WIP Wednesday - A Thing on my List, Something Unexpected and A New Long-Term Project

Still plugging along on my 2016 Finish-Along list, but I had this bright idea to start something unexpected (like I really needed another something!)  Oh ~ and then there's a new EPP project ...

I started on Boxing Match, the pattern by Nancy Mahoney for Quiltmaker (Sept/Oct 2015), and I have to admit this has been the fastest quilt I've put together so far.  

Fabrics cut

I put the pieces together for the first big block (which ends up at 20") and before I knew it I had all 9 blocks finished.  (Excuse the bed in the photo ~ my design wall is up in our guest room!)  As of right now, the blocks are sewn together and I've started to add a couple of small borders.  Hoping to have it checked off my 4th quarter list by the end of the year!

My unexpected project this week is a Christmas mini.  I've had a mini charm pack of Nature's Gift by Deb Strain forEVER, so I decided to use that to make a little table topper (I think).  I'm using the pattern C'est La Vie by Lella Boutique (SO cute! ~ it was an exclusive pattern for Fat Quarter Shop in their Sew Sampler Box for November).  I'm making the mini out of 9 blocks which are each 4-1/2" finished.

I did start on a new-for-me project ~ it's a long-term EPP hexie project that I'll write more about later.  I really like having a project I can work on while I'm watching TV or sitting with a group of friends working on their own projects!  Here's a peek at Block No. 1.  

That's it for now ~ linking up with Lorna for Let's Bee Social!

2014 Finish-Along ~ 4th Quarter

Here's my list for the 4th Quarter of the 2014 Finish-A-Long hosted by Katy at The Littlest Thistle.

A couple of things were moved from last quarter:

1 - Tula Pink "City Sampler" Sew Along that was hosted by Sara at Sew Sweetness ~ WAY back last year.  I'm up to block 70 and decided that it was big enough for what I wanted.  :)  I've just about finished the quilt top ~ just needs a wider border around the outside.  63 blocks on the front ~ I'll put the 7 leftover blocks on the back somewhere.  :)

2 - Star Light Star Bright Quilt.  Another quilt-along that I lagged way behind on ~ I still only have 2 blocks done and hope to make at least some progress this quarter.

               

New this quarter:

3 - Dapper quilt from from Simply Retro by Camille Roskelly.  I love this pattern and the fabric collection I chose for it!  I have 4 blocks done so far.

4 - Diamond District.  Again ~ four blocks done (hmm - I see a pattern here)

5 - Triangle Frenzy table runner.  This one's for me for Christmas!  

I can't believe it's the last quarter of the year!  This has been a great motivator for me, so Thanks, Katy!!  Linking up at the Littlest Thistle.  :)

Friday Finish(es)

Tree skirts are done!  I posted pics of the first two here.  The last two are on their way to their forever homes  :)  So I think it's safe to post some pics here.

First up ~ tree skirt #3.  I used fabrics from A Merry Little Christmas by Zoe Pearn and this pattern I found at Moda Bakeshop.  Here's the front:

I actually had to piece the back since I didn't quite have enough fabric, but I love the way it turned out!  (BTW, I hadn't put any ornaments on my little tree when I took pics of this tree skirt.)

Tree skirt #4 was a more traditional patchwork, although I used this pattern that I found at Craftbuds as sort of a basis for the design.  Same fabrics as #3.

I love the way it looks under my little tree (with the ornaments on!)

It's almost kind of sad ~ I've been working on these for almost 3 months and almost hated to let them go.  :)  Oh well ~ time to make something for me!  I have a few WIPs in the works and lots of FMQ to practice up on, but for now I can take a deep breath and relax!

Linking up with Quilt Matters for TGIFF and crazy mom quilts for Finish It Up Friday.

Monday tidbits

I'm beginning to see a light at the end of the tunnel ~ that tunnel of tree skirts I started back in September. Two of those have been sent out and received (and loved ~ whew!)  I took pics of those under my own little tree:

 #1

 #2

The third one is finished (but not sent out yet) and the fourth is in the quilting stage and should be done by Wednesday!

Saturday was class day ~ Free Motion Quilting (finally!)  I've been scared to try this, but I learned to just relax, have a glass of wine and go with the flow.  A few other tips were taught as well but I liked these the best.  :)    I started with meandering, went into some loops and in the midst of that did a little flower!

My next practice block included some swirls, a few pebbles, some paisley, a feather, some little hearts and a leafy vine.  Oh ~ and a design that I remembered seeing at Leah Day's Free Motion Quilting Project (although it's not exactly like hers ~ LOL).  I need LOTS of practice ~ but at least I'm not scared of it anymore!  (linking up with FMQ Friday)

                

Finally got all the ornaments on our skinny little tree ~ I love sitting here with a fresh cup of coffee or Ovaltine with the tree in view, listening to The Nutcracker.  It's just a feel-good kind of thing that can only be experienced at this time of year.

WIP Wednesday ~ more kitties and a beginning

A couple of (super)quick WIPs ...

Two more kitties finished for the Cat Quilt-Along over at Oh, Fransson!  This is such a fun and simple block-a-day project and I can't wait to see it finished!  My blocks so far:

FINALLY got started cutting fabric for Christmas tree skirt #4!  It's the same fabric collection (A Merry Little Christmas) I used in #3, but the pattern I'm using is totally different.

That's it!

WIP Wednesday ~ Quilty Progress

I'm happy to say that Christmas tree skirt #3 is coming along nicely!  I finished the quilting on it yesterday, the binding is ready and I'm planning on working on the that tomorrow while my hubby is lost in a day of football and the Godfather marathon.  :)  BTW ~ I'm using this pattern which I found on the Moda website.  (I'm only showing a few peeks until I send it out.)

Moving on with my In From the Cold quilt ~ I finished all the sashing and cut the borders  ~ getting there!

Linking up with Lee @ Freshly Pieced for WIP Wednesday.

Monday already?!

Where do the days go?  I guess I've just been busy enough not to notice.  :)

Saturday was our last In From The Cold class, so we got some help with sashing and chain-stitch embroidery.  And by Sunday afternoon I had all of the blocks and most of the sashing done ~ next up: side sashing & borders.

Today was all about Christmas tree skirt #3 ~ binding cut and pressed ~ backing pieced together ~ basting done.  And I finally decided what kind of straight-line quilting to do (my new year's resolution? learn free-motion quilting!).   I even managed to get 1/4 of the tree skirt quilted ~ so I feel really good about today!

Almost forgot to say that I tried out a new tool today!  It's the Creative Grids Non-Slip Bias Binding Simplified Ruler  ~ so making the binding was quick and easy!  The ruler itself has the directions printed right on it for cutting 2-1/2" and 2-1/4" binding, as well as how many inches of binding you get out of 1/2, 3/4 and 1 yard of fabric.  It's nice not having to stop and look up that kind of information online.  I'd highly recommend it!  (Click on the pic for a video.)

Have a good week!

WIP Wednesday and a missing camel

Guess what day it is?  Has anyone seen that camel lately?  Here's a little "behind the scenes" video in case you miss him as much as I do!

This week I'm working on finishing up my mug blocks for the In From the Cold quilt for our last class on Saturday.  As of this morning, I had 6 mugs done (although one still needs its steam).  So today I worked on the most difficult one ~ the dreaded pinwheel mug!  I started with 36 1-1/2" half-square triangles:

pieced them together to make nine 2-1/2" pinwheels:

sewed those together:

and ended up with this mug

The pinwheel points aren't perfect, but they're good enough for me!  And here's my progress so far (still need two more blocks and some steam).  Can't wait to see it finished ~ I want to cuddle up with it this Christmas Eve.  :)

We're halfway through the Hop Skip & Jump Block of the Month over at Sew Lux Fabric.  These are my 6 blocks so far.  Lovin' the Happy Go Lucky fabric!

Linking up at Freshly Pieced for WIP Wednesday!

Finish Friday

Finis!  Tree skirt #1, that is.  I spent all day catching up on episodes of Sleepy Hollow and The Blacklist while I hand-stitched the binding and added a label.  Can't post a full photo of it, but here's a peek.

Only two more tree skirts to go!

Linking up with Crazy Mom Quilts for Finish It Up Friday.

WIP Wednesday

Just two things to show today ~

First up ~ making good progress on finishing Christmas tree skirt #1!  I finished sewing the binding onto the front and I'm in the process of hand-stitching it to the back.  After that ~ all I need to do is put the label on and it should will be done by Friday!

Next ~ two more mugs for the In From The Cold quilt class that I'm taking.  One is finished ~ the other one is waiting for me to actually embroider the steam before I can declare that one finished.  :)  I think I'm gonna love this quilt!

My City Sampler blocks are behind again by about a week and a half, so nothing to show there.  Gotta catch up!

Linking up with Lee for WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced.

Tuesday progress

Just had to take a quick break to say "Hallelujah!"  Finally finished quilting Christmas tree skirt #1 and I'm working on the binding ~ feels good!!  I'm bound and determined to finish it this week.

Happy Tuesday!

Saturday happenings

Class today!  I'm so excited to start this class (1st session of 3) ~ the minute I saw this quilt I knew I wanted it for myself.  :)  Can't wait to see how it turns out!

I've made some progress on Christmas tree skirt #3.  Got all the hourglass blocks done and finally decided on a layout I can live with and I have all my rows ready to sew!

I signed up as a vendor for one of my favorite pet adoption events on November 10th sponsored by the Pit Bull Crew ~ a local group that helps find forever homes for pit bulls at the shelter. 

I've started working on doggy-themed wallets and pouches and I'm sharing a table with a good friend of mine who does some really fun pottery.  She's making dog bone wind chimes (so cute!).  Hoping to raise some money for this great cause!

Have a good weekend ~ gotta get to class!

Update:  Finished the first mug block for my In From The Cold quilt!  Lots of fabric to cut before next class in two weeks ~ looking forward to seeing this come together.  :)