July Recap and August Goals - ALYOF

My goodness, I cannot believe that July is already over.  I thought for sure I had another week until I looked at the calendar yesterday! At the beginning of the month I set out what I thought were some modest goals. I thought it was a no brainer since 2 of them were nearly complete!  I finished the third project yesterday.  Down to the wire LOL.

When Lisa told me she wanted to have a houndstooth done in brown and cream, I was doubtful.  They are definitely not my go to colors!  We met up to choose colors that matched the tones in her crib sheets and ended up with Bella Chocolate and Bella Natural.  Once it started coming together, I really fell in love with it.

The process of piecing the quilt together was fairly simply with lots of strip piecing.  However when it came time to quilt, I was stumped.  I started by doing lines of stitching from one corner to the other along the ditch.  And immediately knew that I didn't want cream thread on the brown teeth or viceversa.  Once I finished one tooth with these tight quilting lines, I knew it was the right choice. I used my regular foot to space the lines so they are about 3/8 of an inch apart.  Not gonna lie, the quilting took a loooong time :)

After some discussion here and on instagram, I decided to pebble quilt the green tooth.  I am THRILLED with how this came out.  It was my first time pebbling without any tension issues or eyelashing.  To set off the lime green tooth, I inserted a small strip of the same color in the binding (Kona Chartreuse).

I backed it in Happy Go Lucky Dandelions.  The orange and green are a great match for the accent pieces in her nursery.  All that's left to do is a quick wash and then deliver it to the little guy for snuggling :)

I'm following the same path in August and making some more modest goals.  School doesn't start here until September so I have the girls all month and we have quite a bit of travelling scheduled.  My aim is to quilt String of Luck and spend 10 hours doing craft fair prep.

This is also the last week of the New Blogger Blog Hop.  There are some truly amazing bloggers participating in this year's hop and I'm honored to have participated with them. Head on over, check them out and get inspired.

Vicki @ A Quilter's Mission

RobinSue @ RobinSue Quilts

Elisa Lea @ Lovelea Designs

Elizabeth @ In The Boon Docks

Jenny @ A Note To Follow Sew

Lorna @ Sew Fresh Quilts

Sonia @ Fabric & Flowers

Emily @ Sew E.T.

Em @ Sewing by Moonlight

Linking up with Lee at Freshly Pieced and Melissa at Sew Bitter Sweet Designs.

That's a lot of quilty inspiration right there!  I think I will spend a few hours today being inspired by my fellow quilty bloggers :)

WIP Wednesday

It has been nearly two years since I have parented two children full time for any stretch of days.  For the last 7 days I have had both of my girls all day.  Guys, this parenting stuff is exhausting!  I love my kids but they sure do make making any sort of plans near to impossible!  And my sewing/blogging/creating time has suffered monstrously.

In addition, on Monday morning Nolan's Mom texted me that she was having pre labour contractions!  He wasn't expected until August so I quickly changed my morning plans to help her run a few errands and keep her company while her husband tied up some loose ends at work.  Of course, this also upped the urgency for finishing his quilt.  I know she wouldn't mind if it was a little later but I love bringing along a little something when I get my first baby snuggles!

I've been quilting up a storm while my friend laboured.  And laboured.  And then laboured some more.  Just minutes ago I got the message that Nolan has finally made his appearance.  Yep, you read that right.  55 hours of labour!  Poor mama!!

I think just a few more hours and this will be ready to go home with it's new owner.  But I need your help!  I've been planning on quilting the green tooth all along but as I took this picture I kind of like that the puffiness makes it stand out a little more.  What do you think?

Linking up with Lee at Freshly Pieced.

WIP Wednesday

It has not been a very productive week so far as far as sewing goes.

We've been framing in our basement and have reached a point where all of my sewing things need to be be jammed to one side.  So access to my machine is limited.  But it's awesome to see us inching closer to a finished studio space!

Also, these two gals have returned and I am spending lots of time snuggling them and relaxing on the beach.

I do have access to my cutting table!  So I've been making my way through a monster pile of scraps that have accumulated over the last month.  I've got binding strips cut for 3 of my in progress quilts.  small stacks of 2 1/2", 3" and 3 1/2" squares.  And just for fun, I'm doing some really small snips to make a few of these blocks Amanda Jean talked about this week.  I will decide after the first few blocks if I want to make it a full quilt project!

Linking up to Lee at Freshly Pieced!

Let's Get Acquainted Week 6!

Hello folks!  I know I've promised part two of the Harper tutorial today but I've been busy doing all of the things around here I should have been doing last week.  Things like laundry and dishes LOL.

While you are here, why don't you click on a few of the following links.  You are guaranteed to find some eye candy and learn a little bit more about some amazing quilty bloggers!

Sew and So Farm
Wombat Quilts
{no} hats in the house
playcrafts
627handworks
Let's Begin Sewing . . .
Quilting Along the Grain
Love by
Quilty Creations

Let's Tally It Up!

WOW!  Y'all either think I am a robot or that I didn't sleep for the last week LOL.  19 finishes!!  Crazy.  I did not get to 19 finishes but I did accomplish a few finishes.

1. Harper's Quilt - you've seen the details of this one.  It is en route to it's new owner as we speak.  Watch for part 2 of the tutorial tomorrow.

2. Black and White Chevron

3. Churn Dash - this actually went from an idea in my head to a finished quilt top during the week.  It's baby sized (36" sq) and come together really quickly

4. String of Luck - this is my version of String of Pearl's by Christa Quilts.  Finishing this top gives me hope that I can finish up the quilt by the end of the quiltalong!

5. Houndstooth - I finished this top and started the quilting.  This project has the closest deadline so I will be spending a lot of quality time with it over the next few weeks.  Especially considering the ambitious quilting plan I have committed to!  Please forgive the poor photos :(  I have tons of camera photos but none using my good camera.

Surprisingly, only one person guessed 5 finishes. 

Mimi has left a new comment on your post "Friday Finish and a Giveaway!!":

I am going to low ball it and say that you finished 5 projects - which in my estimation is totally amazing!!!

Congratulations Mimi!  I've sent you an email.  Everyone else can still use the SHIPFREE50 code for free shipping in Canada/US on orders over $50.

Linking up with Sewing by Moonlight

Friday Finish and a Giveaway!!

Read all the way to the bottom for the giveaway!!

It's done!!  I really didn't think when I first made my gaggle of chevron tops that it would take me quite so long to finish them up.  And I still have one more left to do!!

The front fabrics are Bella Solids Black and Unbleached White.  I quilted on either side of the chevron seams in a bright pink thread.  I love the extra impact this gives. 

It's bound and backed in Simply Color's Pink Ombre.  Finished size is 40" x 46" and it has been listed in the shop.

Linking up with Amanda Jean at Crazy Mom Quilts and Free for All Friday at 5 Days...5 Ways 

And now for the good stuff: A GIVEAWAY!!!  My vacation is coming to a close and I would like to celebrate by giving away a $25 gift certificate to my shop.  To be entered, guess how many finishes I will have finished during my child free week.  The person closest to my actual number will win.  If multiple people guess correctly, I will draw a winner from all the correct guesses and announce on Monday.

You can also use the code SHIPFREE50 for free shipping to Canada/US for orders over $50.  International peeps can contact me for a custom listing and receive 50% off shipping for orders over $50.

Need some help?  Here's a few details that might help with your guess.

1.  This is my full time job.
2.  My evenings have been full with socializing.
3. Time frame is Monday morning until Sunday evening.  So I still have 3 days to go!
4.  These are some of the projects I had on the go (I added two more during the week!)
5.  Finishes include tops and completed quilts (even if they were in progress or almost done!)

Harper Quilt Tutorial: Part 1

If you have been following along for the last few months you will have seen lots of this quilt!  As soon as I put pencil to paper (my low tech method of figuring out dimensions and methods) I knew it would be a great option for a tutorial.  This is my first tutorial so please bear with me  and definitely contact me if anything does not make sense!

Today I am going to discuss fabric requirements and cutting directions.  The directions that follow are for a 44" x 72" quilt.  I consider it to be a good toddler bed size or lap quilt for a young child.  If you would like to make this exact quilt, I have 2 bundles available in my shop.  I am also willing to make up other kits using fabrics you choose from the shop! BONUS: Enter SHIPFREE50 at checkout if you live in Canada/US.

Fabric Requirements

2 1/4 yards background fabric (blue and white aqua dot here)
2 yards backing fabric
1/2 yard binding
10 fat eighths for chevron and name applique (could also use assorted scraps)
Batting measuring 48" x 75"
Coordinating Thread
Fusible Backing for the Applique (I use this ThermoWeb)

Cutting Instructions

1. From your background fabric cut 33 rectangles 4 1/2" x 6 1/2"
2. From your fat eighths cut 44 squares 4 1/2" x 4 1/2"
3. From your binding fabric cut 6 strips 2 1/2" x WOF (width of fabric) and set aside

Keep all of the scraps from your fat eighths to use for the name applique!

Linking up to Needle and Thread Thursday.  Head on over for some amazing inspiration!

Disclaimer: This is not an original design.  A friend contacted me about making a quilt for her based on this design.  Because my friend wanted a quilt that would be used and washed often I opted for a completely different construction method and a slightly different quilting method.  Definitely visit Cynthia to read about her methods and just check out her quilts in general.  They are stunning!

WIP Wednesday - Vacation Edition

I'm sure you will be totally shocked to hear that I've started a completely new project and will most likely start a second today.  After all, my list of potential projects for the week was pretty short LOL.

In my defense, this project should have made it into Monday's post.  I had the HSTs all ready to go and a general design was floating around in my head.  I'm pretty happy with where this is heading so I will probably keep spending time on it until I get stumped :)  No name for it yet, I've just been calling it Leftovers LOL

 

Is it just me or have Churn Dash quilts been popping up everywhere recently.  I want to make a baby sized quilt from just one block.  For once, I might actually do something when it is trending!  But I can't decide.  Blue on orange OR orange on blue?

 

 The Harper quilt is complete!  This lovely lady will be going postal today to it's new owners.  Who will then take it across many continents to China!  That is definitely the farthest away one of my quilts has gone to live.  

I still consider this a work in progress as I'm working on a tutorial for it.  Come back tomorrow for the first installment!

Linking up with Lee at Freshly Pieced!

A New Skill

All right, folks, I need your help!  This book is on it's way to me as a birthday gift from my wonderful mother.  I have NEVER done embroidery so I have no idea what I will need.  Aaaaaand, I have some child free time and a Michael's gift card to do some shopping.  That child free time?  Won't happen again until August.  Can y'all suggest what I should get as a start up kit?  Can that even be done at Michaels?  HELP!

Definitely NOT a To-Do List!

My children are visiting their grandparents for the next week!  They do this 3 or 4 times a year and each time I make a ginormous to-do list for the week.  And while the days stretch out before us, they always fill up quickly with date nights and meeting up with friends.  By the end of the week I have generally not touched a quarter of my list and feel disappointed with "wasting" the week.

Not this time!  I have vowed to treat it like a vacation and only do what I want to do.  Maybe I will clean the house or finish a few books or watch a whole lot of True Blood.  I know I will do a lot of sewing.  My mojo is high and I've been fighting the urge to make a sewing to-do list.  Instead, let's take a look at all of the projects I COULD work on this week (spoiler alert: there's a LOT!).  Next Monday, I will let you know what I ended up doing.

String of Luck Quilt Along with Christa Quilts

Scrappy triangles

Tumbling Time

 I finally got a rough design from my head onto paper this weekend.  And I already have a stack of squares cut and ready to become hourglass blocks.

Harper's Quilt

 This is one that I can guarantee will be finished.  I have a shipping deadline of this week.  The quilting is done.  I just need to bind it and make a matching pillowcase.

Clementine Cross

 Since it's my vacation, I may lift my one block per week restriction on this and see what kind of progress I can make on it.

Baby Houndstooth

Impromptu Along

This top is ready to be quilted.  I have no batting :(  If I can get some batting, this may get basted.

Swoon!

 These blocks take a long time.  I've finished one and have everything cut for 3 more. 

Ready to be Bound!

And then there is this disaster also known as my work table.  Who knows what I will get sidetracked with when I clean it up!

Linking up with Plum and June's Let's Get Acquainted Blog Hop!

And don't forget to check out the featured blogs on the New Blogger Blog Hop this week.

Friday, July 5

Christa @ Christa Quilts!

Alyce @ Wonderland By Alyce

Anna @ The Crooked Banana

Rachel @ Sew Happily Ever After 

Stephanie @ Quarter Incher

Shayla @ Sassafras Lane Designs

Caroline @ Carolines Craftiness

Lisa @ Hilltop House Creative Works

A Promise Kept!

When my mother in law was here in May, I promised her these pillows would be complete the nest time I saw her.  In 1 hour, I am heading out for a weekend of camping with the ILs so these pillows had a deadline!

I followed this tutorial and found it pretty easy to follow.  In fact it was significantly easier than I thought it would be.  But I was shocked (!) at how much fabric it uses.  And while my second pillow was definitely better than my first, I did struggle to get pretty points.

The front fabrics are a variety from my stash.  In fact many of them were in my very first large internet fabric purchase! I backed them in a floral print from the Happy Go Lucky line.  It doesn't really go with the front but it does work with MIL's sofa.  So now she has a set of reversible pillows!
They finish at 20" square and have a hidden zipper in the back.

I'm happy that I finally tried the cathedral window technique but I'm not sure I will do another one.  And if I do, it will definitely be on a smaller scale. 

Linking up with Amanda Jean at Crazy Mom Quilts.

Bright and Scrappy

I've been planning on making a table runner for our dining room for 2 years now.  But in my head it was linen with elegant embroidery.  During my project ADD on Monday, I decided I had to make a runner.  RIGHT. NOW.  I grabbed my scrap bucket and pulled out anything I could get 15" out of and started piecing them together.  Then I promptly got distracted by something else LOL.

After completing my required work yesterday, I decided to finish piecing it together.  Then baste it.  And, well there was enough time to start the quilting.  I ended up stealing every available minute last night to finish quilting and binding it.

I'm so happy I did.  I have disliked my dining table almost since we bought it.  As a result, things get piled on top and I avoid it as much as possible.  But this bright cheerful pop of color makes me happy when I look at it.  I can ignore the enormous black chairs and rickety table.  Plus it makes the platter really stand out as well (made by my FIL!)

Finished size: 15.5" x 39"
Backing: Riley Blake Avignon leftovers from a quilt back
Binding: grey scraps
Quilting: random (mostly) straight lines

Linking up with Needle and Thread Thursday at My Quilt Infatuation

WIP Wednesday

Monday was a holiday here but I still managed to sneak into my sewing space for a few hours.  Since it wasn't a work day, I put my project ADD in charge and floated from thing to thing.  Here is a little of what I accomplished.

Cutting for the String of Pears Quiltalong over at Christa Quilts.  I am woefully behind on this one but hope to still finish by the end.  Thank goodness for a generous time frame!  The little polka dots are from Happy Go Lucky, white and grey polka dots from Comma and Graphite Bella Solids for the dark accent.

These happy little HSTs are made with off cuts from Harper's quilt.  They will become a pillowcase to match her quilt.

A few more blocks really make the houndstooth stand out!

I'm so happy with how Bits and Pieces turned out.  So happy, I decided to start right in on another scrap quilt.  As soon as I read Sunday Morning Quilts in December, I knew I would make a version of the Up Up and Away quilt.  I immediately started saving the off cuts from my bindings and trimming my small white scraps down to 2 1/2"  I've got quite a little pile of them ready to go and whipped a few through the sewing machine.  The layout may change a hundred times between now and completion but they certainly are fun little blocks.

Linking up with Lee at Freshly Pieced for WIP Wednesday.

June Recap and July Goals

Happy Canada Day!

I hope all my Canadian readers are enjoying their long weekend as much as I have been.  We've filled it with lots of family fun.  My daughter's attended their first outdoor concert (my shoulders are still sore!), the 3 year old went to her first movie and tonight we are off to a friend's for fireworks and BBQ!

I have spent some time thinking about what I accomplished in June quilt wise and what I hope to accomplish in July.  Some of you may recall the whiteboard I put together at the start of the month.  I did fairly well sticking to that list as far as quilts are concerned.  But the baby shower gifts and bibs took up a bit of my time.  And as always, quilting never goes as quickly as I expect.

But I did finish quilting one of the black and white chevron quilts.  Little Apples was completely finished, as well as Bits and Pieces.  My Impromptu Along top is finished and Harper's quilt is halfway quilted.

I didn't actually expect to finish everything on that board and I'm quite thrilled with all that I managed to accomplish.  Of course, I have added several more quilts to the list over the last four weeks.  Although I would love to finish all of my WIPs in July (wouldn't we all!), there are a few that MUST be completed.

Houndstooth Beginnings!

This weekend, we are camping with my ILs which means MIL's pillows need to be completed.  The recipient of the baby shower gifts is due the first weekend in August and I've promised her a houndstooth quilt.  And Harper's quilt needs to be shipped off.  Those three are my priority for the month of July.  If I do nothing but finish those it will be a great month!  Anything else will be a bonus.  Feel free to pop over to my WIP tab to see just how long that list is :)

Linking up to A Lovely Year of Finishes and the Let's Get Acquainted LinkUp