Friday, August 29, 2014

Finish It Friday - 100 Quilts For Kids

 Purge button
 
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.
 

Sunday, August 24, 2014

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.

13 Spools

 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?

Wednesday, August 20, 2014

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.

Saturday, August 16, 2014

Purge Update

Purge button

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.

Monday, August 11, 2014

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.

Friday, August 1, 2014

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.
 
 
 Purge button
 
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