End of July Projects

Sorry for the crummy pictures, it's a very gloomy day here today with a storm approaching.
I finally finished my granddaughter Brynn's quilt. I am so happy with the way it turned out and think she will have fun looking at the the fussy cut centers as she gets older.

These are some of my favorite blocks. I stitched in the ditch, which (lots of rhyming words there!)is not one of my favorite ways to quilt but I think it is appropriate.

 I even made a label! I am not very good about labels (-: I did the in the corner method and liked it very much and will do it again.

I also dug our some swap blocks that needed my attention.

These red with solids (broken dishes?)were from a swap last fall I did with Barb. The bowties and 4 patches were from a previous swap with Barb and some from a guild swap. The blocks are 4 1/2".

I did not have enough of the red blocks but plenty of the 4 patches and bowties. They went around the edges twice (border). I used EVERY SINGLE block! Yay for an almost finished UFO. This will be a nice lap size quilt for the winter.

No thought was given to placement, I only changed groups of like colors or same blocks that were next to each other.
I feel like I got my sewing mojo back. This quilt was practically already made, I just had to make a plan for it. So get out your UFOs and lay them out on your design wall, you never know what you have hiding in our closet!

Kelly

Snow Day

We finally got some snow and it's February 9th! Of course they made it out to be the "stormageddon" well almost.......the news people do love a snowstorm! We only ended up with about 4", hardly a big deal but a good enough reason for me to stay put for the day.
I have been working on some flying geese. These will be a long term project and maybe even a full size quilt! I am using the method that makes 4 at a time. It's very accurate and feels a little like doing magic. The centered deer in the top block was a happy accident!
I was thinking this might be fun to do as a swap. Is anybody out there interested? You can find a tutorial on how to make them right here on my blog.

I made this today as a gift for a friend. I found some antique stamps a few weeks ago and they included some very unique ones.....I will do a post on them another day. They do have some letters missing so I had to improvise with new stamps. The fabric in this pincushion is from Cotton and Steel called Flower Shop that I got in Houston last fall. I think it is coming out in the quilt stores now.

Brynn

How sweet is baby Brynn? I spent the beginning of the week getting some meals ready for them and yesterday I spent the day at my daughter's house. I will go back tomorrow to give her a hand and next week if she needs me.

Sleeping baby, it's good thing

So far so good. She is only getting up once a night and going right back to sleep. Mom and dad are getting a good night's sleep! She took to breastfeeding right away which really takes a lot of stress off the mommy.
I am busy getting things ready for our annual getaway next week. As usual I can't decide what to bring. Right now I have about 5 projects, too many? Not enough?

Kelly

Seeing Red!

Every fall for the past 3 years, Barb of Fun With Barb has had a block swap. The first year was nine patches, last year it was bow ties and these beautiful blocks above are the ones from this year. The random colors with red are so wonderful and I will probably mix them with my bow ties that have been waiting for me......

Now for some exciting news for all the local readers! Barb will be coming to visit my guild, the Penn Oaks Quilters on Monday, November 14th. 

Meetings are held the second Monday of the month from September through June at 7:00 PM at the Mennonite Church in Frazer 57 Maple Linden Lane, Frazer PA 19355. There is a $5 guest fee.

If you are interested in coming and need more information please email me and I will be happy to send you more information. Kellymx@aol.com

Now I am off to bed because tomorrow I go to Houston!

Kelly

Doll Quilt Swap

I participated in a doll quilt swap that was hosted by Lori of Humble Quilts. It was outside my comfort zone so that is why I decided to do it!
I received this lovely quilt called "Spice Trail" by Laurie who lives in Washington state.

It was even hand quilted! Thank you so much Laurie!

I know I have been been very scarce of late but life is a whirlwind right now. Everything I have been sewing is for the twin's baby shower so I can't show you anything until June.
I hope you are all enjoying this wonderful warm weather!

Kelly

Snowy Sew Day

Last October I was in a 9 patch swap that Barb of Fun With Barb hosted. I have  200 - 3 1/2" nine patches. I have been letting them sit until an idea of how to put them together comes to me.
I took them with me to our retreat 2 weeks ago and started sewing them together. I should have brought my sketch so I would remember how I was setting them. I sewed them all wrong and was not unsewing them.

So now I am putting them together totally different than the original plan. I even made 52 more so it would be a good size. It will measure up at 63" x 72" a perfect size to use for a nap!

The more I looked at the "new" design on my design board, the more I liked the simplicity of it.

These are all I have left to sew together into a 9" block. I will finish them up tonight, because....

it is snowing.....Right now we have a little over 8" and it hasn't stopped yet. My husband just left for the night to go out and plow so I will have the whole evening to myself.

What is it about a snowy day that makes you want to drink hot tea and eat 50 cookies? I love the name of this one.

I will finish this tonight. Not my usual genre but I did like it. Did you read it?

Kelly

You've Got Mail

I participated in a Festive Mug Rug Swap over the Christmas holiday. This is the lovely package I recieved from my partner Jan. Can you tell she is from Australia? I think the fabric with the kangaroos on it is hilarious! You can just barely see the mug rug under all the goodies.

I also wanted to tell the local readers I will be doing a mini trunk show at the Penn Oaks Quilt Guild this Monday night January 12th. If you want more information about where we meet etc click HERE.  I was also asked to speak at the Berks Quilter's Guild On Tuesday, January 20th. For more information you can check out their website.  Maybe I will see you there!

On another note over the holiday we started watching Game of Thrones. We are hooked and one day watched 5 shows! Is anyone else watching or has watched? I am so excited because the 5th season starts in April so we have plenty of time to catch up. Warning if you are thinking of giving it a try know there is a lot of violence and very "adult" scenes. It take place during medieval  times so torture is commonplace and some of it is hard to watch but the story is amazing and very complex.

Kelly

The Postman Always Delivers and So Does Barb!

Today my package came! It was all rolled up into a little ball but I wasn't worried.

Here are my beautiful little nine patches just waiting to be put into a quilt. Thanks again Barb for a fun swap. Now the ideas will be swirling around once I feel better.
Thank you everyone who participated in the swap, I really appreciate all the work and time you put into making the blocks.

Kelly

QAL, Bee or Swap?

Low Volume Fabrics

One of the things I enjoy about quilting are the endless choices we have to make. I am very easily swayed when it comes to things I see and want to try out.Which leads me to my question......have you ever joined a Quilt Along (QAL), an online bee or a swap? If so what has been your experience? I did a block swap a few years back and about half the people in it did not send out blocks, it was a little disappointing.
Last year I was in a Low Volume Swap that was fabulous, so much so I am in it again this year. I will end up with 36 (10") squares of fabric similar to these above. A low volume fabric usually has a lot of white, cream or gray with a print that still makes it read as a white. Definitely a more contemporary feel.

I used them in this quilt that I made last fall. I think it adds a lot to the quilt, especially if you like scrappy.

A few months ago I was in a Skinny Pincushion swap that was a lot of fun. It took no time to make and I think everyone who signed up, sent one out.

Remember this drawstring bag I made a few weeks ago? You can find the pattern here at Quarter Inch Mark. Chase is having a Quilt Along that I have joined, I have never done one before so this will be new to me, but I am looking forward to it.

These blocks I made last Friday are the beginning of the QAL. If you want to know more you can check it out here. I think it might be fun for my first go at it.
Have you ever participated in any of these? How did it go?

Kelly