Wrapping up 2022 with 13 Finishes

It has been a good year for finishes. 13 quilts were completed and a total of 168.75 yards of my stash was used up. My best year for sure. 

Last month I mentioned I was almost done with my Christmas Colonial. I only had a few more inches to sew on the binding and attach the label. Here she is completed.

And here is her label. I used 1/2" hexagons and arranged into a diamond shape to fill in the corner of the label. And then I quilted it down with a brick red thread.

And my final finish was Mistletoe Lane made from various leftover scraps from previous Christmas projects. This was such a fun and easy quilt to make. Honestly I was a bit embarrassed to take it to the long-armer to be quilted because some of the fabrics were not great in quality. BUT when I picked it up I was so very pleased with the end result. Isn't it amazing how a quilt can really "come together" once the quilting is done? The texture from the quilting and the fabrics all work together splendidly!

I used Fairfield's Warm and Toasty cotton batting. I had two large pieces that I made into a frankenbatt. For some reason, this batting is hard to find. Sadly, because it feels thicker, is soooo much softer, and it washes well. I really like this batting. I found 2 lonely bags at Joannes and swiped them up for future use.

The quilting design is Christmas Light Strands weaving throughout the top in a cream color thread. These are my only pictures and record of this quilt as it was gifted to dear friends for Christmas. ♥

So there are my 13 finishes!

And here are my empty spools from this year. I counted 20 (both large and small).

It has been a happy, healthy, and productive year. I am hoping for your new year to be that same.

Micah 6:8

Happy New Year and Happy Stitching!

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Bosco is growing and always getting into mischief. He is such an active dog for a pug but such a joy to watch chase leaves, throw his toys in the air, and get the zoomies in the house. Next week he will be 5 months and no hints that he is slowing down. We are thinking of setting up an agility course for him in the backyard. Surely that will burn off some of his energy. If nothing else, he will be a happy dog!

It's The Talk of the Town

Amy Ellis's Talk of the Town, that is. This was a sew along a year or two ago. I had a bundle of fabrics that I used to make this quilt and was not really that excited about the finished top.

 

Then I took it to the Long-Armer, thinking I'll just get it done and pass it on. I even directed her to pick the quilting design as I was coming up blank. My heart just wasn't into this quilt at all. 

 

But how very pleased I was when it came home quilted. Tina used a leaf design to quilt it. I will have to remember to ask her the name of the design in case I want to use it again. But her choice of quilting really "made" this quilt. I could not wait to get the binding on and lay it over the couch in the front room. It is now my new favorite throw! I wish photos would capture it's colors better.

 

It finished at 62" x  75". I pieced the back so I busted through a total of 8 yards of stash. This makes my #11 finish this year.

And the label is ready for signing

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My "Colonial Christmas" quilt was a block of the month project at one of our local quilt shops from years and years ago. The pattern was a Moda University Postcard Quilt pattern and has the date of 2006 printed on the back to help me remember. Those were the days when you purchased each month's pattern and fabric bundle for $5!

 

Because it has so much red in it, I will likely need an entire box of Color Catcher sheets for when I wash it. It is a sampler/medallion, and that is why I named it "A Colonial Christmas". It will be on our bed this holiday season.

I pieced the back with some yardage I had stored away. I love the red toile type fabric but there was not quite enough so I had to use the red stripe fabric in the center.  More reds for the Color Catchers. 

 

This Colonial Christmas Sampler finished at 79" x 79" and I used up 11.5 yards of fabrics. I have kind of cheated in the reporting of this quilt. If you notice, the binding is still not finished on the lower right hand corner. The label is on so I only need an hour or two this evening to finish. I will post a second picture to make me an honest woman.

This makes my 12th finish for this year with a grand total of 158.5 yards. I made the 150 yard challenge but I am doubtful I will make it to 200 yards by December 31. I pick up another Christmas quilt at the Long Arm Quilter's tomorrow but it will not push me up to the 200 yard mark.

Over all, I am happy with this year's finishes. I have several on my Santa list so a few will be going to live with friends and family.

Time to get busy preparing for Christmas. I need my helper again this year to put the tree up. 

Little Bosco is a real time killer. And my vocabulary has decreased to the words, "No!", "Off!", and "No bite!". Sheesh, he's such a bundle of energy.

And hopefully between all the preps for Christmas, sewing binding on the Christmas Jingles quilt I'll be picking up tomorrow, and dealing with a curious puppy, I can make some headway on this quilt I have been working on.

I have 6 more blocks to complete. Then the setting triangle blocks around the edges. I still have a way to go but am putting a nice dent in the 2" squares box. 

What do I name this quilt? Suggestions? I would love to hear yours. This was a project by Jo's Country Junction.

Happy stitching!

 

 

It's November and Getting Close to My Goal

My goal of sewing through, and using up 200 yards of stash that is. The BIG factor in making this happen is that I found a very ambitious long arm quilter. I can barely keep up with her so I have been taking in quilt tops that I have had in the closet waiting for "someday". Their "someday" has arrived and I am getting so many done! Now my next goal is not only to finish,  but to disperse and distribute as well. They are really stacking up!

So this month I have an oldie to report as finished. This quilt was one of my early ones made in the 1980s. I can even remember the house we lived in when it was made! I used my mod Singer Genie sewing machine (still in excellent condition)  to sew it together. And it was Eleanor Burn's book, Log Cabin in a Day that inspired and motivated me with her easy-peasy directions and illustrations. OMGosh, you really can do this in one day!

I did not tear my strips, although the first one I made I did. I painstakingly cut my strips 1.5" wide instead of Eleanor's recommended 2.5". I think the inspiration for this quilt was found in one of the Great American Quilts by Leisure Arts that came out yearly. Remember those? Sadly, I think you can still find them on ebay for $1. 

My log cabin was made using VIP calicos found in that era in lavenders and garnet reds. I still have a box of those pretty calicos from the 80s but unfortunately, their quality is not as good as today's fabrics. I try to use them up in mini projects and crafts.

I may need several sheets of Color Catchers when washing this one. And it does need washing as it sat so long it got the yellow stains along the fold marks while living all those years in the blanket chest. I preferred to get it quilted first, then a wash is forthcoming when the weather warms up. 

Mini label on back

I have been watching for a quilt to go with the Baptist Fans quilting design, and this was it! I love the old-fashion feel and look to Baptist Fans, don't you? I will definitely use it again on future vintage quilt block patterns. 

Baptist Fans Quilting

My log cabin measures 80" x 100". I made it to fit our old double size bed and long enough to tuck under the pillows. That is funny to me because now I make mostly square quilts and not bother with the pillow tuck. 

2 of my favorite quilt-holders helping out

AND, it was finished just in time as the spare room for our grand daughters has an antique Jennie Lind bed that they have outgrown (too short), and is getting replaced by that old double poster bed. Yep, the same one I measured this quilt for. So everything is coming together. (Hope the grand daughters can appreciate that. I might have to put a more modern quilt on the bed for them when they come to spend the night.)

So this finish bumps me up to #10 and I busted through 15.5  yards of stash. Bringing my total so far this year to 139.25 yards.

I can't close without another announcement. We have a new member in our family. We recently brought home Bosco and now we are all getting used to each other. Along with training for a well behaved dog.

 

So I'll sign off with this fun clip I found. These points are true for us as well as our pets. 

Things We Can Learn from Our Dogs

Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joy ride. Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face be pure ecstasy. When loved ones come home, always run to greet them. When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by and nuzzle them gently. When it is in your best interest, practice obedience. Let others know when they've invaded your territory. Take naps, stretch before rising. Run, romp, and play daily. Eat with gusto and enthusiasm. Be loyal. if what you want lies buried, dig until you find it. Thrive on attention, and let people touch you. Avoid biting when a growl will do. On hot days, drink lots of water. When you are happy, dance around and wag your tail. No matter how often you are scolded, don't pout. Run right back and make friends. 

Happy stitching!

Kris

   

 

Still in the Running for 200 Yards

I accepted that Challenge a few months ago - that of busting through 200 yards of stash. I think I might make it mainly because I found a really fast and efficient Long Arm quilter (and I have so many tops to be quilted). I am very happy with her work but I can barely keep up with her! Every 2 or 3 weeks she calls to tell me my quilt is finished and ready for pick up. I presently have 2 quilted tops waiting for their binding to be sewn on and I pick up another tomorrow.

But I am getting ahead of myself. Today, I can report a lovely finish that I call Bricks and Pinwheels. Do you know another name for this block? This top was made with beautiful bright fabrics (I can't remember the line) and the pattern really works together for a bright and sunny quilt for summer.

It measures 80" x 80" and I used up 14 yards of stash.

 

The back shows a miniature block made into a label. I love making these kinds of labels. 

 

I debated on the binding to use on this quilt. I found a bright orange polka-dot that would have worked but decided on a plain white binding so it would not compete with the patched border design. 

Another finish that I almost forgot to report is what I call my Purple Fasset. I love Kaffe Fasset's designs and these purple and green prints are so pretty. It features friendship blocks in the center and borders with striped fabrics and a large flowered print. This quit finished at 66" x 74"  and I used up 10 yards of stash.

I only have these 3 pictures because it was gifted to a dear relative very soon after it being finished in early September.

I made a complimentary label using some of the scraps leftover from the pieced backing. 

 

So this month I can add 24 yards to my running total bringing my grand total to 123.75 yards!

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We have been busy canning and freezing what we cannot consume fast enough from the garden. This year we grew Seychelles pole beans and they have been so very productive. Two 6ft rows have yielded 16 quarts of green beans, numerous servings fresh picked before dinner, and several bags full for friends and family!  We will definitely be planting this variety again next year. 

Another huge task has been our yearly yard sale. Sheesh, I am getting too old for this. We are not hoarders, and I am not a messy, but we do have too much stuff in our attic and basement. It felt good to give things a new home for others to enjoy. 

October is rolling in soon and we have a few chores to finish up before cold weather hits. I am looking forward to those "cooped up" days in the sewing room. Besides, I am itching for a new start. Do you get that feeling too? 

 

Happy stitching!

 

"Quilting evokes a tactile response that reaches both hand and heart." 

   ~ Donna Wilder, Quilters Hall of Fame acceptance speech, 

   November 4, 2000

Summer Heat with Bricks and Tumbling Triangles

It has been a hot summer so far and I am so very thankful for AC. Nothing beats fresh air though, so the windows are opened in any weather 70 degrees or below. Today, that was only until 9:30am before it began to heat up. But it is a good day for washing the bedding and hanging them out to dry. I love the smell of sheets that have been drying in the sun, don't you?

Our bees love the sunshine and warm weather too. They have been busy building comb so we recently had to add another super to give them more room. We planted the area surrounding the hive with wildflowers and they are now blooming. Hopefully the bees are happy with that. 

Another area that we planned with the bees in mind is the corner garden in front of the hive. It is now blooming with daylillies, cosmos, zinnias, calendulas, and marigolds. I love this little area and enjoy its beauty daily from my kitchen window. The marigolds and calendulas are also grown for the chickens. I pick the blooms off the plants, pull the petals off and lay them in their nesting boxes. Their seem to enjoy that, and they reward us with such pretty eggs!

 

I have been making some progress in the sewing room during this heat wave. I fell in love with Bonnie Hunter's new pattern, Maymont. I bought it immediately and now have 52 blocks completed. I sorted through all my 2" strips and pulled out any that were bright or pretty colors. No browns allowed in this one. 

 

 

Sure, I could have drafted out this pattern, but why reverse engineer something, plus the pressing directions are worth the price of the pattern too! 

Another new start is a vintage quilt that I saw posted on Jo's Country Junction. I have one block completed to make it an official start, and have numerous 4 patches sewn and ready. I am now trying to plan the pressing directions.  (see note above) Again, this bit of info of pressing for success makes the piecing so much easier. Being simple squares and four-patches, this should not be too complicated.  

 

I found some yardage of Thimbleberries fabric that will work for the diagonal Irish Chain patches.

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My Scrappy Bricks recently came home from my long-arm quilter. This was made using up some old (and ugly) scraps I had saved. The remainders are now gone as I recirculated them to a group who does charity quilts. Time to rotate in some fresh scraps so my scrappy quilts do not all look alike.

 

 

My Scrappy Bricks finished size is 86" x 87" and I used up 14 yds of stash. It will make a nice utilitarian quilt that will keep us warm this winter without adding a lot weight on the bed.

 

 

I found an orphan Dear Jane block that I used for framing a quilt label on the back. It complemented the brick theme, I think. 

 

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Another finish is my Tumbling Triangles.  I designed this pattern myself using leftover half square triangles from another project made years ago. I found them in my "Procrastination Box". You know the box? The one that holds remnants, bit and pieces, and unused sewn units from previous quilts that would make nice table toppers, wall-hangings, or small gift items. I dig that box out occasionally when I want to get the creative juices flowing. It always guarantees some fun, and surprises.

Unfortunately, this is not too original, because I have since seen this setting in other quilts online. Nothing new under the sun, I guess.  Well, mine does have the alternating black blocks so it is a bit different. Anyway, this was a fun project and I have the binding on and it is labeled. It measures 69" x 69" which is a nice throw size and I used up 11 yards of stash.

 

So this should put my total fabric used so far this year at 95.25 yards. Looks like I will make my 100 yard dash! Can I get to 150 yards? That would be a first.

Happy stitching!