Wonderful Wednesday

It is a wonderful wednesday because it isn't raining and it is actually fairly warm out.

I got a couple of customer quilts done in the last couple of days and now have been getting caught up on some things around the house and getting ready for Easter weekend. It is also spring break so anyone with children knows that your time is not exactly your own during spring break.

I probably won't get back in the swing of sewing etc. until next week so won't have much to post about so wanted to wish everyone a wonderful Easter.

kathie

Design Wall Monday - 3-29-2010

Currently on my design wall are a few of the 4 patch blocks I have been making. I have gradually been these between other projects out of left over binding strips from various Christmas craft show projects. I intend on making a 4 patch lap quilt with cream sashing between each block and using corner stones.

My problem is that I can't decide on what color to make the corner stones so here are a couple of options.





Does the black jump out to much and make it NON Christmas? Is the gold to washed out? Or should I just go with maybe a solid red (not pictured).

I would appreciate your suggestions.

kathie

Sunday Stash Report - March 28, 2010

Well I didn't actually use up much fabric this week. What I pieced was mostly already cut out and reported and I spent a lot of time quilting things up and also taking care of household things.

On a good note I totally stayed away from quilt and fabric shops this week so for the first time in several weeks can report 0 new fabric in.

Fabric Used this Week: 2 yards (Christmas table runners)
Fabric Used YTD: 76 yards
Fabric Added this week: 0 (yipppppppppppppeeeeeeeeeeeeeee)
Fabric Added YTD: 49 3/4 yards
Net Used in 2010: 26 1/4

I will be going to a two day fiber arts conference in April and will start to create kits for myself to take to it soon. Once I start doing that I am sure I will use up several yards all at once. Hopefully I can also stay out of quilt shops another week or two at least.

Kathie

Hospice 11 and 12

Here are the other two just finished hospice quilts I mentioned I would show pictures of. The first is a zig zag quilt made entirely of scrap half square triangles. Someone donated a huge bag of 5 inch squares and this is where some of them went. I pieced the squares then Jane took them and pieced the top, JoAnn quilted it and then back to Jane to bind. Teamwork is great!!! The quilt reminds me of huge rick rack.



This next quilt is made out of string blocks that were a combined effort of several ladies at a sew in at our local library months ago. I cut the blocks in half and combined with the cream fabric and made it into this off center top. I then quilted it and this is one of the few charity tops that I went ahead and also did the binding. I love how this one turned out.



Bright sunny weather today but rain coming in tonight so guess I better get any errands run today.

Kathie

Hospice Quilt #10 and a Nursing Home Quilt

Have several charity quilts completed in the last few days. They are back from binding and I finished putting labels on all of them. Here are pictures of the first two.

The first quilt I made from extra blocks left over from another quilt. This is titled "Mini Roses." It is a small quilt so will be going to the local nursing home. I made the quilt and Kathy V. did the binding.



This next quilt will be the 10th quilt completed for the second delivery of quilts to Hospice House. I was in contact with them this morning to see if they need any quilts yet and she indicated that they were ok for now and that I would check back in a month or so. I will plan the next delivery tentatively for late April or early May.

I pieced this tropical 4 patch out of donated fabrics, isn't it bright and cheery? Jane completed the binding on this one and did a great job.



Since I am not accomplishing much today I will save the other two pictures for tomorrow so I have something interesting to show.

Kathie

Personal Responsibility

What happened to people taking personal responsbility for what they do? My husband stopped by a store for not more than 10 minutes last night on the way to pick up our daughter from dance.

He came out of the store and there was a big dent on the front drivers side of the van. Someone had in that short time ran into it and then taken off. Of course no note or anything.

It is sizeable enough that there is no way they could have not known what they did.

It makes me angry, even if we report it to our insurance it will be the $500 deductible out of our pocket.

I hope today will be a better day.

Kathie

Sew In Day 2

I only went to the sew in for a few hours yesterday but it was another pretty sunny day even if it was very breezy. Here is a picture of our view while we sewed.



This is the backing that I completed on day 1. The patriotic bear fabric was some donation fabric and I added a blue from my stash so that it would be big enough.



In the few hours that I was there I completed the binding on a hospice quilt, did the binding on one of my hydrangia table runners and sewed the 8 Christmas blocks into 2 Christmas runners.

Now today back to my regular schedule of chores, errands and then to get the quilt on the frame completed so that I can get the next customer quilt loaded.

Have a bright and sunny day.

Kathie

Sew In Day 1

Day 1 of our sew in went great. I forgot to take my camera so don't have any pictures.

I did get a backing of 10 1/2 squares pieced for a soldier quilt I made a month or so ago. I also made 8 Christmas blocks that will become two table runners so I accomplished a lot.

It was a beautiful day on the water with the sun shining. The only downside was that I got my foot stuck in an extension cord and fell and hit the floor hard. Nothing hurt bad but boy am I definitely uncomfortable today and will be sure and take my Alieve before going to day 2 of the sew in.

Today I want to get those blocks joined into the runners and then maybe work on some bindings I am going to take with me. I am only going to stay a few hours today because I really need to get some things done around the house. I also need to finish the quilting on my day bed quilt so that I can get that off the frame and a customer quilt on tomorrow.

Kathie

Craft Show Quilting

I was tired all day yesterday but actually accomplished a lot. I quilted up these two hydrangia runners for future craft shows and I also got the day bed quilt on the frame and about 3 feet of it quilted. Then last night I put labels on two hospice quilts that I just received back from my binding fairy Jane. I will try and get some pictures of those quilts in the next couple of days.

Today I am off to a guild sew in. I have two runners cut out and ready to sew (craft show), a backing kit of squares (for soldier quilt) and the rest of my split decision blocks packed and ready to go. I had about 16 blocks left over from the quilt top I made so if I make a few more I can make another top, either for charity or craft show.

It is sunny currently here in Southern Maryland. Hope it continues as our sew in is right on the water.

Kathie

Design Wall Monday 3-22-10

What is currently on my design wall is the backing that I finished piecing last night. This will be the back for the day bed quilt I made a couple of weeks ago. All the backing was left overs from the front of the quilt and additional teal/purple fabrics out of my stash.

I have several things I would like to accomplish today including quilting a couple of table runners that I have backing on the frame for, finish the binding on the shelter quilt, get my stuff organized for a sew in tomorrow morning and run a couple of errands.

Since I had one of the worst nights sleep last night I don't know if I will get all this done or not.

Kathie

Sunday Stash Report - March 21, 2010

Well I used slightly more fabric this week (borders, bindings and backing) than I purchased so that was a good thing. I really need to try and stay out of quilt/fabric shops for a couple of weeks so that the net used has a chance to go way up.

Fabric Used this week: 6.5 yards
Fabric Used YTD: 74 yards
Fabric Added this week: 5 yards
Fabric Added YTD: 49 3/4 yards
Net Used 2010: 24 1/4 yards



Kathie

Homeless Shelter Quilt

My day time quilt guild made a committment to provide eight twin sized (extra long) quilts by the end of March for a tri-county family homeless shelter. Betty pieced the top of this quilt, I pieced a backing and quilted it and hope to get the binding on it today. A 70 x 100 quilt has miles of binding so it will take awhile to get all the handstitching done but if I can do one side every night it will be ready to turn in next week.

Even though this quilt is made up of just 10 inch squares it is very pretty with all the different blues in it. The top was made totally of donated fabrics.

I quilted two of this size of quilt in two days, plus a couple of other quilts earlier in the week. Before my knee protests to much I am going to take today away from the frame. I will hopefully working on the binding, some paper work and oh yea, clean the house.


Kathie

Two Quilt Shops in Two Days

Well I could have done better going to two quilt shops in two days but I also could have done so much worse on my spending.

At quilt shop #1 I bought exactly what I went for. One additional yard of a fabric I purchased a couple of weeks ago so that I would have enough fabric for borders.

Quilt shop #2 I went to with no specific fabric mission in mind. I went to deliver two customer quilts and that was a good half way point between my house and the lady that had me do the quilts. Of course I had to go in and look around.

I found a beautiful fall fabric that will make wonderful table runners, but only bought one yard. I also purchased 3 yards of fabric for a little boys quilt. the one fabric is blues and greens with turtles on it and also a piece of "go with" fabric to complement it.

So considering I didn't go there to purchase I guess I fell off the wagon AGAIN, but could have done so much worse as the shop was crowded to overflowing with wonderful fabrics.

Kathie

Charity Quilts

I recently got these two quilts back from one of my binding fairies (Kathy V). The squares on point quilt was made by my husband. The rails quilt was part of a king sized quilt that was donated. I unstitched it making it into 4 lap sized quilts.

Since both of these quilts are small they will be going to the guild project to make quilts for a local nursing home. The nursing home likes them small so that the patients can cover up their laps while in a wheel chair.

kathie

Two Quilt Shops in Two Days

Two quilt shops in two days? Will I behave?

Today after going to the doctor I went by my closest quilt shop to get one yard of a fabric I bought two weeks ago. I decided what I was going to make out of the bundle of fabric and wanted another yard for borders before they were sold out. The trip was a success as I got the fabric yard and nothing else.

Tomorrow I meet a lady at another quilt shop to drop off two quilts I quilted for her. Am I going to be able to resist buying more fabric?

I wanted to thank the people that posted that the red/white and blue quilt I am making is from a block named split decision. Nice to be able to put a name with it.

kathie

Design Wall Monday - March 15, 2010

I am showing two shots of the design wall. This first one is after the last rows of my day bed quilt were put together. I have the binding cut for this quilt and backing squares ready to piece together when I get a chance. This is now folded and sitting on my shelf waiting to be quilted. I am hoping it won't be waiting to long.



Once that quilt was off the design wall I pulled out the red/white and blue blocks. I intended on just figuring out a layout and sewing them together later.

My daughter ended up having 3 other 15/16 year olds over so I ended up staying (hiding) downstairs for most of the afternoon/evening. Since there isn't a very comfortable place down there to just sit and watched TV I spent a good portion of the time sewing. I got all these blocks (don't know the name of the pattern) laid out and then sewn together. It is now just waiting for me to pick out some fabric for a border and get that on the quilt. This quilt will be part of a May deliver of quilts that will be going to wounded soldiers.



I did so well reaching all my goals last week that guess I will set some for this week.

1. Finish customer quilt currently on the frame
2. Quilt two more customer quilts (one baby sized, the other a long twin)
3. Get borders on r/w/b quilt
4. Work on sewing backing squares together for teal/purple day bed quilt

Kathie

Sunday Stash Report - 3/14/10

Well I came close this week to using as much fabric as I purchased. I couldn't pass up the $1.99 fabric they had at JoAnns and got enough to back a charity quilt and my yet to be made bright green/purple/blue quilt.

It did make me get busy and make up a couple of backings for other projects which is always a great thing.

Fabric Used this week: 9 1/2 yards
Fabric Used YTD: 67 1/2 yards
Added this week: 10 yards
Added YTD: 44 3/4
Net Used for 2010: 22 3/4

I went to a sew in at the library yesterday and got a lot of r/w/b blocks made for a soldiers quilt. Hope to get those on the design wall tomorrow so that I can start playing with how I want them laid out.

kathie

Weekly Goals

I did get 2 1/2 customer quilts quilted, plus a hospice quilt and all the rows to my day bed quilt sewn together this week.

I was really tired today, maybe due to the rain, so didn't feel like finishing up the quilt on the frame so did a few things around the house and then cut out binding for the day bed quilt, pieced the backing for the homeless quilt I hope to quilt next week (only two seams), and started to cut up left over blues, teals and purples to make a backing for my quilt.

I was still accomplishing a lot, just not standing at the frame.

Kathie

Playing Hooky

I decided to play hooky today from customer quilts and get a few things done around the house. Before starting on my chores I decided to get another hospice quilt quilted. The string blocks for this quilt were made by several members of my guild at a sew in at the library months and months ago. A few months ago I got them made into the top and then today finally quilted. I pieced together some leftover binding pieces to make a scrappy binding so hope to get that on the quilt in the next couple of days.



Some people have asked if I do charity quilts in a specific order and the answer is no. Sometimes I pick the quilt at the top of the stack, other times what quilt can use the same color thread as currently on the frame. Sometimes the size plays into it. If I have just finished a large customer quilt I might feel like quilting up one of the smaller charity ones. Sometimes a specific quilt just speaks to me and I want to get it done quickly. When people donate tops to me for hospice they know that I might get it done next week or not until next year but that they will all get done eventually.

I have done well on my goals for this week. I have quilted two customer quilts, the hospice quilt and have fabric cut and ready to piece for a charity backing.

kathie

Hospice Quilts 6 thru 9

Last night was our first guild meeting at our new location since the roof of where we had been meeting collapsed during all our February snow. Our room is a little smaller than before but the parking much better so all in all I think it will work out good.

I received four quilts for hospice donation last night so wanted to post pictures of all of those.



This first quilt top was sent to Eileen from one of her internet quilt buddies to finish and donate to our cause. I love the colors in this quilt.

The second rail fence quilt was one made out of some of the donated batik fabric that I received a couple of months ago. This quilt was pieced and bound by Jane and I did the quilting. The picture doesn't do it justice, the fabrics are just beautiful




This Irish Chain quilt was pieced by Mary M. and quilted by Eileen. Love the soft muted colors.



This last quilt is a block of the month quilt that an internet friend of Eileen's started and decided she didn't want to finish it. Eileen put the blocks together and quilt it.




Kathie

Design Wall Monday - March 8th 2010

Well this is the same quilt that was on the design wall last week but at that time I had just got a start on the quilt.

I gradually worked on getting rows together during the week between customer quilts and other projects. Yesterday my daughter was gone all afternoon so I spent all that time in the sewing room. All 15 rows are now done and I have started joining the rows together.

I hope to get the top done in the next couple of days between other projects and will then have to figure out what to use for the backing fabric.



WEEKLY GOALS

1. Quilt at least two customer quilts
2. Have all the rows sewn together for daybed quilt
3. Piece a backing for a large charity quilt that will be going to an homeless shelter.

kathie

Sunday Stash Report - 3/7/2010

OOPS I DID IT AGAIN!!!

Ok so much for NOT buying any fabric this week but I did

1. Help the local economy
2. Help support a very new quilt shop in our small town
3. and, couldn't pass up a sale

This bundle of 5 yards of fabric is what I found and just couldn't pass up because it was on sale. At least I have in mind what quilt I am going to make with it.



At least I was busy using up all the fabric I purchased last week working on the day bed quilt and I also managed to get a couple of backings pieced for quilts so was still able to use up a couple more yards of fabric than I purchased this week.

Fabric Used this Week 9 1/2 yards
Fabric Used YTD 58 yards
Fabric Added this Week 7 yards
Fabric Added YTD 34 3/4 yards
Net Used for 2010 23 1/4 yards

I also managed to get a small hospice quilt quilted yesterday. Here it is just off the frame and ready for me to send off to my binding fairies.


Kathie

Guilds

Do you belong to a quilt guild or a sewing bee? If you don't I encourage everyone to find a group to sew with.

I belong to two guild (one day time and one night) and a sewing bee. I rarely make the sewing bee as it is on thursday nights and there always seems to be something else going but when I do go I really enjoy myself.

My day time guild was yesterday. Last month we were cancelled due to snow so it was great to see two months of show and tell from everyone. The patterns, colors and ideas always inspire me. I think my quilting would get stale if I didn't have others to bounce ideas off of.

I finished the monster large quilt yesterday. This is a picture of just a small portion of the quilt.



I have also been slowly piecing blocks into rows for my daybed quilt. This is all the farther I have gotten but you can get the idea.



Kathie

Do You Love Your Stash?

One blog I read a lot had a posting a week or two ago with the title do you love your stash?

That got me straightening up my stash and looking to see how much of it I was truely in love with and how much of it just isn't my taste anymore. I found a lot of smaller pieces that are really not big enough for anything other than scrap quilts, found lots of fabric I used in 2 or 3 quilts and just tired of. I also found several fabrics that I have no clue why I would ever buy them.

I didn't get all my fabrics straightened up but out of the stacks I did I pulled another complete stack of fabrics that I don't want.

One of my goals right now is to cut up 2 or 3 of these fabric ever day until the stack goes away. I cut two of the fabrics into 10 1/2 back squares and another couple of smaller pieces into 2 1/2 strips yesterday. Hope I can continue this on a daily basis and get rid of the stack in the next week or two.

My goal for today is to finish loading a monster big quilt on the frame and start to get that quilted. I am not going to push myself on this quilt and will allow 2 to 3 days to get it done.

My knee is feeling some better and I don't want to spend to many hours at the frame without a nice long break or I will be feeling it again.

kathie

Design Wall Monday 3-1-2010

I purchased all these fabrics from JoAnns last week thinking I would make a large lap quilt out of them. Then this weekend we took delivery of a day bed for our guest room. Since we are not going to paint that room anytime soon and it has a stenciled border with lots of purples in it I figured this newly purchased fabric would make a great day bed quilt.

Since I love the warm wishes pattern and have made several for gifts or craft shows and have never kept one for the house I decided to use that pattern. I got a lot of the rail fence like blocks made yesterday and pinned the first few pieces to the design wall. I think this is going to make a pretty quilt. Of course now I need to run to JoAnns again today to get a little bit more of each fabric but hey, at least it is for a current project and it will be cut up as soon as it is washed.

Kathie