Half-way finished...

... with the eight blocks I need on the Celestial UFO.  My plan is to have four on the top of the quilt & four on the bottom to give it the necessary length to be bedside before I start adding borders to it.  Ultimately, it'll be a queen-sized bed quilt, when all is said & finally done.  Surprisingly, the blocks are going together much quicker the second time~ I remember my shortcuts & tricks, which helps.  And, because I'll most likely create the Starburst quilt again (which are the 8 blocks I'm using on this UFO), I'm writing in my notes.  Who knows how long my memory will hold~ and I'd rather be safe than sorry.

So, here are the first four blocks... I'm half-way finished... then, onto sashing & adding them to the Lone Star. Hopefully I don't end up with "math" issues; ie: measurements are off & algebra/geometry are required to fix the situation.  However, given that I had no pattern when I started this thing, that very scenario is highly likely.

Top Left: Block 1; Top Right: Block 2; Bottom Left: Block 3; Bottom Right: Block 4

With that note looming~ because undoubtedly I will have math angst~ I think it best to put down the rotary cutter & shut down for the night.  It'll all be there waiting for me tomorrow... or whenever I get back to it! Till then...

Happy Quilting!!! :o)

Tech Savvy?!

Jury's still out on that one.  In the last few days, I've hopelessly been redesigning, repositioning, reconfiguring just about everything on this blog!  Without much background in programming (ok~ No background!), this has not been such an easy task.  However, I did discover that there are *very* generous people out there in the internet world who make all sorts of free backgrounds & what-not for blogs.

Fabulousness!!!

My current "stuff" all came from Shabby Blogs.  They have a wealth of very beautiful backgrounds to choose from & we'll see how long the current one lasts.  If my blog is anything like my iPod, I'm constantly changing the song.  Either way, I've been having fun blowing a lot of time learning how to use this program.  In this day & age, I suppose it's not a bad skill to have acquired.  New resume skill, perhaps?!

In the meantime... I'm back to the mystery quilting of my remaining UFO... I'm two blocks out of eight finished on the *planed* next step for making this project land in the "completed" stack.  The hard part is staying focused~ my Connecting Threads order came today & I have beautiful batiks that I'd like to go create something from.  But, alas~ this is why UFO's stay UFO's.

Must. Keep. My. Focus.  :o)

Happy Quilting!!!

Extra! Extra! UFO's cut in HALF...

That's right... my two finished UFO's are going to be heading off for quilting on August 2nd.  Finally.  Time to make room for newer projects.  Once they're done being quilted, I'll only have to put on the binding & they'll be declared "finished."  That leaves me two lonely UFO's... one that's being <hand quilted> and the Celestial UFO.  Which I have (miraculously!) developed a plan for.

My plan involves the eight star blocks that come from the Starburst pattern by Bits n' Pieces.  Other then that tid-bit, I'm going to be purposefully vague until I can post a picture of my quilt top.  Or at least the blocks once I get going.  Since I'm working on it actively... and it's not sitting around being a bump on a log... I wonder if it still *technically* is considered a UFO. Hhhmmm~ food for thought.

Time to get the scissors & rotary cutter in gear~ the fabric shall be flying in mere moments!!! :o)

Happy Quilting!!!

I forgot one...

Yep. There's another UFO... it's tucked away in a different part of my sewing storage because it's "in-process"... allow me to introduce Exhibit #4.

Exhibit #4: Left-over blocks from my first quilt...
Background: These four blocks were leftovers from Exhibit #2.  I can't remember if they were either too small/big to mesh in with the others or if I wanted to keep the other one 4 blocks by 4 blocks.  Either way, I put this little wall-hanging together from extra blocks.  And then had a typical 20-sumpthin' wild-hair idea to: Hand. Quilt. The. Thing.  Obviously it's still in the hoop which qualifies it as another UFO.  It's been done for over a decade, too.  If I could just devote 30-45 minutes every night to finishing the hand quilting, it would be finished before not too long.

Exhibit #4: An almost-forgotten UFO... 

At the time I started hand quilting this piece, I felt that in order to be a "real" quilter (whatever that is...), I needed to honor tradition by at least hand quilting one piece. It's amazing what previous generations put together with a needle & thread.  No rotary cutters.  No cutting mats.  No sewing machines. So, in order to honor that heritage, I'm hand quilting at least one piece.  [I'm not one to speak to the future... so I can't rule hand quilting another piece out... but at this stage of the game, it's slim to none & slim's getting ready to leave town!] However, the binding was put on by machine.  

All this (internal) talk of UFO's really has me going... I emailed a lady today about getting the two that are finished long-arm quilted; waiting to hear back.  And I think I'm going to dig out Exhibit #1 & see what inspiration I can come up with for finishing it into a bed quilt for my son... 

Happy Quilting!!!  :o)

Current UFO's that just linger & linger...

Every quilter has them.  Some have more then others.  I am, of course, referring to the UFO~ otherwise known as an UnFinished Object that sits in our piles/stash/tables/cabinets/closets/or wherever you find a home for them.  I am guilty of having several~ some are over a decade old!!! Every summer I always say to myself that "this will be the UFO summer!" and (somehow) I'll manage to complete at least one of them by the time my summer vacation wanes away.

This summer is no exception. As far as I've gotten in the UFO pile is thinking about them.  Wondering what exactly to do with them.  Since I'm giving them thought~ I should at least pay homage to their status as UFO and share them... maybe someone out there has some insight as to what should become of them?!  Let's delve into the pile, shall we?!

1.  Exhibit #1: Celestial UFO
Background:  This project was started over a decade ago right after I finished college & was hunting for that first job.  I had a lot of time on my hands~ I quilted. A. Lot. 90+ degree temps with no AC didn't deter me from turning on the iron & sewing.  There was a large, empty wall on the backside of my then-apartment.  This quilt was started with the intent of it occupying that space.  I am now 6 residences past this apartment wall.  The project remains a UFO... however, it is not a long-forgotten UFO... I have an entire cube in my stash devoted to this project & all the celestial fabric I've accumulated through the years to complete it.  I probably have enough fabric for 5 king-sized quilts.

UFO Exhibit #1... I love this quilt... this is a favorite... 

Yes, this quilt is in the shape of an octagon.  Perfect table-topper, right!? Except that my dining room table is & always has been the wrong shape.  I'm not sure exactly what to do~ add more borders, square it out... yeah.  The possibilities are endless.  And yes, that's a Lone Star and yes, I pieced it one parallelogram at a time; none of that strip piecing method here. Somewhere around 5-6 years ago I started paper piecing borders that I was going to add to this... but, as you can see, they aren't attached & I don't have enough of them. :o)

Border option, anyone!?  Not sure about this one... 

Any which way that you look at it... this quilt is a bonifide UFO... I love space & the stars as well as the color blue.  Perhaps I'll figure out a way to expand it to a Queen size bed quilt. Or maybe I'll make it into a wall-hanging. Or ???... your guess is as good as mine.  Time to move onto Exhibit #2! 

Exhibit #2: My very first quilt. 

Background: My second summer home from college, I decided I wanted to learn how to quilt.  Not knowing what books/patterns I would like, I went to the library to check out all sorts of "stuff." Little did I know what I was getting into!!! I was 19.  Most 19 year olds don't think of far reaching consequences of choices~ fabric acquisition, top of the line sewing machines (and all those FEET that come with them...) Like I said with Exhibit 1, I like space.  So naturally, I took to all those star patterns & specifically Alex Anderson's book "Simple Stars."  My dad was intregued with this new hobby of mine & he took me to Borders to get this book.  [So I can *sorta* pass the buck on.. no.. yeah, I didn't think so either.]  I tried out just about every single star in this book before I totally lost my mind on this star: 

So many pieces, so long to assemble; 6 hrs. to be exact. On one block. 

This pattern is called a Memory Star.  It's a 12" block & I chose to sash mine.  For many years, I just made block after block out of whatever fabric I had at the time.  My aunt (who I visited on college breaks a lot... and is a fantastic seamstress... always had a stash for raiding & a machine for using...) By the time I put the quilt together, each piece had a story behind it's creation.  In fact, unlike most college kids who hang photos & posters on their walls... I thumb-tacked my quilt blocks to the wall.  Very relaxing & comforting to me.  Anyway, the thing's massive.  It's an over-sized king.  It needs tons more applique in order to make it presentable.  But I'm not sure what approach I'll take to the applique... other then it seriously needs to get finished.  I'm in my 30's now... this quilt is spanning decades!!!

Exhibit #2: A solid labor of love... & full of stories... 

Well, one second thought... maybe not much more applique... perhaps I just need to bite the bullet & have it quilted.  It's far too large for me to be able to handle in my little sewing corner.  It needs to be long-armed... *someday*...  and we're off to Exhibit #3.

Exhibit #3:  Starburst by Bits 'n Pieces

Background: Up until last year, I'd never taken a quilting class! Ever.  I am totally a self-taught kinda gal. In searching for other places to buy fabric other then JoAnn's, I stumbled across a quilt shop.  And not only that, they sell Bernina's (yes!) & offer classes.  I took this class & made this quilt top. None of the techniques were new, but boy did I learn some nifty tricks & buy a bunch more rulers & other nifty toys. (the corner trimmer remains my favorite to this day) I had the top finished in June... which my dad admired a lot when he came to visit.  So, I figured I'd give it to him for Christmas.  It was supposed to be sent off the the long-arm quilter... guess what?!  It's still sitting folded up waiting to go. Because it came out so well, I want to have Heirloom Quilting done~ which will cost me some bigger $$$ then if it was quilted in a more simple fashion. I'm getting ready to get it sent off... two Christmas' in a row is rather ridiculous.  Here it is: 

Seeing a pattern?! Me & star quilts?! Yeah... me, too... 

So... on this rainy Sunday afternoon... husby's gone to work & the kiddo's still napping... and I'm contemplating UFO's.  I do have a second Maggie May bag to make, but I'm still opposed to starting something else new, when all of these await attention.

I shall have to keep thinking on it.... in the meantime... Happy Quilting!!!  :o)

Finished!!! :o)

Nearly midnight & I just got the Maggie May test bag all finished!!! Considering it's the first time I've sewn this pattern, I'm pretty pleased with how it came out in the end.  There were some things I changed in the pattern as I was going & there will be notations written in for next time...   :o)

Finished Maggie May bag... for my sister!!! 

Thankfully it came out good enough for gifting... it'll be shipped out on Monday to my sister as an *extremely* late birthday present; with a few goodies inside, of course. 

In the meantime... I'm off to bed...  Happy Quilting!!!

Slow Going is Better Than No Going...

... I've been working on the Maggie May bag yesterday & today.  Not really sure how it will end up coming out as I've either a) found mistake(s) in the directions or b) not followed the directions to a perfect T... or a combination of both!  The outside pieces are nowhere near the shape of the lining template that they're supposed to be & because both of my pieces are equally off, I'm sewing what I have & seeing where that takes me.  It will be an adventure, no doubt when it all comes together for construction.

I love how the colors are coming out~ it definitely isn't that funky stash look that I thought I might end up with; the fabrics all meld together.  And I suppose that the picture below dimes me out as to which one was the stash fabric assortment v. purposely selected fabrics. :o)  Oh well... here's what the outside of my Maggie May bag is going to look like when all is said & done...

This would be the raw edges of the outside of the bag... 

Right now I'm taking a break from sewing the lining pieces together... curved pieces take precision pinning & attention to detail.  Which means I needed a break!!! (There were plenty of those on the outside of the bag.)  And take a break I sure did~ put the sheets back on the bed & did the dishes in the sink.  My eyes just need something different to focus on every now & again.  

Back at it... hoping I can finish the lining tonight... which leaves the actual construction, binding, handles, etc. for tomorrow or whenever I can pick it back up again.  However, the sooner it's finished, the better since the person who it's being given too had her birthday over a month ago.  *Oops!*  One of these days I will have gifts On Time!!! 

Off to the machine & my pinning... Happy Quilting! :o)

*~* Ah Hah!!! *~*

Epiphany's are fun... especially when the come to you in the middle of Target & the next thing you know, you & your toddler are racing to the curtain section to find curtain holders.  For your quilt.  Because, not only are they reusable, but they spare you from sewing on buttons. So, the Daisy Basket quilt is now officially finished & on display at home.  :o)  Bonus: I have extra hangers left over; it was a package of 7...

The final finished product... hung by our front door... 

While the baby's still asleep... it's back to cutting fabric for my test bag... made a rookie mistake yesterday & am hoping that I can correct it today... if not, it's back to the stash! 

Happy Quilting!!! 

Maggie May color palettes

There is a lot of really nifty fabric in my stash.  Unfortunately, a lot of it does not coordinate well when you're trying to pull together a polished palette for a project.  However, I was able to pick fabrics for the bags... I have 2 of these in the wings.  One had already been put together & purchased together~ the other came from the stash.  :o)

Here they are! Think you know which one came from the stash?!

Perhaps a close up or two might help... :o) 

We'll call this Fabric for Bag #1... 

Which would make this one, Fabric for Bag #2...

Either way, while they both have a red base... they're very different. I'm looking forward to seeing how the pattern ends up looking.  No matter what I envision, or how closely my finished product resembles my hopes, there's always something I'd switch around "for next time"... and as far as my mis-matched stash goes... well, I've never done a crazy quilt... that may be next up on deck after this.  One way to be a stash buster!!! :o)  

Happy Quilting!!!

99.9% finished... I just need 4 buttons...

My daisy basket quilt is finished... almost.  I plan to hang it in a bit more casual style~ buttons sewn on the front & felt pieces making a sort of cafe curtain style.  Except for the small matter of not having 4 appropriate buttons.  I have tons of buttons~ either the wrong color, wrong size, or not enough.

I probably won't get up to JoAnn's until next week~ I tend to combine trips to town whenever possible since we live rather rurally.  Can't seem to justify over an hour of driving (round-trip) for 4 buttons. So it waits.

But, since the quilting & binding process is finished on this quilt... I am free to start another!  I loved this pattern from Abbey Lane Quilts (Maggie May bag) so much that it made my Christmas list & Santa delivered... As with all new patterns, I make a test run to see how the directions work, yada yada.  Not exactly sure what color palette I want to choose for this one... but I *am* raiding the stash fabric to do so!!! I need to start making a dent in it so that I can replace it...  secretly, of course.  My husby has asked why I need more fabric when I already have so much.  [Of course, all things considered, my stash is piddly compared to real quilters who buy by the bolt and/or don't buy in increments smaller then 1yd cuts. But I don't expect him to understand that concept. It's a work in progress...]

Anyway, I'm off to spread out my fabric & pick some to use for this project!!! I hope the pattern directions are clear & well-written...  Will post as I go...

Happy Quilting!!! :o)

Daisy Basket progress!

My boys took off this morning right after breakfast to go do "boy" errands... I ask no questions.  :o)  All I know is that it meant Mommy had some time to herself to pitter-putter around the house, take an extra-long shower, & get going on finishing this quilt... I have been procrastinating this final step in finishing for quite some time.  Either way, today  was the day to get going!!!

All sandwiched, basted & ready to go!!! 

Stippling takes practice.  Heck, machine quilting in general takes practice.  That's the goal behind this little project~ I got to practice machine applique & machine quilting.  Honestly, I prefer the creation of the quilt top to the finishing of the project... perhaps that's because I'm more practiced at the sewing end of things. (I have a *lot* of UFO's... UnFinished Objects... in my sewing corner. But that's a posting for another day.)

My stippling isn't nice & smooth... or even overly curvaceous... there are times when the curves are pretty & then, just when I think I've gotten the hang of it, there are parts where it's just jagged!  But, overall, I'm quite pleased with how it's coming out.  I'm improving & that's what it's about.  Practice makes perfect, right?!  

Stippling... the hardest part is keeping the stitches roughly the same size... 

With any luck, I don't keep going cross-eyed & attempt to stitch over a basting pin... that'll wreck even the sturdiest of needles...

Happy Quilting!!!  :o)

Quilt top~ Daisy Basket

This is a photo of the quilt top that I'm having difficulty finding the motivation to finish... perhaps that's stemming in part from my uncertainty about how I want to quilt it in the end. Either way, the pattern is an oldie that I saved from American Patchwork & Quilting, June 2005.  Enjoy!

Daisy Basket quilt top...

Welcome to my blog!!!

Hello & welcome to my newest blog... ever wonder all that goes into the pictures you may have seen of my finished quilting &/or sewing projects?!  I'm happy to share this part of myself with others... creativity is something, I believe, is best experienced with someone else.  (You know, that "two heads are better than one" mentality...)

Right now, I'm procrastinating getting a quilting project finished.  I'm slightly annoyed at myself for that one.  The top's been finished since early Spring.  And the poor thing's sitting & waiting for me to quilt it & bind it.  I just don't know why I can't get motivated to finish it... I like how it came out! I have several other projects waiting in the wings that I won't start on until this one is done... not quite motivation enough, it seems.

Anyway, blogger has been eating my postings~ this is the second time I'm attempting to write this posting~ and hopefully it'll *save* and not keep telling me "Service Unavailable"... or maybe that's a cyber-sign that I should get quilting!!! Hhhmmm... I'll have to think on that one. In the meantime...

Happy Quilting!!!  :o)