WIP Wednesdays

Wow - how time flies when you are having fun....I can't believe that it is Wednesday already.

I have been pretty busy this week, so let's get to it...

I took up the Mini Quilt Challenge by Ellison Lane Quilts and was inspired by a great tutorial by "Don't Call Me Betsy" - and created this Valentine inspired mini quilt.  It is machine pieced and I hand quilted it. I call it "Be Mine Friendship Star".  I had a bunch of 6" squares of various reds just laying about and being February, they were calling to me.  I put a natural linen border on it and love how it looks...what do you think?

Second finish for the week is a commission for a friend to give to her Mom.  She wanted something very traditional and 'country' colors.  Her Mom also likes chickens...so here is what I came up with.  It is an original design called, "Keep Your Sunny Side Up" - machine pieced and hand quilted with a pieced back.

I think the one that I am most happy about is finally getting my Tennessee Waltz back from the long-arm quilter - it is now bound and has been washed and dried for that wonderful crinkly look - I am so pleased with how it turned out....

Also on the table are the following:

• Sew Out Loud {Quilter's Word Play} QAL
• getting "The Big Flake" ready for quilting (top & back are assembled)
• Modern Minx Bee - starting to design the layout of all my yummy blocks from my fellow Minx!  
• Friendship Star Swap Quilt....block are waiting!
• two more quilts are at the long arm quilter that need to be finished for the quilt show in July! 

Whew - but it feels good to be busy and creating....

That's all for now - see y'all later.

Connie

WIP Wednesday...

Even though many other demands have been made on my time this week, I have been able to squeeze in precious quilting time.  

I finished up a commission for a friend at work - a mini quilt as gift to her mother.  The request was to be very traditional and very country looking.  I think I achieved that with this little quilt.  I call it "Keep your Sunny Side Up!"  It is a wonky star around a fussy cut little chicken with a circle of flying geese around it.  It measures approximately 18" x 18".  It was designed by me - machine pieced and hand quilted.  The back has a row of flying geese - leftover from the front, as I changed my design, part way through the process - one of the things I like about quilting - you never really know what you will end up with.

"KEEP YOUR SUNNY SIDE UP!"

My "Tennessee Waltz" was finally returned from the long arm quilter (5 months later than promised) but she did a beautiful job.  I just have to attach the binding and then I will take lots of photos ... hopefully by next week (fingers crossed)

I tried my hand a couple of pouches and they came out OK - I know now what I need to do to make them perfect....but these are still usable.  I used a tutorial, provided by June from Junebugs World - guest blogger on Sew Sweetness by Sara - (http://www.sewsweetness.com/2012/02/reader-tutorial-cathedral-window-pouch.html)

CATHEDRAL WINDOW POUCH

PIN-TUCK POUCH

I finished my block for the Modern Minx Bee - February is Stargazing for Vicky - it will be in the post early next week.  I can't wait to see how this quilt turns out!  Very exciting!!! I have already received 9 out 11 "Envy" blocks with the last 2 on the way very soon - January's project - and have started doodling several designs for a layout...they look great together! 

FEBRUARY MINX BLOCK - STAR GAZING

The Modern Round Robin is also coming due soon and I have pulled fabrics and gotten an OK from my partner!  This too, should be completed and in the post by next week...

THE LIME GREEN REALLY WORKS!

I have started to pull fabrics for the "Sew Out Loud" QAL.  The first block has been posted and I think I know what I plan for it...tricky paper piecing - but that is the reason I joined this group and it is being lead by some GREAT quilters...

FABRIC MOSAIC FOR 'SEW OUT LOUD' QAL

Lastly, I made up a mini quilt, inspired by Elizabeth's "Friendship Hexagon Mini" (using tutorial found here: http://www.dontcallmebetsy.com/2012/02/modern-mini-quilt-blog-hop-friendship.html) with a bunch of red squares that I had laying around for a long time.  I have bordered in in a natural linen and love how it looks.  I needed something small to take along while my Mom is having a procedure done in the hospital.  She will be there for a day or so, and I need to keep my hands busy while I am worrying and trying not to look like I am worrying ... No pictures yet of this one, but I will get them as soon as I go home again.....

Very productive week - squeezed in with work and family ....  oh yes, and Valentine's!  My hubby surprised me with a wonderful Prime Rib dinner and a romantic movie - Dr. Zhivago!  Romance for me and the Russian Revolution for him - life can't get better than that.

We all are keeping positive thoughts for Mom - and see you all soon,


Linking up with WIP over at Freshly Pieced found here:  http://freshlypieced.blogspot.com/2012/02/wip-wednesday-one-with-elizabeth.html

Connie 

WIP Wednesday

I am almost finished my 12 Days of Christmas QAL - Yay....All that is left to do is the label and a hanging sleeve, as I am entering it in my Quilt Guild's Show (July 2012)...wish me luck!  Then it will be ready for gifting to my daughter, Melissa, as promised.  {picture to be posted a bit later, when washed and all crinkly}

Since I finished this project - I feel free to join another QAL.  So join me if you like for the "Sew Out Loud" QAL - details can be found here:

http://shape-moth.blogspot.com/2012/02/sew-out-loud-qal-giveaway.html?showComment=1328116211983#c8651269173751322440 

Go take a peek and see the great giveaway included...

My Modern Minx Bee is moving along nicely.  My blocks from the January Bee are starting to come in and I will post pictures once a few more arrive.  They are looking fantastic.  February's Minx (patchwork queen) has also posted her wishes and we are challenged to make a variety of stars - I am still pulling fabric and waiting for my solid to arrive in the mail. 

That's all this week....

Connie

WIP Wednesday

It has been a crazy week.  I have not been quilting very much - life has been intruding.  Thankfully quilting is a sanctuary for me and I get at it as much as I can.

This is what I have been working on...

I finally made the starting block for the {Modern} Round Robin.  I dropped it in the post today and am eagerly waiting for my partners block to work on.

I call this "Button, Button"

... and I am still working on the 12 Days of Christmas Quilt Along - the hand quilting is pretty soothing for me...and I still have to put the button on it.  It is really looking nice.

Sad to say - that is all for this week.

WIP Wednesday

I missed a week and thought that I would have so much more to post... but here is my update.  


I'm still working on Melissa's 12 Days of Christmas.  I only have a couple more block to hand quilt and will embellish a few of them with some interesting buttons.

My Indigo Stars quilt is completely finished.  I have washed it and put it in the dryer, so it is all crinkly and 'antique' looking.  My hubby Peter likes it and it is draped over a chair in the living room waiting to be cuddled.

The Tourmaline runner is also finished.  I had a lot of waiting around to do last week and hand quilted it too.  It is going to be a 'thank-you' gift for a wonderful lady that has been helping out my mom.

I have also completed the first assignment for 'fresh-squeezed projects'.  It was a trio of Courthouse steps blocks.  I used shirt and suit material for them.  I love how they turned out.  

I also had lots of strips left over so put them to use and made a few mug rugs.  One for my hubby, Peter; one for myself at the office and one for a friend who is always very helpful.  

I guess that's not bad for a couple of slow weeks.  See y'all next Wednesday.


Connie

Winter has arrived...

First winter storm of the season.

This is the view from our living room window.  It is much better than it was yesterday - you couldn't see out! 

We have not had much snow, so far this year.  Not a very typical Canadian winter, so far...that is until yesterday.  The first storm of the season arrived and this morning, I took a few photos to share with you.  What you can't see, is how cold it is!  

A small drift formed between the house and the gazebo.  It's about 1 1/2 feet high.

The workshop and part of the garden

Here is Gun Club Road.  This year, it seems, that they are only plowing just past our driveway! 

Peter's workshop from the road.

The driveway side of our house.  It is the sheltered side, so the snow really piled up here.

The creek is starting to freeze.  You can see the drift forming from our back fence.  

Now - off to make hot chocolate....Peter is almost finished digging out the truck!  

WIP Wednesday

I decided to jump onto the band wagon and participate in WIP Wednesday.  I find that if you have to report your findings, you are a little more focused on finishing the products.  So - since this is a new year, I am going to try to be a little more organized - get some of those UFO's completed.


I have been hand quilting a lot lately.  I'm working on Melissa's 12 Days of Christmas - I machine quilted the basic quilt and am now enhancing the individual blocks with some hand quilting.  It is looking really good.

I am also working on the Indigo Stars quilt that I started a couple of years ago....It is entirely hand quilted.  I have quilted the all the blocks and am working on the border.  Again, I think it looks pretty good.

I had a day of organizing and found some charm squares that I can't remember where they came from and put them together in a small table topper, using a great pattern called Tourmaline - I will machine quilt it next week.

I am pretty pleased with what I have accomplished, along with working full time - but a girl has to support her fabric habit! ;)

Winter Stitching...

I have copied my last "Winter Stitches" post here and will update my accomplishments.  I made good progress in December, even though it is a busy month with lots of holiday activities.  Peter & I had a really great holiday season and hope that everyone else did too! 

1.  Complete 'mug rugs' for the office Christmas Exchange - completed

2.  Participate in the 12 Days of Christmas Quilt Along - the first such event I have joined - status - Quilt top is now complete and I hope to start quilting it this weekend (for my daughter, Melissa) I have now machine quilted this quilt and have decided that since it missed the Christmas deadline for this year, I am adding some hand quilting to it.....

12 Days of Christmas Quilt Along 

3.  Mystery Quilt (Prince Edward County Quilters' Guild - PECQG).  The project is called Beyond the Block.  I need to have this completed for the Guild's quilt show in July 2012 - status - all sections completed to date.  December's installment was on how to put it all together...which has now been done.  I am now debating on a border...does is need one or not?  

Beyond the Block

4.  Finish hand quilting "Indigo Stars" - status - approximately 2/3 complete inside blocks are now all hand quilted - only the border left to do

Indigo Stars

5.  Bind "Tennessee Waltz" once returned from long arm quilter 

6.  Quilt and bind "Freezin' Season 2010" {Freezin' Season is an annual mystery quilt that is mailed out from The Quilt Patch in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan}

The Big Flake

7. "Freezin' Season 2011" - start and finish?

8.  Quiltsy Team on Etsy - join something - left this team - it was one thing too many to add to my quilitng world.

9.  Organize quilt room

10.  Visit my daughters in Toronto

11.  Start quilting with friends at work (once a week or once a month)

12.  Complete "Winter Enchantment" - Christmas present for Diny - status - complete

13.  Finish "Stars Over Fort Sumter" - top is finished and is in the 'que' at the long arm quilter...

Stars Over Fort Sumter

14.  Make gift for Mary Lou - new apartment/Christmas - status - completed and given

15.  Complete gift for Amanda - status - completed and given

16.  Mug Rugs - last minute gifts to be added to Christmas gifts for mother in law, sister in law, Mum, neighbour

...for SIL

...for MIL

...for Mum

...for neighbour

17.  Last minute Christmas makes - table runner for my daughter (made with left-overs from the 12 Days of Christmas Quilt Along

12 DoC Table Runner for Missy

18.  Last minute Christmas table runner for my living room

My holiday Table Runner

19.  Swap - Japanese x and + blocks - made 20 for exchange.

Blocks for swap

20.  Modern Minx Bee - I am the January Minx and have prepared the tutorial for the Envy block (from "Modern Blocks - 99 Quilt Blocks from your Favorite Designers" compiled by Susanne Woods)  Let the sewing begin! :)

January Bee block - Envy

I have made good progress and still have lots to do.  The cold winter is the PERFECT time for sewing and quilting.

another Christmas is over....

So Christmas is over for another year and a good time was had by all.  Today I sit here listening to the rain on the roof - the prediction is for it to turn to snow by morning...winter may actually arrive soon.

We had a lovely turkey dinner and lots of leftovers.  Today I made broth for future use from the turkey bones....mmmmm.  The house smelled wonderful, all over again.  

The last couple of days were spent using up scraps from other Christmas/winter projects.  I started sorting and cleaning and then I made us a couple of 'mug rugs' and a small table topper.  I feel good having been productive with bits and pieces that where headed for the trash....  

Table Topper

Connie's Mug Rug

Peter's Mug Rug

Today I put together more of the Japanese x & + blocks for my swap coming up in January.  Then I will have to decide whether to just join them like this (see photo below) or add sashing....stay tuned.

20 blocks made - 5 more to go, then off to the UK for swapping! :)

I also got a chance to work on the "Beyond the Block" Mystery Quilt that my guild is running.  We got the last piece of instructions at December's meeting and I used this bit of quiet time to finish up the top.  I am still debating the need for another border.  

Sadly the colors don't show here properly!  

Just another week left in 2011 . . .