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.

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!

Monday Progress and a Cat Quilt-Along

Almost done!  I ended up sewing the binding on to Christmas Tree Skirt #3 yesterday (not Thursday as I had originally planned).  I discovered a great way to keep the binding handy while I did that ~ I'm sure a lot of people have done the same, but it was an AH-HAH! moment for me.  :)

I grabbed my Wonder Clips and spent some time last night hand-stitching it on the back and I'm hoping to finish it tonight.

On Saturday, I got an early Christmas present from my awesome hubby ~ I think he got tired of watching me stack pillows on the kitchen chair I've been using.  It's a Koala chair and it's SO comfy!  We picked it up at my favorite LQS ~ Flash Sew & Quilt in Naples.

 Speaking of Flash, I was there for a few hours with a group of great ladies making pillowcases for the military ~ one of the teachers there has a niece in Afghanistan who's collecting them for the troops in her unit.  We ended up with 70 (collected in the last month or so) and they're being mailed out today.

I know I've had a lot going on lately (for me), but I couldn't resist getting sucked into this new Cat Quilt-Along over at Oh, Fransson!  

Starting December 1st through December 25th, a new cat block will be posted ~ or you can purchase a pdf from her shop (30% discount now through December 7!).  Check out the post for more info.  

I found a charm pack at Joann's that I loved in yellow, turquoise and grey prints and I decided to make the quilt with a black background (kind of unusual for me!)  Here's my first two cat blocks:

Should be fun!  This is about as close to cats as I get because of my allergies!  :(

Linking up with Sew Cute Tuesday at Blossom Heart Quilts.

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!

Friday Finish and a great sale on Quilter's Candy Basics

I've decided that when I'm working on 7 projects at once finishes don't usually happen too often.  I did manage to finish piecing the top of Tree Skirt #3 ~ which I can't really show here until it's gifted.  But here are a couple of sneak peaks.  To tell you the truth, I had trouble with the points in this hourglass design, but I'm hoping that it won't be too noticeable once it's finished.  :(  Besides, it's my first quilting Christmas, so they'll probably cut me some slack.

I did manage to finish six City Sampler blocks, but I still need to put together this week's three blocks.

 OK - this has nothing to do with any kind of finish, but I had to take of picture of this dotty goodness that I got in the mail today!

Connecting Threads is having a sale on a lot of its Quilter's Candy Basics and I picked out 14 different shades (1/2 yard each) of the Classic Dots (on sale for $3.56 yd).  I wanted them ALL, but I have this thing called a budget that I need to stick to.  :)  The sale is on until 11/28/2013 (while supplies last), so there's hope!
  

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

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.  :)