Art Quilt

The family went on a camping trip recently.  We stayed on a colleague's property, which was situation on the riverfront.  The river was low, so the kids were able to wade and play throughout the day.

Isn't the view lovely!?!

Early in the morning, this heron was walking down the river's edge looking for food.  I was able to get fairly close before it was annoyed enough to walk away.  I liked this picture, and wanted to give my colleague a gift to say thank you.  I never have tried an art quilt before, so I had no idea where to start, other than to keep it simple.

Here it is!  I kept the room dark to show the quilting better.  I am pretty happy with the results!  I was going to put it in a frame, but I didn't like how it looked.  I will just bind it with a hanging sleeve.  I would like to get it done by Wednesday, but I am not sure if that is possible.



For more design wall projects, check out Judy's Patchwork Times!

Working with Brights

It has been a good quilting week.  I have been able to, here and there, finish some WIPs while also finishing an additional project.  I will show you a sneak preview of my Pets on Quilts entry.

I recently won a giveaway hosted by the wonderful SandraKaye.  The prize was some bright fabrics and a pattern!  I love the fabric.  The question is, will I actually follow the pattern?  If anyone reading this knows me, you can probably answer that easily!  I needed to make a cat mat for a friend who puts her cat in shows.  Can't wait to show the results!

Here is a look at my stash report.  Not bad!  Back in black!

Stash Report

Used this Week: 4.75
Used year to Date: 20.25 yards
Added this Week: 0

Added Year to Date: 17.5 yards
Net Used for 2012: 2.75 yards

UFOs (Charlotte's Baskets, Orca Bay, Art Quilt) 

Check out Judy's site, PatchworkTimes, for more Stash Busting!

Four Squared Finish

Just as promised, I have another finish to show!  Last night, the power was off for several hours after a nasty storm.  I decided it was a good time to bind by flashlight!

I quilted with a simple meander this time around.  For the backing, I found a nice, fitting flannel fabric in my stash.  I purchased this more than a year ago after a Joann Fabric Christmas sale.  Super cheap and super soft!

I look forward to putting some yardage down as "used" in my stash report this weekend!  Time to get back in black!  I also have plans to start a "cat mat" this week, with the hopes of finishing it in time for the Pets on Quilts Show.

Here is my shorter list of WIPs!  Looks like I am down to three now!  Well, ok, I am planning on starting a new one today.  That doesn't mean it has to be on the list yet!

1. Orca Bay (top is being assembled)

2. Four-Squared (waiting for binding to be sewn down)

3: Hexie: Part Deux (looooonnnng way from completion)

4: Charlotte's Baskets (top is done. waiting for hand quilting)

 

What are you all up to today?  Today I have a quilt to start, a trip to Target, and perhaps an Insanity workout!



Knocking out some WIPs!

After several months of languishing in a corner, it is finally done!  I am so happy too.  I don't think it is a good idea for me to try 3 of one thing.  It gets boring after a while!  I do have some more minis in my future, however.  They have made excellent gifts!

This leaves my list of UFOs or WIPs like so:

1:  July Wooden Bear mini quilt

2.  Orca Bay (top is being assembled)

3.  Four-Squared (waiting for binding to be sewn down)

4:  Hexie:  Part Deux (looooonnnng way from completion)

5:  Charlotte's Baskets (top is done.  waiting for hand quilting)

I plan on having one more finish by the end of the week!  Stay tuned!



Giveaway Winner

Thank you to all that have joined my giveaway!  I feel so blessed to know each and every one of you.  I used random number generator:

Our winner is:

Michelle HudakJuly 14, 2012 8:26 PM

I used to hate having my picture taken so I always volunteered to be the photographer but I've since decided I want everyone to remember me when I'm gone and the best way is to make sure my children have plenty of photos of me..even when I'm not looking my best LOL.

I've always wanted to visit Maine..thank you for sharing.

Thank you, Michelle!  I will be emailing you shortly for your information!

My design floor

Four Square is ready for final assembly!  The picture does not do the colors justice.  This will be a lovely, bright quilt!

All of the white framed blocks are I-spy blocks.  Even the 16-patch blocks have a splash of I-spy.  I didn't want a quilt entirely made of I-spy prints.  I wanted a bit of both worlds, and think I achieved that well.

I can't wait to get this one finished and off to the recipient next month!

Chugging along (Stash Report)

I rewarded myself after making good progress on a research paper by working on some quilt assembly.

I am assembling both the Orca Bay quilt along with the 4-squared baby quilt.  It makes things go by so much faster!  I can't say enough about chain piecing!



I have 10 out of the 13 16-patches (finished at 8") needed.  As for Orca Bay, I still have a long way to go!

Stash Report

I have used fabric, but am waiting to count it until I have finished 4-Squared.  Perhaps that will offer an incentive!  I purchased a little bit of fabric when I was in Maine, including a lovely little scrap bag with yards of fabric (largely batiks) for only 12.00!  I am still hovering close to zero, so I am happy with my stash-busting progress.  If I can just finish something, I will be back in black!

Stash Report

Used this Week: 0
Used year to Date: 15.5 yards
Added this Week: 3
Added Year to Date: 17.5 yards
Net Used for 2012: -1.75 yards

UFOs (Charlotte's Baskets, Orca Bay, Wooden Bear July Mini, 4-Squared)

 

Check out Judy's site, Patchwork Times, for more stash reporting!



Hexie: Part Deux

I told you today would be the day I would share my hexie progress!  Well, here it is:

I am working on attaching the ring of reds now.  I think I am about halfway done.  I probably will be taking my hexie assembly on the road while connecting them to the "mother ship" while at home watching TV.  Ok, I will be honest.  Past August, I am not sure I will have much time to work on this.  It will be around, however, for the bits and times I have to do something without the luxury of being able to work at my machine.

So far, my stitchery is better.  I am using 1" hexagons, and getting about 15 stitches to the inch.  Most are pretty invisible too.  I am happy with the progress I am making, technically speaking, and am pleased to take my time to make sure the work stays precise!  After all, I will be working on this a few years!

Here is a closeup photo of one of the hexie flowers.  I don't know what qualifies as an "invisible" stitch, but I am happy with how it is coming out.  The stitches on the last GFG quilt were far more visible.

Here is a back photo.  I basted my fabric on the flower without piercing the card stock form (I ended up being cheap and cutting out a bunch myself).  Last time I basted the fabric right down on the card stock.  One other change is pressing my work more frequently.  I didn't do it enough last time and it made a difference when it came down to preparing the quilt top for quilting.

Lastly, I will share a photo of my travel box.  See your bag, Joan?  It has everything I need to work on some hexies in my free time.  On Wednesday, I had my kit with me at school and was able to finish two between classes.

Sharing Maine with you (Giveaway)

A few days ago, I returned from a week in Maine.  Maine is by far my favorite vacation spot.  Cool nights are followed by warm days in the summer, and a spot on the lake makes the days even more fun.  I enjoyed lobster, fishing (didn't get a bass this year but was able to eat one caught by my hubby!), a boat ride for ice cream, and other fun activities.

I love Maine so much I wanted to share some of my favorites with you:

Huckleberries are yummy.  They weren't ready when we were there, but they are a favorite part of Maine.  Loons are water birds that are rather heavy boned.  They are unlike ducks in that their bellies sit underwater a bit.  They make the most lovely sounds in the dawn and dusk.  I also love to watch them fish.  My family spent some time watching a pair and one duckling fish.  The mother and father would take food to the baby.  The duckling seemed to know when he was going to be fed and would make a b-line towards the parent with the food!

Here is the giveaway.  This is open to all of my followers, and will include international shipping.  I have no idea how to ship overseas but I suppose it is the time to learn!  I will ship 2 quilt shop quality fat quarters representing two of my favorite things in Maine.  All you have to do is leave a comment on this post.  Easy?  Yes!  I will leave the giveaway open until July 17th at 11:59pm.  I will hope to ship by the end of the week.  I need a way to contact you, so make sure you are not a no-reply blogger.

I will leave you with a picture or two of my vacation.  Tomorrow I will post pictures of the english paper piecing project I started on vacation.  I can't wait to share it with you!



Above you see a rare photo of me (with my youngest son).  I tell my husband that people will not know I exist because I am always the photo taker.  He appeased me by taking one.  This is a picture taken when a bunch of us took a boat ride to a tiny island on a lake.  We waded in the water while a campfire was made for smores!  It was a lot of fun.  It was so hot, the chocolate melted and we had to squeeze it out like toothpaste.

Below, you see what REALLY happens when a photo is taken of children.  My oldest son (larger dark haired boy) does not like his photo taken.  My husband would do a dump-and-jump.  He would plop my son down and jump away so a picture could be taken.  As you see by the photo with four young boys (aged 8, 5, 4, 2), a lot of fun was had on vacation.  The parents were REALLY tired by the end of the day!!