WIP Wednesday

Had a great time last weekend attending the Boston Modern Quilt Guild's retreat at the Franciscan Guest House up in Kennebunk.

I finished (almost) the top for my Salt Water quilt.

There's a bit more work to do on it.  I had some great suggestions from fellow guild members.

My other WIP is the double hourglass quilt using Summersville.

These blocks are so much easier to make than I thought they would be.  I used a tutorial I found on the web somewhere.  (I'll find it and then post on it when the quilt is done.)

The unfinished measurement of each block is 6 1/2".  I think I'm going to make the quilt 9 rows by 11 rows.  I have about 52 blocks stitched. The rest are cut and ready to go.

I was lucky enough to win one of the door prizes at the retreat.

I came home with this sweet little FQ bundle of Comma.
Of course, I may have done a little fabric shopping, too.

Laurie is always showing us the great fabric she bought at Marden's.
Since I was up in the area, it would have been unthinkable not to visit.
I made it a point to stop in York on my way up to Kennebunk.  Last summer I stumbled upon the Stonewall Kitchen  headquarters when visiting York Harbor for my son's wedding.  They have a great retail shop and cafe.  I discovered this yummy marmalade...

  It's great on whole wheat English muffins.  I stocked up.

Joyful stitching,
jane

WIP Wednesday

Tomorrow I head for Maine on a retreat with the BMQG,  I'm hoping to complete two lap-sized quilt tops.  I've finished the sample block for each one.

My first project is this double hourglass quilt.

I'm using my precious Summersville fabric.  I have a bunch of fat quarters and some coordinating solids.  The block was easier to make than I thought.
My second project involves this lovely block...

I'm using my Salt Water.  I've decided not to hoard fabric anymore and to use it while I still like it.  I'm using all three colorways in this one.  It's not a hard block, just a bit time consuming.

I also finally finished the top on my great granny quilt.  (This is a picture before I sewed it all together.)

These blocks get trimmed on the bias.  I stretched them a bit too much when adding the sashing and now I have  lumpy sashing.  I'm too lazy to rip it all out and try again, so I'm hoping the washing and drying will hide my sins.  It is all basted and ready to go.

I have some Lucy's Crab Shack fabric that's been patiently waiting its turn to be cut. I think I'll take it along as well.  I'm thinking maybe a baby blanket.

Joyful stitching,
jane

Linking up with

Fresh Sewing Day

February was pretty much a lost month around the old homestead.  Just a few finishes...

I finished my February BOM hosted by Don't Call Me Betsy.
 

For some reason I had a bit of trouble with this one.  I kept placing the fabric so that it didn't quite make it to the tip of the points.  I wasted a bit of fabric, but in the end it was worth it.  The fabric is Moda's Mod Century.  I'm still loving it.

The only other finish in February was my Madrona Road challenge items.  I needed to finish them for our Feb. guild meeting.  I still have mixed feelings about the fabric.  However I did enjoy making these items.  

I can't say enough about this drawstring bag. A very simple pattern that always turns out great.

The mug rug has found a place of honor on my desk at work.  I love the little donkey.

I'm have high hopes for March.
I've started a quilt for my SIL. She's a floral fabric person.
shh....It's a surprise.

Joyful stitching,
jane

Linking up with

The long and winding Madrona Road...

I finally finished my Madrona Road challenge.

I started this project a few weeks ago, but had to put things aside while dealing with a difficult family issue, which was immediately followed by this mess...

Believe me, it only looks pretty if you don't have to shovel.  (That's my daughter's Jeep way down the end of the driveway in front of the shed. You can barely see it.)
Anyway, things are getting back to normal and I was able to spend some relaxing time at my sewing machine.
After receiving the fabric, I knew almost immediately what I would make with it.  The fabrics we were given were approx. 6" wide by WOF.  I had previously bookmarked a table runner from a special issue magazine called Modern Patchwork that came out last year. I knew it would work well with what I had.  I will be honest and say that I'm not sure I really like the fabric.  I'm happy with the results though.

I did end up buying two extra fat quarters of the yellow and blue floral as well as a half-yard piece for the backing.  I forgot to take a picture, but it's the blue fabric with the donkey and truck on it. 

I did a straight stitch for the quilting.

I wanted to make sure that I used all of the fabric so I also made a drawstring bag (found here.)  I love this pattern.  I had to use two different fabrics for the lining.  I really like the look and would probably do it again.

I also made myself this little mug rug.  The donkey is so cute.

These items will accompany me to our guild meeting tomorrow. 
However, now it's time for some wine and a couple of episodes of True Blood.

Joyful stitching,
jane

Linking up to Find a Friend Friday.

Fresh Sewing Day & Small Blog Meet

January was a fairly productive month for me.
I joined the Lucky Stars BOM and finished the first block.  I've decided to use Mod Century for this quilt.

The Charming Stars quilt using my precious Fandango was also completed. Recipe found on the Moda Bake Shop.

I also finished up this zig-zag quilt using some leftover Bungle Jungle fabric

and I added another EPP Rose Star to my collection. There's a lot left to work on for this quilt, but I'm still enjoying the EPP and will someday see a completed quilt.

Lastly, I finished December's and January's Mystery BOM from The Fat Quarter Shop.

(bad photo, bad lighting)

It's time to get started on February.

I'm linking up to

and

Joyful stitching,

jane

Zig Zagging Along

About once every six weeks I try to arrange things on a Saturday so that I don't have to leave the house.  No errands, no grocery shopping and no social or family obligations.  My sister refers to them as pajama days. Yesterday was that day.  I spent some quality time in my sewing room and finally finished this.

This quilt was made from some leftover fabric from this.  It's a nice size baby quilt measuring approx. 33" x 48". The fabric is from a layer cake of Moda's Bungle Jungle.  I decided to do some straight line stitching and echo the zig zags.

 I put the back together from the leftovers as well. The binding is the same as the blue fabric on the back.  

Getting ready to start up a couple of new projects in February and finish off at least one more WIP. 

Linking up at Sew Many Ways.

Joyful stitching,
jane

Totally random stuff

Random thing #1
I finished the first of three projects that are on my list for the 2013 Finish-A-Long.  I figured that I should be able to finish one WIP a month and still be able to work on something new.

I used a layer cake from Kate Spain's Fandango line. The pattern is called Charming Stars and is from the Moda Bake Shop.

This was supposed to be done (in my delusional mind) by Christmas, but it was put aside when I admitted to myself that I would probably enjoy the holidays more if I wasn't stressing about finishing it. 
My guild is having a WIP and a My Precious challenge.  I had been saving this fabric and finally cut into it, so it qualifies as a My Precious entry.


Random thing #2 (and my favorite)

Our guild participated in a pincushion swap with some of the other modern quilt guilds.  I was lucky enough to receive this great cupcake pincushion from Jennifer who is a member of the Bay Area Modern Guild.
It is so cute and clever.  It's all made of wool.  I love the look of the knit "cupcake paper" and the pink and brown (raspberry and chocolate?) swirls.  Of course, it wouldn't be complete without a cherry on top.
 

The sprinkles on top are actually pins with bead heads.
Thank you Jennifer!

Random thing #3
I pulled out all my completed EPP Rose Star blocks.

I think I'm about halfway done with the stars.  They each measure approx. 12 inches across.  I'm not sure how I'll put this one together.  I'll need to make a bunch of "filler" pieces for in between the stars.  Not looking forward to that part.

Random thing #4
Finally decided to finish this zig-zag quilt. 

The fabric was leftover from this.

Hopefully, it will be done by the weekend.

Joyful stitching,
jane