100 block challenge squares

I am pleased to say that there are now 5 less blocks on that 100 block challenge to do list today, than there were yesterday. Blocks 102- Norse Bloom, 105- Hope Blooms, 139- Hugs and Kisses, 147- Dot Goes to School, 175- Vanishing Squares, are done. I made modifications to Hope Blooms, by leaving off the corner triangles, and the words in the square, which I might put in later. I have a large collection of finished, but not yet put into a quilt, applique squares that I've done over the years. I think some of these applique squares are going to get added to the ones already there, to make an applique sampler. They are all different sizes, and different background fabrics, so they will sit in their box until I come up with an idea to set them all together.

Design Wall Monday Week 8

I haven't accomplished a thing today. I had all these good intentions, but all I've done is sit on the couch, with my computer in my lap, watching the "Pillars of the Earth", which I've already seen. I finally got up the oomph to take some pictures of what on my wall. The Tropical fish quilt, which I wrote about here is still up there. Then there are my 100 block challenge blocks. The one on the left is in its beginning stages of sewing down, and there are still some pieces left to go on it. The one in the center is all stitched down. There are supposed to be little circles at the tip, and on either side of the gold points, but I don't think those are going to get put on. Then, if you go past these 3 pictures........................

there is a picture of the first of the My Tweets blocks. It is so close to being done. All it needs are those teeny tiny top knots for the second bird finished, and then I can sew it down. However, because they are so teeny tiny, I've been putting off doing them. If I ever get up off this couch today, LOL, I just might add that to the list of the things I wanted to do today, that have yet to be accomplished, because I have yet to get up off this couch. (sigh) I can always blame it on having worked the weekend, but it's more that I've simply lost my oomph. But, sitting here won't find it, So, I'll post this, link to Patchwork times where there are a whole lot of other design walls to see, and to tempt me to stay on the couch, and then get up and get something accomplished for the day.

Design Wall Monday Week 6

 Not much new happening on my wall. I'm still working on the quilt I started on Friday as an antidote to long arm machine issues. Those have almost been resolved, but I'll be spending at least part of today trying to finish it. Never before I have wished I lived in Iowa. That's where these machines are made, and if I lived there, I could just call someone, and have them come over and fix it. (sigh)

I tried putting up the border fabric for this quilt, that I thought would work, only to find that it doesn't. It is extremely blah and boring. No punch, no pizzaz, adds absolutely nothing to the quilt, just fades off.


So, I decided that I have enough of the blue fabrics to do a 4 1/2 inch pieced border around it.  Not bad, but still not there. They blend into each other too much
What if I put some narrow brown pieces in between the blue squares? I think that's it!! Now all I have to do is figure out the math to get it all to fit. And, if you keep going to the end of this post, past these pictures............

 These are my next 2 squares for the 100 block challenge The applique one isn't finished yet. There are still some pieces to go on it, and some embroidery. I might end up checking out our local Michael's store, to see if there are more fabric markers out the that I can use to draw the embroidery designs with, that will show up on the dark fabric. And now, to check out the directions for the next step in fixing my machine.

100 block challenge squares # 21 & 22

 I've finished my squares for this week. Woohoo! Not only that, but I have one of next week's all cut out, and ready to sew, probably today before heading in to work. So, squares # 21 and #22 are done, I need 2 more, and then, after I do all the machine applique stitching (groan), I can start putting the first of the quilts made from these squares together. Originally, I was going to substitute a large motif from a fabric for the Sweet Dreams embroidery, but them I remembered that I had bought a permanent fabric marker, in red, for doing faux red work embroidery. So, I used that. It took all of 10 minutes, and I think it turned out quite well. Hopefully, though, permanent really means permanent.

Design Wall Monday Week 4

Ah, Monday morning, when all is quiet. A good cup of coffee, and all kinds of design walls and quilts to look at, over at Patchwork Times while my brain clears enough to be able to think coherently. The second coffee, sitting here beside me should help. Unfortunately, I have sleep issues, and need to take medication to help it, which causes brain fog in the morning. So, it takes a while to get the engines running. But they are going now. On my wall today, and for the next few days, is the partially finished design for the setting for the 100 block challenge I need 4 more blocks before I can start putting it together.  I think it needs some more blocks that have a dark background to them, rather that the beiges or creams, so I can now plan the fabric choices of the next few accordingly. So, that is part of my plan for today, to get at least 2 more blocks done for this quilt, and maybe even more. Past that point, I haven't quite decided what I want to do, but at the moment, I'm leaning towards working on a baby quilt, based on hexagon stars, inspired by this one I have all those fun baby fabrics up there calling my name, plus there are more coming in the mail, hopefully sometime this week. Added to that, I'm going to keep on with doing 2 of the string units for RRCB, and at least 2 lengths of thread on the binding for the Card trick quilt, so that I can count it as finish #2 for the year, and as a finish for the UFO challenge for January.

100 block challenge squares # 19 & 20

So far today, a lot has been crossed off that list I made yesterday. Here are the next 2 100 block challenge squares. Instead of a snow house, I dug up some old landscape quilt fabrics I had from quite a few years ago, and made an English thatched cottage instead. The other square was named "Versailles" Just 4 more squares, and I can put together the first of the quilts made from them. The cottage square is fusible appliqued. I forgot to reverse the pattern when tracing it, so it came out reversed from the pattern, but it still looks fine, although, looking at the picture, the greens in the trees could have stood to have a bit more contrast. In the Versailles block, I didn't like the placement if the darks and lights, so I switched them a bit in the star points, so that they are in the same spot in each corner. I like the movement it has this way.

100 block challenge squares

Is it ever a lazy day around our house today. One of those pretty winter days that are best spent indoors. The snow is falling, but there isn't much wind, so the flakes are just kind of softly drifting down. If I were the active, outdoorsy type person, this would be a perfect day for a walk. But, I'm not, or at least not in the winter. However, It isn't supposed to be a lazy day. We have errands to run, and groceries to pick up, but I have no motivation to do anything, except stay put indoors. (sigh) But, the cupboards are close to being bare, and the refrigerator is near empty, after it's annual New Year's purging of out dated stuff. This is the first day since Christmas vacation that Scott and I have actually had a day off, so we have to get some stuff done. Oh well. I managed to get this weeks blocks for the 100 block challenge done. They are both fused to the fabric, but haven't been stitches down yet. I tend to save that step until I have a lot of it to do, since it involves messing with the tension of my machine to get the invisible thread to work properly. So, when I get enough of them, I put a movie in, usually one that I know, so that I can listen to it, and still know what is happening. I should try talking books, sometime. That would work, too. But, I've procrastinated long enough, and the grocery store is beckoning.

Design Wall Monday Week 2

I just looked at the design wall posts at Patchwork Times and the are already 71 different walls posted. WOW! These are really taking off this year. Tons and tons of eye candy and inspiration. What a lovely way to spend the time over a cup of coffee or 2 while my brain engines try to get into gear. I managed to get all the alternate blocks for the Card trick quilt, UFO #6 done last week, and they are on the wall .My job today, once my brain has cleared, is to figure out the math for the setting triangles. Both EQ5 and Quilt Pro programs show the setting triangles as partial blocks, and the are showing half square triangle units and quarter square triangle units made of the same fabrics. Somehow, that seems like a silly thing to do. So, I want to convert them over to squares and rectangles, which is where the math comes in. Subtract 7/8 inch from measurement given, to find finished size, then add half inch to get cut size, for the half squares. For the quarter squares, subtract 1 1/4 inch from given size to find finished size, ad then add half inch. It's one thing to know the formula, it's another to actually get it to work out.
The other thing on my wall today is the setting I am planning on using for the blocks for the 100 block challenge The idea for this setting came from a book by Judy Martin called "The Block Book" I need six of these to make a twin sized quilt, before borders, so I'm over halfway there with the 12 inch blocks. The nine patches are being done as leaders and enders. Today, I hope to get my next 2 challenge blocks done, and get the setting triangles at least started. But first, another cup of coffee, and some more wall browsing.

Catch up time

It is now time, since the holidays are over, to play catch up with all the customer quilts I have waiting to be done. Their owners, when they dropped them off,  knew that I wouldn't be able to get to them until the New Year. So, here is finish  #1, Donna's 4 patch rectangles. I love how the curvy quilting compliments the straight lines.

I'm also now caught up on the blocks for the 100 block challenge . These are blocks 14, 15 and 16. I must confess that I did not like doing the curved seams of block #14, although I'm not sure why. I've done curved seams before, and they've been fine, but these didn't want to cooperate in the least. It is quite visible in the bottom right corner that there were some stretching issues going on, but, it is going to stay that way. I think if I were to do a quilt using this design, I'd skip the curved seams, and fusible applique the shapes that are the leaves fabric to the backgrounds. In the pattern for  block 15 had a Christmas tree in the snow globe, but I decided I wanted something different. I had some fabric with different teddy bear motifs, and thought one of them would look good in the globe. They would make a really fun Christmas wall hanging. My plan, with all of these, is to put them all into the same sampler quilt, regardless of the theme of the blocks. I've been using the same colours in most of the blocks, or colours that are complimentary, so they should all work together, I hope. And #16, well, it was just plain fun to do. I love the different sized polka dots. I'm working on some 9 patches that are going to be part of the setting design, also in colours that will compliment the blocks, and using them as "leaders and enders". So, hopefully by the time I'm ready to put the quilt together, I'll have all the nine patch squares done that I need. And now, hi ho hi ho, it's off to work I go.

Design Wall Monday Dec 27

Most everyone's post that I have read today, has expressed the same thing I am feeling, how is it possible that it is the last Monday of the year. How is it possible that 2010 is almost over. I have enjoyed participating in the design wall Mondays, since I started, and find that it gives me motivation to get at least something small done, and often a whole lot more than that. Today is one of the small days. I have one of my 100 block challenge blocks done, and one more to go to make sure I keep up to date. The last one is all cut out, but it has curved seams, and I don't seem to have the patience to do the curved seams.


We had a great Christmas up in Collingwood with our children, and Laurie's grandmother was there as well. She's a sweet lady. Some of my quilts and other crafty stuff from the past year found new homes at Christmas. Here are 6 pictures of the different hand made gifts.

This is the One block Wonder that I did earlier this year. It went to live at Noel and Laurie's

This is a kit that I ordered from Keepsake Quilter. Matt and Becca are both outdoors type people, and Matt has a thing for moose sightings, so this was a perfect quilt to go and live at their house.

This is a wreath that I made up for Matt and Becca. It used the bells that we had on the tables for their wedding. I added some red and green bells, just to give it colour

These are some little 5 inch stockings that I did up for Noel and Laurie to put on their Christmas tree. They always get a huge tree, since they have a cathedral ceiling in their living room, 12 feet tall, at least.

These are some mini pocket warmers. They have 1/2 cup of rice in each. A pair of pocket warmers  go into the microwave for 30 seconds, and then get tucked into pockets to keep hands warm. I found the idea here each of the kids got a pair.

This is a table runner for Noel and Laurie, also from a kits from Keepsake quilts. It had an interesting way of doing the applique. The shapes were cut out from the gold fabric, while reserving the parts of the gold fabric that the shapes were cut from, giving a positive and negative effect

Design Wall Monday Dec 20

Wow, December 20, already. Four days from now, we'll be heading up to Collingwood to spend Christmas with our son and daughter-in-law, Noel and Laurie. Our daughter, Rebecca, and her husband, Matt, are going to be there too. I am praying that the weather cooperates, and we don't have any of the heavy snow squalls that have been hitting us this month. Laurie, who is around 4 months pregnant, is having an ultrasound on the 22nd, so they will, hopefully, know the sex of the baby by the time we get there. And then, the true fun begins, when I can seriously think about a customized baby quilt, just for that precious child. Woohoo! I was hoping to have all day today, after working the weekend, to relax, and play in my sewing room. But, Rebecca called, and wants to head out to do some Christmas shopping, and how can I pass up an opportunity to spend time with my daughter. However, I
did manage to get one more of the 100 block challenge blocks made this morning, so I'm up to date. Go on over to Patchwork Times to see more design walls

Design Wall Monday Dec 6

 Today is an excellent day to stay inside and sew. We are getting slammed with snow. Schools have been closed, the roads are a mess, and the snow continues to fall. So far, according to the Weather Network, we've had between 30 to 40 centimetres, which translates over to 12 to 16 inches of snow since yesterday. And, it's forecasted to continue like this for all of today, tonight, and into tomorrow. It's all coming in off Lake Huron, like an arrow, pointed straight at us. It's a good thing I've got lots I want to do, and no place I need to go. My poor husband, though, had to go out in it this morning to go to work. I can only begin to imagine the number of calls the hospital got from people not able to get in to work (he and I work at the same hospital). They called this morning wanting to know I could come in this afternoon. I very politely declined. If this snow keeps up, the people working this afternoon won't be able to get home. My Son and Daughter-in-love, who live in Collingwood, have at least twice as much as we do. It a ski place, so that community will be glad of the snow So, I've spent my morning, and early afternoon working on my 100 block challenge
 blocks, pictured here, at the side, along with a picture of all 8 blocks done so far. And now, since there is no place else to go, I'm heading back upstairs to finish off my step 2 triangles, and start my step 3 string pieced foundation squares for the
RRCB mystery sponsored by Bonnie Hunter. It seems like there are a lot of us in blog land working on this mystery. It is going to be a lot of fun to see everyone's finished quilts, once the mystery is done.

Sewing room news

 I spent most of yesterday, as planned, in my sewing room, with just a couple of tea breaks, and checking the computer for new posts breaks. All in all, a productive, yet relaxing day. It was so nice. I managed to start and finish both blocks for the 100 blocks challenge It is so much fun to see how the same pattern can look so different, depending on who made it, and in what fabrics and colours. I'll probably be repeating that thought quite frequently. I also managed to get all of the half square triangles cut, and about 2/3 of the sewn, for the Roll Roll Cotton Boll mystery I am liking the purples and blacks, and am looking forward to seeing the next clue, which Bonnie says she will be posting on Friday. Today's plan, after I yank myself away from the computer: clean off the table of my longarm, so I can mount a quilt onto it. I received a quilt from Amalia last week that she would like finished before Christmas, and it's HUGE, made for a king size bed. She wants a fairly easy pantograph, so it won't be hard to do, just a lot of standing, and a lot of time. So, when I'm taking a break from standing, I'll sit, and finish the last of the RRCB triangle units. I need to get back to the borders of the pineapple nine patch, as well. Oh yes, somewhere in there, I need to fit some ho-hum stuff like, making supper, and doing some laundry.

100 block challenge

  
So far today, I have gotten all of the bindings made, and the fourth square for Teaquilt's 100 block challengs  finished. These are picks of the first 4, so far. I'm hoping I'll be able to keep up. So far, it has been an enjoyable thing to do. So, now I'm off to get those bindings actually sewn onto the quilts. Whether I finish them by hand or machine will probably depend on how my shoulders feel after wrestling 3 quilts though my machine. I much prefer the look of hand stitched bindings, but, these are quilts destined for charity, so, I don't know if I want to take the time to do them by hand.