Frosting {Quilt}

"Grandmothers are moms with lots of frosting"

I adore these quilts. I actually finished them in January and was supposed to mail them off to their recipients. But I just couldn't let them go. 

Honestly, I just didn't mail them because I never got around to making their labels.
And I let a lot of other projects, and life, get in the way. 

I used jelly rolls I had that I had picked up a million moons ago at either Joanns or Hobby Lobby. The Granny Square pattern by Blue Elephant Stitches from Moda Bake Shop was well done and it came together quickly. 

Very quickly!

My big problem was that I had a matching white issue. After a long drawn out process, I discovered that there are actually, not just dye lot issues, with Kona White, but there are actually two different manufacturers for Robert Kaufmann and the whites are NOT at all the same. 

After hunting down some that matched thanks to Hayley from The Plum Bobbin, I was able to find the right white and add the sashing. 

The quilting. These were quilted at a time where I was just really discovering my "feathers" and was playing around with them. 

I may have over-feathered them. If that's possible?

One backing is flannel and one is cotton. They both washed up really nicely!

From the beginning, I had in my mind to do scalloped borders/binding. I just knew I wanted them to have a vintage feel and if scallops don't say that?  I don't know what else would!

The key to scallops is a good amount of border space, a good scallop ruler to mark, and bias binding. 

The other thing I learned was to not get too worried about mitering the corners.  The bias binding started just naturally curving into the inside turns. 

My IRun4 buddy, Reagan.

And the final touch, sweet labels.  I forgot to take pictures, but one of the recipients  took one!

These are going to two super special people that had no idea that they were coming. 

Quilt stats: 

Measures:Approx. 54" x 64"

Pattern: Granny Square by Blue Elephant Stitches at Moda Bake Shop

Fabric: Kona White, Joann Fabric jelly rolls, Joann flannel and cotton

Quilting: Free motion feathers on Ole Betsy longarm (18"Avante)

I was so excited to get messages from them when they arrived!

Goodbye 2015

I've been staring at my unfinished project and unfinished blogposts list this week while company was still in town. Feeling down that there was so much to do and no way to get started with guests around.

So I decided to focus on what I DID get done this year.

Flipagram video here

-13 fully finished quilts

-5 t-shirt quilts (4 queen size)

-3 quilt tops

-1 quilt restoration

-3 large bean cushions

-1 full tree skirt

 -2 mini swaps

-2 quilted throw pillows

-3 quilted bags/totes

-3 new rosettes for La Passacaglia -1300 hexies basted

The majority resulted from my very own stash. Not too shabby considering we made such a large move and had to do renovate the studio entirely.

I had a long post with my goals in mind but honestly?  It's simple. 

Quilt more

Release more patterns

Sew my stash

Blog more. 

Dear Santa,

Hey there big guy!  

Happy Holidays from me!  Hope you are not as stressed as I am this year!  I have to admit, I missed the tranquility last year after my surgery.  Not having to worry about deadlines or pressure of finishing a project was awfully nice.

I did finish three projects for my family and they made it out to the post office yesterday, so I do feel a bit of relief.  I know you "see" what I am doing everyday and probably caught the post about Gramm's Garden Party Quilt.

And I am editing the pictures of Pops Crossing quilt so everyone can see it by the end of the week.

And on Instagram I was busy posting pictures of my brother's coasters

and the quick notecards I made for my parents

 explaining the background of their quilts

 and what inspired me to make them.

But here's the real deal Santa.

I need a little bit of a push to finish my in-laws quilt that I have partially started.

 If you could possibly send the elves down my way, that would be great?  I don't mind if they want to come hang out with me since I keep late hours.  Buddy has just been too busy entertaining the boys to help me out.

 As for the boys quilts?  I am waiting on Teenboy #1's background fabric from Intrepid Thread, so I can applique all the hexies that I finished.

I just have to do the handsewing for the binding for Teenboy#2.  

His quilt label is already attached.

If the elves are too busy helping all the ladies that made the request for them to clean their homes on my Giveaway post, maybe Mrs. Clause is available?  I haven't even started the little boys quilts yet.  If she is can handle an iron or a rotary cutter, I would be happy to make her my Prime Rib Christmas dinner.

And maybe my Winter's Lane quilt could magically be under the tree all finished!??!

If not?

The microhandles for Ole Betsy would do very well.

Anyone else hoping for something under their tree!?!??!

WIP Wednesday: Countdown to Christmas

There is no denying it anymore.  

Christmas approaches quickly....and I am not exactly ready.

Do making scrap buckets and potholders count?

Based on the scrap bins from the book "Sunday Morning Quilts"

 I was sitting in the carpool line today listening to Button hollering "when is it going to move?" while taking a moment to glance at some blogs.  Ironically, I have not read someone's blog in a very long time.  Possibly, spring?  I fell upon one of my favorite Aussie quilters.  Sharon at Lilabelle Lane.  She posted about accountability.  Ironically, I was thinking the same thing.

After rearranging my studio, I can no longer claim that I am overcome with disorganization! I can no longer blame it on a commissioned project.  The last three months of the year are all mine.

  It is time to get to business!

So how do you make yourself accountable?

Lists of course!  And no new projects. Whatsoever!

Quilt Gift MUST DOs

It's all about my parents and in-laws this Christmas!

Gramm's quilt

Pop's quilt (binding)

Oma and Opa's quilt (top in progress)

Quilt Gift Would Like to Have Done

I'd really like to have a quilt under the tree for each of my boys.  It's a lovely moment in my head and will be difficult to complete them in secret, even though they already know what their quilts are. So the surprise would be the unexpected delivery!

Teen Boy (#1): Argyle Quilt (still piecing hexies...)

Need to applique onto background

Bean Boy (#2): Highlighter quilt (top finished)
Just need to finish binding!

Bunny Boy (#3): Minecraft (pattern designed and fabrics chosen)

Baby Boy Button (#4):  Scoot Quilt (pattern designed and fabrics waiting)

Christmas Quilts I'd like Available for Snuggles

Blizzard (top finished, backing ready)

Winter's Lane (top finished)]backing ready.

Home Decor Distractions....

New Dog Bed Covers (tops pieced)

Stars and Stripes Quilt (needs border and backing pieced)

Bean Bag Pillows for Game/Toy Room

New Throw Pillows for Game/Toy Room

Button's Nursery Rocking Chair Cushion

 Library Window Treatments

Dining Room Window Treatments

Me Projects

Scrap Buckets (only 6 out of 12 finished)

 Sewing Circle Tote (pattern and fabrics ready)

Swap with do.goodstitches bee gals!

Write up Tutorials and Patterns that are cluttering up my mind. (1 out of 3)

And now that I see this typed out!??!!?  55ish days left?  

I know! More days than that, but I need to give myself time to wrap and/or ship!

Ha.  Wishful thinking. 

 But isn't that what Christmas is all about??!?!

Never Just One Thing {WIP Wednesday}

I am always hoping that I will only have ONE thing to share on WIP Wednesday, but I can never manage it.  I always wonder what everyone is thinking about me!!!

Finishes:

Blush and Bashful Quilt

My Aunt's quilt is done.

I just finished the quilt label last night so I can mail it off to her!

 

Charlie's Whale Song Quilt

Complete. 

 It and a few other things are on their way to Seattle as I type and you read. 

I am going to post his final quilt photos/post Thursday.  

 It will be my kickoff post for the online auction that I have been involved in for he and his family! 

 Keep an eye out!

In Progress:

Giant Christmas Star

I have this mess up on my design wall. 

I am rearranging to try to get the perfect balance.

  I REALLY need this to go quick!

Shuffle The Deck

Is loaded on my longarm. 

 I am praying for a certain wee one to sleep in this morning so I can quilt it before he wakes up and gets into my business. I am going simple meander for this one.

 New Project:

Pajama Memory Quilt

There are two bins filled to the brim with a friend's pajamas.  It's a long story and I will share all the details in the near future.  I can tell you that they have been at my house since Spring.  I need to scan them and get her a mockup of the pattern to her by this Friday.

Why Friday?

SCRAPBOOK RETREAT TIME!!

She will be there and I "see" her tapping her foot with her arms crossed in my head!

(in her defense, she won't...she is too nice for that.  I'm more worried I will disappoint her)

The biggest problem is that I am excited to see my friends and work on my family albums,.

However, that I am completely unprepared. No photos or any new supplies.

Based on my past, do you think I can get all of the things I need to get done in time?!?!?

Because I certainly just couldn't just have ONE thing, right?

 

Waiting in Line

I have quite a few tops floating around here lately.

The two newest ones came together quickly.

Unfortunately, they are joining

Blizzard

Spirograph

Shuffle the Deck

and 

Jacob's Highlighter 

on the Ole Betsy line-up rack.

They are all waiting for me to finish up my aunt's quilt. 

(The most recent photo. It is already loaded on Ole Betsy)

 It is giving me a little trouble.   And my response to the problem was to order new leaders from Handiquilter so I could just take it off and start on the more pressing ones since my "due date" passed a few days ago.  However, my order hasn't arrived.

So I am forcing myself not to to touch project (other than my hexies at tv time) unless it involves any of the seven quilt tops that I stated above.

Did I actually say SEVEN?

Who is this person and where did she come from?