One blue snowflake

One of the blue snowflake runners is completely done and ready to go into the mail.  I quilted this with a grey thread in a simple large zig zag, and I do like how it turned out.    

I also did a simple stitch on top of each snowflake to secure them.  These were iron-on, laser-cut snowflakes but I don't trust them not to pull off eventually without the stitching.   

This one is a gift, soon to be headed across the country to its recipient, but I have another one made too.  That one is sandwiched and ready to quilt when I get a chance.  The second version is slightly longer with an extra block.  

Saturday Sampler - sections 1 and 2

 OK - this is going to be such fun to put together!  The new Saturday Sampler is an adaptation of Lori Holt’s Quilty Fun book from several years ago.  It’s clear already that the different sections will be different sizes and shapes.

Section 1 is apples, and section 2 is small friendship stars.  Now I’m anxious for December to arrive so we can pick up the next 2 sections.  

A new Saturday Sampler

Our new Saturday Sampler has begun, and it's an adaptation of Lori Holt's book Quilty Fun.  It was an earlier one of her books and features a "row quilt" plan. But our Saturday Sampler is going to use the block patterns, but in a different layout.

Some Saturday Sampler projects provide fabric for the blocks each month, and other years we are encouraged to "shop our stash" or purchase fabrics if desired.  This year I am going to shop my stash of 30s fabrics.  I purchased a background that is white with little blue dots.  But the rest is going to come from my collection of 30s fabric.

This star section is one of two we received this month, and I cut the pieces for two stars from each of eight colors.  However, now that I'm starting to sew them, I was reminded by a friend that I only need to do 7 stars rather than the 16 I cut pieces for.   The funny thing is I'm sure those little pieces won't go to waste as most of the blocks in the book use these size pieces.  So they will just go into a little zip lock baggie and wait to see where else I may use them.  Or maybe I'll end up making more stars and using them on the back or even in a doll quilt.  

Patriotic Pinwheels table topper

Check off another small project.  

This little quilt is only about 20" square so I can use it on a table or hang it on a wall.  The quilting is with a gold (not metallic) thread.  It's all from scraps - the pinwheels themselves are made from corners cut off of star blocks. Then I used scraps to set the pinwheels inside of squares.  The binding is even leftover from the last Quilt of Valor I made last spring. 

Design Wall Monday - November 2

Add this to my November goals list.  It needs a good steaming to get the creases out, but this counted cross-stitch project is destined to be a Christmas gift for my husband who is obsessed with playing golf.   I did the stitching quite a few years ago, then folded it up and promptly lost it.  Well, the lost is now found and I plan to get it framed. 

What else is on my design wall today?  I made 2 table runners using the Jelly Belly Bar pattern from Fat Quarter Shop that used jelly rolls.  I used a blue and cream roll plus a little cream yardage to make both.  I have one of them quilted and bound, except to go back and do a simple quilting stitch done the middle of the snowflake appliques.

The appliques are laser cut and ironed on, but they need a single line of stitching to guarantee they stay put on the runner.  There are 3 snowflakes on this runner.  For all the quilting I am using a grey thread that picks up on the greyish blue in the fabrics.  Thank you to Monica at The Pin Cushion who helped me with thread choice. This color works perfectly.  

Maybe I'll get the second runner quilted this week too.  

I'm linking up with Design Wall Monday . . .

https://smallquiltsanddollquilts.blogspot.com/ 

November goals

I’ve actually enjoyed making a list of things to add to my November goals list, so it has grown a bit more than I had expected.  

• Begin NEW Saturday Sampler
• 2 pillowcases
• 2 yellow gingham RSC blocks
• Christmas stocking for Laura’s MIL
• 1 of the 2 blue snowflake runner (quilt, bind, mail to swap partner)
• Quilt 2 Winter Moose runners
• Bind patriotic pinwheel table topper
• Bind Rainbow String quilt - IF it comes back from quilter
• Bind 1 other item currently at quilter (hopefully)
• Move to flimsy stage:
• Kim Diehl Pleased As Punch mini quilt
• Ritzy Crackers quilt
• Ohio Stars quilt
• 1 Quick Strippee child size quilt
• Label and mail a Quilt of Valor (going to Florida)
• Applique 1 (one) of the gingerbread blocks (UFO)
• Organize some UFOs and PIGS for 2021 list

October is done

 

October has felt endless this year, and I really felt a lot of ups and downs of my mojo.  But then I realized that I'm feeling what may be totally normal for 2020.  I do have forward progress on plenty of things to share.

• New Saturday Sampler is introduced this month at The Pin Cushion - always fun to start a new one!!  There may or may not be a task involved with October.  - my fabrics have been selected
• Continue sorting and removing books (and patterns) from my sewing room - 47 books removed from my shelves, 12 given away so far
• Final color for Rainbow Scrap Challenge is YELLOW
• Gingham (2) - No Progress
• Ohio Star (1) - DONE, enough for a small quilt
• Twinkle Stars (need several colors) - No Progress
• Diamond Tile (need several colors) - No Progress
• UFO projects to move forward at least one step
• Use 24 Rainbow String blocks to make a flimsy - flimsy delivered to quilter
• make more Flying Geese for border of previous Saturday Sampler. (need 120 total) - No Progress
• make last 3 Bee Patriotic blocks - No Progress
• Use pairs of Ritzy Cracker blocks to make a flimsy - No Progress
• 2 pillowcases - DONE, actually I made 4 pillowcases!
• WIP (Works in Progress) - keep them moving forward at least one step
• Boo bench pillow - work on blanket stitching applique - flimsy delivered to quilter
• Spooky Houses - add embellishments, quilt and bind - flimsy delivered to quilter
• Cut out 1 Simple Whatnots project - either the new one or a previous one - cut out & partially sewn 
• Pick a PIG - Snowman Meadow wall hanging - flimsy delivered to quilter
• Chose a design & fabric for a Christmas stocking for my daughter's MIL who lives with them - design chosen, but not fabric
• Halloween masks for granddaughters (2) - DONE
• Unicorn masks for granddaughters (3) - DONE

What else did I accomplish this month that wasn't on the list?

• Fall themed towel - DONE & gifted
• 2 Silent Night table runners (60 degree pattern) - DONE
• 2 Winter Moose table runners (60 degree) - still flimsies
• binding on Beads quilt - DONE
• 2 snowflake jelly belly runners - sandwiched and ready to quilt