UFO Challenge: CathyO Mystery DONE

This was an interesting finish for me. I started this quilt back in 2009 when I was just starting to quilt. (Do you see where I am going with this...) I can really appreciate how far I have grown after working with this one!


Here are a few things that I have learned since this quilt:

1. The most obvious is the color combination. I still like the fabrics and the colors but just wish I had used a white or dark chocolate to contrast the blue and green.



2. When sewing a ton of little pieces an accurate 1/4 inch is a must.



3. While many will tell you to only press seams to one side, again because of all the little pieces and seams, I should have pressed everything open. (I now press most of my seams open.)
   I have been trying to get all these UFO's done and out of the way so I can make new and exciting things.... I will be working on 2 more this weekend. Hopefully I will have some new pictures to share by Monday.
   
   

UFO Challenge: Dan's Quilt DONE

I finished another UFO in May/June. Dan's quilt started as a sketch during one of my more boring classes when I was attending grad school. My classmate Dan thought I was crazy. I love the way it turned out. I love the colors, the design (super simple half square triangles) and the modern guy feel to it.
Again taking advantage of my Parent's ranch for the awesome pictures. I was getting tired of my backyard fence.

A June finish... Picnic Scraps

I'm taking full advantage of my Parent's ranch. I love my Mom's swing as a picture prop. This quilt was donated to the St. James Episcopal Church for their summer fundraiser. I love how it turned out and see many more in my future. In case you are wondering... the inspiration for the block came from Miss Print and this wonderful tutorial. I wanted the blocks to be big enough to see the design so I enlarged the blocks to 10.5 inches unfinished. So 4 single blocks across measure 40.5 inches. I used a thin muslin for a foundation so it was nice and sturdy. The center string consists of scraps that I sewed together and trimmed to 2 inches. The side white strings were cut to 1.5 inches. Then I just kept adding strings as usual to the sides. I finished this quilt in about a week.

I had debated using paper foundations but I like having the stability of the muslin foundation when I was piecing these big blocks together. I used Warm and Natural batting and had no problem free motion quilting this on my little Janome. I see a much larger version in my future for our queen sized bed. Lord knows I have plenty of scraps to use up...

Bags, Bags and more Bags

I found some new bag patterns.....

The first bag is a hobo sling bag pattern that I found in a magazine. I love the simplicity of the pattern and how it whips up in no time. The second bag is a pattern by Kati Cupcake Pattern Co. called the Journey bag. This one is definately a keeper. The pattern has 2 sizes and both are easy to make. This one takes a little more time than the sling bag but is definately worth the time. I have more already cut and ready to sew....

My baby is still at the fix-it shop...

My sewing machine finally gave out on me. I sew every day for at least an hour so she gets used a lot.... She has been having issues for a while but I kept putting it off because I had deadlines to make. Well she finally stopped and gave me the hint that she can't take anymore. She siezed up and I took her to the Dr.


And since I can't be without a machine for too long. I bought a new one to piece on. That will be another post for another day....

Some spring finishes...

Time flies when you are having fun. Spring has not shown its true self for sometime here in California and to be honest I am getting a little frustrated with it. I want cool mornings with sunshine. I want to wear shorts and flip-flops. I want to eat BBQ and fresh veggies from the garden. Instead its raining, day after day after day. On the positive side... I have not had to water my lawn or garden in weeks.

This baby quilt was sent to my Cousin Olivia in Wisconsin. She just had a baby girl named Nora. I love the look of this little Irish chain quilt. I used all pink scraps and a dark brown polka dot inner border. I backed it with some vintage pink fabric my grandmother gave me a few weeks ago. Feels good to have it done and in use already.

On the fence...

To buy EQ7 or not to buy EQ7 that is the question.

For those of you who have EQ7 (or 5-6) what is one thing that you can think of that would help sway me to purchase it. What is that one function you have found you can't live without?

For those of you who do not have EQ7, what has stopped you from purchasing it?

I design quilts by sketching them out on graph paper but have found the process a little time consuming if I want/need to change anything about the design. Which happens a lot! My designs are constantly changing or evolving. I'm an accountant by trade so the math is not a big deal to me; however, it would be nice to have it done for me for a change. ;)

Check out the fabulous Doll Quilt that was sent to me this week...

Lexis from Washington DC sent this blue beauty to me along with some thread, a yoyo maker, a fat quarter and an Odyssea charm pack!