Puttering...

I've been working on a number of things recently.  Some small projects, some big, but generally puttering around.    I'm enjoying the process of sewing more lately instead of focusing on just getting things done.  As a result, I'm a bit slower working on projects, but I'm enjoying myself.

I recently finished making an ironing caddy for a friend.  The pattern is Caddy Pad Pattern by Sister's Common Thread.

Traveling Iron Caddy

It holds your iron when you travel, but also opens up and can be used as an ironing pad.  It would be great for taking to classes and retreats.  Instead of including a template, the pattern gives you directions for drawing the sewing lines on your fabric.  I had to read over it several times to make sure I understood what it was saying, but otherwise, it went together pretty easily.

I also started a new quilt using the pattern 'X-Rated' by Carrie Nelson from the book Schnibbles Times Two.  Her pattern calls for using a Layer Cake but I used 5 Charm Packs instead since that's what I had on hand.  The fabric is Independence Trail by Minick & Simpson.  I was glad I had a lot of floor space for this one since you have to lay it out in advance.  Then you sew it together in diagonal rows.

I have it about half way pieced right now.  The rows in the middle are really long now.  I don't know what I'm going to do about borders yet, if I'll do a piano key border like she has in the book or something different.  I think I'll wait until I have the center together and decide then.

I was really hoping to make Clover this month.  It's the Schnibbles quilt designed by Carrie Nelson that Sinta and Sherri selected for October.  I loved this quilt as soon as I saw it and was looking forward to making it.

However, this month quickly became busier than I expected and I had to put it off.  I also discovered this quilt is laid out and sewn together in diagonal rows, just like the other quilt I'm working on, and to be honest, I didn't want to work on 2 quilts like that at the same time.  I prefer not to sew long rows of fabric together (I get bored) and seldom put a quilt together that way.  But I really like this pattern so I know I'll make it one day in the future, just not this month.

Other than that, I've been busy painting, painting, painting and making far too many trips to the vet.  I'm really having a hard time believing we're entering November already.  Does anyone else feel like the end of the year is coming way too quickly?

Our people must learn to do good by meeting the urgent needs of others; then they will not be unproductive. 

Titus 3:14 (NLT)

More Quilt in A Box Blocks...

I've finally gotten around to taking pictures of the Quilt in a Box blocks the ladies in my quilt bee made for me.  These blocks represent a year long effort by our group.  In a previous post, I showed you the 12 blocks I made for them using their fabric choices...

The blocks I made.

These are the 12 blocks I received in return made out of the fabric I included, which is Blueberry Crumb Cake by Blackbird Designs.

The blocks I received.

I'm not sure how I'm going to put these together.  The setting is up to each quilter to design.  One of our members has already finished her top and I love the pinks and roses in it...

Carolyn's Quilt

I know these quilts are going to have a very special meaning for each of us because one of our members passed away just a couple of weeks ago.  She was a very talented quilter and hand appliqued a letter as her block for each of us.  This is the one she made for me...

We were all surprised by her passing and we'll miss her.

As usual, I had a helper for even the small task of taking pictures.  This time Sam had to get in on the action...

The weather has turned unseasonably cold here and I've returned to my winter routine of wearing 2 pairs of socks at all times.  I hope you're finding it more pleasant in your neck of the woods!

Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again - my Savior and my God! 

Psalm 42:1 (NLT)

Leaping Along...

The weather's changing and time is flying around here.  I was hoping to have a long standing UFO Baltimore Halloween finished by now and hanging, but alas it will have to wait for Halloween 2014.  However, I have been busy sewing and have finished piecing another UFO, Leap Year.

This is actually a king-sized version of a Schnibbles pattern of the same name by Carrie Nelson (with a few changes).  I used 2 Layer Cakes of Wiscasset by Minick and Simpson to make it.  Although it's an older one, I really love this line of fabric.

The quilt is now 104" x 113" and will be the largest one I've ever quilted.  Once it's done, it will also be the first one I've made for our bed.  I'll be excited to actually finish one!

As usual, Jack was my ever faithful supervisor.  She's been a little under the weather lately with a UTI, but that hasn't stopped her from keeping me company.

For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. 

Philippians 4:13 (NLT)

Star Struck...

Confession time: I have a closet full of quilt tops still waiting to be quilted.  (Please tell me I'm not the only one!)  There are at least 20, maybe 25 in there of all different sizes.  In an effort to some day empty that closet, I pulled out one of those tops and finished it last week.  I'm calling this one Star Struck.

This quilt is actually one of the first ones I ever made so it's probably 7 or 8 years old.  I remember the pattern came from WalMart.  It was hanging in their fabric section along with all the fabric to make it.  I bought so much of it, I know I made at least 2 quilts from it.  The fabric is rather rough and my points are occasionally cut off, but I'll always remember how much fun I had making it.

I don't know if it was because of the fabric or what, but I had a lot of trouble quilting this.  My thread kept breaking, then I had a problem with skipped stitches.  It was one thing after another.  I ended up changing the needle 3 times and still had to make a couple of fixes after I pulled it off the frame.  I used the Climber pantograph on it which is usually a quick and fun one to use.

I washed the quilt (with lots of fabric softener) as soon as I finished it and I'm pleased to say it softened up quite a bit.  I think after a few more washes it will get that nice, wrap around you, softness to it.  And I don't mind the chopped off points in it either.  It's just a reminder of the great time I had when I started quilting (and continue to have today).

So, to sum it up:

• Size: 46" square
• Fabrics: from WalMart
• Batting: Warm & White
• Thread: Superior Threads So Fine #401 to quilt
• Pattern: mystery pattern from WalMart
• Quilting: Climber pantograph by Meredith England from Sweet & Simple Pantographs
• Completed: October 2013

My child, listen and be wise: Keep your heart on the right course. 

Proverbs 23:19 (NLT)   

Candy Shop...

One of the things I like most about Schnibbles quilts is how quick they are to make.  Well that and the patterns are awfully cute too.  (Carrie certainly knows her way around a charm pack!)  So how is possible that it's taken me almost a year and a half to finish this one?  I made 'Candy Shop' for the Schnibbles parade in June of last year and have only now gotten around to completing it.

The pattern for this quilt is 'Doc' and I used Chutes & Ladders for the fabric.  The only change I made was to add an extra border to make it larger.  A lot of the fabric has candy on it and it would make a bright cheerful quilt for a child.

I quilted a simple pantograph on it, Celtic Braid by Patricia E. Ritter.

There was very little left over fabric from this quilt, but I pieced together enough scraps to make a label for the back.

I had a really hard time trying to get a good picture of the finished quilt.  Every time I laid it down, Jack would dive under it.  (She was having a blast!  Me, not so much.)  These were actually the best ones I could manage.

So, the stats for this quilt are:

• Size: 50" square
• Fabrics: 2 Charm Packs of Chutes & Ladders, Bella Solid, Moda Marbles
• Batting: Warm & White
• Thread: Aurifil #2326 to piece, Superior Threads So Fine #451 to quilt
• Pattern: Doc by Miss Rosie's Quilt Co.
• Quilting:  Celtic Braid by Patricia E. Ritter
• Completed: October 2013
• Recipient: Quilts for Kids

Even though it took me a while to finish this one, I'm glad it's done and on it's way to a new home.

He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them his way. 

Psalm 25:9 (NLT)

Sweet Treat Bag...

After finishing up my Schnibbles quilt and before starting another big project, I was in the mood to putter around with something small.  It was late afternoon and I only had a short time to sew, so I dug around in my stash until I found this little Moda Bake Shop box.  It included 2 mini HoneyBuns and a pattern. (I used one of the HoneyBuns before I thought to take a picture!)  The sticker on the box dates it to April 2009, so it's obviously been in my stash for a while.

The pattern included with this box is for a Sweet Treat Bag.  It's quick, simple and the instructions really are quite genius.  I've never seen a bag constructed this way before, but it was SO easy!  Each mini HoneyBun contains 10 - 1.5" strips and will make one of these bags.  The fabric for this bag was Objects of Desire by Sandy Gervais.

I finished making the entire bag in a couple of hours, minus the buttons which required a special trip to JoAnn's.  I don't know what I'm going to do with it, but think it would make a great makeup bag, sewing bag or gift for a friend.  In fact, my quilt bee is going to get together next month to make them in time for Christmas.

It was fun to make something I could finish in just a few short hours.  But now it's time to get back to our regularly scheduled program, starting with this king-size quilt I still haven't finished putting together....

“Always obey the Lord and you will be happy. If you are stubborn, you will be ruined.” 

Proverbs 28:14 (GNB)