Christmas Simply Wovens

This was Number 9 on my Fourth Quarter Finish-A-Long list. It was an unexpected finish also as it came back from my long-arm quilter early. Now it has its binding attached and given to Daughter #1...even though I will borrow it back next month for a demo at our Local Quilt Shop.

 Before

And after. It finished at 85" x 85" and I used a total of 11 1/2 yards of stash. This was a great project using leftover strips of Christmas fabrics. It is a free pattern from Moda Bake Shop and quite fun to complete.

So Number 9 is completed and listed on my Fourth Quarter Finish-a-long list. You can visit She Can Quilt for more details on how you can join us.

Not bad... I finished 7 out of 10 listed goals this quarter. Anxious to write up my next goal list for 2018. We'll see if I can beat this years stats:

8 quilts completed

111 yards of stash used up

And this does not include various "small" projects (pillows, table runners, pincushions, tote bags) These help satisfy some instant gratification with a quick finish!

Happy stitching and have a happy new year!

 

Name Pillow

Name Pillow is Number 8 on my Fourth Quarter Finish-A-Long list. And she is finished! These were a few fabrics I had reserved for this project but used mostly the purple, green, and pink to coordinate with her En Provence quilt. (my number one finish this quarter)

The center blocks were the background for the hand-appliqued letters. I added a checkered border and a plain border to finish it. All hand quilted and then I made a pillow insert so that it could be removed if needed for washing.

My grand-daughter loved this and it is nearly as big as she is! Now the boys will know whose room it is!

Number 8 on my Fourth Quarter Finish-A-Long. Join us if you like by visiting She Can Quilt for details!

Debbie Mumm Fleece Blanket

Number 7 in the Fourth Quarter Finish-A-Long, my Debbie Mumm Fleece Blanket.

This has been sitting for years. I made one other no sew fleece blanket and I hated the process! But I found a new way to knot the fringe so that it lies flat and am quite pleased how it turned out!

My husband has a red truck so it was natural that he would be the recipient of this little throw blanket. It also has a moose as a driver, cardinals in snow, and pine trees. What else could you add to like this more? I have always liked Debbie Mumm's designs (even though I usually shun "cute") 

So this marks my #7 finish on my Fourth Quarter Finish-A-Long. You can participate too by visiting the She Can Quilt blog for more details. Happy stitching!

Okay, okay...this was a really easy finish so to prove that I haven't been slacking - here are a few more "finishes" I've completed that were not listed in my 4th quarter goals.

Christmas Tree Table Runner

This was a fun project that I purchased as a kit a few years ago during a shop hop. The tree branches are cut on the diagonal which fray for a chenille effect. I hand quilted it and she made her debut this Christmas on the table.

Lion Rug/Pillow

This is the fourth and final time I have used this old pattern! This Lion was the most difficult but he turned out fine and my grandson LOVED him! Made with super soft fleece.

Little Snowmen Mug Rugs and Matching Pillow

Another Debbie Mumm piece I had lying around so I made these quick little softies and gave them to my grand-daughter to decorate her room for Christmas.

Check out my other finishes here. 2017 turned out to be a productive year!

December Finish

Ribbon Star Variation - I am calling "Snowflakes"

This project came about from little $6 kits at my Local Quilt Shop. It was meant to be a block of the month (actually makes 2) but I stopped at 16 squares. I basically just wanted a throw size.

This Missouri Star pattern, Ribbon Star (found in Jennie Doan's Block book) was changed up a bit by adding a center square with sashings dividing up the block. Oh how I love that technique! 

I always seem to have leftover half-square triangles so I used a few as cornerstones in the sashings separating each block as shown below.

I added an outside border which makes the snowflakes "float" on the surface. (helps to use up the stash too!) 

The backing was a Timeless Treasures fabric that I found on the clearance table. It is so smooth and soft! I had to go back and buy more for a later date. Maybe make a few pillowcases?

So this marks my #3 finish on my Fourth Quarter Finish-A-Long. She finished at 74" x 74" and I used up a total of 13 yards. The batting was white Quilter's Dream. I really like how it drapes and since this quilt is white, it needed a white batting. I learned this the hard way - used a warm and natural in a white quilt and it showed through. So disappointing!

You can join us in this Finish-A-Long by checking out the She Can Quilt blog. Not only can you see what others have accomplished but there are prizes too!



 

November Finishes

I had better report this finish before this month ends. I've finally finished Bonnie Hunter's 2015 Mystery Quilt, Grand Illusion. 

It finished at 92" x 92", and I used up 17 yards of stash. I am getting closer to the 100 yard dash...(85 yards so far)

I really like the quilting design used. It completely filled the quilt.

I was originally going to bind it using the pinks - all I had were scraps - so I decided upon this black/turquoise/yellow check instead and it worked perfectly.   

 



Now that it is finished, I can join in on Bonnie's new mystery without any convictions that I should finish previous mystery projects. <grin> As if that ever stopped me!

This was my number 2 project for 4th Quarter Finish Goals. You can visit other bloggers taking the Finish Along Challenge at She Can Quilt.


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Other near finishes were my Pumpkin Seeds quilt top. I did not get a chance to quilt this before Christmas sewing came about. It is hung with it's future backing for next year. (number 4 of my 4th Quarter Finish Goals)

And I made two table-toppers for Christmas (not on my goal list). These were kits I've had stored and finally broke them out to complete. I have the Christmas Tree Topper nearly quilted and ready for binding.

This kit I purchased during a shop hop at a ridiculous cheap price so now it is pieced and ready to be quilted. Hopefully before Christmas.

  
Still have a few more near finishes to report. I'll post again soon.

Happy Halloween with Crazy Black Cats

Bloomin' Minds have such cute patterns and this one I had to make! Two even - one for my niece and the other for my mother-in-law.

I used a remnant I had from a Daisy Kingdom line. It finished it nicely. I button stitched around the noses and the moon and used a large quilting stitch for the stars in the background. It seemed appropriate on a silly project as this one is. 

I hope it brings smiles to their faces. 

This was number 5 on my 4th Quarter Finish Goals. How is your Finish-A-Long going?

October's Finish

My En Provence quilt is finally finished and has been given to my grand-daughter. She loves it and has combed the top looking at the various shapes, colors, and prints (with a little leading by me). 
I knew this would be her quilt when Bonnie Hunter listed the fabric requirements for this mystery quilt in 2016. I wonder what project she will present this November...I will surely be checking it out to decide whether to join in! Especially now since I have this one finished and her mystery quilt from 2014 (Grand Illusion) is nearly finished too.

This quilt measures 69" x 86" and I busted 12.5 yards of stash to finish it. This gives me 65 yards of total stash busted this year so far. Wow! Can I make one hundred??

Another great way of using up your stash is to piece the backings. Here I used two coordinating fabrics that worked perfectly.

And I love using up any extra pieces I have leftover from each quilt project to make into a block for the back that I use as a label. 

So I've linked this up to my 4th Quarter goals in 2017 Finish Along. How are you doing on your list of finishes?

Fourth Quarter Finish Along for 2017

One last quarter to go before a new year. 2017 is speeding along and Christmas will be here soon. I hope to have a few Christmas finishes...I've often wondered if I chose to only sew with my Christmas fabrics all year, would I run out? Probably not, but it would be fun trying. Christmas quilts make the best "gifted quilt" because you can't go wrong with the colors whether choosing between traditional or modern fabrics.

My current Finish-A-Long List for this quarter follows. You can visit other bloggers taking this challenge or sign up for yourself at She Can Quilt or clicking on the Finish-a-long logo. Happy stitching everyone!




 
1. En Provence Quilt Top - so anxious to get this back from the long-arm quilter so I can give it to my darling grand-daughter who loves purple. The binding is cut and ready to apply, the hard part is done, so this should be an easy finish. (Finished here.)



2. Grand Illusion Quilt Top - ditto for this top as it comes home from the long-arm quilter. I am debating on using a scrappy binding or perhaps something in pink if I can find enough.
I made an error setting the borders on so I had to make my own fix rather than ripping them out. Once finished, let me know what you think as I will post a completed picture.(Finished here.)



3. Ribbon Star - this quilt began as a block-of-the-month at my LQS. The pattern is a Missouri Star pattern but I changed mine up a bit by adding narrow sashings between each unit. (a treatment I love). Don't you love Jennie's pattern books, "Block"? For no more money than a magazine costs and it is all patterns and uplifting articles. This pattern is from her Winter Vol 3, Issue 1. I have chosen to stop at 16 blocks. I am  half way there! It will make a nice throw size. (Finished Here)


4. Fall Quilt - for lack of a better name. I have accumulated a pile of fall fabrics and various patterns but am too behind in other projects to commit to making full size quilts using each pattern. I have decided to make several blocks of each idea and then combine into my own creative setting. This has really kept me up at night thinking as new ideas pop into my mind. So far I have a grouping of yellow dresden plates that I have had for probably 10 years and am making these precious Pumpkin Seed blocks from The Pattern Basket. I LOVE bird blocks and will probably incorporate some in there also. How fun! Aiming for a completed top by November. 


 
5. "Oh Meow" Cat Tablerunner -  by Half to Have Bloomin' Minds. Such cute and funny quick projects! This will be a gift for my darling niece who loves cats. Hope it makes her smile!  (Finished Here)



6. Christmas Celebration - from a Judy Niemeyer class I took. This is the year for this to be done! I love Judy's paper piecing technique and would highly recommend it if you want to jump into this type of piecing. I only have a few more sections to complete, then assemble and quilt. 




 7. Debbie Mumm Fleece Blanket - another project that I have had stashed for a long, long time. I have tried making one of these knotted fleece blankets before and I was not impressed. So boring! But since I already have the materials I may as well finish it. 
I think I would like to try the crochet type chain stitch (braided) for the edging instead of the knotted strips. Do you think that might make it a little less boring and perhaps a cleaner edge? (Finished Here)







8. Name Pillow - a Christmas project similar to last year's pillow only this one is for Abigail. This one is totally from scratch since I have not even begun cutting anything yet but I surely have enough fabrics to choose from! (Finished Here)




 
9. Christmas Wovens - this top only needs to be quilted...by me! Just straight stitching planned so it shouldn't take too long, right? 
I love this pattern and will probably try it again sometime. It is from Moda's Bake Shop where you can find lots of free patterns. Check it out for yourself! This one is a fun and innovative method to piecing. (Finished Here)




10. Buggy Barn Baskets - This top only needs to be quilted so it will sit by my chair for evening sewing. Hand quilting is so calming. I am using the "big quilting stitch" technique for this one. I thought it was an appropriate treatment for the wonky blocks. All made in flannel so this will be a cozy project.

  
Whoa! Ten projects for 3 months. This means about 1-2 weeks per project! I've probably bit off too much here but I always do. Let's get sewing!

Third Quarter Finishes

Unbelievable! I missed the deadline for linking up my finishes at She Can Quilt! And I finished a lot this quarter too! So regardless of getting credit there, here they are listed for my own satisfaction ...

 1. Kaffe Fasset 16-Patch. SO happy to have this one completed. I used up the many fat quarters I owned from a club that automatically shipped them to me from Homestead Hearth. It measures 84.5" x 84.5" and is composed of 100 16-patch blocks. (19 yards busted) The backing I chose is also a Kaffe Fasset fabric that compliments the front nicely and I the quilting is also circles. I was reminded of my inner hippie child as I worked on this quilt. Such a riot of color!

2. En Provence quilt top is finished and sent to the long-arm quilter. I'm happy to have this top finished and will included this in my next quarter's finishes.

3. Grand Illusion quilt top was also finished and sent to the long-arm quilter. Wow! Two Bonnie Hunter quilts completed in the month of September! Maybe I'll commit to her new mystery coming next month??

4. Summer Day at Cape May. This was made with leftovers from a previous project and I had enough to make a "reversible quilt". This was not listed as a goal on my "finish list" and started it as a whim, so this was a bonus finish for me. She measures  68" x 68" and a total of 12 yards busted. This was given to my dear Aunt Margaret whom I hope to visit soon and possibly have lunch at Cape May!

5. Neutral Jelly Roll Race. I had this quilt top basted and all summer sat in the evenings putting in a few stitches until eventually it was finished! Proof that a little consistant work adds up to a completion! Yay! I love the colors in this quilt and she lays nicely over the chair in our living room for some cuddly warmth this winter. I do not remember the batting I used (it was pieced from leftovers - aka frankenbatting) but it is so soft!  She measures 61" x 84" and I busted ___ yards of stash. 

Overall it has been an ambitious and successful quarter. Will I make it to the 50 - 100 yards busted dash? I sure hope so.

3rd Quarter 2017 Finish Along

She can quilt hosts a Finish Along each quarter. You link to her blog, or on one of the other hostesses, with a post about your lofty goals and finishes. I love this challenge because it keeps me focused and motivated.

The days are longer now, and although I often work outside until dark, my list is sweet enough to draw me to the sewing room when it is hot outside. So here goes...

1. Kaffe Fasset 16 patch quilt. This was started as an "in-between project" as my machine was in the shop for a tune up. Simple squares generally do not require great piecing skills which made this a perfect project to work on using my back-up machine. Besides that, these fabrics are expensive and there is little waste cutting strips and squares. I had it almost completed and then decided on a border idea so back to piecing 36 more blocks to complete. Anxious to get this one finished. It is so very soft!

2. En Provence, a carry over from last year's mystery by Bonnie Hunter. It has been put on hold for a while but it is now my number one project. This will be given to my grand daughter who just recently had her room painted lavendar.

 

3. Name Pillow. Once the En Provence is done I will be making a pillow using the leftovers with grand-daughter's name. Made one for Gabby last Christmas and it turned out really nice! I have not even cut out anything yet so it will be a project started from scratch!

4. Grand Illusion - another mystery quilt project by Bonnie Hunter. I think I will change the sashing treatments so this may take some extra time as more cutting is required.  

Just look at all those parts and pieces. Just a few days of some marathon sewing and it should make it to the "flimsy" stage.


5. Bricks - made with the last of some old scraps I had saved. Any leftovers are being donated and recirculated. You know you need to move on when all your quilts start to look the same. I'll pick a FEW favorites and the rest are gone. Yippee!

A few more rows and she is ready for the long-arm quilter. I do like how colorful it is turning out to be.

6. Leymoyne Border on Sue Garman Medallion
These stars are all completed and sewn by hand. Just need to get them attached to this ongoing medallion quilt. Hopefully the rest will be downhill. I will likely not get this one completed for the quarter but I will so be pleased if this border gets on. Count this one my own personal goal.

7. Christmas Celebration - a Judy Niemeyer class that I took a while back. This project really needs to be completed and put under the tree this year - before I decide not to put up a big tree anymore.

This really was a fun project and I would like to tackle another of her patterns someday. It was a great experience in paper piecing. Highly recommended if you have not tried it.

8. Which Way Mystery Quilt - mystery quilt will be started in August for one day. It is not too late for you to join in. Join the QTMysteryQuilts group on yahoo.com.

New Year's Eve Mystery Quilt for Another Finish

It is the end of the first quarter of 2017 and I have another "finish" to report!  
My number 5 listing from my First Quarter Goal List was the New Year's Eve Mystery Quilt I participated in on Yahoo's group, MTMysteryQuilts. 

This, of course, was started on December 31st of 2016 with clues given each hour. The hardest part was keeping up (I didn't) but the motivation was - what will it look like when the final clue comes up?

I usually shy away from Mystery Quilts but because I already had a layer cake and some coordinating fabrics, I dove in. I am glad I did because I love the finished product!

I made mine slightly larger than directed so she finished at 91" x 91". Including the backing, I busted 16 yards of stash! 

It was nicely machine quilted by my long-arm quilter using varigated thread. 
 
Time to link this up at  the She Can Quilt blog as an official finish!



 

Rose Wreath Finish

It is the end of the first quarter of 2017 and I have a couple "finishes" to report!

My number 2 listing from my First Quarter Goal List was the Rose Wreath blocks that needed sashing, borders, and quilting. I was really sweating this because I had very little red solid fabric left.

Do you know how hard it is to match a red solid? I found myself very lucky to find a remnant that matched well enough for the binding because I did not have enough of the original. Phew!

I hand quilted this one as it would be sitting on the table and my machine quilting is not my best talent. Besides, I really do love to do hand work. 

It is now ready to link up on the She Can Quilt blog as an official finish!

2016 Finishes

It was a productive year. 2016 held quite a few finishes for me.

1. Vintage Stitches, Thimbleberries quilt from 2006

2. Hexagon Table Runner, made from a charm pack

3. Blue & Green a mystery quilt from Silly Goose Quilts

4. Hand Pieced Mini Quilt from a 1992 class

 5. Trail Mix, many pieces, many colors

6. Pumpkin Stars, an unexpected treasure

7. Dresden Basket Topper, leftover from mini quilt above

8. Red & Green Table Topper

9. Round About Wall Hanging/Table Topper

10. Teal Blue Dresden Table Topper

11. Simply Woven Christmas Quilt

12. Checkers Quilted Mat

13. Name Pillow

14. Gifts for friends in Japan

15. And the following tops ready to be quilted:

I'll have to tally up my total yardage I busted for this year. It has been a good year.