Monday, August 29, 2011

Dye Project

My four-year-old goes back to school today.  It's time to get working on some projects.  I'm excited that the Diamond Chains Quiltalong at Tilda's Twisted Life has started.  Cutting instructions come out tomorrow and I haven't even selected my fabrics yet.  I am going to try to dye some of the muslin that I bought at JoAnns on a bolt.  What do I have to lose?
I have selected Rit's green apple dye hoping that it will come out looking similar to Martha Stewart's Living Paint color of Rhododendron Leaf.  If it somes out a little swirly and not all one color that would be cool too.  We'll see.

Now, from what my sister-in-law tells me... if I go with something like a Martha Living color and I use the little codes on the cards, as long as I pick something that matches the little symbol on the card with another color with that symbol the colors should compliment each other.  We'll see.  Then hopefully I will be able to find some items in my stash that match the dyed color.  I have a couple of vintage sheets that may work perfect for this project.  Tune in to see how this project works.

Oh, and the picture on the graphing paper is the block that I will be making.  Check it out!

Tilda's Twisted Life
Okay, I'm back...  LOVING the color while it's still in the bucket.  Green is my favorite color.  How could I go wrong?  I can't wait to see what color it is when it dries.



Meemaw Love To Quilt is having a giveaway.  You could win a copy of American Patchwork, true stories from quilters.  This giveaway ends Wednesday, August 31, at 11:00 pm -- Tell her I sent you and you will get an extra entry!!

Friday, August 26, 2011

Broken Dishes Lazy Boy Chair Cover

Yippee!  Another finished project.  I finished the Broken Dishes Quiltalong project that I just started last week.  I can't believe it is done.  I loved the Broken Dishes pattern with Ariane Quilts at

I chain pieced all the half square triangles and then chain pieced all of the halfs and then all of the blocks.  I used fabrics from my stash that rapidly grew after some cheap garage sale finds this summer.  Here it is with my little helper modeling it:
See the chair next to it?  That's what our chair covers used to look like (just a sheet that gets washed over and over)  I may sew the top of this quilted chair cover so that it stays in place.  I'm not sure if it will rip out from us plopping down on the chair yet.  I will let it stay as is on the chair for a while to see how it goes.

You can also see that I haven't put my sewing machine away (in background on kitchen table).  It is so much easier to quilt something out there instead of trying to do it on my cabinet.  I have learned from others blogs that it is so much easier to quilt when the weight of the quilt is on the kitchen table instead of my lap or rolled up in rolls.  Leah Day has soooooo many good tips for FMQ. 

The "little helper" was excited to see a new cover on "his" chair.  He immediately had to initiate it by eating butterscotch pudding (see that spot on the left side already above the red blocks?)  It came out easily with just a wet towel.

That's okay.  Protecting the chair is why I made it.  This photo also shows my second attempt at FMQ.  It's not even.  It's not great.  But it works.  I rather practice on something like this and see results.  Doing the same pattern over and over freehanded showed that I could improve after just a few blocks.  It's not a fancy quilt... it's a cover made with garage sale finds!  And really, it's not that bad.
Here's the back of the cover.  I have no idea where I would use this fabric when I purchased it at a garage sale for a dollar for three yards.  The yardage was perfect.  But to me, onions, apples, pears, and other miscellaneous fruit just don't go well together.  But it worked for this backing just great.
The dimensions for the quilt are as follows:
41" wide
72" long
for the armrests it is 52" wide for 24"  I used the broken dishes blocks on the underside of the armrests.

It took 79 broken dish blocks to make this cover.  Finished block size is 8" square.

I'm going to need the above details.  There's another lazyboy chair sitting next to this one that needs a cover.  No, it won't be the same as this one at all.  I am out of those scraps.  This was a great scrap buster project combined with my JoAnn's $1/yd muslin.  I was also able to use all of my scraps of Warm and Natural batting from my last two quilt projects with the help of Heat Press Batting Together iron-on tape.  Ahhhh! I just love something functional at a cheap price from things that I have AND I get to learn new techniques and continue my hobby.  Whohoo!


Broken Dishes

For a great giveaway of a Promonade fat quarter bundle sponsored by Julie at Intrepid Thread, visit
Adventures of a Cross Stitch Drama Queen at

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

WIP Wednesday

Here's an interesting untraditional quilt...  I am using the broken dishes quiltalong for the pattern.  I am using my stash and a bag of garage sale finds to make the quilt.  It's a LOT of half square triangles.  But they came together beautifully.  Yesterday I finsihed the top and sandwiched it.  Here's the top:
What is it, you ask?  After it is quilted it will be a cover for one of our tall lazy boy chairs.  I will fold down the top and stitch the corners to make it like the bottom of a market bag.  The sides sticking out will cover the arm rests nicely.  I will also stitch little bags to the seat seam to make them stay in the crack of the chair so that it will stay put.  I can't wait to show you the finished product when it's done, but for now this is where it is.




The heat press I bought this week was perfect for this project.  I used up almost all of my left over warm and natural from my two previous quilts. Ten yards for $8.  I wish I could find who's blog I got the info from to tell you.  If interested, leave a comment and I will go though my Paypal account and find it for you.

Remember the tutorial on Heat Press Batting Together? Here is a link to Jeanne's site,  This is where I got the HEAT PRESS BATTING.

Other than all of those broken dishes (above) I only made two other blocks this week.  One is for my We Can Do It Skill Builder Sampler, and I made one in another color scheme to add to my Summer Sampler Series Quilt to make it bigger.




Here's my stats:

New Projects:  1  Happy Quilting Quilt-A-Long Stars --  (I haven't started cutting this yet.)

I'm really excited about the quiltalong at Tilda's Twisted Life.  I am going to make a negative space quilt using the diamond chains block she made for her bonus block in the We Can Do It Skill Builder Sampler.  Tune in for exciting instructions Friday!

This is very tempting, but I may have to get back to it later:

Across the Sea Quilt-Along

Completed Projects --  2 Summer Sampler Series (extra blocks to make it bigger)
                                 
Currently in Progress:  7
We Can Do It Skill Builder Sampler
Bluepatch Quilter Mystery Quiltalong
Victorianna Fabric Party Quiltalong
Summer Series Quiltalong
Happy Quilting Quilt-A-Long Stars
Broken Dishes Quiltalong (Lazyboy Chair Cover)

Quilt Tops Awaiting backs and to be quilted:  3
Jelly Roll Race - Lap quilt
Oh Susannah! Mystery Quiltalong - California King
Kaleidoscope Quiltalong


Projects on Hold: 6
Flower Basket Quilt
30"x30" Quilt for the October quilt show
Charity Quilt for our local quilt guild (2 cut)
I am still a little behind on the Rockin' Robin (2.5 rows)
May Block Lotto Pineapple Blocks to be put together
August Block Lotto African Violets baby quilt to be put together

Stop by and see who else has what else going on with Lee at Freshly Pieced!
WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced


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Monday, August 22, 2011

We Can Do It Skill Builder Sampler Block #8

The We Can Do It Skill Builder Sampler (block 8) is called Breaking Out.  It is the first time I tried "magic" flying geese.  Pretty neat how no fabric was wasted.  Here's my block in spectacular photography (LOL).
I liked the block enough to do a second block to make my Summer Sampler Series quilt larger:

I am still very happy with my color choices on both quilts!  Woohoo!  Only about five more original blocks to get caught up on the Summer Sampler Series.

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

WIP Wednesday 8/17/11

It was a great week this week!  My husband worked out of town and I took over the kitchen with my massive Country Kitties (there are no cats at all in this quilt, but I got the pattern from Free-Quilting.com and they had cat fabric...  It's a California King quilt.  It was my first attempt of free-motion quilting (FMQ) on an actual quilt.  I LOVE IT!  I'm doing the happy dance right now!




The back is just the paisly color.  I was going to piece it, but it was just too busy looking.



For the We Can Do It Skill Builder I completed Block 7 which focused on making flying geese, but I "made it my own" and did a pieced center:




I also made two more blocks for my Summer Sampler Series quilt.  I am making the quilt bigger and need a total of eight more blocks.  Here's two of the eight even though I don't have all of the original blocks done.  (Yes, we also play with Playdough on the table...)



I also made my seven star blocks for the Bluepatch Quilter Mystery Quilt this week.  I opted out of making them paper pieced and substituted another star block.




Here's my stats:

New Projects:  1  Happy Quilting Quilt-A-Long Stars --

I'm really excited about the quiltalong at Tilda's Twisted Life.  I am going to make a negative space quilt using the diamond chains block she made for her bonus block in the We Can Do It Skill Builder Sampler.



These are very tempting, but I may have to get back to them later:



Across the Sea Quilt-Along

Completed Projects --  2 Summer Sampler Series (extra blocks to make it bigger)
                                    7 Bluepatch Quilter Mystery Quilt Blocks
                                    California King - Country Kitties -- Whohoo!  It's on the bed!
Currently in Progress:  7
We Can Do It Skill Builder Sampler
Bluepatch Quilter Mystery Quiltalong
Victorianna Fabric Party Quiltalong
Summer Series Quiltalong
Happy Quilting Quilt-A-Long Stars

Quilt Tops Awaiting backs and to be quilted:  3
Jelly Roll Race - Lap quilt
Oh Susannah! Mystery Quiltalong - California King
Kaleidoscope Quiltalong


Projects on Hold: 6
Flower Basket Quilt
30"x30" Quilt for the October quilt show
Charity Quilt for our local quilt guild (2 cut)
I am still a little behind on the Rockin' Robin (2.5 rows)
May Block Lotto Pineapple Blocks to be put together
August Block Lotto African Violets baby quilt to be put together

Things that are really tempting right now!





Stop by and see who else has what else going on with Lee at Freshly Pieced!
WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced

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Monday, August 15, 2011

Monday needs motivation

I've been working on my HUGE California King quilt all week.  I needed a little break from the quilting.  I decided to go against the grain on my Bluepatch Mystery Quilt and just make basic blocks instead of the SEVEN paper-pieced blocks!!!  Nobody at my house will notice that I subsituted a different star.  I also need motivated to get cracking on some more Summer Sampler Series blocks.  I'm working on it.  Here's where I am right now...  LOL.


Sue is having an awesome giveaway for celebrating 100 followers on her blog.  You could win a ruler and a fat-quarter bundle.  Check it out!
http://quiltingblockswapsaustralia.blogspot.com/2011/08/growing-growing-lets-reach-100.html



Check out Leona's page to win a charm pack.  Giveaway ends 8/20.
http://oneygirl-myquiltingadventure.blogspot.com/2011/08/taffy-go-round-pillow-tutorial-by-west.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+LeonasQuiltingAdventure+%28LEONA%27S+QUILTING+ADVENTURE%29

Also check out the giveaway that ends tomorrow at http://sewfunquilts-sewmeow.blogspot.com/2011/08/heywanna-win-free-giveaway.html?showComment=1313415600007#c9047956470612395148

Saturday, August 13, 2011

We Can Do It Skill Builder Sampler - Block 7, Star

I love block 7 of the We Can Do It Skill Builder Sampler.  Although I made a simpler version of this for the Summer Sampler Series, I just felt I needed to do another for this quiltalong too.  It is a very common star, but I mixed it up a little.  I am very pleased with the skills I have been learning in the quiltalongs and block swaps.

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

WIP Wednesday

This week I made up some ground on the Summer Sampler Series blocks.  I made three blocks.  I have five blocks to go on this series.  Here's a new block I haven't posted



I really like this monochromatic color scheme in maroons!  Don't cha love the 1960's rug? 

I made my first liberated house block ever this week for my Block Swap Adventure partner, Staci.  I wasn't totally thrilled with the house so I also made her a star and mailed them both.  Her color requests were red, white, and blue.



This week I also made two sets of the Block Lotto violet blocks (one in the correct size for the Lotto, and one 1" too big.  Oh well, they are a cute block and will make a cute baby quilt!





Here's my stats:

New Projects:  1  Happy Quilting Quilt-A-Long Stars -- I am very excited about this quiltalong because I scored big at a garage sale this week the perfect Civil War fabrics for it!

Completed Projects --  3 Summer Sampler Series blocks
                                    9 Block Lotto African Violet blocks
                                    9 more African Violet blocks for a baby quilt
                                    2 Block Swap Adventure blocks for August

I am still a little behind on the Rockin' Robin (2.5 rows)

Currently in Progress:  6
We Can Do It Skill Builder Sampler
Bluepatch Quilter Mystery Quiltalong
Victorianna Fabric Party Quiltalong
Kaleidoscope Quiltalong
Summer Series Quiltalong
Happy Quilting Quilt-A-Long Stars

Quilt Tops Awaiting backs and to be quilted:  3
(California King - Country Kitties)
(Jelly Roll Race - Lap quilt)
(Oh Susannah! Mystery Quiltalong - Queen quilt)

Projects on Hold: 3
Flower Basket Quilt
30"x30" Quilt for the October quilt show
Charity Quilt for our local quilt guild (2 cut)


Stop by and see who else has what else going on with Lee at Freshly Pieced!
WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced

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The Crafty Fox is having a cute giveaway.  You could win a cute tote or clutch.  Check it out at
http://thiscraftyfox.blogspot.com/2011/08/100th-blog-post-giveaway.html?showComment=1313002687893#c5793921915214674235

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Monday, August 8, 2011

Two blocks for the Summer Sampler Series

I'm gettng caught up on my Summer Sampler Series blocks.  Two more down.  The Star block is one of my favorites so far.  I really like the colors (patterns) in this block.
Here's the Arkansas Traveler block.

Friday, August 5, 2011

Oopsie! Wrong size blocks!


At first glance you would think that this is my monthly submission to the Block Lotto that I love so much.  Well, writing down the block sizes for cutting at 2am was not a good move on my part this month.  I wrote 5" for the African Violet colors instead of 4.5".  This made my blocks about 9".  They need to be 8" for the Block Lotto this month.  Oh well.  Sometimes oopsies turn in to something cute.  I will use these blocks for a baby quilt.  After I decide on some sashing I think it will be lovely.


Join me on the Block Lotto Blog

Linda at Stray Stitches is celebrating her BLOGIVERSARY  with a GIVEAWAY!  What does she have this time around?  A little bit of this.......and a little bit of that.......  Check it out at:
http://straystitches1.blogspot.com/2011/08/celebrating-my-blogiversary-with.html

Update:  Here are my nine August violet blocks for the block lotto.  It's been a long day.  I can take a nap now.

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

WIP Wednesday

Staci from AZ is definitely on the ball this month!  Geez, I got my block swap block for the Block Swap Adventure on 8/1!  Wow, Staci!  Rocket fast shipping AND an awesome block.  I requested that I wanted a block in yellow and orange.  Staci hit the nail on the head.  Cute cute cute block.  I love it!

Okay, silly picture, but I need to feel like I made some progress.  This is two different quilts cut out and ready to be pieced using the Sunflower Seeds quilt design.  They will be baby quilts.  (One will be for charity from my quilt guild; one will be a keep just in case I need a baby quilt-quilt.)  It just amazes me how two quilts can fit into five ziplock sandwich bags.


Here's my stats:

New Projects:  0

Completed Projects --  Bluepatch Quilter Mystery quilt - made two blocks and one plating. 
                                    We Can Do It Skill Builder Block 6
                                     Row 4 of the Victoriana Quilt Design Fabric Party
                                     I added one more border to my Oh Susannah quilt to make it the correct bed size
                                           
This week I fell a little behind on the Summer Sampler Series (a total of 6 blocks--I'll get them done.  Summer break is almost over and I will miss my four-year-old when he gets back to school), Rockin' Robin (2.5 rows)

Currently in Progress:  9
We Can Do It Skill Builder Sampler
Bluepatch Quilter Mystery Quiltalong
Victorianna Fabric Party Quiltalong
30"x30" Quilt for the October quilt show
Charity Quilt for our local quilt guild (2 cut)
Kaleidoscope Quiltalong
Summer Series Quiltalong

Quilt Tops Awaiting backs and to be quilted:  3
(California King - Country Kitties)
(Jelly Roll Race - Lap quilt)
(Oh Susannah! Mystery Quiltalong - Queen quilt)

Projects on Hold: 1
Flower Basket Quilt

Stop by and see who else has what else going on with Lee at Freshly Pieced!
WIP Wednesday at Freshly Pieced
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