the rest of the quilts in the show by clicking on the badge at the top of this entry.

Itching to Start Something New

2009-10-14T21:08:00.005-05:00

Someone please stop me.

I'm itching to start something new.

I'm so close to completing the piecing of my DWR. Just two more rows.

I'm just over halfway through the sashings on Ladder to the Stars.

There are another 24 projects in various stages of completion on my UFO list which I want to finish -- eventually -- and that doesn't include the tops which need to be quilted.

But I want to start something new. I'm not sure if it's one of my various kits or something else completely.

Stop me. I need to finish a few more UFOs (Or at least get them to the top stage.)

This is Just a Technique Block

2009-10-13T21:43:00.004-05:00

If you don't count the Blue and Brown Sylvia's Bridal Sampler Swap I joined in late July, I haven't started anything new since May 17th. That's nearly 5 months! Unbelievable! I didn't know I could go that long without starting anything new.

Wait -- I'm looking at my sidebar. Perhaps I should say I haven't started anything new that I haven't FINISHED since May 17th. Cherry Frolic was started and finished in June, and the Cranberry Wishes Table Runner was started and essentially completed in June, although it didn't get declared finished until August. I didn't think I had enough focus for 5 months. I'm still surprised it's been 3 1/2 months.

Over the past couple of months I've been looking at my strip bins -- which are full -- and thinking I need to do something with them (but refraining). If you asked me a 3 or 4 weeks ago, I would have told you I was leaning toward a log cabin. The last couple of weeks I've browsed Bonnie's site, Quiltville.com eyeing Star Struck. Today, it's the pineapple block.

I've seen several pineapple quilt's recently. The ones last night at the quilt shop, Mary's mom made one, and I suspect I saw one as part of the Blogger's Quilt Festival. Anyway, I decided I had to try to make one of these blocks.

I used the instructions on the Possibilities website.

If I decide to make a pineapple quilt, I think I'll either use them a leader/enders for the first few rows, or at least cut up the strips to the right length and do a bunch at a time.

Meanwhile this block will go in the orphan box to be put in some future quilt, and I'll get back to the UFOs I'm currently working on - Ladder to the Stars, DWR, SBS and Josh's Quilt.

Kansas Troubles Stash Society

2009-10-13T17:30:00.000-05:00

Last night was the Kansas Troubles Stash Society meeting at Prairie Point Quilts. There are five of us which generally attend the meeting together, but forces were working such that I'm the only one who made it to the meeting, and then just barely.

I got out of the house in time to run by the library to pick up Part One of Diana Gabaldon's Voyager and grab a bite to eat at the Sonic across the street before going to the meeting. While I was waiting for my food, I popped in the first disk and started listening to the book. When I got ready to leave, the engine wouldn't turn over. Apparently, between the cold and leaving the lights while waiting on my food, my old battery couldn't take it. So, I called my husband to the rescue. We jumped my car off, swapped vehicles, he went home and I got to the meeting about 5 minutes late.

Lots of great quilts using Kansas Troubles fabrics both in KTQ patterns and other patterns. There were two pattern books which caught my eye. Scrap-Basket Surprises by Kim Brackett and Positively Pineapple by Lynda Milligan and Nancy Smith. I've looked at Scrap-Basket Surprises a number of times, but I haven't gotten to the point of purchase. Tonight was no different. I'm not sure what is holding me back, except for my pile of UFOs and more patterns in my personal library than I'll ever get around to making.

Positively Pineapple came closer. There was a quilt with 2 1/2" strips and another with 1 1/2" strips. Neither the book nor ruler came home tonight, but I do have the book on reserve at the library. After I look at it closer we'll see if it makes the cut the next time I have a bit of book money.

What did come home with me? Just those 4 eighth yard cuts -- which were paid for back in January or February.

So tell me, does it count as a new project if I make a sample block, or if I'm using strips from my pre-cut bins?

SBS Block Due 10/18

2009-10-13T07:30:00.000-05:00

K8 - Grandmother's Fan

I am not a big template fan -- as in draw around a template and cut it out with scissors. However, sometimes it can't be helped and this is one of those times. Fortunately I have EQ6 and was able to draw this block and print out the templates. I suppose I could copy them out of the book, but I don't know if I could get the book to lay flat enough in my scanner, and I haven't taken it to the office place to get a spiral binding.

Anyway, I'm pleased with the way this block turned out. After working on the DWR, I didn't have any problems with these curves.

Next to the Last Block

2009-10-12T17:30:00.000-05:00

This is the next to the last block to be hand quilted before I can pull the quilt off the frame. I finished it up Sunday night after a two week hiatus. I pushed myself a couple of weeks ago and aggravated my wrist. Needless to say there was no hand quilting for a while and now I'm limiting my time at the frame. I'll miss my self-imposed deadline of October 15th, but since my DWR is not going to be finished by then I still have time -- my guess is it will take another week -- for both.

What's On My Design Wall? - 10/12

2009-10-12T07:30:00.002-05:00

Ladder to the Stars is up on the wall. The blocks have been made since May, I'm currently working on the paper pieced sashings. I'm not sewing the sashings to the blocks yet, as I'm still deciding if the blocks are in the right spots.

I'm flitting back and forth between this quilt and the DWR.

See what other quilters are up to by checking out the link's on Judy's blog Patchwork Times.

Stash Report Week # 41

2009-10-11T07:30:00.002-05:00

Two weeks in a row with no fabric coming into the house. Tomorrow night is the Kansas Trouble Stash Society meeting so I'll be in a quilt shop for at least an hour, so there is no telling what will come home with me. At least 1/2 yard of Kansas Trouble fabric.

After Monday's marathon sewing, I was only able to spend 10 or 15 minutes at a time at the sewing machine. But still I accomplished a bit. Finished another 9 sashings for Ladder to the Stars and added arcs to both sides of 12 melons for the DWR. Saturday I had more time and it all went to the the SBS Block.

Fabric Added this Week: 0 yards
Fabric Added to Date: 281.583 yards

Fabric Used this Week: 1.125 yards
Fabric Used to Date: 76.054 yards

Net Stash: +205.529 yards (162.583 was gifted)

See how others are doing with their stash over at Patchwork Times.

SBS Block Due 10/11

2009-10-10T23:37:00.002-05:00

H7 - Odd Fellow's Chain

73 tiny pieces. The half square triangle units finish at 3/4". Originally I planned to paper piece this block, but this evening I realized I could use my Easy Angle and Companion Angle rulers. All in all, the block went together quite well, it just took 'forever'.

My Favorite Quilt - Quilt Festival

2009-10-09T00:01:00.011-05:00

Amy at Park City Girl is hosting the Blogger's Quilt Festival today through Oct 16th. She asked us to post a picture of our favorite quilt and tell it's story. Well nearly every quilt is my favorite quilt, but I could only pick one, so here is my Blue Charm Applecore quilt.

Actually, it's my husband's. This quilt was finished New Year's Eve 2005. It was only 2 to 6 days late -- depending on whether it was supposed to be his Christmas present or his birthday present, and that was dependent on when I finished it. Regardless, with the exception of the quilt I gave my mother for Mother's Day 2005, it's the quilt closest to meeting the gift giving deadline.

I've previously blogged about this quilt here.

My best guess is I purchased the pattern, ruler and rotary cutter (love my Ergo 2000) in October 2004 at a quilt show. It might have been the previous year. The pattern sat for a while and then late spring 2005 I got a wild idea to make this quilt for my husband in all blue fabric -- at this time, no deadline had been set.

Previously I had been collecting music fabric, so now I added blue fabric to my collection each time I entered a quilt shop. I gathered fabric from my friends' stashes. When a fabric was both blue and music themed I scored.

Part of what makes this quilt special is the time I spent collecting the fabric with my friends. My friends T & S and I took a road trip to Iowa to hit quilt shops. We left Kansas City late afternoon on Friday and then hit 11 shops over the next 2 1/2 days. By Monday, we were so exhausted, we walked into one of the last quilt shops and said "Yep, this is a quilt shop" and then left without any of us buying anything. I picked up blue and/or music themed FQs at each shop.

Surprisingly, I ended up with only a couple of duplicates fabrics.

It helped that I put together a book of my fabric before I left home. This quilt is made with 6" circles that overlap. So, before the trip, I started cutting circles of each of my fabrics. I then scanned them 18 - 20 of them at a time, and printed off the scan so I had a record of my fabrics.

I was still collecting fabric - I wanted all 400 pieces to be unique, but impatience won out in late summer and I started it when I only had about 225 different blue fabrics. The next decision I had to make was how to arrange the pieces. I finally decided on light to dark to light. So, I took the scans I made earlier and converted them to black and white to help with value placement -- then I went back and cut additional circles where I had more fabric.

The final quilt has 400 pieces in it. Not including the 400 pieces of the backing. For the backing I purchased 10 different pieces of blue flannel.

So when it came time to putting the quilt together, I had to know where in the quilt to top fabric belonged, and which piece of the back went with it and keep all 20 rows in order or the pattern (front and/or back) would be disturbed.

I ended up stringing each row together, and as I finished each step of the process, it went back on the table in the correct position.

My husband likes the quilt -- It's too warm for me with the flannel backing, not to mention it's heavy. It think it finished about 70" square, more or less.

Check out other quilter's favorite quilts by clicking on the button below.

Marathon Sewing

2009-10-06T17:30:00.003-05:00

Last night I had 3 hours of uninterrupted piecing. The 34 arcs for the next row on the DWR have now been pieced and I pieced 10 more sashings for Ladder to the Stars. Didn't get the last of the trimming finished as I simply ran out of steam.

What's On My Design Wall? - 10/05

2009-10-05T07:00:00.001-05:00

This does not mean I'm finished with my DWR.

This is a 6" version of Ladder to the Stars. I designed this quilt to be raffled off by the quilting group I was in a couple of years ago. The original quilt has 12" blocks and finished approximately 87 x 105. This one will finish around 58 x 70.

I've finally gotten the sashings down to a 'science', so need to cut the rest of the blue fabric so I can go to town on it. That's not to say I've put away my DWR. The row that was up on the wall last week is complete and needs to be attached to the quilt. I've got the pieces for the next row sitting on my sewing machine ready to be pieced together. This coming week it will probably be a bit of both, plus this week's SBS BOW.

Check out what other quilters are up to by visiting Patchwork Times.

Stash Report Week # 40

2009-10-04T18:51:00.005-05:00

This week I managed to use a smidgen over a yard of fabric making my SBS blocks, cutting the background for more DWR rings and cutting the background fabric for a dozen paper pieced sashings to Ladder to the Stars (I need 80).

Nothing came in - and I stepped foot into a quilt shop on Friday. (OK, just as the store was closing, as I was waiting to the owner to go to dinner, but doesn't it still count as being in a quilt shop?)

More fabric might have been used this week, but I traveled to Rock Springs, Kansas for String Romp. My original plan was to sew in the hotel room Saturday on the sashings, but a combination of events resulted in me driving out myself Saturday afternoon, so I didn't bother to drag the sewing machine. The group above is the 6th grade orchestra that my husband conducted this weekend. The kids were from all over Kansas.

Back to the report:

Fabric Added this Week: 0 yards
Fabric Added to Date: 281.583 yards

Fabric Used this Week: 1.050 yards
Fabric Used to Date: 74.929 yards

Net Stash: +206.654 yards (162.583 was gifted)

See how others are doing with their stash over at Patchwork Times.

October 2009 Quilting Goals

2009-10-01T00:01:00.000-05:00

More of the same this month.

* Keep up with the SBS BOW
* Finish the hand quilting on Josh's Quilt - needs to be off the frame by 10/15
* Finish piecing the DWR - top needs to be done by 10/15
* Hand quilt 2 rings on DWR
* Complete Finishing Instructions for both sizes of Kansas Spirit BOM
* Machine quilt borders on Josh's Quilt
* Make at least 4 make-up SBS blocks
* Decide on the quilting for Jeremiah's quilt
* Work on Ladder to the Star sashings
* Keep Scraps Cut Up

Review of September 2009 Quilting Goals

2009-09-29T19:21:00.005-05:00

Another month has gone by, so it's time to review what I accomplished this month.

* Complete remaining 2 sets of blocks for the SBS Brown/Blue Swap: Finished and in the mail by 9/8
* Keep up with the SBS BOW: It was close, but all blocks were made and turned in on time.
* Work on Josh's Quilt - needs to be off the frame by 10/15: 3 1/2 blocks hand quilted -- 1 1/2 blocks to go!
* Work on DWR - top needs to be done by 10/15: 12 rings added to the quilt and 6 more are partially pieced
* Complete Finishing Instructions for both sizes of Kansas Spirit BOM: Small quilt needs one more correction. Large quilt about 50% done. (the easy 50%) :-)
* Quilt a baby quilt: Ran out of time.
* Keep Scraps Cut Up: Well my scraps were cut up, but my friend's scraps have filled the basket back up!

I also cut the gold fabric for my Ladder to the Stars quilt and I managed to not start anything new. What more can a girl ask for who has more UFOs and Quilt Tops than she can count on her fingers and toes?

Next month will be more of the same. I've got my list ready to go.

SBS Block Due 10/4

2009-09-29T07:00:00.000-05:00

L3 - 54-40 Or Fight

This block has a template for the background triangle, but I'm not a big template fan when there are other options. Quilt In A Day has a set of Triangle in a Square rulers which I use, but since this a a six inch block, they were too big.

Then I remembered. I have a set of Tri-Rec Tools. I don't know when I picked these up or why, but they worked great for this block.

What's On My Design Wall? - 9/28

2009-09-28T07:40:00.002-05:00

Does this look familiar?

Very little piecing got done this past week. It was a combination of the 5 hours of Dancing With the Stars and then spending the weekend away from my sewing machine. I still think I can meet my self imposed deadline of Oct 15th even if I add a row of rings. Of course if the extra row gets added I needed to finish the quilt 6 weeks ago to give me a week to quilt each ring....

See what others are doing by checking out the links over at Patchwork Times.

SBS Block Due 9/27

2009-09-28T00:06:00.002-05:00

C2 - Wedding Ring I

I stumbled upon some 'onion skin' paper this weekend. It made a decent foundation paper.

Stash Report Week # 39

2009-09-27T08:00:00.003-05:00

Since I'm focused on my DWR and my nephew's quilt, there seldom is anything outbound except for a tiny bit used for the Sylvia's Bridal Sampler block. Well, as I write this, I haven't gotten the SBS block made, but I have prepared part of the fabrics I'll need for the sashings to my 6" Ladder to the Stars quilt. If I travel with my DH to String Romp, while he is rehearsing the youth orchestra, I'll sew on my sashings. I need 80!

Inbound, I purchased nothing. However I won a Halloween Panel and V brought back a FQs from her trip to Idaho.

Fabric Added this Week: .875 yards
Fabric Added to Date: 281.583 yards

Fabric Used this Week: 1.375 yards
Fabric Used to Date: 73.879 yards

Net Stash: +207.704 yards (162.583 was gifted)

See how others are doing with their stash over at Patchwork Times.

The Stash

2009-09-26T11:04:00.003-05:00

Judy has done it again. She's challenging us to show our stash and then to make a dent in it by the end of 2010. Between now and January 1 the idea is to get it organized.

Well, mine is organized, so I just need to see about making a dent in it.

Here's the tour:

Top left - Kits. There are 2 or 3 that I bought already kitted up, the rest I've pulled together, but haven't gotten to. I'm doing my best to stay focused on the UFOs and working on a kit would generate a new UFO -- or at least a new top needing to be quilted.

Top Right - Scrap Basket. I have not generated any new scraps from stuff I've worked on since I made such progress this past summer. It's piled high again from my friends' generosity -- and I threw the back of a quilt in on top.

Middle - Music Stash. I started collecting music themed fabric the summer of 2003 to make a quilt for my DH. The quilt top is complete and this is what I have left over. I'm going to piece the quilt back from some of this, but there is more than enough to make several music themed quilts.

Bottom - The Shelves. This is the rest of the stash. On the top of the left shelf are UFOs, the next three shelves is my primary stash -- anything smaller than a yard. The bottom shelf contains the yardage. On the right tops shelf are finished quilt tops and birthday FQs, the next shelf down is thread, stabilizers, some batting and a couple of small finished quilts. The bottom visible shelf contains the precut pieces, baby and Christmas fabrics, panels and the vintage fabric. The bottom shelf holds magazines and books.

So what would I like to see happen in my stash? Reduction of UFOs - preferably into finished quilts and not just tops. Some of the kits worked up and a dent in the music fabric drawers.

We'll have to wait and see what the next 15 months bring.

Won a Prize

2009-09-23T17:33:00.006-05:00

Burton over at Quilting Literati ran a contest for finishing UFOs. I was one of two winners. She sent me this pincushion and Halloween panel.

Thanks Burton!

Another Block Finished

2009-09-22T23:25:00.005-05:00

I promised I worked on my DWR. I sewed the arcs to nine melon sections and added the corner stones to two of those. Then I quilted. Since this block was so easy, I pushed myself and kept working on it during the news and the first part of the Tonight Show.

Tomorrow I need to work on this week's SBS BOW.

One More Row of Blocks

2009-09-21T22:35:00.005-05:00

I got an extra 2 hours of quilting in tonight with the premier of Dancing With the Stars. So, I finished up this block tonight. That leaves just one more row of blocks to quilt and I'm about 1/4 of the way through the first of the last three blocks. The question now is will I get any sewing done on my DWR?

What's On My Design Wall? - 9/21

2009-09-21T07:30:00.001-05:00

More rings.

I hope I'll only be showing rings for another week, but if I find I really do have enough fabric to make the quilt bigger, this may go on for two or three more weeks.

Here's a sneak peek of what I've got done so far:

6 x 7 rings. Still need to sew the 4-patches on two sides. Based on the amount of fabric I bought, I was intending the quilt to be 7 x 8 rings. I wouldn't mind it being 8 x 8 or 8 x 9 rings, but I don't know how much extra fabric I'll have when it reaches the original size.

Check out other's design walls over at Judy's blog.

Stash Report Week # 38

2009-09-20T11:46:00.005-05:00

I love my friends. I love that they want to give me their scraps and cast off fabric. It enriches my stash both in size and by adding sparkle to my own scraps since our tastes are not the same.

However, I simply can't sew fast enough to keep up!

In the picture above, there is approximately 40 yards. I say approximately, because I weighed the scraps and figured 4 yards = 1 pound, more or less.

On the other hand, I cut the cornerstones for my DWR, pulled and cut pieces for my Monterry Medallion and Milky Way quilt, and made two Jacob Ladder blocks to send off for a charity quilt. It just doesn't add up to make a dent.

Fabric Added this Week: 40.125 yards
Fabric Added to Date: 280.708 yards

Fabric Used this Week: 1.81 yards
Fabric Used to Date: 72.504 yards

Net Stash: +208.204 yards (161.708 was gifted)

Check out Judy's page to see how others are doing in the endeavor.

One Block Closer

2009-09-16T22:40:00.004-05:00

It's not like I'm doing any fancy quilting -- just stitching 1/4 inch from each seam. But why does it take me so long to get it done?

I suppose not sitting in front of the quilting frame might be part of it. This week I've stopped whatever I was doing and plopped myself down in front of the quilting frame at 9 PM Central for an hour. Tonight I kept going until I finished this block.

When I 'watch' television, I can't just sit there and do nothing. I'm reading a book during commercials or flipping though quilting magazines. Hand quilting doesn't work for me, unless I can just 'listen' and look up only when it sounds like I need to see what is going on. Jay Leno's new show is perfect for this. I can listen to the monologue and interviews and look up during the sketches.

I probably won't try to quilt with black thread on black fabric again either. There simply isn't enough light to make that easy. But tonight I ran out of my cheap 1/4 inch masking tape and had to pull out the 1/4 Tiger tape. That worked really well on the black dotted fabric - and my stitches are more even -- not that anyone will be able to see that.

Four more blocks to go and then I can pull this quilt off the frame and machine quilt the borders. Surely if I watch Leno for an hour each week night I'll get this finished by the October 15th.

Mid-September Update

2009-09-15T20:38:00.002-05:00

September 15th and time to review my goals for the month. Where did the 1st two weeks of September go?

* ~~Complete remaining 2 sets of blocks for the SBS Brown/Blue Swap~~Done and Mailed
* Keep up with the SBS BOW: 3 of the 4 blocks done
* Work on Josh's Quilt - needs to be off the frame by 10/15 - quilting while watching Leno
* Work on DWR - top needs to be done by 10/15 -- 4 melons completed, 9 more need cornerstones
* Complete Finishing Instructions for both sizes of Kansas Spirit BOM - still tweaking smaller layout instructions
* Quilt a baby quilt - may give this up completely
* Keep Scraps Cut Up - don't look in my scrap bin. I added those scraps I found at the beginning of the month -- but I have 2 more weeks to get to them!

Doesn't seem like I have much done, but I guess I really am halfway through my list. I'll keep plugging away at it.

SBS Block Due 9/20

2009-09-14T17:15:00.002-05:00

J7 - Pinwheel 2

I made this block a few weeks ago when I was picking the blocks I was willing to make for the Blue and Brown SBS swap. So, more time for me to work on my DWR this week

What's On My Design Wall? - 9/14

2009-09-14T07:30:00.001-05:00

Is anyone surprised?

It's another row to my Double Wedding Ring. Saturday I finally got last week's row sewn together and onto the quilt. I pieced these Sunday.

See what other quilter's have on their design walls following the links over at Patchwork Times.

Diamond Links

2009-09-13T14:42:00.003-05:00

I finished this quilt top back in March 2007 with no idea of who it would go to when it was quilted. I now know where it's going and have to figure out how to quilt it -- or if I want to send it out to be quilted. Since I need it mid-January, I guess I best start to figure this out. I'll not be able to work on it until mid-October after I finish the DWR top and the quilting on Joshua's quilt.

Stash Report Week # 37

2009-09-13T10:18:00.005-05:00

I'm still bringing in fabric from the pile my friend gave me. Last week it was 11.5 yards. I tell you it adds up fast.

On the other hand, I cut most of the remaining pieces for my DWR. I also made the weekly SBS block and the last of the SBS swap blocks. I used the top piece of fabric in those. It was just perfect.

Fabric Added this Week: 11.5 yards
Fabric Added to Date: 226.25 yards

Fabric Used this Week: 2.708 yards
Fabric Used to Date: 70.694 yards

Net Stash: +155.556 yards

Check out how others are doing over at Patchwork Times.

Some Day Quilts

2009-09-10T17:30:00.001-05:00

I have a list of quilts that I want to make. This is different than the pile of kits I have -- obviously I want to make those, not only did I buy the pattern, but I have the fabric. I'm talking about my "some day" quilts -- those quilts when the time is right that I plan to make.

At one point I had a log cabin in the works, but when the power went out the day I was working on it, I got distracted and didn't get back to it. I'm afraid it got wet in a flood and tossed. Maybe I can retrieve the one my mom started when my brother got bunk beds. His son is the same age as he was when Mom started the quilts (and my nephew has the same set of bunk beds).

Earlier this year I tried to make an Irish Chain. That is to say I had fabric that I wanted to use, and I thought it would work in an Irish Chain quilt. I made a sample block, but it simply wasn't speaking to me. So that fabric ended up in a different quilt and I still haven't made an Irish Chain quilt.

Trip Around the World - back in high school, and before I understood copyright, I photocopied the pattern for Trip Around the World from one of my magazines. Who knows what happened to the magazine, or instructions, but I still have the picture (in black and white) and templates I drew on graph paper. I've even have a drawing of what colors are supposed to go where.

My top five "some day" rounds out with the Double Wedding Ring and Lone Star. With the exception of the Double Wedding Ring and some would argue the Lone Star, these are simple to piece quilts. Ironically, it's the Double Wedding Ring and Lone Star that I have in progress.

I'm not sure why I haven't gotten these quilts made, but "some day" will come and I'll get them done.

What quilts are on your "some day" list?

SBS Block Due 9/13

2009-09-09T17:15:00.001-05:00

D-7 Robbing Peter to Pay Paul

There are many ways to do this block. I decided to piece mine.

Quilting Studio Tour

2009-09-08T06:00:00.003-05:00

This summer one of my e-mail groups did a virtual sewing room tour. Since my area was not presentable, I did not participate. The studio is now presentable, so I'll take you on a tour.

I'm using what the builders called the den or family room as my quilt studio and office. It is in the front of the house and entry into it is via the garage, kitchen and living room.

This first picture is looking diagonally across the room from the living room door. I've created a working/sewing triangle -- my work computer is on the front wall under the quilt, my personal computer is on the garage wall and across from them is my sewing machine. Also on the garage wall is a folding craft table with only one side raised. This is my cutting table. The bookshelf, below the edge of the desk, holds the various computer parts and pieces that I don't need access to on a daily basis.

Moving into the room and toward the front wall, is the view diagonally across to the garage and kitchen doors. The room is a bit deeper, than this picture would lead you to believe, but I've got my large ironing board and a shelving unit temporarily in the corner behind me. The white tables are temporary as well. I had friends over this past weekend to sew and they all needed a space to setup. Also from this view is one of my two main sets of shelves with my fabric in bins.

A better view of the shelves and looking into the living room (where I was standing when I took the first picture). Again I'm not in the corner as now I've got the desks behind me. There is a short bookshelf for my quilting books and to the right of the door is a chest of drawers. This is where the orphan blocks go and I keep my music fabric. The guest chair is in front of the chest of drawers currently, but usually it's closer to the sewing table.

Finally, from the kitchen and garage door corner is a view of the design wall, the big ironing board and a hopefully temporary set of shelves. The ironing board is in front of the design wall so there was room for the extra sewing tables. It's final home will either be up against the front window or along the back side of the sewing tables.

Well, that's the tour. There's still work to be done -- get real window treatments, clear that black shelf off and recover the chair along with a second one currently stored in the garage.

I just hope this clean room doesn't stifle my creativity.

What's On My Design Wall? - 9/7

2009-09-07T00:45:00.005-05:00

I'm afraid my design wall looks the same as it did a week ago -- except now I can't really reach it! The room was rearranged to accommodate three additional quilters. This week I hope to get this row of rings onto the quilt.

Check out what other quilters are working on by following the links over at Patchwork Times.

SBS Block Due 9/6

2009-09-06T23:00:00.005-05:00

J3 - Farmer's Daughter

I'm cutting it close this week. Paper piecing is not something I necessarily enjoy, but it sure comes in handy when working with odd shapes. I drew the block in EQ6 and printed it off on Monday. Tonight I finally pulled it out to work on.

SBS Swap Block Set #5

2009-09-06T20:20:00.001-05:00

L6 - Steps to the Altar

All the sets are now done -- and well ahead of the deadline. I need to make my labels and get them in the mail.

This block went together so much easier than the last one -- none of those 1" finished HST units. The brown fabric is some that came in last week from my friend. The blue with tiny dots was some I picked up to see if it matches a DWR I picked up at an estate sale (it doesn't). Who knows when I picked up the background fabric.

Now to get this week's BOW made!

Stash Report Week # 36

2009-09-06T09:43:00.003-05:00

Due to all the cleaning and paper work, very little piecing got done this week. Although I did make a set of 6" blocks. But those blocks just don't use much fabric.

On the other hand, I did get a pile of fabric from my friend washed and brought up stairs, so the count goes the wrong way again. Remind me next year not to count gifts -- I'd only be in the hole by about 50 yards then.

Fabric Added this Week: 46.5 yards
Fabric Added to Date: 214.75 yards

Fabric Used this Week: .75 yards
Fabric Used to Date: 67.986 yards

Net Stash: +146.764 yards

Check out how others are doing by visiting Judy's blog Patchwork Times.

SBS Swap Block Set # 4

2009-09-06T00:32:00.003-05:00

G10 - Arizona

This is the fourth of the five block sets I'm making for the SBS swap. I needed to make 5 to swap and a 6th to keep for myself, but I ran out of the beige fabric. I'll dig around in my stash to find something similar to finish my block -- but not tonight. I haven't made this week's SBS BOW. I've got another 23 hours to get it done and turned in. But first I'm headed to bed.

A Week Without Quilting!

2009-09-05T10:13:00.003-05:00

Who knew that a missing ruler could cause a week without sewing? I finally found my missing Easy Angle Ruler in a pile of papers. Apparently when I was clearing (note, not cleaing) my desk it got grabbed up and put on the shelf.

But truth be told, I'm not sure much sewing would have occured this week anyway. Earlier in the week I was working on the finishing instructions for the smaller Kansas Spirit quilt and I've been cleaning the house.

Today and tommorow I'm hosting a couple of my quilting buddies and we are going to sew all weekend. I've got Taco Soup in the crock pot for lunch, and the chicken is marinating in the refrigerator. I've talked my husband into grilling it tonight by making an Italian Wedding Cake to snack on.

Now to pick something from my list to work on this weekend.

What Cleaning Does

2009-09-02T21:17:00.005-05:00

I did not set out to clean. However, I received a "ton" of fabric cast offs which needed to be put up. There is still more in the basement waiting to be washed.

When we redid my sewing studio/office, I made the decision that if it didn't fit on the two sets of shelves, I had to find another home for it -- whatever it is. A few weeks ago I looked through all of my quilting magazines and donated a 12" stack. You can't tell by looking my shelves, because I gathered up the magazines that were scattered through out the house.

The fabric is a bit tougher. But, since I've made significatant progress on my DWR, it moved out of the bin it's in and into one of my project bins. I also pulled out the extra fabric from a couple of other quilt tops recently finished and either put it away or dumped it on my table to be cut up into scraps. That's the pile on the right in the picture below.

The pile on the left if what I found when I cleared my cutting table off. I've midplaced my small EZ Angle Ruler. I misplaced the large EZ Angle Ruler at the begining of the year. I didn't even know I had one let alone two, plus the Companion Angle Ruler until I started working on Bonnie Hunter's Orange Crush. Now I can't find either!

I guess I keep digging.

September 2009 Quilting Goals

2009-09-01T07:30:00.001-05:00

Since it appears that listing my quilting goals here and on a large printout by my computer helped, I'm doing it again.

* Complete remaining 2 sets of blocks for the SBS Brown/Blue Swap: G10 - Arizona; L6 - Steps to the Altar
* Keep up with the SBS BOW
* Work on Josh's Quilt - needs to be off the frame by 10/15
* Work on DWR - top needs to be done by 10/15
* Complete Finishing Instructions for both sizes of Kansas Spirit BOM
* Quilt a baby quilt
* Keep Scraps Cut Up

This is a relatively modest list this month. But I'm itching to start something new and I have several kits so that might happen as well. On the other hand I realized today that I have more quilt tops waiting to be quilted than I do quilts in various stages of progress, so maybe I can talk myself into quilting 2 quilts instead of starting something new.

Review of August 2009 Quilting Goals

2009-08-31T23:30:00.003-05:00

Here it is the end of the month. I must say I'm pleased with what I accomplished. I don't know if I set more realistic goals than I've done in the past or simply stayed focused for the most part. Perhaps it was a bit of both.

* At least 2 sets of blocks for the SBS Brown/Blue Swap: The 3rd set was completed 8/9
* Keep up with the SBS BOW: 5 blocks turned in for August
* Finish star blocks to go with birthday swap blocks: not only finished the blocks, completed the quilt top 8/22
* Work on Josh's quilt: completed hand quilting block #10 and started block # 11
* Make up mind about applique on table runner: decided against applique, repaired quilt, made and attached label 8/27
* Work on DWR - top needs to be done by mid-October: attached row of 5 rings, repaired previous work and made more rings
* Make rest of Birthday Swap Blocks: completed them on 8/12 and addressed envelopes for mailing
* Keep scraps cut up: no new scraps added to scrap bucket
* Quilt a baby quilt to get a finish!: This is the one thing I did not get done.

In addition to the above, I finished another baby quilt top (blocks already made) and I completed the shop sample for the Kansas Spirit BOM for my LQS.

What's On My Design Wall? - 8/31

2009-08-31T07:30:00.001-05:00

It's another row of partially completed rings for my Double Wedding Ring quilt. Last week I added the row of 5 rings and fixed those spots where the seam was too narrow. I discovered one spot that I completely missed the background!

Before I can go any further, I need to cut more pieces, but first I'll do this week's SBS BOW.

Check out other design wall by visiting Patchwork Times.