Le Challenge - Ink

It feels so good to be back sitting at my sewing machine.  I went on a last minute cruise in the hot, hot sun, then came home to freezing cold weather and caught a cold.  Thanksgiving was a blur.

 

But, I did manage to complete my challenge piece this month.  The theme is "ink" and it took me awhile to think of a project.  I chose to make a fabric basket using some text charm squares.

It really turned out cute and is currently on my sewing table holding some spools of thread.  I may make some more of these little baskets.

Now, I am off to go and catch up on yard work. Oh what fun, NOT!

Please check out the other "ink" entries this month at Le Challenge.

Le Challenge - X

This month's Le Challenge theme is "X", the unknown.  I have 2 Spoonflower samples that I thought would work great for this challenge - the mathmatical equations and the detective that solves the unknown.

 

These samples are 8 inch square and are different materials.  The Sherlock material is fine and the equations are on canvas.  I knew that I wanted to keep as much of the fabric as possible as a whole piece, and not cut into it.

 

The "solution" was to make a flat zip pouch accented with a bold red zipper.  To give the piece a little structure, the samples were backed with iron-on fleece interfacing.

 

I did break a needle while sewing over the zipper so I learned a lesson to be more careful on my next pouch.  I am so glad I finally got to use these samples.

Check out more of this month's "X" themed entries at Le Challenge.

 

Also linking today to Finish It Friday and Whoop Whoop Friday.

Bloggers Quilt Festival - Scrappy Stars

Oh, how I do love the Blogger's Quilt Festival.  There is so much creativity on display!

 

I have decided to enter one of my most recent finishes - Scrappy Stars.  It was made using the pattern "Obsession" which is found in the book "Quilt-opedia". 

 

This quilt was entirely made from my stash of scraps!  . 

 

I wanted a project to hand quilt and thought that this piece would be a good quilt to stitch in the ditch.  

I am also glad that this piece includes triangles.  You see, me and triangles have this love/hate relationship and 2014 has been my year to really work on this skill.

I think this may have been the most fun I ever had selecting fabrics for a project.

 

Scrappy Stars

78 x 78

Pattern:  Obsession from "Quilt-opedia"

Pieced and hand quilted by me

Please check out all of the entries at the festival.

WIP Wednesday - Idea Pouch

I finally had some time to work on a project that I have wanted to make for years.  It is the Idea Pouch from Michelle Patterns.

It took about an afternoon for me to make and all that is missing right now are the 2 buttons on the outside for the closure.

 

I modified the inner pocket dividers to make an area large enough to hold my iPhone.

It also fits my iPad perfectly.  I can see myself making more of these cute pouches!

 

I am not sure what my next project will be yet, but this new pack of Aurifil thread is calling to me.  I think it goes great with this fat eighth bundle.

 

 

I recently won this Aurifil thread participating in the Scrap Quilt Challenge 4 sponsored by Fabrics N Quilts.  There is certainly plenty of scrappy inspiration in this year's entries. 

 

I was keeping this fat eighth bundle to take with me to a class at the Houston Festival next week, but I am still debating.  The class supplies lists "scraps" so I may just skip using this bundle and decide to take a bag of scraps. 

 

Linking today to WIP Wednesday.

Le Challenge - Mix

This month's Le Challenge theme is "mix" and to be honest, I was quite stumped at what to make.  I finally decided that I would finish my scrappy happy houses quilt.

These houses are made of a mix of scraps.  I actually made so many houses that I have another quilt top completed and a stack left over to make a 3rd house quilt. 

 

Of course, just today on my work table I spied this mix tape.

 

 

It is the Quiltcon USB containing patterns from many of the instructors.  Had I spotted this sooner, I would have made a project from this tape to fit this month's "mix" theme.  (BTW, I cannot wait until Quiltcon 2015!)

 

Like I said, I was really stumped with the challenge theme this month.  I think it started early on when I was brainstorming "mix" ideas and thought of Meow Mix.  In my family, I remember us kids singing TV commercials around the house including one for Meow Mix.

 

 Check out more "mix" challenge projects at Le Challenge. 

 

 

 

Craft Book Month - Quiltopedia

Today, my fingers are simply worn out.  But I don't care, because I LOVE my new quilt!  Yes, I did say "my quilt" because this quilt is for me.

 

 

The pattern is titled "Obsession" and is found in the book "Quilt-opedia" which is currently my favorite quilt book. 

 

I cannot believe that this quilt was made from scraps!  It was fun to select and cut the fabrics squares for this quilt.  

 

 

Since I had to cut the squares from scraps, it did take a bit longer than cutting from yardage.  But, I wanted the quilt to have the look of many fabrics.

Now, I wonder what project to start next...

Linking today to the party at Craft Buds since September is Craft Book Month.   

 

Le Challenge - Era

It is time for this month's Le Challenge project and the theme is "era".  Once again, this challenge has theme's that I find challenging.

  

My first thoughts on this "era" theme was using 30's reproduction fabrics, civil war fabrics, or making a crazy quilt from the Victorian era.  But then I started looking at mid-century modern art and knew this was the time period I really wanted to work with. 

The inspiration for my mini quilt was the Unparalleled Quilt lesson from the Craftsy Improvisational Piecing Modern Design class.  I really did enjoy working on this project.  Just cutting at will and designing the piece as I went along was a very freeing way to work. 

 

It was also a nice change to work on something new, since 2014 has been my year to tackle my WIPs and scraps.

 

Please check out the other "era" themed entries at Le Challenge.

Finish it Friday - Final Purge

Today is the final link up for the "Purge".  During the past several weeks, I was able to bust through quite a bit of scraps and stash (making room for new fabric of course!).

 

I think that the Greek Cross may be my new go-to scrap pattern as the blocks are simple and quick to make.  I can see myself making a larger quilt for me that is super scrappy.

 

 

I was lucky to get a break in the rain to get a few outdoor pictures.  One quilt was made using some blue/green scraps, and the second quilt was made using "Garden Party" scraps.

 

 

Both quilts are on the way to MHC as part of 100 Quilts for Kids.

 

Linking today to Finish it Friday and to Whoop, Whoop Friday.

 

Finish It Friday - 100 Quilts For Kids

 

 

Today is a check in for the Purge.  This week I completed 2 quilts that are on the way to MHC as part of 100 Quilts For Kids.

 

The Disappearing Hourglass quilt was made using a stack of scraps from my pink "Purge" pile.  (Oops, I just noticed that a leaf fell on my quilt when I took the photo). 

And this simple quilt was made using floral fabrics. 

 

Since the last update, I have completed 2 scrappy house tops and am over 50% finished with my lime spiderweb blocks. 

Of course, I wouldn't be me if I didn't start something new while I am working on other projects.  The blue scraps have become Greek cross blocks that I hope will be a top soon. 

 

My scrap boxes are starting to thin out....well sorta.

 

Linking up today to Finish It Friday and to Whoop, Whoop Friday.

 

My 10 Quilty Little Secrets

I have been having a good time reading and laughing at everyone's 10 Quilty Little Secrets so I thought I would join in and air some of mine.

button at Molli Sparkles

 1.  I sew over pins all the time and have for many, many years.  If I break a needle (which is rare), I put a new one in my machine and move on.  I even broke the plastic guide off the right side of my 1/4 inch Janome sewing foot so I could sew over pins.

 

2.  My scraps are not organized by color.  They are dumped into a very large box or are in many shoeboxes.

 

3.  I don't press, I iron.  I don't set the seam and I don't iron open my seams.  I tried it once, but couldn't see the advantage.

 

4.  I don't like a lot of quilting on quilts.  Oh yah, I said that. 

 

5.  EPP is just not for me, seems too fussy.

 

6.  I don't pre-wash my fabric and I don't wash my quilts as soon as I am through making them.

 

7.  I love watching sewing videos on Craftsy and Youtube and I am grateful to those that share.  But it drives me crazy to hear "um" as every other word.

 

8.  I don't like to pin baste.  My few pins are placed very far apart, and I haven't had a problem yet with fabric shifting.

 

9.  I don't understand the fuss over Liberty fabrics, batiks, Japanese fabrics, and linens. 

 

10.  I like to keep my machine's bobbin area clean and lint free.

  

What about you?  Have you any little quilty secrets to share?

Work In Progress Wednesday - Trees

Last week I couldn't decide if I wanted to sash or not sash a stack of scrappy houses.  Then I realized that I had enough blocks to make 2 quilts - one with sashing and one without sashing.  Problem solved.

 

I decided to separate all of the houses that had the night time or space background fabric.  These will have some sashing with the space fabric and will include some wonky trees.  I do not have a pattern for the trees.  I am just "winging"it.

 

The house blocks with the light colored background will be sewn together in a color riot.  Hopefully, I'll have 2 completed quilt tops soon.

Linking today to WIP Wednesdays.

Purge Update

I am almost scared to say it....really, I don't want to jinx myself....but.....I think I may be at the end of my scrap boxes!  Yes, really!

 

I have been working on this ever since I decided to spring clean my sewing room.  I realized I was near the end when I started running out of usable pieces for my scrap houses. 

 

Today is the Purge progress link up.

 

 

Since the last progress report:  20 pillowcases were sent to ConKerr Cancer,  a huge stack of scrap house blocks were built, and I am about 25% complete on a new spider web quilt.

 

It sure feels good to clear out some of my older fabric and scrap boxes.

 

My goals for the next few weeks are to finish up the house quilt and to work on my Le Challenge project.  This month's challenge theme is "era".  I finally decided on my design and era (mid-century modern).

 

Linking today to the Purge and to Whoop, Whoop Fridays.

Design Wall Monday - Houses

To sash, or not to sash......that is my question

This weekend I decided to attack my scrap boxes and used my favorite house tutorial to make about 50 houses.  Once the pieces are cut out, sewing the house together goes quite fast.

 

I've laid them out randomly on the "design floor" and I can't decide if I should add sashing or just sew them together.  Any thoughts?

 

I guess I'll just keep on building more houses until I can decide how to finish them.

 

Linking today to Design Wall Monday.

Finish It Friday - Conquering the Pink Fabrics

I think I made a huge dent in my pile of pink fabrics!

This pink brick quilt is on its way to Margaret's Hope Chest.

 

I have a stack of Disappearing Hourglass blocks and a stack of mini churn dash blocks.

 

These mini blocks have been on my to-do list for some time and I was happy to see a scrappy churn dash quilt in Quiltopedia.  This will be my second project from the book.

Then, I started making pillowcases for ConKerr.  September is the Miles of Smiles event which has a goal to make a pillowcase for every child facing cancer or other life threatening illnesses.

I got on a roll making these pillowcases and kept going even when I ran out of pink fabrics.

 

 

 

 

Today is the link up for the Purge.  Not sure what my goals are for next week.  I have a few more pillowcases to finish, and I may work on some spiderweb blocks.

 

Linking today to Finish It Fridays and to Whoop, Whoop Fridays 

Finish It Friday - Pink Purge

I had challenged myself to bust a pile of pink fabrics this week, and I think I did it!

 

Completed this week is a simple quilt of pink squares that is headed to Margaret's Hope Chest as part of the Scrap Basket Quilt Along.  I really can't believe how well this quilt turned out.  I was a bit worried since it is made from so many different pink fabrics and the design is simple squares.

 

I plan to complete another quilt using what is left of these fabrics.  The second quilt is a brick quilt made of 4 X 8 inch blocks.  Both quilts will then be mailed off to MHC next week.

 

 

 

 

I will be glad to have my stash of pink fabrics used up (making room for more fabric in the stash).  I got the push I needed from the Scrap Basket QAL and the Purge.

 

Also, this weekend I have a goal to make some pillowcases for Conkerr Cancer.  The Miles of Pillowcase Smiles event is scheduled for September, which is childhood cancer awareness month.  I have phased out novelty and brights from my stash, but I think I can find something.

 

Hopefully, I'll have some pillowcases to show next Friday.

 

Linking this week to Finish It Fridays and Whoop, Whoop Fridays.

Finish It Friday - the Purge

I have another finish this week as part of the Scrap Basket QAL

I searched through my scrap box and found plenty of small scraps that I used to create pixelated hearts out of 2.5 inch squares.

This is NOT how I intended for this quilt to look.  I had planned to enter this project into this month's Le Challenge where the theme was "small".  I completed the top heart and then left it for a few days while I worked on another project.  Somehow during this time, I switched machine feet and then made the bottom heart.

I knew instantly when I finished the 2nd heart that it was much bigger - over 1 inch. The top heart was made using a standard foot and the bottom heart was made with the quarter inch foot.  

 

I wondered if I could somehow make these 2 hearts work together.  I decided to border them and offset them on the quilt.  They are now surrounded with some pink paisley fabric that has been in the stash too long - it really must be purged!

So I am joining in with "the Purge".

This is where you can address the unloved fabrics that found a way into your stash.

 

My goal this week is to put a dent in this pile.  There are mostly girls in my family and they have grown up before I could use all of my pink fabrics!

 

I saw a new tutorial from Missouri Star Quilt Co for the Disappearing Hourglass block and had to make one.

 

 

This may be my new favorite fast and easy block that looks super complicated.  I think this design will be perfect for busting that big pink fabric pile.

 

Linking this week to Finish It Fridays, The Purge, and Whoop Whoop Fridays.

Le Challenge - Small

This month's theme at Le Challenge is "small".  I chose to make a small project made of small pieces.

 

This small pillow measures 12 x 16 and was made using 2 inch hexies from my Denyse Schmidt fabric scraps.  I wondered how smart I was to make something with such small pieces since I seemed to under-estimate the number of hexies I needed and found myself always adding more rows to the pillow.

 

It kept feeling like the project would never end.

 

The hexies went together rather fast, but then I made the decision to hand quilt the piece with echo quilting inside each hexie.  Now the project really felt like it would never end.

 

Once I had the pillow cover together, I realized that it was way too big for my pillow form.  I had to cut an inch off all sides of the hexies. Yikes!

 

But, I soon had a pillow cover and I think it turned out kinda cute.

 

 

I haven't decided yet if its going to be a Christmas present, or maybe I will keep it since it matches my Texas quilt (currently a WIP).

 

Linking up with the other "small" themed entries for this month's Le Challenge.