Design Wall Monday–April 30, 2012

Here is what is on my design wall today.  The center is a 10 inch Honey Bee block – it just doesn’t have all the corner applique on it yet.  The challenge requirements were to draw from 3 bags.  The first was to decide what block needed to be used – my block is Honey Bee.  Next was to choose two colors – I got turquoise and yellow.  Last was to choose a type of fabric and can you believe I drew my favorite – polka dots.

The rest of the rules are that the measurements have to be at least 14 and no more than 30 inches on a side.  The blocks can not measure more than 10 inches and you must include at least 3 blocks – of any kind.   I don’t think I am finished yet – I think I am going to add some wonky stars to the top or top and bottom.  Of course it has to be quilted and bound and is due tomorrow – you know what I will be working on this afternoon and evening.

For more design walls, go to Patchwork Times and check out all the other ones.

Melinda

Stash Report–Week 18, 2012

Lots of activity this week – both in and out.

First the in.  Backing for the Vintage Modern Quilt 4.0 yards, Charm Pack of Cocoon .75 yards, Binding for Vintage Modern .75 yards, Charm pack of Mama Says Sew .75 yards, Swap fabrics for Bright Spectrum swap 10.0 yards, additional swap fabric because of duplicate the first time 1.0 yards, fat quarter bundle of Dots from Missouri Star Daily Deal.  Total in was 20.75 yards.

Now the out.  Swap fabrics cut and ready to mail 10.0 yards, Vintage Modern quilt top 3.0 yards, Vintage Modern Backing 4.0 yards for a total  of 17 yards.

Used this Week: 17 yards
Used year to Date: 123 yards
Added this Week: 20.75 yards
Added Year to Date: 123.5 yards
Net Used for 2012: –.5 yards

For more stash reports, go to Patchwork Times.

Melinda

Beginning Machine Piecing–Class 3

First we looked at and admired the homework from last week.

Next we made a simple block that Alex Anderson calls Square Dance and then moved on to Log Cabin.

Can’t wait to see the homework from this week.

Melinda

Getting Ready for Another Swap

I joined a bright charm swap.  There are 56 total people (some like mine signed up for 2 colors).  Each of us are getting 5 different fabrics of the assigned colors.  I was assigned red and green.

These look pink but they are red.

and green.

56 x 5 = 280

280 x 2 = 560

That is how many charms I will be getting back – I guess I better start cutting.

Melinda

Mama Says Sew

Look what I found yesterday!

It is a charm pack of the newest Sweetwater line – mama said SEW!

The precuts are not available yet but I managed to get my hands on this one charm pack at a local shop.  I LOVE this line.

Melinda

Design Wall Monday–April 23, 2012

I have something new on my design wall.  It is a sample I am making for Tiny Stitches.  The fabric is Vintage Modern and the pattern comes from Missouri Star Quilt Company and is one of their layer cake video patterns.  I used the idea for a quilt during retreat but forgot the directions and ended up making a variation instead.  It turned out OK but I thought I should make the real version.

I already found one block turned wrong.  I don’t know what I would do without my camera to check things out.

I love the colors in this quilt.  I bought 4 1-yard pieces of Ruby by the same designers for the back.  There wasn’t enough on any of the bolts to us as a one fabric back so I will just do a giant four patch.

I didn’t get any polka dot blocks done this week – I am sad but hope to work on them later this week.  I have some customer quilting to get done first.

For more design walls, go to Patchwork Times and check them all out – it is one of the highlights of Monday for me.

Melinda

Stash Report–Week 17, 2012

I donated 30 yards of fabric for the Quilts of Valor project so made some headway in the used category.

Used this Week: 30 yards
Used year to Date: 106 yards
Added this Week: 9.25 yards
Added Year to Date: 92.75 yards
Net Used for 2012: 13.25 yards

I added 6.5 yards this week – 2.5 of Kaffe and 4 yards of solids.  I also have a layer cake of Vintage Modern which works out to about 2.75 yards.  The Vintage Modern is for a shop sample.  I need to get backing for it also.  Hopefully it will be reported as used soon.

I am glad to be going in the right direction, using more than adding.

For more stash reports, go to Patchwork Times.

Melinda

Tissue Case

Look at the cute little tissue case I made yesterday.

It is from the most recent Quilts and More magazine.  They always have cute little projects.  If you decide to make it, you have to read and reread the pattern as it is somewhat confusing but it works out if you can follow the directions.

It is cute, isn’t it?

Melinda

Stitches South

Lynda and I went to Stitches South this morning.  Last year we bought two kits and unfortunately still haven’t made the projects so we were determined not to give in this year.

Here is the result of not giving in.

Now I need to get on Raverly to get the pattern.  I bought square needles to give them a try for this shawl.  So much for not buying anything new.  Oh well!

Melinda

Beginning Machine Piecing–Class Two

Last night was the second class of Beginning Machine Piecing.  The first thing we do is put the homework up on the design wall.

Didn’t they do a wonderful job on the first blocks.

We then moved on to nine patch and nine patch variation blocks.

There was a slight mishap on the middle nine patch variation but it was late and there will be time to fix it this week.  Next week we will be working on log cabin blocks.

Melinda

New Additions to Stash

Good thing I donated the fabric yesterday because look at what came in the mail yesterday. First I opened up the monthly package of Kaffe 1/2 yards.

Then I have to admit that I signed up for another monthly shipment – this time solids.  Oranges were the first to arrive.

Wonderful oranges.

Melinda

Piecemakers and QOV

Yesterday was the monthly meeting of Piecemakers.  The goal for the day was to make at least one QOV quilt.  Nancy had found a pattern at the Georgia Quilt Council convention a couple of weeks ago and asked us to bring 3 1/2 inch strips of red, white and blue.  She supplied gold and many blocks were made.  My contribution was to go through my stash and fine fabrics for borders and backing.  I came up with about 30 yards so my stash report next week will look good.

I forgot to take a photo of the stack of fabrics I took but you can see one of them as the borders on the quilt top we were finished.

I had at least 2 or three fabrics that were large enough for backing.  Yea!

After the meeting, we went for Cuban food – yum! and then I worked on our taxes.  Since we owe some, I have been in no hurry to finish.  I got them done last night and will do a final review today before sending them in.

Melinda

Design Wall Monday–April 16, 2012

I was able to get 8 more polka dot blocks done this week.  Looking at these, I think I need to use more green.  I have about 28-29 done.  The quilt calls for 50 but I think I want to make 56.  I guess I better check out the Farmer’s Wife book for six extra.  Maybe I will wait to get all 50 done first so I won’t accidently duplicate or closely match one of the current ones.

The middle block on the bottom was the biggest challenge.  The whole block is 6 inches so the small flying geese making up the center star ends up measuring 3/4 inch by 1 1/2 inch.  I am proud of myself for getting it done so well.

For more design walls go to Patchwork Times and check them all out.  I always have fun on Mondays looking at all the inspiration.

Melinda

Stash Report–Week 16, 2012

No change this week.  I didn’t really get well until about the middle of the week and the only sewing I did was on my polka dot blocks – you can see them tomorrow.

Used this Week: 0 yards
Used year to Date: 76 yards
Added this Week: 0 yards
Added Year to Date: 83.5 yards
Net Used for 2012: -13.5 yards

For more stash reports, go to Patchwork Times.

Melinda

Another Quilt I Want to Make Someday

 

This is a quilt made by Michelle’s daughter several years ago.  Michelle brought it to retreat to put the border on and complete it for her daughter.  I love the bright colors and the way she mitered the corners of the border.  Michelle is a wonderful quilter and it will be fun to see how she quilts this.  The little block on top of the quilt is not part of the quilt, it is another project Michelle was multi-tasking at the retreat.

Melinda

Swoon

Have you made a Swoon quilt?  I want to make one and I keep on collecting inspiration photos but so far I haven’t actually stitched anything. As usual, I can’t decide what colors I want to use.

Here is a block that was done by Sue at the recent retreat.

I like the use of batiks in this block.  I can’t wait to see her whole quilt.

Melinda

Beginning Machine Piecing

Look at the wonderful fabrics that the students have picked out.  This is going to be a fun session.

Melinda

Robin’s Birthday–Happy Birthday

Today is the birthday of my little sister, Robin.  We have been together for more years than either of us wants to think about.  I keep hoping she is going to catch up with me in age but I guess that isn’t going to happen.

Here she is a couple of years ago.  Go to her blog and wish her happy birthday from both you and me!  I have her birthday present right here.  I did good on the finding something special for her but not so good at mailing it.  I wish I lived close enough to deliver it in person. Oh well, she is used to it after all these years.  I will get it in the mail later today.

I love you Sis!

Melinda

April is my Bee Month

April is my Bee month and I almost forgot.  I am getting the packages out today.  Last year I used a layer cake and had everyone make me star blocks – they were wonderful. 

I haven’t put them together into a quilt yet and found another layer cake of the same line.  I decided to ask for stars again and I will put them all together to make a larger quilt.

For some reason, the email with the addresses didn’t make it to my inbox and I have been so busy that I forgot to check on it – actually I completely forgot that April is my month.  I am late but everything will go in the mail today.  In the note I am letting them know that I don’t expect to see the blocks in April – they can take their time since it is my fault they are getting the packages late.

Here is the kitchen table where I am working on the packages to go out.

I have some other things that need to go in the mail and I have a Beginning Machine Piecing class starting tonight.  No morning class this session, just evening.

Melinda

Sewing–Finally!

I made a polka dot block today.  It was already cut out and all I had to do in make the quarter-square triangles and sew it together but this is the first sewing I have done since going on retreat so I am pleased that I got it done.

It is just a simple Ohio Star and is number 20 in the polka dot quilt.  While the pattern/BOM calls for 50 blocks, I think I am going to make 56 for the setting I have in mind. 

I hope to get more blocks cut out soon.  I really enjoy having them cut and ready to sew.  I have one more already cut and six more patterns picked out for the next set of blocks. 

I hope to feel well enough to quilt a T-Shirt quilt tomorrow.

Melinda

Design Wall Monday–April 9, 2012

Nothing on my design wall – at least nothing new.  Here are the polka dot block of the month  still hanging out.

I think I am almost over my bronchitis – not well but on the way.  I didn’t do anything about sewing last week but hope for better this week.

For more design walls, go to Patchwork Times.

Melinda

Stash Report–Week 15, 2015

I have been sick since Monday and hopefully am on the way to being well.  I haven’t done anything except sleep since I got back from Guild on Tuesday.  According to the doctor, I have bronchitis.  I have been taking drugs and have almost recovered my voice.  I am still coughing but not nearly as bad.  I missed work at the quilt shop on both Friday and Saturday and the shop was closed today. 

Since I haven’t been out of the house, I haven’t acquired any new fabric but I also haven’t been in the sewing room at all so I haven’t used any fabric.  Here is my report.

Used this Week: 0 yards
Used year to Date:76 yards
Added this Week: 0 yards
Added Year to Date: 83.5 yards
Net Used for 2012: -13.5 yards

For more stash reports, go to Patchwork Times.

Melinda

Donation to San Francisco Day School

My grandson, Emilio, lives in San Francisco and goes to a wonderful school there. San Francisco Day School is perfect for him. It allows a great deal of creativity among the students. Every year they do a fund raising event and my daughter asked me to donate a quilt. I had a hard time deciding which one to send but finally decided on this quilt that I made a couple of years ago. The pattern was from Moda Bake Shop and the fabric line was from Basic Grey.

I hope someone likes it enough to buy it for a lot of money.
Melinda

Sharon Schamber

I had the opportunity to take a class from Sharon Schamber on Friday.  She is an interesting person and wonderful teacher.

She comes at quilting from a different perspective than most of us.  She looks at everything from that perspective and finds the most efficient way to do things.  One of the most shocking things she does is dip all her thread in mineral oil – yes, mineral oil.  I haven’t gotten up the nerve to do it yet. I have a spool of white thread that breaks all the time.  In fact, it is in the trash right now.  I plan to pull it out and give it a try.

Her quilts are beyond great – she must be the best quilter in the world.

Melinda

Magical Slice and Dice

I taught a Magical Slice and Dice class a couple of weeks ago.  I only had one student, Patrick but he did a wonderful job with his quilt.

Here is his quilt with the first border on it and here is a close up of some of the blocks.

He started with a Kaffe print and I wasn’t sure how it would work but it turned out great.  See all the variety of blocks he was able to achieve.

Magical Slice and Dice is one of my sister Robin’s patterns.  You can find it here.

Melinda

Design Wall Monday–April 2, 2012

There is a lot going on with my design wall this morning. First is three more blocks for the polka dot BOM.  I am really loving working on these.

At retreat, I finished Winter Wonderland.  Here it is in all its glory.

It is ready to quilt!  I started this quilt several years ago and it is finally done!!!!

Here is the other quilt top I finished at retreat.  I have fabric for borders but I think I will switch it to the back.  There isn’t enough but I think I can find something to stretch it to cover the back.  I will work on that this week.

This quilt was made with a layer cake of Half Moon Modern by Moda.  It used every inch of the layer cake and only took about 3 hours to put it together.  I based it on a technique I saw with Missouri Star Quilt Co. but I didn’t remember it right and it still turned out.  I plan on using one of my layer cakes to make it correctly next time.

For more design walls, go to Patchwork Times and check them all out.

Melinda

Stash Report–Week 14, 2012

Well, a lot came in this week but I finished Winter Wonderland at the retreat so it almost made up for it.

First I bought background fabric for a future Bonnie Hunter quilt that was 3 1/4 yards.  Then new dots arrived at the shop and 2 3/4 yards came home with me.  I ordered Flea Market Fancy 1/2 yards so that was another 10 1/2 yards. 

At the retreat I won 2 fat quarters so that is another 1/2 yard then we were given credit at our visiting vendors store so I got 8 more fat quarters of dots for another 2 yards.  Lastly I was working on the dot BOM and ran out of Kona White.  I had some I bought from Joann’s but it is NOT the same shade of white.  I stopped at the shop and bought 4 yards so I can complete the quilt with a consistent background.

On the good side, I finished Winter Wonderland.  It used 14 1/2 yards for the front of the quilt and 4 1/4 for the back.  It really wasn’t enough for the back but I was able to use scraps from the front to make it big enough.  I will show a photo tomorrow for design wall Monday.  It is going in the “to be quilted” mountain.

Here is the report.

Used this Week: 18.75 yards
Used year to Date:76 yards
Added this Week: 23 yards
Added Year to Date: 83.5 yards
Net Used for 2012: 13.5 yards

For more stash reports, go to Patchwork Times.

Melinda