July Quilt Update

Previous 2014 posts:  First of year quilt update  (There are individual class posts for 4 Bonnie Hunter classes as well if you click on Feeling Crafty label and go to older posts.)
                         End of January quilt update
                         February quilt update
                         March Quilt Update
                         April Quilt Update
                         May Quilt Update
                         June Quilt Update

Goals:  I will have grandsons again this month plus may be going to Provo to help out with a new granddaughter so I need to be careful here.  Not too much and if it doesn't happen, oh well.  I am also out of batting so unless a sale hits, I may need to do some revising here.

Roll Quilt - only a little accomplished here
UFO - Ceramic Tea Set - picked up slip to mend -- that's it.
BOM blocks (ALL) - yes
Mark (yes), quilt (halfway), and bind Applique Quilt (AQ) - no
Quilt and bind CS quilts  - no
Bind Gratitude Quilt - yes
Finish Scrappy Bargello (SB) top  - yes
Choose and Cut Jacob's/Hyrums's quilts   - yes

Travel:

Girls Birthday Gifts - yes
Add Ophelia to pillow - yes

1st - Another month?  Oh my.  2014 is just flying by.  Does anyone agree?  I am spending my morning getting this blog current and then Mister and I are meeting our nephew for lunch in Uptown.  We will top off the evening with a date night at the Wylie Theater.  It is Les Miserables night and I am excited.  No sewing today.

2nd - Gratitude is finished!  The binding went well and I am oh so pleased with this one.  I take a break, grab some quilt books and start the hunt for inspiration on the last two grands quilts that I need to do.  I select Old Kentucky Album (OKA) and Nifty Thrifty (NT) and then also decide to make a second Nifty Thrifty for a local shop.  We'll see how it goes.  Wish me luck and oh yeah --- the time to get it made.

Happy Independence Day All!

I hope everyone has a great day!  Please be safe and remember the reason we are celebrating.

With Gratitude -- It is Finished!

I cannot begin to express how much joy this quilt has brought me while working on it.  My heart is full and it will be a time I remember forever.

Here is the finished product:

 

June Quilt Update

Previous 2014 posts:  First of year quilt update  (There are individual class posts for 4 Bonnie Hunter classes as well if you click on Feeling Crafty label and go to older posts.)
                         End of January quilt update
                         February quilt update
                         March Quilt Update
                         April Quilt Update
                         May Quilt Update
Goals:

Roll Quilt - yes
CS quilts - borders on and backs made - yes
UFO - Estate Sale blocks - yes - Gratitude quilt - just needs handwork on binding and threads worked in
BOM blocks - yes
Mark and Quilt Applique quilt - hahahahaha -- didn't even take it out of the tub
Finish Scrappy Bargello top - came close to center top but this is a no
Bind DN quilt for new baby - yes

It is a new month and I have lots of wonderful things happening.  My new granddaughter will make an appearance this month and since school is out -- our time with grandchildren starts.  I am so excited and hope that this year we will accomplish the goal of having all 12 current grands come and visit.  So far --- Malea and Elena are checked off the list but we are hoping for them again before the year is over.  Since there will be lots of visits -- I have given myself an easier goal list this month.  Perhaps I can achieve it?  We'll see.   Let's get started.

1st - With a new baby's arrival getting closer and closer, I think it is time to finish her quilt.  I love the fabric I found a couple of days ago and think the pink stars will just add that little bit extra that says "girl".  I get the binding nade and since I still have a few scraps laying around, I make a quick label as well plus get the binding attached.  Woohoo -- the end is in sight.  I also complete all three BOM blocks and worked on CS final row.  As I am adding the last few blocks, I notice that I have a block turned the wrong way - grrr.  Thankfully it is on the last row so out comes the seam ripper and in no time, my second top is truly ready for borders.

Celtic Solstice Back Making

I am finally tackling the backs to my Celtic Solstice quilts.  Yes, it is time.  I am feeling a wee bit lost as to how to start but I have the leftover units to begin with.  I lay them out and see what I can come up with in order to use most of them.  I want to incorporate my label into the block and this is what I come up with for two blocks using ALL of my leftover units:  Strange but I like them.


I sew the two blocks together and now have the center of each back.  Now what?  I don't want to try and frame it so would prefer a long stripe down the back and off-centered.  What can I add?  My eyes glance up and I spot my two containers of leftover bonus triangles from the chevron units.  Remember these?:  (in the container)  Well I have two containers of them -- one with white/green HST's and the other with yellow/green HST's.  Now to come up with a cool way to sew a few of these together.  I've got it -- how about a swirl?

The "Gratitude" Saga

15th - For those who are following this blog, you will remember that back in April (link) I became the recipient of a treasure trove of fabric.  Included were some blocks and I have been thinking ever since of ways to use them.  One group of them have called out to me over and over again that they need their own quilt.  Today is the day.  My grandson is here with me and doing some sewing of his own so I have the cutting table and time on my hands.  Let's start with some brown fabric that was in the "trove."  I cut 4 1/2" squares to match my little stack of units.  Later in the evening, I just start randomly placing the units I have with the brown squares into two different 9-patches.    It works out evenly, leaving me 5 units (some are the same or I would have made another square).  I opt to keep out 4 units for corners and use the last one to make a label with.  Once the blocks are made --- Mister and I do a layout.

TWO Celtic Solstice Tops with Poetry

A Quilter's Celtic Ode To The Frog by Deb Hayter with apologies to Clement C. Moore.

The day had arrived, the first clue came out.
"Let the cutting begin", I said with a shout.
The colors I'd chose: orange, green, yellow and blue.
I had pretty jewel stacks and new rulers too.
Each Friday would find me merrily sewing along.
The units were made; please don't let them be wrong.

I stay with the pack, never falling behind.
Until the reveal was given and a new plan in my mind.
I'd make a new quilt for each grandchild this year.
But what of my units?  Leaders and Enders I cheer.
So onto the blocks which from units were made.
They fit together perfect and my fears start to fade.

Months have passed by. Almost six (I'm keeping track).
But my blocks are all ready.  It's an impressive stack.
There are so many - what was I thinking?
"A king will not work," I said without blinking.
Two queens it will be, so off to retreat
And hope for two tops. Oh my, wouldn't that be sweet?

The trip is a success and I am in awe
The tops are gorgeous and shown with a "ta-da."
It's time for the borders, let's get them in quick.
The top looks so perfect - wasn't that slick?
It doesn't lay flat?  A closer look makes me pause.
Oh no, wait, wait.  What could be the cause?

I should have measured and counted my squares
So I wouldn't have put too many pieces in there.
And now I hear from you, the mocking little bit
Each time you open your mouth - "Rip it, Rip it, Rip it."
A lesson has been learned, never again will I cheat.
The borders are back on and my tops are complete.

New piece counts:  Quilt 1 - 2,750   Quilt 2 - 2,750