Second Quarter Finish Along Goals

I can't believe it is already time to make up my Q2 Finish Along list for our wonderful new host Adrianne who blogs at On the Windy Side.  I did miserably on my Q1 achievement - I had four items on my list and finished up two.  This quarter I am hoping to do much better!

 

  A carryover from last quarter are my Sew Kitschy paper pieced blocks.  I am not sure why I just haven't had the energy to finish this wallhanging up.  I have a pretty good idea how I want to assemble the top.  I think I am just not looking forward to quilting this one. So much detail!

 

 

 

 

I need to finish this quilt for my niece who graduates from high school this summer.  The blocks for the top are almost finished but I have crazy big plans for the backing so I had better get crackin'!

 

 

 While digging through my closet for inspiration for this month's Scrap-A-Palooza quilt, this little pile of fabric was born and I thought I would sew up a mini quilt for my sewing room.  All of this fabric is leftover from previous projects - time for it to get passed on to someone else or sewn into something fun.  I love the daffodils and tulips too much to give it up!

 

And finally, I want to finish up a quilt using this wonderful Daysail layercake.  I picked this up at Craftsy about two weeks ago at an amazing price.  In January I had won the Dizzying Diamonds pattern from Sew Bittersweet Designs so I am pairing this layercake with some Navy Kona and making a lap quilt.  And I am going to finish it this quarter!

There is really no reason I cannot get to everything on this list.  But I did say that last quarter and didn't do very well.  I hope linking up with On the Windy Side with Adrianne will give me the focus I need.  All of these projects are bright and inspiring and should keep my attention!

I had better get sewing!

If you are interested in more ways to follow me, you can find me on Craftsy, Facebook, Pinterest, Bloglovin', Feedly, Instagram, Google +, or get my blog sent right to your email inbox by entering your email address on the right sidebar! 

  

Linking up:

Sew Fresh Quilts

My Quilt Infatuation

On the Windy Side

Scrap-A-Palooza! Quilt #15 Part One

It seems like such a long time since I have posted a Scrap-A-Palooza quilt.  After finishing my little scrappy string quilt, I have been digging through my scraps waiting for inspiration to strike and everything I pulled to work on just didn't seem to want to come together.  

Today, as I was putting away some scraps, I realized I really need to work with some bright colors.  I grabbed these five drawers of scraps and was instantly inspired to make a rainbow quilt.  I think I am going to do something with a simple nine patch block.  I hope to put a nice dent in these scraps with this quilt so I am going to keep any solids or unifying sashing to a minimum.

I realize now that I haven't made a rainbow quilt since I made the scrappy version of my Wiggle Time pattern.  And that was back in 2013!

 

Now that I have my scraps it is time to finalize a plan and start cutting. I will be back next week to share how I determined my cut sizes and maybe even start laying out the blocks

Usually once inspiration strikes I move at a pretty fast pace!

So check your own scrap bins and fabric stashes - maybe you will decide to sew along and make your own rainbow quilt.  You can share your progress on Oh Scrap! each Sunday afternoon. 

If you are interested in more ways to follow me, you can find me on Facebook, Pinterest, Bloglovin', Feedly, Instagram, Google +, or get my blog sent right to your email inbox by entering your email address on the right sidebar! 

Linking up:

Sew Fresh Quilts

Freshly Pieced  

My Quilt Infatuation

This post contains affiliate links. If you click through and make a purchase, I may make a small commission, which I appreciate so much!

Oh Scrap : In Case You Missed It!

Happy Easter! I thought today I would share a few projects from past link ups that caught my eye.  Each week, I find myself so inspired by what everyone is working on.  Here are a few finished projects that I thought you might want to take a second look at!

Am I crazy for wanting to start this rug project!  Helen over at Till We Quilt Again shared a tutorial a few weeks ago.  I am thinking this will be the perfect evening project for next winter.

And Janet over at Simply Pieced shared this fantastic quilt.  A perfect example of the beauty that can be found in the scrap bin.  Nice job Janet!

 

Vera over at Negligent Style gets me running for my scrap bin each week!  I love the detail she puts into every project and I wish I had more time to act on the inspiration she provides.

Jasmine over at Quilt Kisses shared this sweet little mini - all made from a project's leftover scraps.  I think her color placement and beautiful quilting really made this project stand out for me!

There were so many projects that are currently in the works that I wanted to share but I am hoping they will soon get finished and I will share them then.  Thanks to all who share their projects each week!  Keep those scrappy inspirations coming.

Here are the details for linking up:

• This linky party is for any scrappy project - It can be in-process or a finished piece.
• You can link up your blog post (not your homepage please) or Instagram photo from the past week that features your use of scraps.
• If you are linking to a blog post, I ask that you link back to my blog somewhere in your post. So if you are writing about scraps, just get into the habit of including a link as there will be a linky party available every week!
• If you are using Instagram, please use the hashtag #ohscrap.
• This is a party so remember to socialize and comment on the posts of others.
• Following my blog is not necessary but it sure would be great if you do!

<a href="http://quiltingismorefunthanhousework.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg54Z8EyMCoCg0j1sBoz_APBotiRQveh32vQoL2dCSO4nQFAi8du60IuUCQp3Hb18vGD8IrM0W6_vmuufImGcr4Pf2Ve2dNIWd5LbQJfyDTRjtcekT6coT7c2nSCOG_9dvjiKGVAnuTN70/s1600/Oh+Scrap+Button.jpg" alt="Quilting is more fun than Housework" width="125" height="125" /></a>

So if you love scrappy projects, feel free to grab my button for your sidebar or posts and get ready to share all your wonderful projects from scraps.  And if you have a great idea for using scraps and would like to be featured, feel free to contact me!

An InLinkz Link-up

If you are interested in more ways to follow me, you can find me on Craftsy, Facebook, Pinterest, Bloglovin', Feedly, Instagram, Google +, or get my blog sent right to your email inbox by entering your email address on the right sidebar!

 Linking up:

Patchwork Times

Freemotion by the River

Irish Chain Twist Finish

My initial plan was to wait until later in the month to share this Irish Chain Twist but...well, things in my world change.  Plus, many of you thought the middle of April was too long to have to wait to see the finished quilt.  So when I woke up this morning, I decided rather than go quilt the enormous custom quilt on my longarm frame, I thought I would procrastinate a bit and write up this post.

Melissa over at Happy Quilting shares a Quilt Along about once a year and I have become a bit addicted to them.  Her patterns are usually more star based but this year to celebrate the release of her upcoming book on Irish Chain quilts, she went with a chain pattern.

Here is the Star Surround I did in 2013.  It is still one of my favorite quilts.

And the Star Light Star Bright I did in 2014.

The tutorials for all of these quilts are still available on Melissa's blog.  I highly recommend them!

 As you can see, this quilt is a lot more subdued than my usual quilts.  When I saw Melissa's pattern, I decided to use this Quilt Along as an opportunity to pair a few 1930 scraps I still had in my stash with some Kona Snow.  In fact I struggled a bit stretching those scraps to make the quilt.  I was determined not to go buy fabric!

 In order to finish the quilt, I did end up buying some backing material.  I just did not have anything in my stash that would work.  Luckily I found a great piece in the sale section at my favorite LQS.  I even used the same fabric for the binding.

It is difficult to see, but I just quilted it in an allover popcorn design.  It has no home so it will probably make its way into my Etsy shop.

Do you enjoy quilt alongs?  I think they are a great opportunity to try new things and discover new methods for constructing blocks.  I wish I had time to participate in more!

On April 23rd, Melissa will be sharing pictures of all the finished quilts made using her Irish Chain Twist tutorial.  I have been following along on all the great fabrics and colors others are using and I am excited to see how each turned out.  It should be a wonderful quilt parade!





If you are interested in more ways to follow me, you can find me on Craftsy, Facebook, Pinterest, Bloglovin', Feedly, Instagram, Google +, or get my blog sent right to your email inbox by entering your email address on the right sidebar! 
 
 

Linking up:

Confessions of a Fabric Addict

Fabric Frenzy Friday

Richard and Tanya Quilts
TGIFF

Crazy Mom Quilts

Rewarding Myself!

I have a tough boss.  She is demanding, rarely lets me takes breaks and always assigns projects to me that I don't want to do!  We argue quite a bit actually.  As my boss is my sensible side that makes good decisions and runs a successful business, she usually gets her way!

But my carefree, creative side needs to have her way sometimes too!

 You wouldn't think that longarm quilting is seasonal but there are annual events that affect the amount of work we quilters have.  This time of year, we are loaded with graduation and wedding quilts.  And these type of quilts are usually large bed size and custom quilted.  So I have been really standing at my machine for many hours each and every day.

So I thought it was about time I got to start something new and not have to make something out of my older stash.  Reward myself a bit.  Last August I had won a gift certificate to the Knotted Thread from The Littlest Thistle.  I used it to purchase these two half yard bundles.

A total of three yards of Simply Style by V & Co.

And a total of 4.5 yards of Alison Glass' Bike Path Sun Prints. 

 I decided to combine the two collections and add in some Kona Ash and make some Rolling Stone blocks.  This block is my all-time favorite block!

 My beautiful niece graduates from high school this June so I thought I would make her a quilt top she can take to college if she wants.  She, of course, is probably not going to get it until next fall!

I am having so much fun sewing up these blocks!   I have been thumbing my nose at my sensible self and staying up too late, ignoring my chores and eating poorly because I want to spend all my time in my sewing room.  Even though I took this photo yesterday morning, my design wall is now covered completely with blocks.  Soon I will have all of the blocks finished and will be sharing the next steps with all of you.

Recently, my sew group made a quilt using this same block for a charity quilt.  We used a bike theme fabric in the center and swapped around the color placement.

Here it is on my longarm - I love the thin dark gray sashing that was used to sew the blocks together.  I haven't decided yet how I will be setting my blocks.

That will be for another post!

If you are interested in more ways to follow me, you can find me on Craftsy,  Facebook, Pinterest, Bloglovin', Feedly, Instagram, Google +, or get my blog sent right to your email inbox by entering your email address on the right sidebar!

  

Linking up:

Freshly Pieced

Sew Fresh Quilts

My Quilt Infatuation
Lily's Quilts (Fresh Sewing Day)

Oh Scrap! : Musings of a Menopausal Melon

Whenever I work with my scraps, my mind instantly thinks of quilts.  I rarely think to make something smaller.  But I am always inspired by smaller scrap projects when I see them and hope to try some of them in the future. I certainly have enough of them bookmarked!

When Sandra who blogs over at Musings of a Menopausal Melon shared with me a fun pouch she was working on, I thought it was a great scrap project and perfect for the Oh Scrap series.  

Isn't it cute?!?  

She is sharing a tutorial on how to make one of your very own over on her blog today.  She is calling it a Pyramid Pouch.  I might just have to make one with some solid scraps I have kicking around.

 

By the way, Sandra was really busy in 2014 sewing up her scraps into Scrap-A-Palooza quilts.  I love her pink and green woven Dogwood quilt.  Perfect for springtime!


Once you have checked out her tutorial, be sure and take some time to peek at her pretty quilts too!

Now, what have you been working on.  Are you doing some spring cleaning and sewing your scraps into something fun?  I hope you share it!

Here are the details for linking up:

• This linky party is for any scrappy project - It can be in-process or a finished piece.
• You can link up your blog post (not your homepage please) or Instagram photo from the past week that features your use of scraps.
• If you are linking to a blog post, I ask that you link back to my blog somewhere in your post. So if you are writing about scraps, just get into the habit of including a link as there will be a linky party available every week!
• If you are using Instagram, please use the hashtag #ohscrap.
• This is a party so remember to socialize and comment on the posts of others.
• Following my blog is not necessary but it sure would be great if you do!

<a href="http://quiltingismorefunthanhousework.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg54Z8EyMCoCg0j1sBoz_APBotiRQveh32vQoL2dCSO4nQFAi8du60IuUCQp3Hb18vGD8IrM0W6_vmuufImGcr4Pf2Ve2dNIWd5LbQJfyDTRjtcekT6coT7c2nSCOG_9dvjiKGVAnuTN70/s1600/Oh+Scrap+Button.jpg" alt="Quilting is more fun than Housework" width="125" height="125" /></a>

So if you love scrappy projects, feel free to grab my button for your sidebar or posts and get ready to share all your wonderful projects from scraps.  And if you have a great idea for using scraps and would like to be featured, feel free to contact me!

An InLinkz Link-up

 

If you are interested in more ways to follow me, you can find me on Craftsy, Facebook, Pinterest, Bloglovin', Feedly, Instagram, Google +, or get my blog sent right to your email inbox by entering your email address on the right sidebar!

 Linking up:

Patchwork Times

Freemotion by the River

A Speedy Quilt Top Finish

Just a few days ago I shared my last completed blocks for Happy Quilting's Irish Chain Twist Quilt Along.  Finding myself with some time in my sewing room, I have already sewn up all the blocks into a flimsy.  Yay for a finished quilt top!

 I always enjoy Melissa's Quilt-Alongs.  This is my third one.  As usual, her instructions were great and the steps were broken down so the work for each week was very achievable.

 This quilt did cause me to work a bit out of my comfort zone.  I am not a big fan of a lot of white space.  But the 1930's fabric I wanted to use up needed a white background.  I was also a bit challenged with the wonky lines.  But I trusted the process and explored something I wouldn't normally do and the quilt turned out fine.

Here is a view of it pinned on one of my design walls.  I am happy to say this quilt has FINALLY depleted all of my reproduction prints.  There still might be a small scrap or two but all of the bigger pieces are now gone.












Here is a shot of the fabric for the backing.  I was even able to find it on discount at a recent quilt store visit.  I think it looks like it was made for this quilt!


Can you see the seam I put in?  I love to always try and match up the print on my backing.  This one was an easy one.






I actually finished up the quilting already - can you believe it!?!.  I will be revealing the finished quilt later in April.  Melissa will be putting together a quilt parade showing all of the finished quilts on April 23rd.  You definitely won't want to miss it!






If you are interested in more ways to follow me, you can find me on Craftsy, Facebook, Pinterest, Bloglovin', Feedly, Instagram, Google +, or get my blog sent right to your email inbox by entering your email address on the right sidebar!  

  

Linking up:

Confessions of a Fabric Addict

Fabric Frenzy Friday

Richard and Tanya Quilts

Happy Quilting