Friday, January 31, 2014

Finished Up a UFO

     I have finished another UFO.  

 It started when I found 2 ½ blocks that were made in Dianne S. Hire’s “Come Play with Me” workshop in 2006 and an orphan block from a guild monthly challenge where I used several of the same fabrics.  After piecing a few more blocks like Dianne’s directions and a few improvisational blocks, the top came together.  

For the quilting, I used a variegated purple thread and FMQ Leah’s sharp stippling   as an overall design on most of the quilt.  This was my first time using it and I like it although I did not use as many curves as Leah.  I did practice on paper a few minutes before the actual quilting.

In the border I used FMQ spirals.  I do mark off division guides so they will be about the same size.

I have linked up with Leah's FMQ Project Link Up.  Check out what others are doing. 


Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Weather Watch Piecing / CS Linkup Finale

      I have the center of my Celtic Solstice sewn together and the first border but have not gone any further yet so instead of writing a new post I decided to revise this one for Bonnie's Linkup Finale. It has been a fun mystery quilt and I look forward to finishing before too long.
     
      While “waiting” for the predicted winter storm to start, I worked on piecing my Celtic Solstice. I finished sewing all the rows together for the center and added the first border.  I laid it out for the picture and noticed a mistake.  Do you see it?  One block is rotated so that the green and orange squares are in the wrong place.
 

I could NOT leave it.  I un-sewed the 4 seams for the offending block, rotated it and re-sewed.
Much better!


Instead of the orange triangles that Bonnie designed, I want to use a different second border.  I plan to machine quilt another quilt before working more on the Celtic Solstice border.


For a change of pace I spent the next couple of hours piecing a charity quilt.  

Keep Warm and Keep Sewing!

Monday, January 20, 2014

Blocks on Design Wall (Floor)

     I have 56 "Celtic Solstice" blocks made that should finish as queen size with borders added.  My design wall is not large enough for all the blocks so I laid them out on my kitchen floor.  Then I could see how they look and stack the rows in order for sewing.  

I am working on sewing together the 4th of 8 rows. I have only pieced a dozen of the orange triangle units that Bonnie planned for the 2nd border.  I am considering a different ( more simple) border design.  
     Back to sewing.

Friday, January 17, 2014

More Celtic Solstice Piecing

     Bonnie offered 2 sizes for the Celtic Solstice Mystery quilt.  I worked on the smaller size that would finish at 75” square.  I read about a couple of quilters who made theirs queen size.   If I added one row of blocks (8 rows of 7 each), my Celtic Solstice would finish at 75” by 84”.   I needed 7 additional blocks so the past few days, I have worked on components such as the orange and yellow HSTs.  This time I used a different HSTpaper but it was just as accurate and easy.  I printed free pages from http://www.quiltingandwhatnot.ca/Half-Square-Triangle.html . 


All my subunits are pieced; I just need to get busy sewing.  I can’t believe how quickly a few ladies finished their quilts.  I am taking a good bit of time to pin most of the intersections to match.  All 28 of my “54-40 or Fight” blocks are finished.   I’m working on my 28 “Birthday Girl” blocks but  12 of the 28 will have the chevrons rotated.  I like how the occasional star adds a little more interest.


Hopefully, soon I will be ready to add the borders. 

I did take a break to make a 9” by 12” quilted pouch that is for a JoAnn Fabrics class.
 


Break is over.  Back to sewing.

Monday, January 13, 2014

Hexagon Floral Placemat

       The past few days the only quilting I have done was on a hexagon floral placemat that is a JoAnn Fabrics class sample.  I am scheduled to teach the class in April but I wanted to get the sample done.
It is a good project for a beginner because they learn to English paper piece a hexagon flower, applique it either by machine or by hand, machine quilt and bind. That is a lot.

    I also spent one afternoon cutting scraps.  If they were less than 12 1/2" long, I cut them into usable units such as rectangles 2 1/2" by 4 1/2" or 2 1/2" by 6 1/2" or squares 2 1/2", 3 1/2", 4 1/2", and 5" to add to my collection.  Some small pieces went into a crumb pile. I still have many more scraps to be cut up.
    I added a border and have the scrappy orphan top ready to sandwich and quilt.  Along the way I will piece more on my Celtic Solstice mystery.

Friday, January 10, 2014

More Celtic Solstice Progress

     After spending most of the day on the road and visiting a sister and cousin who have both had surgery recently, I returned home safely in a terrible rainstorm and settled down to piecing on my Celtic Solstice “54 - 40 or fight” blocks.


I worked on them yesterday also and I stopped this evening with only have 5 more to piece. 

     Next I have to finish the “Birthday Girl” blocks.  When checking out photos from Bonnie’s Link Up Party this week, I saw that several quilters have made the small change of rotating the chevron pieces so that a star is formed.  I like it.  


Kari has played with both options and color choice.  The combination adds a special look.  You can check out her options here.   I think I will make both types of blocks with the chevrons.




Monday, January 6, 2014

Celtic Solstice Progress

   Since Bonnie surprised me New Year's Day by posting the final step for the Celtic Solstice Mystery, I have sewn a few blocks together ( no rows yet) and am taking my time to match seams as well as I can.

I love the kaleidoscopic look for the final quilt.  I planned to make the small version but am considering extending it to fit a Queen size.  Last night I read about a lady who already is.
I've got a lot more sewing to do so I better get busy.

You can check out more about the Celtic Solstice Mystery and see the variety of color pallets others are using.  I am amazed at how much so many have accomplished.

Saturday, January 4, 2014

Work on Multiple Projects

      Friday was a cold day here so it was a great day to sew.  I pieced on several quilt projects. 
 On New Year’s Day Bonnie Hunter surprised me by posting the final step and layout for the CelticSolstice Mystery.    Some participants were not surprised, and I can’t believe that one even had her quilt together by January 3rd.  I am working on my blocks along with other projects but will hold off on my reveal until her Monday link-up so I will have more blocks complete. 

    As my leader / ender  ( If you want to find out more about what leader / enders are, check out Bonnie's explanation  ),  I am sewing components for Tula Pink’s“Stacks” quilt  
 I saw on “Sewing with Nancy”.  I have seen a couple of designer’s versions of this type quilt and wanted to try one.  I thought it would make an interesting comfort quilt.  Here is my first block 18” block together. 


In between other piecing (as leader / enders) I added sashing to the improve blocks and have them ready for a border.   I plan on using a black border, but I’m still looking through my stash for the right one. 

   Today is supposed to be another very cold day for Columbia so another great day to sew.





Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Reflecting on 2013 – Preparing for 2014

         As the new year starts, I took a little time today to reflect on my quilting projects in 2013.  I had a list of projects to be done and a list of UFOs that needed finishing.  I can’t say I did a great job with my lists.  ( You can check my 2013 Finish Page to see.)   I started and finished more projects ( samples for JoAnn Fabrics classes) that were NOT on my list than ones ON the list.  I ended the year with 5 quilt tops waiting to be quilted and 4 of those were on the list ALL year.  In November the Greater Columbia Quilters started a year long UFO Challenge and because of it, I did finish 4 UFOs.

For 2013     I did finish:              1 full size quilt  ( pieced with sister)
                                                1 twin size quilt
                                                2 wall-hangings
                                                5 large adult lap quilts
                                                8 small lap quilts
     total         17 quilts  plus 1 child’s quilt top  ( 9 were charity/comfort quilts)  

Through out the year I also made several quilted potholders, doll quilts, placemats, and mug rugs.

       As 2013 was winding down, I pulled out another UFO to tackle for the beginning of 2014.  I had 2 1/2 blocks made in Dianne S. Hire’s “Come Play with Me” workshop in 2006.  I also found an orphan block from a guild monthly challenge where I used several of the same fabrics. 
 
     When I pulled out the fabric scraps and pieces from the workshop, they included some pieced scraps from a Joe Cunningham workshop on improvisational piecing.  I don’t throw much away.


I spent part several hours of New Years Eve sorting and doing more improvisational piecing.  When I stopped for supper, I had 9 blocks and 3 more started.   After piecing the log cabin block (row 2 – 2 ), it needed something so I sliced and inserted a couple of strips similar to Dianne’s workshop blocks.  As the sun is setting on this first day of 2014, 12 blocks are made and only a few scraps remain in the pile.  

 I think these will make a great quilt with sashing ( to calm them down) and border so my 2014 quilting is off to a great start.  I will try to make this a year of FINISHES. 

    Happy New Year and Happy Quilting!