February Goals reached

I am happy to report that I did pretty well on my February goals. Setting just a few small goals seemed to be more realistic than setting big goals when trying to do something about my UFO collection.

Needing binding and label:


1. Hugs & Kisses baby quilt (pictured here) - binding is on, needs hand stitching & label

2. Owl baby quilt - DONE



WIP needs lots of attention:

1. Put sashing on Terrain version of Fat Quarter Stars - DONE, working on borders in March?


NEW project:

1. Row Robin blocks for guild project (make my 4 blocks to start project) - DONE

Fabric choices

This is the fabric we finally purchased for the quilt for the twin boy due in a few weeks.  It just arrived in the mail.  The twin girl quilt is already made, but this one was more difficult to choose fabric that seemed just right.

This is a Timeless Treasure print. I will cut the jungle print strips to make the Quick Strippie pattern just like the owl quilt I made about a month ago. Yesterday I stopped at The Pin Cushion and picked up a black and a cheddar for the strips that will separate the critter strips.

Maybe I'll even cut this out tonight.

The Quick Strippie pattern is a simple design created by Mary and can be found at this link.  This will be a slight variation because the wide strips will be narrower than the pattern, so I will need more rows. But it comes out so cute and so fast.
http://www.maryquilts.com/quick-strippie/

Sashing & binding

Yesterday I worked on 2 of my February UFO goals.

First I made the binding for the Hugs & Kisses quilt and sewed it on. So that one just needs the handwork done and a label. No rush though since it doesn't have a "home" yet.

Then I made the sashing sections for the Terrain version of Fat Quarter Stars. I fussy cut the cornerstones from scraps left over from one of the Terrain fabrics. And I used the same white background as I used in all of the blocks.

Now I'm ready to put the rows together.  That will happen AFTER I rearrange a couple of blocks.  I didn't notice the 2 top center blocks were the same shape until looking at the photo this morning. So one of those 2 blocks needs to move to a new spot - maybe the bottom right corner.

Funny how you forget some details when a project lays around too long. I actually had 13 blocks made. I substituted a different star block for one that I had trouble making.  That troublesome block is pretty, but it was too small. So it is destined for some other life.

Crowing about blocks 3 & 4

I didn't have time to stay and sew these blocks yesterday at the Pin Cushion. But I have them done now. These are so cute with a little checkboard section and a framed crow in each one.

Row Robin beginning

Our guild is doing a Row Robin this year and we'll exchange our "box" at the March meeting.  I think I have my Row Robin box all ready to go.  This will be a new experience for me and I can't wait to get started.

My theme is Summer Fun!  The first row is 4 blocks (12" finished).  I used the "flip flop" pattern that I've used before a couple of times.  I'm asking for lots of bright summery colors and any design that says "summer fun" to them.  The sashing between each row is a yummy red batik.

The exchange box will have my first row, the sashing strips for all of the future rows, and a small notebook for everyone to write in as they add their row.  I may also include a label for people to sign.  Then each month we will trade boxes, so I will not see this for at least 6 months while other people add to it. And each month the new row will have certain specifications, such as 8" blocks or 6" blocks.

Once I get this back, then I'll add the ribbon straps and buttons to these flip flops before quilting.

String blocks

Finally got some sewing time in today and one of the things I finished was the set of 24 string blocks. These will be sewn together and the top will be donated to the Heartstrings project. Getting them sewn into a top and mailed will be one of my March UFO goals, unless I manage to get it done before then.

These all have a black center and mostly bright fabric strings from my scrap bin.

Tea bag caddy

This little tea bag caddy was one of the projects from the guild sewing along day earlier this month. I finally found a button to use on the closure. Cute - and really fast to make. Next time I think I'll use a rubber pony tail holder for the closure.

Unproductive day - so far

My original plan had been to work from home today since many schools are closed for an extended President's Day weekend, including the building housing my office. But you know what they say about "best laid plans". . .

I took some things downstairs to my sewing room to put away, and stepped in . . . water! There is a down spout that runs right next to one of the window wells in my sewing room and we have discovered over the years (the hard way) that if we leave off the extensions to that down spout it is a big problem. The rain - or melting snow in this case - runs off the roof, into the gutters, and pours down that spout to collect in that very spot. And then it seeps into the wall and runs onto the tile floor in the corner under my cutting table.

If the extensions are on then it doesn't seem to matter how much water comes down, my sewing room stays dry.  But guess what? The extensions are laying under a small drift of snow next to the deck. Not connected in any way to the house!! And since we got 10" of wet snow this week, and then had bright sunny days to melt it from the roof, there was plenty of water running down that spout . . . and into my sewing room.

So, much of my morning has been spent mopping, sopping, and complaining. Now I have a load of wet towels in the washer and the floor seems to be staying dry for now.  But since it is snowing again, and the extensions are still not connected, who knows what tomorrow may bring.

Framing my blocks

Not the best photo, but I can report that my Fat Quarter Stars blocks are all framed with blue 1.5" strips.  Now they are ready for sashing. 

These blocks are all different 12.5" star patterns, and they are made with various shades of blues, greens, and purples mostly from Kate Spain's Terrain line.  I decided they needed something to tie them together a bit more, so I framed each one using the same solid fabric before adding some white sashing.  Then a floral border will finish it off.

18 Traveling Stars

Goals are good. One of mine was to get caught up with my Traveling Stars blocks so I didn't have 6" squares from guild members that were just laying around. I'm happy to say all 18 are now done. The final 4 included 2 western prints, a Valentine's Day print, and a soft lavender batik.

Mt Rushmore fabric

What could symbolize my own state more than Mt Rushmore? I just had to buy a fat quarter of this fabric at The Pin Cushion so that I could fussy cut a 6" square to add to my Traveling Stars. It is a perfect addition even if it wasn't from an actual trip. But since I never get tired of going to Mt Rushmore it can symbolize all of the past and future visits. And I also finished a star block with a Christmas cardinal fabric. Just 4 more to go and I'll be all caught up with my Traveling Stars.

Traveling Stars

My regular readers know that my quilt guild has a tradition that when a members travels and visits a quilt shop they bring back a 6" square of fabric back for each member. The fabric usually has some kind of connection to the location.

I've been making star blocks with my 6" squares and this morning I finished 2 more. And I have the background and star points cut for another 6 of them. These 2 were from a member's trip to Door County Wisconsin and represent some of Wisconsin's best products: cheese and cherries.

Thanks ladies! I love this tradition. I added a traveling square to their collection this month. Pierre was the furthest place I've gone this winter so far because of my crazy work schedule. And since Valentine's Day was coming up, I brought everyone a valentine print 6" square.

Heartland Guild Sew-Along Day

17 of the guild members gathered this morning to have a "sew-along". We all brought 3 fabrics to use in a charity block: a light, a medium, and a dark. We made Optical Sawtooth blocks for a charity quilt project. It is always amazing how scrappy blocks made in all kinds of colors fit together nicely once they are arranged.

Most everyone also brought other projects to work on once the charity block was made. I worked on framing my Fat Quarter Stars blocks. Almost done - 4 blocks need a final strip yet.

Now we are eating our sack lunches as more members arrive for our regular 1:00 meeting. We will have a couple of fun demo projects this afternoon too - an apron made from a tea towel, and a tea bag caddy.

This was a wonderful idea! It is so much fun to sew with others once in a while, instead of hiding away in my sewing room alone.