WIP: Windsor Lane Style

Bunny Hill Designs came to my studio.

And threw up on it!

I am in the midst of piecing three quilts.  

Two blue for two boys.

One pink for one girl.

TWO babies plus ONE baby equal?

TRIPLETS!!!!!  

These fabrics are utterly scrumptious for their nursery.  The photos that I received were of very nuetral gray/beige and very soft pinks and blues.  The cribs? The softest of shades of pink and blue.  Almost a beige/white with just a touch of color.

I think this Windsor Lane line fits the bill!

They decided to arrive earlier than their due date in July.  Very much like triplets do. I had originally thought I would be starting this week.  Instead, I am trying to get these tops done for quilting as soon as possible.

  The boys are off their NG tube feedings and are due home, possibly next week!

Friday with Finishes

When I say it is Friday and Finishes, I really, really mean it!

Friday

It's a special Friday!!

I am over at Jennifer's at Knotted Thread today!

First, I am flattered that she is having me.  Second, if you have not been over to her blog...get thee there quickly.  I am jealous of a few...okay, many...of her projects.  Third, she is currently living on Maui, Hawaii.  You all know how much I loved it there last summer for our anniversary!

If you are just visiting?  Welcome.  I have some recent projects to share...so you arrived just in time!

Finishes

My Special Delivery Quilts!!!

These quilts were bought last month on a whim from the clearance bin at Joann's.   I needed something FAST.  Story details HERE.  Unfortunately, there were many foibles and sometimes I was completely stuck on where to go next with each quilt.  I will map out my problems throughout the post.

Baby Boy Quilt

 

 A sweet animal panel with flannel borders.

This quilt did not have enough flannel to meet the instructions included. Even AFTER I had found the corrected instructions!!  I was pretty frustrated and just made do with leftover scraps.  You can see them in the bottom two corners. 

Because of this, I ran out of extra flannel from the backing (the squiggly stripe fabric) for the name appliques they said it should have.  I ended up pulling orange (almost a sherbert shade) to match the existing orange flannel fabric. 

 

The quilting for this center panel really had me flustered.  I started with the letters, being really messy.  Have I mentioned how hard it is to be intentionally messy?

For the negative areas, I VERY loosely mimicked what looked to be "echo" quilting in the print.

I used embroidery thread for the orange.  I wanted it to shimmer.  You can't tell in the pictures, but it really made your eye want to go to the orange areas! 

The monkey received some swirls.  I also tried to outline each animal, but not be exactly on the "line" breaking all kindergarten class rules, right?  Are all the teachers out there cringing?

 

I only quilted the mane of the lion, I left the rest of him alone.  I just loosely mimicked the black swirl with the orange embroidery thread.

I was pretty boring on other animals like the zebra...just outlined his stripes.

I really was quite frustrated with the panel as a whole. I didn't want to over quilt it because it WAS a baby quilt, but I also did not want it to be puffy like a comforter.  I hope I found a balance.

I was also extremely annoyed that the small amount flannel for both quilts actually created a major trimming of the panels.  It was sad to see so much cut off.  I lost an entire hill of grass under all the animals. For the girl quilt below, the tree also had grass and a small hill at the bottom, but I didn't want to lose the owl, birds, and banner.

"Little" Big Girl

Maitee's quilt seemed to come together a lot more quickly.  I had cut her blocks and pieced them before I found the corrected instructions.  However, it seemed that the original border cut instructions were much more accommodating.   I am still struggling to figure out why they changed them.

The tree forced me to quilt the negative space with swirls that matched the existing white swirl fabric.

I actually had leftover flannel (the dotted material in the bottom left corner) from the backing, but I wasn't impressed with the flannel on top of the cotton panel, so I pulled a bit of pink sketchy fabric from my stash.  I decided to get a bit messy with the quilting around the letters since the scribbles seemed messy also!

I quilted a repetitive heart over the preexisting heart.

I tried to do add accents to various circles and flowers like the dotted circle below!

Both quilt kits instructed that the quilt was to be sewn together right sides and then turned out.  I was not a fan since I wanted to do the FMQ and didn't think it would work out well.  I chose a simple pink on pink striped fabric from my stash for the binding.

For the boy quilt I used an aqua/teal fabric I had from my stash.  I don't have a photo because I was rushing to wrap them up for their delivery to dad!

I will say it here.  Lessons that I have learned?  I will NEVER impulsively buy a kit from Joann's again. I have had very good luck in the past, but I think these two did me in.  I will just create a simple quilt instead.  I will also probably avoid flannel for a very long time!  I don't mind it as a backing, but am just not a fan of it paired with the cotton for a quilt top.  I am also annoyed that I had to add quite a bit of my own stash to make what was marketed as a quilt into actual quilts and not blankets.

So much for a "quick" quilt project.

All I know is that I can check them off my UFO list!!!

Anyone else have frustrating experiences with what should be the easiest quilts ever?

WIP: A Fresh New Start

I am trying to have a new outlook since a new month has started.  I am trying to lose all angst and anxiety over the quickly approaching holidays.  Instead of avoiding or fearing my list like I did last month, I am going to start posting the laundry list again.

Finishes:

Special Delivery Quilts

via Flickr

Are all finished!!
I haven't had a chance to edit the pictures, so they will be coming...stay tuned.

In Progress: 

Hexies

I have been in the car this week.  A lot.

Thank goodness for handwork, right?  I have these layouts pieced...well one more row to go.

The question is, due to the bad news of losing all those pre-cuts?  I have no idea what I am doing with these.  

Wish me luck.

Spiders and Webs, part deaux

I pieced the top!!  

I just have to trim the ends of the extra points and cut and sew border/sashing. Oh and quilt and bind, right?

Now that I put it that way...I have a ways to go, no? 

Wish me luck.

do. Good Stitches

I received the last two blocks from the ladies at Imagine@do.goodstiches last month!  It is time to start piecing it together! I was worried about the fact that I was really broad when I said ANY gray.  But I think it will work.  I have already decided that I want to do these on point.  In case you don't recognize the block, it is a paper pieced creation from Lily Quilts.  She calls it the ET Phone Home block. You can read more about my inspiration for this quilt here.

I am still mucking around with the layout.   I just ironed them and stuck them up on my design wall, so don't get too excited about unbalance, okay?  I also did not make my blocks in anticipation that I would need a certain shade of gray to fill in here and there.  At this point?  It has so much potential.  I obviously need to shift things. After that, I still have to make a big decision about sashing.  Do I pull the red?  The blue? Or the aqua?  Do I try to find a print fabric with all the colors?

Wish me luck.

Button's Nap Mat

Since Button has been healthy and attending preschool more, he seems to be adapting to the Stay and Play time in the afternoon.  I opted for it because he at least gets an hour and a half nap.  It is complicated to explain, but he would not get that much if I picked him up earlier! 

However, I realized that even though he has a mat at school, he is sleeping on plastic!  He curls up with his "buddy" blanket, but nothing else.  So, of course, me being the concerned mother, I have to make him a nap mat, right? 

I've chosen this fun dotted cotton from my stash.  It actually was intended for a maternity scrub top way back when, but I never got around to it!  I want it to be super comfy, so I have the plan to use the brown minky on the sides that he will be laying on.  We shall see how this goes! 

Wish me luck.

No Progress:

Primarily Sean's Quilt  

Figgy Pudding Christmas Quilt

Baby Girl Quilt

Craftsy Quilt

Thank You Quilt

Retro Flower Quilt

Merry, Merry Snowman BOM Quilt 

Here's to hoping that I can make some progress!  I just need Button to stay healthy so I can actually take advantage of his preschool days!  He has been quite sniffly again.

Any bets that my WIP post will look pretty much the same next week?
Wish me luck?

Linking up with Lee.

Guest poster Debbie from A Quilter's Table is in charge today!

End of the Month

I think I might have redeemed myself yesterday. A bit of time in the studio, soothed the soul!  I knew this month was going to be tough being in Survival Mode.  Family in town the first two weekends.  A scrapbook retreat the third weekend.  A trip to Vegas with Mr. Boss to round out the fourth weekend.

I survived and maybe conquered a few battles...but not the war.    I moved along on a few projects and I have to be content with that.  I remind myself constantly to keep to the decision I made in August about Lowering My Expectations.  I have a family to care for...and with the school in full swing with sports, homework, and the like...they will ALWAYS come first.

I also truly believe that when I slow down and Enjoy the Process, I walk with a little skip in my walk.  Okay, I always add a skip, but it becomes more jaunty!

Today, I can be happy in the fact that because of a wee bit of time at work, I have two baby quilts that are just waiting for their quilt labels to be added!

I am also happy that all of my triangles from last month

have transformed into a pieced top!

And that I am on the home stretch of a Butterfly Kiss design and layout.

However, today promises to be full of laundry, book reports/projects, test studying assistance, and it is time to get my October calendar ready to go.

My Calendar Scrapbook Pages

I love it when my calendars start empty.  I let it sit next to my computer so I can just stare at empty.  When it is empty is speaks to me of potential.

Unfortunately,  when I start filling in all of our activities and obligations?  

I am usually on the verge of tears.

Here is to hoping my October is a bit more calmer than September was!!  

Anyone else have high hopes for the new month?

I am joining a "new to me" blog link up with
Lily's Quilts

WIP: Survival Mode

I am trying to survive the month of September.  I posted my September's "Just Three" and am already feeling the pressure. 

I am still surviving from Button's first day at pre-school yesterday. 

It was difficult to concentrate yesterday because I was so anxious and sad.

And today?  I can't keep my hands off of him!

I am trying to survive the school/sports crazy before I go on my scrapbook retreat this weekend. I need to start packing up and printing new photos. This will be the third one for the year!  I cannot express enough how productive and important it is too me! It is the key to my survival as a stay at home mom....friendship, rest, and motivation to preserve my family's memories.

Finishes:

 August do.Good Stitches Block

Via Flicker:  Heidi @ Buttons and Butterflies

Finished and mailed off.  I think I might have been 2 days after our "mail due date".   I HATE being late.  Mr. Boss was kind on Saturday and allowed me a bit of time to work on it even though the house was a bit upside down. To read more...go HERE!


 September do.Good Stitches Blocks

Via Flickr:  Heidi @ Buttons and Butterflies

Since I was late with my August block, I wanted to jump on this month's and get it on it's way. I refuse to see my name on the "late block" list again!   I finished it Monday and mailed it yesterday.
 It is called a jumble block and the tutorial is HERE at A Bright Corner.  I think it will be a great quilt!

In Progress:

Merry, Merry Snowman Quilt

I decided to get my appliques all set and ready for Block #2 so I could take them during carpool, sports practicing boredom, and tv watching time.

ONE BIG QUESTION!

I am not happy with my needle turning on this.  And my curves are less than stellar.

 I have seen a few ladies do a blanket stitch, which I could easily do.  I am wondering if I should go forward with blanket stitches from here on out?  I would only have to fix one block since I am only on block two!  Or do I trust that in the end, when it is all quilted and the embroidery and buttons are added, it will be fine.  I am STUCK!!!!!
The good news?
 I have my NEW carrying case all packed with the gadgets and notions.   I finally caved and bought one of these travel cases.

The totes and plastic cases I was carrying around were getting beat up in the back seat of my car.  And I hate chasing a spool of thread under a seat! This fits nicely in the back seat with the backpacks, sports bags, and cooler.

  I love that I can set this on my lap and lean the top up against the steering wheel or when I am at home, I lean it up against the arm of the chair to the side! It is so comfortable on my lap that I actually fell asleep with it open like this last night.....

Special Delivery Quilts

I was able to go back and finish off the border.  And I did check my sewing machine to make sure I had the bobbin low reminder alarm back on.  I had turned it off because sometimes it would not let me finish a few stitches if I was at the end of a row...but now I know that I won't ignore it anymore!

The girl quilt just needs the appliqued name and I still need to cut the borders and piece the boy top.  I am hoping to spend some time next week when I return from the retreat! 

No Progress: We don't really need to discuss these, do we? Cringe worthy

New Projects:

Butterfly Kisses Quilt

A hand-quilted project landed at my doorstep and it thoroughly distracts me!

I am not only doing the prints for their lost son, but also his big sister's...and the empty spot is for the future....Proofs were approved this morning, so I will be hooping it today!

Like I said.  I am in survival mode.  Whenever I can get something this month?  I will!

Anyone else in survival mode?

Linking up with Lee at