Back on Track

I'm finally getting back on track with blogging and sewing.  The holidays seem to wipe me out. Got back to my yoga class this morning and I already feel better.
I have several finishes for the 4th Qtr FAL that I have not written about yet.  Today, it's the snowman wall hanging that was finished last month.

The pattern set is called Winter Trio by Edyta Sitar.  I purchased the pattern and 2 fabric kits a couple of years ago and then proceeded to forget about them.  

It's all raw-edge applique. I stitched 1/8 inch in from the edges of each piece and did some stippling in the background.  This was a very easy project and very forgiving.  It was nice to take a break from trying to match points and seams.  The fabric kit contained batiks, but I think this would be really nice made from other quilting cottons.  Maybe next year.  Maybe not.

It may sound strange, but I enjoyed cutting out all the little angles and lines on the snowflakes.  Just like trimming, it's a zen thing for me.
The piece measures 16" x 24". 

Lots more to blog about, but that's it for today.  Off to have tea with Mom and the sisters.

Joyful stitching,
jane


My original 4th Qtr. list can be found here.

A Fall Finish

My 4th Quarter finishes are coming along slow but sure.  I completed this Thanksgiving table mat in plenty of time for the holiday.

I had a charm pack called Give Thanks that's been hanging around too long.  This quilt pattern (Charm Play by Larisa Key) uses up every square of the pack.  There are a few prints in the collection that I didn't care for, but thankfully they're sort of lost in the mix.

I quilted in a straight line all around, echoing the outside of the center block.

The back is from my stash and the binding is Kona. I'm not sure of the color.  This finished size is approx. 34" square.

This was a pretty quick finish.  I did a bit of picking apart seams since I kept getting the blocks turned around as I sewed the rows.

I've made some progress on a couple of winter wall hangings and hopefully I'll be posting those soon.  Clock's ticking.  I really need to get busy with my gift making.

Today I'm linking up to:
Show and Tell Tuesday at I have to say
Take a Look Tuesday at Sugar Bee Crafts

Joyful Stitching,
jane

Fun with Mug Rugs

I was trying to figure out what to give my sister who had a birthday last week.  She's very crafty, but mostly she's a craft hoarder.  A lot goes in, but not much comes out.  She claims she's prepping for retirement.
I didn't want to add to her hoard, so I decided to make her some mug rugs that she can use throughout the year.  It was the perfect way for me to try a few techniques/styles that I don't often use. 

 This pumpkin is paper pieced using fabrics from my scrap bin.

This snowman is raw-edge applique finished with a machine blanket stitch.  I used some leftover Kate Spain fabric from a quilt I made a few years ago.    I used to think that raw-edge applique was cheating.  I've changed my mind.

This shamrock is also raw-edge applique.  It's for the Irish half of the family.

My sister likes the Day of the Dead stuff.  I added a few crystals to the lady skeletons to tart them up a bit. (crappy photo)

I love the colors in this folk-art flower.

I saw a similar leaf on Pinterest.  I tried to make the right-hand side resemble twigs using the method where you slice, insert a strip of fabric and then sew the sliced sections back together. I like the way it turned out.

My sister likes to make hexies, so I had to include some.  Did some simple echo stitching.

One of my next projects is a quilt with curves.  This circle was my practice block.

I had a lot of fun making these.  I gave them to my sister on Sunday and she loved them.  Yay!

These mug rugs count as a finish  for the 4th Quarter of the Finish-Along hosted by Katy at The Littlest Thistle. 

Today I'm linking up with Show and Tell Tuesday at i have to say.

Joyful stitching,
jane

4th Quarter Hopefuls

It's time to post my hopeful finishes for the final quarter of the 2014 Finish-Along hosted by Katy at the Littlest Thistle.
Most of these will need to be finished before the holidays, so I have some added incentive to get them done.

#1 Mug Rugs for my sister's birthday...
I thought it would be nice for her to have something on her desk at work that she can change with the seasons/holidays.  I have 7 that I want to finish.  Most have been started, none finished yet.

#2 Thanksgiving table mat...
Not in love with the fabric, but I'm determined to use up my charm packs.  This mat needs the outer border added before I can sandwich and quilt it.

#3 Winterlude table runner...
I bought this during the summer when it was on sale on Craftsy.  It has some blues in it that I can pull out to match my dining room.

 #4 and #5  Winter wall hangings...
This counts as two separate entries. I bought these a couple of years ago.  I got as far as tracing the applique shapes onto the fusible web and then ended up putting them away.  I'm making the snowman one and the one with the mittens and holly.

#6 The Beatle bag....
I bought the pattern and inserts last spring.  My sister gave me the bundle of Indelible for my birthday.

 #7  Flower Power quilt...
This pattern is from a Quilter's Mixology.  I love this book.  I purchased a circle/drunkard's path template a while back with the intention of making a circle quilt, but once I got my hands on this book, I knew this was the one I wanted to make.  Made a few practice circles only.

A little ambitious considering all the Christmas gifts that I'll need to make.  I haven't even thought about those yet.  Hopefully, I'll end the year with a fabulous finish!

Linking up with

Joyful stitching,
jane

Another Disappearing 9-Patch

My final finish for the 3rd Quarter Finish-Along.  I'm trying to use up my charm packs and the disappearing 9-patch makes good use of just a single pack. This is a very happy and bright quilt.

I used some Kona Snow along with the charm pack.  Don't remember the name of the fabric line (maybe Snap Pop?) I had some yardage leftover from another project and a couple of unused blocks on the back.

I think it turned out nice. 

I did an all-over stipple which crinkles up nicely after a trip through the washer and dryer.  The binding is a solid blue.  This quilt measures 36"x44".

It wasn't too bad of a quarter.  I managed to finish 4 of my 7 hopefuls on my original list including these 3...

 The Kaffe Fassett stripes...

the  Sasparilla Tumbler baby quilt...

and the Social Tote.

I've got a pile of things I hope to finish in the next quarter, but that's for another day.

Linking up with

Joyful stitching,
jane

The Social Tote Finish

One of the items on my hopeful list for 3rd Qtr. Finish Along was the Social Tote by Carolyn Friedlander.

This was not an easy project, mostly because I have a bad habit of not reading all the directions before starting a project.  I made a lot of mistakes on the inside and ripped it out more than once because I thought it looked wrong, but it was actually correct.  She recommends labeling each piece as you cut them.  I didn't, that was my first mistake.

The divided sections were the hardest. She has extra instructions and assembly photos on her website.  I found those really helpful.  It's a bit saggy (I can relate) inside, but once I started putting things in, it became less noticeable.

I liked the assembly of the outside of the tote.  It was quite easy.  I'd never used Soft and Stable before this project.  It was great to work with.  The fabric is In my Room by Jenean Morrison.

I had hoped to make a few of these for Christmas gifts, but at this point, unless some elves are available, it doesn't look good.  I'm glad I made it and have been using it for some of my EPPs.

I'm linking up with

Joyful stitching,
jane

Friday Fassett Finish

Well, it's Friday and have my Kaffe Fassett Stripes quilt finished.

Last summer (2013) I purchased fat-eighth bundle of Kaffe Fassett stripes specifically to make this type of quilt.  I started this in March and finished it mid August and finally had the time to write about it.
The stripes were cut into 4.5" squares, arranged in a 4-patch and sashed with a beautiful teal blue shot cotton.  The sashing finished at 1".   The quilt measures approx. 54"  x 73".

A few things about shot cottons for those unfamiliar...
Good - the colors are gorgeous and woven right into the fabric.  (My camera kept overexposing the colors. They are actually a bit deeper than shown.)
Bad - the edges shred like crazy and because they're a lighter weight than regular quilting cottons, they tend to stretch if you're not careful.

Despite the shredding and risk of stretching, I think it turned out beautiful. I quilted using a swirly stipple stitch (say that 3 times fast).

I was a little nervous putting it in the washer and dryer not being sure how much it would shrink or distort.  I'm happy to say that it turned out nice and soft with just the right amount of crinkle.  I also found that since the shot cottons are thinner, this quilt is a little more lightweight than others made with standard cotton.

I had a lot of trouble finding a backing for this and ultimately settled with this fabric that has little kimono clad figures and trees on it.  The selvage doesn't list the maker.  Maybe Alexander Henry?
I used the blue sashing fabric for the binding as well.

This quilt counts as one of my finishes for the 3rd Qtr FAL hosted by The Littlest Thistle.

Today I'm linking up with Finish it up Friday at Crazy Mom Quilts.


Joyful stitching,
jane

A Rootn'-Tootn' Finish

I thought it was about time to get busy on my hopeful finishes for the 3rd Qtr. FAL hosted by Katy at The Littlest Thistle.  My list can be found here.
I finished this cute little cowboy inspired quilt.  This is one of my easier hopefuls on the list.

The fabric is Sasparilla by Riley Blake.    I bought this fabric last summer when we learned that our first grandchild in the making was a boy.  I ended up making him three other quilts and this fabric just sat in my cabinet. 

The pattern is a simple tumbler block.  I have a template that is made to fit a charm square, so it couldn't be any easier.  I used 2 charm packs and added a strip of yardage to the top and bottom to make it a little bigger.  It measures 34"x43".   I topstitched a little more than a 1/4" along either side of each seam.

I used a couple of pieces of coordinating yardage on the back.

I love this print. 

I wanted the binding to stand out so I used a coordinating red star print.  The little cutie is all washed and dried and crinkled just the way I like it.

Joyful stitching,
jane

Linking up with Lily's Small Blog Meet.

FAL Qtr. 3 Hopefuls

Time to make my intended Qtr. 3 finishes public.  I'll be linking up with Katy at The Littlest Thistle.

#1 Making a reappearance is the Kaffe Fasset stripe quilt.  It's basted and ready to quilt. 

#2 The Social Tote.  I'm hoping that this one works out.  There are some sewists on my Christmas list that I think would love this.

#3  Lucky Stars.  There should be 12 stars finished.  This was  BOM from 2013.  I may or may not make something with all 12 blocks.

#4  HST baby quilt.  These are the leftover scraps and yardage from a quilt that I made my grandson.

#5 Tumbler baby quilt.  These 2 charm packs have been sitting around since last summer.  I finally cut them into tumblers.

#6 Disappearing 9-patch.  The 9-patches are all sewn. This should be an easy one. (famous last words)

#7  The Local quilt.  I really, really, really want to finish this.  Unfortunately, this is the only block that is done.

I may be a bit delusional, but I think I can get most of these done.

Joyful stitching
jane